Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the world and the characters, I make no profit out of this, and I do not own.
My Anchor
"Honestly Hermione. You wouldn't, even if it was somehow possible, the fear of him can make any person blind to reason. People don't believe your friend because they are too frightened. Fear is a powerful thing, I can make the bravest man fall"
"So right you are" someone quipped in from behind her. Hermione and Violet turned around and saw Dumbledore smiling at them. "Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts. You must be Hermione's sister."
Violet stood "Yes, Violet McDougall,"
"I'm glad you are here Miss McDougall. Kingsley sent me a letter explaining the unusual day you have had. I must say, I found it amusing. Have Hermione explained why you are here?"
"Yes, to be her guardian and I have accepted."
"Excellent!" Dumbledore chimed. "Have she explained about the people here and me yet?"
"I didn't have time, Professor" Hermione said.
"Alright, don't worry, I will explain everything. But first, Miss McDougall, we contacted your friend for you. We are just awaiting Kingsley and Moody." he turned to Mrs Weasley "Molly... "
"Right, children of you go" she shooed the younger Weasley of. It didn't take long after Dumbledore had placed himself at the end when the floo chimed and Kingsley and Moody stepped out.
"Some of you have heard and know about who our guest is. Miss McDougall is Hermione's sister, she has accepted being Hermione's guardian. Hopefully, this will secure Miss Grangers situation despite the surprising circumstances. Miss McDougall, perhaps you can explain it better,"
"Right. I never knew Hermione was a witch since my dad is a wizard, I never gave it much thought that Hermione could be one. Imagine my surprise when I read the Prophet about a month ago and saw my sister. I really couldn't believe it but there she was, hair and all. It's far less exciting than the headmaster made it sound. There is not much more to tell, I came to England for Hermione but as far as everyone else I came here for work."
"Thank you, Miss McDougall" Dumbledore said and smiled. "Quite an interesting turn of events this day, Miss McDougall, I must ask, have you told anyone else about Hermione?"
Violet frowned. "No, I didn't think it was anyone's business. I mean I told Adrian but that's only because he is my best friend."
"I'm afraid Miss McDougall that from you I must ask for a vow of secrecy" Violet looked at Hermione, clear fear and concern etched on her face before determination.
"I, Violet McDougall, swear I won't reveal anything said to me" Magic swirled around her and settled in a glow.
"Thank you. Now, all of us here are members of a group of resistance that existed during the first war. The Order of the Phoenix. Some of us fought against the Dark Lord during the first war and some of us are new recruits. We all believe and trust Harry Potter. Information reached us that the Dark Lord has enquired about learning everything about Harry, including his friends, which Hermione falls into. The Dark Lord has followers in the ministry."
"Death Eaters..." Violet whispered.
"Yes, Death Eaters, though not as many as he used to have, they are loyal and deadly. They learned about Hermione's parents leaving the country which has put Hermione at risk. See, she must have a guardian and if there are no blood relatives then one is appointed to her, miss McDougall has accepted this role."
"We must act fast; the enemy is at this moment trying to get access to Miss Granger. We must produce valid and believable reasons for Miss McDougall, if the knowledge that the Order is behind this reaches the enemy there might be consequences. Miss McDougall, what is it you do? Perhaps there might be an in."
"I am a potions apprentice" a snarl came from the corner of the room and Violet turned at the sound and quirked her eyebrow. "Yes?" She said, daring the man to argue.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he let out a small chuckle.
"Ah, excellent! Professor Snape is a Potions Master and professor at Hogwarts" Hermione saw that Violet and Snape were locked in a deadly staring competition. Violet was always able to intimidate anyone and Snape, well, he was Snape, making boys and girls quiver under his stare. Violet gaze shifted slowly from relentless to amused and Hermione saw the corner of her lip twitch. Snape squinted his dark eyes further which Violet returned with a smile.
'What was going on?' Hermione had never seen Violet relent her gaze and why did she smile at Snape, a cold shiver ran down her spine. Dumbledore must have noticed it cause the next thing he said surprised Hermione. "I'm sure Severus will be happy to assist you in your job search. Perhaps even take on an apprentice for himself," Dumbledore had barely finished the sentence before Snape stood and spoke.
