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


Reservoirs and reconciliation

The first thing Hermione did after the incident at the Owlery was contact her agency. They had been incredibly understanding. Hermione wasn't the first agent to have to admit to local law enforcement that the agency existed. Because Hermione was an intelligence agent and not one of their assassins it meant they could send her actual work file of what she did. Although it was dramatically edited, it just looked like Hermione did some light surveillance for the Ministry of Magic in Japan. This was not the case but it would make her seem law abiding and legit to Harry and that was all she needed at the moment.

Hermione had received an owl from Harry a few nights after their surprise meeting. He had contacted her agency and they had confirmed her reasons for being in London. She knew it didn't give her an alibi but it proved to Harry that what she had told him was true. It also allowed her agency to tell him that if he tried to arrest her the agency would extradite her. The case would be taken to the International Wizengamot as Hermione was a resident of Japan and had given up her British Citizenship. Her agency would never allow the case to reach that far and Hermione's agency had let Harry know all of this. Hermione knew they would and that's why she told Harry to contact them. It would secure her secret. If Harry told anyone she was back he would do so knowing she would leave straight away and he would never see her again.

So Harry had assured her in his letters that he wouldn't as long as she worked with him. His persistence didn't surprise Hermione, it didn't thrill her either. She didn't know how to feel about reuniting with her ex best friend. Before she left she and Harry had been fine. Well as fine as Hermione could be with anyone at that time. They had always had such a strong relationship and if anyone could tempt her back into her old life it was Harry. Even after all the years she had been gone the instinct to trust him and look after him was still strong.

Once Harry and Cecil had apparated away from the owlery the owls had returned to normal. It seemed that they only attacked to protect Cecil and once he was gone and they had no one to protect they went back to how they were before. Hermione had avoided the owl she had gone to before and instead approached one of the younger, eager owls and bribing it with owl treats convinced it to take her letter. What she hadn't expected was a week later for the owl to turn up at her hotel and deliver her letter back to her. It wasn't worrying at all but it did confuse Hermione as it meant Yuki must be on a job and untraceable but Hermione knew Yuki wasn't scheduled for any assignments apart from their current one. Hermione was concerned for her friend but she had more pressing issues.

She needed to speak to Harry. It had been a week since the night at the Owlery. When she had been tailing Mathilda she had noticed that she disappeared for 4 hours every evening. The first 2 nights Hermione hadn't been able to find her but on the third night she had located her. Mathilda was going to Malfoy's Manor. Harry was right something odd was going on there. Hermione had managed to get onto the grounds but she couldn't get into the Manor, it was heavily protected by a combination of trolls, wizards and some kind of magic enchantment that seemed to weaken her magic.

Hermione had also heard some kind of creature make a roaring noise. Hermione wasn't sure what it was although it had sounded familiar but it had also sounded large and near so she had bolted from the Manor. She had written her findings in a letter to Harry and had agreed to meet with him. He needed her help to solve the murders and she needed his to get Mathilda. Even though Hermione had not wanted to catch up on the people she used to knows current lives she needed to now and Harry was an excellent source. Hermione had been surprised that Harry wanted to work with her. She had been surprised that he still thought of her and that Ron had forgiven her. She wasn't sure what she had done warranted forgiveness especially as what he had done was much worse but it was better that there were no hard feelings.

Hermione took out the last letter Harry had sent, it confirmed the time and place they were to meet at. She was currently sitting on a bench at the edge of a reservoir in the east of England. It was a sunny day and although there was a chill to the air the scenery reminded her of how beautiful her home land could be sometimes. She had arranged to meet Harry there in about 10 minutes. She watched the ducks play and the swans glide across the water in front of her. The reservoir was so tranquil and apart from two joggers in the distance on the other side of the reservoir Hermione was completely alone.

The quiet was a lovely treat after the busy noise of London. Hermione's day had been long. She had been tailing Mathilda for an entire week. The routine had become monotonous and she hadn't learnt much more after the night at the Manor. The information she had gathered had encouraged her to meet Harry sooner than she had planned but all she wanted at that moment was a long bath and an even longer nap. She was ready to do both those things and had the not bothered to disguise herself, there was no one for miles around and although she coudn't be sure she highly doubted the two joggers were wizards. She had never seen wizards exercise unless it was on a broomstick.

Hermione tracked the joggers with her eyes, they were doing the full circuit. She couldn't tell much about them except that they were almost identical in size and shape but otherwise their clothing covered them. Hermione watched them run until she saw a shadow cross the ground in front of her. Turning to the right she watched as Harry sat down next to her.

