Lost
5
A storm was brewing.
It could be felt in the air, thick and stagnant.
Grey shadows loomed heavy
Hermione was anxious. She could feel the anxiety building within her chest, her ribcage felt as though it was going to explode with the intense force that her heart was beating against it. She had listened to Mad-Eye Moody's gruff voice for far too long, she was growing restless. She was sat opposite the soft eyed, floppy haired man who bore scars across his face. She would consider him a friend; Lupin had always been kind to Hermione and her friends. He never treated them as if they were children, he had always respected their opinions and thoughts, he made an active effort to include them in the decision making. Hermione knew in her heart that Remus Lupin could become a good leader for all of them, if only given the chance, she wished she could persuade others to see this. Moody, in Hermione's opinion was far too paranoid to be the leader they needed.
Mad-Eye, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. Anytime Hermione had raised her voice to politely suggest an alternative, Mad-Eye had glared in her direction then brusquely told her she had no idea what she was talking about. Hermione had not said it out loud, but she actively disagreed with the plan, it was preposterous. Did Mad-Eye really believe this was going to work? Hermione was aware the original plan had been to use the Floo Network, but Pius Thickness had been acting suspiciously in the Ministry lately. So Mad-Eye had hastily gathered them all to discuss an alternative. Lord Voldemort might have been evil, but there was not denying his power and capabilities, Hermione knew that he would see right through this plan and would have wind of it. Mad-Eye really was not as clever as he thought.
Lupin stared at Hermione; he gave her a look that suggested he knew exactly what she was thinking. He raised his left eyebrow at her, signifying that he, too, agreed with her thoughts, but thought it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. The Weasleys were currently playing host to the most important members of The Order of the Phoenix, this had made their kitchen seemed cramped and stuffy.
Growing up without magical parents, Hermione had always enjoyed coming over to the Weasley's, she felt as though it was a real privilege to experience being with an all-magical family. The petite brunette had loved all the small quirks which the family had, with there being so many of them, the house was always full of life, never quiet. She knew that they had very little money, but this never seemed to bother any of them (other than Ron, who had would always have something to complain about). They all seemed to be content.
Hermione often sat in the kitchen with Mrs Weasley, whilst Ron and Harry went to fly out on their brooms in the field next to the Burrow, she enjoyed listening to Mrs Weasley and helping her out. Sometimes, they would just sit and listen to the wireless, Hermione watching Mrs Weasley fighting the urge to belt out a tune as she chopped vegetables or fried bacon. Hermione loved to bake with magic, it was fun. She watched as Mrs Weasley used her wand to cast non-verbal spells to make a cake, or a roast. Hermione had the wonderful idea of teaching Mrs Weasley how to bake the muggle way. No magic involved at all. Mrs Weasley had then begun to bake that way. She had even gotten to teach Mr Weasley the way in which muggles baked, without the use of magic. It had become a regular part of the Weasleys' Sunday afternoon. Both parental Weasleys would bake a simple chocolate cake.
Mrs Weasley had got extremely excited one year, as Hermione had bought her a muggle cooking book on how to bake pies and cakes. Hermione had thought it was a great gift to give her, she proceeded to spend all the Christmas holidays fattening everyone up with numerous amounts of pineapple upside-down cake, cherry pie, lemon drizzle and many more.
Hermione decided to get up from the kitchen bench to stretch her legs. She was feeling sceptical over Mad-Eye's plans, to Hermione it seemed preposterous that any of it would work, the details of the plan seemed to be vague.
Seven Potters in disguise? he will see right through it. Voldemort shares a magical connection with Harry and since he refuses to Occlude, won't he be able to sense a magical connection to who Harry really is? If I must listen to much more of his drivel— Hermione was dragged out of her thoughts by Lupin calling her name ever-so-softly.
"Hermione, would you come outside with me?" Lupin seemed to be persistent with his tone.
