AN: Hello to all! I am SOOOOOOOOO sorry for not updating quickly, even I am ashamed of how long it took me to sit down at my computer and type a chapter. Yes, those of you who suspected it were right, I have writer's block. Hopefully, this chapter should be halfway decent. It might even be longer than usual, because after this chapter I'm skipping ahead three months! YAAAAAAY! Anywho, I need to do shout-outs and then I'll be on with the chappie! (By the way, I'm only doing shout-outs to those of you who reviewed for chapter 12.)
dracosbabe41 – again, I'll tell you the same thing I told countrygurl, if you read the author's notes you'll see that this song was based on the country song "Me and Emily" by Rachel Proctor.
JudyKate – I haven't seen the music video yet and a really want to! And you're right, you can understand the story a TEENY bit better if you've heard the song and/or seen the video.
dreamingmaggie – well, since you review was criticism, and you showed hints of not wanting to continue reading the story, I doubt you are reading this, but I'll do a shout-out just the same to explain some things. Firstly, I have explained them taking "ages" to recognize each other before, and she recognized Seamus right away because she knew that she was in the midst of her Hogwarts peers and could probably make the connection based on the fact that there was a lower ratio of people, whereas with Harry and Ron the ratio of them being Harry and Ron was like a million to one, with the fact of Harry and Ron simply showing up in the muggle world and the magical world. Second, I know I'm kinda rushing their love relationship, but like I said, I didn't want to write a whole bunch dates and THEN have them confess their love to one another. Plus, it's not that unrealistic. Take it from someone (me) who saw her mother date about 10 different guys, okay? Thirdly, of course she wouldn't want anything to do with Jim you weirdo! Would you want any contact with someone who you thought raped you and abused you? I don't think so. And last, yes, all the other students got owls to go to the Hogwarts reunion, and Hermione didn't get one because she was living with Jim and therefore would not have any magical contact.
HYPERdingdong39 – your penname fits you extremely well in this particular review . . .
Carissa – trust me, Draco is sincere, otherwise the story would be worthless . . .
Celementina – people have corrected me before on the fact that the timeline is wrong, but I don't like to think of the Harry Potter cast being born in 1980, it makes them seem old, so I go by the fact that the fifth book was released in 2003, making them born in 1988.
HPFanatic04 – Well, I HOPE that I have 500 reviews by the 14th chapter. It certainly does seem likely. I might even have 500 by the thirteenth chapter!
thedarkside45 – what I mean by "lawyer" (Katrina Galard) is someone who practices law and who defends people in courts.
Karana Belle – you have a lot of relevant comments in your review, but I can't comment on any of them. Otherwise, I'd spoil the plot! So, no comment . . .
Kiera Knightly – why is your penname the name of a famous person? It can be very misleading.
Dark Me – when I got out of the theater for PoA, I was raging and screaming that I was going to murder the director and screenwriter. But once I got over it, I realized that they didn't take out or change anything really important to the series. The most major thing they took out was the Quidditch Final.
MissyNoGrace – my secret? I guess a lot of people like the Draco-Hermione pairing. (Draco-Ginny isn't quite as popular, hint hint) As for if she is going to stay with Draco? All my reviewers would leave me if I did make her get back with Jim, but you never know, that could be a risk I'm willing to take . . .
emsubeme – that is a FABULOUS idea! I just might use it.
Maggy A. – yes, I know it's very likely that the lawyer is a witch.
yaminy-grint4eva/Ana – I love it when two people are in one review! It reminds me of me and my friend, only our reviews are often extremely hyper. And I'll try to check out your story Ana.
WildMustang – I can't tell you what Hermione will do, you just have to read and find out!
lil-whitelighter111488 – Well, sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but your demand ain't gonna happen, and the lawyer, though most likely a witch, is NOT a Death Eater.
Okay, now that I'm FINALLY done with shout-outs, on with the chapter most awaited by readers second only to chapter seven! (A.k.a. chapter 13)
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At 12:35, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Emily were in Hermione's car, Hermione at the wheel, on the way to Harry's apartment.
"I hope he's been shopping for food by now, I'm hungry," said Ron, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"Well, I would think that he has, judging on the fact that Harry isn't the type of person to live on Chinese take-out and pizza. He's had plenty of practice cooking because of the Dursleys," said Hermione logically.
"Well, I hope you're right Hermione, because I'm just as if not more hungry than Ron," said Ginny from the backseat, who was next to Emily in her carrier.
"Are you kidding? If Hermione says it, it's got to be right," said Ron laughingly.
