Chapter Four
By the time afternoon rolled by Hermione was a nervous wreck. Her heart was thudding and her stomach was squirming unpleasantly. Downstairs she could hear the Order members arriving. Knowing she couldn't put it off any longer she followed the sound of voices into the dining room. George, Bill, Fleur, Arthur, Molly, Remus and Ron were scattered about the room. Ginny past her as she hovered in the doorway, making her way to a clearly devastated Remus Lupin. Tonks death had affected him badly. Most days the wolf could barely lift his head from his chest.
George was sitting in the corner on his own, staring morosely at the faded rug. She had yet to tell him that Bella was alive. Maybe she could whisper it to him now before the meeting started. She gave everyone a half-hearted wave and went to sit next to him.
"Granger," he mumbled not moving his eyes from the ground.
"Hello George," Hermione said softly brushing her hand across his knee. Maybe it would be best to tell him when Kingsley arrived.
The ghost of a smile crossed his lips but he didn't otherwise acknowledge her. Her eyes drifted up and snagged on Ron. She wondered if she should get up and speak to him, but she honestly didn't know how to be around him anymore. She still hadn't forgiven him for leaving her and Harry during the Horcrux hunt and the kiss they'd shared had just confused her. She was pulled from her thoughts by the arrival Kingsley. As planned Scabior wasn't with him. They needed the Order to think that bringing him on the hunt had been there decision.
Kingsley caught Hermione's eye, nodded his head once before striding to the centre of the room. "Well, now we are all here, we can begin."
The room quietened and everyone who was standing found a seat. Once they were all settled Kingsley gave them each a look. "It has come to my attention that Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew survived the final battle."
"What!?"
"How!?"
Everyone seemed to yell at once, except Hermione, Ginny and strangely enough George. Hermione turned to him, an apology ready to fall from her lips. But the look on his face halted her words. His lips were turned up into a smile that Hermione had never seen before. It had a malicious quality that looked wrong on his face. He also looked more alert, more intense.
Hermione turned away from him to look at Kingsley. He was patting the air in a placating manner. "Calm down. Miss Granger will explain everything."
Everyone switched their attention to Hermione. She shifted but managed to meet their baffled gazes. "After the battle I had to be sure that Bellatrix was dead." Every head in the room nodded in understanding. They knew how badly Bella's torture had affected her. "When I went to see the body, it was badly burnt, charred, there wasn't much skin left." She swallowed remembering the lingering smell of cooked flesh and burnt hair, it had stayed with her for days.
"But I knew it wasn't her. I can't explain it. But I knew." She shook her head, "I know the body had been identified by the magical residue left behind, and it showed Bella's signature, but it wasn't her."
"Hermione, I oversaw that spell myself." Arthur interjected softly.
Her head whipped round to face him, "I know and the spell wasn't mistaken. But the body wasn't Bella's."
"That doesn't make sense Hermione. How can it not have been her?" Remus asked, lifting his head for the first time.
"Because it was someone else." she saw the confused looks and held up her hand before anyone could speak. "I asked Kingsley to let me look in the Ministry Vaults. It took ages but I found a book on dark magic that explained how a person could transfer their magical signature to another person."
"No!" Molly gasped wringing her hands in her apron.
Hermione nodded. "When Kingsley rechecked the body and stripped Bella's signature away he found the real magical core, and it belonged to an unregistered user."
Kingsley stepped forward drawing every ones eyes. "I checked the other bodies and discovered that Pettigrew wasn't dead either. Merlin only knows what they've been up to and what they plan to do next."
"So what can we do?" Ginny asked catching Hermione's eye and winking.
"Hermione and I have come up with a plan to capture them and the other Death Eaters." The minister's voice was at his most authoritative. "We need to finish this for good." He flicked his wrist towards Hermione causing everyone to switch there attention back her way again.
She shifted and forced herself to meet their gazes. "I found a spell," her voice came out confidently. "A locator spell that we'll be able to modify to find the Death Eaters."
