A/n If some of this chapter looks familiar, it's because there are parts from the original last chapter I had removed. A special thank you to everyone who review/commented/read it means the world to hear from you! Please be kind with grammar and spelling, I write all alone and things get missed.
A reminder, there will be Dumbledore BASHING. If you like him, you will not like him here.
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Hermione sat uncomfortable in the sitting room on the first floor. Everyone around her was ready to listen to the Prophecy. She had been banned from the library until such time as the Horcruxes were destroyed. Remus and Sirius were planning on heading out to retrieve the Ring. Once they had three horcruxes, Harry, Sirius, and Remus were going to use the fangs on a Black property. Sirius had stated that no one would notice the added Dark magic, since the family was known for it already.
Hermione shifted in her seat, glaring at an all too familiar orb. She still hated prophecy, divination, and all that rut could kindly jump into the nearest volcano and find a fiery end by the molten center of the planet they called home. Harry had retrieved it from the Department of Mysteries earlier that day, at the request of one Regulus Black. The boy who became a man inside of a dungeon controlled by the supposed Leader of Light.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." (Sybill Trelawney's prophecy made to Albus Dumbledore)
"What a load of Bollocks." Hermione plopped the orb into the special cushioned box Remus had made for the thing. The sitting room has been the selected location to listen to the bloody thing, since she could not be in the same space as the Horcruxes, which were locked up in her office. She had wanted to chuck the fucker into the nearest ocean and let the barnacles cover it. Regulus was adamant that they listen to this world's prophecy, just on the off chance that it was different from the one Hermione and Harry remembered.
Harry had mostly agreed, quite happy to let the thing sit undisturbed in the Hall of Prophecy forever. Regulus had been the factor that finally brought the Potter to the place where he watched Sirius fall through the Veil. Having the man back helped a great deal with the trauma. It was also a relief to know that he had not suffered at the action, merely changed worlds.
Hermione found she liked this world much better. As a powerful witch tied to a powerful family, people listened, and she didn't have to spend hours arguing about how the old ways were backwards, and needed to be at least ADJUSTED to bring them into the NOW.
"So, it's the same from your world?" Regulus was a curious addition to their group. Even after being with them at Potter Palace, he never seemed to fully recover. Draco and Andy both believed it had something to do either with the potion he drank to get the first Horcrux, or possibly something Snape concocted to keep him weak. Either way, Regulus would tire easily and had a difficult time keeping his mind about him. Sirius had been pleased that he was at least gaining the weight back. His bones were unnoticeable now, and he looked healthier, even if he wasn't completely. "Dorea is likely the child of this world's Prophecy." Hermione shook her head, as Harry stood up, clearly intending on attacking anyone who even thought about placing Dorea in harm's way.
Dorea was with Andy and Nymphadora at the Tonks' residence. Hermione hoped that once the prophecy was dealt with, they would all be to forget the stupid prophecy and focus on the Horcruxes as well as keeping a step ahead of their enemies. Hermione hated having the awful things in the house, even if there wasn't a single person alive that could get to it. Hermione, Draco, Harry, and even Remus all added their own enchantments, and it would take at least two of them to remove them. All four if they wanted it to be easily done. That left, Hufflepuff's Cup, the Gaunt ring, Ravenclaw's diadem, and possibly Dorea.
Hermione was still uncertain how they were to deal with the bit of soul inside her DeFacto sister. There was no way Harry would consent to sending a killing curse at his sister. That was an issue tabled for later. If all else failed, they were prepared to research a way to remove a Horcrux from a living person; and if Dorea started having dreams, they would begin entertaining trying some. Hermione had wondered if there was a way to test if she even had a soul piece. The prophecy of this world could be Harry still, he still met every requirement, their Voldemort marked him. Her scar also seemed to have healed very well, unlike Harry which, similar to a Curse scar never fully did. Hermione didn't want to try testing it either way, with her still so young, and not fully comfortable with her change in life. Harry worried that Dorea still held a little bit of doubt that she would never have to return to her aunt and uncle's house.
The other Horcruxes would be easy enough in comparison. The Ring was still at the Gaunt Shack, and the Diadem was in the Come and Go room. The location of the Cup was also going to be a hunt. Hermione had hoped the Cup would be in the Lestrange Vault, just like their world, but after seizing control of their estate, the Cup was nowhere to be found. Hermione researched a few other possibilities, but they would have to investigate each one. It was a task that she was pleased wasn't going to be done while a teenager on the run from the whole Government of the Wizarding World. They just had to be careful of running afoul of Dumbledore, before it was complete.
