Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.
Notes(-ish): Damn, I take a long time to update.
Chapter Four
"I beg your pardon?" It was Charlie who broke the silence. While he was usually up in Romania doing his work, he was given a commendation by his boss earning him a few days vacation from all the dragon keeping. Although his work in Romania never interfered with Order business here in London, Charlie always makes it a point to keep in touch with everyone else.
It was three weeks after Moody gave George and I our assignment and both of us have been researching since. He debriefed us regarding the logistics and complications of our upcoming task prior to this meeting. Moody notified us of the people we would be encountering in the Wizengamot Ball and the important Ministers that would be in attendance as well. The rest of the Order are currently sitting around the dinner table in Grimmauld Place with grim faces as Moody updated everyone with the assignment list.
"We know that Draco Malfoy is a spy for the Order," Moody thumped his hand on the table twice. "Of course, being the Slytherin snake that he is, insisted on a compromise. He gives us information about Voldemort and his lackeys while we get out his mother from Azkaban, who we all know has just recently lost her trial."
"For what exactly?" I frowned. I remember reading about Narcissa Malfoy's trial from the Daily Prophet but never really caught up on the happenings. The news about her capture made front page a few weeks ago and her trial a couple of days after that. The media never stated any reason for the trial.
"I don't know. Maybe they just wanted to put someone in Azkaban to appease the masses." Kingsley frowned. I nodded in dismay. While the lady Malfoy never gave us any reason to believe her innocence these past few years, she didn't deserve an unfair trial either.
Just then a patronus passed through the walls.
"Dark Mark. Granger House."
We walked inside my old house and what we saw made bile rise up in my throat. The stench of Dark magic filtered through my nose and I quelled the urge to regurgitate my dinner. Ron, Harry, and I hurriedly went inside, dread filling me as I scanned the room - tables were overturned, glass scattered all over the floor, scorch marks lining the wall and wood splinters were everywhere. My heart beat twice as fast as I gripped my wand tightly. I slowly maneuvered myself through the shambles. The green light emitted by the dark mark above the house casted eery shadows that jumped out of corners. I almost lost my footing as some rat skittered across the floor surprised me. Where are they?
I saw Ron look at me as he and Harry go up the stairs to check if anyone is there. I nodded to tell them that I'll watch this floor.
Which was a mistake.
As soon as Ron and Harry went up, someone jumped from the ceiling catching me completely off guard. I sent the intruder a nice Impedimenta right in the chest but regretted it the moment I recognized the face.
"Mrs. Tonks?" I said breathlessly. She was unrecognizable except for the mass of hair. Her face had several scratches and her body was covered with injuries but was otherwise unharmed. Her body kept involuntarily twitching, a sign that she has been crucio-ed far more than what was necessary.
She swatted my hand as I took hold of her arm, slowly helping her up to stand.
"I need to help you up, Mrs. - "
"Don't touch me," She hissed. I blinked twice and let her be. She must be going into shock.
I hovered my wand over her to check if she has any other injuries.
I hear the distinct pops of Apparition outside and I instinctively moved in front of Andromeda. However, when I saw their shadows from the blasted window, I loosen my stance, beckoning Hestia, Dean, and Remus closer.
"Why is it quiet?" Hestia asked once they were inside. My insides turned, she was right. And what happened to Ron and Harry upstairs?
"Ron and Harry are checking upstairs-"
"I'll go help them." Dean said as he took the stairs two at a time. I hope that the silence means nothing.
"Where are the others?" I led them to where Andromeda was.
"They're on their way- "
I then hear a familiar chuckling behind me. I slowly turned and felt my whole body shiver. I heard Hestia softly gasped behind me as we look in front of us.
Andromeda was slowly transforming into Bellatrix.
"Expelliarmus!" I heard Remus shout beside me. He missed as Bellatrix moved the other way, cackling as she does so.
