Disclaimer: I own nothing...

A/N: So sorry for the long wait but real life issues are more important. Sorry again and thanks for all the reviews! But the next chapter is ready and I will post it next week... Many thanks to my beta Maria Binger!

Dinner at Grimmauld Place...

Sirius was lying on his huge bed the night after, thinking of the utterly charming young girl he had the pleasure of meeting and dancing with. She wasn't what he expected her to be that was for sure! She was pleasant, polite and charming. She wasn't a total snob as he thought, not even close. She was smart and pretty and all in all pretty much perfect.

The fact that she would go to his old house, Grimmauld Place, was a bother to him but he decided he could give her the benefit of the doubt. The girl had no idea about who his mother and his family in general -with few exceptions- were, she merely thought they were typical pureblooded people who only cared about their money and the next assembly they'll attend until they found their future husband or wife.

And it enraged him the fact that Walburga obviously had her eyes set on Hermione for Regulus' bride to be. She was too pure and perfect to be tainted with the likes of them!

But he could not do anything about it. She wouldn't go alone, thankfully. Her two escorts will accompany her and Walburga will be more restrained with two extra aristocrats there as well. Her hopes for a union between the Black and the Dumbledore families will probably stop her from doing some grave mistake, like mentioning her almost religious devotion to the dark lord's ideas. She should know about what happened to Hermione's family and friends and that should have shake her badly.

Voldemort made a grave mistake at attacking so openly three of the oldest and most pure wizarding families in Europe. The majority of his supporters were now starting to realize that what he truly wanted was not a pure, Muggle-free wizarding society but one that everyone will bow down to him and he would be the ultimate ruler. If the Lysander's and Rose's were attacked then what about the Black's or Potter's or Crouch's?

No one was safe until they declared their devotion to the dark lord and agreed to bow to him. But a Black knelt to no one.

If there was a thing he inherited from his dear family was their aristocratic pride and his parents put on him so many rules and restraints that he was left with a deep hatred for the loss of his freedom. He would never become someone else's servant as long as he lived. He'll choose death over slavery any time as long as no one he cared about died.

And Sirius Black was not about to let a perfectly normal girl fall into his mother's claws. Oh no, if Regulus wanted Miss Dumbledore then he would have to fight him tooth and nail to have her. Not that he wanted her of course!

He just found her incredibly attractive and witty but he didn't see her like that!

Of course not!

Sirius Black only lusted after women; never fall for one... And Hermione Dumbledore was no different than any other woman in his mind's eye.

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"I feel like I'm going to my execution" Hermione mumbled as Luna pinned a delicate white rose in her simple bun. She was wearing a very simple but elegant strapless black dress and black pumps with a simple silver necklace (spelling ROCK because she felt a little rebellious) and a silver bracelet. Luna chose a simple yellow dress (really no matter in what timeline she was, Luna will always have her own sense of fashion!) with turquoise pumps and her hair in pigtails. She was charmingly unique and managed to look pretty in such outrageous clothes.

Neville, having gone with black wizard robes and black dress shoes, was eyeing the butterfly on Luna's left pigtail as he casually leaned against Hermione's door frame, watching the two girls conversing.

"Interesting accessory you have there Lu" he offhandedly commented, his eyes curious and when Hermione glared at him, he just shrugged.

"Oh thank you Neville!" she sunnily chirped, her hands playing with the wings. "I took the idea from Parvati Patil back in my third year when the foreign schools came. Remember Mione?"

"Oh yes" the older girl nodded. "McGonagall wasn't so impressed though... She told her to take it off. Shame really. I may not liked it but it looked good on her hair."

"Yes" the blond replied as she dreamily eyed the red rose Neville had in his jacket's pocket. "Is it time to go? I feel hungry!"

"Yeah I came for that actually" he pushed away from the door and looked back over his shoulder. "Albus said we can use his floo to go to Grimmauld Place. And we can come back the same way. But we must hurry or we are going to be late... And from what little I know of her, Walburga doesn't appreciate tardiness."

