Chapter 15

The silence was very defining as they all stared at one another. Hermione was the first one to clear her throat, breaking the silence.

"Hm, this is a bit awkward. How were you able to bring him along so...willingly?" asked Hermione, acting like she didn't just kiss Severus Snape in front of the two individuals.

Snape shifted slightly further away from her but she didn't take it the wrong way. She used her wand to dry herself as she watched Percy. He was trying very hard to hide his horror, his throat swallowing hard every few seconds. Hermione would have laughed but decided it would only make it worse.

She leaned back against the sink and watched as Dimitry walked around Percy and towards one of the chairs. His eyes showing his interest as he glanced back and forth between her and her potions teacher. He initiated the bond, his amusement becoming more pronounced as he did so.

"What was going on before? Nevermind, right now attend to Percy. I asked him to come for a 'meeting' with several other Purebloods. He didn't question it and followed along. Almost like an elf would have. It wasn't that difficult." Dimitry shared privately.

Hermione made a humming sound in return. Turning to Percy, she offered him a seat by the table in the middle of the kitchen as she set to make more tea, trying to act like they hadn't just interrupted an intimate moment with Snape. She ignored the pointed look Dimitry threw her way when she didn't answer him. As she continued making more tea, she stared at Snape; who was leaning against the sink, shoulders tense, as he adjusted the bathrobe tightly around his frame.

His body tensed under her gaze, face blank. Deciding to put it aside for the moment, she nevertheless made sure he didn't forget it.

Brushing up against his shields, she waited until he did the same. Wanting to smile despite everything, she spoke up as he kept the link open, eyes locked in order to read each others thoughts. "We will discuss this later. Don't avoid me because of this."

He tipped his head to the side but otherwise didn't reply.

Percy took that moment to soeak, voice rough with surprise.

"Hermione? It is you, correct?" He stood and walked over to her side. His eyes searching hers as he came to a stop, a frown on his face. He glanced around, making sure to make a point as he did so.

"What are you doing here. Why do you look...so different?" He finished, his eyes taking in the small changes. Maybe not so small. She would really have to start using charms or potions to de-age herself if she was going to meet people. Not everybody could know about the time-turner. She kicked herself for not thinking that far. Dimitry raised an eyebrow but kept his silence. He had warned her but did she listen...no.

"Sit down, drink the tea. I will tell you what you need to know in a bit." said Hermione indtead of answerung his questiones. She placed a cup in front of him.

He frowned at her tone but still did as she said. He watched her silently as she sat down as well. Before getting into it, she asked Dimitry.

"How did you get him here? What about the meeting? Zephrine?"

He had been in a meeting, having him here was risky. Dimitry stiffened ever so slightly, his face erasing every bit of amusement he had felt seconds ago. "They are being kept in Malfoy Manor for the night. It seems like the revels are soon to start."

Hermione suppressed her terror. She knew what they did at the Revels. It didn't bode well for anybody involved.

Dimitry had told her what they really did at them. She had only read of them but it hadn't been in detail or anything. Dimitry had told her a few nights ago that Revels meant that at least ten to fifteen muggles and muggleborns would be kidnapped and killed. Most of the "new" recruits would be told what to do with them. Mostly torture and kill.

There were three parts of the Revel. Plus the ending of it.

One, where everybody would have to attend. Told what to do and what not. Enjoy a nice "dinner" and converse. Dimitry had said that they mostly consisted of marriage arrangements and polite but tense talk that wasn't important.

The second was where the underlings would be forced to leave. Only the Pureblood families were told to stay as well as a few Half-Bloods. That was when all of them would "donate" money to Riddle and those who needed it to carry out orders. They would bring in information from the Ministry and Hogwarts. It wasn't until later in the night that only the Inner Circle would be the only ones left. At the moment, it consisted of;

Malfoy Family

Carrow Twins

Antonin Dolohov

Goyle Snr

Nott Snr

Rosier Snr

Thorfinn Rowle

Walden Macnair

Corban Yaxley

It was only after that they went to a different location to do the killings and what not. Something that was used for "training" purposes.

Hermione stared down at her hands for a couple of seconds, trying to get her thoughts under control as well as her emotions. There must have been a reason why he was here and the others weren't. Which made her wonder why Severus wasn't attending. Fixing her gaze on both said men, she waited for them to answer her. There was no need to voice it out loud. They knew what she was thinking.

Dimitry spoke up first completely ignoring Percy, who was observing them silently.

If there was a way to make him believe, there was no other way then to face the truth. No matter how ugly it sounded.

