Chapter 21: DISCOVERY
For many, having less workload was enjoyable. For Hermione, she preferred to always have something to keep her mind occupied. She found pleasure in solving puzzle or unravelling riddles. It kept her brain sharp, ready to be used anytime, and more importantly it allowed her to grow. Therefore between her works, she would make sure to entertain herself with some personal projects. Currently, it was the Gate.
No, she had no desire to attain the ultimate magic or something like that, not in the slightest. Her main reason was pure academic. Albeit this time, very uncharacteristic for her, she didn't give herself a deadline or even make a timetable. It was an interesting subject hence she made a point that she would enjoy this research, especially now that she had too much free time to spare.
That was not the reason of her slow progress though. As leaves shed its colours and season changed, not much could be said about her new little project. She never expected it to be easy, but for the first time in her life, she felt lost in her research.
Even with her full access to Ministry library, she found nothing about the Gate. As of now, Hordwill's Revisiting Magical Lore was her only reference and nowhere had it mentioned its possible location. She couldn't even find any other text that mentioned about a land rich with magic. Even though there were many books retelling the life and legacy of Merlin or Morgan le Fay, very little had been written about Avalon aside that it was a place where Morgan le Fay resided, but nothing about where it possibly was. But just like House-Elf bond, she suspected either it was just less well documented as it was deemed unimportant or it might be intentionally been kept secret and only known in certain circle like the case of Elder Wand.
Interestingly, she had more luck in The London Library.
Yes, this time she broadened her research to Muggle literature. If certain part of what written about Merlin in Muggle's Arthurian legend had some truth in it, why not their other legends? Furthermore Muggle had many tales about magic. Too many in fact.
Almost every nation in the world had it; myths and legends where the hero was taken or stranded to unknown land inhabited by magical being. Too many to choose and she had no pointer which to pick since each had something that resembled a certain part of the Gate as described in Rendtorff's account.
There's an option to start with Britain since it would be impractical for her to travel around the Globe like Rendtorff and also backed with the assumption that since Rendtorff heard the story when he was in British Isles so it might be there (and not in Ireland or some remote island somewhere in North Sea). Even with that consideration, if she listed sacred wizarding sites and places that Muggle considered to be 'magical', the list was still long.
Which brought her to the second quandary: how she could determine that it was the correct place?
As of today, there's no known method to detect ley line. Witches and wizards could feel it – some even were more sensitive to sense it than the other – but she needed more accurate method if she wanted to draw a ley line map to determine the source. If only she could find a way to do it, it would be a breakthrough for her magical signature project since considering it came from Earth, ley line supposedly to be 'pure magic' untainted by spell or user.
Having known that, she wasn't ashamed to admit that she needed help. At this rate with her doing everything on her own from scratch like now, she would be very lucky if she could make substantial progress before she turned 90!
She tried to arrange another audience with Galvin Ollivander. Unfortunately, her (borrowed ministry's) owl returned with negative response. House-Elf business could no longer be used as an excuse, while barging in uninvited and cornering him to talk would only lead to animosity.
Therefore when this morning Ronan got emergency missive from his heavily pregnant wife informing that his two children were in St Mungo's for some fiasco of accidental magic, she quickly offered to visit Hogwarts in his place. Some persuasion was needed before he relented, considering she still had two more weeks on her punishment.
Somehow Fieldwake or Hickman (or both) had heard about her new stint of house hunting for abandoned House-Elf. Afraid of potential repeat of 'House-Elf Bond scandal' which tainted their reputation amongst Pure-blood socialite circle, on the basis that she was abusing her position, disciplinary action had been taken. No field work or house visit duty for the next four weeks and she was relegated to paperwork and filing duties.
It was obviously a bullying. Even her co-workers – including Ronan – realised that.
For a start, their office was named Office for House-Elf Relocation, and according to her dictionary, 'relocation' meant 'moving to a new place and establishing new home'. Just because it hadn't been done in decades, it didn't mean that it's forbidden, especially since nobody changed their office's name into Office for House-Elf Registry. Nonetheless, protesting would not bring her anywhere so she took her 'punishment' with no fuss.
