The Silent Herald

To ensure only Ministry approved, age-appropriate materials are provided to students, the Ministry of Magic passes Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four.

This states that:

All media on the premise of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry must be approved by the Hogwarts High Inquisitor. This includes, but is not limited to, textbooks, reference materials, and magazines. Any student in possession of unapproved media will be subject to disciplinary action.

Hermione put the Daily Prophet down, unable to stomach it further. She pressed her hands to her eyes. Siria rubbed Hermione's shoulder, unsure of what else to do.

"What's it mean though?" Ron asked. "She can't read every book in the library to see if it's okay, can she?"

"I suspect she doesn't have to," Siria said. "I mean, chuck out the restricted section then bring in some Ministry goons to sort through for her."

"Don't you understand?" Hermione's voice shook. Siria pulled her closer. Hermione trembled. "That horrible, awful woman is shutting down the Herald and trying to get Lumos banned from the castle."

"After a paper like yesterday's, you can't blame her, can you?" Ron shook his head and loaded more bacon onto his plate.

"Honestly. I'm surprised it took them this long," Siria said. "You published the school rules in the first issue and then basically reminded her the whole school saw what happened in the graveyard."

"I just," Hermione clenched her fist and looked to the enchanted ceiling. "I just didn't expect to lose the Herald so soon." Though Hermione returned her gaze to level, she did not see anything before her.

"So, you knew Umbridge would take the paper?" Ron asked.

"Yes."

"But you're all…" he gestured to Hermione with his fork and knife.

"Just because I knew it was a price we'd pay does not mean I am not allowed to be upset over it," Hermione snapped.

"It's just for the year," Siria shrugged. "Who knows, maybe the Dark Arts position's jix will get to her early."

Kreacher Apparated into the girl's dorm late on Thursday evening. Lavender gave her usual gasp of surprise. The greying elf extended a small flap purse with a long strap. There was a tag sized note attached to the bag, which Siria smiled at. The fastener of the purse had the same design as Siria's trunk.

"Told you he couldn't stay mad at me," Siria smiled at Hermione. "Thank you, Kreacher." She hugged the house elf. "Is your reply in there?"

"And Mistress's things," Kreacher croaked. Siria kissed the top of his bald head. She swung the purse out to Hermione.

"Kreacher, are you still willing to meet us at Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked.

"Kreacher is always happy to meet with Mistress," Kreacher said.

"Thank you," Siria said. "It's probably a chore to visit, but I don't want our letters read."

"Kreacher is happy to be of service to Mistress," said Kreacher.

"Sirius isn't working you too hard, is he?" Siria asked.

"Master does not work Kreacher. Kreacher does chores for Mistress, so Mistress's home will be ready to welcome her," he said.

"Please take care of yourself," Siria requested. Kreacher nodded. He stayed for a small cup of tea before he left.

"I always love his visits," Parvati confessed. "I was a little wary, at first— him being a house elf and all, but he's quite sweet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione snapped.

"I'm used to them being rude, Hermione— I'm a half blood," said Parvati.

"I am too," said Siria.

"But you're 'Siria Potter' escaped You-Know-Who how many times now?" she waved it off. "They're a lot nicer to you than me."

"You ought to go down to kitchens with Hermione," said Siria. "They'll treat you like a queen."

Hermione shook her head, as she rummaged through Siria's purse. Without asking, she turned Siria's trunk and marched inside. Siria sighed. She leaned against the side of the trunk with her head dangling over the stairs.

"Make sure to put my ingredients to the side," Siria called into the trunk. Hermione was too absorbed in her own world to reply. Madam Pomfrey offered to buy the ingredients, but, if Siria failed again, she didn't want it to cost someone else. The Matron humored her, but it put Siria's second attempt on hold.

There was something soothing about the sounds of Hermione's mutters and thoughts of the Hospital Wing. They were like a melody she forgot she knew. Like waves, the mutters rocked her into a dark stairwell.

Siria's footsteps were silent as she dashed down the stairs. She hurried into a long hallway that ended in a black door. It was a very plain door. Something about it made her stomach twist and her mind turn. Siria hungered for something on the other side.

To be so close to her desire. The knowledge could feed her for a week or two. It was essential though. She needed it. Siria rattled the door. She needed to know! How could she proceed without it? That had been her mistake. If she could just— but it did. The door gave and opened.

