Professor James Moriarty

The next morning, Severus Snape returned to Hogwarts. Thanks to Umbridge's desire to cover up his departure, it had not caused much suspicion. When he entered the Great Hall, Hermione was reading her daily prophet patiently.

"Oh no. Rookwood and Lucius Malfoy escaped on the way to Azkaban." she said, "...They tried to get others to but had to flee as the reinforcement arrived. Aurors recaptured Rabastan Lestrange. Rodolphus Lestrange who was in charge of the rescue mission refused to go back for him."

"I guess Rodolphus wouldn't much care about his brother." said Ron "Maybe he was sleeping with Bellatrix and he knew about it. Not that he cares what his promiscuous wife does when she's not with him."

Hermione gave him a dangerous look.

"Sorry Hermione. I didn't mean anything." he apologised quickly, "I really didn't."

"What's wrong with you, mate?" said Harry.

"Sorry I lost control for a minute." He apologised again.

"You tend to lose control these days too soon, Ronald." said Hermione coldly.

Ron flinched at that. Hermione kept reading her paper silently in a calculating way that reminded harry of Voldemort. He had never said it but Hermione had a lot of mannerisms even before the change. She admired bravery but at the same time felt it was stupid. She wasn't afraid of doing wrong for a purpose she believed to be right as she had done in their second year. She was a natural commander even though she preferred others to do the job for her and she was very demanding of those who were around her. "She is the other side of Voldemort, I guess," he thought to himself, "if Voldemort was ever into SPEW." and then he found another similarity: Their love for crappy organisation titles. They had a very similar thought process as well, you could count the coins as dark marks, and like her father she wouldn't leave traitors unpunished.

"You're doing that, Harry." Hermione whispered.

"Doing what?" Harry asked innocently.

"Comparing me to him. You get that look when you're thinking about him and now you're staring at me." she said trying to sound neutral.

"It's unfair! You're using your super power." Harry accused her. "Super powers?" Hermione looked at her perplexedly.

"You know like Superman." Harry explained.

"I know who Superman is Harry. I'm a muggle-born." she said as Neville and Ron giggled.

"What?" She looked at them defensively.

"Nothing" said Ron.

"Well that couldn't be any further from the truth, Hermione. You can say muggle raised, but it's actually inappropriate for you to claim to be a muggle-born. Purebloods don't do that and even if they do, they are making fun of muggle-borns." Neville explained, "It's sort of like that time you called a centaur a horse. A muggle-born could asily get away with that, but you are going to sound like a blood supremacist.

By the way, the hair portion your apparently taking is working. Your hair is changing. Why black though? It's gonna make you even more similar to her."

"Well, Neville I just hate being dumb blond." Hermione explained.

"Why? I'm blond." exclaimed Neville.

"Yeah, and you're dumb, Longbottom." said Malfoy who was behind him.

"What do you want here?" said Ron annoyedly.

"I'm here to talk to your boss, Weasley, who happens to be my boss, too."

"What does that even mean?" asked Neville.

"Well, she kickstarted your little club, didn't she? You are somehow her followers, just like Potter. I heard that you had quite a battle in the ministry." Malfoy explained, "She's our boss too as Dumbledore has yet to disband the Inquisitorial Squad."

Hermione stood up and asked Malfoy to follow her.

"What is it, Malfoy?" she demanded.

"Our father sent a message." he said. "It's for you."

Hermione read it and her breath caught. The writer was Lucius but she knew who really had intended to send it to her."

'I'm very disappointed that you care so little for your life while I have always treasured it so much.

Your father'

Hermione finally breathed out.

"The Dark Lord must have told our father then." said Hermione carefully.

"I see that you're learning some respect. Yes, he told me over the mirror call today. He said you should have been careful with your life. Dark Lord's curse could have killed you."

"Well rejoice! It didn't kill me. Dumbledore arrived in time." spat Hermione.

"The Dark Lord assured father that he could have saved you even if Dumbledore hadn't arrived." Draco responded, "He said he wouldn't be so cruel to let aunt Bella see her only child die."

"I'm sure you were instructed to say that as well." she said accusingly.

