Chapter 26: A Call to Hermione.

A few of you asked what's going on at Hogwarts. Well, here you go.

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"You know, I haven't heard from Hermione lately. I better call and make sure everything is alright," Harry said, one day at lunch. He hoped she was alone, but then again it didn't matter if they were locked in the castle and its grounds.

"Ask what's going on with Voldy," Sirius suggested, knowing that that man was still around and about. Hopefully he will stay on the other side of the pond. Though he did wonder how they were taking the werewolf part. He was still frustrated that they couldn't find their rogue wolves. But with the entire city getting warded, they would find them, or that pack would move on.

"Will do," Harry said, taking out his mirror. "Hermione Granger," he said.

It took a few minutes, but soon enough Hermione's face was in the mirror, and so was the ceiling of the Great Hall. "Harry," she exclaimed, both happy and exasperated.

"What? I haven't heard from you in a while. I was worried about you," the teen huffed, as those around him chuckled.

"Well, as you can see, I am fine. It's teatime here, and I was eating when you called, and everyone kept asking me who was calling my name. So, I had to pull the mirror out," she explained, moving the mirror to show who was around her.

Her parents waved, as did the Weasleys. The rest Harry only vaguely knew. Oops here comes Dumbledore.

"Good thing you don't know where we are," Harry said hurriedly, then scowled at the old man. "What do you want, Dumbledore? Can't I call my friend without your permission?"

"Harry, my boy, it is good to see you alive and healthy. However, you must return to England," Albus said, leaning in to see Harry better. Or what was behind Harry, which happened to be Sirius.

"That's not happening, Albus," Sirius snarled, showing teeth like a dog. "He's happy and healthy because he is here with his family and most of his friends. We are not returning."

"It is his duty," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling at the thought of Harry finishing the war. "The prophecy states such."

"No, his duty is to be a kid," the dogman said, disapproval on his face. "Fuck the prophecy," he added, ignoring the admonishes.

"Can anyone truly be a child today's day and age?" the old man inquired in a wise voice.

"I can do my best to provide an environment to let him be a kid," Sirius said, glad they were in a tent, where all the old man could see was canvas.

"Thanks, Sirius, but the old man is just trying to control me again. You can bugger off, old man. even if there was a way to get back to England, I wouldn't. So why don't you be helpful and tell us what's going on with Voldy," Harry said, putting a hand on Sirius' arm, when the man tried to snatch the mirror.

"Alas, I have no news on Tom," Albus said, with a sad look that fooled no one in the tent.

"Then kindly buzz off, I want to talk to Hermione," Harry said, looking at the girl in question, who was looking both mortified, and reproachful. Like she hadn't wanted the headmaster to come, but Harry shouldn't talk to him that way.

"I will leave you to your conversation," the old man said in a superior manner. As if he was giving a great boon and expected to be repaid.

"Fuck off," Harry said to him.

"Language," was the reply from at least five females. One on his side.

"Hermione, can you find a room where we can talk?" Harry asked, ignoring all the reprimands. He moved to leave the tent but kept the canvas in the background.

"Sure, Harry," the girl said, and hurried to the nearest empty room, which was the antechamber. "What have you been doing?" she asked, excitedly.

"You know, running around and stuff. Did you tell anyone that I was a werewolf?" he wondered since no one mentioned it.

"No, it's none of their business," Hermione said, primly.

"Thanks for that. Remember if they guess, you don't have to keep it a secret. Are there any rumors about Voldy?" he asked, hoping for something.

"I overheard someone say that Snape's mark is lighter. So, either he's non-corporeal again, or he's dead," she said, looking around the empty room to make sure it was empty.

"I wonder if a Walker got him," Harry said thoughtfully, wondering if Voldy's soul was still alive, so to speak. He knew the man had done a lot of rituals, mostly Dark stuff. He'd have to talk to Sirius. If Voldy's soul was still flying around he could come here.

"Harry," Hermione called through the mirror, knocking him out of his ponderings.

"Sorry, I was thinking," he said in apology.

"That's fine," she said, knowing that Harry had a lot on his mind. "Are you still learning?"

"Yes, I have lessons every day, just not the kind your referring too," he answered, then gave her a run down on his day. The teaching he and the runners did for the kids, and the lessons on self-defense he took every night.

"And your schooling?" she asked, arching an eyebrow as she settled in more comfortably.

"Self-taught, or Remus and Sirius teach me when they can. They are both busy trying to keep the community running," he said, he then told her about all the books he read and how he learned through trial and error. He made sure not to mention the Black library. She would lose her shite if he told her the Dark things he was teaching himself. Heck, Remus didn't even know. Sirius did, it was his library, but he made Harry promise to show him anything he wanted to learn, so he could approve or help him through it.

"Well at least the younger years are getting schooling," she said after he told her about the new teachers.

"Yeah, they came in a few groups back," he explained, then let her in on the happenings on how new people showed up and how they were processed.

