Chapter 59
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AN1:Thank you for the support. PLEASE REVIEW.
SMUT WARNING
April 6th 1995
It has been two days since the article about Remus came out and ever since Remus hasn't been back to class even though he is staying at Hogwarts.
It is lunch time on Thursday and Hermione is with her parents in their office.
"So, you're coming back to class?" Hermione asks her Papa.
"Yes, I thought this would be the best class to choose." Remus admits, though truthfully he is a little worried about what it will be like being in front of a class who knows his secret, and honestly the fact that Sirius will be by his side and the fact that Hermione, Harry and Neville will be some of those student only helps a little.
"What are you going to do about Ron?" Hermione asks her parents, sounding nervous.
"Minerva's talked to him. He's going to sit in the back of the class and not cause trouble." Remus explains and judging by the look on Sirius's face he's not too happy about that.
"Okay." Hermione says and the fathers and daughter drift into silence.
Fifteen minutes later Hermione is sitting in her front row seat and Harry, Neville, Dean and Seamus have just walked in and joined her, Harry and Neville sitting down either side while Dean and Seamus sit down at the end of the table.
"So, Remus is back?" Neville asks.
"Yes." Hermione confirms.
"Think he'll be okay?" Harry asks, sounding worried.
"Yeah, I think so." Hermione answers.
For the next few minutes Harry, Hermione, Neville, Dean and Seamus watch as the rest of the class walk in and take their seats, Hermione noticing the others giving subtle looks at her as the sit down, something which just makes her roll her eyes. Just as everyone sits down Remus, followed by Sirius walk out, while Remus walks to the front of the class Sirius sits down on the desk, it being clear to Hermione, Neville and Harry to know that he will react badly to anyone treating Remus's badly.
"Welcome." Remus tells the students, "I know you've all heard a lot over the last few days which means you must have questions so to answer them, yes, I am a werewolf, and have been since I was bitten when I was four." He reveals, "Now, does anyone have any questions?" he asks.
"Does it hurt to transform?" Lavender asks.
"Yes. It hurts a lot." Remus answers, "Does anyone else have any questions?" he asks and no one points their hands up, "Good, now today we're going to talk about spells that can provide distractions during duels." Remus reveals and he starts to teach the class.
A couple of hours later Remus's first class back has gone very well and Hermione, Neville, Harry and even Dean and Seamus have stayed behind.
"It was a great lesson, Papa." Hermione says, smiling at her Papa.
"It really was, I'm glad you're back." Dean informs Remus.
"We all are." Harry and Neville add.
"Thank you, all of you." Remus says smiling at the students.
"You're welcome, you deserve it." Hermione says to her Papa, "Are you coming to dinner?" Hermione asks curious as neither Sirius nor Remus have been to the Great Hall since the news came out.
"I'm not sure." Remus answers as he's not completely sure if he is ready for that.
"You should, wouldn't it be better if you faced everyone?" Harry asks curious.
"Maybe." Remus says, looking uncertain, "You should all head to dinner."
"Okay. Bye, Papa, Dad." Hermione says to her parents, knowing better than pushing Remus, before they all leave.
"I get it, I know why you don't want to go into the hall, and whatever you choose I'll support you, but I think you should go to dinner." Sirius tells his mate, trying to supportive, but also thinking that it could be good for Remus to go back to the hall.
"Not yet." Remus answers, "I want to wait until I face all our classes, then I'll see how I feel." Remus tells Sirius.
"Okay." Sirius says, jumping down from the table and walking over to Remus, "I love you Remy, and we're not going to do anything until you're ready."
"I love you too." Remus says, before hugging his mate, honestly feeling like he doesn't deserve Sirius.
As he hugs his mate Sirius places a kiss on the top of his head, hating that Remus is in so much pain, that he's so ashamed of himself, even though Sirius feels that his mate is the most incredible person in the world.
"You know if you want to go back to the hall you can. I think I'm going to catch up on marking." Remus reveals as he and Sirius break apart.
"You know I could do it, it's probably time that I do some of it." Sirius reveals as he's been doing his best to avoid making, as he feels that because everyone sees things differently it's hard to give an objective marks so he hates trying to.
