Chapter 11: A New Undesirable No. 1
While Harry and Hermione acquainted the other teens with the house, Sirius, Remus, Andromeda, Ted, and Tonks were all talking to Narcissa to gather as much information as possible. The main point she made so far was the reason that had started the screaming match between the Marauders. Bellatrix had to have recognized Hermione. They were certain. Voldemort would think that it was her who 'stormed' his territory and 'stole' the girls. That meant Hermione was in more danger than ever.
"He will kill her the first chance he gets," Narcissa confirmed their worst fears.
"Then we have to ensure he doesn't get that chance," Remus replied.
"She won't like it," Tonks frowned.
"She doesn't have to like it," Sirius replied with a frown.
We are the adults here. She can't be exposed until Riddle is dead," Sirius sighed. That would cause a lot of trouble. "Whatever we have to do... we will."
"Need I remind you that Hermione is an adult in the Wizarding World? We cannot force her to do anything," Andromeda said with a frown.
"How do you suppose we control her? Are we going to tie her up? Knock her down?" Ted asked with a grimace. That wouldn't end well.
"More to the point, do you really think that anything will hold her back if Harry leaves? Worse, if he's in danger?" Andromeda raised a brow at Remus. "Can you imagine what will happen if we force her to stay behind and –Merlin forbid- Harry dies?"
A collective shudder went through them all. "We can't think about that."
"We have to. Dying is a very tangible possibility, for all of us. But in their case, if one dies... the other will surely follow. Whether when they try to kill Riddle or they... give up," Sirius grimaced.
"They are in love," Narcissa said questioningly.
Everyone nodded, but Ted said, "They are way past that. The way they react and respond to each other... This is no teenage infatuation. The things those two have gone through together at their age, many happily married couples never have been through."
"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked.
"Remind me to show you my memories when Dobby returns with a pensieve," Remus instructed.
"I appreciate that," Narcissa smiled tentatively. "You all speak as if Ms. Granger's safety is more important than Mr. Potter's. According to the Dark Lord, Harry Potter is the only real threat standing in between him and... world domination."
"In a way, she is. We are only telling you this because you made the oath. Narcissa, if something happens to Hermione –Morgana forbid- we will lose Harry too. He will not recover from that," Tonks said as she tried to keep tears at bay. Bloody hormones!
"I am willing to lay down my life for Harry," Remus said with certainty. Tonks flinched but nodded in agreement.
Sirius replied, "You and me both."
"Yes, but before anyone does it for him, I would do it for her. It would be pointless to keep him safe if she dies," Remus explained.
A thick silence followed this statement. Everyone understood the magnitude of what that meant.
Andromeda sighed, "Fuck... they are too young to die."
"So were James and Lily," Sirius quipped, sadness clouding his face.
"You are right. All of you," Ted nodded. "We need to keep her safe. Even if she will hate us for it."
"Are they betrothed?" Narcissa asked curiously.
"Might as well be," Tonks responded with a shrug.
"Narcissa... I know you meant the oath, or you wouldn't be alive," Sirius said with a frown.
"Of course, I meant every word. Getting me out of Malfoy Manor is the biggest gift anyone has ever given me. You had no reason to trust us, but I thank you for myself and for my son. He needed this... I-I needed this too," Narcissa replied reaching out to squeeze Sirius' hand.
He didn't squeeze back, but Narcissa knew she deserved the cold treatment after everything that had happened. Him bringing them here was more than enough.
In a warning tone, Sirius said, "You need to know that Hermione is the boss here. It may seem odd to you given what we just told you, about keeping her safe."
"Not really. From Draco's letters, she always sounded like a strong, smart, competent leader. Are you telling me she will give us our marching orders?"
"No. It's not like that. There are no 'orders' here, not like Riddle ordered you around. We expect you to help us as much as you can and to fight for our cause. However, Hermione is Harry's boss..." Sirius chuckled.
"And as a natural consequence... since we all are following Harry, we really are following Hermione," Ted smirked. He was quite proud of his interference. Since he had talked to Harry, the boy was actually doing his best to become a man worthy of the young woman he loved.
"He will not do anything she doesn't approve of," Narcissa said, understanding their point.
"No, he won't. For your safety and that of your son, make sure neither of you ever do anything that will put her at risk or hurt her. The world is not large enough for you to hide from his wrath if you do. Family or not," Remus said warningly.
"I will speak to Draco."
"See that you do. Also, Narcissa... both kids are in Remus' pack so... if Harry doesn't tear you apart, he will. And as Harry's magical guardian and Lord Black, so help me Merlin, I will find a way to permanently bind your cores, make you destitute, and then I will cast you out. Understood?" Sirius frowned.
Narcissa didn't even flinch. She and her son were the kind of people that once they made their minds, they wouldn't change. They had made an oath and they would keep it. "My word is my bond. Magic accepted my oath. My heart will always stand with you because you gave me and my son a chance to get out. I could never repay you for what you have done, but this cause has my loyalty and everything I can do to help Mr. Potter, I will."
"I appreciate that Mrs. Malfoy," Harry's baritone voice replied.
Narcissa jumped and turned to face him. She studied his face. Not one wrinkle. A couple of pimples that proved he really is a teenager, "Dear Merlin, you are a kid," she whispered.
"No, not really. I never had that privilege..." Harry shrugged and looked away.
Narcissa felt the years of stress and near-death experiences were weighing him down. They were all in his eyes. This kid had seen hell. "I am really sorry... for everything you have suffered."
Harry looked at her. His eyes bore into her own and she felt analyzed. "I am sorry for what you have endured as well. No one should have to go through that. If there's anything we can help you get or anything you need, please let Andy know."
Narcissa felt the teen somehow knew all the horrible things that had happened to her. "You are very generous. Thank you."
He smiled slightly and turned to the Healer, "I apologize for the interruption. Hermione thinks that Draco needs his mother. He's uh... um... emotional? I believe seeing the ocean for the first time and well... everything else has been too much. I don't know if Mrs. Malfoy-"
"Please just call me Narcissa, if you don't mind," Narcissa interrupted.
