Two days later, after leaving the hotel and bouncing all over London to ensure the Order wasn't following her, Hermione strolled arm-in-arm with Luna through the trees.

"How are they?" Luna asked.

"Enjoying their new life. Dan shaved his hair and is in the process of growing a beard. Jean went for a more reddish-brown with her hair. She also cut it a little, and they seem to be loving the country."

"That's wonderful. Have the others gone to visit?"

"Not yet. We all decided to wait until there was a lull in security. Everyone's on edge because of Bill."

"I wonder how that happened."

"No clue."

Luna smiled and laid her head on Hermione's shoulders. The two stopped short of the tree line. In the distance, they could see the Burrow, and Hermione eyed the semi-invisible barrier around the home. She expected something a lot more than that.

"There's an alarm set to it. Though someone may get in, they would be hit with spells the moment they step on the property."

"I have never seen something so smart yet so stupid." Hermione shrugged and turned to Luna. "I would like for you to get close to the twins. I have a feeling they are dangling a little low on the family tree, ripe for the plucking and eagerly awaiting a better home than the one they have now. And who am I to deny them?"

"You are truly a saint."

Hermione smirked and kissed Luna on the cheek. "Thank you for the walk. I have a meeting with my father," she said.

"Will I see you at the party?"

"Of course. I will never miss a good party," Hermione said, winking.

Luna smiled as Hermione apparated off the property before she turned to the Burrow. She shook her head.

"Pitiful," she murmured.


Hermione reappeared in Malfoy Manor and made her way down the hall. Her heels sounded like thunder each time they hit the marble floor. She swung open the doors to the study and found her father and aunt waiting for her.

"Hello, Cissy, Tom," she said.

"Afternoon, darling," Narcissa greeted.

"Why must you call me Tom?"

"Because it annoys you," Hermione said.

"Sit down," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Well, someone's a bit touchy today," she said.

Hermione sat in front of the desk and waited. Tom reached into his pockets and produced a golden amulet with a black stone in the middle. He placed it on the table and folded his arms against his stomach. Hermione recognized it but couldn't remember from where. She grabbed it and held it up to the light. The stone swallowed any sunlight that touched it.

"I know this," she murmured.

"Jean dropped this off before she left. People in the Wizarding World know it as the Shadow Stone," he said. "To others, it is the Dumas Stone."

"Dumas," she repeated. "As in Jean-Baptiste Dumas? The chemist?"

"He dabbled in other things, but yes. Jean-Baptiste had an illegitimate son. One that would go on to marry a woman by the name of Marie Gauthier."

Hermione frowned and said, "My great-great…great something or another?"

"Dumas wanted nothing to do with his son publicly. He went on with his life as a married man with no heir. But in private, he treated his son like a king, gave him whatever he wanted. Before Dumas died, he gifted this stone to his son. The stone was passed down to first-born Gauthier children. Being the first-born that she was, Rayna gave it to Jean for safekeeping after making a deal with Bloodfang."

"I thought he was arrested for fraud," Hermione said.

"He was released on a technicality. The witness was found gutted in front of the Ministry," Narcissa said.

"That seems very unfortunate."

"A feeling you and many goblins share," Tom said.

"Why is this stone so special?" Hermione asked.

"Dumas was a wizard. His talents were not scientific in nature. He, like many others, heard the story of the Deathly Hallows. He strived to emulate the properties of one in particular. The invisibility cloak," he said. "And he succeeded."

The implication hit Hermione like a ton of bricks.

"Are you saying this stone has the same power?" she asked.

"Yes, but Dumas perfected it. In layman's terms, this stone holds the magic of the invisibility cloak in its rawest state. Say the incantation, and you can walk down Diagon Alley without anyone being able to see you, touch you, or hear you," he said. "A problem I specifically remember you and your friends encountering with the cloak."

Hermione glanced at the stone in shock. She ran her thumb over it and practically felt the magic pulse under her touch.

"I visited Azkaban this morning," Narcissa said.

Hermione snapped her head to the side and asked, "Did you see her?"

"I did. She looks better than I expected. I have a feeling someone's been sneaking her more food. But no matter, I wore the stone while I was there. Tom and I decided not to mention it as we wanted to be sure it worked. I visited Bellatrix with our niece. That way, it would not be suspicious to have an Auror with me if it didn't work. The guards only saw me, greeted me, and Bellatrix herself could not sense Tonks in the room."

Hermione stood up slowly and placed the amulet over her head. The stone felt cold against her skin, and she smiled.

"I suggest you do it sooner rather than later," Tom said. "As in soon, soon."

"Narcissa, would you mind preparing a few of those empty rooms for our guests?"

