Song Suggestion: Three Days Grace- "Get Out Alive"
A big thank you to my beta, MyPrivateInsanity, and my alpha team. They really helped me tighten the plot in this chapter!
Also, thank you for the reviews and follows. FFN makes it very difficult to respond, so I tend not to here, so just know that I appreciate and reread all of the comments left for me!
Best Laid Plans
Hermione placed Titus's hair and the vial of poison on a table in front of her, twisting her fingers while she waited. They were supposed to begin another occlumency lesson, but Hermione felt it important to tell him her potential plans, since the day for action drew closer.
For days after revealing his memories to her, they'd spent their free time revelling in the gentle brush of their fingertips on each other's skin, in slow mornings staying in bed. She'd often wondered if this was what it felt like to be married, to be completely consumed by another person.
Hermione didn't want to endanger their fragile bubble of happiness, but she also didn't have the option to postpone.
When Draco finally arrived in the library and walked to the table, he glared at the objects displayed for him.
"I have a suspicion you already knew I had these." Once she'd stopped casting concealment charms months ago, Mipsy probably came across both items in the cabinet while cleaning, and Draco had been in the room when she hid the hairs.
"I did," he answered in a flat voice.
"And you weren't curious enough to ask me about them?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I was waiting for you to tell me."
Hermione lowered herself into a chair across from him and picked up the vial.
"It's poison."
"Really? I thought it was a love potion," he deadpanned. "Though I admit I'm curious how you obtained it."
Hermione swallowed the sarcasm on the tip of her tongue. He already seemed slightly antagonistic about the surprise discussion, and she needed his full cooperation for this to work.
"I was given the poison by one of the women who dressed me for the ritual." Hermione left out Lavender's name, knowing he'd gone to school with her.
He subtly flinched at the reminder. After asking him not to occlude around her, he showed more natural expressions, though she often had to remind him to let the muscles in his face relax.
"They wanted you to kill yourself," he deduced. One of his hands bunched into a fist by his side.
"She just wanted to provide me with the option, even though I wouldn't have. Given what many of the muggleborns go through, could you blame her?"
His frown dipped further. "Why are you showing me these things?"
Hermione took a deep breath. He'd offered to help her with anything, but this pushed the boundaries of his goodwill.
"By the time suspicion has shifted from us, Julie will have given birth. Or been sold. Or possibly even be pregnant again. And I honestly don't believe there will ever be a time suspicion will shift from us. I can't stand knowing she's suffering, and I'm not waiting a second longer."
Ambient noise usually hummed in the library: birds chirping from outside the windows, the crackle of a fireplace, the buzz of charms that kept the room temperature controlled. But at the moment, everything seemed to cease. Draco's face went flat— a gradual shift. His lips froze in a sharp line, eyes dull.
"I understand, but we need to—"
"Unless you lock me in your dungeon, I'm going to help her— with or without you."
Draco slid into a seat with furrowed brows. Crookshanks hopped onto the table at the same time, rubbing his head against Draco's hand, demanding pets.
"Not now Crooks." Draco attempted to push the cat aside without success. "What are you suggesting— to help her escape? It's too dangerous."
"Not if we're smart about it."
"Merlin fuck, Granger. How many times are you going to risk yourself for other people?"
"I'd die for her."
Her cat hissed at the lack of attention and nipped Draco's hand.
"I said not now, you mangy tyrant." He broke composure and sneered. "And you—" He pointed his now wounded hand toward her. "You're not dying for anyone. But fine, tell me your brilliant plan."
Hermione did not like his dismissive tone one bit. She steeled herself again, knowing her next slice of information would make or break his assistance.
"Last year, I was given a note by the Order—"
Draco leapt out of his chair, the legs screeching against the hardwood as he shoved it back. He loomed over the table with narrowed eyes, fists pressed against the surface.
"What?"
Hermione refused to be intimidated by his stance. She sat up straighter and looked him in the eye.
"They gave me a note—somewhere to go if I could escape."
"And you wish to escape?" He loomed even closer, as if ready to throttle her.
"Not for me, for Julie. Stop being dramatic."
"You're not fucking going near the Order. They're terrorists. They murdered my mum! Mention going to them again, and I will lock you up in my dungeon."
Hermione stood and mirrored his stance, looming over the table just like him, until their lips hovered near each other. It distracted him a moment, and his eyes flicked down.
"As I've already stated," she said firmly. "You can either help or not. Regardless of what they are, the Order is the only place that would give refuge to a muggleborn. I'm willing to consider other options, if you can think of them."
That did the trick. A challenge. He blinked a few times and then leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm trying to be understanding— all right, what else have you planned so far?"
