Chapter Five * Suspicions *

"AAAAAGH!!"

The high-pitched growl shook the small shack, causing it's inhabitants to tremble with fear.

"Master ..."

"SILENCE!" Voldemort roared, spinning around to face his servants.

His full circle of Death Eaters each took a step back, clearly terrified, just the way Voldemort liked it. The only one who hadn't moved back was Anthony Parzatti, the youngest of the Death Eaters, and who was also the one who had spoken. As the Dark Lord's red, piercing glare fell on Anthony, he growled. He would have to teach that boy a lesson, but not now. He had much more important things to think about, and besides, Parzatti was one of the mudblood's biggest fears. Though Voldemort didn't want to admit it, he needed the insolent, young man.

"Potter has not yet found our whereabouts or our plans, for that matter," he began, sauntering up and down the row of Death Eaters, who's hoods covered the expression of utter terror on their faces. "Yet, the mudblood has not responded as well to the nightmares as I had hoped. But never fear, I will find a way for her to turn against her precious Potter," he sneered, stopping in front of a short figure.

"REPORT!" he barked.

The chosen Death Eater took off the hood and held her chin up high. Her large blue eyes were strangely calm as she avoided looking directly at the Dark Lord. Voldemort stepped forward and pushed her chin up so she could look at him. His clammy hand sending chills down her spine.

"I was quite handsome when I was younger, Johnson," he purred, staring down at her. "You would have been one of my many admirers," he told the young witch, getting a bit impatient when she did not flinch in fear.

Marie Johnson had been abused so many times that she no longer shrunk back in fear when a male approached her the way her husband used to and how Voldemort was doing right now.

"Very well, then," Voldemort sneered, pulling his hand back. His eyes were glinting with anger. "All in due time. Now tell me what you have found out."

Marie didn't want to tell him about her daughter and now that she had met Hermione, she didn't want to snitch on her either. They had become fast friends.

Marie had met Daniel when she was in her fifth year at Hogwarts. He had been in Slytherin and she was in Hufflepuff. She had ignored her family and friend's warning about the rebel kid who preferred the dark side to the light. She was falling for him fast and hard and thought that if he loved her too, she would be able to change him. She couldn't have been more wrong, though she didn't know it then. They pursued a relationship despite everyone's warnings, and Marie found herself in a compromising decision when she was sixteen. She had found out she was pregnant and though Dumbledore had offered her sanctuary in the castle, she had refused, more because Daniel had demanded it than anything else.

They ended up dropping out, much to her family's disapproval. They got married shortly after and settled into a small flat on the outskirts of London, in a Muggle neighborhood. Though Daniel had told her never to speak to her family and friends again, he wasn't the abusive husband that she would begin to know. She knew that he worked but he had kept it secret and she didn't know exactly what he did, though she had tried to manipulate him into telling her. She had let it go when their daughter was born. She had named her Clara after her mother, who she missed so much.

Marie didn't know what had happened, but when the baby was born, Daniel seemed to change into a whole different person. He began staying out late and coming home drunk. He would drag her out of bed and wake the baby. If she so much as breathed loudly he'd hit her until she could hardly breath. He had never hit Clara for that she was forever grateful. When her daughter became older and the beatings increased, she had made up excuses, hating the pain she saw in Clara's eyes.

One day, Daniel had showed up unexpectantly as she was about to pick up Clara from her Muggle day care.

"Daniel! What are you doing here so early?" she had cried, stammering.

"Pack your things. We're leaving," he had told her, gathering his stuff with one swift flick of his wand.

"B-b-but where? And what about Clara?" she had asked, rooted to the spot.

"We'll pick her up on the way. Now MOVE!" he had shouted, grabbing her arm and pushing her towards their room.

