Chapter 1
Disclaimer: Only one of the characters so far belongs to me.
AN: As I said, this is my first fanfiction. Well, not really, I had the other one, but after I saw the movie, I totally went for H/H instead of H/R! By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, or don't want to see it, you are missing out on a great performance! Anyhow, this takes place 3 months after 7th Year. It starts out weird, but please read it! I'll probably be posting little sections at a time, b/c my computer that I'm typing on (We have another one, don't worry.) is so old, I'll probably lose everything I'm typing b/f I post it if I don't do it immediately. Well, MOVING RIGHT ALONG!!!! Please read and review! Reviews are always good, so PLEASE leave one! Thanx!
***
Hermione Granger dumped her bags on the door step of the brick apartment building. She rubbed her shoulders to ease the pain, and, hearing the honk of her parent's car, turned around to wave good-bye. Watching them disappear around the corner, Hermione thought to herself, At last. Freedom.
She magicked the door open to the apartment, and, also using her wand, landed her heavy bags on the kitchen table that was already there. She threw herself down on the couch, and, almost instantly, fell asleep.
***
"Fred, I can't find the Canary Creams!"
"They're in there somewhere!"
"Whatever, Fred," Ron Weasley yelled back, as he continued searching the tall shelf for the odd food substance. Not finding any, he grabbed the Fake Wands he had already gotten out, and headed back into the main part of the shop.
It was chaotic in here. There were tons of children, running around, turning things into something else every other second. The parents were trying to grasp hold of their younger ones, but it wasn't working. Ron, sighing, placed the wands on the counter, and turned to George, who was running the Cashier.
"Now what do you need me to do?" Ron asked sourly.
***
"All right, team, great practice, great practice! Now, go home and get some rest! I want you all boosted up for tomorrow's game!"
Oliver Wood yelled at the sopping wet team as the practice ended. The angry team stomped off the field, except for one: Harry Potter.
"Potter, I just want you to know that I'm glad we have someone who has some sense on this team. The huge game against Translyvania next week we'll be a total blow, and with you on the team, we might have a chance at getting the Snitch. I--"
Harry held up his hand to stop him, "I know, Wood. You've told me a million times. I don't have to tell myself I'm the best thing that has happened to the England Quidditch team in years. You've already done it. Yes, Wood, I know. Can I go now?"
Oliver smiled at Harry, and said, "Get out!"
Harry happily skipped away as Wood yelled at his back, "Get a good night's sleep! No partying! And be here at ten o'clock sharp tomorrow!"
Harry sighed to himself as he entered the locker room.
***
It was three months after 7th Year, and the three friends already felt as if they had lost touch completely. After they had spent a week at the Galaxy Inn (A wizards and witches hotel with several things to do.), they had parted their separate ways--Hermione went to the Ministry, accepting a Secretary job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Ron, not having any job offers, worked part-time in Fred and George's Shop and the other part of the time at Ollivander's Wand Shop, and Harry had immediately been asked to join the England Quidditch Team, which he happily accepted. The trio hadn't seen, owled, or talked to each other since they last saw each other.
The 7th Year had been a good one--Voldemort had finally been defeated, nobody died, (Thank goodness.), Peter had come clear, and Sirius had been released at last, and most everyone said that that year had been their best. Hermione was still on top when it came to grades, and Neville was still pathetic and foolish. The feelings that Malfoy and Harry had for each other hadn't changed one bit--they still were every bit as hateful as they always were.
But little did the friends know, they would be seeing each other very soon--not because they wanted to (Well, they did anyway.), but beacause of circumstantial reasons.
***
Hermione looked around proudly at her office. She had just spent the whole day organizing it, and now it looked as if she had been at the Ministry for a long time. The office was a small one, though, with a mahogany desk, two bookshelves, and a huge window that consumed one of the walls, which looked at into the sea.
That's right, into the sea. The area where she worked was under water (And mind you, she got a nasty shock when she realized it.), and, even though it was pretty cool, it was rather scary when you looked up and saw a nine-foot shark gliding by.
She was gathering her stuff when she heard a knock at the door. She yelled, "Coming!", and dashed over to open the door.
