Hello, my freaky darlings. I hope everyone is staying sane. You will be pleased to know that I have outlined the rest of this story, or at least the rest of the war. I haven't decided how far beyond the war I intend to go. Disclaimer: I own nothing. I would have never killed Fred if I did. And I love all of you for reading, reviewing, liking and everything. You are all wonderful!

Chapter 54

As summer commenced, Malfoy Manor became a teenage social hub. Parents on both sides, and neutral ones, sent their children over to hang out with the mission to feel out the families and, perhaps sway the teens. Mostly the teens ignored their parents, grateful to escape the constant tension. Hermione used the opportunity to convince invite Fay over as often as possible, something the blonde was happy to accept. Pansy also took advantage to use the manor to sneak over to Black Cottage. She varied the routine, some days she hung out for several hours before slipping away, other days she arrived before breakfast and joined them at Malfoy Manor for the afternoon. Either way, she spend a majority of the day away from home.

Hermione flipped through one of the muggle fashion magazines Narcissa subscribed to, not really looking at the images, just letting her brain idle. Pansy dropped onto the couch in front of her. "You are never going to guess what Dudley and I found yesterday."

"If it is Sirius's porn stash, I don't want to know."

"Salazar, no!" Pansy laughed, "No, just a little morsel in a newspaper his friend's mother was reading. An engagement announcement for a one Essence Broadmoor to a Dorian Smith."

"Hmmm, that name sounds familiar, was he a Ravenclaw?"

"Hufflepuff."

"Oh, yeah, tall, black hair, kind of cute. I remember him. They're getting married? Why?"

"According to the gossip, he got her up the duff."

"So, her plan finally succeeded, how sad."

Pansy barked out a harsh, mean laugh. "Oh, that's the best part. Her grand scheme failed. While there are pureblooded Smiths, but Dorian is not one of them. Her family is hiding their 'shame' by demanding a muggle ceremony." She laughed again. "I do feel kind of bad for him, saddled with her."

"That's not entirely true." Pansy raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Divorce is much easier to obtain in the muggle world. If they don't do any kind of magical ritual he can easily walk away from her."

"For his sake, I hope the baby is his."

"After finding out he isn't a wealthy pureblood, I'm sure she'd use any out she could."

Pansy nodded, "I'm off to enjoy the day with my paramour."

"Have fun."

"I will." Pansy waggled her eyebrows.

While Riddle seemed tolerant of the machinations everyone hoped were occurring at the Manor, Dumbledore complained against it. Mostly because of the location. He mentioned several times he would prefer Hermione, and more importantly, Harry spend more time with families in the Order of Phoenix at Grimmauld Place or, even better, the Burrow. Almost like he had forgotten the events of the previous two years.

The Order met frequently at Grimmauld Place with some changes. Molly Weasley no longer commandeered the kitchen, instead Kreacher created platters of finger food for people to enjoy during the meetings, rather than eating a heavy meal before or after. With Hermione's assistance, Snape, Sirius, and Remus managed to make peace with their pasts and move beyond it. While they might never be the best of friends, they were able to coexist in a friendly manner. Ron often glared at Snape while stuffing his face, muttering under his breath about greasy gits.

Since turning seventeen in April, Ron made a big production of being able to attend meeting, especially since, Harry, still sixteen, could not. When Molly had begun bickering over it with Sirius, Harry had stepped in. He shrugged and told Sirius it didn't matter. "I all ready know most of what's going to be discussed. And what I don't, you'll tell me anyway." Hermione made just as big of a production as Ron in keeping Harry company. Despite prodding from Dumbledore, Ginny refused to attend the meetings to visit her fellow Gryffindors.

In the meetings, every time Sirius or Remus attempted to bring up horcruxes or compiling a list of Death Eaters to watch, Dumbledore interrupted and changed the subject. Eventually others began having side conversations to circumvent this. Order members watched the seeming mental deterioration of Albus Dumbledore with sadness and trepidation.

Professor McGonagall reported her intentions to spearhead leadership at Hogwarts. Sirius and Augusta Longbottom agreed to help support him at the Ministry. "So sad to watch two savage curses slowly destroy a once great man." Augusta remarked.

"We just need to finish this war so he can be remembered as great, not crazy." Sirius agreed, despite his personal thoughts that perhaps Albus had always been a bit off.

Late one evening after a meeting, the wizards of Black Cottage and Hermione sat at the kitchen table discussing the locket. Kreacher dropped a platter in shock, the crash startling everyone. "Master has Master Regulus's locket? Master can destroy the nasty bad locket?"

"Um, well, Hermione and Harry can."

"Mistress is most splendid, bestest addition to noble House of Black. Kreacher will get nasty bad locket for Mistress."

"Thank you, Kreacher." Hermione said hesitatingly. The old elf popped away.

"Does anyone else wonder what he'd be like if he had a portrait of Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione shuddered, "Let's not go there."

"I more worry that if Sirius ever marries he'll refuse to call her mistress."

Kreacher popped back in the room, handing Hermione Slytherin's locket. "Mistress will help Kreacher obey Master Regulus."

