Paranoia is in bloom

The clouds looked lifeless and grey, indicating a heavy downpour. Foretelling some insidious premonition; a storm yet to come. Harry knew it was normal as weather changes but he couldn't help but feel that something was looming. A spectre casting its shadow like a giant umbrella over the entire place. He was sure that he wasn't the only one who had noticed the sudden change in the air, in the atmosphere of Circulus. He was already used by now by the cool and disconnected attitude of the entire base and of the Death Eaters who run it but lately something has been altered. Suddenly there was a certain air of clumsiness, of anxiety breaking out. It wasn't too obvious though but if one keeps a keen eye like him, it's not hard to miss the minute details easily ignored by the rest. He felt that certain restlessness both externally and internally and he wondered if the same thing was happening beyond these gigantic walls.

Two months. It has been two months since he had last seen and stepped into the outside world. It doesn't take much to realise that there was a mental barrier especially when one is in a place for a long time. He may be able to do a few things but they're still very limited and an owl–any forms of communication from the outside world wouldn't hurt. This wasn't like Hogwarts at all and he only realised now that he'd missed that old castle. There was a pang of bitter loneliness in this place. He had Draco, Daphne, and even Hermione but it wasn't the same. He thought of Hogwarts again, of his mother and sister. Home to him was Hogwarts or them. Never the building he lived in during the summer.

He thought about how much he missed the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch, the way the wind would blow against him when he's flying on his Firebolt. Those flights to him were the small ecstasy of freedom. A time for him to just keep his thoughts at bay and just be. Lately, he hasn't been flying. All those little mundane things in life were what he missed the most.

He continued to sigh as he looked at himself in the mirror in the room he shares with Draco. The weeks here had taken effect not only mentally but physically, which was positive at the least. He felt physiologically stronger, more lithe and agile than he usually was. It had only meant that their day to day activities was effective, and had proved its purpose. The addition of their mentor Viktor Krum had only made things better for their training. He and Hermione, of course, were still top ranks. He honestly used to think that Viktor would limit them, would let them do things 'by the book' and cause a hindrance to their progress. But Harry was wrong. It didn't look obvious that Viktor was competent and cunning. He was innovative. He wasn't like the rest of the Death Eater instructors, where most of them were just plain and sick in the heads. None of the instructors was actually brilliant. Harry had learned so much from him.

The physical changes in him were still so surprising, even for him. From the sharpness of his more defined jawline to the more prominent and more toned cords of muscles. He wasn't vain but he couldn't help but marvel the fruits of his labour. He loved being physically fit, the sudden burst of energy when he thought he'd used it all up especially useful for intensive drills. He wasn't the only one who changed though. He could say the same thing for Hermione. The changes were, well, really great and beneficial to her. Making some of her attributes more noticeable to him. There were times when he couldn't help but get distracted by her in some ways but he'd have to pause and think. He knew it was best not to have any straying thoughts.

The door burst open and Harry turned around to see his best mate enter the room in such a forceful hurried way. It had looked like Draco was trying to run away from something. Harry couldn't help but frown, not at his best mate though but because of the state of him. It seemed like the effects of the two months being here had reflected in the opposite way for Draco. He looked the same in a way, not much obvious overall morphic changes. He didn't look like he had grown thinner nor did he look like he had gained a stone. It was all on his face though. He seemed to have grown more pallid as the days went by and his eyes looked a bit sunken. He'd been mostly distracted as well. Not even the increasing workload could even take whatever was happening in his head. Harry thought there was a cause for legitimate concern but it was difficult to approach it without getting attention from the rest, especially Amycus Carrow. They were all still being closely monitored and having known a few accounts, any form of weakness wasn't tolerated here. They must always be perfect.

There was something he had noticed recently. The Primus seemed to want to speed things up, adding more and more to their tasks and workload. Neither of the Tribunes is complaining, or maybe they were just afraid to voice out anything their instructors would deem as weak.

Harry followed Draco with his eyes then turned around.

"Did anything happen?" He asked as Draco sat on his bed in such anxiousness that he had a hard time taking his boots off.

"They've started," Draco replied, his eyes trained at the laces of his boots.

Harry didn't have to ask what Draco meant. It was bound to happen. The challenges. Like what Viktor had told him and Hermione, it could happen anytime. The test, the one that would majorly determine their capabilities, their skills, their talents, and their guts.

"How'd you know? Who were the first pair?"

"You know that bloke from Hufflepuff? The one that nearly attacked you last year after they lost the Quidditch cup to you?"

"Smith? Zacaharias Smith?"

