Ch. 12: Constant Vigilance

RECAP:

At the most inopportune moment-at a time, after talking with Ginny, where I thought life was helping me move on-I swore on everything that was good in the world, that for a fleeting second, I saw him above me whispering sweet things in my ear. That one excruciating second was all it took. "Ron?" I sighed, but it was too late. I had made the most awful mistake of my entire life.


I told myself that everything would be ok. It could be fixed. Repeating it to myself for the past four days almost made me believe it to be true, but this was something that would take time and is a sensitive spot for both of us. After the initial shock of what happened wore off, I could feel the darkness from two years ago approaching and, believe me, it is taking quite a bit to hold it off- more than I expected. Harry disappeared all weekend and didn't come in for work the whole week. He's done this before when he's upset, he disappears to clear his mind so I wasn't worried about his safety, but I am getting worried about where we stand and the longer we wait to talk the more anxious I get, plus you know I start seeing Ron everywhere.

You see, Granger! You can say his name, no problem. So why the bloody hell did you slip up during sex?! Stupid! I wasn't even thinking of Ron…at all.

"I was thinking, Granger, that since I forgot to get you a birthday present I could take you out for dinner." Connor said. "My treat…and Potter of course. Wouldn't be fun without him."

I laughed. "You are never going to give up are you?" This was typical. Ever since the first rejection, Connor won't desist. Sometimes makes my day, like today…I'm in need of some humor.

"You should know by now, Granger, I'm a one hard to get rid of."

Last week, Harry and I had created a board of the Malfoy Manor investigation to see if there were any patterns or anything really that would give us a single clue to what the surviving Death Eaters were planning. Two days ago, there was a breakout from Azkaban, but most of the criminals that escaped were petty criminals charged with theft, improper use of muggle artifacts, and or public misbehavior…none of them Death Eaters. There are teams searching for those escapees, but they aren't important enough for us to get involved just yet- that is until one of them commits a murder or unforgivable curse or the like. Bellatrix and Fenrir, I know, are still at large. So what can it be?

"Oi, Granger, can you hear me?" Connor's fingers snapped at me, drawing my concentration away.

"Sorry. Did you need something?"

"Damn, why is it so hard for me to get your attention?" I'm almost certain I blushed. "I just wanted to know if you'd anything to eat. I'm heading down to the lounge."

"Oh, um…I'm alright, but thanks." I watched as he walked out and I'm quite sure I heard him curse. Connor's overall appearance is very striking and I'm positive many young ladies would just fawn over him. Not that I don't mind his attention, but, regardless of looks, I feel like he is too…free, almost unaffected. There's no point in setting him straight since his personality will just brush it off and try again tomorrow. Now that's a quality that I'd certainly like to have, especially with the current situation.

All right, so previous searches of the manor showed faint traces of inhabitants due to the lack of dust and furniture movement in the dining area and lounge, plus shoe marks in the hallways. They were smart not to leave any paper trails, but there were a few scorch marks on walls in the lounge…someone must have angered Bellatrix. The high ranking Death Eaters such as Dolohov, Rowle, and Yaxley have been in Azkaban since the end of the war and did not escape so they couldn't have been there. Draco's father has not been sighted in five months, which I consider usual if he's pulling the strings. Just like Voldemort, using others as his puppets for his dirty work. This is getting frustrating! Every time we schedule a scout to the manor or an undercover operation into Knockturn Alley, the place becomes deserted with a few wanderers, but they mostly looked lost. Everything connects to the underground Death Eaters, but it seems as though they are doing nothing physically…like someone unknown to us is behind it all.

It was time to talk to the Minister for some insight…Kingsley would have some fresh ideas. I turned to head to Kingsley's office, but instead I came face-to-face with Connor. How did I not hear him return? We had to be no less than three inches away from each other. For some odd reason, I could not move back, my feet would not listen to my brain screaming at me to jump back. His eyes hypnotized me, those fierce blue eyes. They frightened me.

BOOM!

I counted about four separate explosions that knocked Connor and I over. The floor continued to shake for another few seconds and then the screaming began. Connor pulled me to my feet and we headed for the lifts with our wands in hand. There had been an explosion on our floor and many of my coworkers were running about the halls trying to escape from the fire and smoke. Some had horrible gashes and others with blood pouring down their faces and arms. I cast a charm as a temporary fix on those with the most menacing wounds on my way to the main corridor. Upon entering the lift, a ministry messenger ran in with us, panting and covered in soot. "Auror Granger, the last explosion was in the level one. I think the Minister may have been harmed."

The lights on the Minister's floor flickered and smoke made it hard to see and breathe. It seemed as all hell had broken loose. Walls had collapsed causing many people to stumble towards the lift. Thankfully, there isn't many staff on this floor and we arrived at his office within a matter a seconds. Kingsley's office housed all of his support staff and everyone except for the Minister was been accounted for. However the room looked like it about to cave in on itself. We needed to get everyone out to the Atrium.

