This is the battle finally and Harry finds out everything well maybe not everything just yet :-)

Sirius

Chapter 7

Hermione panicked and realised she hadn't thought that idea through very carefully. She needed Sirius to see she wasn't going to hurt him so she raised her hands slowly above her head.

"Sirius please don't hurt me, I just need to talk to you." Hermione pleaded and Sirius instantly let go of her. He couldn't make out her face in the dark but he knew her voice anywhere.

"Hermione, Hermione Oh my God is that you?" Sirius pulled her in for a hug but she was still in the shadows.

"Hermione I can't see your face, what's wrong? Does Harry know you're here? I have to contact him, he will be so happy."

" NO Sirius you can't, I need to speak to you first but it must be in private can we go somewhere?" Sirius nodded and then suggested he apparate them but Hermione said No again, she couldn't do that so Sirius hailed a taxi. He was shocked when she pushed her pram out and even more shocked when he saw Hermione's black hair and bright blue eyes.

"Hermione if I didn't know your voice I wouldn't have recognised you." He couldn't take his eyes off her or the pram and he was itching to ask.

"That's the point Sirius."

Once inside the taxi, he placed a silencing spell around the back seat and he turned his body to face her.

"Who may I ask is this little person?" Sirius put his arms out to hold her and Hermione took her beanie off her head and as soon as Sirius saw the black hair and her rich emerald green eyes he gasped. His eyes teared up immediately and he let out a little cry as he hugged his granddaughter.

"Hermione is this who I think it is?" Sirius was too scared to think, he needed confirmation.

"Yes she is Sirius."

"...this is my granddaughter, my little granddaughter I can't believe this." Sirius was very emotional and Hermione teared up as well.

"What's her name Hermione?"

"Umm... Lilly, her name is Lilly." Sirius couldn't help the strangled gasp that escaped his throat.

"Lilly, hello little Lilly I'm your granddad," Sirius hugged her and cried some more.

"Why didn't Harry tell me?" Sirius was hurt and then shocked with what Hermione said next, "That's because he doesn't know!"

"Hermione are you kidding? You have to tell him, you have no idea of what he has been through since you left him!" Hermione sighed and turned to look out the taxi window.

"Sirius I didn't come to you so I could get a grilling on what I did or didn't do. I know what it means to live a hard life, believe me I know all to well. I have a job and a place to live and I've done it without Harry, without the man I love, without my daughter's father! So don't tell me how hard his life is, its hard bringing up a beautiful little girl who looks like her daddy and I can't escape it, everyday its right there in my face." Hermione roughly wiped her tears away and cleared her throat. The taxi stopped at his house and they went inside out of the cold. Hermione settled Lilly down and then joined Sirius for a quick dinner.

"OK why did you come to me now, what is it that you want?" Sirius tried to say it delicately but Hermione exploded.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK? You think I came here looking for money or something off Harry or you? Oh my God you obviously don't know me at all." Hermione stood up and walked over to the sink and placed her coffee cup and plate down. She turned around and walked back over to Sirius and turned him around in his seat.

"Listen to me, Harry is in grave danger, on his next mission he will be killed. I came here so you could help me stop that from happening. Will you help me or not?" Sirius was looking at her face completely worried that she may have lost it. Especially knowing how close to the edge Harry was, it was possible Hermione was in the same boat.

"Hermione I want to believe you but how could you possibly know this?" Hermione sat down and told him about all the research she had done into that night when she lost her power and Voldemort had escaped. She knew there had to be more to everything than what was on the surface. They talked for ages about what she had found and a lot of it made complete sense to Sirius. Why they hadn't seemed to be getting anywhere with the cases, why there seemed to be someone else pulling the strings? Why they were always one step behind, it just didn't add up.

"So now to find out who's behind it all?" Sirius said while stroking his beard.

"I know who's behind it Sirius, but you won't like what I have to say," Hermione folded her arms across her chest and waited. Sirius nodded so she continued,

"It's his wife!"

"Oh come on Hermione everyone knows how much you hate each other, you can't possibly expect me to believe you are being objective do you?" Sirius stood up and walked away from her close gaze and he ran his hands through his hair. He wanted to believe her but there was just too much against her. Hermione had made her feelings clear on many occasions where Julia Potter was concerned even going to the point of having to be removed from the wedding. She left London after that and had not had any contact with Julia again and as a result Harry either. Sirius realised she had also given up a lot.

