Ch 18: Message
The Shrieking Shack, Present Day (Day 7)
"Anything yet?" Hermione asked.
"No" Ron replied shortly.
He had taken up a post gazing out of one of the boarded-up windows of the Shack since arriving here. Hermione had been at the Ministry earlier so she had arrived a little after Ron.
Both of them looked a little worse for wear. Ron's face had newly formed worry lines, his eyes had dark circles beneath them and he was in shabby robes. Currently, he looked more like the ghoul living in his attic than his usual self. Hermione wasn't much better. She had spent two consecutive nights at the Ministry, trying to find something that would help her make sense of the events of this week. The lack of sleep had made her eyes puffy.
Currently, she looked up from her copy of the Telegraph to find Ron still keeping watch outside, motionless, like a sentinel. He hadn't said anything but she could sense his inner turmoil.
Realizing that he needed someone to talk to; she took her wand out, mumbled some enchantments and summoned a creaky chair from a corner of the room.
"Ron." she called out;
"Harry can just Apparate into the Shack. He doesn't need to walk down the road. As for eavesdroppers and intruders; I've placed protective charms around the place. Come and sit. Let's talk."
She said, gesturing towards the chair.
Ron looked a bit hesitant to leave his post but he complied. Once he was seated, Hermione broke the ice.
"How's Ginny?" She asked, flipping through the periodical's pages.
"Honestly, I don't know." Ron mumbled out.
"But, I asked her to move into the Burrow with the kids. Didn't she come?"
"She did but…it's different. She won't talk to anyone. She says she is fine whenever Mum asks her and clams up afterwards. Mostly, she is with Albus. The poor kid has been having nightmares everytime he tries to sleep. I don't blame him."
"Lately, everything seems like a nightmare." He finished with his gaze fixed at a point on the ground.
For the first time, Hermione felt regret for having left Ron alone at a time like this. Looking at his state now, she was reminded of their time hunting Hocruxes together. How he would spend hours listening to the radio broadcast reporting dead wizards, hoping not to hear the name of anyone he knew.
"Ron, I'm sorry. I have been so consumed in work lately that-"
Ron stopped her;
"I don't blame you either Hermione. "
"If anyone has a chance of figuring out just what's going on, it's you. I'm counting on you."
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and planted a fond kiss on her cheek.
"But, take care of yourself too."
"I could say the same about you."
Both of them shared a silent moment, grateful to be in each other's company.
"I hope Harry's all right." Ron said in a concerned tone.
Hermione would have normally said something comforting. But right now, even she wasn't feeling very optimistic. She was positive that Harry had asked them to meet him and Malfoy here today. But, it was already past mid-day and there was still no sign of him. She really hoped he was just late.
"Why did you bring this?" Ron pointed at the newspaper in front of her.
"Haven't you already read today's Prophet?"
"It's not like there is much difference nowadays."
She replied, diverting his attention to the front page of the paper. Half the page was covered by two images; one of a dozen bloody bodies strewn across a polished marble floor and, alongside it, a close-up facial shot of Harry.
The headline ran;
"Mass murderer at large."
Ron's contempt was barely hidden.
"Actually, I brought it for this."
She turned the page, revealing an entire page covered by the obituary column.
"The Ministry cannot possibly let the Wizarding World know the magnitude of the massacre four days ago. The news published in the Prophet is heavily censored. This periodical gives a much clearer picture of the incident."
Seeing that she had caught Ron's attention, she continued;
"Apparently, a few wizards attacked Muggles gathered for an art exhibition in London that evening. They left a lot more than a few bodies in their wake. Somehow, the Muggle law enforcement managed to bring them down. But, they were dead before any information could be obtained from them. However; this incident coupled with the appearance of the dragon in Bournemouth, spread globally like wildfire through something called 'social media'. The Minister has also not been able to contact his Muggle counter-part. In essence, our world has been exposed to the Muggles. So far, they haven't been able to get over the chaos due to this news among their own. I hope they stay that way. But, there is mention of some 'Holy water' that will save the Muggles from us. A vial is being distributed to every Muggle in London. My parents got a pair this morning too. I haven't seen it yet but it's just something to calm down the public I suppose."
"Do you have any news?"
Ron answered;
"Well, I don't know about Muggles but the Goblin-Wizard relations are worse than ever. They refuse to open any vaults or send employees at Gringotts unless we allow them the possession of wands even though the gits can do magic themselves. It's for 'self-defense' they say. As if. The moment they get wands, they will be on our throats faster than you can say 'noodles'. Kingsley has to deal with them every day. That snake Harper has joined forces with his hooked-nose buddies too."
Hermione contemplated this information as she flipped through the Telegraph's pages. There was silence for a brief moment. There were still no signs of Harry or anyone else. Ron broke the silence with once more;
"What about that Nathan kid? Found anything about him yet?"
"Nothing useful. Financially struggling parents who died fighting the Death Eaters during the War twelve years ago. He was injured in the Hogwarts battle and was admitted at St. Mungo's for a while. When he recovered; none of his kin wanted to adopt him, claiming that he was 'different', 'aggressive', 'paranoid' or 'delusional'. As Harry mentioned before, there was a rumor of him being in possession of the Resurrection Stone a while back but no evidence was found. That's when the trail goes cold. He has been practically invisible for about a decade. Until now." She completed.
"Have you found anything useful?" Ron enquired, hoping to get a positive answer.
Hermione seemed a bit reluctant at first but, seeing the look on Ron's face; she produced a small glass vial from her robes. Inside it were familiar glowing blue misty forms; memories.
"I can't say for sure yet but I have a hypothesis. If I can validate it, then there might be a creature with some answers for us."
"But who? And how?" Ron was noticeably shocked.
"Remember when we went to Gringotts? I-"
She was interrupted by the arrival of a Patronus in the form of a badger glowing silver. It stopped in front of them and Kingsley's voice emanated through it;
"Ron and Hermione. Apologies for disturbing you but I need you at the Ministry right now."
"If Harry is with you, bring him too. But make sure to disguise him. Despite what we know, he is a wanted fugitive after all."
"There have been some developments which might help us finally understand what's going on."
Having done its job; the badger dissolved into thin air, leaving the duo to wonder what Kingsley had found.