But the most pressing reason was aside from her all House-Elf office personnel were occupied and rescheduling the visit would be out of question. McGonagall was very adamant that except for emergency, every appointment had to be arranged weeks if not months in advance as to not disturbing school term. Even Kingsley – the Minister of Magic and her fellow Order of Merlin member – wouldn't get a pass to saunter Hogwarts hall as he pleased.
This was Hermione's chance to visit Hogwarts now as oppose to at summer like McGonagall's reply on their last correspondence when she asked permission to do another research for her magical signature project there. Hogwarts ground was top in her list, there's several points in the description of the Gate that made her think of Forbidden Forest.
Thus with the conviction that the report would be under his name and worst case if Fieldwake or Hickman knew, she had no doubt that Kingsley would be on her side if she reported it to him, Ronan finally acquiesced. So here she was, one hour later, hiking up the hill leading to the west wing of the castle.
After the war, security around Hogwarts had been tightened considerably. Other than Anti-Apparation in place, all fireplaces in the castle had been blocked except one in Headmaster office that was connected only with the one in Minister of Magic office – only for Floo call, not for travel. So for not distracting students, during school term guest would enter the castle via a secret passage at the opposite of Entrance Hall. Only Hogwarts staff could open it, usually it's always Filch. She had Neville once, but never would she expect him.
"Professor Firenze?"
"Miss Granger." He bowed his head in greeting.
"The appointment was supposed to be for O'Brien, but ..."
"I know," he interrupted her sentence calmly. "That's why I'm here."
To date, Hermione still didn't believe in Divination and since she had given up that class, she barely knew anything about him to construct an opinion. However as a staff in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, she knew not to underestimate Centaur's ability.
She want to ask further, but he already opened the door and gestured, "After you."
Walking in silence through dimly lit and empty hallway, she became more conscious of her surroundings. Now that she paid close attention, she could feel the tingling of magic around her. She wondered how she had never noticed it in the past. It was so apparent that she swore she could feel it brushing her skin, making her shiver. Either it was from centuries of magic practised inside the castle or coming from the land where the castle stood, she couldn't determine but somehow she knew that if she tried to draw magic for a spell, it would be easier to do and more powerful than if she did in other place.
An impulse to follow through on her thought sparked within her that the next second she found herself unconsciously fiddling her wand Firenze stared at her with a penetrating gaze, observing her. Both of them were standing still in the middle of the corridor.
"I ..." she started to explain what she's about to do but stopped at the first word because the Divination professor just turned his back and continued his track.
She blinked twice, bewildered. What was that?
Although she knew it's not a good idea to offend a Centaur, but she was so confused to the point it began to grate her nerve. Half running, extra two legs sure made different, she finally caught up and halted him.
"Professor," Noticing that her tone was higher than necessary, she quickly added, "I mean no offence but you said you're expecting me, may I know why? Do you have something you want to tell me?"
He offered her an inexplicable smile, nothing that betrayed whatever beneath it.
"The kitchen, Miss Granger," he calmly said.
That's certainly not what she anticipated but he's right, they had in fact arrived in front of a painting of a bowl of fruit.
For a minute Hermione pondered should she press on for answer with the risk of angering him (and maybe McGonagall if she heard that she had offended one of her staff). Fortunately, she was spared from making that decision.
"You will not find what you're seeking here, Miss Granger," he declared suddenly. He eyed her with the same inscrutable gaze as if he could see through her mind. And he might as well do.
As strange as it was, she knew that he knew her plan today. How he knew, she wouldn't question it. She learnt to accept that there's a lot of things she didn't know about magical being so she'd just take it as it was. However, she considered this as an opening and she wouldn't let it slide.
"And do you know where it is, Professor? Is it in the forest?"
He gave her another enigmatic smile. "No one has the knowledge to answer it, Miss Granger. Some secret is better to remain as secret," he replied. And in the same flat tone he added, "I believe Argus Filch will escort you out after you finish here. Good day, Miss Granger."
Before she could form any response, he disappeared into the darkness.
Hermione couldn't decide whether he was warning her to stop poking her nose on the Gate or helping her by informing that there's nothing here so she better looked somewhere else instead of wasting her time focusing too much on Hogwarts.
