"Did you guys really ever think that the wall we put between ourselves and muggles, as you call them would last forever?"
CHAPTER 1 PASSING IN, CRASHING OUT
It was a nice looking house. A large detached house with four bedrooms and a nice sitting room but from the outside it looked somewhat non-descript Hermione thought. However, inside it's nice to be back here after that final training stint. Another thought countered that as she walked up to the red door of the house, the physical and mental fatigue starting to hit her. She had a lot of that. It had been an intense final few weeks before passing out as An Auror or rather Rank Magus. She grinned to herself and with distinction too. Not bad for a good academic turned fighter she thought. Although most muggles wouldn't notice, No they may notice a 19 year old pretty good looking who carried herself pretty well with bushy hair flowing down to a neck length and who carried an official government pass along with a HM forces card to match. On the other hand, most wizards would notice Hermione Granger. Former Gryffindor Head Girl at Hogwarts, One of the friends that had helped Harry Potter "The Boy who Lived" to fulfil the prophecy and had defeated Lord Voldemort. A person who had been considered to do a ministerial or research job at the ministry or even become a professor at Hogwarts or one of the other wizarding schools around like Beauxbatons. However, the fighting spirit and adrenalin, the desire to feel the ecstasy of winning had in her blood somehow through the seven years she had been in Hogwarts and just would not leave her system after Voldemort's death. After a long period of thought and research, she had decided to become an Auror just like eight others of that year including Harry and Ron. Besides it could further her political ambitions in the future with a strong background…
When they had had come to Talon Barracks eighteen months ago the senior instructor had said the words "You three have all faced challenges some of you have yet to face your biggest challenges. The training itself could mean absolutely nothing but it could mean everything to you. However, to get there you've got to go through me and you've got to go through yourselves for maybe one of you that last time. Maybe for some of you that last push will be the best one you have made. " The Instructors words had proved prophetic. By the end of the first year of training out of the eight who had come four people had distinguished themselves in training by going into their second and third year in half the time both getting permission to use Time Turners for academic subjects. These meant they all had received ribbons with two horizontal flames on a black background recognising their achievement on their robes and dress uniform.
However when it came down to the final examinations the real scores were set by two people both almost matching each other in scores with virtually nothing to distinguish themselves. One of those two was Hermione the other one was none other then freakily faced head boy Ronald J Weasley determined to set a mark like no other and make some friends too. He had done both earning new respect from both instructors and students alike as someone who knew when to play by the book but was also unorthodox in his style. Ron and Hermione had both gone for the Special Investigation Branch and were both placed on the European section together as a partnership under the leadership of Kingsley Shacklebolt. They'd had both become closer over the two years now but were still just really good friends although… it was coming nearer and they were both moving in together although they wouldn't be alone Harry and Ginny would be joining them.
However Harry was, absent from the trio. He had also passed as an Auror on the "Double Ended Candle" and like the six that had survived had a choice in assignments. But Unlike Ron and Hermione who'd opted for front line investigative duties Harry had gone in for ministerial protection duties something that was considered a relatively backwater assignment that was behind the front line. Everyone had noted that although he was an above average recruit and was doing his best he seemed almost tired of being the one person in the front line. Ron and Hermione had noticed it way before that. After Voldemort's downfall in a final, vicious, deadly confrontation with a group of death eaters amongst them Lucius Malfoy, which Hermione and Ron both had still had, scars from, there seemed to be a sense of relief around him, that his fight was over and he could finally relax and almost start afresh. His attitude mirrored the Wizarding Community at large.
However, there was still a degree of vigilance especially as some of Voldemort's key supporters had disappeared from sight. Although they had no real figurehead there were some prominent key Death Eaters at large making no apologies and no return to the light. Added to those were a number of prominent dark Slytherins had also gone to ground such as Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle. Those in the other three houses and most members in Voldemort's outer circle were easily caught. However, the core element remained even after his death and while it had disappeared, it remained a threat lurking in the background making its presence felt but never really rearing up.
