"Before everyone gets here, lass I wanted to give you this." Alastor handed the parcel awkwardly over the coffee table.
Hermione frowned, putting down her tea to accept it. "Ok." replied slowly.
"Just…Merry Christmas, lass," he mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"Merry Christmas," she murmured, pulling the paper off. A Black leather book fell out, unsure as to why this book was so important, Hermione opened it cautiously, unable to hide her gasp when her parents waved up at her. "What…what's this? I don't understand!"
Her eyes met Alastors sad ones. "Saul." he replied softly, "When you gave him your memories, and he looked through some happy ones….well, the Unspeakables have some wonderful technology. He was able to extract some images."
Silently Hermione flipped through the album. Her parents, Crooks, Harry and Ron, an older Sirius at Christmas, the twins covered in soot, Neville, Luna, Gryffindor Quidditch practice, Seamus and Dean, Viktor at the Yule Ball, Remus and Tonks, Snape in Neville's Grandmother's clothing. "Oh, oh my gods." she wasn't aware she was sobbing until she felt Alastor sit down next to her and cautiously put an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you," she whispered.
He hummed, "Will you tell me about them?" he asked hesitantly, "I…I wasn't sure if you'd want to talk about them."
"Yes." she rasped, wrapping her arms around him.
"Whenever you're ready," he murmured.
Minerva stepped through the floo cautiously, knowing she was early but not wanting to walk into a roomful of relatives she knew were furious with her. The Howlers hadn't been subtle.
"Aunt Minerva!" Hermione exclaimed, surprise clear on her face.
"Are you alright?" Minerva asked, her eyes taking in Hermione's red eyes and the way she was curled into Alastor.
"Yes. It's been…an emotionally texting morning." Hermione admitted softly.
"And only going to get worse, I imagine," Minerva replied wryly, her eyes cataloguing the room in the hopes of clues. Something had clearly happened but their body language was screaming don't ask me yet so she was going to have to let it go for now. Attempting to inject some lightness into the heavy feeling of the room she continued, "You will step in if they seem to be aiming for permanent maiming, won't you?"
Hermione snorted, unable to hide the relief on her face that Minerva wasn't pushing for answers, "I can try. I get the impression my great-grandmother isn't one to be deterred from getting her point across."
"No." Minerva sighed, closing her eyes in resignation as she allowed her head to drop back onto the sofa, "She'll manage well enough with nothing more than that sharp tongue of hers, and Merlin knows no one has been able to stop her yet."
"Hopefully it won't be as bad as you're anticipating. Aunt Dorea and Uncle Charlus are bringing James, Sirius and Remus."
"Wonderful, more witnesses," Minerva muttered.
"Or a distraction?" Hermione offered.
"I think we both know nothing is going to distract my mother from saying her piece. And that's before we consider Janet and Rab. I gather young Callum is also furious, so there'll be a queue. Although if they're bringing the bairns perhaps they'll not murder me in front of them."
"I don't know," Alastor murmured finally, a hint of mischief on his face, "Those two wee lassies are vicious."
Minerva snorted, "Aye but I don't imagine they want to give them ideas."
"Probably not," Alastor agreed with a laugh, "Straighten your spine, Minerva, it'll be what it is. Although, I feel like I should ask, what the bloody hell were you thinking?"
"That the lass had more than enough to deal with!" Minerva retorted sharply, "You remember my mother and Janet I assume? They'd never have waited.
Alastor hummed, mulling that over, "No," he agreed with a sigh.
"And she was overwhelmed and struggling to accept you, never mind an entire hoard of overprotective relatives! I did what I thought was best."
"Fair enough," Alstor murmured. "I don't know that they'll accept that but at least it's something."
Minerva let out a groan, "Of course they won't, my mother is going to be insufferable."
Several hours later Hermione found herself in a room with what felt like the entirety of her family all eating in stilted silence. They'd managed presents without too many barbs, the excitement of the children was infectious, aided by Isla's unrelenting questions. Now though, seated around the dinner table, there was no avoiding how displeased several people were.
"How are you, Kitten?" Alex murmured, ignoring his mothers penetrating stare from across the table.
"Uncomfortable," Hermione hissed, "If my Grandmother stares any harder at Aunt Minerva she's going to burn a hole into her head."
Alex snorted, "Messy," he quipped as Izzah choked beside him and Effie hid her smile behind her glass.
"Something funny lass?" Isobel asked pointedly.
