Chapter 30
"Here are my thoughts," Hermione began, looking at her short note, "If we can convince either Croaker or Monkstanley to take one if not both of us down to the Veil, we only have to worry about becoming unseen. That's were an invisibility cloak would come in very handy. Harry has one but it's not large enough to cover two adults, really. I don't suppose you would be able to get one or two for us would you?" A harsh wind suddenly blew, nearly knocking Hermione over. She stumbled into Draco, grabbing hold of his suit to steady her. "Perhaps we should get out of here before we discuss anything further. How about my place for starters?" She asked.
Draco could tell when Granger's mind began to focus on the task. She got this particular look on her face when she was seriously considering something. This look didn't happen often because there wasn't much out there that stumped Hermione Granger into needing deep analysis. This look…she had the same expression back in the tent in Tanis. "Unfortunately, an invisibility cloak is an impossible artifact to find. Trust me, my family has tried before to find one to purchase since before I was born. I have never seen one in person. Potter is a push over. He will let you burrow his if you just ask. Although that request might need to come with an explanation. As would approaching the Unspeakables. What if we?..." A harsh wind interrupted his reply and he reacted as Granger stumbled into him. He braced his footing to catch her from falling. His arm came up, half supporting her, while her hands fisted the lapel of his jacket to steady herself.
"Agreed. When you're ready Granger." He stated shifting one hand of his down so his fingertips contacted the skin of her exposed wrist. Apparating was no new task to either of them but it did require skin to skin contact for any who wished to be apparated in one setting. The more number of people or the longer the distance, the higher the risk of something getting mixed up in transport. That is why typically any group with four members or more used a portkey to get somewhere to avoid mix up, missing parts, or getting splinched. Apparation was typically done within the parameter of a country, but powerful wizards could cross seas if absolutely necessary. Although such a task should not be done frequently for obvious risks.
Hermione nodded and a moment later they apparated to the back yard of a cozy home in London. The grass was freshly cut, something Mr. Granger was just finishing up as the pair apparated into view. "Oh! Hello Hermione." The balding gentlemen called to his daughter, "I wasn't expecting you back for another day. Did you finish up early, then?"
Hermione released Draco's hand and went to give her father a hug. "Hi dad! No, actually we've got some work ahead of us yet that I'll tell you about later. I just needed to come grab a few things."
"Wonderful! Oh and who's this?" Mr. Granger asked looking to Draco.
"Sorry. This is my current work associate, Draco Malfoy. He's been helping me with my current assignment for the last couple of days. Draco, this is my father."
Mr. Granger walked over and offered his hand, "Nice to meet you, I think I remember Hermione mentioning you a time or two. Nothing good, I promise you." He joked with a chuckle.
Draco thought it was impossible for his pale complexion to get any lighter while his heart still beat in his chest. Despite the fact his heart suddenly quickened in pace as if he was playing Quidditch, his face subtly went from his usual sober look to something quite abnormal for him: nervousness.
'Oh, blood hell Granger. A warning would have been appreciated…on second thought maybe not.' He reasoned with himself as he watched Granger give her father a warm hug. Sure he wasn't anti-muggleborn any more, but that was completely different compared to actually associating with muggles. He had never done such a thing before.
The Malfoy family had been wealthy and influential for many a generations. Prior to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1692, the Malfoy's did associate with muggles of power, such as royalty and aristocracy. After the statute was enforced they denied such associates, despite the family vault containing numerous wealthy muggle artifacts and turned their focus to the new power and authority figure: the Ministry of Magic.
Granger…Hermione introduced him to her father. Mr. Granger extended his hand, a simple gesture of greeting. If Draco hadn't been so tense he might have smirked at the muggle's jest but all too true remark.
Draco reached out and grasped the muggle man's hand, not obviously tense around the non-magical being except maybe to Hermione. "Greetings, Mr. Granger. I have no doubt about that. Hermione has always been one to state facts." He replied.
"Modesty. Good man. You never mentioned he was charming Hermione." Mr. Granger said, figuring the exchange was made in jest.
"Darling, who are you talking to?" Mrs. Granger asked as she came out in casual attire and a cooking apron. "Hermione! Sweetie! Welcome home! We didn't expect you back so soon. Hello, and you are?" The woman asked also extending a hand to Draco.
"Draco Malfoy. I have been working with your daughter on her recent excavation Mrs. Granger." He explained, shaking the woman's hand.
"Well we don't get any visitors of Hermione's besides Harry or Ron. It's a pleasure to meet you Draco. Do come in. I have a spot of tea ready in the sitting room." The woman announced and led the way into the modest home.
