Summary: Hermione agrees to watch over the one person she truly hates. Trouble is, the only person he needs protection from is himself.
Author note: This story takes place in 6th year/ AU HBP. I'm classing it Dramione because ultimately that's where we are headed but strap in for the scenic route. It's going to be a slow burner and things will get darker in later chapters, hence the rating. If any chapters need specific warnings/trigger mentions I will add those in where needed.
I hope you enjoy! Reviews are always welcome, I would love to know your thoughts as we go.
Disclaimer: Goes without saying that I don't own Harry Potter. My name is not J. K. Rowling. No copyright infringement intended this is simply my reimagining.
The morning was bright and clear. Trees rustled softly in the breeze and she brushed her fingers across some of the taller grass as she walked by the lake.
She took a careful sip of the water she was carrying and headed towards the school. The dazzling morning sun's rays gleamed in the windows, lighting them up with a warm glow and making the castle shine bright against a backdrop of blue, cloudless skies.
Hermione Granger was back at Hogwarts more than two weeks ahead of the start of term. Perfectly alone and perfectly happy.
The letter had arrived only a few days after she had settled in, back home for the summer. A brown barn owl had taken them by surprise when it landed on the car bonnet as they pulled into their cherry blossom-strewn drive.
'What in the-'' her father had started as Hermione quickly jumped out of the passenger seat to take the delivery.
The large owl shifted it's way over to her outstretched hand, letter held tightly between its beak while its beady eyes were firmly glued to Crookshanks who had spotted it through the living room window and was slowly making his way across the windowsill to get a better look.
She took the letter and patted the owl's head before it took off, flying north into the pink summer sky.
Dear Miss Hermione J Granger,
I invite you to join me at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Friday 16th August. We are to begin preparations for you to take your exams early, beginning with one on one tutoring until the start of term.
You will not be returning home again until winter break so please pack accordingly.
I will send directions to your portkey shortly before the above date and Professor Hagrid will be here to meet you at the school gates on arrival.
I am sorry to cut your holidays so short, but it is of upmost importance you arrive on time.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
As she re-read the letter for a third time to ensure she hadn't misunderstood, her father appeared behind her and read aloud, '-for you to take your exams early... My word Hermione,' he said giving her a shoulder a squeeze. 'I'm so proud of your darling, wait until we tell your mother!'
She then went through a flurry of emotions in quick succession. She was somewhat excited about the prospect of the early arrival and felt special to be invited back before any other student in the school. Alongside that however, she was saddened at the thought of missing out on their family holiday which her parents had planned for later that month and felt an anxious knot in her stomach at the though of returning to school again so soon after the events of their last year.
It was only a few months ago she, Harry, Ron and the others had faced the death eaters at the Ministry. It had taken a toll on all of them, Harry most of all. In the space of one evening he had faced Voldemort, lost his Godfather and almost his own life before Dumbledore had intervened. Hermione couldn't imagine what he must have been going through this summer and only hoped he would open up and let his friends be there to support him in the hard months ahead. She knew his plan was to head to Ron's as soon as he could which was probably for the best. From what she had heard, his muggle family were hardly the emotionally supportive type.
She had really needed this time at home herself as well, to get away from everything for some much needed mental and physical distance from magic and to spend time with her family. Her wand and robes remained bundled together in her wardrobe, still in her school trunk. She hadn't touched them since she got home and had hoped it would stay that way.
Making her way up to her bedroom, Hermione pulled her trunk out of the wardrobe and unloaded the books she had already bought and skimmed through ahead of her sixth year at school.
Whilst most of her classmates headed straight home from Kings Cross it had become customary for her father and mother to meet her a few hours later, her bags by that point bursting with a dozen or so new books purchased from Diagon Alley, which she knew her other classmates wouldn't consider buying until it was almost the start of September.
The books were now stacked in a tall pile that leant precariously against her pillows for support. She picked a few out at random and stacked those by her bedside for some light pre-bedtime reading over the next few weeks. The mention of exams had already shifted her brain into study mode, almost its default setting by now, and she could already picture the list of subjects whizzing through her mind that she would be taking N.E.W.T's in next year.
However, what soon snapped her out of work mode almost as quickly as she'd fallen into it was the smell of garlic, onions and chilli that wafted up from the kitchen below. Her father was making dinner tonight and that meant pasta, lots of it. Probably, Hermione expected, to cheer her mum up after she would break the news that no, she would not be going on the family holiday again this year. But, before she would be able to get too upset about it, a welcoming bowl of comfort food would already be waiting on the table for her mum. Hermione's father knew what he was doing alright.
She sat down on her bed, tucking her legs beneath her and reached for the top book on her pile, which was titled 'Advanced Rune Translation' by Yuri Blishen. She adjusted herself to get comfortable then thumbed idly through the introduction. She figured that starting with one of her favourite subjects would be a good plan to motivate her over the next few weeks, plus this was a book she had already checked out of the library multiple times before so it already felt familiar and a good place to start.
