Author's Note: This chapter so hard to write, which was why it took so long. I had to look up things in previous chapters, and with only an hour per week to write, it went by very slow. So my apologies. But, hopefully you all enjoy it. It's 19 pages, for those of you who wanted longer chapters! Make sure you're comfortable! I tried so so hard on this chapter, so please make sure you leave a review! I didn't get many for the last chapter, so I hope this one is different!
Anything in italics is a flashback, and the * symbol is to represent a change from one memory to another.
Anyways, here it is!
The Missing Piece Chapter Twenty-Five
Day: 58 part III
From the moment the words, "I choose to remember" left Hermione's lips, there was tangible relief and tension in the room. The decision had been made, and there was no going back for Hermione. That was one less burden off her shoulders. The tension between Lucy and her friends tripled, however, as she stared uneasily at her wand which lay in the other end of the room, clearly taking her time incase Hermione should go back on her choice.
She did not.
"I suppose I cannot stop you. You know what you're doing." Was all the woman said as she lifted herself up slowly from her chair, and quietly retrieved her battered wand.
She then grabbed it, and pointed it straight at Hermione's forehead with a slightly shaky hand, and uttered the words, "memento oblítus."
It was as if she had been holding her breath underwater for way too long, and had just taken her first breath upon reaching the surface. Memories flooded her mind like air would flood ones lungs, and all at once, the pieces started fitting together. She felt together again, as if she was now truly herself, because on some level she never had been.
"I—give me a moment, please." She stuttered out, one hand to her chest. Ron, Harry, and Draco immediately backed up ten steps as if she were about to explode at any moment. Hermione closed her eyes, shutting out the outside world around her and closing in on a new world she was about to explore.
"Listen I don't want to work with you any more than you want to work with me, we might as well get used to each other. Some things require explanation—" Hermione began, making a great effort to be polite. She felt so frustrated. A ministry job was all she ever wanted, and if Malfoy ever threatened to stand in her way…
"No you listen, as soon as I get the chance, I'm getting a new partner Granger so if I were you I would just give the files here." Malfoy cut in, tension and disgust lingering in every syllable. He looked around Hermione's office, wrinkling his nose once more in distaste, which angered Hermione very much. Hermione locked her jaw in frustration, feeling her nostrils expand with pure anger.
"There is no rescheduling, Malfoy." Hermione attacked, unsurprised at Malfoy's immaturity and lack of professionalism. "If I were you I'd get off that high horse you're on and stop looking at my office as if it were filth, because you're the fil—"
"How dare you talk to me like that you foul excuse for a witch! Don't tell me what I can and cannot do. Who do you think you are? My superior?" Malfoy scoffed. "You could only wish—"
"No! How dare you come in here and act like this! You rotten git! Your father is in Azkaban for all your family's done, you have a job thanks to Harry, and you stand here insulting me as if you were even in a position to do so in the first place! Sod off you snobby—" Hermione saw Malfoy's face became blank with shock at her words. She cut herself off before she made herself look as unprofessional as he did. Apparently Malfoy had only insults in mind.
"How dare you mention my father, and my family, when you don't know half of what went on. You don't know a single sodding thing about me, so give me those files, and shut up." Malfoy's voice was dangerously low and threatening. Hermione felt a slight twinge of fear at the pit of her stomach. Malfoy wasn't capable of hurting her, but he could definitely inflict wounds on her reputation. Despite this, she looked into his eyes defiantly. This was her job, her office, and she would not back down.
"—And what makes you think you're better qualified to do this than I? Do you think you're better than me because—" Hermione yelled out in a mixture of anger and hurt. This was the fifth argument they've had in two days, but rather than attacking each other's work, this argument seemed to be on a whole different level.
"Sod off you scummy bitch! I'm only saying it because I've actually had experience in this type of thing. But you can't stand being involved in everything can you? You insufferable—"
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy! Just because I never kissed up to Voldemort-" Hermione cut off. Malfoy winced at Hermione's words, "-Does not mean I cannot do this case. They put you here to help me, not the other way around! Now—"
"Put me here to help you? Get off that high horse of yours Granger—"
"Oh look the ferret is going to teach me about not being snooty…" Hermione shot in mock amusement. Hermione could not feel her fists she was holding them so tightly. Her heart pounded wildly. There was no one on Earth who angered her more than he did.
"You are completely impossible to work with, Malfoy!" Hermione yelled in frustration, grabbing some parchment and walking toward the door. She slammed the door on the way out. She could feel her nostrils flaring and her eyes stinging from tears that were threatening to spill over. Somehow, she managed to hold it together and keep her composure until she reached her office one floor above his, but once the door was shut she let her guard down completely. This was the last time he would torment her. She would make sure of it. She would not cry because of him anymore. This was not Hogwarts, this was a new age. This was her place, not his. As Hermione placed her head in her hands however, she still couldn't help feeling hurt.
