12

Escalations

Hermione Granger signed heavily. She just could not concentrate on the Arithmancy she was studying. Hermione decided to return to Hogwarts to finish studying for her N.E.W.T exams after visiting the Muggle police station with Ron and Harry. She was now kind of regretting that decision since Ron and Harry stayed in London to begin their investigation into the attacks on the muggles. Hermione knew they had a tough assignment and did not envy them. She did miss Ron and Harry more than she cared to admit. She especially missed her study sessions with Ron.

This was the first time in almost seven years that the trio had been separated. She felt like she was missing a limb. Hermione had not realized how much she had relied on Ron and Harry during the time they spent at Hogwarts. Hermione stared down at the arithmancy equations she had started working on.

Her mind drifted back to when she boarded the night bus to come back to Hogwarts. Ron looked like he would never see her again. Hermione put on her strongest front as they said good bye. She reminded him that Christmas was just a couple of months away. Besides she told him. He was going to be so involved in tracking down the Order of the Dragon he would not have time to miss her. She wished she could say the same for herself.

She gave up trying to study as a bad job and began to pack up her books. Hermione decided that she would take a walk around the grounds, which should take her mind off of Ron for a while. After packing up she dropped her books at her dorm room and headed towards the courtyard.

Hermione was so deep in thought she did not hear the sound of anyone approaching her from behind. She was startled when she felt someone grab her arse from behind. She turned to face her assailant. Hoping it was Ron as he was the only one she could think of that would risk grabbing her like that. To her shock it was not Ron but Benidict, Hermione felt her cheeks getting red with anger as she faced him.

"Not as tough without your friends around are you Granger." Benedict sneered. Hermione saw he was not alone but had two others with him. Benedict began to push Hermione against the wall as he continued "How does if feel to have your Fiancé just abandon you?"

Hermione glared at Benedict. Her mind was racing as she analyzed her situation carefully. Benedict stood in front of her. He was no longer touching her but was trying to force her against the wall. His two friends hung back. She could tell they were a little uneasy but they would not go against Benedict. She decided of she could take Benedict out of the equation, the other two with him would do nothing. She was not sure what Benedict had in mind but she knew she could not let him get her against the wall.

"Ron has not abandoned me," she said sweetly.

"Well he is not here to stand up for you now is he", Benedict said as he pushed Hermione toward the wall. Benedict looked her up and down as he moved closer to her.

"Now it's time you felt what it is like to be with a real man" Benedict said as he grabbed her shoulders and slammed her head into the wall so hard she started to feel faint.

Benedict's hands were now moving down from her shoulders and over her breast. This isn't happening Hermione thought, trying to push Benedict off her. She was stunned as Benedict slapped her hard in the face.

He whispered to her sharply "Don't fight me."

He then pinned her hands on the wall above her head with one hand. With the other hand he reached down and grabbed her shirt and ripped it open roughly. She tried to keep her mind clear but was beginning to panic. She knew now Benedict had something far worse in mind than just some verbal assaults. She needed to get her hands free but Benedict had a firm grip on her pinning them above her head, as he roughly groped her breast with the other. He was a lot stronger than she thought and she could not break his grip.

She felt his one hand move down to her skirt and begin to lift it up. "Don't worry," Benedict whispered again, "I will make this last…"

Hermione again tried to break Benedicts grip but he was just too strong for her. She could not believe this was happening. She was going to be raped. She felt Benedict tear her skirt. He then was undoing his trousers.

Hermione was not sure what happened next. The first thing she saw was one of the two other boys with Benedict fly back and fall on the floor. Benedict turned from Hermione to see what had happened. This was the opening Hermione was looking for. She jammed her knee hard into Benedict's groin. She heard him cry out in pain and his grip on her hands broke as he slumped down. Without thinking she had her wand out and pointing it at Benedict she screamed "Crucio"

She saw Benidict writhing in pain from the curse. She then heard Luna's voice.

"Hermione No!"

Hermione released the Cruciatus curse as she collapsed to the floor. She began to sob and she felt another set of arms gently hug her. She heard Luna's soft voice. "It's ok Hermione we are here. It's over"

Hermione felt something wet on the side of her face, and then she realized she was bleeding. She then heard Luna say to someone. "Get some help now!"

