A/N: I'm sorry for the rather sporadic schedule. I am trying to stick to reality and canon with this "what if" story so I spend a lot of time researching finer details of magic, Catholicism and 1990-2000 military warfare. It takes more time than expected. Also, note that while J.K. did say that muggle with a gun beats a wizard every time, a secret society trying to hide from other muggles can't realistically bomb a part of Britain without anyone noticing.

"You agreed to do WHAT?"

She knew Ron was not going to like this. She hated putting him through this. He was still recovering from his wound. He will be completely healed in a few days. Unfortunately, that will be a few days too late to help her.

"I agreed to help the Inquisition capture a few Snatchers or Death Eaters. Then they can question them and see if Riddle learned about this place from Harry's mind."

"But that's brilliant Hermione! When you get your wand, stun the lot and get us out of here!"

"I don't think I'm getting my wand back. They plan to use me as bait."

"Hermione! I'm not letting you do this! You can't face a gang of Death Eaters alone with no wand!"

"Letting me do this? Letting me? LETTING? I love that you came back to us but you don't know what Harry and I have been through! Look Ron, you are too weak to fight, and they are afraid that Vol...Riddle will read Harry's mind at any moment. They are keeping him knocked out with drugs at the moment. I'm the only one that can do this, and it needs to be done fast. Before they decide to kill him.", Hermione calmed down a bit, "Besides, I'm not going to be alone. This is an ambush after all. Two squads, whatever that means, are going with me. One squad killed a whole gang of Snatchers when they captured us, and they assure me that was not even planned."

"I still don't like it. Can I at least know the plan? I can be useful."

"It's a simple plan, really. We will go out into the woods, far away from this place. I will then trigger the Taboo and wait for the response. Once they gather around me, the Inquisition soldiers will shoot them with tranquilizer darts and take them to an 'interrogation center'. I offered veritaserum, but they just said they 'have experience'."

"That's some plan that is. What if something goes wrong. How are you supposed to defend yourself? What if they miss? What if someone casts a shield spell or apparates?"

"I don't know Ron. I think they are not too concerned with my safety. After all, if they just get rid of us, they solved their problem. At least that is what some of them think."

"Hermione, when is this happening?"

"Now, Ron.", his eyes widen in shock, "I just came to say goodbye. I hope I'll see you soon. And if I don't...", she couldn't do this any more. She squeezed his hand, get up and left. He was still shocked for a moment, then he started shouting: "Come back! This is crazy! Don't do this! Hermione!".

But she was already gone. She was walking down the corridor with her guards. They were going towards the 'gear room'. She was still heavily guarded, but the guards seemed to maintain their distance, and nobody was pointing a gun at her. After a brief walk through the base, they arrived in the gear room. A much younger priest was waiting for her there. He was also the first one not wearing the traditional habit. Instead, he was wearing something she used to see in movies. He was dressed head to toe in dark brown and green military camouflage.

"Miss Granger. I'm Deacon Radebe. I'll be leading the ambush mission. Time for you to gear up. Here.", he waved his hand towards the table in the center of the room, "This is for you."

On the table were her old clothes, nice and tidy. And a locked plastic box with 3 wands.

"Just tell me which wand is yours. You'll get it once we arrive on the site."

She did not expect this. She pointed out her vine wand. The young priest nodded and took the box.

"Please change your clothes. I'll be back in 5 minutes."

She changed into her old clothes. It felt good. It made her feel a bit more herself. Hopefully she gets to keep it after this. She realized that she was so happy about getting her clothes back she completely forgot about the wand. She was sure they would just stick her in the center of the Snatcher circle and hope she survives. If they really give her the wand, she can... What can she do with it? They still have Harry and Ron locked under guard. She will need to act fast, apparate in the base as fast as possible and free Harry and Ron. And get their possessions, especially the Sword of Gryffindor. She had to admire how efficient the Inquisition was. Even if they gave her the wand now, she would have trouble using it against them.

The young Deacon arrived after 5 minutes, as promised. He took her on a much longer walk this time. At some point, they reached a stairway. She was used to the grand stairways of Hogwarts, and found that the usual muggle stairways were much duller than she remembered. They climbed for a few floors and reached a small metal door. The Deacon unlocked them and they both stepped out onto the roof. It was night, and if not for the dim guiding lights, she could almost miss them. 3 pitch black helicopters, parked right there on the roof.

"Come with me Miss Granger, we are in this one."

She followed the Deacon and climbed in the helicopter. It was packed with 9 other men, dressed exactly the same as Deacon Radebe. The only visible difference between them was a small silver-white band over the Deacons left shoulder. The amount of equipment overwhelmed her. She could see that each man had various instruments strapped to his vest, belt, legs and holsters. She suspected some were weapons, she could clearly recognize pistols, but had very little idea on what others might be. Living for too long in the wizarding world left holes in her education. Wizards usually traveled with just a wand, that was the only instrument they really needed.

"Put this in your ear.", the Deacon gave her a small ear bud, "There, can you hear me. Signal with your hand. Good, now put this around your neck, it's a microphone, try speaking."

"What's this for?"

"Good, it works. This will enable us to be in constant communication during the mission. During the flight you might have to shout a bit, but in the woods the microphones will pick up the slightest whisper. And so far, no wizard has ever noticed the ear bud. Here, put this on.", he handed her a helmet, "It helps with the noise. And bumpy rides. Strap yourself in. Good. Ready to go.", the last sentence seemed to be aimed at no-one in particular.

"May God guide you men.", Father Paul's voice came over the ear bud, "Angels 1, 2 and 3, ascend."