Despite their involvement with Rose's kidnapping and the ambush at Dover Street, somehow Beaker and Woolsworth were still working at the Ministry over Harry and Shacklebolt's objections. Harry had refused to give them anymore assignments related to hiding or protecting families, as he could no longer trust them. About a month ago, the director of the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol Jason Charmer asked them to join his department to be Hit Wizards.
Now, they were in the Forest of Dean on a special assignment by Charmer to look for any potential hidden wizards and witches who may have escaped their safe homes. The Aurors had noticed that about forty wizards and witches have been reported missing since the safehouses were started in May. Although Charmer had not given any instructions for approaching the missing witches and wizards, he had specifically told Beaker and Woolsworth that if any wizard or witch attacked them, then they could use as much force as necessary to subdue them.
"I'm freezing my arse off," said Beaker. "How can any hid out in this?"
"That makes our job easier," said Woolsworth, smoking a cigarette. "A frozen snake is a good snake."
"We don't even know if there are any snakes out here," said Beaker, kicking some twigs and leaves in his path.
"Check the Anderson shelters..." said Woolsworth. Just before Woolsworth could finish his thought, he fell face first into the ground, completely stiff as a board.
"What the - ?" said Beaker, who felt something wrapped around his neck. As he gasped for air, Beaker attempted to loosen the rope around his neck, causing him to fall on his knees to the ground. Just then, Beaker felt a hand grab his hair and a noticed a wand tapping the rope.
"Who...are...you?" asked Beaker, his voice dried from the lack of air.
"Where is Scorpius Malfoy?" asked a voice.
"Who's..asking?" said Beaker, who felt the rope tighten around his neck.
"Where is he? asked the voice, more sternly this time.
"With...Ron...Weasley!" wheezed Beaker. Just then, Beaker felt the ropes loosen and he could breathe again. As he turned to check on Woolsworth, who still laid on the ground unconscious, Beaker turned to see who had choked him.
"Obliviate," said the voice, before Beaker could pick up his wand and attack.
"Hermione," said Lara, nervously. "Jason Charmer wishes to speak with you."
"Send him in, Lara," said Hermione. Although Hermione did not want to meet with Jason, she knew that Jason was someone who would continue to pester until he got his way. Might as well get on with it, thought Hermione, as the door to her office opened.
There was Jason Charmer, dressed in his elegant crimson robes with gold accents with wavy light brown hair shaped around his face. Jason always stood with his chest out and shoulders back, plus his usual smug smile across his face.
"Hermione," said Jason, with a smooth voice and arms open as he walked to sit in front of her desk. "May I say, you are absolutely glowing right now."
"I wish you wouldn't say that," retorted Hermione. "Especially since you and I are not on the same page when it comes to certain employees at the Ministry."
"Are you still sour about Woolsworth and Beaker?" asked Jason, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed and hands pressed together.
"Of course I am! They attacked my daughter!" responded Hermione, staring back at Jason as she closed the file she was working on.
"Troy said Rose is doing quite well," said Jason, very casually. "It sounds like she's still hanging out with Potter's son and the Malfoy boy."
"What do you want, Jason?" asked Hermione, impatient with his attempts at small-talk.
"Well, this morning, I had sent Woolsworth and Beaker out for a mission," said Jason. "And when we found them, the poor blokes couldn't remember who or where they were..."
"Someone obliviated their memories?" said Hermione.
"It would appear to be so," said Jason. "Nevertheless, I find this very distressing, and you should be as well, as one of the deputies of the department."
"It is distressing," said Hermione. "Because we still haven't caught the person who is responsible for all of these disappearances and deaths."
"Which means that Hogwarts has become a target," said Jason. "And anyone out there who is killing all of these families and kidnapping these hidden wizards isn't going to just ignore Hogwarts..."
"What are you saying, Jason?" asked Hermione. "Are you asking me to agree to an increase in security?"
"Hermione, think about it," said Jason, attempting to grab Hermione's hand before she pulled it back from his grasp. "My son is there, your children are there...their lives are not worth risking to protect the few whose lives are endangered..."
"No," said Hermione, firmly.
"Good," said Jason. "'I'm glad we're finally on the same page about something..."
"No," retorted Hermione. "We are absolutely not on the same page, Jason, because I will not have any student removed from Hogwarts, even the Slytherin students that you despise."
"Oh, Hermione," said Jason, leaning back in the chair. "Why must you be so noble and brave? And for what? A few children whose families despise your own Muggle status? You'd rather protect the life of Scorpius Malfoy over your three soon to be four children?"
"Jason," said Hermione, standing up from her chair. "It's not a question of choice. Ron and I will defend Scorpius and our children. As Deputy of Magical Enforcement, it is my duty to ensure that all wizards and witches are protected. So no, we will not remove students from Hogwarts, and that is my final word, understood?"
There was an awkward pause of tense silence before Jason nodded his head.
"Very well, Hermione," said Jason, shaking and getting up from the chair. "I was hoping to convince you..."
"You know, Jason, you're not as bright as you think you are," said Hermione, sitting back down. "Now, unless you have anything else clever or intelligent to say, please leave my office."
"In that case, good day to you," said Jason, bowing his head as he left the office.
Hermione sighed as she took a deep breath to relax herself. Her doctor, Justin Finch-Fletchley, had advised her to keep calm and not become too agitated, as it might heighten her pregnancy symptoms and upset the baby.
"I'm sorry," whispered Hermione, as she rubbed her bump. "But to be fair, he is a bit of a numpty!"