Penny spent the next couple of days at St Mungo's scouting out the fireplaces and exits, devising her plan. The second day she snuck to the Owlery, carrying a letter with her hand concealing the address, "FAO: Owner of Potage's Cauldron Shop, Knockturn Alley". She offered the bulky, jingling letter to a large tawny owl that eyed her suspiciously, refusing to extend its leg. Clicking her tongue impatiently, she dropped a handful of Knuts into the pot by the desk. Clicking its beak, it reluctantly extended its leg to her, allowing her to tie the heavy letter to its leg. Watching it take off out the window, she could only hope the coins enclosed would ensure her simple request was followed.
On the Wednesday, she prepared for her community service day like any other, setting off with Tonks in the morning, chatting away as normal. Unbeknown to the violet haired witch, a small travelling capsule was hidden in Penny's cloak, her Undetectable Extension Charm still holding firm. Juno had been reluctant, but was won over at the promise of some freedom outside the tight courtyard at Grimmauld Place. On reaching the hospital Penny had excused herself to the bathroom on the third floor. Uncapping the travel tube, a disgruntled Juno slithered out, landing with an echoing thud on the bathroom floor.
"Shhh!" Penny hissed glancing around herself. "Don't get caught for Merlin's sake, or we won't be going anywhere!" Penny cautioned her snake.
"If a Basilisk can sneak around Hogwarts, I am sure one can remain undetected Mistress." Juno said with a hint of amusement that earned her a look from Penny.
"I am serious Juno. Here, at least let me make you a little more inconspicuous." Penny said, smacking her wand on her snake. Looking at her handiwork, she was pleased. Aside from a slight shimmering of light, Juno was virtually invisible. Her Disillusionment Charm had definitely improved, she concluded smugly. Running her hand gently along Juno's body, she quickly departed, not wishing to raise the alarm with her absence. Not yet, anyway.
Penny carried out her duties of the day, trying her best to hide her distraction, straining her ears and mind for any hint Juno had been discovered. Luckily nothing seemed amiss for the majority of the day, until the last hour of her shift.
"Bulstrode!" A voice yelled down the corridor. "You are needed down on ground floor toilets, some sorta blockage in the pipe." Penny's hackles stiffened at that, hastily shoving an orange coloured sweet in her mouth. Within seconds, she was heaving heavily, Hilda staring at her in alarm. Rushing from the room, she spotted the portly maintenance wizard, making his way heavily down the stair way. A couple of steps behind him, Penny allowed herself to projectile vomit all down his back.
"What the -" He began turning towards her, only to have a second wave of vomit land on his front. Disgusted, he darted to the side, allowing the young witch to race down the stairs. Reaching the ground floor toilets, Penny shoved the purple sweet into her mouth as she entered, immediately ending the vomiting. Straining her ears, she could make out a strange gurgling noise was coming from inside the wall.
"Juno?!" She hissed loudly, hearing a faint response from within the wall. Running her wand along the stone, there was a faint glowing blue light before a large volume of waste and water came flooding out, with a long section where the droplets bounced off a shimmering shape within the water. Reaching out, Penny could feel Juno's silky body within the pipe. Sighing heavily, Penny put the tip of her wand to Juno and muttered "Reducio." Shrinking the serpent until she could pull her free from the wall. "What on earth were you doing Juno?" Penny chastised, as she lifted the Disillusionment Charm. Examining Juno carefully, she was glad that although spluttering loudly, Juno appeared otherwise unhurt.
"The Basilisk was able to use pipes, so one assumed one could also." Juno rasped, thick black fluid still escaping her mouth. "This S bend was too tight, head got through, tail didn't make it." She explained as Penny sniggered.
"Not your nicest lunch time snack, was it?" She asked as bubbles came out Juno's nose.
"The smell was hideous." Juno replied. Penny sniggered again before she heard heavy footsteps in the corridor. Swearing loudly she quickly sealed the wall back up.
"Get in!" She ordered, Juno for once sliding into the tube without argument. Running into the cubicle Penny quickly splashed some clean toilet water on her forehead before shoving her fingers down her throat. A small amount of vomit landing with an audible splat in the toilet bowl as the maintenance man entered the room.