Percy Weasley was standing there. He looked smug and somewhat arrogant. In his hand were sheets of paper that read at the top, "Come join us...." Hermione, cheerful to see someone that she at least knew, said pleasantly, "Hey, Percy!"
Percy, glad to be getting attention, said conceitedly, "Hello, Hermione. I suppose you are the new secretary?"
"Yes, that's me!" Hermione exclaimed, wishing secretly that she wouldn't have to be under control of him.
"Oh, excellent. I'll finally have someone that will take orders from me without any questions."
Hermione grimaced at the thought of doing that. She was about to object, when Percy said loudly:
"Yes, well, that'll do to be getting on with! I'm here to hand out these, erm, "Important Papers" to my staff here in the department. I think they are totally unreasonable, but there you are..."
He handed Hermione one of the sheets, then, with a pop, Dissapparated.
Hermione looked at the sheet, which read:
COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!
On September the 18th, we kindly ask you to join us (The Ministry Council) for an afternoon of excitement! We are to be taking the day off to go and watch the England Quidditch Game against Transylvania. Please meet here at the Ministry at 11 PM, and before we head to the game, we will have a delicious lunch at The Leaky Cauldron. Please make reservations by September 10th, no later.
Hermione smiled to herself as she folded the note and stuck it in her pocket. Harry was on the England team--maybe she could get Ron from his brothers, and they could make a "day" of it...
***
Voldema looked around the hallway. Where was he? She had called that stupid boy and told him to be here--but he was late again. She had an important mission to carry out, and if that self-admiring, stuck-up Draco Malfoy didn't show up soon, she would have his head for sure. It wasn't easy, after all, being the daughter of Voldemort.
Yes, the daughter of Voldemort. Voldema had admired--and still did--her Father, and it was now her duty to follow in his footsteps.
But she would never be able to be like him. He had brought terror to the Magical World--but she was only eighteen. There was no way that she would be able to do exactly what he did.
So that's why she had called for Draco's help. He was like her--he had followed the footsteps of his Father, hating Muggles, and supporting the Dark Side. But Draco, perhaps, had gone a little crazy with his life...
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see the seventeen year old boy rushing toward her. Voldema threw up her hands, grabbed his robes, and, pulling him foward to her, asserted:
"There ya' are! I've been waiting for ya', where you been?"
Draco shook away from her grasp, and said, "Relax, Voldema, I had some trouble finding my broom."
"Yeah, yeah, that's what ya' want me to think," Voldema began dragging him down the hallway, when Draco asked:
"What the hell are we doing here? Hogwarts? Why did ya' bloody want to meet at Hogwarts?"
Voldema hauled him into a four foot wide crevice on the side of the corridor. She threw him up against the wall, and threatened him, "Now ya'listen here, boy. What I am abouts to tell you is Top Secret, ya' hear? If you don't keep mum, it's gonna be your head for sure, and probably mine as well. Ya' understand?"
Draco shook his head, panicky, as Voldema put him down.
"So what is the plan, anyway?"
"Well, it goes somethin' like this..."
***
"Fine, but if I get a job offer, I'm outta here!"
Ron stomped angrily from behind one of the many shelves in the storage room, pushed his way through the chaos of the store, and out into the bright sunlight. He threw his gangly self into one of the chairs, humped, and began watching the activity in the rest of Diagon Alley.
What's wrong with Fred and George anyway? Ron thought to himself. Just because I want to do something exciting today, they get all mad and say that I have to stay and help at the shop. It's not even my shop! Geez!
Ron watched the people as they strolled by him, some looking at him sadly, others waving to be nice, or becuase they had perhaps met before. He had almost calmed down, and was thinking about risking Fred and George again, when he heard a familiar voice call his name.
"Ron! Ron!"
The red headed seventeen year older jumped up to search for the caller of his name. As he looked in the direction of Gringotts, he saw a tall, pretty girl sprinting towards him. He squinted his eyes to make sure they weren't decieving him, but they weren't! It really was Hermione!
"Hermione!" Ron called back, and he started running towards her, knocking over people as he went. When they reached each other, they gave one another a tight hug.
