April 1995
Mid-April was unusually rainy. Not the slight drizzle the Hogwarts population was used to during the Spring but heavy ropes that beat against the castle walls from dusk till dawn. Most of the students found it depressing, claustrophobic, caging. At this time of year, they were used to laying on the grass outside, taking walks around the lake, and enjoying the slight warmth of the Spring sun. But Hermione didn't mind it. For weeks she was buried in research. Not for classes, no, she had all that mapped out and prepared. She had been revising for the exams since February. She searched every shell in the library all because of a name. Not even a name, a surname. The Farrow surname was indeed in almost every book in the library.
Hogwarts: A History? Check.
Achievements in Charms? Check.
Practical Defensive Magic and its Use Against the Dark Arts? Check.
A History of Magic? Check.
Hermione's head was spinning. The surname was even in Quidditch Through the Ages! She wasn't searching for the surname but it was the only thing she got because neither Aveline or Lilith ever mentioned the first name.
'My mother died when Sebastian and I were very little, and Aveline was just a baby.'
'She was the head of the magical law enforcement.'
That was all the information she had but she was stubborn and once something sparked her interest, she wouldn't stop until she got the answer. Yes, she had very little information but she could work with that. She knew their mother's last name was Farrow and died when Aveline was a baby. Aveline just turned fifteen (she knew that fact thanks to twins bringing a cake to the Great Hall and smashing it on Aveline's head whilst singing 'Happy birthday' purposely off-tune), which gave her a time frame of their mother's death between late 1980 and 1981. And she was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in that time. The Heads of that Department were almost always mentioned in a few books. And after a few mishaps, Hermione finally narrowed down her search to three books.
The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts
Modern Magical History
Notable Magical Names of Our Time
Going through the index of Notable Magical Names of Our Time she wasn't surprised anymore by the fact that the Farrow surname took up half the page under the letter F.
Farrow Agatha E. (1870-1940)
Farrow Alexander P. II (1715-1790)
Farrow Allistrair C. II (1658-1730)
Farrow Allistair C. IV (1803-1876)
Farrow Blaire A. III (1803-1880)
Farrow Bertrand L. (1822-1892)
Farrow Byron P. II (1895-1960)
Farrow Constance L. III (1871-1945)
The list of names was endless but Hermione didn't go after the names. She went after the dates and by the time she found the right one, she was near her wits end. Farrow Pandora D. (1949-1981). Her heart was beating fast when she tentatively turned the pages, finally finding the right one with the name written in beautiful cursive.
Pandora Diana Farrow (1949-1981) was a rather controversial figure. During her years at Hogwarts, she went through the positions of Prefect, Head-girl and Youth representative at Wizangamot, signalling her future quick rise through the ministry ranks. After starting as a clerk at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in 1966, her competence and efficiency continued to impress her superiors. It wasn't surprising when she moved up in the department with lightning speed, becoming the Head of the Department in 1977, at the mere age of 28. Some questioned the quick rise to power, pointing to the fact that her influential husband, Alistair Cassius Farrow VI (m. 1967), could have had a hand in her booming career. Others justified her nomination as an answer to the raging war that rocked the Wizarding World. The latter turned out to be true as Pandora Farrow soon proved to be one of the most competent Heads the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has ever had. Enforcing new strict laws and authorising Aurors to use Unforgivable curses and to kill if necessary pawed the path of efficiency and quick decision-making that turned the tide of war in its final years. She was best known for ruling the department with an iron fist, demanding absolute perfection and meticulous attention to detail from her employees. In today's eyes, her actions may seem too harsh but at the time of war, they were deemed necessary. During her time in the office, she was praised by the public, making her nation's hero and a candidate for the position of Minister of Magic. However, her rocket career was cut short in May 1981 when she died of an unexplained health condition at St Mungo's hospital. Her position was taken over by her deputy Barty Crouch Snr who continued in her work. For her contribution to wizarding society, she was posthumously awarded the Order of Merlin, Second class.
Hermione had to read the paragraph multiple times, not believing her eyes. Head of the Department at 28? Considered for the position of Minister of Magic? Order of Merlin, Second class? Lilith's mother was incredible. Now she understood how Lilith could 'pull some strings' at the Ministry. It was 100% nepotism but at least this explained some things. And how she seemed familiar with Barty Crouch Snr, she'd seen them exchange a few conversations in the fall. Finally, she got some answers she desperately longed for. But could she get more? Hermione's eyes travelled around the library until they stopped at the shelf where Prefects who gained power was hidden. Her mission wasn't over.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hermione completely tuned out the world when she was in the zone. Call it tunnel vision or simply expertise in ignoring others but that's how she functioned. So it took Ron whole ten minutes of calling (yelling) her name for her to finally snap back to reality. She was curled up on an armchair in the Gryffindor common room with Prefect who gained power laying wide open in her lap. She finally noticed Harry and Ron sitting on the ground in front of her, their Potions essays abandoned by the side and the Daily Prophet spread open between them. 'The Daily Prophet? Really?' she thought as she glared at Ron.
