Chapter 2
Hermione’s stomach turned as her boots hit solid ground. Portkey was almost her least favorite form of travel second only to riding a broom. Her stomach would never get used to the sensation. Traveling by portkey felt like riding a rather large roller coaster. The way the drops made your insides feel as if they were coming up through your throat. She bent at the waist, breathing deeply, hoping it would help quelch the queasiness. Cerberus nuzzled the side of her face with a large wet nose, whining softly.
“Just need a minute cerb” she huffed between breaths of crisp night air.
Crouching down, she let her pack slid from her shoulder. She dug around for a minute searching for the anti-nausea potion. Finally locating the familiar little bottle, she pulled it out with a little triumphant “ah ha”. Hermione removed the stoper and brought the bottle to her lips drinking it down quickly, sighing as she felt the nausea begin to abate. She was just about to start towards the hidden entrance when a loud thwap and string of rather colorful curse words signaled the arrival of Seamus. Hermione turned to find that his landing hadn’t been as smooth as her own, he was arse up in a rather thorny looking shrub. She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her.
“Hermione?! Is that you?” Came a muffled yell from the bottom of the shrub where his head must have been located.
Giggling to herself, she made her way over to the shrub and leaned over to speak closer to him.
“Seamus what did that plant ever do to you to deserve such treatment” she said in a mock sternness.
“Bloody hell! Help me out would ya” came his still muffled reply.
“You seem to have the situation well in hand, ill just see you inside” she mocked with a little giggle.
“Mione! This is no time to joke! I can’t feel my face! He grunted as he tried again to loosen the shrubs hold, seeming only to manage getting himself further wedged between the thorny branches.
With a final chuckle Hermione planted her feet, grasped Seamus by his belt and with a grunt pulled as hard as she could. She had managed to get him loose, but the momentum sent them both careening backwards. Seamus knocking the wind out of Hermione with a wild elbow. She hit the solid ground with a harrumph, Seamus with another colorful string of curses. For a moment they both sat silently before making eye contact and bursting into a fit of giggles. It felt nice to laugh, Hermione hadn’t found much occasion for it the past few years. A soft swoosh of air signaled the arrival of Grant, who came to stop in front of them. Extending an arm down towards Hermione and saying.
“Well, what has Seamus done now?”
Hermione took his warm hand and allowed him to haul her up. They both turned to help Seamus up, who cut a glaring look at the offending shrub.
“How do you know I did something?” he snapped in grants direction, his face falling as he looked at his knowing smirk.
“Well, they shouldn’t leave a death plant near the apparition point” Seamus grumbled as he started for the entrance, picking leaves from his hair. Looking over his shoulder he said with more enthusiasm “come on you two, I want to get this briefing done, I’m starved!”
Grant turned to Hermione and grinned, she returned his smile with one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. They started trudging up the sloped path towards the large mountain side. Grant made to move closer to Hermione’s side, but Cerberus chose that moment to step in between them. Sparing grant the slightest glance, the wolf settled himself in to walk resolutely at her side. Grant let out a small good-natured sigh.
“That wolf hates me.” he chuckled with a slight shake of his head.
“No, he doesn’t.” she said reassuringly, though she wasn’t altogether sure that Cerberus didn’t in fact hate him.
There were a few times when she had snuck back into her room in the late hours after spending the night in grants room, Cerberus would fix her with an unrelenting and judgmental stare. On those nights Cerberus would sleep on the floor instead of trying to squeeze into her small bed with her as he did every other night. As they drew closer to the top of the path, hermione could feel the tingle of the wards. She stepped up to the tall rock face and withdrew her wand from its holster, Tapping it rhythmically against the stone. The rock began to vibrate and slowly slide open to reveal a door size hole. The tunnel they stepped into was just big enough to walk through single file. Anyone taller than 6 feet had to hunch to get through. Hermione looked over shoulder to watch the rock slide back into place, slowly covering the night sky and bathing them in darkness. She immediately felt a little claustrophobic the minute she couldn’t see the stars. Lighting the tip of her wand with a soft lumos she picked up her pace to catch back up to the others.
It took a solid 15 minutes before light started to appear at the end of the tunnel. Extinguishing her wand tip, Hermione followed the boys and Cerberus into the large, cavernous center of the mountain. The enormous space housed several worn couches and tables. The order had three main bases of operation; Fort Emrys, where they now were, Fort Cian, and Fort Kian along with many safehouses scattered throughout Europe. This was the largest of the three. They had carved out the entire center of a large mountainside in the Scottish wilderness far from any towns. The high rock walls were reinforced and expanded with powerful spells. There were tunnels that branched off running underground, that led to smaller open spaces housing quarters, offices and even an impressive underground garden that grew most of the orders food. The only unlit tunnel was the one leading from the entrance, everywhere else was bright with floating candles and lanterns.
