Chapter 9
The twins had dressed in matching black slacks and jumpers, and insisted Hermione wear black as well. Apparently, you could not have clandestine secret midnight adventures in a powder blue peasant top and jeans. At their insistence, she dug around in her trunk until she found a pink hoodie, and fixed it quickly with a color-change charm. She was just zipping it and considering changing her jeans black too (was that excessive?) when there was a knock on her door.
“Hide.” She hissed to the twins, and they were locked in her bathroom before she could cross the room to the door.
“Coming!” She called out, pausing before the door to take a deep breath. I can do this. No one suspects me. I’ll just tell them to go away. Pep talk finished, she squared her shoulders and pulled open the door.
“Ron?” She said incredulously. What is Ron doing? Dear god is he going to apologize? Ron wasn’t one to apologize, least of all to her. He had a rather annoying habit of waiting until the worst of her anger had cooled and then resumed as if everything was fine. Hermione was sick of the way she had tolerated that. Even if Harry doesn’t like it, I won’t let him leech off me this year. She thought viciously.
“Hey, ‘Mione. Can I come in for a ‘mo?” He mumbled. He was red in the face and neck, a sure sign he was upset. But was he angry? Sad?
“Oh, uh- no. No. What do you want, Ron?” She said crispy, leaning on the door frame. The twins were hidden, but Hermione still didn’t want Ron in her room. She also didn’t trust them not to burst out and start a fight if Ron spoke out of turn, and given their recent interaction she thought the chance of him being rude to her was extremely high.
Ron fidgeted and rubbed the back of his neck. “Just-ah, wanted to see if we’re alright, after earlier.” He looked at his shoes and shuffled.
“Are we alright? Sure Ron. Brilliant.” She said sarcastically. “Now if you don’t mind, I was getting ready for bed.”
“’Mione, you have to see it was a bad idea, right? Even the twins gave up on it and they love trouble. Dumbledore knows what’s best for the Order, and Harry-”
“Yes Ron. I see everything so very clearly now. Goodnight.”
She closed the door in his face forcefully. She hated that he had come to , well not apologize exactly but offer an olive branch now. She felt a moment of guilt at going behind his back, but he hadn’t wanted to help. Although, she reasoned, now that she had been seen after dinner, they might have more time before discovery. Ideally, she would have Harry back and inside Grimmauld place before anyone even noticed they were gone. When it was too late to stop them and they’d have to let him stay. Her one consolation was that whatever the fallout of her actions, she knew they would never abandon Harry. Dumbledore because Harry was literally the fated savior of the Wizard World and Sirius because Harry was his Godson. She refused to dwell too long on what might happen to her, but she was smart, resourceful. She’d figure something out if they turned her away. Or I’ll get eaten by a werewolf. After torture. Shuddering at her thoughts, she opened the door to the bathroom, finding the twins whispering to one and other standing by the claw foot tub.
“All clear?” Fred asked.
“Yeah, it was Ron. He wanted to make sure we were alright after the fight this afternoon.”
“So he apologized?” George asked, as the trio moved back into the main room together.
Hermione laughed. “No, he wanted me to admit I was wrong.”
The twins exchanged a sour look.
“You know he’s-”
“An idiot, right?”
She opened her mouth to agree and another knock came. This time the twins ducked behind the curtains of her bed. She yanked the door open. “WHAT Ronald?!” She shouted, before registering the person in the doorway was not, in fact Ron Weasley.
Sirius still had his hand raised in the air, and looked startled by her aggressive lack of hospitality.
“Oh, sorry Sirius! Er…do you need something?” She asked in a much sweeter tone.
Sirius laughed. “I take it the two of you aren’t getting along at the moment?” He nodded his head in the direction of Ron’s room.
“Er-uh, no. We had a disagreement.” She stepped back and Sirius entered, looking around the remodeled room. He whistled, hooking his thumbs in his pockets.
“The twins did all this?” He asked.
“Yes, last night. It really was amazing.” Hermione said blushing.
Sirius lifted an eyebrow but added nothing.
“Can we sit for a moment? I need to talk with you about something.” He nodded at the bed, as the only other seating in the room was a desk chair.
“Actually, I was just about to go to bed. I’m so tired, er.. the stress you know…can we talk tomorrow?” She forced a cheerful smile, her stomach twisting in knots. What if Sirius found the twins in her bed? How would she explain that? It was innocent of course but would it appear innocent? Would Sirius be angry with her? One day in his house and two boys in her bed. That sounds awful. It was awful. She was going to be kicked out in the street with no where to live. Deep breath, Hermione. You are spiraling. She chided herself.
“Sure.” Sirius smiled at her. “You’re alright here? You’d tell me if you needed anything?”
