One week later ...

"Ron, what are we going to do about Hermione? I get the feeling she is hiding something and, to tell the truth, I miss her" Harry said to Ron.

He and Ron had been trying to talk to Hermione since the incident in her room a week earlier but every time they started to get near to her either Remus or Salina would stop them. It was really starting to frustrate Harry but Ron didn't seem to care. He was still mad at Hermione for all the curses she put on him.

"I don't know why Harry. She obviously doesn't give a shit about us anymore. All she cares about is you God sister and that seems to be it. But I do wonder about this sudden protectiveness Remus and Salina has over her" Ron said in a bored tone

"That's true, but haven't you noticed the big changes in Hermione over the last week? She doesn't look like our Hermione anymore" Harry stated.

Just then there was a creek outside the door followed by a knock. Harry and Ron went over to open the door only to find the person they were talking about. Hermione looked in to Harrys eyes and said in a cold voice "Professor Dumbledore has requested your presence in the kitchen" and then she turned to walk away. Harrys hand whipped out in a flash, his seeker reflexes showing themselves, and wrapped around her wrist to stop her from walking away.

"Hermione I am truly sorry for the way I've been treating you. Please forgive me. I miss you. You're my best friend and ... I just want things to go back to normal" he said to her.

Hermione listened patiently then gently but firmly removed his hand from her wrist and walked a few steps away before she stopped and said "Sorry Harry but I can't go back to the way things were, life isn't like that. I'll help you destroy Voldermort but that's it. The Hermione you know is dead and will never come back" and with that said she walked away back to the kitchen.

Harry stood there and watched her walk away feeling his heart sink even further with very step she took. "We better head down Ron" Harry said to his last best friend, then walked away with his head down and Ron trailing behind him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione walked in to the kitchen and sat down next to Remus, who was sitting besides Salina, before saying "They are on their way down Professor."

"Thank you Hermione how are things going with you? And where is Chrimson?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'm fine thank you Professor, my family have been very supportive and I couldn't ask for a better family. I shall explain about Chrimson when everyone is present if you don't mind" Hermione replied.

This caused both Remus and Salina to look at her suspiciously, yet before anyone could ask any questions Ron and Harry walked in and sat opposite Hermione.

"Good evening boys, I do hope you are behaving yourselves" Dumbledore said to Ron and Harry.

"Evening Professor" was all he got back from the two young men.

Dumbledore could already see the strain on boys from not having Hermione around them all the time. 'I bet they are feeling very sorry for themselves . . . well if they are it serves them right' was all Dumbledore could think.

Salina, not liking the silence turned to her daughter and asked "Hermione, where is Chrimson?"

"Come to think of it I haven't seen her since yesterday evening" Remus stated.

Hermione sighed. She was already anticipating the eruption that was going to happen. She cleared her throat and said as calmly as she could "Chrimson has gone to a meeting with Mr Savage".

The silence that followed that statement was filled with malice. Hermione dared not look at either Salina or Remus for she knew it would just give them the go ahead to blow like a volcano. 'Here it comes' Hermione thought to herself. '5, 4, 3, 2, 1' ...

"WHAT?????? ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!! HOW COULD YOU LET HER GO THERE ON HER OWN??? HOW COULD YOU LET HER GO AT ALL???" Remus exploded, breaking the silence.

"Uncle Remus, please let me explain before you try to tear my head off . . . literally" Hermione said with a hint of fear in her voice.

Harry was so shocked he didn't know what to think. Ron on the other hand had no problem voicing his thoughts.

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING???" He bellowed at Remus.

It was only then that Remus realised that in his rage he had gotten up and currently had his hands around her neck. Remus recoiled from her, horrified that he had put his hands on her in such a way. He was disgusted with himself and couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes.

Salina was sat stony faced. She knew it would come to this so she wasn't very surprised or upset, she was disappointed that her daughters decided to do this without her help.

Dumbledore was sat in silence, still with that damn twinkle in his eye.

Totally ignoring everyone else at the table Hermione turned to her mother and Godfather and took a hand of each of them and started to explain.

"You know how we met Mr Savage the other night, well he over herd me call you mum and started an in-depth investigation. It seems, just like the ministry, everything is recorded and he found out that you had adopted me" Hermione said to Salina.

"Excuse me, but we are a bit lost here" came the voice of Harry. He had no idea what was going on.

"Miss Granger ... oh I'm sorry I mean Miss Granger-Dubinsky is referring to her being adopted by Ms Dubinsky here thus making her Chrimsons sister" Dumbledore explained to Harry and Ron.

"Huh" was all Ron could say.

"Yeah, anyway" Hermione continued, "Mr Savage owled me and asked me to forgive him for the way he acted the other night and explained to me that Voldermort had taken his wife a daughter and was demanding he make sure that Chrimson was wed to him. I said I will try and help get his family back, as family is very important" she said whilst looking in to Remus' eyes and giving both Salina and Remus a small smile.

Both Remus and Salina gently squeezed Hermiones hands.

"So what was this plan you came up with and can we help?" Came Rons voice.

To say Hermione was shocked would have been an understatement. She was stupefied. She still didn't know how to respond to her ex best friends but she would have to sort that out another time.

"We had a plan and I was going to tell everyone but we were too late. Voldermort found out that Mr Savage didn't make mum and Chrimson return to the clan and he killed them both. He sent their ashes back to Mr Savage with a note saying he would be next. That is why Chrimson has gone to see him ... and bring him back here" Hermione finished telling everyone.

"Right then, when should they be here?" asked Harry.

"How about right now Potter" came Chrimsons' voice from the doorway.

Instantly she was engulfed in hugs from her mother, Godfather and sister. Chrimson just laughed and indulged it her families love. She finally extracted herself from her family and turned to their new guest.

"Please Mr Savage, do come in" Chrimson said.

Aiden Savage entered the room and looked around at all those in the room. His eyes finally landed on Hermione and he took in her appearance. His eyes narrowed as he saw the bruises starting to appear on her neck. He went to move towards her but Remus inserted his body between them.

"Stay away" came the low warning from Remus before he turned his back on the new comer and ushered his family to the other end of the room.