AN: No kissing! Sorry, Ron/Hermione fans, but I like Harry/Hermione better. They're just glad to see each other!
When they pulled apart, Hermione looked him in the eyes, and asked, "So how's everything going?"
Ron rolled his eyes, and replied with, "It's going. Man, I wish I had your life. Fresh out of Hogwarts, and you already have a job! Geez, Hermione, how do you do it?"
Hermione smiled. They began walking back to Fred and George's Joke Shop, when Ron asked another question:
"So why are you here?"
"What, are you not glad to see me?"
"No! It's just kind of strange, I haven't seen you in the longest time!"
"I came with the Ministry. We're going to see the England vs. Transylvania Quidditch game. I'm excited, Harry's on the team!"
Ron grinned. He wasn't jealous, no, he had a girlfriend. (Parvati Patil, to be exact.) It was just weird. He knew that Hermione liked Harry--she just wouldn't admit it.
"So do you think you can go?"
"Huh?" Ron said, snapping out of his trance.
"To the game, you idiot!"
"Oh, sure! Parvati's in town--she's down at The Crystal Gazing Shop, visiting Lavender--would you mind if I brought her along?"
"No! Bring Lavender too, why don't you! That would be great!"
The two friends smiled, happy to be together again, and headed towards the shop.
***
"We've been steamrolled by Translyvania for the past eight years, hopefully with Harry on team, we might actually get up to thirty points."
"Tell me about it."
Ron, Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione were anxiously waiting for the game to start. They had took their seats in one of the top boxes (The Ministry had gotten special tickets.), and for the last twenty minutes, had been talking excitedly about seeing Harry again.
Hermione was nervous. She hadn't seen Harry since the end of the year, and she couldn't bear her excitement much longer. Little did Harry know, Hermione had had a huge crush on him since the 3rd Year. It had been hard, to go all those years without Harry noticing her as someone other than a friend. Maybe now she could have her chance.
The four perked up as the Announcer boomed out into the audience:
"Let's put our hands together for the home team, the England Eagles!"
The crowd erupted with wild applause as the team flew on. Hermione watched ecstatically for Harry, and jumped up in excitement when she caught a glimpse of him--already flying around the field, searching for the Snitch.
Thirty minutes later, the England fans were beside themselves. Ron was jumping up and down, cheering the team on, as they flew off the field, Oliver carrying an acceptance form to the next World Cup. There were people lying out in the floors, jumping on top of each other, nearly breaking everyone's eardrums.
"Come on, let's go down and greet the players!" Lavender exclaimed, and the four practically leapt down the stairs to do so.
Once the friends reached the bottom, Ron and Parvati ran off, and Lavender went to flirt with Oliver Wood. So, Hermione just stood there, wondering what to do, all alone.
And then she saw him.
Harry.
He was shaking the Announcer's hand, when he looked away for a bit. When he saw her, he just froze. Like ice. Hermione stood, ten feet away, not moving a muscle. An onlooker might have thought her heart had stopped.
Harry said Good-bye to the Announcer, and began, slowly, walking Hermione's way. Hermione was slowly starting to smile, and when they got close to each other, Harry took Hermione's hands, and asked:
"Hermione? Is it really you?"
"Yes," Hermione giggled, and Harry pulled her into a tight hug.
"You are a sight for sore eyes," Harry whispered into Hermione's hair.
"Tell me about it."
***
"So, how's work at the Ministry going?" Harry sat down his drink, as Hermione said, dully:
"Gag me, why don't you? Percy's in charge--he treats us like a bunch of dogs."
Harry laughed, as he looked around at the other Witches and Wizards that were also occupying space in The Leaky Cauldron. It was great to see someone again that he actually enjoyed being around--it was definitely a change from Oliver, who he had been hanging around a lot lately.
"So," Hermione started causually, "Have you got--"
But Hermione didn't get to finish her sentence. (You can probably guess what she was going to ask anway!) Ron and Parvati burst into the Pub, sending in a blast of hot air, and bringing in a lot of noise with them.
