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Hermione sighed as she slipped into the alleyway that had become the shortcut to her apartment. She'd been fully engaged in the muggle world again for the last year and a half, unable to deal with the wizarding world post war. She didn't want accolades and recognition for her part in the defeat of Voldemort, she wanted peace and time to find who she was without the threat of impending war and a target on her back. She still updated Harry every few months that she was alive, but other than that she had no ties to the world that lie behind the doors of the Leaky Cauldron and beyond.
The one thing she did miss about being with the wizarding community was her ability to use magic for things outside of her apartment. But she also loved her job at the tattoo shop and wouldn’t trade her apprenticeship for anything. If she ever decided to go back to the wizarding side of Britain, she knew that she would open and run a tattoo and bookshop. A breeze whistled through the alley and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Someone was behind her and her gut told her that their intentions were anything but nice. She silently cast a wandless shield charm around herself, just on the off chance that it was someone who had magic, and two seconds later came a jet of red light that bounced off her back. She whirled and faced her attacker, reflexes from her time as a child soldier kicking in with full force.
Before she could get a spell off in return though, a massive German Shepherd bolted past her and launched itself straight at the cloaked and hooded figure. At her sides appeared a Dalmatian and what looked to be some kind of grey wolf/husky mutt. The wolf dog growled low as the German Shepherd pinned her attacker to the ground, paws pinning his arms down as its teeth gripped the mask of the unknown wizard and ripped it off. A menacing rumble came from the dog and he turned his head to look at her before looking at the dogs at either side of her and giving them some kind of signal.
The shocks continued when the Dalmatian looked up at her and then became a human. Her jaw dropped and before she could say anything, he pressed a finger to her lips and said “Questions later, Miss Granger. Chase has got this one under control. Rocky, let’s get her inside.” He took her by the arm and turned them around, the wolf dog turning with them, never leaving her side as they walked around the corner and into her apartment building. The wizard next to her didn’t bother asking which one was hers, just walking straight to her door and murmuring. “Unlock it, quickly. Grab only the essentials because you need to come back to the lookout with us.”
Hermione unlocked her door and bolted inside, the human and canine following her.
“Who the hell are you and how do you know who I am?” She asked as she waved her wand and accioed her permanently packed go bag.
“I’ll explain everything when we’re safe, I swear,” he said lowly, looking out her front window and nodding once at someone below before turning around and looking her in the eye.
“You can call me Marshall for now. You’re no longer safe here, Hermione. How I know you is less relevant to how they found you, which we should hopefully be getting some answers to now that Chase has cuffed and collared the wizard who decided to fire shots at the Ministry's darling."
Hermione snorted before outright laughing.
"Many things I may be but the Ministry's darling is not one of them," she said through fits of snickering.
"Auror Potter would tell you otherwise, as will our entire team," Marshall said and she stopped laughing at that.
"Team? Harry has an entire fucking team watching me?" She questioned and Marshall hurried to correct her.
"Well we aren't strictly assigned to you, but he has asked us to periodically check on you. Just so happens that today our primary assignment as you collided. But seriously, we need to leave. Anything else you need, grab it now or lose it."
Hermione ran a quick mental checklist before shouldering her bag.
"Lead the way. Anything of importance I have already with me."
Marshall took her by the arm and grabbed Rocky by the collar and spun away, apparating out of her flat and squeezing them through the nothingness before landing in a dark room.
"Rocky, go tell Ryder we're here and that we've brought a guest," Marshall ordered and the wolf dog took off, turning around to throw Hermione a wink of all things before disappearing around a corner.
"Okay, Marshall , who are you really?" She demanded and he chuckled.
"Ever the one wanting to know all the answers Hermione. You haven't changed a bit from school," he replied and she raised her eyebrows.
"Okay so we were at Hogwarts together. You weren't a Lion, I know that. I'd say Slytherin then, you don't strike me as a 'Puff or as overly intellectual. More of a hands on type from the shadows."
"Very impressive. I'm sure Chase, Zuma, and Rubble will find that assessment as amusingly accurate as I do," he said with a grin. "Come on, let's go meet the rest of the team. Ryder especially is going to want to report to Potter that you're alright."
"Seriously, what is with all the code names? Aren't these from a kid's show?" She continued to fire off questions and he snickered.
"You're probably the one person who figured that little clue out. Except that the television series is based on us and their pups can talk, whereas ours can't in canine form."
"So you're all animagi with some kind of dog as your animal form? Isn't that super rare?"
"Yes, Miss Granger, it is rare. But that's not where the unique abilities of my team end. I think you'll find all our members are full of surprises," came a new voice, and she whirled to face whoever this man was.
"Nice to see you again Hermione. I wish it was under better circumstances," he said softly as she gasped in recognition.
"You! I've been tattooing you for the last six months!"
"Lucky," Marshall muttered and Ryder glared at him.
"Harry sends his love and says he's glad the boys got to you before that scumbag did. It looks like you might be staying here with us for a little bit so you might as well know our real names. You've known me as Ryder, but you'd be more familiar with Marcus Flint."
