PART 2
Ch. 24- Azkaban
I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO HARRY POTTER
Hermione paced back and forth in front of the hospital wing's door, uncertain if she wanted to enter. Only a few days had passed since their return and already things had taken a turn for the worse. She had not been able to catch Draco alone, and Harry and Ron's curiosity about Rose had faded. The biggest news in the school to date was that there was a mass break out from Azkaban that the ministry blamed on Sirius. No one was more upset by this information then Neville. One of the escaped death eaters tortured his parents and had put broken their minds using one of the unforgivable curses. He was more focused and determined to have another DA Meeting then anyone. When she decided now was not the time, Hermione started to walk away, but crashed right into Draco, who smirked at her.
"I'm sorry." He spoke and she shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry. It was my fault." She told him, walking around him to leave.
"Have you seen her today?" He asked and Hermione turned back to look at him. "She's doing much better right?" He asked.
"I actually haven't been in to see her." She hesitated, the letter in her pocket.
"You can join me if you want. I only have a short time before my next class." He said and Hermione took in a deep breath.
"Alright." The two of them walked into the bright room together. Madam Pomfrey barely looked up when Draco entered. It was almost as if he expected him. They walked to the bed much further back then when she had last seen her. Rose sat up a book in her hand and smiled when she saw Draco. He had been right; she was much better. Her skin had gained its color back and her eyes were gray again. Even her hair was shinier and pulled back with a headband.
"Hermione, I didn't expect to see you." She said and Hermione waved.
"I'm glad to see you're doing better."
"I am, thank you."
"Do you have any idea what happened?" She asked her, but Rose shook her head.
"I don't remember anything after the train back to London." She spoke. "But Professor Umbridge says she has launched a full investigation into the matter." She said and Hermione nodded.
"I'm sure she will." Draco assured her.
"Were you worried about me; I didn't know you cared?" Rose joked and Hermione tried to laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm not myself yet." She said to her. "Did you need something from me?" Hermione looked concerned between them and felt for the letter in her pocket.
"I've actually come, because I have something for you." She spoke. "But before I give this to you, you have to know that I can't tell you how I got it or Any further information on the subject." Hermione said and Draco eyed her suspiciously.
"What?" Rose asked.
"You'll understand in a moment, but I need your word." She spoke. Rose deliberated and sat up straighter.
"Alright. You have my word Hermione." She spoke. Hermione slowly pulled from her robes Sirius' letter and held it out to her. Rose stared at it a curious smile on her face. She opened it and Hermione took a step back. Rose's smile faded and she looked up at Hermione.
"What is it?" Draco asked.
"It's a letter." She whispered, her voice cracking. "From my father." She told him and he stares down at her. Draco looked at Hermione, appalled.
"That's all I know." She said to them and turned away to leave. Draco follows her, leaving Rose alone with the letter. She reaches the end of the room when Draco places him hand on her shoulder and turns him around.
"Hermione stops." He tells her.
"I can't Draco." She says to him and turns again.
"No, you can't just leave this and run. Rose deserves answers." Hermione edges out of the room and down the hall. "Stop running away." He runs ahead of her.
"Hermione." Harry's voice calls out from behind them. "Are you alright?"
"She's fine potter, mind your business." Draco spits.
"Or what Malfoy?" Harry demands.
"That's enough." Hermione says. "Let's go Harry." She pulls on Harry's robes in the other direction.
"Its not over." Draco calls out but they ignore him.
"What was that about?" Harry asked her.
"Nothing, just Malfoy being Malfoy. Come on let's go." She urged him.
When Draco returned to the hospital wing, Rose was nearly through the letter. Her eyes filled with new tears.
"Are you alright?" He asked her.
"What did Hermione say?" She asked but Draco's face fell. "She knows him, Draco. Knows where he is. I'm so close, look." Draco took the letter from her and started reading, but Madam Pomfrey came bustling along.
