A/N-You guys are just so good to me, showing me all your love in your reviews. I know I said I wouldn't give you the next chapter until Tuesday but since it's been a long ass weekend and I'm going to want to sleep some tomorrow, I decided to give it to you early despite how tired I am. I really hope it meets y'alls expectations. Big thanks to everyone out there that are reading and reviewing, you guys are seriously the bomb.

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. The original story line stemming from Part One belongs to Hermione Lyra Malfoy-Riddle and the characters belong to our queen. I make no money off these stories; my bank account tells no lies.

Chapter 36

February 24, 1993

Hermione's eyes hurt. She had been in the library since breakfast had ended, determined to discover what the monster was that was plaguing the school. Uncle Sev had told them that the Headmaster wasn't even trying to figure it out, he was just hoping that they could make it through until the end of the year without any more becoming petrified. She didn't even want to think about how irresponsible that was but she wasn't the Headmaster so there wasn't much that she could do about it.

It was now after dinner. Draco had left her in the library with Madam Pince since she flat-out refused to leave. Harry was in the library with her, though at a table across the cavernous room. She wasn't sure why he had voluntarily missed a meal but noticed that he was working on something. Maybe he had just got caught up in whatever assignment he was doing; she was guilty of that herself more times than she could count. Draco had promised her that he would be back to retrieve her an hour before curfew and that she had better be ready to go when he did. She had scowled at him for being high-handed, but she couldn't complain. He was trying to do what was best for her.

She had searched through all the books on creatures that the library had on its shelves and had gotten nowhere. They all spoke of crups, unicorns, and creatures of the like. Not a single dark animal was found, not acromantulas, manticores, or lethifolds. It was frustrating since she had a feeling that Salazar Slytherin would most certainly have used a dark creature. She chewed her quill as she considered her options. The silence in the library was almost deafening as her mind worked through the possibilities.

After several minutes of contemplating the consequences if she were to get caught, Hermione stood and looked around her. There were only a few students in the library and they were all buried in their work. Madam Pince was deep in what appeared to be a wizarding romance novel behind her large desk, also not paying attention. Remembering a spell that she had read about in one of the obscure books in Black Moor's library, she cast the spell.

"Senectus mae."

Hermione felt herself grow taller, her hair longer, her breasts bigger. Her clothing was uncomfortably tight, but she didn't let that bother her. She was now closer to sixteen and would have no problem getting past the age line that kept her from the restricted section. Hermione stepped past the wards triumphantly and hurried to the Creatures section. She quickly grabbed two books off the shelve that had the words dark creatures in their titles. She could feel the spell wearing off, it didn't last long, only long enough to get a person past lines such as this. After making sure that nobody was watching the entrance, she stepped out of the restricted section and took her seat once more, shrinking the whole way.

Since nobody seemed the wiser, Hermione hurried to open the first book titled Dark Creatures of the World and Where to Find Them. Inside, there was an index of animals ranging from hydras to acromantulas to dragons to lethifolds. Hermione started to devour the book, doing her best to work through the information as quickly as she could. It was imperative that they discovered what the monster was before Harry or anyone else was hurt.

It took her over an hour to discover the information she needed. Her finger followed the words along the page, making sure she kept her place and understood the words correctly. She whispered them to herself, the fact that she could hear them made the situation more real.

"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it."

Hermione knew instantly that she had found her answer. If a basilisk's eye was meant to kill with its stare, it stood to reason that if someone looked at it's eye indirectly, they would become petrified. She thought back to everyone that had been a victim so far. Mrs. Norris had seen it through the water on the ground outside Myrtle's bathroom. Colin had seen it through the lens of his camera. Justin had seen it through Sir Nick and since Sir Nick was a ghost, he couldn't die. It all made perfect sense.

However, basilisks were the largest snakes in the world, measuring hundreds of feet, depending on the age of the serpent. Since it was from Salazar's time, it stood to say that it was probably massive. How was it getting through the school unseen? How had nobody seen it before they were petrified? Suddenly, it hit Hermione.

