Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

Any dialogue you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I don't think there is any, but just to be safe.

PS I'm not JK Rowling, so I don't own anything :(

Chapter 11: Revelations and Manipulations

December-February 1995-1996

Grimmauld Place

"He's stable," Remus said wearily, his face ashen from the strain of the recent moon and managing Arthur Weasley's attack when he entered their room.

"Who's with him?" she asked, accepting his kiss. It was lazy and needy, a sensual promise of something darker and decadent. His skin was still chilled from being outside in the arctic temperatures of an early winter morning, but that swifty changed as the wild, sharp taste of him filled her mouth.

"Bill. Tonks and Mad-Eye are taking the family to the hospital right now if you want to grab a bite or a shower," he offered, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Hermione could almost see the shutters being drawn across his eyes now that they were no longer touching. The breaking of that physical contact, a silent signal to retreat into the abyss of his mind where nightmares and insecurities dwelled.

"Join me?" she asked, hoping for his company in either or both pursuits, needing to keep him from going over the edge, even if she didn't quite know what had led him there. Remus said nothing, having not seemed to hear her. "What is it?" she asked worriedly, unable to leave him struggling on his own.

"A patient was brought in while I was there. He was bitten," he said tonelessly, explaining his detachment since arriving.

"He only just now came in? The moon was… four, no five, days ago," Hermione said, frowning.

"Denial," Remus explained dully, face drawn in lines of misery.

"Did you speak to him?"

"A little. He thinks his life is over," Remus said, wiping his face with his hand as though he could scrub the knowledge from his mind with the feeble gesture.

When he didn't immediately meet her stare, Hermione felt her eyes narrow, and she asked, "You told him that's not true, didn't you?"

"His wife left him," Remus said, still not looking at her. Sadness etched itself deeply into his person, a cloak of… inevitability seemed to settle about his shoulders, and Hermione had to force down her anger at seeing it. Only time and actions would convince Remus not to automatically assume the same would happen to him. "Not much more to say after that," he added while she was still working to control her temper.

"I've always known what you are. It doesn't matter," Hermione stated calmly, moving to kneel before him.

He nodded, then admitted, "It's hard to believe after seeing that happen, and hearing about it happening to so many others. I've never been willing to risk it, then you… Well, I... " he trailed off, but he took her hands and brought them up to his lips, lightly kissing the backs of her hands. Hope dared to peak out from behind the thunderclouds of doom and gloom covering his face.

"I know the timing isn't the best, but I think you should get your book published. Kingsley or Tonks or even Bill can help. Don't let your condition stop you from pursuing your dreams. You can have everything you want in life, even if you have to work a little harder to make it happen and deal with unfair obstacles," Hermione said encouragingly, thinking this might be the best time to reiterate her faith in him. She'd mentioned it a few times now, but he always had an excuse ready for why he should wait a bit longer. Now, more than ever, he needed confirmation of his worth.

"How 'bout that shower?" he suggested, dodging the conversation once more.

"Remus -"

"I'm going to go talk to the man again after. He might be more likely to believe me when I believe it myself," Remus said, kissing her hands again. It was better than nothing. At least she'd managed to convince him that she, at least, wasn't going anywhere.

"And do you believe it yourself?" Hermione pushed, studying him carefully.

"I believe that I have been fortunate enough to find the most open-minded and tolerant witch in Britain, and nothing matters beyond that," Remus stated simply.

It might not have been a true acknowledgement, but it showed he was in a better place than he'd been when he first arrived home.

"A shower would be lovely," Hermione agreed, smiling warmly at him. She ran a finger down his chest, leaning close to his ear to whisper, "And far more engaging than what I'd planned to do this morning."

Her words caused Remus to swallow audibly. Then the next thing she knew, he'd swept her up in his arms, and was carrying her to the loo.

Remus looked disturbed and faintly green when he entered their bedroom a few nights after Arthur's attack.

