Chapter 13

May 3, 1997

Hogwarts Castle

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Theodore Nott's eyes widened. Harry looked at Nott for a second before shaking his head.

"That is...odd for us to hear. He got his fair share of comments when he was sorted in Gryffindor. But it stopped as soon as people realized who I was. It came back when he became friends with us. Especially Hermione."

Nott spoke, his eyes narrowing. "I knew it wasn't her. I know Hermione. I don't know this…"

Hermione glanced away and began to sort through the things she had taken out of the box. "I'm not her. When asked, I won't lie. But neither do I plan to tell everybody who I really am. Any sort of attachment you felt for the other Hermione...get rid of it. I feel nothing towards you except a bit of suspicion. Just like everybody else. Even Harry."

She didn't look up even as she felt Nott's stare intensify. Within minutes, she found what she was looking for. Harry hadn't been lying. The money wouldn't be a problem. Separating the documents and coin bag, she glanced up once just to address Moody.

"Check with the others. I need to know if any progress has been made. Give this to whoever is in charge of the Order's Finances."

Moody took the papers and left without a backward glance. Hermione packed everything up except for the bag of coins, shrinking them and tucking them away. She was folding the blanket when the bell rang, signaling lunch in the Great Hall. Hermione sauntered over to the room she had woken up in.

"Go eat. I'll see you later, Harry."

"Right."

She went in, closing the door gently and leaning back against it as she listened to them leave.

She slid down, her back against the door and hunched forward, tears silently sliding down her face with rapid succession. Silent cries filling her chest as she bit her lip. She had never felt so damn isolated until now. Frustration, grief, rage, and so many other emotions burst through, ripping through her defenses and barriers.

Curling into herself, she let herself mourn for her previous world and for the now. She let it all out knowing she wouldn't be able to function otherwise.

A handful of minutes later, she calmed enough to enter the bathroom. She closed the door and stared around at the small room.

It was pretty standard. As expected of Hogwarts.

She undressed, noting the basket of toiletries and clothes the elves must have set out for her. Waiting for the tub to fill, she stared at herself in the mirror above the sink. The light from the windows above it gave her enough light to see. And see she did.

Her ribs showed. Her hips and legs weren't bad but even she knew she needed to eat and rest to get back in shape. Especially if things went south and she needed to run once more.

The tub filled and she bathed silently, letting the sound of the water calm her mind and heart.

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The sun was setting, casting various shadows across the room. Hermione finished up her dinner along with Bill and Charlie. A simple meal that Dobby himself had brought her.

Frank had come by to pick up a plate before disappearing.

The other two men stood up and Bill reached for her empty bowl and goblet. She nodded her thanks and used a rag on the corner of the table to clean the area they had used. Once that was done she wiped her hands with a hand towel.

She glanced over the wooden table, taking note of the various letters from those of the Order. Dumbledore had sent her an early copy of the Daily Prophet, announcing his new position along with McGonagall's. Nobody opposed the sudden takeover. Except for the Purebloods.

It only took a few steps to reach the table and she stared over the parchment papers.

Hermione leaned forward, grabbing the unopened letter from Narcissa that Dobby had brought her. It was thick, the parchment obviously expensive. The only thing missing was the family crest. She opened it, scanning the contents quickly.

She froze when she read the last part.

Hermione reread it. But the words were the same.

'...Kreacher says that the item was never given to him. Regulus disappeared soon after and Kreacher has never been able to find the item or Regulus. But he knows of what item you speak of. He has since become terrified to even leave the kitchens.'

"Hermione?"

She whirled towards the door and it took her a few seconds to center her mind. Luna stepped in, followed closely by Moody and Severus. Luna strode forward, head tilted to the side in concern. Hermione shook her head and peered past her. She met familiar cold eyes.

"What happened to Regulus Black? I know he was a Death Eater early on but he...is he alive?"

Snape glanced at Moody before answering coldly. "He vanished a few months before Riddle fell. He is presumed dead."

Hermione closed her eyes, pinching the tip of her nose. "I need to talk to Kreacher. As soon as possible. He knows more than he is telling Ms. Black."

Blinking a few times, she sighed and turned away from them. She sorted the parchment papers. There were a few other confirmation notes and delays but those would have to wait.

"What does Regulus have to do with anything we are currently doing?" Snape questioned, his voice silky in its darkness. Hermione looked over her shoulder.

"He was probably one of the few people back then to figure out Riddle's true intentions with Dark Magic."

Moody's magical eye swirled around widely. "You think he might be alive?"

Hermione used Narcissa's note and pressed it against the table firmly. "He was killed in my old world. He had found out the truth and ordered his elf, Kreacher, to destroy the item he had found. But you see, it can't be destroyed with a simple spell or object as I said before."

Bill and Charlie walked out of the kitchen, both of them obviously listening to the conversation. She waved her fingers over the parchment papers and observed as they burned quickly with magical fire.

"Let's go."

