Author's Notes:
First, thanks to my new reviewers and to my new followers! I appreciate the engagement because it's encouraging me to keep writing ^^
Second, the flow for the fic may be a bit different from here on out. Hermione is going to spend a long time in the past before we bring it back to the present. I'm excited to get this fleshed out, but please be prepared for major changes.
Thirdly, I appreciate your patience with this new chapter. I've had to re-write this a couple of times because my laptop had an issue with saving my files and I was very annoyed when I found out I'd have to start it again from scratch.
Lastly, what do you think? Should Hermione still be placed in Gryffindor when the school year comes back around? We'll see ;)
Please enjoy, and I hope y'all have a wonderful day!
The next morning would show the Lupins acting as if nothing had happened the night before. Lyall was once again sat in the kitchen table with his pipe and morning paper when Hermione tentatively joined them for breakfast. She'd asked if Hope needed help setting the table and Mrs. Lupin all but pushed her into a seat at the table opposite Mr. Lupin. She set a plate and a glass of orange juice in front of Hermione, then went about tidying the kitchen.
Lyall ignored Hermione for the most part as she went about eating a fresh crumpet. It was towards the end of breakfast as she had been picking up her plate to bring to the sink when Lyall purposefully pulled away a section of the paper he'd been reading. He set half of it down and then pointed his wand at the other half he held in his hand. With a twist of his wand Lyall marked a specific portion of the page and then slid the marked section of the morning's post over to where Hermione sat.
Hermione picked up the page and read the word he'd magically circled. She scrutinized Lyall for a moment then to see what he was requesting of her. He'd circled the word, 'Classifieds'.
Lyall took a long drag from his pipe and exhaled it slowly, looking down at her from where he sat across the table. Hope was nervously flitting around after seeing the tense atmosphere between them. Though the night before hadn't been discussed, it obviously hadn't been forgotten. "Hope, leave us," Lyall commanded. Hope hovered between them, looking worriedly between her husband and their new charge. "Now, woman!" he snapped impatiently.
"I'll head to the garden for a bit, shall I?" Hope said with false cheer, she swooped down to give Mr. Lupin a kiss on his cheek and then pet her hand through Hermione's hair as she passed. "Let me know if either of you need me or would like another cuppa." Her footsteps disappeared down the hall and then it was just Hermione and Mr. Lupin.
"My wife didn't feel that it was right to ask you, given what you've been through, to help with matters of finance around the house for the duration you'll be staying with us," Mr. Lupin stubbed out his pipe and tucked it into the front pocket of his jacket. He then leaned back in his chair with one hand that he placed on the table in a faux position of rest. Hermione mentally clocked the wand that he loosely held in that hand as he had it pointed in her direction. Her body tensed and she resisted the urge to 'fight or flight'. He politely tilted his head to the side, "However, given the amount of time you've had to adjust since you've come to live with us, it's time we revisit this conversation. You're grown enough to make the decision on your own."
Hermione felt small as she sat in the chair across from him and attempted to sit up straighter. "What do you want me to do?" she asked plainly.
Lyall laughed mockingly. "I won't make you do anything uncomfortable girl, though it's only right that you start to contribute your fair share if you're to stay with us. You didn't think Dumbledore would cover everything, did you silly girl? Even my son, " he spat disgustedly. "Would help as often as he could. You? You don't do anything. It's time you be productive and get a job."
He pointed at the paper with a tap, "Either work for me, find a job, or I'll find one for you. And don't think I won't return you to Dumbledore if you don't come around."
Everything within her screamed to protest. Dumbledore assured the Lupins when they'd first taken her in that they would be compensated- both in the tuitions paid as well as other financial compensation on top of his own earnings. He wants more?
His greed will be the end of him, don't you see what we could do?
Hurt him. Hurt him. Hurt him! What fool is he to threaten us so? Break him.
Hermione breathed in through her nose, and out through her mouth. She calmly responded, "I agree that it's time I start contributing. I'll find a job."
"Are you sure you won't want to work for me?" he pressured with a hard look in his eyes. "I could teach you how to identify dangerous monsters the moment you see them, and how to fight them." He'd alluded to Remus. "How to control them even, if you must."
