Hermione woke early, she felt worse than she had the previous month.
"Today would have been Harry's seventeenth birthday." She said to herself.
She rose and dressed, and proceeded to walk slowly to the kitchen for breakfast. Harry had been dead now for two months, Cindy was still missing, and Ron, Draco and Dumbledore were no closer to finding her today, than they had been the day they started. Hermione would receive daily owls from Ron, but even though he made them sound hopeful, she knew it was false hope.
Hermione's parents were well aware of the date, they, like Hermione, were dreading it. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were in the kitchen eating, when Hermione entered. Her father decided to engage Hermione in conversation.
"Who are all those classmates of yours, who keep popping in and out of the house?" He asked pleasantly.
"Dark Aurors," Hermione answered, not really realizing what she had said, and regretting it the moment she said it.
"Dark Aurors, they sound dangerous. What exactly are Dark Aurors?" Her mother asked sounding concerned.
Hermione glared at her mother, she had not wanted to explain the DA or the Department to her overprotective parents. She had managed to dance around the topic for the last month.
"If you really must know, Dark Aurors are what they call the members of the Department of Dark Magic Enforcement. They are the ones who fight, and keep the wizarding community safe from the Death Eaters." Hermione said angrier with herself than her parents.
"Death Eaters, aren't they that Voldemort guy's followers?" Her father asked, knowing quite well the answer.
"Yes." Hermione answered shortly.
"Don't you think it's dangerous to have them here, won't that attract those Death Eaters?" Her father asked, now sounding very concerned.
"No more than me being here." Hermione said vaguely.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Her mother asked.
Hermione thought for a moment. She had debated all summer whether or not to tell her parents.
"Because, I am their General," Hermione said determined to sound commanding.
"You're their what?" Her father asked disbelievingly.
"General." Hermione repeated.
"You lead a Ministry Department of law enforcement?" Her mother asked.
"No, I lead the most highly funded, highly trained department within the Ministry of Magic." Hermione clarified angrily.
"But you're sixteen." Her father said.
"Yes daddy, I am. I am also the senior officer under the Commander and Chief of the Department of Dark Magic Enforcement, those known as the Dark Aurors. And I spend my days, allocating resources and manpower to keep the Death Eaters at bay. But since my parents won't let me leave the house, I can't even go to my office. Hell, I've never even seen it." Hermione explained angrily, and stormed out of the room.
"Do you think she's serious?" Mr. Granger asked his wife.
"We always knew she was special. Yes, I think she's serious." Her mother answered.
When Mr. Granger entered Hermione's room, she was sitting at her desk, determined not to cry.
"Hermione, can we talk?" Her father asked.
"What?" Hermione said, turning to face him.
"Your mother and I have been talking, first, I want to apologize for the way we've been treating you, you're not a child, and we shouldn't be treating you that way. Second, I wanted to let you know we've decided to let you out. You're a General; you should at least be seen in your own office." He said.
Hermione leaped from her chair, and hugged her father.
"But no missions just supervise, agreed?" Her father added.
"Agreed," Hermione said smiling.
"Well then, I think you need to dress for work." Mr. Granger said, as he left the room.
Hermione began dressing quickly in her DA uniform. As the General, she had solid gold decorations all over the silken robes. When she looked in the mirror, she smiled.
She ran downstairs to thank her mother. When she entered the kitchen, her mother looked at her, and began to cry.
"My baby's all grown up." She wailed, hugging Hermione.
"Mum, please, I'm a General." Hermione said smiling.
"Is that your uniform?" Her father asked.
"Yup," she said.
"Are those real gold?" He asked, motioning to the gold stars and gold piping of the robe.
"Solid gold," she clarified.
"That uniform alone is worth a fortune." He said astounded.
"Yeah well, you should see what they pay me." Hermione added smiling.
"How much," Mrs. Granger asked her curiosity now peaked.
"Four hundred Galleons per week," Hermione said proudly.
"Is that a lot?" Her mother asked, but it was Mr. Granger who answered.
