-CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE-

Jaquenetta had awoken before dawn, slightly disorientated by her surroundings. It took her eyes a while to adjust to the lack of light as only a few floating candles were left in the hospital wing, and she attempted to roll over she realised that she was not alone in the hospital bed. The warm body of Hermione Granger was pressed against her, peacefully asleep. Jaquenetta drew herself closer to Hermione's sleeping form savouring the contact between their bodies and the feeling of peace that emanated from her.

As Jaquenetta lay there holding the younger witch she became aware of another presence within the drawn curtains. As she raised herself off the bed to see the visitor she was shocked to see the Headmaster sitting in an armchair next to the bed.

'Professor Dumbledore, we didn't, I mean I haven't, she was, it wasn't what you...'

'Miss Siroun it is okay you do not need to explain yourself to me. I must apologise for the hostility that I showed you during our last meeting. I should not have been so quick to judge you, it is not my place.'

'I, uh, thankyou Headmaster' Jaquenetta said, still confused as to why Dumbledore was sitting in a chair.

How long has he been here... was he watching us sleep?

As if answering her thoughts Dumbledore continued 'I had only just sat down before you stirred, I was hoping that we could talk about last night before everyone else woke. If that is agreeable with you.'

'Of-of course Headmaster'

'Very good, how about you meet me in my office; I will give you some privacy to gather your things'

Jaquenetta agreed, she was thankful the headmaster did not wish to talk where they were. She did want Hermione to know about her past and how she came to be here but did not think Hermione overhearing it would be the best way.

With her wand providing a dim glow Jaquenetta made it up to the Headmaster's office without any issues. The door was already open and she could see Dumbledore occupied in conversation with the portraits inside the room. As her presence became known the portrait's and Dumbledore grew silent, the latter turning around to acknowledge Jaquenetta.

'Take a seat please Miss Siroun'

Jaquenetta took the closest seat with the same apprehension she had upon her first visit to the Headmaster's Office all those months ago.

'I am sorry to take you away from your sleep but I thought it of great importance that we have a chance to talk considering the events of last night.'

'Yes Professor I agree'

'Good' Dumbledore continued 'what I need to know firstly is... why you ran after Harry.'

Jaquenetta knew this would be something the Headmaster asked, after all they had agreed to a strict 'no interacting' policy which should have applied here but Jaquenetta had her reasons and she needed Dumbledore to understand.

'Because you weren't going after him' she responded in barely a whisper

Dumbledore was slightly taken aback by this but aware that there may be more to Jaquenetta's thoughts than simply that. 'I'm not sure I understand Miss Siroun'

'Well, you were supposed to notice that Harry was missing and follow him and the fake Moody up to the office because you knew Moody would never remove a student when you said not too. However Ron noticed Moody and Harry leaving and he even told you and I was waiting for you to follow them up but you never did. I just got so scared that perhaps something I had done had changed what was meant to happen, so I just ran after them. I had to make sure Harry was safe.' Jaquenetta spilled out quickly, her voice shaking, willing herself not to succumb to the emotional strain that was threatening her resolve.

'I understand. It must have taken great resolve for you last night to not interfere, allowing what must happen come to pass...'

Cedric...

'... I must say that I am impressed by the strength that you have shown. I am not sure if I myself could have done so if placed in a similar situation.'

Dumbledore paused briefly to look at Jaquenetta; he could tell that this young witch was fighting an internal battle similar to the one he feared Harry would be fighting also.

'Jaquenetta' he began, softly 'I need to ask you about what you know of where Harry and... Cedric... went.'

Jaquenetta's head bent downwards, her hands fidgeting against each other, she was unsure that she could look at the Headmaster but was going to try to tell him as much as she could. Unsure how much Dumbledore had put together from what Harry had told him she began from the beginning, trying as best as she could to recall the printed words she had read dozens of times before.

