Chapter 33

Hermione looked quickly around the neighborhood before turning back to the door and knocking confidently. She was nervous, though one couldn't tell just by looking at her. Of course, anyone looking at her wouldn't see Hermione Granger at all, but rather a tall blonde muggle woman in the company of her husband and two sons.

"Mrs. Dursley, if you will welcome us kindly and then let us in, we will get started," Sirius said from Hermione's right, as the door opened, he too was completely unrecognizable thanks to polyjuice potion.

Harry, who was standing just behind Petunia, wand in hand, asked the group for the password they had agreed on prior to leaving Hogwarts.

"I still think 'perfect prefect' is a horrible password," Hermione rolled her eyes as one of her sons, Fred, burst out laughing. The password had been his idea.

Before leaving school two weeks ago, Hermione along with Sirius, Remus, and Fred approached Harry secretly. They told him that they would be coming to collect him in as muggle a way as possible.

Harry nodded to his aunt and she let them in, she looked terrified. Good, Hermione thought, at least she was taking this seriously. After speaking with Harry on the telephone a week ago, she was worried about the Dursley's cooperation, apparently Harry had managed to convince them somehow.

As the disguised family of four, Remus, rounding them out as the second son, made their way into the sitting room, Hermione looked around. It was her first time being there and it was more or less what she expected. Clean to the point of being sterile as if no one actually lived there, and completely devoid of any proof two teenage boys lived there, it would seem a very happy family of three was all who lived there. It broke Hermione's heart a little, to see how thoroughly the Dursley's had excluded Harry and she could see that Remus and Sirius both were starting to fidget in irritation.

"Right, if you all are ready, we can get started. As we've discussed, we need to split into two groups and we will each take a car to the airport. Mr. Dursley, you and your family will then board a plane and enjoy an extended faction, free of charge. There will be someone waiting for you when you land, to get you sorted," Hermione said with a rather tight smile. At the pinched look on Mr. and Mrs. Dursley's faces Hermione made a mental note to send an apology note to Viktor, as well as a good bottle of firewhiskey.

"We will take your things and put them in the car," Remus told them while Hermione handed Harry a small flask. He grimaced slightly then turned it up, changing his appearance at once.

When they had been driving into Privet Dr, Remus and Sirius had counted two known wizards. They seemed to be milling around the neighborhood, keeping an eye out for something. Everyone knew that once Harry left this house, the magic keeping it hidden would break. Therefore they devised a plan to get him out, using the one thing most wizards knew nothing about, muggles. Harry would be disguised as someone else, just another muggle, they would split into two groups and drive right past any danger, hoping that the wizards on patrol wouldn't even think to look at a passing car. If they did, they wouldn't see anyone they recognized.

Hermione and Remus were riding in the Dursley's car with Vernon and Harry, while Sirius and Fred were in the Granger's car with Petunia and Dudley. Short of the constant grumbling from Vernon, the trip was quite uneventful, they didn't even see the wizards on patrol. Hermione assumed they had noticed when the protection broke and were now searching the area more thoroughly.

After a rather terse, apathetic goodbye at the terminal the Dursley's made their way onto the airplane and off to safety. With a quick look around, they made their way to a secluded alley just outside the airport. With both vehicles safely tucked away in long-term parking, Hermione took Harry's hand and they all apparated back to Grimmauld place.

The house was empty, save Kreature, who was working away in the kitchen. For the first time that day, Hermione took a deep breath, letting the relief of the success flood her. Sirius, Remus and Harry walked by on their way to the sitting room as Fred, who had just begun to change back into himself, grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

"Go better this time around love?" Fred asked still holding her.

"Well, Mad-Eye and Hedwig are still alive and George has both ears, so yes, I'd say so," Hermione smiled, even letting herself laugh as Fred pulled her into a sweet kiss.

"Thank you for that, by the way, I just don't know if I could have stood to see him in that much pain."

"Neither could I, not again… I love him too, you know. Even if he doesn't know it yet, we are going to be quite close, only this time it will be because you're alive to bring us together. Now, let's get something to eat before we start the really hard part of the day."

"If everyone is finished, I suppose it's time," Hermione said as Kreacher began removing plates from the table.

"Time for what?" Harry asked.

"Come on, Harry, we'll explain everything in the library. It's quite a story," Sirius said, putting his arm around Harry.

"Just a second, Pad. Harry can I have a quick word?" Hermione asked, leaning into Fred's side as he stood next to her. He bent over to kiss her cheek before heading to the library.

"What's going on, Mione?" Harry asked quietly as the room cleared.

"Remember a few months ago, you found me with Professor Snape. I told you I would explain everything, well, it's time for me to explain."

"Don't talk to me about that traitor," Harry said harshly.

"Oh Harry, there is so much you don't know yet," Hermione said with a sigh.

"Then I think it's time you told me," Harry said a tad too loudly, his fists clenched at his side.

"Yes, it is. I need something first, the locket."

"What for?"

"Do you trust me?"

Harry looked at her skeptically but reached into his pocket anyway.

"It's Important," she assured him before turning around. She nodded to Sirius who was watching silently from the door and spoke again. "Kreacher, could I have a word with you?"

"Yes, Miss…" Kreacher stopped midsentace when he saw what Hermione was holding. He looked at once to the broom closet he kept his treasures in and back to Hermione. He began stuttering.

"It's alright, please just listen to me. I know what you and Regulus did all those years ago, and I know how hard it was. You were very brave and a good house elf for doing as you were told. I also know that you kept it after it was thrown out. Please, it's alright, you aren't in any trouble.

I know that Regulus asked you to destroy it and you weren't able to. I need you to understand that we now have a way to do just that. Destroy it. Would you please give it to me and take this one instead?"

"Is very dark magic, indeed. Can you kill the evil?" Kreacher asked carefully.

"I can, and I'll let you watch to make sure."

"That is what Master Regulus wanted. Yes, Missy Granger, Kreacher will give it to you," Kreacher answered.

As he retrieved the real locket from his things, Hermione explained what Regulus had done, how he'd defied Voldemort all those years ago.

Harry looked shocked and started to speak when Sirius interrupted them.

"Is that true?" Sirius asked Kreacher as Kreacher handed Hermione the locket.

"Yes Master Sirius. Kreacher tried and tried, but it would not die. Kreacher still tries to kill it, sir. Everyday."

"Thank you, Kreacher. Thank you very much," Sirius said and wiped his eyes quickly. Looking from Hermione to Harry Sirius excused himself and left the room.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Harry asked in a quiet voice.

"There are things you still don't understand Harry," Hermione began, but Harry cut her off quickly.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Harry asked again, shouting now.

"Come on, it's easier ifI show you."

"No, you need to tell me everything, now. No more delays, no more lying. I told you it was you and Ron, no one else. Where do you get off telling Sirius about that?"

"Mate, she's trying to explain it to you, if you'd shut up long enough to let her," Fred said from the doorway.

"He knows too? Bloody hell Hermione why don't you go tell Voldemort too while you're at it! Or did Snape for it for you?" Harry yelled before turning to Fred. "She tell you she's been sneaking off to his chambers at all times of the night?"

Fred looked murderous as he stalked straight towards Harry. Hermione stepped between the two of them with a hand on each of their chests.

"Fred, stop, please. Harry, I'm from the future!"