Narsissia looked around carefully, "Any of you still think they would dare to appose her?"
There was a murmur of no went around. Harry was the first to speak. "Professor Dumbldore why don't you decide on the next minister. I'll step out for a wile – won't be of much use now I don't know much."
"Me too professor. I have my essays to write. I'll see you latter." Ron added getting up along with Ginny who nodded and walked away. The three friends walked out quietly trying to figure out what happened back there.
Hogwards GroundsHermione lead the group to the beautiful black Mercedes luxury convertible. The top was for once on and quietly waited for her to come and drive it away. Winky always knew through their bond what the girl wanted and she appreciated it. She would thank the house elf latter, shutting the doors behind her turned to Remus. "I'm sorry about my behaviour. I did not want the order to be with you the way they are with mummy and papa Remus."
His eyes set upon her searching her's as the girl looked back quietly. "Don't be Herms…you don't need to take an adults burden."
"Wish I could stop." She whispered turning away to the car and picking up a few cans of beer stashed away at the back. "Please don't be mad at me Moony I didn't want this."
"Herms." He sighed getting in the seat next to her, the twins sat behind, "I'm worried about daddy though…. the curse is taking more control over him."
"Don't worry honey I'm working on it…we'll over come a solution soon." He replied as the engine started, any one could see she was upset, "It's you I'm more worried about, the amount of pressure you've taken up."
"Don't be Moony. I'll be fine soon…" she replied, "Guys the person we're meeting is quiet dangerous so stay out of my way. Keep you're wands ready and don't get drunk if you can help it. Remus I need you to really stay out of my way. You boys ready for a performance tonight?"
"We are always Hermione." Freed replied.
"Work and partying." George added, they finished, "Is the same for the Weasly twins."
She laughed looking at them through the review mirror, "Good because there's going to be loads of dancing today. By the way Remus we're going to make you invisible so try stay out of everyone's way.'
"Why?" he asked confused, she cleared her throat, "Err…we need you to be undercover."
"You've not seen her work have you?" Freed asked casually.
"She's bloody brilliant." George added happily looking at the girl. He felt something in his heart too but decided to ignore it. The girl drove calmly and steadily her eyes set carefully on something beyond her. The eye of the older man was also set upon her but more calculative than casual. Her body language spoke words she refused to speak, the girl was tense and the usual grace and freedom she adopted were not there. He tried to get her attention but her focus was bent upon parking her car. There was something more though – he could say. "Place a charm on your self Remus. Come on boys."
They walked into the club laughing around like three friends who were familiar with the place. What he saw there though shocked him. The place was filled with people smoking, drinking, taking drugs and even some who were involved in great levels of sexual acts. Many were dancing, drunk and some falling down knocked out. Many people were openly buying and selling drugs there as he watched shocked. The girl's eyes casually reached towards the bar were she popped down with each of the twins on either side. The dark blue floor and crazy white couches with the mystic bubbles and what not. Some how the smoke made his stomach churn and a great need to pull Hermione out of the place. He turned back to her watching as she chattered away with the bar tender as he poured out drinks for the trio. The music was loud as she spoke to him laughing about something sipping her drink and nodding. Some were between their conversations the twins pulled her away for a dance – he watched as they worked together perfectly. Their intimacy was clear and her eyes twinkled with laughter and a bit of the alcohol intake. They moved in perfect rhythm to the music their body close comfortable – their moves were he had to admit wonderful. Twirling her around…. They lost control as she went flying into some one's arms. A pair of arms gripped her, she looked up to find a man quiet drunk. His dark grey eyes were sober and his dirty blond hair looked a messed up as his body. She smiled straitening her self, "Thank you – sorry about dropping down on you like that."
"No problem-o always available for some one as hot as you." He replied his eyes running over her body, she smiled, "You come around often – I have never seen you in this place?"
"Yeah ms. Come to collect my money for letting old miss Swindle into the ministers office unnoticed tonight. Seems she had a little work today." He blurted out; her attention focused on him entirely, "O'l miss Swindle? Isn't that Rebecca Glass? Thought the family was out of the ol' business."
"Yeah heard wrong hot stuff – woman's as deep in the business as Merlin was with magic." He replied, the next moment he fell down on the ground unconscious. Hermione smiled a cat like smile, "Boys mind taking our friend out with us? I have some work in the ladies room."
Smiling sweetly she walked away towards the ladies room but turned away walking into a room on the side. Her smiles and mask fading at the sight in front of her, "What is it why did you and Peter call me to this place Stephen?"
"Princess." He replied bowing low and taking her hand kissing it with great devotion, Peter did the same thing his eyes shining with an emotion she could not place. Finally he spoke his voice breathless, "Princess – we have found the woman you sought. She's very much alive as you suspected…."
