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Chapter Four – Revenge, Avenge, Defend

Various members of the Order poured in and out of headquarters during the day. Vega and Hermione sat in the living room most of the day, discussing various educational topics.

"Hello there ladies, mind if I join you?" asked a deep voice from behind them. They turned around in shock, obviously forgetting that they weren't the only ones in the room.

"Oh hey Remus, of course" Hermione said smiling, making room for the older man. "We were just discussing house-elf rights. What might your opinion on this subject be?" Hermione asked with a bemused expression. Remus had always avoided the house-elf subjects. He groaned.

As if on cue to save him, Kingsley Shacklebolt waltz into the room. "Remmy-bear .. as much as I'd love to leave you with these fine young ladies, we have to go down to the ministry, don't you remember?" he said with a smirk. Hermione laughed. Remus shot Kingsley a death glare.

"Don't you .. ever .. care me Remmy-bear!" Remus snapped. Kingsley laughed.

"I think it's a perfectly cute name, actually" Vega said, smirking. Remus spluttered. "Of course, one would wonder why Kingsley would address you with such a cute and affectionate name" Vega continued, causing Kingsley to splutter.

They both left without another word. Which made Hermione and Vega break out laughing.

"I wonder what the boys are doing" Hermione thought out-loud.

"They're probably off flying or recking havoc .. Mind you, I don't know what type of boys Harry and Ron are, but Rigel is definitely a troublemaker" Vega said dryly. Hermione snorted.

"Harry and Ron love pranks, I suppose you could call them trouble-makers .. They're not as bad as the Weasley twins, or the Mauruders, though" Hermione said, her voice dropping a bit as she remembered that Remus was the only living Mauruder. "Either way, its good to see Harry happy .. I think we all got quite depressed after Sirius left.." Hermione trailed off. Something flashed in Vega's eyes, something unrecognizable

Vega got up from the couch. "Well, I think I'm going to find Rigel" She said. Hermione nodded. She found it quite odd, the way Vega reacted.

"I'll meet up with you all later, I've got to do some things in my room" Hermione said, still sitting on the couch.

Vega walked to the doorway, but stopped dead. Without turning around, she spoke. "Remember Hermione .. It is better to have not known than to know and ignore" She said, in a very different voice. The exact same tone Hermione had heard her use in the dream. "You have the knowledge. Use it wisely. There is no turning back. Observe the stars." She said, before walking out of the room.

Questions bombarded Hermione's mind.

That's the exact same thing she said in the dream! It must be her. But how? Why wont she talk to me about it?

'Maybe you never presented her with the opportunity .. considering that she just got here last night'

True… Why is she even concerned, anyhow? Its Sirius .. She never knew him..

'She's related to him, remember?'

Oh right!

There was definitely something different about Vega, Hermione could sense it. And Hermione knew that somehow, Sirius would be back among the living sooner than anyone who have believed possible.

-----

Meanwhile ..

Harry, Ron and Rigel were sitting around the Drawing Room upstairs. Ginny's location was unknown.

Their conversation varied from Qudditch, Hogwarts, Quidditch, their previous Adventures, Qudditch, and then .. Girls.

"So, what do you think about Vega?" Rigel asked them, watching their expressions curiously. They both shrugged nonchantly.

"She's very pretty" Ron blurted out. Harry nodded. Rigel laughed.

"Yeah, she's a babe" Rigel said, with a slightly dreamy look on his face. Harry laughed.

"Head over heals, eh?" Harry teased. Rigel snapped out of his trance right away.

"What? Yes—I mean—No .. ARGH!" Rigel spluttered. "Wait a second .. Heals?!" Ron sniggered, which Harry started laughing.

"Right, Mate" Ron said, grinning. Willing to change the conversation, Rigel turned to Harry, and then Ron.

"So who's called the Hermione?" He asked. Harry and Ron looked each other.

"Mione? Ahahaha, definitely not Ron, did you hear the latest row they had?" Harry asked, still laughing. Ron glared at Harry. "Besides, she like a sister to us. And I think she's interested in Zabini." Harry continued. It was true. The three of them considered themselves like siblings. They had always been close, ever since they had rescued Hermione from the troll in 1st year.

"Ahh, too bad" Rigel said, smirking.

"Yeah, well, you'll see when we get to Hogwarts. There are quite a few pretty girls." Ron said. Rigel nodded.

"Yeah, I can't wait 'til Hogwarts. I've heard so much about it, thanks to Vega practically memorizing Hogwarts, A History." Rigel said dryly.

"We know the feeling all too well, mate .. All too well" Ron said, patting him roughly on the back. Harry laughed and nodded.

"Yep, ALL too well" Harry agreed.

"Looks like we have two overachievers in our midst, hmm?" Rigel said with a laugh.

-----

Hermione found herself sitting upstairs in her bedroom, quite undeniably bored, when she heard a rough tapping noise on her window. Looking up, she saw a large falcon with a note attached to its claws. Who do I know that owns a falcon? Hermione thought, bewildered. She unscrolled the letter.

