Snape had been right about Moody watching Hermione. She also found several tracing charms placed on her. She was in luck that Snape had sent her post two days after their last meeting. She really needed to talk with Snape. She had managed to find two of the spells used. It was slow going. Hermione was beginning to think that whoever did this was a genius.
She was due to meet with Snape the morning after Harry's birthday. Everything was planned out. Moody wanted her tracked. She hoped Snape was prepared for this. She had no way to warn him until she got there. He was using the same Portkey idea he used last time.
Meanwhile, Harry was still a happy-go-lucky toddler. He was looking forward to his birthday. Hermione had decided to get him another teddy bear to replace the missing Mookie. Ron had taken charge in planning Harry's party. Hermione thought at first it was more about not helping with the wedding plans, but quickly learned Ron really wanted Harry to experience a happy birthday.
She had the morning to herself to get the bear. She also decided to attempt something else. She located Brent's flat in a wizard area of London. She used a few advanced spells to get inside.
The flat was neat and Hermione was thankful for that. She too was extremely neat. Harry and Ron had often teased her. Her attention to detail would help her replace the items to their specific places. Messy places were her bane. Tonks had always known something had been moved because Hermione could never master chaos.
She sifted through his desk, but found nothing useful. She went over bookshelves, cabinets, and even the kitchen. She then moved into the bedroom. Here she found a few oddities.
"The Great Wizard Families of Britain, Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy," Hermione read. "These were in the Black library."
Several more titles were familiar as dark tomes. Hermione was quickly becoming concerned with Brent. She didn't find any specific evidence that tied him to Harry's fountain of youth.
She left the flat and was heading down the steps as Brent was coming up.
"Hermione!" Brent was clearly off-guard. "What are you doing here?"
"Harry's birthday party is tomorrow, and I came to invite you." She would have to get with Ron.
"That's very kind of you."
"I told you I don't blame you for the situation."
"Where will it be?"
"The Burrow at 11 o'clock.
"I'll try to make it."
"Great. I'll see you then."
CG
Remus was cover in cereal and eggs. He wasn't sure what went wrong, but breakfast had ended in a food fight. There was no clear victor as Harry and Gop were covered as well. With a few waves of his wand, Remus had the kitchen clean. He grabbed the filthy Harry and Gop and headed for the bath.
This quickly became a new adventure. Gop seemed to hate water, and Harry wanted to run away. He chased him all over the house. He finely had caught him when the door opened.
Hermione didn't know what to make of the scene. Remus was holding Harry by his pajama bottoms and had Gop biting his arm. All three were cover in food and dust.
"I see we had an eventful morning."
"I'm so happy to see you."
"I'll take Harry and Gop. You go and shower."
Remus gave her a grateful look and headed off.
"Okay, Harry, time to get clean."
Harry stiffened his legs and dropped his weight as all toddlers protest.
"No bath, Money. No!"
"Okay. That's fine, but Gop and I will get to play with these boats all by ourselves." Hermione pulled a few bath boats from her shopping bags.
Harry was putty in her hands now and agreed to have the bath.
Remus poked his head in to see Harry happily playing with Gop and his boats.
"I'm starting to think you are amazing."
"I've resorted to bribery. I should be ashamed."
CG
Ron had gone all out for Harry's party. There were balloons in red and gold, cake with a Snitch on it, and Wildfire Whiz-Bangs. It was a small gathering. Only the Weasleys and a few other Order members were there.
Harry loved every present he ripped into. Ron had told everybody to bring child gifts. He decided even when Harry was returned to his normal age he would appreciate them.
Hermione contributed a piñata and pin the tail on the donkey. The twins decided to add a bit of fun to it by enchanting the horse to run around on the poster. The only hiccup was Brent's welcome.
"What are you doing here?" George said.
"Yeah, we don't want another baby boom," Fred added.
"Both of you lay off. I invited Brent. It was an accident. We need to forgive him."
Both muttered something they would never let their mother hear them say as Ron walked over. Hermione sent him a pleading look. She hoped he caught on.
"Brent, so glad you could make it." Ron's tone was jovial.
"Thanks." Brent was surprised.
"There's plenty of food. We're having a buffet, so help yourself."
The rest of the afternoon went on pleasantly.
Later that evening, Hermione stood in Harry's door. He was hugging Gop with one arm and his new bear with the other. He had proclaimed its name Rowbie. Hermione was very happy he liked the bear.
"Harry asleep?" Ron asked when Hermione entered the drawing room.
"Yes." She sat down beside him. "Thanks for helping with Brent."
"Look, Hermione. I blame him, but I figured you had a reason for inviting him."
"Keep you're friends close and your enemies closer," Hermione quoted.
"What sort of advice it that?"
"It's from The Godfather. It's an American movie. I think Brent is up to something and I want him around to keep an eye on."
"Be careful, okay?" Ron's eyes were full of worry.
"I promise."
CGCG
Hermione walked towards the Hog's Head. No one was out on this end of town. The windows to the bar were too filthy; Hermione couldn't tell if anyone was inside. She headed past. She checked her watch and pulled out Snape's letter. She hoped he was as prepared as last time. Moody had put several tracking spells on her.
She felt the tug and off she went. She was in some kind of field.
"You have eight tracking spells on you. Moody has outdone himself." Snape handed her a bundle. "I want you to change into the clothes provided. Place your current clothes in the bag."
Hermione went behind a group of bushes and did as she was told.
"Just leave it. The Order I'm sure will come and collect it once I remove the tracking spells." Snape waved his wand and removed a broken hair clip out of his pocket. He held out for Hermione to touch it, and off they were.
Draco was sitting on Snape's couch when the two arrived. He barely looked up from his book as they headed by to the lab.
"I was able to find a few of the spells," Hermione said.
"Excellent. I have the potion solved, and I am brewing an antidote. Once we have all of the spells worked out Mr. Potter will be back to his annoying teenage self."
"One would think you almost care."
"Perish the thought. You will get all the credit."
"But…"
"No, Hermione, Mr. Potter needs to still believe I'm his enemy."
"I won't ask why just to hear you tell me that you refuse to say. Instead I will change the subject slightly. I've been making overtures of friendship to Brent."
"That could be useful."
"I snuck in his flat already."
"How industrious of you."
"He has several books that matched titles in the Black library. Particularly in the genre of genealogy."
Snape didn't say anything. He paced in front of Hermione.
"I'm not sure what to make of that. Unless he's following back into Black tradition."
"He hasn't treated me differently. Actually, when we worked with each other, he was friendlier with me than the twins."
"There are some pure-bloods that would find you an exception. They would either kill you outright for proving their creed false, or try to prove…" Snape stopped and stared at Hermione. "I think I have one explanation for his interest in genealogy. He could be trying to prove you are related to a wizard family."
"Well, he won't find it. Neither of my parents knew of magic."
"It may not be immediate, and the relation could have been a Squib. Most Wizard families send the unwanted child to the Muggle world."
"It doesn't matter."
"Perhaps not to you." Snape sat opposite Hermione. "Now for the information."
A/N: My sincerest apologies for the wait. I have been busy. I will not go into details. Let's just say I don't issues. It's more like subscriptions. I hope you are all still with me.
As always I want to thank RR for Beta work. She is the best. I thank all of my readers, reviews, and Shinigami3414 who pleaded so nicely.