"How many different ways would you like me to say no?" Robin asked her. "Perhaps Much could sing it while Will and Little John dance backup?"
"That might make it sink in," Hermione said cheerfully. "I'd at least like to see a demonstration before I can tell for sure."
"Seriously, I don't even understand what you think this can accomplish," Robin said. "Why are you so hell bent on infiltrating Nottingham?"
As soon as Hermione and Allan had returned to camp, Hugo had trotted over to her side. He looked at her a bit strangely, as if he did indeed know what she and Allan had been doing; the little unicorn glared fiercely at his rival, but Allan merely grinned at him. The others had an idea that something had happened as well; they had rarely seen their duplicitous friend look so pleased with himself when there was no money around. However, Hermione immediately launched into another request to go undercover, so their suspicions would have to wait.
"Obviously you guys do it all the time," Hermione stated. "And frankly, it's ridiculous that you aren't immediately recognized each time, but whatever. I'm a new face, one no one has seen me before; plus all the sexists never suspect women of being anything other than wide-eyed and innocent. It would be extremely easy for me to get inside the castle for a few days, and then I can report back. I'm not suggesting I run back and forth like an owl delivering messages; that would be foolhardy. If I go once and stay awhile it should be perfectly safe. Contrary to our first acquaintance, I am not completely helpless."
"Since when do owls deliver messages?" Allan asked, scratching his head. He hated to admit it, but she did make a few good points. He hoped Robin would not agree.
"That's what you're focusing on?" Hermione snapped. She knew he did not approve and would not back her, which annoyed her a great deal, even if she somewhat understood. She rarely had to listen to that 'but you're a girl' rubbish with Harry and Ron. True, her skills were not known to her new friends, and she did not have her wand to protect her, but she was still a great deal cleverer than stupid medieval guards who could not recognize Robin Hood if he was wearing a hat. If she did say so herself. "Allan, tell them how good I was with the sword."
He nodded grudgingly. "She's not bad."
"Why not let her go, Robin?" Will said. "Marian will look after her."
"And what happens if she compromises Marian?" Robin asked. "If Marian vouches for Hermione and she's revealed to be a traitor, what does that make Marian?"
"Marian's always going to be in some danger," John pointed out. "She has history with us, history with Allan, and the sheriff neither likes nor trusts her. As long as Hermione uses her head, there's no reason for Marian to become any more involved than she already is. I think you should let her try." He looked more at Allan than Robin when he said this, and Allan could not help feeling slightly betrayed. When John's own wife and son had been in the hands of the sheriff, John had done everything in his power to save them. Why should he, Allan, be forced to sit back and watch as Hermione wandered into the lion's den? Sure, Robin dealt with Marian all the time, but this was different - this was his issue!
"I say we put it to a vote," Hermione suggested, smiling gratefully at Little John.
"This isn't a democracy," Robin argued.
Hermione ignored him. "All in favor?" She thrust her own hand up into the air and watched as Djaq, John and Will joined her. Much looked warily at Robin before raising his own hand. "Well, that settles it, then, doesn't it? Five against two."
"You're not a part of this gang, Princess, you don't get a vote," Allan said.
"It's still four against two," Hermione said stubbornly, refusing to rise to his bait. "And unless you're planning on tying me up again, there's really not much you can do to stop me."
"I could blindfold you, lead you into the forest and leave you there," Robin said.
"Yes, but you won't," Hermione said, turning to face him fully. "Robin, I can do this. I won't implicate Marian in any way, I promise. I'll simply do some minor sleuthing and report back, alright? Let me do this. If I'm caught, don't worry - I don't crack under pressure."
"Oh, that's lovely," Allan bit out. "You'll just be tortured or hanged, that's all, whether you crack or not."
Hermione wanted to yell back at him, to remind him that he had no problems with Marian and Djaq being put in danger, and that she was not his property. She knew, however, that he was concerned for her, so she went over and put her hand on his face. "I'll be careful, I swear. You think I'm going to let you have the opportunity to rub my failure in my face? Trust me; I would like nothing more than to prove myself. And besides, torture, death? That's nothing." She smiled at him to take the sting out of her words, but she could see he wasn't convinced. She could also tell, however, that he would give in.
"I don't like it," Robin said, "but I guess I must allow it."
"See, was that so hard?" Hermione asked.
"Don't push your luck," Robin admonished. "Whatever you think, this isn't going to be easy. Don't be so flippant about your life or the lives of your friends. You put us all in harm's way."
