Pushing open the doors Hermione thought to herself that she had a lot of work to do.
Hermione truly loved the library. If she was honest, it was her one of her favorite places at Hogwarts. The smell of old leather bound books made her feel at home even though she was far from it. She could not tell how many hours she had been in this room exactly but she knew that in the three month since school ended, she had been here every day. She had even eaten some of her meals in here as she extensively milled over the hundreds of books to do with Animagus transformations. Hermione now understood why it took the young marauders so long to master the complex spell work to become Animagi. Not to mention having to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a whole month. That was truly a repugnant thought to Hermione. It would eventually be soggy and horrible that thought alone was enough to turn her stomach. However, the thing that was truly baffling her was the spell work involved in this process. To change into an animagus form was somewhere between a self-charm and self-transfiguration, however it was like neither at the same time. If a wizard transfigured himself, he would have the animal's brain, comprehension, and abilities, essentially he must remain an animal until another wizard transfigures him back into his original self. However, an Animagus transformation, allows the wizard retains his own intellect and abilities, and so can transform himself back to human. It had been only a month since Hermione had started this work, it was giving her more headaches than answers right now but she remained convinced that if some smelly boys could do this then so could she. Hermione needed to distance herself from the confusing world of animagus for just long enough to start phase two of her summer holiday checklist thankfully, the Veritaserum was a cakewalk in comparison. Although still difficult in its own unique ways Hermione was confident after all at the tender age of twelve she successfully brewed a polyjuice potion.
Taking some time after borrowing the ingredients from Slughorns supply cupboard and brewing the Veritaserum in the potions classroom Hermione finally felt comfortable enough explore the castle again. It had been hard for her to walk these halls after everything she left behind. Closing her eyes for a moment Hermione could still faintly smell the blood mixed with dirt from the rumble as the war rampaged through the corridors. This memory left Hermione feeling cold opening her eyes it was nice to see the undisturbed halls shrouded in a beautiful serene silence. It was such a pity the he had once walked these halls. He spoiled such priceless artifacts in the pursuit of immortality. What was the point, Hermione never really understood that. To live forever is to spoil the moments of joy, love and eliminates all appreciation for the life you are given. Hermione had an ulterior motive for walking the corridors of her beloved school. Making her way to the seventh floor Hermione sought out her first horcrux. Rowena's diadem. It was not only the least protected but also the simplest to find due to Riddle's own ignorance. He believed that no one else knew about the room of hidden things. It was hard for Hermione to believe that he could be so foolish, after all how in Merlin's name did he think the room became so full. Walking through the big wooden doors Hermione reminisced about the last time, she was in this room. The battle was in full swing, she and Ron had just shared their first and only kiss when they met Harry here. Draco and the usual clowns were trying to make Harry return Draco's wand. When that did not work of course, the thick buffoon that was Crabbe, set fire to the place. Fleeing the burning room on broomsticks, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Goyle barley escaped with their lives. It was a bittersweet moment as it was also where after destroying the diadem Hermione's suspicion about Harry and Voldemort's connection was all but confirmed. Walking to through the room was very different to her time, instead of adrenaline and chaos running through her veins Hermione had an odd sense of peace. Finding the diadem and having it in her possession was bizarre to say the least. Thinking to herself Hermione thought that this time around it was going to be different. This time it would be Riddle's turn to die. As she left the room, she thanked it for its service and opened the ornate box that held a piece of Voldemort's soul. She admired the beauty of the tainted object. The ancient discolored tiara still held the gorgeous sapphire in the center of its delicate design. It was such a pity that he besmirched such priceless artifacts
'How did you know that was there' a shy sounding voice came from behind Hermione startling her. The Grey Lady of Ravenclaw Tower or Helena as she preferred. As Hermione spun around Helena appeared. She was certainly beautiful and young at the time of her death. Her face filled with sadness, guilt and some anger if Hermione was being truthful
'I knew it was there because I had seen it before. Hello Helena my name is Hermione Granger and with your permission I wish to destroy it, because I know what Tom Riddle did to it' Hermione saw the shift in Helena as anger welled in her voice as she her features changed into more of a poltergeist then the celestial being that she was and lunged at Hermione.
