Being True

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed. Flames are NOT!

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Chapter 4:Justice Can Sleep for Years

Hermione walked out of the Meadow Grove Theatre after a very interesting performance of Hamlet. She'd not realized just how deep and compelling Professor Snape's voice could be outside of the classroom! She shivered, remembering the warm, rich baritone voice that brought Claudius to life. It almost was like what she imagined it would feel if someone drenched her in warm, melted chocolate.

She'd had a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that her former Potions professor took to the stage so well. Hermione knew that, as a spy, Severus Snape'd had to be a consummate actor, or he wouldn't still be alive. . .but the stage!? She wondered what his Slytherins would think of that!?

With a sigh Hermione gazed up at the starry night sky. She knew she couldn't stay here much longer tonight. She was almost sure she was being followed, so she had to return to England and her flat before she was missed.

Sirius Black stepped out of the shadows beside her, draping an arm across her shoulders. "Who would've thought the greasy dungeon bat could act on stage," he drawled causally, chuckling as they walked out, across the dark parking lot.

She gave him a huff and a glare, which caused him to laugh even more. "Do you have to get back tonight? There will be a cast party. . ." he invited with one of his trademark leers.

"I must. It would not do to raise suspicions," she explained with a disappointed sigh. "I'm sure the headmaster has been watching my flat to see if 'he' will turn up. I just haven't been able to prove it yet."

"The bastard!" Sirius growled.

"Yeah. Look, I'm grateful for the ticket to tonight's performance, but I can't make every show. It would draw undue notice." Hermione looked around, the parking lot was starting to clear of cars.

"Has the red-headed vacuum finally got his act together?" 'Snuffles' asked as he escorted her along the stone path leading to the manor. Hermione told him about the discussion she'd had with her parents. . .

Hermione sighed, remembering that conversation. Ron Weasley was a sore point with them. He'd finally admitted he liked her, but he'd had a very funny way of showing it.

Her mother sat her down and explained the facts of life to her after Harry left. Oh, not the physical aspects, like the birds and bees and where babies came from, she's gotten that one when she was twelve. . .but what really went on in a teenage boy's mind.

According to her mother: "Ronald Weasley is the wrong sort of boy to date." In her parent's opinion he had the emotional maturity of a teaspoon, the intelligence of an ape and the manners of a swine at the trough.

"Hermione, dear, when you finally start seriously dating, you are going to be looking for a man who will be your spiritual partner, your intellectual equal. One who will compliment that wonderful brain of yours, not seek to bury it under cooking pots and used nappies!" Her mother warned her over a cup of tea.

"That boy will always feel threatened by your intelligence, has the manners of a pig and will expect his wife to be just like his mother! He will never amount to anything worthwhile. . .and from what you've told us, he's as much of a bigot as that Malfoy boy. Are you willing to pass those genes on to your children?" Her mother questioned.

Hermione had to agree with her mother. Without Harry there to be the mediator for the Golden Trio, it hadn't taken long for it all to go south. Ron was constantly putting her down and blaming her for his inadequacies.

"How he managed to scrape enough decent grades to complete his NEWTs I'll never know," she told Snuffles. "Last I heard he was working with the twins at their shop and boasting about how he'll 'make it big with the Cannons at their next try-outs'. After Harry left, we stopped speaking to each other when I refused to do his school work for him."

Snuffles shook his head. "That boy. He'll never amount to anything. So? Any hot prospects in line?"

She blushed. "Not really. I'm working on my thesis for my mastery in history. The goblins have been a gold mine of information. I don't know how well it'll go over with the pure bloods, but something has to be done."

They stopped outside on the porch. With the parking lot hidden by carefully landscaped trees and shrubs, no one could see them.

"I must be getting back. Thanks for the ticket Snuffles. Tell Garion that the headmaster has been by to see me a few times since the professor made his escape, and I think that he and the ministry are watching my flat. So I can't stay away too long," she told him before giving him a big hug.

"Will do, spitfire."

She port-keyed away.

0o0o0o0o0

A week later Hermione was now positive she was being watched and she was getting a little fed up with the constant surveillance! It was time to do something about it!

Hermione walked to her flat. It had been a few months since Severus Snape made his 'escape' and she wasn't about to lead anyone to him. In truth, she really didn't know exactly where he was at any given time. Garion and Snuffles kept her informed when she attended a show, but that wasn't often now.

Hermione noted that the person watching her tonight was Dung. Her nose told her that much, the shiftless bum. She recalled he was on duty when Umbridge sent the dementors after Harry.

'Well, it was time to act,' Hermione thought furiously. She was a law-abiding witch who hadn't done anything wrong and she'd be arsed if they could treat her like a common criminal and get away with it! Harry Potter wasn't going to contact her because Harry Potter wasn't Harry Potter anymore. He was too happy, and too busy, in his new life.

She pulled out her cell phone and called emergency dispatch.

"Hello? I'm sorry but I'm being stalked! Some weirdo in a trench coat and smelling like a full tip is stalking me and is now watching my flat! He followed me home!" Hermione's voice quivered convincingly.

(…?)

"Yes, I live alone! I'm at 1313 Charing Cross Road, right across from the Used Book Store on the corner. . . Yes! I'm in my flat and have the bolt engaged!"

(….!)

"Thank you!"

She smirked as she hung up the phone. "Eat that Dumbledore!"

Hermione watched as minutes later a panda car pulled up in front of her flat. Dung tried to run for it to the Leaky, but was caught quickly. He was hand-cuffed and lead away as Hermione silently cheered the Bobbies on.