The pipes.

Every victim had been found near a bathroom, somewhere where the snake could come up through a toilet or who knew where. It made no sense to her when she really thought about it, but the pipes were the only thing that did make sense. But she wasn't going to discount other methods. Therefore, she scribbled the word "pipes" into the margin of the page and ripped it from the book. Not bothering to take the chance of getting caught putting them back, she slipped the books into her bag and would have Uncle Sev return them for her later.

The crumpled piece of paper was still clenched in her left hand as she threw her bag over her shoulder, wand in her right hand. She was doing everything her uncle had begged her not to, leaving the library by herself, but it was imperative that she got the information to her godfather. Draco was going to yell and scream at her later, but she could take it. However, she never got the chance since just outside the doors of the library, she ran into Lavender Brown.

Hermione had never cared for Lavender, not even when she had been coming to her house for birthdays since they were six. There had been an altercation between her father, Uncle Luci, and Martin Brown; at the time, Hermione hadn't understood it, but she was still aware that the man walked with a limp today because of her family. The blond girl usually stayed quiet when the rest of her house was being mean to her, but it seemed that that had ended today.

"In the library learning more curses to ruin people with, Black? You're going to end up just like your father and uncle, bound to a mad man and licking his boots. It serves you right." Hermione had no idea where this attack had come from until she remembered seeing an owl swoop down and land in front of the girl that morning at breakfast. After reading it, Lavender had burst into tears and ran off. While she wasn't sure what was in the letter, she knew that the girl must be retaliating. Therefore, she tried to stay calm and not take offense to the insult to her family.

"Lavender, I don't know what your problem is, but you know that your father must have done something that my father didn't approve of. They don't just randomly attack people, I'm sure that it would have been made public knowledge if that was the truth." Lavender's face screwed up into a grimace and she looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"My father had to have his leg amputated yesterday because of the curse your family hit him with. I hope every single last one of you suffers before you die, I hope that you all are humiliated before it happens too." Hermione couldn't stand for that. She had pride and honor in her family and name and there was no way that she was going to let Lavender fucking Brown wish things such as suffering and death on her family.

A wave of power washed over the blond girl, knocking her on her arse. She scrambled away from Hermione but that didn't stop her from casting, even with her wand lowered. Her magic was on the verge of out of control. She tried to remember her father's words, telling her that it was important to use anchors when she lost her temper. She had always used Draco but when she pictured him in her mind now, he was stripped naked in humiliation, being tortured by wizards she didn't recognize. Her magic flared again and this time, Lavender was flat on her back, holding her chest, and gasping for air.

Hermione could distantly hear someone yelling at her, but she didn't really care. All that mattered was making sure that her family was safe and that the little twit in front of her was never able to make sure her wish came true. Suddenly, she was pulled from her haze of fury by a hand yanking her back. She lost her focus and she could hear Lavender gasping for breath. She turned to see that Harry was behind her, hand wrapped around her elbow, awe and something she couldn't decipher in his eyes. She turned back to Lavender and bent close, her voice soft but discernible to those around her.

"If you ever, and I mean ever, talk about my family like that again, if you ever wish them humiliation, pain, and suffering again, I will kill you. Nothing is more important than my family. If you're smart, you'll stay away from me and mine." She stood up just in time to hear another voice calling to her from down the corridor. Hermione put her impassive mask on her face and turned to face whoever was yelling at her. It was the sixth-year prefect, muggleborn Penelope Clearwater.

"What is the meaning of this, Black?" Hermione had no intentions of answering her questions. She was muggleborn and wouldn't understand how purebloods were raised. Therefore, she raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm not answering your questions. Take me to either Professor Snape or Professor McGonagall. They'll understand why I did what I did." The prefect started to sputter before she turned to Lavender to order her to go see the Hospital Wing. Hermione took this moment to turn to Harry and give him a slight nod. She didn't want to be a murderer and the truth of the matter was that she had come close to becoming just that. Harry was the only reason she hadn't.