Hermione had spent the day brewing with Severus after the students left Hogwarts for their holiday break. They were attempting to develop an antidote for the venom, but so far they'd had no luck considering Severus couldn't exactly go to Voldemort and ask for a sample from Nagini to work with, and it was starting to look like that might be necessary.

"You just got here," he murmured, staring transfixed at her as his hands shook. "Out there, all -"

"Did something happen?" Hermione asked, not understanding why he seemed so alarmed by the fact.

"I realized that I-I'd… that we'd…" he stuttered, gesturing back and forth between the pair of them before he glanced pointedly at the bed.

Laughter burst from Hermione's mouth, and she pressed a hand to her face to smother the sound. It wasn't really funny, but the look on his face right then was priceless. Suddenly, she could clearly remember how Remus had avoided her the whole holiday, and how disgruntled she'd been about it, having planned to share her news about the hats she'd been knitting to free all of the Hogwarts house-elves.

Of course, she hadn't known at the time that Dobby had been gathering them all for himself and Winky. But she'd been sure Remus would have a lot to say on the subject given the way he'd always taken the time to discuss those sorts of issues with her in the past. Now she was rather glad he'd not be able to tease her about her misguided attempts.

Actually, she couldn't recall Remus ever meeting her eyes directly again from this point on.

"It's not funny. Not in the least," he grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring at her. "I feel like I need a scalding hot shower. Maybe gauge my eyes out. It's disturbing."

"We're not really the same," Hermione tried. A million experiences and more than a decade of years separated the two individuals.

"You were once my student," Remus muttered, face twisting as he only just seemed to make that connection. Understandable given the fact they were practically the same age, and that wasn't the relationship they had, even from the start of her time in the past. "I'd completely forgotten," he grumbled miserably, confirming her suspicions.

"Eighteen years ago. And only for a blink of an eye. Trust me. The girl out there, and me - we aren't the same," Hermione reiterated, moving to stand in front of Remus and take his hands. "Not be a long shot. Which is precisely why you've forgotten."

"Right," he agreed dubiously.

"It's not like you want to sleep with her -"

"No!" he yelled, looking slightly revolted at the prospect as his soul shrank back in horror of the idea.

"Exactly," Hermione said lightly, pressing her lips tightly together to suppress the stubborn smile threatening to reveal itself in the face of Remus's dilemma.

"Right," he repeated, nodding slowly, though the troubled expression had not faded completely. He searched about for a change of subject, and settled on saying, "So… Ginny really has a way with Harry."

"Give her a few more years. No one else can manage him as deftly," Hermione praised, admiringly remembering her friend's skills, and the ease with which she used them.

"Hard to believe she'll get even better," he said. Hermione searched her memory, but couldn't recall what had happened. Remus, picking up on it, explained, "She told him off for the way he was acting when thinking he was being possessed, and for not talking to her about it given her experience."

Hermione nodded, the events coming back to her. Then she gasped, scolding, "Remus Lupin, you mean to tell me you've been listening in at doors?"

He pulled one of the confiscated Extendable Ears from his pocket, and held it up unrepentantly. With a shrug, he said, "It was Padfoot's suggestion."

Of course it had been.

Hermione exited Buckbeak's room where she'd left her potion notes from the day before when she'd been anxiously waiting for Remus to return from St. Mungo's. He'd gone to discuss options with the werewolf patient again, suggesting he join the pack Remus had recently been a part of while he adjusted to his altered circumstances. Having support to lean on would help immensely.

It was still very early, and Hermione hadn't expected anyone to be up or about yet, or she'd have disillusioned herself before moving about. So it was rather alarming to be confronted with the sight of Tonks lip-locked with George in the top floor hallway.

George and Fred had both been a mess since their dad's accident. Each struggling to understand how to put the needs of the Order before their family. It was a delicate balance they all found difficult to manage. Like knowing Remus was unreachable when integrating with the werewolf pack. But seeing George snogging Tonks was not how she expected to find him coping.

