Old Friends and Old Enemies
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
By lunch Hermoine was nearly wiped out. That Slytherin class had nearly taken its toll on her. "I understand you took points from my students," Snape said as he approached her.
"Of course, just think of it as payback for the hell you caused me in my early years at Hogwarts."
Snape glared at her, "I would watch my step if I was you."
"And why is that?" Hermoine asked, drawing herself up. She wasn't going to be intimated by Snape. She continued, "Are you working with the Dark Arts now as well?"
"At least I know how to protect my friends," Snape hissed.
"Watch your dirty, filthy mouth!" A voice cried out from behind Hermoine. Hermoine turned and spotted Cho Chang and Colin Curvey standing side by side. "You know DAMN well that what happened was not Hermoine's fault, you disgusting excuse of a man!" Cho snapped.
Snape's face went white, "You should watch your step as well," And walked off.
Cho hugged a teary eyed Hermoine, "I'm sorry." Hermoine and Cho had never been friends, especially after Harry and Cho had tried dating, but for the moment it seemed as if they had been friends for life.
Hermoine pulled away and slowly nodded, "I suppose then that it is time to meet Dumbledore."
Colin nodded, "We don't know why we are here. We just received owls from Ginny tells us to come to Hogwarts because Dumbledore wished it."
Hermoine took a deep breath, "Glad I'm not the only one in the dark then."
As the three of them climbed the many steps to Dumbledore's office, Hermoine learned that Cho had become a professional Quidditch player for England and Colin had put his photography skills to good use, he worked for the Daily Prophet. Hermoine also learned that Michael Corner got a job working with dragons in Romania (he worked with Charlie Weasley).
She also learned that Parvati had become an auror (which surprised Hermoine greatly), Lavender Brown worked for the Dailey Prophet, Angelina Johnson (like Cho) played professional Quidditch for England, Susan Bones took over her aunt's job at the Ministry and Fred, George, and Lee owned their own business over in Hogsmeade.
"This is going to sound rather odd," Hermoine said as she stepped over one of the vanishing steps, "But what does Ginny do? She failed to mention it."
Cho gapped at Hermoine, "You mean she didn't tell you?"
Hermoine shook her head, "No."
Cho raised her eyebrows, "Well then I certainly can't tell you, it's not my place."
Hermoine sighed, "What happened to the rest of the D.A.? I mean you two seem to have taken great care of knowing where everyone else was."
Colin nodded, "We all kept track of each other."
Cho sighed, "Dean was killed by Draco Malfoy," she hissed, "There is no evidence but everyone knows it. Luna well. she truly has become 'Loony Luna.' She was tortured for endless hours by Crabbe and Goyle. Millicent Blustrode killed Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet. Millicent is serving a life sentence in Azkaban, by the way." Cho sucked in a deep breath to keep the tears from her eyes. Dennis." She faltered and looked at Colin.
"My brother was lost a few months back," Colin whispered.
"I'm so sorry," Hermoine murmured. She wanted Cho to stop. She didn't want know what had happened to all her old friends anymore.
"Ernie Macnillian, Justin Finch-Fletch, and Hannah Abbott were also lost a few months back," Colin replied.
"What has been happening?" Hermoine asked, the worry clear in her voice.
Cho ignored her question and continued as she hopped over another disappearing step, "Anthony Goldstein, Terry Bott, and Zacharias Smith were bewitched and because of their recent crimes they are also in Azkaban. Marietta." Cho thought about her lost friend, "Marietta also joined in the crimes but she was killed a few years ago. Padma was tortured by some unknown Death Eater and is now in St. Mungo's. Please don't say anything to Parvati, its still a sensitive subject for her." Hermoine nodded. "And as for Ron and Harry well.you know."
Hermoine tucked her head down, yeah she knew what had happened to her old friends, she knew all too well.
Finally they reached the headmaster's office, for which Hermoine was very thankful. The door opened as if they had been expected and Hermoine, Cho, and Colin entered a very crowded room. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, "Well now that our final pieces are here, let us get started."
Hermoine spotted Ginny and Neville standing behind the headmaster. When had they become so close to Dumbledore? She also saw Michael (who looked very withdrawn), Parvati (who had grown taller and also looked very depressed), Lavender Brown was clutching hands with Lee Jordan, Susan was sitting in a plush chair (very ritzy looking but also looked very sad), Angelina Johnson looked as though she had just finished a Quidditch practice on a windy day, and Fred and George were sitting the corner (looking the same as when she had left them - disturbed).
