A/n: So I suppose this update isn't too late, right? It's quite long as well! Tell me what length you all prefer so I know where to cap off in the future. AND THE PLOT THICKENS. If anything is unclear, let me know so I can fix it.

I also forgot to thank you all for reviewing last chapter so here it is:

Thank you to: Jade2009 (TWICE, BECAUSE YOU'RE LOVELY), ICorona23, mmmhmmm, -jalice-carter, JaSpErAnDeEmMeTtLoVeR, and tfobmv18.

Thank you to everyone who also alerted and favourited. I love you all, please review!

Chapter 13: The Next Forty-Eight Hours

Draco: Forty-Eight Hours to Deadline

It hadn't come as a surprise that the Wizarding community of London was in strong debate of the events concerning the past few days. I should know this in great detail, after all. I did instigate it.

My letter to the Minister of Magic had sparked a series of events that even I could not have foreseen, not that I had been paying much attention to anything other than revenge. Once set in motion, nothing could possibly have stopped it. Not even Merlin himself, least of all the boy who lived.

In other words, Harry Potter.

I had sparked something the Wizarding world would talk about for many, many, many years to come. It would be known as the scandal of the century. It would be written about in history books, and it would come back to haunt me when I would least expect it.

And all it took was a letter.

Dear Shacklebolt,

I'm sorry to have missed your last birthday, again. I hope my present arrived in time as it usually does a week later, to irritate you.

I'm writing this not as my usual two month greeting, but to inform you that I am hereby pressing charges against an employee of yours who is a registered Auror. Perhaps you already know who I'm speaking of: Ronald Billus Weasley.

You probably have already heard of this, but I'll outline it to you anyways. He assaulted me twice already during my stay and Hermione Granger as well, who is now in Intensive Care at St. Mungos. I am applying for a magical restraint on the man, and he clearly is not fit to be working. I'm shocked that he'd attack his own best friend.

As a word of advice, just so that you have a heads up: you should remove him of his post immediately. I have already filed a complaint with the Wizarding Courts and they'll be returning to me shortly. This man is a threat to the community, a threat to the ministry and a threat to your reputation. I assure you, the American Ministry of Magic will support all actions I take.

We don't want this to be another screw up in the ministry name. So as your advisor, but more as your friend, I suggest you cut all ties with the lunatic. Try not to take it so hard.

Draco Malfoy

He didn't even take an hour to write back to me, but I knew the swift response was more because Kingsley is efficient than the urgency of the matter. The man was a machine more than human, in my opinion. Anyone who could keep such a wreck of people afloat for more than a few days was a saint with a commendable record. This man had been doing it for years.

I had offered him my friendship shortly after the war trials had taken place. He had helped sway the Wizegmont jury in my favour. Even though he had only really been keeping Dumbledore's wishes in mind, I had needed all the friends I could get at the time, and he definitely needed the support, what with the lunatics he'd had to manage.

Since then, I'd been helping him strengthen ties with the American Ministry. Our friendship had bloomed greatly in these past years.

Malfoy,

Consideration taken in mind.

Try not to over blow this if you ca, I'd hate to see an unnecessary scandal. You know how the press is with this kind of thing.

Shacklebolt.

P.S: Yes, your present was exactly a week late, though I'm not exactly sure I appreciate you painting out my status as an eligible bachelor all over the American Times. I'd appreciate if you'd REFRAIN from sending over any more girls. Get married yourself if you're so inclined to attend a wedding.

Smirking to myself at his response, I marked phase one complete in my head. If I knew Shacklebolt like I thought I did, the news would be spread all over Wizarding Britain with the arrival of the evening prophet. Unfortunately for Kingsley, a scandal of epic proportions was exactly what I was looking for and I had just the person in mind to lead the front lines.

I would have to write to Rita Skeeter as soon as I had the chance.

Hermione:

I couldn't tell if I was awake or if I was asleep. My mind told me that rationally, I couldn't possibly be awake right now. I had come up with several reasons for this, of course.

