Chapter 6- The Mission
The clock has barely struck 7, Hermione arrived at Department of Magical Law Enforcement on Monday morning. Walking through the door, the Department was emptied with no signs of her co-workers, like always Hermione was the first one to arrive in the office. With the department windows facing to the west, the room was still dim waiting for the arrival of the autumn morning sunlight. Hermione knew today would be a long day at work, she had taken Thursday and Friday off last week to move and she could imagine her in tray would now be overloaded by documents and case folders like stacks of pancakes. She made herself comfortable at her mahogany desk, took a sip from the coffee she bought at Moonbucks this morning. She lowered her eyelids and took a deep breath before the reality of endless documents and cases welcome her with their open arm. And there was this celadon green folder stood out among all the boring dull looking grey folders and documents, lying on the very top of the pile. Hermione reached for the folder, she knew who was the sender before she read the note attached on the top of the folder. Only one wizard in this magical would use a celadon green coloured folder.
Hermione,
Happy Monday! Thank you so much for your hospitality yesterday.
Ron and I have truly enjoyed ourselves.
I am glad you love your new apartment just as much as I love Ron, your best friend.
I can't come into work today, Ron is sick and throwing up everywhere.
I think he had too much drink from last night haha.
Inside the green folder is the release form of the right to use for the Impraegno Potion.
Please take it to Malfoy Potion Inc. and get Draco Malfoy to sign it. Make sure the form has to return no later than Wednesday.
I would love to do it myself but I am sure you wouldn't want Ron be sick at home alone with no one to look after him right :(?
Thank you for being such an amazing person as always. Owl me should you have any questions!
Blaise *winky face*
Really Blaise, a winky face? That's unbelievable! She bet all the chocolate frogs in the world Blaise was just chilling with Ron, using I have a boyfriend who is sick as an excuse to escape from the reality of work. Both of her best friends were settled happily in love with a partner, Harry married to Luna and expecting twins, Ron and Blaise were like an engaged couple. Sometimes Hermione did feel there was an empty gap in her life and wish someone more then just crookshank she could spend her time with, where she could share her deepest thought with and hold her tight when she was at her weakest.
Hermione squashed Blaise's note in her hand, there was an invisible fire ignited inside her hand like the blue-white flame of the Goblet of Fire. She simply threw Blaise's note into her fire-place, watching the tinge of yellow flame incinerated the paper, turning it into a pile of grey ash. She picked up her quills and wrote "you owe me" on a piece of parchment, fetching one of the department owl and watching it flown towards to the bewitched ministry blue sky, delivering the message to Blaise.
Hermione standing in the middle of the Malfoy Potion Inc's lobby with her head up, admiring the early english gothic architecture of the building, the decorated lierne vault high ceiling, the walls built with large white marbles and large window openings that were grouped closely together was certainly most stunning and breath taking. A lot of thoughts have swum through Hermione's mind on her way to the Malfoy Potion Inc. She could not explain the reason why she was feeling unpleasantly nervous or her hands were sweating uncontrollably. Although curiosity has aroused ever since Hermione has noticed Draco's habituated Saturday appearance at The Reminiscence more than two years ago, she never had the courage to approach this mysterious man, a bit opposite to her Gryffindor's bravery. The thought of meeting Draco Malfoy in person and shared a conversation with him was truly appealing to Hermione. She tightened up her grip on the celadon green folder holding the documents she would need later, slowly she made her way towards to the receptionist sitting behind a floating charcoal black desk with Malfoy Potion Inc. engraved on the front with viridian green ink.
"Hi, I am Hermione Granger from Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am here to deliver some legal documents, I was wondering where can I find Mr Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
" Take this pass and walk into the fireplace over there, it will take you to the potion development level." Dismissing Hermione, the witch pointing her perfectly manicured finger rudely to the fireplace behind Hermione. Clearly irritated by the fact Hermione has interrupted her while she was reading the hottest issue on " Cormac McLaggen new love interest? Nasty divorce with Pansy Parkinson." Reported by Rita Seeker on this week Witch Weekly.
"Ah, thanks." Hermione thanked and left the witch to finish reading that gossip article she will never laid her eye on in peace. Avoid escalating the witch obvious sullen mood.
She stepped inside the fireplace and noticed on her right-hand side there was a small opening with a sign written, "Insert Pass Here". She carefully placed the pass the witch gave her in before she realised she found herself standing in front of a Walnut made double French wooden door with the Potion Development Department deeply craved across in silver paint.