"I don't know if Narcissa can walk or be levitated to the shore," Harry looked searchingly at Andromeda.
"We can levitate her bed, but no apparition. She's too injured for that."
Draco was having difficulty breathing. Once he started crying, he couldn't stop. He had tried everything he had known worked before to calm him down in the most stressful circumstances and he wasn't stressed now, but he felt his heart pounding and his clothes felt too tight even though they weren't. He wanted to scream. He needed to run. He could be killed out here in the ocean. Suddenly the ocean wasn't cheerful but a massive body of water that would swallow him whole.
Hermione had kept his eyes on Draco because the girls seemed content chatting with Dudley who kept a significant distance from them. They were talking about the crabs on the island. As Draco's hands started to pull at his clothes and he scratched his neck with shaky hands, and his chest moved sharply, Hermione realized she couldn't wait for Mrs. Malfoy. He was spiraling. With Harry, his visions came on so quickly, she never had time to help. But now, she could do something. She approached Draco slowly, calling his name so he wouldn't be scared.
"Draco..."
He turned to look at her in horror anyway. It was as if he wanted to push her away, but as he was down on the wet sand, he just tried to push himself away from her with serious difficulty. He was too weak for this.
"Malfoy... I mean you no harm. Please don't strain yourself. You could reopen her wound. You are having a panic attack."
"A w-what?" His icy blue eyes were wide and terrified.
"A panic attack..." Hermione crouched and approached him slowly.
"I d-don't p-panic!" Draco spat, but his hands were still shaking.
"Are you feeling anxious about something you can't name?"
He nodded. His eyes got wider.
"Are you feeling all the typical physical sensations of fear?"
Draco looked uncertain.
"Is your heart racing so hard you think it will come out of your chest?"
The blond nodded, shakily.
"Do you inhale deeply but you don't really feel like you are getting any air?"
"Y-Yes," he tried to breathe but he felt no air filling his lungs.
"Are your muscles tense?"
"I-I don't k-know," he replied. He hated how scared his voice sounded.
"May I?"
"W-What?" he looked at her suspiciously.
"I think I can help if you will let me," Hermione offered.
Draco nodded despite his instincts to run. Where could he go anyway?
"The first thing you need is to believe that you can get through this," Hermione took his frozen hands and squeezed. She was warm and her hands were soft.
Draco shook his head. He tried to breathe again several times but felt no air. "I c-can't!"
"What you are feeling is very scary, but it is not dangerous. You are safe here. No one who wishes to harm anyone here can come through the blood wards. They are ancient and have kept this island safe for decades," Hermione said slowly as she did circles on the back of Draco's hands. Dudley looked at them with a frown from afar, ready to run toward them if necessary.
Draco looked around in fear and kept breathing with difficulty.
Hermione got closer. "It's not the place that is bothering you, Draco; it's the thought."
"W-What thought?"
"The thought that you can't be safe here because it has been months since you felt safe anywhere. But you are not there anymore. You are here with us. No one is going to hurt you here."
"D-Do you p-promise?" he asked with a pitiful pout. His voice sounded so small he felt humiliated, but he couldn't help it. Hermione had battled his aunt and left alive. She got him and his mother out. She could have killed him at any point, but she didn't. He had to trust her.
He looks like a scared toddler, Hermione thought, feeling sorry for the teen. "I promise. I will keep you safe."
"W-Why? I have n-never been d-decent to y-you," Draco's breathing was getting more and more labored by the minute.
"You took a fealty oath. That is a life-long commitment. You are one of us now and that means we got you. Now, I want you to try to imitate me, okay?" Hermione said this like this was the most natural thing in the world.
Draco was shocked, but he nodded.
"Inhale..." Hermione breathed in slowly. "Hold it... now exhale..."
Draco looked around. He still felt something or rather someone would jump out from behind the palm trees and attack him.
Hermione placed one hand on his cheek to steady his face. He looked at her hand as if expecting to be struck. "Look at me, Draco. You are safe. Concentrate on your breathing. Stay in the present. Inhale..."
They did this several times and Draco felt with amazement how his heart starting to slow down. She was looking into his eyes. All he saw within those pools of melted chocolate was caring and kindness, and it made him feel like shit. He had made it a point to insult her and disrespect her every chance he got. All of it for promoting stupid blood purity for a monster that had obliterated his family and had ruined his life. As his breathing slowed and he no longer needed to imitate Hermione, he heard her voice as if it came from a distant place.
"I am proud of you, Draco. You got this. Good job," Hermione said, surprising even herself. Never in a million years did she think she would praise Malfoy.
Draco looked up at this and stared at the young woman in front of him as if he had never seen her before. Was Granger always like this?
"See? You can get through this," Hermione smiled slightly. "Do you feel better?"
"Y-Yes, much... T-Thank you," he blushed.
"Of course. Harry went to get your mother. Is there anything I can do while she gets here? What do you need?"
"He needs a hug," Luna's voice said as she approached them. Luna and Dudley a few steps behind.
Draco's blush deepened. He did. But how did blondie know that?
"Oh... Well, I don't know if he'd want me to hug him," Hermione stared pointedly at Luna.
"I... I d-don't mind, but I d-don't deserve that," he shrugged, looking down, as he inhaled deeply.
"Dudley, can you help him to the wheelchair? Draco, Dudley is Harry's cousin," Hermione explained. She wouldn't want a stranger touching her.
Dudley lifted Draco and sat him in the wheelchair. Hermione bent down and without warning or question, she hugged Draco softly and a bit awkwardly. She didn't pull him closer or squeeze him like she did people she was comfortable with, but still. Draco felt his arms wrap around Hermione of their own accord. She was warm and soft, and she smelled incredible. Despite the strange position and the awkwardness, Draco could understand why Potter seemed to always want Granger close to him. Her touch could make you feel peaceful and safe. One of his hands ended by her waist because of the odd angle of the hug. He was about to move it higher, so it was somewhere more platonic when the wind blew Hermione's soft hair away from his face and he saw an angry Dudley pressing his closed fist into his opposite palm.
