Chapter 16: APPREHENSION
Life had a very effective way to remind people how insignificant they were in his grand scheme. No matter how big a tribulation they'd been through, Life would still go on. Time would not pause or even stop for them, the sun would still up in the sky like the day before and the day after. Even any impacted alteration would steadily be adjusted and corrected, time would heal any wound. Of that, Hermione understood very well.
She had given up her first love and then later, her two most important persons in her life as well. They might not go for good, but that fact didn't make it less hurt. Even so, each day she would leave her flat, walked the same pavement, sat on her desk, awhile later Ronan would arrive and said 'good morning', worked on basically same paperwork, did her house visit or spent her time either in library or Grey Room, and ended her day in almost similar routine as the previous day.
Meanwhile, the landscape had changed colour, temperature gradually dropped and in one of those days snow had fallen. The festive had passed in a flash and puddle of water started to appear along the road as the air got warmer. It wouldn't be long until buds flourished at the tip of tree branches.
"For Ginny! The best Chaser in Britain!"
"Top scorer in the League for five weeks in a row!"
Five glasses were raised for a toast. The clink sound was drowned in the noise of the pub, but it didn't diminish the large grin on her face.
Today's match was short and uneventful so unlike the past usual post-match where there's always a lengthy debrief, Reggie let the team leave early. And with the fact that Hermione was there – which was almost a miracle itself – they decided to stop by at the Leaky for little celebration.
Ginny's stubbornness to stay in Chaser position had finally been paid off on early December. One of the main Chasers had resigned from the team so Ginny had been promoted to be starter. Previously, Ginny had already gotten a title of 'super sub' on her team so it wasn't really surprising when her performance soared rapidly once she joined the main team. Her chemistry with the other two Chasers was never a problem since Reggie always made sure to rotate her player when the match went too long.
It's not that Hermione had suddenly cared about Quidditch after Ginny's reputation rose, the reason she's willing to tag along was Amy. Since Hermione declined invitation to watch Quidditch match more often than not, the last extra free ticket – courtesy of Ginny or Lee – always went to Amy who apparently was a Quidditch fan. The problem was that her father wouldn't allow her to go with only men as her company. Usually there was Angelina or Ginny if it wasn't Harpies' match, but for some reason Angelina had to pull off today.
When Ginny started to help at the joke shop, the two had developed close friendship quickly. Then after Amy became regular fixture in their Quidditch entourage, she never missed Ginny's match and no-chaperone was certainly not a good reason to start doing that. So when Ginny and Amy cornered her two days ago, Hermione had caved.
Looking at how Amy discussing the match with Harry and Ron, Hermione wouldn't deny that sometimes she envied how easy Amy had fit into their group. Though with her soft spoken and sweet attitude there's no way she could hate her, quite the opposite after spending time with her, she liked her a lot.
"Hey Ron, isn't that your 'admirer'?" Ginny teased.
Harry followed her gaze and a mischievous smile lit up his face. "Ah yes, it's that girl I kept seeing at the shop, right?"
Ron groaned, his face turned miserable. He pushed his chair so he would be more hidden by the shadow and hissed, "Shut it, won't you! And lower your voice or she will hear you!"
Of course they had cast Muffling Charm around them beforehand, but Ron seemed to temporary forget it.
"She's quite pretty," Hermione noted without missing a beat.
"Not you too, Hermione!" he wailed, which only incited a generous laugh from everyone.
The girl was actually good looking, yet in the past week Ron had been rigorously trying to evade her. Hermione's visit to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was very infrequent, but even she saw how the girl had relentlessly pursuing him. She couldn't imagine how bad it was in reality, still it was too tempting not to join Ginny and Harry.
Hermione was happy that everything turned out well between her and Ron. Sure, they still weren't comfortable to invite the other to lunch, but they no longer held an expectation to look good in front of the other so now they were able to tease each other freely again. Once or twice someone might cross the line and upset the other, but the weight of their fight was no longer as heavy as before.
