Disclaimer: Anything you notice familiar from canon is obviously not mine. Plot line and character development of Andromeda Black are at the very least partially mine.
Chapter 5-Hiding Out With the Advance Guard
After many a day pleading and doing extra chores for her parents, Hermione finally had talked them into taking her to Diagon Alley to do some early school shopping. Hermione was desperate for news of Harry and the Weasleys, having not heard from them in two weeks. She wasn't just desperate for news, but worried out of her skull. While she seemed protected still, living in the muggle world, she knew Harry was ready to run away and Ron and his family would never be safe from Voldemort and Malfoy even with their unplottable home. Even more than that, Hermione missed her friends and was hoping that by some chance she might run into them. At the very least she might see Fred and George and get some news.
So Hermione skipped her favorite books store and went to the new Weasley's Wizards Wheezes Shop. Immediately after she entered, she was spotted by George, who was at the front desk reading a book about defense spells. That's strange, thought Hermione. I never would have guessed he could actually read. George got up from the desk, taking off his glasses, walked to her and offered his arm.
"My, my George studying, and gentleman courtesy all in the same five minutes. Is your brother testing a new product on you or something?"
"No, I just thought the sooner I find you the sooner you can help me figure something out."
"Oh. Well, that's why I was put on this earth after all, to help you." Hermione's eyebrows rose in jest and she smiled. "I was hoping to find out where everyone had gone off to. It's been two weeks and I'm worried about Harry and Ron. I sent an owl to both of them and the owls came back to me. What's going on?"
"Me first. I'm looking into making a talisman for Harry. Something that prevents Voldemort's Death Eaters from locating Harry, and allows him to sense the dark mark. He already does sense Voldemort, so his scar has to work similar to the dark mark on Death Eaters' arms. I'm wondering if something like this already exists or if we would be on entirely new ground. If it's new, I will never be able to figure it out. Well, not before it would be useful, anyway. I'm guessing there to be a combination of spells needed and I'm not sure I have patience for it. If it already exists, I could just read up on it and do it."
"If it already had been done, I don't think it is the sort of project that would be documented in widely distributed books. Voldemort only has been around at his worst for 30 years. I don't know if he created the dark mark himself or if one of his stooges did for him, but if he can create that, we should be able to figure out a way to trace it. I don't think I ever came across anything resembling the dark mark in any older texts, but you never know. We will have to research wizarding tattoos and charms that bind people to each other. It certainly has promise. It's a great idea George."
"Well, it wasn't my idea. It's our first assignment."
"Assignment?" George winked at Hermione and pulled her into the back office. After setting up silencing wards and locking the doors with more wards, George whispered,
"Fred and I are junior members of the Order."
"Wow! Congratulations! That's great! Wait . . .what does your Mom think." Hermione frowned at the thought of Molly Weasley attempting to kill the boggart in the Black mansion. Each one of the people she cared about took their turn lying dead in front of her, disabling her from concentrating enough to cast Ridiculus and end the boggart's teasing. The thought interrupted her own so much she forgot that she was going to ask who came with the idea.
"After what happened last week, I think she's happy to know we are learning enough to protect ourselves, and the sooner we get rid of the bad guys the better for the lot of us." George grinned as he watched his friend's eyes change from worry to curiosity.
"What happened last week? Oh, everyone's alright aren't they?" Hermione's curiosity quickly turned right back into worry.
"Don't panic Mia, Ron and Harry are okay. You know they are capable of doing things without you sometimes."
"I know that, I just. . . Ooooo George. Always trying to get my goat!" Hermione playfully hit him in the shoulder.
"But it's sooooo easy Mia, and I haven't been able to joke much lately." George frowned. It seemed his newfound responsibilities had caught up to him. Hermione thought he looked ten years older than she remembered him. "Anyway, everyone's fine, but . . ." George filled Hermione in on Harry's escape from the Dursley's, the attack at the Burrow, and the capture of the Black mansion. After using the pendent on the chain around his neck as port key to Hogsmeade, George cast a disappearing spell on them both and led her to the back alley and in the back door at the Hog's Head.
