Summer Holiday
Chapter 10. Stolen
Hermione had been introduced to the majority of wizards and witches working for Dumbledore and had taken an instant like to Leticia. Leticia had been working with a young witch called Jade, she looked about eighteen and although she was friendly to Hermione she seemed to radiate a defensive, powerful energy. She had long shiny hair, an attractive mixture of blonde tones, light browns, dashed with strands of ice blonde and coppery gold streaks. Her eyes were aqua and were faintly familiar to Hermione. The trio were scanning thick dusty volumes that held information on ancient strengthening magic. Hermione sighed,
"There is so many spells Voldemort could be using, how are we ever going to find the right one?" She wondered aloud. Leticia shrugged,
"We can't. We need to try and get a broad knowledge of everything, that way when we find out what Voldemort is using, we will have a background on it." She said her hand deftly copying a passage on Egyptian power draining charms. A wizard walked over to their cluttered desk and bent down to address Jade, he handed her a note which she scanned then looked up at Hermione.
"Hermione, could you possibly go and meet a delivery for me?" She asked her aqua eyes flashing; Hermione nodded pushing her chair away and stretching her legs.
"Of course." She replied,
"Thanks." Jade frowned as she glanced down at the scrap of parchment, "Hmm, it doesn't say who has sent it, Mundungus." She said to the wizard, he glanced at the note.
"It just arrived by anonymous owl." He informed her. Jade frowned again and pulling out her wand she directed it at the parchment and muttered.
"Revealio." The parchment shivered and Jade swore under her breath. "It's had a concealment charm on it." She decided, she stared at it for a few more moments while Hermione lingered awkwardly.
"Perhaps we should consult Dumbledore before picking it up." Jade wondered to herself, she bit her bottom lip in consideration and finally sighed and handed the paper to Hermione.
"I'm sure there's no need." She decided. "It says it will arrive at the lakeside shortly. Thanks Hermione." Jade said with a smile, as she turned her attention back to her notes. Hermione shrugged and headed out of the library. When out of sight she unfolded the note and read. The uniform text was blunt and short,
I have a text which may aid you in your research, Dumbledore.
I will send it to Hogwart's lakeside at 7 o clock tonight.
Please have someone to collect it.
Hermione wrinkled her nose, suspicion tugged at the edges of her mind but she wiped it away. She was being paranoid, rightfully so, granted but it was unnecessary to retrieve confirmation on everything, and Jade had already decided it was alright. Hermione balled the note within her fist and headed to the grounds. She was slightly surprised by the impending gloom of evening, when she had walked with Remus it had been sunny and bright, and it seemed such a short while ago, she realised she had been in the library a lot longer than she thought. She crossed the smooth lawns at a jog, the cool breeze nipping at the bare skin of her legs. She stopped at the edge of the lake, at a point where she could view the entire curve of the lakeside. Glancing at her watch she saw it read two minutes to seven. Hermione wrapped her arms around herself against the now chilly wind and waited.
The wind rustled the trees, and sent tiny waves skidding across the lake surface. Hermione shivered slightly then glanced into the sky. A small black fleck was speeding towards her. Moments later a leather clad broomstick rider thumped onto the ground beside her. Hermione raised her eyebrows; the broom was long and made of a black wood and a small silver logo engraved on it matched the silver badge of the rider. The rider was male, and tall, his body was wrapped tightly in a black leather suit similar to what Muggle bikers wore. He wore a helmet too, with a dark, reflective visor. Hermione smiled and the rider pulled off the helmet. She jumped her mouth dropping open in amazement. It was Ben.
"Hi." He said, sounding as astonished as Hermione was feeling.
"Hi." She echoed, trying to get her head around the new surreal twist her day was having. Ben flashed her a smile, his intense aqua eyes sparkling. Hermione smiled back still shocked, stupidly linking his eyes back to Jade's, So that's who they reminded me of. She thought as, Ben dug in his pocket, and pulled out something tiny and rectangular; he then pulled out a wand and directed it at the minute package. Muttering something the reduced book grew back to its full size before Hermione's eyes. He offered it to her.
