Chapter 36
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1995, December
"Why is the ring black? Did you share some of your magic with it?" Dimitry idly commented, eyes fixed on both of them with a gleam in his sky blue eyes. Severus snorted and sent him a rude gesture that had Zeph shaking her head. The other men were staring at the ring with raised eyebrows. They hadn't expected to see it in that colour. Hermione slapped them away from it and made everybody sit down around the tree.
Severus sat down beside her, legs stretched out in front of him. Hermione smiled at him and began to pass along gifts in the direction that would get them to their owners. Marcus looked surprised to receive gifts. Hermione arched an eyebrow when he eventually opened the gift Severus and Hermione had gotten him. She had picked the style of robe while Severus had picked the colour.
A shade of black that he said wasn't black. She hadn't said anything since she hadn't a clue as to what he had meant.
Hermione shifted her attention to her pile. A gift from every person plus a few from Harry and the rest of her friends. Molly had sent her mittens in a dark shade of red. The twins had sent her 'new' merch that she put aside to inspect later. It wasn't until she reached the end of her pile when she saw another gift further behind the tree and reached for it. It was heavy and wrapped with plain brown paper. It was from Halima and Amsu. Attached to it was a much smaller box. That one was from Gahiji. She grinned and would have put them aside to open later but of course, Adrian wasn't going to let her.
"Who are those from? Why do you get extra gifts?"
Hermione glowered at him while Zeph reached over and cuffed him on the head.
"That is why I get more. As to who they are from...None of your business."
Severus raised an eyebrow and Hermione threw her hands up. "They are from Halim, Amsu, and Gahiji."
Marcus spoke up, his voice holding something that rubbed her the wrong way. "Gahiji. The block that wanted something with you?"
That drew every male gaze that wasn't already on her. Hermione cast Zeph a pleading glance but saw the curiosity in her gaze. Really? Hermione huffed and Gabe snorted loudly. Shaking her head, she grabbed the small box attached to the top of the bigger one and opened it carefully. A note fell out from the bottom and she set the box down to read it. The handwriting was Gahiji's. It was something she remembered from her stay. When one spent so much with another, one picked up things like that.
Hermione or Elizabeth,
Merry Christmas. I hope you are safe and that you find this gift useful.
It was brief and straight to the point. Hermione smirked and set the card down. Opening the box, she found a very small notebook-sized tome with her name written in the bottom right corner of the book. She lifted the book and easily held it up with one hand. It was a book of dark spells. Spells that weren't used anymore according to the description. It was a perfect gift.
But Gabe didn't think so. He came over and asked to see it. He scowled as soon as he realized what exactly the tiny book contained. "I don't think you need this. You already have enough nasty spells up your sleeve. This is just overkill." he stated with a scowl as he handed it over to Dimitry who had held out his hand to see it.
Hermione sighed and suddenly had her wand in hand and pointed at Gabe. "You are correct. But a little spell here and there from the book wouldn't hurt. Especially when dealing with you."
Gabe smirked at her empty threat and went back to Heidi. His wife swatted him hard. Hermione rolled her eyes and went ahead with the next gift. This one was from Halima and Amsu. Upon opening the box, she found a thick brown turtleneck and socks in the same colour. She grinned. That was from Amsu for sure. Under it all, she found a small square box.
When she touched the lid, it shocked her. Nobody noticed it except for Severus. She subtly shook her head, letting him know that she was okay. The box was heavily guarded with magic that tasted like Halima's brand of magic. Hermione didn't want to open it in case it was something dangerous. With Halima, one never knew what to expect. She put the things back on top and went on to open her other gifts as the others finished opening their own.
Severus was the only one that didn't touch any of his until Hermione grabbed a random one from his pile and handed it to him. He raised an arrogant eyebrow but took it. It was from Zeph. A large bottle of Firewhiskey and a fine pair of cufflinks. It wasn't after everybody had finished opening their gifts that Zeph and Dimitry left. They had already stayed a little too long so there had been no time to eat with them.
