A/N: so here we are again, Chapter One; thank you, dear reader, for taking this next step in journey with me. This part of the journey is going to be dark and painful before it gets better. Hopefully everything that I've done my job right and explained everything that I've been foreshadowing since Athena's beginning.

There will be trigger warnings were needed, please heed them. Athena is going to war and war is not pretty, it's not pristine and it is really not nice. As it stands, the girls will have chapters to themselves, going back and forth with expectations when I felt the chapter was too long.

Please, drop a review or hit me up on twitter, I'm Thewallflowerknight wallflowernight. I've never really used twitter before but I am learning.

So…without my further rambles: here we go and as always…I don't own Harry Potter…

Chapter One: Dawn's Discovery…

Hermione felt proud of herself and she couldn't help it as she and Harry made their way stealthily back towards the infirmary. She and Harry had had a long night so far but they'd saved Buckbeak and Sirius (even if he'd been slightly crazy and obsessed with Ronald rat) from Fudge; and Hermione was hoping that they'd saved Athena as well. Hopefully the usage of Hermione's time-turner had successful.

On some level, Hermione understood why Athena refused to let Pettigrew get away. Athena took care of those she considered family and Hermione had been surprised that Athena's plea had gotten through to Snape. Catching Pettigrew would have been instinctual to Athena.

Hermione refused to think about watching Athena absentmindedly sprint after Pettigrew and capture him. She refused to remember watching Lupin's werewolf take off after her girlfriend with the intent of killing her. Going back and watching it happen was a bit like torture, Hermione had almost panicked for a second time.

Then Hermione remembered what she'd learned from Snape's essay and was grateful for the massive grudge the potion's professor held for Lupin. Hermione had howled out a wolf's call, Harry had cut it short leaving Hermione to explain why she was doing it. It was to draw the wolf away from Athena.

Snape was too busy with Pettigrew, Sirius and Ron had re-broken his leg when Pettigrew had stolen his wand. Hermione was legitimately frightened for Athena, especially when Buckbeak had had to save them from Lupin's werewolf. He'd burst through the trees were they were waiting before hurrying off to where Harry and Sirius had been attacked by dementors.

Hermione was very happy the whole thing was over and was anxious to wrap her arms Athena before smacking the dark haired heiress silly for pulling such a stupid move. Then she was going to smack Athena for scaring her and possibly giving her grey hairs. When that was done, Hermione was going to kiss the girl.

Harry brought Hermione out of her musings when he grabbed her arm and stopped her just at the door to the secret passage, were a tapestry covered the entrance. They were just a floor below the infirmary and just feet away from the stairs that'd take them directly to where they needed to go. Harry pulled Hermione away from the tapestry and put his finger to his lips to keep her quiet.

"No!" Madam Bones growled not far away from them "I will not bring Peter Pettigrew back to this school, Minister!" she snapped dangerously "he's already in a holding cell at the DMLE and I will not put this school in anymore danger just to bring him back so you can give him to the dementors! I know what you want to do to Sirius Black and it is not happening!"

They heard Fudge stomp his foot in frustration as he spoke "it is my right to give him to the dementors! My order stands, Madam Bones…"

"Do not dare to threaten me, Cornelius," Amelia spoke lowly, the tone sent a shiver down Hermione's spine "you're position in Wizengamot's is weak after your brash order to send dementors here, to a school filled with children. Many of whom belong to prominent members of Wizengamot's," the woman's voice never wavered "you want to keep your position then I would suggest you allow me and my people to do their job. We are no longer at war, Cornelius, what do you think the public are going to think when they learn that Pettigrew was alive and hiding as an unregistered animagus, some kid's pet and this somehow involves the Heirs to several noble houses?" Bones demanded before she growled softly and stated firmly "I will not do what Barty did. I will not sweep this under the rug only to have it bite us in the ass later, like it has now. I will have answers, Cornelius and I will run you in if you keep trying to mess with my investigation. Even you, Minister, are not above the law."

Hermione was very impressed by the Head of the DMLE who'd just threatened the Minister of Magic. Maybe the steel this woman had running down her backbone was the reason that Athena admired the woman so much. Hermione had asked Athena why but the girl would just shrug and say that she couldn't explain it. Amelia Bones was unique and irreplaceable.

When Madam Bones spoke again, Hermione almost wished that she could see the look on the Minister's face "now, I have to find Severus Snape before I go and speak with Sirius Black after you almost had his soul sucked out! Then I have to go question a bunch of teens who should have never been in the middle of this!"

With that said, the two Gryffindors heard Madam Bones turn and marched away with Fudge hot on her heels, silently stalking after her. The pair waited another second before taking a peak out around the tapestry to see if the way was clear. It was, but just barely, as they watched the Department Head and the Minister disappear down the hallway.

They made it back to the infirmary door just was Dumbledore was instructing Hermione on how many turns of the turner they needed. He closed the doors then and locked them magically. Hermione and Harry were standing in front of him when he turned around and raised a greying eyebrow at them.

"Did you get done what needed done?" Dumbledore asked

Harry nodded "yes," looking back and forth between the headmaster and Hermione "we did, sir."

Dumbledore nodded, turned back around and unlocked the doors. He ushered the pair inside and closed the door again after winking at them. The infirmary was empty expect for Ron and Neville who were both sleeping off injuries incurred previously during the night. Hermione frowned as she rushed back to her bed. Athena wasn't here.

Madam Pompfrey stomped out of her office then, not looking happy at all "am I allowed to treat my patients now?" she demanded with an indignant hug as she headed for Harry first "I swear that man confounds me at times."

"Madam Pompfrey," Hermione called as the healer started passing her wand over Harry's body "where is Athena?" Hermione's concern deepened when the woman looked over at her, confused "she was with us tonight, she's supposed to be here!"

"I am sorry, Miss Granger, but I have not seen Miss Black in weeks, which would be a record for her," the woman mumbled that last part "I will summon Dumbledore back…or just wait."

The woman stood up, looking very unimpressed as she looked towards the doors to the hospital wing. Her distress was stemming from the loud argument that was getting closer and closer. Hermione recognized several voices, she'd just heard two of them not five minutes prior. In their mix was a very livid sounding Professor Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore was trying to play the peace maker.

"NO!" Snape was shouting "I know where I put that coward Sirius Black! He's gone and I tell you that Potter had something do with this! Potter and Black are always at the heart of what happens at HOGWARTS!"

