Chapter 8 - Clandestine

The next few days were a flurry of activity. Monday night, around 2 am, found Hermione creeping around the Battlesbury Barracks. She had heard of the place when she was young, her father used to tell her many stories of his military days. Orlando Granger had enlisted right after finishing his A-levels and spent 8 years in the Royal Dragoon Guards before leaving to study where he had eventually met his wife in dental school. Once the trio had made their plans, Hermione went to the public library in Great Hangleton and was able to ascertain Battlesbury Barracks already existed and was already the headquarters for the Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions Delivery Team, she was therefore sure she could easily find what she was looking for as they conducted many experiments there and the base had been established right before the start of the second world war, Hermione was hoping that meant the base would be full of barely ethical findings.

She had also chosen that base due to its location, it was in Wiltshire and Malfoy Manor wasn't far away, she wanted to do a small reconnaissance mission there as well. She had waited for the dark of the night before apparating as close as she could, the night was cold for late June with a light drizzle, but the cover of clouds prevented the moonlight from making her visible. Hermione applied a strong disillusionment spell on herself, and a heatless spell of her own creation that would make her heat signature undetectable, she wasn't sure the technology they had could detect her in 1949 but she wasn't willing to take any risks.

Once both spells had taken, she silenced her footsteps and her breathing and used a simple alohomora to enter the first door she could access. She had made sure, using Hominio Revelio, that the base was as deserted as possible and crept around in total silence until she could find a lab that would work. She was thankful not to cross paths with anyone and read the names along her way, she saw "Lupine experiments", "Explosive devices" and finally what she was aiming for "Liquid & Airborne agents", she was relieved to find it so quickly and shuddered to think what kind of other names she could have found along the way. Another unlocking spell gave her access to the room and she started her search. With a wide smile she finally recognised the name Penthrane, from her father's stories she knew it was technically an ether but it was usually administered by inhalation and once she had opened the box she could clearly see the scientists here had been working on it since it was discovered for the medical world a few years ago and had created a device to make the Penthrane airborne. She quickly used a replicator spell to delay the discovery of her theft, took the box and left as quickly as she could with her prize, shrunken and hidden in her pocket.

As soon as she was far enough away from the base, she apparated close to Malfoy Manor. She had been disappointed to find the magical cameras at this time weren't that good but she still had one from 2005 in her bag, so she got close to the Manor and took as many pictures as she could discretely. Abraxas was alone in his study, working on something intently, once she zoomed in as much as the camera allowed she recognised Thomas' diary on the desk. He was already trying to break into it then. She mentally changed the timeline to make sure he was taken care off sooner than later, he would figure out the real diary had disappeared too soon otherwise. A dirty elf suddenly popped in front of Abraxas, with a gasp Hermione recognised Dobby and swore she would free him as soon as she could. She prowled the perimeter around the Manor, trying to get a glimpse of Abraxas' wife and finally found her in some sort of lady parlour on the ground floor, drinking a cup of tea with shaking hands and dark bruises around her neck, her right arm and a shadow on her right cheek as well. Hermione took her time to take plenty of pictures of the abuse, and lost any types of remorse she could feel to dispatch of Abraxas as soon as she could manage. She would need to review the laws regarding spousal abuse, she was almost sure what he was doing was legal at this time but his reputation taking a hit after his death wouldn't go remiss she thought. She continued to look around for an hour, but except for the couple and Dobby, she saw no one else and wondered where Abraxas' father was, she realised she didn't even know his name. She needed to get a book on the Sacred 28 and the different genealogies of Wizarding Britain. She knew the Sacred 28 had been published relatively recently by a Nott, so the information would be fresh.

With a sigh, she packed up her camera and apparated back to Riddle Manor, she found Thomas fast asleep in his bed and joined him, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next day Hermione slept in, having fallen asleep around 5 am, she finally got up before noon, took a long warm shower and got dressed in a modest summer dress she had bought at Harrod's, the dress was a grey cotton dye with some splatters of red making abstract flowers, it hit her ankles and left only a strip of calves visible. She did her hair, put on classic back robes with a red thread, heeled black leather ankle boots and went to Diagon Alley. She knew no one beyond Thomas and Alphard in this time, and no one bothered her in public so far, she was able to enter Florish and Blotts without issues and went directly to Mr. Florish. Hermione remembered him fondly from her time, seeing look so young was staggering but she needed information.

"Good afternoon Miss, how can I help you?" Mr. Florish asked her once she was in front of the counter.

"Good afternoon Mr. Florish, I am new to the area after growing up in France and would like all and any books on the important Wizarding families of Britain, I believe there is a Pure-Blood Directory? As well as any genealogies you might have." Hermione asked, flashing him her most charming smile.

