Chapter 10

May 2, 1997

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Hermione drank deeply, the water slaking her thirst. She was extremely fatigued and just wanted to bathe. She was leaning wearily against the wall next to the room she had woken up from.

She had just finished up with Ron.

He hadn't blushed at her touch and she hadn't felt anything for him. But she hadn't done the Bracelet Charm on every single person. Minerva, Snape, Dumbledore, Kingsley, and Moody were the only ones that practiced Occlumency.

Three other individuals had also not gotten the charm.

The others of the Order hadn't been able to hold out against her. James Potter had come close.

But she had gotten a glimpse of his mind.

He was putting up a front. In front of everybody. Even Harry. The pain was there. Regret was there. She didn't know why but she was curious. She had left his mind and hadn't met his burning gaze after the deed had been done.

Now she was damn tired and wanted to close her eyes for a bit. Leaning her head back, she let the stone of the wall cool her heated back and spoke quietly.

"Professor Snape, I would like for you to go down with me to the Chamber."

She didn't have to look at the others to know they were surprised. Hermione cleared her throat, cutting off the low chatter.

"Mrs. Long-"

"Just Alice will do."

"Right. Alice, you and Remus keep an eye out for suspicious activity in Diagon Alley. Remus, try and keep a close eye on those that go into Gringotts. Moody, I need you to keep a close eye around the grounds of Hogwarts and Amelia Bones. He will try and kill her in the next couple of weeks. Kingsley, help Dumbledore and watch his back. Riddle is scared of Dumbledore. That is why he never tried to kill him on his own. He wanted somebody else to do it."

She finally lifted her head and rubbed her eyes but paused as she remembered an important detail from her 6th year. She carefully reached for her wand and tapped it against her thigh. She really must be worn out if she kept slipping up on important things.

"Malfoy. Are you marked?"

His eyes seemed to darken as they clashed with hers.

"Yes. I was marked right before the start of the year."

Shock ran across several faces. Harry didn't even twitch. Hermione was surprised the Slytherin had even answered her. She rolled her shoulders.

"What tasks did he give you? Don't lie to me either. I'll know."

She hadn't seen it in his mind when he had failed to keep her out but only because he had been reciting a book she was familiar with. Occlumency wasn't the only way to block somebody out.

For a brief moment, his eyes flickered to Dumbledore and back to hers. The silver in his eyes became more pronounced as he cocked his head, shifting the candlelight directly onto his face.

"I was tasked with Albus Dumbledore's downfall. I was to kill him and fix something that is in the Room of Requirements."

Hermione withheld a wince. She hadn't liked Dumbledore and probably never would but she still remembered the heartbreak in Harry's face as he stood over the old wizard's body.

She noticed Moody and Dumbledore exchange a telling look. They must have also suspected something like that of happening.

Riddle had plans and one of them was to get rid of Dumbledore. The other was to get to Harry. But she wondered how James Potter played into it.

And why Sirius Black had been in Azkaban for so many years. There were so many details she didn't know. Harry had only told her things he had seen.

But nobody else had volunteered more information.

"Have you fixed it?"

"You know what it is?" Cool and indifferent words.

"Yes. In the other world, you fixed it. And one very important person died," she shook her head as she noticed where he glanced at.

"No. You didn't kill him. Snape did. That's where the vow comes in. Dumbledore was killed on the Astronomy Tower and fell off it in front of many students and teachers. The other Draco Malfoy was a coward. A slimy little git who loved to torment those around him. Specifically me. As a Mudblood, I was the prime target," she shrugged when she noticed James Potter's reaction to the word.

"So I hope for your sake, you don't stop."

Several people stood up, their outrage and surprise quite obvious. She waited for it to quiet down, taking note of a handful of people's lack of reaction. Those people were thinking of why already. Their realization was damn sweet to watch.

Once it quieted down, she continued.

"Fix it. Let them think they have a chance. We'll be waiting for them."

No other sign of emotion crossed his face or eyes as he answered with a nod. It was her turn to suppress her surprise.

Why was he acting so...agreeable?

Meek, he was not. She wouldn't make the mistake of thinking so. But she couldn't just ask in front of the others. Moving on to the next task, she crossed her arms and looked at Harry.

"Did Sirius leave everything to you here too or was his belongings given to somebody else?"

Harry nodded. "Most of it was given to me. Remus received a large amount of land and property. While my father received personal belongings."

Hermione kept forgetting to include James Potter into her line of thinking. Even though he was standing near her with Harry at his side, she constantly blocked him out. Almost like her mind was still processing the fact that he was alive.

"Who owns 12 Grimmauld Place?"

Remus cleared his throat, drawing everybody's attention.

"Sirius left it to me but I gave it to Albus to use as Headquarters for the Order. But we haven't used it since we all just gather at Jame's place during the summer and use my house during the school year."

That was good and bad. She didn't know where Remus lived or where James Potter stayed. But she wasn't concerned about that.

