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Lost Daughter

Chapter 20: In the Blink of An Eye

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Harry's forehead creased and his eyebrows furrowed as he leaned over a vile of the glowing, spindling, essence of magic that had been retracted from Hogwarts' front door. He had been in the Magical Law Enforcement's magic lab for the past three hours trying to make some headway on who the other two signatures trapped in the vile belonged too.

The vile itself was perched securely on a thin metal clasp so that Harry could try and manipulate it without actually touching it. He'd finally come across a spell that the automatic scan utilized to check if the signatures belonged to anyone ever booked in the system. What Harry was doing was slowing the process down so that he could view a slow transcription of the signature. Maybe if he could record what the other two looked like, that would help him find any other suspects…

Just as Harry was starting to stretch out the beginning of what must've been a third signature, a knock sounded at the door.

He sighed in frustration but looked up anyway. His intern, Rockleigh Dawber was standing at the door.

"Sir, I'm under orders from the captain to get you back in the office immediately."

Harry sat back from the table, now on alert, "What's happened?"

"It's about Martin McQue sir," Dawber said. He paused and Harry noticed an audible gulp before the young man continued, "He's dead."

Harry felt a cold dread set over him. He looked back at the vile, "Bloody hell… tell Robards I'm coming."

Dawber nodded and left at once. Harry took a second sitting at the table, trying to prepare himself for what was about to happen. Once he came to himself, he stood and began to save as much of the progress he'd made as possible. He wrote himself a few notes to pick up with when he returned before turning and heading out of the lab. He got to the auror department shortly and followed his colleagues into the main conference room. Robards was already there trying to silence the room.

"Captain, is it true?" asked one auror from the crowd.

Robards sighed visibly, "Yes, it's true. Martin McQue succumbed to his injuries today at approximately 15:20."

Harry didn't know why, but he felt eerie watching the expressions of his fellow aurors as they took in the news. Everyone in the room seemed to grasp that the severity of the case had just escalated to a high that most of the newer generation of aurors hadn't dealt with before.

Harry was stone cold and vigilant listening to Robards talk. The increased field research, questionings, and additional teams now assigned to the stolen magic cases were obvious to him. All he could concentrate on were what this new development meant for him and the people he was trying to protect.

If whoever was responsible for this- the culprit- willingly incurred death upon his victim, was that a clue as to how far he was willing to take his other conquests? The hair on the back of his neck stood on end at the thought.

Thankfully for him, at the end of the conference Harry wasn't called out on any immediate field tasks, meaning he could head back to the lab to work further on the signatures.

He got back just as quickly as he left and was relieved to find nobody else working on anything in the lab. His vile was where he'd left it, so he went over expecting to pick up where he'd left off. However, as he sat down and pulled his notepad forward, he found the parchment blank of the notes he'd taken earlier.

His eyebrows furrowed as he flipped through the next few pages but they were all empty. Rage coursed through him as he looked up at the vile, seemingly untouched. He banged his fists on the counter as he stood up from the chair, causing the lights to flicker in the lab. He stalked out to the secretary stationed right outside the door.

"Oi, you!" he barked at the younger bloke. The thin, pre-maturely balding young man dropped his quill and immediately looked scared. Harry didn't care, "Who was the last person to enter the lab?" he snarled at him.

The secretary shook his head, "I-I'm not sure sir."

"All of my work that I've spent the past three hours working on is gone! I want to know the amateur responsible!" Harry nearly screamed, pointing a finger at the bloke.

"I'm s-sorry Auror Potter, I didn't notice anyone go in."

Every bone in his body wanted to grab the bloke by his collar and shake a straight answer out of him. He didn't know how he managed to control his urge before it happened, but he managed to take a step back and run a hand through his messy hair.

As he did, he glanced to the left. He intended on turning back around to barrage the desk clerk more but a familiar flash of white-blonde hair caught his attention. He turned back to the left, eyes fixed on a man he hadn't seen in well over fifteen years.