"I'm sorry!" Hermione squeaked, spinning to retreat back into the room she'd come from. No wonder Sirius gave her such a hard time after walking in on her and Remus. It left one feeling mighty uncomfortable.

"Wotcher, Hermione. Hey, wait!" Tonks called, laughing. Quickly adjusting the volume of her voice, she whispered, "Come back, you're not interrupting. Swear."

"Enchanted mistletoe," George explained, pointing up at the green, leafy plant dangling from the ceiling above their heads.

They'd had bits of the specially spelled plant all over the house. Any pair unfortunate enough to walk beneath it, was stuck, and only a kiss would free them. Molly hadn't been too keen on Sirius's version of the plant, a treat he'd created specifically with Remus and Hermione in mind, but she'd been unable to stop it from randomly cropping up about the house until after Christmas Day passed. They must have missed the bit up here during the cleanup the day before.

"Right," Hermione said awkwardly, not to mention rather doubtfully. She couldn't help but notice George's blush or how Tonk's hair had turned from purple to burgundy. Not to mention exactly how close they were still standing. Not even a shadow put pass between the lines of their bodies. And what were they doing up so early anyways?

Hermione thought about it as she looked the pair over. George was nearly eighteen and Tonks was only barely twenty-one. In just a few months, George would be the co-owner of a very successful business and own his own flat. Tonks was in her second year as a fully trained Auror, and had only recently moved out of her parent's place and into her first flat. Both were intelligent and valued a good sense of humor. Honestly, they were remarkably well-suited.

She very purposely decided not to consider the snag a relationship developing between the pair might cause with Teddy in the future. She had enough on her mind lately to not want the additional hiccup at this point in time. It was time to put the issue of Teddy on the back-burner, at least for the foreseeable future.

Tonks looked between Hermione and George, seeming unsurprised by the fact that the Weasley male knew about her, and said, "Well, I best be off." Without waiting, she took off, not giving Hermione a chance to ask when she learned about the twins discovering her.

George watched her expectantly, seeming to brace himself for whatever lecture Hermione planned on delivering. "How's your dad?" Hermione asked instead, knowing he had to be worrying, and deciding to cut him a bit of slack.

"He'll be all right, won't he?" George asked, frankly assessing her.

"Yes," she replied calmly.

"Right. 'Course he will. He's dad," George said, false optimism ringing in his words.

"He'll be fine, George. Severus and I are working on an antivenom," Hermione promised. His mouth opened at her statement, probably in response to the familiarity in her use of Snape's first name or that she was helping cure his dad, but he ended up just shaking his head and letting the subject drop.

"Hanging in there?" he asked.

"Actually…" Hermione began, continuing when she saw the spark of interest ignite on his face, "While I have you here… remember when you offered help if I needed it?" This was the perfect time to get started on the plan she'd been recently developing.

"Yeah?"

"Well, I have something to show you, and a bit of a request to make. Go get Fred and meet me in the Potion Room," she ordered.

"Yes ma'am," George saluted, standing at attention and nodding before Disapparating. Honestly! It was one flight of stairs.

Hermione sighed, and carefully made her way back to her room to retrieve the newspaper clipping she'd saved while looking for signs of giants, and made her way downstairs. When they entered two minutes later, Fred looking as though he'd been dragged rather reluctantly from bed, she handed over the advertisement for a space in Diagon Alley. Number ninety-three, Diagon Alley to be precise.

When they stared at it blankly, she explained, "For your shop." When neither spoke, she briskly added, "You know, the one you've been planning for since forever."

"George," Fred breathed wonderingly, "this is exactly what we need, and it's in the perfect location. All that business..."

"Except there's no way. Did you get a good look at that price?" George denied, shaking his head forlornly.

