The Twelfth Use of Dragon's Blood: Chapter 2 Kidnap By Piroutte

Hermione crossed her arms as she and Ginny walked out of Chez Pierre's. "Now wasn't that fantastic?" Ginny asked enthusiastically.

"Indeed," Hermione murmured, deep in though. As it turned out, she hadn't been only able to afford a soup; a salad was also within her budget. She kept returning her thoughts to Draco's gaze at her. Hermione couldn't tell if it had been purely malicious or just simply curious. Her thoughts also regurgitated the sound of Ginny's voice saying "Guess who I saw yesterday? Harry!" So deep in thought was she that the ten minute walk back to Ginny's building elapsed into feeling like a matter of seconds.

"Well, here we are!" Ginny chirped to Hermione's surprise. "Would you like to come up for some coffee before you Apparate back to Hogsmede?"

Hermione glanced at her watch. "Oh, why not?" In Ginny's apartment, Hermione and Ginny sat in Ginny's cheery yellow kitchen and chatted for a while, continuing their dinner conversations. After a moment of silence with Hermione mustering up the courage to ask, she finally asked, "So Ginny, when did you see Harry?"

Ginny took no notice of Hermione's scarlet cheeks or hushed voice and replied, "I was having coffee at a cafe around the corner from here. He came in with Seamus Finnigan, didya know they're," she dropped her voice, "Aurors now?"

Hermione always knew that Harry would get into a dangerous line of work. "Hm, well no, I didn't know, I haven't talked to Harry since-well for a long time,"

"He asked if I had seen you around," Ginny remarked, and for this Hermione drew a sharp breath. Harry asked about her.

She tried to seem nonchalant and casually asked, "Oh? What did he say?"

"Hmm, nothing really, just that if I saw you I should say hi to you for him," Ginny retorted.

"Oh," Hermione sighed, her heart dropping.

"He was in London on business, I believe he's still here!"

"Really? Dya know where?" Hermione didn't even try to mask her enthusiasm.

"Well since he's," she dropped her voice again, "an Auror," and returned to normal volume, "He can't really disclose his whereabouts." Hermione sipped her coffee, her heart sinking lower and lower... "But, he said this mission wasn't very dangerous and gave me his phone number."

"Oh?!" Hermione exlaimed, slamming her cup down on the small, wooden table.

"Would you like it?" asked Ginny.

"Oh, ok," Hermione replied, not wanting to seem so obvious. Ginny got up, and walked to the refrigerator where she took a piece of paper down and scribbled something on it.

"Here you are!" she declared, setting the paper down in front of Hermione.

"Well," Hermione said, getting up and taking Harry's phone number in her hand, "I really must be going!" She grabbed her coat and her handbag and walked over to Ginny to give her a hug.

"Don't be such a stranger Herm! You can call me anytime!" said Ginny.

"Oh I will! It was so fun tonight! You should come to Hogemeade next time we go out!" Hermione replied.

"Sure thing! Bye!" Hermione waved and with a *pop* disapeared and was soon back in her flat in Hogsmeade in her kitchen.

She walked over to her bedroom, and pulled on her pajamas. Walking back to the kitchen, she grabbed a carton of ice cream and a spoon, and plopped down on the sofa in front of the telly. She flipped on the set, the neon colors instantly lighting the dark room. Hermione felt restless, and jumped up to grab the paper from her handbag. She picked up the telephone and carefully dialed the numbers. Pressing the phone to her ear, she held her breath and closed her eyes. It rang once. Twice. Three times. A flood of air escaped Hermione's mouth. Four times. He wasn't going to answer. Six times. Pick up Harry! her thoughts demanded. Seven times.

"Harry Potter, world famous Auror at your service. What Dark Arts creature is on the loose now, Boss?" asked a familiar voice. Hermione sharply inhaled and held her breath. "Hello?" asked the voice, "Boss? Answer me!"

Hermione squeezed her eyes and said in a small voice, "Harry?"

"Yes we've established that. Who are you?" Harry demanded.

"It's me.." Hermione said, barely above a whisper.

"Who?" There was a silence. "Hermione?"

"Mmph," was Hermione's muffled reply.

"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed.

"Mmph," she repeated. It had been so long since she had talked to him last. She couldn't understand why she was suddenly shy. "How have you been Harry?" she stammered.

