Prodigal Witch

Is Hermione ready to meet her public?

"Attention!" Kingsley shouted above the noise. His already booming voice was enhanced with a Sonorus charm. The room quieted. "Miss Granger will make a statement if you will all be quiet."

Blaise bet you could hear a pin drop. He stepped forward and transfigured a bench into a raised podium, so everyone could see her. Hermione nodded her thanks and stepped up to the high platform with a helping hand from a stone-faced Marcus. Once she was settled, Marcus took his place near the front of the podium, looking menacing with his arms crossed. The other wizards resumed their positions. Draco and Adrian were at either side, while Severus was a few steps behind her. Blaise joined Kingsley near the front of the crowd, both turned to watch her.

"I will make a statement and will then take three questions, but only three," Hermione said. Blaise thought she looked confident, with only a slight waver in her voice. "I went through an examination yesterday at St. Mungos. The conclusion was that I am a Sorceress Potentiate. It has been theorized that a curse I suffered during a battle at age fifteen disrupted my magic. The elemental magic was delayed, so I did not come into the power when I came of age. I am working with the Ministry experts and with friends to determine how this delay will impact the next steps. I will perform the three rituals over the course of the next three weeks, with the last falling on Midsummer. Raise your hand if you have a question."

Blaise chuckled as every hand in the audience shot up, minus himself and Kingsley of course.

"The witch in the purple robes and green hat," Hermione said, pointing.

"Miss Granger, do you plan in staying here in Great Britain after the rituals are complete?"

"As you may know, I left my homeland four years ago to pursue my studies," Hermione replied. "I have achieved my goals recently and now am a Master in two fields, Potions and Arithmancy. Since completing these, I have the opportunity to return. While I enjoyed traveling and found temporary homes in many beautiful places, I missed Britain. I am happy to be back and hope to put down roots here for the foreseeable future."

As soon as she was done speaking, hands shot up again.

"The wizard in the blue plaid robes and red bowtie," she called out.

"What do your friends, the illustrious Harry Potter and famous Quidditch player Ronald Weasley, think about this development? And why aren't they here with you today?"

Hermione took an obvious breath. Blaise was glad he'd mentioned that this question would likely be asked so she could mentally prepare. He noticed that the four wizards around her also tensed very slightly.

"I spoke with Harry yesterday and he was very supportive." Hermione smiled genuinely. "I am having dinner tonight with him and his lovely wife. I have not been in touch with him, as I would have liked over the years, so I look forward to spending time with him again. As for Ronald, I have no clue what he is thinking, or if he even knows of this... development. I have not spoken to him in four years; a choice that I take full responsibility for. As many of you know from the tabloids, Ronald enjoyed a very active sex life, which I was not a part of during our engagement. Since I learned of his ...indiscretions, I have not been inclined to speak to Ronald nor solicit his opinion. I am, however, looking forward to reconnecting with many of my other old friends and acquaintances."

Blaise smiled and nodded at her. It was a good answer. It wouldn't have been genuine if she pretended she was at ease with her bastard of an ex-fiancé. He imagined few would blame her for not keeping in touch. Of course, to some, the members of the 'Golden Trio' could do no wrong and were expected to remain together no matter what.

After a moment, all the hands shot up again. Many were waving frantically, as this would be the third and final question.

"The witch in orange," Hermione pointed. Blaise noticed that that particular witch was one of the quieter, more sedate reporters and chuckled. Hermione wouldn't be swayed by theatrics.