Dear Hermione,

Hope you're enjoying the book. Did you get back safely? I have to admit, I was a bit worried that Malfoy would follow you. He's been acting very strange lately. Anyways, would you like to meet up for tea, or lunch sometime? I understand if you don't .. Just wondering.

Let me know,

Blaise

Hermione stared at the letter, as if she hadn't read it properly. He wants to have tea with me? Lunch with me? He's worried for my safety? Hmmm.. Hermione thought. It must have taken Blaise a lot of courage to write a letter like that. So she wrote back.

Hey Blaise,

I'm still in the process of reading the book—Its quite fascinating. I got back quite safely, with no Draco in sigh, but thanks for your concern. I'd love to meet up for tea or lunch sometime. Just give me an owl whenever you're free. Thanks again for accompanying me to Knockturn Alley.

Take care,

Hermione

Hermione wasn't sure what it was about Blaise, but she trusted him. He reminded her a lot of Sirius. She was, indeed, surprised that he even talked to her nicely, let alone invite her for tea. Being a Slytherin, she automatically assumed that he was like Malfoy.

Lunch rolled around quite quickly. Hermione searched from the rest of her friends, but found no one. She wandered around the house, deep in though, when she rounded the corner into the kitchen, and walked right into a solid, yet warm object, causing the object to fall backwards, along with Hermione.

"Oof!" Muttered the red-head. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Oh! Sorry Fred! I wasn't watching where I was going.." Hermione said, blushing a bit. It wasn't like her to be clumsy.

"'Mione, love, its okay. If you wanted to be on top, could have at least told me beforehand.." He said, smirking. Hermione felt like slapping him. Instead, she kept her cool.

"Don't get your hopes up too high" Hermione replied, smoothing down her robes.

"Oh, Freddie! You've been rejected!" Came a high pitched, taunting voice. Hermione spun around quickly, to find George, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Vega and Rigel, standing in the doorway, all with bemused expressions on their faces.

"Oh shove it, all of you. Don't ruin my mood!" Hermione snapped, brushing past George and going into the living room. Ginny ran after her.

"Anything good happen while we were outside?" Ginny asked curiously. Hermione huffed.

"I got an owl" She said meekly. Ginny raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "From Blaise" Hermione finished.

"Ooooooh!" Ginny squealed. "Details!"

"Oh, Gin, its nothing like that. He just wanted to make sure I arrived back safely, and to know if I'd like to meet him for tea or lunch sometime" Hermione said quickly, blushing. Ginny made a clicking noise.

"He asked you out!" Ginny remarked, excitedly.

"HE ASKED YOU OUT?!" Roared a voice from the doorway. Hermione reeled around, glaring.

"What on EARTH makes you think you can listen in on all my private conversations?! ALL OF YOU!" Hermione snapped, glaring at Ron, Harry, Fred, and George. They gave her sheepish grins.

"Well? DID HE?" Ron asked, his voice still raised. Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Ronald Weasley! It is none of your goddamned business!" Hermione screeched. Just then, Remus and Kingsley apparated into the room, to be caught in between Rona and Hermione.

"—I can go out without whoever I please!" Hermione yelled.

"He's a SLYTHERIN! Are you stupid? He'll probably turn you over to the Death Eaters!—" Ron said angrily.

"—He will not! Don't be stupid! I can take care of myself, Ronald!" Hermione snapped.

"Would someone like to fill us in? Or do we even want to know?" Remus asked cheerily.

"She's dating a Slytherin!" Ron blurted out angrily. Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously. Remus and Kingsley looked at Hermione, surprised.

"Is this true, Hermione?" Remus asked calmly.

"Of course not! I'm not dating anyone! He just .. He .. Well .. He asked me if I'd like to join him for tea or lunch sometime. Nothing big!" Hermione said, blushing. Remus laughed softly.

"That's perfectly fine, Hermione. Ron .. I think you need to stop eavesdropping." Remus said, signaling the end of the conversation. Kingsley, however, didn't seem quite so satisfied.

"A Slytherin, hmm? Whats his name?" Kingsley asked interestedly.

"Blaise Zabini" Hermione said. Kingsley's face immediately darkened.

"A Zabini?" He repeated. Hermione nodded. "I am vaguely familiar with the family.." he said. Immediately, Hermione started talking.

"He's absolutely nothing like his family! He hates them!" Hermione said quickly. Kingsley laughed.

"Whatever you say" He said airily.

"Well, if you all don't mind, we need to eat lunch.. Mrs. Weasley wanted us for lunch nearly 15 minutes ago" Hermione said mildly. "Speaking of which, where is she? She would have come out here, hearing the yelling.." Hermione said suspiciously. Everyone walked into the kitchen, finding Mrs. Weasley busy rummaging through a cupboard, looking slightly suspicious.

During lunch, Ginny and Hermione got deep into conversation about guys, a subject that Hermione was rather reluctant to talk about.

