Hermione did as she promised and went straight to Harry with the new information. They sat up talking until dawn.
"Draco's anxious about getting the timing right. I told him we can't act on the information we have yet as it isn't enough but he's worried if we leave it too long. If he's right about this new spell we can't wait until when they are actually using it!" Hermione said.
"The spell is monumental," Harry said. He looked a wreck, his hair in total disarray and he was unshaven but they had long ago stopped worrying about how they looked in front of one another. "Malfoy's right - the timing of this has to be just right. I could do with daily updates if you can manage it? That way we can act at just the right moment."
Hermione nodded. "I have to wait for him to contact me but I don't suppose he'll leave it too long and then I can tell him we need to meet daily."
"Sorry," Harry said.
Hermione frowned. "Why are you sorry?"
"For asking you to meet Malfoy daily. I'm sure it's the last thing you want," Harry said. "How has it been between you?" Harry leant forward. "He's doing a bloody good job, Hermione."
Hermione pulled a face. "I know! Stop nagging me, Potter. I've been nice to him - sort of..."
"Sort of?"
"Well he irritates me and we keep arguing but we're working together well," Hermione explained. "I am worried about him though - it's getting riskier."
"You're worried about Draco Malfoy?" Harry's voice held amusement and astonishment.
"You know what I mean!"
"I'm not sure I do," Harry laughed. "The Malfoy charm we've always heard about hasn't worked on you has it?"
"No!"
Harry put his head to one side assessing her. He raised his eyebrows questioningly. "So, I won't see you in a gossipy magazine hanging off this arm when all this is over?"
"No, Harry. It's strictly business," Hermione gave him a glare, hoping to shut him up.
"In your mind maybe but take it from me there is no way on this earth that Malfoy hasn't noticed you. I mean you're so different from at school he must have noticed...what's funny?"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "What's funny is that just a few hours ago, he said the exact same thing to me about you!"
Harry shook his head, grinning. "Did he?"
"Yes - he doesn't believe we're just friends," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Just because he isn't mature enough to have an adult friendship with a woman."
"Now that sounds more like it!" Harry said. "Much more the comments I expect from Hermione Granger when she is talking about Draco Malfoy!"
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione slept badly, her mind not switching off. She had never been good at sleeping in the day so by mid-afternoon she was up again. She had a constant, nagging, worried feeling about Draco because any moment now they could find out about him and he would be in danger. He was having to take more risks now to get the information and it made her feel uneasy. Despite her denials to Harry, she couldn't deny that she was worrying about Draco Malfoy and how strange a feeling that was. This task she had been given had thrown them into some weird relationship – not quite friends and yet not just colleagues.
So when his next note was on her desk the next morning practically tore it open.
Dear SB,
Missing you already!
I must see you soon but before you come I have to ask if you've told your boy friend about us yet?
My feelings are serious about you and I think it's time that you told him everything. You should do this before we meet again.
I enjoyed our night under the stars so let's do it again but this time I want us to be closer to them.
So read my mind and fly into my arms but not before you've lived up to the second part of your nickname and checked out the best way to get there.
It's not the words that matter but who wrote them.
I can't wait for moor - tonight 10pm . Remember; some things have to be seen to be believed.
WMEB
Hermione read the note and sighed. This was the most confusing one yet! She took it line by line but nothing jumped out at her.
Missing you already!
That meant Draco needed to see her soon. At least that part was easy.
Must see you soon but before you come I have to ask if you've told your boy friend about us yet?
My feelings are serious about you and I think it's time that you told him everything. You should do this before we meet again.
These lines were telling her things were getting serious. It took her a few moments to realise that Draco wasn't asking her to remember the name of an old partner because he had written it as two separate words - boy and friend. In light of their recent conversation this could only be Harry. He was asking her to tell Harry everything. Well, she'd already done that.
I enjoyed our night under the stars so let's do it again but this time I want us to be closer to them.
So read my mind and fly into my arms but not before you've lived up to the second part of your nickname and checked out the best way to get there.
Hermione took the words, one by one, her quick mind working their true meaning out. It was like reading a road sign through fog. The actual words weren't what you thought they were! So Draco wanted another outdoor meeting but what did he mean by closer to the stars? Did he want them to meet on top of building? Hogwarts? On a tower? She read the lines again and one word made her heart drop. FLY. They would be closer to the stars because they would have to fly! No!
She read the line again. Read his mind - the second part of her nickname was Bookworm so it didn't take a genius for her to realise this was something to do with a book. Did their meeting place share the name of a book? The next line changed her mind.
It's not the words that matter but who wrote them.
It wasn't the name of a book but an author. The problem was this seemed to be the end of the clues and she could find no help with what book!
She was no further on by lunchtime so she took herself sulkily outside and tried to clear her mind by having lunch at a small cafe. She ate quickly and then wandered outside and started walking. She took a bench by the Ministry building and pulled out Draco's note. He'd outdone himself this time because she really was struggling. She felt a rush of panic - what if she couldn't work it out? She wouldn't be able to meet him?
How did he think up the clues? Actually, the notes were genius but she'd never give him the satisfaction of telling him that! His logical mind just seemed to be able to give her all the information she needed whilst hiding it away behind a supposed love letter.
Remembering Draco's logical way of thinking, she re-read the note, applying her own logic to it. It was clear that the place they were to meet shared the name of a famous author. But which one? How was she supposed to know? She scanned the lines from the top again - maybe the clue was earlier in the note and she'd missed it?
She kept coming back to the reference to flying. This place must be high up so was the book about towers? Or mountains? A line jumped out at her and she leant over the note.
