Chapter 33
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Thank you for the support. PLEASE REVIEW.
warriorsxD: I would like to talk to you about your message but you have private messages disabled.
November 5th 1993
For the days that follow Sirius's break in the school, unsurprisingly, talks about nothing else, and because of that Hermione has had to, more than once, use her time turner to be able to spend a few minutes collecting herself before heading to her multiple classes.
It is about one am and Hermione is sitting alone in the common room, staring at the moon, knowing that in his quarters, with wands up to make sure no one can get close, Remus is in his wolf form, and she hopes, not hurting himself.
As she hears footsteps Hermione turns and she isn't surprised to see Neville walking towards her.
"You'll never stop worrying, will you?" Neville asks curious.
"No, I won't." Hermione answers as he sits down next to her.
"Here, I kept this because I knew you'd need it. It's new." Neville says as he hands Hermione a block of ultimate chocolate.
"Thanks, Nev." Hermione says with a small smile.
"You okay?" Neville asks curious, "I know things can't be easy after…." He starts to say before trailing off.
"I haven't even figured out how I feel about that." Hermione admits as she doesn't know exactly how she should be feeling, though honestly she doesn't even know how she is feeling, "I just don't understand." She admits.
"I know." Neville says with a supportive smile as he reaches out and takes Hermione's hand, gives it a squeeze before letting it go, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now." Hermione admits, "But thanks, Nev." Hermione says with a smile, "I can always count on you."
"Course you can, forever." Neville says with a smile and the two of them drift into silence.
Hours later classes have started for the day and as she is on her way to Defence Against the Dark Arts, which she knows won't be taught by her father, Hermione notices that Harry is being heled up by Wood so she hurries over.
"Sorry Wood. Harry's late for class." Hermione says, grabbing's Harry's hand and pulls him down the corridor, "We got to run." Hermione tells him.
"What's the big deal? Remus won't mind if we're a few minutes late." Harry tells her, though he runs anyway.
"Have you forgotten what today is? Papa won't be teaching." Hermione reminds him and Harry's eyes widen.
"Who will be?" Harry asks.
"I forgot to ask." Hermione admits and the two of them run, getting to Defence Against the Dark Arts, just as the class is let in.
As Hermione, Harry, Neville, Ron and the rest of the class walk in they see Snape waiting.
"Perfect." Hermione says sarcastically, now understanding why her father gave her a note to give to his substitute.
"Just breath, don't let him get to you." Harry whispers.
"I don't think that's a promise I can make." Hermione admits as she gives Neville a supportive smile.
"Where's Professor Lupin?" Dean asks as the class takes their seats and Hermione tenses, becoming worried about how he's going to answer that question.
"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today." Snape says, with a twisted smile.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asks and Harry resists the urge to kick his best friend, the only reason he doesn't is because he knows Ron will ask what is going on.
"Nothing life-threatening." Snape says, looking like he wishes it was, which causes Neville and Hermione to both puts hands on Hermione's legs to try and keep her calm.
"Now, Professor Lupin has not let any record of the topics you have covered so far….." Snape starts to say.
"That's not true." Hermione says, before she can stop herself.
"Really, Ms Granger? And how would you know about the inner workings of Professor Lupin's mind?" Severus asks, basically daring her to give away her secret.
"I don't, but last night I saw Professor Lupin during his office hours and he admitted that he wasn't feeling well and likely wouldn't be teaching today so he asked me to pass this on to his substitute just in case the one he left gets lost." Hermione reveals, pulling an envelope out of her bag, "As you can see it's sealed by Professor Lupin." Hermione says, standing up and handing the envelope to Snape.
"Sit down Miss Granger." Snape snaps and Hermione sits down, feeling some small amount of satisfaction, "Now, I didn't ask for information." Snape says, opening the envelope and reading it, before ripping it up, and one more Harry and Hermione have to put hands on Hermione's legs to stop her from reacting, "I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."
