Talking to the Walls
Chapter 1
It had been many years since the battle and many things had changed. The golden trio were not so much a trio anymore they had grown up and joined the complacency of the new modern society. After being together for so long they were bound to drift and the only thing truly holding them together was impending doom it wasn't the healthiest relationship to begin with. Harry had kept in contact with both Ron and Hermione meeting up with each in a one-to-one environment but rarely were they seen all together and that was more for Harry's sanity than anything else.
After the war there was a period of disbelief and serenity that surround most survivors even with the heavy air of grief and sorrow that came with winning the war. After Ron and Hermione's kiss they decided to give it a go but quickly realised without Harry to mediate they couldn't stand each other past some small amount of physical attraction. The fame and wealth were too much for Ron to not want to live it up and who could blame him went him spent his formative years in life-or-death situations trying to help his best friend. Hermione on the other hand did not want nor need the fame and wealth she wanted peace and calm which was hard to come by when every five minutes her face was plaster on a front page or magazine cover.
A short few months after the war Hermione fled to Hogwarts under the guise to assist in the rebuild. She was offered job upon job but had no more heavy desires to change the world anymore. She had come to realise that change can only happen through teaching future generations better and enabling every learner the same chance to flourish. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, she was greeted by Professor McGonagall and told she could stay as long as she wanted. What Minerva hadn't realised at the time that "as long as she wanted" meant Hermione would become a permanent resident of the hallowed halls. Hermione took the restoration of Hogwarts completely seriously. She went through blueprints and archaic tombs so that moving forwards the foundations of Hogwarts were stronger than ever. It was no surprise to the residents of Hogwarts by the end of restorations Hermione was on par with most Ward and ley line masters in the world. The foundation stone of Hogwarts originally only meant to accept the Headmaster or Mistress at present now was fully accepting of Hermione as well. Minerva didn't mind this either as it meant that there would be someone to strength and fortify the wards on a more regular basis.
Hermione did not want to accept that without a formal education in such she had become a Master of certain Magicks however when she approached Masters and Mistresses around the world they told her that their was nothing left to teach. She accepted that she had no other choice but look for another form of apprenticeship. By the time the school was ready to reopen Hermione was at a lost feeling that she may be asked to vacate she broached the subject of teaching to Minerva who already was in concern that the school year may not happen for lack of teaching staff in the first place. When Hermione finally got to the point Minerva was thrilled that Hermione was willing to teach but needed to expedite her testing so she could qualify and explained that she could test within Department of Mysteries.
Upon arriving within the department of Mysteries she was not only going to take her Newts but Minerva suggests they test her Masteries which Hermione found very unexpected. Clearly nervous as she had not planned for this she took a seat and began to write down her times and tests. Before speaking to the Mystery. "Will I be getting the result today? I'm really unsure of the process within the department of mysteries." Hermione spoke softly, "yes, we work a little differently down here and can test some masteries alone without a comprehensive test in itself. You will have to take a wizards oath before entering that what see here, hear here and anything apart from your results for today will not be shared with outside parties." Hermione nodded finished writing up the test schedule and then withdrew her wand for the oath.
Test Timetable
9am Newts Part 1
Charms
Potions
Transfiguration
Ancient runes
11.30am break period
12pm Newts Part 2
Defence against the Dark Arts
History of Magic (Adapted)
Astronomy
Herbology
Arithmancy
Care for Magical creatures
Alchemy (Adapted)
3pm Break period
4pm Affinity testing
5pm Wards and ley line Mastery testing
6pm Potion and transfiguration testing
7pm Additional and results
"Please be advised the process may take longer than timetabled, this can be a very trying day so if at any point you need an extra break please inform us as previously some people have burnt their cores for fear of failure." The man spoke softly but you could see he took this warning seriously. Just as he finished another mystery appeared and he nodded towards Hermione to begin the oath. "I swear on my magic that I shall not tell a living soul what I see, hear or feel whilst within the department of mystery the only details I will share are that of my testing results." The Mysteries each nodded and then begun to lead Hermione down the depth of stairs which lead into the department of mysteries. Once at the bottom they guided her to a door and said whenever she was ready she could enter.
