Title: The Winds of War
Author: JLB
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I just abuse it.
A/N: Man, I haven't written anything in ages. This all sprang from a random roleplay I did with my English girl Shelly. Thanks to her for my inspiration!
The Winds of War
Hermione Granger sat patiently waiting for Professor McGonagall to arrive. It had been a year since she has left Hogwarts and now, sitting in Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione realized how much she had missed the castle.
She looked up when she heard the door open and smiled as Professor McGonagall walked in. Hermione stood and embraced her former mentor. She looked….thinner since the last time Hermione had seen her. It was the war; it was taking its' toll on everyone.
The two women sat and Professor McGonagall got directly down to business. "I am sorry to have called you away from St. Mungo's on such short notice, but there is no one else who can do this assignment." Hermione nodded. She was rarely called on for field work since taking her position at St. Mungo's, but her superiors did not mind the occasional few day absence.
Professor McGonagall's face grew very serious. "The Order had been contacted by someone claiming to have intimate knowledge of past and current dealings of the Malfoy family." Hermione's eyes widened with shock. They had tired, unsuccessfully for many years to place an agent into the Malfoy household. To such an informant pop up was news indeed. "The informant has refused to divulge their identity to anyone but an agent sent to them by the Order. With so many other pressing matters and Patter and Weasley already out in the field, we don't have anyone else. Can you do this?"
Hermione thought for a moment. Meeting with this person would be dangerous if they had intimate ties to the Malfoys…but the information they could obtain highly outweighed the risk. She slowly nodded. "I don't think it will be a problem."
Professor McGonagall let out a relieved sigh. She handed Hermione an envelope. "These are the instructions. The meet is set for tomorrow afternoon at a tea shop in muggle London. Please be careful, Miss Granger. This is a huge opportunity for the Order, but not at the cost of your life. You have always had excellent judgment, don't let it fail you know."
Hermione tucked the envelope into her robes and nodded. "I understand the risks, Professor, but I will use the utmost caution." She said her goodbyes swiftly and headed back to her flat by floo. She set down her things and sat in her living room, taking out the envelope and reading its' contents. She knew of the tea shop. It was a small place, but there was a small private salon in the back that she was to be promptly at 1pm. She glanced at her clock; it was very late. Sighing, she headed to her bedroom and headed to bed.
Draco Malfoy paced back and forth in the small salon he had reserved for the afternoon, waiting for the agent McGonagall had promised. He glanced at his watch for about the thousandth time. It was almost one…He had had a tea service prepared for the meeting, wanting the agent to be comfortable.
Draco had refused to reveal who he was by owl for fear of it being intercepted. What he had decided to do could easily get him killed. It was not something he had decided lightly either. He had agonized for weeks before he had sent the owl that would seal his fate to Hogwarts. After witnessing first hand…no he didn't want to think about it. He shook his head, as if to rid himself of the memory that had haunted his every waking moment since last July. He wanted to see his father and the Dark Lord fall. He didn't want the future they had planned.
The clock struck the hour and he sat, not wanting to be intimidating. He heard the click of the door being opened and looked toward the curtain as it revealed….
"Granger?!"
A/N: So, there's my little intro. If I get some reviews, I'll write more, so R&R!