"Wait, what?" demanded Sirius. Over the next hour an emotional house elf relayed Regulus Black's last days and his final instructions to Kreacher.

Sirius sat slack jawed in shock. "Reggie regretted it?" he asked no one in particular. "Why didn't he tell me?" He looked at Remus with sorrowful eyes.

"Would we have listened? We had a lot going on, Peter's erratic behavior, Lily and James hiding, my secret missions."

"Still." Sirius protested.

"Stop," Harry insisted, "you can't blame yourself for the things others do. There are hundreds of things everyone could have done differently. You made the best decisions you could have at the time."

"Well said!" Hermione cheered.

"I've heard many variations of that speech numerous times over the years." He stood, "Glad to finally be the one to give it, nice change of pace."

The diary, the ring, the locket, possibly the cup, that left two more Horcruxes. Dumbledore's lessons suggested Riddle's obsession with Hogwarts' founders. Harry's previous use of Gryffindor's sword ruled it out. Research suggested Ravenclaw's missing diadem to be the perfect item. "But it's been missing for centuries." Hermione explained. "And I have no idea what the last one could be."

"You know, in the flashes, Riddle seemed really attached to his snake." mused Harry.

"Wasn't it his familiar?"

"No, it felt deeper than that, like they were connected somehow."

"You don't think?"

"I don't know." Harry shook his head. "Can living beings be turned into a horcrux?"

"I don't know. I'll have to research it." She sighed. "More research on top of NEWTs."

"You know you love it." Harry bumped her shoulder playfully.

"I wish the topic could be more varied, evil dark magic, so repetitious." She pressed the back of her hand against her forehead and fell backwards onto the couch in a dramatic fake swoon.

For Dudley's seventeenth birthday Sirius offered him the same big party Harry would be getting a month later. After much consideration, he declined. "I'll wait. Next year is when all my mates will expect one, and I don't need two. I know what I would like instead." He paused.

"Hit me, pup."

"I would like a nice dinner with my girlfriend. The whole family: Harry, Tracey, Hermione, Theo, Remus, and Tonks." When Remus started to protest, "Moony, please. The only one trying to deny this is you. The Nile isn't just a river in Egypt, pharaoh." Everyone laughed as the werewolf sputtered.

"Where were you thinking? Local? London?"

"Nah, nothing fancy. Since travel is so easy for wizards, I was hoping we could go to Gloucester. Aunt Marge took us to a pub there overlooking the canal. I remember liking it."

"I'll see if we need reservations."

"And, uh, maybe no presents at dinner, keep things low key." Harry reached over and pinched Dudley. "Ow! What was that for?"

"To see if I was dreaming."

"You're suppose to pinch yourself, git."

"More fun this way." Harry grinned cheekily.

By arrangement, Dudley and Pansy arrived at the restaurant first procuring a table outside overlooking the canal. Hermione and Theo arrived next, the couple all ready in know. Sirius, Remus, and Tonks joined them next. The adults had no real negative interactions with Pansy or her family beyond those of the Wizengamot. The adults joined to conversation seamlessly, inquiring about Pansy's summer and making small talk. Tracey and Harry found the group laughing over Sirius's latest prank on Thoros Nott.

"My father is usually so cautious, how did you sneak babbling beverage past him?"

"Soaked the parchment in it. Because it isn't a deadly threat or love potion, the scans miss it. Then he just has to hold the parchment long enough for it to soak into his skin. Which is why Moony wrote the last letter in flowery hard to decipher chicken scratch."

Harry stepped up to the table, "Hi, guys, Parkinson," he nodded, "if it was chicken scratch how can you tell it is flowery." He did a slow double take of the table. "Parkinson? Dud's secret girlfriend is Pansy Parkinson? How? Why? Forget that, how?" He plopped down onto an empty chair.

Pansy looked nervous, but Dudley took her hand, smiling encouragingly. "I think, initially, her original intention may have been to prove witches superior to muggles, but the longer we debated the more fascinating she became."

"We'll spare you the details, needless to say, I was wrong and I've never been happier to admit it." She grinned adoringly at Dudley. Harry threw his head back laughing. Everyone looked at him in amazement.

He struggled to recover. "Sorry, sorry. It's just that when Hermione first started making nice with Draco's friends we agreed no Pansy. No offense, Parkinson. Now Dudley, of all people, is the one to bring her into our lives!" Pansy was the first one to join Harry in his laughter, followed by Hermione.

Dudley frowned at his cousin and pseudo-cousin, until Pansy touched his arm. "He's right, bunny. Two years ago if you had told me I'd be nervous excited to meet Potter and Granger at a muggle pub for my muggle boyfriend's birthday, I'd have laughed my arse off, then hexed yours." Dudley relaxed. "Now, do that thing to wave over the server so we can order." She gave him a dazzling smile.

The waitress quickly took their orders. The conversation turned to discussing Dudley's final year of school and his ideas for plans afterwards. "I won't lie, I never really thought about it. I never expected to get beyond basic schooling. Dad always hinted there would be a job from me at Grunnings, as thrilling as that would be, I think that ship has sailed."

"Have you considered university?" Hermione asked.

