Chapter 4: Drunk, Old, and Useless

Hermione stood in front of the captured prince. He was unconscious, each of his limbs chained to the wall, and his mouth had been gagged. His robe had been ripped, hanging loosely off his torso that was covered in a dried mix of blood, dirt, and soot. His face was covered in the same mixture, hair matted, and his nose bent in an odd condition and his face almost unrecognizable from the almost pristine condition she had seen him in an hour ago. Truthfully, He didn't look all that dangerous, mostly embarrassing. What was most surprising was how young he looked, he was her age. It was hard to believe someone this normal could have caused so much death, so much pain, so much…evil.

Yet, her body believed it. Her hands were still shaking as if they had an old muggle motor in it was the effect of the fading polyjuice potion or the cruciatus curse, she couldn't say, but she didn't feel relieved even with him being chained and gagged. Sh

A strong stench of alcohol filtered in the room along with the huffing and puffing of a man.

"I can't believe it. I-" Sirius said, stumbling next to Hermione, "He-It's really him."

Hermione looked at Sirius, his sunken and gaunt face seemed to light up with recognition. Stumbling closer to the steel bars, he grabbed them, holding onto them as he rested his head on the iron bars. Hermione reached her hand out to comfort him, but pulled it back instead, turning her back from Sirius to Dean Thomas, who stood in front of the descending staircase. Locking eyes with Dean Thomas, he gestured his hands toward the exit.

'I've got him, ' He mouthed to the sympathetic half-smile Hermione responded with as she left the room and descended down the metal set of stairs. Embrasures littered the descent allowing Hermione to peer out into the twilight that casted over the grasslands. It was quiet out here; a rare luxury.

Reaching the bottom, a petite woman stood with fiery red hair at the end, distracting herself by twiddling her wand in front of a mirror.

"Rumors have it that Bertie's adding a new drunk, old, and useless flavor to their collection next year."

"He's still competent," Hermione said, stepping off the final step into a tight circular room. There were signs that he had once been a kitchen based on the singular defunct sink and colors and scratches where cupboards had been once.

Ginny scoffed. "You didn't see him walk up the stairs."

Hermione made her way behind the staircase to a large mahogany door. Opening it, fresh wind rushed past her, the air was slightly warm. Her hand found her face, rubbing the left side of her leathery skin. The air had always felt like a luxury.

"At least tell me you're not going to let him run anymore when you win the votes, will you?"

Hermione stepped onto the grass. "If I win the votes."

"When." Ginny insisted. "Everyone knows it. I hear even Walker's gang is spouting off the Tangible's 'Great Hope' nonsense."

"How do you know?" Hermione said, picking up her broomstick, kicking off into the air.

Ginny followed closely. " The muggles in Cornwall."

"And you believe them?"

"Of course not, but the fact that they say that means even the muggles believe in you. It's something to think about. "

Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying the rush of the wind and air that flew past her.

"I haven't had time to think." Hermione said, raising her hand to allow the wind to pass through her fingers. The polyjuice had completely worn off, "It feels like I never have time to think anymore."

Ginny laughed. "All you do is think."

"It doesn't seem like it."

"Because you overthink." Ginny repliedm, "Like what's happening with Dean?"

Hermioned lowered her hand. "Well…I-"

"Fancy him enough to sleep with him every night, but not enough to acknowledge him as more than a friend. "

"Ginny. It's not that simple."

Ginny yawned and turned her broom upside down before quickly making a loop to come back upright. "It is. Take me, for example. It doesn't take much. A handsome Tangible could smile at me and I'll show him a magical night and never think about him again."

Hermione spotted their landing sight. A large wooded forest that sat up high on an unnaturally large hill. She began descending downward, looking for a specific tree.

"Don't think about it and do it." Ginny said, passing Hermione and racing toward the ground. Hermione felt butterflies in her stomach as she followed Ginny, making a beeline toward a lone poplar tree. Approaching the ground, Ginny yelled, "Whatever you're feeling, trust it."

They flew through the ground, passing through a tunnel of dirt and branches into a large concrete bunker. It was empty besides a row of brooms sat in the corner, and a single and lonely galleon that lay in the middle of the floor. Hermione landed and placed it along the row while Ginny threw hers aside, walking toward the coin.

"Can I ask you a question?" Ginny asked.

"Sure."

"What's he like- the Black Prince, I mean?"

Ginny would never admit it, but Hermione knew she fell in love with Sirius' and Hagrid's fairy tails when they were younger. Ginny would spend time fantasizing about silly prophecies, chosen ones, and tales of those with the power to vanquish the emperor. It was surprisingly common, even among the muggles.

The tangibles had adopted their own version of it; 'The Great Hope'. Yet, this was no fairy tale, this was a dark world filled with suffering and pain. It was foolish to trust in anything but what you could do, a lesson she had never forgotten.