"Not at all Great-Grandmother," Hermione replied innocently, praying to whatever deity might be listening that they just made it through this meal.
"I find that hard to believe, my girl," Isobel commented lightly, pinning her with a stare as Sirius and James sniggered. With an air of impending dramatics, she placed her cutlery primly down on her plate, "Now what do you think about this business with your Great-Aunt?"
Hermione sighed, "Great-Grandmother, let it go." she commanded gently, "Aunt Minerva did what she thought was best, as she's already explained."
"A terrible explanation!" Janet interjected sharply.
Hermione sighed, wondering if there was any way to diffuse this. Worryingly her elder cousins had a look of anticipation on their faces. Was this a normal form of family entertainment and she'd missed the memo? Gods she hoped not, it was fucking exhausting. With a slightly betrayed look at her Godparents, who appeared to be trying not to laugh, she decided there was no getting around this. "Gran, could you truly tell me that you'd have stayed away?"
"Of course, I would have!" Janet insisted until Hermione stared her down. "Fine." she sighed eventually, "I would have found it immensely difficult."
"And I wouldn't have coped with you here," Hermione replied bluntly.
Janet sighed before turning to Minerva. "Very well, I apologise, Minnie." she bit out stiffly.
Minerva rolled her eyes, "Thank you for your gracious apology, Nettie," she replied, sounding more insincere than Hermione had ever heard her.
"Aunt Min!" Hermione growled in warning, feeling Alex shake with suppressed amusement at her side..
Minerva sighed, "What else would you like me to do with that grudged apology, Hermione?"
"Can't we just let it go?" she asked with an exasperated sigh, "It fucking Christmas! It's done!"
The table turned to look at Isobel as one. "Your language is appalling!" she scolded.
"Your attitude is worse," Hermione shot back before she could get into her stride, her patience completely evaporating. "Aunt Min made a judgement call in a situation that's utterly unprecedented. I understand you aren't happy with the call she made but would you rather have overwhelmed me to the point of my refusing to see you? I almost didn't come here when I left the hospital, do you know that? Aunt Min persuaded me to give Dad a chance. So be bloody quiet, my last Christmas was fucking horrific and I refuse to let you make this one just as bad!"
"Gods Kitten." Alex muttered, into the absolute silence that followed her tirade, "I think you have bigger balls than me."
"Of course she does," Isobel scoffed to everyone's amazement, "The lassies a Ross."
"Will I have big balls then, Daddy?" Isla asked innocently, making Callum choke and the rest of the table laugh as the tension leached out of the room.
"If cousin Hermione has anything to do with it I imagine you'll have the biggest of all of us," he replied wryly.
"Now then, I've reviewed your memories." Saul began gently, watching her face intently.
"I know," she murmured, "I…thank you for helping Dad with the photo album."
Saul looked visibly startled, "It was the very least I could do." he dismissed.
"Still." She insisted. "It's….it makes a difference to have proof that they existed outside my own head."
"Oh Hermione." he looked at her with such sympathy that she wanted to cry so she waved him off before changing the subject.
"My Grandfather will probably arrive shortly," she cautioned, "And Uncle Charlus. Merlin only knows who else will join them, none of them seem to be willing to be left out of the loop. I did try."
Saul laughed, "I can't decide whether to be annoyed that they're a massive pain in my arse or be glad that we have so many willing hands," he admitted.
"Can't it be both?" she ginned.
"Indeed it can." he agreed as Robert strode into the room, Callum following behind.
"Mo sholas," he smiled, hugging his granddaughter before whispering, "Your great-grandmother is coming."
"Merlin save us," Hermione muttered.
Callum snorted. "Brace yourself." he muttered, "She's been gearing up to this since we knew you were back. "
"Great," Hermione muttered weakly.
"Who are we waiting on?" Robert checked, looking around the room as if they were hiding people.
"Dad and Uncle Charlus." Hermione began.
"And me, darling," Dorea chided, interrupting her as she walked through the door, perching gracefully in the seat next to Hermione. "And Alex."
Hermione groaned, "Aunt Dorea!"
"Hush now," Dorea chided, "You were warned, darling."
"Warned about what?" Alastor asked, escorting Isobel to her seat.
"All of you," Hermione replied wryly, as Janet slipped into the room. Given the look her grandfather gave her, he hadn't been expecting her either.
Alastor snorted, "I see, well then, are we all here?"
