Chapter 7
Hermione escaped upstairs and was shocked because for a moment, she thought she had entered the wrong room. It was spotless, but then, of course, the morning clean up session came flooding back to her. She was just so used to having to fight through her room to make it to her bed. The first thing she did was grab her suitcase from deep within her closet. It had already been charmed with an undetectable extension charm so she knew she would only need the one.
She started grabbing outfits and clothes at random. She knew it really wouldn't matter what she wore at the Malfoy's, as she would need to be in her white lab coat most of the time. But then again, if she supposedly had gone on holiday, it would be strange if Ginny saw that all of her sundresses and nicer outfits were still in her closet.
She really doubted Ginny would snoop, but she wasn't about to leave things to chance. When her, Ron and Harry went on the run, she didn't just have Plan A and Plan B. Her plans usually had backups to backups. She wanted to be ready for anything. And if she wanted to brag, she very often was for those many stressful months.
Once her valise was thoroughly packed and organized, she grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. She called down the stairs to Ginny and Harry who were cuddling on the couch, "I'm borrowing Pig really quickly, I just have a note to send to Penny." Ginny mumbled affirmatively and reminded her not to give him any treats. He'd been looking very plump lately. Harry quickly tried to distract Ginny. Hermione didn't have to think very hard as to who had been spoiling the tiny owl.
Ginny and Harry's room was right across the hall from Hermione's and it was a mess of Quidditch supplies and clothes. When Harry didn't have work and Ginny was home from practice they could often be found playing one-on-one. These excursions often led to late night trysts where they would 'sneak' in at four A.M. giggling and shushing each other, believing Hermione to be asleep.
Honestly though, she didn't mind waking up to their happiness, even if sometimes it made the darkness in her own room feel more lonely and cold.
She quickly wrote a note to Penny telling her to meet her at a cafe in Wiltshire. It was the muggle town closest to Malfoy Manor and she would most likely go unnoticed. Hopefully, Penny hadn't already gone to sleep, because she would need a response first thing in the morning.
Pig was excited for a job. Now that all of the people in the house had jobs and could apparate or send a patronus for a quick message. The only people they really needed to owl were Mrs. Weasley or work correspondents.
Pig was getting a bit older now, so they tried not to use him too often. But you never would've known it when you came in ready with a message for him. He would hoot and bite his cage like he couldn't wait to start the delivery.
Hermione unlocked the cage quickly and attached the small slip of paper to his little leg. And without a moment of shame, she gave Pig a little owl treat. Harry wasn't the only one with a soft spot for the old boy. With a chirrup of excitement, he was gone and Hermione did what she did best; she began plotting.
It was just after sunrise in Wiltshire, and Hermione was sitting on a bench waiting for Penny to arrive. She decided on wearing a light sundress, hat and strappy sandals. It was quite out of place in the Autumn weather of England, but it would look more strange if she left the house in a sweater and jeans. From what Ginny and Harry believed, Hermione was taking an early Portkey straight to the Amalfi Coast, where it was warm and balmy. Hermione rubbed the goosebumps on her arms in an effort to ward off the chill.
There was a quick pop to her right and suddenly Penny was standing a few yards away. Hermione had only seen Penny in the context of work. Seeing her in regular Muggle clothes as opposed to her white lab coat and ministry robes, made her seem like a complete stranger. Her hair was down as opposed to her usual tight bun. It made her look much younger, basically a teenager. Which at nineteen, she technically was. Hermione often forgot how young everyone working in her lab was.
"Miss Granger!" She called out while running over to her. "Your letter seemed so urgent, is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine. I was just hoping to ask a favor. I can't explain much, but how would you feel to pretend to be me while taking a holiday on the Amalfi Coast?"
Penny's eyes were wide in wonder as she slowly blinked, still trying to understand her words. "You want me to pretend to be you on the Amalfi Coast?"
"Yes, I know you keep a store of Polyjuice Potion at your flat. I'm asking you to use it and transform into me while I'm off on a project." Hermione didn't have much time to sit here and explain her plan more. She hoped she could trust Penelope's discretion.
Penny's eyes lit up, "A project? What kind of project?"
Hermione shook her head, "It's a secret. But just know that I believe that this will bring us one step closer to finding a working solution to the Ghost Relief Potion."
Penny's eyes flashed for a moment in triumph. She was just as dedicated as Hermione as finding a solution to the ghost situation in the Wizarding World.
Her smile was radiant as she said, "So you need me, to spend the next couple weeks in the Amalfi Coast, pretending to be one of the most famous witches in Europe?"
Hermione blushed, "I know it's a lot to ask, and if you refuse, I will completely understand. It's definitely above and beyond your job description. I would only ask this of you because you are one of my best assistants and there's no one else I could trust with this task."
