The Power of Vertiserum
Prelude
Hermione sat down at her desk in her bedroom and took out a piece of parchment. She picked up a quill and started to write on the paper. When she was done, she scanned it over and smiled at it approvingly.
Dear Ron,
I'm sorry but something has come up. I won't be able to make it to your home this summer. Also, we have to stop seeing each other. I can't live like this anymore. You only answer my letters once a month and we haven't seen each other all summer. I hope we can still be friends. Tell Ginny and Harry that I say hi. I'll see you on Platform 9 ¾.
Hermione
PS- I received Head Girl this year! Did Harry or you get Head Boy?
Hermione quickly gave it to her owl, Hermes. The owl flew off into the night sky. A few minutes later, another black owl arrived at her window. "Dad," was all Hermione said before ripping open the letter.
Hermione,
I'm sorry that I won't be able to visit you now. Ever since the fight at the Ministry last year, I've been on the run. I won't tell you where I am, but you should read the book, Number the Stars
I've heard that you are Head Girl this year. Congrats on your accomplishments!
Tom
Hermione stared at the letter for the longest time before going over to her bookshelf. The book, Number the Stars popped out at her from its place on the bookshelf. She skimmed the summary and exclaimed, "Denmark? What's he doing there?"
"Miss Riddle?" A house elf squeaked.
"What do you want?" Hermione questioned.
"Your nanny wishes you downstairs right now."
"Tell her that I'll be down in a few seconds," Hermione sighed. The house elf left with a pop. Hermione folded the letter up and placed it in a secret compartment in her desk drawer. She quickly left the room to go find her nanny.
"Miss Granger," her old nanny addressed her. "Will you be staying here the rest of the summer?"
"Yes," Hermione replied. "It's better than that dump the Weasleys call a home."
"True."
"Is that all you called me here for?" Hermione asked.
"No. I also called you here to tell you that you may want to disguise yourself. Your father just sent word that he will be holding a Death Eaters meeting in an hour here."
"Thanks for the warning," Hermione rolled her eyes. She quickly changed her hair color to black and applied some eye makeup in the bathroom across the hall. She quickly straightened her hair and put on a black bathing suit (made to connect to a black dress of hers). She threw the dress on overtop. The Death Eaters children normally went swimming in her huge pool while the adults were at the meeting. Hermione heard someone apparate into the living room. She made sure that she looked presentable before entering the room.
"Father!" Hermione smiled. She went over and hugged him. "It's so good to see you again!"
"You did receive my message?" Voldemort questioned her.
"How could I not? You said to read the book, Number the Stars. Your code for; I'm going to be visiting some relatives."
"Good,' Voldemort replied. (No, he did not look like a snake. He looks more like an older version of Tom Riddle). "They should be arriving in about… three. Two. One." Fifty death eaters apparated into the living room. (Which was the size of the Great Hall divided by 2). "Sit down!" Voldemort ordered. "Teenagers and kids follow my daughter, Mia!"
Two kids and five teenagers followed Mia to the pool. "Mia!" Draco Malfoy called out and fell into step beside her. "How are you?"
"Good," Hermione answered. "How have you been?"
"Same as always," Draco replied.
"Are you going to Hogwarts this year?" Hermione stared straight ahead. "Kids! Keep up!" One seven-year-old girl was about thirty feet behind them in the hall.
"Yeah, why?"
"You said that your father was thinking about sending you to Durmstrang."
"Oh. He doesn't think he's going to. After all, the Dark Lord wants me to stay at Hogwarts."
"Oh. That's nice," Hermione said. "Devan! What are you doing?" Hermione turned to face the child. The child gave her a mischievous smile. "You're walking in front of me," Hermione told the little girl. Devan walked in front of Hermione. Her attention turned back to Draco. "Are you engaged to Pansy yet?" She whispered. Pansy was standing a few feet behind them.
"No. Father hasn't said anything yet. I think he has a notion that your father will have us get married," Draco answered.
"Oh," was all Hermione said. They reached the half indoor, half outdoor pool and they all ran to the locker rooms to change. Hermione on the other hand just took off her dress (bikini underneath) and lay back on a lounge chair. She closed her eyes and a few minutes later, she heard a splash. Whoever it was could be heard splashing around like a dead fish out of water. Then Hermione heard the person start to panic. She opened her eyes to find Devan in the pool, drowning.
"Kids," Hermione muttered. She dove into the fifteen feet deep pool and rescued the kid. Hermione brought the kid to the edge and pushed her over onto land. Devan started to sputter. Hermione pulled herself out of the pool and patted the girl on the back. "Don't go in the deep end, Devan. Stay in the low end." The girl nodded.
"Way to go Mia!" Someone shouted. People were crowding around her and she didn't want the attention. Hermione felt herself dissolve into the air and the next second; she was standing next to her lounge chair.