Sneaking past the restrooms to a corridor where people sometimes went to avoid the rough crowd, George pulled at a pendent on the chain around his neck. The platinum pendent was in the shape of a tear, and had runes engraved with gold inside it. George whispered the secret code, and pressed the pendent against the wall. He grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her through the wall.
The barrier opened the way to a long hallway with ten iron doors. Each door was randomly switching places with the others making it impossible to tell which door was which. "I solemnly swear I am here to do good." The doors continued to change just as they had before, but now a trap door appeared in the floor below them. All an illusion, Hermione realized. "This is the long way around, but just two more obstacles and we are there. Albus already knew you were coming, or you wouldn't be able to get through the trap door. It's blocked to everyone but the people who are supposed to be here." "Like a SPAM blocker."
"Huh? Well anyway, let's keep going." Hermione stayed close to George's side wondering what the next obstacle was. She was enjoying this. She liked the adventure of getting past something that was placed there for no one to be able to pass. Her memories of the passage to the Sorcerer's Stone were both of fear and excitement. She had loved the potions logic puzzle. She often wondered how long it took Voldemort and Quirrel to figure that one out. As George took her into the next room, she looked at him and said,
"Could I just try to figure this one out before you just let us through?"
"Sure, but don't take too long, I'm getting rather hungry."
"Revealo wards." Blue, orange, and green-lighted incantations were revealed. Hermione flew through the spells in mere minutes, but the door still wouldn't open. "Hum. . . a hidden ward. Oh, of course. Give me your pendent, George." George gave her the pendent curious as to why she thought it would help. Hermione looked at it and read the ancient runes, "Glory. Love. Honor. Trust. What's the password George?"
"What makes you so sure there is a password?"
"I can feel the extra ward on the door. It requires the pendant or the rune incantations and the password. Brilliant really after all those wards. There's triple trust going on."
"Password is Wicked Cool." Hermione points her wand above the silver door and said,
"Glory. Love. Honor. Trust. . . . Alohomora Wicked Cool." The heavy door slide open allowing George and Hermione into the final chamber before the new headquarters. This room was obviously protected by Snape as a logic puzzle and potions were found on a table next to a mirrored door.
"Hermione, there is a quick way through. We can just skip this puzzle it's pretty complex."
"If you are in that much of a hurry, go on without me. I'll figure this out soon enough."
"Fine. I'll wait. You got through the last one fast enough, and you've beaten Snape's logic before. Have a go." Hermione looked at the parchment with Snape's new puzzle. There were ten black corked test tubes this time on three levels—two on the top shelf, three in the middle, and five on the bottom. The middle test tube rack was aligned with the one on the bottom, but it had two empty spots on the right hand side. A pewter bowl was set on the top shelf next to the two test tubes along with a stirring rod. Hermione read Snape's puzzle and looked over the mysterious tubes.
Within these tubes of plenty
You will find common supplies
To create various potions
Before your very eyes.
Of course, you'll have to trust your gut
To figure out what each holds
Because no trace of smell, sight, or tut
Will you ever unfold.
The mixture of few is toxic beyond compare.
The mixture of all will cloud the very hall
And leave you with want of air.
The set of tubes in this case, are less than few but small.
The number you need to put in your pot
Is the same as the tubes allowed upon the top spot.
You may not ever know if the top two are proper,
But here that follows are the places they go:
The only tube that can leap-frog does its best to find its lot.
The tube beneath from where the frog leaped takes its old place.
Then, the tube that can skip over two, lies down with good grace.
The top right tube moves down just one level
To the same far place at far right.
The top left remains for a second or two,
Until you move the tube you move first
To the original position of the tube you moved third.
Now, into the place of the tube you last moved,
Put the last tube from the top.
The top shelf is empty and its up to you to decide,
Which tube you already touched twice.
This tube is to go in an honorary position on top.
The final ingredient comes from the five
You have not let you little fingers dirty.
If you start on the top side sinister and
Number these last in opposite rotation
Of the hands on a face clock,
Three is the one you next skip over,
To number two that promises to love high court.
When you finally have the bunch all sorted,
Either we will get you or you will have won.
The biggest mistake you can yet make,
Will be the order you mix them in the caul'ron.