"Six months up front? On a place that big? But... "

"But you've already spent most of the Galleons Harry gave you on research and development," Hermione guessed, having already suspected as much. With the price of their merchandise and its popularity, they'd recoup the amount in no time, but they didn't have it yet. Even with their mail order service and presale of products.

"You know about that?" Fred demanded, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Of course I do," Hermione said easily.

"Your younger self doesn't," he said, frowning. "I'm getting real tired of -"

"Don't pretend you're not in the wrong. Honestly, using first years for product testing," Hermione scolded disapprovingly. Both wizards grinned, completely unrepentant.

"Gore, you haven't changed a bit," George said, chuckling lightly.

"Anyways, what you need is another financial investor as well as help keeping up with supply demand. Possibly a few fresh ideas too," Hermione explained, redirecting the conversation. They needed to wrap it up before Severus arrived. He'd not appreciate being kept waiting. And if this carried on too long, the rest of the house would be up and Molly might get suspicious and come to investigate, inadvertently finding her. That was not something she thought would be a good idea. Though thankfully Arthur's situation had her rather well distracted.

"You want to work for us?" George asked dubiously, frowning, and exchanging a worried look with Fred.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the mistaken assumption, curtly correcting, "Not me. Sirius! He has the Black fortune at his disposal, and he needs this. Have you seen him lately? Taken a real good look? He's drowning being shut up in here with nothing to do."

For weeks, she'd been considering the best way to approach Sirius's problem, knowing her hands were bound in many ways. Then she'd seen the advert and the idea had materialized almost fully formed in an instant as so many of her schemes seemed to do. A little research later, and she'd fine tuned and finalized her plan.

Remus had once confessed that Sirius was actually the best in their year. Beating out James, Lily, and even Severus, though he tried to hide how intelligent he was. He'd earned outstandings in every one of his O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s without ever cracking a book. Even Arithmancy! It was probably part of why he was struggling now, having nothing to keep his brain properly stimulated. And this after years locked up in Azkaban.

Now, the twins needed additional funds. Sirius had more than he could ever hope to spend. Mischief making would appeal to him. A way of rebelling while confined. Not to mention the inherent challenge involved with inventing new products. And if Hermione was successful in saving him, he'd have something to keep him busy for the foreseeable future.

"He was one of the founding Marauders," George said slowly, turning the idea over in his head.

"And the Fever Fudge was his idea," Fred remarked, beginning to nod.

"Hold up," George said, holding up his hand and rounding on Hermione. "You already know this is where our shop is and that we get the extra funds."

She shrugged, but admitted, "I've been looking for the advert in the Prophet for weeks to send you. Then I saw the price and knew you'd need some additional help. This works well for everyone."

"The listing is for the whole building. What are we supposed to do with the top three floors?" Fred asked.

Hermione had never really noticed the size of the building during her time. At one point, Ron had asked what they were doing with the extra space, having hoped they would let him move in to get out of the Burrow, but one of the twins had just laughed and said he had a few special projects up there that he was saving for a future rainy day.

"Apartments. I have a few tenants in mind for you already," Hermione said vaguely, biting her lip nervously.

Her words captured their combined attention almost in unison. Hermione debated how much to reveal as they stared at her. Remus had gotten on her case a few times recently about not sharing too much, actually being the one to remind her of the inherent dangers involved with meddling. If her plan didn't work, there'd be nothing to tell. And sharing too much could be dangerous for the timeline. But if it did work out...

"Hermione... " George whispered, but she shook her head, recognizing the swirling tempest she'd haphazardly ventured into.

"What a rebel you've turned out to be! I love it," Fred said suddenly, pumping his fist into the air. It hurt her to watch his jubilation.

"Oh, Fred." The words slipped out of their own accord, slicing cleanly through the air before she realized her lips had parted.

"Not everyone is going to make it," George stated knowingly, understanding faster than his twin what was happening.

"I never really gave your intelligence the due it deserves," she muttered absently, shaking her head and averting her eyes. She couldn't stand there looking at them a moment longer.

