Harry gaped at the large creature as it rose higher and higher, the water cascading down its long, lithe body. The splashes were deafening to his ears and felt his head look up with the beast as it rose.
Large was the first thing to come to Harry's mind and from Ron's wide eyes, it seemed he agreed too.
The thing was indeed large or at least tall anyway. The only part of it that was peeking out of the water was its head and neck, but that was long enough. It seemed as if its neck went on forever as Harry followed it up until he finally saw the head. It was round, much like a snake or serpent with a forked tongue slipping in and out of its mouth. When it finally stopped rising, he assumed that that was all there was to see of the creature, but that was enough to stagger him.
At least two stories tall and it's body from the neck on was as wide as three cars, it was not was not he would call "small" at any means, but it wasn't as big as he had first thought it was. He had peeked over the rail and had seen that almost a third of it's length was its tail.
No matter how small or not as big he thought it was irrelevant. That thing still had that capacity to kill them just as easily. Harry was sure that though he was small, his small size was definitely a plus in his side.
Shit, he repeated in his head as he cautiously stepped back. Ron thankfully was doing the same and he hoped the thing that seemed to be moving with the boat didn't notice too much. It's hard to predict what a creature would do, especially as he didn't know what type of creature it was.
It was times like this that he wished he still had Hermione with him during these missions. A pang of sadness tugged at his heart as he remembered how it used to be with the two of them together. I hate growing up.
There was no way he or Ron could attack it without serious consequences. They wouldn't stand a chance in a physical battle with it; its tail could wipe them out in ten seconds flat. No, he would have to think beyond what he was used to in order to battle this sea creature.
"Harry!"
Harry looked up and slowed his steady movements backward. "Ron?"
"I don't know what it is, but I'm sure Reynard knows."
Reynard? His forehead furrowed, he pondered the man. Of course Reynard should know... And.... And he hasn't stopped the boat! Harry could see the question in Ron's eyes and reluctantly gave him a tight nod of confirmation.
Harry stepped up, raising his hands and waved them to attract the creature's attention to draw them from Ron slipping indoors. "Hey you!"
The slick green animal lowered, its body submerging in the water until the head that was perhaps only four times the size of a normal human head was at eye level with Harry.
He could see that he had the thing's attention. Out of the corner of his eye Harry could see Ron still trying to slip through the door quietly and inconspicuously. His heart racing, he forced himself to stare the creature in his eye and calmly yelled, "Yes you! Do you see any other big sea serpent out there!"
A forked tongue peaked out of the creature's mouth and Harry continued to try and call the thing's attention, jumping up and down, waving his arms around, anything to draw the attention away from Ron.
When Ron finally made it safely inside, Harry felt a slight relief. Even if he was killed here by the foolishness of his actions, at least Ron would be able to consult with Reynard and kill that thing and get on with the mission.
"Who are you?" Three words, hissed from the serpent's mouth.
Shocked, Harry's head popped up to stare at it. He hadn't expected it to speak. He swallowed once and tried to deal with this new crinkle like the way he did with anything these days. Pushing his emotions aside, Harry spoke calmly, but loud enough for his voice to be carried through the still air. "Who are you?"
He wasn't sure, but he had thought he had seen a sparkle of amusement in the sea serpent's dark green eyes. "I believe I asssked you firssst. Now--" It raised high just a bit, but enough to look ominous. "Who are you and why are you here in forbidden watersss," she (Harry assumed it was she, but it could have been a male just as easily) demanded and any sort of amusement Harry thought he had seen was gone from the serpent's eyes.
Covertly, Harry glanced around the boat for something, anything that he could use as a weapon. There was nothing he could do with his wand, not until he was sure he had a spell or charm that would work on the animal and since he didn't know what the thing was, it was a bit hard to do even that.
Off to the side on the deck floor was a coil of thick rope and two harpoons; the other side were several nets and an old fishing pole. He noted them with a fleeting glance, storing them for later if the need should ever arise that he would need it. Unconsciously he shifted on his legs, feeling the sheathed knife strapped to a leg. It was small, but sharp. He didn't know what effect it would have on the creature, but at least he knew he could do some damage with it.
"Would you believe we're out on a casual stroll and just...happened here?" Harry shouted nonchalantly. He was surprised at how calm he was being, especially with his heart as racing as fast as it was.
If it was possible, the creature flashed him a toothy grin, the sight of the pointy teeth making Harry want to shudder. This is daft! I can't just be calling her the creature...the best...the thing... She must have some sort of race.
"I ssshould think not. You reek of magic."
Harry licked his lips and glanced at the closed door. Nope, still closed... How long does it take Ron to ask Reynard a simple question?
Stalling, Harry moved closer to the harpoons, disguising his movements as a desire to move closer to the creature. "What are you anyway?"
"You don't know, my dear friend? Let me ssshow you sssomething..."
With that a white mist shimmed around the creature in eerie brilliance, surrounding her and covering her fully. Harry stared at the effulgent sight, his eyes in rapture as he took in the change as the serpent changed. He dared not look away as he watched it rise up above the surface, all the while shrinking. Slowly slender legs emerged, stretching longer and longer as the tail dwindled in size until finally all that was left was a stump of green and even that eventually retracted into the body. In it's place grew a long slender tail, looking more delicate and much more refined than the monstrous tail that once been the creature's. Bits of unblemished white fur started to tuft out covering every part of the body.
It should have been a ghastly sight, but...it wasn't. It was... Beautiful, Harry breathed. The green eyes stayed the same; the only constant throughout the transformation. They stayed glued to Harry's eyes and Harry barely noticed when the change was done and all that was left was a sleek white horse.
"Do you see now Harry? This is what I am..." The velvety voice invaded his mind until the only thing he could concentrate on was the voice and those green eyes of the creature's.
