"Oh my God, Lily," said Hermione, dropping to her knees next to Sirius.
Sirius was cradling Lily's body in his arms and with a grunt lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. He laid her down on the bed gently.
"She's not," began Hermione, afraid to finish the thought.
"She's alive," said Sirius. "Just knocked out." He pulled out his wand and waved it over Lily. "Enervate."
Lily moaned softly and slowly opened her eyes. "Sirius?" she questioned.
"Yeah, it's me, Lil," said Sirius, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Oh my head," she groaned.
"Lily, what happened?" asked Hermione.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed, sitting up quickly. Lily immediately regretted her sudden movement, when her head began to pound. She put her hands on either side of her head and closed her eyes tightly.
"Lay down," said Hermione, pushing on Lily's shoulder gently. "We don't know how badly you're hurt."
Suddenly Lily realized who was missing and she tried to sit up again. "Oh my God, where's James? Sirius?"
"Shh," he hushed her. "James is fine and so is Remus."
"Are you sure," she asked, unable to mask the tremor in her voice.
"Yes," he reassured her. "They're together now. Everybody is safe."
Lily took a deep breath. "Thank God. It's really over?"
"It's over," said Sirius with a smile.
"Lily what happened?" asked Hermione again.
"It was Snape," she said quietly. "I didn't realize he could do it. He took me completely by surprise."
"Do what?" asked Sirius through gritted teeth.
"Wandless magic," she replied.
"What?" gasped both Sirius and Hermione.
"I didn't know people our age could do wandless magic, or at least controllable wandless magic. It takes decades to learn to control it," said Hermione. "Lily, are you sure that's what he did?"
"Hermione, he was unarmed. And I'm pretty sure that Sirius made his bonds extra tight," replied Lily.
"I did," agreed Sirius.
"I turned my back for a second and then I heard something snap, I think it was the rope, and then I… I just… I don't…," she paused.
"And then you blacked out?" asked Sirius trying to be helpful.
Lily nodded. "I don't remember anything after that. Sirius, I'm so sorry."
"Why?"
"You both trusted me to watch Snape and I just let him get away. Anything could have happened and it would have been my fault."
"No it wouldn't have, Lil," assured Sirius. "We shouldn't have left you alone. You were right. I should have been the one to stay."
"I won't argue with that," she joked.
Hermione giggled. "She's going to be fine."
"I want to go home," she said. "Can you take me home?"
"Nope," said Sirius stubbornly. "We're going to take a trip to St. Mungo's first."
"Sirius no," she protested immediately. "I'm fine. Don't be such an old woman."
Hermione laughed again.
"I don't care how you insult me," said Sirius. "James will kill me if I don't get you checked out. And I am a little more afraid of what he could do to me than what you could do."
"I could hurt you," said Lily.
"Right," laughed Sirius.
"I could," she insisted. "Hermione would help."
"Don't be a baby, Lil," said Sirius. "We'll get you a sweet if you're a good girl at the healer's."
"Shut up," Lily said with a laugh. "Really Sirius, I'm fine, please don't fuss."
Sirius paused, a doubtful look crossing his face.
"Actually," spoke up Hermione. "I'm not so sure taking her to St. Mungo's will be what's best." Sirius looked questioningly at her, but said nothing so she continued. "St. Mungo's isn't a safe place."
"What are you talking about?" questioned Sirius. "Of course it is."
"The Order doesn't have a presence there. We couldn't ensure her security. We're in the middle of a war, Sirius. As far as I'm concerned, we go nowhere that we're not completely sure is safe."
"I still say she has to get checked out," replied Sirius.
"I agree, but we'll get someone to come to Godric's Hollow and check her out."
"Okay," agreed Sirius.
"Are you two done talking about me as if I wasn't here?" asked Lily.
Sirius and Hermione looked down at her smiling.
"I don't know, are you done, Hermione?" asked Sirius.
"I am if you are," she replied seriously.