"What the bloody hell…" Harry whispered, watching Draco Malfoy nod to someone, hidden in a room before turning to the lifts on his other side. Their eyes caught in a second and Harry immediately turned his confused-struck expression into the most intimidating glare he could muster. The look of hatred was mutual on Malfoy's face, but after a moment his old arch nemesis smirked. Harry's fist curled as he turned and disappeared into the lift.

This time Harry couldn't control his anger. He turned and grabbed the secretary by his collar before he even had thought of anything to say.

"Draco Malfoy, you know who he is?"

"Yes- yes sir," the young man stuttered just a few inches away from Harry's face.

"The next time that wizards sets foot in this department, I want a memo sent to my office straight away. You get me?" Harry snarled, shaking him once for conviction.

"Yes Mr. Potter!"

Harry let go of him, and the man dropped back in his chair with a plunk.

"If I were you, I'd take this job a little more seriously," he sneered before heading off towards the lifts.

The secretary was panting heavily as Harry left, one hand splayed flat on his desk, the other gripping his throat. He squeaked in terror as the glowing vile floated out of the lab and zoomed after Harry.

…

Rose was pleased to find the prefects bathroom completely abandoned by the time she got there late on Thursday night. She'd just finished up with patrols and had run up to her room to get her essentials, deciding that a nice long bath was exactly what she needed to calm her down. The school week had been rough on her so far and she really didn't know how to handle such stress in her life. Before this year the only stress she'd ever had to deal with revolved around school or embarrassing family moments. She'd never had to try and deal with anger towards her mother, and what was even bothering her more, confusion for a boy.

She closed her eyes as the thought of him crossed her mind. `Not yet…' she pleaded with herself, `At least let me get in the bath first…'

With a sigh, Rose walked over to the corner of the wash room and dumped her belongings on the bench. Her back was facing the pool-sized bath tub as she started to unbutton her pajama top.

"You look tired," a voice sounded from the darkness.

Rose jumped and spun around in a craze. Her eyes widened as she saw the boy she'd just been thinking about stand up from the opposite corner of the room. The moonlight reached him now, making him look even more desirable.

Not knowing what else to do, Rose crossed her arms over her chest, "What are you doing here?"

Scorpius shrugged as he started to walk forward noiselessly, "I'm a prefect too."

"I mean why are you sitting alone in the shadows like that?"

Again, he shrugged, "This is just where I like to sit."

Rose took that moment to really look at him. He was still dressed in his uniform and didn't have any of his bath belongings with him. She frowned, almost in disbelief, "Have you been waiting for me?"

"Yeah," Scorpius nodded, inching closer and closer.

"Why?"

"I wanted to see you."

"You've had all week to see me," she knew she ought to sound a lot angrier- even stronger- than she did, but she couldn't help lowering her tone the closer he got. When she spoke it was almost a whisper.

Scorpius was now only a foot in front of her, "I'm sorry Rose. I've been busy."

"With what?"

"School. I can't really manage multiple priorities well."

Rose frowned again. Did he consider her a priority? He sure hadn't been acting that way…

"Oh…"

A silent passed over them. Rose thought for a moment that maybe she'd said the wrong thing and maybe he was thinking about leaving now… but when she looked up at his face, preparing to tell him not to go, she caught him staring at the unbuttoned top of her pyjama shirt. His finger reached out and touched the purple button, "Lavender looks nice on you."

She didn't even have to feel the rush of blood pooling in her cheeks to know it was happening. She looked down to watch his finger before glancing back up, "Oh, thanks…"

Now his eyes were boring into hers, "I've been thinking about you."

Her breath caught, "You have?"

"Yeah. All week long."

"I've been thinking about you too."

His movements were slow at first but the next thing Rose knew, his lips were on hers and they were kissing just like they had last weekend. It started slow but quickly escalated until both were kissing each other the way they'd been dreaming to do all week. Rose still didn't know what she was doing, but she let her instinctual response take over as Scorpius began sucking on her bottom lip and pulling her closer and closer.

After a few minutes, Scorpius had his hands embedded in her hair and Rose was gripping the front of his sweater like her life depended on it. Scorpius pulled away but his mouth didn't travel far, "You should sneak away more with me," he muttered before leaning back in again.