"You're going to be late for class, Mr. Malfoy." She told him and Rose nodded.
"Take it, bring it back later." She said and he hugged her before leaving.
"It will be alright, I promise." He told her. Draco rushed off to class, making it with only seconds to spare. Today in History of Magic, most of the class was already zone out, but he could see Zabini taking notes and decided to take the risk of missing the lecture. He opened the letter and began reading.
Primrose,
You may be confused by the contents of this letter, but I implore you to read it. I knew and loved your mother since I was only ten years old. I believe that you may be my daughter. Now if you are, I don't know why Amelia would keep you from me, but I beg you to hear my words with an open mind. My name is Sirius Black.
Draco read and read again the first few lines, trying to wrap his head around it. It was only just a few weeks ago, that they had confirmed this information and here he was reaching out to Rose, through Hermione of all people.
I might be wrong, but I can only do as my heart tells me, and in my heart, I feel it's true. That you Primrose Lily Avery are my daughter and if it's true, know that I will do anything to be a part of your life. Now if you've heard of me and fear me to be who the ministry has portrayed me as, know that it is untrue. I could never do as they accuse, I could never betray my friends, who were more of a family to me then my own blood. I will try to give you all the pieces I have and if by the end you wish to get to know me, then I will find a way to you.
I am from a very old family in the wizarding world, with views very different from mine, but when I was a child, we often socialized with other wizarding families of the same purity as my own. At one I met a very brave and outspoken girl named Amelia. She and I became fast friends and when we reached our first year at Hogwarts, I knew that I would someday marry her.
Draco read the words slowly feeling awful. From the things that they had read, he could assume things, but the story had not ended. Somehow it had only become more complicated. He never got his memories back; he thought the woman he loved had abandoned him and hidden away a daughter. He could not imagine what might happen next.
I always knew that I was different from my family, always did and said things wrong. When I was sorted into Gryffindor, it was a great disappointment to my parents, but it was one of the best things to happen to me, because there I met my best friends. It was through them that I was able to escape my parent's ridiculous rules and forge my own path. Amelia was the sweetest person I had known. She came from the same type of Family as I, but like me she did not agree with how they felt about the separation of classes. But she believed in family above all. She could not risk her family knowing that she had fallen for someone like me, who believed as I did. So, we kept our relationship a secret for years. It did not stop us though. I loved her more than life itself. I still have questions myself; it broke me to find out that was gone, but I have hope that you carry a piece of her in you. I wish to know you and to share with you all our stories. I wish with all my being that you are who I think you are, but I also know that you may have doubts or worries. Please believe that I mean you no harm, and if you choose to not know me, then I will understand.
Thinking of you
S.B.
Draco finished the letter and sat unmoving for the remainder of this class. He knew what she would do. She had come this far; Rose would want to meet him. She would seek him out, but from what his father had told him, Sirius Black was still dangerous. His own mother did not acknowledge him as a member of the house of Black. With all that was happening, he hadn't even told Rose about the escaped Death eater. He thought about what she had said when she was still crazed upon returning. Their coming back to him. She had said and he couldn't help but feel that it meant the death eaters. What had she witnessed? After she had awoken the next day, she had not remembered speaking that way and since she was fine, he didn't want to push her. He knew exactly who her family was. He knew exactly who his father was. He had thought that he would simply be able to turn a blind eye, but every way he turned something was coming. Weather it was Umbridge at Hogwarts, or the Dark Lord on the outside or Apparently Sirius Black come to reclaim his daughter. Even Harry Potter had come up in all that he had tried to avoid this year. Rose had warned him too. Harry mustn't give it to him. She had said, Draco was anxious more so then usual, but he handled these problems the way he always knew how. One step at a time, he chose to fix what he could. He could not think about the dark lord. He was not within the castle's walls. Professor Umbridge was best kept close. If she trusted him, then when the time came, he could either help her or stop her depending on what was needed. The escaped death eater was another matter. His aunt Bellatrix among them. He could not worry about them. As for Harry, Hermione and Sirius Black, Draco knew these were the matters at hand. As class dismissed Draco swung his bag over his shoulder and headed down to the library where he knew he would find what he was looking for. She sat on the ground, in her favorite Aisle, while everyone headed off to lunch. He cornered her and sat beside her, she looked nervously at him.