"Well," Professor Dumbledore said, "Let's get started shall we?" There were murmurs of agreement among them. "Some of you know why you are here and some of you don't. Firstly I would like to catch you all up to speed. After Voldemort's downfall-" A few of them flinched but most seemed to handle the mention of his name quite well, "there were still Death Eaters to contend with. Many are now serving time in Azkaban and many are not. Those that are not are now reeking havoc once more and the Ministry cannot seem to find who is at fault." Hermoine listened intently as Dumbledore continued, "You have all remained faithful to me and to this just cause over the years. I have depended on some of you for inside information-" He looked at Susan, "and some of you for inventions to help our cause-" He glanced at Fred and George with a wide smile, "while some of you have chosen to disappear-" Everyone glanced at Hermoine and she felt guilt rise in her face. "But now I must unite you once more to put a final end to this reign of destruction."
Hermoine took a deep breath, "Headmaster," she began and then faltered.
"Yes, Professor Granger?"
"I am the only one here, I am sure, is completely in the dark. I have only just learned, moments ago, what has become of the rest of us and I don't understand. You called us back to put an end to some Death Eaters?"
"Not just SOME Death Eaters, Hermoine," Ginny replied a slight bitterness creeping out in her voice, "We have reason to believe, despite what the Ministry suggests, that Draco Malfoy has risen some of the most powerful Death Eaters back into action and that he has taken over Voldemort's-" more flinches, "plan of action. Many Muggle Born witches and wizards have died in recent years and that number is picking up more and more with every week."
Hermoine tried to find her voice but she couldn't. She wished she hadn't said anything, she felt like a lost child all of a sudden.
"The thing is," Parvati said, "Is that some of our best are gone and now our efforts must be doubled."
By best Hermoine assumed she meant Harry and Ron. "I still feel in the dark."
"Of course you do," Lavender snapped, "You've been out living in the muggle world while we secretly try to defend everything we have fought and so many have died, for! It's like being at school all over again. The Ministry doesn't believe our suspicions and so if we are found, trying to defend our lives and our children's lives, then we may very well wind up in Azkaban for our efforts!"
Hermoine swallowed hard as Lavender glared at her with almost pure hatred. "I'm sorry, but after what happened I simply couldn't-"
"Get over it!" Fred yelled, "Ron and Harry wouldn't want you wasting your damn talents as a muggle! They can't be here to fight and they damn well would want you to-"
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore boomed, "We cannot condemn Hermoine for her choice. We all know what Ron and Harry would have wanted but they are not here to protest it, now are they? Hermoine made her choice but she has also made the choice to return. We WILL fight and we WILL prevail. Do not hate Hermoine because she decided to leave our ways. That was her choice. Just as it was your choice, Fred, to leave school before the end of your seventh year and Just as it was your choice Lavender, to work for the Daily Prophet instead of being an auror."
Lavender bit her lip, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Fred replied, still feeling angry.
"Good! Now," Dumbledore said, "first thing I want to do is make sure you all understand what you are in for. If you are caught you MUST NOT reveal the rest of the members and you MUST NOT confess to anything you have or haven't done. Understood?"
"Yes," the all uttered at once.
"And secondly, you must understand that if you are caught you will most likely be sent to Azkaban." Everyone nodded his or her head. "Good, now Professor Granger and I will meet you downstairs for lunch in a few moments." The group left and Hermoine met privately with Dumbledore. "I suppose you are wonder what happened to the Order?"
The question had run through Hermoine's head about The Order of the Phoenix, "Yes."
"Most of the members were killed during the Second War but some have agreed to work with the D.A. Tonks, Vance, Lupin, Fletcher, Jonse, Diggle, and Moody will return." Hermoine nodded. "Now let's go enjoy dinner!" Dumbledore cried.
Dumbledore and Hermoine meet the group down at the long table in the main hall, which had been expanded to accommodate the members of the D.A. "What are they doing here?" Snape hissed at Dumbledore.
"They are my special guests," Dumbledore answered.
Hermoine chatted with George who caught her up on news she had been lost too. "Well let's see," George started, "Bill and Fleur have two children. Their daughter is a second year Ravenclaw and their son is a first year Gryffindor. Bill nearly died when his daughter wasn't in Gryffindor but he never let them know it. Charlie still isn't married. Lavender and Lee got married, if you couldn't tell. Susan Bones is widowed with two sons. One is in Hufflepuff and the other hasn't started yet." While George rattled on about who was with who and who had what kids Hermoine scanned the common room.
She spotted Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron, Hagrid was at the far end of the common room (she still hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him yet and this was actually the first time she had gotten to see him since she arrived). She spotted a few students whose parents she had known. George continued talking, not even knowing that Hermoine was no longer paying attention. Her thoughts began to drift. Drift to better times. Times when she wasn't so broken and times when she, Ron, and Harry had been the best of friends.
