Hello to everyone.
I am sorry for the delay with updating this story, but my muse has not been with me lately on this and Destiny. It wants me to write on my story with MadamKitten, Dominus Mortis.
But fear not, my muse is back! I managed to write a timeline for this story and Destiny. This story here, should have a total of 25 chapter including the epilogue in chapter 26. I can't wait to see what you think of it.
Hopefully, the next chapter of Destiny will be up before the end of this month.
Thank you so much for your everlasting support and for all of your lovely reviews. I hope you all will enjoy this chapter.
My Beta and co-author and friend MadamKitten has beta read this for me. I am her forever grateful. Thank you sweety.
Enjoy and please leave a review behind. :-)
Chapter 14
Hermione had been with the order for fourteen days now. She found it very difficult to act like nothing was wrong, and act like she wanted to aid them.
Harry and Ron already told her everything they knew, and Hermione couldn't wait to get back to the Death Eaters. She had gained so much new information that she was sure The Dark Lord could use.
Harry had told her about the prophecy from the Department of Mysteries, and what it said. He also told Hermione about the Horcruxes.
At first Hermione had been surprised to hear that the order had discovered the Dark Lord's secrets, but when she found out that they already had destroyed some of them, she was very anxious to get back to the Death Eaters so she could warn The Dark Lord. She wanted to tell him how the order had destroyed his diary and how Dumbledore almost gotten cursed from the ring, but managed to destroy it before anything happened.
Hermione had a hard time trusting the people here, she knew they lied almost every time they talked to her. Dumbledore was the worst, he kept Hermione away from the meetings, and wouldn't tell her anything. But Harry had had enough at one point, and told them all that she had to be a part of the order, and that he trusted her.
So today was her first time in a Order meeting. Professor Snape would be there as well, and Hermione was a bit nervous to be with her former Potions professor.
She stood and looked out of the window in her room at the Burrow, which she shared with Ginny. She missed Rabastan so much, she hadn't heard anything from him or any of the others.
There were a knock on her door, which brought her out of her daydream.
"Come in," she said.
"Come on 'Mione! The meeting's about to begin!" Ron said and looked at her.
"I'll be right there, just give me a minute." Hermione answered.
"Sure Mione, see you downstairs." he said and left her room.
She took a few moments to compose herself before she went downstairs to the others. When she got there, everyone was present, even the headmaster.
"Ah good of you to show up Miss Granger, now we can begin." Dumbledore said.
They began the meeting, and talked about the raids the Death Eaters had been on.
"I think it would be best if we could get someone from the Order or perhaps some Aurors to keep an eye out for the Lestranges brothers. They have been seen close to Gringrotts a few times now." Lupin said.
Hermione looked at him, and wondered what it was Rabastan and Rodolphus had been up to.
"We should also keep a close eye on Greyback, he has been spotted not far from Hogsmeade. We believe they are waiting for someone, but we don't know who." Dumbledore said.
"Why not just take them down? If it's only the two Lestrange brothers and Greyback, we should be able to take them down without casualties to our side!" Sirius Black shouted to the group, while banging his fist down on the table.
"I agree with Sirius, we should hit them while we have the chance!" Harry said, and Ron nodded.
"I would not underestimate the Lestrange brothers or Greyback for that matter." Severus Snape said.
"What do you suggest we do Severus? Has Tom Riddle mentioned anything about what Greyback and the Lestrange brothers are doing?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, as far as I know, he's laying low for the time being. He hasn't planned anything for the foreseeable future. I believe the Dark Lord is waiting for the right opportunity to strike." Snape said.
"I still believe we should strike now and ask questions later." Harry mumbled.
"Why not just watch them and see what they are up to?" Molly asked.
"We should hit them, and take them all out!" Harry shouted.
"I think we should think about what we ought to do, and then hold a meeting in a couple of days. Until then, just lay low, and keep your eyes open." Dumbledore said, as he brought the meeting to a close. Hermione stood behind, and kept an eye out for Severus.
"Miss Granger, I believe you had a question to ask?" Snape said and looked at Hermione.
"Oh yes I did, is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Hermione answered playing along.
"We can come with you Mione, you don't have to talk to that greasy git alone." Ron said, and moved to stand behind Hermione with Harry.
"It's a private question, I'd rather not tell you about. I'll be fine, promise." Hermione mumbled.
