Chapter 6 – Gathering intelligence

"Mrs. Weasley that was brilliant. I don't know how you manage to keep two households together, but if Hogwarts was ever to dismiss the elves, I bet you could easily rule the castle as well."

"Well, waking up in the wee hours does help a lot. Having you bathing me with compliments each and every time I provide you with a descent meal doesn't go amiss either."

"Harry you don't need to suck up to mum. She's already married, she can't award any house points and she already promised the last piece of that mouth-watering brownie -the one submerged in the delicious hot chocolate sauce- to her beloved son."

"Said beloved son should better start taking lessons from his friends or he's bound to end up starving."

"You find another guy more charming than your own flesh and blood? Chk, chk, mothers! You raise them to have them charmed away by the first random wizard."

"Has anyone seen Professor Lupin recently?"

"Ah, our starry-eyed fairy finally joined the living. Accidentally landed on the wrong timeline though, 'cause she still calls Remus a Professor."

"Soon to be both starving and friendless son of mine, leave Hermione be. No honey, but it won't be long. Tonks is all dressed up so he must be on his way. Is there something you wanted to check with him?"

"Well, not in particular. It's just so long since we last had dinner all together…"

"Hermione, you might be a clever witch, but you still have to work on your pretext."

"What? How do you mean?"

"Oh, you think you can fool me? You weren't exactly discreet with all those owls commuting back and forth from Flourish and Blotts. You've been sneaking around for a month now, all three of you. I was exceptionally gifted in the defence spells myself so if there's anything I can help you with…"

"Mum what in Merlin's name are you talking about?"

"I would be blind if I didn't notice that you've been trying to reform DA."

"DA? Who told you that rubbish?"

"Oh, come on, there's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm glad that some of Hermione's studying-during-summer finally rubbed off on you."

"But, mum we were…"

A kick, a bruise, a yelp and some explaining later, while Mrs. Weasley was being thoroughly reassured by the boys that they weren't practising anything too life-threatening, Hermione took the freshly arrived Remus aside to have a quick word before Tonks could snatch him away. Even though only a rabid harpy was more terrifying than Tonks not being alerted the minute Remus stepped in the house, the intelligence Hermione ended up with was worth the young auror's wrath.

"Well of course he was curious, but I chose not to elaborate."

"You could always tell him."

"I clearly remember Dumbledore advising you against telling anyone besides us about the horcruxes, Harry."

"Oh, come on 'Mione. It's Remus, not Snape. I could tell him anything."

"We didn't tell my brothers, why should we tell Remus?"

"We tell no one, end of the story. Even if you unconditionally trust them, keep in mind that there are countless ways to force the truth out of reluctant wizards."

"Remus would never betray us."

"His current company knows no ethical bounds, so lest they suspect him, he should know as few as possible. Order's rule no 7. Now will you finally shut it and listen?"

"Lest we wanna hear you recite whole Order's almanac by heart?"

"Regulus Amicus Black was rumoured to have been romantically involved with a Samantha Prince– some ten years his senior. Presumably she was the one convincing him to walk away from you-know-who. She was killed. Regulus held you-know-who personally responsible and was irrational enough to seek revenge. Never made it. He was killed shortly after his beloved one, no one being the wiser as to the circumstances."

"Prince? Like in half-blood Prince?"

"Professor Lupin didn't know if they were related. Was particularly shocked at me knowing Snape's maiden name so didn't pursue it any further."

"We could always ask Kreacher. I mean, if she was a Prince, she was a pureblood, so chances are that Mrs. Black was aware of her existence. She might have babbled something to the elf."

"And he'll be eager to help why?"

"Harry will order him to."

"He's masterful in circumventing the truth. Didn't you see the crap he gave me on Malfoy? I say we force-feed him Veritaserum."

"Now Harry, have some mercy for my poor little ears. There's little more I can take on elves' rights right now."

"I've never brew it."

"Who are you and what have you done to the actual Hermione Granger? No lecture on suppressed creatures' civil rights, no thesis on brewing illegal potions?"

"I'll need a few ingredients that are best hand-picked than owl-delivered, so we'll have to find an excuse to visit a descent apothecary."

"Or have the twins do it."

"Just how much do they owe you exactly?"

"I didn't get to ask them to repay me the favour. You gave them your notes in exchange for the Ministry break in."

"They'll get nosy."

"I've been living with those guys for 16 years now. They might be more snooping than a niffler but they are more taciturn than a sphinx when it comes down to secrets."