"I already have Pimsy and the other elves on it. I also ordered extra potions to help with whatever damage was done by the prison. Am I to assume Bellatrix will be in your room?" she asked.

"Of course. The only people who will receive the bare minimum will be the Lestrange brothers. Everyone else needs to be a full recovery."

"Yes, my Lord," Narcissa said, a teasing smirk on her face.

"I liked it better when you all called me Calliope."

"Not nearly as fun," Narcissa said.

"Anything you need from me?" Tom asked.

"Yes. I know Greengrass turned down the initial meeting. I no longer need pleasantries. Have Lucius craft another letter with your signature attached. If he values his life, he will bring his family over for dinner this evening."

"Are we wooing him already? So soon? I need time to prepare!"

"We both know you have a full meal and dessert already in your mind," Hermione said dryly.

"Yes, but I have to think of décor and an outfit."

"I swear we come from two very different bloodlines."

Narcissa waved her off.

"But, to answer your question, yes," Hermione said, a dark look coming over her face. "The Order is getting too nosy, so let's give them something to pay attention to. I'd like to see how they handle a mass breakout, and a Death Eater raid all in one night."

"When exactly do you have this planned?" Tom asked.

"Tonight."

"But you have no plan," Tom exclaimed.

"It will be long after the guests have left, and I also know whatever I do will be better than what you had in mind a few weeks ago," she said defensively.

"That was a good plan," he grumbled.

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "I will see you all tonight."

"Would you like my cloak or your mother's?" Tom asked.

"Yours, please. Hers is so formal."

"I will have an elf put it in your closet for later."

Hermione gave a short nod before she left the room. She smiled as she ran down the hallway and allowed herself to feel a smidgen of hope.


Luna trekked through the grass and found the twins handwashing pots in the front yard.

"Afternoon, boys," she said dreamily.

"Evening, Luna," they greeted simultaneously.

"I thought I would never see the day where wizards hand-washed their pots and pans," she giggled.

"Punishment for our hair," Fred said.

"Mother prefers our natural color," George added.

Luna scrunched her face and cocked her head. She tapped her chin. "I quite like the new color. Matches the changes in your aura," she mused.

"Our what?" they asked.

Luna spotted Ron and Ginny watching from the upstairs bedroom. She waved, and the two waved back awkwardly. Luna glanced back down at the twins and kneeled in front of them. "If you two want out of the Burrow, meet me at my home at half-past eleven," she whispered. Luna bopped them both on the nose before she stood. "Don't forget to scrub counter-clockwise!" she added, twirling in a few circles before she skipped back toward her house.


The twins watched her go with interest. Ron and Ginny came outside and bombarded them with questions.

"What did Loony want?" Ron asked.

"She said she liked our hair," George said, shrugging.

"You look like Slytherin scum if you ask me," Ron snarked.

"Good thing we didn't ask you," Fred said.

"We have chores to do," George said, interrupting whatever Ron was about to say. He added in a louder voice, "And we doubt Mum would like the fact you two are keeping us from doing our chores."

Molly Weasley came out of the house with a wooden spoon in hand as if she were summoned.

"Ron! Ginny! Your rooms better be clean if you're out here chatting and lazing about!" she shouted.

The two scampered back into the house. Fred and George ignored the glare their mother shot them and continued to clean. Once alone, George said in a low voice, "Fancy a stroll later?"

"Yes, I think a stroll would be lovely," Fred muttered back.


Hermione opened her window and sat on the sill. She struck a match against the wood and held it up to the cigarette dangling from her lips. She felt Bella poking around in her mind, and it took a lot of strength not to open their connection. She didn't want to her hopes up in case it didn't work. Hermione blew her smoke out into the setting sun.

"If my mother saw you now."

"Your mother knows I smoke, Draco," she said. "And has for a long time."

Draco, dressed in his dinner robes, rolled his eyes and said, "The Greengrass family have arrived. I was told you might want to come down dressed. And glamoured."

"Why glamoured?" she asked.

"My father thinks it would be funny to see Daphne's reaction."

"Your father is a child," Hermione snorted.

"A trait he and I share, it would seem."

Hermione snuffed her cigarette on the sill and tossed it in the ashtray. She stood up and crossed the room to her armoire. Hermione touched the soft fabric hanging and sighed.

"My father brought me my mother's cloak instead of his," she said.

"You are worthy," Draco said. "You've been worthy and ready for this moment for a long time."

"I never said that was the issue."

"You only smoke when you're nervous."

"I am not nervous."

"Anxious, then," he corrected.

Hermione turned her head away from him, and Draco bowed at the waist.

"I look forward to escorting you down to dinner, my Lord."

"Very well. I shall be out in a moment."

Draco paused before he opened the door. "I meant what I said, Calli. If anyone belongs in that cloak, it's you," he said.

