As per usual, many thanks to Dave, whose beta game is strong. Even ill he still throws a spectacular bitch fit every time I managed to turn the very British characters American.

Silver

Ripple

Hermione's mouth ran dry and she struggled to swallow the painful lump that had formed in her throat.

Doubt and uncertainty barrelled into her, rooting her to the spot.

She couldn't move. She couldn't speak. All she could do was stare at the dismembered head floating above wet pavement. Rain splattering his fringe to his face. Had she been able to, she would have reacted sooner. But she was completely frozen, wide eyes and a gaping mouth as she took him in.

Hair fell across his forehead, plastered to his skin by the falling rain. His stubbled jaw well defined, as smooth, healthy skin peaked through dark hair.

He looked so young.

Sirius shook his head, eyes clenched shut.

'What the fuck is wrong with you?!' he growled, as a hand appeared from thin air and clutched at his head, muttering under his breath.

Her weak knees wobbled beneath her.

Sirius attempted to stand but only managed to fall flat on his back again. Another angry growl and, in a fit of frustration, he tore off the invisibility cloak uncovering a lean body. His weight healthier than she'd ever seen.

The thought struck her then. He was real.

Hermione swallowed thickly as the world swam before her eyes. Once again, her past had stormed back into her life, slapping her in the face.

A final shake of his head and pushing back his wet fringe, pale, angry eyes turned to her.

That was it. Hermione snapped out of her daze and without a thought ran past him. Behind her, barely heard above the storm, his voice called out in an angry tirade.

Her sandalled feet slapped against the pavement and slippery cobblestone as she sloshed through puddles. Black clouds supplying her cover, lightning pacing her feet.

Panting as raindrops blurred her vision, she ran and didn't look back. The young witch didn't even consider it.

Hermione passed the apothecary towards the town square. Rather than go through the street she ran straight ahead, cutting through the cemetery beside the church. Wet grass prickled her toes and heels, mud squishing around them.

She bolted round the corner of the old church and fell as her feet slipped from under her. She was soon back up and running again, flying through the now deserted square.

The wind picked up, trees waved wildly above her and fallen leaves raced beside her. Rain water splattered with every step, steadying herself as she turned another corner. Her feet slipping under her once again as she crossed the bridge.

Cold rain stung her face. Howling wind pushed her back, aching feet propelled her forward. Her pounding footsteps encouraging her to run faster and harder. Her heart was beating violently when she finally reached the safety of Batty's cottage.

Dashing through the threshold, she slammed the door behind her and fell into a trembling mass against its wooden frame.

The walls shook as stomping steps rang from above, echoing around the silent home.

'Hermione?'

Too stunned to reply, Hermione simply sat. Her eyes shut as she fought against the surge of memories that threatened to overwhelm her, each fresh stab of memory coupled with a roll of thunder. The door behind her shook with every rumble and her heart beat faster still.

The cottage couldn't keep her safe. It was all an illusion. She was still in danger, trapped by a false sense of security.

It was the Room of Requirement all over again.

A small window with dancing blades of grass.

The smell of rain and morphing walls that threatened to crush her as blue eyes-

Hermione slammed her eyes shut, tears pooling behind her closed lids.

She hadn't allowed herself to think of the past. Not actively at any rate. She had fought against her memories for so long that to think of them ... the young witch shook her head, eyes clenched, rocking back and forth. She wouldn't think of them.

She wouldn't.

She couldn't.

'Miss Hermione?'

An aged hand, soft and warm to the touch, cradled her cheek.

'Are you alright?' asked a soothing voice. 'It wasn't that bad was it?'

Hermione lifted her head, tears stinging her eyes she stared at the blurred face of the only person she trusted in this world.

I just saw Sirius.

The words were on the tip of her tongue and she'd almost said them. Once again, she had almost forgotten- just managing to catch herself from speaking those words out loud.

Heavy tears trailed down her cheeks. The weight on her chest threatened to suffocate her as thunder echoed around her skull, making it impossible to regain her control.

How could she explain that she'd been followed by Sirius Black? A man who would one day become her best frie - Brown eyes slammed shut and she shook her head, suppressing painful memories as rattling sounds began around her.

She couldn't say a thing. Batty was already curious. Questions would be asked and because of that, she had to keep quiet.

The clanking around her grew and she struggled to breathe, gasping for breath as the walls closed in on her. No one could know and she felt trapped because of it.

'Hermione?'

Small fingers rubbed the back of her neck and she moved forward, into the smaller woman's frame as choked sobs escaped her.

'It's okay love ... shh ... deep breaths ... that's it...'

