FIC: M is for Muggle-born [3/4]
M is for Muggle-born
Chapter 3
"Knockturn Alley? Have you taken leave of your senses?" Severus asked with far more feeling than politeness when she gestured the way to her flat.
"No, I have not," she countered in a matching tone. Hermione wasn't a schoolgirl any longer and Severus Snape no longer frightened her. If he wished to bluster, he needed to learn that she would good and well bluster back. "I'm only one building down on the right before Knockturn takes a turn, for heaven's sake." The area she lived in was hardly seedy at all. Two or three steps out her building and she was in sight of Gringotts. "Honestly! I thought it would be easier to talk in private but I shan't force you to come with me if you're afraid of a little stroll, Severus."
"I am not a coward, Hermione," he growled.
"No. You most certainly aren't, Severus."
Hermione stopped at the door leading up to the pair of flats above the second-hand bookshop.
"Why am I not surprised this would be the one building in Knockturn Alley you would choose to inhabit?"
"Actually, it's not," she said, sticking her nose in the air as she led him up the stairs to the attic. "Not the only building, I mean. I used to have one of the flats above Nightshade's Apothecary down the way, but it was a little large for my needs." She really didn't need a separate bedroom. Nor did she need her dodgy former neighbors. "This place came open a few months ago and I like it much better." The bookshop owner occupied the flat directly above the shop and beneath Hermione's attic studio. He was the building's only other resident and spent all his time either in the shop or in his flat creating wickedly wonderful crossword puzzles that he liked to try out on her before he sold them freelance to the Daily Prophet. Yes, she liked living here just fine.
"I'd give you the two Knut tour, but considering you can see the lot from here, I'd be over charging." She hung up her jacket and gestured about the room. It was everything: kitchen, dining room, office, sitting room, and bedroom, although she did have the bed slightly screened off at the far end from the rest. "Make yourself at home. The loo is that door there, if you'd like to wash up."
"Thank you, I would," Severus replied. He didn't need the facilities so much as a moment to wrap his head around the fact that Hermione Granger lived in a place that made his own tiny home at Spinner's End seem spacious.
"More wine?" Hermione offered as they finished up the gooseberry fool she'd served for pudding. Together, they had worked out what questions they wanted answered and what temporary relief they felt could be offered until the funding for the orphanage was restored. It wasn't a question of if the budget would be changed, but when. Hermione was determined. The Ministry was the reason those children were there; it had best find the means of properly supporting them.
"As lovely and enjoyable as the company and wine are, I must return to Hogwarts." Severus sat his glass and napkin aside. "Shall I call for you at Gringotts before our meeting with the orphanage director on Monday?"
"Let's meet there. I have a few things to look into before our appointment. I'm not sure where I'll be beforehand." It hinged on what she found out between now and then. She walked him to the door despite feeling reluctant to let him go. "Thank you for coming along with us today. The girls had a marvelous time," including the impromptu reading lessons that sprung up at each exhibit.
"It was enjoyable for me as well." Severus gave her a small bow. "Until Monday. Good night, Hermione."
"Be sure you bring back firm numbers on how many mouths there are to feed," Minerva reminded him.
"For the sixth time, Minerva, I will not forget. If, by some chance, I were to do, I am sure Hermione will be able to quote you not only numbers, but also the ages and dietary restrictions of each orphan by this time tomorrow." Severus had, with Minerva's and the head kitchen-elf's help, worked out a tentative plan to solve one of the orphans' more pressing problems. If putting food on their table was an issue, they agreed that some of the surplus from Hogwarts could be quietly, and temporarily, diverted while the larger issue of adequate funding was being addressed.
"Bless the girl. She always was one for attention to detail."
"Not to mention, punctuality," he added dryly. "Now let me go, woman, or I shall be late."
Hermione closed the ledger and slowly counted to ten. Her hair crackled as she shoved back the strands that escaped her hair combs. The lack of Galleons in the orphanage vault was appalling.
The only good thing - if it could be considered good - was that her cursory audit found that it was indeed the funding from the Ministry that had been slowly diminished over time, then slashed harshly the year before. There was no sign of mismanagement or embezzlement by the orphanage director. Hermione thought that Madam Emiliani's ability to feed and clothe a pack of children on barely anything far exceeded even Molly Weasley's best efforts.