Hermione stood in the room she shared with Severus an hour later, aware of the ongoing festivities going on a few rooms over. She had slipped away after everybody had entered a food coma.
She wanted to open the box Halima had sent her. Alone. But of course, he wasn't one to leave her solely to do it. One second he wasn't there and the next he was reaching past her to run his hand over the present. He gently pushed her aside and pulled the box to the side so that it was free from the other stuff that had been wrapped with it. Hermione reached for the lid once Severus lifted the charms on it.
Nestled within was a necklace. It was thin, so thin that Hermione feared to wear in case she broke it. There was a pendant set in…
"Fire Opal. Rare, yet it's no ordinary opal. She had it enchanted or it already came that way." Severus whispered as he ran one finger around a curve of the pendant. Hermione smiled softly and picked it up carefully. Power clung to it. The thin chain was surprisingly warm to the touch. Severus fished out a note that had been tucked in under the heavy pendant and handed it over to her.
Merry Christmas, Mosen
Wear this and let it do its job. You'll know what I'm speaking off
the instant you wear it. Be safe and love freely.
So mysterious. Were all elderly people like this? Hermione set the note aside and asked Severus to clasp the necklace around her neck. She picked up her hair while he came around her. Once on, she felt the ripple of her enchantments disappear. She quickly made her way to the bathroom. And stopped the instant she saw herself reflected. So...this was the power she felt.
"The magic in the opal must be causing the effect on a level not seen with regular spells," he said as he came in after her. Hermione walked closer to the mirror and tried to pinpoint certain changes or lack of on her body. It was her but not? "I think she sent a regulator. A way for me to slowly wear my skin without it becoming a hindrance. I won't have to worry as long as I wear the opal." she said as she fingered the thin gold chain.
"That's one less thing to worry about," he said as he kissed her neck.
o0o
"Hermione!"
It was Molly and Ron who came to answer the door for her. Hermione let a genuine smile show and was pulled inside instantly. Ron took her bag and clapped her on the back as Molly embraced her.
Hermione looked over Molly's shoulder and saw Harry coming down the stairs with Sirius in tow. She slipped out of Molly's embrace and was instantly pulled into another hug. She immediately noticed the subtle changes to Harrys' body as she kissed his cheek. He was doing exactly what she had cautioned him to do.
Thankfully nobody had commented on how tall he had suddenly become. Before, when standing next to Ron, he would have to look up at Ron. Now he was almost the same height as Ron. As she stood next to him now, she realized another thing. She could barely see over his shoulder. But she was used to tall men. Almost all of her boys were just as tall or more. She hid a grin as she pulled away from his warm embrace. Harry didn't move far as he turned to face the others. Neither one noticed the glance Ron threw at them.
Molly pushed them towards the dining room where everybody was gathered in. Her eyes found Arthur Weasley immediately. He was sitting at the head of the dining table with his children and members of the Order. Hermione nudged Fred out of the way so she could lean down and hug his father. Arthur smiled big and returned the hug, his touch gentle and fatherly.
"Mr. Weasley! I hope you aren't in too much pain." The concern wasn't faked. Just delayed.
Mr. Weasley chuckled merrily and patted her back. "I'll be fine soon enough, Hermione. Come, sit and eat or Molly won't let you leave the table."
Before she could reply, George cut in with a loud, "Oy! Pretty girl, come sit next to the best looking block in the room." His comment fired up the other male occupants in the room. Hermione smirked and let herself be drawn in.
Passing the time with warm food and candy. Yet, during the festivities, she couldn't help but glance at the door, hoping to see him. Missing him just a bit. Her fiance. Hermione fingered the ring that was hidden with a simple yet complex charm that resembled the male who had cast it.
After dinner, the boys took her upstairs to Ron's room. Ron closed the door behind them and Hermione fell back into their old routine. It was like putting on a second skin. It felt like she was using a skin that wasn't hers.
