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After the introductions were made when the Tonks family had emerged from the floo, Remus ushered them into the sitting room. |
"As we discussed Andi..." Remus was interrupted. |
"As we are in mixed company, Mr. Lupin, I would prefer to be referred to by my proper name if you will." Andromeda sat gracefully in the chair that was indicated to her. |
Ted loved his wife. They had discussed what was going to happen when they were invited to Sirius’ house to speak to a muggleborn witch. She could pull off the proper pure blood routine like the best of them, and many times in the wizarding world it had been necessary. She was testing Hermione. |
For Remus’ part, he also understood what was happening. He had been taught protocol in his Hogwarts days by Sirius and James. |
"Of Course Mrs. Tonks. I do apologize for my mistake." Remus inclined his head slightly. |
"Now. Tell me about yourself young lady." Andromeda directed her question at Hermione. |
Hermione was slouched in her chair and shrugged her shoulder. "What do you want to know?" |
Andromeda Tonks was testing her. Andromeda did not believe in all of the pure blood customs, but she respected the majority of them. This was a muggleborn like her beloved husband, and she needed to learn the rules of their society. |
"One of the first things that I will teach you is posture. Sit up straight, and with confidence." |
Hermione’s parents tensed, and Andromeda noticed. She turned her head to the adult Grangers. |
"It was brought to my attention that not only did your daughter wish to remain in the British wizarding world, she also wished to be a daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. Am I correct?" |
The elder Grangers looked at each other. Dan spoke up. "Mrs. Tonks. I’m not sure of protocol here and neither is the rest of my family." |
"It is quite simple. My instructions clearly stated that she should correct her posture. You are either invited or dismissed completely in the wizarding world by how you carry yourself. Especially as a woman. There are no laws preventing it." Andromeda turned to Hermione. "Now. Straighten your posture, and show confide... |
Hermione did her best to emulate Andromeda Tonks’ posture. It hurt her back to be honest. But Hermione was more concerned about what she had just learned about the wizarding world. Were they truly that superficial? |
"I repeat. Tell me about yourself." Andromeda asked as she availed herself of the tea service that appeared. Hermione noted that she even did that with a grace that she did not know was possible. |
Hermione cleared her throat. "Well. I love school and being a witch. I have a thirst for knowing things..." |
"You have a thirst for knowledge." Andi interupted. |
"Yes. That’s what I just said." Hermione replied irritated. |
Andromeda raised a brow. "No. You said you have a thirst for knowing things. What you want to say is that you have a thirst for knowledge." |
"What’s the difference?" |
"It is the difference between being seated at the best table or being next to the facilities. It is the difference between getting an audience with the Aurors when you suspect a break in. There are many ways that the wizarding world will discriminate against you as a muggle born. It is not the law, but it is the rule. ... |
All three of the Grangers were stunned. Ted Tonks spoke just as properly as his wife. Hermione being Hermione could not resist a challenge. |
"Of course I do. I would like to prove to the House of Black that I am a worthy daughter of the house." |
Ted and Andi shared a look and then Andromeda looked at Hermione. "You pass." |
"Pass. Hermione the wizarding world is harsh. It is a wonderfully scary place. As a pure |
blood I am treated better than my husband. But he is treated well because he has not only married a pure blood, but has integrated fully into our society. He holds onto his muggle beliefs in private only. You must be careful Hermione. The wizarding world will take advantage of you if you blink at the wrong time dependi... |
"Mrs. Tonks I..." |
"You may call me Andromeda. I believe that we have progressed to familiarity. That is another one of the things that I will teach you. Not everyone is a potential friend, and until given the leave to do so, always address people by their last name and Mr., Ms., Mrs." |
Hermione hung her head in her hands. And then she stood and exploded in rage. |
Ted thought to himself "And here it comes’. |
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" |
The non magical adults were completely stunned by her language and outrage. Their daughter never acted in such a manner. |
"Hermione Jean Granger! Watch your language." But Hermione was pacing, and they already knew that she didn’t hear them. |
"Let her work it out. I had to do the same thing when the truth was told to me." Ted stated just as Hermione rounded on Remus. |
