Discliamer: It's not mine... never has been never will be...

Chapter 2: Meetings

Hermione woke up groggily early in the morning to the sound of tapping. Her first thought was that Hedwig was back but when she opened her eyes and rolled out of bed she realized there was nothing outside the window so felt around for her wand. When the effort became too much she gave in and accioed it. Then she unlocked the door. Not caring that she wasn't encouraged to use magic inside Headquarters, seeing as she was still technically underage. It didn't really matter as they were only little spells and loads of witches and wizards used magic at Grimmauld place anyway. When she looked up she saw a purple haired Tonks standing in her doorway.

"Hey Hermione" she beamed and Hermione stifled a groan of realisation.

"I'll be down in a sec" She muttered and closed the door with a flick of her wand. Then crawled out of bed, turned the light and searched for some clothes. When she found a pair of jeans and a baggy t-shirt she cast a quick cleaning and ironing charm on them before slipping them on, placing her wand in her pocket then and trudging out of the room and down the stairs. She managed to pull her curls into a loose ponytail on the way. When she arrived in the kitchen Tonks was already there, attempting to make some toast by the looks of it. Only when Hermione had cleared the smoke did she see Harry sitting at the table reading the newspaper, unfazed by the smoke. He was used to her cooking by now.

"Good morning, any bad news?" she asked him when he finally looked up and saw her heading towards him.

"Not really, a couple of minor disappearances. No one from the Order though. And one of the Ministry of Defence wizards has been acting strangely. Published a completely different statement to one he made last week. Completely controversial "

"Imperious?"

"There is suspicion but that's only natural. I'll keep an eye on it."

"Good… I suppose. Have you had breakfast?" The question was directed at Harry but Hermione raised her eyes to Tonks questioningly, who was still trying to get rid of the smoke. The purple haired witch just shrugged, half heartedly gesturing towards Harry and waving the smoke around at the same time.

"He was down here before me"

Harry didn't even look up form his paper this time. "I'm right here Hermione, no need to talk around me. Of course I've had breakfast." It didn't take a genius to figure out he was lying. So she set to work making some bacon and egg.

Ever since Harry had arrived from the Dursley's he hadn't been eating properly. Yet he seemed to have grown up so much in the short amount of time he'd been in headquarters, it was becoming increasingly hard to know what he was thinking most of the time. When Hermione's parents had been killed at the beginning of the holidays Harry had said that the safest place for her to be was at Headquarters and had offered her the place to stay in immediately, Ron had joined her later on in the same day, comforting her about her family. Being there for her. He rarely left her side. When he did it was only to go on the occasional raid that Hermione wasn't allowed to go on. Not after…

Harry had arrived with a packed trunk about two weeks later, saying how fed up he was and vowing never to go back again. Hermione didn't need to ask what happened. Harry would tell her when he wanted to. From then on, Harry took more control, stepping into the role that Remus had been acting in. He was always there, in the foreground making some sort of speech, or just in the background listening to everything. He had been taking a main role in raids against the half hearted wishes on those in authority since a week or two into his move. He was also doing god knows what on his own half the time. As time went by the power he seemed to portray grew stronger and more prominent. Sometimes she could swear she saw a kind of fire burning in his eyes when they made a plan or had a successful raid. He may have not been the oldest or experienced member but he was the one they looked up to, the one they felt could defeat Voldemort when the time came, if the time came. The one everybody felt would win them the war. Hermione didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Hermione served him up the breakfast. It wasn't the best but it was edible. Harry looked at it slightly distastefully, but one disapproving look from Hermione and he began nibbling away. Hermione smiled, satisfied, and then went back to preparing some more food that she could keep magically heated until someone needed it. It was easier than repeatedly cooking all morning. By the time she was done Harry had disappeared off to the library. Hermione didn't like to disturb him so she reluctantly decided to do some tidying up. Although she hated it, it was a good way to pass the time. Grimmauld place was still filthy and each time she thought she was nearly done she found another corner, another cabinet. It was frustrating but at least most of the rooms were liveable now. Not that there were many people to use them. She decided one of the dark rooms upstairs would get the treatment today. And that was where she headed grimly.

