AN: SOOOOO it hasn't been a month this time:) I bring you a new chapter pretty quickly compared to what I have done in the past. BE PROUD OF ME.
As per usual, thank you so much 666-HyuugaNeji-999 for being my wonderful beta! And I want to thank anyone and everyone who read, commented, Favorited, and followed this story! It is thanks to your encouragement that I churned this chapter out so fast. As always, if there is something you want to see in the story then PM me, I am always open to suggestion. Okay, on to the story!
WAIT: If you still haven't read In Loving Memory by my beta, THEN YOU ARE MISSING OUT!
Okay, continue.
Everything was dark and muffled. It was like I was trying to see and hear underwater. I could hear people talking, but I couldn't move and I really didn't want to. I was so sleepy.
"Hermione…" That sounded like Harry.
I wanted to sleep. My body felt like it was floating and it was so nice because I didn't have to worry and I wasn't in any pain.
"Hermione…" I can hear Ginny.
Hermione. That's my name. Why were people calling me? I could hear them, but I couldn't answer.
"Hermione, love?"
It was multiple people calling my name! That was Narcissa. Why can't I answer? I was getting scared now because I couldn't move no matter how hard I was trying.
"Look, her hand twitched and her face is scrunched like when she is really concentrating. She must be able to hear us."
That voice sounded like Luna. I needed to move and see!
"Granger, it's been three days. Open your eyes already…. Please?"
Draco. That was Draco! He's here. Wait, three days? What's been three days? I started really thinking on the last thing I remembered.
Sharp teeth, murderous eyes, fear, and fire. The Wendigo cave. That's right, I was captured and about to be eaten. Then Harry and Draco came to save me. I needed to thank them, but how?
"Open your eyes, Granger."
Of course, Draco would make it so simple. With those words, I opened my eyes.
The first things I saw were a lot of blurs of color and bright lights. I winced from the pain of it. Also, my throat was really dry; I was seriously dehydrated.
"Wa…te…r..." Goodness, my voice cracked, but I had to express my need for something, anything to drink.
"Here, drink this. Drink it slowly though." Luna instructed. I accepted the glass she put to my mouth and I slowly sipped at it until my throat felt better. I felt the relief almost instantly and it felt good to be able to swallow smoothly.
"Thanks, Luna. I really needed that."
I looked around at all the people in the room and I felt a sense of belonging. These people really cared about me. I smiled really wide. Harry, Luna, Ginny, Blaise, Narcissa, Lyra, Andra, and even Draco. Knowing that Draco cared made me inexplicably happy.
"Do you remember what happened?" Harry asked from his spot to the left of me.
"Unfortunately."
"Do you remember being naked?" Blaise asked lecherously while Ginny face-palmed.
I blushed really hard because now that he said something, I did remember being naked. I was naked in front of Harry and more importantly, I was naked in front of Draco.
"Harry, please lie to me and say you saw nothing. Malfoy, if you feel pity for me at all, then please don't make a comment. I am not sure my dignity could withstand it," I begged because knowing Draco, I really did not want to hear what he would say.
Draco smirked, but said nothing and I sighed in relief. Harry, however, just laughed. He laughed so hard that he had fallen out of his chair and was rolling on the floor. The man had actual tears streaming down his face and I was partly annoyed and partly worried at how he was breathing.
"Harry Potter, why on earth are you laughing? Is my fragile dignity and nudity amusing to you?" I asked indignantly once had calmed down from his…fit.
"Not particularly, no. What was funny to me was that you cared more about your dignity and nudity over the fact that you almost died. You were almost eaten by Wendigos, your guide betrayed you, and you melted the face of that mountain. You melted it with fiendfyre, Hermione. Nothing living will ever go there again and the snow will melt as soon as it lands because that part of the earth will never cool. Normal land items are not self-repairing like the Room of Requirement. However, instead of worrying about any of that, you were worried about me and Malfoy seeing you naked. Hermione, we shared a tent for months and we have lived at the Burrow together for a fair few summers. I have seen you naked before. Has that thought never crossed your mind?" Harry explained. It was lengthy and I wasn't expecting to be told facts so bluntly, especially by Harry. I had destroyed a piece of land. What Harry said was true, nothing would ever go to that side again. At least the Wendigos were gone and I can safely classify them under "Extremely Dangerous". I also didn't expect him to be so patronizing because that was my job.
"Uhh, well I suppose that would be slightly humorous. Ronald has always said that my priorities are not well sorted. This probably serves as a testament to that," I replied somewhat sheepishly.
"An understatement…" Draco mumbled to the side, but I still heard it. I was going to be an adult and not comment back.
"It is because of the Silver Korkties swirling in her hair. They cause someone to forget what is most important at certain moments and they cause split ends. I would get rid of them soon Hermione, your hair is too pretty to be damaged," Luna informed me calmly while she handed me the water glass again. It seemed like I did not have a choice in whether or not I was going to take another sip. It did feel good though.
I looked up at Luna's serene face and smiled. "I will get right on that, I promise."
The entire room tried to hide their snickers, but I took joy in the beaming smile Luna sent my way.