The last tube you placed should be
To the right hand side of the master.
The queen is next to follow her king
Once the king has settled his acid.
When she finally makes it into the pot,
The two should be stirred twice.
Have great haste, they don't mix for long,
They would rather keep to themselves.
This potion is worth not much more than a knut,
But will allow you to think your most subtle thoughts
And if you are worthy you will be allowed,
To pass through the mirror to see us.
"Okay, that's so bad. It's just like playing one of those wood logic puzzles at old time American restaurants." She moves the tubes into their proper positions and follows the mixing instructions. George looks to her in amazement. This has taken her less than five minutes. She drinks the potion without hesitation, and stands before the mirrored door. The thoughts she subdued while playing with logic have surfaced, and are read aloud from the mirror in a voice much like Dumbledore's
'I hope Harry is feeling okay. I know how bad he misses Sirius. I miss him very much and want to help him through everything. I also miss Ron even though he's a prat who can't figure out what is between us. I wonder if I'll ever know what Professor Snape is really like compared with what he shows us. After all he has saved Harry at least twice. I feel as though I need to know more about him. I probably just have a bit of a crush on him. What girl wouldn't have with the tall, dark, mysterious potions master with the velvet voice?'
Hermione blushed a bit at that sensing George's smirk. Then, the mirror asked Hermione a question. 'Why, Hermione Granger, do you seek the way past this door?'
Her thoughts are read before she can answer. 'I miss my friends and I'm worried about them, but I also don't want to miss out on anything.' Then, the mirror gives the verdict. 'Ah, such truth and loyalty. I think you will find you can pass through. But next time dear, when you find yourself before me, I think you can simply ask to go through me.'
"Thank you, I think." Hermione, still blushing, looked to George, who is still impressed at how fast she beat Snape at his game yet again, and holding a laugh at his friend's little secret. "The mirror is another Dumbledore."
"Yep. One and the same. He based this mirror on the features of the Mirror of Erised and his powers of Legilimency."
"My it seems to work well. Even I didn't know everything I was thinking deep down. The only problem is that someone could just concentrate their thoughts or bring a potion with them that focuses their mind on their subconscious or a mock subconscious, someone else's memories perhaps, and possibly still make it beyond the barrier."
"But you forget that only the people on Dumbledore's list even get passed the first door."
"True, but if any of us would be under Imperious, we wouldn't be ourselves, and yet our thoughts may still be the same as normal."
"All good thoughts Mia. I think you should chat with Albus later. For now though let's go get some grub." So in less than fifteen minutes they made it through the three barriers, only using the given codes for the first ward. George decided he better inform Dumbledore of Hermione's accomplishment, knowing that the wards were meant to be as full-proof as Hogwart's own.
"Mia. You're finally here. Boy could we have used your help a couple weeks ago!" Harry pulled Hermione toward him in a huge bear hug.
"Yes, I heard. George told me all about it. It was lucky the twins had some of their stores with them."
"Definitely."
"But from what I heard, you did very well planning things out for a change. Maybe it's my turn to be more foolhardy this year."
"Maybe your sense is finally rubbing off," Harry snickered as Ron came into the foyer. "At least on one of us."
"So Ron, been blowing your cover to any Death Eaters lately?" Hermione asked holding in a chuckle. Ron face took on the usual beet red. He smiled meekly and said,
"Well, not since my house burned down." Hermione blushed and looked down as she began to apologize,
"Ron . . ."
"Mia, don't worry about it. I was only joking. Man, have we missed you! I still haven't started the summer homework yet, and I don't think I've heard any useless information in a few months." Ron smirked and pulled Hermione to him. After a slight hesitation, the two hug each other's side and pull quickly away. "It's very good to see you again."
"Yeah, you too."
"Well, Mia I'm off to see Dumbledore real quick before sup, even though I'm starving. I think I better let him know about your recent accomplishment, and maybe fix you up with somebody." George winked at her.
"Accomplishment and who's somebody?" Harry asked quizzically.
"Oh, it's nothing really. I just beat another Snape logic puzzle is all. And none of your business!"
