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'A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she will find her courage wanting.'
- Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
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The Tower Window
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25. A Secret Mission
"Arrest!?" exclaimed Hermione. She turned to look at all the wizards filing down the steps with wands aimed her way. "Are you mental? I'm here to help."
"Yes, but to help who?" piped in Ron.
"Us all – of course. I'm here to help end the war."
"It certainly doesn't look that way," he griped.
"Well, just what the hell does it look like Ron?"
"Ron – Hermione, please," injected Harry. "Hermione, I'm afraid your stock has fallen a bit..."
"Because I failed to kill Malfoy."
"That didn't help, but more specifically it was giving away our meeting place in Godric's Hollow..."
"But..."
"...and you followed that by giving up Grimmauld Place. Do you have any idea how long it's been a hiding place for the Order?"
"Of course I do Harry, but I had to do something to win their confidence. And you were warned both times."
Harry dipped his head. Hermione looked around the room to study the faces of every person there. Ron, George, and even Ginny were now holding wands against her. Only Ron looked like he really wanted to be there. Neville, and Luna also looked a bit dejected about the whole thing. Like Ron, Katie Bell and Hannah Abbott looked firm in their convictions.
"Okay," conceded Harry. "So let's hear your story."
"I don't have a story Harry. I'm here to tell you the Ministry is ready to negotiate – but they want a heads up before they attempt formal talks. Is that reasonable enough for you?"
"Ready to negotiate? We've heard these claims before. But what they really wanted was to create a diversion before another attack. What makes you think this is any different Hermione?"
"Because – I've been there with them Harry – that's how I know."
"It'll take a bit more than that. How do you know they're not playing you?"
"That's not likely. Look Harry, Malfoy doesn't want this war, and many of the Ministry feel the same. Only the Hard-liners want to continue fighting. The Durmstrangs have just about given up on them and for the first time the Ministry is running a little short on wizards. Why not use this time to seek a truce; followed by peace and an end to this war?"
"Why not use this time to finish them off," piped in Ron.
"I'm not sure Hermione," continued Harry. "Your views seem decidedly sympathetic to the Ministry. You seem like you've changed since we last knew you, and we'll need time to decide whose side you're really on."
"I'm on no one's side Harry. So far, neither the Order nor the Ministry could bring an end to this war. Yes, I tried killing Malfoy by running a knife in his side, but that didn't work. And I know now that further bloodshed was never the answer. I don't want any sides Harry. Not yours, not theirs. I want an end to this war and one magical community at peace."
For the first time, Harry paused, then leaned back in his chair to mull over Hermione's argument.
"Okay Hermione, let me re-phrase the question then. What are their terms?"
"A simple end of the war – no more fighting and no surrenders. They keep their properties and estates and stay out of Azkaban. They're willing to form a new wizard's council with half the members made up from the Order. A fifty fifty arrangement."
"That's a load of tripe," cracked Ron. "Are we supposed to just forget the friends and family they've killed?"
"That's exactly what we do – in a manner of speaking Ron. We bury the dead along with our differences and move on."
"Easy for you to say."
"No, it's not. But there has to be an end somewhere. It seems like you'd understand that Ron. You were nearly killed in the last battle from what I understand."
"Yeah – one that you helped set up."
"No one was forced to go, and the Order was well warned. Look!" cried Hermione. "This bickering is getting us nowhere."
Finally a silence fell over the room as if each witch and wizard paused for a moment to consider the possibilities of peace. Hermione felt a tinge of guilt. Her proposal was of course self-serving. She would be able to enjoy the satin sheets and luxuries of Malfoy Manor under these terms. She feared they might sense this and use it as an excuse to reject the whole plan. Ron would reject it no matter how it was worded. The hell with Ron, she thought.
Deep in thought, and studying the table top aimlessly, Harry finally lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Hermione.
"Alright Hermione – we'll study your proposal. Until we've had time to reach a decision, you'll have to stay here with us... and, I'll have to ask for your wand."
Hermione clenched her lips tightly. If he only knew how much trouble she had to go through to get it back. With reluctance and moving as slow as molasses, she pulled the wand out of her waistband and slapped it on the table. Harry gathered it up in one quick move.
"And where do you intend to hold me?" she asked, but the question fell on deaf ears.
Harry spun around and signaled to Aberforth. The old wizard struggled out of his chair and ambled over to the portrait.
"We'll be coming through Ariana."