"Oh yeah, that's almost fifteen hundred pounds." Mr. Granger answered.
"Really, they pay you that much?" Mrs. Granger asked Hermione.
"More than they pay healers as a matter of fact." Hermione said.
Her mother hugged her again. "I'm so proud of you." Mrs. Granger said.
"I've got to go; I'll probably be home late. Bye." Hermione said apparating away.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other.
"She can do that?" He asked his wife.
"Apparently," she answered.
Hermione apparated to the Ministry of Magic, when she arrived she saw all the hustle and bustle she hadn't seen the last time she was there, when she accompanied Harry and the others to help Sirius.
She saw a guard at the end of the large lobby. The guard was enthralled by some article in Witch Weekly. She walked up to him for directions.
"Excuse me, where is the Department of Dark Magic Enforcement?" Hermione asked pleasantly.
"Do you have an appointment?" The guard asked without looking up.
"I don't need one." Hermione said impatiently.
"Everyone going to that department needs an appointment." The guard said, still not looking up.
"I don't." Hermione said shortly.
The guard looked up, ready to admonish Hermione, but stopped when he noticed the uniform.
"Oh, I'm so sorry General, right this way." He said, standing so quickly, he knocked his tea all over the desk.
He led her down a long hallway, to a private lift at the north end of the building.
"Just take the lift up to seven." He said smiling.
"Thank you." Hermione said, not entirely appreciative.
Hermione entered the lift and found there was only one button to press, this was a private lift; she rode it to the seventh floor. She was stunned that no person, but several paper airplanes entered the lift. The planes, that were interoffice memorandums, would ride the lift to the prescribed floor, and fly away silently.
When Hermione arrived at the seventh floor, she saw a long hallway that matched the one on the lobby level. There were only two doors, one on each side of the hall. Hermione did not need a sign to find the office, two house elves, dressed in DA uniforms, guarded the door on the left. She knew immediately it was the Department's office.
She walked purposefully up to the elves, who noticed her immediately.
"General ma'am, welcome." The elf wearing a sergeant's insignia greeted her.
"And you are, sergeant?" Hermione asked regally.
"Master at Arms, Vorn," he answered.
"Well Master at Arms, it's a pleasure." Hermione said warmly.
"The pleasure is mine, General ma'am. Is there anything we can get for you?" He asked, showing the true colors of a house elf.
"No thank you, just going to work." Hermione answered.
The sergeant bowed, and the door opened magically.
Hermione entered the office she was stunned by the sheer vastness of the office. It was as long as the hallway, and just as wide. On the far left wall were two office doors, and on the right were six. Directly in front of her were windows that stretched from one end to the other, showing various points in Hogsmeade, Diagon Ally, and the Ministry itself. Scattered orderly throughout the main space were cubicles. Hermione quickly did the math; there were one hundred and twenty cubicles.
The receptionist, a witch Hermione had never seen, looked up from the Daily Prophet.
"General!" She said, jumping to her feet.
The entire office, elves and wizards alike, jumped to attention when they heard the receptionist. Hermione surveyed them all.
"As you were," she commanded. They all sat back down.
Hermione walked to the left side of the office, where she assumed her office would be. There was one secretary for the two offices. One office door was labeled; "General Hermione Granger" the other was labeled; "Commander and Chief Ronald Weasley". Hermione smiled.
"Good morning General." The secretary said.
"And you are?" Hermione asked.
"Dorothy." The witch answered.
"Pleased to meet you, Dorothy," Hermione said pleasantly, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure is mine, General." She answered.
"Anything I need to know?" Hermione asked.
"There have been quite a few people to come through here looking for you over the last month, but no one today." She answered.
"Thank you, I'll be in my office." Hermione said, opening her office door.
"Wow." She said to herself, as she went inside.
The office was much larger than she expected. It measured ten meters, by ten meters. The desk was old and intricately carved, showing witches and wizards fighting. Her chair was almost thrown like in appearance with carved wood, and leather padding. The office windows changed views from various famous places, including Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, and the New York skyline. Hermione couldn't have been more pleased.