"Don't run away, please." He begged her.
"I don't have any further information for you." She told him.
"Yes, you do. You just don't want to give it to me. Have you seen what he's written her?" He asked her. Hermione shook her head.
"No, I haven't. I only promised that I would get it to her." She told him.
"Read it." He handed her the letter.
"It's not my place." She spoke.
"Read it Hermione and tell me what she is supposed to do with this if you won't help her." Hermione hesitated but eventually took the letter. Draco knew if he was going to help Rose, he needed Hermione. He watched her now, as she read the letter to herself. He thought about their time together last year and the way he knew he still felt about her. He thought about Sirius and Amelia, sneaking around these same hallways, putting their love above everything, including the dark lord and their families. He thought about it, but he could not see himself being that brave, giving up his mother and father. Making them targets because of his selfish choices. Hermione being targeted instead because of it. He felt queasy and hoped it didn't show. When she finished, she stared at him?
"They each have one part of the puzzle, Hermione." He told her. "Rose knows why she never knew him. She can give him all the answers he needs, and she could finally be safe and away from the Avery." He said the words, but he did not mean them entirely. To be wherever Sirius was, meant that she would be away from him. They had grown so close in such a short time, he didn't know if he could go back to his Slytherin Friends, who he could never be truly honest with.
"What do you mean she knows? What happened?" she asked, and Draco knew he was taking a risk. He was divulging Rose's secrets, but he knew he could trust Hermione. He was also risking his promise to Hermione. The closer he was to her the more the wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to show her how much he loved her.
"Her mother left her something with Dumbledore. She learned the truth." He hesitated. "Her mother left her family when she learned she was pregnant, but she left to be with him." He pointed to the letter. "Something happened and they needed to go into hiding, he decided on an extra precaution in case anything ever went wrong." Draco gulped. "Only a few people knew she even existed, and he made it so both she and Rose were wiped from their memories, until it was safe for them again."
"But then he was arrested." Hermione mumbled.
"There's more Hermione and I'm not what exactly this all means, but when she was born both Professor Lupin and Harry's parents were made her godparents." Hermione gasped. "And in turn Harry's godparents were Amelia and Sirius." He told her. Hermione shook her head.
"How is it that no one remembers anything?"
"It's complicated, but it's true, Hermione. They are all connected. They were all apart of the same fight. Rose deserves to know her father. He's all she has left of what her mother wanted for her." He told her.
"I can't just give her that information, Draco. It's not my place." She said to him and sighed. "But I will try to get him a message if she wants." Hermione whispered. "How did this become my life?" She mumbled. "This was not at all what I imagined my fifth year at Hogwarts would be." She spoke.
"At least It's not dull." He laughed and she smiled at him. "I did want to thank you for brining her this letter. I don't want her to leave, but if it will keep her safe- "He didn't finish his sentence.
"You care for her a great deal." She observed and Draco nodded.
"She's my best friend." He told her and Hermione nodded.
_
"Why are you so desperate to reach Sirius?" Harry argued with Hermione a few weeks later. "It's dangerous Hermione. You told me that. He's on the cover of every Paper." He told her and Ron watched her from the seat.
"We have to have a way to communicate Harry, in case of emergencies." Hermione told him. "Never mind." She walked away from them and headed back to the table.
"She's acting squirrely lately." Ron said.
"I heard that." She told them and gathered her books and left the common room. From the top of the stairs, she could see Rose back on her feet, following Umbridge around with a clipboard making notes.
"And ask the ministry to confirm when the examiners will be arriving, I want to be sure I am there to greet them." Umbridge says as Hermione gets closer.
