Out of the Silent Planet

Title: Out of the Silent Planet (3/39)
Author: moirasfate/ianthe_waiting
Rating: MA/NC-17
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter books and their characters are the property of JK Rowling. This is a work of fan-fiction. No infringement is intended, and no money is being made from this story. I am just borrowing the puppets, but this is my stage.
Genre: Porn WITH a plot, Darkfic, Romance, Drama, Angst
Warnings: M/F, Bondage, slight non-con, Dark!Draco, and HBP spoilers
Summary: Post-Hogwarts - Hermione Granger fulfills Severus Snape's final wish, to journey to Japan to ‘retrieve' something of importance. Set eleven years after HBP.
Author's Notes: This is my first DM/HG ficlet, so please be kind to the newbie! The title of this fic is taken from C.S. Lewis' book, first in the Perelandra Chronicles. Also here's a interesting link on the Japanese kappa: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kappa.shtml


Special thanks to kazfeist for re-beta-ing. Thanks to SeductionsClaim for the inital beta work!


Out of the Silent Planet
Chapter Three – Of cold weather and cool receptions.




Mr. Watanabe had explained to Hermione that winters in Hokkaido were very cold, but as she stood outside the small Portkey depot in Utoro, cold was not even remotely how she would describe the weather. It was downright frigid in this small coastal town, and not even the damp sea air seemed to make the wind more tolerable. Mr. Watanabe told Hermione not to be surprised to see the ocean waters iced over. It was amazing to her, however, a town, no matter how small, could exist in such a remote place and in such adverse conditions.

Hermione glanced about the street outside the depot, but no one was out in the cold early morning, although the snow seemed have been pushed off the street sometime recently. Soon Mr. Watanabe joined her outside, pulling up the collar of his coat.

“The liaison is to meet us at a café down the street. You might want to quickly cast a warming Charm on your clothes, the wind whips around the buildings like a literal slap in the face,” Mr. Watanabe suggested as they began walking down the street.

Hermione did nothing, not wanting to pull out her wand in public. The area, even if there was a Portkey depot, did not look any different from a Muggle street or area of the town. There were shops just opening for the day, small local-run shops and not chain stores. Small markets were opening and Hermione saw her first Utoro resident dressed in heavy winter clothes, wiping the front window of a small bookstore.

Hermione was still amazed that she could read every sign she could see, although she knew that it was not due to her own mental understanding but due to the device still firmly and unobtrusively attached to the skin behind her ear. It was still strange for her to see such strange, yet familiar characters in a language not her own. Finally they came to a small café where Hermione could see several young people sitting in the well-lit dining area, sipping American coffee. As she and Mr. Watanabe passed inside, Hermione felt quite happy to be back indoors. It would be an hour yet before the liaison was to meet her in the café, and she wondered about who would come to take her to the remotest part of the island of Hokkaido.

Hermione spoke good-humoredly with Mr. Watanabe and he never again brought up his uneasiness about the situation Hermione was about to place herself into. Instead they spoke of future visits to Japan and to Britain. Mr. Watanabe had told Hermione that he had visited Britain before the War, but had not realized how dire the political situation was at the time he had visited. He had known of the dangers of the darker factions moving in the shadows of Britain but he admitted that he was naïve of how truly dark these people were. Hermione was reluctant to speak much of her own dealings with Tom Riddle and his maniacal followers, but was glad that Mr. Watanabe had had such a pleasant visit. She also promised Mr. Watanabe that she would come back to Japan after her dealings in Shiretoko to see more of Japan and in much better weather.

After a second cup of hot tea, Hermione and Mr. Watanabe fell into their respective silences, gazing out the window by their booth at the people moving about the streets now that the day had moved forward. Many of the people were older, but seemed to brave the cold winter weather better than either Hermione or Mr. Watanabe. It was ten minutes until the liaison was to meet Hermione and she could not help but feel a bit panicky, wondering who to expect to walk through the door of the café. Hermione had the best view of the door and glanced up every time the bell on the door sounded.

“Five minutes yet, Miss Granger,” Mr. Watanabe sounded glancing to his Muggle wristwatch.

“You have no idea who it is that is to meet me?”