"He's the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had." Dean says, sounding bold and there is a murmur of agreement from the rest of the class, something that makes Harry, Hermione and Neville very happy, causing Snape to look more menacing than ever.
"You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you, I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and Grindylows." Snape reveals, picking up a text book and flicking to the very end, "Today we shall discuss….Werewolves."
"NO." Hermione yells, standing up.
"As much as you like to think otherwise you do not run this class Miss Granger." Snape says, glaring at Hermione, "Werewolves are an important topic which is why you will all write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways to recognize and kill Werewolves, I want two rolls of parchment on the topic."
"Werewolves are human beings, Sir!" Hermione says angrily, "They are not monsters, on the full moon they can't control themselves, but that doesn't mean that they should be killed! Werewolves didn't choose to be bitten, they didn't want that! By telling us to write this essay you're condoning murder!" Hermione says, sounding furious.
"Fifteen points from Gryffindor." Severus says as he walks over to Hermione, "I don't care what you think I have given you a task and you will do it." He says angrily, stressing each word.
"No, I won't." Hermione responds, "I won't take part in spreading a prejudice that shouldn't exist. Yes, there are bad werewolves, but there are good ones too, just like wizards. Do we say all Wizards are bad just because of what Voldemort and his Death Eaters did?" Hermione asks, ignoring the gasp of most of the class, "You should be teaching people to understand werewolves, you should not spread fear and prejudice."
"Never tell me what I should do." Snape says angrily, "Get out." He hisses.
"Gladly." Hermione says, picking up her bag and walking out
"And thirty points from Gryffindor." Snape says and Hermione walks out of the classroom, being able to hear the shocked muttering from the classroom as she goes.
After leaving her class Hermione walks several corridors before she pauses, leans against the wall and takes several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down as she can't believe that she just did that.
"Hermione." A voice says and Hermione turns to see Minerva.
"Professor." Hermione says looking at her in surprise.
"Why aren't you in class?"
"Professor Snape is substituting for Papa, we had a disagreement about him going off Papa's plans and he told me to get out." Hermione explains.
"What is Professor Snape teaching the class?" Minerva asks, knowing it must be bad for Hermione to have walked out.
"Werewolves. He wants two rolls of parchment on how to recognize and kill them." Hermione says, sounding angry, "Which I didn't react well too." Hermione explains.
"I wouldn't expect you to." Minerva says sympathetically, "Why don't you go work in the Common Room for the rest of the period, I would suggest going to see your father, but I don't think he'd react well." Minerva comments.
"No, he wouldn't." Hermione confirms, "Thank you Professor." Hermione says and she starts to walk away.
"Hermione." Minerva says, turning her to turn abound, "Did Professor Snape take points?" Minerva asks curious.
"Um, yeah, I think forty-five in total." Hermione answers.
"Fifty points to Gryffindor for fighting against prejudice." Minerva says with a smile, "You better head up to the Common Room."
"Of course." Hermione says before making her way upstairs.
Ever since Hermione walks out of the class the entire class, to the annoyance of Snape mutter about it all being completely shocked and Harry, Ron and Neville all feel their worry go and when the class is finally over they hurry out.
"What the hell was that?" Ron asks Harry and Neville, "Since when does Hermione care so much about werewolves?"
"She doesn't like prejudice, no matter where it comes from." Neville explains, partly telling the truth.
"She would have gone to his quarters, right?" Ron asks, his voice quiet.
"No." Harry and Neville say together.
"She wouldn't want to disappoint him." Neville explains, "Common room is the best bet." He says and the three of them start to walk faster.
A few minutes after they left Defence Harry, Ron and Neville arrive back at the common room where they find Hermione sitting by the fire.
"Mione." Neville says, hurrying over to her and giving her a hug.
"HI, I'm okay." Hermione says as she returns the hug.
"No, you're not." Neville says, in a whisper, knowing that because he knows Hermione.