Lavender and chamomile tea reached her nose, overwhelming her senses and she focused on the comforting mixture that had begun to feel like safety and home.

The thunder and lightning became less threatening. The woman's soothing presence quieting her thoughts.

Behind Batty, she heard Hooky speak.

'Calming potions are gone.'

She heard the tiny witch swear under her breath before quietly speaking out.

'What are the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion?' she asked, her voice soft as small fingers moved lightly over her temples.

Hermione didn't answer. Her mind was far too crowded with past images that threatened to take her under. She flinched as thunder shook the house to it's foundations.

'Come on love,' coaxed Batty. 'Tell me the ingredients. Go on.'

Hermione shook her head, mouthing the word no.

'I know you know them ... Go on. Tell a horrible potioneer what to do. It had Lacewing Flies I think and ... what else?'

The brunette licked her lips, tasting warm, salty tears. 'L-leeches ...'

'That's right,' said Batty quietly, nodding along. 'What else?'

Hermione took deep, measured breaths before swallowing thickly. 'L-lace-wing f-flies. Powdered bicorn horn. K-knotgrass. Flaxseed. Shredded Boomslang skin. A-a bit of the person you want to turn i-into ...'

She didn't stop talking. She gave Batty precise instructions, leaving nothing out, on the brewing method. By the time she reached the last step, the rattling had stopped and her heartbeat was once again steady but her hands still shook and her head still ached.

With a final inhale she sat back against the door. Tired eyes settling on Batty's lined face. She felt a rush of warmth for the older woman when she saw the worry etched in her face, on the upturned curve of her lips.

'I'm okay,' Hermione reassured her.

Batty nodded but didn't say a word.

A familiar snap of fingers rang out and warm steam engulfed her. Clothing and hair suddenly dry as a cloud of dissipating white smoke blocked everything from sight.

'Thank you Hooky,' said the elder witch.

Without conscious thought, Hermione stood. Her hands out towards the kneeling witch.

'Come on love,' Batty said, slowly standing. Weathered hands holding onto her own for leverage. 'A cup of tea is in order.'

Neither spoke as they shuffled their way towards the tiny kitchen. As Batty prepared their tea the Muggle way, she took her seat in the corner table, numb and shaking. Whether from the rain or something else, she didn't know.

Several minutes later, a steaming mug was sat before her.

Hermione didn't much care for tea but she reached for it anyway. It felt lovely against her chilled fingers. The silence between them continued. The only sound in the kitchen, that of the heavy rain rattling against the windows.

Batty didn't try to get an answer out of her and for that she was grateful. Which was why she told her.

'I was followed,' she muttered.

Batty's head snapped up, eyes wide and blazing as she dropped her tea cup and Hermione flinched. Spilt tea scattered the floor as the mug shattered, ruining the quiet that had invaded their otherwise loud home. Before she knew it, the older woman was stood by the window, wand in hand. Her wand-tip lit with bright, orange flames that burned a deep red colour with each renewed flash of lightning.

'Hooky!' yelled Batty over her shoulder, 'Go get our Portkeys! Now!'

A crack to her right startled her and the kettle beside her shook. Her shaking intensified as her body flashed hot, her heart rate beginning to speed up.

She stared at the back of Batty's head, struggling to understand what was happening. Batty was yelling out orders and acting like a paranoid, female version of Moody staring out of the window as she- Hermione blinked as the enormity of the situation caught up with her.

Sirius followed me.

Wide, brown eyes stared into her steaming mug. The scent of Earl Grey wafting over her.

To her left, Batty was muttering to herself. ' ...at will I tell Phemmy? Jamie will be so distraught ... '

Hermione shook her head slowly, still struggling to process the day's events. Batty's words were nothing more than background noise against the overriding sound of crackling thunder.

'... ucking told Albus not to use the Marauders ...'

Batty's words barely registered through the storm brewing in her own mind, but they had. The younger witch stared at the older woman, a new wave of confusion hitting her. She shook her head again, absolutely sure she had misheard.

She'd heard wrong. She was sure of it. She'd had to.

'...amn you Albus!' Batty said in a harsh whisper. 'Those boys' lives were in your hands!'

Eyes wide with growing anxiety, Hermione stared at the shorter woman. Wine bottles knocked together, broken ceramic shards clinked.

Hooky's return caused her to flinch and the tea kettle on the table beside her whistled as the water once again began to boil.

He handed her the wrapped feathers.

'Go to Hogwarts and tell Albus that Hermione was found. That Remus and Sirius are nowhere to be seen...'

All noises stopped, even the storm silenced. Light-headed and her eyes stinging as she stared at the older witch with a gaping mouth.

