Chapter Four

"You will act respectfully towards the House of Black at all times. If there is any indication that you are spreading mistruths about this House, or if you are informing other wizarding families about our secrets, this betrothal arrangement will be publicly annulled with immediate effect." Walburga peered up from the long roll of parchment in her hands and gave her a pointed look over her intricate spectacles. "Your reputation as a witch will be in ruins, regardless of this arrangement only being for show. Is that understood?"

Hermione nodded and swallowed. Her throat was parched from extreme nervousness as she sat in the study with Walburga, Orion and Sirius while they went over the betrothal arrangement. "I'm unfamiliar with any of your secrets, I swear," she insisted quietly. "All I've heard about the House of Black is from people who are not part of this family. I know only rumours, nothing more."

"And it will stay that way." Walburga cleared her throat, focusing once again on the long list of rules before her. "Vault seven hundred and three has been set up under the name Hermione Granger Black. You have access to it, as well as Orion and myself. Absolutely no one else." She frowned before continuing, "You've been given a small allowance that will accumulate periodically. That is to say: four times per year. I trust it will be substantial enough to sustain you for quite some time, given that you are living here at Grimmauld Place with your betrothed until you finish your education."

"Once I do finish my time at Hogwarts, am I to move out?"

Walburga looked to Orion who had been sitting silently next to her.

"That is something that we will have to come back to at a later date, Miss Granger." He gave her a tight smile. "It will depend on where we are with the mission."

"Of course." Hermione relaxed a bit.

"Normally, the betrothed witch wears a ring from the family she is marrying into." Walburga looked at her with poorly hidden disgust. "However, we must remove any potential curses on the ring before you are to receive it due to your blood status." She frowned. "We've also had to take the ring to a curse-breaker and jeweler that we don't usually associate with. It will take quite some time for this particular individual to complete the task."

"How long?" Hermione asked Lady Black curiously. "Will I have it in time for when I leave for Hogwarts?"

"If not before, it will be soon afterwards." Walburga shook her head in displeasure. "We will send our eldest an owl with the ring to give to you." She narrowed her eyes at Sirius, who was sitting next to Hermione.

"Did you want me to make a big show of it?" Sirius asked his mother quietly. "Or do something more private?"

"Private would be best," Orion answered him instead. "Officially, the ring is being cleaned for Miss Granger as it is older and hasn't been worn in a few centuries." He focused on Hermione. "Once you accept the ring from Sirius, you will be protected by the House of Black."

Hermione nodded, but otherwise remained silent.

"What do you mean exactly?" Sirius asked his parents. "Are you talking about symbolic protections for Hermione, or real ones?"

"Both." Walburga frowned at the question. "To an extent, at least. Obviously the ring cannot physically shield Miss Granger from most spells cast her way, should the need arise. However, she doesn't appear to need any help in that area of defence." She gave Hermione a pointed look, obviously thinking back to a few days earlier when Hermione had appeared out of nowhere in the drawing room.

"Most pure-blood families wouldn't dare attack you, Miss Granger, if you are," Orion gestured with a hand as he thought of the right word, "properly welcomed into the House of Black."

"And the betrothal ring illustrates my belonging in your family." Hermione nodded slowly. "That explains the symbolic protections, but what are the real ones?"

"The ring that Orion and I have picked out for you will protect you from the effects of Veritaserum and Amortentia, as well as the most commonly used poisons," Walburga informed her. "I highly suggest that you never remove the ring once it is on your finger. Albus Dumbledore was most intrigued when we paid him a visit the other day." Walburga paused. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if he were to invite you for tea in his office under the pretense of welcoming you to Hogwarts, where he then spikes your drink with Veritaserum to find out more about you, Miss Granger."

"The lemon drops are spiked too, I'm sure," Sirius muttered under his breath. "I always get more talkative when I have one of those things. It's bloody annoying." He chuckled quietly. "I rambled on about my Transfiguration exam when I was waiting for mother and father to show up after the Snape incident. I think it really irked the headmaster. Snivellus too."

