Runaway VII
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Ginny Weasley fingered the letter, wondering whether or not to open it. Hermione was unpredictable nowadays. The Ministry of Magic had declared her a public meanace, and she was sent to Azkaban. "Aw, who cares?" Ginny asked herself as she broke the seal on the piece of parchment. She gingerly opened the letter and began to read Hermione's eloquent handwriting. Hermione had always said that they were the writer's thoughts on paper.
--- --- --- ---
Draco Malfoy frowned as he entered the dimly lit room filled with the upper-ranked Death Eaters. With his black hood draped over his head and his face hidden by a black mask, Draco expected that the clothing made it seem even more dreary that in actually was in reality. "Draco," Draco heard a voice calling to him. It was the voice of his Father. "Get over here boy!"
Despite the temptation to smack his Father with his years of abuse, Draco hurried over and restrained his hands. "Yes?" He knelt before his Father so that he neednt look down in pity for such a brillant man corrupted by the flaws of the Dark Side.
"The leader will be presiding this meeting." Lucius motioned towards the front of the table. The table itself made room for fifteen death eaters. Seven on each side of the table, and one closest to the fireplace, where a green flame burned brightly. Cobwebbed chandeliers with candles lit hung above their heads. This place was ornately decorated - rather than Voldemort's plain and simple meetings.
Draco took a seat to the left of his Father. Flanked by two guards, the Dark Lady came to the front of the table and sat down. It was obvious that she had the power, given by Voldemort, as she became heir to the Death Eaters. It was strange how Draco hadn't seen a female Death Eater -- until now. Still hidden behind the mask, Draco could see the robes hugged her hips, unlike any a man's robes would.
"Good evening," a strangely feminine voice stated -- ending all conversations throughout the room. One of the masked body-guards headed towards the doorway and exited only to stand and block the entrance. "We have captured the fugitive Hermione Granger," there was a murmer of awe from the masked group. The leader held up her hands to silence them even more. "Do you all not remember the events several years ago? Hogwarts was attacked by Granger, and she became known as Project Runaway to the Ministry of Magic." There was a vast majority of nodding from the older Death Eaters - who were still in their ranking prior to Voldemort's demise. "Now, we can unleash the power that was hidden inside by our own Mr. Malfoy--"
Draco's heart stopped beating.
'Was that why he could only vaguely remember the events of that fateful day in their seventh year? Hermione had been missing from her Common Room. It was the day of the Halloween feast & dance. Strangely, he too had awoken in a deserted classroom without a memory of what had happened the previous night. He had suspected that he'd had too much to drink and sauntered over, only to pass out.'
"Hermione will be our lead to Harry Potter. With help from several of The Agency's own Agents, we will be turning their project against them." Draco gulped slowly. 'They couldn't have known that he was a double agent for The Agency.. could they have?'
Moments seemed to pass before someone said a word. It came from the woman sitting across the table from Draco. "When we find Potter, what's to become of him?" Strangely, Draco cocked his head. The voice seemed familiar -- almost too familiar. He frowned. It seemed that the Death Eater was disguising his or her voice to be more manly. It was puzzling as to why someone would do such a thing.
"We'll finally have a victory against the Wizarding World. We'll take from Harry the very thing that keeps him walking -- right in front of his eyes!" There were several cheers and applause. Several members even had the urge to stand up and bow eloquently to the Lady. Draco did none of this, and was but silent.
Several things were now running through his mind, about who the mysterious Dark Lady was and who was sitting across the table from him. It was these mysteries that flooded his mind.
After that, there was the idleness of boredom. The discussion was about tactics and strategy -- not to mention the transfer of money from one Death Eater to the organization in order to fund the project, in which they called it Project Heartbreak. It would have to be done secretly or the Ministry of Magic would be able to sense it. Most of the higher ranked Death Eaters were wealthy (in their own lines of business outside being a Death Eate) and would have to transfer money in small amounts.
--- --- --- ---
He arrived home to be greeted by Danielle. She kissed him softly and held him by the shoulders. "Draco? Is there something wrong?"