Batty's words finally settled over her. There was no doubt in her mind as to what she'd heard. She stood and her seat toppled over, clattering to the wooden floor. The loud sound caught Hooky's attention who turned to face her, but Hermione didn't acknowledge him. She was too busy watching Batty.

'You knew I was followed?' she asked breathlessly, her voice shaking, clammy hands trembling.

Batty still hadn't turned around but continued to scan the street, 'What?'

'You knew they were out there?!'

'Hermione? Wha-,' said Batty distractedly, looking over her shoulder at her as thick rain hammered into the window before her. 'We don't have time! We have-'

It became too much. Her nerves were shot to hell and she couldn't think with all the noise in her head and around her. She snapped.

'You knew Sirius followed me?!'

Batty flinched at her shrill tone before snow white eyebrows shot upwards into her hairline and just as quickly turned into a frown. The older woman turned fully, finally facing her.

The powerful witch shook her head, eyes shut. 'Wait, wait, wait ... what the hell are you talking about? Who followed you?'

'Sirius!'

Batty's shoulder dropped and she grew still. When she spoke, her voice was quiet.

'Sirius followed you?'

Hermione nodded once, completely unsettled by all of this. She had no idea what was going on and it was only managing to put her more on edge. Thunder cracked and she jumped, something behind her fell to the floor.

Adrenaline wearing off, her body was beginning to feel the aftermath of her earlier magic. A painful spasm shot through her and she groaned clutching at her belly. Her head was aching, her arms and legs felt weak and her feet ached. Her whole body was sore.

The day's events were catching up with her. She felt completely drained. A snap of fingers rang out, and a Pain Potion appeared before her. She happily drank it.

Lightning lit up the kitchen, a white filter brightening up the room around them, throwing every object into sharp contrast. When the brief light faded away, everything felt diluted. Somehow muted and surreal.

Batty hadn't stopped her staring.

'... And only him?'

The brunette nodded again slowly.

'No one else?'

Hermione shook her head, where was Batty going with this?

Batty released a shaky laugh as she fell against the counter behind her. A small hand rubbing down her face as the other clutched at her heart. Beside her feet, Hooky shook his head. Ears flapping as he grumbled under his breath, two fingers pinching the bridge of his long nose, his pink glasses gone.

'You daft bitch,' laughed Batty weakly. 'Of course he fucking followed you.'

Hermione's anger flared at the use of the word daft and around them dishes trembled. She was not stupid, she was just confused.

Another snap rang out and within moments a bottle of Muggle tequila appeared before Hooky who swiftly shuffled out of the kitchen, dragging the bottle behind him.

'Hooky quits for the day,' squeaked the house-elf as he sat at the table.

Very, very confused.

The brunette blinked, struggling to process everything.

'You ... you mean to tell me that you knew?'

Batty stared at her like she had just sprouted a new head. 'You mean to tell me that you fucking didn't?!'

Hermione shook her head, eyes shut as she desperately tried to make sense of this whole thing. Her thoughts disjointed and fleeting as thunder clapped and the wind howled.

I was followed by Sirius Black.

And Batty had known.

Hooky had known too.

The lights flickered. Her toppled seat's rattling grew louder. The dishes clanked harder together as Batty's wine bottles began knocking against one another.

'Oi! Bitch!'

Her head throbbed and the kettle on the table whistled. Hooky quickly silenced it with a snap. A final snap and the mess on the floor vanished as her chair righted itself.

If Batty had known then it only meant one thing: Dumbledore was watching her. Even having her followed.

This whole time, he'd been spying on her.

Of course he was.

For the first time in her life, she knew how Harry had felt during summer before fifth year. The lack of respect, awareness and foolish trust felt like a slap to the face. Hermione felt stupid, like she'd been the butt of some joke.

Anger welled up inside her and she had to bite down on her tongue to steady herself. Her body once again flushing hot and cold as her fingertips prickled. She stopped biting when the taste of blood coated her throat. Still, the pain just managed to ease her. Slowly, the items around them grew silent.

'I've been watched?' she asked. 'The entire time I've been here, I've been watched... and you didn't tell me?!'

'You know love, for someone with such a big fucking brain, you can be bloody thick.' Batty shook her head, suppressed laughter shaking her tiny frame. The elder witch nodded towards the window. 'Of course you're being watched!'

'B-but-'

'But what?' Batty asked, still giggling. 'You actually thought I was your only protection?'

Batty shook her head, smiling widely, eyes bright. 'Ta for the compliment love but you'd need more than little ol' me if Voldemort came knocking. I know I'm good but I'm not that good.'