As she predicted, when Ron had been informed about her parents' predicament, he poured his thought wholeheartedly into it. He was the first one who came out with the solid plan on how to find her parents since Harry and Ginny were too busy to fuss on her. Harry had told him about how Muggle travelled by flying on a plane, so he suggested if they could track their flight just like they did for Portkey. And then as her parents was said to travel for vacation, they could started their search in some tourist attraction.
It was a very feasible plan but Hermione had rejected it when he offered himself to be the one who did the search as the other three had basically tied down to their respective job. She'd had to play the guilty card – that she didn't want to be blame if Ron ended up sacrificing his life for futile pursuit – to make sure that Ron wouldn't go with his plan on his own volition.
He hadn't given up and proposed to ask help from Lee and his fellow reporters, in the first place they would travel the world to cover about Quidditch World Cup anyway. Noticing his keenness, for a second it had made her question her decision to let him go. In the end she had turned his idea down, to involve reporter would only attract more attention and it would be counterproductive as the main reason she'd sent her parents away was to hide them.
She then had told her friends that she decided not look for her parents. After all, even if she could find them, there's nothing she could do about their memories. It would be wiser if she just made peace with the situation. She had new family in the three of them anyway. And that last statement had managed to completely close any argument pertaining her parents hereafter.
"But what if she does like you, Ron? I think she looks genuinely interested." Amy's candid comment broke their laugh.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh, she does like me, but only because my face is on chocolate card," he muttered grumpily. "Harry mate, I feel you. So this is how it's like to have groupies following you around. She really scared the hell out of me when she grabbed a Love Potion from the rack yesterday. George should stop selling it, it's dangerous."
"Care to share your experience to the class, brother of mine?" Ginny certainly hadn't done making fun of her brother. "And here I thought you like attention," she pouted at his scathing glare.
"But not for wrong reason," he huffed, then turning to Harry. "Sorry mate, but being your best friend is not an achievement."
Harry look at him with an exaggerated hurt expression while Ginny patted his shoulder assuredly.
"Well-well-well, that's very wise of you, Ron," she crowed. "But seriously, you can't just keep avoiding her. For the better of you both, soon or later you need to confront her. Reggie has another crazy idea and I will not have any more time to spare to help at the shop, you won't have me to protect you, Ron."
Ron waved his hand flippantly. "Nah, I'll manage. Besides, it won't be long until George convinces Angelina to work permanently at the shop. I still can stay away from the counter. And there's Amy, you will always stay with us, right Amy?"
"No. I think she needs to leave now." A new voice entered their perimeter. Hannah Abbott was standing behind Amy, a bowl of chips in her hand.
"Your chips, Harry." She handed the bowl to the raven haired wizard, then turned to the girl seated next to him. "You father asked me to remind his 'Sweet Little Amy' not to be home late. He already asked Tom so you can use our fireplace to Floo home."
It was as if Ron's ear twitched for a second there, his lips formed a smirk. "Sweet little Amy, huh?
"Shut up, Abbott!" she hissed. She threw a piercing cold glare to Ron, finger pointed at him menacingly. "Not a single word or I'll have your tongue on platter, Ronald Weasley!"
Ginny cracked a chirpy snicker. "My, are you sure you're Hufflepuff, Amy?"
"100% pure and proud Hufflepuff," she confirmed firmly, chest puffed and chin lifted up. "Lions are not the only one who can bite, you know."
"Aww, the cute fluffy badger shows its claw," Ginny taunted back.
"You lions always think too high of yourself, you know." Hannah took her stand for support. "In a way, badger is stronger and braver than lion. Lion will choose to retreat when facing bigger opponent, but badger won't hesitate to strike when provoked."
Ginny gaped at her comeback. "Oh really?! Hermione, back me up here." She nudged her flatmate with her elbow.
Hermione rubbed her arm. "Well, Hannah is right," she shrugged. "What? It's a fact."
Not only Ginny, but Harry and Ron also eyed her incredulously while Hannah and Amy clapped their hands victoriously.
"It's good that you still have a clear minded lion among you," Hannah praised.
The intensity Ginny glowered on her almost made Hermione cower.
"You, Granger, are a disgrace for the House of Lion," she decreed, prodding her finger onto her chest. "You should be banished to the Raven's Nest, or better, join the badger. Even your Patronus is an otter, you'll fit there."