"Scratch, will you join me, please?" She called for one of the house-elves her department at Gringotts now employed.
"Yes, Missy Hermyme?"
"Her-mi-Oh, never mind." The house-elves never could get her name right. At least she wasn't addressed as Hermy. Hermione still wasn't pleased with Hagrid for teaching Grawp that horrid nickname. "I have to leave for an appointment. Please see that this ledger is returned to records and give this to the goblin in charge," she held out a half scroll of parchment. "It should be clear but I should be back late this afternoon if he has questions." Hermione loathed sifting through the Ministry ledgers, but the goblins had taught her well that following the money paid.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Granger, and wonderful to meet you, Headmaster. Please have a seat. I would offer you tea, but-Mrs. Westerly tells me you know a little of our situation."
"We know you're doing your best to economize," Hermione acknowledged. She hadn't come for the tea.
"Do not trouble yourself, madam," Severus seated Hermione in front of the desk and took the chair beside her.
"I hope you're both here for the reason we think. What can I do for you?" Madam Emiliani asked.
"I'm finding it's not only in the wording, but in the tone of voice," the director smiled grimly. She had managed to answer many of their questions by coldly stating the absolute facts where she could until her throat seized and she could not continue. "I'm attempting to teach myself how to navigate around being contractually bound from negative commentary on anything to do with the scope of my employment and banned from giving any information that is not strictly related to the duties I am paid to perform."
Hermione cocked her head and eyed the director. There was something about the way she'd phrased that sounded vaguely familiar.
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about what you said." The phrasing was something to file away to think about later. For now, Hermione would stay focused on the words. "Would those duties you're paid to perform have anything to do with why you've neglected to draw your pay this month?"
"How did you know I decided to try that? I hadn't told a soul, not even Mrs. Westerly."
"I'm Gringotts Head Investigator, Madam Emiliani." Hermione noted Severus' head snapped her way. With one thing leading to another, they had never got back around to her work for the goblins. Hermione was certain the conversation wouldn't be put aside much longer. "I felt, given the circumstances, that I should verify that it was truly a reduction in the Galleons coming in and not misappropriation of funds. I apologize for-"
"There's no need, Miss Granger. Any responsible person would wish to do the same."
Severus agreed. Apparently, Hermione's 'few things to look into' before their appointment today had been a quick audit. Once again, she managed to impress him. While he was still attempting to sort out how they could manipulate the director into giving them a peep at the orphanage books, Hermione had got around it by going directly to the vault ledger. A more reliable source of transactions could not be had. The orphanage records could be changed - with difficulty, but it wasn't impossible - but Gringotts' records were exact.
After the director's throat closed up for the fifth time, they had to admit that Madam Emiliani had most likely told them everything she could. "I'm sorry it's so little. I hoped that not being paid for the duties I was performing would create a loophole I could use to confront-" The witch sputtered and fell silent as the contractual bond flared for a sixth time.
"That's enough to get on with for now, I think. Let's focus on what we can do for you and the children. Obviously, I plan to continue looking for where the funds went. While I trust Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister is not the Ministry. And the Ministry has shown itself to be no friend of Muggle-borns or their orphans." Hermione could feel Severus' eyes boring into her at the comment and she suspected that she'd be answering questions about that later as well. "I spoke to Fleur Weasley. Until we manage to get your funds restored, The Children's Wish Foundation has volunteered to organize tutors and guest readers. Fleur plans to contact you later today to set an appointment to work out the details. I'll send word letting her know that she'll have to make proposals to you rather than asking after the orphan's needs. Your contract bond shouldn't be stressed by going about it that way."
"Director Weasley and I have worked together in the past without incident, as you know, Miss Granger. There is nothing that prevents me from accepting outside charity as long as I do not solicit for it by indicating that there's anything we lack."
"In that case, I am pleased to be able to offer you Hogwarts' assistance as well," Severus withdrew a scroll from his robes. "This is our menu plan for the remainder of the month. The Deputy Headmistress and I were unsure of whether you would prefer a selection from all the dishes to give the children choice, or if you would rather choose a balanced meal from among what is being served to provide everyone with the same. We are able to accommodate you either way as long as your meal schedule can be worked around ours. Hogwarts is also willing to provide surplus fresh fruit and vegetables."