Ariana nodded and performed a minuscule curtsy. The frame clicked open as Aberforth drug a small step ladder up to the portrait. The tunnel behind the portrait appeared cold and dark. He then performed an incantation of some sort and torches along the stone walls sprung to fiery life.
"You've got to be kidding," said Hermione. "You're not using the room of requirement for a prison?"
"Why not," returned Harry. "Entered this way, it's still extremely secure – besides we have help on the inside," he said with a grin.
One by one the girls began to ascend the ladder and disappear down the tunnel. Hermione lingered at the base of the ladder.
"Okay," she said. "What do you propose to do with me if my plan is rejected?"
Harry pulled a mock face.
"Execution!" quipped Ron.
"And to think I actually shed a tear at the news of your death," she said and scrambled into the tunnel.
...ooo0O0ooo...
Draco Malfoy sat, anxiously awaiting Hermione's return. His hopes of seeing the witch faded along with the light of the short winter's day. Reluctantly, he had agreed to take dinner alone. And as he sat there, sullenly looking across the table at the empty place setting, he grew furious with himself.
He should have never let her go; he could see this so clearly now. It would have been better to have sent a letter instead, he now reasoned. If he only had news or word of any kind. Was she safe? Or had she run into trouble? Ministry spies were looking in every nook and cranny of the entire magical community, but the odds in finding her whereabouts where almost nil.
He knew she had arranged a meeting at the Hogshead Inn, and he also knew she was not there now. The Inn's keeper claimed to have never seen her. He also knew the Inn's keeper was Aberforth Dumbledore and a firm supporter, if not an outright activist, in the Order.
With his supper nearly untouched and growing cold in front of him, there came the unmistakable slapping of elf feet running into the dining room.
"Mister Draco," said Dinky.
"Yes Dinky." Dinky was carrying a note addressed to the master of the house. The elf had no idea what news the note contained but sensed it's importance.
With feeble hands, he served the note to his master.
With equal caution, Draco opened the folded parchment and read:
To Draco Malfoy,
We may be called many things but we refuse to be called uncivil.
We wish to inform you that Hermione is safe but will be held in custody
until a time that we see fit to release her. Her mental status and her story
of your desire to enter negotiations for peace is being considered in earnest.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
The Order of the Phoenix
Draco stared at the note as if unable to comprehend it's meaning. Slowly an anger began to well up inside and he slammed the bit of parchment on the table with all his force.
"G-damnit – G-damnit it all to hell!" he shouted. Poor Dinky backed away in trembling fear.
"Dinky!"
The elf raised his head obsequiously. "Yes Master."
"Dinky, I've been a fool. Get a note, if you can, to Richard Fawley."
"Yes Master," he replied with a shaky voice.
"Tell him, we must assemble the War Council at once."
Dinky nodded deeply.
"Run along then and do that," continued Draco, "I'll make it official with my signature and seal."
...ooo0O0ooo...
Hermione sat alone in the vast emptiness of the Room of Requirement. The room was outfitted just as it was the night they came through the portrait, on the eve of the Battle of Hogwarts, so long ago. The hammocks were hanging from the ceiling just as they did on the night of the Battle. The only difference was that she was alone now. Once again, a prisoner in some dark and lonely place.
And there was no windows this time, nor books, nor diversions of any kind to ease her acute boredom. She had no idea what hour it was, but her stomach told her it was way past dinner. She almost laughed. Way past dinner. How quickly she had gotten used to being spoiled at the Manor after being a prisoner for so long.
At that very moment, her quiet musing were interrupted by a scuffling sound behind the portrait.
"Hermione – are you decent? I've brought supper."
She couldn't believe it. The voice was unmistakable. It was Ron. Had he come to assail her further or apologize for being an arse? Either way, she didn't need it.
"Of course I'm decent Ron. You think I'm in my negligee or something."
With that, the red headed wizard scampered down from the cubbyhole behind the portrait and then reached back for a tray of food. With a display of caution that was most out of character, he set the food and drink on a nearby table.
"I think there's enough for two – do you mind?"
Hermione almost laughed. It was so like Ron to be unable to watch someone eat without taking part himself.
"I'd say, be my guest, but I think that's hardly applicable... sure, have a seat."
He nodded and then popped the top off two dusty bottles of butterbeer. There were two corned beef sandwiches and a bowl of piping hot chips. For several minutes they ate in an eery silence.