"Sirius, I understand this is hard to believe but I love him, I always have but I have come to the point where I can accept he doesn't want me too..." Sirius went to interrupt,

"..no please let me finish, but this is Harry's life we are talking about, are you really willing to risk that because you think I want to get one up on Julia Potter?" Sirius huffed out a breath and slowly shook his head.

"If you can promise me that you and I will be there to help him, I will promise this to you Sirius. I will never contact him again, he will never see me and I will let him live his life. I just can't be in a world where he is not alive even if its without me. Sirius will you please help me save him?" Sirius stood up and hugged her tightly, he leant back and wiped away the tears she had falling down her cheeks.

Sirius sat down and asked Hermione to tell him exactly what happened and she continued to tell him everything she had found. It was quite a few hours later when Hermione left and Sirius started to make a plan. He worked for quite a while and then found he couldn't continue with his plans until he found out when Harry was scheduled to go out. Hermione knocked on the door some time later and Sirius was surprised she returned.

"Where's Lilly?"

"I have some friends who I work with who promised to look after her tonight for me." Sirius nodded and Hermione thought back to her conversation with Jenny.

Jenny answered the door with her robe tucked around her tightly.

"Lizzy, what is it, what's wrong?" Hermione told her friend that she had some urgent business to attend too and if by any chance would it be possible to watch her for the night.

Jenny nodded and hugged the baby closely. Hermione passed her Lilly's bag knowing that if she didn't return tonight Jenny would have to bathe her tomorrow and at the bottom of the bag she would find two letters, one addressed to her and the other addressed to Harry Potter. She contemplated writing another one for Sirius in case Harry didn't make it but she decided Harry WAS going to make it, he would be alive tomorrow.

Sirius told Hermione he would apparate down to the Ministry to see what he could find out. It was better if she didn't come because the chances of her running into someone who knew her was a bit high so she waited at his home for him to return. Sirius apparated down to the ministry and walked up to his office. He was deep in thought and he had a million things running through his mind Sirius turned a corner and ran into someone.

"Ohh sorry mate," Thomas looked at Sirius and then he quickly looked away, for some reason Sirius thought it was funny he was here but he had other things on his mind so he didn't give it a second thought.

He walked into the main office for the aurors and pulled out the case files that were active. He found one file that looked a bit suspicious as it had a 'urgent' stamped on it. He quickly read through it and saw that it was scheduled for tonight. Sirius started to panic because he knew that if he hadn't been briefed on the mission then he had Buckley's and none of getting any information now. Sirius left his office and ran towards the Ministers office. He didn't expect to find anyone there at this time of the night but he had to try.

Sirius knocked on the door but everything was closed, he knew he would get into serious trouble for this but he used his wand to open the door and then went to the pending files. He found the one he wanted and quickly scanned for any information that might help him and Hermione tonight. After flicking through the 20 page document he pulled out some key bits of information one which he needed urgently.

The destination.

Sirius apparated back and told Hermione what he had found out, from the surface it looked like a standard mission but with the extra information Hermione had Sirius could see the faults in this mission.

"Hermione you stay here I will go down to this village and see what I can do." Sirius starting stuffing papers into his jacket pocket.

"NO Sirius I am coming too, I won't take no for an answer!" Hermione was very defiant.

Sirius squeezed the bridge of his nose, he knew she was stubborn but she wasn't thinking straight.

He walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes, "Hermione sweetheart you have a daughter you are responsible for, I can't put you in that situation especially the way you are..." Hermione put her hand on her hip.

"the way I am, THE WAY I AM... you mean being useless because I have no magic, that's what you mean isn't it Sirius?"

"Umm, well..." Sirius didn't know what to say.

"I don't give a rats arse whether I can use magic Sirius I can still help so either you will take me with you or I will hold your arm all night till you apparate. You have no choice!" Sirius grunted and then asked about Lilly again.

"She is safe, and if I don't make it I am leaving it up to you to tell Harry. If he doesn't want her please promise me you will keep her Sirius?" Hermione was pleading and Sirius had never seen anyone as desperate as she was right now.

He pulled her close for a hug and she cried into his chest. He ran his hands over her back to soothe her and told her Lilly would always know what a wonderful mother she had and she would never need for anything. Hermione nodded and cleaned up her tears and took Sirius' arm ready to fight the battle she had been waiting years for.

They apparated and the first thing Hermione noticed was how cold it was. Sirius pulled her into a small alcove between two buildings and put her behind his body.

