Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter

Notes: I finally re-outlined Supremacy up until chapter 25! Now all I have to do is turn them into paragraphs…

And wow, it took me five years to post this chapter. I apologize for being extremely late to the party but I swear I am still into this. A lot has happened in the last five years - moving to to the United States being one of them, but that's a story for another time.

This chapter isn't really much but it's something.

Warning: Heavy dialogue up ahead.

Chapter Five

My heels clacked as I walked towards the reception, noting the architecture of Chester Grosvenor and Spa. The exterior of the building boasts of a Tudor revival type while the interior continues on with a more modern feel. The entire edifice exudes power and elegance and boasts of magnificent history. I can see why Malfoy chose this as a meeting place.

I stepped up to the young woman in the reception area. She said something to the telephone receiver and smiled brightly at me.

"The Arkle Bar and Lounge up the stairs to the left."

I blinked in surprise. Looks like the personnel here have been informed of my arrival. I smiled my thanks and went to the lounge.

When I got there, I noticed a few people in the room - three men and a woman drinking in one corner, a young man talking animatedly to his, what looks like, girlfriend, and a few other people scattered around the bar.

I sat down on one of the plush, brown chair and a waiter immediately handed me a menu.

"Red Fruit tea for the lovely lady, and one Lapsang Souchong for me. Thanks, Robert." I looked up. A man in an expensive looking business suit suddenly sat in the chair in front of me; he had dark hair that reached his collar and olive skin. He was one of the men I saw drinking in one corner with his friends. I immediately fingered my wand in my pant pocket.

"Excuse me-"

"Yes, please do excuse her." I then felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see a man dressed in a black three piece business suit, with a cane on his other hand. He had strawberry blond hair curled around his face and freckles splattered all over his nose and cheeks. I opened my mouth to retort but then the man squeezed my shoulder. Oh. "But thank you for buying us tea. You can go now, whoever you are."

He and Malfoy-in-disguise glared at each other before the former finally decided to stand up and walk back to his friends. I saw his friends shook their hands and clap him in the back. Men.

Malfoy retracted his hand and occupied the now vacant seat in front of me.

"Robert, was it?" Malfoy spoke to the waiter serving our tea. "Change our order to two Gentleman's Afternoon Tea and serve us one of your best sandwiches. Thanks." He then handed Robert a twenty-pound tip.

I frowned at him but nevertheless took the china in front of me.

"What's this about, Malfoy?"

"What? Can't I have a nice little chat with my favorite Gryffindor?"

I feel my left eyebrow twitch.

"While I am grateful for your… generosity during my visit in one of your dungeon cellars, don't think that encounter makes us best of friends, Malfoy."

"And that makes you squirm, doesn't it Granger? That you owe me." His smirk hardened and I can see his jaw tighten.

I slightly leaned forward and hissed, "I owe you nothing."

I then felt the air around me shift. I move to remove my wand from my handbag but then stopped. This is why he chose a muggle place to meet. He wanted to finish this meeting unscathed. He knew I wouldn't dare cast a spell in a muggle establishment much less in a room full of muggles. I remove my hand from my pocket and crossed my arms.

"Good job on casting a wordless, wandless muffliato," I glared at him.

"Let's be civil now, Granger. This is all for the greater good."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, that's what Gellert Grindelwald said about his supposed Wizarding empire, too."

"I have reason to believe the Dark Lord aims to become the next Gellert Grindelwald." He said as he casually examined his nailbeds.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come now Granger I know you're not that daft." He crossed his legs as he rolled his eyes. I managed to control myself from hexing him just as Robert came with our food trolley. He set up the food on our table and was kind enough to give me a smile before he left.

I frowned as I sipped my tea. From what I've read, the reign of Gellert Grindelwald managed to go even beyond Great Britain's territory. Although he likewise believed in pureblood supremacy, he'd rather control the muggles than obliterate them.

"He plans to be a modern day king that understands the technicalities of the modern world", Malfoy filled in. "He will do what Grindelwald couldn't - enslave everyone not of pure blood. Create an empire that would only serve the purest of the pure. Of course, the half-blood bastard would be sitting at the top of the throne. Quite ironic.

"The Dark Lord is planning to even take control of the world's economy. He's smarter. He knows that things need to go beyond the political in order to make a huge impact in Wizarding World today.

