Chapter 13
Draco hung his head and stood from where he’d been crouching. This was undoubtedly a third victim, and another escalation in the murderer’s method. Whoever was committing these heinous acts, they were getting bolder and more confident with the runes. With his hands on his hips, Draco turned to face a team of people he hadn’t seen in a decade. Of course, the latest murder had taken place in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts.
“Headmistress, I need to ask about the state of the wards around Hogwarts. Was there a breach this evening?” Draco asked Minerva McGonagall, the witch who could make every muscle in his body tense up as if he’d broken a school rule and was about to receive detention for his misdeeds.
“No Mister Malfoy, there was no alert that the wards were breached.” The woman’s stern face had new lines on it, but was otherwise the same from his memories. “Whoever entered the Forbidden Forest could not have Apparated in. They would have had to enter on foot, but I don’t understand why the wards would have let them through without an escort.”
“Well, ‘eadmistress, all sorts a creatures come in an ou’ of the forest all the time.” Hagrid, no longer a teacher but still employed as the gamekeeper at the school, responded.
“Yes, but those are creatures, Hagrid. Not people. The school wards would have to be taken down or altered before a human could enter without escort.” McGonagall somehow managed to look down her nose at the half-giant. “Are you suggesting a creature could have done this?”
Draco stepped in before Hagrid could respond. “I don’t believe so, Headmistress. This isn’t the first time in recent weeks a centaur has been murdered in this fashion. I’m sure Potter, Head Auror Potter I mean, has informed you that I’m investigating a series of centaur killings?” Salazar, his old Transfiguration teacher could reduce him to a fifteen year old again quicker than Potter could shout Expelliarmus.
“Mister Potter was the first to arrive this evening when we reported the body. He informed me that you would be arriving to continue the investigation.” She confirmed.
“That’s right. And my partner Grang…Her…Miss Granger will be arriving soon, so would you please have someone escort her through the wards and grant her permission to examine the scene with me?” He looked down at the body in an effort to avoid McGonagall’s and Hagrid’s expressions, quickly realized that wasn’t a pleasant place to look, and averted his gaze to the tree line.
“You mean ‘ermione’s working wi’ you?” Hagrid’s booming voice could be called suspicious by a cynical person–which Draco was.
“Yes, Miss Granger has been appointed as a Centaur Liaison by Head Auror Potter to act in the best interests of the impacted centaur herds.” All this formality was grating on Draco. Gone were the days where he would call Hagrid an oaf, but the titles and standing on ceremony reminded him too much of his childhood.
“I’m sure Mister Potter knows what he’s doing, Hagrid. Would you find Professor Longbottom and have him collect Miss Granger?” The Headmistress eyed Draco once the gamekeeper tramped away. “I trust you know what you are doing as well, Mister Malfoy.”
“I’m giving this case all of my focus, Professor, I assure you. I regret I wasn’t able to catch the culprit and prevent another killing from happening.”
“Don’t apologize for something that wasn’t your fault. Only accept responsibility for the things you directly carried out.” Her sharp gaze penetrated what felt like all the way into Draco’s soul.
“Professor, I cannot express how deeply I regret the actions of my past. I only hope my actions in the last ten years have proven I have changed from that misguided youth.” It was hard, but he held eye contact as he spoke.
“Mister Malfoy, I have watched your career. I’m proud of the actions you take now. Ah, there is Miss Granger.” Turning around, Draco saw Hermione walking across the grounds towards him. Not you, idiot, she’s walking to the crime scene.
“Hello, Professor. Good to see you again, although I wish the circumstances were better. Draco, I packed up the last site and brought everything with me.” Granger acted as if saying his given name was a common, everyday occurrence rather than the knee-weakening event Draco was currently experiencing.
“Miss Granger, I’ve been informed that you are a liaison for Mister Malfoy’s case. I’ll have Hagrid contact the herd for you.” With a quick squeeze to Granger’s shoulder, McGonagall strode off back towards the castle.
Draco gestured behind him at the fallen centaur’s body. “Its definitely the same perpetrator. But they’re evolving. The runes are no longer in a separate circle and line, the line now intersects the circle.”
Granger–wait, no it’s Hermione now–came to stand next to him and took in the crime scene. “Is Harry sending a team in to collect evidence?”
