A/N: Hello. Long-time no see, though I'm quite thankful it's not been longer. If you've been following Beyond Words, you'll know that my laptop has been decommissioned for a while, and with the holidays and other personal commitments, I've only just been able to fix my laptop – but it had to be fully wiped so that it could be fixed properly. It wasn't until a few days ago when I realised that I had everything saved onto my laptop and not the cloud. No backups, no nothing. So, I've had to rewrite this chapter from scratch.

I will not be doing that again haha.

Forgive the short chapter, but something is better than nothing. It's supposed to be, anyway.

I was going to update last night, but AO3 was in Maintenance, and I didn't feel right uploading to FF if I couldn't to AO3 at the same time.

oOoOoOo

Chapter 14: The Unspeakable Part 1

There wasn't a lot about magic that Maggie Hornfield didn't know. As an Unspeakable, it was her duty to at least know the basics of every branch of magic available, and know the right avenues needed to research more about them should the need present itself.

Currently, a need did present itself to the thirty-year-old woman, but the knowledge of the magics she needed to know were unreachable to her.

She was a Ravenclaw in Hogwarts, Head Girl even. She ran her own department within the Department of Mysteries and was even tipped to be the next Head Unspeakable when Dumbledore eventually stepped down. It grated her to know that there was something she needed to know, but couldn't find information about it anywhere.

Maggie knew that the information had to be there somewhere. When this issue was first presented to Dumbledore by Minister Minchum, he had done his own research so that he became aware with what was happening and what to expect. But now, nothing.

It was as if the information no longer existed.

Maggie couldn't find a trace of it anywhere. The books that Dumbledore borrowed from the Ministry Library were gone, there wasn't even mention of them at the information desk. She knew that this branch of magic was too niche for there to be anything available at Flourish and Blotts – trust her, she sent owls to every bookstore in Europe to find anything, but they all came back with sheepish apologises and promises to keep their eye out for her.

Suspicion was starting to creep up Maggie's spine like an uncomfortable itch that she couldn't shake.

It wasn't like she could say anything, though. She knew Dumbledore was a master manipulator. There was a reason why she didn't hang around him longer than was necessary. Whenever she needed to speak to him about a certain issue she had, she was in and out of his office as quickly as a blast-ended skrewt.

There was one avenue that Maggie had yet to explore, but she was wary to do so. She didn't want any attention drawn to herself, especially from Dumbledore, but needs must.

If she wanted to know more about Universal Magic, there was only one place she could go.

Maggie just hoped that they would give her the benefit of the doubt.

She only wanted to help them, after all.

oOoOoOo

It had been weeks since Hermione's revelation to Harry about the Deathly Hallows and his position of Master of Death. It was nearing Halloween and Hermione was no closer to understanding the significance behind this find than she was the month previous. It irked her to no end. It wasn't like she could go to someone for help either. Both she and Harry didn't want anyone to know about it, especially that manipulative ex-headmaster of theirs.

No, Hermione needed to research when she could, but her resources at Hogwarts were running low and she didn't exactly know how to ask booksellers for information without giving anything way.

She wasn't exactly known for being subtle, and asking for information about Masters of Death and the Deathly Hallows would surely trigger some alarms for people. People she would rather be non the wiser to her information.

It was bad enough that Dumbledore knew about their situation in the first place. The last thing she needed was him to hold this over them and figure out how to use it for his own personal gain.

Not that Hermione would ever let him get that close anyway. But you never know what Dumbledore has up his sleeve.

No, this was information that was going to be kept strictly between Harry and Hermione until they figure out exactly what it means, and how it can help them.

Until then, there were other matters that the pair needed to attend to.

Namely, Peter Pettigrew and his eventual betrayal of his so-called brothers.

"We need to talk about Peter." Hermione said bluntly to Harry on a Sunday afternoon. She dropped onto the sofa next to her boyfriend with a cup of tea in one hand and a chocolate biscuit in the other. She tucked her feet under Harry's thighs, her back resting against the armrest of the sofa.

Harry glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before he closed the Defence book he was reading and put it on the coffee table. He shifted his body so that he could face Hermione better while they talked, but still kept her feet under him. He loved how Hermione seemed to need to always touch him. He didn't imagine her to be the type to need contact all the time, but he was thrilled that she couldn't seem to keep her hands off of him. Harry was very much the same with her. There was always a need to touch her, probably to make sure that everything was real.

"What about Peter?" Harry asked curiously. He took the biscuit from her before she had the change to take a bite of it. He chuckled at the affronted look she gave him, but he knew she wasn't upset. It was a common occurrence between the two of them, and Harry knew she only had biscuits with her tea because of how often he stole them from her.

"Well, we've been here a while now, and we haven't actually seen any change in him," Hermione took a sip of her hot tea and cradled it in her hands. "I'm not even sure what I expected to see, to be honest with you, but I can't help but feel like we need to stop him from betraying them."

Harry considered her words. While it was true that they didn't want Peter to betray Sirius and Marlene like he did to James and Lily in their universe, he couldn't help but feel like something was different with this Peter. No, he wasn't confident or sure of himself like James, Sirius, and even Remus was, but there was something about his aura that screamed harmless.

"I'm not actually sure there is anything we can do right now." Harry took a bite out of the biscuit and brushed the crumbs off his lap. "There's something about Peter that doesn't strike me as particularly evil right now. I mean, we're not even sure when he began his betrayal to the Marauders. What if he was perfectly normal until once they leave school? What if it's something that happens that makes him change?"

