Wand-Leader & The Spy

11- Love Trouble

Kent, United Kingdom, August 27th, 1999, 21.45 hours

Wand-Leader Hermione stood at attention outside the Greengrass Manor while the Minister for Magic listened to Wand-Leader Sarah report the night's events. According to seniority she would succeed Daniel in command of the Corps, unless the Minister promoted someone else in her place, of course.

Hermione's usurpation of command had been as short-lived as the battle itself. She didn't think she'd be punished given the circumstances, but as always when she had done something against the rules, but for a good reason, there was that lingering doubt until matters were settled properly. Which wouldn't happen for some time, she knew, with the losses the Corps had taken today. So many dead…. over a dozen Wands had been killed and even more had been wounded - some with crippling curses, already in St. Mungo's.

At least the enemy had been hurt as well. Over twenty of them had been killed, a handful captured. Among the dead was Rodolphus Lestrange, one of Britain's most wanted wizards. The Fanatics had been struck a heavy blow, but Hermione didn't think it outweighed the loss of Daniel, and so many others. At least Dean and Colin had survived. The younger wizard hadn't been hit by a dark curse, so he'd be back on duty in a day or two.

She stood even straighter when Sarah reported that Hermione had taken command after Daniel's death, and the Minister's attention turned to her. "That was good and quick thinking, Wand-Leader. Your actions may have won the battle."

Hermione felt a warm glow inside her upon hearing Minister Malfoy praise her. "Thank you, sir. I was merely at the right place to act, any other Wand-Leader would have done the same I think. I'm sorry that monster escaped."

He smiled. "It won't escape next time, now that its powers are known."

The Minister turned back to Sarah, when a Wand approached them: "Sir! The Greengrass family has left their manor!"

Hermione turned and drew her wand, as did the other Wands. It was highly unlikely that the Greengrasses were a threat, but no Wand took the security of the Minister lightly. Especially out in the field. There was the family, and there was...

"Hermione!"

Wand-Leader Hermione had to struggle to keep her composure when she saw her best friend rush towards her. She almost shouted 'Luna!', despite the Minister's presence. Knowing nothing she could do would dissuade the blonde witch from her chosen course of action, Hermione opened her arms and braced herself just in time for Luna to slam into her and hug her hard. She just knew she would get teased about this later by her friends!

"I knew you'd save us, but when I saw the snake-creature attack I was so worried…" Luna sniffled.

Hermione was briefly confused. How had her friend seen the snake that had killed the Commander? Maybe afterwards, when the unnatural animal had tried to climb out of the pit she had created? No, it had been cut to pieces with multiple curses from a squad of Wands before it reached the top.

"And when he flew off… I wanted to go out right away, but the Greengrasses said we should stay until we were certain it was safe!"

Ah, she was talking about that creature! Upon reflection, the monster had looked a bit like a snake, with its missing nose. Hermione nodded. "We beat it, Luna, no worries." No need to go into the terrifying details; the younger witch was unnerved enough already. "I got your message, and alerted the Corps." And she really should create a better way to communicate; a way to send actual messages.

Looking around, she saw that the Minister was talking with the Greengrasses. From what she could overhear the family was, of course, very grateful that they had been saved by the Minister's forces. Daphne Greengrass even looked like she wanted to hug him. Hermione understood the sentiment.