They talked about everything. Hermione, as well as Harry, made sure that Ron was the centre of each topic. They asked questions that were sure to bring about countless replies. Until Molly called for him. He left only after huffing and muttering about 'what's the point of other siblings when I always get called'. Hermione grimaced in sympathy. She didn't know what it was like since she had been an only child. It had been expected of her. Ron just drew the unlucky stick in that department.
Harry dropped the facade and stood up from his perch on the nightstand. He dropped down beside her on the bed and picked up a strand of loose hair that had escaped her messy bun. He pulled it when she refused to look at him. She rolled towards him finally and raised an eyebrow, "Why do I get the feeling that you wish to ask something?" she stated quietly.
He flushed and scoffed at the same time. It would have made her smile any other time but she knew he would get pissed off if she did that. It would remind him of the other adults in his life that did exactly that.
"I'm restless being locked up in here. It's starting to rub off on Ron and even Sirius. I need to do something. Dumbledore hasn't shown his face around. The only one that has seen him is Kingsley. I'm mostly left to my own devices." He finished it all by tugging his hair, after letting go of her, and drawing in a deep breath.
Hermione released a sigh of her own and ran her fingers through his wild hair. Even though he was a year older now, he still reminded her of the boy she had first met. He made another funny sound before scooting closer to her. Both stared at each other in silence. She reached for his hand after a few minutes. She loved him so much and she hated how they were keeping him in the dark when he should be kept aware of things. That was their mistake. Dumbledore shouldn't have pushed him away.
Something that had worked in Hermione's favour. But that old goat didn't matter now. Harry did.
"I do have something for you to do. It might be dangerous. It might get us into trouble. But we need to do it tonight." That drew his brows together and he tightened his hold on her fingers. But his gaze showed now fear. The only tension that needed an outlet.
"What is it? Will it just be us or will…"
"Dimitry and one other. You'll know who it is as soon as we get there."
"How will we leave?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow and he rolled his eyes. "Of course. I forgot you had it still."
o0o
A little after Midnight, Hermione slipped out of the house with Harry. Hermione had slipped Ron a piece of candy that would make sure he didn't wake for the rest of the night. So they carefully left The Burrow, making sure not to set off any traps that the Order had laid out. Fred and George had made sure to let Hermione know exactly where they were located.
Both were dressed in dark clothing and thick cloaks to ward off the ice in the wind. Hermione glanced around but saw nothing amongst a sea of white. Neither spoke as they walked across the snow-covered ground. They walked down the driveway that belonged to the Weasley's and slipped onto the main road, they came to a stop under a row of trees that were covered in a thick mantle of snow.
Harry was shivering and threw her a questioning glance. Not wanting to waste time answering questions at the moment, she took out the time turner. It was still warm from her body heat but was rapidly chilling. She extended the chain so that Harry could slip under. They had two hours exactly to pull off the heist. Hermione took a deep breath and released it along with her hold on time.
As soon as it stopped, Hermione cast the disillusionment charm on their bodies and quickly pulled Harry further back into a large shrub that obscured them further. She grabbed his hand and disapparated with him. They landed just a few feet from the telephone box that would take them to the Ministry's main entrance.
Harry raised an eyebrow when she pulled him inside. For a moment, he lost his cloudy expression and cracked a smile. "We didn't have to leave the house to get this cozy, Hermione. A broom cupboard would have done just the same."
Hermione snorted and leveled a steely glance at him. "I'm going to mention this to Severus."
His aghast expression should have made her laugh but Hermione had just slipped the money into the slot and waited to be greeted by a phantom voice. As soon as it was done talking, Hermione declared their business and a second later was given passes marked after hours. They soon dropped, chasing away the light feeling that Harry's joke had created. They arrived right away.
She walked out of the booth and spotted Percy making his way towards her. The Atrium was dark and almost seemed to glow in the dim light coming from further down the long hallway. Harry gasped and pulled her back. Hermione shook her head and pulled away.
"Follow him," she said softly.
She didn't have to tell him that even though the Ministry was mostly empty, it still wasn't safe to speak of certain things out in the open. Percy played his part and walked over to one of the gilded fireplaces. He spoke quietly but clearly so that they could hear him.
