Chapter Nine- Franklin
He kept his eyes on her all day. She had recovered from her little faint, but her head still spun slightly when she moved to quickly and let her stress levels take full control of her body. And it didn't help matters with the vampire boy in the room…
He stared at her as she worked.
He stared at her as she left and re-entered the office.
He stared at her across the dining table in the canteen, where she and Draco were the focus of the all the attention, since that Witch Weekly article.
He stared at her when she spoke to anybody, whether it was a subordinate or a superior.
He stared at her.
All this eye-balling business unnerved her and small prickles of fear rang up and down her arms, like the spiders that Ronald was so frightened off. It was almost as bad as finding the Horcruxes with Harry and Ron again. She shivered at the memory.
She excused herself from the slowly heated office near the end of her shift and headed to the canteen to grab herself a glass of water. She damn well needed it. In all fairness she could have just used a charm, but it was more satisfying to walk the cool halls to retrieve the liquid she so craved.
Once in the canteen, she took a large glass and filled it to the brim. She smiled at her calming efect it had on her. The cool water trickled slowly down her throat and she savoured it, almost like the dinners she had loved at Hogwarts...
"Miss Granger!"
Hermione spat out the water that remained in her mouth. It showered the air and fell in droplets all over the floor. Slowly, with a some sense of dread, she turned to face the vampire, Franklin.
"Franklin," she said curtly, nodding her head.
He handed her a small red file and her handbag.
"Drake asked me to give you these. He said he'll meet you at yours later, but first he has business to attend to," he said simply, leaning against the water-cooler, letting his eyes drift along her body.
"Oh, well thank you," she said, sliding her handbag up her arm. "Nice meeting you Franklin". She moved to the side of him and headed for the golden gilt elevators.
As she slipped into the metal cage, she felt eyes upon her, and as she turned her face to spot Franklin attempting to hide himself behind a small group of witches, numerous one's clutching copies of The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly, others carrying briefcases or files.
Averting her gaze, she moved outside when the female voice murmured, "Atrium".
Eyes followed her.
She carried on her way, out of the Ministry, her brown head bent low, her dark cloak surrounding her against the now blowing breeze.
Eyes still followed her.
She turned a corner and on instinct headed into the entryway of Narkoa's, her back to the passing crowds of witches and wizards. Nervously, she pretended to call out to someone inside. She waved and a mimed a conversation, and when she was thoroughly convinced she had rid herself of the ever roaming eyes, she headed further along the street.
Eyes still cntinued to followed her.
Hermione turned her head left and right and reached for her wand. She closed her eyes and made to turn when she felt a thrusting jet of energy strike her chest.
She fell to the ground, unable to move, unable to even open her eyes…
*
Draco kept glancing at his pocket watch. He watched as the planets moved slowly, until he clicked the lid down and stowed it away in his robes pocket.
"Come on Hermione, where are you?" he murmured.
It wasn't like her to be late home, and the front steps were getting absolutely freezing at this time of night!
"Hermione," he whispered into the night.
Out of nowhere a silver jet of light began to dance and swerve and move in the most beautiful pattern. A beautiful silver butterfly swerved in front of him, feelers waving in small circles.
It opened its mouth and said in a whispering voice:
"Just yesterday, your top reporter witnessed the comings and goings of the young and handsome pure-blood Draco Malfoy, 21, of Central London with the plain but ambitious Mudblood Hermione Granger, also 21, of Ottery St. Catchpole. Little did Mr. Malfoy know that he would be shortly suffering an emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss…She has quite exquisite taste your Miss Granger!"
"Rita Skeeter!" fumed Draco and suddenly the plot fell into place.
Franklin hadn't come to reunite the family after all. He had read the article, he was working with that Skeeter bitch! And he was almost certain he knew where Hermione was now!