She sat down, and realized, she didn't know what to do. This was her first actual day on the job. She resolved to read the various reports from the Dark Aurors in the field. As she was reading, she realized that the Death Eaters were striking at various times and places, with no pattern whatsoever. This made her nervous.
"They're testing us." She thought to herself.
"Why? Why would they risk so many Death Eaters, just to test our strengths and weaknesses?" She wondered.
Hermione was pulled from her thoughts when a voice sounded in the office.
"General, a Ms. Tonks is here to see you, again." Dorothy said sounding like Tonks had been there many times before.
"Send her in." Hermione said excitedly.
Tonks entered, her hair a deep pink, and her smile warm and friendly.
"Tonks," Hermione exclaimed, hugging her friend.
"Hermione," Tonks replied, hugging her back.
"So good to see you," Hermione said, motioning to a chair for Tonks to sit on.
"Damn Hermione, you're even harder to meet with than the Minister." Tonks said honestly.
"Well, you know, been busy." Hermione said evasively, not wanting to let on that her parents would not allow her to leave the house.
"So, what can I do for you?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.
"Well Hermione, I have a favor to ask." Tonks started. "I wanted to know if you could, I mean if it were possible to." Tonks stalled.
"Oh just spit it out." Hermione said impatiently.
"I want a job." Tonks blurted out.
"Don't you have one?" Hermione asked confused.
"Yeah, but I want to be a Dark Auror. Do you know how coveted these jobs are? Besides, you guys pay more." Tonks said honestly.
"You want to join us? And what do you mean coveted?" Hermione asked.
"Every Auror, every law enforcement wizard, hell, every child, wants to be a Dark Auror. They have a reputation of being the best. The regular Aurors have an apprehension ratio of one Death Eater for every six Aurors per week. Dark Aurors have an apprehension ratio of four Death Eaters for every Dark Auror every week. You guys are famous." Tonks said breathlessly.
"Really, we're famous?" Hermione asked disbelievingly.
"Children are starting to wear junior Dark Auror robes; Madam Milkin's is selling them. Trust me Hermione, you guys are famous." Tonks said.
"Wow. Well as far as a job, of course, whatever you want." Hermione said.
"Really, when can I start?" Tonks asked excitedly.
"Today, do you have a problem starting at the bottom?" Hermione asked.
"No, of course not," Tonks said, still excited.
"Good, because I'm giving you a field commission to major." Hermione said smiling.
"You're kidding?" Tonks asked disbelievingly.
"Nope, we need experience at the top Tonks, and I think you'll be perfect. All I ask is that you get with Colonel Longbottom about learning some advanced apparition, and unforgivable curse blocking." Hermione explained.
"Hermione, you can't block unforgivable curses." Tonks said matter-of-factly.
"No Tonks, YOU can't block unforgivable curses, we can." Hermione said smiling.
"You guys can block the unforgivable curses?" Tonks asked astounded.
"Harry has taught us quite a bit, trust me." Hermione said, regretting she brought up Harry's name.
Tonks started to cry, Hermione, who was still only hanging by a thread, started crying as well.
"I can't believe he's gone." Tonks said hoarsely.
"Me neither." Hermione agreed crying.
"Can I ask you something personal Hermione?" Tonks asked apprehensively.
"Sure." Hermione answered.
"What did Harry leave you?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked back.
"I mean, Harry, I heard was quite wealthy, and since you and Ron were his daughter's godparents, I just assumed he left everything to you guys." Tonks clarified.
"He didn't leave us anything." Hermione said deep in thought.
"I can't believe that. Whom else? No one has heard from Gringotts?" Tonks asked.
"Not that I'm aware of," Hermione answered.
"Then where's his money?" Tonks asked not actually expecting an answer.
Hermione's eyes grew wide. Tonks looked at her like she was crazy.
"He's alive." Hermione said quietly.
"What did you say?" Tonks ask.
"He's alive." Hermione said louder.
"I don't know." Tonks started to say.
