A/N: For those that have stuck with this story, thank you. I lost my inspiration for a while. I have a few chapters ready that will be released over the next few weeks. 11 July 2020

A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 30

May 7, 1994

London, England

Albus had been in this cage for almost five days now. His temper had become noticeably short. It was unacceptable that none of his Allies had been able to release him yet or get Minerva fired. That should have happened within hours of him being brought here. Maybe even a day. But FIVE!

He paced the four steps it took to cross the cell and turned. It was all he could do to keep from cursing.

How had Minerva managed to get around him without him knowing? He had spies everywhere, except a few key offices. They were firmly in the hand of Amelia Bones and all the staff in them where so effing loyal that he had learned long ago not to bribe or blackmail. Some of those early confrontations with the woman during her meteoric rise in the Ministry had set him back months or years. The fact that Fleamont Potter had taken her under his wing had been a huge boost to her.

He had thought once the Potters and a few others had been removed, that he would be able to get free reign over her circle. How wrong had he been?

Now it was obvious that Amelia was working against him again. Minerva had found a way to get to the woman. It was the only explanation he had to explain how he had been outplayed.

As he went over everything he knew, so many of the pieces fit.

He now knew that Bones and McGonagall both had to be eliminated. He knew just pushing them to the side would not resolve anything.

To start on his plans, he needed out of the cell, he needed his wand and he needed his damned phoenix. Fawkes should have come to his call, even in this cell. He could have already been working this from the outside.

A door at the far end of the hall opened and he stopped pacing.

"Are you sure you don't want an escort, Madam Bones," an Auror asked.

"No thank you, Dawlish. I think I can handle this on my own," she told the man.

He took in a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He really wanted his lemon drops. For now, he would need to use the old techniques he had learned years ago when he mastered Occlumency and Legilimency. Her boots clacked on the floor as the door shut behind her. By the time she had reached his cage, he felt the calm required to practice occlumency. Until that night Harry and Edmund had survived, he had rarely resorted to potions to calm himself. Maybe he was becoming too reliant on them as he still felt his anger close to the surface.

She stood there, ramrod straight and looking at him. "I thought I would take the pleasure myself of presenting you with the charges against you."

Albus kept his face placid. "I have valid defenses that the Wizengamot will find acceptable. I am also going to protest you as Chief Warlock of my trial. We have too much history, Amelia, for you to be unbiased."

She snorted. "Albus, I shall not sit your trial. As you said the animosity between us is great and widely known. It will be sat by thirteen parties as neutral as we can find. I also look forward to seeing your defenses, Headmaster. Though, if the documents we found in your office are part of it, you may want to consider a different defense. At the Potter's request, Gringotts has kept a copy of all missives they sent to the Regent Potter. There is a record of notification within three hours of the Potter's death of the change in Will and that the proper information was sent to whom the Potters requested. They also sent the proper paperwork for Guardianship of the Potters. Lord Black never received either missive."

He felt his blood run cold. That was an awful specific request by the Potters to do that. Had they suspected him already?

"That is a very good story, Amelia, but the Potter's Will was sealed as part of the protection protocol for the boys. It would have been very easy to track them down in those first weeks if they or their Regent had to be exposed. All mail was forwarded to their Protector."

Her hard look didn't change. "You mean the protection protocol that made you their Protector and expired two weeks after you put it in place? How did you manage to bury that paperwork and the two clerks that filed it for you?"

Albus swallowed. She knew. She knew how they had been able to seal their will and how he had become Harry's Guardian. With the Longbottom's incapacitated within the two weeks of Voldemort's defeat, Sirius in Azkaban and Minerva under his thumb by her oaths, he had been able to suppress the Will and to declare Regency of their House. She needed to be eliminated as soon as he got out of this cage. He would have to call in some favors from his underworld associates.

"I did not bury anyone. As for the clerks, I am unaware of anything happening to any clerks in the Magical Records department. I must admit I am unaware of who was clerk at the time. I had one of my secretaries file the paperwork."

Amelia pursed her lips and put her hands behind her back. "Another violation of DMLE and Wizengamot rules on such matters. You were the Chief Warlock at the time. Such a request is only to be presented by the Chief Warlock, the Head of the DMLE, Head of Child Wizarding Service or their case worker in the CWS. Crouch and Aberdeen have already given us a sworn affidavit they did not and no CWS agent was ever assigned to them. That is a violation of the Child Protective Acts, even if they were a Protection Protocol."

