A/N Welcome to the next chapter. Things are getting really exciting. So exciting I barely have an author's note!
Thank you all for being here. It fills my heart with joy to know there are people enjoying this story and I hope you continue to enjoy the coming chapters. Happy reading!
You know the drill.
"Did Dumbledore know Quirrell was hosting the Dark Lord when we were first years? And what about the basilisk? Surely he was aware of that too?"
"It is highly improbable Dumbledore was unaware of what occurred. He is incredibly controlling despite his relaxed exterior. It was likely a test for the three of you. To see if you were going to be able to survive the war he thrust you into."
"I don't understand. We're just kids. Why are we fighting a war that isn't even ours?"
"Dumbledore is too proud to admit that this series of wars is his fault. He knows he has no chance of defeating the Dark Lord should there be a confrontation. However, he does believe in Potter's prophecy and will do anything to ensure the Dark Lord does not win. That includes sacrificing children. To him, this is all an extreme game of Wizard's Chess."
"How are the wars his fault?"
"Dumbledore met the Dark Lord back when he was a child by the name of Tom Riddle. He was raised in a Muggle orphanage despite being half-blood. The other children were cruel to him because he was so different and that caused him to despise Muggles and his Muggle heritage. When Dumbledore offered him a place among other witches and wizards, he seized the opportunity. In the beginning, Tom only wanted Dumbledore's approval, but Dumbledore never acknowledged his accomplishments. He was foolish for ignoring a young man clearly in need of guidance but at the time he thought it was the best course of action. No matter how well Tom did, Dumbledore continued to ignore him and it drove him to learn dark magic. He had so much anger and hate in his soul that he grew incredibly powerful before anyone realized. He garnered the support of most pure-blood families in his crusade. That was the beginning of the First Wizarding War. The Dark Lord's body was destroyed, but his soul was not and it was only a matter of time before he rose again."
"What about Bellatrix? How did she become his most loyal?"
"I believe that is something you should ask her. I don't know how she would take me telling you and I don't know the full story. I would rather not supply you with false information."
"Right. Different question then. Is Harry a Horcrux?"
"So, you know about those?"
"A little. They were briefly mentioned in the first book I read. It seemed like a logical conclusion that the Dark Lord created them if his body was destroyed but his soul wasn't."
"Indeed. It is possible Potter is a Horcrux, though it is nearly impossible to tell at this point in time."
"What exactly does the Dark Lord intend to do if he wins? I know the Order wants everything to stay the same even though there are obvious problems."
"The Dark Lord wishes to create a society where the value of a witch or wizard lies in their skill. This was not his goal in the First Wizarding War. In the first war he was so blinded by his rage he wanted to destroy everything Dumbledore stood for. After he was vanquished, he had years to think about what he really wanted."
"That's not at all what I was expecting. What about all the purebloods that rally behind him? They want this society too?"
"To my knowledge, yes."
"How come everyone always says the Dark Lord wants to eliminate or enslave muggleborns and half-bloods, then?"
"I do not have a definitive answer for that, but I speculate that the light is twisting the Dark Lord's desire to get rid of the blood-caste system in a way they can use to their advantage. In a way, the Dark Lord does wish to eliminate muggleborns and half-bloods. But not in the sense that he wants to kill them. In the sense that he wants to get rid of status based on blood."
"But what about the raids on Muggle towns and the deaths and everything else?"
"The Dark Lord values loyalty and skill. Many of those killed are people who betrayed him. As for the raids, those happen only to places that attack witches or wizards when they try to coexist. Key facts are purposely left out because Dumbledore can't put his pride aside and admit his way is not the best way. Make no mistake, Hermione. Neither side is what they seem to be. They both have light and dark. The difference is how much they embrace the truth."
"Does the rest of the Order know this information? Do they willingly side with Dumbledore knowing all this or is he manipulating them, too?"
"It is possible some members of the Order are aware of the true nature of the dark side. Moody likely knows. Sirius as well. The Tonks' are likely unaware seeing as Andromeda would probably side with her sisters if she knew the truth. I cannot speak for the Weasley's."
Hermione frowned at this information, twisting the ring she had glamoured to look like a lion with ruby eyes. It was a lot to take in and it was contrary to everything she had been told. She knew it was the truth. Snape lived both sides of the coin and he would not lie to her because the truth would reveal itself in time anyway. She had always disliked Moody and Sirius, and they were never really pleasant to her either.
"Do Moody and Sirius know I'm the heir of Morgana?"
"If Dumbledore knows, it would not be unlikely that they know as well."
"That explains a lot. I got the sense that they never liked me very much. To be fair, I never liked them either. But I kind of got the feeling that they were waiting for me to turn evil. And they were always quick to discount my ideas if it involved even a little bit of magic they weren't accustomed to."
"In that case, they likely are aware. They are also very misogynistic and would hate for a woman to have a better idea than them. Even Dumbledore is more sexist than he lets on. I believe that's enough for today. Your Occlumency is improving at a rate I haven't seen before. Not many can hold a conversation and defend their mind. There are still weak points. Watch your temper, it only makes those points obvious."
"Thank you, Professor, I will continue to work on that."
Hermione had taken to working with Snape in the mornings before her run. This was the first day she was able to keep up her barriers while having a conversation. It had been vexing at first. Snape was extremely adept at Legilimency and Hermione was easily lost in her thoughts and at the beginning, she dragged him through her head rather unknowingly. Snape did not go easy on her. He pushed her past her limit, but never took things too far. She was growing to actually like the Potions Professor. His company soothed Hermione. His demeanor, although harsh on the exterior, was steady and calm, something she needed after everything she had learned in the last week.
Classes were no trouble for her at all, they never were. It was spending time with her friends that was most taxing. If Dumbledore hadn't nudged her, would she still have made friends with Harry and Ron? She had reasoned she would still be friends with Neville and possibly even Ginny because she actually enjoyed their company. But would they have ever talked to her if she hadn't met Harry and Ron? Wouldn't she have just been the know-it-all that everyone secretly despised?
"Hermione, are you gonna join us at The Three Broomsticks for butterbeer? Surely, you're far enough ahead that you can spare an hour or two," Harry asked, watching her critically. He noticed the witch seemed more withdrawn lately.
"That sounds nice Harry. I think I could do with some time away from schoolwork."
"I'll say! We never bloody see you anymore. You're always doing homework and never hanging out with us," Ron whined.
Leave it to Ron to ruin a perfectly good moment, Hermione thought bitterly.
"I know. That's why this Hogsmeade the three of us are going to enjoy ourselves," she faked. Ron looked about to say something else, but a quick elbow from Harry stopped him. She silently thanked him, sure that if Ron said something she might lose her fragile temper. She really needed Bellatrix to respond so she could deal with this. She was unused to so much anger in her body. Normally, she was a very rational person and did not let her emotions best her. Now, though, even the smallest thing irritated her to no end.