"You are both working on a very important case. And if I had enough people, you both would have been replaced by someone more capable of working with others. But I don't have people to spare. So you both are going to have to put aside your petty differences and work as a team. I cannot have you representing this case, your department, the Ministry, and by extension myself if this continues. Understand?" Kingsley's tone went from serious and business-like to almost scolding. Tears were forming under Hermione's eyes, and she looked down to fidget with the hem of her robe. This was a huge embarrassment for her. She had never been talked to like this. She was always complemented on her great work and never scolded on how her work was going. Kingsley Shacklebolt was practically threatening to fire her.
"If I hear one more outburst like that, or if I see you two are endangering this case… you will be—No." Kingsley said, apparently changing his mind. "We won't need to go there, because I trust you both will get the job done."
Memory Hermione nodded fervently, while Malfoy continued to stare at some point in front of him with a stoic expression. Hermione felt a tight ball form in her throat and tried to swallow to get rid of it without much luck.
"That will be all." Kingsley said, gesturing towards the door. Hermione and Malfoy stood simultaneously, and exited the room, remaining silent, like two kids who have just been severely scolded by their parents.
Hermione spotted Harry, nervously waiting some distance from Shacklebolt's office. She was more than glad to see him there. Harry was the person she needed for comfort right now. She walked up to him, hugged her friend tightly, letting out some sobs against his shoulder.
"He's going to get me fired, Harry." Hermione whispered between quiet broken sobs.
"No, he won't Hermione. I'll make sure of it."
"Will he be okay?!" Hermione shouted in panic at the healer at St. Mungo's Hospital.
When the healer took too long to reply and did not make eye contact, Hermione asked once more, gripping Ron's arm in a tight grasp, tears forming in her eyes.
"We don't know what Mr. Potter has been hit with, but rest assured we will do all that we can." The healer informed Hermione in a small voice, not meeting her eyes.
Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face into Ron's shoulder. Ron's hand softly patted Hermione's head, and she felt a light kiss graze her hair. She knew Harry shouldn't have gone. He thought he could do with minimal backup, because he didn't want anyone to get hurt. Hermione remembered trying to argue with him, but his stubbornness could not be moved. Guilt overrode Hermione now, because she hadn't gone with him.
"Come on, Hermione. Visiting hours will be over anytime now. Let's go to my place, I can serve you a nice glass of butterbeer to cheer you up. Sound good?" Ron asked Hermione in a low, kind-hearted voice.
Hermione quickly accepted and they both left the hospital, Ron's arm around Hermione's shoulder. She didn't want to be alone tonight, she was too upset. She knew Ron needed her as well, in order to cope with what happened to Harry. It was like this with any of them. If Ron had been in Harry's place, she and Harry would have kept each other company until they were able to cope. She'd like to think the same happened when she was hurt.
An hour later, Hermione found herself more depressed under the influence of firewiskey (Ron had run out of butterbeer). Both Ron and Hermione sat on the sofa, embracing each other in sad drunkenness.
"Remember us? In Hogwarts?" Ron suddenly asked.
Hermione did. She recalled being jealous of Lavender Brown, and kissing Ron in the Chamber of Secrets. She also remembered after Hogwarts, when they both went back to their hesitant awkwardness because they weren't sure if they should take it to a whole new level. Hermione replied in the affirmative.
"I ssstill feel the same" Ron nearly slurred out, placing too much emphasis on the "s."
Hermione looked up from her place on Ron's chest, her eyes flickering to his eyes and then his lips. The firewiskey told her it was a good idea, so she pulled up and kissed him in a sloppy kiss. Ron took no time to respond, immediately grasping her lower back and pulling her closer. Every feeling she had was augmented, and combined with her need to have comfort and need someone, Hermione didn't think twice. Her mind never truly registered that it was Ron whom this was happening to. She moved her hands to Ron's robe, fidgeting a bit with the buttons due to her bad coordination, and pulled it off unceremoniously. Ron did the same with her robe, and the rest of her clothing. Ron then awkwardly flipped Hermione over so she lay beneath him but Hermione placed to hands on Ron's chest to stop him before he could trap her in a kiss.
"Bed." Was all she uttered, rolling under him and falling with a thump on the wooden floor. Ron took a few moments to comprehend but stood up, staggering a bit to keep his balance.
Hermione threw herself on Ron's bed, laughing a bit in a mischievous manner, and flipped over on her back to watch Ron climb on top of her.
"I really love you." Ron slurred, before kissing her deeply. The kiss was sloppy, and wet, but Hermione didn't mind.
The sex was quick, and uncoordinated. Ron was too intoxicated to measure his strength, so when he entered Hermione he began to thrust quickly and powerfully, but Hermione was so numb she didn't feel it. She just lay on his bed, allowing Ron to make love to her however he pleased, and enjoyed the sensations that came with it.
The next morning when she was home alone and sober, only one image stuck in her mind, and that was Ron after coming down from his orgasm. He had uttered, "I don't ever want you to forget this."
