Hermione really didn't want to bring her friends to the Headmaster's office. If she had her way, they wouldn't be involved at all. What she wanted less however, was to see Derek Nott and Regulus Black in his office when they got there.
"Sir, excuse my language but what the hell?" Sirius said honestly taking the words right out of Hermione's mouth. Regulus rolled his eyes and turned his face forward. Sirius looked like he could attack his brother right on the spot.
"Thank you all for coming. If you could take a seat," the Headmaster indicated to the insane amount of chairs across from his desk. Hermione was watching him with narrowed eyes. What was he playing at? She was even more confused when she saw the other members of the Order behind him including Professor McGonagall.
"Dumbledore." Hermione warned, in a voice that she hadn't ever used directed at a teacher before. Everyone in the room turned surprised eyes on her. Remus was still looking at her like he didn't know her at all.
"Miss Granger all will be explained in due time. Things have changed, our summer plans will be altered. You will all be going home tonight." If anyone was surprised, they didn't say anything. Except Hermione, she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"Why are they here?" she demanded, honestly not knowing which 'they' she was referring to. Dumbledore steepled his fingers and everyone held their breath waiting for him to explain.
"I think you know why Mr. Pott-"
"They are too young. This isn't right." She knew she was being rude but she didn't care. She was so blindingly angry she was vibrating.
"They have proven themselves tonight." Hermione stood up, unable to stop herself and put her hands on Dumbledore's desk.
"I won't allow it." He studied her over his half-moon spectacles.
"That isn't your choice to make. It's theirs." She felt frustrated tears in her eyes and could have stomped her foot. Then there was a hand on the small of her back and her anger only somewhat deflated. It was then she remembered there were two other people in the room.
"And the other two?"
"You need someone to get into Malfoy Manor for you don't you, Granger?" Nott asked with a raise of one dark eyebrow. Her shock must have been all over her face.
"The Lestrange Vault?" If what they were getting at was true, she needed them to confirm it. This time it was Regulus who answered.
"Vaults open by blood magic. I happen to share blood with my dear cousin. It just took a little … help from someone on the inside." Hermione could have passed the fuck out. That's how shocked she was. What on Earth had she done to change something this drastic?
"Why?" She had no glances to spare for her Gryffindor peers but if she did, she would have seen the most confused faces to have ever graced Hogwarts. Nott, ever the Slytherin, didn't let his expression change from one of boredom but Regulus had distaste written everywhere.
"Not all of our beliefs align with our families," Nott explained. "Some of us would like to see some things change." His eyes flicked over to Marlene for just a fraction of a second. One would have missed it if they weren't looking for it. Hermione was. Marlene was a half-blood, hardly worthy of his family's approval.
Not that she had any sort of affection for him.
"So," Hermione said, ripping her gaze from Derek Nott's face she turned to Dumbledore, "where does that leave us?" Hermione still didn't like it.
"They are all of age, Hermione." The use of her first name and that hard smack of truth hit her like a stunner to the face.
"It's exactly what I came here to prevent! If they die then it was all for nothing!" She slammed her hands on his desk.
"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall admonished which is the only thing that seemed to get through to her. Hermione seemed to deflate and fell back into her chair, running her hands over her forehead. She thought that she was going to cry but nobody said anything.
"I can't let it happen again," she whispered. "I won't."
"Let what happen again, 'Mione?" It was Peter of all people to break the silence. She turned broken eyes on him. He was the caused the whole chain of events to begin with. He destroyed everyone here. He killed them all.
"Don't, Miss Granger," Dumbledore warned.
"Let you all die."
oOoOo
Mr. and Mrs. Evans were confused but thrilled that their daughter and Hermione were early. It didn't matter that it was the middle of the night. They pulled them both into giant hugs and fixed them a midnight snack that made Hermione's throat feel tight. She missed her parents. She hoped that whenever they were, they were happy.
Lily put on an excellent act of introducing Hermione and pretending that she hadn't just dropped the bombshell of a lifetime on her. Dumbledore refused to allow her to continue, letting the group come to their own conclusions about how she knew about their deaths. Hermione figured that they thought she was come kind of seer… well except Lily, she was too observant for that.
And Remus who hadn't even said good-bye.
"Well girls, we'll leave you to it," they said after a cup of tea. "Lily make sure Hermione gets all settled in. Tomorrow we'll show her all around and have her meet Petunia. Hermione we're so happy you are staying with us this summer."
"I am so thankful for everything, Mr. and Mrs. Evans." They smiled and gave them one more round of hugs before turning in for the night. Lily and Hermione stayed at the kitchen table for a minute. There was a breadbox on the counter that Hermione's parents had in their own kitchen. It made her heart seize in her chest for just a minute.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Lily asked in a quiet sort of voice. Hermione sighed and fiddled with her tea cup. She wished that Remus were here but was also extremely happy that he wasn't. He hadn't even had a chance to kiss her goodbye – not that she thought he would have wanted to.
"Not really but I'm sure you have questions." Lily nodded.
"Is it okay if I ask some?" It was such a Harry thing to say that she could have cried.
"Only if you understand that I won't answer all of them." Hermione watched her face. There were shadows from the kitchen light, but it was easy to see that even though she didn't like that answer, she accepted it.
"Are you a Seer?"
"No." That was an easy one.
"Have we met before?"
"No." Another easy one but also terrible.
"Had you met any of us before?" Hermione thought about this one. She guessed she could answer it without giving too much away.
"Yes." It was a quiet word. One that was almost punched out of her. Lily sucked in a breath.
"Why did you want Remus to get me and James out of the Great Hall? Why was that so important to you?" Hermione turned surprised eyes on her, looking up from the table. She didn't think she could have heard her over all the yelling.
"I can't answer that." Lily wasn't happy with that. She pursed her lips and Hermione could actually see her having to restrain herself from asking again.
"Who is going to save us all?" Lily's green eyes were wide and open. Hermione looked at them and before she could stop it, a tear leaked out of the corner of one of her own eyes. She imagined that if Harry and Ginny had been able to have a baby girl, she would look just like Lily – all fire and emeralds.
"My best friend. His name is Harry."