AN: I won't make this a long AN, just want to apologize for not updating this a wee bit sooner! I know you all have been waiting, so here it is!
Chapter Fourteen
Sirius and Remus were lying on the former's bedroom floor, giggling like a couple of school girls. They were currently on their second day of drinking but they were still responsible enough to order Kreacher to bring them their meals, along with more alcohol, of course.
By that point they had forgotten the reason they starting drinking in the first place. They just enjoyed the sensation of being drunk.
"Moony, do you remember the time James tried to win over Lily?" Sirius slurred at his best friend.
"Which time, Padfoot? He had been wooing her off and on since we were fourteen."
"Oh yeah. The time she hexed him."
"That happened a lot."
"True. I'm talking about the, the time she hexed him, and, and he flew across that corridor and tripped up Cissy. She fell flat on her bum!"
"I remember that, you laughed about it for weeks."
Sirius giggled again as he replayed that one particular memory over in his drunk addled brain. He sighed deeply when his mind inadvertently moved to thoughts of Rhea.
"What am I going to do about her, Remus?"
"Who, Narcissa?"
"No you dolt. Rhea."
"I don't know Sirius. Just give her time to come round. She will eventually."
"How can you believe that? I've failed to see it until now but she's becoming more and more like Bella every day. If I wanted Bella, I would have married her when I had the chance."
"She might be Bella's daughter but she's nothing like her mother. Rhea is inherently good, she'll soon grow tired and guilty of what she's doing and then she'll come back to you."
"You think so?" Sirius asked his friend hopefully.
"Yes I do. Come on mate, I think there's an Order meeting tonight and we need to sober up."
Remus stood and used a nearby wall to balance himself when the room started to spin. Once everything was back to normal, he retreated to Sirius's bathroom for two vials of sobering potion. He didn't think Dumbledore would appreciate two drunk members sitting at the table.
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Weeks passed as Hermione fine-tuned her plan against Katrina Green. Thanks to Draco, she had all the information she needed about the girl's family.
It was now mid May and OWLs were just around the corner. Hermione planned on having Rodolphus put the plan into action during the testing. Green wouldn't know what had hit her. Even if the girl never knew that what was to happen was Hermione's doing, it would still teach her to never mess with another pureblood again.
It had also been weeks since she had seen or spoken to Sirius. She thought that he might break and attempt to contact her, but he had held fast. He truly meant what he had said when she saw him last.
Draco and Hermione had spent a great deal of time together, plotting and planning and had grown closer. Their relationship had become strictly platonic, only feeling familial emotions towards the other. Hermione sitting with the Slytherins and spending time with Draco had once been a novelty but it had finally worn off. Seeing the cousins together around the school was now so commonplace that not a soul batted an eyelash.
Ginny continued to stay away from Hermione but Harry had listened to his godfather's words and took them to heart. He had been trying to reignite the flames of their friendship but it was difficult to do when she was always in the company of Draco. Harry had finally had enough and approached the two of them outside.
"Hello Harry, what brings you by?"
"Can we talk, in private?" Harry asked her.
"Whatever you have to say, can be said in front of Draco. I trust him."
"Can we stop all this bullshit? You and I were best friends up until recently and…and I miss you."
"Aren't you the one who said I pretty much deserve the negative attention I was receiving, simply because of my name?"
"I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean it! I talked to Sirius and he got me thinking."
"About what?" She asked him curiously.
"That we should try to fix our friendship. You never know when your best friend could be taken from you. He told me that."
Hermione sighed and stared down at her hands in her lap. Draco placed his hand on her shoulder in comfort but she just shrugged him off. She had missed Harry but hadn't wanted to admit it to herself. She also missed Sirius…
"How is Sirius?"
"You haven't talked to him?"
"I wouldn't ask about him if I had, Harry. How is he?"
"Remus told me they spent two days, drunk, when Sirius got home. Since then, he just mopes about. Won't leave the house. At least he's not drinking."
"Remus won't really talk to me. I owled him but his replies are always short and vague."
"The impression I get is that he isn't very happy with you," Harry told her.