She swatted her hand from her body. "Oh please, you're the one who live in the Burrow."
"Hey, that's low blow!"
"Girls, please," Amy interrupted them. "We know both of you are lioness, no need to prove it with a cat fight. Hannah's right, it's late, I really need to go." She stood up and gathered her belonging. "And Ron, I forgot to tell you, Lee left Canon's tickets yesterday. I slipped it into your locker."
Ron nodded in affirmation, but Hermione caught him exchange a knowing glance with Ginny. She didn't comment for now as Amy bided her goodnight and left with Hannah.
Harry was the first who broke the silence. "It's hard to believe that she still has curfew, out of school and at her age."
"Yeah, her father is really something," Ron piped up. "Have I ever told you how he interrogated me and George? I think it's the only job interview where the candidate's father was the one who decide whether we're suitable and good enough to employ her." He shook his head in amazement. "I always thought he calls her 'Princess', but George's wrong as well so nobody win the bet."
"What's with the glance you two share a while ago," Hermione chimed-in, motioning her finger to Ron and Ginny. "Right before Amy left. I know it has nothing to do with her curfew or the bet of how she's been called at home."
Ron and Ginny stared at each other, both were grinning.
"Lee finally made a move," Ginny stated.
Hermione and Harry posed similar puzzled look.
"He fancies Amy," Ron supplied. "I used to think he left four tickets to push George and Angelina together, but apparently he has his own agenda. He knew there's no way Hermione would watch Quidditch so I will take Amy. Rather smooth, but sadly when he finally plucked his courage to approach her directly, she misunderstood that it was for me. Not only her naivety but with a father like hers, Lee will need a huge amount of luck if he wants to date her."
"No wonder she wants to work in International Department. If Dad starts acting like that, I'll run away," Ginny muttered.
"Wait, I thought George and Angelina have been dating for awhile?" Harry interjected.
"It's complicated," Ginny replied. "What's they called it that girl movie? Ah, it's casual fling or maybe friend with benefit."
Ron plopped a chip into his mouth. "George doesn't want to have attachment, especially after Fred."
"And Angelina has lived with her mother in Muggle world after her father died. She's familiar with that kind of relationship. I say they're made for each other," Ginny finished it for them.
Hermione frowned. "And your mother is okay with it?"
It was a rhetorical question because in no way Hermione could picture any scenario where Molly Weasley would allow such behaviour from her children. She had even kicked her eldest son from the Burrow when Fleur had stayed there so they would not sleep in the same room even though they're already engaged.
"Mum doesn't know yet, but it's his problem. Between us sibling, we don't poke our nose into each other business."
"Is it just me or Malfoy seems to be around quite a lot lately."
At first the way Ron blurted it out abruptly made Hermione think that he was reluctant to continue the conversation about George and wanted to change topic, but when she followed his eyes, Draco was indeed there, sitting alone at the bar.
Seeing him like that, she was reminded that in the past few months she had seen him in more place than the Balcony. She couldn't recall when the last time they shared words since without the protection of the Balcony, their interaction at the Atrium or DMLE corridor was not more than a passing glances. Several times she went to the Balcony, she didn't find him there.
She wouldn't try to guess why Draco didn't approach her and greeted her but even if he did, she wasn't sure she would reciprocate. A small meaningless talk between her and Draco in public would surely attract unnecessary attention, something that she preferred to avoid. It wasn't that they're close to begin with and she was also the one who'd urged him to stop hiding in the first place so she shouldn't complain when he did. Nonetheless, there was a little – very tiny – feeling of lost in her chest. Nobody else could argue with her the way he did, she missed their banter.
"Draco is no longer on probation, he's free to go anywhere he wants," Harry said offhandedly, raising his glass to his lip.
Ginny's eyebrow piqued. "Draco?"
Harry cocked on his drink at her accusing tone. "I'm dealing with three Malfoys, I'm used to refer them by their given name in conversation so there'll be no confusion," Harry spluttered, trying to cover his slip up. "So who's you're playing next, Gin?"
This was an obvious attempt to deflect the conversation, but Ginny wouldn't have it.