"My granddaughter had nothing to do with this!" McGonagall hissed dangerously "watch yourself Severus."

"Now, now, Minerva," Fudge was trying to intervene as the doors to the ward burst open "I'm sure the children had nothing to do with this! They are just children after all!"

"Do I need to tell you about what happened earlier tonight again?" Snape rounded on the Minister just inside the doors "or what happened in their last two years! They are not just children, Minister!"

Madam Bones shook her head "they are also innocent until evidence says otherwise and right now we have no evidence! Now calm down, Severus, before I stun you and lock you in a broom cupboard!"

Snape snarled and swung his head round to lock his gaze on a wide eyed Harry "you!" the man growled dangerously "you helped Sirius Black escaped, didn't you!? DIDN'T YOU?"

Harry shook his head as Hermione let out a piercing whistle, drawing everyone's attention to her "forget where Sirius is, where's Athena!?"

Snape froze for a second before his eyes did a full sweep around the room "where is she? She should have been here by now!"

"Severus," the anger was gone now from McGonagall's voice "what do you mean 'she should have been here by now'? Where's my granddaughter?"

Snape straightened up and turned to Madam Bones "we need every Auror you have at Hogwarts to search the Forbidden Forest."

"Why?" Bones asked

"Because, the last I saw of Miss Black, she was being chased into the woods by Lupin," Snape admitted with a small glare at Dumbledore before continuing "he's a werewolf and tonight is a full moon! I caught a glimpse of him not long after and he wasn't all bloodied so we need to search the woods behind Hagrid's hut."

McGonagall looked horrified "why didn't you go after her?" she demanded grabbing Snape by the front of his robes

Snape didn't flinch as he responded "because there was chaos and two other of your cubs were hurt, Minerva. I had to choose and your granddaughter is one of the most capable students that I've ever met."

McGonagall's nostrils flared as she looked passed Snape's shoulder to the four filled infirmary beds, filled with students from her own house. Slowly, she made her fists relax and let go of Snape. Hermione watched the woman's internal struggle swirling in the woman's eyes as tears welled up in Hermione's.

"I'll call up my Aurors," Madam Bones's voice was steadfast despite the worry that was on her face "Albus, call up your teachers. Houses are under lockdown, no one in or out until Athena Black is found."

Dumbledore didn't protest to at being given orders in his own school regarding his own school. Instead the man nodded and drew his wand as he hurried out the door with McGonagall and Fudge following him. Madam Bones called to an elf named Manny and started rapid firing orders to the straight backed little elf. When she was done, the elf nodded and popped quickly out of existence. The woman then turned to Snape, who had been held back by her grasping his arm.

"I want to know everything that happened tonight and I want to know it now, Severus," her voice was calm and even but nonetheless commanding.

***Knight's Squire***

Nym was freaking out…internally, she hoped. The young Auror wanted to seem professional next to her mentor and he seemed stone cold at the moment. He'd been precise and demanding the moment that Bones's personal elf had pulled them out of the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore and Kinsley Shacklebolt had been waiting there just at the entrance. Most of the Hogwarts staff just beyond that haphazardly dressed and looking liked they'd just been pulled from bed.

When the reason they'd been pulled back was said it was Moody's steadfastness that had kept Nym from sprinting towards the woods by herself. Wand drawn and screaming Athena's name like a madwoman. Now she was glad that she'd waited, she probably wouldn't have found Athena's trail without Moody.

Nor would she have found Athena's wand as easily as Madam Hooch had. The woman's amazing vision had caught 11 inch aspen stick out of the cluttered debris of the forest floor. Nym's stomach felt like it wanted to revolt as she pocketed her cousin's wand safely inside her coat. Hooch handing it over without a fight, looking just as worried and scared as Nym felt. Poor Flitwick was trembling so had he couldn't keep his wand steady.

"Look!" it was Moody's harsh and gravelly voice that cut through the petrifying emotions, his wand lighting up a metal statue that really shouldn't have been in the forest.

"What in Merlin's crusty short pants?" Hooch frowned as she moved towards it and swore when she slip, nearly falling but caught herself with an outstretched hand "oh shit," she paled considerably when she brought her hand up to the wand light and saw the sticky and dark of the nearly dried blood there "where are you kid?" Hooch asked softly looking around before shouting very loudly "ATHENA!"

"She's here," Moody answered the shout, having shuffled passed the flying instructor. He was rather quick with that peg leg and was now standing before the armor "blood trail leads here," he said pointing with his ever present cane "looks like she was lying here and then got up and tried to walk away. Something grabbed her and dragged her backwards, right to here."

As Moody said that he smacked with his cane. Even he jumped when a loud, piercing scream issued forth from inside. It was filled with pain that set every nerve of Nym's nervous system on edge. The younger Auror lost her decorum then and ran to the armor, running her hands over it trying to find a seam in which she could pry it apart.

Flitwick sent off a patronus to the castle before joining the other three adults in trying to get the suit of armor to open. Every spell they tried fizzed out the moment it touched the steel that made up the statue. Powerful spells that would have melted the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower to just small puddles of goop no matter their construction.

"STOP!" Madam Bones cried as she entered the clearing, arriving in a flash of light with Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. Fawkes squawked as the phoenix swooped around the statue, landing on its shoulder and bowing its head "no more spells," the normally stoic woman looked…Nym couldn't quite describe what she was seeing on her boss's face. There was wonder, concern, fear and sadness; at least those were the ones that Nym recognized "you are not going to get that open with any spell that's ever been invented."

"What do you mean?" McGonagall demanded, her ebony wand drawn and only altering to its presence by the wand light coming from the end "what is it? Where's my granddaughter."

"She's inside," Bones answered before Moody could, the man looked…perplexed, Nym decided "she's inside the armor but…I thought these were just a myth."

McGonagall snapped through gritted teeth "again, Amelia, what do you mean?"

Madam Bones had moved to the statue and was gently running her hand over the chest plate, she looked back with a furled brow "this is a Knight of Camelot, Minerva, one of the seven suits of armor enchanted by Merlin himself…" she was cut off when another scream of pain echoed from inside the armor, Bones flinched at it. She caught McGonagall around the waist as the woman moved to attack it with fist and wand "stop, Min," the woman pleaded with a shuddering voice "she's trapped in there until the armor lets her out."