'I know what he did, I know who he is, he defiled it with dark magic' shocked Hermione felt fear from the young dead woman in front of her so much so that she tripped over her own feet falling backwards the diadem fell from her hands and the box. Helena's attention went from Hermione to the tiara like piece of jewelry on the ground. Reaching out to touch it Helena's hand simply went through her mother's treasure
'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure. She often said that to me as a child, the dream for her diadem was pure and he dishonored it. I had… no idea… He was... flattering. He seemed to…understand… to sympathies. I was foolish when I told him Hermione but you do not remind me of him so I will choose to trust in you. Do you gravely swear to me Miss Granger that you will destroy it' Helena looked towards Hermione her face searched for the truthful answer she had waited so long to hear. Looking closely at her face, Hermione swore she could see the glistening of ghostly tears. Hermione placing the diadem back into the padded silk lined box, stood and with pride and absolute truthfulness spoke the words that Helena need to hear
'I swear to you and your mother's legacy that this tainted artifact will be destroyed'
-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-
After her exchange with Helena, Hermione all but ran to her headmaster office. Stating his latest candy obsession the gargoyle sprang to life and began to reveal the stairs to the Dumbledore's office. With the diadem in hand, Hermione presented it to her head master. Looking at the diadem with an immaculate amount of detail Albus seemed to be sizing up the exact nature of such a dark relic. She explained to him, how the diadem came to be in Voldemort's possession and the need to destroy them that the right moment and until that time, they needed to be kept safe until that point.
'For now Miss Granger you may keep it in your control, for only someone who is strong enough to resist the temptation of power should me the owner of such things, you must also appreciate that as of right now Miss Granger we are late' He walked around his menacing desk and over to the offices large fireplace. He commanded such a presence in any space and that was his truest power. It was also, what worried Hermione the most for she knew what was coming. Voldemort was only gaining support and that meant trouble was coming. Leaving the diadem on his desk Hermione watched as Dumbledore stepping into the fireplace she had completely forgotten that the order meeting was today. Knowing if she was ever going to be successful in her missions, when the time came she was going to need the order to stand with her and vanquish the dark lord for the last time. As Dumbledore stepped into the fireplace with a handful of floo powder, he stated clearly and loud, Potter Manor as the emerald flames engulfed him. Hermione's heart dropped, she was going to Potter Manor for the order meeting, which could only bring more trouble.
-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-
When Hermione stepped out of the fireplace, she was in a flawlessly decorated sitting room. The dark wood floor was covered in a film of dust and soot from the constant stream of people entering the home. The room was white and centered on a beautiful small multi-tiered chandelier. The white linen armchair were shifted out of the way of the fireplace as though not to ruin them. To Hermione's left there were three glass cabinets, each filled with various relics and books. Carried away in her own train of thought Hermione only noticed her headmaster waiting for her when she turned around to look elsewhere.
'Sorry professor' he led her to an adjoining room that nearly at capacity. Opening the white sliding double doors revealed yet another beautifully designed and decorated room. The dining room was a long narrow space had the same dark wood floors as the sitting room. A white oak table and matching chairs that ran nearly the entire length of the area. The table easily sat six people on either side and one on each end, hanging above them was two identical white candelabras with strings of crystals hanging down from each of its branches. Even with all that space there were people standing around the room's perimeter. The moment Dumbledore entered the room everyone's conversations stopped as they looked to their leader and then to Hermione. So many of them had an inquisitive look on their faces wondering why Dumbledore would bring an underage witch with him. Hermione instantly felt the room's judgement while others just looked neutral, trusting to follow Dumbledore without much question. Hermione knew some of the people like Alastor Moody, Hagrid, Mungdungus Fletcher and Professor McGonagall but that was the extent of her introductions. Of the twenty plus people, that was it. Hermione was not usually one to be nervous but right now she was incredibly so. Knowing she was going to be asked a great number of questions Hermione had rehearsed some simplistic answers though she didn't know how that was going to help her with the nervous feeling deep in her stomach. Her every word and action analyzed by some of the sharpest minds in the wizarding world. Taking a deep breath Hermione sat by her headmaster's side as he called the meeting to commence. For the briefest moment, there was silence. Simply it was the calm before the storm. Then the room erupted.
-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-
'I wonder what is going on in there' James and Sirius had their ears pressed up hard against the sliding double doors of the Potter's informal dining room. Not that they were actually hearing anything, stupid silencing charms. Dorea and Charlus had been telling them to make themselves scarce all day but they were up to something and the boys wanted in. Following the orders of scarceness, the boys had spent quite some time under the invisibility cloak that afternoon they had witnessed several high-ranking witches and wizards enter that room but the real kicker was Hermione was allowed in and they were not. Finally giving up on eavesdropping the boys felt a sense of defeat, but their curiosities were still incredibly peaked
'What if we just tricked the answer out of Hermione that could work right' Sirius looked over to his friend. Sometimes James' mind was incredibly sharp others it was a dull as Peter. With a sigh of expiration, patting his mate on the shoulder Sirius shook his head
'Maybe we should just I do not know ask her first. Hermione has the intelligence of Moony, your patience and my wit, then if that fails we should trick it out of her' in agreement the boys decided to wait and approach Hermione after she left the room to get the answers to cure their insatiable curiosities.