Many of the order members where just waking up to have breakfast and start their day, so the base was buzzing with activity. Several scouts from various recon missions were returning along with a large group that had been sent on a retrieval mission. Hermione searched the heads for the familiar red hair. Ron had been with the group sent to retrieve Collin. Finally spotting him among the solders, she rushed over, throwing her arms around him.
“hmmph,” Ron grunted as he returned the hug.
Hermione pulled back to look over his face, now noticing the blood on his forehead and the awkward way he was standing, curling in on the right side. Quickly untangling herself she ran a diagnostic spell on him, her brow pulled together as she deciphered the projected colors.
“Ron you have two broken ribs and a nasty concussion! Why aren’t you in the infirmary?” she snapped.
“Mione I’m fine, really….. I need to debrief before I’m checked.” He grimaced as he noticed Cerberus come up behind her. The wolf eyed him with obvious boredom.
“Come with me Ronald,” she quipped as she gently but assertively pulled him through the crowd of chattering soldiers. Tucking into an alcove with a naturally formed rock bench, she pushed Ron to a seated position. Dropping her pack at her feet, she took her bow from her back leaning it against the wall next to him. She removed the small first aid kit from the bag and got to work cleaning the cut on his forehead. Ron winced as she dabbed at it with an alcohol wipe. Once she was satisfied that the area had been properly disinfected, she raised her wand and with a confident “episkey” watched the skin come back together. She then handed Ron a potion bottle filled with a red liquid, which he drank quickly knowing it was futile to refuse. It was a potion she had brewed herself to help with the side effects of head injuries. Ron held his side and looked over her shoulder nervously, she didn’t need to turn around to know that Cerberus was at her back. She could sense his presence, she didn’t know how. She shared a connection with the wolf, they seemed to always be able to find each other.
“My wolf is not the grim Ronald” she stated flatly.
Rons attention came back to Hermione, and he gave her a sheepish grin.
“I know but he’s still bloody creepy. Its weird how he follows you around, watching everyone that comes near you. I mean look at him guarding you like you’re surrounded by deatheaters instead of your friends”
Hermione turned her gaze to the large black mass behind her. He was sitting with his back almost touching hers, watching the crowd of people intently. Turning back to Ron she gently removed his hand from his side.
“Ok now for the ribs” she said to change the subject. Ron let the topic drop with one last shake of his head. Hermione lifted the right side of his shirt and gingerly touched the deep purple bruising.
“This will need a bruise salve, but I don’t carry any in my kit. We should really be in the infirmary so I can treat this properly,” she softly said.
“Its fine mione, really it doesn’t even hurt that much. It can wait” he said through clinched teeth.
“I’m going to at least fix the fractures and give you a pain potion, but you WILL have a further look over once the meeting with Kingsley is over.” She fixed Ron with a hard stare for a moment to convey her seriousness. Placing her wand tip to his ribcage she uttered the spell to bring his bones back together. Rons face scrunched in pain for a minute before he experimentally rolled his shoulder and twisted at the middle.
“Have I told you lately how brilliant you are?” he said with a lopsided grin.
Hermione studied his face, heart warming at his familiar smile. There was a time, years ago when she had thought they would end up together. The romance between them had fizzled out quickly after the second war. Losing harry had brought them closer as friends though, both terrified to lose the other now that it was just the two of them. Ron stood, pulling Hermione into another hug. She buried her face into his chest and thanked merlin he had returned mostly in one piece. Cerberus fidgeted behind them, turning his head to narrow his eyes at Ron. With a small chuckle she stepped back, leaning down to grab the pain potion from the first aid kit.
“Here take this, you’ll be sore for a few days.” She said dropping the bottle into his waiting hand.
“Thanks,” Ron mumbled around the bottle he had brought to his mouth.
Hermione began to pack her bag back up. Clasping it shut, she slung it over a shoulder, then grabbed her bow placing it on the other.
“Oy, Kings is looking for us,” came Seamus’s raised voice. Hermione startled a bit and turned to find him standing a good distance from the alcove. Nervously looking from her to Cerberus. The wolfs attention now intent on Seamus.
“See what I mean, bloody wolfs a menace,” Ron grumbled as he stepped around Cerberus giving him a wide berth. Shaking her head Hermione stroked the wolfs back.
“I don’t know what everyone’s on about, you’re just a big cupcake ay cerb?” she cooed.
Both men gave her incredulous looks, then turned to make their way to Kingsley’s office. Hermione shrugged her shoulders making the potions in her pack rattle, then started after them. Ron reached back for her hand to help guide her more quickly through the crowd. His height gave him a definite advantage. Though people were usually quick to move out of Cerberus’s way. Ron veered to the right towards the wide tunnel that was lined with a few offices, meeting rooms and a small library.