"Then let's make it let her go!" McGonagall hissed in cat-like fashion "NOW!"

Bones shook her head sadly "I can't and neither can you…I promise I will tell you everything Minerva but first," she looked to where Dumbledore was staring dumbly at the statue, froze in midstride with his hand point loosely at the statue "first, we need to get the statue out of the forest. It will be safer that way."

"Poppy has a way to get her out?" McGonagall asked in hopeful whisper

Bones shook her head with watery eyes "no, it'll be safer for us because your werewolf Defense Professor might comeback smelling the blood that's on the ground and Hooch's hand. Not to mention any other predator in these woods looking for a meal."

***H***

Hermione sat on the bed with Harry holding his hand almost as tightly as he was holding hers. Their backs were to the metal headrest, they hadn't moved since Madam Bones and Snape had been called away by a rhino patronus. It'd given Bones a location and then vanished.

The bushy haired bookworm had defied Madam Pompfrey as she crawled onto the bed with Harry. Not that Madam Pompfrey was trying all that hard to get Hermione back to her own bed. Hermione needed the comfort as much as Harry did, both wiping at tears, running noses and staring distractedly at the end of the bed.

When the doors opened, Hermione felt hope surge in her chest. All she wanted to see Athena, just a glimpse to know the girl was okay. She sat up straighter on the bed and then tilted her head in confusion at the massive statue of armor that was being wheeled into the room. At least she wasn't alone in her confusion. Madam Pompfrey and Harry looked just as dumfounded when Alastair Moody brandished his wand and caused a bed to disappear, the one that Hermione was supposed to be in.

They watched in silence as the gathered group of adults, Aurors and Hogwarts faculty (all except Hagrid because he wasn't there and Flitwick as he was trying to keep from being stepped on), physically lifted the armor off the fat-wheeled dolly to put it in place of the missing bed. Nym broke the silent confusion the two Gryffindors were in by coming and sitting next to Hermione in a conjured chair.

Madam Bones was shaking her head as turned her back to the crowd so she was looking upon what she was the looming statue "Aurors," she called over her shoulder "I want a perimeter search of the school and Hogsmeade. The school is to stay in lockdown until further notice, the students can eat in their common rooms. Moody, Tonks, I want you to stay here and guard the Infirmary," the woman turned back around to the group of Aurors "no word of this is to be uttered. Any mention of this leaks and I will become your worst nightmare, am I understood?"

There was firm nods of understanding and then they were gone. Dumbledore gave the woman a nodded before he address his staff. Rosenberg was asked to take care of Gryffindor during the lockdown or until McGonagall or Kaylee could relieve her; the woman accepted without hesitation. Again, a gag order was given and the teachers were sent off into the light of the new day before the students could start trying to exit their common rooms to head to breakfast.

***H***

A table was conjured just a little ways down from where the armor stood. Neville and Ron had woken as weepy Kreacher and Jubilee arrived with platters. The elves touched the armor, a soft caress before leaving. Hermione watched, feeling her breath catch in her chest and her eyes welling up again at the tender love the elves had shown.

"So, what exactly is up with the suit of armor?" Neville asked frowning, weakly prodding at the food in front of him. He hadn't been very hungry after getting the news about last "I know you said Athena's in it but why is she in it?"

Madam Bones sighed and glanced around the table. It was the four Gryffindors, McGonagall, Nym, Kaylee, Madam Pompfrey and Dumbledore had arrived not too long ago with Aunt Andy and Uncle Ted. Hermione watched Madam Bones nod as she sat her teacup, gently down, not bothered by the rattling of the china.

"My grandfather, Marvin Bones was a well-known magical historian. His focus had originally been the middle ages, how magicals dealt with the witch hunts, the religious wars and he dabbled a little with the politics of the Hundred Years War," Bones eased smoothly into her explanation "he was pretty well into his career when he became obsessed with the city of Camelot and her knights," Bones smiled softly as she looked to her cup, lost in childhood memories Hermione guessed "he had several books co-authored with Bathilda Bagshot even," the woman sighed and looked up from her cup "my grandfather used to tell me stories, you see. He'd been trying to validate a family legend which is what started his obsession. Legend goes that when the original Knights of the Round Table started dying; the wizards of Arthur's inner circle, Merlin enchanted their armor."

Harry frowned and pointed to the statue "that thing was enchanted by Merlin?"

Bones nodded "from what my grandfather could corroborate, yes," the woman sighed and leaned back into her chair "the armor's purpose, single purpose. Merlin enchanted their armor so that the armor would be sentient and going looking for some witch or wizard worthy enough to take up the title of the knight the armor belonged too as legend goes. My grandfather found several mentions of Sir Belvidere, Sir Gawain and Lancelot throughout the ages," Bones leaned forward for her tea and sipped before stating "their names became titles but their existence shrouded," she looked to Dumbledore then "if my grandfather was not mistaken the Knights even have a treaty with Hogwarts."

Dumbledore frowned "I can neither confirm nor deny that," he shifted uncomfortably in his seat "headmaster oaths and such, but I can say much of what you are saying is…correct."

McGonagall huffed irately, her accent threatening its natural brogue as she slapped the table "just tell me how ta get ma granddaughter out!"

"We can't," Madam Bones shook her head as she repeated herself "the armor was created for the original knights of old, the wizards of Arthur's inner circle by Merlin himself," Bones stressed, setting her cup aside for a second time "there is no magic on this earth that can make the armor open up before whomever inside is deemed worthy…or fail and their bodies are returned."

"What do you mean by that?!" Aunt Andy demanded with an outraged cry as she jumped out of her chair with clenched fists, Uncle Ted put a comforting hand on her arm to keep her from attacking Madam Bones.

The Department head sighed and said with a frown "those who are not worthy of knighthood are killed, they failed. There is a price to be paid for entering the armor, either take up the title or give up your life."

"No!" Hermione lost it shouting "no, no and just NO! I don't believe you!" Hermione half stood and glowered "I will not believe this is happening!"

Neville chimed in next "me neither, that isn't a knight-thingy and whatever is in there isn't Athena. She's still out there somewhere in the forest hurt!"

Harry stepped in next and stopped whatever Madam Bones was going to say "NO!" he shouted, on his feet "this is too much! Neville's right, Athena just can't be in there because…because if she was then…she'd be…no!"