"That is exceptionally generous of you, Headmaster. We appreciate your charity. It was already a relief having Hogwarts take over care as the children turned eleven. Having a horde of hungry teenagers retur-" The director coughed to clear her throat after having her breath cut off. "That is to say we're grateful for Hogwarts assuming responsibility for those we send you."
"I beg your pardon, madam. I have not the pleasure of understanding you. Hogwarts does have a fund to provide for those in need, however no bursary students reside with us year round. Nor have special arrangements been made for when the Marriage Decree orphans will be old enough to attend." Severus was confused about why the director believed that Hogwarts would take over care.
"Hogwarts hasn't boarded students year-round since Floo Powder was invented in the thirteenth century, Madam Emiliani." Hermione knew that from Hogwarts: A History. Color bloomed on her cheeks as Severus raised an eyebrow her way. He would probably tease her later for reciting facts, but now wasn't the time.
The director shook her head but that was enough to stress the bond and she closed her eyes in pain until it cleared.
"Let me try," Hermione had an idea of what Madam Emiliani was attempting to communicate. "I believe the director was attempting to point out that the orphanage cares for, not only those children sired because of the Marriage Decree and later abandoned by their pureblood parents, but also those children of Muggle-borns sent to Azkaban by the Muggle-born Registration Commission who never returned."
"You mean these parents left the wizarding world without-"
"No," she said emphatically. "I meant those who never returned alive. There were sixty-three. Sixty-six if you count the unborn children who died with the witches in childbirth in Azkaban. Sixty-seven if you count the Muggle-born wizard permanently residing in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward. He has a son here as well."
"At Hogwarts," Madam Emiliani corrected.
"I realize that Hogwarts has a disproportionate number of orphans attending at this point in its history, madam, however I know for a fact that the only one who resides outside of the school year in an orphanage is placed in a Muggle facility. The rest are in the care of a relative or legal guardian."
The director turned white as a sheet. "That's-Excuse me. I won't be a moment." Madam Emiliani hurried from the room.
"Wait. Martin Tibbs was among the sixty-six," Hermione interrupted Mrs. Westerly, who Madam Emiliani had towed into the room to give them the names of their Hogwarts aged orphans. Tibbs had been on the list of Muggle-born witches and wizards who died while incarcerated in Azkaban, Hermione was sure of it. She could mentally see the list tacked to the wall of her office among the other reminders that the war wasn't over until every last Muggle-born had been accounted for and their property restored.
"A different Martin Tibbs, perhaps? He was only here a week before leaving us for Hogwarts," the housekeeper informed them. "I remember because he was the only one we've ever had that came to us with his robes, books and other school supplies. His parents had bought them the week before their appointments before the commission."
"A Tibbs was among the Muggle-borns detained by the Ministry instead of allowed to board the Hogwarts Express the last year of the war," Severus informed them. "There were three incoming first years taken away, along with a score-"
"Twenty-four. There were twenty-four students detained," Hermione said coldly, "including three first years, by a contingent of Aurors. Two dozen Dark wizard catchers sent to round up an equal number of unqualified Muggle-born children, most of whom had yet to even sit their O.W.L.s." Those names were tacked to the wall of her office as well. She knew the names of each and every one, even those who were among the sixty-six who hadn't left Azkaban alive. Especially those.
Severus could feel the magic rolling off Hermione. Now obviously wasn't the time to tell her that there had been so many Aurors sent because they anticipated difficulty in capturing her and Potter, not because they'd felt so many would be needed to detain the younger students. Why the Ministry had thought Harry Potter and Hermione Granger would obey the attendance decree and return to Hogwarts was beyond him. As little as he thought of Potter's intelligence, even Severus had known the boy wasn't that stupid, and Hermione certainly was not.
Her hair crackled and Hermione forced herself to calm down. These people were not enemies. They were allies. She had to remember that. "It is the same Martin Tibbs. Before you ask, yes, I'm sure. I hadn't known he'd been sent here before Azkaban, but I do know he was eleven. He was classified Muggle-born because both his parents were. The head of the commission herself saw to it, claiming his parents taught him how to steal magic." Hermione could still hear Dolores Umbridge claiming she'd do the same to Amanda and Arnold Brown's children after she dealt with them. Nightmares reliving that short time spent Polyjuiced as Mafalda Hopkirk, recording witness to Ministry's terrorization of Muggle-borns, were among those which still plagued Hermione.
