Hermione Granger: The Story Behind the Story
- Chapter 5 -
"This way, this way," said Josh, walking towards the small room at the end of the hall. Mrs. Granger was still unsure about this whole "wizard/witch" thing. As she walked into the room, she saw a small cot about 3 inches above the ground, a small chair in the far corner, and a little rug on the other side of the room. Dangling on the wall, fastened with some wire, was a little maroon-colored sign that read 'Home Sweet Home.' Mrs. Granger asked herself first 'How could someone call this place, "Home Sweet Home," but then she asked herself a better question, "This is a home?"
Josh was watching her and then finally said, "I know it is not much, but I think it'll protect you for the time being." Mrs. Granger was very embarrassed when she realized that he was watching her this whole time. She was about to apologize, but Josh cut her off, forgiving her. "It is fine. I know it is not like home at all." Josh would have unloaded their bags, except for the fact that they had none.
"Why don't you settle in and relax. If you are thirsty you can go pour yourself a drink from the bar, I will go get us some supper and get you gals some clothes." Mrs. Granger was about to protest and argue that they were perfectly fine, but then again Josh cut her off. "You need clothes, and I am sure you are hungry. You should stay out of site for a while."
Mrs. Granger was shocked and flattered at the kindness of Josh, but was very upset at the fact that she had to stay out of site from people that she did not really know of. Josh then said, "We will talk more when I get back." "Thank you some much, Josh. I think I'll follow you down the…elevator thing, and get a drink for Hermione and I." "Oh, okay. Suit yourself," replied Josh.
As they were going down the elevator they heard the pub's door open below them. They did not seemed alarmed, especially because this noise was normal – it was a pub. When Josh opened the door, he saw 6 people in dark cloaks standing in the entryway glancing at every person in the bar. They looked at Josh as he opened the door, but then glanced away and continued looking.
Josh recognized these people, and an alarm went off in his mind. Josh quickly turned around with a horrorstruck look upon his face. Mrs. Granger looked at him with an impatient look upon her face as if to say, "Can I get through the door?" Mrs. Granger's face soon changed after looking at Josh's for a couple seconds. "What? What's the matter, Josh?" "No time," Josh started, go back upstairs now and hide. You are not safe. They are here."
Mrs. Granger had no idea who 'they' were, but had a pretty good idea that 'they' were the murderers of her husband. As soon as Josh stepped out, they rode the elevator up and ran into their room and closed the door. Somehow, the door locked itself behind them with a loud CLICK! Mrs. Granger held Hermione, and backed up into the far corner of the room, and sat in the little chair.
"Excuse me may I help you?" "Shut up." "That is not very polite. May I offer you a cider, a be-" " I believe I said to shut up." "Have you seen a women with a small child?" "Why no, I haven't." "Then you wouldn't mind if I had a look in that room over there?" "No, I wouldn't, but I don't see what you are getting at."
Mrs. Granger sat in the chair and could hear the muffled voices of people talking below her. Who they belonged to she hadn't a clue, but she had a pretty good idea of whose Josh's was. All of a sudden she heard a door open, and a couple grunts, and then a door slam.
"Come on Malf-…um…just come on now! We are leaving!" Yelled one of the voices. As soon as they left, Josh ran to the door in the far corner of the pub, where the secret elevator was. Unluckily for him, those people were still watching through the glass, and barged in through the door. Someone enjoying a cider screamed at their entrance, and Josh hurled around.
By this time, Mrs. Granger was already half way down the secret elevator with Hermione at her side. As they peeked through the crack in the door, they saw Josh standing dumbstruck about 5 feet from the door. The group walked over to him, and whispered something that Mrs. Granger could not hear. Josh nodded, and then he led the way out of the bar with the group right at his heels. They then walked away and were soon out of sight.