The Contract

Chapter 31

Mavis glanced down at the private information pertaining to Hermione Granger, which was the usual information one has on a minor. Name, date of birth, address and the parents names, dates of births, what they do for work, those addresses as well in the case of an emergency. Interestingly enough, in case of emergency where the parents couldn't be contacted, held nothing, there must be no other family, it was rather sad. She'd grown up with a large family, sure only one brother, but lots of cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents and her great-grand parents. It was with great reluctance that she was doing this, Michael suggested he do it, she had more empathy than her brother, and it would probably be a greater comfort to the girls parents.

She and Michael had worked tirelessly in getting the Muggle-born students returned to their homes, waiting for the parents to come home and explaining everything. Which had not been easy, at all, they'd been so confused, understanding magic was just beyond them. They'd been working well beyond their normal hours, but they needed to get them home and had finished at ten thirty at night, a ridiculous time to be knocking at anyone's door. They'd had to visit numerous work places in order to get parents that worked the night shift. Then she'd been back at work at the crack of dawn today, she was tired, but nonetheless determined.

Giving one last glance at the Ministry, she apparated to the street address of the Granger's. From what she gleaned, Wendell and Monica were dentists, and they shouldn't have left for work quite yet, at least she hoped so. The area was immaculate, well kept, lovely houses, although the matching properties were rather odd to say the least. Did Muggles have no imagination? Why did they have everything the same? Houses, lawns, the only difference were the abundance of toys and things lying around for young children, too young to attend school. These were familiar thoughts as of late, she'd honestly began repeating her thoughts every house visit.

Wand safely ensconced, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, with a black jacket, passing very effectively for a Muggle, she began to assess her surroundings, walking and trying to find the house number. Her stomach in butterflies, she had no idea how these people were going to react, but if it had been her...well, she knew that she'd have been frothing at the mouth at the sheer audacity.

Finally, she found the door to the Granger residence, not needing to get confirmation from the door, the mailbox gave that away. Opening the gate, she walked swiftly down the path, the blinds and curtains were open, but she could see no movement from within yet. Once she reached the door, she gave it three swift taps, and waited patiently, praying that they were there. This was a private conversation she'd have to have with them, and their work place was very unsuitable.

No they deserved to be told in the privacy of their own home, where they didn't need to stifle their reactions.

The door opened, a woman already dressed for the day stared at her in silent expectation, bags concealed with make-up under her eyes. Her clothes indicated that she had lost a bit of weight, "Can I help you?" Monica enquired, tiredness even seeping into her voice.

Mavis gave pause for a moment, unless there was something else going on with the family, they already suspected something was wrong with their daughter. "Hello, ma'am, my name is Mavis McMahon, I'm a representative of the Ministry of magic, may I have a moment of yours and your husbands time?" showing her badge to the woman who looked ready to collapse at the news.

"Hermione?" she croaked, eyes gaunt but wide.

"Is alive," Mavis was quick to reassure her, but it was the only consolation she could give her. She would not do the disservice of lying, especially when she'd no doubt become aware of everything when she visited her daughter at St. Mungo's, she'd been there since last evening, but she knew nothing else. She wasn't a relative, so she wasn't allowed to know more. The Aurors would know, Dan, who was in charge of the case, since it was part of an official investigation.