His eyes burned. How in Merlin had she found all this out! More importantly was why was she revealing all this. "That day many things were very hectic and I had to bend the rules. I was more concerned with protecting the Potter boys."

"There are ways to bend the rules, and you violated every single one of them. From where I am standing, it seemed you were concerned with eliminating their guardians."

"It was you that gave the DMLE, or should I say Auror Black, the lead to find Pettigrew. It was you and Crouch that sent three suspected Death Eaters to hunt down the Lestranges and their associates. Amazing how they slipped every trap and investigation for almost a month, while almost every other suspected Death Eater at the time was apprehended within two weeks."

"Even more amazing that the DMLE unclassified their address. Something that is only to be done if an Auror is under investigation and there is a signed warrant for search or apprehension. I have not been able to locate either document in the Ministries records for the Longbottoms."

"It was not found until three weeks after they attacked the Longbottoms that Yaxley, Corbin and Bulstrode were named as suspected Death Eaters. They were all released after testifying they were under the Imperious curse," he told her. He had at least covered some of his tracks well.

"Fine. You outplay me there, but I think if Lady Longbottom ever knew some of these details, she would castrate you the first time she saw you."

His cheek quirked below his left eye. Augusta would do just that. "I didn't think you dealt in speculation, Amelia."

She shrugged. "Sometimes things slip when you have too much to drink. Even the best of us need to let go at times."

He licked his lips, a very uncharacteristic move on his part. He very much wanted one of his lemon drops right now. Perhaps he was addicted to the calming draught in them. That was a known side effect if you consumed more than recommended. "I would see you before the Wizengamot for sharing secrets you are not too."

She shook her head. "I am sorry, Albus. You don't have that authority anymore. The Wizengamot stripped you of Chief Warlock about thirty minutes ago. I know some of these charges will stick this time, even if you get out of most of them. You won't be Chief Warlock ever again."

A scroll came to her hand. "One-hundred and forty-three charges. Eighty-four carry life sentences in Azkaban. Ten are the Veil. There are some other interesting punishments as well." She paused as a Cheshire cat grin spread her face for a moment before going back to her even expression. "I have you this time old man."

He fought to keep a steady breath. Even at the height of the Death Eater trials, not one of them faced more than twenty counts that would be a trip to Azkaban. And none more than six that would be the Veil. There had been no love loss between them over the years. With this many charges, he knew it would be highly improbably to wheedle out of all of them.

"We have combined the charges from an investigation into Line Blockage and Denial of the House Black with all the other charges presented to us since September. Evidence has been presented that Lord Black is innocent and that you and Minister Bagnold sent him there without even an investigation, let alone a trial. It seems convenient that the four Aurors involved at the initial crime scene are all dead. Two of them were in their early twenties at the time."

She paused as though expecting him to speak. When he didn't, she went on. "You will stand trial next Friday. Until that time, you will be in this cell. You have not called on any Counsel. Would you like the Wizengamot to provide one?"

He glared at her. She was silently basking in what might be his downfall behind her mask.

"What do you want, Amelia? Why show me some of your cards before we walk into those chambers?"

She smiled. "I can see some of these charges dropped for incomplete evidence. Maybe a special prosecutorial deal, should you work with the DMLE on other investigations. I have enough to hang you from your balls Diagon Alley, Albus."

His cheek twitched again. How had Minerva bought Bones as an Ally? The woman played everything by the Law, but she wasn't above using the tools that any Politician would use. The irking thing was that she played so by the book, all her actions were documented in Wizengamot or DMLE records and backed by laws. His hatred for the woman doubled. "What do you want?"

"I will have a Solicitor come to you tomorrow. You can have any Council you want to look over the documents. You are going to plead guilty to four charges. The Blockage charges against Lord Black. The Blockage charges against Scion Potter and Scion Peverell per the Scion Rights Act. And the charges that you suppressed a certified Will of a Peerage House."

"That would ruin me, Amelia. Any of those charges are a lifetime stay in Azkaban. You know how the other Houses will turn against me on fear the same thing could happen to them. There are things going on that you do not understand," he said, his anger breaking.

