Hello everyone!
Another week, another chapter!
Let me know what you all think :)
The following day she found herself standing in the grey walls of Azkaban. Hermione nervously rubbed her wrist. The foolishness of her decisions catching up with her. The guard led her into the cell and told her to stay, a man thin and hunched, was dragged in. His black hair sticking to his face. Once cuffed to the wall he wiped his head around clearing the long hair from his face.
"You're the mudblood" He stated with a glare.
"I am," Hermione said with her chin held high,
"I came to ask you some questions," Hermione said leaning against the bars of the door, "Questions about the Dark Lord"
Lestrange tisked like he was playing a game. "You already know everything you need to about the Dark Lord or just what you and Potty have cooked up in your heads"
"Do you know this symbol?" Hermione asked, showing him a length of parchment with a symbol scribbled on. She wasn't expecting a grin filled with rotten teeth to be shown.
"She's began," He grinned with a cackle.
"Began what?" Hermione asked,
"Began to implement the teachings" He grinned manically.
"Rabastan, please. She's changed the Dark Lords plans. I need to know what this means" Hermione asked urgently. Rabastans grin disappeared and he watched her for a moment. His eyes flickering between her and the symbol on the parchment.
"Knott" He grunted.
"Theo Knott?" Hermione asked when he gave a grunt, she asked, "What about Knott?"
"He was in the Institution, tell him Falcon and ask him about the symbol. He'll sing like a canary" He ended his sentence with a manacle laugh but Hermione was already out of the cell. Apparating to the end of Diagon Alley she walked into the Chimera. Theo Knott grinned at her as she approached
"Granger, how can I help you?" He asked,
"I need some information," She asked, he shrugged his grin still in place until she showed him her parchment,
"I've spoken to Rabastan Lestrange he told me to tell you, Falcon?" Hermione tried but Theo was now glaring hard at her.
"If you're sensible you'll leave this alone. It's for the better" He stated before moving to walk away but Hermione stopped him,
"I know it's Lyra," Hermione stated.
"It's not just Malfoy, now leave it alone Granger. Before you get hurt" He grunted walking away from her. Hermione sighed. Returning to her flat she was caught off guard by Ginny who had begun instantly discussing wedding theme colours with her.
"Gin, I'm kind of in the middle of something" Hermione tried as she began to pull out her books from the bookshelf on Dark Magic. Ginny watched her for a moment before asking,
"What's going on Hermione? Has this to do with that symbol Harry's been chasing?"
Hermione nodded, she couldn't lie to Ginny when she was openly looking. She was surprised, however when Ginny sat opposite her,
"Let me help this time?" She asked quietly and Hermione's heart sank a little. She had known Ginny had been left out when she, Harry and Ron had taken off to hunt Horcrux's. Hermione nodded showing her the symbol.
"That's it?" She asked almost in disbelief. When Hermione nodded Ginny pulled aside half of the books. Five hours later. Harry's walked through her fireplace,
" 'Mione? Gin?" He called. Ginny grinned up at him from her spot on the floor.
"I was getting worried" Harry reprimanded lightly,
"Sorry, love, I got a bit engulfed," Ginny said with a small smile, Hermione smiled sadly at the sight. She wanted to be reprimanded for getting engulfed in her research. She wanted someone to come looking for her.
"Are you both researching the hexagon?" Harry asked, depositing the Chinese on the coffee table. Hermione's stomach churned hungrily at the smell. Quickly deciding now was a good time as ever for dinner she served what Harry had brought them. Five hours later, discarded empty plates and Butterbeers sat on the coffee table.
"It can't be random" Harry stated irritated they weren't progressing anywhere. She had told them both of what had happened earlier that day with Knott. She had also told them about Berlin. Harry had shouted at her for not telling him sooner.
"I'm going to talk to Lyra" Hermione announced,
"Not on your own you're not" Harry stated.
"Yes, Harry" Hermione stated. They were both standing.
"She's right Harry," Ginny said from the floor. Her fiance, now staring at her in disbelief.
"You can't be serious," He asked wide-eyed,
"Lyra will run the second you go near Lestrange Estate or worse" Ginny explained, "She trusts Hermione, maybe there's a plan to all of this if Hermione can find out what then we can stop it" Ginny explained.
"We?" Harry squeaked, Hermione smiled softly at his panic.
"I'll be back soon, I'll meet you at Grimmauld Place for breakfast tomorrow morning," Hermione said as she grabbed her jacket.
Hermione apparated to the Lestrange Estate, walking up the drive she could see there were more lights on than normal. The home looked lived in. Hermione knocked as always did. She wasn't shocked as Jax opened the door.
"Miss is entertaining tonight, Miss," The small elf said.
"Might I speak with her Jax? It shouldn't take long" Hermione asked nervously, she wanted to know who Lyra was seeing. The small elf nodded and led her in.
Waiting in the foyer, Hermione looked around studying the house more it was lit and looked lived in. She noticed a large number of the portraits had vanished and had been replaced with paintings. The dark blood coloured rug that had been there three weeks earlier had been replaced with a cream one. The chandelier that lit the stairwell had been lit in all its glory with not a speck of dust anywhere.
Hermione wanted to know who Lyra was entertaining that was so important she had brought them to her home. Lyra didn't want her own family in her home. A cackle came from the open doorway of the main drawing room Hermione had never been in. Hermione listened in, there was more than one voice, in fact, the more she listened the more she realised it sounded like a small party.
