Alrighty, everyone!

I think Lil gets the super-quick reviewer award, but I can't really be sure. There's been no order to my reviews lately since some people are still finishing up 'Today I Woke Up and Saved the World' and moving on to this story.

So, Martino (who actually reviewed chapter one) and everyone else who loves Tae Kwon Do: About the title: I never intended to offend! It's actually an inside joke: my tae kwon do instructor and my jiu-jitsu instructor had a rivalry going way back when I was doing martial arts to hone my kickboxing skills (Muay Thai, woo hoo!). Well my jiu-jitsu instructor came up with this tagline to annoy the hell out of my TKD instructor: "if it were easy, they'd call it Tae Kwon Do." For four years afterward, whenever I even thought about complaining about how bloody hard a move was, I'd hear that from my coach.

For the record, Tae Kwon Do is a difficult art (although I found kung-fu harder…so much more focus and intellect involved); you've got to be a freaking acrobat, and I broke many a toe with bad landings. But the line is forever burned into my brain and when I was trying to think of a title I started mentally bitching about how hard titles were and…well, you see where it went, right?

That said, I refuse to change the title a) because I like the anecdote behind it and b) because it was even implied that someone (or a group of someones) would get violent over something so stupid. Not to mention, Martino's probably not even reading this, he just wanted to state his righteous objection to the title. I don't accept feedback unless it's from somebody actually reading the whole damn thing. It's a bloody story title, get over it.

Joots and Hippiechick, glad you like it so far and always happy to see you. Hand3, you've caught the crazy inverted reviewing epidemic. Deus-ex-maria, thank you for reviewing! You're right, this fic's particularly fast-paced…I think it slows down a bit, but we'll see.

On with the show!

--Aimes

Remus woke up with a headache. He knew it was the result of hitting the bar when a spell had caught him off guard two nights before. All the same, he grunted in irritation when he got out of bed on Monday morning, sparing a brief thought for the blue-haired girl. She'd looked perturbed when Cayne spoke and had veritably sprinted out of the club. In all his previous encounters with her she'd always stopped to get what she'd come for or ensure that her target had been eliminated. Remus gave a mental groan as he saw the note on his nightstand and the irate owl tapping its talons beside it.

He gave the owl some bread with a ragged smile and read the note.

Remus

I would like to see you in my office immediately, if it is at all possible.

--AD

Reflecting on the fact that all of Dumbledore's requests were, in fact, orders, Remus got up, got dressed, apparated to Hogsmeade and trudged towards Hogwarts. He strode into the hallway towards the Headmaster's office. When the stairs had finally finished rising, he took his customary seat, mentally noting that he needed to bring a cushion next time. Chairs really were bloody uncomfortable.

"Remus," Dumbledore said, looking concerned. "I know you have completed your assignment and intended on having a much-needed rest, however Miss Granger never returned from her parents' house this weekend. Will you do me the great favor of fetching her?"

"Of course I will Albus, but do you think it's necessary?" Remus asked quietly. "Perhaps Hermione overslept or was unavoidably detained."

"Perhaps, Remus, however I have been concerned about Miss Granger for some time and would be reassured if you went to fetch her. I fear there is something she is not telling me about the situation at her parents' home. Your help will be appreciated greatly. I shall send Severus with you if you wish." Dumbledore fetched a map of Hermione's neighborhood as he spoke.

"That's not necessary. It does not take two grown men to fetch one seventh-year from muggle England." Remus replied with a smile, taking the map. "If it does, we're in greater trouble than anyone suspected." He left without further ado, leaving Dumbledore sitting ponderously.

Remus exited the castle and disapparated the instant he hit the edge of the grounds. He reapparated on a well-shaded lawn in the suburbs of London. Dumbledore had directed him to it and indicated it was where Hermione's home would be. There houses were far apart and there was a huge circular drive leading up to the house. Lupin emerged from the cover of the trees on the lawn and strode toward the house. The sooner he went and woke up Hermione, the sooner he could go back to sleep.

Remus rather liked Hermione, actually, though he was a bit grouchily disposed towards her today. She was smart and quick-witted and far more mature than her age would indicate. In fact, as the years had passed, she'd developed a rather soothing presence, at least for him. Sirius had once noted how similar they were and Remus had agreed. Though he was not particularly worried about her, he did not mind being sent to find her.

He knocked firmly and was surprised and suspicious when the door swung open at his touch. Remus pulled out his wand, instantly on his guard.

The house was a disaster. Furniture and decorations were broken and askew and there were prominent signs of struggle.

Lupin exited the foyer and went into the largest room, assuming it was the living room. He stopped short as he saw the destruction in the room. He went in further and saw the lump of black with spiky blue hair. Remus gaped, shocked. He half sprinted to the crumpled figure and turned it over.

The blue haired woman lay limply in his arms, bruised and bloodied. He could barely recognize her but for the wig and he wondered why she was here. His mind made the connection a split second later and he nearly dropped her in shock.

Hermione shot into wakefulness and lashed out at the person holding her. He stumbled back and she was on her feet in an instant, her dagger out and poised. C'mon, they couldn't have left a throwing knife? Honestly. Ouf, anesthetic hasn't worn off completely…my tongue's fuzzy. Then the blood loss hit her and she sank to her knees. Shit, shit, shit. The knife wound on her side was bleeding again and she felt myriad breaks and fractures. Her abdomen ached painfully and she felt blood oozing down her back. Hermione looked down and realized that her leather pants were shredded. What happened? Think, Hermione! Okay, maybe deal with this guy first. She looked at him and her mind caught up with the situation. "Remus?"