It was well known that magical being could sense ley line better than witches and wizards. They also had more well guarded secret too. So if Seelie knew something about the Gate, who's to say that Centaur didn't? Then again, they always had trust issue with wizardkind – which in many cases not without good reason – so to consider it as a warning was not too farfetched.
She mulled it over throughout her time in the kitchen, trying to decipher what was behind his words. It completely distracted her from her original task but in her defence, there's actually not much to be done. This visit was merely a formality, even without surveillance McGonagall would never mistreat House-Elf.
In the end, she figured that Firenze would gain nothing in lying to her. She decided that he's telling the truth and would heed his advice.
Filch wasn't outside when she exited from behind the painting. It's nobody's fault, she was – rather unusual – early in her task, only did what she needed to do because what the Elves said when she asked them about ley line didn't help at all ("We just do, Miss"). Wandering around the castle looking for him was not an option, she wouldn't risk overstepping her welcome, and although she knew the way, but she couldn't open the door. So wait she did.
"Oh dear, is it Hermione Granger?"
A call of her name jolted her from her reverie and her heart skipped a beat when she saw a semitransparent pearly white head on the wall. His body followed shortly until finally the resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower floated before her in his usual doublet and large ruff.
"Oh hello, Nick," she greeted him cheerily as a cover for her rapid beating heart.
It's been awhile. To be greeted by a ghost was no longer an everyday occurrence for her, so she should be forgiven if she was a bit freaked out by a sudden appearance of the spectral entity in a dark hallway.
"What are you doing here? Are you lost?"
She shook her head. "No, just waiting for Filch to escort me. I was from the kitchen, routine House-Elf visit."
"Ah yes, you're not student anymore, are you. I thought you were cursed by that Malfoy brat again. I saw the cat not far from here a moment ago so he should be here soon."
Even though his second sentence sounded like an afterthought, but that was what caught Hermione's attention if mainly for the name.
"Malfoy? Were you saying that Draco Malfoy has cursed me?"
"Oh, don't you remember? Seems like only yesterday, that time when I found you under spell near Trophy Room," he answered, concern filled his voice. "After what he did to the former Headmaster, I cannot fathom why he was allowed to return here. And look what he did to you. Never let your guard down with a snake." He didn't even try to conceal his distaste when he said it.
Actually she remembered it well. Although in her memory it was one of her episode, not of her being cursed. She could be wrong though. "What did he do?"
"I caught him lurking in the dark following you," he recounted. "You were walking in a daze but luckily I found you in time. It looked like Confundus, but since it's him I will not dismiss the Unforgivable. He even threatened that I better watch you or else something worse will befallen on you. The audacity!"
Oh, this was surprising. Not about Sir Nicholas' claim that Draco had cursed her, but the fact that apparently he had known about her 'sleepwalking' back then yet he never mentioned it. Sure he had teased her about her tendency to space out, but he'd never pushed further when she denied it. Even when she confessed at the Balcony, he didn't make any comment.
And was it the only time he followed her? Why he hadn't approached her, instead he made Sir Nicholas misunderstand him like that? As she recalled, they're already on speaking term that time so she wouldn't hex him or something.
"He did?" she prodded.
"Yes, but he never had a chance because I kept following you after that. We Gryffindor always have each other's back. Not everywhere of course, I didn't follow you when you're in dorm or library or such, I respect your privacy. It's only when I found you walk alone and I had nothing else to do," he mumbled the last part. Still, he looked proud of his action.
She smiled politely. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
"Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service, Miss. It's my privilege to be able to offer my assistance to Gryffindor younglings, especially Harry Potter's best friend," he bowed. With a fond smile on his lips he added, "He really makes our House proud, doesn't he. Do you still meet him often? I'd like to extend an invitation to my next Deathday Party, if he's not busy of course."
Mainly for courtesy, she said, "Err, I'll pass it to him." But second later, she realised that she shouldn't give him an empty promise so she hurriedly rectified, "Although I can't promise that he'll be able to attend. He's no longer a student, remember? So even if he can spare his time, you know how strict the Headmistress can be in letting non-student enter the castle."
"Oh yes, of course. I wouldn't want to inconvenience him."
Seeing his dejected face, guilt crept in. Even if Harry managed to slip it between his schedule, it would be so wrong to ask (more like guilt trip) him to attend. They'd been in one and to be the only living being among Ghosts in a ghost party was far from fun.
