Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Inc., Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Raincoast, and any other affiliated party.
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Chapter 7: Neo Death Eaters
Hermione couldn't think of a time when she had ever been more miserable, with the exception of her brief stint in Azkaban. Durmstarng Palace was nothing like the hell- hole of the dementor-infested fortress but she still longed for Harry and her children. Unlike Azkaban, where at one point she had been left hanging in shackles naked, Hermione was treated like the queen that she was. She was given plenty of food, was able to bathe freely, was free to walk around the palace so long as she didn't leave its grounds, and had plenty of servants waiting on her.
But perhaps the number one difference between Durmstrang and Azkaban was that here, she had hope. When Hermione was in Azkaban, she had just witnessed the apparent murder of Harry and that coupled with the dementors' ability to suck away all positive thoughts had brought her to the edge of despair. This time, there were no dementors and she knew that Harry would never give up on his search for her. She and Harry were connected to each other with a bond that was harder than diamond. Still, she ached horribly for being away from him and their children and she often cried herself to sleep. At least she was able to be with them in her dreams.
Viktor Krum presented her with the most splendid of jewelry and the most elegant of dresses in attempts to convince her to accept her new "home". Hermione refused to even give an eye to the gifts. She was also disappointed that the palace didn't have a library; it turned out that Durmstrang didn't think education as important as the Alliance did. However, when she pointed this out to Krum, he ordered that a library be built and he managed to get a hold of as many books as he could (though it was still only a fraction of the book stock in Hogwarts or Godric's Hollow). Reading was Hermione's favorite pass time and it also provided her with an escape from her misery.
Hermione also spent much of her time exploring the castle. Her excuse was that she wanted to get to know it better. The truth was that she was looking for possible routes where she could escape if the need ever rose. Within a few days, she knew all of the passages within the palace backwards and forwards. She had also studied some history and geography books that had been supplied so that she could possibly escape from the continent and maybe even stow away on a ship for Magiterran. However, she decided to first wait and see how the Alliance was going to react to the chain of events.
One day, while Hermione was exploring the palace, she chanced upon a conference room. It was a plain room with gray walls and a single large round oak table in the middle with chairs all around it. While Hermione was examining the table, she was startled by the sound of many feet walking toward the room. Hermione jumped into a nearby broom closet just as the doors opened.
Karkaroff entered leading a number of people into the room. They each sat in a chair and circled around the table. Peering through the keyhole, Hermione shuddered as she recognized two of the company: Flame and Edward Lingilam.
Karkaroff caught everyone's attention. "I hereby call this secret meeting of the order of Neo Death Eaters."
Hermione had to cover her mouth to keep herself from gasping. 'Death Eaters?' she thought. 'They should've all been killed in the war. Are these survivors? Or are they another following of the legacy of Voldemort?' Hermione held her breath as she listened to the conversation.
"So Igor, tell me. Are the rumors true?" asked one of the Neo Death Eaters.
Karkaroff nodded solemnly. "It is true, Harry Potter has come to Durmstrang." Hermione could barely keep herself from jumping with joy. The Neo Death Eaters seemed to be some where between pleased and furious.
"Mage Knights in Durmstrang? That is an act of war!" yelled another Death Eater. Flame snickered.
"But this was what we wanted in the first place," she said. "To lure Potter here right into our clutches. He will come to the palace where he will face all of our available forces. The whole point is to capture him. Besides, it gives us a legitimate excuse for us to go to war against Magiterran."
"But why do we need him here?" asked the same Death Eater.
Karkaroff shrugged. "It is the master's wish," he said. "He will not explain his wishes. We simply carry them out."
Lingilam laughed. "Ah but why should we listen to the master's orders at all?" Karkaroff glared at him while Lingilam smirked. He continued, "Potter will eventually cross the Lestranges. Why not let them capture him."
Karkaroff pondered this for a moment until he said, "I will take it up with the master."
"See that you do," said Lingilam. Karkaroff raised his arm to his mouth and started whispering into it. A few minutes later, Hermione felt as if her heart had stopped when a cold, high-pitched, yet strangely familiar voice called out into the room.