"I'm not saying we have the toddler fight the Dark Lord, should he rise again." Regulus was the opposite of his brother in many ways. He was calmer, or at least faked it better. His hair was the same soft black curl, but there was a hint of unnatural purple that had Hermione convinced their lineage had Magic Creature blood in it. Her guess would be a Siren, or some other aquatic enchantress. They shared grey eyes, but Regulus's was a more almond shape pinching in at the ends creating a constant look of judgement. It was a perfect look for the Blacks. Regulus was also much, much shorter than his brother. Sirius was no Remus, barely passing six feet. But Regulus was just a bit taller than Hermione. She'd guess him to be around five and a half feet, give or take an inch, since he refused to be measured. Sirius explained that he took after their father's height, while Regulus took after their mother. He was also narrower than Sirius in the waist. Both brothers could pass as female with a bit of make-up and the right clothes.
"Good, because we aren't!" Harry let out a series of angry words, relieving the stress he was under. Dorea was too important to use like he was. He would never use anyone the way he was used. With a growl he left the space, Hermione assumed to visit Dorea, and give himself comfort knowing she was doing alright.
"Well, I assume that will be all for today." Regulus stood up ignoring Remus and Sirius's looks of annoyed disbelief. "I will see myself out." He walked past Hermione out of the door, bringing with him a strange scent. She took in a stealthy breath wanting to identify it. Frowning at the floral fragrance, lavender. The moment she identified it; her stomach protested the aroma. She barely stood up before turning her head and emptying her stomach onto the young Scion's robes. The noise of surprise that followed, had every single person in the room, nursing a headache later that day. Remus reacted quickly, which surprised no one, grabbing Hermione's hair, to keep it out of the way, as she heaved again. This time into a bucket Draco transfigured.
Regulus cast a charm to clean his robes, removing them and leaving the room resignation on his face. His robe was thrown over his arm. Hermione had been prone to random fits of nausea since finding her out about her pregnancy. It was no surprise, when she questioned more and more how the symptoms worsened with her knowledge of the baby. Andy informed her that she was progressing normally. The dizziness and nausea would leave soon enough. She just wished it would be now rather than later.
Sirius eased Hermione into his lap, after the sickness passed. Remus vanished the mess, getting the room back into order, smell and all. Hermione let out a groan, feeling the tenderness that came along with the loss of one's lunch. Sirius rubbed soothing circles on her back, and there he stayed until Hermione felt well enough to move into their room for a bath. A long soak always made her feel better after emptying her stomach. It helped that the Elves would bring her anything she asked for while she relaxed.
After her recent bout of sickness, the members of their group decided it would be a good idea to take a break from Hunting. Andy and Lysa were over daily getting everything set for the wedding that was happening in a month's time. Hermione would be showing slightly but not enough for anyone to break politeness and comment. Hermione didn't care if the whole world knew she was with child. She loved Sirius and the rest was water beneath the bridge. She'd continue to change the world and love her family with her whole being.
It took another three weeks before Hermione breached the topic of the Horcruxes again. She had been thinking of the best way to gather the three that were left, and asked Dobby if he could get them. After an in-depth description of the Diadem and its location, he had easily added it to their pile of artifacts. No matter what they described, or how well, the last two were a loss to him.
"Too well hidden," he said. Hermione slumped into a mood after that, dancing between annoyance, frustration, and all-around impatience. The men of the house dancing around her like she was a cobra ready to strike anyone who got too close, did not help. Sirius took the brunt of her ire at being handled with kiddy gloves. That being, he often had bruises after their rather aggressive trips to their bedroom. The pregnancy halted many things, their sex life was not one of those things. Harry had walked in on Hermione's head bobbing between Sirius's legs, while he was tied to a chair in the library, before finally outlawing any usual nightly activities anywhere NOT their bedrooms. There was a protest, but eventually the Head of House Potter won.
With a week to go before the large reception that was going to be used as a ceremony. Hermione was Mrs. Black, but the world did not know it. Magic did, and her closest friends and family as well. The large party at Black Manor would be their way of showing the world. The invitations were out, everything was ordered and ready to go.