"Hermione we need to get down two more blocks but the problem is these streets are deserted so if we are seen it will be obvious we are here to attack. Also the aurors won't know we are the good guys so at the moment we have to be careful of everyone!" Hermione nodded and Sirius took another look at her.

"We have an advantage too, your disguise won't give you away so we could probably use it." Hermione nodded again. Hermione waited for Sirius to give her the signal so she looked around. The town was dark and creepy. There were a few trees scattered around begging for some sunlight. The streets were littered with rubbish that was rolling down the streets like tumble weed in the olden day westerns. Only a few windows in the buildings remained intact, the rest were shattered exposing their occupants to the harsh environment.

They took about ten minutes to manoeuvre themselves down to the building they needed. It was probably the best timing ever because as they arrived the fighting started. The aurors were closing in on the building which meant the people guarding the back moved to the front to defend. Sirius and Hermione took it as their cue to sneak in the back. It was incredibly dangerous as they had to watch spells firing from both sides and stay out of the line of fire. Sirius knew he had to get Hermione somewhere safe so he found a room towards the back and quickly checked it out. It was an empty room with a few pieces of broken furniture scattered around.

"Hermione stay here until I come back for you ok?" Hermione went to argue but Sirius continued, "... if I don't come back then Hermione save yourself ok, get out of here and get back to Lilly as fast as you can." Hermione nodded although she was feeling a bit frantic now and wondered whether this was such a bright idea.

Sirius ran out of the room with his wand drawn and the realisation of the amount of danger she was in really hit her. She was fighting a battle completely unprepared, what on earth possessed her to be so impulsive?

Harry.

She knew she had to save him, if for nothing else she seriously doubted she would make it through this so at least one of her daughters parents had to survive. Deep in her heart she knew Harry would care for Lilly, he would love her unconditionally and that put some peace in Hermione's heart.

Hermione walked over to the window that looked out over the street, she could see the spells flying and then she heard some commotion from behind her. Immediately she ducked behind some old dressing table and listened as someone walked in and didn't close the door. Hermione chanced a peak out and saw a young man with dark hair looking through the crack in the door.

"Julia, Julia come here?" the man whispered frantically. Hermione watched as Julia Potter walked in, she had dirt and a few scratches on her face and arms.

"God dammit Thomas, where the hell is Harry, I thought he was here?" Julia was really annoyed and Hermione was relieved, maybe Harry didn't come. They continued talking for another minute when a spell came flying through the door and Thomas pushed Julia out of the way resulting in the spell hitting him directly in the chest. He flew backwards and hit the wall near Hermione and she gasped. Julia didn't hear it as she was hiding to get ready to strike whoever came through the door.

Hermione looked back out and watched as an Auror walked in.

As soon as Julia realised The Auror would know her she changed her entire demeanour. "Mrs Potter, what are you doing here, do you know how dangerous this is?" The Auror messaged another Auror downstairs that a friendly was coming downstairs. Julia looked back at Thomas' body and saw him start to move so she felt better. She walked out with the aurors acting like the innocent bystander and it made Hermione sick. She looked over at Thomas and saw him start to move and she thought she had better get out of there. Hermione crept along the hallway watching the stairs carefully. She saw someone approaching the staircase and she instantly panicked as she was in the open. The man got called back towards a main room and he started to run. Hermione could see more spells being cast and flying everywhere, she knew it was insanely stupid but she went downstairs anyway. There were dead bodies everywhere and as she looked to the right she could see a large room down the end and from her position she could see Julia's back. She had her wand drawn so obviously the cat was now out of the bag. Hermione crept closer and tried to listen, she could hear Harry's voice and Sirius too. She thought she heard someone say Weasley but she wasn't too sure. Hermione tried to find a way in the room without going through the only door she could see because that meant walking in behind Julia.

Hermione scanned everywhere but there wasn't another entrance, the element of surprise was all she had. She stopped to listen to what was happening.

"This is it, finally I will get what I wanted..."

"Julia I don't understand, what is this all about? Why are you doing this?" That was Harry's voice.

"Why, WHY you have the audacity to ask me WHY? Potter are you completely stupid or do you try hard to be? You killed him!" Harry was confused and then Sirius spoke.

"Voldemort." Harry turned to look at Sirius with disbelief on his face.

"What are you talking about Julia?" Harry lowered his wand but she raised hers to his face so he raised it back again.

"He was the greatest wizard this world will ever know and you killed him, a stupid little brat who knew nothing, killed the greatest wizard ever." Harry could not believe what was coming out of his wife's mouth.