"I swear you can count on me," Hermione said, placing her hand over her heart. "I will need all of your help and advice, though. Allan, you can tell me all the little tricks about the castle. Why don't we take Hugo for a walk while you fill me in?"
"Maybe later. I'm going to go sulk for a bit first," Allan said. He was angry with them all, and worried about her; plus there was little chance of a kiss with the nag around.
Hermione let him go; she'd had enough experience with pouting boys to know when to back off. She knew Robin would be similarly annoyed, but she didn't really care. It felt good to be useful, good to be plotting and planning a caper. It wasn't like she was any stranger to dangerous plans; she'd had seven years acting with Harry and Ron. Back then, she had often been the voice of reason and restraint; now it was her turn to do the heavy lifting. What would they think of her when she got home and told them she did nothing but sit on her ass in a forest all day? It would not do. Fred would roll over in his grave.
"Djaq, what do you think?" Hermione said, turning to the one person she knew was completely on her side. "What would be an acceptable cover for me?"
"I would stick as close to the truth as you can," she answered. "That will make it easier to remember. You will need a way to actually stay in the castle, not just the village. We can probably steal you a nice dress, and Robin can loan you some coins. Say you are a noblewoman. Perhaps your father sent you away because you refused to marry, and now you need shelter and can pay. It's possible the sheriff will try to contact your parents to get more money, but he has more important things on his mind. I think your ruse will work."
"I've heard worse ideas," Robin admitted. "Although you should not say you are on the run; the Sheriff will almost certainly try to squeeze more money from you. If this Malfoy or your parents really are looking for you, the Sheriff will find them. Make it clear you were disowned, and that they do not want you back."
"I can do that," Hermione said. "This way Marian won't be implicated at all, because we will appear as strangers. It would be natural for us to become friendly, though, as we would both be noblewomen living in the castle. If somehow I am caught, Marian will appear ignorant."
"You'd better hope so," Robin said. "I like you Hermione, but if it comes down between you and Marian, you know who I would pick."
"That's as it should be," Hermione replied. "Don't worry, Robin, I won't let you down." She ran over and gave Little John, Much and Will hugs of thanks and then set off to find Allan. She had to walk a little ways; she found him sitting on a log looking thoroughly put out.
"I don't think you're helpless," he told her when she sat down next to him. "It's just that this is dangerous, and I like you. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I appreciate that," she said, reassured by his honesty. "I don't want to get hurt either. I just want to help. If this visitor is really dangerous, the more you know the better it will be. I'm the only one the sheriff doesn't know."
"If you're caught, he will hang you," Allan said baldly. "And if there's any way he or Guy find out you are important to me..." He looked straight in her eyes, to better convey the gravity of the situation. "I don't want to be responsible for you getting violated or killed; can you understand that?"
"I do," Hermione said, shivering. He didn't know the numerous life or death situations she had been in, the horrible dangers she had faced. And she didn't have her wand, so she was extremely vulnerable. She did know that; perhaps her Gryffindor bravery was causing her to act foolish. Hadn't she accused Harry of something similar? Still, she honestly thought she could do this. She reached up and touched his face. "I promise you I'll be careful."
"Then I suppose I'll have to accept that." He grinned a little. "How about a few kisses to make me feel better?"
"I could maybe oblige that."
They quickly found sitting on the log awkward; Hermione allowed Allan to move her onto the ground, where he pinned her beneath him and kissed her frantically. She knew it was a danger zone, but she trusted herself enough to stop and she wanted to help vanquish his worry. She had certainly been in enough compromising positions with Ron, and she always knew when to slow down, but as Allan trailed hot kisses down her neck and rocked his hips against her, she worried she might not want him to stop.
"You might die in the castle," he breathed. "It only seems right that we should - "
That killed the mood in a hurry. "Oh, nice," she exclaimed, pushing him off of her. "I should let you have your way with me because I might die? That is not romantic and it is in extremely poor taste."
"I didn't mean - I only wanted -"
"I know what you want, Allan a Dale," Hermione said, rising up from the ground and brushing off her clothes. "And it is not going to happen in some disgusting pile of leaves just because you're worried I might croak before you get some!"
"Hermione, that's not what I'm worried about," Allan protested, mentally slapping himself. What kind of a thing was that to say to someone?
"What kind of lady do you think I am, anyway? Some little girl who is so grateful you rescued her from a pig like Malfoy she'll shag you the first chance she gets?"