"Would it not be a good idea to plant some seeds now, though? Just to make sure he won't betray them when the time comes?" Hermione asked quietly. Yes, she'd thought of that herself, but she couldn't help but feel like there was something that they could do now, while they had the chance.

"Maybe, but I'm not sure what," Harry told her honestly. He gave her a lazy half-smile that she couldn't help but return. "I'll keep my eye on him, and if I think anything is different in his behaviour, then we can revisit this conversation. There's also the possibility that he's not the one that does the betraying in this universe, and that's why I'm not overly worried about him."

"I suppose," Hermione conceded with a sigh. "We'll just have to keep watch of everyone then."

"We'll do whatever we need to do to keep them safe. If our planning goes well, we shouldn't even be at the position to worry about Halloween 1981. Tom should be long gone before then." Harry gave her a smile, squeezing her knee softly. "We know what the horcruxes are and where they'll be. We've got plans of how to collect them and how to dispose of them when the time comes. If there's one thing we should be worrying about, it's how to convince Fleamont and Euphemia that I'm really Charlus' son."

Harry gave a chuckle, but Hermione saw straight through it. She knew that the meeting between them was worrying him, but she didn't realise just how much. She could see it now though, in the way he mirthlessly chuckled at her and avoided eye contact. He was drawing patterns into her leggings, and she knew he itched to properly fiddle with something to keep his hands occupied. She covered Harry's hand with her own, promptly stopping him from drawing more patterns.

"We've still got a few weeks to figure that out. I know you want to be transparent with them as well, and I know you're scared about how they'll react if you did decide to tell them the truth." Hermione gave him a soft smile that took his breath away. She gave his hand a soft squeeze in reassurance. "They'll believe you, no matter what. You Potters might be quick to accept someone's story, but you all seem to have this uncanny ability to sense liars from a mile away. I can see it in James the way I see it in you, and I'm sure Fleamont will be the same. You're all fiercely loyal too, and I know they'll help keep the pretence as long as it keeps their family safe."

Harry slowly released a breath and nodded gently, his emerald eyes finally meeting her honey ones. Hermione always seemed to know the right thing to say to settle his nerves. It was a little unnerving, how she knew him better than he knew himself, but it wasn't unwelcome.

"I don't think I want to lie to them, especially if I have to tell them the truth in the future. I need to be transparent with them from the off. They're my family, I can't lie to them. I suppose it's why I was honest with James so quickly."

"I'm behind you one hundred percent, no matter what you decide to do," Hermione gave him another smile before she finished off her tea before it became too cold to drink. "How do you fancy a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend? We could always owl Fleamont and Euphemia to invite them for a drink if you wanted to be honest with them sooner rather than later."

Harry thought about it, going back to drawing random patterns into Hermione's leggings. It would be nice, he supposed, if he could admit to them who he really was before he became too entangled in his web of lies. He didn't owl them that often, so it wasn't like they already had a strong relationship that could be broken by his deceit.

"Okay, I'll owl them later and invite them to the Hog's Head for a drink," Harry nodded, then gave a sheepish smile when Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I think there would be too many students in the Three Broomsticks for us to have the sort of conversation I'm planning. It is a Hogsmeade weekend after all."

"Oh yeah. Aren't we supposed to chaperone this weekend?" Hermione asked thoughtfully, then shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt to spare an hour or so while we meet Fleamont and Euphemia for a drink."

"Yeah, I promised Minerva that we'll patrol on the Halloween weekend," Harry sighed, still not used to calling his old professors by their first name. They were colleagues now after all, but there were some habits that took a bit longer to break and get used to.

"I'm sure they'll understand the need for a quick visit. And if not, we can see them next weekend." Hermione gave Harry's hand a squeeze then pulled her feet away from his legs. Harry gave her a cute pout that Hermione couldn't help but giggle at. "What's that pout for? I need to go to the loo, and you can't join me in there this time."

"What about next time?" Harry asked with a devilish smirk, remembering the shower they both shared that morning.

"I'll think about it, Potter."

While Hermione was in the bathroom doing whatever it was she needed to do, a brown tawny owl swooped in from an open window and flew directly at Harry. It didn't spare a second as it dropped an envelope in his lap and flew out the way he came. Curious, Harry picked up the heavy parchment, but couldn't recognise the handwriting on the front. Still, it had his name on, so he opened it and began to read.

Dear Mr Potter,

You might not know me, but I know you. My name is Maggie Hornfield, and I am an Unspeakable in the DoM.

This is highly unorthodox, and I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else aside from Miss Wilkins about my letter to you.

I am in desperate need of your help, so that I can help you with your situation.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could meet me this Saturday at 12 noon at the Hogs Head in Hogsmeade. I am aware it is a visiting weekend for the students and you are likely to be needed to chaperone, but this is urgent.

I wouldn't ask if I didn't need your help.

Yours,

Unspeakable Hornfield

Time Room Operative

Department of Mysteries

"Looks like I won't be writing to Fleamont after all." Harry muttered to himself as he stared at the letter.

Fear and dread began to fill him, and he suddenly felt rather anxious about the meeting tomorrow with the Unspeakable.

Whoever this Unspeakable was, she knew about him and Hermione. And she needed their help.

This didn't bode well for Harry. Not at all.