I was released from the hospital four days later while my magical core tried to replenish itself after how badly I drained it controlling the fiendfyre. If Draco and Harry hadn't come to get me, then I could have died from magical exhaustion. I had pushed my entire body to the breaking point and was so close to having an all body organ failure. Needless to say I owe Harry my life, yet again, and to Draco too, yet again. I really hate being the "damsel in distress". I had promised myself that after the "Troll in the Bathroom" incident I would never be so scared and helpless again. I sighed out loud from the pathetic turn my thoughts had taken.
"Hermione Granger, the Minister will see you now," a young woman stated from her desk. She was Minister Shacklebolt's secretary and I was here to make a few matters known. It was about time though, I had been waiting for forty-five minutes with an appointment that I was ten minutes early for. Sometimes, I really hated being punctual all the time. I spent a lot of it twiddling my thumbs because the other person was never as time conscious as me. Wasted time, that is what it is.
I stood and walked to the door to his office, gave a polite knock and heard his answering "Enter". Damn right you say enter, Kingsley.
"Ah, Hermione, how lovely it is to see you again. How are you feeling? I heard your latest assignment sent you right back to St. Mungo's. I do believe you have picked up Harry's habit of throwing himself headfirst into danger," Kingsley said while motioning me to sit down on one of the cushy chairs in front of his desk. I sat down and frowned at him.
"We had an appointment at ten, Minister. It is now fifteen minutes until eleven. That is forty-five minutes I could have spent doing something productive." I was annoyed and he was going to damn well know it. I'd had a trying week to say the least already.
He at least had the decency to look mildly ashamed, "Well, I won't deny saying that was called for. However, it's unseemly to chastise your Minister like that, young lady."
"Maybe so, but never mind that. I came to talk to you about a few matters of importance. Will you be so kind as to keep an open mind?" I asked getting straight to the point.
"I can't promise to help, but I can at least promise that."
"That is all I ask. As I am sure you are aware my last assignment dealt with a cave full of Wendigos. How much about that do you know?"
"I know that you were taken by surprise and captured. I know that Harry and Mr. Malfoy most likely saved your life."
I sighed because here came the suspicious part. "That did all happen, but it was because I was betrayed. My 'Mountain Guide' that came so highly recommended by my department Head betrayed me. He knew I was a wizard and not just a tourist and led me straight to them. When I questioned him as to how he knew he could pull it off, he said that my 'superior' suspected his plans and then encouraged in subtle ways. I am aware that he was trying to kill me and would have no reason to tell the truth, but he also had no reason to lie. I would like a formal inquiry to be made about the attempt on my life." I sat back and let him take that all in. For a few moments his face remained impassive as he tried to be impartial about my backhanded accusation.
"Alright, I will have the DMLE launch an investigation. Everyone involved will be questioned. That is a serious…suspicion. Are you absolutely positive?"
"Yes. Something went very wrong and I almost died. I would like to know why and who. That wasn't all though. I wanted to touch base on Narcissa Malfoy's attempted murderer's case. How far along is that?"
Kingsley leaned back in his chair and slightly frowned at me. "I would like to know what went wrong as well. As for Narcissa Malfoy, there are too few Aurors that have a high enough experience level to take her case. I'm just waiting for your temporary transfer papers along with Draco Malfoy's papers to finish processing before we can get anywhere. As it stands right now, I can't tell you anything because it is classified and your security clearance isn't high enough." I started to say something but he quickly cut me off, "I promise, Hermione, that I will contact you as soon as those papers go through so that you may be properly briefed. It is lunch time now. Would you care to join me as we discuss lighter topics?"
"Of course, Kingsley. I am not happy, but I think lighter topics would be a good change of pace for now," I replied with a genuine smile on my face. This man was always good at calming my nerves.
A week later
The Daily Prophet
Head Arrested for Attempted Murder!
It appears my dear readers that the Head of the Department of Regulation and Care of Magical Creatures was arrested early yesterday morning as evidence came to light that Frederick Morris had attempted to have everyone's Golden Girl, Hermione Granger, killed! It is no news that she has been in the hospital twice in two months (Checked - the time looks ok to me!). Everyone has been stumped as to why and this reporter recently uncovered the truth. Ms. Granger likes DANGER! She was put in the hospital for saving none other than Narcissa Malfoy! Apparently, the two are close friends and wish to remain silent on this matter. However, this most recent trip was caused by a set up for Hermione to be eaten by Wendigos! If you do not know what those creatures are, then Hermione suggests "Dangerous and Deadly; A Guide for the Wandering Wizard". This reporter admits having to look them up herself and they are terrifying! It's a miracle Ms. Granger made it out alive and everyone here at The Daily Prophet are very glad that this man who sent her there without proper back up AND a plot to kill her will be facing a trial in two weeks, and if found guilty is looking at twenty-five to life in Azkaban Prison. Beyond what she has already said to me, Ms. Granger would not like to disclose all details just yet until there is evidence more concrete and substantial. Of course this reporter will respect that.
As ever when I know more then so will you, my dear readers!
Parvati Patil
Reporter
He smiled. It seems like it wasn't just him who had trouble killing this mudblood. However, he knew her luck couldn't hold out forever. Her luck would run out and he would make sure to be there when it does, but for now he had things to do and a witch to scare. Narcissa Malfoy still wasn't dead. How to fix that, I wonder?
