Edited for format
« Excuse me?! Break into Azkaban?! That was not the plan! » screamed Hermione
Ron let escaped a laugh at seeing her so infuriated with their plan. The look she sent his way immediately calmed his mood.
Harry decided to take the matter into his hand and calmly explain everything to both Hermione and Charlie.
"Ok so I tried all afternoon to get us official access to our national prison. But even if I could get all of us into it, there was no way that we could reach Lucius Malfoy cell. It is under high supervision and no one has access to it except some few guardians after a hard selection. So there was no way that we could see him legally."
"That's how I found Harry, desperate that he could not help us" Ron interrupted. Harry gave him a quick hit with his elbow so that he would let him finish his story.
"So as I was saying, the legal way was closed to us."
"But legal never stopped you, did it?" Charlie asked, a small smile on his lips and eyes gleaming with excitement.
"We did what we did because there was no other way!" Hermione explained in anger.
"I'm joking Hermione" reassured Charlie, his hand slowly caressing her back. She blushed seeing the look on Harry's face but they had other things to discuss.
"Whatever. Right now you need to pack a bit before we leave for the great breakthrough!" Ron exclaimed, carefully changing the subject and steering them to the problem at hand.
"Pack?! What do you mean pack? How am I even supposed to know what to pack!" Hermione was getting very angry at the confused intel they were giving to her.
"Calm down Hermione. I bet you still have a bag prepared with everything, just in case. Am I right?" Harry provided, trying to calm Hermione.
"Of course I have! Never knows what could happen with you as friends!" She ranted angrily.
"Looks like you were right and you are ready! Now what about you Charlie?"
"Just need my wand and I am ready to go!"
"Nothing else? You're sure?"
"I am used to working with dragons Harry. They don't really give you time to get prepared. My wand will be enough. I don't think we will face something worse than an angry dragon."
Hermione grabbed her emergency bag and apparated with them without having the time to think too much.
They landed on a sandy beach, surrounded by cliffs. The wind was howling and they had trouble hearing each other.
Hermione yelled "where are we?" while looking around her. It seemed like there was nothing around them except the cliffs and the sea. The wind being their only companion.
"Close to Saint Andrews, in Scotland" Ron explained. "When the sun is shining you can see the city from Azkaban. I thought this could be a good place to come up with a plan"
"What do you mean, come up with a plan?!"
"You know how we are Hermione… Without you we never have plan"
"Are you freaking kidding me?! I thought learning to be an Auror would have thought you some things! Were you really thinking of just trying to break through without even having a plan?! Also why apparate and then come up with a plan? Would it have killed you to stay in my warm cozy apartment?!"
CHarlie intervened before Hermione threw an hex she might regret later.
"Maybe we could first settle down and let Harry and Ron explain everything? I would very much like to be inside where the wind can stop freezing me to death?!"
"Fine. Find the tent in my bag and put it up. I will begin charming around the settlement so that nobody can detect us, especially not Muggles" Hermione said, resigned that Charlie was right.
Both Harry and Ron exchanged a quick look, relieved to see that Charlie managed to reign Hermione's temper. They knew she was kinda right but they were still happy to not be on the receiving end of her anger for longer than necessary.
Charlie helped Hermione with the charms and they worked in companionable silence, as they used to do while in the Reserve. Satisfied with the spells in place, they entered the tent the guys had put up. Hermione was surprised to see them already at work. Harry was preparing some tea while Ron was studying a map of the Northern sea, trying to remember precisely where the prison was.
"Ok so we are counting on Ron who was stationed there for a month to exactly place where the prison is." Harry explained while putting a cup of tea in front of everyone. "I used to be consulted when they redid the whole security. Because of my connection with Voldemort and my time with Sirius I was the only one who knew all the weak links in security. I also managed to bring these with me" he said as he pulled out the prints of Azkaban. "With those we should be able to find our way to Lucius and hopefully finally get some answers"
"Great so what can we do to help?" Charlie asked, eager to participate
"I thought the best was to let you both sleep a bit and we will wake you up in a few hours when we have all the information ready"
Hermione groaned at that "Then why did you not let us sleep at my place? Why the hurry to move there?"