"No!" He snarled
"Now, now Severus, sure you can?" Dumbledore said and leaned forward. Snape looked furious and Violet seemed... Hopeful?
"So, you're The Professor Snape, I have read your work and followed it relentlessly. It would be an honour to learn from you," Violet said, shocking everyone in the room.
"No!" He snarled.
"Severus, you are working to the bone, Miss McDougall would be able to release some of that workload," Dumbledore said. Snape was about to retort but was cut off. "If miss McDougall were to be told-"
"You can't be serious?!" Snape said incredulously.
"Severus..."
"It's okay, Professor Dumbledore. The man should not be forced an apprentice, I'm sure I can find another job" Violet said. Hermione could tell she was disappointed but, for the life of her, could not understand why.
Dumbledore nodded and relented. When he turned to Hermione she didn't need to be told why.
"I'll just go then." She said meekly
"Thank you, Miss Granger."
I . I . I . I
When Hermione went down to breakfast the following morning she was assaulted by her joyful sister.
"You are not going to believe it!" Violet said with joy when she entered the kitchen. She had the biggest smile and was jumping up and down like a schoolgirl. Remus and Sirius were looking at her with big eyes. "He agreed!" Then she giggled with maniac glee.
"What? Who?" Hermione asked
"Professor Snape. He agreed!"
"What?"
"Oh Hermione, this is so exciting! I can't believe I get to work with him," Violet pulled her in for a bone breaking hug.
"Can't... Breath..."
"Oh sorry," Violet said and released her.
"Your actually happy to work with Snape?" Sirius asked incredulously.
"Of course, I am," Violet retorted "he is amazing, the greatest potion master of our time, he got his mastery in record time. I can't believe it. Oh! And I really don't mind that he is so handsome!" Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Handsome?!"
"Oh yes,"
"But- But he is so mean, he gives me detention every time I try to help out my friends and takes points just because we are Gryffindor. He never takes points from his own house." Violet did not seem to care, she just smiled.
"Oh, he can gladly give me detention," she said wickedly and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Eww!"
"This is a dream come true."
"Eww!" Hermione repeated
Alternative dimension, she must have walked through a wormhole or something. Yesterday she argued with the man, of course, she had yet to realise who he was but this-this was not correct.
She giggled. "Just be happy for me okay?"
"Of course, we are, and you will be at school too, right?" Hermione said. She wasn't sure if she would be able to hold to it, but Violet seemed so happy.
"Yes, oh it's going to be so great!" Hermione doubted it.
"Was he here earlier?"
"Yes, he showed up said he agreed to have me as an apprentice and left before I got a chance to thank him,"
"She was about to hug him, never seen him flee that fast" Remus added, and Hermione laughed.
"So, wait. He didn't tell you what he does for the Order?"
"What? Well, he's a Potion Master." Hermione looked at Sirius and Remus gently shaking their heads.
"Oh, there is so much to do!" Violet left hastily and Hermione turned to the men.
"She doesn't know?!" She questioned.
"She will, once she is a part of the Order," Remus said.
"But that is a huge thing, shouldn't she know that before making a decision to work with him? She should!" Hermione was ranting anxiously.
"Hermione, it was out of our hands," Sirius said.
"Professor Dumbledore made this decision on his own? How dare he!" Hermione couldn't believe it but looking at the two men who sat in silence she knew she was correct. "He decided…"
I . I . I . I
It was a loud day, Violet had been running around excited and nervous all day. Looking for books, worry about not being good enough, studying extensively. If this was how she acted, then Hermione understood why her friends tended to avoid her during exams. Hermione had finally got away from an impromptu study lesson about all the uses of Gladiolus communisand sat down for lunch next to Sirius, she felt they hardly got to talk lately and missed her new friend.
"Have you heard from anything from Harry?" she asked.
He sighed and picked at the food. "No... I'm starting to get worried. I hate that he is not here. He should be here, with me, I feel so useless."
"I know, in my letters, I can hardly tell anything, I know it's probably driving him up the wall. I'm used to him not being able to respond since the Dursleys look away Hedwig, but nothing all summer... I don't know. I'm also concerned,"
"It's his birthday soon and I was hoping to celebrate it with him. I have missed so many birthdays..." He stabbed his food.
