Hello, my freaky darlings, this pandemic continues to make my all ready complicated two jobs even more less fun. But I have managed to write past the end of this chapter, so hopefully the next chapter won't take as long. Thank you all so much for reading. I adore you all and own nothing.

Chapter 42

Dudley peered over Harry's shoulder, "Troll! One of your exam results is troll? That's kind of awesome." He paused, "Now I want to go to magic school."

"I promise you it is just as much hard work as your school." Sirius told him. "Maybe even more so."

"Yeah, most of your classes aren't likely to end in major injuries, whereas almost of ours do." Draco rubbed his arm. Hermione rolled her eyes. Draco huffed, "Yes, I was an idiot. It was my bad. It still hurt." He turned to Harry. "So we all know how awesome the swot did, I'll show you mine if you show me yours." The boys traded sheets and scanned each other's scores.

Harry read aloud, "Draco Lucius Malfoy, Defense:E, Transfiguration: E, Herbology: o, Potions O. That was a given. Charms: O, Arithmacy: E, Care of Magical Creatures: E, and last, but certainly not least, History of Magic: T." Harry ended on a dramatically triumphant note.

Lucius groaned, "That class desperately needs to be revamped. But Dumbledore balks and blocks our attempts."

"Why?" Hermione wondered.

"His reasons change every time the governors bring it up. Mostly I believe it is a control issue."

Draco cleared his throat. "Let us not get sidetracked. Student: Harry James Potter. Care of Magical Creatures: O, Defense: O, shocking that. Transfiguration: E, Divination: A, Potions: E, Charms: O, Herbology: E, and History of Magic: T."

"Decent showing really, and, happily the closest thing I have to a sibling is Duds here. And we take vastly different classes." Harry smirked.

"My grades are solid now, thank you very much." Dudley defended.

"All of you made a very good showing." Lucius told them.

Two mornings later, Harry burst into the breakfast room, waving a letter and a badge, "I made quidditch captain!"

"Congratulations." Narcissa told him. "That makes two of you."

Draco smirked and waved his captain's badge. Harry grinned like a madman, "Oh, it is so on. This is awesome."

"Let Sirius know we're taking Draco to look at supplies this afternoon, in case you want to join us."

Hermione declined to join them, opting to enjoy some light reading in the sun. A plump, lethargic Tangle stretched at besides her witch. "You need to cut down on the snacks, my viper." Her snake huffed quietly. She turned her head away from Hermione, silently disagreeing. Lolly, the library elf, popped next to her deck chair. "Miss Hermy?"

"Yes, Lolly?"

The elf shifted his weight anxiously. "Mistress's sister bes in the house. She brings others. Theys demands to be theres, and takes what theys wants." The elf looked at her with huge luminous, pleading eyes. "Lolly's be afeared of Mistress's sister."

"How many people did she bring?"

"Hers husband, and brother, and anothers. She be leaving." Lolly's voice trembled.

"Shite." Hermione swore. "I need you to take Tangle up to my room." The frightened elf nodded and swept up the not so tiny snake. "Winky." Her personal elf joined her. "I need you to go straight to my father and tell him the Lestranges are here. Then go tell Remus Lupin."

The elf nodded and apparated away. Hermione closed her book and stood. Quickly, she entered the house and began making her way towards her room, and the private floo in the sitting room beyond it.

Crossing the foyer by the front door, she heard voices moving in her direction. She cursed silently, wishing she had had Winky pop her up to the floo. Irritation flashed through her at the thought, annoyed at being made to feel afraid in her own home. Her Gryffindor soul roared in defiance. Still moving quietly, she slowed her steps. She refused to skulk any longer.

Rabastan noticed her first. He broke off from the others and beelined to her. "Little bird, how lovely you look." He leered at her, running his eyes up and down, lingering at her curves and bare legs.

"I think you'll find my eyes are up here." She told him coldly.

Rodolphus and a scruffy wizard she didn't recognize followed Rabastan laughing. "I do not think your little bird is very interested."