"Granger!" A loud voice made her turn, Blaise Zabini strolled down the grand staircase like he owned the place. "What a pleasant surprise" He grinned his perfect white teeth at her,
"How are you, Blaise?" Hermione asked politely as he kissed her cheek.
"Quite well. Even better now Lyra's actually doing her job properly and not gallivanting around the continent. I heard you went on one of her jolly's. Enjoy yourself?" His grin wasn't asking if she had enjoyed the trip, but rather enjoyed the five hours of sex they had had in the hotel.
"I'm sure Hermione doesn't want to bore you with all the first editions I paid for" Lyra's voice rang through Hermione like lightning. Hermione turned to the open doorway to find Lyra leaning against the frame. She was stunning, she had changed so much since Hermione recalled their dance in the snowy courtyard of Hogwarts six years ago.
"I can still repay you" Hermione managed to stammer out. She wanted to smack Blaise Zabini's smirk off his face.
Lyra's hair was in a loose bun at the base of her neck. Her eyes were framed with eyeliner making her grey eyes stand out. She wore skinny black business trousers and a plain white shirt with sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Hermione could see her faint burns and the tip of the snake from the dark mark showing on the curve of her wrist with her hands in her pockets. The older Malfoy smirked, shaking her head. Pushing off the doorframe she walked to Hermione,
"What can I help you with?" Lyra asked gently. Hermione paled, she wanted to backtrack. She expected Lyra to be alone, not in the middle of a party.
"I don't want to interrupt or pull you away. It can wait" Hermione managed to act nonchalant. Lyra nodded watching her carefully,
"Well at least join us for a couple Granger" Blaise Zabini called from his position behind Lyra. Hermione had forgotten he was still standing there. Apparently so had Lyra from the glare she sent him.
"Yes, join us," Lyra said with a smile that could almost be considered as predatory. Hermione swallowed thickly, quickly thinking of an excuse,
"I'm not really dressed for a party" Hermione stated, it was true. She was in her jeans and a button-up top she had thrown on that morning topped off with her knitted hoodie.
"I'm sure we can fix that in a real jiffy" Hermione paled as Hestia Carrow appeared.
"Be back in fifteen Hestia" Lyra stated, stepping away, Hermione wanted to protest, saying she would go, but suddenly she felt like the sheep in the wolf's den. Hermione was led away by one of the Carrow sisters. She walked into the drawing-room that she had been in with Lyra before. Swallowing thickly, she gripped her wand in her back pocket.
"Relax Granger," Hestia said as she produced a roll of gold fabric with her wand. Hermione watched her closely, she wasn't as she remembered, her brown hair once limp was now buoyant and bright. Her dress was a vibrant green with her chest almost spilling out. A magical tape similar to Madam Malkins whipped around her.
"How have you been?" Hermione tried to keep the shake from her voice.
"Let's cut the pleasantries, Granger, we all know you're only here to play around with Lyra a bit more" Hestia snapped as she waved her wand in a flurry at the fabric in front of her. Hermione was caught off guard by the anger from the short brunette. She expected it from the likes of Pansy but not one of the quiet Carrow Twins.
"That's not-" Hermione protested.
"Oh yes, it is. Everyone knows Weasley is a prat but there's no need to go looking for Lyra every time Weasley fucks up"
"Not that it's any of your business but Ron and I broke up" Hermione snapped. Hestia's eyes narrowed,
"Truth?" She asked. Hermione looked away, suddenly embarrassed at her outburst. Nodding she shuffled uncomfortably. Hestia watched her carefully for a second,
"Alright Granger, you're done" Hestia stated. Hermione looked up in shock, her grip tightening on her wand, "I meant your dress. Get changed and meet me in the hall" Hestia snapped walking out.
Hermione looked to the dresser to see a shining golden dress hanging. Sighing, realising that Hestia was waiting for her outside she grabbed the garment and changed. She wasn't surprised to find a pair of heels waiting for her as she zipped the dress up. Sighing, she walked out with her wand in her hand, Hestia looked her up and down for a second. A quick wave of her wand and Hermione's hair was smooth.
"What charm is that?" Hermione asked, shocked her hair didn't instantly rebound. Hestia looked at her with a smirk.
"I'll owl it to you" Hestia stated, fixing her dress and her bright red lipstick in a mirror. Hermione realised she didn't have somewhere to put her wand.
"For Merlin's sake Granger" Hestia snapped. Leaning down she took Hermione's wand and snapped it to her upper thigh. Hermione was shocked to find it sat against her leg.
"You've obviously never done this before" Hestia stated with a roll of her eyes. Hermione chose to ignore the vibe as she followed Hestia towards the large drawing room at the end of the hall. Gritting her teeth, Hermione chose to be the better witch,
"Hestia," She said as she stopped. Hestia turned, "Thank you for the dress"
Hestia nodded, "You need all the help you can get with this lot," Hestia said, "Besides it's obvious you have no idea how our world works"
"I think I have a fairly good understanding of the wizarding world now thanks" Hermione snapped. Hestia smirked,
"I wasn't talking about the wizarding world, Granger," Hestia said as she led them into the drawing-room.
Hermione's mouth went dry as Hestia added, "I meant the sacred Twenty-Eight"
Well, I hope you enjoyed the cliff hangar! As always feel free to let me know you're thoughts/theories and if you have any prompts or ideas