“No, very little detail was given, just this café and the time. I am sure whoever is to come will know us…you are the only foreigner in this café after all,” Mr. Watanabe chuckled.

Hermione tried to smile, but she was intently watching the door. Finally, as the waitress came by again, asking if there was anything else they wanted, the door opened while the waitress was blocking Hermione’s view. It was two minutes till, but Hermione knew that the liaison had come for she felt a jolt run through her body like an electric shock. She glanced at Mr. Watanabe and it seemed he had reacted similarly, for his eyes were wide and he quickly turned in his seat to see who had entered the café. Hermione glanced out of the corner of her eye, noticing that the café had fallen silent; even the Muggle patrons had noticed a change. The waitress stepped back from the table; also gazing at whoever had entered and that was the first moment Hermione saw her liaison.

Standing just beyond the door was a woman dressed in a heavy fur cloak, the cowl still pulled over her face. The only reason Hermione knew that this figure was a woman was by the shape of the body underneath the fur cloak. And slowly as the woman pushed the cowl back it seemed that the sound of people speaking and the movement of cups scraping against saucers began again. Hermione glanced at the waitress who bowed quickly and left their table. Mr. Watanabe rose to his feet as the woman approached. He bowed as Hermione began to rise herself.

“I will sit only a moment, I rarely come to the town myself and I feel ill at ease…”

Hermione was stunned, not only by the woman’s face, but the gentle directness of her deep voice. The woman motioned that Hermione should remain in her seat and doffed her cloak to reveal a heavy kimono underneath. Even though Hermione was not Japanese and not accustomed to the typical dress of Japanese women, she knew that this woman must be out of place and time. She was dressed like a courtly figure Hermione had seen in the illustrations of the Tales of Genji, layers and layers of silk upon a lithe form, her hair fashioned in a tight upsweep with ornate jade pins.

As Mr. Watanabe fumbled for something to say, his mouth moving but no words coming out, the lady sat across from Hermione, not seeming to notice Mr. Watanabe at all. Hermione bowed slightly to the lady and then motioned for Mr. Watanabe to sit at her side in the booth. Mr. Watanabe quickly complied and sat very still and very silently to Hermione’s right.

“I am Kaori Matsumoto, the landlady of the Matsumoto ryokan. And you are Hermione Granger?” the lady asked in very formal Japanese.

“Yes, I am she.”

“And this is Master Watanabe, the Herbologist?”

“Yes,” Hermione answered for her companion who seemed to be beleaguered by the stately woman across from him.

Hermione could understand why Mr. Watanabe was overwhelmed; Lady Kaori was very beautiful. Hermione gazed at the woman with a sense of awe and respect. Lady Kaori’s dark eyes demanded respect and were very wise in appearance. Her face was dainty even if it were heavily painted; Hermione knew that this woman was much older than she.

“I must begin by saying that I was quite surprised when Mr. Watanabe contacted us several weeks ago. We generally refuse all correspondence and requests for lodging during the winter months. But when your letter was forwarded to us, Mistress, we decided to forgo our usual arrangements and meet with you,” Lady Kaori said gently, but Hermione could sense an undercurrent of irritation as she mentioned having to forgo her routine. But Hermione was more puzzled by Lady Kaori’s address of Hermione, as mistress.

“I am honored that you would meet with me, Lady Kaori,” Hermione responded, bowing to the woman again.

“We are saddened to hear of Master Severus’ passing, we have been in mourning since we received your letter. I understand that you were his apprentice?”

Hermione’s mouth tightened, she had not mentioned more than Severus’ death, it was clear that this woman and her family, however well connected or powerful it was, had done their own research into her background.

“Yes, he was my teacher first, then my master, but most of all, my friend. I come here at his request, as I noted in my letter. I thank you for coming to meet me at such an inopportune time for your house,” Hermione answered politely, her hands tightening into fists around her cane that sat across her lap.

“It is no difficulty; now, I would like to return. Your belongings were received yesterday, so all that remains is to collect you.”

Hermione nodded as Lady Kaori moved to rise. Mr. Watanabe seemed to jump to his feet as the lady rose gracefully. Hermione frowned as Mr. Watanabe bowed low as the lady stood stiffly upon her stilted shoes. Was there something about this woman that Hermione could not see which forced Mr. Watanabe to act so subserviently, kowtowing to the woman as if she were royalty?