“I’m fine, Sirius, thank you.” She led him back to the door.
“Goodnight then, Kitten.” He said, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder before exiting.
“Sirius?” She called out before she could think it through.
“Yes?” He answered, turning back to her.
“Do you really think Harry is OK? That he’s fine…with the Dursleys?”
Sirius sighed sharply. “It doesn’t matter what I think. If I didn’t have this place I probably wouldn’t even be part of the Order. I…want to believe Dumbledore knows what’s best. I can’t lie though, I’d feel better if he was here with us.” He turned to the stairs, then twisted around with a smirk. “And tell the twins if they want to hide from an Animagus and a Werewolf, they might want to lay off on the aftershave and gunpowder.” He winked, and continued on.
“Oh-we weren't..um, it’s nothing like…” Hermione stuttered, desperate for her brain and tongue to work together and form a coherent defense.
“Trust me, I know.” He tapped his nose. “Let me guess, the twins are trying to talk you into exploring the dungeons. Or did they find the attic dueling room?” His eyes sparkled and he grinned at her. Hermione smiled, ducking her head to avoid answering.
“Well, you know the twins. Always up for an adventure. Uh..er-goodnight, Sirius.”
“Goodnight Kitten." Hands in his pockets he walked to the stairs, whistling.
Fred and George could not hold their laughter in a second longer. As Hermione shut the door they exploded, holding their bellies and rolling on her comforter.
“I’m glad you two are so amused!” She snapped, hands on her hips. “It’s me that looks bad, hiding boys in my bed!”
“Don’t be mad! He just thought we were taking you exploring. ” Fred grinned at her in a way that always softened her anger when he had pushed her too far. She wondered if he did that on purpose, how was any girl supposed to stay mad when faced with that slightly crooked grin? Not to mention the freckles.
“It’s not wrong, we just aren’t exploring the house.” George added.
“Wait, can I call you Kitten too?” Fred asked, sitting up.
“Great nickname, that.” George commented.
“No. “ She turned her face to hide her own grin. “Come up with your own.” Hermione checked her watch, then cast a tempus to double check.
“Ok. It’s time…let’s go. ”
“Operation Liberation!” The twins cried in unison.
“Not so loud! Stealth, remember?”
Fred made a zipper motion to his lips.
“Stealth is our middle name.”
Phase one of the plan went off without a hitch. The trio crept down the dark, spider filled passage and exited the secret side door without being spotted. They reached their destination of Kingston Upon Thames (Beside a overflowing dumpster sitting behind a closed petrol station), and disillusioned themselves for the next leg of the journey. It wasn’t until they reached Privet Drive (Phase two) that things started to go wrong.
They had kept to the shadows, sprinting across yards and crouching in bushes when they heard dogs bark or cars back in to driveways. Three houses from Number 4, while crouched in a hydrangea bush sporting wilting blue buds, the trio spotted them. Three figures, standing in the ally across the street. Black robes brushing the ground, and masks glinting silver in the streetlamps. A forth member of the group stood with them but slightly to the side. He was massive, towering at least a foot over the heads of the robed figures. He wore tattered jeans and a dirty black shirt, his long blonde hair tangled and his beard matted. Hermione’s heart started beating faster and her breath came in shallow pants. Greyback. He found me. She thought as panic tried to rob her brain of logic. Her stomach twisted and her limbs felt boneless. She couldn’t breathe. She felt hands on her back, and an arm encircled her shoulders. She tensed, in that moment she was back in her kitchen, his claws on her waist, his tongue on her face, his rotten breath choking her.
“Deep breath, Hermy.” Fred whispered.
“It’s ok, we’ve got you. We won’t let anything happen to you.” George whispered, so close his breath tickled her ear. With the twins warming her on either side, one rubbing her back-(George? ) she took a deep, shuddering breath. Then another.
“Ok. Ok I think- I think I’m ok. “ She whispered. “Thank you, I - wait, Fred, Hermy?”She hissed, looking at him, eyes narrowed. He grinned at her, non-repentant. George meanwhile was unraveling something from his pocket. He held it up and with a wink and a flip of his wrist, the fleshy tube shot off under the bush.
“You sure he’s here, Greyback?” An angry male voice echoed through their end of the tube. Hermione jumped but Fred’s arm tightened and he pulled her back down before she could shake the bush.
“Extendable Ear.” He breathed, so close his lips brushed the shell of her ear. Hermione shivered at the feel of his mouth tickling her. Totally inappropriate, what is wrong with me! She scolded herself. From panic to butterflies. Although, she had to admit, they had gotten her out of her impending panic attack with record speed. They were twenty feet from four people who would happy step over their dead bodies and murder her best friend, but sandwiched between the twins she felt safe.
