Chapter 14
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AN1: THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT.
December 21st 1991
After not getting much sleep because she was worried about whether Harry is ever going to forgive her Hermione wakes up early to finish packing her trunk before heading down to the Entrance Hall to head home. Once she is ready Hermione heads down to the common room and waits, hoping to get a chance to talk to Harry before she goes.
For a while Hermione just waits, hoping to see Harry, but to her disappointment Harry doesn't come down from the dormitory.
"Morning, Mione." Neville says as he comes down from the dormitory, dragging his trunk alone behind him, "Mione?" Neville asks when his friend doesn't say anything.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Hermione asks, Neville managing to get through to him.
"Are you alright?" Neville asks curious.
"I told Harry last night, about me, about Dad, about what he did." Hermione explains to Neville.
"Wow." Neville says, completely surprised as he knows how big of a deal that is, "How'd he react?"
"He said that he had to go to bed." Hermione explains to Neville, "I was hoping to have another chance to talk to him." she explains.
"Well, he's still sound asleep and we've got to go." Neville explains to Hermione.
"Yeah, guess we should go." Hermione realises.
"The distance could be a good thing, Mione. It could give him a chance to digest everything and figure out how he feels." Neville points out, as he knows how much it will hurt Hermione if Harry reacts badly he hopes that with time Harry can see that Hermione isn't to blame for what Sirius did.
"Maybe." Hermione answers, looking uncertain.
"We got to go."
"Yeah, we do." Hermione confirms and the two of them head out of the common room, Hermione hoping that Harry will still consider her a friend when they get back.
Hours after Neville and Hermione left, not that Harry knows that, Harry finally wakes up and honestly when he does the night before still feels like a dream, though he still feels angry about what he found out, but what else he is feeling he doesn't know.
Heading down to the common room Harry is surprised to find that Ron is the only one present.
"Harry, it's about time you got up." Ron says when he sees his friend approaching.
"Where is everyone?" Harry asks as he sits down on the chair next to Ron.
"Gone, it's the first day of holidays." Ron explains, "Percy is in the library and Fred and George are, well I'm not really sure where they are." He admits, "You slept a while, you good?" he asks.
"Yeah." Harry answers with a nod, being pretty sure that it's a lie, "Ron, have you ever heard of someone called Sirius Black?" he asks curious, wanting to know more about the person who is the reason his parents are dead.
"Of course, everyone knows about Sirius Black." Ron answers.
"I don't."
"Right, I forgot." Ron says, "He was one of you-know-who's most loyal and dangerous followers." Ron reveals, "People say that he went mad after you stopped you-know-who, he killed a whole lot of people and he's been locked up in Azkaban ever since, so if he wasn't mad before he'd be mad now." Ron reveals then realises something, "Why are you asking about Sirius Black?"
"I um, heard some people say the name last night." Harry lies, thinking that it should be Hermione's choice who knows about her, "I was curious."
"Oh, okay." Ron responds, completely believing the lie, "Want to use the fire to roast stuff?" Ron asks curious.
"Sure." Harry answers, though he is still thinking about everything he has learnt in the last day, he's trying to figure out how he feels about it all.
Hours after they talked in the common room Hermione and Neville are walking back through the gateway into Kings Cross. As they do they see Neville's Grandmother, Dan and Remus, Remus looking like he is only standing because he is leaning on Dan.
"He shouldn't be here; it was a full moon." Hermione says, only loud enough Neville to hear, looking worried.
"He would have never missed this; we both know that." Neville says as they both walk over to the people who are waiting for them.
"Papa." Hermione says as she carefully hugs her father, "I missed you."
"I've missed you too, Hermione, so much." Remus says as he returns the hug and places a kiss on his daughter's head.
"Hey, Dan, Mrs Longbottom." Hermione greats as she and Remus break apart.
"Hey Hermione, Neville." Dan greats, "You two ready to get out of here?" he asks.
"Yep." Neville says.
"Yes." Hermione says and the group of five leave Kings Cross together.
A while after leaving Kings Cross Remus, Hermine, Neville and Augusta walk back into Hermione and Remus's house,
"Hermione take you stuff upstairs and then we have to have a conversation." Remus tells his daughter.
"Okay." Hermione says, "Bye Nev." Hermione says, giving her friend a hug, "Bye Mrs Longbottom." Hermione says before heading upstairs, dragging her trunk with her.
As she heads upstairs Hermione, maybe on purpose, takes a long time to put her trunk in her room before heading back downstairs. Walking into the living room Hermione find her father sitting on one of the armchairs and looking at the fire it is clear that Neville and Mrs Longbottom just left.