Hermione and Malfoy were hunched over a pile of documents sitting in the only visible desk. They were both trying to sit as far away from each other as possible without making it obvious. Hermione was sure she could slice the tension in the quiet library with a butter knife. She involuntarily tensed whenever Malfoy tried to reach out and grab a file that was too close to her, and she felt him do the same whenever she got too close. Hermione concentrated only on her work, keeping her eyes glued to her files in an attempt to forget Malfoy was even there and perhaps make time fly faster. After a few minutes she required a document, and looking around, she found it was right next to Malfoy's farthest elbow. She froze, debating how she would go about it without getting too close, but then she realized she was being ridiculous. Making up her mind she reached out quickly and retrieved the document, making her movements quick so she didn't change her mind. Hermione noticed Malfoy had tensed noticeably, his back straightened and his head lifted ever so slightly, pausing in his work. Malfoy did not move until a few seconds later, when nothing could be heard, except the rustle of paper.
After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Hermione saw Memory Malfoy pause from her peripheral vision. His head turned right, and left, in search of something. When he found what he was looking for, he paused once more, and his face tensed. What he wanted, out of his reach, on the other side of Hermione. He stared at his goal, the object he required for a few minutes, as if deliberating whether he should simply ask for it, or get it himself. Hermione tensed as well, debating whether she should just hand it to him or let him suffer. She decided upon the latter.
"But this doesn't make sense… the Aurors spotted them in Germany just one day ago. It doesn't seem logical that they would be in Switzerland at the same time." Hermione said, studying the map harder, willing it to give her answers. Both she and Malfoy were hunched over a map, gathering possible clues to the whereabouts of death eaters.
"Unless they split up." Memory Malfoy stated simply, looking up at her. Sometimes it surprised her to see how comfortable they were with working with each other now. A few weeks ago they couldn't stand each other. Hermione found it productive and pleasant at the same time. There was a whole other side to Draco Malfoy which she had never seen—a side that was thoughtful, genuine, and humble.
"But you said yourself they're scared of being found. They would most likely band together." Hermione said, looking back into his silver orbs.
"Yes, unless they have a reason to separate. I think our near discovery of them last week gave them reason enough, when the Auror squads found Lestrange and Yaxley in Italy."
Hermione returned her gaze to the map. "What makes you think they're in France?"
"Headquarters. We have a lot of documentation, as well as visible proof that they are in France most of the time. We only spotted them in other places occasionally, making me think that it's a tactic they're using to misguide us." Malfoy analyzed, not taking his eyes off his case partner. The fact that he had not looked away from her made Hermione slightly uneasy.
She bravely met his eyes with a look of misbelief. "That actually makes sense. That's perfect. Just what we need. Brilliant." She emitted a sigh in self-satisfaction, glad that she and Malfoy had finally put their differences aside. It was a huge weight off her shoulders.
"Of course it's perfect, I said it." Memory Malfoy said sarcastically.
"You stuck up git." Memory Hermione shot back jokingly, actually letting out a chuckle. They were even comfortable enough to poke fun at each other which was nice.
"Says the woman who is always dying to show off her intelligence."
Memory Hermione shook her head, a smile on her face. "I do not do that."
"Oh Mr. Shacklebolt," Memory Malfoy said in a high pitch, imitating Memory Hermione. "Mr. Shacklebolt, I know I'm right because I read about it in a library! I read everything, Mr. Shacklebolt! Everyone else is wrong, because they did not read Hogwarts: A History!"
"I do not do that!" Memory Hermione repeated stubbornly, between laughs. It was hilarious to see Draco Malfoy attempt to imitate her by sticking his nose up in the air and talk in a high-pitched voice.
"The bushier my hair is the smarter I am, oh yes yes yes." Malfoy muttered in his Hermione-accent. Hermione lost control and burst into a fit of laughter. She knew by now he meant everything as a joke, as friends would sometimes do. Hermione clutched her ribs in an attempt to stop laughing but there was no stopping her. She laughed so hard Malfoy joined in, and she couldn't help being surprised by how beautiful his laugh was. It was not his usual snarky chuckle, but rather a genuine laugh that resembled more the sounds of chimes than anything else.
"Stop avoiding me." Hermione said firmly, before Malfoy could reply. This was the fifth time she had tried to talk to him today, and in all those instances he managed to weasel himself out of talking to her. She was done. She wanted answers.
"I'm not." Was all Malfoy replied.
"I think I'm intelligent enough to know when someone is avoiding me. Stop lying to yourself. You know very well you were avoiding me." Hermione continued, her tone bordering accusatory. Truth was, she knew very well the reason why. She knew why he had saved her, and taken the trouble to bring her to St. Mungo's. He cared. All she wanted from him was an answer. Because she also started to care about him. She would have done the same.
"I am not avoiding you, Granger. Stop being so conceited." Malfoy said, turning around in the direction he had been walking before Hermione had interrupted. Annoyance bubbled up inside of her.
"You can't hide your feelings forever, Malfoy."
Malfoy stopped mid-stride and froze. Hermione noticed his back straighten slowly, as he prepared to counter her statement.
"Hiding my feelings? What, do you think I fancy you or something?" Malfoy said disbelievingly.
Hermione lifted her chin defiantly. She could see the fear of being exposed in his eyes; she knew she was right.