"You here to pick this up right?" He asked.
"Yeah." Hermione answered grasping the heavy book she studied the cover, it was blank, unmarked but battered brown leather. She stared at Ben. "I can't believe you're here, what happened to football?" She asked confused.
"My dad wanted me to help him out with some work." He replied gesturing to the broomstick and his leather attire.
"Oh, so he runs a delivery service?" She said.
"Mmm." Ben murmured, suddenly he yawned widely.
"Well... I better be off, got a long fly." He said with a grimace, Hermione looked at the blackening sky, then back at Ben.
"You shouldn't fly in the night, especially if you're really tired." She said. Ben shrugged hopelessly. "Come back to the castle with me." Hermione said after a moments though with a sigh. "You can stay in my room. I'll conjure up a bed." She said, careful to keep any implications out of the tone.
"Are you sure?" Ben queried his gaze sweeping the now dark horizon. Hermione nodded, she was annoyed, she hadn't needed this new added development. She had planned to go and find Bill tonight, and now her plans were thwarted, yet Ben was a nice guy and obviously too tired to fly. She stifled her exasperation and summoned a smile.
"Of course." She said turning on her heel and heading over the grass. Ben flicked his wand at the broomstick, reducing it, and shoved it into a zipped pocket with his wand, then jogged after Hermione.
"Okay. I'll just drop this off, and then I'll meet you back here." Hermione said waving the book at Ben. Ben nodded, and she walked into the library. Jade and Leticia were bent over a new thick volume, Jade's long deft fingers were travelling lightly along the lines of text. Her head snapped up at the sound of Hermione's approach and she smiled.
"Thanks Hermione." She said taking the large book. "No problems then?" She asked examining the beaten cover. Hermione shook her head.
"No, none." She paused and glanced around. "What do I need to do now?" She asked. Leticia smiled sympathetically at her.
"Go to bed, dear." She suggested, "Get some sleep." Hermione grinned a yawn fighting its way up her throat. Jade nodded.
"Yes. Get some sleep. Oh, and Hermione." Jade called as Hermione turned to leave, "I think Sirius wanted to speak to you, so he might be up to your room later." Hermione nodded.
"Okay, thanks. See you in the morning." She said with a smile as she exited the library with a quick wave to the remaining wizards and witches.
Hermione climbed the endless stone stairs with Ben trailing behind her. Finally she reached the door she had been searching for, it led to her old room, as head girl.
"Charisma." She muttered sleepily, already feeling the fatigue hitting her. The door swung open and Hermione stumbled inside. The room was as she had left it, she had cleared it void of her personality so as to leave it clear for her succeeder. She hadn't imagined being back in the room any time soon. She glanced around the room impatiently for something to transfigure. Her eyes rested on a large armchair flicking her wand and mumbling under her breath, the chair transformed into a comfortable looking, fully dressed bed. Hermione threw Ben a smile.
"There you go. I'd offer you a room to yourself, but I haven't got any of the other passwords." She explained. Ben shrugged,
"This is fine, thanks so much." He said gratefully. Hermione waved her hands. "Sorry for being a pain." He added ruefully.
"No problem. I'm going to wash, then sleep." She stated with a huge yawn, she turned and walked into the spacious bathroom. She felt something tug at her heart as she gazed at the large bath, memories of Bermuda flooded back to her, mixed with the tragedy, and confusion that Harry's revelations had added. Swallowing hard Hermione tried to clear her mind; she glanced again at the bath and stepped around it, deciding a quick shower would suit her better. After brushing her teeth and scrambling into her pyjamas she knocked hesitantly on the door adjoining back into her room. There was no answer so she cautiously pulled it open. Ben was sprawled out in the bed, the covers drawn up to his chin. Hermione smiled weakly and sat down onto the bed, she picked up a book to keep her awake until Sirius arrived, but after a few pages she was fast asleep, the book fell from her loosened grip to the floor with a soft thump.
