A/N: Thanks for your support and encouragement. I love hearing from all of you!
Chapter Four
Hermione woke with a heavy head after a night of tossing and turning. Dumbledore's explanation of the events of his death, coupled with the awareness of what she had agreed to do kept her mind busy into the early hours of the morning. Now she felt like nothing more than curling back up under the covers and spending the rest of the day in bed. Sadly, that was not an option. She was going to have to meet the boys at breakfast and convince Harry that she'd abandoned her sympathetic stance concerning Snape. Hermione sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Somehow, she'd have to not only make both boys believe that she'd changed her mind, but try to keep them unaware of her contact with Snape - whenever and wherever that happened.
Pulling on a pair of jeans and a soft red pullover, she stepped in front of the mirror and tried to tame her unruly mass of hair. After several minutes of brushing and pulling it this way and that, she gave it up as a bad effort, and twisted it up, muttering a terse spell to hold it in place. The mirror reflected her white face and bags under her eyes that seemed to reach to her knees. She sighed again, and the mirror responded, "Buck up, love – things can't be all that bad. You'll work it out."
Heading off down the halls to breakfast, Hermione's mind worked fast and furiously. These were the boys, for heaven's sake. She'd always been able to manipulate them when she needed to. Was she or wasn't she the most brilliant witch of her age? And face it, even though she loved them both and admired their courage and determination, neither one of the boys was that bright. She paused at the doors of the Great Hall and took a deep breath. It was showtime.
On this particular morning, it appeared their entire group of friends had decided to come to breakfast at the same time. Hermione was gratified to see that Ron had saved her a seat between himself and Ginny. Harry, Neville, and Luna were sitting across from them. She slid into the seat, gave Ron a tired smile, and sighed into her glass of juice.
"Bloody hell, Hermione. You look awful this morning," Ron blurted out. "Didn't you sleep at all?"
"No, I had a pretty bad night." She waited a moment for the attention of the others to settle on her, then smiled at him slyly. "Guess I should have had you stay last night."
Across from her, Harry spewed pumpkin juice over his plate, and Neville choked on a mouthful of eggs. Luna widened her eyes at the both of them, and while pounding Neville on the back, stated, "How nice. I didn't know your relationship had progressed that far.
Ginny leaned across Hermione to hiss at the now bright red Ron. "Ronald Bilious Weasley, if Mom knew that you..."
Hermione started giggling, but managed to gasp out, "No, it's not like that. Ron just offered to sleep on the sofa last night so I wouldn't be scared."
The ice was well and truly broken. Harry grinned at them both, wiping juice off his chin. "Lucky for you, Ron. I would have had to kill you."
The group dissolved into laughter, and the rest of breakfast passed with a great deal of joking and ribbing Ron. With no classes to attend, they made their way back to the common room.
Once everyone had settled down, Hermione approached Harry. "Could we talk for a minute, Harry? Alone?" He had that set look to his face, but he nodded, and they moved into an empty corner.
"Please don't be angry with me about last night. I know I upset you and I know I really sounded crazy. I was scared and confused and..." Tears came unbidden to her eyes, and she found herself crying. "I was just so scared...it was so scary...I thought he'd kill me..."
Harry's expression didn't change, but he took her hand and held it while he rubbed her back. "Sure. I know you weren't thinking straight. I'm just glad the bastard didn't hurt you. It's really okay."
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ron watching the two of them. Hermione sniffled, and wiped her eyes. "You know I want to help you, Harry. I think if we work on it together, we can figure out where Voldemort hid the Horcruxes. I can research it in the library. There's bound to be something about it, maybe in the Restricted Section."
Harry leaned back and smiled at her. "You think every answer is in the library. Still, I guess it's as good a place to start as anywhere else. If we could find out who R.A.B. is..."
Hermione nodded. "Nothing's come up yet, but there's bound to be someone somewhere in the old school roles with those initials. I'll keep looking."
Ron and Ginny joined them. "Making plans without us?" Ginny raised her eyebrows.
