Yes…I'm back again! Since I kept all you guys waiting for so long…I thought I might as well try and update faster to make it up for you. Thanks for all the reviews, and have fun reading this next chapter…!!
CHAPTER 40
Hermione stared out of the door in shock.
What the hell?
Talk about tables turning…
Draco had walked out on her in anger.
What right has he got! After, all, he's the one who's been-
She stopped, feeling guilt flood her heart. It hadn't only been him. She had married him as a spy. That was what she was, and nothing more… it was true that she loved him, but she owed him at least to tell him why she was really there.
As she stared out of the door, she was so overcome with emotion that she didn't stop to ponder over all the information he had given her before his speedy departure. It was only when she felt cold tendrils of thought touching her mind and the ring on her finger flash hotly, that she jerked back to life. Fudge! He was trying to talk to her!
'Ms. Granger?'
What can I tell him? The truth? But that- that will get Draco into trouble- I know he's a Death eater, but he said he didn't- when the fuck have I started believing him anyway?
Ever since you loved him, something whispered to her.
A tear trickled down her face. Yes, she loved him. She loved him so much she didn't want to see him hurt. And yet she had nearly busted his brains out. Why had it been- because she felt so betrayed? Whatever it was, she owed it to him to tell him the truth before telling Fudge anything. She had to find Draco.
'Yes, minister,'
'Oh, good are you there…have you made any new discoveries?'
'As a matter of fact…'
'I'm waiting.'
'I'm sorry minister. I cannot divulge that right now. Not under the circumstances.'
There was silence down the line. Hermione could feel confusion streaming down Fudge's line. Slowly turning into anger.
'Ms Granger,' his thoughts sounded warning. 'Might I remind you that-.'
'I'm sorry, minister,' Hermione interrupted. 'Something rather complicated has come up. Heavens, I will not hide anything from you. All I ask is time. In twenty four hours I promise you I will be sitting in your office and telling you the truth. And I will not be alone. With me will be Draco Malfoy- and another man.'
There was a pause. Some of the fervor and earnesty in Hermione's voice seemed to reach Fudge.
'Very well,' he said, finally. 'Twenty four hours, Ms Granger. And I warn you…if you are late…'
With that their mental connection snapped.
Hermione stared at the wall, her mind a total and utter mess.
She had twenty four hours to find Draco, get everything straight with him and then report to Fudge. And she needed to find someone else too…someone she had promised Fudge she would bring.
The Right Hand Man.
The mansion was absolutely silent. Hermione looked around. She had absolutely no clue where to begin.
'Okay,' she murmured to herself. 'Let's try and get something straight…I'm going to have to find Draco and sort out everything with him. then we're going to have to try and figure out who exactly the right hand man is…and get him…all in the next twenty four hours.'
As she stood alone in the dark room, a thought struck her. Narcissa Malfoy. A Death eater, dangerous, and very close to Voldemort. She might know who and where the Right Hand Man was.
Draco's voice echoed in her mind. A dangerous woman. A very dangerous woman.
It doesn't matter, she thought to herself. She will never guess…she had no clue that Draco would tell me…all I have to do is frame the question well enough.
She crept out of her room and down the landing to where Narcissa slept. The door was closed, so she knocked.
There was no reply. Noticing a thin line of light spilling in from under the door, Hermione cautiously turned the knob and pushed the door open. She gasped.
Narcissa Malfoy was wide awake, her pale blue-gray eyes open and pulsating with life. She was dressed in a long black gown that clung to her body in a sinister way. Her light hair was splayed across her shoulders, and her mouth stained with something dark. She was sitting in an arm chair, looking satisfied and contented. Her wand was lying beside her on the coffee table.
'Ms Granger,' she said, smiling, her white teeth sparkling between her dark lips. 'No you haven't disturbed me. How can I help you?'
'Um- well- I,' Hermione stuttered. She tried to pull herself together. 'You see, Mrs. Malfoy…I work in the ministry… and well, the minister just contacted me…they had some inside information- found out about someone aiding the Dark Lord… they called him the Right hand man… I was wondering if- maybe…'
As the words slipped out of her lips, she realized how foolish they were. The smile Narcissa was sending her told her she was in deep trouble.
Stupid me! She probably knows! But-
Narcissa picked up her wand from the bedside table, and pointed it at Hermione. She smiled, as her eyes widened.
'Ms. Granger,' she said, in a softly mocking voice, 'I am not stupid. I can see what is going on between your son and me. I know he loves you, and I know he is unhappy about servicing the Dark Lord. This night, when I woke up, I found an open letter with a most- ah- touching poem on it… and something that I must say the Dark Lord holds very dearly…all I can say is that I am surprised he did not tell you earlier. Yes, I know he is the traitor. But he is, after all, my son, and I must protect him. You on the other hand,' she drew in a cold breath, savoring it, 'are worthless.'
With that, she swished her wand, and cried out a spell. But Hermione did not hear it because she was suffused with a jet of red light, and had slumped to the ground.
