The following days were seemingly too short as Matt and Hermione Apparated from campsite to campsite, searching for the stones Matt had left. Sometimes it took only minutes, others took much longer. Their fall campsite, when Ron had abandoned them, had taken the longest to locate and eliminate off the map. Matt had steadily been keeping track of the stones and bagging them, with labels. However, the river beside that fateful site must have flooded and washed away the marker Matt had left behind.
They spent the entirety of one day and half the next before locating it in the middle of the stream, and miles downstream of their original site. This had left both of them frustrated, cold, and damp. Matt and Hermione both agreed that they could not afford to leave the marker, so as not to confuse themselves and double back on their path as they searched for the abandoned tent. However, Hermione managed to think up a creative solution to their coldness. Showering together proved a useful way to ward off the cold and keep the couple's desire for one another satisfied as well.
"I hate to say this…" Matt said one morning over breakfast as he poured syrup over his Belgian waffle.
"What?" Hermione asked, looking up from her porridge and toast with jam.
"It's possible we've already been to the campsite, and someone found the tent and took it." He had not wanted to voice that particular concern until now.
"I thought of that as well. I can't believe anyone would be out here, though." Hermione said, motioning with her spoon. "We were sure to keep away from settlements and travel over countryside rather than risk getting caught."
"True, it's possible. Maybe we try here?" Matt said and tapped a small field on the map.
"The signature there is very weak. It's possible it may not be your carving spell; it may be a similar one or it could be my map is picking up something else entirely…"
"It is NOT your map." Matt replied as he reached over and put his hand over Hermione's.
"How do you know?"
"Because you made it. I know you're not always confident in your abilities outside of the classroom or ministry, but it's you we're talking about. And besides," Matt reached over with his other hand and nudged a large lump of a bag sitting on the table. "If it were the map, we wouldn't have found all of these!" he said.
Hermione blushed and smiled shyly.
"Thank you." She said.
"For what?" Matt's confusion was evident in his expression.
"For believing in me." Hermione said as she grasped his hand.
"Always!" Matt said with a wink.
After packing up, they Disapparated to the field Matt had pointed out. He was determined to prove her right. The field they were in looked very familiar. They were nestled in a valley, with steep hills on either side and a low river nearby. Matt remembered skipping stones here, teaching Hermione how to skip them across the flat surface of the water. He sighed as they searched for the campsite, feeling content, he had won her heart after all.
"Matt!" Hermione's voice echoed across the valley and Matt rushed to her side. "Look!" she pointed.
There, standing at the edge of a group of trees, was a small white and dilapidated tent. Cautiously the pair approached it. It had seen better days, the roof was full of holes and looked like one of the support poles had collapsed, giving it an odd lean. The heavy snowfall had caused the roof to slump heavily.
"This is it!" Matt said eagerly.
"Are we sure?" Hermione said.
"Positive!" Matt grinned and stopped just outside the flap. He bent down and pulled a small rock from under the tent and tossed it to Hermione. Sure enough, the stone had the same carvings as the others. "That's why it looked so small. It was halfway under the tent." Matt grinned and stepped inside, Hermione following behind.
The inside of the tent looked like they had left it sometime ago but was still completely familiar. Ron's radio was kicked to one corner, smashed by the Snatchers as they had entered. While the bunks had been tossed, nothing was destroyed or stolen. The place had been ransacked entirely, things strewn around and a lot of snow had come in through the holes in the roof. The small apartment certainly looked abandoned, but it was theirs.
Quickly Matt and Hermione went to the room they had shared. They wasted no time looking for the bedding from her lower bunk. It had been strewn around the small apartment-like tent, and it took them a moment to recover it. The blanket itself had been home to several small animals and had holes chewed in it. Matt held it up and shook it out carefully. Hermione pointed her wand at it and cleaned and repaired it as best she could.
"That's as good as I can make it." Hermione said as they righted the table in the old tent and laid the blanket on top of it.
"Right, what was the spell we needed to use?" Matt asked.
