DISCLAIMER: If I was JK Rowling, do you think I would be wasting my time taking pointless midterms?
Chapter 38: Looking for a Reason
August 23, 1978
Hermione stayed in conference with Dumbledore for the better part of the morning. Having barged into his office in the wee hours of the morning, Hermione thought he was quite cheerful for an old man deprived of his precious sleeping hours.
She walked out of his office nine hours later, glancing at her watch and realizing that it was now going on eleven. She was scheduled to meet Dumbledore a few weeks from now. He had informed her that he would look into the matter and get back to her.
"You look a little worse for wear."
Startled, Hermione looked around to find that she had somehow managed to make it to the sixth floor where her old rooms were located. "Hello Falco."
"You don't sound too thrilled for a girl madly in love," he commented with a knowing glance. Damn portraits, Hermione thought bitterly, they know everything.
"Cut the small talk, Falco. I know you've heard, though I honestly have no idea how you could have, so why don't you just get to the point and say what you want to say."
He looked at her and smiled. "Good job."
She stared at him, dumbstruck. "Good job?" she repeated.
"Yes, I totally agree with what you did."
"You do?"
"Yes, of course I do. He had no right to order you to stay home." He shook his head disbelievingly. "The nerve of him to freeze you to your own couch like that while he went off to fight."
Hermione automatically opened her mouth to defend Sirius and stopped. "You are a wicked, vile man Falco Aesalon," she alleged, her eyes narrowing as she stood with her hand on her hips.
He looked at her with an innocent expression that could have rivalled those of Sirius and James', the masters of faked innocence. "Whatever are you talking about?"
"You are using what the muggles would call 'reverse psychology' on me," she accused.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Hermione," he replied airily. "I was merely agreeing with your haste decision to storm out of the house without listening to what he had to say. I mean, what could he have possibly said that could have made you understand why he would want to protect you."
She crossed her arms and glared hatefully at him. "Alright, you've made your point. I should have stayed and talked to him."
Falco sighed and leaned against his frame. "We all make mistakes, Hermione, but it is important that we learn from them. Sirius, in his desperate need to keep you safe, acted without stopping to think. However, he realized his mistake; now it is time for you to realize yours."
"I know I shouldn't have stormed off that late, but he can't keep thinking that he can hide me from all of the evil in the world."
He looked at her, one eyebrow cocked. "That wasn't the mistake that I was referring to, Hermione, and you know it."
"Look, we've all got to do what we've got to do," she snapped, her brown eyes flashing. "Yes, I know that I'm probably going a bit crazy over this whole fiasco but we both know how this is going to end, Falco, and there's no use trying to deny that fact."
He stood up straight. "So you're deliberately pushing Sirius away then?" he demanded, his body tense and his fists clenched.
"It's better for him to accept me being gone now than three years down the road," she rebuffed just as angrily.
"You don't know what life has in store for you so maybe you should just take it one day at a time instead of trying to make other people's decisions for them."
"I'm only making my own decisions!"
"No, you're not! You're trying to make Sirius hate you because you don't want to explain later on. You are trying to take the coward's way out. You are afraid to let yourself love!"
"Stop it!" she cried, slamming her hands over her ears. "Just stop it! You don't know anything about me or my life before I came here!"
"I know that you love him as much as he loves you and yet you are afraid to let yourself be loved. Why, Hermione? Why are you torturing yourself so?"
She shook her head and slowly backed away. "I'm sorry, Falco, I have to go. I promised Lily that I'd meet her for lunch," she lied. "Goodbye."
Falco shook his head sadly and watched as her defeated form retreated. The poor girl would go through so much before it was al over with. She deserved to be happy. He only hoped that she realized that before it was too late.
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Hermione, suit case in hand, apparated to the front porch of Sirius' house. She needed to apologize, she knew, for acting so stupid before. He was only trying to protect her after all. However, he would have to realize that she needed to be there with him, fighting.
She raised her hand to knock and stopped. Was she doing the right thing? This was her chance out. She could turn around now and save him the hurt she would ultimately bring later on.
No, Falco was right. She shouldn't cheat herself or Sirius out of the happiness they brought each other. But wasn't she cheating him out of some time he could be using off finding a girl whom he could dedicate his whole life to and her the same?
