AN: Sorry for the long time between chapters but I was on vacation in Georgia and no internet. As always please review and I make no money and this is owned by JK.

Chapter 14 Reminder of the Past

Harry met Hermione at the bottom of the stairs. "Thanks for taking me to Hogwarts to talk to Ron."

Hermione smiled nervously. "I'm sure Ron will be excited to see you Harry."

Harry took her hand and turned his heel and Apparated them to the gates of Hogwarts and watched Hermione open a gate and move through with her. The gate slammed shut behind them.

"I'm glad Headmaster Snape decided to let you stay on for another year."

Hermione chuckled. "His letter made it very clear that I was his last choice as every Potion Master that he called refused him."

Harry looked to her. "You really believe that? His letter came after one week that school was let out. I don't think he looked very hard."

"And there is the book he left you on advanced Occlumency. Maybe something made him change his mind about you." Harry reminded her.

Harry and Hermione walked in silence hand in hand, making their way up to the castle and not peaking. She glanced at Harry who looked thoughtful during their trek.

"Harry I'm worried. Hagrid did not meet us here as expected." Her words timed with their arrival to the massive castle doors that where shut. She pulled out her wand and motioned for Harry to do the same.

Suddenly the doors swung open forcing the duo to jump out of the way and avoided being hit. Scrambling up they both pointed their wands to the opened doors and waited as a shadowy form materialized in the darkness of the entrance.

"Granger! Potter! Put down your wands at once! Unacceptable behavior considering you are visiting this esteemed school." A low voice growled out.

Hermione tucked her wand into her robes and breathed out a sigh of relief finding Severus in front of them, arms crossed and looking to them with disdain evident on his face.

"Headmaster Snape I'm surprised to see you. I heard that you left the school during the summer break."

"Unfortunately I misplaced a few things I need over the break and Hagrid informed me of your arrival. Then the ghost involved me in this meeting. Shall we get on with it so I can be away and enjoy the rest of my time away from the dunderheads?"

They watched him turn around without a ward and melted into the dark and watched a light emit from his wand and move away from them.

Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and laughed when she heard him mutter that the man never changed. They had to hurry to keep up with the light.

The light stopped and Severus turned to face them, fait light barely revealing his face. "The meeting will take place in my office. Come along Potter. You as well Professor Granger."

Hermione did not miss the change of reference to her and walked up the stairs and shut her eyes at the sudden light that shone out when he opened the door and stayed to allow them to enter.

Severus followed them and shut the door noticing Potter stare at the ghost in joy. He moved to his desk and sat down. "Make it quick Potter. I have things to do."

Albus sounded from his portrait. "Still your tongue Severus. The three of us had a talk about this."

Severus remained silent, crossing his arms and waited to see what happened.

Harry rushed up to Ron. "It's great to see ya mate! I've missed you."

Ron smiled at Harry's words. "I missed you too mate. I know Hermione told you how I died and why I'm here."

"It doesn't matter Ron. You're here and that's all that counts. I can come and visit you and it will be like old times."

"Yes that's all we need Potter is for the enemy of He-Who-Has-Returned to hang about where his trusted Death Eater resides. I'm sure I would hear about it and it would not be pleasant."

Severus turned to address the portrait. "Albus I told you that there is no way I will involve myself with the Order again. It's dangerous and for once I have a choice in this. And it is a resounding no! Potter you can take that back and I don't care if I go to Azkaban.

Harry barked out a laugh. "Like that would happen Headmaster Snape. Your record and Kingsley would not allow that it I he is Imperio'd."

Severus allowed a small smile for the young man knew what he was up against at least from the Ministry side. "Finally you speak something of relevance." Picking up a parchment and held it out. "The names of Kingsley's security detail. One is responsible of Kingsley's clouded mind. Don't discount the new Head of Magical Law Enforcement."

Harry took the parchment and read it. "I know everyone on this list. The control could not come from any of them."

Severus stood up. "Albus, the Order chose the wrong one to be their leader and now you know why I will not be aligned with it. I suggest you give Potter a history lesson. Despite his victory and success as Head of Magical Law Enforcement he is too naïve, seeing only the good and never looking for the bad that always accompany it. I'm off to enjoy the rest of the summer."

Hermione and Harry watched in shock as Headmaster Snape angrily strode out of his office and slammed the door behind him.

Albus chuckled. "Mr. Weasley that went as expected." Agreeing with the ghost.

Harry and Hermione walked to the portrait and waited for Albus to speak.

"Harry, Severus will come around in time to only one that he trusts explicitly." Looking to Hermione. "I held that trust only by an Unbreakable vow and the love he held for Lily Evans. He is free of those bonds and his own man once again placed in a precarious situation. Deep down Severus Snape is inherently good despite his choices in the past. He is right Harry. I held so much from you three in the past and you need to know the history to prepare you."

The old wizard in the portrait removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes and sighed. He gave only enough to get them through never planning that Tom would return. "Pull up a chair and listen."

Harry and Hermione pulled up a chair and sat down, waiting for the old wizard in the portrait to begin his lesson.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Harry and Hermione sat on the large rock the Great Lake just like old times when they were in school with Ron floating next to it.

"Harry what are you going to do?" Ron asked.

Harry groaned out. "I should have never left the Ministry Ron. If I was there I could have watched things. Snape was right. I am unfit to lead the Order."

Hermione grabbed his hand. "Harry it's not a bad thing to stand by your belief of good in all. It is what makes you special. It's the belief that Albus held and remember Love is the most powerful magic."

