Nothing is mine except the mistakes. A million thanks to my amazing beta Sweet Trufflepuff, who caught the mistakes in grammar and sentence formation and made several paragraphs more understandable.

I do encourage concrit, but please do read the book canon before you do. I am trying to follow book canon and I don't make choices based on fanon or movie canon. But if you disagree with something, you can say so. Nobody comes a better writer by only being patted on the back. I can either agree or disagree with you and then we'll have a good conversation ;) I don't get angry at people who criticize something unless they're aggressive about it, but be aware that I will most likely have a good reason to doing what I did.

Posted Feb. 29th 2020


Severus Snape, June 26th 1995

Draco Malfoy looked less than pristine when Severus went to fetch the young wizard up from the Slytherin common room. He'd obviously done his best to straighten out his clothes and his hair was combed and tidied, but his face sported a few bruises, his nose had recently bled and he walked with a stiff posture which spoke of more bruises covered by his clothes. The Slytherin common room was silent and defiant. None of the students looked straight at their Head, who bit his uneven teeth together and snarled. Only a minute shake of the head from Draco stopped him from raining unholy terror on his House. He quickly gestured for the boy to get out and remained behind, waiting until the entrance behind the boy closed.

"Do not think I will allow you to get away with that," he said with a deceptively quiet and soft voice, which nevertheless oozed danger. "Slytherins take care of their own, no matter what side they are on. I swear to you that those of you who participated in any... unpleasantness... shall regret it most dearly." The room was silent, and no student looked straight at Severus, who held his position for a moment before turning and exiting the common room with a dramatic flourish of his robes.

Young Malfoy was waiting outside, leaning gingerly against a wall. His eyes were down, and he was avoiding eye contact. A few short years ago the boy would have threatened to let his father know what'd happened, but now the boy knew too well his father had lost his standing and it was partially his fault. His friendship with the Dark Lord's worst enemy had come back to bite him and his family.

"Is he better?" asked the boy, neglecting once again the respectful address of "sir", but Severus let it slide, remembering all too well how it was to fear for the life of a parent when his mother had been ill and his father refused to let her go to St. Mungo's.

"Yes. Draco..."

"Save it," the boy interrupted bluntly and disrespectfully. "No going back now. At least they're alive."

"Yes. We'll keep them safe." He chose to ignore the disrespect if only this once.

"For a price, of course," Draco scoffed. "There's always a price. Especially if they're charging a Slytherin."

Severus had nothing to say to that. He'd paid dearly for everything he'd gotten, and now that he was no longer a spy, he didn't know if he had enough to give to purchase protection from the Order. He was utterly at Dumbledore's mercy now, with very little of his own to give in return. Outwardly he was keeping appearances: his clothes were as pristine as always, his face expressionless and his responses strictly controlled and contained. Internally he felt at a loss. Would Dumbledore let him fall now when he could no longer be of use as a spy? Would he be cast out of the protection of Hogwarts, perhaps given to the Ministry?

The hospital wing smelled of certain potions even though various charms kept the air very clean and fresh, and the cots and their familiar sheets gave Severus bad memories of days spent here, recuperating from whatever the Marauders had thrown at him, including various broken bones and large wounds as well as embarrassing hexes and jinxes. He repressed an involuntary shiver.

Narcissa hadn't left her husband's side in the hospital wing for more than a few minutes to freshen up, as she probably would tactfully have called it if she'd lowered herself to addressing her most basic needs. She sat by his bedside and held his hand, her posture slightly crooked as she bent closer to enable a whispered conversation, but straightened her back when Severus and Draco entered. Her eyes softened when she saw her son but she let out a small cry of dismay. She let go of her husband's hand and extended her arms to her son as if he were a small child. Draco was too much of a Malfoy and too dignified to rush to her but allowed her to embrace him briefly. Narcissa was careful not to show her feelings to outsiders unless she was utterly distraught or tired, and in this case, she seemed to suffer from both.