"Of course, may I ask why you came to England after growing up in France? Your accent suggests you're right at home."

"Oh I am Mr. Florish, I believe you may know my brother, Alphard Black?" At his nod and puzzled expression, she clarified, "Apologies for not introducing myself earlier, my name is Hermione Black, Pollux Black is my father but I grew up in France and I've only come back recently."

"It's no issue at all Miss. Black, always a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a member of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black." he hastily replied with a wide smile, then left her alone at the counter while he looked for the books she had requested, missing her eye-roll.

"There you go Miss. Black, the Directory as requested and I've also added "Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Great Britain", edited last year, "The Founders, Merlin, Nimuë, Mordred, Morgana & their descendants", this one was last edited in the late 1800. The total will be 5 galleons and 20 knuts."

"Thank you, it's been a pleasure." Hermione took her new books and placed them in her bag while leaving 6 galleons on the counter with a quick wink and left before he could protest.

She was on her way back to the Leakey Cauldron so she could floo back to the Manor when an arm grabbed her elbow and stopped her.

"Miss. Black!" A man with short dark hair sticking around and deep hazel eyes stopped her and shot her a wide smile when she finally stopped, "Hi, I'm sorry to stop you this way, I heard introduce yourself in Florish and Botts. My name is Charlus Potter and my wife Dorea is a Black, I believe from what you've said she would be your aunt?"

At Hermione's startled nod, he continued "I understand from what you implied, you don't really know your family quite well, except your brother I assume, would you be interested in coming to Potter Manor to meet Dorea?"

"I would love to yes." Hermione replied with a watery smile, that Charlus assumed what due to meeting new family.

"Perfect!" Charlus exclaimed with a beaming smile, "Do I need to extend the invitation to an intended or fiancé? Or perhaps you would like Alphard to be there?"

"An intended yes, Lord Thomas Gaunt." Hermione said with a mischievous smile.

Charlus took a step back in shock, "I wasn't aware the Lord Gaunt title was active again, I thought Marvolo Gaunt had been the last?"

Hermione laughed lightly at this, trying to calm him down, "He was cursed, Thomas has only recently discovered this and claimed the title. He would have been at Hogwarts at the same time as you for a year or two I believe."

Charlus nodded, trying to process what she said and who the mysterious new Lord could be, but carried on, "Right, that's perfect then, expect my owl soon for a tea invitation for yourself Miss. Black and your intended." he ended with a bow and Hermione curtsied in return, and left to go back home.

Hermione was in the library later that day, with all her new books splattered around her, trying to memorise everything.

"Darling, are you studying to make a hit list?" Thomas drawled, entering the room after coming back from work.

"No, but last night when I was staking out Malfoy Manor I noticed it was only Abraxas and his wife. The place is clearly built to house multiple generations and I realised I never knew who Abraxas' father was or if he was still alive, so I went out and bought genealogies books to update my knowledge."

Thomas hummed, "I don't remember him ever mentioning his father, he was boastful so surely he should have at some point."

"You wouldn't have, Cassius Malfoy died in 1926, shortly after his son birth, his wife died in childbirth the same year. Lucius appears to have been raised by Septimus Malfoy, his great-grandfather, who died a couple of years ago at almost 165 years old. All I know is that he was very influential at the Ministry in his time. His son, Aurelius Malfoy died young as well, when Cassius was a toddler, and Septimus raised Cassius as well.
I honestly don't know what Septimus' beliefs and values were but he was born in the late 1700, not that long after the Witch Hunts ended so I have to assume the Malfoy's beliefs in Abraxas and later Lucius comes from him."

"That makes a lot of sense, he lived very long, even by Wizarding standards. He probably taught them about With Hunters and Muggles burning witches at the stake. Without knowing how the Muggle world has evolved since, I understand why their prejudice is so strong.
I know you mentioned assimilating muggle-raised witches and wizards better, but this is a reminder we also need better and compulsory Muggle studies for wizarding-raised students so that kind of beliefs can be shattered early."

Hermione hummed in agreement, and went to another desk to show Thomas the pictures she had taken last night, including the state of Abraxas' wife. Thomas' fists clenched in anger at seeing the abuse in front of him, "I see muggle prejudice isn't the only thing Septimus has taught his descendants from the 18th century. That whole family is medieval and needs to be wiped out."

Hermione put her hands on his chest to calm him down, "I agree. However, it needs to be an accident so he can't be turned into a martyr, and I plan on releasing the pictures of his wife once he's dead so his reputation can be buried with him, no matter how legal spousal abuse currently is."

Thomas simply kissed her in agreement.

