A/N: It's been quite a while since I posted a new chapter to this story. I had completely forgotten that I still hadn't finished it until I rummaged around my computer and found a ready and waiting to be posted chapter just sitting there collecting dust. I found a couple more, actually but they still need a bit more editing. I'm quite in the mood to write, so I hope I'll be posting a few more chapters soon. Sorry it took so long, there is really no excuse.

Chapter Nine

It was the week of the first trials. Hermione's days at work were split between her office and the court room. They were frying minor fish and the trials were a pretty easy and fast affair.

"At this rate we'll be through with all of them by the end of the month. I assumed you had prepared everything well, but I had no idea how much effort you had put into these trials, Hermione." Kingsley Shacklebolt was impressed with his assistant.
"Thank you, Minister." Hermione answered and blushed a little. She wasn't very good with compliments. To her it was completely normal to have every detail planned.
"Please, how many times to I have to tell you to call me by my name?" Shacklebolt pretended to be offended by Hermione's use of his title.
"Sorry, I keep forgetting that. If you'll excuse me, there is still a lot to be done for tomorrow's trials." Hermione slipped back into her office and set to work. She knew the better she prepared everything the faster the trials would go. And the faster everything went, the faster all of them would be put away or receive a Dementor's Kiss. She really didn't wish that on anybody, but she also saw that some people were able to escape Azkaban and the world would be safer without them.

Wednesday morning, Hermione walked into her office and found a letter stuck to her desk with a knife. She felt a cold shiver running down her spine and examined the dagger more closely. It was silver and elegant and had it not been stuck into her desk she would have thought it looked beautiful. She performed a few spells to test if there was any poison on it before removing the knife from the letter and the desk.
She almost couldn't open the envelope, her hands trembled too much. She finally managed and read the letter.

Hermione,

I'm sorry to ruin your desk, but I feel I'm being watched and I'd rather not risk being uncovered as a rat. I might have some information on the whereabouts of a certain family member of mine.
Come to room 15 in the Leaky Cauldron tonight at 7 and meet me there. The door will open with the secret password, which is the name of the title character in your favourite Muggle book.

Be there,
DLM

PS: This is supposed to be a threat from my father, stating that he is out to get to you.

Hermione decided not to tell anyone about the letter. It briefly crossed her mind that it might be a trap but she shoved the thought away and decided to believe it really was Draco and that it really was his intention of helping her. After all he had switched sides by the end of the war. Where did he know her favourite book from though?

When it was almost 7 she flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and sneaked up the stairs to where the rooms where. She looked around but saw no one following her. When she found door number 15 she whispered, "Alice" and the door swung open.
The room was dimly lit and the door closed and locked automatically behind her. There was a bed and bedside tables, a small dresser and a small wooden desk with a chair. The heavy brocade curtains were drawn and the only light was coming from the desk lamp.
"Thank you for coming," she heard a familiar voice say. She turned her head and saw Draco.
"I was curious." Hermione answered.
"We don't have much time. Father thinks I'm out to buy something at Borgin & Burkes." Draco explained the situation.
"He doesn't know you switched sides?" Hermione was surprised.
"I fed him a story about being a snitch for the dark side. He was eager enough to believe it. But that is not why we're here. Father is hiding in one of his cousins houses in Chatham. He has already gained some influence again. There are about five people who are eager to prove to him that they are worthy Death Eaters." Draco looked nervous and talked unusually fast.
"So he's recruiting and re-building his forces. How do we get to him?" Hermione asked.
Draco shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. He doesn't tell me a lot, said I need to prove myself first. I know he's in Chatham and about the new recruits but nothing else. I don't even know about his plans."
"Can you keep me up to date?" Hermione's thoughts were spinning, plans were unfolding.
"I can try but I'm not sure how long it will take until I know more." Draco got even more nervous and started to look around the small room as if he expected someone to jump out from behind the curtain to tackle him.
"Thank you Draco. I appreciate your help. It will help you in your trial."
"Don't remind me of that. I've got to go now." Draco said and with a crack he was gone.
Hermione did the same, apparating into her room, mostly because Valerie still wasn't used to people popping in and out around her.
"Valerie, George, I'm home!" Hermione shouted while walking to the kitchen. She found them playing Scrabble on the kitchen table, "Who's winning?" Hermione asked amused by the words on the board.
"George is." Valerie said frustrated. Hermione went over to have a look and an amused smile crept over her face, "What is a Ylorgus?" she said and looked at George.
"I'm surprised you don't know, Hermione. Head in your books all the time and then you have never heard of the famous Ylorgus? You should read the Quibbler more often!" George winked.
Hermione decided to let him have a little fun. Valerie would find out soon enough what a prankster George was.
"Thanks for babysitting, George. I have a feeling it won't be for much longer." Hermione hinted.
"Why's that?" Geroge was getting curious.
"I got a hint today. I might know where Lucius hides. I just have to figure out how to get to him." Hermione didn't want to give away too much. There was research to be done and a plan to be mapped out before she would strike. She didn't want to risk Lucius getting away again.
"Hermione, you do know that if you go after him alone the whole Weasley clan will have your head when you're done with Lucius?" George knew her too well to not at least give her a proper warning.
"I know George, I won't go after him alone. I work in the Ministry, I have contacts, you know?" Hermione winked, but she knew he was not completely wrong to warn her. She had a habit of doing things alone, "Thanks for playing Vals bodyguard today."
George dismissed her last words, "It's nothing. The shop is running fine without me there all the time. We had a lovely day. But I should probably go now, before Val finds out about Ylorguses and Ighargles..."
Val blushed and admitted, "I can't believe I was so naive. I thought you were telling the truth! I'll get you back for that!"
George laughed and said his good byes before flooing home.
"Dinner?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, please." Valerie answered, her stomach growling a little.
Hermione started on dinner as a great white owl swooped in through the window.
"It's for you." Val said, getting up to get owl treats.
Hermione took the letter and Valerie fed the bird before it left the kitchen again.
"Who's it from?" Valerie asked. Hermione's face turned a brilliant shade of red before she answered, "Oh it's just a quick note from Ginny. She says she misses me."
Valerie snickered, "I doubt those were her words, but I'll let you get away with it this one time."
"Sit down. Dinner is ready!" Hermione was still a bit flushed, but seemed to have gained her composure back a bit. She put the letter into the back pocket of her trousers and sat down to eat too.

