I promise chapter will be fixed as far as spelling mistakes but since I am one of the unlucky few who got caught in the flooding in my small town. We even made news! lmao anyways here is a chapter...
-Darklight.
Hermione walked into her room and started to put her things away "Its a really nice neiborhood , Hermione." Alice told her only a few moments ago as the girls bought themselves a temporary flat. Lily and Alice were getting married and certainly wouldn't be living here together with their husbands. Hermione sighed, She thought it was too crowded and not enough space on the walls for books but she didn't bother voicing her displeasure at the flat, Why should she? Soon it will become only a empty flat for her to use leaving too much room for her alone, maybe Sirius could move in? She shook her head and leaned on the small dresser that was underneath her window. It has been two weeks since Graduation and Hermione hasn't heard anything from Rowena, Severus or Draco.
She had comforted Sirius who was about to blow up the whole school to get to the three Slytherins while Lily's calm actions soothed Remus enough for him to leave. Remus, Peter, Sirius, and James decided to live in the same house together even though Peter was mostly at his 'mothers' home but Hermione knew that rat was out doing something bad. Remus even though his Lycanthropy is stopping him from getting a good job his friends didn't care, Hermione's face twisted a bit as she jumped hearing sharp taps on the window. She turned to see a little owl that looked exactly like Pigwidgeon "She did say to look for him." She told herself as she let the owl in and it swooped around in great circles before landing on the bed and sticking out its foot, his large brown eyes staring at Hermione expectantly.
"Well aren't you adorable." Hermione said as she took off the letter and the owl let out a shrilly noise that made Hermione's face scrunch up "Eh, Here." She stated taking some owl treats off of the table and giving them to Pig who took them and seemed to bow as he flown out of the window his small body fighting the wind. "What in merlin's name was that?" Alice asked as she let herself into Hermione's room and Lily fallowed her face scrunched up seeing a letter "Who found out were we live?" Lily asked Alice frowned and looked at Lily who was more concerned over the fact of someone knowing where they lived then the letter that Hermione was opening.
Mia,
America is wonderful place and it is lovely to finally have contact with you. The movers have been careless as always knocking over alley cat you bought me. I have found a herbal store, as the Americans call them, with tons of odd herbs that we do not usually have in London. Enough about me, How about you? Is your dog doing well? and have you talked to the loopy looney?
R.H.R.
"It's my cousin, Rita." Hermione said thinking of the first 'R' name that sounded nothing close to 'Rowena', "Oh really?" Lily said eyeing the letter "Yes see." Hermione said handing the letter to the red head who seemed to think that Hermione was talking to Rowena and lying about it. Hermione knew Lily wasn't the brightest witch of the class for nothing and Hermione thought dryly about how she use to be compared to Lily on many occasions threw her Hogwart career even the older Sirius use to do it. Lily read over it and noted a few mistakes but it seemed the girl wrote it in a hurry which would be explained by just moving to America. "You had a dog?" Lily asked Hermione was about to respond to it by saying that her 'cousin' meant Sirius when she noticed the 'Loopy looney' which she could still hear Peeves shouting "Looney, loopy Lupin! Looney, loopy Lupin!" all along the corridors.
Knowing Rowena switched it around knowing Hermione would remember that annoying Poltergeist who still was causing trouble just she wasn't the one to take care of Peeve's actions. She shook her head "Not anymore, I don't know what happen to Sadie. I haven't told my cousin of the attack, You see it took a lot for her to move and if she hears about my parents then she is likely to move back and into a bad situation to be there for me."Hermione lied to Lily's face witch caused Hermione's stomach to sour but she thought of Harry and Rowena and she made sure her uncomfortable feelings weren't shown on her face. "Abusive Relationship?"Alice asked concerned her eyes reflecting sympathy towards Hermione's fake cousin. "Yes." Hermione said taking the letter and reading over it, She knew Rowena was using Fred and Georges code of dishonesty which was easy to decode since she had spent years figuring it out. Of course you had to know the person who was writing it or you would be screwed on trying to figure out what she had meant.
"We have a meeting tonight, Sirius will be picking us up." Lily said "What about James?"Hermione asked as Alice smiled "Meeting up with Frank to make sure our spots are saved, You know how that lot are." Alice explained walking out of the room. "Yes I do." Hermione said as she tried to forget having Mad-Eye hovering over her demanding answers to question she knew nothing about. Thank Merlin he didn't say anything about knowing Death Eaters or Voldemort because Hermione would have been caught in a lie. "I know your still upset about..." Lily paused carefully thinking over her words that Hermione knew would probably hold a great bit of tack "Graduation and how Gaunt acted but I know how you feel because I was friends with Severus for a long time. As muggle's say they made their beds now they have to sleep in them." Lily finished and she left the room.