"And do tell me Remus, why did no one think to tell all of the muggle borns this information, because we are apparently walking around blind. Why is there not any wizarding culture classes? Why didn’t Professor McGonagall ever say any of this when she showed up at my home to inform us that I was a witch?" Hermione coll... |
Remus answered her questions in order. "Because the people in power don’t want you to know or don’t care if you know or not. Because the people in power feel it is a waste of resources. Because she honestly believes in the education of Hogwarts, and as she was raised in the magical world, it never occurred to her." |
Hermione looked up at him like he had lost his mind but said nothing. |
Emma cleared her throat. "Mrs. Tonks..." |
"Andromeda. Please." |
"Please call me Emma." Andi inclined her head slightly. "I was curious as to what exactly you would be teaching my daughter, and what does sponsorship include? What are the benefits?" |
Andi sat her teacup down after taking a large sip. She was also a mother, and she knew that she herself would skin someone alive if they disparaged her daughter. However... |
"Remus. Your call this morning was not the first time the issue of sponsorship came to my attention." |
"Oh?" Remus frowned. |
"No it is not. Shortly after I was reinstated to the House of Black, Sirius approached me on your behalf Hermione. He felt that you were a bright witch, but knew that you would face problems due to your blood status. So in anticipation of my duties to the house, I made some discreet inquiries. I spoke to some of the pa... |
"I beg your pardon." Dan asked incensed. |
Remus interrupted. "Andi I have already discussed Hermione’s attitude and behavior with her and her parents." |
"Very well. Then I shall not repeat the same conversation. To answer your question Emma I will be teaching your daughter to compose herself with dignity. She needs to learn our ways and traditions. I will start with posture, because once again she has lapsed into a slouch." Andi looked at Hermione with a raised brow." |
"But we’re among friends. Why should I have good posture right now? It doesn’t matter." Hermione said. |
"Ah. I’m glad that you believe that I am your friend. Tell me Hermione, what is my favorite color? My favorite food? My favorite hobby? What is my daughters middle name?" Andi stared Hermione down. |
"We just met how am...oh." Hermione understood at once. |
"Precisely. Another thing that I will teach you is to be cunning. I am a Slytherin after all. You need to learn that in the wizarding world not every new person is a potential friend. Magic is a wonderful thing, but it can also be deadly. Who you let into your inner circle can have consequences for years to come. Ted I... |
Hermione sat up straight again. |
Ted chuckled at his wife’s antics. "Of course dear. Hermione when Andromeda and I started dating she looked at me strangely because I constantly kept saying "I swear to God this. I swear to God that’." |
"What’s wrong with that?" Dan asked. |
"Because as a witch, Hermione may actually be bound by magic when ever she says "I swear.’" |
"Bloody hell!" Hermione murmured. |
"Language." Both adult women said at the same time. The men chuckled, while both women gave a small shrug. It’s a mother thing. |
"Back to the subject at hand." Ted began again. "It is one of the first things that you should learn because people will use it to take advantage of you. Since you are young and new to wizarding protocol, if someone asks you for an oath, have it written down first so that you can decipher it. That way you can be sure o... |
"Forgive me Mr. Tonks..." |
"Ted. Please we are after all taking your daughter under our magical wing so to speak. Boy that sounded odd." |
Dan laughed. "Then please call me Dan. I do not wish to to be rude, but how is it you have become so successful as a muggle born?" |
"My wife." Ted deadpanned |
"My wife. Andromeda took me aside, and showed me what to wear. How to walk with dignity and pride. Who to talk to and how to talk to them. She showed me how oaths and vows work. Not to mention that even though she was disowned by her family she was still raised as a daughter of the house of Black. And the Blacks were k... |
"They were afraid of her?" Hermione asked. |
"Oh yeah." Ted said with a smirk. |
Andromeda smacked her husband on the arm. She then reached into her robes and pulled out two books. They looked rather small until she took out her wand and enlarged them after placing them on the table. |
"This book." Andi pointed at the one on top. "Will give you an overview of the Wizengamot. You need to know who holds what seat and their positions on various issues. As you are at Hogwarts, you should learn who their children are. You need to begin to cultivate allies from all houses. However. Please try to temper you... |
"Hey!" Remus and Hermione said at the same time. |
Andromeda chuckled, while Hermione’s parents looked confused. |
"Gryffindor is known as the house of the brave; however between the rest of the houses it is known as the house of cannon fodder." |
"Meaning?" Emma asked. |
