Dear Ron,
Hey there! I was wondering if you and Harry would like to meet up in Diagon Alley for lunch this Saturday?
Miss you both,
Hermione
She had owled Harry a nearly identical letter, and their responses came less than a day later, accepting the invitation. Internally, she knew this was good but always felt trepidation at being with them again. It was not the same as when they were children, as they had all grown into remarkably unique humans. Despite this, she sat outside Rosa Lee's tea shop a few days later. No further progress had been made on Snape's case, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated. Though clearly, it had taken nearly ten years for them to make any sort of improvement on the man's mind, she expected more out of herself.
"Hermione!" Harry's familiar voice came from behind, and she stood to hug him in greeting.
"Hello, Harry. How are Ginny and the kids?" she was thankful she and Ron had not immediately started a family following the war. She had no idea what she would have done with little Weasley-Granger's running about, shuddering at the thought.
"They're all good. We miss having you around, though," Harry said casually as he sat beside her.
Ron approached from behind Harry, and she gave him a small smile, "Hi, Ron."
"Good to see you, Hermione," he returned the smile. She knew he had been seeing Hannah Abbott for a few months, and she was thankful that he had finally moved on from her. It was hard every time they were in company with the Weasleys, and Molly made it unbearingly obvious she wished they both would make up.
Harry broke the tension first, "So, how's it going, Hermione? We haven't seen you in a few months. We were starting to think your mysterious job had misplaced you somewhere."
Ron smirked at this while Hermione laughed in answer, "I'm doing alright. I was actually hoping you could help me with something pertaining to my work. Ron, you especially might be helpful."
His brow raised at this. "That would be a first."
Harry snorted, "And here I thought this would be a casual visit. How come I can't help?"
Hermione considered her words, as she had to avoid giving away any information regarding her task. She had long suspected they knew what her actual career was, but they knew better than to ask much more of it, given the private nature of it.
"My current… task requires me to heal something that has been broken. It has been slowly repaired using magical objects like water from Yolen's magic healing well, Quartsop's magical harp, and so on. I was hoping Ron could offer suggestions for other objects that may be presumed to be mythical in nature but could perhaps be true creations. Sort of like the Deathly Hallows were," she hoped that was vague enough; Erin would certainly let her know if it wasn't.
She observed Ron leaning back, considering her qualm. Harry was also in contemplation with his palm pushed against his chin. They had matured but maintained that boyish frame of mind when put together. Hermione sipped at her tea as she let them think.
"Animated spirit!" Harry slapped his hands on the table, causing them both to jump.
Ron was the first to respond, "Come again?"
Harry started, "We arrested someone maybe a year or two ago who was trying to utilise animated spirit to rennervate Tom Riddle. Of course, there was nothing to bring back, spirit or not. He was completely broken after the battle."
"What exactly do you mean, 'animated spirit', Harry?" Hermione questioned. She was not familiar with whatever concept he was discussing.
"It's very similar to what the Philosopher's Stone did, except it was a liquid metal rather than an organic substance like a stone. I'm trying to remember the ancient name for it…" he was snapping to himself like the word was on the tip of his tongue.
Ron asked, curious, "Who was it you arrested?"
Harry grimaced at this, "It was Pansy, unfortunately. We had hoped she steered clear of that crowd following the war, but… You know how those families can be. I think she lost everything after the war: her family and friends. So, of course, she felt she had no other option than trying to revive what would have preserved her former life."
Hermione sighed; it was unfortunate. But Pansy had always been unlikeable. At least Draco had turned his life around once his father was imprisoned. Harry had advocated for Narcissa and Draco, and she was released after serving only five years in Azkaban. Draco was never imprisoned, as it was never a choice for him. A free man, he had given his family's wealth to those who had lost loved ones in the war. After this, they had not heard much about him; she supposed he liked to stay out of the limelight.
They continued to chat about how their respective families were; Ron, of course, doing most of the talking. It was nice talking and seeing them both again despite her reclusive nature as of late. They hugged one another at the end of their meals, promising to do this again soon; this time, she meant it. She truly did miss their company.
"Thank you both. I'll look into what you mentioned, Harry. If either of you think of anything else, let me know!"
Hermione immediately returned to the Ministry of Magic building to request access to the arrest records for Pansy Parkinson. She had them in her hands within the hour.