"Julia are you under some spell?" Harry kept looking at Sirius and realised he knew more about this.

"Somebody tell me what the fuck is going on?" Harry yelled.

"I'll tell you Harry." Everyone spun around and were shocked to see a woman standing in the doorway. Harry gasped and Julia saw red.

"Who the hell are you?" none of them recognised her.

She took the advantage of their shock to walk over to Harry so she could move to stand between him and Julia.

"Maybe you know me better with bushy hair and brown eyes?"

Julia realised straight away, "You bitch, what are you doing here, why don't you go and hide under the rock you have been under?" Julia spat out while she raised the wand to Hermione's chest.

"I'm going to kill you and this time no one will bring you back from the dead." Julia turned around to face Harry and Hermione knew exactly what she was going to do. Hermione didn't waste a single second, she ran and stood in front of Harry guarding him with her body. Harry tried to pull her behind him realising who she was but she wouldn't budge.

"Ohhhh how sweet Hermione, trying to protect your precious Harry. Well this time he won't give you your magical kiss and save your life, you are dead Granger."

"Maybe you're right Julia but you know you can't kill me with that wand don't you, so I hope you can fight because that's all you got bitch!" Julia looked at her with wide eyes realisation setting in.

Julia yelled but still didn't let go of her wand. Hermione stepped closer to her but still kept Harry behind her.

"Hermione what are you talking about?" Julia glanced over at Harry but still kept Hermione in her clear sights. Hermione waited to see whether Julia would explain but when she didn't she told him.

"Harry the night of the battle when I lost my power it all went into that wand, Voldemort's wand. Julia has the wand because he recruited her straight after the battle knowing full well he was going to die. He brainwashed her to believe all his lies..."

"NO they aren't lies, he was the greatest ever and you killed him Potter so know my payment is your life and your money!" Julia spat out.

Sirius tried to make a run to disarm her but Julia saw him move and she turned and sent a stunning spell towards him, Hermione saw it coming and moved in the way of the spell. If the room's occupants hadn't of witnessed it, they wouldn't of believed it, the spell completely bounced off Hermione and dissipated into a blue light.

Julia completely freaked and ran towards Hermione and tackled her to the ground, Hermione kicked and Julia punched. The fight went on for a few minutes before Sirius had to common sense to stop it. He pulled Julia off and Harry grabbed Hermione and they restrained the two girls. Harry started citing the arrest code to Julia still completely shocked about the nights events.

No one heard a spell being spoken, no one even saw the spell until it hit Sirius in the back. All they knew was Sirius gasped and then he fell towards Julia, it shocked her enough to stumble and then she raised her wand. In the shock Harry had let go of Hermione and she reacted quickly. She rushed at Julia just as she pulled her wand out and spoke the unforgivable curse which was directed straight at Harry's heart, Hermione grabbed the wand and snapped it in two. Julia screamed as she watched the blue light escape from the wand and encircle Hermione. It lasted about one minute but it felt like it was forever especially to the witnesses. Hermione crashed down to the ground but was still conscious and she motioned to Harry to get Julia. Harry regained his senses and turned to take Julia into custody but found she had Sirius' wand drawn straight at him, she grabbed it in the confusion.

"Harry Potter I have had to live with you and deal with you all these years just so I could get my fortune and especially my revenge. You deserve to die for what you did to my leader." Harry was shocked.

Hermione was watching from the ground and looked around to see another wand laying on the side near the wall. She didn't know who owned it but it was all she had. She started to edge over towards the wall and it was going to be too far for her, she wasn't going to make it. Julia would kill Harry and this would have been all for nothing.

Hermione started to cry and reached forward for the wand but she was still too far away, it wasn't going to work. It was all for nothing.

Hermione felt something touch her fingers and she quickly looked up and saw the wand in front of her hand. She raised it and yelled out "Avada Kedrava!"

Julia didn't see it coming and neither did Harry, all he saw was the green light of the spell fly towards her then her eyes glazed over and her body slumped to the floor. Harry turned around and looked at Hermione holding the wand in her hand and she dropped it down unable to hold her own body up anymore. Harry rushed over and turned her around.

"Hermione are you ok?" She looked in his eyes and then mumbled something to him.

"I can't hear you, what did you say?" Harry was starting to panic he felt he was losing her again.

"Look after Lilly." Hermione then fell unconscious in his arms.

One more chapter to go

Hope you're enjoying it

Sirius xoxo