Ron smiled at the white-haired gentleman who now took the only remaining seat in the tiny overcrowded room. His presence seemed to radiate glowing warmth much like the tingling that Ron had experienced after shaking the old fellow's hand.
"I was hoping to speak with you," Ron stated. "We're-that is Hermione and I-we're working on an interesting project for the Ministry. I thought you might be able to help us."
"Well,that's most flattering, son. It's been a long time since the Ministry has asked for my assistance," he replied, a tinge of bitterness in his voice.
"Ron," Hermione warned using her Prefect's voice, "I'm not sure if we should be talking about the project." The expression on her face warred between worry and anger.
Ron reacted immediately. "What are you on about?" he asked indignantly. He felt responsible for Herodotus Henckel. He knew instinctively that this wizard was an important link in what they were trying to accomplish. Ron's face grew crimson and despite his efforts to control himself, he glared at Hermione. Why couldn't she trust his judgment for once?
Hermione, now also with a growing colour in her face turned away from Ron and sat rigidly, her hands gripping the sides of her chair. Ginny rose and moved towards Hermione, placing a supportive hand on Hermione's arm. She then returned Ron's glare.
"Ron, let's just examine the situation sensibly. I'm sure Mr. Henckel won't be offended. He knows about Ministry protocol. After all Dad told us that your nephew works at the Ministry. And didn't you work with our Uncle Billius as an Unspeakable at one time?"
Beside her, Hermione's tension eased and she gave Ginny a grateful look. However, she continued to ignore Ron. Ron's cheeks had cooled and he realized that he owed his sister a vote of thanks for her well-timed interference. Even though he and Hermione were now together, their infamous rows were obviously not going to be a thing of the past.
With Hermione now refusing to meet his eyes and Ginny pointedly glaring at him, he sought a way to remedy the situation.
Meanwhile Herodotus Henckel sat observing the interaction quietly with a half-smile on his face.
Ron tried again, "Actually, sir, we were very curious about the time leading up to our Uncle's-uh-disappearance. And the fact that there must have been a betrayal. Well, there seem to be so many unanswered questions."
"You and your sister are quite right, I did work with your uncle closely. In fact I was on the team of five-your uncle being the team leader. We had been in Deep Cover for two years and were closing in on the last vital piece of information we needed," he stated quite matter-of-factly although his faded blue eyes revealed a slight moistness.
Hermione spoke hesitantly, "I wonder, sir, if you are able to tell us more. I know that the Unspeakables are bound to secrecy about their work even years after the events occurred." Here, she did meet Ron's eyes glancing briefly at him but with a world of meaning. "And," she continued doggedly, "I understand the reasons behind maintaining that secrecy. But it could help us enormously with our new initiative if you were able to tell us a little more about what you were doing."
"My dear, you certainly have a keen understanding for one so young. At this point, I can see no harm in sharing some of the details of our venture. There are a few things, however that I would not reveal without Ministry clearance and some, I fear to which I was never privy." Herodotus Henckel finished his narrative sadly.
"Please go on," Ginny urged, her eyes sparkling. Ron noticed that his sister appeared more animated than she had been since working on her "plan" at the Twins' flat. He thought guiltily that he and Hermione needed to include her more. He looked up and found Hermione gazing across at him. She was obviously thinking the same thing. They exchanged small smiles sharing both an apology to each other and a mutual understanding of Ginny's need. It was at that moment that Ron realized the depth of his feelings for Hermione. The connection between them strengthened with each of these exchanges. To need no words and yet understand each other perfectly. Ron marveled at his good fortune.
Herodotus Henckel cleared his throat. " Let me give you some background first. When you apply to the Department of Mysteries, there is a rigorous set of tests and interviews. It isn't enough to have top marks on the NEWTS from Hogwarts or any other Wizarding School, although it is a requirement."
Here he noted that Hermione's cheeks were flushed and she was nodding in agreement.
" I see you understand this, Miss Granger. It is perhaps a career route that you wish to pursue," he suggested sympathetically.
Hermione blushed avoiding Ron's curious stare and Ginny's look of admiration.
"We can talk about that later," she replied firmly." It's just an idea anyway."
The old wizard smiled, "If you want this, you will achieve it, but you have other things on which you must concentrate first."
Hermione and Ginny started, but Ron grinned.
"Picking up on strong emotions, sir?" he teased.
"All three of yours as a matter of fact," the older man stated his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I digress. Yes, the application process for becoming an Unspeakable requires not only the marks but also several other attributes. Those accepted into the training program must have exceptional skills and talents. Those who are registered as an animagus or metamorph are preferred. A wizard or witch who can summon a particularly strong patronus for an extended period of time is also sought after. Finally, those with seer or divination talents are also accepted."
"What about defensive and dueling abilities?" Ron asked intrigued by this glimpse into the arena where his Uncle had fought.