"Praeteritum Motus Revelio" Hermione said as she made some complicated gestures with her wand over the blanket. The blanket moved and suddenly, two small ghostly figures emerged from the fabric itself. Both Matt and Hermione's eyes widened as miniature and younger versions of themselves appeared to float above the blanket. The two small figures looked at one another and approached. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed before dissipating.
"That's it! That's the evidence we need." Matt exclaimed.
"It-it is." Hermione blushed as he hugged her close. She returned the hug and buried her face in his shoulder. "You're going to be able to stay." She spoke. Matt nodded vigorously.
"C'mon, let's get this tucked away safely." Matt replied and folded the blanket before stuffing it into his duffle.
"We should really take this tent down and take it with us." Hermione said and Matt agreed. They repaired the damaged sections, restoring the holes in the roof and the broken support, which had collapsed the small bathroom. They were able to, more or less, clean the tent and take it down, just in time for the sun to dip below the horizon. Thanks to Hermione's bluebell flames, they were able to see enough to erect the newer tent belonging to Matt and sleep for the night.
They were forced to Disapparate from the field and once more before they were close enough to get to London.
"I can't believe how far we traveled!" Matt said, usually Apparition would get them far, but not with the distances they covered.
"Well, we were being cautious the first time, weren't we?" Hermione said with a grin as they made their way to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hey Hannah, Cho." Matt greeted, as he and Hermione walked into the bar. Cho leaned back from the bar, having apparently spent some minutes beneath some mistletoe with Hanna's lips locked to her own.
"Evening Matt, Hermione." Hannah said breathlessly as Matt and Hermione slipped out of the back and into Diagon Alley. The couple held hands and wasted no time in the low light of the evening as they headed for Fudge's office. Their banging on the door got Fudge to open it more quickly than last time.
"What are you both doing here so late again?" he grumbled.
"We just got back; we've got the blanket." Hermione said and pulled the fabric from her bag, placing it on the table. She repeated the spell she performed at the campsite and Fudge gaped at it.
"I can't believe it…" he said looking astonished at what the couple had done.
"This is enough, isn't it?" Matt asked, hopeful.
"Well…yes…it ought to be. But this is going to take some time to prove, you know." Fudge said.
"Time is something we're running out of." Hermione replied, an edge to her voice.
"Yes, well, the Wizengamot will have adjourned for the year. They'll have all gone on vacation or otherwise. Getting them back will be difficult." Fudge said. "Are you sure that you want to go through with this? It's likely to fail."
"Yes, we are! And don't you worry about the Wizengamot." Hermione said and drew the coin from her pocket and held it up. Fudge's eyes widened in shock.
"Where did you get that?" he asked.
"Minister Shacklebolt gave it to me, for emergencies." She said with a grin.
"Alright…well…you had better hurry then. You'll want to convene the Wizengamot no later than the day after tomorrow. Afterall, that will be New Year's Eve. But do be careful, while Shacklebolt may preside over it now, there are others who could hold it up." Fudge warned. Hermione nodded her understanding.
"We'll go first thing in the morning." She said and Matt agreed.
The couple left Fudge's office and strolled down through the candlelit Diagon Alley. They stopped in front of Gringott's to kiss again, claiming it as their spot, before going to the Leaky Cauldron. Matt sighed he was lucky that his department at St. Mungo's shut down during Christmas and New Years and he was not required to check in. Hermione agreed it would have been difficult if they had to check in with work while they were searching for their lost tent.
Hannah and Cho were sharing another kiss at the bar when Matt and Hermione interrupted them again, this time the two of them agreed to get dinner and sat in a corner booth, huddled against each other. Hannah grinned at them when she brought their orders over and cast a conjuring charm. Above their booth a sprig of mistletoe sprouted so they would have to kiss before leaving.
Cho giggled across the bar at them as Matt and Hermione talked and ate happily, sharing food and whispering in each other's ears. After dinner the couple left the bar and returned to Hermione's apartment.
"After all we've been through the last week, searching for campsites and living together…I don't know if I can sleep without you next to me." She admitted, turning red. Matt chuckled and cupped her chin. He titled her face up as he leaned in to kiss her gently. Her eyes closed as she felt her way through the kiss.
"I don't think I can either." Matt admitted after a long kissing session.
"Then you'll stay the night with me?"
"And every night after if you want." Was Matt's reply.
Hermione wasted no time taking Matt to her bedroom. Clothes were shed quickly and the two of them were once again expressing their feelings for each other physically. Neither seemed to be able to get enough of the other. Tongues played with one another and licked hot trails over sensitive skin and even more sensitive areas. They did not stop until they had both tasted each other thoroughly and were satisfied.
The following morning, Hermione stretched and climbed into the shower, Matt on her heels as they prepared for the trip to the Ministry. After a quick breakfast they were off, Hermione in the lead and marching with a purpose. They returned to Minister Shacklebolt's office and Hermione returned the coin, asking him to use it to call the Wizengamot back. Shacklebolt agreed and asked about their trip.
"I was able to speak with a few werewolves." Hermione said. During their outing, they had the luxury of staying near some villages with known werewolf populations. Although they were small and kept to themselves, they were unmistakable. Having known Remus Lupin for as long as she had, the scars and premature aging had made them easily identifiable to those in the know.
During the evening, when Matt and Hermione were not expressing their feelings, Hermione had been writing and reading notes. She had drafted several pieces of pro-werewolf legislation, based on what she had been told by the few people she had managed to get to talk to her. While their primary mission had been to find their old campsites and tent, they had in fact gathered the information Hermione had told Shacklebolt she had intended to get.
Hermione was many things, but a liar was not one of them. She had seen the need for new laws regarding werewolves. While House Elf legislation was the most important thing to her, once she had some laws passed there, werewolves were the next logical step in her career. With a new set of laws outlawing discrimination based solely on whether or not a person was a werewolf, was the first of them. This was followed by opening a position in her office for a werewolf to take as a Ministry representative. Few of the people she spoke with liked this idea, but it was absolutely necessary. Getting a representative into the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to give werewolves some form of governmental representation, would be required before more freedoms could be enacted.
Shacklebolt was impressed with Hermione's level of detail and tenacity. She had often worked late into the night and occasionally both before and after love-making sessions, simply because she felt sharper afterwards. Matt grinned at this and felt proud for Hermione, who was really getting behind the werewolf legislation and backing their cause. Hopefully, between her new laws and his own cure, the werewolf community would finally be able to live normal lives.
"Very good Miss Granger. I'll see to it the Wizengamot is called back for a special session. Although, this will not win you many favors with it being so close to New Year's." Shacklebolt grinned as they departed his office. Hermione and Matt embraced each other as they were forced to part ways, Hermione returning to her office to work in final drafts of her legislation, while Matt would be free to return to his apartment.
Matt's small flat felt empty and lonely to him, as he unpacked, stowing the tent away in his closet, his clothes levitating out of the room and into his laundry room to be washed. As he was enchanting the washer and dryer, he returned the food and cooking utensils to their proper drawers before stuffing the lunchbox back into the duffle bag. He figured he would need it again soon.
He sat on the edge of his bed and realized he would want to stay with Hermione as much as possible now, given how their relationship had evolved. He liked sleeping next to her, even if they were not having sex. It just felt nice to be able to roll over and feel her body beside his. It was comforting to him, knowing she was right beside him and he knew she felt the same. Hermione had said as much to him during one of their morning showers together.
He decided then and there he would go to Hermione's place after she was off work that evening. As soon as his own laundry was folded, he repacked the duffle bag, putting in even more of his clothes and belongings than before. He intended to stay for as long as possible until they determined new living arrangements. He was sure she would want him to move in with her and he liked that idea a lot. Although, having their own place, perhaps in Diagon Alley, appealed a lot to him as well. Something that was entirely theirs and in the Wizarding World, not accessible to Muggles.
Flashes and bangs were common occurrences in any wizarding community, it was less common, and less welcome in Muggle ones. The last thing any witch or wizard wanted was a noise complaint from a nosy neighbor. The Unspeakables who were dispatched to modify Muggle's memories hated those incidents. Often times it led to fines or being brought in front of either the Wizengamot or the International Confederation of Wizards, depending on frequency and severity. They had always been told as kids, of people who broke the Statute of Secrecy were treated harshly for their crimes. The dark wizard Grindelwald being a famous example.
No, Matt really wanted a place where he and Hermione could do any sort of magic they wanted, without fear of being overheard by neighbors or breaking any wizarding laws. Given that, Matt decided to go to Diagon Alley to see if there were any places available. He greeted Hannah and Cho again that morning, Cho looking like she had spent the night, and was sitting at the bar in her pajamas.
Matt wandered the Alley, waving to several different apothecary shops who he frequented for St. Mungo's. There were several places that had openings, although one was for a shop and apartment together and a much higher rate than other flats. Matt decided that he was content with St. Mungo's and did not want to open a store just to get an apartment. No, he would find another one. He was certain Hermione would not enjoy retail work either, not with the incredibly important work she was doing with the Ministry of Magic.
The next apartment was far too small, barely enough for one person, only having a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and living room. While he could live spartanly, he knew Hermione could not go without books and he liked that. There was one final listing at the far end of the alley and Matt was surprised. It was sandwiched between a small, darkly lit café, and a second-hand shop he was sure was only kept in business by the Weasley family, but it was perfect. The lower level had a spacious kitchen and large living room, plus a study. The upstairs had two bedrooms plus a bathroom. He could turn the study into a library for Hermione, and they would have a guest room available. This was what they would need.
The asking price was steep, but Matt decided that it was worth the extra galleons to do it and used a significant portion of his vault to purchase the place. Hermione would be shocked, but, he hoped, pleased at the bold move.
That evening, when he met her outside her office she was smiling brightly.
"I've got good news!" she said happily as they walked to the elevators.
"Me too, you first though!" Matt replied, grinning at her enthusiasm.
"The first set of laws for werewolves is fully drafted and ready to be presented officially to the Wizengamot when the new session starts!" Hermione was overjoyed.
"That's great!" Matt said "This will make people's lives better. I'm happy." He beamed at her.
"What was your news?" she asked as they exited the elevator and walked through the atrium.
"Well…I am kind of tired of living around Muggles. I've been sneaking in and out of my own place for months avoiding drawing attention and I hate it. So, I went and bought a place in Diagon Alley. And I figured, maybe you'd wanna live with me?" he asked, hope in his voice.
Hermione was surprised and she had to think for a moment.
"Oh, Matt, this all so sudden. I will want to think on it…" she said. "But I do know my own lease will be coming up soon…show me your new place?" she asked.
Matt was all too happy to take her there.
Hermione looked around the home with a careful eye as Matt showed her around.
"It needs some cleaning up." She said looking at the dust and the dark blue paint that was chipping on the walls.
"Yeah, but the price was really good for being here in Diagon Alley. Heart of Wizarding London! We can't go wrong. Plus, there's a small fireplace that we can hook to the Floo network! No more Apparition points and commuting to work, for either of us!"
Hermione did have to agree, despite it being a little dusty, Floo Powder did make travel convenient. Being able to sleep in a little bit would be very nice; as well as being able to spend more time in the mornings before work with Matt. She liked that.
Additionally, there was a small single step stoop she was certain Crookshanks would quite enjoy hanging out on, as the cat could wander Diagon Alley freely to hunt mice and birds every day if he liked. That meant a lot to her, making sure her cat was as happy as she was. Matt really was thinking of them as a whole, not just two people in a relationship. That made Hermione feel good, her emotions welling up inside her.
"I think this will work, you know?" she said with a smile as they locked up. "Will you come back to my place tonight?" Hermione asked. Matt immediately agreed and they returned to his apartment to pick up his duffle bag before Disapparating to Hermione's apartment.