"No," Draco said softly to match the mood. "Nothing can be wrong when I'm with you." She smiled and sat down at the dining room table to eat a quiet and delicious dinner.
--- --- --- ---
Lavender Clearwater, ranked class A in the Agency, usually wasn't allowed into higher-class meetings. Most meetings ranked higher than class A involved the three agents : Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Douglas Phillips. She beamed with pride as she entered the room. "Good morning Miss Clearwater," B announced sternly. The three males glanced at her with skepticism.
"If I may inquire B, why do we need a lower-ranked agent's aid in this case?" Lavender didn't need to turn her head to know that it was Draco Malfoy, the arrogant off-spring of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. He was presumed a Death Eater in disguise, but no one was able to confirm that. Douglas chuckled. 'Leave it to Draco to diss someone,' Lavender thought bitterly. She wondered if it was against Agency rules to get back at an higher ranked member.
"Shut up, Draco." Douglas said playfully. "I'm Douglas." He took her hand and shook it firmly. B nodded for them to sit down into their chairs. Harry stared out the window and looked rather distressed. Lavender didn't blame him for being so distraught. After all, if it was her husband or boyfriend, Lavender would be in the same state.
"Charming," Lavender said in response.
"Come on now," B complained. "We haven't time to dwadle." They took their seats with Lavender sitting in between Douglas and Harry. Draco, who was rather morose that Lavender had been allowed on the job, sat to the side of the group. Truely, the only person who didn't have thoughts dwelling on him at the time of the meeting was Douglas.
"Sources say that the newly formed group of Death Eaters, who are led by a new leader, the Dark Lady are plotting a plot against Harry and the Agency. Possibly, it could be against the whole entire Wizarding World as we know it. However, this is in a conflict with a civilian. Hermione Granger is presumed to be in enemy hands. She is a convict, but she never completed her formal trial, so there-fore she is still a civilian. Our mission is to find and rescue Hermione before it's too late."
"And risk her life and my own in the process?" Harry asked quizically, recieving astonished stares from his fellow Agents.
"Harry, you put your life on the line all the time for her. True, but somehow the Dark Lady would have made a move to kill her already. I suspect that she has some dark plan." B took a sip of her mocha flavored coffee.
"Could it possibly tie into the murder of Madeline Danquell," Douglas asked. "After all, Hermione doesn't remember much about the event. Someone inside Hogwarts could have done something that night that no one remembers. Do you remember much about that night Harry?"
"No," Harry said solemnly. He'd just remembered taking Hermione to the Halloween Dance, and they were walking back to the Common Room. When they woke, they were sprawled on the hallway floor . Hermione was unconcious and a wand gleamed green next to her.
"Possibly," B said thoughtfully - thinking back to Douglas's theory. "It is a logical theory, but do any of you have any evidence? Sources say that the Death Eaters have had a recent meeting with their Lady and discussed several issues on hand."
Draco felt glances on him. "I was at that meeting," he said solemnly. The others, except for Lavender, weren't surprised at all. Harry's brow twitched, as he was forced to restrain himself. "They discussed Granger's position and what was going on . It wasn't in much detail-"
"God damn bastard!" Harry launched himself at Draco, grabbing his robes collar.
"Harry!" Douglas yelled, attempting to force Harry off of Draco.
"You son of a bitch! I always knew that you were no good!" Tears streamed down his face as his anger gave way to sorrow. He collasped on the floor, weeping. Lavender looked from Draco, who was wide-eyed and terrified, to Harry. Harry Potter, the heroic boy who lived, was crying like a baby. 'He's a human after-all,' she thought to herself.
"Harry, perhaps we should take you off this assignment. It's obviously too much for you to handle. Perhaps a consulation with Miss Wildman will calm those nerves."
Harry shook his head shamefully and stood up. 'I'm sorry, 'mione. I let you down one too many times,' he thought silently.
"I can only hope that you three will bring her back safely," he choked before he walked slowly out the door. Draco pulled his robes back in place and sat up in his chair. That was an experience that he hoped would never repeat itself.