"P. Weasley Office A-2"
Harry didn't look back as he repeated the same words and disappeared. Hermione stopped and glanced around but spotted nothing out of place and did the same. She walked out off Percy's fireplace and brushed the soot off her cloak. Harry tapped a finger against the table that Percy was leaning on and gestured with his hand. "Can I know why we're here now? I also want to know why and how Percy is involved in all of this."
Hermione checked the clock that hung over Percy's office window and calculated how much time they had to spare. But it didn't matter, Harry would keep asking her until he got what he wanted from her. She walked over to one of the large armchairs facing the window and began to tell him about Percy's involvement and what he was currently doing. Harry didn't look away from her the whole time.
But he did look angry for a second when she mentioned the length of time Percy had been aware of her and said plans. Percy, on his half, was organizing papers into a folder and when she came to a stop, handed her the folder silently. She shrunk it and slid into her beaded bag. She didn't have to wait long until Harry got over his initial shock to her plan. He once again began to pace in front of her.
"So...we are going to steal the prophecy? I'm sure somebody will notice the sudden disappearance?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "We are taking it. But we aren't going to just leave it empty. We are going to leave another one in place that will either pass for the real one or not. It doesn't matter if the Ministry finds out about it. The point is, we do have to get it and give the fake one to Dimitry to deliver."
He finally seemed to get a grasp of his emotions for he came to a complete stop in front of the desk. He cocked his head. "We will be able to pull this off, right? Wait, now that I think about it. Wasn't Moody supposed to following Ms. Bones around?"
"He isn't here at the moment. He is otherwise occupied this night from what I heard." Percy replied. Harry didn't demand a better explanation and for that Hermione was glad. They had already spent enough time as it is. Hermione waited for Harry to cover up himself using his father's cloak before using her wand to cast the disillusionment charm on herself. Like she had explained to Harry, they followed Percy for his round of guarding.
Percy kept an easy gait and they didn't pass anybody for the duration it took to make it down to level 9. Percy halted when they arrived. Bill Weasley, his brother, had been on duty for the day and was now relieving him. Bill was a tall wizard that had the same red hair as his younger brothers but held a very different vibe from the rest.
He was also an Unspeakable and a top member in the Order.
The last part was the main reason as to why she had never approached him. He spent a couple of minutes talking to Percy. Hermione made sure to stay away from the torches on the walls. Bill was an Unspeakable. He could be using things that could potentially be harmful and insightful, to say the least.
Bill walked off towards the lift that would take him up. Percy didn't move until the sounds of the lift began to fade. He looked back once and Hermione tapped his shoulder in acknowledgment. He nodded and went ahead. When they came to the door at the end of the deserted corridor, he paused and cocked his head as if to listen before opening the door.
For the next two minutes, they waited until the right door showed itself and Percy took them into the room that housed the prophecies. Percy cast a sensor charm that confirmed what Hermione had already known. They were the only ones here. Hermione ended her charm and Harry pulled the cloak off. Since neither of them had ever been in here before they stared at the tall shelves that seemed to hold hundreds of spheres that glowed with hidden messages. Percy cleared his throat and motioned with his hand.
"It's down here."
Harry sent her a wide-eyed look and turned to follow Percy; who had taken his wand out to cast Lumos to illuminate their way. Regardless of the countless torches in the room, they still could hardly see. Not that Hermione had a problem. She had made sure to charm her eyes so that they didn't give her away but seeing how dark it was… Well, there was nothing she could about it. Hermione lagged behind them as she noted the distance and length of all the shelves. A minute of walking in silence, Percy called out to her.
"Its this one."
Percy stopped as he said that and looked back at her and froze. The eyes. The opal kept the regular eye colour under control except for when they did this eerie glow. That was good to know. Harry noticed his look and quickly turned to look at her. Hermione raised an eyebrow in question. Percy recovered first and smiled.
"I guess you know?"
"Of course I know. I'll explain later."