"Oh I'm sure she'll make an exception for her future daughter in law!" came Luna's airy reply as the three passed through the door. Hermione stumbled and almost fell on her bum if not for Neville's steady hand on her back. Her pale cheeks flushed with colour and her eyes lightened with indignation as she stood straight and glared at her two friends, one acting like she said nothing absurd and the other muffling his laughs.

"I will not marry Regulus!" she hissed, anxiously looking around to make sure no one was watching. "I just want to save him! Now stop insinuating it and let's go!"

She marched on, not caring if they followed or not. Luna turned to Neville.

"Say... you think I should tell her Regulus was not the brother I had in mind?" her voice was honestly curious, not a hint of mischievousness playing in her dreamy tone. Her dark haired companion laughed and offered her his arm.

"No I think we should let her discover it herself" he proposed and the blond pigtails flew as she nodded in agreement.

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Hermione wasn't impressed. She knew the parlour of Grimmauld Place should have caused her to feel awed by it's extravagant decorations and obviously priceless antiques. But she had stayed in this place many times before so she felt the coldness and arrogance emanating from every pore of the tasteless room and the hostess herself.

No matter her beautiful face and elegance or the well mannerism of her every move as she welcomed her guests with the utmost polite cheerfulness and showed them her house, Hermione still got the chilly feeling of being judged, evaluated to make sure she was perfect enough to continue the royal Black lineage by marrying her only -as she insisted to refer to her second son- son and heir. Oh Hermione wasn't stupid, she knew that Walburga's true purpose of having her for dinner and accepting Luna and Neville as well was to assured that Hermione was going to end up as Regulus' bride.

If the old woman had her way by this time tomorrow she and Regulus would be already married.

Regulus himself was dressed similar to Neville, with the exception of a Slytherin green tie. He was tall and handsome, a true Black with his blue-grey eyes sparkling with amusement at his mother's subtle but persistent recommendations of their future wedding.

"I'm so sorry about my dear mother" he whispered at Hermione's ear when he was allowed to escort her to the huge dining room, the house elves already having prepared their dinner with Mrs. Black's best cutlery. Hermione sat at her left with Regulus right across from her and Neville to her left and Luna to Regulus left. The food was delicious and perfectly made but Hermione couldn't help but worry that she was going to be poisoned every time she took a bite.

Thankfully the dinner only lasted an hour... The longest hour in her short life, she might add. Walburga attempted to ask numerous questions about Hermione's past life but every time Regulus cut her with smooth commendations about some new interesting piece of gossip he had heard, like for example an acquaintance of theirs had done something or what his friends decisions about their careers and his own decision to join the Ministry as an intern lawyer. Hermione was surprised by that, she had no idea Regulus hoped to join the Magical Enforcement Law team.

She wished to have time to speak alone with him but his mother was always there. Whenever one of them tried to start a conversation of a topic she didn't approve she made a point of talking, rather loudly, to everyone, asking pointless questions and rudely interrupting them. The best word to describe the Black Mistress was spoiled and egocentric. She hated not to be and her family the centre of attention.

But the perfect chance came when Regulus asked her what she thought of their beautiful house.

"Beautiful I must say. At least the parts I have seen!" she laughed and he joined her, his deep tone strongly reminded her of the older Sirius' barks of laughter and she almost choked on her drink.

Now it was not the time for having heart breaking flashbacks! The man was alive and well! And quite handsome too...

"Would you like to see more?" Regulus stood fluently and offered her his hand and pulled her up in one motion. "Mother" his mother stopped talking to the other two victims, er guests, and turned to her son, eyeing their clasped hands. So did Luna and Neville who exchanged private smirks, ignoring the deep scowl marring Hermione's features as she glared at them. "I'll take Miss Dumbledore to a tour if you don't mind?"

"Of course not, Reggie" she enthused, Regulus wincing at the horrid nickname. Her grey eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he bowed deeply to his other two guests.

"Would either of you wished to join us, Lady Lovegood, Lord Lysander?" he asked, his eyes curiously looking between the two people.

"No I'd rather not" Neville waved him off and turned to engaged Mrs. Black to a new conversation about the magical plants of England.