After lunch Hermoine taught her seventh year Gryffindors, who more interested in asking questions about her then learning from their books.
"Did you really fight alongside Harry Potter?" One girl asked.
Hermoine sighed. She had a feeling she would be getting this ALL YEAR, "Yes."
"Did you really play a real-life sized game of wizard chess your first year?" Another asked.
"Yes," And after that the questions rolled.
"Did you really help prove that Sirius Black was innocent?"
"Yes," Hermoine replied in a dull tone. Even though Sirius had died, proving him innocent meant everything to Hermoine, Harry and Ron, and when they had caught Wormtail (aka Scabbers) they proved Sirius innocent and he soon became known as a hero.
"Did you really face Voldemort in the last battle?"
Hermoine swallowed hard, the pain clear on her face. "Yes."
The rest of the afternoon was spent answering questions about her life and as painful as it was, Ron and Harry's too.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermoine couldn't sleep that night. All these reminders of what was, what could have been, and what happened rolled through her head.
[FLASHBACK]
"Hermoine!" Ron cried.
"I'm alright!" Hermoine screamed back as she pulled herself up, "You just worry about keeping yourself alive!"
Neville disarmed yet another Death Eater before Ginny, Neville, Fred, and George tied them up in a group. All that was left was Voldemort, and the Death Eaters that weren't present. But Voldemort was their, rather Harry's, greatest challenge.
"You look just like your father, you know that?" Voldemort taunted.
Hermoine made a pass to intervene but Remus Lupin placed a hand on her shoulder, "You know that Harry is the only one who can destroy him," Lupin said, "There is nothing we can do but let fate take its course."
[END FLASHBACK]
The sweat trickled down Hermoine's forehead as she stood up and walked to her bathroom. Why did these things need to keep appearing to her? Even in all her years living as a muggle she still dreamt about that night.
"Ooo. Look who it is?" A singsong voice came from her toilet.
Hermoine jumped and watched as a ghost floated up from the toilet bowl. "Myrtle."
"Hermoine," Hermoine stood there, rooted to the spot as Moaning Myrtle floated across from her. "You've come to take my bathroom haven't you?"
"Myrtle, don't you ever grow tired of haunting a toilet?"
"No."
Hermoine sighed, "Well do you mind leaving for a few minutes while I use the bathroom?"
Rather than start crying as Hermoine expected Myrtle replied, "Alright, but as long as I get it back when you're done."
"Deal," Hermoine said and Myrtle floated through the door while Hermoine used her bathroom. "Great," Hermoine muttered so that Moaning Myrtle couldn't hear her. A ghost was haunting her bathroom; a ghost that Hermoine always suspected had a crush on Harry Potter. But then at what point did some girl, ghost or not, not have a crush on her friend? Luna Lovegood had, that was obviously, everyone knew Ginny had (though that relationship had been taken to the next step) and Hermoine hated to admit it but at certain points during her fourth and fifth years at Hogwarts Hermoine had a slight crush on him as well. But she loved Ron. She still loved Ron.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day of classes didn't go so well for Hermoine either. While most of the students had their questions answered and they actually got to some real lessons she received a rather unexpected, and unwanted visitor. She was halfway through a dementor lesson with her sixth year Gryffindors when the door burst open.
Hermoine glanced up to see Draco Malfoy, "Excuse me, we are in the middle of a lesson."
Draco closed the doors behind him, "Well it is true, just as my son told me. They hired the Mud Blood to teach."
Hermoine crossed her arms and slowly walked down the aisle, Draco met her halfway, "Yes, and sadly your son has turned out just like you and by the way, how is your father these days?"
Draco glared at her. His father had been sentenced to life in Azkaban during their fifth year and it had been Draco and his mother ever since, "You know damn well he's rotting in hell."
"As well he should be!" Hermoine brought her face up to her old enemy, "And you will join him soon."
Draco through back his head and laughed, "You haven't changed, Mud Blood. You are still so full of yourself."
The students looked back and forth between Malfoy and Granger as they spat. The tension was so thick and some of them were scared. They all knew Malfoy and Potter had been enemies and that meant that Granger and Malfoy were enemies. No one spoke.
Hermoine shook her head, "You are the one that is full of yourself. You will get what is coming to you."
Draco sneered, "No Granger, you will get what is coming to you."
Hermoine spun on her heal and headed back to the front of the classroom, "Students, I would like to present Mr. Draco Malfoy, a real life Death Eater."
Malfoy snickered, "You can't intimidate me Granger, you know you can't. By the way how are Weasley and Potter?"
Hermoine bit her lip as she slowly approached him, "You were the cause of it and you know it, you bastard!"
