It had only been a few days since the destruction of the Yaxley family and the creation of the Lovegood family. Yes, my den had already been visited by McGonagall and even Dumbledore himself had paid a visit because of Miss Granger's unexcused absence. You know, the moment I heard those words, I had so many thoughts in my head, so many things I wanted to say to their faces, and at some point I just couldn't take it anymore. I just went ahead and spoke my thoughts.
— And what would be a good reason for you, Mrs. Dean? — I grinned at the always prim woman, who now pressed her dry, bloodless lips together in a reluctant, angry manner. — The girl has been to places where even an adult would go crazy, — the woman didn't like the sentence this time, so much so that she even frowned slightly. — She was being prepared for ritual torture. — Hermione, who was sitting next to her, never once looked at her former idol. Yes, McGonagall had been a role model for the girl earlier, but when I pulled the silver thread from her temple and let it fall onto the Goblet crystal, and we all watched my recollection of the meeting after the girl's abduction, Hermione just sighed heavily.
Yes, the kidnapping had changed her a lot, she had become more cynical, simpler in terms of logic, as the notorious inflated authority took a secondary place, right behind facts and personal experience. I feared that the news would have a critical effect on my already broken psyche, but Fleur insisted, even promising to take the blame if she was wrong. The result was my surprise at Hermione's briefly closed eyes, her own heavy sigh, and basically that was it — that was the end of her reactions. The girl had become tougher, and I even felt sorry for her, but now I was confident in her, confident in her successful future.
— She was kept in a stone cell, cold and damp, and before that she was forcibly stripped in front of a crowd of mad men and given a piece of sackcloth. — Dean, judging by her face, didn't believe a word I said: she looked at Hermione, looking away, clean, tidy, with rosy cheeks and neat hair. — Muggles take years to heal a person's psyche after something like that, and you say she should be put back in a cage with monkeys. — At these words, the girl hummed merrily, barely holding back a smile. Dean did not appreciate the joke.
— Only family can help in a situation like this, — McGonagall said dryly, her 'wise bird' gaze not on me, but on the girl. — Gryffindor has always been known for its unity and brotherhood, and such an atmosphere can heal any mental wound. There's no way to exclude those who offer care and support.
— You're right, — I nodded, drawing a little more attention to myself. — My family and I have offered Hermione help, and she has agreed to accept it. Besides, her parents are here now, so her family is close by. I think Hermione staying with me is the best choice for her right now.
— I must disagree with you, Mr. Hoshino, — the woman shook her head stubbornly and frowned. — Hogwarts is known for its welcoming atmosphere, its life, and our witch doctor, Madam Pomfrey, is an excellent specialist who can help with almost any ailment. I insist that Ms. Granger return to Hogwarts and continue her studies. The school has everything I need to cure my student, not to mention the castle's high security — everyone knows that. — Dean lifted his chin slightly, showing a hint of pride. — Unlike your house, which was built by Muggles. — I smiled.
— You're right, Professor, Hogwarts is a very friendly place, and no one is bullied for being born into a Muggle family, or beaten to a pulp in unused corridors. — There were three such cases, but the administration tried to keep them quiet, and I only heard about them from Parvati, and she from the — word of mouth, but terribly secret, radio — . The details of all these cases have not been disclosed, and it is not known whether the culprits have been found or not. At my words, the Dean's brow furrowed, and her eyes almost flickered with rage.
— The faculty of the school and its headmaster are known for their tolerance and democracy towards the 'innocent pranks' of the students, so I want Hermione to have more time to come to her senses, to calm down, to gain strength before... things.
— Mr. Hoshino, I have decades of teaching experience at Hogwarts, and unlike you, I know from personal experience how helpful peer friends, a friendly group of people, can be. ....
— You've probably been living in a different world all this time, — I interrupted the woman, looking at her with a tired and disappointed expression. She really believes what she says, doesn't she? — Some illusory world. Everyone knows how cruel children can be, how easily they poison each other and pick on each other's weaknesses, especially when there is no adult control over them. — The woman wanted to be outraged, but I didn't let her.