"Hey," Uncle Ted spoke softly as he stood and pulled Harry into a crushing hug, Harry allowing it so it'd hide his tears "everything's going to be fine. You know Athena," he chuckled "this knight thing isn't going to know what hit it."

Kaylee spoke for the first time "I want to see the research," she told Bones, hands limp in her lap "what your grandfather did. I want to see it for myself," her voice choking up and her eyes brimming with nearly shed tears "I have to see it because that's my baby there and I need to know for myself."

"Agreed," Hermione was rubbing at her wetted cheeks "I want to see it too."

Madam Bones frown deeply "when my grandfather died, my mother donated his whole entire library to Napoleon's National Archive of Magic in Paris, France where her sister was a director. I'm afraid if you want to see his work then you'll have to go there."

Ronald Weasley nodded resolutely "okay, when do we leave?"

***Knight's Squire***

Saturday had been a long day for Minerva McGonagall as it had continued on until Sunday morning. There'd been no time to rest after Saturday morning's breakfast. They'd had to go searching for a very naked Remus Lupin and explain to the man what had happened. McGonagall had never seen a man looked so soul crushed before. Even Severus hadn't had the heart to prod the man in any way.

The DADA professor's resignation had been a dual sword for McGonagall. On one hand she wanted to flay the man alive for attacking her granddaughter and on there she knew that it wasn't exactly his fault for what had happened. He hadn't been in control of the beast and admittedly Athena shouldn't have run. However, throwing blame wasn't going to fix the situation and maybe that's what irked McGonagall the most.

She was drawn out of her thoughts when there was a knock upon her office door. The Scottish witch had retreated there after dealing with Hermione stomping on Lupin's foot. Lupin had been taken to the infirmary to be checked over after his night and half day in the forest without clothes. The four Gryffindors were still under lockdown until Dumbledore and Bones could decide what information they wanted released to the student population and to rest the magical world.

"Come!" McGonagall yelled not having enough energy to care about being proper and answering her door "Amelia," McGonagall wasn't exactly surprised to see the woman "how are you this morning?"

The head of the DMLE sank into the chair opposite of McGonagall's desk and seemed to melt into it "wishing I was twenty years younger when working forty-eight hours straight wasn't as much of a struggle as it is now," the blonde woman admitted with a darkened chuckle (McGonagall was in total agreement) before righting herself in the chair "wanted you to know that the DMLE is working on clearing Sirius's name."

McGonagall looked confused "and?" she asked "I know you, Amelia, you wouldn't be telling me this without a reason. What's that reason?"

Bones sighed and rested an elbow on the arm of her chair so to prop up her head "I know more about the knights than I admitted yesterday," she held up her free hand for peace "I didn't add this bit in because, honestly, I didn't think the children needed to know it."

McGonagall reined her initial anger in "alright, what is it?" she asked as calmly as possible

"There are laws, Wizengamot laws…well, rules pertaining to the knights. The Ministry isn't even three hundred years old," Bones said wearily "and there hasn't been a recorded Knight on the British Isles since the Ministry's founding…"

"But Wizengamot's is older," McGonagall nodded in understanding

Amelia nodded, fighting back a yawn "yep, and it means that Wizengamot's is older than the Ministry but Camelot is so much older Wizengamot's. Camelot's laws ruled the land far longer than Wizengamot's and the Ministry put together. In fact, Wizengamot's was formed just after the kingdom fell in order to keep a semblance of peace throughout British wizardom."

"You look like you could use a good night's rest, friend," McGonagall playfully scowled as she fought off a yawn induced by Amelia's.

"Don't I know it," the blonde woman straightened up and rubbed at her burning eyes with the heels of her hands "sleep will come when I'm done here. I have to be back at the Ministry tomorrow to see what my Aurors were able to get out of Pettigrew and to deal with Fudge. I'm not doing that on no sleep."

"You're more than welcome to use my fireplace to head home," McGonagall offered, thinking of her own comfortable bed waiting just beyond the standing stone's portrait "now, what do these 'rules' say?"

"I don't remember," Bones admitted "I know they pertain to how much political power the knights have and what their standing in Wizengamot's is. To be honest, I never was that interested in them because they were written in Latin. However, I know they're there and they're important and on my to-do list to catch up on."

"Mine now as well," McGonagall sighed, taking her glasses off to rub at the corners of her eyes "was there more or was that all you wanted to talk about?"

"No," Bones shook her head "I'm actually worried about when Athena comes back, knight or no, she's going to have to deal with Sirius."

McGonagall stopped what she was doing and snapped hard, green eyes to her blurry friend "what do you mean by that?"

"Sirius being cleared and released from Azkaban would…could, cancel out the deal that Narcissa made with Wizengamot's regarding Athena's ascending to ladyship at her majority," Amelia frowned, shifting in her chair "as he wasn't the one to declare her his heir as it went to her by default, he could disown her and chose a different heir."

McGonagall frowned deeply "why are you worried about this?" the professor was confused "what brought on that line of thought?"

"Something that both Lupin and Snape said," Amelia confessed without hesitation "Sirius wanted Harry to come and live with him, to be Harry's legal guardian. Potter said no but Lupin admitted that even he has a hard time not looking at Potter and seeing James," she shook her head "Remus had to pay attention in class so not to call the boy by his father's name, he's afraid that Sirius is going to not be able to distinguish between the two, that he's going to be obsessed with Harry. Remus told me that Athena doesn't think that Sirius can actually handle being Lord Black and I find it very disturbing that Remus Lupin agreed with her."

McGonagall looked very shocked and disturbed by that revelation "but Sirius can't disown Athena, she's legally his heir. It has been declared by Wizengamot's and backed by Gringotts that Athena is the next Lady Black. There is no legal way he can disown her without someone shouting line theft and getting himself chucked back into Azkaban," McGonagall pointed out "maybe if there was another blood member of the Black family in the UK…he just can't."

"But he can destroy what Andromeda and Athena have worked to build, he can destroy what progress their house has made," Amelia pointed out "which is why I have a meeting set up with Andromeda in the next few days," the woman sighed "I need time to look into the old laws and find a way to keep Andromeda as Black's proxy, so she has more power than him. It was Athena's wish that he not have true power over their house. If this is how I can help her while she's in there then I don't feel useless Minerva."