"Ha, ha, Ron," said Hermione bleakly as she turned into the parking lot for Harry's apartment complex. Two minutes later they were knocking on the door to Harry's apartment.
"Come in, it's open," came Harry's falsely cheerful voice. Hermione opened the door and walked in, followed by Ron and Ginny. They found Harry sitting at the kitchen table, papers and envelopes spread everywhere, and he looked extremely frustrated. He looked up for a split second to see who his visitors were, and when he saw Hermione, a look of sheer joy and relief spread across his face.
"Hermione! I'm so glad you came! I really need your help with this," he said, motioning to the kitchen table.
"Ah, is it bill-paying time, Harry?" she asked.
"Yes, and it's awful! If I knew the Dursleys had to go through this every month, I might have been a little more sympathetic. It no wonder Uncle Vernon was always grouchy," he said.
"Good heavens, Harry, you make it sound like it's the end of the world!" said Hermione.
"It seems like it," came his reply.
"Well, it's not that bad, Harry," said Hermione, taking a seat in the chair next to Harry. "It's just simple math really . . ." and the rest of the visit was spent with Hermione helping Harry with bills, while Ron and Ginny helped themselves to sandwiches from the fridge.
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Jim stared at the lawyer called Katrina Galard with a look of complete confusion on his face. He struggled to understand what she just said.
"So – so your saying that wizards and witches are real?" he said.
"Yes," replied Katrina.
"And Hermione is a witch?"
"Yes indeed."
"And you think that someone, some witch or wizard, put a – a curse on me so they could control what I was doing without my knowing it?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Using the curse is against wizard law, so we need all the help we can get to find them and put them in Azkaban, the wizard prison."
"Right, now about this, this potion that I'm going to take, it's completely harmless?"
"Yes, I assure you. It is a strong truth potion, called Veriteserum, and nothing else," she said calmly. "You only need to take three drops."
"Okay," he said uneasily. She opened her briefcase, took out a small vial, and handed it to him; it looked to be only an inch in length.
"In that vial is approximately three drops of Veriteserum. Simply drink it and it will enter your body immediately," she said as if she did this every day.
"Okay," he said, even more nervously. He tipped the vial to his mouth and felt the tiny bit of liquid slide onto his tongue and trickle down his throat like water.
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Nearly an hour later, Harry had all his bills paid, the four of them had had a decent lunch, and had talked a while. Hermione checked her watch and gasped.
"Oh no! I should have left five minutes ago! I'm going to be late!"
"Hermione, coming in five minutes late from your lunch break isn't a tragedy, I'm sure your boss will be flexible about that," said Ginny.
"Yeah, that's no reason to have a heart attack," agreed Ron.
"Well, all right, but we have to leave now," said Hermione. "Sorry to rush out Harry, but, you know, I have to be at my job . . ."
"It's all right, 'Mione, I understand, well, sort of. I can't really say I know how you feel because I don't have a job yet," said Harry.
"WHAT?!" said Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all at the same time.
"Harry, you need to get a job, that's very important!" said Hermione.
"Well, you have no time to arrange it now, why don't you come back tomorrow on your day off?" said Harry.
"I suppose I can do that. I'll see you tomorrow then, Harry," she said as she picked up Emily and walked out the door. Ron and Ginny said their good- byes to Harry and followed her. Once they were in the car and well out of earshot, discussion started.
"I can't believe he hasn't got a job yet! He can't see what it's like to be a muggle if he's unemployed!" said Ron angrily.
"I know Ron. I talked to him about this, too, I can't believe that he's ignoring it," said Hermione, trying to contain her anger.
"It's unbelievable! He should know from you, Hermione that getting a job is a necessity!" said a shocked Ginny. This kept up the whole three minutes back to the Leaky Cauldron. Once they were back and had let out most of their steam, Hermione and Ginny said good-bye to Ron and went back inside the Leaky Cauldron.
"Okay Ginny, I've really got to rush, take Emily for me," she said as she handed the baby carrier to Ginny. "I'll see you tonight at 8:00!" she said as she rushed to the courtyard and into Diagon Alley. When she burst into Flourish and Blotts, panting, at 1:38, she immediately apologized to her boss.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, Mr. Bunjay, I was having lunch with a friend and lost track of time . . ." she stopped her rambling when she looked up and saw not only her boss, but two other people standing there waiting for her. It took her a second to realize that they were her lawyer . . . and Jim. {AN: Oh, I REALLY want to leave it off here, but I promised you guys a long chapter and that I would skip ahead after this one! So, I must continue.} She shook her head rapidly.