Hermione sat down, and Draco copied her, though he didn't seem happy about it. When Crooks resumed his quest for pets, Draco finally gave in, scratching behind his ears.
"That's where I hope to have your help." She'd acknowledged long ago that Draco was the better strategist between them. "I need to get her out during the muggleborn luncheon. It's the only time I'm allowed around her. Blaise will make sure she's there, if only to taunt me."
Draco's eyes went to a stained glass window, as if he was arranging her ideas like puzzle pieces, fractured colours coalescing into a whole.
"They'll have several aurors at the luncheons now. Titus' orders, I suspect for safety reasons because you've been attending, and the Order attacks have increased in frequency. They've even talked about discontinuing the tradition altogether."
Hermione didn't like that.
"Katie's providing me with the castle floor plans. Perhaps I could use the poison to—"
"You'd kill for this scheme?"
Hermione shrugged. "If I had to."
She'd killed before, and she'd do it again, though she'd never done it in this way, planned and calculated.
Draco didn't seem surprised at her statement.
"Not if I can help it." He drummed his fingers once against the table. "The ministry doesn't have the resources to monitor the private floos, even for the events, but they set up modified caterwauling charms, tweaked to go off if a man exits with a muggleborn that's not bound to him. It's set in place to prevent desperate purebloods from stealing muggleborns for heirs. There's no way to—"
"Yes, which is why you won't be the one bringing her out— I will. All magic has loopholes."
"What are you getting at?"
"I'm not a man." She grinned. "It would be a muggleborn stealing a muggleborn. It wouldn't trip the charm. None of the men in charge would even suspect a helpless little breeder to plan something like this. They're too complacent in thinking we are too weak or ignorant to go far without getting caught."
Titus possibly would, but she left that part out.
He froze, glaring at her, and then his lips jumped into a grin before flattening again. "Clever, Granger, but we can't be sure of that theory. Not to mention, after you get her out of Flint's castle, you'd then have to navigate muggle cities and get past checkpoints."
"That's where this comes into play." She picked up the bundle of hair. "These are from Titus— a Mediator. It would solve both issues. I'll transform into him even before exiting the castle, just in case someone sees me. And it would be the only disguise that would make sense, because a Mediator on official business wouldn't trip the charm either. No one would even question me. I know all of his mannerisms too. And who would ever think someone like Titus would lower his guard enough for someone to steal his hair? It's the perfect camouflage."
Draco's eyes snapped to the poison, and they stayed there while drumming his fingers a second time against the hard table. "As my father taught me, every successful plan consists of distraction and illusion. People believe the easiest answers first. We'll need to provide both to pull this off. We'll also have to think of an alibi to keep you from suspicion, along with contingency plans."
Hermione tried to control her pounding heart, realising she'd actually convinced Draco to help her.
"And after the escape?" she asked, clenching the fabric of her dress to get rid of her nerves.
"You will absolutely not go to the Order. It's not even an option. There are already too many variables, and even if they hadn't killed my mum, I don't know their motives and can't manipulate the situation enough to be effective."
"Then where would Julie go? Because I don't think she'd survive being given to another man, no matter how benevolent."
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand along his face with a groan. "There's only one other person who wants her safe—"
"Her mum," Hermione interrupted.
He gave a hesitant nod.
"My aunt is half insane, and anything involving her is risky. Three months ago, she was placed in Azkaban by Rodolphus, approved by Dolohov himself. The official reason is for attempted murder, though everyone has been quiet about the whole thing. For months, she's been… unruly about Julie. If I get her out, there's no telling what she'll do." He tilted his head, as if considering something. "But she does own a Black property that's off official records, much more secure than anything I own and unable to be accessed even by her husband or the ministry. I only know about it because my father mentioned it once. It's so secure that I can't even access it. Julie would be hidden away for life, but she'd be free of her current role."
Bellatrix had been locked away. It made sense now why she hadn't disembowelled Blaise yet. Or maybe she'd started suspecting Rodolphus, and he'd acted first.
"And you could break her out of Azkaban? I thought that was impossible."
"Nothing's impossible," he answered. "And I wouldn't just be releasing Bellatrix. I'd be releasing all of them, if I can."
"All of the prisoners?" She asked in shock.
"I'd have to. If it was just Bellatrix, Titus would connect the dots instantly. If it's everyone, it would look like an Order job. It would also draw most of the aurors to one place, leaving you with less scrutiny to get her out."
Hermione remembered the way the hair on the back of her neck raised any time Bellatrix dropped off Julie, as if the woman walked a razor's edge of sanity. She was only normal in her attempt to be a mum, but even that was intense and obsessive.
"So you have a plan?" she asked.
