Requital by Msscribe
Rating: R- (edited version). Full NC17 version on www.portkey.org.
Ships: H/Hr
Type: Angst\ Romance\ Action Adventure
Summary: A story of Hermione Granger coming to terms with her greatest loss, finding her own voice and strength, and coming of age in a world battered by a never-ending war.
Disclaimer: No profits are being made off the fiction on these pages. Harry Potter, associated characters and the associated Harry Potter universe is © J. K. Rowling and respective publishers. Fanfiction is fiction-it's not meant to be taken seriously in the least.
(Again, thank you for your kind reviews. I've been dreaming this story every night, writing when I can. I'm thrilled by the emails I've gotten. Thank you so much.) Chapter 9 - Hide and Seekers
Freezing rain tapped frantically against the window as Ginny Weasley fumbled through her desk searching for a quill and paper.
"What will you say to him?" Draco asked, staring at the hardened droplets now icing over the glass.
"Just that we're coming," she replied, finding the floral notepaper Ron had given her for Christmas.
No more bloody diaries, Ron had said to her then.
She began to write. They wouldn't understand, but she had to try to help him.
"You are everything," Draco whispered. It was the closest he had ever come to saying I love you.
He had released all of his anger and sadness inside of her, and she had withstood it, renewing his strength, comforting him in the most intimate way possible.
"I won't let Lucius find you," Ginny said, unsure of how she would keep that promise.
She loved Draco. Even with his repressed sadness and unrepressed rage.
Draco knew Lucius would come after him.
Malfoy's didn't run. Malfoy's didn't disobey.
He was afraid. The only person he'd ever shared that emotion with before was his mother. He knew Lucius had lied to him. His mother would never have killed herself.
Draco hoped Narcissa hadn't seen it coming. He hoped his father had been mercifully quick.
#
They lay on their backs, side by side.
Hermione had thought perhaps the night before last had been an aberration. She didn't think it would happen again.
But it did.
Harry looked at her then.
"What's happened to us?" Hermione said, her voice still not quite awake.
"I thought it was pretty obvious," Harry replied, raising his hand to touch her shoulder.
"Not entirely," she said.
A pause.
"We've become lovers," he answered for her.
Another pause.
"Why didn't we become lovers sooner?" she asked, turning towards him and sliding one leg between his thighs.
"I guess we were too determined not to be," he said.
Harry rose up on one elbow, looking down at her face. He decided he liked the way she looked laying on his pillow.
"Do you love me?" she asked, flicking her tongue at a lock of hair that had pasted itself beside her mouth sometime during the night.
Harry laughed.
"I've always loved you, Hermione," he said, moving his mouth to hers.
There was a soft knock at his bedroom door. Harry groaned. Ron must have come back already.
"Give us a minute Ron," Harry said, annoyed at the interruption.
Silence.
"Harry, It's me…Sirius."
#
"Mrs. Mills, I know that you love your niece. I'm not going to pretend I understand how you're feeling right now, but please believe me when I say that we are on the side of good. Hermione has saved many lives with her gifts."
Lois Mills sat quietly, staring at the middle-aged wizard who seemed most sincere. The room they were keeping her in was far from a prison after all, and no harm had come to her. In fact, everything she had requested the night before had been done for her. And the breakfast cakes were exceptional…
"I will look through the box this morning. I've read every book I own. I can't say I will remember them all, but I'll try," she said finally.
Arthur Weasley breathed a sigh of relief. He hoped Sirius had received his owl. He knew Harry would remember to send one, but he had needed to let Sirius in on information he had just received from Calypso that he wasn't yet comfortable telling Harry, Ron, or Hermione…especially Hermione.
"Thank you Mrs. Mills. Perhaps you'd like your niece to come by and visit in a day or two? She was terribly worried about you," he suggested offering her more tea.
"Yes, that would be nice. If she'll see me after how I behaved," Lois confessed, suddenly feeling foolish.
Arthur stood, smiling down at the now very mellow Mrs. Mills.
"I know she will, as soon as she gets a chance. I know it's unlikely you'll know what's missing or what's not missing…but please try."
Mrs. Mills looked down at the sizable pile as he left.
It would be very unlikely indeed.
#
"How could he have walked off?" the ringmaster said, his voice seething.
Locust shuffled, moving farther away from him.
"What does it matter? He is replaceable," Locust said.
The ringmaster could feel his hands starting to tear into the bar he was leaning against. The wood paneling began to crack under his grip.