She had to choose: knock or go.
The decision was removed from her, however, as the door suddenly swung open and she was in Sirius' arms. In that moment, she realized that with him was exactly where she wanted to be.
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September 3, 1978
Hermione sat between Sirius and James in the third row of seats in the large auditorium, a dreamy look on her face. Sirius had a hold of one of her hands and she was using the other to prop up her head; she didn't think it would hold itself up.
James nudged her, "You sure do look happy for one who was anxious to have these 'bozos' stop trying to teach you how to duel."
She looked over at him with a sad smile. "Yeah, but you forget, James, that now I have to actually work for these clowns. I'm officially on the payroll from this day forth. Oh, happy days."
He laughed. "Just think, though, you may be fortunate and get paired up with Sirius or myself."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, that will be so great."
"Hey," Sirius said, offended.
"Actually, I think they'll most likely prove to be assholes and pair me up with someone that is conceited and foolish," she spat sourly. That was the worse case scenario.
James and Sirius both looked over to where Herbert Ramsbottom was sitting not too far away. "Oh, I wonder who she could be talking about," James said with a roll of his eyes. It was no secret that Hermione thought the boy would be far better off on the Knight Bus than with a wand.
Sirius leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry, love, we'll worry about it when the time comes. Let's just worry about today, shall we?"
She offered him a smile. "Yes, it's going to take all that I have to just smile today." She sighed. "Right now, I wish I could be anywhere but here."
Sirius leaned in closer to her. "How does Greece sound?"
She looked at him. "What?"
"Your Christmas present, I still owe you that trip to Greece," he reminded her. "So, I suggest we take a little time off and give ourselves a very much needed vacation. What do you say?"
"I say that sounds lovely," she said. "When can we leave?"
"Well," he drawled thoughtfully, "I daresay that the Ministry wants to keep you happy so they'll probably give us off whenever we want."
"Really? Are you sure about that?"
"Actually, I'm positive." He smirked. "I've already asked and received at least two weeks off for the both of us."
"How in the name of Merlin did you accomplish that?" James asked from Hermione's other side. "Frank had a hell of a time trying to get some time off for his honeymoon."
"I appealed to their greediness," he stated simply. "I just kept implying that Hermione looked rather tired and could do with a break. Then, I just happened to let it slip about the trip to Greece that I had promised and Davenports insisted that I take Hermione away for a little reprieve."
"You sneaky bastard," James said in awe.
Sirius smirked quite conceitedly. "Yes, I know."
Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him thoroughly even with James sitting there gagging on the other side of her. "Oh Sirius, I love you so much. This is going to be so much fun! Just think, Greece! I can't wait!"
"Which reminds me, we need to go and buy some swimming outfits so we can relax in the crystal blue waters." He paused and rubbed his chin in thought. "We'll get you two- one that covers almost every ounce of your skin for public wear and one that covers next to zilch for private showings."
He wagged his eyebrows suggestively while Hermione laughed. "In that case, I should just purchase one for public and swim naked when I'm just with you."
"That's not a bad idea," he said in afterthought. "Still, I like the idea of getting to undress you."
"Really don't need to know that," they heard James say and shared a laugh at his expense. "Really, I don't need nor want to know anything about your guys' sexual adventurers."
"Oh give it up James, you would be bragging about your 'sexual adventures' if you'd actually give it up Evans," Sirius laughed, reaching behind Hermione to playfully slap James on the back.
"Yeah, well, call me old fashioned but I really just want to wait till marriage before doing that," he stammered, red faced.
"Don't let Sirius get to you, James," Hermione told him, patting his knee affectionately. "If you feel that it's important to wait until after marriage, then good for you."
"Thanks, Hermione," he said softly, still red. "Look, they're starting."
Sure enough, Davenports strolled up to the front of the room with Moody trailing slightly behind. The two men were easily distinguished just my the expressions they wore- Davenports was grinning like a child that had just received the biggest Christmas gift while Moody appeared like he had just been forced to eat a large contained of blast-ended skrewts, not a pleasant look I assure you.
"Ah,I see we have quite a large turnout today," Davenports said with a clap of his hands. "Good, good. Now, we are all here to witness these fine witches and wizards graduate from the Auror program. They have been training hard these past few months and will now enter into an apprenticeship where they will continue to advance their knowledge of the rules of proper fighting."