"Hi," he said glancing round the reservoir.

She could tell he was looking for any signs of a trap, his eyes lingered on the two joggers and he turned back to face Hermione.

"Hello Harry, don't worry you're perfectly safe. This place is nice and private, well usually it is."

Hermione motioned her head towards the joggers. They were coming up her way now. Harry looked at them again and then suddenly shot up.

"I fancy a walk. Can we walk?"

Hermione frowned at his weird behaviour but decided it was a lovely day and she wouldn't mind a walk.

They set off around the reservoir and then suddenly Harry veered sharply left and went down a narrow hikers path. Hermione paused at the entrance to the route.

"Harry what are you doing?"

Harry turned back to Hermione and grabbed her hand pulling her towards him. Hermione acted on reflex and twisted his arm until she heard a loud crack. Harry looked at her in shock and then did his best to hold in a scream of pain as he stared at his now broken arm.

"Hermione, what the fuck? You broke my arm!"

Hermione stepped back from him.

"You tried to take me somewhere. Are you trying to arrest me? I thought we agreed you wouldn't do that. Did you not understand what my agency told you?" She asked incredulously.

Harry looked pained and exasperated, "I pulled you because I have been listening to you! You told me that you didn't want anyone to know that you're here and right now the Weasley twins are about two minutes away from reaching us. So unless you want a reunion I suggest you get out of here."

Hermione listened carefully and could hear the distant sound of running. She didn't understand why the twins were here. Clearly from Harry's behaviour they weren't there on his behalf but she also didn't understand why they hadn't apparated to them. Well if they're going to take their time I may as well fix what I've broken, Hermione thought.

"Come here," Hermione took Harry's arm and cast a healing charm.

"Thanks Hermione," Harry panted.

"You need to go."

Hermione stood firm.

"And leave you? You clearly didn't ask them to be here so someone else has sent them and I want to know why. What if someone knows I'm here."

Harry looked exasperated again, "No one knows!"

Hermione didn't move. The sound of running had grown quieter which meant the twins had slowed down so that they had the element of surprise to catch them. Hermione wasn't going anywhere, she needed to know whether Harry had really not told anyone. Harry could clearly tell what was going through her mind because he sighed and then removed something from his cloak. He threw the object at her.

"Here, you're so short you won't even have to crouch to wear it."

Hermione flipped him the middle finger for that comment and Harry gave her brief smile although it was somewhat marred by the worry in his eyes as he stared at the entrance way to their path. Hermione cloaked herself in the invisibility cloak.

The Weasley twins rounded the corner and stopped short when they saw Harry on his own. Hermione found the sight of them in muggle sportswear to be one of the oddest sights had ever seen. They looked uncomfortable to be wearing it too. The caps on their heads covered their hair and they had hardly any skin on show.

"Hey Harry," Fred started.

"What you doing all the way out here?" George finished.

"I could ask you the same thing," Harry replied, "But I'd rather know why you're following me."

The twins didn't even try to play innocent and Hermione found herself oddly admiring that.

"Look mate it wasn't our choice, it's just Ginny said you've been getting lots of letters recently and sending them at odd times of the night. Anyway she found one of them and it said to meet you here."

George rushed through his words clearly not comfortable being the messenger. He looked at Fred to continue, with some trepidation Fred did.

"And then she told Sirius and well you know how he is. Especially about Ginny and he sort of," Fred paused and looked at George but George held up his hands and shook his head making it clear he didn't want to say it.

Fred very quickly continued, "Sort of convinced her that you were having an affair."

Harry paled and involuntarily took a step back as though he had been hit. He looked winded. Hermione felt sorry for him. What the hell had been going on whilst she was gone? Since when were Ginny and Sirius best friends? Hermione could feel a headache starting to form but she knew it was nothing compared to what Harry must be feeling.

"So now you've seen me here with a woman who isn't Ginny, I suppose you're going to tell her and Sirius," Harry spat the name, venom in his voice.

The twins looked as uncomfortable as Harry had at the beginning of their conversation.

"We don't want to mate but-" George spoke but Fred cut him off.

"We don't have to."

George looked at Fred in surprise. Hermione was starting to enjoy watching the little drama go on in front of her, she felt bad for Harry but other wise it was quite entertaining and now she was witnessing one of the rare times the Weasley twins disagreed on something.