"I've got to say it, Hermione, that was impressive." Ron tells her as she and Neville break apart.
"It wasn't impressing anyone that I was going for." Hermione explains, "I just think that there is too much prejudice in the wizarding world and Snape shouldn't add to it." Hermione explains.
"There are reasons why people are afraid of Werewolves, good reasons, people should be afraid." Ron says.
"No, they shouldn't be." Hermione says, sounding angry, and honestly it is taking most of her self-control not to hit Ron.
"Mione's right, they shouldn't." Neville says and Harry nods in agreement, both of them watching Hermione carefully so that they can stop her before she attacks Ron, not that either of them would blame her if she did.
"I should go tell Papa what happened before he hears it from somewhere else. I'll see you at lunch." Hermione tells the three before getting up and heading out of the room.
"Do you think he's going to react badly?" Ron asks the other two.
"Not towards Hermione." Harry answers, being pretty sure that things between Snape and Remus are about to get a whole lot worse, not because of what he asked the class to do, but because of the way he treated Hermione.
A little while after Hermione left the common room she walks into her father's quarters,
"Papa?" Hermione asks as she walks into the rooms.
"In here, Hermione." Remus's voice says and she heads towards where the voice came from, her father's room,
As she walks into the bedroom she sees her father lying without a shirt on, on top of his bed, like he often does after a full moon.
"Papa." Hermione says, glad that that the only wounds she can see are the wounds that she knows happen when he changes.
"It's okay Mione, I've looked worse." Remus tells her, trying to make her feel better.
"I know." Hermione says sadly as she walks over and sits down on the edge of her father's bed, "There's something I've got to tell you." Hermione reveals, "I got kicked out of class tonight, or more specifically Snape told me to get out and I did."
"Why? What happened?" Remus asks, knowing that there would be a reason.
"Snape wants two rolls of parchment on how to recognize and kill werewolves." Hermione explains, "I reacted badly about that."
"I'm sorry, Hermione. You shouldn't have had to do that." Remus says, hating how much his daughter suffers because of him.
"I can't believe Snape would do that, he wants people to realise! He wants to ruin everything for you." Hermione says, sounding upset.
"It's okay, Hermione" Remus assures her.
"No, it's not!" Hermione says, angrily, "How can you be okay with that? What if people put together the signs?" she asks worried.
"They won't."
"How can you be so sure?" Hermione asks, "I figured out what the signs mean when I was six!" Hermione reminds him.
"That's because you spent every day of your life with me." Remus tells her, "And I very much doubt anyone will do that essay."
"I hope not." Hermione admits and the two of them drift into silence, as they do Remus reaches out and grabs Hermione's hand.
"Now, I want you to go have lunch and go to the rest of your classes. We'll talk later." Remus tells Hermione, "Okay?" he asks
"Okay." Hermione says with a nod, "I love you, Papa." She says as she gives him a gentle hug.
"I love you too, Mione." Remus says as he returns the hug, "Now, go enjoy your day." Remus tells her and Hermione reluctantly gets up and heads out of her father's quarters.
November 6th 1993
Just as her father asked Hermione did do her best to enjoy the rest of her day, and to a degree she did, though she spent a lot of time worrying that someone would discover her father's secret and about what Snape is going to do next, resulting in her not getting much sleep.
It's late afternoon and Hermione has watched as the person who is practically her brother fell to his death during a Qudditch match that was taking place in the worst storm of the year in fact if it wasn't for Albus he would have died, and all because of Dementors.
After staying with Harry for a little while Hermione, Ron and Neville were told to leave by Poppy and after that happened Hermione knew that she couldn't go back to the Common Room and as she doesn't want Remus to find out about Harry from someone else
As she walks into her father's room she finds her father lying on the couch, looking only slightly better than the day before.
"Hermione, what's wrong? What happened?" Remus asks worried as Hermione is pale, and shaking.