Coming to stop in front of the sizeable wood door, Hermione took a steadying breath. She wasn’t sure if she should share the bizarre experience she’d had with the deatheater. She was worried that if she told Kingsley, he would use it as an excuse to cut her from recon altogether. Mistaking her hesitance for nerves, Ron gave her hand a little squeeze and looked down with a reassuring smile. Before Hermione could smile back Cerberus stuck his nose into their joined hands and Ron quickly let go and stepped away. Hermione knocked once before cracking the door and pocking her head inside. Grant and Charlie were already seated in front of the large desk. Three sets of eyes turned in her direction.
“Ah! Hermione please come in, I’m eager to hear how it went” said Kingsley in his usual booming voice.
As Hermione stepped over the threshold Kingsley looked down to a page on his desk and added “the wolf stays outside, my office is hardly big enough for us as it is” in a clipped tone. Hermione moved aside to let Ron and Seamus through. Giving Cerberus an apologetic pat as she closed the door, she didn’t miss the look he gave Kingsley before the door clicked shut. Grant had come to stand behind his chair and gestured for her to take it. She gave him a little nod as she set her things down and slid into the seat.
Leaning back in his chair with a sigh Kingsley leveled his stare at Hermione “grant was just filling me in on how last night went, id like you and Seamus’s perspectives, seeing as how you were each viewing from different vantage points.”
“Yes of course. The night was very quiet sir, a few deatheaters came and went but nothing too exciting occurred. We never witnessed any prisoners being led in or out. No large grouping of deatheaters at any given time. I don’t believe any meetings of importance took place there last night.” Hermione stated plainly.
“Well, that is a shame. We were hoping that location would prove more fruitful, seems our intel was incorrect.” Clipped Kingsley.
Hermione cleared her throat “sir there was one small incident.”
“Yeah! One of the masked gits came out of nowhere and slapped the snot out of one of their guards. Bloody hilarious!” Seamus chimed in with a laugh.
“He seemed to be displeased that the guard had taken his mask off” Hermione added.
“Were you able to identify the unmasked deatheter? Asked Kingsley.
Hermione looked to Seamus who shook his head side to side.
“No, I’ve never seen him before, but I was able to get a few pictures of his face, though I’m not sure how clear they’ll be. Even with the zoom lens and night vision Collin developed, it can be difficult to get a clear picture.” Hermione leaned over to retrieve the camera, pulling out the sim card then sliding it across the desk.
“Thank you miss Granger” Kingsley said as he picked up the card.
There was an impatient scratch on the door that had them all looking in that direction. Hermione coughed trying to hide the sound. Kingsley just sighed and leaned forward folding his arms in front of him on the desk.
With another annoyed glance at the door Kingsley said, “well if there is nothing to add then the three of you are dismissed, I still have matters to discuss with Ronald and Charlie.”
Hermione looked to Ron; she was anxious to know if Collin had been found, or if there were any casualties. He just gave her a small sad smile. With an annoyed huff, Hermione picked up her belongings and made her way to the door. Before she could follow Grant and Seamus out, Charlie cleared his throat and spoke for the first time since she had entered the office. She stopped in the doorway, hand grasping the frame and turned back towards them.
“Hermione, I believe miss Pompfrey will need your help in the infirmary” he said, giving her a meaningful look.
She simply gave a curt nod, closing the door with a sharp click. Cerberus was still right where she had left him. Seamus must have made a hasty retreat to the kitchens because there was no sign of him. Grant stood patiently waiting for her a little way down the corridor. With the wolf trailing behind her, she made her way over to lean against the cool stone wall next to him. She was exhausted, though the feeling was not new to her. Sleep often evaded her or was plagued with nightmares. She was ready to get this itchy vest off and have a long hot soak.
“How you holding up ‘mione?” he asked, searching her tired face.
“About as good as you I expect.”
“Hmmm. You heading to the kitchens or bed?”
“I’ve gotta swing by the infirmary” she Said through a yawn.
“You work too hard, for people who don’t appreciate it enough,” he said shaking his head.
“You’re one to talk! Grant we both know that was a two-man mission at best. Why would you volunteer for such a mundane assignment?”
Grant just looked down to his boots releasing a long sigh.
“You should go get some rest” she said as she pushed off the wall.
“So should you.” He said bringing his eyes back to hers.
“I will, after I check on poppy” she quipped as she turned in the direction of the infirmary. The last thing she saw before she turned the corner was Grant looking after her with concern. Their relationship was something born from loneliness and convenience. War left little time for trivial things like dating. She hoped he wasn’t developing real feelings for her; she just didn’t have the time for anything more nor did she desire it. Grant was a great guy and the sex was ok, not that she had much to compare it too. There just seemed to be something lacking between them. Reaching the end of the hall she paused at the entrance to the infirmary.
Looking over to Cerberus she said, “You should go back to our room and rest.”
The wolf just stepped closer to the double doors and looked over with a resolute face.
“Have it your way” she mumbled.