Harry shrugged. "It's hard to know what kind of plans to make until we find out what's happening with the school. I know that I'll be going back to the Dursley's at some point, but a lot of the students won't have anywhere to go."
"Well, we'll be going to the Dursley's with you. Gin'll be going back to the Burrow. Hermione?" Ron asked, when she gave a slight shake of her head.
"I...I don't know. I think I'll wait until we hear from the Headmistress about closing the school. There's a lot I could do here, and I could join you after you leave the Dursley's."
Ron looked at her in a curious manner, as if he was assessing her statement for something else. Harry merely nodded in agreement.
"There's no way that Mum is going to want me to travel around the country with you," Ginny declared. "She'll be watching me like a hawk. You know what she's like."
The others nodded their understanding, all of them having been at the receiving end of Mrs. Weasley's attentions.
"Maybe you could do something closer to home," Hermione suggested.
"Like what?" Ginny demanded. "I want to be able to help, too."
"Maybe like working for George and Fred so that you could keep an eye on who's buying things like the Instant Darkness Powder," Harry responded.
"You know, that's an idea to consider." Ginny looked thoughtful. "Someone should be watching those two."
"In the meantime," Harry continued, "we need to work on figuring out what these Horcruxes are and where I can find them."
"How many are we looking for?" Ron asked.
"Four," Hermione answered. "Harry, you said that the first one is the locket. We should concentrate on that."
"It's all tied up with the fake locket," he explained. "Someone with the initials R.A.B. either has the real locket or knows where it is. We've got to find that person."
For the rest of the morning, they traded ideas, making and discarding various plans. A loud growl from Ron's stomach finally reminded them of the time.
"Hungry, Ron?" Hermione teased.
"We'd better get some lunch before Ron eats one of us," Ginny added.
In the Great Hall, they had barely time to take their seats before Headmistress McGonagall rose and called for their attention.
"I have an announcement to make." Her voice was shaking slightly, and this, from the usually imperturbable Professor, raised the anxiety level in the room considerably. "I have received the decision of the Board of Governors concerning the future of this school." She paused, and Hermione held her breath. "Hogwarts will be closed.
The school had been a scene of non-stop activity after the Headmistress's announcement. The Hogwarts express would leave the following day, and students were packing up and preparing to go. To many of them, the school had been a place of refuge and the world outside Hogwarts' walls was unsure and frightening. There were tears from most of them, saying good-bye to classmates that they feared they might never see again.
Headmistress McGonagall had made it clear, as she'd addressed her stunned audience in the Great Hall, that Hogwarts would continue to be a place of refuge for any student who could not leave, whatever the reason. Throughout the afternoon, students met with her to present their case for asylum. Among those staying behind were Luna Lovegood, whose father was receiving death threats for his editorials in "The Quibbler," Neville Longbottom, whose grandmother felt she could not protect him at home, and Hermione Granger, who was considered a Death Eater target, and would be at too great a risk living with her Muggle parents.
The following morning, Professor McGonagall, as well as the other teachers, were at the station to ensure that the exodus of students went without mishap. She'd allowed Hermione to accompany Harry, Ron, and Ginny to the station, and now Hermione stood crying quietly as the train pulled out. It was beginning to sink in that she'd taken on a task that could end in the destruction of her relationship with the three people that she cared about the most.
Back at the school, the remaining students and teachers were once again assembled in the Great Hall. The Headmistress's remarks addressed the fact that, though the school was officially closed, independent instruction would be available to those students wishing to continue classwork. In addition, there would be tasks available to all of them as they worked together to repair damages to the castle and attend to its day-to-day running. As she finished, a house elf appeared next to Hermione and handed her a note, which requested that she meet with the Headmistress in her office. The others were gathering in groups to talk or to confer with teachers as Hermione rose and made her way out of the Great Hall and to the familiar circular staircase.