Other issues were now in the centre stage as the Wizarding World got a cold and nasty wake up call to issues of intolerance. This wake up call had huge ramifications for the Ministry as a significant number of people were forced to resign amongst them Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge
The fatigue was really starting to hit her now. Just goes to show what fifteen months learning and practising almost non-stop can do to you she thought tiredly, As she unlocked the door and stepped in to the entrance. At first glances everything looked the same when she last left it, the coat hooks were there in their usual position. The walls were coloured a nice shade of light blue similar to the colour her mother's private practice had been painted in. She had come to Britain hoping for a more respectable pay then what they earned in the French medical although she lamented the quality of British resources. Her Dad had stayed in the National Health Service and worked as a respected orthodontist, As usual they were both out what a surprise Hermione thought to herself resignedly.
When she came back over the Christmas or Easter holidays only one of them was around and normally one had taken her home and then gone straight back to work. Now she could not really care as she went up the staircase carrying her trunk and walked up the stairs to her room. Opening the door and switching on the light she found it was as she had left it: Neatly organised tidy and airy she thought as she unpacked. There was a medium sized bed on the left hand side of the room a Desk in front of the window and two stacks of shelves to the right. The top shelf had her biting book on it, which was interred in a semi transparent air holed compartment, as well as her other old Hogwarts textbooks that she had kept. She loved reading through them at times to revise what she had learnt although she knew the textbooks off by heart and probably a bit more. One shelf below that were the books that were now of practical use to her and would be of use to her in the future:
The Aurors Handbook by Warlock General Ardumis Excellus
Advanced Broomstick and Carpet Air Combat Manoeuvring by Thomas Kazanski
Specialist Poisons and Antidotes by Dai Cyane
A Revised Approach to Equality and Diplomacy with all major non wizard species by Mme Liberagalite with foreword and sections by Hermione Granger
Navigating through the Muggle World- By Nigel Malvern
The final textbook on that shelf wasn't one that she'd really needed to look at but was something that Ron had needed due to an unexpected and almost shocking announcement made by the new undersecretary in the sixth year. Any student who was applying to join the ministry, Aurors or Department of Magical Law Enforcement who had not had a high degree of practical experience in the non-magical world (living in it) would be required to either study muggle studies up to OWL or NEWT level or take an Advanced degree. That was another 50-50 split in the class with Harry, Hermione judged to have had a high degree of experience but Ron and Neville being under the bar. As a result, both of them had to go through An Advanced Wizarding course with a theory and practical Test to make up the ground. Ron and Neville had got through with O's thanks to an enormous amount of help from Hermione and Harry together going out on outings together. Not always strictly educational especially when Ron and she were out together though which had led to the personal question what was the state of her and Ron's relationship. A matter of the heart which she wasn't in the mood to think about: not at the moment, as she went for the shelf below that which had both of her favourite muggle and magical books she liked to read especially Hogwarts: A History, which now had a new section covering the "turbulent time of the school from 1999-2006". The years Trio had spent together in Hogwarts. She grinned she had written that section while she was training and had an owl from a certain person asking, "What was it like to be a part of living history?" She had replied, "I'm still part of it." In addition, she was even now.
A loud "miaow" came from the trunk reminding Hermione to unlock the cage containing Crookshanks who sprang out and padded down stairs looking for food. Then a white owl flapped in through the open window carrying a letter. Hermione's exhaustion subsided long enough to pay the owl with a few Galleons and read the letter.
Dear Hermione
I am coming to England in a week's time as I have am selected for the Bulgarian National Team for the seven Nations Tournament (A league made up of England, Scotland, France, Romania, Ireland and Bulgaria). I have talked with the coach Langiskevitch and he is prepared to send me with half of the squad about five days ahead on a muggle aeroplane. The flight is BAL 95 which goes from Sofia at 11.00 our time and arrives at 12.20 your time. Please could you come and meet at the airport as I have something important I need to discuss with you?
Love from Vicki
Hermione could have almost hit the bed immediately in exhaustion. Her personal life was taking a toll on her. Krum was a good friend and had been a great confidant but was he more then that, No they'd both hadn't ever really had allowed that and it was too late to start now….Besides there was one certain red haired azure eyed boy turned man that her heart longed for and now she was working with him full-time. But did he feel the same way about her and would he when he found that there was another side to her with some people especially one important person that he and Harry had yet to meet who was as kind of equally important to her as well as her parents?
