"So you ran into goblins?" Anne asked, setting the last dish on the table and sitting down beside Hermione. "Which ones?"
"Griphook and Gornuk," Harry said.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, those were their names. And there was a wizard with them, Dirk, I think. It looked like they were all on the run."
"Oh, that makes sense," Anne said, serving Hermione a generous portion of sliced meat. "Most goblins fled after the day the Dark Lord took over Gringotts. What did they say?"
"They mentioned the Sword of Gryffindor," Harry replied.
"Ah, I think I can guess the rest," Anne said thoughtfully. "Ginny and some of the D.A. members snuck into the headmaster's office, trying to steal the fake sword. They got caught. Snape sent the replica to Gringotts for safekeeping, and that goblin must've realized it was a fake, right?"
"Yeah, he did," Hermione said. "But he never told the Death Eaters. How's Ginny?"
"Nothing serious," Anne said calmly. "They were sent to help Hagrid and got a week's detention. I've been keeping an eye on it, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to them. I also asked Fanny to smooth things over a bit. She's the prefect and student council president now. Of course, her family situation means she can't get too involved, but she helped as much as she could."
Harry let out a relieved sigh.
Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. "So… how's Fanny been lately?"
"Which part are you asking about, academics or love life?" Anne teased.
"Um, both," Ron mumbled, eyes fixed on the broccoli on his plate, stabbing at it with his fork.
"She's second in her year," Anne said, popping a perfectly roasted piece of beef into her mouth. "As for romance—" she drew out the words on purpose, and Ron's ears immediately turned bright red. His poor broccoli suffered another merciless stab.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a knowing look and couldn't help but laugh.
"She doesn't have a boyfriend right now," Anne added. "As for the future, well, who knows?"
The broccoli was finally spared.
"Oh," Ron said quickly, gulping down a mouthful of tea.
"Actually, Ron," Anne said, sipping her orange juice, "if you ever get the chance, I'd say go for it. Fanny's my best friend, and I'll support any decision she makes. But I'll make you a promise, if you ever decide you're serious, I'll help you once. Just once. I'll arrange for you two to meet."
"Really?" Ron froze, then looked up, eyes wide with hope.
"Really," Anne said with a smile. "Everyone deserves one chance. But you need to think it through. And remember, whatever Fanny decides in the end, I'll stand by her."
"Of course! One chance is more than enough, thanks, Anne!" Ron said, visibly excited.
"Don't thank me yet," Anne said, amused. "All I'm doing is giving you the opportunity. The rest is up to you."
After dinner, Ron took the night watch. These days, most of the guard shifts were handled by Ron, with Harry taking a second turn. Hermione no longer stood watch.
"Why give Ron that chance?" Hermione asked as soon as they stepped into the bedroom. "Fanny told you herself she doesn't like him."
"I just think he deserves one chance, with my help," Anne said. "I know Fanny doesn't feel that way, but sometimes breaking the rules a little can spark something unexpected, don't you think?"
"Aren't you afraid Fanny will be mad at you?" Hermione asked, wrapping her arms around Anne.
"Honestly? A little," Anne admitted. "But I'll probably need your help again when that happens. Remember the greenhouse cottage? When Harry and Ron came to see me, you were the one pulling strings behind the scenes, weren't you?"
Hermione smiled, guilty but pleased. "Alright, I'll help you again when the time comes."
Anne brushed a quick kiss against Hermione's lips.
"Did you finish processing Order File 143?" Hermione asked.
"Almost," Anne said. "I brought the file with me. Want to take a look and give me your thoughts?"
"I should be the one learning from you," Hermione said with a little laugh. "I never realized how complicated running an organization could be."
"Well, that depends on who's learning," Anne said playfully. "A brilliant student like you with an experienced teacher like me, you're bound to make fast progress."
Hermione couldn't help pinching Anne's cheek affectionately.
In the tent's main room, the lanterns cast a warm glow.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard lay open on the table, a sheet of parchment beside it bearing a carefully enlarged sketch of a strange symbol copied from the top of one of the pages.
It resembled a triangular eye, with a vertical line through its pupil.
"Luna's father wore this symbol around his neck, at Bill and Fleur's wedding," Harry said firmly. "I remember it clearly."
Hermione's ears flushed pink. The mention of that night brought back too many memories, and she found herself glancing at Anne. Anne rested her chin on her hand, staring intently at the drawing as if deep in thought.
"Anne?" Hermione called softly.
"Hm? What is it?" Anne looked up.
"Have you seen this symbol before?" Hermione asked.
"I, I'm not sure." Anne frowned. "It looks familiar somehow, but that's the strange part, I shouldn't have forgotten something like this."
"It's Grindelwald's mark," Harry said suddenly.
"What?" Anne and Hermione both turned to him in surprise.
"Krum told me," Harry said. "At the wedding, he said it was an evil symbol. There's even one carved into a wall at Durmstrang, by Grindelwald himself."
"That's odd," Hermione said, frowning. "If it's a symbol of Dark Magic, then why would it appear in a children's storybook?" She glanced at Anne, who was still frowning at the parchment.
"Yeah, it's strange," Harry agreed. "And you'd think Scrimgeour would've recognized it. He was Minister, he should know symbols like this."
"I can't figure it out either," Hermione said, flipping through The Tales of Beedle the Bard again.
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