Hermione Granger and the Theft of Magic

Chapter 13: The Only Mistake

[A/N: Thank you to Calamity Owl for beta-reading this chapter!]

Hermione had given up sitting in the floo room the next morning and was now pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. Even though she was expecting it, the green flare of the floo and the appearance of a face inside still made her jump.

"Permission to come through?" Professor Tonks asked.

"Of course," Hermione said, and went to place her hand on the fireplace brick to allow her through.

The older woman cleared her throat expectantly.

"Oh, right," Hermione said. "Sorry. I'm still not used to this yet. What's the password?"

"Winter."

Hermione nodded and placed her hand on the brick. Professor Tonks burst through the flame, landed as if she'd been born to floo, and primly dusted off her silver and forest green robes. Hermione could only hope that she had half the professor's regal bearing and calm dignity by the time she reached middle age, though she was too nervous to actually compliment her on it.

"Thank you," Professor Tonks said. "I'm sorry to be a stickler for the password, but Harry does have enemies. He's put a great deal of trust in you with the level of ward access he's given you, and I want to ensure you don't unwittingly put him in danger."

"I'm sorry, Professor." Hermione looked at the chesterfield, the ottoman, the floor, anything but at her guest. "I'm still not used to the capabilities of magic. I would never want to endanger him."

"I know," she said. "That's why I said something. I intend to push you, Miss Granger, because that's the only way you're going to succeed and because Harry and my cousin think you can handle it."

"I'll try." Hermione put as much steel into her voice as she could. "I can't thank you enough for being willing to help me."

"I have two reasons for doing so," Professor Tonks said. "First, my husband is a muggle-born, just like you. I would be...in a much worse place right now had I never met him. Second, you intrigue me. I met Harry when he was barely fourteen and he's always been an intensely private person, so I want to find out more about this woman he's invited to live with him on the spur of the moment."

Were her cheeks getting hot? Darn it, they were. "I don't know that I'm very interesting, Professor Tonks," Hermione said.

"Andi, please, Miss Granger."

"Alright. Please call me Hermione, then."

Andi nodded. "Very well. Tell me, Hermione, how did Harry find out you were a witch?"

Hermione knew she was blushing now as she explained their initial meeting. When she finished, Andi looked her up and down. "I understand now why Minerva is so interested in your progress," she said. "If we can keep you alive, you're going to go down in history."

"I just want my life back," Hermione said. "I'd rather study history than make it."

"That's as may be," Andi said, "but I'm afraid I'm right, regardless."

Hermione glared at her. "Then clear out a page in your history book for me, because I refuse to give up."

"Good. I think Minerva was right that you'd have been one of her Lions, too." Andi tied back her long, wiry brown hair. "Now, why don't you show me your lab?"

Hermione nodded and led her upstairs. Andi inspected everything carefully before nodding to her. "Excellent layout," she said. "Most students take years before they understand the importance of a good lab layout. Make sure you keep everything clean and organised going forward. That will reduce the chance of accidents."