"Like the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

His magic wanted to erupt at her, but the magic suppression anklets absorbed anything he brought to the surface. He wasn't strong enough to overpower them. Not without his wand. His breathing grew short as he tried to tamp down his fear and anger. "Whatever Minerva McGonagall told you, it is a lie."

She shook her head. "I might have believed you if you had not made a vow to the contrary. We have performed a priori incantato on your wand. Some very interesting spells for one that watches over children all day and is the leader of the largest coalition of Light families in the Wizengamot. Would you like to read all the charges before you consider my deal?"

He held his tongue this time. Minerva had outmaneuvered him in a grand ploy he had utterly failed at. Now, all he could do was mitigate the damage. He could not go to Azkaban. "What do I gain from pleading guilty?"

She held her steady expression, but Albus saw the look of triumph in her eyes. He was going to kill her as soon as he could. He would not be controlled. "I will drop forty-three charges that may not have all the evidence I would like. The rest will go into an inactive investigation status for now. You will be given a stay of detention for as long as you don't step out of line."

"The Goblin Liaison office has also worked out a deal that if you return all Potter heirlooms you still have in your possession or can retrieve them, that they will drop the Wright of Treaty Breach. They have ten that are of particular interest. You would be free to negotiate a deal to step back onto Goblin Nation soil if you were to retrieve those. After that," she said with much steel in her voice, "you will tell me and a very select team all you know about Voldemort, his Death Eaters and why it is was so Morgana-be-damned important to torture that young boy."

The look on her face was so steely and deadly, Albus realized that he had made a true enemy out of a truly dangerous woman. From his five days in this cage it was apparent her influence in the Ministry was at least equal to his or the Minister's, if not more so. Eliminating her was not going to be easy. What she was asking for was beyond anything he wanted to do. What he knew about Voldemort was imperative to keep secret. If any of the old supporters of Tom, or Tom himself, found out even a fraction of what he knew, he doubted he would survive a week without his wand. He was also sure that Tom would come back stronger than he was before.

Albus knew he needed to remain free. He needed the positions he had to keep the Death Eaters and other Purebloods from taking over. It was a delicate balancing act to keep all the groups in line. Having the Purebloods and those that opposed their beliefs constantly at each other had allowed him to keep their world more or less stable and locked away from the muggle world. He couldn't imagine what would happen if the magical world were to adapt to the changing muggle world. Surely a major breach would occur.

"May I have that parchment," he asked her, reaching out for it. She had still been holding it for him.

"Would you like me to stay a few minutes," she asked handing it to him.

He didn't answer as he took it. It was heavy. Unfurling it, he saw it was actually five parchments. He took several minutes to look at them. As he did, fear overtook his anger. Three of the charges about child abuse could have him drawn and quartered and hanging by his balls in Diagon Alley. That had not just been a jest. Some of the laws were hundreds of years old, but he had little doubt they were still active. Amelia was too good to not have verified that.

Given the shear amount of charges, he knew he would not come out of a trial unscathed. Even if only three or four of the more serious ones were lain on him, it would be the end of his career and possibly his life.

Where had he gone so wrong to be caught like this. Scrunching his brow as he read, he started to realize that all of these were true, and as he read them many details came to mind that would substantiate them. He was being presented with a list of charges that made him to be almost as bad as the man he was trying to save them all from.

"It's all for the Greater Good, Albus," Grindelwald had said before kissing him.

It had all been for the Greater Good.

Everything on these sheets had been for the Greater Good. A very slight doubt crept into him. Was he any better than Tom or Gellert if he did the same thing?

Perhaps eliminating the two women was too harsh. They were skilled and passionate. Even Grindelwald had tried to turn his enemies before eliminating them. The man recognized talent when he saw it and had always moved to pull it in. Even at seventeen, that was how Dumbledore had fallen for the two-year older boy.

"I will allow the dignity of having the pleas sealed if you cooperate so you can retire with dignity. It is more than you deserve, but it might prevent a revolt." It was a masterful ploy on her part.

Taking in a deep breath, he rolled up the parchments. She may be right. Now was not the time for his supporters to revolt. For the first time he also felt conflicted. Surely, he hadn't fallen that far? "And your Allies would approve of that?"

"My allies trust my judgement. They will know of your guilt. I only offer this because you have value. The Prophet has not been notified of what really happened yet in your office or that you face a trial next Friday."

"I would like to see the documents and have my Solicitor, Ian Brown, review them before I agree to anything. Will I get my wand back?"

