Title: Operation: Grim Reaper Recall
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Hermione is part of the elite Secret Auror Service. There's a recent Death Eater breakout at Azkaban and she is assigned to capture them all. Can she do it? How does Snape fit into all of this?
Disclaimer: I own my original characters and my ideas.
Author's Notes: This is a work-in-progress. There will be eventual HG/SS. All reviews and suggestions are welcomed. Flames are discouraged.
Chapter One: A Walk In The Park
New York City, New York: Central Park
Mid-August
"She's not coming. Can't we go? I'm tired and bored."
Hermione Granger, staring intently at the entrance to the Great Lawn, looked up at her partner Eugene Quirrell. Both were seated high in a tree, which gave them a great vantage point of the whole lawn.
Since she had received top marks on all her O.WL.'s and N.E.W.T.'s, it was easy for her to pursue a career as an Auror. By the time she was 19 years old, she had completed her Aurory training at record speed and became the youngest Auror in the Ministry of Magic. Seeing her potential, the newly appointed Director of Aurors Kingsley Shacklebolt tested her by giving her the most difficult assignments he had. After a year of proving herself more than capable of completing difficult and dangerous assignments that took her around the world, she was promoted to the Secret Auror Service. Hermione was so excited and overjoyed when she heard this news.
The Secret Auror Service was a small, elite group of highly skilled Aurors who were given assignments regular Aurors could not handle. Unless they were assigned to go undercover, all Secret Aurors are required to dress in black and wear something on their face to cover up their identity while on assignment. The challenge and excitement of it all was what Hermione really loved. She had developed a taste for danger as a result.
Six months after her promotion, there was a recent breakout of Death Eaters at Azkaban, just like in Hermione's 5th year at Hogwarts. Not surprisingly, the Death Eaters that escaped then were the same Death Eaters who escaped now. Except this time, they all fled to New York City where they could blend in with the crowd and go unnoticed easily. Director Shacklebolt transferred Hermione to the American Auror headquarters, the Magical Intelligence Bureau (MIB). Her task was to locate and capture all escapees. She was also assigned a partner, a newly promoted Secret Auror Eugene Quirrell.
Hermione was now 22 years old. She learned the wonders of hair conditioner and now had straight, long hair she dyed a rich auburn color that fell just below her shoulder blades. She also involuntarily replaced her English accent with a New York accent since she was on assignment in New York so long.
Eugene, a native New Yorker, had short brown hair with blonde highlights. He was distantly related to her late Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Both he and Hermione were of medium height. They were dressed in black. Hermione had a Zorro-like mask, a black form-fitting short-sleeved shirt, black jeans, black boots, and a light black jacket. Eugene had on a Phantom of the Opera-type mask and was dressed the same as Hermione.
"Stakeouts ain't supposed to be fun, Eugene. And she will be here. She has to meet with what's left of her company of conspirators. Besides, our source has never lead us in the wrong direction." Hermione replied matter-of-factly. "And when she does come, you have better not do that thing you always do." she warned.
He nodded silently and both turned their gaze back at the entrance.
So far she had captured 7 out of the 10 Death Eaters...no thanks to Eugene. He always managed to mess up their tasks in such a way that the Death Eater nearly got away every time. That, or Eugene would run away from the scene with fear in his eyes and show up days later to apologize. Even though she was friends him, Hermione decided that if Eugene's actions were sub-par in this capture, she would request to work alone. Tonight's target was Bellatrix Lestrange.
It was just past midnight when a hooded figure entered the Great Lawn.
"That's our mark. I told you she'd be here. Remember, it's all about team work. You cover for me and I cover for you. Team work." Hermione calmly whispered to Eugene and gave him a small smile of reassurance.
He breathed in deeply and finally said, "Got it. Team work."
"Let's get down from here quickly and quietly." she said as she tied up her hair into a ponytail.
Bellatrix was headed in their general direction now and was getting closer by the second. Hermione had managed to climb down the tree silently with ease and took out her wand. Eugene, tried to follow suit but ended up falling and saying, "AHHH!! OOOOFF!"
Hermione inwardly groaned and looked at Eugene as if she were ready to kill him. Now their cover was blown.
Bellatrix stopped for a moment and looked in their direction. She took out her wand and cautiously walked towards them. At that moment, Hermione and Eugene came out from behind the tree.
Before Bellatrix could strike, Eugene took out his wand and called out, "STUPEFY!" He had redeemed himself because Bellatrix took a fall. Amazingly she recovered and yelled back, "CRUCIO!" but missed Eugene by inches. Hermione yelled, "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" but Bellatrix dodged it.
Now Hermione and Bellatrix were attacking each other. It made for a colorful light show to the passersby. Eugene found a big baseball-sized rock and was carefully positioning himself.
"AVADA --- ohh..."
Eugene hit her square in the head and knocked her out. Hermione said, "Pertificus Totalus" and Eugene said, "Wingardium Leviosa."
"You got a good arm, Eugene." Hermione smiled at him. She was proud of her partner, even though he did ruin her plan of action.
"Thanks Mione. Let's take her back to the MIB headquarters."
They started to leave but both Hermione and Eugene shuddered as a sudden chill went up their spines. They turned around and saw 20 tall hooded figures quickly heading their way.
Hermione gasped, "DEMENTORS!"
A/N: Please review. All reviews and suggestions are welcomed. Flames are discouraged.