They had picked up Clara and ended up in the Forbidden Forest. Though he hadn't told her where they were going, she had followed him obediently, ashamed at her own cowardess. They had reached a cave and she had watched him place their stuff on the filthy ground. She laid down with a sleeping Clara and had cried the whole night through. She looked back at the first day she had met Daniel Johnson, the day that changed her life forever. When she had taken the wedding vows, she had counted on the "for better" part but had ended up with "for worse" instead.

Everything that had happened next was a large blur in Marie's memory. She remembered waking up to find about a dozen Death Eaters pointing their wands in Daniel's direction. As she became fully awake she noticed a hooded figure taller than the rest, standing in front of Daniel, who's brown eyes shone with fear. She remembered hearing the hooded figure say something about betrayal then a green light almost blinded her, causing Daniel to fall in a heap on the dirty cave floor.

She remembered screaming and clutching Clara to her. The hooded figure had turned his attention towards her and Clara now, and when he removed his hood, she remembered screaming in terror. How could someone look so hideous? So evil? She remembered him asking her to join them or else die. She had pushed Clara away and told her to run, though she didn't know where a four-year-old could possibly run to in a vast magical forest. She had agreed to turn to their side as long as they didn't hurt Clara and the last thing she remembered was watching Clara's small form disappearing behind large trees as Voldemort smiled evilly at her.

"Don't even bother trying to keep information from me, Marie. You know that would be fruitless. I don't want to lose a fairly good Death Eater because she failed to be loyal to me," Voldemort was speaking now and his icy voice cut into her painful memories like a knife.

Marie averted her eyes and took a deep breath. She could tell him everything and act loyal but it didn't mean she was actually loyal to him. She knew in her heart that what she did almost three years ago was the only way to save her daughter. A daughter she had recently seen since she had told her to run three years ago. She had looked happy, healthy, and completely adored Hermione. Marie had told herself that if anything were to happen to her, she would want her daughter to live with Hermione and Harry (she hadn't met the Boy-Who-Lived yet) than in another foster home or orphanage.

"Clara has met Hermione Granger and she seems to be attached to her," Marie began, feeling the familiar guilt flood her body like it did every time she had something to tell the Dark Lord. "I have plans to meet with them later today and Granger has also told me that she wants to throw a birthday party for the girl," Marie had said this with no emotion evident in her voice. Yet when she had found out that Hermione wanted to throw a party for her little girl she had been overwhelmed with guilt and gratefulness. How long had it been since Clara had had a birthday party? What a big heart Hermione must have to spend so much money on a little girl's birthday when she knew almost nothing about her!

"Excellent. The more attached to her the better. Now, I will not let any of you ruin this birthday party but I assume, Marie, that you are invited, am I correct? And this party will be held at Potter's house, am I right?"

Marie nodded but remained silent. Waiting for her next dreadful assignment.

"This is brilliant!" Voldemort cried, a smile cracking his thin pale lips. "You will go, of course, and act as normal as you always do. But you will remember where they live and every detail of their lives, do you understand? I am very disappointed in the way Granger has been taking the nightmares, why she has to act brave all the time is beyond me, but I will get her one way or another. Now, I will not tell you when I plan on capturing her but I have everything planned. You may be excused, Marie. You must get ready."

Marie bowed her head slightly and quickly left the room, holding back sobs. She would have to betray her own daughter on her own birthday. What kind of a mother was she?



"Where are you headed, love?" Harry asked, leaning against the bathroom door as he watched his fiance get ready.

Hermione gave him a smile before turning back to their large closet. "I'm having lunch with Marie and Clara today, remember?" her voice was muffled but he could hear the excitement in her voice.

"Oh, right," he murmured, frowning slightly. There was still this nagging feeling that something wasn't right with Clara's mother, no matter how wonderful Hermione claimed she was. "Um, 'Mione?" Harry called, tentatively.

Hermione emerged from the closet with a pair of jeans and a top hanging from her arm. "Yeah, babe?" she asked, setting the clothes on the bed and kissing him quickly on the cheek as she passed him on the way to the bathroom.

