CHAPTER 5

Mr. Weasley was back early that evening. He tramped in at about 6 O Clock, looking weary and tired. He found Draco and Hermione in the kitchen.

'Hello,' he said. 'How's Molly?'

'Oh, hi Mr. Weasley,' Hermione said, jumping up. 'How was your day? Would you like some coffee? I was just about to make. And Mrs. Weasley says she's a little tired, she had some soup at around two, but she's been in bed the whole day. Should I wake her up?'

'Oh, no need for that. Let her rest. My day was all right, but curse Willy Widdershins, he did his best to smuggle some illegal cauldrons into Bristol, and got into deep trouble. And yes, I'd do with some coffee.'

Hermione busied herself with the kettle. Mr. Weasley sat down at the table opposite Draco, lit his pipe, and inhaled deeply. When Hermione set a cup in front of him, he took a deep swig, and breathed out appreciatively.

'Excellent stuff, Hermione,' he said, admiringly. 'Nobody makes coffee like you.'

'She's quite special isn't she?' Draco noted, with a cheerful grin. Hermione blushed and sat down beside him.

'Mr. Weasley-.' She began.

'Yes, yes I know,' Mr. Weasley said, 'Straight down to business. Now, I've been doing some talking around today…'

Hermione and Draco leaned forward.

'As you'll know, we have two or three Resistance spies in the Ministry. It's absolutely vital to know exactly what they're up to. They are the only people who have direct communication links with the Resistance itself. This, of course, is for everyone's safety.'

He was saying all this for Draco's benefit.

'Well, I've been talking with them today, and they have said that the most difficult obstacle the Resistance is facing right now is that they need knew members. Recruiting is a difficult job. They can't exactly advertise, as you might imagine.'

Hermione nodded. 'It was a problem that the Order faced too. You can't grow if you can't advertise.'

Mr. Weasley smiled at her.

'Very concisely put, Hermione. Now, this is where you two come in. Sources tell me, that what they really need now is some body that can help introduce new members to the resistance without getting them into trouble.'

There was a moment of silence. 'I'm beginning to see what you mean,' Hermione said, finally. 'Me and Draco have to sort of introduce the topic to potential members.'

'Oh, it's much more complex than that,' Mr. Weasley said, shaking his head. 'It will involve disguise and deceit of course, because if any Death Eater or official decides that you two are acting suspiciously, you'll be in deep trouble. It will also involve a lot of travel. You'll have to visit different places, to get into contact with these potential new members.'

'How will these members be chosen?' Draco asked, curiously.

'Oh, we- namely all of us Dumbledore supporters, who can't openly join the Resistance have our eye on many people. You two are in charge of persuading them to join the order.'

Hermione nodded. 'Right.'

'It will involve going to many far off places. And you will continuously be disguised. It might even be compared to a con artists job.'

'I think it can be easily managed.' Draco said. 'But how do we know who to tackle?'

'You will be given an emergency call by a man names Bill Smith,' Mr. Weasley said. 'You might consider him your boss. He will give you a file, which tells you who you have to attempt, and how you have to do it. But it's a dangerous job, and you'll have to be careful.'

Hermione smiled. 'I think I got that.' She glanced at Draco. 'We'll do it.'

'Excellent,' Mr. Weasley said. 'You'll be getting your first assignment tomorrow.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Hermione woke the next morning, she felt a sudden surge of excitement thinking of her new job. They would be getting their first assignment today. She turned around in bed, and saw Draco fast asleep with his mouth open. She gently nudged him.

'Wake up, Draco! It's today!'

Draco rolled onto his side, and faced her, quirking an amused eyebrow.

'Isn't that obvious?'

She laughed. 'Very funny. You know what I mean. Hurry up, let's get up and go down.'

True to her word, they were up and dressed in about twenty minutes. Both hurried downstairs, where they found Molly cooking breakfast, and Mr. Weasley reading his morning paper.

'Oh, good morning, dears,' she said, as they walked in. 'I'm sorry I was in bed all of yesterday. Arthur here was just telling me about your little mission.'

Hermione nodded. 'Yes, Mrs. Weasley. We felt we wanted to do our little part in this whole mess to.'

She bit her lip. 'Of course,' she murmured. 'But you will be careful, won't you?'

Hermione smiled and nodded. Draco murmured something that sounded affirmative.

'Excellent,' Mr. Weasley said. 'Now, you two listen to me. You're going to have to meet Old Bill today. He wants to meet at Knockturn alley.'

Hermione gave a little start. 'Knock-? Why on earth there?"

Mr. Weasley shrugged. 'It's a hush hush job, I suppose. You have to wait for him outside Borgin and Burkes. And wear cloaks and balaclavas. Nobody must recognize you. Got it?"

They both nodded.

'You must reach there by eleven AM. Bill will also be wearing a balaclava, but he said he'd hold a radish in his hand so you'd know who he was.'