Harry still stared. He had seen her eyes before and had forgotten. During the many training sessions, he had seen it happen but had always forgotten about it. He now just shook his head and turned back to the shelves in front of him. The Sphere was a rung above his head and it was dusty. Not as dusty as the others beside it. Those looked old and could barely hold their blue glow. Hermione stepped up beside him, her head tilted back to watch the swirling insides.
"Take it," Hermione whispered. Her fingers landed on his arm and waited for him to make his move.
He shot her a look and reached for it. The whole thing was anti-climatic. But she saw the way he became dazed. His eyes went out of focused as he heard the words that Hermione had read a long time ago. Percy seemed concerned but Hermione acted like it was nothing and stared down the long open aisle as she waited for Harry to regain control of his mind.
He already knew about it but it probably wasn't nice to hear it a second time. Harry gasped and thrust the sphere away from his body. Hermione took it from his hands and wrapped it in a velvet cloth that she had stashed inside of her jacket. Harry ran his hands through his hair and winced as he pulled several strands free. Hermione passed the real prophecy to Percy to hold and grabbed her bag. After opening it, she withdrew an empty sphere and cast several charms and began to make a duplicate that would pass an easy overview test.
It took her precious minutes to do so and was done after ten minutes of utter silence. Slight sweat covered her forehead as she straightened up from her hunched over position.
With careful hands, she passed it to Harry. "Put it back gently."
Once it was safely nestled in the gold claw handle, she grabbed the real one back from Percy who was frowning. He was still staring at her with worry. She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm fine. I just need to rest for a few minutes. But I have to give this to Dimitry. Let Amelia know about what just happened and also tell her that I will meet with her before heading back to Hogwarts."
Percy nodded and led them out. They left the same way they had arrived and Percy was the only one not to get off the lift. Hermione and Harry took off their disguises and used a fireplace to arrive at the Villa. Dimitry was waiting for them. He pulled her close and kissed her cheek. "How did it go?"
"The same way I thought it would. Harry did most of it. Here, check it."
Dimitry took the sphere from her hands and concentrated hard on it. Harry took that moment to look around the Villa. He had only been here once and he had never actually had time to look around. He didn't have the time to do so this time around either. Hermione watched as Dimitry nodded after several minutes of silence. She was looking at him when Theo spoke.
"Oy. You lot look like wannabe spies. Except for scarhead there. No, he just looks like a Gryffindor out for a midnight stroll."
Hermione rolled her eyes. Dimitry didn't even look up but she caught the smirk that graced his lips for a split second. Harry glared at Theo and turned to Hermione with a whole lot of questions. Hermione shook her head. "Later. Theo, shut up you bloody snake. Go to sleep. I'll explain it to you the next time I see you."
"Yeah, yeah, I bloody get it. Night, scarhead."
Dimitry held onto the sphere and looked up at her. She wasn't worried. But something else must have been on her face because he smirked and touched a ringlet of hair that had begun to slip down her face.
"I'll be fine. Take Potter back. I'll let you know soon enough. Don't worry about me. I'll be rewarded for this, not punished."
"I know."
Harry wrapped an arm around her waist as she watched Dimitry leave. Once the door was closed, Harry let her go. She shook off any dark thoughts and checked the time. They had ten minutes to make it back. Hermione drew him away from the Villa and was soon back near the place they had first started from.
At the exact ten minute mark, they were back inside of The Burrow. Almost like they hadn't left. Hermione pulled her cloak back just as Harry did the same. They quietly made their way up the stairs. She had to cast a silencing charm on the stairs since they tended to give anybody away when stepping on them. Harry reached Ron's door and opened it quietly. Hermione followed him.
The night passed by quickly for Hermione. She had slept for two hours but having been used sleeping with Severus… She stood up, body aching, and quickly used the loo before the others did. She came back in to see Ron's head pop out from a pile of blankets in the corner of the room. He shot her a glare as he tried to bury himself once more. He must have kicked Harry since a yelp echoed from under the covers. Hemione let out a snort and pushed Harry over and sat down. She had just finished braiding her hair when Harry finally rolled out from under the covers with a disgruntled grunt. Ron made a mewling sound but didn't wake.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes. I have a meeting to go to."