****

Ron and Harry were spending another long day at there office in the Aurors headquarters. They had not done much field work since interviewing Luscious Malfoy. Instead they had spent much of their time going through the list of Known death eaters. Harry was surprised to find how many Death Eaters had escaped.

They had a list of thirty known death eaters. So far none of them seemed like they would be capable of planning the level of attacks the Muggles were experiencing. Harry sighed. They were running out of time. The order of the Dragon had given them Muggles four days to surrender to them. This was the third day. Both he and Ron agreed that there would be another attack soon after the four days was up.

They needed to start planning defenses for the Muggles. The problem was so far the Muggles were still not co operating with the ministry. This was making things much harder for Ron and Harry. Harry knew Mr. Weasley was working as hard as he could to get the muggles to start cooperating but so far nothing Mr. Weasley had said had made the Muggles agree that Harry and Ron could handle the case. So Harry and Ron worked with the information they had, hoping to catch a break and show the Muggles they could help.

"This is Mental", Ron sighed as he put down another folder. "How could Stan Shunpike not get caught?"

Stan was the conductor for the Knight bus. Harry spent his sixth year defending Stan after he was arrested for Death Eater activities. Harry found out he was wrong about Stan the night he left the Dursley's for the last time. He had to agree with Ron, however, Stan did not seem to have the brains to elude Auror's.

"Stan got lucky Ron. The Auror's had more dangerous people than Stan to deal with."

Harry made a mental note that he wanted to catch Stan for his role in injuring George Weasley that night. Stan my not be the smartest death eater. He might know something useful. Stan liked to exaggerate his importance. That is how he got caught by the ministry once before.

Harry's attention was suddenly drawn to the area outside the office he and Ron were using. They were given the office since they were for now a two man task force assigned to stop the attacks on the muggles. Harry had no way of knowing they would soon have more than 30 Aurors under their command.

For now though he heard William Gradner giving orders. "Kelleher and Georges get to Hogwarts right now. I want you to secure the victim. No one talks to her without Podmore's or Kingsley's approval. Donalson get to St Mungos and I want their best Doctor to Hogwarts to examine her as soon as possible."

Harry saw Gradner look in Harry's and Ron's direction as Kingsley and Podmore stepped in.

Kingsley and Podmore spoke briefly to Gradner. Harry herd Gradner whisper. "No we have not told him yet."

Harry had a sinking feeling as Kinglsey and Podmore looked at their office. Harry saw Kingsley head towards the office.

Ron had not noticed anything going on outside the office. He was buried in another death eater's file. "Ron", Harry spoke softly,

Ron Looked up just as Kingsley arrived at the door. "Harry, Can I have a minute with Ron?"

Harry looked at Ron, who just shrugged his shoulders and Harry stepped out of the office. Harry noticed the other Aurors stopped talking as he stepped out. Harry turned to the office.

Kingsley took Ron by the shoulders as he spoke softly. Ron suddenly pushed Kinglsey's arms from his shoulders and started towards the door. Kinglsey took Ron and pulled him back. Harry could see by the anguished look on Ron's face something had happened. Harry ran into the office he heard Ron saying

"I've got to get to her"

Kinglsey continued to hold Ron back. "You will. But I need you to calm down first."

Ron looked at Harry. "Hermione's been attacked!"

Harry's jaw dropped open. Who would attack Hermione? How would they get into Hogwarts?

Podmore came into the office and stepped up to Kinglsey. Harry heard him whisper.

"Word is that physically Miss Granger has not been hurt that bad." He looked at Ron before he continued. "However she may have been sexually assaulted."

Harry stopped dead in is tracks and looked at Kingsley shocked. The pained look on Ron's face said everything.

Ron sat down hard after Podmore finished. Harry had never seen Ron look the way he did now. He looked like he was ready to kill someone. Harry went to Ron and took him by the shoulders.

"Ron you need to calm down. Hermione is going to need you more than anything right now."

****

The minute Harry and Ron apparated to Hogsmeade Ron ran up the road to Hogwarts as fast as he could. Harry had trouble keeping up with him. As they entered Hogwarts a school prefect tried to stop them. Ron just shouldered past him almost knocking him off his feet. Harry also ignored the prefect.