Draco's eyes flicked from her to the poison and then to the hairs for polyjuice, holding still for what felt like an eternity.
"I do."
Hermione wore the most comfortable dress she owned, only accompanied by the leather bracelet from Titus and her shackles. Ease of movement would be crucial for the day. She took off her earrings and set them on the vanity, knowing even something small like a diamond accidentally left on her could compromise her disguise.
Draco walked inside the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Let's go over the plan one more time."
Despite going over the plan down to the most miniscule detail until it became rote— and then again after that— he still hated the level of risk and let her know how much could go wrong any chance he got.
Hermione sighed in annoyance and picked up a lipstick, knowing it would look off if she didn't put any effort into her appearance, though she was too filled with nerves to do much else. She applied it while speaking.
"Forty minutes after you leave me at the luncheon, I'll capitalise on the distraction, getting Julie alone. The auror at the floo will be rendered unconscious by— well, I'm still not sure by who, because you're being oddly secretive about it. The person will meet me in the loo on the second floor, taking my place at the luncheon while I exit the castle."
"And after that?"
"At the same time this is happening, you'll release Bellatrix from Azkaban, through some method with a family heirloom you won't discuss in case you get caught, luring most of the aurors to there, while we take the castle floo to Bath where you've already arranged some bribes for safe passage. Bellatrix will meet me there and take Julie."
Titus might suspect her first, given their conversation at Nott manor, which meant she needed an ironclad alibi to escape the investigation. However, she was betting on him being busy with Azkaban long enough for her to drop off Julie and return before any serious questioning.
Draco gave a sharp nod. In the mirror, his eyes were lowered and darkened. "And the final step?"
"I'll contact you to make sure the aurors have finished all of their questioning. And once you give me the all clear, I'll come straight home."
To him, that was the most essential part of the plan.
Come home.
He'd created multiple contingency plans along the way in case things went wrong that she didn't bother reiterating, finding it tiresome to go over everything.
"And you still won't tell me who will take my place?"
Draco's eyes sparked with something. "Not yet."
"Why not?"
"As I've already said, you might not like my methods. But it's the best way. You had your ultimatums, and I have mine."
Hermione blew out a sharp breath and stood up. Scrunching the fabric of her skirt up, she bared her leg for his inspection. He grabbed under her knee, tugging it toward him, hands rough against her soft skin as he secured a hidden pouch to her upper thigh.
She'd created the object herself, scouring his library for the spells. Similar to her purse, the charms made it bigger than it looked. She'd added complicated disillusionment charms, keeping it invisible and unable to be felt with inspection, and after a trip to the goblins— along with a payment of a family heirloom— the charms became permanent.
Earlier that day, she'd placed several vials of polyjuice inside the confines of the invisible pouch: three with Titus' hair and two with her previous disguise as Sofia. Along with that, she'd stashed her wand, an emergency portkey to the manor, the floor plans Katie had smuggled to her earlier in the week, several extra items for contingency plans, a quill, inkpot, and a parchment that resembled the one she'd given to Dean for instant communication, except this one only connected to a copy given to Draco. Despite her pleas against dark magic, he'd sacrificed two unfortunate birds to reinforce the blood wards he'd made, making the pouch more difficult to break into, though not impossible.
The final item she'd secretly stashed away was the note from the Order, keeping it as a last resort. If Draco knew about it, he hadn't commented on it yet.
Before leaving for the luncheon, Draco dragged her closer as she craned her neck to look at him. He brushed a hand along her curls, ending mid-spine. "Are you ready?"
She nodded.
"I was thinking–" Hermione dipped her head down, feeling oddly embarrassed. "When I arrive back home, perhaps— well, maybe we could start trying for a baby."
She dared to glance up, finding Draco's brow furrowed.
"You don't have to—"
"I do," she said. "Don't pretend otherwise. You can prevent the investigation for a time, but it doesn't stop the inevitable. You know as well as I do that, unless there's some biological reason for me not to get pregnant right away, and if they figure out you're preventing it on purpose, they could take me away. Our time is running out. I've heard they might even watch us have sex again to ensure we are trying, and I'm not sure I can handle having an audience again—"
"I'm not getting you pregnant out of fear."
"That's the thing. I'm not as afraid as I used to be. Just like everything else, we'd navigate it together. I've grown to trust you with this too."
She pushed out any thought of dark mist or snaps or impending doom. Her choices were limited, and she needed to do whatever possible to secure her own happiness, even if it proved brief. He'd gifted her nearly a full year. Longer than a man in his position should have.
Placing a hand under her chin, he forced her gaze to his.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
A slow grin spread on his face.
"I like this plan." Draco bent down, whispering against her lips. "Now let's go get this over with, so you can return. And then I'm not letting you out of our bed until I'm certain I've fucked my baby into you."