-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-ACfC-
Hermione hadn't felt this overwhelmed in a long time. So many of the order members were angry because of her presence. Even after Dumbledore gave her the floor to her real story. Everything from the horcruxes to the war and lastly her mission here in the past. She thought that they would react differently however Hermione found herself incredibly disappointed. The common opinion was that she was too young to be involved and secondly how could they possibly come to trust her when so little of what she was saying could actually be proven. The second argument was the one that wounded Hermione the most; they just discounted her life so quickly because they refused to see past her physical appearance. Standing from her seat at the head of the table next to Dumbledore Hermione was at her wits end when she in turn exploded with frustration at the allegedly esteemed group of witches and wizards.
'Enough, I am tired of being discussed like I am not sitting here in front of you all. The only way I see being able to prove myself is as if an elected member preform Legilimency on me. I am willing to do so but then I ask that you believe that person fully and in turn trust me also.' The entire room for the first time since they started was completely silent. That was until Alastor Moody stood up from his chair volunteering to search through Hermione's memories. He was still the gruff looking man Hermione had encountered in her fourth year at Hogwarts. However, Hermione watched as he walked towards her. He had not yet lost his eye yet and by the look of his limp less walk, he was still in possession of both legs. Moody was an excellent choice for this particular exercise. He was a trusted often well renowned Auror. Standing in front of her, Moody's six-foot plus frame easily towered over Hermione.
'You ready for this girlie' his rough emotionless voice asked her. Hermione was somewhat frightened to show Moody what she knew, especially because she knew the way he died, but she also knew that if anyone could get this group to believe her it was him
'I am ready, but first I have to warn you that I know how you died' he nodded at the young witch before silently and without a wand, Moody cast the spell. Hermione breath quicken as she was witnessing so much of the darkness that she wished she could leave in the future. He was working backwards, starting at the time she disappeared. She could feel him probing her brain looking for everything that could possibly prove her words. Hermione was unaware that when he was looking at her memory of Bellatrix that she let out a scream. Moody was relentless looking at her memories and experiences like a child flicking through a flipbook to see the pictures move. She was grateful when he stopped once he reached Hermione's first year of Hogwarts. She sunk to her knees exhausted as moody turned away from her so that he might address the room
'She is who she says she is and for that reason she deserves our trust, she has seen and done things that surpasses her age chorological and for that reason she needs to be inducted immediately and without question. Dorea she is going to need something to eat and drink preferably something with a high sugar content' nodding the older witch called for a house elf and moment later a piece of cake and a cup of tea was served at Hermione's place at the table. Everyone was once again watching Hermione and her every move for what seemed like a long time before Minerva spoke
'What does this mean for the order Albus' looking amongst his faithful followers Dumbledore rose from his chair only to stand beside Hermione placing one hand on her shoulder he addressed his order.
'If you follow me and this order means you follow Miss Granger, when the time comes you will have a choice. You may follow us down the path to defeat the darkness in our world or you may choose not to. It matter not which you decide upon today, tomorrow or when the call is sounded what matters is choosing between what is right and what is easy' there it was in all its glory. Dumbledore in his wisdom persuading people to fight for the greater good. She admired this about her headmaster but it also frightened her. When the final confrontation transpired, she would be leading this group and her friends who have yet to join into a battle to which she did not know the outcome. She wondered once more about what Harry and Ron's life would be like if she succeeded. As the meeting was ending, everyone was talking amongst themselves Hermione decided that she wanted to see that sitting room again. Several people had already left so Hermione saw no issues with leaving the room to explore. As she shuts the door James and Sirius ambush her practically tackling Hermione, dragging her away she goes to shout for help but Sirius puts his hand over her mouth so she cannot make a sound. They finally release her in once in another room of the obscenely large home. Hermione was going to yell at them but became distracted by the beauty that was before her. They were standing in the Potter's own personal library. She turned on the spot admiring the floor to ceiling mahogany bookshelves filled to point of bursting. The room accented with desk made from the same wood as the shelves and a long red velvet couch. The boys with farrowed brows gave her a moment before interrupting her nerd-gasm.
'So Hermione we are friends aren't we, I mean I consider you a friend' Sirius asked his voice laced with kindness, flirtation and curiosity. They must be kidding, they must both believe that she was born yesterday if they that that she would give them the answer that easily. Still, both James and Sirius did not know that she was already onto them. That is when Hermione had her lightbulb moment. Returning the flirtatious kindness Hermione decided she needed to have a little bit of fun, after all it has been a month since she had seen the boys.