"Soft spot, Miss Granger? You know Weasley and Potter were always such losers-"
Hermoine slammed her hand against his cheek, "You still haven't learned have you? NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CLASSROOM!"
The class gapped in awe at how their kind teacher had suddenly turned dark and menacing.
Draco pointed his walking stick, which Hermoine recognized to be his father's, at her, "You will regret that."
As he turned and walked out the door Hermoine said, "There is one more thing. How's your right arm?" During their seventh year Harry and Draco had gone head to head in a full out wizard duel and Draco had lost good use of his right arm.
Draco spun around, his wand out, "Engorgio!" Despite how angry he was he knew better than to use one of the four deadly curses.
Hermoine moved slightly to the left and the spark missed her. Using her own wand she cried out, "Petrificus Totalus!" Draco's body froze and collapsed to the floor. Hermoine walked back up to the front of the room, "That is how you defend yourself, if you don't wish to kill. I have used it many times." Hermoine pointed her wand at Draco again, "Mobilicorpus!" And Draco's body floated in the air. Hermoine used her wand to set him down in the corner. "Now what were we discussing before this interruption?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
News of Draco and Hermoine's argument spread quickly throughout the school and by the next day every student knew what had happened. Although as always, some of the facts were missing. The Slytherin's behaved worse than usual, if such a thing was possible, and by the end of the week Hermoine had taken about 320 points from Slytherin. She was toughest on them than anyone else but she simply couldn't stand the whole lot of them.
On Saturday Hermoine met the D.A. at the old Black Residence. The D.A. plus a few more were present. She noticed some were missing but under the circumstances she knew that was, sadly, quite normal. Dumbledore was not present, however, so Ginny ran the meeting.
"Well by now I'm sure we all know of Malfoy and Hermoine's little tuff the other day."
Fred snickered and George yelled out, "Yeah Granger!"
"DESPITE, how proud we are of her," Ginny said over her brothers, "We must try to keep a cool head about all of this. No one must get suspicious about what we are up to."
Hermoine knew she should regret using her temper but somehow she simply couldn't. It had felt oddly good to use a spell on Malfoy again.
"Our first plan of action," Ginny continued, "Is to find out as many people as possible who may be with Malfoy."
"Crabbe and Goyle for one," Lavender piped up.
"Well Crabbe is in Azkaban for what he did to Luna," Ginny said and couldn't help herself from being choked up.
"What about Goyle?" Hermoine asked. Everyone looked at each other. "What?" asked, nearly having a panic attack.
"Goyle is. well," Cho muttered, but couldn't seem to find her words.
"Goyle is missing in action lets say," Colin said.
"Missing in action?" Lavender asked, "What the hell does that mean?"
"He hasn't been seen since he tortured Luna and well. We think he may have been the one that attacked-" Colin looked at Ginny.
"That attacked my brother," Ginny simply finished.
"WHAT!?" Hermoine yelled.
Cho shook her head, "Let's keep going and we'll talk about Ron. later."
They finished the meeting by drawing up a list of possible suspects and Neville said he would use what he could at the Ministry to find out what was going on with them.
Hermoine sat alone at the table, simply staring. Ginny came up beside her and sat down, "You need to visit them," Ginny whispered.
"I can't," Hermoine said, "I just can't."
"They need you. You may not know it but they do."
Hermoine turned to Ginny, "What do you do for a living? I know what everyone else does but when I inquire about you no one will tell me."
Ginny looked at the table, "I work at St. Mungo's. Sometimes."
"What?" Hermoine asked, startled. Of all the possible answers that had not been one Hermoine had expected.
Ginny nodded, "I'm working with some other people to try to find a way to cure people who have been tortured by magic." Hermoine simply gaped at her but Ginny pretended not to notice, "You remember Lockhart don't you?"
"Yes," Hermoine said, thinking about the man who had lost his memory from Ron's wand and whom they had stumbled upon at St. Mungo's during their fifth year.
"Well through some of our work Lockhart has most of his memory back."
"That's great!" Hermoine cried, "But does that mean." Her voice drifted off.
Ginny shook her head, "I haven't been able to help anyone else just yet." Ginny said, "Since Neville's grandmother passed away Neville has taken full responsibility for his parents and wants us to test on them next."
Hermoine's eyes flew open. Neville's grandmother was dead? "Poor Neville."
Ginny sighed, "He took it extremely hard."
Hermoine closed her eyes, "I couldn't bear seeing Ron and Harry again."
Ginny squeezed her old friends' hand, "But you need to, they NEED you."
