Daimons

Chapter 14

Hermione was surprised at how talented this minstrel troupe was. Besides an accomplish juggler and an acrobat, Holly and Pearl had lovely voices that complemented one another. Mac, with his deep resonate voice, could mesmerize his audience for hours with tales of adventure and suspense.

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It was a night to make merry, at least for the Death Eaters. It was an evening to celebrate the successful murder of every man, woman, and child in a small fishing village. To the muggle world it looked like a horrible chemical spill from a nearby factory that poisoned the water supply but in reality it was a potion. One that Voldemort planned to use on the inhabitants of Hogsmead.

Greyback made an extravagant entrance with entourage. Remus was in the back of the group, the hood of his cloak pulled down over most of his face, much like the rest of the werewolves. Only Greyback wore his hood down. With the slightest of bows, Greyback acknowledged their host before joining him at the head table. The rest of the wolves mingled among the guests.

Sipping a champagne cocktail, Remus blended into the crowd as discretely as possible, while all the while listening and learning. As Remus filled his plate from the buffet table, he felt a chill go down his spine. Lucius stood directly behind him, having, what seemed, a pleasant conversation with, who Remus identified as, Nott.

“Our Lord was pleased with the outcome of today’s experiment.” Lucius spoke of the killing as if he were talking about his rose garden.

“I haven’t seen him look so pleased since he came back. It does my heart good to have him back. We floundered so without him.” Nott lifted his glass to his Lord.

“Sir,” a rotund, balding man interrupted Lucius conversation, “I do hope you find everything to your liking.”

“Armand, you out did yourself. The food is delicious and the wine you chose was superb,” Malfoy replied.

“Then, I don’t understand why your bank draft was refused.”

“It was what?”

“I tried to cash the draft you gave me and they said there were insufficient funds. I know better so I thought you were perhaps displeased with my service.”

“Don’t worry. There must be a mistake of some sort. I will have it straightened out by the end of tomorrow. I assure you shall have all your Galleons.”

“Oh thank you. I knew there must have been a mistake. I told my Misses that a man like Mr. Malfoy wouldn’t stiff us. I better get back to the kitchen to be sure everything is going smoothly.” Armand scurried away.

“That is very strange,” Lucius said.

“He is a strange, fat man,” Nott replied.

“No, not that, even though he is strange. It’s the money. A couple of our colleges this afternoon were complaining about the fact that they were unable to withdraw money from their accounts. Gringotts assured them that the mistakes would be taken care of by tomorrow.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.” Nott gave Malfoy a friendly slap on the back. “It’s a night to enjoy oneself and not to fret. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

“You’re right, of course.” He toasted his friend with his fluted glass of champagne. In the back of his mind, Malfoy couldn’t shake the thought that something was very wrong.

Remus ate slowly while listening intently to Malfoy’s conversation. Instinctively he knew that the unexplained incident at Gringotts had something to do with the Order. However, it wasn’t Dumbledore’s style. He slowly sipped his drink and wondered what was happening with the Order. He must find a way to communicate with them without getting killed.

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The evening's entertainment would soon commence. The small troupe bustled about, finalizing the evening performance. The ladies would start with some songs followed by Mac’s readings. Then Pearl and Holly would come back out and perform their juggling and acrobatic act, to be followed by Hermione’s dance. If Hermione had searched the crowds once she had looked a dozen times, never seeing Gavin.

“Don’t be nervous.” She felt a reassuring hand on her back. “As long as you don’t let your nerves get to you you’ll do fine.” Hermione was surprised that it was Holly that was comforting her. The singer always seemed a bit jealous of her.

“Thanks, I guess I’m getting stage fright.” She wasn’t going to explain that she was looking for the love of her life.

“Don’t worry, okay? You’ll be great.” The lights dimmed, signaling the show would soon commence. “That’s my cue. Break-a-leg.” Holly gave ‘Lola’ a slight kiss on the cheek before she dashed back stage.

Hermione wasn’t worried. Everything would be fine as long as she found Gavin.

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Standing unobtrusively against a wall in the farthest corner of the room, Remus used the heavy brocade drapes to partially hide behind. It was amazing what he learned by keeping his mouth closed and his ears, well… open. Most was unimportant, but interesting gossip. He learned little about the Death Eaters' plans. What he did learn was that they were planning something so devastating that it would shake the wizarding world to its foundation. He growled in frustration. Knowing that something dreadful was about to happen and not knowing what that something was irritated the usually mild werewolf.

“Enjoying yourself?” Greyback asked.

“Not really. Do you know what they're planning?”

Snickering, Greyback leaned in closely to the other werewolf’s ear. “There are too many ears to talk of such. We will talk when we get back to our caves, until then ‘try’ to enjoy the evening.”

Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly Remus asked, “That bad?”

With the slightest nod of his head Greyback went back to enjoying the shindig.

While he was sighing, Remus got an unusual scent. One he was familiar with. Sniffing the air, he tried to search out the odor. There were so many people with so many scents he couldn’t pinpoint the smell. He would have looked odd walking about with his nose lifted taking small sniffs of air if he wasn’t in a room full of werewolves. The others, the more feral werewolves, used the odoriferous ability to choose the food they ate or even finding a mate for the evening.

