Endangered Species
Chapter 6 of 10
kareliaLucius invites Luna and Hermione for a weekend away. Hermione declines.
ReviewedFor Disclaimer etc., please see Chapter 1
_____________________________________________________
No Music More Enchanting
Chapter 6 Endangered Species
Lucius Malfoy had not merely booked a table at the Zauberbesen like some common wizard might have done; he had hired the entire wizarding establishment and put together a classy buffet menu, which was set up along one entire wall. From the moment Hermione and her friends had entered, nobody had been left wanting. Trays with glasses filled with champagne, pumpkin juice, butterbeer and elf-wine were floating around the place and hovered nearby smaller groups that had formed. A German wizarding band was playing on a stage set up along another wall of the restaurant, their music just loud enough to be entertaining for those who wished to listen, but not so vociferous as to drown out conversation. The French doors to the first floor terrace overlooking the wizarding quarter were open to allow the mild evening air in and guests in need of some fresh air out.
Hermione mingled with various friends, moving from one group to another, only occasionally with Ron by her side. Ron seemed out of his comfort zone, but whether it was due to the heavy presence of Slytherins or the fact that it was outside England, she had no idea at first. As the evening wore on, she noticed that wherever her boyfriend was, Millicent Bulstrode was not far. The witch shrugged inwardly. As nice as it was to see Ron again, it felt no different than to see Harry or Ginny after a break.
Just as Hermione made the decision to have a talk with her boyfriend as she stood outside, breathing in the fresh, cool air, he approached her. "Having a good time?"
She turned around and smiled wistfully. "It's lovely. I never thought Lucius would do this for me."
Ron snorted. "I bet he has ulterior motives. He disappeared over an hour ago. And Luna with him."
Hermione grinned. "About time, you know. It's so obvious he likes her, but she doesn't believe me when I tell her. Good for them! I think they'll be happy together."
Ron's face had turned serious at her words. "Happier than we are at the moment, right?"
She was unable to meet his eyes. "I guess..."
"It's not working, is it?" Ron said softly and cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "I'll always see you as my best friend, Hermione. I'm just not sure if we'll work out together."
"I don't know," Hermione whispered. "Sometimes I wonder. If this... was right, then I shouldn't have a problem starting a family early rather than waiting years..." She was lost for more words.
Ron chuckled. "Yeah, I've been thinking along the same lines. I shouldn't mind that you want to wait if..." He sighed. "Maybe we're not meant to be more than close friends."
Hermione could not help but agree with him. "Maybe not..."
"Just tell me honestly, Hermione. Is there someone else?" Ron asked, his hand still on her face.
She looked at him, surprised. "No, Ron. No-one. What about you?"
He looked away. "Absolutely nothing has happened, Hermione. Although..." He took a deep breath. "When Auror training started, I was assigned Millicent as my partner. I was shocked that she was there at all, but anyway, we work together, and at first, I thought it was just some stupid infatuation, that she was some poor substitute while my girlfriend was away. I was so sure I'd get all excited over seeing you, spending a bit of time with you on your birthday, and forget about Millicent. Only, I haven't.
"You seem different, so distant. And I... I don't think it's just some silly infatuation with Millicent."
Hermione thought she should feel hurt. Instead, she felt immense relief. She looked at him fondly. "That's fine, you know? I probably sound strange, but I'm honestly fine with that. And I appreciate your honesty! Sometimes, I think I'm just not ready to commit myself to anyone, my alleged maturity be damned." She laughed. "Friends?"
The relief in her now former boyfriend was blatant. "Oh, yes! You'll always be my best friend! And promise me you'll be godmother to my first-born!"
They laughed together, and Hermione said, "Of course! I wouldn't have it any other way, no matter who the mother will be! And I'll see him or her off to Hogwarts when it's time!"
"Oi, Ron! We really have to leave! We have to be at work in less than eight hours!" Ginny hurried out to the terrace. She stopped abruptly and looked at Hermione. "You okay?"
Hermione smiled. "Never been better!" And it was true.
