Disclaimer: All Harry Potter related characters, places and themes belong to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury and Scholastic.
A Simple Course of Action
Chapter 3: Lord Ryuu's Revelations
Feelings of dread overwhelmed Hermione, Harry, Ron and Draco as they entered Azkaban. Although the ministry had attempted to make some radical changes in the kinder, gentler, post-war Azkaban, one could not help but feel the echos of dementors. Although they had fled this remote location, their presence remained. It was an eerie,gloomy feeling. Hermione and Harry looked at each other in anguish both thinking about what Sirius had endured in the many years he had suffered in Azkaban.
The team had decided that Draco would be the one to handle everything while inside the castle. It just made sense. Artemisia would be confronting her would be assailant. He hadn't had a trial yet. It wouldn't be too far fetched.
"Miss Artemisia Yaxley to see Lord Ryuu," Draco announced to the auror sitting at the receiving desk.
"One moment," the young man walked away and took care of something and then met them in the foyer.
"Right this way," he said then ushered them into a antechamber where people were taken for interrogation.
Hermione followed the auror, safely protected by Harry in front of her, Ron in back and Draco at her side.
It was a sterile room with an old oak table and 4 solid chairs right in the middle of the floor. All the magic had been neutralized in this room for protection of not only the visitor but the inmate.
As they waited for Lord Ryuu to be summoned, Hermione paced the floor. All the while getting more and more nervous. Yes Draco's plan was simple, but she honestly didn't know if she could pull it off. I mean she didn't exactly do "Siren" or "Vixen". It just wasn't in her vocabulary.
The door squeaked as it opened, "Lord Ryuu to see Miss Yaxley".
Lord Ryuu entered the room. An old withered soul. The years had gnarled his body and carved deep lines into his face. This was certainly NOT the Lord Ryuu that had swept Hermione off her feet.
"Miss Yaxley. What an unexpected pleasure." In truth, Lord Ryuu had been expecting this day. He was enchanted by her strong will and her spirit at her ball. He knew if anyone would be the one to break the spell, she would figure it out. Or at least try.
"Lord Ryuu," Hermione curtsied.
"Please, where are my manners. won't you please sit down. Mr. Malfoy - a surprise to see you here. You must send my regards to your father."
"My father?" Draco took his place behind Hermione, placing one hand on her chair. Harry and Ron took their place by the door. They seemed to puff up a little more, to make themselves a bit more intimidating.
"Miss Yaxley. I am surprised to see you. I had rather thought you would be married by now."
"Well, actually that is why I am here."
"Indeed?"
"That is to say I've decided not to get married. At least not right now."
"Are you sure this is a price you can afford to pay, child?"
"Well, I don't have a choice. I cannot stand the idea of misleading someone to marry me under false pretenses."
"Surely there are people who know?" Ryuu looked at Draco when he asked this question.
"I already asked her. She won't have me," Draco replied.
"Ah yes, the "friend" problem. I'm sure your father can relate to that. She really is just like her mother..." Ryuu mused.
"But that's just it isn't it? If I marry someone who knows, I will never know if they love me or are marrying me for other reasons. I am afraid my only hope is to break the curse."
Somehow the plan was not working. Ryuu was playing with them. Making them reveal more than they wanted to. Finally Hermione decided to change the plan.
"Lord Ryuu? Do you know how to break my curse?"
Draco gripped the back of her chair. Harry and Ron held their breath, she was deviating from the plan. After what seemed like hours, but was only a matter of a moment, Lord Ryuu broke the silence with a thunderous guffaw.
"Finally! It's about time. Such honesty! It has been a long time since I have been treated to such a bold question. I admire that Miss Yaxley. It's refreshing. I imagine the original plan was yours Mr. Malfoy? Yes, it has Slytherin written all over it. Make the old man break with the young maidens whining. Mr. Malfoy, you would be wise to keep an eye on this girl. You might actually be able to learn something from her. What is you want to know? Of course, How to break the curse? Well, I will tell you what. Having been a keeper of dragons for centuries, I have learned to hold riddles as well as opportunities. Indeed I have something that may help you on your journey, but I want to strike a bargain."
Hermione sighed, why does everyone always have a bargain to make? "I'm listening."
"I wish to return to Naikū, to the shrine of the sun goddess Amaterasu. I need to return to guide the Imperial family. Every 20 years the shrine is destroyed and then rebuilt, I have been a part of this re-creation in honor of the goddess for eons. If I tell you what I know will you do what is in your power to release me from this confinement."
"Let me see if I get this straight. You will tell me what you know about breaking my curse in exchange for allowing you to return to Japan." That sounds reasonable.
Draco could not believe what he was hearing. She was making a deal with him. He tried to get her attention, but she waved him away.