"There's something on your mind Ron," she began. "Let's have it."
"Not as much as you think Hermione."
"Oh no. Well what is it then – bad news? Are they clamoring for my head on a stick?" she asked and then bit the end off a golden brown chip.
Ron shook his head. "No – nothing like that. But they do want to hold you – until they've had a chance to talk to Malfoy."
"I'm not so sure he'll be in a mood to talk now. The Ministry thought they were making some great concession in allowing me to come here. They'll be pissed now," she replied.
"You seem like you know em pretty well?"
"Ah, yes. So that's it. You've come to ask me about Malfoy."
Ron rolled his shoulders in a shrug. "Maybe. I guess I can understand part of it. I know I pissed you off."
"Yes, but it wasn't about you Ron."
"But if you only knew Hermione..."
"Knew what Ron?"
"Some of the things he said. Some of the things he did – back at Hogwarts, back at school."
"But Ron that was a long time ago. People change – things change – and the reasons for war change as well. All that – all that stuff – it's behind us now."
"I'm not sure if I want it to be all behind me. Not all of it."
"Oh Ron – please, don't go there."
"I understand. I know it's over. But I also know I was an arse earlier. Maybe I've been an arse all along. I don't know, but I didn't want to leave it that way."
"You have been an arse, but it hardly matters to me now."
The wizard nodded regretfully. Hermione let the whole thing drop and went back to eating her sandwich.
"Well," he announced. "I'll let you finish supper. I'm pretty sure Harry will want to speak with you tomorrow."
"Thanks Ron. Thanks for the sandwich," she said and sighed in thought. "And Ron?"
"Yes Hermione?"
"Thanks..."
...ooo0O0ooo...
The old chambers for the Wizengamot were already churning with activity and a cacophony of chatter when Draco arrived. It took a few moments for the crowd and Fawley to spot him and call order to the meeting.
A hush fell over the chambers as Draco began to speak.
"We've been betrayed," he began. "Our messenger of peace, Hermione Granger, has been taken prisoner this very night. It was our intention for her to spearhead an effort for peace talks. Instead, we receive this bit of treachery for our efforts," he shouted, waving the offending parchment in the air.
"I told you they weren't worth the effort," piped in the Hard-liner Yaxley. "We ought to kill em all."
A few cheered Yaxley's suggestion while Richard Fawley extended his arms to quiet the ruckus.
"Draco – just what is it you suggest we do?"
"We can capture a member of the Order for a trade. That should bring a fair response."
"But Draco, Miss Granger – she's not really one of us. What if this whole thing is a ruse? Then what?"
With this statement, Fawley won the applause of a majority in the room.
"I take offense to your comment sir – Hermione Granger is definitely one of us now," barked Draco.
Fawley held up his hand to assuage the wizard. "There's no need for anger Draco. We'll work this out I assure you. But who can we take in exchange for Hermione. It can't be just anyone."
"No it can't," he agreed. "She went to meet Potter at the Hog's Head Inn, which is of course run by Aberforth Dumbledore. The old geezer is a known supporter of the Order. Now he claims he never saw Hermione enter his business – I believe he's lying and I say we take him."
A round of applause and approving chatter went up around the room. Fawley pulled his chin with his fingers while taking the appropriate time to weigh the response.
"And then what?" he replied. "What if it doesn't work?"
"I say we draw up battle plans for our next attack. We've had several good proposals lately – instead of talking, I say we act on them," came Draco's immediate reply. A round of cheers erupted from the Troglodyte Hard-liners.
"Alright, alright. We'll consider your suggestions. Now, I would suggest we chill for the night and meet here again tomorrow at noon. If the situation is unimproved, we'll embark on Hogsmeade in force.
...ooo0O0ooo...
Uncomfortable beyond words, Hermione lay curled up in a hammock and listened to an old clock play Westminster Chimes; it's bells echoed in the cavernous hall as it finished the quarter hour, then the half, another quarter, and finally the hour. After a brief pause, the gong struck once, twice, and three times. It went on through four, five, six, then seven times before she rolled out of the hammock and struggled to stand up straight.
With no windows in the Room of Requirement she couldn't be exactly sure the time was right, but her aching back told her it had to be close. It felt like every vertebrae had fused together, leaving her back in a permanent banana shape. She might never be able to sleep on a regular mattress again. Sharing Draco's satin covered feather bed for weeks had left her hopelessly addicted to the fineries of life. Wasn't it unusual, how we so quickly get spoiled with comfort while taking too long to adapt to adverse conditions.
