No, I don't make any money. JKR owes all, except my ideas.
"Hermione, welcome back!"
Hermione stepped out of Snape's embrace quickly, her cheeks warm and rosy. When he'd suggested side along apparition she imagined he'd grip her roughly and drag her along. Granted, the way she had been positioned in his arms was hardly romantic, but it still left her feeling a little self-conscious. He smelled like parchment and coffee, she thought idly, but was unable to contemplate him much more as the Order rushed out to meet her.
Mrs. Weasley was the first person to bolt out the door and wrap Hermione in one of her patented Molly embraces. It was nice to be among friendly faces, but her face fell slightly when Snape strode into Headquarters alone. Evidently his loner nature was not something that changed in any reality. Well, one couldn't expect miracles, she giggled to herself.
"My dear, you look much better than the last time I saw you. Ron's death affected all of us but you, I worried about you most, you two were engaged after all."
Hermione tried to smile, but couldn't bring herself to. The mention of the engagement and his mother's willingness to leave her to such a fate made her cringe. But then, that Hermione supposed was the way Molly Weasley dealt with times of war: trying to unite as many people as she could and forcing them to reproduce. She avoided the mother's mournful gaze.
"I think it was just a phase. Ron is in a better place, I realize that now." Hermione said briskly, "If you don't mind, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Instantly she realized her mistake. Mrs. Weasley very much did mind and seemed about to argue the point. A wizened hand fell on her shoulder, effectively silencing her. Professor McGonagall had never been so welcome in Hermione's eyes. She too, however, was different in this reality. She hadn't spouted another head or anything, but she looked much older, and there was something in her eyes, a sadness that remained unexpressed. She reminded Hermione a little of Dumbledore, toward the end. Everyone went silent as Professor McGonagall crossed the way and hugged her most beloved pupil.
"Miss Granger, welcome back to headquarters. There will be time for talk later, for now let us get out of the streets. An Order meeting has been called to discuss your request."
Hermione followed the procession in, noting how happy Tonks and Remus looked with their baby Teddy. Grimmauld place had not changed much. Mrs. Black's frame still hung in the foyer by the umbrella holder. The last time she had been here Tonks had set the whole place into a frenzy after waking up the old bat. Thankfully this time was different. They proceeded to the dining room where each Order member in residence took up a seat, Hermione being the only one left standing. Harry it appeared was not among them, neither was Snape. She wondered briefly if wherever they were, they were together. Moody, who in this reality was still alive and kicking, nodded as if reading her mind.
"Occlumency lessons" he barked, thumping his partially wooden body into a chair.
"Now then, the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix has commenced." Professor McGonagall brought down her gavel and read the piece of parchment before her.
"Miss Granger, a week ago the Order received this parchment stating you would like to return to the muggle world after Mr. Weasley's untimely death." Professor McGonagall lowered her glasses slowly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Although I think it is unwise, and that you are a valuable asset in this war against he-who-shall-not-be-named, I am inclined to grant this request. You have your reasons, I suppose. Do you still wish to follow through with your request Miss Granger?"
Hermione pretended to be in deep contemplation for a moment before shaking her head slowly. She had devised a plan: a way to keep her parents safe, to continue her education, and to continue to help the Order. But to do all this Hermione first had to be inducted. In her reality Molly Weasley had never allowed the trio to be inducted into the Order, stating that they were only children. 'And look where it got them' she thought darkly. Voldemort had not cared that Ron was a child when Wormtail was sent to murder him.
"Thank you for hearing me out Professor. I've decided that my request was based solely on emotion, after the loss of Ronald I lost purpose for a moment, but I realize now that the greatest thing I can offer this world is my mind. I wish to remain at Hogwarts and finish out my education." She took a deep breath, preparing herself for a fight. "I also think that it is imperative that Harry and I be inducted as full members of the Order of the Phoenix."
