Hermione was again seated on the same couch drinking her morning coffee as she had done in the past few days of Christmas break. But today was different in many ways. She for example did not feel that usual weight on her chest, a pain she had become accustomed to. Instead, she felt an extremely heavy weight on her shoulders. She exhaled loudly. After all, everything comes with a price.
She finished her coffee and began flipping through the pages of The Daily Prophet.
As she could hardly concentrate on the text in front of her, she skimmed through the headlines. The source of distraction was the commotion that was happening in the lobby area just outside her room. Two overenthusiastic Aurors were zealously briefing her overexcited parents about various methods of self-defense both magical and muggle. They were being trained to use various magical contraptions and muggle weapons just in case the dozen Aurors who were being allotted to watch over them get themselves incapacitated simultaneously.
Life had changed dramatically for the Grangers overnight.
From being completely oblivious to the currently prevailing situation to going on to actively prepare for war, life was hardly familiar.
Hermione finally decided to face the cacophony. She neatly folded her paper and kept it on her bed for a detailed perusal later on.
She then cautiously stepped out of her room and joined the action.
She noticed that one Auror was busy explaining the mechanism of the emergency portkey to her father while the other was trying to assure her mother about the secrecy of the emergency safe house.
Hermione thanked her stars that her parents possessed the intelligence which she too had inherited. She was in awe of her parents' quick understanding of the entire situation, ready absorption of all the information, and a quick grasp on new skills. While her father had seamlessly transitioned into combat mode, her mother was slightly skeptical about the whole idea altogether.
As soon as her mother noticed her presence, her eyebrows furrowed in contemplation.
"Hermione" she addressed her in a somber tone, "Why are you putting yourself in danger unnecessarily?"
Hermione smiled bitterly, "I am already in danger Mom, I am already a target and so are you two." Hermione visibly cringed as she spoke, "It's just that now you have got a certain degree of protection. That's it. "
"But this is ridiculous ", her mother interjected in an exasperated tone, " We can always go into hiding. The three of us ." Hermione felt exhausted. She paused for a moment and then spoke softly,
"No mum, we can't. Without proper protection, we could always be traced." Hermione's voice had lost all emotion. She gradually spoke again, "Besides it is better to face your destiny and give a fight than to hide and run away from it. You have always taught me not to be a shirker." Hermione's firm voice had cracked towards the end of her speech.
"But ...but why do you have to turn into a spy? her mother asked beseechingly.
"Because that is what I am required to do", Hermione cracked a half-smile. She knew it would take her mother ages to come to terms with the reality, but her temporary acceptance was sufficient for now.
"Maybe the inspiration came from all the James Bond stories I read to you when you were young ", her father tried to lighten up the atmosphere.
Hermione gave him a dazzling smile.
Hermione was in deep thought that night. The next day was the last day of the winter break after which she had to return to Hogwarts, not as the Know it all bookworm Hermione Granger but as The secret agent Hermione Granger. Something twisted in her stomach.
Severus Snape. She was supposed to spy on her professor of approximately six years. And those six years had taught her one thing, that this man was anything but callous. He was a cautious and vigilante man and spying on him would be far from easy. But if anybody could accomplish this task then it could only be Hermione Granger.
One thing for which she was extremely grateful was Dumbledor's obsession that Harry be taught Occlumency. Now how much Harry actually learned was questionable but the whole episode introduced Hermione to a completely untouched realm of magic - Occlumency.
And the minister was right about one thing, that Hermione Granger would not leave any field of study untouched after discovering its existence. Needless to say, Hermione was now a skilled occlumens and she had the Hogwarts library to thank to and maybe Harry who periodically relayed her with information about his catastrophic occlumency lessons with Snape. To think that Snape was the one who indirectly taught her occlumency felt ironic. She sighed audibly.
The first sight to which she was welcomed on entering Gryffindor's common room was that of Ron and Lavender caught in a tight embrace. Strangely it didn't bother her for she had better things to do. Spying upon Ron's escapades was clearly out of her itinerary now. She realized that suddenly these things appeared juvenile and rudimentary to her. She had far more important tasks to accomplish and a better person to spy upon.
"Hi Hermione "Harry greeted her with a smile." How have been your vacations?" he inquired.
"Fascinating "she replied with a grin.
"Really ?" He could not understand the reason behind her overly chirpy demeanor. He attributed it to Hermione's desperate attempt to overlook Ron's public display of affection.
"You have no idea ", murmured Hermione." We had a wonderful Christmas" she declared loudly as she exited towards her dormitory.
Harry wondered how come Hermione forgot to ask him about his Christmas. Perhaps she had got distressed due to Ron. He would insist Ron be more discreet in the future he decided.
As soon as Hermione entered her dorm her eyes scanned her surroundings. Parvati Patil was sulking on a chair next to her bed. Her gaze was fixed on the wall and a magazine lying open in her lap. On the other side of the room, two four-poster beds were empty. Ginny must be out with her friends and Lavender, well obviously.
"Hello Parvati, why are you in such a pensive mood", Hermione inquired. Parvati gave her a surprised look. Well, she clearly hadn't expected Hermione to initiate a conversation.
"Oh nothing I am fine", said Parvati sheepishly, "It's just that Lavender seems to have abandoned me in favor of your friend."
"Oh I perfectly understand your situation", Hermione grinned in return.
Parvati as an aide could prove useful. Somebody who was moderately intelligent and had a keen eye for gossip. Nothing controversial could escape her attention. Parvati could be a source of useful information and Hermione concluded that she must remain on good terms with the latter.
Hermione then opened her trunk and retrieved her parchment and self-inking quill. She comfortably sat down on her bed and began writing a letter.
Dear Martha
The ocean is a beautiful shade of blue. Haven't spotted the Sea horse yet. But I will try to find the octopus under the reef. The blue whale is an intelligent creature. I think I would love to play with it. Have come across some new breed of fish. I would write to you about them later.
Yours truly
Orca
P.S. Take good care of my Goldfish
"Just writing to my cousin. Both of us had gone diving during the vacations." Hermione clarified just in case Parvati read something from the corner of her eyes.
Parvati nodded nonchalantly. Hermione neatly folded her letter and headed towards the owlery to post it.
As she reached the owlery gate she noticed a silhouette against the flapping wings of the numerous owls that occupied this tower.
"Hello, Agent Octopus, nice to see you here." She greeted the figure.
"Greetings to you too agent Orca. Welcome to the fold. I see you have a letter." The figure responded.
"Oh this, there is nothing important here. Just as a trial." Hermione spoke.
"Alright, will meet you soon under the great barrier reef" with this the figure turned and walked away.
Hermione tied her letter to the feet of a small owl and watched it fly out of the window. With the deed done, she quickly retraced her steps and started walking towards her next destination.
It was imperative that she discussed her situation with this person. A lot depended on it. Her feet walking of their own accord, she finally stopped in front of an ornately carved mahogany door.
"Cadbury" she murmured. The door swung open.
"Ah Miss Granger, I presume you have a matter of importance to discuss with me. Please make yourself comfortable and do have a lemon drop".
The man in a magnificent white beard was watching her with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I have to tell you something, Professor Dumbledore ", Hermione spoke placidly.
"As I expected. How is our friend Rufus Scrimgeour faring ?" The headmaster deadpanned.
I would appreciate it if the readers post reviews. I am looking forward to constructive criticism and valuable suggestions. Also, I would like to know what you think about Hermione's real motive behind accepting to be a spy.