"You better keep those hands in respectable places, or I will kick your ass," Dudley frowned at Draco.
Cho smiled at Luna. They appreciated protectiveness. Even if it was unnecessary. Granger could end Malfoy without any help. But Dudley speaking up made them feel a bit safer in general. No one in this house was at all inappropriate with them and all the men were keeping their distance.
"I am trying to... Sorry, Gra-Hermione," Draco felt her smile against his shoulder.
"It's fine, Dudley... I know that the least you touch me, the better for you, Draco," she chuckled.
They heard someone clearing their throat as Hermione stepped away from Draco. Narcissa was there. Harry was standing behind her bed. His arms were crossed, and an angry frown was on his face. Hermione and the girls walked toward him. Dudley lifted Draco's chair and placed him within reach of who he assumed was the blonde's mother.
"We will get out of your hair. Please call Maki or Kreacher when you want to return to the house, Lady Malfoy," Hermione smiled at Narcissa.
"Thank you, Ms. Granger."
"Hermione is fine."
"Then call me Narcissa. All of you, please," she smiled at the other teens who nodded.
"Harry," Dudley smirked and nodded at his cousin in an 'I got your back' type of way.
Harry nodded back and returned the same smirk.
Hermione looked at both teens and rolled her eyes. Boys. "Come on, girls. We still have some time to wash up for lunch."
Harry looked at her looking dejected. So, she reached her hand back out to him. He grinned and rushed to take it.
Luna and Cho had bathed and changed. Andromeda was finally able to check their whole bodies with their permission. Hermione had brought them clothes and essentials. Luna was more petite than Hermione. Cho was bustier. Tonks had given Hermione some clothes as well, just in case. She couldn't wear her non-maternity wear in any case. Maki, upon Narcissa's request, had helped adjust the clothes to fit the girls. There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Tis Dobby," the elf's squeaky voice.
"Come in," the Healer replied once the girls nodded that they were ready.
"I is sorry for interruptings."
"That's alright, Dobby. What do you need?"
"I is having to gives this to Ms. Moon," Dobby said. "From Mr. Longbottoms."
Luna blinked and held out her hands. Dobby placed Neville's sweater on them. "Thank you, sir. You don't know what this means to me." Cho squeezed her shoulder and as soon as Dobby left, Luna brought the piece of clothing close to her face and she inhaled deeply. She took off the top she was wearing and put on Neville's sweater right away.
"Better?" Cho smiled.
"Loads."
Ginny Weasley couldn't eat any dinner. All she did was push the food around on her plate. It wasn't just that their food had turned from feasts to prison food that had little seasoning or that she missed her mother's cooking (which she did, who wouldn't?). She had just had a talk with Professor McGonagall who, at the request of her parents, had updated Ginny on the Ronald situation. They didn't want to write to her and had their letters intercepted. The last thing they needed was the Death Eaters thinking House of Weasley was going dark.
Ginny sighed. When Harry had broken up with her, she had decided to move on. Dean had taken her back and she was trying to do things right with him now. After the wedding, when the fight broke out, Ginny saw with pain how Harry had immediately run to Hermione without sparing her a second look. Ron had done the same and they had vanished. Harry chose to bring Hermione with him and not her. This told Ginny that he could live without her, but not without the brunette and that was that. There was no point in trying anymore. While she did use a potion to get Harry to see her in a different way, and she regretted it, once they were together, she had never used them again. When she felt her P.A. coin vibrate, she felt a rush of anxiety.
Professor McGonagall didn't tell her much more than the fact that Ronald had betrayed Harry and Hermione and gone dark. Ginevra asked about Harry, but she was told that Neville would share the news with them. The professor noted the girl didn't ask about Hermione or about Luna and Cho. In intervals, as so to not be noticed, members of the P.A. left the Great Hall and went through different routes to find the Room of Requirement. Within, they found Neville in front of the largest pensieve they had ever seen and that the room provided for them.
"Good evening," Neville started as soon as they all sat. "I have good news, for a change."
"Is it Cho and Luna? Are they okay?" Anthony Goldstein was pale as he asked this.
"Yes. They are safe and stable. I don't have many details. However, I do have this," Neville took a memory vial out of his robes. "For all first-generation witches and wizards here, there is a memory contained here and we will put our faces in the water in turns so you can watch the memory. This pensieve can have ten people watching at once. I have already watched it so my first ten raise your hand?"
"Whose memory is that?" Daphne Greengrass asked. "What are we going to watch?"
"Harry is alive and well. So is Hermione. They sent a message," Neville smiled.
The thunderous joy that followed was quite telling. This was exactly what they needed: hope. All hands shot up right away.
"I just want Ms. Greengrass and Ms. Weasley to be in the first group."
"I can wait," the Patil twins stepped back as Padma said this.
"Thank you," Neville nodded with a smile. "My first ten, go ahead."
The Room of Requirement was very loud with happy P.A. members. Cho and Luna were safe. Harry and Hermione had gotten them out of Malfoy Manor. Neville was trying to decide whether to use the mirror that Professor McGonagall gave him after he talked to his grandmother from her office. She told him that Harry and Hermione would be expecting their call at around this time.
"Everyone, please, calm down," Neville motioned.
Ginny, who had been very quiet since she saw the memory, side-eyed him. Seeing Hermione so chummy with Harry had been a bitter pill to swallow, but they deserved happiness. She wouldn't get to be Lady Potter, but someone worthy would. The crowd went on with their conversations completely ignoring Neville in their excitement. Harry and Neville were great leaders, but they were too polite for their own good. Ginny, being the youngest of such a variety of siblings, all of them male, didn't give a fuck about being polite, "Oi! Shut it!"
Everyone turned to Neville.
"Thank you, Ginny," Neville nodded at her. "I am glad you are all happy with the memory. Inside the bag over there you will find a huge variety of products from Zonko's International and from the Weasley twins. All of them were paid for by Harry. Before you leave, take some and make sure to apply our usual protocol-"
"Dellusion, minimize, hide," the crowd interrupted him.
