These people were terrible, in fact they were trying to ruin her life. That was dramatic, she knew but it really felt as if whenever they decided, she had to pause her life. Dolohov asked her to come by after her Ministry meeting. She had requested a few minutes to talk about something outside of their study time. Which had gone well but been extremely unpleasant for her. At moments like those, she was thankful that Finn wasn't there. The insulting way invitations and suggestions were voiced to her was appalling and even Harry and Kingsley were irate by the end.

Kingsley's nod and Harry's stare told her that they wouldn't allow this to continue and she would have to make a stand. To do that, she wanted to talk to him and they had been very busy lately and it wasn't a quick question so this afternoon had been suggested. Now she was trying to maneuver him to a side alley off Diagon itself. Perhaps she couldn't go out if she had plans for that day.

This one hadn't spoken a word and when he did, it was in Russian and she was thankful that she had spent years practicing. It made her verbal understanding pretty good and shorter responses possible.

"They said you would run. This seems like relocation." His eyes were on her and at that she met his but kept casting the separation wards, between them and anyone else.

"No one has challenged me outright. Just stalked me and interrupted my life." She let some of her vexation show and was a bit surprised by his grin.

"My peers are an unpleasant group, for the most part." He sounded quite pleased to be there and speaking with her. It was odd.

"I agree. I have no peers of my own but maybe that's better." His head cocked, and when her wards shifted to personal ones, he too began silently casting his own. They stood, facing each other, about a hundred yards apart down a long alley way that eventually led to Knockturn.

"We are not?" She knew he meant peers and she shook her head firmly.

"No." With that she cast the first offensive spell and got lost in the duel.


This time the three men were not sitting around but standing in the main room of the cabin and trading glances. Even if it hadn't been spoken out loud, they knew that regardless of the witch's reasons for requesting a meeting, it was going to be a confrontation. Antonin had been glancing at the clock for fifteen minutes and this was the first time the witch had been late.

"I don't like this." Thorfinn shifted and Rueban watched the younger man, hiding his frown.

The stand off and increasing tension was broken by Antonin making a gruff sound that neither understood and looking towards the wall.

In a moment the reason was clear, a huge silver stag patronus regally danced through the wall and walked up to the blond wizard before Potters voice spoke.

"I don't know why you aren't here but third alley past quality quidditch. I would appreciate a seat to the show." Then the huge creature shimmered for a moment and vanished.

Eyes met and tension leached from shoulders and stances. It was the rites, not something else.

"She's going to be pissed. Messing with her plans again." Thorfinn sounded a bit put out on the witch's behalf and he laughed lowly before grabbing his coat and beating the other two to the door.

"It's much more looked for in Russia. Everyone knows when it starts and huge crowds gather. It's quite a spectacle." He offered as they walked quickly toward the apparition ward line.

Antonin's gruff sound brought Yaxley to a halt. Diagon Alley in broad daylight.

"Knockturn." Thorfinn suggested and both older wizards paused. No change in apparition wards had been made there and they were going to meet the Head Auror. He met his friends eyes and could see that he would prefer him to remain out of sight. Rueban just met his eyes, he was going. She was his too.

A reluctant single nod and they kept going.

"I'll go with you." Thorfinn offered and for a moment he hesitated, not wanting to risk the wizards freedom. Antonin and him were different. Could and would disappear but the younger wizard had a family, small though it was. He saw Thorfinn's eyes harden at his hesitancy and he just turned his wand on himself and disappeared before their eyes. He was very good at this and unless someone had the same skill as Antonin or his apprentice, he basically couldn't be identified.

When the younger wizard felt his hand grasp his forearm he nodded in his general direction and twisted away.

This place was as disreputable looking as before the war but it was cleaner, significantly. Thofinn assessed his surroundings and headed in the direction Potter had indicated. He could barely see Antonin ahead and knew he would get to his apprentice as quick as possible. Even if he wouldn't do anything but watch.

When he felt Antonin's wards he headed toward them, trusting his friend would add him before he couldn't remember why he was there, or something else and was a bit surprised to see Thorfinn keep going. Then he realised he had probably gone to find Potter. This life was odd.


Harry stood just inside the entrance to the alley he called hangman's, for the gallows painted on several buildings. He was disillusioned and again cursed his fame. It being in the way of living and of his work. Keeping an eye on Diagon, most of his attention was on the dark and unwelcoming alley behind him. That had tipped him off and when he resisted the urge to leave, kept reminding himself that he was looking for Hermione, he eventually hit a wall and grinned. Then he apparated into Knockturn and experienced the same thing.

With absolutely no sign of the three, or more, that he would have expected. They had only seen the same one he had but he knew they would want to. He did. Plus if he had them, they would probably let him watch with them. He had enjoyed it last time, stressful and intense though it was. He would like to see more than the end, this time.

After a moment's consideration, he decided that he would send a patronus and if they came great, if they didn't then he was no worse off and would try Luna. Maybe they couldn't release her but Harry wouldn't leave her alone for twelve hours. At least he or Luna would arrange to stay with her, if she refused to be released.

