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To say that Hermione was surprised would be an understatement. She knew what she was getting into when she did the ritual. Hermione Jean Granger was nothing if not through. Sure, the ritual to find one’s soul mate had been Ginny’s idea; but Hermione was the one who created the potion. In the back of her mind, she hadn’t quite expected it to work the way it had.
She’d privately been hoping for someone from her universe, maybe. Granted, until the ritual had been completed, Hermione hadn’t been certain that there were other universes. But now, the proof stood in front of her. Even she couldn’t deny it. The portals alone would have been a big enough clue for someone not as bright as Hermione. The fact all three men seemed as thoroughly perplexed as Hermione seemed to settle her nerves in a way a calming potion wouldn’t. Not that she wasn’t considering taking one. The thought had crossed her mind several times in the last, oh, half hour or so. That or checking herself into St. Mungo’s on the mental health ward; depending on how far this hallucination wanted to go.
“I assure you, Miss Granger, that I am as real as you are. Just not from this universe I’m afraid.” Hermione blinked owlishly at the man that spoke. He had a British accent, which was a small comfort in troubled times, but there was something about him that was off; not that Hermione could put her finger on it.
“I’m sorry, what’d you say your name was again?” Mycroft sighed, even as he made a sweeping motion with his hand towards the other men.
“Mycroft Holmes, at your service, Miss Granger.” Hermione nodded, turning to the man standing next to him with a raised eyebrow.
“Loki of Asgard, Miss Granger. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The kiss Loki pressed to her hand had Hermione fighting off a blush as she turned to the third and final man that had randomly appeared right as she was about to take her port key for vacation.
Of all the times for portals and strange men!
“Koschei of Gallifrey, Miss Granger.” Hermione nodded, eyeing the three men that had just as suddenly appeared in her bedroom of all places.
“Well, this is awkward.” Hermione laughed, before she settled down onto the overstuffed chair that she used to read before bed.
“What’s awkward?” Hermione let her eyes cut to Loki before she sighed, running her hands through her hair even as a nervous laugh left her body.
“I might have accidentally created an amortentia bonding potion. But that was weeks ago now, sure it should have worked before now?” Hermione absentmindedly chewed on her hair before she realized the blank looks she was now receiving. “Amortentia is a love potion. A Amortentia binding potion attracts your soul mate; but it wasn’t even what I was trying to create.” Hermione huffed, before she remembered the problem at hand. She could deal with the potion mix up later. Mycrofft cleared his throat, as he raised an eyebrow and pointed at the two other men in the room.
“So what you’re saying is, is that you have not one, but three soul mates? And they’re all standing in this room?” Hermione sighed, before she nodded; for once not trusting her voice.
“I’m afraid so.” Her voice was soft, almost timid as she took in the three strangers in her house.
“Surely it’s not that bad, Miss Granger? I don’t think any of us would willingly harm you if that’s what you’re afraid of.” Hermione couldn’t help herself, the laugh that bubbled forth from her throat seemed to startle all three men.
“I’d like to see you try and hurt me.” Hermione waved her hand in their general direction before all three men were suddenly floating. Only Loki seemed to appreciate the show of magic.
“Impressive, Miss Granger.” When Hermione found herself suddenly floating mid-air, her eyes widened before she locked eyes with Loke. “We’ll have to compare notes at some point.” The laugh she let out seemed to soothe some of the tension in the room as her feet settled back onto the floor.
“I’m sure we will.” Loki’s eyes landed on her bag, packed and ready to go, and he turned towards her with a raised eyebrow. “Going somewhere?” Hermione laughed, it was a soft laugh. Not quite nervous, but not quite fully trusting either.
“Actually, I was. I’m heading to France for vacation. Two weeks away from Wizarding Britain might do me some good.” IT was said sourly as she kicked at the bag at her feet. Her anger was obvious, but not the reason for it.
None of the men seemed inclined to press the matter at the moment.
“Would it be too forward to ask if you might want some company on your trip? I mainly ask because I’m not sure how we got here. Nor do I have the slightest idea on how to get back.” Koschei at least seemed to be thinking ahead, and Hermione’s mouth opened and closed a few times before a put out expression crossed her face.
“I hadn’t even considered that. As it stands, I’m probably going to have to do some research to get you back to your right universe and time. Which means more books than I currently have.” Hermione’s frown deepened before she sighed, pressing a hand to her temple. “This is turning out to be more complicated than I thought.”
“Something tells me you’re capable of figuring it out.” Mycrfot’s voice was assuring; considering he didn’t know her from a pauper on the street. Mummers of agreement reached Hermione’s ears as she sighed before she pushed herself to her feet.
“There’s nothing for it now. I guess my vacation of one has become a vacation for four. Do try and behave. I understand we have a bond, but you’re practically strangers to me. I will curse you back to your own dimension if you don’t.” Her voice became hard like steel, and when a murmur of agreement went up once more, she reached for the portkey.
This was going to be a vacation of epic proportions.