Walking past opened French doors, Remus caught the scent… Hermione. Crap, what was she doing here? Bewildered more than pissed Remus searched out his former student. About ten meters away, by a glowing fountain was Hermione. He easily snuck up on her since her mind seemed to be miles away.

“What, the fuck, are you doing here young lady?” he questioned quietly. Hermione squealed in surprise as she jumped away. She found a hand over her mouth before she could acknowledge Remus. “I'd rather keep my presence a secret,” he whispered in her ear. She nodded before he cautiously removed his hand from her mouth. He looked about to be sure no one saw their exchange.

“Now, why aren’t you at Hogwarts and for Merlin’s sake, why are you dressed as a harlot?”

“I think Gavin’s here.”

“What?” He pulled her deeper into the darkness of the yard.

“They used the Trojan Horse spell on him.” She knew that would explain most of Remus’ questions. “He’s here and I plan to find him.”

“That’s all well and good but once you find him, what do you plan to do with your young man?”

“I have absolutely no idea but I will be there for him, whatever that might be,” she stated with a resolute that Remus never heard from her before.

“And this costume?” He pointed to her skimpy costume.

Blushing, Hermione continued. “I am part of the entertainment tonight.”

“OHHHH, no you’re not.” He was about to apparate them away from Malfoy’s Manor when she pulled away from Remus.

“I’m staying and I’m doing whatever it takes for me to be there for Gavin. You can turn blue in the face trying to convince me otherwise but answer me this, if it was Rose Marie in there what would you do?”

Remus’ eyes narrowed as he bit his lower lip. “You’re a conniving little…”

“I know,” she interrupted. “I love you too. We’re in a war and we must all do what we must. I must be here. I hope you understand.”

“You’re of age and I’m no longer your professor but I don’t have to like it.” Remus paused. “Please be careful,” he begged.

“I plan on having many children with Gavin,” was her reply. “If you contact Dumbledore or Harry, tell them I’m fine. I have to go. Are you going to stay to watch me dance?”

“Yes… I’ll stay and Hermione?”

“Yes?”

“You’re beautiful but not as beautiful as you were.”

She blushed as she turned to go back.

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Gavin hadn’t wanted to attend the party but when the Dark Lord summoned him he went. At least he missed the boring intermingling of the Death Eaters and the werewolves. Now all he had to endure was the entertainment. Music, dancing, and story telling, what was entertaining about that? Give him swords flaring or wands flying, give him a life and death situation, now that would be diverting. Sauntering into the room with an ale in hand, he plopped down besides Voldemort and propped his feet onto the table. He found the singing tolerable and the story teller boring, even though many of his fellow Death Eaters were enthralled with his performance.

The music turned sultry and with the help of a little magic, the dance floor was filled with colorful swirls of a fog-like substance. From the midst of the fog came a barefoot beauty, dancing seductively to the mellow sounds of a harp. She teased her audience with her movements. Enticing her audience with promises that she would never fulfill, she moved faster about the floor.

Voldemort leered as she stripped each vale from her body. She would be his tonight. He would find out if this minx would be the seductress her dance promised or would she be all show and no action. He licked his lips in anticipation. Looking at her lilt body he had no doubt he would enjoy her no matter what.

Whispering in one of his guards' ears, Voldemort instructed him to bring the dancer to his private chambers as soon as the dance was over. Rubbing his prick through his pants, he smiled evilly as he made plans to impregnate her by morning. She would make an excellent carrier with those broad hips.

Voldemort was startled when Gavin stood abruptly, his chair flying backward, as he stalked onto the dance floor. Caught off guard Hermione found herself over Gavin’s shoulder.

Turning once, Gavin looked to the stunned audience and forcefully said but one word, “Mine!” He left the ballroom with Hermione struggling over his shoulder.

From where Voldemort sat, he could have sworn that he saw Gavin’s eyes flash red. Sighing, he looked about the room deciding who would become his entertainment for the evening. His eyes fell onto the well-tailored body of Lucius Malfoy. After the other evening he was planning to have some fun with his second in command anyway, why not now? He would see how that arse of his would feel around his cock.

Voldemort looked up and down at the un-expecting Lucius. They would make strong, attractive babies, even if he had narrow hips. Perhaps he’d slip a fertility potion into Malfoy’s wine tonight. A child with Malfoy, why hadn’t he thought of that before? He’d have to consider it. Once Voldemort caught Lucius’ eye, he waved him to come forward. He had all evening to decide if Lucius would be pregnant by morning or not. All he knew for sure was he would be in his bed within the hour.

Lucius smiled as he knelt before his Lord, ready and eager to please him.

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The door slammed hard against the wall, when Gavin kicked it opened. He threw Lola into the middle of his bed as if she weighted nothing. With his hands on his hips and his face filled with anger, he looked down at the stunned face of ‘Lola’.

His teeth clenched in anger, he said finally, “Hermione Jane Granger, what do you think you’re doing?”

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