"It is more like a homecoming party for Riddle. To impress him as well, since almost everybody is on his bad side. Especially those that didn't search for him. They have only taken muggles this time, ten of them, to start of the Revel. I will get you a list of the people attending. Mind you, they all have a reason for attending but there's no doubt that everybody is afraid. Nobody knows how powerful he is now so they won't do anything to tempt his wrath." said Dimitry, voice grim with distaste. He glanced briefly at Snape before continuing.

"He wants us to grovel for now. But those with Sons and Daughters are forgiven the instant they join him. For now, the wives and offspring are to stay at Malfoy Manor as 'insurance' for the rest of the summer. He's already planning ahead, he even sent me to the Ministry tonight to fetch him a woman; Dolores Umbridge. A vile woman who is currently very close to the Minister. Who will now be close to the Malfoy's as well? I don't think she's meeting him directly. But the meeting shouldn't leave any doubt as to why she's there. His plan is to use her but he hasn't told anybody yet what for."

"Having Barty being caught didn't make him angry as one would expect. He actually didn't think much of him either way. He had doubts about him. He doesn't think the Minister will believe anything Barty tells them. The people will believe the Minister but only to an extent. Once the disappearances begin again they will panic and that's when the Dark Lord will step in. As for Pettigrew, he has never been important. He betrayed his friends on his own without much help. He will try to gain his freedom by selling fake information once they figure out that he REALLy was on the Dark Lord's side."

Hermione swallowed hard, yes there was much to keep in mind. Especially the Minister. He would be the focal point of the Voldemort's plans right now. It made sense that he would target the Ministry before attacking Harry once more. Because in his mind, he had already defeated Harry. He was probably thinking along the lines of future dominance over the British Ministry. Now that did irk her.

She turned back to Dimitry, making sure she sent her thoughts to him, before privately saying, "Go, do what you were sent to do. Do not let him think you have changed sides. Please keep everybody safe."

Dimitry nodded, his blue eyes warming slightly. "Of course. I will be in contact later."

He left. Leaving her worried. She really didn't want anything to happen to them. She couldn't bear it if anything happened to them. Especially a certain person that was becoming...

Snape spoke up after a few seconds of silence, avoiding her gaze. "I'm not attending the Revel. I have never attended them before since I was always making potions for him or doing other stuff. Tonight I did see him but only briefly. Which was enough to anger him. He wanted to know certain things about the upcoming year which is why he asked Dimitri to get Umbridge when I couldn't get him what he wanted. Right now, I'm supposed to be bringing in Fenrir Greyback. Riddle wants him as an 'ally' along with other creatures."

Was he supposed to get Greyback with all those wounds? Up against a half transformed wolf like that was a death sentence. Brushing that thought away she spoke up, keeping her voice calm and clear. Belying her real thoughts. "Go, I will handle this. I'm sure you have to inform Dumbledore about tonight's events."

He didn't look at her or Percy as he nodded and left the kitchen. A few minutes later, after changing, the familiar tug swept through her, letting her know he had left. She had hoped to talk with him more but it couldn't be helped. She lifted her hand, waved it once over the cups and sent them towards the sink as she stood.

"Come along, Percy."

Not waiting to see if he followed her, she walked into the living room. She sat down near the fireplace and motioned him to the one across from her. His face was calm, almost a perfectly blank face except for his eyes. They held a hint of shrewdness and anger at being ignored so long. She brushed against him gently, not wanting to have a repeat of what had happened with Nott.

He was wide open, worse than Harry even, as he questioned her inside his head. Fury and frustration being the dominant emotions. She would have left but something else caught her attention.

He was sad. So sad that she was surprised he was able to bury it so well. But she could work with it. "You probably have many questions right now but let me ask something first before you demand answers. Who's side are you on? Riddles? Your families? Dumbledore? Or the Ministry's?"

Percy started, nonplussed at her question. He closed his eyes, frustration clear on his face before he blanked it once more. "Before I answer anything; tell me why just last year you were a child. My brother's age. But now you're different. Too different. You actually look older. You talk differently as well. But most of all," he paused, seeming to get his thoughts together, "Why are you with Professor Snape? I do believe that is against the school rules and the fact that you seem to be chummy with Lord Pucey and his family. What is going on?"

Hermione leaned onto her side and swirled her wand back and forth, debating but already knowing what she was going to do. "Just answer me, Percy. Who's side are you on. You know very well that Voldemort is back regardless of what the Minister says." She said calmly. She ignored the slight tightening of his features and said, "Answer me and I'll tell you what you need to know." Not that she had to answer it all. Maybe another day when she herself wasn't wandering the same things.

