So where are we going? Hermione asked after they had been walking along the dark empty street for quite a while.
You know your way around here, don't you, Granger? Draco asked. How do we get to Diagon Alley?
They had just reached the end of the narrow street and Hermione stopped to look around. She quickly recognized her surroundings, things didn't look very different, if it hadn't been for the change in weather she would not have believed they had actually travelled anywhere.
Down that street. It's not very far. She said, Draco nodded and set off. Hermione glanced around once more and then followed him.
Most of the people they passed didn't even seem to notice them, only some of the busy muggles wearing suits and carrying black briefcases threw strange glances at Draco. Hermione was convinced they did this because of the way he was dressed, he was still wearing his school uniform and his cloak after all.
A few minutes later they had reached the street that lead to the entrance to Diagon Alley. Suddenly they heard cries from the busy main street, stopped and whirled around. There was a sudden movement in the crowd. People started to run into different directions, away from five men dressed in black robes who were standing in the middle of the street. As the crowd dispersed Draco spotted two lifeless bodies lying on the ground in front of the five men. There was a flash of green light and a woman who had been running away from them fell down to the ground. Hermione stood there petrified with shock and stared at what was going on. Draco grabbed her by the arm and dragged her along a few steps further down the road.
Come on, we have to get away from here! He hissed. She nodded, turned around and they both ran down the street.
They didn't stop before they had reached the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. What was going on there! Hermione said, still panting for breath. How can they do that in the middle of a busy street, why wasn't there anyone there to stop them!
I have no idea... Draco muttered. There should have been someone from the Ministry as soon as the first spell was cast... In there, right? Draco asked and motioned towards the front door of the pub. He had been here only once before, coming from a wizarding family he had usually travelled to Diagon Alley through their fireplace. Hermione nodded and they slowly opened the door. Inside it was dark and the air was heavy with smoke. There weren't many people in the room and the few wizards sitting at the tables in the corners didn't even look up when they entered. They quickly walked across the pub, out through the back door and Hermione opened the passage to Diagon Alley. It was raining and the street was empty. Looking around they noticed that many of the shops were closed. And not only temporarily it seemed since the windows had been boarded up.
That shop up there, maybe we can use their fireplace. Draco said.
To get to Hogwarts?
Yes. I'm sure they can tell us what's going on here.
Some small bells were ringing nervously when they opened the door to the small shop and an old witch appeared behind the counter from out of the shadows.
Out here all on your own you two? She croaked.
Draco replied. We need to use your fireplace.
The strange old woman eyed him suspiciously. Is that a school uniform you're wearing there?
Draco frowned but didn't reply anything. So can we use the fireplace now?
She shook her head. No, no, no, young man. I can't allow everyone who comes into this shop to travel through my fireplace and use up my floopowder.
Draco began searching his pockets, pulled out some coins and placed them on the counter in front of the witch. She reached out to touch them but he quickly put his hand on the coins. The fireplace? He asked.
Yes, yes, use it, it's back there. She said and motioned towards a door behind her back. Draco nodded, took his hand off the coins and the old witch greedily collected the money while the two students walked over to the door. The fireplace was on the left side of the room. Draco took the jar of floopowder from the shelf and put a few hands full into his pockets.
What are you doing that for? Hermione asked.
Just to make sure we'll be able to get back. He replied. I'll go first. Draco stepped into the fireplace, tossed the floopowder down, barked and disappeared in the flickering flames. Hermione waited only a few seconds until the flames had died down again and then followed him.
Looks like this hasn't been opened for quite a while either. Draco said while Hermione got up from the ground and dusted the ash off her clothes. Looking around she understood what he was talking about. The shop was dark, everything was dusty and the shelves were empty. On the ground there was shattered glass from the broken shop window. The street outside wasn't very crowded, only a few people hurried past the shop. Draco slowly stepped outside through the broken window and looked around. At least half of the shops he could see were closed and a lot of the houses looked quite dilapidated but all in all things still looked better around here than in Diagon Alley. Slowly he started to walk down the street.
Hermione called after him and he stopped and turned around. We have only about half an hour before the train will leave and it will take us at least twenty minutes to get back there.
Draco hesitated for a moment. You go back. He then said. I'll come after you as soon as I found out what's going on here.
You'll never make it back there in time. Hermione replied.
I'll take care of that. And if I'm not back in time you can still try to make the train wait until I arrive, all right?