~|~|~|~
Days turned into weeks, the Indian summer at long last made way for stormy, rainy and colder weather, causing the trees to shed their dresses...all but the oak tree in the back of the university grounds.
Luna seemed to have a permanent seat on Cloud Nine. There had not been a single day since Hermione's birthday when Lucius hadn't appeared at their flat or taken her out.
Hermione was happy for her friend, happy for Lucius, and happy she had more free time to herself, even though Luna and Lucius always insisted to include her in any cultural outings and strolls through the city. Her skills in wandless magic were improving rapidly, and she'd studied the history of the Nazis' obsession with magic and the occult in more detail, sensing it might have something to do with the enigmatic words Snape had spoken about possible trouble.
One rainy, foggy Friday afternoon in late November, Lucius met Luna and Hermione at the university after the day's lectures. "I'm planning to spend the weekend away, ladies. Would you care to join me?" He looked at Luna expectantly.
"Oh, I'd love to, Lucius! Where are we going?" Luna asked excitedly.
Hermione remained silent. She had made no plans for the weekend, but didn't feel like spending the entire weekend with the two lovebirds. She was comfortable enough being on her own, but every now and then, she did not feel like witnessing the euphoria of newly found love.
"Well... I thought we'll visit Neuschwanstein Castle. You've been wanting to go there, haven't you?" Lucius asked and turned to Hermione. "Hermione, do come with us! I'm sure the nearby hotel has plenty of rooms available at this time of the year! I doubt many Muggles would visit now!"
"Thank you, but I think I'll stay home. Do some studying, stay in bed, just relax," Hermione said.
Both Lucius and Luna tried to change her mind, but Hermione would hear none of it. A relaxing weekend was just what she needed, and eventually, the couple gave in. "Promise you'll send your Patronus if there is any trouble or even if you just feel uncomfortable," Lucius said.
Hermione could not help but smile at Lucius' caring gesture. I bet I'll feel more comfortable at home than watching the two of you trying to keep off each other in public places...
"Oh, Hermione, would you mind making sure my bedroom window is closed? I think I forgot to shut it this morning," Luna said, and then the couple departed.
Hermione Apparated to the gardens. If she hadn't been familiar with the grounds, she would have been lost. The fog had intensified, and she could barely make out the main building. She was glad she'd decided to stay home; visiting castles in this kind of weather was not her idea of fun.
The fog did not lift overnight, and the rain had turned into a steady drizzle. Hermione decided against going out to buy fresh bread, a habit she'd become fond of on Saturday mornings. She made some toast and coffee, settled down on the sofa, covering herself with a blanket as the moisture seemed to seep even through the walls, making her feel cold despite the efficient Muggle central heating, and started to read, grateful for the electric lighting the flat offered.
Someone knocked at the door, first once, then several times in hurried succession. Hermione peeled herself out of the blanket, uncomfortably cold instantly, and walked to the door.
Herr Schultz, disheveled and his clothing in desperate need of laundering, exclaimed, "Oh, thank goodness, you're home! Come, quickly, I need your help..." He turned back and hurried down the stairs, and Hermione had no choice but to follow him.
"Herr Schultz, what's wrong?" she asked, but his German mumblings, interrupted by his jumping steps, were too low for her to catch.
Once they'd reached the bottom of the staircase, Herr Schultz turned his head towards her, never stopping, and said, out of breath, "This way, just follow me."
Instead of turning to the door that opened into the garden, he turned into the narrow corridor that lead into the main part of the palace. He rushed through the door at the end of the corridor, Hermione closely behind him. The moment she had stepped through the door, it shut loudly.
"Ulrike! Ich hab' sie! Ich hab' die Hexe!" Herr Schultz exclaimed.
He's got me? He's got the witch? What on earth? And who's Ulrike? Hermione had no time to ponder her questions, as a tall, large, middle-aged woman with ash-blonde hair and blue eyes as piercing as Herr Schultz's, rapidly approached her, threw her against a wall and fingered her sleeve for her wand.
"Ah, yes, indeed. Now, without your wand, you will not show resistance!" the woman said, sounding disgustingly satisfied. Her heavily accented speech, severe voice and very German appearance reminded Hermione of old movies depicting stereotype Nazi Germans. This woman could have played any of them effortlessly.