"Stan asked us all to be left out of the investigation. He feared that we were going to compromise it. I thought and Ron agreed with me that he was going to put you under surveillance. That's why we decided that it was better to have you disappear sooner rather than later."
"Then why did you not say so at the beginning?!" she said angrily
"Because I know you Hermione. You wouldn't have left your apartment if someone was going to watch you. You don't like not following the rules. Also we were unsure how Charlie would react and thus we decided that it was better to smoothly take you out and then come up with the plan."
"Actually that does make sense even if I am kinda ashamed of what you are saying... I am glad to see you finally reacting in advance. Maybe you will grow up one day" Hermione teased
"Stop the compliments or you will make me blush" Ron answered already a bit red "On top of that we said you should go to sleep so ush ush! The rooms are this way" he pointed
Charlie and Hermione went in the direction Ron pointed and it was not until they reached the room's door that they faced each other a bit awkwardly. The last two times they slept it was together. Now that they were a bit more rested and also knew that either or Ron were going to wake them up, they were unsure of what to do.
Charlie decided to be the bravest and asked "what shall we do?" and for once Hermione showed him her funny side "well maybe we could begin by looking at what this tent has to offer? I mean if there is bunk beds I am taking the upper one!"
Charlie laughed a little before opening the door. As Hermione had predicted there were two bunk beds in the room.
"oh great we are going to enjoy Ron snoring every night. I can't wait!" she said ironically. But when she turned to look at Charlie she only could see deception. He must have really wanted to sleep again in her embrace she thought. But if she was honest so was she. It was comforting to stay in his arms and she had to admit she never had slept better than those last few days. After taking a huge breath she nonchalantly proposed "you know we are wizards and we can transform one to a double bed if you wish. Because I am not entirely against the idea"
The smile that graced Charlie's features at that moment was nearly blinding her. She thought that if sleeping next to her made him smile that much then she was more than willing to do that every night. SHe chastised herself when she realised what just went through her mind. She had no time for this kind of stuff! And they had to stay focused on the work at hand : find Lucius and start getting some answers.
But how could she even pretend she did not care when she was going to sleep next to him? He was handsome in his own kind of way. And also truly brilliant and interesting. Talking with him was a true blessing. She knew people thought she was a bookworm. Maybe she was. But she hated when she was only reduced to that. Once Ron had even tried to put her with a guy who was just blatantly boring. Yes he was brilliant but so dull. Not full of life like Charlie! She felt alive when she was with him. She was brought out of her reverie by his hoarse voice muttering a spell to change the bed.
"Care to join me mademoiselle?" Charlie asked with a terrible French accent. She smiled and quickly transfigured her clothes to some pyjama wear before getting in the bed.
To say Stan was mad was an understatement. He was truly livid.
First, he had thought that the Malfoy interrogation was going to help him solve definitely the case. It had turned out to be a complete waste of time. He even felt worse because he had not thought to check the gardener first. He still had to get in touch with him and intended to do that first thing this morning.
Second, Charlie and Hermione had disappeared without notice. When he had decided to put them under surveillance it was more to ease his mind than anything else. That is why he was so surprised to find them gone. Maybe his thoughts about them planning the whole thing where true then? Which meant he really had to find them and bring them in for questioning. He probably also should put the rest of the Weasley family under surveillance. That implied a lot of resources but if they truly were the culprits, and Merlin did they look like it at the moment, he knew he had to do everything to catch them.
