Chapter 11

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J.K. Rowling. This story is for entertainment only and not part of the official storyline.

A/N: The POV jumps around a little during this chapter so we get the perspective from several characters. Also, I'm going to also maintain Sunday as update day. I appreciate all of the helpful and lovely comments and follows to the story!

Orion Black paced to and fro in the muggle house he lived in with his wife. They had been together sixteen years and still loved each other immensely. It hurt his heart, black as it may be, that his only daughter had accidentally bound herself to two men. She would never get to chose who to love. The only consolation was that Sirius had reported that the two men seemed to follow Hermione where ever she went. He didn't believe his daughter even realized she was being followed. The Slytherin had been digging in to Hermione's background, the nosy bugger. Orion knew the information on Hermione wouldn't show anything, but the kid at least knew that Hermione called him father and he was a wizard.

The quidditch player had people investigating him too. He was followed daily to his dental practice and his wife had taken up shopping in different stores all over town to see how far they would go in gaining knowledge. So far, the investigators had tailed them to several muggle restaurants, the movie theatre and two musicals. Orion chuckled at the thought.

A crack sounded from the small windowless room off of his kitchen. It was the only room in the house that allowed for apparition for the family. Expecting Regulus, he stood to greet him only to be surprised to find it was Sirius instead. The man looked frantic, his dark hair messy.

"Sirius! What's wrong? Is it Hermione?" Orion asked quickly.

"It's Hermione! Something happened during the first task. I'm not sure what we should do." Sirius spoke at the same time.

Earlier that day:

Hermione Granger was preparing her best friend for the first task. Frustrated that Harry Potter had to compete, she had prepared him as best she could. Though she was highly skilled, she wasn't able to use most magic above her level. Her reputation as the brightest witch of her age helped but she didn't think Harry was ready for more advanced magic. She had made him practice for days on different strategies, spells and charms that dragon tamers used on their dragons. She finally felt confident that he would live through the task.

Now, if only she didn't have such anxiety about Viktor also. The man refused to tell her what he planned to do, saying he was a skilled wizard and could take care of himself. Hermione realized she needed to check on him before they all started. Sneaking in to the champions tent on the premise of seeing Harry had been easy. She made eye contact with Viktor and he had only smirked at her. She hurried to the stands to sit with the other Gryffindor students.

Viktor kept quiet as he waited for the task to begin. He could see Hermione fidgeting nervously as she conferred with Harry Potter. His English rose was brilliant. He had come to realize this after one day in the library with her. They had only studied but she had made an effort and he had tried to overcome his limited English. They had settled on Mione instead of her full name. He smiled as he remembered the day she lost her temper at his mispronunciation. His bonded was feisty. Viktor knew that regardless of if she was a muggleborn or pureblood, he enjoyed being around her. He had already spoken with his parents about the bonding and his Mione; they wanted to meet the girl and her family.

The Krum men always knew what they wanted. An inherent trait for many generations, the men in his family always knew immediately the woman they would belong to. His own mother had known his father less than a day before he had asked to court her. Viktor had held Mione when she had stumbled at the match and realized instantly that she belonged with him. His face darkened as he thought about sharing the lovely witch with the cunning Slytherin.

Adrian, it seemed, ran hot and cold. He disliked the idea of Hermione around fellow Gryffindors, but refused to seek her out by himself either. He knew that both he and Adrian were well matched to the petite girl, but getting Adrian to realize that was going to be a challenge.

Meanwhile, he realized that Hermione still held many secrets. She hid her family behind a muggle identity. She rarely shared personal information to either man and abided by the rules set in the castle. He knew she was a very powerful witch to have bonded with two magically gifted wizards, but it seemed that she hid much from her classmates. Viktor would have to think of ways to draw it out of her. He wanted to see what she was capable of.

Hermione watched as first Cedric Diggory then Fleur Delacour both retrieved their eggs. The third dragon, a Chinese Fireball was brought out. Viktor stepped in the arena. The sick feeling in Hermione's stomach increased. Her palms began to sweat, her magic tingled and Hermione began to sway. Rising, she hurried to the back of the arena where no one was located. She could feel herself losing control of her magic.

Viktor cast the conjunctivitis curse, blinding the fireball dragon. It seemed to work, the dragon swayed, curling in on itself before roaring. It released a massive fireball towards Viktor and roared again. The dragon sprang forward intent on charging at the man.

Hermione released her wand from its holster and cast without realizing. The shield she threw up in front of the Bulgarian wizard was strong enough to repel most of the fire. The augamenti water charm she used vanished the remaining fire and the quick wards she drew in the air aimed at Krum kept his fire retardant.