Hermoine stood up and looked down at her, "No, they don't need me. No one needs me."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Next chapter is on the way!!!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
By lunch Hermoine was nearly wiped out. That Slytherin class had nearly taken its toll on her. "I understand you took points from my students," Snape said as he approached her.
"Of course, just think of it as payback for the hell you caused me in my early years at Hogwarts."
Snape glared at her, "I would watch my step if I was you."
"And why is that?" Hermoine asked, drawing herself up. She wasn't going to be intimated by Snape. She continued, "Are you working with the Dark Arts now as well?"
"At least I know how to protect my friends," Snape hissed.
"Watch your dirty, filthy mouth!" A voice cried out from behind Hermoine. Hermoine turned and spotted Cho Chang and Colin Curvey standing side by side. "You know DAMN well that what happened was not Hermoine's fault, you disgusting excuse of a man!" Cho snapped.
Snape's face went white, "You should watch your step as well," And walked off.
Cho hugged a teary eyed Hermoine, "I'm sorry." Hermoine and Cho had never been friends, especially after Harry and Cho had tried dating, but for the moment it seemed as if they had been friends for life.
Hermoine pulled away and slowly nodded, "I suppose then that it is time to meet Dumbledore."
Colin nodded, "We don't know why we are here. We just received owls from Ginny tells us to come to Hogwarts because Dumbledore wished it."
Hermoine took a deep breath, "Glad I'm not the only one in the dark then."
As the three of them climbed the many steps to Dumbledore's office, Hermoine learned that Cho had become a professional Quidditch player for England and Colin had put his photography skills to good use, he worked for the Daily Prophet. Hermoine also learned that Michael Corner got a job working with dragons in Romania (he worked with Charlie Weasley).
She also learned that Parvati had become an auror (which surprised Hermoine greatly), Lavender Brown worked for the Dailey Prophet, Angelina Johnson (like Cho) played professional Quidditch for England, Susan Bones took over her aunt's job at the Ministry and Fred, George, and Lee owned their own business over in Hogsmeade.
"This is going to sound rather odd," Hermoine said as she stepped over one of the vanishing steps, "But what does Ginny do? She failed to mention it."
Cho gapped at Hermoine, "You mean she didn't tell you?"
Hermoine shook her head, "No."
Cho raised her eyebrows, "Well then I certainly can't tell you, it's not my place."
Hermoine sighed, "What happened to the rest of the D.A.? I mean you two seem to have taken great care of knowing where everyone else was."
Colin nodded, "We all kept track of each other."
Cho sighed, "Dean was killed by Draco Malfoy," she hissed, "There is no evidence but everyone knows it. Luna well. she truly has become 'Loony Luna.' She was tortured for endless hours by Crabbe and Goyle. Millicent Blustrode killed Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet. Millicent is serving a life sentence in Azkaban, by the way." Cho sucked in a deep breath to keep the tears from her eyes. Dennis." She faltered and looked at Colin.
"My brother was lost a few months back," Colin whispered.
"I'm so sorry," Hermoine murmured. She wanted Cho to stop. She didn't want know what had happened to all her old friends anymore.
"Ernie Macnillian, Justin Finch-Fletch, and Hannah Abbott were also lost a few months back," Colin replied.
"What has been happening?" Hermoine asked, the worry clear in her voice.
Cho ignored her question and continued as she hopped over another disappearing step, "Anthony Goldstein, Terry Bott, and Zacharias Smith were bewitched and because of their recent crimes they are also in Azkaban. Marietta." Cho thought about her lost friend, "Marietta also joined in the crimes but she was killed a few years ago. Padma was tortured by some unknown Death Eater and is now in St. Mungo's. Please don't say anything to Parvati, its still a sensitive subject for her." Hermoine nodded. "And as for Ron and Harry well.you know."
Hermoine tucked her head down, yeah she knew what had happened to her old friends, she knew all too well.
Finally they reached the headmaster's office, for which Hermoine was very thankful. The door opened as if they had been expected and Hermoine, Cho, and Colin entered a very crowded room. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, "Well now that our final pieces are here, let us get started."
Hermoine spotted Ginny and Neville standing behind the headmaster. When had they become so close to Dumbledore? She also saw Michael (who looked very withdrawn), Parvati (who had grown taller and also looked very depressed), Lavender Brown was clutching hands with Lee Jordan, Susan was sitting in a plush chair (very ritzy looking but also looked very sad), Angelina Johnson looked as though she had just finished a Quidditch practice on a windy day, and Fred and George were sitting the corner (looking the same as when she had left them - disturbed).