"By all of us, he meant our family," Fred clarified unnecessarily, apparently reading his twin's mind and jumping to the same page.

"I know," she acknowledged, forcing herself to meet their questioning gazes once more, though she said nothing else.

"But you've got a plan?" George asked, referencing her mention of apartments.

"I do," she confirmed, praying it would work and they'd have the chance to use them.

"Here's hoping it's enough to have the cleverest witch of her generation working on it," Fred muttered.

"No pressure," George added, training a quelling look on his twin.

"No. None," Hermione said laughing a little hysterically.

"If Sirius is in agreement, consider it a deal," George added, sparing her from continuing the difficult conversation that was taking place.

"Looks like we've got some living to do - just in case, eh, George?" Fred joked. Hermione hurriedly gave them her back before they noticed her horror at Fred's cavalier words, and the twins exited seconds later, recognizing her dismissal. "Cover for me with Mum? I want to visit Angelina - if you know what I mean," Fred added, probably wiggling his eyebrows suggestively as he did. Hermione could easily picture it even if she was no longer watching him.

"You're certain this time it will work?" Hermione asked, giving the potion a final three-quarter clockwise stir. The action caused the simmering liquid to morph into a vibrant, acidic green - the exact shade of the snake.

"Yes. The bits of Nagini's shed skin should do the trick," Severus said mildly, checking the height of the flames and adjusting them slightly. Hermione had already heard about how he'd managed to locate a bit of Nagini during his last meeting. Her heart had raced at the knowledge he could have been caught, and what a daring risk it had been. Albus really was right about Severus, he should have been in Gryffindor. "The antidote needed a bit of the source to work as a counter. There was no other way," Severus reminded her when he caught sight of the look on her face.

"You took quite a risk in procuring it," Hermione said stiffly, unable to hold her opinion back any longer. They'd had no luck coming up with an antivenom potion so far, and it was already more than two weeks since the initial attack on Arthur Weasley.

"There was no other way," he repeated, shaking his head. He was right, of course. But knowing he'd risked his life because they needed him to, didn't make it any easier to bear. "Should the Dark Lord ask, the Order located the skin in the Ministry. A bit of timely luck on their part."

"How long does it need to simmer?" she asked, wincing at the clipped sound. She sounded like a certifiable harpy.

"Another twenty minutes," he said, giving her a knowing look. He seemed to find immense satisfaction whenever she berated herself, saving him the trouble.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" Remus asked, poking his head in to glance about. Seeing the freshly cleared workbench, he used his shoulder to open the door wider and step inside with them before kicking the door shut with his foot.

"Of course not," Hermione said, smiling at his dexterity.

"Albus wishes to speak with you before you leave," he said, directing his words to Severus. Hermione hadn't known Albus was even there. Likely, neither did Harry. "And I thought I'd drop this off. Molly made her rhubarb crumble for lunch."

"Hmm, yes, please. You know it's my favorite," Hermione said enthusiastically, accepting the plate he held out and inhaling the heavenly aroma. The pudding was still warm from the stove, even better!

Remus brushed a hand over her cheek, gazing tenderly at her. Hermione smiled in gratitude, touched by all the thoughtful little acts Remus did for her on a regular basis.

"Severus?" Remus offered, holding out the second plate he was carrying. He was a little stilted about it, but it was undeniably a peace offering.

"I must make an appearance in the Great Hall shortly," Severus said stiffly, glancing at Hermione before assuming a reasonably passable semblance of politeness.

Remus nodded, seeming to have expected the refusal, but he laid the plate on a cleared space anyways, merely commenting, "In case you change your mind."

"Don't worry, I'll eat it if he doesn't," Hermione promised, appreciating Remus's attempt to improve the state of things between himself and Severus. He'd asked her a few times about their unlikely friendship, but Hermione had held her silence out of respect for Severus's much valued privacy.

