Harry Potter and the Full-Blood Prince
By Ftmble1
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. In addition, St. Andrew's Auld Kirk history is courtesy of Scotsman.com, found here: http://heritage.scotsman.com/news.cfm?id=213732005
Spoilers: Books 1-5 DOES NOT REFERENCE CANON OF BOOK 6.
Author's Note: OK, so it took about 3 weeks, but I'm now out of my HBP funk. For the record I think it's very important to say that I'm a H/Hr shipper that thinks Ron's an absolute peach and important part of the trio, just not the long term right guy for Hermione. Most of my fics refer to previous crushes/dates, as I tend to write H/Hr as young adults. I read JKR's interview, I know that for canon, it is what it is. So welcome to the delusional world! This one is more plot and a cliffy at the end. Keep those reviews coming.
Chapter 13
As directed too few hours early, Harry appeared at Joe Goodrow's desk at 7 AM. He had gotten little sleep, dreaming about Hermione's kisses on his neck intermittent with various dark threats against her and William.
Joe looked Harry up and down. "Harry, I know that you've come highly recommended from very good sources, and that you have top secret training, but you look like hell. What's the story?"
"Sorry Joe, won't happen again. I was tracking some potential leads regarding these threats but have come up rather empty I'm afraid. However, you said you had something."
"Well, I think you need to start looking a little closer to your own backyard. I've got some very disturbing reports on Hermione Granger."
Harry's mouth got very dry as he shot Joe an incredulous look. "Joe, what are you talking about. Hermione is certainly not a threat."
"Harry, I know that you consider her a friend, but you took a vow to protect the Prince over all other allegiances when you joined this team." Harry nodded, remembering the mounds of paperwork when he first joined the RPS. "We've received very disturbing reports of her recent activities and numerous verified accounts of her being involved in the occult."
Harry tried to keep a straight face while his mind raced where would he get these stories? He voiced his concerns "Where did you get these reports?"
"We received an envelope full of stories from a paper called "The Daily Prophet" along with the Sun bit from last month. There was an unsigned note stating that the sender had watched Ms. Granger grow up as a child, and that she was trouble in her neighborhood from the start. The sender stated that she was sending the information anonymously for fear of retribution from Ms. Granger."
Harry's mind continued to race as he tried to not panic… if Daily Prophet articles were what he had, his name had to be in them, what was next?
"The Daily Prophet? I don't recall seeing that on the newsstands around here?" Harry hoped that this tangent would lead Joe to provide more info.
"The sender says it's a daily newspaper for the occult."
"Joe, with all due respect, it seems like more of a slander attempt than any basis in reality. I've known Hermione a long time…" Harry was interrupted by the entrance of none other than Rhys Palladin. "Palladin" he stated coolly. "I see you're back, though I'm surprised to see you here."
Joe stood up and greeted Rhys warmly. "Mr. Palladin, great to see you. Have a seat." Rhys had still not spoken but his blue eyes flashed at Harry. Harry knew he would have to be careful and could not do the obliviate charm that he had performed before with Rhys in the room. As Draco's stunt at the library had proven, Rhys knew exactly who he was and his appearance with Joe made Harry completely uneasy. Something was up, and it wasn't good. He hoped that his auror colleagues were guarding Hermione, because this did not bode well at all.
Joe continued to explain Rhys presence, "Mr. Palladin returned this past week, after attending to some unfortunate family business, and he is the person who actually delivered these items to us."
"Is that so," Harry replied coolly, allowing no emotion to cross his face. Now more than ever he took on the auror persona he'd worked so hard to train for three years. Calm, cool, collected on the outside, not allowing for any concern to show. Inside, his mind was spinning - Rhys could be charged under the International Statute of Secrecy, and knowing this Harry was more worried that things were taking place fast - to discredit Hermione, and get at William. "May I inquire as to where you got these?"
Rhys smiled at Harry, a knowing smile. "Why Harry. I thought you would have already have seen these given your close relationship with Ms. Granger."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Hermione and I are school chums, and I'm not aware of this Daily Prophet. My question to you is, how are youaware of it, and how you've come about bringing it to Joe's… and mine of course, attention?" Harry was sure Rhys understood his undertone about the breach of secrecy taking place here.
"A family friend had seen Ms. Granger's picture in the Sun, and knew that I played Polo with William. When I was home, she visited and told me her story, of Hermione taunting her niece as young child and then how she was sent away to boarding school. She said she found the newspapers in the Granger's recycling bin."
"It's interesting that she would find it necessary to search the Granger's recycling bin?"
