"The death of a loved one. For they that remain the wounds grow deeper and deeper...They that remain grow weaker and weaker, an agony incomparable, their hearts in bondage. Can you not see it? She has ceased to live, frozen in time. It is the same as if you had slain her with one of your arrows."
Valkyrie Lenneth to Llewelyn (Valkyrie Profile)
Disclaimer: Insulting a werewolf on a full moon is just giving them an invitation for you to get bitten. For those unaware, that's a bad thing. Medical Experts suggest not getting bitten since the side effects are almost all detrimental. These include pain, a high chance of getting eaten alive, and/or dying, painful transformations once a month that is not linked to other body functions, and being distrusted by almost everyone.
Hermione and the Radiant Chaos
Chapter 6
The Buckling Grasp of Destiny
Once Hermione was sure that her roommates were asleep she rolled out of her bed and she slipped into the shrieking shack garbed in the illusion of the old woman. This time she held another basket with a new assortment of foodstuffs for the man on the run.
"Good evening Sirius." She said as she walked up next to the lightly slumbering man.
Sirius blinked dumbly for a few moments before he stood and greeted Hermione.
"Hello angel." Sirius said as he waited for the basket in Hermione's hand.
Hermione laughed lightly for a moment before she spoke.
"Sirius, go take a bath, you stink. Here's a razor as well." Hermione said as she took out some cleaning supplies from her pockets.
Everything she gave him she conjured before she pulled them out of her pockets.
Sirius sighed before he nodded in agreement and made his way to the bathroom of the shrieking shack. Hermione followed him to repair the room, and so a few minutes later Hermione was waiting back in his bedroom while she heard the water running. As she waited she conjured up some furniture for them. So when Sirius returned there was a table, two comfortable chairs, and an assortment of other things to make his life a little more bearable as he recovered.
"Whoa, it looks like a new room." Sirius remarked as he sat across from Hermione.
"It essentially is Sirius." Hermione replied as she pulled out a several pages of parchment, an ink well, and a few quills and laid them on the desk.
"Writing supplies?" Sirius asked in some surprise.
"You may not be able to write a letter yet. But you can at least write down what you are thinking about, or something to help take your mind off of things. Plus, I plan on getting you a way to write letters. It's just going to take time is all." Hermione answered.
"That's ok." Sirius said as he dug into some of the food Hermione had put on the table.
"I'll see what I can do about getting you some potions and such to get you healthier sooner too." Hermione added.
"Thank you. I owe you big time." Sirius said after taking a long draft from the canteen of water.
"It's my pleasure. Harry's going to need you soon, but he'll need you healthy, so get healed up ok?" Hermione said.
Sirius nodded.
"I will." He promised.
After a short while Hermione made her way into the ministry of magic yet again, and placed another barrage of evidence against the minister on Amelia's desk, let the Prophet and other news outlets know that there was more for them to look into, and then took it one step farther. She took information revealing government corruption; not just Fudge's and added to the pile for them to get ahold of. Documents of kidnapping, human experimentation, forgery, theft, murder, and much more. She then added a few more humiliations for Fudge and his lackey Umbridge for the fun of it.
Tomorrow the wizarding world would start an outcry against not only Fudge but the ministry itself. By the end of the week Hermione hoped that the sheer fury that the civilians had against the corruption would allow someone to capitalize on it, and Hermione knew just the person. However, it wasn't time for that individual to make an appearance. So with that in mind, Hermione returned to school and laid her head upon her pillow.
This time however, she had to slip past a pair of Aurors. Apparently, Fudge was finally beginning to increase security.
Her rest came easily and she slept deeply.
When she awoke the next morning she made her way down to the common room with Susan beside her, Ron was tagging along beside Harry. Neville was at Harry's right flank.
Hermione and Susan both looked disgusted at the sight of Ron.
"Ron Weasley." He introduced himself to Susan.
"If you are going to eat with us could you do us all a very simple favor?" Susan asked.
"What?" Ron asked in confusion.
"Don't eat like a pig." She replied.
Ron immediately exploded.
"How could you say such a thing! I don't eat like a pig!" He shouted at her as he fumbled for his wand.
Hermione got in between Susan and Ron and before Ron had drawn his wand she had slapped him.
"You pig! Learn some manners!" She yelled at Ron.