"Ms. Black, can you summon Kreacher. I figured he hasn't changed much from this world and the other so I have to make sure he doesn't run to Bellatrix with anything he hears. Summon him sometime in the next day and order him to not leak anything to anybody. He must keep quiet about everything. Also, ask him if he knows where the item Regulus gave him to destroy is located."

Narcissa turned, her eyes flickering once to Snape before she nodded. "I'll do that in the morning. We have to be back in case he comes back. What do I do after?"

"I'll ask your son or Snape to contact you. I will eventually need you for something important."

As soon as she was gone, Malfoy took another look at Hermione, his eyes searching her face before taking his leave.

Hermione followed his tall figure until the door blocked her view. She was still frowning as she addressed the rest of the people.

"I need people to round up and all support that Riddle is trying to obtain. Ms. Jones, Mrs. Tonks, try and get the word out discreetly about Dumbledore's secret 'weapon'. Spread the word amongst the Purebloods in power. Especially the ones that have been affiliated with Death Eaters."

"Call me Andromeda. If I may, why would you want to announce said 'weapon' that way? Wouldn't that draw attention to what happened earlier? Many students must have already written to their parents or even those that are close to Riddle."

Hestia Jones agreed with the older witch. Hermione shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she wondered how much to reveal. None of them fully trusted her. That was a given. But it had to start somewhere.

"The attention is already there. With Dumbledore standing front and center, I will stand right behind him. But Riddle won't know that," she looked to her right, where Dumbledore was facing the window, hands clasped together in a familiar gesture.

"Dumbledore won't say exactly what had happened until he holds a public interview. I'm sure Skeeter will pounce on the fact that good girl Hermione Granger has meddled with magic that she shouldn't have. Build my image on that. Good girl has gone bad. Or whatever it takes."

Dumbledore turned around, the twinkle in his eyes hadn't returned, but something calculating did.

"Why would you go so far as to ruin your image? Do you expect not to live after the war?"

She met his gaze, not once wavering. "I know my place. I just need to do what I have to do. The rest…let's just focus on now," she looked away and searched for Fleur Delacour. She was still standing in the kitchen, perched on a stool, with Bill at her back.

So, they were together even in this world. That was nice to know. Fleur looked up at Hermione, her eyes a deep ocean blue, and arched a perfectly sculptured eyebrow.

"Oui?"

"One-quarter veela?"

Ocean fire. "Non. I'm half veela. My mother is a pure veela."

Now that was interesting. Before, in the other world, she hadn't been close to the woman. She hadn't liked her. But now…

"Is she married?"

"Non. Not anymore. She killed him. The third husband. Or the fourth. I'm not sure."

Gasps from several other women. Hermione cast them a look. Madame Maxime was the only one not shocked. Of course not. The half-giant had most likely met Fleur's mother. She looked back at Fleur when the half-veela spoke again.

"Nobody has asked me about being a veela. Probably out of politeness," her tone of voice said otherwise.

Molly, who was standing by the kitchen counter looked down in shame.

"You knew me in your other world?"

Hermione reached up, undoing her braid. The hair was already falling out and she kept having to brush her hair out of her face.

"We knew of each other. I attended your wedding to Bill. But the Death Eaters interrupted the party. That was the beginning of our run. I officially met you when you moved in with Bill but never really talked since I was so much younger. But this world...,"

She shook her hair, letting the waves of it fall everywhere. It was a bit long. She hadn't had time to cut it. She took her wand out of her holster and would have aimed it at her hair but a noise made her lookup.

Fleur was staring at Hermione, a small dose of horror in her blue eyes. "What are you doing?"

"I didn't have time to cut it before. I cut Harry's hair but never got around to cutting mine or Ron's."

She saw Harry's hand reach for his wavy hair, his eyes darting down...blushing? She raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. It wasn't like she had cut THIS Harry's hair.

Fleur's voice drew her back.

"Let me at least cut it. I always trim my hair since it grows at a faster rate than most humans. I'll listen to what you have planned for me as I cut it." Fleur said even as she reached for a black canvas bag that sat on the kitchen counter.

Hermione switched to french. "If you feel more comfortable speaking about your mother away from their ears, we can."

Fleur paused in her search of what Hermione figured was hair shears. She replied in her native language, the tone thick and rich. "It's okay. I have nothing to hide."

It wasn't until the sound of her hair being cut that Hermione spoke, conscious of their audience. There were no whispers. Nothing. They were all listening to her. Even Luna who had gotten up to prepare something in the kitchen. Hermione shifted her legs on the stool.

"Riddle will be trying to create as many allies and followers as he can before he mounts an attack on the Ministry and the Order. He especially wants people or beings that are disposable. During my war, he sent out trolls and giants first. Followed by followers that weren't marked. Death Eaters wearing the mark," she paused as she saw several eyes flash towards Snape. "That's why I need you, Fleur. But having your mother would be a big help as well. Would she help?"

