Hermione cursed herself for her stupidity. She should have known. Rashness, recklessness, those were Ron and Harry's domain. She was supposed to be careful.
Hermione had hurried down to Hogsmeade and apparated to the field near Malfoy Manor, just as she had previously. This time, though, the wards didn't allow her into the Manor. She tried every trick she knew, including a couple charms that she'd learn from the restricted section of the library. When she was just about to give up in frustration, head back to Hogwarts and burst into tears, the wards were lowered.
Every instinct told her that she was walking into a trap. She put the cloak on and walked in anyway.
The grounds were filled with people. Hermione felt like there were more people here than at the Wizard Cup!
The closer she got, she realized that they were all reporters. That dastardly Rita Skeeter was here, and so were several other representatives of the Daily Prophet. Hermione didn't recognize most of the people, but some were clearly from other countries. She heard several reporters speaking fluent French to one another, and another group speaking German. For some reason, Constantine had invited all the world's journalists to this event…and for some even more bizarre reason, they'd actually come.
As she looked out among the crowd, she sucked in a breath. Beyond the reporters, working his way to the front of the Manor, was Professor Dumbledore. He had several members of the Order with him, but he was walking purposefully toward the door. He didn't look armed.
Hermione remembered Ginny's words, that Professor Dumbledore was planning to offer himself in her place. Harry would never be the same if something happened to Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione rushed forward, determined to reach the front before her headmaster.
As she ran forward, the door to the Manor opened, and a hush fell over the crowd. Lucius Malfoy stepped out – followed closely by Draco.
Hermione faltered. He was so far away, but he didn't look the same at all. It was as though someone had turned the clock back to fourth-year – that same self-assured, smug look in his eyes. Like he could get a hippogriff killed with a wave of his wand. Like he could let in an army of Death Eaters to Hogwarts with a simple spell on a cabinet.
She swallowed hard.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Lucius Malfoy began. His voice was steady, cool. "Thank you for coming. Please, remain silent. We will be happy to take questions at the end. I am certain that you are wondering how I am here – after all, wasn't I killed after the second wizarding war? Indeed, I was. I was murdered on the night. And yet…here I stand before you! For the details, I turn to my son: Draco Malfoy."
With that, Lucius stepped back slightly. Draco stepped forward. Despite everything, Hermione felt her heart quicken a little.
"My father has been planning this for a long time." He said pompously. "I simply followed his directives. His hard work is what brought him back to me, at long last. I see some aurors have arrived, thank you for joining us, gentlemen. Please stay back. There are wards around the Manor. You may find yourself with a nasty case of boils – or worse. Allow me to explain what we're doing here and why we've called upon you. This is the message that we wish you to spread: Lucius Malfoy has conquered death."
The crowd that was so silent exploded. Everyone was shouting, reporters were calling out questions, people in the back were jeering loudly, and still others were cheering for him.
Draco smirked. "Please, please, we have much more to get through. You see, up until now, I have been…involved…with the muggleborn witch, Hermione Granger."
If the crowd had been loud before, now they nearly caused a sonic boom. It was impossible, everyone said.
"I ask now for Hermione Granger to join us up here." Draco called out to the crowd. "If she is here, she will join me. If she isn't, ah – I see Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has arrived. I imagine you have come in her place?"
Professor Dumbledore stood tersely, his eyes serious. He used his wand to cast the sonorous charm, and then cleared his throat. "I am indeed. Miss Granger could not make it today. I'm sure you all know, exams are coming up soon at Hogwarts. If I may ask all the reporters and visitors here to step back?"
Hermione had to hurry out of the way as people shuffled backwards. Despite his age, Professor Dumbledore was formidable and not to be trifled with. She moved forward quickly, trying her best to keep the cloak wound tightly around her. A bit of a headache formed as she tried to figure out what their Draco had to be under the Imperius. There was no other way that he would be going along with Lucius and Constantine.
Draco smiled at Professor Dumbledore. It could only be described as sinister. "Please, Headmaster, feel free to come and join us. I've altered the wards for you. Before you move, however, there is someone else who I should like to introduce – someone who has been instrumental in my rise, ah, in my father's rise."
He raised his hand and Harry stepped out of the shadows.
The resulting noise was pandemonium.
Hermione started running.
It took her one second to look into those cold, green eyes to know that that wasn't Harry Potter. Not to mention, of course, Harry was still safely in St. Mungo's, expected to be discharged within the next twelve hours.
Hermione had been wondering where Constantine had been in all of this, and now she knew. She must be controlling Draco, and Polyjuiced herself, so that she could be close to the action without drawing any unwanted attention.
"Hello, Professor." Harry grinned. He waved at the ground in a grand gesture, then pulled out his wand. "Goodbye, Professor Dumbledore."
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, completely befuddled. He knew Harry was at the hospital, too. He hadn't connected the dots quite yet.
To the audience, Harry steadied his wand. He took a deep breath. "Avada –"
Hermione barreled through the wards and shoved Constantine over. She gripped Constantine and Draco's hand and loosely managed to touch Lucius with her pinky – and then she Apparated.