Chapter Text
Hermione tapped her fingers against the table. She was in one of the further corners of the library, the late morning sunlight washing over the spread of books in front of her. She turned the page of the one in the front.
One of the biggest contributing factors to the revolt against the holy Alliance were the raids of the homes of the nobles belonging to the neutral faction. At this point, the holy Alliance had enough backing to overpower the neutral faction, so their only response to the outcry against them was that ‘they were recovering the holy Artifacts belonging to the ancient holy Alliance.' Professor Crembury would like to note, however, that there is no historical evidence of a tie between the Death Stick and the holy Alliance…
“Yo, ‘Mione!” A shadow fell over the book and Hermione turned to face the intruder.
“Hello, Harry. I’m quite certain I’ve told you before that you’re supposed to be quiet in the library, hmm?”
“Come on, you know I wouldn’t have been able to get your attention otherwise! You’re like an aggravated bear when you’re reading. Oh, is that last week’s smuggling report?”
“For your own sake, I will pretend you did not compare me to a bear. To answer your question, that is in fact last week’s report on the weapons smuggling that the Macnair estate was involved in. In actuality, the Macnairs shouldn’t have the liquid funds to be the sole perpetrators of the case, and I suspect they received backing from the Averys. See, the Averys have been slowly recruiting mercenaries in the last few months despite not having a border territory and being on at least neutral terms with neighboring territories. I think that-“
“What’s taking so long?” Hermione was interrupted by Ron’s shouting, at least three times louder than Harry’s initial greeting.
“Hermione’s been telling me about how Macnair and Avery are corrupt prats,” Harry explained.
“Oh, yeah? My father’s been saying that for years about them! Mind you, not to anyone important, being a baron and all, but he’s been saying it!”
Hermione put her hand against her face. “That’s wonderful, Ron. But really, Harry, you can’t boil this sort of alleged collusion to people being ‘prats.’”
Harry sheepishly dragged his hand through his hair. “Sorry, ‘Mione, but you know I’m not very good at understanding all the scheming and plotting nobles do, yeah? And the big words and fast talking doesn’t really help, so I think I’ll leave that sort of stuff to you.”
Ron clasped his hand over Harry’s shoulder and dragged him to his side. “Yeah, and we can do all the fun beating up criminals! Right, Harry?” The two grinned at each other. “That’s right, didn’t Madam McGonagall say we needed to hand some note over to Hermione?”
“Oh yeah! She said it had the details for Hermione’s next mission.” Harry rummaged through his pockets and took out a folded parchment paper.
Hermione tsked and took the paper from him, setting it aside on the table. “Harry, you’re supposed to treat parchment more carefully! Do you know how expensive it is?”
“Really? But Madam McGonagall has towers of parchment paper stacked on her desk! Is she rich?”
“No, it’s part of the Hogwarts budget and I’m sure they’re all very important documents- you know what, it’s fine. We’re all here anyway, so how about going to have lunch? Just let me clean up.”
“Let us help!” The two offered.
“Absolutely not.”
Hermione carefully gathered and put away each book, but her hands paused on the copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, then finally decided to put it into her bag.
After getting to the canteen and collecting their meals, they finally sat down to eat.
Hermione ate her portion and then made space on the table to set down the parchment, wiping her hands before handling it.
As she finished, she let out a long sigh. Her head whipped up at the sound of snickering.
“What is it now?”
“Hey, you can’t blame us when your face looks like that. What, did McGonagall ask you to slay a dragon?”
“That’s Madam McGonagall, Ron. And no, she did not ask me to slay a dragon. Did you guys not already read it?”
“Nope. We decided it would be more fun to see you react if we didn’t know,” Harry said and picked at a potato.
“Since you two are so curious, I’ve been asked to investigate the Lovegood Manor. The Diggories made an investigation request when Lord Lovegood didn’t show up to the appointment and did not send any letters as explanation.”
“Hmm? Why do you look so upset, then?” Ron rested his chin against his palm. “I’ve met the Diggories, pretty fine folk if you ask me. Whoever they’re worried about shouldn’t be that bad.”
“It’s not that, Ron. I’m sure they’re perfectly acceptable. It’s just so far. I was hoping that even if I had to do field missions, at least it would be in the capital. I just, you saw how much I had to do in the library. And now that all has to be put on pause. Do the outposts not have any apprentices to send on errands anymore?”
“Well, there’s only so many to go around, I guess. Oh, speaking of field missions, guess what?” Harry turned to smirk at Ron and Ron smirked back. “We’re joining in on a raid in Knockturn! There’s been a tip that there’s going to be a big drop off of poison in one of the taverns.”
“Oh? Poison?”
“Yep! And guess what, ‘Mione? Me and Harry are going undercover this time! Though I’m not sure how much help he’ll be in his bug eye glasses and all.”
“Says the redhead as tall as a troll!”
“Right,” Hermione rolled her eyes. “And who’s the poor criminal Headquarters plans to sic the two of you on?”
“Some merchant company, I heard. Cattle? Cradle? Doll?” Harry bit his lip in concentration.
“Cadal, I think it was.”
“That’s it! Mate, that’s some memory you’ve got there.” Harry slapped Ron’s shoulder.
Cadal. Hermione chewed over the word. Hmm.