The next night, it was Tonks, in the disguise of an old lady. Hermione felt bad for the auror. Tonks was a good person, just in the thrall of a bad leader. This time, she sent a note to the DMLE saying that there is a strange witch watching her flat. She wasn't sure whether it was a Death Eater or not, but she was scared!

It didn't take long before a couple of on-duty aurors were there questioning Tonks on why she was stalking someone. They looked up at Hermione's window and nodded.

They dragged a protesting Tonks up to Hermione's flat and knocked. She opened the door cautiously, security chain engaged.

"Sorry to bother you but we want to hear your side of the story. . ." one of the aurors started to say.

"Who are you and do you have any identification?" Hermione demanded tremulously. She silently gave thanks for the acting lessons she'd picked up around theatre.

They identified themselves as Simon Jones and Kathryn Duessler. A nervous Tonks stood between them. " . . . and this is off-duty auror Tonks," Jones said.

Hermione slammed the door and disengaged the chain before opening it again.

"I see, and do off duty aurors often make it their business to spy on decent, law abiding citizens?" Hermione huffed, staring at Tonks. "I have a mind to file an official complaint!"

"There is no need to get upset," Duessler said, trying to calm her. "And, no it isn't protocol." She gave Tonks a glare.

"Look, just go away. I do not want you here. I do not like being watched! And if this keeps up, I will be filing complaints with your supervisors."

Jones looked at Tonks, who shrugged. "Someone is convinced that you know where Mr. Potter and Mr. Snape. . . "

Hermione exploded in a temper. "Is this all this is about? Stalking me like I am some sort of criminal? I can tell you right now, I most definitely do NOT know where either of them are. I can even swear a magical oath if you want me to. Meddling old coot! Who does he think he is!?"

As Hermione went off in rant, several books and knickknacks started to fall onto the floor.

"Easy, Miss Granger," Jones said, trying to calm her.

"Get out! And if I see anyone else watching me, I will stun first and then call the Bobbies and damn the Statute! GET OUT!" Hermione's words were punctuated by the slamming of her door in their faces.

0o0o0o0o0

Madam Bones was a no nonsense witch who ran a tight department. When she received a very irate Hermione Granger in her office that morning, she too decided it was over the top.

She called in Tonks, Kingsley and Hestia Jones into her office. "So care to explain why you three have a law-abiding young witch under unauthorized surveillance? A young witch who is trying for her mastery in history?"

'Busted!' was the look the trio gave each other. They knew Miss Granger was once a member of the order and knew who had ordered them to watch her.

"We, uh, had a lead, small one, but a lead. We were told that if we watched Miss Granger's flat she would lead us to Mr. Potter."

"In the six years since Mr. Potter has left the Wizarding World, has she ever shown signs that she knows where he is?" the stern witch asked her aurors.

All three looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

"Neither Potter, nor Snape, are wanted for any crimes within the Wizarding World. Both have left our world for good reasons and today, you three have confirmed one of them! They will never have peace as long as you hound them. THIS! WILL! STOP! Do I make myself clear?"

She glared at each auror separately, noting their expressions. "And one more thing, all three of you are on suspension without pay until further notice. Until you can decide whom you really work for, me, or a trumped up old coot with delusions of adequacy you will remain that way! Get out!"

The trio hurried from her office, realizing they got away lucky. They could've been turned out.

Tonks looked at Kingsley, "Shack, are we doing the right thing? Is Bones right? It's been a long time since any one has seen Potter. And now with Snape doing a runner. . . "

Kingsley shook his head. "Not here."

Hestia Jones said nothing as she walked away.

0o0o0o0o0

A meeting was called that night in the headmaster's office. The three aurors along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Dung, Dedalus Diggle, Minerva McGonagall and Hagrid were present.

Kingsley stood up. "I am resigning from the Order. Today Madam Bones received a visit from an irate Miss Granger, who filed a formal complaint. We haven't been as careful as we should've been. I understand Dung had to be bailed out of the muggle gaol a few nights ago…"

Dung scowled at the mere memory of what he'd had to endure. He never wanted to go through another torture session like that again! Why the muggles called for a 'delousing' and a 'body cavity' search was beyond humiliating!

"I'm out as well," Tonks said, tossing her order medallion on the table. "All I ever wanted to be was an auror and for Bones to call into question my fitness for duty was a wake up call. Let's face it, Harry Potter isn't coming back."

A caterwaul of protest arose at her statement. A bang from the headmaster's wand called the meeting back into order.

"That is not an option. We need to find Harry and Severus."

"Why?" Tonks asked belligerently.

Albus Dumbledore sighed. "They have to be found. They are needed here with us."

"Again, why?"

"Nymphadora Tonks!" Molly Weasley shouted.

Tonks' hair cycled through a rainbow of colors before she snapped, "It's a valid question! Harry left over five years ago. If he wanted to be found, he would've stayed in touch. He hasn't and he is now an adult, not a runaway child! So why are we still looking for him?"

The meeting fell into disorder and at the end of the night, only the Weasleys and Diggle were left in the Order of the Phoenix when it was over. Albus thought it was a very sad business. Why couldn't people just follow his lead?

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One of our biggest peeves are guests who ask questions and do NOT leave any way for us to answer them. So for those guests, the answer is ever popular: 42.

Next chapter should bring us back to Garion and Severus' road trip. As far as the reviews go, only one person guessed where they were heading.

Until next time. -GF and The Frau