"And why ever not? I haven't done anything to him!" She answered angrily.
"Maybe not, he may love you, but Sirius is his best friend."
"You're right. Will you boys excuse me? I think I'd like to be alone for awhile."
"Sure. Think we could study together later?" Harry asked with a hope-filled voice.
"Yeah, meet me at our normal table in the library. And bring Ron; I'm sure he needs to study, too."
Hermione left Draco and Harry alone to walk around the grounds. Knowing she was hurting Sirius was hurting her, but she couldn't be deterred from her plan. She still wanted it to happen.
"Why'd you go and do that Potter? Now she's going to be depressed."
"She had to know how her actions are affecting others, Malfoy."
Harry walked away also, happy that Hermione had agreed to hang out with him, and even suggested Ron is there as well. Now to tell his other best friend.
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Later that night, Hermione sat at their usual table in the library, waiting for Harry and Ron to arrive. Her notes were spread all over the table and she took her time reviewing them, making sure it was all burned into her memory. While she studied, her mind constantly drifted to thoughts of Sirius. It was quite distracting and nothing made it go away. She had even drafted a few letters to him, crumbling every single one the minute she finished writing it. She took out her battered parchment and asked her father's advice.
'Father, I don't know what to do…'
'About what?'
'Sirius. He doesn't agree with what I'm doing. I haven't talked to him in weeks. He told me to owl him only when I regained my senses.'
'Are you having second thoughts about going through with this?'
'Yes. No. I don't know. I think she deserves it, but I'm afraid if I go through with it, I'll lose Sirius forever. I couldn't handle that.'
'She caused you to lose your child. Surely he understands that?'
'He thinks I should go to Dumbledore.'
'Then go to Dumbledore. If that doesn't work, or her punishment isn't severe enough, I'll do it. You have nothing to do wit it from here on out. Tell Sirius the same thing.'
'Thank you Father!'
Hermione put away the parchment and pulled out a fresh roll so that she could write to Sirius. The moment she finished, she spelled the letter and then used magic to pack all of her things. She wanted to talk to Dumbledore immediately.
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"Are you sure Miss Lestrange? That's what really happened?"
"Yes sir, honestly! I'll show you the memory if I have to."
"Why didn't you come forward sooner?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I was embarrassed. I had provoked the girl in front of everyone and this was how she repaid me."
"You know that since the school didn't know of your condition, her punishment won't be a severe as you may like."
"Why not? The teachers knew I was pregnant, I lost my child because of her, shouldn't you get the Ministry involved or something?" She asked vehemently.
"I'm afraid that's not an option. You weren't far enough along for your baby to actually be considered its own person."
"Fine. Just do what you have to."
Hermione left Dumbledore's office and ran all the way to the Owlry so that Sirius got the letter as soon as possible. She then ran all the way to the library to meet Harry and Ron. When she got to their table, she sat down, holding a stitch in her side and gasping for air.
"Where did you run from?"
"The…Owlry…"
"You didn't have to, we only just got here."
Hermione threw a quill at Harry's head and laughed when it got stuck in his hair. It felt good to laugh again with her best friends.
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"Remus! Remus! Where the hell are you?"
"I'm in the library!"
Sirius ran down two flights of stairs to the room his best friend was in.
"Why are you shouting?"
"Rhea owled me!"
"That's great! What did she say?"
He shoved the letter under the werewolf's nose to read, only after removing the spell on it.
Dear Sirius,
I'm sorry that what I've been doing has been hurting you, I never meant for that. I just want that girl to pay for what she did, you have to understand that.
I spoke with Father on what to do. He told me that I should go to Dumbledore. I've nothing to do with the pan anymore. Father told me to tell you though that if he doesn't think Green's punishment is severe enough, he's going through with it whether you like it or not. It was our baby, but it was also his grandchild.
Dumbledore told me he would do something about her. You might get an owl from him, I'm not sure.
Harry, Ron and I are going to hang out and study tonight, also. He told me what you said. Thank you for interfering. Please come see me soon, I miss you.
