A/N: Greetings my dear readers! I've missed you all and I have a feeling you've missed me, or the continuation of this story. I've been working on this chapter for a while now, trying to get the events to flow the way I wanted them to. I was stuck until an idea was thrown at me that I couldn't resist. As I'm sure many of you are aware, Hurricane Dorian is inching closer to the US, and its impact and landfall may affect future updates. If any of you are predicted to be affected by it, I hope you are prepared and stay safe.
As always, thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Lupin paced the small hallway of Grimmauld Place, debating with himself. Sirius and Moody were his friends, but he was concerned by the actions they wanted to take. Hermione had done nothing but good since the end of the war, and he was surprised at everything she had done. His companions, however, were convinced she was planning something more sinister. Lupin couldn't find it in himself to agree with them. He had taught Hermione and she had always been a bright student searching to make things better. Even knowing of his...affliction she had done him no serious harm even when he almost ate them at the end of the year. So no, he wasn't concerned about her actions and he saw no reason he should be. As much as Sirius and Moody did not want to admit it, Hermione was on the right side of the war, as much as a war could have a right side. This brought him to his current dilemma. Sirius and Moody wanted to take control and reverse what Hermione had done, possibly making it worse. He had evidence of this in his own memories of their meetings. He hadn't necessarily been entirely privy to the two wizards' meeting, but he had managed to overhear bits and pieces. Slowly, he had been collecting the pieces of their plan and debated telling Hermione. He was afraid to betray his friends, even though they would turn on him in an instant if it suited them. He knew he had no reason to fear Hermione or anyone in her company so long as he told the truth. He knew that with Hermione in charge, however much she wanted to deny it, he would not be discriminated against for being a werewolf. Hermione needed to know the truth, the question was whether he was ready to go against everything and everyone he thought he knew.
With a heavy sigh, Lupin conjured his Patronus, sending a message to Hermione. He Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, retreating to the shadows to wait for the young witch. Minutes passed and he almost thought she wouldn't come, but just as he was about to stand, she appeared in front of him, grabbing his arm and Apparating them to Malfoy Manor. Lupin blinked in surprise, regarding the library Hermione had brought him too carefully. He was a little grateful it was just him and Hermione, he wasn't sure if he could handle other people. Hermione gestured to the chairs, offering her former professor a seat. He took it graciously, seeming to collect his thoughts before speaking.
"Sirius and Mad-Eye are planning on winning control and undoing what you've worked for," he confessed at last.
"I recently started suspecting that, but I don't have any proof," Hermione said, settling into the chair across from Lupin, "Out of curiosity, why are you telling me? Aren't they your friends, don't you agree with them?"
"Well, if I'm being honest, they don't treat me like a friend very much anymore. And I like the direction you're taking. People with my...condition are usually discriminated against and it's difficult to keep a job and go out in public. Werewolves aren't exactly beloved. But watching what you've done, and having experienced your kindness and fairness firsthand, I think I'm right to place my trust in you. This world needs to be better, and you're the one making it that way. I don't know how much help it'll be but I can extract some memories for you to use."
"I don't know if that will be enough for whatever I should do with them."
"You should challenge them, run against them or endorse someone else," Draco said as he entered the room.
"I don't suppose you're the only one listening just outside the door?" Hermione asked, a knowing smile on her face.
"I think you already know the answer to that," he answered before continuing, "Rather than going through the trouble of collecting evidence or whatever, just beat them. After that, it'll be so much easier to get what you need. They're technically traitors, right? They'd go to Azkaba- I mean, prison."
"I don't want to be Minister, Draco."
"Well, it doesn't have to be you, Hermione. Whoever you endorse would easily be the favorite," Lupin said, understanding where Draco was going, "Even if that person happened to be a werewolf."
Hermione hummed, nodding slowly, "There would definitely be a lot of people that won't like that."
"Well, sure, but once you show your support it wouldn't be a problem. For whatever reason, 'Mione, everyone wants you to lead them. Choosing whomever you support is the next best thing," Draco shrugged.
"This could be...either catastrophic or revolutionary," Hermione whispered.
"Or both," Draco added cheerily.
"Thanks, Draco," Hermione laughed before turning to Lupin and asking, "How do you feel about running for Minister?"
"Intimidated. I think, though, if you support me, I could do it."
"This won't be easy. But, it should be somewhat fun, maybe," Hermione said.
"That's the spirit!" Draco cheered.
"I'll be with you to announce it, Lupin. Whenever you're ready. You can stay at any of my properties if you don't feel safe with them. I know you don't have many places to go."
"I'll be sure to let you know when I'm ready. I'll have to gather my courage," Lupin said with a smile, trying not to show the worry he felt.
Before he was about to turn on his heel, Hermione added, "Thank you. For coming to me."
He nodded with a smile, turning on his heel and disappearing with a loud crack. Draco sidled over to Hermione, slinging an arm around her shoulder. He offered his other hand, waiting until she took it to Apparate them to Black Manor. When she reoriented herself, she saw Ginny and Tonks waiting for them. Seeing them arrive, the pair walked over, hugging them both before waiting for their instructions.
"What are you guys doing here?" Hermione asked, laughing.
"We're here to help. Honestly, Hermione, I thought you were the brightest witch of our age," Ginny teased jokingly.
"Wouldn't be the first time The Daily Prophet got something wrong," Hermione responded.
"That's too true. So, where do we start?" Tonks asked.
"What do you think the surprise is?" Bellatrix asked her sisters, each of them lounging in the library.
"I don't have a clue," Narcissa said, "Despite how hard I've tried to get one."
"I don't know either. Out of all of us, I'd think it would be you that would know, Bella."
"As easy as it would be to use my connection to Hermione to find out, it would kind of ruin the whole thing. And I hardly track her magic or thoughts. I'll know when she's in trouble. She's my soulmate, my equal."
"We know that, obviously. I meant it like she can't deny you anything, so if you asked she'd probably give you a hint at least."
"There's no way. Hermione loves Bella, but when it comes to surprising any of us she'd never let anything slip. Whatever it is, it has to be big, she and Draco have been working on it for a long time," Narcissa added.
"Even if we guessed right, do you think she'd tell us?" Andromeda asked.
"She'd try not to, but she'd give it away on accident," Bellatrix said.
"Well, what could it be? Certainly, something that requires a lot of work," Narcissa mused.
Bellatrix's eyes lit up as an idea flashed through her mind. It was brief, but she knew it was right. "Something like restoring a property?"
"You don't think they would really do that? What am I saying, that's exactly like Hermione," Narcissa said.
"What else could it be? If it were one of her properties, she'd have asked us to help. What better surprise than restoring where we grew up? We all hate it, sure, but we could never hate it after they worked so hard," Andromeda added.
"Hermione would never leave that place the same as it was. If that is what she's doing, it won't be the same place we grew up in. It'll be something new."
Minerva held the sealed letter in her hand, debating whether to send it or talk in person. The proposal she had for Bellatrix was urgent. She had already discussed with the other members involved. Briefly wondering if she was crazy, Minerva sent the letter via owl. She wanted what was best, and she knew this was the right decision. Bellatrix was stubborn, and a little unpredictable, but there was no better person for the job. She had changed immensely over the years, and she was most definitely capable. All Minerva had to do was get her to agree.