1) I was no longer a Hogwarts student so I couldn't actually be sitting in Professor Trelawney's tower having tea.
2) I hated professor Trelawney and divination so I couldn't possibly be having tea with her of all people, in this tower.
3) Tom Riddle was dead so he couldn't be having tea with us either
4) I was not married to Draco Malfoy, even though I wouldn't mind the prospect, so he and I couldn't have rings appropriately placed on the proper finger... having tea with Trelawney and Riddle at Hogwarts.

So while it was perfectly logical to believe that I was really asleep, I couldn't wake form this positively bizarre nightmare. Is it possible to be aware that one is dreaming whilst asleep? I attempted to wake up, attempted to leave, but every time I tried I was told by all three of them that I could not awake until I had discovered what I was here for. The truth of the matter. Whatever the hell that was. But until I had it all sorted out, I was not allowed to leave. They wouldn't let me leave!

Days passed, nights followed and still they all sat there having tea. Continuously. They told me that they could not indulge me until I was ready to accept. Accept what, though? That part they left out purposely to piss me off, probably. I was told that I could not leave until everything was heard and that this was a "crucial experience".

"Will I ever get to leave?" I asked. "I do need to wake up, you know. I have a life that I need to get back to." I smiled apologetically at Draco, who seemed astonished that I'd ever want to leave his side. But I had to remind myself that this wasn't really Draco. This was an extension of my subconscious.

But all they did was smile, and nod, repeating the same nonsensical things that they'd already told me over and over again. That was until I finally had it and stood, losing my patience and overturning the table that we were sitting at.

"Answer me clearly! I need to wake up, tell me how to get out of here, now!" But they continued as if I had not just ruined their lovely afternoon tea.

Trelawney just had her usual far-away look plastered to her face, her spectacles spattered with droplets of tea that had flown where I had upturned the table. I ignored her, not expecting anything useful from her at all.

I looked towards Draco who stared back haughtily. He had realized that I had spattered his sweater with tea and obviously did not appreciate it. Realizing I had no other alternative, since Draco was never helpful when put out, I turned towards Riddle, praying to my subconscious to have made him somewhat reasonable.

He had lit a pipe and was puffing on it expertly. It was such a surreal image watching his handsome features inhale. Then, as I watched slightly enraptured, his perfectly sculpted lips form a perfect "O" and slowly expel the acrid fumes, immune to the process. It was absolutely obscene. I would have to give my subconscious a good reprimanding later...when I had the time...after I had thoroughly drank in the sight...

He stared at me, calculatingly, waiting for me to finish a tantrum that was long over. After what seemed like an eternity, he leaned towards me just slightly and began to speak, as if what he had to say was the most important thing I'd ever hear in my minuscule life.

It ticked me off, but he was probably right, so I refrained from shouting out, biting my tongue to restrain myself.

"You are obviously here for a reason," he said imperiously, gesturing at me to take a seat, settle down. He spoke carefully, enunciating every syllable. "You might as well accept it and get it over faster."

I glared, even though is reasoning made a lot of sense. When he noticed I wasn't planning on sitting down, he smirked.

"Being stubborn won't get you very far in this world, though I admire the effort."

"This world?"

He paused again, as if to make sure I wasn't messing with him. I crossed my arms over my chest, extremely uncomfortable with his scrutiny. He arched an eyebrow. "I had been told you were an intelligent one, but I suppose Dumbledore isn't exactly a credible source these days..."

I instinctively knew blowing up now would just ruin my chances at getting him to reveal...well, whatever it is he knew and I didn't. Dumbledore? Not only was I confused and angry, but also insanely curious. I had to know what was going on before I lost what little sanity I had left. His smirk became more pronounced, as if he knew all about the thoughts running through my head.

"Very good. At the very least, you learn."