"No, I wasn't. That was just father assuring me that his master didn't want to kill my elder half-sister even by accident."

"Oh. That's interesting, and you're saying this because -" she inquired.

"I want you to know that we're not your enemy. Father says everyone tried to keep you as safe as possible. Uncle Rodo even warned you to leave."

"Draco I'm not in the habit of leaving my friends to fend for themselves." she said sternly.

"I didn't mean that. Look, I have to go. I have to pack my luggage. See you on the Express."

As Draco left the Great Hall, Hermione went back to the Gryffindor table.

"What've you got there?" asked Neville.

"Nothing, just a message from my dad." she said casually. That brought some harsh reactions. Harry spit his Pumpkin juice on Neville. Ron sat straight with horror and Ginny gulped.

"O-K what ... does... It... say exactly?" Neville asked as he was trying to clean his face.

"That I have disappointed him by not valuing my life." she answered as she gave a dirty look to Harry and Ron, "Not that he has a say in it. He kissed that right goodbye when they abandoned me. Also being a psychopath murderer is a key factor."

"Lestrange, Potter and less intelligent Weasley, I'll be awaiting you in my office." Snape said briefly as he passed by them, walking or of the Hall gracefully.

"We've got to go then." said Harry, "Let's go Ron."

"He said the less intelligent Weasley, that could be Ginny." said Ron.

"That's not the most intelligent to say, Ron. You're gonna get hexed for that." said Harry wisely, "Hurry up."

Once they entered his office, they saw him behind his desk, correcting a huge pile of papers.

"Close the door behind you, and don't touch anything." he said without raising his head to look at them. He wrote an angry note on top of a paper and signed it with red ink. Then he cast a drying spell on the parchment.

"Potter, Headmaster has requested me to inform you that you will not have to go back to Durselys in Surrey. You can choose to stay at Grimmauld Place if you wish to do so."

Snape clearly didn't like to be the messenger. He looked at Hermione and sighed. "Miss Lestrange, you shall go to your parents for the summer."

"Are you clinically insane?" snapped Ron.

"I think he means her muggle parents Ron." Harry reminded him.

"Precisely, Mr. Potter, it seems that you have one epsilon of intellect more than Mr. Weasley." said Snape, offending and complementing Harry at the same time.

"Professor, wouldn't it be safer if she came with me?" Harry asked.

"I agree with you, Mr potter. Our glorious Headmaster however disagrees. He believes that spending time with them will help Miss Lestrange."

"Can I go with Harry?" asked Ron hopefully.

"I'm afraid not. Mr Weasley, your mother wants you home." responded Snape impassively.

"Can we at least visit Sirius together?" Hermione suggested.

"Black is out of hospital. He went shopping this morning." Snape smirked at their surprised looks, "Potter you will meet him at headquarters. You two can meet him next month. Now go pack your stuff!"

He called Harry as they were about to leave. "Potter, in case you decide to spend your summer with your beloved godfather, begin working on your Potions homework the moment you arrive. I will require it next time we meet."

"He's a prick, Harry," said Ron as they left dungeons, "I bet he enjoyed every minute of that."

"He's a jerk, but I'm used to it." Harry agreed, "It doesn't bother me anymore."

"I need to talk to Dumbledore." said Hermione. "See you in the tower, alright?"

She didn't wait for them to say anything and ran to the Headmaster's office.

"I need to speak with Headmaster." she said to the gargoyle. It moved immediately.

Headmaster wasn't alone. There was a man standing next to the window. Dumbledore seemed tired. The man turned around to look at her. He was in his early forties, had a decent muggle suit and a very slender black tie. There were little dots on it which were moving ever so slightly. He had short hair, dark brown eyes and a very pale skin.

"They represent stars." he said pointing to his tie.

"It's nice." Hermione responded politely.

"You must be Miss Lestrange." his tone was friendly yet there was a disturbing glint in his eyes. "Jim Moriarty. Head of the Department of Mysteries. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Ironically, had an Irish accent.

"Hermione Lestrange. Nice to meet you, sir." she gave him a forced smiled. Hermione stopped herself from asking if he was related to a Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes arch nemesis. Moriarty was probably unaware that he had the name of a fictional villain.