"Edward, Edward, Edward," said the voice. "Igor here tells me of your little proposition. That you suggested that the Lestranges could be used to capture Potter."
"I have suggested it," smirked Lingilam. The voice laughed.
"You appear to have a lot of confidence in the Lestranges," said the voice. So much that I am now interested in your plan. Why not give it a try?" The Neo Death Eaters murmured their agreement with their unseen master. Lingilam grinned.
"What else are your orders master?" asked Karkaroff.
"Mobilize the fleets," said the voice. "Gather every war ship and transport in Durmstrang and prepare an invasion of Magiterran. It is essential that we take them by surprise. Our troops will land on the coast of the Kingdom of Hufflepuff and from there, we will sweep into the Alliance."
"Why all the surprise?" asked Flame. "It should be a piece of cake." All of the Neo Death Eaters laughed. The master, however, did not seem pleased.
"Don't underestimate the Alliance, Flame," hissed the voice. "Especially the Mage Knights. Otherwise you'll end up the same way as your sister." Flame shuddered and became quiet.
"It will take two weeks to prepare an invasion, master," said Karkaroff.
"Do it as quick as you can. Speed is absolutely essential in this operation."
"Yes master."
"If there is nothing more," continued the voice. "I will have this meeting adjourned." The voice disappeared. One by one, the Neo Death Eaters stood up and left the room. After the room was deserted for a few minutes, Hermione crept out of the closet she was hiding in, visibly shaken. She had to warn her homeland of the invasion within the next two weeks.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Harry. I'm hungry. I'm so starved I could eat a whole hippogriff," moaned Ron. The three Mage Knights were walking through a foot of snow in a thick coniferous forest.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ron, we just ate a hour ago."
"I don't want some transfigured gravel," moaned Ron. Since the three were traveling light, they had been transfiguring natural stuff (rocks, pieces of wood) into meals. "I want real food! Something hot off the oven freshly cooked and prepared by house elves…"
Harry sighed sadly. Ron noticed. "What's wrong Harry?" he asked.
"Oh, its just that I can imagine how Hermione would react if she heard you say that. Probably start lecturing about the unfair treatment of house elves, saying it was slavery or something like that." Harry couldn't help but make a weak grin. "You know, she's got a good number of the house elves working in Godric's Hollow palace working under a salary?"
"She what?!" Ron actually looked horrified.
Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Her goal is to eventually get people to treat house elves with equality. She's spent a good deal of her royal activities organizing it: spew or something, I don't know."
"Doesn't she realize that house elves love being enslaved?" asked Ron, still looking scandalized.
"I once pointed it out to her and received a death glare so harsh I haven't tried it again," said Harry. "She spent a good deal of her time just trying to get the house elves who work for us to accept a salary, and some of them finally agreed for one galleon a month so I guess its not exactly a hopeless cause."
Ron snorted. "I still think she's crazy."
Harry sighed. "Look Ron, when we find her, please do me a favor and don't bring it up."
"OK, I won't." Somehow, however, Harry couldn't help but think that Ron would bring it up eventually.
Harry sighed sadly. Talking about Hermione made him miss her even more. This made him even more determined to rescue her from whatever clutches she was in. He hoped that they were drawing close to their destination.
It was around then that Ginny came back to them: she had gone ahead to scout the road ahead of them.
"Hey boys," she said. There's a mansion ahead of us. I think we can ask for lodging."
Ron looked absolutely ecstatic about the prospect of a proper meal. Harry however, looked skeptical.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked. "You do realize that the presence of Mage Knights in Durmstrang is an act of war and who knows if the people of this mansion will give us lodging rather than turn us in."
"Oh come on, Harry," said Ron, looking a good deal more happier. "How often do you run into good lodgings in the middle of the forest?" He and Ginny made their way to the mansion, Ron practically skipping.
Harry was a little worried but he shook his head and went after the two Weasleys.
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A/N Generally, I'm not a fan of making Krum such a villain but I'm going to explain all that later in the story so don't prejudge him. I'll admit that I don't like the character that much, but he's not a bad guy as a lot of fics make him out to be. It is true that he's only a pawn in this. Also, Oliver Wood will come out in this. Next: What's going to happen at the mansion?