She inclined her head. "Your wand is yours. The documents are still in review. I expect them to be ready tomorrow morning. I can provide you with materials to send your Solicitor an owl to be here at a time you recommend. Head Scrimgeour and our Solicitor General shall present the paperwork to you at that appointed time."

He sighed. Much of his anger bleeding away. "May I send two other owls?"

"To whom," she asked.

"Nicholas Flammel and the Board of Governors at Hogwarts," he told her.

He hated Minerva right now. She was the cause of his downfall. He didn't see another way out of this yet. He wasn't sure if he should try to get out of it. If Amelia was this confident, he doubted that she would have incomplete evidence, or a fumbling Solicitor, to press the case. Given that, it was better to staunch some of the bleeding before it occurred. He hadn't lied that he had been preparing Minerva for years to take over as Headmaster. Her love of all the students and the school were the largest reasons he had groomed her.

Personally, he had hoped she would have become Head Mistress many years ago. Originally, he had hoped to retire when he passed a hundred. Nicholas had offered to do more work with him on dragon's blood. It was a tempting offer to work with the most skilled alchemist in the last thousand years, but then there was the war, and the Potter brat to protect. Tom was still out there, but if someone like Minerva and Amelia could unravel so many years of careful planning in mere months, maybe it was time for him to step aside.

She looked at him for a long moment. "Very well. No tricks though, Albus. Communications to your Solicitor will be protected and sealed when you hand then to us per DMLE rules. The Aurors will read any other letters you send before they go."

He inclined his head. "Very well."

-oOo-

St. Mungo's, London, England

Minerva was very pleased to be on her feet again. Andromeda had cleared her to leave and she was just making sure she had everything. As she made sure the clasp was secured on her satchel there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she said loudly.

The door opened and Ted Tonks walked in. "Ah, I was hoping to catch you before you left."

"It is very nice to see you today, Ted. I wasn't aware of any appointments," she told him.

The man smiled a broad smile. He was short compared to her or his wife. Perhaps just topping five feet, where Andromeda was closer to five-eight. His dark hair was starting to bald and his stocky build still looked like he was in the prime of his life, even if he was five years older than Andromeda. "No. No appointments today, but I thought I should check in on one of my largest clients. Andi was very worried when you were brought here last week."

She gave the man a smile back. "Thanks to your wife I have recovered to tip-top shape."

"Brilliant. Perhaps I should invite you over for a drink soon. I think Andi would like to get to know your godchildren a little better."

"I would like that." She looked at him. "You didn't just come to see if I was better though."

He laughed softly and shook his head. "You never were one for tact or small talk. No. I have another client that has requested to see you. I thought if I caught you before you went back to Hogwarts that might be best."

She raised an eyebrow. "What client, Ted?"

He looked at her for a moment. "Your sudden friendship with Amelia Bones has moved proceedings along much quicker than normal. My client would like to thank you. He would rather people not know he was here, though."

She looked at him a little apprehensively. The man had not steered her wrong yet. There was only one case that she would enjoy to see process faster than it was and that man was in a holding cell in the DMLE. Who could it be? "Very well."

He nodded and opened her door. She did one last look around. He held the door open for her and motioned her through. The man had always been a gentleman that way and she was very approving Andromeda had decided to accept his proposal. "To the left. He is down the end of the hall."

She turned and saw two Aurors in their burgundy robes standing outside a door. Her lips pursed. "Is it safe, Ted? I have just recovered and would like to get back to my godchildren and school."

"If I thought there any danger in this, I would never have asked, Minerva. It is not just you I would have to answer to," he said jovially.

She snorted. No. She imagined Andi would not go easy on him if she were to get hurt because of him. She nodded and walked down the hall. As she approached, the Aurors didn't say anything or stop her. She didn't recognize either of them. One of them was a tall woman who looked to be in her later forties and the other a young man who looked barely old enough to be a fully qualified Auror.

"You can just go in if you want. I think he would like to talk to you alone first," Ted said.

She looked at him one more time before knocking on the door. When no one answered, she walked in at Ted's urging.

The light in the room was much lower than in the hallway and she had to blink a few times.

"Close the door," a croaky voice came for the single bed in the room.

She did as asked and stood by the door to allow her eyes to adjust to the light.