"I think so," Hermione murmured, "This is more than enough. Let's get on with it."
"Wonderful, "Saul clapped his hands, "Now, assuming your calculations are correct, we have five Horcruxes to deal with. We don't want to tip the idiot off, so we'll need to be savvy, especially as you don't know where one is currently. What do you know about ritual magic?"
Hermione froze. "Nothing," she admitted.
"Right then, perhaps we fix that first," Saul replied, looking at her thoughtfully, "I had wondered if it could help. We'd need one as a focus obviously, but that brings us neatly to the next part of the plan. Hogwarts."
"How are you getting in without Albus knowing anything?" Alastor asked.
"Well, I happen to know that young Mr McGonagall works for Gringgotts, no?" Saul replied pointedly, turning to look at Callum.
"Yes," Callum agreed warily.
"And the goblins find interesting things all the time," Saul continued idly as if they weren't discussing a plan to take down the darkest wizard currently residing in Britain.
"Yes." Callum agreed again, his frown deepening when he couldn't follow where Saul was going.
"So it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility for you to find a brand new book on the Founders in an unused vault, you still clean them don't you?"
"After five hundred years of disuse before we put their contents in stasis," Callum confirmed, his face clearing.
"Wonderful. We'll arrange a discussion with the goblins then. Hermione will need to come with us, they'll verify her claims, and hopefully, help us lie to Albus."
"Why would they?" Hermione asked.
"Simple," Saul dismissed with an airy wave of his hand. "we'll offer to give them part of the basilisk. It's priceless."
"Ah." Hermione nodded, "I see."
"Of course from there it would be unethical not to follow the book's instructions to check on the chamber because of course, young Callum will be bringing the Unspeakables in. And then Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt, one dead basilisk and a secret envoy sent to the Room of Requirement to steal a Horcrux."
"Just like that," Isobel retorted wryly as Alex mouthed Bob's your uncle at Hermione attempting to make her laugh.
"Just like that," Saul agreed.
"Merlin, it's insane enough that it might just work," Robert muttered.
"When?" Isobel checked, eyeing Saul as if not sure what to make of him.
"After the new year," Saul replied, "We'll need to…work on Hermione's goblin customs." He turned to look at her seriously, "It's imperative you do not offend them. I want you in my office on Wednesday to go over it."
"Very well." Hermione paused, "Although...if we're involving the goblins are we also going to persuade them to let us raid the Lestrange Vault?"
Saul froze, "I didn't consider that," he admitted. "We should. I'll add it to the list. I don't imagine they'll be all too pleased with a piece of soul being stored in their bank."
Hermione hummed, "What about the death eaters?"
Saul sighed, turning to look at Janet, "You're part of a Coven," he stated.
"Yes," she agreed.
"Who is your High Priestess?"
"Perenelle Flamel," Janet replied softly.
"Mother of Merlin," Saul cursed, "You're part of Circe's original Coven?"
"Yes," Janet nodded.
"Can you induct her?"
"I was going to offer." Janet admitted, "I just hadn't found the right time."
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked bewildered.
Janet looked at her in surprise, "You've never heard of the covens?"
"No! Or…yes… it's…gods. Luna…she said that they were driven underground after the first war. She implied they had gone by the time the second war came around. It's…she wasn't clear, she was rarely clear, but they were blamed for something? Someone took one over…a male one and it…it was warped to cause damage. Something like that. "
"Aye, it can do that. If the ritual ground is desecrated or if the follower's intent isn't pure."
"It has to be pure?" Hermione frowned, hating that she had no frame of reference for this. Ritual magic had not been covered at school and what little she had read in the Black Library had been very scant on the details. Sirius had explained that his mother had cursed the books so only a Black could read them properly.
"It has to be pure of purpose," Janet corrected, "You can do dark things if your intent is true, but it's rare. Ritual work, despite what the muggles would have you believe about virgin sacrifices, tends to err on the side of light to grey. Dark rituals are rarely practised, it goes against the very nature of magic."
"Oh. I…I don't know anything about this," she muttered crossly.
"Well then, let's sort that then shall we?" Janet asked, rolling her eyes before looking at Dorea, "I assume you'll help?"
"Of course," Dorea demurred.
"We'll induct her on the Ross ritual site first," Isobel commanded. "No need for the lass to embarrass herself in front of the Coven."
"There's only one?" Hermione frowned.