Ron pointed his wand at Hermione and before he had the time to try to fire sparks at her she slapped him again. At the same time she slapped his right hand, knocking his aim off to the side.
He aimed his wand at her again (stupidly Hermione noted) and so she repeated her time she achieved what she had been after and knocked Ron's wand out of his grasp. She then caught Ron's wand before it fell.
"You jerk! You insulted my friend!" Hermione growled.
Finally Harry had shook himself out of his stupor and spoke.
"Ron, Hermione, Susan enough. Ron, I think it would be best if you went on to the great Hall ahead of us." Harry suggested, his tone indicating that he had better do so.
"Alright mate. I'll meet you down there." Ron said.
As soon as Ron left Harry collapsed on a chair with a sigh.
Neville looked at him with sympathy.
"I'd hate to have hangar ons like that too Harry." Neville said.
The Council can't directly influence this world, thankfully. However, they can mess with Harry's mind and that dull look in his eyes a little while ago suggests that....I have to watch him closely otherwise they might take direct control over him for a short time. But it could spell the end of our foursome team. Susan and Neville are too important to let that happen to them, and naturally I need Harry too.
"We might need to figure out a repelling Ron spell." Hermione suggested with a faint smirk.
"Are there such things?" Susan wondered.
Hermione shrugged.
"It can't hurt to find out can it?" Hermione replied as her smirk widened.
The four of them finally made their way out the portrait hole and as they made their way down the four talked cheerfully.
"So what are you looking forward to the most?" Harry asked.
"I'd have to say I'm rather interested in Charms." Susan replied.
"Herbology and Potions for me." Neville said.
"Everything." Hermione answered in typical Hermione fashion.
"What about you Harry?" Hermione questioned after a momentary silence.
Harry replied as they made their way down one of the many strange staircases.
"I'd have to say defense, transfiguration, and charms." Harry answered after a long moment.
"Those all have some kind of combat related application don't they?" Hermione asked.
Harry absentmindedly nodded his head before his eyes widened in realization at Hermione's question.
"That isn't the reason I'm interested in them though. I can assure you." Harry said hastily.
Susan and Neville seemed convinced but Hermione wasn't fooled. Still, she wasn't about to reveal herself. After all, she was; 'a mere eleven year old girl'.
As they finished talking about what classes they were excited about and why they had reached the Great Hall, and stealthily took seats away from Ron.
While they ate they talked a little bit before the mail arrived. Three owls landed in front of Harry and Hermione. The first was a snowy white owl. Harry's familiar and beloved friend.
"Hey girl, how are you?" Harry asked as he offered some of his bacon.
She nibbled on the bacon gratefully as Harry untied the letter on her leg.
"Its from Hagrid." Harry said after Hedwig had left.
While Harry had been busy with Hedwig Hermione took a look at the other two owls.
The first was the owl that carried her Daily Prophet subscription. She quickly untied the package from the owl and placed a sickle in the pouch, and tied the top shut. With that, the Owl spread it's wings and flew off. Next, Hermione turned her attention to the other Owl. She saw on the front of the letter an emblem that she was quite familiar with and her name.
The Goblin Council itself has written me? I better take a close look at this.
She hastily opened the letter and read the Goblin words. Her mind instantly translated the gobbledegook.
Greetings Ethanaia, (Great one of Love and Justice)
We hope that this letter has found you well. Since the Hogwarts school year has started we realize that it is going to be difficult for you to find time during normal business hours to speak to us. However, due to the severity of the issues that need to be discussed you may see the Goblin Council directly. Please notify the owl of the time that would work best for you during this week. Furthermore, the Great Council is being assembled and we will be waiting for your reply most expectantly.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Great Council. The Great Council hadn't been formed yet! The Great Council hadn't been created until the year 2,000 A.D.
We realize that this may seem slightly odd beloved Etheria, yet action must take place, and time is running out quickly.
Ragnok,
President of Gringott's and Member of the Goblin Council.
Hermione quickly folded the letter up and put it in her robes before she pulled out a sheet of parchment, a quill and inkwell. She quickly penned a reply in the goblin language and handed it to the patient owl.
Greetings to the Goblin Nation,
I Etheria, do hereby agree to appear before the Goblin Council tomorrow at 12:00 A.M. sharp. Unfortunately, I cannot appear any time sooner.
Etheria
With that Hermione turned to her copy of the Daily Prophet.
EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION WITHIN MINISTRY!
