Beta love: glitterally. She's truly invaluable. Thank you, my friend!
Ch. 15
Tuesday Morning
The Great Hall
Hermione yawned as she poured herself a cup of tea.
"Still having trouble sleeping, Hermione?" Harry asked as he filled his cup with coffee.
Hermione took a fortifying sip and nodded. "Yes. It's better. No terrors anymore. I think they were so bad because we'd just gotten back here and those charms on me were starting to fail. But I'm still waking up every hour or two."
He winced. "That's terrible. When was the last time you got a full night's sleep?"
"I don't even remember. What about you?" She noticed the dark smudges under his eyes.
"Honestly? When we fell asleep in the common room."
The morning post arrived just on time. Hermione caught the letter from a familiar owl and stifled a groan when she saw Sirius's scrawl. "Harry, it's from Sirius."
"What?" He looked up, frowning.
"I got a letter - from Sirius. What's wrong? Who wrote you?"
"It's actually for the both of us. But what did Sirius say?"
"Hold on." She read it aloud.
Dearest Hermione,
I'm writing to let you know I've voided the marriage contract between you and Harry. If events had followed their normal course, I'm sure James and I would have arrived at this point anyway. You're free to marry whom you love, and I'll accept him - unless he's that git Malfoy or his friend Nott. No former Death Eaters. I prefer Harry when I'm thinking straight, but let me know if he hurts you. He won't ever do it again.
At any rate, I'm sending a notice round to the Prophet tomorrow, and I wanted you and Harry to know before you saw it there.
I'm sorry if my actions have caused you pain, but I can't be sorry for trying to protect you, even though I know you're a grown woman now.
Please pass this message along to Harry, although I'm sure he'll be mirroring me regardless.
Your affectionate father,
Sirius Black
A ghost of a smile passed over Harry's expression as he read the letter. "I told you he'd void it. Do you want to tell him about us? Or let him find out in the Prophet?"
"Tell him. It'll be better that way. Now, what's that letter you have? I don't recognize the owl." Hermione waved her hand to the owl waiting expectantly for a reply.
His brow furrowed and he picked up the offending letter. "It's from the Prophet, asking both of us for comment on Sirius and his new girlfriend."
"Seriously?" she asked incredulously.
He nodded. "Seriously."
"Oh good grief." Hermione contemplated her next move. "What do you want to do?"
"I want to tell them to bugger off."
"Not sure how well that'll play in the papers…." her voice trailed off. A moment later, she beckoned imperiously. "Let me have the letter." He handed it to her and watched as she dug out a quill and wrote on the bottom.
"No comment at this time." Hermione C. Black.
"Write what you like," she said as she handed him the quill.
"No comment at this time." Harry J. Potter.
They attached the letter and sent the news-owl on his way.
Neville watched this entire exchange with a quizzical look on his face. "Why'd you write it separately?"
"Are you mad? Us sending them a joint statement?"
"I see your point." He nodded. "Might be too much. Are you going to tell them you're dating now?"
"Why would we?" Hermione asked. "They don't need an announcement of anything unless it's an engagement or marriage. So if - "
"When," Harry interjected.
"If we decide to get married, we might announce it in the Quibbler, but not the Prophet." Hermione carried on as if she hadn't been interrupted. "Why are you two laughing?"
"No reason, no reason at all." Harry made an effort to school his features. "So, are we in the Prophet today?"
Neville grinned again. "No, but your godfather is." He flipped the paper around to show a picture of Sirius and Kate sitting in an obviously Muggle restaurant, sharing a brief kiss.
"Of all the nerve!" Hermione's eyes widened. "I'm going to send a Howler! How dare he lecture us on propriety when he - umf!"
Harry stopped her tirade by virtue of pressing his lips to hers. Silence fell at the Gryffindor table. He pulled back, smiled, and whispered, "Better to be hanged as a lion than a lamb, right?" He turned back towards the table and looked around expectantly as he picked up his fork. "So, are we looking forward to classes today?"
Wednesday Afternoon
Prof. Trallop's Classroom
"Good afternoon." The professor viewed her charges from the front of the room. "Today, we need to address something that we've been avoiding. The hippogriff in the room, so to speak. We need to talk about the war."
Only the Slytherins managed to hide their discomfort. Harry and Hermione exchanged a speaking glance.
How much do we say?
As little as possible.
"So, who would like to start?" Professor Trallop prompted. "Anyone?"
Silence.
"No one?"
"I was here at school." Pansy spoke up. "It was very quiet with so many people gone. And then, when the Order invaded and the Dark Lord arrived, it was very frightening."
"Quiet. Right. That's exactly how I'd describe being crucioed in the halls." Neville snorted derisively.