Love,
Rhea.
"I'm happy for you Sirius, I'm glad the two of you will be able to work things out."
"So am I. Now we just have to do something about you and Tonks."
Sirius smirked when his friends blushed slightly at the mention of the younger woman.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean Sirius."
"Don't bullshit me Moony; I know you have feelings for each other. What I do want to know is what you plan on doing about it?"
"Nothing."
"What? Why not?"
"Have you forgotten about my furry little problem? Not to mention the age difference."
"She doesn't care about that. And have you forgotten about the age difference between Rhea and me?"
"I don't have the means to create a life for us," Remus said, continuing to protest.
"Stop making excuses, Remus. Tonks doesn't care about any of that and neither should you."
Sirius left his friend alone to think about everything he had just been told. He was confident that Remus and Tonks would be together, they just needed a push in the right direction.
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Narcissa was irritated. Rodolphus had left weeks ago and Bella couldn't be happier. She couldn't understand how her sister could let a marriage of 25 years just end like it did. Wizarding couples didn't separate, nor did they divorce. It wasn't like Bella and Rodolphus could acquire a divorce anyway, under their circumstances. Narcissa loved her brother-in-law and she understood why he left his wife. She was crazy! Bella even drove her crazy sometimes. If she weren't her sister, she would be out on the streets already.
"Narcissa, you have to do something with Bella, she's driving me mad!"
"What do you propose I do Lucius? She has nowhere else to go."
"I really don't care; I just want her out of my house tonight!"
"Then you kick her out, I refuse to do it."
"Fine, I will."
The blonde witch followed her husband at a distance. She wouldn't interfere unless she had to. She was secretly happy that her sister would be gone.
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Rodolphus went over plan after plan in his mind, trying to think of how to get Rabastan out. Nothing would work, every plan had a flaw. He hated to think that his brother would spend more time in Azkaban but those were the consequences when you served the Dark Lord. He had even considered turning himself over to the Order so that he didn't have to go back but doing that automatically got him a cell in the prison. He just wanted to be able to live a normal life with his daughter when the War was over, not rot away in Azkaban.
Before he did anything, he wanted to put Rhea's plan into motion. He would set out tomorrow to pay a visit to Katrina Green's family. It had to be done before she returned from school.
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Hermione felt like her brain was going to melt out of her ears. She had read over all of her notes countless numbers of times and she knew it all frontwards and back. She was also confident that Harry and Ron knew everything. She really hoped so because the OWLs were next week.
Since she was on speaking terms with Harry and Ron again, she was learning to split her time between them and Draco. All three of them had something to say about the other, until she put her foot down and told them to shut up. It was exhausting when they didn't abide by her wishes and talked bad about the other.
It was lunchtime in between classes and she had chosen to sit with Draco and the Slytherins that day. It still upset Harry and Ron but she told them to get over it. She had actually made friends with Pansy and Daphne after realizing they were nice girls, when they weren't insulting someone.
She hadn't been eating for very long when hundreds of owls flew into the room. Hermione was confused until she saw that it was a special edition Daily Prophet.
ALFRED GREEN; A DEATH EATER?
This news just in, Alfred Green, an employee of the Ministry of Magic, was recently brought in under the suspicion of Death Eater acts.
When Green didn't show up for work today, his employers became worried and sent someone to check on him and his family. They were in for the surprise of their lives.
Green was found, wand in hand, standing over the dead bodies of his wife and ten-year-old son. Once apprehended he denied doing anything, but the crimes and his wand spoke otherwise.
His eldest daughter, Katrina Green was on her way home from Hogwarts after being expelled for reasons unknown.
Hermione tried to get Draco's attention but he wasn't paying her any mind. Kicking him underneath the table, she ignored his glare and shoved the paper at him.
His eyes widened as he finished reading the article.
"He did it," he breathed quietly.
"That he did. I hope the Prophet continues to cover the story, I want to know about Green."
"I'm sure they will. Come on, lunch is over and class calls."
Hermione followed Draco to class with a secret little smile upon her face. Christmas had come early for her.