"You are quite correct, sir. If you all will excuse me. I have other places to be."

"Hush, Dolohov, witches like to play hard to get."

"I assure you, Mr. Lestrange, I am not playing hard, or otherwise. I am not interested in your pursuit." She stepped sideways to move around her.

Rabastan's hand shot out, grabbing her upper arm. "Just a moment, little bird. No one rejects me and just walks away."

"Do you prefer they run?" Hermione asked in an icy tone. Anger overrode the warnings firing in her brain. Rabastan growled, tightening his grip. "Unhand me." She glared at the offending hand.

"Little bird, you forgot to say please." Rabastan teased.

"Oh, my apologies. I wasn't asking. Remove. Your. Hand. Now."

"Are you going to make me?" He asked, looming over her, trying to use his size to intimidate her.

"If she does not, I certainly will." Lucius strode into the room. "Unhand my daughter, Lestrange." His eyes flashed angrily.

Rabastan immediately released her, stepping back from her quickly. "Lucius, my friend, how good to see you. What a surprise."

"Surprising to see my own home? Somehow I doubt that. What are you three doing here, besides harassing my child?" Hermione glared at them as she moved to Lucius's side.

"We came seeking a book for the Dark Lord. He's returned to us." Dolohov told him.

"And accosting Hermione?"

"We heard about her misadventures. I wanted to ask how she was doing." Rabstan lied.

"Yes, well, you know where the library is. I expect the same courtesy as Thoros. When I, and my family, are here-you lot are not."

Rodolphus pushed forward, crowding Lucius. Neither he, nor Hermione, reacted. "Are you refusing our lord?"

"No, I am playing the long game. Right now that fool Fudge remains convinced Potter and Dumbledore lied. He thinks these tales of our lord's return nothing more than an attempt by Dumbledore to seize power. And I intend to keep it that way until it is too late to stop us. But I can't do that with you lot traipsing about in the open."

"Sounds like a dodge to me." Rodolphus growled.

"I assume Aunt Bellatrix is the brains of the trio?" Hermione asked her father rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" protested Rodolphus.

"Oh, please, Rabastan can't stop hitting on me long enough to accomplish anything. And you aren't looking at the big picture. Right now the only people who want to oppose you are being held in check by the ministry. A ministry that listens to the prominent members of society. If you compromise them, you compromise your ability to affect the ministry from the shadows. And you risk them unleashing Dumbledore with the might of the aurors behind him. Members of the Wizengamot must remain above reproach right now." She sniffed haughtily.

Cackling laughter crashed through the silence after Hermione's little speech. "Brava, my little darling, brava. I like her, Lucius. Ice water in her veins."

"Hello, Bella. May I reintroduce your niece, Hermione Celeste."

"Charmed." Hermione said.

"Likewise." Bellatrix approached her, eyeing Hermione. Liking what she saw, the older woman nodded once and hugged the girl. "Good strong Black to head up the house once Sirius is out of the picture. Have to look into that." She shrugged then. "Well, we need to look about your libraries, make yourselves gone then."

Lucius glared then shrugged. "You have one hour. The elves have orders to restrict you to the library and the floo."

Dolohov nodded. "Good to see you, Lucius. A pleasure, Miss Malfoy." The Death Eaters turned and left. Rabastan blowing Hermione kisses.

"I feel so dirty." Hermione shuddered.

"I really wish you hadn't encountered them again." He sighed.

"I know. I was trying to reach the floo."

"Next time the elves will refuse them entry when one of us is in house."

"Next time, we're all likely to be away at school.

"Something I am eternally grateful for. You wouldn't consider letting me send you away, like to Africa, or America, would you?"

"Nope, sorry."

"Ah, well, your mother would never agree anyway." He kissed her forehead. "Come, it seems you are to be subjected to quidditch supplies and lunch full of quidditch talk."

"Godric save me." She took Lucius's hand as he led her to the manor's apparation spot.