"It's beyond time." Remus corrects, "And thanks for the offer, but I can do it alone."
"Okay. I need to talk to Minerva about something anyway so I'll see you back in quarters later?" Sirius asks.
"Yeah." Remus answers and as Remus heads up to the office Sirius heads out to hopefully catch Minerva before she heads to the Great Hall.
After leaving defence class Harry, Hermione, Neville, Dean and Seamus head straight down to dinner and sit across from Fred, George, and Lee who are sitting near Angelina, Alicia and Katie.
"I seriously can't believe this." Lee comments as he reads a piece of parchment.
"What's going on?" Hermione asks curious as they sit down.
"Mom's really mad about us punching Ron." George explains.
"But he completely deserved it!" Seamus comments, before the others can say anything.
"Doesn't matter." Fred says with a frown, "We hurt ickle Ronnykins, that's what matters." He explains.
"I'm sorry." Harry says sympathetically.
"Yeah, so am I." George respond and the group drift into silence.
As he walked rather fast it doesn't take Sirius that long to get from the defence classroom to the Transfiguration one, getting there just as Minerva is walking out.
"Glad to see I'm not the only one late for dinner." Minerva comments when she sees Sirius.
"Do you mind being a bit later? There's something I want to talk to you about." Sirius admits.
"Of course, come in." Minerva says, being able to tell that something is wrong so she lets Sirius into the now empty classroom, "How'd Remus's first class back go?" she asks once they are back in the classroom.
"Good, really good." Sirius admits, "But he doesn't want to go into the Great Hall again until he's faced all our classes." He explains, "I just hate it Minerva, it's like he's lost all his confidence and is ashamed, even though he shouldn't be." Sirius explains sadly, "This was one of his biggest fears, everyone finding out his secret, and now everyone knows and I know it's hurting him." Sirius says, sounding hurt and loss, "I thought staying was the best thing, Remus loves teaching, but now I'm just worried that it's hurting him, which I hate." Sirius says sadly, "What should I do, Minerva?"
"Exactly what you are doing." Minerva informs him, "This is something that should have never happened, and it's going to take Remus a while to get used to everyone knowing, didn't it take him a while when you and James found out?"
"Yeah." Sirius says sadly.
"Continuing to teach is really good for Remus, there are so many people being supportive and that's going to be so good for him to see." Minerva tells Sirius, "You've just got to be supportive. I know you hate not being able to help Remus but you've just got to be patient, he needs time."
"I hate that this was done to him; I hate that he is in so much pain." Sirius says, sadly.
"I know." Minerva says, squeezing Sirius's shoulder in comfort and for about a minute the two of them stand in silence, "We should get to dinner."
"Yeah, um, I'll catch up." Sirius tells Minerva and she nods.
After Minerva leaves Sirius just stands in the transfiguration classroom trying to figure out what to do, though he knows that he doesn't have much interest in going to dinner.
It has been a while since Sirius left and Remus is still sitting in the Defence office going through the homework that the fourth years handed in. As he places a perfect grade on Neville's homework, which fills him with pride, Remus turns the homework over to the next essay and instead of finding an essay on duelling Remus finds a note.
Dear Professor Lupin,
I am sorry for telling Skeeter your secret, I was trying to hurt Hermione and I just hurt you, which wasn't what I was intending to do.
You've always been nice to me and you didn't deserve that. I didn't think it through, I just want Hermione to hurt because she deserves it.
I'm sorry,
Ron Weasley
As he finishes reading the letter Remus can't help but frown as that really doesn't seem like Ron is taking responsibility for his actions, instead he is just annoyed that it seems like Ron is only sorry for hurting him, but is more than willing to hurt Hermione and probably will in the future, which makes him angry.
"Remy?" Sirius's voice asks, coming from the door that leads to the corridor their quarters.
"Yes?" Remus asks, screwing up the letter that Ron left, as he turns around and looks at Sirius.
"Are you almost done? I've gotten food brought up." Sirius tells Remus.