"Oh, really?" She eyed Draco suspiciously then returned it back to her boyfriend, dressing him down from head to toe. After she satisfied, she studied her nails as if it was more interesting than the man in front of her. "You haven't told me what you did last summer with him in the continent."
Her voice was calm, but cold. How Harry's eyes started to wander around as if looking for an escape only made him looked guilty.
"It was work and he's my partner, Gin," he tried to appease her. "You said you have forgiven me for missing your birthday. And who said I was in the continent."
Ginny scoffed. "No time to write a letter, yet you had time to buy an expensive and hard-to-get chocolate. I'm not stupid, Harry. You might change the packaging, but I know that chocolate is only produced in Switzerland. Lucy's father works there and she always brings some every time she back from visiting him, I know its taste."
Ron jumped in. "Few weeks dallying in the continent together and now you're in first name basis? Should I worry that you will dump my sister for Draco, mate?" After only watched for awhile, Ron sensed his chance for revenge.
Harry gaped, opening and closing his mouth like a fish, overwhelmed by two simultaneous 'attacks'. He clearly hid something and since he never kept any secret from them, it became a problem for him. On the other hand, most likely it was work so by default he's not supposed to disclose it to them.
The conflict visible in Harry expression was hilarious. Couldn't hold it any longer Hermione busted out a laugh. "Oh come on you two, stop messing up with him!"
While Ginny could suppress it into an amused snicker, Ron didn't hold back in his jovial guffaw. However, even after seeing their reaction the wariness didn't disappear from Harry's face.
"They're only making fun of you, Harry. I can attest that Ginny didn't hold any grudge over her birthday," Hermione assured him. "But just to be safe, try to clear your schedule this year."
Ginny didn't say anything, but she nodded to assert her statement.
Harry sighed in relief, he turned his attention to his redhead best friend. "Just to clear up everything. Are you okay with this too, Ron?" At his questioning stare he added, "Me stopping to tell you stuff. I know you hate it when I keep things from you."
"I was Auror, mate. I know what secret mission means," said Ron lightly in response.
"Including the fact that Malfoy is my partner?"
Ron frowned. "And why is that?"
"You hate him and as Auror partner, I will share more secret with him than with you," Harry stated pointedly.
At that, Ron cackled amusedly. "How old do you think I am? Eleven? I will be more offended that you think so low of me than your partnership with him." He stopped for second on his words, swirled his head to Ginny. "Harry's partnership with Malfoy, Gin. Is it me or it does sound like they're having a sordid affair?"
Before Ginny could throw another innuendo on him, Harry barked, "You're literally throwing tantrum when I told you he's my new partner! I've been very careful not to mention anything about him in front of you ever since."
Ron stopped his laugh, scratching his nape sheepishly. "Well, you know how it was for me back then. I know it's a lame excuse but I was under massive stress so sorry if I acted like a prick. You too, Hermione." He gave her a guilty smile, then shifted back to Harry again.
"But seriously, I barely have any contact with the git for ... 3 years? Why I waste my time to hate him, I have more important stuff to think about. And you're the one who have to deal with him. I'm sorry mate, if my feeling prevent you to talk about him. But no worry, from now if you need a pair of ears to listen you rant about him, I'll be there."
To say that they were dumbstruck by his mature response was an understatement. For about four seconds, the three of them only stare at him, speechless.
Ginny beat Harry this time. "Lift your glass for my brother, he's finally become an adult! We're so proud of you, Ron!"
"Really, Gin?!" Ron chided. Nonetheless, the other followed Ginny's lead, lifting their glass for a salute.
Sipping her drink, still with a wide smile adorning her face, Hermione stole a glance to Draco's direction. He was talking with a blonde woman in a dark green dress, their bar-stools were rather close. The woman raised her handkerchief to cover her giggle while he looked intrigue. His patented smirk appeared and he stood, offering his hand to her.
As she watched them exiting of the pub, the woman's hand on Draco's elbow, Hermione smile gradually dissipated. There something in that occurrence that didn't sit well with her. For some reason, an uneasy feeling started to lurch in her chest. It's unsettling and really distracted her that she failed to notice that Harry also observed the pair with guarded eyes.