Hermione chuckled. 'A radish?'

'Sure. You could carry a dead bat in your hand that place and you'd still be inconspicuous. And that's your key word.'

Draco nodded. 'Got it. We'll leave at ten thirty, so we'll have plenty of time.'

'Excellent,' Mr. Weasley said. 'Now, I really must be going. Bye, Molly dear. You two be careful. Good luck!'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

At ten thirty sharp, both Draco and Hermione were ready. They were both wearing flowing black cloaks, and thick balaclavas which covered their faces. Molly had found them in an old cupboard.

'You two be careful,' she said, instructing them. 'Don't do anything reckless.'

'We won't.' Hermione promised. 'Bye, Mrs. Weasley.'

'Bye dear. Bye Draco.'

'See you.'

Both stood in front of the raging fireplace. Hermione caught up a fistful of glittering floo powder, and threw it into the grate.

'Knockturn Alley,' she said, with just a slight tremor in her voice. 'The fire turned emerald green and seemed to wink at them. She stepped in.

Immediately, the world was swirling around her. An array of fireplaces flashed in front of her, before she was thrown through one.

She emerged in a dark, dusty shop, with many racks. She glanced around in wonder. Suddenly, she was aware of Draco, falling out of the fire behind her.

'You okay?' she asked, turning around.

'Yeah.' Draco checked their surroundings. 'We're in Borgin and Burkes.'

'I know. You came here with your dad in the second year, didn't you?"

Draco looked, surprised. 'How the hell do you know that?"

She smirked. 'Long story. I'll tell you later. Come on, let's go outside.'

They walked out of the empty shop, and stood at the porch.

'Now,' Draco whispered, 'We're looking for radish guy. Any signs?"

Hermione checked. 'Nope. But there's a really scary looking guy there.'

Draco looked where she was pointing. It was a tall, meaty man, holding a scimitar, and grinning menacingly around.

'I see what you mean. This isn't exactly my favorite spot on earth.'

They waited in silence for a few minutes.

'Check out the guy standing next to the lamp post,' Draco whispered suddenly, from under the balaclava.

Hermione checked. It was a man dressed in black robes, a hood pulled over his head. He held a long smoking stick in one hand.

'What about him?' she asked. 'He isn't out of ordinary. Everybody here is that weird.'

Draco nodded. 'Yeah. But he's been checking us out under that hood ever since we got here.'

'You think he's planning something funny?' Hermione asked, anxiously.

'Might be. Or maybe he just wants to talk to us. Maybe that's our boss, Bill Smith.'

'So why hasn't he come over, yet?'

'We're early. He's probably waiting for the appointed time just to be sure. But keep your wands ready, just in case.'

However, it turned out there was no need. As the sinister clock struck eleven, the man pulled a radish out of his pocket. Hermione and Draco let out sighs of relief.

'He's coming towards us,' Hermione whispered.

Sure enough, the man was walking determinedly towards them. When he arrived however, his manner was cautious.

'Good morning,' he began.

'Good morning,' Draco replied.

'May I know what business brings you here?'

'We were sent by Arthur Weasley,' Hermione answered. 'To look for a man named Bill Smith. I assume it's you?'

'Ah yes. The radish. A bit of a give away, if I might say so myself. Follow me, and keep your voices low. We will be going into the neighbor hood pub. I will address you as Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, and you will address me as Mr. Juvel.'

'Right,' Draco said. The two followed him down the dingy street, into a small, stark pub. It had a sign over it, proclaiming, 'The Dusty Hole.'

'Apt name,' Draco muttered so only Hermione could hear. 'And very suggestive.'

She stifled a smile.

Bill Smith led them to a table right at that back. As soon as they seated themselves, a waiter appeared.

'Three fire whiskeys?' Bill looked around, questioningly.

'I'll have a butterbeer please,' Hermione replied.

The waiter hurried away with the order. As he left, Hermione and Draco noted he had a tail.

'Yes, an interesting person,' Bill agreed. 'You get all sorts here. Knockturn Alley is the haven for all those of us who don't fit into normal society. Ah, here are the drinks. Quick, of course. Now. Let's get straight to business. Arthur Weasley tells me you two can be trusted, so you're in the gang. I have an office on Harvey Street, just down from Diagon Alley. I will give you a card. Anytime I call you, you must come there immediately.'

'Got it,' Hermione said.

'Now, I have to give you two your first assignment, but you have to come to my office first.

'But B-Mr. Juvel,' Hermione began, her voice sounding confused. 'Why didn't you just tell us to come to your office?'

'You'll see,' he replied. He slapped some money on the table for the drinks. 'Follow me.'

They got up a followed him. He led them out of the pub, and past the Knockturn Alley main street.

'This is way to Diagon Alley,' Hermione whispered.

'No. We won't go through the wall.'