"I'll let you know when the coast is next clear to head upstairs," he said, squeezing her hand and lingering for nearly a full minute before he exited the room.

Hermione went to take another bite of her food, only to find herself pinned in place by Severus's watchful look.

"You're in love with him," he stated, apparently startled by the realization.

"Yes," Hermione said simply.

It was true, even if they hadn't yet said the words to one another. Just thinking it to herself made her smile. She could easily determine that she'd never been in love before. While she loved Ron, she'd not been in love with him. Not really. Not in a way that was more than a childhood infatuation or lust. It was an important distinction.

"He was always the most tolerable of the lot," Severus said, pressing his thin lips into such a tight line that they faded to white before appearing to vanish altogether, a cobweb viewed at a great distance.

"High praise," Hermione teased, figuring that was the best reaction she could hope for from him. At least where any of the Marauders were concerned.

"Certainly preferable to Black."

"I agree whole-heartedly," Hermione said lightly, feeling bubbly from the realization that she well and truly did love Remus.

Severus ignored her to extinguish the flame beneath the cauldron, while Hermione prepared a vial and carefully laddled a dose into it.

As Severus accepted the small, stoppered glass bottle, all Hermione could see was the image of him lying on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, bleeding out after Nagini's attack. The gurgling hole in his neck, fountaining blood as he struggled to help Harry in his final moments. Red staining his front like so much paint. Buckets and buckets full, all spilled in minutes, an endless geyser.

A weight pressed on her chest, and she gasped, the events so much more devastating to consider now than they'd been at the time. Severus was her friend now. She knew the sacrifices and lengths he'd gone to to save them. She couldn't just let it go.

"Hermione? What is it?" he asked, raising his hands to clutch her shoulders, but hesitating just shy of actually making contact. She could feel her whole body trembling, her emotional responses beyond her control.

"W-what is the shelf-life of-f this p-potion?" she gasped, the words quivering and hoarse.

"So long as the stasis charm holds, indefinitely," he said, retreating a step, and shaking his head warningly. Silently begging her not to go any further.

Hermione reached to pour a second vial, but Severus's hands covered her own, halting her. She shook him off, finished her preparations and pressed the second vial to his chest. He didn't take it.

Hermione pressed it more insistently against him, reaching to wrap his calloused hand around the warm glass, instructing, "Keep this on you always."

"Hermione," he rasped, shaking his head and trying to return the life-saving antidote.

"Please?" she asked quietly, turning pleading eyes on him.

Abruptly, he was furious. His intimidating bat-of-the-dungeons persona coming over him in a flash. The thin veil hiding it away vanishing like so much mist on a sunny day. "Do you not understand the consequences of what you are saying?" he said, slow and quiet. The question was all the more dangerous for the barely leashed fury it contained. "Your words alone, and certainly your actions could have devastating effects. The far-reaching ripples - I thought you were intelligent! You might very well have just written yourself out of existence. Don't you understand that?"

"I have to. I can't do nothing," Hermione said earnestly, and not without a substantial amount of fear.

He might very well be correct. Making any alterations at all could result in her death at any point in time. Her younger self could die any second, and she'd vanish in a blink without ever getting a chance to say goodbye to those she'd come to love and care for. Or someone else she loved could be forfeit. Countless others even. That was why the laws were so strict, and why the use of time-turners was so highly regulated and monitored.

Elosie Mintumble was the primary example. The one always referenced. Her name forever synonymous with time travel and the devastating consequences. She traveled from 1899 to 1402 for a total of five days, and the result was no less than twenty-five documented descendants vanishing, becoming un-born, because of her disruption to their ancestor's life paths. What if Hermione's interference did the same? Teddy was already at risk of that fate, but who else was too?

"Not by messing with time!" he denied harshly, disrupting her thoughts. Roughly he demanded, "How could you even consider this path? Why - wait, do not answer that. I already know you'll spout some foolish Gryffindor nonsense and try to pass it off as being noble," he announced disparagingly, practically spitting the last word.