"No. Circes Coven is the largest female only Coven in Britain, but we have sects within it for smaller or more personal rituals. There's a mixed coven in Wiltshire, one on the Hebrides, a male only one based in Dublin, and several more scattered around the country unaffiliated with the big ones."
"Why doesn't Hogwarts teach this?" Hermione demanded, ignoring Isobel's scoff.
"Because Albus Dumbledore believes it to be dark." Saul sighed, "It's not of course, but he doesn't understand it, he cannot control it and he is…warped by his own experiences."
"Oh," Hermione murmured.
"Indeed," Saul sighed tiredly, before looking between Janet and Dorea, "Induct her. We can perhaps use an intent ritual to determine the active Death Eaters."
Janet nodded. "Very well. After Christmas, lass?"
"Yes," Hermione sighed, "I worry I'm going to regret complaining of boredom."
Alastor snorted, "I'm sure you will. But Saul's not wrong, it is important."
"If the covens are so important how on Earth were they allowed to fail?" Hermione asked exasperatedly.
"They didn't." Dorea replied, "They couldn't have, perhaps they all went underground, but the Covens, there is no way on Earth they faltered completely. They've been in existence in some form since the birth of magic."
Hermione sighed and nodded, "Very well."
"We'll get you some books darling," Dorea consoled, reading the frustration on her face, "Although not until after you've experienced your first ritual, you'll need it to help you understand what it means. Magic when it's ritual based is rather hard to describe."
"So I can't have the books until after?" Hermione frowned, clearly not entirely happy with that plan.
"Trust me," Dorea smiled knowingly, "It's for the best. Once you've seen your first, you can scour our library to your heart's content."
"Once you've got Hermione up to speed, let me know and we'll enact the plan for Hogwarts." Saul interrupted before she could argue any more.
"We can't do it beforehand?" Hermione asked with a frown
"How many plates can you juggle?" Saul asked gently.
"I could do my NEWTs in my sleep," Hermione retorted, "The relationship building is more challenging but I can manage. I admit I don't know what induction into a coven entails but I once took every elective Hogwarts offered with the use of a time-turner and survived on around four hours of sleep a night. I'm sure I can cope with adding in Goblin customs so that we can move forward." she paused. "I...I need us to start moving forward."
Ignoring the slight flash of sympathy on her family's faces, Hermione sat back and waited. "Very well," Saul agreed, "On the understanding that you tell me if it gets too much."
"Fine." Hermione sighed, pulling a face.
"I mean it, Hermione. This is…too important all round. If you need a few months to adjust to one thing, then we take the few months."
"Yes Saul," she muttered. The look on his face showed how little he believed her but thankfully he moved on to discussing the potential for an updated verituserum with Alex.
"Ah Miss Moody, you came!" Caradoc beamed at her when she appeared in the Leaky. "Might I ask what we're getting up to? You were wonderfully vague."
"I thought we'd go out in the muggle world," she replied nonchalantly, watching him carefully for his reaction.
"Oh?" his eyebrows rose as he looked at her.
She shrugged, "How do you feel about films?"
"What…what's a film?" he asked, sounding so confused Hermione almost felt sorry for him.
Despite that her grin was wicked, "Oh you'll see. It's only just come out. I picked up tickets a couple of days ago."
"I…ah…alright then." he agreed, looking slightly panicked.
"The main thing to remember is that it is not real and that you cannot shout, ask questions loudly or take out your wand. Now, let's sort your clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" he demanded, looking more than a little apprehensive.
"You'll look like you're wearing a costume." she pointed out, "Have you spent any time in the muggle world?"
"Some," he hedged, "Gid and Fab like it, although it's mainly contained to the little muggle village near Molly's. They braved Edinburgh once and it terrified them. I think they've ventured over during missions but I don't imagine they're looking at the scenery then."
"No, I imagine not." Hermione muttered, "Are the auror robes charmed to automatically adjust?"
"Yes, or so they say."
She hummed, "Wonderful. Right, seeing as you don't have charmed robes, let's get you sorted."
"What…what exactly are you going to put me in?" he checked, keeping a wary eye on her wand.
Hermione's answering grin was the same wicked one she'd shot him earlier and it sent a frisson of fear up his spine. "You'll see."
Ten minutes later he did see. He couldn't quite believe muggles went out looking like this, he felt…exposed. He'd seen people in jeans at school but he'd never worn a pair, the t-shirt felt too tight although given the way Hermione had eyed him before she'd gotten her face back under control perhaps he'd forgive it. The jacket was alright though. It almost reminded him of a softer dragonhide to look at.