"What in Merlin's name happened here?" He exclaimed as Penny emerged, feigning sickness as best she could.
"No idea, was like it when I got here." She said with a half shrug, purposely staggering on her way past him, aware of his eyes noting her soiled robes. Once out in the corridor Penny made her way back upstairs, vanishing the waste from her uniform as she did. Reaching Hilda she approached the older woman, hoping her sickly look was convincing.
"I don't feel good." Penny said in a quiet voice, Hilda looking her over, her eyes lingering on the dampness on Penny's forehead. She wasn't entirely convinced, Penny knew, but she said nothing. Glancing at her watch Hilda noted the late time and nodded her consent. Penny mumbled a thanks before making her way downstairs. Other than the visitor's fireplaces, Penny had noticed Hippocrates had his own fireplace in his office. Reaching his office door Penny paused, straining her ears. She couldn't hear anything but glancing around her, she popped the lid off the capsule, crouching near the ground.
"Juno can you hear footsteps in there? Or smell him?" She hissed, her pet snake extending her head out the tube, onto the ground.
"Can't you use a spell?" She asked sulkily, her voice still a little raspy.
"Not without him feeling it, if he is in there." Penny responded, rubbing her sleeve over Juno's grubby nostrils.
"There are far too many vibrations in this hospital for one to hear a single human's footsteps, Mistress." Juno replied huffily before flicking her tongue out a few times. "His scent lingers."
"Does that mean he is in there or not?" Penny asked impatiently.
"Currently, one does not believe so." Juno replied unhelpfully.
"So useful." Penny said rolling her eyes.
"Why don't you sniff the door yourself and see if you can tell Mistress?" Juno suggested sarcastically.
"Shut it or I will turn you into a mouse myself." Penny threatened, tilting the tub upwards so Juno slid back inwards, her response lost in the abyss as Penny put the cap back on. Taping the door handle, a hiss of red appeared on it. Stinging Jinx, Penny concluded, simple but effective for keeping out most intruders. Muttering the counter curse Penny pushed the door slightly ajar and peered in. Seeing nobody she pushed her whole head in and looked round cautiously. Withdrawing her head, she quickly looked up and down the corridor before slipping in silently, making a beeline for the fireplace.
"The Spotted Dog, Surrey" she managed to choke out, the fireplace flashing green as she spun. Landing smoothly, she gracefully stepped over the grate. A noise of surprise came from behind the bar.
"We don't serve minors." A gruff voice came from behind the bar. Looking up Penny saw a tall broad man, with thick tuffs of black hair and a long moustache standing there.
"Don't worry, only passing through." Penny said politely, exiting the pub through the door, ignoring the stares from the few patrons that sat in there. Glancing around herself, she saw the Muggle side of the pub filled with a couple more patrons, who seemed blissfully unaware the pub had two entrances. A violent jiggle in her pocket made her pull the tube out and pop the top.
"I have to get on Muggle transport, do you really think a snake is going to go unnoticed?" Penny asked as Juno coiled rapidly.
"You said one could have some freedom." Juno replied stubbornly. Penny signed. "At least Muggle transport will not know who you are, even if you are seen as an oddity." Juno argued as Penny rolled her eyes, but relented. Strolling down the road Juno followed, humming happily along the warm ground. The August sun was definitely comforting, Penny thought to herself, the freedom tantalizing. She would be caught in the end, she knew, might as well enjoy it whilst it lasted, she decided.
Reaching the rural bus stop, it was deserted except for one Muggle lady sitting there. Penny sniggered slightly as the elderly lady recoiled in horror at the sight of Juno slithering into the shelter. Playfully snapping at the old lady's feet, Juno sent the Muggle shrieking away, making Penny cackled loudly. Juno coiled underneath Penny's seat, basking happily in the evening sunlight. When the bus came, the driver paled slightly when he spotted Juno.
"You…you can't bring that…that thing on the bus." He stuttered as they boarded.