"Can you honestly say you wouldn't do the same? If you had the chance to -"

"Don't. Do not even speak the words," he hissed, agony twisting his features.

Somehow he'd known precisely where her mind had gone. It was a temptation he'd never allowed himself to consider. Proof that he was a stronger man than she could ever hope to be. She already knew she planned to try and change Remus's predestined path. Inaction was not a choice she could accept. Not anymore. Not when she loved him so fiercely.

"Sorry," she mumbled, earning a brisk nod from him.

Of course Lily would be a sensitive subject, and not one he'd wish to discuss openly with her. They were barely getting to know each other still. He'd not take kindly to her ripping open festering scabs so soon.

"How do you know I am not supposed to do this? What if this was always meant to happen? You have no proof it isn't," she said, and he immediately snorted at her ridiculous use of Gryffindor logic.

"I'd have expected that from Potter. Not from you," he said, making the words sound like an insult, but she didn't mind the implication that she'd picked up Harry's saving-people habit. "You really think to save us all?" he asked once it was clear his words hadn't had their intended effect.

"No. But that won't stop me from trying," she admitted, already knowing it was an impossible task to save everyone, but as Remus had said - even one would be a precious gift. "And who says it's for you?"

He gave her a condescending look for daring to try tricking him. Yes. Her reactions had already given too much away for him to be fooled at this point. But it had been worth a try, even if he was too intelligent to fall for her ill-disguised ruse.

"And if I've no wish to be saved?" he asked quietly, thoroughly shocking her. He was deadly serious.

Hermione scanned his face, searching for any hint or sign that he did not mean what he was implying. There were none. "Then know that I will miss you," she said thickly, tears clogging her throat. He had time yet, perhaps their friendship would change his mind, give him a reason to want to survive.

"My sins are great, and I fear I shall have to commit more before this war is through," he said, his regret nearly tangible like so much dirt burying him alive in an early grave. "I am tired of shouldering the burden of my past."

"You must forgive yourself. You deserve a second chance. You've more than earned it," Hermione implored, willing him to believe her.

"Can you honestly tell me that I'll not be forced to commit any more atrocities in the name of the Dark Lord before this war is over?"

"It is for us, not him," Hermione insisted, ignoring his question.

She'd heard about the cruelties done at the school during his short tenure as Headmaster. He'd had no choice but to allow it to happen, yet that didn't lessen his guilt. Then there was the matter of Albus Dumbledore's death. If it wasn't Severus, it would be Draco. Or Severus would die because of his vow.

So many factors and no work arounds.

"You're such a Gryffindor," he muttered disparagingly.

"Please don't make me mourn the loss of another friend," Hermione intoned quietly.

Severus inhaled sharply, and his onyx eyes widened perceptibly. Neither moved or spoke. Then, very reluctantly, Severus tucked the acid green potion inside a pocket of his robes and left to give Remus the other to take to St. Mungo's for Arthur.

At least now his future was in his own hands. It was a luxury he'd not been afforded since… well… ever. First, because of his rotten childhood. Then, the bullies and dark influences at Hogwarts. After that, Voldemort. And finally, because of Dumbledore himself.

For the first time, Severus would actually be able to make a choice for himself based on what he wanted. It was a precious gift she hoped he would give the gravity it was due when it came time to decide.

She conjured a comfy chair and made to continue reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame, her thoughtful Christmas present from Remus. With the kids running about, she'd probably be stuck in there until after supper was over.

The words, so familiar and entrancing, were failing to capture her imagination right then. Hermione's mind kept replaying her interaction with Severus or thinking about how Remus informed her that morning that he'd finally spoken to Kingsley about getting his book published - thanks to her unfailing encouragement.

Somehow, it seemed amazing to her how life managed to go on amidst a war. And how people still successfully lived their own lives against a backdrop centered around a few key players and their moves.