"Sit down, Hermione." Remus says, in a stern tone of voice.
"Yes, Papa." Hermione says and Hermione walks over and sits down next to her father.
"I am going to ask you a question Hermione, and I do not want you to lie to me." Remus says, giving his daughter a stern look.
"Yes, Papa." Hermione answers.
"Did you go looking for the toll on Halloween?" Remus asks
"No." Hermione answers.
"What did happen, Hermione?" Remus asks his daughter.
"I don't know If I should say." Hermione admits.
"Hermione Jean Hope, how did you end up in the same room as a troll?" Remus asks, using a tone of voice that Hermione has only used on a few rare occasions, specifically when she was doing something she wasn't supposed to do.
Hearing the tone of her father's voice and the fact that he used her first name and both her middle names Hermione knows that she as to answer her father or risk getting in a lot more trouble, "We were leaning how to make things fly in charms and Ron and I were partnered together. Ron didn't like when I tried to explain the right way to perform the charm and did it perfectly." Hermione explains, "I ended up helping Nev and by the end of the class he had mastered it. When we were leaving the classroom Ron was saying some mean things that I heard and it made me really upset."
"Oh Hermione." Remus says sadly, hating that his daughter was hurting.
"I spent the rest of the day crying in the bathroom and after classes ended for the day Neville can and sat on the floor in the bathroom waiting for me to come out." She explains, "A while after he suddenly started to bang on the door so I opened the door and I saw that there was a troll in the bathroom."
"You had no idea that a troll was lose in the school?" Remus asks, still not being able to believe that that there was troll on the lose at Hogwarts.
"None." Hermione answers, "As Nev and I tried to get away from the troll Harry and Ron came in, they came looking for me, and well you know the rest." Hermione explains to her father.
"Why didn't you tell Minnie that?" Remus asks his daughter.
"Harry and Ron would have been in trouble, just for trying to help me." She explains.
"You were trying to protect them." Remus realises and Hermione nods, "Hermione that is very noble of you, and I understand wanting to protect them, but you wouldn't have been in that bathroom if it wasn't for Ron." Remus explains to Hermione, feeling anger at Ron because of that.
"That's true, but he and Harry both still came and helped me, they didn't have to do that. Nev and I probably would have been dead if it wasn't for them, they shouldn't have gotten in trouble because of that." Hermione explains, "You would have done the same thing." Hermione tells her father, knowing that, but a little worried that she is pushing her luck.
"Yes, I would have." Remus confirms, realising that it would be rather hypocritical of him If he gave his daughter a hard time for doing exactly what he would have done.
"So, I'm not in trouble?" Hermione asks, once more being sure that she is pushing her luck.
"No." Remus answers, "Out of all the reasons there are for lying to a teacher I have to admit that that is a pretty good one." Remus says, causing Hermione to give an amused laugh, "Just don't make a habit of it."
"I won't." Hermione says, crossing her fingers where her Papa can't see, "So, what are we having for dinner?"
"I was thinking as a special treat, pizza." Remus answers.
"I like the sound of that." Hermione says, "I'm glad to be home." She says, smiling at her father.
"I'm glad you're home too." Remus say and father and daughter exchange smiles.
A few hours later Hermione and Remus have both enjoyed their dinner and are doing the dishes together as even though Remus could do magic to do it, and usually he would, sometimes he and Hermione like to do things the muggle way.
As she dries the plates her father washed Hermione keeps opening her mouth to try and asking something but she keeps losing her nerves.
"Papadoyoutrustprofessorsnape?" Hermione asks, speaking very, very quickly even by her standards otherwise she is sure that she isn't going to get the question out.
"Try again, Hermione, a little slower." Remus requests, as even though he has gotten pretty good at understanding Hermione when she talks fast that's a little fast for even him.
"Papa, do you trust Professor Snape?" Hermione asks, having taken a deep breath first.
"Why would you ask that, Hermione?" Remus asks his daughter, being completely surprised by the question.
"No reason." Hermione quickly says, thinking that it might be a bad idea.
"Hermione."
"You know I have work that I really should do." Hermione says, putting up the plate she is washing and attempting to hurry out of the room.
"Hermione Jean Hope Lupin-Black." Remus says, causing Hermione to freeze, "Turn around." Remus says and Hermione slowly does, "Why would you ask that?" Remus asks, walking towards his daughter, "Hermione you can tell me anything, you know that."
"You're really not going to like why." Hermione says as she is pretty sure that her Papa isn't going to be too happy with everything she has to explain to him to explain why she would ask if he trusts Snape.