"Oh you know. Fighting muggle contraband from getting on the wizard market. Fun stuff. And you? I hear you're assistant to the Minister of Magic! Congrats!"

There was an awkward silence. Suddenly the persons voice on the other end changed. It had an Irish lilt on it and shouted, "Hermione! How've ya been?"

"Seamus Finnigan? Is that you?"

"Correct you are! Harry's world famous Auror partner."

"Hey lemme talk to her," came Harry's voice, and then the voice on the other line was his again.

"So Hermione, we should meet up or something. You know, for coffee or what have you." A loud beeping sound came from the phone. "Oof, Hermione, gotta go. There's been some, well problems that are going on. But I'll definitely call you! Oh wait! Need your number?"

Hermione laughed and told Harry her phone number. "Well, Harry it was nice talking to you! Bye bye!" Hermione said.

"See ya, then." came Harry's reply and a muffled, "Bye Hermione" from Seamus. There was a click at the other end, and Hermione set the phone down, smiling ot herself. It had felt so nice to talk to Harry, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders for some odd reason. She sighed, and flipped off the telly, taking her ice cream to her bedroom to finish. As she pushed the bedroom door open, a dark figure was standing between the door and her bed.

Hermione screamed and dropped her ice cream to the ground, the spoon clanging on the wooden floor.

"Hello, Hermione," the voice said mockingly, "You'll be coming with me." The door shut and a man came behind her and put a hand around her mouth.

***

Ron stuffed his hands into his pockets as he walked back to his apartment in Paris. He had moved here to be closer to his girlfriend, a witch from Beuxbatons, but after they had broken up, Ron so loved Paris that he stayed. As he turned the knob to enter his home, he noticed a red light blinking. Ron walked over to the answering machine and pressed the 'play' button.

"Hi Ron!" said his mother's all too familiar voice. "I was wondering if you were coming home for Christmas, you know so I can plan ahead. I know it's only July but I like to plan ahead! Well, tata!" Click. Ron's mum called him daily, asking about silly little things here and there.

He turned to walk away, thinking that was the only message but heard a voice from his past, "Ron! Hullo! It's Harry! Long time no speak, Weasley! Listen, I just talked to Hermione, and we were thinking about going out for coffee or what not sometime in London. Ermph, I gotta go. Duty calls. Bye!" Click.

Ron stood staring at the machine for a while. After years of no contact, he was suddenly about to meet with his best friends in the world. He sighed, and flipped the lights on in his apartment. Lazily, he flopped down on the couch and flipped on the telly and tried to search for some English television. "Bollocks!" he cried as he went through the stations a second time. In a rage, he threw the remote control down and went to his bedroom to go to sleep.

Settling into bed, Ron yawned and rolled over. Suddenly, the ringing of the phone woke him. He reached over to the night stand and grabbed the phone, "Wha'?" he demanded sleepily.

"Ron Weasley, we have your girlfriend." said a deep voice on the other line.

"My girlfriend?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Hermione Granger," it replied hastily, "Goodbye."

"WAIT!" Ron screamed, but to no avail as there was a click and the person was gone. Ron jumped out of bed and headed for his answering machine. He pushed the caller ID button and played Harry's message again. Grabbing a notepad from the kitchen, Ron scribbled down Harry's number and ran to grab the phone in his bedroom. He dialed the numbers as fast as he could. After four rings, Harry picked up. "Ello?" he asked groggily.

"Harry it's Ron," said Ron, with an urgent tone to his voice.

"Ron! You couldn't have waited until morning? It's one o clock in the morning! What do you want?"

"Harry, it's Hermione. Someone kidnapped her,"

"Ron, don't be ridiculous, I talked to her a few hours ago."

"Harry!" Ron demanded, "Listen! I don't know who has her, but there was a definite London accent to his voice."

"So you're saying she's in London, then?"

"I don't know..Maybe?"

"Come Apparate to London, Ron. My apartment. Be there in 15 minutes. And don't wear those bunny pajamas, either."

"Bunny pajamas?" asked Ron.

"You know what I mean Ron. Hurry. See ya later, then." He told Ron his address, and then again told him to hurry.

Ron hung the phone up and quickly got dressed. With a *pop* he Apparated to Harry's flat.

Within seconds, Ron stood face to face with his best friend whom he hadn't seen for five years.

"Harry," Ron began right away, "I don't know why they called me. Also they said that she was my girlfriend."