The days passed slowly but steadily for Hermione coming up to the Saturday when she was due to go and meet Victor at the airport. She would found out that she could use the Floo Network to get to Terminal 1(Heathrow's terminal for all European flights) arrivals area. That meant she could wake up later then usual around 9, which had risen to prominence had a shower and then changed into a dark blue blouse with light grey trousers to match and trainers and went downstairs to read the newspapers both muggle and magical. First up on the magical side was The Phoenix a new independent newspaper, established during the Trio's sixth year at Hogwarts and had come to prominence rivalling the conservative former Death Eater owned Daily Prophet after the downfall of Voldemort. It was effectively born out of tolerance as it had a joint giant and wizard as co-editor and a majority of its correspondents were an eclectic group of werewolves, elves and goblins who now had their rights restored under the new ministerial control. It had nothing really of note in the world to report that day apart in the sports section which came with a glossy Seven Nations pull out, previewing the league which Bulgaria were the favourites to win with Ireland coming second to them. This was because although the Bulgarians had not made any changes to their line up since their world cup defeat, Ireland had lost two of their chasers Moran and Troy both due to them retiring and Lynch reported to be off form. Krum was also looking strong. Another thing in the sports section was that Ginny had managed to get on pole position at Boar Hill Raceway for the Scottish Round of the International Racing Brooms Falcon League (the wizarding world's cross between International Formula 3000 and the NASCAR Busch series). Hermione made a mental note to check up on the results, as this was her friend's debut and to congratulate her. She would have many supporters there too as Boar Hill was only about four miles (just over six kilometres) away from Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Second, most information for the muggle world would normally be absorbed from the Independent but "Sorry Mione the newspaper boy didn't come round today with the paper"
Hermione then decided to go into the living room, have a look at the television, and see what was on. One of the thing's she rather missed while at Hogwarts was television Eurosport and, Discovery and the History channel, a common thing amongst students with muggle parents especially ones who had digital TV. Many things had been good substitutes for that including Qudditch matches but it was nice to get some time to put your feet back and watch. However, Hermione was going for the news channels especially BBC News 24. This was normally a wise thing to do, but the first report that came off the male newsreaders lips that day would be the last one she would watch for that day.
"A Russian Tupolev 154 has exploded in southern Bulgaria killing all 180 passengers and crew on board. The flight, Flight BAL95 bound for London lost contact with Sofia air traffic control at 11.15pm local Locals reported finding debris scattered along a five-mile area about an hour later. On the ground our correspondent in Bulgaria has the details" Hermione shuddered at first BAL 95 that was the flight that Vicki was on… The report rolled on but Hermione was not exactly listening to the words. Her eyes were glued on the pictures the shock of seeing people combing through debris amongst which could be pieces of her friend slamming through every nerve, every cell of her brain. It may have been a summer day but she was feeling extremely cold and numb with the cruel lethal hand that fate had dealt one of her closest friends.
Tears welled up in her eyes but no sound, no grief came out and then her moment of privacy was broken albeit mercifully firstly Crookshanks padded into the room climbing up on to the sofa and sitting down next legs folded between him. Herms reached out a hand to comfort him and stroked his fur and that was when the second interruption came in with her mobile phone.
"Hello Hermione" Ron voice came warmly across the line.
"Ron, Have you been watching the…"
"Yeah and so did the boss. He is calling all agents in for the Europe section but we have to use muggle forms of transportation to get to HQ to avoid suspicion. I will come and pick you up in 10 minutes. Are you going to be alright until then?" There was clear concern in Ron's voice coming through the line and something else… although she couldn't figure out what it was at the time, Later she would find out.
"Yeah, I think so…" Tears were running down her face now. Ron must have noticed this through some unknown way as his voice came through with a sense of urgency.
"Ok... I'll be there in five" Even if I have to speed and risk being fined or worse to get there! Ron thought as he walked out of The Burrow towards the Weasley's car. He didn't need to but at all time he was driving he was fighting the urge to stamp down on the accelerator or use the flying to hell with not acting suspiciously this is a fucking emergency! The frustration of that thought made him visibly clench the steering wheel in disgust. Three minutes later he was out of the light blue Ford Anglia with the engine idling and walking up towards the door of the house. Hermione or Crookshanks must have heard him as the door opened and she stood ready waiting for him.