McGonagall nodded slowly, resting her forearms on her desk "I get it, Amelia but I don't think Athena would be very happy if you compromised your position as DMLE Head in the process," McGonagall eyed the sleep deprived woman "get some sleep before you do anything that could cost you your job for playing favoritism with the houses."

Bones smirked "who'd fault me for wanting to keep a leash on Sirius Black?" she asked "in all seriousness, Minerva…what is that?"

Bones was distracted from what she was going to say when a leather bound journal started to levitate off the desk. The embossed rune and knot work started to glow and fill the room with a tingling light. Both McGonagall and Bones scrambled back away from the desk as the tingling sensation got to the point of making their skin crawl and their teeth itch. Then just as quickly as it started, the light vanished, the tingling sensation dissipated and the journal fell to the desk open to the first page.

"What in the Divine's names?" McGonagall drew her wand, holding it on the now open journal.

Bones's was wide eyed and stepping around her knocked over chair, her own wand drawn "what the name of Merlin's underpants is that!?"

McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the other woman "really?" she asked in teasing belief "Merlin's underpants? Are we five years old again?"

Amelia glared at the professor "you might be if you keep that up, Minerva, I knew a few spells that's make you five years old again…or make you believe you were," she scoffed and jerked her head towards the desk "now what is that!"

McGonagall decided not to push the issue and sighed "that is a journal that Ro and Athena found in Heather Valley. Athena spotted it and brought it back. She took it to Kaylee to get it date and Kaylee figured it to be over two hundred and forty years old," McGonagall explained as she inched closer to poke the tome with her wand "Kaylee gave it to me because it had some heavy rune and knot work to seal and time lock it. It's been sitting on my desk since Christmas. I hadn't been able to open it and decided to set it aside…then I forgot about it with the million other things going on here at Hogwarts."

Amelia frowned and tilted her head questioningly "is that so?" she asked "I mean the finding of the thing," she rolled her eyes "I already know how busy this place gets but why would it open now?"

McGonagall gasped and paled "I don't know but it's addressed to me…"

"What!?" Amelia rushed around the desk to stand beside the professor

There on the front page, in neat cursive handwriting was McGonagall's name with the current date at the top. As the two women read the more drawn each of their expressions became until McGonagall slammed the journal shut and rapidly backed away from the desk.

Minerva McGonagall, June the 12th in the year of our lord Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Four

I am writing this in reverent hope to ease the burden of worry that has been place upon your shoulders. As, I myself, am a mother and a grandmother I would be very grateful that someone would do me the same curiosity if they were to find themselves in the same position that I now find myself in. My name is Emily Lucille Black nee Prescott and I find myself as the guardian to a rather peculiar curiosity; your granddaughter, Athena Cassiopeia Black.

Before you disregard this, let me give evidence to let you know that I am not pulling a 'fast one' as Athena would say. I know that you are a professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts and hold a mastery in subject and I know that, while I write this letter in September of 1745 you will be reading it in 1994. I know that you lost family to a creature called Voldemort and that you had a man named Blake Fraser take guardianship of your granddaughter.

I know that Athena shattered a whiskey decanter in your office just after she first became an animagus. My husband and youngest son were horrified to learn of the demise of the whiskey and that it came from a frolicking Frenchmen. I believe that Athena may have exaggerated about the Frenchmen.

Now that the evidentiary portion of this is over, let me advise you to that which your granddaughter has found herself in…

"What the hell?" Bones frowned and whirled around when she heard a body hit the floor and found McGonagall passed out. The woman sighed and magicked the slumbering professor onto the couch across the room from them. When Amelia had the Scottish woman comfortable she whispered "well my old friend, it looks like our work is just starting. You sleep and let me handle this."

***H***

Hermione couldn't help but glare at Dumbledore when she and the boys were released from captivity and sent back into the wilds of Hogwarts (Harry's words). They'd been let out just in time to have breakfast with the rest of school that last Monday of term. Gryffindor descended up on them, swallowing them up and demanding to know where they'd been. It was Malcom who realized that Athena wasn't with them.

Malcom's mother hadn't said anything about Athena being missing, Malcom frowned as they were ordered to take their seat by Dumbledore and in fact she hadn't really said anything of what was going on. Hermione watched the frown cover the younger boys face as he sharply looked to the Ravenclaw table, found his sister before looking to where his mother was sitting at the teacher's table.

"Good morning," Dumbledore's voice rang clearly throughout the hall, cutting the chatter of the student body "another year almost gone," the aged wizard started "in two days' time you will be packed up and headed home for the summer break. Before then, I would like to inform you as to why all houses were on lockdown this past weekend. There was an incident on school grounds which required the summoning of the Aurors. I will tell you before you heard it from the newspapers," the man paused, the hall was on edge and Hermione wished the headmaster would get on with it "Sirius Black is an innocent man and was wrongly accused for the crimes of another, Peter Pettigrew. This was why Sirius Black escaped and came here to Hogwarts where Mr. Pettigrew was hiding. Pettigrew has been taken into custody and the host of dementors that assisted in the search for Sirius Black have returned to Azkaban. That is all."

Dumbledore was starting to turn away from his podium when the Weasley twins demanded "WHERE'S ATHENA!"

The headmaster hesitated before turned back, Hermione swore the man sighed heavily as he faced the room again "Miss Black is currently with family during this time of duress."

Hermione snorted, that was technically true. Nym and Uncle Ted had been watching over the statue when Hermione and the boys were shooed out of the infirmary to go to breakfast. Across the way, Hermione caught Draco's inquiring eyes. She gave a small shake of her head and then nodded when the boy mouthed 'council tonight'?

***H***

Getting to the Come and Go room was ridiculously easy, it sort of a sore point with Hermione. For a school that claimed to take student safety seriously they were sure lax on security. How else could you explain how the dozen or so Gryffindors (minus the Holmes twins who were with their family in McGonagall's quarters) sneaking through the halls and not getting caught.

A part of Hermione wished they would get caught. She wanted to argue and fight. That felt better than the constant dread, grief, worry and hopelessness that had plagued her and twisted up her stomach since she'd learned Athena's fate. Hermione had a hard time even eating and deep down she was very grateful to Kreacher who prodded her to eat. The withered elf cooing to her softly that 'Miss Myne needed to eat if she wanted to help Miss Hammy'.

Hermione thought of the little elf as she listened to Harry, Ron and Neville relay all the details of their adventure and what happened to Athena. The bookworm had not the heart to repeat any of it, to give voice to it so to make it real to herself. She was already thinking ahead, how she was going to get to France.

