Chapter 14: Family, Forgiveness and Freedom
The first week of the summer was spent in various ways for the students of Hogwarts. Many of them talked to their parents concerning their decision to help the prophecy child, and trying to convince them to join her as well. With every student that managed to get their parent to say they would help they sent word to Harry who would then send them a pendant that identified them as Lycan Army members.
As the days of the summer vacation wore on, Hermione was often seen in the middle of Diagon Alley talking to the various shopkeepers about joining Lycan Army. Skylar was normally visiting the member's of Lycan Army's homes, in order to persuade or thank their families for joining. Harry and Ron were often at Black Manor making plans for the upcoming war and all the plans needed to make it happen when and how they wanted it to.
Soon it was three weeks after they had left the train and as planned, Hermione, Skylar, Harry, Ron and Severus and Ambrosial made their way to the Ministry of Magic. Thankfully Harry had made an appointment with the Minister for Magic two weeks in advance so there would be no confusion when they arrived.
Once they were seated in the Minister's office, Hermione got straight to the point. She told him what she planned on doing and why and what he could do to help her. At first it didn't seem like he believed a word she said until she changed into Hera. Shakily Minister Fudge told them that whenever they planned on the war taking place, they had the full support of the Ministry, as long as none of Hermione's followers tried to take his place as the Minister for Magic. Hermione assured him that his position was safe, while she took a discreet glance at Harry.
After that topic of discussion was finished Ambrosial brought up the real reason that they had come to the Ministry. "Minister Fudge, we would like for you to release a prisoner from Azkaban." Fudge looked at Ambrosial like she was crazy. "I'm sorry Mrs. But that's impossible." Hermione cleared her throat causing Fudge to turn back and look at her. "According to what you just said, our request is very possible." Fudge looked at the people in his office obviously trying to think of ways to get them to change their minds, but the looks on their faces told him it would be better if he agreed.
Shaking his head in confusion and annoyance Fudge broke. "Very well, I'll have someone escort you to Azkaban Prison where the person will be freed and allowed to leave with you." Hermione smiled sweetly at his words. They finished the meeting and walked out into the corridor. "Granger! Take these people to Azkaban. You will be releasing a prisoner into their custody so make sure everyone runs smoothly!" Fudge called out to an Auror that was walking down the corridor.
Auror Granger turned to look at who she would be taking to the Wizarding Prison only to see the faces of her two nieces, two strange boys and two of the Snape triplets. "Follow me please." Juliette said as Hermione smiled at her. The group followed her to the fireplaces in the atrium. "Everyone get some floo powder and say Azkaban Prison in a clear voice." Juliette said as she held out a purple velvet bag filled with green floo powder. Once everyone had some she stepped into the fireplace and called out like she had told them to do. In a flash of green smoke Juliette had disappeared. Everyone followed her and soon they were all standing in what looked like a waiting area in Azkaban.
"Alright, now that we're here, who am I releasing?" Juliette asked after she made sure everyone had arrived. Hermione didn't answer right away, but when she did she walked over and
whispered into her ear. As she was talking Juliette's face grew into an expression of shock, nevertheless when Hermione was done she walked over to the guard and told him that she was here to release Prisoner 8749. Again the guard looked surprised before he handed Juliette the key to the cell.
"This way" Juliette said as she walked back over to them. They followed her through the Labyrinth that made up Azkaban. Finally they stopped in front of an unguarded cell. "Take your time." Juliette said before she walked a little ways away from them. Slowly Ambrosial walked closer to the dark cell. "Hello?" She called out. They heard movement a moment later, but that was all. "It's me Gregori… it's your sister…" Ambrosial said, but once again no one came into view. "Go away." A hoarse voice said from inside the cell.
Ambrosial looked around trying to figure out what to say to get her brother to show himself when her eyes landed on her daughters, "Gregori, there's some people with me that want to see you. Skylar and Hermione came to see you." The breathing inside the cell grew harsher and more rapid as Gregori spoke. "You're lying. They would never come to see me, they hate me."
"I'm not lying Grey; I swear that they're standing right here next to me. If you want, you can come see for yourself." Ambrosial said as she walked closer to the bars. A few minutes later there was a face appearing out of the darkness. Gregori looked uncannily like Severus except for the dark circles under his eyes. Upon seeing Hermione and Skylar standing next to his sister, Gregori smiled a frightening smile at them. "Hello girls."
