They went to the front of the hotel, and Hermione did a double take. A rather impressive people carrier was waiting for them, along with the young lady from earlier. 'In we get!' she said brightly. Ron grinned at her.

Hermione pushed Ron into one of the spare seats, next to her and well away from Little Miss Wonderful, and wondered why he wasn't excited about travelling by car, even allowing for the distraction. She also wondered where the carriages were; perhaps they weren't worth sending for just the three of them, and Dumbledore had decided to embrace the Twentieth Century.

The car moved swiftly and smoothly along the road, and Hermione sat thinking about the day ahead. Transfiguration first thing, which she was looking forward to as they were starting on Cross Species Spells. She had already studied the subject in-depth, in theory anyway, and felt confident she could answer any questions thrown at her. Then Charms, and Potions after lunch. The final period was free, so she could get to the library and finish off some homework before dinner. All in all, not bad.

Her mind was pulled back to the present by a rather strange conversation. Harry and Ron were talking about football, of all things. Harry was expressing his confidence that Fulham could "avoid the drop", whilst Ron thought that "Spurs were definitely in Europe next year". Maybe Dean's West Ham poster was finally having an effect.

The car rolled through a set of cast iron gates and approached an old house. Surrounding it were some mobile offices and lorries, and there were quite a few people milling about. Electricity cables were strewn all over the floor.

'Where are we? What are we doing here?' asked Hermione, confused.

Harry shrugged. 'We're using the Library. It's supposed to be perfect for what we're after.'

Hermione nodded. Obviously Dumbledore wanted them to do some important research for him and lessons would have to wait. These people must all be working for The Order. The car rolled to a halt and they got out; Harry and Ron headed for one of the portable rooms and she followed them. They looked at her strangely.

'Where are you going?' asked Ron.

'With you.'

'Der' he said. 'This is "Boys"' he said, pointing to a sign, then pointing to another room '"Girls" is over there. Pervy!'

She blushed. Fancy trying to follow them into the boy's toilets! She headed for the "Girls" room.

Miss Wonderful approached her, consulting a clipboard. 'Right! Great!' she said, showing a mouthful of very white teeth. 'You only need a basic, so it shouldn't take long. So I'll see you in a few minutes. Great!' She walked off, ticking things.

Hermione stood there still confused. "Basic" what? The door opened and a motherly woman poked her head out. 'We're ready for you.' Hermione went inside cautiously. Chairs were placed in front of large mirrors which were surrounded by lights. There were pots and jars and brushes all over the place.

'Sit yourself down, dear' said the motherly woman. 'and I'll get you done. You've done your hair already, I see, that's fine.' She approached Hermione holding what looked like a large sheet.

'What are you doing?'

'Just covering you up so I can do you. We don't want a mess, do we?'

Hermione started; something was wrong and she whipped out her wand. 'Stay away from me! Who are you?'

The woman stopped smiling. 'Look, I don't have a lot of time; it's in both our interests to make this quick.' She held up the make-up wrap and walked towards Hermione.

'Expelliarmus!' The wrap flew out of the woman's hands, and she looked stunned.

'What are you playing at? Sit down and let me do you, I don't have time for this. I've got to deal with the other two as well. If I haven't finished you all off by half past I'm as good as dead. Now…'

Hermione threw a curse at her, which missed. A large jug exploded as it took the hit. The woman screamed and run out, shouting 'I'm getting some help. You're in trouble now, I don't care who you think you are!'

Hermione acted quickly, locking the door. She knew the building wouldn't hold up for long, but it would give her a few seconds. They must have walked into a nest of Death Eaters; perhaps the plan had been leaked. She had to get to Harry and Ron. She spotted the window and headed for it.

-o0o-

The smile had finally fallen from Miss Wonderful's face. 'Errm…hello? Miss Watson? Emma? Can I come in, please?' There was no reply and the door was locked. She looked in through the window and saw the room was empty. Even worse, David Yates was walking towards her.

'We're ready to go, Alyssia. All set?'

'Teensey weensey little problem-ette, Mr Yates. Miss Watson appears, and I do emphasis "appears", to have…well, run off.' She looked tense, and added in a whisper 'After attacking the make-up artist.'

'WHAT? What do you mean? Where's she gone?'

'We…umm…don't know, as such.'

'"Never work with children and animals". They all told me. Find her! Where are Dan and Rupert?'

What a start! This place cost a fortune a day to hire, and they couldn't afford any slips to the schedule. He didn't need one of his key players to get all moody on him. He groaned; she was still seventeen, so they'd have to tell the Welfare Officer. Then he groaned again and put his head in his hands. Jo Rowling was making a visit to the set; she'd be here at half past. Emigration suddenly sounded attractive.

Dan and Rupert walked over to him. 'We set, then?'

'No, we're not. Your little friend has done a runner.' They goggled at him. 'Was she alright on the way in?' They shrugged. 'Look, do me a favour, will you, have a scout round?'

