A/N Another day, another chappie! That last one was boring wasn't it? I thought so... a bit sci fi with that bond thing happening. Ah well, thank you all so much for reading and stuff, though it is upsetting to only receive a few reviews... maybe I just don't give it enough time. Oh well, on with the story!
Disclaimer: What do you people want from me? Ok, so I write this out for my own good, but still, you guys don't really think I own all this stuff do you? That would be so cool... but alas, all that is mine is Alex and partial credit of Mr. Snuffles and Hazel (Bill's Gram) Enjoy the story anyways!
Just as Hermione hung up the phone, there was a loud knock at the door. Chris jumped up and answered it after looking in the peephole of course. (Come on you guys, who doesn't look through the peephole when they get a chance? Lol!) In stepped Mr. Jenkins, who seemed to have gotten over his cold. Following him was the old lady they had met on the street. She continued to pet him as though he were a cat.
"I am here to make sure you had answered my employers call." He explained with a strained look of patience as the old lady pinched his cheek. "She said she was calling around now and... confound it woman! Who are you?"
"Hey! I don't mean to sound rude but don't talk to my Grandma Hazel that way! In fact, don't talk to her at all; she's had a rough time in America, what with some crazy girl behind the wheel of a car nearly crashing into her as she pet her cat and all." Billy piped up from the back of the room.
Rosie caught Alex's eye and smiled a little at her red cheeks. It had been Alex behind the wheel and only those two knew it. It hadn't been her fault though... the old lady was standing in the middle of a four-way intersection.
Hazel stepped away from Mr. Jenkins and for the first time, everyone caught a glimpse of her outfit. There was a sharp intake of breath and several gasps. Billy could be heard exclaiming "Grandma!" from across the room.
Draco, who had been reading, now looked up to see what the fuss was all about. Instantly his eyes widened before he slapped his hands over them. "Oh my gosh, I've been bloody blinded! Someone put a decent shirt on her or something. What's wrong with seniors these days? Someone bring her back to the home!"
Hermione slapped him smartly in the head while draping a small blanket over Hazel like a shawl. Hazel smiled at her. Hermione smiled back, relieved that the most revealing
Top she had seen on a senior was covered. Then she turned to Mr. Jenkins and said, "You're employer has called but she didn't say how she knew so much about us."
Mr. Jenkins mopped his head with his handkerchief and "Oh dear, she had worried she wouldn't have enough time. She always forgets something. Is it accurate though?"
"Extremely accurate sir. Now please explain why." Draco demanded peeking from behind his hands. Hermione cast him a glowering look and turned back to Mr. Jenkins.
"I had hoped... I didn't want to be the one to explain this. It's really very simple you see but we didn't know it was so accurate. It's hard to believe word of mouth."
"You mean someone who works for you knows all this stuff and tells you what's going on?" Rosie asked from her seat on the bed with her head resting on Bills shoulder who still looked agitated. Maggie sat in her lap purring. The old lady noticed Maggie and reached out to grab her. Rosie held her out of harms reach and Billy took his Grandma's hands and led her away.
"Come on Grandma, we'll get you a cat soon, I promise." He spoke to her quietly and gently, as if he thought she was mad. Then again... she probably was.
"Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you Barnaby."
"It's Billy, Gram. My name is Billy."
"That's nice Barney."
Billy shrugged in a symbol of defeat. The rest of the group chose to hide their laughter, all except Mr. Jenkins, who seemed rather nervous as Hazel spotted him again. Without another word she wandered over to him and started to pet him again. He sighed in annoyance and turned to Hermione.
"May I leave now?" he asked, sneezing into his handkerchief. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"If you must. I understand you're very, uh, busy."
"Merlin's beard, Hermione! The poor man is being stalked by Billy's gram!" This came from Draco, who was now standing beside her staring with pity at poor Mr. Jenkins.
"Oh, I'm alright, she follows me everywhere. I think she finds it amusing. I'll tell my employer that you are satisfied with your knowledge, correct?"
"Yes sir, we are very satisfied. Thank you so much and we hope you thank her for us." Alex said quietly. She had been sitting in silence near the balcony. Now she stared of into the horizon, smiling slightly. This was such an adventure!
With a sharp nod, Mr. Jenkins left the room, followed by Hazel, who had found his cigarettes in his pocket and currently had one hanging out of the corner of her mouth. Billy looked appalled. He hurried after the pair and could be heard in the hall saying, "Grandma Hazel, uh those aren't good for you! Give it here!"
He returned with the cigarette, which he dunked in Rosie's water before throwing it away. Rosie gave him an expressionless stare, which caused him to presently blush and take the cup out of her hands.
When he returned with a cup of fresh water, she smiled and said, "Good slave, now give me a foot message!"
"Now that's abusing your power, Milady." He said with a smile tugging at his mouth. Without a word, Rosie reached up and grabbed his sweatband. She stood on the bed holding it above her head out of his reach.
"Ha ha, you can't get it." She taunted. He grabbed her around the waste and spun her around. Then while she was dizzy, he put her on her feet and easily took the sweatband.
"Mine." He said simply.
"Wow you guys." Alex said standing up. The two had really opened up to each other in London. Both had been so shy and yet now they were messing around like old friends. With a smile she followed Hermione out to the hallway, where the two girls could talk.