"Maybe we can talk to Dumbledore again-"
"I asked him yesterday, begged him on my bare knees but he is refusing. It makes me so mad, he shouldn't have this power, it should be me. I'm his godfather." She put her hand on his arm to get his attention.
"Harry won't blame you. He will blame Dumbledore and he will take it out on him and on me and Ron."
"You don't deserve it either."
"It's my job, I'm his best friend," Hermione said and smiled. "I don't mind, I know if I were him, I would do the same thing."
"You are a good friend, I'm glad he got you."
"Thanks."
I . I . I . I
It was finally time to act and Hermione was eager. They were going to the ministry to register Violet as her guardian, it meant a trip to Diagon Alley and perhaps showing Violet her world. Remus was coming with, but Sirius had to stay back much too his frustration.
After grabbing a short run with Sirius, the group headed to the Leaky Cauldron where they met up with Kingsley
"We will have to go straight to the ministry, Miss McDougall you can register as an apprentice at the same time. I am in a bit of a hurry, so I can't stay after, Remus you will be fine?" Kingsley said
"I think I'll be able to handle it"
"Alright, keep close and no detours, we don't want to run into any trouble," Kingsley said and they all bounded down Diagon Alley. Hermione held on to her sister, she was looking everywhere but where she was going, just like Hermione did when she first got here. They made it all the way to ministry without any interference, it wasn't until they left the elevator at family registration floor that trouble arose. Down the hall Hermione spotted the familiar white-haired man, Hermione hoped he would not turn around. Obviously, he did, Hermione had not managed to get a moment to rest all summer, why would she get one now.
"Ah Miss Granger," Lucius Malfoy said in his high and almighty voice. "Summer treating you well?" He eyed the people around her.
"Oh, it's been lovely, thank you Mr Malfoy" Hermione replied politely. "And yours?"
Lucius scowled, he had obviously hoped to intimidate her, but she would give in to his satisfaction. "Most pleasant" he drawled. "Let's hope you continue to have a pleasant summer," he said with a creepy smile. He then seemed to notice Violet and eyed her up and down. He pushed past and approached her.
"I do not believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance Miss..." He drawled and reached his hand forward.
"McDougall, Violet McDougall" Violet replied and put her hand in his. Malfoy brought her hand to his lips and kissed them.
"Pleasure Miss McDougall. I'm Lord Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy" Hermione could see a barely their scowl on her sister's face. Violet threw her a glance and winked.
"Pleasure is all mine, Lord Malfoy" she drawled seductively. Malfoy had missed the wink and seemed overly pleased.
"Is that an American accent I detect?"
"Very astute, Lord Malfoy, have you been to the States?"
"Far less then I had hoped. Are you here on holiday?"
"Oh no, I'm relocating for my apprenticeship. I do apologise Lord Malfoy, but we have an appointment we have to attend."
"Very well." Hermione could see the gears shift in his head as he tried to figure out what any of it meant. "I do hope we meet again."
They waited until Malfoy had left before heading to the registration office.
"That was awesome! You really played him good." Hermione said.
"Yes, but Miss McDougall, Lord Malfoy is an influential and dangerous person who you should stay away from," Kingsley warned.
"Seemed completely harmless, perhaps a bit pompous."
Hermione giggled. "He is a stuck up and arrogant, his son is the same."
"That may be", said Kingsley quietly. "But young Mr Malfoy is a child, Lord Malfoy is a powerful and influential politician. He is a marked Death Eater, he escaped Azkaban feigning the imperious, and it proves his influential state."
"I... Dammit, I shouldn't have goaded him on."
"No, you shouldn't. However, he had already spotted you and... It might draw his attention away from Miss Granger."
"At least some good came out of it," Violet said but Hermione felt the opposite. What was the good that her sister took the attention instead of Hermione?
The group entered the office. They spoke with the office clerks who were surprised by the half-sister, a familiar spell was used to prove their relationship and after that was done the clerk had no objections to disapprove of her guardianship. Hermione knew that had Kingsley not been there it might have been more difficult, so she was pleased that there was so much protection around her.
The apprenticeship and guardianship provided the trio walked around Diagon Alley. Violet set up her account at Gringotts and Hermione purchased some books on Quidditch and chocolate for Harry and Ginny's upcoming birthdays. After a quick butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron and they returned to Grimmauld Place.