Harry could only nod, rendered speechless by the transition from ugly snake to magnificent dame. His wand fell from his listless fingers onto the deck, but Harry spared it no glance.
"Would you like to ride me Harry?"
Harry. It said his name again and for the life of him, he couldn't remember when he had mentioned it to her. But he didn't care. All he cared about was the alluring animal in front of him, beckoning him with soft neighs. Harry nodded spellbound. There was nothing he wanted to do more at the moment. Everything else was taking second seat as he forgot his training and the mission he should of been focusing on. The only thing that was on his mind was the horse.
"Come here Harry... You can ride me if you want to -- I want you to... Come Harry... Come..."
His eyes were still fixed with the animal's as Harry took a sure step towards it. One after another, step after step taking him closer and closer. The horse smiled and neighed once again, inclining her head as she drifted over the side of the boat.
"See...it's easy. Just climbing over the rail and onto me... I won't let you fall. I promise."
Harry nodded in agreement. He trusted the horse. Of course she wouldn't let harm to come to him! How could something so majestic do anything that was disastrous? Only a few more steps, Harry thought as he judged the distance from the place he was to where he could mount the horse. He could almost feel the beast under him now...
"Yesss, Harry. Come to me... Come to me..."
I'm coming. Just wait... I'm coming to you... Harry walked a little faster, trying to get closer to the horse quicker. He could hear the urgency in the horse's voice... It need him to come faster.Suddenly Harry looked up in shock as his foot encountered something on the floor. "What?" Looking away from the horse to look down at what it was he had walked into, Harry could feel the daze that had been enveloping him slip slowly away. Down on the deck floor were the two metal harpoons he had seen earlier.
He could still here the voice of the horse in his mind, but it no longer enchanted him like before. It was as though the mist was finally lifting and he was finally seeing what was in front of him all this time. No longer did the beast's voice sound as sweet but now, without the taint of spell she was weaving over him, he could hear the underlying venom.
"Nooo! Look at me Harry? Don't you ssseee? Don't you want to ride meee?"
Harry looked up, avoiding any deep contact with the horse's eyes. With one long swoop, he grabbed one of the long harpoon. "Nope," Harry answered and he peeled his arm back and allowed the harpoon to fly from his arm.
It hit the horse smack dab in the middle, drawing a long and piercing shriek from it. Harry forced himself not to cringe from the yell. Almost immediately it lost the form of the glistening white horse and reverted back to the serpent.
As it grew back into it's normal size, Harry could see that the spear wasn't doing as much damage as he wished it would. He took several staggering steps back, but not before grabbing the other harpoon, clutching it in his right arm like a lifeline. Harry searched madly for a point of weakness -- anything, anywhere he could hurl the harpoon and do the most damage.
The snake screamed again, her long neck bending so her mouth could reach the wound.
There! Harry suddenly had a bright idea. Come on Harry. You can do this... Smiling grimly, he lifted the harpoon into his hand, balancing it carefully. He took several steps back and pulled his arm back. Now Harry! he ordered himself. Now when she is distracted! Harry took a leap forward and heaved the heavy weapon into the air. Yes Harry! That's it! Harry watched as it hit its target, jerking the serpent's head up again as the air filled with a blood chilling scream. Yes! You got it Harry! It sounded as if the dead themselves were mad at him and Harry fought the urge to wince and look away. But he forced himself to look at his handiwork. Two points where Harry pierced him, the first minuscule dot deep in the serpent's belly, insignificant. It didn't even look as if it had hurt the thing much with only a small stream of red blood running from it.
But the other one... That one was different. Looking at the shrunken, ghastly mess that once was the left eye of the snake's eye, Harry couldn't help be feel a little proud of it. The eye ball had ruptured, almost like a water balloon that had burst under the pressure of too much water. Blood and something else that Harry was reluctant to identify was oozing from the punctured eye.
Uh oh! Harry's eyes widened as he saw the enraged fury in the sea serpent's good eye. Shit! Harry searched around the deck, searching for anything he could use on the beast, anything to keep it at bay for a while longer.
His eyes moved from the fishing pole to the curl up rope to the weighted nets. I can't use that! No! That's won't work! That maybe... if I can get up there... Something within him told him that physical weapons would be best. Briefly he entertained the thought of taking his knife out and using it, but considering that the harpoon that had penetrated the snake's skin and didn't so much as annoy her, he didn't think it would work. And I doubt I have that good of an aim to hit her other eye..even with a guidance spell.
He moved backwards, trying to get some distance from he and the monster. Monster. Yes that fits. In his retreat he accidentally kicked something back, sending it rolling. Harry whirled around and his hopes immediately rose at the sight of his wand. Never had felt such elation at the sight of his wand, but tonight he was damn glad to see it.
"Wingardium leviosa!" Harry yelled, pointing his wand at the heap of nets. As fast as he could he maneuvered the nets over the serpent's head, let it drop when it was directly over it.
The serpent lurched forward, incensed that this mere human was overtaking her. Her anger coming off of her in waves. rolling and hitting him in the face.
Frantically Harry searched in his mind for the right spell but with each sweep he came up empty. Shit, shit, shit! He strained to remember the little spell, but he just couldn't think of it.
Carelessly he tossed out a spell just to keep the beast away. "Pelarse!" It had no effect on her, not moving her an inch from her present position.
She was straining to keep her head up -- the weighted nets forcing her down into the water, but it wasn't enough. Harry needed a spell to keep her under. The problem with that was that he still couldn't think of one.
Ugh! You stupid idiot! he chastised himself. Don't you understand that this could mean the end of you and any chance of this mission succeeding?! Do you realize how many people are counting on you?! He continued the verbal abuse, his frustration and anger getting the best of him
Then Harry looked up, momentarily pausing. All Harry could see were her sharp teeth, coming at him at an alarming speed, and Harry did something he hadn't done in years. He froze. He stood there, his mouth agape while he watched as the head of his attacker coming him.
