Disclaimer: see previous chapter
AN - Well, not much more to say here, the chapter 3 note pretty much covers it for now. Please review after you read, it would make us very happy.
Chapter Four: Summoned and Stunned
Dusk had fallen on Diagon Alley and the pavement was nearly deserted. The three characters darting furtively among the alleyways cast no shadows in their wake. It would be clear to an observer (though no other curious soul was about) that the tall, gaunt figure with a wasted frame was growing impatient with his two hulking cronies bumbling along behind him. The trio came to a halt on the dark corner just across from the extravagantly bedecked storefront of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.
The leader of the group stepped forward and the streetlight illuminated the gray hair and pale features of Remus Lupin. He gave a sharp glance in either direction before declaring to his comrades, "All right, it's clear." Crabbe and Goyle strode out of the shadows.
Crabbe scratched his head with one chubby finger, looking around the street, and asked, "So, what's the plan again?"
"You dolt," retorted Lupin, "You were there when Gin told us about how to get into the shop, remember? She said Lupin works in the store with her brothers, that they trusted him. That's why I look the potion to look like the filthy half-breed. It's just lucky Gin was able to sucker her way into that mudblood Granger's pathetic excuse for an office her and Lupin share."
"Oh…right," Crabbe grinned rather sheepishly. "You know, it is kinda funny, Draco, sneaking around with our old professor."
"Never mind that," Draco/Lupin hissed. "The Weasleys are in the shop. Just remember to stay out of sight until I get through the door. Then Crabbe, you take Fred, and Goyle: George. After that, we apparate back to the manor."
Inside the store, Fred and George were behind the counter, taking inventory and tinkering with their latest prototype.
"Ouch, watch it, mate, that end's still hot."
"Ah! Get a hold of it, will you, it's making a mess of the register."
"Got it!"
Fred was wiping up the goop off the curious creation when Lupin strode in the door. He grinned.
"Well, if it isn't old Moony! Hey, maybe you can charm George's eye brows back to their normal color and give us a hand with this."
Their guest paused before giving his chilling reply. "I'm sorry boys, but I've got other plans for the both of you." Before this statement could register with the twins, Draco drew his wand and stupefied them both.
Crabbe and Goyle directly leapt into action, each hurling a body over their shoulders. "You take them onto the manor, I'm gonna have a look round and catch up soon. Be sure to confiscate their wands—you know what will happen if you screw this one up."
After the two vanished with captives in tow, Draco proceeded into the backroom and began to help himself to a few dubious looking trinkets. A familiar voice coming from the front of the store startled him, and a charmed goblet fell from his arms, releasing a fuchsia fog as it shattered on the floor.
"Hello!" Hagrid called from the doorway, "Remus? Are yeh in here? I saw tha lights on outside an I figured…oh, there yeh are….Well, I'm glad yeh showed, I've been meaning to have a talk to yeh about summat…" he trailed distractedly.
"Oh?" chimed Draco, glancing around Hagrid's massive frame for a way out. "What about?"
Hagrid again hesitated, but then burst out, "About Hermione."
"Granger?" Draco choked. "I mean, oh yes, well…"
Hagrid gave Draco an intent stare. "Look, I always respected yeh, but what you're doing with our Hermione is not right, taking advantage of tha young witch." He had apparently been readying himself for this confrontation and was worked into a right fury over Lupin's seeming indifference to the matter.
Draco stifled a surprised gasp. "You think I'm snogging that grubby mudblood?" The accusation so shocked his sensibilities that it caused him to unwittingly blow his cover and sooner than he could conceal his tracks, Hagrid's fist connected with the side of his face.
As Draco's body spiraled to the floor, Hagrid seized his shoulders and showered blows into his floundering body.
If that had elusive observer chanced to gaze into the street overlooking the Weasley's shop that night, he would be puzzled to witness, seemingly, the same figure entering that store twice in only ten minutes apart, though he hadn't appeared to have left the first time. For, pacing outside the store building was an apprehensive Remus Lupin. The former dark arts professor knew of Hagrid's sense of guardianship over Hermione since she had first set foot in Hogwarts, but what right did he have meddling with their relationship now that she was a consenting adult? Because, clearly, that was why Hagrid had summoned Lupin, if it had been a more friendly matter, he would have been invited to Hagrid's cottage, but this, he was sure, would be all business.
Ultimately, he determined to face it head on, making no apologies for their relationship. His relationship with Tonks had been rather short-lived; it turned out they really didn't have much in common outside missions for the Order. But he and Hermione were perfect for each other. Taking a deep breath,Lupin stormed into the shop.
"Hagrid! We love each other and you can't mean to separate us! Because if so I'll—." But the words poised on his lips died before he could utter them. In front of him was in fact, well, it appeared, Hagrid was pummeling…him.
Hagridlooked equally shocked, and his fists froze in midair as he gazed quizzically from the determined man in the door to the defeated man on the floor.
In the ensuing confusion, Malfoy seized the opportunity to grab his fallen wand and scramble to his feet. He shot a jinx at Lupin, then instantly apparated before either the werewolf or the giant could react.
The following morning, Harry received an urgent owl from his old professor. His initial reaction was keen surprise; he hadn't really heard much from old Moony lately, both of them now involved in different spheres of the wizarding community. But that wasn't the only reason mail came only infrequently to his window; his acquaintances had somewhat kept their distance after Harry's scarring last encounter with that most prolific of dark sorcerers, believing he needed his space and that Harry would open up to them when he was ready. And Harry had done little to herald this potential moment, hoping rather that Ron and Hermione would ease him along.
Surely, however, news from his old, admired professor would brighten his day. But nothing contained in that early owl would cause a smile to form on Harry's face; rather, he was taken over with a feeling that instantly turned his stomach. "…concerning the evident foresight of the twins' and my own activities possessed by the perpetrators, we must consider the possibility that Ginny Weasley aided in the planning of the operation…we have no leads as to for what end the Death Eaters have kidnapped the twins...we must act in great haste to prevent a new upheaval from being impressed onto the wizarding world…"
Harry's disbelief that so soon after peace had again set in a new crisis loomed was matched by his outrage at Ginny's betrayal. He thought, maybe, once things cooled down, they could start over again…Well, who was he kidding—Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn. But still, would she have gone after her own brothers? It just didn't fit. He had to get to Ron and Hermione. They would help him get to the bottom of this. Only one thing remained clear to him: this time Draco would pay.
At the Malfoy manor, Crabbe and Goyle were, for a change, being toasted by their ringleader. They had managed not only to follow orders, but to intimidate their captives (albeit stunned and weakened by enchantments) to accomplish the tasks allotted them by the Death Eaters. The Slytherian comrades would soon be ready to storm Azkaban, be reunited with their parents, and wreak what they saw as overdue justice on their wizarding oppressors. And in fact, Draco concluded, "Maybe we'll let one of you be Fudge after all…"
They all raised their glasses to this gratifying prospect.