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Teresa Potter was walking down the hallway. Her high-heels clicking merrily on the tile floor. She heard the door to meeting room close softly, and a dejected looking Harry Potter saunter down the corridor towards the Pyschology Ward. "Harry?"
He kept walking along.
"Harry?" She hastened and was soon by his side. "What happened?"
"B suggested I go to Wildman." He continued walking along - shuffling his feet and slouching. Teresa stopped in her tracks. When an officer was sent to Wildman, it usually meant that they were going insane or to get mental help before they were too far gone. Harry's blood-shot eyes were all too much alike her father's eyes after her mother was ruthlessly killed by one of Voldemort's cronies. He'd been put off assignment, and it crushed him.
She couldn't help but feel sorry for Harry. "If you ever need someone, Harry. I'm here." She called after him, hoping the security scanners wouldn't pick it up. B would have a fit if she suspected that Teresa felt anything but friendship towards Harry.
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The path to Wildman's office felt like the longest walk that Harry had ever experienced. 'Room 576: Psychologist Office,' Harry read to himself. Knocking, he opened the door. "Well, Harry Potter! You are definately not someone I would expect to see around here, but make yourself comfortable." Miss Wildman was a blond haired lady in her early thirties. She had wild hazel eyes and a friendly manner.
"Thanks," Harry grunted and took a seat on the couch.
"What brings you to the Psychologist Ward, Harry?"
"I don't know," Harry admitted. This wasn't the time to be opening up to strangers. His fiancee was in the hands of the very enemy, he had thought he had killed. "We were just going over missions briefing, and Malfoy-"
"That would be Draco Malfoy correct?"
"Yes. Well, Malfoy said that he knew about my fiancee-"
"That would be Hermione Granger?"
"Yes. So, Hermione is presumed in enemy's hands. Malfoy talked about some plan, and I lost it. I blew up and attempted to strangle Malfoy. B thought that it was too much for me, and that I should remain off-mission." Harry let a lone tear roll half-way down his cheeck before he wiped it away. He wiped his red eyes with his sleeve.
"Interesting," Wildman said nonchantly.
"Please," Harry begged. "Don't write me infit for this job. I need to secure my wife," Harry paused. He had considered himself and Hermione a "married couple" sharing the same home and taking care of Monique. Harry wondered if his daughter was safe.
"Harry? You are aware that you and Miss Granger never were joined in holy matrimony. You had yet to plan your wedding." Wildman was a persistant woman. Couldn't she see that Harry was in pain of talking about Hermione?
"Yes. I'm sorry. Fiancee," Harry restated. "I need to secure my fiancee home, and then you can do whatever you want with me. I'm not mental."
"Denial is the first stage, but Harry-" Harry's green eyes met her hazel orbs. "I'm not taking your rank away from you. We'll decide what to do with you after you complete this mission. If it's successful, I may decide not to restrain you from further missions."
"Thank you," Harry said quietly.
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Ginny Weasley's eyes scanned the eloquent handwriting that was Hermione's. The letter read :
Dear Ginny,
It's been a while since I wrote you, and I'm afraid that this has been on my mind for such a long time that I yearn to tell everything. The truth is I haven't been the friendliest with your brother, Ronald. It seems that he wants to bite my head off about my child, Monique, who belongs to Harry - as does my heart.
Can you tell me what happened? I'm just as puzzled as the half-finished 3-D puzzle my parents gave me as a child during winter. As for my friendship, I'm awfully scared that you'll take sides with your brother and hate me as much as he does. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed anywhere -- So I can't visit you without Harry coming along. It's the Ministry of Magic.Besides, I'm sure that an Editor in Chief wouldn't want to be seen with a convict from Azkaban.
Ginny chuckled sardonically at these words.
Tell me. How is life? It's been so long that I've talked with you, and I have so much to catch up on. I don't know when I'll be released from these lies, but as soon as I do, I'll try and come over to introduce you to Monique for the first time.