"Have you got a ring to protect yourself from Veritaserum?" Hermione asked him curiously.

He gave her a smirk and a nod as he held up his left hand. "Look closely."

Hermione frowned. She hadn't noticed him wearing any jewelry. "Which finger is it on?"

"Middle."

She focused her attention on his middle finger and gasped when she was suddenly able to spot a black ring. "Have you always had this?" she asked him as she peered at the intricate detailing of the ring.

"I've worn it since I started Hogwarts," Sirius told her quietly. "It's been invisible unless pointed out by me since the winter break of my first year. I asked mother and father to allow me to do that as the presence of my ring in the Gryffindor common room was a talking point." He shook his head. "Most pure-bloods in Gryffindor don't bother wearing their family rings as far as I can tell, which is very strange considering it leaves them susceptible to being manipulated by far more cunning individuals."

Hermione frowned. "The use of Veritaserum is against the rules at Hogwarts. Isn't it?" She looked to Orion and Walburga and then peered with concern at Sirius. "I mean, my Potions professor made some during my fifth year after being ordered to do so by this horrible witch who had temporarily taken over as headmistress. But, I remember reading that use of it is controlled by the Ministry."

"Since when has Dumbledore listened to the Ministry, dear?" Orion raised a brow at her in question.

"But… why?" Hermione shook her head. "That's what I don't understand."

"His Greater Good. He wants information he can use for his ridiculous Order of the Phoenix," Walburga told her curtly. "Sirius would have plenty of information about various pure-blood families and their true allegiances as well as their thoughts on Dumbledore." At Hermione's look of confusion, she elaborated, "Each Christmas, an old pure-blood family hosts a gathering of sorts. This year the House of Black will be honoured with the tradition. Everyone present will be able to enjoy priceless wine and delicious food, and talk about politics without fear of any negative repercussions. Many families with opposing views are present, Miss Granger. It isn't just the Sacred Twenty-Eight in attendance, other pure-blood families will attend as well."

"Important issues are discussed at these gatherings first, before they're brought up in official channels like the Wizengamot," Orion informed her. "It's how most things get done."

"I had no idea." Hermione frowned at the information.

"Perhaps this Christmas Sirius can formally introduce you to a number of families," Orion suggested quietly. "You'll have six months to prepare for the scrutiny you'll undoubtedly be put under." He looked between Sirius and Hermione before nodding curtly. Decision made. "I think that is a fair goal to work towards, Miss Granger."

"Are there any families that you're uncomfortable around?" Sirius asked her curiously.

Hermione swallowed. "Lestrange," she chuckled quietly at Walburga's knowing smirk. "And… Dolohov."

"I cannot prevent the Lestrange family from being included because of Bellatrix. Although my niece and her husband only occasionally take part," Walburga informed her. "However, the Dolohov family will not be invited."

Hermione exhaled slowly, relieved at the slight compromise. She'd deal with Bellatrix when the time came. "Thank you." She frowned once again. "I don't think they'd come, but… can you also leave out the Weasley family?"

"Is there something we should know about them?" Orion asked her curiously.

Hermione shook her head. "No. It's just… I grew up with the Weasleys. I went to school with most of their children."

Walburga gave Hermione a nod of her head before rolling up the scroll of parchment and handing it to her. "I highly suggest you read through what is written in this agreement over the next week. Then you can sign it and return it to myself or Orion for safe-keeping."

Hermione hummed curiously at the order. "Alright." It seemed like a lot of official parchment work for something that was supposed to be only for show. She clasped the scroll in her hands and cleared her throat. "Is there anything more you wish to discuss?"

"Wilton Tofty in the Department of Magical Education has sent your O.W.L. results to Hogwarts," Orion told her. "You'll be receiving your letter along with Sirius and Regulus shortly."

"What classes do you plan on taking for your sixth year?" Walburga asked her curtly. "What did you take during your O.W.L. year?"

"All of the core classes, of course," Hermione informed her quietly. "For my electives I took Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures. But, I think for sixth year this time around, I'll drop Magical Creatures if that's alright."

Walburga nodded her approval.