At any other time, that statement would have filled her with dread. Instead, an odd thrill zipped down her spine at the thought, feeling more dangerous than anything she'd ever done.
"In fact," he added, giving a mischievous smirk. "I think we should practise before we go."
He picked her up and flung her onto their bed.
"But we'll be late!"
Draco dragged her hips to the edge of the mattress, pushing up her dress. "A Malfoy is never late."
They arrived in the great hall of Flint castle. A long mediaeval table sat in the center; the family's coat of arms decorated the walls, along with the heads of long extinct magical creatures. Like Draco had warned her about, a guard sat in a chair near the floo, picking at his nails. He barely even glanced up when they entered.
Hermione turned up her nose at the decor as an elf came and took away her cloak. "It's very—" she searched for a neutral word. "Traditional."
"The Flints have never refined their taste through their ages. Most of his ancestors were brutes, and they stayed brutes."
"The creature heads gave that away."
They followed the elf as it led them down corridors and up ancient stone stairwells, while she memorised the path.
When they got to the second floor, the elf opened giant double doors to what must have been an old ballroom. An iron chandelier hung over them, threatening to drop its intimidating sharp points on their heads. The heavy curtains had been opened, but the leaded glass kept the room dark, and torches flickered on the walls.
Her eyes scanned the room and then paused on someone.
"Oh Merlin." Hermione only just bit down a laugh and dug her fingernails into Draco's arm to give her control as she whispered to him. "Was that your handiwork?"
Draco gave a soft snort as they both observed Montague walking past them with a scowl on his face. Or at least, she thought it was Montague, and she was pretty sure it was a scowl. But it was hard to tell, because his nose had been transformed into a pig snout. His ears stuck up into points, floppy on the tips, skin shining a pearly pink. And when he trudged past, the tip of a curly tail peeked out of the tops of his trousers.
Montague looked up once, saw Draco, and then he put his head down and scampered off, seeming much less confident than at the first dinner when he'd drugged the punch.
"Didn't I promise to make him suffer?" Draco was unable to hide his sharp smirk. "He'd always been a vain wanker. What better way to punish him than to turn him into what he truly is."
Hermione placed her mouth against his shoulder, trying to suffocate her laughter. "How long will it last?"
"Until he crawls on all fours and squeals at one of the dinners, telling the audience that he's a loathsome little hog. I've informed him that I'll keep the curse intact until then. What I haven't told him is that it's practically permanent."
"Practically?"
"The countercurse is in my family grimoire, and I'm not a wizard who shares."
"Then what's the purpose of making him perform?"
"Because I want to see it."
The thought of Montague's shame, permanently transformed into a hog, created a pleasant buzz under her skin.
"If I'm not present to see his performance, make sure to store the memory in a pensieve."
"And would that satisfy your quest for revenge, or would you want me to do more?"
Montague deserved much more. But there was only so much Draco could do within the confines of the law, and she had bigger problems to solve.
Hermione shook her head. "You could add some hooves."
He barked out a laugh and then turned her to give a deep kiss goodbye, as if wishing to linger there forever, turning serious once again. "Don't take any unnecessary risks, because I'm close to tossing this insanity in the bin and dragging you home right now. If it seems unsafe, stay in place, and we'll try again some other time."
She gave him a reassuring kiss in return, pretending to consider what he said, while knowing that failure wasn't an option to her.
No matter what, she'd free Julie.
Hermione fidgeted, leg bouncing up and down. Across from her sat Zala, telling a story about one of her wild sons trying to force the elves to stage a revolt against the garden gnomes.
She saw Zala's lips moving, but she couldn't comprehend the words. The only thing she heard was her heart thumping hard. The other women laughed at the appropriate times, but Hermione focused instead on Julie, who sat in a far corner of the room with the same empty expression.
Hermione reviewed the plan in her mind to give herself comfort.
It's almost over. She wished she could project the thought into her friend's mind. Soon you'll be free.
Katie sat beside her, eyes flicking between her and Julie. One of her hands rested on the back of Hermione's chair. Katie didn't know the details of the plan, but she must sense Hermione was planning something, and was serious about following through, because she sat just as tense.
It had been thirty minutes now since the luncheon began. Most of the group had already eaten a round of tea cakes and finger sandwiches, drinking the provided tea and punch. Hermione had abstained from both, finding her stomach too unsettled to consume anything; a plate of biscuits sat untouched before her for appearances' sake.
Everything could go wrong today. Even with Draco's careful planning, the gaps were wide enough she could fall straight through and crash with a splatter. Hermione waited, knowing this next part was the trickiest part of the plan— getting Julie alone.
