A heavy weight seemed to lift off Hermione's shoulders as she traveled up the steps to the door of 12 Grimmauld Place. This was her home, her safe place, and she was glad to be back even if she had been feeling trapped there in the more recent months. She had moved in with Harry six months ago, mostly at his and the Weasley's request, after her losses. Ron had been taken from them seven months prior during a mission to interfere with Death Eaters' plans, only a week after she received notification that her parents' memory was, as she'd feared, irreversible. For nearly three years, she had been in contact with a magical medical clinic in Australia, seeking help for restoring her parents' memories. Not only did she feel like she'd lost her parents, but she also lost Ron in a much more permanent way. To be positive she was safe, and to keep her from spiraling into a darker place than she already was, Harry and the Weasleys convinced her to move into Grimmauld. It wasn't strange living alone with Harry- she didn't count Kreacher, who for the most part, ignored her except to give snarky side comments or dirty looks- and she found small amounts of comfort in knowing he was safe as well. With Ron's passing, her parents' memories, and her depressed state of being, however, he had been overbearingly protective and not allowing her to participate in Order business lately. She braced herself for the onslaught of questions as she opened the door.

"Where have you been?" Harry asked, grasping her upper arms as soon as she stepped through the doorway. Kreacher must have alerted him to her return.

Hermione looked up into the face of her best friend, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the way his glasses hung askew on his nose. His green eyes were wide and wild with panic. She'd seen the look before. Stepping closer to him, she wrapped her arms around his middle and after a second, he was hugging her back. "It's okay, Harry," she said. "I'm safe, see?"

He took a few deep breaths before stepping back, his expression appearing a smidgeon calmer than a minute before. "Hermione, where were you? You didn't even tell me you were leaving yesterday."

"You wouldn't have let me," she told him, shrugging off her cloak and hanging it on a hook by the door.

"I would have gone with you!"

"I don't need a babysitter, Harry."

He looked offended. She leveled him with a glare and he sighed. "I'm sorry. I know that. I just…" he trailed off, not sure what he could say that hadn't already been said in previous conversations.

"I know," she replied, looping her arm through his as she guided him down the hall to the kitchen. "So let me tell you what happened over some breakfast. I'm sure you haven't eaten since yesterday morning. I'm honestly a little surprised the Weasleys aren't-"

"Hermione Granger! You are in so much trouble!"

Too soon, Hermione thought. She'd just been thanking her lucky stars the Weasley family wasn't there when Ginny's voice rang out, sounding so much like Molly. She glanced up the stairs to see her best female friend standing at the top with her hands on her hips, George behind her looking equally mad. The kitchen door to her left suddenly opened, Molly and Arthur appearing in the doorway. "Hermione's back?" Arthur demanded.

She groaned internally. Molly ripped her from Harry and crushed her in a hug, repeating the phrase "We were so worried about you" over and over. Arthur hugged her next, telling her he couldn't believe she hadn't owled anyone sooner. After everyone seemed to get their disappointment in her out of the way, about ten minutes later, they were seated at the kitchen table with an assortment of breakfast foods.

"Now, tell us what happened," Molly started. "Traces of your magic were found in the alley next to Florean's, but the trail stopped there."

Hermione started the story with her exit from the bookshop, then finding Fenton and the Death Eaters. "I was going to bring him here, but he startled me and took my wand, apparating us away before I could. He took us to an infirmary at a manor. You'll never believe who showed up then," she said.

"Who?" Ginny asked, her anger at Hermione having subsided.

"Draco Malfoy."

"What? No one has seen him for over a year," Harry said around a mouthful of bacon. Hermione's assumption that he hadn't eaten in nearly twenty-four hours had been correct.

"I think I know why. He's working with The Snake King," Hermione said. "That's where Fenton had taken me. He lives at the manor that's headquarters for The Snake King. It's where I stayed last night." She continued on, even telling them about Midge and then her visit with the 'king' himself.

