I don't own HP. Wish I did, but I don't.
AN: Huge thank you to Julist and trinkisme for betaing this and just being awesome.
XXX
Hermione's fake galleon gave a light buzz in her robe pocket as she was walking down to breakfast.
No one else was with her as Ron was conducting an early morning quidditch practice and Neville was still sleeping down in the Slytherin Common Room.
The twins had sent her a message last night saying they had collected Ollivander and that he was being very quiet on the topic of the Death Stick, though he said there was a very old rumor that the continental wandmaker, Gregorovitch, had once been in possession of the wand. Fleur, Bill, Alianore and Tachiki had proceeded to take a quick trip to the continent in order to locate the retired Gregorovitch.
It had been Narcissa's idea to send them, as all of them had family on the continent, which would hopefully stop any of Voldemort's spies from watching their movements too closely.
The twins had also finally shared how they had linked the coins to the journals - making them very similar to a muggle pager they had heard about on a research expedition into muggle London.
It had been Hermione's idea, years ago, to look to muggles for inspiration. Like with the lightning stick, the buzzing coin was proving very useful.
Hermione walked casually into the nearest girls' bathroom and slipped into a stall. A quick spell transfigured the toilet seat into a real seat and she sat down to pull out her journal.
Forge: Phoenix your a bloody psychic. death mark found over ollivanders shop
Gred: news isnt out yet but kingsley told us. place was ransacked and they tried to burn it
Forge: but olli had strong fireproof wards. place is just singed.
Gred: no one knows olli wasnt there. they think he was kidnapped
Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest as she read the twins' words. If she hadn't had the epiphany yesterday…
Phoenix: what about Gregorovitch? any news?
Gred: no nothing yet
Forge: buzz u when we hear something
The page grew blank a moment later as they wiped it of words.
If Draco hadn't said anything about wands…
Her hands were shaking a bit as she closed the journal and slipped it back into her bag. The harsh bathroom light illuminated the words on the back of her hand.
I must respect authority.
Authority.
Who truly had authority?
Narcissa said she and Padfoot could control Scrimgeour, that they could deal with him later.
That meant, currently, the Order controlled the legal authority of the country. But they also were still working underground.
Hiding Ollivander - both from the Ministry and the Death Eaters.
They couldn't trust the Ministry. They couldn't respect them. Not with the way things were.
She couldn't relax. She couldn't grow complacent. Umbridge being gone from Hogwarts and dead was not the true end goal.
No.
She wanted to make a world where one COULD respect authority.
And to do that she needed to finish her school years, help destroy Voldemort, eliminate people like Bellatrix, and-
And go on a date with me to Hogsmeade on Saturday.
She yelped and jumped so high she slipped off the seat and onto the bathroom floor.
Draco! What the-!
You were thinking especially loudly. I wasn't eavesdropping. They are wonderful plans by the way, but if you don't stop planning in the loo and get to the Great Hall you'll miss out on breakfast.
She rolled her eyes and got up off the bathroom floor, adjusting her robes.
Just because we're...whatever doesn't mean you can tell me what to do.
He snickered, the sound echoing through her head and sending warm tingles over her skin.
I did not tell you what to do. I know better. I merely told you what would be the result of your current path.
She made a face as she transfigured the toilet seat back to normal and shouldered her bag.
You're a Slytherin. Of course you didn't come right out and tell me what to do.
He snickered again.
Point. Now, are you going to respond to my date offer?
She froze in the middle of unlatching the stall door as his first words to her came back.
A date.
A real date.
Her stomach grew all fluttery and she felt her cheeks grew warm.
But...there's so much to do. I mean, we don't really have-
Griffonshit. The world won't fall apart if we take a couple hours to ourselves. Besides, we'll have the coins if anyone needs us. Not to mention our bags and the journals.
She began moving again, a smile splitting her features.
Alright. I'll see you in the Entrance Hall at ten then. On Saturday.
Good.
She realized as she left the bathroom that her shaking had stopped and she was feeling much better. True, it had been a stroke of good luck that they had pulled Ollivander out at the right moment, but they had done it. They had saved at least one person from Voldemort and there were Order members attempting to save another. There was no point in worrying about what could have been.