"Well, that's also desirable but not as much a priority as it would be for an Auror. The most significant difference between an Auror and an Unspeakable is that an Auror's mission is overt. Defense and attack are necessary skills as are strategy, split-second timing and strength. An Unspeakable's job is much of the time covert-undercover missions, breaking codes, blending in with the environment in order to discover more." Herodotus Henckel paused for a breath and observed his three listeners thoughtfully.
"I know both Aurors and Unspeakables work in teams or squads. How does that work?"Hermione's face took on a rosy hue, her eyebrows crinkled and she gently sucked in her bottom lip. Ron sighed with affection. He loved to watch Hermione like this – so intent and focused, ready to put together all the facts and figures at her disposal.
"An excellent question, my dear!" Mr. Henckel returned enthusiastically. "And a particularly interesting one in the case of our team. Most Unspeakable teams are made up of wizards and witches with specific but different areas of expertise. Because of the importance of our mission, our team was slightly larger and shared some overlap of talents."
"Can you tell us about he members of your team without breaking Ministry regulations?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"I can, indeed, and in fact it is necessary to the story I'm going to relate," Herodotus Henckel nodded. " First, of course, there was your Uncle Billius, the team leader. Besides being an accomplished animagus, he also was an excellent strategic planner. No one I know ever bested him at chess and he was a brilliant Quidditch player."
Hermione caught her breath and Ginny smiled at Ron's smug expression.
"Much like your young man," Herodotus said meaningfully to Hermione whose cheeks became even rosier.
"Then there was Minerva McGonagall," continued the wizard, "whom I believe you all know quite well as a Professor. Minerva was a brilliant and beautiful witch, also a registered animagus and very skillful with transfiguration and breaking codes."
"Brilliant and beautiful?" Ginny repeated and directed the comment towards her brother, raising her eyebrows suggestively. Ron had the grace to look somewhat abashed and avoided his sister's eyes.
Mr. Henckel observed this interchange with a chuckle, "Yes, the young ladies are correct. Although not official, Billius and Minerva were engaged. No one knew but myself as it was frowned upon to pursue relationships within the same Ministry department. But more of that later. The third member of the team was a young fellow by the name of Nigel Davies, just out of Hogwarts but with a stellar reputation in Potions and Charms. Nigel was a metamorph and the ability to change his appearance at will was considered a great asset to the team."
Something clicked in Ron's brain. "Nigel Davies? Wait-isn't that the head bloke from the Ministry that's in charge of our project?" he inquired of Hermione.
She nodded thoughtfully, a worried expression crossing her face.
"Well, isn't that an interesting coincidence? "Herodotus Henckel said quietly, almost to himself. "Yes, quite fascinating how coincidences pop up like that. Now our fourth member, also a metamorph, almost didn't make the team. You see, she was a Black and though a quite brilliant witch, there was a particular prejudice towards her family, many of whom were being lured into following the Dark Lord."
"Black? As in Sirius Black?" Ginny squeaked excitedly.
"Yes, indeed. A cousin of his, in fact. Of course, dear Sirius turned out to be neither a Death Eater nor a murderer and his older cousin was not involved with Death Eaters either. In fact Andromeda ended up marrying a Muggle named Tonks and completely divorced herself from the Black family and its name," Henckel mused.
"But that means-it has to be…"Ron reasoned out loud.
"Tonks'mother!" Both Hermione and Ginny finished for him.
"Hmm, coincidences abound, it seems," Mr. Henckel frowned." So you know dear Andromeda's daughter, do you?"
His frown concerning "coincidences" was not lost on the other three. Ron, Hermione and Ginny exchanged glances. It now seemed imperative that they glean every piece of information they could from this first hand source.
Herodotus feeling their questions, continued his saga. "Finally, of course, there was myself. I was somewhat astonished when I was accepted as an Unspeakable, being neither an animagus nor a metapmorph. Of course I did achieve Outstanding in all my NEWTS and my peculiar talent of reading others' strong emotions and divining past and present events from them, must have weighed in the balance. But I do think being included on such a prestigious team was entirely due to Billius. He and I had been friends at Hogwarts even though he, of course, was a Gryffindor and I, a Ravenclaw."
The urgency to discover more from Mr. Henckel increased exponentially as Healer MacMillan entered the room.
"Good afternoon, sir. Ladies. Well, well, Mr. Weasley, isn't this lovely? All these visitors and more on the way. Let's just have a wee look at you although I reckon that I will be able to release you today."
"Release me? That's bloody fantastic!" Here Ron caught Hermione's eye and amended, "I mean, that's the best news I've heard since the Cannons tied their last game! But, what do you mean, other visitors?" Ron concluded worriedly. Hermione and Ginny exchanged panicked glances.
