Unbreakable Vow – Chapter 4
Dolce Coffee – Essex Road – Islington – London – 1200hrs
Hermione bought two lattes and the pair retreated to a table in the back corner of the coffee shop. Harry kept a tight grip on his wand throughout, conscious of the attacks the previous day. As he sipped the hot coffee, he relaxed and focused on the taskin
/hand.
"You said The Burrow," said Hermione. "What makes you think she'd keep the contract there?"
"She used to use her old school trunk for things like that, photographs, things from Gringotts, all sorts really."
"Neither of us are going to be welcome at The Burrow," said Hermione sadly.
Harry took a deep sip from his coffee. "We'll make this quick and painless. Go to The Burrow, get the contract and leave."
"What makes you think they'll let you have it, even if it is there?" asked Hermione.
"What makes you think they'll have a choice?"
The pair left the coffee shop, heading for a nearby alleyway, where they could disapparate out of sight of the muggles. They'd barely gone a few yards when Harry's progress was blocked by a burly man in a dark blue suit. Harry recovered his balance and
lookedup at the man.
"Agent Bernard, DGSI. Come with me." He reached to grip Harry's sleeve.
Harry rolled his eyes and palmed his wand. "Obliviate," he whispered. Agent Bernard's eyes rolled back, he blinked and then stared blankly at Harry.
There was a sudden noise, like a sharp clap and a piece of masonry exploded inches from Hermione's head. Harry quickly identified the source, a man in a grey suit was running across the road, a small silenced pistol in his hand. Harry saw the muzzle flash
beforehe went down, the bullet striking him in the chest like punch from an iron glove, the front of his shirt quickly turned scarlet. He scrabbled at the wound, anything to try and staunch the bleeding. Hermione pointed her wand and the pistol
glowed red-hot,the man dropped it with a shout of pain. He went to reach into his inside pocket, but it was too late, he collapsed in the middle of the road, grasping at his throat as blood spurted between his fingers. Hermione turned in shock
to Harry, who
dropped his wand, his breathing becoming laboured. A screech of tyres and the scream from a muggle brought Hermione's attention back, she snatched Harry's wand from the pavement and cradled him in her arms.
"Get us out of here," croaked Harry.
Hermione took his hand and they disapparated.
Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire – England – 1230hrs
"Tell me what to do," cried Hermione shrilly.
Harry grunted in pain and pulled his shirt open. The hole in his chest oozed obscenely, bubbling each time he took a breath. "Find the exit wound," he murmured.
Hermione gently lifted him onto his side and used a swift severing charm to split open his jacket and shirt at the back. "There's nothing here," she cried, tears stinging her eyes. She laid him onto his back and transfigured a knot of wood into a softcushion
/for his head.
Harry took another laboured breath. "Bullet's still in me," he muttered. "Summon it!"
She paused for moment to calm herself, closing her eyes in concentration. She levelled her wand at his chest. "Accio bullet," she whispered.
Harry shrieked in pain and a flattened slug of metal tore through his skin, near his left collarbone. More blood, pooling under him, vivid bright red. He gritted his teeth and snatched Hermione's wand and pointed it at his own chest. "Vulnera Sanentur,"he
/whispered hoarsely. His chest spasmed and he started coughing, the bleeding slowed. He whispered the charm again, he coughed again, turned and spat out a mouthful of blood. He slumped back, the bleeding now stopped.
Hermione took back her wand, tears now falling freely. "Tergeo," she said thickly, siphoning up the blood, again and again until his skin and clothes were cleaned. She hastily repaired his clothes and transfigured a cloak from the leaf litter around her.
/She wrapped him up in it, holding him close to her. His eyes found hers and he pulled her in.
"I need Gabrielle," he said, his voice cracking. "Use the Patronus."
"It doesn't work like that, she's in Paris," she replied gently.
"She'll come, I promise," he whispered.
Hermione gently laid him back down and shakily stood up. She glanced around the clearing, they had arrived almost exactly where they camped out, during the Horcrux hunt, all those years ago. She calmed herself down, took a deep breath and a bright silverotter
/burst from her wand. It looked up at her, enquiringly, she closed her eyes and the otter vanished in a flash of light.
A few moments passed, Harry's breathing still laboured and hoarse, the only sound in the eerily quiet woods. "Send up red sparks," whispered Harry. Hermione obeyed, another minute passed before they both heard the crack of apparition.
Harry looked up hopefully, Hermione kept her wand levelled at the cloaked figure approaching. The figure disregarded Hermione entirely, the hood was lowered to reveal the concerned face of Gabrielle Delacour. She broke into a run before falling to her
/knees and cradling Harry in her arms.
"Shh, mon cherie," she said in a throaty whisper. "Mon dieu, 'Arry."
"Got shot," croaked Harry.
Gabrielle turned to Hermione, her bright blue eyes full of worry. "Ee is very ill, I cannot 'elp 'im 'ere," she said softly.
"Take him where you can help him," replied Hermione gently. She fished inside his jacket pocket and retrieved the slip of paper that James had passed him. "Take him, and I'll find him," she urged. She kissed Harry softly on the forehead and disapparated.
Embassy of France – Knightsbridge – London – 1330hrs
The desk officer didn't even bat an eyelid as Gabrielle and Harry suddenly appeared in the lobby. He glanced up and nodded. "Mademoiselle Delacour," he said curtly. She barked rapid French at the officer, there was a soft buzzing noise and a concealeddoor
/opened in the rich wooden panelling. She gripped Harry's arm a little tighter and pushed through the door. Gabrielle helped Harry along a passageway, up a few steps and into a large office. She laid Harry down on a large leather sofa, he settleddown
/with a groan. He coughed again, Gabrielle conjured a handkerchief, in which Harry coughed up more blood. She released her hold on Harry and rummaged in her handbag, pulling out two vials of potion.
