Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to J.K. Rowling

Chapter Eleven: The Traitor

"No!" Hermione cried.

The whole table stared at her. Hermione stood up and fled the dining hall, past the ballroom, out of the entrance hall, through the foyer and out into the peaceful November landscape.

Rosaline had become her only real companion in this time. The one friend she could let her guard down with. With her she'd been unsheltered. She didn't see her as a means to one end or the other as Malfoy rightly pointed out was her attitude with most people. It just wasn't fair! A few tears fell before she breathed and decided licking her wounds right now would do nothing. She needed to think logically. Firstly Malfoy was not a reliable source. She'd needed to verify her loyalties. Secondly, she recalled what Severus used to say about true spies hiding in plain sight. She needed to change tactics. Rather than lingering around waiting to stumble accross him, she needed to seek the people who already stood out. Right.

Easier said than done.

"Eldrich!"

Hermione froze thankful she was leaning against a piller where the voice would not see her. Well it looks like the key player had come to her.

"Eldrich?" Young male. Average height. Wears glasses. Marital status likely single. Professional background. Hermione listed in her head not daring to see for herself if she was correct.

"What you doing out here? People will notice their ministers absence."

"I needed a moment."

"For the speech?"

"Of course the speech! Do you realize how much hangs on this?" Diggory snapped.

"Yes I realize but you've already made your intolerance public. All this is just detail. Politics is all about statements. No one looks too close after the headlines."

"I don't need poetry for clarity right now." Diggory said dryly.

"You're not telling me something."

"I'm surprised you don't already know."

"You know you can confide in me."

"It's not that easy. Merlin, it never is. I must have been mad wanting this job with that tyrant on the loose."

Pause.

"The bastard gave me an ultimatum. If I choose to go through with my original speech he'll attack."

"Attack?"

"That was all. No details. He might mean Britain, the ministry- Hell- he might mean everyone in this very building."

"I don't understand."

"What is there not to understand? I know what your thinking and I won't do it. I won't cower under his threats! In fact as soon as I recieved it I knew more than ever the decision to put this country firmly on the other side was the right one!"

"And when you are killed in this scuffle and the country is without minister and hope?"

"They will be without minister but not hope."

"Eldrich you once said you valued my council. Listen to me now. Don't do it. Get out of here now. Run."

Diggory laughed sadly.

"Is that concern I here from you? Don't worry old boy. You know that's not my style."

Their voices faded and Hermione ran after them but she lost the pair in the crowd leaving the dining hall. Guests prepared themselves to listen to their minister officially declare war. Hermione looked at the time. Quarter to eleven. She felt like a complete failure. She'd discovered next to nothing. Severus would bow his head in shame if he knew what his prodigy achieved tonight. She began to make her way back outside resigned to leave when she saw Abraxas laughing in that easy, contageous way of his and she was reminded of what she was fighting for. She made a u turn and headed to the front of the crowd that were gathering in the ballroom placing glamour charms as she did so. Her dress was now the colour of pale gold, her hair long and wavy and her face distorted, aging her so she looked years beyond her age.

"Witches and wizards. Ladies and gentleman. I address you now not as purebloods and muggleborns. Supporters of Grindelwald and enemies of Grindelwald. But as human beings."

Diggory paused.

"Grindelwald attacked the ministry this week and made his intentions clear. There is to be no negotiations. It is his way or no way. And Britain could not stand by any longer. The public has spoken. We will fight so we send a message loud and clear. We are not easily intimidated. We will not be easily defeated because we are a community comprised of individuals who have a right to life and liberty. Whoever they are. We value the pursuit of happiness and the future Grindelwald promises is certainly not that. Tonight dear friends we declare war on Grindelwald and so long we remain united I have great faith in this cause because we are not driven by power or hate, but - humanity and love. Thank you."

There was a moment of silence before the applause rang out. People whistled and cat called. Hermione smiled, her eyes glazed over with tears. Her heart swelled with love and pride for the man so much like Harry. Fudge was not a candle to this man. A leader who-

A shot fired. Almost like the sound of a bullet but it couldn't be. People screamed as Diggory froze a ghost of a smile on his face and as if in slow motion he keeled over backward.

Pandemonium reigned.

Auror's came out of their masquerade and surrounded them, wands raised before the stunned guests. Only Hermione ran to the Minister of Magic and saw a bullet lodged in his heart. Blood spread through his shirt like a blooming chrysanthemum. How many brave men was she to watch die in front of her very eyes before they won? Loss was replaced with righteous anger as she stood in the place Diggory had his life snatched from her.

"Our Minister has just become the first victim of this war and Britain's supposed leading academics and partisans descend into chaos at the sight of a little blood?" She addressed the crowd her voice travelling despite the mayhem. "I don't believe it for a second. At midnight Grindelwald will attack during the opening dance. We will take our positions but when they strike we'll strike back. Aurors stand your guard on every exit. When I sound the command everyone conjure the strongest shield charm they can muster. No killing if it can be avoided."