I . I . I . I
Another evening, another meeting that Hermione was not to take part in. She had started getting used to that. The Weasleys came and with that the kids so at least she had some company. Ginny had been bursting with excitement all through dinner and looking at Hermione.
"Guess what?" She asked when they were alone.
"wh-" she did not get a chance to finish.
"We are going to be staying! Finally. We're here nearly every day, its more often now isn't it?" Ginny said.
"That's great!" Hermione said but wasn't sure of how she felt by it. Her alone time was diminishing rapidly with her sister and now Ginny.
"Do you think they are planning something?" Ginny said and ended Hermione's thoughts. "It's hardly a good sign increased meeting."
"I don't know. Perhaps."
"The silence is maddening. I wish Harry was here."
"Hmm?"
"You know."
"Still crushing?" Ginny's brow scrunched.
"I've given up on that. No, I got someone new. I mean Harry wouldn't stand for this, he would demand explanations and I think he would have a far easier time."
Hermione agreed and wished for learning more of that someone new but as Violet came in Ginny made a -what Hermione thought- well-executed escape to make Hermione suffer in curiosity.
"So, what did they say? Did you join the Order? Have they heard anything from Harry? Did you talk to Professor Snape?" Hermione asked when Violet came to her room after an Order meeting.
"One question at a time Hermione."
"Just tell me!" Hermione said impatiently.
"I did join the Order, yes. I can't tell you much of what was said, I'm sorry to disappoint but I just can't. If there is anything, I believe you must know then I will tell you."
"But-"
"No Hermione. It is for the best."
"You sound just like them. You're my sister, you are supposed to be on my side!" Hermione was upset.
"Hermione-"
"No! I haven't been told anything. Harry is locked away, haven't heard a thing from him and I know it is not by his choice! I am not a child!" Hermione yelled.
"Your acting like one!" Violet yelled. "Sit down!"
Hermione sat and waited, inside she was fuming but didn't want to Violet to think she acted like a child so held her tongue.
"I haven't heard anything from Harry but don't worry, there is a guard outside his house. He is safe there, I assure you" Hermione snorted. "I didn't speak to Professor Snape, but Dumbledore told me we would have a meeting the three of us tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll know more then."
"They say that Harry is safe, but they don't know Harry as I do. He might be physically safe, but he is not safe from himself."
"What do you mean?"
"I... It's not my place to say."
"Hermione, if there is something wrong..."
"Promise me, promise me you will keep this to yourself." Hermione looked at Violet waiting for an answer.
Violet sighed. "I promise Hermione"
Hermione hesitated. "Harry saw him die, he watched a boy die. A boy who was innocent, kind and brave. A boy who offered him the cup after Harry saved him. But Harry said they would both take it... He died because of that. Harry blames himself. I'm afraid of what the isolation is doing to him. I scared for him" she hadn't realised she been crying until she wiped a tear from her face. "We honoured Cedric Diggory, Dumbledore told us the truth, who had killed him. The Prophet... They say Harry is a liar. They say the most horrible things. I want to go see him."
"Then why don't you?" Violet caressed her hair.
"What?"
"Why don't you go see him?"
"I... I can't leave."
Violet smirked. "I heard that it hasn't stopped you before."
"I... Damn it! You are right!"
Violet laughed and hugged her. "Of course, I am," she said smugly. "Now, you can't go on your own of course but I can come with."
"That's awesome!" She hugged her sister, feeling rather stupid she hadn't thought about it before. "And Sirius."
"I'm not sure that is a great idea. He is wanted."
"Come on, we can transfigure his appearance." She gave her sister a pleading look.
"Fine," she said eventually and after a long scrutinising look at Hermione.
Hermione and Violet went to search for Sirius, they found him in his bedroom and told him what they wanted to do. He was thrilled and demanded to come with. Together they planned to get in contact with Adrian, under a roust to see him perform they would go to a nearby town and meet Harry there. It would be perfect, it would be great. All she had to do was to convince Harry. Violet promised to talk to Adrian and Sirius job was to convince Remus to cover for them.
I . I . I . I
A/N: It's shorter then I would prefer and perhaps seeming filler like. Next chapter will include a black haired boy with a scar.