Need to chill (hermione)

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Yule Ball, Spike sighed to himself as he was changing into clothes which were a lot more smarter than his normal look. He wore a black suit and bow tie with a black robe over him. He looked at his stubble on his face and pulled a face, for one evening he found no point in shaving it. He hated all these formal events especially since he was going by himself. He recited a few spells to himself in the mirror, after all the ex Auror in him always wanted to be prepared for everything and he still wanted to look sharp in front of the Ministry. He knew either way whether he was at Hogwarts this year or stayed in the Ministry he would have to go to this ball. One last glance in the mirror, quick pocket of a hip flask and he was ready to go out towards the ball.

After a few minutes Spike entered, he was looking for the best place to stand. He was still newish to Hogwarts as a professor so did not really have a chance to interact with anyone. He found a wall which looked at the ball, at least here he could monitor everything and jump in and intervene in case someone attended who was not suppose to be there. He walked over to one of the tables with drinks and picked up a hot chocolate - after all he had to also be discreet about the firewhiskey in the hip flask. He moved to the corner, grabbing his flask and tipping a tiny bit of firewhiskey into the cup. At least he could try and relax.

Spike had to admit it was really pretty, the girls and women putting efforts into their dresses, the men and boys putting effort into looking as neat as possible. It made him chuckle slightly as in his time at Hogwarts he found no time for relationships, only friendships. He lent back against the cold stone wall, taking a sip from his hot chocolate, glancing over the ball. His mind completely focused on the job he set himself, taking sips occasionally in order not to look too suspicious.

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Hermione still was finding it a bit odd that her husband Ron was not at the Yule Ball that evening, being sick in bed with the flu. She had grown used to his playful and infectious laughter, and always knew how to compliment her witty banter. She had finally mastered the art of what one would call ‘small talk’ with many of the Ministry workers, but she could only pretend so much to not start to feel tired of hearing the question ‘how does it feel to be senior undersecretary’ for the umpteenth time. She loved her new job and all the challenges it faced, but sometimes she just wanted to write it on a piece of parchment and post it somewhere that the transition was nice and smooth, she was enjoying her new position, and she had confidence that someone worthy would fill the post of head of Magical Law Enforcement soon.


She’d just left Ginny when Harry had returned to her, and noticed a former Auror of hers, Spike Constantine leaning by himself against the wall. She had always liked the man; he had been a good Auror and he wasn’t too talkative, something Hermione was beginning to appreciate more and more. She made her way over to him with a smile. “Mr. Constantine! Good to see you,” she said, extending her hand to him. “Are things going well here at the school?” she asked, knowing he’d decided to switch gears and become a Potions professor for Hogwarts. Perhaps he’d heard this question a lot as well, but at least he had a whole new scenery instead of an office one level up.

@spike

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Spike was still focused on what was going on at the ball that he did not notice straight away that someone had approached him. His facial expressions turned to a smile when he noticed it was Hermione, he was trying to think back to when it was the last time he saw her. He knew that she changed positions in the Ministry but was never too sure what she was doing now. "Professor Constantine now." He joked, still trying to get use to the title, "I'll be honest changing from a high intensity job to being a professor is a struggle however it is quite nice not being outside in the heat and having a sleeping pattern." Spike would never admit openly that his mind was still that of an Auror with checking for dangers and threats. He never gave a full reason to the Ministry on why he left, he would just leave them to speculate it was due to the Hogwarts express incident which did scar him.

Spike personally liked Heromine, never a bad word to say about her. Spike was not the much sociable person so having her to come to him meant she was fed up of the small talk. It was quite refreshing to see some faces he was more familiar with at the ball as he did not quite know most of the professors, he could put in more effort in getting to know them but he had to be sure there was no hidden agendas. "How are things with you and the Ministry and how is Ron?" He was more curious with the Ministry after being out for a while, he can't say he misses the office they were in and least here Spike would walk around a lot more freely.