"Thank you for stopping me." He gave her a bewildered look, but she didn't stay to decipher it. Instead, she turned to follow Clearwater, who was clearly fuming.

"I'm taking you to Professor Flitwick. He can deal out your punishment. Don't think for a second that I'm not going to tell him that you almost killed that girl. No matter what she did, murder isn't the answer." Hermione felt a lick of shame shoot through her. She was about to be expelled and then there would only be Draco to keep Harry safe with that diary in the castle. She had failed not only Harry but her family as well.

Her head lowered, tears clouding her eyes, but she held them back ruthlessly. They traversed the corridors quickly, but Hermione wasn't paying attention to where she was going. Out of nowhere, there was a gasp and a thud. Hermione suddenly remembered that she was traveling the corridors with a muggleborn and there was a murderous snake loose in the castle that wanted to eradicate muggleborns. Penelope was on the ground next to her, her eyes wide and staring, her mouth open in a gasp.

Hermione knew that this wasn't going to end well for her. If she looked up, she would die because the eye would mean death. If she ran, the snake would surely attack, sinking its teeth in her and killing her slowly with its highly poisonous venom. She was unsure as to what the best choice would be.

However, the choice was taken from her when the snake came forward and the image of the most enormous snake she's ever imagined came into view in the water on the ground at her feet. In the moment that she realized they were outside of Myrtle's bathroom, Hermione felt her body seize, she dropped to the ground, and she knew no more.

-O-

Harry couldn't believe what he had just witnessed outside the library. Hermione Black hadn't even lifted her wand and she had almost killed Lavender. He wasn't sure what had been said but from the sounds of it, she had insulted the Slytherin's family. After last year in Transfiguration, Harry thought she would have learned.

He knew that he couldn't let her kill the blond girl. Even though he didn't know her, he knew her well enough to know that she would have felt terrible about it and she would have landed in Azkaban. She was too bright, beautiful, and caring to land in a place like that. Ron had told him horror stories about it when he had explained why his godfather had adopted Hermione to escape there.

Harry watched her disappear around the bend of the corridor with Clearwater and he had to take a moment to adjust his pants. His cock was rock hard in his pants, just like it was every time she had a show of power. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with him; he shouldn't get off on watching her threaten and hurt people.

Ron was supposed to be meeting him at the library but after seeing what he just did, he figured that he would just meet him along the way since he was likely still in the Great Hall pigging out. He had made it down to the second floor when he heard shouts. Harry recognized Ron's voice so started to run even though if he was caught he would get a detention. After rounding the bend of a corner, he came to full stop at what he saw.

Hermione and Penelope Clearwater were on the ground, neither one moving and both stiff as boards. Malfoy was at Hermione's side, one hand clutching the hand she held her wand in and the other smoothing her hair back from her face. He was muttering under his breath, but Harry couldn't distinguish the words. Ron was laughing, sneering at the scene.

"Hopefully she's dead and not like Mrs. Norris." Harry couldn't believe those words came out of his mouth. It was worse than when they had discovered the cat petrified and the horrific message on the wall. He couldn't help but think that this was Ron's revenge for them thinking that Ginny had thrown that ice ball at Hermione on Christmas.

Harry could see the blind fury on Malfoy's face. He flew to his feet faster than he could even imagine, his wand appearing in his hand and shooting spell after spell at Ron. Harry watched as his friend's skin turned green, boils appeared on his face and then burst, his mouth closed to where he couldn't scream, and his fingers started to grow webbing between them. Harry rushed forward and grabbed Malfoy's arm in the same way that he had Hermione's. Even though the rage didn't leave his features, he turned to face Harry.

"Don't. Detention isn't going to help her." Malfoy's chest was heaving but, in the end, he nodded and lowered his wand. He dropped back to the floor next to Hermione and started running his fingers through her curls once more. Harry thought about going after a professor but didn't trust Ron to keep his mouth shut or Malfoy not to kill him. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall rounded the corner and gasped when she saw them, hurrying over to drop down next to Clearwater.