About an hour later Hermione conceded defeat. Throwing down the rag she'd been using she went to find Harry. But as she was about to go into the library she saw a flash of red hair disappearing down the second set of stairs, her heart leapt and she immediately went to follow the hair. "Charlie?" she called out as she thudded down the first set and then the second set of stairs. In the meantime waking up the portrait of Sirius's mother which immediately started screaming.

"FILTHY MUDBLOODS…DESECRATING THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK….CONTAMINATING IT WITH THEIR FILTHY…" By the time Hermione was in the hallway the red haired person had disappeared out the door. It probably wasn't Charlie anyway. Hermione sighed in frustration and quickly froze the portrait and closed the curtains over it. But when she started heading back to the kitchen she tripped over the coat stand that always seemed to get Tonks, and went flying. Her wand flew out of her hand just as the portrait started screaming all over again. "DIRTY BLOOD SPILLED IN THIS HOUSE…FILTHY BLOOD TRAITORS…FILTHY MUDBLOODS…MURDERESS" Hermione scrambled around her hands and knees for her wand for a few minutes, listening to the screaming until finally she couldn't take it any more, she sat back up on her knees, closed her eyes and put her hand over them. Rocking slightly, trying to block out the noise. But it was too much.

"SHUT UP" She screamed, letting all her anger from the past few days burst out of her. When everything suddenly went silent she opened her eyes confusedly, wondering who had stopped the screaming. Her eyes stared blankly at the smouldering portrait in front of her before quickly gaining her senses and summoning her wand and putting the flame out with a quick jet of water.

"Hermione what's the matter…I heard the screaming and…?" Harry's face appeared at the top of the stairs, his hair even messier than usual and Hermione realised from the way he was rubbing his eyes that he had fallen asleep, a twinge of guilt ran through her.

"Nothing Harry, I just lost my temper with the stupid portrait" she was glad he couldn't see the smouldering remains from where he was standing; it would not help her reformed image. Harry looked relieved at this and smiled at her.

"Ok then, I'll see you later…there's an Order meeting at six ok?" and with that he disappeared back the way he had come. Breathing deeply Hermione then headed into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

By the time six o'clock came around, by the sound of the whispers floating through the halls everyone knew about the destroyed picture. No one was particularly sad to see the empty frame, it had hurled abuse at most of them at some point but no one knew how it had come about. People had tried to destroy or remove it before but none of the attempts had any effect. Hermione had decided to keep her mouth shut on the issue as she didn't want people to think she did it. Harry hadn't mentioned anything but occasionally she saw him staring at her with a strange look on his face which was quickly replaced with a soft but slightly sad smile when he noticed her looking. The group of people were pretty much the same as it had been yesterday, except Harry was missing, which was strange. Finally he entered, carrying a big book under his arms. He placed it on the table with a thud and everyone went silent.

"So… does anyone have any ideas?" He asked lightly. The group stayed silent and Hermione took the time to examine the book lying on the table. It looked old and she could see the dust settled on some of the pages. But the writing of the title was so faded she couldn't read it. So she just decided to wait for Harry to explain. Sure that whatever the book was he had brought for a reason. Harry looked around once more but when still no one said anything he sat down on a seat next to Hermione. "There are a couple of things we can consider possibilities…"

"Like what? Even if Hermione did get to him why would he think she would want to join him?"Remus queried.

"Dissatisfaction with her life as an Order member?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Where was this going...

"Mistaken parentage…" Harry muttered. If he'd spoken any quieter she wouldn't have heard it.

"Wait what?" Hermione snapped to attention.

"Well …um bear with me…" he paused seemingly uncomfortable. "We could say you were adopted…"

"What?" Her brown eyes were wide and confused as she looked up at her best friend. Adopted?

Harry's voice was more hurried now. "Well the story could be that you always agreed with him…but didn't think you could as a muggle born…then you found out…"

"But he won't fall for that, he's smarter than that. One look into her head, one sense of the connection she felt with them" Arthur interrupted.