His career might actually be on play here. If he did a wrong move, like not pursue the situation with the dragon keeper, he could be accused of treason. The dragon reserve was one of the most precious asset of Romania with Dracula's castle. That is why the Romanian police only sent the best to solve the case. Stan had been honoured to be the lead investigator. But the more time passed the more he thought he might actually have been chosen because he could be on a hot seat should problems arise. That kept him up all night since the beginning of the investigation. He actually had to force himself to drink a sleep potion to finally rest a bit yesterday and thus he had postponed the surveillance of the two British wizards which could cause him more problems than the tiredness would have. He swore that when he would find them there would be hell to pay.
He groaned in frustration. He knew the case could not be simple but he had hoped to be able to trust some people. Turns out he could not. Taking a deep breath and trying to relax his shoulder, he sent a Patronus to the romanian Auror headquarters, asking for more information about Charlie Weasley and also more resources to help him on the case.
Now he just had to go see the gartender, hope and wait.
"Don't they look cute together?" Harry asked an already grumpy Ron.
"I so don't want to dwell on their relationship now… Sleep is all I need"
"You will need to face that there is something going on but I feel you. I think we deserve some rest"
Ron was a bit surprised that his best friend thought he was going to have a problem acknowledging Hermione and Charlie were close. After all he had already helped them the day before! But Harry had no way to know that he realised. They would eventually discuss it he knew but for now sleep was the only thing he wanted in the whole world. He was just too tired to think how complicated their relationship was.
"What in Merlin's name is that noise?!" mumbled a sleepy Charlie waking up Hermione in the process
"That's your freaking brother snoring" she replied a bit angry to be so roughly woken up. "Just get up you will never be able to find sleep again once he begins. And I speak from experience."
Charlie looked at her not believing his ears. "What do you suggest then?"
"I was thinking of making some tea and try to find some peace and maybe dooze a bit. No spell can muffle him enough. Your brother is truly a wonder you know?"
"I certainly wonder how you managed to not kill him during the war. But yes I am up for the tea."
"Harry always seemed to be able to support it so it was just me. I guess that is understandable, after all he had six years of sharing the dormitory with him to get used to it. But it actually helped to be able to be alone with my thought while we were searching for the Horcruxes. I know the boys did not like the inaction but I was actually glad to have time to think. Even if we ended up taking some harsh decisions at least I had some time to think. "
"Even after the manor?" he asked with caution
The look she shot him was enough. She would rather be awake and doing some things than sleeping and reviving those horrible moments. He knew that sleep would have eluded him if he had not her presence every night since then.
"I am sorry that was rude and stupid to ask"
"It's ok. Why don't we make tea and try to get comfy on those chairs? I feel like it has been years since I had time to settle down and read. Also might have to put some music on to try to cover the beast snoring!"
"Read? Did you bring anything to read?"
"Charlie we're wizards! We could conjure any book we want. But yes I brought some. Would you like to see?"
"No thanks I think I will try to do some muscle training. I need to get better"
That impressed Hermione. CHarlie was really well built and she has never even thought he would have to do some musculation to look the way he did. But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
"It is also a way to regain control, am I right?"
Charlie looked at her, surprised. He would never have guessed that she would understand him so much. He was a physical man. He battled dragons for a living! Feeling weak was not something he was used to. He needed the action to feel like himself and after the torture he went through not knowing how his body would react to anything made him mad. Living with dragons he acquired fast reflexes and he could not bare to lose them. That is why he felt the need to exercise.
"Well, I might also be an addict" he laughly admitted. After awhile of doing activities every day, you begin to crave it. He knew exercising would also make him happier and brighter. Afterall, he had the Hermione Granger to impress!
"Well then I will indulge in my book addiction while you do yours!" Hermione smiled brilliantly.
She was happy to finally be at rest and let her mind work without having to think too much about it. She knew she was always better if she had some time to focus on something else. For now, that would be reading. She had taken her favorites and so she quickly became enraptured with her reading.
One hour later, she vaguely heard Charlie going to shower but she kept on reading. She looked up briefly from her book when she felt him sitting next to her on the sofa but she was happy to see that he had picked up a book too. They shared a smile before going back to their book.