"Look at it this way. Obviously everyone knows he's meeting a woman here today so you're right we can't say that didn't happen but we don't know why. And from what Ron told us him and Harry only ever work so I don't see how Harry could fit in an affair."

Fred turned back to Harry clearly pleased with his theory but if he was expecting Harry to be grateful for his support he had gotten it wrong. Harry was furious.

"So you've all been discussing this? Does the whole family think I've been having an affair?" Harry yelled.

A flock of pigeons near them flew into the air from the sheer volume of Harry's cry.

George jumped in, "No, Harry of course not! It's just us, Ginny, Sirius and Ron."

Fred shook his head, "And Remus but that's it no one else knows."

George nodded his head but then frowned slightly, "Well I think Charlie probably knows too. He came back today and was walking into the kitchen where it was all kicking off as we left."

The twins looked apologetically at Harry.

"Great, just fucking fantastic. So I'm working one of the most bizarre murder cases we've had in years and no one bothers to think that perhaps I'm communicating with a source? And that perhaps the reason it's late at night is because dark magic is involved and she needs to do this in secrecy to be protected? No, my family decide that during one of the most hectic times in my life I have decided to go mad and risk losing a woman I literally fought to have in my life by having an affair whilst the love of my life is home alone pregnant with my child. Because of course that makes sense. Well thank you all, you really fucking know me!" Harry's wand had started to shoot sparks as his anger intensified.

The twins had backed away slightly.

"Clearly there's been a misunderstanding. But that's why we came." George said quietly, trying to attempt to calm Harry.

"We knew you wouldn't have an affair," Fred added.

"But if we didn't come Sirius was going to." Said George.

"And we thought you might prefer it if it were us who spoke to you rather than him." Finished Fred.

Harry had calmed slightly but not by much, "I would have preferred no one interfering and my family trusting me."

The twins nodded looking ashamed, "We'll go now."

The twins apparated away and Harry stormed off down the path. Hermione supposed she better follow him, she removed the cloak and held it in her arms as she followed him. Harry was getting through the path at quite a pace.

"Harry! Harry slow down!" Hermione called after him, "Don't make me stun you!"

Harry whirled around at that.

"Why do you even care?"

Hermione paused unsure herself, why do I care? Do I even care?

She shrugged, "I don't know, it's like you said at the Owlery we're family and I suppose family loves each other no matter what. I will always care about you."

Hermione could have said it with a bit more emotion but she knew that she meant it as she said the words.

Harry made a sound of disbelief, "You would think that wouldn't you? But as I've just learnt family can turn on you at any time."

Harry's face had contorted into a bitter smile.

Hermione returned it, "Believe me I know."

Harry sat down on the grassy bank near the reservoirs edge, Hermione joined him. They sat in silence for a few moments and watched a family of ducks swim by.

Hermione decided to distract him, "So what happened with Cecil?"

Harry took the invisibility cloak from her and twirled it around in his hand, "Nothing, he won't talk. I've left him with Ron. If all else fails we might have to slip him some veritaserum."

Hermione nodded, she knew it was illegal but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Ron and I tried to get into the Malfoy Manor the other night. We found the same thing as you, a lot of security and no way of getting in."

Harry sighed. Hermione knew they needed to think of a way in but she could tell Harry wasn't in the right frame of mind and she didn't want to push him and yet she also thought that maybe if he got it out it might clear his head a bit.

With only the slightest hint of trepidation she asked, "When did Sirius come back? Or more I suppose how did he come back?"

Harry's face was unreadable. Clearly he didn't want to talk about his godfather but he knew she had a right to know of the return of someone she had believed to be dead. Harry looked at with a mixture of annoyance and something akin to pride, it was an odd combination.

"You don't miss anything do you?" He asked.

Hermione shook her head and gave him a rueful smile, "Never. Come on tell me, I'm dying to know."

Harry looked at her skeptically, "You haven't researched it?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "A bit but there wasn't a lot on it. I know that the Department of Mysteries found a way to go into the veil and come back out but that's it."

Harry nodded, "Yeah, well it happened 4 years ago. You remember Luna?"

Hermione glared at him, "I moved away, I didn't lose my memory."

Hermione felt a lump in her throat as she said that. The pain must have been visible as Harry moved closer to her and his face stopped looking so angry.

He spoke gently, "Ok, so Luna works for the Department of Mysteries and one day she's at work near the veil and a stone appears out of the veil. Luna reports it the head of department but he doesn't think anything of it. Then a few days later another stone appears. After a month there's a collection of about 6 stones. The department still doesn't think anything of it but Luna recognises something about the stones."