He gestured again for me to sit down before waving his hand to right the mess I'd made. It all quickly returned to its place. Sighing, I took my spot at the tea table, realizing this was going to be a very, very long process.

Draco: Thirty Hours to Deadline

When I had left for America, it wasn't that I hadn't had any other options available to me. I had just decided that ruining people's lives publicly for the benefit of my business was something I was already good at. For one thing, it was a trait that ran in my family and secondly... some people were just annoying bastards.

I found that having the press make me seem an innocent fellow would be advantageous. Not that I hadn't done this before (Remember the Buckbeak incident?). I just learned being a likeable figure made it seem more believable. It would make me seem like the poor bastard that had gotten the rough end of the stick, and someone who is loved by the public should never get anything below luxury treatment. One thing my good for nothing father had never learned: Money only got you so far. People's confidence and support made you thrive. So long as you know how to get it properly, of course.

I had learned early, the more the public loved you, the easier it was for them to accept, even condone, your actions. You couldn't possibly do any wrong. You were practically an idol.

Of course, the rest of the people involved in the business knew exactly what was going on. Especially the person getting their lives ruined. Those being talked against, publicly brought down. Burned to ashes. And of course, there were certain things one can do to alleviate the pressures of such... circumstances. But Ron Weasley knew none of this.

He wouldn't know what had hit him.

First, news of his terminated employment reached the evening papers. It was obvious that Kingsley had tried as hard as he could to downplay the article, having the writer under his thumb. But gossips add, and the word spreads like wildfire. He hadn't been able to stop the front page of the prophet being covered with the news of Hermione being in the hospital and the charges I had pressed against him.

And he most definitely couldn't stop the scandal Skeeter had brewed to perfection.

The man hadn't been able to step out of his house for anything, I'd been told. His windows, and all other possible entrances for that matter, had been barricaded shut to stop the insane barrage of owls. Mostly howlers, I'd imagine.

All of it made me deliriously happy. He deserved this. My blood boiled just thinking of his disgusting redheaded...personage. I couldn't even come up with a proper insult, I was so furious. But my anger didn't stop me from orchestrating his demise. No, I only needed one more day and he wouldn't be fit to be seen in Britain ever again.

Good bye, Ron Weasley. And good fucking riddance.

Hermione:

It was the oddest experience of my life, being taught something useful by my sworn enemy. If Tom Riddle can qualify as my sworn enemy... I hadn't exactly met him, had I? Before this, I mean. It had always just been Voldemort. Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort of the: I will Kill You Where You Stand Class. Order of Merlin first class!

But no, seriously. It was surreal as hell. If hell can be surreal, I mean.

After I had forced myself to sit down and sip a few cups of tea for what had felt like hours, he finally spoke up again.

"You still don't accept that you're in a reality different from your own." He didn't seem to mind this fact. I realized I must have been wasting his precious time, except, well, he probably had nothing better to do, anyways.

"How do you know? I'm trying my best, here..." I trailed off. I didn't want to be annoyed, really. It just came naturally.

"We are still here, in a place you obviously associate with lunacy and...shall I say, fraud?" My mouth literally dropped open. How had he known? He smirked and continued, "there are three of us, people you associate with foolishness and fraud," he pointed to Trelawney who smiled, "Love and trust," he pointed to Draco who wasn't paying attention, as usual, "and knowledge. With mistrust, of course," as he gestured to himself.

He sat there, waiting for my response. I didn't know what to say.

"This isn't a dream, this is all very real."

"But how can I know that for sure? And even if it is real, like you want me to believe, how can I trust you? You're Lord Voldemort, how can you possibly expect me to take anything you say at face value?" I asked.

"Because I'm not that person," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I told this to Potter the last time he was around, and I'll tell it to you-"

"Harry was here?" I was frazzled. Why wouldn't he have told me something this important? It would have made a brilliant research topic!

