Author's Note: My newest fandom love is the visual novel, Café Enchanté.
However, as a crossover writer, I could not help but to wonder how the story could be different if someone a little tougher and more experienced with the supernatural like Hermione Granger (one of my favorite crossover heroines) had inherited the cafe instead of the sweet, but extremely meek, mild, inexperienced, and perpetually confused Kotone. Consequently, this story, Enchanté: Hermione's Home for Non-Humans, was born. This little eight chapter crossover fic encompasses the events of Chapter One of the visual novel, but with a different spin than the original.
If you are not familiar with Café Enchanté, you can find the official trailer video of the visual novel/game at the following link. It's less than 2 minutes long, but it should give you a good visual of the characters and main story route setting. Please note, however, that the romance routes are quite a bit darker in content than the main story route that is showcased in the trailer.
YouTube: v=X0dZ6IImM_0
Enchanté: Hermione's Home for Non-Humans
Hermione's new adventure in life all started with a letter that had been sent to her in a special certified delivery. She knew that it had to be normal...and not magical...correspondence because it had been delivered to her flat instead of to Grimmauld Place where Harry and Ginny kindly collected all of her magical mail for her. After all, owl post...and the like...would be too obvious in her muggle neighborhood.
Hmmm...it's from a solicitor in Japan, she mused to herself as she tore the envelope at the seam and shook open the paper within. However, his name is obviously French and the letter itself is written in that language, as well. How strange!
Before she read the contents, though, a half-remembered thought unexpectedly popped into her mind.
Didn't Dad have a relative who moved to Japan? she suddenly pondered.
After all, her father's family was originally from France. In fact, that was why the Grangers had taken so many of their holidays there when Hermione was younger before her grandparents had passed. It was also why she was so fluent in that language, as well. However, even though she did not know any of the details, she vaguely remembered her father's stories about something that had happened in the older generation before she had been born that had resulted in the move of her father's uncle...her great uncle...to Asia.
The man had even visited them a few times in England when she was very young. Hermione could not recall his name or face, but she did remember that he had been very kind to her and that she had liked him because he told her the most exciting stories about incredible people from faraway places. Also, for some reason, she seemed to recollect that he always smelled like coffee when she sat close to him. It was such an unusual aroma to her at the time...especially since her parents had always preferred tea...but it was somehow strangely comforting, as well.
Unfortunately, Hermione did not even know if the man was still alive, though. After all, once she had started Hogwarts, her life had changed so much in so many ways...both good and bad. Plus, she had lived in a completely different world than the one she had grown up in. Therefore, in the midst of the chaos of those years, she had lost track of any distant family that might still have been out there.
That was even more true after she had lost her parents to the irreversible Obliviate she had felt it necessary to cast on them during the war before she sent them to Australia to keep them safe from the Death Eaters. Even though the couple now known as Wendell and Monica Wilkins were still alive, they unfortunately had no memory of ever having a daughter...much less one who had turned out to be a witch. Consequently, with their absence, there was no longer any reason for Hermione to stay in contact with those who might have known them in the past.
Regardless of all that, Hermione seriously doubted that her great uncle was still around – especially since those vaguely recalled visits had happened over twenty years ago in her past. Consequently, Hermione was skeptical that the letter could have anything at all to do with the man in question, after all.
Little did she realize, though, just how wrong she would be about that.
"So you inherited a café from your uncle in Japan?" Harry asked the next day after Hermione met him and some of the others for lunch where she had relayed the details of the latest development.
"My great uncle," Hermione corrected her best friend purely out of habit after so many years of helping him with school assignments, work reports, and the like. "But apparently, yes, I did."
"What are you going to do with it?" Ginny asked with obvious curiosity. "Will you keep it or sell it?"
"I'll probably sell it," Hermione answered honestly. "After all, even though it was a very nice gesture on his part, I didn't really know my great uncle. Therefore, I don't have any emotional attachment to the place - nor do I see myself quitting my job at the Ministry to become a barista in Japan. Not unless something extremely unexpected happens in the meantime to make me change my mind, at any rate. However, I might be able to lease it out or something, instead. I just don't know what all of my options are right now or what legal issues are involved. Consequently, I think I'll need to take a leave of absence from the MoM in order to go and speak to the solicitor and check out the business itself before I make the final decision. Perhaps, I'll even get a chance to do some sightseeing while I'm there and can make a little holiday out of the trip, as well – especially since I've never been before. After all, both the muggle and magical histories of Japan are quite fascinating!"
"Workaholic Hermione Granger...actually looking forward to taking time off of work. Now, I really have seen everything," Harry teased gently at her expense.
"Oh, hush it, you!" she replied in the same lighthearted vein before another friend spoke up.
"The veils between worlds are much thinner in the East than they are here, you know – especially in Japan, since it was an isolated island for so long," Luna added to the conversation in her usual dreamy tone from where she sat across the table with Ron. Those two had been seriously dating for a while – much to Hermione's pleased relief – especially since she had not harbored such feelings for the man herself for many years.