Severus could see Lucius cast brief glances at Mad-Eye Moody, who was unconscious in another cot. It must have been humiliating to the Malfoy patriarch to end up here, and frightening to be so close to the unstable old Auror while injured. His eyes flickered between Moody and his family, and Severus could detect the outrage and fury in his eyes at the sight of his son's state. A brief exchange of glances with Severus confirmed he knew what exactly had happened. Draco had chosen the side opposing the newly-risen Dark Lord, and he'd been surrounded by the offspring of the Dark Lord's staunch supporters.

All too soon Dumbledore joined them. A quick and hushed conference with Madam Pomfrey had the matron retreating to her office with a small huff of disapproval. Albus greeted Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius politely but firmly, standing instead of taking a seat by the cot so Lucius had to look up at him. Very unsubtle, Severus thought.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, obviously false on both sides, Albus asked the boy to step away. Draco was obviously reluctant to leave his parents, but a brief word from his father sent the boy to the Matron's office while Albus asked Severus to make sure they were not overheard. Severus cast a non-verbal Muffliato and a few other Charms for good measure, making sure there were no more 'bugs' of Rita Skeeter's ilk rooting about. He nodded at Albus to confirm they could speak in confidence. Severus noted how Narcissa did not let go of Lucius' hand.

"It seems to me you are in a spot of trouble," Albus began, and Lucius glared at him. Stating the obvious was an insult, and it was clear he accused Albus and Miss Potter for his current predicament. "Nevertheless, I have promised Madam Malfoy our protection." Another insult, this time on Narcissa's title. Albus was asserting his dominance in a very Gryffindorish manner, though he was very capable of Slytherin-like cunning and polite evasion when he wanted to. Narcissa and Lucius were in no position to fight. Narcissa would remain silent for this conversation unless absolutely necessary, Severus knew. She'd leave negotiations to her husband. She and Severus were now mere witnesses. Severus kept his face deliberately and carefully blank and expressionless.

"Sooner or later Minister Fudge will pose a problem for us all," Albus continued. "We both... no, we all know it. He will attempt to take over this school, and it is my belief he'll try to bring in one of his own for the only open position we currently have."

Lucius nodded slowly, digesting the tactic. "Undoubtedly. Defence Against the Dark Arts?"

"Yes. He will oppose anyone I would wish to appoint to the post, including Auror Moody over there. Alastor left his position during the third task, and Cornelius will use that against him. I believe he will attempt to instate Madam Dolores Umbridge."

"I've not heard him speak of something like that," replied Lucius without a trace of evasion, although Severus was almost certain he was deflecting with a half-truth, and he was equally certain that Albus knew it, too.

Nevertheless, Albus nodded. "I cannot allow that. We shall need a new teacher for next school year, one Cornelius doesn't dare oppose. You."

"Me?!" Lucius' cool facade cracked with the sheer force of astonishment. "Are you out of your mind, Dumbledore?!" Narcissa, too, had been surprised, Severus noted, although her reaction was far more controlled. Her eyes were narrowed in clear calculation.

"Not at all. Cornelius believes you will continue funding his career and endeavors, and it'll be a while until he learns otherwise. When he does, we shall already have your contract signed, stamped and approved. Alastor is old and injured, and as I said, Cornelius will oppose his appointment, unless we inform him of what really transpired. He doesn't want to believe Tom has managed to return..." At this point Lucius almost jumped in his cot at the sheer audacity of Albus' address towards the Dark Lord. "...and your appointment will keep him off our backs for a year."

"You'd give yet another Death Eater shelter at Hogwarts? Three Death Eaters, if you count Bartemius, and a Death Eater's wife?" Lucius sounded bitter and scornful but also suspicious.

"Oh, no. I believe the term is now 'former Death Eater, don't you agree? And Mrs Malfoy and Mr Crouch Jr shall reside in another house. For their own protection, of course." The word 'hostage' wasn't uttered, but it still rang loud and clear.

