Chapter 26
The Gryffindor Common Room was encased in darkness as she awaited Harry's return from the proceedings after the Halloween Feast. Staring into the flickering flames in the hearth, she bit her lower lip harder and harder until she tasted the saltiness of her own blood. Snapping her head towards the sound of someone crawling through the portrait-hole entrance, she pounced when she saw his form out of the corner of her eye.
"What's going on? I know you didn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire. You didn't, did you? No, that would be mental," she rambled.
"Hermione, calm down," he replied placing his hands on her shoulders. "It turns out that someone jinxed the Goblet to believe that four students were to compete in the Tournament, but Professor Dumbledore cancelled the spell and removed my name. I don't have to compete."
"Who jinxed it and who put your name in?" She continued as he sat down on the raggedy sofa and put his head in his hands.
She was suddenly thrown from the Common Room and into the Quidditch stands where she, Ron, and Harry cheered on Cedric Diggory. She watched with bated breath as the single Hogwarts Champion transfigured a rock into a dog in order to distract the Swedish Short-Snout as he retrieved the golden egg.
Again, her perspective jumped from the stands and into the Black Lake with her arms around Viktor Krum after he saved her from the Merpeople during the Second Task. Harry was on the dock with the rest of the school, looking green with worry.
A moment later, she was back in the Quidditch Stands on the night of the Third Task. She watched as the three Champions entered the enchanted maze, she watched as Viktor and Fleur were disqualified, and she waited with the rest of the spectators for the Hogwarts Champion to emerge hoisting the Triwizard Cup. She jumped when Harry began screaming and grabbing at his forehead.
"He's back! He's back!" he cried. "Voldemort's back and he's killed Cedric."
Hermione looked towards the field and saw Professor Snape run to the Headmaster with a look of absolute terror in his dark eyes. Her heightened hearing allowed her to catch a few words, confirming what Harry had just declared. The Dark Lord had returned, and a student had been killed.
"Hermione! Hermione!"
Without a thought, her fist swung upwards right into the face of the intruder who was shouting and shaking her awake.
"Ugh," she heard before opening her eyes to see Severus covering his face with bloody fingers. "Thanks for the broken nose," he said as he waved his wand at his face. He healed the break and cleaned off the blood before continuing, "remind me not to try to wake you ever again."
"Sorry," she said ignoring his distress, as she sat up and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill from the bedside table.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Raising a finger into the air to signify she would tell him in a moment, she proceeded to record every aspect of the dream that she could recall. "Hmmm," she said when she finished writing.
"What?" Severus said as he sat down on the bed next to her. "I assume you had another dream?"
"Yes," she replied staring at a spot on the wall above his head. "If Cedric's blood was used in the regeneration potion and not Harry's, they wouldn't share the blood bond, then he would be able to kill him."
"What are you talking about?" he asked before picking up her parchment. "Hmm," he said after reading what she had written. "But, it was because of their wands that they couldn't fight each other in the graveyard."
"That's true," she began looking off into space, "but it is believed that it was both the wand cores and the newly formed blood bond that refused to allow them to fight each other... causing a Priori Incantatem. Before the regeneration potion, Voldemort couldn't touch Harry. Quirrell… with Voldemort attached to his head… touched him and died because of Lily's sacrifice to protect him. After using Harry's blood to regenerate himself, he was then able to touch him… touch him but not kill him. He verified the prophecy by using Harry's blood. Without it, he could have lived."
They both sat deep in thought before Severus finally spoke, "He would have been able to kill Potter sometime after his seventeenth birthday had he not created the blood bond."
"He must have in that past-life. That would have been what created the Hell that I witnessed in my first dream… Harry dying and Voldemort living to take over the world…" She leaned back against the headboard, closing her eyes. "I wish I could get all the information at once. I hate being patient."
"Ah, they say patience is a virtue," he said as he laid down next to her and pulled her head onto his chest. She drifted off to a dreamless sleep while he stroked her hair.
The following evening found Hermione, Severus, Minerva, and Hagrid in the Headmaster's Office awaiting Albus's arrival. Tapping her foot in nervous anticipation, Hermione let her eyes wander around the office. All, save for one, of the past headmasters and headmistresses were snoozing peacefully in their frames. Phineas Nigellus, in contrast, was staring at the group huddled in the center of the room waiting to find out what was going on. Catching his painted eye, she gave him a small smile and a wink. He leered at her in return, causing her to let out a short chuckle which she quickly stifled with her hand.