Using the password "determination" which had been given to her in the note, she made her way up into Professor McGonagall's office. She noticed immediately that the room had been rearranged somewhat. The Headmistress's desk had been repositioned so that it was directly across from a particular portrait. As she took in this fact, the Headmistress entered. Noticing the direction of Hermione's stare, she remarked with dry amusement, "It was easier this way as he wants to confer with me on every decision I make."
Albus Dumbledore smiled at them both. "It saves you having to ask for my opinion if I offer it first, Minerva."
The Professor gave an amused "Hmph!" and regarded the portrait with a fond smile for a moment, then gestured for Hermione to take a seat across from her. The desk was piled high with lists, planning sheets, blueprints of the castle, and folders and scrolls of every description. With absolute efficiency, Professor McGonagall pulled a list from within the pile and perused it for a moment. Raising her eyes, she regarded Hermione gravely.
"Miss Granger, may I say that any of the Professors here would be happy to continue to instruct you independently. However, I am not exaggerating when I say that is hardly necessary. You could take your NEWT's today and undoubtedly pass them." She took off her glasses and scrubbed at them with the sleeve of her robe, before replacing them on her nose. "I would like you to take a more active role at this stage."
"I do like to keep busy," Hermione replied. "What would you like me to do?"
"As you are aware, we have a number of students staying on with us. In addition, since this was the end of the school year, supplies in the Infirmary have run low. And," she paused, "as we do not currently have a Potions Master to assist us, we must make other arrangements. Now, I've consulted with Madam Pomfrey on this, and we both agree that you have the necessary expertise to make the basic potions that are required in the Infirmary. Would you be willing to accept this task?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes, I love making potions and I'd be happy to work with Madam Pomfrey on this."
The Headmistress nodded to her. "Good. Professor Flitwick has managed to remove the protective wards from...Pro...Severus Snape's potions lab and you will be able to work there. I must remind you that there are a great number of dangerous substances as well as texts that we would not wish you to access in that lab. I must have your word that you will use extreme care and only make use of those items that are necessary to make the potions that Madam Pomfrey requests of you."
"Of course, Headmistress," Hermione replied.
"I know of your insatiable curiosity, Miss Granger, so for your own sake as well as the welfare of those residing here in the castle, I shall have certain limitation charms put on the lab by Professor Flitwick to prevent you from obtaining anything questionable." She went on. "In addition, for your own safety, you must let Madam Pomfrey know when you plan to work in the lab, and while you are working, someone will check on you at least once every hour. I would not want to leave you unattended in the dungeons for any length of time. Are these arrangements satisfactory to you?"
"Very much so. I'll meet with Madam Pomfrey right away, so that I can get started this afternoon."
"Excellent. We will all be very appreciate of your efforts."
That afternoon, with a list of needs from Madam Pomfrey, Hermione descended into the dungeons accompanied by Professor Flitwick. With his assistance, she set up a password that would admit only her to the lab, and he double-checked that the charms in place would keep her from accessing any item of concern. Once satisfied with arrangements, he left her alone.
The silence was a welcome relief from the constant chatter of the voluble professor. Hermione spent some time wandering around the lab, acquainting herself with the location of supplies and ingredients. She couldn't help but be filled with admiration for the man who had set up this lab so efficiently. Obviously an adherent of order and method, he'd made it easy for her to find everything she needed. On impulse, she went over and tried the door that led into his personal quarters. The door refused to open; Professor Flitwick had mentioned that the only wards he'd been able to overcome were those to the laboratory.
After a few hours, she was well on her way to having several potions completed. The few that required less time were finished, bottled, and labeled, and others were simmering away. She would need to return and tend to them over the next few days. Feeling a distinct kink in her back, Hermione yawned and stretched. She was surprised at how very comfortable she was, working in this room, considering that it carried so much of the personality of the man who had made use of it.
Resetting her wards with a word, Hermione went to dinner, where she compared notes with Luna and Neville on how they'd spent their day. Neville was helping Professor Sprout in the greenhouses. Luna had been gathering up the spilled Gryffindor rubies and assisting Professor McGonagall with the restoration of the shattered hourglass.