"I see," Lucius said coldly. "So, that is the price of our lives, then?"

"I wouldn't call it a price, merely a form of protection. The Charm to keep your arm pain-free will need to be renewed quite frequently, and as you're here close to me..."

"And yet you intend to have Cissy housed with Crouch and his active Mark in another place! The Dark Lord'll trace them and kill them both!"

"His Mark shall also be cared for. You needn't worry."

"And the curse on the post is not involved, of course?"

"If memory serves, none of your teachers actually got killed and only one got hurt and chose to retire. Two went on maternity leave, I believe one got a seat in Wizengamot, one left for New Zealand…"

"Ah yes, Dawkers who got an obsession with kiwi birds, spent half the class time lecturing about Kiwis and their hidden magical properties, spent his free time outside turning stones to see if they were kiwis disguising as rocks, and disappeared to New Zealand a week before term ended. Then there was Higgs who got transfigured into a porcupine. Unless you presume I'll get pregnant and pop out a second heir?"

"We can make a contract which shall expire before spring term ends."

Narcissa placed her hand gently on Lucius' arm. "Might I have a word with my husband?" she requested coolly, and Albus acquiesced, moving away from the bed, and transparently faked interest in the various potions in one of the cabinets. Severus followed him, though he kept some distance, unwilling to discuss anything right now. Albus had told him of the plan, and though Severus detested the way Albus cashed the Malfoys for their safety, it was the way he played this game. The Malfoys had chosen the other side and now, driven to a corner, they'd be used.

Oh, the appointment was clever, very clever. Lucius was a handsome devil and the silly chits would have school girl crushes in the worst way, but Lucius Malfoy would not touch another witch with the tip of his finger even if they flung themselves at him. Narcissa might have been a cold bitch who could freeze a bloke's cock off with a glare, but she was also fiercely loyal. Though she wasn't as insane as her sister Bella, she'd kill anyone who touched her husband and probably castrate her husband if he'd dare touch anyone else, and Lucius utterly adored her. No, the young witches (and probably quite a few so-inclined wizards) would be safe from any attention, no matter how much they might have desired otherwise. Lucius was also a ruthless duellist and though he'd never taught the Dark Arts and had no formal training as a teacher, he'd be a damn sight better than some of the buffoons who'd held the Defence post. At the very least he didn't turn into a furry, slavering beast every full moon or have a Dark Lord on the back of his head.

Narcissa and Lucius were whispering. Severus had removed the Muffliato, but though the harshest sibilants were audible, the words were mainly unintelligible. Narcissa would argue for accepting the deal, which would enable at least one of the parents to remain close to their son for protection. She'd risk her own life to protect Draco, though she'd also do her best to keep herself safe. Lucius would oppose risking his wife, but Narcissa would win this argument, though they'd undoubtedly request something extra.

Soon enough the Malfoys seemed to reach their agreement and looked at Albus and Severus expectantly. Albus, who'd clearly paid more attention to them than the various phials, jars, and bottles on the shelf, strolled over with his usual dotty smile, which didn't fool the older Slytherins.

"We want Draco moved into my staff quarters," Lucius said without preamble. "He's clearly unprotected in his dormitory." The accusation stung, though Severus could scarcely deny it. There was no way he could protect the boy if he slept in his bed.

"I'm sure we could also transfer him with his friends," Albus suggested mildly.

"Our son shan't live in Gryffindor tower," spat Lucius viciously. "He'll attend his lessons but he'll live with me."

"Very well.'' Severus was certain Albus had expected this and that his suggestion had been a token protest. "I shall have the contract drafted and ready to sign later today. I'll let you rest, shall I? Madam Malfoy, we shall arrange for you to transfer to another safe house..."

"And my wife and son will stay with me for the summer," added Lucius swiftly. "Either here inside Hogwarts or the place of your choosing."