A sigh of relief escaped Hermione, "That sounds heavenly. I hardly allowed myself to relax these last two weeks. Thank you, mother." She followed her mother in and motioned for Draco to follow. "This way we can relax and I can write er…my friends at the Ministry for their help as well." She of course meant the two Unspeakables.
"I'll be in soon, just have to put away the mower." Mr. Granger waved.
Mrs. Granger led the two into the sitting room, where two long comfortable looking couches surrounded a coffee table that looked like a restored antique. A tray of biscuits and tea were set out waiting to be served. "How do you take you tea, Draco?" Mrs. Granger asked, already pouring.
A sudden flapping of wings interrupted Draco before he could finish his answer as a northern white faced owl trying landed on the coffee table trying to steal a biscuit. "Reginald, no. Naughty boy." The woman of the house scolded.
"Oh, Reginald. Come here." Hermione beckoned the bird, holding out her arm for him to land. The owl hopped up on her arm and cooed. But when he saw Draco, it straightened up, as though stretching itself taller, and glared at the new company. "Sorry Reginald, this is Draco. He's a friend, so don't be mean." Hermione slipped Draco a biscuit. "Give it to him, he'll be much more friendly with you." She advised.
Draco followed Hermione and Mrs. Granger into the house. He observed his surroundings. It was odd to not see an house elf about. He caught a glimpse of two dark boxes with black fronts. He made a mental note to ask Hermione about them later.
He took a seat next to Hermione on the couch in the drawing room. "A splash of cream, no sug…" He answered mid sentence and stopped to turn his attention to the sudden hoot of interruption.
Hermione's owl had graced the room with his presence. Quite noisily and not fond of Draco in the slightest. "You sure have a fondness for unique looking creatures Granger. His eyes match the fur of your 'cat'." Draco noted with light mockery in his tone. Her so called cat was actually a half-cat/half kneazle, but Draco didn't need to state that in front of muggles.
He felt her fingers brush over his, slipping a biscuit unnoticed to Reginald. "No need to get your feathers ruffled up. I play nice if you do." Draco said to the bird, offering it the biscuit. Which seemed to do the trick. Reginald no longer glared at him but definitely had no intention of being mates with anyone but Hermione.
"Here you go, Draco. Splash of cream, no sugar correct?" Mrs. Granger offered him his cup of tea. "Yes, thank you." He said keeping his manners as he would any other circumstances. A timer went off from the kitchen and Mrs. Granger excused herself to go get another batch of biscuits and jam.
"So, as I was saying before we apparated. If we tell Croaker or Monkstanley why we need into the Veil room that is another soul who knows about the Jinn and they may outright refuse to help. I say we use a Polyjuice potion to get in as them in day or use Potter's cloak to sneak in at night." He stated while her mum was away so they could talk freely.
Hermione nodded in agreement, "Good point, but we're going to have to get a hair none the less so we'll not tell them what we need assistance with, just that we wish to speak with them individually about something important. Does that sound alright?" She asked readying a quill and parchment.
Reginald started tapping with one of the paper weights with his talon just as Mr. Granger stepped in. He flopped down onto the couch, startling the bird. Reginald glared at the balding man who laughed. "Sorry Reg. Ah, nothing like a relaxing cup of tea after mowing the lawn." He sighed as he sipped a cup of his own. "So what do you do, Draco?" Inquired Mr. Granger, putting his sock covered feet on the edge of the coffee table.
"Feet off the table dear!" Mrs. Granger's knowing voice came from the kitchen. Mr. Granger carefully put his feet back on the floor, turning a bit red. "I swear if anything Hermione gets it from her mother." He chuckled.
"Agreed. Any talking might be better coming from you instead of me. I can use Potter's cloak and get a hair while you keep them busy with your never-ending words." Draco suggested teasing her just a bit. He had no idea what kind of personality the Unspeakables were but he was certain if his face showed up and the Department of Mysteries was involved, they wouldn't even hear them out.
Granger alone was much more likely to succeed. She was a war hero after all. It had been five years since he had returned to England. Pursuing a career at the Alchemy Centre in Egypt had been a way to get out of the degrading spotlight his father had cast over her. His mother had Aunt Andromeda and cousin Teddy to associate with regularly, so she wasn't alone.
Mr. Granger joined them bringing the conversation to a halt. When Mr. Granger asked what he did, he became nervous once more about how to explain to the muggle what an alchemist was. He didn't know anything about muggles to compare it to. So out came the truth figuring no laws were being broken and Hermione could 'translate' if necessary. "I am an Alchemist. Hermione requested a potion order along with the assistance of an advanced Alchemist during her curse-breaker excavation."
"Fascinating! So potions work on things other than people, eh?" Mr. Granger noted. "Ever since our rather overwhelming experience in Diagon Alley, I've been eager to hear about all the fantastical things Hermione gets to do. It almost feels like being told a bedtime story, but I know it's real."