The crowd yelled in shock. Who had cast such strong wards to protect the champion. Viktor had managed to grab the golden egg but several of the other eggs had been damaged. He could feel the bonds tug. His bond mate was anxious. He stepped out of the arena quickly and spun on the spot in the direction his magic was tugging him. Seeing Adrian already making his way over, he quickly stepped into the champion's tents intent on getting looked over so he could find Hermione.

Adrian, feeling his magic tingle stood from his seat when Krum entered the ring. He glanced towards the Gryffindor stands, knowing his little lion was the reason he felt so restless. He caught enough of her to realize her magic was out of control. He rushed out of the stands mumbling something about forgotten homework to the curious Slytherins. He brushed past his head of house and made his way to Hermione.

When he got to the small girl he realized her wand was out, pointed at Viktor. He watched her draw runes and cast simultaneously. He hadn't realized that someone could even cast as quickly as she was. He called her name but she didn't respond.

Stepping up next to her, he really took in her appearance. Her eyes were glazed over giving her an ethereal appearance. Her long curls danced around her and while she had her wand arm outstretched pointed towards the dragon, her other arm was also outstretched like it was reaching for him. He slid his hand around her small one. It felt perfect. He could feel her magic as she continued to cast.

A large black dog slinked up next to them and whined at the pair. His tail stuck between his legs, the dog looked as nervous as Adrian felt. He could see his head of house staring at the pair. Adrian wasn't sure what to do but he knew he couldn't release Hermione's hand. She needed him.

When she finally stopped casting, her wand going still, Hermione felt drained. She leaned towards Adrian, knowing he would support her. He scooped her up gently and she rested her head against his shoulder. She slowly started to feel more like herself again. Hermione looked around taking in her surroundings. No one seemed to realize that she was the one who had used such strong magic.

Then she realized her Professor was standing next to her. Also standing near her was a large black dog that looked strikingly like a grim. Hermione groaned at her misfortune.

"Ms. Granger, I'm inclined to ask if this is another one of your secrets." Severus Snape looked down at the girl. The dog stepped in front of her growling at the potions master.

"I'm more inclined to set a dementor on you Black. Get out of my way." He hissed.

"Stop! Both of you can not fight right now. I didn't have control. Siri, what's going on?" Hermione whispered.

Adrian glanced between the two people and then at the dog. Hermione seemed to be talking to the dog in whispers and the dog, he realized, seemed to be nodding back. Abruptly, the dog took off for the forbidden forest. Snape growled at the movement but otherwise let it go.

"I feel like I'm missing something, kitten." Adrian spoke.

"Professor, may we use your office? We have someone coming and he'll most likely use the floo. You may want to come with us." Hermione asked the fearsome potion master. "Adrian, can you stay and wait for Viktor and then bring him down if he can get away. I know his headmaster is very strict."

The potion master, mumbling about infuriating females, grabbed the girls arm and strode off in the direction of the castle leaving the Slytherin to wait for the Bulgarian Champion by himself. Adrian waited until Viktor managed to extract himself from the crowd, journalist and his headmaster. While he waited, he watched Potter summon his broom and get the golden egg. If he was inclined to praising a Gryffindor, he would agree that the strategy Hermione had come up with for Potter was a good one. The kid could fly.

Viktor snuck away from the crowd as they moved to greet Potter. He quickly sprinted towards the back of the arena where he felt Hermione had been. He spotted Adrian leaning against a railing.

"Vhere is Mione?" Viktor asked the other man.

Adrian straightened up and started walking towards the castle, looking over his shoulder he spoke to Viktor, "She had Professor Snape take her to his office. She has someone coming. Let's go."

When the two men arrived in the potion master's office, they spotted Hermione sitting in a chair against the wall. A tall man came through the floo and was immediately followed by a second dark haired man. The first was wearing a large cloak, his hood hiding his face. The second was recognizable as the man they met during the World Cup.

Adrian moved to greet the man he had yet to learn any information about. "Hello, sir. It's interesting to see you again." He extended his arm for a handshake.

Viktor moved forward as Adrian moved away. "Hello Mr.," he trailed off hoping the man would give him a last name. The man chuckled.

"You may call me Mr. Granger for now. Though I appreciate the effort. The investigators have enjoyed their experience in the muggle world." Orion smirked, even with the disguise Hermione could see the same features her brothers both had with the same look.

"You're having my parents followed?" Hermione scowled.

The man, his face covered by a dark hood, moved towards Hermione. "I don't think it's time to discuss what your bonded are up to Little Dove." Hermione rolled her eyes at the man, obviously comfortable with him. The bonded men moved closer to Hermione, still unsure of the man they didn't know.

Severus was intrigued at the relationship the muggle born student had with the two wizards who came through his floo. His servitude to the dark lord afforded him the patience to watch the proceedings for clues instead of asking questions.

"I think I reacted to Viktor being in danger. My magic is pulling me towards them; stronger every day. I tried to get away but when the dragon charged, I couldn't stop from casting." Hermione muttered towards her father.