It was now the day before OWLs and everyone was skittish. Except Hermione. She had been keeping updated about Green and found out that the girl had to move in with her paternal grandparents and would not be returning to Hogwarts. That news had made her ecstatic.
She had also owled Sirius and told him to meet her in Hogsmeade at 11PM. She hadn't seen him in weeks and she missed him. He was, of course, all for her sneaking out of school. The troublemaker in him was excited that they might be caught.
The Gryffindor snuck all the way to the one-eyed witch statue and gave it the password. All the other passageways were blocked off so the only way out was through Honeydukes cellar. It was a good thing she had nicked Harry's invisibility cloak.
She had told Sirius to meet her near the Shrieking Shack and sucked in a deep breath when she spotted him. His hair was blowing softly in the breeze and he was wearing a pair of black jeans that looked painted on, a tight white t-shirt, biker boots and a black cloak that he had apparently thrown on at the last minute. He looked delicious.
Hearing a sound behind him, Sirius spun around on alert. He dropped his guard when he saw that it was only Hermione. His eyes roved over her entire form, hungrily taking in every inch of her. She was still in her school uniform and he found himself getting hart at the sight before him.
Hermione went to him and wasted no time at all becoming reacquainted with her fiancé.
Some time later, the couple lay on Sirius's cloak on the ground, slowly catching their breath from their previous activity. She had her head rested on his chest and was tracing random patterns on his stomach through his shirt.
"I'm glad you came to see me tonight," she said lowly.
"I couldn't resist having you sneak out of school. And I couldn't resist seeing you in this uniform. I've always loved it."
Sirius drew her mouth to his and kissed her deeply. He was completely wrapped up in their kiss and rolled over until he was on top of her, cradled in between her thighs. He left a trail of open-mouthed kisses down her neck, where he stopped and proceeded to leave a hickey.
"I have to go back Sirius, my exams start in the morning."
"I know, but I don't want to let you go."
He climbed off her and helped her to her feet. He watched as she straightened her clothes and looked around from her missing panties.
"Looking for something?"
Sirius held up his hand and let them dangle from his finger. He chuckled as she tried to grab at them unsuccessfully.
"Sirius, give those back!"
"No, I need something to remind me of tonight."
"Fine. Get going or we'll both get in trouble."
"You'll be alright getting back?"
"Of course. I have Harry's cloak," she stated smartly.
"He let you borrow it?"
"Without permission," Hermione told him sheepishly.
"Of course. I'll see you soon love. I'll be on the platform to get Harry."
"Okay. See you soon."
He kissed her one last time and apparated away. Hermione thought about going back to school but didn't really want to. She pulled out the parchment that she took everywhere with her and talked Rodolphus into apparating to her.
"It took you long enough," she said as she gave her father a hug.
"I wasn't sure I wanted to take the risk. What are you doing out here anyway? Don't your OWLs begin tomorrow?"
"Yes, and I just needed some air."
"At midnight, in Hogsmeade?" He questioned, eyebrow raised.
Rodolphus took a closer look at his daughter and his eyes widened.
"You were just with Black."
"What makes you say that?" She asked him suspiciously.
"Your clothes and hair are a mess, not to mention that thing on your neck."
She blushed at being in such a state in front of her father. She hadn't thought beforehand how it would look to him.
"I saw your work in the paper. Very nice. But did you have to kill the boy, too?"
"You never said not to. What do you care anyway? You backed out. At least the boy had nine years of living. Your child didn't even get that much."
"I know…"
"I'm sorry Rhea; I shouldn't have brought it up."
"It's alright. I need to talk about it or I'll never move passed it. Have you talked to Bella at all?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.
"No I haven't. I've had Lucius get in touch with Artemis Crowley about a divorce and it actually is possible."
"That's great! Are you okay?"
"Yes, actually. Even in hiding, I'm freer than I have been in a long time."
"Good. I could talk to Uncle Lucius about you and Rabastan if you like?"
"Maybe. Lucius told me they kicked Bella out."
"Good. That means I won't have to deal with her when I go home."
"That is true."