Hermione nodded and glanced at the long black cloak. She exhaled and prepared herself for the evening. Draco closed the door behind him, and Hermione stripped out her robe and ran her finger down her mother's cloak.


Downstairs, Draco and Lucius spoke with Lord Greengrass as Astoria, Daphne, and Lady Greengrass mingled with Narcissa. Tom stayed in the corner, sipping a cup of coffee, and stared out of the window. Lord Greengrass barely spared him any attention, and Tom wondered how the man would react to finding out the truth of his identity. He smiled to himself. When the door opened, Tom barely managed to swallow the scalding liquid before he splattered it all over his guests.

"Ah, Hermione, what a lovely surprise," Lucius said.

His daughter, the other version, was freshly showered and dressed in a long navy blue dress. She kissed Lucius on the cheek and squeezed Draco on the arm in greeting. Tom tried to be disinterested, but he was surely failing with the amount of staring he was doing. Hermione's eyes passed over him, and for a moment, she looked so much like Rayna that Tom had to place the cup down before he spilled it everywhere.

"I do apologize for intruding, but I could not leave without saying goodnight," she said.

"It is no intrusion," Lucius said. "Will you be joining us for dinner?"

"Oh. I would love to, but I have a dinner date of my own planned this evening."

"If it ends early, you are free to return and join us for drinks afterward."

"Of course. I shall owl you once I am on my way."

Daphne obviously had enough and stepped forward.

"Is this some kind of joke?" she asked.

"Mind your tongue, Daphne," Lady Greengrass scolded.

"But Mother, this is Hermione Granger, the mud- muggleborn that hangs with Harry Potter."

"It is quite alright, Lady Greengrass. Your daughter and I run in different circles at school, but I can assure you we are all on the same side outside those hallowed walls," Hermione said.

"Excuse me?" Daphne said.

"For what, dear?" Hermione said.

Tom hid his smile behind his hand, and Draco coughed to cover his laugh. Daphne turned red and nearly responded, but her father placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"Lucius, I demand to know what game you are playing. Being friendly with mudbloods, especially those connected to Potter? What would the Dark Lord say if he were to find out about this?" Lord Greengrass said hotly.

"Why, yes, Lucius, what would your precious Dark Lord say to that?" Hermione teased.

Lucius ignored Hermione and held up his hands to halt any further argument. he gestured toward the dining room. "Let us sit down and enjoy dinner. After, I shall answer your questions, but I assure you there is no need for such hostility. Once the evening ends, I promise all will be made clear," he said.

Narcissa and Lucius led Lord and Lady Greengrass, as well as Astoria, to the dining room. Daphne took her time. When Daphne passed Hermione, those icy blues nearly made Hermione contemplate asking Bellatrix for a plaything. Still, she knew the answer would be a resounding no. Not that it mattered.

"I don't know what game you're playing at, but if it affects my family in any way, you will regret it," Daphne hissed.

"You should watch who you threaten, Daphne. You never know who might be listening," Hermione whispered.

"As if I am afraid of some lowly mudblood," she snapped.

Hermione grinned and stepped forward. She lowered her voice and said, "You would do well to mind your tongue as your mother stated, or I will rip it from your mouth with my bare hands."

Daphne paled. She swallowed roughly and followed her family and the Malfoys into the dining room. She shoulder-checked Draco in the process. He pouted a little.

"She should play quidditch with a form like that," he said.

"Your girlfriend is not the sharing type."

"Neither is yours."

"Touché."

"Are you wearing your hair up the entire time?" Draco asked.

"No. I will let it down once I get into the prison."

"Still don't have a plan?"

"Oh, go eat your pudding."

"Fine. Do you have your portkey ready?" Hermione asked.

"I do."

"Then go eat. And please be safe. All of you. Please protect…"

"I promise, cousin," he whispered. "Midnight, yes?"

"Not a minute too soon or too late. I am trusting you on this."

"I will not let you down."

"Do you have your medallion?

"Always."

"Make sure Lord Greengrass is still here after midnight. I have little patience for Lady Greengrass and her spawn at the moment."

"I thought you liked Daphne," he said.

"She can be so temperamental. I am not sure we need someone like that in our ranks."

"Really?" Draco deadpanned.

Hermione winked before she walked out into the foyer. She took her mask out of her mother's cloak and slipped it over her face. Unlike the other masks, her mother hand-crafted hers when she was younger to grow as she did, and she made sure the swirls never went in the same direction. Hermione touched the clasp of the cloak and gasped as it adjusted to her frame. It flared out around her, and Hermione smiled sadly.

"You truly did think of everything."

Hermione shook off the mood and flipped the hood over her head before she was gone.