For once, she was happy to see Filch coming.
.***.
With a wave of her wand she erased the diagram on the board and gathered her belonging manually by hand as one by one participant of today class left training room. Of course it would be faster and easier if she used magic to pack her stuff, but this way she could make sure that she had everything.
The research on magical signature under Auror Office was officially closed for now, further development would depend on demand from field, and training began. The class consisted of basic training on Tuesday, taught by Martin, and the follow up training by Hermione on Thursday – the Improper Use of Magic Office couldn't spare Nigel this month. Only Auror, Investigator, and Law Enforcement Patrol were required to enrol. To avoid disturbing their work, they were free to choose when to attend as it would be available for a month. After that, the course would be included in the regular training for new recruit.
Hermione caught a movement out of the corner of her eyes. She could guess who it was, without lifting her gaze from the papers she said, "Any question, Harry?"
There's no reply so she looked up at her friend properly and was taken aback by how serious his expression was. She had noticed that throughout the class Harry had been eyeing her oddly, as if trying to discern something, but she'd assumed that he was just focusing on her lecture.
"What? Something wrong?"
Harry flicked his wand to close the door, casting Muffliato around them, and sat on the desk in front of her, sending a piercing glare directly to her eyes.
"I heard from someone in Patrol Office that three days ago Skeeter filed a report, accusing you of underhanded attack," he stated plainly. "Do you have something you want to tell me, Hermione?"
Her hands stopped moving, Harry got her full attention now.
"I'm sorry, say again?"
"Oh come on, Hermione, I know you," he chided her. She recognised this Harry, he already reached a conclusion and he'd do whatever it took to prove that he was right. Trying to refute him would be a hopeless effort, he'd only believe when he found out the fact himself, so she let him carry on.
"Skeeter will not go to Law Enforcement for something silly, she will just attack you with her article. And I know how bad it was lately so I'm not surprised if you're upset ... no, furious with her."
She scoffed loudly, didn't even try to hide her grimace. Of course, that blasted article.
It's partly her mistake, she'd been caught off guard. Somehow Skeeter had gotten a whiff about her meeting with Viktor last month and because it's Muggle London, she'd been careless. She had not done anything as precaution like she always did when she's within magical community. Who would have thought that Skeeter would go so far to Muggle world to chase scoop.
Next thing she knew, she had made the cover of Witch Weekly few days later with bold title of Golden Girl's Last Victim: The Whole Country Has to Pay the Price!
Four pages spread with pictures; mostly of her, then Harry, Viktor, Ron, and Neville. Several from Hogwarts days, couple of their past lunch outings, complete with her individual photo between Harry's and Viktor's. There's even one unmoving photo of Viktor and her in Indian restaurant with the headline photo was one in Charing Cross with her releasing their handshake and turned around as Viktor watching her left with a longing gaze.
The article itself chronicled how she had played two Triwizard champions when she's still 14 (nope, she's 15 back then) then after Bulgarian Seeker returned to his country, she set her eyes to the youngest Weasley (that would be Ginny then). Alas, the Chosen One finally had come to his sense and left her for the gorgeous Harpies' Seeker (okay, technically she'd played Seeker couple of times) so shifted her target to another war hero – the statement was written next to a photo of her walking side by side, laughing, with Neville in Hogsmead (seriously, had she been stalking her this whole time?!).
According to that article, apparently she still held Viktor in her clutch which led him distracted with her non-appearance in Quidditch Final and cost him the Cup. Then as the final blow, she'd dumped him, left him devastated to the point that he decided to quit. In conclusion, she was the reason of Bulgarian loss in Quidditch World Cup and also Viktor Krum's resignation from the team afterward.
No wonder she got barrage of Howlers and cursed letter nonstop for two weeks before the Communication Office granted her request to incinerate all owl post directed to her for the whole month (No, she didn't care if there's important letter got mix there). She had made enough spectacles in her office and Hickman was very angry with the commotion (another reason why she didn't fight when she was 'punished' with her House-Elf stint).
Luckily she already diverted all her owl post to the Ministry. If any of it arrived in her flat, not only she would have to deal with wizarding Law Enforcement for potentially breaking the Statue of Secrecy, but also her neighbours for the noise or worse, Muggle pest control – and maybe police.