Step one: create a distraction and use the chaos to get Julie out.
It had seemed simple in theory, yet the logistics intimidated her. It needed to be fast, without flaws. And most importantly, without being seen.
Earlier—when she'd gotten up to get the biscuits—she'd shoved a dung bomb under the buffet tablecloth, charmed to go off at the correct time and release enough smoke to obscure their exit.
Each second she waited, a new zip of adrenaline rushed through her, knowing the time neared.
Three minutes before the planned distraction, something went off course.
Julie stood up, movements stiff and jerky. Hermione cursed under her breath, watching as she exited the room. Without a guardian present, an elf followed close behind.
Was she on her way to the loo? It seemed the only option, even though Hermione hadn't seen her eat or drink. But which loo would she go to? There were several, and if Hermione had to waste time chasing her down, the plan was fucked.
Not to mention, the most dangerous new obstacle— the elf.
The original plan had been to grab Julie and slip out in a cloud of smoke. If they got caught, it would look like they were just attempting to escape the foul odour.
It took everything inside Hermione to sit still, knowing she had to stick to the plan, even if this went off script. If she left the room now, she'd have to contend with a second elf following her as well as Julie's— a hard feat.
The wait turned impossible now, counting each second as it ticked away, until finally she stood up.
"Don't do it." Katie grabbed her hand before she could leave, whispering low enough the others couldn't hear. "Please, Hermione."
"I need to go to the loo," she said back in a firm voice, showing she would not be dissuaded. She gave Katie's hand a single squeeze of reassurance before prying it off. "I'll be right back."
Just as Hermione took a step toward the door, the dung bomb went off as planned. Even though she'd prepared for it, the explosion still took her by surprise. The food splattered up with a bang. Punch sprayed everywhere, along with a thick cloud of putrid smoke.
The room screamed and shouted and gagged. The elves jumped into action to begin cleaning the mess, but battling through the smoke proved fruitless. The few aurors that were in attendance began to gather the screaming women, but Hermione had already slipped out of the room, making sure no one followed her.
Past the double doors, she couldn't waste another second, needing to be quick before other aurors showed up. She sprinted down the stone stairwell, wobbling on her low heels. If the floor plans were correct, then the closest loo was just around the first corner.
But when she arrived, she discovered that it was empty like she feared.
Maybe Julie had already returned.
Or perhaps this one had been occupied, so she'd gone to a different one.
Hermione cursed again under her breath, but didn't let herself panic. Reaching under her dress, she ripped the castle plans out from the hidden pouch on her thigh. Unrolling it, she studied the floor she was on. Besides this loo, there were two others. Given the time constraints, she needed to be accurate in her guess about which one Julie had gone to.
Hermione bit her lip, only allowing herself a second of indecision. Choosing the closest one, she continued her sprint down the corridor to her right. Right in the path of the main floo, it did prove a riskier location, leaving a higher potential for discovery.
Rounding a corner, she threw herself behind a dusty tapestry— just in time as a man raced past her toward the ballroom. She caught her breath from the near miss, allowing herself to hyperventilate only a moment before continuing her journey.
At the next corner, instead of turning blindly, Hermione stopped and peeked around the edge and was immediately glad she'd taken the precaution.
Julie's elf waited outside the entrance to the loo.
Hermione hesitated. With her shackles still on, she couldn't complete any magic. And even if she could, wizards underestimated the tiny creatures. Most house elves were proficient in wandless magic and resistant to many spells, hexes, and charms, and it was hard to tell which ones would stick.
So she needed to disarm the elf without her magic.
Reaching back into her pouch, she brought out a small leather bag containing a handful of powder harvested from the thorax of the silverwing fly— the same insect she'd thrown in Titus' face during the Trials.
She'd been supposed to save it in case she needed to knock out the guard at the floo again. Once exposed to oxygen, the potency of the powder reduced dramatically. So if she used it now, she'd have to think of something else later.
But it was her only option.
Taking aim, she chucked the leather bag toward the elf, and it exploded at its feet, the powder rising in a silver haze.
The elf didn't stand a chance. The powder acted faster than normal, since Draco had added crushed fly wings to it, increasing its efficacy. Within moments, the tiny body tipped over and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Sorry about that," she whispered, hating using magic against the innocent creatures. "It will only last an hour."
She slid the elf behind a nearby curtain, hiding it from prying eyes, hoping it wouldn't get in too much trouble for losing its charge.
Just then, Julie exited the loo.
Her friend's eyes widened and then dropped, as if in an attempt to ignore her. But Hermione was done with that. She grabbed Julie's shoulders and drew her into a hard hug, unable to resist the affection, even as Julie manoeuvred out of her hold.