As Ron entered the Hospital wing his mother came up to him, and took Ron into her arms. "She's ok Ron"

Ron looked at his mother. Harry could see tears in his eyes as he asked. "Was she…?"

Molly took Ron by the chin and made him look into her eyes. "No she wasn't. Luna and Ginny stopped them before they could do anything to her. She is afraid that you will blame her."

Ron looked at his mother a little taken aback "Why would I blame her?"

***

Hermione was sitting up in her bed. Luna was still with her, holding her in a comforting hug whispering to her gently. "It's all right Hermione. You're OK." Hermione had started to cry as the doctor examined her and completed what the Muggles had called a Rape Kit on her. She had endured many things over the last year. Not once had she been attacked in such a personal way as this. She just hoped Ron would understand.

She saw Ginny out of the corner of her eye. While Luna was trying to calm Hermione down in the hallway Ginny had proceeded to start beating Benedict and his two friends. She was outraged at how they had tried to violate Hermione and it took professor Flitwick, Slughorn and McGonagall to pull her off of them.

While Ginny took on Hermione's attackers Luna had taken on the job of getting Hermione calmed down. She had taken Hermione into her arms right away, covering Hermione's torn clothes with her cloak. Luna never left her side. Even when the doctor examined her, Luna refused to leave the room. Staying with Hermione holding her hand and stroking her hair gently, all the time letting Hermione know she was ok and with friends.

Hermione was grateful to Luna. She did not know if she would have been able to keep herself from falling completely apart without her calming voice. Ginny was the total opposite. She was in as state that could only be described as a Weasley rage. As far is Ginny had been concerned Benedict had attacked her sister. Anyone that knew anything about the Weasley family was you never crossed one without having to deal with the others.

What worried Hermione was Ron. Hermione knew that the first reports to the Aurors said she had been raped. She knew this would be too much for Ron to handle and was not sure how he would react. Thanks to Ginny and Luna Benedict did not succeed in raping her. Hermione knew had he succeeded she would have not only had to endure his attacking her but the attacks of the two men that were with him.

Hermione heard Ron's voice in the other room. She heard Molly talking to him. Molly Weasley had arrived shortly after she was bought into the Hospital wing. She had sat with Hermione assuring her that Ron would be happy to hear she was ok and not to worry about what he would think.

Hermione looked up and saw Ron in the doorway. She looked at him and again she began to cry. Ron ran to her and quickly took her into his arms. He whispered to Hermione "I am here. It's ok"

Hermione knew after hearing those words that she would be fine. She continued to cry as Ron hugged her gently.

***

The Trio sat in Professor McGonagall's office, which was very crowded. The entire Weasley clan was there in addition to Hermione's mother and father. Kingsley and Podmore were standing behind professor McGonagall. Podmore was speaking.

"The three young men have been taken into custody and are on their way to Azkaban."

Harry asked "What have they been charged with"

Podmore hesitated before answering. "At this time simple assault, we cannot charge them with attempted sexual assault like the muggles do in cases like this. However, we are also going to be charging them with the attack on an Auror"

Hermione, much calmer now than she had been a couple of hours ago looked at Podmore surprised. Before she could say anything her mother spoke.

"Attacking an Auror?"

Hermione had never really explained magical law enforcement to her parents, so she was not surprised at her mother's question.

Podmore looked at Hermione before he continued.

"Aurors are elite law enforcement officers Mrs. Granger. They are like detectives in the Muggle police departments. They investigate any crimes that are committed by magical means."

Mrs. Granger looked at her daughter apprehensively, "You never told us…"

Podmore interrupted her before she could finish her question. "Miss Granger has been offered a spot in the Auror's corps along with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

Hermione finally spoke. "Podmore I never accepted your offer."

Podmore nodded. "That is correct Miss Granger you never accepted our offer. However you did not decline the offer either. Since the offer was still pending I have been assured we can still consider you a member of the Auror corps. That is until you officially decline the offer."

Hermione looked at Ron and Harry. She remembered how badly she missed them over the last few days. She also did not want to stay at Hogwarts right now. She needed to get away. As she looked at Harry and Ron and could see they knew what she was thinking. The one thing that can be said about the three of them is they had a way of reading each others minds.