Rose nodded a moment later, "Okay."

The impulse for conversation was evident but the desire to continue exploring each other's mouths reigned supreme. They did their best to manage, "Did you see the notice for Hogsmeade Saturday? It's back on."

Again Rose nodded, her breath catching as Scorpius pressed kisses down her neck, "Yeah I saw. I can't believe they're letting us go so soon, I thought after the attack the school would be on lockdown for a while."

The young Malfoy shook his head as he leaned his mouth into hers again, "The Board knows there's nothing to fear."

Rose let him kiss her once more before she pulled away. She frowned slightly, "Is that what you think?"

Scorpius didn't hesitate to answer, "Of course. Whatever happened last weekend was a fluke. Probably a prank by some young Durmstrang students…"

Rose was a bit weirded out by the way Scorpius seemed to be playing the break-in off like it was nothing. Didn't he understand how big a deal this all was? No student- Rose thought- would ever get so close to breaking in. It just wasn't even plausible to her.

However, she kept her opinions quiet as he leaned in to kiss her once more. After all, they were allowed to have different views, weren't they? Sure they were…

"Sneak off with me Saturday," Scorpius mumbled in between kisses. It wasn't a question, more like a request.

Rose's mind was so clouded with the feel of him so close that he didn't even register his demand. "Huh?"

"Saturday," he repeated, "Meet me in Hogsmeade, we can disappear for a couple hours."

Rose looked up to his eyes with a dazed impression in her own, "Um, okay…"

He smirked, "You're so hard to convince."

She smiled that time, "As long as we can do a lot of this, I'm game."

Scorpius grinned back at her before reaffirming his grip around her waist and backing them up into the wall behind them. Once securely positioned, his body practically on top of hers, their lips found each others again and continued where they'd left off.

To be honest, this was the last thing Rose expected when she'd come to take a bath that evening. But with the surprise at hand, she was eager to for once not think about things so much and just let the good times roll.

…

Hermione looked up from the quizzes she was grading as she heard her door open and close. She knew it was him before she'd even looked but once she'd seen him, she straightened up in her chair to give him her undivided attention.

"Hey, I wasn't expecting you tonight…" Her tone was gentle as he approached but she could tell it didn't make any difference. Harry looked angry, frazzled, frustrated, annoyed- any emotion that pointed towards the idea that something bad had happened.

"I had to come," he said gruffly, not meeting her eyes.

Hermione stood up cautiously, "Is everything alright. Harry?"

His mouth clamped shut and he shook his head, "It was a shitshow at the department today…"

Hermione sighed before nodding off to the side of him. "Sit down," she ordered, coming around from behind her desk.

As Harry sat, she perched herself on the ledge of her desk and clasped her hands in front of her, just so they'd appear less like they were shaking.

"Tell me what's happened."

Harry scoffed bitterly, riling a hand through his hair, "Well, I guess I can start with McQue. He succumbed to the trance today."

Her hand raised to cover her mouth as she whimpered, "Oh no…"

"He hadn't made any progress the entire time he was in the hospital- his magical signature seemed to only deteriorate more."

"Do you think that whoever is responsible for doing that to him could still utilize his magic even after the initial attack?" Hermione asked, a little nervous to even suggest it.

Harry stared at her for a second before nodding, "I think so. I think there's something very huge we've yet to understand about magical signatures and until we figure it out there will be no stopping this person, no helping his victims."

A distraught look came over Hermione's expression. She didn't want to appear so vulnerable, so she turned and looked down at her desk. Harry didn't get up and comfort her like he normally would've…

"There's something else too…"

She glanced back, "What?"

"I saw Draco Malfoy leaving the Magical Law Department today."

There was a moment of silence where Harry waited for Hermione's features to change into something besides confusion. When they did change though, she turned into a look that he received from her a lot in their sixth year. Complete and utter exasperation.

"Harry…"

"Just hear me out- before my intern came to tell me about McQue's death, I was in the lab in the law enforcement department working on the signatures. I thought I was just starting to get a read on a third signature when he came. Once I returned to the lab- not even an hour later- all of my work was erased."