"You are stupidest lot ever!" She cackled and sent a hex to Hestia's direction, hitting her in the leg. She screamed as her leg slowly twisted itself inward. I felt bile rising. I went to Hestia and hauled her into a corner.
"Where's Andromeda?" Remus shouted as he sent another spell to her. It grazed her arm but it had the effect. Her sleeve burned and her wrist looked as if it was burned as well.
"We're playing a game, Wolf Boy!" I saw Bellatrix sent Remus an orange spell that missed. I turned to Hestia to assess her injury. Her leg was still twisting. Her face scrunched up in immeasurable pain. I whispered encouraging words to her as I racked my brain for anything.I panicked as I hear several bones crunch and Hestia choke on her own scream.
I felt my eyes prickle with tears as I mumble several numbing spells. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
I hear Bellatrix cackle as the room is suddenly filled with Remus' grunts of pain.
Bugger all. I shouted Lockheart's Jelly Legs Jinx and watch in slight horror as her leg slowly turn to jelly. At least she doesn't feel a thing now, I cynically thought.
"I'm sorry," I whispered hastily to her. She nodded in understanding. I peeked through the couch we're currently hiding behind and saw Remus writhing on the ground.
"What's the matter, Wolf Boy!" She cackled as she sent another spell. Remus rolled over half-heartedly but missed the spell nonetheless.
I took a deep breath as I rolled forward and sent her a conjunctivitis curse. I cursed under my breath as she moved in time to miss it.
"You never learn do you, Mudblood?" She sneered and slowly made her way to my spot. I held my place as I muttered a curse towards her. It hit her in the arm and watch in sick fascination as she clutched her arm in pain. She screamed profanities at me as she saw what I had done to her arm.
"You fucking mudblood!" She sent curse after curse from where I am. I took a deep breath as I faced her and sent another spell of my own, this time it hit her in the hip. She screamed as her clothes as well as some of her skin slowly dissolved. I smiled in sick fascination.
"You bitch!" She sent a well-placed curse and it hit me in the wand arm, the same curse she sent Hestia. My right arm slowly twisted unnaturally and I screamed in pain. I took my wand using my left and hoped that my aim would be as good as my right. I gritted my teeth in pain.
"Duro!" I aimed at the ceiling above her, mentally apologizing to Ron, Harry, and Dean. The ceiling crumbled as some of the wood and splinters went through Bellatrix. She shrieked as she Disapparated. I mentally cursed but was glad that at least it was over for now.
I looked at Remus who was still on the floor. I crawled towards him, slightly gasping as the pain in my arm intensifies.
I touched Remus gently. He wouldn't stir. I heard something fall on the crumbled floorboards and turn my head to see, my wand pointed at the crumpled figure on the floor.
I stablized Remus first before moving towards the figure. My breath stops as I looked at the bruised Dean. I choked back down tears.
"Harry? Ron?" I shouted through the hole in the ceiling. No one answered.
I rushed towards the stairs and my breath escaped me. Ron was crumpled in one corner, blood covering his most of his body. Harry was lying on the floor but was otherwise breathing.
"Ron," I choked as I went over to him, checking. He was covered in deep gashes. My hand shook as I did a quick diagnosis, exhaling in relief when I noticed nothing life damaging. I healed his more dangerous wounds, my hand shaking as I'm still unused to using my left hand. His wounds slowly closed and I managed to exhale in relief.
I left his side once I decided that his wounds were no longer life threatening. I then went to Harry's side.
"What happened, Harry?" I knelt beside him and hovered my wand. Looking at Harry's chest inhaling and exhaling deeply, I frowned as I realize that something was wrong. I looked at his face again. I opened one of his eyes and I resisted the urge to panic. His irises were glassy and bloodshot, the corner of his eyes crusting as the blood dried.
I healed his eyes first, silently praying to whatever god was up there for my spells to work. I looked at Harry again and saw that his eyes were slowly turning back to normal. I went on to heal his other wounds.