"It's leather," Hermione murmured when she spotted him eyeing the fabric curiously.
"Ah," he murmured, freezing when she took off her robes to stash them in her handbag. Without robes hiding her, Hermione was a rather spectacular sight. Perhaps the muggles were on to something after all. She'd paired jeans that cupped her arse, with a skin-tight polo neck and a waistcoat. He was grateful that she wasn't paying him any attention as she shrugged her coat on, winding a scarf in Gryffindor colours that he assumed was her fathers around her neck, giving him time to get his own face back under control.
"I don't know if I like it," he admitted once she was looking at him again.
"Shame," she replied insincerely, "Let's go! Oh actually, before we go. Two things, because they bear repeating. Remember it's not real. And they can't hear you so seriously, for the love of magic don't shout at the screen!"
"What?" he asked bewildered. Ignoring him, she tugged him out the entrance to the Leaky and into muggle London.
It was busy, noisy and utterly overwhelming. "There's so many of them," he murmured.
"Oh, yes. London's probably the busiest place in Britain. Sorry about that, I'm just…used to it."
"Used to it," he muttered faintly, his eyes darting, "your ah...adoptive parents brought you here often then?"
She hummed, "Yes, they were from around here."
"You must miss them?"
"Yes," she agreed softly as she pulled him along. Reading the look on her face he didn't push her further as he allowed her to drag him down the street to a destination only she knew.
They left the cinema in silence, Caradoc looking stunned. More amused than she should be, Hermione steered him back in the direction of The Leaky Cauldron, ushering him through the entrance before manoeuvring him into a seat. "What was that!" he demanded the minute she sat across from him.
"A film."
"It's not real…you said it wasn't real…"
"It's not," she agreed. "They're actors, it's quite literally their job to play other people. Like a play but on a screen."
"On a screen," he repeated. "That's… it's definitely not magic?"
"It's definitely not magic," she laughed.
"And..and there's more? There were posters."
"There are." Hermione nodded.
"Miss Moody," he began very seriously, "I will be forever in your debt if you take me to another one. Soon. Tomorrow."
Hermione laughed at him, "Tell me…how do you feel about disco?"
"I have no idea what that is," Caradoc admitted hesitantly.
"Wonderful," she beamed, "there's something I'll take you to after the year."
"You will?" he checked, finally looking at her properly. "I don't like that smirk, Miss Moody!"
Hermione laughed, "You'll live. Trust me, it'll be fine."
Caradoc hummed, his mind still buzzing. "You're going to explain all the things I didn't understand now, right?"
"I'll try," Hermione agreed.
"Wonderful, let's get food, and you can maybe explain why exactly there was a man made of gold."
Biting back another laugh, Hermione nodded, "Come on then Mr Dearborn, let's get food."
"Uncle Charlus, do you have a moment?"
Charlus' head shot up in surprise, wondering how his goddaughter had gotten past his secretary. "For you? Always. What's going on?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably before shutting the door behind her and perching on the seat in front of her godfather. "It's…I don't know where to start."
"Has something happened, Hermione?" he frowned, his heart rate rising slightly as she shifted uncomfortably on her seat.
"No…yes…Ugh. It's…you know that I was introduced to the Ross Grimoire?"
"Yes," Charlus began slowly.
"The spell that we think my mother used was for premeditated harm."
Charlus nodded slowly, "Ok."
"We…we discussed, my grandfather and I, whether the imperius could get someone through the wards."
"No." Charlus shook his head. "The property has wards cancelling that."
"Right." Hermione let out a long sigh, "Then I don't understand how they got in!"
"Neither do we," he admitted, "You know how paranoid your father is, that house has the strongest wards of anywhere I've ever been."
"Can they be altered?" Hermione frowned.
Charlus snorted, "Not by any magic I know of."
"Any magic you know of," Hermione whispered, hoping he'd take her seriously as an image of Hogwarts, the supposedly safest place in Britain, swam to the forefront before being replaced with a boy in a hospital bed and an over excited elf. Dobby. She took a deep breath to steady the sudden racing of her heart, "What about house elves?"
"House elves?" he asked with a frown, not understanding where she was going with her questions.
"Yes. Before…just before. A house elf was able to get to Harry at Hogwarts to try and save his life. He did eventually rescue us through pureblood wards."