"You are a puerile fool. If he could leave, then he wasn't wholly affected by our magic. He must have had resistance. The other called Ivan let him go?"
"The other was affected by our spells. He barely remembers him leaving…said he left with those two whores," Locust sounding as if he were speaking from a distance.
The ringmaster could feel the heat rising under his skin. He struggled to maintain control, for her sake. Everything was for her sake.
"She will need to be taken elsewhere. Somewhere well protected where little light can get in…until her day of revelation. You are most fortunate that we are almost prepared to move forward."
Locust nodded somberly, finally realizing the magnitude of his error.
"The time is so near now. Should we open the gateway and allow some more to pass through? They would be most useful," Locust suggested.
"We will open the gate and allow a few more to pass beforehand. It will be difficult sustaining them, but we will use the wizard Malfoy," the ringmaster said, "after all, they brought us great success in Cairo."
Excitement began to build in Locust's distended stomach. It was all coming to pass sooner then he had thought.
#
Harry hurried around the room searching for his discarded jeans.
Christ, he couldn't have gotten my owl already. I only sent it six hours ago.
Hermione sat up in bed, unsure of what to do next. She certainly didn't want to cause Harry any more embarrassment.
Not to mention Sirius told her once that she had become like his own daughter to him, she thought.
"I'll be right out. There's coffee in the kitchen…Ron set the pot on a timer…" Harry shouted, pulling on a pair of wrinkled black jeans that lay at his feet.
There was an uncomfortable cough on the other side of the door, and footsteps heading towards the kitchen.
"Harry, I can't wear this!" Hermione said, holding up the tiny dress she had worn the night before.
Harry reached into his dresser tossing her a shirt and some pants. Her face went blank.
"It'll have to do for now, unless you want Sirius to see you in that dress," he laughed.
She collapsed back onto the bed.
Why couldn't they ever wake up and have a nice normal morning after.
#
Reflected light danced across the marble statue of Lucius Malfoy's father, a man he had never once defied. He contemplated where he had failed his own son.
It was, of course, Narcissa's coddling of the boy and her insistence that they indulge his love of childish things that had done this.
Lucius made nearly a full circuit of Malfoy Manor before he found evidence that Draco had fled from him. The gold he kept in the cellar was gone, as well as two envelopes of Muggle money that Lucius kept whenever he was forced to dwell among the non-magical.
At least the boy wasn't a complete idiot.
A chill ran up his shoulders, and the familiar feeling of being watched gave him pause. Wind drifted in from the now open glass panels of the room. The intruder smelled of burnt flesh.
"I'm surprised you were able to enter unaccompanied," Lucius said, feeling calmly for the wand in his pocket.
Locust Daviz smiled, showing more of his yellow teeth. Lucius watched the saliva dripping from the man's mouth and wondered if he were being set up.
Locust laughed, sealing the windows behind him.
"We are going to bestow upon you a great honor, " Locust said.
Lucius smirked, his hands loose and relaxed now.
Locust detested this place; even with all of it's darkness it smelled like wildflowers and running water.
"You are a man of considerable power, and being so, we know that we can rely on you to further our mutual cause. You will be receiving a visitor shortly. I expect you will prepare everything as is dictated to you…and of course you will be greatly rewarded,"
"Of course," Lucius said straightening up, displeased with the condescending tone of Locust's voice, but intrigued by the promise of reward.
"Very well then. You will gather only the most senior wizards to meet here. There is much to be done," Locust directed.
Locust had something in his hand. His face was fixed, pale, his teeth bared.
"What is that?" Lucius said, examining the large blood flecked bag with interest.
"We are giving you servants… it will sustain them," Locust said, a strange lucidity in his voice.
Something wheezed and bubbled in the dark, their eyes narrowing in on their new master. As Lucius looked down at the dark, pulsating creatures, a cold trickle of sweat made its way down his cheek.
#
Sirius Black stood at the kitchen counter, having the worst cup of coffee in his life.
The occasional cup of coffee he had gotten while in Azkaban was better than this.
He had tried to sleep peacefully night before, but sleep came in the form of edited segments of his memory. He had awakened repeatedly hearing the voices… the screams.
"I didn't say it was good coffee, but it'll wake you up," Harry joked, noting the pained expression on Sirius' face.
Sirius looked exhausted, as if he had just tumbled out of bed himself. His graying unkempt hair was longer then he usually kept it.