'The fake Moody turned the cup into a portkey taking them to the graveyard where Voldermort's father is buried. Before they could do anything Wormtail killed... killed Cedric... he used the killing curse. Just like that. No warning, neither of them had a chance to even think about blocking it. Harry was tied up and there was a big cauldron there. Wormtail had Voldermort with him; he was nothing more than a grotesque tiny form of a human and put him into the Cauldron. There was an incantation that was performed'

'Do you remember what it was'

Jaquenetta searched her memory as best as she could

'Uh something about the bone of the father – a bone from Tom Riddle Senior's grave was used, flesh of the servant – Wormtail cut off his hand, and Blood of the enemy – he took some of Harry's blood. It was all put into the cauldron and' Jaquenetta fell silent

'He came out of the cauldron fully formed?' Dumbledore asked

'Yes' Jaquenetta whispered

'Did he do anything else to Harry during this ritual?'

'No, just took some of his blood' Jaquenetta then continued where she left off. 'Then he gave Wormtail a metal hand to replace the one he cut off and called the Death Eaters to him.'

'Do you have any other names besides the ones Harry could remember?'

Jaquenetta was silently thanking her eidetic memory 'No there was only Avery, Malfoy, Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott there last night. Um... Voldermort then went into telling them how he came to be here basically what Barty Crouch told you in the office, and also that by using Harry's blood the protection of his mother no longer applies.' Jaquenetta let out a small laugh, knowing just what will happen in the end, blood protection or not 'and then they untied Harry and duelled. Everything else I'm sure you know' Jaquenetta finished.

'Thank you Miss Siroun. I think after tonight I can fully appreciate the kind of responsibility and strain that is going to be placed on you over the coming years. I am concerned that should the wrong people find out about your knowledge that you would be placed in danger.'

'Professor, will you be regrouping the Order of the Phoenix?'

The Headmaster smiled at this question 'Miss Siroun I have no doubt that you know very well that this is the case.'

'Well, yes of course... I ask because... I wish to join. I know that normally you need to be finished school but I know so much that I cannot change I just hope there is something I can do to help.'

'Jaquenetta' the Headmaster began, meeting the young witch's eyes and seeing the pain they held 'this is a request not to be asked lightly for being in the Order can be quite dangerous. Please do not think badly of me when I say that I would have to think about this especially in regards to your safety in case you were captured by the Death Eaters. You may be of age but you are still at school.'

'I just don't think I could cope with feeling like it was my fault if I can't do anything' Jaquenetta whispered.

Dumbledore knew where this had come from 'What happened to Cedric was horrible and so unnecessary and speaks only to the vicious nature of Voldermort. However, it is not your fault. There was nothing you could do to prevent this without the very real possibility of changing something in the time line. I can see that you have such maturity beyond your years and at times it will feel like the weight of the world will be on your shoulders also, and I realise that I need to provide you with as much support as possible. So yes...'

Jaquenetta looked up towards the Headmaster with hope

'...Yes, you can become a member of the Order of the Phoenix.'

'Thankyou Professor I really didn't think you would agree' Jaquenetta said, her face lighting up for the first time since she walked into the Headmaster's office.

'There are some conditions however' the Headmaster continued 'you will not be sent on any missions while you are still at Hogwarts, your school work is to be a top priority and due to the knowledge that you hold, you will be starting Occulmency lessons with Professor Snape in the new school year, and that you do not tell any of your fellow student – that includes Harry, Ron and Hermione about joining the Order... not just yet anyway.'

'I can agree to that Professor'

'And I ask one more thing of you' the Headmaster said turning his full attention to Jaquenetta, holding her gaze 'if as part of your duties whether it be at school or for the Order and you cannot be there...'

Dumbledore stopped to wait for Jaquenetta to acknowledge that she understood the meaning behind his words, to which she nodded in understanding.

'...you must tell me. You don't need to tell me why but simply that you cannot be there.'

'Yes Professor Dumbledore, you have my word.'

'Very well, let me walk you back to the hospital ward, it is still quite early and I am sure Miss Granger would worry if you were missing upon her awakening' the Headmaster said as he turned to Jaquenetta with a genuine smile.

'Thankyou Headmaster'

When they arrived back at the hospital wing sunrise was not far away. Dumbledore had left her at the entrance and Jaquenetta was thankful for this as she climbed back into the hospital bed next to Hermione. At the slight disturbance Jaquenetta's return made Hermione had rolled over towards her placing an arm across her chest stifling a yawn before settling down once more. Jaquenetta was determined to make the most of this moment and fought off the tiredness for as long as she could, simply holding Hermione, stroking her hair, breathing in the scented shampoo and ever so lightly kissing her temple.

Now this is worth fighting for...