"Oh come now, Neville, it wasn't that bad," Pansy chided.
"Are you blind or daft, Parkinson? Did you even leave the Slytherin dungeon at all? Half-bloods and anyone suspected of sympathizing with Harry were tortured regularly."
"It's true, they were." Daphne spoke up. "Blaise, you remember." The tall Slytherin nodded shortly. "I'm sorry I didn't help, but I didn't know what to do." She twisted her hands in her lap. "I know it doesn't really matter, but I came back with Professor Slughorn to fight, to help."
"No, that matters," Harry spoke up. "I can't imagine living here last year under the Carrows. It had to have been a nightmare."
"Where were you, Harry?" Professor Trallop asked.
"That's actually - "
"Classified," Hermione interjected. "Classified by the Ministry for Magic."
Harry's face cleared. "Yeah, she's right. That's classified."
"But we were both here at the final battle when Pansy tried to turn Harry over to Voldemort."
"We? So, you were with Mr. Potter, Miss Black?"
Hermione blinked. "At the final battle, absolutely, I was with Harry."
"You said something about living in a tent the other night."
"Don't try to change the subject, Pansy. You were the only one who wanted to turn Harry over to Voldemort."
"Hermione." Harry reached over and squeezed her hand. "It's okay."
"No, it's not okay. She tried to betray you!"
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You've got to calm down or you'll give away more than you want."
"Mr. Potter, I'm sure the entire class would like to hear what you had to say to Miss Black."
"No, ma'am. With all due respect, I'm not going to discuss last year with you."
"You do realize this is a Ministry-approved program, Mr. Potter. You may be able to refuse to talk about last year under the guise of 'classified' for the whole group, but I can require you to talk to me in private." She stared at him, unblinking.
He froze, assailed by a sensation as unpleasant as it was familiar. She's trying to get in my head. No. "You're welcome to try, Professor." Blood drained from his face as he threw up roadblocks, trying to keep her from seeing anything.
Hermione sat motionless as she watched the emotions play across his face. His hand went up in an involuntary motion, touching the scar.
"Professor, Harry isn't feeling well. I'm going to take him to Madame Pomfrey." Without waiting for permission, she collected both their bags and pulled him from the room.
Harry's body relaxed the moment the door closed behind him.
"What just happened?"
"She's a Legilimens. She tried to get in my head, see my thoughts." He took a deep cleansing breath. "I think I blocked her. She's almost as strong as Voldemort, stronger than Snape."
Hermione gasped. "I knew we couldn't trust her. Professor McGonagall isn't going to like this, Harry." Hermione's teeth worried her bottom lip as they headed toward their tower. "We should go talk to Bill."
"Why?"
"Because, Harry, he can help us. We did just walk out of class, and she just tried to violate your mind. Now come on." She pulled his arm guiding him to the correct staircase. "I think he's got 7th year Defense right now."
They loitered outside of their Head of House's classroom until he dismissed class.
"Harry, Hermione! Why are you here?" Ginny stopped to talk.
"We had a bit of a problem in Professor Trallop's class, so we decided to come talk to Professor Weasley."
"You had a problem in class? Him" - Ginny pointed to Harry - "I can believe, but you? No."
"She wanted to talk about last year and where we were and what we did. All of us."
"I can see why that would be a problem." Bill's voice interrupted Hermione before she could continue. "I'll see you in a bit, Ginny. Why don't you two come in and tell me what happened?"
Ten minutes later, Bill steepled his fingers and looked off in the distance. "So you just walked out, the both of you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Yes, sir."
"And you're sure she was attempting to use Legilimency?"
"With all due respect, I know when someone is trying to read my mind, Professor." Harry's tone was biting. "I did live with Voldemort in my head for years."
The internal Floo activated. "Professor Weasley, I need to speak with you." McGonagall's disembodied head floated in the fire.
"Yes, Headmistress; I was just talking with Mr. Potter and Miss Black."
"Excellent; they had the good sense to come to you after storming out of class today."
"We did not - " Harry stopped abruptly when Bill's pointer finger flew up in the universal symbol to be quiet.
"Rest assured, I will deal with the members of my House, Professor. However, given the amount of attention these two have gotten over the past few months, perhaps it would be better for them to refrain from having conversations about classified events with those not authorized to hear it. Is Professor Trallop with you now?"
"Yes, she is." McGonagall stopped. "Regardless, she is attempting to help these students work through severe trauma. Perhaps the occasional outburst can be forgiven. I will let her know you are handling their punishment."
The Floo flared once again, and she was gone.
"You two will report to detention with me from 8 to 9 each night this week. And I'll make sure the Headmistress is here so you can tell her what happened yourself. Now, off you both go, and avoid Trallop at all costs."