"Hermione—" Julie's voice cracked, as if in disuse. "I can't be seen—"
"I've come to get you out of here."
She looked up then.
"Get me out? I don't understand."
"I've made a plan for your escape. Come on, follow me."
Hermione tugged gently on her arm, but Julie brushed off the hold again and shook her head.
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"I can't. If I try and fail, he'll hurt me."
"We don't have time to debate this. You're going to have to trust me."
"I meant what I said. I've just gotten to a place where he's gotten bored with it. I— I can't go through that again. And I can't let you get into trouble for me either."
Hermione bit back her frustration. Draco had warned her that this might happen— that Julie might resist out of fear, but she had refused to believe him.
Of course, she would jump at the chance to leave.
Hermione had risked too much to bow to fear. Heart shattering, she made a quick decision she didn't know if she'd regret.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to give you the option." Hermione bent down, picking up the leather bag. The powder tended to settle fast, but the residual silver still glittered along the outside. And though the potency was reduced, it would still work well enough. Julie had been forced to sit through Finch's hours-long lectures on insects too, so she recognised the metallic shine instantly, leaning away from her.
"Don't you dare—"
Hermione blew the powder in her face, and Julie tried to slap it away.
"I need water." She lunged back into the loo, attempting to get to the sink, but Hermione followed her in and caught her around the waist before she could reach her goal, shoving the bathroom door closed behind her with her foot.
Within moments, Julie slumped forward, heavy in her hold. After being assured she was unconscious, Hermione lowered her to the floor, brushing the hair from her face tenderly. Julie looked peaceful for once, and she took a moment to appreciate having her so close, even if unconscious.
Once finished washing her hands from the residual powder, she extracted the key from her pouch and took off her shackles, rubbing her wrists from the normal ache.
Now all she could do was wait and hope that the secret conspirator had enough intelligence to check other loos.
A few minutes later— longer than she'd planned— four knocks echoed in the exact pattern they'd arranged.
Hermione allowed herself to experience brief relief. Since everything went off course, she'd worried about what would happen if she couldn't save Julie in the end. Terrible scenarios had played out in her mind.
Yanking open the door with her wand in hand, Hermione found a familiar face staring back at her.
"Theo!" She lunged forward out of habit, and he caught her in a tight embrace. After glancing left and right, he entered the bathroom and locked the door behind him. The shimmer of a disillusionment charm still radiated off his skin, but it had already faded.
Before she could thank Theo for helping them, he glared at her. "You and Malfoy have the absolute worst ideas. This is insane, and I'm angry he forced me into it."
"Forced?" she pulled back in confusion.
"He's blackmailing me, as always. Somehow he found a letter. One from— you know."
Harry. He'd sent Theo a letter, and somehow Draco found out about it. Communicating with a possible Order member, even in a benign way, was a serious offence. If the authorities found out, it would lead to an intense investigation, possibly imprisonment. Titus might not even be able to save him from the punishment.
She grabbed his hand, holding it to her heart to show her sincerity. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have let him do that to you, even if I needed the help."
Draco had warned her that she wouldn't like his methods. And he was right. Manipulating her brother into her schemes was definitely a low move.
Theo glared a moment longer, but he'd never been able to stay mad at her.
"I believe you." His shoulders slumped. "It's something Malfoy would do. But this—" he motioned to Julie. "I know this is all you. What if Titus—"
"I can't leave her like this. Do you even know what she's been through?"
Hermione was tired of people not caring about her friends being tortured, tired of explaining why she needed to save her.
Something crossed his face, a flash of expression. Possibly guilt.
"You're right. They bring the muggleborns to the healers when they go too far. I have nightmares about Malfoy bringing you— It's horrid and wrong." He glanced down at Julie's visibly pregnant belly. "Just promise me that you have a good plan, because this is not just theft of a muggleborn; it's theft of a muggleborn pregnant with a pureblood heir."
"I have a great plan, but only if I can get out of this castle. Most of the aurors are distracted right now with something else, but we're running out of time. Was the guard sufficiently knocked out?"
"Yes, but I'm not sure how powerful my stupefy was. I'm a little rusty with duelling spells. It's fortunate the castle wards have accepted me long ago, or this would have been a whole lot harder."
The caterwauling charm and the wards worked separately. Being a friend to Flint, Theo had been invited into the castle long ago, so she knew they would let him in, and there were too many people entering and exiting for Flint to realistically keep track. As long as he didn't attempt to exit with a muggleborn, he wouldn't trip the charm, leaving him safe from detection.
At the moment, the aurors were focused on the release of Bellatrix and others out of Azkaban. A prank dung bomb was lower on the priority scale. Or, at least, she hoped it would be.