"How're your grades?" Sirius asked her with an eyebrow raised in question.

Hermione sat up straighter in her chair. "I've received an Outstanding in each class except Defence Against the Dark Arts. There I received an Exceeds Expectations."

"What is it that you find difficult about Defence?" Orion asked her as he rubbed his chin in thought.

"It's not that I find it difficult. Not really." Hermione shook her head. "I was rudely informed by my sixth year Defence professor that I wasn't succinct enough in the written portion of my O.W.L. examination and instead attempted to hide my insecurities as a Muggle-born by being an insufferable know-it-all."

"What a git!" Sirius complained incredulously. "Thank Merlin there's a bloody curse on the position. Was he fired at the end of the year? Or killed?"

Hermione opened her mouth to answer him, but was halted by Orion.

The wizard cleared his throat. "I assume your professor was a pure-blood individual with similar views to that of this family."

Hermione hesitated. "Half-blood actually," she corrected quietly. "And my Defence professor wasn't exactly wrong either. I tend to be very verbose with my written answers. I'm like that with all of my classes. I've always been that way." She frowned, thinking of the inscrutable Professor Snape. "I believe it was his way of telling me to keep my head down and at least try not to draw attention to myself. You-Know-Who had unofficially taken control of the Ministry by the start of my sixth year."

"He was warning you to not show all your cards," Orion muttered quietly. "Slytherin?"

Hermione grinned. "Of course." She shared a look with Sirius who was staring at her thoughtfully. "What?"

"I'm just trying to work out who you're speaking about, that's all." Sirius ruffled his hair.

"You don't need to know everything, Sirius," Walburga reminded her eldest son.

"Right." Sirius rubbed his face tiredly and sighed. "Is there anything else we need to cover today? Or can I leave?"

"We're finished… for now." Orion gestured vaguely. "But, I'm certain we'll have more to discuss at a later date."

Hermione watched as Sirius practically leapt up from his seat and left the study without a backwards glance. She peered at both Orion and Walburga and slowly rose from her own chair. "I'll… um… I'll read over the arrangement and get back to you both within a week with any questions I may have."

Walburga gave Hermione a gesture indicating she approved of her plan. "Miss Granger," she called out to her once she reached the door.

Hermione turned to look at the witch in question.

"That colour suits you."

Hermione blinked in shock at the compliment and peered down at her periwinkle blue blouse and matching wide-leg trousers. "Thank you, Lady Black." She frowned. "It's a favourite of mine."

She exited the study and instantly spotted Sirius standing at the top of the staircase. He gestured for her to follow him and the two began the slow trek all the way up to Sirius' bedroom on the top floor of Grimmauld Place.

Hermione followed quietly behind him as he slipped into his room. "What is it?" She watched as Sirius sat down on the edge of his bed, clutching something small in both hands.

He looked up at her question and threw her a grin. "Can you shut my door?"

Hermione frowned but did as she was told. "What's going on?" she asked him quietly once the bedroom door was closed.

"Have a seat next to me, Granger." Sirius wasn't looking at her, instead he was grinning at the item in his hands. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

"Who?" Hermione asked as she sat down tentatively next to him on his four-poster bed.

"He can't hear us yet," Sirius told her as he pointed to the mirror in his hand. "I've got to touch the mirror just here," he pointed to a small leaf etched into the frame.

Hermione couldn't help but peer in shock at the face grinning and waving at the two of them. She hid her mouth behind her hand and gave Sirius a jerky nod of her head. "Alright."

"You're sure?" Sirius alertly checked in. His concern was evident on his face.

Hermione nodded once again. "Yes. I just… I didn't expect this to happen so soon, that's all." She cleared her throat. "Go ahead."

Sirius tapped the discoloured leaf with his index finger. "Prongs," he cheerfully greeted his best friend. "This is my betrothed I was telling you about last night. Hermione Granger." He gestured to the face in the mirror. "This is my best friend, James Potter."

"Miss Granger," the face in the mirror greeted her with a cocky smirk and a wave before quickly fixing his crooked glasses as they slipped down his nose.