.***.
They landed in front of a small countryside house. As far as they could see, there's no other building around, only trees and a lake on the other side. By a quick glance, it's apparent that this place was long deserted. Nevertheless, Draco picked his wand to check the perimeter and after he's sure that no other living being was around, he cast a ward to prevent anybody coming.
"And where is here you are bringing me, Draco?" His companion haughtily demanded, inspecting their surroundings. "Well, I hope you have at least appropriate chair inside. What with this ruse, the usual meeting should be fine."
Draco sniggered amusedly and then followed into the house. "This is not something we can do in Ministry cupboard and I can't take you to my house either, darling," he drawled and got a loud irritated huff in response.
"You look nice, Theo. The dress suits you well."
He spun around instantly. "I don't know you swing that way, Malfoy," he seethed through gritted teeth whipping his wand to his face menacingly.
Draco nonchalantly swiped Theo's wand to the side and leisurely settled in one of wooden chair after a quick Scourgify beforehand. "Well, it's not me who dress in a drag."
"Don't you dare! If this ever comes out, I'll hunt you down, tell this to Potter too. I don't care if he's the Chosen One. Why Polyjuice is not enough," Theo stated brusquely, kicking away the uncomfortable shoes.
"Because as you said not minute ago, I don't swing that way. And sadly if you haven't realised yet, you don't have the right body part to be a woman, Theo dear," Draco enunciated. "Unless, you want someone to trail you and catch you when you morph back."
Theo started to show a sign of agitation. It was unbecoming for him to be easily annoyed, which meant there's new development.
"This is getting dangerous, Draco," he said. "What's wrong with our usual arrangement, anyway? Is things get worse in the Ministry?"
"I'll tell you a secret, Nott. Starting two weeks ago, thanks to Saint Potter, nobody can enter the Ministry under Polyjuice or Imperius. You might want to keep it in mind because the consequences are quite nasty and I'm sure I don't need to iterate that you better keep it a secret as well."
Theo growled. "They invite me to the Initiation. I don't know Draco, but I don't have good feeling in this," he admitted. "I already got my inheritance, I want out."
"Just a bit more and I personally will guarantee your protection, Theo. You have my word."
"Can you really do that? Last I know, the Minister put you in short leash," Theo scoffed sceptically.
"It was different back then." He maintained his placid stance. "Where's the Initiation?"
"They didn't say, someone will take me there. Oh, hell no, Draco," Theo adamantly refused, sensing where this conversation would heading to. "I escape that ugly mark! I will not deliberately taking another. I don't know what they'll put me through, it can be Blood Contract or even Unbreakable Vow. No, absolutely no!"
"And you think you can avoid it?" Draco countered cynically.
"I have plan. You just think of the protection you've promised, Malfoy. I want out, as soon as possible."
"Fine," he conceded for now. "What else do you have?"
"They want more, and preferably if I can get new recruit."
"Just pretend you try. I'll send more to your account." He flicked his eyes to Theo, examining any change in his disposition. "Do you think it's related?"
Theo sniggered. "I see you catch up," he noted. "At least for Rookwood, it's not about revenge. From what I can gather, he only wants money. He dupes the youngster into thinking that he wants revolution, but more like he only use them as his tool. Rookwood doesn't aim an insurgent, he has bigger plan. There's noise that he always shuts down every planned attack."
He paused, staring at him intensely. "Crabbe is the one behind the recruitment, he's out for blood. And you're high on his list, that's why nobody has approached you. Blood for blood, Draco. More than the Gryffindor trio, he put the blame of Vincent's death mostly on you."
Draco didn't flinch hearing it, he'd already known that. And Crabbe Sr wasn't wrong either, Vincent was his second collateral victim of his stupidity after Sirius Black.
Moment after the Death Eater had started attacking Hogwarts, he had a Vision. Potter had to die at the hand of Riddle, it's the only way for the Light to win. But he'd misjudged. He had supposed to only See, never to Interfere.
However, he had already seen too many deaths. Long ago, for him death was a natural thing, inevitable. However, to See it in the Tide and to be in it was completely different experience, it's not right. He wanted it to be over as soon as possible and it clouded his judgement.