"So you're saying since Skeeter has a penchant for writing about me in her hogwash she claimed as journalism, it automatically makes me as the prime suspect for whatever happened to her? Harry, I thought you are my friend!" she surmised condescendingly, sounding between hurt and upset.
Her acting must be really bad because it didn't deter Harry one bit.
"I am!" he asserted firmly. "Which is why I know very well how far you can go. I need to know what you did so I can think of a way on how to protect you."
And he pressed on, "What you did to Skeeter back then in our 4th year was a crime, you technically kidnapped and blackmailing her. She can't do anything about it now since it will also expose that she was unregistered Animagus for awhile or of her illegal methods in getting her scoop, but that different matter."
He folded his arms on his chest and gave her a look, urging her to confess. But Hermione returned to her packing calmly, igniting an annoyed growl from the Auror. Taking pity on her friend, she decided to humour him.
"Did I?" she mused coyly. "You mean when I caught a strange looking bug, a bettle, and put it in a jar because I found it interesting and released it at the end of the term because my parents wouldn't let me to keep it? My department dealing with magical creature, Harry, and I don't think I ever read anything that states it as illegal."
Closing her bag, she lifted her eyes to his and stated, "And if you mean about your interview with Skeeter on our fifth year, you needed to tell Voldemort's return to wizarding world and she needed a scoop. What I did was arranging the meeting so both of you could get what you want. Simple as that, no blackmailing has occurred."
"Hermione!" He gave her his best Auror glare that was meant to be intimidating but instead only made her burst out a hearty laugh.
"Oh, how the table has turned." At Harry's confused look, she stifled her laugh and expounded, "You know, back then it was always me who reprimanded you and Ron not to break the rule. And look how it is now, you lecturing me about breaking the law? Oh, the wonder of adulthood."
Harry's mouth was twitching, amused, but he quickly schooled his face back to stern one. "Don't try to distract me. Now, tell me what did you do?"
She heaved a resigned sigh. "Are you asking me as Auror or as my friend? Because if you haven't noticed it yet, we are in a training room belong to Auror Office, located in Department of Magical Law Enforcement. So right now, are we having a friendly conversation or are you interrogating me?"
In truth, she indeed did something to Skeeter. Technically, it probably even could be called as attack too.
Working part time with an Investigator really had its perk. It was so easy to coax information about magic restraining band from Martin by casually slipping it when they're brainstorming on magical signature. And once she got the necessary clues, her full access into ministry library had brought her everything she wanted to know.
The enchantment was rather complicated but doable, and she had managed to embedded it on a simple copper bracelet. The original plan was to send it to Skeeter, she had not though how she could trick her to wear it though. Then the break in had happened and she was too caught up with her research on the Gate that anything about Skeeter had degraded to an afterthought until she published that article.
By that point, she even had considered to use an Imperius to make Skeeter wearing the bracelet. Unfortunately, she hadn't need to take that risk. Unexpectedly, opportunity had presented itself to her.
That evening when she had stopped by at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, she had seen Skeeter at a cafe across the shop from the window, slightly hidden by the ornament tree – possibly stalking her for another photo of her and Ron. As if someone had turned the switch on in her brain, she got an idea. It was risky and normally she never felt comfortable with a hasty plan, but she had the bracelet in her bag and this might be her only chance.
She had left the shop from the back door and cast Disillusionment Charm on herself. It's payback time. Let's see how she fare to be the one being stalked.
Lucky for her, the cafe had been rather vacant so it's easy to slip in without bumping anyone. Skeeter had also been too busy watching the joke shop's door that she didn't take a notice her standing – disillusioned – behind her or when she tipped a drop of Sleeping Draught on her tea. It would only make her fall asleep for less than 15 minutes, but Hermione only needed one. In fact, it had taken longer to wait for Skeeter to sip her tea.
Few seconds later, Skeeter's head had dropped onto the table and seamlessly Hermione put the bracelet on Skeeter's wrist. As planned, it automatically had fastened then taken the colour and texture of her wrist as if it wasn't there. The reporter would never notice that it existed nor would she know why she suddenly couldn't Apparate or turned into her Animagus form or performed any other complicated spell.