For a moment of silence both stood looking at each other. Ron staring at the grief stricken but determined woman who was standing in front of him, Hermione looking back through her tears and then the air and tension broke and she collapsed almost in to his arms tears running down her face, which buried, into his shoulder with the brown hair draped behind her. Ron just held her tight running his hands through his best friend's wild brown hair. For a few minutes, they just stood there united in grief and sympathy no one watching them and then them both gently withdrew from each other and Hermione walked slowly along to the car.
For the first half an hour the ride was uneventful. Ron turned the in car radio on to WWN checking for news updates and drove quietly. Hermione kept silent and at one point tried to go to sleep but found that she could not so she just sat there trying to recuperate and focus her mind on the events.
"Ron?" She asked quietly
"Yes" Ron replied eyes not deviating from the windscreen.
"Were there any other famous casualties… wizarding or normal human?"
"Well with the wizarding community apart from Krum, Levski and Dimitri were also on the plane when it hit. However, the muggles are also interested because apparently a four star Russian General: Gennady Stefanovich Golivar was on. King told me that he was close to the current president too so there's a lot of eyes on in this not only because of the death toll." Ron then glanced at the Ford Anglia's fuel gauge, which was now on its reserve stage "SHIT! Looks like Ginny's been out racing and hasn't refuelled the car again." He snarled frustrated at his younger sister's actions.
Hermione began to focus and then she saw the blue and white petrol icon marked on a metal sign. "There's a service station two miles ahead." At that Ron visibly relaxed and switched lanes to the outside one "Oh yeah I know that station. We should have enough fuel to reach it especially if those wingtips Ginny made actually worked." Five minutes later, they arrived at the green roofed BP fuel Ron lined up the modified Anglia next to the unleaded pump and opened the door. Stepping out he noticed that there were not a lot of cars stopped at the service station. In fact, it was completely empty "That's odd; normally it's pretty full at this time of day," he observed as he opened the fuel cap and started the process of fuelling up the Anglia's tank. When suddenly he noticed another car approaching the green pumps from the motor way. It was a four-wheel drive car, a silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII and it rumbled in slowly and steadily. The windows and windscreen were tinted but he could make out that there were two occupants in the car one being the driver and one being the passenger. Then the first occupant got out. He was wearing a grey NATO sweater over a light blue shirt with added epaulettes. The Epaulettes had on them five dark blue bars on a pale sky-blue background, which identified him as a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force, the equivalent of a colonel in the army. However, there was also another symbol on both epaulettes, a purple diagonal stripe that identified him as someone who worked with the magical community or was him/herself part of it. NCOs, enlisted personnel, or rates had a similar symbol but it was a purple circle, which would be on the sleeve of their fatigues or uniform.
Coincidence? Ron's thoughts rhetorically asked. Both He and Hermione had Occulmency training as part of becoming Aurors and could now read thoughts and send them out as they were in a conversation with each other almost reaching telepath status.
I don't think so…Hermione's mind hold on I think I know him! No, it can't be…. Ron did not have time to ask who it was as the man strode briskly up to him. He was tall but well built and had short brown hair. In fact, he looked somewhat similar to Hermione with the shape of the eyes and face. However, the face was more weathered and defined. It showed pain but also a sense of calm intelligence.
"Good. I've got something to give you but I need you to sign this, after you've filled your car up of course." Ron was still filling the Prefect up. Just then, he heard the loud audible three clicks that signalled that the fuel tank was full. Fortunately, the tank was also self-service so Ron could also use his credit card. Thankfully, I get my salary paid in sterling/ euros as well as sickles and galleons. Just as well, even though it's diesel he thought glancing up at the display. He then took out a pen and signed the white form marked OHMS. The group captain looked at it and nodded "Both items check out. What I am about to give you is something most boy racers would love to get their hands on but aren't allowed to. Oh, by the way those tires look a little… flat. Your partner may want to get out and re-inflate them." Maybe Ginny hadn't just been racing Ron thought and chuckled at that as he opened the passenger's door. Hermione was extremely unimpressed by the title she got.
"Partner? Come on petit merde, you already know who Ron is and you definitely know who I am! " Hermione's thoughts slipped out loud unintentionally as she got out of the car and was refilling the tires using an air spell to allow a jet of air to flow from the wand.