"Mr. Bunjay, how could you allow a muggle into your shop? Into Diagon Alley?" asked Hermione.
"If you remember, Hermione, I allowed your parents into my shop in your second year of Hogwarts out of generosity," he said kindly.
"But that was different! They knew about the magical world and that I was a witch! Jim didn't!" she said, pointing at Jim.
"Hermione, they requested that they see you. According to this man – you say his name is Jim? – it's very important," explained her boss.
"Bull shit!" said Hermione, and all three of the other people in the room jumped in surprise, never knowing Hermione to cuss. "Mr. Bunjay if you knew what this – this man did to me, you would most certainly not be allowing him into your shop!"
"Hermione, you don't understand—" started Jim, but Hermione cut him off.
"Don't you dare speak to me! How could I not understand, when you so clearly explained it to me?" she said.
"But that's why I'm here! It was all a terrible misunderstanding!" said Jim. Hermione was suddenly aware that they were alone in the store. She turned around toward the door and saw that Mr. Bunjay had put up the "CLOSED" sign so they could avoid interruptions.
"A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding? You think that raping me and abusing me was just a simple misunderstanding?" said Hermione loudly. After she had said this, her boss immediately went into her defense.
"Now see here, mister, I cannot allow you in here when you are a danger to my employees! Out! OUT!" he said.
"And you're supposed to be my lawyer! You're supposed to be defending me! But you just go and bring the reason I hired you right into this store!" said Hermione.
"Mrs. Jenkins, I have quite a good reason for doing so, if you would simply stop your tirade for a minute and listen, you'll understand!" said Katrina.
"Well, all right. But if it's something stupid," she pointed at Katrina, "you're fired, and," she pointed at Jim, "you're getting kicked out. Understood?"
"Clearly. Now, when Mr. Jenkins awoke from being unconscious a few hours ago, he discovered your divorce papers in the mail and phoned me," began Katrina. "He said that he was horrified at what he had done and never would have dreamed of doing such things for those reasons. He said he thought that someone was controlling him, so, upon hearing this, I apparated to his place of residence immediately. I came to the conclusion, after questioning him with Veriteserum, that someone, from the time of your first anniversary in September, was using the Imperious Curse on him."
"Oh my goodness! But, who? I haven't had contact with any witch or wizard since I married Jim," said Hermione.
"That is yet to be found out, but it is obvious that it is someone who wanted you hurt, but could not do so themselves. Do you know any such person?"
"Yes, but the likelihood that it was this person is extremely unlikely, if not impossible, as they are dead, and before that they were locked up in Azkaban," said Hermione.
"Who are they?" asked Katrina keenly.
"It completely impossible, now that I think about it, but the person I was thinking of was Lucius Malfoy. A few weeks ago, I might have suggested his son, Draco Malfoy, but I met him about two weeks ago and he seems to have changed." She didn't dare mention the fact that she was in a relationship with him. "I can only think of one other person who is determined to rid the world of muggles and muggleborns, but the possibility of Jim coming into contact with him is even more unlikely than him coming into contact with Lucius Malfoy, and he wouldn't waste his time using someone else to hurt, even kill me, he would simply send someone to kill me flat out."
"Mrs. Jenkins, are you thinking of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" asked Katrina, now on the edge of her seat.
"Yes, Voldemort was the person I was thinking of." At the sound of the name both Mr. Bunjay and Katrina flinched, but Jim simply looked puzzled.
"You never know, You-Know-Who works in strange ways. Perhaps he wanted to prolong your suffering before he killed you. It a horrible prospect, and I'm dreadfully sorry for bringing it up, but you never know. Does he have a particular reason for disliking you more than other muggleborns?" asked Mr. Bunjay.
"Well, I did assist Harry Potter in putting many of his Death Eaters back in Azkaban four years ago, but Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Ron and Ginny Weasley assisted as well, and he hasn't shown signs of wanting to kill them," said Hermione logically.
"If I remember correctly, the Lovegood, Longbottom, and Weasley families are all pureblood. You-Know-Who's mission is to rid the earth of Muggles and Muggleborns. As for Harry Potter, well, You-Know-Who is constantly after him, that's nothing new," said Katrina. This brought something into sharp reality for Hermione. What if Harry was attacked? He'd need to have his wand, just in case. She made up her mind to return it to him when she went to his house tomorrow.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't understand a lick of this," said Jim.
"Oh, I suppose we should explain then," said Hermione.