Slipping his hand in his pocket, Theo pulled out his own polyjuice potion, this one infused with one of her strands of hair. "Turn around while I change."
She did as he asked to give privacy, slipping out of her dress and shoes, even her bra, glad she wore something simple. Unlatching the leather bracelet Titus gave her, she added it to the pile of clothing.
After undressing, they exchanged clothes. Hermione buttoned up his shirt and trousers and then put on his traditional overrobe, while he took polyjuice, transforming into her before putting on her dress and flats.
The polyjuice with Titus' hair tasted bitter. She gagged while drinking, but somehow managed to swallow the sludge. Shortly after, her legs grew, her breasts shrank. Her shoulders broadened so much the seams in her robes almost began to rip, but she managed to adjust the size of Theo's clothing until it fit tailored to her new male body. After, she transfigured them by memory into a replica of Titus' auror outfit, only struggling with the armour. She even added a shiny golden Mediator badge. If someone looked closely, they might see the details weren't perfect, but she thought she could fool the average person.
It felt strange to feel so tall and… strong. She flexed her large hands, finding it disorienting to see the familiar fingers when she looked down.
She turned to find her doppelgänger staring back at her. Despite anticipating it, the sight hurtled her back to sitting under Titus' desk. If she never again saw a copy of herself, it would be too soon.
"How does it feel to be beautiful?" she teased.
Giving a grin, he placed a hand to her chest about to say something, but then jolted when he accidentally brushed her breast. "Gross!"
"Gross? I've been told they are perfect."
Theo looked like he might be ill. "I'll pretend you never told me that. By Salazar, I hope I don't have to go to the loo while in your body. I don't think I'd recover from the trauma."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you can effectively pretend to be me if they question you?"
"Why else do you think Draco forced me into this role? I just need to be annoyingly bossy, and I'll fool everyone." As if to prove his point, he placed a hand on his hip in a motion she tended to do when angry and mimicked her voice. "Honestly Theo, you need to study, or you'll stay an idiot forever!"
Hermione laughed, missing her brother.
"Your acting is superb." She hesitated. "I assume I don't have to remind you of any plans, especially if Titus is the one interviewing."
"Malfoy made me recite them in my sleep. If I am questioned, keep silent. Only talk when asked a direct question. Keep answers simple. Don't look anyone in the eye. Oh, and he'll personally torture me if I mess anything up."
Her eyes grew hot. "Thank you for doing this. I know Draco forced you, but I'm forever in your debt. I'll talk to him about the letter when I get home."
"I'd ask for a hug, but it's too strange while you look like Titus." He glanced at her wrists. "Almost forgot an important step."
Reaching down, he picked up her obsidian shackles. He glared at them before securing them on his own, right next to the leather bracelet Titus gave her.
"They're heavy," he remarked.
"More than you know."
With his eyes on his wrists, he shook his head. "Be careful, Hermione."
And then he left the room.
After taking out her wand and making sure everything was secured, she forced polyjuice down Julie's throat, turning her into Sofia.
When she exited the bathroom, she traversed the corridors carefully at first, Julie floating behind her. She'd wanted to be seen as Titus only as a last resort, but there were too many people to hide from.
And being caught hiding might be riskier.
Because Titus would not hide.
She made a decision to embrace the disguise, knowing his expressions enough to transform into him, walking with heavy, yet unhurried steps. Shoulders back, chin up, wand at the ready. A perpetual frown on his face.
Some of the men stopped and stared as she passed, but she didn't break her composure. Her pretend confidence must have convinced them. Even with her levitating a woman, they didn't interrogate her, continuing on their way.
When she arrived at the floo, she almost froze in horror, seeing that the guard now stood at complete attention with another auror next to him— a younger one that she recognized from a ministry trip. Even with the sleeping powder, her escape had taken too long and already garnered a sufficient auror response. Though they obviously didn't know a muggleborn was missing yet, or the security would be much worse.
One stupefy without being seen would be risky. Two would be impossible. She'd just have to bluff her way through. Mustering her courage, she walked forward as if she owned the universe.
"Stop," the man yelled as she grabbed the floo powder.
Hermione made a glacial turn, training her eyes on the young auror until the intensity made him flinch. "Is there a problem?"
"I've been commanded to interrogate everyone entering and exiting," he explained, shaking slightly.
"Commanded by who?" she bit out.
"Commanded by— by you." The auror seemed to be second guessing himself.
"Exactly. If I gave the order, then why would it apply to me?"
"I'm just being thorough. I thought you were at Azkaban. And who are you—"
"Are you questioning me?"
"No," the man said in a hurry and stepped back. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Don't attempt that again, or you won't like the punishment you'll receive."
