Nemesis

so loved! Sorry for taking so long to get this out, but I've had a few
family problems that resulted in being placed under house arrest by
my mother, so the computer has been off limits. By the way,
anything in italics are thoughts. Sorry if there was a
misunderstanding!


* * * * *

By lunch the next day, Hermione was bogged down in preliminary research upon her newest target. She had also bogged herself down into the headache of the century, as well. Apparently, some information sources in his group had reported him starting to deal in some of the most horrendous substances in the wizarding world.

Wizarding drugs.

Oh, the Muggle ones were bad enough, even by magical standards. But wizarding drugs, or WD, as they were known, took being a user to the next level. They caused hallucinations that more often than not caused the user to harm whatever they could find. Usually themselves. Many old-blood families had contacts in the underground world of druggies, but the Malfoy family was by far the worst.

I get the feeling there is something very wrong with this case...

At least she had information.

* * * * *

While Hermione was battling classified information folders and a migraine, Severus Snape was battling the continuing incompetence of his students.

Will the wizarding world ever produce a scion with brains? I for one am beginning to doubt it...

He nearly groaned aloud when Marie Longbottom's third cauldron turned into a liquidy puddle of pewter. By the end of October in Ms. Longbottom's first year, she was already threatening to outdo both her elder cousin's reputation to melt cauldrons and to receive the majority of the Potion Master's sarcasm.

Then again, has there ever been a smart Longbottom since Frank died eighteen years ago?

Apparently not.

* * * * *

It was fully eight o'clock before Severus was able to retire to his rooms. In fact, he was barely through the door before he saw a vision showing a young witch with brown hair and a dark cloak near an abandoned warehouse in Wizarding London.

Experience had taught him never to ignore these dire warnings, so he quickly donned his 'uniform'. It was completely black, the way all of his clothes were, but it also included a black mask and gloves. Rushing through the secret passageway attached to his apartment, he quickly hid his wand up his sleeve, prepared to do battle.

* * * * *

Hermione approached the warehouse with caution, not wanting to meet any hidden surprises. Carefully, she checked around corners and behind crates, looking for any suspicious activity. Just as she was about to move out into the open, an unseen hand grabbed