@hermionejean

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Hermione laughed along with Spike when he said he was Professor Constantine now. “Of course Professor,” she said with a smile. She listened to him as he talked about changing jobs with the struggle and nodded. “Merlin knows I can understand that,” she said with a touch of sympathy. “I just switched from Head of Magical Law Enforcement to Senior Undersecretary to the Minister; people think the head of a department is a load of responsibility, but they have clearly never been a senior undersecretary before,” she said with a laugh. Even she had to admit she thought the job wouldn’t be as stressful as it was, but then again she supposed with the Purifiers still largely at large the Minister had a lot on her plate, and so did Hermione. Still, it was nice for one night to just let loose and have some fun, even if her husband was sick in bed with the flu. “Ron was too ill to come unfortunately, but he never much fancied balls to begin with. It’s been a bit strange without him here, but I’ve been able to see old friends and my children as well,” she said, looking around to see if she could spot Rose somewhere; Hugo she knew would be in the Hospital Wing with Xanthippe. “Potions was one of my favorite classes, what are you planning on introducing first next term?” she asked, turning her attention back to Spike.

@spike

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Spike listened to Hermione's job switch, his face pulled a painful expression. He could only scrape an idea of how much work being the undersecretary was, "And there was me as an Auror complaining about my paperwork. Congratulations on the new job though, you definetly deserve the recognition." She had always been a good person to work for. He remembered his meetings seemed short and to him it seemed she appreciated that he was focused on other things to do with work. She also seemed to be understanding with him leaving the Ministry and that was not the easier decision for him to make. He guessed even as a professor he would still be an Auror at heart. He listened to her talk about Ron, nice guy when he met him briefly, "I hope Ron gets well soon, I understand the feelings with balls. I'm only hear in case anything happens." He admitted but he guessed Hermione would have already guessed that much. When she spoke about potions, Spike couldn't help but smirk, "I have no idea what I am planning on teaching next term. I have a look through the textbook and decide what to teach from them. I never really fully appreciated the Professors at Hogwarts lesson planning. If you enjoy potions you should pop down to one of the potions club meetings, you can join in if you like." He knew sometimes it was nice to escape the Ministry at times and go back to having a bit of a life. 

Spike was interested in what was going on in the Ministry, especially with the cult of dark wizards (it's what he called the group behind the Hogwarts express attack), "So any updates on things at the Ministry? Do we know anymore about the attack I know I'm not an Auror anymore but I hope the Ministry has some idea behind it all?" He knew he didn't have to mention which attack as his face was white as a sheet when he went back the same day to the Ministry. He wouldn't admit the extent in which it affected him. His work mind still ticking even though he was in conversation.

@hermionejean

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Hermione smiled and inclined her head a bit towards Spike as he congratulated her on the new job. “Thank you Spike, that’s very kind of you!” she said meaningfully. She’d heard that from several people, but Spike had been one of her top Aurors, so it meant a little more coming from him. She’d been sad to lose him on the force, but felt relieved that someone of his ability would be protecting the students in case, Merlin forbid, anything should happen with the Purifiers on the school grounds. “It’s rather funny, but Ron hates balls. He did really seem eager to come to this one though; perhaps it was to make up for our fourth year Yule Ball,” Hermione told him, a smirk playing at her lips. Even now almost thirty years later she still would joke around with her husband about waiting until the last minute to ask her when she already had a date. They’d been dancing around their feelings for each other even then, and while Hermione had had a good time with Viktor, Ron had positively ruined Padma’s own experience at the Yule Ball, though thankfully a Beauxbatons boy had been there to save the ball a little.

Hermione’s grin widened as Spike suggested she pop into a class. “I’ll see what Neville thinks, but that’d be quite fun! It’s been far too long since I dabbed my hand at a tricky potion, it’d be nice to see what I still remember,” she said excitedly. Hermione of course could brew most household potions and common antidotes, but she’d not had a reason to brew something such as the Draught of the Living Death since...well, Potions class really. Her expression grew more serious as Spike asked about what was happening with the Ministry; technically he was no longer an Auror, but he was still responsible for the safety of the students of Hogwarts, so he did have a right to know. “It’s been rather quiet actually since Desirae Rousseau’s death. It’s a little unnerving really, I keep thinking I’m going to wake up one morning and something horrible will have happened while I slept,” she admitted, her smile slowly fading from her face. The Purifiers had indeed been quiet for some time, and that did not settle well with Hermione Granger at all.

@spike

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Spike took a sip of his hot chocolate and smiled as he was thanked for the compliment. He would not have said it if he did not mean it. He listened as she spoke about Ron hating balls, that was something he could also agree with, "I never liked balls either, dressing up and all that. I'm only here now to keep my eyes open." Spike never went with anyone, never bothered with finding a relationship when he was at Hogwarts as he was too busy studying. He found it quite cute how Ron and Hermione were still together for so long but then again if anyone heard their story in the Hogwarts years you could see why.

