CHAPTER 3

For the next few days, Hermione watched Ron very carefully. He never left her alone in the room, except when they were sleeping and he seemed very jumpy whenever anyone walked by the window.

"What is going on here Ron?" Hermione finally asked on the 5th day in the unknown place.

"I cannot tell you just yet. Have to wait until I'm given the okay." Ron said gruffly.

"From who? Hermione asked.

"Hqus" Ron mumbled.

"Huh? Where? I could have swore you said headquarters."

"Yes I did."

Hermione was shocked. "Are you with the Secret police or something? What have I done to deserve this? Why me? Why?"

Ron just sighed. " Now that you know part of the story, let me tell you the rest. It began long ago, in the time when everyone had magic. Some wanted to live without it, and they formed a group known as the Muggles. They went far away to an unknown land now the Americas. That's what the Pilgrims were doing. Anyway, they cut themselves off completely. They formed their own government and there were many wars between the newly formed federation and the magical entities in Europe. Before the whole mess started, a seer had predicted the riff. She also told of how the riff could be healed, or further split. The key was a young magical woman of Muggle descent who suddenly awoke to her powers and attended the famous Hogwarts school. In order to heal the riff, she must discover her true love, a magical being who she knew well. But the dark forces at work also were told how the riff could be split. If the young woman became with child of a Dark Lord's son, then the world would be worse off than ever."

Hermione absorbed the story. "Is that why Draco's been after me?

Ron nodded "And that's why you are here now, so that you will not fall into the hands of the Dark Lord, He-who-must-not-be-named."

"What?!? You have failed me again? How could this happen?" Raged Voldemort.

"I'm sorry sir, but the commanders were slow to follow my orders and by the time we had gotten the door open, they had vanished." Draco said, wincing.

"Well see that it doesn't happen again other wise…" Voldemort snapped his fingers and Draco writhed in pain, "You will feel much worse everytime you fail to bring me Granger."

"Yes master" Draco moaned still twitching.

"Good, now send in the commander" Voldemort ordered.

Draco nodded limping out of the Dark Lord's office.