"Look at the facts, one, Gringotts hasn't informed anyone of their inheritance. Two, Harry was very protective and grounded, he would have prepared for a worst case scenario the very day he brought Cindy home, and three, Cindy is only a six year old girl and not even The Albus Dumbledore can find her." Hermione paused.
"And," Tonks pressed.
"And four, Voldemort hasn't made an appearance; he is not back up to full strength. I don't think he suspects Harry's alive, but if he was at full strength, he would have challenged the "famous" Dark Aurors by now." Hermione said, deep in thought.
"Do you really think so?" Tonks asked.
"Yeah, I do. Harry's alive; I know it. Tonks, I have a job for you." Hermione said quickly.
"Yes ma'am." Tonks said, standing to attention.
"Get Colonel Longbottom, and meet me in the Three Broomsticks at eight o'clock tonight." Hermione commanded.
"Why the Three Broomsticks," Tonks asked confused.
"Ginny owns the place." Hermione answered absentmindedly.
"Excuse me?" Tonks asked.
"Oh, that's right; you didn't know Harry gave her the Three Broomsticks as a birthday present." Hermione explained.
"I'm out of touch." Tonks declared.
"Go; get yourself some proper clothes, clothes befitting a Major in the Department of Dark Magic Enforcement." Hermione commanded.
"Yes ma'am." Tonks answered, and left the office.
Hermione walked over to the plotting board in the middle of her office. It showed the location of every member of the Department. There was even a small dot with the name Major Tonks, located at the point marked Headquarters.
She stared at the board. "Where are you Harry Potter?" She asked the board. The board did not answer.
Hermione arrived at the Three Broomsticks, after a short visit home. Her parents were thrilled to hear that she had not, and was not planning on going on any missions.
The pub was quite empty; the seasonal guests would not be arriving until after school started again in September. Hermione walked up to Madam Rosemerta, and greeted her pleasantly.
"General Granger, it's an honor to see you again." Rosemerta greeted her back.
"I'm going to need your back room, Colonel Longbottom, and Major Tonks will be here shortly." Hermione explained.
"Of course, straight back through that door," Rosemerta directed her.
Hermione went into the back room, and sat down. Ten minutes later, Neville and Tonks entered.
"Hermione, I hear you were in the office today." Neville said, hugging Hermione.
"Yeah, I finally got to come in." Hermione answered.
The newcomers sat down, and Rosemerta brought in three butterbeers. Hermione wasted no time, as soon as Rosemerta left, she began talking.
"Neville, I think Harry's alive." She began.
"Really," Neville asked, sitting up straight.
"Yeah, Tonks asked a question earlier, that made me suspect as much." Hermione explained.
"What did you ask?" Neville asked Tonks.
"I asked what Harry left her and Ron." Tonks answered.
"And," Neville asked, turning to Hermione.
"And, he didn't leave us anything. Do you think Harry's the type of person to name us godparents to his child, and not prepare for the worst?" Hermione asked Neville.
Neville thought for a moment. "No. Actually, he probably named you and Ron beneficiaries before you even agreed to become Cindy's godparents." Neville said.
"Exactly, Gringotts hasn't sent us notices of any inheritance, and in case you didn't know, Gringotts uses a very powerful spell to know when their clients die." Hermione explained further.
"OH, so if they never informed you, than he can't be dead." Neville said, finally understanding.
"Exactly," Hermione exclaimed.
"What do you need us to do?" Tonks asked.
"I want you two to find him." Hermione said calmly.
"Excuse me." Neville said.
"I want you to find him. I'm thinking, knowing Harry like I do, that he prepared for Voldemort before the battle. I think he knew Voldemort would be there." Hermione began.
"Why would you think that?" Neville asked.
"You know Harry, you know what he's capable of, he can apparate in and out of places no one else can, and he wields wandless magic easier than the rest of us wield our wands, he knows elemental magic, and, he's an animagus. He turned around and watched the killing curse hit him right in the chest; he didn't do anything. He just stood there. And then, Cindy, just happened to have a port key that took her and Harry someplace where no one can find them. Think Neville, you know Harry as well as I." Hermione prodded Neville.
