A/N: Meep! I haven't updated in ages! Not because I have stopped writing, just because I have been busy with other stuff. Sorry Goose! Here you are, you can relax now. I'll try to update more frequently.
Chapter ThreeThe castle had been deserted for over a thousand years, indeed since the first muggle mass murder had been inflicted on it. Muggles avoided it because of the legends of arduous spectres that walked the corridors and killed without leaving a mark on their prey. Wizards and witches avoided it because it was a place of great sorrow, a starting point of the war between good and evil, the place where the ideas that had left the whole magical community in ruins was first put into practice.
The castle was in ruins; no footsteps echoed in the hallway, no sign of life entered the place, not even the hoot of an owl. The towers stuck out like jagged teeth into the sky. Even the hardiest of weeds died in the stale air.
A council was held.
In the deepest dungeon, a thick, sickly green light stuck to the high ceiling of the cave-like room, casting much of the floor into darkness. The minions stood hooded and cloaked, as still as gargoyles and as silent as death. The only noise that could be heard was the dripping of the walls.
The huge doors on one side of the long room creaked open, as another hooded figure swept inside. Without a word to anyone, he made his way quickly to the other side, no one moved; only the sounds of his footsteps were heard. On the other side there were some steps, and at the top, a door where two guards stood. As the figure approached, they stood aside, allowing him entrance to the chamber within.
The next room was a lot smaller, but was furnished with a threadbare armchair by a fireplace. A crackling fire burned in the grate and a snake laid curled up at the foot of the person sitting in the chair.
"You sent for me, my lord?" The minion spoke hesitantly.
"Draco Malfoy, come closer." Said a high, cold voice. The chair turned by itself, but because it was back-lit by the fire, the speaker was shrouded in shadow. Draco took three steps forward and sank to one knee, pressing his forehead to the floor, and then he rose, pulling down the hood of his cloak to reveal his face.
"What was it you wished of me, sire?" Draco tried to keep his voice calm, but tendrils of fear shook his vocal chords.
"You can't hide it from me, Malfoy. I see all. You let two of the people in the shop slip through our fingers." Draco bowed his head in shame. "I thought you had put your…feelings for her behind you."
"I have." Draco said coldly, the chill reaching his eyes. "It was an accident, I was caught off guard, it will never happen again."
"See that it doesn't." A short silence followed. "The child could cause a problem, Malfoy, see that it doesn't." Draco nodded. "Our only advantage is that the mission is secret. Make sure you're ready to do anything to protect the secrecy of the mission. Understand?" Draco smiled a mirthless smile and nodded.
"Yes, master, I understand." With that he swept out.
"So, this is where you've been hiding, Hermione." The silhouette of the figure nodded, before turning the chair back round to watch the fire.
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A few days passed, and things carried on as normal. To all intent and purposes, it was as if the little family had merely moved house. The order kept popping in, more and more as they sought the reason for the attack on the supermarket, but it seemed that everything had died down, and London was peaceful once again.
So, the following Friday evening, as Tonks played with Helena in the drawing room, Hermione's mobile started ringing.
"Hello?" Hermione asked, watching Helena, who was watching interestedly as Tonks' hair grew rapidly, until it touched the floor, and turned violently orange.
"Hey, 'Mione." Said an Irish female, and Hermione smiled slightly.
"What is it, Rosa?" Her friend Rosa owned a bar in central London; she was always calling Hermione to do shifts for her.
"I need your help, Sophie's sick. Do you think you can do this evening for me?" Her voice was pleading. "Pleeeeease?"
Hermione laughed. "I can't, I don't have a babysitter, and Ron's working late." At this, Tonks raised her head, which was decorated with pink spikes.
"You need a sitter? I'll look after the little miss here." She said. "No problem, we'll have loads of fun." Tonks grinned down at the little girl, who was looking at her own, bright blonde locks, wondering whether they would change colour.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.
"Positive. I was only going to go home and watch telly. I can just as easily watch telly here with Helena."
"Thank you Tonks." Hermione lifted the phone to her ear. "It's alright, my friend's gonna look after her. What time do you want me?"
"Seven." Rosa sounded relieved. "Tell you're friend she has a lifetime of free drinks waiting for her.
"Will do." They said goodbye and hung up.
"I'd better go get ready then." Hermione left the two.
An hour later, at six thirty, Hermione kissed Helena goodbye, thanked Tonks again, and left the two playing with the bewitched doll's house Helena had received from Arthur and Molly for her sixth birthday. Hermione wrapped her coat around her more tightly. She was wearing a black skirt and boots that ended about an inch below her knee, complete with a red shirt. As the bar was not far from the house, she walked. Her teeth chattered as she walked along, making her way slowly to the bar.
A wave of warmth hit her as she entered the bar; even at seven it was already busy. As she walked in, she was jumped on by Rosa, who hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're here, I have a feeling we're going to be manic tonight." Rosa had jet black straight hair that fell to just below her shoulder blades, but today she had it tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes were sparkling blue, and she was a little older than Hermione. Hermione found herself pulled around the back of the bar and a bottle of Jack Daniels was thrust into her hand. Sighing, she smiled as she faced the first of the customers.
Hermione was rushed off her feet the whole evening. It got worse as the evening progressed, the drunker the customer the harder they were to deal with. All night she was serving and throwing out people who were getting a little too rowdy. Finally, past midnight, Rosa locked the door behind the last customer, and they collapsed in a heap on one of the sofas.
"That was busy." Hermione concluded. Rosa laughed.
"The bar's doing okay for itself, isn't it?" Hermione pulled herself up from the sofa and sighed.
"I better be going home, I don't know what time Ron'll be home and I don't want Tonks having to stay too late." She crossed to the storage cupboard to retrieve her coat and bag. "I'll come back tomorrow before you open to help clear up."
"Don't worry, you go, it's not that messy, I'll do it by myself before I go home." Hermione looked at her quizzically.
"You sure?" Rosa nodded. "You do too much."
"Bye Herm." Hermione smiled at her, and unlocked the door, crossing out into the twilight. She heard Rosa click the door locked behind her. Humming to herself, she crossed the road and started down the alley that she used as a shortcut when walking back from Rosa's.
Just as she was passing the rubbish bins from the restaurant that stood opposite the bar, a hand flew out and grabbed her arm. To stop her crying out, another hand covered her mouth. Hermione's free hand went straight to her wand inside her coat and clutched it. She looked into the eyes of her attacker and saw that they were steel grey.
"Hello Hermione." Said Draco Malfoy.