Albus nodded slowly. "Very well. Family time is important for a child, after all. Good day." He nodded briefly with a smile and strolled towards the exit.

Lucius groaned in his bed. "This is what I've been lowered to. As if my son and heir making friends with them wasn't bad enough, I'm reduced to teaching Mudbloods and blood traitors..."

"Never use that word again, Lucius," Severus said coldly.

"My, my," Lucius drawled, though he looked mildly startled. "You've certainly changed your tone! I wonder..."

Severus intended to exchange a few choice words with Lucius, but Albus' brisk and cheerful "Come, Severus!" from the corridor called him away. He saw Draco approach his parents, followed by Madam Pomfrey, and nodded curtly to the boy and the matron before following the Headmaster.


Albus Dumbledore, June 26th 1995

"He was inside my head last night." Hermione told him directly, startling him. She'd come to see him unexpectedly, escorted by Minerva, whom Albus had sent away to have a talk with her.

"Already?" asked Albus with great concern as the girl sat down in her usual chair. Albus levitated a dish of biscuits for her with a quick flick of his wand.

"Just briefly. I have a feeling he was testing it. I could sense him, but I don't think Harry ever could."

"Yes, I believe the Occlumency is responsible for that. Did your walls hold? Did he get anything?"

"No, I mean it held, and he didn't get anything, but it was so strong! I'm not sure it'll hold if he tries to dig in deeper. What if I fail and he finds out I know about the, you know, the objects?"

Albus smiled at her careful choice of words in front of the magical portraits. It was good to be cautious, even if the portraits were loyal to him. Nevertheless, this gave him an opportunity he'd been considering ever since he'd read Hermione Granger's papers. The girl was much too clever for her own good. "Would you feel safer if I locked those specific memories away, Hermione? Just the objects?" he asked carefully.

"Yes, please," she pleaded.

"Very well. I, too, would feel safer if the information wouldn't get that close to him. We must avoid all risks," he lied, knowing her Occlumency was strong enough to hide everything except, perhaps, in cases of direct eye contact. "I did not wish to suggest this to you if you were unwilling. Memory charms tend to be easier to cast and easier to remove if the subject is completely willing," he added sincerely, knowing that it'd hide his true motive. The clever girl would much too soon connect the living Horcrux Nagini with her mental connection and scar, and Albus wanted to take no chances. He still had time to look for options, any options, to save her life.

"I am willing, sir." Her eyes were determined and her jaw set, though she clutched the arm of her chair very tightly.

Destiny seemed to have her in a merciless clutch, Albus pondered. Harry Potter had died by the jaws of a creature which held a part of Voldemort's soul, and the way Hermione's memory had remained locked right until Voldemort had managed to return was ominous. It was a terrible situation for him. He could perhaps try to hide her, spirit her away somewhere safe and sound and protected, but if Voldemort was allowed to take over, nowhere would be safe. His victory would mean not just the life of Hermione herself, but the lives of not hundreds or thousands but millions of people, wizards, witches and Muggles alike.

That was something Albus had to prevent as the general of this war. He would protect and save the world, even if it meant sacrificing his own life, or Hermione's.

"Are you ready?" he asked her, taking out his wand.


A Speech by Cedric Diggory for the Leaving Feast, July 2nd 1995 (original, hand-written version)

Minister Fudge, Headmaster Dumbledore, teachers and students, witches and wizards (remember to look at each party as you address them). When I was told I was to make a speech today, my first reaction was to wonder what could I say in front of such an esteemed audience. [Something lined over heavily with a quill, then mostly removed with a charm, unintelligible] I stand here in front of you and feel both humble and honoured.

To be chosen to compete in the legendary Triwizard Tournament was one of the greatest honours a student such as myself could have imagined. To be selected from among all my peers, many of whom I consider my equals and betters, was both frightening and exhilarating. The honour to represent this wonderful school alongside champions from equally respectable and honourable institutions of magical learning warring against the fear of failure.