"No you see…we just need to cast this spell that will block the emotion in those memories…"

"Block?" Hermione asked shakily. Harry scanned the page he had just opened.

"Umm remove the connection between parents and children, in the memories of course. You would remember them…but not in the same way. It's complicated..."

"But he'll never believe that either, he must know about that sort of thing?" Remus cut in just as Hermione came out of her shock.

"It doesn't seem like the kind of thing he would study to me" He looked towards to Hermione "But it's a huge sacrifice, I'm not even sure of the effects…"

"Wouldn't I just be able to block those memories?" Hermione managed to force out of her constricted throat.

"No Hermione, not even someone advanced can withstand Voldemort when he knows what he's looking for"

"Oh" she whispered. Then the memories hit her.

"Hermione-" Harry started

"Umm…could you just excuse me…just for…" she continued.

Unable to sit there now that the images were running through her head and feeling tears come to her eyes she stood up and slowly left the room, unwilling for anyone to see her weakness. As soon as she closed the door behind her she broke into a run. She ran out of the house stumbling occasionally. Once she was outside the anti-apparating wards she closed her eyes and disapparated away, collapsing on the floor when she landed, too weak to keep her balance. Silent tears were streaming down her face. It was only when she managed to look up did she realise where she was. This sent a wave of fresh tears pouring down her face. Hermione pulled herself up and went to the door of the house, stumbling up the few steps leading upwards and finally falling on to the door. It looked exactly the way it had before… She closed her eyes and opened it. She could almost smell her mother's cooking and hear her father's laughter. But when she opened her eyes the place was dark and empty. Her parent's belongings were still scattered around, Hermione hadn't the heart to get rid of them just yet. As she wandered around the silent house she was filled with memories. Including the last one she had of her parents.

She walked into the living room

Her father was sitting on his favourite chair, another one of his mystery books on his lap. He looked up as she came in "Hermione sweetheart!" he smiled, getting of his seat and giving her a hug, his eyes were the exact shade of brown as hers and his brown hair was just beginning to grey. He didn't believe in using hair dye.

Hermione moved and sat down on the chair, it had been broken when she'd arrived but she'd repaired it since. Not able to see it lying there broken. Like her parents had been.

"Jane, Hermione's here" He called ruffling her hair.

"Dad!" She giggled, just as her mother came in, apron on, her thick dark blonde hair was tied in a bun behind her head, just showing the grey of her roots, the dark brown eyes lit up as they rested on her daughter and Hermione felt a glow of happiness. "Mum" She exclaimed and her mother pulled her into a hug.

"Hermione dear, what are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn't come until Tuesday due to safety or something" She laughed then caught sight of her daughters face. "What's the matter?" She asked suddenly concerned. Hermione looked away tears threatening to come to her eyes.

"This is the… last time I can see you until after the… war, attacks on the relatives of the Order are getting worse. And I'm afraid they might find you" At once both of her parents enveloped her in another hug, making her feel a rare moment of safety.

"I don't understand why you have to fight in this war...you're so young, my little girl" Her father whispered into her ear and kissing her head.

"I just do, Harry needs me" They stood there until her father broke the silence.

"I need to meet this bloody Harry Potter and have a word-" Hermione and her mother laughed and then her mother piped up.

"So can you stay for dinner? I've made chicken" Hermione laughed again, relishing the rare feeling..but I can't today...there's an Order meeting and its compulsory...we're…I've…" she walked forward and hugged them. "I've really got to go. Bye…" She hugged them once more hating that her last meeting with them had to be so brief. "I love you both so much" She muttered into the hug, then reluctantly broke away,

"We love you too sweetie" Her mother said and Hermione tried not to see the tears that glistened in her eyes. She knew she wouldn't see them for quite a while as the war showed no sign of being over. Quickly she hugged them again, inhaling the scent of the two people who had raised her, loved her, the people who meant the most to her in the whole world. Then turned and left the room, trying to hold her own tears in. She got as far as placing her hand on the front door when froze. What was she doing? She spun around and walked back to the room. Her parents were embracing each other, his father stroking her mothers hair tears were pouring down both faces. She cleared her throat and they looked up in surprise.