"Are you all right?" Severus asked with concern as they left the orphanage.
"All right? There are eleven children unaccounted for, Severus. Of course, I'm not all right." There was a hole in the pit of her stomach of a size she hadn't felt since learning that sending her parents to safety had actually sent them to their early graves.
"Come with me to Hogwarts. The Book of Records is the best place to start looking for those missing. It just so happens as headmaster I know precisely where to find it."
Hermione gave him a tired smile, "Now you're just showing off." However, he was right. It was the best place to start. Feeling a little less hopeless now that a plan was forming, her stomach eased. "But unless you happen to have moved the book since the end of the war, I suspect I know where to find it as well."
"Now who is showing off?"
"Oh, hush. Know-it-all, remember? It's my job to exhibit."
"Tell me, how is it that even a know-it-all has come to possess one of Hogwarts' great secrets?" Severus asked as they walked from the gates to the castle. He admired her brisk stride. He had barely needed to slow down his pace to accommodate her shorter legs.
Blast. He obviously didn't know she was aware of his hiding place behind Dumbledore's portrait. Why didn't she think about him asking questions before she had to show off and opened her fat gob? "Did you know I was Hogwarts' Muggle Liaison the summer after the war?"
"Yes, I was recently made aware. However, while technically true, I doubt that is the answer to my question, Hermione, considering Minerva was unaware of where I had it hidden until after I awoke from my coma." Severus stopped and faced her, tipping her chin up. "Look at me, Hermione." When she failed to do so, he sighed. "You have my word that I will not use Legilimency."
Her eyes jumped to his at the reassurance. Severus felt his heart pulse strongly in response to how quickly the witch took him at his word. She truly did trust him. "You do know where it's hidden, don't you?" His eyes searched hers. All this time, he had thought he once again owed his continued existence to a Potter. The thought had not set well with him. The idea that the clever witch beside him might have done the job instead was a thought far more palatable.
"Yes. At least I think I do. You put it where no one except a person Hogwarts itself recognized as headmaster or headmistress would look for it." She reached for his free hand without breaking eye contact. "You have my word that I will never tell a soul." Not about his hiding place, and certainly not about being the one who used the Phoenix tears she found there to save him. "You can have my wand oath, if-"
Severus moved his finger from her chin to her lips. "Hush. To quote a certain witch, 'Don't be ridiculous.' I believe your word will be sufficient for me as well." Her eyes sparkled and Severus chuckled. "Come before I do something profoundly stupid and kiss you right here where any one of the dunderheads might see."
"Miss Granger!"
"Hello, Professor Flitwick," she replied with a smile. The pint-sized Charms professor had always been one of her favorites.
"The headmaster didn't mention you were visiting today."
"It's a rather impromptu visit, Professor," Hermione explained.
"Miss Granger and I have a bit of business. I will try to convince her to join us in the Great Hall for dinner." Severus steered her toward the staircase. "The house-elves might even be convinced to boil a haggis for the occasion," he said in a low voice meant solely for Hermione's ears as they ascended.
Hermione snickered. "What? No curry?"
"I am working on it. Give me time. I am considering petitioning the Minister for Educational Decree number 32: All meals serv- Hermione?" Severus stopped and turned to look at the witch who froze two steps back. "Hermione?"
"Educational Decree … " She cocked her head, seeking that elusive Snitch of a connection flitting around the edge of her consciousness. "Why does that …" She gasped. "Educational Decree! Severus! I've got it! I have to go!" She turned to dash back down the stairs but stopped. "No, the Floo would be faster. Does Professor McGonagall still have a connection in her office?" It was the closest.
"She does, however I fail to see what this has to do with the missing children." She was on to something and he had no idea what. He didn't care for that one jot.
"'Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is not strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.'" Hermione quoted. "Ring any bells?"
"Merlin," he breathed. "Come. Minerva is still in class. I will open the Floo in my office."
"The Floo will remain open. You will return the moment you are sure. You will not expose yourself. You will do nothing foolishly Gryf-" Hermione silenced him the same way he'd twice silenced her with a finger across his lips.
"I am not needlessly reckless, Severus." She wouldn't say she never tumbled into danger but she didn't seek it out.
"That is what worries me. The Gryffindor definition of 'needlessly' often leaves something to be desired," he snarled.