Hermione nodded. She didn't think she could actually make the train stay but she could at least try. And if Draco really wouldn't get there in time at least she would be able to return and tell Dumbledore and the others about what had happened. Fine, I'm going. But don't forget, you don't have much time. She said, took off her watch and handed it over to Draco. Thirty-four minutes now exactly.
Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a hand full of floopowder. You'll need this, I didn't see any by the fireplace. He said, gave it to her and turned to leave. Take care. He added in a low voice and set off down the street while Hermione climbed back into the shop through the broken window.
She walked across the dusty floor to the fireplace at the other end of the room, stepped inside, raised her hand to throw down the floopowder and then hesitated. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to split up, maybe she should rather go with him, he might need her help after all.
You really have to go now. Someone said.
Hermione whirled around upon hearing the unexpected voice and saw a boy slowly walking towards her from the dark corner. He seemed to be about her age, his clothes looked old and worn and his hair was bright green.
Who are you? She asked.
I'm a friend of Draco. He replied.
I didn't think he had any friends around here. She said, eyeing him curiously.
Well, he does. The boy said and took another step towards her. And you really do have to leave now. You won't make it in time if you don't. He added in a very serious voice.
What do you know about...
Enough to know that you have to go. Now.
Hermione nodded slowly. Yes, I know... She whispered and opened her hand to let the floopowder fall down. Green flames rose up in the fireplace and the very moment she vanished from the dark room someone else appeared right next to the green-haired boy. He looked about the same age but he was wearing a suit that was just as gray as his hair and his eyes.
So, Del, straightened everything out again? He asked in a low voice.
Why am I not surprised to see you here? Del asked, really not sounding very surprised. And yes, I do hope so.
You're aware of the fact that you could have caused quite a mess with this, aren't you? I mean, his father would have found him just like he was supposed to if you hadn't...
Yeah, yeah, I know. Del cut him off. And had I known that last night already you know very well that I wouldn't have interfered.
But of course you couldn't know, I suppose that's why we're taught not to interfere with anything at all, right?
It's just way more fun than only watching all the time... Del muttered and the other boy rolled his eyes at this.
You'll never learn it, will you? Let's just hope you managed to fix everything now and this won't get you into any trouble.
Del took a deep breath and looked around. Let's just go now, shall we?
The gray-haired boy nodded, raised his hand, snapped his fingers and disappeared and a second later the green-haired boy followed his example.
***
Draco met only few people on his way. He stopped when he saw the door to the Three Broomsticks. The pub seemed to still be open so he decided to have a look inside, maybe there he would meet someone he knew.
It was very quiet, too quiet regarding the fact that there were quite a lot of people sitting at the tables. But most of them weren't talking and those who were kept their voices low. Some of them looked up from their drinks when he opened the door, eyed him curiously and quickly looked away again. He let his gaze travel through the room but didn't recognize any of the faces so he turned around to leave again. After taking a few steps towards the door he stopped and threw another glance at the faraway corner. The man sitting at the table seemed strangely familiar to him. Slowly Draco started walking towards him.
The man was sitting in a dimly lit corner of the room, he was wearing an old and worn cloak and streaks of his wet gray hair were hanging down in front of his empty eyes. Draco now realized he really knew him. When he stood right next to the table the man slowly raised his head to look at him but he seemed to gaze right through him. Draco raised his hand in front of the man's eyes. He didn't even blink.
Professor Lupin? Draco asked in a low voice. Is it really you?
A weak smile crossed the man's face. It is. He said in a hoarse voice. Mr. Malfoy.
Draco stared at him for a few seconds. He had definitely grown older and he looked very tired and exhausted, but it wasn't the kind of exhaustion that would wear off too easily. What happened to you? Draco said. I mean, you... His voice trailed off.
I can't see, I'm blind, is that what you wanted to say? It happened a long time ago.
What's going on here, Professor? Everything is so... different.
No use for the 'professor' anymore, Mr. Malfoy. Lupin replied sadly. A lot of things have changed since you left. There have been... Suddenly he stopped talking and raised his head as if he was trying to listen to a sound very far away. Draco winced when he grabbed his arm. Go. Back to the castle. Quickly. They're coming. Lupin hissed.
Draco replied. Who are 'they'?
Lupin said once more and pushed him towards the back door.
Draco realized Lupin obviously meant what he was saying and didn't hesitate any longer. He pushed the door open and jumped outside. It was slowly getting darker and colder. He didn't even look back and started to run down the street that would lead him back to Hogwarts.