"That's great 'mione. When can we do this spell?" Ron asked bobbing about in his excitement.
"Well it's not quite as simple as that Ron," she answered grimacing. "First we have to make a list of the Death Eaters we need to catch."
Arthur jiggled his foot in agitation. "We could get that information from the Ministry couldn't we Kingsley?" The eldest Weasley looked from Hermione to the Minister.
"Yes, but we need more than just a name." He indicated that Hermione should continue.
"We also need a personal artefact from the Death Eater, something with their hair, blood or skin would be ideal."
Ron wrinkled his nose in that way that got on Hermione's nerves, "Gross!" he sputtered earning a censoring look from Molly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "yes, well, it doesn't matter how gross it is as long as it works."
Heads nodded their agreement then Kingsley stepped towards Remus, "We could use your help with the spell work Lupin." his voice had softened slightly when speaking to the grief stricken werewolf.
"Of course. Whatever you need." The wolf muttered not even bothering to raise his lowered eyes.
Bill cleared his throat drawing every ones attention to him and away from Remus. "I assume we'll go after Lestrange and Pettigrew first."
Hermione flicked her gaze to Ginny, who gave a tiny nod.
"Actually," she said as nonchalantly as she could, "we won't be able to track those two that way."
"Why not?" Arthur asked frowning.
"They transferred their magical signature onto the bodies, so it would be impossible to try and track them using the locator spell" she said slowly, carefully. It was important that they understood that. Hermione squeezed her hands nervously, digging her nails into the skin on the back of her hand.
"We have, however, found another way to track them down." Kingsley said.
Almost everyone shifted forward impatiently. "Well spit it out!" Ron snapped.
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly yelled, "You do not speak to Minister Shacklebolt in that tone!"
Ron flushed a dull red that clashed horribly with his hair, "sorry," he muttered, not sounding it in the least.
Kingsley inclined his head regally. "Hermione and I have decided that the best course of action is to use a Snatcher, bind him to do our bidding."
Cue explosion.
Both Hermione and Kingsley didn't bother trying to speak, they instead let the yelling and protestations fill the room. It took exactly four minutes and thirty five seconds for everyone to shut up. And when it was quiet it wasn't Kingsley or Hermione who spoke into the silence, but Ginny.
"I think it's a good idea. It makes sense. Use a Death Eater to find a Death Eater, or in this case two." Ginny smiled wryly, "I assume you have a plan to make it happen?"
Hermione hid a grin behind her hand and made a note to order Ginny the biggest bar of chocolate she could find.
"As a matter of fact we have. All we need is your agreement," Kingsley said inclining his head.
Hemione nibbled her lip in worry. She hadn't wanted Kingsley to give the Order members a choice as to whether they agreed or not. She had wanted him to tell them that they were using a Death Eater, and his word on the matter was final.
Beside her George shifted until his arm touched her side and his hair brushed her the top of her cheek. "You've already done it haven't you Granger."
Hermione flicked her eyes to the side. Meeting his pale blue stare. "Yes," She whispered from the corner of her mouth.
An almost smile crossed his lips, "I wish Fred was here to see you being a rebel."
Hermione grinned, "I do to."
She didn't even notice when the room had once again fallen silent, too busy trying to make George complete his smile. But she sat up straight when she heard the words of agreement falling from each of the Order members present. Hermione silently thanked her lucky stars that McGonagall wasn't present. Her former head of house would never have agreed to the use of a Death Eater no matter how necessary. She didn't envy the person who would have to inform her.
"Well I'm glad that everyone agrees, albeit reluctantly," Kingsley said glancing at Molly when he said the last.
"Who will you use?" Bill asked.
Hermione exchanged a look with Kingsley. "Scabior," they said together.
Cue another explosion.
Molly. "No absolutely not."
Arthur. "Is there no one else more suitable?"
Bill. "There must be another way."
Fleur. "It zeems a mistake to use im."