"Indeed. Please sit, wherever. We are going to call Harry and Hermione," Neville smiled.
"Call?"
"Phones don't work here, do they?" Seamus asked with a frown.
"Nope, via this mirror. Now, not everyone will get to see them properly because well... We can only enlarge this so much. Engorgio," Neville tapped the small mirror, and it grew to the side of a dinner plate. He held it tightly. "Potter Property," he said clearly.
They waited for a while and then Hermione's face appeared in the mirror.
Everyone huddled around Neville trying to get a good look.
"Hermione!"
The P.A. clapped and cheered.
"Neville! Everyone! You are a sight for sore eyes," Hermione smiled brightly.
Hermione pushed the mirror further away from her face and Harry's face appeared next to hers and the group went wild.
"HARRY!"
"Hello everyone! Neville, I have no words," the noise began to die down as Harry motioned for them to be quiet. He was overwhelmed at the joy of the group, "You are all very brave and I can't express what-" Harry stopped and looked down, trying to control his emotions. He took a shaky breath.
"We can't ever thank you enough or convey what this group you formed means to us," Hermione gave them a watery smile. "We appreciate your support and your sacrifice, especially since we know the circumstances you are experiencing now."
Harry looked at Hermione, adoringly. She always knew what to say. "What she said," he chuckled.
The P.A. laughed.
"We want to have a weekly call with you to share information. That way we can keep each other as safe as possible or at the very least not risk each other unnecessarily," Hermione said in a very business-like manner.
"Thursday works for us," Neville replied. "At say our 8 pm?"
Hermione did some quick math, "Yes, that works for us too, right?"
Harry nodded. He looked away from the mirror and smiled, "Come here."
Neville's heart started racing. Could it be-?
Luna sat next to Hermione who handed her the mirror, "Hello, everyone," she smiled.
"LUNA!" Neville pulled the mirror closer to his face. She was wearing his sweater, and despite the fading bruises she had, she looked stunning to him. He blushed.
"Hello... Thank you for the sweater, Neville," she smiled. "I am okay... Well, not really..." Luna's face darkened. Hermione's hand squeezed the blonde's shoulder. "But I will get there. Everyone here is really kind to me. My father knows I am okay, and I hope to see him soon... I'd love to see you too, Neville."
"What are the rest of us, chopped liver?" Padma chuckled.
"No, I love all of you. You are my friends... right?"
"Of course!" Parvati pushed Neville out of the way so she could see Luna. "Whose ass do we have to kick?"
Luna looked at Cho who was approaching them as if seeking advice. Cho smiled and nodded. "Cormac McLaggen is a Death Eater," Luna replied softly.
"Motherfucking traitorous twat! He's supposed to be a Gryffindor!" Seamus growled.
"Is he at Hogwarts?"
"Sometimes."
"Huh?"
"He comes and goes as he pleases... Fuck! Now it all makes sense," Parvati replied. "I told you he was up to something!" she snapped at her sister. "But you were all like, 'he's so dreamy,'" Parvati mocked her sister's voice and rolled her eyes.
Padma blushed. "He is good-looking, and I have eyes. What am I supposed to do about that?"
"Look at his character," Cho's expression grew dark as she sat next to Luna and the blonde turned the mirror towards Cho. She was too tense with Padma's assertation. "Hello, everyone," she smiled a bit strained.
"CHO!" Anthony ripped the mirror from Neville's hands.
"Tony, I will be okay. We are safe. Harry and Hermione are taking great care of us. Daddy knows I am here," Cho assured him with a smile.
"It's all my fault. I should have covered you better," Anthony sighed.
"No. Don't blame yourself. We chose to do what we did. We knew the risks," Cho shook her head.
"Did McLaggen hurt you?" Anthony asked with a severe frown.
"Tony, please calm down and put Neville back on. What we have to say that concerns everyone. Girls especially," Cho's voice was firm and apologetic at the same time.
Goldstein looked unhappy at this but handed the mirror back.
"The only reason we are sharing this is that the girls in the P.A. deserve our honesty and we think this is a factor you may not have considered yet when it comes to self-protection," Cho took a deep breath. Harry took hold of the mirror and stepped further back with the mirror in front of him so the P.A. could see both girls. Hermione held Cho's hand in support and Luna placed hers on top.
"When we were taken from Hogsmeade, they took us to Malfoy Manor."
The P.A. wasn't surprised at all.
"There, we were manhandled, groped, and abused by McLaggen and other Snatchers whose faces we never saw."
An eerie silence followed this. Most people in the P.A. mirror looked shocked, scared, and furious.
"We don't want pity. We don't want anyone to feel bad for us. It is what it is. It can't be undone," Cho added. "But it would be unconscionable of us not to warn you and beg you to start taking the contraceptive potion or learn contraceptive charms. Self-defense would be good too."
"Girls, I know most of us value our independence and we want to do our own thing. However, for your safety, don't go anywhere alone."
The girls nodded at Harry who was motioning to intervene. He placed the mirror on the coffee table with a vase behind it so it would stay in the same position as before. He came to sit next to Luna who flinched a bit.
"Do you want me to sit on the other side?" Harry whispered.
She shook her head. He placed his hand on top of the girls' pile.
"That psycho has a plan to kidnap young women, especially purebloods, to force them to get married, rape them, and have them carry children for their army. They want to strengthen their numbers," Harry looked green at this.
No one replied. Neville closed his eyes and took deep breaths to try to calm himself, but he wanted to set everything on fire. Luna had been hurt by those bastards. Cho as well.
"I am going to ask all the boys in the P.A. to walk the girls wherever they are going in the castle and outside. I am a firm believer that girls kick ass. Especially these girls," he smiled at the girls next to him. "But in a physical confrontation, they have drawn the metaphorical short stick biologically. If they are wandless, they are more at risk. I'd rather be turned to a pulp than expose any girl I care about to such deviant pieces of shit!"
The P.A. boys nodded emphatically.