"Actually Hermione, I didn't see Cindy with a port key, I was watching her the whole time, she didn't touch anything other than Harry." Neville explained.
"And now that you mention it, she was walking rather casually for someone who watched her father get killed." Hermione agreed.
"Hermione, did you know, Harry could just put his hand up, and stop any curse, and I do mean any." Neville asked quietly.
"Yes I did. He only needed to raise his hand, and Voldemort's curse would have just bounced off. That's why I think he planned all this, but I think something went wrong. I don't think he would have strung us along all this time; he's not cruel. I think he's really hurt, and where would you go if you were really hurt?" She asked Tonks.
"St. Mungo's," Tonks answered without hesitation.
"Exactly, so what I want you two to do is search St. Mungo's; I know he's there. He had probably made some huge donation to win him a private wing, and anonymity. Go there under the guise of protecting Ginny, and take turns searching. Don't let anyone know what you're doing, if anyone suspects he's alive, then all he's worked for will be ruined. Clear?" Hermione asked.
"Clear." They said in unison.
Hermione paid the bill, and the three apparated to St. Mungo's, Hermione had yet to visit Ginny, since she had not been allowed to leave the house. When the three had gotten the room number from the nurse at the front desk, they walked up to Ginny's room.
Ginny had a private suite, owing to the fact that her father was the Minister of Magic. When Hermione, Neville and Tonks entered the room, only Molly and Arthur were there. Molly looked like she hadn't slept in weeks, and Arthur looked too tired to think.
"Hello." Hermione greeted them quietly.
"Hermione dear," Molly said, standing to hug Hermione. "I'm so glad you came." She continued, holding Hermione at arms length as if examining her.
"How's Ginny?" Hermione asked.
Molly's eyes fell. "The same," she said in a wheeze.
"And you?" Hermione asked.
"As well as can be expected, I'd dare say." Molly answered.
"Hermione," Arthur greeted her, hugging her like a daughter.
"And how are you holding up Arthur?" Hermione asked.
"Not well, but trying to keep a handle on everything." Arthur answered honestly.
"What brings you all by tonight?" Arthur asked smiling.
"I wanted to post added security for Ginny. I'm concerned that the Death Eaters may want to harm her to get to you." Hermione lied.
"There are Aurors here Hermione; she's not in any danger." Arthur answered surely.
"There may be Aurors Arthur, but no Dark Aurors. And I've brought two of the highest ranking Dark Aurors in the Department." Hermione said, motioning to Neville and Tonks.
"Tonks, how wonderful to see you again, I see you're moving up in the world, a Dark Auror now, and a Major, most impressive." Arthur said, shaking her hand.
"Thank you Minister." Tonks responded.
"And you? You must be Neville, I've heard so much about you." Arthur said warmly, shaking his hand in turn.
"Yes Minister. Nice to meet you too," Neville said uncomfortably.
Hermione sat next to Ginny, lightly stroking her hair. Ginny seemed like an empty shell, her eyes were open, but unfocused, lost in her own mind.
"Don't worry Ginny, I'll find them." Hermione whispered to Ginny.
After a short visit, Hermione instructed Neville and Tonks to stay behind and keep an eye on Ginny, but they knew their real purpose, and they would start immediately.
Hermione said goodbye to the Weasley's, who thanked her for coming by. She apparated home, and went straight to bed, tomorrow would be another day, and maybe a better one.
The search team consisting of Dumbledore, Weasley and Malfoy had combed all of Great Britain in search of a missing six-year-old witch. It had only been the day before when they had finally found Harry's old house, Cindyland. But unfortunately, it was empty. They decided to spend the night.
"All this time wasted." Ron complained.
"Not wasted Mr. Weasley, just unsuccessful." Dumbledore corrected him.
"I don't know, I agree with Weasley, it was wasted. All this time, searching for this house and it's empty." Malfoy said.