Dan struck a dramatic pose. 'Perhaps she's been kidnapped by Death Eaters. This is a case for…dum dum duuummm…HARRY POTTER! Fetch me my broomstick!' The boys laughed.

'Just go!'

-o0o-

Hermione crouched behind a pile of boxes, trying to think. She could apparate to Hogwarts, but by the time she found Dumbledore and they got back here it might be too late. That woman had said "by half past"; maybe that was when the main attack was coming in. She had to try and get to Harry and Ron, and then they could warn the others.

She crept from cover to cover, always checking ahead. Suddenly she saw the two of the walking towards her, chatting away. They obviously didn't know anything.

'Harry! Ron!' she hissed as loud as she dared. They heard her and looked round. 'Over here, behind the crates. Get here, quickly!' They came over to her, cautiously. 'Quick! Get under cover.' She dragged them in beside her.

'What's up, Em?' asked Rupert.

'I was attacked by a Death Eater, but I managed to get away. She said others were going to be here at half past. What do we do?'

The boys looked at each other, slightly frightened. Something was obviously wrong with Emma, but they didn't know how to handle it.

'Come with us' said Dan.

'Where are we going?'

'To see the head man.'

'Is he safe? Can we trust him? How do you know he isn't a Death Eater too?'

Dan looked at Rupert; he was definitely scared now. Emma seemed to have had some kind of breakdown. He wasn't sure if he should be humouring her; but what else could he do? 'He's safe. Dumbledore sent him to look after us.'

'Let's go then; we haven't got much time.'

-o0o-

David Yates listened to "Hermione's" story with an increasing sense of alarm. Obviously she'd been working too hard, and something had pushed her over the edge. He indicated the door with his head to Dan and Rupert.

'We're just going to warn the others. You stay in here.' He wasn't sure that was the right thing to do either. Outside he turned to them. 'Obviously we won't be working today. I'll have to get a doctor in here.'

'What's wrong with her?' asked Rupert. They'd been friends now for years, and he was concerned for her.

'I don't know, but I have to get her checked out.' Just then he saw a large car sweeping up to them. Damn!

Joanne Rowling loved visiting her creation on location, and catching up with the youngsters she had helped to turn into International stars. They were fantastic kids, and she felt very protective towards them.

'David! Dan! Rupert! How are you all? Where's Emma?'

'Jo, hello. We have a problem.' David quickly explained what had happened. Jo Rowling looked on in horror. 'You get on well with her, would you mind having a chat, to see if you can get through to her?'

'Of course not. Oh, the poor girl.' They all went back inside.

'Hello!' said Jo, smiling warmly.

'Hello', said Hermione, cautiously. 'Are we ready to face them?'

Jo was shocked, but tried to hide it. 'I don't think we've been introduced' she said carefully.

'I'm Hermione Granger, and you?'

'Joanne Rowling. A few people call me JK.'

'JK? Has Dumbledore sent you here?' There was silence in the room.

'Hermione, obviously I need to check who you are.' Hermione nodded, it was the usual precaution these days. 'What's your date of birth?'

'The 19th of September, 1979'

'What's your wand made of?'

'Vine wood and dragon heartstring.'

'Ok, what's your home address?'

'Why? Do you think you'll have to get my parents out?'

'Better to be safe than sorry.'

'14 Gonville Close, Chilworth. But they'll be in their surgery by now. They're both mubblul dentists, you know.'

'Where's that?'

'The Grange Surgery, 126 Parkview Road, Guildford.'

'If you'll excuse us a moment?'

Jo and David went outside with Dan and Rupert. 'It's bad, isn't it? She answered all my questions.'

'Of course she did' said David. 'She's been living and breathing this role since she was eleven.'

'David, she answered questions she shouldn't have done. I've never put any of her home details in any of the books. The trouble is she's right. I've got full biographies of everybody. She does live in Chilworth; it's a small place not far from Guildford, where her parents have their surgery – at that address. Those biographies are under lock and key. Nobody sees them; the press would kill to get hold of them.'

Rupert laughed a little strangely. 'Are you saying that's actually Hermione Granger in there? Are we on "Game for a laugh" or something?'

'I don't know what I'm saying.'

'Look, no-one's asked her the obvious question, have they? Come on, and leave the talking to me.'

They all went back inside.

'Hermione' said Rupert, 'they're still having trouble proving it's you.' His eyes swept around the room, and he spotted a teapot. 'Can you turn that into a tortoise for them?'

She glared at him. 'Oh, thank you, Ronald. Just show me up in front of these people, why don't you? You know I've never mastered that one properly.'

'Just do it, eh?'

Hermione waved her wand and said 'Transfiguro testudo'. Sure enough, it did look just slightly more like a turtle. 'Happy now?'

There was a thud as David Yates fainted and fell to the floor.

'Hermione' said Rupert, 'we need to talk.'