"Definitely ask Neville, we can always run a potions class on a potion of your choice. I still remember what I learnt from back in my Hogwarts days." He chuckled at that, been years since he left and he remembered how focused he was to complete his perfect to perfection and would not accept anything beneath that, "I am not surprised I am a Ravenclaw." He leant back on the wall as they went to business about the group which did the attacks. He listened as the memories of the site of attacks crept to his mind, the reason why he was in Hogwarts and not in the Ministry. His face went pale as she bought up Desirae's death, that was a shock to all Ministry members. "All honesty since the attacks I haven't slept properly at night. I still get nightmares from the Hogwarts Express attack." He admitted, feeling a tear cropping up as it was not something he admitted to when he came back to the office that day. "I think we were too relaxed after Voldemorts death but personally I find this group much worse. I keep constantly thinking when will the next attack be and what the hell they would do next."

Spike grabbed the hip flash from his pocket, "Firewhiskey?" He asked as he held the flask out, "One day we have to meet up when this is all over. No drama and just a friendly catch-up." He said as he stared into the distance. He wondered if anyone else knew he did not want to settle down until the threat was over, no commitments he always said.

@hermionejean

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Hermione nodded; she was planning on chatting with Neville tomorrow anyway, this could just be one more thing added to their list. She would say hi to him and Hannah of course, they were old friends after all. But work talk with Neville would be set aside for Boxing Day. “I’d probably want to do Shrinking Solutions, Neville and I do have quite a story behind that one our third year. We’d just done boggarts in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and Neville’s was Professor Snape. Well when Snape heard about that, he bullied him worse than ever and threatened to test his orange Shrinking Solution on his prized pet toad. Luckily, I got his potioned turned around and Trevor made it out alright,” she said, laughing at the memory. She remembered the fierce loathing she had felt for Snape; it had conflicted her because she was always one to put her professors up on a pedestal. But between Harry and Neville, Hermione had far more trouble with Professor Snape. Of course, finding out about his double agent role in the Wizarding Wars against Voldemort had posthumorously changed her opinion on him, but she still inwardly believed that he could have done well to have been a bit kinder.

Hermione’s smile faltered slightly when Spike admitted he hadn’t been sleeping all that well since the Kings Cross attacks. “I don’t think anyone has really, least of all Victoire,” she responded seriously. “The problem is is that the leader is still unknown to us. We know about Elaine of course, but there’s someone else. We have insiders now but even they can’t tell us. At least with both Grindlewald and Voldemort there was a face to the name. With them we’re running blind, and it’s troubling.” Hermione would never mention Theo by name, but he had been proving himself useful at least. Still, Hermione yearned to know more about the inner workings of this group.

@spike

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Spike was quite pleased that Herminone seemed up to doing a session with potions, he was sure his students would love it especially with stories still being spoken about in Hogwarts about Harry's, Ron's and her time at Hogwarts. If someone told him he would be friends with any of them when he first joined Hogwarts he would have laughed. He listened to Hermiones story about the Shrinking Solutions potion and cracked a laugh, "That is brilliant. I remember the fun I had during the Boggarts lesson and I'm just going to say from what I heard about Professor Snapes teaching I'm glad he was not the one giving me that lesson." Spike already had to go into some detail about his boggart being a corrupted version of himself and it got awkward especially since it was known who his father was. "I could always see if you could teach my students it, I can provide assistance but rumours had it you were the brain box back in those days." He gave her a wink as he said it. It was odd to have a genuine laugh at times like this but it felt good to relax a little.

As the conversation went on and talk about a lack of sleep Hermione admitted that no one has really slept nor even the head of the Ministry. After all it was likely her head next until this cult of dark wizards got their leader in place and if that was to happen it would be dark times in the Wizarding world, a thought he did not even want to play in his mind. He nodded as she mentioned the leader wasn't known and not even the insiders knew, Spike could never be an insider with the risk of his father being involved with the purifers. He would be caught out straight away. Not just that he spent a lot of time hunting people down like the dark wizard cult. "Yeah I definetly think this group is more cunning and worse than the Deatheaters. You only have to go to the field or read the daily prophet to know how bad it is. But at least I can keep the students safe here and we have Neville here as well. I'm just hoping there is a group of good guys like you and I digging deeper than the Ministry can." He took a swig from his flask, "Anyhow I think we have had enough depressing talk about this group. I'm pretty sure at a ball we are meant to have fun. Fancy grabbing a drink as my hip flask is empty?" He laughed as he said it, he did not forget about his hot chocolate either which was going cold, he would drink that on the way.