"Remus!" I heard Tonks from downstairs and I released the tension from my body. They're here, they can help you.
Harry stirred, coughing up spatters of blood and I help him sit up. He blinked through his shattered glasses.
"''Mione?" He hoarsely said. I shushed him as I continued to heal more of his wounds.
"Ron, he's-"
"He'll be okay, Harry." And true enough, I heard him stir behind me and splutter. I gave both of them a half-hearted smile of relief.
I looked at the surroundings. Two unconscious Death Eaters were bound on the floor and a third one was hanging off the window.
"He's dead. Dean killed him." Ron croaked. I went to help him sit up, my right arm still useless.
"Hermione, your arm-"
"Don't worry. Numbing spells," I said as I helped him up. I heard more voices downstairs. I looked up as I saw Ginny walk up the stairs. She went straight to Harry and hugged him.
"Hestia's dead. Dean's all banged up but he'll be okay after a few months rest, it looks like," She said to the room. She hugged Harry.
I shook my head in despair. I felt Ron pat me on my shoulder.
The hours following the attack on my house left people in the Order wary. The loss of Hestia put us on further edge. This war was getting real.
I silently thanked the gods for my decision to obliviate my parents. Although the initial thought of altering my parents' memories left me bawling for days, I knew it had to be done. I sighed sadly as I imagined Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins having a summery vacation in some beach in Australia. At least they were safe, that's all that matters for now.
"Do you not understand the implications?!"
I winced as I overhear Moody and Harry's shouting match. I catch on to bits of their conversation when Ron comes in the room. I raised my eyebrows at the cast around his arm and he only shrugged.
"Bloody hell," He wearily sat in front of me. The Assistant Healer handed me another potion to drink before she did her work. I screwed my face at the bitter taste.
The moment I felt the effect of potion, I snatched Ron's other hand on the table and squeezed it hard as the Assistant Healer reversed the effects of Bellatrix's curse. I squeezed my eyes shut as the pain of my joints returning intensified.
"'Mione!" Ron squeaked, but I didn't let go of his hand.
Finally, she finishes fixing my arm and I exhale a big breath. I could curse that Assistant Healer for not giving me a strong enough numbing potion.
"Thank you," I breathlessly said to them both.
"Remember to drink your potions," Madam Pomfrey looked pointedly to Ron as she gathered her things and waved for the assistant healer. "Remind Harry as well." I nodded and the fireplace went green.
I exercised my joints and nodded in approval when I felt no pain. "Are they still arguing?"
"Like two Blast-Ended Skrewts."
Harry thought Moody was out for blood ever since the older Auror doubled their training time. While I do understand the reason behind Moody's excessive training, you could clearly see from the weary looks of Harry and Ron that they both need a break every now and then. The older Auror, on the other hand, wanted to hear none of it.
"Potter, knock some sense in your head for once!" I winced as I heard Moody tap Harry's head non-too-gently.
Just then I heard the fireplace roar and the shouting stopped. Ron and I looked at each other and slowly went to the drawing room.
Snape's usual sneer was plastered on his face as I see him saunter towards them.
"Potter," He said in his usual drawl. "I have some news."
The fireplace roared the second time and Blaise Zabini stood immaculate in his navy robes and leather boots.
"Mr. Zabini finally decided to join the cause." Snape glared at his former student at having to enter the place without permission. Blaise nodded at us, his face filled with determination.
I frowned as I looked at Ron beside me. He had his eyebrows scrunched in concentration as well. With Draco Malfoy being our second spy, having too many could alert the Death Eaters.
All of us sat at the dinner table with cups of tea in our hands. I can see the sun rise from the window in the kitchen and bit back a sigh; I was hoping to get sleep once the wariness faded off.
"I can work as a Ministry contact for the Order," Blaise started. "I work at the International Magical Trading Standards Body and my position is high enough that I get to use the Approval stamp for work." I caught on his meaning.