"Yes, him. He blabbed to a few. I only overheard it. He saw that Durmstrang recruit and his partner being led to the third quadrant. They were blindfolded, apparently," Draco answered, the process of doffing his boots was finally done.

"It's happening," Harry muttered to himself, his thoughts thinking of the possibilities of the challenge. "I'll have to tell Hermione unless she already knew that…"

"Probably. I won't be surprised if it's spread." Draco replied then grew entirely silent.

"Something else is bothering you and it's not this," Harry stated as he looked at his friend seriously.

Draco looked hesitant but then spoke, "We're not supposed to communicate with anyone but the Primus gave me an owl from home."

"What? How?"

"A favour. He's pretty close with my father. He only made me read it in his office then made me burn it so that nobody else would be able to see it." He replied.

"What's it about then?" Harry asked.

Draco shrugged. "It was from mum, a bit vague. She wanted to know how I was, the Primus let me write a short letter for her, and that they would be staying in our London townhouse instead of the Manor. Which is odd because mother hates the London townhouse. It feels sudden. It feels off."

Harry nodded and eventually the topic faded. He wanted to converse more with his best mate but Draco seemed to be not in the mood and laid down on his bed with his eyes closed. Harry didn't want to force anything and so his thoughts immediately were distracted by the fact that he and Hermione could be chosen anytime for the challenges.

Hermione knew that it was already past curfew but the current situation felt too important to miss. She couldn't find any other chances of doing this especially when most of her time is consumed with the needed coursework and training. Ever since Viktor Krum had started mentoring them, a time for herself was so evidently rare. She'd barely have the time to communicate with Albus Dumbledore through the Chocolate Frog. Most of her days seemed to be spent a lot with Harry and he seemed to be trusting her a bit more, which makes their work easier than it was during the first few weeks.

She checked herself in the mirror. She wore comfortable dark clothes for tonight. She had also tied her hair in a messy bun. Over the weeks it had become unbearably long and it began to feel heavy during their daily runs. She'll have to perform her haircut eventually or maybe ask Daphne to do it for her if it's not too much for her to ask. They have formed a bond over the weeks all thanks to Harry. The more she spent time with him, the more she got to know him and the more she got to know Daphne as well. She couldn't help but notice the small conversations between them and it was only natural. After all, they were betrothed to each other, which was actually such an odd concept in these times. Pureblood families are definitely so archaic but that's none of her business.

Slowly, with one last week at her sleeping roommate, she quietly opened the door. She wouldn't have bothered to do this if she hadn't found it out this morning by accident. While they were doing their daily drills with Viktor, they were momentarily diverted by the arrival of several important Death Eaters. It wasn't difficult to spot that the group included Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. And much to Harry's disdain, his step-father Severus Snape was also with them. Death Eaters from Lord Voldemort's inner circle. Their entourage was with them and they looked like they were being toured around by the Primus Barty Crouch Junior. During that time, she felt the stares of them as they paused to watch her and Harry. She was fortunate enough not to create any errors as it would be deemed embarrassing and might cost them a few points.

Hermione didn't like the idea of them watching, especially Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione thought that Lestrange gave off a very strange and creepy vibe. Her stare looked like she was daring her, challenging her until she would falter in her movement. The group decided to observe them longer and the whole time she kept wishing they'd go away. They moved even closer much to the insistence of Snape who only wanted Harry to succumb to his indirect taunts and maybe fail. Fortunately, she had been helping Harry as per his request, to practise in handling himself with a cool and level-headed mind in dealing such situations. Fortunately, their whole drill had gone without the slightest of errors that even Bellatrix Lestrange couldn't help but praise them in her own way. The group then left, enjoying the sour look on Snape's face. When the group had fully gone, she turned to Viktor to ask.

"I didn't know they do visits here,"

"Only when they need to gather the most important figures without the Dark Lord. Otherwise, they'd do it at the Riddle House." Viktor answered. "They don't want to risk it anywhere else. As you already know, Circulus is one of the most secure and protected jurisdictions of the Dark Lord."

It was what Viktor had said that gave Hermione the idea and prompted her to set out for tonight. If the top Death Eaters were here then it wouldn't be over something simple and tedious. It would have to be something top-secret. It would have to be something she couldn't resist, something she would have to find out tonight at high risk.

She exited the building without any trials. Moments like this one were times she wished she had invested in an Invisibility Cloak. Artefacts such as that were hard and expensive to come by especially when the ones of the best quality weren't manufactured locally in France. She wouldn't be able to find, much less borrow one from anyone without arousing suspicions. Plus, she didn't know anyone who owned and brought one. She would have to depend on her abilities tonight. To put what the Order of the Phoenix had taught her into a test. She has that along with the physical attributes developed while training here.