An hour later Sirius knocked lightly on the mahogany panelled door. There was no answer, undeterred he muttered the password and quietly entered the room. A fatherly smile spread across his tense face as his eyes landed on Hermione, she was curled on her side, her hands clutching the blanket. Sirius stepped closer, feeling his stomach twist in sadness as he observed the pained expression on her sleeping face, the furrows in her brow. He glanced around the empty room and pulled a large armchair up to the bedside, sitting down he took her hand lightly, squeezing it comfortingly until the wrinkles in her forehead smoothed away and she looked peaceful and relaxed.
Ben crept down the stone staircase. He glanced around stealthily and noticed a faint orange glow emitting from the crack of the door to his right. He pushed it gently and sidled into the room. He first considered it empty, then spotted a figure curled on the sofa in front of a blazing but oddly silent fire. Ben coughed lightly causing the figure to spin around. Her shiny auburn hair whipped across her face and her deep brown eyes flashed as she stared at him.
"Who are you?" The girl demanded standing up. Ben took in the petite frame with perfect curves which was revealed as the girl's dressing gown hung open revealing her thin nightdress. She scowled and yanked the gown tightly around herself, her eyes blazing, she repeated the question.
"Ben. Ben…uh Monroe." He stammered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He added his eyes swiftly scanning the room for company, it was empty. The girl regarded him coolly, her eyes critically raking his heavy travelling robes.
"Are you Virginia Weasley?" He asked. The girl started slightly then regained herself.
"Why do you want to know?" She retorted.
"Dumbledore has sent me to get you." A puzzled look crossed Ginny's face it was followed by a sceptical stare.
"Get me?" She repeated her eyes narrowing.
"He's moving you to a more secure location." Ben said his voice steady. Ginny frowned.
"What? Where's my family? She queried her eyes glittering dangerously.
"Already there, I'm here to take you to join them." He said taking a step towards her. Ginny shot backwards.
"I don't think Dumbledore would do this." She stated bluntly, "My boyfriend will be here any minute so I wouldn't come any closer." She hissed through gritted teeth. An unconcerned smile bloomed on Ben's face, his eyes taking on an unfocused gaze.
"Boyfriend?" His voice drifted as he continued towards her.
"Yes." Ginny replied her voice rising in fear. "Draco!" She yelped as Ben lunged for her grasping her arms in a vice grip. A figure burst through a small door wand outstretched. Draco Malfoy yelled a petrifying charm but it was too slow. Ben raised his arm, sweeping his wand in an arc creating a shield. He smirked through the haze at Draco. His stare turned to the terrified girl in his clasp.
"A Malfoy, Virginia? Why and I thought some hatred ran deep." He said his lip curling. Draco seemed to astonished to speak, as he opened his mouth but Ben cut in,
"Ginny and I have to go now. Sorry." He snapped curtly. Ginny's eyes widened in fear as she stretched out an arm to Draco, before she disappeared with her captor in a blaze of white light.
Hermione felt blissfully at ease, her mind beautifully clear, all fear, anxiety momentarily suspended as she slept. She became gradually aware she was being observed and an icy feeling of alarm crept over her, careful to keep her face blank and restful, Hermione cautiously snaked a hand beneath her covers and grasped her wand tightly. In her mind she screwed up her courage and counted silently, three, two, one! She snapped upright in bed her wand flicked up to point straight at her watcher.
Sirius' eyes widened as he was pinned beneath the spiky tip of her wand. Hermione's terrified but determined expression held fast for a fleeting minute before she realised who she was looking at she dropped the wand and let out a relived sigh.
"Sorry Sirius." She breathed, feeling within the seconds of being awake everything rush back to her. Her throat blocked slightly. Sirius regarded her caringly.
"It's okay, good to know you're alert." He said quietly smiling slightly. Hermione attempted a smile back,
"It's good to see you." Sirius said his deep eyes although serious managed a warm twinkle in her direction. The affectionate gesture made Hermione swallow hard, dislodging the constriction in her throat.