"Well," Professor Dumbledore said, "Let's get started shall we?" There were murmurs of agreement among them. "Some of you know why you are here and some of you don't. Firstly I would like to catch you all up to speed. After Voldemort's downfall-" A few of them flinched but most seemed to handle the mention of his name quite well, "there were still Death Eaters to contend with. Many are now serving time in Azkaban and many are not. Those that are not are now reeking havoc once more and the Ministry cannot seem to find who is at fault." Hermoine listened intently as Dumbledore continued, "You have all remained faithful to me and to this just cause over the years. I have depended on some of you for inside information-" He looked at Susan, "and some of you for inventions to help our cause-" He glanced at Fred and George with a wide smile, "while some of you have chosen to disappear-" Everyone glanced at Hermoine and she felt guilt rise in her face. "But now I must unite you once more to put a final end to this reign of destruction."
Hermoine took a deep breath, "Headmaster," she began and then faltered.
"Yes, Professor Granger?"
"I am the only one here, I am sure, is completely in the dark. I have only just learned, moments ago, what has become of the rest of us and I don't understand. You called us back to put an end to some Death Eaters?"
"Not just SOME Death Eaters, Hermoine," Ginny replied a slight bitterness creeping out in her voice, "We have reason to believe, despite what the Ministry suggests, that Draco Malfoy has risen some of the most powerful Death Eaters back into action and that he has taken over Voldemort's-" more flinches, "plan of action. Many Muggle Born witches and wizards have died in recent years and that number is picking up more and more with every week."
Hermoine tried to find her voice but she couldn't. She wished she hadn't said anything, she felt like a lost child all of a sudden.
"The thing is," Parvati said, "Is that some of our best are gone and now our efforts must be doubled."
By best Hermoine assumed she meant Harry and Ron. "I still feel in the dark."
"Of course you do," Lavender snapped, "You've been out living in the muggle world while we secretly try to defend everything we have fought and so many have died, for! It's like being at school all over again. The Ministry doesn't believe our suspicions and so if we are found, trying to defend our lives and our children's lives, then we may very well wind up in Azkaban for our efforts!"
Hermoine swallowed hard as Lavender glared at her with almost pure hatred. "I'm sorry, but after what happened I simply couldn't-"
"Get over it!" Fred yelled, "Ron and Harry wouldn't want you wasting your damn talents as a muggle! They can't be here to fight and they damn well would want you to-"
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore boomed, "We cannot condemn Hermoine for her choice. We all know what Ron and Harry would have wanted but they are not here to protest it, now are they? Hermoine made her choice but she has also made the choice to return. We WILL fight and we WILL prevail. Do not hate Hermoine because she decided to leave our ways. That was her choice. Just as it was your choice, Fred, to leave school before the end of your seventh year and Just as it was your choice Lavender, to work for the Daily Prophet instead of being an auror."
Lavender bit her lip, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Fred replied, still feeling angry.
"Good! Now," Dumbledore said, "first thing I want to do is make sure you all understand what you are in for. If you are caught you MUST NOT reveal the rest of the members and you MUST NOT confess to anything you have or haven't done. Understood?"
"Yes," the all uttered at once.
"And secondly, you must understand that if you are caught you will most likely be sent to Azkaban." Everyone nodded his or her head. "Good, now Professor Granger and I will meet you downstairs for lunch in a few moments." The group left and Hermoine met privately with Dumbledore. "I suppose you are wonder what happened to the Order?"
The question had run through Hermoine's head about The Order of the Phoenix, "Yes."
"Most of the members were killed during the Second War but some have agreed to work with the D.A. Tonks, Vance, Lupin, Fletcher, Jonse, Diggle, and Moody will return." Hermoine nodded. "Now let's go enjoy dinner!" Dumbledore cried.
Dumbledore and Hermoine meet the group down at the long table in the main hall, which had been expanded to accommodate the members of the D.A. "What are they doing here?" Snape hissed at Dumbledore.
"They are my special guests," Dumbledore answered.
Hermoine chatted with George who caught her up on news she had been lost too. "Well let's see," George started, "Bill and Fleur have two children. Their daughter is a second year Ravenclaw and their son is a first year Gryffindor. Bill nearly died when his daughter wasn't in Gryffindor but he never let them know it. Charlie still isn't married. Lavender and Lee got married, if you couldn't tell. Susan Bones is widowed with two sons. One is in Hufflepuff and the other hasn't started yet." While George rattled on about who was with who and who had what kids Hermoine scanned the common room.
She spotted Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron, Hagrid was at the far end of the common room (she still hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him yet and this was actually the first time she had gotten to see him since she arrived). She spotted a few students whose parents she had known. George continued talking, not even knowing that Hermoine was no longer paying attention. Her thoughts began to drift. Drift to better times. Times when she wasn't so broken and times when she, Ron, and Harry had been the best of friends.