"All I ask is that you stop lying to yourself, and pretending like I don't exist."
"Blimey, you really think I fancy you!" Malfoy said incredulously, facing her, and regarding her with a look that clearly said, 'Who-do-you-think-you-are?'
"You brought me to St. Mungo's when you clearly did not have to." Hermione began.
"I'm your case partner; I just wanted to make sure you got help, for the sake of the case, only." Malfoy shot back, defending his case. He crossed both arms over his chest in a stubborn manner.
"And you wanted to make sure I got help, because you care." Hermione said knowingly, raising her eyebrows, and daring him to deny he cared.
"I don't care about you. I care about the case, for the sake of my job—"
"And I suppose the way you look at me while we're at meetings does not have anything to do with caring about me. It has to do with the case." She countered sarcastically. Hermione watched Malfoy as his face went from pale, to pink, to red in a matter of seconds. He always thought she hadn't seen him, but Hermione was smarter than she led on when it came to this subject. She cocked her head, waiting for a reply.
"You're completely full of yourself. I sit right near you; it's hard not to look at that bushy head of yours!" Malfoy said, his tone becoming defensive.
"So you admit you look at me?" Hermione countered, cocking her head to the other side.
Malfoy threw his arms in the air in surrender. He brought a hand up to brush through his hair, and placed his other hand on his hips. Hermione fought the urge to smile. She would smile later. She found it adorable how he tried to hide his feelings from her, and how deeply he blushed when he saw there was no getting out of this.
"Fine, Granger. Okay." Malfoy said in defeat, clearly seeing there was no getting around Hermione's logic. Her heart began pounding, and she blushed, looking down at the ground.
"Don't deny it." Malfoy prodded, moving forward ever so slightly in an attempt to have eye contact with Hermione.
"I'm not denying anything." Hermione shot back quietly but stubbornly, her eyes flashing to his face for a split second and then back down at her nails. She felt trapped. Betrayed by her own game. Instead of her cornering Malfoy, Malfoy was cornering her for answers.
"Granger…" Malfoy called, narrowing his eyes at the bushy haired witch.
Hermione did not reply. Her mind raced, struggling between wanting to admit her feelings to him, and covering her answer with an excuse. Her face felt white-hot. She must have turned a billion shades of pink.
"Granger." Malfoy repeated, clearly trying to get her attention.
Hermione did not budge. She stayed frozen in her chair, fidgeting with her nails, and attempting to keep her breathing under control. What was she going to do? Should she just admit it?
"Hermione."
Hermione's head snapped up, surprised by his use of her first name. She froze, not daring to breathe. Malfoy's face was inches away from hers…
"I—" Memory Hermione began, but was not able to finish.
At that moment, Malfoy's lips were covering Hermione's in a passionate kiss, impeding that she say another word. Her eyes fluttered closed, and her hands drifted up to rest on his shoulders, pulling him closer. He was completely intoxicating. His tongue was smooth as silk and his breath was pleasant and inviting. Malfoy complied, deepening the kiss, and exhaling in an audible sigh. She felt herself freeze, while Malfoy rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. Hermione's hands could not stop trembling as they drifted back down to her lap, feeling the muscles in his arms on the way. Hermione blushed as it registered in her mind that Malfoy was strong, and well sculpted. She sighed, having satisfied herself for a while.
Hermione looked up at him, and chuckled lightly. Malfoy smiled, and began to laugh his chime-like laugh.
"You and Malfoy seem close." Ron mentioned as casually as he could to her during her lunch break.
"We're just… friends." Hermione finally said, hesitating on the word "friends." Was that all they were?
"You seem like more than friends to me." Ron muttered stubbornly under his breath, but Hermione heard, and placed her sandwich down on the plate.
"What do you want, Ron?" She asked exasperatedly. It was more of a rhetorical question, she knew what he wanted. But Ron answered anyways.
"You know how I feel about you, is there any chance after that night we could…"
"Ron. We're friends. We were both emotionally vulnerable that night, and things happened. It's just weird. We're best friends." Hermione picked up her sandwich once more and took a bite while waiting for Ron to reply.
"If you didn't have this thing with Malfoy would you have given me a chance?"
Hermione internally rolled her eyes at Ron's persistence.
"I'm sorry, but we're friends. And that's how it's going to stay, Ron. Don't let this ruin our friendship. Please."
"You're so beautiful when you're working, you know that?" Malfoy said, simultaneously interrupting her thoughts. His hands ventured from her shoulders down to trace her ribs and back up, making her shiver in pleasure.
"Malfoy… not now…" She tried to shrug him off with her words but her body betrayed her. She loved it when he seduced her. His hands slid down her robe to trace her curves all the way down to her bum. "Please." She added almost pleading him, as she tried to concentrate on a very important task.
"What are you working on, love?" Malfoy murmured into her ear in a seductive whisper sending a tingle down her spine.
"Kingsley gave me a project, Draco. Now, if you'll stop seducing me…"
Draco nuzzled his cheek against Hermione's neck, bringing a smile on her face.