As they did, a very emaciated man came into view. He had scraggly black hair, a beard that covered most of his face and hazel eyes that stared back at him. She took in a few breaths to look at the man. A tear came to her eye to see him in such shape.

"Hello, Professor. It's been a long time."

"Sirius Black," she said dropping her satchel and moving to his side. "Dear Merlin. You look like death was dragged over you."

The man snorted and then coughed. "He just about was."

She sat and took his hand in hers, careful not to squeeze too hard. "I always knew you never betrayed James and Lily that way. No one told me they had taken you back to the mainland."

He looked at her for a few. "I hear I have you to thank for that."

Shaking her head, she responded, "If we could have found proof sooner, you would never have been left out there all these years."

"Are Edmund and Harry alright?"

She smiled at him. "They are now. I can bring them if you like?"

He feebly shook his head. "I don't want them to see me like this. Besides, the Ministry hasn't cleared me yet. There is a hearing tomorrow."

"That is why Ted is here," she said.

"Just as quick as you were at school. By the way, how did you figure out what we got up too?"

She smiled, remembering the antics and hell their group had raised. "I have my secrets I would keep from you. I would rather not have the sons of Prongs knowing how to get around me."

The man gave a weak chuckle. "Good. Sounds like they get up to no good. James would be proud."

Her smile grew sad. "James and Lily would be very proud of them."

He melted into the pillow on his bed. "Good. Good," he said sounding tired. "Good." The man drifted off.

She let some tears fall to see this once vibrant young man so near death's door. She held his hand for a bit before brushing the hair out of his face. She would have someone else now to help take care of them. First though, he needed to get better.

The door opened and Andi walked in. After closing it, she quietly walked over to the bed. "How bad is he?"

"You know I can't tell you that," she told her softly.

"Damn your oaths, Andi. This man is family like James and Lily were. Fleamont and Euphemia adopted him in all but blood. He doesn't have anyone but us. Tell me how he is." She looked up at Andromeda with a hard look.

"To tell you the truth, I have no clue how he is alive now," she said after a moment. "It is only his will and magic that seemed to have sustained him for a long time. He's malnourished and has some severe vitamin deficiencies. If he survives the next few days of the treatments we have started, it will take months for him to become strong enough to leave here. He's going to need a mind healer too. He keeps mumbling about James and Remus. Sometimes he laughs. Sometimes he screams uncontrollably. Sometimes he acts as though he is stull hunting Pettigrew. You know what dementors do to people at times, Minerva."

She nodded. "I will authorize any payments St. Mungo's needs to heal him from the Potter accounts. The boys should know their godfather and he should be part of their life."

Andi gave her a sad smile. "Minerva, all his expenses will be covered. Tomorrow he is going to be cleared of all charges and then he will have access to all Black Vaults in Gringotts. Ted and I are going to take over receivership of the House until he is well enough."

Minerva sighed. "I can never thank you and Ted enough."

Andromeda's smile turned more pleasant. "He is family, Minerva. How about coming over next weekend? Ted said he already extended the invitation."

"And you are sure you want me to take my godchildren," she asked.

Andi snorted. "I think with Sirius back in the picture, it's going to be inevitable. I'll send you an owl with permission to pull Nymphadora too. It's time she meets some of her cousins."

Minerva nodded.

-oOo-

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Let me use something in your hair," Daphne asked for the fourth time.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't like products in my hair. They usually make it feel stiff or greasy," she responded.

Tracey and Susan sat below them. "You could have such beautiful hair if you use Sleekeasy's or something," Susan said to her.

"What is wrong with her hair the way it is," Padma said from behind them.

Today Hermione was having a rare day with the girls while Edmund and Harry were practicing with the quidditch team. It was two weeks away from the final match, and after Slytherin's win yesterday, everyone was riled up for the next match. Gryffindor had to win with at least 290 points after Slytherin had racked up almost four-hundred in a crushing defeat for Hufflepuff.

"I just want to revise Magical Theory," she said before wincing as Daphne tried to brush a knot out of her hair.

"I'm not trying to hurt you."

"Can you take a day off? It's beautiful out," Tracey said with her cloak off, and leaning back in a dress that was well above her knees. Weekends they did not need their uniforms and she was happy to be in a pair of jean shorts.

"We did yesterday."

"You had a book in your lap halfway through the match," Daphne said to her.