Charlus sat frozen. "That's…fuck!" he hissed, looking at her in horror. "We never even…."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "People rarely do."
Charlus stared at her for several minutes, "No," he sighed, "They don't... I don't even know who would be able to verify that."
"Did anyone ask the elves?" she asked softly.
"I don't…honestly, Hermione I have no idea. I'll check."
"Can I ask the elves?"
"No. No, it has to be an Auror. I'll…fuck. How do you feel about taking Kingsley home with you?"
"I'd rather not," she muttered, making him laugh despite everything.
"No, I imagine you wouldn't. He'll be back in an hour, he's the only one it wouldn't be suspicious for me to speak to without a prior appointment. I regularly berate him for his antics with Alex."
Hermione nodded slowly, "Fine. Before he comes back then, what can you do about werewolves?
"What?" Charlus asked, startled by the sudden change.
"Werewolves and the law," she clarified.
"They have to adhere to stringent laws," he began slowly.
"That makes it impossible for them to find work!" she exploded.
"But they're…."
"Remus Lupin is lovely," she cut him off indignantly.
"Yes," Charlus sighed, "but he is one of many. Greyback…"
"Is a vicious, corrupt beast and cannot be compared to every werewolf out there any more than Voldemort should become a benchmark against which we judge wizards."
Charlus blew out a harsh breath, "You're not wrong."
"No. So what can we do about it?"
"I don't know," he admitted, his thoughts whirling as he attempted to come up with the beginnings of a plan. He didn't have it in him to disappoint her.
"We have proof Hogwarts can be made safe," she pointed out.
"For one werewolf, not multiple," he corrected gently.
"So we ward an area and portkey them there for the full moon, the rest of the goddamned month they're human!" Hermione replied exasperatedly.
Charlus snorted before he laughed, "Merlin, I pity whoever stands in your way. Yes, we could, however, it won't be easy."
"No." Hermione sighed, "I know."
"How would you like a part time job?" Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and he held up his hands in supplication. "You could find the laws and we can work on what we can tweak. It'll be slow going."
"I know." she agreed "But if we can make it look like we're trying it might shake the Pack's faith that Voldemort is their only option."
"So, part time job?"
"Ugh, fine! You're telling Saul though, he's already worried about my increasing workload."
Charlus laughed, loudly, startling the Prewett twins at the door, "Ah Boss, Mrs Collins said you didn't have anyone in." Gideon began hesitantly.
"Apparently my goddaughter got past her." Charlus agreed, "How did you manage that?"
"I waited until she went for tea," Hermione shrugged.
Charlus closed his eyes and gave a huff of laughter, "Of course you did. Aurors Prewett, did you need something?"
"Auror Moody wanted to know if you wanted to help with the new recruit's stealth training?"
Charlus hummed thoughtfully, "What is he thinking?"
"Forest simulation today, four teams, the winner is excused from duelling."
Charlus hummed, "What counts as a winner?"
"Capturing or taking out all our people. There's ten of us."
Charlus' eyes slid to Hermione noting her slight smirk, "Something to add?" Hermione shook her head slightly, "Joining us?"
"I might," she murmured to his surprise.
"Alright then Aurors Prewett, lead the way," Charlus commanded.
"Are you sure about this? Training of this sort tends to be particularly brutal. They have something to prove."
Hermione smiled slightly at Gideon's clear concern. "I'll be fine."
"And if she's not," Fabian grinned, "I can always kiss it better."
Hermione rolled her eyes, a frisson of mischief shooting through her as she decided it was time to play him at his own game, "That's getting old you know." she turned to Gideon with a smirk, "All those promises and no kisses, is he always such a tease?"
She darted down the hall to where she knew her father was training to the sound of Gideon's laughter, missing the stunned expression on Fabian's face.
"Don't even think about it," Charlus growled, only making Gideon laugh harder.
"I think you've met your match," he smirked at his twin.
"She can't just…." he whined.
"I think you'll find she can." Gideon snorted as he sauntered back towards the training room.
"Hermione! What in the name of Merlin are you doing here?" Alastor demanded.
"I was bored," she shrugged, "so I came to see Uncle Charlus."
"You were bored," Alastor repeated.
"Not for long," she smiled, "I agreed to a job."
"But your NEWT's…and Croaker…."
"It's only part time," she dismissed, "Now what's this about training simulators?"
"You're not helping!" Alastor barked, trying desperately to marshall his thoughts.