Harry paused and saw that Hermione was absorbed in his story so he continued.

"She borrowed your ancient runes book you left behind and saw that the stones had symbols the symbols were letters and they spelt out the words 'I'm Alive'"

Hermione was riveted by the story.

"So Luna starts researching ways to enter and return from alternate plains. It took months but she found out about some kind of rope that can't be broken and she used it attach it to rescuer who went into the veil and then they pulled them back out of the veil and Sirius was with them."

Hermione frowned, she had never heard of a super strong rope, "What kind of rope was it?"

Harry just shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, you'd have to ask Luna,"

Harry gave her a look indicating he hoped she would do that. Hermione ignored him and continued with her questions.

"Who rescued him? What was it like on the other side of the veil?"

Harry was smiling at her, "I knew my old friend was still in there."

Hermione gave him a sarcastic smile, "Just answer my questions."

Harry laughed and then the smile lessened on his face.

"It was Ginny. I was going through a rough time aft-after you left," Harry looked away again. "Luna told Ginny about her discovery and Ginny thought I needed someone to cheer me up so jumped on the opportunity to help. She helped Luna research and then when they needed someone to go through the veil she volunteered. She didn't even tell me until afterwards and I was so grateful that Sirius was back that it took me a while to realise how much she had endangered herself."

Harry stopped for a minute clearly lost in memories. After a few minutes past by he seemed to snap out of it.

"Anyway what else was it you asked? Oh yeah, what was the veil like? Well Sirius doesn't really like to talk about it. He said time was weird in there. Some days it went really slowly and then it would suddenly speed up. It made keeping track of how long he was in there really hard. He won't tell me anything else," Harry looked at Hermione the anger from earlier was back again.

"He's different from how he used to be."

Hermione nodded, "I know."

Harry looked surprised.

"I bumped into him in the leaky cauldron." Hermione said by way of explanation.

Harry's eyebrows almost rose to his hairline.

"Don't worry he thought I was a moody old hag." Hermione laughed lightly, it felt good to laugh it had been so long since she last had.

Harry looked interested, "Oh? Who else was there?"

Hermione remembered her brief encounter with them at the Leaky Cauldron.

"The twins, Remus and Ginny." Hermione looked at Harry, concern mingling into her words.

"Harry, why haven't you mentioned that Ginny's pregnant?"

Harry's face blanched and he couldn't meet Hermione's gaze.

"Shit. How do you know? Did Sirius tell you?" Anger marred Harry's face.

Hmm clearly he's got a serious issue with Sirius. Hermione was quick to reassure him.

"No he didn't I could just tell. She's practically glowing and the guys were being protective about her. Plus you mentioned it when the twins were here."

Harry looked mildly annoyed and then sighed, "I was hoping they wouldn't do that. I don't want people to know."

Hermione considered that.

"Is that why you didn't tell me?"

Again silence stretched between them as Harry searched for his words.

"Honestly? I forgot."

Harry looked out across the reservoir and the words seemed to rush out of his mouth. "I forgot that my fiance was pregnant with my child. How bad is that? I don't know whether it's because of everything that's going on at work or if it's just something else. I haven't seen Ginny in so long. We see each other a few times a week but we're both so busy and honestly I think we're both comfortable with the way things are."

"Harry, I'm sorry. It'll be alright."

Hermione knew saying that wouldn't help much but she didn't want to see him in pain.

"That's the thing Hermione. I'm not sure it will. I do love her but i'm just not sure-"

Harry stopped and looked at Hermione. His face was so full of pain and so raw. Hermione did something she hardly ever did, she reached out and brought him to her. They sat Hermione hugging Harry in her arms and she felt him shake as the silent sobs racked his body. They stayed like that until Harry pulled back slightly.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said all that. I know you don't want to know about any of us."

Hermione gripped Harry's shoulders tightly.

"I've been an awful friend."

Harry started to disagree.

"No, Harry I have. There's no excuse. I needed time away, I needed to find myself again and I did but I should have gotten back in touch. I should have at least checked on you. You're my family. I know the Weasley's took us in but we were always still slightly outside but it was ok because we had each other. I know that I've let you down and I can't pretend that you didn't do the same but there's no reason to continue that. I have missed you. There's not a day that I haven't missed you."

Hermione had to stop, there was so much more that she wanted to say and yet she feared she had said too much and she could feel the tears threatening to spill. She would not cry in front of him.

The next thing she knew she was in Harry's arms and he was holding her and whispering comforting words to her.