"Then maybe I should be on my way,"Mr. Henckel suggested politely, rising from his chair.
"NO!" Ron almost shouted, "I mean, please stay a while longer. We were just getting to what we needed…"
"What Ron means," Hermione finished smoothly, "is that we'd like to hear the rest of the story."
Ginny nodded vigorously while Ron smiled thankfully at Hermione and agreed, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant."
Ginny now took a hand." Healer MacMillan, who are the visitors and when will they be here?"
Healer MacMillan completed his examination of Ron and stated, "Yes, you're in much better shape. Your arm is usable although it won't have its usual strength for another few days. Keep up the pain potions for another two days as well but the worst is over, young Weasley. There's only so much we can do for you here. It's important not to brood. Taking an active interest in other things will be helpful and from what I've observed, this young lady can provide as good an antidote as we could in that department."
As both Ron and Hermione were blushing violently at this last statement, Ginny reminded the Healer of his earlier information.
"Visitors?" she inquired politely.
"Ah, yes." Healer MacMillan thought a moment. " Some Ministry people and members of your family. Hand an owl about fifteen minutes ago. They should be arriving shortly."
"Thanks, Healer MacMillan," Ron spoke now recovered from his blush. Hermione had moved her chair beside him and was now holding his hand. He gave it a squeeze as MacMillan took his leave. There was no doubt that she was much more than an antidote in his present state.
"If you could give us the bare bones of what happened the night our Uncle disappeared, we'd be most grateful," Ginny urged.
Mr. Henckel sensing the time limitations replied," I'll do what I can."
A faraway look now on his face, he began his recital.
We were in an encampment near Voldemort's lair. The team had made our home in a cave on a rocky bluff overlooking the bleak countryside. We had been extremely successful in discovering information about the Dark Lord's plans and in particular about how he would accomplish his first attacks on half bloods and Muggles. We needed one more piece of information, which would enable us to destroy his plan and put him out of commission.
Billius had been spying successfully at Death Eaters' meetings, held at the home of the pureblood wizarding family, the Malfoys. But calamity had occurred at the last meeting where Billius' animagus, a brown barn owl, had almost been captured. The mission that night was even more perilous – flying directly into Voldemort's lair. I remember it as if it was yesterday…"
"But you can't-you'll be recognized," I argued with my good friend.
"That I won't," Billius Weasley replied with confidence." I've made an adaptation to my animagus."
"That's impossible! "exploded Minerva McGonagall, ringing her hands together in her agitation.
"Watch me, "Billius smiled. With that, his form took on the shape of a large horned owl, completely different from his usual animagus.
"Brilliant," Minerva McGonagall breathed and her arms went round Billius for a brief moment. Then she pushed him back with all the force of a woman desperate to convince.
"But you still can't go. A charm like this may get you in, but it will wear off, Billius, there is no guarantee that you'll be able to get out!"
"She's right," I agreed. "Don't go, Billius, we'll think of something else."
"No, there's no time," Billius replied stubbornly. "The meeting's tonight. One of us has to be there. This is the only way."
Nigel Davies weighed in," Weasley's right. The time is now-it's a risk we have to take. If Andromeda was here, she might have been able to impersonate her sister, but there's no time for that now."
"No, Billius, I beg of you. Don't go-it could be a trap. Please," Minerva McGonagall's normally strong voice broke with emotion.
Quietly, Billius pulled her aside, "It can't be helped, dear heart. We knew that we might have to separate and that we wouldn't always agree. If it's for the greater good, we can't be selfish, can we?" His intensity and conviction showed in every line of his body and the blaze of his blue eyes.
She nodded, tears spilling down her face.
"Be strong, that's my girl. It will be worth it in the end." Billius Weasley embraced his fiancée, gripped Davies hand and hugged me close.
"Herodotus, old friend. Don't tell me what you're seeing right now. I must do this. Look after Minerva and yourself. If I don't return, find out the reason why. Protect yourself-don't trust anyone."
Herodotus Henckel's voice dropped to a whisper. He had aged ten years in the last two minutes. A tear coursed down the rosy weather beaten face.
"Two weeks later, his battered body was delivered to the Weasley home."
A complete silence ensued. Ron now had his arm around a trembling Hermione. Ginny wiped her eyes and rose swiftly from her chair. She threw her arms around the old wizard and hugged him hard.
"Thank you so much for telling us," she spoke quietly, her voice husky with pent-up emotion.
Mr. Henckel shook his head slightly. " All of you must be exceedingly careful for the next while. Remember your strength is in your unity."
A noise in the corridor alerted them to the arrival of the other visitors.
"I must go," Herodotus Henckel said sadly. " Merlin's sight be with you and Godspeed as the Muggles say. Be careful. We will meet again when the time is right."
A quiet pop was all that indicated his hurried departure.