After lunch Hermoine taught her seventh year Gryffindors, who more interested in asking questions about her then learning from their books.
"Did you really fight alongside Harry Potter?" One girl asked.
Hermoine sighed. She had a feeling she would be getting this ALL YEAR, "Yes."
"Did you really play a real-life sized game of wizard chess your first year?" Another asked.
"Yes," And after that the questions rolled.
"Did you really help prove that Sirius Black was innocent?"
"Yes," Hermoine replied in a dull tone. Even though Sirius had died, proving him innocent meant everything to Hermoine, Harry and Ron, and when they had caught Wormtail (aka Scabbers) they proved Sirius innocent and he soon became known as a hero.
"Did you really face Voldemort in the last battle?"
Hermoine swallowed hard, the pain clear on her face. "Yes."
The rest of the afternoon was spent answering questions about her life and as painful as it was, Ron and Harry's too.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermoine couldn't sleep that night. All these reminders of what was, what could have been, and what happened rolled through her head.
[FLASHBACK]
"Hermoine!" Ron cried.
"I'm alright!" Hermoine screamed back as she pulled herself up, "You just worry about keeping yourself alive!"
Neville disarmed yet another Death Eater before Ginny, Neville, Fred, and George tied them up in a group. All that was left was Voldemort, and the Death Eaters that weren't present. But Voldemort was their, rather Harry's, greatest challenge.
"You look just like your father, you know that?" Voldemort taunted.
Hermoine made a pass to intervene but Remus Lupin placed a hand on her shoulder, "You know that Harry is the only one who can destroy him," Lupin said, "There is nothing we can do but let fate take its course."
[END FLASHBACK]
The sweat trickled down Hermoine's forehead as she stood up and walked to her bathroom. Why did these things need to keep appearing to her? Even in all her years living as a muggle she still dreamt about that night.
"Ooo. Look who it is?" A singsong voice came from her toilet.
Hermoine jumped and watched as a ghost floated up from the toilet bowl. "Myrtle."
"Hermoine," Hermoine stood there, rooted to the spot as Moaning Myrtle floated across from her. "You've come to take my bathroom haven't you?"
"Myrtle, don't you ever grow tired of haunting a toilet?"
"No."
Hermoine sighed, "Well do you mind leaving for a few minutes while I use the bathroom?"
Rather than start crying as Hermoine expected Myrtle replied, "Alright, but as long as I get it back when you're done."
"Deal," Hermoine said and Myrtle floated through the door while Hermoine used her bathroom. "Great," Hermoine muttered so that Moaning Myrtle couldn't hear her. A ghost was haunting her bathroom; a ghost that Hermoine always suspected had a crush on Harry Potter. But then at what point did some girl, ghost or not, not have a crush on her friend? Luna Lovegood had, that was obviously, everyone knew Ginny had (though that relationship had been taken to the next step) and Hermoine hated to admit it but at certain points during her fourth and fifth years at Hogwarts Hermoine had a slight crush on him as well. But she loved Ron. She still loved Ron.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day of classes didn't go so well for Hermoine either. While most of the students had their questions answered and they actually got to some real lessons she received a rather unexpected, and unwanted visitor. She was halfway through a dementor lesson with her sixth year Gryffindors when the door burst open.
Hermoine glanced up to see Draco Malfoy, "Excuse me, we are in the middle of a lesson."
Draco closed the doors behind him, "Well it is true, just as my son told me. They hired the Mud Blood to teach."
Hermoine crossed her arms and slowly walked down the aisle, Draco met her halfway, "Yes, and sadly your son has turned out just like you and by the way, how is your father these days?"
Draco glared at her. His father had been sentenced to life in Azkaban during their fifth year and it had been Draco and his mother ever since, "You know damn well he's rotting in hell."
"As well he should be!" Hermoine brought her face up to her old enemy, "And you will join him soon."
Draco through back his head and laughed, "You haven't changed, Mud Blood. You are still so full of yourself."
The students looked back and forth between Malfoy and Granger as they spat. The tension was so thick and some of them were scared. They all knew Malfoy and Potter had been enemies and that meant that Granger and Malfoy were enemies. No one spoke.
Hermoine shook her head, "You are the one that is full of yourself. You will get what is coming to you."
Draco sneered, "No Granger, you will get what is coming to you."
Hermoine spun on her heal and headed back to the front of the classroom, "Students, I would like to present Mr. Draco Malfoy, a real life Death Eater."
Malfoy snickered, "You can't intimidate me Granger, you know you can't. By the way how are Weasley and Potter?"
Hermoine bit her lip as she slowly approached him, "You were the cause of it and you know it, you bastard!"