Just as he being to think that this might as well be his very last moment on Earth and was determined to take it standing straight, the door to the bridge of the boat banged open, and a harried Ronald Weasley stalking out, his wand in his hand and determination set on his face.
"Ferridium portius!" Ron yelled, a blast from his wand repelling the serpent away. He glanced over to Harry, a cheeky grin on his face. "Sorry I took so long, Harry." He turned away again, stalking away towards the rail. Pointing his wand once again at the serpent. With his face set, devoid of all remorse, Ron spoke the last spell to end the creature's existence. "Mergious!"
Harry had gotten by then and was shaken from his shock. He dimly heard his friend cast the spell, but he knew that he did. Leaning onto the rail, Harry watched as the spell forced the serpent down into the water, lower and lower until either the pressure or the lack of air did her in. Stupid, stupid, stupid... he cursed himself.
And as Harry watched the death of the creature that had tried to captivated him, he couldn't for the life of him bring up any feelings of regret or loss. She got what was coming to her,he growled with such passion that surprised even he.
When the last bubbles drifted off to the top of the water and burst, Harry turned away and clasped a hand on Ron's arm. "Thanks." He tried to put everything he was feeling into that one word. "For being ther for me...back there..." If it wasn't for Ron arriving at the nick of time I would be dead now... WE would be dead. A hard expression fell on his face, the beginning signs of guilt starting to appear.
"You mean saving your arse?" Ron grinned. "I can't believe it! I, Ron Weasley, the often overlooked partner of the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter himself saved his arse!"
Harry glared, his guilt forgotten as he was distracted by Ron's jibe. "You're not overlooked."
Ron snorted. "Right! And the Dumbledore isn't always right." Ron grin told Harry that he was just kidding.
"I mean it, Ron. Thank you. I would have been killed back there if it hadn't been for you."
"I know and you're welcome. That's what partners do; they cover your back when you're scared shitless."
"I wasn't scared!"
Ron gave him a pointed look that made Harry stutter a bit.
"Okay, okay... I admit it! I was a bit...apprehensive," Harry admitted, albeit reluctantly. It was nice seeing that Ron didn't blame him for being such a sorry excuse for a partner. He could have gotten them all killed and Ron just waved it off, joking and playing with him as though nothing had happened.
Slapping Harry on the back, Ron pulled him towards the general direction towards the door to indoors. "You should have seen your face!" Ron crowed, laughing deeply.
Harry reddened and pushed Ron's arm away. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." He wasn't too proud of his reaction back there and he knew Ron wasn't trying to be malicious. He was just trying to relieve some of the tension that he thought Harry had from an almost death experience. But what Ron didn't know that having an almost death experience every year while at Hogwarts and having several a year after his graduation, facing death was something he came into contact often. Of course it bothers him during the experience (you can't never make yourself forget the fact that You Are Going To Die At That Moment), but dealing with it afterwards was pretty much a breeze. But only those that are somewhat emotionally detached... Harry added in his head as an after thought. There were some that were...a lot harder to get over. Especially those that involved the life of your friends, he added. His own near-death experiences he could handle, but putting his friends life on the line... That was just something he couldn't do.
Deciding to put that aside for now, Harry tried a different sort of pace. "What took you so long anyway? It shouldn't have taken that long just to question Reynard on the beast."
Ron shrugged, his eyes looking away for a moment. "Ah, well..."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "What happened?"
"Reynard was...a little difficult."
Harry's eyes narrowed even more. "What happened?" he asked resigned. He knew how hotheaded his partner got when things don't go his way. And something told him that Reynard was no better.
"Let's just say we had a little disagreement and leave at that. And besides, I did come in the nick of time and we're relatively unharmed."
"Relatively."Ron laughed. "Basically I should have said. Look at you, Harry! You've been in this business to long my friend." He shook his head in wonder. "Didn't even break into a sweat."
Harry rolled his eyes. If only Ron knew... "Neither did you, Ron," Harry pointed out, grabbing the door and holding it open for his friend.
The two of them stepped in, each doing a small survey of the room. It was unchanged as when they last left, Reynard still guiding the small boat closer and closer to the island.
Harry stalked over to the other man, his face set and determined. "Just what the hell was that thing?" he demanded without preamble.
Reynard gave him a smileless look over. "Did Weasley tell you?"
Harry glanced at Ron who was looking right back. "Hey! You never asked! And I didn't have time to. Not with saving your arse and all."
"You're not going to let up on that are you?" Harry returned his gaze to Reynard. "So what was it?"
"Kelpie," Reynard answered. "Nasty little thing, wasn't she?"
Harry silently agreed with him. "Why the hell didn't you warn us of that thing in the first place? I was under the impression that getting to the island was going to be relatively easy."
Ron who had been slowly moving to the sofa in the back froze. Hesitantly he turned back. "Um...well, he did."
Swiveling on the balls of his feet, Harry spun around. "What?"
Ron shuffled on his feet nervously. "He did warn us, well actually me and I meant to tell you, but..."
"But..." Harry prompted.
"But we didn't really have time to get there," Ron finished. "We started talking about Malfoy and then about you--"
"It's okay Ron," Harry interrupted. He didn't want Reynard to know he was doubting himself. "I know what you mean. It's okay." He moved slightly towards Reynard. "So tell me about this...kelpie."
"It's a magical animal as you may have guessed. A water demon that lures victims into the water and then devours them. They're dangerous simply because they ooze this essence that most people can't withstand them." Reynard looked at Harry with a new light. "You're a lot more than what you seem."
"Thanks, I think." Somehow that compliment seemed like an insult.
"From what Reynard here tells me," Ron spoke up, nodding towards the old man. "The kelpie is usually found in the form of a horse, but it has several other forms as well."
"Like the snake."
"Sea serpent," Reynard corrected. "A snake is just a general term."