@hermionejean

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Hermione laughed along with Spike; as vital as Snape turned out to be in the end for the Second War and the Order of the Phoenix, he wasn't anywhere close to her favorite professor.  It wasn't for lack of knowledge or attention to the subjects he had taught, more that he showed extreme favoritism and malice towards students just depending on what house they were in.  She also hadn't liked how he'd always ignore her when she knew the answers and picked on someone (usually Harry) who didn't have a clue.  It had been rather unfair in her opinion, though Ron would usually say she was just being a know it all.  It wasn't her fault if she did indeed know it all sometimes!

She nodded when Spike said he just wanted to keep the students safe; between him and Neville she was growing more and more confident with the safety of the school this year.  "Safety at Hogwarts is one of our top priorities, especially since they're not supposed to use dueling magic in the corridors between classes.  Out in the real world, witches and wizards can defend themselves at the blink of an eye.  But I do fear sometimes it is harder for the students to have that snap reaction when they've had it beaten in their brains not to for so long," she told him.  Though she had been proud of multiple students who had fought and defended other students against the kidnappers last April, a student was still murdered, and many more either kidnapped or injured in the fighting.  Not that Hermione was condoning the use of Dueling magic in the hallways unprovoked of course.  "D'you know if any of the professors have started up the Dueling Club again?" she asked him curiously.


@spike

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Spike listened as Hermione spoke from the Ministry point of view about keeping students safe was a priority. Earlier that year had been a disaster for that with the kidnappings and a death with the investigation going no where. They knew it was the same cult of dark wizards but trying to trace them was difficult. He was proud about the students defending themselves however he knew with the restrictions it would prove difficult in a real life scenario if it were to happen again. It reminded him of his first year at Hogwarts and him being told to hide, "Hogwarts needs to allow students to duel more frequently and to be honest from my first year at Hogwarts with the deatheaters in the school it should have been at that point we realised that no where is truly safe." He remembered just hiding and hearing noises with a professor in the great hall preparing to defend the students hiding in there. "If my father is with this new cult I know he would kill." Spike replied bluntly and with some pain in his eyes. It was no secret there was suspions his father was a deatheater nor was it a secret from his trainer who dug into his memories. He grabbed a new drink and sip some, too many memories were never good especially when he spent time trying to forget.

She had moved on to discuss duelling club, he had heard of it and to his disappointed someone was already in charge of running it, "Yep Neville Longbottom has taken charge of duelling club. I have not had the chance to duel with him but at least the club is running. My personal opinion is someone with a lot more experience should help alongside however as I never dueled him I'm not sure how good he is." Spike was at least honest with his opinion on that matter, he had respect for Neville but he also wanted to make sure all the students were prepared for an attack, "I am more than willing to help out with the dark arts side of things. It's not a secret I use them when times require me to." He smirked, the only thing he had not practised was the curses in a while and that was purely down to not finding anyone he hated enough to cast it successfully however he was sure he would use them on a dark wizard again. "So you had experience with the battle of Hogwarts, one of the famous trio. What would you change with Hogwarts to make it more secure?" Spike was curious with her answer as afterall it was no secret with her involvement with Ron and Harry. She was also gryffindor for a reason.

@hermionejean

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Hermione's look turned sympathetic as Spike mentioned his father. She knew that he was a suspected Death Eater that had escaped a sentence in Azkaban; she would not find it surprisng if he turned out to be with the Purifiers as well.  "If we find your father Spike, you will be the first informed," she promised.  She understood the need to at least be there when the person who was your family had turned against you was sentenced and tried.  She was concerned what would happen though if Spike found him first.