"Hope you don't mind if I stay because…well… I'm starving" She grinned sheepishly and the three of them headed to the kitchen.

Hermione looked at the mantelpiece; on top of it were pictures scattered of the three of them. Hermione walked over and picked her favourite up. It was one of the shots taken when they were in France a few years ago. They were all at the beach; Hermione had an ice cream in her hands and was slightly pink. Her father was pulling a funny face as her mother kissed him on the cheek. Hermione wished that it could be moving like the wizarding pictures were. It had been a funny day. She placed it back, not wanting to ruin the display. She shouldn't have left them that night…if only she'd been stronger.

She'd just apparated back to Headquarters when the alarm attached to her necklace went off. "Shit" she muttered and disapparated back outside the house. She shouldn't have been able to do this but the wards had been taken down. "MUM, DAD!" She screamed running to the door and pounding on it. She could hear their screams. "Alohomora!" she screamed but the door still wouldn't open. She tried to blast through it but the spell just bounced off. She looked around in desperation when suddenly her arms snapped to her sides and her legs snapped together, she fell to the floor and heard the cold laughter. A masked figure bent over her,

"Hello mudblood…" He whispered then looked towards the window "I'm sorry, how rude of me. You came here to see your parents. Would you like to see them?" He smirked. With a flick of his wand he levitated her so that she could see through the window. Their screams went through her and she tried to close her eyes but the spell prevented that, and she was forced to watch her parent's bodies twisting in agony. She watched as two of the death eaters stripped her mother and raped her. The ringing of the Death Eater's laughter tore her apart. She didn't think she could hate a sound even more...until her mother started screaming. She could feel the need to scream building up inside her but she was unable to release it. She had to watch as they destroyed what her father had been. One curse at a time. The final act was almost in slow motion, she watched the flash of green light leave one of the wands and hit her father in the chest, then the next one from a different wand that hit her mother. Hermione couldn't stop the tears falling, just like she couldn't look away. This couldn't be real. It was too much. They were supposed to be safe. She had caused this. "Poor little Mudblood…" the voice whispered in her ear. "No ones coming to save you…you're all alone…" He paused. Then she felt a pain like a knife move slowly across her back. She felt the blood pooling out. "Crucio" the man muttered then she was screaming with every fibre of her being, every nerve was on fire but as soon as it started it stopped. She fell to the floor in a heap. She heard some shouting then the sound of people apparating away. Someone lifted her up and she immediately started struggling, trying to get away from her captor.

"Calm down it's me" The man muttered and Hermione, recognising the voice, stopped struggling and opened her eyes, meeting his. The tears started falling again and she clung to him, sobbing into his shoulder, caught between wanting to get them and wanting to run away and pretend it didn't happen. Holding her close to him like a child and whispering comforts in her ear he apparated them both away.

Hermione left the front room and moved into the kitchen. Everything was as tidy as she'd left it, the same with the rest of the house. Hermione took her time, walking around each room, revelling in the memories she had of each of them. This was the first time she'd been back since she'd come for their bodies. Every time she walked into a room she felt the pain anew again and she didn't leave the room until she felt the pain dim. Then she made her way to the next room, trying to accept that she'd never see her parents in any of the rooms again. She hadn't told anyone about seeing her parents deaths, making it seem like she went for a visit and found them there. He had kept her secret, although unwillingly, but he seemed to understand she just wasn't ready to talk about it. She was dealing with it on her own.

Once she'd been through every room in the house apart from her own she went back to the living room and once again sat down on her father's chair. She wanted to go and visit her parent's graves but she couldn't. She had cast a disguising spell on their graves so Voldemort wouldn't use their bodies to fight her and she couldn't risk being followed. It had felt like betrayal, using false names but once everything was over she would go back and remove the spell, until then she wasn't prepared to go back. She stayed in the chair for an hour. It was only when the clock struck quarter to eight that she remembered the meeting and got up. She would do whatever else it took, but not that, she wouldn't desecrate their memories. Hermione groaned in frustration, she had to do something so she could get into the Dark order; it was going to be difficult enough as it was. She got up left the house, pulling her cloak tighter around her as the cold wind hit her. She reinstated the wards mainly out of habit rather then to protect the house then apparated to the pub.