"Because I'm sure that's going to help whenever we battle with Death Eaters," Hermione whispered sarcastically and both boys, plus a few extras that were sitting close enough to hear her comment, struggled to stifle their laughter.
"It is with great pride that I present to you twenty-nine young men and women who will be joining our ranks. Twenty-nine skilled fighters who will be protecting you…"
"I bet you that's really comforting to them," she whispered, "knowing that mere kids are going to be the ones protecting them."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I will now call for these young individuals to come up one at a time to take their pledge and become official Aurors."
"And here we go," she muttered darkly as he called the first name on the list.
Sirius kissed her hand and helped her to her feet when her name was called. She forced a smile to her face as she shook hands, paused for pictures, and accepted congratulations from odd people who she had never see before.
She spotted Remus and Lily in the crowd, clapping enthusiastically, and waved to them. Aunt Minerva and Dumbledore were sitting together towards the back. Both were smiling encouragingly at her, but she could see another emotion on their faces, one she could not identify.
They did not want her to work for the Ministry, but they knew that they could not really prevent it without bringing on retaliation from the Ministry.
She passed Sirius as he went up to take his pledge, giving his hand a small squeeze for encouragement. James smiled at her as she took her seat next to him, whispering, "An official Ministry official," he sniffed, "I'm so proud."
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September 18, 1978
Hermione sat at her desk after just returning from a wonderful vacation with the only man who could probably ever convince her to take time off work, even if it was the Ministry she would be avoiding. Greece had proved to be a beautiful reprieve that she had really needed. The landscape, sea, and cities proved to be just as lovely as she had heard and she glorified in the scenery.
But now she had to return to real life where she worked for imbeciles, waged a war against Voldemort, and had to figure out what the bloody hell had happened to Caradoc Dearborn. Not to mention the growing suspicion in her stomach over where exactly Peter Pettigrew was.
He had been mysteriously absent for a while, since graduation actually. Sirius had told her that the rat had said that he was going up to visit some relatives for a bit. Personally, Hermione thought that he had already joined the Death Eaters.
She stacked the papers up on her desk all the while listening to Sirius' and James' endless chatter behind her. For some reason (probably to suck up to Hermione), the Ministry had paired the three of them up, saying that they would be far more effective that way.
However, she was now wishing that she would have got partnered up with someone else, anyone else. At least then she might have been able to get some work done.
Hermione pressed a hand to her temple as another burst of laughter sounded from behind her. She put down her quill and turned her head to look at them. "Guys, they call this a workplace for a reason."
It was her tone that had done it. They both looked ashamed as they muttered, "Sorry, Hermione." Then, they sent her those charming smiles they had perfected over the years that made her instantly forgive them.
"It's okay, but you guys should really considered doing your share of the work, you know, the piles of paper on my desk." she gestured to the growing stacks on her desk.
"Er…," Sirius started doubtfully while James whined pathetically, "Do we have to?" One wore the expression of a man torn while the other looked like someone was trying to force feed him some undiluted bubotuber pus.
"Yes, James, you have to help me," she stated in a tone that meant the answer should have been obvious. "That is why they call us 'partners,' you know."
"But Hermione…"
"Don't 'but Hermione' me," she interrupted, "get your lazy arses over here and start helping me before I start using a severing charm."
They visibly gulped and rushed over to help her with the work. They neither laughed nor joked until the last sheet was filled out, signed, sealed, and sent out.
That was when all hell broke loose.
Kingsley Shaklebolt came running down the small aisle way and stopped in front of Hermione. She looked up at him as he tried to catch his breath. "Do you need something?"
"There's been a message left for you," he said and held out his hand. In it was a black envelope with Hermione's name written in silver.
She took it hesitantly. "Where did you find this?"
"On a dead body," he said slowly. "We discovered the dead man about one hour ago, the Dark Mark was floating over his house. This was the only thing left."
She opened it, aware that everyone was staring at her, and carefully read the contents. She folded it once she was done and promptly lit it on fire with the tip of her wand before rising and grabbing her cloak.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked as she strode past him.