"Tell me anyway." Remus tells his daughter, feeling himself becoming worried and wondering what the hell Snape has done.
"We should sit down." Hermione tells her father.
"Okay." Remus says and after he waves his wand to finish the dishes he walks over to the couch and sits down, Hermione sitting down next to him.
"I'm not really sure where to start." Hermione admits, "There's a lot that has led to me needing to ask that question."
"Why don't you start at the beginning." Remus suggests.
"Okay." Hermione says, taking a deep breath, "So, at the start of term feast Albus said that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to anyone who doesn't want to die a most painful death."
"He said that?" Remus asks, shocked, not being able to think of why Albus would give that warning, all he knows is that he doesn't like it.
"Yeah." Hermione says with a nod, "In second week Harry, Ron, Neville and I accidently ended up there…..." Hermione starts to say but Remus cuts her off.
"How did you accidently end up in the out of bounds corridor?" Remus asks, wondering just how many surprises his daughter is going to give him in one night.
"We may have been running from Filch." Hermione mutters in a quiet voice, but her voice was loud enough for her father to hear.
"Why were you running from Filch?" Remus asks, his daughter reminding him a lot of the way him and Sirius were at school right about now, and Hermione avoids looking at her father so she can avoid answering, "Hermione." Remus says in a warning tone of voice.
"Malfoy challenged Harry to a midnight duel in the trophy room, Ron accepted on his behalf, I found out so I tried to stop them, by following them out of Gryffindor tower, but when I turned to go back inside the Fat Lady was gone so I went with them. At the end of the corridor we found Nev sleeping as he forgot the password so he joined us." Hermione explains.
"So, let me get this straight; you, Harry, Neville and Ron were all out of Gryffindor tower at midnight because of a duel between Gryffindor and Slytherin students?" Remus asks, finding that way too familiar.
"Yes." Hermione confirms.
"I'm guessing Malfoy never showed but Filch did." Remus assumes.
"Exactly, how'd you know?" Hermione asks, curious.
"Experience." Remus answers simply, "What happened next?" He asks, though he guesses that it either involves Peeves, Filch or both of them.
"We ran, but then Nev knocked down a suit of armour so Filch followed. We managed to get away through a secret passage." Hermione explains.
"Behind a tapestry?" Remus asks, wanting to make sure he is thinking of the right passage as it would make sense.
"Yes." Hermione confirms, "Peeves then found us. I tried what you said and asked him if he really wanted to help Filch. He looked like he was actually considering letting us go but then Ron took a swipe at him." Hermione explains, "Which turned out to be a big mistake."
"Always is." Remus confirms.
"We ran towards a door, having no idea where we were at this point I might add, and it was locked so I used Harry's wand that was out and unlocked it with Alahomora." Hermione reveals, "We all hurried in and locked the door behind us."
"You used Harry's wand?" Remus asks and Hermione nods, "Huh." He says, pondering what that means and as he does he realises what his else his daughter said, "Wait, are you saying that you got into the out of bounds corridor with a simple charm?" he asks, sounding surprised by that.
"Yes." Hermione confirms, "And we definitely found out why Albus gave the warning he did." Hermione reveals.
"Why? What did you find?" Remus asks, feeling worried.
"A giant three headed dog standing on a trap door." Hermione explains to Remus, who gets a look of completely shock on his face.
"Please tell me you're joking." Remus tells his daughter, not wanting to believe that is daughter came face to face with that creature, and thinking that right now he could really use a drink, and that's not something he thinks often.
"I'm not." Hermione says, "We ran, before the thing could kill us." She reveals.
"Good." Remus answers, feeling relief about that, "Why would Albus have something like that in the school?" Remus asks himself, though his question is out loud.
"We think it's guarding something, that's why it's on a trap door." Hermione explains, "And on Halloween Harry and Ron say that they saw Snape sneaking off and before his Quidditch match Harry overheard Snape and Filch talking Snape said, 'how are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once' and he had a bite on his leg." Hermione explains, causing Remus to frown and as he does Hermione decides to continue to explain, "During Harry's first Quiddtich game someone started jinxing his broom…..."
"Was he okay? Was he hurt?" Remus asks, cutting his daughter off with worry in his voice.
"He almost swallowed the snitch, but he was okay." Hermione explains, causing Remus to feel relief, "As soon as it became clear that something was wrong with Harry's broom I started scanning the crowd and I saw Snape with his eyes fixed on Harry muttering to himself so I made my way over to him, broke his concentration and once I did Harry was okay." Hermione explains to her Papa, purposely leaving out how she broke Snape's concentration, "So, that why I was wondering if you trust Snape, because I think he tried to kill Harry." Hermione explains to her father.
