Edited and Reloaded 11-2-15

Chapter 14: The Brew That is True

December 19

Hermione was sitting in the common room with books and homework assignments spread out in front of her. Ron was the only other person there this morning and they were waiting for Harry to wake up and join them. Her ginger friend was sitting with one hand on his stomach and the other holding a Peppermint Toad. He was staring off into the nebulous void and every so often he would bring the toad up to his mouth to take a bite. Before he could though he would smell it under his nose, quickly glance at it, grimace a bit, and rub his stomach in discomfort before lowering his hand and heaving a sigh before starring off into the void again.

The twins had told her first thing this morning that Ron had spent half of the night before drowning his sorrows in the combined fifth year boy's candy supply and making a significant dent in it. Considering they had just restocked the day before in Hogsmeade, that was really saying something.

He finally roused from his sugar and shock induced stupor when they heard Harry come down the stairs. "Where is everyone?" Harry looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep. None of them had really. Hermione hadn't left Harry's room until around one, and Ron hadn't stumbled to bed until after two, according to his brothers.

"Gone! It's the first day of the holidays, remember?" Harry plopped down next to Ron while he was talking. "It's nearly lunchtime; I was going to come and wake you up in a minute."

Snow was falling outside and coating the grounds in a fresh layer of white fluffy goodness. The rug in front of the fireplace was currently being dominated by a large mass of orange fur. Ron hadn't even spared Crookshanks a glance but for the first time since August 31 in Diagon Alley he hadn't protested the feline's presence.

The homework could wait, she just couldn't let Ron potentially make himself sicker by indulging in a large lunch. "Ron, are you sure you want lunch? Perhaps a trip to see Madame Pomfrey would be better at this point." Before he could protest Harry got a good look at him and said, "Yeah, mate, you don't look so good."

"I'm fine."

"No, Ron, Hermione's right-"

"Of course she is."

"-more food on your stomach right now isn't going to help. Let's go for a walk and get you some fresh air."

Hermione perked up a bit and said, "Hagrid's? We haven't been to see him in a while. What do you say Ron?"

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good, let's go."

The walk to Hagrid's hut was cold but idyllic as a tour through a winter wonderland. Their toes were turning blue in soaked and freezing woolen socks while they stood on Hagrid's front porch waiting for him to answer Ron's tentative knock. Ron's hand was back on his stomach and he groaned a bit when he noticed that the fresh snow fall made the hut look a lot like a special yule ginger hut his mother made every holiday. Hermione shivered a bit and put her ear to the door while Harry asked, "He's not out, is he?" With a small wave Hermione said, "Hush, I can hear something, listen." The boys also pressed their ears to the door and the three children could hear sounds from behind the door that were reminiscent of a dying bull moose.

Ron pulled away and was starting to look sick and nervous when Hermione pulled on Harry's sleeve a bit. "Harry." He pulled back then started banging both fists on the door. "Hagrid! Hagrid, are you in there?"

Hermione smiled a bit when she could finally hear heavy footsteps approach the door. Hagrid looked horrible when he finally appeared. She didn't hesitate. One look at the lovable half-giant and she launched herself at him in a bracing hug.

XxXxXxX

After their visit with Hagrid, the boys decided to start their research in the library the next day. They firmly believed that they had no time to waste in their endeavor to help Hagrid and save Buckbeak. Harry had been a bit pensive on the walk back up to the castle and had quietly spoken with Hermione later that night about what Hagrid had said about the dementors not caring if the prisoner was guilty or innocent. She understood what he meant but wasn't able to ease his mind one way or the other.

XxXxXxX

December 20

Hermione found herself seated at the near empty Gryffindor table firmly tucked between Harry and Ron while they talked over her head about strategy for how to attack the library. The funny part about this entire exercise was that they were treating her as the leader of the expedition into what was obviously her domain and yet weren't waiting for her to answer the questions directed at her and kept answering each other instead. They didn't even know that she wasn't involved in the conversation and she just sat there smiling and quietly eating her breakfast. What great fun with future teasing rights, especially when they get to grousing about homework research again.