'But Dumbledore said-'

'Albus says a lot of shit that's easy enough to understand and that pleases the ears. The tricky part is trying to read between the lines to decipher what he really means - look, c'mere...'

Hermione followed Batty towards the rain pelted kitchen window. Her brain still trying to make sense of this day. The market felt days away as opposed to an hour or two.

'On either end of the street there is an Order member hidden underneath an invisibility cloak. When we go out, one follows us, the other stays behind and watches the house. You've had a constant, twenty-four hour guard since the moment you got here. Normally it's the Prewett twins with the pervert occasionally substituting. But from my understanding their skills were needed elsewhere. Sirius and the werewolf have been watching you for the past week. That's all I've been told. Knowing Albus, he's done a few other things to keep you safe too. I haven't been told but yeah, they've been watching you. According to the pervert the two Marauders have gotten quite curious about you.'

'I'm flattered,' dead-panned Hermione, brown eyes running the length of the street.

She couldn't see anything. It was too dark and she had to squint to make anything out through the thick stream of water running down the glass.

She could practically feel Batty's grin.

'You should be. Have you seen them?' The older witch whistled. 'Believe me love, if I was a few years younger and Sirius Black was a few years older, I'd gladly ride his face like a pony.'

'Batty!'

'What?! I may be old but I'm still a woman and believe me when I say that Black could be the perfect toy if he only learned to shut his goddamn mouth. Seen but not heard, would suit him fine.'

Hermione shook her head, her heart still beating wildly in her chest. A sudden thought struck her.

'Wait!' She said in a whirl of brown curls, turning away from the window to face the shorter witch. 'How do you know Sirius? How do you even know about the Marauders?'

Batty raised an amused eyebrow.

'No love,' she shook her head, pale green eyes twinkling. 'I think the real question here is how do you know Sirius Black?'

Hermione's mouth slammed shut with an audible snap. Batty lost whatever remaining control she had at that and roared with laughter.

The brunette watched on with growing confusion. Face burning, she turned back to the window. The storm was growing in strength with each passing hour and she idly wondered if Godric's Hollow flooded. Thunder roared and the wind howled. A blurry figure turned the corner as lightning flashed around it, framing the person starkly against the dark.

Brown eyes widened when she recognised the vague shape as that of a disgruntled Sirius, rubbing the back of his head. Eyes steadily widening when she realised he was headed in their direction.

Hermione dropped to the floor with a sound caught between a squeak and a gasp.

Her heart pounding, she pressed herself into the cupboard desperately trying to mold herself to it. She didn't know why she was doing that exactly, she was inside and he wouldn't be able to see through walls but still. At that moment hiding made perfect sense. A loud, unladylike snort caused her to jump. She looked up at Batty who was staring at her with sparkling, watery eyes and grasping at her belly.

'What?' she asked somewhat indignant, completely embarrassed.

The younger witch felt her cheeks redden as Batty laughed harder and began pointing with an arthritic finger.

He stood completely still, holding his breath as pale eyes studied the girl before him.

There's no way she can see me, he told himself. Doubt beginning to creep in as she continued to stare at the very spot in which he stood.

Wide eyes darted to their surroundings and just as quickly returned to him.

Shit.

The Marauder looked down and groaned when he saw his body framed by falling rain. Used to James' cloak, he'd forgotten how limited and inferior the standard ones were.

He took a step forward as the girl began to sway, her eyes unfocused. He pulled his wand out, ready and fully prepared to conjure a cushion and break her fall.

'It's ok-' he started, but was quickly silenced as wild magic swirled up between them. He furrowed his brow as spots of gold, glittering magic raced towards him.

Realisation was slow to come and he didn't register her startled gasp until it was too late. Snow flickered around them, there was a flash and bang as light drained from around them and his head snapped back as a blow struck him in the chest. Fire spread throughout his body, shocks of pain shot to every muscle right down to his fingers and toes. The back of his head struck stone and everything began to grow dark-

A crack of thunder clapped above him and his eyes sprang open, staring upwards into a black sky, flashes of lightning following soon after as though in reply.

He coughed, wheezing as he struggled to breathe. The wind completely knocked out of him. Rain splattering across his thinly veiled face. Trembling, Sirius tried to move but a painful spasm hit up his back.

Choked sobs broke the momentary silence and everything flooded back.

He managed to sit up, his fear and sense of duty numbing all pain. As he tried to stand, a booted foot stepped on the end of the cloak. Unable to move, he once again fell backwards, hitting the same spot as before.

His gut twisted painfully and he had to close his eyes to stop everything from spinning. His frustration intensified and he wrestled with the useless cloak, removing it and throwing it as far away as he could, swearing under his breath as he did. He could feel her eyes on him and it only managed to piss him off even more.

'What the fuck is wrong with you?!' he yelled at her.

His head throbbed painfully and he tasted bile. His fringe blocked his line of sight and his whole body shook. Warning bells went off in his head and the back of his neck prickled. Unsteady hands pushed back his soaking fringe and that's when he spotted her.

Their eyes met and his breath caught in his throat.

She'd gone from staring at him with doe eyed shock, tears streaming down her face, to shaking her head muttering no over and over again into her hands within the span of a heartbeat.

There'd been an emotion hidden behind her eyes. He'd seen it. Though nothing more than a flicker, gone as quickly as it'd come, it had still managed to make his gut clench.

'Sirius?' she whispered.

He blinked and the spell broke. Like a switch, she instantly reacted. Within seconds, she had run past him.

'WAIT!' Sirius yelled at the escaping girl's back as he attempted to stand on trembling legs. 'Come back! I'M PROTECTING YOU!'

Lighting flashed above him and he flinched, his hand giving out from under him. His nose hit the pavement and dots blinded him for a second as his eyes rapidly watered.

'Fuck!'

The sounds of pounding footsteps began to fade and he attempted to once again stand. His mission, not yet forgotten but no longer as important. Protect her his arse. She clearly didn't need any help. As far as he was concerned, she was doing fine all on her own.

He raised a shaky hand to his nostrils, positive the crazy bitch had broken his nose. His fingers tentatively touched it and he winced.

His nose was tender and it hurt like hell, but at least it was still intact. He didn't exactly fancy resembling Moody. Grey eyes turned back towards the now empty alley, wondering how far she was by now and if he should try to chase after her.

He dropped back to the wet pavement as rain pelted down on him. Body shaking and his heart beating wildly. Thunder jolting him with each drum-roll of noise, each flash of light had him flinching. The noise set his teeth on edge. It was becoming too much, it didn't help his aching head either.

Sirius grumbled as he attempted to stand on unsteady feet, his knees still weak. The world spun wildly out of control around him. Nauseous and on the verge of falling, he stumbled his way towards the nearest wall.

Unfortunately the walls were slick with rain and his hands slipped so that once again, Sirius tumbled to the floor, landing in a deep puddle caused by the never ending fucking rain.

He didn't bother getting up. It was pointless anyway, the world was spinning too fast for him to know which way was up and which way was down. His eyes burned as the fierce rain battered his eyes, lifting a hand to protect them. Every flash of lightning felt like a stab of pain. He was shaking, his head ached, his limbs were sore and his chest burned with his every breath.

What the fuck did that bitch do to me?

It took several minutes, and a brief break in the battering of flashing lightning and roaring thunder, for him to gather enough strength to sit up.

Exhausted and using the wall as leverage, he managed to push himself up as the world kept spinning.

Certain he knew what had happened, Sirius lifted his wand and tried a levitation charm. The bin beside him managed to float a foot off the ground before it dropped unceremoniously as he clutched at his chest.

Struggling to breathe as his chest burned, sending fiery shock-waves to his fingertips and toes. Sirius stifled a scream as his head throbbed, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. His nausea intensified as the ache inside him demanded rest.

He wasn't worried. Sirius knew this specific pain all too well, having felt it many times before as a kid. Thanks to the practice for his transformations, magical exhaustion was an old mate.

That paranoid witch bitch had fucking done this to him.

How? How the fuck was this even possible?

It hadn't been a spell. Going by her shocked expression, it hadn't been intentional either. Sirius clutched at the back of his sore head, it seemed that his and Remus' theories about Hermione being a Squib were so fucking wrong.

His eyes turned towards the smouldering branches, studying the trees and surrounding grass. Silver eyes returned to the spot where his charge had stood. It wasn't difficult to find. A perfect circle charred the pavement, which in turn was encircled by a ring of melting snow.

'What the fuck?!' he muttered under his breath.

Sirius shook his head and groaned a second later when his stomach rolled. More lightning and thunder, he flinched every single time. The bright light burning his eyes, the loud sound, louder still.

Pressed against the wall, he stood and found that as long as he didn't move his head so much, the world didn't spin as fast.

He walked slowly. Hermione was long gone and he didn't really care if she had made it back or not. She could fuck off. He was done.

For the past week he'd been stood under an Invisibility Cloak when it was hot as fuck, watching a bird that was clearly not in any danger if she was walking about singing songs he'd never fucking heard of, buying bloody bracelets and what the bloody fuck was that about her being in Gryffindor?! Bull-fucking-shit she was in his old house! She looked his age and he didn't remem-

He stopped dead in his tracks, blinking.

She said my name.

She had seen his face and had said his name.

He walked a bit faster when he spotted the apothecary, his anger building.

All this time, he'd been forced to watch the cow and it turns out she knew him? Fuck this. He was getting answers.

Moody, Fabian and his lap dog may not want to tell him anything but he was going to get answers. Enough was enough. He was fed up with their bollocks.

Suspected Death Eater activity his arse. The moment he'd set foot in Godric's Hollow he'd known something was off. Sirius had walked these streets for years, he knew these people, had lived amongst them. They were as much Death Eaters as he was and he'd happily give his left bollock if that statement proved to be wrong. He passed the pub within minutes.

Shit only got weirder when the house he and Remus had been sent to watch turned out to be Batty's of all people. Crazy and disturbingly flirty though she may be, he doubted she would ever help Voldemort and from what he'd overheard said, she knew how to fight off the Imperius Curse.

Handy thing to know these days.

Plus, the old woman was Mrs. Potter's close, personal friend. That alone cleared her of any possible wrong doing as far as he was concerned.

Confused and sure of it all being a mistake, the pair of them had asked questions only to be met by a wall of silence from Fabian, a glare from the other one and yells from Mad-Eye. He turned a corner, Hollybrook Bridge coming into view.

'Mind your own fucking business boy and do as you're told!' Moody had growled. Spittle flying from rubbery lips as he'd ordered them to keep quiet and not ask questions. 'It's not your place to know what you're doing there, if that's a problem then you can both fuck off! The Order needs soldiers not curious school boys.'

The old Auror knew how to hit a nerve. They'd stopped asking, both resolved to the inevitable fact that they wouldn't know their actual purpose here. A lot of guessing ensued.

'Maybe she knows something?' Remus had stated and he'd replied with an unsure nod. Truth be told, it was the only thing that made sense.

The old woman had lived alone for years, content to travel the world, stirring up trouble. To the best of his knowledge, she had no ties to the country outside of a few close friends. The woman was alone and there was no reason as to why they were guarding her.

On their second day they found out just how fucking wrong they'd been.

Having missed tea with the Potters the night before, he and Remus had remained in Godric's Hollow intent on joining them that night. As soon as they were covered by the Prewett Twins, they'd made their way to The Lamb and Flag, deciding to have a few pints before walking towards Potter Hall. They'd barely sat down and had only talked for a few minutes when they'd been approached by Tom 'No Bullshit' Miller, a local Muggle the Marauders were sort of mates with.

'Hello lads,' he'd said as he pulled up a chair. 'Mind if I join you?'

They'd nattered, sports, motorbikes, tattoos and music. Nothing important as far as he was concerned, not until women were inevitably brought up.

No Bullshit shook his head whistling, 'Nah mate you keep them birds. I'd rather have me a hometown girl. All sweet smiles and shy looks... like Hermione, that girl Batty's been carting around.

Outwardly, he didn't react. Inside, warning bells were firing off. To his right, Remus had stopped mid drink. Settling his glass down, he turned to the blond.

'What girl?' the werewolf casually asked.

Dark eyes widened and a side grin fell across the blokes face. 'You haven't heard yet?'

Both Marauders shook their heads.

No Bullshit laughed. 'Fair warning then mate, she's mine,' he said to Sirius, pointing at him. The long-haired wizard nodded as he lit a fag, not caring either way.

The bearded bloke shrugged. 'Girl suddenly showed up around Spring, dragged around by Batty. Her name's Hermione. Nobody knows anything about her except that she's Batty's assistant or something. Helps the old bird with chores and the like.'

Further questioning proved useless as the bloke hadn't known a damn thing beyond rumours. Apparently, the reason for Hermione's sudden appearance was a very well-kept secret.

It told them enough to know that Batty wasn't who they'd been sent to watch. Curiosity peaked, they'd asked again only to be stared down with an electric blue eye and ordered to keep a careful watch on the girl. If Remus caught on to the thinly veiled threat if they failed to protect her, as he had, he didn't show it.

It had driven him up the wall with curiosity and suspicion ever since. He knew Remus was in the same boat as well, except the taller Marauder hadn't been too keen to find answers.

'Drop it. There has to be a reason for all this secrecy Sirius,' he'd argued. 'And contrary to your own personal belief, you don't fucking deserve an answer to everything.'

Sirius turned the corner as he passed the old Potter cottage, Blossom Grove, now turned Order safe house.

Remus was just as wound up as he was. Unlike the werewolf though, Sirius had fuck all patience for people keeping secrets from him.

The wind was beginning to pick up and debris from the street ran across his booted feet. A leaf smacked him on the cheek and he flinched as he reared back on instinct. His head throbbed painfully and he had to stop, holding onto the nearest wall to steady himself.

'Fucking bitch!' he spat into the wind.

She's going to pay, he vowed as his surroundings once again tilted beneath and around him.

The Marauder turned the corner, massaging the back of his neck. Silver eyes set on a particular door.

To his distant right, he could hear Remus calling to him, demanding answers and spouting warnings but he didn't acknowledge them or him. He didn't give a fuck.

Sirius pounded his fist into the wooden door, rattling it in its frame as his loud knocking echoed around them.

With a bang the door opened and he bit back a groan. Suddenly remembering why he hated coming here. With everything that had happened, he'd forgotten whose door he was banging on.

The tiny witch before him peered up at him with red painted lips. A sweet smile as green eyes ran the length of his body.

'Well hello Sirius,' Batty purred, 'I'd hoped you'd come calling soon. I've missed you so.'

He glowered down at her. Bloody bat always fucking said and did weird things. He didn't know why, but it always left him feeling violated and objectified. He refused to let her get to him this time. He was getting answers and he was getting them now. He looked over her tiny frame, straight into what he knew was the sitting room.

'Hermione!' he yelled into the cottage, his voice drowned out by a roar of thunder, 'I know you're here!'

Only lightning answered. His fists clenched and he had to bite back a groan as a painful spasm moved down his wand arm. He leant against the door frame, panting. The world lightly spinning.

'Where the fuck is she Batty?! I need to talk-' he quickly cut off when he looked down and caught her staring at his crotch.

Batty licked her lips, shaking her head. 'I'm like the perfect height- I won't even have to get on my knees...'

His eyes widened and he cupped himself. 'What?!'

'And Merlin help me, you're all wet. Looking at you love, I'm getting there meself.'

Sirius clenched his jaw, she was not going to get to him this time. 'Where the fuck is she Batty?!'

The short witch looked up at him, 'Let me blow you. I'll just take out my tee-'

He shoved her aside, storming his way into her home. He'd had more than enough today. He was not going to let some old pervy bitch stop him from getting his fucking answers.

As he passed the kitchen, on his way towards the sitting room, a stifled sob caught his attention. He took two steps back, pushing open the kitchen door and sure enough, there he found her.

'What the hell di-' his voice died away in his throat.

Sat on the floor, crying and shaking, her knees huddled close to her chest she stared up at him with those same terrified eyes. It took a second for him to register the house-elf standing defiantly between them.

The long haired wizard blinked, his mouth completely dry. He didn't understand.

Why did she keep looking at me like that?

A sharp pain stabbed him in the ribs. 'Leave. Now!'

Sirius turned to look at the old witch, her long wand digging into his side. No longer smiling, her eyes were hard and spoke of a promised threat.

Licking his lips, he looked back at the scared girl. He didn't move, his whole being focused on Hermione.

Thunder clapped and lightning flashed and the silence grew thick. The only thing that moved were the curtains, lightly ruffled by an unnatural breeze that circled the kitchen alone.

Accidental magic...?

A jab to his ribs startled him, quickly followed by a yank to his arm that caused him to flinch but which most definitely did not cause him to make a noise in the back of his throat.

Beside them, Remus spoke and Sirius turned to stare at the clearly visible but still invisible frame of his best mate.

'Apologies Batty,' murmured Moony.

Said witch didn't say anything beyond, 'Get. Out.'

He was led away. Out the door and back into the storm.

Still reeling from the day's events and more than dazed, the black haired wizard turned to the werewolf when he spoke.

'What the fuck is wrong with you?!' hissed Remus, pulling him back towards the end of the street. 'What the hell happened? Why did Hermione come running like that and why the fuck are you visible?!'

Distracted as Sirius was, he'd allowed himself to be pulled away with no answers given.

When he realised this, his anger flared. Yanking his arm back from Remus' strong grip, he glared at the taller bloke. His bicep hurt when he did and he wanted to rub it but fuck that. Silver eyes ran over his still covered mate. Stood there, under a dripping cloak with his perfectly erect posture-

'You look like a giant dick wearing a used condom!' spat the dog animagus.

He saw Remus stiffen and look down. Hands and a head appeared, quickly followed by a torso as the werewolf took off the Invisibility cloak, swearing under his breath as he did.

'She saw you,' said Moony, brown hair plastered to his skull by the pelting rain.

Sirius nodded. 'Yeah.'

'And you decided that talking to her was the way to go you stupid prick?'

'Fuck off! I tried to calm her down! Stupid bird lost her mi-'

'-why'd you speak to her at all?! We fucking agreed mat-'

'-No! You fucking agreed! I never said-'

'- then what did you do?!'

'I didn't do anything!' he hissed out as he defended himself, glaring daggers at the bastard. 'She attacked me!'

'Good!'

'Fuck you!'

He stared hard at the werewolf. His frustration rolling through him in waves. He was tired of all the mystery. It wasn't worth his life. Remus had to sense how off this all felt. It smelt wrong and left a foul taste in his mouth.

'Don't you want to know?' he asked. The urgency in his voice plain to hear.

Remus clenched his jaw at that, looking at everything but him as he swept back his fringe, wet clothes sticking to his shivering torso.

'It's not our business to know,' he finally said.

'Bollocks!'

'Drop it mate,' growled Remus. Eyes flashing gold in the lightning. 'Our job is to do as we're told. Not question our fucking mission. If we're here, watching Hermione, then there has to be a reason for it.'

Sirius glared at his idiot best mate. An overwhelming urge to throttle the arsehole until he saw reason burned through him. He coughed and his head spun. The long haired Marauder looked up then, knowing exactly what to say to make the lanky werewolf see reason.

'She did magic.'

Amber eyes turned to him. 'What?'

'She did magic. So your little Squib theory can fuck right off cos from what I saw mate, that bitch is a bit more powerful than we thought.'

Curiosity and uncertainty flickered through the taller blokes features, fighting for dominance. He knew which had won out seconds before Remus spoke.

Glowing eyes scanned the empty street, lips barely moving, 'What'd you see?'

'She started to...' he shook his head. No matter how long he lived, Sirius doubted he would ever be able to describe exactly what he'd seen. 'When she spotted me- Mate, the air around her vibrated... a fucking light surrounded her and it vibrated. Her hair started to stand on end and she just stood there, staring at me.'

Her eyes had been glowing too but he didn't know if it was an illusion brought on by lightning or not.

'Everything started to shake and fucking pebbles and stones started to float. I took a step towards her to tell her who I was but before I could she fucking did something and bloody flattened my arse, along with everything else! Next thing I know I'm on my back on the fucking floor and she's stood there, fucking surprised and shocked and then she said my name-'

'-your what?!'

'My name. She said my bloody name and then she fucking ran away!'

Remus' eyes ran over his face trying to find the lie.

'You're lying,' he quietly said, disbelief dripping from his every syllable.

Sirius didn't reply, he simply met Remus' stare.

Moony blinked. 'Fucking hell.'

He couldn't agree more. Truth be told, this whole thing had unnerved him. The odd mission, the total lack of information... It seemed like everything surrounding the girl was based on lies and half-truths. His eyes turned towards Batty's house.

Sirius had heard his name said in many different ways and in varying degrees of harshness or pleasure, but he couldn't remember it being uttered with such depth. It was disturbing really. Hearing your name being said like that, unknowing of the reason behind it. There was something really off about that.

He wanted answers. Had fucking earned them in fact.

Whatever the hell this was, it wasn't as important as the war. Out there, he was fighting for what was right. Would happily die knowing he had lain down his life for the good of mankind. Here, he didn't know what he was doing. He'd be damned if he died protecting some slag for fuck knew what.

If he was risking his life, he fucking deserved to know why.

He was getting answers. One way or another, he was.

Wide, frightened eyes flashed through his mind then. Why had she been so terrified?

Out of habit and for lack of anything better to do, Sirius reached into his pockets, searching for his fags. He didn't actually want to smoke, but he had to do something. His body was still humming from the day's events and standing still, doing nothing, was not an option. He ached all over and he wanted to rest, but he was too wound up for it.

Completely dry, he pulled out a fag and held it between clenched lips, marveling at the wonder that was the Impervious Charm. He reached for his wand and with a deep inhale, lit his cigarette.

Was she scared of me?

'They're lying to us.'

Sirius absentmindedly nodded, his mind somewhere else. 'Yeah.'

'And she knows you.'

Again he nodded, exhaling a billowing cloud of grey smoke. 'Yeah.' But how?

Lightning flashed and the sky lit up, turning the black clouds blue grey. Thunder and then, in perfect unison, they turned to look at each other. Their eyes locked, widening as realisation hit them both. Only one explanation was possible and Sirius groaned, mentally kicking himself.

'Mate,' muttered Remus. 'I think you shagged our mission.'