In a flash of hair and a squeal, Penny threw her arms around Hermione in a surprisingly fierce embrace. "Don't be ridiculous! You're asking me to go on a vacation that I honestly could never dream of. Think of all the libraries and laboratories and alchemists I could visit! It's all so exciting! And you're right I have at least a month's worth of Polyjuice Potion back at my home and I wouldn't mind making more if this 'secret mission' of yours goes longer." She was practically vibrating in excitement and hopping from foot to foot. Hermione could almost feel the excitement rolling off of her and warming her skin like a fire. She tentatively smiled back to her assistant as her arms disentangled from hers.
"So, is that a yes?" She asked shyly.
"It's a hell yes!" She blushed quickly. "I mean -" she cleared her throat. "I mean, this will be an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to get on my way. This is - I - I - thank you." She settled on and she stood still. Hermione finally was able to take a breath of relief. At least step one of her plan was going well. Now all she would need to do is find a solution to the impossible. She tried not to sag in defeat. This will work, she promised herself. It has to.
Hermione pulled a hairbrush out of her purse. It was full of her hair and would definitely be enough for a month and even longer. It was probably disgusting, but she was pressed on time. She also didn't want to risk Penny sending an Owl to her flat or to Malfoy Manor in need of more hair. Better to give her too much, than not enough.
Penny beamed as she took the plastic hair brush in her hands. "Ah! Yes, a wonderful specimen. I promise to put it to good use!" She put the hairbrush carefully in her satchel. They were silent together for an awkward moment. "I know you said that this mission you are going on is a secret, but I want you to know that you can trust me." She shifted her feet like a child in front of a teacher. It reminded Hermione of when she was at Hogwarts trying to ask McGonagall a theoretical question about Transfiguration. She was so shy as a young witch, and it was really because of McGonagall's mentorship that she was able to bloom into the woman she was today.
"Penelope, I trust you completely. I wouldn't just ask this of anyone. But this thing I am doing is bigger than just me and this project. It's not my secret to share. So, I will ask for your discretion and I promise if this goes the way I hope, your name will be right next to mine in the history books."
Penny's eyes lit with an internal fire and nothing more really needed to be said. Hermione knew she cared, and they both were desperate for answers and solutions to this impossible task. They hungered for it like famished animals.
"If that's the case, then I will wish you all the luck, Miss Granger. Don't hesitate to write if you need my help with anything. If I find anything of note, should I have a way to contact you?"
Hermione thought for a moment. She couldn't exactly give out Malfoy's address. Especially with all the attention after Lucius's death. Penelope was smart and would most likely be able to put two and two together. Hermione trusted that she wouldn't go to the press over this. Penelope was American and was honestly out of the loop when it came to things like Death Eaters and English controversies. She probably only knew of the Malfoy's in passing. But for some reason, Hermione felt fiercely protective of Malfoy's secret.
Hermione pulled a notebook out of her purse. She often kept spares on her person in case an idea struck her in a random place. Taking a quick look around to make sure there were no Muggles around, she pulled her wand out of her pocket and quickly whispered a charm over the moleskine cover.
"Here, take this. Whenever you make a note in this, it will automatically send me a copy in my personal notebook. So anything you find that could be pertinent to our project, write down here and I will see it." Penny took the notebook carefully in her hands like it was a precious object.
"You really are amazing," she said as she quickly hid the notebook in her bag.
Hermione waved away the compliment, "Now go get ready, the Portkey leaves in two hours. I hope that's enough time for you to pack." A thought suddenly struck Hermione. "Oh! I almost forgot! If any of my mates send you an owl, just tell them that you are having a wonderful time and spending the day at a magical library. They'll never doubt that."
"Of course! And it really wouldn't be a lie or anything. That's exactly where I'll be for the most part. Don't worry about anything, I will use this time to work hard. Good luck, Miss Granger!" With a quick hug, she Apparated away and Hermione was suddenly alone in the Muggle town. Without a thought, she began walking towards Malfoy Manor.
When Hermione got to the gates of Malfoy Manor, something twisted in her gut. The last time she was here was a foggy morning almost six years ago. At the time, she was dirty and hungry and scared out of her mind. Just remembering that day was enough for Hermione to want to curl up on the ground and never get up. The scar on her arm burned and she could still smell the fetid perfume of Bellatrix Lestragne as she cut into her skin.
It was becoming more and more difficult to take in a breath, but she somehow managed to bring her wand out to send a Patronus to Malfoy. However, right when her arm was raised, the gates opened. She could hear the sound of someone running and was shocked to see the form of Draco Malfoy, fully clothed in black running full tilt towards her.
"Come in! Quickly!" He grabbed her wrist and pulled her within the boundary of the gate. Before she could even give a yell or even a squeak. He had Apparated them both into the entrance parlor. He quickly dropped her hand in the same way from the alley. It was almost familiar at this point. "Sorry about that, Granger. I was just finished chasing away a Daily Prophet reporter hiding near the West Gate and I couldn't risk anyone seeing you enter."