"They act first and think second in all manner of life." Andi looked back to Hermione. "When you seek out these new alliances, do it discreetly and slyly. Do not broadcast to the school what you are doing because it will be used against you by your enemies to try and persuade your possible allies against you." |
"This sounds like the whole time I’m at school, I must assume people are plotting against me." |
"They are." Andromeda deadpanned. |
"You will soon be the daughter of an Ancient and Noble house. As such, there will be attempts to manipulate you to their will and beliefs. Regardless of your blood status Hermione, people will try to get next to you in an effort to get you to influence Lord Black." |
"This is crazy!" Hermione leaned back in her chair, but made sure not to slouch. |
"This. Young lady is the world in which you are choosing to live. You may back away now if you wish." Andromeda stated. |
Hermione was about to say something but hesitated. Could she do this? She has always been outspoken, and she has always had her own opinions about the way things should be. But look at where that has gotten her. Most of her classmates don’t like her much. She could only count two people as close friends, and even they ... |
"I’ll do it. Whatever it takes." |
"Hermione..." Emma started. |
"No mum. I want this. Not only for myself, but for other muggle borns." She turned to Remus. "You all have pretty much said the same thing. Muggle borns are not really accepted because we don’t know the rules of this society." She then turned to Andromeda. "I will always honor my muggle heritage. I believe there is a w... |
Andromeda smiled. "I am pleased to hear it. Remember. My husband is a muggle born and I also want them to have a better standing in the wizarding world." |
Hermione gave a sharp nod that had her hair falling forward. |
Andromeda arched a brow at Hermione."That will not do. If you wish to confirm something non verbally, you need more subtlety. You will need to nod like so." Andromeda proceeded to show her the proper way to incline her head, and Hermione mimicked the act. |
"And the other book?" Hermione asked. Or at least she thought she had asked a question. Andromeda just looked at her. "What did I do wrong this time? I only asked what the other book was for." |
"No you did not. You said "and the other book’. If you have a question, then you will need to be specific about that question. Otherwise there are some people who would not be inclined to answer what you perceived to be a question. Again if you will young lady." |
Hermione caught herself mid huff and subtlety inclined her head. "Please tell me what the other book that you have placed on the table is about?" |
"Excellent! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Ted shouted. Remus just snorted. |
Andromeda shot a look to her husband. "This book." Andromeda picked it up. "Is about etiquette. The do’s and don'ts if you will, to help you navigate our society." |
"My daughter has manners." Dan said a little affronted. |
"There is knowing your manners, and knowing that a certain fork is for fruit, where as the fork next to it is used for meat or possibly asparagus. Knowing these things will help you navigate our society. Alliances have been known to be made or broken by table manners." Andromeda stated. "Another thing I wish to discuss... |
Both parents looked up at Andromeda with interest. |
"It is a standard that is no longer taught at Hogwarts, but the stronger you are physically, the stronger you are magically. Let me tell you something. I may know the pure blood etiquette that rules this country like I know the back of my hand, but the daughters of the House of Black are never weak. I do not speak to m... |
Dan looked at his wife and nodded. "Dan and I have discussed this, and we believe we could help in that aspect of her training. Her father and I served with distinction in service to the crown. Dan as SAS, and myself as a...consultant." |
Hermione frowned. "But you never told..." Hermione remembered her most recent lessons, and took a breath. "Why have you never told me bout what you did in the military?" |
Andromeda interrupted. "That will be a question for some other time. It is certainly not meant for those who are not family. Dan. Emma. You can assist her in this?" |
"Absolutely." Emma said with a short nod. |
"I will leave that part of your education to your parents." Andromeda looked sharply at Hermione. "Hermione. While I will be your magical guardian, they are still your parents. I will follow their will on what they believe is best for you. While I am proud to be a witch, I must admit that my husband has opened my eyes ... |
"Hermione you also need to think about this. You are one of Harry’s best friends. That also makes you a target, in addition to your blood status and your amazing marks. Trust me when I say that though I don’t know where Harry is, he is being taught by the best on how to fight." Remus said |
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