The Muggle

Chapter 8

By LeoGryffin

 Hermione vaguely remembered that she'd been thinking of planning a vacation. After the smoke had cleared from being angry with the wizarding world at large, she decided that there was no time like the present to leave. A few of her LiveJournal friends had responded to her plea - the plea that she was fuzzy on ever making - for vacation ideas. There were suggestions of Bermuda, France, Gibraltar, Morocco, Jamaica, California, New York City, and Ireland so far. Bats50 had commented, "whatever you do, don't take your computer with you. I need a break from your incessant whining," which had made her laugh at the utter absurdity of the statement. He'd only been reading her journal for a few days. Clearly, he had a sadistic streak that she found compelling. Almost as if Professor Snape...

No. She wouldn't think about him. Thinking of him and his wave in the photo just irritated her. She felt unaccountably angry, but didn't pause to think about what might cause the upsurge of emotion connected with the wizards in the picture - the ones that had formerly given her pleasure just short of obsession. She just needed to get away. Now.

Hermione stripped down to her underwear and looked at herself critically in the mirror as her bath water ran. She really had lost weight in the past few weeks, ever since she'd started dealing with the magical stalker. She kept forgetting to eat and was really drinking too much. She ran a hand through her unruly mop, pausing at several tangles in the mess. Hell's bells, there's no way I can go to a tropical destination, she thought, looking uncomfortably at her pasty white skin and unhealthy ribcage. Scotland was out of the question - too many memories - and Ireland was a fairly common destination for her family as a child because of relatives on her mother's side. She wanted very much to go somewhere completely new and lose herself in a place where no one would notice her, where she could get away from whatever was happening here and find a week's peace before having to face reality again. And perhaps whoever had been following her would give up if she were gone. It's not like she had anything they'd want anyway.

After bathing, dressing, and taking another cup of tea, she called her boss. "Oi, Karen, it's Hermione."

"Hermione. Where are you? Are you home?  There was someone here asking questions about you."

Hermione went on full alert. "Who..."

"Young man. Blond, quite attractive, really. Said he was an old friend of yours."

Hermione did her best not to snort. She didn't have any old friends. "What did he ask? What did you say?"

"I didn't have a chance. Henry was here, just finishing his shift, and he took the lad aside and got rid of him. I don't know what was said, but I thought you should know."

Worry flared at the back of Hermione's mind at Henry's name. There was something missing, something she should know. It was right there, on the edge of her consciousness...she could almost touch it. Something about Henry that wasn't right. And who was the blond?

"Karen, I'd like to finish up the last bit of the Dearborne project today at home and send you the files, and then take a vacation effective immediately. Will that be a..."

"Oh!" Karen said, sounding fairly giddy. "Finally! I thought you'd never ask. Take all the time you want! You have so many weeks saved in your time bank. You've never taken a real vacation, love."

"How well I know," Hermione muttered. "Any suggestions?"

"Oh, I'm not really very well-travelled, you know. Only over to the Continent and back. But if money is no object, I'd consider a trip abroad rather than staying around here. Somewhere very far away, perhaps, and no taking your computer with you." She could hear Karen's finger wagging and smiled.

"I'd have to bring it, Karen. You know there are too many outstanding projects on hold that will all jump out at us once I leave."

Karen laughed. "I think we can handle things here. Send me the Dearborne files when you have them completed, and consider yourself off. Let me know when you plan to return so I can send out the cavalry if you aren't back."

After they hung up, Hermione opened up her web browser and began to explore the world.

~*~*~*~

"Draco," Aberforth said as soon as he got the young man alone, "you know you can't afford to be seen here. We need you to stay out of sight and continue to play both sides the way you've been doing. It's the only way."

"That's not as easy as it sounds," Draco said. "Times have changed. I tried to play both sides, as you say, yesterday. I showed your brother and my father the crystal ball - after you let Snape in and she managed to incapacitate him.  Dumbledore - Albus - thought he might be dead, which certainly didn't upset him.  Unfortunately, this had the effect of making him decide to come to London to see about Snape's death firsthand."

"Oh, no. That means...he'll be headed for Hermione's." Aberforth said, raising a hand to stroke at his ghostly beard. Draco shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of his own mortality. "Why are you here, Draco?"

"I was looking for you. But..."

"Yes, but. You were asking Hermione's boss about her. Surely you know that will get back to her?"

Draco looked sullen. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under...it would be better for her to know the truth, to arm herself."

"Against you? Against Albus? I'm not sure I follow."

"Against the Malfoy family, yes." Draco was tired of the game they were all playing; it was giving him a headache. "She deserves fair warning. All these secrets and spying and everything - it is going to backfire on all of us. If she gives that power back to your brother, all bets are off for those who have crossed him - Severus being number one on his list now, surely, unless he really is dead. And you know what he can do to you."

"No worse than has already been done, I assure you," Aberforth said bitterly.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think I'm a ghost by choice? Why do you think some people die and some live on in the spirit world, young Draco?  I'm being held captive by my own foolishness. Hoisted on my own petard, to be sure. Severus is paying back a debt by helping me to pass over to the land of the dead."