Harry turned around so he could see her face. "Well, ... do you think meeting Marie on your own is such a good idea?" he began, hoping she wouldn't get mad.

Hermione looked at him from the mirror and frowned. "Why do you say that? Of course, I think it's a good idea. Clara finally gets to be with her mum after three years! She wanted me there and besides, Marie and I have become friends. I want you to meet her," she told him.

"But don't you find it a bit odd that she showed up suddenly after all those years?"

"I do but that doesn't matter now. What matters is that Clara finally has a mum. You of all people should know what it feels like to grow up without one!" she had turned around by now and was staring at Harry.

"But Hermione --"

"No, Harry. I understand you're just concerned but you have to trust me. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," she interrupted, ignoring the nagging memory of the last time she had said that, when being with Anthony had gotten way out of hand. "Stop acting like my father, okay?" she hadn't meant to sound harsh but it came out that way.

Harry looked at her with a hurt expression on his handsome features. He knew Hermione could take care of herself, she had proven that many times. But it just seemed weird that Marie had showed up so suddenly at roughly the same time Hermione had begun to get nightmares again. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his already messy hair. He was stubborn but Hermione could sometimes be stubborn for the both them put together. He knew now that if he brought up Voldemort she would get mad, and the last thing he wanted to do was to get her upset. "You're right and I'm sorry. But will you promise me something?" he asked in defeat.

Hermione went up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Anything," she said, kissing him softly.

Harry leaned his forehead against hers and smiled, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I will, sweetie, don't worry. Besides, I was thinking of throwing Clara a birthday party here. What do you think? Ron and Lav think it's a great idea."

"It is a great idea. She'll be thrilled," he answered, kissing her once more before letting her finish getting ready.

"I wish you could come with me," Hermione said, putting her hair up into a ponytail before getting dressed.

"So do I, hon, but I have to go in the office today. Remus said he had something to tell me. I'm guessing it's important because he usually doesn't owl me at home unless it is."

Hermione nodded and sighed. "Okay then. You won't be home late will you? I miss going to be with you. It seems so cold without you," Hermione confessed, not meeting his eyes. She knew he was working on Voldemort's whereabouts but she still hated it when he came home in the middle of the night. Especially now since her nightmares seemed to have intensified.

"I know, love, I'm sorry. But I won't be late today, promise," he said, kissing her neck softly as he headed over to the door. "Have fun, okay? And I'll see you later. Love you," he said, before disappearing down the stairs.

"Love you, too," she whispered, thinking twice about what Harry had said about Marie. It was weird, she had to admit, but now was not the time to ponder on dark thoughts. She had a lunch date to be on time for.



Harry unlocked the door and entered his office, switching on the lights. He sighed as he saw papers littered all over his desk. He had left it like that the other night and now wished he was as organized as Hermione.

"Hey Harry," Remus said from the doorway, smiling at his boss. "Sorry to pull you away from your day off but I thought you might want to know what I found out."

Harry smiled back, then pulled up the blinds to let in the bright sunlight. "No problem. I do want to know, my curiosity is peaked along with my alert system," he replied, plopping down on his chair.

Remus sat in front of Harry's desk and watched as his friend began to clean up the stack of papers. "A bit disorganized, are we?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Shut-up! I was in a hurry to get home last night," Harry answered, smiling nonetheless.

"Yeah, I bet," he replied with a sly smile.

"Remus!" he cried, almost horrified. "If only Hermione could have heard you say that ... she'd hex you to the States and back," Harry said, laughing. Though he was in a good mood, he became serious. "Truthfully though, Hermione's nightmares have become increasingly worse and I want to be there for her. Though I don't think she really wants me there."

Remus frowned. "What do you mean?"

He rubbed a hand across his face, suddenly looking very tired. "These nightmares are different from usual. She's told me some and they sound like her worst fears. And whenever I try to comfort her, she won't let me hold her as much as before. It's like she's almost afraid of me."