'Let me guess you boys want to know what happened in there, and what do it get if I tell you' Hermione closed that gap between her and James. His body tensed with her being so close, his breath caught in the back of his throat and he audible gulped. Hermione loved how she could so easily make James nervous. Biting her lip, Hermione kept constant eye contact with Prongs the blush was visible on his cheeks. James really was a nice person he was just like all fifteen-year-old boys; he was clueless when it comes to girls. Clearing his throat clearly Sirius was feeling left out and maybe wishing to save his friend. Hermione stepped away from James. Sirius was staring at her intently, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her and for once, she knew that Sirius was not playing. It was almost like an intense staring competition his slate grey eyes met by her warm brown.
'What if we offer you something valuable' his voice was still as smooth as honey and Hermione had to admit it was not just her curiosity that was peaking. When Sirius wanted to he could actually be quite dazzling, that made her nervous, and excited at the same time, however she was playing those cards as close to her chest as she could. Trying to take back, some of the power that she felt Sirius had taken Hermione with a teasing smile and in her best flirty voice asked the painfully palpable question
'And what is this something valuable that you are going to offer me' his lopsided smile was enough to make most girls melt away but Hermione was not most girls. She knew what he was trying to do and that was not going to happen. James interrupted the tension that had built between Hermione and Sirius when he provided the answer to her question
'We go secret for secret; you tell us about the mystery meeting we tell you the secrets of the Marauders' It was evident that the boys were not expecting Hermione's reaction because whatever flirtatious tension that built up through their exchanges left the room when she began to laugh. Except it was not just a small laugh that died away quickly, instead it was a body rattling roar of laughter. Eventually calming herself, Hermione wiped the away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks from laughing so hard. The boy still confused by her response so putting them out of their misery Hermione provided some clarification
'oh sweet naïve Sirius and James you boys are so cute but I am afraid that I already know all of your secrets so that currency is null and void, but a real A for effort.' Their jaws were on the floor looking from each other to her and then back to each other Hermione imagined what it must be like trying to process what she had just revealed to them. Sirius was the first to come to enough understanding to speak although if Hermione was being direct enough she really thought he should have waited that extra moment
'So your telling me that you know our inner most secrets, no I am calling bull shit your just playing coy with us' Hermione had the boys exactly where she wanted them grasping at straws and too busy focusing on themselves rather than the order meeting. She needed to keep them as far away from the Order as she could until they were of age and mature enough to make the decision on their own. James and Sirius were talking amongst themselves when Hermione interjected feeling as if her work was done here Hermione chose to take her leave and head back to the castle
'so it has been a really fun conversation but I am going to leave now, so see you when school goes back' walking past James and Sirius neither made an attempt to grab her as she left the incredible library. It wasn't until she was standing in the fireplace in the sitting room floo powder in hand when she heard James and Sirius calling for her to wait and don't go yet. Deciding it was the least she could do Hermione waited for the boys. Standing in front of her, Sirius tried (and failed) to look as though he had a mild curiosity while James looked like he might have a fully-fledged panic attack at any moment. Sirius was the one to ask the question on behalf of them both
'Hermione, you can't just leave us hanging like that what do you really know' he was trying his best to be suave but the underlying feelings were completely ruining it for him. Not to mention he left himself and James open for Hermione's response. Looking into Sirius stormy grey eyes once again Hermione delivered the final blow
'Maybe if you buy me a drink sometime I might tell you, see you next full moon boys' in the blink of an eye and an eruption of green flames Hermione was gone, and for the second time today they were left to contemplate and hang from her every word. Sirius groaned with frustration. He was so used to getting his way when it came to the finer gender that it thoroughly annoyed him that he could not get a read on Hermione. As for James, he was just worried about Remus. In addition, to the possibility of being caught as illegal Animagi. If Sirius was completely honest with himself then yes he was worried about that too. The thing is they had more questions than answers. James turned away from the fireplace and tapped Sirius on the shoulder. For a moment, Sirius thought James could leave the fresh wound in his ego but like the best mate he was he just could not help himself
'I think you have met your match mate' Sirius groaned again
I just wanted to add something about a particular scene in the story.
When Hermione throws done the floo powder. If you have seen the minions movie trailer, when bob is on the balcony and shouts "KING BOB" then drops the mic, that is what I saw when Hermione threw the powder.
If you like, what you are, reading please let me know by reviewing I really do love hearing from you, thanks a bunch.
Last thing I promise I would love to know what was your favorite scene or line from this chapter. Ok I promise I am stopping my A/N now, bye