Hermione was determined to go one way or another even if McGonagall had asked them to leave the details up to her. She was brought of her packing plans when Neville nudged her and Hermione found that everyone was looking at her. Hermione could feel the mood of the room as she looked around the table.

It was somber and withdrawn; Angie had her face buried in George's chest with her shoulders trembling. Many were on the edge of tears and Ginny was holding her head in her hands trying to remember how to breathe, Hermione assumed that's what Daphne was whispering in the second year's ear as she rubbed calming circles on Ginny's back. Only Draco and Susan looked appropriately horrified in Hermione's opinion.

"What?" Hermione asked having no idea why Neville had gotten her attention

Cedric cleared his throat and asked "what can we do to help?"

Hermione shrugged "I don't honestly know right now," the Gryffindor admitted shifting in her seat "I know that a handful of us are going to France to do research but I…I don't know what to do beyond that."

"We listen," Draco said as Hermione deflated in her chair "there'll be rumors running about after this," he wiped at his eyes before continuing "the return of Lord Black will have backlash. Who doesn't have an owl?" he asked and then rolled his eyes at the Weasley's "a proper owl and not a feather snitch or one that should be retired?"

"Why?" Annie asked leaning against Luna

"I know a breeder of owls," Draco shrugged as if that were a common place thing "we need to keep in contact with each other and sending owls is less conspicuous than using patroni all the time. I can get an owl for whomever needs one."

Hermione zoned out again as the rest of the council started discussing Draco's offer and whatever else…Hermione really wasn't paying attention anymore. In fact, she stayed in a zoned out state long after the meeting was over and she'd returned her dorm room. One of Athena's elves, maybe, had stripped Athena's bed and had taken her things.

Upon seeing this, Hermione had rushed to her own wardrobe to make sure her pilfered stash of Athena's shirts and hoodies were still there, ignoring the other girls as she went. Tears leaked down Hermione's cheeks in relief as she pulled out Athena's favorite hoodie, her Montrose Magpie one, and pulled it on. Hermione gave into the sobs that threatened her since the start of the ordeal and gave way at the smell of mixture of minty freshness and old books that lingered that. The fragrance that was Athena.

Eloise, Lavender, Fay and Parvati helped Hermione to her bed and curled up with her like they'd done so many times over the course of the year. To them, Hermione poured her heart out about everything she'd refused to at the council meeting. She couldn't help it as she breathed in her girlfriend's comforting scent. Hermione confessed her fear that Athena wasn't coming back.

***H***

Hermione's trunk was packed and ready to go to the train but Hermione wasn't…she wasn't ready to leave Hogwarts. It was early Wednesday morning, the train would be leaving at ten after breakfast and Hermione was sneaking into the infirmary instead of doing one last check over of her part of the dorm. Hermione couldn't leave without…something from the statue of armor. She knew she wouldn't get anything back but there were things she had to say.

Bridget was on duty, in a plush reclining chair, book and steaming cup of tea at hand. Hermione had never really interacted with Athena's aunt but was very thankful when the woman gave her a hug and went to Pompfrey's office to give Hermione some privacy. Teary eyed and with a lump in her throat, Hermione put her hands to the statue's chest.

"I still don't believe that you're in there," the girl whispered to the cold metal "but if you are then, bloody hell, Athena, you need to come back. We need you," she paused to swallow the lump "train to London is leaving today. I wanted to stay but I can't," Hermione let her tears roll down her cheeks unchecked, she didn't want to stop touching the armor "there a chance of an answer to this in France, so that's where I'm going. One way or another, Hammy, I'm going to get you out of there and this is my chance and," Hermione gently leaned her forehead against the armor "I have to leave you do it. I hate this, I hate this so much, Athena. I hate Sirius, without him we wouldn't have been there. I hate Pettigrew because without his cowardice the whole situation wouldn't have arisen and Harry's parents would still be alive. I am so angry at you, Athena and I don't want to be. You left me alone, damn you, you left me alone to figure this out just when I need your beautiful mind the most. When I need you…"

***H***

The somber and quite of the train ride home was only broken twice. Once when Hermione had told the boys why McGonagall had held her back after breakfast that morning before they left…Hermione had decided to drop Muggle Studies when McGonagall had asked for the time-turner back for the summer break. The need to take so many classes didn't seem as overpowering now. She'd go back to a normal schedule keeping Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures.

The second break not long after Hermione's cabin partners had let their chat about Hermione using the time turner die out. Su Li (who was almost sitting in Neville's lap) thought it was hilarious that the boys had never figured it out when all of Ravenclaw had it figured in the first two weeks of the school year.

It was caused by a bird no bigger than Pig, bouncing off the window to get their attention. Ron caught the thing has he'd had the most experience in handling smaller owls. He'd opened the window and caught the miniature owl in a gentle hold. Crooks ignored the puff ball as it lay panting in Ron's lap after Ron had handed over the letter that had been addressed to Harry.

The boy sighed and shook his head. Hermione waited for him to say what the letter had been about but Harry didn't say. He just folded the letter back up and put it back in the envelope. Then Harry folded the envelope in half and shoved it down his front pocket, not saying a word as he looked back out the window.

"From Sirius?" Neville asked cautiously

Harry nodded disgruntled before being leapt on by Luna. She'd been sitting across from him and Hermione guessed that the blonde girl hadn't liked Harry's frown. Hermione started up a conversation about Paris in order to drag everyone else's attention away from the couple. She wanted to give them privacy for their whispered conversation.

Hermione shouldn't have been too surprised that Su Li spoke fluent French but was blown away that Neville could as well. The bookworm had just blinked at the Longbottom Heir when he started informing her that his family owned a manor house just outside of the city of Paris. It'd been in their family for over two hundred years.

Su Li was just a nerd. That's how the girl had responded in a flat tone that made Hermione laugh for the first time in days. At least Su Li was accepting of it and it brought to mind first year when Hermione, Athena and Neville had gone home for the Christmas Holiday. She'd never imagine that Su Li would integrate herself in Hermione's group the way the girl had and she was grateful for it.

Arriving at the King's Cross Station was a bit emotional toss up for all them, Hermione noted. There'd already been an emotional burden upon the children and finally getting to see their parents was the proverbial straw. Hermione noticed that her parents weren't that surprised to be rushed and dragged into crushing hugs only to be cried on.