"Peter really?" her eyes wide with emotion and happiness, "Yes princess – we will send you all her details in a letter day after."
"I'll get back to you after reading it then. I've got to go…take care boys." She replied running away her smile still sparkling in her eyes. Quickly hugging the two of them good by she skipped away happily. From inside came out a woman dressed in pale pink robes, her thick dark hair falling across her down till her waist. "Do you think she'll come Stephen?"
"She will come Nancy – her pull towards them is strong." He replied, "Now go – prepare for her."
Fred and George's flat:
Hermione was looking around as George locked the door behind them. Remus was back with the order now, the main proof of her innocence in his safe hands. It was just the way they always had it, homely, lived in and cosy. She felt a hand wrap around her waist, Freed, "Remember the last time you came Hermione?"
She smiled leaning back on him, "Are you not feeling bad about being used? The two of you – I mean it is my problem that…" A pair of lips sealed over hers shutting her up. George waited till Freed finished and lay a hand on her cheek moving closer, "Listen Herms…you need an escape and we offer it to you. You give us pleasure in the process; it's the deal till some one in us gets attached. We don't regret it and nether should you it's a two way thing."
She sighed as he placed his lips on hers…. sighing she gave into their seductions as they kissed her and undressed her. Her mind filled with bliss as her body was swept away in passion and a great amount of pleasure as they worshiped every part of her with their body. That night she fell asleep in their protective arms at least till one in the morning when nightmares began taking over her peaceful sleep. Why are you not beautiful dear? He whispered into her ears as he forcefully held her down on his lap rubbing his hands on her body. His lips feeling her feverish skin as she shivered and whimpered…two fingers touched her core. "NO!" she yelled getting up sweating before she lay back again running a hand through her hair tears falling from her eyes. She was not able to let go her childhood as yet, his sadistic touches or his gleaming eyes.
"Mia…" George whispered half sleepily into her ears kissing away her tears. The grip on her waist told her Fred was awake as well; she cried bitterly, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Hush babes." Freed whispered as she wept some more, "It's going to be all right. You're safe now he's dead."
"He – he's dead?" she asked confused, George nodded his assurance kissing her neck lightly, "He is dead."
"He – he won't hurt me." She whispered in realization, a sad smile spread across the twins as she muttered something about going back. "Winky may end up getting worried. Thanks for the night boys – I had fun."
"Us too Hermione." George smiled, Fred reassured as they kissed her one last time before letting her go, "Us too Hermione."
Hosemade house: Breakfast
Hermione was walking around the kitchen dressed in a yellow skirt with a yellow closed neck, sleeveless top with green patterns all over it. On top of it she wore a green tank top with yellow vertical stripes the whole picture making her look taller. The usual bangles giggled in her hands – this time green on the borders with yellow in between. Gold chains with emeralds were around her waist like a belt again…as her earrings clung to her as well. Her hands were working through some scrambled eggs and toast as Winky waited beside her, "What is mistress making?"
"Mistress is making a proper English breakfast." She replied adding salt to the egg and tossing the toast about a little before setting them down on the plates besides her humming a tune. The house elf watched as she fried the tomatoes before transferring the boiling water into the teapot nearby and stirring it lightly. Turning to chop the lemons into smaller pieces for their morning tea and placing them in the bowl near the milk jar. Her smile was exited and quiet nervous, Remus Lupin and Sirius black were coming for breakfast. Sirius Black? Well she could stand him; Remus had helped her so much that she wanted to be nice to him.
"You know Crokey today I am going to make an impression on him." She explained to the elf that was mulching on the tomato and rolled his eyes. "Seriously Mia – agreed you're a great cook but so much of an effort?"
"Hay you like it when I make you you're special vegetable bowl and Manchurian with noodles. Then why can't I make something for Remus? He cares so much for me that he argues for me in the order meetings." She argued glaring at him pointing a ladle at him, he spread his hands out as taking back the argument. "Besides he's took care of me when I became so sick in third year when you were out holidaying."
"I was not holidaying sweetie – I was giving a report to Othalo and Rena of you're progress." He remained her gently as she made some pancakes. "Nice smell…you've really got the hang of these pancakes Hermione."
"I still can't believe you can cook." She heard Charlie speak in a slightly awed; she turned around and saw him dressed in a casual white sleeveless top with grey baggy shorts. His hair still wet from the shower and with out any other accessories. "Good morning?"
"Good morning Herms." He added sheepishly hugging her from behind, "Hmm…smells good. You helped Croshakes?"