"She felt that our future king was in danger and needed to corroborate her story. I'm sure that you'll find the articles quite interesting."
Joe interrupted "We have three articles, all written at the same time as the Sun story about Hermione Granger, the worlds most eligible witch, and her known prowess at spells and defense in a Wizarding War? They talk about her friendship with someone called "the Boy Who Lived."
Harry's heart skipped a beat. Rhys deliberately had only provided articles that did not mention him by name. "It's completely ludicrous. Joe, you can't tell me that this hasn't happened before. What about Kate? She's been in the papers for years - hasn't there been any protests about her?"
Joe sighed. "Yes, you are correct, we get complaints in the dozens whenever there is a new girl. But nothing like this, and even if it's rubbish Harry, we can't take this lightly. Do you know what will happen if the media gets a hold of this?"
Harry's temper flared. "Joe. You called me down here to let me know about what you consider a real threat. What's the threat? To the Prince's life or his image?"
"Harry, obviously your upset, we know Hermione is your friend, but you've got to agree - this is very troublesome."
"Joe. I agree it's troublesome, but probably not for the same reasons this… this so called anonymous source is hoping. Hermione is an outstanding citizen, and as for this Daily Prophet nonsense… it's not enough to convince me."
"Be that as it may, Harry, it's enough for us to be doing full research on Hermione Granger. Given your reaction, I'm going to have to ask that you not be in contact with her any more, and allow our team to do its research without your intervention."
The pieces clicked in Harry's head. It was the perfect set up. He couldn't get in touch with Hermione via muggle means because they would be tapped, and he couldn't get in touch with Hermione via Owl or Wizard Ways because it would be a clue to the investigation. He knew that right now there were probably video cameras being set up throughout Hermione's house. The one thing Rhys did not know about was the extra detail, but even then they had to be warned, and Harry could not be sure that Rhys didn't have an inside to them as well.
"I understand" Harry said quietly. "I don't agree that she's a threat Joe, but if you need to investigate, then that's what you need to do. My request is that as a part of your investigation, you investigate thoroughly Rhys' family friend as well - the true motive behind this person's statements should be considered."
Rhys' expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned dark. "The woman has requested complete confidences."
Joe jumped in "which of course we assuredly will give her, but Harry's right Mr. Palladin. We will need to know her identity and much more about the origin of this Daily Prophet newsletter."
As Rhys stalled for more time, Harry's mind raced as to how he could inform Kingsley and the rest of the team of this latest development.
* * * *
Meanwhile, Hermione received an unexpected call from William.
"I know this is a bit last minute, but I've been given the opportunity to participate in an archeological tour of some ruins of St Andrews Auld Kirk, and given all of your questions, I thought you'd like to come with me."
Hermione couldn't believe her luck, just yesterday she had come across the information.
But wait, she thought, is this really luck????
"William, that sounds lovely," she stalled. "is it near where we had dinner a few weeks back?" William had taken her to a private dining room in Edinburgh Castle, not accessible or known to the public. If this was a trap, the caller wouldn't know about this dinner.
"Well it's somewhat close to the castle, but not in the same complex."
Hermione relaxed a little, but not completely. He knew the reference - oh bollocks - she'd fought Voldemort, she was up for this.
"Well great, when do we go?"
"Actually, in ½ hour - it was a last minute item that my father put together after I told him about your questions. Kate and Fergus will be joining us."
Hermione relaxed, they wouldn't be alone, and Kate and Fergus had been the best of William's friends in not prying too much about her background. "I really appreciate you including me William, thank you."
"Thank Fergus when you see him, I wish I could take credit, but it was his idea to call my father and put the whole thing together. We'll see you soon."
Hermione hung up the phone and quickly went about getting ready. She made sure to pack her wand in an inside pocket in the jacket, this was a great opportunity, but it did seem a little too convenient.
She looked around her barren living room, wishing that her flat had a fireplace like Harry's so she could Floo either him or Kingsley with this latest development. But she had no time and no way to contact them.
Crookshanks jumped up on the sofa next to her. She looked down and scratched her back. "Crookshanks, I'm going to need your help with this. I'm leaving a note in my drawer - hidden, but available. If Harry or the Auror team is here looking for me, make sure they find it okay?"
Crookshanks arched his back as he nuzzled Hermione's palm. She could tell that her dear friend was also uneasy, but understood her need to go.
The doorbell rang, and Hermione recognized the driver at the door. William was right behind. "Be sure to pack an extra scarf and gloves, it's getting cold out there."