The morning mail saw considerably fewer owls in the Great Hall. After all, only seven students and seven staff members had remained in the castle for the Christmas holiday. The boys stopped conversing over her head when the owl landed in front of her to deliver her subscription to the Daily Prophet. All three of them had their eyes trained on the paper while she unfolded it and then held up the headline on the front page.

Peter Pettigrew Alive! Secret Death Eater Hiding Amongst Students - Apprehended by Headmaster Dumbledore!

They read every word the paper printed, which easily covered half of the pages in today's edition. Ron breathed a sigh of relief that his family wasn't mentioned by name. There was an entire spread just on Sirius Black and his family's history with the dark arts. Another article heavily suggested that Black and Pettigrew were co-conspirators. Hermione couldn't help but scoff at the byline under Skeeter's name.

An official statement from the Head of The DMLE announced that they were opening an investigation into the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Black. Mr. Pettigrew was being charged and would stand trial. The biggest news though was that Minister Fudge had lifted the 'Kiss on Sight' order and the bulk of the dementors were being recalled to Azkaban. A dozen of them would remain in Hogsmeade and patrol the borders of Hogwarts.

The three Gryffindors spent most of the morning sitting in the Great Hall, pouring over the morning's headlines. They discussed, theorized, and re-hashed everything they knew. Hermione thought it quite the challenge to not just tell them what she knew but after a while it became a game and a bit of a lark to throw what-if's out and hear the boys work through each plausible scenario. The atmosphere was rather reminiscent of their first year at Hogwarts when the mystery of the third floor corridor had inspired many brain-storm sessions and conspiracy theories. They didn't make it to the library until after lunch.

XxXxXxX

Draco's morning had been spent with the paper and a couple of his favorite pastries in front of the hearth in the Slytherin common room. There was only one other snake in the pit over the holidays, a thoroughly unpleasant fifth year, and he was quite content to keep to himself. For the first time since waking up here on September 2nd Draco was able to kick back and truly relax away from prying eyes and sneaky tattle-tales.

Skipping breakfast in the Great Hall had been an easy decision. He'd gone down yesterday morning, but with only a few bodies in the entire Hall, his shifty nervousness was far too easily observed - not that anyone was looking. Hermione and her cohorts hadn't been down and he couldn't help but worry about what might have happened. It wasn't until just after lunch when he'd spotted them outside heading towards Hagrid's hut that he finally relaxed.

In order to keep his self-respect, he'd decided that this morning's breakfast would be private. Good thing too since he'd spit out his tea and nearly choked when he'd read the paper's headline. Then he'd laughed. Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd seen something accurately reported by this particular paper. What he'd been expecting was a cover up or some hideously invented scandal that made the Minister look like a shining beacon pointing to the next election as Merlin's promise of prosperity or some such malarkey.

XxXxXxX

Later that evening he'd wandered into the library to see if Hermione had broken away from the two twits she insisting on spending time with. Draco was more than a little surprised to see Weasley and Potter sitting at a table pouring over a stack of books. Hermione's robe was draped over a chair at the table and he could hear her voice further down the aisle and around the corner. He was about to move when a hand wrapped around his arm and yanked him behind another shelf. He had just managed to catch the rather undignified yelp when he noticed that it was the back of Hermione's head on the body that was dragging him back through the stacks. She was wearing her robe. Ah, that would explain how she'd managed to sneak up on him when she was obviously closer to her friends on the other side of the room.

This was turning out to be one of her favorite pastimes. Spending time with her friends and then turning that nifty little trinket and spending time with him somewhere else. It made for a wonderful alibi in case someone claims to have seen them together and then spread the rumors. The blonde gossip queen in Hermione's dorm had squashed one round of spectacular gossip because she had personally seen the trio together all that particular evening in the Gryffindor common room.

Hermione dragged him out of the library. After the doors closed she relaxed and let go of him. "So, Weasley finally learning how to read?"

She smiled thinly at him with her eyes narrowed a bit, "I believe you're confusing him with Crabbe and Goyle."