"Let me know if anything else happens."
"Harry. There is something I will ask you to do soon but not yet."
"I know Hermione. Be careful."
"Always am."
o0o
Hermione smiled in welcome, hands clasped in front of her. Amelia nodded and stepped forward, hand holding tight to Susan's. It was late in the night, almost midnight now, but it was the only time everybody could come. It was a lot of sneaking around for everybody. Especially those that were living with people that would notice their disappearances.
Like the twins.
They had to sneak out without their family finding out about them. So they had staged a bit of a fight and to distract the others. Remus and Sirius had it easier. The only one in the house with them was Harry. Usually, they had others with them but Sirius had asked Dumbledore personally to leave them one night for themselves. The old man did it under one condition. For them not to leave the house. As if. The only people not present was Narcissa and Malfoy. McGonagall had arrived with Slughorn in tow.
Now, Hermione gestured with her hand towards the remaining seats next to Luna and Theo. "Have a seat."
Susan stared at Hermione, face scrunched up in concentration. "Have we met before? I feel like I've seen you before."
Of course. She was wearing her Smith persona. "I'll answer that in a bit. There's tea on the table."
Neither woman took any and instead sat down and finally took their time to stare at the others. It was a mismatched group. Percy was standing by Harry and his brothers. McGonagall was sitting with Severus and Slughorn. Marcus and Adrian were seated behind her on stools. Xenophilius sat beside his daughter, who was staring at Theo's forehead in utter concentration. Heidi and Gabe were by the fireplace, fingers locked together as they stared at the fire.
Hermione cleared her throat and quickly made the introductions. Many just nodded. That done, she stood up and made her way to the centre of the room that had just that morning held a coffee table. Her feet sank into the thick carpet as she did a circle and took off the glasses. Next came the pendant.
Within seconds, the enchantments revealed her true form. There was a gasp here and there. She understood the shock. Many had seen her a year ago. Others had seen her three years ago. The only ones that had seen her recent changes were the ones that stayed in the villa with her. Percy spoke up after nobody said anything. "You used it again, didn't you?"
Hermione nodded and turned to Amelia. The elder was staring at her blankly. But when she spoke, her voice rang with millions of questions. "Who are you?"
"The same person that you spoke to yesterday. It's only the outer skin that is different. I wear two faces other than my real one. Elizabeth Smith for the older ones. Young Hermione Granger for those that see me in my school robes. I stand in front of you in my true form to bring all of us together. Closer. Because it has started. The war has been on the horizon for so long. So let me tell you everything that has been going on behind closed doors."
For most of the night, she spoke. Of the Ministry. The Horcruxes. Riddle and Dumbledore. Riddle's army. The two wolves on their side. The loner. Harry and Riddle's Prophecy. Every single little thing. Not once was she interrupted? When she finished, many were staring at her.
Amelia pushed her hair back and stared at her, face hard yet… "Why do you look so much older than Susan?"
"Ah...yes. That would be because of this." Hermione pulled her jumper up and showed her the chain around her waist. Amelia only needed a glimpse of it to understand. "A time-turner. But not one of ours." Amelia said, her eyes not missing a thing.
"The time-turner is a copy of one that sits in Dumbledore's office."
"How did you find it?"
"A portrait took pity on me."
A startled look.
Hermione smiled but said no more. It was time for the real meeting to start. She sat down and motioned to Percy to take the lead. He nodded and took her spot in the centre of the room. "We have begun to spread the rumours and by the time students go back to school, Fudge will be forced to step down."
"Good. That will force Bones to take his spot. As soon as you do, push for Death Eater captures. Or sightings. Keep the Aurors busy. Give the job to Moody and Kingsley. Both of them will handle the capture and trial for all of them. Starting with Lucius Malfoy. Make an example of him and prove to the people that Riddle has no power in the Ministry." Hermione said as she opened the folder on her lap. Severus had handed it to her and he now slipped out and disappeared down the hallway.