"You don't have to ask, Harry. Now that Luna and Cho are not here, we are 18. We are already moving around in pairs at the minimum. We have 8 girls and 10 boys. That means we can have each girl with a boy at all times."
"Perfect. Girls, please walk in pairs when you are going to the bathroom or places the boys can't come with you," Hermione requested.
"We'll make arrangements later according to dueling skills and temperaments," Neville replied with a decided nod.
"Please don't try to seek out McLaggen, if he returns," Hermione pleaded. The P.A. started to reply indignantly. "Hear me out. You are not supposed to know he's a Death Eater, or that he abused the girls. If you attack him, he will tell Riddle and he will trace that information like a bloodhound which will lead him to the P.A as a whole and eventually to us. Now, we know that we will eventually have to face him, but we want to do so as strong and prepared as we can be," Hermione pleaded.
"We are training. We run and we will be starting weightlifting and calisthenics tomorrow. and we suggest you do the same. Dueling, learning spells, teaching each other are all important, but we need to be prepared to throw in a punch or two if push comes to shove," Harry said with a smirk.
"They will not be expecting to get physical," Cho added. "Not in that way at least," she shuddered.
"Which reminds me... Tonks taught us a spell that you all need to know. It is very obscure, and most people don't know it today," Hermione smiled darkly. "You will point your wand at their crotch and push it forward, as if you are poking someone harshly, and you will say Dolore Iaculis. It means the pain of the arrows. The person on the receiving end will feel as if an arrow has gone through... there."
The boys grimaced.
"It gets worse. It's not like the arrow went through sideways or from front to back. The spell is designed to make the man feel like an arrow went in through his urethra. For a few days, peeing and... ejaculation will be extremely painful."
"Fuck!" Dean exclaimed crossing his legs.
"Yeah, no less than what they deserve," Neville said.
"Indeed. Neville, you will find a hidden zipper in the bag we sent. There is a vial with a memory of the spell being used. Please practice and learn it well," Hermione said. Everyone nodded.
"Is Daphne with you?" Harry asked
"I am here Lord Potter," she replied. P.A. members moved so she could sit next to Neville.
Harry and Hermione had to make an effort not to react to how Daphne looked now. Gone was the Ice Beauty Queen of Slytherin. Her complexion that had once been a healthy alabaster was now dull and sicky. Her youthful cheeks that once displayed a beautiful dimple were thinned. Her full lips were chapped, and her eyes were bloodshot. Her once shiny, long, blonde hair was almost white and was on a tight braid that had been pulled up to a bun. She was wearing all black everything.
"We are so glad you are alive," Hermione smiled.
"I don't know if I am, but I thank you anyway. Lord Potter, my family needs sanctuary. I am appealing to the old ways. We are prepared to offer a sizeable amount of gold, land, cooperation, and fealty. My mother fled to Germany with some friends, but we have it on good authority that Europe is no longer safe. After my father's murder, my mother decided to keep Astoria with her. She took it harder and well... She is not so far along in her defense training that we would feel comfortable having her here. The Death Eaters have increased their numbers exponentially all over," Daphne said in a strained voice. She was trying hard not to cry.
"How many people would you need us to house?"
"My mother, my sister, and I," Daphne replied. "I had... reasons to stay, but I don't anymore, and since my father is g-gone... I feel unsafe everywhere."
Hermione felt those reasons were currently healing in their Infirmary.
Harry smiled, "We will figure it out. Give us 48-72 hours."
Hermione cleared her throat, "There's something you all should know. Daphne in particular."
Harry looked at Hermione with a slight frown. What is this about?
"We have two new allies," Hermione began. Harry's eyebrows lifted. "You may be inclined to think that we have lost our minds. However, both these people took a fealty oath to Harry and me. For those of you unfamiliar with fealty oaths, they are a lifelong guarantee of loyalty between people or houses. Someone who has taken a fealty oath cannot harm the people they swore loyalty to directly or otherwise."
"What happens if they do?" Oliver Rivers asked. He was a first-generation wizard.
"They die. Even intent to harm would kill a person. When you say a fealty oath, Magic will judge you. If you are not committed to the words you are saying you are toast," Hermione grimaced.
"We are telling you this to avoid any questioning or doubts you may have of these people. They are one of us now. They were quite hurt trying to escape. But they are still willing to do whatever is necessary as soon as they are healed."
Daphne looked at the mirror with a frown. Such an introduction had to mean someone dark had gone light. She didn't want to hope but she couldn't help it.
Harry and Hermione shared a look. They couldn't mention Sirius.
"When I went to Malfoy Manor to get Luna and Cho," the girls looked at Hermione funny but didn't correct her. "Draco was trying to help them."
"He healed my wounds and gave Luna literally the clothes off his back," Cho added.
Luna blushed but nodded. Neville looked conflicted at this but didn't say a thing.
"Draco and his mother have been forced to live with Voldypants and the Death Eaters in their home. I don't think I have to tell you that they have been subjected to torture and abuse almost daily," Harry said with a frown.
"When one of our elf friends took the girls to a safe location," Hermione side-eyed Harry, they couldn't mention Olivander either. "Bellatrix Lestrange came down to the cells to discipline Draco... For something that I hate to mention but I will because it's important."
Everyone scooted closer to the mirror.
"Bellatrix and Riddle are... um... fucking," Hermione grimaced as if she had swallowed something awful.
The entirety of the P.A. members pulled away with green and shocked faces. It was disgusting enough to imagine... that. But Hermione's cursing was new and weird.
"I am sorry, but I refuse to call their 'relationship' anything else. Ugh... Anyway, it's important because they are trying to conceive. An heir for their nefarious purposes. They were going at it on Draco's bed."
"Eeeeeeew!" many P.A. members exclaimed, and others dry heaved.
"Yes, 'Eeeew' is right. So, Draco had asked his mother to get those two to fuck somewhere else. Bellatrix attacked her sister quite horribly. Then, she came down to do the same to Draco, but uh... I had asked Draco why he became a Death Eater. He expressed it wasn't a choice. It's essential that you know that Draco did not kill Dumbledore. It was Snape who threw the curse. Anyhow, I offered to help if he would do a fealty oath to us, and he did. The Dark Mark did try to kill him, and he probably will have a scar for life."
