Chapter 13

Harry and Hermione continued to train. Flitwick pushed them in their charm work, McGonagall accepted nothing less than perfect Transfiguration and Remus was making slow and steady progress on their mind healing. Every afternoon, Hermione was in the library. She couldn't forget Dumbledore's words Harry will have to die. Hermione began to formulate a plan

Sirius had created a large whiteboard in their common room to add notes and information regarding the Horcrux that they knew existed somewhere in Hogwarts. Flitwick was the one who suggested the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. McGonagall suggested it was somewhere within the walls of Hogwarts. Lupin suggested asking Helena Ravenclaw about it. Harry suggested checking the Room or Requirement. And Hermione suggested sending one of the House Elves on the important mission to destroy it.

Which led to the diadem sitting on the common room table in the chest at 12 Grimmauld Place, exactly 3 real days and 52 chest days after the kids had first gone down the ladder.

"Are you ready Harry?" Sirius asked. They had determined that Harry was best suited to destroy, being that he was one. But it still took a toll on him which is why they had waited until the end of the day. Hermione squeezed his hand one last time and walked over to her station in front of the oven. Harry floated the diadem over to the oven and Sirius took up his station behind Harry. Before he could mutter the incantation the diadem began to scream.

You left her alone without friends, without parents. The diadem seemed to… turn to Hermione. He'll leave you again. He isn't strong, not like Ron. Not like Sirius. You know how strong Sirius is, he took you in his arms, you felt that strength. Harry looked wide-eyed from Hermione to Sirius, who backed away. The girl prefers him, you know. Just like you mother preferred him over your father! Harry roared with anger and cast a mighty fiendfye. It destroyed the diadem with a scream but his anger burned too hot and the oven was unable to contain it. Fiendfyre roared up and began to envelop the tiny kitchen. Hermione rushed forward and took Harry's face in her hands.

"Harry. You did great. I love you." Tears were falling from her face while Sirius was trying to fight back the raging fire. Harry looked away from her and nonchalantly viewed the fire swirling around him. Hermione shook him but Harry fell to the floor. Hermione took in her surroundings. The fyre was closing in on them, the smoke of dark magic was filling her nostrils. Sirius was throwing all kinds of spells but it wasn't working. Hermione pulled out her own wand and stood over Harry to shield him.

"Aguamenti!" she pointed at the over. A powerful stream of golden water shot out of her wand and drenched the Fiendfyre. Steam rose as the fire was quickly extinguished. Sirius stood on the other side of the room and stared at her and she bent down to quickly make sure Harry was alright. Sirius strode over to Hermione and gripped her forearm. She straightened as she looked up at him. He pulled her over away from Harry.

"What the hell was that?" he asked. She sighed heavily as she surveyed the damage around her.

"Let's clean up and I'll explain everything."

Harry looked over at Sirius and Hermione talking in heated whispers. His scar was burning, searing into his skull. He didn't have the capacity to deal with this. Hermione and Sirius? His mother? He knew Hermione would never cheat on him. And his mother loved his father dearly. Right? Harry got up and ignored the pain as he walked into his bedroom and stripped down to nothing. He got in the shower and let the cool water run over his body. He was silent when there was a small knock on the door.

"Harry," he barely heard Hermione's voice over the sound of the water. The shower door opened and Harry was surprised to see a naked Hermione coming in to the shower. Harry straightened and looked at her with wary eyes. She stepped towards him and covered his mouth with her own. He turned away and she wrapped her left hand around his shaft. He gasped and tried to pull away but she refused to let go.

"Hermione, tell me about Sirius." He glared at her but she refused to look away. She lifted one leg and rested it against the side of the shower. She worked his penis until Harry felt the fist stirring of arousal. He willed away his erection but Hermione's hands were too deft. She cupped his balls as she leaned in and kissed his neck. Harry leaned back his head against the shower and let the multiple sensations crash around him. He exhaled sharply as he felt Hermione guide his penis inside of her. Harry could not hold back. He reached down and grabbed her ass. In one quick movement, he lifted her up onto his cock and pushed her back up against the side of the shower.

He didn't see Hermione's small smile as his orgasm crested moments later.

By the time Harry and Hermione walked out of the bedroom, Sirius had returned the small kitchen/common room back to its former glory. He gestured to the small table where he and a bottle of firewhiskey with 3 glasses sat. Harry looked warily at his godfather before sitting heavily down in one of the chairs. Hermione sat down next to Harry and nodded at Sirius. Sirius took a deep breath before turning to Harry.

He explained everything about the night that they first acquired the resurrection stone, with Hermione filling in the blanks as needed. Harry crossed his arms over his chest when Sirius spoke about Lily, but both men saw their own pain reflected in each others eyes. Sirius said that nothing had every happened between him and Lily although he did admit loving her. Harry only looked at Hermione once, when Sirius said that he had kissed her. Her face was stoic when she met his eyes.

"Harry, I was a fool. I blame the resurrection stone, but I also blame myself. I'm so sorry. I've been seeing Remus for help in healing my mind as well." Sirius ran his hands across his face and through his hair, which made it stick ridiculously straight up and leave soot marks on his face. Harry and Hermione glanced at each other quickly before looking back at Sirius.

"I'm glad you are able to own… UP to your mistakes," Hermione said straight faced. Harry looked down at the table.

"Yea, things would have gotten really… Hairy," he looked up at the confused face in front of him.

"That apology is a labyrinth of David Bowie proportions," Hermione choked out and Harry burst out laughing. Sirius watched with confusion until Hermione conjured a mirror and held it up for him. Sirius took one look at himself and guffawed with them. Five minutes and one very powerful cleaning charm later, the trio was sipping firewhiskey. Sirius turned to Hermione.

"OK, your turn." Harry looked confusedly at Hermione while she drained the last of her firewhiskey. She set down her glass and walked to the bedroom. When she came back out, she had the resurrection stone and something that looked an awful lot like-

"My invisibility cloak!" Harry jumped up as she laid both items on the small table and pulled out her wand. She carefully placed it on the table next to the other 2 items and Harry slowly lowered himself back into his seat as the three items pulsed is raw magical energy. Hermione spread open her hands and placed her palms on the table. A powerful wind picked up out of nowhere and swirled around her, causing her hair to lift up around her face.

"I don't believe it," Sirius said as he leaned back in his chair. The wind lowered to a light breeze as he shook his head and looked at Hermione. Harry had a smile on his face and he gazed at his girlfriend. "Start at the beginning." Hermione grinned.

"I'll do you one better," she said as she stood up, walked over to the whiteboard and picked up a marker. "I'll tell you how this ends."