"Where's the Minister?" asked Connor.

"He was here moments before the bombs went off. We haven't seen him since." The advisor, undersecretary, and junior assistant all had cuts and were bleeding.

Connor and I quickly shuffled them towards the exit. For all we know, there could be another bomb ready to explode at any moment. As we exited the office, flashes of green light came blazing towards us. For a moment, I stood frozen for this had not been the first time. If I didn't move, I'd certainly die and no one was here to shield me this time.

"Hermione!"

Draco's voice brought me back and I pushed Connor and the advisor to the floor, but the spell rebounded off the wall and struck the undersecretary. "Helena!"

It had been a long time since I've seen someone die. When I became an Auror I promised myself that never again would this happen to anyone under my watch. I cast spell after spell in the Death Eaters direction, not exactly sure what curses I was sending. The anger of having lost another due to my hesitation unhinged my mind and before I knew it, I had sent an unforgivable curse. That was something I have never done, not even during the war.

Connor pushed me back. "Go, Hermione! Take them somewhere safe!" I fought him, still casting towards those murderers. "Go, now!"

Looking past him, I could see the Death Eaters retreating and knew Connor would not let me continue my attack. He was my ally and I had to trust him to finish this battle for me.

"Follow me," I ordered. "Draco, guard them from behind." Still deciding whether or not to follow through, I turned back to the main corridor but Connor and the Death Eaters were nowhere in sight…I would make sure I got another chance to avenge Helena.

By this time, the lights above us had gone out completely and I relied on the tip of my wand to guide us to the alternate hallway to the lifts. We passed a few bodies. This was probably the route the Death Eaters took to the Minister's office. There were still a couple of small fires that I put out, but the smoke was surprisingly still heavy. Draco cast a charm on us all so that breathing wouldn't so difficult.

The Atrium, thankfully, was in the same condition as this morning. Most of the staff had congregated here and many were covered in dust and some with blood. Healers started to arrive from the fireplaces and began treating some of the worst injuries. I sent the advisor and assistant to the nearest cots for treatment.

"Harry!" I called out his name, pushing my way through the crowd. There were so many familiar faces, but none were the one I sought. Harry would understand what had happened and bring my common sense back to me. I needed my best friend right now, I don't care what problems we had yesterday. Again, I called out his name.

A hand grabbed mine from behind and pulled me towards the edge of the crowds. All I could see was that he had black hair and I held on tightly.

"Auror Granger, are you alright?" Kingsley was alive.

"Yes, Minister. What happened? Your office said you'd left them right before the bombs went off."

"I was on my way to a meeting with Potter, but came straight here the moment it started. How did the Death Eaters even get in?"

I looked expectantly at the man who was still holding my hand, but immediately pulled away when I realized it was Connor. He had a large cut of the side of his face and was bleeding profusely.

"Accio Dittany," I said. "Here. Put a few drops on that."

"Thanks."

Draco had joined us and Kingsley ushered us to an empty room. "Where is Harry?"

"We were to meet in an office on Level 5, but I haven't seen him." I was beginning to worry. What if he was one of those bodies we had walked past?

"I need to take care of the muggle Prime Minister and the reporters from the Prophet. I trust that you three can handle this?"

"Of course, sir," answered Draco.

After the Minister had left, we began to discuss although I wasn't offering much to the conversation. Images of Harry injured and dead terrorized my mind. Right now, I don't care if he is furious with me…I just needed to know that he is alive somewhere, unharmed.

"Since we're not sure if the Ministry is one hundred percent safe we'll take all of our information to Connor's flat and investigate from there. Hermione, you may want to have your daughter stay with her grandmother tonight," said Draco. "It'll be safer for her there."


Connor and Draco were waiting downstairs for me as I packed Rose's overnight bag. Safety precaution, I guess.

"Where going, Momma?"

"We're going back with Grandma Weasley tonight, sweetie." I picked her up and headed towards the door. "Do you want to take your bear?"

She nodded her head enthusiastically and hugged it tightly when I gave it to her. On my way down, I kept thinking over the day's events. We finally had solid proof of the Death Eaters involvement. The only questions that remain are how and who. I know it has to be Bellatrix because of our run in at Borgin and Burke's months ago and her sudden disappearance since then. Not a single sighting or mention of her has been reported in six months. She is a cunning fox…I'll give her credit for that, which makes everything ordinary much more suspicious.

"Ready?" asked Connor.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a piece of parchment hovering over the end table in the lounge. "One moment."

I set down Rose's bag to grab the parchment. It was a note from Harry:

I wasn't at the Ministry today, but I'm all right. Won't be home for a while so please don't look for me. Keep Rose safe. HP

P.S. Constant vigilance

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Well, here you are! Another chapter for your enjoyment. Only a few more chapters left until the end of this tale. Please R&R.

-lasombra93