"Not here exactly. I met him last on his version of platform nine and three quarters-"

"Oh! He didn't mention he saw you, he only told me about Professor Dumbledore... why wouldn't he tell me something that important?" Now I was concerned. More for Harry than for myself, but it certainly gave this place more credibility. If Harry had seen this place and if it had helped him kill Voldemort, like he had said it had, then... perhaps I'm not dreaming. Maybe I'm not crazy at all!

"Perhaps it was because you have a rude habit of cutting people off in mid sentence," I blushed at his words. "It's quite unbecoming for a lady." At this I snorted.

"Alright, master Riddle, do continue with your wise words," I drawled, imitating Draco. Looking around for Draco, I found he wasn't there. He, Trelawney and the whole tower had vanished along with all the blasted tea things while I wasn't looking. Instead we were sitting on a chequered picnic blanket out by the lake.

"How did we get here? Where did everything go?" I made to stand but he grabbed me, forcing me to sit down.

"You are becoming more accustomed to this world. This is a place you associate with calm. Quite a good learning environment. I love it when you lot pick a nice place...I haven't felt the sun in ages, do sit a while." And I complied, just because I was shocked that he had touched me. It had felt quite...real. He had lain on the blanket with his head in his arms, absorbing the sunlight. He probably needed all the vitamin E he could get, he was as pale as a ghost. Well... was he a ghost?

"So, you're a..."

"Fragmented soul. People, or souls, become trapped here, in this world. It's a midway between your world and beyond."

"What's beyond?" This was certainly something that was going to be an interesting topic to research later on.

"If you don't get what you need from this world, you'll find out soon enough," he sighed. "And I haven't failed so far, so you'll be my first. Honestly, anyone can be called intelligent these days..."

And apparently, my determination was amusing to him because he smirked. "Alright, lay it on me," I said through gritted teeth. "Why is your fragmented soul the one...well...guiding me? Why am I here? And why should I trust you?"

He stared at me, as if to ascertain I wouldn't interrupt, then lay back down enjoying the sun. He spoke in a bored voice, yet it was still quite...captivating.

"Like I had told you before, you associate me with complete intelligence, which is why I am here, guiding you, as you say," he paused, and his tongue darted out to wet his lips, before continuing. "You are here because you need to learn some things that must be imparted to you and this happened to be the most convenient way, apparently. You don't have to trust me, but you probably should. Your time is running out."

He opened an eye to see if I had grasped anything. "Most convenient way... you mean, I was purposely – well, what do you mean?"

He chuckled; as if this were a question he got a lot. "Hermione Jean Granger, I am going to give you a little bit of knowledge now, because your mind works on a singular track." He raised his hand to stop my protests without even opening his eyes. I was rather put out. "It's quite alright. Before I fragmented my soul and landed myself here, I was quite like that as well. Look where that got me, hm? So do try to take my words at face value."

He had me stumped. "So you're..."

"Half of a soul, yes."

"Half-"

"Souls are rarely shattered evenly. If I smashed a mirror onto the ground right now, would the pieces break evenly?" I shook my head. He paused a minute, then propped himself up onto his elbow to stare at me again, unblinkingly. "I'd learned my mistake when my soul ripped the first time and I regretted it properly. I think that's why I was sent here."

"Instead of beyond? What about Trelawney?"

"That's right," he smiled. "As for Trelawney, she's not actually here. Just a manifestation of her psyche. Seers are a part of this world, but they are rarely fully here. You must have noticed how airy and nonresponsive she seemed. That is because she isn't present. When seers make prophecies..."

He gestured at me to finish the sentence. "...they're channelling this world?"

"Very good. Now if you have no more questions, I believe it's time we go get some work done," he said, getting up and brushing the imaginary dust or grass off of his already perfect clothes. He began to walk towards the castle and I began to rush after him. But just as I managed to catch up with him, my vision began to dim.

Everything faded to black.

A/N: Dun dun dun dunnnn... I know, I rather love cliff hangers. Please review, it helps motivate me to update faster.