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It was easy to enter the chamber. Just a few whispered words and they were in.

They all looked around once they stepped inside.

It looked the same. Large pillars in the form of snakes lined the rocky walls. There was hardly any water. Hermione was the first one to move.

Her steps echoed across the open stone pathway. Even from afar, the carcass was massive. More footsteps followed her.

Hermione came to a stop inches from it. Luna came to stand beside her.

"It's quite magnificent. Alive or not."

"Yes. It's also quite useful. The containers, Professor Snape?"

They took a few minutes, carefully extracting the teeth.

In total, they took ten.

Hermione closed the lid and picked it up before gazing at the others.

Luna was still standing in front of the head, fingers trailing across the bone under the jaw.

Moody was staring up at Salazar's statue. Bill was further down, staring at it with a hard face.

She paused as she remembered why. Ginny had been here. This was the one place that had probably hunted the young red-head girl.

Hermione took a deep breath and turned away only to stare at Charlie Weasley.

He had stayed close to her, his presence almost too much for her senses. He just emitted too much otherness. Almost as if something else lived within his skin that wasn't human. But it was probably just her mind playing tricks on her.

"So, a Horcrux can only be destroyed by stabbing it with a fang?"

Hermione glanced down at the box. "It is a sure way to destroy them. I know of two other things that can destroy it but haven't really had the time to find more."

Snape's robes brushed her boots as he passed her by with his own box. He had taken two extra fangs to look closer at the poison and a few other things he had found around the carcass.

Moody's leg sounded louder as he made his way back to them. Hermione followed Snape's figure, holding tight to the box in her arms. She ignored the others but not deliberately.

She was concerned about Regulus Black and the locket. If he wasn't dead...where was he?

They arrived back at the tower without encountering any students. It was closer to midnight now so they hadn't expected to find students roaming. They had also made sure to pass by the Ravenclaw Tower for Luna.

The blond girl had smiled tiredly at Hermione before slipping inside.

She left the box with the other one on the wooden table. She pulled out a chair and drew out the small piece of parchment paper from her pocket.

"These are the ingredients for the Wolf's Bane Potion. I need somebody to go buy them. Half of them won't be here. Not even in your personal stash, Professor Snape."

He was standing at the door, his face obscured by the shadows of the small hallway. He didn't move an inch as he replied.

"Will you alone be making the potion?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'll be too busy with everything else. I was going to ask this of you but I know how tasking it is to do spy work for both sides. Sometimes you won't be able to keep track of it. I'll step in then. If that is acceptable for you?"

Even in the dark, she knew his eyes would narrow. He wasn't used to somebody...like her. To give him a straightforward answer. To listen to his opinion.

Years of being used and talked over would make anybody miserable. Of course, that didn't excuse his nasty personality. That was just Snape.

"That is acceptable. I'll head out tonight."

She heard what he didn't say. She reached for the thick envelope next to the bowl of fruit.

"There is one of the coins that I gave Dobby. It works the same except it is an actual coin. Leave me a message when you are summoned. It's easier than leaving and going too."

She made her way to him, conscious of the hostile tension coming from him. He was tense. He didn't like that she knew what he did. What he had done in the other world. Hermione handed him the envelope.

"There's money for the ingredients in there as well as a few other things that we'll need."

He took it, casting a long look that she was finally able to meet in the dark. Something crossed his face for a split second before his obsidian eyes went completely blank. He was out the door in seconds, leaving a spicy scent of mint.

Her hip pain made its presence known as she turned back to the others. She rubbed it gently and carefully walked back.

Moody sat down while Charlie turned to Hermione.

Bill opened the box containing the fangs. He held it firmly in his hands. "Will it react negatively when it's being destroyed? The Horcrux?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. It will see the destroyer's greatest fears. Greatest desires. It will fight back. It's a soul. It's alive. Once it's destroyed, the item sometimes comes out unscathed. Or it gets damaged. We'll do it tomorrow since I'm sure you all need to rest."

Moody grunted. "What of the children? The Slytherins and Potter's friends aren't going to just stand back, I know I mentioned it before but you can't underestimate the Slytherin students."

That was true. Hermione leaned against the table. "I'll have Harry's friends deal with the Slytherins. They will train harder, especially the older ones. I need them to be ready for anything. Riddle doesn't see the difference between young or old. Everybody is in danger as long as he's alive."

Charlie grabbed his bag, which he had left on the blue couch facing the fireplace, and drew it over his shoulder. "They have a meeting tomorrow. Ron told me earlier. It will do good for them to see you and others of the Order take them seriously. Less foolish things will happen that way."

That was exactly what she was thinking. Bill shrugged his shoulders. "I'll help. I know a lot but it probably won't do them any good. Most of it is centered around Dark Magic."

Hermione brushed her hair away from her face and sighed. There was so much she needed to keep up with. But that was also a good thing. She didn't have to think of the damn hole in the center of her chest that ached. Even now she felt the lonesome pain.