So what? Harry rolled his eyes. "Is there any other things we can expect to hinder us tonight?"
Reynard shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. If we're lucky, probably not. If we're not, who knows?"
He turned back to his work and Harry found himself once again cut off. I wish he would quit doing that! It was annoying how that man always got the last say in things every single time by relieving himself from the conversation. It was damn abrupt and left him feeling as if he was hanging, suspended with no place to go.
Annoyed, Harry turned to Ron who was settling himself on the right side of the sofa.
"Hey Reynard how long until we get there?" Ron asked cheekily.
Reynard emitted a growl -- or at least what seemed to be a growl and answered brusquely that they would get in five minutes.
"That's not very long," commented Ron.
"No, it's not," Harry answered in turned, fidgeting in his seat next to Ron.
"You nervous?"
"No!" Harry answered a little too quickly for Ron to believe him. "Why would you say that?" Does he know?
"I dunno." Ron shrugged. "It just seems you're a little wired."
"Wired?" Harry squeak, trying to get his voice to obey him. Get the hold of yourself man! he ordered himself. He scolded himself for being silly. He didn't even know what was wrong with him and he was acting if was trying to hide it.
"Wired," Ron affirmed, waving an lazy hand towards his friend. "Just that usually you're calm and collected before a mission."
Harry shrugged helplessly. "This isn't an ordinary mission," he pointed out, his heart racing for no reason. He had to calm down. No more dinners right before missions... They raise his blood suger too high.
"No," Ron agreed. "But it's still a mission, just like all the others we've taken part in in the last couple of years."
Harry snorted. There was nothing about this mission that's just like all the others. No this one feels different. No mission has ever made him feel this way before. The thrill of anticipations, the jittery nerves, especially not stab of fear he felt every few seconds. It was just...odd. He couldn't pinpoint just what it was this mission that was different from all the other countless ones he had participated in. "It's probably just Malfoy and seeing him again. It'll be hard not to..." Harry searched for the right word. "Not to try and dismember him while we are supposedly trying to protect and save him."
"You could say that again." Ron shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever be able to wrap my head around the fact that the Gregon is Malfoy. They're nothing alike."
Are they? Harry wondered. He always thought it was quaint that Ron would speak of the Grey Dragon as if he was a personal acquaintance and even more so now.
"How are we supposed to this again?" Ron's voice broke into Harry's reverie, startling him to the present.
"Er... We'll it's--" Harry broke off and looked at his watch. "Nine eighteen now and we should get there about nine twenty... We should have enough time to meet up with 'Draco's associate' whomever it is and get out of the way before the next couple of guards make their way towards the landing site. We'll be wearing the Invisibility cloaks Dumbledore had sent with Reynard so we'll have to stay together so we won't get lost."
"And the grounds?"
"The grounds may be a bit tricky. Once we set foot on the island--"
"No magic, I know Harry," Ron interrupted. "But what of the fauna? I don't remember Malfoy writing anything down about it on his maps about plant or animal life."
Harry shook his head. "I don't know either," he admitted. "But I've heard the rumors..."
"I've heard the rumors too!" Ron burst. "And if that's how the island is, I think I would rather not know about it."
He understood Ron's agitation. If they were going on the island based on the rumors that have leaked out, he wouldn't want to know about it either. It would better to go in blind than to spend every moment wondering if he was triggering something or alerting something else. But he knew that they needed to be prepared. From what they've heard, Malos Island was verifiable stronghold chalk full of nasty animals and even nastier plants. Harry suppressed a shudder as he thought about the things that would be waiting for him on the island. He remembered, back when they were still in Hogwarts, when they still had been time to dally, when they spent an entire night telling scary stories. Harry shuddered as he remembered some of the horror stories Seamus told about the island.
"Do...do you think it's true? I mean...about the plants?" Ron asked tentatively, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. The two of them had lost themselves in the terror and apprehension for a few moments.
"Aye it's true."
The two men jumped at the intrusion, both their hearts racing as Reynard suddenly popped in front of them.
Harry shot a glance over to the front of the boat. "Shouldn't you be steering?"
"We're here. But before you go understand this; the island of Malos is not what it seems. Beware the what you see for what you see may not be what it is. Heed my warnings boys and remember: trust not what you see but always trust when you feel." He tilted his head, his voice ringing true in Harry's ears. "It may save your life and is the key to survival on the island."
The ominous declaration struck a cord within the two of them and for a moment after Reynard moved away, they sat still, digesting his words.
Harry wanted to dismiss the warning, wanted to write it off as nonsense -- how else could he deal with it? But with many years of experience, he knew not to take anything lightly anymore.
Slowly the two of them started to stir. They rose from their seats silently, moving towards the door to disembark the small vessel. As they reached the door, Reynard stopped them once again.
"I'll be leaving for a while but I'll be back at exactly half past ten. Be sure you be here by then. If you should run into complication, I will be back every hour on the hour until dawn. Once day breaks, it will be too much of a risk for me to come so close to shore. I will be back a hour after dusk and every hour on the hour after that."
Harry and Ron nodded as they stored the information away for later. When they were sure that he was not going to apart with any more information, they made their way to the door. Ron snagged the bag of things Dumbledore had thought they need and had sent ahead of them with one hand. The two of them walked out and across the deck. Once outside, both Ron and Harry both did a quick survey of their surroundings.
The night sky was a lit by the moon but the island itself was darkened for the most part. Shadowed buildings and dark woods took up most of the island, but Harry thought he had saw the glint of a small lake in the distance.
The beach span maybe a kilometer, maybe two, outlined by rugged rocks in the background. They didn't expand that far up and didn't seem to be much of a challenge to get across. Shouldn't take more than a minute or two, Harry judged, looking it over.
A slow and short mist rose from the waters that surround the island, giving an eerie feeling as mist met skin. In the waters were dark green plants, presumably seaweed littered around, gently moving with the tide.