Hermione still looked sceptical as he finished, "When I went to see if anyone had been in there, Malfoy was walking out of a room. He made eye contact with me Hermione. That bastard hasn't had the gall to look me in the eye since sixth year."

"Yes, but that's probably the third time you've seen him since sixth year as well."

Harry sat back in his chair, slightly more angry. Hermione can tell he's upset because she wasn't giving him the credibility and support he wanted to go off of.

She simply couldn`t though. It went against every rational fibre she possessed, "Harry just because you see Malfoy doesn't mean your mind should run wild with accus-"

"It's a just accusation!"

"You've always been obsessed with believing the worst about Malfoy-"

"I've really never been wrong about him, have I?"

That time Hermione couldn't argue back. She'd witnessed the outcome of Draco Malfoy just as Harry had. She'd be wrong to say that all of his suspicions were unfounded. "No. I suppose you haven't. But he's also that one that's always gotten off scot-free. I know the pleasure you'd get from seeing him locked up in Azkaban…"

"I won't lie and say that'd be an ideal day…" Harry smirked as a smile appeared on Hermione's face before continuing on more gravely, "But Hermione I'm telling you… it fits. Think about who this man's always been to us. He's hated us forever… I don't know how he ever would've found out… but if anyone knew about us being together and our child… well, I can't think of anyone more bitter than Malfoy. More than any stranger, he would know how happy a family would make us."

"I don't disagree with you, but these people didn't do this because they were bitter- they did this because they wanted her. If Malfoy is really the monster you think he is, you think he would've even had the willpower to keep us alive? If that was him seventeen years ago… he would've killed me."

At that, Harry shook his head, almost like he'd been expecting for her to say something like that, "You're forgetting something though."

"What?"

"Draco Malfoy was, and always will be a coward. I'm not saying he was the maniac that put all of this together… but it's not impossible that he didn't contribute. All of the progress I'd made on those signatures was erased. He has an agenda, I just don't know if it's his or not."

Hermione leaned back against her desk, her mind one hundred percent in thought. After a few moments, her eyes turned to meet his "No, it's not impossible…"

She noticed the look of excitement that swept over him at her words. He thought he'd won her over, but she felt the need to set him straight, "But Harry, it's not incriminating evidence just because you saw him after your work was erased."

"I understand that, that's why I haven't tipped off the department. I'll be doing my own follow up."

Hermione sighed, "Of course you will."

Harry noticed the worry dawn on her and stood up to finally come comfort her. He took a step forward and grabbed her hand off the desk. He brought it up to his chest, "I'll be careful `Mione. Something as serious as this, you know I won't take any huge chances."

Their eyes were caught on to each others'; she didn't know why she couldn't look away. "I know," she finally whispered.

A silence engulfed them. Hermione's eyes unwillingly lowered to her hand clasped under Harry's and held to his chest. After a few moments she looked up again, "Do you have to rush off?"

He shook his head almost immediately, "No. What do you have in mind?"

"I still have some wine left from my birthday."

Again, their eyes locked. He nodded, "That sounds perfect after today."

Hermione's eyes trailed back to their hands. Slowly she pulled away and nodded, "Be right back."

…

Friday morning came surprisingly fast but that was no problem for Rose Weasley. As she walked back from breakfast that morning, on her way to her first class she couldn't help but wish that Friday would pass by even faster. She just wanted the day to be over so that it could be Saturday already.

A smile appeared on her lips as she thought of Saturday and her ensuing Hogsmeade date with Scorpius. She couldn't really believe that after years of dreaming, a date with him was finally coming true.

With the smile still on her lips, she took a right in the corridor on the second floor, heading down her usual short cut to Ancient Runes. She was about halfway there, just starting to past a tapestry of Gilda the Gallant when she heard something echo in the hall.

"Psst. Pssst! Rose!"

Rose stopped and looked to her right. The tapestry of Gilda was pulled back slightly and Scorpius's head was poking out behind it.