"That doesn't sound good." Remus admits with a frown, as it does sound like Snape was trying to hurt Harry, "But there might be something else going on." Remus comments, as he knows how much Albus trusts Snape, "Did you think that maybe Professor Snape was trying to protect Harry?"
"If that's true then why was Harry fine once I broke Snape's concentration?" Hermione asks.
"There could be a lot of reasons." Remus comments and as he does he realises something, "Just how did you break Professor Snape's concentration?" he asks and Hermione seems to find the ground quiet fascinating, "Hermione, what did you do?" he asks and once again Hermione avoids looking at her father, "Hermione Jean Hope, I'll ask you again, what did you do?" Remus asks, his voice stern and having a, 'you will answer me' tone to it.
"I may have fought my way over to where Professor Snape was and set his robes on fire a little." Hermione answers her voice quiet and fast.
"Hermione!" Remus says shocked.
"He wasn't hurt, it just distracted him." Hermione explains.
"You set someone on fire. What were you thinking?" Remus asks shocked, "Do you know how dangerous that was? He could have been hurt. You could have been hurt, someone else could have been hurt."
"I was thinking that I had to do whatever I can to protect Harry." Hermione explains to her father, "He was barley holding onto his broom and I had to do something, and it was the first thing that came to mind." She explains to her father, "I won't apologise for protecting Harry, for protecting my friend, I did the right thing." Hermione explains to her father.
As Hermione speaks Remus once more finds himself being reminded of how he, Sirius, Peter and James were like at school as back then they would have done whatever they had to to protect each other, although considering what happened since then Remus finds himself doubting whether they really would have.
"Be that as it may, setting someone, a teacher, on fire is dangerous and you could have seriously hurt him." Remus explains to Hermione, "I'm proud of you for trying to protect Harry, but I am disappointed that you choose to do that by setting someone's robes on fire." He tells his daughter.
"Yes Papa." Hermione answers, "So, do you trust Snape?" Hermione asks, wanting an answer.
"I may have my issues and differences with Professor Snape, but the truth is that Albus trusts him and I trust Albus so I trust Severus." Remus explains to is daughter, though he plans to tell Albus everything that Hermione has told him.
"But why would he try to get past that dog? Why would he be after whatever the dog is protecting? Why would he try to curse Harry?" Hermione asks her father.
"I don't know, Hermione, but I know that there must be something more going on." Remus admits, "But, I don't want you to try to find out."
"But, Papa…." Hermione starts to say.
"But nothing, Hermione." Remus tells his daughter, "Whatever is going on, whatever that dog is protecting, I want you to stop trying to figure it out. I want you, Harry, Neville and Ron to stay away from that dog and I want you to stop looking into whatever it is protecting." Remus explains to his daughter.
"What makes you think we're looking into it?" Hermione asks, trying to look innocent.
"I know you Hermione, and I know you're not likely to give up on something, but I want you to." Remus explains, "This is obviously dangerous, Hermione and there is definitely more going on than you realise, I want you to stay away from it all. Do you can do it?" Remus asks.
"I can try to." Hermione says, choosing her words carefully as she has no intention to and this way she's not outright lying to her father.
"You'll do more than try." Remus says and Hermione nods while crossing her fingers, as she does Remus makes a note to talk to Albus so he can find out what is going on and whether his daughter is in danger.
December 23rd 1991
It has been two days since Hermione told her Papa some of the things that have happened since she started at Hogwarts and ever since Remus has been running through everything, trying to figure out what is going on.
It is the early hours of the morning and Remus is waiting by the fire as he is expecting a visitor and just as he is about to check the time the fire spring to life and Albus Dumbledore steps out.
"Remus." Albus greats.
"Albus." Remus responds, "Let's talk in the study, I believe Hermione is asleep but she has seemed to have mastered the art of eavesdropping since being at Hogwarts so it's better to be careful." Remus explains.
"Of course." Albus says, looking a little amused and together the two of them head into the study. Once they walk in Remus closes the door and casts a silencing spell to be on the safe side, "What did you want to talk to me about my boy?"
"Why is there a three-headed dog in the third floor corridor at Hogwarts?" Remus asks, really not feeling like beating around the bush as his daughter and her friends, two of whom he has known their whole lives, could have been killed.
"I know you don't read the prophet, but have you heard about what happened at Gringotts over the summer?" Albus asks his friend.
"Yes, Augusta mentioned that a vault was broken into." Remus answers, not seeing what that would have to do with a three headed dog being at Hogwarts.