Once he began working with him, Sirius insisted Cedric join them for family dinners. When asked about his trip. Cedric most often talked about a witch he met, Ceara Gaskins. Harry and Dudley enjoyed getting him onto the topic, or her cousin, Kari, who joined her boyfriend, Jimin, on tour with his Kpop boy band.

Hermione suspected they had some kind of game going. She preferred to discuss his work at the Ministry. Umbridge's trial had begun, each day bringing to light decades of corrupt, and depraved behavior. The witch held a grudge like few could. Slights occurring in first year at Hogwarts resulted in harassment and veiled threats years later. "Woman has a memory like an elephant." Sirius grumbled. Dudley, Harry, and Hermione laughed. Cedric looked confused. "Sorry, muggle saying. Still accurate through."

"Do you think they'll get to her crimes at Hogwarts before school starts?" Hermione asked.

"Kitten, we'll be lucky to get to her Hogwarts tenure by the time you graduate." Sirius looked smug. "Diggory here found an old bylaw that makes all of her anti-creature laws hate crimes. Brilliant really"

Hermione beamed at the Hufflepuff, who ducked his head, blushing at his employer's praise. "Just doing my job."

"Very well." Sirius smiled.

"Is Remus out celebrating?" Dudley asked. "No, our little Moony is on a date?" Sirius took a bite from his fork, grinning. "He agreed thinking he could cancel because of family dinner. As head of the family, I, of course, excused him." Everyone laughed.

"Anyone we know?" Harry asked.

"Tonks." Harry's eyebrow shot up, "Really? Wow. Good on him."

"How did she finally convince him?" Hermione asked.

"She wore him down. Researched a response for each of his objections. Found some in rather obscure books." Hermione looked about at the ceiling, refusing to make eye contact. "I suspect she employed a research assistant."

"Nothing wrong with that." laughed Cedric, "noble profession." Everyone laughed."Changing the subject, " Hermione spoke up, "you all need to stop feeding my snake. Winky insists on carrying her everywhere. And people keep sneaking her treats." They all looked guilty.

"We appreciate her hard work and bravery." Harry started.

"Sure, but she's twice the size she was and is so lethargic she can't hide in my hair. I may have to leave her at home."

"Why?"

"Dad got her classified as a safety precaution. I have to be able to conceal her somewhere on my person. I cannot do that with a fat snake."

"I'm sure it isn't that bad."

"The vet thinks she's ingested five mice this week alone, and possibly a canary. Stop feeding her!" The ends of her hair sparked.

"Okay, okay, we'll stop." Dudley promised, raising his hands in surrender.

"Good. Though you should know I instructed Kreacher to hex anyone who tries. He promised to take his duties very seriously."

"Couldn't Sirius just order him to ignore your orders?" Cedric ordered.

"Damn elf adores her, worships her, even. More than he used to adore Regulus. He would just inform me that Mistress Hermione gave him his orders."

"That's rather impressive." his aide replied.

"I'm okay with it." Sirius smiled at her fondly. "We have too much history, and I'd rather he protect the future of the House than the past."

Both households planned their trip to Diagon Alley to coincide with the Grand Opening of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Lucius insisted the twins sit down with several of his business managers to create a five year plan for the business. That gave them an idea of how much capital they needed to get started. Though Lucius insisted on purchasing the store building outright. He created a loan repayment plan that kept the payments small during the first few years, while the business grew. "Consider the payment the rent you won't be spending on a flat. Or rent out the flat above the store to cover the payment. The choice is yours." The twins moved in the moment the ink was dry, much to Molly's dismay.

Hermione grinned widely at the storefront as they approached the gathered crowd. A giant ginger wizard doffed his hat, revealing a white rabbit underneath. Bright, clashing colors fought each other for dominance. Advertisements blinked in the windows. Fred and George stood before the red ribbon blocking the front door wearing matching magenta robes. They waved at friends throughout the gathering crowd. Lucius and Harry both received two handed waves. At exactly ten o'clock fireworks erupted over the heads of the crowds. "Weasley's Wildfire Whizbangs, available inside." They yelled together, slicing the ribbon with a spell. "Welcome to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes!" They stepped aside.

