"I know, that Sorrow is that nobleness alone, which never may corrupted be by hell nor curse. I know, in order to enwreathe my mystic crown I must inspire the ages and the universe."
Charles Baudelaire
I
Hermione and Ginny stepped out of the Dragon's Den, a cozy pub at Diagon Alley that was popular among the quidditch players and fans. They had spent a pleasant evening there, celebrating their achievements with Ginny's team mates from the Holyhead Harpies. The pub was warm and lively, with a crackling fire, a cheerful bartender, and a jukebox that played wizarding tunes. They had enjoyed a few drinks, some snacks, and a lot of laughter.
They said goodbye to their friends, who hugged and congratulated them.
"Good luck, Hermione," said Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Harpies. "You're going to be a brilliant Unspeakable. Just don't forget about us, okay?"
"Thanks, Gwenog," Hermione said, smiling. "And don't worry, I won't forget you. You're all amazing."
"And you, Ginny," said Valmai Morgan, the seeker of the Harpies. "You're going to rock the World Cup. We're so proud of you. You're the best chaser we've ever had."
"Aw, thanks, Valmai," Ginny said, blushing. "You're too kind. You're the best seeker I've ever seen."
"You both deserve all the success," added Oliver Wood, a former Gryffindor quidditch captain who had joined them for the celebration. "I remember when we were all just kids at Hogwarts. Look how far you've come."
Hermione and Ginny exchanged a few more words of gratitude and encouragement, feeling overwhelmed by the support and love from their friends. They couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
At the stroke of midnight, the dimly lit streets of Diagon Alley lay deserted. The two friends emerged from their cozy pub, their laughter echoing through the empty alleyway. The crisp night air held an exhilarating mix of excitement and uncertainty. Covered in moonlight, Ginny's fiery red hair shimmered, prompting her to ponder the unexpected turns their lives had taken since the war.
A mischievous smile played on her lips as she turned to Hermione, her voice tinged with amusement. "Can you believe it? Who could have envisioned our lives transforming like this?" Hermione furrowed her brow, a blend of nostalgia and acceptance crossing her face. "I know. It's been a whirlwind. But you know what they say, life is full of surprises." Her words carried a hint of sadness, a reminder of the recent heartbreak she had endured.
Amidst the night, Ginny's voice broke out in anger, tinged with a touch of bitterness. "Yeah, surprises indeed. Could anyone have predicted that Fleur's Veela cousin Genevieve would find her soulmate in him?" Hermione's eyes flickered with regret and confusion, still struggling to process the abrupt end of her relationship with Ron. Ginny's gaze softened as she reached out, gently squeezing Hermione's hand for comfort. "It wasn't meant to be. You deserve someone who truly values you for who you are." Her words resonated with genuine concern, offering a glimmer of hope to her friend.
Meanwhile, a few steps away, Hermione stood absorbed in her own thoughts, her eyes fixed upon the ground. As Ginny approached her, her voice carried a blend of sadness and contentment. "Hermione, I never anticipated my relationship with Harry would conclude like this after the war. But sometimes, life has different plans for us." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I've discovered happiness with Blaise Zabine, my coach at the Holyhead Harpies. He ignites a sense of vitality within me. You'll find the right person too."
The night was filled with bittersweet reflections, as their voices carried their aspirations, dreams, and the complexity of their new lives. As they continued their journey through the quiet streets, their laughter was carried with the whispering wind.
An old woman bumped into Hermione as they chatted happily on the street corner near Knockturn Alley. She reminded her of Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher, with her shabby robes, large glasses, and many scarves and necklaces. Hermione apologized and the woman looked at her with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Oh, my dear, I have a lot to say about your future. You have a very powerful destiny, but also a very dangerous one. You must let me read your palm and your cards, or you will regret it."
She then turned to Ginny and continued, "And you, my child, you have a very bright future ahead of you. You will achieve great things and find the love of your life. But you must also be careful, for there are enemies who will try to stop you. Come, come, let me read your futures. It will only take a moment, and I will not charge you anything. It is my duty to warn you of what lies ahead."