"What happened?" Malfoy's voice was thick as he answered.

"I was going to get Hermione from the library and found them like this. It must be whatever hurt Filch's cat." Harry wasn't sure if he believed what Malfoy said but he remained silent. Malfoy continued.

"Weasley said that she should be dead, and I cursed him several times." His voice was matter-of-fact, devoid of emotion. Harry thought it would be best if Ron stayed quiet, so he volunteered his knowledge.

"Black was confronted by Lavender just outside the library. From what I gathered, she insulted her family and told them they should be humiliated, and to suffer before they all died. Black didn't even lift her wand, she threw her across the corridor and when Lavender kept going, I think there was pressure on her chest. She was gasping for air. I grabbed Black by the arm and she stopped. She told Clearwater that she wanted to be brought to you or Professor Snape and then she thanked me. They left only minutes before me." He wasn't about to volunteer that he hadn't followed right behind because he needed to duck into an alcove and adjust his cock. Professor McGonagall produced her wand and waved it, the same silvery cat appearing before them. While she gave it a message, Malfoy turned to Harry.

"You keep your house away from Hermione and me. I don't think I could keep myself from hurting them seriously if they fuck with me now." Harry nodded. He certainly intended on telling his housemates to steer clear. He knew that both Hermione and Malfoy were powerful and far more knowledgeable than himself and his peers. Before he could comment further, Professor Snape and the Headmaster appeared. Knowing what he knew about the relationship between the potions master and Hermione, he was surprised when he didn't show more emotion.

Professor Snape dropped to his knees beside her, reaching out to feel for a pulse. His other hand wrapped around Draco's shoulders, offering steady and silent support. Snape whispered something in his ear, but Harry couldn't hear what he said. The Headmaster started speaking but Harry wanted to tune him out. He was getting tired of keeping these petrifications secret.

"We must get them to the Hospital Wing quickly. Clearly, they are petrified but the rest of the school doesn't need to see them like this." Harry couldn't believe that the Headmaster was going to stay quiet again. Especially when one of the victims was Hermione Black; Neville had told him how much power Lord Black and Lord Malfoy had in their world. Would he contact their families? The Headmaster waved his wand, levitating Clearwater while McGonagall lifted Hermione and they started for the staircase. Dumbledore turned around to the Gryffindor pair and called out to them.

"Don't tell anyone what you saw tonight." Malfoy's head snapped up, but Snape urged him to his feet and he followed them. Harry turned to Ron and just shook his head.

"One of these days, one of them is going to kill you and they're going to get away with it because of who they are. You've got to stop. How would you feel if that was Ginny on the ground? You saw that Black is like Malfoy's sister." Ron shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.

"I rarely get to hold something over him, that's all. They're both so smart and rich that everyone thinks they're better than me. It just gets old." Harry sighed deeply before clapping his friend on the back.

"I have a feeling that you're going to be the last of their worries right now. Let's go see if Percy will fix you up." Ron nodded.

They headed through the corridors and Harry couldn't quite believe how his Saturday night had gone to complete shite in a matter of an hour.

-O-

Draco was seated on the bed next to his cousin and Severus could do nothing but watch them. His goddaughter was petrified, and his godson appeared to be in shock. They had been training for difficult situations, but Severus couldn't hold this against his godson. Hermione was his sister in every way, his best friend, and she had almost died. After they laid her in the bed, Dumbledore had tried to take her bag, but Draco had jumped to his feet and snatched it from the Headmaster's hand, yelling at him not to touch Hermione's things. The Headmaster hadn't been pleased but Minerva had stepped forward and laid a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. He had calmed instantly and had been snuggled up to his cousin since.

Since nobody knew of the true relationship between Hermione and himself, Severus could only act as her Head of House, not her beloved uncle that had taught her potions and occlumency since she was six years old. Not like he knew her inside and out since she hadn't mastered the art of keeping him from her mind from nearly four years. She was his family just as much as Draco was and it was eating him alive that he couldn't show any emotion to reveal that.

