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December 2, Hermione

Hermione

December 2, 1998.

Hermione Granger gazed out the window, in grief of how much she missed yesterday's snow that to her disappointment had melted away during nighttime. The last few weeks, she had spent most of her time gazing out of a window, mostly windows in the Burrow, since she had been staying with the Weasleys for some time. The Burrow felt like home again. After it was rebuilt, it had never really felt like the same place. Whether things were getting back to the way they used to be, or whether she was just getting used to the new Burrow, she wasn't sure. What mattered most is that the Burrow had become a meeting place again. Everyone was there if they weren't traveling.

One Wednesday like any other, around noon, Hermione spotted a figure coming out of the woods. It was approaching the Burrow with high speed. As the figure came closer, it resembled a very stressed and desperate Bill Weasley. A few seconds later, a not so happy Fleur Delacour appeared in the shadowy half-light behind him. It almost looked like she had to run to keep up with Bill's decisive long strides. Fleur's face indicated that she was at least as troubled as her husband, if not more. Judged from the expression on her face, the wet ground which made her shoes muddy seemed to be one of the factors to her grumpiness.

Bill rushed breathless in through the kitchen door with Fleur just behind. The entire residence of the house was gathered in the kitchen, everyone with their attention focused on the unexpected guests. In addition to the actual members of the family, the Weasley family currently consisted of everyone who was wanted enough to be imposed their hospitality. This meant that guests were always welcome.

For a moment, Bill looked like he was going to faint. At first he leaned against a kitchen chair, and very soon he was showered with helping hands from several family members. Molly eventually sat him down in a chair and assured him that he needed to come back to his senses before he could make any further decisions. Bill then tore his shirt open and flashed a blood red scratch on his chest. The sudden sight resulted in a unanimous gasp.

"He would not let me 'elp," sobbed Fleur in despair.

Mrs. Weasley began bandaging his wounds. In between Bill's gasps for air, Hermione thought she could distinguish a few words before he passed out; "Fenrir Greyback".

Half an hour later, Bill had managed to sit up straight and explain the incident behind their unexpected visit. Experience from last time had thought them that werewolves leave damage that cannot be cured with magic. The last time he was injured by Greyback, about a year ago, he was left with werewolf blood in his veins and a cursed wound on his face. His scars were never better, and the werewolf blood had given him some werewolf-resembling features. Now, Greyback wanted him in the pack, and therefore he had consulted him and marked him with another visible scar.

Hermione walked over to the kitchen window and opened it to let in an owl. It stood on the windowsill, carefully tapping on the glass. The owl was covered in fluffy white feathers, and the first thought that came to her mind was how much it resembled Harry's former owl, Hedwig. Hermione tried remembering who the owl's owner might be, but couldn't place it. She then accepted the letter, and saw her own name on the envelope. As the owl flew away, she closed the window, and read the letter. The message in the letter was both horrifying and confusing at the same time. She had no idea why the letter was meant for her, or what she could do to help this person, who apparently called themselves "C".

Just when she was about to warn the others about the message she had received, someone interrupted her.

"So what you're saying is that death eaters are after us?" Spoke Arthur Weasley in a loud voice and kept his eyes uninterruptedly at Bill.

"Yes but no. I don't know how many there are, but it's obvious that at least some of them got away before they were sent to Azkaban. I told you, a couple of them were with Greyback, and they weren't exactly happy to see me," said Bill, who seemingly had everything under control.

"But I thought you said something about them being specifically after the Order, then why are you so calm?" wondered Arthur, this time he seemed a little troubled.

"Not that it's much left of it," commented Ron Weasley, who finally seemed to take an interest in the discussion. Ron then received some cautionary glances from Mrs. Weasley for his audacity.

"Well as I said, I only heard someone mention the Order, it's not like they're planning to massacre us. And regardless of what their plan is, I think we're safe." continued Bill.

"And why is that, if I may ask?" said Arthur, looking like he had very mixed feelings about this claim. Not unlike anyone else in the room, who sat quietly and listened to what was said.

"Greyback spared me, which was to be expected because of his desire to recruit me, but what about Fleur? She was defenseless and they let her escape without a scratch. If it's true, and they are looking for the Order, I don't think their purpose is killing. I think they want something or someone, and either they think we have it, or they need our help to find it."