From Wiltshire, With Love

Chapter 60

"Alright, everyone's here now." Remus sipped his tea as Kingsley entered through the door to the Tonks' kitchen. "What did you want to discuss, Hermione?"

"Two things," she answered, proud that she could keep the tremors of defeat and self-doubt out of her voice.

Hermione didn't want to discuss anything, actually. She was mentally exhausted after everything that happened at Malfoy Manor and was having difficulty processing her actions in the dungeons: leaving Eloise and Ollivander behind and killing Dedalus. She desperately needed to talk to someone, and was at a loss as to who. But there were more urgent things to deal with, so she compartmentalized her sorrow and guilt. She didn't even need to concentrate to Occlude anymore, it had become as natural as breathing.

"This is the first." She slid several rolled parchments over to Tonks. "Manor and estate plans for Yaxley, Mulciber, Rookwood and Avery. The spy thinks one of them may know what happened at Brockton Bridge and Wembley Stadium if they weren't Obliviated already."

At least Hermione didn't have to do anything with the plans. Tonks was in charge of planning and executing raids, and she reached across the table and grabbed the parchments without preamble. "That's quite a lot."

Remus gazed affectionately at his wife's greedy smile. "They should keep you busy enough while Teddy naps."

Hermione cleared her throat. "Our spy has been more... motivated." And he was paying for that motivation. Hermione hoped she could see Draco again soon; he had been in so much pain last night.

Tonks quirked an eyebrow at her, perhaps expecting another diatribe at how Draco deserved the Unbreakable Vow, but said nothing. Hermione's research indicated that Kingsley was not telling the truth. Not just stringing her along, but actively lying. Hermione wasn't going to battle with him again without understanding why, or without knowing how she could force his hand.

"Still no Lestrange?" Remus asked.

Hermione shook her head. "The spy won't give the Lestranges up." Tonks nodded. She understood the relationship Draco had with Bellatrix was complicated.

Kingsley peered over Tonks' shoulder as she studied the plans. "I'll get the Ministry files on their wards copied for you right away. It's imperative we understand the purpose of the attacks."

Minerva turned to Hermione after flattening her parchment for note taking. "What is the second item?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "I don't know why I didn't notice this until now. Probably with all the excitement after getting the prisoners out of Malfoy Manor but..." Everyone eyed her expectantly. "John Dawlish wasn't there."

Remus lifted his chin and blinked. "What do you mean?"

She tucked a curl behind her ear. "He wasn't in the dungeons at Malfoy Manor. Dedalus was," she swallowed and forced the memory of his accepting smile to the back of her head, "but John wasn't."

The senior members looked around the table at each other, confused.

"Was John killed?" Tonks asked, taking Remus' hand.

Hermione shook her head. She hadn't told anyone about her role in Dedalus Diggle's death. Oliver didn't speak about it either. "Hannah said she didn't even know he'd been captured. He was never in the dungeons with them. Never present when they were all tortured, wasn't even there when they were first captured."

They all sat back in their chairs, pondering the new information.

"Did John know something Dedalus didn't?" Hermione asked. "Would there be a reason to separate him from everyone else?"