Just as Kingsley was starting to contemplate sending backup to London, Minerva's patronus bounded into the room. "Molly's last known location is Malfoy Manor. Information given by the Carrows under Veritaserum who are now immobilised. Heading to Wiltshire now. Use your discretion on whether to join," the silvery cat evaporated in a wisp.
Kingsley was mentally calculating their odds of success when Harry piped up, "As much as I want to see Dumbledore, I need to go with Hermione." And without waiting for a response, he pointed his wand toward the door and murmured, releasing a silvery strand which took off at lightning speed. Neville, having spent much time with Luna following their captivity, nodded in understanding while Kingsley and Angelina looked at him in question. "Um, while we were hunting horcruxes, we got captured and brought to Malfoy Manor. And well, let's just say it's not the most pleasant of memories, and Hermione shouldn't have to face that alone."
He didn't mention hearing Hermione's screams in the middle of the night at least once a week since she moved to Grimmauld. The first night it happened he came flying into her room and woke her, which turned out to be the wrong thing to do as she had fled the house still in her nightclothes and avoided talking to him for two days. After that, he'd just open her door a crack and speak softly over and over until she'd settle, "You're safe, Hermione. She can't hurt you anymore."
Taking a deep breath to dispel the memories and tamp down the dread that Bellatrix may actually be able to hurt his best friend again, he straightened his glasses and looked to Kingsley, "Right, so uh, would you mind asking him if his note to me was about Voldermort or Bellatrix and if the former, would he mind being a bit more clear as to where we should find the one we missed?"
Kingsley gave a nod as he clapped his Order partner on the shoulder, "Of course, Potter. Do let us know if you need support."
Nodding and making quick eye contact with Neville and Angelina, Harry strode from the room. Before the door shut behind him, he heard Bilm's voice saying, "No wonders Dobby loved him. A good friend, 'Arry is." Taking another steadying breath, he quickened his pace.
Just as they were exiting 28 Bedford, a silver stag spoke directly to Hermione, "I'm coming. Wait for me at the gate." The stag looked away for a moment, an uncharacteristic thing for a patronus to do, albeit very Harry, before swinging back, eyes pleading, "Please, Mione, wait for me."
Hermione felt her chest constrict and then swell with affection for her best friend. Taking a deep breath, she recentered her emotions before looking at her companions. "Right then, I'll make us a portkey to the Malfoys' gate, if one of you could grab something to use?"
With a heartfelt smile, Ginny handed her a muggle pen from her robes. Hermione met her eyes and could see that Ginny was also moved by Harry's choice to forgo possible closure with Dumbledore to join them, "Thanks, Gin." Turning and squatting down on the stoop she pulled her memory of approaching the Malfoy Manor gate in the clutches of the snatchers, weaving the necessary amount of locational detail until the web felt tight with a distinct pull towards somewhere. Opening her eyes, she found Minerva squatting next to her. Looking over her shoulder, Hermione noted the others facing away, guarding the perimeter. Minerva, not speaking, offered her hand. Appreciating the silent gesture, Hermione grasped it, bringing Minerva up with her, and turning, looked out in the distance. Taking measure of herself, "If I had to guess, I'm at three-quarters to eighty percent. The doorway spell is taxing."
"I heard it this time," Minerva responded, eyes also scanning the area, " Doorwallia Momentum Reducto, wand touching the floor of the intended subjects, while unintended subjects must make contact with the caster. Any other considerations?"
Turning her head and waiting until Minerva made eye contact, Hermione took a half step closer and answered in a quieter, near sultry register, "Maybe you could enlighten me on the proper term for it?" Minerva cocked an eyebrow up in question at her lover's change in disposition. "It's the same focusing of magic I used to find you in the portkey...and last night?"
Understanding flashed across Minerva's face and broke into a half smile, "Mmm, yes, that application of magic is referred to in several of my books as Transference . I think mainly due to its depleting nature." Smirking, she added, "Under most circumstances, that is. "Hermione huffed out a laugh, squeezing her lover's hand, then releasing it to cup her cheek. "Well then, transference is the only other consideration to executing that spell effectively."
Leaning into the now familiar touch, Minerva closed her eyes briefly before pinning Hermione with an intense, yet unreadable gaze. "Understood, gradh. If I may ask of you, only use that spell once more tonight if you can help it. At least until you've recuperated?" Hermione smiled gently as she gave three chaste kisses on her concerned lover's lips, "I'll try, love." And with a nod of her head, they made their way to the edge of the pavement.