It served no purpose.
With that thought in mind she continued on her way down to breakfast.
XXX
Hermione found out late on Friday that the Order expedition to the continent had failed to find Gregorovitch.
Forge: old no nose got him first. that or he's on the run
Gred: his house was nothing but ashes. neighbors swear they saw nothing
King: sounds fishy to me
Phoenix: I agree. neighbors may know something.
Prongslet: we can't force them to talk
Moon: I could force them.
Snake: I could as well
King: you two are bloody scary
Ginger: and the rest of us arent?
King: ALL girls are scary
Moon: Aw! I love you, too!
Forge: oh jeez…
Grass: I don't think force is the way to go…
Dragon: Especially as we are not anywhere near Gregorovitch's house. Or even know where that house is.
Phoenix: Point. We need to figure out if Gregorovitch still had the wand.
King: not likely
Prongslet: why?
Moon: I checked with my daddy about the wand. He says according to old Quibbler issues Gregorovitch stopped bragging about the wand back sometime in the 20s. The Quibbler ran issues on it up until the late 30s, though. Standard practice.
King: so someone must have taken it from him before that
Dragon: But that makes no sense. They didn't kill him.
Phoenix: You don't have to kill someone to take control of a wand. Just defeating them is good enough. As long as it's a real conflict and not just training.
Phoenix: Huh, so the real question is - who stole the wand? And does Gregorovitch know the identity.
Snake: Could it have been the last great dark wizard? Grindelwald?
Gred: he never bragged about it. least as far as we know.
Moon: I can ask my daddy. But I think we only ever talked about Grindelwald's obscurus son and his penchant for pretending to be an American.
Phoenix: I don't think he really had an obscurus son…
Moon: Of course he did. Rolf's grandfather saw it.
Ginger: Rolf?
King: Rolf Scamander. Grandson of Newt Scamander and Eoghan Mclean, the owner/editor of the Fae Chronicles.
Dragon: Aren't you just a font of knowledge today? Who would have thought?
Ron retorted by scribbling a little face sticking its tongue out at Draco. Not to mention the actual face he made at Draco, who was sitting across the table from him.
Draco just snickered, "Weasley's are apparently full of surprises."
That earned him a solid elbow in his side from Ginny. Hermione winced along with Draco - Ginny's elbows should be classified as weapons.
"Yes, we are. Now play nice with my brother. Only a Weasley is allowed to hurt a Weasley."
"Noted," Draco said as he rubbed his ribs and grimaced.
Apple: Blaise wants to know who else is going into Hogsmeade tomorrow.
Phoenix: I think we all are.
She looked around her classroom and everyone nodded. Theo, Neville, and Pansy were all down in the Slytherin common room, but everyone else was there. Minus the twins of course. They were at the Marauder's Academy.
Grass: I think we should all go in together and make sure no one is ever alone. Keep your coins in your pockets.
Snake: And then meetup before we head back. I doubt anyone will attack Hogsmeade tomorrow, but with the recent upheaval at the Ministry….
King: point. better to be safe than sorry
Prongslet: point. we should also keep an eye out for the other students.
Phoenix: So lets all meet in the Entrance Hall at ten? We should head back before dark, so by three.
Ginger: then lets meet at nine, since thats the earliest we can go.
Dragon: nine is good
Grass: works for me
Snake: good, I don't want to be out after dark
Apple: none of us do
King: dont forget to put your coin in your pocket
Phoenix: or bring your bag and journal - just in case
Moon: And watch out for snoffkurns. They flourish during times of upheaval.
The journal sat empty for a moment. It had been so long since Luna had brought up her imaginary creatures that they were all at a loss. Well, most of them.
Prongslet: can do. keep an eye out for snoffkurns. got it guys?
Gred: Moon, you're awesome, please
Forge: come work for us when you finish
Gred: your schooling
Moon: No, thank you. Daddy needs my help
Forge: well…
Gred: if you change your mind…
Forge: then let us know
Luna smiled brightly as she looked down at her journal and proceeded to draw an adorably happy picture of a moon.