As she was out and about and there were Death Eaters on patrol, she temporarily hid in a dark spot. She went through the plan she immediately had to come up with a while ago. Her first thought was where they would be holding the meeting. She thought of one of the buildings in this quadrant but it seemed to be too empty to be the place being gathered by important heads. Then suddenly remembered of the fourth quadrant, of that awful day when they forced Harry to torture a member of the Order. She knew that there was a higher probability that it would be the place where they would hold their meeting. She turned around and faced the direction to that specific quadrant. Looking sideways, she made sure to keep watch on any roaming patrol. Immediately knowing that the coast was clear, she used the disillusionment charm on herself then slowly and quietly began.

Draco didn't have to be awakened by the time someone had knocked on their door. By then Harry had fallen asleep. Harry had given up on trying to have a longer conversation with him. He pretended to fall asleep until he was sure that his friend did. There were days when he didn't want to talk to anyone when he only wanted to be left alone. He only wanted to talk to one person, Ginny, but it's been several weeks since he last saw her and that event ended so badly. Every day in this place was a struggle for him. It felt like being in Malfoy Manor but worse. The entire place was suffocating him and it was destroying him piece by piece. He could barely hold on to the threads of himself. His friends provided him with a little comfort but only so barely. It was hard sometimes to talk to Harry and Daphne about the cacophony of thoughts swirling in his head. It was difficult to tell them what he truly felt about this entire ordeal and what he really wanted to do. First of all, he wanted to leave this place and second, the most important reason, he wanted to be with Ginny. He didn't want to be forced to marry Pansy Parkinson. His friends knew this but they can't do anything about it. They don't understand. Harry and Daphne were different, they've planned out everything about their future. Their arrangement. He knew that both were comfortable going through with it but him? He couldn't, not when he's very sure of Ginny.

He got off his bed and glanced at himself at the mirror, making sure he was presentable to his father. He hadn't taken off the standard uniform from a while ago and knowing that it would displease his father and ruin his mood, he walked towards his closet and picked a change of clothing. He picked the usual set of clothes he would normally wear at home, which was stiff and too informal for casual things. He checked himself one more time at the mirror then at his best mate who was thankfully still sleeping and hadn't been disturbed by his movement. Draco didn't want to answer questions if Harry had noticed him leaving.

He took a few deep breaths and tried to mentally prepare himself despite already knowing he would be emotionally and mentally exhausted after a conversation with his father. He opened the door and was greeted by Theodore Nott Junior, a family friend and a few years older than him, and one of his father's Death Eater cronies.

"Took you long. Your father is waiting." The crony spoke, looking very grim yet jeering. Like his father, he enjoyed taunting the young Malfoy. He liked kissing whichever ground the senior Malfoy would step on. Draco had always disliked him and his father, knowing that, would always take advantage of it to annoy him more.

"Draco," Theodore Nott greeted.

"Theo–sir, I didn't expect you out here. Shouldn't you be at the meeting?" Draco turned towards Nott, momentarily forgetting that he was a high ranked officer.

"It'll be starting later and the Primus asked me to be the one to come and fetch you as it's after curfew." He answered. "So shall we go now?" He looked at the other man who nodded firmly. The man looked at Draco then gestured to let him go out and lead. Draco followed instantly, already wanting to do this and get over with it.

Their walk towards the fourth quadrant was too quiet. He felt like he was in a death march to prison as the two men trailed behind. He wasn't chained but there was an invisible one and the longer he felt this the slower it's killing him inside. He looked up at the very high, grey, and oppressive walls. He wished he could see beyond it and go to the outside world. It was all maddening. Nott halted just as they were about to enter the closed iron-wrought gates.

"We're on high security because of tonight, let me handle this so that you can enter." He explained. He took his wand out and tapped the gates. It glowed on and off like a beam until the light died out and the gates opened itself. The two men went ahead of Draco who took a step forward but hesitated.

"Are you coming or not?" The other man asked annoyingly. Draco looked at him, suddenly feeling a bit confused but after a moment the feeling faded away. He looked at the surroundings of the quadrant which was almost like the first with the looming buildings. He looked at Nott who was walking towards a building that looked like the main one. They went to three flights of stairs before stopping at a door. The two men signalled at Draco to enter and so he did, now hoping he didn't have to go in alone.

"Close the door, immediately," Lucius's cold voice echoed in the room. Draco did what he was told to do then walked reluctantly towards his father. "I don't have a lot of time. We're due to start in half an hour. I need to discuss your recklessness and your attempt to ruin our family name. This is too sensitive to be written and sent by an owl when anyone could intercept them."

Lucius didn't beat around the bush and Draco only looked at his father in surprised confusion.

