Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter 7: Lake Fever
Despite what Sirius had assured Hermione by the lake, at the end of the second week of January he and James were still fighting. Sirius had tried to talk to his friend a few times but James had just turned away after asking whether he was ready to share 'the big secret' yet. Lily and Remus were doing their best to stay neutral but it was wearing thin on everyone, and James wouldn't even acknowledge Hermione.
It was a downcast pair that made their way to the Headmaster's office after lunch on Saturday. They were to floo to Gideon's house before departing on their mission. She had talked at length with Dumbledore about the missions that were planed for today and hoped everything went to plan. She hadn't mentioned to the headmaster the truth about what the ring truly was and hoped he wouldn't realize before she could destroy it.
Hermione was unsure what Dumbledore meant for them to do with the potion to retrieve the locket but was sure he would have some sort of plan. She shuddered to think of it remembering her previous experience with it.
Hermione went through the floo first and was greeted by Fabian on the other side. The man smiled warmly to her.
"Miss Granger, can I offer you a drink while we prepare?" Hermione smiled in return and stepped further into the house. He reminded her of his younger sister quite a bit, warm and welcoming, ever hospitable.
"Pumpkin Juice if you have it Mr. Prewett, and it's Hermione, please."
"Then you must call me Fabian. Ah Sirius" Hermione smiled at how Fabian knew not to refer to Sirius by his family name. It was common knowledge that he had been disowned by his family but some people still didn't get it without be explicitly told. "A drink for you as well?"
"I'll have whatever Mione's having." They followed the younger brother into the kitchen where Gideon and Mad-Eye were already waiting. They all took seats around the well-worn kitchen table before Mad-Eye began.
"Alright lads, and lass, from what Dumbledore's told me Hermione knows more about what we're getting into then he could describe so I'll let her do most of the talking. He did say the locket was in a basin with some foul potion and could only be retrieved if the potion was drunk. I've got some antidotes that'll hopefully lessen the effects but one of us'll have to do the drinking."
"Me" Hermione immediately jumped in before anyone else could speak. "I've felt its effects before, I'm the best option. I was captured about a year ago, they force fed it to me. I've survived it once without antidote, I can do it again. Don't you argue." She cut off Sirius before the boy could protest. "None of you are prepared for its effects. You have to promise though, no matter what I say you'll continue feeding it to me. It's the only way." There was no way she would admit to them the effects the potion would have on her. They would never allow it if they knew. Despite trying to act as though they were equal the men were far too chivalrous.
"No." Sirius looked around furiously as the others seemed to be considering it. "You can't let her do this! If she's survived it once before then I can survive it as well. What if she's weakened from the last time?" The three older men looked at each other uneasily as Hermione ground her teeth in an effort to not yell at him.
"Hermione's right. If she's prepared then she is the best option, she knows what to expect from it. I don't like it much either, but we have precious little else to go on." Gideon said. "You're sure about this Hermione, you can handle it?" Hermione nodded and Sirius looked furious but put up no further fight as they discussed what else would be found in the cave. She had seen Harry's memory after his visit so knew what they were likely to encounter. Since Regulus was still in Hogwarts and supporting the Dark Lord she knew the locket would be there, but was unsure if anything had changed in the cave when he had gone to retrieve it the first time.
They were preparing to leave an hour later when Hermione pulled Sirius aside.
"Look, I know you don't like this but it has to be me. Promise me Sirius, that you won't do anything rash. The four of you will all need to be ready to get me out; the place will be crawling with Inferi once we grab the locket. I'm not going to be able to finish the potion by myself. No matter what I say you have to promise me that you'll continue to help me. Promise me!" Sirius bowed his head for a moment before meeting her eyes.