"That is why so many stories of the mythological and the supernatural tend to originate in Asia," Luna continued. "In fact, it's believed that many of the creatures that we refer to as cryptid or magical have simply accidentally crossed over those thin barriers. That is also one of the reasons why there are so many different shrines dedicated to so many different gods...and even demons...there. Apparently, they come from all sorts of other worlds, as well...instead of just magical ones like Medio, as one might suspect."
Hermione nodded contemplatively at her friend's words. After all, the magic that they all possessed was thought to have originated back in the dawn of human civilization directly from the Fairy World of Medio itself. In fact, that world of the Fae was very important in the magical history of Britain, in particular - especially since it was even believed that the walls between Medio and the British Isles were even thinner than they were in any other part of the world.
It was even known to the higher Ministry officials, like herself, that even though it was not often utilized...except in emergencies...there was a Portal (one that simply looked like a huge ornate wooden door) that directly connected the two worlds together from within the Ministry itself. It was located deep within the bowels of the Department of Mysteries. In fact, it was not far from the Death Chamber, which itself had been built to encompass a completely different kind of portal altogether.
Even though she made certain to steer clear of the Death Chamber and the horrific memories she associated with that particular place, Hermione had once been able to use the Medio Portal to make a work-related visit to the lovely land...and had even met with the pleasant Fairy Queen, Titania, while she was there, as well. Ever since then, she had often wished to return to the beautiful and enchanting place. Unfortunately, however, the opportunity had not arisen again...at least, not yet, anyways.
Therefore, the knowledge that she might possibly be close to even more worlds than Medio while in Japan intrigued Hermione greatly, even though she doubted that she would have any opportunity to actually be able to have contact with them.
"I'll definitely keep that in mind while I'm there," she subsequently responded to Luna's statement sincerely instead of automatically ridiculing it at once as others might have.
After all, Luna was the only one of them who had traveled extensively in the East on her cryptomagizoological expeditions with her work partner, Rolf – who just happened to be the grandson of the famous Newt Scamander. Plus, her unique perspective and abilities...as strange as they sometimes seemed...had proven themselves time and again.
"Just make sure that you keep us updated whatever happens," Harry insisted. "Call me anytime you need me and I'll be there."
In actuality, her best friend with a severe case of Saving People Tendencies (or SPT, as she jokingly called it...much to his annoyance) was the only other member of her close friend group who owned a mobile phone...or even knew how to use one in the first place. Hermione attributed that to their muggle upbringing, though...since landline phones were the most common communication tool back when they were children. However, that did not really matter, anyway, because she knew that Harry would be able to pass on any messages that she had to the others, if needed, as well. It was a bit of a circuitous method, but it did work for them in ordinary situations. That was all that mattered - especially since they had other ways to communicate during an actual emergency.
At any rate, Hermione thanked Harry with a warm hug while his wife looked on fondly. Despite the fact that she would be leaving them and the rest of her friends behind...and the unfortunate circumstances that had led to the necessity of the trip in the first place...Hermione found that she really looked forward to her upcoming adventure in Japan.
Since Hermione had arrived at the Japanese Ministry of Magic by international portkey, her first order of business was to register her travel plans with the International Magical Cooperation Department at the JMoM. It was not a requirement, but it was considered a common courtesy for witches and wizards to do so when traveling to foreign continents in order to assist with any unforeseen complications that might arise during their stay so far away from home. Consequently, since Hermione was well aware that sometimes even the best laid plans went awry, she was happy to do so for her own peace of mind.
After leaving the JMoM, Hermione traveled straight to the outskirts of Tokyo in order to meet with the muggle solicitor who had contacted her. She was delighted to discover that the older gentleman was indeed a French transplant, which was probably why his fellow countryman, her Great Uncle Souan, had decided to work with him in the first place. As a result, she was able to easily and naturally converse with the man to uncover the mystery of her inheritance without even having to resort to the use of a translation spell.
Through his information, she found that Souan had never married, nor had any children of his own. However, it surprised her to learn that even though there were apparently still a couple of distant cousins scattered across Europe and the States, Souan had chosen her as his heir many years previously - when she was just a young child herself. Apparently, that decision had been made about the same time as those vaguely recalled visits so long ago.
Why me? she could not help but to wonder.
Unfortunately, the solicitor had no answer for that question once she posed it to him, as well. All he could say was that there was something about her which had caught Souan's attention very early on and he had decided that she was the best possible candidate to inherit the café from him. It was a decision that had never wavered, either – not in all of the years that her great uncle had retained his services.
Consequently, Hermione left the solicitor's office with more even questions than when she had arrived. Nevertheless, she also carried with her the physical address of the coffee shop (along with its attached living quarters), some written directions...in French...to the exact location, a set of keys to that business/residence, and one mysterious two-sentence note from her Great Uncle Souan that had been handed to her by the solicitor.
Open the Gate as soon as possible. You're the only one who can handle the responsibility.
The note was unsigned, but the solicitor had allowed her to compare the handwriting to that on all of the other official paperwork. Consequently, there was no doubt in her mind that the distinctive script matched and that her great uncle had indeed written the short missive.