Severus was intrigued by the man she seemed to defer to. During the previous week of detentions between the three, he had watched the two older boys help Hermione. They worked seamlessly together. It was almost uncanny how they anticipated each other's needs. He had never seen anything like the trio. He had compared their actions to that of Ms. Granger with the two idiot friends Potter and Weasley and it didn't even compare. Until he knew the entire story he would bide his time.

"We still have to get through two more tasks and I can't see this affliction going away. Not with this type of bonding and especially with its honor completed." Regulus spoke from under his hood.

"You are telling me, these three students are bonded?" Snape drawled from the corner. "Just when did this happen exactly?" He glared at the older men in the room.

"It occurred during the World Cup, professor. We stumbled through some older wards and found an old set of Sarcen Stones. It seems after fighting off Death eaters, our blood activated the stones." Hermione replied.

Severus looked intrigued, if not skeptical of her answer. "You just happened through old wards in a forgotten manor with Sarcen stones that were banned several years ago. Ms. Granger, you are supposed to be the intelligent one in the little golden trio." Snape sneered at the girl.

"That's enough." Orion snarled. "You may not speak to her in that tone, young man. Both of her parents know what has happened. The bonding leaves little for any of us to do." Orion glared as he finished his rant.

Severus raised one dark eyebrow at being addressed as "young man." "You realize that Ms. Granger's muggle parents hardly understand the situation." He rolled his eyes.

The action caused Orion to growl softly. This man he had not seen in several years was so much like his mother. He turned to Regulus and Hermione, both of whom sported identical smirks. He could just barely make out the laugh from under his sons hood. Sighing in defeat he muttered, "you're both just like her," so quietly only Hermione could hear.

She broke out in righteous giggles. Her brother was testing his step father's patience and he didn't even realize.

"At least Siri isn't here." Hermione grinned at the man. Orion just sighed in defeat slumping into a chair near his daughter.

"Take a seat Severus. You're starting to give me a headache, young man. I believe it is time to explain certain things." Orion leaned forward slightly, waving his wand to summon the firewhiskey he knew the man would have. As it appeared he produced three tumblers and poured generous amounts in to each. He glanced briefly at both Viktor and Adrian before shaking his head. "I refuse to give the two men who bonded with my only daughter alcohol. You may summon an elf for tea."

"Severus, please," the hooded man said and waved a hand at a nearby chair.

Severus sat down in his own office and drank his own firewhiskey offered to him by the man as if it had been his. Feeling, not for the first time, that there was more to Hermione Granger.

"Hermione is not a muggleborn," the older man started, "she and her family went in to hiding after a tumultuous time. Both her mother and I had sons from previous marriages. We were both horribly unhappy with our spouses. Along with the fact that we had children side with the dark lord and could do nothing to protect them, we chose to do what we could and protect Hermione."

Orion sighed, the burden of not protecting his children weighing heavy. He knew it wasn't time to tell Severus about his mother. They needed a private reunion. Orion decided to arrange it for this summer. Eileen would be so happy. Even if the rumors of the dark lord's return proved true, Severus would not face him alone ever again.

"You had your daughter pose as a muggle-born, fooling Minerva and Albus into believing she's a muggle. How did it get passed the ministry?" Severus asked doubtfully.

"That would be where I come in," the hooded man spoke, "I am an unspeakable and Hermione's brother. The only one in fact that she grew up around."

"There's more know-it-alls running about you mean?" Snape sneered. His frustration apparent. He was angry that he had missed that this child was not who she said she was. He, a spy, deceived by a child."

"Don't be grouchy now, Sev. I trained her myself." The hooded man grinned at the potion master. "My little dove had plenty of time to hear all about you. Honestly, we knew she was safe as long as you remained at Hogwarts."

Severus doubted the man knew him well enough to know if he would save one Gryffindor girl. "And you feel you know me so well, you believe I would save a Gryffindor?" He chuckled darkly.

"You can't fool me Sev," Regulus spoke, throwing back his hood to reveal himself. "I've missed you old friend."

Severus Snape had been a spy for many years. He had been a cunning snake in Slytherin even before that. However, nothing prepared him for his best friend to be revealed. He glanced at the two boys around Hermione. They didn't seem to recognize the man, but glancing at Hermione revealed her giggling behind her hands.

"Regulus?" He questioned slowly. "How?"

Adrian perked up at hearing the name. He made eye contact with Viktor across from him. It gave him a place to start. The night had provided a wealth of information and Adrian was not above using it to his advantage. The bonding with Hermione was frustrating. He liked the girl, but they hardly knew each other. He didn't need to make a wrong move with her family and offend them before he figured out if he wanted to make a go of it. Even if he had realized, lately, he spent a lot of time thinking of her.