He could only imagine how Sirius and Lucius were going to take it.

The Headmaster was talking quietly to Poppy and Minerva and they seemed to be arguing about something. Severus was determined to make the Headmaster reveal the other children if it was the last thing he did. Therefore, he took hold of Draco's arm and pulled him to a sitting position.

"We must go. You're going to sleep in my quarters tonight." He could see that Draco was going to protest, demand to stay with Hermione until she was well again. Severus cut him off.

"You can't stay with her all the time. You must sleep, and you must attend classes. Hermione would never want you to fall behind on your assignments to Madam Cambridge and she would be mortified if you failed to get a perfect score in class. You can visit as often as you want as long as you do what's best for yourself." Draco slid his impassive mask on and gave a shaky nod. He stood after pressing a kiss to his cousin's forehead and brushing his hand through her curls.

"I love you, Miney. I'll be back before breakfast." Severus gave him an approving nod, unaware that he still called Hermione by her childhood nickname. He put his hands on his godson's shoulders and walked him to the Headmaster and stopped.

"Headmaster, we need to have a word. I'm going to take Draco to my quarters and he'll stay the night there. If you deem this inappropriate, owl his father, he'll tell you it's alright. After discovering his cousin like that, he could use some Dreamless Sleep." Poppy jumped to gather a vial, but Severus just shook his head.

"I'll give him one from my private stores, Poppy. I'll be up directly, Albus." The look in the Headmaster's eyes told him that he knew exactly what he wanted to discuss but he left it at that.

Severus led Draco from the fourth floor down to the dungeons, meeting only a few people in the corridor since it was so close to curfew. Once they were safely ensconced in his quarters, Severus let his own impassive mask drop. He pulled his godson into a hug and allowed several tears to fall. Draco's hair hid them, and he refused to show weakness, especially when Draco started sobbing.

"Why her, Uncle Sev? She's a pureblood, she wasn't supposed to get hurt." The tears didn't last long but Draco remained hidden in his chest for several minutes. When he finally stepped back, he was embarrassed but Severus acted like nothing was out of the norm. Draco relaxed immediately.

"She was attacked because she was with a muggleborn. When I warned the pair of you to never be alone, I didn't think to specify that." Draco wiped a hand across his nose and Severus was suddenly reminded that his godson was only twelve. This was a lot to put on a twelve-year-old.

"It wasn't your fault, Uncle Sev. It's the Headmaster's for keeping everything quiet, it's for whoever stole that fucking diary from Malfoy Manor, and it's Slytherin's for having a monster hidden in the school in the first place." Severus nodded; though he felt responsible, he couldn't find fault in Draco's words. He pulled his wand from his sleeve and waved them over Draco, transfiguring his clothes to pajamas like what he wore at home. He found him a pillow and blanket and gestured for him to get settled on the couch. Once his nephew was all tucked in, surprisingly he had allowed Severus to do so, he crouched down and spoke as he handed the boy a vial.

"It's Dreamless Sleep. Take it all. I'm going to go meet with the Headmaster and get him to tell the school about how idiotic it is to keep this from everyone. I have no idea when I'll return but it will be by morning. When you get up, send a letter to both your father and Sirius telling them of Hermione's fate. I'm going to send one tonight but we need to have you send one, so it'll be truthful when everyone finds out because you owled home." Draco nodded and tipped the vial, drinking every drop. His eyes grew heavy and once they were closed, Severus kissed his forehead, something he hadn't done in years to Draco, and left him asleep in his quarters.

It didn't take him long to reach the Headmaster's office; the griffin leapt out of the way, so he knew that he was expected. Once he reached the door, he didn't bother knocking, especially since it was clear that they wouldn't have heard him. Minerva was standing at the desk, yelling at the Headmaster, and Albus was seated, looking serenely on as his Deputy called him a buggering, dog-fucking, whore monger. Severus couldn't help but stumble; he had never heard such language from Minerva.

