This chapter is on the short side, but this is where I wanted to end it. RL has been a bit hectic, I am currently doing the job of three people, and none of them are simple to begin with, so bear with me. I will not abandon the story, nor my other WIP. As always I own nothing. Thank you all so much for reading.

Chapter 41

Fudge, adoring the positive international attention being given to his aurors insisted on awarding them each an Order of Merlin, third class. He basked in the praise. Unfortunately for him, it only lasted a few days. The investigation into Dolores Umbridge closed and Amelia Bones prepared a list of charges. Meanwhile, Oliver Baxter and his assistant, Percy Weasley, compiled a list of legislation that needed to be gone over. In the coming weeks Baxter would express his appreciation that Sirius Black was on his side, not the opposing one. He and Cedric arrived one morning with a list of the laws they would be looking into. Dolores had been a very busy, very vindictive, nasty woman . Once the list of charges had been complied, her trials would begin. As Chief Warlock, Dumbledore would decide in what order the charges would be heard, and if it would be one big trial, or multiple little ones. "Either way, this is going to be a long and busy year." Lucius told them. He, himself, had taken on the son of a school friend as a personal assistant. Or rather, another personal assistant, one to follow the court cases and political maneuvers at the Ministry. He vetted Cassius Warrington, determining him to be another son of a previous Death Eater who likely wanted no part in the war only a few knew was coming. The Dark Mark neither faded, nor darkened any further, as Riddle remained in clay limbo. Those in the know continued to prepare themselves.

After their return from France, Hermione stayed close to home. The tremors frustrated her more than the remaining aches and pains. Her limbs fatigued easily began. Everything became difficult: eating, reading, even brushing her teeth.

She continued researching horcruxes, but couldn't take proper notes, or at least what she considered proper note, or at least what she considered proper notes. In spidery chicken scratch, she jotted down key phrases and page numbers. She finished a book on sensing dark items when Professor Snape entered the parlor she selected to rest in.

"Miss Malfoy." he greeted her.

She nodded in greeting, "Professor."

"As the rest of your family calls me Severus, perhaps you could do the same."

"Thank you, Severus. You should call me Hermione."

"As you wish." He handed her a flask, "Drink two ounces every morning and evening."

"I will. Thank you for brewing it."

Snape turned to go and noticed the books. "You are researching dark magic?"

"I am researching how to destroy dark artifacts."

"I see. When the time comes, please know you can count on me for assistance."

"Si- Severus, how do you know about them?"

"First, thank you for not insulting my intelligence by pretending not to know what I am talking about. Second, you aren't the only one capable of connecting the dots via research."

"You're welcome, and I'll remember your offer. Does Dumbledore know?"

"Albus likes to keep his secrets. Who knows what he knows anymore." Severus sighed. "He maintains his laser focus on Potter and his need to be the one to take Voldemort out. And be dependent on him when he does so."

"I don't think that will happen anymore." she said quietly.

"I have to agree, Hermione." He patted her shoulders awkwardly as he left the room.

All her research brought her back to two ideas to destroy horcruxes: basilisk venom or friendfyre, and one possibility: the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Goblin forged metals absorbed substances it came into contact with, anything that would make it stronger. Harry used it to slay Slytherin's monster in the Chamber. She wondered if there was a way to obtain it without having to explain why she wanted it to Dumbledore. She doubted that would be easy.

She divulged her fears to Theo one evening towards the beginning of the school year. He brushed an errant curl away from her face. "You can't fix everything yourself, sweet. And you don't have to, nor, do you have to have all the answers instantly. Relax. His 'faithful' are still combing the Nott library." He chuckled, "They haven't thought to ask the elves. And we know they won't find what they're looking for there. You have time, WE have time."

"I should relax."

"Yes. Enjoy what's left of summer."

"I suppose you have some suggestions there."

"I do." He kissed the tip of her nose. "We floo over to Black Cottage. Take a bus to the cinema and watch something mildly mind numbing while we eat buttery popcorn."

She giggled, "We could do that. Though if the plot is too dull. I reserve the right to snog your face off if I get bored."

Theo faked a groan. "Ugh, if we must. The things I do for you."

"Yes, yes, you suffer greatly."

After much debate they picked the romantic movie and regretted it. Characters cheating on each other, with each other; whirlwind marriages they regretted. Sitting in a back corner of the nearly empty theater, Hermione had no problem slipping onto his lap and snogging him breathless. He responded by running his hands up and down her thighs, dipping his fingers under the ends of her shorts. She squirmed on his lap, feeling the hard erection below her. He nipped her lip in warning when she let out a moan. Towards the end of the movie, Hermione slid back into her own seat. A guilty look around verified the other two occupants of the theater were much too wrapped up in one another to notice them. She sighed in relief, settling back and attempting to follow the end of the movie. She failed miserably.