"Why don't we start anew?"

Hermione nodded into his chest, "I'd like that."

Harry held her tighter, "I don't want to lose you again, not now I've got you back."

Hermione looked up at him, "I promise you won't."

Harry looked hopeful, "Even when this is done?"

Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, "Even when this is done. I could be halfway across the world but I will still be here for you whenever you need me."

Harry stroked her hair, "That's good to know and convenient because I need you now."

Hermione removed herself from his embrace and turned so that they were sat opposite each other face to face. Hermione was always wary whenever people asked favours of her.

"Go on then."

Harry's face was a bit more serious.

"You're information on Malfoy could be what blows this case wide open but we need to look around the Manor to know for sure right?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well there's a masquerade ball at Malfoy's tomorrow night. It's our perfect opportunity to look around the Manor. I'm sure there'll be plenty of security and it won't be easy but it's our best chance to find out what's going on."

Hermione considered it and shook her head.

"It's too risky. What if I'm recognised?"

Harry rolled his eyes at her.

"Sometimes I think you forget you're a witch," he said paraphrasing her, "Just glamour yourself."

Hermione made a face at him.

"When I looked around my magic didn't work the way it normally does. What if my glamour doesn't work?"

Harry thought her words through. "You experienced something similar at Smoke and Mirrors right?"

Hermione nodded.

"But your glamour stayed in place?"

Hermione hesitantly nodded again, she really didn't want to go.

"Well you should be fine then."

Hermione could already tell she wasn't going to win. If she went it would be a great opportunity to figure out what was going on and she didn't know when she would get another one but she really didn't want to see any one else. Harry was enough for now.

"Who's going to it?" She asked reluctantly.

"Ministry officials, celebrities, the usual crowd." Harry said unimpressed.

"Who that we know?" Hermione asked.

"Well Ginny will be there with me and Ron is going also," Harry sighed, "I'm not gonna lie Hermione most of the Weasley's will be there and Remus will be there, in fact all of the order."

Hermione wanted to shove him into the reservoir for asking her to go.

"So essentially everyone I've been trying to avoid. What a great plan Harry." Hermione replied sarcastically. "Can't I just sneak in and look around?"

Harry's look told her he thought he she was being naive.

"There is going to be so much security, way more than what you've been seeing the last few nights at the Manor. You're gonna have to be a guest to get in and then we can go off together and gather information."

Hermione thought it through and reluctantly agreed.

"Fine but I'm not talking to anyone."

Harry laughed and patted her on the arm, his mood had brightened all of a sudden.

"Well you'll have to talk to your date."

Hermione frowned, "My what?"

Harry nodded his smile growing even more. "You're date. I'm thinking someone who works at the Ministry. That way you'll look less suspicious."

Hermione now wanted to levitate him into the lake from a great height.

"I am not going with a date!"

Harry shook his head at her as he laughed. "Yeah you are. You'll stand out other wise and it will look less suspicious if we get caught wandering round the Manor together."

Hermione was not happy. "Well do I get a say in who I'm attending with?"

Harry just laughed in her face. "No but I promise they're suitable."

Hermione just nodded her head curtly, her hand twitched towards where her wand was in her pocket, she could very quickly levitate him he wouldn't even realise until it was too late.

"Thanks Herms," Harry said giving her a cheeky smile as he used her old nickname.

"Urgh don't call me that, just reminds me of that fucking owl," Hermione grumbled.

Harry grinned at her, he couldn't get used to her swearing but he found himself enjoying it. Hermione continued to moan.

"So this Ball, am I allowed to go in my work clothes or do you expect me to wear a dress?"

Harry just laughed and soon she joined in too.


Author's note

Soooo I really didn't expect to being posting this chapter so soon but luckily for you all and unluckily for me my car broke down today and I was stuck in my car during a rainstorm with no battery left on my phone and all I had was my laptop. Which had no wifi or internet connection. But I did have all of my fanfic chapters on it so I decided to do some writing. This chapter is the longest one I've ever published and hope you enjoyed it. If you did let me know in the reviews. As always reviews are received with much love but flames are not.

I also want to shout out to two of my most loyal readers and reviewers, JuliSt and I WAS BOTWP, you both bring me a lot of joy with your reviews so thank you so much! You're honest, interested and just delightful and I really appreciate your support! :)

Anyway I'm going to edit the next chapter now and it should be up this weekend, managed to get a fair chunk of it written whilst I was stuck in my car. :( :D

Emerald