Fleur's hands stilled in her hair. "Yes. If she's bored enough, she'll help. But she'll want to speak personally to you. How short do you want your hair?"

"Let her know I wish to speak to her and about shoulder length?"

Cool hands resumed their work. "I'll let her know the delicate situation. I will get back to you about it but what if she says non? Would I be enough?"

"I just need Madame Maxime, you, and…," she trailed off as she finally looked at the one other half-giant.

Hagrid was sitting beside Dobby. Both hadn't said a word since she had entered the room. She ached just looking at them.

They were in the far corner of the room, at the end of the large wooden table. She had avoided their stares and obvious silence. She got up when Fleur stepped away from her.

Both looked the same and yet not. Hagrid was slimmer, his face thinner and more pointy. But he took up quite a bit of room with his presence. Dobby was just as loopy. His wide eyes dominated his face. The ears were just as floppy. A great pang flashed through her body as she gazed at him.

Hermione hadn't realized she had moved until she was practically touching the table they sat at.

She first reached out to Dobby and his skinny hand rose to touch her hand.

"Miss Hermione."

Her eyes blurred and she leaned down, uncaring of the audience and hugged the little body. She tried to contain her sobs but just barely succeeded. Those thin arms didn't hesitate to hug her back. She pulled back after a few more seconds and smiled through her tears.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. You saved me. When I was being tortured. You came to Harry and saved us. But you died. In Harry's arms and I couldn't help you. I-"

"It's okay, Miss Hermione. Dobby sees it too. Do- I know where you came from. All elves felt you come. That is why I came. To see what gift was given."

She couldn't help it. "A gift...one that was very poorly wrapped."

He smiled, his eyes warming. "The wrapping isn't important, Miss Hermione. Dobby knows what is on the inside by just seeing. The others will know too. Like Miss Luna. She knows too."

Hermione let go of his hand. She still regretted that she hadn't been able to save him before. She patted his hand.

"Don't die on me, Dobby. I don't want to live through that again."

He only grinned. She shook her head and stood up slowly, wincing a bit as her hip protested the movement. She took a deep breath and looked at the half-giant.

"Hagrid."

Eyes of pure black locked onto hers. He stood up as well, his face obscured by the amount of facial hair he had. He bowed his head.

"I didn't believe it when Albus told us. I saw you appear first. I saw your face from afar as you were ready to attack. I wasn't sure what I was seeing. But I see a bit of what Dobby and Miss Luna have seen."

Fleur's voice came from Hermione's right.

"I see it too. I'm half-human but I'm also half-veela. I see the aura in her."

Hagrid nodded. "It's not evil but it's also not good. It's something that makes anything non-human a bit…"

"Apprehensive. But I only get half of what Dobby sees." Fleur finished.

Hermione didn't know what to think of it. Too much was happening for her to even examine it. She felt too much at the moment to process it.

She raised a hand and Hagrid took it. She was so thrilled to see him as well. His kind eyes and her instincts were telling her that Hagrid was the same here. A gentle half-giant that was as wild as those Beasts he loves.

"It's good to see you, Hagrid."

He grinned. "Regardless of how you came here or why you carry such a dark aura, I'm happy to meet you once again."

Hermione nodded. "I'm going to have to ask you to go on a task with Fleur and Madam Maxime. Did the deal with the giants go bad? I know MacNair was supposed to be gaining their support…"

A frown. "Yes. Olympe and I went but he beat us to it. It was dangerous and not worth the effort."

"I know. I thought so too. The giants won't be a problem. Non-humans won't be a problem. I need you to go deep into the forest. Any forests that contain magical beings." she paused and with a bit of wandless magic, picked up a long lock of hair that lay on the floor several feet from her.

"Tell me, Dobby, can you sense the otherness that clings to me in my lock of hair?"

Dobby didn't even have to get close to it. "Yes. It clings to you. Dobby can even smell the danger that is part of you now. It's inside you too."

Hermione cocked her head as she passed the lock of hair to Hagrid. "I did drink-nevermind. Use this if they don't believe you. Ask them to please leave this fight to the humans and they will not be harmed."

Hagrid fingered the hair. "You would hurt them?"

Hermione stepped away from him. "I'm not the Hermione you once knew Hagrid. Even if my heart recognizes you...I'm not the same. You might be but I'm not. I will do what it takes...even if it means hurting them."

.o0o0o0o0o….

Thank you for reading.

Feedback is welcomed.

Stay safe everyone.

Vanee

Replies:

Thephoenix57: That will be explained later. Or soon. As for the Triad...She is too much for one person alone.

GrangerBlackPotter: Thank You! The story at this point is writing itself. I go with the flow.

ZoeyOlivia: A husky Luna...I just had to.

LolaSwan: At first it was but the story is writing itself. At this point in the story... it's about 55 percent sure it will be.

Elsa: Now that is a thought.