Good afternoon, darlings. I have spent the morning in the ER with a friend. She fell and needed scans and things, and since she landed on her knees, she could not drive. So, this has had the briefest of reviews so I could get it posted because, yeah, kind of a mean cliffie.

Chapter 15 Hermione Gets Some Answers

Saturday morning Hermione flooed into Snape's quarters as instructed. Wishing to respect his privacy she sat in one of the wing chairs in front of the fireplace. She pulled the Founders' Journal from her ever present beaded bag. She had been pleased to note that a new section for her own research had appeared. She intended to add Snape's portrait truth varnish with his permission. His brilliance needed to be recorded. She also recorded how Orion Black trapped his wife's image in one frame.

Snape joined her once breakfast ended. "Why so many of them insist on living here year round is beyond me," he groused.

"You do."

"Yes, well, Spinner's End is no servant filled castle. And my potions lab there is the size of my bathroom here."

"Fair enough," she shrugged.

"I admit surprise that you are no raiding my bookshelves."

"You invited me into your home to wait. Perusing without an invitation felt like a violation of your trust."

He blinked, "Feel free to look through whatever you like. Nothing dark and foreboding here."

"Thank you, headmaster." She glanced over at the shelves lining three of the four walls.

"Please, call me Snape or Severus. I feel we are about to become more intimately acquainted."

"As I intend to demand answers about decades of bullying, I concur with your assessment. Call me Hermione, Severus."

Shall we begin? I started the runes but left off the last one to avoid suspicion. Albus was snoring away when I came up."

"Let's go wake him, shall we?" Together they descended into the Headmaster's office. Free of Dumbledore's hoard of muggle knickknacks and magical spying devices, the space was both professional and imposing. Snape was not a touchy-feelie man, nor would he be a touchy-feelie headmaster. "I like what you've done with the place."

"Why, thank you, Hermione. May I suggest you wait on the stairs? Wouldn't do to have the others alerting him of your presence too soon."

Dumbledore stirred as Snape chalked the locking rune, "What are you doing, my boy?"

"Keeping you in place for what comes next," Snape began coating the canvas with this potion.

"What comes next? What are you talking about?"

Snape ignored him, instead watching the clock. At the ten-minute mark, he looked back to the portrait. "Were you and Gellert Grindelwald lovers?"

Dumbledore frowned, annoyed with the question, then surprised himself by answering the question, "We were briefly." Wide-eyed he started at Snape in horror, "What have you done, Severus?"

"Ensured that you will answer questions honestly. Don't worry, the effect wears off in about six hours." Dumbledore moved to his right and crashed into the frame. "And you're locked in your frame until I erase the runes. So, you might as well sit back and get comfortable. I plan to." He moved his chair to give himself the best view.

"Severus, I really must protest," Dumbledore began.

"Severus isn't in charge here, old man," Hermione emerged from the darkened stairwell. "Hello, Albus."

Dumbledore's jaw dropped. He opened and closed his mouth several times. "Miss Granger! Where are Harry and Mr. Weasley?"

"Don't know, don't care. We're not here to talk about them, well, not directly anyway."
"Why would you abandon them on your quest? Harry needs you."

"Actually, from what I saw when I left the only thing Harry needed was to shove his dick up Ron's arse while on my cot. And he could do that without me just fine. Did you know Harry and Ron were gay before forcing me into a relationship with Ron?"

"I believe they are both bisexual," he twinkled.

"Did you know they were both fucking each others' brains out?"

Dumbledore struggled against the spell, wishing to object to her language and be vague in his wording. He failed, "I did."

"Then why did you have me date him?"

"To remove the distraction Mr. Krum posed. Molly thought Ron would be the better option."

Grounding her teeth she changed gears, she couldn't afford to give in to the anger this early, "Why did you bind my memories at eleven?"

"A parseltongue muggleborn possibly descended from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw in Gryffindor would have brought unwanted attention."

"For me?" she leaned forward, her words cold, "or for you?"

"For me. You could be the fabled Heir of the Founders. I needed to control any powers you had and when you discovered them. You needed to see me as your hero."