From the desk of the Ministry of Magic: Department of Magical Enforcement
Suspect: Pansy Parkinson
Date: October 31st, 2006
Location: Wiltshire, England
Incident:
At approximately 11:45 PM, the Ministry of Magic received reports of unusual activity at the resting place of Tom Marvolo Riddle. Aurors were dispatched to investigate the situation. Upon arrival, they found Pansy Parkinson in the midst of performing a forbidden alchemical ritual, attempting to revive the deceased body of Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort.
Description of Events:
Aurors entered the cemetery and proceeded to the location where the activity was reported. They discovered Pansy Parkinson in a concealed chamber, surrounded by various alchemical apparatus and ancient texts. Ms. Parkinson appeared to be in a trance-like state, deeply engrossed in her ritualistic endeavours.
Upon closer inspection, it was observed that Ms. Parkinson had placed what was left of Tom Riddle on an altar at the centre of the chamber. She was chanting incantations and held a cauldron filled with animated spirit, also known as Azoth, an ancient form of alchemy believed to have properties capable of defying death itself. The room was filled with an eerie glow emanating from the arcane symbols inscribed on the floor.
Aurors immediately intervened, interrupting the ritual and apprehending Ms. Parkinson. Ms. Parkinson resisted arrest vehemently, displaying signs of desperation and irrational behaviour.
Charges:
1. Unlawful use of Dark Arts
2. Illegal possession and utilisation of restricted alchemical substances
3. Attempted violation of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy
4. Resisting arrest
Disposition:
Pansy Parkinson has been taken into custody and transported to the Ministry of Magic for questioning and further investigation. The body of Tom Riddle has been secured and placed under heightened surveillance to prevent any further attempts at resurrection or tampering.
Conclusion:
The attempted revival of Tom Riddle's body using Azoth represents a severe breach of magical law and ethics. The Ministry of Magic will conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this incident and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of the wizarding community.
Hermione found further documents detailing the trial where she was found guilty of charges presented against her, earning a lengthy sentence in Azkaban. But what she could not find was the location of the cauldron with the restricted substances mentioned… She had never heard of Azoth. It was time to head back to the library; she needed to know everything before she brought this idea to Erin.
After a good amount of research, she finally found mention of it in an ancient encyclopedia. It was indeed referred to as 'animated spirit', as Harry had said, as well as a 'universal solvent' or 'essence of life' by renowned alchemists throughout history.
The word Azoth is believed to have originated by Arab wizards, though the history of its true origins remains obscure. It is said to possess the ability to dissolve and transmute spirits and is often associated with the concept of spiritual enlightenment. It has been the subject of much fascination and speculation among alchemists, philosophers, and prominent wizards and witches over time. Its pursuit fueled the imaginations of countless individuals seeking to unlock the mysterious nature of the elusive substance. References to Azoth are made in many ancient texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum and in the writings of prominent alchemists like Paracelsus and Isaac Newton.
Hermione read back over her notes and sighed. This was as good a lead as any, she supposed. Pansy must have added some dark flair to her use of the matter because there was no reference to it being dark in nature.
She made her way back to the lift that took her to the Department of Mysteries. She knew Erin would still be in their office despite the late hour. That was just their nature.
Hermione had barely rapped her knuckles on the door when it swung open. Erin, holding their wand that was pointed at the door; they hadn't even looked up to see that it was her. She guessed that they already knew, though.
"I noticed you pulled Pansy Parkinson's arrest file. Here to ask questions?"
Erin was always on top of things…
"Yes," she waited for acknowledgement to continue.
"Well, go on then," Erin paused their reading and sat up to give Hermione their full attention.
Hermione took a breath, "Why was it kept out of the press?"
Erin quirked a brow, "That's an obvious one, Granger. She was trying to revive Voldemort himself. Why put that fear in anyone?"
Right, right, that made sense. On to the next, then.
"What happened to Azoth?"
At this, Erin crossed their arms.
"We have it… but we aren't sure if it's what Parkinson said it was. We were unable to do anything with it, despite what Parkinson believed its properties were. I highly doubt it would have worked even if we had not caught her when we did."
Hermione nodded, "Could I still take a look?"
Erin shrugged, "Go for it. You have clearance. It's in room nine."
Hermione watched as Erin continued on with whatever it was they were doing before Hermione interrupted. Taking this as her sign to exit, she stood and left.
As she made her way to retrieve the supposed Azoth, Hermione contemplated what her next steps would be if this amounted to nothing.