Sirius turned back to Lily. "We're done," he told her. "Do you think you can apparate home?"
She nodded. "I can always apparate home."
Sirius helped her out of bed and then the three of them returned to Godric's Hollow.
Professor McGonagall was in a rage when they returned and she had summoned reinforcements. As soon as Sirius, Lily and Hermione arrived at the house they were greeted by Order members.
Hagrid spotted them first and alerted everyone else. "Professor, Headmaster, Moody, they're back."
Professor McGonagall hurried forward. "What were you thinking, Black?" she scolded. "That was completely outside of protocol."
Sirius looked slightly taken aback, not having expected to be yelled at as soon as he entered the house.
"Minerva," began the Headmaster gently, stepping forward. "There will be plenty of time for that." He moved closer to Hermione and took her into his arms.
Hermione's shock at being hugged by Dumbledore threatened to overwhelm her. She had never remembered him ever hugging a student before. For the first time since Voldemort had kidnapped her, she felt the weight of what her danger had been. Her throat constricted and she began to cry softly.
Dumbledore release her and smiled warmly. "You gave us all a real scare, Hermione."
"I'm sorry, sir," she said sincerely.
"None of that," he said quickly. "It's enough to have you safe again." He turned his attention to Sirius. "I trust James and Remus are safe."
"Yes sir," replied Sirius immediately. "They're actually not far from the house. We had to improvise a place for Remus to stay."
Dumbledore looked to Lily. "And you, my dear?" he asked.
"Fine Headmaster," answered Lily.
"What all of you did was extremely risky," said the Headmaster. "And though the result was positive I don't want any of you taking such risks again."
Sirius and Lily looked down at their feet. "Yes sir," the both answered quietly.
Dumbledore smiled kindly at them. "Good, that's all I need to hear." He turned to Professor McGonagall. "Minerva, as their former head of house, I'm sure you're eager to continue the lecture, but I think we should get Hermione checked out by a healer. Can you send an owl to Poppy and ask her to come?"
"Of course, Albus," replied Professor McGonagall.
"Lily will need to be checked out as well," spoke up Sirius quietly.
"Why's that?" asked Dumbledore.
"We should talk about that in private," said Hermione.
"Before that," spoke up Alastor Moody. "I need a word with Black."
"Sir," spoke up Hermione. "Please don't blame Sirius for coming to rescue us…"
"Its okay, Hermione," said Sirius, placing one hand on her shoulder.
"But Sirius," she began to protest.
Sirius gave her a pointed look and followed Moody from the room.
Hermione and Lily exchanged worried looks.
"Alastor Moody is Sirius' boss," said Dumbledore, noticing the worried looks on the girl's faces. "He can be severe, but he's a fair man."
Hermione nodded, feeling terrible.
"Uhh, Headmaster," interrupted Hagrid.
"Yes, Hagrid," replied Dumbledore.
"What should I do with little Peter Pettigrew?" he asked. "We have some Order members keeping an eye on him right now, but he keeps ranting and raving."
"Oh no, Peter," said Hermione suddenly. "I forgot we brought him back." She rushed out of the room.
"Peter?" questioned Lily, following Hermione. "Hermione, what's he doing here?"
Hermione entered the room they were holding Peter. He was with three other Order members, all of whom were glaring menacingly at him.
As soon as he saw Hermione he began shrieking. "You promised. I trusted you. I should have known."
"Shut up," said one of the Order members, stepping toward Peter threateningly.
"It's okay," Hermione told them. "Peter, I'm sorry. But you have to understand, we can't trust you."
"You promised if I helped you escape that you would protect me," he accused.
"And I will, but that doesn't mean you won't have to answer some questions."
"That wasn't part of the deal."
"There's nothing I can do about that," she replied. "Sirius will never trust you and until James gets back, you're just going to have to wait."
"I don't want to wait," replied Peter. "I want to leave now."
"Hermione, what is he doing here?" asked Lily.