SIRIUS BLACK'S INNOCENT?
DUMBLEDORE'S SHORTCOMINGS
BOY-WHO-LIVED ABUSED IN HIS OWN HOME?
CORRUPT BAR OF FUDGE SUFFERING FROM PRANKS AND EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.
ILLEGAL EXPERIMENTATION?
Any one of these would be headline worthy, However the sheer amount of shocking material was so great that they had merely placed a very small section of each article on the front page. Something that had never been done on a Wizarding Newspaper until now. As Hermione predicted there was a major outcry, or rather riots or near riots across all of the magical world.
How could they print the article about Harry being abused? If he hears about it he'll be so humiliated that someone found out. I had hoped that they'd have used it as a spring board to dig into Dumbledore's faults, and help Harry get away from the Dursleys. But, they...They...
"What are you reading Hermione?" Harry asked curiously.
Silently Hermione handed the paper over to him.
Harry curiously began to read the paper and once he read a particular article his face paled.
"What's the matter mate?" Neville asked.
"Nothing." He said shortly.
"It's just an article is all." Hermione tried to protect Harry.
He shot her a grateful look at her interference.
Around that point a couple of older Gryffindors came up and spoke.
"Harry, I'm so sorry...."
"Oh Harry...If there's anything we can do to help feel free to ask ok?" They asked.
"Harry! There you are! I overheard a couple Ravenclaws talking about how you were abused by the Dursleys. Is it true?" A voice that was already begging to drive Hermione up the wall asked.
"Ron Weasley! You insensitive wart! Go away!" Hermione screamed at him.
Ron flinched and ran.
"Ten points off of Gryffindor young lady for shouting in school." A man with a nasty sneer said as he swooped past them and towards the teachers table.
"Who is that?" Susan asked.
"That's Severus Snape, the potions master." A second year answered her.
"What a nice guy." Susan said scornfully as the man glared in Harry's direction.
"He favors the Slytherins. Ol' Snape will take points off of students for all sorts of dumb things, unless you're a Slytherin." The boy added.
"Thanks for the warning." Hermione said.
"No problem." The blond boy grinned at the four first years.
As breakfast began to wind down McGonagall began to pass out the timetables. When McGonagall handed Hermione hers she thanked the older witch and then turned to the document.
"It looks like we have defense first thing this morning." Hermione noted.
"With the Hufflepuffs it seems." Susan agreed as she scanned her timetable.
Neville merely looked miserable at the thought of class.
"Take heart Nev' it's not as hard as some people make it sound." Harry said.
"You think so?" Neville asked with a hopeful expression.
"That's right, it's really easy." Hermione promised.
"How do you know?" Neville asked curiously.
"It's poor stuttering professor Quirrel. He's not about to make a class tough." Harry said.
"Besides, you are an awesome wizard Neville, you've already befriended Susan, Harry and I after all." Hermione added.
"She's right, I only look for the best and I can sincerely say that you're in that group." Harry agreed.
Neville smiled at them with a flicker of pride in his eyes.
"Thanks guys." Neville said.
Ok, that's another chappie of Radiant Chaos done. Neville is starting to work through his issues of 'inferiority' and at the same time there's pressure on the ministry. Sirius is healing up. People know about the Dursleys, and Dumbledore is going to get slapped around a bit too. That should wake him up. When it comes to Dumbles Hermione befriended the man and they were close, however Hermione knows that before she can be his friend he needs to have his ego deflated and realize that his 'greater good' is the 'road to hell...'
By the way I was looking at the HP Lexicon and apparently Dumbledore (in cannon) had a spell that alerted him as soon as Voldemort attacked. Then where was Dumbledore?!?! He should have (if he was the leader of the light like everyone says he is) got there ASAP either by phoenix, floo, or apparation. He could have saved at least Lily Potter....Most likely both of them since James probably held out for a while. In other words....he abandoned them to their fate........Voldemort may have directly killed the Potters but it ultimately lies on Dumbledore's shoulders since he could have saved them and he didn't....Wow, that's evil.........................
Wahoo! Radiant Chaos has broke the 100 reviews mark! Thank you all! I try to reply to all of you but if I accidentally missed someone I'm sorry.
Last note, you may have noticed a pattern of Hermione doing B&E's with the ministry of magic. That's not going to pop up every chapter. It's just right now she's in her blitz. It probably won't happen much more....