"Yeah, I guess I can finish here." Remus reveals and he puts his quill down and follows Sirius back into their quarters.
About a minute later Sirius and Remus walk into their quarters where Remus finds that Sirius has set up small round table where the coffee table is, a table that is set for the two of them and Remus's favourite food is there as well as there being candles floating and his favourite song playing.
"Siri, what is all this?" Remus asks confused.
"Dinner, I know you're not ready for the Great Hall so I figured that we could have a romantic night here." Sirius explains, being slightly nervous as he was debating whether not doing anything special.
"You're incredible." Remus says before kissing his mate.
"No, you are." Sirius says as they break apart, as they do Sirius notices the paper in Remus's hand, "What's that?" He asks, referring to it.
"Something that will definitely ruin the mood." Remus answers as Sirius takes the paper off Remus and begins to read it.
"That bastard." Sirius says angrily and he goes to leave, but Remus grabs his arm and stops him.
"Siri, don't." Remus tells his mate, "Neither of us are in any state to deal with Ron. I'll hand the letter onto Minerva tomorrow, she can deal with him. Okay?"
"I guess." Sirius answers, though truthfully he feels a lot of anger at the youngest Weasley boy.
"Good, now let's enjoy this incredible dinner you organized." Remus says, forcing a smile, and he pulls Sirius over to the table.
Half an hour later Sirius and Remus have finished their amazing dinner.
"That was really good." Remus informs Sirius.
"Yeah, it was." Sirius responds and Remus stands up, and starts to clean up, "No, I'll do that." Sirius informs him, "I've made the bath, just like you like it, and I've preformed a charm to keep it warm, go enjoy that." Sirius says and Remus walks over to his mate.
"Only if you join me." Remus says, sticking out his hand for Sirius to take.
"That can be arranged." Sirius says and he takes his mate's hand and the two of them head into the bathroom.
START OF SMUT
About a minute later the two of them walk into the bathroom, having switched possessions so that Sirius is leading Remus by hand. As he walks into the bathroom Remus sees the bath full of bubbles, soothing scents and lavender candles. Seeing all this Remus can't help but smile before walking forward and giving Sirius a gentle kiss, as they break apart Remus is about to say something but before he can he sees the look of utter devotion and love in his mate's eyes that causes him to become speechless.
"Remy, my love, you have to understand how much I love you." Sirius says as he takes both of Remus's hands, "I want to prove to you that you are truly beautiful and that a few hateful people will never change the fact that many, many, more believe you to be a beautiful and a hansom man." Sirius says, his eyes full of passion, and Remus can see that he truly means what he is saying.
"Siri, I appreciate the fact that you love me despite my scars, but I just see the appeal that you see in me. I can't see myself as beautiful." Remus responds, his voice sad as it is clear that he believes that.
Sirius hates that Remus so clearly believes that and he knows that he will do whatever he can to get Remus to see otherwise and so he reaches down and gently lifts Remus's chin, so that they are looking at each other directly in the eyes, Remus seeing a look of determination he hasn't seen in a very long time looking back at him, "Let me prove it to you then, Remus." Sirius says and then before Remus can respond he starts to unbutton Remus's shirt, one button at a time, and with each inch he uncovers Sirius gently kisses his mate again and again.
Once the shirt is taken off Sirius places several gentle kisses to Remus's lips before moving down his jaw until he reaches Remus's sensitive neck where he follows a scar from the start to end with his lips, placing gentle kisses with his tongue, causing Remus to shiver and let out a loud moan.
Once Sirius has kissed all along the right side of Remus's neck he moves to the left and follows the scars that go down to Remus's collar bone, once again he first uses gentle kisses then he switches to his tongue. After doing that for a couple of minutes Sirius then moves to Remus's chest, which unfortunately has been the focus of the wolfs rage so is covered with scars, Sirius takes several minutes exploring his mate's chest kissing and running his tongue and fingers over every single one of the scars, showing his love that he does care about them and sees them as just another part of Remus and that he considers them to be beautiful.