Remus. "No."
Ron. "That Death Eater should be dead! You're not using him."
Ginny and George said nothing.
Pulling in a deep breath, Hermione got up and held up her hand. "It has to Scabior because he's the only one who can do it."
Ron jumped to his feet. "No! 'mione, we are not using him!"
Hermione glared at him, "yes. Ron, we are!"
He flushed that unflattering shade of red again. "I won't let you!"
Hermione snapped to her feet. "How dare you!" She hissed furiously stepping towards him, fists clenched by her side. Merlin, when had he gotten so tall? "We are using Scabior. And Ronald, not only are we using him, I will be with him when he hunts for Bella and Pettigrew!"
"You will not!" Ron shouted stepping into her space and towering over her.
Hermione drew in a breath ready to tear into him, ready to say something that she would probably regret. Only George got there first. Stepping between them and casually pushing Ron back a few steps.
"Shut up Ron," he said calmly, "Granger is the best person for the job and every person in this room knows it."
Ron spluttered, his face contorted into the gormless look he'd worn so often at Hogwarts. "But...she can't!" He said, eyes flashing around the room looking for support. But it seemed as if everyone was more astounded that George had uttered more than a few words and that he was actually taking an interest, than with the thought of Hermione working with Scabior.
"And Granger won't be on her own with him," George said.
"She won't?" Ron choked out.
"I won't?" Hermione asked the shiny back of George's head.
"No." George twisted around and fixed his mother with a desperate look, "I'll be helping them."
Hermione was sure that Molly was going to say no. She had to say no. But when she saw Molly hesitate her shoulders dropped. Having George along was the last thing she needed. She didn't want to have to worry about anyone but herself. And she couldn't shake the image of that malicious smile from her head. George was out for revenge and she didn't think she'd be able to stop him when he tried for it.
Molly nodded in agreement, much to everyone but Hermione's surprise. Even George looked flabbergasted. Like he couldn't believe his mum had agreed.
Plans were made quickly after that. Kingsley would bring Scabior to Grimmauld Place later that night. Hermione suspected that it was so that each of the Order members could threaten him in turn. After that they would gather everything they would need before starting the hunt.
It was decided that Bill, Ron and Remus would use the tracking spell to begin rounding up the remaining Death Eaters. Ginny, Molly, Arthur and Harry, because they couldn't leave him out, would stay at Grimmauld Place and offer back up support. The newly pregnant Fluer would stay at Shell Cottage and do absolutely nothing that would put her in danger. She had sulkily agreed, shooting Bill a glare.
None of it was as detailed as Hermione would have liked, but it was the best they could come up with at such short notice. It would have to do. For now at least.
As soon as the meeting ended, Hermione was the first one out of the door. Quickly running up the stairs and heading for one of the unused rooms. Below she heard the sound of footsteps.
"'Mione!"
She cursed softly and dived through the nearest door, a dusty bedroom with broken furniture and faded upholstery. She softly closed the door and tiptoed further into the room looking for a hiding spot. She eyed the wardrobe but quickly dismissed the idea. Who knew what kind of traps Kreatcher had put in there. In the hall she could hear doors opening and Ron's voice calling her name.
Frantic she gazed around looking for somewhere to hide. Her gaze fell on the window seat, framed by heavy velvet drapes. With no other choice she made her way over and stepped onto the seat, shuffled over until her back hit the wall, and arranged the drape so that it covered her from view. Two seconds passed before Ron opened the door.
"Mione!" He sounded pissed.
The door slammed shut and she heard him march down the hall and towards another room. Hermione rolled her eyes and settled her cheek against the cool pane of glass. He hadn't even searched the room properly. Sometimes it was a wonder that he made it through each day.
Of course at some point she would have to sit him down and tell him that the kiss had been a mistake. That nothing was ever going to happen between them. But even the thought of having that conversation gave her a headache. She knew what would happen. He would loose his temper, then sulk and refuse to speak to her. He would then get Molly onside and Hermione would be made out to be a harlot who had led Ron on. She just didn't want to face that right now. Sighing, she slid down the wall until her bum hit the cushion. It was lumpy and smelt of damp.
