Chapter 2: The Secret Mission
p Harry swung the door open to find Dumbledore tending to his pet Phoenix, Fawkes, who had just erupted into flames and was now arising form the ashes, reborn and new. Hermione walked in through the open door and Harry thought he could almost hear a tiny "thank you".
"Sit down, sit down." said Dumbledore's quiet voice. Harry saw him wave his wand and out of nowhere came two chairs and they landed in front of his desk. Harry watched Hermione take the right chair and as Harry closed the door he followed suite. After they had been seated Dumbledore said "Perhaps a couple of drinks." in a casual voice that made Harry think that He had invited them down to his office for a mere party. And once again Dumbledore waved his wand and three glasses and a bottle that looked like Madame Rosmerta's wine, came floating out of a cupboard and landed softly on his desk. As Dumbledore started to pour into the third glass Hermione declared "I'm fine thank you.". Harry stared at her for Hermione had never given up a good drink. "What..." she said. "I've been saving myself for the end of the war. You know rations and all." she said as if she was lying. Harry looked at her strangely as Dumbledore carried on as if nothing had been said.
"Now you are probably wandering why I would wake you from you're sleep and drive you to my office, forcing you to carry with you a roll of parchment and a quill, in the middle of the night.". "Yes sir." said Harry and Hermione simultaneously (for the second time in one night). "You perhaps think that this meeting is about you're friend and companion Ronald Weasley. Well, if you think this way then you are partially right.". Hermione's heart leaped as he mentioned Ron's name. Harry noticed this and his heart did the exact opposite. Dumbledore rambled on. "As you might have read in the i Daily Prophet /i Voldemort is obsessed with religious artifacts. He's a nut on the subject. He believes that if he is to capture the lost Ark or the Holy Grail that his army of Death Eaters will be free to march across the face of the earth."
Harry at once heard Hermione's voice (oh that sweet, sweet voice) "Excuse me professor, but what does this have to do with Ron.". "Oh, all of this has to do with Mr. Weasley." replied Dumbledore. "You see, he is a spy who is undercover to try to recover these objects before Voldemort does.". Harry couldn't believe what he had just heard. Ron had been sent undercover to help the ministry in the war and was gone within a night. Hermione at once leaped onto Dumbledore's desk a yelled "Professor! I cannot believe that you would put a student into so much jeopardy that they could die. And think that the ministry wouldn't have a field day if he did!". "Ms. Granger, you have to understand that I did not assign him to that post. He volunteered." said the old wizard with satisfaction. Hermione looked as if she had been shot and sat back down into the chair. "I regret to inform you that he has been abducted by Voldemort during course of action." he said, sounding like a war reporter who had just reported to the family of the lost one. Harry could see tears running down Hermione's face. Silent tears. "Now would probably not be a good time to inform the two of you that it would be my greatest wish to send you to find you're dear friend and while doing this carry out the task that Mr. Weasley was assigned.".
Harry had expected this from the moment that Dumbledore had mentioned Ron's mission. After a long silence Harry finally said "We'll do it.". Hermione looked at him with a look of determination on her face, all tears gone. "I'll kill the bastards that did this to him and do it with or without help.". "What are talking about of course I'll help you." Harry said meekly. "Thanks Harry.". Harry's heart leaped for joy. He and Hermione were in this together and now there was no getting out of it.
"Very well then. Now here are you're dossiers" as he said this he opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out two file folders that looked like they had many pieces of parchment and plastic bags filled with substances in them. "and I will give you a briefing of what is going on.". Harry suddenly felt like the muggle movie hero James Bond. Dumbledore started the pep talk. "Our Aurors have recovered evidence of a secret base in north Egypt and it looks like Voldemort has been digging a drastic hole in the ground beside of it. Our guess is that he is looking for some religious artifact as there is a lot of History in the country of Egypt.". Harry's voice piped up "And he's using muggles to do his dirty work." he said as he looked at a still of the hole. There were many native Egyptians with shovels digging in the massive hole. Dumbledore then said "That reminds me. It just so happened that our minister has convinced the Prime Minister of England to help us in our struggle so on you're journey to our outpost in Cairo you will be meeting many muggles.".
Suddenly there was a sense of adventure in the office and Harry looked at Hermione. This would be a chance to get to know Hermione a lot better for now they were secret agents going on a secret mission. Maybe perhaps something might grow between them during this time. "I expect to meet you here in my office around this time tomorrow packed and ready to head to Cairo. Understood?". "Yes sir" said Harry and Hermione simultaneously for the third time that night. "Alright then. Now get a good rest now and eat a full meal tomorrow.". Harry and Hermione walked out of the office and the whole way back to the common room talked of nothing else but secret missions and spies.
Harry and Hermione finally make it to Dumbledore's office and learn why Ron has been missing. They are also assigned to a dangerous mission.