"You should wear a shirt without long sleeves too," Susan said, who was in a shorts sleeve dress like Tracey. They really had become good friends.

"I'm fine the way I am," she told them, even if she did feel a little warm.

"Oh, there they go again," Parvati said excitedly.

She looked up to see Edmund diving and Harry a heartbeat behind. She tensed, as she always did to see Edmund doing that. He loved to fly. She liked to see him, but she would never get used to it.

Daphne let out a small, "Brilliant," as Harry came out the victor. Right now, Edmund was catching it once to every two times Harry did. When it came to seeking, Harry was better.

She preferred to see Edmund flying lower with the chasers. Wood was still having him do half a practice with the chasers before flying with Harry.

"Have you noticed that Harry has grown," Parvati asked them.

She felt Daphne pull on her hair. "OW!"

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Daphne told her. "Yeah, Potter isn't as mousy. What of it?"

Hermione was still fighting tears back as Daphne started to brush her hair again. She was happy her friend was being gentle this time. Parvati looked at Daphne. They gave each other hard looks. "Just saying he's taller," Parvati said.

Hermione could guess at Daphne's reaction. She knew she liked Harry. Apparently, she wasn't the only one. Daphne stuck her nose up after a few and concentrated on her hair.

"Soooo," Tracey said looking at them. "How about a swim in the Black Lake this afternoon? It is getting really warm."

It was a rare hot morning in the Highlands. She tried to keep an easy face. "You go without me, I'll go to the Library."

They looked at her. "You sure?"

"Yeah."

"I think Wood is calling it," Susan said nodding to the pitch. All the players were flying down to the center of the pitch. It was getting close to lunch and she was feeling hungry.

"It would be fun to go swimming," Daphne said to her, starting to plait her hair.

She looked out towards Edmund, knowing he wouldn't go and she wanted to be around him this afternoon. Auntie Min was supposed to be coming back today, but she wasn't feeling as safe without her here. Daphne, Neville, Harry and Edmund seemed to be the only ones she truly felt alright around.

"You go. I'll get Edmund to go with me," she told her best mate.

"I was hoping to ask Harry and Edmund to join us," Padma said next to her.

"Edmund doesn't like to swim," she said quickly. Padma was looking at the brothers. Why would she feel like she would need to keep Edmund from the Patils? She knew Parvati was one of Harry's good friends, but she wasn't sure she liked the looks on either girls' face.

Daphne finished plaiting her hair and tied a ribbon in it. "Come on, Hermione. Let's go wait for the boys."

"So I can still ask Harry," Parvati asked.

Daphne pursed her mouth. Hermione knew that she was still spooked from Easter, but the blonde liked Harry.

As they walked away, she heard Susan, "I told you to leave Edmund and Harry alone."

They made it down to the pitch and then the locker room entrance. A little while later, she wrapped her arm around Edmund's like she had since they were little. Ed didn't seem to think anything about it as he continued talking about the practice. She stared at Padma when they approached. Padma looked at them and then Edmund again.

Hermione had liked Padma, but she wasn't as sure now.

Harry, Ron and Seamus were with them. "So, who wants to go for a swim after lunch."

Ron and Dean got big smiles. "Sounds brilliant," Ron told them.

Harry looked a little reticent. "I guess. Are you going," he asked looking at them.

Edmund tried to keep a smile on his face. "I don't swim. I think I'll go to the Library after lunch."

She smiled a sweet smile at Padma. She knew Ed. Padma didn't look that perturbed. "I'll go if you are, Harry," Daphne said with her mask up. Harry looked at her funny.

"Alright, maybe," he said.

"Oh, come on, Harry. It will be fun," Ron said.

"If he doesn't want to go, Weasley, don't make him," Daphne said coolly.

"Susan, Padma, Parvati and myself will be going," Tracey added.

She didn't miss the look Daphne gave her friend. "What about Longbottom or Zabini," Harry asked.

"We'll ask them too," Padma said, looking a little happier. Hermione didn't care if the girl developed a crush on the others. She liked the Patils. They just needed to leave the Potters alone.

"You sure you won't go, Ed," Harry asked, looking uncertain.

Ed shook his head. "I don't swim. Go and have fun. Hermione and I will be fine."

After a moment, Harry nodded. "Sure. But I don't know really how to swim," he told them.