So read my mind and fly into my arms but not before you've lived up to the second part of your nickname and checked out the best way to get there.
The best way to get there? Was it a map book? An Atlas? Hermione sighed - lunch was nearly over so she would have to do this again later.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
It was way past her time to leave work but she was still at her desk, surrounded by books all open trying to help her solve the clue. Real panic was beginning to set in because her time was running out.
She was missing something obvious and it annoyed her because solving puzzles was something she was good at. She also felt slightly annoyed at Draco for making this so hard and what the hell was he thinking suggesting they meet somewhere that required her to fly? He must remember how much she hated broomsticks so had he done that on purpose?
She sat up straight as her brain processed a thought. Broomsticks. The best way to get somewhere high was on a broomstick! So the book would be about Broomsticks! Although she had absolutely no interest in brooms herself having grown up with Harry and Ron meant she was familiar with the most popular books about them. She stood up and went straight to the first one that sprung to mind - An appreciation of Broomsticks. She pulled the large book from the shelf and turned to the spine. The author was A.G. Bodmin. This name rang a bell with her now as she remembered it from school. He was the quintessential expert on anything to do with Broomsticks.
This could still be the wrong book - there were, after all, hundreds of books written about broomsticks! Somehow she knew this was right, though.
So the place was Bodmin. Hermione rubbed her sore eyes and sighed. She still hadn't caught up on her sleep and she was exhausted from all this puzzle solving. She'd never heard of anywhere called Bodmin so she was going to have to plough through another pile of books until she found it!
Then her eyes noticed a word on the note and she picked it up.
I can't wait for moor - tonight 10pm.
Moor? It should have been - I can't wait for MORE - not MOOR. Hermione grabbed a book from the far side of her desk and flicked through it until she found what she was looking for. Bodmin Moor! Bodmin Moor! Had she the energy she would have jumped up and down. Instead she read the smaller writing under the page heading.
BODMIN MOOR
The Bodmin Moor Quidditch Stadium is a Quidditch stadium in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. In 1884, this stadium was the location of the famous six-month-long match in which a Snitch escaped after eluding capture by the Seekers. The Snitch is said to be living wild on the moor to this day.
The Staduim is covered with an Invisibility Charm. Fans are advised to wear Re-Visibility Spectacles.
Hermione leant back and ran her hands through her hair. Thank Merlin she'd solved it!
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione apparated and stared around the stadium. It was huge with large towers segregating the seating and the Quidditch hoops towering above them at either end. The empty stadium seemed larger than when it was full of people and the silence was eerie. Hermione looked around nervously and wished she could see Draco but the stadium lights made it difficult to see anything properly.
She was about two thirds of the way down the stadium and she scanned the empty seats for a sign of him. There was a noise above her and she spun round but she could see nothing. She almost called his name but stopped herself. That would have been stupid. Nevertheless she began to feel more and more anxious as she waited and she kept hearing noises.
Something caught her eye by the stairs and she finally saw the blonde hair she was waiting for. He waved at her and they met half way across the distance between them. She was almost tempted to fling her arms around him but she restrained herself.
"I don't like it here," she said, looking around. "It's creepy."
"It's just a Quidditch stadium, Hermione," Draco said. "You looked scared to death!"
"I kept hearing noises," Hermione said.
"Did you tell Harry everything I told you?" Draco asked.
"Yes. He wants us to meet daily so that he can decide when best to make a move," Hermione explained.
"Good idea," Draco said. "They've used the spell in a test and it worked."
"On who?"
"Some poor, unsuspecting old Wizard. It was awful." The emotion in Draco's voice made Hermione look sharply at him.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, but this needs to end soon."
"I can get you off the charges but it's a three section procedure and it'll take a while," Hermione said. Draco's face looked strained and she felt concerned for him. "I'm sorry - I am still looking for another way."
"I know you are," Draco gave her the smallest of smiles and she felt a little bit of her melt. It was such a small gesture but it had a quality to it that she hadn't felt from him before as if they were sharing a confidence.
"I nearly didn't get here," Hermione said. "You're note was too difficult this time!"
"Surely not for you?"
"I was beginning to panic that I wouldn't be able to meet you," Hermione pulled a face. "And I thought I might have to ride a broomstick!"
Draco laughed at the horrified expression on her face. "I know where the broomstick store cupboard is..."
"No!"
Draco laughed again. "One day when all this is over..." he stopped speaking and his expression changed instantly. His eyes were focused on a point in the distance above Hermione's head. She went to turn around but he grabbed her hand which stopped her. "No - don't look. It might be nothing." His eyes kept scanning the hundreds of seats behind her and Hermione whispered.
"What is it? Is someone there?"
"I don't think so - I saw a movement but it was probably nothing," Draco turned his eyes back to her. "So when you get back can you go straight to Harry and tell him about the test they've conducted?"
"Of course - but Draco, do you think it's time you got out?"
Draco shook his head. "No - not yet. I think I've convinced them anyway. They seem to be much more relaxed around me. I have another meeting tonight and..." Draco stopped again and this time his eyes narrowed as he looked over her shoulder. Hermione went to turn again but he grabbed her waist and pulled her close before leaning his head near her shoulder.
"I definitely saw something then," he whispered and Hermione felt herself turn cold. "Hold me for a minute and then calmly we'll head towards the broomstick storage."
Hermione could do nothing but nod because now she was really scared. If someone was here watching them then the game may be up and that meant that both of them were in real danger.
Sorry to leave it there but it was the right place to break the chapter. Keep reading and let me know what you think so far...x