"It's been repaired, but it appears to be confused," Luna said.
"Confused? How can an hourglass be confused?" Neville asked her.
"Well," Luna replied. "No matter how many times Professor McGonagall resets it, it insists on giving Gryffindor ten extra points. She can't figure it out."
Ten points to Gryffindor...So she really had heard those words from him. Hermione said nothing, but smiled into her glass of pumpkin juice.
After dinner, she headed for the library still accompanied by Luna and Neville. They were working on the slow task of hunting year by year through Hogwarts' roles of students, looking for anyone with the initials R.A.B. After two hours of diligent searching, they'd come up with only three names: Robert Adam Boorkman, Regina Annette Brown, and Reginald Aloysius Brevingham. Luna was falling asleep over her files, and Neville and Hermione were both rubbing their eyes.
"Hermione, let's call it an evening. We're not going to get this done tonight," said Neville.
"I know," sighed Hermione. "And we've only gone back four years. I think I'm ready to quit."
Rousing the sleeping Luna, they made their way out of the library to Gryffindor tower. Luna had moved in, along with several other students, as there weren't enough Ravenclaws left to keep their dorm rooms open. Hermione was grateful to be able to go to the solitude of the Head Girl's room. She had much to think about. Laying in her bed, she tried to keep her mind on the problem of the Horcruxes, but her thoughts kept turning to the man in whose laboratory she'd spent the afternoon. Thinking about that, and ten rubies in the hourglass, kept her mind occupied until she fell asleep.
At breakfast the next morning, a mere handful of owls swooped in to deliver mail. Hermione was delighted to see Hedwig, Pigwidgeon, and Errol fly towards her table, and managed to remove a dish of eggs seconds before Errol slammed into the table. Gathering up her letters, she fed them bits of toast and sausage until they were satisfied and watched them fly away. As it was a fine morning, she decided to go outside to read her mail. Settling herself onto a bench in the rose garden, she opened the first envelope.
Dear Hermione,
How are things? I wish I was there with you. My Mum is driving me a little crazy, as you might expect. There was a meeting last night and it was decided that I could go and work with Fred and George three days a week. I'll be doing inventory on their stock, and reporting back on anything that might be considered...well, anything that we might want to remove from public access. I'll also be looking at previous sales records to double check who bought what since they opened. It's going to be a big job.
I'm a little worried about what might happen to me in that shop, but Remus took the twins aside and threatened them with Merlin-knows-what if they experiment on me, so I think I'm safe.
I'm sure that you must be really bored without us. I want to come for a visit if I can persuade Mum to let me.
See you soon, I hope.
Ginny
The next letter was from Ron. Eager to find out what had happened since the boys left, she tore it open.
Hey Hermione,
Harry and I just got to Godric's Hollow last night. We're staying in a small cottage on his parents' property. Harry's been real quiet. I think being here and seeing his parents' graves has gotten to him.
Staying at the Dursleys' was a nightmare. They have to be the worst excuse for Muggles in the world. They didn't speak to us if they could avoid it and when they did, they were rude. I really wanted to do some creative hexing, but Harry wouldn't let me.
The way they acted when we left, I don't think they care one bit for Harry, if they ever did.
Are you missing me? Cheer up, you may see us sooner than you think!
Ron
Those Dursleys! How could they be so uncaring to Harry. What was Dumbledore thinking when he decided to leave Harry with them, blood magic or no blood magic. Hermione fumed for a moment, then opened her third letter.
Dear Hermione,
Ron and I are in Godric's Hollow. Everything is fine. Have you had any luck looking for a certain person?
Talk to you soon.
Harry
Well, that was certainly cut and dried. Reading between the lines, she'd say that Ginny was bored, Ron was worried about Harry, and Harry was...what? It was hard to figure him out at the best of times, and he'd been even less communicative than usual since Dumbledore's death. Something was bothering him. She wished she knew what it was.