"Sorry Hermie but even these walls do have ears you know. I'll see you both later. "Came the quiet reply from the captain as he clipped the blue flashing lights positive and negative connectors to the Anglia's battery's terminals and as Ron shut the bonnet and got back in side. Hermione was silent as Ron started the engine but there was a clear sense of recognition in her eyes.
"Don't you dare even think of calling me that again Ronald Weasley! Unless you really want me to stop the car and really floor you" Hermione's angry outburst caught Ron by surprise and he visibly slumped in his seat shocked and cowed. Hermione saw that he hadn't meant to be mean and she softened. "Sorry Ron I really hate being called that. Malcolm who you met back there used to really chide me with it whenever I messed up as a kid."
"Kid, you mean he's related?"
"Hermione nodded and said simply "Ron, He's my brother"
"WHAT? You never told Harry or me you had a brother, especially one who was in the Royal Air Force. " It was Ron's turn to be genuinely angry now at the apparent lack of trust shown by his best and closest friend who ,added to that was also now his colleague.
"I couldn't tell almost anyone about him other wise my parents could have found out and caused a huge amount of trouble for me and anyone else. He used to go to Hogwarts but then joined up as a part muggle. They haven't really spoken to each other for the past 7 years." Hermione's voice was silent containing regret almost. Her expression was sort of pained, guilty.
"Care to tell me anything about him though?" Ron's question was still hot but less angry as he seemed to be accepting the shock of this announcement.
"He's eleven years older then both of us for a start. He used to be in Hogwarts but then joined the RAF as a fighter pilot flying Harriers. He served in Iraq and Kosovo (two muggle conflicts) but then about four years ago there was a classified incident that brought him back in to the wizarding community. He has never really talked about it that much over the past years but apparently, he was leading a flight of four jets in which almost half were destroyed because of some type of magic super-weapon. There was an official enquiry and he was cleared of all charges. After that he's been doing jobs jointly for the ministry and the muggle armed forces as a senior liaison officer."
Ron checked the magical rear view mirror "Yeah. Well I guess he's also working today." He observed as he saw the Lancer about four cars behind them. It was cruising at a steady rate though not closing up but neither holding back much and it continued to follow them throughout the route.
He also remembered something else from the petrol station "There was someone else in that car with him. I couldn't see who it was but there was definitely another person with him."
"They could be heading for the MOD head offices at Petty France. That's about ten minutes from The Ministry's visitor entrance." Hermione interjected remembering the lesson she had learnt about Muggle Liaison areas.
"He also said, "I'll see you both later." Besides judging from my first impressions he doesn't seem to like being around in one place for too long." Ron remembered as they came towards the centre of London. Five minutes later the Lancer did indeed break away from following and headed for the MOD offices and five minutes after that Ron and Hermione turned into Auricium Street where Ron parked the Anglia in front of, and walked towards a small modern office building but large enough to have a turnstile.
It also had a grey box, which was an electric swipe card system; however, there was something that anybody (most muggles to be precise) who didn't have the right type of card to activate it would have even thought possible. There was a small light on the bottom right hand corner box, which normally changed from red to green upon a successful identification.
However, for Ron and Hermione's passes the red light initially changed to green but which then turned to a strong gold hue. Both knew it was safe to go in and walked in unison at the same time. Pushing forward on the door, they did not stop turning until they heard the click and saw the London ground coming up and over the turnstile. Ron smiled wryly as he just saw the ground closing up around the prefect as well. He would avoid a blasted muggle parking ticket or clamp too. Then his mind turned, as had Hermione's long before him to trying to piece together the death of her friend.
NEXT CHAPTER: It may have been confirmed as an attack but could Krum and his teammates have just been caught in another person's line of fire? There are many suspects around. Both usual and unusual…
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, spells or the one mentioned from a certain film or places. Any characters idea or locations that I have created such as Malcolm Granger are ones that may not be used with out my personal permission.
Information on the Royal Air Force can be found at www.raf.mod.uk. I also used a lot of content as well as information from Potter Storm. But unfortunatley I have not been able to post the link to this however ) This is a really great site for content and helped me a lot, as of course did the books.