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AN: That's almost like "The End", isn't it? But, it's not. We still have three months to cover! So, until "The End" does come, REVIEW! And, you know, it'd be nice to have 500 reviews before I post chapter 14, but, you know, I'm not demanding or anything . . .
dracosbabe41 – again, I'll tell you the same thing I told countrygurl, if you read the author's notes you'll see that this song was based on the country song "Me and Emily" by Rachel Proctor.
JudyKate – I haven't seen the music video yet and a really want to! And you're right, you can understand the story a TEENY bit better if you've heard the song and/or seen the video.
dreamingmaggie – well, since you review was criticism, and you showed hints of not wanting to continue reading the story, I doubt you are reading this, but I'll do a shout-out just the same to explain some things. Firstly, I have explained them taking "ages" to recognize each other before, and she recognized Seamus right away because she knew that she was in the midst of her Hogwarts peers and could probably make the connection based on the fact that there was a lower ratio of people, whereas with Harry and Ron the ratio of them being Harry and Ron was like a million to one, with the fact of Harry and Ron simply showing up in the muggle world and the magical world. Second, I know I'm kinda rushing their love relationship, but like I said, I didn't want to write a whole bunch dates and THEN have them confess their love to one another. Plus, it's not that unrealistic. Take it from someone (me) who saw her mother date about 10 different guys, okay? Thirdly, of course she wouldn't want anything to do with Jim you weirdo! Would you want any contact with someone who you thought raped you and abused you? I don't think so. And last, yes, all the other students got owls to go to the Hogwarts reunion, and Hermione didn't get one because she was living with Jim and therefore would not have any magical contact.
HYPERdingdong39 – your penname fits you extremely well in this particular review . . .
Carissa – trust me, Draco is sincere, otherwise the story would be worthless . . .
Celementina – people have corrected me before on the fact that the timeline is wrong, but I don't like to think of the Harry Potter cast being born in 1980, it makes them seem old, so I go by the fact that the fifth book was released in 2003, making them born in 1988.
HPFanatic04 – Well, I HOPE that I have 500 reviews by the 14th chapter. It certainly does seem likely. I might even have 500 by the thirteenth chapter!
thedarkside45 – what I mean by "lawyer" (Katrina Galard) is someone who practices law and who defends people in courts.
Karana Belle – you have a lot of relevant comments in your review, but I can't comment on any of them. Otherwise, I'd spoil the plot! So, no comment . . .
Kiera Knightly – why is your penname the name of a famous person? It can be very misleading.
Dark Me – when I got out of the theater for PoA, I was raging and screaming that I was going to murder the director and screenwriter. But once I got over it, I realized that they didn't take out or change anything really important to the series. The most major thing they took out was the Quidditch Final.
MissyNoGrace – my secret? I guess a lot of people like the Draco-Hermione pairing. (Draco-Ginny isn't quite as popular, hint hint) As for if she is going to stay with Draco? All my reviewers would leave me if I did make her get back with Jim, but you never know, that could be a risk I'm willing to take . . .
emsubeme – that is a FABULOUS idea! I just might use it.
Maggy A. – yes, I know it's very likely that the lawyer is a witch.
yaminy-grint4eva/Ana – I love it when two people are in one review! It reminds me of me and my friend, only our reviews are often extremely hyper. And I'll try to check out your story Ana.
WildMustang – I can't tell you what Hermione will do, you just have to read and find out!
lil-whitelighter111488 – Well, sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but your demand ain't gonna happen, and the lawyer, though most likely a witch, is NOT a Death Eater.
Okay, now that I'm FINALLY done with shout-outs, on with the chapter most awaited by readers second only to chapter seven! (A.k.a. chapter 13)
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At 12:35, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Emily were in Hermione's car, Hermione at the wheel, on the way to Harry's apartment.
"I hope he's been shopping for food by now, I'm hungry," said Ron, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"Well, I would think that he has, judging on the fact that Harry isn't the type of person to live on Chinese take-out and pizza. He's had plenty of practice cooking because of the Dursleys," said Hermione logically.
"Well, I hope you're right Hermione, because I'm just as if not more hungry than Ron," said Ginny from the backseat, who was next to Emily in her carrier.
"Are you kidding? If Hermione says it, it's got to be right," said Ron laughingly.
"Ha, ha, Ron," said Hermione bleakly as she turned into the parking lot for Harry's apartment complex. Two minutes later they were knocking on the door to Harry's apartment.