"Head-Director Moriarty is here to ask a few questions, Hermione. Is there a problem, my dear?" Dumbledore said.

"It can wait, sir." Hermione said.

"Excellent! Would you mind staying with us, Miss Lestrange?" said Moriarty pleasantly, "I wouldn't mind having a talk with you as well."

Hermione sat. Moriarty's wand appeared in his hand out of nowhere. He cast a spell lazily and a regal black chair popped into existence.

"I hear that you had a club here last year. Is that true?" he asked curiously.

Hermione decided to tell the truth.

"Yes it is, sir. Our purpose was learning Defence Against the Dark Arts." Hermione answered.

"And what was implemented as a safety measure? How did you make sure that no one would tell Madam Umbridge?" He asked calmly.

"We used a spell that would expose the Sneak." She answered nervously. She wasn't expecting this sort of questions.

"Clever." He complimented her. "Remarkable, really. Keeps mouths shut in future. How was your mother when you met her at the Hall of Prophecies?"

Hermione looked at Moriarty sharply.

"She was calm and calculating. I expected her to be crazier." she answered pausing a bit to consider her complete answer, "She didn't seem to be concerned about me."

Moriarty glanced to horizon and smiled.

"That could be Occlumency. She might have hidden her feelings from you. And your father?"

"Told me to go home." she said angrily.

"Who wouldn't be offended?" he asked rhetorically. "I shan't bother you much, just one more question for you. What was Lord Voldemort like?"

Hermione was concerned for a second. Did he know anything?

"He was evil." she answered shortly.

Moriarty smiled at her and jumped on his feet. His chair vanished with a pop.

"Albus, I hope you won't mind me asking Professor McGonagall some questions as well. I'm curious about how dear Dolores did during her short tenure here." he said to Dumbledore who simply nodded, "I'll be back soon."

He left the office. Dumbledore huffed loudly.

"He is not normal." Hermione blurted before she could stop herself.

"He isn't indeed. James Moriarty is smarter than your father and me combined." Dumbledore said nervously. "He's very good at analysing characters."

"He's a weird man, sir." Hermione said.

"Not always, here he was pretending to be eccentric, to see how you would respond to that." Dumbledore said, "I believe we can discuss him when we have more time. You expressed your need to tell me something. What is it that you wish to discuss with me?"

"Professor, is it possible for me to spend this summer with Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Of course you can my dear. I've got your parents permission to come to headquarters after a month. You will spend most of your summer with Harry." was Headmaster's kind response.

"What I meant, sir, was... I was hoping you'd allow me to go to headquarters with Harry, right after we get off the train." she explained shyly.

"I'm afraid I have to decline your request." His blue eyes stared at her grey eyes. They squeezed with concerned as Dumbledore saw some subtle change in her irises.

"Your parents are very anxious to see you. They're worried about you."

Dumbledore's voice was calm and certain, and Hermione didn't know what to say.

"I can't do this, sir." she said with a frustrated tone, "I can't see them like this, looking nothing like them."

They wouldn't even recognise her and she would be a stranger to them.

Dumbledore looked at her with a calm expression.

"Miss Lestrange you must see your parents unless you're willing to lose them forever." he said sadly, "Then all you'll ever have will be Tom and Bellatrix."

Hermione nodded in resignation. She couldn't argue his point.

"Trust me. You'll find them as loving as they were before the change." He assured her.

Hermione stood up and left his office without a word. She hurried to Gryffindor tower. On her way she saw Moriarty going back to Dumbledore's office. He looked at her curiously but said no words as they passed each other.

The moment she arrived at her destination, she saw Ron and Harry waiting for her. She kissed Harry shortly and told him that Dumbledore had rejected her request.

"We'll write to you every day Hermione. We won't let you feel lonely." promised Harry.

"Yeah" Ron agreed.

"Thanks guys." She smiled fondly at them.

They spent their remaining time packing. Hermione felt awful about leaving school. Hogwarts was the only school in the world where she'd rather spend her summer. Ronald was joyful about going home while Harry seemed to have mixed feelings.