Hermione must not have heard him call her the first few times. She lifted her head up and nodded at him. Lupin led the way out of the cramped kitchen, he opened the door for Hermione and stood back being chivalrous towards her. Hermione exited through the path he made for her. She made her way down the few steps, on to the Weasley's porch and sat herself upon a bench just outside the front window. Lupin followed suit. His expression seemed to soften when away from the other Order members, Hermione thought he looked more tired and had an air of vulnerability about him. When Hermione thought about it, he had disappeared for a while, maybe this vulnerability has something to do with that?
"Hermione," Lupin raised his wand and cast a Muffilato, "I believe we need a little privacy for this discussion. I know you are worried about the plan; it is written all over your face. I know you are trying to mask it, but it is not working. The Gryffindor in you cannot hide." Lupin began softly but chuckled to lighten the severity of the mood.
Hermione pulled up her legs to her chest and placed her arms around her knees.
"Remus— how can it work? What if Harry is harmed in this… I respect Moody, but this plan is ridiculous. We— I don't want to be part of a plan that I fundamentally believe will fail. I do not even think Harry will agree to us all putting ourselves forward, he will only want to sacrifice himself."
"Always the worrier." Lupin commented gently, he placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. It was supposed to be a comforting gesture from him, Hermione knew that. She gave him a gentle smile in response. "Anyhow, we have very little time to defer from this plan, Hermione, we need to move Harry this evening and there is no other way to do so. We have exhausted every option."
"I understand that. I do. But if someone would have listened to me earlier this would not be our only plan. Do you really think the safe houses are safe enough? We need to go more underground… we need to have a Plan C!" Hermione protested passionately.
Lupin chuckled quietly, he often thought Hermione had reminded him of Lily, in this very moment he could see it. She really was a true Gryffindor; her loyalty and compassion proved that.
"Hermione, as I said before, this is our only plan, we have had to change it last minute as it is, any other alterations will essentially be wrong. We must go along with it. Everything is set in motion. Harry turns seventeen in less than four days; he must move before then."
Hermione knew nothing would change, she was glad that someone understood her plight and supported her opinion. She nodded her head and rested it back on her knees, she knew trying to fight her corner was pointless, it was only a few hours before the plan would take place. Lupin got off the wooden bench, his movements a little stiffer than before, and stood to his full height.
"Shall we go back in?"
Tonks' pink hair could be seen moving through the windows, she bounced excitedly and leaned through the Weasley's backdoor. She practically skipped towards Hermione. She looked up at Lupin and blushed.
"Please can I tell her?" Tonks whispered gently to Lupin. Hermione noticed that Lupin seemed to also blush, his head inclined, and he nodded.
"Hermione!" Tonks said her name in a sing-song way and sat beside her. Hermione smiled back and nodded her head.
"What is it, Tonks?"
"Look!" Tonks had raised her hand to show Hermione the small diamond gilded into a band which sat on her left middle finger. Hermione gasped melodiously, she took hold of her hand and admired her ring. "Not only that, we are not telling many, but I am pregnant."
"Oh my! Congratulations to both of you, I am so happy for you." Hermione gushed, completely taken aback. She thought it was lovely to have to some positive news with all the darkness they were currently surrounded by. Hermione was pleased for her two friends; they both deserved the happiness that was bestowed on them. She gave Tonks a gentle squeeze and stood to give Lupin a small congratulatory hug.
"NYMPHADORA!" Boomed Mad-Eye's voice, unaware he was disrupting a happy moment for the two budding parents sharing their fortunate news. "GET IN HERE NOW, THE TIME IS DAWNING."
Tonks seemed to bristle with anger, her complexation changed to a bright red, her hair matching. Lupin placed his hand on her shoulder to try and calm her. She instantly cooled, her hair returning to its bubble gum pink. Hermione followed Lupin and Tonks back into the Weasley's kitchen where upon Mad-Eye Moody appeared to be angry.
"Right, enough chit-chat. We need to get over to Potter's. Are we all set on the plan?"
Everyone around the kitchen unanimously nodded their head, Hermione half nodded. Mad-Eye seemed to zone his magical in on Hermione, she could feel his intense gaze looking at her.
"Hermione, plans changed a little. Mundugus is with Shacklebolt – you will be with me." Mad-Eye announced suddenly.
