分卷阅读16（2 / 2）

Her partner stared at her in disbelief before finally answering, “The fourteenth.”

“All five of them and the kneazle are on the fourteenth floor right now.”

Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron as they studied the case board. She and Malfoy had little luck confirming or denying that the kneazle was Bertice, although the creature had only positive responses to everything Pansy Parkinson said, which spoke volumes to Hermione. It had to be her goddaughter.

“Granger,” Malfoy said in a low voice. Hermione turned to him. “Do you understand any of what’s happened to us?” It was in that moment Hermione forgot the details of the case. All thoughts of the potential that flashed between Malfoy and Harry disappeared. It was easy to get distracted from the fact that they had been cursed, especially when the others present in the Ancient Room seemed to get the worst of it. The worst of it, she cringed. Maybe she didn’t have a Gorgon-curse, but she still felt the grave despair of someone held hostage to an alien force. Hermione was about to ask if Malfoy had heard from anyone else, but Parkinson leaned in.

“Hermione,” pleading eyes met her own. “What do you make of this?” Parkinson pulled out a folded parchment and handed it to her. Still in a bit of a shock that she’d used her given name, Hermione eventually grabbed it. When she opened it, she gasped, and it drew the attention of Harry and Ron.

Hermione asked if she could read it aloud. Parkinson considered it and then nodded. She read:

To whom it may concern:

We have Bertrice Zivantus and we won’t return her until our demands are met.

10,000 Galleons

The agreed upon amount of inquollis anicorpus folia

Guinevere, the kneazle

Marwan Zivantus’ Timepiece

Hermione’s voice faltered after that. For a brief moment she locked eyes with Malfoy, before clearing her throat and continuing:

The drop off will be on the main field at the Aubigny Sports Centre in Haddington,

1 o’clock in the morning

Do not involve the Ministry

“What—when did you get this?” Hermione asked.

Parkinson frowned. “The owl showed up as soon as I checked into the hotel.”

“If anything,” Ron joined the huddle and sat in one of the armchairs. “This proves that his death and her kidnapping are connected. I’d reckon Marwan had contact with them before…”