"the visitor" by gingerbred
Summer 1998. The summer before her eighth year, Hermione returns to Hogwarts to help rebuild the castle in the wake of the battle. They have a surprise visitor. Drabble! (for realz this time)
Originally Published: 2019-06-03 on LJ / DW
Words: 300 (yes, really), complete 😉
Prompt 1: From Toblass for the Hogwarts Last Drabble Writer Standing Challenge (Which I'm not actually taking part in... 😆 Now seriously, go follow them.) An unexpected guest shows up at Hogwarts. Exactly 300 words.
Characters: Severus, Hermione, Hagrid, Minerva
"Hagrid, who was that with Headmistress McGonagall?" Hermione asks, looking in the direction the women had disappeared and from which shouting can now be heard.
"The one who looked like a dour, brown version of Dolores," Severus rasps, his voice still recovering, as if there could be any question whom Miss Granger had meant.
"Said she were from 'istoric Environment Scotland..."
"A Muggle?" Hermione's disbelief is audible.
"That were odd, it were," Hagrid agrees. "Said the castle were 'listed', and Perfesser McGonagall hadn't got 'planning'?"
"How on earth could she even see Hogwarts?" Hermione wonders.
"Nothing stops the HES," Severus replies, never more grateful to no longer be in charge. Hermione gives him a baleful glance, and he answers more constructively, "Ordinarily it appears a mouldering ruin. It's conceivable the Perception Charms were damaged during battle."
They can now make out cries of 'Listed Building Consent!', 'Grade I!' and 'The works must be reversed!' as the shouts draw closer.
"Sounds dire," Severus smirks. "Miss Granger, how did you dispatch Professor Umbridge in her day?"
"Centaurs, Forbidden Forest. I'm not sure the situation is quite so dire as to warrant a repeat, however..."
A blur of tweed shoots past, a flurry of hexes hot on her heels. "Unauthorised works to protected structures are criminal offences!" The trio watches as Minerva chases after the official, who hurls threats over her shoulder as she legs it for the gates. "Owners can be prosecuted!"
"Perhaps a Memory Charm will suffice," Severus sighs. "Would either of you mind helping me catch up to them?" He's still a tad shaky on his feet.
Hermione fires an Impedimenta after the Planning Officer, who falls like an ancient building before the wrecking ball. "My pleasure," she grins.
"Not what I meant, but I shan't argue with the results."
"On balance," he remarks to Minerva once the deed is done, "it went better than the time Health and Safety decided ergotism was the only conceivable explanation for the house elves..."
Originally Published: 2019-06-03 on LJ / DW
Words: 300 (yes, really), complete 😉
Prompt 1: From Toblass for the Hogwarts Last Drabble Writer Standing Challenge (Which I'm not actually taking part in... 😆 Now seriously, go follow them.) An unexpected guest shows up at Hogwarts. Exactly 300 words.
Characters: Severus, Hermione, Hagrid, Minerva
"Hagrid, who was that with Headmistress McGonagall?" Hermione asks, looking in the direction the women had disappeared and from which shouting can now be heard.
"The one who looked like a dour, brown version of Dolores," Severus rasps, his voice still recovering, as if there could be any question whom Miss Granger had meant.
"Said she were from 'istoric Environment Scotland..."
"A Muggle?" Hermione's disbelief is audible.
"That were odd, it were," Hagrid agrees. "Said the castle were 'listed', and Perfesser McGonagall hadn't got 'planning'?"
"How on earth could she even see Hogwarts?" Hermione wonders.
"Nothing stops the HES," Severus replies, never more grateful to no longer be in charge. Hermione gives him a baleful glance, and he answers more constructively, "Ordinarily it appears a mouldering ruin. It's conceivable the Perception Charms were damaged during battle."
They can now make out cries of 'Listed Building Consent!', 'Grade I!' and 'The works must be reversed!' as the shouts draw closer.
"Sounds dire," Severus smirks. "Miss Granger, how did you dispatch Professor Umbridge in her day?"
"Centaurs, Forbidden Forest. I'm not sure the situation is quite so dire as to warrant a repeat, however..."
A blur of tweed shoots past, a flurry of hexes hot on her heels. "Unauthorised works to protected structures are criminal offences!" The trio watches as Minerva chases after the official, who hurls threats over her shoulder as she legs it for the gates. "Owners can be prosecuted!"
"Perhaps a Memory Charm will suffice," Severus sighs. "Would either of you mind helping me catch up to them?" He's still a tad shaky on his feet.
Hermione fires an Impedimenta after the Planning Officer, who falls like an ancient building before the wrecking ball. "My pleasure," she grins.
"Not what I meant, but I shan't argue with the results."
"On balance," he remarks to Minerva once the deed is done, "it went better than the time Health and Safety decided ergotism was the only conceivable explanation for the house elves..."