Hermione let out a annoyed noise in the back of her throat as her anger boiled slightly, She was upset at Rowena but it didn't mean everyone who barely even known about her, her past, or what she has done already for them to tell Hermione to get over it and cut her ties with the dark witch. Hermione knew better then any of them but it still didn't make her feel any less angered by their words to her. Instead of throwing a 'Malfoy fit' as she called them she went to work finding out what Rowena was trying to tell her. Hermione noticed a weird wording and said it out loud hoping it would click "Movers have been careless as always knocking over alley cat you bought me." Hermione frowned she didn't buy Rowena a cat of any kind. She then thought that if it didn't mean anything then it should have been worded 'Knocking over the Alley cat you bought me' not "Knocking over Alley cat".
"Knocking Alley?" Hermione said then her face shifted "Knockturn Alley." She whispered "She moved to Knockturn Alley? Why on earth?" Hermione asked herself noticing that her spell hadn't changed she continued "I have found a Herbal Store...A Apothecary?" Hermione wondered as she bit her lip in concentration. "Tons of odd herbs that we don't usually have in London." She sighed she knew that was wrong that America had the same herbs unless again she's hinting to Knockturn Alley which had a bundle of herbs that only Dark Witches used. "She's moved into a Apothecary in Knockturn Alley." even Hermione's voice shown how she found that to be the oddest thing in the world. The rest was straight foreword, How was she doing and Sirius and have she spoken to Remus. Her chest felt heavy as she pulled out a new piece of parchment but paused, She decided to wait until later tonight to send the reply.
"Lovely to see you again!" Hermione fought back a blush as Fabian Prewett tugged her into a hug and she fought back a nasty retort as Gideon hugged her from behind "Our little short butt." He cooed. Even though the twins have seen some nasty things they still kept a positive outlook and feel about them just like Fred and George did, Hermione missed all of the Weasley clan greatly and wondered if Molly or Arthur ever joined in the meetings for the Order. Pulling away from the boys she smiled "Hello Benjy" She said to the older man who looked like he had just tumbled out of bed probably a all night long rade "Hello" he muttered as he head drooped a bit on the McKinnon's dinning room table. "Poor sap, got night duty with Mad-eye." Fabian said shaking his head in sympathy "He must be tired." Hermione said softly not wanting to speak ill of the Auror's paranoid behavior especially since he got them out of many things alive.
"And need of a stiff drink, 'Ello kitten." Sirius said pulling Hermione into him and kissing her on the lips, Hermione blushed inhaling his expensive cologne that he seemed to always wear even when he was older. "Did you miss me?"He asked cheeky as Hermione swatted his arm "Sirius Black I am appalled by such accusations." She joked back looking insulted over his question. Fabian walked off muttering something about too happy couples and went to get himself a drink as Hermione pulled Sirius to James and Lily who were talking to a man who looked defeated and slumped. Hermione almost had to take a double look at the man who was Remus "Remus." Hermione said shocked "Hermione." Remus said trying to smile but it didn't look right on his face. "Ho..."Hermione paused thinking back to her thoughts that afternoon when Lily told her to get over Rowena and she backed off "We should have a couple of drinks together Remus, Since James and Sirius have already gotten themselves in trouble already." She said as Sirius shot her a look.
"Sure." Remus said as Hermione took his arm and led him into the study to pour out some whiskey "I appreciate you not asking me that question, Hermione." Remus stated as she handed him the glass "I was about too but I find myself annoyed at the question myself." She said softly and kindly as she took a sip of her drink while Remus knocked his back and made a face at the burning sensation. Hermione refilled his glass and this time he didn't move to take it all in "I want to hate her." He said finally as Hermione waited patiently for him to talk "I can't, my heart and wolf won't let me. I guess it enjoys feeling my pain." He said Hermione straightened "Remus.." She paused "Rowena." He flinched "and you were mates. Wolves mate for life so actually your wolf is in a lot of agony." Hermione said .
Hermione paused wondering if it would be the right thing to tell him the last part, she took in a deep breath "She's hurting as well, Remus." He scoffed "Thats dragon shit, She's a death eater now. Licking the feet of Voldemort." He sneered hatefully as he could but Hermione could hear it in his voice the pain he felt. She tried not to picture Rowena on her hands and knees licking Voldemorts feet but she couldn't help the brief pass over it "Its time for the meeting." Lily said softly peeking her head out of the door and watching a tense Remus turn from Hermione who looked sick and walk past Lily who sighed "Don't help him Hermione." She told the witch as she walked up to Lily. Hermione tensed her back straightening and her nose raised "I can do that I want Lily, You are not my keeper." with that Hermione briskly walked past Lily who closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose "That wasn't what I meant, damn Potter must be causing me to loose practical speech." She groaned hating that she just insulted her greatest friend.
"Attack's have seemed to loward since last month." Dumbledore stated as James fiddled with his wand and Hermione listened intently just like when she was a student. Sirius was also listening but more focused on Hermione's expressions. "I wouldn't trust it." Hermione spoke up for the first time since becoming a part of the Order "I agree with Miss Granger." Moody stated raising his head in approval. "As do I Alaster that is why I think it to be best if we highten our patrols around the danger areas." Dumbledore spoke loud and direct even thought that meant many people in that room will not be able to sleep for a long while, none spoke up. Lily frowned and looked down at her hands and so did Alice, Their wedding was already hard to plan but now since Dumbledore has heightened patrols that meant the girls would never be able to sit down and plan out the wedding.