"Yes, Ma'am." She said, eyeing Hermione as she approached.
"Will you be ready to take them, Primrose?" She asked Rose nodded.
"I believe I am ready. I study every night." She told her.
"And of course, your mother taught you very well. That's all in good breeding you see. You're naturally talented." She told rose and Hermione rolled her eyes. As she passed them, Umbridge spoke louder. "Some things cannot be taught." She said and Rose smirked with her. Hermione stopped, but didn't turn.
"Everything alright?" Rose asked her, but with a little viler then necessary. Hermione turned towards them. "Yes?" She asked and Umbridge smirked.
"Nothing." She walked away from them feeling annoyed. She knew that it was all an act for Rose, but did she have to be so bloody good at it? Hermione felt as if she had come to the end of the line. She had no idea how she was going to reach Sirius and provide Rose with her answer. She decided to ask Professor Dumbledore if there was a way. According to what she understood, Dumbledore knew everything and was even responsible for everyone's memory lapse. She wanted not to believe that. Dumbledore knew how lonely Sirius was, he only wanted him to remain safe within the confines of Grimmauld Place. She wanted to believe if he held those answers for him that he would have given them to Sirius. There was still too much unanswered. She did not see him for a while and when she asked other professors it seemed Dumbledore was far too busy to see her. Nearly two months had passed since their return, and she was still unable to get the message to Sirius. They had not heard anything and Umbridge was getting closer to finding them out. It was not until Professor Trelawney was fired by Professor Umbridge that Dumbledore was able to catch up to him. He was fast, but as she knew where he was going it was easy to catch him. She waited at the entrance to his office as he rushed quickly towards her.
"Professor, do you have a moment?" She asked.
"I'm afraid I don't Ms. Granger. Perhaps another- "he said but Hermione stood in his way.
"Please, it's important." He looked behind him and it was urgent that he get up to his office.
"Very well. Quickly." He said to her and led her up to his office. He closed the door behind him. "What is so urgent, Ms. Granger?" He asked her, taking a seat behind his desk.
"Sir, I'm sure you're aware of Rose's connection to Sir- to Padfoot." She said, hoping to avoid eavesdroppers. He nodded. "Are you aware they have made communications?" She asked.
"I was not aware, no. But it is expected." He spoke.
"She's asked me to pass along a message to him, but as it's not safe to send letters through Owls, I'm not sure how to reach him for her."
"Why have you burdened yourself with that responsibility?" He asked her. "Hermione, you are very bright, but surely you must know that you have placed yourself in a very difficult situation." He told her.
"Yes, sir. I am aware, but I've tried to stay out of it. Unfortunately, I have not been able to." She spoke.
"You have to understand, that the second Sirius receives that confirmation, he will do whatever he can to make it here to her, putting him in further danger. If we bring her to him, then we risk the ministry if not her family and their ties to Voldemort finding her and the rest of the order." He says and Hermione nods.
"Then what shall I do?" She asked him. Dumbledore looked around his office and sighed.
"For now, I think it's best to keep everyone at bay. When the time is right, I will reunite them myself. You have my word." He told her and some assemblance of relief crossed Hermione's mind.
"May I ask you one more thing?" She asked.
"Why didn't I tell Sirius earlier?" She nodded. "I tried on so many occasions to let him know and restore his memories, but the timing was never right. When I believed that we had been ready, Voldemort returned, and Amelia grew nervous to return in anyway. She feared her daughter would be a target for all her years of hiding and asked me to wait until we had a secure place to tell Sirius." He explained. "We were going to tell him once the headquarters were set up, but then tragically she was found, by the very death eaters she feared would find her." He told her.
"She was killed by Death eaters." He nodded.
"A tragic loss and by the time I received word, the girl was already gone and with her family. What was I to do? Rip her from their grasp and further scar her?" He asked. "No, I did what I thought was best and accepted her into this school, as to keep a better eye on her." He spoke. "I trust that you understand what you must do now." He asked Hermione.
