Disclaimer: I play with them as I like, but alas, they are not mine. Neither these characters, or this world in general belongs to me, or anyone not named J.K. Rowling. No copyright infringement in intended.
Summary: Dumbledore has decided that the trio need to be split up for their own good. But where will Hermione be going; and with who?
Author's Notes: I want to thank my fantastic beta Raven Prowl!
New Leaves
(Chapter 1)
"You do realise this is for your own good, don't you, Harry?" Remus asked, using gentle, hushed tones, as if speaking to a very dangerous creature. Dumbledore had just given them the news, allowing Remus the task of calming down an irate Harry Potter.
"I can understand splitting us up, yea. I can even understand the lack of communication between us; but I can't, under any circumstances, understand why he's paired Hermione with Malfoy." He spoke the boy's name with the contempt of seven long, rivaled years. "I mean, honestly, if Ron is on his own, and I'm by myself, too, why does Hermione need a bodyguard?"
"She's Muggle-born, Harry, and she knows most of the Order's secrets. Draco can protect her; he's grown up a lot in the past few months. And at the same time, we want someone with Draco. He's young, and it's hard having to live a life of lies; spying is done at great personal risk, always." Remus had known Harry was going to react like this, he just hadn't been able to convince Dumbledore that this may not be the best solution. "And furthermore, you know that neither you, nor Ron, are actually on your own. You'll have me, and Tonks will be there when I can't. Ron will have Dedalus Diggle."
'Thank Merlin for small miracles,' thought Harry. Mr. Diggle always got too excited around Harry, dropping his violet bowler every time. Harry let out a frustrated sigh, defeated. "You realise she's going to be screaming about sexism when she finds out, don't you? She'll ignore the fact that we have escorts, too, just so she can make a point," Harry said, his face breaking into its first smile all afternoon. He hadn't trusted Malfoy anymore lately than he did when he had first shown up at headquarters, accompanied by Snape. He had apparently 'turned over a new leaf.' Right.
Here at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's word was law. Harry knew he would accept this, he even knew that Hermione could take care of herself. Sometimes, however, it was good to rant about frustrations.
Walking into headquarters, accompanied by Hestia Jones, Hermione realised something was wrong.
She had gone home to visit her family one last time before they went into hiding. They had decided to go to Italy, living amongst the steep hills of Todi, after Dumbledore had explained the precautions he feared they needed to take soon. She hated having to have a chaperon, but at least Hestia was kind, and understood her need to be alone with her parents sometimes.
While she had only been gone for a week, she had at least expected Harry or Ron to greet her when she got back. As she ascended the stairs, she heard Hestia moving into the kitchen, probably to report to Dumbledore.
Everyone she encountered (and there didn't seem to be many) gave her a wide berth with which to pass, as though she was going to explode at any moment. 'Is there an S.P.E.W. badge on my forehead or something?' she thought. No one had treated her this way since she had first began recruiting for that long given up on, but never forgotten society.
She placed her bags on the floor next to her bed, beside Ginny's. But, of course, Ginny wasn't there. Her and Harry were inseperable lately. She would be returning to Hogwarts for her final year soon, and so they had taken to spending every waking moment together. She supposed that time was bittersweet; knowing it was one of the last times you would hug, or kiss, or… for several months. But, honestly, they were acting as though one of them were terminally ill.
She came back down, still wondering what was wrong. Upon entering the kitchen, she saw where most everyone was, however.
"Hi, everyone," she said cheerfully. Harry, Ron, and Ginny all got up to greet her, looking slightly green.
"Is everything alright? You guys look terrible," she said, then a thought occurred to her, causing her to cover her mouth with her hand. "Nothing's happened, has it? Everyone's alright, aren't they?"
Harry nodded, giving her a small smile (really more of a grimace), and said, "Dumbledore's waiting in the drawing room to talk to you, Hermione." He opened the door for her, letting her pass, giving Ron a significant look.
Everyone was acting so serious. This was war, and she understood the seriousness of it, but if no one had died, what gives? She mumbled to herself about blotched greetings all the way up to the drawing room.
"Ah, Hermione, please come in. You look well. I've spoken to Hestia already about your trip; I am so glad that it went well." Dumbledore was beaming at her as he said this, twinkling like mad. "Please close the door behind you, I had hoped to speak to you in private."
"Of course, sir," Hermione said as she moved back to the door.
"Now, dear, don't look so grave. It's a matter of great importance, but nothing whatsoever that should cause a frown like that." Dumbledore was moving to the plush chair by the fireplace, motioning for her to take a seat on the sofa just across from him.
"Now, down to business, I think. You should know that this is really for everyone's own good. It took me quite a while to work out all the details, and I've already spoken with everyone else about it. While most aren't thrilled, they can understand." Dumbledore seemed to be beating around the bush, being vague. It was usually how he acted when he knew exactly how a person would react. This couldn't be good.