"Funny, I don't see any rules," Penny said icily, running her nail loudly down the list of rules to the left of the bus driver, who shuddered uneasily at the sound. "That say anything about snakes on a bus." She went on fixing the driver with a piercing stare. He gulped nervously, eyeing Juno who flicked her tongue. "Keep the change." Penny said haughtily, making her way down the bus. A thrill ran through her as the Muggles all shrank in their seats as her and Juno past them. A group of three teenage boys sat along the back seat stared open mouthed at her as she approached. Staring them down, they shared a glance before standing and hastily moving to seats further forward on the bus. Taking the middle seat to a now empty back row, Penny sat as if upon a throne, Juno's curled up along the seat beside her, her head resting on Penny's lap. Penny stroked her head absent-mindedly as the bus rolled on, enjoying the nervous glances towards her more than she liked to admit.
The boring bus journey soon irked her, the speed of Muggle transport outside of London made her long for the skill of Apparition. Something she would have to look into, she thought to herself as she finally exited the bus, into a small town bus station. She had already inquired around Knockturn alley about breaking the Trace on her, but so far hadn't made much progress.
Ignoring the stares from onlookers, she quickly scanned the timetable, spotting the next bus she needed. Sat waiting for it, she sighed, wondering if Tonks had reached the hospital yet, and realised her absence. Her window of opportunity was short. She had no doubt Dumbledore would guess where she was heading, she could only hope he wouldn't receive word in time. The next bus journey was shorter thankfully, Little Whinging came into view. Peering out the window Penny's eyes wondered over the town. Definitely people of 'New money' Narcissa's disapproving voice commented in her head, those of middle class trying too hard to appear civilised. A slight snort escaping Penny's mouth, imagining Narcissa's disgusted expression. Climbing off the bus she made her way through the dusty roads. The neighbourhood had a look of a usually immaculate one, turn dusty and dry through the exceptional heat of this year's summer.
"Can you smell Mundungus yet?" Penny asked Juno, who flicked her tongue out in response. From snatches of meetings her and the twins had caught recently, he would be on duty tonight.
"His scent lingers." Juno repeated, looking down an alleyway to the side. Penny noticed a small owl pass overhead. Her heart leapt at the sight of it, did that mean…? She hastily made her way down the alley, keeping her eyes and ears peeled. Reaching the end, she peered cautiously around the corner and spotted a sign. "Privet Drive". Harry lives here, Penny realised, a little tug of longing in her gut. No, she told herself, that's not why you are here. She reminded herself sternly.
"Mistress look! His scent is strongest there." Juno piped up, drawing Penny out of her thoughts as she flicked her tongue in a point motion. A shape across the street crouched behind what Penny could only assume was the Dursley's car, almost invisible. Mundungus, Penny thought to herself. What was he looking at? She pondered. Squinting she couldn't make out anybody else, aside from a strange lady wondering past, looking puzzled and muttering to herself. She didn't look magical, Penny thought to herself, but yet her behaviour seemed oddly inquisitive, much like the two times Muggles had been following her. Looking back to the shape by the car, Penny saw a small owl dropping a letter to its feet. Her heart leapt in excitement. Go on, she pleaded internally. Please work. A few moments past of her watching the shape before several things happened at once. Standing, the shape turned slightly before disappearing with a very loud bang. This was immediately followed by a shriek inside the house by a bony woman, and a second thud as a black-haired boy smacked his head on a window frame. Harry, Penny thought, her heart-warming slightly at the sight of the scrawny boy rubbing his head. Brilliant hiding spot, Penny thought impressed, though why he was hiding in the flower bed she didn't know. Almost as if answering her, Penny saw what she presumed was Harry's uncle launch his upper body out of the window, his hand closing around Harry's neck. Penny took a half step forward, before suppressing the urge to go to his aid. He must not see her, she reminded herself, cursing quietly. A second later, Harry was freed by some unseen force from his uncle's grip, as faces appeared at the neighbour's windows. Penny shrank back out of view as she heard the uncle cheerily calling to the neighbours. A few seconds later she was surprised to see Harry storming off down the street, quickly disappearing from sight.