"What–"

"Don't speak until I am done. Do you know how much you've distressed your mother over? Especially since the attack." Lucius paced in front of the fire, holding on to his cane.

"What attack?" Draco stepped forward.

"We've had a recent breach of security at the manor and while I have some people quietly investigating that, your mother and I have decided to temporarily stay in London."

"And when did this happen?" Draco asked.

"A fortnight ago. I didn't let your mother send that letter until it was safe to do so." Lucius sternly said. "But that is not what I wanted to discuss with you."

Lucius suddenly stopped with his pacing then walked towards Draco. "I wonder sometimes if you think I'm stupid…"

"What are you talking about?" Draco felt confused.

"Do you think I do not know your liaisons with that blood traitor?" With this Draco grew silent, he didn't want to give anything away. "Do you know how much this would put my agreement with the Parkinsons in peril? For once in your life, Draco, think about this family. Don't only think about yourself."

"Is that all, Father?" Draco replied, biting back any other retort. He didn't want to deal with his father any longer. The sooner he'd please him, the sooner he'd be left alone again.

"No," Lucius Malfoy shook his head. "No that's not all. I need you to wake up. Do not mess this up. You will marry Pansy as agreed between her father and me. We need them. We need their influence. Our enemies are trying to oust us and being Bellatrix's relatives do not give us any exceptions. We need to strengthen our connections, our lines, and our blood. The Parkinsons are one of the most outstanding families here in Britain. Your union will be extremely beneficial. I would have thought to bring in the Greengrasses but that Potter scum has gotten to her first. It still fazes me on how there's no doubt there is some funny business going on. Nevertheless, we are still going to be secured with the Parkinsons."

Draco was fighting so hard not to say things he'd only half regret later on. He wanted to leave the room, to never encounter his father again but things are better said than done. He didn't want to feel more horrible than usual. He just wanted to leave.

"Are you going to say anything?" His father spoke. "Or have you gone mute?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Do you deny your relationship with that blood traitor?"

"Th-there was no…" He wanted to look away from his father's stare. "There was no r-relationship, to begin with."

"I've heard differently, from my ears in Hogwarts."

Draco prepared another lie. He could feel the bile rise as he was yet forced to say things he didn't mean. "It was just for fun, father."

"Well, I supposed young men like you should be able to have their fun. Merlin knows I did before your mother and I got married." Lucius turned around.

"Is mother all right?" He asked.

"She always is," Lucius replied but Draco wasn't entirely convinced. "That's all for now. I trust you will not be doing anything embarrassing here. I have confidence in Barty and this place. It will instil discipline on you for once. Merlin knows you need it. Your mother coddled on you too much. "

Draco chose to remain silent.

"You're dismissed. Leave. I have important things to attend."

Hermione carefully walked to another corner and assessed the iron-wrought gates in front of her. Nobody was guarding outside but she knew the obvious that the gate was charmed and that the full security was going to be inside or lurking in the darkness, waiting for any form of attack. So far nobody has noticed her as she still has the disillusionment on her and there haven't been any alarm sounds yet. She was glad the charm she cast on herself had proven effective, the wards in the area could've prevented her from performing it.

She looked at the gate again. She doubted if a simple Alohomora would work. She thought of several spells but it seemed like a risk. After her assessment, she found out that there are a lot of security spells embedded. One wrong move, even a small spell, could trigger the alarm and have every Death Eater on her. She couldn't afford any error especially now when there is still little or even barely any information to relay over to the Order of the Phoenix. She bit her lip as she uncharacteristically began to pace in front of the gate. It was already nearing midnight and she doesn't have a lot of time left. She would have to be ready again later by five am for her daily runs and then the rest of the day would entirely be unknown as anything could happen. She had already heard about the start of the third quadrant challenges, as some would call it, and the first pair had already been gone for a day. None of her fellow Tribunes has seen the pair but they hadn't been gone for twenty-four hours. Neither of them is sure about how long the entire thing would take. Not even their adviser Viktor Krum would give them any hints. His lips remained sealed in regards to the test.

She raised her wand, deciding to work her way into opening the gate but as just she was about to she heard a set of heavy footsteps from her behind. She turned around quickly and nearly froze as three people silhouetted by the dark were walking towards her. She remained stationary as if they'd seen her, but thankfully the charm still worked and they only stopped in front of her. The first person revealed to be Draco who looked extremely uncomfortable and he was followed by none other than Theodore Nott. She bit back a tiny gasp. Despite it all, seeing him still surprised her. She needed to accept the fact that he wouldn't be able to remember her at all but she couldn't help but feel a bit of uneasiness every time she would encounter him. There was a bit of guilt for her part. Next to Nott was another man she's never met. He was lanky and bald and had a malevolent look on him. He looked at Draco in a taunting way, showing his yellow and crooked teeth. Draco seemed to be doing a good job of ignoring him. She continued to watch them as Nott walked towards the gate, telling his companions about the extra security. Hermione thought of the luck she had at this moment, these men will allow her a short window to get into the gates without raising any alarms.