"Well, nice girls don't kiss like that," Allan said, annoyed now at both of them. "You haven't seemed so adverse to my attentions."
"I'm not, but if you go around saying things like 'You might die so we should shag' then I'll get real adverse in a hurry!" She turned and flounced away, her righteousness causing her hair to bristle as much as her feelings were. Honestly! What kind of easy witch did he think he was dealing with - Pansy Parkinson?
"Men are all the same," she harrumphed to herself as she walked back to camp, "be they wizards or muggles. They all want one thing, and they're not above using magic or manipulation to get it." She began to enjoy her own indignation as she abused Allan, Ron, Viktor Krum and every other man she knew under her breath; by the time she returned to camp she was feeling pleased and excited about her mission again and ready to forgive Allan. Maybe it had even been a little funny, his desperate attempt to get into her knickers. Pathetic, yes, but sort of funny, too.
"All better?" Much asked her as she knelt next to him at the fire.
"Mostly better," she answered. "Much, you, Djaq and Little John are going to have to take special care of Hugo while I am in the castle. No matter what, do not let him follow me."
"You can count on us," Much said. "Now Hermione, in all honesty, you must be very careful. I think you are very brave and very strong, but Allan and Robin are right: this is dangerous."
For some reason it sounded more serious coming from Much; Hermione nodded solemnly. "I know, and I appreciate your faith in me." She looked around at her new friends. "All of you." She felt a little like she had during the reign of Dumbledore's Army. As much as she hated having her friends in danger, and as grateful as she was that Voldemort was dead, it was sort of exciting to be fighting again, to be united against a common enemy. Once again she thought of Harry and Ron, and how they would be both proud of her and furious she was placing herself in danger. Maybe Fred would be angrier about her taking ridiculous chances than he would her merely sitting back. She thought about Moody and his "Constant vigilance!" Was she being foolish? What would Dumbledore say, or Remus?
Never mind, Hermione. This is your adventure, not theirs. You need to make the most of it. She cheered slightly again. Time travel was certainly turning her schizophrenic.
"Robin, when can I go?" she asked, latching on to her current excitement. Better to start sooner than later, before she started waffling again.
"Tomorrow," Robin said, to Hermione's surprise. "You might as well get started; this way you will be in the castle for a day or two before the visitor arrives. Djaq found a dress for you, and we can spare enough gold coins to make your story plausible. I had a long talk with Hugo when you went to find Allan, and he has agreed to stay back." Robin spoke this last bit lightly, but when Hermione looked at the little unicorn his face was very serious, and Hermione thought perhaps Robin was telling the truth.
"What about Marian?" Hermione asked. "Will that give you time to alert her, to let her know I will be coming?"
"Marian's quick on her feet," Robin answered. "She won't show any surprise when she sees you, and she'll be able to act as if you are strangers."
"Alright," Hermione said, taking a deep breath. "I don't suppose I could smuggle a sword in with me?"
"The more helpless they think you are, the better," Little John advised. "Hopefully you won't have to use one. If push comes to shove, you should have little trouble taking one from those incompetent guards."
"And little trouble beating them with it," Allan said as he came up behind her. He looked warily at her and gave a half shrug to indicate apology. It wasn't eloquent, but she smiled back at him so he figured he was forgiven. "They're pretty pathetic. I'll give you the lowdown on the ins and outs of the castle. Will, why don't you show her some ways to pick locks? Marian has managed quite a few with her hair pin; we've got one of those for you, too."
They spent the rest of the evening preparing her for her mission. Hermione tried the bow and arrow a few more times before giving it up as a bad job; Allan had her demonstrate her sword play, which even Robin said was good. Although Robin and Allan still seemed wary, they told her everything they knew about the castle. Hermione noted that Allan was trying to sound his usual nonchalant, quippy self, but she could see the worry in his eyes.
"This is the best escape route," Allan said, pointing to a corner of the castle diagram he had etched in the dirt. "If you have an inkling that the sheriff or Giz suspect you of treachery, you head straight there."
"I promise," Hermione said. "I swear I won't make any reckless choices."
"We're counting on you, Hermione," Robin said. "Don't make us regret it. I'll feel a tiny bit sad if you get yourself killed, and I'll be mad to boot."
She nudged him with her elbow. "Don't worry, Robin, I'm a Gryffindor, remember? You're going to be shocked and amazed by my prowess. Just you wait."