"I'm too tired" Luna smiled at her and then her pale eyes turned to Regulus who was watching her curiously. His eyes had slightly widened when the eccentric girl had walked out the fireplace, his stare immediately landing on her special outfit and her carefree expression. "Have fun! Be careful of the Nargles though, they do tend to live in old houses and can cause a lot of mischief!"

"What?" Regulus couldn't help but ask but Luna had already turned and joined the conversation with Nev and Walburga. Hermione was softly laughing as she gently placed her hand of his arm and he turned his inquisitive eyes on her.

"Please do not bother. Dear Luna has the most bizarre beliefs all the time! Shall we?" she nodded towards the doors and after a bewildered stare sent the blond's way he pulled her away.

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"Regulus? Really?" Sirius couldn't help the sarcastic tint colouring his voice as he and the rest of the Marauders sat on a table at the Three Broomsticks. They had come for their usual drinks and fun about half an hour ago and their topic of conversation was the trio from France. Or more specifically the fact that they were currently dining at Sirius parents' house and his mother was planning the wedding between Regulus and Hermione. He just couldn't believe it.

"Why not?" Remus demanded as he sipped from his firewhiskey, feeling the liquid burning down his throat. "He's rich, handsome and a pure blood. According to the gossipers he's the perfect candidate for her!"

"And what about the other two?" James curiously asked. Lily had really liked Hermione and gushed and gushed about her new friend.

"Ah" Peter chirped in, his watery eyes innocent but the glint returned every time he looked at the sulking mutt across from him. "Apparently all think that Miss Rose and Mr. Lysander are together but keep it a secret to be announced after the properly amount of time for them to mourn their lost ones. Hermione is the only one publicly thought available."

"I see" James nodded and chanced a sly glance at Sirius who was looking away, his mouth tight and eyes hard, his chair balancing on two legs. "And someone is getting jealous that he has so many rivals, a certain brother of his also?"

"What are you talking about, Prongs" Sirius growled as he sharply turned around, his chair falling back on all four legs with a bang. "I'm not jealous about anything! It's just that Regulus is not enough! You know my brother don't you? The arrogant evil git who will probably join that psychopathic killer within a year?"

"Sirius!" Remus admonished him angrily, no one noticing the way Peter flinched and his eyes flashed guiltily. He swallowed thickly. Remus was talking again. "You do not know that! Just because Regulus believes that purebloods are superior, doesn't mean he'll join You Know Who!"

"Oh please!" Sirius scoffed angrily as he banged a fist on the table, earning a few raised brows. "I know my family better than you do, Moony. I know what they represent. What I represent, no matter how rich or pure our blood is, we are still consider Death Eaters by everyone... Even I receive suspicious stares when people learn my last name. And Regulus is just the perfect son. Of course he'll join!"

"So this is what this is all about?" James suddenly seemed angry as he politely placed his goblet on the table and glared at his best friend. "You don't just think Regulus is unworthy of her. You think you are unworthy of her..."

"What?" Sirius chuckled merrily at James absurd words and shook his head.

"You heard me" James insisted and leaned closer to his friend. "You know who attacked her family... Your dear cousin Bella was there. We all know it... You think you are not good enough for her because of your family... You my friend, are feeling guilty for your family's crimes! That is the reason you can't admit you like her!"

"No!" Sirius shouted and jumped to his feet, his grey eyes burning with fury. "I. Do. Not. Like. Her. Period! I certainly do not feel guilty for other people's crimes! She is still unworthy of me! She's just a girl, I only date women! I felt sorry for her, yes. Bad? Certainly! But guilty? No way! Bella is a crazy bitch but not my responsibility!"

"You are absolutely right!" James too stood at his feet. "Glad you saw the light! Now you only have to convince yourself as well and we are done!"

Sirius groaned in exasperation, threw a handful of galleons on the table and apparated away in a huff.

"Poor man" Remus drunk the rest of his drink and sighed deeply.

"Yeah" James pushed his glasses on his nose and sighed as he stared at the spot his best friend just stood. "He has it pretty bad and he's not even realizing it!"

Peter remained silent.

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"And this is my room" Regulus opened the door to a room she had only once visit. The bed hangings were vividly green and the room seemed alive. He was unusually tidy for a young man and he had a lot of books, that weren't there before... Or after... Oh whatever!