The trio went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley get the grub set up. After the meal was almost over, George came back from visiting Dumbledore. "Oh, Mom Albus is on his way here. He's calling in the core members to meet with the Dream Team here," George affectionately rolled him eyes and smiled.
"Anybody home?" Dumbledore came in through a cupboard along side the refrigerator. He squeezed through and unruffled his deep violet robes with silver embroidery. Once he cleaned his half moon spectacles and placed his velvet hat upon his gray strands, he eyed down the trio with the usual inner twinkle. "Ah, Miss Granger, I'm so glad you were finally able to join us. I hope everything is well at home?"
"Yes, of course, professor. I just have a hard time staying away."
"It is only natural as you are so talented and must wish to keep your talents alive and strong. Plus, you are somewhat of a worrier when it comes to those you love. Is that right?" Hermione blushed at the way the old wizard knew so much from so little.
"Yes, I am an A worrier too." Dumbledore smiled and then looked steady into her eyes as if focusing on her thoughts at the moment before he asked her,
"Did you really get through two of the three obstacles in less than fifteen minutes with George only giving you the one password?"
"I wasn't timing myself, but George had said it hadn't been long."
"How long did the wards take you to break down do you think?"
"I don't know. Once I revealed the wards and saw the light, the first set went very quickly, none of the spells were new for me. And when I finished with them I could still sense the additional ward on the door even though it was hidden. Maybe five minutes or so."
"So how long did you actually use on Professor Snape's logic puzzle."
"I'm not sure. Perhaps about the same as the wards. I think the mirror took at least five minutes, so yes around five minutes if not a bit less. Still you all would have had plenty of time to find me out before I made it and George did have to give me a password. I also needed the runes on his pendent."
"What pendent?"
"George had a silver tear pendent with the four runes for glory, love, honor, and trust. He used it to get us through the first wall, like a key."
"George, may I?"
"Of course." George took out his pendent and let Dumbledore look at it.
"Very clever George. I like your rune choices. Miss Granger it appears that our George has remembered some of his transfiguration technique after all. This pendent used to be just a well warded key in a miscellaneous shape."
"Brilliant, George!"
"Yes, quite right Miss Granger. But now, back to you Hermione. How is it that you used George's key without the key itself?"
"Well, the incantation I used to open the door was just a combination of the runes of George's key with the actual password and the usual Alohomora spell. It was just like hacking into a muggle security blocked web-site. Same principals. You used a SPAM blocker on the first trap door even. So which came first professor, muggle password security or wizard?"
"You are too observant for your own good, Miss Granger. I must say I am impressed that you would see the parallels so quickly without any hesitation. I indeed was thinking along the lines of muggle computer science. It has been a hobby of mine recently. I'm afraid I'm am quite addicted to fan fiction on the Internet." Dumbledore smiled. "I think it may be safe to say that you are a very unique witch. I'm not sure any Death Eaters would consider muggle technology enough to know how to break though their technology, so I think for now we all are still safe. Wouldn't you agree Severus?"
Snape had been lingering in the far dark corner as usual.
"Yes, you are probably correct, but most wouldn't be able to mix the potion I created for that logic puzzle before we could get to them either. Leave it to a Gryffindor luck to grab any smidgen of glory that exists."
"Severus I don't think luck had anything to do with Miss Granger's accomplishment tonight. You know as well as I how talented she is. It is the second time she has bested your logic after all." Snape snorted at this. "This time it only took five minutes, potion and all." Snape's eyebrows rose in surprise at this. "Now, now Severus don't worry. I think we just have in front of us a witch who continually amazes us with her courage and skill level. No need to worry that anyone else could possibly figure out your complexities."
"Yes, well. I have many more where that can from."
"I am quite aware of that Severus, though I sometimes wonder if our Miss Granger here couldn't give you a run for your money."
"Well Albus, care to bet on that?"
"Oh no, Severus. I'll not bet you on anything again. Not after last Quidditch season. I know better. You always have some way to make things turn your way. Slytherin survival it seems. But perhaps you should run logic puzzles through Miss Granger in the future." Snape snorted and almost chuckled. Then, Hermione still standing there becoming rather uncomfortable said,
"Professors if you would rather talk without me here I can leave."