"Harry! Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, as he saw the two at their table. He rushed over, Parvati anxiously following him. When he reached them, he pulled a seat over, and began:
"Have--whoo--let me catch my breath..." Ron took several deep breaths, before continuing, "Have you heard the news about Hogwarts?"
Hermione and Harry looked at each other, confused. They said in unison, "No."
"Well, obviously someone broke into Hogwarts last night, and tried to cause some chaotic measure. But the only thing that matters is--Dumbledore's missing."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Oh my God..." Hermione gasped, her hand clutched to her heart.
"Is--is that all you know?" Harry stuttered.
"Well, they still don't know who did it--but Snape has some reason to believe that someone on the Dark Side did."
"Well, duh, Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, "Who else would kidnap Dumbledore?"
"But that's not it--he thinks a girl named Voldema did."
"Voldema?" Hermione inquired, curiously.
"Yeah, whoever the heck she is. Some people say that she's Vol--Volde--Voldemort's daughter."
"Daughter! He has a daughter!" Hermione exclaimed.
Hermione and Ron looked quickly at Harry. He wasn't speaking. He was looking up into the sky, thoughtful, when he finally said, "It all makes sense."
"What!?"
"You know, this girl called Voldema. Voldemort--Voldema? Who else would give their child such a ridicoulous name? And "kidnapping" Dumbledore ("It's more like 200+napping," Parvati murmered.)--only someone on the Dark Side would kidnap Dumbeldore. But they just didn't kidnap him for any old reason. I think--I think that it has something to do with me."
"You!" Hermione gasped, clutching his hand.
"Yes. You remember, Voldemort's greatest fear was Dumbledore. So if Voldema and the others, if there are any, get him out of the way, it will leave a clear path to kill me."
"You!" Hermione exclaimed again.
The four sat in silence for a while, to shocked to speak. Then, Ron suddenly burst:
"Oh, wait a minute, there's someone else that they think was involved!"
"Who?" The other three whispered emphatically.
"Draco Malfoy."
Ok, that's probably going to be the end of Chapter 1. Do you like it? Please, please tell me in a review! Thanx a bunches!
Disclaimer: Only one of the characters so far belongs to me.
AN: As I said, this is my first fanfiction. Well, not really, I had the other one, but after I saw the movie, I totally went for H/H instead of H/R! By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, or don't want to see it, you are missing out on a great performance! Anyhow, this takes place 3 months after 7th Year. It starts out weird, but please read it! I'll probably be posting little sections at a time, b/c my computer that I'm typing on (We have another one, don't worry.) is so old, I'll probably lose everything I'm typing b/f I post it if I don't do it immediately. Well, MOVING RIGHT ALONG!!!! Please read and review! Reviews are always good, so PLEASE leave one! Thanx!
***
Hermione Granger dumped her bags on the door step of the brick apartment building. She rubbed her shoulders to ease the pain, and, hearing the honk of her parent's car, turned around to wave good-bye. Watching them disappear around the corner, Hermione thought to herself, At last. Freedom.
She magicked the door open to the apartment, and, also using her wand, landed her heavy bags on the kitchen table that was already there. She threw herself down on the couch, and, almost instantly, fell asleep.
***
"Fred, I can't find the Canary Creams!"
"They're in there somewhere!"
"Whatever, Fred," Ron Weasley yelled back, as he continued searching the tall shelf for the odd food substance. Not finding any, he grabbed the Fake Wands he had already gotten out, and headed back into the main part of the shop.
It was chaotic in here. There were tons of children, running around, turning things into something else every other second. The parents were trying to grasp hold of their younger ones, but it wasn't working. Ron, sighing, placed the wands on the counter, and turned to George, who was running the Cashier.
"Now what do you need me to do?" Ron asked sourly.
***
"All right, team, great practice, great practice! Now, go home and get some rest! I want you all boosted up for tomorrow's game!"
Oliver Wood yelled at the sopping wet team as the practice ended. The angry team stomped off the field, except for one: Harry Potter.