"Come in, it's open," came Harry's falsely cheerful voice. Hermione opened the door and walked in, followed by Ron and Ginny. They found Harry sitting at the kitchen table, papers and envelopes spread everywhere, and he looked extremely frustrated. He looked up for a split second to see who his visitors were, and when he saw Hermione, a look of sheer joy and relief spread across his face.
"Hermione! I'm so glad you came! I really need your help with this," he said, motioning to the kitchen table.
"Ah, is it bill-paying time, Harry?" she asked.
"Yes, and it's awful! If I knew the Dursleys had to go through this every month, I might have been a little more sympathetic. It no wonder Uncle Vernon was always grouchy," he said.
"Good heavens, Harry, you make it sound like it's the end of the world!" said Hermione.
"It seems like it," came his reply.
"Well, it's not that bad, Harry," said Hermione, taking a seat in the chair next to Harry. "It's just simple math really . . ." and the rest of the visit was spent with Hermione helping Harry with bills, while Ron and Ginny helped themselves to sandwiches from the fridge.
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Jim stared at the lawyer called Katrina Galard with a look of complete confusion on his face. He struggled to understand what she just said.
"So – so your saying that wizards and witches are real?" he said.
"Yes," replied Katrina.
"And Hermione is a witch?"
"Yes indeed."
"And you think that someone, some witch or wizard, put a – a curse on me so they could control what I was doing without my knowing it?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Using the curse is against wizard law, so we need all the help we can get to find them and put them in Azkaban, the wizard prison."
"Right, now about this, this potion that I'm going to take, it's completely harmless?"
"Yes, I assure you. It is a strong truth potion, called Veriteserum, and nothing else," she said calmly. "You only need to take three drops."
"Okay," he said uneasily. She opened her briefcase, took out a small vial, and handed it to him; it looked to be only an inch in length.
"In that vial is approximately three drops of Veriteserum. Simply drink it and it will enter your body immediately," she said as if she did this every day.
"Okay," he said, even more nervously. He tipped the vial to his mouth and felt the tiny bit of liquid slide onto his tongue and trickle down his throat like water.
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Nearly an hour later, Harry had all his bills paid, the four of them had had a decent lunch, and had talked a while. Hermione checked her watch and gasped.
"Oh no! I should have left five minutes ago! I'm going to be late!"
"Hermione, coming in five minutes late from your lunch break isn't a tragedy, I'm sure your boss will be flexible about that," said Ginny.
"Yeah, that's no reason to have a heart attack," agreed Ron.
"Well, all right, but we have to leave now," said Hermione. "Sorry to rush out Harry, but, you know, I have to be at my job . . ."
"It's all right, 'Mione, I understand, well, sort of. I can't really say I know how you feel because I don't have a job yet," said Harry.
"WHAT?!" said Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all at the same time.
"Harry, you need to get a job, that's very important!" said Hermione.
"Well, you have no time to arrange it now, why don't you come back tomorrow on your day off?" said Harry.
"I suppose I can do that. I'll see you tomorrow then, Harry," she said as she picked up Emily and walked out the door. Ron and Ginny said their good- byes to Harry and followed her. Once they were in the car and well out of earshot, discussion started.
"I can't believe he hasn't got a job yet! He can't see what it's like to be a muggle if he's unemployed!" said Ron angrily.
"I know Ron. I talked to him about this, too, I can't believe that he's ignoring it," said Hermione, trying to contain her anger.
"It's unbelievable! He should know from you, Hermione that getting a job is a necessity!" said a shocked Ginny. This kept up the whole three minutes back to the Leaky Cauldron. Once they were back and had let out most of their steam, Hermione and Ginny said good-bye to Ron and went back inside the Leaky Cauldron.
"Okay Ginny, I've really got to rush, take Emily for me," she said as she handed the baby carrier to Ginny. "I'll see you tonight at 8:00!" she said as she rushed to the courtyard and into Diagon Alley. When she burst into Flourish and Blotts, panting, at 1:38, she immediately apologized to her boss.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, Mr. Bunjay, I was having lunch with a friend and lost track of time . . ." she stopped her rambling when she looked up and saw not only her boss, but two other people standing there waiting for her. It took her a second to realize that they were her lawyer . . . and Jim. {AN: Oh, I REALLY want to leave it off here, but I promised you guys a long chapter and that I would skip ahead after this one! So, I must continue.} She shook her head rapidly.
"Mr. Bunjay, how could you allow a muggle into your shop? Into Diagon Alley?" asked Hermione.
