I deserve all the hate. I'm terrible, I know. I'v been mentally kicking mysyelf to get on with this chapterfor weeks now... since April. Months then. But I swear to you, I will try my best not to get that huge a gap come into it again. By the way, I start college this year, so no promises, but I will try my bestestestest. I solemnly swear. To all who reviewed and followed, I cannot even begin to say how thankful I am, especially James Birdsong, DianneBaquiran and Comic Con. Especially the last one, for giving me a virtual kicking. Thanks mate. I deserved and really needed it.

Anyway, this was actually a really very long chapter but I hadn't got the last part very well so I divided it. Will update soon now, promise. Please enjoy, and try to forgive me.

Chapter 9:

It was lunchtime at work. John had never had the need to speak to Mycroft himself. It was always the older brother who contacted him and then proceeded to… well, kidnap was the only word to describe it. Now, he wanted to talk to him, and he supposed there was no other option than to call Mycroft on his cell. He didn't know if he would even pick up. He was unaware of the brother's schedule so he had no idea if it was the right time to call. Well, there was only one way to find out.

It was five rings later than Mycroft picked up. "John, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Straight to business as usual. He shouldn't have been expecting a 'How are you?' That would've been just unusual.

"Ah, hello Mycroft. I was, ah… wondering, if we could meet? I have something to talk to you about. It's important."

It would be best not to mention anything now. If he heard Hermione's name, Mycroft would obviously just say no, repeating what he had said yesterday. But John had to talk to him about the girl, before Sherlock did, and it was best to do so face to face.

There was silence for about ten seconds, before Mycroft replied, "The car will be outside your office at 4." And the line was cut.

Of course Mycroft knew the time he got off. Well, at least he got the appointment, sort of.

He was lead to the room rather painlessly this time. He was sure it was because Mycroft was a bit curious.

"Good evening, John. Have a seat." He said, as they entered his office. He was already there, in his seat, reading over a file.

"'Evening, Mycroft. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Oh, not at all. Do tell what it is this matter of importance that brings you to my office."

"Ah, it's about Hermione, you see." He said, shifting a bit, and Mycroft looked a bit surprised, but recovered quickly.

"What about Miss Granger?"

John adjusted himself again. God, the chair was uncomfortable. "Well, I think there's something wrong with her."

Mycroft raised an eyebrow.

"I mean I know there's nothing wrong with her, it's just… I don't know. I can't pinpoint it, but there's something off about her. It's like, there's nothing wrong with her, there's something wrong about her."

Mycroft observed him for a moment, before sighing loudly. "John, I say this with the utmost respect for my brother's abilities, but it has to be made very clear that Hermione Granger is not a force to be reckoned with."

"I made it very much clear, yesterday, that you should try to stay out of her way as much as possible."

"I understand that, Mycroft, I really do, but I hope you understand your brother." John said quickly, he had to get as much out of Mycroft as he could. "He's not going to ignore her over his cases for much long, and once he gets on it, I'm sure you know how long it will be before he uncovers everything. Or how short."

"Well, then it's a good thing that his cases are occupying him nicely."

John couldn't help raising his eyebrows a bit, as he realized that Mycroft could actually have something to do with the cases. "You can't keep him occupied forever. You know he will pick up on it as soon as he gets a sniff of anything unusual."

Mycroft rubbed his chin slightly, and John was reminded of his tooth doctor. How was it that Mycroft knew Hermione so well, and still referred to her as Miss Granger? Still mentioned her as dangerous, even when she hugged him?

"You are right, of course, John. I will try my best to occupy him for as much time as possible. I do not see how that has anything to do with your visit."

John contemplated for a moment. "As much as you say that she's dangerous, I like her. Yes, there's something seemingly wrong with her, but I don't want this to blow up in our faces. Which according to you, will happen if Sherlock sets one foot wrong."

"It is important that you understand this, John. I don't say she's dangerous. I am saying that she is a highly dangerous woman."