"Potter, I just want you to know that I'm glad we have someone who has some sense on this team. The huge game against Translyvania next week we'll be a total blow, and with you on the team, we might have a chance at getting the Snitch. I--"
Harry held up his hand to stop him, "I know, Wood. You've told me a million times. I don't have to tell myself I'm the best thing that has happened to the England Quidditch team in years. You've already done it. Yes, Wood, I know. Can I go now?"
Oliver smiled at Harry, and said, "Get out!"
Harry happily skipped away as Wood yelled at his back, "Get a good night's sleep! No partying! And be here at ten o'clock sharp tomorrow!"
Harry sighed to himself as he entered the locker room.
***
It was three months after 7th Year, and the three friends already felt as if they had lost touch completely. After they had spent a week at the Galaxy Inn (A wizards and witches hotel with several things to do.), they had parted their separate ways--Hermione went to the Ministry, accepting a Secretary job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Ron, not having any job offers, worked part-time in Fred and George's Shop and the other part of the time at Ollivander's Wand Shop, and Harry had immediately been asked to join the England Quidditch Team, which he happily accepted. The trio hadn't seen, owled, or talked to each other since they last saw each other.
The 7th Year had been a good one--Voldemort had finally been defeated, nobody died, (Thank goodness.), Peter had come clear, and Sirius had been released at last, and most everyone said that that year had been their best. Hermione was still on top when it came to grades, and Neville was still pathetic and foolish. The feelings that Malfoy and Harry had for each other hadn't changed one bit--they still were every bit as hateful as they always were.
But little did the friends know, they would be seeing each other very soon--not because they wanted to (Well, they did anyway.), but beacause of circumstantial reasons.
***
Hermione looked around proudly at her office. She had just spent the whole day organizing it, and now it looked as if she had been at the Ministry for a long time. The office was a small one, though, with a mahogany desk, two bookshelves, and a huge window that consumed one of the walls, which looked at into the sea.
That's right, into the sea. The area where she worked was under water (And mind you, she got a nasty shock when she realized it.), and, even though it was pretty cool, it was rather scary when you looked up and saw a nine-foot shark gliding by.
She was gathering her stuff when she heard a knock at the door. She yelled, "Coming!", and dashed over to open the door.
Percy Weasley was standing there. He looked smug and somewhat arrogant. In his hand were sheets of paper that read at the top, "Come join us...." Hermione, cheerful to see someone that she at least knew, said pleasantly, "Hey, Percy!"
Percy, glad to be getting attention, said conceitedly, "Hello, Hermione. I suppose you are the new secretary?"
"Yes, that's me!" Hermione exclaimed, wishing secretly that she wouldn't have to be under control of him.
"Oh, excellent. I'll finally have someone that will take orders from me without any questions."
Hermione grimaced at the thought of doing that. She was about to object, when Percy said loudly:
"Yes, well, that'll do to be getting on with! I'm here to hand out these, erm, "Important Papers" to my staff here in the department. I think they are totally unreasonable, but there you are..."
He handed Hermione one of the sheets, then, with a pop, Dissapparated.
Hermione looked at the sheet, which read:
COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!
On September the 18th, we kindly ask you to join us (The Ministry Council) for an afternoon of excitement! We are to be taking the day off to go and watch the England Quidditch Game against Transylvania. Please meet here at the Ministry at 11 PM, and before we head to the game, we will have a delicious lunch at The Leaky Cauldron. Please make reservations by September 10th, no later.
Hermione smiled to herself as she folded the note and stuck it in her pocket. Harry was on the England team--maybe she could get Ron from his brothers, and they could make a "day" of it...
***
Voldema looked around the hallway. Where was he? She had called that stupid boy and told him to be here--but he was late again. She had an important mission to carry out, and if that self-admiring, stuck-up Draco Malfoy didn't show up soon, she would have his head for sure. It wasn't easy, after all, being the daughter of Voldemort.
Yes, the daughter of Voldemort. Voldema had admired--and still did--her Father, and it was now her duty to follow in his footsteps.
But she would never be able to be like him. He had brought terror to the Magical World--but she was only eighteen. There was no way that she would be able to do exactly what he did.
So that's why she had called for Draco's help. He was like her--he had followed the footsteps of his Father, hating Muggles, and supporting the Dark Side. But Draco, perhaps, had gone a little crazy with his life...