"And what's in it for him?" Draco was very confused.

Aberforth shook his head. "That's not my place to tell you, Draco. You know what you must do; you must resist what your father wants."

"I..."

"You can. You must. Everything depends on your ability to continue to play this until she is safe."

"If I play it, I'll end up dead."

Aberforth looked at him seriously. "Perhaps."

"Excuse me if I don't feel reassured."

"Draco. Go home, get some rest, and come see me again when you're thinking more clearly."

As Draco left, his phone began to ring. He shook his head in disbelief at the caller ID.  "Hello? Who in the fuck..."

"Draco. I've broken into your flat. Shoddy wards, Draco, very surprising considering your Charms marks. We need to talk...now. I've got my computer and I'm waiting for you to install it on your network so I can check in on Hermione."

Draco closed his eyes. "I'm on my way, Severus. Oh, and Severus...glad you're not dead."

"Humph. No thanks to that tramp of your mother's - I'm sure one of these owls perched on your hall tree has a note about the unexpected visitor on the Ministry doorstep this morning. See you in a moment."

~*~*~

I've decided!

Hi everyone, I'm going on vacation. I've had a weird couple of days...weeks? Years? Anyway, I'm going to take a little tour of a part of the world I have never experienced. My only hint is that it's one of your suggestions.  If you want a postcard, you know my email address - send me your snail mail. Also, I am not taking my computer...but I plan on checking in now and then at a 'net cafe, which lets you know I'm not planning on going to Antarctica. One continent down.

I'll see you all in a couple of weeks. QuIdiot - be good, and as far as your problem, I say just go for it and whatever the jerk is thinking that's trying to take your friend away from you - well, you don't need someone in your life telling you what to do. I mean really. You don't strike me as the type that lets other people pull his strings. You're strong. I have faith that you'll do the right thing by the person you're stalking (really, why don't you just talk to this person? I'm confused) and that you'll tell the person who wants you to give it up to stuff it.

Bats50 - you're pretty fucking nosy and opinionated and snarky. You remind me of someone I used to know, only you can't be that much of a prat. It's not humanly possible.

mood: out of here
music: I'm gone, gone, gone...

~*~*~

Reply by: QuIdiot
Just up and leaving? Listen, BeWitched, are you still around? you haven't left yet have you? Say you haven't. I need to talk to you about something. Please still be home.

Reply by: Bats50
Getting out of the country would be good for you, under the circumstances. You sound very stressed. I, too, am in exile right now. Be safe. And please, don't send messages on my account. Time without you would be nice.

~*~*~

Reply by: BeWitched
What's up, Qu?

Reply by: BeWitched
Git.

~*~*~

Reply by: QuIdiot
I'm on AIM. I know you don't normally AIM, but it's rather urgent.

Reply by: Bats50
Naturally. But under the circumstances, you should at least let all of us who hang on your every word and move know when you've arrived at your destination safely. My estimation of you might recover somewhat.

I suggest you leave now, before QuIdiot draws you into a pointless discussion of his manliness.

Reply by: QuIdiot
Fuck off, Bats50.

~*~*~

Reply by: BeWitched
Do you two know each other? It doesn't matter. I'm out of here. Whatever it is, Qu, it will have to wait until I'm there. Kisses. But not to you, Bats50.

 ~*~*~

"What in the bloody hell was that about?" Draco said to Severus, seated at a desk to Draco's right in the middle of his office/guest room. "I wanted to stop her, to warn her of the danger! You can't push her away like that!"

"Look, Draco," Severus said quietly, "it's better that she not know. She proved last night that she can defend against magical attacks quite well on her own. Time away would be the best thing for her, especially since right now only you and I know she's leaving. And you're not going to tell anyone about it, right?" Draco looked uncomfortable. "What is it, Draco? What does Lucius have on you now? I've seen this look on your face before - six years ago, before you decided to do the right thing and defy him. You can do that again, you know."

"I can't. I can only stall until this is over or until I'm dead." Draco's voice broke. "He's got me this time, Severus, he really does."

"What is it? I can help you..."

"No one can," Draco said, staring out the window. "It was something he did to me at birth. He's never invoked it before, but he did last night at the pub."

"What?" said Snape, alarmed.

"Blood magic. Dark, very old. If I don't do what my father commands, I will die. He marked my blood as an infant with a potion that, when activated by a certain ancient spell, begins to spill poison into my system in tiny increments. If I don't do what he wants, the poison will cause madness and finally death. If I do what he asked, he will say the  countercurse and free me." The last was said in a whisper.

Snape looked in horror at Draco, as the truth of the matter sunk in. He was quite familiar with this potion, but it hadn't  been used to his knowledge in many years. It had been rumoured that Voldemort had used it with a few of his Death Eaters whose loyalty was suspect, but considering it had never been used on Snape, he'd thought that it was just rumour, nothing more. "You have to betray her and hand her over to your father, or you will die."

"Yes."

