CHAPTER XVIII

- Zabini Manor -

It had only been twelve hours since Hermione had slipped out of their watch, but it was twelve hours of mindless worry. The Zabini Manor had quickly become a sort of headquarters for the six of them, now accompanied by Ginny Weasley, to save Hermione. What they were all unsure about was whether or not Hermione needed to be saved from Lestrange, or whether or not she needed to be saved from herself. Blaise knew however that everyone in this room wouldn't stop until they accomplished either, or both. He and Celso had just discovered her, and they weren't going to loose her. Though to be honest even if they weren't related, if he knew he what was happening would have tried to help out. Then there was Potter, and the two youngest Weasley's, who growing up with Hermione were just as much siblings as they were best friends. Then there was Draco, the two starting off as mortal enemies, and then ever so suddenly something had changed between the two of them. He knew that Draco and Hermione had shared a night together, and from his observations there seemed to be a remnant of feelings still connected between them, even if it was more on Draco's side. Come to think of it, after all this, he would have to have a talk with Draco. He had an obligation to both his sister and his best friend to ensure they were happy, but first he needed to understand exactly what was happening between the two of them.

The sound of Ron Weasley's heavy breathing and loud footsteps stomping down the foyer into the parlour they had taken over, broke him from his reprieve. He couldn't help but notice how unrefined he was, though he supposed it mattered not. Despite being hotheaded, the more he saw of Weasley the more he appreciated his character and could understand the strength of friendship that Hermione, Harry and he had.

Weasley stretched his arm out wildly, holding out the latest copy of the Daily Prophet.

"We're in big trouble." He gasped out.

Potter beat him to it, "What happened?"

In answer, Ron simply laid the front page of the paper down on the table and they all gathered around to look. Draco who was the closest started reading it out loud.

"FRIEND OR FOE?

Despite the fall of the Lord Voldemort, and despite the attempts of the Auror Department, some of Voldemort's biggest supporters are still running around loose. I shudder to imagine what foul atrocities these brutes are plotting to commit. What further damage they wish to savage on the world to avenge their fallen lord and future.

Perhaps we are one step closer to safer world for I have witnessed the beginnings of something more. Earlier this morning I received an anonymous letter. A small note with only the image of the Dark Mark on it, but interestingly this dark mark had a cross slashed across it, and an address written below.

Knowing full well the dangers this could present, I braved the unknown to bring you this juicy morsel. I arrived at the specified address only to find Thorfinn Rowle, notorious and on the run Death Eater, dead in his own hideout."

Draco's voice began to waver, as he read, not able to keep the worry and sinking feeling that was growing in all their stomachs at bay.

"It was clear to see that the killing curse had been used to kill Rowle, though how he was discovered and immobilized remains a mystery. Burned into his skin on his chest were the letters 'RL 57'. It wasn't long until I was forcibly removed by the Auror's and my sources tell me that they have been unable to ascertain any information about who killed Rowle and what the letters 'RL 57' mean. They have been able to deduce that he had wards surrounding his hovel of a hideout, though yet again there is no trace of who had taken down the wards. It is clear however this person came for one reason only – for the destruction of a Death Eater.

The question is, should we thank our mystery vigilante for removing such a threat from society, or does this signal something darker heading our way?

"Mione…what have you done?" Potter whispered.

Blaise could understand the impulse, the need for revenge, but this was more than that. It was changing Hermione, turning all her best traits against her, morphing her into something darker, colder. It was consuming her, and if they didn't find her quickly it would destroy her. With renewed vigor he returned back to the desk he had been working with Celso futilely, hoping to track her down with magic through their blood. But it seemed Hermione, not wanting to be found, had erected barriers to prevent such a thing. With nothing else to go on, he would keep trying until either they could break through or Hermione slipped.

"Wait…57…that number sounds familiar? Wasn't there an article with a 57 in it?" Ginny asked.

"Ah yeah…some older article. Let's see if I can find it." Harry mumbled has he began to rumble through a stack of paperwork and files he had been hoping Ginny and him could locate a possible location as to where Lestrange may have hidden himself. He pulled out a copy of a report from an Auror investigation. Generally speaking this information was confidential, but as Hermione was now a target of a madman, the Auror department had allowed Harry full access to their records so they could find Hermione and prevent the loss of such a talented and beautiful witch.

"December 16th 1998 – Initial Observations

With a heavy heart, I have witnessed death in the manner I have not scene since the war. It saddens me that even now there are still wizards and witches amongst us who still believe in the power and ideals of Voldemort.

Late last night, the Auror's offices received a copy disturbing report from a muggle Police Agency in Australia. The report stated that nine families in a muggle residential area had all died simultaneously and with no visible cause of death. Contrary to this, an elderly couple in the street, were viciously murdered, cuts and bruises all over their frail bodies, left to rot in their own home. And even stranger still, in the house across the road, number 57, identified as the home of Wendell and Monica Wilkins, evidence of struggle and blood was found at the scene, but no bodies. According to Muggle authorities there has been no sighting of the couple last scene-attending patients in the dentistry they were employed at. The method and motive behind these murders as of now remains a mystery.

Whilst we have been unable to ascertain what caused the death of each of these nine families, it was most assuredly magic. The once peaceful residential street is now stale with the presence of dark magic. A team has been dispatched to further investigate the cause as well as ensure that the wizarding world is not in danger of the muggles learning about magic."

"You don't think…" Ron croaked out, but was spared asking anything more as Draco pierced him with glare.

"No. Hermione wouldn't hurt innocent people. Besides we both know that the Lestrange brothers are capable of such acts. Remember in the memory we saw that they killed an elderly couple whilst they were waiting for Hermione? The article fits, what we know."

"Except no one else in the street was killed." Ginny pondered.

"Rabastan could have killed them in revenge for Hermione killing his brother, or even in just a rage after what we saw." Celso replied.

"I don't remember seeing a house number in the memory, but then again it wasn't something I was watching out for. The information fits though. Hermione's parents were dentists, and you saw how they died. There wouldn't be a body for the muggle authorities to find. And as Malfoy said, the article fits. How Hermione found Rowle when the Auror Department hasn't be able to, I don't know, but this was assuredly her. It seems Hermione was sending Lestrange a message." Harry sided. "She's baiting him. Wants him dead, but is getting him to come to her, rather than having to hunt him down herself."

"Well then it's easy." Ginny answered. "We go there, stop Hermione from doing something she'll regret, and stop Lestrange from hurting Hermione."

Call it instinct, but Blaise knew it wouldn't be so simple, like they all in vain hoped. There was more to this story than they knew. Lestrange had an unhealthy obsession with Hermione, whilst she was fueled by years of pain from the war, and now grief and agony at her parent's murder. She would not give up the opportunity to avenge them easily. He just hoped they could get to the house in time, and they weren't too late.

Author's Note:

As I had time, and I've been very slack of late with the updates I decided to release another chapter. Just a short chapter, a bit of a boring one really, as a prelude to some action chapters planned ahead. Enjoy anyway, and as always I would love to hear everyone's thoughts. Happy readings.

GeekMom13 and Irmorena: Thank you. I'm trying to find time on a more regular basis to update.

Black Banshee: I wanted to retain who Hermione was, but stretched and pulled the character to a darker frame of mind, as she is confronted with her pain and anguish. No killing Rowle was not her brightest idea. Right now she is consumed with vengeance, a hunger that only cares for results. We'll have to see if her brothers and friends can save her in time. ;)

Blu3zClu3z: Thank you. Yes, I planning to have some chapters in the future with just some brotherly bonding, before diving into the eventual Dramoine relationship. Baby steps first for Hermione.