Harry's eyes were brought back to island itself, trying to search out the guide that they were supposed to depended upon for the duration of their little trip to the island. His eyes roamed the island, but he couldn't see anybody that was waiting for them...
"Harry!" Ron whispered. "Could that be...?" Ron pointed a point at the rocks.
Harry squinted, not seeing a thing. Then looking even harder, he could just barely make out a huddled figure shadowed by the rocks and protected from the light. If he could trust his eyes, whomever it was seemed to be staring at them.
"See any deadly plants?" Harry joked, trying to alleviated some of the tension in the air.
"Not funny Harry." Ron gave him a no nonsense look.
Harry shrugged. It was worth a try. "Do you want to get off first? I mean with your stomach and all?"
"Sure," Ron answered lightly. "I might as well." He threw the bag he was holding at Harry. Catching it with a humph, Harry glared at Ron who had turned away to place the small ladder into place.
Ron looked down at the water with distaste. Getting wet was something he didn't want to do, but he knew it was inevitable when getting onto an island. The seaweed was everywhere Ron could see. Ugh! First I have to get wet, now I have to be surrounded by seaweed? He looked away and gave one last look at the island and saw that the figure who had been against the rocks had moved forward. He or she was a few paces from unfiltered light but still the person remained shrouded in darkness.
This is it... he thought as he slowly descended. As he concentrated on getting down the ladder quickly and securely, he almost didn't hear the shout behind him. What? The voice pierced through his consciousness and disrupted his thoughts. That small break in concentration was enough to disrupt him. He turned his head a little to quickly to glance at what the person was yelling at just as he was about to take another step down. Unfortunately the ladder was a little wet.
With a cry Ron went failing, his arms floundering around as he tried fruitlessly to regain his balance. In the back of his mind he could hear Harry crying out his name, but he was paying it no mind. He didn't think about the fact that he was just about to land in icy cold water. The only thing in his mind was the face of the woman who was supposed to meet them. No! It can't be! It was the last person he and probably Harry would expect to help them.
Damn! she thought as she waited for the boat that would most assuredly be there. The least those two could do is show up on time!
Potter and Weasley were late. And if they were going to be even later, they might screw up the entire mission altogether. I knew we should not have involved them!
She moved closer to the rocks behind her, their smooth, cool faces given her a small comfort. She knew she was covered when standing so close to the rock and her wearing black helps as well.
Come on, Potter. I don't have all day! she fumed.
Finally!
she thought with little relief. She make out the small boat make it's way steadily towards the island. Within just a few moments, it had stopped short of the island a few meters.Still watching the craft closely, she could make out the two figures on the deck, one moving away from the other to... She looked more closely at the pair. It was hard to tell who was Potter and who was Weasley, but she could make out the figures. She took several steps forward, but she made sure she stayed out of the moonlight. He's putting the ladder down, she realized.
Then the figure started to climb down the ladder, unbeknownst to the danger he was about going to be in.
Her eyes widened as she realized the man didn't know what he was walking down into. Looking around and deciding to take a calculated challenge, she raced forward into the light, waving her arms and shouting for him to stop. It was risky, she knew, to be shouting when she could alert one of the sentries to their position, but she had to stop him from getting into the water. It was a calculated risk that no one was in the hearing range of them and hopefully no one is.
With her heart sinking, she watched as the scene unfurled. The man had turned to look at her and as close as she was, she knew he recognized her. It was at that moment that it looked as if Weasley lost his balance and fell into the very thing she was trying to get him to avoid.
Oh fuck! That idiot Weasel! she thought contemptuously as she ran forward, splashing into the water. If she didn't do something now, it was likely that the mission she didn't even want to partake in was going to end before it even started.
Hermione busied herself nervously, moving from place to place, never lingering in one place for long, trying to tidy her already immaculate flat. Though Ron was at times a complete slob, years of marriage has long since changed her husband's errant ways for good. And, she thought with a satisfied curl of her lip. It was rather...educational to get Ron to...see things my way...
She took a hold of a statuette, remembering how they had picked it up in Rome the third day of their honeymoon. It had been the first day they had ventured out of their hotel room and only after coaxing on her part. The small smile slipped off her face when she realized that she may never be able to 'convince' Ron of other small things in the future. She carefully placed the small statuette she had been holding and gave it one more stroke before she turned away.
It just infuriates her that while she was standing by idly while her husband and their best friend risk their life for something that was in all likelihood not going to succeed in anything but their deaths. It was damn frustrating knowing that she couldn't do anything to help them.
I hate being so bloody useless! she raged in her mind, pacing back and forth. Ron and Harry are out there alone and I don't know what's going to happen to them!
Hermione stopped pacing abruptly, knowing that no matter how she beat herself up over it, it wasn't going to help Ron or Harry and neither was it going to help her relax. She gave the clock a glance. Nine o'clock. They should be almost there...
She was quite aware of the conditions that surround the island and just thinking about it made her wince as she imagined all the things that could happen just trying to get there. No don't think about, she ordered herself. Things will be a lot easier if you just don't think about it.She sighed. This is nuts. For a moment she considered turning in early but the thought of her being safe in her bed while Ron risked his life was unsettling. She would never be able to get to sleep under these conditions.
Deciding that it wasn't going to work, Hermione grabbed her coat and apparated to the current Base of Operations. If she was going to be staying up all night, she might as well be staying up all night getting some work done. Even though they were with magic, they still manage to be overwhelmed with paperwork.
No one even blinked at her sudden appearance at the heart of the Base of Operations. She was a regular there -- keeping an office here and at the Ministry. She mostly worked out of the Ministry but at times she would stay at the base.