Once Sirius finishes with Remus's chest Sirius moves to Remus's stomach which again gets the same treatment as it's just as bad as his loves chest. Once he gets to the waist line of Remus's pants Sirius kisses across the skin just above "Please turn around, Rem. Let me continue to worship your skin and show you I love all of you and the scars are just another part of you to love." Sirius says with a pleading look, that is underlying lust, showing Remus that Sirius is truly enjoying this to him.
"Okay Siri. I know how important this is to you, and I appreciate the effort you are going to to prove your points." Remus says, with a slight grin, on his face as he turns his back to Sirius to give him access.
Once Remus turns around Sirius continues to worship every inch of his mate's scared back, constantly telling Remus how beautiful he is and he continues to give many compliments as he traces each of his mate's scars.
As he listens to his mate's words Remus knows exactly what Sirius it trying to get him to see because even though he doesn't believe think of himself as much, especially compared to the gorgeous Sirius, he knows that his mate worships him for who he is not what he believes he is.
For several minutes Sirius focuses on the bite that Remus got all those years ago and he uses his lips, tongue and fingers to try and prove that it has no power over Remus, that he sees him as more than a man with a bite mark.
Several minutes later Sirius drops to his knees, having removed Remus's pants, and continues his explorations, gently and lovingly worshipping every part of Remus's body. Once Sirius is satisfied that he has made his point he stands up.
"Please get in the bath, Baby. I want to continue to prove how much I love you." Sirius says with a lustful look.
Seeing the look Remus quickly complies and climbs into the perfect bath. After his mate climbs in Sirius removes his clothes and joins Remus in the tub, sitting behind him. Once he his sitting behind his mate Sirius starts to kiss Remus's neck and shoulders while using one hand to explore Remus's tight ass, starting to prepare him, while is other and explores Remus wet, hot, incredible body.
"I love you so much." Sirius whispers to his mate.
After ten minutes of exploration and preparation Sirius lifts Remus and gently slides in his very hard cock and continues until he is fully inside and Remus is seated in is lap. Together they both work to perform slow and deep thrusts. Throughout the whole time Sirius doesn't stop exploring Remus.
"Love you Remus, so incredible, so beautiful, wish others could see." Sirius moans as he says Remus's name over and over again.
"Love you too." Remus moans, feeling incredible pleasure from his mate.
As he approaches his climax Sirius takes Remus in his hand and starts to stroke him slowly.
Eventually they both come together, moaning each other's names. After they have caught their breaths Sirius starts to clean Remus with all the care and love he can, showing Remus how much he truly loves his mate.
About an hour later Sirius and Remus are lying in bed together, just starting to full off to sleep both completely naked, and Remus is leaning against Sirius's chest.
"I love you, so much, but you deserve so much better." Remus comments, thinking that Sirius is asleep, "I don't deserve your love."
"Don't say that." Sirius says, opening his eyes, pain in his voice, "God, Rem. I love you so much and you're so important to me. You make me a better person. I love you and you're the only person I've ever wanted, and you're so much better than me. Please Rem, just try to see yourself how I do." Sirius says, looking down at his mate.
"I don't know if I can, I don't know if I'll ever be able to." Remus admits, "But I'll try." He says, not sure if he's going to be able to.
"Good. Get some sleep Rem." Sirius says once more placing a kiss on Remus's head, and the two of them drift into silence, Sirius tightening his arm around Remus as they slowly drift off to sleep.
May 3rd 1995
It has been almost a month since Remus went back to teaching and ever since he's been teaching again and ha even returned to attending meals in the Great Hall again, though he has been trying to get through those meals as quickly as possible. Ever since the truth about Remus came out there are those who treat both him and Hermione differently, so much so that Sirius has made sure that he's taking all Slytherin Classes so that Remus doesn't have to be subjected to the cruelty of the many as there are a few Slytherins who don't have a problem with Remus and want him to stay, and Ron has become an outcast in Gryffindor.
During the full moon that occurred, Hermione put the filtering theory she came up with into place and because of that she didn't collapse again though she felt what Remus was going through to a lesser degree.