"And if she's away on holiday, you'll be ordered to track her down - especially now that she will be gone from her flat and the magical protection she's unknowingly created for herself will be gone." Snape's head was bowed. He reached out his hands to Draco's head, pulling him towards him, cradling the suddenly-teary young man. "Draco, Draco. How he hurts you, even when you're a grown man. I should have killed him when I had the chance. I'm so sorry, so sorry." The waves of guilt were washing over Severus as he held his young sobbing friend. No one else  would have ever seen the more tender, angst-ridden side of either of them, but they had bonded due to the act of renouncing the Dark Lord at great  personal cost. Now, Draco was being asked to do something vile by betraying an innocent Hermione, or die. The choice was far more difficult when there were physical, rather than moral, certainties to be weighed.

"I Obliviated her yesterday, Draco. She doesn't know. I thought it would be easier that way, but..."

"She has to be protected against the thing I have to do. It's the only choice. She has to be given a fighting chance."

Snape nodded. "I have to find out where she's going. I'm persona non grata now anyway, and Minerva is covering my arse at the school. Let Dumbledore think I've disappeared or am dead. Let him think she's disappeared as well. You've been asked to betray her, but not me, Draco. Let me protect her and keep her from harm and we can get through this thing with your life and hers. I swear to you that I won't let your father win."

Draco wiped his eyes, looking again at the man he'd come to consider his mentor over the past several years. "Can...I ask you something?"

"Anything," Snape said, straightening up and attempting to regain his composure. "Within reason. And then I need to find her and undo the damage I have done."

"Aberforth said you are doing this because of a debt."

Snape blanched, which surprised Draco. "I cannot answer that. Please don't ask me to divulge that, Draco."

"But you are putting everything on the line here. You're in hiding from Dumbledore, who would probably kill you on sight because he believes - knows - you have betrayed his wishes. You've gotten involved in this thing and while I can understand my role, Dumbledore's and his brother's roles, and even my father's role, I can't comprehend what's in this for you."

"You're a Slytherin, Draco," Snape whispered. "There are shades of green and silver. We never do anything unless there is a payoff. That's how you are thinking, and I can't deny that...but I can't tell you this."

"I've given you my secret," Draco said a little petulantly.

"It's not the same. I'm going to save you, but you cannot save me. Only one person can." Snape looked away, standing up and grabbing his computer off the desk. "I have to get ready to travel."

"That's it, then?"

"You have to do what you have to do to survive, Draco. But I'll be there. We'll be standing on opposite sides."

"Will we?"

Snape nodded once, and walked towards the door. He stopped, turning, and looked once more at the youngest Malfoy. "I will still have my phone and my computer. You know where to find me should you have need of...anything." He turned again and walked out the door, leaving Draco thoughtfully perplexed.

~*~*~

Snape threw the Invisibility Cloak over himself, taking the stairs two at a time. If she wasn't gone, he could enter her flat undetected and see if he could divine her plans. He'd been invited in, so in theory he could still enter under stealth. In theory.

When he arrived on her doorstep, she was just leaving. He heard her humming a song and watched her walk by him, and suddenly stop and wheel around. "Who's there?" she yelled. "Stalker. You won't find me where I'm going. Leave me the fuck alone!" She ran down the stairs, and he stayed put. He'd heard enough from the song to know where to look for her; even with a passing knowledge of Muggle music, he'd recognize "New York, New York" anywhere. It was a city he had visited only once, several years before, on assignment with Lupin for the Order. That was back when Dumbledore was in full possession of his mental faculties - but,  of course, only because he was on borrowed time. They hadn't been aware of the source of his seemingly endless power at the time. Aberforth  was no more to him than a bawdy joke then, not a  human being.  How things had changed. 

New York was a big city, but he'd find her. She was likely going to take an airplane considering the level of her magical training; he could  Apparate to New York, but she would not have ever learned the protocols for trans-Atlantic Apparation given the timing of her banishment. He'd stake out JFK and wait for arrivals from Heathrow. If he didn't find her that way - if she flew in to one of the other New York City airports, for instance, or didn't fly direct from London - he'd eventually  find her with a locator spell.

And then he'd tell her everything, no holds barred. Everything. He'd swallow his pride, he'd stop acting like an ass for a few hours, and then he'd go back to being Snivellus the Evil Git and walk out of her life. But she'd be ready, and he'd be there. In the shadows, waiting for the attack, but there.

After Snape was fairly sure she had exited the building, he turned to walk down the stairs. As he descended, he heard the outside door slam and flattened himself against the wall as Albus Dumbledore walked up the stairs next to him. "Ah, yes, here it is," he said. He pulled out his wand and muttered a spell, and the door swung open. Snape watched, fascinated, as Dumbledore tried several ways to get into the flat but could not enter. Shaking his head, he finally turned to descend the stairs, muttering about his brother's foolishness and questioning Snape's parentage in a colorful way. Albus' magic was so weak, he couldn't even feel Snape standing right there - when before, he'd been able to sense and see right through Invisibility Cloaks.

The bright lights and big American city of excess and eerie beauty were beckoning. Snape Apparated with a curiously satisfied, determined smirk firmly on his face.