Hermione did not say anything she noticed an Aurors badge sitting on McGonagall desk. She reached down and picked it up. She was now officially an Auror like Harry and Ron.

***

Hermione reviewed Harry and Ron's notes. So far she could not find any fault in what they had concluded. Harry and Ron had come to the conclusion that someone was taking over the leadership of the Death Eaters that had not been captured by the Ministry. She however did not agree with their theory on who was planning and leading the attacks. She looked up from the notes. Ron and Harry were sitting at their desks waiting for her to say something.

She did not think Yaxley was the one whom had taken up the leadership of the Order of the Dragon. Hermione could not think of this group as death eaters. Yaxley just did not strike Hermione as being smart enough to plan these attacks. Hermione strongly felt the attacks did not start with the attacks on the Muggles. She was positive the first attack by the Order of the Dragon was the attack on Harry, Ron, Ginny and herself.

"I agree with you that we are looking for death eaters." Hermione looked at both Ron and Harry "However I do not think Yaxley is the one organizing them."

Ron and Harry did not seem surprised at her statement. Ron spoke first. "Of the death eaters that are still at large, Yaxley is the closest to being able to lead them."

He looked at Hermione as she continued.

"I agree with you. Yaxley is the most likely involved. But the attacks are too well planned out. Yaxley struck me more as someone that would be second in command. He did not strike me as being able to plan something like these attacks."

Hermione heard Harry sigh. "So far Yaxley seems to be the best suspect, he took over the Dept of Magical Law enforcement under Voldemort. He was the one who came up with the Snatchers. I just don't see anyone else that could pull something like this off."

Harry looked up at the time as he finished.

Hermione Knew he wanted to be at Hogsmeade with Ginny. It was a Hogsmeade weekend for Hogwarts. He had told Ginny he would try and get out and see her, if he could break away from the investigation. All three of them knew they were on borrowed time. The Order of the Dragon had given the Muggles four days to surrender. They were on the fourth day.

"We are getting nowhere like this" She said nervously. "We need to try something else"

Harry and Ron both looked at her crossly. They had been working the list of Death Eaters for the last three days. They told Hermione if they could find out who was behind the attacks they could prevent the next attack from happening. Hermione knew they would never track down those behind the attacks in the time they had. The only real member of the Order of the Dragon they knew of was Rockwood. Any others they had listed were just speculation they had no real proof they were involved.

"I am open to suggestions" Ron said sarcastically.

Hermione smiled sweetly at Ron before she continued. "Maybe we should stop trying to figure out who the Order is but where they will strike next."

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione dumbfounded. They had been so busy focusing on who the Order might be they had forgotten about the attacks. Ron was the first to speak.

"Hermione you are brilliant you know that!"

Hermione felt herself blush. "Ron you might be just a little biased"

"Ron may be Biased Miss Granger" The three of them jumped at the sound of Podmore's voice. "But I am not and he is right."

Podmore stepped into the office he had a piece of parchment in his hand. "I have an assignment and you are the only Aurors that can respond fast enough." He handed the parchment to Harry "We just got a tip on the location of a death eater."

Harry gasped as he looked at the paper. "How good is this lead?"

Podmore answered Harry "It is from a very reliable source and this does fit his pattern"

Hermione gave Harry a questioning look. He answered Ron and Hermione's unspoken question as he grabbed his cloak and wand. "It seems Fenrir Greyback is in Hogsmeade"

Hermione and Ron wasted no time getting their cloaks.

***

Of all of the Death Eaters Fenrir Greyback was the most feared. Greyback was a werewolf who was used by Voldemort to force Wizards with children get in line. Those that did not bow to his will would have to watch as Greyback bite their children. Greyback when not doing Voldemort's bidding always went after younger wizards to bite. His philosophy was to bite them young. He had been linked to several werewolf attacks. The fact he was in Hogsmeade on a weekend that Hogwarts students were let into town was no coincidence.

The Trio Apparated in front of The Three Broomsticks. Hermione quickly scanned the street to the north as Ron looked to the south, and Harry the east. Hermione's senses seemed to be in a heightened state as she finished her scan of the street. Harry and Ron also finished their quick scans.