"Arthur Weasley owled me. He told me that you would be contacting me too, but I decided to take the nearest portkey here. I wanted an excuse to regroup sooner, especially after witnessing what happened in Cairo," Sirius began.
Hermione sneezed, still in Harry's room. Harry flushed. Sirius looked at him apprehensively, not happy to have interrupted this scene.
"I didn't know you were having company. I wouldn't have apparated inside."
Sirius sat down on the couch now, a Muggle pistol, .38, strapped to his hip.
" I suppose we'd better wait to talk further until your lady friend leaves," Sirius said, still trying to swallow the high-octane sludge.
"She's…well she's…" Harry stumbled, trying to pick words out thin air.
His bedroom door creaked open, and Hermione walked out, swimming in Harry's trousers and shirt with her face as red as her hair.
"So good to see you Sirius! I was glad to hear from you when I was staying with the Weasley's" she said embracing him warmly.
Sirius shot Harry a threatening glance over Hermione's shoulder. Harry looked back apologetically.
"I'm sorry there wasn't more I could do dear. It's wonderful to see you too," Sirius replied, not removing his eyes from his godson.
"So I suppose some catching up is in order," Harry began, desperate to cut through the awkwardness.
"I suppose it is," Sirius said.
Alohamora, Ronald Weasley whispered, abruptly finding himself in the midst of this graceless reunion.
"Hiya, Sirius!"
#
Draco and Ginny followed the continuous walkway towards the Ministry building with their hands in their pockets, quickly passing unseeing faces.
Draco could feel the sting of vomit in his throat. Ginny's eyes focused on her own footsteps following the curve of the concrete, hoping that the hood Draco wore would be enough to let them go unnoticed until they reached their destination.
Her father should have received the owl by now. He would be waiting for them. She knew as much as he hated Lucius Malfoy, he wouldn't refuse Draco.
But there was so much more they'd have to explain. Why he'd chosen to come to her, for example. She'd have to explain that.
Draco was grateful for her lead. Ginny seemed as if she were continually on the verge of colliding with the Muggles they passed, but the people seemed to know to step aside, making room for them.
She slid her hand into his, the sensation pushing him forward.
They stopped in front of their destination. There was a stillness, soft voices of people caught up in their everyday tasks. Draco longed for the luxury of not fearing for his life. Not fearing for hers.
They stepped inside. No one seemed to notice. The people who buzzed by were young; a few of them barely out of Hogwarts, much like himself. The front reception area was lined with silver statues, figures of Muggle presidents and a computer sat in the corner, dust gathering on its surfaces. Central Consulting, the sign read above the receptionist's desk. There were two elevators, and a hallway off to the left of the main entrance.
The receptionist, a young girl with short brown hair smiled at them, recognizing Ginny.
"Hello Ginny, is your father expecting you?" she asked, too busy examining the blonde man beside Ginny to notice Arthur Weasley suddenly standing beside her.
"Yes Sarah, I was expecting them both," Arthur Weasley said, noticing Ginny's hand intertwined with Draco's.
They boarded the nearest elevator and followed the elder Weasley along the hallways fitted with electronic doors that opened at the sound of his voice. Muggle technology at it's finest.
#
Cho arrived freshly showered, slightly less caustic then she was last night. She handed the clothes she had brought over to Hermione.
Honestly, she could have at least brushed her hair.
Ron moved out of his chair so Cho could sit down. He received a sweet smile for his chivalrous act.
Hermione gave Cho a sincere look of gratitude.
"Thanks," she said, while Cho looked her over, obviously displeased with her current state of disarray.
"Ms. Chang is it?" Sirius said, standing to shake her hand.
Cho smiled politely, taking it. She gave her hair an involuntary toss.
"Neville's not here yet?" she asked, noticing the empty spot on the couch he'd normally be occupying.
Harry was rubbing his palms across his knees nervously.
"Probably trying to convince Danielle to let him leave the house again," Ron said, looking up from his plate of defrosted waffles.
Sirius laughed. Neville moving in with that Muggle woman, lovely as she was, had complicated his life a bit. As if on cue, the missing agent knocked on the door.
"Sorry. Just got tied up a bit," Neville said, his mouth turning into a childish grin upon seeing Sirius, "so…what do we do now?"
Sirius pulled a crimson envelope from his pocket. Portkey passes.
"We leave for Calypso in two hours. There is someone there we need to see."
