Days turned into weeks and before Hermione knew it, she'd been at the Zabini estate for a month. She poured over maps in the library with Daphne most days, trying to pinpoint Death Eaters' locations and often spent evenings with Fenton brewing potions. Every now and then Draco would drop in to see how she was doing. She usually ate lunch with Daphne and then dinner with Fenton, Theo, Blaise, Daphne, and a few others she'd met in her time there. Harry and Ginny had owled twice, but neither one of them had sent good news. Harry and a group of Aurors had walked into a trap, barely escaping with less than a few broken bones. Ginny told her about a bridge collapsing in a nearby muggle town, causing the death of nine muggles. Upon inspection, it had been the work of Death Eaters. Hermione also hadn't seen The Snake King again, but she wasn't sure she had expected to. Draco said he was away from the manor a lot.
Now, on the last Saturday of August, Hermione found herself standing outside one of Jett's training rooms. She hadn't taken him up on his offer to come to one of the classes yet. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and knocked on the door. When it opened, it revealed a sweaty and disheveled Jett. "Hermione!" he exclaimed, stepping back to let her in.
"Hi, sorry, are you in the middle of training?" she asked.
"Actually it just ended about ten minutes ago."
"Oh, I missed it!"
"You were wanting to come to one?" He seemed surprised. She figured he must have thought she'd come by now if she really wanted to.
"Yes, and I thought Fenton had told me it was at two, but maybe I misheard."
"Tomorrow."
"What?" she asked, watching him move around the room and put dummies to the side.
"There's a class tomorrow at two," he told her. He reached into his pocket and took out his wand, casting a freshening charm on himself. The sweat running down his face cleared away and his clothes and hair seemed to straighten out a bit. Merlin, she thought, he really is attractive. How do I not remember him from Hogwarts?
"But you know, I wouldn't mind doing a one-on-one training if you wanted," he offered, gesturing around the room.
"Right now? But you just cleaned up!" she said.
He shrugged and waved her concern away. "No matter, if you want to? I know you've had more training than most of the new recruits, so we could start with a light duel. Let me see what you've got."
She bit her bottom lip, thinking. It had been a while since she'd really dueled anyone. She was more brains behind things than actually battling, but she wasn't bad at it necessarily. She could put up a decent fight. Hermione nodded. "Okay, let's do it."
A few hours later, Hermione and Jett were laying on their backs in the middle of the room. Hermione had a thin cut on her cheek, but it was no longer bleeding. Jett's nose had been broken and fixed already, just a slight discoloration lingering. "Draw?" he asked, turning to look at her.
"For now," she laughed. It felt nice to duel with him. He didn't take it easy on her as Harry and Ron had often done.
"You did well. You're too good to not be on missions," he told her.
His words suddenly reminded her of what The Snake King's letter had said. You are too capable to stay hidden away. She studied his face, wondering...No. Jett couldn't be The Snake King, she reasoned. Fenton would know if it were his brother and she could tell he hadn't lied when he said he didn't know who it was. "Hermione?"
She blinked, blushing when she realized she had zoned out while staring at Jett's mouth. His own cheeks were tinted pink as well. He sat up and she followed suit. "I'm not that good," she said, trying to keep the conversation from turning to what she'd been thinking.
"Well, I thought you were pretty good. Why don't we keep training then? You'll only get better from here. There's one every Saturday in this room at noon. You should start joining us," he told her.
After he stood, he offered her his hand. She wrapped her fingers around his wrist and let him pull her to her feet. "I'll think about it," she answered honestly.
They stood in silence for a moment, just looking at each other. Then he offered her a smile and a nod. "That's all I can really ask of you," he said.
Hermione helped Jett clean the room back up and repair a few dummies they had nearly destroyed in their duel. When they finished in the training room and locked the door, he walked with her to the staircase down the hall. The main entrance to the library, which is where she was heading, was downstairs. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. When Hermione got to the next landing and down the corridor, she was surprised to see Draco standing outside the library doors, looking comfortable in his navy robes.
"Granger, I've been looking for you," he said, meeting her halfway.
"You have?" she asked.