Everyone around the table stared at her in stunned silence. George was the first one to break it. "Wait, you know who The Snake King is?" he asked.

"I wouldn't say that. He wore a mask that covered most of his face and I didn't recognize his voice. I never asked Malfoy, but I'm almost positive he knows the man behind the mask," she replied.

Arthur opened his mouth, about to say something when there was a tapping sound at the window. They all looked to the window to find a dark grey owl pecking at the glass. It was not a familiar owl. Molly got up to let it in, untying the letter from its leg. It wasted no time in retreating outside and flying away. Reading the name on the front, the older witch brought the letter to the table, reaching across a plate of toast and holding it out to Hermione. "It's for you," she said.

Written across the front, in green ink, was her name. She flipped it over to find it sealed with a snake imprinted in wax. She knew who it had to be from. Carefully breaking the seal, she lifted the flap on the envelope and pulled out the parchment inside. Unfolding it, she decided to read it aloud:

"Dear Miss Granger,

It was a pleasure meeting you this morning. From what I've seen and heard over many years, you are a very smart and skilled witch. As I said this morning, we are on the same side, despite our differing approaches.

I would very much like to offer you a place here at the estate. It would please me if you came to help us research and stop the remaining Death Eaters. This offer is for you alone; it is not an offer to partner with The Order of the Phoenix.

You are too capable to stay hidden away as they have kept you in the last year. Please think about what I offer. My owl, Darvi, will return at sunset for your reply.

Yours,

The Snake King"

Hermione looked around the table to gauge everyone's reactions to the letter. Harry looked like he might yell. Arthur, not one to anger easily, also appeared agitated. The vein in his forehead throbbed slightly. Molly shook her head in disbelief. Ginny and George appeared surprised.

"Who does he think he is? We are trying just as hard to stop these Death Eaters. 'You're too capable to stay hidden away.' What does he think you do here? Nothing?!" Harry asked, his fist banging on the table.

Hermione stood up slowly, folding the letter and placing it back in its envelope. She knew he wasn't really upset with the letter, but with himself. He, once again, took the burden on his shoulders and blamed himself for the rogue Death Eaters still around. He blamed himself for being unable to capture them all.

"Harry, that's exactly what I've been doing here for the last several months and you know it. None of you," she looked around the table but the Weasleys wouldn't meet her eyes, "have let me in on any of the meetings or missions."

Molly reached out to touch her arm. "Hermione, dear, we've just been worried about you," she said softly.

"It's been seven months since I lost them, Molly. I know I'll never fully get over it, but I am strong. I am capable of helping just as much as the rest of you. You lost another child and yet no one babies you or makes you stay behind and worry while everyone else is out on a mission!" Something wet dripped on her hand and she reached up, touching her cheeks and feeling the tears that she hadn't realized she was suddenly crying.

"So you want to go help The Snake King?" George asked, his tone giving away the confusion he felt at Hermione's reaction.

"Right now, he seems to be the only one getting things done. As much as I don't like his methods, I don't think it would be a bad idea if one of us is on the inside of his operations," she said. "I know he said he didn't want to partner with The Order, but maybe I could change his mind. Or at least, gain some useful information."

A pair of arms wrapped around her and Hermione turned her head. Ginny had moved to stand beside her. "If that's what you want to do, 'Mione, I support you. I agree- it's time we let you help us again," she said. "Merlin knows, you're the smart one."

The other Weasleys murmured an agreement to do the same, though Molly and Arthur looked unsure. Harry still seemed irritated, running his hand through his hair and cleaning his glasses. He fidgeted a lot when he was annoyed or nervous. "I don't like it, Hermione. But I know you're a grown witch and capable of taking care of yourself. If you think it's safe, then I'll go with it," he told her.

Hermione nodded, understanding Harry's concern at letting her go. He was all she had left and vice versa. Her stomach tightened into knots; she wasn't even sure why she wanted to go back to that estate. She figured it mostly had to do with the mystery behind the wizard who called himself The Snake King.