#
Ginny's mouth was hard, her lips pressed into a thin line. Arthur Weasley, who stood peering out of his window, was infuriated by his daughter's deception and unsure of whether to trust this young Malfoy.
Seeing him behind our backs for two years? Lying to us for two years?
Draco rose to walk out, a mindless reflex. Ginny stopped him with a hand on his chest.
"Dad, please believe us, Draco isn't lying," she said.
Arthur Weasley took off his glasses, closing his eyes for a moment.
"We will find you somewhere secure, but you will align yourself with us. No Malfoy loyalty, no dark wizard ties."
Draco nodded, gripping Ginny's hand.
"We will investigate your mother's death, but we can't afford to raid Malfoy Manor," Arthur Weasley confessed, "We simply don't have the resources."
Draco knew this to be true. His old dwelling was well protected.
"Thank you sir," Draco said, finding his newfound civility slightly uncomfortable.
#
"Fucking Freezing," Ron said, stepping out from the shadow behind Harry onto the icy street.
Sirius was the only one who had visited this place before.
Hermione thought that Sirius was the loneliest man she had ever known. He was lonely with his walk, his posture…even the mellow low tones of his voice rang out with isolation.
Hermione's confidence waned as they looked out into the city before them. Everything they laid eyes upon was ominous. The streets were worn and broken, filled with things that were normally unseen. A small boy with one arm, an old gray haired woman dressed as if she were a whore.
Sirius pointed towards a building that seemed miles away.
"That's the Calypso Ministry Headquarters," he said to them calmly, hardened to the scene.
Sirius guided them to the train station. There were animals lying in the street, decaying without disturbance. Hermione moved closer to Harry, trying to keep up with his stride. A woman with her lips wrapped around the short stem of a metal pipe lunged at Cho, begging at the girl's feet.
Cho swerved to avoid her, moving closer to Ron.
When they boarded the train, Hermione picked up a newspaper that was left lying on a seat. She turned its pages with such crispness, that someone who didn't know her quite so well would have thought her to be impatient.
"What are you looking for?" Sirius asked.
Hermione stopped reading, looking up at him.
"For what thing devastated this place."
Ron turned his head towards the train's window. Cho looked down at her feet.
"Nothing," Sirius said finally.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. It's only Muggle poverty. Our office is very small here," Sirius explained.
Behind the door in the next car, it sounded like something was dying. Hermione watched Harry carefully, observing his gestures and expressions. He was as perplexed as she was as to the purpose of this visit.
Sirius reached into his bag, handing Ron and Harry neckties.
"They are very formal in this office. Muggle businessmen in this town all wear these," he said.
Hermione was, for once, happy that Cho had chosen something decent for her.
With the Dark Army attacking every day…some people are still worried whether or not they're wearing ties?
The train moved quickly, buzzing through a series of tunnels that linked overhead buildings. As they walked up the corridor leading to their destination, Hermione noticed the windows were all mirrored and remarkably clean. A striking contrast to the filth they had seen earlier.
Hermione could somehow envision the building shattering to pieces. She pushed the thought from her head.
"They are quite anxious to meet the man who defeated Voldemort," Sirius added, pride flashing in his eyes.
#
Ronald Weasley understood the force of Harry's presence here. And he would once again be standing behind him, the fellow with the fixed smile.
The personnel at the Calypso Ministry had a spirit of generous welcome, and Ron would have liked to remain longer in their company. They watched Harry's every move and hung onto his every word. Harry remained humble, of course. He was Harry Potter after all. Modest, strong…his bloody best friend.
Like a God damn brother.
Ron loved Harry, but he did envy him. He had only openly confessed this once; to a Muggle woman he had met in a bar shortly after Harry had defeated Voldemort.
Sure, he had almost lost his own life as well, but it was really Harry's victory after all.
He had taken the voluptuous woman to a small motel near Hogsmeade, and afterwards, while she lay pretending to fall to sleep, had confessed his jealousy to her.
It's funny how you withhold things from those closest to you, but can confess your innermost thoughts and feelings to a stranger in a numbered room.
The team of Aurors and their hosts exchanged courtesies, and Sirius asked for someone Ron had never heard of.
Shara Fonta
There was a knowing nod as one of their hosts left the room briefly. He returned alongside a woman with small blue eyes, full lips and a nose that was slightly too large.
Sirius held his hand out to her, she took it, and they all lapsed into a long pondering silence.