Something else that has been happening ever since Skeeters article came out is Harry, Hermione and Neville working hard to figure out how exactly Skeeter is getting the information she knows, and so far, even though they've ruled out a lot of things, they aren't sure how she is doing what she is doing.
It is Wednesday and Harry and Hermione, having been joined by Cedric when they reached the entrance hall, have headed down to the Quidditch Pitch where Bagman is going to give them instructions on the third task.
"What have they done to it?" Cedric asks shocked, stopping dead, as he, Harry and Hermione reach the Qudditch pitch which now looks like somebody is building long, low walls, that crisscrossed and crossed in every direction all over it.
"They're hedges." Hermione realise as Harry bends down to examine the nearest one.
"Hello there." A cheery voice says and the trio see Bagman standing in the middle of the field and so Harry, Hermione and Cedric walk over Fleur grinning at Hermione as they approach.
"Well, what d'you think?" Bagman asks happily as Harry, Hermione and Cedric climb over the last hedge, "Growing nicely, aren't they? Give them a month and Hagrid'll have them twenty feet high. Don't' worry." He adds, noticing Harry and Cedric looking less than happy, "You'll have your Quidditch field back to normal once the task is over! Now, I imagine you can guess what we're making here?" he asks and for a minute no one speaks until…
"Maze." Krum grunts.
"That's right!" Bagman says, "A maze. The third task's really very straightforward. The Triwizard Cup will be placed in the centre of the maze. The first champion, or champion's, to touch it will receive full marks." Bagman explains, causing Harry and Hermione to exchange looks as that sounds way to easy.
"We simply 'ave to get through the maze?" Fleur asks, clearly thinking the same thing as Harry and Hermione.
"There will be obstacles." Bagman says, happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet, "Hagrid is providing a number of creatures, then there will be spells that must be broken, all sorts of things, you know. Now, the champions will are leading on points will get a head start into the maze. Harry and Hermione you'll have to be together through the maze." Bagman explains, looking at Hermione and Harry, "Then Mr. Krum will enter, then Miss Delacour. But, you'll all be in with a fighting chance, depending how well you get past the obstacles. Should be fun, eh?" Bagman asks, causing Harry and Hermione to once more exchange worried looks as they both know the kind of creatures that Hagrid is likely to choose.
"Very well. If you haven't got any questions, we'll go back to the castle, shall well, it's a bit chilly…" Bagman says and everyone head back across the field. As they walk Harry and Hermione notice Bagman hurry alongside them and they both figure that he is going to offer them help again, but clearly not until they are out of the pitch.
Just as she steps out of the Qudditch stadium Hermione hears,
"Dumbledore, need to find Dumbledore."
Sounding like it is coming from very far away, which causes her to freeze.
"Mione?" Harry asks concerned as he notices her freeze.
"Um, you know I kind of feel like taking the long way back." Hermione comments, giving Harry a look that only he and Neville will recognize.
"That sounds good." Harry says, being confused.
"Maybe I could join you." Bagman offers, "I'd like to talk to you both."
"Um, can we take a raincheck? I kind of want to clear my head." Hermione admits.
"Sure, of course." Bagman says, though truthfully he is a little disappointed, and together Hermione and Harry walk off together.
"What's going on?" Harry asks as soon as they are far enough away that Bagman wouldn't be able to hear them.
"I just heard a voice, someone saying that they need to find Albus." Hermione explains to Harry.
"Heard? You mean with Werewolf hearing?" Harry asks, sounding surprised.
"I think so." Hermione answers, looking both afraid and uncertain.
"Do you think you could tell where it was coming from? Or who?" Harry asks, realising that that's what they need to know.
"Um…. I can try." Hermione answers, closing her eyes, and trying to focus as she does Hermione suddenly hears what sounds like everything that causes her too gasp in pain as she collapses to her knees.
"Mione." Harry says worried, squatting down next to her.
"I heard everything. Too much." Hermione reveals, opening her eyes and looking at Harry.
"You need to focus, just when you were learning to filter the feelings from Remus, focus on the voice you heard." Harry tells Hermione, hoping that helps.
"Okay, I can do that." Hermione says, before standing up.