"What's the project, Miss Hermione?" Draco murmured. "Surely it can't be as fun as what we could do here…"
Hermione blushed a deep red, and her mind filled with images of a heated make-out session she and Draco had a while ago.
"I have to make a potion. And it has to be done in a month." Hermione said. Draco stood straight, and Hermione felt herself yearning for his touch once more but thought it was for the better. "And I have to figure out how to make it."
"What will this potion do?"
"It's supposed to deflect curses and jinxes, for protective purposes."
"With recent attacks in mind," Harry stated, "I think it's fairly obvious the death eaters have changed their tactics and are now attacking ministry workers."
"What are they after?" A female auror asked, fiddling nervously with her quill.
"No idea. But we intend to find out." Harry replied.
Hermione raised her gaze to lock eyes with Harry, and realized for the first time in a while that he was unsettled by the fact that he had no idea what was in store.
Sweat formed on Hermione's forehead as she concentrated on her work. She slowly transferred exactly one inch of snake skin into the cauldron of bubbling yellow liquid and dropped it in. The liquid turned bright purple before fading into a lilac color. Hermione let out a sigh of relief as the potion bubbled quietly and happily. It was exactly as she wanted it. It was done.
A look of triumph and satisfaction graced Hermione's features.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Miss Granger."
"Okay then, here goes. We will start off simple. A body-bind. Ready?"
The male auror just nodded his head, and gave Hermione a look of reassurance.
"Petrificus-Totalus!"
The spell hit the auror, but once it made contact with his body it was immediately deflected and sent off in Hermione's direction. Hermione quickly put up a protective charm and deflected the spell.
"So far so good. Send me the Imperius Curse."
Hermione put up her wand at the ready, and waited for the auror's nod.
"Imperio!" Hermione shouted after the nod was given.
The second spell sped toward the auror in a brilliant shade of red but like the last spell, it too was deflected and sent toward Hermione.
"Protego Totalus!" Hermione shouted just in time to deflect the curse.
"Okay, Hermione. Send me the killing curse."
"No. It works with these but with that one… No. Absolutely not. We didn't agree to this."
"Hermione. It's okay. Listen we have to know. It's the only way! It's the only way to know for sure."
"No, Tom. We can try that during missions. If—"
"Fine, Fine."
"Well, we know it works." Hermione said in a hopeful tone.
The night went by in snippets. A touch. A grab. A pull of clothing. Hot breath on her neck, chest, stomach. Goosebumps as he traced light touches on her exposed skin. Wanting him tighter. Needing him tighter. A grunt. A growl. Pulling her hair back. Arching her back as he held her against him. Feeling complete when he entered her. A gasp as he moved against her. Needing him faster. Scratches on his shoulders and back. Gripping his flexed muscles to keep steady. Climbing closer to her orgasm. Screaming his name. Hearing him scream her name. Relaxing. Cuddling. Pulling him closer, and drifting to sleep.
"I'm telling you Hermione, that potion worked wonders. It was purely amazing." Ron exclaimed, walking with Hermione toward Harry's office.
"I'm glad it worked. Really! Did it deflect all spells?"
"Yes! Even the killing curse. You wouldn't have killed Tom after all."
"Well I'm really glad then, but I wouldn't have hit him with that anyways—"
"Hermione you should have seen the death eater's faces when none of their spells were affecting us. You could see them cower behind their masks, it was quite hilarious. They just started retreating, muffling all these swears and protecting themselves from the deflected spells, you should have been there!"
Hermione let out a laugh, glad to see that things were back to normal with Ron. They were friends, and that's where she wanted it to stay. It was better this way.
Hermione shivered and brought her coat closer to her as a cold breeze passed by her. She hated the nights where she had to work late, because it was unsettling to walk home alone at that time of night. Although there was no one in the streets usually, there were always shadows, which allowed for imagination. Hermione shivered once more, and walked right on, picking up her step.
After a few seconds, she felt a pair of eyes on her back. At first she ignored it, but after a while it got so bad, that she turned around in time to spot a man casually walking several hundred feet behind her. Hermione rolled her eyes to herself for overreacting. However, after two more blocks, she began to worry. The man had followed her into her neighborhood. Although he could live nearby, suspicion rose, and she picked up her step, her heart beating faster. Her mind raced with any and all defensive spells while her hands subconsciously felt for her wand which was in her right pocket. In case she lost her wand, she attempted to recall some of what she learned in Karate during her childhood. Round-house kick, hook kick, reverse punch… she was wearing heels, which was a plus. Hermione risked a look over her shoulder. Her heart raced. The man was closer. Hermione quickened her step to a near jog and turned right. Several seconds later she found the man too had quickened his step and turned right as well.
"He isn't stalking me. He can't be. Why would he. He's a neighbor." Hermione murmured under her breath. She took a deep breath. This was ridiculous. This wasn't her usual self. She stopped, and turned around, wand out.
There was no one there.
It was close to one in the morning, and time seemed to pass slowly for Hermione. If Draco Malfoy were with her, he would be hugging her from behind, nibbling on her ear, and misguiding her concentration. But tonight he was away on a three-day business trip, while Hermione was stuck with large documents to sift through and organize.
