A/N: Alrighty! I know it's been a while since my last update, but with work changes, I had been switched to a different location, had to settle and get on with this! I hope you further your enjoyment and I appreciate the reviews!
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Chapter 2: Without Love
"Though I know the One who holds, The stars in the heavens, In the palm of His hands, If I give all I posses, To the poor and the helpless, I'll still gain nothing, Without Love"
-Stacie Orrico
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The room was quiet, nothing but that sounds of pages turning and the occasional scribbling stirred the silence. Hermione had herself situated in the center of her living room books open and strewn about. Some open with heavy objects place on the to keep them to a page, papers with notes all around her. With a pen holding her hair up in a loose bun and with the midnight moon shining through her window, one could tell she was slightly frustrated with her work.
It had been a few hard days of research, long nights with black coffee, and sleep deprivation, but she had pieces of the puzzle that were almost complete. She had finally come across a book on the 'undead', which she had come to the conclusion of Sirius to be. She could barely contain her excitement as she read aloud to no one in particular:
"For years, people have gone out for searches on loved ones believed to be 'undead.'" She assumed what Sirius was due to his demise. "Many have come out empty handed, but a small handful has been triumphant."
She was further enticed by this and was hoping she had been close.
". . . People have used potions, sacrifices, and 'deals with the devil' (not to be believed), but the one true standby is the 'unexpected true love'. The 'unexpected love' goes out in search for the missing other, otherwise known as the undead. It is not written anywhere what true act has to be done for the revival, but after some time of search, inner thought, possibly even meditation, the undead is alive and in full light. They come back to their true form."
By this point in time, Hermione had begun to wonder why this wasn't a known fact. She placed her pen in her mouth, in a thinking manner. 'Why is it that this did not stick out as an answer before?' Scratching her head, she read on to find out a bit more on that particular topic, but had come to a loss. The book had come out empty handed after all those big revealings. She knew that now, there had to be an 'unexpected love' to save Sirius, but only if he was really undead, which was now an unanswered question. 'What was considered undead and was Sirius truly apart of that?'She threw her hands up in frustration, let her hands slump in her lap, and reach for her sup of tea.
Hermione had to find the answer to that last question. She already knew whom she wanted to really bring back, and she could not do that. He was not part of the undead, he was very much dead. That doesn't mean she didn't think of him now and again.
Hermione had gone to bed finally, thinking if there was anything or anyone who could answer such a question. 'Was Sirius the part of the undead?' She had not immediately thought of anyone, but the answer was so obvious, she almost hit herself square in the face. Dumbledore. She was sure he would be able to give her an answer.
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Hermione had decided to take the next day off from work, it was a Monday, and she hated Mondays anyway. Her boss never minded. She had decided to see Dumbledore about her revelation. Since school was in session, she was not sure as to where he would be or the password to his office. So, she made her way to Professor McGonagall's room upon arrival, where she knew the occupant would be.
She opened the door slowly, checking to see if there was a class in session. No ruckus about as she could hear, there was no class, she walked in to see the teacher sitting at her desk, sifting through some papers, looking studious and concentrated.
The older woman sitting before her looked up as Hermione continued to walk, and greeted her with a warm and welcoming smile "Good afternoon, and what a pleasant surprise, Miss. Granger!"
"Good afternoon to yourself, Professor McGonagall, It's good to see you again." Hermione sat herself is at table near the front, just like she did only short of a decade ago. She looked around the room in reminiscence.
McGonagall had pushed her papers aside, took off her reading glasses, and folded her hands in front of her. "Well child, what brings you here to Hogwarts?"
Hermione blushed slightly, "Well, you see Professor, I have come to you in search for Professor Dumbledore. I haven't a clue as to where he would be at this time, and I haven't the password to his office. I have an important question for him. Plus I wanted to see a familiar face."
The old Professor laughed at the passed students play, and told her that the Headmaster would be in his office at that time. She also gave Hermione the password into his office. Thanking her old teacher, she left with anticipation to see Dumbledore.
Coming around the corner, approaching the large winged bird, she spoke the password and stepped up to the top step as it spiraled to the top towards the Headmasters office. She stepped off the stairs and walked towards where Professor Dumbledore seemed to be awaiting her arrival. Hands folded, looking straight over to Hermione, with those blues eyes, and his warm, special smile, only someone of his authority could hold.
"Good afternoon, Miss Granger. I believe you came here for a reason?" He said this nonchalantly, with that twinkle in his blue, blue eyes.
Hermione smiled at his wisdom and replied, "Yes Professor, I have." She began her explination while taking a seat, "You see I have been doing some extensive work on finding a way to get Sirius back, but I have to know if the one quality that he needs to be retrieved, is true." She ended with an almost confused, questioning face on. She looked to the headmaster.
Dumbledore continued to look at Hermione with that same twinkle and his smile. She knew then that she had her answer, and he gave her a nod at her understanding. She could save Sirius. All she had to do now was find true unexpected love, but from where?
Where on Earth am I going to find 'unexpected' love?
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A/n: Thanks to those to read and review, I suggest if you have not read this story before, DON'T read the other one it is a disappointment in a way. I'm writing this to show I am a better writer then that to myself. So please enjoy this one. Plus if you read the other one it will be a huge spoiler! With minor or major differences. Review!