Hermione had thought that she was done with the tears or at least she'd hoped. After what seemed like a long time her parents pulled away and moved to greet Hermione's friends with the same crushing hug that Hermione was getting from Su Li's mother. That was how it went until everyone had been cooed over and welcomed back.

Lady Longbottom spoke to the gathered group of parents and students "I would like to invite you all to Longbottom Manor day after tomorrow for lunch. There are things that need discussed and plans to be made," the formidable woman looked to Hermione and her parents then "I will be sending one of my most trusted elves to bring you round by magical means, mostly a portkey, will that acceptable."

Hermione looked up at her mom who was nodding "it would, Lady Longbottom, thank for thinking of us," the dentist bowed her head before asking "is there anything we can bring food wise?"

Lady Longbottom just grinned and nodded. Apparently the woman was fond of twinkies and Coca-Cola. She never bought them herself but would never pass up the opportunity for them. The Granger parents just smiled and nodded saying they would bring some with them. Hermione had expected a rant about sugar content from the dentists but that didn't happen. They just gathered up Hermione's trunk on a trolley with Crooks cage on top and followed the Uncle Ted and Harry to the parking lot.

***H***

"So," Hermione dad said softly from the front seat "when were you going to tell us that you and Athena were dating?"

"The wedding," Hermione mumbled under her breath before sighing and rising her head away from the window and the passing London traffic "I don't know," she caught her mom looking at her in the review mirror with a skeptic look on her face "really, mum, I swear I don't know. I was going to but it just didn't seem like the kind of thing to be put in a letter."

Her mom nodded "alright, I can agree with that but it would have been nice to have clues dropped in letters leading up to it beyond what your father and I saw whilst you two were home," the woman snorted "I lost twenty quid on you lot."

"What?!" Hermione cried in shock

Mr. Granger snorted with laughter "yep, I said that you girls would get together third year whilst your mum voted for summer hols after."

"How could you make a bet like that!?" Hermione squeaked in dismay, her hands gripping the seatbelt across her chest. Her fingers digging into the strap "why is everyone making bets on Athena and mine love lives?"

Mrs. Granger turned in her seat to look back at her daughter "because, love, you two were so obvious about it. It was overly sweet too, I was worried I'd have to start checking your father and I for cavities."

"Mum…" Hermione groaned

The older woman reached back and playfully smacked Hermione's knee "don't 'mum' me, young lady, I get to tease. I approve of Athena. She is a good egg and we will get her back, just you see," Mrs. Granger promised "can't let my future daughter-in-law get away with no teasing, can I? Oh," the woman had started to turn away from her red-faced daughter and stopped "expect teasing from Andy as well and Nym."

"Which one told?" Hermione asked narrowing her eyes suspiciously, it was probably Nym.

Her mother didn't answer, just winked at her and turned back round. Properly sitting in her seat before asking her husband where they should eat for dinner. Hermione folded her arms across her chest and let out a loud huff, letting her forehead resting against the window.

A small part of her was happy that her parents approved of her relationship with Athena. Hermione had heard and read too many stories about the problems of 'coming out' and what could happen. Now that she thought about it, Hermione felt super lucky to have her parents and that did make her smile.

***H***

It had been a full week after the luncheon at Neville's house that the elected group had been scheduled to leave. Hermione was blown away by the fact that Molly Weasley had let Ron willingly join their excursion. That had been almost as amazing as the monies put up by the Longbottoms, Blacks, McGonagalls and the Clan Li to fund the group for a month in Paris.

As much as this vexed Hermione, it was just one of the many rules laid down before the adults (mainly Molly Weasley) would agree to the trip. The adults had held firm to the rules that had been spelled to a board that would travel with them to France. Hermione had argued for more time but had been denied.

They were only allowed the weekdays to do research between the hours of ten in the morning to closing time at the Archives. Weekends were meant for exploring and being on holiday; Lady Longbottom was very firm on that one. Any arguing with the adults or fighting amongst each other would end the trip right then and there. When it was time to go it was time to go. There would be no compromise on that.

Lady Longbottom would be their official sponsor and chaperone as they'd be staying at Chateau de Longbottom; meant she held the purse coins and got to tell them where they could and couldn't go. The Granger parents were going for two weeks (happily accepting the rules that had been laid down) and would be helping the Longbottom Matriarch herd the child with the help of Uncle Ted, Kaylee and a reluctant Nym. The Auror had wanted to stay at Hogwarts with her mum and McGonagall to watch over the armor and to deal with Sirius.

Hermione had overheard the argument and knew that McGonagall had enough people to watch over the armor, including Blake Fraser (which Hermione found really weird). Nym hadn't been very happy about that and had stormed out of Longbottom Manor after being handed a scroll from Madam Bones. It was orders from Madam Bones and gave Nym the authority to act as an Auror on protection detail on foreign soil. McGonagall had seen Hermione and the two of them had talked about who was going where.

The Holmes were at Hogwarts for the summer, Aunt Andy and Angie (plus the Weasley twins who weren't usually far from Angie's side), a few of the professors had volunteered and there few others that McGonagall hadn't named but had mentioned. This group would free up the others to go to Paris. McGonagall was entrusting Hermione with fact finding mission and Hermione wasn't about to fail.

Joining Hermione, Neville, Harry and Ron on their journey was Susan Bones and Su Li. Susan was going because she could get them full access to her great-grandfather's words and Su Li wasn't in Ravenclaw because of her looks (her words) plus her family was paying her way to be there. Ginny hadn't been allowed to go, Luna was off somewhere in the Amazon already, Annie had been radio silent since being picked up at the train station as had Draco and Cedric. Colin was with the Holmes twins for the start of summer.

Daphne had been doing research of her own and…it was then that Hermione realized that the council she advocated for was primarily made up of Gryffindors and her circle of friends. That had given Hermione pause while she'd been packing. Hermione sighed and made a mental note to talk to Susan about fixing that as Susan seemed to be their unspoken leader. That was another thing that Hermione was going to figure out what happened.

As per the plan, Longbottom elves came to collect luggage the night before they were to travel and then the Grangers caught a ride with Ted Tonks and his scowling daughter to the Ministry of Magic. Through connections in Wizengamot's, Hermione's parents had been granted passes so they could enter the Ministry to travel internationally via portkey with Hermione. Otherwise Hermione and her parents would have had to catch a plane or ferry across the channel and arrived hours after the others.