"What do you want?" Hermione spat, hoping to gain time in which to come up with a way to get out of there, preferably uninjured. She cast a glance around the tall windows opposite the wall she was held again. Good, one window was tilted slightly open.
The woman uttered a cruel laugh. "What is it with you Brits? I thought you are the polite type!" She nodded at Schultz, who produced a pair of handcuffs and approached Hermione with them.
"What do you want?" Hermione asked again.
Another laugh, the kind that would have colored Dolores Umbridge green with envy, then the woman said, "Why, you will open the Ark for us. Only witches can do it. And if you survive, you may leave. But I have to warn you, you wouldn't be the first one to expire trying to open the Ark." She laughed again, reminding Hermione of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Hermione was thinking fast now. If Schultz managed to put the handcuffs on her, she might have trouble getting out at all, and she had no intention of doing their bidding. She concentrated for a moment, Transformed and flew at neck-breaking speed to the tilted window, leaving behind two open-mouthed, speechless people.
Freedom once more... she thought as she breathed in the moist, cold air. The fog did nothing to dampen her eyesight, and she flew up to her flat, hoping against all hope that some window had been left open, cursing herself for her efficiency of closing Luna's bedroom window the moment she'd arrived the previous afternoon. All windows were closed. What was worse, she could not Transform back to her human form near Blutenburg, in case Schultz or Ulrike were nearby. Sending a Patronus was out of the question, too; she'd never managed so far to do it wandlessly. The Animagus approached the eaves above her flat and settled down to do some thinking. The fog would ensure that nobody saw the unusual bird on the roof of Blutenburg Palace.
~|~|~|~
Severus Snape finally gave in to his urge and switched on the various lamps in his temporary residence. Candles were great, but on a day such as this...when the sun remained so well hidden behind layers and layers of cloud...reading was simply more comfortable with bright lighting. Besides, the other occupant of the flat was away and therefore could not mock him for preferring Muggle methods.
Snape sat down on the sofa and picked up the book he'd started earlier in the day. Teaching at university was nowhere near as tiring or frustrating as teaching dunderheads at Hogwarts, and he thoroughly enjoyed the lack of stress and resultant free time his current job afforded him. That part of his job. The other part so far was lying dormant, although for how much longer was anyone's guess. He had spotted Thorfinn Rowle only once here in Munich, but his former Death Eater colleague had been too elusive, even for the master spy. He'd been there one instant and gone the next, long before Snape could even approach him, let alone make up some tale as to why he was suddenly in Bavaria's capital when all the world thought him dead.
The feeling of foreboding, nagging on the edge of his consciousness since the morning, was increasing. Snape sighed and put his book aside, unable to concentrate on it.
He knew Lucius had planned to take Miss Lovegood and Miss Granger to Neuschwanstein, and if both girls were with him, they'd be safe. But would Miss Granger have accepted the invite? As far as he knew, the young witch was not in any relationship, and he could not quite imagine her to enjoy being a third wheel for an entire weekend. If she'd stayed behind on her own, and if that caretaker was in the pockets of the Nazi faction believed to be involved in some sinister plot, Miss Granger might well find herself in danger.
His mind made up, he switched off the lights, grabbed his coat and left to investigate. The cold hit him as he opened the door. If the temperature dropped any further, they'd have snow soon. Snape applied a warming charm and stayed close to the wall to escape at least some of the rain. He turned at the corner of the building and entered the door that led to the flat the two witches occupied. Reaching the top of the stairs, he knocked and waited. No answer. Maybe she did go with Lucius... But no, it's unlikely...
Snape gazed at the floor to see if any lights shone through, but all was dark. Taking a deep breath, he leaned against the wall. There was no point worrying if indeed she had joined Lucius and the Lovegood girl. Deciding to find out, he conjured his Patronus and sent it to Lucius.
***********************************************************
As always, grateful thanks to southernwitch69 and littlebeloved for the beta and alpha reading.