On the other hand if anyone miraculously could link it to her, unless they gave her Veritaserum (which was illegal without her consent), Hermione could always provide reasonable excuse for every spell she had cast for the last two months in case the authority would check her wand. The only magic that could be traced back to her was if anyone managed to crack her enchantment on the bracelet. Even in that case it would still be hard to prove that it was her because their research on magical signature had not reached that level yet.
"What was she accused me with by the way? Shouldn't I be summoned for questioning by Patrol Office instead of you?" she asked conversationally. It's an honest curiosity, no pretending.
"That's the thing, she didn't want to give the details. She didn't even have any proof. So they dropped her complaint right after she left, nobody has taken her seriously. Her reputation with lies is quite well known after all."
"Yet you still coming up with that accusation," she interjected. "I'm hurt you think of me like that, Harry."
Harry groaned. He raked his hand through his hair in frustration, making it messier than it was. "I'm just worried about you. I don't want you to get in trouble for someone like her," he reasoned.
"Oh please, as if she can do worse than writing that rubbish," she groused mockingly. "But thank you anyway, I'll keep it in mind, stay alert in case she thinks of accosting me at empty street."
He let his hand fell to his side, finally admitting defeat. "Just be careful, okay. Don't get into trouble because of her, she's not worth it."
His pleading tone twisted her heart, she knew he meant well so she nodded in concession. The effect was quick, his facial muscle gradually loosened up and his mouth morphed into a crocked grin. However, it didn't stay for long because Hermione decided to drop another bomb.
"By the way, if you still don't find any lead on your 'hooded bogeyman', maybe you'll want to check the area around Hogwarts," she informed him flippantly.
"Hermione, I told you–"
Her forefinger was raised in an instant, shushing him.
"Don't worry, I'm not interested to join your hero club. I refused Kingsley's offer to join DMLE, remember?" she reminded him. "No thanks, I have more than enough near death experience to last a lifetime. As I told you before, I'm curious about the Gate. That's all."
She realised it was a low blow. They both knew that her friendship with Harry play a big part on why she'd been in several dangerous situations in the past, something that he always felt guilty about. It's effective to shut him so he'd listen, it also made her feel bad though.
"I never blame you, okay. Back then I made my own decision knowing the risk and consequences, it's my choice. None of it is your fault," she assured him in a quiet yet firm tone. She reached his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. In a firm but playful tone to lighten the mood, she said, "You know me, I always want to know everything. On my research about the Gate, I find something interesting. Thus being a good citizen I am, it's my duty to share this information to the authority and conveniently, I happen to have a friend who happens to be one."
He exhaled loudly, a wry grin was back on his feature. "So, what's in Hogwarts?"
"Remember when I told you that it was said that the area around the Gate is abundant with magic, because it's some kind of source of ley line?"
He nodded.
"It's well known that magical creature is more sensitive in sensing ley line, in fact they're attracted to it. And guess what, the place which has the densest population of magical creature in Britain is Forbidden Forest. If what Ollivander said about drawing magic from the land is true, it could be one of the reasons why the Founders built Hogwarts there, because the land is rich of magic.
"We also know that Voldemort had particular interest with Hogwarts. Was it really for sentimental reason that he thought of it as his home? This is Voldemort we're talking about. And Rookwood is a Death Eater, he worked in Department of Mystery under his order, right? Voldemort knew about Elder Wand, so what if he also knew about the Gate and that's the reason he was targeting Hogwarts?"
Harry didn't respond immediately and only stared at her, contemplating what she had just told him.
"You're speculating," he noted. "But if it's true ... Bugger, I should have broken that wand! Immortality, unbeatable wand and access to the greatest source of magic, was he trying to become god or what?!"
His hair was unsalvageable as he scratched his head furiously and Hermione knew that it's better to wait until he finished venting his frustration.
"So you think it's in Hogwarts ground?"
"I don't think so. I was in Hogwarts two weeks ago and I met Firenze there. He didn't say it directly, but he's kind of alluding that it's not in Hogwarts ground."
A frown appeared between his brows. "Firenze? The Centaur?"