Why on earth didn't I grab a book?
In the end she spent an hour staring out of the window watching the oblivious people wandering about in the rain below. When that sight became to depressing she decided to go see if Harry. She desperately wanted to see him before she left. Needed to know that he supported her in this.
Harry was neither awake nor asleep when Hermione crept into his room. He was in that in between stage that could go either way. He wasn't wearing his glasses but he had them in his hand like he was thinking about putting them on. Beside him Ginny was reading the Daily Profit but she'd looked up when Hermione had opened the door. When she saw the way the bushy haired witch was pressing her back against it she rolled her eyes.
"You're about to go hunt Bella and Pettigrew and you're afraid of talking to Ron?"
Harry chuckled, "she knows he'll shout at her," he reached up to put his glasses on, "and then sulk."
Ginny snorted but didn't disagree. "I'll give you guys a minute to talk," she said reaching forward to prop Harry up on his pillows.
"Thanks," Harry said watching the red head as she left the room.
Hermione circled the bed and took the seat Ginny had been using. It was still warm.
"So?" Harry said, "are you sure about this?"
Hermione nodded. "I honestly don't see another way."
"But Scabior? You can't trust him!"
"I know that and I don't intend to." She tapped her foot against the leg of the chair, "I'm just using him to find them."
Harry brushed a hand through his hair, making the already messy strands stick up even more. "I wish I could help you."
"I wish you could too."
"At least you'll have George."
Hermione's eyes darted away from Harry.
"What?"
Hermione shrugged, "nothing." She eyed a damp patch in the corner of the room, following the oblong shape until it disappeared beneath the peeling wallpaper. The whole house was probably covered in the black fuzz. She wouldn't be surprised if it was the only thing keeping the place together. A kind of glue made from mould.
"Hermione?" Harry flapped his hand in front of her face, "tell me what's wrong."
"I'm not sure." She saw Harry tilt his head and sighed, "I think George is out for revenge."
"Can you blame him?"
Hermione was shaking her head before he even finished speaking. Of course George wanted revenge. They all did. It was actually a very small part of the reason Hermione was going after Bella herself. Okay a big part. But she couldn't shake the feeling that George wanted to do more than just catch Bella. He wanted to make her suffer.
Hermione frowned at Harry, not sure how to explain that she just had a bad feeling about that look on George's face. "This is going to be dangerous Harry. Don't you see? The whole thing was planned!" Seeing Harry's green eyes widen in alarm she switched her tone of voice. Less panicked, more soothing. "What Bella and Peter did can't be done on a whim. It takes time." She closed her eyes in disgust. "Those two people they used would have suffered months of having their magic scraped from them until only the core remained."
She opened her eyes to see Harry watching her intently. The skin on his forehead was rumpled. It only did that when he was thinking about something really hard or about to be particularity stubborn.
"Transferring Bella and Peter's Signature is what would have killed the,." She finished softly.
"Maybe we should wait. Find out what they're up to first."
"What? And give them time to plan some more?" She shook her head, "right now we have the advantage."
"What?" Harry pointed to his chest, "me? Or maybe Molly could feel them into giving up!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at his dramatics. Honestly, he sounded like Ron.
"Bellatrix and Peter have no idea we know they're alive."
"Will that be enough though?"
"It will if George can keep his temper and not tip anyone off."
Harry winced. He knew all about the Weasley temper, had faced it more than a few times himself. "I don't know Hermione, something feels off. You could get hurt."
"I could get hurt crossing the street Harry," she answered firmly.
Seeing the, don't even think about telling me not to do this, expression on her face, he nodded hid head once in agreement. Then reached forward to grab her hand. It was cool and smooth to the touch and felt fragile beneath his fingers. Ginny's hand had never felt like that. Whenever he held hers, it felt strong and comforting.