"Scorpius?" she questioned, a befuddled look spread over her face.

He waved her to come behind the tapestry with him. Rose, still confused, looked both ways down the hall before walking towards the tapestry and slipping behind it into the small little outlet with him.

She looked at him strangely, "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, I had to speak to you."

"You know this is a pretty secret shortcut. I don't think further hiding was necessary…" she muttered, looking off into the dusty grove.

"I don't care," he leaned in and kissed her, effectively making Rose forget about whatever she was saying. She let the kiss continue for a few moments before pulling away suddenly.

"I-I can't right now. I have class…"

A somewhat disappointed look came over him, but he straightened himself up anyway, "That's fine. I just needed to tell you something really."

"What?" Rose asked, absently readjusting her bag on her shoulder.

"I can't go to Hogsmeade anymore. Something came up."

Rose's shoulders fell, "Oh. Did- did you get in trouble?"

Scorpius looked away evadingly, "No, it's… a long story… but I can't go. Sorry."

Rose sighed as she looked at him. The way he was acting made it seem like last night had just been a huge regret. She looked away in disappointment, trying to keep the pathetic tone out of her voice, "If you don't want to go with me you could just say so."

"I didn't say that!" Scorpius replied immediately, "I just can't go."

Rose knew he probably didn't want anymore questions so she nodded. Scorpius grabbed her by the hips as soon as she looked away.

"Are you sure you have to go to class?" he asked in a low tone.

Rose looked at him, intrigued by the heat in his eyes, "Yeah…"

"Have you ever ditched a class before?"

She shook her head, "No, never."

"Rose?" he muttered, still looking at her intensely.

"Huh?"

"You know you'll just be thinking about me the entire time anyway."

And then he kissed her, and at that point she couldn't come up with any reason to stop him.

…

Amia spotted Rose as she came in through the portrait hole off in the corner at one of the study tables. Since she had to finish a few problems before her lesson with Hermione, she headed over in her friend's direction. As she got closer, she noticed Rose staring at a group of younger Gryffindors gathered around the bulletin board with a look of intense longing on her face.

"Hey," she greeted, sitting down opposite of her.

Rose glanced at her and then glanced back to the students, "Hi Mia."

Amia followed her gaze once more before deciding to comment, "Pretty cool that they're allowing Hogsmeade this weekend. Seems like everyone's ten times more excited now."

"Yeah…"

Mia raised her eyebrow, "Except for one Rose Weasley. What's up?"

The redhead sighed and looked down to her open book, "Scorpius bailed."

Mia frowned, "Really?"

Rose shrugged, "It's okay I guess."

"Did he say why?" Mia questioned, sympathy laced in her tone. She hoped Rose wouldn't notice but she felt really bad for her younger friend, and extra annoyed with her Slytherin one. What was up with this boy messing with Rose's heart?

"He said he couldn't go to Hogsmeade anymore. I don't know why," she answered with a shake of her head.

Mia also shook her head, "That boy is strange sometimes."

"I wish I could understand what goes on inside his head, but half the time I'm too intimidated to ask."

Mia gave her an impish grin, "And maybe it's better if you don't know. Mystery is sexy."

Rose snorted back laughter while Mia smiled, happy to see her friend lighten up. "Well you want to hang out with me and Tony tomorrow then?"

Rose looked at her sceptically, "I don't know how I feel about being a third wheel."

"Third wheel?" Mia repeated, jerking her head back, "I don't even know what you're talking about Rose…"

"Right. Well let me clarify, I don't really want to chaperone your date," she finished now grinning back.

Amia shook her head quickly, "It's not a date- we're going as friends."

Rose smirked, "Does Tony know that?"

"Yes."

The redhead raised an eyebrow as Mia reconsidered, her eyes up at the ceiling as she thought.

"Actually… I don't know. That'd be pretty funny if he thought it was a date. Maybe you should come just to see his reaction…"

Rose laughed, "You're kind of evil."

"You're not the first person to have ever told me that," Mia muttered, putting her chin in her hand on the table, looking like a lost puppy.