— Gryffindor had never been a faculty of sympathetic friends, but rather of young dogs, testing each other's strength, practicing their claws and fangs on each other. They are only together when it is profitable, or when there is an opportunity for fun....
— I've been against separate apartments from the beginning, — I was interrupted. — You, Mr. Hoshino, just couldn't get into the spirit of our faculty, to know its values, because you always acted aloof. You were a spectator, not a participant.
— From the outside, it's easier to see what's going on — the spotlights don't dazzle, and you can see every shadow, — I hurried to take a break. — By the way, as Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts, you should know: when will the promised lessons, for which I paid extra, be ready?
— Professor Flitwick is already giving you lessons in Advanced Enchantment and Advanced Theory of Magic... — she looked as if she wanted to ask, — Are you an idiot?
— That's not the point, — I shook my head, catching Hermione's strange look. Yes, I was trying to hide the fact that I was taking extra classes with Professor Flitwick, who we also argued with when we had free time. — I'm talking about the Alchemy class and the Basic Curses and Dark Magic class.
— Your potions will be taught by a certified Master Potion Maker, Professor Laftover, and your DADA will be taught by Professor Alastor Moody — a successful Auror who has been fighting dark wizards for years. What's not to like? — McGonagall was indignant.
— I'm not satisfied with the fact that I paid for a school course and then paid for separate lessons in said subjects that I never received. I think I have a right to be outraged, since the school did not provide the course I paid for.
— We can talk about this later, — said the angry vice principal. — Right now we're meeting on another matter, and Ms. Granger....
— She's staying here, — I interrupted harshly. — Hermione will be better off here, under the care of specialists and responsible people.
— Miss Granger needs an education. Without teachers and the school library, she'll fall hopelessly behind and it's unlikely she'll pass her final exams.
— Don't worry, anything Miss Granger might need for her studies, I either have or will buy as needed. As for the teachers, the Remus Lupin you know will not let such a brilliant witch ruin his reputation and will take care of her education.
— What's he doing here? — The woman was genuinely surprised.
— Working, — I shrugged. — It's been a few months since we signed the contract and Mr. Lupin is quite happy with his position, — I smiled, remembering how he had asked my permission to marry my maid, Miss Travers, hiding his eyes and hesitating from word to word. I didn't even immediately understand why he was asking me, but then he explained that I was her eldest, so to speak, meaning that the woman had no father or older relatives, and that I had hired her on a very "important" contract, a lifetime contract, so I might as well not allow it (the English have a lot of laws like that, passed a couple or three centuries ago and still not repealed).
After listening to the werewolf and then talking to Gwyneth, he suggested that they wait at least a month until it was warmer to have an outdoor wedding. But Remus, blushing and stammering, said they couldn't delay the wedding — it might cause misunderstandings and threaten the woman's honor. So the wedding will take place in a week, and it will be quiet, calm, domestic. — And now that we've taken care of everything you wanted to talk about, I still have a lot to do... .....
McGonagall was not pleased, and that's putting it mildly. She was followed, as I said, by Dumbledore, who had apparently received a full report from his deputy, and possibly his memories. But I met him in a completely different place — a specially prepared meeting room, where I could activate a zone of magical suppression at any moment, or even throw the aggressor into the fold of space (a very complex set of seals and a huge accumulation chain).
But that was the last resort, and I had no intention of killing the director, at least not yet. The conversation with him was long and tedious, but completely useless for an elderly wizard. I refused to accept any of the headmaster's arguments, ignored his commands and the tone of his mentor, and simply held to my own opinion, presenting an outward image of equanimity and utmost diplomacy.
It wasn't easy, and I repeat, it wasn't boring; Albus Dumbledore is an old and experienced politician who still has some power. On the other hand, I'm my own man according to all laws and concepts, so I can safely, though politely, send everyone away, which is exactly what I did.
Before the meeting with McGonagall (and the girl didn't meet with the Headmaster), Fleur had a long talk with Granger, explaining to her what consequences (of her psyche) her premature return to the not-so-friendliest collective could lead to, and Hermione recognized the Vayla's arguments. Especially since her parents had taken a short vacation and were now catching up on all the time they had missed the last few years. Afiri could often be seen with them, even occasionally smiling cautiously at the welcoming family.