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Snape silently cursed Dumbledore and all his ridiculous plans. He had been forced to tread around a forest far from Hogwarts for the summer. Dumbledore wanted to know what exactly Voldemort was doing, and how best to manipulate the situation to undermine the Potters and their allies. His influence was slipping more and more as the day ticked by, and that led the headmaster to entertain more desperate plans. Dumbledore had intended to wait for Dorea to attend Hogwarts before moving to make sure the prophecy would come to pass, but not that she was out of his control; things had to adapt.
He had a variety of things in action, but Snape was not privy to all of them. There had been a time when Snape would know everything Dumbledore was doing, but that time had passed with the escape of Regulus. Snape had been given the blame, though he had nothing to do with the young scion's disappearance. The only evidence Dumbledore had was the rope Snape placed in his cell, that allowed Regulus to speak to his ex-lover if he so chose. The headmaster had not approved it. Snape was not perfect, but he was responsible for Regulus's imprisonment, the least he could do was keep him company.
"Seevvverrruuussss." A familiar hissing voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the moment. Standing off to the side of a tree just in front of him, was a deranged dirty man holding what Snape took to be a baby bundled up. Snape had a moment to think that was a bit odd since it was summer and there was a significant heat around them. "Why hassss you comsss." The voice again, this time Snape placed it. Voldemort. Snape had spent the last part of the war at the beck and call of two masters, it put a great strain on his ability to keep sane. He blamed that on his betrayal of Regulus, arguably the last friend he had in the world.
"I have returned to you Master." Snape bowed low, eyes never leaving the ugly man holding the bundle. He was not Voldemort, however familiar, but Snape could not place him. "Things have changed." Snape watched the man creep closer, shoulders drawn down in defeat. This was a man who knew that he was nothing but a servant. As he moved closer Snape took in the unshaved, unwashed face. Beady little eyes dull, stared back at him. A name suddenly matched the face, Peter Pettigrew.
The betrayer of Lily and James Potter, stared at Snape as if he did not recognize him. The once proud Marauder and bully was a shadow of his former self. Snape had to hide his satisfaction at the suffering of his childhood enemy. The little rat had not been the great bane of his existence at school, unlike Sirius Black. However, Lily would still be alive if not for the little shits, betrayal. In that regard Snape hated him most of all.
"Pettigrew, what a pleasure it is to see you are still in the service of our master." He smiled condescendingly. "What have you been doing all this time? You look..." He was cut off by an annoyed hiss from the bundle.
"Enough Sssseverussss, my passiensss growss ssshort. What hasssss changed?" Snaped stood straight ignoring Peter and explaining the appearance of the Potter siblings, a previous unknown Black Scion, and Malfoy heir. Two wealthy and strong families that were now in the hands of others. As luck would have it, they were not in Dumbledors hands. This was something that pleased Voldemort, but not much. The impending wedding between the Black Lord and a Potter was unsettling to say the least.
Snape continued with the information that Dumbledore was as confused by the turn of events as everyone else. No knew where the new addition to normally very well-known family trees. Snape had accepted the Potters knowing that Charlus had a brother, and everyone knew Abraxas was known to keep several women and a few men in his bed, but the Black Scion can out of nowhere. He had to have been an acknowledged member, and all the males of that line were either dead, disowned, or squibs. This man, who called himself Sirius Black, made little sense in the grand scheme of things. He truly seemed to have come out of nowhere. His scooping up the lady Potter before anyone else was also suss. Snape figured they must have known each other beforehand, but that was also unlikely.
The lost Potters put a stop to a great deal of plans, the Dark Lord's side and others, with their arrival and marriage to the Black Lord. The bundle turned silent contemplating the new information. Peter led the Potion Master to a small dirty cottage that they had been occupying for a year or so. Peter had heard of the Potter take over while hiding as a family pet. Snape kept his surprise hidden at the weakest Marauder actually achieving an Animagus form. He was annoyed when he learned they all had. It made a certain amount of sense, since their friend was a werewolf.
"What doesss Dumbledore make of thissss?" Peter set the bundle in a beat-up wingback chair that looked greatly out of place in the cottage. Voldemort was able to sit up with the help of Peter and the chair. The baby-like thing looked around the room, before setting his narrow slip of eyes on Snape. Snape wanted to gag at the look of the thing. He was misshapen and wrinkly. Snape thought he looked like a baby born far too early and left out in the sun to get crusty. It was not a pleasant thought.
