RP: Book Collector

[shh_hermione]

Date: November 28, 2004
Character(s): Hermione, Blaise
Location: Library
Status: Private
Summary: Hermione and Blaise discuss books and projects
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_blaise]

Blaise entered the library at nine-forty. Over an hour early for his meeting with Granger, but he’d decided that it was the best course of action to take.

It could be a trap, either by Granger or - someone else. If that was the case, it was best to be early and pre-empt them setting it up. If not - well, he had been so engrossed with his proposals that he had yet to find time to really look around the place. He wanted to see what the damage was like inside. Take a look at what remained of the Muggle books. Maybe he would even find something interesting.

Slipping inside, his wand in his hand, Blaise moved cautiously into the main lobby area. As he looked around, carefully assessing his surroundings, he noticed some footprints in the dust. Clearly he was not the first inside. Whether or not the footprints owner was someone with a vested interest in the library or simple an opportunist, he could not be sure. What he could be certain of was that some of the foot points were older - at least a few days given that the dust was starting to resettle over them. Two people at least given the variation in size. But others, others seemed much more recent.

Ignoring the surprisingly good condition of the shelves and books, Blaise slid further into the building his back against the wall and his body tense and his eyes narrowed

[shh_hermione]

As soon as the door opened, Hermione reached for her wand and looked up. From her seat, she saw Zabini step inside. Her gaze swept over him and she frowned slightly. He was dressed impecably, while she was wearing denims and a simple long-sleeve shirt. Well, if he were the type to expect formal business wear, this would be a short meeting. She didn't even own business wear, really, save for a couple of decent enough skirts.

The proposal would stand on its own, she was sure, regardless of what she was wearing. He'd either be interested enough to discuss it or he'd say no and they'd go about their days. She had to smile, however, when she noticed him prowling around as if he expected her to attack him. If she had been so inclined, he'd have been struck immediately upon entering with one curse or another that the healers at the hospital wouldn't even recognize. Fortunate for him, she had no desire to use such knowledge now that the war was over. Well, unless someone ever hurt Harry or Ron.

She put down her book quietly and stood up. Keeping her wand in hand, as she didn't know Zabini and certainly didn't trust him, she stepped out of the shadows. "Good morning, Mister Zabini. Thank you for meeting me."

[shh_blaise]

Blaise eyebrow raised and he paused, his wand arm raised slightly higher than it had been previously. Granger! He should have guessed. There was a slight smugness to the quirk of her mouth as she greeted him that struck him as something one might not expect from the ex-Gryffindor, but he remembered it well from every time the witch had got a question right in class. There had been many of those moments and Blaise had quietly taken note of each one. That said more about her character than many would think.

“Miss. Granger,” He greeted curtly, slightly irritated that she had got one up on him. “I must say your choice of venue is-” he paused, for a moment, looking around once more, “- interesting.”

[shh_hermione]

She noticed the tone of his voice and the slight curl of his lips. He didn't seem pleased that she was already waiting. Hmm. She took note of it before listening to the rest of his words.

"Neutral ground, Mister Zabini," she said simply, smiling slightly as she walked closer to him. "I couldn't see you accepting an offer for tea at my home, after all, nor did I feel comfortable meeting you on your turf, so to speak. The pubs are noisy and people are too nosy for their own good. The library seemed the best choice."

"Besides, I seem to recall you frequenting the library back during our years at Hogwarts, so it seemed to be a place where we might both feel reasonably comfortable," she added politely.

[shh_blaise]

Blaise cleared his throat. The witch’s reasoning - he couldn’t fault it. In fact, had he not preferred his own turf, it would have probably been the same conclusion he too would have come to. Blaise found himself oddly impressed.

She’d noticed the time he spent in the library at school too. He’d always been discrete about how much time he spent there just studying for his own interest. Hiding away in corners, reading, watching and listening. Really she was quite the surprise.

Blaise nodded his head and let his guard drop just a fraction. As he did so his gaze was caught by a sign declaring ‘world history’ deeper into the library stacks, and he found himself momentarily distracted.

Looking back at the witch, he took in her appearance. Her jeans were warn, and her top looked as though she might have bought it during her school years. He supposed one didn’t get much time for shopping whilst battling megalomaniacs, but still. Though it did show off her cleavage rather nicely, he conceded.