"But Professor, what if she tries to make us tell her about last year? If anyone finds out we lived together unchaperoned, it'll be a disaster," Hermione objected.
"As I said, Hermione. Avoid her. If you can't, I need you both to stick to the 'it's classified' line. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll see you both here tonight. Bring your homework."
8pm
Professor Weasley's Classroom & Office
Hermione and Harry sat, hands intertwined, waiting for Professor Weasley to arrive with the Headmistress.
"I can't believe she did that, Harry. I knew we couldn't trust her."
"I know." Harry rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand.
"We need to tell everyone; they need to be able to protect themselves."
"We'll begin Occlumency lessons tomorrow," Bill said from the door. "I'm starting with the students in sixth year."
"Where's the Headmistress?"
"She's been called away for an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot. Apparently, there were major problems with the census taken after the war."
"Problems? What kind of problems?"
"I'm not sure, Hermione. But when I went to tell her I needed her to speak with the two of you tonight, she assured me that she'd be back tomorrow and meet with you both then. Now, do your homework. At nine, head back to your rooms. I can only urge you to be cautious if you decide to tell anyone about today."
They watched as he left the room. "Who do we tell? Anyone?" Hermione asked.
"I need to talk to Sirius." His voice was quiet. "As pissed as I get at him, he's still the closest thing I have to a father."
"Then we'll mirror him when we get back. Hopefully, he'll be home." Hermione pulled out her Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. "In the meantime, can you help me with Occlumency? It wouldn't hurt to practice before class tomorrow afternoon."
An hour later, they walked into their tower; there was no one waiting for them. Harry took a right turn and walked into his room, Hermione in tow. He stopped on a knut and turned around, blocking Hermione's view of the beds.
"Bloody hell, Potter, can't you knock?"
"Sorry, Malfoy, it is my room, too, you know."
"Draco, don't be cross; I told you they'd be back soon."
"Luna? Is that you?" Hermione quickly ducked around her boyfriend. The blonde sat serenely on Draco's bed with the cover pulled up around her chest.
"Would you hand me my dress? Draco and I were just celebrating."
Hermione picked up the flowing dress off the floor and handed it to the Ravenclaw. "What are you celebrating?"
"We're getting married, of course."
"Luna! You weren't supposed to tell anyone!"
"Oh, Draco, you know Harry and Hermione won't tell, will you?" She turned back to them, utterly confident and serene despite her lack of clothes.
"Uh, no. Wait; I didn't know you were dating!"
"I like to keep my business out of the Prophet, Potter," Draco drawled.
"I'd like to keep mine out, too, but someone keeps telling them every fucking move I make. Do you have any ideas, Luna?" Harry snapped.
"I think we'll know soon, Harry."
He crossed the room and pulled the two-mirror from his nightstand. "Hermione and I need to make a call. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Knock next time!"
"Put your bloody scarf on the door handle, Malfoy!"
Hermione led the way to her room and walked in first to find Daphne at her desk, writing a letter. "Do you mind if Harry and I make a call from here?"
"Of course not. Do you need some privacy?"
Hermione hesitated. "No; you need to hear this anyway."
Harry held up the mirror. "Sirius. Are you there? Sirius." He waited, albeit impatiently, for his godfather to answer.
He appeared moments later. "Harry. What's wrong? Is Hermione okay?"
"Hermione's fine; she's here with me. I needed to talk to you."
Sirius visibly relaxed. "Sure. Sure."
"I'm not sure where to start." Harry breathed out a heavy sigh. "Today in class, my professor tried to use Legilimency on me."
"Excuse me? Was it Bill? During Defense?" His entire body tensed again at the unexpected news.
"No, it was our counseling class."
"What?" Kate's outraged voice sounded in the background and drowned out Daphne's gasp of shock.
"Our counseling class. She wanted to talk about the war, and when I told her that my year was classified, she tried to break in, to use Legilimency to find out what I was thinking."
Sirius felt rage. "I'm on my way."
"No, don't. We're meeting with McGonagall tomorrow night."
"Why not today?" he asked, indignant.
"She got called away for an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot."
"Kingsley did as well," Kate interjected. "But he's going to hear about this the second he gets back in the office."
"I'm not going to have my children violated that way, Deirdre Kathleen." Sirius turned to the witch at his side, the mirror tilting so Harry could see them both.
"You can't do anything up there." She placed her hand on his arm, and some of the tension left his shoulders. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the love on his face for the woman with him.
He looked back to the mirror. "Are you okay, Harry? Do you need me there? I can be there in less than hour. I mean it; I won't have have you abused that way anymore."
"No, I'm fine. Hermione and I left class and went straight to Bill. It just hurt a bit, but I think I blocked her from everything."
