Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of JK Rowling's wonderful characters and world.

Warnings: Violent scenes related to owls, mild swearing and mentions of death and murder. If you are sensitive, please don't read. This is rated M for a reason, if you aren't sure you should be reading it check the ratings guidelines or alternatively check out the other Iron Girl Ruby. She has written a T rated story called Wizards Soulmate, less dark but just as much interesting.

EMERALD

Friends reunited

Harry had started his day at a 10:00am meeting with Malfoy and his board of directors. The meeting had been brief and Harry felt rather pointless. Ron had grown restless quickly whilst the meeting happened. Malfoy hadn't provided them with any new information and Nott had stayed silent throughout. The only interesting part was when Blaise Zabini appeared and gave a description of the young blonde woman and a rather hesitant account of his encounter with her. Apparently she performed some kind of trance on him. Malfoy seemed interested in that, a little too interested but Harry had felt the same. Harry knew that dark magic wasn't supposed to work in the club. It was a standard security protocol in most places but Harry had been to a few clubs in Diagon Alley and he knew low level dark magic worked. The kind of people who did business in those clubs needed a place with slightly less restrictive magical security and Harry had no doubt that Malfoy's club provided that.

After the meeting Harry had tried to have a look around the premises and had used Ron to distract security but every time he entered a room or floor a member of staff was there to help him "find his way back to reception". Harry had never been to premise where everyone there was determined to not let him look around. He felt that something strange was happening in the old Manor. The odd green glow to the place didn't help dispel his theory either.

He had needed to get some kind of information from their trip there otherwise his boss was going to have a bitch fit. So Ron had caused a scene and been escorted to the security office in the building. Harry had gone to collect him and had spotted a pile of unopened letters with Goyle's name on the envelopes. He had decided to obtain any remaining post Goyle might have and after visiting Goyle's flat and finding no post there he had gone to the Owlery see if he could find any there. Harry was desperate for a break in the case and had hoped the Owlery would provide one. And that was how he currently found himself face to face with someone he never thought he would see again.

"Hermione?" Harry repeated getting up off the floor.

He stood in front of one of his oldest friends. She seemed to be in shock, Harry knew how she must be feeling . He didn't know what to feel. Whilst she was frozen he took the opportunity to look at her. She looked so similar and yet so different to how he remembered. She was still as short as ever but her frame seemed to have decreased slightly. She seemed so small compared to what he remembered and yet with her cloak swirling around her she looked incredibly powerful. Maybe if her hair was down she would look more like how I remember, Harry thought. Her mane of hair was one his most favourite sights in the world. Currently it was tied up and covered in feathers. The feathers made her look slightly less threatening. But Harry knew how quickly his friend could react to situations and so he cast the disarming charm before she could apparate away. Her wand soaring into his outstretched hand seemed to snap her out of her shock. Her face flushed slightly in annoyance. Harry wasn't sure if it was directed at him or herself but he suspected it was the latter. She was always self critical, she had told him in the past it was how she self improved.

She couldn't do anything as the owls descended on them again quickly and she let out a controlled scream of annoyance. Harry cast a protection charm around them again. Hermione had moved nearer to him and Harry caught her glancing at her wand. Her eyes were moving rapidly around the room, Harry knew she was calculating a plan. Harry was suddenly struck by how different her eyes were. Gone were the warm chocolate brown he had loved instead they were a deep purple, almost black and seemed to sparkle. They reminded him of the night sky. Her stunning eyes focused back on Harry, "Give it back," her voice was low and the threat in it was barely concealed. Harry tucked her wand away inside of his robes and kept his own at his side. He expected her to react but instead she schooled her features into a perfect mask of indifference, Harry matched her poker face.

They both continued to stand there, waiting for the other to speak, the only sound was the continuous beat of thousands of wings flying around them as the owls tried to find a way through the protection charm. Harry tried to think of something to say but he was at a loss for words. He didn't understand what Hermione was doing in the Owlery and the timing worried him. He had learnt in life that coincidences were rare and Harry's gut told him this was not a coincidence.