"Does she only act like this after the nightmares?" he asked, a thoughtful expression coming over his rugged features. Harry nodded slowly and it looked as if a light bulb went on in Remus' head. "You know ... I wanted to tell you that we have spotted a spell being used near the Forbidden Forest. It seems like a Dream Charm. It lets a person go into someone else's mind and transfers their worst fears into nightmares until it drives the person crazy. This is considered Dark Magic, of course, so I assume it's the work of Voldemort," Remus finished, looking at Harry, who's eyes were beginning to darken in anger.

"I've heard of that spell. It's not common because of the extreme damage it can cause. And the only person who can reverse the spell is the one who performed it in the beginning. Okay, listen," now Harry was on his anger adrenaline and Remus knew better than to discourage him to go at Voldemort full force. If a loved one was in danger, Harry would stop at nothing to protect them. Especially Hemione.

"I want a team searching the Forbidden Forest for Voldie and his cronies immediately. I want a report of any little thing, whether it seem important or not. I want another team to try and track down the exact place where Voldemort could be, it will take too long to search the entire Forbidden Forest, and we only have a short time. I'll be damned before I let anything happen to Hermione. I want to be notified immediately when you've found out something. I want to be the one to hex him to pieces. I'm going to try and find Parzatti, I'm sure he's behind this too ..." he was lost in his angry thoughts as he scowled his threats.

"Harry?" Remus tried to pull him away from his plans.

"Yes, Remus?"

"Are you going to tell Hermione?"

Harry's scowl left his face and a sad frown was left in it's place. His eyes lost the angry look and took on a softer one, a look that always came into his eyes when he thought of her. "Not right away. I don't want to scare her. She has too many things on her mind already without me adding on to it by telling her the nightmares are Voldemort's doing."

Remus nodded then stood up. "I'll get started. Don't worry, Harry, we'll get him this time before he goes too far."

Harry smiled sadly up at his mentor. "Yeah, we will."



"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione!"

Hermione scanned the crowd, looking for the person who was screaming out her name. She smiled as her eyes rested on Clara, who was standing on her chair and waving her arms wildly in the air.

"Over here!" she cried, while her Mom tried to quiet her. They were getting many stares and smiles.

"Hey!" Hermione greeted, hugging Clara tightly before bending down to hug Marie. "Did you order already?"

Clara shook her head enthusiastically. "Nope! We were waiting for you."

"Ah, I see. Well, I don't want to keep you hungry any longer!" she called over the waitress and waited patiently as Clara and Marie ordered first. Hermione asked for a salad and then settled down to talk with her favorite little girl and a new friend.

"So Clara," she began, smiling. "How do you feel about having a birthday party?"

"Ooh! I would love that!" she squealed, her bright, blue eyes shining with excitement.

"Well, Hermione wants to throw you one at her house. How does that sound?" Marie asked, smiling happily at her daughter's enthusiasm, ignoring the bit of jealousy that was surfacing. It seemed as if Clara loved Hermione more than she did her. She was her mother after all, not Hermione. Yes, but who's been there for her? Marie asked herself, instantly ashamed.

"Yeah! Can I invite all my friends?"

"Yup. All of them."

"Will Ginny and Draco be there? And Kyle and Kellie? And Fred, Angelina, George and Katie?" Clara asked in one breath.

Hermione shook her head with a laugh. She was amazed at how fast she had memorized every one and how taken with the Weasley family she was. "All of them and more."

"You'll come too, won't you, mum?" Clara asked, turning her attention to Marie.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."



Author's Note: Finally! I'm so sorry for the late update -- all the normal excuses apply : ) I just hope this chapter was worth the wait. And, just to let you know, this chapter is a month since the last one. I figured if I keep doing it day by day, I'll never get to the good parts!

Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! You guys are the best! And to those who haven't reviewed: won't you let me know what you think? Please leave a review?

Until the next one,

::: Twisted*Angel :::