It\'s So Difficult to be Mature

Chapter 10: Whatever Lucretia Wants

Ginny was still waiting for an answer to her question. No one responded, not even her husband. They had been sitting in silence since Harry had left the room in search of his children.

"Well?" she said finally. "What are we supposed to do?"

"We don’t know what to do," Sirius said finally. "We’re not sure that it’s you or Draco that she’s after. Until we know for sure, there’s not much we can do."

"Really, Sirius, that is such a political answer. We need to make plans!" Ron slammed his fist down on the table. "Just sitting around saying, ‘Well, we don’t know what to do yet, but something will come up soon, I’m sure,’ is not going to get anything done! I want my wife back!

"We know, Ron," Remus snapped. "We’re working on it. If you happen to know where she is, how to get her out from Lucretia’s clutches, and take off that damned binding spell, then by all means say so!"

Ron looked slightly chastened. "I apologize. You just have no idea what I’m going through right now."

Remus stared at him for a few moments. "Actually, I think I do."

He said that very quietly. For a moment Ginny wasn’t sure she heard him correctly.

"So, what do we do now, because I, for one, am not just going to sit around here all day," Draco said snidely.

Ron looked around the room. "Ginny, did I send the children with Fred and George?"

"Yes, Ron," Ginny replied, surprised. "Don’t you remember?"

Ron looked dazed and confused. "Yes," he said hesitantly.

"Can we please get on with business?" Draco asked plaintively.

"Ahem," came a voice from the door; Harry was standing there, looking tired but otherwise alright. "May I join in the discussion?"

"How do you feel, Harry?" Sirius asked gently.

"I’m alright. For now. I’m trying not to think about it for the time being, so if everyone can avoid mentioning it, I think I’ll be fine."

"Good," Ron said blankly. "Now, what about a tracking spell, not on Lucretia, but Hermione?"

"It could work," Sirius said doubtfully. "Come with me, Ron, and we’ll give it a try."

Sirius, Remus, and Ron left the conference room. A minute later Meredith left, saying that she had work to do. Draco gave his wife’s hand a squeeze before leaving himself.

"I’ll be back, love, I just have to get something to eat."

Draco left leaving just Harry and Ginny alone in the room. There were a few minutes of awkward silence between them. Harry kept pushing his glasses up his nose and Ginny rearranged her robes around her.

"So," Ginny said slowly, "how are your children?"

"Lily’s very upset, but James is just sleeping," Harry said listlessly.

"I’ve made a decision," Ginny said finally. Harry looked up at her. "If it’s Draco and I who are causing all the trouble, we’ll just leave. Leave the country again."

Harry seemed surprised. "You can’t do that, Ginny! You finally came back, you can’t leave again!"

"Yes, I can. All of these horrible things have happened because Draco and I came back. If we leave again, Lucretia will follow us to wherever we go and you’ll be able to live in peace."

Harry shook his head. "That’s ridiculous, Ginny. I thought that you had more sense than that."

"Harry, it’s my fault or Draco’s fault that Lisa died, our fault that Hermione and Jeanette are prisoners. I have enough guilt. I know we have to leave."

Harry looked at her as though seeing her for the first time. "What ever happened to that sweet, shy little girl who used to turn red when I walked into the room?"

Ginny was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

"You’re different. I remember how you used to be so scared to talk in front of me. And even when you were an adult before the Massacre, you were light-hearted, mild, sweet, and innocent. What happened? Did Mal—Draco do this?"

Ginny felt herself grow angry. "Are you saying you wish I was the boring little girl who worshipped you again? Well, I’m not. I’ve grown up. I’m sorry if you, and my brothers, and Hermione, and everyone else, aren’t happy with who I am, but I’m proud of myself. You have no idea what I’ve had to overcome, Harry Potter, so you have absolutely no right to criticize me."

Now Harry was taken aback. "Then why don’t you tell me?"

"Fine I will." Ginny took a deep breath. "Do you realize that you don’t know what I’ve been doing for the past two years? We haven’t had a single chance since I arrived for you to stop and say, ‘So what have you been up to these past two years, Gin?’."

"But, I know what you were doing. You were running for your lives," Harry said in confusion.

"We weren’t running nonstop, Harry! We had to have some way of supporting ourselves!"

"I thought Malfoy was rich. After all, his parents are dead, doesn’t all the money go to him?"

"Of course it does!" Ginny said exasperated. "But how were we supposed to get to it? Until it was safe to journey back to London, we had to find some other way of making money. Do you know what we did? No, of course, not. How could you? I never told Hermione and she’s the only one I’ve even contacted. Have you ever heard of the Peace Corps, Harry?"