"Yet, she knows your dentist."

Mycroft almost grimaced at that. John hid a smile, but continued. "Why, though? I don't understand. Why is she such a highly dangerous woman?"

Mycroft seemed like he would like to kick John out of his office, a hand had begun moving towards his head, and he leaned backwards on his chair, and looked up, then back at him.

"It is not that difficult to understand, John. She holds an office very much higher than me in the British Government. She is a kind woman, yes, her personality is very charming given her position, but both of those facts are not as dangerous as the talents she possesses. Make this very clear John, that if any difficulty arises regarding her, it will not be in my hands to do anything. No matter how big or small the matter is, you must not expect any help from my side."

John looked at the man before him in silence for a few moments. Mycroft observed his ceiling. After some time, he said, "You know it will be dangerous for your brother if he starts, yet all you do to avoid that situation is provide him false cases. An excuse, which we know he will see through very soon."

"What would you have me do?" Mycroft replied quickly, with a sideway glance at John. It took him some time to reply to that.

"Let me help. No listen. Tell me more about her, and those friends she keeps mentioning. I'v seen three of them. There was Lavender, I think, her Secretary, then Theo, the one who helped her move in and Draco Malfoy. They seemed pretty close. What's the deal with them?"

Mycroft's eyebrows were raised and he looked actually surprised with that. "I do not think that an alliance with them will be of any help…" he said, but John could detect the unconvincing tone in his voice.

"Who are they anyway? As important and dangerous as Hermione?"

"Yes. Very. Draco Malfoy owns a chain of wiz- a chain of restaurants, you could say, a very important chain. He is quite rich and influential, even in the Government, though less than Miss Granger. I never had the fortune to meet him. Lavender Brown is Hermione Granger's personal secretary, but they are very close, otherwise. Theo, or Theodore Nott, is a shady man. He gets up to business that is better left out of this conversation, but yes, he is also, quite dangerous. All three are very old, childhood friends; it is because they apparently went to the same school. There are a few others that are known to be very close. In fact, they are a close knit group of people, and are known to keep to themselves, even in their own community."

Own community. This conversation was making him more confused than before. But it was helping in making one aspect very clear to him. No matter what Mycroft said about Hermione being a dangerous woman, there was one small fact he seemed to be ignoring.

"Mycroft, you do realize that if these people are as dangerous as you say they are, there is more benefit in getting in their good graces than avoiding them?"

Mycroft didn't even seem to consider it. He laughed outright at him, and John muttered to himself, "It was worth a try."

"You do realize that we're talking about Sherlock here? Get into their good graces, yes, very likely to happen John."

"Well, I think they get along rather well."

Mycroft cocked an eyebrow at him, silently telling him to explain. "Well, Sherlock isn't as insulting to her as he is to others, he just seems… well, normal, to be honest. Also, Hermione is also quite different to normal people, so she doesn't really get insulted soon, if you know what I mean."

Mycroft seemed to contemplate it for a minute, and John added, "He even tried to make her coffee once."

Mycroft nodded, "It is not a bad idea to be considered."

"I will, of course, help all along. I'm way better at making friends than your brother."

Mycroft cracked a smile at that. "Yes, it could work quite well. Plus, I think it does help that Hermione has a soft spot for Sherlock ever since she saw that pirate photo of his."

John raised his eyebrows at Mycroft's almost evil smile. Just then, his cell phone vibrated, and he widened his eyes at the name flashing on the screen.

"Say the name of the devil." He said, and swiping his finger across the screen, raised his phone to his ear with a meaningful grimace at John.

"Good evening, Miss Granger."

Please review and tell me I have not lost my touch. I'm officially nervous.

PS: New story, TVD crossover 'As I Lay Dying'. If you guys are too curious to know who exactly is in the HP gang in this story, the first few (I think three) chapters of that story have a very good view of the mechanics of that group. You should check them out for answers on who exactly is in Hermione's group here too. Just wanted to inform, all your wish though.