"Siria!" Hermione hissed and flicked Siria square on the forehead. "You're impossible! If you're going to sleep, at least do it out of the way." With a groan, Siria sat up and rested her head on her knees. She felt her dream leaving her, but had been so accomplished. It was so gratifying to finally… what had she done?

"What?" Siria asked through a large yawn. Hermione rolled her eyes. She pulled Siria onto her feet.

"Can you sleep alone?" Hermione grumbled while she half stumbled Siria into her bed. Siria nodded and rolled over. "You're impossible, you know. You're neck is going to be a complete wreck tomorrow," Hermione said as she massaged at Siria's neck.

Siria curled into a ball. It hurt. She pulled the blanket over her and guarded her neck. Hermione sighed from Siria's bedside. "Don't blame me when you can't turn to see the Snitch," she tsked. The sound of Hermione's footsteps stomping down lead Siria back into the dark, old stone stairwell.

Hermione was awake and surrounded by ancient looking books when morning came. She did not appear to have left Siria's trunk. Hermione did not notice Siria when she entered. Instead, she flipped through the pages of a very fragile looking book.

Five potions simmered away. Two of which Siria knew to be early on Polyjuice Potion, though one was much smaller than the usual batch. They both already had the strange burnt walnut scent to them. To their left was the unmistakable and extremely difficult Vitality Potion. Mrs. Warrington taught them the Potion over summer and gave them each a small, compact dose of it. Siria did not recognize the other two, which were identical as far as she could tell.

"AH!" Hermione screamed and clattered into the desk she was using. Siria's attention snapped to Hermione as she removed the earplugs. "I— I didn't hear you," Hermione gasped. "I don't know about these afterall," she confessed and placed the earplugs down. "How do you get by without being sneaked up on?"

"I only wear them when I have you and Ron with me," Siria said. "Though I'm a little worried about doing that too…" she sighed at the neon earplugs, while she massaged her stiff neck.

"Anyways," said Siria. "What's with all the Potions?" She waved her arm at the table.

"Oh, well, I'm trying a few things out," Hermione said. "One's very complicated, so I'm trying two. I figure, if I mess up on one, I'll at least get the second… I hope. I may start another each month, but I don't want to go overboard."

"What do you mean 'start'?" Siria asked. Hermione sighed and turned back to the old book.

"It takes time to brew…" then Hermione muttered something.

"What?"

"Six months."

"Six months? Are you brewing gold?" Siria asked. She stepped closer to the other two cauldrons.

"We'll certainly see, won't we?" Hermione said.

Siria pulled up a stool to sit beside Hermione. There was a large pot of still warm tea beside a simple teacup and saucer. Beside the teapot stood a minuscule bottle of glowing, yellow liquid. Calling it a "bottle" was generous, as it was smaller than her pinky finger. She reached for it, but Hermione swept the bottle up and clutched it to her chest.

"Are you running again this morning?" Hermione asked. "You ought to head out, if you want to bathe before breakfast."

"R—right," Siria said. Hermione held the bottle in her left fist and put her hand on the old black book.

"Are you going to the Hospital Wing today?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. I'm stopping by after breakfast," Siria said. "She thinks we're almost there with it…" Siria clicked her tongue. "Hermione, whatever it is you're up to, in here, you can tell me, when you're ready," said Siria.

"Thank you, Siria, but it's nothing," Hermione put on a smile that sank Siria's heart like a cannon to a ship.

"Course," Siria nodded. She took a few steps backward before she turned and left the trunk.

Fay Dunbar ran around the Great Lake with Siria. Neither spoke. The girls stretched out before their second lap. Siria sighed.

"This might sound weird, so sorry if it does," Fay began, "but I like that we can just run. We don't have to talk about boys— or girls, or school. So, thanks, if that makes sense." It did make sense. Siria appreciated Fay's company for the same reason. There were times when Fay did talk or when Siria asked something, but never pried and there was no obligation to reply.

They ran until Lily Moon and Susan Bones sat down on the steps. Lily Moon wore a huge, pink padded coat and a navy knitted cap with navy and white pom pom ball strung to its top. Siria beamed at Lily Moon as she held a towel out to Siria.

"Thanks, but I'm really sweaty," Siria wiped her forehead. Her face burned with the blush of cold and Lily Moon.