"Oh yes, Miss Granger how rude of me. You may leave." Hermione rolled her eyes as she passed Snape and Severus' black eyes followed her out of the room. Snape had to restrain his own eye roll before he asked Dumbledore,
"How is it that a muggle-born child has more logic and magical ability at sixteen than almost all middle aged witches and wizards?"
"Ah, Severus. Sometimes things are not all they appear to be. You should know this well by now, for you are one of them. Miss Granger has even more power than you know within her. One day she will be the strongest witch alive, if she isn't already. She could cast Petrificus Totalus in her first year and brew Polyjuice potion in her second year. She is brilliant beyond her years. I only hope she will always keep her sights set on the good." Albus pause looking into Snape's dark depths, "She reminds me much of another brilliant wizard 17 years ago with many of the same skills. The worst thing that could happen for her right now is boredom." Snape replied not allowing the anger within him to rise to his voice. His voice was calm as he said,
"I fear for all of them. Miss Granger included. They have no idea what they face in this next few years. Boredom during peacetime may lead to bad places, but what is to come won't allow for boredom to take place. She is too much of a worrier for that to happen. You want me to watch her. Yes, of course, that's what you want." Snape held up his hand as Albus motioned to speak. "Don't worry old man. The annoying chit is part of your precious Gryffindor Dream Team. How could I not watch her, when she is with the boy who I owe through his father. I watch her just as close as Potter. I even know what she reads in the library for fun; I knew she was the one who stole from my storeroom; I knew about the Polyjuice; I knew that she set me on fire her first year. This isn't anything more than I've already set in front of me to do."
"Is there anything you can't do Severus?"
"Yes, bring Black back and be his best friend," Severus spat out in a violent rush. Then, with less venom and basically just annoyance he asked, "Is that all, Albus, or do you have more duties to give me?"
"No, no. I think that is quite enough with everything else you already do. Just one more question."
"Well, it's not like I can stop you." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with the mischief of a hundred year old.
"Is there anything I should know in regards to Miss Granger that you haven't told me?" Snape shifted on his boots, uncomfortable under the old wizard's gaze. He had many thoughts about Miss Granger, but none of them were anything that could possibly be shared. Some of them made him feel even more evil than he already believed he was. But Snape had no intention of letting the one wizard who trusted him know any of them. He scowled and looked at Albus as if he belonged in St. Mungo's with Lockhart.
"What are you going on about man? Or are have you been visiting Lockhart again?" Albus only smiled, strengthening his twinkle and in a sing song voice answered his colleague,
"Oh, nothing I guess. You do know who she is right?"
"Her name is Hermione Granger," Snape rolled his eyes oblivious to the real story. Albus chuckled with triumph in his voice,
"Finally, I've stumped the master. I think I will have to just let you stew on that one for awhile." Snape scowled as he spun on his heal to exit the kitchen, his robes billowing even more than usual. "Ha. If you only knew Severus."
Not long after both Snape and Dumbledore left the headquarters for other business, Arthur Weasley arrived home with Tonks along side of him. Arthur's face was beginning to look well over his 55 years. His job at the ministry keep getting harder to cover, as he was now spying and helping the Order behind the scenes. More and more people were being suspected of treachery these days, and Fudge still had the Umbridge women on the lose, despite overwhelming opposition to her tactics. Of all the people in the wizarding world, these two were the most likely to avoid any acceptance of Voldemort's apparent rise. They continued to claim he didn't exist even after Fudge saw him with his own eyes. Umbridge claimed that Harry Potter was the real dark wizard. They outlawed defense spells and potions to only the members of the Ministry's Aurory. No average British wizard had a chance against the Death Eater's without them. They would be sent to Azkaban just for casting Stupefy. This had all began after Harry and friends had been attacked and proved they were just as able as the Ministry's own.
Other than the two head crazies, no one agreed with the new laws. There was mutiny beginning in the Ministry, and it was widely believed amongst the wiser of the lot that Arthur Weasley was the only person who really knew what he was doing. Mr. Weasley's popularity had grown so much, that even without him knowing it, a plan was in the making to make him the Minister of Magic, before the next election.