Here's your next chapter! It's SO WILD that this first book is wrapping up. I ABSOLUTELY have a problem with ENDINGS (something I've discussed with my therapist, don't fret! ;) ) but next week you'll get both final chapters in one!

We've got some time jumps in these next few chaps, because we're really setting up for the next book.

Any whoooo enjoy!

July 31, 1998

Hermione

The day dawned bright, which seemed exceptionally wrong. Harry Potter was gone. She had avoided thinking about it at all costs. For the most part, she'd isolated herself from Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. The few times she'd spent with Ron had been full of angsty energy that brought her down.

Now she was sitting in the sitting room at Headquarters, next to Remus, holding Teddy against her chest. Seamus was standing in front of the group telling a story about Harry from their Third Year, earning wet chuckles from everyone.

Ron kept trying to catch her attention, but she pretended to be engrossed with Teddy. "You can't ignore him forever," Remus said softly.

"I just don't want to have to deal with his energy today if all days," she said with a sigh.

"Maybe he'll surprise you," Remus replied, "it's time for me to take Teddy for his nap anyways. Go and talk to him."

Hermione begrudgingly handed Teddy off to his father and made eye contact with Ron, who came right over and sat down heavily, throwing his arm over her shoulder.

"Hullo, Ron," she said softly, drawing her hands into her lap, "how are you?"

He sighed and started talking. He spoke quickly and barely paused for a break, almost like a stream of consciousness. She noted that he focused on how all of this was affecting him and, unsurprisingly, spending very little time considering other people's feelings. She continued to sit in silence and Ron continued to talk.

Having now lived in two worlds, one with Ron gone and one with Harry gone, she found herself comparing the two. Harry had spent a lot of time considering how Hermione felt about, well everything. Harry also tended to take the weight of the world on his shoulders which was often overwhelming, but it was something she was rather used to.

Ron rarely took a moment to think about his impact on others and almost never held accountability for his actions or words. An increasingly large part of Hermione questioned if she would have ever become friends with him without Harry's influence.

"… and honestly Fleur can barely cook, dinners just aren't the same without Mum," Ron ended with a grimace.

Hermione knew for a fact that Fleur was an excellent cook, she just leant towards lighter, French food instead of the heavy British food Ron was used to. She looked up at Ron who was looking at her, waiting for a response.

"I miss Harry," she said softly.

"Can't stop thinking about him, either," Ron said after a moment.

"He was such a good friend and cared so much about making the world a better place," she replied, turning her wrist and watching the gemstones of her courting bracelet catch in the light.

"What's that, 'mione?" Ron asked, an edge to his voice.

"A bracelet," she replied as nonchalantly as she could.

"Who gave you a bracelet?" he asked, attempting to be sly.

She chewed on her lip, this wasn't the time to talk about this, but she didn't want to avoid it any longer. "A wizard," she said softly.

"'mione, I know that you're not aware of Pureblood customs," Ginny butted in with a sneer, "but a Wizard who gives a Witch jewellery implies that they are courting or Betrothed."

"Is someone taking advantage of you?" Ron said heatedly.

"Of course n-" Hermione started, when Ron gripped her arm harshly, attempting to pull the bracelet off. She could tell that the bracelet gave him a shock, but he ignored it, continuing to tug on it instead.

When she tried to pull her wrist away he turned to her with anger in his eyes. "You have to take it off," he said shortly, "wearing this means you're going to marry him, whoever he is. You have a Soulmate," he added with a sneer.

The room had fallen silent watching as the conversation derailed. "I'm rather aware of all the customs that are expected of a Pureblooded woman, including the fact that both my bracelet and necklace are Courting and Betrothal gifts from my intended, who also happens to be my Soulmate."

Ron sputtered and Ginny snorted. "You don't know who your Soulmate is," he said dumbly.

"I do now," she said, pulling further away from him. "I don't think Harry would want us to fight about this today if all days," she added a moment later.

"Like you'd care about what Harry would want," Ginny sneered.

"And why wouldn't I care?" Hermione asked, turning towards the redhead.