"Thankfully I had Hagrid empty the vault earlier in the day because I believe that it was a servant of Voldemort's who performed the break in." Albus explains to Remus.
"Voldemort?" Remus asks, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, "Is he getting stronger again?" Remus asks, not sure whether he wants the answer, but he has to ask.
"I believe it's a possibility." Albus confirms, "Which is why I moved the object from Gringotts to Hogwarts and the dog, a pet of Hagrid's called Fluffy, is one of the protections protecting the object." He tells Remus and because Remus knows Hagrid so well he doesn't even bat an eye at a three headed dog being called 'Fluffy'.
"Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron came across Fluffy, by using a first year spell. Please tell me that the other protections are harder to get past." Remus requests.
"They are." Albus assures Remus.
"Why would you move an object Voldemort wants to Hogwarts, aren't you just putting the students in danger?" Remus ask, not wanting to seem like he is questioning but at the same time he worries about his daughter, and Harry, and Neville.
"It's the best place for it. Keeping it at Hogwarts is the best way to keep Voldemort from getting to it." Albus explains to Remus.
"How bad will it be if he gets this object?" Remus asks, once more not sure whether he wants the answer.
"Voldemort will return, at full power." Albus says and Remus has to reach out and use the desk to support himself.
"I see." Remus says, forcing the words out, "Hermione informed me of something else." He reveals, "During Harry's Quidditch Match, when his broom was jinxed, she saw Severus muttering to himself while keeping eye contact with Harry. This has lead Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron thinking that Severus was the one jinxing the broom, and as Harry saw a bite on his leg and overheard a conversation, that he is after whatever you are using Fluffy to protect." Remus explains.
"Severus was using a counter-curse; he was trying to save Harry." Albus says, there being no room for questioning in his voice.
"I told Hermione that you trust Severus, so I trust him." Remus tells Albus.
"He is trustworthy." Albus assures Remus, "But, thank you for telling me all this." Albus tells Remus.
"Of course, Albus. I told Hermione to leave the dog and Snape, and whatever it is guarding alone, and not to look into it, but I don't know for sure that she will, if they will." Remus explains to Albus.
"I'll watch out for that." Albus says, "Now, how about a Christmas toast." Albus says, pulling a bottle out of his cloak.
"That would be very good." Remus says, because after learning that there is a possibility that Voldemort could be becoming stronger he could really use a drink.
January 4th 1992
It has been two weeks since Hermione returned home for the holidays and in that time Hermione has very much enjoyed spending time with her Papa again.
It is the day before Hermione has to leave to go back to Hogwarts and she is in her room re-packing her trunk. As she packs Hermione hears a knock on her door frame so she turns to see her father standing in her doorway.
"Can we talk?" Remus asks his daughter.
"Sure." Hermione answers and she stops what she is doing to allow Remus walk over and the two of them sit on Hermione's bed, "Déjà vu." Hermione comments.
"Yes, guess it is; but this time we have to have a more serious conversation." Remus tells his daughter.
"Okay." Hermione responds.
"I know you must be curious about what is going on with the dog, but it would be very dangerous for you to look into it." Remus explains to his daughter, "So I am asking you not to, Hermione, I want you, and Neville, and Harry, and Ron to leave it alone."
"What if we just happen to find out something?" Hermione asks her father.
"You tell Minnie, or you tell Albus, or you write me if it's the kind of thing you can put in a letter. You don't get involved." Remus tells his daughter, "I want you, and Neville, and Harry, and Ron to stay out of danger and getting involved in this will put you in danger." Remus tells his daughter.
"I understand Papa." Hermione tells him, once more choosing her words carefully.
"Good." Remus says, putting his arm around his daughter and the two of them drift into silence.
"Papa, what if Harry doesn't want to have anything to do with me because of what Dad did?" Hermione asks, worry in her voice.
"You attempt to get him to see that you're not Sirius." Remus explains to his daughter, "You try to show him that you are his friend and you see what happens." Remus explains, wishing that he had a better answer for his daughter.
"I didn't want to keep lying, but now I worry that I made things so much worse by telling the truth." Hermione explains to her father.
"I've always tried to protect you from this, Hermione." Remus admits, "And I'm sorry that you're hurting this much now, but you don't know how Harry's going to react, not yet."
"I know." Hermione admits, "I just have a feeling that it is going to be bad." Hermione respond and after he squeezes Hermione's shoulder one more time Remus and Hermione drift into silence, Hermione hoping that she isn't going to lose one of her only friends while Remus hopes that Hermione won't have to keep paying for what Sirius did, as that's just not fair to her.
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