“So,” he said slowly, his finger running across the row of books nearest to him. He almost laughed at the titles, having to retrain it to a snicker as his finger grazed past:’ Prisoner Of The Heart’, ‘Seduced By A Sultan’ and ‘In the Boss’ Bed’. It seemed romance novels were as creative in the Muggle world as in the wizarding. “What exactly did you wish to discuss about my… collection?”

[shh_hermione]

While he thought about what she'd said, as he was obviously considering it in a similar way that she, herself, would, she joined him in the middle of the lobby. She raised herself up to sit on one of the empty tables and waited for him to speak. She wasn't particularly good at socializing, but she was quite good at analyzing people and determining what made them tick, even in slight ways. Zabini wasn't somone you rushed or disrespected.

Finally, he nodded. Though she noticed him glance to the left for a moment before he seemed to be back with her. She casually looked over her shoulder and saw the 'world history' sign. A fondness for history definitely went into a Positive mental column for determining whether or not Zabini was interesting.

She kept her wand in her hand but felt confident enough in the library to relax a little. Besides, she knew she'd be able to defend herself should the need arise. "Would you like to sit?" she offered, using her wand to roll a chair forward from behind the desk. She performed a cleaning charm on it as she doubted he'd want to get his fancy suit dusty.

She brushed her hair back from her face and smiled. "In regards to your collection, I would like to discuss the possibility of my borrowing it to copy," she said matter-of-factly.

[shh_blaise]

Blaise had been perusing the proffered chair. Deciding whether to sit or remain standing, retaining his height advantage. Perhaps if he had been someone else he would have felt more need for the advantage. After watching her cast a cleaning charm and appreciative of the observation and thoughtfulness that the gesture demonstrated, Blaise took hold of the seat and began to drop down.

However, what the witch said next caused him to halt and look up at her. “You want to-,” he stalled, shaking his head due to the astonishment her answer had caused. No one could deny the fact that the girl could be bunt. What was with that? It seemed everyone he was running into lately was. “- borrow my collection to copy? Forgive me for asking, but, one, why should I allow that and, two, why exactly do you wish to copy it?” Was she planning on using the copies to restock the library? Because the only other possibility he could think of was that somehow she was going to make money out of it, either through research or selling the copies on. If that was the case then he wanted something out of it.

[shh_hermione]

"You're forgiven. If you'd not have asked, I'd have been thoroughly disappointed as I've judged you to be more cautious and certainly not so accepting," she said simply.

"If you don't mind, I'll answer question two first because the answer to question one is rather dependent upon the explanation for what I intend to do with them." She considered the best way to answer without going into an excited ramble that often seemed to accompany this discussion.

"Eventually, the Ministry is going to be in a position to authorize the rebuilding of the library," she began. "I've already protected the books here, in this library, that managed to survive the elements." She motioned to the bookshelves, but kept her gaze focused on him. "However, due to the losses suffered during the war in our world, there's hardly any wizarding books left except for those in private collections. I think that it's extremely important to preserve our culture, to make sure that the subjects are properly represented in a new library. One can ask for donations, of course, but people that have managed to keep what little they have aren't likely to be willing to give it all away to a library."

"So, I've learned how to print books using a wizarding printing press. My hope is to accumulate enough texts from private collectors that will allow Ron and I to copy their books so that a new library, once ready, will have a fair representation of wizarding books to balance all the ones that survived here," she said. "Along with the publishing press, I'm making contact with various people who are going to write new texts for me to copy and distribute through a bookstore that I intend to open in the upcoming month or two, if all goes well. In regards to private collections, I have no intention of copying any of those for sale or profit unless the owner offers or suggests making them more widely available. The main goal with the collections is to replace all the books we've lost to stock both a public library and a future school library."

"Of course, I'll certainly sell anything allowed because the cost of paper and ink, alone, is quite high, and I'll need to be able to cover the expenses," she said honestly. "As to why you you might allow it? I think, based on your particular interests, that you're an intelligent man. You most likely see the importance of making books available to the public both to learn new subjects or refresh on familiar. If we don't ensure that people have the ability to continue learning and have an option for mental growth, I can't help but think we'll never have much of a future or, god forbid, keep repeating the past."

She stopped talking and smiled sheepishly. "I didn't intend to ramble when replying but it seems that I've failed to answer concisely and quickly. I do apologize, but it's a subject that I'm rather passionate about."

[shh_blaise]

She wasn’t just blunt, she could talk and talk and talk. Blaise stood up; he’d sat down momentarily as he listened to her ramble, but now he needed space to think.