"Confundus!" She pointed her wand at Draco as Nott temporarily lifted the wards on the gate. Nott went first then the man. The man glanced at Draco who hesitated on his steps. As they turned their attention to him, Hermione quickly slipped in between the space and into the fourth quadrant. Neither of the three noticed her at all.

Finally, she was in and the next thing she needed to do was find the venue of the meeting. The entire complex was huge and there were a lot of buildings. She took a glance at the three men who entered a building and she wondered if she should follow them. They could be heading towards the meeting and she thought of this as another chance. So she turned around and followed them. They entered a seven-storey building, as grey and as dull as the rest of the buildings here. She continued to follow them as they climbed up to the third floor. She arrived at the landing just as Draco was told to go inside the room. The other two didn't join him.

"I'll go ahead. Tell Lucius I'll see him at the meeting." She heard Nott telling the man. The man stiffly nodded and then faced the door, waiting. Nott headed towards the stairs, where Hermione was. Realising that Draco was most likely meeting with his father and that whatever they'll be talking about wouldn't be as important as this upcoming meeting, she carefully and silently followed Nott.

Nott headed towards a further area in the quadrant and into a residential-looking building. Hermione observed the number of structures in this part. She didn't think the entire place would require so many of them. It felt unnecessary. She wondered what kind of secrets each structure hid. She wondered if this was the place where they'd put political prisoners. Everyone knew Azkaban hadn't been used for more than a decade ever since Lord Voldemort had let them roam free among muggles. She shuddered at the thought, she suddenly remembered that day with Joseph in Muggle London. Dementors were such macabre creatures, she never wanted to encounter it again. She paused to look around, making sure there weren't strays. She needed to be extra careful. There could be dementors here but she hasn't encountered any so far. Death Eaters must hate them as much.

She continued to follow Nott until he stepped into the entrance of the building. A couple of guards were standing in front of the dark French door entrance. The building looked to be one storey only the width made up for the lack of height. It looked like somebody's home instead of some headquarters. She decided to look around before she let herself in.

A little later she found herself inside, still under the guise of the disillusionment charm. She managed to weave through a lot of the complex wards they've set up. She'd learned a few tricks from Sirius who was always so skilled with things involving stealth. She had a look around to see if there was anything she could find out but it seemed like this was rarely habited for most of the year. She deduced that this was most likely just reserved for important meetings like tonight. She crept inside a hall where at the end of it was a set of large doors.

"Who's there?" A voice spoke suddenly. Hermione froze and felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She was suddenly fearful for her life. The charm couldn't have faded because she would have felt it. Maybe she had tripped up on something she may have missed, a ward or a simple charm. She couldn't believe how careless she was. I'm dead, she thought as her head went over how much this was going to cost the Order. She was overthinking out of fear. She didn't dare to move. She gripped her wand as she anticipated an attack but another second passed and nothing happened. She turned around slowly. There was no one there. Her emotions ran high for a while and she immediately shook them off. She wasn't caught, not yet anyway and so she continued. Turning back would be a waste of her efforts. She was at the front door now. Another challenge. How to enter without anyone on the inside noticing?

"I thought there was someone else here." The same voice spoke from a while ago. Hermione held her breath as the voice sounded closer, exactly just beside her. She moved a bit farther from the door.

"Could've been someone else." Another voice spoke, a familiar one. Viktor Krum.

"Didn't see anyone else." She couldn't see the other person clearly. She now wondered how many were going to be present.

"You must have missed them," Krum replied. "Let's go inside. You know how they are when people get late. The sooner they start this meeting, the sooner I can go to sleep. I've got trainees in the morning." He moved closer to open the door, unknowingly giving access to Hermione. She wondered something for a moment but she shook it off, it was best to focus on the task at hand.

The first thing that greeted her in the room was a dark long table, mostly occupied by various witches and wizards. There was a great mix of them. Some had looked foreign. Some looked excited, tired, uneasy, disturbed, a jumble of different emotions surrounded the room. She looked at each of them one by one, relying on her memory. She'll be able to show this to Albus Dumbledore someday. There were the familiar ones like Bellatrix Lestrange and the rest of the higher-ranked Death Eaters. Some of them, she doesn't know. She continued to look at them carefully. Several still looked anxious and nervous, they would finish up whatever was inside their self-refilling goblets. Whatever this meeting was about, Hermione didn't think it would be anything good or worth celebrating for. But it could be almost about anything else. The sombre mood continued to permeate. She walked towards the other side, where the curtains were drawn closed. She chose to hide there. At least it would provide her cover lest the disillusionment charm starts wearing off.