Lily had Dorea who stayed at the house since her health had taken a dip and Charlus decided he would attended and pass on information to his wife. Lily had her to plan the wedding if she so desired but Alice had not a soul, Her mother had passed in child birth and her father wasn't around much. Hermione thought that was the reason for the witches attraction to Franks mother who was still as direct and fiercesome as when Neville stood beside her. "I believe that it would be best to post pone your nuptials." Hermione bristled and raised in her chair staring at the man who sat beside Dumbledore who had the galls to ask the women this. "Not bloody likely!" Hermione shouted Sirius jumped and scooted away from her as he looked around for flying birds, Hermione stood and slammed down both of her hands on the table and eyed the man who now looked at the quiet witch with a expression that was torn between disgust and fear.
"Lily and Alice will be getting married even if we all have to plot out the wedding. Just because Voldemort is out their stealing happiness away from everyone doesn't mean we do the same." the man cringed at the name "How dare you speak his name." the man barked as he lifted his wiry frame. "Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself. I for one am not scared of that man." Hermione spat as she raised up and then sat down taking Sirius's hand in hers and looking at Lily who smiled "Thank you." She mouthed as the man sputtered. "Phen, She is right. Its not fair to Lily or Alice to ask them to give up marrying their fiancé's." Gideon said darkly not liking how Phen was cold and obtuse since his wife's death. "Love will only get ya' so far." He stated "Thats enough." Dumbledore stated his voice raising ever so slightly.
Phen sat back in his chair his fear for Dumbledore evident, Hermione thought of him to be a older Mundungus but then again she didn't know him when he was happy and had kids. Now all he had was the family estate and his cat for company. "There will be none of that. Mrs Granger is right on that. Lily... Alice please take my deepest sympathies towards you not being able to get your planing for your weddings done." Alice smiled at Dumbledore and shrugged "I think we can live." Alice said sweetly as Frank leaned over and kissed her cheek "No, Love. I want for you to have the world." Hermione stomach dropped and she stood and walked out of the kitchens. Lily watched and then looked at Sirius who watched her leave as well "I told you she wants this too." Lily snapped at Sirius who looked concerned "But she never asked.." Sirius started but James shot him a look "A bit forward thinking Aye? The woman proposing' marriage?"He said his lips quirking up in a smirk.
Hermione couldn't quite get a grasp on her breathing, She was in a room full of ghosts and it hurt every-time she looked at Lily or watched Frank and Alice look at each other. She wanted to be with Rowena at least then she could be oblivious to the killing of her friends, like Marlene. She pressed her cheek on the cool glass door leading into the foyer. "You okay there?" Hermione looked up "Yes, Frank" She said softly. Frank Longbottom frowned as he watched Hermione a bit "I don't want to prod but is this about Sirius?" She looked at him her dark eyes reflecting the confusion "No, Why would you think that?"She asked finding control in her voice as she thought about the horrible fate of the Longbottoms and seeing Neville toying with Candy wrappers at the desk. "Well, out of all of us, You are the only one who isn't engaged so..." She raised her hand to silence Frank who looked awkward trying to have this talk that would be better suited for a woman.
"Trust me, I have no intentions on getting married this soon into our relationship. I love Sirius but after everything.." She paused could she get marred without Rowena or Draco? Even though years ago if she thought that she would be missing Draco Malfoy. She would have sent herself to Saint Mungo's. Sensing something Frank smiled "I understand Hermione." and with that he walked off leaving her to her own thoughts yet again.
It was twelve at night by the time the girls reached their flat and Hermione had told them goodnight before any talk of her marrying Sirius could be brought up. Apparently they thought that Sirius needed to 'pop' the question but Hermione wanted to wait and how would she be able to tell him that? Sorry hunny I want to wait until a war happens so that nobody will try to kill you just to get to me. She sat at her desk and started to yank a brush threw her hair that had started to grow out since the school days, in her head she was thinking of ways to tell Rowena were she was at and to explain about Padfoot and Moony. Once she had yanked her hair until the rough curls had a bit of softness to them she pulled out three sheets of paper, One for the real message, one for points to remember to add, and one to send to Rowena.
Dear Rita,
I have moved in with two of my friends, Alice and Lily. Its a quiet naborhood close to The Three Bothers we once knew. My dog is great he's as happy as can be at this time. Looney loopy is taking everything hard, she still hasn't acted like herself since Seamus told her off. Why my Alley cat? I hope you are being safe in America, I heard some scary things about that country.
Mia.
Praying that Rowena understood the message Hermione was trying to forward onto her she burned the original message that read.
Dear Rowena,
I have moved in with Alice and Lily, Its around where Harry will live. Sirius is okay but still not the same as before. Remus is taking it hard, he hasn't accepted it yet. Why Knockturn Alley? I hope you are safe there.
Hermione.