Hermione opened and closed her mouth, unable to find her voice. "Potter," she settled on after a moment. She couldn't help but take in all that she could see of the young man. He had dark, messy hair just like her former best friend, but his glasses were rectangular instead of round like Harry's. James' chin was less pointed than his son's, and his nose was a bit longer too.

She exhaled shakily. Harry must've gotten more from his mother than just his eye colour.

"Are you certain we can trust her with our little secret, Padfoot?" James asked his friend.

"I do," Sirius quickly responded. "She's good, I swear."

"I-I thought you said that you had no friends," Hermione blurted out the first thing her scrambled mind could piece together. A statement that Sirius had said to her when they'd first met. "You said that you'd burnt that bridge entirely." She peered at Sirius in question.

James' laughter rang out from the small mirror. "The first thing that you need to know about your betrothed, Miss Granger–"

"Hermione," she corrected quickly.

"Hermione," James grinned up at her. "The first thing you need to know about Sirius is that he is a dramatic git. We just had a little fight, that's all." He raised a brow at Sirius. "He's still my best mate even if he is a complete arse most of the time."

Hermione couldn't help but grin at the young man sitting next to her. "Dramatic, he says." She thought of the first time she had met Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack in her third year and began to snicker. "I'll have to agree with Potter."

Sirius' face split into a wide grin. "Ganging up on me already. I'm heartbroken, little lion."

"Little lion?" James asked amusedly. "He's already given you a nickname." He sighed dramatically. "I do hope you know how to cast a silencing charm, Hermione, because your betrothed most certainly doesn't."

Hermione could feel her cheeks heat at the insinuation. "Your comment makes the assumption that I'll be sorted into Gryffindor, and who says I will be?" She raised a brow in question. "I can assure you, I won't be paying Sirius a visit in the middle of the night, I'm sorry to say." She smirked at Sirius whose own cheeks were pink with embarrassment. "It would be too far of a walk for me if I were to be sorted into another house. In fact, given that the House of Black has officially confirmed this particular long-standing betrothal arrangement with my family, it makes more sense if I was sorted into Slytherin, would it not? And I've heard from Regulus that the Slytherin common room is all the way in the dungeons. A long, long way from Gryffindor Tower."

"And you're…" James blinked in shock and cleared his throat. "You're sure we can trust her?"

Sirius chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair. "I am." He sighed tiredly. "Why did you call, James? Is something going on?"

"Yeah… mum and dad said that we're supposed to be getting our Hogwarts letters either tomorrow or the next day." James made a point of looking between Sirius and Hermione. "Would you be able to meet us in Diagon Alley next week some time?"

"Us?"

"Me, Moony, and Wormtail." James frowned and scratched his chin. "Actually, I'm not sure if Peter can make it, his grandma is really sick."

"Again?"

"Does that happen a lot?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

James grimaced. "Sort of. She lives with Peter and his mother. She's been sick off and on for the last year or so."

"Oh," Hermione frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that." She tucked that piece of information away for the time being.

"I should be able to," Sirius said quietly after a moment. "I'd like to talk with Remus, if he's willing to listen to me."

"He said he was open to it actually," James reassured him. "I just came from his place and he mentioned that he got your letter, but he just didn't have enough energy to reply." He frowned as he narrowed his eyes at Hermione. "He's sick too. A bad flu."

"Of course," Hermione nodded in understanding. It was really none of her business as far as James was aware. She cleared her throat. "Will your mother insist on coming to Diagon Alley with us?" she asked Sirius.

He shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Then what if Regulus and I get our school stuff while you and your friends catch up?" Hermione suggested quietly. "We can meet up later in the day. Go for a late lunch at the pub?"

Sirius nodded slowly. "That might work. I do need to get some new robes, but you and Reggie should be able to just charge my books to the family account."

"So we can plan for some time next week then?" James asked the two of them.

Sirius nodded once again. "Yeah. I'll let you know what mother says over the next few days."

"Great!" James grinned. "I gotta go now… mum is calling for me, but we'll talk later, Padfoot. Alright?"

