Weep No More

Hermione had never really seen Percy upset, at least not when his siblings weren't involved. But now, Percy was beyond upset; he was dwelling in anger.

"Malfoy is not good business, Hermione," he said, pacing the room and giving her a headache.

"I know that," said Hermione, indignantly. "I wasn't trying anything with him!" It was the stupid potion, she wanted to add.

"I was a cretin to leave you alone with him," Percy continued, not really paying attention to her. "And you're probably starving!"

"Percy, I'm not a child!" snapped Hermione angrily, her eyes blazing dangerously. "I can take care of myself. If I'm hungry, I'll go fetch something to eat. I can move and talk you know!"

Percy sighed and collapsed into a chair. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said. "I just feel guilty about getting you into this mess. Ron's going to have my head when he finds out."

Hermione waved her hand dismissively, "Ron we can handle. It's Southbire we've got to be careful about," she said.

They both cringed as a moan that sounded like Draco's came from the other room. Hermione didn't want to even try to think about what the two Slytherins were up to.

"I don't think I'll be going into that room ever again..." she commented, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Er... I suppose we'll be sharing a room then," said Percy, blushing furiously.

"A room?" Hermione blushed as well, "Yes, right."

"I don't snore," Percy said. "I think."

"I'm sure if you did Penelope would have told you," said Hermione, casually.

Percy blinked. "Penelope?" he asked.

"Well, yes; I imagine you two have shared a bed together," Hermione pulled her hair out of its ponytail. "I hope she won't be jealous of our current situation."

"You think that Penny and I -" Percy cleared his throat. "She has no reason to be jealous. We broke up a few months ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," said Hermione, though somehow she really wasn't.

Percy shrugged, "She was too much into her work," he laughed coldly. "Imagine the irony of that, huh? Percy Weasley, workaholic, dumped by his girlfriend for her own job."

Hermione didn't know what to say, so she allowed the silence to consume them.

*

Pansy was tangled in the sheets with Draco on top of her. He kissed her and rolled off lazily, the bed squeaked uncontrollably every time either of them moved.

Pansy snuggled in Draco's arms. "It's still raining," she said.

"Mm hmm," Draco murmured lazily.

The lights were turned off and Pansy could see the silhouette of Draco's figure in the dark. So graceful and cat-like; he was gorgeous in her eyes.

"I want to go home," she said.

"So do I," he responded.

"It hasn't stopped raining," she said in a panicked voice.

"Storms take some time, it'll be gone in the morning," Draco assured her.

"And if it hasn't?" she asked.

"We're not talking Noah's Ark Pansy," he said calmly. "The storm will rest by tomorrow morning."

Pansy did not fight him; instead she took faith in his words and kissed his chest. Sleep overtook them both within minutes.

*

Hermione was the first to wake the next day. On her side of the bed she could look out the window, it was still raining. Not as much as the day before, but enough to ensure another stay at Southbire.

She got out of bed, trying not to wake Percy. Fiona had left her a clean, pale yellow sundress; it was pretty with small red flowers patterned around the hems. She slipped it on and tied up her trainers, they had been a gift from her parents. Each one had fifty pence in them when they came out of the box.

She scribbled a note telling Percy she was having breakfast; her stomach had made loud growling noises throughout her awakening. She felt cheery today, as if no weird images would be running amuck in her head. God, she hoped not.

Percy's cloak was carelessly thrown upon one of the chairs, Hermione had an itching urge to go through its pockets, seeking out the note she had read a day ago. Had the cloak been a last present from Penelope? Why did Percy still keep the disturbing letter? Hermione forced herself out of the room, only stopping to make sure Percy was still asleep.

"It's good to see you're well this morning," Fiona had said when Hermione appeared downstairs.

"The storm hasn't blown over," Hermione commented. "Why is that?"

Fiona bit her lip. "The wards," she explained. "They make the storms last longer in Southbire."

"How long do they last?" asked Hermione, a small voice in her head claiming there was danger.

"A week at the most," Fiona answered. "But if it subsides a bit Roget can take you on a tour, I know you must miss your home terribly."

Hermione smiled. She wondered if Ron and Harry had noticed her absence, if they had, had they informed Dumbledore of her disappearance?

"What can I get you then?" asked Fiona, tapping her pad with a pen.