Hermione heart now pounding, with each heart beat beating heavier than the previous one. She knocked on the door, contemplated if it would be Draco who came to answer the door.
"Come in!" A slivery voice answered behind the door. Hermione hesitantly pushed open the heavy wooden door, she was greeted by a young woman with long thick wavy almond brown hair tied up in a hair band, noticeable misty grey coloured pupil fitted perfectly inside the almond shaped eyes dressed in a laboratory robe.
"Hi, I am Phoja Burgdorf potion research assistant and personal assistant number 2 to Mr Draco Malfoy." Phoja warmly extended her hand to Hermione, greeting her with a big bubbly smile. "I know you are Hermione Granger and I assume you are here for Mr Malfoy? Do you have an appointment, though? I don't recall Mr Malfoy has a scheduled meeting today?"
"Nice to meet you, Miss Burgdorf. I am here on behalf of Mr Blaise Zabini. I was told that Mr Malfoy would need to sign several forms for the Impraegno Potion. And I apologise for coming without prior arrangement." Hermione embarrassed, a well-organised person as she is. How could she forget to make an appointment? A potioneer like him must be incredibly busy.
"Oh please don't apologise! It happens Mr Malfoy does have a free afternoon today. He is just out with my sister Katebe purchasing potion ingredients. I will send them a patronus. "A sliver penguin shot out from the end of Phoja's wand swimming in a high speed out of the window.
A
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Hermione could hear nothing except the sound of the wind blowing against her face. She glazed at the fading tint of orange ball slowly lowering in the sky, sinking into the heart of the forest and the clouds surround it turned into a glorious shade of apricot pink and melon orange. Hermione sitting on top of the tree house smell of fresh pine, she built with her dad during a summer in their holiday house. The year before she received the letter from Hogwarts. She knew it was dangerous and not a wise idea to be out on her own especially during this dark time. But watching the sunset had a calming effect on her and it soothed her sanity that threatened to slip away every passing day. The war has been draining every one. She missed her parents so much, it has been more than a year since she oblivated their memory. She wondered if they were enjoying their new life in the far away Australia and wished her parents were sitting next to her sharing this amazing view of sunset together. Hermione told herself, she was strong she hasn't shed a single tear since the start of the war, knowing she might never see her parents again and seeing her friends departing the world fighting against the dark lord. She turned around and say goodbye to the tree house, her childhood memory and took a last glance at the almost set sun. Not knowing it might be the very last sunset she would see for a very long time, she apparated back to The Order's head quarter.
"Granger, stop fidgeting! Our mission begins in an hour. You better put your act up together." Draco had been trying hard to ignore Hermione's continuous foot tapping, fingernail biting and hair playing for over the past 2 hours.
"I am not! I am just trying to go through the plan in my head!" Hermione protested, knowing it was the truth she had never felt so nervous in her life until this moment.
"Well enlighten me then, would you kindly explain to me? Was the foot tapping a practise of a particular way you will run during your escape? Was the hair playing merely just you drawing a map on your skull?" Oh please the smartest witch of our age who had volunteered for this suicidal task why don't you tell me what is the fingernail biting for?" Draco still angry with Hermione volunteered for this self-sacrifice task. Deep down he was worried about Hermione. She could not go into the task while she fidgeted like this. She needed to calm down and concentrate on their task, he didn't want her nervousness to cost her a mistake and risk being captured by the death eaters.
" For you information. That fingernail biting Malfoy, was just me practising on biting off your finger if you say one more word to annoy me." Hermione holding Draco's thumb to her opened mouth, pretend to bite off his finger.
"Watch it! Granger!" Draco pulling his hand back, a bright shade of pink surfaced on his pale face. He secretly gladded the light was dim where they were sitting, the flush didn't appear to be too visible. He froze, the tones of butterflies he got from his stomach and his heart beating insanely when Hermione touches his hand. He looked at the girl sitting next to him, the long bushy brown hair was now tied up into a neat braid, her face was smooth and pale, with large dazzling chocolate brown eyes framed by long thick lashes and a rosy pink lip he has always dream to lay his lip against. He was scared if he would ever be able to forgive himself should anything happen to her tonight. Turning his face away from Hermione, hiding his still red face he pulled out a brown bottle with purple liquid inside from his robe, opened the cap and passed it to Hermione. "Drink it." Draco offered.