To win this competition was an honour I hardly dared to contemplate. My goal was to do my best, work as hard as I could and push myself to the limit. And yet I find myself even more excited by what else the tournament has brought me: experiences, chances to learn new things from new witches and wizards, and gaining new friends from other parts of our world. (keep eye contact with audience)

As I see it today, the real goal of the Triwizard tournament was not to win, but to further our relationships across borders, and that has been done. The chance to make new friends with the amazingly talented witches and wizards from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons (look at the school tables as you address them and nod to each, wave if they cheer), but also to get to know many students of my own school across all Houses and years.

I have made many good memories during this year. I had the chance to train with Mr Viktor Krum, Miss Fleur Delacour (pronounce carefully!) and Miss Hermione Potter. All four of us grew closer than I had originally anticipated and feared, and, in the end, we practised and learned together for the last task, preparing to share that final part of the competition, sharing a spirit of international wizarding co-operation like which I believe was intended.

Even if the last task did not end as it was probably intended, I believe the goal of the tournament was achieved: we have met, we have honoured our traditions, and we've made many contacts; friendships which I sincerely hope shall last a lifetime and then some.

I would like to thank the Ministry for arranging this competition. [last line hastily added between paragraphs] I thank my co-competitors, Viktor, Fleur and Hermione, for their support and for driving me on. I thank my father and mother (smile here), who have raised me to be what I am, and Hogwarts and all the teachers, who taught me all I needed to compete. I thank my lovely witch Cho for her support, and I thank all my mates in Hufflepuff. I thank you all, every student in this school and the others, for following the tournament and giving your support. It meant more than I can possibly say. This cup (hold it up) is not only mine: it is for us all.

Thank you, everyone! (remember to bow)


Albus Dumbledore, June 3rd, 1995

"We need to kill the serpent as soon as possible," Albus told the members of the Order of the Phoenix, who were currently gathered in the kitchen at Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Molly was quietly serving scones, clotted cream and tea to Severus, who'd chosen the chair furthest from Sirius, Alastor and Remus. Alastor had been especially vocal in his protests against him. Nothing could remove the taint of Dark Magic, he claimed, and once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater. Alastor had been somewhere between a tantrum and bloody outrage when he'd heard Albus had given not only sanctuary but the Defence Against the Dark Arts post to Lucius Malfoy and was currently hiding Narcissa Malfoy and Bartemius Crouch Jr in the other safe house with Petunia and Dudley Dursley. Petunia and Dudley had very vocally opposed sharing the house with two "freaks", as they called it, and both seemed quite afraid of them. It made Albus wonder just what Lily had done to her sister to make her fear and despise magic so much.

"How?" asked Kingsley briefly. "I gather it is rather poisonous, but does the Horcrux get destroyed without anyone sticking it with a basilisk fang and getting killed for their troubles?"

Albus nodded. "A living Horcrux is weaker than an inanimate object, but Nagini protects herself quite efficiently, which is why I believe Tom chose to use her."

"It still leaves us with the same question," said Emmeline softly. "We cannot very well use the Killing curse and end up in Azkaban for the rest of our lives. Not to mention using such a vile curse..." she trailed off with a shudder of disgust.

"Send in Snape. He's probably done it a dozen times," growled Alastor, and Sirius snickered. Albus sent them a reproving look which didn't really help, but there were more important things to do than get into this argument yet again. Not even the way Severus and Bartemius had helped save Hermione from Voldemort's clutches or knowing how Lucius Malfoy had been tortured had helped the men change their attitude one whit.

"It is a risk," Albus agreed. "We cannot rely on the Ministry pardoning anyone. We have one weapon which is better than a fang: the sword of Godric Gryffindor. It is coated with basilisk venom and whoever wields it just might get close enough to do the deed. Killing it in another way will probably also work, but taking off her head is fastest."