"Private." Hermione replied, pondering on her experience, "He doesn't talk much. Secretive, more so than you might expect. Definitely a noble. He had…"

She thought about the older red-headed woman, Lily, she had seen. She was far too close to the prince to be an ordinary muggle slave, and the prince seemed almost scared when he had noticed her entering the hallway…who could she have been?

Hermione finished. "He has a surprising amount of intelligence for a pureblood."

"And surprisingly cute."

"Ginny!"

Ginny lowered her head in shame. "See. I don't think."

"He's murdered hundreds and helped murdered thousands. This isn't something to joke about."

"I'm sorry."

Ginny sighed as she grabbed Hermione, bending down to pick up the coin. Upon picking up the coin, Hermione felt a jerk somewhere behind her navel. Her feet had left the ground. She could not unclench from Ginny. Hermione felt her feet land and she looked directly at Katie Bell who stood at an entryway in the large spacious room they found themselves in. Hermione found herself blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light. As they adjusted she could see Katie's wand pointed at Ginny. She looked up to see another undisclosed guard, on a levitating platform, whose wand was pointed at her. There was usually a third one, camouflaged somewhere.

"Ghastly Gassy Grueling Ghoulish Ghouls Growl at Galient Gargantuan Griffins," Ginny said, rolling her eyes, "Luna's having way too much fun with these."

Katie nodded, moving aside. "I spent my entire day today having to get clearance for Trelawney who couldn't make it past the first syllable "

Ginny held up her wand. While Katie waved her wand causing a golden light to spring forward. A piece of parchment began scribbling nearby. Katie waved again, and the light died.

"Wait till Sirius gets here," Ginny murmured, moving past Katie and through the entryway.

Katie laughed. "That's if he doesn't get trapped in the bunker again."

"One can hope."

Hermioned stepped forward, putting her wand up. Her gaze fell toward Katie's missing right arm, cleanly cut from her shoulder.

"The place has been abuzz with the rumors." Katie whispered, waving her wand. "Is it true?"

"Katie, you know I can't say," Hermione replied, squinting from the golden light.

Katie' face fell. "One more thing I miss about being a runner."

Hermione gave an uneasy smile as the light died. "Things will be different soon."

Katie smiled as Hermione pocketed her wand. "It will make a lot of people happy to see someone like you running the place."

Hermione moved forward, past the entryway. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the impressiveness of home. The Harbor, as it was called. The alleyway she stood in front of was lit by glowing lanterns that stood high above the cobblestone walkway. Down the alley, shops, stalls, and sellers littered the streets, and crowds with it.

Far away down the alleyway, Hermione could see her destination. A large circular tower that stood large in the cavern, a rising phoenix, sat comfortably at the top adorning its rounded roof. Hermione met with Ginny who was gazing down the alleyway.

"It's still incredible you helped Katie secure a job like that after everything." Ginny said, moving forward, "It's boring as hell, but she was worried she would be rationed to hell since she's by herself."

Hermione lowered her head. "I'm the reason she lost her arm in the first place."

"No, that bastard, the crimson prince…" Ginny said, getting worked up, "You showed him though, and next time-"

"Ginny." Hermione said, "You mind if I meet you later. I'm already a bit late, and I told Mum I would talk to her before I got there."

"Being annoying, got it." Ginny said. She pointed into the crowd, "I'll be waiting for you at the usual spot? I'm thinking about drinks, a ittle celebration, and see where the night goes."

Hermione smiled as Ginny went straight toward the crowds. Hermione stood for a moment, relieved to finally be able to hear her own voice. She threw a hood over her head and lowered her head as she followed the path Ginny had followed, walking through the crowds. There she listened to those passing by.

"How the hell is it fair that 7th deck is getting rationed again? We work twice as hard."

"She's seriously voting for Sirius Black. I had to leave the date early."

"Heard walker's gang caused some explosions in the zones today."

"Can you believe a muggle asked to join me on the third deck?"

Hermione kept her head down until the crowd thinned out as she got past the marketplace and onto a narrower pathway. It was only a few more minutes that she found herself approaching the Headquarter doors. Standing in front of the doors was a woman with a familiar prim and off-putting. Hermione wasn't sure what her mother was going to say, and thankfully she didn't need to wait. The corners of her mothers lips turned upward as she approached Hermione.

"I'm so proud of you."

Her mother embraced her in a tight hug. Hermione rested her head on her shoulder, "And here I thought you would be more worried, Mum."

"Never," She said, rubbing the small of Hermione's back. "I have no doubt you will always choose the way to make it back."

Hermione felt a sense of peace, being embraced. Hermione couldn't imagine a life without McGonagall. It was McGonagall's confidence in Hermione that allowed her to be so impressive to everyone else. It was McGonagall who had steered her through a world without her parents, and surprisingly, it was McGongall who would be at the edge of her bed when she would wake up from her night terrors, soaking in sweat.