"I am that heir. And parseltongue is the only power I inherited. Something I share with Harry. I could have comforted him that he wasn't alone in second year. Did you do that on purpose?"

"I did."

"Why?"

"A lonely angry Harry was easier to control."

"Why did you put an obedience charm on me?"

"To make sure you had the knowledge Harry needs to complete his destiny. To make sure you did what I wanted, in the manner I planned."
"Why not make Harry study all the time?"

"He already had so much on his shoulders. He needed to be able to enjoy what time he could."

"And I didn't?" Hermione clutched her fists in rage.

"You rose the challenge admirably."

Sighing, she acknowledged to herself he believed that. She changed topics. "Why did you make me believe I was ugly and unlovable?"

"To keep you from getting distracted. Harry needed you. Ron would help keep you on task."

"Why did you give Molly Weasley control over me?"

"I knew my time was coming to an end. Obedience charms break either because of intense emotion or the death of the caster. I needed to make sure you stayed committed to the task. She didn't balk at the idea of the charm, and because it meant she could use you to hide Ron's wandering ways."

"You mean his infidelities, you sacrificed my happiness and mental well-being for the greater good, or rather your idea of the greater good."

"Yes, I did," he replied matter of factly.

Sensing his lack of remorse, she changed topics. "Why did you ignore the bullying that goes on all the time?"

"That wasn't bullying, just youthful hijinks. Oh, the exuberance of youth."

"Ravenclaws stealing all of Luna Lovegood's belongings? The war between Severus Snape and the Mauraders? The constant harassment of Slytherins to anyone, not a pureblood? That was all youthful hijinks? Do you hear yourself?" She tried to take a few deep soothing breaths, before jumping to the first topic that popped into her head.

"What have your erased from Severus's memory?"

"Lily insisted on patching up their friendship before they went into hiding. She didn't want either of them having regrets."

She continued to jump from topic to topic, feeling more and more frazzled by his lack of regret and her anger. "Did you know Sirius was innocent?"

"I did."

"Why didn't you demand a trial for him? Why leave him in Azkaban?"

Dumbledore looked sad, "I never could get an obedience spell to stick due to the ones his parents applied. Without one he would never have let me sacrifice Harry."

"And just why does Harry have to be sacrificed?"

"He's a horcrux. He has to die to render Voldemort mortal."

So, had I not broken your spell completing Harry's mission would have driven me insane?"

"I hoped that he would survive."

"Your hope? Your hope? Before or after I went insane?" she seethed.

"I don't believe you would have gone insane, Miss Granger, perhaps had an intense form of survivor's guilt, maybe."

Annoyed, she switched topics again. "Did you know Pettigrew had switched sides?"

"I had my suspicions."

"Could you have saved James and Lily at the end?"

"I have no idea."

"Would you have, if you could?"

"No, their deaths made all that followed easier. The prophecy needed to be fulfilled."

"Have you ever cared about the fate of any of the people you controlled beyond how it benefited you?"

"No, but that is the nature of those spells."

"Do you regret any of it?"

"I regret Arianna's death."

"You played with countless lives, and all you regret is one death, you monster!" she screamed.

"She was innocent," he smiled at her faintly, as if that explained it all.

He was insane. That was all there was to it. Taking several deep breaths through her nose, she forced herself to calm down. Her rage would change nothing. And she needed answers, "How many members of the Order of the Phoenix knew you used obedience charms?"

"Oh, several, I should think."

"Which ones?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"Molly, of course, Arthur, though he never liked it. Moody didn't always approve."

"None of them protested, or demanded you stop?"

"No, I convinced them it was the greater good. Or any professors that suspected were not able to object under their oaths to support the headmaster."

"Who were you controlling when you died?"

"You, Severus, Remus, Kingsley, and Tonks."

"Did anyone else suffer directly because of your delusions of a greater good?"

"Augusta Longbottom ended the fidelus charm earlier than Frank and Alice wanted because I suggested it."

"Could Neville have been the Chosen One?"