True to his world, Bill led them around the wall, till they came to another street. It was very shady, with many trees overhanging the road, and creating a sort of green tunnel. They walked about two hundred meters down the road, till they came to a two storied brick building, with green shutters. The front door was painted white. Bill walked upto the door, and unlocked it.

'Welcome,' he said, 'to my office.'

He led them into a small, but bright room. It had all sorts of little touches, like pink lace curtains and a small blue vase with primroses in it. The floor was covered with an ochre yellow fluffy carpet. They were led through that room, to another one. This one was paneled with dark oak. There was a rosewood desk stacked with parchment in one corner. It had pens and other literary things on it. A large bookshelf adorned the wall, piled high with books. Draco could practically sense Hermione drooling.

At the other end of the room, however, was what appeared to be a large mirror. They were led straight to the mirror. Then, Bill took out his wand, and tapped it.

'Ouvriro!' he said, softly. The mirror glowed green for a few minutes, but nothing else happened. Bill extended his hand, and pushed it.

Immediately it swung back, the way a rotating doorway would if you pushed it.

'I get it,' Hermione from under her balaclava. 'You fit it in like a rotating door, and then put a sealing charm so that if someone chanced to push it, it wouldn't revolve. It would do so only when you used the right spell.'

Bill turned. 'Right, Mrs. Saunders,' he said, 'you're mind is as good as they told me.'

Draco sensed Hermione blushing, and stifled a chuckle.

The mirror swung away, to display a tunnel. It looked like it simply had been caved out. There was no paneling or flooring. Just mud. It was lit with torches that were burning. Draco supposed they had a Permanent Flame spell on them.

'Please, come with me,' Bill said. They walked down the tunnel. Despite the torches, it was chilly, and Hermione found herself shivering.

After walking perhaps a hundred meters, the tunnel came to a red door. It simply ended there. Bill took a large golden key from him pocket, and slipped it into the lock. He pushed the door open.

They stepped inside.

'Welcome,' he said, 'to my real study.'

'Wow,' Hermione whispered.

It was a room that was hollowed out under the ground. However, it was deeply unlike the tunnel. The floor had red marble tiles, and one corner had a black and gold oriental carpet. The walls were paneled with rich dark oak, and a few reddish gold tapestries hung down one. There was an ancient mahogany dress with gold handles at the edge, with a large hookah placed upon it. Opposite that were two rosewood clawed chairs, with wine colored plush velvet. It was a room that had been pulled out of ancient oriental origins.

'Yes,' Bill said, 'I have gone through many pains to furnish my study just the way I like it. It's quite charming isn't it?'

Draco nodded. 'It definitely is.'

'And now,' Bill said. 'Why don't you remove your balaclavas? I assure you this place is perfectly safe. Nobody can ever find it.'

After a moments pause, Draco and Hermione pulled off their balaclavas. Bill, in turn, pulled back his hood. He transpired to be a tall, but sturdy man, with longish light brown hair, and a French beard. He smiled at both of them, and picked up a pair of winged glasses from the desk and slipped them on.

'Now,' he said, sitting down at his desk, and gesturing for them to sit down too. They seated themselves upon the clawed chairs, and Hermione marveled at the softness of the velvet.

'Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,' he began, 'my name, as you might know, is Bill Smith. I work in the same departments as Arthur does, at the ministry ever since old Perkins retired. I'm one of the Resistance spies in the ministry, and I'm going to be the person to give you your assignments.'

They nodded. Bill reached under his desk, and took out a clear blue plastic file, with a sheaf of papers in it.

'This is your new mission,' he said. 'Go home and read it. It has everything you need, along with airtickets and the works. Before you go, let me give you a small brief up.'

'Thanks,' Hermione murmured.

'This man's name is Wilder Jenkins. He lives in Singapore. That's right, half a world away. He works as a foreign exchange director, you know, directing our foreign relations with Singapore. He has heard of the Resistance, and admires their work, but I doubt he'd just jump at a chance to work for them. It is your job to make him. All details are inside. Read it well.'

'Of course we will,' Draco assured him.

'If I ever need you, I will call you on-.' He reached under his desk, and pulled out a bright red cell phone. 'This.' He handed it to them. 'It's an emergency line number. Only I will have the number. Do you get it?'

'Absolutely,' Hermione said.

'When I call you, come straight here. Remember, it's No. 17 Harvey Street. The spell to open the mirror is-.'

'Ouvriro,' Hermione said for him.

He grinned. 'Excellent, Mrs. Malfoy.'

'Call me Hermione.'

'Right, Hermione. I'm Bill. Now, I have business to attend to. You two get home and go through the file. You leave tomorrow.'

'Absolutely,' Draco said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sorry, there are no shout outs at the end of this chapter. I'll write them with my next update.

For those of you who complained that the story wasn't going anywhere, now that Draco's back it is! Hermione the con artist…hm, I like the sound of that.

Thanks for all the reviews, you know I love guys!