"We'll be starting soon." Someone announced as she set herself carefully in place. She was hidden but she still had a good view of the table. The door opened a few times, which let a few more people in. One of the last was Lucius Malfoy who calmly walked towards the seat next to his sister-in-law, the Supreme Commander Bellatrix Lestrange.

"We'll begin. The wards are going to be in effect, once you're inside you cannot exit until this meeting is over." Severus Snape's voice reverberated in the room. "Hail the Dark Lord!"

"Hail the Dark Lord!"

"Let's begin our agendas for tonight. The Dark Lord isn't of course as he is preoccupied somewhere else, which is a good thing. I hear you've got nothing good to report." Bellatrix spoke, looking pointedly at three people who looked like they would be eviscerated by her glare. Hermione couldn't put a name to the three faces. They most likely weren't of any rank. "Please explain your incompetence."

"Supreme Commander, we were attacked." One of them started, their voice shaking. Looking downcast, looking at everywhere but the direction of Bellatrix. "There were too many of them. We were outnumbered. We lost a lot. They've managed to take some of us while we were able to escape. We couldn't even apparate. They did something. They know something."

Bellatrix didn't immediately respond. "How do you expect me to tell the Dark Lord this?"

"We couldn't do anything else, Supreme Commander."

"Couldn't do anything else? We lost a base, a small territory near the Neutral Zone!" Bellatrix stood from her seat. "How do you explain losing several of our territories in a year to lowly scums? Scums who are barely a sliver of us!"

"But-"

"Silence! I will not listen to whatever pathetic excuses you might have come up with." She interjected. "This will not go unpunished. I will deal with all of you later." She was quick to dismiss them but it wasn't over for them yet. The three men's eyes widened in fear. They cowered in their seats while the rest looked away from them. Everyone in this room knew of Bellatrix's lust for torture. It didn't have to be said out loud on what would meet these three men later. Displeasing the Supreme Commander was something one ought not to commit ever.

"I need good news!" She sat back on her seat, taking her wand out and twirling it around, as if ready to strike at anyone.

"We have a sighting." Someone piped.

"A sighting of who?" Bellatrix straightened, piqued.

One of the Death Eaters waved their wand and a projection of images appeared on the middle of the table. Hermione, who barely reacted a moment ago, had to cover her mouth with her left hand preventing herself from eliciting a gasp. On the table were the most recent images of Sirius Black and of Joseph, the Order member who had pretended to be her uncle and was her guide in London weeks ago.

"The leaders of the resistance. Sirius Black and a man who is only known as 'Joseph'. These two are the ones who orchestrated the attacks. They are the masterminds of this so-called resistance. There have been recent sightings of them in London and other nearby areas. We've gathered a few intel and we've managed to study their movements. They are very quick to cover their tracks but we have a few traces. A team is working on uncovering their next attack and we may be able to surprise them next time. One of our planted men is close to infiltrating them, we will work on this more."

"Good. At least we've got some good news, don't we? The sooner we get rid of this group, the better it would be. The sooner we could move forward with our plans and escalate things more. I want more to chase these dogs and when you've caught them, make sure you'll catch them, leave Black to me. I will handle that blood traitor cousin of mine. He will meet his end through me." Her voice was filled with malice as she leered at the image of Sirius. Hermione felt sick at the thought of Sirius being caught and tortured. Sirius had told her numerous times of his family especially of his cousin Bellatrix. She couldn't even believe that he was related to people like her. She was glad that he didn't follow the footsteps of his family who were nothing more than pureblooded bigots.

Another concern raised an alarm in her. Someone had sent a spy to them, just like her but it doesn't sound like it was completely successful yet. Not the way Dumbledore was able to plant her here. She wondered if they were aware of this. It gave her a bit of satisfaction that someone like her, a muggleborn, has managed to get in under their noses. That they've welcomed a muggleborn in their Pureblood sanctuary. She'll make sure to see their faces someday when it's the right time when they're allowed to find out. It sure is a day she couldn't wait to see.

Hermione continued to listen on as they progressed to more reports. Very important and very sensitive information were all being discussed. In a way, she found herself in a gold mine. There are just too many things she could share to the Order of the Phoenix. But of course, she didn't want to press her luck tonight. She glanced at the doors and wondered if there was any other way to get out before the meeting was done. She listened on but in a way she couldn't help the feeling of someone observing her.