Inside the shelves teemed with magical products. Children and adults moved about eagerly perusing the aisles. George popped in front of them. "Hello, investors and families. Allow me to be your personal guide to the wonderland that is WWW." He gestured for them to follow him. "This section is magical pranks and jokes. Moving into muggle pranks for collectors and muggleborns. Over there we have board games, both magical variations and the original muggle versions. That moves us into the Wonder Witch products, and potion related products, like patented daydreams. And along the back wall are Pygmy Puffs." George through his hands out, "Go, enjoy yourselves, and remember your money is no good here."

"What?" a voice cried from behind them. "These gits don't have to pay, but you charged me full price?" They turned to find Ron, red faced, his chest heaving in misplaced anger.

"These fine wizards invested in the store. Charging them just makes more work to return their money. When you contribute to the dream we can talk about a discount or free products." Ron growled and stomped away.

"I would apologize for his behavior, but these days I'm not sure what exactly happened with the last two."

Hermione shrugged, "Who cares? Today is about you and George achieving the start of your dream. Ignore him." She linked her arm with George's. "Show me these daydream charms. They sound amazing."

Sirius and Remus stood in front of the prank displays grinning like mad men. Without looking away from the pranks, they moved in sync to grab shopping baskets and began filling them. Fred stood watching them, blinking slowly, clearly dazed. "Marauders are in our shop. The Marauders are buying our products." He murmured to himself. With an impish grin, Hermione pinched his arm. "Ow! Witch, what is wrong with you?"'

"I wanted you to know you weren't dreaming."

"Cheers then, I guess."

"This really is all very brilliant, Fred, amazing magic, really."

"Thanks, Hermione. That means a lot coming from someone like you."

"Someone like me, what does that mean?"

"A genius witch who's a natural at magic." She blushed at his compliment and went to find Theo a gift from amongst the shelves.

By September first, Tangle fit comfortably in Hermione's pocket, enabling her to be taken to Hogwarts. The Malfoys escorted their children to King's Cross and Platform 9¾. Sirius also took the morning off to accompany Harry. Despite wishing to see his cousin, and his secret girlfriend off, an upswing in tensions in pureblood circles caused Sirius to decide it was safer for him to stay home. He did ask Hermione to sneak Pansy a note for him, which she did by stumbling against her in the carriage passage ways. She could have just handed Pansy the note, but where was the fun in that?

After briefly greeting each other, the Gryffindors separated from their Slytherin partners with promises to reunite for the trip up to the castle from the village. Near the halfway point of the trip a small third year opened the compartment door. "Excuse me, Miss Malfoy, Mr Potter, Mr Longbottom? Professor Slughorn wanted me to give you these." She handed them three notes and escaped.

"Who is Professor Slughorn?" Harry questioned.

Hermione shrugged and opened her note. "No clue." She skimmed the contents, "But apparently he's throwing an intimate little get together."

"Should we attend?" Hermione shrugged again.

"I suppose. How bad could it be?" Neville asked.

The answer turned out to be rather. Horace Slughorn vaguely reminded Harry of a shorter, barely slimmer Uncle Vernon, only with a large handlebar mustache. He asked searching questions about some students' family members, and asked similar questions of the students. And he name dropped horribly. Constantly. His behavior grated on Hermione's nerves. Harry squirmed in his chair, uncomfortable with all the attention. Draco, Theo, and Blaise also received invitations. Cormac McLaggen, Ginny Weasley, and a Ravenclaw completed the group. Slughorn went on and on about his group, the Slug Club, and how influential it made him. Despite knowing the importance of networking, Hermione still felt slimy afterwards. She had never been so glad to have to go change into her school robes in her life.