Hermione's eyes widened as they darted between Ryder, now Flint, and Marshall, before she trained them on Marshall.
"Slytherin. Built like a tank. I'm guessing your twin is around here somewhere. Goyle?"
He grinned at her and gave a short bow. "My twin, as you called him, is upstairs."
"Come on Granger, let's let you meet the rest of the team," Flint said as he walked towards the same corner the wolf dog had disappeared around.
Hermione followed Flint and Goyle, confusion clear on her face as she wondered just who the hell else she'd be meeting today.
They walked up a flight of stairs and into a large room where various dogs were lounging. They all perked up when Flint entered.
"Right you lot. Front and centre. Miss Granger here already knows who I am and who Marshall is, so she's going to meet the rest of you. Chase!"
The German Shepherd shook out his coat before shifting into a tall, stocky boy that she didn't recognize.
"Cassius Warrington. I specialise in most of our surveillance and all the legal stuff for the team and make sure we always have an air tight case," he held out his hand towards her and she shook it.
"Thanks for the save earlier," she said with a small smile, and he smiled back at her.
"My pleasure. You're a witch worth saving and I'm happy we caught the fucker."
She smirked at him and he winked at her as Flint called for Rocky. The big wolf dog loved forward and gave her the most canine of grins, tongue hanging out at all before he lost all the grey shaggy fur and turned into a human mountain that she definitely recognised.
"ROWLE?!"
"Hi, princess," he snarked and she rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Bloody great viking charmer," she muttered under her breath. "You would look like a bloody wolf."
He laughed and shrugged.
"He's kind of the McGuyver of the group. Can take the most random shit and make something out of it. Honestly he's saved our arses more often than I care to admit," Flint said and she huffed. Rowle took a seat in the nearest chair, smirking at her and she shook her head at him.
"Alright, you've met Marshall already so let's meet his twin. Isn't that how you put it?" Flint asked and she smiled wryly at him.
"Come on Rubble," Goyle said and a stocky English Bulldog trotted over before changing into Vincent Crabbe. He inclined his head to her before saying, "Apparently you know me. I specialise in demolition and construction knowledge. Basically if we need to knock something down or blow it up, I know how to get it done with the minimum casualties."
"Impressive," she said before turning to look at Goyle. "And let me guess, you specialise in pyrotechnics. Anything fire or explosive related?"
Goyle laughed and said, "Always were the smart one. What gave it away?"
"You mean other than the obvious cliches about everyone's dog type and their job in the muggle world?" She said, giving him a pointed look.
He just shrugged in response and grinned, unable to deny the logic of her words. "Like I said. The smart one."
A chocolate Lab trotted over to her and she absent-mindedly reached down to scratch him behind his ears. Her fingers touched fur and seconds later she pulled her hand away as if she'd been burned when the texture changed beneath her fingertips.
"Damn it Blaise," she glared at the cheeky grin on his face.
"Ah, come on, Hermione. You missed me, admit it!" He said, wrapping her in a hug. She struggled for a few seconds before settling into the embrace.
"Of course I missed you, moron. You helped me get out. Utterly unsurprising that you're a lab. A fish would be more appropriate," she said dryikg before asking, "When am I going to get to ink that arm of yours again?"
"Well you're going to have loads of time hanging around here. I assume you have a kit in your bag?" He asked and she immediately nodded yes.
"I never go anywhere without my personal machine and colour set."
"Perfect. I know everyone in here, except maybe Skye, will line up to get at least one piece from you."
"Flint has an entire damn sleeve from me," Hermione muttered and Blaise chuckled.
"Yeah well, he's sweet on you so that isn't surprising."
"Zabini," Flint growled in warning and Hermioned turned to look at him.
"This is not open for discussion until we know you're safe. And that goes for the rest of you sods that I know also have a crush on her," he warned, pinning each of the other wizards with a fierce stare that brooked no argument.
"Yes, sir," they all muttered, everyone but Blaise looking extremely put put about the order.
"Oooookay I'm not going to even touch that right now," Hermione murmured to Blaise and he replied, "Probably best. I'll explain later."
She nodded in response and looked towards the last member of the team. An utterly adorable little Cockapoo trotted over and in seconds was a willowy blonde.
"Gabrielle!" Hermione shouted, twisting out of Blaise's loose embrace and hugging the other witch.
"Hermione," she said, hugging her back just as tightly. "It is so good to see you."
"I don't even have to guess your contribution to this crazy bunch of Muppets. You probably keep them all in line," Hermione giggled and the younger Delacour sister laughed lightly.
"Marcus only thinks he's in charge here," she said in a stage whisper and Flint grumbled something which set both girls snickering.
"Alright, enough chit chat," Flint said after clearing his throat. "It's late and we have a long interrogation to do tomorrow."
"Come on Hermione, you can stay in my room," Gabrille said, looping her arm through Hermione's. "No boys sniffing after you. And you deserve a good night's sleep after today."
"A bed and sleep sound amazing," Hermione said, not once looking back at the group of wizards who she could feel were all staring after her.