It had been five years since he had last seen Hermione and there was so much he wanted to ask her, so much he needed to ask her but he knew he only had a few minutes with her he had no doubt that she had already figured out how to get wand back. He was going to have to suppress his feelings towards her and treat her like he would a suspect. Harry inwardly grimaced at that, he wondered how jaded he had become from the job that he thought this was the best way to talk to an old friend.

"What are you doing here Hermione?" Harry asked almost immediately regretting the harsh tone in his voice.

Hermione's face remained neutral but her eyes widened slightly in surprise at his tone, it made Harry feel even more guilty.

"It's an Owlery, I came to post a letter," Hermione responded, her voice was as indifferent as her face and yet her body remained tense as though she were waiting to pounce.

Harry could feel the start of annoyance creep in, "and you came all the way to London to post a letter? Or are you telling me you've been here the whole time?"

Hermione maintained eye contact with him as she responded, "I've been away and I've come back for work, i'll be gone soon. I came to Owlery to post a letter to a colleague."

Harry searched her face looking for some sign that she was lying but he couldn't tell. She gave none of the usual signs that she was lying but that wasn't saying much as she wasn't giving away any emotion. Harry didn't know what to say to her. He didn't know how to talk to her. He could tell she was having the same struggle as she opened her mouth as if to speak and quickly shut it.

Harry jumped on the chance to get her talking, "If you want to say something you may as well, we've got time," he waved his left hand towards the owls still encompassing them.

Hermione hesitated and then spoke, "I was going to ask why you are at the owlery. Clearly you're not here to post a letter."

She trailed off and motioned towards the still stunned Cecil on the floor. The fall had knocked him unconscious and he was emitting gentle snores. Harry didn't follow her motion, he wasn't taking his eyes off of her.

"I needed to speak to him about information for an investigation I'm doing at the moment."

Hermione nodded her head slightly, "The killings," she muttered.

"You've heard? I suppose it's everywhere now."

Hermione looked away and nodded her head again, a frown had broken onto her emotionless face. Harry could tell the recent killings had troubled her as much as him. His instinct was telling him this again was not a coincidence. Harry knew that Bartholomew's death would affect her. He had thought about her often over the last few days. Harry froze, how does she know about Bartholomew? She said "killings" so she must know but only Goyle's has been released to the press.

Harry voiced his thoughts, he couldn't hide the worry in his voice.

"Hermione?" He asked, for she was still looking away and had now turned her face away, looking at the owls behind her.

"You said killings, plural. Only one of them has been in the press, how do you know about the first one?"

Hermione didn't respond. For a moment there was silence and then turning her head back towards him she spoke.

"Harry, I'm so sorry," her voice broke slightly with emotion.

Harry looked her in the eyes and stepped back, fear coursed through him, her eyes had gone an intense purple and the sparkles were mesmerising. Harry felt himself relax, his eyes unfocused whilst his shoulders slouched slightly and the thoughts in his mind quieted. A new voice spoke, soft and calm, give me back my wand. Harry had a sense of deja vu, he felt a lot like when he had been under Crouch Jr's Imperius curse and like that time he felt another voice respond to the strange calm voice. No, I don't think I will. Harry's eyes started to focus back on the room and he saw Hermione, she was frowning again and her mouth had curled slightly as though she was snarling. The voice came back, firmer this time, I will not say it again, give me back my wand! Harry removed Hermione's wand from his robe. Hermione relaxed and stepped forward to take it back but Harry pointed it at her again as his mind cleared completely.

"Come on Hermione, you know me better than that, if the Imperius curse doesn't work on me do you really think your weird eye magic will?"

She didn't respond so Harry continued, his anger starting to come out, "Well I suppose after all this time you've forgotten although-"

Harry halted mid sentence. Something Sirius had said to him the previous night came back to him.

