Garden of Glass

by prose.titute

A clever suggestion from Hermione alters the events after her O.W.L.s. She is assigned a mission, under the guise of academia, for the summer. It requires her to be in close proximity of known foes of the Order of the Phoenix. Sirius lives. Dumbledore returns. Umbridge meddles. Filch mopes. Ron is well-meaning but tactless. Theodore Nott is intrigued. AU from end of OotP.

1. Prologue

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. (Damn it.)

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Prologue

Hermione thought she might collapse. They had to make decisions, quickly, but they had to be cautious. The pressure felt unbearable and Hermione ignored it for Harry's sake. For Sirius'.

"Harry, he's an adult who can help us!" Hermione saw that Harry was about to protest and continued to speak "Harry, Snape is the only remaining member of the Order of the Phoenix at Hogwarts." Hermione looked imploringly at Harry. This was a moment of total desperation. It could be a trap, or it could be the end of Sirius. Whichever it was, He Who Must Not Be Named was taking action finally.

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Author's Note: This idea has been cooking in my mental facilities for a few years now. I hope it lives up to my own expectations at the very least. I hope if you are reading this despite not being into the pairing, you will come to enjoy this story and how I choose to spin it or fall in love with the ship.