Over the next couple of months, all is quiet. Hermione is in regular correspondence with both the Dark Lord and the Minister for Magic, but otherwise she makes no strategic moves at all. And then, one morning in early March, the game begins again.
"Owls," Lily says, not looking up from her Charms book – with NEWTs just around the corner, she and Remus have been studying non-stop.
"Ouch," Peter says as a newspaper lands on his head; the owl in question gives a loud apologetic hoot before it flies away again.
"Anything interesting?" Sirius asks Hermione, who has received several letters as usual.
"Sirius Black, you ask me this every morning without fail," she says as she starts to open them. "Do rest assured that I will inform you if I receive anything interesting."
"Sorry, love," he says, turning back to James who is playing with a stolen Snitch.
"Ah," she says, opening one. "This is what we've been waiting for." She looks over to Narcissa and Bella, who nod in her direction, and then passes the invitation to Sirius.
"Oh," he says, paling slightly. "So, it starts now?"
"Indeed," she says. "The date for the Malfoy Easter Ball has been set. Which means we need to start moving."
"Where do we start?" Remus asks, as he and Lily finally put their books away.
"With the Basilisk?" Hermione suggests. "I need to schedule a meeting with Tom, I need to go home and see your parents or…oh no, I have a better idea, I need to speak to Regulus." She gets to her feet, shoves almost all of the post in her bag and then strides to the front of the hall, dropping the invitation on Dumbledore's plate. He glances at it, but by the time he's ready to respond, she is already gone, hurrying back down the aisle, grabbing Regulus by the collar and dragging him out. Everybody in the hall stares after her, shocked, and then, almost as one, her Gryffindors, her Slytherins and Professor Dumbledore himself get up and follow.
"Can you do it?" she asks Regulus as they enter the nearby classroom.
"Do what?" Sirius asks.
"I need Kreacher," she says. "Only he can help me."
"Why?" Narcissa asks, surprised. "He's only a house elf."
"And house elves have magic that we shouldn't underestimate," Hermione says tightly. "I need Kreacher."
"Why?" Regulus repeats.
"I need to go and get the locket," Hermione says. "But there is…an obstacle which only Kreacher can help me with."
"Okay," Regulus nods. "What obstacle?"
"How many obstacles are there?" James asks carefully.
"Several," she says. "Blood…oh, blood magic. So, I can't go alone."
"What are you talking about?" Avery asks. "Hermione, you need to explain."
"The locket is in a cave," Hermione says clearly. "The cave is kept shut using blood magic – I suspect only a pure or a half-blood could open the door. Then, the locket is in the middle of a lake – the boat to cross it can only carry one adult wizard, but that doesn't account for house elves. Then, it is guarded by a potion which makes one see…terrible things and makes one desperate to quench their thirst. I will have to drink the whole thing. And then I need to get out of the cave and the only way I can do that is by having a house-elf apparate me out. In my timeline, Tom tested all of this, using Kreacher, but because I told him to leave you guys alone, I suspect he's used another house elf."
"So, the way I see it, I have to come too," Regulus says. "I'm a pure-blood and I'm the only one here who's still underage."
"Absolutely not," Hermione and Sirius say in unison.
"In reality, you do not need somebody to come into the cave with you," Dumbledore says matter-of-factly. "Correct?"
"Yes," Hermione says. "Only Kreacher and I can go in."
"Very well," Dumbledore says. "I will accompany you to unlock the door."
"Thank you," Hermione says. "Regulus, can I have Kreacher?"
"Yes," Regulus says. "When are you going to go?"
"Now," Hermione sighs. "We have too many other things to be getting on with before the party."
"Okay," Regulus says.
"Regulus, you need to tell him to obey me no matter what," Hermione says. "Tell him whatever you have to in order to make him trust me."
"Please don't do this," Sirius says. "Not today."
"I have to do it at some point," Hermione says, tears welling in her eyes. "Now, the rest of you should be getting to class."
"Good luck," Avery says, reaching out and squeezing her arm before he strides out, Severus hot on his heels. Narcissa and Bellatrix shoot Hermione a shocked look before waving goodbye, Lily, Cass Marlene and Alice all give her big hugs and then there aren't many of them left.
"Be safe," Remus says seriously as he hugs her. "Don't do anything stupid, Hermione."
"You know me," she teases.
"Yeah, I do," he replies. "That's why I'm worried."
"Good luck," Peter says nervously. "Please don't die."
"I'll do my best, Peter," she laughs.
"This isn't funny," James says. "You are not to die – I do not want to have to tell Mum and Dad, right?"
"Yeah, okay," Hermione says. "I understand that would not be fun for you."
"I love you," James says, hugging her tightly. "Don't let me lose my sister."
"I love you too," she says tearfully. The three boys slip out and then she turns to Sirius.
"If you die, I will kill you," he says hopelessly, pressing his forehead against hers. "I love you so much."
"If I die," she says quietly. "Promise me you'll finish it. You know everything you need."
"You're not going to die," he says firmly.
"Promise me?" she pleads.
"Yes," he says tearfully.
"Thank you," she says. "I love you. Now go." He nods, kisses her once more and then strides out, leaving Hermione, Regulus and Dumbledore alone.
"Okay," Hermione says. "Let's do this."
"Kreacher," Regulus says clearly and there is a loud crack as the house elf appears. Immediately, he folds into a low bow, his nose almost touching the floor and Regulus smiles fondly.
"Master Regulus," Kreacher says. "What do you need?"
"Your help," Regulus says, sitting down beside his house elf. "This is Hermione Granger – a friend of mine."
"Oh, Master Regulus," Kreacher says. "This is the girl who your mother despises – surely you know that?"
"I do," Regulus says gently. "And you know how I love Mother, but she's wrong, Kreacher. Hermione is one of the best people I know and she needs your help."
"Mistress would be most displeased if Kreacher helped the dirty traitor," Kreacher says.
"Kreacher," Hermione says, and Kreacher looks round. "Hello." The house elf mumbles something which Hermione takes as a greeting and so she kneels down beside him. "The thing I need you to help me with – if we don't do it, Master Regulus will die. Don't you think Mistress would be even more displeased about that?"
For a second, Kreacher doesn't speak and then he nods. "Very well, Miss," he says. "I will help you."
"Thank you," she says. "I need you to obey me no matter what. Please? Just trust that what I'm doing is to keep Regulus safe." Kreacher nods again and so Hermione turns to Professor Dumbledore. "Can you lower the wards so we apparate out of here or will we have to walk to town?"
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore says. "The whole reason you summoned Kreacher here is so that he could apparate you? What better way to test it than right now?"
"Professor, Kreacher doesn't know where he's going," Hermione says. "Neither do you for that matter. So, I'll ask again – can you lower the wards?"
"Yes," Dumbledore says, waving his wand. "How long will I be gone?"
"Minutes," Hermione says. "Regulus, you should go back to class."
"Good luck," he says, kissing her cheek and then hurrying out. Hermione watches him go and then extends a hand to both Dumbledore and Kreacher. After a moment, they both take it and then she inhales sharply, before turning in mid-air and disappearing.
"Whoa," she says, stumbling slightly as she lands on a slippery rock. It is pouring with rain and they are instantly soaked. "Everyone okay?"
"Yes," Dumbledore says. "Are we here?"
"No," she says, pointing to a cave tucked into the cliff face. "Kreacher, can you apparate us over there?"
"Yes, Miss," he says, taking both of their hands and disappearing again. They land once more, right outside the cave door, and Hermione nods.
"You need to open it here," she says. "And then go."
"Miss Granger," he says. "What if your plan fails?"
"It won't," she says firmly. "Now go. Please." He stares at her intently for several moments before nodding and pulling out his wand. He cuts his hand, spilling a lot of blood and presses it against the wall of the cave – it instantly slides open and Hermione and Kreacher step inside. They watch it slide shut, blocking their view of Professor Dumbledore and then Hermione whispers, "Lumos." Her wand-tip lights and she says, "It's this way."
As they walk, slowly and carefully, through the cave, Hermione says, "Thank you for coming with me, Kreacher. I don't think I'd be able to do this without you."
"It's my pleasure, Miss," he says politely.
"Do you have any questions?" she asks. "You must be confused."
"A little, Miss," he admits. "What is my purpose here?"
"Do you see that light over there?" Hermione asks, pointing to the ominous green glow in the middle of the lake.
"Yes, Miss," Kreacher says, shivering slightly.
"That is a basin full of potion," she says. "At the bottom of the basin, there is something I need to retrieve. In order to get to it, I have to drink the potion, but I fear it will cripple me or cause me a great deal of pain and I don't think I'll be able to get out of here by myself. So, once I have finished the potion and retrieved the object, I need you to apparate me out of here."
"Yes, Miss," he says. "How are we going to get over there?"
"There's a boat," she says, reaching into the water and yanking on a chain. After a moment or so, the boat surfaces and the two of them climb aboard, both shaking with nerves.
"Miss, why are you doing this?" he asks, as they drift to the middle of the lake.
"I told you," she says. "To protect Regulus."
"But you are Master Sirius's girlfriend?" he asks.
"Yes," she says. "Sirius is my boyfriend and Regulus is his brother. It is my duty to protect them both, if I can."
"Yes, Miss," he says, jumping as the boat bumps the edge of the island.
"Okay," she says, inhaling sharply. "Kreacher, there is one other thing."
"Yes?" he says, eyeing the basin nervously.
"Whatever happens, I must keep drinking," she says. "I order you to make me drink the whole thing."
"Yes Miss," he says calmly. Slowly they climb to the top, Hermione conjures a goblet and then she takes a glassful.
"Cheers," she says tearfully and then she downs the first glass. "Oh Merlin," she grunts, wincing as she swallows. Slowly but surely, she drinks, the second, the third, the fourth. By the fifth, however, she is bent double and crying. "It hurts," she sobs. "Please don't make me."
"But you has to, Miss," he says, getting her another goblet and pouring it down her throat.
"No," she screams. "Save me. Kill me."
"Not much more now, Miss," Kreacher says, making her drink another.
"No," she screams. "Not now, please not them. Kill me!"
"Please, Miss," he says, pouring her yet another. "Just a couple more."
Hermione is curled up on the rock, clutching her stomach and sweating badly. "Kill me," she sobs. "Just kill me."
"Last one," Kreacher says, forcing her to drink the final mouthful. Hermione swallows it, lets out one final and pain-filled scream and then slumps to the floor, sobbing.
"Water," she says. "I need water."
"I'm to take you back to the castle, Miss," he says. "We just need the item."
"Oh yes," she says, struggling to her feet. She reaches in, pockets the locket and then grabs Kreacher's hand. "Let's go," she pleads. "Get me out of here."
"Yes, Miss," he says, twisting in mid-air; they both vanish and reappear seconds later at Hogwarts.
"Water," she screams, falling to her knees. "Get me water."
"I'll fetch you some, Miss," he says, disappearing. She stumbles forward, falling onto her stomach and curling up in a ball. She blinks, trying desperately to stay awake, but that is the last thing she is aware of until she wakes up in the hospital wing.
"Hermione?" Sirius whispers desperately. "Come on, Hermione, please."
"What's happening?" she groans. "Where are we?"
"Hospital," James says, squeezing her hand gratefully. "You gave us quite a scare."
"Where is it?" she asks. "Did I get it?"
"Kreacher said yes," Regulus says.
"Where is Kreacher?" Hermione asks, wincing as she struggles to sit up.
"I sent him home," Regulus says. "I thanked him a lot, Hermione, you don't have to worry about him."
"Where is it?" she asks, looking around for her jeans.
"Here," Sirius says, passing them to her.
She fumbles in the pocket and then grins as she pulls it out. "Thank Merlin."
"What happened in there?" James asks.
"I don't want to talk about it," she says. "Ever. That was the worst experience of my life. And I've watched several people die."
"Well we have good news," Sirius says.
"What kind of news?" Hermione groans, struggling to sit up.
"Avery, Severus, James and I went down into the Chamber of Secrets," Sirius says. "We killed the Basilisk."
"What?!" Hermione gasps, wincing as she jolts. "What were you thinking?"
"We wanted to help," James says. "We don't like sitting around and doing nothing, Hermione – I thought you knew that by now."
"That is absolutely ridiculous," Hermione says. "There are plenty of things you can do without putting yourself in mortal danger."
"Look, do you want to hear the story or not?" Sirius says. "It's very thrilling."
"Fine," Hermione says. "But I'm cross with all of you."
"Fine," Sirius says, sticking his tongue out. "So after you left, the four of us went to the bathroom you told me about – the one with Moaning Myrtle."
"Avery opened it up," James says. "I knew he could speak Parseltongue but hearing it for myself…Merlin, it's a dark language."
"So we went down there," Sirius says. "With a rooster, of course. We opened the Chamber and Avery summoned the Basilisk."
"Oh Merlin," Hermione says, clasping her hands to her mouth. "What happened?"
"The rooster wouldn't bloody crow," James says, rolling his eyes. "So, we had to have our wits about us a little bit."
"It went badly for a while," Sirius says. "The snake was fast, it almost had Snape once or twice – but Avery was fast too and he had some control over it."
"Finally we got the rooster to crow," James says.
"Did it work?" Hermione asks anxiously.
"Like a charm," Sirius says. "I swear to God, the thing keeled over like I've never seen and now – unlimited supply of Basilisk fangs."
"It can't be that simple?" Hermione says. "Are you sure it's dead?"
"Well we took out most of its teeth so…yes," Sirius says.
"I am not convinced," Hermione says. "I want a magical creatures' expert to come in and confirm."
"What about the Care of Magical Creatures prof?" James asks.
"It will have to do for now," Hermione says. "We do not want to raise any sort of alarms."
"You could be a little more pleased," Sirius says. "We just helped you massively."
"I'm sure I'll be slightly more pleased when I stop being so pissed off," she says. "Now go away – I need to rest."
"Avery and Severus are outside," James says. "And my parents are coming up tomorrow – you're in huge trouble."
"Well tell everybody they can wait," Hermione says. "I need to rest and I need to think and I need time."
"Hermione," Sirius says. "You almost died. Again. I'm not going anywhere."
Hermione's face softens as she looks at him, and then finally she nods. "Fine," she says softly. "Just shut up." She reaches out, squeezes his hand and lies back down to fall asleep.