Draco put his hand over his heart and feigned sincerity, "Oh, my pardon. Yes, I can see the similarities but, I've just remembered that only one of the three parties in question has remained here for the holidays. A thousand apologies, my Lady."

Hermione chuckled and tucked her hands into her pockets as they walked. "It's nice not having to hide in a corner for once."

"Aren't you worried that they'll get lost in there without you to guide them back to safe harbor?" He still hadn't told her that he knew about the time turner. Eventually she'd crack and he was willing to be patient.

"What? Oh, no. They'll be fine."

"What is it they are so interested in? They're not doing homework before Christmas, are they?"

"Court cases. They want to help with Buckbeak's defense."

"Oops. My big mouth. I'm really sorry about that. Lucius is still moving forward on schedule then?"

"Yes, did you really expect anything less?"

"No. I tried, but he refused to listen."

After a moment of silence she stopped suddenly and turned to him while grabbing his arm. Her face was quite sincere and a touch sad. "I have grave news. I'm terribly sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but...well, you see...Oh, gosh. There's no easy way to say this." Now he was worried. Draco's hand gently covered hers, "It's ok, just say it."

Hermione looked him dead in the eye. "The flobberworms have died." Then she ran away down the hall laughing. It only took a moment before he took off after her swearing retribution.

XxXxXxX

December 21

When the owls arrived with the morning mail Hermione paid for her paper and Ron retrieved a letter from his parent's owl. They all silently agreed that they wouldn't be eating those eggs this morning after all. After Hermione finished wiping Errol off she returned to her periodical and breakfast. She was so pre-occupied that Hermione hardly noticed until Harry poked her. She turned just in time to see Ron leave the Great Hall. Harry finished eating and then left saying that he was going to look for their friend. With the hall now void of other witnesses, Draco plunked down on the bench next to her.

After they finished a quiet breakfast over a shared newspaper, they parted ways. Hermione needed to find the boys and Draco just didn't see the point. Hermione headed up the grand marble stair case and Draco headed back down to the dungeons. He had more research to do anyway.

XxXxXxX

Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room to find Harry standing just inside the door. He was looking at Ron who was sitting across the room by himself with his head in one hand and a letter clutched in the other. She stepped up and gently put her hand on Harry's arm to let him know she was there. He looked at her and after a quiet non-verbal exchange they both moved towards their friend.

Ron saw their shoes first. He angled his head to look at them. Hermione's hands were folded in front of her and she appeared genuinely concerned for him. Harry had his hands in his pockets and was trying not to fidget. "Do you two need something? More life lessons or words of wisdom Hermione? Here to tell me she's not being completely mental Harry?" He stood and they could tell he was upset. "Well, you won't have to put up with me for a while. I've been called home for the rest of the holidays. See you next term." Ron made to push past them and had even aimed to clip Hermione with his shoulder in irritation but Harry caught him first. Harry had a firm grip on his bicep and spoke gently, "We're friends Ron, aren't we? We're worried about you and you seem to need someone to talk to. So? Talk to us. We're your friends."

It took a moment of Ron studying Harry's face before he turned to Hermione, she didn't let him down. "I'm sorry Ron. I haven't really been the best friend lately have I? It was petty, I know, but you were so angry that I had a cat, even before we got to school. It was so exciting to finally have a pet of my own and I was upset that my friends couldn't be happy for me. You can believe me though when I say that I'm very sorry your pet turned out to be something else. I can't even imagine how I would feel if Crookshanks was actually a wizard and had been privy to my personal time and bedroom habits."

Ron's shoulders sagged a bit as the fight went out of him and he flopped back into his chair. Harry and Hermione pulled up a couple more chairs so they could sit with him. "I was really hoping no one else would think of that. It's bad enough that mum and dad are taking Percy and me to St. Mungos for a check-up. But for others to think of it too...It's embarrassing."

Harry seemed very concerned and Hermione looked a bit grey. "They think something may have happened?" Ron looked at them for a few minutes before deciding to just be honest. "They'll be looking for several things including dark magic exposure and any indication that our memories were altered or suppressed."