Once they were aware of his presence, Minerva calmed instantly. It was odd to see, especially since she had gone out of her way to be calmer and more reserved. He had suspected occlumency but there was no need since she was an animagus. He let that mystery go for the time being in favor of taking the bull by the horns.

"We have to inform the Governors and the parents, Albus. There is no way around it now. When it was just the muggleborns, it was possible to keep it quiet. Their friends believed their professors and their parents can't do anything since they're muggles. While a complete breach of trust, it's fact that as Headmaster, it was your decision to keep it from them. However, Hermione Black changes things." Albus shook his head, his fingers still stroking his beard.

"No, Severus, it changes nothing. I refuse to terrify the students. The muggleborns are the only ones at risk and while I don't like it, the last thing we need is for the school to close. If that happens, where will young Harry go? Back to his muggles where he learns no magic? You know what he's going to face again, he has to be ready." Severus wanted to shout now; he understood why the Deputy was calling him names. He pinched the bridge of his nose instead.

"I'm telling you right now, Albus, this is going to get out whether you want it to or not. You might have Potter and Weasley under your spell, so they won't say anything, but Draco Malfoy has no illusions of you. His family has warned him about you since day one, since you cast that spell and hit little two-year-old Hermione. He is going to owl his father and his cousin the second he wakes up and realizes that what he saw tonight wasn't a nightmare but in fact, reality." Minerva spat at them both, but he could tell that it wasn't aimed at him.

"As he should. Purebloods are taught from the cradle to care for family, to make family your priority. As a pureblood, I value the same things. He should owl his family and tell them what is happening here." Severus knew that she stepped over the line when fury flashed in Albus' eyes. He was on his feet, wand extended, but no curse on his lips. Minerva flew to the wall and was held there, still and unmoving. A sudden blast broke her free and before Severus realized it, her wand was pointed at the Headmaster and they were both panting. The desk between them was charred and still flaming near the floor. Minerva's voice was cold as ice.

"If you ever cast on me again, Albus, not only will I wipe the floor with you, I'll make sure that every secret I've hidden for you in the last forty years is made public. Obviously, I can't change your mind if you don't want to tell the parents. I'm bound in my role as Deputy to support you in all decisions. However, when you go down for this, I'm going to make damn sure that everyone knows I was against it from the start." She didn't wait for a response; she didn't need to. Albus was speechless as she turned on her heel and left the office. The Headmaster sunk back into his chair and wiped a hand down his face.

"I shouldn't have done that. I know that I should tell everyone but if the school is closed, Harry won't be learning. We can't afford for that to happen. A few students getting petrified for half a year is worth him getting the education he needs to defeat Voldemort once he has returned." As much as he wanted to say that he didn't understand his reasoning, he couldn't. It was imperative that Harry learn how to defeat the Dark Lord and he wouldn't learn anything at the home of his muggle relatives. Still, if Albus had let the boy go to Sirius in the beginning, this wouldn't have been a problem. In the end, though, that didn't matter. The safety of all the students didn't outweigh the education of one student no matter how special he was.

"Regardless, Albus, you have to tell them. Draco is going to tell his parents and it's going to explode in your face." Albus shook his head.

"I can't do that. Leaving them all here is for the greater good." Severus shook his head and went to his feet.

"Very well, Albus, be it on your head." He left in a swirl of robes before the man could say another word.

He supposed that he should probably feel bad, but he didn't. After all, he had a letter to write.

-O-

Sirius was just about to crawl into bed when Candy appeared in his bedchamber, her ears raised high and her eyes wide.

"Master, Mister Malfoys be heres wanting to sees you. He says its importants." Sirius raked a hand through his hair. Of all nights to need to see him; he had just left the first muggle girl he had seen in three months crying in her bed because he refused to stay with her. He was going to have to stop seeing them. It was just getting too hard to deal with.

Sirius slid his feet into his slippers and hurried downstairs. Rather than find his old friend in the library, Lucius and Narcissa were both at the foot of the stairs in their pajamas. Sensing that there was something wrong, he hurried down the long set of stairs until they were face to face.