Hermione took a deep breath and calmed herself before turning the nob and entering the room. It was like an atrium of classrooms smashed together in one and there were five cloaked figures at the end of the room with clip boards. "Miss Granger, due to the peculiarity of these proceedings we have come to the agreement search myself and four other senior mysteries will be partaking the overseeing of these testing." Each figure began to lower their hood and before seeing their faces she noticed every individual had one or more pins of mastery. "Some introductions before we begin I think would be necessary." A frail and ill looking man who skin appeared as thin as paper. "My name is Nicolas Flamel, although I have been asked to over see these testings on the whole. My main focus will be Potions, Alchemy and Defence against the Dark Arts. However I am to assume there are a few adaptions and We may seek to add or discontinue a testing throughout the proceedings as we see fits. Now next we have Miranda Goshank." A short stout woman with a grey sleek bob smiled at Hermione and she recognised the name as the Author of many of her Charms and transfiguration textbooks. "Hello, from your face I can tell you have come to realise that I have authored many of your learning texts, I will be overseeing your charms, Herbology and transfiguration work. I will also be assisting within the ancient runes testing however it is not my strongest skill." She waved her hand over to a younger man with red hair and a neatly trimmed beard. "I am Sage, Sage Bragnam. I will be overseeing History of Magic, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as well as your opponent for the practical aspects of some exams. Pleasure." He gave Hermione a tight nod before looking to his left, a slim figured woman adorned with several heavy pieces of weird and wonderful jewellery. "My name is Cassandra, I will be overseeing your astronomy section although I believe my presents isn't really needed." She had a similar aura to Luna which was somewhat comforting to Hermione at this point in time. "I suppose I am last. My name is Newt I will be overseeing the creature related sections of the testing as well as assisting in some of the other sections where I am needed." Hermione felt her hair begin to snap with her magic rising due to excitement and nerves.
Many of the people before she had read about or read their extensive works, amazement filled her as she realised all these people would be scrutinising her every move. "First we will begin with a short explanation of how the proceedings will go. Then we will answer any questions you may have as well as ask some questions of yourself before commencing the proceedings." Nicolas guided Hermione to an area which looked similar to a sitting room, everyone took a seat and Hermione began to feel this was more informative to them than her. "So to begin for the Newt assessment unfortunately you will have to brew a potion decided by myself as per the specifications however instead of a written assessment we will have an ask and answer session during the brew. Much the same for Alchemy a simple or not so simple task depending on your ability will be given with an Ask and answer session to be completed. For the Charms and Transfiguration a Number of spells will be placed upon a board and we request you complete as many as you are able and to the best of your ability, during this time we will as for further explanation into how and why you are doing specific things and adaption you would make depending on scenarios we give to. I do hope that this arrangement suits you?" Nicolas broached as Hermione was making notes. "I thought I would have to fill out a number of written assessments and complete numerous essays." Hermione commented once she was able to look up. "Good grief! Imagine if we all had to sit through that." Miranda exclaimed at Hermione's qualms. "I fear that this is all formality my dear, you have more real-world experience than most magicals three times your age. To force you to sit and spew out every piece of knowledge you have we would be here a great deal longer than a day. As we are all Masters or Mistresses within our fields and also hold titles like Guild Masters or Heads of Department we are able to make compromises for extremely special cases. And you little firecracker are definitely extremely special." Miranda finished with a smile resting her hand over Hermione's.