"Of course."

"Bye Hermione," James smirked at her.

"Goodbye James," Hermione murmured quietly just as James disappeared from the small mirror.

...

...

"Someone's coming," the headmaster hissed to her as soon as they landed on the Astronomy Tower. "You must hide, Miss Granger."

Hermione took off towards a nearby alcove, still clutching her broom, and hid in the darkness as the sound of the footsteps running up the spiral staircase reached nearer and nearer.

She spun around, wand at the ready, just as Dumbledore hit her with a non-verbal Body-Bind Curse. She huffed quietly as she tipped slightly against the wall. The back of her head hit the stone tower, preventing her from falling onto her back.

"Who're you speaking to?" a familiar voice broke the tense silence just as a shadowy figure reached the top of the tower. The perpetrator's wand was pointed at the headmaster, waiting for him to make the first move.

"Oh… just myself, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore sadly told Hermione's childhood friend. "Wondering where I went wrong."

Hermione blinked and tried to control her breathing. She didn't understand why Dumbledore hadn't tried to disarm Harry.

"Your actions got my parents killed. How about you start there," Harry snidely responded to the headmaster. "Got Sirius locked up for a crime he didn't commit. You. Did. Nothing."

"Harry," Dumbledore pleaded as he leaned against a tall pillar, the effects of the potion in the cave were still obviously wreaking havoc on his body. "Whatever Lord Voldemort has told you is most likely a lie. He's using you. You must realise that."

"Expelliarmus!"

Hermione watched as Dumbledore's wand arched high in the air before it was snatched effortlessly by Harry.

Harry twirled the newly acquired wand once, twice, before tucking it in his cloak pocket. "You were the Chief Warlock," he countered. "You oversaw all the trials. You knew Sirius never received one, yet you still locked him up."

"A mistake," Dumbledore admitted. "A grave error in judgement on my part, yes. But, I truly believed him to be guilty of mass murder. I believed him to be Lord Voldemort's spy in the Order."

"Yeah, I know. All because of his last name."

Hermione watched as Dumbledore peered down at the stone floor, unwilling – or perhaps unable – to argue.

"You did nothing to help my parents either. Or Neville's. Not really," Harry continued. "You got their friends to become secret keepers." He snorted, shaking his head. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It should've been you."

"The fidelius charm is very difficult to–"

"THEN YOU SHOULD'VE GOT FLITWICK TO PERFORM IT!" Harry roared at him. His voice breaking. "Your actions got me locked up in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years!" His wand hand was shaking with anger. "You knew every day what I had to deal with and you ignored it. All for your Greater Good. All so I'd view you as my saviour." He shook his head as a cluster of footsteps began to rush up the stairs to join them. "You knew about the repeated burns. You knew how they withheld food from me. You were well-aware the Dursleys tried to beat my magic out of me. I've seen the Accidental Magic records at the Ministry, Headmaster. You knew everything."

"Harry, please…"

Hermione heard a low chuckling as three more people joined Harry and Dumbledore on the platform. She strained her eyes to try to get a better look at the hooded figures. A fourth person came up the stairs behind the new arrivals and began a slow inspection around the Astronomy Tower.

"That's it, Potter," a cool voice – Dolohov, Hermione believed – encouraged as he came to a stop beside Harry. "Just as I taught you," he reminded him. "The same as what you did with Bellatrix."

Hermione held back a whimper as the first of her tears began to splash down her cheeks. There was no way for her or Dumbledore to get out of this predicament.

"You stole everything from me!" Harry yelled at the headmaster. "Everyone!"

"Please… don't… Harry."

The figure inspecting the Astronomy Tower came to a stop directly in front of Hermione.

She gasped sharply in fear. She had been found.

The figure took a step closer and Professor Snape's face was illuminated in the distant moonlight. He raised a finger to his mouth and stepped away from Hermione once again to join the rest of the group.

"The headmaster appears to be alone," Snape effortlessly informed the group of Death Eaters.

"Wonderful," an unknown male commented dryly. "Potter… this is the moment of truth. Do it. Now. We've got no time to dawdle around, reinforcements have undoubtedly arrived by now."