"You don't 'ave one, right?" Lily Moon asked and raised it closer to Siria's face. "Please." Siria bit her lip. She rubbed her cheek against the part of the towel in Moon's grasp. Lily Moon's face matched her hair, but she patted Siria's face with the towel.

"See ya, Potter-Black!" Fay shook her head and waved as she marched back into the castle with Susan Bones. "Honestly." Siria chuckled. She accepted the towel from Moon and hung it around her neck.

"So, you like running?" Lily Moon asked as they took their time with each step back to the castle.

"I's okay," said Siria. "Mostly, I do it for dueling," Siria confessed. "Cass— Cassius that is— is really good at silent casting. Honestly, I'm kind of rubbish. If I focus and have time, I can, but, in a duel…" Siria absently rubbed her cheek with a corner of the towel. "Until I can cast silently, I have to be able to beat my opponent in speed or outlast them." Lily Moon squeezed Siria's hand.

"I'd love to see you duel, for fun, some day," Lily Moon said with her eyes on the muddy grounds. "Could I watch you run?"

"You could run with me," said Siria, "but I expect watching would be boring."

"Oh, I don't think I'm much one to run, but…"

"Then I'd love for you watch, when it's not too cold," Siria batted pom pom of Lily Moon's hat. She paused and Moon jerked back.

"Moon, would you want to learn to duel?" Siria asked in a quiet tone and without looking at her.

"Of course," said Lily Moon.

"But," Siria looked around then dropped her voice and leaned in close. "Would you want me to teach you?" She blinked, shocked then nodded.

"Yes. I'd love to," Lily Moon said. The beautiful smile she wore sucked the breath from Siria's lungs.

"How are you with secrets?"

"Siria Potter-Black, what are you planning?"

A book zipped from the tall shelf, across the room, and into Siria's hand. She stacked it with the others. Siria had a pile of books almost to her hip. Again, Siria extended her hand to the shelf and pulled as she thought "[Come here]!" Another book flew into her hand and she placed it on the pile.

She lifted up a different book and examined the symbol on the page. With a finger, Siria drew the symbol on the top book of her pile. "[Stone]," Siria thought while she finished. The top book turned to stone. Her emerald eyes searched from the book of her page to the stone book.

"Can we talk about the fact you can cast silently in anything that isn't English?" Maddy asked. "It's kind of weird."

"Thank you, Maddy," Siria sighed. She flicked through the open book.

"It is rather odd," Hermione confessed over the rim of her own book. "Have you given thought as to why?"

"I can focus on it?" Siria asked as she shook her head.

"You haven't been able to use it in a duel," said Patricia, "which is where I would expect your focus to be at its best."

"Is everything ready for tomorrow?" Siria asked to change the topic. She tapped the stone book with her wand. It remained stone.

"Did your Potion work?" Maddy asked. "You seemed really unsure."

"Even if it doesn't, Hermione's jinx will," said Siria.

"Then, are you having second thoughts?" Alice asked. She reclined on a long chair and bounced a rubber ball off the wall and back to her.

"No," Siria snapped and gave the book another tap. It returned to normal. "I just…" she drummed her fingers on the stack of books. "I…" Siria squeezed her eyes shut and raised her head toward the ceiling. "It's just that I… it's nothing," and she opened her eyes to drop her head at stare at the top book.

This was the path Siria decided on back in Grimmauld Place. Mrs. Weasley would never have to face the reality of her boggart. There wasn't room for uncertainties.

When Alice, Maddy, and Patricia left the Room of Requirement, Hermione and Siria returned to the Gryffindor common room. Something struck Siria hard in the stomach the moment her feet touched the ground. Siria groaned and looked down and the mousy brown hair of Colin Creevey. His large round eyes were wide with panic.

"Episkey!" Siria said with her wand pointed at his nose. Blood continued to pour from his nose. She knelt down. "Colin, what happened?"

"I— uh," Colin held his nose and looked over his shoulder. Fred and George jerked for the door.

"FRED! GEORGE!" Hermione and Siria shouted. They froze as though stunned, and were not the only ones. Younger students and even some of their age or older, stilled. Hermione glared and pointed to the spot before her. Fred eyed George, but the two raised their hands in surrender and walked to the girls.