"The match…." Hermione says, stuttering.
"Hermione what happened?" Remus asks, standing up, being shaking on his feet and making his way over to his daughter, sounding terrified.
"Dementors, so many dementors." Hermione stutters, "Harry fell….."
"Is he okay? What happened?" Remus asks, the panic in his voice increasing.
"Albus saved him. His broom hit the willow." Hermione explains, her voice shaking, "He's awake, Poppy told us to leave."
"I need to see him." Remus tells Hermione.
"Papa you can barely stand." Hermione points out.
"I can make it." Remus tells her, "With Dementors having been on school grounds everyone's movements will be pretty restricted, no one will see us." Remus explains.
"Okay." Hermione says, realising that her father isn't going to be talked out of this, "But Poppy is going to be angry that you're out of bed, you know that, right?"
"Of course I do." Remus responds, "Are you going to stay here or come with me?"
"I'm coming with you." Hermione assures her father and the two of them head out of the rooms, Remus having to lean on the wall for support.
Because of how week Remus is and the amount of difficulty he is having with walking it takes Remus and Hermione almost twenty minutes to get to the Hospital Wing and when they get there Hermione is pretty much supporting her father.
"REMUS LUPIN! What do you think you are doing!" Poppy's voice says as Hermione and Remus make their way into the hospital wing.
"I need to see Harry, Poppy. You can fuss over me later." Remus tells her, it being clear that nothing is going to stop him from seeing Harry.
"End bed, and I will be doing a lot more than just fuss, young man." Poppy informs him, and Harry
"I didn't think you were that young." Hermione tells her father.
"To her I am." Remus admits as Hermione helps Remus over to the chair by Harry's bed.
"Remus." Harry says, sounding surprise, "You shouldn't have come." He says as he sees how week Remus is.
"I had to." Remus tells him, "How you feeling?" he asks as Hermione pulls over a chair and sits down on Harry's other side.
"I…." Harry starts to say, then trails off.
"Harry?" Remus asks concerned.
"I heard it, I heard Voldemort kill Mum, I heard it Remus…..." Harry says, trailing off as he starts to cry.
"Oh Harry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Remus says before slowly moving over to the bed and when he is sitting on their he pulls Harry up into a hug.
"It's not fair." Harry says as he buries his head into Remus's shoulder.
"No, It's not." Remus says as he tightens his hold on the young boy, wishing that there was more he could do.
For a few minutes Harry and Remus hug, as Hermione watches on, hating that her friend is in so much pain, before they finally break apart,
"Why does this keep happening Remus, am I just that weak?" Harry asks.
"God no, Harry. It's not like that at all. You're not weak" Remus assures him, as he wipes the tears from Harry's eyes, "Dementors affect you worse than others because there are horrors in your past that others don't have." He explains, "Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them." Remus admits, saying what he has never admitted, and Hermione has to hold in a gasp at that as she can't imagine how horrible that was for her Dad, "Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them. Go too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself, soul-less, and evil. You'll be nothing but the worst experiences of your life. And the worst that happened to you, Harry, it's enough to make anyone fall off their broom. You have nothing to feel ashamed off. I promise you that." Remus assures him.
"Why did they have to come to the match?" Harry asks, sounding bitter.
"They're getting hungry." Remus explains, his voice cold, "Albus won't let them into the school, so their supply of human prey has dried up. I don't think they could resist the large crowd around the Qudditch field. All that excitement, emotions running high it was their idea of a feast."
"How could he be okay after spending twelve years around them? How'd he fight them?" Harry asks, lowering his voice, and Hermione moves closer so that she can hear what her Papa is going to say.
"I don't know." Remus admits, "He must have found a way to fight them. I wouldn't have believed that that was possible." Remus says, ignoring the part of him that is saying that Sirius used to make a habit of doing impossible things, "Dementors are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long."
"How'd you make the one on the train go away?" Harry ask.
