Treacherous | Hermione Granger Book II

|02| Chapter Two

T W O

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Of all people to be Harry's Prince Charming, Saffron would have never in a million years suspected that Ron would fill the role. But a letter that arrived from Hermione the next day confirmed that it was Ron who could possibly be coming to Harry's rescue.

Dear Saffron,

I honestly cannot believe what I'm writing but it's happening --- long story. So, Ron's decided that he and his brothers have had enough of not hearing from Harry, which is understandable, but they're actually going to act on it! They're leaving for Surrey tonight. How? I haven't the faintest, but it's happening.

I understand their worry, I do. But, I can't help but worry that they're going to do something illegal in order to help him. It's one thing Ron doing it, but how awful would it be for Harry to get caught up in it too? He hasn't asked for Ron's help, granted, he hasn't asked for anything. However, what if Harry is fine after all and Ron interferes getting him in trouble with his family? I'd never be able to forgive myself for not saying anything to convince Ron to deal with it maturely and not how it seems that he's going to handle it.

I'll let you know what's happened as soon as I find out - don't worry about replying or anything like that, I'll keep you updated. Besides, I feel like I know how you would respond anyway. Whatever suits you.

But, my parents and I are going to London on August 17th to get my new books, but, what's even more exciting than that is that Gilderoy Lockhart is going to be there! He's having a book signing meaning you actually get to meet him in the flesh. My mum almost fainted when I told her how much one of his books cost, but it'll be worth it. Every time I see him, I just think: Why couldn't the boys in our school be like him? It's probably because they're boys and not men, but I cannot see the boys in our school turning out to achieve what he's achieved!

Anyway, if you're able to come, I'll be there for most of the day and I'm going to ask Ron (and hopefully Harry, fingers crossed) if he/they would like to come too.

I really hope I'll see you there, but if not, September first isn't too far away and I know I'll see you then.

Love and miss you, as always.

Hermione

"You have to go!"

Saffron had just read the letter to Rowan. The pair of them were spending their morning at the cove on the secluded beach nearest Squires. The breeze was cool and so was the atmosphere, or at least, how Saffron perceived the atmosphere to be, for she felt unbelievably bitter at the thought of any of her friends meeting up without her.

Saffron gave Rowan a simple shake of her head, as she slid the letter into the top of her still sand stained skirt for protection against the wind, and watched as Maya and Rachel continued to use rocks and sand in order to build a dam to block a thread of water from entering the large sea in front of them.

"You know I can't, Squire'll never let me, me of all four of us. None of us'd stand a chance, me least of all,"

"It's worth a try," replied Rowan, who too was watching Maya and Rachel's futile attempts at building a dam strong enough and quick enough to stop the rush of water. They were enjoying themselves all the same. "Maybe'll you'll catch her in a good mood,"

"Since when have you become so hopeful?" Saffron rolled her eyes, asked him in a mocking manner, but a playful one nonetheless. "You know what Squire is like, just because she likes you doesn't mean she likes the rest of us,"

"Okay then," he grimaced. "Maybe that's not the best way, but there are other ways. Other ways to go without Squire even knowing,"

Saffron furrowed her eyebrows at him. Usually, she'd have an inkling as to what he was talking about, but she even slightly sure as to what he was suggesting. But she had learned from knowing Rowan for the entirety of his life, that he was logical, reasonable and intelligent. If he truly had an idea, one which he put thought and sincerity into, it would be something she would listen to and truly consider herself.

"I'm listening,"

"There aren't many ways out of here. There's the Muggle way, but that would take way too long, Squire would notice. But there's one more way out of here, and it's how we could get to and from London quickly,"

Saffron pouted. He was talking about the floo network.

"Ro, I'm not sure we could pull it off, Squire has the door bolted shut and even if we got in, I don't even know if she keeps her powder in there,"

Rowan offered her a smile. He had a plan. "They won't be a problem, Maya can unlock it,"

"No, no she can't," Saffron shook her head again, with slight disappointment. "We're not allowed to do any magic outside of school, Maya told you that when she came back Christmas of her first year, and I can also do an okay door opening charm, thank you very much,"

"She's not going to use magic," said Rowan matter-of-factly, turning to watch his other two sisters, who were still several dozen feet away from himself and Saffron, who was sat in the shaded area of the cove. "She showed me a pretty neat trick the other day, and she opened our door with a hair clip easily,"

"Huh," Saffron looked at him with a newly found sort of appreciation. She knew he'd have a good hypothesis, but she also knew that it wouldn't work. "But, still, even if we could somehow find powder and go to London, Squire would probably find out, it'd be too risky,"

"I know it's risky," Rowan told her with sincerity. "But why not risk it? We only have a few weeks left anyway, then we're out of here for ten months, it's not like she can do much, is it?"

Saffron grimaced. "I wouldn't put it past her,"

"I want to do it," Rowan said determinedly. "And I know you want to do it too, so we can't let Squire stop us. All we have to do is make sure that she won't be at the fireplace when we're leaving and coming back. Me and you will go for sure . . . and I guess Rachel too if she wants to, and Maya can stay here to make sure we don't get caught, she's a good talker, she'll be able to keep Squire away,"

"I know it sounds great," Saffron agreed with Rowan that it would be an amazing day to get to go to London together. On paper, it sounded simple, but on paper was the only place that it was simple. The logistics of actually doing so were far more complex and risky. "But if Squire was to even catch a sniff of what we were doing, we'd be done for. We, or I more like, will be locked in that attic until school starts. It wouldn't be worth it,"

Rowan shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think we'll get caught if we're careful we can get there and back again, and make it seem like we've been down at the beach entire time,"

"I don't know . . . "

"Just say you'll think about it," insisted Rowan, poking her in the knee playfully. "Come on, say it!"

"Okay, okay," gave in Saffron, rolling her eyes albeit with a smile. Rowan was right. She had to give some thought to the possibility. She had such a longing to leave Squires for a break from the same environment, first and foremost. Additionally, she was desperate to properly catch up with her friends and the prospect of getting to do so excited her immensely. "I'll think about it, but just keep it between you and me for the moment,"

That answer seemed to satisfy Rowan and what followed satisfied him too. For Saffron did think about it and after consultation with both Maya and Rachel, the Mitchells came to the decision that they were going to take the risk. Only if careful planning and measures were put in place in order to ensure they would not get caught by Squire.