"What's wrong? What's happened?" Lucius held open a letter that he had just received. Candy appeared at his side, letter in her hand as well.

"This just comes for yous, Master." His cousin and friend had somber looks on their faces as he ripped into the letter that was clearly in Severus' script.

Sirius,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, I hope you know that. I wish this wasn't necessary at all but alas, it is.

Tonight, Hermione got angry at Martin Brown's daughter and almost killed her. Harry stopped it from happening, but she was discovered by a muggleborn prefect and was going to be escorted to either myself or Minerva. Draco found the pair of them petrified in the corridor just outside the bathroom that Filch's cat was discovered by.

Hermione is alive, but she is most certainly petrified. Draco isn't handling it well and I don't blame him. Keeping my cover was more difficult than anything else I've ever done. He is currently sleeping in my quarters because I dosed him with Dreamless Sleep. I have instructed him to write the both of you when he wakes so you can then start whatever process you need to to get the Board involved so the parents can be notified as well as the school.

I tried to get Albus to agree to telling you, but he wouldn't hear of it. He pulled his wand on Minerva because she demanded that he inform you and it didn't end well for him. His desk is probably still smoldering. I'm leaving this in your capable hands and want you to know that I will place wards around her in the Hospital Wing so only certain people can get through to her without my presence. I will protect her this time; I'm so sorry that I've let you down in that regard.

If you have further instructions or wishes, let me know.

Severus

Sirius couldn't keep the magic in, probably just like his daughter had been earlier that night. Hermione was his anchor but when he pictured her now, she was silent and still with no pulse. His magic burst outward, shattering every piece of glass in the room, spraying not only himself but Lucius and Narcissa as well. Lucius stepped back, clearly unsure as to how to deal with this situation but Narcissa knew exactly what to do.

His tiny cousin pushed through the force of his magic, her eyes squinted and her hair almost straight out behind her and slammed into his chest, hugging him close. Sirius wasn't sure how to react, his cousin wasn't the hugging type unless it was Draco or Hermione. Her eyes were watering and he was unsure if it was due to the force of his magic or because she was just as upset as he was.

"Sirius, you have to stop. You'll tear the house down and you can't do that. Hermione is going to be fine, Severus is going to keep her safe and she will be awoken. You and Lucius are going to get Dumbledore and throw him out on his arse. You've got to stop." Sirius could hear her and was doing his best to will his magic to listen. He hated when this happened, he could only recall a time or two in his lifetime that he had had a reaction this strong. Even the death of James and Lily hadn't gotten this reaction.

The magic sucked back inside him and when the room was silent again, he was heaving, his chest hurting from the exertion. Narcissa didn't release him until his hands found her shoulders and gently pushed her away. He was still panting when he spoke.

"Thank you. I hate it when I lose control like that." She laughed weakly as she went back to her husband's side.

"Don't worry, I do too." After a few more minutes, Sirius had recovered though he felt exhausted now.

"I apologize for that outburst. I shall endeavor to control my magic in the future." Lucius finally let out a chuckle.

"I swear, man, between you and your daughter, you could take the Dark Lord down with just threatening the other." Sirius finally laughed before he turned a serious gaze to his friend.

"Tomorrow, we make this happen. If Dumbledore isn't going to protect the students, he's out. I'll help you in any way I can with the Board." Lucius gave him a nod.

"It might come to that. Tomorrow, we'll visit them together." Sirius felt a dark grin spread across his features. He saw Lucius shiver and it was clear the man was reminded that while Sirius didn't believe in his family's previous beliefs, he was still very much a Black.

"Dumbledore better watch his arse because we're coming for it."

A/N- Wow, I really pictured this chapter being longer, but I suppose this will do. I hope you all approve! I've been dying to write this chapter since the middle of first year, I'll admit it. Thanks again to everyone reading and reviewing, you guys are rock stars. Let me know what you think, reviews make me smile.

*Excerpt from the library book is taken directly from Chamber of Secrets.

Next chapter, a trip to Hagrid's ends badly.

Love,

Alicia