"Alright love, I promise. If this is how you say it has to be I'll trust you, but don't expect me to like it. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you." Hermione smiled weakly and squeezed his hand before continuing to get ready. She strapped her wand in her wrist holder and made sure her sword was secure at her hip before putting on the Order cloak and going to stand with the others. They were similarly dressed, everyone in black BDU's and Order cloaks with a variety of weaponry. Hermione's collection was the most inventive having thrown in some pranks-turned-deadly in case any Death Eaters got in their way. She had fought frequently with the Weasley twins but couldn't deny the value of their (future) innovations.
They took a portkey to the rock just outside the fissure that acted as an entrance. It was a cold swim and everyone was grateful to reach the end and the ante-cave that led to the inner cavern. Casting drying and warming charms on themselves they waited as Hermione tried to locate the entrance.
"I think this is it" she stopped in front of a blank piece of wall. Sirius jumped forward to stop her as she pulled a knife from her boot but couldn't stop her slicing her palm. She sprayed her blood over the rock and watched as a silver arch appeared on the previously empty rock. Fabian grabbed Hermione's hand and healed it as Moody muttered about over-zealous teenagers. He led the way into the black opening and the four followed closely behind lighting their wands against the dark.
It was the same as Hermione had seen in Harry's memories. The cave held a dark lake and the vaulted ceiling stretched above, with the eerie green glow in the center.
"The boat is over here." They quickly located the chain and pulled it up. Since it could only carry one fully qualified wizard at a time it had been decided the brothers would remain on the shore and Mad-Eye would cross with the two students. It was a gamble since they were close to fully qualified and not underage but they had little choice but to take it since a person could not retrieve the locket alone. They held their breaths as they climbed in but there was no reaction from the lake.
After a tense crossing where all three eyed he Inferi visible in the water around them they finally reached the island in the middle. Hermione's stomach churned at the sight of the potion in the basin. Despite volunteering to drink it there were few things she would like less then to drink the foul concoction. Unfortunately subjecting someone else to it was on that list.
"Remember Sirius, you promised, and the Inferi fear fire." She turned to the pale youth who hadn't looked away from the potion. "If I start begging for water Aguamenti won't work, but also don't feed my any from the lake, it'll wake the Inferi and I'm not sure if it'll help me. I'll survive till we get out of here without water."
"Hermione…" She silenced Sirius, placing her fingers to his lips. She gave him a chaste kiss blushing as she pulled away.
"If you two are done I'd like to get this over with." The teens colored further at Mad-Eye's interruption before Hermione quickly conjured a cup and dipped it into the potion.
"Bottoms up." With a deep breath she forced the fowl tasting potion down. The pain was immediate burning on the way down before spreading to the rest of her body. She quickly refilled the cup and downed it. She gripped the edge of the basin to keep from collapsing as she broke out in a cold sweat.
"Hermione!" Sirius made to grab for her but she waved him off before quickly drinking another cupful. She ground her teeth but could not remain standing. Slumping against the basin she handed Sirius the cup while her other arm held her stomach.
"Fill it up." She growled at his hesitation. "Remember your promise Sirius, fill it up." She felt terrible about what he was about to go through but knew it was necessary. He handed her the filled cup and she chugged it whimpering at the fresh waves of agony. She couldn't hold the cup now and it slipped from her grasp. The terror was setting in and she watched as Mad-Eye picked up the cup and filled it again. He handed it to Sirius who was still crouched in front of her and she forced herself to swallow it when he lifted the cup to her lips. Mad-Eye took the cup to fill it again and Hermione broke out shaking, her eyes clouding. "No more, please… please no more." Sirius eyes had tears in them as Moody tipped the cup back to her lips. She screamed once it was gone unable to contain it any longer. She felt like she was in a nightmare, horrifying images and feelings setting upon her.
Sirius grabbed Moody's hand as he brought the refilled cup back down. "NO!" The raven haired youth couldn't watch this. Hermione seemed almost unaware of what was going on around her and her whimpering was gaining volume.
"I know its hard boy, but we have to do this. You heard her, it's the only way."
"Then I'll drink it, just don't give her any more" Sirius made to grab for the cup but the grizzled Auror stopped him.