She could feel her eyes beginning to grow heavy, already tired from ploughing through the first ten chapters when she heard the sound of her mother's car pulling into the driveway.
Grateful for the excuse to take a break, Hermione marked her place, set the book alongside the rest headed down the stairs for dinner and to spend what remained of the evening with her family.
As promised, McGonagall's second letter arrived on 15th August, containing the address and location for her portkey. In the letter McGonagall explained that since Hermione couldn't travel via the Express as she usually would, the safest and quickest way would be to use a portkey. The letter had this time been charmed and spoke aloud in McGonagall's crisp, clipped voice as it read, 'As I'm sure you understand, student safety will be of the utmost importance moving forwards and so I have requested a member of the Order to escort you safely to the portkey and to travel here with you.'
She said goodbye to her parents as they headed off to work early the following morning and promised to write them both as soon as she could.
'Look after yourself darling and please stay safe, I love you...' her mum had said through a sad smile and teary eyes. Hermione hugged her tightly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
'I will,' she promised.
She waved them off until their car was out of sight before going back inside, collecting her trunk and loading Crookshanks into his carrier. Her morning coffee was left half-finished on the workbench so she quickly washed her cup, dried it and put it back amongst the rest of the set in the cupboard, taking her time doing so and mindful that she was only trying to prolong her departure.
Her heart felt heavy preparing to leave home again so soon but it was soon lifted as she opened the front door to see a beaming Tonks with her hair a shade of yellow to rival her mother's sunflowers growing along the garden border. Tonks rushed forwards and gave her a hug that almost lifted her off the ground.
'Hermione! So good to see you again,'
'You too Tonks, I really am loving this colour on you,' she beamed.
'Thanks, I can practically see in the dark with it though - might need to tone it down a tad...' they both laughed.
They made their way towards the closest park, as per McGonagall's instructions, chatting on the way about what each had been up to so far and how everyone in the Order was. Tonks explained they had decided to make the Burrow their new headquarters since none of them could bring themselves to go back to Grimmauld Place.
'Molly's cooking is keeping morale up right now, about the only thing that is.' Tonks said looking into the distance as they walked. 'Remus is struggling with it all. Losing Sirius, mostly, but also people are starting to look to him as a leader while Dumbledore's away..'
'Dumbledore's away?' Hermione interjected
'Yeah, has been for a while. Nobody's seen or heard from him in weeks. Last I heard he was looking to recruit a new professor, god rest their soul if they think they'll last more than a year in that post..'
Hermione sighed and shook her head. 'Lupin was the best teacher we've ever had. It's so unfair that we can't have him back.'
'Would you want to go back to a school that kicked you out once they found out your a little... unsteady a few nights a month?' Tonks asked, raising her brow.
Hermione laughed a little, 'That's a kind way to put it.. but you're probably right. Although I hope he knows most of us would welcome him back in an instant,'
Tonks smiled back and looked like she was about to say something else when a jogger came up on the path behind them and they both moved to let him pass.
The park was quiet as they entered with only one or two dog walkers in sight. Hermione headed to the gated area which separated the large pond from the grassy bank leading down to it. Just in front of it there was a long bench, and rolled up on one side was a newspaper. Hermione gestured towards it and checked her watch as she said to Tonks, 'Seven thirty on the dot. Ready?' They leant down, each grabbing one end of the newspaper in their hand and holding on as tight as they could as their feet left the ground and the park vanished in a swirl of green.
'-Mione!' Hagrid's voice boomed as she and Tonks descended to the ground. They had arrived to a spot just outside the main school gates, beyond which was the road that would take them straight to the castle.
She was suddenly pulled up into a warm, gentle hug and, once back on her feet, looked up to see the smiling face of one of her favourite people. Hagrid turned and thanked Tonks for escorting Hermione , offering them both tea at his hut for some refreshment which Tonks politely declined saying she was headed straight for Hogsmeade.
'Back to the burrow tonight?' Hagrid asked, shuffling over to take Hermione's luggage.
'Not tonight.' Tonks said giving him a knowing look.
'Ah, time again is it. Month's go by faster up 'ere I'm tellin ye. Feels like we - uh - just had the last full one.' Hagrid grunted as he manoeuvred the trunk, balancing Crookshank's carried precariously on top.
'Here -' Hermione undid the latch and allowed Crookshanks to spring from his crate. He stretched lazily then immediately took off up the school path, quickly becoming an orange blur in the distance.
'Knows where he is that one. ' Hagrid said looking after him.
'I better be heading off now.' Tonks said 'I have a few messages to deliver before I head back later.' She turned to Hermione, 'Take care and watch out for each other won't you?'
Hermione nodded and gave her a brief wave as her and Hagrid started their leg of the journey up towards the castle. Tonks heading the other direction with her wand held tightly at her side.