Hermione allowed herself a bittersweet smile as she remembered the fuss Ron had made when she first told him she was going to have an office at the base. He had ranted and pouted for days, trying to make her see that it wasn't the most smartest nor safest thing she has ever done. And when he found out that the posting had been her choice, he had been absolutely insufferable.
She had assured him that all she would be doing was paperwork and that most of the time, she wouldn't even be there, but still Ron would not budge. It wasn't until she had reminded him that he was there everyday, risking his life so why can't she at least be allowed to work a few times a week at the most guarded, important strongholds that they have? After that, Ron could do nothing else but accept it, even if he was worried for her.
"Ms. Granger?"
Hermione was catch right as she was one arm in and one arm out of her coat. She had taken the Weasley name as her own, but when she was working, she answered only to her own. "Mistia?"
"You wanted to be appraised of the American situation?"
"Yes, yes of course. Is there a new development?" Hermione eased the rest of the way out of her coat and slung it over an arm. She started walking briskly over to her office with Mistia trailing behind her.
"The Americans have backed off on their threat but they are still demanding to be a part of the situation."
Hermione nodded absent-mildedly, throwing her coat on the small sofa in her office. "That's fine. They have vested interests in the Singapore attack but make sure they understand that so do we. This is a partnership -- they wouldn't even know about it if it weren't for us. We will not be cut out of this."
Mistia nodded, Hermione's every word being recorded on the small notebook in her pocket. "Of course, Ms. Granger."
Hermione moved over to behind her desk and looked at the young woman waiting patiently in front of her. "Are our people ready?"
"They're moving in place even as we speak," Mistia answered promptly.
"Good. Have you let Robbins know?" Robbins, her right-hand man was supposed to be coordinating the counterattack, his first real assignment ever since he had been assigned to her two years back. At time she had been at odds with herself with whether or not to assign this mission for him to oversee (it was his first real solo assignment) but she knew he needed this to stretch his wings, to show that he really could this by himself.
"Of course. He had been informed of everything as it has come available." Mistia paused, hesitating. She opening her mouth to say something, but not really sure if she should.
"What is it?" Hermione questioned, seeing the secretary hesitate.
"Are you...okay?"
The concern in her voice touched her and she was secretly pleased that Mistia cared enough to ask. "I'm..." For a moment she considered lying to avoid any more questioning, but she couldn't. "I'm coping." Hermione gave Mistia a weak smile. "It never gets easier and in this case, it's become a lot harder."
Mistia nodded in sympathy. "Don't worry," she eased. "I'm sure they'll be fine. Ron and Harry are a formidable pair."
"So they tell me," Hermione agreed. "But I'm still worried."
"If you've got a moment, Dumbledore would like to see you in his office."
Hermione looked up in surprise. Her shock must have showed on her face because Mistia quickly added, "He knew you would be in before the night is out."
She didn't bother looking surprised any more. It was just like him to be like this. Years of working with and around Dumbledore had taught her never to judge him too lightly. Just as you think you've got him figured out, he would something to disrupt all of your carefully reasoned dispositions about him. Sometimes when she was really stressed she wondered if Dumbledore was...more than human. But that was ridiculous, she told herself, telling herself that Albus Dumbledore was just a great man who did great things. But sometimes she wondered...
"Fine. I'll be there in a bit."
Mistia nodded and walked over to Hermione. She placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and told her to hold on. "It'll be okay, you'll see." With that she dropped her hand and walked out, leaving Hermione suddenly feeling more alone and more isolated than ever.
She wished she had Mistia's confidence that everything would be fine. Am I like this with every mission? She couldn't remember if she was and if she was, if it had ever been as bad as this time.
Hermione sighed tiredly. Reaching for the folder at the corner of her desk, she briefly wondered how much longer she could do this before she retreated to the safety of Dumbledore's office. She opened it up, glancing over the information on the papers inside and tried to catch the words of the report of the current actions of their team in Singapore who were coordinating the counter-attack. The benefit of having magic was the ever changing updated information but sometimes it goes by so quickly that one would have to be a speed reader to catch everything before it disappeared again.
Death Eaters not in sight. Predicted time of attack: 2350
Teams Alpha-Delta have reported in on the Yanks' side and are in place.
Commander Gehrig has taken command of field agents.
Mulligan still hasn't reported in -- Robbins slightly worried.
The last statement stayed for a total of 25 seconds before it was replaced by another statement, something about Captain Johnson's troops on the American side causing a fuss, but Hermione wasn't worried about that. Whatever it was, she knew Robbins could handle it -- he had become a great mediator when it came to the Americans. But Mulligan... That had Hermione on edge. It wasn't the fact that Robbins was worried -- he was worried about any slightest detail that could impede his first mission -- but the fact that Mulligan in the past have always been prompt in reporting in.
Sebastian Mulligan, petty thief and general lowlife. Raised on the streets of London, a Slytherin, but raised himself up on the criminal world every chance he got. He would do anything for a knut and would rather cut off a finger before he gave any of his money away. But despite all of that, he was still one of the most informative, most clever bastards out there. He knew the ins and the outs of almost everything as well had a finger in every pie as the saying goes and that made him very valuable -- to both sides.
But they had an edge over Voldemort. Mulligan was on their side and would never turn on them. The reasons motivating him were simple. Revenge. Guilt. He had been of Muggle descent, something he kept from the rest of his Slytherin house. His mother had been a witch, but she had taken off after his little sister Suzy had been born, leaving him and his sister with his drunk of a father. His father had been killed during the first time Voldemort had come into power, but Suzy had been killed in one of the little attacks Voldemort had staged only a few years back. With is father he didn't even bat an eye when he had found out he had died. In fact, he had rejoiced in the bastard's death. But Suzy...that had been unforgivable.
When asked what he had been doing that time, he would have told you he had been in the South Pacific, avoiding the little mess. He hadn't even had known his little sister had died until Hermione had approached him a year ago. It had been the only thing that she had over his head -- his beloved sister killed by a hated enemy.