“Not this time. I want to do it myself so I can be sure nothing was missed.”
She nodded and reached into her beaded bag before pulling out a hair clip and pinning her mass of curls out of the way. She was still wearing the sundress from dinner, although she’d Transfigured her heels into rubber boots that had a similar pattern on them as the gladiator straps. “Alright, we’d better get started then. The protective wards around the grounds will be an added challenge to work around, but I’m sure we can manage it.”
Draco rolled his shirtsleeves to the elbow and used his wand to cover his hands with the same spell Hermione used. The sun was on its way down, so he cast a charm to provide the area with adequate lighting. Starting with the body, he began to catalog any initial discoveries. Other than the changes with the runes, there seemed to be less slicing injuries, and only one arrow wound directly to the heart. The main difference was the rope wrapped around the legs that appeared to have been a trap laid to bring the creature down.
“Draco,” gods his heart skipped a beat when she said his name again, “come look at this.”
He made his way over to where Hermione was crouched down at the base of a large tree. She pointed at the tree, then at another about ten feet away. “Do you see the marks?”
“This is where the rope was tied, intending to bring the centaur down. Our culprit certainly isn’t targeting a specific centaur then, given the three different locations and no common herd between them. They are targeting any centaur in the area.” Draco looked over to see if she agreed with his assessment.
“That’s what I was thinking too. Any centaur will do. So this isn’t a vendetta against one particular creature. That doesn’t necessarily help our case or narrow anything down though.” Hermione frowned. “Do you think the rope is conjured or bought?”
“Looks conjured to me. There are areas of imperfections that show a weak cast. It’s strange that it didn’t snap when the centaur was tangled in it.” Draco strode back to the body to look at the rope again. “This arrow doesn't look to be made from magic though.”
“Why would the killer use an arrow instead of the Killing Curse?” She asked, following him.
“It takes much more effort to bring down a Centaur with magic than it does using a weapon. Also, the Killing Curse will show immediately on any wand check. Our killer likely knows this and doesn’t want to get caught so easily.” Draco gently waved his wand to remove the arrow. A slight trickle of blood followed, signifying how recently the murder had occurred. “I’m going to bag this to see if there’s any identifying marks to where this arrow was made.”
As they continued searching the area for evidence and clues, Draco kept glancing over at Granger. It was a privilege to see her brilliant mind at work. Even though she wasn’t an Auror, and therefore didn’t investigate crime scenes on a regular basis, she was careful and methodical. She did a broad sweep of the area before beginning again looking in smaller areas with more intense focus. Every now and then she’d mutter something to herself, and Draco couldn’t help but wonder if she had a habit of working through her thoughts aloud.
“Hermione,” he really enjoyed the way her name flowed from his mouth, but did he say it a little too sensually for a coworker? “Do you need to get Hagrid back so you can speak to the herd?”
She looked at him softly before opening her mouth to reply.
“No need. We have come.” A deep voice came from further inside the forest, before a large black centaur emerged and stalked towards the pair.
Hermione straightened as tall as she could, which really only served to make her feel short. Draco already towered over her, and now she was facing down three male and two female centaurs. Each one had an assortment of bows, quivers, and knives slung around their bodies. She dipped her head in respect before addressing the one in front who had spoken.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to your herd on the loss of one of their members. My name is Hermione Granger, and this is my partner Draco Malfoy.” She was proud that her voice didn’t shake as she took the lead.
Each centaur placed a hand across their chests and dipped their heads in acknowledgment. The leader spoke again. “Our grief is beyond words. Errett was wise, and part of our council. His mate, Bettu, is here.” He gestured behind him, and one of the females stepped forward not bothering to hide the tears on her face.
“Who has done this?” Bettu asked.
“That is what we are attempting to discover. Has your herd seen anyone in the forest in the last few days? Not a student or teacher?” Hermione swept her gaze across each of them, looking for a hint in their expressions.
“We do not know every student and teacher at your human school. We do not usually venture this close to the school. Events from the past have cautioned us to stay away.” At this, the leader stared at Hermione. “We have long memories, Hermione Granger. I remember you much younger.”
A cacophony of shouts, hooves stamping, and trees breaking. Grawp ripping the forest apart while a herd of centaurs dragged Umbridge into its depths.