Arthur Weasley had been excited to catch up with the elder Grangers while they waited for everyone else to arrive. It had been a while since they'd talked and Arthur was making good use of his time by asking loads of questions pertaining to the muggle world. He even got himself a dental appointment for when the Grangers returned from holiday. Hermione and Harry were sniggering at the fact that Ron's face was the same color as his hair.

When it was finally time for them to travel, everyone had arrived and Hermione had gotten to meet Su Li's granny (Athena may have been onto something with that woman). Their travel papers (both magical and muggle) had been verified and stamped. Hermione's parents were a little anxious but having traveled via portkey to and from the Longbottoms, they were looking forward to it.

A large hula-hoop had been presented to large group. The rainbow swirled children's toy was just large enough for those going to get a hand on it. Hermione held Nym's hand when the portkey activated at precisely two minutes are eleven, giving them sharp tug to the navel and jerked them out of the United Kingdom.

***H***

Chateau de Longbottom wasn't as extravagant as Hermione thought it was going to be. She was studying the grounds, the crème colored two story house with the navy colored shingles as the rented French Ministry cars pulled up the long white gravel drive way. It was not the first time that Hermione had had to reassess her expectations. She'd had to do that when they arrived in France.

The French Ministry wasn't anything like the British counterpart which was dark and gloomy. No, the French Ministry was filled with natural lights from multiple sets of large windows with the walls done in pale blues with gold accents. The place could have been a work of art in of itself with the murals and numerous elaborately carved banisters and pillars. Hermione absolutely loved the warm, inviting and pleasant feeling the government building had glowed with. It sort of reminded her of pictures from the Palace of Versailles.

Lady Longbottom had paid a little extra for the magically-enchanted-to-fit-all-of-them-in-a-town-car car to take the scenic route through the city to her family's chateau. Hermione was convinced that the woman had gotten a kick out of watching her grandson pointing out different attractions and talking about to them to his eager friends. The bookworm wasn't about to complain at all, she was freaking in France and a day away from much anticipated research.

Once her guests were settled into their rooms, Lady Longbottom called the group to the parlor. There was the hated board with the rules on it and accompanied by another board. The second looked like a times-schedule, a list of who all was there and which house elf would be assigned to them during their stay. There was one for the adults (Gumby), one for the boys (Benji) and one for the girls (Floyd).

"Right," the noblewoman clapped her hands together once she'd done a head count "this is how the next month here is going to go. As today is Wednesday, we will have tomorrow and the day after at the Archives. They are expecting us at nine sharp, first hour will be a tour and their rules and regulations that you lot will be following. Lunch will be taken at noon thirty, no compromise. The Archives close at six and then it's back here for dinner at seven," the woman used her cane to point out where the relevant information was located on the board "breakfast is at eight every morning and you teenagers will be present and dressed," she glared pointedly at her scowling grandson "weekends haven't been planned but I have information for you adults about where to go exploring. The Catacombs are strictly forbidden…why are you raising you hand Weasley?" Lady Longbottom was frowning at the sheepish looking Ron

He slowly lowered his hand as he asked "what-what are the catacombs?"

"They are a maze of underground tombs, Ron," Hermione answered from where she was leaning against her mum's side "they are old mining tunnels that were converted and hold the remains of millions. It's reported to be very easy to get lost down there and never be found again and it's also supposed to be very haunted…"

"And extremely dangerous as it's saturated in dark magicks and home to Merlin only knows," Lady Longbottom added "there are creatures down there that make dementors seem like cute little creatures that you just want to cuddle up to."

Ron paled and gulping as he nodded "off limits, gotcha."

***H***

Hermione couldn't sleep. It wasn't the fact that she was sharing with Su Li and Susan, Hermione was used to being in a dorm setting. Maybe was it the heat, well…it could have been but the Longbottoms used magic to cool their house to a comfortable temperature. Hermione finally decided it was a mixture of racing thoughts and anxiety. She just couldn't lay still and decided that she needed to get up and move about without waking the other girls.

That's how she found herself slipping into the back gardens lit with enchanted fairy lights. There by a marble satyr playing his reed pipes over a small pool of coy fish was Kaylee. The professor had a cup of tea in hand and was staring at a very specific constellation, a lopsided 'W'. Kaylee didn't startle at the sound of Hermione approaching and didn't look exactly surprised to see the pajama clad teen coming towards her.

"What are you doing out of bed, Miss Granger?" Kaylee asked tilting her head questioningly at the approaching teen.

Hermione sighed as she got closer "I couldn't sleep, what about you?"

"Same, just could stop thinking," the history professor patted the seat next to her before asking "did you know that Athena has always had a dislike of her middle name?" Kaylee asked looking back towards the sky and the constellation "she'd argue with me when I was teaching her how to write. Claimed it was too long to be a real name, truth was that she hated writing it."

Hermione sat down next to the professor with a smile on her lips. She could picture Athena as a child, chubby checked, tussled hair and mischievous smirk. Hermione was certain that Athena's face was never clean and her jeans always had holes in the knees.

"What was she like as a child?" Hermione asked

Kaylee was slow to smile as she brought up the memories "she was a perfect little brat who was usually shy until she got to know a person. Then I couldn't get her to be quiet," the woman smirked "she loved to learn and loved asking questions of anyone and everyone we met. Didn't matter the subject, if it caught her attention she would ask," Kaylee chuckled then "she loved to read but hated learning to write."

Hermione nodded "I've seen that trunk she has will all the books in it."

Kaylee patted Hermione on the knee "honey, I don't think you've see the whole of that trunk. Athena's library could put the one at Hogwarts to shame. She probably even has a few tomes on magic that even this Archive we're going to tomorrow doesn't and she's probably forgotten about them."

Hermione blinked several times as she tried to process this "wow, how do I not know this?"

"Athena is very protective of that trunk and it has protective enchantments that could repel a dragon. Everywhere we'd go she had to find a bookshop," Kaylee sipped at her tea "Blake learned the best way to keep Athena occupied or quiet was to give her books. She refused to leave them behind so I found her that trunk in a Turkish flea market. Second best deal I ever made."

"What was the first?" Hermione asked

Kaylee grinned proudly "accepting a caretaker job to a five year old from Minerva McGonagall."