"Hermione? What happened?"

"I don't…Genes!" Cayne's words came back to her and she shot to her feet and ran out of the room towards the kitchen. Remus followed her, catching her as her legs gave out. Using him as a crutch, she plowed determinedly to the kitchen.

Where her parents' bodies littered the floor.

"Mum, dad," she muttered, looking around. She peered behind the island in the middle of the room. "Oh, damn, they didn't have to kill the dog too. That was just unnecessary!"

She looked around frantically. "Must mean they've got Genes. Bugger, bugger, bugger!"

"Hermione?" Remus was a bit concerned at her half-coherent rambling. Hermione ignored him and picked up the phone. She put up her hand to silence his half-formed thought as she dialed the number and it connected.

"Smoke. ID number 22309. Initiating full break, confirm?" She waited for the response and nodded. Her finger fumbled for the off button when another voice came on.

"Smoke? Smoke! You can't break, I won't authorize it." Hermione's face darkened and she lifted the phone back to her ear.

"Too late, it's already done. I've been betrayed at the highest levels. My parents are dead and my sister is missing. Make it known that whoever sold me out will beg for death before I'm finished. Goodbye ZT. You'll hear from me soon." She hung up the phone and slumped against the island.

Lupin decided to take control of the situation. He moved forward and lifted her into his arms. Hermione struggled for a moment against his vise-like grip, but quickly gave up as her wounds began to aggravate. She went limp in his arms, her face in the crook of his neck. Her breathing was shallow and rapid.

Don't panic, don't panic. She's fine, she'll be alright. You just have to heal yourself, Mya, then find her and save her. All while trying to explain to Remus who you are and what happened and not have him drag you straight back to Hogwarts. Oh, better make that known now.

"Not Hogwarts," she muttered in his ear. If he tries, I'll break for it. I can elude him long enough to finish this, right? Riiight…

"Hermione, you're not in good shape to be refusing medical attention," Remus warned.

"Please. Too dangerous. Not Hogwarts," she struggled, beginning to lose consciousness again. Lupin did not reply and Hermione passed out before she could force an answer.

He carried her out of the house and disapparated, apparating outside the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. He entered quickly, knowing Snape would be there. He finished classes early on Mondays and usually went to Headquarters to work on other projects.

"Severus! I could use some help, here!" Snape jogged out of the kitchen to the sitting room, where Remus was setting Hermione down.

"Lupin? Who is she?" Snape asked breathlessly.

"Hermione Granger," Remus replied shortly.

"Yeah," Hermione mumbled as she regained consciousness.

"What happened, Miss Granger?"

Hermione took a deep breath and started to explain, trying to ignore the pounding in her head and the streaks of pain throughout her body.

"I was concerned when Cayne mentioned my sister. It meant that there had been a leak. My cover had been blown and my family was in danger. I left for home immediately and entered in the middle of a fight. My dad was already dead in the kitchen and my mum was trying to give Genes an escape route. I entered and started shooting, but got hit from behind. I was outnumbered by about thirteen to one in the end, I think and there were two wizards. I never stood a chance without my wand or a planned incursion. I tried to give my mum a chance to get Genes and get the hell out, but she barely made it to the kitchen before she was down. I never even saw Genes.

"I got hit with the Cruciatus and a few other less pleasant hexes. My memory after that is patchy. I know I didn't say anything and I know I was hexed and beaten to a pulp, but beyond that…I triggered the anesthetic in my ring and kind of zoned…"

Remus was looking at her in shock. "How can you be so calm about this?"

She sighed. "It's part of the job. I knew it would probably happen someday. As for being calm? That's what I'm trained for. To withstand torture if I'm ever compromised." Unfortunately, I'm not trained to stay calm when my baby sister's been kidnapped!

Snape had been casting healing charms and probing her wounds. He handed her a potion to drink as he moved down to her lower abdomen. "How exactly did you end up here, Miss Granger?"

Hermione downed it and began to speak. "I was recruited when I was a child for 'superior intelligence and reasoning abilities.' I was trained from the age of four till eight to be a tactical agent. A spy and assassin. No one ever suspects the children. I went to work when I was nine. Everything was fine till I got my letter from Hogwarts. The government decided I could still be useful and chose to continue my assignments during vacations and some weekends. Lately, however, my criminal underworld and your criminal underworld have been…colliding. I've seen Remus on three of my last five assignments. I believe that the biggest players in the muggle criminal world and the most evil wizards in the wizarding world are beginning to team up."

"I've been reaching the same conclusions," Remus replied as Snape applied potion to her cuts, starting at her shoulders and moving down.

"It's worse," she sighed, closing her eyes. "I've been betrayed at the highest levels. My identity was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the muggle world. Even my parents never suspected. I must assume I'm compromised. It's not safe for me to go back to Hogwarts until this is over."

"And when it is?" Snape had reached her lower abdomen and his eyes flickered to hers for a moment, seeking permission. She opened her eyes to gaze at him for a moment, shrugged and nodded.

"When it is? Well, we'll see. I don't think Cayne has revealed my identity. It's far more valuable to be the possessor of the secret. If I can kill him before he reveals it or sets up safeguards…" she winced and hissed as Snape's gentle fingers worked the potion into her flesh. "I'll kill him in any case. And I don't care about my secret. I can handle any hit contracts they put out. As long as my sister is safe and untouched…" she looked angry and tired.

"We'll do what we can," Remus vowed.