"You give me whatever information or artifacts you have that will aid in breaking my curse, and I will stand up for you to the ministry so that you may return to your temple PROVIDED you never leave Japan, harm me or my friends or family, or stand in my presence again," That should cover every contingency...
"Done," Lord Ryuu smirked. Just because he couldn't leave Japan, harm her or her friends or family, or be in her presence... didn't mean he couldn't play a little game with Miss Yaxley. He wasn't lying when he said he liked her honesty, but old habits die hard. He was a player. A game was a game after all.
Hermione cleared her throat and brought out the piece of parchment that Draco had shown the boys, "What do you make of this? I am sure that you have had time to research it."
Till the four winds meet, the knot remains
betwixt rope and wand
A pain forgiven
With hearts unbroken
Till then cursed be
"Ah yes, the four winds meet. I can see where you would have found this to be difficult. You will have to unit 4 sources of magic, 4 wands, staffs or swords. Four winds are the north, south, east and west. The pain that is forgiven relates to your family line my dear. You will have to heal your fore-bearer's broken heart."
She was afraid of this. How was she supposed to heal her forebearer's pain? "Do you have any other clues?"
"You better get a quill my dear. This is the only other clue I have to offer."
Hermione immediately took out a quill and the parchment and started to write as Ryuu dictated.
A remedy to seek
Four elements unite
Water, Earth, Fire, Air
Four corners convene
North, South, East, West
When the Sun has been aligned
Between Heaven & Earth
Eternity you will find
"It's really rather simple child. You will need to find 4 sources of magic of 4 elements from the 4 corners of the world. Since the Sun has to be aligned between Heaven and Earth I would suggest you procure various artifacts belonging to sun gods throughout the world. Find these and unite them before the summer solstice, and you will find the answer you seek.
"The summer solstice! That's in three weeks!"
"Well then, you had best be going hadn't you?"
"Yes, I suppose you are right." Hermione stood up to leave. "Thank you so much Lord Ryuu. Are you sure there is no thing or other information that will help me on this quest?"
He smiled. She was bright. He had been caught withholding information. "I humbly offer you the first of your four elements, the sword Kusanagi, representing the east. When you have finished your quest, return it to the shrine."
"Thank you, Lord Ryuu," Hermione smiled. There was so much to do. So much research, she couldn't wait to get out of that room and back into a library somewhere so they could figure out where they were going. She sat back down when she realized how little time they had to accomplish the task that laid before them.
Lord Ryuu looked solemnly at Draco and said, "Take care of her."
Draco nodded, "I have every intention of doing so."
She was going to need it.
A/N: Since it is my little boy's birthday weekend, and I am updating BEFORE Sunday.
Thanks to all those that reviewed so far: malfoholic18, Jackie Pappillion, Heartless ArchAngel1895, KyleInOrange, X.x.Tare.x.X, Back to Life, Tom Felton Is Hot,
JEFF HARDY FAN31, KaraSays, taxibby, Isadora120, xxxxcrazychickxxxx, Kat.1600, jessirose85, evilsweetie, DracolikesototallyROCKS, kleipoppetje, lya darkfury, RedMarigold,
So what do you think so far? Please let me know. I'm addicted to reviews. I need it. I love it. I want some more of it. Just don't be too mean...
Special thanks to my beta girls xxxxCrazyChickxxxx and JessicaKayCobb's. You girls rock! Check out their newest stories:
Deal With It: Hermione's boyfriend, Viktor Krum, is murdered by Death Eaters the summer before her 5th year. How will she cope with his death? ... What's more, someone witnessed his murder. Will he help her or hurt her with what he saw? DM/HG 5th year AU
Bitter Sweet Love: Marriage Law Fic: The War is over! The Golden Trio all return for their seventh year, but there's a surprise in store! They have to get married before the year ends!! Will Hermione and Draco end up killing each other as they are forced into an unwanted marriage?
In the manner of my favorite authors...
Chapter 4 Preview
"Hermione?" Harry said gently. "Are you okay?"
"We know what you went through here. What we all went through," Ron added. "If you would rather leave..."
Hermione slammed her hands on the table she was sitting at and stood up. "Would you boys stop it! Stop smothering me. I have to deal with this right now, I don't have time to be mollycoddled by either one of you. Yes, we all went through horrible things. Terrible things. All of us. Why continue asking me if I am okay? Ron are you okay? Harry? What about you? How are you feeling? Maybe we should ask Draco how he is doing? What about Lucius? Maybe you should go up to Lucius and say, 'Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy... How are you? Are you okay?'"
"I am fine. Thanks for your concern," said the elder Malfoy highly amused by her rant. Lucius and Draco had entered the room at the end of her tirade. Both father and son wore their trademark smirk.