"But we didn't know it would be empty, so it was time well spent." Dumbledore argued.
"Whatever. What are we going to do now?" Ron asked to no one in particular.
"That I do not know Mr. Weasley, Harry had unfortunately become very secretive over this passed year; I doubt any of us truly knew what he was thinking." Dumbledore explained.
"There has to be something in this house to give us a clue." Ron said angrily.
"I have used all the knowledge I have; there are no clues. The only thing I found was remnants of spells some might call, dark." Dumbledore answered.
"Dark," Draco asked.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy, dark. Many witches and wizards believe certain types of magic are dark, I, on the other hand, understand that sometimes these spells are useful in keeping us safe. One such spell Harry used would have placed us in a deep sleep for a month if we were not welcome." Dumbledore explained.
"I've heard of that, it's in one of my father's books." Malfoy declared.
"Yes well, Harry has apparently become very well read." Dumbledore continued.
"But what are we going to do now!" Ron bellowed angrily.
"We, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore started impatiently. "Are going to wait, we need to stop and think this logically. Harry must have found a truly safe place for Cindy, he wouldn't have given her a port key that lead her somewhere dangerous." Dumbledore said.
"But where is it more safe than here, we couldn't even find Harry here when we looked for him, when the whole Ministry was looking for him." Ron argued.
"How about Hogwarts," Draco asked suddenly.
"What's that Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked.
"Hogwarts, has anyone searched Hogwarts? There are a lot of hidden rooms and passageways, anyone could hide there and not be found." Malfoy explained.
"No Mr. Malfoy, I do not believe any of us have thought of that. It is conceivable that she could have simply traveled to some unknown room in the castle, and had Dobby and Winky take care of her. That is a possibility." Dumbledore said.
"Then, let's go to Hogwarts." Ron announced.
"Not yet Mr. Weasley, we require sleep, and this house will do just fine for the night. In the morning we'll apparate to Hogsmeade, and proceed to the castle. But please don't get your hopes up; Hogwarts is a vast castle, with many rooms hidden from prying eyes." Dumbledore cautioned.
"Like the Chamber of Secrets?" Ron said, more than asked.
"It good place to start, unfortunately, none of us speak parseltounge, so it may be a problem. But either way, tonight, we need rest." Dumbledore said.
"Agreed," Malfoy said, looking for a good place to sleep.
"I don't know Professor; I think Harry has outsmarted us all." Ron whispered to Dumbledore.
"You may be right Mr. Weasley, but we have to keep searching." Dumbledore whispered back.
They all lay down on camp beds Dumbledore conjured.
"Happy birthday Harry, where ever you are," Ron said, falling asleep instantly.
Ron awoke the next morning to the sound of two tawny owls hooting in the room. One was by his side, the other by Malfoy's.
"Oy, Malfoy!" Ron yelled.
"What?" Draco answered half asleep.
"Mail," Ron said shortly.
Dumbledore was already awake and cooking breakfast. It still amazed Ron that Dumbledore even knew how to cook.
"Oh, our Hogwart's letters," Ron said, opening his.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall is still on top of things, I see." Dumbledore said pleasantly.
"Um, Professor," Ron asked.
"Yes Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore said, turning towards him.
"There is no book list with this letter." Ron said.
"I didn't get one either." Draco agreed.
"No, I don't suppose either of you would be receiving one." Dumbledore said vaguely.
"Any particular reason, Professor?" Ron asked, trying to hide his annoyance.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley. The other teachers and I agree that those members of the Department for Dark Magic Enforcement have a higher understanding of magic than we can teach, so we've decided to give you all practical classes. No classroom study, just practical exercises." Dumbledore clarified.
"Cool." Ron said smiling.
"And what about our N.E.W.T.'s," Draco asked.
"Practical exercises as well." Dumbledore answered him.
"Really cool." Ron reiterated.
They packed up and left for Hogsmeade. They had a sense of hope, but Dumbledore knew it was a false sense. Cindy would not be in Hogwarts, he knew it for a fact.