"You know, Blaise isn't the only cute Slytherin.." Ginny said timidly, between bites of food. Hermione knew where she was going with this.

"Did I ever say Blaise was cute?" Hermione questioned. Ginny rolled her eyes, and dropped her voice so she was barely whispering.

"Between you and me, I know you find him attractive, at the very least. Don't try to deny it. You know I wont tell anyone. Besides, I can only agree.. He is tres sexy" Ginny said in an undertone. A half-smile escaped Hermione's lips, but she said nothing.

-----

Hermione grabbed her book, 'The Mystery of the Veil', and headed down to the couch, to read. She found Ron and Harry playing a game of exploding snap in the corner. Vega and Rigel were sitting in another corner, talking in low voices. Fred and George were sitting by the window, with a long list in front of them. Remus was sitting on the couch, talking to Min, who just got back from Order work. Kingsley was chatting with Alastor. Hermione slipped into the room, sitting between Kingsley and Remus on the large couch.

She started opened the book up, and barely got through two paragraphs when she had this eerie feeling that all eyes were on her. She cautionously looked up from her book, and realized that all eyes, were indeed, on her.

"What?" Hermione asked, in an annoyed tone.

"Whats the title of your book?" Harry asked in a strangled voice.

"Oh, Harry.." She started. "I was just doing some background reading" Hermione said. She looked over at Vega and Rigel. Vega smiled at her, while Rigel winked at her.

"Oh, I see. Found anything?" Harry asked curiously. Remus shot Hermione a warning look, as if to say 'don't try to give him false hope'.

"No, I haven't" Hermione replied. It was only half true, though.

She continued reading..

Upon the curtain of the Veil, there are strange ruins. No one has been successful at completely translating all the ruins. For on this curtain, it reads ..

-----

Åêäßêçóç.
Ðñïöçôåßá.

Ãéá íá âñïýí ôïõò áõôïýò ðïõ ëåßðïõìå óïâáñÜ, ãéá íá ôá öÝñïõìå ðßóù óå ìéá êáôÜóôáóç ôçò åõäáéìïíßáò, ðïëëïß ðñïóðáèïýí íá öÝñïõí ôçí ðëÜôç èõìÜôùí, åíôïýôïéò, üðùò ðÜíôá, åßíáé åêåß Ýíá ìåéïíÝêôçìá. Ãéá íá áíáêôÞóïõí áõôü ðïõ åßíáé óùóôÜ äéêüò óáò, ãéá íá öÝñåé ôç æùÞ óå åêåßíá ôá ðïëýôéìá ðïõ óõíïøßæåôáé, óå ôñåéò ëÝîåéò ..

Ç åêäßêçóç, Avenge, õðåñáóðßæåé.

----

We have determined that this part of the Veil writing was written in an old greek language, nearly extinct today. Very few can speak it. However, in 1590, Unspeakables at the Ministry hired highly educated greek translators to try and crack the old greek language. The English translation follows.

-----

Revenge.
Prophecy.

To find the ones we sorely miss,
To bring them back to a state of bliss,
Many try to bring the victim back,
However, like always, there is a drawback.
To retrieve what is rightly yours,
To bring life to those precious memoirs,
Summed up, in three words..
Revenge, Avenge, Defend.

-----

We understand, and have successfully translated this passage. However, the writing that proceeds this passage is un-translatable, and believed to be a type of Greek language that grew extinct around 1200s. Some translators were able to crack certain words, and it appears to be a certain spell, but no one can be sure.

After failing to completely translate the writing on the Veil, the ministry stopped funding the Veil project, without a reason. The Veil was put under the ministry's care, where it lies today, un-touched since the 1590s. No one has tried to translate, or re-instate the Veil project since its downfall in 1599.

Hermione shut her book with such force. Her head was spinning. She looked up from her book, to find that Remus, Min, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Kingsley had left the living room. However, in the far corner, sat Vega and Rigel, watching her with great interest. When she met their eyes, they smiled at her reassuringly, but said nothing.

Hermione knew what she had to do next. Find Harry and Ron! she thought. It appeared as if the Golden Trio had met their next challenge.

Author's Note: The story and plot line is developing nicely, no? Thank you all who reviewed—It means a lot to me. Now, Blaise and Hermione fans .. More romance to come. Just a note that may interest some of you: I'm writing this fic JK Rowling style. Which means that adventure and mystery is the main focus of this fic, but romance will definitely be present. Oh, and this isn't your typical bring-back-sirius story, either.

Siriuszsecretlover - Hehe glad you liked it! Blaise/Hermione .. Its gonna get interesting -grins-

Flavagurl - Awww! Thanks :) Yep, i'll explain why Vega was in Hermione's dream .. Soon. Probably next chapter, not sure. Hermione has a few things to discuss with Vega, doesn't she? LOL

I luff all of you who reviewed! Firewhiskeys, butterbeers and cookies for everyone! :D