Hermione scanned the menu briefly before saying, "French Toast, please."

When Fiona left to get her breakfast Hermione noticed Andrew staring at her; he wasn't exactly glaring, but his look was anything but pleasant.

"Can I help you?" she asked, thankful for her Gryffindor courage.

"That dress is very fitting on you," he said. "My sister has one like it."

"Someone left it in my room for me," Hermione said. "If your sister lent it to me, then I'm very grateful."

"Do you go to church?" Andrew asked.

Hermione was surprised at the immediate change of subject. "When I was younger, yes," she said earnestly. "I don't find much time to go now."

Andrew nodded. "There's a church in Southbire. Not many go there now, except for those who are getting married or the elderly," he said. "I can take you there if you'd like to go."

"Er, now?" asked Hermione, looking out at the storm nervously.

Andrew shrugged. "Just thought you'd like to confess your sins. Many find it something relaxing to do during the storm."

"Granger, confess her sins?" Pansy laughed, appearing suddenly. "My dear boy, I think the worst sin Granger has ever committed was eating in the library - or should I say drinking?"

Hermione flushed. So Parkinson had known of Malfoy's potion, she thought angrily, Stupid bint.

Andrew looked slightly amused. Pansy sat across Hermione with a bored look.

"It's still raining I see," she commented.

"Yes, Fiona was telling me the wards mix up the weather," explained Hermione with a meaningful look that clearly said: "Something is very wrong here."

Pansy looked disgusted. "Oh, joy," she said.

"Andrew was going to take me on a tour of the church," Hermione said. "Do you want to come?" Please.

Pansy looked at her curiously and then at Andrew. "The church?" she asked, "In this weather?"

Andrew's answer was cut off as Draco and Percy came down the stairs, they both were in deep discussion and missed Fiona's chirpy "Hullo!"

"Good morning," greeted Percy, sitting next to Hermione as Draco took the seat next to Pansy. "What's for breakfast?"

"I'll bring you all some French toast," Fiona said, hurrying into the kitchen. Andrew followed her with a pout.

"It's still raining," said Pansy angrily.

Draco nodded, "I say we try to leave now."

Percy cleaned his glasses with the sleeve of his shirt. Hermione noticed it looked one size too big. "No one will drive us out in this weather," he said. "We need it to clear a bit."

"That could take days!" hissed Hermione. "What if I go into a fit? I don't want to die now!"

"You-Know-Who would find that quite amusing," Pansy said casually.

Hermione glared at her.

"Oh, Andrew has invited Hermione to the church," Pansy added with a sly smile.

"He did what?!" demanded Draco and Percy.

"You can't go alone," Percy said. "Andrew might try something."

"Like what?" asked Hermione sweetly, "Try to snog me?"

"No! Kill you," Draco spat.

"Oh..." suddenly Hermione didn't feel so confident. "You can come with me then, Percy," she said.

Percy shook his head. "I'm going to try to get Roget to tell us how far we are from Dublin." In a whisper, he then added, "From the Ministry of Magic."

Fiona appeared from the kitchen, setting plates in front of them. The French toast smelled delicious to Hermione.

"Parkinson can go with you," said Percy.

Pansy snorted, "I'm not going anywhere near Andrew, Weasley."

Fiona coughed slightly, but she didn't look offended. Percy looked at Draco, and shook his head.

Draco smirked, "I'll go with you, Hermione."

"You will?" squeaked Hermione.

"No, he won't," said Percy.

"I have nothing else to do this enchanting morning," Draco said. "Tell your brother we'll set off in an hour," he added to Fiona.

Fiona looked pleased, "The church is quite nice. It's been around for centuries." She placed the last plate in front of Percy, and went off to talk to Andrew.

"I want you to check out the crucifix in the plaza," whispered Percy.

"For what?" asked Draco. "Bits of witches?"

Percy's only reply was just to ask for the butter.

*

"Roth, I've heard that we've got three missing Hogwarts students!" said Philip Chaucer, head of the Missing Underage Wizard department, he looked around in surprise at the amount of people that were in his small office.

"Yes, sir," Edward Roth replied. Next to him was Chaucer's secretary Matilda, nervously separating files on the missing pupils.

The rest of the group surprised Chaucer in quite a way.