Her attention started to collapse when she felt something hot against the pocket of her robes. At first it was a slight warmth, and slightly unnoticeable, but as time progressed her pocket grew steadily hot, until her slow and weary mind realized it was her wand that was burning against her thigh. Her mind raced. Her wand grew hot thanks to a spell she used on it to warn her of anyone that crossed the magical barriers she had set up at her apartment. Heart beating faster, her mind forced itself into alertness.
"Scio" Hermione whispered, and her wand cooled down immediately.
She looked up to her bedroom door. It was closed, as usual. She closed her eyes and listened attentively for anyone that might be inside her apartment, but could not hear a thing. Quietly she got up, and opened her door, looking down the hallway. She could hear the steady vibration of a sneakoscope she had once bought, in her living room. Her heart thundered. Someone was here.
Wand out, and a binding spell right on the tip of her tongue, Hermione bravely walked forward, preparing herself for battle.
"Homenum Revelio" Hermione whispered.
"That won't work on me dear—Incarcerous!"
Immediately Hermione felt herself being thrown back against the wall, secured to her current position with tight ropes, which wrapped around her body, legs and arms. She looked around for someone but found no one. What was going on? A thousand possibilities filled her head. From an invisibility cloak, to a super-powerful dark wizard who could turn invisible at will. Each possibility was as improbable as the next, and her eyes scoured her apartment for any sign of who shot the spell.
From the corner of her eye she caught a visible ruffle, and the next second, there was a man standing in her living room, all dressed in black robes. The man had used a disillusionment charm. Hermione struggled against her bindings uselessly, knowing it wouldn't work. Her wand was a long way away from her, having been released from her grip due to the impact of the spell. She attempted not to make too much eye contact with it, in case her attacker were to remember to take away her wand.
"What do you want with me?" Hermione spat out, looking at the man who she considered to most likely be a death eater straight in the eye.
"Way to get straight to the point, little girl. All right then. You have something I need. And you're going to give it to me." The death eater answered maliciously, kneeling before Hermione on the floor with a sadistic look.
"What makes you think I'll give it to you? I'd rather die before handing over any information to you, you slimy—"
"Shhhhhh." The death eater placed a finger over Hermione's lips, who in turn widened her eyes and bit the finger. "You little bitch." The death eater growled. The next second there was a white-hot pain across her cheek, and her face had flung all the way to her right due to the impact. He had slapped her. Anger boiled up inside Hermione, and her mind hopelessly wished she had someone with her to fight alongside. As long as her wand was out of reach, however, she was useless against the ropes. "You will do whatever I say mudblood. Now, what I want, is inside your mind. You have to give it to us, and make it. Simple as that. You comply, and everyone goes home happy."
She knew immediately that he was after the potion. Her heart thundered. If this potion fell to the wrong hands it could be catastrophic.
"I am not going to give you anything! You cannot make me talk, or make it. And if you hurt me, that definitely won't be the case. Either way you lose."
"Ah, who said anything about hurting you? How about this: If you don't comply, then anyone you have ever known your entire life will die a slow, and painful death. And you can watch, knowing all you could have done to save them was make a simple potion. How about that little girl?"
Hermione tried to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to sob out of desperation. This man knew her weakness well, and that was her friends and family. If anything happened to them… But she managed to keep her composure. She glared at him and then spat in his face out of pure anger.
"MUDBLOOD BITCH!" The death eater yelled, and fired a spell at her which threw her several feet against the wall. Hermione yelped, and landed with a painful thud on the floor. She was pretty sure the wall now had a hole in it. She had instinctively closed her eyes when she had hit the wall, and as she opened them, she found no one there in her apartment once more.
The death eater was gone.
The phone only rang once a week in Hermione's apartment. Her mom had suggested it, as a way for them to keep in touch. Owl mail became too suspicious for her parents, and Hermione sometimes missed her muggle appliances she could no longer have due to being in the wizarding world. The phone usually rang on Thursdays, and so when it rang on a Saturday Hermione grew a bit surprised. Her mom must have special news. She answered it cheerfully, but soon words were caught in her throat.
"So-So-Sonia! Sh-She p-p-passed away sh-she wa-as mu-mur-dered." Her mom sobbed into the telephone.
Hermione's wind pipe seemed to get smaller and smaller. She found it harder to breathe as the seconds passed by. Her heart rate thundered in her chest, and there was a ringing noise in her ears. Hermione tried to speak but nothing but a short horn-like sound came out due to her mouth being dry. Her mother had understood it to be a "huh?" so Mrs. Granger continued to explain.
"Sh-She was found dead. But the p-police couldn't ex-plain-n it. She ju-us-ust drop-ped de-ad."
Hermione froze as her thoughts sunk in, but somehow, she couldn't make sense of it all. How did the death eaters know Sonia? How did they find her long family friend? Hermione realized the death eaters weren't kidding. And they killed Sonia to prove a point. Point proven. No more of her family and friends would die.