"I'm sorry, sir, but what details, and who, exactly, is 'everyone else?'" Hermione had fallen for his senile act before, and was therefore not keen on doing so again. Sometimes you could get him going if you asked directly for the facts.
"Well," Dumledore started again, with a soft smile now, "I have decided, along with other members of the Order, to separate you, Harry, and Ronald. At least for the time being, that is. Please let me finish," he said, holding up his hand when Hermione tried to interupt. "Since I believe you three to be the main targets, you will each hava a companion, a member of the Order, with you. You will be spread across the globe. Communication with anyone will be forbidden. The Order will send you updates, of course, but aside from that, it will just be you and your companion."
"But, sir, who is my companion?" Hermione asked, a feeling of dread spreading through her limbs.
Dumbledore smiled, he had known the lack of a name would not slip by her sharp mind. "Draco Malfoy."
"But, sir," she was on her feet in a flash, yelling, "that's outrageous! First, I don't need a 'companion;' I can take care of myself. And second, why Malfoy; why not Kingsley?"
He had wondered if she would play the 'I can take care of myself' card; each of them had now. "Kingsley is still working with the Muggle Prime Minister; he's needed there. I'm also wanting to move Draco away from most of the excitement, but can't do so if he goes alone. With you, he has a 'cover story,' if you will."
"Cover story?" She was at least calmer now.
"Yes, I want Draco to pretend that you and him are 'together.' He will take you away from Harry and Ronald, presumably to both get information from you and weaken Harry's defenses."
She felt used. While she honestly believed she could do just fine on her own, if she was going to be forced to have a 'companion,' she at least wanted someone who could protect her if need be.
She trusted Draco, yes, but still didn't like him much. She chewed her bottom lip in concentration, nearly puncturing the tender flesh.
"Where will we be going?" she asked, hoping at least that would provide an upside to this whole sordid ordeal.
Dumbledore knew he had her now. She had resigned herself to going, and was probably hoping she would at least be going somewhere interesting.
"Tell me; have you ever been to Sweden?"
'I hate the bloody cold. I HATE the bloody COLD,' Hermione thought to herself. In the last few days it had become her personal mantra. Consequently, that same personal mantra reminded her constantly why she was in a bad mood. She was snapping at anyone within five feet.
The conversation with Dumbledore had not gone well. He had told her all about the quaint little villiage of Abisko, where they'd be staying. She couldn't think of a single thing she liked about this 'trip.'
Abisko, being in the northernmost of Sweden, was just plain cold. While it was August, she would at least be missing the twenty-four hour sunshine that occurs in June and July. But that still meant that right now, they were only going to get about an hour or two of darkness. And if they ended up staying through winter (Dumbledore played the 'vague' game on how long they'd stay), then they would have to live with total darkness.
Mrs. Weasley had gone shopping with her the day after Dumbledore had spoken to her. She was fine on clothing for the summer, but if they did end up staying past October or so, she would freeze.
They had stuck mostly to Muggle fashions since Abisko is a Muggle villiage. They will be trying desperately not to stick out, which is probably easier said than done with a Malfoy.
Speaking of Malfoy; she hadn't seen or heard from him yet. The plan was for him to propose traveling with her as his own idea to Voldemort. Assuming he approved, Draco would pack up (he was still living at Malfoy Manor with his mother) and come to get her. They would then take turns Apparating to different places, going back and forth between places, until finally Apparating straight to Abisko.
She wasn't sure she was ready to go yet, but knew that he would come for her soon. Both Harry and Ron were leaving tomorrow; none knew where the others were going. The only communication they would have was through the updates from the Order.
Draco came for her that night. He didn't say much, only asking if she was ready. He looked tense, and as though he hadn't slept for several days.
They left Grimmauld Place, taking the Knight Bus out of London first. They Apparated first to Hogsmeade, then to France; Hermione didn't see enough to know where exactly. Next stop was back to Hogsmeade, then on to Spain. Spain seemed to be it, though, as Draco took her arm one more time. The next stop was much colder and brighter.
"This is it," he said, contempt clearly visible through his tone. He was looking at the little cottage as though it were a nylon tent, barely worth anything.
Hermione tried not to cry. Leaving her family, then her friends, only to be stuck in a cold cottage with an angry Draco.
They walked inside, and upon seeing the already roaring fire, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that cold outside right now, but after coming from Spain, she needed something to stave off the chill.
An hour later found the pair unpacked ('Thank Merlin there's at least two bedrooms!') and sitting in the living room, both staring into the fire. Hermione was trying desperately to think of something to say. Anything would be good for that matter.
"So, how's your mother, Draco?" Hermione asked, wondering why in the world that was the only thing she could come up with.
"Do me the favour of not pretending to care about how my mother's well-being, Granger. I'm stuck here with you, that much is true, but chattering on and on will only get you a Silencing Charm." With that he got up, presumably going to bed. He was probably pretty lucky that he looked like he needed the rest; Hermione really looked like she had something to say about his previous statement.