Rowle was the least intimidating and he felt like he could ask for a seat to the performance so that was his choice. Now he stood and scanned the crowds for a blond head above the rest. The guy was huge and it was intimidating but also made him easier to find. There he was and Harry jogged over to him.

"You didn't know then?" Having forgotten he was disillusioned, he was surprised by the very slight jump that was all the reaction a disembodied voice got.

"No. Grab on. Thanks." These people weren't much for words usually but he grabbed the man's arm and felt the shortest apparition trip of his life. He was in the dirtier end of hangman's and followed the blond to an empty corner. He looked up and spoke very quietly.

"You know I'm here." Then he rolled his eyes at him and Harry chuckled. All were subjected to the Russians contrary nature it seemed.

Then he could see and he let Rowle drag him onto what looked like cobbles and then felt the ground rise. He tried not to flinch at the lack of anything visible under his feet but then was distracted by the much better view. He liked to watch her from above it seemed. Better view in the narrow alley.

They were exchanging spell fire and he couldn't see wards but could see the effect and feel the gusts of warm wind that was their release. He had learned a lot in the past few months, about wards and other magics. He had many half formed thoughts and needed his friend to be happy helping out in the ministry.

"How did it go?" It only took a second to realise Rowle meant the meeting today. A glance showed all the man's attention on Hermione, not even looking at her opponent but he knew the question had been directed at him.

"Not great. They wouldn't speak to her in front of any of you like that." His voice was dark and all three stiffened slightly but didn't move their eyes.

"That's the reason for her request then." Yaxley spoke quietly but with certainty.

Harry's thoughts were derailed by the near crashing sound of what must be wards going down. The was a blast of hot air and he squinted, trying to see

"Malyshka." It was the only thing Dolohov said he couldn't read the tone. When the dust began to clear and the wreckage was revealed, she stood there, alone. Breathing heavily and smiling slightly at the man spinning in what looked like a cocoon with ropes. She was speaking and for the first time Harry realised the show had been silent.

"Really?" Yaxley asked in a tone Harry read as disbelief, when Dolohov barked something and the wards lit. Then his wand was moving and her voice started coming in and out of focus, like a bad radio station.

"Why?" He stepped closer to Rowle so his question wouldn't interrupt what the other two could puzzle out of the Russian she was speaking.

"Her voice is pretty in Russian." He muttered without thinking and felt more than heard the slight groan from the man next to him. One glance showed that pretty wasn't the word the wizard would use and he chuckled lowly.

"Didn't want them to hear. Any of us." Both younger wizards watched her with interest. The wizard looked to be trying to cajole her and though she did smile once, a real one, she stood firm and eventually walked over and shook her head with an exasperated look before sticking something to his wrapping and sending him away.

Then she stood for a moment, before turning to them. He doubted she could see them but her senses told her they were there. She shrugged slightly and then began taking down the wards that had been shielding the duel and whatever was left from the combat and capture. It was like a summer breeze and they just watched her.

"Thanks." Harry made sure all three would hear him and then spun away, apparently anti apparition wasn't one of the things Dolohov had added to wards hiding them.

Back in his office he looked up at the small piece of paper that had seven red stars and blasted another one. One remaining. She had laughed at his red army logo when she noticed it and just gave him a tolerant look. He hoped she fixed whatever was wrong. That it was fixable and that Rowle had done something about it. His friend deserved to be as happy as she wanted him to be.


Three men stood in front of the cabin's entrance this time, not even inside though the late March air was crisp and damp. A slight drizzle fell and they stood arrayed before her like statues. She didn't bite her lip or otherwise indicate her uncertainty, brought on by this unusual greeting.

Finn just looked his thoughts at her, not willing to reach for her when she might say no. Especially after that display. He would want to check her over and she wouldn't like that here, in front of Dolohov. He was right and she shot him a grateful smile before meeting her masters gaze. Much showed there and nothing on his face.

"Have you eaten?" Yaxley asked and opened the door. Hermione answered that she had eaten lunch and he scoffed at her, rightly. That was hours ago and even if this duel had been shorter, she used a great deal of magic. Not drained but closer to that, than half way.

"Dinner will be ten minutes. Just sit everyone and have a drink. I'll be back in five." Then a clatter of noises came from the kitchen as doors and drawers opened and pot lids found their mates. Within a minute the smell of cooking onions permeated the air and she sighed a bit before sitting in her usual spot.

Dolohov was watching her, not expectantly, but he didn't care that she knew it. Or that is bothered her slightly. So many things she could do nothing about.

When she felt his magic surge and begin to scan hers she did startle. Having not realised that he hadn't done it.

Yaxley strode in with the drinks other than the ever present whiskey and stack of glasses, then sat and began speaking.

"This meeting will begin. As far as I know there are three things on the agenda. There will be no minutes or dues collected. Tough crowd." Hermione did laugh lightly at the end and enjoyed the exasperated looks around the table. They were not sincere, all of them enjoyed his showmanship.

"Today's duel, Hermione's reason for requesting this meeting, and the unnamed issue. Does anyone have a preference and should we talk while we eat." This was all laid out and she was surprised. That was three actual things and two she hadn't been expecting when she requested a meeting. Nothing official either. Things rarely went to plan.