"There are certain defences, but the more dementors there are the more difficult it becomes to resist." Remus explains.
"Defences, can you teach me?" Harry asks, feeling hope.
"Harry I'm….." Remus starts to say.
"Please Remus, I need to know how to fight them, especially if they come to another Quidditch match." Harry tells Remus his voice full of begging his face full of determination.
"I'm not an expert, but I'll try." Remus says, sounding hesitant, "But, we'll have to wait until next term, I need a bit more time to heal." He explains, "Okay?"
"Okay." Harry says with a nod.
"Can I learn too?" Hermione asks, "I'd really like to." She admits not wanting to learn only to protect herself, but wanting to learn so that she can keep them away from Harry when Dementors come near him again, hearing the request Remus turns to look at is daughter and debates what to say.
"Okay, I'll teach you too." Remus says after a minute of hesitation, "I'm so sorry about your broom, Harry."
"It's okay, Remus. It's not your fault." Harry tells him.
"Actually….." Remus starts to say but before he can he gets cut off by ….
"Remus Lupin, if you're not lying in a bed in one minute I will drag you there myself!" Being said by Poppy.
"So, I guess you're not going to be able to break me out." Harry comments, feeling a little bit of amusement for the first time since the Dementors as Remus looks like a school child right about now.
"Sorry Harry, but that's something your Dad couldn't even do." Remus admits as he moves over to the bed on Harry's other side.
"Good to know." Harry says and the three of them drift into silence as they do Hermione reaches out, and as she sits in her chair, she takes both Remus's and Harry's hands, it being clear that she isn't going to leave either one of them until she has to.
December 18th 1993
It has been six weeks since the Quidditch game that the Dementors came to and ever since then the only people that know about what Harry heard are Remus and Hermione. After a match a few weeks later Gryffindor is still in the running for the cup, much to everyone's joy, and after Remus's promise of teaching him and Hermione how to fight Dementors Harry is starting to feel some hope that thing will be okay; and to Hermione's relief her Papa was right and no one did the essay on werewolves so no one has put together the signs about her father.
It is the last weekend of term and as they have just said goodbye to Neville and Ron who are heading to Hogsmeade Hermione and Harry are heading back upstairs.
"Psst, Harry, Hermione." A voice says when Harry and Hermione are halfway along the third-floor corridor, and they turn to see Fred and George peering out at them from behind a statue of a humpbacked, one-eyed witch.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asks, sounding curious.
"How come you're not going to Hogsmeade?" Harry adds.
"We've come to give you two a bit of festive cheer before we go." Fred says, with a mysterious wink, "Come in here." He says, nodding towards an empty classroom.
Seeing the gesture Harry and Hermione exchange looks and then decide 'what the hell' and follow the twins. Once they are inside the empty classroom George closes the door behind them.
"Early Christmas present for you, Harry, Hermione." George says, even though they discussed whether they would give it to Hermione they realised that after what she has done the last few months' chances are she wouldn't tell a teacher.
As George speaks Fred pulls something from inside his cloak and with a flourish he lays it one of the desk. It is a large square, very warn piece of parchment with noting writing on it.
"What's that supposed to be?" Harry asks, but the second she sees it Hermione realises exactly what it is.
"Oh my god, I should have realised that you two have it." Hermione says, looking at the parchment in shock and she quickly pulls her wand, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Hermione says before tapping the map and as the words start to appear she can't help but smile.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't you Granger?" Fred asks, torn between confusion and amazement.
"Go on, how'd you know?" George asks as Harry just looks confused.
"I'm the daughter of Padfoot and Moony." Hermione reveals, "Harry's the son of Prongs." She reveals to the complete shock of Fred and George.
"Well then, guess we definitely picked the right people to pass it on to." George says, being the first off the twins to come out of her shock.