"Not sure that's for me. While my grades are improved, only just in the last few years. I'm considering looking into trade schools." He shrugged.

"Dudley? Is that you, my darling Dudders?" The table looked over to see a large, imposing woman waddle towards them. "Oh, my little Diddykins, how are you? Oh, my sweet boy."

"Aunt Marge?" Dudley stood looking uncomfortable.

The woman latched onto him, hugging him tightly. "You're so skinny! Aren't they feeding you? Are those horrible people mistreating you?"

"No! Harry's godfather has been wonderfully supportive. And I'm not underweight, I'm a healthy weight. It was nice to see you, but we're having dinner." He attempted to push her away.

"Oh, Dudders, don't be like this. I know I should have come to get you sooner, but.."

"Look, regardless of your reasons, you didn't, and I did. Dudley has asked you to leave, please do so." Sirius stood.

"You just want him for the government check."

"Actually, the check goes straight into an account for Dudley when he graduates. It was going to be a surprise." He flashed a smile at Dudley. "I don't need any more money. I agreed to take him in because he needed some place to go."

"He should be with family."

"He is." Hermione said flatly.

"Real family."

"He is with real family, his mother's family." Harry stood coming to stand next to Dudley.

"With criminals you mean."

Dudley looked at the other diners, all staring at drama unfolding. "Look, Aunt Marge, Mum signed all the paperwork for me to stay with Sirius until I graduate. I want to stay with him, he's been great to me. I would like to go back to dinner, now."

Marge opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Pansy. "Look, troll, Dudley asked you to leave, so you have two options, walk away now, or force me to get management to throw you out. I know which one I'll enjoy."

"How dare you..."

"Easily, what little I know of you, I don't like. And you are upsetting Dudley, who I am rather fond of. And I excel at dramatic scenes." She turned Dudley around and gave him a gentle push towards the table. "Now, what will it be? Of you own volition, or by force?" Sputtering in rage, Marge retreated. Pansy kissed Dudley's cheek as she retook her seat. "Nobody is going to ruin my bunny's party."

"Thanks, Pans."

"You're welcome." She steered the conversation towards more neutral topics. That evening, before flooing home,
Pansy apologized for her behavior over the years, and promised to continue being more open minded in the future.

A month later, Sirius held a huge informal party for Harry and Neville. It became a joint party when the Marauder discovered Augusta had planned a lavish formal event for Neville. The Potter elves had learned about swimming pools from Winky and decided the manor needed one. So, the informal party lasted most of the day, and involved butterbeers, bikinis, and floaties.

Augusta invited numerous potential political allies and associates. Since Sirius included Neville in his party, she insisted on honoring Harry along with Neville. Once glance at the boys in their formal robes, and most people knew which party the boys enjoyed.

Hermione sipped her drink, watching the guests mingle. Just because she understood the importance of networking and glad handing didn't mean she enjoyed it. Augusta joined her, grinning madly. "I can't say which part I enjoy more, watching Black wind Nott up, or knowing for all his bluster, he wants the alliance more than he wants his next breath."

"Oh dear, what did Sirius tell him now?"

"He practically demanded Nott renovate their entire estate. Then when you move in, Thoros moves out. Newlyweds needing privacy and all that."

"He's going to push him too far."

"Pish. If Theodore declared himself a homosexual, Thoros wouldn't care a fig so long as the next sentence announced your brother was his lover."

"I might have something to say about that."

"Undoubtedly, my point is that while some pureblood families would disown their own for it, if it tied his house to more power, he wouldn't care."

Hermione smiled at Harry having a pleasant conversation with Pansy and Daphne Greengrass as a cover for Draco and Fay to flirt with each other shamelessly. Despite an invitation and Harry pleading, the Davises declined to attend. Mr David felt their presence would remind some people that his half blood daughter stood in the way for some proper pureblood girl from becoming the next Lily Potter. "Because the last one wasn't a muggleborn, and Harry isn't a half blood," had been Sirius's comment on the matter.

Excusing herself, Hermione left Lady Longbottom and headed for the buffet table. She selected a plateful of snacks and found herself a spot to eat. A deep voice startled her. "Such a shame we seem to be missing some faces."

Hermione forced herself to smile at Humphrey Warrington. "I'm sure many people had prior engagements."

"And some people have just vanished it seems."

She allowed her smile to falter, and wrinkled her forehead in concern. "Has something happened?"

"You know very well my son is missing, since you helped him run away." he snapped.

She felt the mental push of someone trying to scan her mind and raised her shields. "I'm very sorry to hear that. Cassius is a lovely person and a good friend. I hope he returns soon."

Humphrey loomed over her, "That should be easy for you to arrange."

"Mr Warrington, I don't know what you are talking about. I have no idea where Cas is."

"Look, your harmless act may work some of the others, but there are those of us that know what you are doing. Your attempts to undermine pureblood traditions will not be tolerated any longer."

"As I have no idea what you are talking about, I'm going to excuse myself now. Have a nice time, Mr Warrington, I hope Cas contacts you soon." She fled as quickly as she could without drawing attention to herself. She spent the rest of the party surrounded by family or close friends.