"Hermione, last night Gregory Goyle was killed. A blonde woman was seen running from the scene of his death. She was also seen in a club with Blaise Zabini. She had eyes just like yours. I interviewed Blaise earlier today and he informed me that the young woman had placed him in some kind of trance and forced him to tell her about Bartholomew's death. Now I'm finding it hard to believe that you don't have something to do with this. In fact I would go as far as to say it was you who entranced Zabini!"

Excitement mingled with dread, filled Harry. He might finally be catching a break in the case although at what cost he wasn't sure.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes widened in shock but it didn't seem sincere.

"Think what you're accusing me off!"

Harry frowned at her and felt the annoyance trickle into his mix of emotions again.

"Cut the bullshit Hermione, I don't need anymore of your lies." Harry's remark seemed to snap something in Hermione and her act of incredulity broke.

Her own anger came through and her voice rose as she spoke, "I have not lied to you! I had nothing to do with Goyle's death or Bartholomew's for that matter. I am here for work! Nothing else."

Harry scoffed at that, "I find that hard to believe Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "I've told you the truth if you don't believe me then that's fine. Just give me my wand and i'll be gone."

Now it was Harry who wanted to roll his eyes at her, "You know I can't let you go. If you didn't have anything to do with the killing's you're still a witness and I need a statement and you have to give me one. I have grounds to arrest you."

Harry knew that last part of what he said would cause a reaction but he knew that if he kept pushing she was bound to snap.

"You won't arrest me, I won't let you. Harry I came back here to do a job, I don't want anything to do with what's going on here. I just want to get my work done and go home. That's all."

The annoyance in Harry had now turned to rage and hurt from her comment, "This is your home. At least it used to be before you left!"

The accusation was clear. Hermione looked away, her face seemed to slack slightly as she absorbed what he said. He could see her internally battling herself. Finally she spoke again, her words careful as though she had thought them through before speaking.

"Harry, this was my home but it's not anymore. I have a new life and I'm happy again. I don't want to jeopardise that and going on a revenge spree though London would do just that," she paused and looked at Harry, "I did go to Smoke and Mirrors last night and it was to get information. I didn't know about Bartholomew until last night and Goyle was just a freak chance."

Harry searched her face for the second time that night, he wanted to believe her but he just wasn't sure.

"What were you getting information on?"

Hermione shook her head and the frustration crept back onto her face. "I can't tell you that."

Harry sighed, "How can I believe you? I don't even know who you are anymore! How do I know you weren't there for some other reason? How do I know you're not behind these deaths?"

Hermione looked at the owls again, "You can't and you're right you don't know me anymore but I can prove I had nothing to do with these killings. I work for a private intelligence agency, I've been sent to gather intelligence for an investigation we're doing at the minute. It's not dissimilar to the work you do, just mines not for a government. I can give you a contact number at my company and they can provide documents to prove why i'm here. That's the best I can do."

Harry's mind realed. Hermione was a spy, the thought didn't surprise him, he imagined she suited the job well.

He nodded, "I want those documents. Don't think of leaving London, I'm going to have a trace placed on your wand. I didn't do it when you left the first time because I thought you would come back but I know better now."

Hermione flushed again at his remark and Harry threw her wand to her. She caught it held it upwards, looking at the owls still manically swooping around. Harry had a sudden thought, he needed to keep tabs on Hermione but he also didn't want to miss this opportunity to get her back in his life. He knew a lot had happened and a lot had changed but she was family to him, she was his sister and he wasn't going to lose her again.

"You said you work for an intelligence agency. I need your help on this case-"

Hermione started to protest.

"-I know this has nothing to do with you but we have no leads and something strange is happening at Malfoy's law firm. You're the smartest person I've ever met and I could do with your input. You want me to believe you aren't involved in theses killings? Help me solve them then."

Harry hoped she would say yes. If she helped him he could keep an eye on her and maybe get to know her again.