"Mom. Listen to me. Take a deep breath." Hermione began, her mind starting to work again. She waited for her mother to do as she instructed, and only then did she continue. "You are going to take dad and go to the London borough of Islington. Then you're going to go to the address, 12 Grimmuald Place. In order to enter the house, you must say the address aloud. Okay? I will send an owl, and she will be waiting for you there. Once you get there, she will fly back to me and I will know you are safe. Understand mom? And this is for you to do today. Right now. Got it?"
"Hermione Granger what are you saying…" Her mother began, but was quickly cut off.
"Mom. Please. I don't have much time, and I am truly very sorry. But you have to leave. You aren't safe."
"I thought this war was over—"
"Mom. Go. Now."
The scariest part, was that there was no sure way of saving everyone. Hermione had contemplated obliviating her parents, but that would do her no good. They could still be killed. Her friends and family's friends were still at risk. And she knew that. But she wasn't going to give in either. Once her owl returned and Hermione knew her parents were safe, it began: threatening letters and missing distant friends. She was scared, she was not going to deny that. And she had thought many times of telling Harry, Draco, or anyone, but every time she tried she received another letter, and someone else turned up missing. They weren't giving her any slack, and she wasn't strong enough to cope with the guilt of knowing her friends would die because of her. She was completely at a loss of what to do.
"Love, are you all right?" Draco questioned to Hermione from the bed. Hermione turned over in her covers to face him, and gave him a small nod. Draco eyed her warily, and gently kissed her forehead, spreading warmth into Hermione's heart. She yearned to tell him. To ask him for advice, a way to get out of this. But she knew if she opened her mouth, someone else would be gone. And it would be all her fault. Draco enveloped her in his arms, and she allowed, placing her face upon his chest. She then let out a sob she couldn't control, and to her surprise, tears continued to stream down her face, unable to stop them.
"Hermione?"
"I'm sorry Draco, it's just that…"
"What is it, love? What's bothering you?" Draco asked. The look of concern in his silver eyes was comforting, but what could she say?
"My family friend, Sonia, passed away two weeks ago, and I just… It's hard. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just—"
Draco hugged her closer, rocking her back and forth on the bed, completely silent. It was just what she needed.
"It's my entire fault." Hermione spewed out.
Draco pulled away slightly to get a better look at Hermione's teary face.
"Why would it be your fault?"
She never replied.
Her hands trembled as she read the note:
We are not very patient. We will give you three more days to decide, before we take matters into our own hands.
Hermione ran a hand through her hair, a gesture she had picked up from Draco when he was stressed. There had to be a way to save her friends and family, without giving information away. Perhaps if she found the man who trapped her in her home a couple days ago, she could have him hunted down. In a daze, she quickly got up from her chair and practically ran toward the library. The halls were empty except for a few offices which had their lights still on. Privacy, was what she loved about working after hours. She ran into the library and headed for the right, where she knew records of convicted death eaters would be. She had to start somewhere.
"They can't threaten them." Hermione whispered to herself, opening a book and looking through it desperately. "not them. I only have three days. Not them."
She left Kingsley's office in somewhat high spirits. He had called her to his office to commend her on her hard work on the potion, which stabbed Hermione in the heart on an emotional level. Usually she would have been happy, but with everything that was happening, it wasn't possible.
"You all right dearie? You seem unnerved." The secretary asked her.
"No, Mrs. Caddimer, I'm fine. Thank you." Hermione replied as courteously as possible.
"Are you sure? If I didn't know better, I'd say you look like you're being threatened by someone. Don't forget I was in the Order m'dear. I can tell." The woman replied in a light tone.
Hermione tried hard to mask her shock. The woman's words sent her heart into hysterics, but she managed to let out an awkward laugh.
"No, no. I'm just stressed from work. That's all."
"All right then. Take care! Oh! And congratulations on Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement! I'm a month late, but better late than never!"
Hermione muttered a quick thank you, and peeled out of the secretary's sight as soon as she could.
It was the tenth day. Hermione had not succumbed to replying to the death eater's wishes. She decided to play on the defensive, so she waited to see what they would do. Sure enough, there were several attacks all over England after the three days were up. Each mission proved unsuccessful. They were not able to capture many death eaters, and the ones that they arrested committed suicide so as to not give away secrets to what they were after. The only thing they would each utter before they took their last breath was a message from their leader: "Say it and everyone dies."
This confused Harry and Ron, as well as the rest of the auror department and the magical law enforcement. But before they could get an explanation out the death eater was long gone. It didn't make sense to everyone but Hermione, who internally shook with fear. She wasn't acting out of cowardice, but an out of protection. They were more dangerous than ever and she was not prepared to play games all by herself. When these attacks had started she had planned to tell harry exactly what they were after, but every time that happened she would get a threat, much like the one the death eaters gave when they were captured.
Then came the discovery of their headquarters. Harry was sure it was the real one. All signs pointed to it. It was a huge operation, and Harry wanted all hands on deck. The ministry had everyone from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Auror Department who they could spare, go. Hermione knew this was it. This was where they would catch them, and after this, she would say everything. She was sick of waiting, of being afraid, of protecting people perhaps she couldn't. Her family was safely in Grimmuald Place, and all that was left was to protect her friends and their families. No more hiding. Tonight she would end it.