"You've barely spent a moment fighting for the effort he died for."

Hermione chuckled darkly. "I don't think you have any idea of all of the things that I've done for the effort. You're too busy making a show of mourning Harry that you aren't doing the things that needed doing. Or did you forget that I brew your Dreamless Sleep and the Wiggenweld you used for your headaches? How about the Charm that I created that helps monitor your back when you're in the field?"

"I am not making a show of mourning Harry, I was in love with him!" Ginny shrieked.

"More or less than Blaise Zabini," Hermione sneered, standing abruptly.

"How dare y-" Ginny shouted.

"I think I'll be going home to celebrate Harry's life and sacrifices," Hermione stated, casting a shield around herself, which sent the Bat-Bogey Ginny had aimed at her back in her direction. She spun on her heel and stormed out of the house quickly apparating home.

September 1, 1998

Theo

For so many years, September 1st had been Theo's favourite day of the year. It was the day that he got to escape his Father's clutches. It was the day where he got to spend his time however he wanted, to read the books he desired and to engage with the world how he saw fit.

This year was different. He'd been working diligently on his Mastery, moving faster than expected. At the rate he was going, he was expected to finish before the Winter of 1999 came to a close.

He hadn't broached the topic of their roles in the next jump with Mia and Draco yet, as he knew it would create a spectacular row. Draco and Mia would hopefully be married by then, and would be a better fit to integrate into the Order. He had all the knowledge about Pureblood customs and would have to ingratiate himself in with the more Traditional set.

He and Andromeda had been discussing just what the role would have to look like and how he could curry favour with the Death Eaters. It wasn't something that he wanted to do, but he knew that he had to. His father had always told him that he was weak and wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done, but his father was wrong. Theodore Junius Nott was clever and had more things up his sleeve than his Father had sleeves.

With a sigh, he looked down at the parchment he was working on when he heard Mia stomp in from her lesson with Flitwick. He stood, knowing that he needed the break, Arithmancy, while fascinating, was hard.

"Hello Mi-" he started and cut himself off when Draco stormed in after her.

"Granger!" he shouted to her back. "I can't believe you let him talk to you like that!"

"I. Can. Defend. Myself. Draco Malfoy!" she shrieked, poking said wizard in the chest to highlight each word.

"Not to disrupt the Lover's Spat, but what happened?" Theo asked, lounging on the couch, pretending to not be fascinated by the events transpiring in front of him.

"Someone decided to rub our relationship in Ronalds face," she started heatedly, but got quieter as the words came. She continued in a dejected whisper, "Maybe we're not ready for this, Malfoy. Maybe you should take these back."

"N-No, Granger, Hermione," Draco said, voice cracking. Theo yet again felt like the third wheel in a chaotic soap opera. "I didn't mean- He just-"

"Draco," she said quietly. "I already agreed to be yours, but I don't consent to being an object for you to fight over."

"Granger, he hurt you. You have bruises, you expect me to just let that be? I didn't go after him on Potter's birthday when you were sobbing in my arms, because you needed me, but I won't watch you get hurt and do nothing. You. Are. Mine."

She scoffed and began to stomp away, finally noticing Theo for the first time. He'd feigned nonchalance and crossed his ankle over his knee, bobbing his foot jauntily. "Mia, Draco," he said after a moment of awkward silence. "I think we need to have a team meeting."

Hermione sat down heavily, with a huff Draco stalked after her and sat at her right side, she scooted as far away from him as the couch would allow. Theo rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically.

"This," he said gesturing between the two of them, "needs to stop. If we are going to be jumping back, you need to get your communication on point. We all do. We can't be having silly arguments and storming away from each other. We're the only people we can depend on."

Hermione sort of collapsed in on herself. "I'm not, nor will I ever be a Pureblood Princess who needs your protection," she said after a moment. "I understand that emotions are high, but you need to trust that I can handle myself!"

Draco looked, if anything, more annoyed. He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Hermione!" he seethed, "I'm not going to let someone like the Weasel hurt you. I know you understand, you've done more dramatic things for the people you love! Show. Him. Your. Wrist."