He watched her fingers move faster and faster, flipping her wand around in circles. "I believe in what is right. The law and the Ministry. That's why I want to believe that HE is not back. My family doesn't agree with that and that is why I'm not on speaking terms with them. Any of them. Bill also is on their side aside from the fact that he also doubts our family and Dumbledore." he said as he sat forward, breaking eye contact with her. She had been in his mind, reading every emotion to make sure he wasn't lying.

He truly believed what he said and he hadn't lied.

Hermione decided to go ahead and trust him. If she was wrong about him she could always remove his memories. It wouldn't sit well with her if she did but she wouldn't let him get in the way.

"I look older because I am. I won't tell you as to why just yet since I need to know a few more things," she said, her eyes on Crookshanks. Her beloved pet was dozing off by the fireplace. Totally uncaring. She smiled at him before speaking up once more, "I want to know why you have chosen to pick the Ministry over your family?"

Percy's face became red as he tried to understand why she was questioning him. "I didn't! All I wanted to do was make them proud of the fact that I was clearing our name! I hated being referred to as the poor or even as a traitor. But did they understand me? No, they just threw me out of the house, my own parents." he said, his eyes filling up with anger once more.

That didn't sound like something Molly or Arthur would do. But then again she had never seen them mad before. But to drop one of their sons like that?

Crookshanks stole her attention as he leaped onto her lap, his purrs loud and clear as to what he wanted. She ran her hands in his fur and waited for him to curl up. Once he did she turned back to Percy, "Look, I don't know exactly what happened to you all but I don't think it should cloud your judgment. In the upcoming months, the Minister will try to shut Barty Jr up and try to snuff out any talk about Voldemort. From what I understand, some actually believe Fudge, some others believe the word of Dumbledore. But the fact is, he will try to blame Harry."

She stopped talking as she noticed his eyes sharpen. He raised his hand, "Wait, you're doing all this for Harry? Why not go to Dumbledore? Or even Sirius?"

Letting out a rude sound; she glared at him. "Dumbledore? I'm trying to protect Harry from him too. He's going to use Harry. I'm not going to let him do so. I'm doing this for Harry and so much more. Sirius is on my side. But if that isn't enough I'll call him to us."

Not letting him say anything she summoned her bag, took out the small notebook inside. It looked like a girls diary, something that nobody would pay mind to if found. Opening it to the last page, she grabbed the small feathered quill and wrote one word.

"Villa."

She waited, a couple of seconds before Sirius's writing appeared.

"Okay."

Satisfied, she turned back to Percy, who had been observing her closely.

Crookshanks jumped off her and pranced out of the room. "He'll be here in a bit. But before he does I want you to read this."

Holding out the parchment paper she had taken out with the notebook, she passed it to him. He raised an eyebrow but still looked down to read it. His brow forward after a few minutes. She sighed, suddenly tired. Too many things had happened lately. She wanted to contact Adrian but that would be magically draining for her.

Then she remembered what Dimitry had said. They had to stay there the rest of the summer. She wouldn't see them like she had the year before. They had graduated. She would be truly alone this upcoming year. Only Snape would be around. Hermione didn't know if that would be a good thing or not.

Percy looked up at her, bringing her out of her thoughts. He gave it back, brows forward still. "It's talking about Harry, isn't it? Have Harry to defeat HIM? Dumbledore was going to let him?"

Hermione nodded, "He was. Unprepared. Totally clueless till the last possible second."

In the next instant, she felt the tug of the words, letting her know Sirius had arrived. She stood and opened the door just as Sirius had been about to knock. He smiled slightly, his gaze wandering away from hers and landing on Percy.

He looked back at her. "I see why you called. Remus wanted to come too but one of us has to stay with Harry."

Hermione smiled, "I know, don't worry. Sit down, we have something to talk about."

Once they both sat down she began talking once more. "So, Percy, do you believe what I said now?"

Percy stared at her, his eyes searching her face for a bit of untruth before nodding.

"I think I know what you plan do to do now," he said as he nodded once at Sirius. Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, and what is it that I plan to do?"

"I was the first one in my year, Hermione. I wasn't just a good boy either. I can see what you're doing. You want half of Dumbledore's people as well as V-Voldemorts. A hand in each pile? I may find it hard to believe that Dumbledore is capable of doing what you're implying but a few things have never made sense to me since Harry's first year. Like, why make it so easy for you three to get to the stone or why was it easy for Harry to find the chamber. He seemed to make it very convenient for you three to get into places you shouldn't be. I always thought it was suspicious but never said anything because you know, it's Dumbledore. Who would question him?"

Hermione smirked. "Ah, so I wasn't the only one that questioned his judgment?"