"Valerie, get up!" Hermione raced into the other girls room and frantically pulled open the curtains.
"Mmmh. Just another 5 minutes, Mum," Valerie mumbled into her pillow. But Hermione didn't have time for that. She had overslept, for the first time in forever, she had not woken up before her alarm clock and that was the day, the batteries had died. Damn, Muggle alarm clocks!
"Get up, Val! I overslept. You have about 5 minutes to get ready, then we're leaving!" Hermione panicked. She had no experience being late to anything and there were trials scheduled for this morning, she had to be on time. She had never been happier in her life about being a witch. After she was sure, that Valerie had understood the situation and was in fact getting up, Hermione ran into the bathroom shedding her pyjamas on the way. It took her 5 minutes to do her hair, brush her teeth, get washed and dressed and she still had time to pack her stuff for work.
Valerie joined her in the bathroom fully clothed, grabbed her toothbrush and went to get her things ready for a day at the Burrow.
Hermione was serious about not leaving Valerie to her own devices while Lucius was on the lose. Her being a freelance photographer had made Hermione's planning a bit easier. Today, Valerie would be spending the morning with Molly. She would bring her laptop and photo camera and after lunch Molly would join her in her Studio in London.
Miraculously, they were ready to leave only 5 minutes later than anticipated. Hermione decided that apparating would be much faster than the floo and without warning grabbed Valerie and apparated both of them to the Weasley's garden.
"Hermione! I thought we're going to use the floo!" Valerie screamed, looking a bit pale.
"Sorry, there was no time for that," Hermione apologized.
They made their way to the kitchen, were they were greeted by Molly with big bear hugs.
"Oh dear, did you apparate her, Hermione?" Molly asked with a concerned look, "Come here Val, sit down, I'll get you a good cup of tea. You get used to apparating after a couple of times."
"Thanks for spending the day with Val, Molly. I really appreciate it. I'm in a bit of a hurry, though. Bye, you two," Hermione said and with a wave she was gone.
"I hate it when she just apparates me," Valerie sighed and took a sip of her tea.

When she got to her office, she found another letter on her desk. This time there was no knife stuck in it. Her name was on the envelope, but she didn't recognise the handwriting.
She sat down in her chair and proceeded to open the letter.
There were a couple of photos showing Valerie on her way to her Studio, going shopping at the market and doing other regular things that she had done in the last few days, always in company. They were magical pictures. There was a very short note on the back of one of the pictures, "You can't protect her forever." It was the same penmanship as on the envelope.
Hermione felt the hair on her neck stand up. Was this Lucius' idea of a threat? At least she knew now, that he was indeed watching the most vulnerable of her friends. She was happy she had thought of a plan to have Valerie guarded at all times.
"Miss Granger, you're needed in the courtroom in five minutes," Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by one of the assistants. She nodded and started to get her documents before walking to the courtroom.