"You okay?" Harry asks concerned as he stands up too.
"I think so." Hermione says before taking a deep breath and once more she hears everything but this time she focuses on the voice she heard and this time she hears,
"Got to warn him, got to find Dumbledore."
"The forest, by the carriage." Hermione realises, opening her eyes, and they both go running towards the forest.
After a couple of minutes Harry and Hermione get past the Beauxbatons carriage and out of instincts they both pull their wands. Second later a man staggers out from a tall oak and for a moment Harry and Hermione don't recognize them, but then they realise that it is Mr. Crouch.
As soon as they see Crouch Harry and Hermione realise something isn't right as he looks like he has been traveling for days his face is scratched and exhausted, and he is muttering to himself talking to someone that he alone can see.
"Mr Crouch?" Hermione asks.
"… and when you've done that, Weatherby, send an owl to Dumbledore confirming the number of Durmstrang students who will be attending the tournament, Karkaroff has just send word that there will be twelve."
"Mr Crouch?" Harry asks as they walk towards Crouch, both being extremely cautious.
"… And then send another owl to Madame Maxime, because she might want to up the number of students she's brining, now Karkaroff's made it a round dozen… do that, Weatherby, will you? Will you? Will…" Mr Crouch says as he mutters to the tree before he taggers sideways and falls to his knees.
"Mr Crouch?" Harry and Hermione say, loudly,
"Are you all right?" Hermione asks as Crouch's eyes start to roll in his head.
"What's going on?" Harry asks Hermione.
"I'm not sure." Hermione admits, looking confused as she has never seen anything like this, "I think we should get some help." She says, and Harry nods in agreement, but before she or Harry can do something crouch reaches over and seized a handfuls of both Harry and Hermione's robes, pulling them closer "Dumbledore. I need…. See…. Dumbledore…"
"Okay." Harry says, "If you get up, Mr. Crouch, we can go up the…"
"I've done… stupid… thing…" Crouch says, looking utterly mad and like every word is costing him great effort, "Must…. Tell…. Dumbledore…."
"Okay, you need to get up to do that." Hermione says, walking closer, purposely speaking louder, "Get up and we'll take you to Dumbledore!"
"Who…. You?" Crouch whispers as he looks at Harry and Hermione.
"We're students at the school." Harry explains, thinking that things must be bad for Crouch not to recognize them.
"You're not… his?" Crouch whispers his mouth sagging.
"No." Harry and Hermione answer, neither having any idea what Crouch is talking about.
"Dumbledore's?"
"Exactly." Hermione answers and Crouch pulls both Harry and Hermione closer.
"Warn Dumbledore."
"We'll get Dumbledore if you let go of us." Harry says, "Just let go, Mr Crouch, and we'll get him."
"Thank you, Weatherby, and when you have done that, I would like a cup of tea. My wife and son will be arriving shortly; we are attending a concert tonight with. Mr. and Mrs. Fudge." Crouch says before starting to talk to a tree again, seemingly completely unaware of Harry and Hermione being there.
"Yes, my son has recently gained twelve O.W.L.S, most satisfactory, yes, thank you, yes, very proud indeed. Now, if you could bring me that memo from the Andorran Minister of Magic, I think I will have time to draft a response…."
"You should go get Albus." Hermione tells Harry, "I'll stay. Maybe I can hear if someone approaches." She says, as even though these abilities are completely new to her she knows that she has to try to use them as they are a part of her and she knows she can't just ignore them so she might as well use them.
"Okay, be careful." Harry says, knowing that they don't have time to argue.
"You too." Hermione responds and Harry goes to leave but before he can Crouch grabs Harry around the knees.
"Don't… leave….me." Crouch whispers, his eyes bulging, "I escape… must warn…. Must tell…. See Dumbledore…. My fault… all my fault… Bertha…dead… all my fault… my son…. My fault…. Tell Dumbledore… Harry Potter…. Hermione Lupin-Black…. The Dark Lord…. Stronger…. Harry Potter…. Hermione Lupin-Black…" Crouch says, causing Harry and Hermione to exchange horrified looks.