The elf choked on his last bit of tomato laughing, "Me cook? She won't let me near the flame where am I suppose to cook?"
"Cook – Crokey you can't even make a proper tea with out burning the whole kitchen. Were am I suppose to let you cook?" she asked with out even turning around. Charlie chucked as he ran his hands across her shoulder affectionately making her scream out in pain. The elf jerked up looking at her worriedly, "Princess?"
"I-I'm fine." She muttered unconvincingly moving Charlie's hand off her shoulder, the two of them giving her cautious look, "They've arrived change back Crokey."
The next second in place of her protector stood her 'ugly cat' trotting around the house near a bowl of breakfast. Sure enough the doorbell rang and Hermione quickly moved away from the kitchen as Winky took over and moved towards the garden were she picked up her books and notes. Inside she heard Sirius speaking, "Brat's not troubling you too much is she? Not exactly using dark art's on you is she?"
"Naa…she's at the back Sirius." Bill replied casually, "So what's the matter?"
"Turns out the kid's right." Remus reported, "Voldemort was busy turning the place upside down to find out who placed the red mark than placing his person on the ministry's top chair. Even Severnus was made to come when called…said something about the red-dark mark being some kind of special thing. Nearly forty death eaters were tortured in his rampage and no one's seen him this angry."
Sirius added his part as well, "The worst part…Severnus found some of them saying thank god Hermione was not there in the meeting."
"WHAT?" came a chorus of two voices, Bill added, "You've got to be kidding Sirius."
"Nope – the death eater's were so scared that she'd storm in even Voldemort him self was afraid she'll march in…even more than Voldemort being there." Sirius spoke as they walked onto the garden, "What's with breakfast in the garden?"
"Kid likes it in the open. We let her be there." Bill shrugged; he knew Hermione loved open airs Sirius replied coldly, "Should not encourage her so much. Keep her under control."
"Just two more day's and she's off our back." Charlie shrugged opening the doors towards the dining table were Winky had set the whole meal for them. Hermione was seated on the garden casually reading. Her leg's stretched out as the sun hit her gently, for a moment Sirius Black stood there looking at the girl mesmerized. Before he realized who she was and shook the thoughts of his head, "Madam going to join us for breakfast or is there as special slave waiting to serve her every whim?"
"I'm coming for breakfast black – and I if I have a slave I have him serve other whims and fancies of mine not breakfast." She added with a sly smile there was no mistake of her words, the boys desperately tried not to laugh at the look Sirius had on his face, "Kidding – Merlin you take me too seriously."
"Hermione Riddle that was not funny." Sirius nearly bellowed at her, something she waved off sitting for breakfast and making everyone tea. "Hmm…this tastes good…nice work Winky."
"T-thank you Mr. Sirius Black sir." The house elf squeaked surprised as Hermione shook her head indicating not to speak, "Winky is happy sir likes the meal."
"Hermione." She turned to look at Remus cutting her pancakes, "How did you know it was that woman who conjured the dark mark?"
"Remus…I'd rather not talk about it now. I'm sorry." She replied strictly looking down into her plate and chopping some more of her food and eating it. She felt the eyes of the men on the table as she desperately tried to wipe away her tears with out any one noticing. Remus gently touched her shoulder in a form of comfort before returning to his own meal. It took all her resistance not to lean in and hug him. They began talking about something's with the order that she tuned off; she lost interest in them a long time ago. Her eyes went unfocused as they discussed on till an owl preached upon the table with a letter for her, the red dragon's crest!
Remus looked at her for a moment before reaching out and patting her shoulder. Sirius gave him a cold look for the act as if saying, 'you are being too soft' but he chose to ignore it. His attention was drawn away as Bill began discussing the new developments Dumbldore asked for, "The Malfoy's account is a bit too quiet. Looks like Draco is not pushing around any money, same with the other death eater we suspected. His account to a bit too quiet, he has not made any donations or deposits around either. You may want a auror to check up them quietly…it does not look good from this point though."
"I'll pass a word to Kingsley – I need to talk to him any way." Sirius nodded, sipping the tea he added looking at Hermione, "Not bad brat you can actually make a descent tea."
Charlie rolled his eyes, "Her attention is not with us Sirius don't waste you're energy. You lost her the minute Bill opened his mouth."
"Clearly." Remus nodded looking at the girl immersed in her own thought sipping her tea, "By the way found anything about Richard Krum?"
"Only that he's desperately trying to get some old documents for some one on our side. Refused to speak of who it is he's working for though." Remus cleared, before he could explain more an owl flew down towards Hermione. The pale white envelope was sealed with a red emblem of a Chinese dragon crest. This was the same mark he saw on….
Krishi