Hermione stood outside the window and peered in to see if he was there. She couldn't see him, but as the wind continued to blow she decided she might as well go inside and wait. She felt the heat overwhelm her as she entered the room and sighed in relief. She meandered towards one of the seats in the darker section of the pub. It was quite crowded and smoky which made it less likely that she would be noticed if Severus did decide to show up. A waiter came over to her and she ordered a coke. What she really wanted was some butterbeer but they didn't sell it here. When her drink arrived she sipped it, while keeping her eyes peeled, focusing on the door. After about ten minutes a young man entered, ordered a drink and then strode in her direction. She didn't recognise him but something in the way he walked seemed familiar. The man stopped at her table. "Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked smoothly and without waiting for a reply he sat down. Hermione was surprised. Then she understood.

"Hello Severus" she said smiling and the man smiled in return, his features fading away and forming the more familiar ones of the potions master before mutating back to that of the stranger. "You came then" she stated

He smirked.

"Why would I miss the chance to partake in another of our…intriguing discussions?" Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes before sobering up. Severus raised his eyebrows. "I assume you have a more important matter that you need to discuss, rather than just wanting to speak to me?" he said, taking a sip of the drink he had brought over with him.

"Actually I-we need some help." Before she could continue Severus interrupted

"By 'we' I assume you mean the Order?" Hermione nodded then hesitantly continued.

"The thing is… I need to join the Dark Order." She stated bluntly before she could change her mind then added "And you're the only person I think can help me." If it was possible his eyebrows raised even further.

"And why, prey tell, would you want to do that?" Hermione took another sip of her coke.

"It probably hasn't escaped your notice but the Order has been-" She paused again "Well they need a spy and…I thought…"

"Your trust surprises me Miss Granger. What makes you think I did not organise an ambush to capture you or will not go straight to the Dark Lord with this information, as I'm sure your friends believe? I don't know how you managed to convince them-" Hermione blushed and looked down towards her drink. "I thought as much, now what do you think I could do to help you?"

"I don't know. I hoped you would come up with some ideas…" She trailed off as Severus took another sip of his drink. He remained silent. Hermione hoped she hadn't been wrong about him. The silence continued for a few more minutes as the two of them sat in thought. Eventually Hermione spoke up "What if…umm we could…" abandoning her train of thought she fell into silence again, sipping her drink. Severus still didn't say anything, his silence unnerved Hermione and she began to wonder if he really was on her side like she believed.

Hermione stood in the corner of the dark classroom, panting slightly. Her wand was out and her eyes searching for anything that might give away his whereabouts. "Come out Granger, I know you're there, you can't hide from me" The voice echoed around the room, hiding its source. She decided replying would get her nowhere, and would most likely reveal her position so continued searching silently in the dark. Suddenly a flash of light from the corner opposite her forced her to jump out of the way, but as soon as she'd moved another spell came towards her, more prepared than before she blocked it and sent another one back. This continued for a few more minutes until a spell hit Hermione in the side, freezing her into place as she fell to the floor. Snape stepped out of the shadows and approached her, wand pointed directly at her heart. "Disappointing Miss Granger, I would have expected better from the 'brightest witch of your age' but no matter, it has just made things easier for me. Legimens" Hermione felt the force envelope her mind and try to force inside but she resisted, gradually the attack got more powerful and Hermione struggled to repel it, in a desperate last effort she pushed forward with her mind and broke into the mind attacking her, she must have caught him by surprise as she'd never done it before, a flood of memory's were revealed. His mothers arms, getting the Hogwarts letter, his first day at Hogwarts. They all flashed and faded, unimportant, a memory of Dumbledore's office caught her interest and although she knew she shouldn't she stopped to watch. The attack faltered as Snape now defended his mind, trying to push her away from the memory, but it was too late, she had already passed his defence barriers so she held on, attaching the memory to her and concentrating on what was being said, most of the words were illegible and blurred with the force of Snape's defence but for a moment they cleared and Hermione heard Snape.