Daphne broke down and sobbed into Neville's shoulder. He looked at Luna questioningly. She nodded and so he wrapped his arm around Daphne's back.
"We dueled Lestrange, and our elf friend managed to take us away and hurt her with one of her own daggers," Hermione explained. "She will probably make it, unfortunately. A Malfoy elf brought Narcissa, and we were able to leave."
"Are they okay, Draco and Lady Malfoy?" Daphne asked gripping Neville's hand.
"They are hurt, but they will be fine... eventually," Harry replied with a nod.
"We will take care of them, Daphne. Don't worry. Anyhow, this rescue mission will probably have consequences for me. But I want you all to try to keep a cool head going forward. We will not win anything if we attack when we have no chance to succeed."
Harry paled and his eyes widened. Why hadn't he thought of that? Fuck.
"We will not do anything without thorough planning."
"Unless our lives are in immediate danger," Ginny corrected.
"Ginny?"
"Yeah, I am here."
"We are so sorry. We should have done more for you," Hermione said.
"No. I am not your charge. My parents should have done more. But I am doing a bit better now. Dean and I are doing well," Ginny strained her head from behind Neville to smile a little forcefully at the people in the mirror. Something in her chest wanted to scream when she saw Harry.
"We are sorry about Ronald too," Harry added.
"Don't. He's dead to us," Ginny replied. "House of Weasley will stand with you. Mom and dad are appalled."
"I love your family. You have been good to me," Harry smiled slightly.
"And you to us. It's water under the bridge," Ginny returned the smile.
"Harry?" a woman's voice asked from out of frame.
"We need you," Tonks said.
"I'll be right there."
"Daphne, give your mom's address to Professor McGonagall. Make the parchment request to prove it's either Harry or me who will open it," Hermione added. "We have to go. Stay safe."
They all waved at each other, and Harry and Neville turned off the mirrors.
Neville cleared his throat. "I'll get the memory so we can practice this new spell. Daphne?"
The girl straightened up. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. We can stay and talk later. You know you can count on me," Neville nodded at her, and she smiled genuinely for the first time in a long time.
The following day, there was a strange rush of owls that flew over the tables in the Great Hall during lunchtime. Neville barely moved his plate on time. He took off the Prophet and swore under his breath. On the cover, a smiling Hermione Granger waved. Above her picture in huge font read "UNDESIRABLE NO.1," emblazoned over the picture "HERMIONE GRANGER: MUDBLOOD," and under the picture, it said "EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CAPTURE ON SIGHT. 100 000 GALLEON REWARD."
Neville kept his face impassive, while he was losing it inside. His stomach churned painfully. He dared to look to the Head Table where Professor McGonagall had on her best poker face, but she was pale, and her hands were clutching the newspaper so hard that her knuckles were almost translucent. Professor Sinistra was trying hard not to break the piece of toast in her hand. Ginny shared a quick questioning look with Neville. He mouthed, 'later.' He looked around and saw the few P.A. members he could see from his seat. They looked at him for guidance, so Neville kept his poker face and quickly and discreetly shook his head. Everyone looked ready to start attacking people left and right but in the Great Hall, they'd be sitting ducks, and the casualties would be too high.
In the middle of the Caribbean, the inhabitants of a big mansion were in for a rough awakening. A loud scream of "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" made everyone in the house open their eyes as they looked around trying to determine if they had been having a nightmare. This notion was quickly dispelled when the house seemed to vibrate and heat up. Sirius put on his pajama bottoms and ran downstairs. Across the hall, Remus and Tonks thew on their robes and rushed down after Sirius. Cho told Luna, Narcissa, and a terrified Draco that she would go find out and come back to tell them.
A flushed Harry was resting his hands on the counter. His hair was pushed up by a wind that no one else felt. His sweaty t-shirt clinging to his body. Apparently, he had been working out. In front of his stomach, there was a crumpled copy of the Prophet. Harry had asked Dobby to make sure they always got a copy of the paper. Red sparks were flying off Harry's whole body. The windows were rattling as were the cabinets. A golden sphere of energy surrounded Harry, keeping everyone away, "I will kill them all!"
Sirius stepped closer to the sphere, "Whoa! Pup, calm down! What is it?" He tried to approach but the sphere wouldn't let him. It pushed him two steps back.
"This motherfucker made Hermione Undesirable Number 1! I will end him!"
Hermione came into the kitchen in a rush with her hair still up in a towel. She only had time to put on a bathrobe when the house shook, and she heard Harry scream. She started getting closer by tapping people, so they get out of the way which they did, still in awe at what they were seeing.
"Harry, please calm down," Remus approached slowly.
"There is a capture order and a reward of 100 000 galleons on her head! They are calling her extremely dangerous! Do not tell me to calm down!" The windows behind Harry cracked.
"Harry?" Hermione's soft voice said as stepped towards the energy sphere. Sirius tried to pull her back, Harry's magic was too unstable now, but she removed his hands. Harry turned to Hermione. His eyes were equal parts haunted and murderous. She took a step towards her and his sphere, instead of pushing her away or hurting her, expanded and enveloped her. Remus and Sirius shared a concerned look.
Hermione lifted Harry's stiff hands from the counter. She took the newspaper and read the cover. "Well... they could have chosen a better picture," she chuckled. "I don't look that dangerous, do I?"
Harry's eye twitched when she rolled the newspaper and maneuvered Harry's hands to rest on her waist. She pulled his sweaty head towards her and hugged him tightly. She couldn't care less that he was drenched in sweat. He needed to calm down before the house was permanently damaged. The sphere started to blink like lightbulbs do as they die. Harry's arms wrapped around her tightly and the sphere vanished. Sparks started to come out slower and then they stopped. Hermione took the rolled newspaper and chucked it at Sirius who was closest to her.
Sirius read it and handed it to Remus who punched the wall next to him, making everyone else jump. The newspaper went around, and everyone turned pale and nervous.