Sirius's jaw clenched when Harry mentioned physical pain. "What. is. her. name?"
"Zoe Trallop. She's a Ministry-approved counselor and studied at Beauxbatons. She spent the war in France." Hermione took over for Harry.
"And did she try to read you, Hermione?"
"No; I think she focused on Harry, but I don't know Occlumency at all. We've been working on it this evening while we were in detention."
"Detention?" His voice rose again. "You were in detention for leaving a class where the professor was trying to violate your minds?"
"If Professor Weasley was punishing us for skiving class, then she couldn't. We just used the time as study hall."
"This Trallop woman won't ever work in Britain again when I'm done with her. I'm going to keep the two-way with me, Harry. If you have any trouble tonight, call me."
Thursday Morning
The Great Hall
Athena landed, held out her leg for Harry to take the letter, waited expectantly for a treat, hooted in appreciation for the bacon, and took off to find her roost.
Harry,
It's about time you asked her out. Glad to hear it. I'll be down for the match on Saturday against Ravenclaw, so you better win.
Ron
"Ron's coming down for match," he told Hermione between bites of toast and eggs.
She smiled fleetingly as she went over her notes for the Arithmancy project. "Is he? Excellent! Be sure to tell Ginny."
"She never changes, does she?" Neville asked Harry.
"No. And I love her for it." Harry paused before continuing. "Did you talk to Daphne?"
"No, mate. Do I need to?"
Harry checked to make sure no one was paying them any attention and leaned closer. "It's about Trallop. We can talk this afternoon during our free hour."
Free Hour
8th Tower, Room 1
"She did what?" Neville shouted. "Did you block her?"
"Yeah, barely. She wasn't like Voldemort; she couldn't get in, but…."
"If she tries again, give her something, give her Quidditch memories, that's harmless. Just keep playing those on a loop." Draco's quiet voice interrupted their discussion.
"Is that how you do it?"
"No, but I trained with Death Eaters and lived with the Dark - Voldemort. If I didn't want to die or get my family killed, I had to be better at Occlumency. But what I told you to do is a start And you were able to throw her out, which is good, but if she had her wand," he shrugged, "it may have gotten ugly."
"Bill said he was going to start Occlumency training with all the older students."
"Good."
8pm
Professor Weasley's Classroom & Office
"She did what?" McGonagall asked with deadly calm.
"She attempted to use Legilimency to read my mind, to see what happened last year," Harry re-stated.
"And you could feel her doing this? Without your permission?"
"Yes. And she definitely didn't have permission."
"It was painful for him, Professor. I could see the blood drain out of his face. It looked like he used to look when Voldemort was trying to get in," Hermione added.
A furious McGonagall sat back in her chair and contemplated the two young adults in front of her. "I want proof, but unfortunately, none exists. However, you are both dismissed from her class, effective immediately. I will announce her class is optional to all levels, and once I speak with Kingsley, I will throw her out entirely." She stood to leave but stopped when Harry spoke again.
"Ah, about Kingsley: he may already know."
"How might that be? He was in a meeting with me all night and all day. I've only just returned."
"We were discussing the situation with Sirius, and Kingsley's personal assistant was there. She was, uh, unhappy, and planned to talk to him as soon as she saw him. I got the feeling she was going to be waiting on him at the office."
8pm
Kingsley's Office at Ministry
"She did what?" Kingsley's bass boomed across his office, startling the portraits awake.
"What? I was just taking a nap."
"Needed a bit of snooze."
"You're absolutely right…"
"Oh be quiet!" Kingsley admonished the former Ministers and Head Mugwumps. "Kate, please explain exactly what happened. Surely she didn't just try to invade his mind."
"Yes, sir, she did. This is Harry we're talking about. He knows when there's someone trying to get in his head."
"I want proof. Does McGonagall know?"
"I'm sure she does by now. Harry and Hermione were scheduled to meet with her during their detention for walking out of class. I was getting worried she wasn't going to make it back."
Kingsley shook his head. "We're in a mess. Voldemort almost destroyed us; I'm not sure how we're going to fix it." His expression firmed. "But this Trollop woman won't be allowed to continue with her counseling. I'll talk to Minerva this evening."
"Trallop."
"That's what I said: Trollop."
A/N: No, I'm not writing a Marriage Law. But I like marriage laws (I have one completed already, a Dramione called Unity, and one in progress, an unpublished Harmony called A Papercut and Old Parchment) and I always think there'd have be an excellent reason to require people to marry. So...emergency meetings and census reports. I also had a reviewer who was very angry while reading this story; s/he accused me of writing a Marriage Law. Heh. No, this story isn't that. There is such a thing as too many tropes in one story.