"No lad, I can't make it across that lake with two of you like this. She's halfway through and she's strong. She'll make it." Hermione's moans were echoing around the chamber and she screamed again as Moody fed her the next cupful.
"No more, don't make me… can't do it." Sirius tears were falling freely as he watched Moody continue to feed her the potion. "NO!!" her cries got more distressed. "Not that, anything but that…" Moody scooped the last from the basin and Hermione was almost frantic. "I want to die! Kill me! Please!"
"Just a bit more love" Sirius watched as the final goblet was swallowed then in horror as she gasped then fell unconscious. "Rennervate" Hermione remained unresponsive and panic began to set in "Come on love wake up!" He shook her slightly feeling frantic.
"Rennervate" Sirius gasped in relief when she responded to Mad-Eye's spell.
"Water" Her voice was strained and it was obvious she was in a great deal of pain. Sirius and Mad-Eye looked at each other before the Auror pulled out the antidotes he had brought.
"Give these to her." Sirius obeyed and began pouring them down her throat as she continued to cry for water. Moody grabbed the locket and Sirius picked up Hermione who had calmed slightly before they climbed back in the boat. Inferi began surfacing and the pair threw frantic fire spells at them thankful as the brothers who remained on shore did the same. They managed to keep them at bay and quickly fled, Sirius still carrying a moaning Hermione.
They didn't stop moving until they had made it outside the anti-apparition wards and were back at Gideon's cottage. Sirius placed Hermione on the couch as Fabian got her a glass of water. She seemed to calm further and looked at the four concerned faces surrounding her.
"Hermione, are you alright, should we get Madame Pomfrey?" Sirius was kneeled at her side still looking slightly frantic. He relaxed slightly as she shook her head.
"No" her voice was weak. "I'll be alright, I just need to rest. Thank you Sirius, Alastor. I know that was hard for you but you only did what you had to." The gruff Auror nodded before moving away. The brothers followed leaving the students for a moment alone.
"You didn't tell us how bad it would be." Sirius said accusingly.
"If I had would you have let me do it?" Hermione felt guilty that they had had to see her like that but it was better than them experiencing it firsthand.
"Of course not! Hermione you could have died! We should have found a different way; you shouldn't have let us feed it to you." Sirius was furious with the witch but couldn't let her go, afraid she might slip away. When she had shouted that she wanted to die, begged them to kill her he was sure his heart stopped. Only feeling her heart beat now stopped him from losing it completely.
**********
They transported Hermione back to Hogwarts shortly after where she spent the remainder of the weekend in the hospital wing. She had tried to escape Sunday afternoon by Madam Pomfrey was insistent that she remain for observation since no one was sure of the potion she had ingested. Both missions were a success and Dumbledore had taken possession of the Horcruxes until it could be decided what was to be done with them. He was hesitant to destroy them until Hermione was there to assist since she was the only one who had any experience in the area.
Sirius refused to leave her side during her stay though he was still furious at her for not admitting to the full extent of the potion. He only left at night under threat of bodily harm and snuck back in later anyway. Hermione was frustrated at his attentions but secretly thrilled as well. She had never felt so appreciated, he seemed to need to touch her constantly to assure himself she was still there. She knew something was changing with them but was determined to leave it for the time being.
**********
Two weeks after the boys first fight Hermione had finally had enough. Since James and Sirius hadn't patched things up on their own she would have to intervene. She couldn't stand to see Sirius in pain, and that was exactly what this break from his best mate was causing. She'd been watching her copy of the map all day waiting for a chance to speak with James, Remus and Lily without Peter around. Finally she saw the three of them walking away from the Great Hall after dinner.
"Sirius, come with me." She grabbed his hand and pulled him from where he was staring into the common room fire. Using all the secret passages she knew they cut the trio off in the charms hallway.
"Can I talk to you guys for a minute?" All three looked surprised as she and Sirius burst out of a passage not even the Marauders knew about.