"What?" she was annoyed. Did they really interrupt her because of the newspaper? Ron didn't seem to notice her annoyance as he wildly continued to turned the pages.
"You wouldn't believe this, Mione." Hermione huffed and looked at the page she abandoned.
"What did Skeeter write this time?" she really didn't have the energy to deal with that hag again. Not after the bombardment of hatemail that Harry and Ron dutifully helped her burn.
"Nothing." Hermione raised her eyebrow, still trying to find the sentence she read last.
"So?"
"Hermione," Harry cut in, "she hadn't published anything in a month." this caught her attention. She looked at the boys again. Both of them were looking at her. Confusion was written all over Ron's face while Harry looked more worried.
"What?" Harry nodded in confirment.
"I've been reading the Prophet every day, and she's been radio silent since March. I don't like this." wheels started to turn wildly in Hermione's head. She agreed with Harry. It was suspicious.
"Me neither. She's plotting something, that sounds like Skeeter. She must be plotting something." Ron's laments were interrupted by two chuckles. Four hands landed on Ron's shoulders, nearly making him fall on his face as Fred and George leaned against him. They were still chuckling, exchanging mischievous looks with each other before looking at the Trio.
"Oh Ronnie, our dear Ronniekins." Fred started, squeezing Ron's right shoulder.
"You simpleton." George squeezed Ron's left shoulder making Ron turn around swatting them away.
"Cut it out, will ya?" Ron's outburst made the twins laugh even more.
"We only wanted to help, Ronniekins." Fred shrugged.
"But clearly you don't want our help."
"Help with what exactly?" Harry leaned forward.
"Your trouble of course."
"But are they worthy of the information, Gred?" George turned to Fred with crossed arms. Fred only shrugged.
"If they could pay for, Forge." they grinned and turned towards the Trio.
"Two Galleons."
"I'm your brother!"
"Oh sorry Ronniekins, we forgot." the twins frowned for a second before smirking in unison once again.
"Four Galleons." Harry had to pull Ron back by his belt as he was ready to charge at the twins who were cackling at his reaction. Hermione sighed and turned towards the twins.
"Can you please tell us what information you have?"
"Well Hermione, just because you asked so nicely." Fred smirked.
"Yes Ronnie, that's how you get something. Manners, Ronnie. Manners." George shook his head in fake disappointment as Harry continued to hold Ron back by his belt. The twins gave Ron one last smirk before they leaned forward for the Trio to hear them better.
"A little bird told us,"
"A very special little bird."
"A teeny tiny birdie."
"Will you get to the point?!"
"Shush Ronniekins, the grown-ups are talking." Ron's glare could burn a hole into Fred's head. "As we were saying before we were so rudely interrupted. A little bird told us,
"That Rita Skeeter will never publish again." the twins exchange a smirk as they watch the shock make its way to three faces in front of them.
"I'm sorry, what?" Harry leaned in more as if he didn't hear right.
"Rita Skeeter will never publish again."
"Bollocks." Ron scoffed. "Who told you that?"
"Our source is top-notch."
"Best source ever."
"Our special tiny birdie."
"Aveline." Hermione cut in, glaring at the twins. "Aveline's your source?" the twins grinned widely at her.
"See, Hermione, that's why we like you! You're the smart one." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"And how would Aveline know that?"
"How, you ask? Well, let us tell you how."
"She knows it first hand."
"Because it was Lilith who shut her up." Hermione's eyes widened, her interest suddenly peaking.
"What?" the twins nodded in unison.
"How?" George shrugged at Harry's question.
"That part we don't know."
"The only thing we know is that a month ago Lilith blew a gasket."
"And somehow made her stop writing. She wasn't happy with Skeeter for a long time so we guessed it finally caught up to her." the gears in Hermione's head finally started to turn again. She glanced at the clock on the wall.
'I literally come here at this time every day for years, Hermione.' Hermione closed her book and stood up.