"Those of us who weren't in Gryffindor will have to distract it and give a chance to the Gryffindor with the sword," Tonks said soberly. The young witch, despite her clumsiness, was very clever and an excellent Auror, also an asset for the Order. A brief look at Alastor revealed a glimmer of pride every time the old Auror looked at the witch he'd trained.

"Yes," Albus agreed. "The venom is her main weapon. Remember that she can regulate the amount of venom she produces, so she can deliver a painful but non-lethal bite to help restrain you for capture, a bite which will start to kill you slowly, or, I believe, a bite which could kill you quite quickly." This information he'd gleaned from Hermione Granger, who'd told him of Harry Potter's encounter with Nagini.

"It bit him twice," she'd explained a few days earlier while they'd had tea in his office. "The first wound healed with Dittany, but the second one started killing him and Dittany didn't do anything. The blood didn't clot at all, and his flesh began to..." Hermione trailed off, obviously distraught.

"Why two bites?" Albus had asked. She'd told him earlier of how Nagini had ambushed a sleeping Arthur Weasley during his guard shift in the Ministry and bitten him, and the lengthy time it took for him to recover, which made him even more concerned about killing the foul beast Nagini had become.

"I think it wanted to hold him down and stop us, but then Harry somehow managed to snatch his wand and cursed it. He used this Dark curse. He got it from a book he wasn't supposed to be reading. He'd used it before on... on Draco." Hermione looked pained. "He cut the snake with it and it got furious when it bled. That's when it bit him again, hard. He'd sworn he'd never use it again, but I guess he panicked."

Albus allowed the others to discuss strategy for a while. He hoped they'd be able to take Nagini by surprise when and if she followed the previous timeline and attacked Arthur Weasley. Then, if all the Horcruxes except Hermione had been found and destroyed before the event took place, Voldemort would hopefully follow the snake into the Ministry and could be destroyed. If not, it just might be possible to lure him in with the prophecy later and defeat him once and for all.

He'd decided to keep his information about the prophecy a secret for now. Seeing how close Crouch Jr had gotten made him wary, and he also wanted genuine reactions from everyone. Perhaps Voldemort could be lured into the Ministry and then destroyed. Albus couldn't let anything give him a hint that the move was expected. Whoever Voldemort would now send instead of Malfoy to cast the Imperius curse on Sturgis Podmore and Boderic Bode, he'd have to allow it, even if it meant Sturgis ending up in Azkaban for six months and Bode at St Mungo's, though he'd make sure he'd catch the Devil's Snare before it killed him and have him protected.

He believed he'd managed to piece together the plot he'd hatched in the original timeline. Knowing the curse which seemed to have affected his hand and his weakened state, he'd have died anyway. His murder would have placed Severus deeply into Tom's confidences and enabled him to protect the students as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but it'd also have placed him as the owner of the Elder Wand as the previous owner's killer. He'd shivered when he realised he'd meant for Harry Potter to either kill or otherwise harm and defeat Severus, making Harry the owner of all three Deathly Hallows. It was a cold and ingenious strategy all at once, but there was no way to replicate it with Hermione Granger, who wouldn't hate Severus. And when he'd realised Draco Malfoy had disarmed him, he suspected the Elder Wand had already belonged to Draco when Severus had cast the final curse. His plan had been doomed all along.

Albus wasn't sure what the girl's – no, he corrected himself, she was mentally a woman– feelings for Severus were now. Hermione Potter had a crush on Severus, but Hermione Granger had confessed she'd fancied Ronald Weasley, at least until the boy had tired of being cold and hungry and abandoned his friends in the forest and gone back to his family. Her crush on Ronald had died then, and Albus suspected Ronald Weasley was now far too immature for Hermione who, despite her appearance, hosted an adult consciousness in her body. She'd lost quite a lot of her uncertainty with her change and was much more confident, but he could still see her characteristics underneath.