"Headmaster Dumbledore!" he exclaimed, quickly shaking hands with the man he most admired in the wizarding world (after all, the Muggles had people quite as magnificent as Elton John and Cat Stevens and he followed Dumbledore's Muggles: Mysterious Folk That Can Do Good project quite honestly.) "We shall find your students immediately!"

"I should hope so," Professor Snape said coldly.

"Yes, well," stammered Philip, wiping his brow with a striped handkerchief. The group all seemed to leer at him, "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, surely your boy isn't one of those missing!"

Lucius Malfoy, in all his glory, tapped his cane against the floor. "Yes, Chaucer. Now, if we could find him-" Mrs Malfoy sobbed, and her husband patted her arm awkwardly.

"Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson and Hermione Granger are the three missing students, sir," Roth said. "The latter is a Muggle-born and has never actually associated with Mr. Malfoy or Ms. Parkinson."

"Malfoy did something to her, I tell you!" This had been yelled out by no other than Ron Weasley. Harry Potter glared daggers at the elder Malfoy, but said nothing.

"Mr. Weasley, please calm down!" Professor McGonagall said, trying to not let her claustrophobia get to her. There were just too many people in the small office.

"How long have they been missing?" asked Chaucer.

"A good forty-eight hours, sir," Roth said. "They were all last seen in Hog's Head, a pub in Hogsmeade."

"Ah, Hog's Head, yes, yes." Chaucer rubbed his chin, ignoring Snape's exasperated sigh.

"Ms. Granger is not one to go off by herself," explained McGonagall. "Much less with two... Slytherins." She tried not to look disgusted.

"Send a couple of our men to Hogsmeade, to question around a bit," said Chaucer.

"Done, sir," Roth and Matilda said simultaneously.

"They should report back in thirty minutes," added Roth.

"Albus - I can call you Albus, right, sir? - have you questioned any fellow students?" Chaucer said, looking quite pleased when Dumbledore gave him permission to call him Albus.

"The teachers are currently conducting a query along with a few of your men," Dumbledore said.

"I see the Malfoys have knowledge about their lost son, what about the Parkinsons and the Grangers?" Roth interrupted.

"Both have been informed," Snape said. "The Parkinsons are waiting at Hogwarts, and the Grangers have told us they'll to see if Ms. Granger shows up at their home."

"Smart people, those Muggles," said Chaucer, oblivious to Lucius's look of disgust.

Suddenly the door swung open, and Alicia Spinnet, who was doing her father a favour by playing secretary for his department, stepped in looking upset. "Mr. Chaucer --- oh, Professor McGonagall!" she said, looking around at the peculiar group.

"Ms. Spinnet, we're quite busy," said Snape, through clenched teeth.

"Oh, Ron!" Alicia said. "Mr. Chaucer, it's the Weasleys. One of their sons has gone missing, and Mr. Fields believes he's linked to the three missing students case."

"My parents are here?" Ron asked. "Wait! Who's missing?"

"Mr. Weasley, please calm down!" shrieked McGonagall, her hand covering her heart.

Alicia sniffled and muttered, "Percy."

"Oh, my!" said Dumbledore, frowning. "This is quite serious."

"You said he was linked to the missing students?" Lucius said.

Alicia fumbled with her notes before quoting. "The owner of Hog's Head said that he had mistakenly directed Mr. Weasley to the room where young Mister Malfoy and his brunette escort (whom we believe to be the missing Ms. Granger) had currently rented. After taking care of a customer, he headed to find Mr. Weasley another room, only to find the room completely empty. To the owner's knowledge, Ms. Parkinson - or any other blonde, young girl - had never entered the establishment."

"The Muggleborn was Draco's escort?" demanded Lucius.

"Lucius, darling," said Narcissa, in a shut-up-you-big-prat voice.

"Mr. Fields says he'd like to have a word with you, Mr. Chaucer," added Alicia, before scampering out of the room.

"Well, if Percy was with Hermione, he wouldn't let her be in danger, right, Ron?" said Harry.

Ron just glared at a fixed spot on the floor and muttered something that Harry couldn't catch.

"I believe you should all head back to Hogwarts," said Chaucer. "We'll set on it right away."

"If you don't find my son," threatened Lucius. "I'll make sure you never get a job in the Ministry ever again!" he stormed out, with only a glare at Harry.