Rose laughed as Mia shrugged uncaringly and reached into her bag for Transfiguration text.

…

Hermione and Mia were just finishing up there lesson that night. Mia's exuberance for the weekend made it easier for Hermione to put the awkwardness of their last class and the threat of Draco Malfoy behind her. The girl's high spirits seem to soak into Hermione, as she too had been feeling genuinely happy that evening.

"I know you'll love it," Hermione said again, in the process of cleaning up the classroom, "Hogsmeade is a great little town, you're going to absolutely amazed seeing it for the first time."

Mia smiled secretly to herself, not willing to let her know that she's already explored a bit of the better sides of the town. "Do you remember your first Hogsmeade trip?" she asked instead.

"Of course. It was a bit sad actually…"

"Really? Why?"

Hermione stopped with fixing everything to stand back and remember all those years ago, "Well Harry couldn't get a permission slip signed… so the entire time Ron and I were walking around looking at everyone having so much fun, I was just wishing Harry could see it as well."

Amia frowned suddenly, "Wait, what's this about a permission slip?"

Hermione waved her wand at the tables to sort themselves back in order before shooting a mischievous look out of the corner of her eye, "Don't worry, I took care of it."

Mia grinned, "Thanks Hermione."

"Don't make me regret it by getting into any trouble, you understand me?"

Mia gave her a smug look, "Come on, how much trouble could I possibly get in?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "You really want me to answer that?"

"Nothing I couldn't charm my way out of," she replied with a winning grin.

Hermione stopped to take in Harry's smile before responding carefully, "Perhaps but I wouldn't chance it if I were you. Everyone's a little nervous and on guard hosting a weekend so soon after an attempted break-in. Please just behave yourself, alright?"

Mia conceded and got up to start packing her things as well, "Alright alright. You have nothing to worry about."

"So…" Hermione asked once the classroom was organized once again. She gave Mia a suggestive look but the girl didn't comprehend.

"So what?"

"Are you going with anyone?"

Mia swung her book bag onto her shoulder, "The entire school, third years and up."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Ha-ha…"

"Tony said he'd show me around but it's not like it's a date or anything," Mia shrugged smoothly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Tony Stonem, Head Boy?"

"I think so."

"Smart-ass."

Amia laughed, "I got you to say `ass'…"

Hermione swats her over the head with her scroll of parchment before turning and heading back to her desk.

"So are you going?" Mia asked, still half sniggering, "I know there's supposed to be a bunch of extra escorts."

"No, I wasn't assigned. And I think it's wise if I stay behind just to ensure my son doesn't try and sneak out."

Mia nodded, "Probably a smart idea."

"Good work tonight Mia," Hermione told her, now smiling fondly at her girl.

Mia smiled again, "Thanks. See you Monday."

"Wait, Mia!" Hermione called out just as Mia was reaching for the door handle.

The girl turned around, "Yeah?"

"Remember what I said about tomorrow. Just for my own peace of mind."

Mia looked at her for a few extra seconds, wondering if this was just her teacher's warning to a student or if she was really worried about something happening to her. After a moment though she decided not to worry about it and nodded, "You got it. Night Hermione."

Mia turned back around and left. As soon as the door had shut again, Hermione whispered, "Goodnight love."

…

Harry was in his office early on Saturday. He had intended to do the work he was doing now last night, but he wanted to go see Hermione and make sure she was doing okay with the kid's Hogsmeade trip tomorrow. There was a quick answer to what he'd initially gone there for but once he was alone with her one thing had lead to another and they were back discussing everything they hadn't in the sixteen years they'd been distant. Harry didn't regret going over last night at all but now his work needed attending to. Open in front of him was a case file compiled of everything having to do with Draco Malfoy and the trials that preceded the war.

Harry knew most of the information collected already, but reading through it that morning still had him amazed as to why Malfoy was never jailed for his crimes.

He was flipping through another page when Dawber knocked on his door.

"Excuse me sir, you're wife is here to see you."

Harry scowled. What was Ginny doing here? After a moment he realized Dawber was still standing in the doorway waiting for an answer. Wiping the look off his face, he cleared his throat, "Er, let her in."

