Labyrinth

Chapter 3

Dear Ron,

Hey there! I was wondering if you and Harry would like to meet up in Diagon Alley for lunch this Saturday?

Miss you both,

Hermione

She had owled Harry a nearly identical letter, and their responses came less than a day later, accepting the invitation. Internally, she knew this was good but always felt trepidation at being with them again. It was not the same as when they were children, as they had all grown into remarkably unique humans. Despite this, she sat outside Rosa Lee's tea shop a few days later. No further progress had been made on Snape's case, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated. Though clearly, it had taken nearly ten years for them to make any sort of improvement on the man's mind, she expected more out of herself.

"Hermione!" Harry's familiar voice came from behind, and she stood to hug him in greeting.

"Hello, Harry. How are Ginny and the kids?" she was thankful she and Ron had not immediately started a family following the war. She had no idea what she would have done with little Weasley-Granger's running about, shuddering at the thought.

"They're all good. We miss having you around, though," Harry said casually as he sat beside her.

Ron approached from behind Harry, and she gave him a small smile, "Hi, Ron."

"Good to see you, Hermione," he returned the smile. She knew he had been seeing Hannah Abbott for a few months, and she was thankful that he had finally moved on from her. It was hard every time they were in company with the Weasleys, and Molly made it unbearingly obvious she wished they both would make up.

Harry broke the tension first, "So, how's it going, Hermione? We haven't seen you in a few months. We were starting to think your mysterious job had misplaced you somewhere."

Ron smirked at this while Hermione laughed in answer, "I'm doing alright. I was actually hoping you could help me with something pertaining to my work. Ron, you especially might be helpful."

His brow raised at this. "That would be a first."

Harry snorted, "And here I thought this would be a casual visit. How come I can't help?"

Hermione considered her words, as she had to avoid giving away any information regarding her task. She had long suspected they knew what her actual career was, but they knew better than to ask much more of it, given the private nature of it.

"My current... task requires me to heal something that has been broken. It has been slowly repaired using magical objects like water from Yolen's magic healing well, Quartsop's magical harp, and so on. I was hoping Ron could offer suggestions for other objects that may be presumed to be mythical in nature but could perhaps be true creations. Sort of like the Deathly Hallows were," she hoped that was vague enough; Erin would certainly let her know if it wasn't.

She observed Ron leaning back, considering her qualm. Harry was also in contemplation with his palm pushed against his chin. They had matured but maintained that boyish frame of mind when put together. Hermione sipped at her tea as she let them think.

"Animated spirit!" Harry slapped his hands on the table, causing them both to jump.

Ron was the first to respond, "Come again?"

Harry started, "We arrested someone maybe a year or two ago who was trying to utilise animated spirit to rennervate Tom Riddle. Of course, there was nothing to bring back, spirit or not. He was completely broken after the battle."

"What exactly do you mean, 'animated spirit', Harry?" Hermione questioned. She was not familiar with whatever concept he was discussing.

"It's very similar to what the Philosopher's Stone did, except it was a liquid metal rather than an organic substance like a stone. I'm trying to remember the ancient name for it..." he was snapping to himself like the word was on the tip of his tongue.