"Well I'm glad Neville is heading it up, but I'm sure as Headmaster he'd welcome the assistance of another former Auror," Hermione pointed out; she could sense that Spike was disappointed he wasn't involved in the Dueling Club, but that was easily remedied.  Nevilles' Headmaster duties kept him so busy that she'd be surprised if Neville didn't welcome more involvement from other professors, especially ones with Spikes background.  Hermione said nothing when Spike mentioned his use of the Dark Arts; she was aware of it but was not particularly supportive of that endeavor.  "My fourth year at Hogwarts, the false Mad-Eyed Moody taught us about the Unforgivable Curses.  He used spiders at first, to show the effects, but then used students for the Imperius Curse, which I did not, and still do not agree with.  Needing to know the signs is one thing, but I don't think Neville would condone students being used as guinea pigs," Hermione said slowly, her voice carrying a warning for Spike to not go rogue.

She paused when he asked what else she would do for security.  "Security, to be honest I'm at a loss at what else we can do.  We have more Aurors than ever, including trainees stationed here, and they're given the same rights as Heads of Houses to dole out detentions if anyone is caught out of bed after hours.  But," she paused, then continued.  "I think it'd do some good if we were able to take some of the empty classrooms and turn them into dueling practice rooms.  The students could come and go during their free periods, and there'd be enchantments in place and a teacher on standby in case anything turns nasty."  She'd been thinking about this idea for weeks now, but wasn't quite ready to present it to the school board.  She'd like another opinion, especially that of an ex-Auror.


@spike

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Spike did not really like sympathetic looks however he knew Hermione's was genuine, when she promised that if he was found he would be the first to know. Inside he knew by then it would be too late as he wanted to be the person to find him and give back what to him what he had received as Spike was a stronger wizard now and not a defenseless kid. He was not sure if his face showed his hatred or not, "Thank you. I do not know what I would fully do if I was the one to find him first." In that he was honest as his auror side would take him to the Ministry to serve justice but the darker side within him, the hurt person would want to punish him even if it meant he would be put in Azkaban. In his mind that man deserved the dementors kiss and he found it a shame they left. Spike took a sip of his drink to calm down, he was meant to be relaxing.

As they spoke about dueling club Spike nodded, it was obvious he was disappointed but when she mentioned about Neville would welcome assistance a smile crept on his face, "I am more than happy to assist if Neville needs it." He loved dueling plus he knew he could share valuable tactics with the club, after all he has been in plenty of duels in his time. He listened to Hermione's story about Mad-Eye Moody and the Unforgivable Curses. He shook his head, disagreeing with the methods and when she mentioned about the students being used as guinea pigs Spike straightened up slightly, "I do think students need to know about the curses but never ever should it be used on them. That is completely wrong and goes against everything I stand for." He was serious when he spoke, he had already been a victim of a Unforgivable Curse, the only time he would use them would be against dark wizards especially if someone's life was in danger. Even he had his own rules for them and he hoped Hermione was clear of his stand point.

Spike listened to Hermione's idea, he thought about it and it did seem like a good idea. It would allow the students to train up when they were free. "I agree with extra training for the students, dueling rooms would be good. It also gets students more use to using magic on the go rather than just in the classroom, a bit more freedom." He took a sip before he spoke again, "Personally what I would like to do is do a drill. Only let the Professors and Aurors know that it is a drill and see how the students cope. The less trained put into hiding and the more advanced take part in the fighting. Just to give the students a feel of what to expect." He was not sure on how it would go down with the school board or Hermione but with the threat of Hogwarts being attacked sometimes extreme methods were going to be needed.

@hermionejean

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Hermione smiled. “I will be sure to tell him; we meet in the beginning of the new year. Christmas he is obviously otherwise occupied,” she said with a nod in the Headmasters’ direction. It appeared his middle child had come home early to surprise...well, at least some of his family; she was sure Neville was thrilled to have him back from Brazil for Christmas, regardless of whether he’d known or not. Hermione had always lamented not going on an exchange trip to Castlebruxo during her school years, but then again when would she have had the time? Luckily she’d been able to visit the school with her work at the Ministry - she hoped Phil had had an amazing experience.

As Spike began to explain his idea, Hermiones’ attentiveness grew exponentially. A drill? Why had she never thought of that - the idea was rampant in the Muggle school system, especially in America and the increased amount of school shootings. Hermione remembered reading about some of them years ago and shuddered at the memory. “I think a drill is a great idea - I’d like you to come with me to present the idea though. There may be some negotiating with the school board, but they’ll come round if it is presented strongly enough,” she told him encouragingly. The one part that concerned her would be that some students might be prone to use more...dangerous magic, especially the seventh years if they thought their loved ones were under attack, which could lead to some problems.


@spike

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