"What is it? Are you trying to poison me?" Hermione surprised by the sudden kind gesture from Draco.
"It's a calming draught I brewed, it will help your nerve." Draco pushed the bottle into Hermione's hand. "Now drink it before I changed my mind."
Hermione took a sip from the bottle and returned it back to Draco. She felt this warm sensation running from her tongue slowly into her stomach. Instantly she felt much peaceful and calming than before. They sat next to each other in silence just like the night of Susan Bone's death until Draco got up and informed Hermione it was time.
"Granger, don't worry. You are a strong, powerful and intelligent witch you can do it. All the death eaters will be in the meeting room with the dark lord by now. The east wing of the house would be completely desert. They weren't expecting me for another hour, so we have plenty of time." Draco holding his arm out to Hermione suggested her to hold on to it and they apparated into the drawing room as quiet as a mouse. All the portraits in the drawing room were sleeping, Draco has closed all the curtains in the drawing room prior to their arrival, inside the drawing room was so dark you could not see your finger even you were holding up close to your eyes. Hermione still holding onto Draco's arm, careful with each step she took cautious of not making any noise. Eventually they made their way to the door safely without waking any of the portraits. Draco turned the handle softly and exited the room with Hermione.
Hermione was amazed by the size of the Malfoy Manor, her eyes were wide open and she had her free hand covering her mouth suppressing the inaudible admiration noise she was making. Draco has drawn up a map of his manor in one of their meetings before, Hermione has memorised and implanted the map inside her head. She knew the Manor was big like a maze figuratively and literally, she never expected it to be that massive in real life.
"Granger! I am more than happy to take you on a Malfoy Manor tour any day after the war when we have won. But now I need you to focus back on our task" Draco whispered. Hermione could hear the anger from Draco even he was speaking with a hushed voice.
"Yes, my apology. Let's keep going. We are almost there are we?" Hermione embarrassed by her distraction.
After a few more corridors and turns, Hermione found herself inside the Malfoy's Library. The room was so huge and gigantic, the ceiling must be at least 3 stories high, dark oak wood bookshelves painted in black were positioned across the room in blocks and against the wall. A massive chandelier assembled with a mixture of Herkimer diamonds and Phenakite crystals was hanging in the middle of the library, the room was filled with the smell of ancient books and knowledge. They found themselves in front of a painting. "Granger, we are here. Now pass me the knife." Hermione pulled out a knife from her bead bag enchanted with an un-detectable extension charm. She watched Draco as he gently drew a line of red blood on his left hand palm, he placed his palm onto the painting and it opened up with a dark long passage now visible in front of them. "Granger, come on. I promise I will let you take a book of your choice home from our library as a souvenir if we managed to apparate back to The Order tonight safety. Now follow me." Draco notice Hermione yet again distracted by the sight of the library, the Malfoy Library remained the third largest in Britain. They entered the passage and walked into the secret vault of the Malfoy. A vault even Lord Voldemort did not know it exist. "Lumos." Both Draco and Hermione lighted up their wand to give them a better visibility. Together they each took a side of the vault and warily searching through the vault for the sight of Ravenclaw's diadem. A blink of reflects through the wand light coming from the end of the room has caught Hermione's eye. There it was a platinum diadem with blue apatite crystal ornamented all over, sitting glamorously inside a clear glass jewellery case like an exhibit in a show, Hermione could not hide her excitement.
" Malfoy, come and look at this. I think I have found it." She held up the diadem to give Draco are a better view from where he was standing.
"Great job Granger! What an eagle eye you got there! Now let's go!" said Draco. He was astounded by the amount of time they spent on searching for the diadem. It was a lot shorter than he expected.
They left the library without making any noise, returning in a speedy fashion, praying they would meet no one during the journey back to the drawing room. Although the house was so huge and enormous, they could hear an occasion screaming of Lord Voldemort coming from the meeting room, echoing across the corridor of the Manor. The horror of Lord Voldemort scream has given Hermione a shivering spine, she could not possibly imagine Draco has to spend his every night living in this house of terror. Draco who seems to have read her mind said, "Don't worry, I don't hear any of this from my room, it is pretty far away on the west wing of the manor. I sleep quite well at night." Hermione doubt Draco was telling her the truth, instead an act of comfortless during this anxious time. "They are still in the meeting, but we should hurry they will be expecting me soon." Draco kept leading Hermione way back to the drawing room, her exit point.
