Chapter 15
Hermione had always hated side-along aparition, and she had never been much of a fan of solo aparition, either. She never felt composed after aparating, as if her atoms themselves were shaken up and confused, vibrating so quickly that her skin felt foreign and static-y. What was worse was relying on some one else's mastery of the skill to safely be transported somewhere; She had found aparating to be so tricky to learn correctly, that any one else aparating with her made her nervous. One small mess up on their part could be disastrous- or fatal- for her. Too much was left to chance. Hermione was the kind of person who liked to be in control of her self and her situations at all times. Even something as small as side-along aparition was enough to shake that up, and send her stomach into a fretful knot.
But, because Hermione didn't know where Susan Bones home was located, and wasn't familiar with that part of London, she needed to side-along aparate with Draco, or risk aparating into the wrong yard, which would not be good at all. She had been unconscious when Draco aparated her away from Grimmauld Place, and so hadn't registered it, which was just fine with her nerves.
"Ready when you are, Granger," Draco said, pulling her out of her own mind, as he extended his arm out to her expectantly. He began tapping his foot impatiently.
Hermione gulped. She wasn't just nervous about Side-along aparition. She was feeling down-right anxious about being in London, in an area with uncertain outcomes, and surrounded by Death Eaters and Ministry Members. The pair had sat down for an hour or two, scrutinizing every inch of their simple plan, but that had done nothing to make it seem more promising. So much of it plan was built on a rocky foundation of 'Maybe's' and 'hopefully's' that Hermione just couldn't feel good about it. But, since they had quite literally run out of other options, it would have to do. Do or die, Hermione had thought, wistfully.
"Ok," Hermione finally answered him, reaching out to grab Draco's arm. She barely had time to register how scratchy the material of his now-filthy Black Family robes were before a loud crack echoed through the air, and they were off.
"Bloody hell," Hermione wheezed out, after they re-materialized into a fenced-in courtyard. The sun was shining bright and warm above them, in an unusually sunny day for London. The weather had been so nice lately Hermione was sure the universe was mocking her. She shook her hands out in front of her, trying to shake that vibrating feeling in he skin. The house looming over them was a two story brick structure, with flowers growing along the back wall. It looked quaint, and cozy, with a few wicker lawn chairs surrounding a glass patio table. Hermione could imagine herself drinking a cup of tea there, watching the world wake up on a nice clear morning. In another world,perhaps, She thought bitterly.
"Look," Draco hissed above her, backing him self behind a shrub growing along the western fence, his face reflected her own misgivings about the scenario they were in. His face was paler than usual, and his eyes were alight with nervous energy. He gestured with his hand towards the house, Hermione noticed a small shake in his arm when he did so, and she followed his direction to a kitchen window looking out over the courtyard. Inside the window, Hermione could see movement. Nervous fear bubbled up in her stomach, as she watched the shape. She wasn't sure if she should hide too, or go and knock on the window. She would have to face this person eventually. Better to get it over with,right?
Hermione mustered every ounce of boldness she possessed and straightened her posture. When you looked confident, you began to feel confident...Or some such none-sense her mother had told her once. She took in a deep breath and walked up to the back window. She peered her face into the glass square and could make out the image of a blonde witch putting what looked to be clean dishes away. She swept from one cabinet to the next, her arm laden with cups and plates.
Do or die, Hermione thought again raising her hand to knock. After she knocked, she watched the witch react to the unexpected noise, as her head reflexively looked towards a door way just ahead of her. No, i'm back here, look this way, Hermione thought, knocking again. The witch turned to look for the source of the noise, and upon seeing a face in her back window, dropped the remaining dishes in her hand. they scattered around her as she pulled out her wand defensively.
Her cheeks were bright pink, and she had shining blue eyes that were framed with wisps of honey blonde hair. She had a pleasant, heart shaped face, that was currently twisted into a look of utter bafflement.
Hermione raised both her hands above her, as if to say, I'm not armed! and the witches face blanched over with dawning realization.
She bounded to her feet quickly, reaching the kitchen window with two long steps, robes billowing out behind her, reaching the window and throwing it open.
"Hermione Granger?" The witch whispered, voice a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"Susan, it's so lovely to see you again," Hermione breathed, shoulders slumping as her posture relaxed. Susan didn't look like she wanted to hex her, and that was the best Hermione could have hoped for. Hermione could feel tears welling in her eyes, and felt foolish because of it.
"What am I doing? Please, get in the house. It's not safe! Oh, let me open the back door, hold on," Susan said, eyes dancing around the yard wildly as if Death Eaters would come pouring over the fence any second.
The back door opened quickly, as Susan reached her hand out to gesture Hermione in. Now I have to rip the second band aid off, Hermione thought nervously.
"Susan, I have someone with me. I need you to trust me please," Hermione said, voice pleading. She knew how absurd this all must look to Susan.
"Is it Ron? Just get in here, the two of you, please, quickly!" Susan urged, eyes still dancing across the yard.
"No, it isn't Ron. It's...someone who has switched sides. He has already killed a Death Eater in front of me, he's safe and he's trustworthy," Hermione said back quickly, praying Susan would not turn them away when she saw Draco. She wasn't sure how she could possibly make any one trust Draco, unless they saw the changes for them self.
Susan's face went white as fear pooled in her eyes. Hermione worried she was losing her.
"Ok, but please just get in my house or get out of my courtyard," Susan finally snapped, starting to panic. "They watch my house sometimes, I never know when, please Hermione."
Hermione whirled around and signaled for Draco, who emerged from his hiding spot quickly, and was at her side in an instant.
Hermione turned to face Susan, but she had fainted.