"He wants them gone and Dorea returned to his control." Snape tried to make sense of Dumbledore's actions to himself. He did not know if he would be able to relay the ideas with any confidence. Voldemort seemed to understand something he did not, or maybe he refused to admit his own confusion. Snape didn't particularly care either way. He wanted to get away from the heat of the forest in summer. He pulled Hufflepuff's cup out of his robes and set it in front of the snake child thing that was Voldemort. Snape had not known about the Horcruxes while under the power of Voldemort. Dumbledore however seemed to have known for some time, but refused to explain how. He had got the cup for Gringotts before the Blacks were able to take control of Bellatrix's vault. It had not been easy, but there was little the powerful Dumbledore could do, when he wanted.
"I think, master, it's time your situation approves." Snape tried to show the same level of excitement and commitment Peter did at the sight of the cup. He was not successful, but no one present noticed.
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Hermione tugged at the loose white dress for the tenth time. Andy smacked her hands away from the lacy fabric for the fifteenth time. Hermione was nervous, and she hated being nervous. There were going to be over a hundred witches and wizards looking at her for the next few hours. Sirius already promised that tonight would be theirs and he had more than a few things planned. She had been a bit put out that she was not involved in the set-up, being the planner. However, after he reassured her that it was all inspired by their many conversations about fantasies, she started looking forward to it.
Lysa put the last touches on her hair and the two women stood back. Hermione admired herself in the mirror, wondering when her hair had darkened so much. Even her eyes which had been brown were greener than they were before. Andy had told her, when she asked about it, that magical adoption was gradual when the line adopting was strong. Hermione had been annoyed that Harry adopted her until Andy explained further that Harry did not adopt her, the Potter Magic did. She would eventually have the same hair and eyes as her brother. The knowledge left her with a strange feeling. While she was pleased to be closer to Harry and Dorea, she would miss the last traces of her parents in her face.
Nodding to her friends, Hermione moved toward the door, intending to get the whole thing over with as fast as possible so she could enjoy whatever her husband had set up for them, for after.
The ceremony lasted a bit longer than the one they had with just their close family and friends. There was a set structure to the event and they had to adhere to it. That meant Hermione had to stand uncomfortable in front of the large crowd of mostly strangers as the Ministry Officiate gabbed on and on. It ended far later then Hermione would have liked, but the kiss Sirius graced her with helped make up for it.
She smiled smugly at the jealous looks of the women and men, while they walked back down the aisle together as a married couple. She was pleased to finally be over it. Sirius led her over to a small stand where a pitcher of water waited for them. It was time for them to accept congratulations and greet everyone who attended. Hermione's feet were crying out in pain when the line finally ended and she was able to sit down. Her stomach had turned more than she wanted to admit. Luckily Andy had been on hand with a potion to soothe the worst of it. The last thing they needed to happen was Hermione to lose her lunch to their guests. Mostly, she did not want to ruin the beautiful dress Andy had commissioned for her.
There was no real surprise until Dumbledore wandered over the newly married couple. Hermione had hoped when she did not see him in the line to greet them, he had decided not to come. Clearly that had not been the case. Hermione steeled herself, wrapped an arm around Sirius's both to ground herself and prevent him from doing something impulsive. Which was likely what Dumbledore hoped to do by arriving well after the event started. There was fashionably late, and then there was impolite. He had gone well passed both.
"I believe congratulation are in order." Dumbledore's voice was tight in annoyance. Regulus had made his return at this event as well, merely joining the crowd and smiling when others recognized him. His story was that he had gone into hiding at the request of his brother, before his death. And had only returned when the new Lord of House Black sought him out. When asked why Sirius would approach him after so much time, Regulus informed them that he had been told that every other scion was dead. It wasn't until the intelligent Hermione reconstructed the Black tapestry that the enchantment concealing his being alive was revealed. It was a load of bollocks, but everyone ate it up with a golden spoon.