"I'll get Dumbledore if you let me go, Mr Crouch." Harry says, and looks to Hermione who quickly forces Crouch's fingers apart so that he lets go of Harry.
"I'll be right back." Harry assures Hermione before leaving.
"Mr Crouch? Can you hear me?" Hermione asks, "I'm Hermione Lupin-Black? Why am I in danger?" Hermione asks as she squats down.
"Lupin-Black… I'm so sorry…. Ruined…. Dark Lord….. Stronger… hurt…" Crouch says, not making sense.
"Okay, just hold on, Dumbledore will be right here." Hermione assures him, Crouch's words causing her to be filled with dread.
As Crouch starts seemingly talking to Percy once more Hermione closers her eyes, attempting to focus on any nearby sounds as she does she hears footsteps and an odd sound, something familiar but distorted, causing her to open her eyes and lose her concentration.
"Mr Crouch, you need to be quiet." Hermione whispers, turning her back on Crouch as she points her wand in the direction the sound came from.
Not being able to focus with her eyes open Hermione once more closes them, and focuses, this time once she hears the footsteps and odd, distorted, sound coming from the opposite direction, so she quickly turns but all she sees is a flash of red light that she cannot tell where it came from, and she suddenly knows nothing more.
After leaving Hermione Harry ran as fast as he can to the castle, but getting to Albus proved to be more difficult as Snape blocked his way, but after a few minutes he was able to get Albus and the two of them have ran back to where Hermione and Crouch were.
"Where are they?" Albus asks as they Beauxbatons carriage emerge from the darkness.
"Over here." Harry says, leading Albus to the where Hermione and Crouch were left.
"Mione?" Harry asks worried, but no one answers.
"They were here." Harry says to Dumbledore, "They were definitely somewhere around here…"
"Lumos," Albus says, lighting his wand and holding it up.
Holding up his wand Harry and Albus look around and then the suddenly see a pair of feet.
"Mione." Harry says, rushing over to his friend and Albus bends over Hermione and gently lifts one of her eyelids as Harry grabs his friends hands.
"Stunned." Albus says softly. His half-moon glasses glitter the wand light as he peers around at the surrounding trees.
"Should I go get someone?" Harry asks, "Remus or Sirius or Madam Pomfrey?" Harry ask.
"No." Albus says quickly, not wanting Harry to go off alone, "Stay here." He says as he raises his wand into the air and points it in the direction of Hagrid's cabin, causing something silvery to dart out of it and streak away through the trees like a ghostly bird, "Ennervate." Albus says, pointing it at Hermione.
Seconds later Hermione opens her eyes, causing her to look dazed. As she sees Albus Hermione attempts to sit up, but Albus puts his hand on her shoulder and makes her lie still.
"I heard something, footsteps, coming closer. First in one direction, then another." Hermione reveals, "There was something else, something familiar, but I don't know why, then all I saw was a red light, I don't know if it was Crouch or whoever the footsteps were." Hermione reveals, causing Albus to look even more concerned as they all hear thunderous footsteps and Hagrid comes panting into sight with Fang at his heals.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Albus asks, his eyes widening, "Harry? Hermione? What the…?"
"Hagrid, I need you to alert Professor Moody….." Albus starts to say.
"No need, Dumbledore." Said a wheezy growl, "I'm here." Moody says a he limps towards them, leaning on his staff, his wand lit, "Damn leg." Moody says furiously, "Would've been here quicker... What happened? Snape said something about Crouch?"
"Crouch?" Hagrid says, blankly.
"I don't know where Barty Crouch is." Albus tells Moody, "But it is essential that we find him..."
"I'm onto it." Moody grows,
"I'll join you once Hermione is in the hospital wing." Albus tells Moody.
"Of course." Moody says before limping off into the forest and Albus once more pulls his wand to send a message to Remus and Sirius.
"I'll carry her headmaster." Hagrid says.
"I think I can walk." Hermione tells the adults.
"It's better that you don't." Albus says as Hagrid picks up Hermione and they all head back towards the castle; Albus having his wand out the entire time, clearly ready to react, worried about what they may face as they all wonder what happened and whether Crouch will be found and what he was so eager to tell him.