They had known that Voldemort had instructed Malfoy in getting the aid of Mulligan, a man of his talents who wouldn't mind doing some dirty deeds with connections to high places was definitely something he wouldn't look over.
Draco had passed the information on to her, telling her that if she look deeper, she would find an ally in Mulligan. Hermione did and it seemed as if Draco's hunch had been correct. When Mulligan found out about his sister's death, he immediately wanted to sever ties with the Dark Lord, to try and take them out himself. But she managed to convince that it was in both of their interests to him to work both sides.
Mulligan may be scum, but he was loyal scum and who was bent on taking down everyone of the Death Eaters. He had taken their cause as his personal one and Hermione was sure he would stop at nothing to reach his goal.
That's why she had difficulty believing Mulligan would ever be late, would disappear without a trace. Anxious, she chewed on a bottom lip. This wasn't good. She raised her hands to massage her temples. Things were not looking good. What else? What more can happen? Tired, she flopped the papers onto her desk. She didn't want to think about it tonight. Let somebody else worry about it for a change, she thought, deciding to leave it. But deep down she knew she wouldn't be able to avoid it forever. Sooner or later, most likely sooner, the urge to be on top of things would hit her and she would come back to it. She never could just sit back and let others run the show for her.
Hermione pushed her chair out, stretching a bit. Now, when she was feeling out of place and didn't want to do any work was as good as any time to see Dumbledore. She did say she would pop in for a while.
She quickly moved from her office across the nearly empty room over to Dumbledore's office. Mistia didn't even look up when she went past her desk and walked up to the door.
Before she even had a chance to knock, the door opened revealing a candlelit room and the man who had once been her Headmaster.
"Sir?"
"Come in, Ms. Granger."
She swiftly moved through the doorway. Dumbledore was off the side, fixing himself a drink.
"Tea?"
She shook her head no and took a stand in front of his desk, waiting for Dumbledore to address her.
"Mmm," Dumbledore grumbled. "There's nothing like a spot of hot tea to soothe the soul." He made the way back to the desk, settling his steaming cup on the desk. "Sit, sit. Don't be so stiff, Hermione."
Reluctantly, Hermione relaxed a bit and took a seat. "Sir, I'm concerned about Sebastian Mulligan--" she began, getting straight to the business at hand.
"Don't worry about it, Hermione!" Dumbledore interrupted. "I'm sure Mr. Robbins is more than capable of handling the situation. You on the other hand should be at home, but something told me you won't be sitting casually at home tonight."
"I can't stay there...surrounded by the things we've collected... Everything reminds me of him," Hermione admitted, looking at her feet.
"It's not a fallacy to feel concerned for your husband. Quite understandable really." Dumbledore turned an grabbed a tray of sweets and biscuits, offering it to Hermione. Still she refused and Dumbledore sighed.
"The boys will be all right. I have the utmost confidence in the two of them."
"So do I! But," Hermione burst.
"But you're are still worried?"
Hermione nodded, not trusting her to speak. She couldn't put into words the turbulent emotions she was feeling, but she was afraid if she tried, she might not be able to stop until she was a blubbering mess.
Dumbledore sighed again. He reached for his cup and took a tentative sip of his drink. "I can't say I blame you. I'm concerned for the two of them as well, but they are in good hands. Reynard will see that they are not harmed during the trip, though he would never admit that he cares about anything other than Draco," Dumbledore said with a knowing smile. "And I'm sure whoever Draco has gotten to show them around the island would be good enough. He had been planning for this day for a long time now and though there's many unforseenable things that could happen, Draco has planned for most of the outcomes. His people would be prepared."
She knew all this already, but for some reason hearing Dumbledore telling her this reassured her even more. This is Dumbledore right? He's never wrong... He'll never lie to me... Hermione tried to smile. "I suppose."
Dumbledore smiled, glad that he had managed to relieve at least some of the tension from her face. "Good girl. Now onto important matters."
Hermione subconsciously leaned closer, the hint of something new sparking her interest. Something was afoot, she could just feel it. It was times like this that reminded her what she loved about her job. The thrill of discovery, she was on the hunt and she could almost touch her prey. "Tell me," she ordered tersely, barely hiding her excitement.
"It concerns the Ministry of Magic in Switzerland. Intel has suggested for the past week that they are finally going to take a stand. Same thing with the Dutch."
"To our side or theirs?" Hermione questioned, her mind going straight to the business at hand.
Dumbledore shrugged. "We don't know, but we hear they are scared. It seems as if they might have gotten a sniff of what's to come, something big and they're scared."
"They want to be on the winning side's good graces," Hermione concluded. A nod from Dumbledore confirmed her suspicion. "But--"
"We don't know," Dumbledore answered even before she had a chance to get the question out. If she wasn't so used to him being so prophetic, she would have been annoyed at the constant interruptions. But that was just another quirk in Dumbledore's personality.
"Could this be the attack on the Muggles Draco has been trying to get out?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I don't think so. It could be, but it seems a little too simplistic for my tastes. No, the Ministries of Switzerland and the Netherlands wouldn't be too concerned over a large Muggle assault. At least not enough for them to deflect to Voldemort's side."
Silently, Hermione agreed with him. There was no way that they would go over to the Dark just because of a little complication which was what a Muggle would be basically. There has to a some other reason, she reasoned. Switzerland and the Netherlands were two very important countries. If they turned to Voldemort's side, the war would become more hopeless. For years they have managed to stay neutral, much like in the Muggle world, but as of late it's become increasingly harder and harder to maintain their neutrality. Not when the Dark Lord has been gaining more and more control over the Wizarding world. Already three countries have fallen on this continent alone and 13 more in the rest of the world. Whether or not they wanted to admit it, they were in trouble. The only thing keeping them from total domination was the work of the British Ministry of Magic and other governments like it still standing. They could not afford to lose two more European countries to them.