Hermione turned toward Lily, surprised by the anger she heard in her voice. She found herself facing Professor Dumbledore, Lily, and Hagrid, all looking like they wanted some answers quickly. She wished she didn't have to explain it alone, but there was no helping it now.
"Peter helped us get out of Malfoy Manor where Voldemort was keeping Remus and I. And James and I agreed to protect him from the Death Eaters."
"That's right," piped up Peter. "I helped them at great personal risk to myself. If the Dark Lord ever discovers what I've done, he'll surely have me killed. But I knew that I had to do the right thing and help my old friends. And now I'm being treated like a common criminal."
"And what exactly were you doing at Malfoy Manor to begin with?" asked Lily. Hermione could tell she was trying to control her anger.
"I… uhh… I…," stuttered Peter.
"That's what I thought," said Lily. "As far as I'm concerned, we should turn Peter over to the Ministry and let them deal with him."
"Lily," said Hermione, clearly shocked by her attitude. "James and I gave our word."
"I don't care," she said stubbornly. "I still can't forget the attack at Hogwarts or what was done to James' parents. He's responsible for that," she said pointing an accusing finger at Peter.
"I had nothing to do with the Potter's death," said Peter immediately.
"I don't believe you," said Lily.
"I think," spoke up Dumbledore. "We will need to speak to James about the matter."
"He's with Remus," replied Hermione softly. "He won't be able to leave him until morning."
"Then we'll wait until morning," replied Dumbledore.
"But Headmaster," spoke up Hagrid. "What do we do with the boy until then?"
Dumbledore assessed Peter carefully. Peter turned away from Dumbledore's penetrating stare. "I hope Peter will not object to the continued confiscation of his wand and being watched over for one night."
Peter wisely offered no more objections.
"Miss Granger, Mrs. Potter, I suggest the two of you get some rest. You've both been through a great deal. When Madame Pomphrey arrives I will send her to you," said Dumbledore.
Lily quickly left the room and Hermione followed her.
"Lily, wait," Hermione called out. Lily didn't slow down. "Lily," repeated Hermione.
Lily stopped and allowed Hermione to catch up to her.
"Lily, you have to understand," she began.
"Hermione," interrupted Lily. "I can't believe you're trying to protect Peter."
"He helped…"
"I already heard that," she said angrily. "Helping you doesn't change everything he's done. James will understand that. He's not going to support Peter and neither should you."
"James gave his word," said Hermione quietly.
"I think I know my husband a little better than you do," she replied sharply.
"Lily, please let's not fight," begged Hermione.
"Then don't side against us on this," Lily begged back. "We don't owe him anything. He deserves to be punished."
The girls stared at each other and each of them knew the other was not going to be persuaded. Slowly, Lily turned away from Hermione and went to her bedroom. Hermione stood in the hallway for a few seconds, before wearily heading to one of the empty guest bedrooms.
She flopped down on the bed and tried to make herself comfortable and rest as Dumbledore had suggested, but she was finding it difficult to slow the repetitive thoughts running through her mind.
When she heard a soft knock at the door, she immediately called, "come in," thinking it was Madame Pomphrey. Instead Sirius entered the room. She sat up in bed.
"I'm sorry," he said immediately. "We're you sleeping?"
"No," she replied. "Come in." She patted a space on the bed and Sirius sat. "Are you in trouble?" she asked immediately.
"With Moody? Nah," said Sirius dismissively.
"Somehow I don't believe you," she said with a wide frown on her face.
"Just let me worry about Moody," Sirius said, trying to reassure her.
They sat in silence together for a while before Sirius spoke up again. "How are you feeling?" he asked sincerely.
"Other than the fact that Lily's mad at me, you and James are probably in a lot of trouble with your boss, and my fiancé is going through an overly painful transformation that he probably doesn't have the energy to handle?" she asked.
"That is a lot to worry about," answered Sirius.
"You're not helping."
"How's this?" he began. "Remus has been through this before and I promise he'll be fine. It's not your job to worry about James and I. And I'm sure you're wrong about Lily."