"Severus," Dumbledore strained as he leaned heavily against the stone pillar. "Please…"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Harry yelled out. The bright green light sped from his wand and hit the headmaster square in the chest.

Hermione watched, wide-eyed and breathless, as Albus Dumbledore arched and fell over the edge of the Astronomy Tower.

An unknown Death Eater laughed and cast the Dark Mark high in the sky. Letting the world know they had killed yet another.

Hermione slid down the stone wall as the Death Eaters, including Harry, rushed back down the stairs.

She screamed her best friend's name as she was shaken by unseen hands.

"Harry!" Hermione cried out before she could comprehend the bright light of her bedroom.

"Calm down, it's just me." Hands brushed the hair off of her face. "It's Sirius."

Hermione gasped as she took in her surroundings. Orion, Walburga, and Regulus were huddled together by her bedroom door. Sirius was touching her face and tucking her hair behind her ears as he knelt in front of her by her bed.

Hermione took another deep breath.

"It was just a bad dream," Sirius muttered to her. "It was just a nightmare."

Hermione's bottom lip wobbled. Her throat constricted. "No..." she forced out. "Memory." Her tears continued to splash down her cheeks. Her breathing was laboured.

Sirius sighed and muttered something underneath his breath. He sat down on Hermione's bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Regulus… can you bring me some Calming Draught and a small bottle of Dreamless Sleep?"

Hermione pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes, trying desperately to clear the images flashing through her mind. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she turned slightly into Sirius, allowing him to continue to comfort her. Her heart continued to race from her memory of the night on the Astronomy Tower.

"Why are you so kind to me?" she gasped, wanting to forget about her dream. She wanted to talk about something else that had been bothering her for the last week since her arrival.

"Because… I'm just a kind person," Sirius murmured jokingly to her. His chest rumbling against her cheek.

Hermione watched as Walburga murmured something to Orion before leaving the room. Lord Black sighed tiredly and sat down in the chair at Hermione's little desk.

"No." She shook her head. "You're all so accepting. I don't understand." She sniffed, wiping at her cheeks. "I'm a time traveller. I've come with horrible news and you all've welcomed me without much question." She swallowed. "It doesn't make sense to me."

"That time turner you had in your possession belongs to the House of Black, Miss Granger," Orion told her quietly. "Time travel is not unheard of in this family."

"I don't understand," Hermione repeated.

Sirius tucked her hair behind her ear and sighed. "I grew up hearing a lot of stories about my family," he began quietly as Regulus re-entered the bedroom carrying two vials. "Both Regulus and I did. Mostly about the cosmos. The stars and galaxies and the meanings behind their names." He uncorked the vial of Calming Draught and helped Hermione swallow it down. "My name, for example, means 'glowing' in Latin, or 'burning bright' in Greek. When I was a little shit, before Hogwarts, I was told by many family members that my name is a name for a leader." He chuckled dryly. "Of course, nowadays those same people tell me I'm an abomination to this family, but that's neither here nor there." He sighed. "'Sirius' is often associated with canines throughout history. In both magical and Muggle history, so I've been informed."

"The Dog Star," Hermione murmured as the effects of the Calming Draught began to take hold. She wondered where Sirius was going with his impromptu lesson.

"Yes, exactly." Sirius cleared his throat. "Regulus means 'little king'. A perfect name for him, I think. He fits it very well."

Regulus grinned sheepishly at the compliment.

"Along with the stories about the galaxies and stars, Regulus and I also listened to stories of time travel."

Hermione tensed and quirked her head up to look at Sirius who was peering down at her. She must not have heard him correctly.

"Yep. Time travel," he confirmed her unvoiced question. "Father mentioned that the time turner you had in your possession belongs to this family. And it does. I've seen it when we all used to visit our vineyard during the summer months when I was a small boy."