"It fits you perfectly" she murmured as she looked around. Regulus seemed fidgety, nervous and she realized that he was every few minutes touching his left forearm. Her heart froze and she swallowed heavily when she realize that it was the dark mark he was touching. Regulus had joined the Death Eaters his last year at Hogwarts...Thisyear. And he stole the Horcrux the summer after his graduation, the exact date unknown but from her visions and his pale face she knew the time was coming. But when?

She wanted so desperately to grab the young man and tell him he could trust her, that she could help him but she feared that she would only scare him away. With her hand midway up a bookshelf, a sudden thought made her freeze. He knew...Voldemort must have known she was coming here today... But since Albus also knew he couldn't exactly order Regulus to kidnap her... But the Death Eaters that attacked the Dumbledore Manor at France weren't only his most trust worthy. Meaning probably every one knew about her special... talent.

She looked up and turned discreetly at the younger Black. He was so much like his older brother that her heart gave a stutter. So young to die such a violent death. His dead body was forever doomed to serve at the dark lord's commands, whilst residing under the dark lake. She clenched her teeth angrily. No she would not allow it!

And then her eyes landed on a board she remembered all too well. A board full of articles about the Dark Lord. Pictures of him when he was still a student and the very few older ones. Pictures he undoubtedly allowed to be taken. She gasped loudly and his eyes followed her line of sight and he paled when he saw what she saw. He recomposed himself quickly and tried to act nonchalant.

"Just curious that is..." he laughed but she could hear the panicked hint in his tone. He wasn't proud about what he had done she could tell.

"He was there you know" she suddenly whispered, her eyes glued to a photo of a very young and handsome Tom Marvolo Riddle. "When my parents died... I saw him right before we leave... He called out to me... But they wouldn't let me fight him... Or surrender myself... He killed them all... Tortured them first... I remember when we heard the screams from inside. Neville's parents sent us away. They kept him back as long as they could. He had to leave his parents to their death just so he could save me..."

Regulus stayed quiet, his face paper white and his eyes wide. He was breathing harshly as she continued her story.

"All because he wanted me... Because he wanted to control the future..." she turned to him and rather plainly, unemotionally stated "because I'm a true Seer...That's why he killed them all..."

Knowledge flashed in his orbs but he acted surprised. She would have been convinced he didn't know if she hadn't known for sure what he was. She smiled knowingly at him as she turned to the pictures.

"He's so... inhuman don't you think?" she had her head tilted to the side as she studied the pictures. "Seems almost... unnatural to be so void of all emotions. Like he has no soul" she didn't imagined his loud, disbelieving gasp and she turned to face him. His face was now deathly white, his eyes wide with pure fear shining in them and his mouth dropped open in shock.

"How do-"

"Know?" she smiled at him, amused. "I'm a seer remember? I know things..."

He opened his mouth to say something but then...

"Hermione? Come down please! It's time to go home!"

She couldn't resist rolling her eyes but before he could walk away she gently grasped his shoulder and he turned to look at her, apprehension in his childlike eyes, his age apparent in the fear reflecting there.

"If you need help... or just to talk to someone... Please remember I'm always here..." she pleaded with him but his suddenly ashamed eyes fell away.

"Please do not worry yourself for me, Miss Dumbledore. I'm not worthy of your time..." he turned to leave but this time her grip was not gentle.

"I already know your love for tattoos" he paled more and she was sure he was about to faint. "But I'm still here... and willing to help you any way I can... Do not forget it Regulus please..."

She walked away, feeling a strange protective fluttering in her heart for the young, terrified boy behind her. He was so young, guided by his parent's wrong beliefs and made some pretty bad choices... But he did redeemed himself in her past paying a horrifying price... This time she'll make sure he'll live to restore his relationship with his big brother...

After all she owed at least that to Sirius.

She smiled to herself as she bid the Black's goodbye and felt a heavy burden leaving her shoulders...

A/N: So this story is officially completely out plotted. We have 18 chapters and an epilogue left. All I have to do is write the chapters!

I must warn you now the end is not what you suspect!

Next chapter's title:

Blue and Bronze...

Any guesses?