Performing her best wandless magic, she managed to light a few candles. On the table was the bowl with a few cold chips, untouched from the night before. She crammed a couple into her mouth to quiet a growling stomach and looked around the room. Using the room only as a place to hide, she was clueless if there was a way out besides going through the portrait.
It was nearly an hour later when the portrait began to swing open. A head with red hair poked through the opening, but it wasn't Ron. It was Ginny. She had a paper bag in her hand and a vacuum bottle of coffee.
Inside, Hermione was delighted to see her but feared to show it. She didn't think she could take any more rejection from the Weasleys.
"Hermione!"
"Ginny – It's good to see you!"
"You too," said Ginny, gleaming. "Brought you some crumpets and coffee. It's not much but it's all we've got."
"It sounds heavenly," she said, and Ginny poured her coffee into the lid of the thermos.
"Thanks Gin." Hermione took a testing sip and cradled the cup in both hands.
"My pleasure," she said and plopped down in a chair beside her old friend.
"So what's in store for me Ginny – can you tell?"
"Look, Hermione. I don't know for sure, but sorry about yesterday. I didn't want to do that but they insisted we all come out with wands drawn."
"That's alright Ginny. I just hope they aren't blowing a good chance to work this thing out."
"I hope so too. I know they're trying to arrange a meeting with Draco. They sent him a note that you were safe but being held – or something to that effect."
Hermione leaned back and took a long slug of the coffee.
"If we could get Harry and Draco together – who knows? We might just end this damned thing."
"You think so?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"Oh yeah. Draco doesn't want this war."
"Really? I thought he was their leader or something."
"He'd like you to think so... but no, not actually. They have a war council. Draco is more into providing finance for the war. His position is very influential, but he doesn't really want to continue fighting. Draco, like the rest of the Sacred Twenty-Eight only want out of this thing with no time in Azkaban and their properties and estates intact."
"Which brings up a curious point."
"What's that Ginny?"
"Draco and you – being cozy and all. I mean, I can understand you and Ron. Ron's a jerk and I don't know if he'll ever change. But Malfoy? Hermione, forgive me for saying so but you're not exactly a pureblood?"
Hermione laughed. "No I'm not, am I."
"No."
"Well, that's just it Ginny. Draco has changed – and for the better. Hell, the war has changed us all I think, and the Ministry no longer seeks blood superiority. That's not a part of their current mission statement. That was the old war – that was Voldemort before he died."
"Then, we do need them to talk, just Draco and Harry. They seem to be the only ones on either side with cool heads."
"That would be great Ginny. If only we could."
"You don't think then..."
Hermione shook her head. "We could try and talk to them. What kind of influence you have on Harry these days?"
"Oh, quite a bit – on some days, if you know what I mean," she said and laughed.
Hermione chuckled. "Yeah, like when he needs a little?"
Ginny bowed her head, hiding the laugh.
"It's so easy, leading them around by the todger." she replied at last.
"Exactly right – but I don't see how I can help from inside these walls," she said, looking over the cavernous expanse to demonstrate.
"Hermione," exclaimed Ginny.
"Yes Gin?"
"What if I get you out?" she said as proudly as if discovering fire.
"Oh Ginny... you wouldn't dare. What would they do?"
"Well, they can't question my loyalty. I mean... I lost a brother. If I could get you out, then you've got to get to Draco and get him to meet with Harry."
"Oh, I don't know Ginny. I mean – I can try – but I don't know if he'll ever do it."
"We'll go with them to make sure. Even if we have to devise some kind of ruse."
"I guess, we could," said Hermione scratching her ear. "How will we ever coordinate this? Do you have access to the chapbooks?"
Ginny nodded. "No problem."
Hermione scrunched her brows. "Okay!" she said and rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "How do I get out out of here?"
"You won't be able to get through the tunnel. They're watching the other end. I'll have to get into the castle and try and find the right door."
Hermione nodded. "Okay Gin – let's go for it."
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A/N: The vacation was good (and needed) but it's also good to be back! Didn't have time to answer any comments this time but a sincere thanks for all of those. :)
Till next time, earnest grats to: hoshiakari7, Kats02980416, ASJS, mega700201, CassieRenee333, Loopygirl1, and last but not least, LanaLee1.
As always a heartfelt thanks to all who, read, faved, or followed...