A few hours later, Ron and Harry found they both embraced and asleep with the books laying on the floor.
"Ooooh aren't they cute!" exclaimed Ron to Harry's surprise. "Quick! Take a picture! That way we could blackmail them later" he added with an evil grin
Harry laughter was so loud that it actually woke the couple up. They both looked kinda confused for a moment before Hermione jumped out of the sofa.
"Boys, you're awake!" she exclaimed, a bit embarrassed
"Looks like you have become a true detective around the night 'Mione" joked Harry before she playfully smacked him on the arm.
"So what's new? Did you managed to find a way to get us to Malfoy senior?" Charlie asked, getting back on track.
"Actually… no" Ron admitted, a bit defeated… "We thought some sleep would help us come up with something but so far we have nothing…"
"Sooo… We're back to square one?" asked Hermione. Ron and Harry had no other choice than to agree.
"Come on guys! DOn't be defeated! You managed to overthrow VOldemort when you were not even adults! Getting into the most protected area of wizarding Britain will be a piece of cake!" CHarlie said, trying to cheer them up
"We did managed to break in and out of Gringotts without dying… So you actually may be right Charlie! Harry, could you please pass me the blueprints?" Hermione asked, taking charge.
"I am famished… Anyone want something?" Ron asked a few hours later. They were still no closer to find a way to break into Azkaban and his patience was reaching its limit.
"You are right… A break would do us some good…" admitted Hermione.
They quickly cooked lunch, Harry doing wonders as always but all too soon they were back to trying to find a hole in the security.
Hermione was sipping on her tea when she suddenly exclaimed "Harry! Your boggart is still Dementors right?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, we could make the guards think Dementors are back thanks to boggarts! That way we will manage to easily enter and for the rest I thought we could..."
And so Hermione explained her plan to enter the wizarding prison using every weakness they had managed to find in the most protected prison in the world.
One hour later everything was laid down and they had managed to run over the few details that could go wrong.
"So we agree that we will begin at midnight?" Harry asked one last time
"Yes, this is safer as the night will enable us to find cover easily and also use the tiredness of the guards" Hermione stated, proud that they managed to have a plan nearly defautless.
"Ok and what do we do if Malfoy senior does not answer our questions?" Charlie wondered
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it but seeing as he has been imprisoned for a few years, he should be more willing to help us" Ron provided and Harry agreed. He knew how much life in prison could change someone. He had seen it first hand from Sirius but also from various criminals.
"Are you sure? I mean he still managed to plan everything and…"
"Don't worry Hermione. We know what we are doing" said Ron a bit paternalistic.
"Ok, if you're sure but then what do we do till the departure?"
"I suggest we rest as much as we can…" Harry provided. He knew tonight was going to be risky and that they needed to be sharp. Tiredness could not be allowed.
So they spent the whole afternoon alternating between trying to nap, to no avail, and trying to relax by playing cards or reading.
They ate a light dinner in silence, all lost in their thoughts. Stress was getting unbearable and even Ron stopped trying to make jokes to break the tension.
When the clock reached eleven, they all began to dress. They had chosen black, tight and warm clothes. Black and tight to avoid being seen and warm because they had to fly for nearly one hour before reaching the prison.
Hermione was apprehensive. She hated flying and now she had to do it again. How she wished she never went to that holiday trip… Well that was wrong. But still if solving this case could involve less flying she would be blissfully happy.
"Are you ok?" Charlie asked, knowing she was surely not enjoying this.
"Once it's done yes, I will be." she answered, sternly.
Without another word, they all slowly mounted their broom and flew right to Azkaban.
Sorry it took me so long to post another chapter but you know life gets in the way. I will not abandon this story I promise. I don't know when it will be finished but it will be. Just know that reviews truly help me find the motivation to write.
I apologise for any mistake, English is not my first language. If you see anything disturbing please tell me!
I would love to recieve some reviews even if it has been so long