Everything that led up to this awaited moment for Hermione went by in flashes. One moment she was apparating out of the ministry, and the next she stood in the woods, half a mile away from the Death Eater Headquarters. The next moment she was scanning faces, and before she knew it she was holding hands with Draco, occasionally looking up to his face for reassurance. Would she still have him once they walked out of here? Would they even walk out of here? The aurors and magical enforcement squads had taken the potion she made, including herself. Harry said this operation would be quick, most likely under two hours. So she made the potion to protect them for that time, plus a half an hour incase anything else should happen.
In the next flash, Hermione was shooting spells at cloaked figures. The headquarters looked to be placed in an abandoned muggle factory, from the looks of the crumbling walls, the shattered windows and scrap metal lying everywhere. Witches and wizards were firing at each other, some ducking for cover, and some falling down injured. Hermione stayed with Draco the entire time, fighting by his side. They would never lose each other this way. Hermione tried to fight the feeling that came over her as she realized all the death eaters were fighting towards her. She knew she was their target tonight. She was putting everyone in danger here. A sudden thought streaked through her: She shouldn't have come.
Two hours and fifteen minutes had passed, and both sides were fighting with the same intensity as they had begun. Hermione observed that some of the Auror's potions were beginning to wear off, because they were hit with curses.
A line of red light flew in the direction of Hermione but Hermione blocked it before it close. Hermione threw green light at in the direction of where the red light had come.
"Stupefy!" Malfoy shouted at a masked Death Eater. The spell hit the opponent straight in the chest and they fell to the ground.
"Get him away from her!" Hermione heard a male voice shout. Hermione's heart thundered. She fought harder.
Two death eaters suddenly materialized in front of Malfoy, both shooting a green light in his direction. Malfoy ducked, turning away from Hermione and sent a stream of red light in either direction.
"Stupefy!" Shouted a death eater, their spell aimed for Hermione. She blocked it, but just as she did the death eater sent another spell. Hermione was able to block that too, but the next spell shot out of the opposing wand even quicker than the last. Hermione's defenses were slipping, and Hermione's hands shook, knowing full well her own potential on the battlefield.
"Obliviate!" The death eater shouted. The spell hit Hermione square in the chest, the impact sending her back about ten feet. Hermione fell limp to the ground, her wand rolling out of her hand.
Hermione looked around at everyone in a new light. She tried not to think of what she had done with Ron when she looked at him, but it would take some getting used to. Harry's grin was the widest she had ever seen. And her Draco was as beautiful as ever. It seemed that with the return of her memories, her love for Draco had quadrupled. It was if she hadn't missed a beat with him; they had been together for years. The first thing she did, was get up and kiss him. It was a sorrowful kiss, one that would be appropriate as a kind of last kiss. The kind that couples gave before being separated for a long time. Draco looked down at her, confused.
"I have to take them back. It's a danger if I remember."
Extreme pain took over the blonde man's eyes, but understanding lay there too. Draco just kissed her in return, savoring the last moments of Hermione remembering.
"Miss Granger you know I can't do that, I said there is no turning ba—"
"Yes there is. You can obliviate me again I know you can now do it."
"It's too dangerous! You can't obliviate the same person twice and with the same memories—"
"I am aware of the risk. Now do it."
There was silence.
"Hermione, don't. Please." Ron said quietly, pleading to her in a tone she had never heard from his lips. I don't ever want you to forget this. He had said.
"Do it." Hermione directed at Lucy. The woman hesitantly raised her wand, but in that instant there was a loud buzzing sound and a siren that wailed like a burglar alarm. Shock overcame Lucy.
"They're here." The woman whispered in panic.
"DO IT. NOW." Hermione yelled in desperation.
"We could just hide from them Hermione, just think about this, don't forget what you now know." Ron pleaded once more.
"Lucy, please! Hurry!" Hermione shouted, ignoring Ron's increasingly panicked voice.
The sirens continued to ring, and now Hermione could hear voices outside.
"Hermione, no no. Think about this. Stop and think, Hermione please please stop. Malfoy why aren't you stopping her?!" Ron began to panic, fisting his hair. Draco just stood, rooted to the ground in complete shock. Harry too was immobile for the first time.
"Lucy, COME ON." Hermione shouted.
"OBLIVIATE!" Lucy finally shouted, aiming her wand toward Hermione. A spark of light flew from her wand, and Hermione closed her eyes out of instinct.
However, when she opened them, she could still remember everything that had happened. Confused, she looked at Lucy for an explanation, but found her looking at the ground. Hermione followed her line of sight and found Ron lying on the floor in front of her, unconscious from the spell.
A/N: sorry for the cliff hanger. I've been doing that a lot lately. How was it? Hope you all enjoyed it and liked the new insight into hermione's perspective. I realize at times Hermione could be a bit OOC, but with reason. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW, NO MATTER YOUR THOUGHTS I LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.