"It's late and we don't have time for quackery," Hermione grumbled and replied. "Come on, Ginny, let's go. We have to catch the Floo network at the Leaky Cauldron before it closes." But the stubborn Weasley was curious and asked, "Oh, come on, Hermione, what's the harm? It could be fun. And maybe she knows something we don't. Let's just hear what she has to say."
"Fine, but make it quick. I don't want to miss the Floo," Granger sighed and agreed. She followed Ginny and the strange witch to a dark alley, where the seer had a small table with a candle and a cloth. The woman took Ginny's hand and began to talk about the lines. She explained, "You have a very long and strong life line, my dear. Your life will be long and healthy. With a head line so clear and deep, it also means you are very intelligent and creative. Such a great talent for flying, and you will be very successful in your career, travel a lot and see many places and cultures. A curved and forked heart line means someone very passionate and romantic. You have had some heartbreaks in the past, but you have also found true love. You are very lucky, my dear, very lucky indeed."
"Wow, that sounds amazing. Thank you, madam, you have made my day," Ginny smiled and thanked. She looked at her friend and suggested, "See, it's not so bad. Why don't you try it too?" Hermione rolled her eyes and agreed, "Fine, but only because you asked me. But I don't believe a word of this nonsense." She gave her hand to the woman, who examined it carefully.
The seer revealed, "You have a very short and faint life line, my child. You have faced many dangers and difficulties in your life. Your head line, though, is strong and straight, signifying intelligence and rationality. You possess a talent for magic and will find success in your career. The thin and broken heart line reveals reservation and caution. While you have experienced disappointments, you will also found true love. Unfortunately, your partner harbors a hidden, dark side, leading to a turbulent and painful relationship. Ultimately, you will be faced with a difficult choice. Unlucky, you are very unlucky indeed."
"That's ridiculous. I don't have a partner, and I don't want one. Come on, Ginny, let's go. This is a waste of time," Hermione frowned and protested. She pulled her hand away from the woman, who urged, "Wait, wait, there is more. You must let me read your cards, or you will be sorry. The cards will reveal the truth, the truth that you cannot see. Please, please, let me read your cards."
"Fine, fine, whatever. Just make it quick," Hermione was very annoyed and muttered. She followed the woman to the table, where the she took out a deck of cards from one of her pockets. The cards were old and worn, and had strange symbols and pictures on them. The seer shuffled them and instructed, "Choose three cards and place them on the table. They will tell you your past, your present, and your future. Choose wisely, my dear, choose wisely."
Stressed and impatient, Hermione reached out and picked three cards at random, without looking at them. The old witch turned over the first card and explained, "This is your past. The Wheel of Fortune. This card means that your life has been ruled by fate and destiny. You have been chosen for a very important role, but you have also faced many challenges and changes. It also bespeaks your past is not over."
Hermione was very skeptical and replied, "That's very vague and general. You could say that about anyone. And I don't believe in fate or destiny. I believe in free will and choice. I know everything that I need to know." She looked at the second card and asked, "What about this one? What does this one mean?"
"This is your present. The Devil. This card stands for a very dangerous situation. You are trapped by something or someone that is evil and powerful. You are under the influence of a dark force that is controlling and manipulating you," the woman explained, turning over the second card.
The last card was revealed by the old witch. The Lovers, reversed. The seer said, "This card announces that you are about to encounter a great love, my dear. A love that can fill your heart, heal your wounds, and complete your soul. But, the reversed card means an issue likely stands in the way of your relationship, and must be resolved to once again form a closer bond. It could be conflicted romance leading to troubles. But it will be a true love. And it will require a choice. A choice that will affect your destiny."
Hermione felt a pang in her chest. This card was puzzling to her. Love was something she had never experienced, not really. Ron had been her crush, her friend, her comfort. But a deep connection, a passion, a spark, those were missing. She wondered if she ever would find them.
Looking at the woman, skepticism filled her. Love was not something she believed in, not the way the woman described it. To her, love was a complex emotion, a mixture of attraction, affection, respect, and trust. It grew over time, not happened at first sight. It required work, not was predestined.