"They gave him one of their snackbox sweets," said Ron.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Hermione bellowed at them. Siria clenched her fists so tight, she was surprised the skin remained unbroken.

"It was an accident," said George.

"Meant to give him the second half of a Nose Bleed Noguet," said Fred.

"But might've given him a Blood Blisterpod," said George. [B5, 293]

Siria pressed her sleeve to Colin's nose. "Urgh, you're going to need a Blood Replenishing Potion, let's hope the Room can make those."

On the way to the Room of Requirement, Siria flicked one of her compact mirrors opened and closed. Cassius answered while Siria ripped a Potion from a cabinet and stuffed it into Colin's hands. George helped Colin by taking the cap off the bottle.

"Fred is going to tell you everything in these stupid, foolish 'Blood Blisterpods' and you're going to tell Hermione how to fix it," Siria said. "Please," she added.

"Why didn't you take him to Madam Pomfrey?" Cassius asked.

"Madam," Siria slapped her forehead. "Dobby!" Siria called, "Dobby, please!"

CRACK!

"Miss Siria Potter-Black!" Dobby bowed. Siria knelt down beside Dobby with a hand on Colin's shoulder.

"Dobby," Siria said, "Dobby, could you please take Colin to Madam Pomfrey?"

"Of course, Miss," Dobby nodded and took Colin's hand. Siria squeezed Colin's shoulder then let go. Dobby disappeared with another CRACK.

"How did you know he'd come?" Ron asked. "Winky!" He called, but the small house elf did not appear. "Winky!"

"Ron!" Hermione snapped and whacked his arm.

"I didn't," Siria confessed, "but Kreacher's free and he'll Apparate when I call too." Siria turned to Cassius's face in her compact.

"I'm so sorry," she said. "I panicked when I saw the blood and how pale he was."

"It's fine, but we should take care of those Blood Blisterpods," Cassius said. "I'll be there as soon as I can." He disappeared from the mirror. Siria crotched down on the floor.

"Why did you even give him one?" Siria snapped at the twins.

"We told you," said Fred,

"We thought it was the cure," said George.

"Why— did— Colin— need— it?" Siria asked through gritted teeth. Fred and George shared a glance that caused sparks to fly from Siria's wand.

CRACK!

Dobby appeared down by Siria's pant leg. She knelt back down to stare at his eye level. "Miss Siria Potter-Black's friend will be fine," Dobby squeaked. "The Hogwart's Matron has stopped the bleeding."

"Thank you, Dobby," Siria breathed with relief. "Is there anything I can do to return the favor?"

"Dobby is happy to help Miss Siria Potter-Black," said Dobby.

"How about a new pair of socks?" Siria asked. "They're still your favorite, right?"

"Socks are still Dobby's favorite, but he does not wish to trouble Miss Siria—" Dobby stopped when Siria raised her hand.

"Please, let me do something to show my thanks," she requested. "Is there anything you'd like?"

"Dobby would like more yarn, if Miss Siria does not mind," confessed Dobby, as he rocked on the balls of his feet. "Dobby has been making lots of socks for all the house elves."

"Yarn it is," Siria promised.

When Cassius entered, Dobby left. The twins poured over their ingredient list with Cassius, Hermione, and Siria. Siria mostly watched with Ron as the others prepared ingredients. The Room of Requirement summoned a table covered in candy molds. They poured the Potion into the molds. George waved his wands over the table and the Potion solidified into chocolate like consistency. Fred ate a sweet from his pocket and blood poured from his nose. He ate one of the new ones and it stopped.

"You know, you aren't as poor at Potions as you let yourself believe," Cassius told Siria as he packed the supplies back into the cabinet. She gave a short nod, but did not reply. Siria linked arms with Hermione.

"See you," Siria nodded to Cassius. She left with Hermione.

"Honestly, I can't believe I just helped them" Hermione grumbled. "You know, I swore to write to their mother if they tested them on first years?"

"What?"

"You were on another of your runs, but yes," Hermione confessed. "Now they're using third years and Colin, like that's any better." She sighed rested head against Siria's arm as they walked. "I reckon they might stop if you tell them too."

"Won't it make everything more suspicious if George and Fred aren't getting into some form of trouble?" Siria said. "I mean, the castle would be too quiet, at the least." [B5, 253-254]