Hermione slid from the booth to stand unsteadily next to Mr. Watanabe, placing her cane down on the tiled café floor with a sharp tap. Hermione noticed that Lady Kaori seemed to watch Hermione and eye her cane coolly.

“Mr. Watanabe, thank you ever so much for your assistance. When my business is concluded here, shall I contact you?” Hermione asked, wishing that Mr. Watanabe would raise his body to speak properly with Hermione.

Lady Kaori began moving to the door and Hermione huffed out of annoyance.

“Yes, please do, if not only to let me know you have left Shiretoko safely, Miss Granger,” Mr. Watanabe whispered, slowly rising. Hermione pursed her lips as Lady Kaori opened the café door, letting a draft of icy air waft inside.

“I will do that, Mr. Watanabe. Thank you very much,” Hermione said quickly, bowing to her companion before turning swiftly and limping across the café quickly as Lady Kaori stepped outside.

Hermione suddenly felt that she did not like Lady Kaori at all. The lady seemed only pleasant in appearance, but her behavior was cool and aloof and reminded Hermione of Pansy Parkinson back in their Hogwarts days.

* * *


Hermione disliked Apparating with other people almost as much as she disliked travel by Portkey. But perhaps it was the fact that Lady Kaori had acted so haughtily, Hermione disliked her, and the fact that the woman seemed very acquainted with Apparating with a second party.

When they had at their destination, Hermione faltered slightly, resting her weight on her cane to gain her bearings. Lady Kaori made it clear that she did not want to take notice that Hermione had not landed well, and quickly walked past Hermione. Taking a calming breath Hermione realized that she stood on a paved stone path just before a large and ancient house. Blinking, she also realized she stood in just about the same spot the photographer stood taking the photograph of Severus over twenty years before. Hermione shoved her right hand into her pocket, her frozen fingers feeling the edges of the picture that she had kept with her all during her travels.

Noticing that Lady Kaori was waiting at the door to the now closed vestibule, Hermione tapped along the paving stones to catch up. Hermione felt discouraged, her feeling for Lady Kaori as hard as they were, she wondered if she could get the information she wanted with little reluctance or hesitation. Lady Kaori watched as Hermione removed her boots and her coat, placing it over her arm, and slipped her woolen-socked feet into a pair of soft slippers. Hermione had read up on the basic etiquette employed when entering a Japanese home or traditional inn, and hoped that Lady Kaori would not look down on her as an ignorant foreigner any more than the lady possibly already did.

Leading her through the main entrance of the ryokan, Lady’s Kaori’s kimono whispered as she moved. Down one hall with wooden floors and into another, Lady Kaori stopped just outside a set of sliding double doors. Hermione glanced at the fabric hanging over the door, which had the traditional symbol for ‘onsen’ or hot spring.

“This is one of the three springs in this compound. All springs are mixed bathing, if you would like to bathe; everything is in readiness in your room. Dinner is served at six o’clock and the baths are open all hours of the day. Since you are the only guest at the inn, privacy is ensured,” Lady Kaori explained before taking quick, small steps away from the door and further down the hall.

“Where are the other springs? Is there a difference between the three?” Hermione ventured to ask. It was ridiculous to try and keep an air of confidence, especially when Hermione knew so little about Japanese culture and protocol even in the wizarding aspect.

“The other two are in the next wing, where your room is located. We have decided to house you in the best rooms befitting your honorable station. Unfortunately since it is the winter season, much of our help is gone. We have what you would call ‘elves’ that tend to the preparation of food for the household, but we have hired help during the rest of the year,” Lady Kaori continued and as she spoke, Hermione sensed that the lady’s initial aloofness was melting away as she spoke with Hermione. Perhaps it was as Lady Kaori had said in the café, the town made her uneasy… And then there was the statement of Hermione’s ‘honorable station.' It was puzzling.

“You do not have elves?” Hermione asked curiously as they seemed to enter the other wing, Lady Kaori had mentioned.

“Not as you know them; we call them Kappa. They are akin to the European elf, but are indigenous and exclusive to Japan. Have you ever seen one, Mistress?” Lady Kaori asked almost amicably.

