"I'm home!" Blaise called, shutting the door behind him with his foot as he balanced several small boxes in his hands.
"In here!" Andre called back, not looking up from where he and Dioleh were facing a large bulletin board. Pinned to the top was a cutout of the locket from a picture they had found of Umbridge in the Daily Prophet. Along with the picture, there were cutouts of every lead they had thus far.
As Blaise set down the Chinese food he had gotten for them, Dioleh adjusted the small mirror Hermione had enchanted for them to use as she said, "We've got lookouts trying to find Umbridge and figure out where she lives but we haven't seen her appear yet."
"Lie," Blaise said quickly. "I saw her today."
"Oh good," Hermione said from the other end.
"So, what's your plan?" Harry asked. He, Ron, and Hermione had been forced to move into a tent in the woods as their lodgings. It was there that the three of them were, sitting around a table and listening to their report.
"Wait and see if there's a morning she doesn't wear the necklace," Andre replied with a small shrug. "Then just break in and take it."
"I can't see it being that simple," Blaise countered, opening his box of pork fried rice. "She has spells all around the entrance. It won't be easy to break in."
"We'll figure it out and let you three know when we do," Dioleh said. "How are things going on your end?"
"Very slowly," Harry admitted. Dioleh thought she heard a scoff from Ron.
"We can explain it all later, but I need to talk to Dioleh alone a moment," Hermione said. Dioleh could see that she had picked up the mirror and was leaving the tent.
"Give me a second," Dioleh said. Andre and Blaise gave understanding gestures and she quickly grabbed the mirror and stepped outside the door and walked up to the spare room Blaise had told her she could stay in. "What's up?"
"Things aren't going well here at all," Hermione admitted. Dioleh could see stress lining her sister's young face as she spoke. "We had a rather close call with a group of snatchers. One of them grabbed hold of us as we were apparating back to Grimmauld Place. That's why we had to leave but Ron loosened his grip as we apparated again and he got badly splinched. He's been a bit moody ever since."
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Dioleh said softly. "The boys are doing all right here, but then again, it isn't hard for us to get to food and shelter."
"And Harry keeps going on about wanting to visit Godric's Hollow and of course I understand why but it just seems like it would be so dangerous," Hermione said.
"Yeah, I know," Dioleh sighed. "But think about it. The quicker we find these things, the sooner this is all over."
⥖✦✧⦽✧✦⥗
Dioleh headed back down the stairs with the small mirror, now showing nothing more than a reflection, clasped in hand. "So, are things with Potter and friends as tense as they seem?" Andre asked as she stepped through the door.
"Pretty much," Dioleh said with a sigh. "But I doubt we'd be any better if we didn't get our personal space and time." Andre shrugged.
"Okay, so if we can't count on Umbridge leaving the necklace at home, what are we going to do? Break into the Ministry again?" Blaise asked.
"What's with you and breaking into the Ministry?" Andre replied irritably. "We can't. They shut down the Visitor's Entrance and we wouldn't have the cover of night on our side. We would have to go during the daylight, find Umbridge, and rip the necklace off her neck while also having enough time to get away without getting caught. How exactly do you want to pull that off?"
"I hate to say it, but Andre's right, Blaise," Dioleh sighed. "Breaking into the Ministry isn't an option."
"Then I have one more idea," Blaise said.
"What's that?" Andre asked with a sigh.
"Why not just jump her?" Blaise suggested with a shrug. "She walks home and passes through a dark alley to get to her apartment. The woman seems to think she's invincible."
"Probably why she didn't think defence had any purpose," Dioleh muttered.
"So, what? You think we should just attack her?" Andre replied, brows furrowed.
"Yes," Blaise replied. "Why not? It's the easiest way to get that necklace. We disarm and immobilize her, take the necklace, and walk away. Clean and simple."
"Something tells me it wouldn't be that simple," Dioleh said doubtfully.
"What other choice do we have?" Andre countered. "I don't fancy the idea of attacking her any more than you do, Dioleh, but this is the easiest way to handle her and get that necklace."
"Okay," Dioleh sighed. "Fine. When are we going to do this?"
"Dioleh, you should stay here," Blaise said, glancing over at Andre. "I know you can disguise yourself but it's not worth the risk and Andre and I can handle her just fine on our own."
"Yeah, whatever," Dioleh said, a hint of bitterness poisoning her tone. "I'm going to my room." Grabbing her food, she headed back upstairs. After finishing dinner, Dioleh opened the window, allowing the cool breeze to wash over her. With a content sigh, she sat down on the edge of the seat with one leg hanging out of each side and her back leaning against the window frame and her head against the top of the window she had just pushed up. Closing her eyes, she released another relieved breath, running her thumb methodically over the black-gold ring around her finger.