"Harry," Hermione's soft voice made everyone turn to see how with every word and every touch of her hands his magic simmered down. "I know this is yet another inconvenience that we have to deal with and that you are very upset. However, I was already Undesirable Number 2. Yes, there is a reward and an order for my arrest, but not all is lost," she framed Harry's face with her hands.
"Hermione," Harry tried not to snap. He kept his tone forcefully neutral, "This is NOT an inconvenience! This is a DEATH THREAT! It's a fucking PUBLIC death threat! If we hadn't used your hair for Polyjuice this wouldn't have happened. How can you say not all is lost?"
"Because it isn't. Harry... Breathe. Let's try to be reasonable about this."
Harry looked at Hermione like she was a complete lunatic. He couldn't be reasonable when she was in danger, and she knew it. His eyes were screaming this at her. It was her picture on the cover, why was she so calm?
"Son, I am really sorry I did that. It was a very bad call."
Harry looked at Sirius, seething. His godfather took a step back.
"Harry, no. It's okay. It doesn't matter, Sirius. Don't blame yourself," Hermione smiled at the man. Harry sputtered indignantly, but she went on, "I have been on the hit list since we went to the Department of Mysteries... Thanks to that monster Dolohov. Then, I became Undesirable Number 2 since Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry. Of course, they want my head and yours too. But that is not the biggest problem we have."
"What?!" Cho asked, feeling faint. "There is a bigger problem than this?!" the girl shook the newspaper.
Harry and Hermione shared a look, "This will make shit hit the fan in Hogwarts," Harry spoke for them both. "FUCK! The P.A. can lose it. If they do, consequences could be lethal."
Dobby appeared next to them, "Professor Kitty is calling."
"Take me to her! Immediately!" Harry ordered.
"If you are going, I am coming with you," Hermione replied.
"Absolutely not!" Harry said adamantly.
"Stop it! Neither of you is going. You may be Harry's boss, but I am his guardian."
"Actually, we both consider ourselves your guardians. You two are staying here. Sirius and I are going with Dobby," Remus added.
Sirius looked pointedly at Tonks' belly. He was conflicted, "Remus, please..."
"I am NOT having this conversation with you again!"
"Dobby, now!" Sirius ordered.
Dobby kept his big eyes on Harry and Hermione who shared a look. The elf was looking at the witch intently. She returned the stare.
"Three shakes?" Hermione asked.
"One," Dobby replied.
She shook her head. Dobby shook off both Sirius' and Remus's hands from his own and vanished.
"Hermione, what the hell!?"
"I know we are Gryffindors, but we will not be charging in headfirst without any clue what is going on there," she looked at her watch. "They are in the middle of lunch right now. I don't think the P.A. would risk the other students. Neville is smarter and more strategic than that."
"But he's a teenager! They must be terrified thinking that if you are fair game so is everyone else," Sirius exclaimed.
"Sirius, I know that. I understand that it could be Armageddon, but it could be business as usual..." Hermione took a deep breath. "Until we hear the trumpets, no Apocalypse."
"What trumpets?" Tonks asked with a confused frown.
"Aren't Armageddon and the Apocalypse the same thing?" Cho asked from behind Tonks.
Hermione shook her head. "No. People think that but 'Armageddon' refers to a place, the Apocalypse is the reading of a series of events. Armageddon means the mountain of Megiddo or Megiddon which was a city and-"
"Hermione! As charming as that encyclopedia of a brain you have is... What the fuck?! They could be in trouble! We should go find out."
"And they could also NOT be in trouble. Storming in there could get them killed. One shake of the coin means come soon. Three shakes mean come kill bad wizards. Dobby said it was one. I am not about to risk anyone here unless we absolutely have to," Hermione explained. "Elves have magic we don't know. Dobby can be invisible and gather intelligence for us."
"I did order him to put his safety first if he gets into a dangerous situation. I want him alive and safe. He agreed. Let's hope he remembers his word," Harry let out a shaky breath as he rested his chin on the top of Hermione's head.
Remus and Sirius shared a look and a frown. Andromeda mouthed, 'She is the boss.'
"And now?"
"Now we wait... And you need to take a cold shower," Hemione loosened her hold on her friend and pointed at him.
He lowered his head to hide his furious blush. Had she felt that? How mortifying!
Dudley was sitting against the front door. When Luna opened it, he fell quite literally to her feet.
"Hello, Dudley," Luna smiled down at him.
"Hello. Is everyone alright in there?" He sat back up.
"Yes, it was just Harry... but Hermione calmed him down," Luna explained.
"Wait, you are telling me that the earthquake I felt down there was Harry?!" Dudley's eyes looked like they would come out of their sockets.
"Yes, he was quite upset. But Cho says Hermione calmed him down."
"He can make the bloody earth shake?!" Dudley was flabbergasted.
"Oh, he will be able to do much more once he becomes an adult and gets healthy from all the deprivation and abuse that he has suffered in his life," Luna replied. She squinted at Dudley accusingly for two seconds and then her face went back to her normal happy and far away expression. "Mrs. Tonks wants to see you. I was going to go get you."
"Dudley, walk with us," Andromeda offered him a hand so he could go back to standing. "Ted and I have finally decided how to set up the training area and Dobby brought us supplies," she lifted a small, beaded bag.
Dudley would have asked what was in the bag but then he remembered his tent. It was probably bigger on the inside than on the outside too.
"Dudley..."
"Yes?"
"I am sorry I scratched you," Luna looked at the still present scratch marks.
"Don't worry about it. You thought you were in danger. I would have done the same if I were you," Dudley shrugged.
"Thank you."
"I am sorry I forgot about you," Andromeda blushed. She pointed her wand at Dudley and whispered, "Episkey."
Dudley touched his face and the lines and scabs that were there were now gone. "Wow. Thank you."
Andromeda nodded with a smile, "Just doing my job. Luna, try to get some sun but take care not to get burned."
"Yes, Mrs. Tonks. Thank you," Luna smiled and sat on a rocking chair and opened a book upside down. The girl was beautiful but quite strange. As Dudley walked down to the beach with the couple, he was starting to think that strangeness was much more positive than he was taught to believe.