"Of course, Augusta has spent nearly two decades keeping his abilities suppressed to make sure no one considered him a threat."

"Did you encourage her?"

"I did. The prophecy was about Harry Potter, no need murking up the waters."

"What do we need to know that you never told us?"

"When the horcruxes are destroyed the soul fragment returns to Voldemort."

"Could Harry and Voldemort coexist without one of them having to kill the other?"

"Neither can die while the other survives, Miss Granger."

"Nice dodge, so yes. Why Kingsley and Tonks?"

Dumbledore blinked at the change of the subject, but it was the only way to keep herself calm. "Sometimes what I wanted them to do was against their professional and ethical views."

"Who gave you the authority to use us like puppets?"

"I was the only one able to see the big picture properly."

"Of course, you think you were. You hoarded information, doling out just enough for us to puzzle out what you wanted." She narrowed her eyes, "Did you transfer control of anyone else?"

"Only you to Molly."

"Who added Ron, you son of a bitch."

He sighed, "That is unfortunate."

"No, what's unfortunate, at least for you, is that I broke your spell. I know who I am. I know my part in the prophecy, and I leveled the playing field. Harry Potter no longer has the power, and the Dark Lord knows what it is."

"No! Miss Granger, return to Harry at once. Protect him with your life."

Watching from the side, Severus recoiled from the bitter, mirthless harsh laughter issuing from his former student. No one so young should sound like that. "Didn't you hear me? I. Broke. The. Spell. And as an animate image of a dead man you lack the magic to cast it again. Nor will I ever allow anyone to enslave me again." She whirled to face Severus, "I say we burn the painting. Barring that let's lock him in there and cover it so we never have to see it again."

"I am hesitant to destroy our only link to his knowledge. We may need it again."

"You're right, I know you're right, and still."

"Some say the best revenge is living well, Hermione. You have a new family, a boyfriend if I understood Rodolphus's rantings. Embrace your new life, find real happiness with people who are not keeping secrets from you."

"New family?" bristled Dumbledore.

"Your greater good forced me to send my parents away. They are gone. Rodolphus and Bellatrix adopted me."

"Miss Granger, I urge you to reconsider your choices. They are using you!"

"Like you did?"

He struggled to deny it, "Yes."

She shrugged, "I fail to see the difference then. And my name is Hermione Lestrange." She turned to Snape, "Would you like to meet Monday to discuss adding your potion to the Founders' Journal and make rational plans about He-Who-Is-Annoying-Usf?"

"Will you be rational by then?"

"Who says I'm not rational now?"

"Fair enough, I suppose that works, say around 10 o'clock?"

"Sounds delightful." She departed, ignoring Dumbledore's frantic orders to stop and return.

The last thing she heard was Severus snapping at him, "Be silent. You made this bed, now they have to lie in it. Yes, they, Albus, After hearing the insanity spewing from you I continue to feel confident in my choice to be on her side."

She smiled as she exited the floo, her side. That sounded doable. She wasn't neutral. Neutral people didn't care who won. She wanted the winner to benefit her. Still riding the adrenaline high of her anger she spun around and flooed to Malfoy Manor. "Bee."

"Miss Hermy! How can Bee be helping?"

"Is the Dark Lord here?"

"He's be in his study? I announce you."

"First bring me veritaserum Headmaster Snape brewed, then announce me." The elf bobbed her head and scurried away. She returned with a small potion bottle. Once she popped away that time, Hermione began to make her way towards the study. She knocked and entered when invited in.

"Good afternoon, my dear. What brings you here?" Voldemort remained behind his desk, but put aside the papers giving her his full attention.

"Severus and I questioned Dumbledore today. I doubt I know all his disgusting secrets, but I know enough."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Now I want answers from you."

"Ask away," he leaned back in the chair. She placed the vial on the desk. "I see."

"Two drops. I want the whole truth, but I will let you select your phrasing."

"You don't trust me?"

"With the amount of power winning the war will give you? No, I don't trust anyone."

"Smart girl." He picked up the vial and let three drops fall on his tongue. "You have earned the ugly truth."