Hermione tried to keep herself standing, to nod that she understood, but with the panic attack blooming from earlier and the shock of Apparition, Hermione practically collapsed on the ornate rug. Like the strings holding her up were cut. Her limbs splayed out around her.
Inside was much worse than seeing the gate. It was like she was in the creature's mouth as opposed to just looking at its horrid face. Everything felt hot and Hermione's skin flushed. Hermione could hear Malfoy talking, but the words weren't registering in her head. All she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears as her vision went dark.
She felt her mouth fill with saliva and was terrified that she was going to be sick. She tried to breathe out of her nose, but it was no use. It was like her body had forgotten how to draw breath. Her chest burned, her stomach lurched, her brain squeezed against her skull.
Right when Hermione was finally entering the embrace of unconsciousness, a splash of cold water hit her face.
Sputtering she looked up and almost thought she had gone back in time. In front of her was a House-Elf that looked horrifyingly familiar. She thought she was seeing another ghost, and almost said his name before her vision sharpened and realized her mistake. Dobby wasn't here, even if he had died saving them from this house. Every time she saw a House Elf, Hermione couldn't help but see him in every little face.
"So sorry, Miss! Master Draco called Pippy to help, and I only had a moment to grab something!" The House-Elf squeaked.
Hermione tried to sit up, but noticed that the water had wet the front of her thin dress, leaving her undergarments quite exposed to Draco Malfoy. Embarrassed and exposed, Hermione wrapped her arms around herself. But then, she remembered that she was a witch, and with shivering arms, she waved her wand in a drying charm on her clothes. It was enough to hide her unmentionables, but from the pink spreading up Malfoy's cheeks, he had already gotten an eyeful. Pippy had disappeared with a pop.
Trying to hold on to whatever dignity she still had. Hermione finally stood on weak legs in front of Malfoy. Draco's eyes were huge in his skull, and Hermione's probably matched. This was not how it was supposed to go, she thought.
A double door right in front of them snapped open with a gush of air, breaking the spell of silence that had held them staring at each other. Mrs. Malfoy, in a whirl of lilac robes entered the room. "Pippy told me that you had fainted, Miss Granger, is everything alright?" Narcissa's long fingers, so like her son's, held Hermione's face like she was made of fine china.
It felt so strange to feel a mother's touch. It had been a long time since she had been held by her own, and tears nearly filled her eyes. But after everything that happened, she needed to keep a professional environment. "Mrs. Malfoy, please excuse me. I had a moment of light-headedness. Long night of research, you know how it is."
Narcissa nodded and pulled her fingers away, but she stayed close. "Yes, Draco had told me about all the work you do for the Ministry. I have been following your career for a while now. If anyone can help us, I knew it would be you." The conviction in her voice was overwhelming. Everyone seemed to believe that she was some sort of miracle worker, when she was merely a witch with far too much brains to live a life of leisure. She was capable of failure, but so many seemed to forget that.
She swallowed and tried to smile. Her whole face felt numb from the earlier panic attack, but the places where Narcissa's fingers were felt warm. Mrs. Malfoy was counting on her, and she really didn't want to let her down.
Hermione looked around the entrance parlor. It was actually quite stylish after the first surprise. When Hermione first came here, it was as cold and lifeless as a tomb, but now there were countless floral arrangements on nearly every surface. Instead of the all black furniture that previously decorated the Manor now had bright splashes of greens, pinks, and reds. It was like life was brought into the Manor, and the sweet floral scent enveloped Hermione in a living cocoon.
"I love what you've done with the decor, Mrs. Malfoy." She said as a way to break some of the tension. Hermione was taught as a young child to complement the hostess's house when her parents took her to one of their dentist friend's homes, and the breeding had stuck with her into her adulthood.
"Thank you, my dear. Running a house on my own has made me quite the decorator. I needed some hobbies in all my spare time, and gardening gave me the most peace." Hermione nodded, even though she had never been able to so much as to keep a basil plant alive. Neville had the green thumb out of all of her mates.
"So, Miss Granger. You prefer what my wife has done to the place." Called a cold voice from the right of them. Lucius Malfoy was leaning impossibly against one of the large Greek style columns on the edge of the parlor. The good feelings that Hermione had felt a moment ago suddenly vanished. As if Lucius Malfoy had also become a dementor as well as a ghost. "I liked the old style, but as I was imprisoned in Azkaban, I had little say in the decorations."
Draco, who had been silent this entire time, suddenly rounded on his departed father. "I thought I charmed you to stay in the attic!" He shouted. There was a pulsing vein in his neck already writhing like a worm under his skin.
Lucius tsked, completely unimpressed. "Your spells were nothing but a plaything for me to undo. Besides, as I am still Master of this Manor, no locked door can contain me."
Draco gave a frustrated growl and uttered a complex curse that Hermione didn't recognize. Lucius faded away like rubbing the condensation off a mirror, a smile still on his face, like this was all an amusing game.
"So, Miss Granger, are you joining us for breakfast?" Asked Narcissa in a sweet voice, like nothing had happened.