"You didn't hear how angry she was."
"About what?" he asked.
Hermione bit her bottom lip and knew not to expect much support from Sirius. "About Peter, about what to do with him."
Sirius sighed deeply. "What's to argue about?" he asked. "We'll turn him over to the Ministry and he'll cease to be our problem."
"That's not what James and I agreed to," replied Hermione.
"James will do what's right," said Sirius.
Hermione agreed with him, though their definitions of what was right seemed to be completely different. She didn't want to argue with him anymore so she didn't comment.
Sirius could see her shutting down. "Maybe you ought to get some sleep," he suggested.
She nodded, feeling the beginnings of exhaustion set in, but at the same time, she didn't want to be alone. "Sirius," she began, hesitating.
"What is it, Hermione?" he asked.
She blushed. "Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
Sirius smiled tenderly at her. "Of course," he said quietly. "Just lie down and sleep. I'll be here all night."
Hermione scooted down under the covers and rested her head on the pillow. "I knew you would come for us," she said sleepily.
Sirius moved from the bed to a chair. "Just sleep," he said again. "Everything will look better in the morning."
The next morning, Hermione was awoken by a great commotion coming from somewhere inside the house. She sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was alone in the room and from the way the sun was filtering through the window, she realized it was still very early.
She hadn't gotten undressed the night before, so she simply threw back the covers and left the room. Hermione walked silently through the house, puzzled by the amount of activity so early in the morning.
"What's going on?" she asked one Order member, who was passing by her.
He hesitated when he saw who had asked the question. "It's Remus," he said carefully. "James just brought him to the house."
"Remus," repeated Hermione, feeling her heartbeat pick up. "Where did they take him."
"Uhh," he hesitated.
"Hermione," called out Sirius.
She looked up and could see Sirius hurrying over to her.
"Sirius, what's going on?" she asked. "Where's Remus." When he didn't answer right away, her fears grew worse. "Sirius," she said, begging him to answer with her eyes.
"The transformation didn't back didn't go well," he said.
"Oh God," she said. "Where is he?"
"James put him in one of the spare rooms."
"Which one," she demanded.
"Second on the left," he answered. "But Hermione, wait."
It was too late. Hermione pushed passed him and into the room. Dumbledore, Madame Pomphrey, and James were in the room. Remus was lying quietly on the bed, his eyes closed. Hermione moved forward and sat on the bed. She placed her hand on his face. It felt cold and clammy. "Remus, honey wake up," she said. She moved her hand to his shoulder and shook him gently. "Honey, please wake up." When he didn't so much as move, she looked to James for answers.
"It was a rough night," he said. "He struggled a lot to get free, but even as a werewolf, he didn't have much strength. After he transformed back this morning, he just collapsed."
Madame Pomphrey stepped forward. "It appears that several of his bones were broken before the transformation. When he transforms, his bones take on their new shape, but in their broken condition they didn't form right and his uncontrolled movement through the night caused serious damage to his internal organs."
"Can anything be done?" she asked.
"I've given him a potion to heal the bones and another potion to begin mending his organs," replied Madame Pomphrey.
"Should he be hospitalized?" asked Hermione. Nobody would look at her. "What?" she demanded.
"Werewolves are barred from wizarding hospitals by law," said Madame Pomphrey apologetically.
Hermione bit her bottom lip to keep from cursing. "When will he wake up?" she asked.
Madame Pomphrey looked at the Headmaster.
"Hermione, it appears that when he returned to his normal state his body could no longer handle the immense pain he must have been in all night," said Dumbledore.
"What are you saying?"
"We don't know when or if he will wake up."
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A/N: Wow, you guys sure did have a violent reaction to the last chapter. Although I can understand why. If you read my fic The Way to a Hero, you know I have no problem killing off people. If I remember correctly, I killed off three or four people in that one. If anyone cares to read that one it can be located at the following web address: www . fanfiction . net/s/1509376/1/