"L-love?" she stuttered.

He paled, "Er… you know what I mean?"

"Draco," Theo said with another sigh.

Draco's eyes darted to look at Theo who was now grinning cheekily at him. He groaned, "Fine. Granger, I love you. I have for a while now, I know you can defend yourself, but none of us," he gestured between the three of them, "have to. Theo's right. We have to trust each other and work together."

"I get that I just-" she started before Theo cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at her. "Ugh fine, I'm sorry. I know you're right, I just…"

"You've always been the planner and protector?" Theo said, "We know, but we're a team. All three of us are going to have to work our asses off in order to do this well. We sort of flew by the seat of our pants in this go around, but we saw how well that worked."

"But this isn't just about me," she said, crossing her arms. "Theo, you don't think I've noticed how you're isolating. You've barely talked to me since the Final Battle," she ended quietly.

Theo flushed, "I…"

"She's right, mate," Draco said softly, "while we appreciate that you've been giving Granger and I time to get to know each other better, we need you too."

Theo tried to ignore the pit in his stomach. He was much better at being the goofy one. He was the one who made jokes and ignored his own feelings. He knew he needed to sort out his avoidance tendencies, but it was scary.

He took in a deep breath, strengthening his resolve. "I have been," he said, "avoiding you, that is. I was running the calculations and with all the new additions, there have been some…changes."

"Changes?" Hermione asked, worry edging into her tone.

"Follow me," he said, standing and leading them towards the calculations room. The two of them looked at the wall of calculations in silence for a few mike ya before Hermione gasped.

"Absolutely not," Draco said, firmly. "You will not put yourself in that scenario."

"We don't have a choice," Theo said shortly. "You have too many connections to the Death Eaters, my Father will have just killed his second wife and had no prospects to marry again until my mother graduated. I have to be our Tom contact."

Hermione looked torn. He knew that she'd rather have neither of them working with Tom, but she was a better fit for the Order. She looked at him for a few long moments before she nodded sharply.

"What's this?" she asked, pointing to the blank spot.

"We need to take a fourth companion, they have to be from the Black Family. I just can't place who," he said.

Draco looked at the equations that led to the hole. "So adding this fourth member to the team helps balance us out?"

"Who have you tried so far?" Hermione asked, settling on a stool against the far wall.

"Andromeda, Tonks, Teddy, Sirius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, mostly anyone who we could reasonably get blood from," Theo said.

"Regulus?" Hermione said after a few moments. Theo plugged the name into the equation and they watched as multiple calculations shifted, a few unknown variables popping up and increasing the odds of different favourable outcomes.

"Why Regulus?" Draco asked.

"Sirius' brother was a hero. He died trying to get to the locket Horcrux in a cave. I think we could probably find his corpse in the lake, it's an Inferus at this point, but it should suffice for the ritual. "

Both boys blinked at her, she was constantly surprising them. There was no reason they couldn't use the Inferus in the ritual, it was just about finding it in the lake full of bodies.

"Alright, Mia," he said, smirking at her, "that will be your job, find us Regulus Black."

October 31, 1998

Draco

He hated being a Death Eater. He hated the idea of Theo having to be Death Eater adjacent. He hated Tom Riddle. He hated having to wait. There were many things that Draco Malfoy hated and almost all of them centred around the bloody brand on his left arm.

He hated going on Missions for the Dark Lord, and to make it even worse, this mission included one Fenrir Greyback who was, by far, the follower of the Dark Lord that Draco hated the most.

"What's got your knickers in a bunch, pretty boy?" Fenrir growled at him from where he was leaning against the wall of Malfoy Manor's receiving room.

"Your atrocious stench isn't helping the ambiance of the room," sneered a lower level, thus unbranded Death Eater.

Draco chuckled darkly. "Let's get this raid over with. The Order won't know what's hit them," he sneered, knowing full well that the Order did in fact know what was about to hit them and had a whole plan for how to stop the Death Eaters, but allow the unbranded ones and Draco to escape. The true goal of this fight was to neutralise Greyback, something that Draco was absolutely ecstatic for.

