Edited 10/11/2023 Minor Grammar/Spelling

Just one, but I'm like super engaged in writing a fic I'm hoping to have out by Halloween, so there's that?

Saturday, October 11, 1998

"This is not a drill, we have an emergency at Headquarters," blared Kingsley's patronus sometime in the middle of the night. Not ten seconds later, Draco's Mark started burning harshly.

"Go," Theo said, pushing Draco towards the Floo. Hermione and Theo quickly summoned their clothing as Draco pulled on his Death Eater robes. Within moments, Hermione and Theo were stepping through the Floo to Headquarters.

Headquarters was in absolute chaos. There were at least four people who had bleeding injuries being tended to by various other Order Members. There was one body that was covered with a blanket that looked like it had been quickly conjured. Hermione didn't spend time looking to check on who it was, knowing that she needed to get to Kingsley as soon as possible.

Theo and she burst into the War Room, to absolute chaos. Papers were strewn everywhere. Harry was sitting panting with his back against the wall hand pressed to his stomach. Kingsley was standing over a bound and gagged man that was attempting to release his bonds.

"MacNair led an unplanned attack and was captured," Draco said quickly. "Tom has gathered all of us together to show us what happens when we don't plan something sufficiently."

"Noted, MacNair is here," Theo said sharply. "Keep us updated if there is anything else we need to know."

"Will do," Draco said and then re-erected his walls.

Theo stalked over to MacNair and stood over him, menacingly. In his glamoured form, he looked much stricter than his normally jovial personality. "Ah," he sneered down at the man on the ground, "Walden MacNair. I've heard lots of nasty things about you."

Hermione moved over to Harry who still hadn't moved. She peeled his hand away from his abdomen and saw that he was bleeding rather heavily. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Theo and Kingsley had it handled.

With the aid of magic, she moved Harry onto a stretcher and brought him out to the front area. Andromeda rushed over almost immediately. She began casting diagnostic spells and quickly cast a few counter-curses. When Hermione was sure that Harry would make it, she rushed back to the War Room.

Theo and Kingsley had put MacNair in one of the chairs and had removed his gag. They were standing over him in a way that would have made anyone anxious. She stood back a bit and watched the Death Eater's response to their questioning. Hermione couldn't even take in what he was saying. She kept replaying him chopping a pumpkin in Hagrid's garden when Buckbeak had escaped.

After a few moments, she realised she wasn't any help in the War Room and went to see if Andromeda needed support. Even the front room had quieted down significantly, so Hermione moved towards the body that was under the blanket. She inched the cover off the face, and felt a sick sense of relief when it was no-one she knew well.

After a moment, she knelt down next to the body and closed their eyes, saying a quick spell that was said to usher them on to the next life. She heard someone clear their throat behind her and was greeted by the form of Neville in the doorway.

"A couple of us were out on a supplies run when we were ambushed," he said quietly, helping Hermione stand. "There really wasn't anything we could do. There were a few minor injuries, but Kevin was the only one who didn't make it."

"How did Harry get injured?" Hermione asked. Neville and Harry were team leads and almost never went on missions together.

"We brought MacNair back here and we thought we'd tied him up well, but then he broke through and threw a hex at Harry before any of us could stop him…" Neville said nervously.

"Nothing much to be done for it," Hermione said, "he's alright now according to Andromeda. Theo and Kings are questioning MacNair now."

Neville looked relieved at her calm response, as he led her towards the living room. She settled on the couch and could feel the exhaustion washing over her as she listened to Neville talk about what they'd acquired on their mission.

"Time to get up, darling," she heard Draco call as he lifted her from where she was stretched across the couch. She cuddled into Draco's arms almost automatically, and could feel the weightlessness spell he'd cast on her wrap around her body, but the last thing she wanted to do was wake up. She felt them go through the Floo and found herself nestled in their bed, pulling Draco to envelope her.

He chuckled, "I need to get back to Headquarters and fill Shacklebolt in on yesterday's meeting and this morning's scuffle."

"Request does not compute," Hermione mumbled, gripping him tighter.

"Darling, I want nothing more than to stay here with you, but I have to go and check in," he said, trying to pry her off his body.

As if by Magic, Theo appeared on the other side of the bed and pulled her towards him. Hermione had her legs and arms wrapped around Draco, who was trying to hold back his chuckles.

"Let the poor boy go, love," Theo said, urging her closer. "Lord Malfoy has work to do."

Hermione grumbled, but agreed, rolling over to breathe in Theo's scent. "You should have seen him, mon étoile. He was so authoritarian and so handsome."

"Alright you little tease," Theo said, nipping at her neck. "Let him go so he can come back and I can have my ravishment.

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