CHAPTER 11

Draco stared at Hermione.

'Show me that letter!' He ripped it from her, and hastily scanned it.

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders,

You requested a meeting with Mr. Wilder Jenkins this morning and in consequence to that we would like to talk to you since he was murdered tonight.

Ministry of Magic, Singapore

There were a few seconds of silence.

'In consequence to that..' Draco quoted, slowly. 'That sounds a lot like-.'

'They're accusing us, yes.' Hermione said nervously.

Draco wheeled round to look at her.

'They'll ask a lot of questions. Probe into a lot of matters.'

'Probably.'

'Won't they- won't they want to know why we called that meeting?'

Hermione did not answer. Both of them were thinking the same thing.

'We- we can't tell them.' Hermione said, in a small voice. 'About the resistance.'

'Of course not.' Draco agreed. 'We'll need to think of a suitable lie.'

Hermione looked up at him. Her face was stricken. 'Oh god, Draco. Lie to the Ministry!'

'There's no other choice.' Draco said, soberly. Then, as she began to cry softly, 'Darling, it's horrible, but you can't lose it now. We have so much more to do. We still have to fight.'

She hastily wiped her tears. 'I know.' she whispered. 'I know.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Well,' Hermione said, softly. 'This is it.'

Draco stared at the old library in front of him. 'Yes, it is.' he said, softly. He glanced at his wife. 'Are you cold?" She had quickly slipped into a suit and a heavy coat, but he could see her shivering.

'No. Just a little scared.' she admitted.

Draco put his arm around her. 'Don't worry. Nothing's gonna happen, you know that.'

'Maybe,' she said, softly, 'Come on Draco. We have to go.'

They quietly pushed open the door of the faded green building, and slipped inside. This time, however, it wasn't empty. Two burly men is maroon robes stood inside, holding their wands. When the two entered, they grimaced.

'Um,' Draco faltered, 'We- we just-.'

One of them cut across. 'Your name?'

'Mr. Saunders.'

'Is this your wife?'

'yes.'

'Please climb the stairs. Ministry officials await you. Please leave your wands here with us.'

'I don't think-.' Draco frowned.

'Please leave your wands here with us.'

Draco sighed, and pulled his wand out of his pocket. Hermione did likewise, and they both handed them over to the officials.

'Thank you. Up the stairs, please?'

They began to climb, slowly. Draco glanced at Hermione and saw that she was very pale.

'Chill,' he whispered. 'It's all going to be fine.'

'Of course,' she whispered back, but still looked a little sick.

When they reached the top of the stairway and entered the library, they were greeted by four more officials. The librarian in the green dress was gone. One of the officials stepped up.

'Mr. Saunders?'

'Yes.'

'And this is your wife?'

'Yes.'

'You will please do as I say.'

'Of course.' Draco said, smoothly.

The ministry official gestured to one of his men, who came up with a small cushion on which were two small golden rings.

'You will please wear them.' he commanded the two.

Draco looked a little apprehensive. 'What are they?'

'Controlling rings. They will enable you to apparate to the ministry, and will ensure you don't apparate anywhere else, by- ah- mistake.'

The implication in his voice was clear. Glaring at him, Draco slipped one of the rings on his index finger, and handed the other to Hermione who did the same.

'Mine doesn't fit.' she said, holding up the loose ring. The official waived the matter aside.

'Never matter. It will work the same. Both of you will apparate to the Office of Wilder Jenkins, please. I will follow with my men.'

Draco reached out and took Hermione's hand. Closing his eyes, he apparated, and felt her body close by his the entire way.