"Of course I am." she scoffed, "I bet you twenty galleons they won't find me"
Alastor's eyes narrowed, "They do and I double your training."
"Fine." Hermione nodded, ignoring the recruits watching with interest.
Alastor growled, "Any of you permanently marks my daughter and I will make you duel both me and the Director, am I clear?"
"Yes, Boss," they chorused, looking suitably fearful.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Don't be an arse." she chided, "Or are you so unsure of your own ability to train me?"
Alastor spluttered for several minutes before narrowing his eyes. "Our next duel is going to hurt."
"All our duels hurt," she retorted wryly, eliciting suppressed snickers from the aurors.
He scoffed, "Right you lot. The door will open in five minutes. Good luck. Hermione, with me."
"You have to stop that, you know, I am capable of looking after myself." she chided as she followed him into the forest simulator.
"These are notoriously bloodthirsty, everyone has something to prove" he retorted. "Stay with me."
"No thank you," she grinned, "I have a better idea."
"Hermione!" he growled as she bolted away from him.
"Lost her already?" Charlus asked with an amused smirk.
"Bloody chit doesn't listen to a damn word I say!"
"No," Charlus allowed, "But…I imagine this simulator is not…unlike something she's already experienced. She might just surprise us all."
Alastor sighed, turning to his Aurors, "Right spread out, don't kill them. No permanent damage."
Nodding the Aurors scattered.
"Where do you think she is?" Fabian muttered, his eyes scanning the forest as they walked.
"I imagine we'll find out," Gideon replied, above them, under the blanket of the wards she'd used for months, Hermione bit back a laugh, adjusting herself on the branch that no one could see unless they looked closely.
The bell rang over two hours later, the last standing candidate admitting defeat. "I can't find her," he muttered, leaving the simulation.
Alastor rolled his eyes, turning towards his Aurors, "Right you lot, you're up. Find my ridiculous daughter before she comes up with a new and unusual punishment for my having lost the bet."
Charlus snorted. "Do you think you'll actually find her?"
"No," he sighed, "I'd forgotten she mentioned hiding in a forest...before."
"I know." he agreed, clearly amused, "Where do you think she's hidden herself?"
"I don't bloody know," Alastor muttered, stalking away from him, making Charlus laugh.
"Any ideas?" Fabian muttered, his eyes darting around the forest.
"I have no idea," Gideon replied. "It's almost like she's not fucking here."
"Oh she's here," Fabian muttered, "Little witch likes playing games."
"Little witch likes winning," Gideon corrected.
"Isn't that the truth," Fabian snorted. "Although she's bloody won, so where is she?"
"Right here," Hermione grinned, dispelling the wards and making them jump.
"Fucking bloody hell!" Fabian shouted as he whirled to face her.
"I think they found her," Charlus crowed gleefully, catching up with Alastor as he turned sharply to find Fabian and Gideon standing with their wands extended and Hermione smirking behind a shield charm.
"Well done," Charlus congratulated her wryly, reaching for her arm.
"Uncle Charlus," she dimpled, making Alastor sigh.
"I don't think I'm going to survive you, lass," he muttered. "Are you going to explain?"
Hermione smirked, "It's not hugely challenging," she admitted, noting the gathered Aurors. "Although utterly impractical in an emergency situation."
"Oh?" Charlus asked.
"Protection and warding spells," she shrugged.
"That cloak your position" Alastor continued as he finally understood. "Interesting."
"Unorthodox as always," Charlus laughed.
"I wonder if they could be anchored to something worn?" Hermione mused.
"A question for Saul, lass," Alastor murmured thoughtfully, "A question for Saul soon."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "If you say so."
"I do! It's genius if it works," he admitted grudgingly, "No one could bloody find you but you're right about it taking too long to do quickly. Can you imagine if we had something we could use in duels that didn't give away our position in the same way a disillusionment does? And if it had built-in spell protection, we wouldn't have to worry about accidentally hitting one of our own we couldn't see! And it would free things up not to have to use a shield charm!"
"Alright!" Hermione laughed, "I get it. Speak to Saul."
"As long as we're not giving her one," Fabian muttered. "She almost killed us off!"
"You should always be on your guard, Auror Prewett," Hermione grinned smugly as she left the simulation and headed back towards Charlus' office. "Constant Vigilance!"
Gideon stifled a laugh as his brother looked stunned for the second time that day.