"I have to look up something in the library." she muttered, not seeing two boys rolling their eyes and two boys exchanging a knowing look. As she exited the common room, she picked up a quick pace, making her way up the Astronomy Tower in record time. She stopped for a few seconds to catch her breath, and as she continued higher up the stairs, she could sense the familiar smell of cigarettes. She was right. As she threw open the doors, she could see Lilith on one of the parapets just like she caught her a few months ago. But at the sound of the door, Lilith quickly shut the book in her lap, put out a cigarette and turned towards the door, releasing a loud sigh and holding a hand to her chest as she spotted Hermione.
"Bloody hell, are you trying to kill me?" Hermione could feel small butterflies as she heard the familiar crooked voice but she was on a mission. She glared at Lilith.
"What did you do to Rita Skeeter?" Lilith raised her eyebrow at the question.
"I beg your pardon?" Hermione walked closer towards her until she was at arm's length from the Ravenclaw.
"What did you do to Rita Skeeter?" Lilith shrugged, playing innocent.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Stop playing dumb! The twins told me!"
"How...?" Lilith stopped and closed her eyes. "Aveline." she sighed and slumped back against the wall behind her. "Alright, you caught me."
"So what did you do?" Lilith shrugged again.
"I didn't do anything. We simply had a little chat in which I happened to mention I had some information about her that would certainly ruin her life, and she agreed to never publish anything again. Simple." Hermione was shocked. So it was true. Rita would never publish again and Lilith was behind it. But why? Why would she...?
'You should know that she likes you. Really likes you.' Fleur's voice echoed in her head. Did she do it because she liked her? Hermione straightened her back.
"Why did you do it?" Lilith chuckled humourlessly before gathering her things and getting off the parapet.
"I don't have to answer that question." Hermione didn't know what possessed her but one moment she was standing in front of Lilith and in the next she pushed her against the wall, pointing her wand at her chest.
"Hey!" Lilith exclaimed, clearly shocked by Hermione's actions but didn't fight back.
"Why did you do it?" Hermione felt like a broken record.
"Is this an interrogation?"
"Maybe." she glared at each other for a few moments before Lilith's eyes fell onto Hermione's wand still pointed at her chest. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Really, Hermione?" her eyes softened again as she looked at Hermione. The younger witch suddenly felt nervous under her gaze. Lilith always made her nervous.
"Why did you do it, Lilith?" her tone was softer but the wand was still up. She didn't want to risk Lilith bolting for the door.
"Because she's a horrible woman and a sorry excuse of a journalist." Lilith shrugged and her eyes traveled towards the view outside. Contrary to their last exchange in the Astronomy Tower, the hills and meadows were now covered in emerald green. Hermione's were still burning into Lilith's head, waves of emotion rolling inside her.
"You could have shut her up anytime you wanted but you did it a month ago."
"So?"
"A month ago, I got hurt because of the hatemail and you saw my hands." Hermione almost whispered. Lilith was silent for a few moments.
"I-I don't know where you're getting at." If Hermione wasn't standing so closely, she could've missed the small stutter on the first word. Lilith was still looking out. Hermione took a deep breath, gathering her courage. 'Now or never.'
"Did you shut her up because of me?"
"Hermione..."
"Lilith!"
"I did. Alright? I did. There, are you happy?" Lilith exclaimed, clearly frustrated. She didn't look comfortable with the conversation but Hermione felt her heart nearly stop. She did it for her. She really did it for her.
"Why?" Lilith leaned more against the wall as she let out a long sigh and closed her eyes.
"Because I've seen it done once, I just repeated it."
"When your father did it for your mother." Lilith let out a dry chuckle and hung her head.
"Yes. Now will you please stop pointing your wand at me?" she finally looked at Hermione. Hermione's arm dropped but she couldn't look away. She couldn't pinpoint the look Lilith was giving her because she'd never seen it on her. She looked at her with so much gentleness and vulnerability that it nearly knocked the younger witch back a few steps.
"Are you done?" Hermione shook her head slightly. Lilith shook her head in disbelief. "What else do you want to know?"
'Now or never.
In one swift motion she grabbed Lilith's Ravenclaw tie, pulling her closer until their noses almost touched. Lilith blinked in surprise a couple of times, clearly taken aback by Hermione's actions. Hermione could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, she could feel her heart hammering loudly in her chest and she could feel the familiar scent of roses and cigarettes.
"What are you doing?" Lilith whispered, still in shock.
"I just wanted you to know that I like you too." Hermione took in Lilith's shock, her close proximity, the scent of roses and cigarettes enveloping her senses. So she did what Lilith did just a few months ago. She leaned in and closed the gap. And as she finally felt those soft lips against hers, as she finally felt those slender arms touching her after a few moments of stillness, and she finally felt the warm, familiar body against hers once again, only one word echoed in her mind.
Home.