"Oh daddy, you make it sound like I'm sort of heroine from a book or something." Hermione smiled while writing identical notes to Croaker and Monkstanley. "Well, you practically are, aren't you? You helped save both yours and our worlds from the magical equivalent of Hitler!" He said excitedly. Even Reginald was hooting in excitement.
"Daddy, please, you're so embarrassing sometimes." Hermione said as she exchanged a nervous glance with Draco whom also looked a bit uncomfortable. Mr. Granger didn't seem to notice the odd atmosphere he was creating. "Oh, and those Death Eaters you told me about. If I could, I'd like to show them the medieval definition of 'oral surgeon' if you know what I mean." He said loudly.
"Dad! Please!" Hermione snapped, "Not all of them had a choice. Many were forced into Voldemort's ranks because he threatened to kill them or their family members or brainwashed them." Hermione was starting to get a bit heated. She had indeed told them about Draco in the past, but mostly left out the bad parts that included him being a Death Eater.
'Who's Hitler?' Draco wondered but his face instantly went solemn as the muggle continued on the subject. "German soldiers had a choice too, dearie. If enough of them had been brave enough to stand for what was right, instead of following orders, secrets bands like project Valkayrie to assassinate Hitler would not have needed to face against vast odds of success." Mr. Granger retorted.
Draco almost would have found the muggle man humorous, if the subject wasn't a sore spot for him. 'Any amount of soldiers choosing defiance would be a 'dead hero' unalive to tell the tale. Your muggle oral instruments would not stand five seconds against a Death Eater, Mr. Granger. Which is one reason Hermione sent you away from it all.' Draco thought to himself but chose to say out loud, "Please do not speak of circumstances you didn't experience yourself, Mr. Granger. You were not in this country during the war. Your memory was tampered with to keep you away and safe. Your knowledge about it came after it ended and you returned. Hermione shared her involvement and I'm sure you sought out what little muggles know on it."
Mrs. Granger re-entered the room with fresh tray of biscuits and jam. "Are we talking about the wizard war Hermione told us about? Nasty affairs wars are. War affects everyone so negatively, no matter whose side you are on, I say." Mrs. Granger put out.
'Well now I definitely can see where Hermione gets her intelligence from.' Draco thought to himself, at least her mother sounded reasonable.
"Of course, you two are right. War is dreadful, and I suppose I have little right to say much due to circumstances." Mr. Granger sipped on his tea some more. "For all I know, wizard wars could be completely different from muggle ones. They seem to be a bit fewer and farther between anyway, compared to ours. Though again, I've never read a history text on wizard wars, so I have little idea. Seem to be over a similar cause though; an unwillingness to compromise. Every war starts with that, I tell you."
"That may be so dear..." Mrs. Granger interjected, "…but might we change the topic to one a bit more light-hearted? Perhaps you could tell us about your latest finding in Egypt, Hermione?" Hermione just finished writing as her mother sat down with her own cup of tea. "Well,…" She said nervously, "I've definitely uncovered something very important, something lost to time that, in my opinion, might have been better off staying lost." The remorseful look on Hermione's face spoke volumes with her even saying anything. She explained her original findings, leading to the Jinn in the Flask and vague recap of their plan. "You're not going to kill this Jinn thing, are you?" Mrs. Granger asked. "It's a living creature after all."
"Technically, it is not. Something living has to have a corporeal form. This Jinn does not have a physical body. We aren't killing anything living. Simply redirecting the life force of collected souls into the afterlife." Draco corrected Mrs. Granger respectfully.
"The lad has a valid point, dear. Even the most microscopic of organisms have a physical form. Something like this known or sought after could be devastating to us or the wizard world." Mr. Granger continued. Maybe her father wasn't so hard headed as Draco initially thought. After the Death Eater conversation he hadn't had much hope for the man being reasonable.
Mrs. Granger sighed, "But does it have a conscience? I feel if something wants to truly be alive, it ought to have at least a chance at doing so." She argued.
"Honestly, mother, I don't think it has a conscience at all." Hermione explained, "It's tricked someone into killing an entire kingdom before, who knows what it's even capable of doing if it had a physical body. It's already expressed its desire to send human kind back to the stone age!"
Her mother gasped. "Oh my! Well…I may not condone this; however I trust your judgment Hermione." She sipped on her tea. Hermione sealed the written letters and sent them off with Reginald who was more than happy to do so after another one of Mrs. Granger's biscuits. "Fly safely Reginald." Hermione said as she watched the owl fly off into the evening sky. She turned to Draco and put her hands on her hips, "Shall we go to talk to Harry then?"