A few minutes after they left the grounds Hagrid, carrying Hermione, Albus and Harry arrive at the hospital wing.
"Madam Pomfrey." Albus calls as they walk in.
"Headmaster? What happened?" Poppy asks as she hurries out of her office.
"Hermione was attacked." Albus says as Hagrid places Hermione on the bed.
"I feel fine." Hermione says, but before anyone can say anything Remus and Sirius run into the hospital wing.
"Hermione." Remus says, sounding frightened.
"I'm fine." Hermione assures her Papa.
"What happened?" Sirius asks, clearly worried, "You were just going to get your instructions from Bagman." He says as Poppy starts to scan Hermione.
"And we got then as we were leaving the Quidditch pitch…." Harry starts to say before trailing off, as he isn't sure whether Hermione would be okay with what happened.
"I heard a voice." Hermione reveals "A voice no one else heard saying 'Dumbledore, need to see Dumbledore'." Hermione explains.
"You heard?" Sirius asks, trying to understand.
"Yes, the werewolf hearing you were telling us about, I got it." Hermione explains, looking between her fathers.
"What happened next?" Albus asks Hermione and Harry.
"After leaving Bagman I told Harry what was going on and he said I needed to try to hear where the voice came from." Hermione explains, "I tried once and I was over loaded, but then after encouragement from Harry I tried again and I could tell where the voice was coming from so we ran there."
"Why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you get help?" Remus asks.
"We didn't even think to." Harry admits, "When we got to the forest we found Crouch, but he didn't look okay and he was talking to himself, he looked like he had been traveling, his eyes kept rolling back and he just seemed so out of it." Harry explains.
"When he made sense he wanted to see Albus, but we couldn't get him to walk." Hermione explains to everyone, "We realised that one of us had to stay and I thought it would be better that if I did, in case I could hear something." Hermione reveals, "When Harry left Crouch spoke, he said…" Hermione says closing her eyes so that she can remember, "I escape… must warn…. Must tell…. See Dumbledore…. My fault… all my fault… Bertha…dead… all my fault… my son…. My fault…. Tell Dumbledore… Harry Potter…. Hermione Lupin-Black…. The Dark Lord…. Stronger…. Harry Potter…. Hermione Lupin-Black." Hermione reveals, causing all the adults to exchange worried looks, "Harry left right after and I told Crouch that I was Hermione Lupin-Black and why I was in danger and he said, 'Lupin-Black… I'm so sorry…. Ruined…. Dark Lord….. Stronger… hurt.'" Hermione explains.
"He apologised?" Sirius asks shocked.
"Yes." Hermione says, with a nod, "I closed my eyes to focus and I heard footsteps and an odd sound." Hermione reveals.
"What made it odd?" Albus asks.
"It was familiar, I don't know why, but it was distorted. I don't think I would be able to recognize it." Hermione explains, "It made me open my eyes and lose concentration. I told Crouch to be quiet and I pointed my wand at where the sound came from and tried to concentrate again, and when I could I realised that the sound was coming from the opposite direction and so I turned to face it and then all I saw was a flash of red light." Hermione explains.
"Was it Crouch who cursed you?" Remus asks.
"I don't know." Hermione answers, "All I saw was the flash of light."
"How is she?" Remus asks Poppy.
"No lasting damage, but I would like her to stay here tonight." Poppy explains.
"Of course." Sirius answers.
"I need to go join Alastor in searching for Crouch. I'll let you know if we find anything." Albus says before leaving.
"If something like this ever happens again, do not follow the voice alone, go for help first." Sirius tells Harry and Hermione.
"Yes Dad."
"Yes Sirius."
The two of them respond and as Hermione makes herself comfortable in the bed as Sirius, Remus and Harry sit around the bed and four of them start to talk about everything that has happened and what it means, it being more than clear that they are all very worried about what everything is leading to
IMPORTANT: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO tigergirl-moonstar who wrote the smut because I can't write that kind of scene
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PLEASE REVIEW
PLEASE REVIEW