Regulus had made a point to wear sleeves that left his arms uncovered. So as to prove that he did not have the Dark mark. Draco and Sirius did the same. Hermione had hoped that someone would reveal their position and try to cast magic on them, likely thinking they had hidden the marks with magic. Andy's coin was on the Minister for Magic. Remus bet on Dumbledore. Needless to say, the pool was up to about 150 gold for whoever got it right. Lysa had started distancing herself further from her father as he began to throw out wild claims in an attempt to keep the position he had coveted for so long. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he was removed.
"Thank you." Sirius's voice was light, despite the tightness of his shoulders. Hermione was not faring much better, eyes moving over her once respected headmaster. "We were going to wait a bit longer, but we decided there was no point."
"Oh yes, there can never be enough Love in this world." Dumbledore kept the twinkling light in his eye. "I have to say, I had hoped Regulus would reappear one day. It must have been quite the surprise."
"Of course, but Sirius loved his baby brother dearly. I'm not surprised he saved him at the end." Hermione spoke, a false smile in place. Her stomach was turning and all she wanted to do was get away from him.
"I wondered when I received the invitation," Dumbledore placed a finger on his chin, pausing so everyone around them could listen in. "How ever did the two of you meet? The wedding seemed to come out of nowhere." He glanced at her stomach with purpose and the air tensed. Sirius bit back a growl that would have reminded anyone of his Animagus. The guests around them looked shocked that anyone would state the question they were all thinking.
"Oh! Of course, you'd be curious. It was such a whirlwind of a thing." Hermione stepped up, eyes bright with anger, a threat in her very stance. "It is unsurprising to you, I'm sure, that the situation House Potter found itself in was a rather rare occurrence. A branch taking over Head of House without a bit of notice!" Hermione let her voice rise in mock surprise. "When Sirius found himself in a similar position, obviously he reached out for advice." She smiled lovingly at Sirius who was watching her eyes just as full of love. "I agreed to a meeting immediately." She turned back to Dumbledore, "I know how hard it can be to find oneself in a new place and have no friends!" Sirius bit his lip, trying to not laugh at the insult toward Dumbledore, drawing attention back to the fight he had with Harry at the Ministry. "And we got along so well, I invited him for tea." She stood on her toes, and Sirius bent down to kiss her. "The rest is obvious to see." She watched with a fiery smile as Dumbledore's smug expression changed briefly. Hermione tensed, thinking.
I guess Remus wins.
Dumbledore turned a bright shade of green and silver, a beautiful touch by Regulus. He jerked back, dropping his wand in surprise as he received a surprised shock. Hermione put her foot forward quickly, slipping the wand under her overly fluffy dress as Sirius turned red and drew his own wand to cover up the action.
"You dare cast magic on me? At my own home?!" The party burst with noise at that point, and everything happened quickly. Everyone moved into damage control, ushering the guests out. The Weasleys took to Dumbledore's side, shoving him out of the wards with loud apologies; not giving him time to speak or reclaim his dropped wand. All their friends and family kept everything under control. Hermione remained in place, not wanting to lose the Elder Wand, pressed into the ground under her foot.
The next day, Hermione was found cackling at the headline. Harry eating a bagel while twirling the Elder Wand between his fingers. Holding the wand felt right; he was the master of the wand here as well.
Trouble at Black and Potter Wedding
What should have been the event of the season, almost turned into a duel between Albus Dumbledore and Lord Sirius Black. It was not immediately apparent what had happened to cause the younger man to draw his wand until this reporter was able to interview witnesses nearest the scene.
Albus Dumbledore cast a basic magic canceling charm on the Lord Black, which as any witch or wizard worth their magic would know to be at best bad form, and at worst a slight of epic proportions. This reporter is firmly in the second category. Earlier this year Dumbledore had held the Heir Potter, Dorea Lily Potter, hostage against her rightful family. Lord Potter was well within his rights to demand her return (see issue 347 pgs 11-14 for full story).
House Potter inviting him to the bonding ceremony was a peaceful way to show they held no lasting negative feelings. That does not seem to be the case with headmaster Dumbledore...
Hermione was laughing so hard; she was unable to finish the article. This happened exactly like they had hoped. Dumbledore was damaging his reputation and on top of all that. He lost the Elder Wand. Sirius took the paper reading quietly before laughing as well. Everything was finally starting to come together!
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A/n HEY OH! Another chapter down. I will either do two more chapters, or a really long one, what would you, lovely readers, prefer? Until next time!