Waiting for Maxima

A Man in a Pub

June 1996

It had been difficult to convince Remus and Sirius to let her leave and by difficult she hadn't told them.

"And where do you think your going" Asked Sirus as she tried to sneak out early evening to complete her assignment. She was clothed in all black, wizarding robes which she rarely adorned herself with, but tonight she was going to a place that was not friendly to muggles. Just in and out. She could do this.

Sirius walked slowly towards her, standing inches from her. She could smell the spearmint of his toothpaste, the wizards cologne he smelt like and firewiskey.

"Hermione" her name tumbled awkwardly off his tongue, he never used it.

"Where could possibly be going" His voice raised angrily. "I know you aren't leaving dressed like that because you fancy a stroll, so where are you going?" He stated darkly.

"I can't tell you" She mumbled back in a small voice her eyes fixed on a split in the wood flooring.

"Then you're not leaving" Sirius took a step back in what she saw was anger and what to him, was some semblance of restraint.

"You can't tell me what to do" She answered defiantly, her fingertips sparking. Most, she would learn, would fear the magic coursing through her veins the kind that caused the sparking, but he stepped closer again. The way he looked at her, hungry, Hermione did not feel like a child but a woman.

Remus ran down that stairs, quickly surveying the situation "BLACK" Sirius startled, took a few steps back. Remus looked dishevelled, as if he had already been sleeping, with a full moon arriving in a matter of days, Hermione was not surprised.

"Hermione" when he spoke her name, it was different, comforting.

"You are not a hostage here" Remus Lupin smiled at her and she nodded.

"I do suggest some caution, do what you must but return with expediency, it is no longer safe to be caught about after dark." He said, looking at her knowingly.

He pressed a golden sickle into her palm, "should you need a quick escape" Was all he said before turning to Sirius, Hermione quickly slipped out the door apparating to her desired location.

The pub looked dark, evil, even from the outside. It was dimly lit and the unscrupulous characters that stood outside taking what Hermione could guess to be hallucinogens did not encourage her in the slightest. Go in, hand over the note, the vial and get out.

She saw her target immediately after stepping foot in, she made eye contact but quickly moved towards the bar. Being prior to her 18th birthday, she was not legal to drink, but she hoped that a place like this would not check ID.

"What can I get for you" an old Wizard gruffly questioned from behind the counter. He looked exhausted, white hair singed partially black for some recent accident. He repeatedly glanced at the doorway, nervously.

"fluburburbon" she responded dryly, her head held high. This wasn't the place for manners and niceties.

She placed the correct money on the counter. Tipping slightly that the barkeep would not be upset but not enough that it would cause a second glance. The details, these she had thought out but fear and panic settled in each time she thought of approaching the target. She sipped on her bitter drink quietly. Repeating her mission in her head. Give him the note, slip the vial in his pocket, get out.

The man, Bertrand Reislaught, sat on the alongside stool. "You've been staring" he asserted gruffly, and hemiones heart beat out of her chest. This was not in the plan.