"Onto the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, we ask that you decipher a combination of equations as well as at least 5 different rune circles. We have also made a challenge of a combination Rune and Arithmancy task that if you complete you need not look into the previous tasks. No questions will be asked unless we want to engage in your deductions and possible out looks on your preferred usage of them. For Herbology we have several specimens we would like you to identify and explain in the simplest form their purpose and whether you can detect anything amiss and how you would treat it, also you may show us how alternatively. Finally, onto Care for Magical creatures and Astrology. We have a number of creatures within the department you can identify for us and give us information how to properly approach the creature. We may ask you to show us through demonstration as well as explain their parts and the purpose of those parts in other forms of Magicks. For Astrology you will look at a simple star chart and make some predications from it and then Madame Cassandra will test your ability to whether you have the eye." Nicolas seemed rather out of breath from the explanation but Hermione was too busy making notes to notice. "Does that suit you? Miss Granger." Hermione looked up and nodded towards the group of five. Before they were able to ask her if she had any question she jumped the gun. "What about the rest of the day?" The group smiled between themselves. "We thought it best to get the Newts over with and then discuss the rest of the day after such." Sage spoke with authority. "However, after each task is complete, we as a team will deliberate and inform you of the result there after. Is that acceptable?" Hermione nodded and smile. "You did not mention defence." She queried double checking her notes. "We did not, we will ask you to show us a few simple spells, but you do not need us to confirm your ability to defend yourself from a Dark witch or Wizard. You have plenty proved yourself." Nicolas added with a smile. Hermione felt a great deal of relief since they began to explain how the test would take place. "One more thing to mention," It was Newt an awfully quiet man who had a world full of knowledge on the most wonderous creatures the magical world had to hold. "Although there is a timetable do not feel the need to stick to it, I always find my best work is when my magic has lead me to what I should do." He smiled at her before picking up his clip board almost knowing she was about to dive straight in.
Hermione stood and ponded about her surroundings she had never really let her magic lead her, she was so used to having to learn everything to keep the boys she was following safe it felt like sometimes she often tuned the magic out. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the hum of her magic, she let her magic call to her and show her where to go as soon as she opened her eyes she was facing a board of magical spells. "Of course, the protégé of Minerva would land on Transfiguration and Charms first." Miranda amused as they followed behind. Hermione quickly noted that every spell on the board was well within her ability to complete, she began to conjure multiple items for one of the more complex skills when she was stopped. "Miss Granger?" She looked up to see all five of her assessor's stare at her in amazement. "Yes? Have I done something wrong?" She was worried she had already failed but before her thoughts could run away Newt started "How long have you been able to conjure wandless and wordless?" Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "For quiet a while, I begun practicing wordless spells in 6th year in preparation. The wandless spells well it was all a bit sudden sometimes I would use my wand to hold my hair and forgetting I would just being to cast spells without my wand. It developed from there and now most spells I can complete wandless and wordless unless I need an extra bit of power or it is something I have never done before." Hermione realised she was beginning to rant. "Is it not normal?" She questioned. Nicolas was the one to answer. "Miss Granger I am over 600 years old and I have never met a witch so young who could conjure with out word and wand. I have known several wizards spend a lifetime not being able to perfect either or even one. This very rare indeed. Miranda what is your opinion." He looked over to the stout woman. "I don't believe seeing you cast any of the spells on that board will show us the true extent of your capability. So may I suggest instead we ask Ms Granger here what's the hardest transfiguration and Charm is she is able to complete without her wand or words and with her wand and word?" The group looked around and began to nod in agreement.
Hermione thought for a few moments, she wasn't sure she could inform them, but they wanted to know. "May I ask, were you all made to take an oath today?" Four of the five nodded their heads. "I am a resident of the mystery department; my oath was made a few years ago now but I will not share any information that comes to light within this room." Nicolas added. "I am an Animagus, I completed my form almost 3 months ago now but have yet to register." Hermione blurted out as was unsure the reaction. "That is impressive dear girl, that's a transfiguration master level technique that even some masters were not able to complete. Would you mind showing us your form?" Miranda asked softly. "You may need to step back." Hermione whisper and she closed her eyes and focused. Slowly her body began to grow and Morph. Pitch black scales began to cover her body and almost glowing purple eyes stared at the five assessors as her form became complete. "Well isn't that amazing." Newt whispered out and as surely as there was a Dragon in front of them one moment Hermione was there the next. "I can understand why you have registered." Newt added as Hermione began to readjust herself. "Rare it is to achieve an Animagus form let alone have a magical being form to top it all off. Full of surprises Ms Granger."