"Just hold on for a month. We'll be in Grimmauld Place this time next month." Harry said as they were about to board. He smiled at her reassuringly.

Hermione smiled back. He didn't understand what her concerns were. The problem would present itself the moment they saw her. She walked down the corridor as boys followed her. On their way they noticed that all the compartments were packed.

"Did you have to stall us that much, Ronald Weasley?"

She looked at him angrily. Ron looked away innocently.

"I was hungry." he said.

"Look! That one is empty."

Harry pointed at a dim compartment.

Once they opened the door it wasn't empty. Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass were sitting there.

"Lestrange." they said simultaneously, ignoring Harry and Ron.

"We'd like to sit here." said Hermione as she looked at Draco to assess him. "If you are willing to behave."

Daphne smiled uncomfortably. Draco nodded slowly.

"Malfoy." Harry greeted at him curtly.

"Potter." he acknowledged Harry.

Ron didn't bother to say anything as they sat next to them. Before they could close the door another figure appeared by the door.

"Hey wait up." he said as he held the door. He was surprised to see Daphne and Draco. "Um ... Would you mind if I sat here?" he said nervously.

"We wouldn't Longbottom. Come in and shut the door behind yourself." said Daphne annoyedly.

"So cousin. How was your O.W.L.s?" asked Draco.

They talked about trivial things on the way. Daphne offered everyone some pastries. Neville and Hermione took one but Ron ate two.

"How on earth can you eat so much!?" exclaimed Harry. He faced Daphne and continued, "Thanks Greengrass, but I'm full. We ate at kitchen."

She didn't seem to be upset.

"I should give the rest to Vincent and Gregory." she stood up to leave, "I'll be back soon."

Draco nodded as he was munching on his share.

"Draco, you have got Ron's disease." said Hermione disapprovingly.

"What?" He looked at her in surprise.

"Eating like a hippogriff is not appropriate." Hermione explained.

"Sorry," he said as he swallowed.

"Come on Hermione, it's so delicious. It would be disrespectful to eat it any other way." Ron said.

"See?" Hermione pointed at him.

"They say that Lord Black is running for Minister of Magic. Is that true Potter?" said Malfoy.

Harry didn't know what to make of that so he just stared at him.

"Harry, it's just a rumour. A very silly rumour." Hermione told him.

"It was in the daily prophet. Some people are pushing it apparently." Malfoy said with a smirk.

"I don't think he'll ever accept even if offered." Harry eventually responded, "Also he doesn't have the necessary experience."

"I think that's just ministry trying to fix their image," said Neville, "People are trying to dissociate themselves from Fudge; Most people appointed by Fudge are being replaced. They all want to save their skin."

"Very good analysis Longbottom." said Malfoy, surprised by his insightful comment, "There's hope for you I guess."

The rest of the trip went smoothly. Harry was immensely happy to see Sirius and Lucinda instead of Dursleys. Although they were dressed up like an aristocrat couple, the were laughing like two lunatics. Sirius rushed to Harry to hug him.

Harry saw Narcissa Malfoy hugging his son. He saw Augusta Longbottom patting Neville in an encouraging way and finally he saw Grangers who were staring at their daughter. For a moment Harry felt a pang of guilt in his heart. It got worse when Lucinda hugged him, too. Her parents were looking at her in awe.

"Mom? Dad?" Hermione said with a trembling voice.

"Oh honey!" said her dad in relief. Her mom stepped forward to hug her daughter.

"You've changed so much darling." she said.

Narcissa Malfoy was observing their interactions carefully.

"Narcissa! Dear cousin! It's so nice to see you here." said Siruis cheerfully, forcing Narcissa to direct the focus of her attention to him.

"It's nice to see you as well, Lord Black." She said respectfully.

Sirius engaged in conversation with her until Grangers left.

"Harry, have you ever tried apparition before?" Sirius asked him.

"No, I haven't." Harry said.

"Okay, just don't breathe." said his godfather as he took his hand.

A moment later they were gone.

A/N: I hope you'll enjoy this chapter even thought it's rather short. Chapter 20 will be posted next week.