He dreamt of the house in Godric's Hollow. In the dream, it was in pristine condition. It felt and looked real. He'd never seen the house like. He'd only see its dilapidated state. Harry had his wand with him in the dream.

"Lumos," He breathed out in the darkness. He was outside, dead fallen leaves scattered all over the ground. The moon shined brightly. The house looked empty. Nobody was home. Harry approached the front door and touched the doorknob with a tip of his finger. The door automatically opened, registering him, his DNA, as the master of this house. Only of their bloodline could claim this house or so it was told when the actual house still stood. He stepped inside, still greeted by darkness.

"Is anyone home?" He felt himself speak out into the dark. There was no response. He led himself into the hall and that was when he heard voices. Laughter. The sounds were both familiar and unfamiliar. He strained his ears, wand still upfront and providing light, and started searching for the voices. The voices seemed to have echoed within the walls but for a strange while, it sounded like it was all in his head. Harry continued and moved forward until he stepped into the living room. Just then the voices faded. He was still alone.

A moment later something shimmered in front of him and then the house lit up. He lowered his wand down and looked around.

"Harry," He heard a voice, one he hadn't heard in a very long time. He turned around as he saw the mirror image of himself.

"Harry," The man repeated.

"D-dad?" Harry said in disbelief. The man in front of himself was no other than the deceased James Potter.

"Harry...Harry...You have to know...you have to know…" His father spoke again, the same words repeating.

"What?" He asked.

"Harry...Harry...Harry…"

Harry wanted to know what his father was trying to say in the dream.

"Harry."

"Harry…"

"HARRY!"

He immediately sat right up then automatically took his glasses from the side table to wear them. He looked at the person who had woken him.

"Daphne!" It was Daphne, in her comfortable nighttime attire and her usual pale pink kimono robes. Her blond hair looked impeccable even from getting out of bed. Harry was slightly envious of that as his hair was always messy and would never cooperate. "What are you doing here? You know it's beyond curfew. We don't know what they'll do if you're caught!"

"Relax, you know me, I'm the expert of sneaking out." She gave a small mischievous smile suddenly losing her thoughts for a second but immediately shaking them off. She'd looked a bit distraught a while ago. "I wouldn't be worried about that. There are more pressing matters."

"Like what?" Harry moved sideways to let her sit beside him.

"Hermione." She said.

"Hermione?" He repeated.

"She was asleep before me but I'd suddenly woken up and found her bed empty. I came here immediately. I thought they'd already come to pick you two up. I thought you two were already chosen but I'm just as surprised when I found you here still asleep." She said.

"Hermione's gone?" He decided to glance at his best mate's side of the room and then frowned as he realised it was vacant. He stood up and took the blankets out. "Draco is gone too."

"Do you think something's happening? Do you think it's the test?" Daphne looked up at him in concern.

"If it were the challenge already then I wouldn't be here as well. I have a hunch that Draco might be called by Lucius as he was here a while ago but Hermione? We don't know where she might and what she might be doing." He replied.

"Should we do something about it?" Daphne asked.

Harry thought for a while, a plan forming in his head. "I'll find her, Daph, and you need to go back to your room."

"But," She stood and walked towards him. "I can help."

"No, it's safer if you return. I'll deal with this. She's my partner. I don't want you risking it." He said.

Daphne looked hesitant but gave in. She knew he had a point. "I know I wouldn't be able to change your mind. Be glad I'm feeling a bit tired. Just be careful, Harry, and make sure you let her explain first. Don't let your temper get to you."

"Don't worry, Daph. I know she wants this whole thing as much as I do." He said, surprised at his own response. "And I'll use my dad's cloak."

"You brought that here?" She looked surprised. "And they never noticed?"

"For some reason, it wasn't detected by their security." He answered, conjuring the cloak. "Now, I need you to go ahead and I'll follow. Go straight to your room."

"I'm really hoping this isn't anything, Harry. You know what these people are capable of and we don't know the rest of the things they do!" She was about to exit. "Good luck. Give me a sign later."

Harry nodded, knowing what she meant. He watched her leave. Once he counted the minutes until it's safe for him to leave the room, he conjured up images from his wand that made it look like that both his bed and Draco's were occupied. Draco will know what this would mean in case he returns.

Harry then wore the Invisibility Cloak he had inherited from his father. He cast additional spells on himself before he set out, making sure he wouldn't be caught too. He will get to the bottom of this. He only hoped Hermione wasn't doing anything that could jeopardise all their hard work but what he's really concerned for was her safety.

"Hermione, what the bloody hell are you doing?" He muttered as the cold night air of the outside greeted him.