The others gravitated toward them and Hermione extended the pen as they neared, "This should take us just left of the gate. On three?" After seeing everyone nod in agreement, she gave the count and they were pulled through space and deposited a yard from a distressed looking Harry Potter. Backed against the stonewall near an ajar yet imposing rod-iron gate, he used sign language to indicate birds were passing. Hermione and Minerva, understanding it was Rodolphus and Rabastan, pulled the uncomprehending Weasleys down alongside him at the wall. Harry whispered below the tolerance of his muffliato spell, "I'm pretty sure they saw me before I cast the disillusionment spell, so they're on high alert." Just then a caw sounded as two sleek birds swooped over the wall and flew a lazy circle around the path leading to the road.
Minerva whispered next, "I'll create a diversion. I can lead them as my Animagus behind the Manor, while you find a way to enter." Making eye contact with everyone, she added, "Remember to cast a diagnostic spell on Molly, whomever finds her." Sparing a loving glance to Hermione, she transformed into her cat form and wriggled under the bars of the gate. After a few seconds, a primal mewl drew the ravens' attention as they flapped back toward the manor.
Watching until the birds rounded the edge of the manor, Harry held up his hand and with two fingers, gestured to the right two times fast, ending in a circular motion. Everyone drew close together as they darted in the direction he indicated. As the cool autumn night air whipped around them, Hermione noted the brightness of the evening and glanced up to see the Moon full and slightly red in colour. An eclipse tonight, perhaps? Can't be a coincidence. Wordlessly, Hermione conjured the lunar schedule to read out from her wand tip. Sure enough, the eclipse would reach totality at 20:00. Upon reaching the side of the manor, Harry motioned for them to crouch down in a circle, but to be careful not to touch the structure.
Before Hermione joined. she pulled her Order coin from her pocket and tapping with her wand murmured, "Summus. Total lunar eclipse at 20:00." Crouching down, "That message is from me; you don't have to check it, there's a total lunar eclipse at 20:00. I know that certain old magic can only be performed during eclipses, so I'd venture to guess it's significant to Horcruxes and Veil visitations?"
Charlie nodded, "Dragons only lay eggs during solar eclipses, and can only hatch on New Moons. It would make sense to me that it's connected. I think things are more interconnected than the wizarding world likes to believe. Also, I ran some scans on the manor as we approached. I think the only entry point is," he twisted his torso and pointed over his left shoulder, "that open third floor window. Everything else is warded. I'm assuming that's where the birds enter from." All eyes tracked to the open window, about sixty feet up.
"That matches my assessment as well," Harry added.
"Blimey, how are we going to get up there without setting off the wards," George whispered.
"I have an idea," Hermione interjected while scanning the grounds. Feeling satisfied, she continued, "Alright, this may seem a bit odd, but I'm going to ask you to trust me. I was given an object that can transfigure me into a tree that is similar to ones that have roots in the area. From what I can see all the trees here are quite large, so I think I can manage to get you all up there." Four sets of various shades of green eyes stared back at her in surprise.
Harry was the first to respond, "You and I really need to catch up on what happened last night. But until then, my most pressing question is are you sure you can manage to turn back into yourself after using this object? You trust who gave it to you, yes?"
Hermione took Harry's hand and squeezed it, "I do, yes, and although I haven't tried it yet, I understand theoretically how to reverse it." Lifting her sleeve, she revealed the wooden cuff, "It's called a tree-shift and it's what Centuarides use to stay undetected. Minerva and I each were given one specifically designated for our magical signatures."
Ginny's mouth fell open, "You mean to tell me you met a female Centaur last night? Holy shit! Is McGonagall friends with them or something?"
Hermione smiled at her exasperated friend, "It's a long story, one I'll try to explain at some point, but for now, I think this is the best option we have for getting inside. Unless anyone has any other ideas?" After a few moments, everyone shook their heads. "Alright then, I'll send Minerva a patronus, as I doubt she can read her coin at the moment. And then maybe just stand back a bit." After everyone gave her a comprehending look or nod, she moved to stand directly under the window about two feet from the wall. Pointing her wand beyond the manor, she murmured a silver otter into existence, who scampered off to find her lover as the others gave her some space.
Pulling her magic to her, Hermione grinned as she thought of the now known term. Transference, my new favourite form of magic. She touched the tree-shift and immediately felt her spine straighten as her head tipped back, forcing her eyes shut and her mouth open. She felt her breath escape in a rush as her feet felt pulled into the earth. A moment of disorientation followed as her breath ceased its cadence. Seeming suspended as if holding her breath underwater, Hermione felt herself expand outward as branches erupted from her torso. With the expansion, a refreshing wave of oxygen permeated her system and energised her awareness, becoming instantly and inextricably aware of the temperature, the wind movement, the lunar shift, and the lifeforms around her. Before she could fully process what or who she was sensing, a presence made itself known.
"Trine, you are welcome here, but this soil is poison. Do not linger."