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for No Music More Enchanting
96 Reviews | 6.64/10 Average
Wonderful story and I absolutely loved the change to Hermione's Patronus. I haven't read any other story where it takes that form!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I don't know whether it's been done before. If not, I'd be surprised, though, as I thought it very fitting. *giggles*Thanks for reviewing!
10 years ago I lived some 10 minutes walking distance away from Blutenburg!! A dream! Your story was like a time-warp back to that wonderful time.And just imagine to have snape malfoy hermine and co in your neighbourhood... saving the world. magic.well done.Salva
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you! I only visited Munich once, so most of the story was the result of googling, LOL. But yes, wouldn't it be nice to have them live in the neighbourhood... *sighs dreamily*
Response from salvamea (Reviewer)
The entrance to munichs "Diagon-alley". Where did you locate that? I couldn't quite make that out. Odeonsplatz? Where did you get the wonderful idea from? Does the "thingummy" realy exist?
Excellent chapter and what a cliff hanger at the end.
Wow I loved Severus's dramatic entrance into the story, I can't wait to see how he got to be in Germany.
Very good chapter.
I wonder why Hermione was unable to change the room's color, and is it significant?
Well, you got my interest with that job offer.....
Very good flow within the story, lots of interesting tidbits, but not overwhelming.
hmm. I'm rather suspicious of kingsley...
what is it with the weisswurst, what about the bratwurst and the whateverotherwursts?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Well... the Hofbräuhaus is famous for its weisswurst, which is made with veal. Bratwurst is made with pork. Had they been in Nürnberg, they would have been subjected to a different type of Bratwurst, of course. Says the vegetarian. LOLThanks for reviewing!
uh oh , down one of those underground tunnels I presume?
wow this is an interesting story!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Aw, thank you!
what sort of bird is she hmm?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Good question!
aha the plot thickens...the unspeakable ( but gorgeous) Lucius, an Unspeakable, whatever is the world coming to?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
The wizarding world is going just as crazy as the Muggle world, I guess. :) Thanks for reviewing!
Brilliant. "pop" off to Egypt for some fun in the sun, hope they took their sunscreen!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
And the Pyramids *nods*. Thanks for your lovely reviews!
Oh well she will have to accessorise with the bed etc to tone down the green, tell her to watch "Changing Rooms"
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
LOL What a splendid idea! Imagine Changing Rooms, the Wizarding Way... Thank you for reviewing.
Luna can transform too can't she, just doesnt want anyone to know, or do I just have a nasty suspicious mind??
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
She's learning *grin*.
Now why wasn't my chemistry professor like that *whine*
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Hm... *ponders* Maybe you just didn't see him in the same light? LOLThanks for reviewing!
What a job offer, who would turn it down?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I wouldn't. :)
I read this before, I think on ashwinder, and I really enjoyed it but I don't think I reviewed *apologizes profusely* I loved your Luna. Not many people can write the very unique character of Luna, and you do it wonderfully. Overall, I liked this story very much. Thanks for sharing!!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you so much! I love Luna and think she's highly under-appreciated in fanfic.
I hate that it's nearing the end, mate. :) Damn good.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thanks, love. I still have Lucius in mah head, so one of these days I'll write that sequel... Just not today.
lovely ending to a great tale
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I'm so glad you like it!
Damn, behind on my reviews. You should kick mah arse for this. :) I love your writing. Thanks for sharing with us.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Consider it kicked. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement.
Hahaha... a doberman-sized BAT patronus! LMAO! That is just great...
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
*grins* I've always wanted some connection with a bat, and now I've finally managed it, lol.
what a wonderful story! i had noticed the lovely title but never managed to read it until today. very inventive. i appreciated severus's reasons for picking luna to work with him, and it was fun to see her and hermione off having adventures together. i liked your version of german wizard shopping district. oh, and that line about how she would be godmother to ron's kids and even see them off to hogwarts with him - way to spin that epilogue! all in all, a thoroughly satisfying story.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked it!Teehee, I tend to think of Luna being the yin to Hermione the yang. :)And *blush* I'm still in denial where the epilogue is concerned... So I try my best to ignore it without ignoring canon.