“As a child, I was ignorant of how my actions would affect you and your herd. I can only offer my regrets for those events, and learn from my mistakes. I endeavor to earn your trust and respect now, and promise to fight my own battles without dragging any other race into wizarding matters.” Hermione vowed.
After a tense moment, Hermione counted fifteen heartbeats, he nodded. “Very well. Some other human has dragged centaurs into wizard business. Please find who.”
“We’ll do everything we can….” She left her statement hanging, hoping he would supply his name.
“Dorian. I am the herd leader, and on the council. What do you need from me to help you catch the one responsible?” He asked, looking back and forth between Hermione and Draco.
“Could I ask a few questions?” Draco inquired. After Dorian’s nod, he continued. “Have you noticed any strange activity in the forest?” A shake of the centaurs’ heads. “Any other creature suffer an unexplained death recently?” Another collective shake. “Have you noticed a disturbance of magic in the area?”
At this question, the other female took in a sharp breath. “Yes. Two days past, I felt a darkness come over the forest like a shadow. It felt wrong, like stolen magic.”
Draco jerked his head towards her. “Stolen magic? You said this was two days ago?”
The female nodded and looked around to her herd mates. “The entire forest went still, and the shadow passed through. I have no explanation for it.”
“Thank you. What was your name?” Hermione asked her.
“Moraine.” She supplied.
“Moraine, if you feel this shadow again, would you be willing to inform Hagrid or the Headmistress? Catching the person responsible is our highest priority.” Hermione held her breath. Really, the best help they could get was from the centaurs, if they agreed to involve themselves with wizards. Historically, they solved their own problems and left wizards to their own devices.
Dorian answered for her. “We will. To help you catch this offender only.”
“Thank you Dorian.” Hermione replied.
As one, the centaurs turned to head back into the forest. Hermione looked at Draco.
“I know we haven’t covered the entire area yet, but I need to ask McGonagall if she noticed anything two days ago. Will you be alright if I leave you to collect evidence on your own?”
“That’s fine. Mind bringing me back a coffee from the kitchens? I have a feeling I’ll be out here for quite a while.” Draco told her.
She nodded. “Of course. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“Thanks, Hermione.” She felt a shudder work down her spine as he said it. He looked at her so intensely when he said it too, as if there was another meaning behind the syllables of her name.
As Hermione made her way back up to the castle, she thought back over her day. It had started by searching the Forest of Dean without any new clues, the pleasant dinner they’d shared in Gloucester, and then another murder. Now she was headed back into the castle that held so many memories, both good and bad, to talk to one of her favorite teachers about dark magic. Some things about Hogwarts never changed, it seemed.
She entered through the massive front doors right as dinner was ending. Hagrid stood close by, monitoring the students as they were making their way through the halls towards their common rooms or the library to study. Hermione approached him with a smile on her face.
“Hello Hagrid!”
“Hullo ‘Mione! Good ter see yah. You a’right out there alone with Malfoy?” His concern for her showed across his bearded face.
“Oh absolutely! He’s different from how you knew him. Honestly, I trust him to keep me safe.” Hermione was already tired of defending Draco to everyone she knew. She might have had her own reservations at the beginning of this case, but had quickly come to see the man he was now instead of the spoiled bully he’d been as a child.
“You want me to come out there wi’ ya, just in case?” He offered.
“No thank you, Hagrid. I told you I’m perfectly fine. I actually came in to ask Professor McGonagall a question, but I’ll ask you too. Did you notice a disturbance in the forest two days ago? Moraine the centaur said she’d felt a shadow presence, like stolen magic.”
Hagrid furrowed his brow. “Nuthin’ I can remember like tha’. Course, I was over at the Hog’s Head a couple nights ago visitin’ Aberforth, so I weren’t around much in the evening. Professor McGonagall woulda been here though. You remember where the Head’s office is. Password is,” He glanced around to make sure they weren’t overheard before leaning in a whispering “Panthera onca. Took me forever to remember tha’ one.”
Of course McGonagall would have a cat-related password for her office. Nothing as frivolous as candies would do for her, unlike Professor Dumbledore. The man had made terrible choices in letting a child bear the weight of saving the world when he himself was the only one Voldemort had ever feared, but the man had a whimsical side to him too. Hermione thanked Hagrid and walked through the castle towards McGonagall’s office.