"That's nonsense," Hermione protested, dismissively. "You don't know anything about love, or me. You're just spouting clichés, trying to make me feel something, or hope for something. Well, it's not going to work. I don't believe in this nonsense, and I don't need your advice. I make my own choices, and I live with them. And I'm very happy with my life, thank you very much."
She snatched the cards from the woman's hand and threw them on the floor. Then turned to Ginny and urged, "Come on, let's go. We don't have to listen to this rubbish."
But as she said that, something strange happened. The seer disappeared. She vanished into thin air, as if she had never been there.
Shocked and confused, the two witches stared at the spot where the woman had been. They looked at each other, in bewilderment.
"What the hell was that?" Ginny whispered, in a low voice. "Where did she go?" her friend shook her head, feeling confused. "I don't know," she answered, in a low voice. "I don't know."
A throbbing headache and a dry mouth greeted Hermione as she woke up. Groaning, she glanced at the clock. It was already 7:30 am. The previous night, the witch had overindulged in firewhisky and butterbeer, and now regretted it. Seeking relief, she grabbed a bottle of Pepperup Potion and gulped it down. A surge of warmth and energy coursed through her, causing her headache to fade away.
Determined to start her day fresh, she proceeded to brush her teeth and wash her face. Returning to her bedroom, she carefully put on her best robes. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, a satisfied smile graced her lips. She was prepared for her first day as an Unspeakable.
Gathering her wand and bag, the muggleborn made her way to the living room. There, she spotted her slumbering cat, Crookshanks, comfortably nestled on the couch. Leaning down, she ran her fingers through his fur, prompting him to open his eyes and emit a contented purr. "Good morning, Crooks," she greeted him softly. "I'm off to work. Be good, okay?"
Planting a tender kiss on his head, she bid him farewell and departed the apartment. Hermione apparated to the Ministry of Magic and walked through the grand entrance. Her heart raced with anticipation. Today was her first day as an Unspeakable, a position she had dreamed of since her days at Hogwarts.
As she made her way through the bustling corridors, the witch's eyes widened at the sheer magnitude of the the Department of Mysteries. Wizards and witches hurried past her, their robes billowing behind them, as if they were on a mission to save the world. And in a way, they were.
Finally, Hermione reached the office of Regina Rowle, the director. Regina was a formidable figure, with striking silver hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a wealth of knowledge, and the younger witch couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and nervousness in her presence.
"Welcome, Miss Granger," Rowle greeted her warmly, extending a hand. "We're thrilled to have you join our team. Follow me, I'll show you to your laboratory."
Hermione followed her through a labyrinth of winding corridors until they reached a heavy wooden door. As it swung open, her eyes widened in awe. The room before her was like stepping into a time warp.
The Time Room was a long, rectangular chamber with walls adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the passage of time. The air hummed with an otherworldly energy, as if the very essence of time was contained within its walls. All around the room, time-related devices filled the space, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Hermione turned to Flora Carrow, her fellow trainee, who stood beside her with a polite smile. Flora, despite being a member of the Sacred Twenty Eight, had greeted the younger witch with kindness and curiosity.
With a sense of wonder in her voice, Granger said, "Isn't it incredible?" She recalled her previous visit to this room, during the war, when she had no opportunity to admire the intricate beauty of the many devices there. Clocks of every description adorned the walls, each ticking away with its own unique rhythm. They all had a different way of measuring and manipulating time, creating a beautiful, dancing light that sparkled like gems. It had been a sight to behold.
Carrow nodded, her eyes reflecting a mutual excitement. "I've always been fascinated by time. The possibilities it holds, the secrets it keeps."
Hermione's gaze landed on a large crystal bell jar at one corner of the room, from which a sparkling light emanated. She pointed at it, curiosity brimming within her. "Do you know what that is, Flora?" The witch shook her head, her brow furrowed with intrigue. "I'm not quite sure. It looks captivating, though."
Regina, who had been observing their conversation, stepped forward with a knowing smile. "Inside that jar, anything would grow increasingly younger, to its pre-life state, be reborn to grow older, and cycle through endlessly. It's a fascinating study in the nature of time itself."
The two trainees exchanged glances, their excitement growing. Hermione knew that their journey as Unspeakables was just beginning, and the Time room held countless wonders for them to explore.