Harry put away his files just as Ginny walked in smiling, "Hi love."

"Hey Gin, what brings you by today?"

"Just wanted to see if you wanted to grab some lunch and then head out to a game with me. Puddlemere vs. Caerphilly. Everyone's speculating that the Catapults are about to make their huge comeback."

Despite the overly excited look on his wife's face, Harry cringed and glanced down to the file cabinet where he'd just placed Malfoy's file, "A quidditch game? I don't know if I'd be able to concentrate on it… so much is going on at work…"

Ginny pouted, "Harry, you love quidditch. Work's been getting in the way of your happiness too much lately."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He did have a lot of work to do but he wouldn't lie and say he had been a outstanding attention giver to his wife lately. He knew she was trying with this proposal and he knew he'd feel like a bastard if he denied her. After another sigh, he relented, "I guess…"

Ginny gave him a soft smile, "It would mean a lot to me if you came."

"Okay. I'll come."

Ginny smiled brightly and leaned over Harry's desk with her lips puckered. For a second Harry honestly didn't know what she was trying to do but then realized once her lips where on his. By the time he recognized it was a kiss and told himself to kiss back, Ginny had already pulled away with an awkward look.

An even more awkward silence passed over them before Harry cleared his throat, "So lunch?"

Ginny quickly nodded, "Yeah."

"I'll get my cloak."

…

It was shaping up to a beautiful day in Hogsmeade. The small wizarding town was full of bustling students, happy to finally escape the confines of the castle. The brisk October chill had yet to set in making it acceptable for everyone to be outside, yet okay for anyone to run inside the Three Broomsticks or perhaps even Madam Puddifoot's for some hot chocolate.

The air was full of juvenile laughs, and genuine good times. The fear everyone had felt a week ago was completely forgotten. Everywhere in sight students were running around full of youthful exuberance, excited to experience every nook and cranny of Hogsmeade before they were called back. Some would say it was almost too good to be true…

If only that were the actual case.

Out of the laughter, the running, the fun… no one saw the shout, and no one expected the sudden rush of red.

And suddenly, the laughter was replaced with screams.

And suddenly, building after building started to explode into flames.

…

"It's not fair Mum!"

Hermione sighed, "Oh come on Hugo, everyone's gone through it, alright? Everyone's had to wait until their third year for Hogsmeade. That's just the way it is love," she finished, running a hand through his hair in order to calm him down. It was later in the day and all of the students had already taken off for Hogsmeade. Hermione figured Hugo would be down in the dumps so she'd gone up to Gryffindor tower to offer to escort him out onto the pitch to fly around. They'd already gone and picked up one of the first year broom's from Madam Hooch and were now on the ground floor, heading for the front doors.

But the eleven year old wouldn't except his mother's words, "I think you should talk to McGonagall… maybe you could change her mind!"

Hermione had to resist from rolling her eyes, "I'm not going to do that Hugo. You're just going to have to accept-"

Hermione was cut off by the sudden loud barrage of running footsteps hurtling down the grand staircase. They turned just in time to see aurors storm past them and head out of the front doors, all screaming and yelling at each other. Hermione noticed they all had their wands out. Her stomach lurched.

"Mum?" Hugo asked quietly, watching more aurors pour down from the staircase and out of the front doors.

Hermione took a couple steps forward, stepping closer to the trail of hurrying aurors. She was looking at their faces, hoping to see someone she recognized. Finally after a few moments she saw a familiar face.

"DEAN!"

The old Gryffindor stopped and turned to her, a graver look on his face then she'd ever before seen. She didn't even have to ask him.

"Hogsmeade's been attacked."

Hermione's response was instantaneous. She turned on her heel so fast that if she weren't in the confines of the castle she probably could've disapparated. She grabbed Hugo by the collar and started running with him back in the direction of the staircase and up the stairs, trying to hurry past the aurors as fast as they were hurrying down.

She stopped once she reached the third floor.

"Get back to the common room and don't leave until someone comes and tells you it's okay," she instructed Hugo, leaning down so that he'd have no question understanding her.