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see the seventeen year old boy rushing toward her. Voldema threw up her hands, grabbed his robes, and, pulling him foward to her, asserted:
"There ya' are! I've been waiting for ya', where you been?"
Draco shook away from her grasp, and said, "Relax, Voldema, I had some trouble finding my broom."
"Yeah, yeah, that's what ya' want me to think," Voldema began dragging him down the hallway, when Draco asked:
"What the hell are we doing here? Hogwarts? Why did ya' bloody want to meet at Hogwarts?"
Voldema hauled him into a four foot wide crevice on the side of the corridor. She threw him up against the wall, and threatened him, "Now ya'listen here, boy. What I am abouts to tell you is Top Secret, ya' hear? If you don't keep mum, it's gonna be your head for sure, and probably mine as well. Ya' understand?"
Draco shook his head, panicky, as Voldema put him down.
"So what is the plan, anyway?"
"Well, it goes somethin' like this..."
***
"Fine, but if I get a job offer, I'm outta here!"
Ron stomped angrily from behind one of the many shelves in the storage room, pushed his way through the chaos of the store, and out into the bright sunlight. He threw his gangly self into one of the chairs, humped, and began watching the activity in the rest of Diagon Alley.
What's wrong with Fred and George anyway? Ron thought to himself. Just because I want to do something exciting today, they get all mad and say that I have to stay and help at the shop. It's not even my shop! Geez!
Ron watched the people as they strolled by him, some looking at him sadly, others waving to be nice, or becuase they had perhaps met before. He had almost calmed down, and was thinking about risking Fred and George again, when he heard a familiar voice call his name.
"Ron! Ron!"
The red headed seventeen year older jumped up to search for the caller of his name. As he looked in the direction of Gringotts, he saw a tall, pretty girl sprinting towards him. He squinted his eyes to make sure they weren't decieving him, but they weren't! It really was Hermione!
"Hermione!" Ron called back, and he started running towards her, knocking over people as he went. When they reached each other, they gave one another a tight hug.
AN: No kissing! Sorry, Ron/Hermione fans, but I like Harry/Hermione better. They're just glad to see each other!
When they pulled apart, Hermione looked him in the eyes, and asked, "So how's everything going?"
Ron rolled his eyes, and replied with, "It's going. Man, I wish I had your life. Fresh out of Hogwarts, and you already have a job! Geez, Hermione, how do you do it?"
Hermione smiled. They began walking back to Fred and George's Joke Shop, when Ron asked another question:
"So why are you here?"
"What, are you not glad to see me?"
"No! It's just kind of strange, I haven't seen you in the longest time!"
"I came with the Ministry. We're going to see the England vs. Transylvania Quidditch game. I'm excited, Harry's on the team!"
Ron grinned. He wasn't jealous, no, he had a girlfriend. (Parvati Patil, to be exact.) It was just weird. He knew that Hermione liked Harry--she just wouldn't admit it.
"So do you think you can go?"
"Huh?" Ron said, snapping out of his trance.
"To the game, you idiot!"
"Oh, sure! Parvati's in town--she's down at The Crystal Gazing Shop, visiting Lavender--would you mind if I brought her along?"
"No! Bring Lavender too, why don't you! That would be great!"
The two friends smiled, happy to be together again, and headed towards the shop.
***
"We've been steamrolled by Translyvania for the past eight years, hopefully with Harry on team, we might actually get up to thirty points."
"Tell me about it."
Ron, Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione were anxiously waiting for the game to start. They had took their seats in one of the top boxes (The Ministry had gotten special tickets.), and for the last twenty minutes, had been talking excitedly about seeing Harry again.
Hermione was nervous. She hadn't seen Harry since the end of the year, and she couldn't bear her excitement much longer. Little did Harry know, Hermione had had a huge crush on him since the 3rd Year. It had been hard, to go all those years without Harry noticing her as someone other than a friend. Maybe now she could have her chance.
The four perked up as the Announcer boomed out into the audience:
"Let's put our hands together for the home team, the England Eagles!"