"What are you laughing at?" Severus asked from beside her.
"Nothing." She shook her head as the Headmaster and Leader of the newly reestablished Order of the Phoenix strode into the room. Albus looked weary and it saddened Hermione to know that the next couple of years would be very difficult for him.
"Thank you all for coming to the first unofficial meeting of the New Order of the Phoenix," he said with a forced smile. "I have just finished speaking with Filius and Pomona and they are unwilling to join our cause as full-time members. However, they will do whatever is necessary to protect the school and its students. The four of you have made the choice to fight against Lord Voldemort and his followers, as both Order members and Hogwarts Professors. There are many responsibilities that come with this commitment, which I hope you all realize. You must be ready at all times for anything and everything," he stated before waving his wand and summoning several packets of parchment.
"I have assignments for each of you," he said handing each of them a packet with their names on it. "Hagrid," he began turning his attention to the half-giant, "the last time that Voldemort waged war on the Wizarding World, he was aided by the giants. These giants were responsible for much mayhem towards both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. When the war was over and Voldemort defeated, the Ministry killed off most of the tribes in a mass genocide. The remaining have since fled to remote areas of the world. If you open your packet, you will find a map," he instructed as Hagrid fumbled with the small pages in his large hands. "To my knowledge, one of the remaining giant tribes have settled in Belarus, northeast of the city of Minsk. Their leader, the Gurg's, name is Karkus. You will go to him and convince him to join us in the fight against Lord Voldemort. I have contacted Madame Maxime who would be honored to join you on this mission. Are you willing to take on this task, Hagrid?
"O'course I'll do it, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Hagrid said as he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.
"Very well, in one week you will travel to France where you will meet Madame Maxime at Beauxbaton's before beginning your trek to Belarus."
Hagrid nodded his head as Albus let out a deep sigh before turning his attention to the Potion's Master.
"The second order of business involves you, Severus. Judging by the way you returned from your last encounter with him, Voldemort's trust in you is seriously lacking. In your packet, you will find information on the Order of the Phoenix that I would like you to relay to him." The crease on Severus's brow became more and more defined as he rifled through his packet while Albus spoke. "I want you to spend a sufficient amount of time with him over the next few months, use this information to convince him to trust you above all others, and learn all of his plans."
"The Dark Lord does not trust anyone with all of his plans," Severus interrupted.
"Of course, he doesn't. That would be very irresponsible of him. You are a brilliant Legilimens, my boy, and I trust even a powerful wizard such as Voldemort should not be able to sense you observing what is at the forefront of his mind. Never stop practicing your craft, and try to catch glimpses of his mind whenever you have an opportunity. I have also attached a list of potions that I would like you to brew."
"That sounds doable, if not enjoyable," he stated with a raise of an eyebrow as he perused the list.
"Minerva," Dumbledore began turning now to the Deputy Headmistress. "Firstly, your packet contains a list of former Order members along with potential new recruits. I would like you to contact everyone listed and tempt them to join our cause. Speak to Kingsley Shacklebolt and find out if he and any other Aurors are willing to join. We are in need of as many able-bodied soldiers as possible."
Minerva nodded her head as her eyes traveled down the list of names. "I can send Kingsley an owl this afternoon."
"Very well," he said before continuing, "your safe haven will also need to be updated. Food, medical supplies, the potions that Severus will brew… It needs to be usable again."
"I had considered traveling there later this week to prepare it. It's been years since I'd been back there," she replied looking past him out the window.
"What is this safe haven?" Hermione asked looking at the elder witch.
"My ancestral home," she replied. "The Order used it as a refuge during the last war. We kept plenty of food and supplies there if anyone was in need of it."
"You are still its Secret Keeper?" Albus asked her.
"Of course," she replied. "It is known as McGonagall Manse Sinclairs Bay, Caithness. You may use it anytime you are in need of anything," she finished by looking at each of them in turn.
"Thank you, Minerva," Albus said before turning his attention to the last person in the room. "Miss Dagworth…"
"Professor, I'm sorry to interrupt," she said holding up her left hand. "But everyone in this room, except Hagrid, knows the truth. I think it's time to tell him. I trust that he won't let my secret slip."