"Off we pop," said one of the older recruits, who Draco was certain had only joined because she felt forced.

Draco apparated to the rendezvous point, his wand at the ready. He saw that the Order was in place, looking casual as if they didn't expect an attack. All around him, the pops of the other Death Eaters came and before he could say anything, spells began flying.

He saw a furious looking Ron Weasley storming towards him, before he was detained by another Death Eater. Draco turned and surveyed the group. Remus was working his way towards Greyback who was alternating between using his hand and his teeth to take down opponents. Draco nodded towards Neville and began exchanging harmless hexes, both of their attention focused on Remus and Greyback who looked menacing as they fought.

Most of the fights slowed down in favour of watching the absolutely awe-inspiring fighting of Remus and Greyback. Both of the Werewolves had become almost feral, wielding magic and their bodies with ruthless intensity.

Greyback lunged towards Remus, his mouth thrashing towards Remus' neck. Remus tried to turn his wand towards Greyback, but in the effort, lost his grip on Greyback. Greyback sunk his teeth into Remus' neck. He ripped away, causing a gush of blood to spray from Remus' neck. Remus grit his teeth and cast a wordless slicing hex on Greyback's throat.

Moments later, Neville and he stopped pretending to even fight. Neville rushed over towards Remus, gripping him and disapparating before he could even call out an order.

Draco stalked over to Greyback and saw the life slowly draining from his eyes. "Finally got what you deserved you filthy beast," Draco sneered as he spit on the dying man. "Good riddance." The werewolf looked at Draco with hate filled eyes before his face fell into the blank mask of Death. Draco kicked his side to make sure he was dead before he called a retreat.

When he landed back at the Manor, only three of the original twenty landed back with him. He led the group towards Tom who was lounging on a chaise in the formal parlour.

"My Lord," Draco said, bowing his head to the snake-like man. "Greyback is dead, as well as many of the men that were sent. It was an ambush. It seems we need to re-evaluate our strategy."

"You did advise that didn't you, Lord Malfoy?" Tom asked sarcastically.

"I did, my Lord," Draco said, bowing his head slightly. "The Order is being led by Shacklebolt now, he was in Slytherin so they're much craftier about their techniques.

"Do you have any good news?" Tom asked darkly.

"Greyback and Lupin fought. I believe both are dead, I can't be sure about Lupin, but I saw Greyback die," he said blankly.

Tom chuckled. "You never did like the dog, did you?"

"He wasn't worthy of the honour of serving you, my Lord," Draco said, holding his eye-roll in.

"You're proving to be an invaluable soldier, Malfoy," Tom hissed. "I'd like you to take point on the next few raids, think of it as a test, to prove yourself as my general."

"Thank you, my Lord. I look forward to proving your trust is warranted," he said stiffly, bobbing his head and stalking away.

As quickly as he could, he apparated to Granger Estate, which was chillingly empty and silent. "Darcy? Bennett?" he called.

The elves popped into the entry hall in front of him. "How can we assist?"

"Where is everyone? Do you know if Lupin made it?" he asked quickly.

"They're being at Headquarters," Darcy squeaked.

"Mr. Lupin did not survive his attack. Mistress told us to be bringing you to them as soon as you be arriving. Are you being ready?" Bennett continued without pause.

"I am," he said, holding out his hand.

Draco appeared at Headquarters in front of a grey looking Kingsley Shacklebolt. "Draco," he said heavily. "I'm not sure if you heard, but Remus-"

Draco nodded, "The elves told me. What can I do?"

"Just be here for your Aunt. She's not taking this well. In the meantime, what happened?" Kingsley added at the end.

Draco proceeded to go over all of the events that occurred on the battlefield, and told Kingsley about his Promotional Trial. Kingsley nodded and turned to his plans.

"This will have to be handled carefully," he said after a moment, "we need you to appear successful, but also keep morale up with the Order."

"I think we can do it," Draco said with more confidence than he actually possessed.

What do we think?

bam2305 you rock and I can't even explain how much I appreciate you!