"Stories of time travel have been passed down in this family for many centuries, Miss Granger," Orion began explaining to Hermione. "Stories of wizards or witches travelling back in time a few hours to give warning of an impending tragedy." He rubbed his chin in thought. "There are even a few stories that I remember that speak of time travellers who've travelled back years in order to help the House of Black. I truly believe it's how this family has survived for as long as it has."

"Have you ever heard stories where the time traveller is from decades in the future?" Hermione asked him, curious.

Orion shook his head. "I have not. But, it's been almost a century since the last instance of time travel has occurred, according to our records. I checked when I dropped off the time turner like Narcissa had asked. Perhaps we were due for something extraordinary."

Hermione was lost for words at Orion's statement.

"Did you want to talk about your nightmare?" Sirius asked her cautiously.

Hermione shook her head, blinking sleepily. "No."

"You cannot be having these nightmares while you're at Hogwarts," Orion informed her. "It's best if you speak with one of us about it at the very least."

Hermione frowned, hesitating slightly before conceding to the request. "I was remembering the night Dumbledore was killed."

"You were there?" Orion asked her keenly.

Nodding, Hermione scratched her cheek. "I hid in an alcove in the Astronomy Tower. Most of the Death Eaters didn't realise I was there watching everything unfold." She sniffed. "I watched my friend–"

"Harry," Sirius supplied.

"Yes," Hermione confirmed. "I watched Harry kill Dumbledore. Watched as the headmaster fell off of the tower."

There was silence as the three men digested her words.

"You mentioned that most of the Death Eaters didn't know you were there," Regulus thoughtfully prompted her after a moment.

Hermione swallowed and nodded. "There was one person who spotted me but they told their colleagues that Dumbledore was alone." She exhaled slowly. "That individual saved my life."

"I'm sorry," Sirius murmured quietly to her.

"For what?" Hermione didn't understand what he was apologising for.

"For showing you all those pictures of my friends." Sirius shook his head. "I shouldn't have done that. It set you off. It's why you had your nightmare tonight."

"Miss Granger will be around your friends in a little over a month," Orion informed his eldest son. "She needs to work out a way to get used to it."

Hermione nodded curtly. "I will." She cleared her throat. "I apologise for waking everyone up. It won't happen again."

"Get some rest, Miss Granger," Orion told her as he rose from his seat, straightening out his sleep robe as he did so. "We can discuss this later." He made to leave the room with Regulus before stopping abruptly and turning to stare pointedly at Sirius, who was still sitting on Hermione's bed. "Come Sirius."

"I'd like to stay here actually." Sirius tightened his hold on Hermione's shoulder.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing's going to happen, father." Hermione could practically feel Sirius rolling his eyes. "I just thought it'd be best if I stayed with Hermione for the rest of the night. She's been through a lot, you know."

Hermione held her breath as she watched Orion frown at the two of them. Regulus was standing behind his father and was peering at Sirius with an amused smirk on his face.

"Very well," Orion conceded after a moment, clearly not wanting to argue. "Goodnight, Miss Granger."

"Goodnight, Lord Black," she murmured in response.

Orion left the room, closing her bedroom door as he did.

"That actually worked," Sirius murmured under his breath, snickering quietly. He held up the small bottle of Dreamless Sleep. "I'm going to recommend that you take this for tonight, little lion. I know what it feels like to have nightmares."

Hermione shook her head as she pulled away from him slightly. "That stuff's highly addictive." She untangled her feet from the blankets on her bed and tugged them over her legs before settling back against Sirius's shoulder as they both sat propped up against the bedhead.

"When's the last time you've had Dreamless Sleep?" Sirius asked her as he uncorked the vial.

Shrugging, Hermione sighed. "I can't remember."

"Then you'll be fine." He held the vial closer to her lips. "Take only half if you're unsure. It's still better than nothing."

Hermione took the vial from Sirius and had a sip of the potion before handing the half-empty vial back.

"I'm sorry for springing James on you," Sirius murmured quietly to her as her eyelids drooped heavily.

Hermione watched groggily as he downed the rest of the potion. "I know you are," she mumbled as her eyes drifted shut.

She could've sworn she felt Sirius kiss her head softly as she quickly drifted off into a deep slumber.