Hermione nodded as she ran back to her room. She grabbed her Gryffndor scarf, tied it around her neck and then came out to the entry way.
William took a quick look - "all set then?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes, I must say, this is quite the surprise."
William nodded, "yes, I know it's all very quick, quite unusual for me as well, but with the weather getting colder, it's unlikely that we'll get the chance again to do this."
Hermione nodded and locked her door. She waved her hand over the door handle to activate her wards and William's guard gave her an odd look which she caught. "Old tradition from my grandparents." she covered. "Say a silent prayer to watch over your home while you're away." The guard said nothing, just stared even more intensely at Hermione.
William, alas, had been so used to guards his whole life, that he missed the exchange as anything unusual, and put his arm around Hermione as he led her down her steps. "Fergus and Kate are in the car joining us."
Hermione smiled, and greeted the friends as she got in the car. So far, no sign of anything unusual, so she fell into an easy banter with the friends, vaguely alluding to her research without any specifics as to the gem.
The trip to Edinburgh took a little longer with more traffic during the day, but soon enough they had arrived at St. Andrews Aulds Kirk, where their car was met by a docent that had been arranged for by the staff that worked for William's father. Hermione noticed that even Kate and Fergus were impressed by this, as they exchanged a surprised look at the arrival of this guide.
Excitedly, Hermione engaged the docent right away with questions. She and William fell into a discussion about the history and landscape of their surroundings. It did seem odd that Fergus was so quiet given William's earlier credit to his friend. Hermione noticed that he was starting to get shifty, and she found herself becoming more drawn to his hair, which seemed to have an almost white tint to it today.
They walked past the archeological dig and into the inner confines of the Kirk where the docent explained the history, much of which Hermione had already found out:
"On Hallowe'en in 1590 a massed gathering of 200 witches took place in the Auld Kirk on Anchor Green.
"The witches had allegedly been convened by Francis Stuart, the 5th Earl of Bothwell, who had a tenuous claim to the throne.
"The Earl of Bothwell was said to have assumed the identity of Satan and gathered the witches to him so that they might raise a storm to sink the fleet bringing James VI from Denmark with his new Queen, Princess Anne.
"It is in this small church, it was said, the witches huddled around a cat, which was christened King in a ritual ceremony, before being passed back and forth across a flaming hearth."
At that both Hermione and William laughed. "A cat?" William replied incredulously, "who would have taken that seriously?"
"Hem, hem… I believe your highness would be extremely interested to know that his companion might take it more seriously than he thinks." And from the shadows Delores Umbridge appeared.
The two guards that had accompanied William into the Kirk, immediately overtook Umbridge, but Hermione's reflexes had kicked in and she whipped out her wand and pointed it at Umbridge, placing herself in front of William before she realized what she was doing. There was a flash of a camera, then two and Hermione found herself pulled away from William by an RPS guard who grabbed her wand, while the cameras flashed away.
More guards rushed in the door "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL?" one of them yelled, "What is the press doing here?"
Delores Umbridge spoke, "my dear gentlemen. I'm afraid that I needed to take risky measures to save our dear Prince from harm."
Hermione could not understand what was happening, how did Umbridge know that William was in harm's way. How come Shacklebolt didn't let her know about her involvement?
"I am a former teacher of that young woman, and from the minute I saw her in the papers, I knew that she would put our entire country in harm's way. The woman is a practicing witch, and by bringing the Prince here, she hopes to recreate the story that clever man just told"
"WHAT?" Hermione screamed, pushing against the restraining hands currently on her. "You lying cow!"
The RPS guard pushed Hermione down to the ground "STAY STILL.' He barked. "Get them out of here" he gestured to the press and then come back - we need to get these three" he gestured to William, Fergus and Kate, "out of here. Where is that back up that we called for???"
The guard took the press out of the door. The door closed behind them and the next sound was "EXPELLIARMUS!"
Hermione's and Umbridge's wands flew away from them (Hermione's was still clutched in her hand, though she had not dared to use it in front of muggles), and she could hardly react before she heard PETRIFICUS TOTALUS. Completely rigid, she cursed herself for being so lax with her defenses, and watched in horror as the speakers of the last two curses transformed from Fergus and Kate into Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson.
Hermione tried to scream and of course found no sound come out of her mouth. She watched as Draco approached William.
"Finite Incantatem"
"What … who are you?"
"Not important. The important thing is who you are and how you're going to help me. Let's go you filth. One wrong move and you'll find yourself much worse than immobilized." And with that, Draco pushed William out of sight while Hermione watched helplessly through the corner of her eyes.