He is blind! He cannot see Remus's loyalty or his potential like we can. See how Lyall treats those of his own blood, see how he treats the one he calls wife? Those who are his family?
He is undeserving of the air he breathes. He is the monster. We are the cleanse.
"No, thank you. The offer is kind but I must admit I don't have the mettle for that danger," Hermione stood up from the chair with the 'Classifieds'. "If you'll excuse me, I must begin the search."
"One last thing, 'niece'," he stopped her as she stood in the entryway. "If you don't have income to contribute by the end of the month, I'm sending you back to wherever it is you came from. Don't think for one moment I believe you to be family."
he's in the room, pleased. spirits ran high throughout everyone in attendance. there, across the room, the minister of magic was sipping on brandy. French delegates from the foreign embassy were chatting with prominent business owners. young hogwarts graduates- still with so much to learn about this world and their futures- clung close to the outskirts. there, as trusted, those who frequented his Revels helped to bring them into the fold. they would learn how beneficial certain connections could be. two of the wives indiscreetly walked passed him staring. he tipped his head in acknowledgement, and they blushed deeply before turning to each other to titter about his attentions. he was the most attractive man in attendance. as always.
outside, a bell tower from a church began to toll in the early hours of the morning. everything is at it's darkest, with low hanging clouds and a sliver of a moon. one.
everyone in the room cheered and tapped their glasses, throwing back their drinks. there would be no further delay. two.
house elves quickly appeared to begin cleaning up and to return jackets to guests who were leaving, showing a select few out the back door. the wonderful decor in the room began to rapidly deteriorate into the empty, abandoned building that it was without magic to sustain it's formal appearance.
three. the pops of apparation from around the room. the sounds of various residences being called followed by the hiss of smoke as they flooed from the fireplace. the flash of portkeys for larger groups leaving.
those who remained behind waited patiently for directions. he smiled widely at his noble fellows and bowed, and they bowed in return. by the time he stood again their masks were already sliding into place, long hoods being pulled into place from their black cloaks. he was proud of what they have accomplished, of what he himself has accomplished so far. there was still so much more work to do. they all stood tall and strong in number.
with a twist in place, they apparated into the street below. he waited as his men blasted the front door open, where it crashed and shattered through the opposite wall and stormed into the building.
Hermione awoke in the early hours of the morning as the screaming began, phantoms of the noblemen cackling in the background from the recesses of her realistic dream. She breathed heavily, sweat dripping down her forehead, shaking. Her bones ached.
She refused to acknowledge what she knew this meant.
She denied the similarities to Harry.
A large speckled owl flew in a few days later through the open windows of Hermione's bedroom to drop a letter on her lap. She could see scratchy handwriting on the envelope that read 'Hermione' and knew instantly it was from Remus. The owl flew over to the goose-neck of a wall sconce to rest while it preened its feathers and waited. Hermione didn't pay it any more mind since it didn't seem sociable.
Instead, she quickly tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Good morning, Cousin!
Sorry for the rush to leave the other night, I know
I owe you an explanation. As you could probably
tell my father and I aren't on the best of terms.
I wish it was as simple as a "difference of opinion"
and yet it's trickier than that.
I have an illness that I'm burdened with for
the rest of my life. My father would prefer if I
sought the treatment he feels is best for me.
My mates- James, Peter, Sirus (I've told you of
them before)- have shown me a different treatment
that has helped me more-so than anything my father tries.
He means well, and yet we've come to blows over it
badly enough that I wouldn't want to put my mother
in that position again. That's all I want to say on
the matter for now. I hope you can respect that as
I assume that you will. Anyway, I've
told the boys about you and they're eager
to meet you when we go shopping for school.
You best prepare for the marauders!
Sirius seems certain you'll be an honorary member
soon enough.
Your favorite cousin,
Remus.
(P.S. The owl is Mrs. Potter's, her name is Lucy. She's
very picky about treats and doesn't like waiting
so you best respond as soon as possible.)