"I think we should check around Honeydukes first" Harry said softly. They started in the direction of Honey dukes. Ron crossed the street and walked on the other side covering the North side of the street, Harry stayed in the center of the street and Hermione stayed on the south side of the street. They each held their wands at their sides as they began to walk towards Honeydukes slowly. Each was scanning the crowd of wizards looking for the familiar face of Fenrir Greyback.

As they approached Honeydukes a few minutes later Hermione heard Ginny's voice cry out in surprise. "Harry! You made it!"

She saw Ginny step out of the door and run up to Harry. She gave him a hug. She asked Harry after she parted "Where are Ron and Her…"

She stopped as she noticed Ron on one side of the street and Hermione on the other side with their wands at their sides. She then noticed Harry had his wand out as well. Her eyes went wide.

"Harry what's going on?" she looked at Ron as she asked, "Why do the three of you have your wands drawn?"

Harry took Ginny's hands and he whispered to her ear. Ginny gave Harry a fast look and then moved away from him quickly. Hermione heard her say to the friends she came out of Honey dukes with "I think we should get back to Hogwarts"

Her friends did not argue with her as she quickly started to walk up the road back to Hogwarts. Hermione noticed a few other Hogwarts students whom had noticed her talking to Harry also begin to follow her back up the road.

Harry motioned to Ron and Hermione to continue working their way to the east. Hermione scanning the street keeping her focus on the area directly in front of her. She still saw nothing out of the ordinary, until they reached where the main road met with the side street heading to the north towards Madame Pudifoot's.

The building seemed out of place in Hogsmeade. It stuck out because in all the years Hermione had been coming to Hogsmeade there were only two inns in town, the Three Broomsticks and the Hogshead. Now right next to Madame Pudifoot's was a new bar. The sign on the outside red "The Slaughtered Lamb Pub" The sign had the picture of a lambs head on a spike. The bar stuck out like a sore thumb.

Hermione motioned to get Harry and Ron's attention. Once she had their attention she motioned towards the slaughtered lamb. Harry nodded his head. He then motioned for them to approach the front entrance from each side. He would approach from the center, Ron to the left and Hermione to the right. Hermione approached the bar slowly, keeping an eye out for anything that did no seem right. She saw Ron glance into the bar as he passed a large window on his side of the entrance. The three of them met at the door.

Ron whispered "There are about fifteen people in the bar. I think I saw Greyback sitting at the bar in the center. He is by himself." Hermione and Harry nodded.

Harry held up his hand and counted to three with his fingers. On the count of three they entered the bar. The bar was dark, with just enough light to see your glasses, but you would have a tough time making out what you drank. The window was magically tinted to block out any light from the outside. A light haze of smoke hung in the air from and the bar smelled of pungent cigars. Behind the bar was a long mirror, and the bartender looked up as the three of them entered. The others in the bar also looked up to see who had dared enter the slaughtered lamb. Sitting at the center of the bar was Fenrir Greyback. He seemed to pay no attention as the trio entered the bar.

Hermione took a position by the door as Harry and Ron approached Greyback from each side. By approaching him this way they hoped to block any avenues of escape. The silence of the bar was broken by Greyback's harsh voice.

"Does anyone smell anything foul all of a sudden." Greyback slowly turned and faced Hermione ignoring Ron and Harry who took positions on either side of him, just out of striking distance. Greyback stared at Hermione, "I thought I recognized the smell of a Mudblood."

Greyback smiled his yellow jagged teeth showing

"Miss Granger. I am happy to see you again. Maybe we can have that wonderful evening I was denied a few months ago." Greyback seemed to finally notice Ron and Harry.

"I see you bought some friends with you" He grinned even wider "The more the merrier."

Hermione noticed several of the others in the bar start to move toward Harry and Ron. She held her wand up where they could all see it and said to them softly "I would just sit down and finish my drink gentlemen you don't want to take on the three Aurors on do you?"

The men looked at Hermione doubtfully, then she heard one of them whisper. "That's Hermione Granger." They decided they did not want any part of this fight and slowly sat back down watching anxiously.

Greyback laughed, "Aurors? Is that what they call you three nowadays?"

Having been the first of the three of them to speak, it was up to Hermione to get Greyback to cooperate. She sounded a lot calmer than she felt as she spoke. "Fenrir Greyback, You are under arrest for war crimes."

"War Crimes!" Greyback looked her in the eyes "You think you will be able to arrest me?"

