Paramour

Chapter 6

Hermione chose to change course in the middle of disapparating — something she would scold herself for later.

She landed abruptly in Warren Street, still anxious that the past hour had been a ruse and that Death Eaters would surround her at any moment.

Her legs crouched as she stalked forward, her wand secured in her hand.

Nothing came. No one came.

Hermione exhaled.

She popped her wand back into its home — Hermione's left inner pocket — and walked the five minute journey back to Grimmauld Place.

She entered the house through the back garden, anxious that she may encounter someone who would question where she had been at such an hour.

Yet, Grimmauld Place was quiet.

Hermione dropped her satchel onto the kitchen floor and placed her hands onto the nearest counter, stretching out her back and groaning.

She knew she would need to find Moody and Kingsley as soon as possible, they would be anxious to know how the meeting had gone.

But she decided she first deserved a cup of tea and a generous dose of 'Draught of Peace'.

***

Once again, Hermione found the door to her laboratory ajar.

Kingsley and Moody were inside the room, heads bowed as they engaged in quiet conversation.

She peeked through the crack of the door, watching the men in the room as she braced herself for the conversation she was about to undertake.

Their conversation suddenly seized as they turned towards the door.

Hermione quietly gasped and stepped backwards.

"Granger?" Kingsley called.

Hermione gathered herself and pushed the door open, shuffling into the room before closing it behind her.

"Moody. Kingsley." She greeted, nodding at both men respectively.

"Are you okay?" Kingsley asked, his eyes scanning Hermione, presumably checking her for injuries.

She nodded.

"See, I told you she would be perfectly fine." Moody said in a gruff tone.

Kingsley shook his head at his comment, before returning to look at Hermione.

"I can't deny that I had my doubts, but I'm glad to see you return unharmed, Granger." Hermione shot Kingsley a wan smile as she fidgeted with the sleeves of her coat.

"So..." Moody started, impatience evident in his tone, "... was it really him?"

"It wasn't a trap, if that's what you're asking." Hermione began. "The Marquis truly did meet me." The men glanced at one another briefly.

"And... what was it that he required?" Kingsley asked.

"My mind—" The men shot Hermione confused looks. "— well, as close to it as he can get supposedly. He wants my knowledge in regards to dissecting the dark arts, although as to why, I'm not entirely sure, he wouldn't tell me."

Hermione had begun to gently pace as she rambled out the details of the meeting.

"Interesting." Kingsley said, stepping backwards and perching on the window sill.

"Indeed." Alastor added, an amused smirk creeping at the corner of his mouth.

"And that's all he requested?" Kingsley questioned, staring at Hermione intently.