Hermione penned her response under the impatient eyes of the owl, and then sent Lucy on her way. She got a response back from Remus the next day with the same owl. They began writing at least once daily to each other. Remus talked about books or his friends or Hogwarts, and Hermione explained the ultimatum that his father gave her as well as her budding friendship with Lily. Remus warned her about James' feelings for Lily, but said that he was happy that Hermione had someone else in the area that she could spend time with since his mother had a tendency to hover and his father would either be traveling for long periods or be overbearing.
Lucy, true to the description Remus provided of the owl, was unimpressed with each of the treats Hermione attempted to provide her. She also flew away one morning without Hermione's response when Hermione took too long penning her reply. The owl would tolerate a stroke or two across the feathers on her back, but anymore would result in a snap of her beak that would painfully pinch the skin.
It was a new routine on top of an already huge adjustment to both the move in with the Lupins, as well as having been thrown back in time, and yet it was one of the most normal things Hermione was doing in this time.
"So he's making you get a job? Brutal," Lily popped a dirt flavored jellybean into her mouth and made a face. She passed over the box of Bertie Bott's to Hermione who picked a lime green colored bean. "He sounds like a right wanker. I'm sorry Hermione."
Hermione shrugged and ate the jellybean, appreciating the lime flavor. She'd slowly begun opening up to the other girl after visiting on and off over the last two weeks to Lily's pleased surprise. Lily learned that Hermione was a muggleborn like herself, and was staying with her distant relations the Lupins after a tragic incident resulted in the passing of her parents. Lily didn't probe more, knowing now how dark the times were for the magical community. She spent only a moment commiserating on how lucky Hermione was to have a relation to the magical community through her muggle side.
Lily imagined for a moment how different her relationship with her sister Petunia would be if Petunia was also a witch.
They only had two weeks remaining until the deadline Mr. Lupin set and Hermione had been scouring the classifieds for anything relevant to her. Hermione had become more frustrated with each visit to her friend Lily, until Lily asked her outright what was wrong.
Nothing had stood out in the paper as challenging or interesting, not with the weight of the future that Hermione had on her mind, which resulted in the ridiculous plan Hermione had circling in her head.
"I think I want to work for Gringotts," Hermione said, passing the jelly beans back to Lily where she sat on her bed. Hermione was across from her, leaning against Lily's nightstand as she sat on the floor. "They have an internship program that they usually offer to graduate students, but I think I have a good chance of obtaining a summer position."
Lily looked surprised as she took the box back, "That's an unexpected pick, why that? I'd have thought you'd apply for Flourish and Blotts."
Work for Gringotts. Get the cup. These are the words that sprung into Hermione's mind at that innocent question.
That mental checklist she'd had at the end of the war- at the very end when they were counting down the horcruxes until the could go after Voldemort himself- easily reappeared in her daily thoughts as if it had never left. The difference would be that she'd start back at square one, and she would be the only one searching.
The cup. The locket. The diary. The ring. The diadem. Nagini? Hermione would need to determine when Nagini became a horcrux for certain.
Hermione shrugged again. Lily nodded at her non-answer and moved on. She'd accepted that even with Hermione opening up more that the process would be slow going until more trust was established.
"I'll come with you," Lily said, setting the jelly beans down. She looked determinedly at Hermione. "I've always wanted to apprentice at an apothecary or potions shop for a bit of time- I'm a whizz at potions as you'll soon see at Hogwarts- although the real mastery I'd like to really get is in healing. They go hand in hand though, don't they?" She leaned down from where she sat on her bedroom bed and looked at Hermione where she sat on the floor. "Then you don't have to work in Diagon alone."
"Thanks Lily."
She had the same kind eyes as her son, Harry. It made Hermione's heart ache. They made plans to go the next day.
The next morning when Lucy showed up with a letter from Remus, Hermione quickly wrote out her response with her plans for the day. She looked through both her beaded bag as well as the clothes Hope had provided for her that were more in tune with those of the 70s, and threw on what equated to a wizarding version of business casual dress robes. She would be applying for her internship that day, after all.
Hermione stood in front of the mirror in her makeshift bedroom, much like she did the week before, and could already see the difference in her appearance that this time had.