Hermione and Rodolphus spent the next few hours together, just talking and getting to know one another better. When Hermione looked at her watch, she nearly had a panic attack at the time.
"I have to go, it's 4AM! Oh I'll never be able to get to sleep now!" Hermione nearly shouted, panicked.
"It's fine daughter. You'll do great tomorrow," Rodolphus told her reassuringly.
"Thanks. You'll come back tomorrow at 11?"
"I'll be here."
She gave her father a quick hug, shrugged on Harry's cloak and ran all the way back to the school.
Once she reached her room, she fell onto her bed for a few hours of sleep. The next morning, Ginny shook the older girl profusely until she shot up in her bed.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Get up Rhea, your first exam starts in thirty minutes!"
"Oh no, why didn't anyone wake me sooner?"
"I've been trying for the past hour! I grabbed you some toast from the kitchens."
"Thanks Ginny, gotta run!"
Hermione ate her toast as she ran all the way to the Great Hall. She nearly barreled over Draco when she reached her destination.
"Slow down, Rhea! Why are you so late?"
"Trouble sleeping last night."
Draco took in her appearance and spotted the hickey on her neck. He smiled slyly at his cousin.
"Why are you smiling like that Draco?"
"I think I know why you had trouble sleeping."
Realizing what he was talking about, she quickly moved her hair to hide the mark. She didn't need anyone else seeing it. Knowing them, they would think she was cheating on Sirius instead of him actually being the one to put it on her.
"Shut up Draco."
He just laughed at her and entered the Great Hall when the doors opened. Everyone went to their assigned seats and then the testing began.
Hermione sat outside, enjoying the reprieve from exams that day. She had, of course, finished before anyone else and was allowed to do what she wanted. A shadow blocked the sunlight and she saw that Draco was the reason why.
"Move. You're blocking the sun."
"Excuse me, Your Highness."
"You should call me that more often," she said teasingly.
"Not bloody likely. So you saw Black last night?" He asked, getting straight to the point.
"That's none of your business. You know, my parents might be getting a divorce. Father is talking to Uncle Lucius about it."
"Really?" Draco asked, surprised.
"Yes, and apparently your father kicked my mother out also."
"Good, means we don't have to put up with her when we go home."
"Too true. You know that I'll only be home for a week?"
"Why?"
"The plan is to spend the summer in France with Sirius. Since the accident, I don't know if it's still happening."
"It would be good for the two of you. Take your mind off things."
They stopped talking when they heard someone calling Hermione's name.
"That's Harry and Ron, I'll see you later?"
"Sure."
She ran to catch up with Harry and Ron as they made their way to the Quidditch pitch.
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It was nighttime once again and Hermione was making her way to Hogsmeade. She was going early so that she could get some time to herself to think.
The thing that came to mind the most while she waited was her child. She wondered if it would've been a boy or girl. She didn't have to wonder whom it would take after in the looks department.
A crack sounded in the clearing, causing her to jump, startled. She stood to greet her father when she noticed the panicked look in his eyes.
"There isn't much time Rhea, run!"
"What happened?"
"I was on my way here and somehow caught aurors on my trail. Hurry up and get out of here! Now!"
She turned around and tried to run away but she was too late. She caught a stunner in her back and fell to the ground, unable to move.
Someone turned her over and she vaguely recognized the auror standing above her. The spell was removed once ropes were wrapped tightly around her wrists.
"Are you Rhea Lestrange?"
"Who's asking?" She spat snidely.
"The Ministry of Magic. You're under arrest for consorting with escaped convict and known Death Eater Rodolphus Lestrange."
AN: *insert evil laugh here* I love cliffhangers, they're amazing lol! So lovelies, what did you think? We're only two chapters away from the end of my pre-written part of this story, and it's taking me some time to get it all down, but chapter 16 is almost complete. I'm still unsure how many chapters this will be, but I don't see it running for too terrible much longer, maybe another 10 chapters if I can get everything wrapped up in that amount of time? Idk. Well my lovely readers, be sure and review and let me know what you thought of this chapter!