As Greyback finished his statement he moved very quickly casting the killing curse at her, Hermione jumped out of the spells path and fired a Stunning spell at Greyback but he was already on the move. Harry and Ron had immediately fired stunning spells at Greyback but he was too fast, he was out of his seat and running towards the window. As he leapt for the window Greyback changed into his werewolf form and crashed through the window and onto the street.

Hermione leaped out the door, blocking Greyback's escape down the crowded street and forcing him to the west behind the shops of Hogsmeades' main street. As Greyback fled he tried to bite anyone in his way. Hermione tried to hit him with an entanglement spell. The spell missed Greyback by a few inches. Harry came out the window right behind Greyback and Ron the door. The three of them began to chase Greyback. They spread out behind him. Harry was right behind him, Ron to his Right and Hermione to his left to make sure he did not head back into the streets. Grey back appeared to be heading for the Shrieking shack as fast as he could.

As Greyback ran he changed back into his human form and turned to face the three Aurors. He began firing curses at the three of them. Greyback was fast and able to get curses off. However he was no match for three Aurors. Hermione blocked the curses he fired with shield spells. As Hermione blocked the barrage of curses he fired. Harry fired back his own spells. Forcing Greyback on the defensive, having to block Harry's spells.

As Greyback and Harry dueled, Hermione and Ron circle around to his sides. Greyback did not have a chance once Ron and Hermione were at his sides. Hermione hit Greyback full on with a body bind curse and he fell to the ground. Ron quickly cast ropes and tied Greyback up. Within ten minutes of entering the Slaughtered Lamb pub Greyback was in custody.

****

David Blake sat stunned. He had just watched the arrest of what Arthur Weasley described as one of the most dangerous werewolves in the Wizarding world. Blake had no Idea what kind of magic allowed them to watch the arrest as it happened. That did not matter to Blake. What mattered was how the three young wizards worked together to make the arrest.

"William?"

He could see Davies was also still trying to come to grips with what he had witnessed. He knew Davies had to be thinking the same thing he was. In all his years he had never seen a situation move as fast as this one had. Davies shook his head and spoke to Mr. Weasley. "Did you see how they entered that bar? That was perfect. These three could teach my people a thing or two."

Mr. Weasley smiled as he spoke. "So does this mean you will work with these three?"

Davies looked at Blake. "We will need to appoint them to Scotland Yard Prime Minister. They have to have more than just Wizarding authority for our people."

Blake nodded, "We can make them Police Officers"

Davies Shook his head, "Sir you do not understand, I want these three to be in charge of the investigation, not to follow it."

Blake tried not to hide his surprise but he knew Davies saw he was surprised and explained.

"These three have already proven they are capable investigators. You saw the reports of what they were able to find out from the attack on Scotland Yard and that was without our cooperation. My only question is how are they at questioning potential suspects? I would like to see then in an interrogation. However I think we may have judged them too quickly."

Podmore looked at Kinglsey to make sure he would not have a problem with watching Greyback's interrogation. Kingsley nodded affirmatively. Seeing Kingsley had no objections Podmore made the arrangements for Davies and Blake to watch the trio interrogate Greyback.

***

Ron and Harry waited for Hermione to finish stating why they were completely mental to want her to interrogate Greyback. They just smiled and Ron was the first to point out to her that Greyback seemed to have a fixation on her, and that could work to her advantage. Harry had also reminded her that she had also just finished several books on investigative techniques including one on running an effective interrogation.

Hermione Heard the Muggle Davies chuckling as Ron and Harry finished. She knew they were right. She also did not think Ron should be the one to accompany her in the interrogations. She was not happy when they told her they thought she should be the only one to question Greyback. They pointed out if Grey Back thought she was vulnerable he might give her more information. She wondered if Ron and Harry had secretly read the book she had purchased on effective interrogations.

Hermione looked at Ron and Harry and entered the interrogation room. The interrogation room was no different than interrogation rooms in any typical muggle police station. It had a table with a chair and a mirror that served as an observation room. Hermione was pleased to see the room had been made a bit warm. Not uncomfortably warm but just warm enough to make someone drowsy if they were to be alone for a while.

Greyback gave her a look that told her Harry and Ron were right about one thing. He did seem to have a thing for Hermione.