A few days later found the trio discussing their breaking and entering plan in Thomas' study. He had finished the copy of the diary and Hermione had explained to them how to use the Penthrane agent to knockout everyone in the Manor. Alphard took everything and went back home at Black Cottage near Brighton, to call for Kreacher, he made him sign Hermione's cursed parchment first, then went on to explain what the elf would have to do. He practiced the bubble-head charm a few times before declaring himself satisfied and cast it one last time, gave the Penthrane device to Kreacher while explaining how to use it and reminded the elf he had to keep it away from flames to avoid the Manor burning down. Kreacher confirmed he had understood everything one last time and went on his way.

The wait was agonising for Alphard, he knew they were doing the right thing but was terrified what the consequences would be if they were found, knowing he would be the only one to actually take the fall. He trusted Thomas and his new sister though. Thomas was ruthless and terrifying at times, but the man was loyal.

Kreacher popped back up one hour later with the real diary in his hands, Alphard took the diary and obliviated the elf of the whole thing just in case before he dismissed him. The whole thing had been rather short but he had called for him in the middle of the night so he put the diary in his bag under a strong Notice-me-not charm and went to bed, relieved everything went well.

On Sunday morning, Thomas and Hermione were having a cup of tea in the garden, enjoying the sunny second day of July. Alphard apparated right in front of them and tossed the diary at Thomas without preamble.

"Thanks Alphie and good morning to you to." Thomas said sarcastically, while Hermione snorted.

Alphard sat down on the other garden chair with a thump, "You're welcome. Everything went according to plan. Kreacher signed the parchment, was ordered not to say anything, put the copy in its place and I obliviated him afterwards just in case."

"Perfect, shall we?" Thomas led them back inside to the lit fireplace of his study, he waved his wand above the diary to remove a few protection spells before tossing it in the fire. "I had made it fireproof with a parseltongue spell, I also removed the permanent spell that made sure nothing could be erased from it. This should destroy it nicely." They remained in his study, staring at the flames devouring the diary until there was nothing but ash left. To be thorough, or paranoid, Hermione also cleaned out the fireplace after to remove the ash itself.

The trio went back outside, relieved the diary was gone forever.

"To us!" Hermione exclaimed. "Us!" was chorused all around.

"What's next then?" Alphard asked, narrowing his eyes at them, "I know this isn't the end for you, I would rather be part of the plan than in your crossfire so lay it on me." he finished with a sigh.

Thomas smirked, "Nothing right this second Alphie, Hermione seems quite impatient to start a revolution or three but we have some time."

"We need to get rid of Abraxas, since he was already trying to break into the diary it needs to be soon so he doesn't get suspicious. I also simply want him removed and unable to continue assaulting his wife." Hermione stated, at her relief Alphard simply nodded in agreement.

"I get it Hermione, I saw the pictures, I also remember how he was at Hogwarts against Thomas, it's only a matter of time before he kills someone if he hasn't already. Besides, I need Lord Gaunt to take his Wizengamot seat so I can live my dreams of being a political advisor." He finished with a cheeky smile to Thomas, who rolled his eyes.

"Right, so what's the plan for Abraxas?" Hermione asked, but instead of answering her question Thomas stood up, went inside and came back to her side a couple of minutes later, "Before we get into that, and to celebrate our first victory, I want to give you the traditional courting gift. I went in the Gaunt vaults this week and found this bracelet, it's a cage cuff bracelet in pure gold with a snake all around and a few emeralds, you know just in case the Slytherin element wasn't clear enough. From what I could gather, it dates back to the Slytherin line itself, it was made for the wife of Salazar Slytherin's grandson." he explained, before opening the jewellery box and putting the bracelet on Hermione's left wrist.

Hermione immediately felt the tingle of protective magic once the bracelet was touching her skin, "I love it Thomas, thank you. What are the charms? I can feel them."

Thomas smiled at her, pleased she liked it and that she could feel the magic within, "There's a few, a shield to protect against basic curses and hexes, a portkey embedded within that transports you back here and anyone you're holding on, but not anyone holding onto you. The bracelet will also warm if you're close to a mind-altering potion like loyalty or love potions."

Hermione nodded, "How do I activate the portkey?"

"By touching the bracelet with your right hand and saying Titus." he replied with a small smirk.

"Shakespeare?"

"Of course, Queen Hermione." Thomas replied in a murmur, while Alphard was rolling his eyes in the background.

A/N -
The Battlesbury Barracks are real, it was built in 1938 and houses the Royal Dragoon Guards, as well as the Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions (JAMES) Delivery Team. Unsure if both were already there in 1949 but let's pretend.

Penthrane is the brand name for an anaesthetic, discovered in 1946 (Methoxypropane)