Apparently I am on a role.. over 5000 words in two days!
Chapter Seven: Bonham
"Sir I think my mother is in grave danger," Hermione said before the headmaster could even greet her.
"Do explain Ms. Granger, Professor Snape please retrieve Professor Mcgonagal, tell her I need to speak with her urgently." Said Dumbledore as he met Hermione and Snape at the door.
"My parents were both attacked by death eaters, they were about to finish my mother off when I arrived home."
"We will have your mother moved to a safe house immediately, Dilys please go to your portrait at St. Mungos and alert Missy we are reinstating the Bonham program. Everard go to your portrait at the ministry and request Alan Goressen see me immediately. As for you Ms. Granger you will accompany Professor Mcgonagal back to the hospital along with a trusted ministry official to transfer your mother into our care."
"Thank you Professor," Said Hermione as she began to calm down.
"What else do you know about the attacks?"
"I left before my mother could give me more details sir," said Hermione feeling slightly ashamed that she had acted so brashly.
"Do not feel ashamed Hermione, you were acting out of love. We do not always act sensibly when those who are most important to us are in danger."
"Professor, you asked for me," Said Mcgonagal as she entered the office. "Yes Minerva, I need you ready to leave in muggle attire in five minutes. We are reinstating the Bonham program. You will be accompanied by Goressen to the hospital where you will retrieve Mrs. Granger and take her to a safe house." Said Dumbledore as he swept around his office evidently looking for something.
"Yes sir," Said Mcgonagal giving Hermione a worried look and then briskly walking out the door. Seconds later the flames in Dumbledore's fireplace turned brilliant green and a tanned man in a business suit emerged from the fireplace.
"Alan, thank you for meeting me we need to make an immediate extraction from a muggle hospital in london." Said Dumbledore as he shook the man's hand.
"Of course, and who is this young lady?" Said Alan as he turned to Hermione.
"Daughter of the woman we need to protect. Now here is the information you will need," Said Dumbledore as he handed Alan a piece of parchment. "Ah Minerva, I see you are all set, I have arranged for this portkey to leave in 5 minutes, now here is then plan.." Said Dumbledore as they all gathered around him.
The seventh years were all speculating on what could cause Professor Mcgonagal to be fifteen minutes late, until Professor Dumbledore entered the room.
"Good morning," he greeted the seventh year students who immediately quieted down. "I will be taking over Transfiguration this morning as Professor Mcgonagal was called away on urgent business." The students began to whisper and speculate on what their professor could have been called away for.
Blaise looked over to Draco "do you think this has something to do with Hermione? She has been gone for a week, and now her head of house has been called away on business." Draco shrugged his shoulders, and was evidently trying to hide something. By the looks of it worry. "You know something don't you?" Asked Blaise.
"If I do it doesn't change anything, certainly doesn't explain why Mcgonagal was called away, why are you being so nosy?" Said Draco keeping his voice calm and controlled.
"Fine I'll ask Red, maybe she'll tell me something since you won't."
"Go ahead, but I doubt she'll tell you anything." Said Draco as he pulled his notes out ending the conversation.
"Have you heard from Hermione yet," asked Harry worriedly.
"No babe, but I'm sure she'll write to us soon." Said Ginny as she kissed him on the cheek and curled up beside him on the couch. Then Ron stomped up to them angrily "wheres Hermione?" he asked. "Still avoiding me I see."
"Can you really be that thick Ronald, she's not here."
"Well then where is she," he shouted at her.
"Shes with her family right now, which is where she needs to be, now you need to grow up and accept that she's not into you. I'm glad shes not here to see you act like this," said Ginny furiously.
"And why the hell would she need to be with her family, it's not like anyone has died or anything."
"Ron!" Exclaimed Harry, as he tried to hold Ginny back. "How could you be so insensitive?" She screamed at him.
"So you mean to tell me someone died and you didn't even tell me about," said Ron in a dangerously low voice.
"And when would we have time to do that when you have been so self absorbed in your own self pity?" Said Ginny her wand pointed at her brother's chest.
"Ginny don't," Said Harry trying to pull her back. "How the hell am I related to you," she said angrily as she cast a bat bogey hex upon him.
Hermione, Goressen and Mcgonagal arrived in an abandoned alley across from the hospital. Righting themselves Goressen tossed the shoe that had previously been a portkey aside. Then straightening their clothes the trio briskly began walking towards the hospital. Goressen handled the paperwork while Mcgonagal posed as a marshall for witness protection. They secured Mrs. Granger release within the hour, calmed Cindy down and sent her home with the promise of immediate updates and had Mrs. Granger wheeled into an ambulance. Which to Hermione's surprise was being driven by Order of the Phoenix Member Deladues Diggle.
"Hermione, whats going on?" Asked her mother now that they were in the ambulance. "We're taking you somewhere safe." Said Hermione as she squeezed her mother's hand.
"Now you two" said Alan as he gestured to Hermione to Mcgonagal will get out at the leaky cauldron, where you will floo to the Tonk's residence. You will give them this message: Bonham is waiting by the docs for the sunrise at seven. Then you will aparate back to Hogwarts where Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you."
"But.."
"No buts Ms. Granger the less people who know the exact location of the safe house the better." Said Mcgongal as she put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Hermione nodded and then turned her attention back to her mother.