Dobby popped back in next to Hermione who jumped and spilled the juice she had been drinking all over herself. She instantly cleaned herself with her wand.
"Professor Kitty is being scared for yous. She thinks P.A. students will be needing to leave Hogwarts soon."
"Can their families take them back and keep them safe?" Hermione asked.
"Not all."
"Okay."
"Professor Kitty is wanting to speak to you. She is finding some information on Horcruxes," Dobby replied.
"What time?"
"Her 10 pm."
"Of course. But she didn't call you just for this, did she?"
"No. She is wanting Dobby to brings this," Dobby enlarged a black standing cabinet. "She is saying that Mr. Malfoy will knows what to do but that he is probably needing yous to fix the runes. She is not being sure if it will works so far aways."
"This is a vanishing cabinet..."
Dobby nodded.
"But where is the other one?"
"Borgin and Burkes," Dobby replied. When Hermione started to panic, Dobby added, "But she is deactivating the runes."
"Thank Merlin. I'll go ask Andromeda if Draco is strong enough for this today. Thank you, Dobby," Hermione smiled. "Please move the cabinet to my room while we figure it out. I don't want anyone activating it by accident."
"Yes, Mistress."
"It's Hermione, Dobby, please. You are my friend."
"You can be my friend and my Mistress," Dobby replied cheekily and vanished with the cabinet.
"Sonorus," Hermione pointed her wand to her throat. "Everyone, please don't freak out, Dobby is back, and everything was okay. We can talk over during lunch."
"Pup?" Sirius knocked on Harry's door.
"Can we come in?" Remus asked.
"It's not locked."
Harry was laying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Son, we've been talking."
"That can't be good," Harry replied.
"Smartass..."
"Remember what Hermione said?"
"I remember everything she said. You will have to be more specific," Harry replied with a sigh.
"About throwing money at the problem. Do you mind if I see your ledgers? Do some math? Run something by you?"
"Sure," Harry replied. He opened his bedside table and pulled out a ledger that grew larger as soon as he got it out.
"I knew the Potters were rich, but this is too much," Remus's eyes were wide.
"This is all thanks to the Account Manager. Until now I never knew how much money there was. My statements were all being received by Dumbledore who never sent them to me," Harry grimaced.
"Bastard," Sirius snapped.
"But as I see it here... you can afford this," Remus replied.
"Afford what?"
"Riddle doesn't have a galleon to his own name. He put a price on Hermione's head? Fine. We will put a price on all his Death Eaters' heads. See how he likes that."
"But people fear them?"
"Wizards and witches do..."
"Muggles don't."
"You are not seriously thinking of having defenseless muggles try to find these beasts," Harry replied, shocked.
"Not defenseless muggles. We are going to offer this to private detectives, bounty hunters," Remus replied.
"Former Military, Special Forces..." Sirius added.
"Wait. We have those kinds of contacts?" Harry asked.
"We don't, but Lord Chang does."
"Cho's father?"
"Yes."
"How exactly does he have those contacts?"
"His family comes from China... His father and grandfather were Post Masters for the Ministry for War," Sirius replied.
"And he told you this?"
"No. His daughter told me. She said he would insist on carrying on with a traditional life debt to whoever saved her life," Sirius replied.
"Okay. How much?"
"How much what?"
"How much per Death Eater head? We have to do the math," Harry took his calculator.
"It has to be more than what they offered for Hermione," Remus replied.
"250 000?"
"How many Death Eaters will we offer this for?"
"I don't care if I fucking go broke. We need them dead or incapacitated and amnesiac," Harry replied.
"Let us start with the inner circle."
"Lestrange, Malfoy, Scabior, and Pettigrew?" Remus offered.
"Lestrange, Malfoy, Scabior, Pettigrew, and Snape," Harry corrected.
"Snape is worth a quarter of a million galleons?" Sirius frowned.
"Absolutely."
"It's your money," Remus replied.
Hermione's echoey voice made them jump. "Everyone, please don't freak out, Dobby is back, and everything was okay. We can talk over during lunch"
"Wait. No, it's not. I have to consult Hermione," Harry slapped his forehead and left in a hurry.
"At least it wasn't bad news. Hermione was right. We didn't need to rush in there," Sirius smiled.
Remus elbowed Sirius. "Do you know how we used to joke about James being whipped as soon as he got married?"
"This one isn't even married yet," Sirius chuckled.
"Lily would be so in love with Hermione. She has succeeded where Lils couldn't," Remus chuckled as well. "She doesn't have a ring on her finger yet and she already has the purse strings on a tight hold," he added jokingly.
"Wanna know what else?" Sirius wiggled his brows.
"What?"
"They haven't even kissed yet!" Sirius whisper-shouted.
"SHUT UP! You can't be serious!" Remus punched Sirius's arm. "Don't you dare do the pun thing!"
"You are no fun... He told me himself! I swear on Mischief!"
"Sirius, you were a Don Juan back in your days... Tell me, how is it that this kid has slept with her more than once and they haven't kissed?"
Sirius was about to answer and then looked at Remus and burst out laughing. "Merlin and Morgana!"
"What?"
"Look at us, Moony... We were supposed to be his uncles... You know? Teach him the manly stuff, take him hunting, teach him about girls..." Sirius trailed off when he controlled his laughter.
"Yeah, so?" Remus frowned.
"We failed James and Lils... We should be ashamed of ourselves," Sirius replied.
"Why?"
"Don't you see?! We became the gossipy aunts!" Sirius stared at Remus.
"Bloody hell! We so did!"
The friends shared a look and started laughing so hard that they fell off the bed and kept laughing through the pain.
A/N: Thank you for reading! Wanted to end on a lighter note. I appreciate all the comments, the PMs, the favorites, and follows. This story is quite fun to write. I hope you are safe and healthy wherever you are. I was going to post on Monday but... there were elections here this weekend and the results had me bummed so my muse left me for a few days. :) -Lux-