"Soft spot, Miss Granger? You know Weasley and Potter were always such losers-"
Hermoine slammed her hand against his cheek, "You still haven't learned have you? NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CLASSROOM!"
The class gapped in awe at how their kind teacher had suddenly turned dark and menacing.
Draco pointed his walking stick, which Hermoine recognized to be his father's, at her, "You will regret that."
As he turned and walked out the door Hermoine said, "There is one more thing. How's your right arm?" During their seventh year Harry and Draco had gone head to head in a full out wizard duel and Draco had lost good use of his right arm.
Draco spun around, his wand out, "Engorgio!" Despite how angry he was he knew better than to use one of the four deadly curses.
Hermoine moved slightly to the left and the spark missed her. Using her own wand she cried out, "Petrificus Totalus!" Draco's body froze and collapsed to the floor. Hermoine walked back up to the front of the room, "That is how you defend yourself, if you don't wish to kill. I have used it many times." Hermoine pointed her wand at Draco again, "Mobilicorpus!" And Draco's body floated in the air. Hermoine used her wand to set him down in the corner. "Now what were we discussing before this interruption?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
News of Draco and Hermoine's argument spread quickly throughout the school and by the next day every student knew what had happened. Although as always, some of the facts were missing. The Slytherin's behaved worse than usual, if such a thing was possible, and by the end of the week Hermoine had taken about 320 points from Slytherin. She was toughest on them than anyone else but she simply couldn't stand the whole lot of them.
On Saturday Hermoine met the D.A. at the old Black Residence. The D.A. plus a few more were present. She noticed some were missing but under the circumstances she knew that was, sadly, quite normal. Dumbledore was not present, however, so Ginny ran the meeting.
"Well by now I'm sure we all know of Malfoy and Hermoine's little tuff the other day."
Fred snickered and George yelled out, "Yeah Granger!"
"DESPITE, how proud we are of her," Ginny said over her brothers, "We must try to keep a cool head about all of this. No one must get suspicious about what we are up to."
Hermoine knew she should regret using her temper but somehow she simply couldn't. It had felt oddly good to use a spell on Malfoy again.
"Our first plan of action," Ginny continued, "Is to find out as many people as possible who may be with Malfoy."
"Crabbe and Goyle for one," Lavender piped up.
"Well Crabbe is in Azkaban for what he did to Luna," Ginny said and couldn't help herself from being choked up.
"What about Goyle?" Hermoine asked. Everyone looked at each other. "What?" asked, nearly having a panic attack.
"Goyle is. well," Cho muttered, but couldn't seem to find her words.
"Goyle is missing in action lets say," Colin said.
"Missing in action?" Lavender asked, "What the hell does that mean?"
"He hasn't been seen since he tortured Luna and well. We think he may have been the one that attacked-" Colin looked at Ginny.
"That attacked my brother," Ginny simply finished.
"WHAT!?" Hermoine yelled.
Cho shook her head, "Let's keep going and we'll talk about Ron. later."
They finished the meeting by drawing up a list of possible suspects and Neville said he would use what he could at the Ministry to find out what was going on with them.
Hermoine sat alone at the table, simply staring. Ginny came up beside her and sat down, "You need to visit them," Ginny whispered.
"I can't," Hermoine said, "I just can't."
"They need you. You may not know it but they do."
Hermoine turned to Ginny, "What do you do for a living? I know what everyone else does but when I inquire about you no one will tell me."
Ginny looked at the table, "I work at St. Mungo's. Sometimes."
"What?" Hermoine asked, startled. Of all the possible answers that had not been one Hermoine had expected.
Ginny nodded, "I'm working with some other people to try to find a way to cure people who have been tortured by magic." Hermoine simply gaped at her but Ginny pretended not to notice, "You remember Lockhart don't you?"
"Yes," Hermoine said, thinking about the man who had lost his memory from Ron's wand and whom they had stumbled upon at St. Mungo's during their fifth year.
"Well through some of our work Lockhart has most of his memory back."
"That's great!" Hermoine cried, "But does that mean." Her voice drifted off.
Ginny shook her head, "I haven't been able to help anyone else just yet." Ginny said, "Since Neville's grandmother passed away Neville has taken full responsibility for his parents and wants us to test on them next."
Hermoine's eyes flew open. Neville's grandmother was dead? "Poor Neville."
Ginny sighed, "He took it extremely hard."
Hermoine closed her eyes, "I couldn't bear seeing Ron and Harry again."
Ginny squeezed her old friends' hand, "But you need to, they NEED you."
Hermoine stood up and looked down at her, "No, they don't need me. No one needs me."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Next chapter is on the way!!!