Ron chuckled and sent his girlfriend the most heartwarming smile. "Luna, you're amazing. Love you."
In response Luna hopped out of her seat and placed herself in Ron's lap, giving him a quick peck.
"Love you, too."
Ginny groaned, "Oh Merlin. Get a room you two, like the rest of us do."
That comment made Harry blush redder than a tomato and cough nervously.
Hermione turned and met Draco's eyes, he smirked at her.
Is it just me, or is everyone being much more open about their relationships now that we're together?
Her brow wrinkled in thought and she glanced around. Luna was still perched on Ron's lap, now nuzzling his neck, even as his face became the same shade of red as his hair. Ginny was giving Harry suggestive looks and giggling every time his blush deepened.
The soft brush of fingers against her cheek made her turn back towards Draco as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
She smiled at him as she got a warm, fuzzy feeling in ther chest.
Yes, I think you're right. I mean, they've all kind of been together since around our fourth year, but I only ever saw them acting like couples by accident. Like walking in on Harry and Ginny in a broom cupboard once.
Draco snickered.
That must have been an unwanted sight.
Definitely.
A flicker of movement caught her eye and she looked down to see Pansy writing in the journal.
Snake: Anything new on Scrimgeour and the Ministry?
Apple: Yes, the papers have been rather uninformative
Gred: yesterday, at our Order meeting, it was said that
Forge: the Ministry will finally make a statement about what happened at Malfoy Manor.
Phoenix: when?
Gred: the dragon queen said it would be in the next few days
Forge: hopefully by Monday
Dragon: good
Ginger: nice nickname for her
Forge: our mother is the red hen
Fred: which makes father the red c***
Each letter turned into a star as quickly as it appeared.
Forge: c***
Gred: what the…
Hermione grinned.
Phoenix: Oh, did I forget to tell you about the profanity filter?
Ron, Ginny and Harry laughed, while Draco snickered. Luna merely smiled peacefully.
Gred: Forge, we have a new mission
Forge: indeed we do, brother
Snake: Merlin save us from Weasleys…
Phoenix: Well, if that's all. I have an essay to write.
Apple: see everyone in the entrance hall at 9am
Gred: Forge or I may take a little trip to hogsmeade tmrw. you know,"
Forge: gotta check out our competition
King: sounds good, night
Everyone else quickly wrote goodnight, with the twins adding an image of a rooster with a very not anatomically correct appendage.
Hermione scowled, she still hadn't figured out a way to censor drawings. She hadn't forgotten about what the twins had drawn over Christmas.
Revenge was necessary. No matter the size of the infraction. Or the time it took to achieve said revenge.
XXX
Saturday was bright and sunny, with just a hint of spring in the cool breeze coming up from the south. Lavender and Parvati giggled and gossiped as they dressed for the day. Their high spirits were contagious.
Hermione couldn't help but feel excited about her first official date with Draco.
It was easy enough to wash up, but when she went to her wardrobe she couldn't help but stare at her robes in dismay.
How had she never realized that all of her day robes were more fitting to a funeral than a date?
Likely because it hadn't been that important to her when she had dated Viktor. He had never worried about his clothes, so she hadn't either.
But Draco was different.
She'd watched him spend hours lovingly replacing each article of clothing that she had accidently destroyed.
She couldn't wear a plain black robe with no adornments at all. Even if they were made of silk.
She groaned, wishing she'd asked Mrs. Weasley how to alter clothes properly. She could easily transfigure some things and add a bit of lace or-
"Hermione, are you alright? Don't think I've ever seen you look so long at your clothes before."
Hermione jumped and spun around, her nightgown swirling around her ankles and threatening to reveal the scars on her legs.
"Oh, uh, just trying to decide what to wear. I-um," she felt her cheeks heat, "have a date today."
A dangerous light appeared in Lavender's eyes. "A date? With Malfoy?"
Hermione nodded and, before she could say a word the other girl was beside her and digging through the wardrobe.
"Hm, you certainly like black, don't you? I mean, it fits your name, but there is such a thing as taking something too far. You don't own any muggle clothes, do you?"
"I do, but none of them are at Hogwarts. Didn't see a need and I used the trunk space for other things."
