Invictus [Tom Riddle / Tomione]

Dark Waters

I can't hold enough of you in my hands
- Franz Kafka

Early on Monday morning, Hermione portkeyed into Plovdiv, Bulgaria using a little muggle snowglobe, which was apparently the portkey of choice for the British delegation of the International Confederation of Wizards. She was met in a little magical pub by a house elf named Treckle who then apparated her to a lavish hotel in the centre of the wizarding district of Plovdiv. She was to meet in the lobby of the hotel with the other British delegates in the afternoon, and they would then be taken by thestral carriage to the site of the first evening's commencements.

Hermione settled into her lovely suite, which had a large bay window with a balcony overlooking the city, a little breakfast nook, and a big fluffy bed with a canopy. Treckle the house elf was assigned to be her personal guide to the city during her stay, and she only had to call him by name if she needed anything.

In the afternoon, Hermione made her way down to the lobby and was promptly introduced to the two other delegates with which she would be seated during the convention proceedings. There was a middle-aged woman with dark hair, and a tall, strapping young man with a shock of bright curly orange hair. The man looked to be in his early thirties and was speaking with the slightly older woman when Hermione came down the stairs. When Hermione entered the room, he turned with a brilliant smile.

"Hermione Dumbledore! We meet at last," he said jubilantly.

"Oh, hello ! What a warm welcome," Hermione said with a smile. "You must be the other delegates I've yet to meet."

"I'm quite surprised we haven't met already," said the man. "I've heard so much about you. You're making quite a name for yourself... not that you didn't already have one, being a Dumbledore and all. That's a rather hefty name to live up to, but you're clearly making great strides, as one would expect. My name is Septimus. Septimus Weasley."

"Oh... Weasley ! But of course, you are!" Hermione couldn't believe they hadn't met already; stranger yet, that she hadn't sought him out. This must be the grandfather Ron had told her so much about. It was quite apparent by the tell-tale red hair.

Septimus gestured to the woman he was with. She had dark hair and pale skin, and was a remarkably pretty lady. "This is Callidora Longbottom, my sister-in-law."

"It's wonderful to meet you," Hermione said warmly, extending her hand.

The woman smiled as she took Hermione's hand, but it was a cool, cautious smile. "You as well. Septimus married my sister, Cedrella. We were Blacks before marriage. I've heard you're rather close to one of my distant cousins... Alphard."

"Oh," Hermione started, but she looked a bit uncomfortable. "Yes, well, we do see each other often."

At that, Septimus clearly thought it best to change the subject. "I work for the Ministry, in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Muggle Liason Office. I'm a bit of a muggle activist, of sorts. I've been so greatly inspired with your articles. I've read every one. I suppose I've hoped we might collaborate at some point."

"I would absolutely love that!" Hermione said genuinely.

Callidora wrinkled her nose a bit and presently made her way across the lobby in search of a cuppa. Septimus glanced her way and then met Hermione's questioning glance with a wry smile. "My wife was... I guess you could say she's been disowned by her family for marrying me... I am considered a blood-traitor and all. Callidora's taken it hard. They were close. Anyway, she took the delegation so she could have a reason to see us. Otherwise, she might be disowned as well, just for associating with us."