He'd waited in front of the Room of Hidden Thing, he knew that for whatever reason Potter would go there. And he did. But what had happened after that was a big chaos, one soul had lost as the price.
"You saw him?"
"Yeah, he's with Yaxley. Funny that Yaxley didn't put him in shackle, Crabbe looks like a mad dog ready to strike," Theo remarked drily. "If there's anyone who'll know what's in Rookwood, it will be Runcorn. The two idiots arguing in my hearing distance, it seems Rockwood only wanted to get Runcorn from Azkaban, but those two forced their way to tag along."
Draco rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "Any new name?"
"No. This is why I think Rookwood has different agenda, this recruiting follower isn't his."
"Easier to move with less people to control," he surmised. "For now."
Theo nodded in agreement.
They lapsed into silence, both fell in their own contemplation. Draco was the one who spoke first.
"I made an arrangement for you, that's why I told you to meet me," he told him. "You'll be out of the country by the end of the year."
"Summer," Theo insisted. "They plan something on World Cup Final, Draco. I don't know whether it's a riot like they did eight years ago or use it as diversion for something else, but I'm not interested to find out."
So it's exactly like what they predicted, he noted. He didn't relent on his demand though. "It takes time, Theo. Don't you want to return someday? You don't want to be a fugitive, right?"
"There's a limit of excuse I can give them before they drag me into this mess," Theo implored. "This is more than what I've bargained for. I have your word, Draco!"
Draco's fingers moved in regular pattern massaging his nose bridge, elbow on his knee. Theo's case was different than his mother and this time, he wouldn't have Potter's help. The best solution was to hide him somewhere before sending him out of the country, not to mention he still had to train him as well.
"I can think of a way, but you have to fully follow my direction," he proffered. "There's several preparations you need to do yourself and once you're done, I will essentially hide you from magical community. In your hideout, you can't practice magic for awhile. Do you think you can do that?"
"You mean you will restrict my magic?" Theo asked warily.
Draco shook his head. "No. But magic can be trace, let's not make a foolish bet."
Again, time passed between them in silent. As a Slytherin, Draco knew that Theo would take his time to weight his options, especially since he hadn't disclose what the plan was, so he didn't expect him to give his answer anytime soon. Even from when they were in school, compared to Theo, Draco could be considered as brash – for a Slytherin, but never at the level of Gryffindor's foolish brash.
"Okay, I'll do it."
Draco didn't try to hide his surprise at his speedy decision. He studied his behaviour, looking for any indication of hidden motive. If he had, Theo must be a good actor because he couldn't find any, but he knew that Theo would never beat him or Blaise in faking anything so the situation must be quite dire on his view.
Meanwhile, right under his scrutiny, Theo transformed back into his real appearance. The blond hair was getting darker, his small and lithe figure gradually had visible build in some place, and the soft feature in his face hardened with sharp edge. His Polyjuice persona had a petite feminine shape that could make him pass to pose as a woman, but not with his own body.
"Potter did choose well. This appearance is ill-fitting for you."
"Thank Merlin," Theo said sarcastically. The dress was becoming too small for him, making him more uncomfortable. "Where do you think he get the hair anyway?"
Draco smirked. "Most likely Muggle's."
Theo's face blanched in horror.
"Don't worry. Contrary to popular belief, it won't poison you," Draco said offhandedly. "More so, you better get used to Muggle because you will meet many of them soon."
A/N:
As for Vincent's death, if you notice, both Sirius and Vincent weren't murdered by someone in canon, Sirius fell into the Veil and Vincent was burned to death. It's very convenient for this story, I can pin point it to Fate! It's strange that Draco didn't identify the trio when he's technically at wand point (Bellatrix's there) but then later when he's away from any Death Eater, he wanted to capture Harry and handed it to Voldie. So many possibilities in between. At least this way, if Hermione ever interrogates him in the future, he'll have a good excuse.
And shout for Hufflepuff! I'm Ravenclaw btw, but I always thought Hufflepuff really need more recognition. Badger is indeed a fierce creature. JKR really has certain fascination in Mustelidae family; we have badger, otter, weasel, and ferret littering HP universe.