"And who, may I ask, do you think you are?" Emily Vance sneered standing near the exit clutching onto her husband who looked ashamedly at the floor.

"She's the only one with a cool head is who she is" Snarled Abraxas Malfoy. "I suggest we take our positions like the lady commands."

Miraculously the brunt of the crowd obeyed. Hermione came off the platform searching for the man with the voice. Young. Glasses. Average height. In plain sight. She repeated the information like a mantra as the ballroom was filled with couples poised, ready to waltz. The orchastra had their instruments in hand and everyone looked at the composer whose brow dripped with sweat. As the clock striked midnight she raised her batons and brought them down swiftly. As the first notes of Vendacca played the thirty six windows of the ballroom exploded, glass showering the dancers below.

At that moment Hermione found the man she was looking for inconveniently stood at the centre of the room. Hermione weaved through the apprehensive crowd as they waited for Grindelwald's impending attack. It came as quickly as they dreaded it. Figures clad in midnight blue poured in from every entrance. Auror's moved to attack and everyone else followed the mysterious woman darting through the crowds, shoving people out of her warpath, her golden eyes fixed on her prey, an unassuming looking man. The kind of man who looked like any other man. Dark blonde hair, low brows, brown bespectacled eyes, average height and slightly underweight. He turned, his small narrow mouth forming an o just as she leaped, her arms locked him and she screamed "NOW!" her wand pointed at the ceiling and with a deafening crack the chandelier dropped first followed by the entire building and from a distance if you shut the noise out just before the impact you'd see what looked like a passionate embrace between two lovers amidst a doting crowd and then- they were gone.

Hermione's arm was wrapped around his neck in a breath restricting deadlock, her other hand held his pinned against his back, her wand pressed against his tailbone. Feeling the cold biting air around her she gave herself a second to register the surroundings. They were outside in the woods, the moonlight providing the only light. She could hear faint screams. She prayed that her stunt had mostly worked and that Morgana Hall was salvageable.

"If you wanted a dance all you had to do was ask love." The man with the voice choked out.

"How did you apparate out of there?"

Hermione ignored him.

"Who are you?"

"Now, now I think that's hardly fair when you're the one in the compromising position."

"Drop the act. I know you killed the minister." Hermione denied the urge to roll her eyes. Bad habit.

"Proposterous."

"I agree." Releasing her hold on his neck she reached down inside her corset to retrieve a drawstring bag. She summoned the veriteserum and forced it down his throat.

"So let's try again shall we. Who are you?"

When he didn't answer she twisted his arms.

"Oliver Hornby. The ministers personal assistant." He gasped out in pain.

"What does the name Blaise mean to you?"

He looked confused.

"One of the event planners I believe."

Hermione closed her eyes thankfully.

"What were your orders for the night?"

"Kill Diggory. Ensure the kidnapping of Druella Rosier. The rest exterminate at will."

Hermione was disgusted. Not even Voldemort had been that ruthless. She pushed him violently down on his knees and bound his wrists and feet.

"Tell me what his plans for war."

"He is fixated on securing Britain before attempting anywhere else. He believes a British victory will secure the rest of Europe. Once he succeeds he will come out into the public as the French Minister taking the Ministry as HQ."

The screams were growing fainter. Hermione knelt down in front of him and was pleased to see he was afraid.

"I have an offer to make you, Oliver." Hermione asked, almost seductively.

Morgana Hall was completely destroyed. Not even rubble remained. The blustering wind transformed the landscape. Ashes whirled in the clearing like scraps of crystal and moonstone. It took Hermione's breath away. She heard steps approaching her and watched Dumbledore coming through the white bark trees looking the truly formidable wizard he was.

"Professor I don't care what you're about to say I'm not sorry." Hermione said with conviction.

"I was going to thank you my dear." Dumbledore said quietly watching the ashes dancing in the wind.

Hermione spluttured.

"Grindlewald planned a two pronged attack. He had his spy impant information so I was aware of the attack of the ball but not the Ministry as a diversion. Once Leach heard about the intruders in the Ministry he sent the majority of security to the Ministry. Your actions, Hermione, saved everyone here."

She sighed.

"But I heard screaming."

"A few ladies enjoyed the drama I think." Dumbledore chuckled.

"The Morgana Hall-."

"I'm sure Morgana would have been proud of your actions and happily give her home to-."

"Diggory died!" Hermione cringed at his praise. "I found the traitor too late." She berated herself.

"Hermione." Dumbledore sighed. "There will be casualties in war and if you continue to take personal responsibility for every life that is taken in proxemity.."

He trailed off. Hermione saw he spoke with experience.

"We'll make full reports in the morning. Let's get you back to Hogwarts. Rosaline is sick with worry."

Hermione took his offered arm.

"Malfoy said something to me Professor." She hesitated.

"I trust Rosaline with my life."

And that was enough for Hermione.

A.N. I know there doesn't seem to be much of Riddle right now but Hermione is the heroine of this story and it felt a bit silly to sideline Grindelwald when Riddle isn't really active at the moment. Hope you're enjoying it still. Please review!