"Have you discussed the case of Pettigrew with Fudge?" asked Sirius keenly, leaning over the table. He was eager to be released from his confinement, though Albus was aware he'd sneaked out several times without permission.

"I am sorry, Sirius," Albus replied regretfully, "but unfortunately Cornelius is refusing to believe the body is Pettigrew's. This brings us to another great problem." He could see every eye around the table turn to him.

"Unfortunately Cornelius wasn't too happy when he discovered his financial backing had gone with Lucius. He cannot deny Lucius' appointment to Hogwarts when it's been signed, but he will be trying to interfere with the school with an outside auditor, most likely Dolores Umbridge." Albus saw troubled expressions on several faces, especially those who knew Umbridge, and was glad the members didn't frequently question his information. "He intends to stop you from getting exonerated or pardoned because he wants his hands on Hermione."

Outraged gasps and protests rose from around the table. "That is absurd!" gasped Molly, who'd allowed her sons Bill and Charlie to be inducted into the Order. "Why would he do something like that?"

"Hermione has a reputation of being intelligent, powerful and diligent and for following the rules, and that, in addition to her being the girl-who-lived, makes Cornelius believe she'd be easy to control and use as a tool to support and further his own career. How many would finance him if he were the guardian of the girl-who-lived?" He paused, looking at the disgusted and disgruntled faces surrounding him. "He fears for his position and finds it easier to question my position as her legal guardian, because we are not strictly related, nor am I her godfather like Sirius. With the release papers signed by Mrs Dursley and Sirius out of the picture he believes he can gain control over her. I believe he's plotted a nice picture of himself as the kindly supporter and father-figure to the most influential young witch of her generation, one he can easily control and bend to his will."

"Can you stop him?" asked Hestia sharply.

"No." Albus shook his head sadly. "I'll be able to delay him at best. I do have, however, a few good contacts in the ministry, including Madam Marchbanks." He smiled mischievously. "She has no great love for Cornelius," at this point several witches and wizards snorted or tittered, knowing how Madam Marchbanks utterly loathed Fudge, "and has agreed to allow her to take both her O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s this year."

A few witches and wizards looked puzzled, but most of them were both surprised and thrilled. Having her pass her tests would legally give her the rights of a grown witch regardless of her age, and Fudge wouldn't be allowed to touch her. Albus would also loose his rights as her guardian, but they shared a bond of love and affection which he doubted would suffer from her legal status.

Molly, however, looked concerned. "Won't that cause her too much stress, the poor dear? Are you certain she's ready? You know how concerned she is of her grades, and we wouldn't want her to tire herself too much."

"I assure you she'll be ready," Albus told her. "She's been receiving lessons from sixth- and seventh-year curriculum, and I'm hoping that many of you would be able to spend time with her during the summer to further her training and instruct her." Several people nodded, Sirius and Remus especially enthusiastically. Sirius had protested increasingly vocally for having so little time with his god-daughter, though Albus suspected he'd also grow increasingly disappointed when he noticed just how little she resembled Lily and James Potter.

"Won't the word get to Umbridge and Fudge through the officials who prepare the tests?" asked Kingsley.

"No, they'll be informed they're preparing standard tests to someone who's been schooled at home," Albus replied slightly smugly. "As you know, it's a standard procedure for young witches and wizards moving to Britain from abroad before they've taken their tests in another school and are in need of British certification. And she has, in fact, received tutoring at home. Hermione assures me she'll be able to tackle both her O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s in less than a week." Hermione had actually been quite anxious and concerned, but with a little prodding had decided it was a challenge and would set a new record, something which tempted her strongly.

As the Order began to talk about who would teach her and what, Albus sat down and allowed everyone to offer their help. He'd present the upcoming Azkaban breakout with the predicted date next, and someone was bound to question how he could possibly know such a detail. Lies would help; lies and subterfuge. He now had to concentrate everything he had to not only thwart Voldemort, Umbridge and Fudge, but also to save Hermione's life.