Bill and Charlie both shared one room, something that had amused Charlie. Something about having to share a room with his brother once again. Moody used the other one. Hermione had made herself a cup of tea before doing the same.

It was after midnight that she was finally done putting her current plans in order. Most of it was a mental checklist since she didn't want to leave evidence behind. The few things she left out were charmed and locked away in both boxes.

Using simple charms and spells, she made them invisible to the eye. Hiding them in plain sight.

A quick shower and a few potions later, she was ready for sleep.

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"This is so odd."

Hermione frowned. Somebody was in her room. She reached for her wand and rolled, opening her eyes too late. Coldwater washed over her head and she yelped.

"I was going to warn you but I thought it was better not to actually touch you."

Hermione grimaced. Sure she was going crazy. She blinked the water out of her eyes and crawled out of...the pond? A quick glance around only confused her further. It was an open space that was half dark and half-light. The floor was dirt except for the oddly placed ponds. Hermione tightened her hold on her wand and slowly stood up.

The sight in front of her made her freeze in shock.

There was a clone of her in front of her. Hermione blinked several times, utterly confused. "What in the…"

The clone smiled wearily. "Yes. It's quite a shock, isn't it? One moment I'm falling asleep and the next I find myself...wherever this is. But I was warned this would happen until the switch settles."

Hermione swallowed hard as it began to make sense. "You're the other one. The Hermione everybody in the world I'm in knows."

The other girl nodded. "Yes," the smile on her face turned sad. "You are the woman Ron is in love with. But it was Harry who figured it out when he mentioned something…"

Shite. She had forgotten about that. Hermione closed her eyes briefly. "Yes. I slept with Harry. Many times. If you know that then he must have told you everything?"

"Yes. It was a shock since I've never been with anybody. But that detail isn't important. The war...is over. But the aftermath…" Pain in those eyes so much like her own.

"Many of the people you once knew are dead. I feel like I got the better end of the deal. What do I call you? It would feel odd to call you by...Hermione."

"Mione works. It's what everybody called me before."

Hermione thought it was a little odd still since the boys had once done so too. But it was better than calling her clone or girl.

"I slept with Harry during the time Ron abandoned us. Out of depression and need to feel like a damn human. It wasn't about passion. Or lust. But to feel alive."

Mione's eyes shadowed. "I understand. We're all staying at Hogwarts. Most of the students have been taken home or are searching for their parents. I'm staying with Harry and Ron. Both of them...they are all grieving. I feel so out of it and yet...I feel like I belong here-there. I don't know why it must be this way but I don't hate it."

Hermione studied the other her. Those eyes were bright with life. If a bit fatigued. Probably due to the current events in that world.

"I chose it. I could have died and you would have stayed in your world. It's my fault you're there."

"Die? You were that injured?"

Hermione touched her hip, where the biggest wound had been. "Yes. If I had stayed I would have died. Harry or Ron would have found me. After all of that...I couldn't do that to them."

"That would have been too much. Harry came looking for you. He had panicked when he noticed you gone."

It warmed her heart to know that. It made the hole in her chest a smidge smaller.

"Take care of them for me. Do what you can for them. By the way, I have a vault in Gringotts with all the money I have to my name. As for your parents...I'm sorry they did that to you. I feel bad since you won't have them in that world either. I obliviated them to keep them safe."

Mione already shaking her head, a sad smile taking over. "I'm used to being without them. It won't make a difference. There is money-"

"I know. Harry told me. About Theodore Nott…"

Hermione saw the blush that crept up the other girl's face. But within seconds, sadness flashed in those brown eyes.

"He's a Slytherin. I mistakenly went up to him and he stared blankly at me. No emotion. He was once my best friend. You met him, didn't you? We dated last year for a few months. But it never went anywhere. If you can tell that I miss him and wish him the best for me?"

"I can do that. I was only going to warn you about it. There are many differences in our worlds. Did Death tell you the exact number of times we would meet in our dreams?"

Mione brushed at her hair. It was shorter than Hermoine's own hair. It was also a lot straighter now that she really looked at it. "The way he said it made it sound like it would be no more than three times. It also won't be all of them in a row."

"So it can happen years from now?"

The other girl gently shrugged. "I think so. About Harry, I meant the one I knew-"

It happened fast. Too fast for her eyes to keep up. Once a second she was listening to Mione and the next she was staring at the ceiling. The morning sunlight barely peeked through the windows.

She sat up slowly, gently shaking her head. She didn't realize she was crying until a tear dropped on top of her hand. She stared at it as her vision blurred with fresh tears.

They would be okay. She now knew for sure they would be. Mione would help them. Now she needed to do her own part and accept that this was her world.

More tears fell. But she let them fall, not fighting her emotions.

There was nobody to see them.

Just her and the morning sun.

…...o0o0o0o0o0o0o….

Thank you for reading. Please stay safe during this time.

Thank you for understanding.

Vanee