"I'd admit It was a bit nerve-wracking this time." Hermione said, stepping back. "How are the kids?"

"If you don't volunteer to go off into god knows where. I'm having dinner next week with a few new prospective children and their families. It would be an honor for the future leader of the Coalition to join."

Hermione groaned, "Not you too, Mum."

"Please do consider it."

Hermione turned toward the entrance, "Consider it done, Headmaster."

"Everyone will be delighted."

Hermione smiled as she entered the building. It was rather empty besides the two others walking about the lobby, a platform sat in the middle of the floor levitating a little bit above the ground. Hermione sauntered over and stepped on it. Immediately, it flashed a green light. A tube fell, swallowing Hermione up. The tube was always a bit tight, and just when it was getting nauesting, it shot Hermione out at the entrance of a large wood door.

Hermione straightened herself up and walked in. The briefing room was not extraordinary in the slightest but there was something regal about the wooden floors. The boat shaped table that sat in the middle only added to this appearance with its crafted appearance. Eight chairs graced the chair, all but three were filled. At the head of the table, the leader of the coalition sat, so extremely pale that he looked like snow. Nicolas Flamel. His long white hair stretching down his back and his beard down his torso. Upon seeing Hermione, his face lit up with a certain tenderness reserved for family members. It was hard to imagine being alive for over six hundred years.

"Ahh, Hermione. Welcome. We were just getting started. Dave was asking some questions about your mission!"

Hermione nodded and made her way to her seat between Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody. Across from her were the empty seats that belonged to Walker's gang, a faction of muggles that hated everything to do with magic and all those who wielded them. Next to those seats were Dave, the leader of the Tangibles, a spritely and thin man with a balding red head and mustache. Emma sat next to Dave, another leader, a small petite woman with hair as black as the night, her left eye had been covered with an eyepatch.

"I was mostly curious about my…doppelganger? Will she- the memories- does it wear off? "

"The Polyjuice potion- unlike some of the recipes that preceded it - does wear off. The deatheater's memories, however, have been completely erased. She will not recover. Within the week, she will be given a burial date. " Flamel said with the same kindness as speaking to a grandchild. "I know it must have eben difficult to relive your past, but your contributions have led us to a remarkable breakthrough. Hermione has captured a primary person of interest, the Black Prince, Harry Potter."

Hermione watched Dave's eyes seem to open wide with surprise. "Shit. You really did it?"

Flamel cleared his throat. "Along with that breakthrough, several markers have been placed throughout his manor. Our research team is currently mapping out routes to eventually raid and infiltrate his manor within the month. Our communications with the leaders across the pond have assured us that with the pickup of another front, the emperor's forces, including his specialized forces, will remain vacant in Britain as we continue our operation. "

"And the prince?" Emma asked.

"He's being kept at a secure location and under 24/7 surveillance. While his capture might leak, the coalition will make no official statements until we secure all available information from him, and he will be taken to the harbor for a private execution."

"Yet, it's no good if our people continue to starve,"Dave replied, "While I understand the long-term plans, these plans have done nothing for our people. People that we've been losing to Pe-walker's gang."

"If I may," Shacklebolt interjected, "The Harbor has seen some decent food production numbers in recent weeks, but the pressure from walker's gang on our runner's has destroyed our routes. We can't do anything until you deal with them."

Hermione watched Dave look at the empty chairs at the end. Having had perused his memories, it must have been strange to watch someone you were close friends with become an enemy.

"I know you think the Tangible's are useless, but we're trying." Emma said, almost pleading, "Pete is content burning it all. His people are content burning it all, and it's much easier to watch something burn than to build it. Those we rescue eventually feel the same desire to burn it all. If we can increase supplies, or even announce the capture of the black prince, it might help boost morale…we need something. Our people are suffering badly and they think the coalition is to be blamed. The tangibles are doing their best, we really are, but we need help."

"The solution is to cut the head off of Walker's Gang." Moody interjected. "Show your strength."

"And make him a martyr?" Dave replied. "Hell no."

"What if we announce the capture of the black prince after the raid?" Hermione asked. "All the information we need, I'll make sure we have it. He could be ready for execution the day after."

Flamel smiled. "Excellent thinking, Hermione. Moody, up the pay to runner's willing to make additional routes. This will not alleviate most areas, but will lessen pressures in muggle hotspots."

Dave looked a bit relieved. "I will be meeting with Pete soon. It's my goal to get him to this table, peacefully. In the meantime, Tangibles will be following the operation as planned and tackling Yaxley's district . Hopefully, we can scavenge food to bring back for the meantime."

"Good. Hope is here." Flamel said, stroking his beard. "Everything's coming together, and although Perenelle and I will not live to see it. I'm positive that the coalition will be left in good hands. We're finally at a turning point. "

Hermione sank in her chair.