“That muggle said this was the place, and I can smell him all over this place.” Greyback snarled, licking his teeth and sniffing the air again. “Wait…” He snapped his head around and and looked across the street, straight at the bush that the three of them had taken cover under. Greyback gave a low rumbling growl, snapping his teeth in the air as he took another step in their direction.
“Is it the boy?” A death eater asked excitedly.
“If he’s in one of these muggle shacks, I know a way to draw them out.” The death eater cackled shrilly.
“There’s some ward keeping us from getting near the right house.” One of the figures said angrily.
“Shut it, all of you!” Greyback sniffed the air again, and stepped forward into the street. Every step brought him closer to discovering them. “I can smell her. The girl.”
Hermione inhaled sharply, and she felt the twins hands tighten on her. She reaching into her sleeve and drew her wand, feeling safer with the familiar vinewood in her grasp. Her hands were shaking again, and she tried to will them to be steady, her brain flipping through every defensive spell she’d ever learned. She felt steadier knowing the twins were with her. She’d seen them cast (and fight) enough times to know they would at least have a chance. Worst case they could flee, but that would mean leaving Harry and she wouldn’t do that with Death Eaters twenty feet from his home. She prayed Harry would stay in bed, and not notice the scene. She knew her friend, and there is no way he would avoid a fight. No, he’d be out here breaking the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and getting himself killed, or worse.
“Her? We’re looking for Potter you stupid dog!”
“SHUT UP!” Greyback snarled again, growling as he crouched, his large hands curled into claws, and took a deep breath in at the ground. “There” He breathed, stretching the word out ”Almost…just give me…”
“This is a waste of time!” The first death eater snapped. One of the group pushed Greyback to the side, sending him tumbling to the pavement with a snarl. They aimed their wand at the house beside the hidden teens. A jet of purple flame shot out, setting the roof instantly ablaze.
“There.” The fire-starter said triumphantly. “We’ll smoke him out.”
The death eaters laughed, quiet, mean chuckles, as they melted back into the shadows to wait, dragging the werewolf with them.
George made a small motion with his hand and the fleshy tube coiled itself back into his palm. The fire was spreading quickly, engulfing the house and threatening the one they were hiding in front of. Lights were coming on in houses, doors opening as neighbors rushed into the night to find out what was happening. A tearful, soot covered group ran from the burning house, and they were quickly encircled by their muggle neighbors. Hermione spotted an odd looking woman in a ratty bathrobe and curlers holding three cats across the street. She was watching the fire but kept glancing at the Dursley’s house, sitting dark and quiet two houses from the blaze. Something about her felt off, like she was somehow separate from the gathering of neighbors. Why is she looking at Harry’s house? Another death eater? She didn’t appear threatening, per say, but Hermione wasn’t about to trust that someone was harmless.
“We need to move, now!” She hissed. The boys followed her lead as she darted out of the bush. They sprinted down the street, the sound of crackling flames and the smell of smoke filling the air. Hermione heart raced as she ran past the burning house, feeling the intense heat on her skin and the fear gripping her chest. The orange glow of the fire illuminated the night, casting eerie shadows on the surrounding buildings and the gathered crowd. It proved to be excellent cover with their disillusionment, as no one could see their shadowy outlines in the wavering light of the flames.
Hermione could hear the distant sirens of approaching fire trucks, and knew there was no time to waste. Once the muggle authorities got here it would be madness, and if they were caught…Or the death eaters could use the confusion to strike.Adrenaline pumped through her veins, urging her to push harder, to reach Harry first.
The run to number 4 was short, but the fear made it feel like it took an eternity to reach. Finally at their destination, they squatted behind the car in the driveway to catch their breath and figure out the next move.
Hermione looked up at the Dursley’s house, and they watched together as the front door opened and the Dursley’s themselves stumbled out in their nightclothes. Petunia was clutching Vernon’s thick arm,and Dudley was trailing behind his parents, rubbing his eyes. Harry was nowhere to be seen. Had he snuck out the back? Was he not home? Oh Merlin, what if he ran away again? Could he be out in London somewhere, alone and ignorant to the danger he was in? The small family joined their neighbors to watch the chaos unfold in the street, Vernon loudly pontificating about shoddy wiring and drought water restrictions. In the distance, sirens wailed. Hermione looked back at the house, and a light clicked on in an upper window of the house. She released a breath she hadn’t known she was holding as her friend’s face appeared behind the glass. She could see the moment he spotted the fire, as he spun around and disappeared from view.