Hermione paled, her gaze fell straight to Lupin, she was hoping he would speak up on her behalf. He stayed silent looking sheepish. Hermione felt as though she was being put on the line now, she did not know how to speak up or question Mad-Eye's authority. She knew her own strengths and weaknesses; flying on a broom was her weakness. She thought of Harry and how he would deal with this, he would not take this lying down.
"Mad-Eye, I cannot fly on a broom well. I would be a liability to us all. I would immediately give away that I am not Harry– you have seen Harry on a broom. Christ's sake he was the youngest Seeker in over a century." Hermione abruptly retorted back to him.
"Did I say that we were flying?" Mad-Eye glared at Hermione.
"No, but you did not specify that I would not be on a broom." Hermione felt her inner Gryffindor slowly uncurl as she became more vocal to Mad-Eye, she dared to glare back at him.
"I have heard enough now. Is everyone to head out and to use a Disillusionment Charm?"
All thirteen members of The Order of the Phoenix descended out of the Weasley's home and into the cool dusk that was settling.
Hermione had thought that it was strange that she could see the two Thestrals, that her and Mad-Eye were about to ride. She had never been able to see them before. Hermione recalled her first few years at Hogwarts, she had always presumed that the carriages that brought the students up the long driveway had moved on their own. Despite her thinking this was strange, her young mind had put it down to the magical world being extraordinary.
It was only in her fifth year, When Luna Lovegood and Harry had a conversation, did she learn that Thestrals were the ones pulling the carriages. Hermione's mind was rushing for a conclusion as to why she could suddenly see them. Luna had once mentioned that a person could see the thesterals if they had seen death. The best solution her mind cold salvage was the fact that she had seen Sirius' death in the Ministry battle. She presumed that was when she had witness death, so it only made sense.
Yes, that must be why.
Hermione had found it rather comforting to mount herself atop of the skeletal-like-horse, she likened it to when she had been seven or eight and had begged her parents to give her horse riding lessons. They had indulged her childish whim and booked her lessons; it had lasted a while. Hermione had always enjoyed it. She had only stopped her lessons when she had started Hogwarts, as there never seemed time in her busy schedule to fit it in. Hermione affectionately stroked the leathery skin of the Thestral beneath her, finding comfort in the tactile touch of what was underneath her. She pondered how similar flying through the air on a Thestral would be to horse riding. After all, horse riding did sometimes feel as though a person was flying, the freedom of galloping through the air on horseback was like no other.
Hazel eyes set upon Tonks and Lupin embracing one another, from Hermione's perspective, it seemed as though they were both preparing for this to be their final goodbye. There was a sadness that seemed to have settled into Tonks' dark eyes, there usual twinkle no longer present. This set Hermione's stomach on edge even further. It was, yet again, making her doubt how much faith she should have in Mad-Eye Moody's plan. Lupin moved away from his wife, with a pained look, and went to stand next to George Weasley, who was holding two broomsticks in his hand.
In defiance, Hermione refused to look at Mad-Eye as she heard him trying to climb up the Thestral. Hermione cast a wordless Disillusionment Charm, she had been practising using magic without saying the spells out loud or reaching for her wand. She had known it would be a useful skill to hone with war on the horizon. So far, she had managed many spells successfully.
A loud roar could be heard behind Hermione in the darkness, she sat on top of the thesteral that had just landed with her in Harry's back garden. She dismounted the thestral and stroked his side, secretly thanking him for her safe travel. There were a few pops beside her and around her as others arrived. Their Disillusionment Charms had broken, they could all be seen. Hagrid was astride Sirius' large motorbike which had its sidecar, all the Weasleys were clumped together minus Mrs Weasley and Ginny. Fleur was huddled next to Bill one another seeming to be ready for this.
Harry had heard all the commotion and wrenched the backdoor open. Hermione looked over at a very pale Harry whose mouth had fallen open. He was holding his Firebolt and wearing a backpack, Hedwig was a few paces behind Harry; she was in her cage. Hermione knew he was ready to leave.