"Mum-"

"Hugo, do what I say! Head straight there and don't leave, do you understand?"

The redheaded boy nodded, his broomstick now clutched in his white hands. Hermione turned him around and pushed him back towards the stairs, "GO!"

She watched him climb a flight before turning and running down the third floor corridor. Her wand was out way before she reached the statue of the humpbacked witch.

…

Rose didn't know what to think as everyone was shouting and screaming. All of the students were pushing past her and her cousins, trying to get out of Honeydukes as fast as possible. As the chaos ensued she was being pushed further and further back into the store. The question if she'd make it to the front in time before Honeydukes was hit with spellfire kept running through her mind but she felt powerless to do anything about it as more and more kids ran in from the streets.

"ROSE!"

Rose spun around and saw her mum coming up out of the basement. For a moment the terror going on around them was pushed to the back of her mind and confusion swept over her.

"Mum?"

"Where is everyone?" Hermione asked, gripping her daughter's shoulders as she reached her. At least she knew one was okay so far.

Rose shook her head frantically, "I have no idea, I haven't been able to get out of here. The professors are trying to get everyone to the Three Broomsticks."

Hermione grabbed her and immediately started pushing their way to the front of the store. As they got closer to the door, she could make out James and Albus heading for her.

"Aunt Hermione-"

"Listen, I want you three to stay under cover and get to the Three Broomsticks as quick as possible. Wands out, do you hear me?"

The boys nodded immediately while Rose shook her head.

"Mum!"

"What?"

Rose looked back from staring at the destroyed street slightly up the road from the sweet shop, "Mia and Tony- they took off that way like twenty minutes ago…"

She forced herself to breathe and look back at her kids one more time, "Get to the Three Broomsticks, now!"

James didn't waste anytime grabbing his cousin and brother and leading them in the direction of the pub a little down the street.

It was hard to make sense of anything as Hermione turned and made her way up the street. A dust cloud made it hard to see what was beyond the high street. Everywhere else she looked she could see children running in the direction of the Three Broomsticks and aurors shooting spells at unknown attackers and trying to get a handle on the flames engulfing certain buidlings. Before Hermione could start to wonder who the attackers were and where, she did a point me for Amia. Her stomach dropped as her wand fixed itself up the high street, into the dust cloud. She started running.

…

Harry was walking with Ginny in through the press entrance at the Catapults stadium when he felt his wand vibrate. Ginny was in the middle of saying something but he reached for his wand immediately and held it close to hear the message. Beyond the excited talk of all the quidditch fans and announcers, Harry could still make out Robards serious voice. His eyes went wide as the message spoke.

"Hogsmeade under attack."

Harry looked up and saw Ginny staring at him wide-eyed and just as terrified looking as he felt. The message repeated itself once, and then twice. Harry glanced down to his vibrating wand and up again. Before he could say anything, she spoke for him.

"Go!"

…

Hermione had been running for about five minutes but the debris everywhere made it difficult for her to see anything much less make out the shape of her daughter. Frustrated, she threw herself behind a corner of a building and did another point me. This time her wand fixed itself sharply to her right and as the dust started to clear and the wand fire took a brief break she could make out two people.

It was almost mystical how, as Hermione laid eyes on Amia, the warfare seemed to cease. She could see Mia struggling. It didn't register that she was trying to carry Tony along with her. She could only process that overwhelming sense of relief that washed through her at the sight of her daughter.

And then, as quick as a cutting knife, the relief was gone and was replaced by absolute terror. Just how the reducto's and firestorm curses came out of nowhere, a blue bolt struck from some far-off place and slammed into Mia's back. She'd been hit. It didn't even take a second for the 16 year old to crumple and fall to the ground in the middle of the destroyed Hogsmeade street.

---

Next Chapter, we finally get a glimpse into our attacker's perspective and the people of the wizarding world see a sign they thought they'd never have to deal with again.

PLEASE REVIEW!

-Oh, and to you readers still faithfully waiting for a Mr & Mrs Evans update: Monday or Tuesday.

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