“He’s coming out!” She whispered, tensing. Harry would run straight for the house, do anything to help. Probably brandishing his wand and ready to show all of Little Whinging that he was a bloody wizard. It was in his nature to think of his safety last, never considering he was running straight into a trap. “What do we do?” She moaned.
“I got him. George?” Fred whispered. He and his twin shared a look and a nod and Fred was gone. Hermione didn’t have time to question what the twins had shared between themselves, as a moment later Harry burst out of the front door of his house.
She saw the glimmer of an arm, hardly more than a shadow, reach out and snatch her best friend back. There was a great CRACK! and the two were gone.
“That’s our cue.” George said, pulling Hermione up and dragging her behind him as he sprinted across the lawn and into the open front door. Hermione panted and she raced to keep up with his long legs. He didn’t pause at the threshold, but charged strait up the stairs and into the back bedroom. Harry’s room was small and rather messy. His bed had one thin blanket and no sheets, and was covered in sweet wrappers and crumpled parchment. There was a copy of the Daily Prophet open on the floor amid spell books and dirty socks. His trunk was open and looked like it had exploded outward, robes and clothes spewing from it and trailing across the space. Hedwig hooted sadly from a padlocked cage in the corner.
“Get Hedwig. I got this.” George said, scooping up the teenage debris and shoving it haphazardly into the trunk. Hermione darted across the room and snatched Hedwig off the dresser. George was at her side before she fully turned with Hedwig clutched to her chest, grabbing her other hand and turning on his heel. There was a terrible pressure and a sickening spinning, dropping sensation as they apparated. When she opened her eyes, they were back at the dumpster behind the petrol station. She saw Fred, his arms crossed, shaking his head at Harry, who was gesturing wildly. She heard the tail end of his cry “-THE FUCK, GEORGE?” Fred started to say he was Fred, but when he opened his mouth he found it full of curly hair as Hermione pushed past him and launched herself at Harry. He stumbled back with the force of her hug, crying out in pain as the cage she still clasped in one hand swung around and slammed into his bare back. Hedwig screeched indignantly, flapping her wings.
“Harry!” She screeched. “Oh Harry, I was so worried, and then the werewolf and the fire, and- OH, but your OK!“
Hermione- What?” He stuttered out, struggling in her grip.
“Oh- Sorry, sorry!” She cried, pulling back and setting the offended owl down. “We brought Hedwig!” She beamed at him, brandishing the angry bird in front of Harry.
“Hiya Harry!” George said brightly as he joined the group at a more sedate pace, dragging the trunk behind him.
“What’s going on?” He looked from her to the twins. “Fred grabbed me, now he said something about Death Eaters and... What about the fire? Was anyone hurt?” Harry glared at the three of them, as they unrepentantly smiled at him.
“We saved you, Mate.” Fred said calmly.
“I think you meant to say, thank you for coming to rescue me.” George said with a playful sneer.
“I would have run straight into Death Eaters without you, Fred!” Fred said in a fairly good imitation of Harry.
“There were Death Eaters- they started the fire to draw you out.” Hermione said slowly. Harry’s eyebrows shot up.
“Death Eaters? And we- you left them there? We have to go back, we have to-”
“No, Harry. They wanted you-us. We need to get you somewhere safe, and we will explain everything we know.”
“But the muggles, the fire, how could you-”
“Harry LISTEN.” Hermione grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to look at her. “They wanted YOU. They started that fire hoping you’d play hero and run straight to them and it almost worked. We can’t worry about the fire right now, we need to go. Help was coming, I could hear the sirens.” Harry stared at her, his mouth tightening as he nodded.
“Ok.” He ran his fingers through his already messy hair, forgetting he was still holding his wand, which momentarily caught in a large snarl of hair on his scalp. “Er, right.” He yanked his wand from his hair, sending a small shower of sparks down to the ground. “Damn, uh- what’s the plan then?” He asked, pushing his glasses up his nose as he blushed furiously and picked Hedwig up off the ground.
“Read this.” George thrust the note at Harry’s face.
“What’s the Order of-” He started
“Not here!” Fred and George hissed together, as George stuffed the note back into his pocket and Fred grasped Harry’s shoulder. The twins looked around quickly, making sure no one was observing the odd foursome. Harry was barefoot, wearing only thin pajama bottoms, clutching an owl in a cage and a wand, while the three of them were dressed head to toe in black. Add in the wands, the trunk and the extremely agitated owl, and they were suspicious to say the least. The last thing they needed was to draw the attention of any muggles in the area. That would surely make things very awkward, very fast.
“Keep it in your mind. Trust us, and hang on.” Hermione said with a small smile. She grabbed George’s hand and without further argument, the two pairs disappeared into the night.