"What could you possibly have to say wench?" James said glaring. Hermione rolled her eyes feeling grateful Harry wasn't as pig headed as his father. She quickly whipped out her wand.
"Petrificus Totalus, Silencio, Levicorpus" She quickly directed a silenced and petrified James into a nearby classroom as Lily and Remus looked on shocked and unsure what to do, their hands hesitating by their wands. They took their cue from Sirius who was just watching with amusement and followed Hermione. She locked and sealed the room putting up the most powerful privacy wards she could think of before turning back to her friends. "I apologize for the abruptness of this but this lunkhead" she gestured towards James "has left me with little choice. You all know I told Sirius what I've been hiding. Remus, Lily, thank you for accepting that I wasn't ready to tell you yet. James, you're an ass but I know you didn't really mean any harm. What I'm about to say is unbelievable, but it's the truth." Hermione told them everything she had told Sirius on Christmas Eve, about Peter, about their deaths, about Voldemort. The spells wore off James in the interim but he remained frozen out of shock. She felt Sirius hand settle on her shoulder giving her the strength to say everything she had to. When she finished Remus was the first to speak.
"I knew Sirius had a very good reason for keeping your secret. I'm not sure what I expected it to be, but this certainly wasn't it. A girl from the future, thrown back in time determined to change things for the better. What happens if you can't change the future you experienced?" Hermione frowned and a fire lit in her eyes.
"Either I'll succeed or I'll die trying. No one should have to live in the world I left, where you're forced to choose between your freedom and your life." Remus nodded. He looked up over Hermione's shoulder and nodded to Sirius in understanding.
"I'm sorry Hermione" everyone turned at James voice. He had his arms around Lily who was crying at the revelations. "I am so truly sorry. I acted like an ass, I was jealous that Sirius was keeping something for you. I felt like you were threatening our friendship. I never expected your secret to be so... big. He was right to keep it and I'm sorry I made you tell us before you were ready. I should have trusted you both."
"You're forgiven James. I'm sorry I told you this way but my only other option was hexing you into oblivion. I know better than anyone how hard it is to face what I've just dropped on all of you. I'm sorry you all have to acknowledge that the future I'm from could have happened, all of you dying far before your time. I watched so much happen, horrible things, and there is no way I'll stand by and watch it all over again, pretending I can't do anything about it."
"What are we going to do about Peter?" Everyone looked at Remus pondering his question.
"There's no way I'm giving him the opportunity to betray us again. It's probably easiest if we start ignoring him now." Sirius rubbed his face in his hands. "It's been hard enough tolerating him for the past two weeks; I don't want to continue doing it."
"Maybe if you guys do it gradually he'll find other friends, ones who won't outshine him so completely and he won't resent and turn on." Hermione still hoped he could be redeemed. It was foolish, especially since she'd seen what Dumbledore's desire for redemption had done in her past.
"One's that aren't quite so attractive?" Sirius grinned wolfishly slinging his arm around Hermione's shoulders while she blushed. Something had changed after the events in the cave. They were in a sort of limbo, not just friends but not something more either. James and Remus rolled their eyes at their friend's antics and continued.
"Alright, how about we tolerate him if he joins us but we don't invite him over or include him in our plans. Also watch him and make sure he doesn't have the opportunity to betray anyone else either." Remus suggested.
"Dumbledore is aware of Peter's future and will be watching out for anyone else he befriends." Hermione looked around at the boys. "He'll also want to talk to all of you now that you know. He's not going to be thrilled about the four of you knowing but he knew it was going to happen. I was going to wait until after graduation but nothing goes quite to plan where you Marauders are concerned." The group grinned at the truth in the statement.
Hermione smiled up as Sirius whose arm was still around her. Finally things were going back to normal, or as close to normal as things were ever likely to get at Hogwarts.
Hey everyone, sorry for the wait on this chapter. Hope you enjoyed, both the mission and the make-up. I'll probably be back to once a week, but exams are coming so I can't guarantee. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you're words are appreciated.