Absolute Power

23 - The Muggle Born

Draco, Daphne and Theo all sit across from Hermione at the dining room table. Theo drums his fingers nervously along the dark wood. Daphne bites nervously at her nails.

And Draco just looks bored. 

"Okay, so we're all good with the plan?" Hermione asks for the third time. She twirls her hair and tries not to notice Draco staring at her hands. 

"Hermione, we've gone over it several times." Theo smiles at her, but it's tinged with tension. 

"One more time for good luck?" Daphne squeaks. 

Hermione reminds herself she still needs to get to the bottom of why Daphne is so eager to help Dean, but acknowledges that this is not the time. 

"Okay, we'll apparate from the gates at five in two groups. Draco and Daphne will go the the west side of the forest, Theo and I will hit the east." Hermione starts. The others nod to show that they're following. 

The decision to split Draco and Hermione up - the two most accomplished fighters - was met at the behest of Daphne to have at least one of them with her. Hermione immediately agreed, but Draco has had a sour expression since reluctantly saying it wasn't a bad idea. 

"We'll scan the forest and as soon as we find something, Draco or I will use the rings to let the other group know." Hermione continues. 

She had spent the rest of the afternoon duplicating the ring Luna had given her and adding a tracking charm. She wanted to give it to Daphne, but Draco insisted he should be the one to have it. Not wanting to start yet another fight with him, she agreed. But not without her usual amount of anger. 

"When we find Dean, we get out of there as soon as possible. Group one-" Hermione looks to Daphne, "-will apparate to Kielder Park and Group two will go to Galloway park. Just in case anyone grabs on. If it's safe, we'll meet at the hill just beyond the gates. If there's a problem, we'll use the rings again. Got it?" 

The others nod and Hermione runs a hand over her hair. "Ok, good." She lets out a heavy breath. "We will try to help the others, but from what Luna told me, it's not going to be good. Dean is our priority. We won't make any risks for anyone else." 

The words taste sour in her mouth and she grimaces inwardly. Saying outright that they might need to leave others for dead doesn't sit well with Hermione, but she's trying to be practical. Daphne's appreciative nod makes her feel slightly better. 

Thank you she mouths at Hermione. Hermione inclines her head in acknowledgement. 

Theo checks his watch and swallows. "Ten to five. We should head." 

They all stand, Daphne physically shaking. Draco puts a hand on her shoulder and looks at her questioningly. She juts her chin. "I'm fine. Just a little nervous." Draco sighs and looks like he'll fight her decision to join them, but Hermione jumps in. 

"We'll be fine. In and out." She smiles at Daphne with a lot more confidence than she feels. She understands, more than anyone, that Daphne won't be able to just sit around and wait for them. She obviously has some feelings for Dean, and Hermione refuses to let her worry at home. 

Feelings make you stronger. Gives you something to fight for.

With Pansy's words in her head, she gives her team one last look over. 

"One more thing," She braces her hands on the table. "Shoot to kill. The Death Eaters won't show any mercy, and neither will we." 

The others all straighten at her words, nodding decidedly. Draco and Hermione turn to the members of their group and transfigure them beyond recognition. Draco quickly turns himself into the same Durmstrang-looking boy he did last time. Hermione stays the same, knowing that Dean will need to see a familiar face.