Your friend forever,
Hermione Granger
Ginny smiled as she thought of the time that little Monique Granger would come over and be introduced. She knew Ron wouldn't be thrilled, but who cared? He was the Minister of Magic and was rarely at home.
Lies? Ginny wondered what Hermione meant by that. After all, in her first hearing she had admitted to killing Madeline Danquell. Perhaps there were two sides of Hermione. It was far-fetched, but there was always that possiblity. This was the Wizarding World and anything was possible.
The front door slammed shut.
"Mum?!" Ron Weasley shouted from the kitchen. Ginny was sitting on the steps as her brother walked into the kitchen. "Hey Gin." He shot her a weak smile. "What's that you're reading?"
"A letter," Ginny responded. She didn't hesitate to add the "Duh!" part in. 'Speak of the devil,' she thought slyly.
"Always being the journalist aren't you? Who is it from?"
"A friend," Ginny said mysteriously as she folded the letter.
Ron got a glance at the seal. "Hermione-"
"What makes you say that, eh Ron?" Ginny quickly hid the letter. "I haven't been in contact with her since Hogwarts and you know that. Besides, she's an enemy of yours. Why do you care?"
"Give it here," Ron bellowed. "It's from Hermione Granger!"
'So I lied?' Ginny shook her head. "Ron, it's personal."
"She's missing! Didn't you know that? On the order of the Ministry of Magic, I declare that you give me that letter," Ron demanded, extending his hand to recieve the letter. "Well, Ginny?" She scruched up her eyes. "Don't tell me you're siding with her?!"
"She's always been a friend, and I think you're wrong about her! You're just jealous because Harry won her heart in the end, and you ended up with nothing."
Ron was taken aback by this remark. 'How could she have so accurately guessed?'
"Don't tell me that you didn't love her. It was so obvious, and you were a green-monster when your flirting didn't go anywhere." Ginny analyzed. "It just broke your heart when Harry Potter, your best friend, went to the Halloween Dance with Hermi . That was when-"
Ron couldn't take it anymore. Anymore tales of his pathetic love life from Ginny would further pierce his heart. "Shut up Ginny," he called. Ron ran past Ginny and up towards the highest floor, his room. It was his sanctuary, still after all these years.
Hidden beneath his bed, past his collection of Famous Witches and Wizards cards, was his journals of the years at Hogwarts. Harry had long forgotten about the dreams and of the young apathetic teenager, but Ron hadn't. His apathy was for the thoughts of others, such as Draco Malfoy, who weren't his friends. They were still there - written on scraps of parchment bound together by a leather front cover.
Pages hung out of the faded yellow parchment, but Ron could still read the writing of a seventeen year old in love.
Dear Journal,
I'm in love with Hermione. Yeah. Still. What could I do to make her see? Harry's in her eyes, and all she can do is say that we're friends. Can't she see that I love her-
Ron shut the book. The memories flooding back were too much for him to bear. Saddened by the treatment of his friends, Ron took the journal and headed back down the stairs and out the door.
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Hermione Granger managed to learn more about Elizabeth, the only living soul that she had met since her capture. Monique was no-where to be seen. She had hoped that she would be able to take care of her child, but alas there was silence. "Elizabeth?"
"Yes ma'm?"
"Do you know where they're keeping my child," Hermione asked through the barred door. "Whether they're taking good care of her? Please. I need to know."
"Don't worry, ma'm. They're taking good care of the girl."
"Thank god."
It was only then when a robed figure shoved Elizabeth aside roughly and opened the door to her cell. A hand reached out to grab her, and all Hermione could do now was scream.
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Disclaimer : All characters that you recognize from the original book series by JK Rowling belong to her. The others belong to their respective selves, and myself.
Thank you: Thank you all for reviewing and to Dawn for an excellent Beta job this chapter :) !
Note: Runaway will be a longer series, but it might have to come out in bigger installments in longer distances. High School will be a big change for me. Please be sure to review! If you want me to e-mail you when the next chapter is, please just leave your e-mail address in the review. Thanks!