"I honestly don't care whether you believe me or not."

Harry openly showed his scepticism at that remark.

"I know you've changed but not that much. You don't want me to think you're a killer and you don't want the family thinking that either."

Harry saw her wince when he mentioned the family but that quickly turned into a face of pure rage.

"Why would I care? Everyone already thinks that of me!"

Harry was shocked, "What? Nobody thinks that! Hermione, nobody blames you for what happened to your parents!"

Hermione looked away, her wand hand trembled slightly and she lowered it holding it to her chest.

"I do," she muttered quietly.

"Hermione, all they ever say about you is how much they miss you! Ginny still mentions you all the time, not a day goes by that I don't think about you and even Ron wants you back! Our family has changed a lot since you've been gone and there's a lot I have to tell you but one thing that has never changed is how we feel about you."

Harry stepped forward as he spoke, he looked at her earnestly and gently reached out and touched her arm lightly, she jumped and looked at him warily her guard back in place.

"Herms, I love you, you're my best friend, you're my sister. Whatever's happened, whatever's going on I want to help you. You didn't let me last time, please let me try this time."

Hermione searched his face, her own appearing as though she wanted to believe him but didn't know how to.

She hesitantly asked, "Even after everything I did? Ron wants to talk to me? Let alone know me after that?"

Harry sighed, "It's been five years, they've gotten over it."

Harry paused and then a slow smirk appeared on his face; Hermione looked startled by his change in emotion.

"They're still married you know, although she made him have another commitment ceremony to prove it."

The wariness left Hermione's face as she rolled her eyes at that.

"Of course she did."

They exchanged a knowing smirk to each other and for that moment it was as though they had not been separated for five years, it was as though they were 16 again and talking about idle gossip they had heard at school.

Hermione broke the moment first and looked around at their surroundings.

"Ok, if I'm going to help you first we need to get out of here and get Cecil."

Harry nodded, "Not sure how we do that."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and Harry found himself enjoying the sight more every time she did it.

"Sometimes I think you forget you're a wizard."

She pointed her wand at the Shield charm and it expanded to include Cecil.

"Just grab him and apparate him to your department."

Harry bent to grab Cecil and looked back at Hermione, "Will you let me help you?"

Hermione nodded curtly, her face neutral again.

"Get in touch with my contact, I want you to have proof that I have no part in what's going on at the minute. When you have that send an owl to this Owlery to the name Mr C Shanks, I'll reply with when we can meet. I will help you this one time but that's it and on the condition that you tell no one of my return."

Harry nodded his head and couldn't help the small smile that tugged on his lips, she was back, his old friend was back. Harry secured Cecil and looking at Hermione once more he felt hope for the first time in a long time and with that he apparated away.

Author's note:

Why hello! I know it's been aaaaages but my reason is the usual, uni+life=busy Emerald. I hope you like the new chapter. I wanted to give you all a longer one because I thought I should try and make up for the delay. As always I want to thank my lovely reviewers. I was BOTWP, Brian1972 and JuliSt I'm glad you all liked it. In answer to your queries, I hope Harry keeps her secret, he said he would, for now…. MWAHAHA. I understand the whole some magic works and some doesn't being a bit confusing but there is a purpose and it's all part of a greater plot point. Haha and yes I love a cliffhanger although I've not put one in this chapter so I better get to work on the next one! :)

If you like it please review, flames aren't allowed but reviews are amazing! I can not express how much they mean to me. My writer's block has been ridiculous this last month and when I've found time to write it's been hard but I've kept rereading your lovely comments and it's kept me motivated. So thank you all so much. I also need to shout out to my followers and the wonderful people who have favorited this story. Every time I get a notification saying I have a new follow/favourite it makes me write a bit more and just knowing you all like this story is beyond words amazing so thank you so much!

Now that I've been all gooey and expressed my love I'm going to work on the next chapter, see you all soon :)

Emerald