"And that's why he's recruiting Blaise, to heavily influence the circulation of the market economy of Great Britain." He hummed as slowly cut his breakfast sandwich into pieces. "He plans on only importing goods that has only been manufactured and produced by a purelood, slowly monopolizing all the products and making the whole of Wizarding World dependent on 'pureblood goods'" He used air quotes, "all the while eradicating the 80-90% of the actual consumers that would buy these goods. Ridiculous really." Malfoy rolled his eyes as he lifted his china to his lips.

I almost stared at him in awe. "Does he seriously think the economics of his ruling would work?"

Malfoy nodded grimly.

My frown deepened. This is quite unlike the Voldemort we knew from the past. While the old Voldemort wouldn't particularly stop at immortality, this new Dark Lord was more precise, ruthless, and much more calculating than we have ever anticipated. He actually wanted to rule the world.

"He couldn't have changed plans all on his own. Someone must be feeding him all these things." I racked my brains for any information I have on all the Death Eaters both new and old. I mentally filed those who are noteworthy of this newfound position. With most of his loyal followers either dead or in Azkaban, no one is worthy as to be mamed Voldemort's right hand man. Or so we thought.

"Pietro Dmitriev. No one in the inner circle saw him coming. But he's been advising the Dark Lord recently."

"Dmitriev? I haven't heard or seen his name anywhere before."

"He's new. Just graduated from Hogwarts, Head Boy, Ravenclaw, Pureblood, the usual. But he's not afraid to utilize enemy information. He tells me he finds economic principles, both Muggle and Wizarding, especially invigorating and believes that if one wants to rule the world, start at the bottom level, which is-"

"Control of the market," I exhaled. Whoever this Pietro Dmitriev person is, he's already sounding like the formidable opponent that Voldwmort is not- more knowledgale about the Muggle world, more informed, and thus more frightening.

"Ten points to Gryffindor!" He chuckled hollowly. He set his fork down as he turned his eyes at me. "He's different. He's cunning like a Slytherin but better because he's actually smart. He's not afraid to read books written by muggle authors in front of Voldemort - says he needs it to better understand the movements of the enemy. And while Dmitriev is only 18, he has killed perhaps as much as Snape did should he still be alive today." He gave a small shudder. "It would do you guys best if you stay clear of him."

I stared at him. Here was 22-year-old Draco Malfoy, completely different than he was five years ago from when we last met. He was more chatty, more... unDraco. While I wasn't particularly familiar with what he was doing during those five years, it made me wonder about his time in the Order as a spy that made him the way he is now. I frowned in confusion. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I've a score to settle with the arse." He said as his eyes flashed dangerously.

"But why me? I've noticed you've become more… subdued around Harry and Ron as compared to all those years ago, and I've only found out about your being a turncoat a few weeks ago so why?"

He shrugged. "Because you're smarter."

"So," he announced loudly, as he clinked his teacup. I felt the magical air arround us waver and raised my eyebrows. He removed the muffliato. "What have you been up to, Ms. Miranda?"

I rolled my eyes in exasperation at the fake name and readied my bag to leave. Just as I was about to stand, he closed his hands around my wrist. I almost shook him off when I saw his eyes dart right. There, I saw the three men stand the same time I did. The man who previously occupied Malfoy's seat started to saunter to my direction.

While the man didn't look particularly menacing, his two friends, nay bodyguards, flanking his sides were, with their bulky arms and… wands peeking through their suit sleeve. I noticed their fourth companion, the young woman sitting with them, was no longer there.

"How about lunch at my place? That little chitchat left me even more famished, don't you think?" Malfoy stood, grabbing his coat from his backseat all the while leaving the approximate amount of money for our breakfast. His eyes bore into mine and his nails dug deeper into my wrist. I gave him a tiny little nod.

"That would be wise."

Once we were out of the building, we took off on a run towards an undisturbed alley. We saw the three men running past the alley we were in.

"Damn it! We lost her," one of the men cursed.

"Master would not be happy," a deeper voice replied. I frowned and moved to get my wand but stopped when Malfoy pinned me with a look. He took out something from his suit pocket and gave it to me.

"Go to McGonagall and tell her to up the wards in Hogwarts – "

"I'm not your messenger owl, Malfoy –" I whispered furiously as he pushed an ornament on my hands.

"You don't have a choice, Granger. I'm part of your little Order whether you like it or not." I opened my mouth to say something else but he was already muttering incantations on the ornament. "Good luck," He tapped his wand and soon I felt a familiar pull to my navel.

Headmistress McGonagall,

I would like to visit in the fortnight to discuss with you our arrangement.

See you then.