"If you remember, Hermione, I allowed your parents into my shop in your second year of Hogwarts out of generosity," he said kindly.
"But that was different! They knew about the magical world and that I was a witch! Jim didn't!" she said, pointing at Jim.
"Hermione, they requested that they see you. According to this man – you say his name is Jim? – it's very important," explained her boss.
"Bull shit!" said Hermione, and all three of the other people in the room jumped in surprise, never knowing Hermione to cuss. "Mr. Bunjay if you knew what this – this man did to me, you would most certainly not be allowing him into your shop!"
"Hermione, you don't understand—" started Jim, but Hermione cut him off.
"Don't you dare speak to me! How could I not understand, when you so clearly explained it to me?" she said.
"But that's why I'm here! It was all a terrible misunderstanding!" said Jim. Hermione was suddenly aware that they were alone in the store. She turned around toward the door and saw that Mr. Bunjay had put up the "CLOSED" sign so they could avoid interruptions.
"A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding? You think that raping me and abusing me was just a simple misunderstanding?" said Hermione loudly. After she had said this, her boss immediately went into her defense.
"Now see here, mister, I cannot allow you in here when you are a danger to my employees! Out! OUT!" he said.
"And you're supposed to be my lawyer! You're supposed to be defending me! But you just go and bring the reason I hired you right into this store!" said Hermione.
"Mrs. Jenkins, I have quite a good reason for doing so, if you would simply stop your tirade for a minute and listen, you'll understand!" said Katrina.
"Well, all right. But if it's something stupid," she pointed at Katrina, "you're fired, and," she pointed at Jim, "you're getting kicked out. Understood?"
"Clearly. Now, when Mr. Jenkins awoke from being unconscious a few hours ago, he discovered your divorce papers in the mail and phoned me," began Katrina. "He said that he was horrified at what he had done and never would have dreamed of doing such things for those reasons. He said he thought that someone was controlling him, so, upon hearing this, I apparated to his place of residence immediately. I came to the conclusion, after questioning him with Veriteserum, that someone, from the time of your first anniversary in September, was using the Imperious Curse on him."
"Oh my goodness! But, who? I haven't had contact with any witch or wizard since I married Jim," said Hermione.
"That is yet to be found out, but it is obvious that it is someone who wanted you hurt, but could not do so themselves. Do you know any such person?"
"Yes, but the likelihood that it was this person is extremely unlikely, if not impossible, as they are dead, and before that they were locked up in Azkaban," said Hermione.
"Who are they?" asked Katrina keenly.
"It completely impossible, now that I think about it, but the person I was thinking of was Lucius Malfoy. A few weeks ago, I might have suggested his son, Draco Malfoy, but I met him about two weeks ago and he seems to have changed." She didn't dare mention the fact that she was in a relationship with him. "I can only think of one other person who is determined to rid the world of muggles and muggleborns, but the possibility of Jim coming into contact with him is even more unlikely than him coming into contact with Lucius Malfoy, and he wouldn't waste his time using someone else to hurt, even kill me, he would simply send someone to kill me flat out."
"Mrs. Jenkins, are you thinking of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" asked Katrina, now on the edge of her seat.
"Yes, Voldemort was the person I was thinking of." At the sound of the name both Mr. Bunjay and Katrina flinched, but Jim simply looked puzzled.
"You never know, You-Know-Who works in strange ways. Perhaps he wanted to prolong your suffering before he killed you. It a horrible prospect, and I'm dreadfully sorry for bringing it up, but you never know. Does he have a particular reason for disliking you more than other muggleborns?" asked Mr. Bunjay.
"Well, I did assist Harry Potter in putting many of his Death Eaters back in Azkaban four years ago, but Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Ron and Ginny Weasley assisted as well, and he hasn't shown signs of wanting to kill them," said Hermione logically.
"If I remember correctly, the Lovegood, Longbottom, and Weasley families are all pureblood. You-Know-Who's mission is to rid the earth of Muggles and Muggleborns. As for Harry Potter, well, You-Know-Who is constantly after him, that's nothing new," said Katrina. This brought something into sharp reality for Hermione. What if Harry was attacked? He'd need to have his wand, just in case. She made up her mind to return it to him when she went to his house tomorrow.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't understand a lick of this," said Jim.
"Oh, I suppose we should explain then," said Hermione.
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AN: That's almost like "The End", isn't it? But, it's not. We still have three months to cover! So, until "The End" does come, REVIEW! And, you know, it'd be nice to have 500 reviews before I post chapter 14, but, you know, I'm not demanding or anything . . .