Ron rubbed his hands together. He should've remembered his gloves but then he's a wizard. He could just cast a heat charm all over himself but then he also registered the fact that he was at the border. The border that would lead into what they called the Beyond or the Shadows. Most commonly known as the Neutral Zone. The border and the territory were heavily guarded by Death Eaters and some mercenaries. No one was allowed to use magic. Any signs, any detection of magic and the Death Eaters would be in pursuit. It was tricky to get her and make it past but it was always done and he was one of the few people who knew how to get in undetected.

He waited. It was midnight and the owl received days ago mentioned to meet at this hour so that he could grant passage with the help of the dark.

"Ron," He saw his sister approach.

"Gin!" He walked towards her. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing? You should be in Hogwarts!"

Ginny shook her head. "No, Ron. Be glad I'm not there."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, confused. He'd left Hogwarts a year ago.

"Haven't you heard?" She asked.

"I haven't been able to check on anything. I was busy doing errands for Joseph." He replied. "What's going? How'd you leave the castle."

"Oh, Ron, I never went on the train!" She replied.

"But Bill and Fleur saw you…"

"They didn't see me going out."

"Then where have you been all this time? What were you doing? Why?"

"I've been with friends of the Order, of the resistance." She answered vaguely. "Anyway, as of tonight, Professor Dumbledore is no longer in control of Hogwarts."

"What? How? How'd you know if you weren't there all this time?"

"Luna, Neville, our friends. Don't worry though, they managed to escape before it escalated badly. I don't have time to explain, Ron. You'll know later. Mum and Dad will tell you, or Bill. " She suddenly looked pale.

"What's wrong, Gin?" He moved closer towards his sister.

She shook her head. "Nothing. Just help me get in? The Order is recommending that most of us meet with the rest in the Shadows. It'll be safer. There's an area hidden by the resistance and you can use magic there."

Ron breathed out heavily, conflicted. "Okay, but what do I tell mum and dad? The rest of the family. Gin?" Ginny rushed towards a bushy area. He followed her but stopped as he heard her retch.

"Gin?" He called out. "You all right?"

She heaved for a bit before facing him. "I'm fine. Just feeling a bit sick. Don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Don't worry about explaining to mum and dad as well. I've left them a note. It should be enough. I hope." She still looked quite pale.

Ron sighed. "Okay."

"Should we go then?"

Ron nodded. "I'm coming with you though."

"Ron…"

"No, I'm coming with you wherever you're going. If you're involved with the Order and you're doing something for them then let me help. It's what I've been doing for the past year anyway." He said.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah. You're my sister. I can't let you go alone. I've been inside a few times. It's best if you've got someone with you."

"Oh, Ron," She cried and immediately embraced her brother. "Thank you."

"Sure thing, Gin." He replied, already having the hunch that his sister was hiding something and that he has yet to find out about it.

She'd waited until everyone had left. The meeting had ended half an hour ago. It was already past one am and her mind was reeling. Reeling from everything she had heard and seen. There were so many things. So many frightful things. She'd heard about Hogwarts and what they've done. She felt helpless as she thought of her friends who were still there, Luna and Neville. She only hoped that they were able to escape. She couldn't believe it. All the students there, especially the young ones. The thought made her worry more. Being cut from the outside world is as worst as it gets. She felt sick realising she wouldn't have known this at all if she hadn't eavesdropped on the meeting.

Hermione felt herself stagger in her steps as she rushed towards the first quadrant. The entire thing, everything she'd heard tonight shook her and she wished she had brought the Chocolate Frog along so that she could contact Dumbledore but she had left in her room. As she continued to hurriedly walk, she organised her mind. She was sorting out everything. The important things, the things to highlight and emphasised more when she'd report to Albus Dumbledore later. It was all too vital and some were time-sensitive and were risking many lives. She needed to warn them. She needed to talk to them. To get some form of reassurance. She hugged herself as she felt the chill not only from the wind but from something more. She walked on, suddenly feeling that the quadrant, the building, her room was so far away. Her mind was too preoccupied.

So preoccupied that she didn't realise her disillusionment charm had waned off just as she turned to another blindspot that led towards her dormitory building, the usual route she'd used when she'd sneaked off. She didn't realise that someone happened to be close and had seen her. And as she was closer and closer to the designated building, she didn't realise that they'd move closer behind her with quick speed. Suddenly, they had reached her. They had caught her off guard, a grave mistake on her part.

Hermione wasn't even allowed to scream as she felt darkness in her eyes. A cloth muffled the sounds she tried to create. She was temporarily blind and mute. She then felt her entire body being dragged away by a greater force.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter series/Wizarding World and Muse owns the lyrics I've used on each chapter.