The crowd erupted with wild applause as the team flew on. Hermione watched ecstatically for Harry, and jumped up in excitement when she caught a glimpse of him--already flying around the field, searching for the Snitch.
Thirty minutes later, the England fans were beside themselves. Ron was jumping up and down, cheering the team on, as they flew off the field, Oliver carrying an acceptance form to the next World Cup. There were people lying out in the floors, jumping on top of each other, nearly breaking everyone's eardrums.
"Come on, let's go down and greet the players!" Lavender exclaimed, and the four practically leapt down the stairs to do so.
Once the friends reached the bottom, Ron and Parvati ran off, and Lavender went to flirt with Oliver Wood. So, Hermione just stood there, wondering what to do, all alone.
And then she saw him.
Harry.
He was shaking the Announcer's hand, when he looked away for a bit. When he saw her, he just froze. Like ice. Hermione stood, ten feet away, not moving a muscle. An onlooker might have thought her heart had stopped.
Harry said Good-bye to the Announcer, and began, slowly, walking Hermione's way. Hermione was slowly starting to smile, and when they got close to each other, Harry took Hermione's hands, and asked:
"Hermione? Is it really you?"
"Yes," Hermione giggled, and Harry pulled her into a tight hug.
"You are a sight for sore eyes," Harry whispered into Hermione's hair.
"Tell me about it."
***
"So, how's work at the Ministry going?" Harry sat down his drink, as Hermione said, dully:
"Gag me, why don't you? Percy's in charge--he treats us like a bunch of dogs."
Harry laughed, as he looked around at the other Witches and Wizards that were also occupying space in The Leaky Cauldron. It was great to see someone again that he actually enjoyed being around--it was definitely a change from Oliver, who he had been hanging around a lot lately.
"So," Hermione started causually, "Have you got--"
But Hermione didn't get to finish her sentence. (You can probably guess what she was going to ask anway!) Ron and Parvati burst into the Pub, sending in a blast of hot air, and bringing in a lot of noise with them.
"Harry! Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, as he saw the two at their table. He rushed over, Parvati anxiously following him. When he reached them, he pulled a seat over, and began:
"Have--whoo--let me catch my breath..." Ron took several deep breaths, before continuing, "Have you heard the news about Hogwarts?"
Hermione and Harry looked at each other, confused. They said in unison, "No."
"Well, obviously someone broke into Hogwarts last night, and tried to cause some chaotic measure. But the only thing that matters is--Dumbledore's missing."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Oh my God..." Hermione gasped, her hand clutched to her heart.
"Is--is that all you know?" Harry stuttered.
"Well, they still don't know who did it--but Snape has some reason to believe that someone on the Dark Side did."
"Well, duh, Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, "Who else would kidnap Dumbledore?"
"But that's not it--he thinks a girl named Voldema did."
"Voldema?" Hermione inquired, curiously.
"Yeah, whoever the heck she is. Some people say that she's Vol--Volde--Voldemort's daughter."
"Daughter! He has a daughter!" Hermione exclaimed.
Hermione and Ron looked quickly at Harry. He wasn't speaking. He was looking up into the sky, thoughtful, when he finally said, "It all makes sense."
"What!?"
"You know, this girl called Voldema. Voldemort--Voldema? Who else would give their child such a ridicoulous name? And "kidnapping" Dumbledore ("It's more like 200+napping," Parvati murmered.)--only someone on the Dark Side would kidnap Dumbeldore. But they just didn't kidnap him for any old reason. I think--I think that it has something to do with me."
"You!" Hermione gasped, clutching his hand.
"Yes. You remember, Voldemort's greatest fear was Dumbledore. So if Voldema and the others, if there are any, get him out of the way, it will leave a clear path to kill me."
"You!" Hermione exclaimed again.
The four sat in silence for a while, to shocked to speak. Then, Ron suddenly burst:
"Oh, wait a minute, there's someone else that they think was involved!"
"Who?" The other three whispered emphatically.
"Draco Malfoy."
Ok, that's probably going to be the end of Chapter 1. Do you like it? Please, please tell me in a review! Thanx a bunches!