Hermione worried herself on her bottom lip. "Could this Muggle attack be a diversion? Something to keep us focused in the wrong direction?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Exactly my thoughts, my dear. But I suppose we won't know for sure until Draco comes out of Malos Island and tells us. Assuming he knows about whatever this is?"
She frowned, his words not sitting well with her. "What do you mean? Surely they wouldn't have kept this from one of their highest ranking Death Eaters?"
Looking nonchalant, Dumbledore shrugged. "Draco's capture has been a surprise to all of us, but I don't think it was an hasty arrest. But I could always be wrong."
Hermione fell silent. He's right. As always. But to think that they knew Draco has been passing information to them beforehand... It was inconceivable, if only for the reason that if they had, they were suddenly in so much more of bind.
"I suggest you get a good night's sleep, Hermione and if you can't sleep, think more about what I've told you tonight. Talk to Mistia, she will give you the appropriate materials concerning this."
Hermione nodded, getting up stiffly. Since she couldn't even think about sleeping that night, work on this matter would be best. Something that could be this important needed extra attention.
"Yah!" Ron yelled, his arms failing wildly as he hit the water with a impressive splash, landing in a patch of seaweed. He tried to stand but he found that it was too deep for him to stand upright. As he battled the slick but clingy seaweed, he tried to keep a float.
"Ron!" Harry called down, his eyes squinting in the dark. Ron could see the soft glint of the moonlight reflecting off his glasses. "You okay?"
"Ye-ek!" Ron cried out, feeling a tight pressure on his arms and legs. He had started to say that he was okay, but as soon as he felt the squeezing start the affirmation turned into a shout.
"Ron? Ron!"
Oh bloody hell! Ron cursed, his arms reaching to rip the bloody pieces of plant off his body, but finding his arms hell immobile. He struggled to free himself, but with every jostle he was getting more and more entangled in the mess. "Harry?" Ron called out, his voice raised an octave. "I think I've got a problem here!"
Harry strained his eyes, his feet already on the ladder to go down and help his alarmed friend. "Ron? Answer me!"
"Harry?" Ron squeaked, the tightening of the seaweed on his body blocking his air flow. "Help!" Ron tried to twist around, but could only get himself more caught. In the dimness of the light, he glances around wildly, trying to find some way, any way to free himself. "Oh God," he breathed silently, his eyes falling a mass of seaweed -- moving it's way toward him. His panicky mind yelled at him to get away, to run from the quickly approaching sea plants.
But even as he was struggling, he didn't fail to notice a slight prickling, tickling him on the underside of a leg. He craned to neck, staining against the plants as he fought to raise his head up. He was breathless by the time he finally got enough resistance to pull his head up to a point where he could see his leg. Ron froze, his eyes wide and his head slamming back down to the water, making a small splash of water jump up. Fuck! It's eating away at my clothes! And with a sinking feeling, he felt other places, his arms, his torso, every place that the plants were clinging to his body start that tingling feeling. He opened his mouth to yell, but the sight of the mass of seaweed moving towards him gave him a moments pause. A sound above him drew his attention away from the plants, and he realized with alarm that Harry was moving down to help.
"No! Harry! You've--!"
A/N: I am so so so sorry for the long long wait! This one chapter was worked on and worked on and between beta readers, myself and my friend Kara (thank you so much Kara! Remember, you promised to review! And sorry that it wasn't up sooner...) it took a lot of time. And it's pretty long...
Tell me, would you rather have long chapters like this one or shorter ones that I used to do before? I just want to know...
Nataku's Child: Wow! Thanks! You got everything I was trying to convey! I've sent this story to two lists: Harry and Draco and DracoXHarry. The reason why you haven't read the newest ones on there is the fact that they're a few chapters behind. The slash-y-ness will slowly develop, hoping in the next few chapters it'll start...
Greyish blue? Great! Just the color I was looking for! :)
Tora: Thank you! You also got everything I was trying to convey, especially the personalities and interactions. That was my main purpose to start this story.
I don't know if intriguingly is a word, but thanks anyway! It's nice to know my writing is intriguing... :)
I popped by your website to see my fanfic, but I couldn't get onto the fanfic page... Do you know why?
And sorry, I didn't realize I did say I was in a little of a writers' block slump. My bad.
Kelly: Thank you and Draco will show up in the next chapter, count on it. It might not be much though (he's still pretty out of it), but he'll be there.
WildfireFriendship: As I said to Kelly, Draco is going to show up next chapter, so be prepared...
Veefa: Much thanks! It means a lot to me that you find the character development and the plot good. It's what I hope is the best out of the whole story. Hell, I'm glad that it's not a total disaster...
Amaiko: So very, very sorry!!! I didn't realize you had put up a review (didn't check, sorry!) on the last chapter and I didn't include you in my notes. Sorry! I'm sorry about your computer and glad that's it's fine now. I don't know what I could do if my computer went out on me.
Thank you so much! Personally, I'm a little attached to Reynard... :)
I want to thank all of you who've taken the time to respond. You really make my day, reading your reviews! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
For the I'm Not In Love readers: Thank you so much for reviewing, it really means a lot to me which I'm sure other writers can understand. I don't know that you are reading this story too, but on the off chance that you are, thank you.
Tionne: Here. I hope you like it. :)
Ambrosius: Thank you. I tried to put myself in Draco's shoes but I'm afraid I repeated myself too much...
PepperjackCandy: Love sweet stuff! I didn't think it came off too sweet though, but people seem to think so, so great! I've always wanted to do a "Draco tries to break up but end up confessing his love stories..."
To my beta, thank you so very much for all the work. And please give thanks to Kara, a great friend who insisted that I put in an action scene and was the reason why this chapter is so long. Thanks for all your help!
To readers, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW. I love reviews and I always try to respond to them.
Until next time.