Several members whispered excitedly. Molly Weasley looked at Hermione darkly, her face turning several shades of red. "I don't think that's a good idea Minerva, they are only…"
"Hear me out." Hermione cut Mrs. Weasley off quickly. "Ronald died defending this cause of ours. He died without having all the facts, only what little we could make out with our amateur spying. I am not a child, nor is Harry, we haven't been children since he-who-must-not-be-named began trying to kill us. It is high time we were inducted, if not for our outstanding merit, then simply because we too are risking our lives, we deserve to know what for."
Professor McGonagall nodded slowly, a proud but tired smile gracing her lips. Several of the other Order members were also nodding in agreement, all but Mrs. Weasley. Her ashen face was livid and close to tears all at once. It had been a low blow mentioning Ron, but it was the ammunition she needed. Apparently, the sentiment was not lost upon the room.
"Very well, Miss Granger, I believe we have enough Order members here to take a majority vote. All those in favor of inducting Mr. Potter and Miss Granger into the Order of the Phoenix please raise your wands." All but Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Figg raised their wands. The vote was quick.
"It is settled. Miss Granger, you and Mr. Potter will be inducted by nights end and your assignments will be doled out in conjunction with ours. Is there anything else?"
Hermione nodded quickly. "My parents, I want them moved into a safe house and a Fidelis charm to be cast, with me as their secret keeper. I need to know that they will remain safe."
Professor McGonagall banged her gavel. "Done. Meeting is adjourned. Mrs. Weasley if you would check on Harry and inform him of the Order's decision? Miss Granger I would like you to stay a moment. I have some private matters to discuss with you."
Everyone left swiftly, leaving Hermione alone with her aging transfigurations professor. After an awkward moment or two the older woman spoke up, regarding Hermione with a curious look.
"Something is different about you Miss Granger. You aren't the girl who stumbled in here a week ago, I haven't seen you this dedicated since your second year."
"I've gotten my priorities in line Professor. That's all."
McGonagall smiled politely. "That's a lie, and we both know it, but I will allow you your secrets for now. There will be a time however when I will have to know what has taken place here, you realize."
Hermione shifted her weight from foot to foot. She wasn't fooling her professor at all.
"Good. Now then, I have an urgent assignment that I wish to discuss. One that I do not wish the other Order members to be privy to. You know that Severus Snape killed Dumbledore, and that he was exonerated by Dumbledore's very wordy portrait. Well, I must confess that I am not satisfied with Dumbledore's vote of confidence in the man." McGonagall sighed.
"Albus…he believed in the good in people. The benefit of the doubt. I do not have such luxury, do you understand?" Here, Hermione merely nodded. "Good. Since you will be turning nineteen, you are considered to be of age in the Wizarding World. And since you so desperately want to be involved in the Order of the Phoenix all while attending Hogwarts you will suit our needs well."
She paused toying with her wand. Hermione suspected that whatever their leader would ask of her was not something that would be pleasant.
"I want you to keep an eye on Severus Snape. Follow him, track him, do whatever you must. I want to know what he eats for breakfast, when he takes his afternoon walk, and where he likes to go when he's looking to give detention. Hermione it is absolutely vital that we continue to monitor him in case he decides to double cross the Order. Can you do this?"
Hermione felt a little guilty. Dumbledore had trusted Snape, in death he cleared Snape, and knowing what Hermione did there was no doubt in her mind that Snape was Dumbledore's man through and through. But Professor McGonagall did not know what Hermione knew, she suspected that Dumbledore had kept her old professor out of the loop as much as anyone. And there was no way Hermione could explain without having to explain how she had come to enter their reality. If she tried to explain that then she would be cast out of the Order forever, believed to be untrustworthy. Besides, what harm could following Snape around do?
"I'll do it."
"Good. But listen closely Miss Granger, I am going to only say this once. If Severus realizes that you were sent by the Order he may try to seduce you" McGonagall made a disgusted face at the thought. "You must not fall into his trap Miss Granger. You must not fall for Severus Snape."