Sincerely,

HG

I stood by the Great Lake, breathing in the air. McGonagall stood beside me swishing and flicking her wand with precision as she muttered several incantations that would reveal the wards. Slowly I feel the air cackle and I gnashed my teeth at the increasing static brought about by untouched magic. It took McGonagall only a few minutes before the wards showed itself.

Various colored strings decorated the sky. Different shades of red, orange, blue, green, and others, all representing the wards of Hogwarts. These have been put here thousands of years ago; first by the founders themselves, and by all the headmasters and other professors who wished to see Hogwarts alive and whole even after a millenia has gone by.

McGonagall stood back as I carefully took note of the different wards in place. I nodded in approval as I noticed a very powerful, yet very dark shield charm. This must have been casted by Salazar himself. I nodded ruefully in agreement. Sometimes you just have to use dark magic to protect what light magic cannot.

The dozen strings all shimmered as they reflected the light of the sun. It was at that moment, however, that I noticed something peculiar. I moved towards a lilac colored string.

"Professor," I cleared my throat. "Only powerful wizards are able to modify these wards, right?" I heard McGonagall shuffle beside me. I turned to see her adjust her glasses and peer at the peculiar thread.

"Yes. Only those tasked with protecting Hogwarts - the professors and the Headmasters themselves - can only touch the wards. Only someone as powerful as them can adjust or remove a ward, and even then it would be a very difficult job. Why?"

"See here," I pointed to the lilac string. "This one is a spell that magically binds the creatures of the Forbidden Forest to, well, the Forbidden Forest. Not only that, but it also adds protective wards all over the place, yes?" McGonagall nodded.

"But if you look closely, you can see a tiny thread out of place," I casted a spell that would magically magnify anything my wand points at so that McGonagall would be able to see as well. There, on the topmost thread, was a snip. It disconnected one small thread to the next. I heard my old Professor inhale sharply at its implication. It didn't fully disconnect the binding spells and the protection ward but due to the electromagnetic quality of magic, it can slowly disrupt other threads as well. It would not only obliterate the ward belonging to the lilac string, but that of others as well.

"We must alert the others," McGonagall shuffled beside me and brandished her wand, perhaps ready to call out her patronus. "Hermione, I know we've been asking you for a lot of favors, but will you be able to fix this?"

I turned back to the broken ward and reexamined the damage. Although it didn't look particularly tricky, wards are complex in nature and one wrong move can alter the state of the place it's protecting. I shook my head.

"As much as I want to assist you, Professor, I can't. I'm not as adept at fixing wards than I am at finding the anomaly," I chuckled. "But I think Su Li and her band of Warders can help you repair that one, and maybe create new wards as well? I heard she works at the Warding and Security Department at some aristocratic company." I ruefully smiled at my old Professor.

"Ah, yes. Ms. Li. I likewise heard that particular news as well," McGonagall nodded. Only the two of us knew that Su Li worked at Malfoy's transnational corporation as the Chief Warden. While I have only been informed of this fact days ago, her position proved to be helpful in protecting one of the Order's spy.

"Thank you for your help, Hermione."

"No need for thanks, Professor. Anything I can do to help the school that honed me into what I am, I will do." I smiled warmly at her. She started swishing her wand as slowly, the colorful threads disappeared.

"Speaking of which," She turned to me wearing her most motherly smile yet. "I have been informed by our Transfiguration professor that he will be leaving his post after this term ends. He says he needs a bit of a... sabbatical from all the stress that the students have given him."

I hummed, trying to stop myself from smiling.

"And I find myself in a difficult predicament of finding a replacement for the hardworking lad. But then I remembered a certain student of mine who had been exceptional at the subject and thought, why not?" She got a letter from her robe pocket and extended it to me. "Would you like to have a teaching spot at Hogwarts, if only for a term, Ms. Granger?"

"Of course, Professor!" I jovially replied. But I sombered when I remembered my post at the Department of Mysteries. "Oh but I can't leave my work at the Ministry. My department head will have mine if she knew I left my post for a teaching position. No offense, Professor, I love teaching but- "

"Only for a term." She gave me a small smile as she placed her hand on my shoulder. I felt my smile reach my ears as I bashfully hugged her, conveying my thanks.

Author's Notes: Chester Grosvenor is a real place in Cheshire, England. If you're near there try and check the place out! I myself haven't been to the fancy schmancy restaurant but according to their website (and some photos from Google), the place looks absolutely lovely.

Also, forgive me for any mistakes I might have in this chapter, especially on Draco and Hermione's talk on world domination. I'm not good at economics so I'm really sorry for any errors made.

Thank you once again!