After she spoke the password and traveled up the spiral staircase, she entered the office and immediately looked up to the portraits of previous Headmasters that lined the walls. Dumbledore was snoozing in his frame, and Snape sneered down at her before turning to stir his painted cauldron.
McGonagall sat behind her desk writing on a piece of parchment. She peered up at Hermione over her glasses before a small smile lifted her lips.
“Miss Granger. It's been many years since you’ve been in my office, but it feels like just yesterday. What can I do for you, dear?”
“Professor, one of the centaurs mentioned a strange event two days ago. She said it felt like a dark shadow moved through the forest. She also mentioned it felt like stolen magic. Was there any alert to the wards, or any strange occurrence during the past few days?” Hermione took the seat in front of the desk as she spoke and crossed her ankles beneath her chair.
“Two days ago?” McGonagall put her quill down and clasped her hands on top of the desk. “Professor Longbottom mentioned some of his plants had been disturbed in Greenhouse four. He suspected a student had tried planting something prohibited, but perhaps it wasn’t as simple as that.” Picking up her wand, the Headmistress sent a Patronus asking if Neville would come to her office.
“Would it be possible to recheck the wards, make sure no one has tampered with them? We have to catch whoever is killing Centaurs, Professor. These murders are getting worse and cannot continue. We need to make sure no stone is unturned.” Hermione pleaded.
“Of course, we can do that together as soon as Professor Longbottom has finished reporting the state of his greenhouses.”
“If I could ask two favors beforehand?” At McGonagall’s nod, Hermione continued. “Draco and I will need somewhere to stay overnight, as we need to be thorough in our evidence collection and it’s already getting late. Could you arrange rooms for us somewhere in Hogsmeade? The DMLE will pay for the rooms.”
“Professor Dumbledore?” McGonagall asked his portrait. “Please accompany Ariana to secure lodging with Aberforth for Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy.” The portrait woke, winked over his glasses, and left his frame without a word.
“Thank you. The second favor is for some coffee. It will most likely take us several hours to search the area and its been quite a long day already. Draco and I will need some caffeine to keep us going.” Hermione uncrossed her legs and she heard the door to the office open behind her. Neville stepped into the room, and returned the tight hug Hermione gave him.
“Of course, Miss Granger. I’ll have the kitchens prepare it for you.” Snapping her fingers to summon one of the kitchen elves, she relayed the order while Hermione and Neville chatted quietly. “Now, Professor Longbottom, would you mind relaying what happened in the greenhouse a few days ago?”
Hermione listened as Neville described walking into Greenhouse four and finding one of his planters had been dug through and several of his plants were missing. He’d had problems in the past with students trying to plant things from home, or attempting to plant hemp without getting caught, but there were no new plants or bulbs in the broken up soil. He’d reported the event to the Headmistress and moved on with his lesson plan.
“What plants were missing Neville?” Hermione reached into her beaded bag for a notebook and pen.
“A Mandrake, and oddly enough a sprig of mint. The Mandrake was just ending his adolescent phase.” He cleared his throat and looked down at his shoes. “It’s always hardest to lose one at that stage.”
“Those are both ingredients in the Wiggenweld potion. Perhaps our culprit was injured, or was preparing in case of injury. Thank you Neville, that helps.” Hermione squeezed his shoulder gently.
Professor McGonagall stood from her chair and gestured toward the door. “Shall we check the wards now?”
Hermione stood as well. “Yes I think so. Once we’re finished, I’ll head back out to the Forbidden Forest and give our findings to Draco.”
Neville raised his eyebrows at her as he led the way to the office entrance. “Draco? Malfoy? Since when do you use his first name? And what is he doing in the forest?”
Hermione blushed. “We’re working a case together for the DMLE. Draco is investigating a string of Centaur murders and I’m acting as liaison for the affected herds.”
“And Draco is ok with this?” Neville eyed her skeptically.
Hermione sighed, exhausted from the day and having to have this same conversation over and over again. “Yes, he’s been a perfectly professional. He’s changed, Nev.”
With McGonagall leading the way, Hermione missed the small smirk on her face as she said, “I’m glad to hear it. Professor Dumbledore will be impossibly smug about it though.”
The Headmistress, Hermione, and Neville all chuckled as Neville headed back to his office and the two women went to check the wards.