The door of the potion's room slammed open, making her jump and drop her book. Albus was standing there with an infuriated Severus. For a moment, Hermione feared he'd told Albus about the potion she'd given him, but Albus appeared far too calm for that to be the case. His blue eye sparkled mischievously, and Hermione swallowed, fearing what that might mean for her. Particularly in light of Severus's obvious outrage.

"I won't do it," Severus announced, sneering at Albus, and crossing his arms petulantly.

"Occlumency lessons," Albus explained, shedding light for her. Hermione blinked, waiting to hear more. Albus's expectant gaze and pointed look at Severus clued her in on the real reason they were there.

"Harry needs you. Voldemort can use him - he will - if you don't," Hermione said, frowning at Albus.

He was using her to convince Severus to agree. It was a clever move, but not one she appreciated. The older man avoided meeting her eye, but there was a definite twinkle in his as he clasped his hands before him and stared patiently at a spot on the far wall, content to let her handle this. She'd have to have a word with him about this another time.

"That boy's head has always been abysmally open. So impulsive and emotional. There is no possible way he has the skill for such delicate and advanced magics," Severus argued, making his opinion clear on what a waste of time and energy this endeavor would be.

"It's not his fault. There's more to it than you know," Hermione explained, but at the sight of Albus tensing, she quickly changed course to finish, "and he doesn't understand. You don't understand. You must teach him."

"He'll be as uncooperative as ever, I've no doubt," Severus complained, still baulking.

"You must have patience with him. Be the adult, and don't rise to his baiting," Hermione said curtly, recognizing that Harry wasn't the only one at fault during their interactions.

"He's petulant, disrespectful, arrogant -"

"He's not James!" Hermione snapped, fed up. "And right now he needs you. There's no one else that can do this for him."

Severus clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding audibly as his nostrils flared. Then he was gone, spinning to stalk from the room.

"Thank you for your assistance. I feared he would ignore my request and refuse outright," Albus said lightly, a smile curling his lips.

"Do not use me to manipulate him again," Hermione raged, glaring at the elderly man, projecting such a trusting and gentle demeanor. The careful facade was nothing but an illusion these days. If it ever was the truth.

"Hermione… that was not my intent when I came here," Albus said calmly, studying her with undisguised frankness.

"Perhaps," she allowed, though doubt colored her tone liberally. "But it was precisely what you did," Hermione accused tersely.

"I only hoped you would have better luck talking reason -"

"You are not the omniscient, master puppeteer you believe yourself to be, Albus. I am not your Lily substitute where Severus is concerned and you feel the need to force him to toe the line, so don't do it again!" she said fiercely, annoyed at having to spell it out for him.

"I apologize for any unintentional offense that I have given," Albus said mildly, his lips parting in surprise at having been called out so thoroughly.

A few deep, deliberate breaths did wonders to calm her down. Hermione set aside everything else she wished to say in favor of enlightening him, "Harry will be just as reluctant. I suggest you convince Sirius to talk to him about why it is necessary and important that Harry take these Occlumency lessons seriously." Hermione thought back to the confrontation that had taken place in the kitchen, and added, "Before Severus informs him."

"Yes, that might be the prudent move," Albus agreed, nodding slowly, a tiny wrinkle forming on his brow, getting lost among the others already creasing his face.

"And you can give Severus your Pensieve. To keep Harry from seeing things he shouldn't if he turns the tables. I should be through with it after tomorrow," Hermione added, knowing she was setting Severus up, but considering he'd just gotten on her case for changing things, perhaps he'd forgive her. Eventually. When hell froze over and Voldemort conceded defeat peaceably.

"Then I suppose all that is left for me to do is inform Sirius and fetch my Potion's Master back so that they can speak to Harry of the necessity of these lessons," Albus said, leaving her alone in the Potion Room once again.

Hermione almost wished him good luck with that. Almost.