He walked over to what remained of a poster on a wall, reading absently the library’s aims. When she had said ‘you’re forgiven’ like that, Blaise had almost… Actually he wasn’t sure what he almost did. Something about Hermione kept throwing him off. If it wasn’t her well thought out reasoning, it was her bluntness or, in this case, her presumptuousness to forgive him.

And then there had been her explanation. There was so much. What to pick up on first?

“It’s a good idea,” he conceded, half aware of the fact that the library seemed to aim to answer ninety percent of all questions. The thought was voiced but it was more a comment to himself. Donations would be limited. He had considered the fact, but this solution had not come to him. He’d thought about searching abroad, but that limited the availability of books on British history and culture. Besides even mainland Europe had been hit pretty hard by the war.

“People should have access to the past. It’s the only way they’ll learn. And this is our culture. It’s what I’d tried to tell Minerva the other day - we need to value it. Hang on to what we have and try and rebuild the rest. Learn from it. Yes. It’s a good solution.”

She’d mentioned the library. He still couldn’t be sure of her intentions about that, but he fancied that they were focussed elsewhere for now. It would give him opportunity to assert his claim. He turned around to assess her, catching the blush on her cheeks, but for once too distracted to analyse it. “Once I’ve rebuilt this, we will need books,” he said cautiously. And there was his plan for forcing that issue of History of Magic with Minerva. The classroom would need books too, were he to continue ahead with his plan.

“I believe we could make a deal.” Blaise ran his gaze over Hermione. She was quite surprising. The flattery and comment about her passion for the area had not gone un-noticed either. Nor had her mention of working with future authors. It was also something he had considered for the future.

“Have you considered salvaging what’s left also? Hogwarts, for example?”

[shh_hermione]

"Of course it is." She smiled slightly. "I try not to share the bad ideas that I have. That can rather one's reputation, after all."

Hermione's smile widened. "Yes, exactly," she said. He really got it, which made her feel less foolish for excitedly discussing it. "We have to learn from the past or risk making the same mistakes. One of the first things I did after deciding on this project was approach someone to begin writing a book about both Voldemort wars, in fact. After the first one, there should have been more information provided to the public. I don't mean specifics on how people were killed or other glorifications of death, but information on motivation and prejudice. If there had, maybe people would have been more prepared for a second rising."

"It's like Hitler, during the second World War, and rumors of Grindewald being involved in that Muggle war," she continued. "Perhaps if our world had known more or, actually, wanted to know more, then Voldemort could have been stopped the first time. I really believe that we need to preserve our past, both to appreciate and learn from, but I also feel that people need to be educated so that another situation like this won't be as likely to happen in the future. By having Muggle books with wizarding books and, especially now in this town, I hope that old prejudices can fade to at least tolerance."

She shrugged. "Anyway, that's not the subject at hand," she said. "We definitely need to learn from the past and rebuild our world."

"I'm sure once the Ministry rebuilds this," she said smoothly, watching him closely, "the library will definitely need books. The books down here are the ones that were worth saving. There are charms on them now, after a few hours work a couple of weeks ago, to protect them from the elements until the building can be rebuilt. However, a lot of the existing books here were too damaged to save. The entire second level is a book graveyard, of sorts, but there are enough for a good Muggle section. Plus, you can buy used books in a secondhand bookstore in London for relatively good prices should there be certain areas that need considered. However, the wizarding part of the library, which should be larger, will need everything."

"And what sort of deal do we have, Mister Zabini?" she asked. "I'd like to know the exact terms you have in mind, along with any loopholes you're contemplating."

"I considered a salvage trip to Diagon Alley to see if anything survived at Flourish & Botts. Honestly, I hope to find something there that can be donated as well as some things I might be able to sell in my bookstore to cover expenses."

She bit her lip and tucked her hair behind her ear as she considered Hogwarts. She honestly didn't know if she was ready to face its destruction, but it was a logical choice for a salvage trip. Perhaps she could even locate some of Professor McGonagall's research notes or old textbooks that survived. Finally, she nodded. "Hogwarts would be a likely place to escavate. If anything managed to survive, it could be useful. Either books for reprinting or even items for the new museum once it's open."

[shh_blaise]

“Hitler?” Blaise asked, unaware of the presumably Muggle reference Hermione was making, but curious all the same. His eyes were drawn back to the sign he’d seen earlier. Maybe it would be worthwhile reading up on some Muggle history. If what Hermione was suggesting was true about wizarding involvement in Muggle wars it would be worth his time to further investigate it.

Blaise turned back to the witch, deciding that there were more pressing issues to pursue.