"Do you intend to let him kill you?" and Dumbledore's reply

"Certainly not. You must kill me"

The shock of that sentence left Hermione so confused she almost lost complete concentration but she was attached to the memory, it was too hard to let go even though she now wanted to, so Hermione found herself watching Snape give a curt nod to Dumbledore's request and that filled her with horror and gave her the strength she needed to wrench away from the connection to the memory finally. She yanked herself from his mind in shock, severing all contact and closed her eyes. When she opened them everything came back into focus. She realised she was able to move again so she stood up shakily and backed away. Snape had moved away from her and was sitting on one of the desks that was somehow back in place, he was looking defeated.

"You're…you're… going to kill Dumbledore" Hermione managed to force out, he didn't deny it; instead he rested his forehead on his hands.

"Of all the memories…of all the vast sections of my mind you had to get attached to that one..." he muttered then added quietly "At least it wasn't the worst you could have seen..."

"What do you mean not the worst it was pretty bad from what I-" Snapes anger seemed to flare up momentarily.

"I'm talking about the Dark Lord Miss Granger" He seemed to calm himself enough to say in a resigned voice "I'm sorry…I wish you did not have to share this burden but since you do…I must ask you not to tell anyone of this Miss Granger. You do not know how important this information is and the kind of weight it carries" He lifted his head his dark eyes boring into her chocolate eyes.

"But you can't kill him, we'll be crippled without him…!" Hermione continued to open and close her mouth in an attempt to say something else to finish her statement but he spoke first.

"Your lesson is over, you may leave." This was a clear dismissal and she didn't want to push him so she turned and did something she hadn't wanted to do in a while, she fled, her thoughts twisting and turning in her head, confusing her and leaving her wondering what she could do.

She should have told them straight away, before Dumbledore died, then they would have believed him. But now the pain was too raw and no-one would believe them. They would think it had been faked and that Severus had only come to them now because he had perfected it. But the memory can't have been false. She was sure of it, everything had been so clear and detailed, except...well some of the words. But everything she had listened to had been clear. Letting that thought go she concentrated on thinking of a way to help the Order, she couldn't afford to stay too long or someone would come looking for her, she'd already been missing for hours. Finally giving up all thoughts of infiltrating the Dark Order for a second and tired of the silence she asked Severus conversationally "I was looking through an old potions book the other day. There were some pretty gruesome ones in it. I saw your name mentioned and I could help but wondering what the most dangerous potion you've ever made is." He looked up from his drink and raised an eyebrow, before accepting her change in the conversation and going into detail about the many dangerous potions he had made.

About two hours later Hermione looked at her watch and decided she had better go. How time had flown. She got to her feet "Thanks for coming, will you at least consider helping me?" Severus looked at her and raised his eyebrow.

"What makes you think that I have the time?" Hermione blushed; he made her feel like such a child sometimes.

"I just thought…well umm goodbye anyway"

"I must be leaving too," he said as he got out of the chair. As they were heading to the door Hermione stopped.

"Why don't you just show them your memory? Then you could come back and…" Severus smiled slightly.

"They would never believe me; they would think I created the memory. Sometimes my reputation and skill work against me Miss Granger, but do not think I have not thought about it." Hermione nodded sadly.

"I suppose. Well goodbye" She withdrew her wand as if to apparate but Severus put a hand on her arm.

"Don't contact me again. It was very foolish, especially as you used Harry's owl. I will contact you soon…within the next few days if possible" And with that he let go and disapparated. Hermione tried to ignore the tingling his touch had given her, instead disapparated back to headquarters, her mind filling with dread at the thought of explaining herself to the Order...and Harry.

Well this is the end of Chapter Two. Hope you enjoyed! Review if you did! Or if ya didnt... Please Please Please!