She waited for the potion to take effect. "Are you capable of love?"

"I do not know. During my formative years, no one showed me any. Even today, I am not sure. Bella worships me, but it does not resemble the affections Lucius and Narcissa share. I have never been inclined to try."

"Would you swear an unbreakable oath to my terms if it meant my full cooperation?"

"If I agreed to them, yes."

"What do you think about muggles?"

"Harmless sheep. But a good rallying point for ignorant purebloods."

"If you win, what are your real plans?"

"To govern through a series of puppet ministers as to not frighten the populous when I don't age any further, or die."

If Harry wasn't trying to kill you, would you seek to kill him?"

"Not anymore, I am far more rational than I once was. So long as we both swore an oath on the matter."

"Could you fake remorse for making the horcruxes and killing his parents?"

"I do feel remorse about his parents. A mistake on so many levels that caused immeasurable pain for many people, myself included."
She sat back contemplating what he said. "Have you ever forced anyone to take your Mark?"

"It will not set if the person truly does not accept it one hundred percent. They may not have understood what it means, but at the time they desired it."

She thought over what he said, mostly he just confirmed what she already knew, sentimentality held little sway over him. He wanted immortality and power. He was prepared to exploit any means to achieve his goals. "These are the non-negotiable terms for my assistance. If I declare someone off-limits, they are off-limits. You begin walking back your stance on muggleborns. Eventually, they are to be treated fairly, and humanely. No more of this they stole magic shite. Your people start trying to start peace talks with the Order. This needs to end. And I get my revenge."

"Muggleborns are magical children returning home. Teach them wizarding ways, introduce them to their magical families. Many will spend more and more time in our world. A problem that solves itself. Use your ideas to incorporate more muggle style entertainments to sway them away." He grinned at her. "So long as you don't declare Harry Potter off limits, I do not care. He must make his own deal with the devil. I will accept you vouching for someone, as I trust if they betray you, your vengeance will be swifter than my own. And so long as your vengeance does not hinder my agenda, you shall have all the revenge you desire."

"Then it seems we have an accord."

"I must ask, you will not object to anyone taking the Mark will you?"

"AS they have to be willing, why would I? Your more rational goals seem to live forever and be in charge. You also look to return the wizarding world some of its former glory, and improve it until muggleborns have no reason to leave."

"In a nutshell."

"That's what I want. I would like it if more things were merit based, but baby steps, I suppose. I also want to destroy the people who hurt me."

"Is it a long list?"

"I don't know. I'd have to think about it."

"Anyone immediately out of bounds?"

"Neville Longbottom, he was my first friend. And Luna Lovegood. She's with me, but she has another year of school. She can't be seen in public with me."

"Would she like to sit her NEWTs early?"

"Everyone has to attend Hogwarts, your rules."

"And she has. Nothing in the new regulations states she can't test early. Furthermore, what good is being king if you can't bend the rules to reward people? If she even wants to take her NEWTs, she could drop out of school with her OWLs."

"I'll ask her. Also, I think it is time for Hermione Lestrange to begin stepping out. I know Rodolphus planned an introduction event for the elite, but I should start being seen."

"And if you are recognized?"

"Let the games begin."

"Very well, then."

She left with a spring in her step and a weight off her chest. Her rage at the past seven years smoldered beneath the surface, but Hermione had chosen a path. She would begin planning the best course of action, then follow it. She pulled a thin silver-colored disk from her pocket. Annoyed with the slow speed of owls, she made protean charmed coins for Marcus and herself. 'Available?' she sent to his coin.

'Can be.' She smiled at his quick response.

'Where?'

'White Wyvern'

'Knockturn?'

'Yep.'

She glanced at her skirt and vest top, she looked a little too clean for Knockturn Alley but causal enough for a hangout. She called out her floo destination and sent, 'BRT.'

She smiled at his confused expression, "BRT?" he asked Adrian and Graham. "What does that mean?"

"Be right there," she laughed when all three of them jumped.

"Hermione, you can't be here?" Adrian objected.

"Why not?" she slid into the booth next to Marcus.