"Is this a map of Hogwarts showing…. Everything? And Everyone?" Harry asks and he receives three nods in response, "Our fathers made this?" he ask, looking at Hermione in amazement.
"Yeah, they finished it during sixth year. The story is quiet interesting." Hermione admits, honestly she has wanted to see the Marauder's map since her father told her about it Christmas first year because the magic of it is just so impressive.
"That's a story you have to tell us." Fred informs Hermione.
"I will."
"Well, I guess there's nothing left to say. I take it you know how to wipe it?" George asks, looking at Hermione.
"I do." Hermione confirms, "What I don't know is the locations of the secret passageways." Hermione admits, "Papa wouldn't tell me those. Care to fill us in?"
"Gladly." Fred says, "There are seven in all." He explains, "Now, Filch knows about those four." Fred says as he points them out, "But we're sure that we're the only ones who know about these. Don't bother with the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor. We used I last winter but it's caved in, completely blocked. And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one, because the Whomping Willow's planted right over the entrance." He explains, and even though Hermione knows he is completely wrong about that she doesn't correct him, "But this one here, this one leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes. We've used it loads of time. And you might've noticed, the entrance is right outside this room, though that one eyed old crone's hump." He explains.
"Moony, Wormtail, Padfood and Prongs," George sighs as he pats the heading of the map, "We owe them so much."
"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of lawbreakers." Fred explains.
"I'll be sure to pass on your gratitude." Hermione tells him, "Without revealing that you've passed on the map, of course." She says.
"Of course." Fred and George say together.
"So, young Harry, Hermione." Fred says in an uncanny impersonation of Percy, "Mind you behave yourself."
"See you in Honeydukes." George says with a wink, and the twins leave the room, both looking rather satisfied.
"Are we really going to do this?" Harry asks once Fred and George leave, "Sneak into Hogsmeade?" he says, surprised by how okay with this Hermione is.
"I could use some time out of the castle, and you really have to see Hogsmeade in the snow, it's magical." Hermione reveals, thinking that after everything that has happened that it is exactly the kind of thing Harry will enjoy, it's the kind of thing he really needs.
"What about your Dad?" Harry asks.
"If he shows we might finally get some answers, get the missing piece of the puzzle." Hermione admits, "I'm not going to do this without you Harry, and if we get caught we'll be in so much trouble, Papa will recognize this map in a second." Hermione explains, "It's a lot to risk for a simple trip." She admits, looking worried, starting to doubt that it is a good idea.
"Let's do it." Harry says, wanting to do it before Hermione can talk herself out of it, and the two of them exchange smiles.
Fifteen minutes later Harry and Hermione have gotten into the tunnel and are on their way to Hogsmeade.
"So, why haven't you told me about this map before?" Harry asks curious.
"Papa told me about it Christmas first year, but he had no idea where it was, so I didn't mention it. Fred and George should have been the obvious answer." Hermione realises.
"It really should have been." Harry realise, "How surprised do you think Ron and Nev are going to be?"
"I'm going to go with very." Hermione responds, "If we get caught, Papa is going to be furious."
"Oh, I know." Harry answers, "So, think there is a way for us to get Remus some of the chocolate he likes the most and not explain where we got it?"
"Yeah, I think so." Hermione admits and the two of them drift into silence as they walk, both of them occasionally talking as they go.
A little over an hour after they left Hogwarts Harry and Hermione have meet up with Ron and Neville and explained how they are now in Hogsmeade and having spent about ten minutes in Honeydukes with Ron and Neville the group of four are now outside and Hermione and Harry have just finished explaining about the map.
"I'm their brother, they should have given it to me." Ron says with a frown.
"Technically it's rightfully mine and Harry, our fathers made it." Hermione reminds him, sounding a little annoyed.
"Still…" Ron mutters.
"So if Remus asks you'll say that you brought them for us so we could give them to him." Harry says to Neville as the four of them walk through Hogsmeade, both Harry and Hermione being cold as neither of them have cloaks.