The question struck Harry as something of a non sequitur, but he answered truthfully. "I’m not sure, isn’t it when people go to impoverished countries to help the less fortunate?"

Ginny nodded. "I learned about it in America. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past two years, Harry. Draco and I have been doing that sort of work. And not for less fortunate witches and wizards. For Muggles."

Harry’s jaw dropped and for a moment he forgot all of his problems and just thought about what Ginny was saying.

"Are you telling me that Malfoy voluntarily went to help Muggles in a Third World country? In a place with no five star dining and fancy hotels?"

Ginny looked at him angrily. "Draco is not such a mollycoddled brat. He learned a lot from that work, meeting people who were so poor that they couldn’t afford to eat and didn’t even have magic! If you had seen as much death, suffering, turmoil, and hunger as Draco and I have these past two years, maybe you would understand. We helped those people, even when it meant that we had to give up some luxuries. And yes, Harry, Draco did it willingly. I know that back in school he was a spoiled little brat with an attitude problem, but he’s changed. He’s become a better person! If you had been through what he has—"

"But Ginny," Harry finally interrupted. "I’ve seen my share of death, suffering, turmoil, and hunger! Just because most weren’t Muggles, doesn’t make my work any less important! You can’t think you’re the only person in the world who’s done good! Look," he said, moderating his tone when he saw tears come to her eyes, "I understand that you’re eager to prove to us that Malfoy isn’t what he used to be and I admire your efforts, but the only way to prove that to us is for Malfoy to stop being an arse and help us! We won’t be convinced simply through your stories, entertaining though they may be!"

"He did help rescue your children, Harry!" Ginny shouted back.

"Only after I rescued him. Get him to help without it being about retribution. And while you’re at it, ask him to cut out those sarcastic remarks which are getting him nowhere."

"How dare you say such things about my husband?" Ginny asked furiously.

"I dare because they’re true. I’m sorry, but they’re true." Harry wouldn’t look at her.

"You make it sound as if all Draco does is sit around making sarcastic remarks and being counter–productive!" Harry was silent. "I don’t care what you say. He helped rescue your children and he’s helping now!"

"But he wasn’t the only one to try to rescue my children. You went, so did Ron, and Hermione, we know how that turned out, and even Meredith! And she knew me what, three hours, before she decided to help?"

Ginny’s eyes brimmed with tears. "I thought out of everyone else, my brothers, my parents, the rest of the world, even Hermione, I thought you would understand."

"Understand what? The only thing I understand is that we’re wasting time with this pointless discussion. I’m leaving."

He stood up, walked to the door, and left. Ginny called after him.

"Harry! Come back! I haven’t finished with you yet! Get back here! Oh, damn!"

Miserable and feeling more alone then ever, Ginny burst into tears. And that was how Draco found her when he returned a moment later.

* * *

They had been sitting there, not speaking, for hours. Jeanette had lost track of time and she wasn’t sure just how long she had been sitting in silence with this Follower. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore.

"Are we just going to sit here forever?" she burst out.

The Follower looked at her in mild surprise. "What would you rather do? Play Exploding Snap?"

Jeanette replied contemptuously. "I’d like my freedom, but, barring that, I’d like some answers."

The woman smiled in that way that made her look quite hideous. "You can ask any question you like, I just won’t guarantee you an answer."

"What’s your name?" Jeanette asked immediately. The Follower laughed.

"That’s none of your business. Try again, ma’am." There was heavy sarcastic influence on the ma’am.

Jeanette was furious. She was being held prisoner by a woman nearly half her age. And while Jeanette was beginning to lose her temper, the woman was continually cool as ice. Suddenly she had an idea. Checking the pocket of her robes quickly to make sure the piece of paper was still there, Jeanette leaned back on a pretense of calm.

"I see, I can ask you any question, just as long as it reveals my elderly ignorance and inflates your youthful ego."

"Now you’re starting to catch on. I’m young and much smarter than you. You’re old and I suggest you don’t try anything."

Jeanette had her neatly trapped. "But your Mistress is much older than I am, nearing her hundreds, isn’t she?"

The Follower’s eyes narrowed. "My Mistress does not age, she will be young and beautiful forever."

Jeanette waved her hand as though that made no difference. "I wouldn’t expect a child like you to understand. After all, you’re just a minion." The woman’s eyes took on a decidedly evil look, but Jeanette continued on. "Let me spell it out for you, dearie." Now Jeanette was using sarcasm. "You’re Mummy dearest may look nice now, but even the mighty Voldemort is rather repulsive."