"Sure thing Hermione, we'll see you later!" Harry said, and pushed Ron away.
Hermione went up the stairs, towards her room, and once inside she pulled out her wand and sent a silencing spell and a locking spell towards the door.
"Why all the precautions?" Snape asked her.
"Don't act like you don't know what this is about. I saw you looking at the necklace." Hermione said. Her necklace had at one point gotten out from under her shirt under the meeting, and Snape's eyes had widened when he saw it.
"The Dark Lord did tell me about it, but if I were you, I wouldn't go around with it hanging outside your shirt. I think Dumbledore, the old fool, suspects something. He's concerned, the Death Eaters have been quiet for too long." Snape said, as he went over to the window and sat down.
"I'll be sure to hide it when he's around." Hermione said and sat down on her bed.
"I have a message from the Dark Lord." Snape said.
Hermione quickly sat up straight.
"What's the message?" she asked.
"Your plan is to be set in motion, as we speak, Miss Lovegood is being transported to a room in the Leaky Cauldron. Rodolphus has Tom under a very powerful Imperius curse, and we have a few Death Eaters in disguise inside. You are to write a letter to Miss Lovegood, and plan a meeting with her tomorrow afternoon, where you will take Miss Weasley with you." Snape said as he moved to stand.
"I'll go and write a letter immediately, thank you for bringing the message to me." Hermione said, and waved her wand to bring down her spells.
"You welcome Miss Granger, I'll be seeing you soon." Snape said as he went down the stairs.
Hermione took a few moments to compose herself, before she went out to find Harry and Ron. She found them in their room, where they were arguing.
"Harry, is it possible I can borrow Hedwig? I want to send letter to Luna. I'd really like to see her." Hermione said.
"Ahem, I'm not sure it such a good idea to go and see her Hermione." Harry said and looked down towards his feet.
"Please Harry, I read what happened to her father, it's the least I can do. I really would love for me and Ginny to go over there and have a girls night. I know what you guys think, but I've been through so much, and I really need to talk to someone about all that I've been through." Hermione whispered with tears in her eyes.
"You can talk to us Hermione!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yeah, you don't have to go over to Loony to talk to her, besides, I'm not even sure where she is right now. After her father's death, their house went to the Order, and she was told to find somewhere else to live. It's a new safehouse, if this one should be compromised." Ron happily explained.
"Oh god, tell me you didn't do that? Then that's why it's even more important for me to visit her. I need to be with someone who's not trying to tell me that they know how I feel. Luna has always told me the truth and I need that now. I don't need anyone to sugarcoat everything!" Hermione heatedly explained.
"Okay, okay Mione, jeez, calm down will you? I'll talk to mum tonight, and then you can arrange for you and Ginny to go over there." Ron said and quickly moved out of Hermione's way.
"I'll find Hedwig for you." Harry said and hurriedly followed Ron out.
When evening came, everything had been planned. Hermione and Ginny were to meet Luna at the Leaky Cauldron the next day. The Order had reluctantly agreed to let them go, but the insisted on having Remus and Tonks patrol the street in front of the Leaky Cauldron. If Hermione or Ginny got in any danger, all they had to do was send red sparks out of the windows, and then Remus and Tonks would get them out.
When Hermione was in her bed that night, she was starting to become a little nervous. If something went wrong, this would all be on her shoulders and she would be punished for it. She quickly pushed those thoughts away, she had to stay positive. This was one step closer to winning this war.
Morning came way too quickly, but Hermione felt prepared. She went downstairs to the others, and had some breakfast.
They had agreed to meet Luna in her room at four that afternoon. Hermione felt more and more nervous as the time ticked by. She really thought the minutes went slower and slower, but soon enough, it was time for her to leave with Ginny.
Ginny had been happy when Hermione had said she needed a girl talk, but she was not so happy, when she found out it would be with Luna. In the end she had agreed to accompany Hermione.
When they were on their way, Hermione couldn't help but feeling relieved. So far so good.
"I really look forward to this Hermione. I mean, it can be so crowded at the Burrow, it feels wonderful to be able to go out once in awhile. I'm looking forward seeing Luna again. I felt bad for her when she got kicked out of her house, but apparently it was Dumbledore's order." Ginny said.