"Of course." Neville confirms.
"How about we go for a butterbeer in the three broomsticks. That will warm us up." Ron suggests.
"Sounds good." Hermione says and the group of four head inside.
The pup is crowed, noisy, smoky and to the relief of both Harry and Hermione, very warm.
"That's Madam Rosmerta." Ron says pointing out the woman behind the bar, "I'll get the drinks, shall I?" Ron says and while he heads towards the bar Harry, Neville and Hermione make their way over to a vacant table between the window and a hansom Christmas tree which stands next to the fireplace.
Five minutes later Ron comes back holding four foaming tankards of hot butterbeer.
"Happy Christmas." Ron say as he raises the tankard and to the relief of both Harry and Hermione the second they take a drink they both feel themselves being heated from the inside.
A few seconds later the door to the three broomsticks opens and both Harry and Hermione almost choke as Minerva, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid and to their horror Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic walk in.
In an instant Ron and Neville push Harry and Hermione down as the two of them pull one another down, both of them hiding below the table, crouching out of sight as they know what will happen if they are caught.
Quickly getting an idea Hermione pulls her wand and whispers, "Mobiliarbus." As she points her wand at the Christmas tree beside their table rises a few inches off the ground, it drifts sideways, ands lands with a soft thump right in front of the table, hiding them from view.
From where they are watching Harry and Hermione see the group sit down and to both Harry and Hermione's horror they start to talk about Sirius and everything it seems like he did, and as they talk Harry reaches out and takes Hermione's hand as he knows that it isn't easy for her to hear, especially the way they are talking and the things they are saying about Sirius.
Basically everything that they say about her father Hermione already knows, but it doesn't make it easier to hear, and then Madam Rosmerta asks the question that Hermione has been curious about.
"Is it true he's mad, Minister?'
"I wish I could say that he were." Fudge says, slowly and even though she knows she shouldn't Hermione feels so relief at that, "I certainly believe his master's defeat unhinged him for a while. The murder of Pettigrew and all those Muggles was the actions of a cornered and desperate man, cruel, pointless." Fudge says and Hermione shivers at that, "Yet I met Black on my last inspection to Azkaban. You know, most of the prisoners in there sit muttering to themselves in the dark; there's no sense in them, but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed. He spoke quiet rationally to me. It was unnerving. You'd have thought he was merely bored, asked if I'd finished with my newspaper, cool as you please, said he missed doing the crossword." Fudge explains and Hermione makes an internal note of that as she wants to think about that a bit more when she isn't worried about being caught by the Minister of Magic, "Yes, I was astounded at how little effect the Dementors seemed to be having on him and he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Dementors outside his door day and night." Fudge reveals, causing both Harry and Hermione to exchange horrified looks.
"But what do you think he's broken out to do?" Madam Rosmerta asks, "Good gracious, Minister, he isn't trying to re-join You-know-who, is he?"
"I daresay that is his, er, eventual plan." Fudge says, causing Harry and Hermione to exchange looks as from everything they know that sounds like the last thing Sirius will do, "But we hope to catch Black long before that. I must say, You-Know-Who alone and friendless, is one thing, but give him back his most devoted servant, and I shudder to think how quickly he'll rise again…"
"You know, Cornelius, if you're dining with the headmaster, we'd better head back up to the castle." Minerva says and one by one they get up and leave while Madam Rosmerta.
"Harry…" Ron says, looking horrified as Hermione and Harry get up form under the tables, "None of you look surprised." He realises, looking between Hermione, Harry and Neville.
"We already knew, and everything is more complicated than Fudge just made it sound." Harry admits.
"We've got to get back to the school, we'll explain everything later." Hermione says before she and Harry head out of the Three Broomsticks both desperately hoping that they don't get caught as they know how bad it would be if they get caught.
PLEASE REVIEW
PLEASE REVIEW
PLEASE REVIEW
