DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: As always, thank you for your positive reviews! Please check my DraMione, Blond Hair and Gray Eyes.

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December 30, 1995

(the present)

Hermione watched Sirius at the dining table as he read a Daily Prophet clipping from Leo's time about the 1996 Azkaban breakout where ten Death Eaters escaped, including Bellatrix Lestrange.

They were having another meeting, but this time, at Grimmauld Place. Harry and the Weasley children were at the Burrow with some Order members like Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, and Sturgis Podmore. Arthur, Molly, and Bill Weasley were in the meeting, of course. The same people were there: Hermione, Severus, Remus, Sirius, Albus, Moody, Tonks, and Minerva. This time, they were joined by Amelia and Alona. Leo was at their Blackpool home with Eileen and Hermione's parents.

"What the fuck? I led the breakout? This is the most insane thing the Ministry has ever said," Sirius blurted, looking stressed as he tossed the clipping on the table. Remus snatched it and read it again with furrowed brows.

"Siri, that's from another time," she said, trying to comfort the friend sitting across from her. "And that's not the most insane thing they did. You went to Azkaban without a trial. I'm sure when Amy becomes Minister for Magic, things will be fairer and better."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "And how do I become the Minister for Magic?"

"Fudge will resign once it's proven that the Dark Lord is back," replied Severus. "Who else will be the next Minister? The head of the Department of Mysteries?"

Alona snorted. "They don't answer to the Minister for Magic."

Hermione saw Amelia give their friend a warning look and Alona's cheeks blushed. Hermione gave her Ravenclaw friends a questioning look.

"What do you mean 'they don't answer' to the minister?" asked Remus.

"It means, the Department of Mysteries is independent. They can refuse to obey the Minister for Magic. How do you think we're protecting the Hall of Prophecies without Fudge knowing?" answered Amelia.

Hermione and Severus, who were sitting beside each other, exchanged looks. Her fiancé nodded and Hermione turned to Amelia. "Perhaps, that can help us explain about Leo once we register him as our biological son, after the Dark Lord's defeat."

"Who's the head of the department, anyway?" asked Bill.

Amelia shook her head. "Don't bother asking, Mr Weasley."

"Oh, but the department head's very close to Amelia," Alona hinted and winked in Sirius's direction."

"Enough," Amelia said sternly. Hermione reminded her of Professor McGonagall.

"So, Azkaban breakout?" Tonks quipped.

"If we let Lord Voldemort do as he pleases, it would mean Bellatrix Lestrange's release. She will be back to his side. We cannot allow that to happen," said Albus.

"Damn right, Headmaster. We cannot let that evil woman carry the devil's child," Molly snarled; her eyes on the Daily Prophet clippings on the table. Hermione saw Arthur place an arm around his wife's shoulders.

"Lucius can still do the mission at the Department of Mysteries even without the other Death Eaters, can't he?" asked Minerva.

"He can," replied Albus. "He will be with the other Death Eaters: Crabbe, Goyle, McNair, Nott."

"But do you think You-Know-Who will still send them to the Ministry for a mission even without his most loyal Death Eaters?" asked Bill. "From what I gathered, Bellatrix Lestrange was one of his lieutenants."

"Lucius made it to his right side," Severus informed them.

"You're losing your touch?" asked Remus with a frown.

Severus shook his head. "No, fortunately. But Lucius has proven himself more useful than ever - thanks to the two Aurors he's secretly working with."

"So, has You-Know-Who set the date for the retrieval of the Prophecy?" asked Arthur.

"Lucius thinks he has to suggest it soon, right after the students go back to Hogwarts. Harry has to be at school when it happens; when You-Know-Who tricks him by planting in his mind an image of Sirius captured," replied Tonks.

Hermione sighed and looked at the people around her unhappily. "That soon?"

"Because we have to do it before he decides on an Azkaban breakout," said Moody.

Hermione said nothing. She just stared at the table. She felt Sev's hand around her waist, giving her a comforting touch.

"Hermione, if you don't feel like fighting, you don't have to," said Molly gently.

"You've done a lot already, Hermione, especially during the First Wizarding War," seconded Amelia. "You can just stay at Hogwarts and let us do all the work this time. Stay with Leo."

"And just let Severus fight? Just hope and wait?" she said softly. "No," she shook her head.

"No. You will help the professors at Hogwarts protect the students, just in case... and stay by Harry's side until he's ready to face him," said Albus.

Hermione stared at the headmaster. "You're still going to send Harry to the Department of Mysteries?" she asked, shocked. "I thought Sirius, Polyjuiced as Harry, is enough."

Albus's facial expression fell. "He must be the one to beat him... with the Elder Wand. Remember the Prophecy, Hermione."

Hermione stood up and slammed the table. "There can be other ways! I don't think my older self sent Leo back in time only to make Harry face that evil wizard again!"

"Hermione, calm down," came Molly's voice. She even rose to her feet and approached her, despite Severus's attempt to calm her.

"But we're all capable of fighting him. We can beat him even without Harry. He's just fifteen, for Godric's sake!" she exclaimed.

Severus pulled her gently to make her sit on her chair again.

"She's right, Headmaster," said Bill. "We cannot let the teenagers fight this time. Harry has to stay at Hogwarts."

"But Harry is a Horcrux," said Albus calmly. "Tom has to cast the Killing Curse on him first to destroy the Horcrux in him. We cannot beat Tom if Harry remains a Horcrux."

"Can't we just stab Harry with a Basilisk's fang or the Sword of Gryffindor?" blurted Tonks, earning a glare from the people at the table. "Sorry," she muttered.

"We have a Curse Breaker!" said Sirius suddenly, looking hopeful. "Bill can help Harry."

Everyone turned to Bill, including Hermione. But Bill shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid I don't know how to deal with a living Horcrux without actually killing them. I can do research... but it will take a while."

Hermione and Sirius both looked mournful again and looked at each other.

"Albus, is Harry prepared?" asked Remus.

Hermione and Sirius both glared at him for even considering sending Harry to face Voldemort. But their werewolf friend ignored them.

"He is," said Albus.

Hermione turned to the headmaster. "How much does he know?" she asked slowly.

Albus offered her a small smile. "You'll be surprised to know that Harry is a quick learner and very intelligent like James. He listens; he's logical. He just needs guidance. Constant guidance, and self-discipline."

"Does he... know... that he's a..." Hermione trailed off.

"He knows he's a Horcrux," said Albus. "But he's a skilled Occlumens now. He can entertain Tom's thoughts without being affected by them. Hermione, Sirius, please have faith in Harry. We'll all be there to support him, won't we?"

Once more, she felt Sev's comforting touch. "Albus is right, dear."

Hermione and Sirius exchanged looks and they both nodded. She turned to Albus. "All right, but please, no more teenagers."

Tonks let out a heavy sigh. "Oh, that..."

"What?" asked Molly sharply. Hermione knew she was afraid her children might be involved.

"Oh, none of your teenagers, Molly," assured Moody.

"It's just that... Lucius requested for Severus's assistance at the Department of Mysteries," said Tonks gently.

Hermione glared at Severus. She didn't know anything about it. Her paramour gave her an apologetic look.

"So, who's going to take care of the snake?" asked Arthur.

Tonks pretended to remove something from her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. "Uh... some Slytherins volunteered to do it. You know, my cousin Draco and his best friends."

Hermione was silent and cast a questioning look at the headmaster.