"Hm, did they now? asked Harry rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Is there any way we can find her?" asked Ron, desperetely.

"Mmph," was Harry's reply as he turned around to point his wand at the coffee maker. The phone rang and Harry slowly walked to get it. "Yeah?"

"Potter, we have your 'friend'" it said in a sneering tone.

"Hermione? Who the hell is this? Answer me! Answer me!"

There was a laugh on the other end of the line, and Harry slammed the phone against the wall. "Damnit!" Harry pressed a few buttons on the phone, and suddenly asked Ron to grab a piece of paper. After Ron had handed him a notepad, Harry threw the phone into the other room and ordered Ron to go get him his computer in the other room.

Ron returned with Harry's computer, and the two sat at Harry's kitchen table.

"What are you doing?" Ron asked.

Harry popped open the computer and an assortment of magical items lay in the 'computer'. He took out a gem attached to a gold chain. "A Locator." he announced. He pulled out a map of London from the top of the refridgerator and sat back down. "Locate phone," he whispered, then carefully repeating the phone number he had copied down. The Locator began spinning in circles around the map, moving up and down and from side to side. It suddenly stopped and fell out of Harry's hand.

"Fancy gadgets," Ron said.

Harry flitted his hand, and then suddenly ordered, "Get your coat, lets go."

The two walked silently at a fast past, Harry in the lead. Harry suddenly turned a corner at the found themselves at a phone booth a few blocks from Big Ben. Harry shivered, and took a box from his pocket. Lights began flashing wildly, and Harry muttered, "Dark Arts. Dark wizards have Hermione,"

***

Hermione opened her eyes to a dim light sifting through the small window at her eyes. Her mouth was gagged, her hands were tied behind her back, and her feet were bound. She was positioned on the floor, and tried to spit the dirty rag from her mouth. Only suceeding in getting more dirt in her mouth, she slumped against the wall.

She could hear footsteps coming towards her cell, and suddenly the door flew open to reveal a tall, pale man with white-blonde hair and gray eyes. He came to her and whispered, "Promise you won't scream?" Hermione fearfully nodded her head and the gag was removed.

"D-draco Ma-Mal-Malfoy?" she spit.

He cupped his hand under his chin and shook his head, "Half right, Mudblood. Lucius Malfoy, its no pleasure to meet you."

Hermione stared at Lucius with disbelief. "Why am I here?" she demanded weakly.

Lucius smiled and backed away from Hermione. "Although you're a dirty Mudblood," he drawled, "You are a brilliant Mudblood and the Dark side could use your knowledge." Hermione's mouth hung open. "Imbecile, close your mouth. Draco!" he shouted. Draco Malfoy strolled into Hermione's cell and stood at his father's side. They looked remarkably similar, but Draco was taller and thinner than his father.

"Malfoy," Hermione hissed.

"Mudblood," Draco nodded.

"Ah, I'm glad you have met," Hermione glared at Lucius. "Draco, I have other business to attend to. See that Granger knows what she shall be doing. I have to go alert MacNair that the prisoner is here." He smirked and shut the doors.

Draco Malfoy stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at Hermione. "What are you looking at?" she demanded.

"You, stupid Mudblood," he said bluntly.

"So Mr. Malfoy, what the hell am I doing here?" she spat.

"Tsk, tsk Granger. We don't have to be so hostile!" he said.

"Stuff it up your ass, Malfoy," Hermione said rather plainly.

"Stuff what?" Draco asked, sounding thoroughly interested in what Hermione would say.

"Honestly!" Hermione screamed. "Now tell me what the bloody hell I'm doing here."

"To put it quite simply, Hermione, you will be the brains behind the operation to eliminate all non-pure bloods from the population." Draco said.

For a moment, Hermione could not believe what she had heard. "What? But I'm not even pure blood."

"Oh that! Well, you will be killed after we're finished with you too," he said without emotion, staring at his nails.

Hermione looked down at her hands and said clearly, "I didn't think even you were capable of thinking something so horrible up Malfoy. You could have been half way decent."

Draco grabbed Hermione's arm and raised his hand. Hermione ducked her head to avoid his blow, but never felt it. He dropped his arm, and opened the door. "Someone will be in to deal with you later, Granger." he said angrily and slammed the door shut.

I put Ron in. Are you happy? :)