Harry looked to the lake. "I have contacts along with Arthur in the Ministry. I'll use them and find out about the security detail. Justice still visits me and he always asks about you Hermione. He is the new Head of Magical Law Enforcement despite his short tenure and always around Kingsley."

He pulled Hermione to him. "You must get close to Justice Hermione and see if he is the one Imperiousing Kingsley and you must spy on Snape as well while at Hogwarts for you are the only one in the Order that has access to him."

Hermione sighed. "I told you I will help Severus if I can and if he allows it and I'll meet with Dwight but I am not going to get into a relationship just to get information."

"Snape accused me of being naïve Hermione but words are from one naive. You need to be exactly like he was in the past. You above all know how important this is. You have a duty to this because you know what is involved."

Hermione crossed her arms with an angry look and waited, watching a confused look cross Harry's face.

"What?" Harry demanded.

"I'm waiting for the Unbreakable Vow Harry. How dare you remind me of what's at stake?" She shrilled out.

Harry quickly back-tracked. "No Hermione I would never do that! I'm sorry it's just…."

She held her hand out to him. "I just wanted to remind you how Albus was and not to be like him. I respect him Harry but he should have released the vow the moment Voldemort returned the second time."

Harry took her offered hand and pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around his best friend of many years. "I'm sorry Hermione. It's just…"

She cut him off. "I know Harry. Don't hide anything from us. You know we'll be with you through thick and thin." Hugging him back. "Let me know when Justice visits you next and I'll make sure I'm there."

Harry pulled away and looked to Ron. "Keep an eye on things Ron and get with Hermione if you need to pass anything to me. I miss you mate."

"Let's go home Hermione." Harry softly spoke.

Ron watched them slide off the rock and walk away hand in hand. He felt helpless and wished that he was alive so he could be there for them full time.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

One week later D.A justice arrived at 12 Grimuald and found himself in the living room enjoying drinks with Harry.

"You push our friendship Harry asking about the search for Voldemort." Dwight sighed and sipped his Firewhiskey. "Minister Shacklebot pulled all resources a week ago and told me to close the case and not re-open it. His words were that he did not want to frighten the public."

Dwight held his hand up to stop Harry from speaking. "I believe there is a threat but you have to understand my hands are tied. There is no proof. No attacks. No one is missing like before. The words of a couple of Deatheaters do not count and I have nothing else to go on unless you have tangible proof I can present. Do you have that?"

Harry remained silent. Justice was not in the Order and he remembered the meeting at Hogwarts. He could only trust those proven in the past.

Dwight finished his drink and placed it down. "I thought not. If you don't mind I'll take…"

Harry stood up "Hermione glad you could join us."

Dwight stood up as well and found Hermione standing at the door dressed in a sensible blue muggle suit with her hair down, brown curls falling down. Gods she was beautiful and to think he was going to leave. "Hermione it's good to see you again. Care to join us?"

Hermione moved in and sat down beside him. "Justice good to see you again and yes I would love to join you and Harry. Firewhiskey if you don't mind."

Harry moved to the liquor cabinet and poured her drink and handed it to her. "Hermione is staying with us until Hogwarts starts up again. She was accepted for another term." Harry spoke noting his friend's interest. It was up to her now.

Dwight found himself immersed in her warm brown eyes. "If you ever tire of teaching Hermione you can always come back to the Ministry. I would be one of many pleased to see you back."

Hermione smiled. "I'm filling the position until the Headmaster finds another Potions Master willing to teach. So what have you and Harry been talking about?"

"Just shop talk Hermione. Nothing exciting I'm afraid." Dwight started before Harry interrupted.

"We were talking about the investigation of Voldemort's arrival and the fact that the investigation has been closed."

"Please tell me that's not true Dwight. You've seen Draco's letter?" Hermione pleaded.

"I have Hermione and it was put down that Master Malfoy could not tolerate how he was treated. I told Harry my hands are tied despite my personal feelings. Things are being covered up and my hands are tied." Dwight protested.

Hermione finished her drink. "The Ministry was full of fools back then and I can see things haven't changed this time around. I'll take my leave if you don't mind."

Dwight quickly spoke. "I'm not like those Hermione. Let me take you somewhere so I can explain."

Hermione looked to him. "Meet me here at 7pm tomorrow Dwight. You seem to be a man of action and hope I am not disappointed."

The wizards watched her leave.

"She is beautiful Harry. I don't know what I am going to tell her." Dwight muttered.

Harry inwardly smirked at Hermione's actions. He would help Justice and get what he needed. "You could tell her you suspect the Minister is under Imperius and that you are investigating these." Pulling Severus' parchment listing the names of the Minister's security detail. "That way you can prove to her that you are the man of action she thinks you are."

Dwight read the names and looked thoughtful. "Thanks Harry. I think a review of the detail is in order and within my power. I'll have to be discrete though."

Harry watched Justice leave and called out. "Let me know what you find will you?"

Dwight waved his hand indicating he heard and left the room.

After a few minutes Hermione appeared. "Did I help you?"

Harry smiled at his best friend. "Thanks for listening at the door Hermione and the excellent timing of your entrance. Maybe he will find something."

Hermione warned him. "Don't forget Snape's words not to discount him as he has access to the Minister as well. I'll try to find out more during our date."

"Thanks Hermione and I know you hate this."

"No problem Harry. Dwight has asked me out many times during the school year and things always came up. I hope that he is not involved in this for he seems to be a nice wizard."

Harry watched her leave. He did not miss the look of interest in her eyes at a mention of a date.