"I was not expecting to see all of you, but hello." he gasped as he set his eyes on Hagrid, which was who he had expected, then on his two best friends. Hermione ran over and threw her arms around him.
Ron came up next to her and clapped Harry on the back and gave his friend a small smile. "Hello, mate." Ron was cheery.
Hermione could not understand Ron being cheery about this, her brain wanted to rush and tell Harry the different developments. She wanted to tell him she did not agree with this plan, she wanted to tell him here could be no other changes – this was Plan B. She wanted to say that Thickness was suspected to be under an Imperius curse and how he had made it an imprisonable offence to connect the house to a Floo Network. She also wanted to tell him that this is all they had left. But she stayed silent, words would not physically come out of her mouth.
She found herself clinging on to Harry as she heard all the others try to talk at once, it had become blurred in her mind sand he could not distinguish whose voice belonged to who. She did not know what was wrong, she felt disconnected from everyone but could still hear them, it was all white noise. She felt as if she was floating above them all. When Hermione came back to herself everyone was in stood huddled in the kitchen, someone had placed her in a chair, Mr Weasley was stood with a hand on her chair.
"Hermione, my dear, are you alright?"
"Yes, could I have some water?"
Mr Weasley went to fetch Hermione a glass of water. He placed the glass in her hand. She sipped the water slowly and at herself up properly. She stared into the distance and was listened to Mad-Eye explain why there were fourteen of them in total.
"Ah," said Mad-Eye, "I forgot to mention the key point. Fourteen of us won't be flying to Tonks's parents. There will be seven Harry Potters moving through the skies tonight, each of them with a companion, each pair heading for a different safe house. We have this to drink." Mad-Eye put his hand inside his cloak and withdrew a flask out. Harry twigged immediately and shouted out.
"NO!" he said loudly. "There is no way—NO WAY!"
"I told them you would not like this," Hermione interrupted the shouting with a hint of complacency in her tone.
Harry looked at Hermione and gave her a gentle nod of thanks. "Are you okay with risking your life for me?" Harry questioned Hermione.
Fred and George looked at Harry and sighed. Fred spoke, "Well, truth is, Harry, none of really want to do this. Imagine if something goes wrong and we are stuck as specky, scrawny gits forever."
Harry did not smile at either of them. "You need my hair, what if I do not cooperate and give you any."
"Well, that's the plan scuppered," said George. "Obviously there's no chance at all of us getting a bit of your hair unless you cooperate."
"Yeah, thirteen of us against one bloke who's not allowed to use magic; we've got no chance," said Fred.
"Funny," said Harry, "really amusing."
"If force has to be used then we will be prepared to risk it." Mad-Eye growled.
Lupin strolled in front of Harry and Mad-Eye; he seemed even more tired than before.
"There is no need for this, Mad-Eye. Harry, can we have some of your hair?"
Harry reached up to the top of his head and pulled at his dark hair. Hermione could see he was not happy about this though he was complying. Moody limped forward and snatched it from his hand and put it in the flask. The moment his hair made contact with the mud-like liquid it began to froth and smoke, then it turned a soft gold. Hermione remembered the foul taste of the Polyjuice, she could feel it running down her neck before it was even there.
"Fake Potters, line up over there." Mad-Eye growled.
Everyone did as Mad-Eye wanted and lined up to drink from the flask, only Harry did not. Hermione's watched as Fred and George both took their turn; it was not long before it was hers and she drank the potion. All six of them were soon grimacing and their features began to distort and bubble. Soon there were seven Potters stood in the room staring at each other. Hermione looked around –goodness did Harry have bad vision. Hermione moved over to steal Harry's glasses off his noise.
"Harry, your eyesight is truly awful!" she scoffed and settled to look at him. Harry looked back at her hoping to see her hazel eyes where he simply saw nothing than his own green eyes staring back him.
Fred and George turned to each other and said together, "Wow— we're identical!"
"I dunno, though, I think I'm still better-looking," said Fred, examining his reflection in the kettle.
"Bah," said Fleur, checking herself in the microwave door, "Bill, don't look at me- I'm 'ideous."