"Hm, well, I have an idea."
Lavender went over to her own wardrobe and dug through it. A moment later she came back with a pair of dark jeans and a soft hunter green jumper.
"I'm sure you don't want to get all fancy. So these should work well. Just do something nice with your hair and wear something sparkly."
Hermione stared at the offered clothes. "Lavender, thank you, but-"
"Oh, shush, Hermione. You should know by now that Lavvie is stubborn. If you don't take them she'll likely hound you all day," Pavarti said as she came out of their shared bathroom.
"But-" Hermione started before going silent. Her roommates annoyed her to no end, but she also knew they were nice people. And it was already half past eight. She didn't have all day to go over her wardrobe choices. She sighed, "Alright. Thank you, Lavender. These will work well once I adjust the size."
Luckily, temporary sizing charms were easy because Hermione was not quite as voluptuous as either of her roommates.
"Good, that's settled then," Lavender said as Hermione took the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom to change.
XXX
Draco glanced up at the sound of Theo's surprised intake.
His heart stopped for a split second.
Hermione had never looked so beautiful. And that was saying a lot, as he still remembered exactly how she had looked at the Yule Ball.
She was dressed in formfitting muggle clothes, while her dark hair was tucked up in some elegant twist that he vaguely remembered seeing his mother use at times.
But it was her face that truly drew him.
He didn't think he'd ever seen Hermione look shy or unsure before.
You look gorgeous.
Her face grew pink as she approached him.
You like it? They're Lavender Brown's. I wasn't sure what to wear.
"You're magnificent. As always," he said aloud.
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. "Thank you. You look very good yourself."
"Oh! Good! You're the last one to arrive Hermione. Let's go. I'm ready to get outside. It's gorgeous today," Ginger said as she grabbed Harry's hand and began leading him outside.
Draco watched in amusement as everyone else followed her. Gryffindors were always entertaining. They didn't ask or conspire for others to follow them. No. They just stated their purpose and took off, absolutely sure that enough people would follow them.
One Gryffindor in particular did that quite a bit. Not that he was complaining.
With that thought in mind and a smile on his face he offered Hermione his arm.
She took it and they headed out.
XXX
The day was absolutely perfect; though Hermione didn't think she could actually remember clearly everything that they did. The entire day was a haze of happy feelings and flashes of memory. Draco's arm interlinked with hers. The warm sun on her face. Hot tea and warm pastries in a little bakery. The smell of old books mixed with Draco's soap. The pressure of books against her spine in the little old bookstore. The sweetness of Draco's lips against hers. The strength of his arms around her. The sound of everyone's laughter when Luna asked about the small mark on Draco's neck.
The rest of the world was forgotten for a few hours and Hermione didn't even notice.
Not until someone shouted out, "Special Announcement!" In the Three Broomsticks and shushed the students enough for everyone to hear the wizarding wireless.
It was Scrimgeour's gravelly voice that rolled over the last few people talking. His tone left no one with any possibility of disbelieving him.
"Wizards and Witches of Great Britain, I speak to you tonight on a topic of grave seriousness. Do not think I come to you lightly. We here at the Ministry have confirmed what I am about to tell you through multiple means. You-Know-Who, known to many as Lord Voldemort, returned from the dead last May through the use of a dark ritual. It was he who organized the Azkaban prison break this past Autumn. It is also He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named - not Albus Dumbledore - behind the Battle of Malfoy Manor. He is still at large and believed to be hiding on the continent."
The entire pub was silent, everyone hanging on his words. Even those that already knew what he was saying.
"The previous administration did their best to ignore these facts. Facts they were unwilling to accept. I believe that we must stand together and face the truth - no matter how unwanted those truths may be. It is to this end that I ask the wizarding population of Great Britain to stand together in these turbulent times. Report any knowledge you may have on You-Know-Who and his followers. Be ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors and protect our world. As a sign of this we, the Ministry, will be releasing the bodies of those lost in the Battle of Malfoy Manor. We pray that these will be the only lives lost in the coming fight, but we know that this is a futile hope. For You-Know-Who is deadly and unforgiving. But that is why we must work together to stop him once and for all. We MUST make our world truly safe. We cannot allow the mistakes of our predecessors to destroy our chance for a safe future. Thank you for tuning in. Stay safe and have a good night. Minister Scrimgeour signing off."