"To take care of something that should have been dealt with a long time ago," she answered primly. With a 'pop' she was gone.
"Where do you think she's gone?" James asked. Sirius shook his head. "I'm not sure, but I think she's walking into a trap."
"Bloody hell," James said, "we need to find her."
Kilometres away, Hermione reappeared in the woods near a particularly large manor. She knew it to be the residence of Bellatrix and her boyfriend, Rodolphus Lestrange, who were engaged and suspected Death Eaters. Hermione didn't suspect, she knew they were Death Eaters.
She carefully made her way out of the woods, watching to see whether anyone was out and walking about. She didn't want to be seen…not yet.
She found an open window and checked for any wards. None. It seemed as if they wanted her to slip in unnoticed. Alright, she would play their little game.
She slipped her wand out of her pocket and held it tightly in her grasp. She needed to be prepared for anything. Her eyes searched her surroundings, looking for her enemies.
Hermione felt a tingle of magic and instantly brought up her shield. Just in time, too, for a dark purple beam of light crashed into the bright blue shield surrounding her. Hermione turned to where the spell had been cast but saw nothing.
She slowly took another step, trying to stick to the shadows. However, another spell was soon launched at her and she, again, brought up her ward just in time. The attacker was playing with her, she realized.
She closed her eyes and focused on the surge of magic surrounding her. The essence of magic could be traced if one concentrated enough on the source. It was strong, she realized, too strong…
Her eyes snapped open as she heard the dry cackle coming from one of the dark shadows. Then, the silhouette began to clap, loudly and slowly, almost like a chilling slow waltz.
"I was sure you would not disappoint. I was informed that I would be wasting my time on you. However, I was never one to give up and I rather think you would be a nice addition to my little family."
She stared at her foe, the one whom everyone was terribly frightened of. He did not resemble the snake-like man who he would become in the future. No, instead he looked like a much older version of his former self. His dark hair was receding and his once green eyes had turned red, his face had sculptured out and his body had become firm.
"Sorry, but I think I would have to agree with your informants. You are wasting your time. I will never join you or become part of your 'little family.'"
He smiled, a chilling smile that had her clenching her hands around her wand. "You are entertaining, Hermione Granger, I will give you that. However, I disagree. I have found that with the right…persuasion, shall we say, that anything is possible."
"Sorry, Voldemort," she said in an even tone, "but I really don't have time to discuss this at the moment. I am here for one reason and one reason only- to duel Bellatrix. Now, if you would be so kind as to point me in her general direction."
"Bellatrix is not here, nor has she been here all day," was Voldemort's reply. He was toying with his wand, spinning it around slowly in his hand. "You, Hermione, are an impulsive little chit and, though you are an admirable fighter, that could prove to be your downfall."
She cocked her head to side as if in thought before saying, "Not today."
Before he could react, she sent a spell at the ceiling above his head. The plaster cracked and began to fall down upon him. He quickly tried to reseal it, giving her the opportunity that she needed.
She sprinted as fast as she could out of the house, aware of the heavy footsteps behind her. He was going to try to stop her, but she had twenty years of knowledge on him. She ran through the front door and turned, shooting a spell at it that would seal it and sent an electrifying jolt through anyone who came near it.
She heard him cry out as he obviously tried to get through the door, and then she heard the sounds of him trying to blast his way through. Quickly, she threw up a ward around the whole house that would take him a few hours to figure out but would prevent him from escaping quickly.
With a satisfying smile, she turned and apparated away from the house. Though she didn't quite get the chance to duel with Bellatrix, she was satisfied with her meeting with Voldemort. He would now realize who exactly he was up against.
A/N: Read me! Due to the number of reviews I have received inquiring about Caradoc Dearborn, I am going to address this issue this one time and only this time. Caradoc Dearborn has been a character in this story for a while now and I've already talked about him once. According to J.K. Rowling, Caradoc Dearborn disappeared during the first war, his body never found. For my story, I made him the DADA Professor. He disappeared…later you'll get answers in the story…
Have to go and work on my midterms now…trying to save the beta-d version of ch. 6 of The Price of Love but it's been saving for 13 minutes so far and it shows no sign of near completion…Hope to get it up soon…
Happy Early Halloween folks!
MiZZ AmAyA