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Chapter 4

The light flickered as Hermione and Draco entered the Department of Mysteries. There were still shattered pieces of glass scattered all around, from when Hermione had last been in there. Their footsteps echoed on the tile as they continued walking.

Draco came to a stop and turned to Hermione, he grabbed her hand and placed the handkerchief with the time turner in it. His hands were ice cold, his face was expressionless but Hermione could tell he was worried.

Hermione's eyes made contact with Draco's. His intense icy grey eyes were a little softer now as he started to speak softly to Hermione. She could feel his warm breath on her forehead.

"Don't get into too much trouble, Granger," He said with a playful smile. She wrapped her arms around Draco's neck and enveloped herself in the smell of his cologne.

He cradled her face with his cold hands. They shared a long kiss before Hermione broke away.

"It's like you don't even know me," Hermione smiled, responding to Draco's earlier advice. "Trouble follows me wherever I go. Like you do."

"I won't be following you into the past," Draco said, releasing Hermione.

"I better go," Hermione said with a determined look on her face, "I don't know how long it will take for me to get the prophecy."

"Hopefully not too long," said Draco wistfully. Hermione took one last look at Draco and placed the time turner around her neck.

She adjusted the knobs on the time turner, this one was definitely different from the one she used during her third year at Hogwarts.

As she did so, the time turner began to light up and spin, completely enveloping Hermione in light. She had to close her eyes, in order to prevent them from burning out. When the light died down, Hermione opened her eyes and found herself in the same spot she left, but everything looked newer. The room was filled with light due to the insane amount of candles, and each shelf was racked with crystal balls. Hermione moved down the aisles, trying her best to scan for the name of any member of the Black family.

She was about to bend down to look at the prophecies on the lower shelves when she felt a firm hand grasp her shoulder. She turned around, her hand on her wand. She released a breath of relief when she saw it was just a ministry worker.

He was taller than Hermione and she guessed he was only a little older than herself. He had sharp features with pale skin. She wouldn't have noticed his eyes except they were startling silver-gray eyes that had a sense of pride in them, and his dark eyebrows were in a curious expression. His hair was as white-blonde as Draco's, a little past shoulder length, and fell in ringlet curls at the end. He had a planted smirk on his face that matched the mood of his eyes. He was wearing a long sleeve button down black shirt, which had a few buttons open revealing a bit of his chest. He had on tight black leather pants, and polished boots with a silver buckle at the heel. Covering himself he had a long black cloak with silver lining.

"What are you doing here?" he said in a smooth voice. Hermione didn't respond and he continued keeping a firm hold on her shoulder, "I didn't see you enter, miss."

"Maybe you just weren't paying enough attention," Hermione claimed, "You could've easily not noticed me as I walked in."

The man glared, obviously offended that he would let someone get past without his noticing. "What is your name?"

Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but stuttered. "My name is Penelope Clearwater."

"Miss Clearwater, what is it you're looking for, maybe I can help you find it?" The man responded almost sarcastically.

Hermione was unsure if she was to trust this man with what she was looking for. Everyone seemed to become really frightened whenever Hermione mentioned the Black family curse, like Mr. Weasley. But now she could ask him because he was the only one who could help her find it. She chose the latter.

"I'm looking for the prophecy, containing the Black family curse," Hermione stated.

"Ah, I understand," the man said, releasing her shoulder, "but you won't find that here."

Hermione was shocked to hear this, where could it be then? She came to the realization that this mission might be harder than she anticipated.

"Do you happen to know where it is then?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"I do." The man responded. "But that is classified information, Miss Clearwater."

"What can I do to obtain that information? Because I need that prophecy," Hermione demanded.

"Demanding," the man said with a smirk, "I like that."

Hermione's brow furrowed, "Just tell me, I have money."

"I don't want money, believe me, I have enough of that." the man said clearly not satisfied. "Where are you from, Penelope?"

"Somewhere far from here," Hermione said, but realized how fake she sounded.

"Do you need a place to stay?"

"No, I won't be staying long once you tell me the location of the prophecy."

"Even if I tell you where it is, you won't be able to get it."

"What do you mean?"

The man looked at a watch he pulled from his pocket, "I'll have to tell you later, it's time for me to go."

He pocketed the watch and continued blowing out the candles, leaving Hermione in the dark cold room.

"Wait," Hermione cried out as the man walked towards the door, "I need a place to stay." He turned around to face her with an expression that said, "I told you so." and gestured for her to follow him.

"What is your name?" Hermione asked. Realizing she hadn't asked before.

"Let's see. Since you didn't use your real name to introduce yourself to me, I'll return the gesture."

"My name is Oliver Randall."

Hermione made a face at him, but she was sure he couldn't tell as they walked in the dark. Hermione followed closely behind "Oliver" to avoid getting lost in the labyrinth called the Ministry. He came to an abrupt stop and Hermione barely stopped herself from crashing into him.

"Stay here, I forgot something," Oliver directed. Without waiting for her response, he whipped his cloak around as he turned and promptly walked into the darkness.

Hermione debated between staying or trailing after him, she had a feeling that maybe he wasn't being entirely truthful. Making her decision, she cast an invisibility charm and silently trailed the mysterious man. He stiffened slightly as he walked, but only for a moment before continuing with his fast pace. He weaved between many aisles, giving Hermione a hard time catching up with him.

Oliver stopped abruptly once again.

"Don't tell me you were planning on 'secretly' following me?" Oliver deadpanned. Hermione silently kicked herself mentally and became visible.

"Ah, you were," Oliver said, turning to face her. Hermione gasped, how did she not realize it before?

"Lucius," the name came breathlessly out of her lips.