Just as they re-entered the drawing room thinking they have managed to accomplish their task, Hermione has dropped her wand on the floor awaken all the portraits in the room. Kneeling on the floor Hermione made her best effort trying to recover her wand from the dark, Draco didn't dare to use the Lumos charm to light up the room, he wasn't going to risk the portraits witnessing his presence with Hermione. It was too late, they could hear the increase footsteps running rapidly towards to the drawing room. Hermione shoved her enchanted bead bag into Draco's robe pocket just before the death eaters entered the room.
"resigno curtains!" All the curtains that were closed before immediately opened up at Bellatrix commend. "Look what we have here. Our filthy mudblood princess! And Draco my dear little prince what are you doing here with the mudblood? "
Hermione mouthed the word "Stick with the plan" to Draco, before one of the death eater grabbed her arm and pulled her up from the floor.
" I just apparated back to the manor, surprised by the noise coming inside the room and the sight of all curtains being closed. And I was about to investigate the source of the noise. Aunt Bella you and the rest opened the door." Draco replied Bellatrix avoided eye contacts, attempting to conceal the worried tone in his voice.
"Well, what is this little mudblood doing in the manor? Tell me mudblood! Crucio!" Bellatrix always enjoyed her fun with her prey, cursing a torturing curse at Hermione without mercy. Bellatrix wasted no time casting curse over curse on Hermione, she has a reputation of torturing the victims purely out of joy. Hermione screamed like her body was cut by thousands of knifes at the same time, still refused to answer Bellatrix's question. She told herself before, she would die rather than betraying her friends, she would die in dignity. Eventually, she has passed out, lying motionlessly on the cold stone floor. "Well well well, our mudblood is trying to be tough, let's see how long will she last! Take her to the dungeon! And don't you worry mudblood the dark lord should be well informed of your royal arrival. Hahahaha…" Bellatrix's laugh was filled with joy and coldness. She could not wait until her next girl on girl fun time with Hermione. Draco's worst nightmare has finally become a reality.
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Draco and Katabe were having so much fun. Having finished purchased a large stock of potion ingredients from Chemie The Land of Herbs in an unbelievable cheap price in honour of Katebe's amazing bargaining talent. They were picking out a birthday present for Aki and Katebe saw a sliver penguin waddling its way and landed in front of her.
"Hey Kat, are you with Draco? I thought you guys are supposed to be back by now! I am starving! Miss Hermione Granger has just arrived, she has the release right to use form for the Impraegno potion with her. "
" Phoja's patronus was a penguin?" Draco found it quite hilarious and interesting, laughing uncontrollably as he asked.
"Ah yeah, she has this strange penguin affinity fetish ever since she was a child. Haven't you seen her work area? Why do you find it funny though?" Having lived with Phoja since she was a kid, Katebe was used to the museum grade display of penguin in their house.
"Its just she really does remind me of a penguin, you know how she was often so clumsy when she walked, falling down for no reasons like a penguin and somehow she runs like a penguin with her hand slapping out. It is hard to explain but it really suited her well appropriately." Draco still laughing having tears coming from the corner of his eyes.
"Well make sure you don't let her hear that. She really appreciates the symbolic of penguin loves. And hope she will find her soul mate like a penguin one day." Katebe replied.
"So whats your patronus then? A killer whale?" Draco now more interested in Katebe's form of patronous.
Katabe smiled without answering his question directly. She drew out her wand "Expecto Patrous".
A jelly fish patronus soon arrived still wiggling its tentacles like a dance carried a message back to Phoja.
"Hey Pho! We are still out gonna take a little longer. Well, I assume you know why we won't back soon cause of 'you know who'. Draco said ask Ms Granger to leave the documents here. We will paper scissor rock it for whoever returns the documents after he signed it. Just so you know we might just have lunch without you! Enjoying starving yourself! " And the jelly fish wobbled gently like white linen in a breeze slowly vaporised in mid-air.
" It appears would not be able to make it back to the office soon Miss Granger. However, I will take the documents from you and shall make sure it will return back to your office no later than tomorrow." Phoja gave Hermione an apologetic smile, knowing the 'you know who' inside Katebe's message was referring to Hermione. The Burgdorf sisters were among a few person who knew the true story behind Hermione and Draco.