"Hermione hunt them if you must, but promise me that if it gets to dangerous, you'll stop, and we'll figure something else out."
She didn't want to promise. Because no matter how dangerous the hunt was going to get she wasn't going to stop until Bella and Peter were behind Azkaban's bars. Hermione looked Harry straight in the eye. Brown meeting green. "I promise."
Harry sighed out his relief and let go of her hand. He didn't have to know that she'd crossed her toes when she'd promised.
They were interrupted by George, who bounced into the room, showing that same excitement he'd had during the meeting. Harry glanced at Hermione, eyebrows raised.
"Hey!" George swung the door closed, "Ron's on his way."
Hermione's eyes widened comically and she half jumped out of her seat.
"Quick! Under the bed!" Harry said.
She gave him an incredulous look, but the identical expressions of delight he and George wore had her dropping to her hands and knees. She squeezed between the bed and floor, laying flat and twisting to get under. It was a tighter gap than it looked, and she had to shuffle awkwardly to get under. The slats pressed into her back pressing her into the dusty floor. Honestly she must be barmy. But they'd both looked so excited at the thought of Hermione Granger hiding under a bed that she hadn't wanted to disappoint. Those two needed a laugh more than anyone else and she wouldn't deny them. Even if it was at her expense.
The door crashed open. "Is Hermione here?" Ron said.
"Can you see her?" George asked sinking into the chair.
"No."
Harry shifted on the bed causing the slats to dig into her a little more. "Well I guess that means she isn't here then."
Ron huffed and she could well imagine the petulant look on his face.
"I think I saw her upstairs," George offered, using his foot to sweep under the bed and brush against Hermione's side.
"Right. I'll see you later," Ron muttered heading out the door.
As soon as he was gone she wriggled out and scowled at the giggling wizards.
"I'm not ever doing that again," she snapped brushing off the dust coating her front.
"But it was funny!"
"Shut up George." She switched her gaze to Harry, "and you can stop laughing as well."
He did stop laughing but only because a yawn took over. "I think I need to sleep again."
George gave him a look of disbelief, "how can you still be tired?"
"I actually have a theory about that." She sat on the bed next to Harry. "I think Voldemort used a spell during the final battle."
"What kind of spell?"
"I'm not sure exactly, but everyone who was at Hogwarts is suffering badly from fatigue and all of our magic is running low." She flicked her hand randomly about. "I asked Kinglsey to check the Death Eaters who were at the battle, and they have the same symptoms."
Harry's eyes were rapidly drooping so she rushed on, "those of us who were closest to you and Voldermort seem to be suffering the most. I think that when Voldermort realized he was losing he tried to drain the magic from those around him."
"Only it wasn't enough," Harry muttered.
Hermione nodded. "No it wasn't."
George cocked his head in thought. "If snake face could do that kind of spell why didn't he do it before?"
"Because you can't take some ones magic and make it your own. That's not how it works. Your body can't contain it. I think, you know who, panicked. He knew Harry was going to kill him so he figured he'd give it a try." She drew her lip through her teeth. "It's probably part of the reason he died." She looked at Harry. His eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even. Asleep.
They sat for a while listening to him. Each thinking about what Voldemort had taken from them. Had taken from everybody.
"George?"
"Yes?"
Hermione took a breath. "We take no risks on this hunt. We don't let our emotions rule us. And it's important that we only use our magic when we have to. The less we use, the quicker we recover."
"You're the boss," he said wryly, "how long will it be before we're back to full strength?"
"A couple of weeks if we're careful."
He jabbed his chin at Harry, "and him?"
"Months." Hermione said reaching across to take off Harry's glasses. She folded them on the bedside table. "You should pack what you want to take. I can put it in my bag for you."
"Will do." George got up, "when do we leave?"
"Kingsley's bringing Scabior over later. We'll eat something first and then leave."
He nodded his head and left the room. She hoped he packed sensible things.