"Follow his scent, but wait for the right moment." Penny instructed Juno, who slithered slowly down the road after him. Penny followed at a distance, keeping Juno's tail in sight. So far, so good. Penny thought to herself as she saw Juno had stopped at the end of the street corner. Edging along, Penny made her way to be level with Juno.
"He sits alone in the park." Juno told her, awaiting her approval.
"Go to him. Do not tell him I am here." Penny instructed. Juno slid along the ground into the park, approaching the gloomy boy.
"Juno!" Harry hissed in surprise as he spotted the snake coming towards him, seemingly unaware of his switch to Parseltongue.
"Harry Potter." Juno replied, curling into coils in front of the young wizard.
"What are you doing here? Is Penny here? Where is she?" He asked animatedly.
"Penny cannot see you for your own safety." Juno began, Harry began hotly to speak but Juno pressed on, speaking rapidly. "Your mind is not safe. You see and feel Voldemort. Now he is strong again, he may see and feel you. You have felt him when he is in emotional peak, Penny worries her presence will make you vulnerable. So she sent me to tell you what she can, to make sure you don't do anything reckless." She finished, Harry staring at her opened mouth as he rubbed his head, seeming to process all she had said, muttering under his breath. He looked back at her looking irked and defiant for a few moments before sighing.
"Fine." He replied huffily. "What's been going on? Why am I stuck here?" Harry asked.
"The Dark Lord cannot touch you here." Juno answered simply. "Ancient blood magic is virtually unbreakable, so you are safe here." Harry frowned slightly but seemed to follow.
"What's been happening? What has Voldemort been doing? What have we been doing?" Harry asked again, staring impatiently as Juno paused.
"Mistress does not know." She answered, making Harry swear colourfully.
"What do you mean she doesn't know? Wherever Dumbledore has put her, she can't exactly be isolated like I have been." Harry said angrily, his hands gripping his hair.
"It's all very underhand and secretive and slow all the time the Ministry refuses to acknowledge the Dark Lord's return, and has all its attention on a smear campaign." Juno answered, flicking her tail at Harry's raised voice.
"What smear campaign?" Harry asked puzzled, Juno's reptile features looking puzzled.
"One assumes Harry Potter can read." Juno said, with a mild note of snarky-ness that reminded Harry strongly of Penny, which only deepened his frown. "The Daily Prophet, slips cartoons and derogatory comments about you, Mistress and the ancient Head Master all the time."
"But anything important would have been on the front page, I would have seen it." Harry replied frowning.
"Mistress says it's a subtle way to undermine everything you say. Making your allegations big news would give them too much attention."
"They are NOT allegations." Harry began hotly. Juno hissed angrily and began to retreat into the growing darkness. "No wait! I'm sorry! Come back!" Harry called after her.
"You should go home it's late." Juno replied tartly as the nearest streetlight came on. Harry looked at it with distain, his head turning as the sound of teenage boys laughing echoed down the street. Penny could see Harry's scowling face in the orange light. He knew them, she could tell by his expression. In his distraction, Juno reached Penny, who promptly scoped her into her travel tube and tucked her away. She heard Harry calling for Juno as he realised she had vanished, swearing again dragging his feet heavily as he slouched off in the direction of home. Penny leant around the corner, peering after his silhouette. After a moment she found herself following him quietly. Might as well see he gets home safe, she told herself. She had tricked his guard of the evening into deserting his post, she reasoned. He looked taller, she thought, shrinking more into the shadows as he called after a large figure that could only be his cousin. They turned down a dark alleyway, Penny crossing the street behind them.
Reaching the entrance to the alleyway she saw the light above her flicker in a peculiar way. Blinking she paused to look up at it frowning, before a chilling sensation ran through her.
"Shit." She muttered, her breath misted in front of her as the streetlight above her went dark.
…
Sorry it's been so long. Busy with life, and mild emotional breakdown. Not easy to get the writing bug running sometimes. Anyway hope it was worth the far too long wait, as usual. Reviews always welcome.