"Yes, sir. Sorry sir. It won't happen again. Are there any other orders?"
"Just stay in position until everything is secured."
The man gulped and so did the previous guard. Both stepped out of the way as Hermione grabbed her floo powder.
She only hesitated a moment to see if she tripped the modified Caterwauling charm, prepared to react if it did.
But no sound erupted, and Hermione grinned, knowing she'd been right about the loophole.
Hermione whispered "The Royal Crescent" low enough they couldn't hear and disappeared into the flames.
Hermione stepped into an ornate sitting room. Golden wallpaper in a Damask design covered the walls. A grandfather clock rested in the corner, along with a baby grand piano and several red velvet couches. Everything old, gold, and delicate.
And completely muggle.
Compared to most muggle homes or cities she'd seen, this one wasn't in disrepair, taken care of by a wealthy muggle who had somehow wiggled out of the purges and work camps. For years, the Royal Crescent was used by travelling purebloods and ministry officials for top secret meetings.
Draco hadn't told her what he threatened the wealthy muggle with, but it must have been dire, because helping a breeder escape was one of the worst crimes. If Titus or the aurors discovered he'd helped them, death would be a mercy.
Hermione glanced around the room, knowing the man wasn't in the vicinity. And he wouldn't be. All she had to do now was sit and wait for Bellatrix to show up.
Levitating Julie to a couch, she perched in the chair next to her and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Until Hermione began to worry that something went wrong.
The emptiness in the room started to haunt her, making her feel oddly vulnerable. She wished she could just floo to the hidden Black property to guarantee their safety, but that wasn't possible, and besides that, she'd be eviscerated by the wards. Without Bellatrix, they were both stuck in limbo.
The time for Julie's mum to show up came and went. Hermione stared at the clock. Not wanting to frighten Julie, every time her friend began to wake, she recast a stupefy.
Nibbling on the edge of her thumb in indecision, she wasn't sure what to do. She clutched the parchment in her hand, having sent several unanswered messages to Draco.
All she could do was focus on controlling her panic and not spiral into thoughts of doom.
After waiting another hour, a few sentences appeared on the parchment. Hermione scrambled to read Draco's familiar handwriting.
Come to the manor now! Use the portkey, if you must.
Are you okay? What took you so long?
I'm fine. It was too risky until now. But that doesn't matter. They know Julie is gone. There's a nationwide search being called. All aurors and some purebloods are being used for the hunt. And if they discover you're gone too, it will be even worse. Right now, Theo's fooled them well enough, but it's too dangerous to continue the charade. They are in the process of turning off all public floos, so you need to get home now.
Where's Bellatrix?
It was more difficult than I thought it would be to release her. And then she thought I was my father and tried to kill me, disappearing before I could explain. She's fucking insane and a lost cause. We shouldn't have counted on her.
What should I do with Julie?
His answer took a few seconds, as if hesitating.
You need to leave her behind. Do your best to perform a gentle obliviation. It shouldn't hurt too much, since it's a small memory.
Logically, he was right. It would be foolish to bring Julie back to the manor. Titus would suspect her involvement soon and order a search of the manor. Draco didn't care about Julie. Not enough. He'd send her back to Blaise or wipe her memory, even if it went wrong and hurt her brain. Saving his own was his priority, and everyone else could suffer.
But Hermione wouldn't leave Julie behind, and she refused to attempt an obliviation, knowing she wasn't skilled enough for the delicate task. If she did as he asked, she'd hate herself forever, and she'd probably hate Draco eventually too.
There was only one option left.
I'll come home, she replied. But not yet.
She didn't wait for his response, knowing he'd try to dissuade her. She had to act fast before they shut down the floos. After taking a second vial of polyjuice, turning back into Titus, she forced one of the vials down Julie's throat, transforming her into Sofia again.
Clutching her wand and levitating a still unconscious Julie, she walked to the fireplace. Her body trembled, not knowing what would meet her on the other side. If she managed to make it through the floo, the checkpoint guard would probably be awake and ready for intruders by order of the ministry.
Without letting herself back down, she took a handful of floo powder, wand at the ready.
The location the Order sent her didn't have a floo attached. She'd checked long ago, so she'd need to arrive at the closest one.
"Nottingham council house," she yelled, and they entered the flames.
On Obsidian Shackles: back in 2018, while writing Brand New World, I'd stumbled on an article about how ancient pagans believed obsidian to absorb magic. I didn't research it beyond that, so I'm not sure how true that is, but in the lore for my stories, it's used in shackles and prisons to subdue magic. Obsidian is a fragile stone and breaks easily, but the shackles in my fics are goblin-made (and goblin magic is different from wizarding magic), making them unbreakable.