"These are rough people. Rodolphus would kill us if something happened to you," he looked at Marcus for help.

Marcus held up his hands, "Don't look at me. She does as she pleases. And she's scarier than he is, or anyone else here." He slide over further so she had more room.

A tarted-up waitress approached, giving Hermione a look over with dull eyes, "Get you anything, princess?" she sounded annoyed.

Ignoring the guys' frowns, Hermione dimpled, "Yes, we would like a whiskey neat, and not firewhiskey. Thank you." Her words held a clear dismissal.

"You want four, then?" the waitress sounds confused.

Hermione looked back at her, "No, one. If we drank four in public our father would be most displeased."
"Who is we?"

Hermione gave her a look implying she thought the woman's IQ couldn't be higher than a flobberworm's. "Royalty refers to themselves in the plural, peasant."

"You aren't royalty." the waitress retorted hotly.

"But you are rude, so you get what you give."
"Just who do you think you are?"

"Hermione Lestrange," she smirked at the older woman.

"Like Bellatrix Lestrange," she asked in a quavering whisper.

"Does Mummy Dearest come here often?" Hermione asked Adrian.

"On the occasion."

The waitress paled under her makeup, "Mummy Dearest?"

"That's what I call her," beamed Hermione. She fled at that point, delivering the drink in record time. "I don't think she liked me very much." Hermione frowned at her drink, "That's okay, I don't like her."

"Not that we don't enjoy watching you destroy the waitress, what brings you out?" Graham asked.

"We're celebrating."

"Oh?"

"I'm not hiding anymore."

"We can see that."

"And after getting some answers, I've picked a side to help finish this war and start building a lasting society."

"Not the Order," Peregrine said slowly.

"Not the Order," she agreed.

"So, this will all be over next week?" Adrian joked.

"No, it will take some time. Most of the Order worshipped Albus Dumbledore. They won't roll over and let the lesser evil win."

"Lesser evil?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"Your main boss and his Inner Circle are not exactly the nicest people, but they are honest about that. Dumbledore just did his dark things in secret and pretended to be solidly in the light. He wanted the Order to avoid the more violent spells. He wanted us to fight cold-blooded killers with childish tricks and joke spells. So, the lesser evil."

Graham swallowed, "Having faced the Weasley twins, I am just going to admit there is something to say for prank fighting."

Marcus put his arm around her waist and slid her closer, "If it means I get to keep you, whatever you say." They all laughed.

Hermione twinkled up at him, "Why do you insist you aren't charming?"

He chuckled, "You haven't seen Pucey or Warrington in action."

She waved him off, "I like what I have, thank you."

"Does this means you can start coming to my matches?"

"It does." Her stomach erupted with butterflies at the joyful smile that spread across his face. That smile softened his rugged features. She liked it immensely. "I'm excited. My last professional match was after 5th year."

"Who did you see?" asked Adrian.

"The Vratsa Vultures versus the Heidelburg Harriers." She took a sip of her drink.

"Odd choice remarked Graham.

"How so?"

"A Bulgarian team and a German one, odd." Graham looked skeptical.

"Ah, I was Viktor Krum's personal guest, if that helps explain it."

"But we aren't going to discuss famous ex-boyfriends." Marcus glared at his mates.

"Of course not," Adrian turned back to Hermione. "So, which match are you coming to? The next home match is Tuesday night against the Cannons. Could be on the boring side, though."

"How?" she asked.

Graham laughed, "While other teams have brought on younger talent and turned it around, the Cannons are still stuck at the bottom of the league for a reason." All of the men laughed.

"You could look at it as a challenge," she flashed them an evil grin. "How badly can you humiliate Ronald Wwasely's favorite team? Banal revenge, I know, but a girl's got to start somewhere."

"Would it actually bother him, though?"

"A huge loss, utter humiliation for them, the winners scoring so many goals it is mortifying?" Her smile grew cold, " It would utterly destroy him."

"Could be fun," Marcus considered it. "Doesn't hurt to mention it to the lads."

"No, it does not." Adrian agreed.