"Well, I guess I was the one who came without any notice but thanks for taking the documents." Hermione passed the green folder over to Phoja.
On their way out, A cauldron with a small steam of crimson red cloud floating above the raspberry red liquid shimmering and bubbling had caught Hermione attention. The sweet scent of flowers and the fresh scent of mixed herbs has travelled across the room and filled her nostrils giving an alleviating effect. Hermione always eager and have the desire for knowledge she asked.
"Miss Burgdorf, I don't recognise this potion from any of the test books I have come across. Is it something you are currently working on?" Hermione asked.
"Ah yeah, it is a memory recovery potion my sister and I are working on. A lot of people's memory has been lacerated as an after effect by the imperious curse during the war. Unfortunately, it is something could not simply heal by a memory charm which strictly depends on the power of the caster. A lot of people underestimate the delicate power of liquid potion that creep through our human veins and ensnaring our sense. So Katabe and I are thinking to try it with a potion, hopefully, we will have a breakthrough. I have just added in a mixture of Holly, Pansy, Zinna and Periwinkle in it. That's why the room is now filled with such sweet scent." Phoja got excited when Hermione asked about her new project. " This is our first trail, so we will see."
"Miss Burgdorf, what about people who were unable to recover from an oblivation charm?" Hermione interested to find out more about this potion, over the years she hasn't missed out any opportunities to gather more information on reversing an overpowered oblivation charm. Not one single day, she has lost hope and faith in bringing her parents back.
"Ah! I couldn't say much at the moment. The ingredients we used in this potion target for memory dislocated from an imperious curse very different to an oblivation charm. Theoretically it may help to recover partial memories but definitely not the whole part, unfortunately." Phoja could sense the moment of excitement coming from Hermione when she introduced the potion to her. She hated to disappoint Hermione but regrettably there is no cure for memory restore if the caster itself could not reverse the oblivation charm.
"Well thank you very much for today. It is nice meeting you. And I totally forgot to congratulate you and your sister on winning the Moonshine Potion Award. " Hermione shook Phoja's hand once again as she reached for the sliver handle on the door. Leaving the Department of Potion Development. She apparated back into her office, sitting back at her comfortable brown leather chair, playing with her thumb. She was a bit disappointed that she didn't get to meet the mysterious man she has been longing to actually share a conversation with. Maybe one day.
Finally another chapter! once again I hoped your have enjoyed it, I have took extra time on this chapter hoping my writing has improved through times.
Coming up NEXT! Finally Hermione run into Draco in the building? What will happen?
Inside the cell Hermione was tied up against the wall, the death eater has brought Hermione a surprise. the body being levitated in mid-air still screaming was a female, wearing muggle clothing with long grey hair, her jaw line reassemble someone Hermione was familiar with. WHO WOULD THAT BE?
Thank you for the new followers and special thanks to MicPen for your support! Your review was my motivation to write a better story and every time when I read your review it has brought a big smile on my face :) So thank you thank you! And please do ask more question, I love question because it helps my readers to understand more story :D
1) Does Hermione know that Blaise and Draco are friends?
Yes, Hermione does know Blaise and Draco are friends. In chapter 2, after Hermione read an article Draco has published on potion, she turned and asked Blaise if he ever read Draco's publish work since they are like close friends? Hermione knew Draco was Blaise's close friend from the conversation between Blaise and her during lunch breaks at work. Her relationship with Blaise has gotten closer from the moment Blaise started dating her best friend Ron but it was not a best friend sort of friendship, So Blaise never shared how he have met Draco or gotten into too much details that might raise her suspicion.
2) If you can erase a person from another person's memory, does that mean you also erase their feelings for that person?
No, the existence of such individuals will no long hold in that person's memory. No feelings will be left, it is like they have never met that person in their life.
3) Is her interest in Draco now based on what she knows about him from his potions company, or can she sense something from their past?
Hermione interests in getting to know more about Draco Malfoy is from what she heard from Blaise, what she read in books or articles (like after war news, or Draco published work or history book on second wizarding war) and most importantly it was Draco weekly continuous appearance never missing a week in the café always same time as Hermione really aroused her curiosity towards him. So not because she has sense something from the past. Although I would say for now :) I can't guarantee something might have triggered later in the story!
I hope it will answer your questions! and can't wait to hear from you all in next chapter