Hermione reached her hand forward and lightly touched her friend's knee, "Ginny should go too. I know she seems fine but she had direct exposure to Riddle's diary last year and she's the only girl growing up in a house with a death eater that can sneak into anywhere he wants." Ron's eyes got wide and his ears started to turn red. It was obvious that he hadn't even considered his baby sister to be a potential victim of violated privacy.

"Ron, I understand that it's not going to be cheap but I would like to help with the expense for the medical checkups, especially for Ginny."

"That's generous of you Harry, but my parents won't accept, you know that."

"We don't have to let them know. Send me a quick note to verify her appointment and I'll handle the rest directly with St. Mungos."

"Thanks mate. I'll talk to Percy first, I think between the two of us we'll be able to get mum and dad on board with getting Ginny a check-up too."

Hermione smiled and was relieved that things had improved between them. "Ron, when will you be leaving?"

"Dad is coming at noon to get me. I'm really sorry about this guys. I mean, research really isn't my thing but I was planning on helping Hagrid too. Now I feel like I'm leaving you hanging."

The brains of the organization just waved him off. "Don't worry about that. I've been thinking about this quite a bit and I think we'll need to work on Buckbeak's defense from another angle. I'll be talking to Malfoy to start with and then, possibly, a few of his friends after the New Year."

Harry looked impressed and a bit intrigued by her moxy and Ron just seemed shocked that she would even suggest it as an option. "Wow, you really are serious about helping Hagrid if you're going into the snake pit. I'd offer to go with you but I'm not sure I could talk to them without causing more problems. Harry, don't let her do this alone, we can't let her get hurt."

"Ok, Ron. That was my plan regardless."

"That's great guys but I'll be fine."

"No, Hermione. Ron's right, I'll be going with you. I've got your back."

She may have looked a bit irritated but she was secretly impressed with how her boys were handling this. An explosion had been expected at the very least.

XxXxXxX

That evening, after Harry said goodnight and wandered up to bed, Hermione remained in the common room with a bit of lite reading. There was only about ten minutes of silence accompanied by the sound of a crackling fire before it was broken by the sound of knocking at the entrance. She looked curiously at the door trying to guess who it might be. The crazy thought of Sirius stopping to knock after his last sad attempt to gain admittance to the tower brought a chuckle out of her as she stood and walked over to open the entrance.

Draco was leaning against the wall and seemed to be mid conversation with Sir Cadogan. They were debating the finer points of the sword versus the mace and chain for tournament fighting on horseback. The relaxed blonde winked at her before pointing out that if the right pellet of poison was administered in the desired flagon or chalice before the toast than the contestants would never even enter the lists. Sir Cadogan was aghast at the idea of cheating. "Gryffindors call it cheating, Slytherins prefer to think of it as guaranteed odds, Sir Cadogan." Hermione was polite in her address to the portrait but turned her head before rolling her eyes at Draco. "Coming in?"

"Sure about that?"

"Harry's already gone to bed. It's just me, come on." He followed her into the lion's den with just a small amount of hesitation. "What happened to Weasley?"

"The whole ordeal with Pettigrew. Mr. Weasley came to get Ron today. He'll be back on the Express with everyone else." Hermione sat back down on her chair by the fire and Draco decided to sample the long sofa with the squishy cushions. "They need him to testify or something?"

"No, at least I wouldn't think so. Questioning perhaps."

"We're in unchartered waters now. The dementors have been recalled-"

"Not all."

"-and...Alright, almost all. As I was about to say, the trial of Peter Pettigrew should open a rather large and nasty Bubotubor pod. I wonder how many people will break out in boils from all of this."

Hermione cringed at the analogy and started to rub her hands subconsciously. Draco noticed out of the corner of his eyes and stopped talking to process the itch at the back of his mind before the old memories pushed their way forward. His moment of clarity was accompanied by his quick movement to the floor in front of her chair.

Her eyes had been focused on the fire but snapped to him when he moved and she watched warily as he picked up her hands one at a time and slowly rubbed them. He couldn't even look at her face and she could barely hear him when he whispered, "I'm so sorry I laughed."

TBC