Amelia nodded. "I'll be making sure Moody stays away from Percy and Adrian. What of Dumbledore?"
"He will be busy looking for me. Now, Fred and George, you have it ready for me?"
"Of course, your majesty." Fred grinned and with George's help, plunked a large chest by her feet. Hermione opened it and gazed down at the simple machine. It was one though. It just looked like one. "Show Amelia and Percy how to work it. She will need it to begin the chase. Who has been volunteering?"
"Marcus and Adrian. Nott has as well."
"Good. Marcus will be joining us at Hogwarts. Theo and Severus will have to do."
Amelia drew one eyebrow up but joined the twins in the kitchen. The others stared in obvious question. Hermione stood up and shrugged. "They found a way to track those that have the Dark Mark on their skin. They will be helping Amelia find them with 'tips' from people that claim to have seen a Death Eater."
Heidi spoke up next. "What will we be doing once you go back to school?"
"You will continue the Horcrux task. Give Dumbledore more trouble by showing him my notes and prizes. Gabe will be monitoring Dumbledore's movements alongside Severus since my love can't exactly shadow him since he has to keep an eye on Riddle," she looked over at Harry. "You will continue to act up. I know that it's annoying but it's the only way he will overlook your new maturity. He will push you off to Sirius and Remus. You will be in charge of those you are training right now. Make the training harder. Make them work for it. Even those that are younger. For war doesn't spare the young. Hopefully, we won't have to resort to the young ones. But one never knows. Try to keep Adaline busy with that."
Harry nodded and sat back down. Sirius was frowning. She knew what he was thinking. Everybody was doing their own thing, while the one task he had...
"Sirius, you will be aiding Remus in the control of Cane and Mashh. Those men will be picking off or sending you names of those that do not wear the mark. We have the truth serum in heaps so once you do catch them, slip them the potion and dump them in the Atrium. Percy or Adrian will be around for those pickups."
That seemed to console him. Having Harry back at school would have left him with nothing to do. Remus nodded slowly. He understood what I hadn't said. Cane and Mashh would be killing those that had already committed gruesome tasks. Hermione shifted her attention to Xeno.
"As for you, print the names we hand you. Show the connections. Show the people that somebody is fighting back and that the person doing so isn't on either side. Gabe's secondary task will be to assist you with those papers. Heidi will personally deliver those papers into Dumbledore's hands."
Xenophilius smiled, "Of course."
"Marcus."
"Yes."
"You will be at my side. You will be drawing me in with the 'snakes'. Your task is to draw me away. Slughorn, you will make it so. Minerva, you will have to push me towards Marcus."
Minerva stared at her in surprise. "Why would you want me to do that, dear?"
"I plan to slowly attach myself to the Slytherin house."
It was Luna that spoke next. "You will be bait."
Several people made their displeasure known. Hermione laughed. "Luna, you know me a little too well. Yes, I will be bait. For now, know that it is all part of the plan."
Theo coughed, "What will I be doing?"
"Courting Luna openly."
This time, Theo did cough, face reddening in a rare show of emotion. "W-what?"
This time Luna did laugh, face full of delight. "I like rare and mythical things. Those are the only things I will accept as courting gifts."
Theo made a choking sound. Hermione smirked sly. "You will be hanging out with Luna and me. No need to court unless you want to. You will be the first Slytherin to be seen in my presence. You will have an excuse whenever asked."
Theo lost some of the redness but now glowered at her. "That's all you had to say. No need for this…" Luna's laughter cut him off. She stood up and danced her way out of the room. Theo grumbled and followed after her. That done.
Hermione turned towards Percy. He was now standing by the fire, hands tucked into his pockets. He must have felt her gaze on him for he turned to her. He raised an eyebrow. Hermione walked over to him as the others began to leave the villa. "I have enough to do. What else are you going to drop on me?"
Hermione whistled softly. "Anything my heart desires."
He laughed. "What is it, Hermione?"
"I need you to contact Charlie."
...o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0...
Sorry for the long wait. The break had to be taken but now I'm back. I promise. Thank you to those that waited so long.
Vanee