Back inside, she ran into the Headmistress. Professor McGonagall smiled and invited her to take a cup of tea, before she went to the dungeons. Hermione accepted, and the two of them drank tea and discussed potions inventory. A mention of the letters she'd received that morning caught the Headmistress's interest.
"And how is Mr. Potter?" she inquired.
"He didn't have much to say," Hermione replied. "I try to read between the lines, and he didn't seem happy."
"I imagine it might have to do with a request made to him by the Order yesterday," the Headmistress stated.
"What do they want?"
"It was decided that there is too much risk with Mr. Potter being in Godric's Hollow. We don't have enough personnel to adequately guard the premises while he is there, let alone accompany him on any travels he may choose to make. To alleviate this, we have asked him to make Hogwarts his headquarters. We've assured him that we will not treat him as a student, and that he will have full rights to come and go as he pleases...that is, as long as he keeps the Order informed of his activities."
"I see," said Hermione. "How did he react to that?"
The Headmistress smiled ruefully. "Mr. Potter is not happy about having constraints of any kind, but he is willing to consider it."
"Harry will no doubt do what is best for the Order, as well as himself." Dumbledore had joined the conversation from his portrait. "We can count on him to respond appropriately."
Hermione laughed. "What Harry thinks is appropriate, may not be what the rest of us have in mind."
"True, Miss Granger, true." Dumbledore was amused by her statement. "And I'm sure you would not mind having him and Mr. Weasley back here."
"I'd like it very much," she replied.
"Now, Albus," the Headmistress broke in. "Miss Granger has work to do, and we must let her return to it. My dear, is everything to your satisfaction in the dungeons?"
"Oh, yes. It's all working out fine." Hermione got up from her chair. "Thank you for the tea. It was nice talking to you, Headmaster." Realizing what she'd called him, Hermione blushed, but both Dumbledore and the Headmistress laughed.
"Old habits are hard to break. I find myself addressing him the same way," Professor McGonagall said.
"But never so respectfully, Minerva," Dumbledore replied.
In the potions laboratory, Hermione got down to work, stirring the brews that needed it, adding ingredients, adjusting temperatures higher and lower as required. Pausing to survey the cauldrons in front of her, she felt a faint prickle of unease, as if someone was watching her. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes darting around the room. She was alone. For a few moments, she stayed still, her heart pounding, when the sudden chime of a cauldron timer made her gasp. Quickly she lowered the temperature under a batch of Fever-Reducing Potion, and added a handful of carefully cut up ingredients. Once she was satisfied that the appearance of the liquid was the correct color, she turned to survey the room again. Nothing had changed, but to ease her mind, she picked up a candle and walked the perimeter of the room, looking around as she went to see if anything caught her eye. As nothing seemed out of place, she dismissed her anxiety as fatigue-induced imaginings, and slid into the bench of a nearby table. She had forty-five minutes before she had to stir anything, and resting her eyes for a few moments might be just what she needed. Cradling her head in her arms, she closed her eyes.
A door opened in the opposite wall and he entered without making a sound. Walking over to the potions table, he first surveyed the cauldrons there, assessing their appearance and, after a moment, giving a nod of approval. Pausing by the table where she dozed, he produced a piece of paper from his robe and placed it in front of her. Then, softly, very softly, he reached over and touched her hair...
With a startled gasp, Hermione came upright, and whirled around in her seat. Nobody was standing there. The room was empty. A dream then...just a dream. Waiting for her breathing to return to normal, she tried to understand what had just happened. It seemed so very real. His manner as he looked at the potions...his eyes when he looked at her. But he would never, ever have touched her, certainly not in so gentle a manner. It must have been a dream.
Almost unsteadily, she came to her feet and reached over to push the bench back in...and froze. A piece of paper lay in the center of the table. She stared at it in disbelief, then slowly reached over and picked it up. Parchment, folded in half, nothing written on the outside. Hands trembling, she unfolded it and read the three words written there: Regulus Arcturus Black.
To be continued: