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Hermione found Laura reading in the small Black family library. Out of the two she seemed the most approachable. Now that she'd found her though she found herself unsure if she should bring up what was on her mind.
She had so many questions and Laura had always come across as kind and understanding but this was the woman's personal life.
Nervously she hesitated at the doorway trying to make up her mind on how to approach her.
Laura momentarily looking up from her place sitting on the comfortable armchair she was reading in spotted her standing in the doorway.
Blinking at her a look of mild concern made its way across her face at the unsure way the girl was holding herself, "sorry Hermione I didn't see you there, was there something you wanted?"
"Oh, yes... um, I, er that is," taking a deep breath she squared her shoulder "could I talk to you about something?"
Laura's previous look of mild concern changed to one of confusion but she set aside her book and motioned Hermione over to sit in the chair across from her.
"Sure what did you want to talk about," she stifled a yawn before adding on, "sorry I haven't been up long Carmilla's beginning to rub off on me."
"Oh, I was wondering where you I guess that explains it." Everyone in the house had been there.
The news seemed to come as a surprise to her, "Wow Carmilla was actually up during the morning that doesn't happen often." "Of course," she mumbled afterwards, "she went back to sleep right after." She shook her head fondly.
"So what got her up? Usually I have to drag her out of bed."
Hermione hesitated before regaling Laura with everything that had happened with the boggart earlier in the day. Laura might be able to sate some of her curiosity and she still hadn't worked up the courage to bring up her relationship with carmilla.
"Most of us were a little shaken up and I know the others are curious but she disappeared straight after. Even if she was still awake most of them are too polite to bring it up with her or else afraid she'll hex their toes off if they ask."
"But not you?" Laura arched and eyebrow but she didn't seem offended just genuinely curious.
Hermione blushed, "well that wasn't what I was going to ask you about but yes."
Laura let out a breath her lips forming a wry smile, "If you're anything like I was at your age I'm sure your curious about Carmilla's boggart."
"Let's just say Carmilla's mother was never a nice person by any stretch of the imagination."
"I'm a bit surprised at the coffin though, I wouldn't have thought I'd be the one she'd feared caged, though I suppose seeing yourself might lessen the effect somewhat."
She hummed to herself contemplatively before turning her attention back to Hermione.
"So what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Hermione hesitated before the words came spilling out of her mouth, "please don't think this is rude but I was wondering about you and Carmilla."
"What about us?" Laura asked quizzically.
"Well, um that is, when we were having lunch Ron asked what all the stuff Carmilla's mother said and I thought about how close the two of you are and..." She trailed off face glowing red.
"Oh, this is so embarrassing and it's not really any of my business, but are you, er that is, are you- ?"
"-together?" Laura finished for her seeming amused at her embarrassment.
"There's no need to be so embarrassed Hermione it's natural to be curious, but yes, we've been together for quite a few years."
"We hardly make a secret of it and the whole order knows I'm surprised no one told you."
The conversation descended into silence after that.
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Later that night Lupin visited for dinner. Carmilla and Laura had disappeared earlier in the evening to do something and weren't expected to be back until late that night.
The topic of Carmilla's boggart was inevitably resumed and Remus who hadn't been there had been quickly caught up to speed.
Remembering their ex Defence professor's lessons on the creatures they managed to drag him into joining the rampant speculation about what had occurred as dinner was prepared.
His voice was quite and thoughtful as he spoke.
"Like crows you say?"
"Yes, screaming and clawing in this great shadowy mass," Apart from whatever secrets Carmilla hid Harry had been particularly interested in finding out more about the spell she had used. Whatever it had been it had been powerful and seemed to be effective against abnormally magically powerful creatures that would normally be resistant to most magic.
Sadly it seemed like the werewolf was just as in the dark about it as they were."Interesting, but as to what she did I have no idea."
"I wouldn't try replicating it without her either," he shot them a look, 'I know that you like to be curious about these kinds of things but I want you to promise me you won't try anything."
Seeing their mulish expressions his features softened before he let out weary sigh.
"Most dark arts and creatures aren't inherently evil but that won't stop a spell from turning on its caster without the knowledge and skill to control it."
"I'm sure you all remember what happened to Ron with that slug eating curse you told me about."
Ron looked a bit queasy at the mention of that no doubt rather traumatic event, but they could see what Lupin was getting at even if they didn't like it.
With a wan smile he hammered the final nail in the coffin, "I wouldn't be surprised if whatever she did was beyond your abilities to cast in any case."
Seeing Harry opening his mouth the argue, he lifted and hand to interrupt him before ploughing through any argument he might have been about to make.
"I know your powerful Harry, learning to cast a Patronus as a third year is astounding, still."
"I'm not discrediting you, but I'm not sure any of us here could manage the feets she's capable of, she could give Dumbledore a run for his money if she was in the mood."
They all shared surprised looks, that was news to them. There'd be indications that she was magically skilled and powerful, the silencing of Mrs. Black for one, but being able to challenge Dumbledore was on a whole different level.
"How do you know ?" Hermione asked eyes wide.
"Apart from the fact he told me? My wolf can feel it whenever she's nearby, it knows when it's in the presence of something more powerful than it."
One of the twins let out a low whistle, "blimey."
He chuckled wryly at their shocked faces.
"Yes she's a rather amazing individual, now back to that boggart, it isn't often I get to hear about one that's been tampered with to such an extent."
"Judging from the intensity of the aura that it exuded and the complexity of the fear that it showed the boggart must have been considerably more powerful than anything that could occur naturally."
"Still I would imagine whatever that light was even an unnaturally powerful boggart would pale in comparison to the real thing."
He seemed disturbed by the notion and at their questioning looks he elaborated.
"A boggart no matter how powerful will always be an imitation, for example, Harry I'm sure you noticed this but when your boggart takes on the shape of dementor it feels somewhat like a real one but it can't quite properly generate the aura of despair."
"I always wondered about that, what about the rest of the boggart though? Laura and Carmilla's mother."
"I don't know anything about her mother and it would be polite not to pry," he shot them a stern look, "as for Laura's presence well I would have thought the answer would be obvious."
Except for Hermione everyone not in the order seemed baffled, something which seemed to genuinely surprise Lupin who looked like he thought they were all being a bit dense as he excused himself to go fetch Mr. Weasley and Tonks for Mrs. Weasley.
At Harry's questioning look Sirius - who had been listening in while he helped the Weasley matron cook, waggled his eyebrows at them a lecherous grin on his face.
Confused Harry turned to look at Hermione who seemed to be the only one who understood, "I don't get it, what's he mean obvious."
Blushing furiously she let out a squeak face bright red.
"Oh, Harry, what he was saying is, well..."
"-We're together."
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An: Oh Hermione, still young and pure. She's easily embarrassed about talking about certain topics.