What kind of gate? Why did opening it require responsibility? Was he simply talking about the reopening of the coffee shop or did he mean something completely different?
Hermione could not help but to wonder what the cryptic message meant. After all, the solicitor did not know, either. Instead, the man simply relayed the information to her...along with the warning that Souan had impressed upon him that it was a matter of utmost importance.
Nevertheless, that short message was all that there was. No further explanation was given. Consequently, the woman could only hope that she would understand more once she finally saw the place...and the "gate"...for herself.
Immediately after leaving the solicitor's office, Hermione went in search of Souan's coffee shop. Fortunately, after using her discreet translation spell to overcome any language barriers, Hermione was able to follow the word of mouth directions of the nearby townspeople...in addition to the instructions that the solicitor had provided...to the right part of town. After that, it was quite easy to find the quaint little café tucked into a side alley...even though everyone else seemed to walk right past it...as if they did not even realize it was there.
Hermione did think that was odd, at first. However, before she could consider it too much or completely realize what it reminded her of, the sight of the sign above the door caught her eye and distracted her completely.
Enchanté
Her previous thoughts...and any possible connections she might have made...scattered then and Hermione smiled as she read the name on the sign. It appears as though Great Uncle Souan still possessed a romantic and poetic French soul even after moving here, she mused as she found the correct key on the ring that easily opened the lock.
An unexpected feeling of anticipation tingled down her spine as the door swung open. Once she stepped fully inside, though, her breath caught in her throat in wonder, instead. After all, the place might have been small, but it was beautiful with dark polished wood and antique chandeliers everywhere her eyes looked. There was no doubt that it probably would have seemed old-fashioned to most people. However, to her, it brought to mind some of the nicer wizarding establishments throughout Europe that she had visited.
Nevertheless, there had been no indication from anybody whatsoever that Souan had been a wizard or involved with the magical world in any way. Therefore, she had to guess that it was simply a coincidence that Souan had such classic taste in café furniture...or that it was possible he may have even inherited it or bought it in that condition from the previous owner, instead. After all, even the solicitor did not know how her great uncle had obtained the shop since his legal services had been retained after the fact.
Therefore, Hermione just continued her explorations by following the logical path through the building and, consequently, ended up in the kitchen which, to her casual eye, seemed clean and utilitarian enough. Next, came the storehouse which obviously needed to be replenished and organized, but was otherwise straightforward. Finally, she ended up in the neglected back garden, which she guessed had probably grown some of the herbs and vegetables that were used in the kitchen, as well as decorative flowers.
I bet Neville could have it flourishing in no time! Hermione realized as she thought about her magically green-thumbed friend with a just a touch of envy.
Hermione knew that she was a powerful witch, and she had always been at the top of her class...no matter what distracting and dangerous events she had also been involved with during her Hogwarts years. Despite all of that, however, she had only ever considered herself average when it came to Practical Herbology. Therefore...even though she did grow some of her own potion ingredients...she left most of it to the experts like Neville.
The entire time she was in the garden, though, she also looked for the gate that Souan had insisted needed to be opened as soon as possible. After all, a garden seemed to be the obvious place for such an object...assuming, of course, that "open the gate" was meant to be taken literally instead of metaphorically. However, she soon realized the café's outdoor space was entirely enclosed. Therefore, the mysterious "gate" continued to elude her for the time being.
Once back inside of the building, Hermione smiled as she passed through the main café again because it really was a charming place. Somehow, it evoked feelings of calm and serenity and she could easily see how visiting it could be seen as an escape from the hectic outside world.
Suddenly, she wished she could have known the man who had owned...and obviously loved...the place.
Such musings made her wonder again, though, about what sort of man her great uncle had been. Why did he come to Japan in the first place? Why did he want me to be his successor? Why didn't he stay in touch over the years if he had supposedly chosen me at a young age? How did he know that I was "responsible?"
Despite the fact that she was a witch, though, no answers magically appeared before her as she continued to survey the pleasant room in front of her. Consequently, the hows and whys of the unexpected bequest continued to remain a mystery.
As she stood there and further considered the matter, though, a door...half hidden behind a curtain...finally caught her roaming eyes. When she stepped forward eagerly to investigate what was on the other side of it, however, several of the questions and mysteries that had plagued her since the visit to the solicitor's office were finally answered.
That was because what she found standing alone in the very center of the adjacent small room was a huge ornate wooden door which seemed incongruous to the simple space that surrounded it on all four sides. In fact, just the sight of it was enough to cause Hermione to stop in her tracks in surprise. Even though she had no idea what it was doing in the back room of the European-style coffee shop in the middle of Japan...of which she currently just happened to be the owner...Hermione still knew exactly what that door was.
After all, she had not only seen one before, but she had even used it, as well. In fact, it's twin...the portal to the Fairy World of Medio...stood in the British Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries.
Apparently, the "Gate"...the one that Souan had deemed her to be the only one responsible enough to open...was, in reality, a portal to another world!