While there were still dark circles under her eyes, and the clothes were still baggy on her slight frame, her cheeks were no longer so sallow. Hermione seemed stronger as well, whereas a week ago it would appear that the slightest gust of wind might topple her over. Hermione smiled, and though she didn't quite believe yet that she was happy or adjusted to all that had happened, she could believe that things would change for the better.
After Hermione had explained her plans for the day to the Lupins, both accepted it with mixed reactions. Lyall grunted in response, having been preparing for a floo meeting with some gentlemen from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. "That's a good enough position if then extend an offer to you," he'd said shortly. "You know where to find me when it falls through." Hermione ignored his implied statement that she wouldn't be offered a position.
Hope, meanwhile, didn't fuss over Hermione like Mrs. Weasley would've done. Mrs. Lupin was different from Molly as well in that while Molly would have made her thoughts on the matter quite clear- protesting loudly and doing everything in her power to stop Hermione from going forward with this decision- Hope didn't say what she truly had on her mind. Her face betrayed her displeasure, and yet her words were nothing except encouraging.
Hermione, now knowing of the dynamic between the Lupins in this time, had no doubt that Hope had no intention of going against her husband's wishes.
There was a knock on the front door not long after, and Hermione opened it to see Lily standing there. Hermione called her farewells to the Lupins and walked with Lily to the front end of the long drive.
"I hope you found the Lupins address okay," Hermione said. "I also hope you don't mind that I didn't invite you in. I wasn't sure how my aunt and uncle would react to me having a friend over."
"It wasn't too bad," Lily laughed, waving away her concerns. "You were right about how the walk over is a bit long, but it was mostly a straight shot from mine to yours. I didn't know that Remus lived so close. I thought it was just me and Severus in the area."
"Severus?" Hermione asked curiously. She knew who Severus was, of course, but she wanted to give Lily the courtesy of talking about her perspective of it since she'd only heard of the version from Harry.
"Snape. His name was Severus Snape, and he was my best friend until he said something unforgiveable," Lily explained. "He'd become someone I no longer knew, and then even when I gave him the benefit of the doubt he had the nerve to call me something that reduced me as a witch to nothing more than my blood status. As if all of our years of friendship didn't matter! As if my grades or magical ability didn't matter! As if he thought I was less than him or his new Slytherin friends."
Lily rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Even if he hadn't called me that word directly, which he did, he still calls everyone else who's a muggleborn that same word even now," She looked down at the ground and kicked her feet. "I miss him sometimes, but I can't be friends with someone who has that view about someone else."
Hermione placed her had reassuringly on Lily's shoulder and quietly said, "I can't claim that I know how it feels when a friend betrays you like that, but I know how it feels when people look at you as if you're nothing more than the blood that runs through your veins or where you were raised." Hermione debated internally for a moment before she carefully rolled up her sleeve to reveal the cursed would that spelled out 'mudblood' on her arm. She'd already shown Remus the scar, and she knew that Lily would understand what that word means.
"You have to own what they call you and rise above it," Hermione asserted firmly as Lily gasped in horror. "Prove you're better than they are through actions if you are unable to through reason."
Lily threw herself into Hermione's arms and hugged her tightly. "I don't know everything that you've been through, Hermione, but I'm going to make sure that no one calls you that word ever again. We'll rise above it together," her voice was thick with emotions as she made the promise to Hermione. Tears filled both their eyes as Hermione hugged her back just as tightly. They laughed it off after a moment. "We better hurry up to Diagon soon though," Lily stated jokingly. "Or else Mrs. Lupin might join us here at the end of the drive."
Sure enough, looking out of the window in the cottage was Hope who was watching them anxiously. "She's probably wondering what we're doing dallying out here, and wondering if we need help," Hermione said, rolling down her sleeve again. "You're right that we should probably go."
Hermione lifted up her arm to call the Knight Bus. "The bus will probably be here any seco-" The tires were already squealing to a stop before Hermione could finish her sentence, the doors to the bus screeching open in protest. "-nd. Well, alright then," Hermione continued, blinking owlishly. "Let's go."