The Follower shrieked. "Don’t say that name! Never say that name!"

Jeanette was slightly taken aback. "I was aware that Voldemort’s name affected Lucretia, but I didn’t realized that it bothered her Followers so much. Voldemort!" The woman shrieked again. Jeanette smiled and repeated the fateful name. "Voldemort, Voldemort, Voldemort, Voldemort!"

Finally the woman cracked and lashed out. "Stop saying that name!" She rushed Jeanette, grabbed her by the throat in a surprisingly tight grip, and pointed her wand directly at the good doctor’s face.

Jeanette gurgled, but managed to make her next few words clear.

"What are you going to do with that? Curse me? What will it be? Cruciatus? Imperious? You certainly can’t kill me, you don’t have the ability. Mummy wouldn’t be pleased."

The Follower backed up a few steps, still holding the wand out offensively. Jeanette gasped and massaged her neck; there would be bruises there in the morning.

"So I can’t kill you. That doesn’t mean I can’t torture you a bit." The grotesque smile was back and Jeanette couldn’t wait to wipe it off. She knew she had to taunt the girl just a little bit farther.

"I’ve worked at M.A.T.D.A. for the past two years. You think I haven’t learned a trick or two?"

The Follower stepped closer. ‘Perfect,’ Jeanette thought.

"But you don’t have a wand," the woman said with a sinister smile.

"No," Jeanette agreed, "but I don’t need one."

And with a double punch any professional boxer would be proud of, Jeanette dropped the girl where she stood. The Follower doubled up with pain and tried to stop the flow of blood that came from her probably broken nose.

"Wand," Jeanette demanded. The girl didn’t respond and Jeanette sighed. "If you want to do this the hard way, fine." She leaned down and wrenched the wand from the Follower’s hand. Then, on reflection, she aimed it and Stunned her.

Jeanette took one last look at her surroundings, just to make sure that she wasn’t leaving anything behind. Then she stepped outside of the room. It appeared that the woman had been her only guard. She quickly sealed the door behind her and tried to think of a way to get out without being caught.

"I suppose there’s no other choice," Jeanette muttered with a grimace. She pointed the purloined wand at herself and intoned, "Before I lose my nerve, turn me from my beautiful self, to that hideous creature, over there by the shelf."

Jeanette didn’t have time to check a mirror. She simply had to hope that it worked. She set off at a run and noticed that her pace was different, and her hands had changed. Now, providing her face was altered as well, it looked like she found a way out.

* * *

"Come along, Hermione, dear. We’re going to visit a good friend."

"I’m coming, Mistress," Hermione replied.

Together Hermione and Lucretia Disapparated and found themselves in a simple stone chamber. Hermione just stood there, the blank look on her face unchanging.

"Narcissa? Narcissa, darling, are you here?" Lucretia cried out.

The old woman came out from the shadows. She looked from Lucretia to Hermione, confusion written plainly on her face.

"Oh, come, Narcissa," Lucretia said with mild disgust, "take off that disguise, it doesn’t do a thing for you."

There was a flash of anger in those deep grey eyes; it soon passed. "Milady, it is not a disguise. You know that, we’ve been over this many times. This is what was done to me, in return for my service to him." Narcissa Malfoy said that with nearly as much hatred as Lucretia did.

"Oh, yes, I had forgotten. Now to business. I want you to unlock her powers." Lucretia pointed at Hermione who was still standing in the corner.

Narcissa stepped closer to look at Hermione and recoiled. "Is that Hermione Granger?"

Lucretia smiled and nodded. "Actually, it’s Weasley now. I thought you might recognize her, after all she did attend Hogwarts with your son."

Narcissa turned away. "I have told you many times, Milady, my son is dead. Do not speak of him."

Lucretia just smiled in her sinister way. "Oh really?" She turned to Hermione. "Hermione, please tell us all you know about Draco Malfoy."

Hermione seemed to come to life, like one of those machines that dispensed information. "Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Attended Hogwarts for seven years, made a prefect in his fifth year. After graduation, he disappeared."

Narcissa shook her head. "No, he was alive then."

Hermione continued. "Was seen many times fighting at Voldemort’s side, believed to be the new right-hand man of the Dark Lord." Lucretia winced. "Then, two months after the True Destiny Massacre—"

Narcissa interrupted. "That’s where he was murdered!"

"—Draco Malfoy met Ginny Weasley. They fell in love and were married before leaving the country."

"No!" Narcissa said violently.

"Yes!" Lucretia replied gleefully.

"Upon their return to London," Hermione continued, but Lucretia cut her off.

"Thank you, Hermione, that will be all."

Hermione nodded and returned to blankness. Lucretia was thinking about something and Narcissa was feeling ill. Her son had married a Weasley? No. It was a lie.

"You know what, Narcissa?" Lucretia said thoughtfully. "It’s your son that I’m after! Imagine that, I had no idea he was a Malfoy."

Narcissa looked up sharply. "What do you mean, Milady? Your plan said nothing about a man."

"I knew that there was a man who was part of this, but I never dreamed it was your son! I suppose that this is what comes from not getting proper information. Remind me to kill our spies, will you, Hermione?"

"Yes, Mistress."

Narcissa was still caught up in the revelation that her son was alive. "You won’t kill him, will you, Milady?"

Lucretia turned, fury on her face. "Does it matter to you? You pledged allegiance to me, Narcissa. Are you going to break that oath?"

Narcissa was shamed. "No, Milady. I apologize, a moment of weakness."

The fury disappeared. "I forgive you. Now, can you unlock her Narinhah powers?"

"This girl is a Narinhah?" Narcissa asked sharply. "What you ask of me, Milady, is impossible. Perhaps five witches, or even six, could do it, but one of average power...it’s impossible. Could you not do it, Milady? You have great power."

"I’ve tried," Lucretia said with a sigh. "Either there’s been a permanent lock placed on her or I’m going about it the wrong way. Damn that Albus Dumbledore! He’s meddled with her, I can feel it. A perfectly good witch ruined thanks to him."

Narcissa said cautiously, "Perhaps you should send her to him, and he will unlock her powers."

"Have you lost your senses? They’ll take her back!"

"No, Milady, you don’t understand. Send her still under your spell. Then have her tell Dumbledore that she wants to experience her full power. Dumbledore will unlock it, and then she’ll immediately return to you."

Lucretia twirled a strand of her blonde hair around her fingers. "Hmm, that could work. Hermione did say he’s retired so he probably doesn’t know she’s been kidnapped. Alright, I’ll do it. It would be worth it to have a Narinhah on our side." She turned to Hermione. "I want you to go to Dumbledore, tell him that you want him to unlock your Narinhah powers, and act normally. He is your former Headmaster, you like him. Understand?"

A bit of the real Hermione shone through. "I understand perfectly."

Then she turned and left. But, unbeknownst to Lucretia or Narcissa, something was happening in Hermione’s mind that wasn’t supposed to be happening. It was small, almost useless, but in the farthest corner of her brain a thought of her own was blossoming.

‘I wonder what my family is doing right now.’

* * *

She made it down one corridor with out being spotted. But as she caught sight of the exit, she also saw a Follower, one who was big, burly, and incredibly intimidating. Jeanette swallowed hard and suddenly felt her age for the first time in years. Trembling slightly, she walked toward the Follower.

"Stop and be recognized," said a low raspy voice. The Follower peered at her and Jeanette prayed her disguise would work. "Oh, it’s you, Parkinson. Aren’t you supposed to be guarding the prisoner?"

Jeanette breathed a quick sigh of relief. "I, uh, left someone else in my place, I need to eat."

The Follower looked at her suspiciously. "Who?"

"Er..." Jeanette hurriedly thought of a few girls who had been Slytherins when she attended Hogwarts. "Nott?" It came out as a question.

"Nott! What were you thinking? She’s not capable of watching the prisoner, she can’t even watch television!"

"You’re right," Jeanette agreed, "I don’t know what I was thinking, you’d better go replace her." Then as quickly as she could without running, Jeanette headed out the door. She was just crossing the lawn, when the Follower called her back.

"Wait, Parkinson, what’s wrong with you? You look funny." Comprehension dawned on her as Jeanette could feel herself changing back. "Stop! Escape! The Prisoner has escaped! Seize her!"

Jeanette took off running. She didn’t stop, didn’t try to cast a spell with the stolen wand, she just ran. Curses were being shot at her, but most missed. Someone hit her with a disarming spell and the wand flew out of her hand. She ran even harder, and could hear voices shouting curses and obscenities at her as she raced on.

She didn’t stop, despite the fact that her body was screaming at her to rest, until the sounds died away. She had run through streams, bushes and shrubs, fallen and picked herself up again. She was miserably lost. Jeanette didn’t know where she was in the first place, now she worried she would never find her way back home. She had run like never before and couldn’t breathe. She was a mess and bleeding from many cuts. It was getting dark and she was in unfamiliar territory without a wand. In other words, she was in serious trouble.

Gasping and trying to get her breath back, Jeanette started wandering aimlessly. She needed a house, preferably one with a fireplace.

Then her prayers were answered. Not too far off there was a modest cabin, with smoke pouring from the chimney. Jeanette forced herself just a little farther and managed to knock twice on the door. It creaked open.

She instantly recognized the man standing there, though it had been over twenty years since they had last seen each other. He hadn’t changed one bit since their school days except for being older. It was the same face, the same robes, the same hair, and the same scowl.

"I’m not sure that you remember me," Jeanette began in a hoarse voice, "but we went to school together. I’m Jeanette Mills, and I desperately need your help!"

She saw the recognition in his eyes. "You!" he growled.

And Severus Snape slammed the door in her face.

* * *

Ron was ready to have a nervous breakdown. He, Sirius, and Remus had been trying for an hour to place a tracking spell on Hermione. So far, it wasn’t working.

"Argh! We’ll never get this right!"

"Patience, Ron," Sirius said calmly. "We will."

Ron nearly screamed, but he contained himself. Through tightly compressed lips he replied, "I want that woman dead. You know, if there was one thing Lisa would have been good for, it would have been telling us how we could destroy Lucretia."

Remus sighed. "Ron, for five minutes, stop making malicious comments about Lisa. I know you think she’s partly responsible for Hermione’s current predicament, but she’s gone now. We have more pressing issues to address and your pettiness is not getting Hermione back any faster."

"Remus, do me a favor and quit being so goddamned superior. You aren’t my teacher anymore. I’m an adult and I’m in the middle of a crisis. Considering the situation, I think my attitude is perfectly acceptable."

Remus’ face darkened. "Ron, I may not be your professor anymore, and I agree, you are an adult, but you are also being a prick."

Sirius stepped in between them and looked bewilderedly from one to the other. "What is the matter with you two? You’re grown men. Stop acting like children!" Sirius grasped at his hair in frustration. "I think Lucretia poisoned our water supply and we’re all going crazy! There hasn’t been so much conflict and cruel words in M.A.T.D.A. since it was started!"

Ron was staring at Remus in a curious way. "I’m sorry, I should have realized."

Remus stared back at him, surprised. "What are you talking about?"

"I just didn’t really think about anyone else’s feelings besides my own. I should have realized what you were going through as well," Ron said calmly. His arms were crossed over his chest.

Now Remus was looking at him shrewdly. "If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, I ask you not to say anything about it."

Sirius was still very confused. "What are you two talking about?"

They exchanged a glance and from that moment on there was a silent agreement between the two of them.

"Never mind, Sirius," Ron said. "Let’s keep working on the tracking spell."

"Well," Sirius said hesitantly, "while you two were bickering, I think I figured it out. Look, there it goes."

Eagerly they all bent over the map. A small dot labeled Hermione Weasley appeared in the most unlikely place.

"Wait, this can’t be right," Ron said. "This says she’s here in M.A.T.D.A.!"

"Chancellors! Chancellors!" A magical voice was booming from every wall in the room. "She’s back! She’s back! Hermione Weasley’s back! Shall I bring her up?"

"Yes!" They all screamed back.

"Oh, my god," Ron said in a daze. "She’s actually here, she’s actually here!"

"She must have escaped. If anyone could do it, Hermione could!" Sirius said joyfully. "Come on, let’s go meet her, we’ll have to ask her some questions. And the most important is how to remove the binding spell."

They walked out of the room into the corridor where Shirley was coming their way, closely followed by Hermione. Ron stopped dead in his tracks and Hermione looked at him, flashing him her crooked smile. But instead of feeling extremely happy, Ron felt like something was wrong.

"Wait a minute," Ron said quickly before Hermione reached him. "That’s not Hermione!"

Before anyone could move or even register what Ron had said, the pseudo–Hermione rushed at him, brandishing a knife.

* * *

"Severus! Severus, open this door! It’s a life or death situation! I know you don’t like me, but please, I need your help."

After what seemed like a century, the door finally creaked open again. Snape stood in the doorway glaring at Jeanette menacingly.

"What do you want Miss Mills? What are you doing out here?"

"It’s Dr. Mills, actually. And allow me to explain."

"Pray do," Snape replied, without moving to let her in.

"You’re not going to let me in, are you?" Jeanette asked, already knowing the answer.

"I want to hear your story first. This should be very interesting."

So Jeanette launched into the story. She told him everything that had happened from the kidnapping to the most recent events. The expression on Snape’s face didn’t change at all throughout her tale, until she reached the end.

"Lucretia," he said in his low growl. He didn’t sound angry exactly, more like annoyed.

"I take it you know who she is?" Jeanette asked curiously.

"I’m probably one of the few men who have ever met the woman." Snape sighed. "Fine, Dr. Mills, come inside and I’ll light a fire to send you back to M.A.T.D.A."

"Thank you, Severus," Jeanette said gratefully.

Snape turned abruptly, causing Jeanette to bump into him. "Listen to me, Dr. Mills, I would prefer if you would refrain from familiarity. We weren’t exactly friends at Hogwarts."

"What shall I call you then? Mr. Snape doesn’t roll trippingly off the tongue."

"Professor Snape will do just fine," he replied and entered the cabin.

Jeanette stepped inside and was amazed to find what appeared to be a hotel suite inside. There was a refrigerator, indoor plumbing, a king–sized bed and a television set. That surprised her most of all; Snape didn’t strike her as the type who liked television. Snape walked to the fireplace and lit a fire.

"There you go, Floo Powder’s on the mantle," Snape said. "Now, leave my cabin."

"Wait," Jeanette said, grabbing his sleeve. He gave her a frosty look and she immediately let go. "I need to ask you something! Do you know anything about raising the dead?"

She took him by surprise. "What?"

"I told you about Harry’s wife. I want to bring her back, but there’s a difficult potion involved and I know you used to be good in that class..."

"I teach it now, but why should I help Potter get his wife back? I want nothing to do with any of this."

"I know you never liked James or Lily, and so I can see why you would be hesitant to help their son, but Lisa could be the key to stopping Lucretia. I need your help."

Snape looked at her curiously. "Don’t you work with Lupin and Black at M.A.T.D.A.? Get them to help, they were always so clever." He said that with heavy sarcasm.

"Professor Snape, I know you didn’t like me back at Hogwarts, but please, show some compassion. I’m asking you to assist me with a very complex and potentially dangerous potion," Jeanette was almost begging.

"You know nothing about me, Dr. Mills. I could be a Death Eater for all you know."

Jeanette shook her head. "I know more about you than you think. People at M.A.T.D.A. have spoken of you."

"If the stories you’ve heard are from Black and Lupin, they’re highly inaccurate. I wouldn’t believe a word they say."

Jeanette found herself defending her employers. Snape had not changed much from the nasty child he was. She secretly suspected that everything Remus had told her about Snape was true.

"Sirius and Remus are not liars!" Jeanette calmed down. "Are you going to help me or not?"

"I’m afraid I don’t have the time right now. Go, run back to your friends, I’m sure they’re worried about you."

Jeanette glared at him. "Fine. I’m leaving." She started towards the fireplace and threw some powder on the flames. She was about to step in, but then turned and faced Snape again. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me. Just remember, by helping me you could be helping the world." There was no response. Jeanette sighed. "Very well. M.A.T.D.A.!"

And she disappeared.

* * *

Meredith was not only concerned, but she was exhausted. When she excused herself from the conference room earlier it was on the pretense of work, but her entire career regarded Lucretia. She had been through everything that she and Jeanette had learned about the witch, looking for something that might give them a clue. But it was hard without her best friend there to help.

She and Jeanette had spent so much time researching that they had become really good friends and now Meredith was experiencing real pain at her friend’s capture. There was nothing she could do either. She simply had to wait for something to happen.

Damn Lucretia! She ruined everything! Meredith grumbled a bit more as she shifted through some papers on her desk. There were a few books too, but nothing of interest. Then in one there was a picture that caught her attention. It was of a famous painting in a museum and it reminded her of something. She couldn’t place it though. The book was entitled Talismans of Famous Witches and Wizards and next to the picture of four people were four magical objects. There was definitely something familiar about the pictures, but Meredith just couldn’t figure out what it was.

‘Oh well,’ she thought, ‘I’m sure it will come to me eventually.’

Then she glanced at the empty desk next to hers. Holding back tears, Meredith rushed out of the office to join the others.

* * *

The first thing that Harry heard was a high pitched scream. He rushed towards the sound and was completely surprised by what he saw.

Everyone had crowded into the hallway. Sirius was trying to hold them all back. Remus was supporting Ron who was pressing a cloth to a wound in his arm which was bleeding freely. Perhaps what surprised Harry the most was the unconscious form on the ground who still had the bloodstained knife clenched in her hand.

"Is that Hermione?" Harry asked in disbelief.

Remus, Sirius, and Ron looked at him. Ron shook his head. "No. It’s an imposter." He winced and pressed the cloth firmer against his arm. "I wasn’t quick enough."

"You were pretty quick," Sirius replied. "She was aiming for your chest."

"Are you sure that’s not Hermione under Lucretia’s spell?" Harry persisted. "I know that she wouldn’t attack you of her own free will, but..."

Ron growled. "You think I wouldn’t recognize my own wife? She’s your best friend as well, Harry. Take a closer look."

Harry bent down and pulled the Hermione–like hair away from the imposter’s face. Ron was right; there was something strange about the facial structure.

"If that’s not Hermione," Harry said slowly, "who is it?"

"I suspect we’ll find out soon enough," Remus pointed out. "Polyjuice Potion no doubt, after all, Lucretia has complete control over Hermione."

"But why would Lucretia go to all of the trouble of sending a false Hermione?" asked a different voice.

Ginny and Draco came on the scene. Ginny flinched slightly when she saw the cut on Ron’s arm, but she repeated her question. "Why go to so much trouble?"

"I don’t know," Ron said. "Assassin? Hermione could easily get in here, especially since we would be so happy to see her. Then she’d just kill as many of us as she could before she was caught ."

"Let’s go into one of the conference rooms," Sirius said. "Daniels, take her into one of the prison cells. Once the Potion wears off send someone to us, but don’t leave whoever it is alone. The rest of you, go about your business."

Everyone else dispersed and Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Remus, and Sirius wandered into yet another conference room. Meredith entered a moment later.

"Perhaps we’ll be able to get answers from whoever it is," Harry suggested.

"I sure hope so," Ron replied glumly. "I’m beginning to think that we haven’t made any progress at all."

"There’s a reason for that," Draco said. All eyes turned to him and he shrugged. "We haven’t."

* * *

Jeanette flew out of the fireplace and saw to her utter delight that she was back at M.A.T.D.A.. The absolute white of the waiting room enveloped her like a cozy blanket. As fast as she could, Jeanette rushed to the receptionist’s desk. Shirley was sitting behind the desk reading a magazine.

"Shirley, I’m back!"

Shirley looked up and pursed her lips in distaste. Jeanette remembered belatedly her appearance was less than perfect.

"And you would be?" Shirley asked.

"It’s me, Dr. Mills! I have to talk to the Chancellors, it’s an emergency!"

Shirley’s eyes widened slightly. "Dr. Mills?" she asked hesitantly. Then she shook her head. "How do I know it’s you?"

Jeanette was confused. "Shirley, what are you talking about? Of course it’s me! Let me in, I don’t have my wand."

"I can’t do that, Miss. I have to be certain of your identity. We’ve already had one infiltration today, I can’t let it happen again."

Jeanette’s sharp hearing caught the one important word in that sentence. "Infiltration? By whom?"

"Someone pretending to be Hermione Weasley. Now, Miss, if you really are Dr. Mills, what is the code word?"

"Which one? Do you want my personal code word which is orca, or do you want the all access override code which is P–1–R–1–O–2–N–0–G–8–S–5. Satisfied yet?"

"Not quite," Shirley replied cooly. "Anyone could have gained access to our code words. What are the Chancellors middle names?"

"Sirius’ is Polaris and Remus’ is Ares. Now, please let me in!"

"If you really are Dr. Jeanette Mills, then what’s my husband’s first name?"

"You don’t have a husband Shirley. Remember, I tried to set you up with a bloke from the Ministry?"

Shirley’s eyes went wide. "Dr. Mills? It’s really you? Oh, my, we’ve been so worried! Everyone will be right thrilled to see you!"

"Shirley, Lisa Potter, have we lost her?" Jeanette asked urgently.

Shirley bowed her head. "Lisa Potter’s been gone a few hours now."

"Oh, dear, I was afraid of that. Alright, let me in, Shirley, I have to talk to the Chancellors."

Shirley did as she was told and tossed Jeanette a battered wand. "There you are, Dr. Mills, the emergency wand. Just return it when you’ve got a new one. Go on in."

The large green bubble encased her and she fell through the floor.

* * *

"We’ve made progress!" Harry shouted. "We’re getting somewhere!"

"Oh really?" Draco replied, raising his eyebrows skeptically. "That’s why Hermione and Jeanette are still prisoners? That’s why we don’t even know if Voldemort is alive or dead? That’s why we’re not one ounce closer to stopping Lucretia before she unleashes some unspeakable evil on the world? Because," Draco added, seeing the shock on their faces, "it’s obvious to me at least, that she’s getting ready to do some real damage. How else can you explain that all of this just suddenly happened?"

None of them had thought of that. Harry was losing his temper again. "Your wife, Malfoy, seems to think that it’s either her fault or yours. She’s ready to flee the country again!"