She huffed. "Just so you know, I still don't care about Divination but it's not about predicting future. He used to live in Forbidden Forest and just like Seelie, Centaur is known to be a guardian of woodland. They know things we don't know and I believe that he's saying the truth."
"There's a lot of ifs in your theory, Hermione. It doesn't sound like you," he remarked lightly.
"Yes , I know," she whined, letting her dissatisfaction show. "I can't even find any solid clue that it's in Britain. It would be nice if I can see what Rookwood stole. After all he enacted an elaborated plan to break into the deepest level of the Ministry building to take it, there's must be something important there, a crucial clue."
"You do realise that even if I can retrieve it, I'm not allowed to show it to you, right?"
She smirked. "Then I just need to get it before you did then."
"Hermione ..."
It didn't sound like a warning, more like concern, and she appreciated it. But same as before, the irony didn't escape her, she giggled. Harry's annoyed scowl didn't deter her, she only stopped because the door was opened.
"Can I help you?"
She didn't know why she said it, it's just the first thing that came up in her mind when she saw him. She barely managed to stop herself from mentioning his name and Harry would demand a long explanation from her if she did.
Considering she went to DMLE at least once a week and he was Harry's partner so of course their path had crossed many times, but it wasn't same as their meeting at the Balcony. She missed their debate. There's something in her debate with Draco that she felt missing in her similar discussion with Martin. With Draco, there always be some snarky sceptical remarks here and there, but she would come up with better rebuttal.
More so she wanted to hear what he thought about her magical signature project. Looking back, it's rather embarrassing that she even tried to bait him by quizzing him in her class. For people who saw, it looked like she was trying to taunt him, especially in how she had referred him by his full name – calling him by first name would only attract question and falling back to last name felt like she's losing a battle, hence full name. Alas, he didn't take her bait, his answers was never more than five words.
Apparently the Balcony-Draco was a limited edition.
"Are you done with him," he said in flat tone which didn't sound like a question at all, leaning against the doorframe leisurely.
"Oh, yes." She picked her bag and slung it onto her shoulder. "He's all yours."
With her hack on Harry, in a pure whim she tipped her head slightly as she passed Draco, a lopsided smile tugged at the corner of her lips. His only reaction was a quirk of his right eyebrow but it could be her imagination, it's only for seconds and she didn't stop to check.
.***.
Draco's eyes followed her as she left. Even only for few seconds, she managed to surprise him with her smile. It was a very welcome reprieve. How long had it been since the last time he saw it? He would love to see more if it possible, but now was not the time yet. There's still a lot to be done.
Once he's sure that Granger didn't show any indication of turning back, he entered the room. He closed the door using his leg and locked it over his shoulder while walking towards his partner.
"Just because she frequents this department doesn't mean that she's part of the team, Potter," he told him, sounding bore and condescending.
"I know that, Malfoy."
He sneered, showing his disbelieve. "Everyone knows how fast you'll run to her, crying for help. It's not a secret who's the brain between you three, but this is not Hogwarts, Potter."
"Get to the point!" Potter snarled through gritted teeth as if trying to look menacing.
As if it would work on him, it's funny to see his effort though. Even after all this time, it's still so easy to aggravate the Boy Wonder and here he thought that Potter was finally immune after the daily dose of his taunt. Or he was already in bad mood, a quarrel with Granger perhaps? Alas, it's not the time or place to play so he took out pack of parchments from his bag and tossed it onto the table.
Without a second thought, Potter grabbed and untied it. Draco was amazed be the unsuspecting nature of Gryffindor. Slytherin would never touch anything that was given to them without assessing it first, even if it was given by their own flesh and blood.
"Interesting. Boomslang skin, Bicorn horn ..." he muttered as he leafed through the notes. "Seems like they're in need for Polyjuice. And they don't even stay with one supplier, purchasing in small amount here and there so nothing look amiss."
So Potter wasn't stupid. Draco was almost impressed by how quick he picked up the clues. Almost. But again, as the poster boy of Auror Office, he should have some brain in his head to not become an embarrassment of the department.
"Hogwarts?" Potter pushed a map towards him, demanding an explanation.
"Here." Draco tapped his finger on an area several inches from Hogsmeade. "There's an unconfirmed sighting of Crabbe Sr few days ago in Hogsmeade, most likely they're close by."