"Now Mrs. Granger could you please tell us about the attacks." Said Alan in a calm voice. Jean shuddered and then began retelling the murder and torture of her husband. By the end both of the Granger woman were crying. Hermione wished she could forget the last moments of her father's life. But once heard it could not be unheard.
All too soon they arrived at the leaky cauldron, and Hermione was forced to say goodbye to her mother. Unsure of when she would see her again Hermione watched her go with tears threatening to escape her eyes once more. Then, Mcgonagal led the Hermione into the pub as she wiped her eyes.
"Evening Tom," said Mcgonagal politely.
"Evening Minerva, what brings you here this afternoon?" He asked as he cleared away some glasses.
"Just taking a promising student to meet some potential colleagues."
"Ah Ms. Granger, I trust it went well."
"Very, thanks for asking Tom, but I need to get back for my last class."
"Of course, have a great evening ladies."
"Thanks Tom," said Minerva as she ushered Hermione towards the fireplace. They stepped into the emerald flames and were whisked away to the Tonk's residence.
"Evening Minerva," said Ted Tonks as he shook both of the women's hands. "Albus told us to be expecting you. Shall I have Andromeda put on some tea?"
"No that won't be necessary Ted, we simply came to relay a message, then I must get young Ms. Granger back to school." Said Minerva as she brushed some soot off of her jacket, while Hermione stood awkwardly beside her.
"Ah yes, Andromeda honey, would you come into the living room?"
"Yes, I shall be right there hun."
"Please sit," said Tom as he motioned towards the couch.
"Afternoon Minerva," said Andromeda as she entered the sitting room.
"Bonham is waiting by the docs for the sunrise at seven." Said Minerva as she handed them a piece of parchment. Ted and Andromeda read the piece of parchment together and then nodded at Minerva. "Very well," Said Ted.
"Now we shall be off, it is always a pleasure to see the two of you," said Minerva as she shook each of their hands. "Come on Hermione, it's time we get you back to school. And so, for the last time that day Hermione stepped into the emerald flames.
Righting herself Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into Dumbledore's office, followed by Mcgonagal.
"Afternoon ladies, I trust everything has gone as planned." Said Dumbledore as he got up from his desk.
"Yes Albus," Said Mcgonagal.
"Very good, now we should be hearing from Alan in about ten minutes or so. In the meantime, Ms. Granger I shall ask you not to talk to anybody other than Harry and Ginny about this. I trust you realize that secrecy is the utmost key of the Bonham program. Teachers have been informed of the reason of your absence and it is your choice what you choose to disclose with your peers. Any contact you have with your mother will be through Professor Mcgonagal as a safety precaution. I hope this is okay with you." Said Dumbledore pausing for Hermione's answer.
"Of Course Sir,"
"Very well then, do you have any questions?"
"What will happen with my father's funeral?"
"I have mailed your Aunt, and she will make arrangements according to your mother's wishes. Should the both of you wish to attend you will be accompanied by aurors and put under protective enchantments."
"Thank you sir." Then Hermione jumped as a silver Ox patronus erupted through the window. It spoke in Alans voice. "Jean Granger has been secured and is currently being attended to by a medi-witch. The sun will rise at seven." Then the creature faded away.
"Your mother is now safe, I shall ask you to return to your dorm as Minerva and I have much to discuss."
"Thank you," said Hermione as she got up. "Thank you, it means so much to me to know my mother is safe."
"It is the least I could do Hermione. Now go and rest." Hermione nodded and then exited the Headmasters office.
"I want everyone changed and up in the air in five," said Draco as he led his fellow teammates into the changing rooms. With the upcoming match against Ravenclaw and his only outlet for his frustrations Draco had been pushing the Slytherin team all week. He had made them memorize every play in the book and would not stop until they could execute each one perfectly.
"Today we are going to working on plays 50 through 57, and I will not have any whining, our first match is tomorrow and we are not going to let those bloody gryffindors take the cup for another year."
The team nodded and kicked off. Soon the chasers were working on intricate pass loops while the beaters were sent off to the other end of the pitch for target practice. Draco unlike the previous slytherin captains had decided to go for brains over muscle this year and the decision seemed to be really paying off. He was currently working Tracey Davis, a fellow seventh year and the best keeper Slytherin had, had in a long time.
"Don't you need to practice too?" She asked after she had caught the last ten quaffles in a row.
"I will, but first I have to make sure all of you actually deserve your spots on this team."
"And.. do I pass inspection Mr. Malfoy?"
"With flying colors, now go work with the chasers." Said Draco dismissively. Tracey huffed, obviously having hoped for more praise and then flew over towards the chasers. Draco shook his head, then flew over to the crate where he released the snitch and began practicing himself. After a couple of hours he ended practice and then ordered the team to go straight to bed after their showers. Content with their progress he too prepared himself for an early night. He threw his firebolt into the broom shed and then walked straight up to the school. In high spirits stole off to the kitchens for a late night snack and then made his way up to the heads dormitory, but as the portrait hole opened he was surprised to see Hermione cuddled up in a pair of sweatpants and a hoody in front of the fire.
"Granger," he said in shock.
Just a little tidbit:the Bonham project was named after Mungo Bonham, the founder of St. Mungos. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it :) Reviews are always appreciated!