The pub sat in silence for a moment, students holding onto their butterbeers and looking at each other. Many in shock at hearing the Minister say a name they had often never heard said before. The few adults were white-faced and nauseous looking. Hermione wanted to yell and cheer that the new Minister had finally admitted everything.
"My father…"
Her attention was drawn to Draco, pressed against her side at the cramped table they were sharing with the others.
She took his hand and gave it a light squeeze.
Are you alright?
He nodded slowly.
I-I think so. I'd given up hope we'd be able to have a funeral for him. What with Fudge, Umbridge, and the Ministry. Didn't even consider that the change in administration would change this.
There will be lots of funerals.
Including Dumbledore's.
"Draco? You alright?"
Pansy's question drew Draco's attention away from Hermione, but he still kept a hold on her hand.
"Yes, no, maybe, just, well, in shock. That's all."
Pansy nodded and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Of course you are. You loved your father dearly."
He nodded and swallowed noisily. Hermione didn't really think about it. She stood up, pulling him along with her and went outside.
The sun was beginning to set and the air was crisp. She pulled him off to one side, outside of the view of the windows and wrapped her arms around him. A second later his body began to shake with small, soft sobs. She held him, running her hands in small comforting circles on his back, his grip on her tight.
Slowly his sobs disappeared and his hold relaxed. She pulled back and looked up at him.
"Draco?"
"Sorry. I-well-I don't know. It just hit me. You know. Everything. I-" he stopped and took a deep breath.
"It's alright. I understand. Most of the days you're fine and then one thing happens and you're a mess again. I-uh-get that way sometimes. About, well…" She stopped talking and gestured at her arms.
He responded by pulling her close and hugging her again. This time he wasn't holding her tightly for comfort. She felt his hands moving over her and heat began to pool in her stomach.
The next thing she knew he had pulled back and she was looking at him. There was so much open emotion visible on his face. Her heart swelled up and she felt a million emotional words rise up in her throat.
She did the only thing she could do to stop words from rising up and coming out - words she wasn't ready to say yet.
He didn't protest when her lips met his.
But Harry did.
"Oh, Merlin! I don't need to see this!"
Hermione pulled away from Draco and looked over to see Harry, Ginny, and everyone else piling out of the Three Broomsticks.
She sniffed, "Now we're even. I didn't need to see you and Ginny in that broom cupboard either."
Harry flushed and looked away. "At least we were in private," he grumbled.
Draco chuckled and stepped away from Hermione and offering her his arm once more. "Point."
Hermione turned her glare on Draco, "You're supposed to be on my side."
Draco winked at her, "Point. Why do you think I'm not?"
"I call cheating!" Ron shouted, walking up with Luna tucked under his arm.
"I think the nargles are behind it," Luna said.
Pansy laughed. "Or maybe it's a conspiracy."
"A nargle conspiracy," Ginny said. "That has to be it!"
Everyone laughed and began walking back towards Hogwarts as the sun continued to set. Hermione watched them for a moment, the happy moment at odds with the seriousness that had been going on inside of the pub.
"Hermione?"
Draco's voice brought her back. She took his arm and looked up at him as they began to follow the others. "Feeling better now?"
He nodded, "Yes, but I do have a suggestion."
"What's that?"
"I think finding some privacy is a good idea."
Her heart skipped a beat and her cheeks began to burn. That didn't stop her from quietly saying, "Point."
His laughter rang through the wizarding village and hers quickly followed.
It was nice not to be alone.
Author's Note: For the first time since I started this story I'm actually publishing it on Saturday morning EST, rather than on Saturday night UTC. Very odd feeling. Hope ya'll liked this, especially the wizarding 'texting' and the radio broadcast. Should be back to responding to reviews and giving out cookies this week. Currently on my shitty laptop as my desktop is being shipped by a friend. But it can handle google chrome fairly well, so I just need to find time.
Enjoy!