She turned to gave him a small smile before stating, "Hagrid, my name isn't Winifred Dagworth. It's Hermione Granger."
His eyes grew wide and she could see the wheels turning in his mind, trying to comprehend the shocking news she had just given him.
"I had an accident with a time-turner," she told him in a rush, "causing me to travel 15 years into the past and dumping me in Severus' chambers. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you sooner, but we decided that the less people knew, the less chance of someone finding out that shouldn't find out," she rambled.
"Ermione," the half-giant chocked out with tear-filled eyes as he gathered her in a big, crushing hug. "Its alrigh' tha' ya didn't tell me before. I understa' why ya didn't," he said as he let go of her causing her to stumble back a pace. "It's incredible," he said staring into her eyes as he ran his large hands down her arms. "Yer so grown up."
"Can we get on with the meeting? You two can have your little reunion later," Severus snarked while tapping the toe of his dragon hide boots on the floor.
"We'll catch up soon," Hermione said to Hagrid before turning her attention back to the Headmaster. "Yes, we can continue. I'm sorry."
"Well then, Miss Granger," Albus began with a nod in her direction. "I would like you to travel to the home of Remus Lupin. His address is in your packet. He is there with Sirius Black…"
"No," Severus interrupted. "I will not permit her to go around Black. I barely approve of Lupin, let alone that mangy cur.
"Severus!" Hermione snapped her head in his direction. "There is nothing wrong with Sirius, and I will take on whatever task I wish. You don't control me."
Before Severus could respond, Albus shushed him. "This is neither the time nor place for the two of you to argue."
"I apologize, please continue with my assignment," Hermione said while Severus glared at both Hermione and Albus.
"If you are willing, I would like for you to meet with Remus and Sirius. We need to locate a secure location to use as the Order's headquarters and if my memory is correct, Sirius owns a place that would be perfect."
"Why can't we use Minerva's home?" Severus butted in, clearly disgusted at the notion of stepping foot into Sirius's house.
"Because Grimmauld Place is in London and Sinclairs Bay is at the northern tip of Scotland," Hermione told him matter-of-factly. "It would be much easier for a large group to congregate in a city, especially because the majority of wizards work or live in the southern part of the country.
"I apologize again, Albus," she said shaking her head.
"That's quite alright," he replied before continuing. "I would also like you to speak to Remus about looking into the underground werewolf clans. Unfortunately, the majority of them will side with Lord Voldemort because they believe nothing can be worse than the prejudices they currently face. I would like you to give him the letter, there in your packet," he said and she opened the packet to see a sealed envelope with "Remus Lupin" embossed on the front. "And lastly, I would like you to assist Severus with brewing the list of potions I gave him. We need enough to sufficiently stock the school stores, the Headquarters, and McGonagall Manse."
"Sounds good," Hermione nodded noticing that he hadn't asked her about her decision to become a spy. "I'll go to Lupin's as soon as possible, and yes, Sirius does have the perfect place," she finished while skimming through her own packet of parchment.
"Thank you," Albus said as he turned towards his desk. "This meeting is officially ov…"
Before Albus could finish his statement, a loud bang was heard from behind the group. Turning around, they saw the office door swing wide open and Mad-Eye Moody standing there leaning on his staff, out of breath.
"Alastor!" Dumbledore greeted his friend. "I thought you were unable to join us."
"I tried to make it on time, but your damn Matron refused to let me leave the infirmary. Apparently spending nine months in a box is due cause to force me to stay in bed downing Wiggenweld Potion. Had to wait 'til she left to go to the lavatory to sneak out. What'd I miss?"
"That's quite alright, I'll fill you in later," he replied. "However, while we're all here do you know anyone who you believe would be willing to join our cause? I have Minerva contacting a list of people that I put together."
"Absolutely," he replied with his magical eye spinning in its socket. "Shacklebolt, no doubt will be willing. I'll pay a visit to Mundungus, as well… I'll force him to join if I have ta. "And Nymphadora Tonks, my protégé will definitely join. She's young, but very feisty. Will make a great soldier."
"Very well," Albus said with a large smile before Hermione, Severus, Hagrid, and Minerva bid their goodbyes retreated from his office.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know if you did (or didn't).