LB: So Harry, you've mentioned several times in passing that you still work for the Ministry, can you tell me what you do there?
HP: Ah, well actually I can't. My work is an extension of some work I did in the Auror Division, but I'm now what you might call a Part-Time Unspeakable.
LB: You're an Unspeakable?
HP: Yes.
LB: Well that explains you reticence to discuss your work. You obviously still possess great magical power, how often do you use your powers?
HP: (Looks at me surprised and then realises that he is commanding the flying objects through wandless magic) I tend to use my magic for everyday purposes, around the house, though I cook the Muggle way both at home and at work. I'll admit that I sometimes miss the kind of magic I was able to use as an Auror, duelling, but I've been known to help out in Auror training by duelling the new recruits for fun. (He grins)
LB: Have any of them ever beaten you?
HP: No
LB: Has anyone ever beaten you in a duel?
HP: Dumbledore was the last person who beat me in a full-fledged duel when he was teaching me, when I was sixteen. Before that a few people beat me, I escaped a duel I was losing against Voldemort when I was fourteen, and I lost concentration a few times during practice duels. Hermione was the last person to use magic against me, but I could block most of her hexes if I needed to, she knows I'd never be able to hex her, well, other than a well-timed tickle curse every now and again when she nags me about the state of the bathroom…
(Hermione's entrance to the kitchen is timed perfectly)
HG: Well you know you left wet towels on the floor again this morning…
HP: I just like to make you feel needed. You love clearing up after me really… (He grins)
HG: (sarcastically) Yeah that's what it is I'm sure.
HP: Did you work out the problem with that last chapter?
HG: Yes, thank goodness. It was beginning to get on my nerves, I had to rewrite the final section of the previous chapter but I think it works now. Will you read it later?
HP: Of course. Your quills and book are in the bag on the table.
HG: Thanks; I'll just put them in the office.
LB: Can I see the office?
HG: Sure, it's this way.
Hermione's office is everything I would have expected. Two walls are filled with books from floor to ceiling, and the wall facing the garden is all glass. The large antique wooden desk faces this glass wall, and is currently littered with sheaf's of parchment covered in Hermione's elegant script. A simple black quill sits next to the parchment, the only decorations in the room other than the books, are a collection of photographs along the back of the desk, pictured are a couple I recognise to be Hermione's parents, a candid shot of Harry, Ron and Ginny dressed in Gryffindor Quidditch robes, a shot of Harry and Hermione hugging and smiling at one another, and a group shot obviously taken at one of the extended Weasley family gatherings. Sitting in Hermione's desk chair is a very familiar looking ginger cat.
LB: Crookshanks?
HG: (smiles) Yes, I still have Crookshanks.
LB: Grumpy old cat seems to have mellowed out a bit.
HG: (chuckles) He's a softy really, he's just very picky about whom he's nice to.
LB: Does Harry still have Hedwig? (Harry's distinctive Snowy Owl)
HG: Yes, I sent her out on a few deliveries this morning. She's the most remarkable owl…(pauses, and looks at me worriedly) Lavender; I'm suddenly remembering that you don't like snakes…
LB: I can't stand them. Why?
HG: (nervously calls) Harry? (Harry appears a moment later looking worried)
HP: Are you ok?
HG: Lavender's afraid of snakes.
HP: (his eyes widen) Ah. Ok, I'll just shut this door then and I'll be back in a few minutes. (He shuts the door and I can hear strange hissing sounds from outside the door)
LB: Is that…?
HG: Um, you remember that Harry can speak Parseltongue?
LB: You have snakes just roaming around the house?
HG: It's just Romeo and Juliet. They're perfectly harmless, in fact Harry tells me they're vegetarians. We were walking past a Muggle pet shop one day when he just stopped and dragged me in. The two of them were being kept in these tiny horrible cages separate from one another. Harry had heard their calls for help. We obviously couldn't leave them there in that cruelty, so they came home with us, they have free reign of the house pretty much.
LB: You don't mind two snakes slithering around the house?
HG: It was a bit of a shock the first few times I found them in the bathtub but I know they wouldn't hurt me, and they're fiercely loyal to Harry. If anyone threatens him they're right there at his heels. Juliet has been known to hiss at me if I'm arguing with Harry. (She laughs) They really are adorable, they're always together. He'll just be calling them now, if he asks them to stay in one place for a while they'll just curl up and sleep there until he calls them again, you don't need to worry about them.
LB: Anymore pets I should know about?
HG: Well Beaky spends quite a bit of time in our garden, but I think he's off visiting Hagrid at the moment.
LB: Beaky? That sounds familiar.
HG: Ah, well you met Beaky in our third year at Hogwarts. He was the Hippogriff Harry rode. He was in hiding with Sirius for a long time, and he remained in the house after Sirius' death. He's free now, but we leave him food and things. You'll probably remember Fawkes as well?
LB: Dumbledore's Phoenix?
HG: Yes, He attached himself to Harry when Albus died. Fawkes had always been very fond and protective of Harry. I'd take you to see him but he only started his rebirth this morning so he's rather fragile.
(Harry knocks and opens the door)
HP: Sorry about that. I didn't think to warn you Lavender. Romeo and Juliet are both upstairs now, they wont come down until after you leave.