"Hogsinbag Moor? This place is cursed, nobody can go in there."
The land was indeed cursed, but he was surprised Potter knew. Nowadays only few knew that the place exist mostly amongst Pure-bloods, for most it was as if the place was unplottable since whoever went there would never be seen again. Fewer knew the story behind the curse or what happened after.
What happened was a story of inheritance dispute that ended with bloodbath, between the first born son of a mistress and the eldest son born from a marriage bonded in blood ritual. It was why most Pure-blood Heir would only have dalliance after a son had been born; in some family the first born son's claim was absolute, didn't matter if he's illegitimate. It became complicated when the family also had blood-contract with the land, how the union between the parents later became an essential factor. And that's how House of Heldgram met their end.
A duel between two claimants had ended with both losing their life. When their blood spilled into the land, what had been a blessing from the land had later turned into curse. The land had been tainted and for that, substantial sacrifice must be made to appease it.
"Of course you can, you just need to pay the price, Potter,"
"How?"
"You don't want to know," he replied dismissively which hadn't been taken well by Potter.
"Malfoy, I don't have time to play guessing game with you."
Potter was definitely in bad mood today. Now he's very curious what had Granger done to him. He always assumed that it was Potter who's tried Granger's patience and not the other way around, seemed his assumption was incorrect then.
"I presume you know about Heldgram family, but I'm sure you don't know that there's the third son. He survived and later started a new branch of family, the first generation of Pucey." He paused for a moment for dramatic effect just to annoy his partner, then continued, "There's a reason why the Puceys kept their connection to Heldgram a secret, the same reason why nobody see Hebertus Pucey for the past seven months."
His eyes widened. "You mean they made him a human sacrifice to access the property?"
"Well, the good news is they'll need to keep him alive considering there's no report of other Pucey missing. The bad news ... just don't try to imagine how his condition would be right now."
"Someone has to be assigned as surveillance there then."
Draco frowned. "What make you think you have to wait until they come out? No more Gryffindor bravery, Potter? Recklessly charging in like a drunken mad?"
"I'm not you, Malfoy. I will not sacrifice anyone just because it's necessary," he responded flatly, seemed to finally have enough with his goading and ready to fight back.
Draco didn't flinch and remained impassive. "And here I thought your comprehension has increased. You're not even listening, Potter," he drawled and shook his head in disappointment. "Can you picture them coming and going in a group dragging a body, say, twice a day?"
However, he flinched at his reaction; mouth opened in undignified manner as wide as his eyes as realisation dawn on him. At least he didn't have to explain further, he didn't think he had enough patience for that. How Granger survive this was beyond him. If there's any good quality in Crabbe and Goyle, it was that they never asked question or demanded explanation.
Just to make sure that he got the memo, he voiced it out loud, "They leave the door open, Potter. We don't even need to knock."
This time Potter didn't respond, he returned his attention to the documents instead, flipping through the rest of the documents. Once he satisfied with whatever he saw there, he looked up straight to him. His stare was surprisingly calm that Draco couldn't help to be wary.
"How did you get all of this, Malfoy? You already smuggled Nott out of the country, right?"
"And your point?" he countered indignantly. Theo was indeed no longer in Britain, leaving the country by Muggle train heading to the continent. I had nothing to do with Potter, not that he anticipated him knowing. "His obligation is towards me, not the Ministry,"
Potter answered his defiant glare with patronising gaze. "I cannot use questionable source for investigation without some explanation," he said matter-of-factly.
"I have my way. Nothing illegal so safe your breath before you start preaching," he glowered caustically. "Just hand it to Robards. As long as you don't mention my name, nobody will question you. Make use of your Chosen One title."
Typical stubborn Gryffindor, he pressed on, still in his even tone. "Why? What's in it for you, Malfoy?"
"Oh, just think, Potter," Draco groaned. "Considering that at least one of them wants me dead, it will benefit me more if they're locked than if they're free. And I know for certain that unlike you, or so you just claimed, your revered Minister and Head Auror are not above of sacrificing me. The sooner this mess is over, the better for me. And of course, I have to make sure that I'll be unscathed in the process."
This was not a game he could play himself. He had handed Potter all necessary cards, now let's see if he would be able to play it well.