"So we are going to have some alone time" he rasped.

Hermione gave him the sweetest smile she could as she sat down. "Too bad it is not the kind f time you would have liked to spend with me."

Greyback smiled back at her uneasily.

Hermione looked at the file in her hand. She had decided she would play to Greyback's one weakness, his vanity. Though he was part of Voldemort's death eaters he was shunned because he was a werewolf. He was not good enough to be awarded a dark mark, the sign of Voldemort's inner circle.

"I see nothing has really changed for you Greyback." She looked up at him. "Still not good enough to be part of the new order"

Grey Back looked at her angrily.

"It's a real shame." She shook her head, "You do know that Remus Lupin was fully accepted into the Order of the Phoenix. Yet Voldemort never got past your being a werewolf did he?"

Grey Back fell for it.

"That meant nothing to Voldemort! He said I was a great asset to him."

"You were just another tool for him. He used people's fear of you to keep other Wizards in line"

Hermione saw Greyback was getting angry, which is what she wanted. She continued.

"You were just a half breed to him. He would not even allow you to have his mark"

Greyback spat back

"Even so I was still able to capture you wasn't I"

Hermione Laughed

"That is true. But Lestrange tried to take that away from you and because of that we got away didn't we? Is that why you are still not good enough to join the Order of the Dragon?"

Greyback stared at her his eyes full of rage. But he said nothing.

Hermione sighed and got up. "I told Harry and Ron this would be a waste of time. You were not good enough for Voldemort and you are not good enough for his Death Eaters are you? I guess Yaxley never did like filthy half breeds either."

Greyback stood up his face contorted with fury.

"Yaxley! He just follows that bitches orders! He's like her pet!"

Hermione's heart skipped a beat but she showed no surprise at Greyback's statement.

"What bitch is that?" She asked calmly

However Greyback had figured out his mistake. He had given her something she had not known. The Leader of the Order of the Dragon was a witch.

"Let's just say I am not the only old friend you will be dealing with Ms. Granger."

Hermione smiled as she got up.

"Thank you Fenrir. You have been very helpful"

****

Davies had to admit to himself. He had not seen an interview handled as masterfully as the one Hermione just finished in a very long time. She had expertly goaded Greyback into giving her information. The interrogation had given them two vital pieces of information. The first was the leader of the terrorist was a woman and the second it was someone that Hermione, Ron and Harry had dealt with in the past.

He could see the three of them were excited about this new information. They did not know whom GreyBack was talking about but they had narrowed the list down a great deal with Greyback's revelation.

The three of them along with Arthur Weasley, Kingsley and Sturgis Podmore sat in the office that had been assigned to Hermione, Ron and Harry. He knew he had an uphill battle after all he had said about these three.

"Ms Granger, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley," He looked over to the Prime Minister who nodded his approval "I would like to first apologize for anything I may have done over the last two days to offend you."

He could see that the things he had done and said had already been forgotten by the three of them. He continued. "I would like to…"

Harry interrupted him "Mr. Davis you don't need to worry. We will be happy to help you with your investigation."

Davies could not help but be amused by Harry's assumption. He did not blame him as he had already stated he did not think the three of them could handle anything this important.

"Mr. Potter. You have misunderstood me. I do not want you to help with the investigation"

He was interrupted by Harry, Ron and Hermione's shouts of protest. Kingsley, Mr. Weasley and Podmore all three began to laugh as they protested. Hermione looked at the Ministry officials angrily but before she could say anything that she would regret Davies spoke.

"Ms Granger please before you say anything let me finish. As I was saying we do not want you to help with the investigation, we want you to run it."

The Trio's expressions were classic. Davies Continued. "We have already talked this over with Mr. Kingsley and Mr. Podmore and they have agreed to allow you to be appointed as Inspectors with Scotland Yard."

He looked at Ms Granger. "I also think that your Idea of trying to figure out where they Order will strike next is an excellent idea."

He reached over to a bag and opened it up. He pulled out three leather cases and handed each of the trio an inspectors badge and then each of them a radio. He explained to them the Radios were so that Scotland yard would be able to reach them and they Scotland yard. With that taken care of he let them know they should work not just on where the next attack might be but also the best way to defend against the attack.

****