A/N: I know, I know. It has been ages. I am soooo sorry for the long wait. This is a small chapter but I really like it. Thank you to everyone who read this story, reviews are much appreciated! Also I am in desperate need of a beta! I would like someone who has written a story themselves and is willing to see this through to a sequel.
Disclaimer: I, most unfortunately, do not own anything and am not making any money from this.
Please review, everything helps!
CHAPTER 6: CELESTINA WARBECK
The Great Hall was loud but Hermione sat quietly, dutifully nibbling on a scone. Lily had tried to involve her in the conversation but she gave small, one word answers. Hermione picked at the scone half-heartedly, trying to disguise the fact that she hadn't actually eaten much.
"I'm going to the library," Hermione stated, getting up and swinging her heavy book bag over her shoulder.
"But you've barely eaten anything!" Remus called out.
"I will see you later." She said, ignoring his previous statement. She left the hall and walked to the library, completely unaware of the two figures lingering behind her.
Lucius and Regulus watch intently as the newest Gryffindor exited the Great Hall, leaving bewildered Marauders behind. The youngest Black brother uncertainly caught Lucius' eyes and with a curt nod, they had left the Great Hall and were following the mystery girl stealthily.
After they realised she was heading to the library, they stopped.
"How does she know the place so well? It takes months to learn how to navigate through these corridors."
"I don't know, but there is definitely something strange going on here, and I do intend to find out, Regulus, even if it does involve you reuniting with your elder brother."
Her bushy hair fell over her hunched shoulders as she sat with her back stooped. She had collected all the books that she thought where going to be useful to her and then found her corner and begun. She was scratching notes on to a spare piece of parchment and her favourite quill. She slammed – with more force than necessary – Obscure Dreams: Past, Present and Future shut and moved onto the next book in the pile.
The dream replayed over and over in her head. What did Snape dying mean? Was it just a nightmare? It had seemed so real, she couldn't get over it. She was frustrated with herself. She was always in control and was used to knowing everything. Being thrown in to the past was too much. It was messing with her emotions and her brain. She couldn't think straight. Seeing people she knew where going to be dead soon was enough to drive her insane. Seeing the people who tortured her almost to death was horrible, disgusting. Seeing the person who will soon betray all their friends and turn to the darkside was the worst out of all of them.
She pored over book after book until lunch, and even though she had eaten next to nothing at breakfast, she felt sick. She decided to skip lunch and stay in the library.
It was Regulus' free period and he was heading to the library. He was not sure why, he never went to the library. Ever. His mother sent him everything he needed, as she could get him books that one would have to have a note from a professor to procure. His ability to acquire information made him quite popular. He was sought out often when his fellow Slytherin's where in need of cigarettes, Dark Arts books and alcohol. His mother could not supply all of these things, but his very loyal house-elf, Kreacher, could – would do so. Regulus turned a few corners and was only a few minutes away from the library when Remus Lupin came out from behind a suit of arms, only a few paces in front of him. Regulus quickly ducked behind stone pillar when he saw Remus cast furtive glances around him. He tapped the statue with his wand and walked off towards the library. Regulus watched him from behind the pillar and only moved when he saw the library door click open and shut. Regulus walked towards the statue cautiously, as if it were going to spring alive at any moment – for all he knew it could. As he drew closer, he saw nothing suspicious. There wasn't much he could do about it now; he would have to tell Lucius later. He was inside the library when he spotted Remus and Hermione conversing heatedly in whispers. He walked casually towards them, pretending to be looking for a book, although it hardly mattered, they were immersed in their conversation.
"You haven't been sleeping or eating! The injuries you sustained that night aren't better yet! Even Madame Pomfrey couldn't heal them all. You are not looking after yourself –"
"How do you know that I haven't been sleeping? I am fine, and the last thing I need is people worrying about me when there are much more pressing issues at hand!"
"What do you mean 'more pressing issues'? Are you implying –"
"No Remus! I am saying that Voldemort – oh for the love of Merlin, it's a name – is coming to power and there are very dangerous things in store! And you would do best to butt out of my business and start looking at bigger picture!"
The tear tracks that stained Hermione's cheeks where daring Remus to contradict her. He didn't.
"Please come to dinner," said Remus in an almost pleading tone and then he turned and left. Hermione collapsed in a chair and buried her head in her hands, trying desperately to stop crying, but she was exhausted, she had no energy left stop, only despair and fear in which to continue.
Sirius, Lily, James, and Remus sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, talking to Peter about what had happened in that days lessons. Each of them where stealing glances at the door, hoping they would see Hermione walk in. Peter was the first to see Hermione; he elbowed James, who kicked Sirius under the table, who flicked Remus' forehead, who nudged Lily. By the time Hermione reached the table, they were talking about their up-coming N.E.W.T.S, a subject Lily had hastily bought up after the shock wore off.
"Hey Hermione, we missed you at lunch today," said Lily casually, but there was more to her words than it appeared.
"Yeah, I was in library…"
"What were you doing in the library?"
"I… I was… just looking for something…"
For the rest of dinner Hermione was quiet. She couldn't look anyone in the eyes and she didn't know why but when Sirius and James burst out into a very loud, very dramatic chorus of 'A Cauldron of Hot, Strong Love' (which had just been released) with matching dance moves, she had to laugh along with the rest of them. And in fact, when they got up on the table and started singing the tune while rotating their hips, she was breathless with laughing. She hadn't been this happy since…
"Oh, come and stir my cauldron,"
She, Harry and Ron sat in Hagrid's cabin and Fang farted so loudly it shook the windows. They were laughing so much that she had tears running down her face, as did the boys.
"And if you do it right,"
She was in the Room of Requirement with the D.A., they were laughing at the sight of Snape in Neville's Grandmothers clothes.
"I'll boil you up some hot, strong love,"
She received she first Weasley jumper. It was lumpy and orange with a big maroon H in the middle.
"To keep you warm tonight."