The Rebirth

The Figure Returns

The week went by smoothly, and the figure was put at the back of their minds. It was however, quickly brought back by small things - if someone walked into a room quietly, or if someone tapped them from behind, the couple had a tendency to jump.
So they were generally quite jumpy, but by the end of the week, seemed more at rest.
The following week however, led to some more strange occurrences.
It was a tuesday, and Hermione was packing up from work. Most of the offices were empty, other than the odd worker here and there. Ron was also working till late, so they had agreed to meet at the lifts.
Just as she was closing her bag, she saw a figure swiftly walk past her window. She was not too alarmed, as she knew there were two other people in her department still working.
She was about to leave, but decided to say good night to her remaining colleagues. Yet she saw their offices were locked, the lights off. Her hands began to shake slightly, so she tucked them into her pocket, clutching onto her wand. Whoever that figure had been, was not one of her colleagues.
She heard a sound behind her, and immediately turned around, whipping out her wand. No one was there.
Someone was playing games with her, and she wasn't having it.
"You think this is funny?" Hermione spoke into the empty corridor. "You think playing games on me will scare me? I don't know who the hell you are, or what you're playing at, but this needs to stop."
No one responded, but Hermione had the horrible feeling she was not the only one stood in that corridor.
She stood still, waiting to hear movement.
"Mione! I was waiting for you!" Ron came running into the corridor, making her jump. "Ron!" Hemione put her fingers violently to her lips, indicating he should be quiet. The sound of someone apparating could be heard from the back office. She ran to it, Ron following closely behind.
"Who was that?" Ron asked, but Hermione was sure he knew.
"The figure."

__________

Slightly shaken, the couple apparated home. "I'll make you tea."
"No. We need to go to Harry's. Now."
Before Ron could say a word, Hermione ran out, and apparated.
Sighing, Ron left the house, and seconds later, arrived at Harry's front door.
"Harry? It's me!" A rather tired looking Harry answered the door, Hermione stood behind him.
"What are you two doing here? Not that I don't like you being here, but it's been a long day and I was planning on a cosy night with me and the telly."
"Sorry Harry, you'll have to change your plans." Hermione was bustling around, making coffee. "Erm, bit late for coffee, don't you think?"
Ron looked at Harry seriously. "Not with what she's got to say."
Minutes later, three mugs of steaming coffee were each in the hands of the trio. "We have some bad news. Hermione's being followed."
Nearly choking on his coffee, Harry ran to the sink to get water.
"What do you mean, she's being followed? By who?!"
Hermione unravelled the story of her encounters with the figure, Harry listening in utter shock and silence.
"Look, I didn't want to tell you because we've been doing so well, and I didn't want you worrying."
"Worry about what? I mean obviously I'm concerned, more than that, but it must be someone else - maybe someone from work who has a bit of an obsession with you. But it's not him. It can't be."
An awkward silence hung in the air, mixing with the steam from the coffee.
"Harry, it might be hard to believe, but who else would it be? Black cloaks, covering their faces, I mean, who does that remind you of? I've been convincing myself it's not them, it's not him - but then I realised how obvious it is. Ex Death Eaters."
Ron and Harry's facial expressions were both the same - tired, concerned and confused.
"Hermione -"
"No, no, hear me out. You hear about this all the time on muggle tv. Old members of bad organisations from the past, still believing their organisations exist, that their groups can become big again. What if it's like that, but for Voldemort?!" Hermione stopped, realising she had gone too far.

The three had never really feared saying his name. Only during the darkest of times did the trio hesitate to use it, usually referring to Voldemort as "he" and "him". But it had been years, nearly two decades, since anyone had said his name. Voldemort.

The temporary silence was broken by Ron tapping on the table with his wand.
"Listen, what you're saying is bizarre Hermione, practically mental. But it makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, really think about it - not every Death Eater was finished off, were they? I mean Malfoy still lurks around, doesn't he? And look what him and his family were like."
Harry sat in silence, yet his expression was not a concerned one - he looked angry.
"You two don't know what you're saying. You're digging things up, things that need to stay buried. We did what we did for a reason, all those years ago, and that was to get rid of him. And we did. He's not back, I'm telling you,"
Ron and Hermione gave each other a sideways glance, sensing his annoyance.
"And this thing about Malfoy? A wife and a kid later, don't you think he's changed? I mean, he did help us when we were at the Malfoy's remember? Or are you too busy focussing on the fact that everyone's a bloody Death Eater now?" As Harry's voice raised, he did not realise the discolouration on Hermione's face - at the Malfoy's she had been tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. Her finger lingered over her scar as she stared vaguely at the table in front of her. Seeing this, Ron stood up.
"Harry, just stop. We're not imagining this, we're just using our common sense. Clearly you're fine with burying your head in the sand, but I'm not. Can't you see we're trying to protect you too? It endangers you more than us! He was after you!" Ron was now shouting, and Harry stood too, his face a similar colour to Ron's hair.
"Why are you so determined to ruin what I have right now? Our lives are good Ron, everything's going well - why do you need to dig up the past?!"
Hermione said nothing. She was in a daze, her finger tracing the faded letters on her skin.
"It's not my fault your wife's got a bloody stalker, don't go blaming it on the past! This is serious Ron, you can't just make allegations about him!"
It was at this point Hermione stood up, slowly, and rather unstably. "'Your wife'. Really Harry?"
She left, leaving his door open as she apparated.
Staring at the open door, Harry sat down, but remained red in the face.
"What the hell are you saying? That's Hermione, one of your closest friends. Mate,sort yourself out. Get a bloody grip and pull your head out of the sand."
Ron left, a look of disgust and upset on his face.
Ginny arrived just as Ron left, looking at the open door.
"Everything ok Harry?"
"Yeah. Everything's fine."