"Alex, I'm really worried."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"It's kind of hard to explain. I just... it's just... every time I'm around Draco these days I get uneasy. I mean, it's like I don't trust him and I try but I just can't! I keep thinking he is going to betray us... or... or even kill me." Hermione looked ashamed and worried at the same time.
"Hermione, he through himself in the path of his father's rage to save you and has looked after you since. He's really worried you know. He told me. He really cares for you, 'Mione." Alex said honestly.
"You're right; I should try to forget that stupid dream."
"No, don't forget it. Maybe it was trying to tell you something. It's a warning and you should listen to it."
After nodding, Hermione returned to the room followed by Alex. As soon as they stepped in, Hermione walked to Draco and put her head on his shoulder. Draco's eyes widened and he looked like he was going to throw her off for a moment. Then, he calmed down a little and realized Hermione was returning to normal. He rested his head on hers and wrapped his arms around her thin form. The perfect image of a young couple.
Just then, the phone rang again. Rosie dove at it, beating Billy by a millisecond. She stuck her tongue out at him before picking it up. "Hello?"
The others watched a small frown form on her lips and she slowly put the receiver down. She turned on speakerphone and said softly, "Listen."
Faintly, they heard the sounds of screams and crying, explosions and an evil cackle. The sounds got louder. Teens of all ages being tortured or frightened filled their ears. A familiar voice from Hogwarts was calling random names from his house. When Hermione heard her own name, she cried out in despair. She screamed into the microphone that allowed hands off talking.
"Neville! Oh you let him go you creep or I'll..." She stopped. The person had hung up and the ring tone was now playing like some haunting memory. Hermione sat down right there on the carpet, head in her hands, crying. Draco however stood up and crossed to stand in front of her.
"What did you do that for? Genius, now they know where we are and everything! It was all a trick to see if we were really here! They are probably on their way right now Hermione and it's your entire fault." He cried angrily.
"Stop yelling at her!" Alex screamed pushing him away from Hermione and glaring ah him, daring him to complain. When he didn't, she knelt down and hugged Hermione tight. Hermione just sat there crying. Rosie got up and came to comfort her as well. Maggie, as is sensing the problem, came up to Hermione and curled up nearby.
"I don't need this. I'm just trying to look out for us!" Draco said, stomping out of the room. When neither boy followed, Rosie raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you going to go talk to him?" She questioned.
"No." they said simultaneously. Hermione let out a weak laugh.
"Even the boys are scared of him!"
After getting the girls settled down to sleep, the boys reluctantly went to their set of rooms. Alex cracked an eye open just in time to see Chris looking back at her before bracing himself to face Draco. She fell asleep with a smile.
Hermione was walking down a long hallway... yet she wasn't alone. As she heard a voice behind her, she turned and found herself face to face with Alex. She sighed and said, "No Alex, go back. I need to do this on my own."
"What is it you need to do?"
"I don't know yet, but I know I have to go on alone."
"Fine, I'll go back but if you need me, give a yell, got it?" Satisfied with Hermione's nod, she turned and left.
Hermione sighed and continued on her own. A thin trail of fog swirled around her feet, making them shiver. Why hadn't she worn socks? She shook her head free of all unnecessary thoughts and ignored the growing feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach.
She stood at the end of the long hall. A big door, at least 10 feet high stood in front of her. Around the border were carved elegant snakes with beady silver eyes. The door itself was a dark brown, almost black. It seemed to be surrounded with its own fog. She touched the knob and grimaced. It felt like ice in her hand. As quickly as she could, she turned it and opened the door.
Inside, Neville crouched on the floor before a mysterious cloaked figure that could only be Lord Voldemort. His cloths were torn and Hermione could see that he had become thinner. He was crying... still he did not scream or call for help.
"What's the matter boy?" hissed the Dark Lord. "Snake got your tongue? Fine then, if you will not talk then you shall scream... Crucio!"
Neville collapsed on the ground in a wriggling heap of tattered robes. Still, Hermione did not hear a sound. She became amazed at how brave Neville was. Voldemort ended the curse.
"Now... you will answer the Dark Lord. Tell me... where has that fool, Dumbledore hidden the rest?"
Neville opened his mouth to speak. Hermione held her breath, afraid of what she might hear. In a hoarse whisper, he said, "You may ask all you like... but I'd rather die than answer! Expelliarmus!"
Voldemort easily blocked Neville's pitiful attempt at bravery. He laughed, the cold sound echoing around the small chamber. "You foolish, stupid, boy! You'll pay for this! Now, bow to me!"
A sharp-tongued curse filled the air. Neville came crashing down on his knees in a whimper of pain. Still, he shook his head at Voldemort and glared at him with a look full of hatred and disobedience. Another curse filled the air and Neville flew at the wall. He passed out before he hit the stone floor.
Hermione ran to Neville's side. She tried to touch his shoulder but her hand passed right through. Of course! This was just a dream... a vision. She faced Voldemort and shouted every angry thought that came to mind, appropriate or not.
Unfortunately, it seemed Voldemort could see her. Her turned to her and said with a small sneer, "Don't worry, my sweet little Mudblood... I haven't forgotten about you..."
A/N Hope you liked it. As always, read and review... or I may stop writing. Lol!! Maybe I won't stop, just please PLEASE review!!! Thank you, have a nice day.