Hermione and Skylar smiled back at their crazed uncle. "Gregori, we've come to get you out of here." Ambrosial said causing Gregori to turn to her startled. "I'm free?" He asked as he walked closer to the bars. "Yes, but on one condition." Gregori looked at his sister before he turned around. "If it includes joining Dumbledore then forget it. I'll stay in this hole forever before I consider joining that manipulative wizard." He said, causing Hermione and everyone else to smile. "Then you still have a chance of getting out of here." Hermione said making Gregori turn back to her sharply. As Ambrosial started to talk again Hermione continued to smile at the man that caused most of her family's pain. "We want you to agree to join us in the war against Dumbledore…" here Gregori smiled, "And Voldemort." But it quickly faded away.
"No…No… No… I can't betray my lord…" Gregori said as he backed away into the darkness of the cell but stopped when his brother started to speak. "Gregori stop that nonsense this instant!" Severus said as he walked up beside Ambrosial. "If the Dark Lord really valued you as a Deatheater then he would have had you freed from here a long time ago. But as you can see, he's not and we are. We care about you Gregori, despite what you did twelve years ago." Severus said now standing next to the cell bars. Gregori shook his head. "I don't believe you! The Dark Lord does care about me! He rewarded me greatly for the information I gave him! He told me I would always be remembered!" He said from inside the dark cell.
Severus looked into the cell where he saw his brother's angry and confused blue eyes staring at him. "And you are remembered Gregori. In the whole Wizarding world, you're remembered as being the only Deatheater that sold out his family in the hopes of becoming Voldemort's favorite follower. But I know that you didn't intend on hurting Hermione and Skylar, because you truly care about the twins…" As Severus spoke to his brother, Harry and Ron shared an identical look at what they were hearing.
Gregori had by now returned to the bars so everyone was able to see his face. The crazed look on his face had vanished and was replaced by the look of a sane yet sad man. "Hermione, Skylar, can you two ever, ever forgive me?" Hermione looked at him before she walked up next
to Severus before she answered him. "If you denounce Voldemort and agree to help me in this war, then you can consider yourself part of our family again." Gregori looked at Hermione like she was his angel, "Tell what everything I have to do." Ambrosial then went over everything Gregori would have to do to prove himself to the Lycan Army Leaders, not to mention to Hermione. Once she was finished Harry called Auror Granger over to open his cell.
As the door opened Ambrosial and Severus were the first to envelop their brother into a hug before they were joined by Hermione and Skylar. Harry, Ron and Juliette stood back and watched as the Lupin- Snape family shared a meaningful moment. They then left the prison and as Juliette was about to leave them in the atrium of the Ministry Hermione stopped her. "Juliette, you need to considered moving to a safer house, maybe even convince yourself to moving into Lupin Manor with us…" Hermione said as Juliette looked at her. "I'm not sure if Alan would like that, but I'll see what I can do." She said before she gave Hermione a hug and walked away.
After Hermione came back to her family and friends they left and headed to Lupin Manor where they had dinner and went to bed, all awaiting for the next day. The next day Hermione and Skylar woke before anyone else did. They got ready and dressed in their matching birthday cloaks before they headed out for the long day ahead of them. Their first stop was to see their cousins at Malfoy Manor.
Once they arrived they were greeted by a house-elf and taken to the parlor where they patiently waited for Narcissa and Lucius to arrive. Not long had past when they did, and they were quite shocked to see two members of the Lupin family sitting in their house. After exchanging formalities, Hermione told them why they had come to their Manor. She told them all about the Lycan Army and how Draco was one of the best duelists in the army so far, and upon hearing this, Narcissa quickly requested one of the Army's pendants but Lucius politely declined his pendant.
"If the Dark Lord were to find out I betrayed him, then I wouldn't be of any use to you." Lucius said as he shook head at the offered pendant. "I promise you Hermione that I am on your side. During the final battle I will join your army and help you." Hermione nodded at her cousin's answer before they hugged and left.
They arrived at Juliette's house next where they convinced Juliette and surprisingly Alan, to come live with them at Lupin Manor until the war was over. After they packed their belongings the four of them headed to the manor in time for dinner. The weeks went by quickly after that and it was soon time for them to return to Hogwarts. After the boarded platform 9 ¾ the four friends found a compartment together on the first part of train and were visited by every member of the Lycan Army at some point during the train ride back to the castle.
Once the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station everyone waited for Hermione to exit the train before they did in a show of respect, which caused Hermione to smile in happiness. After the sorting of the new first years, Dumbledore stood up to make his usual announcements and at the end he added that he wished for Miss Granger to come to his office after the feast. Hermione looked around the Great Hall at the faces of her followers before she decided to see what the old coot wanted from her, once she was done eating of course.