Percey flushed. "I only thought that it was bit far-fetched."

She hummed under her breath as she looked at Sirius, who had been staring at them both with muted amusement. But she didn't have to read his mind to know what he was thinking.

Yes, Percy was sharp. Others might think he was only book smart, wanting to follow the rules. But there was nothing wrong with that. It was who he was and most people didn't know how to deal with individuals like him; which included her too.

It only made her more certain in her decision.

"You don't know anything about Legilimency or Occlumency, do you?" she inquired Percy, knowing the answer already.

He shook his head. "I tried a bit of Occlumency before but could never pull it off. I have read up on it since Bill had to know both in order to become an Unspeakable."

That did make sense. She stood up and sauntered up to him. He stood as well, probably thinking she was done talking to him. Not knowing how to bring it up she pulled her wand out, the one that Dimitry had given her long ago and pointed it at him.

"Pull your pants down."

Percy stiffened and tripped over his own feet. He shifted shocked eyes from her to Sirius who had known what was coming. Sirius burst out laughing as he stood.

"I'll be in the kitchen while you... Uh, do that."

Hermione rolled her eyes and repeated what she had said before. "Pull your pants down."

Percy's eyes turned wild with panic and confusion. "Look, I don't know what this is about but I don't like it. I like somebody else. Plus even if you look older and all it, doesn't mean that I'll start looking at you like that. I don't want-"

She chuckled, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Percy, it's only a spell. One that protects your mind as long as I'm alive. It's actually five different spells combined into one. It will create a symbol on the inner side of your thigh. Only visible to those that have it as well. Sirius, Remus, and a few others carry the mark. I have to touch your skin in order to do it. It only stings for a couple of seconds."

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out so he closed his eyes and began to unbuttoned his trousers. He looked away and dropped them. Hermione bit back a smirk and kneeled down making sure to keep her eyes away from a certain area. He flinched when the tip of her wand touched the inner side of his thigh. Hermione could hear him swallow loudly, clenching his fist over and over again as she whispered the spells.

After a few minutes, a small shattered moon-like shape appeared. It was almost too light, completely white and only barely visible on his skin. He hadn't even flinched when the mark appeared. She stood, wand pocketed away and gave him a small smile. "I'm all done. It will fade when I'm either dead or I release it. You should be protected from others trying to read your mind but it doesn't enable you to use Legilimency."

Percy used his wand to pull his pants up, his face still slightly red. "Okay, that's fine. So, what am I supposed to do for you."

She frowned as she headed towards the kitchen. She didn't want him to do it for her but she couldn't think of anything to say to counter it so she only said.

"Just be you. I'll give you a small notepad to contact you. Anything you hear or see, shouldn't be told face to face unless it's urgent."

Sirius was slumped over the table with a bowl of biscuits in front of him. He perked up when he saw them come in. He gave them a sly smile.

"I guess it went well, uh?"

Hermione purposely bumped his back as she sat down beside him. Percy stood in the doorway and stared at them silently. She turned to look at Sirius.

"What are you all doing for Harry's fifteenth birthday? The last time he wrote to me he told me that nobody is telling him anything which could lead him to try to find out on his own. But the one thing that made him really angry was what he overheard Dumbledore and Remus talking about."

He nodded. "Yeah, that did get him really mad. Dumbledore had tried to convince us that it was better if we returned Harry to Lily's sister because of the Bond of Blood protecting him. But he doesn't have to stay with them. I actually asked a man I knew from France, who had been close to my mother, tell me that since Petunia already accepted him into her home he carries the acceptance with him. He doesn't have to stay with her. I just don't know why he would want to all of the sudden change his location."

"But on the brighter note, we are gonna throw him a small party the day of his birthday. Maybe you can come by? He wants to see you. But I think you should do something about your appearance first." he said as he stood up, slipping two biscuits into his sweater.

Hermione smirked. "I'll be there bright and early. I might consider staying until the new school year begins but I'll let you know if I am."

A few moments later she was left alone, having given Percy what he needed to contact her.

She stood alone in her room. Suddenly realizing how desolate she felt. Usually, somebody was always at the villa.

She stripped, leaving only the time-turner around her waist and slid into her bed. Her thoughts too quiet, the silence loud. It wasn't until the door, which she had left slightly ajar, slide open, did she feel Crookshanks rub his body against hers as he settled down above the covers.

She dreamt of a man with dark eyes; his robe flowing out behind him like smoke and knew things were only going to change from then on.

But for the better or worse was yet to be seen.

...0o00o0...

1/6/2018 Happy New Year!

3/4/19 New Edit

Vanee