"In and back out again before you manage to brush the cobwebs off the Book of Records and find all the names." She took his harsh tone for the concern it was, not, as she once would have assumed, as criticism of her abilities. If he didn't think she could manage herself, Hermione was certain he'd either be demanding to accompany her or telling her that he was going to Ministry instead. "Oh!" Hermione extracted the scroll with the list of missing children and shoved it into his hand. "I doubt you have them all memorized just yet."
"I am serious, Hermione. Be careful. It would be dangerous to underestimate that wi-" She shut him up this time with speedy kiss, and spun away through the Floo before he recaptured his wits enough to return it.
"Cheeky wench. I knew that Mu-"
"Not now, Phineas," Severus barked at the portrait. "Everard, go and keep an eye on Miss Granger. If she steps within a hundred feet of Dolores Umbridge report back at once." He told himself that Hermione Granger had managed in far more dire situations on her own and suppressed the urge to follow her through to the Ministry. That would only call attention to what they were doing, something he was sure should be kept as quiet as possible while they formulated a plan. He turned and pulled on Dumbledore's frame. For now, he had his own task to be getting on with.
"Cheeky is too mild a word for that witch," Everard chuckled as he settled into his frame. "Did you know she wields Bellatrix Lestrange's wand? The latest security wizard nearly wet himself when he weighed it and the parchment spit out with that morsel of information. Then she storms straight to the Minister's Office and starts in on that pompous ginger fellow demanding the first ten minutes the Minister has available until the man himself sweeps out of his office grinning like a besotted fool at the witch badgering his poor assistant, as if her bossy tones were a siren's call. The Minister lifted the witch right off her feet-"
"Shacklebolt did what?"
"You are acting a bit territorial, Severus. Anything you would care to share-"
"Not now, Albus." Not ever, not if Severus could help it. Before he was able to turn his attention back to Everard, the Floo flared and out stepped Hermione.
"Oh, good. You're still here. I was worried you'd have to head down to the Great Hall for dinner and I wouldn't be able to come through. You will not believe what those idiots at the Ministry have done." She caught his look and frowned. "What? Why are you looking at me that way?"
When he failed to answer she narrowed her eyes in return as he continued to glare at her. "Oh, for heaven's sake. It was quick peck, not a full-on snog. If my Muggle-born lips bother you so much then just forget it ev-" Severus swept her up against him and kissed her passionately.
"Oh." Hermione swallowed thickly when his mouth finally left hers.
Severus smirked. Let Shacklebolt top that. "Yes. Oh."
"Ah, right then. That settles that."
"Indeed."
"So," Hermione sipped the offered tea and launched into what she'd found out, "Kingsley thought that moving that horrid toad into a low level position within the new department formed to provide social and family services would be a way for her to provide some restitution for her role during the war and hoped it would teach her a bit of compassion." Severus snorted and Hermione nodded in agreement. "I know. That witch doesn't have a compassionate bone in her body. Unfortunately, the Wizengamot didn't see it that way. She claimed she was under the Imperious and they bought it. Or maybe she bought them." Hermione planned to check into that. Umbridge wouldn't be the first witch or wizard to buy their way out of a stay in Azkaban.
One way or another, Hermione vowed, Dolores Umbridge's days of harming others were numbered, even if she had to tie the witch up and float her out through the Forbidden Forest to the Acromantula colony to dispose of the toad herself. "Kingsley didn't anticipate Umbridge crawling her way back up to a position of power within the department any more than he thought to have anyone scrutinize any more of her past activities once the Wizengamot made its ruling." Philosophically, Hermione understood how much the new minister had on his plate in those days following the war but she couldn't help being more than a bit angry with Kingsley for not providing better oversight. "She belongs in Azkaban for what she did to those poor people during the war."
"Hermione, I want to see her put away as well. Only we cannot move too quickly. She is our best lead to finding the nine missing children."
"Eleven," she corrected. There were eleven names on the scroll she'd handed him. All eleven names would be posted on her office wall the moment she next walked in the room.
"No, Hermione," he shook his head sadly. "Nine," Severus said again as he returned her scroll. There were two names with a single word beside them. The blood red ink and spiky handwriting she knew well from seeing it slashed across six years of essays … Deceased.
The nine would be added to her litany of the lost until they were found. But she would remember all eleven. She would never forget any of them. She never did. Someone had to remember, for it was far too easy for some to forget.
Continue to Epilogue