The Fire Within

CHAPTER EIGHT

Page count: 8

"You alright?" She spoke, startling him.

"Sorry?"

"I said are you alright?"

He took another breath and slowly uncurled his fists and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm alright, I just didn't appreciate the way that man was speaking to you," he said honestly.

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, a curious look entering her eyes.

"Really?"

"Yes, no woman should be spoken to in such a degrading way, particularly someone who's worked hard to get to where they are."

A smiled pulled at her mouth. "You continue to surprise me, Deputy," she said softly, and it looked as though she planned to say more but there was a knock on the door.

His head turned to see a redheaded woman entering the room and carrying a white plastic bag and from the smell, he guessed it to contain food.

"I've brought lunch," she said and Hermione smiled at the woman and he sat back down on the couch, quietly watching them interact.

"Thank you, Kara, I honestly don't know what I'd do without you," Hermione said.

"Good thing you can't get rid of me then. Thank you for giving me the morning off," she said, sitting herself down in the chair opposite Hermione without a care in the world.

"Of course, what did the healers say?"

"Nothing has changed and the experimental treatment they're giving Jon doesn't appear to be working, but they wish to give his body more time to properly absorb the medication before they make any decisions."

Hermione nodded. "If there's anything you need just ask."

"Well, there is something." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You know Hogwarts has the new stipulation that students are unable to graduate unless they've done one hundred hours in a professional work place, in order to better prepare them for life outside of the castle?" Hermione nodded. "Well, Daniel is set to graduate next year and he hasn't yet found a placement, and Nathan graduates the following year and he needs a placement also. Daniel wishes to become an Auror and Nathan's got his sights set on the Spirits Division, I was hoping you'd put in a good word and help them get a placement."

"I don't have to put in a good word, being Head of Department I'm the one that has to sign off on the application, my word overrules Stanpick's, and as for Daniel, I'll mention it to Harry and he'll see about getting him a placement in the Auror Department, Head Auror Howard seems to like him so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Thank you," she said with a wide smile.

"You're the reason I haven't yet died from starvation and dehydration, it's the least I can do."

Kara turned her head towards Parrish and he shifted uncomfortably when her eyes slowly trailed over him before a smirk appeared on her face and she turned her eyes back to Hermione.

"Remember what I said about your fire?" Hermione frowned, but nodded. "Just remember, Seer blood," she said with a knowing smirk and Hermione eyed her strangely as the older woman stood. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Yes, actually," Hermione answered and she turned to Parrish. "Deputy, do you have that list?"

He nodded and removed it from his jean pocket, moving over to her desk to hand it to her. Her eyes briefly scanned the items on the list. Razors, shaving foam, soap, she rolled her eyes, before handing it over to Kara.