The rest of Hermione's day was busy with trials and preparations for more trials. She hardly had time to think about Valerie and Lucius' threat. Shortly before she decided to leave one of the assistants stepped into her office with another envelope.
This time Hermione knew exactly who had written her name on the letter and the thought of what this person had written last time made her blush once again. She took out the letter and read.

Dear Hermione,

I know you're not the biggest Quidditch fan, but I thought maybe you would enjoy watching me play. We're playing Puddlemere on Thursday at their new stadium in Dartford.
I've enclosed two tickets, because I thought you might want to bring Valerie. There are Muggle-Protection-Charms in place, but I thought if anyone can figure out how to work around them it's you.
Usually, they let the reporters in the locker room after we're all showered and dressed, but it will only take a couple of minutes. After that, I'd like to take you two out for a Butterbeer to celebrate our victory.
I hope to see you there,
love,
G.

Hermione stuffed the letter back into the envelope with the tickets and smiled happily. Ginny was right, Hermione was not the biggest Quidditch fan, but watching the redhead fly was always a pleasure.
She decided to pick Valerie up at her studio and relieve Molly of her babysitter duties instead of waiting for them at home.
Five minutes later, Hermione was out on the streets and walking the short distance.
She arrived at the old factory and pressed the buzzer. The door opened almost instantly and Hermione made her way up the stairs. The lift had not worked for years.
"Hello, is anybody in?" Hermione called.
"We're in the dark room. Almost done. Be right out," Valerie called back, obviously deep in concentration.
Hermione sat down on an old and rugged sofa and grabbed a book from her purse.
Fifteen minutes later, Molly and Valerie emerged from the dark room and stepped into the well lit loft that functioned as Valeries photo studio.
"Hello Hermione, dear. Did you have a good day at work?" Molly asked and hugged Hermione.
"Yes, thank you. Two more Death Eaters confined to the cells of Azkaban. How was your day?" Hermione replied.
"Oh, for the first time in my life, I understood Arthur and his fascination with all things Muggle. This photo-making process is really very interesting," Molly confessed.
"I'm glad you had fun, Molly," Valerie beamed. She always enjoyed showing off her photo skills.
"Well, I think it's time I got home," Molly stated.
"Thank you for babysitting Valerie. I really appreciate that you all help out with keeping her safe. Especially, since today I have intel on Lucius targeting specifically her," Hermione informed the two women.
"Does that mean you know he's after me?" Valerie asked, a slight tremble in her voice.
"Yes. There is evidence of that. But don't worry we'll keep you safe," Hermione tried to assure her friend.
"We got him once, we'll get him once again. Don't you worry, dear," Molly squeezed Valerie tightly, "You're in good hands. Hermione really is the cleverest witch of her age, you know. Have a good evening, you two." And with that Molly disapparated.
"You are? The cleverest witch, I mean," Valerie asked.
Hermione blushed, "That's what they say. I say I just read a lot. But let's get going. I'm hungry and it's your turn to cook."

After dinner, Hermione pulled Ginny's letter from her purse and presented it to Valerie.
"Would you like to accompany me to Ginny's Quidditch game on Thursday?" she asked.
"Really? Can I come? I thought Muggles were not allowed at these events?" Valerie asked excitedly.
"There are a couple of Muggle-Protection-Spells in place to keep Muggles out, but I have an idea on how to get you in anyway. I'm not the best person to go with, since I'm not as invested in it as Ron or Harry, but I'll be able to explain some things. And I still have the Omnioculars Harry bought for me at the Quidditch World Cup," Hermione said.
"What are Omnioculars?" Valerie was confused.
"They are the wizard equivalent to Muggle binoculars. The fun part is that they can slow down and replay what you just saw," Hermione explained.
Valerie was excited. She quickly washed the dishes and sat down with Hermione's copy of Quidditch through the ages to read up on the rules of the game.
Hermione joined her in the living room with a book of her own. She was not able to get a lot of reading done, however, because Valerie kept asking her questions, "Which position does Ginny play?"
"She's a Chaser. One of those scoring the goals," Hermione explained, the dreamy look on her face rivaling that of Luna Lovegood.
"Do they sell merchandise at these games? I'd really like to get a team t-shirt or something," Valerie kept asking all sorts of questions until even she had to give in to sleep and went to bed.

A/N: next chapter is going to be the Quidditch match and I had tons of fun writing that...