Chapter 159 – Dead Drop (2)
Watching from the rooftop, their target remained in the park for over an hour before finally taking action. After walking around a few times, checking every bench and bush, he was finally brave enough to get to the tree. Gently but rhythmically tapping it with his wand, the bark slid open like a little door, revealing a package within. He was clearly hesitating to take it away, but then the rat on his shoulders moved, standing on its hind legs as if whispering into his ears.
"That is not a normal rat." Neville concluded at once, making the others nod in agreement.
After the boy collected the dead drop, he left in a hurry, taking long strides, making the group act and apparate from one rooftop to another, keeping a bird-eye view, watching the young man hurry through the streets.
"Quick! Down!" Hermione yelled as they teleported down into an alley thirty meters away, almost ending up in a trash bin because of their hurry.
Luckily, they managed to get out onto the main street in time to see the boy head down the stairs leading into the subways. Hermione took the lead, guiding them through catching up to the boy at the station, waiting amongst many other muggles for the train to arrive.
"It is rare to see a wizard so used to muggle technology and navigating their world..." Neville whispered, leaning close to Hermione.
"Spy?" Krum questioned, but even if he was, nobody knew which side he was on.
"Stay natural." Hermione answered, keeping her eyes on the clearly nervous man. "We don't want to tell him that we are following him; he is nervous enough."
"Maybe first mission."
"Or we are looking at a hostage situation." Hermione countered, making Krum nod while Neville raised an eyebrow.
"Death Eaters? You can't think..." He mumbled, watching Hermione's serious look, but she intentionally didn't answer him. But... she wasn't so sure the Order wouldn't stoop to the same lows that a Dark Wizard would utilize. They can simply cover their tracks, saying it is because of the hard times, desperation, a rouge agent, or what they have already heard a few times, and she felt disgusted by it all the time: For the so-called greater good.