The Lion and the Snake soul-bonded for life
Chapter 1
Hermione had visited her parents for a short while after finishing her fourth year. She was glad to see them after everything that had happened with the Triwizard Tournament. She had explained in brief detail what she knew about he-who-must-not-be-named to her parents and was thankful for the comfort and support they provided her. It was also a comfort to be back in her childhood bedroom, being back in the muggle world meant she could relax a bit, even if just for a short while, and almost forget about the dangers now facing the magical world, almost.
She had been back with her parents for a week when she received a letter from Ron. He had explained that a secret organisation known as the Order of the Phoenix, that was started by Dumbledore during the last war was re-grouping to fight the dark forces rising. He also explained that his family and many of their friends were also in the Order.
Hermione soaked in the new information and knew she couldn't stay with her parents doing nothing. She wrote a letter back to Ron stating she would be joining them soon and sent it off with the owl his letter had arrived with, but not before giving it a treat and a few gentle pets. Now for the harder part, explaining this to her parents. Her parents were concerned for her safety, and rightfully so. However, with much persuasion that included sound logical reasoning from their daughter they agreed to let her spend the rest of her holidays with the Weasleys helping the Order where she could.
With a few days remaining in their break before starting their fifth year at Hogwarts, shocking news arrived to the Order. Harry was to be expelled! No that cannot be right she thought, and for some underaged magic?! That was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. That night a few members of the order which included Moody, Tonks and Kingsley went to fetch Harry and bring him to headquarters. Headquarters was Sirius's childhood home it now belonged to him as the last remaining member of his family and he had offered to Dumbledore for the order. The Weasleys including Hermione had all packed up some belongings and travelled to the Black house by apparition, a method of travel Hermione was not yet used to, and it made her sick to the stomach.
Hermione and Ron were sitting in one of the upstairs bedrooms hours later when the door open to reveal Harry standing there. Hermione was so happy to see him "Harry!" she exclaimed as she lept up and enveloped him in a tight hug. "let the man breathe," Ron chuckled from behind the two and Hermione relinquished her grip.
Hermione bombarded Harry with questions about what was going on and what was to happen. "They simply can't expel you Harry, it's not fair!" she exasperated.
"Yeah there's a lot of that going around." Sighed Harry as he walked further into the room. He turned to face his to best friends and asked, "Where are we?"
"This is headquarters mate." Answered Ron.
"For the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society formed by Dumbledore." Continued Hermione.
"And you couldn't have put any of this in a letter?" Asked Harry clearly annoyed, "I've gone the whole break without a scrap of news!". Hermione lowered her head and looked to the ground finding it hard to meet Harry's gaze. She sighed a replied,
"Dumbledore made us promise not to tell you anything…"
"He said that?" Asked Harry with a confused look on his face.
"Yeah…" Ron answered softly whilst scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
Whilst Hermione had some time to herself, she decided to explore the house. The house was covered in filth and dust with wallpaper and paint peeling off the walls of nearly every room. Sirius had apologised for the abandoned look of the place and had explained earlier that after his mother Walburga and brother Regulus had died Kreacher the Black's house elf, had abandoned his daily duties neglecting to clean with no one there ordering him to do so.
Hermione came across a sitting room with a large tapestry that spaned all four walls. It soon became clear to her that the tapestry contained a family tree, the Black family tree to be more exact. She noticed that some of the faces appeared to be burned off of the tapestry one of these being Sirius's and another by the name of Andromeda. She had not heard of this person before from following the branches of the tree she appeared to be Sirius's cousin and sister to none other than Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother and Bellatrix Lestrange the deranged death eater. Hermione had heard stories from her time spent with the Order of horrible acts committed by death eaters during the first war. Bellatrix was notorious for inflicting unspeakable torcher upon muggle-born and half-blood wizards and witches all the while laughing as she did. Hermione shivered as she imagined the death eater's insane laugh.
Harry had been taken to the British Ministry of Magic by Arthur Weasley for his disciplinary hearing. Hermione was relieved to heard that Harry had been cleared of all charges with help from Dumbledore.
The next day Hermione, Harry and the Weasleys headed to King's Cross station with a handful of the Order's members for protection, to catch the train to Hogwarts. Despite the looming threat of he-who-must-not-be-named Hermione was still extremely excited to be heading back to Hogwarts for her fifth year she loved learning absolutely everything she could about magic and the wizarding world.
As they exited the train now at the Hogwarts grounds, Draco approaches the trio from behind and antagonises Harry "I'm surprised the Ministry is still letting you walk around free Potter! Better enjoy it while you can…" Draco leans in close to Harry, "I expect there's a cell in Azkaban with your name on it!" Harry lunges at Draco and Hermione gasps and Ron catches Harry by the shoulders holding him back narrowly stopping a fight from breaking out.
Malfoy doesn't normally elicit such an explosive reaction from Harry Hermione thinks to herself, these past days events must be weighing heavier on him the she previously thought.
As the trio settle into the great hall preparing for dinner Dumbledore approaches the podium and begins is annual welcome speech which includes announcing the new defence against the dark arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge. Harry leans in and whispers to Hermione and Ron, "She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge." As the trio discuss in a hushed manner why someone from the Ministry would be working at Hogwarts… Hermione chimes in stating it means the Ministry is interfering at their school.
After dinner the students retire to their respective common rooms and dormitories. Hermione feeling rather exhausted already doesn't stick around long and says a quite goodnight before heading to bed. Before she drifts of to sleep, she contemplates what is to come in this new school year with the Ministry's involvement at Hogwarts and the rising threat of you-know-who.