"Blood replenishing and a calming draught," she said softly. Harry obediently opened his mouth and she poured them in, feeling Harry relax as the potion took effect.
Gabrielle walked over to the desk and tapped her wand on a speaking tube.
"Oui?" came the crackly response.
"Médicin viens a mon bureau s'il vous plait,"
"Oui, mademoiselle."
Harry caught sight of an elderly man approaching, wearing a white lab coat and carrying a leather bag. Gabrielle gave her patient a soft smile before he lapsed into unconsciousness.
St. Enoch Subway Station – Glasgow – Scotland – 2255hrs
Hermione stood near the entrance to the station, her hood pulled up and her face in shadow. The usually bustling entrance was practically deserted. She kept a tight grip on her wand, feeling exposed. There came the sudden sharp crack of apparition and
/she spotted James straight away, walking confidently towards the station entrance. Hermione pulled back her hood and fell into step with her nephew. "Don't speak, just keep walking," he murmured. He stopped for a moment to purchase two tickets, fumbling
/with coins for the machine. They stepped onto the escalator and descended to the subway platform, the train arrived just a few seconds later. James looked over his shoulder but seemed content that they hadn't been followed. The doors shut, and the
/train lurched into the tunnel.
"I'll try and get to the point, Aunt Hermione," said James. Hermione nodded, and James drew a weary breath. "Remember the Marauders Map? Well, as it turns out, Albus had used it to sneak out of Hogwarts, but almost got caught in the cellar of Honeydukes
/and dropped it. It was found and handed into the Auror Office in Hogsmede, then passed onto the DMLE, and then to the Department of Mysteries."
"James, I was Minister for Magic, and I never heard of this!" interrupted Hermione.
"Of course not, Aunt, when did you ever hear anything from there? Anyway, it's been years, but they finally cracked it, reverse engineered it and expanded it."
"How the hell do you know this?"
James shifted in his seat and turned to Hermione, his cheeks crimson. "I've been seeing a lass who is also an Unspeakable."
Hermione rolled her eyes at this flagrant breach of security, making a mental note to find out exactly who her nephew was dating.
"It's not without its problems," he continued. "For example, it shows everyone with the merest trace of magic, like squibs. It's patchy in places, where there is a lot of iron in the soil. That's why we're on this subway, the tunnel is lined with red
/bricks, which…"
"Have a high percentage of iron oxide in them," finished Hermione.
"Exactly," replied James. "From what I understand from what Gwen has told me, the more magic you do, the clearer and bolder your name becomes. It's all keyed to your wand you see.
"This is sick," said Hermione angrily. "Disgusting."
James nodded. "The new Minister for Magic has been taking particular interest over the last few days."
Hermione held her head in her hands. "This certainly complicates things. But it does make some things easier. You'll be able to find your mum and sister for one."
James stared for a moment at the floor of the train. "She's not on the map. Gwen has checked and checked."
"Or she's somewhere unplottable."
James seemed deep in thought for a moment but turned back to Hermione.
"Where's Dad?"
"He's with Gabrielle. He was injured but she's looking after him."
James stared wistfully down the train, again lost in thought. The train drew to a sharp halt at Kelvinbridge Station, where they stepped off the train and headed for the exit.
"I'd better head back to Hogsmeade, before I'm missed," said James.
Hermione wrapped her nephew in a tight hug. "Stay safe," she whispered, releasing him. James disapparated, Hermione made a quick check of her surroundings and did the same.
Cobham – Surrey – England – 2330hrs.
Hermione apparated directly into her home and threw her cloak onto a nearby armchair. She opened her drinks cabinet, to fix a nightcap, when there was a sharp rap at the front door. She froze for a second in shock, before grabbing her wand. She kept the
/hall light off and opened the front door a crack.
"State your business," she said tersely.
"it's Pansy Macmillan," came the reply.
Hermione cautiously opened the door a little wider. "You alone?"
"Very much so, unfortunately."
Hermione opened the front door and allowed her old enemy in, swiftly shutting the door behind her. "Come through to the lounge," she said, a little stiffly. "Drink?"
Pansy sat in one of the leather armchairs and folded her hands demurely in her lap. "Brandy," she said softly. "If you have it."
Hermione poured her guest a generous measure and poured herself a bourbon and sat opposite Pansy.
"Make this quick," said Hermione. "It's been one hell of a day."
Pansy took a sip of her drink. "At least you didn't get stunned by Harry Potter," she replied, with a grimace. "I've not felt right since."
Hermione allowed herself a thin smile. "You did ask."
Pansy frowned and took another sip of the brandy. "I said I'd help, so here I am. You're aware of the map, I presume?"
Hermione's eyes widened like saucers. She nodded, fearful of what was coming next.
"Good. I knew it wouldn't take you long to figure it out. Now, your challenge, is to find Ginny and Lily Potter."
"But they're not…"
"On the map," finished Pansy. "They're somewhere unplottable, most likely. Almost certainly somewhere like the Black family home."
"You know of that place?"
"I do. You know that all the Pureblood families are related, one way or another? Everyone knows of the Black house. I don't know exactly where it's located, but I know it exists.
Hermione finished her drink and motioned Pansy to do the same.
"In fact, Harry and I are something like third cousins," called Pansy, as Hermione left the room to make another round of drinks.
Hermione came back into the lounge with the drinks. "How do I know I can trust you?" she asked.
"You don't," replied Pansy, with an enigmatic smile.
A/N: Hope you're enjoying this so far. Reviews/comments are very welcome. Next chapter up soon.