"I'll teach you," Daphne and Parvati said at the same time. Daphne spun her head to stare daggers at her. Parvati didn't back down.

"You don't need to swim, just walk out for a bit," Ron told him encouragingly.

"Well, I'm going to the Great Hall if anyone wants to follow," Ed said and then started to walk. She clung to his arm, rather possessively she realized after a few.

"Come on, Potter," Daphne said taking his arm and following them. The others waved them goodbye.

After they were away from the others, who were all talking and laughing about something before following them, Harry let out a soft chuckle. "Daphne, if you are trying to help me learn to be a Lord, should I be leading?"

Daphne looked upset. "Then lead," she snapped.

Harry looked taken aback. "Daphne," she said softly to her friend, who glared at her for a moment before flushing.

"Ah, did I miss something," Edmund asked.

"No," the girls said together.

It was silent for a moment as they entered the castle. "You sure you two don't want to go for a swim? It is hot out today," Harry asked.

"We don't swim," he told Harry.

"Why not? I really want you there, Hermione," Daphne said.

She looked at Daphne over her shoulder. "I don't like to swim," she corrected. "We'll just go to the library. It's always cool in there."

Daphne frowned. She knew the look the girl was giving her. She didn't want to talk to Daphne about it. It was bad enough Harry knew. "Just drop it, Daph," Harry told her.

Daphne blinked. Harry didn't usually say something like that to Daphne. "Alright," Daphne said. She could still tell that she would be hounded by the girl later.

Lunch was especially loud today as the nice spring Sunday was infectious. Their group swelled to include many of the first years as they sat at the end of the Hufflepuff table. Soon, it seemed only her and Edmund weren't going down to the lake. Which made the suspicious look on Daphne's face grow. Ed and her didn't usually shun their friends like this.

Padma didn't look at Edmund while they sat in the Great Hall. Daphne didn't look like to have Parvati next to Harry, but she was one of his friends. She was happy Neville was on the other side of Ed.

A while later, they had returned to the tower to grab their stuff. Fey and Lavender tried to convince her as well. All the other first year Gryffindors were going. She snapped at Fey after the third time she said no. She didn't even want to sit by the water right now. If it was only their close group, she may. It did sound like fun to go swimming with everyone, or just splash in the water but she didn't have a bathing suit. More importantly, she didn't want anyone to see her scars.

When she walked down the stairs, Edmund was waiting for her. "You alright," he asked.

She grabbed his arm. "I'll be fine. Let's go," she said pulling him along.

Outside the tower, all their friends turned left while they went right. It was quiet in the school. Most of the students were outside, or those that could go into Hogwarts were already there.

"Hermione, do you want to go to the lake," Ed asked her as they walked out onto the bridge connecting the main keep and the class building.

She know understood why they seemed to know what the other was thinking at times. She shrugged. "Sometimes."

He sighed. "I'll go if you want," he said to her.

She grabbed his arm tighter. "Ed, I really don't want to go swimming with everyone around. Maybe this summer if it's just us, maybe Harry, Daphne and Neville. I won't ever make you take your shirt off again." She was still bothered to see his reaction over Easter. She had pushed too hard and never wanted to make Ed feel that way again.

"Sure," he said. It was a quiet walk as they entered the school and made it to the courtyard outside the transfiguration room. Again, it was clear and very quiet.

"Come this way," she said, pulling him to a bench in the courtyard.

"What are you doing? I thought you wanted to go to the library?"

"I do, but I want to just talk for a few. We haven't done that in a long time," she told him, thinking of when it had just been them. It wasn't often it was just them at Hogwarts.

He smiled and sat with her. "What do you want to talk about, Hermy," he asked with a smirk.

She flushed. "Why do you keep calling me that? We aren't four anymore."

He shrugged. "I like it. I also like the way you get flustered. Do you really want me to stop?"

She shook her head. "You're a pain, Ed."

"So you say," he said leaning back on the bench. "Hermy, are you happy?"

Her flush deepened. "Just as long as you never call me little."

He chuckled. "I'll leave that to Auntie Min and your father. You are little though."

She hit him on the arm and he laughed again. After a moment, he rubbed his shoulder before looking at her. She felt the pain. "Are you happy?" He looked like he really needed an answer.

She shrugged. She knew what he was asking her. They hadn't really talked about it. She would be lying if she still didn't feel terrified. "You are my best mate, Ed. What do you want me to say? That I'm not afraid?"