"But we already have people working on tracking international goods. What makes your work any different?" Kingsley said as he sat at the front. While everyone agrees that Moody take the position of the Head of the Order of the Phoenix, Kingsley's presence at the head table no doubt soothes the atmosphere. Moody's aura exudes war and discipline, while Kingsley's give off a more soft, diplomatic feel.
"I hold business meetings and essentially, business parties between big important people in the corporate world. The Dark Lord is starting to get interested in overseas investments as part of his 'world domination plan' as well." Blaise said with scorn in his voice. "I can give you information directly from the top of the chain."
"But why are you here helping us?"
"His interests are hurting my business," Blaise steepled his fingers. "Although the Malfoy Enterprises are indeed 43.9% bigger than mine, Draco cannot directly interact with his business partners. Even the Malfoy name has been sullied by the Dark Lord's influences. No new corporation would want to taint their company name by making a deal with him."
"Wouldn't that be beneficial for your company?" Ginny interjected.
"Initially, yes. But what if the Dark Lord falls? Companies who initially invested in mine due to the power and influence of the Dark Lord would then withdraw, leaving a huge dent in my investment. Even Draco is purging his ledger by withdrawing some of his darker investments and into better ones."
"Wouldn't Voldemort sense that his so-called investments are slowly dwindling?"
"Draco has a few tricks up his sleeves. I, unfortunately, don't. Oh and he sent me this by the way." We saw Blaise take out a scrap of parchment from his suit jacket and slid it in front of us. Moody took the parchment and began scanning the contents of the letter, his magical eye whizzing and whirling. He then pocketed the letter and then signaled at me to stay after the meeting. I nodded back. "Besides, it's not as if you're dismissing me."
My head turned and saw him looking at us with amusement filled eyes.
"You won't interrogate a potential ally in your actual headquarters then dismiss them later now would you?" He crossed his arms and leaned against the fireplace. I almost laughed at his ignorance.
While it is true that Snape and Blaise flooed directly to Grimmauld place (only having to shout 'Order Headquarters'), George managed to create a field wherein those brought in for special cases (like Blaise) see a completely different architecture and design than the original. That is to say, while the Order is currently holding a meeting at the Grimmauld Place dining room, what Blaise sees is an entirely different setting: a modern conference room of some fancy corporate building in New York.
On the other hand, Blaise wouldn't be able to floo to Grimmauld place as one of the additional charms added enabled visitors to forget the way to the headquarters. Once Blaise steps outside the building, he will forget how he came to the headquarters.
I smirked back at him. People underestimate George Weasley's imagination and wandwork.
"Okay, Zabini. You got us." Harry said, staring at Blaise straight in the eyes. "Now, let's get to business."
Moody and I met in one of the empty guest rooms an hour after the meeting with Blaise was concluded.
I sat on the writing desk near the window and crossed my arms. Moody rummaged through his coat pocket to get the letter.
"Malfoy sent a letter full of gibberish. I had hoped you could translate it."
I took the letter and frowned.
The Albino peacocks in the garden. Your favorite peonies. Maple syrup.
What the hell?
I hovered my wand over the letter and wasn't surprised when it glowed bright yellow - a sign that it a concealment charm has been placed on the letter. But then I frowned when it stopped glowing. Then glowed again but this time in different colors - Blue, green, red, white. I muttered a few incantations afterwards then the message changed, this time in Ancient Runes. I silently groaned at the ridiculous task that was set before me. However, I was able to manage it after a few tries and almost slapped my forehead at the insanity of it all.
The message simply read:
G-R-O-S-V-E-N-O-R
Author's Note: Cliffhanger? I'm not quite sure.
Thanks once again for reading and hope you enjoyed it despite the horrible ending and the horrible intervals between updates. *sad face. I'll try and wake my muse up from this horrible, horrible writer's block. But I promise you that I have everything outlined from the beginning 'til the end, so please hold on!
Thank you, as always!