Theo and Hermione remained seated after the movie ended. She insisted on sitting through the entirety of the credits. Her Granddad Granger did it. "People worked hard to bring you the movie. They deserve our recognition, too." She felt close to his memory in those moments. In her peripheral vision she noticed the other couple waiting, slumped down in their seats. Suspicions flooded her. She knew how unlikely it was their wait had anything to do with her, and yet, she couldn't shake her nerves. She gained Theo's attention and nodded slightly to Theo, pointing them out. He nodded back, having noticed them as well.

Theo took her hand and slowly stood. He made a big show of helping her up and escorting Hermione out. The two of them slipped into a nearby alcove to wait and watch. Minutes later the heavy black door opened. Hand in hand, making lovey eyes at one another, Dudley Dursley and Pansy Parkinson exited. Wrapped up in their own little world, neither noticed Hermione and Theo slip out of the darkness and begin following them.

They trailed the pair back to the Cottage, trying not to laugh, or give themselves away. Pansy held onto Dudley's arm. She walked very close to him, whispering to one another, oblivious of their audience. Just as Dudley unlocked the front door, Hermione sprang forward. "Constance vigilance!" she yelled, causing them both to jump.

Pansy shrieked. Dudley whirled around, shoving Pansy behind him, dropping into a fighting stance.

"That would have been impressive if we hadn't tailed you since the cinema." she remarked wryly. She chuckled at Pansy's brief pout.

Pansy's face fell into a guarded expression, "Now what?" she sulked.

"Nothing." Hermione opened the front door and walked in.

"Nothing? What do you mean nothing?"

"Why? What do you want to happen?" Hermione responded.

Pansy threw her hands up, flustered, "I don't know. I expected more of a reaction, at least questions."

"I assume you met at the Malfoy New Year Ball?"

"Yeah."

"And this is why you made that kid ask how to write muggles?"

Pansy squirmed a bit. "Yeah."

"That's sweet." Hermione grinned at Dudley, who smiled back.

"That's sweet? That's sweet! Is that all you have to say?" demanded Pansy.

"Hurt him and I'll hex you so hard your great-great-great grandchildren will bear the curse. Was that better?"

"I suppose." Pansy sighed. "Why aren't you more upset?"

"I was raised by muggles, from the age of eleven to fifteen I thought I was a muggleborn. Dudley worked hard to become a good person."

"I never got into the idea of blood supremacy." Theo shrugged.

Pansy's shoulders sagged, "Are you saying we've fretted all summer for nothing?"

Theo smiled, "None of these Gryffindors will bat an eyelash. Your father, on the other hand, will lose his shite. He'll disown you before you can finish the introductions."

"That's reassuring."

"But you'll always have me, and Draco." He took and squeezed her hand.

"Thanks, Theo."

"We won't tell anyone," Hermione offered, "not until you're ready."

The pug nosed brunette stared at her. "Why are you being so nice?"

Hermione shrugged, "Dudley is Harry's cousin, Harry is family, so Dudley is family."

The taller boy surged forward, hugging her tightly. "I think of you as family, too."

"As touching as this is, if we're going to keep us quiet, I need to get going. And I want a proper good-bye." Pansy broke in, her tone haughty.

"There's the hard bitch we know and love." She glared at Theo.

"Ha. Ha." She held out her hand to Dudley so he could escort her to the floo.

Dudley returned ten minutes later looking slightly dazed. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate the support. Pans gets herself all worked up over the idea of losing all her friends and family over this."

"Not enough to break things off." Hermione pointed out.

Dudley nodded, "Not enough to dump me."

In the wake of their French adventures, the rest of the summer passed rather calmly. August passed in the blink of an eye. Hermione barely had time to begin fretting about her OWL results before they arrived.

She stared at the unopened letter for several minutes before slowly opening the envelope and unfolding the letters.

Student: Hermione Celeste Malfoy

Ordinary Wizarding Levels Results

Defense Against the Dark Arts O Transfiguration O

Potions O Charms O

Arithmacy O Astrology O

Ancient Runes O Herbology O

Muggle Studies A Care of Magical Creatures O

"How did you get an Acceptable in Muggle Studies?" exclaimed Draco.

"Why did you even take it?" asked Harry. "You dropped that class."

"I explained why ever question and answer they wanted were either outdated or completely inaccurate." She grinned impishly. "I ended my last essay question by suggesting the class be overhauled."

Sirius smirked, "I doubt they appreciated that, kitten."

"I rather doubt they did." Lucius agreed, smiling smugly at her cheek.