"Yes, you see, I need some help with something." He looked around as if trying to make sure no one else was around.
"What is it?"
"We can't discuss it here. Come with me," he said, sweeping by her and clearly expecting her to follow. She did.
The fact that there were dungeons under the manor shouldn't have surprised her, but it did nonetheless. They were dimly lit by kerosene lanterns lining the grimy concrete walls. The air smelled of dirt and mold. Cobwebs hung in the corners and Hermione was almost certain she'd seen a rat scurry across the floor when they stepped into the room. Each cell had an iron gate and bars, complete with a lock. The cells were empty and appeared to have not been used in a very long time.
"You're not locking me in the dungeons are you?" she tried to joke.
Draco rolled his eyes at her. "Granger, if I wanted you in the dungeon, you'd have been in the dungeon the first night you came here. Now, what I'm about to tell you is very important. You can't mention it to anyone."
It must be serious, she thought.
"I've been contacted by Augustus Rookwood."
The name didn't immediately register in Hermione's brain. When it did, she could feel her eyebrows draw together. "Rookwood? He's one of the Death Eaters still free," she said quietly.
"Yes, and he owled me. Well, he owled my mother, who in turn, sent it to me. He knows I'm with The Snake King. He asked for an audience."
It didn't make any sense. The Snake King was killing Death Eaters, not just handing them over to the Auror Department. Why would a Death Eater request a visit with the wizard responsible for so many of his fellow believers' demise? Hermione voiced her question and Draco shook his head. "I'm not sure. That's why I wanted to talk to you," he said.
"Have you told The Snake King?" she asked.
A look passed over Draco's face. She wasn't sure what it meant and didn't want to ask. "I haven't yet. You're smart, Granger. I thought there might be something you could think of as to why Rookwood might want to meet him."
"Some kind of deal? Possibly trying to recruit The Snake King? He's a brutal man, Malfoy. There's no other way to spin that story. He'd make a great asset to the Death Eaters." She gasped, suddenly having an idea. "You don't think he's hoping to use the Imperius and force The Snake King to join do you?"
Draco rubbed his jaw. "I hadn't thought of that. It's possible. It would get him off the Death Eaters' backs and cause a stir within the wizarding community. People are already fearful of The Snake King and he's only taking out Death Eaters. Imagine if he was suddenly murdering innocents."
Hermione could only imagine the pandemonium that would occur if The Snake King were suddenly to turn on the very people he was currently trying to protect. "When are you going to tell him?" she asked.
Draco rubbed his chin. "Tonight, after dinner. Before you ask, no, Granger, you can't be there."
She glared at him, crossing her arms. "Why did you bother telling me about it then if you don't actually want me involved?"
"Meetings with The Snake King are by invitation only, Granger," he replied, smirking.
"So get me an invitation," she told him, quirking an eyebrow. The two stared at each other for a few minutes. When he seemed to realize her intention of being included was serious, he heaved a sigh.
"I'll do my best, Granger, but I make no promises," he conceded. "Be prepared though. If I bring you into this, you may be involved if it turns into more."
"That's what I'm here for isn't it?"
She had him there and she knew it. As they left the dungeon, he asked if she'd heard from Harry or anyone else in The Order. He was digging for information, but she didn't have any of use to give. She told him about the events Harry and Ginny had shared with her; he'd already known about them. "There hasn't been any recent news of The Snake King's victims," she noted, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
"Because there haven't been any," he replied, jaw clenched slightly.
"Is he getting lazy?" She teased.
"He's been...distracted, lately."
Hermione wanted to ask more, but Draco looked irritated and she wasn't sure he'd give her answers. She supposed he wasn't happy about The Snake King being distracted. Wondering what could be causing such a distraction, she dropped the conversation and the pair continued on in silence. When they reached the staircase that led up to the second floor, he gave a small bow. "If you're permitted to join the meeting, I'll send Midge for you," he told her as he straightened.
She nodded her agreement. His eyes roamed her face for a moment before he turned and continued on his way down the corridor. She decided to go to the library, as she'd been headed there when he caught her, and ascended the stairs. Hopefully Midge would show up and tell her she would be allowed to join the meeting later.