"I want you to be honest, like we always have. I'm scared too, Hermione. You are stuck with me." He looked up at the sky as he spoke. "I can feel how you feel most of the time."

She gave him a sad smile. "Yes, I'm scared, Ed. But I don't feel like I'm stuck with you."

He leaned his head down to look at her with one eye. "Hermione, you are. I won't control you or tell you what to do."

She reached for his hand. They had done this thousands of times, but something felt different when she took his hand this time. He let her weave her fingers between his. "I know you won't. Why are you so afraid of that?"

He looked back up at the sky. He squeezed her hand and she felt her face flush again. She wasn't sure they had ever held hands quiet like this. "You are Hermione. I don't ever want to keep you from what you want to do. I know you want to apprentice with Auntie Min. I don't want to keep you from doing that. I'm also not ready for a girlfriend and I don't want you to not like anyone else if you do."

She felt her heart flutter some. She was only twelve and eight months, she really didn't want a boyfriend. She actually didn't know if she liked the idea of kissing anyone. That was what boyfriends and girlfriends did. Right? It was hard to deny though when she thought of Ed kissing her, something about that thought felt different. "I don't want a boyfriend either. Do you like anyone," she asked him.

His neck and face took on a flush. His light skin looked similar to his red hair. She liked when he did that. "I like you," he said in a small voice.

She squeezed his hand back. Her stomach felt like it was doing flips. She knew he meant more than just a friend. "I like you too," she said back eventually.

"I didn't like it when you went to Daphne's. I want you to go, but I could feel how far away you were."

Swallowing, she remembered the feeling too. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was doing. We were only eight and you were screaming. I wanted to help you."

He squeezed her hand tighter. "You didn't do anything wrong, Hermy. I'm sorry you've had to suffer because of me. I never want to hurt you."

Her eyes felt watery. Why was she like that at times? And it only seemed to be when it was about him. "Ed, it wasn't you hurting either of us. I made the bond."

"I accepted it," he responded. She hated when he did this. He always tried to shield her from the bad stuff. He did it with everyone.

"Ed, I made the bond. Don't take the blame like you usually do."

He snorted. "Why is it only you and Daphne tell me stuff like that?"

"Because I know you, Edmund Henry. You always try to protect me. You always take the blame for trouble we get into."

"I don't like to see you get beat up or get into trouble, Hermione. I know how much it bothers you. I can take it."

She squeezed his hand. "I don't want you too. I don't like to see you hurt. I can defend myself now."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll give you more space."

"I don't want more space. I do not like it that you have pulled away lately. I just want to be best mates again," she told him.

He sat up straight and looked at her. "I don't like it either. What do we do?"

She moved close to him and put her head on his shoulder. "We just be friends. I love Daphne and Neville, but you are my best mate, Ed."

He leaned his head against hers. "I don't want to be just friends. You are important to me, Hermy, but I don't want to really kiss you either. Not yet, anyways."

She smiled. He needed her not to be serious. "Ew, I have to kiss you?"

He laughed. "I could say the same about you."

"But you won't," she said matter of fact.

He chuckled again. "Someday," he said as though he was starting to accept things. She smiled again. Someday sounded nice. "If you really want to go swimming with everyone, I will."

She smiled at him. "I really don't want to go. I want to finish our Defense and Magical Theory essays."

Edmund hissed besides her and she felt the jolt of pain from Edmund.

"I appreciate the dedication, Granger, but that may not be needed much longer," a voice came from behind them. It sounded like Professor Quirrell, but the man didn't stutter. Ed stood up and moved to shield her as he held his shoulder. She grabbed her own.

"Professor..."

She turned and saw the man's wand suddenly come to his hand. Professor Quirrell didn't look happy as he flourished his wand. There was a white light and Ed suddenly snapped his hands to his side and his feet drug across the grass before coming together. "EDMUND!" she yelled trying to move to keep him from falling face first into the grass, before she too became as rigid as a board and fell on him.

Quirrell looked around as a voice snarled. "You fool. I wanted the other Potter. Get them quickly. This boy may work and the girl's scream could have warned someone."

Her eyes could move and she found she was looking up at the man. Fear passed over the man's face. "Y...yes, Master."

She wanted to scream at the pain that was erupting in Edmund's shoulder.