Most of the teachers were still on their summer break, Hagrid had explained. Professors Sprout and Flitwick were both overseas at conventions for at least another week, Trelawney was here in her tower as always, but of course Hermione would have no reason to speak to her. She had long ago dropped the pretence of pretending to find Divination anything other than a farce, her only regret being that it would reduce the number of classes she took to only a few above average.
As Hagrid reeled through the teacher's names, she was soon left with only a few whose subjects she took, none of which had returned to the school and weren't likely to until after Sprout and Flitwick anyway.
Hermione mulled over the reason she had been called back and was struggling to see how McGonagall felt it would serve her to spend over two weeks in the castle alone with only Transfiguration studying. The only other option was Snape for potions and, much as she did now respect him, Hermione fretted at the thought of it being just her in his classroom, down in the dungeons, which she was sure even then at the height of summer, would probably still be freezing. Snape may be in the Order but he was still intimidating to be with one on one and Hermione strongly hoped he would have refused to tutor her during his holidays if McGonagall had asked.
Hagrid left her at the main doors, her bags leaning against one of the doors for the elves to send up to her room later. She carried Crookshank's crate up itself since it weighed almost nothing when empty and Hermione hated leaving the elves any more work than they already had on their plate.
As she ascended the floors up to the portrait over the common room, Hermione saw Crookshanks perched on one of the bannisters adjacent to the portrait of the fat lady who, she was concerned to see, was doubled over and groaning in pain as she approach.
'Hello,' she ventured, not quite sure whether or not to make conversation with the portrait. She shifted her weight between her feet and balanced the crate on her hip while she waited for the lady to notice her.
'Ughhh-' the lady moaned. 'Ugggghhh-' She put one of her hands out and made a fanning motion towards the right and side of the painting, it began to open. 'Just - Ugh - go inside girl. I don't feel all that up to chit chat right now..' As Hermione entered, Crookshanks fast at her heels, she could have sworn she heard the distinct sound of a gargling stomach from the picture, followed by the hast exiting steps of its occupant running off into the side.
She was greeted with the homely, red and gold banners and tapestries that made up the Gryffindor common room. The fire softly crackling away and a tray of breakfast waiting for her on the table along with her trunk and a small white piece of parchment:
Headmaster's office at noon.
Arriving promptly at twelve, she ascended the stairs to Dumbledore's office. No password was required for a change, the stairs began to twist into formation as soon as she approached. She gave a soft knock on the door but didn't wait to be summoned in before she entered.
McGonagall sat to the side of Dumbledore's desk, a stack of paperwork completing itself next to her and a steaming mug of what smelled like incredibly strong coffee in her hand, she set it down on the desk as she noticed Hermione approach.
'Hello Professor,' Hermione greeted with a polite smile.
'Miss Granger, you had pleasant summer I hope?' McGonagall asked, gesturing to the front of Dumbledore's desk where another chair waited, Hermione presumed, for her to take.
'Yes, it was.. uneventful. Exactly what I hoped it would be.' The coffee pot had begun to pour her her own cup as she took the offered seat, she accepted it and gratefully took a sip.
'I'm happy to hear. Now, Miss Granger, you may recall a time you were summoned to this office alone, three years ago, and entrusted by myself and Professor Dumbledore with a power nobody of your age had ever before held.'
Hermione nodded, remembering. It was the day she had been offered both the opportunity to study every available class alongside her main studies and the time turner that would help her manage it all.
McGonagall nodded, 'I conveyed to you then the importance of safeguarding that secret throughout your school year and you in turn were to use it for the sole purpose of furthering your studies, yes?' Hermione shifted slightly in her seat not quite sure where this conversation was headed.
'You are quite possibly the brightest witch I have ever had the honour of teaching, Miss Granger, and I do not say that lightly.' Hermione felt her mouth twitch into a small, appreciative smile. 'However what I seek to teach you and what I ask of you in return, requires more than just brains. I ask for your dedication, your trust and most importantly, I ask you to listen without judgement to what I have to say before you make your decision.'
Hermione nodded tightly and waited with baited breath. This meeting had took a turn she had not expected it to, her books lay long forgotten at the bottom of her bag while her hands gripped the steaming mug so tightly she felt the heat of hot liquid inside warm her hands.
McGonagall leaned over the desk and pulled a small bowl forwards, setting it down midway between them. In it Hermione spotted a small scrunched up pile of green leaves which, on closer inspection looked to be from a Mandrake.
McGonagall adjusted her spectacles slightly and softly said, 'Laws are in place preventing the teaching of it now. We are explicitly forbidden by the minister, although as you know Dumbledore and Cornelius have never quite seen eye to eye..' McGonagall's eyes shone as Hermione nodded and they shared an understanding.
Hermione continued to stare at the leaves, 'What about the Order?'
'..In order to fulfil the task I must now ask you of Miss Granger, nobody outside of this room must know.' McGonagall said with finality.
A/N: Story updates will usually be twice a week, thank you for taking the time to read my first fic on here.