“Not with my own eyes, but I have seen pictures in bestiaries of Magical Beasts of the world. Are they enslaved like European elves?”

“Not at all. The Kappa comes with the land, or with families as guardians. Most people think the Kappa to be evil or impish, but that is a misunderstanding. The Kappa are basically physical manifestations of nature spirits, older than we humans, powerful beings, spirits that protect their lands and the families that pay them with tributes of offerings. The Kappa that protect this household have been here for centuries, protecting the land and the people.”

Hermione nodded, remembering that in the bestiaries the Kappa were very much like elves in build and physiology, and from what Hermione remembered they were unfairly portrayed in Muggle society as being tricksters and crude creatures. The Kappa did the same kind of work house-elves performed, only without mistreatment and enslavement. She fondly remembered her old copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and how inaccurate the book was after she learned more about the wizarding world.

“This is your room, Mistress,” Lady Kaori announced, stopping before a single sliding door and rousing Hermione from her thoughts.

Slowly Lady Kaori opened the door and motioned for Hermione to enter. Hermione faltered, seeing that the floor was entirely tatami-matted and it was traditional for a person to walk either barefoot or in socks on such a floor. Toeing out of her slippers and leaving them neatly by the door, Hermione entered. Holding her cane so that the metal tip would not pierce the soft bamboo, Hermione ambled inside taking note that the room was sparsely decorated, but warm and quite large. A paper screen partition separated the sitting area from the sleeping area and as Hermione pushed the screen open she was greeted by a large floor to ceiling window that looked across a snowy garden and out toward the snowcapped mountains. It was an impressive and awe-inspiring view, but the snow made Hermione shiver involuntarily.

“Is this room to your liking, Mistress?” Lady Kaori asked, near to Hermione’s shoulder. Hermione jumped out of surprise, as she had not heard the landlady come into the room with her.

“I-It is lovely,” Hermione faltered, her right hand clenching nearly pulling out her wand in surprise.

“The futon is in that closet, it will be laid out before you decide to retire for the night. Also a yukata and bathing supplies are in the wardrobe in the sitting room. Our bathroom facilities for this wing are further down the corridor, past the other two springs. The dining room is beyond the main vestibule. If you should need something, please call for Hanako,” Lady Kaori said softly, seeming to study Hermione closely.

Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable under Lady Kaori’s scrutiny, but she did not feel any ill intentions from the landlady.

“I shall leave you now, to relax and change. Your belongings have been unpacked and placed in the wardrobe. Be sure to wear something warm, the corridors can get very cold.”

Hermione nodded, “Thank you, Lady. Might I be able to see the springs at my leisure?”

Lady Kaori smiled, or what Hermione thought to be a smile for the pale, porcelain flesh around her dark eyes crinkled.

“You may bathe if you like. Are you familiar with how to take a Japanese bath?”

Hermione nodded her assent, Japanese bathing was ritual and therefore something Hermione studied and ingrained into her brain before ever arriving. But before Hermione could ask about something Lady Kaori said, the woman was sliding the door into the corridor shut. Hermione did not feel like trying to run after the landlady, and sighed. Moving back into the sitting room, Hermione noticed the pine and lacquer wardrobe in a small niche past the low table in the center of the room with a ‘kotatsu’ heater underneath and the mats around the table on which to kneel or sit cross-legged and tuck your legs under the blanket-like edge of the ‘kotatsu.’ Opening the doors to the wardrobe, Hermione spotted three dark green ‘yukata’ or robes on pegs in the wardrobe. A more contemporary hanger had been provided for her coat and Hermione quickly hung the coat inside. Hermione noticed that all her clothing had been neatly folded and set on cedar lined shelves: knickers in one pile, slacks in another, jumpers and undershirts, socks, even her bras had been neatly stacked. At the very bottom of the wardrobe was a metal basin where there were glass bottles of what appeared to be shampoo and rinse. A brown bar of course looking soap was wrapped inside a dark green washing cloth, matching the yukata.

Closing wardrobe and stepping back, Hermione tucked her cane under her left arm and drew her wand from her right sleeve. With a quick charm, Hermione changed the tip of her cane from metal to something soft that would not scratch the wood flooring in the corridor or damage the bamboo matting under her socked feet. It was still early yet, perhaps not quite noon, and Hermione realized that it was probably too early to bathe yet.

Hermione sighed and moved to the table in the sitting room, groaning slightly as she went to her knees and slid her legs under the kotatsu, relishing the feeling of warmth under the table on her very sore legs. The cold was not conducive to moving her lame left leg well; in fact the cold was painful. Hermione knew that she was quickly developing arthritis in her knee and ankle and that soon she would have to start going more often to a Healer to help her deal with the pain and discomfort.

But as Hermione sat at the table, her cane on the floor at her side, leaning her elbows on the wooden tabletop, Hermione could hardly believe that in just a matter of hours she was where Severus had charged her to go…it was hard to believe that she was in Japan! There was much to do…

Find whatever Severus had left at this inn, find out why it was so important to Severus and perhaps find out more about Severus’ past…but there seemed to be something more to it all. Hermione knew she would have to ask questions that perhaps Lady Kaori did not want to answer. There had been no mention of a woman name Kaede as of yet…or any mention of the ‘we’ Lady Kaori had mentioned earlier in Utoro. The only mention of another soul in this inn was of Hanako…and Hermione only had to call the name aloud.

Hermione opened her mouth, but hesitated. She had not noticed before, but everything, besides her own breathing, was silent. Of course Lady Kaori had mentioned that Hermione was the only person at the inn as a guest, but the totality of such a silence was unnerving.

“Hanako?” Hermione called aloud, calling out in question, wondering if she would hear footfalls coming down the corridor in a hurry, wondering if she had called loud enough.

“Yes, Mistress?” a voice sounded very close to her ear, just as Lady Kaori’s had done only moments earlier. Hermione felt an icy draft run down her spine and she turned slowly to glance to her side. She gasped, her hand suddenly plunged into something cold and icy and Hermione quickly withdrew her hand to place it on her chest under her chin. She had just set her hand into the shoulder of a ghost who was floating by her side.

* * *


Hermione had nearly screamed, but held herself together. It was not as if she had never seen a ghost before…but she had not expected a ghost to suddenly appear at her side. Hermione could only study the spirit floating at her side, posed so that she seemed to kneel just beside Hermione, silvery hands folded upon a silver lap, encased in a silver kimono. The ghost seemed to be that of a young woman with a doll like face and long dark hair that was pinned in folds atop her head and the remainder of what seemed to be great lengths streaming down her airy back. The ghost was frowning slightly and it reminded Hermione even more of a porcelain doll.

“I have startled you, Mistress, my apologies,” the apparition said, bowing deeply so that her ethereal hands were poised before Hermione’s hip and the girl’s forehead seemed to kiss the matted floor.

“I…I was not expecting…” Hermione began, her voice suddenly frantic to apologize in turn.

The ghost raised her head and smiled. “Not many do…expect me to be a ghost. But I hope you will pardon my intrusion.”

Hermione nodded emphatically, hoping not to offend the girl ghost.

“Is there something I can help you with, Mistress?”

Hermione gaped for a moment; the ghost seemed more alive and expressive than the landlady. She closed her mouth and smiled, perhaps this ghost could help with some information if not with the formalities of the ryokan.

“I was wondering, Lady…”

“Oh, please call me Hanako…I am no longer a lady,” the girl giggled, her voice high pitched, reminding Hermione of a more cheerful Moaning Myrtle.

“Hanako, I was wondering if I might ask you few questions?” Hermione asked gently, wishing in her heart that this congenial ghost would be a bit more forthcoming and approachable than Lady Kaori.

“Of course, Mistress, that is part of my duty in this house.”

Hermione nodded, adding Hanako’s words to her mind for something to ponder on later.

“Could you tell me of this house and the family within? I know I have only just arrived, but I am a curious foreigner, and unaccustomed to many things,” Hermione asked politely, hoping that she did not sound so eager to pick apart the knowledge of the spirit that floated gently beside her.

“Of course, Mistress, Lady Kaori has charged me to familiarize you with this house. Lady Kaori is a very private woman and is still aggrieved that Master Severus has passed to the gods,” Hanako said brightly, and it seemed to Hermione that perhaps this girl ghost would be the only person or soul that she need talk to.

“So you know of Severus’ death and the circumstances of my stay?”

“Yes, Mistress, I have been informed.”

Hermione nodded again, biting her lip gently. The Matsumoto house knew of her coming and Hermione wondered why she was not greeted more warmly or at least given time to explain why she had come and what she wanted to learn during her stay.

“This house, are there many members?”

“Not so many in this generation, but besides Lady Kaori, there are two elder members of the family: Master Toku, her father, and Lady Fuumi, her grandmother. There are three permanent servants, who stay in this house, but you need not bother with them. Two are of the branch family who have been taken into the home in their old age. Two generations ago this house was full of children and the main and branch families lived on this land together…but that was so long ago. I miss the children,” Hanako sighed, her dark, misty eyes gazing far off into some immeasurable distance.

Hermione let the girl reminisce for a few moments more before asking her next question.

“I was under the impression that there was a Lady Kaede living in this household, Severus had mentioned it to me before his passing,” Hermione added quickly, glancing at the ghost hoping not to have offended the girl.

“Yes, Lady Kaede was Lady Kaori’s older sister, but she passed nearly fifteen years ago. Lady Kaede was the landlady before the current Mistress, but she fell ill…an incurable disease and she died very young. Master Severus and Lady Kaede were great friends, both very interested in the art of potion making. You are a witch, Mistress, you also study potions, I believe?” Hanako asked, her smile still warm even though her form was icy and dead.

“Yes, I work with potions. I own a firm that researches and develops potions for medicinal purposes, in the last several years my firm has developed potions to cure some of the most violent of curse effects.”

“Even the Forbidden curses?” Hanako asked in rapt attention, floating a bit closer to Hermione.

“Yes, several of those. We have also created a potion that stops the effects of Lycanthropy and slows the degradation of tissue for those infected with vampirism,” Hermione said, watching the ghost closely.

Hanako giggled over with laughter. “How wonderful! In my time so many were stricken with such illnesses and lived their lives in exile. It is wonderful that the magical folk have advanced so far!”

Hermione could not help but smile: what Hanako said was true…even in her own time, Hermione had seen great advances. Hermione and the ghost talked a bit more about potions and Hermione learned in a roundabout way that Hanako was the daughter of the founder of the Matsumoto inn, Tokumori Matsumoto, but the circumstances of how Hanako had become an earth-bound spirit was none of Hermione’s business and she did not press the matter.

Slowly Hermione brought conversation back around to Severus, wanting to know more about her friend’s time at the ryokan.

“He mentioned that I should retrieve something from this inn, but I have no idea what it could be. Do you know if Severus had left something here that would need returning to Britain?” Hermione asked; her mood considerably lightened by talking with Hanako.

But at this question Hermione noticed a change come over the girl ghost’s face, an apprehension and perhaps a fear.

“I would not know, Mistress… You would have to speak with Lady Kaori about that matter. But now I am sure you would like to bathe a while before nightfall and dinner this evening. Shall I accompany you?”

Hermione tried not to reveal her suddenly troubled mood at Hanako’s sudden turning of the conversation’s subject. It was not as if Hanako had truly avoided Hermione’s question, but the ghost was reluctant to answer and it only made Hermione want to know why. But Hermione smiled and told the now taciturn spirit that she would enjoy her company. And after a few words of instruction, Hermione hobbled down the corridor in her yukata with her cane in one hand and her basin with her wand tucked inside in the other. Hanako floated a few paces behind Hermione as they approached the nearest spring. Hermione tried to remember the name of the spring, for it did have a particular name, but it seemed that the words Hanako spoke had no English equivalent and its meaning was lost on Hermione. But Hanako explained that this spring was renowned for its restorative powers and was usually the first spring weary travelers used to refresh themselves.

And in Hermione went, Hanako floating through the wall behind her, kindly instructing Hermione how to bathe… And when Hermione slid down into the murky and mineral rich waters in nothing but her skin and upswept hair, all troubling thoughts slipped from her mind as she fell in love with the ritual of Japanese the bath.





Also, here is a nice pic of a traditional Japanese bath!