“At the moment we don’t have a deal,” he said cautiously, appraising her once more. He hadn’t missed her comment about the Ministry rebuilding the library and whilst it did lighten his fear that she herself had designs on the building, it did not erase them altogether. “What we have is the basis for one.”

He took a step closer to her before dropping back down into his seat. “From what I’ve heard it will be a long time before the Ministry can afford to rebuild this place. More pressing concerns at the moment, I feel. But there are interested parties with both the capital and the passion needed to finance such a building renovation, and they would need books to re stock it.” He paused and awaited her response.

[shh_hermione]

"Hitler had a similar thought process to Voldemort in terms of popularing the world only those he saw fit to live within it. He arranged the systematic torture and murder of people based on their religion and other factors, and was responsible for the deaths of more people than we even have in the British wizarding world," she explained generally, noticing his attention again wander to the history section. "I'm sure that section has quite a few books on World War II, which is the one we're discussing."

She arched a brow and listened, biting her lip in thought as she considered his words. As he spoke, she ran her fingers through her hair and thought carefully. She dropped her arm and tugged her jumper back down, making a mental note to alter some of her old clothes.

"I think that a library should be open to the public. I also feel that the government, whether wealthy or not, should have overall control of a library, museum, or other public works type of establishments, so long as they allow equal representation for all subjects and don't ban things based on an attempt to sway the minds of the people. No one can own knowledge, after all," she said.

"However, if certain interested parties with the funds and passion for helping the Ministry build were to go through proper channels and have no more overall control than any normal private citizen who frequented the library for learning, then I'd have to agree that the library would, indeed, need books to re stock it." She smiled slightly. "In which case, another interested party with the knowledge and means of reproducing said books might be a formidable ally."

[shh_blaise]

Blaise looked between Hermione and the history section, which had so caught his attention, interested by the comparisons the witch was making. “I think that perhaps there’s a case for studying both wizarding and Muggle history along side one another,” Blaise said as he regarded Hermione. “After all the whole point of studying History is to learn from it. Right?” He leant foreword, involved in the subject they were discussing. “I hadn’t heard of this Hitler, but imagine if the generations that followed Voldemort’s first demise had studied this World War II.”

Blaise leaned back once more and took a deep breath. It had been too long since he had been able to hold a discussion like this with someone. Not since his Granddad had died. And really he had not been old enough to hold his own in those discussions. He’d still been acquiring the basic foundation of knowledge. It was - invigorating.

“As for the Ministry controlling a public source of information, how far do you think any government could be trusted with something that could cause their society to call into question their mandates?” He raised his eyebrow and smirked.

“But yes, your right. Were there two such people as we have been discussing, they’re would be considerable grounds for an alliance. And were one of them interested in necessity for History to be taught as well as being an open resource, I think perhaps there may be even greater grounds.”

[shh_hermione]

"Yes, exactly!" Hermione was enjoying the discussion a lot, though she'd not let her guard down at all. She was still cautious and didn't trust Zabini, but one didn't have to trust another to have an interesting conversation. That was proven by her relationship, of sorts, with Rita Skeeter.

"One of my greatest fears is that this will be another incident that is pushed far from the public mind because people want to move on and forget," she said, face flushed as she excitedly discussed one of her passions. "But they can't because it's so important to remember and learn from the mistakes, as well as see what was done correctly and study it, learn it, and make sure it's known."

"Of course, the first step in learning is having the desire to learn," she continued. "There has to be that thirst for knowledge, the need to keep one's mind active, and, without it, no amount of books or information will be any use. In this world, too many people wanted to live in the past. I admire our world, and I'm part of it because of this wand and the magic within me, regardless of blood or family. Unfortunately, too many others could never look beyond that heritage of any Muggleborn to even want to learn from the events of the Muggle war. In a way, I understand wanting to preserve culture and heritage, but that can be done without enslaving or murdering entire groups of people. It can be done by everyone taking part and making things even better. Though, of course, I've been accused of being an idealist despite having a rather pragmatic attitude about such things."

She licked her lips and tapped her fingers against her thigh as she considered his comment. "Touche," she finally granted with just a slight quirk of her lips before she focused on the remainder of his words.

"An alliance could certainly be mutually beneficial for two such individuals if the terms and specifications met with their approval," she agreed. "And if the other of them happened to agree that teaching History was very important because of the necessity for knowledge and opportunity to learn from past mistakes, such a hypothetical agreement might be even more logical."