"But how could he do that? She had just lost her father. He could at least had taken her to the burrow, instead of letting her go around without a home. She lost her father and her home in the same day. I just don't understand how Dumbledore could do that to her." Hermione said sadly.
"I don't know, I tried talking with Harry and Ron about it, but they didn't seem to care. I think Ron was excited about having another safe house that had enough room for quidditch. He's been worried about being stuck at grimmauld place if Death Eaters attack the burrow." Ginny said sadly.
Hermione thought about the new information, it looked like Ginny was a bit angry with the Order and Dumbledore, and she almost told her everything that happened in Azkaban and when she got out, but decided against it. It would not be good, if her suspicions were incorrect.
They went inside the Leaky Cauldron and up towards Luna's room.
"Oh Luna, I'm so happy to see you, and I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to attend your father's burial." Ginny said and pulled Luna into a tight hug.
"It's fine really, and I'm glad to see you too." Luna said, and moved over to give Hermione a hug.
"Why don't you two sit down, and I'll bring some tea for us?" Luna said, and moved out the door.
"Doesn't she act strange to you?" Ginny asked.
"No more than usual." Hermione answered, and looked around the room. She saw Draco drop his disillusion charm, and raise his wand against Ginny's back.
"Oh Weaslette, I'm so looking forward to this." Draco said, and cast a quick Expelliarmus, and captured Ginnys wand in his hand.
"YOU!" Ginny screamed, and before Hermione could do anything, an arm went around her throat and pulled her back against a strong chest.
"Hello Sunshine." Rabastan purred in her ear. Ginny turned around to see two more Death Eaters coming in through the door.
"I got this sweet blond one just outside the door!" Bellatrix said, and moved in with Luna.
"Please, don't hurt me." Hermione whispered with tears in her eyes.
"Let go of her you stupid arse!" Ginny yelled towards Rabastan.
"Oh I think not. I think I want to finish what we started before you got away! Bella, why don't you take little Red and the blond one back to the Manor, I'm going to have a little bit of fun with this one first!" Rabastan hissed. The other Death Eaters disappeared in a cloud of black smoke, taking Ginny and Luna along with them. Hermione didn't get a chance to say anything, before Rabastan had turned her around and crashed his lips down on hers. Hermione kissed him with everything she had as her hands found their way into his hair.
"God, I missed you!" Hermione said as Rabastan peppered small kisses down her neck.
"I missed you too, love." Rabastan said.
"How long do we have?" Hermione asked, and started to undo his clothes.
"Long enough," he groaned, and took her in his arms. Hermione hooked her legs around his waist, and was soon moaning Rabastans name, as he took her up against the wall. When Hermione screamed his name, he came inside her, and she went limp in his arms.
"God, I really hope I don't have to go another two weeks without you ever again!" he whispered, as he kissed her sweetly.
"I hope not, I don't think I could bear it." Hermione said and rested her head against his shoulder.
"What's the next step of the plan?" Rabastan asked.
"Well, first I'll send red sparks out the window. Lupin and Tonks will rush in here to rescue me, they just need to see us fight for a couple seconds and then you escape without me. I'll go back to the burrow with them, and tell everyone what happened. I'll do my very best to keep Ronald back at the house. As soon as I get him to drop the wards, you guys get in there." Hermione smirked.
"God, you're hot when you are making plans like this! Are you ready to fight?" Rabastan groaned and moved away from her.
"Of course, bring it on!" Hermione smirked.
She quickly fired red sparks out the window, and sent a Stupefy against Rabastan. He blocked it, and quickly sent one towards her. She barely missed it. They continued firing harmless spells against each other, when suddenly the door boost open. Tonks came running in the room with her wand drawn. As soon as Tonks had seen Rabastan, he quickly disappeared in black smoke.
"Hermione! Are you okay?" the young auror asked.
"They took Ginny, and Luna, oh god it's all my fault." Hermione sobbed.
"It's not your fault Hermione, they must have waited on an opportunity like this." Tonks said, and took a hold of Hermione.
"The younger Lestrange brother was here, he raped me!" Hermione sobbed.
"Oh sweet girl," Tonks said, and in the same time, Remus got in.
"Oh Hermione, come, we must get reinforcement." he said and took a hold of her.
She could feel the familiar feeling in her gut of apparation, and when she landed in front of the burrow, they only thing she thought was. One down, one to go.