"At least you're doing something. I am stuck here unable to help at all," she lamented. "All we do is learn," she explained, making Harry give her a surprised look. "Yes, yes, I like learning, but that is all we do. There is no fun to be had. If we get bored, then there are books to read, but even I get bored with that. I just want to go outside," she sighed, leaning her head on one of her fists.

"Why can't you go on the grounds?" he asked, not understanding the problem.

"The centaurs have taken over the grounds, and there are too many magical creatures out there to be safe," she explained, then a small tear formed in her eye. "I miss you," she said, more tears poured down her face.

"Damn, Hermione, I miss you too. I didn't think it would be that sucky to be at Hogwarts. How are your parents handling it? They can't learn what you are," he asked, changing the emotional subject.

"They are fine, they mostly just sit and talk to the other parents. Everyone is getting a bit stir crazy. Cabin fever I guess," she said, letting the prior subject go.

"Aren't there courtyards you can play in, or even the roof of the school? At least that way you're getting fresh air.

"There are courtyards, but so far we've not been allowed to go in them. Something about teachers' sanctuary."

"Complain, Hermione, if you complain about too much schoolwork they will listen. You are the top student," he said, his voice firm.

"I might just do that," she said, putting on a stiff upper lip look. "You're right, they will listen to me, or I will be a child for once and throw a fit." She then giggled at the thought of throwing herself on the ground crying like a toddler.

Harry grinned for the same reason. "Here's a thought, maybe you can replicate the mirrors, and send them out to our friends, then you would have loads of people to talk to," he said, getting excited at the prospect.

"That's a wonderful idea," she exclaimed, then got a grumpy look, "Why didn't I think of that?'

"You were keeping it a secret?" Harry suggested.

"Perhaps," was all she said.

They talked longer, mostly about those they knew and wondering if they were still alive or not. How their lives were and how they were reacting to the end of the world. How they would react to getting a mirror. When Hermione had to go, they said a sad goodbye, and Harry went to find Sirius.

It was getting dark out, dinner would be soon.

"Sirius, can I talk to you a moment," Harry said, seeing the man talking to Daryl outside his office.

"Sure, give me a minute," the dogman said, turning back to the other man. "I'll see you at the bar tonight. Remind your brother that there is a drink limit, and if he creates a fuss, he will be booted."

"Will do," the younger Dixon said, hoping for once his brother listened.

"Come on, Harry, let's go inside before we get eaten alive by mosquitos," Sirius said, opening the door and leading the way in.

"Thanks, godfather mine," Harry said, with a teasing tone. "You know the wards keep most of them out," he added, laughing at the man, who just hated bugs.

"What do you need, brat?" the man said good-naturedly.

"Hermione heard someone say that Snape's mark is faded. So that means he's either non-corporeal or dead. However, I figure if he's dead the mark would disappear. So now we have to be on the look out for a wraith," Harry hurriedly told him.

"Could it be because he's a werewolf," Sirius said, trying to calm the boy.

"Maybe, I mean he's a creature now, but wouldn't Snape have noticed earlier?" Harry asked, thinking hard on that question.

"Maybe, but we don't know if he did or not. We only have Hermione's overheard conversation. She might have heard wrong, or it was deliberate, to get you scared. That way you'd come running back to Dumbledore. Or least that would be the fantasy in that old man's brain," Sirius said, once more trying to get Harry to calm down.

"Perhaps you're right. Still, we should keep an eye on anyone who is too aggressive towards us," Harry said, drumming his fingers in thought. "They might be possessed."

"We'll be careful," the dogman said, putting his hand over Harry's to get him to stop drumming. "Remember we have top notch wards. That and we have a lot of people willing to fight to keep this community going."

"I'll try," Harry said, then tilted his head. "What were you talking with Daryl about?"

"None of your business," Sirius said, smiling to take the bite out of his words. "Seriously, don't pry," he added, though his grin didn't fade.

"Fine," the teen said, and then got up to leave. "I wish there was a way to get Hermione out of Hogwarts. She says she's bored out of her skull," he added, stopping at the side of his chair and looking to his godfather for an answer.

"I'll talk with the others, but don't get your hopes up. Hogwarts is very well warded. That and we're here, she's there," Sirius warned, not wanting him to think they were miracle workers.

"Can you replicate the mirrors? We can use them here, and I can send them out to others. Not that I want Hedwig flying around out there. Someone might shoot her for food."

"That's a good idea," Sirius said, like Hermione beating himself up for not doing it before. "Only magicals can use them though."

"So. You have a magical on every team," Harry said, thinking logically.

Just then someone ran in. "The prison is being attacked!" he yelled and then ran out.

"See, a mirror would have been useful here," Harry said as they started running out the door.

"Shut it," was all Sirius said, as he got to the garage. People were piling in from everywhere. They were all jumping into vehicles. Some in groups, others alone.

"Follow me," Sirius called out as he jumped into a car and started down the road. Harry was in the backseat. He would help any kids that were there. Not that there were many, but sometimes there were those that had friends over after a long day.

The night lit up like a sunrise as car after car rose in the air with their lights burning. They had a prison to save.