Moody passed out six pairs of glasses and some clothes. Hermione passed Harry his own glasses back before putting on the ones Mad-Eye had given her. Each Potter disappeared to change into the identical outfits to Harry's. Once everyone was dressed, they returned to the kitchen and were handed rucksacks and owl cages. Each owl cage had a stuffed snowy owl in them.
"Harry, you are with Hagrid. Hermione, get up on the thestral again." Mad Eye commanded her. She climbed upon her Thestral and anxiously awaited everyone else settling.
"An' you're with me, Harry. That all righ'?" said Hagrid, looking a little anxious. "We'll be on the bike, brooms an' thestrals can't take me weight, see. Not a lot o' room on the seat with me on it, though, so you'll be in the sidecar."
"That's great," said Harry, not altogether truthfully.
"We think the Death Eaters will expect you to be on a broom," said Moody, who seemed to guess how Harry was feeling, which surprised Hermione. Harry looked at up at Mad-Eye Moody's magical eye and felt nervous. Harry put himself into the sidecar and looked up at Hagrid.
"All right then, good luck everyone." Moody called as he climbed his Thestral. "One…two…three!" He called and everyone set off.
Hermione had lost any sense of where Moody was leading them both, all the clouds had seemed to cluster together. Moody confidently led the Thesteral ahead barking a few orders at the creature beneath him. Hermione felt uncomfortable in the skin of her best friend, it seemed to itch. Hermione looked to her side to look out for Mad-Eye, who had ploughed ahead, but was met by seeing a cluster of six or seven hooded figures surrounding her. As usual, the hooded figures, were wearing their horrifically ugly Death Eater masks that made them unidentifiable.
Hermione ducked as a green flash of light was sent her way. She clutched onto the Thesteral's leathery skin just as she managed to spin around and shoot an Impedimenta jinx at the individual, which slowed their movements. Hermione was about to cast Stupefy, when Mad-Eye flew next to her and came to her defence. There was no denying that Mad-Eye was incredibly talented and ruthless when it came to wand combat. He did not hesitate to be merciless with his wand. Hermione watched as two of the hooded figures dropped out of the sky. Hermione could feel herself being hesitant when it came to duelling thus far.
She watched another green light come towards her, she had to pull the Thestral to her the right and near roll over to avoid the curse. Her instincts began to kick in. The brunet noticed a Death Eater fly close by and sent a leg-locking curse their way and followed up with Sectumsempra. She felt a body brush past her and drop below her.
A grey snake-like head emerged into Hermione's eyeline, his red eyes glowing fiercely against the dark night. Hermione was taken aback by what she was witnessing; she had never seen anything like it before. Fear prickles inside her as she lay eyes on, He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named. Voldemort seemed to be suspended amongst the dark, stormy clouds. He had no broom, Thestral or other flying aid. Hermione could see wispy streaks of smoke that were billowing at the edge of Voldemort's robes, almost making him one with the clouds. He seemed to be translucent.
Hermione knew this was not levitation. She remembered reading Quidditch Through the Ages (although she disliked Quidditch she had still wanted to be in the know of its origins, her mind always keen to learn), there was no spell documented that could allow a wizard to fly unaided in human form. Hermione knew that a person that changed into an Animagus could have the power to fly, but Voldemort was not presenting as an Animagus form.
Had Voldemort truly mastered the power of unsupported flight?
Mad-Eye Moody seemed to be just as astonished as Hermione had been. His dark oak wand stilled, his outstretched hand seemingly frozen. It was out of character for Mad-Eye to be stunned or shocked. Hermione had never known him to be phased by anything before. It scared her. He always had a reaction; he never took time to think anything over. His eager, magical eye roamed inquisitively over Voldemort. He seemed to be searching for something.
Hermione pressed her heels into the thestral, pleading for it to speed up away from Voldemort. She sensed that a dark spell would be coming their way very soon. Voldemort seemed to be holding a wand that was recognisable to Hermione. Although it was difficult to get a good look at it, even when it was pointed in her direction, she could make out it was a dark wood, maybe Hawthorn. Hermione could discern it was not Voldemort's wand.