"Yes Professor. I will wait." She said and Dumbledore smiled.
"Thank you, Ms. Granger." He said and Hermione stood up to leave. She looked back at the office of the great headmaster of Hogwarts and felt a little better.
It was far more difficult than Hermione had thought to ask for more time. Rose was impatient and with every no, she grew to dislike Hermione.
"Why are you doing this? I though you understood?" Draco argued and Hermione turned away from him, but Rose approached, a determined look on her face.
"No, I'm sick of this. When will you reach him? I don't want anymore vague answers." She said to her.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any answer that you will like. The timing is just not right. But Soon." She assured them both. Rose rolled her eyes. Hermione ran from them. The next few weeks were cold to say the least. The unthinkable happened. The DA was caught, and Hermione suspected it was thanks to Rose, but when her jinx worked on Cho's friend, Hermione rethought it. Dumbledore was removed as Headmaster and Umbridge was replaced as the new Headmistress at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had escaped according to Harry, but things were worse. She created new rules and punishments that made Azkaban look like a vacation. She created a new club, known as the Inquisitorial Squad, which both Rose and Draco had become a part of.
She had finished another night in the library when she came across Pansy and her pack of dimwitted followers.
"Granger, you realize the hour?" Pansy asked and the girls snickered.
"I'm a prefect Pansy. I understand the rules." She said, walking past the girls.
"Are you giving attitude to a member of the inquisitorial staff?" She asked, pulling out her wand. "Well, are you aware that our dear Headmistress has given us permission to use certain spell if ever we are threatened?" She asked and Hermione turned to see Pansy's wand on her chest. "Do you feel threatened girls?" She smiled. Hermione did not have a chance to reach for her wand when the words escaped pansy's mouth. But something peculiar happened. Pansy was shot straight across the room and against the stone. The other girls screamed, and Hermione could not explain what happened. They ran for Pansy's unconscious body. Draco and Rose appeared from behind a pilar. Hermione stared down at her Necklace, it vibrated intensely before stopping abruptly.
"I will take care of it, get her out of here, before she comes." Rose ran to Pansy touched each girl as she passed them, with her wand. "She's stunned." She said loudly. Draco took Hermione by the hand and pulled her down the hall, as more members of the club and Professor Umbridge raced towards them. He opened a door to an unused classroom and pushed her against a dark corner.
"Shh." He told her when she tried to speak. Draco held his wand up as the doorknob jiggled and in walked Crabbe and another Slytherin boy.
"There's no one in here." Crabbe said. They turned and left. When Draco was certain no one was returning, he pulled away from Hermione and dropped his wand.
"I will check the halls in a few minutes and then you just make your way back to your common room with none the wiser." He said seriously and turned his back on her.
"Why are you helping me?" She asked him and Draco shrugged.
"Why do you think we joined the stupid club? Umbridge has gone power crazy." He told her. "Or do you still believe us the villains in your story." He said coldly.
"Draco." She whispered.
"No, Hermione, don't bother." He spoke. He walked towards the door and peered out of it. "I think you're clear." He said, but Hermione did not leave.
"Draco, please." She spoke. "Did you do this?" She held out her necklace and he turned away from her. "You did." She said. "To protect me?" She asked him. Draco did not look at her.
"What did you expect me to do, Hermione? Do you think I just made up all the things I said to you? Do you think that I can just get over you, so easily?" He asked and stepped closer to the door. Hermione ran to him and held his arm.
"It's no easier for me." She told him. "You say you're incapable of standing against your family, but look what you're doing now." She said.
"Standing against Umbridge is not the same as standing against the Dark Lord, Hermione. Nothing's changed." He said and He stepped out of the classroom and left the door open. Hermione sighed and followed him out. He walked her to the stairs, and she started to climb them, not bothering to look back, tears steaming down her face.