"And you." She replied. "I'm glad you're here." Sirius swelled slightly, he had such a strong bond with his godson, Harry that the fatherly stance stretched to both his best friends, making Hermione his sole daughter figure. Protectiveness bubbled within him along with apprehension about the subject he was about to grace,
"Hermione I need to talk to you about Bill." Hermione stiffened defensively. She didn't reply but Sirius noted the shielding pose she took. He paused then decided not to make any assumptions, he'd let her voice her own feelings instead of electing them himself. He squared himself,
"Would you like to talk about it?" He asked, although the question floated serenely from his lips, Hermione sensed the definitive behind it. She sighed glanced again into his deep grey eyes, she trusted him, and she needed to talk. In the circumstances Harry and Ron her devoted confidants could neither possibly be considered.
"It started in Bermuda…" She began to spill the short lived romance; she peppered the monologue with meaningful pauses which posed to save her and Sirius' embarrassment. Finally she came to the wavering end, she paused unsure about whether The Harry Issue needed to be involved, deciding against adding the spin that had boggled her, she skipped over the twist and ploughed onto the return to Hogwarts and Bill's newly remote and aloof nature.
"He won't let me… he won't let me near him. I want to help, to try… I hate to see him hurting." She said feeling the tears beginning to stream down her face. She knew now though she wasn't only crying for Bill,
"And the Weasleys, I need to be there for them, for Ron too. But Bill… Bill and Harry – " She raised her eyes to Sirius' trying desperately to explain her confused and conflicting feelings. The tears cut two crystalline waterfalls down her cheeks. Sirius leant forward and pulled her into a paternal embrace. When he finally drew back he traced his finger across her cheeks collecting the tears. His dark features were sombre but etched with compassion her gazed at Hermione.
"Hermione, you know I don't have all the answers…" He began slowly, Hermione dipped her head,
"However one thing I will say is that Bill is suffering deep grief. And possibly guilt." Hermione's face snapped up in uncertainty.
"His father was being attacked, his family endangered, while, he was in Bermuda, having the time of his life. With you." Sirius added eloquently. Hermione winced she realised as Sirius bluntly guessed at some of the similarly mixed emotions Bill was battling with. She was linked with his guilt. She sighed biting her lip.
"You can't rush him. He will need time and you need to give it to him. Don't concentrate on what will come out of it; think only of what is important now." Sirius said. Hermione nodded.
"Harry. Ron." She whispered. Sirius didn't respond immediately, but Hermione felt a surge of gratitude towards him. He had a wonderful knack of showing her what her over zealous emotions had a habit of concealing. Her mind feeling slightly clearer, something hit her with such a force it sparked an immediate response.
"Shit!" She gasped, her head swivelling to scan the room. Whilst she had been spilling her heart to Sirius she had failed to notice her resident guest was missing.
Blinking Ginny opened her eyes, she was in a dark room and her head felt worryingly fuzzy. Frowning she winced as a sharp pain flashed into existence in her temple; she tried to sooth it with her fingers and found they were magically bound to the stone floor. Frustratedly she struggled for a few minutes in vain. By now her eyes had become accustomed to the dim light and she stared around. The room was bleak, the cold, damp stone walls met the hard floor, both were blank and void of anything to give clues of where she was being imprisoned. There was nothing in the room save a heavy door opposite her, in which was set a tiny slat of a window, barred with iron poles, which filtered a tiny amount of faint, flickering light into the space. Ginny shivered her mind after taking in her surrounding flitted back to the sudden, unexpected abduction. She groaned inwardly. Her mistrust hadn't been wasted on the stranger, she had highly doubted that Dumbledore would take her away in such an unusual way, and her suspicions were wholly realised in the cramped, uncomfortable position she was in. Her family and a single, slender blonde male shimmered in her mind as a tear shivered in the corner of her eye before falling to the clammy ground. Before Ginny could contemplate anything else a shadow filtered through the window, and the heavy door swung imposingly open.
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