"Well, my wife isn’t always right, Potter," Draco retorted. "Don’t you understand, we know nothing! We have absolutely no real evidence to go on, we don’t know where she is, and we don’t even know what she’s after! If she wants me or Gin, then fine, then we’re getting somewhere. But unlike you, Potter, I’m not going to sacrifice my wife to that bitch!"

"Why, you supercilious little prick," Harry said angrily, advancing on Draco who stood his ground.

"Stop it!" Ginny shrieked. She stood between the two of them like a barrier. "Just stop it! What the hell is wrong with you? We should be working together, not against each other! Draco, Harry is right, you need to stop making such snide remarks! They aren’t helping! And Harry, control yourself. I know my husband is acting immature and your temper is already stretched, but contain it!"

"Ginny—" Draco started, but she cut him off.

"No! I don’t want to hear it! I just—I want to—I want to go home!" Suddenly she burst into tears. "None of this is fair! This shouldn’t have to happen to us!" she shrieked. Then the words ran out and she just sobbed. Draco walked over to her and she cried into his shoulder.

It wasn’t until that moment that Harry realized just how pale and drawn she looked. It reminded him of the time he rescued her from the Chamber of Secrets. She looked ill and after everything that had happened, it probably wasn’t very good for the baby. She had been unconscious twice and under severe emotional stress. Harry was trying to remember what Lisa had said about pregnancies. God, if she miscarried, that would be the worst thing to ever happen. It could destroy what little unity was left.

"Ginny," Harry said softly, "I’m sorry. No one has really thought of how you have been feeling. We’ve been caught up in our own miseries that we didn’t realize how much you were suffering too."

She was still crying, but Draco’s grey eyes met his green ones. Silently they apologized to one another and agreed to try to keep from arguing. Harry knew that Ron was affected by his little sister’s plight as well and he had a strange look on his face as he watched Ginny and Draco. Harry knew that he was feeling jealous. He was no longer the one who solved Ginny’s problems. That was her husband’s role now, not her brother’s. Harry also knew that for her sake, Ron would control himself where Draco was concerned.

"Now, there’s no need to cry, Ginny," said a somewhat familiar voice from the doorway. "You’ll get the hiccups and for everything else magic can do, we still haven’t discovered a cure for that."

Everyone’s head swivelled towards the door and saw Jeanette standing there. She didn’t look her best, but no one cared. Her face was cut up a bit, her hair dirty and coming down, and her robes were torn. Somewhere along her journey she lost her lab coat.

"Jeanette!" Everyone cried at once.

"Did you miss me?" she asked weakly.

"Are you alright?" Remus asked urgently. "Sit down!"

Jeanette limped over to a chair and collapsed on it. "I suppose you’ll want to hear my story. So I’ll tell you."

"It can wait a moment, Jeanette," Sirius said. "Have a cup of tea."

A cup appeared on the table and Jeanette smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sirius. That’s wonderful. But there are some things I should tell you. Harry, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for Lisa."

He shrugged. "It wasn’t your fault. How did you get captured? Where were you?"

But before Jeanette could respond and tell them about Narcissa Malfoy, Lily came running into the room, followed closely by Suzanne Turpin. Lily was out of breath but she didn’t stop until she reached her father.

"I’m sorry, Harry," Suzanne said, a bit out of breath herself, "I tried to keep her away, but she insisted that she had something to tell you."

Harry looked down at his tiny daughter who’s bright green eyes shone indignantly, her thick black hair was disheveled.

"What is it, Lily?" He asked patiently.

"I remembered what you wanted me to!" Lily exclaimed excitedly. "I remember what Auntie Lucy wanted!"

There was absolute silence in the room. No one said a word and everyone was waiting with baited breath for Lily’s answer.

"What is it, Lil?" Harry asked, his throat constricted with suppressed emotion.

"She wanted a baby!" Lily said, happy that she remembered something that was obviously so important.

Still absolutely silent, all eyes in the room traveled to Ginny, who had turned absolutely white. Her eyes widened in shock and one hand flew to her mouth.

"Oh no," she said in a hushed whisper.

A/N: Bum bum bum! Mwah ha! Cliffhanger, again! So now you know what Lucretia wants, but not why she wants it. I’m so mean.

Now, some of you reviewers are just too smart for your own good. You know who you are. I’m glad you were smart, but I’m sorry my secrets were so easy to figure out. I guess that means I have to put in so many more maddening things that I won’t reveal the answers to. Oh well, I still have a few surprises up my sleeve.