Oh Monday... I actually enjoy Monday's right now because I love posting chapters for this story. Corney I know, but it's the truth... I just also enjoy going back to bed after I post, but that doesn't always get to happen. =)

Lcky, Guest, GhostWriter1864, StormWitch19851, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, loves2readalways, Raven that flies at night, HPotter25, and erythra-selena; you all are amazing people and I couldn't keep writing without each and every one of you. The story broke 200! Also, huge hugs to the Followers and Favorite-ers over this past week.

And we just keep chugging along...

ps. it's an extra long chapter so... maybe even more of you could take a minute to review?

Hermione had seen people die before; she had been in the middle of a war before too. She had been a part of the battle at the Ministry during fifth year; she had heard countless retellings of death and destruction from Harry and a few of the Order members from her time. Even the Daily Prophet had gone into some horrible details of people's murders at the hands of Death Eaters.

But Hermione had never felt personally responsible for another person's death before.

He had been an innocent person; not a fighter or a 'bad guy'. An innocent, uninvolved person had been killed in front of Hermione; and the burden of that death weighted on her. It felt like a full size dragon had taken up residence on her chest.

She had been awake for only a few minutes, but Hermione felt like she's been awake for days. Every inch of her body ached and there was a sharp pain in her head working its way around the front of her temple. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself to return to a dreamless sleep; but her mind was already whirling.

The only good thing about waking up was realizing who was beside her. Sirius was still asleep, but he instinctively pulled Hermione a little closer to himself as she began to wriggle. With Sirius's arms wrapped around her, she did feel a little better; or at least somewhat stable. Hermione twisted around with difficulty so that she could face her boyfriend's slumbering face.

Hermione placed a palm on the dark haired Marauders cheek and took in every inch of his scruffy face. She smiled sadly to herself when she noted now drastic the difference was between his younger self and his future, almost skeletal, appearance. She inched forward and pecked his lips so gently that it was almost nothing, and then settled into the crook of his neck.

She was unable to fall into a deep sleep again; but the hazy consciousness and the distraction of Sirius's cologne helped ease the tension in her head and seemed to interrupt the spinning of her thoughts.

When Hermione's eyes fluttered open the second time, she found herself alone but the vacant spot beside her was still warm; Sirius had only left the bed moments before.

There was a small gap in the curtains of the bed, and Hermione crept toward it. She adjusted the pillow to lay right next to the gap, and wrapped the blankets around herself as she settled in to eavesdrop. Hermione wasn't sure why she wanted to be nosy, but she was curious as to how the boys were taking the events of last night.

Sirius slid his crumpled, button down shirt over his head; he was still too exhausted to take the time to unbutton it. He withdrew a simple t-shirt and pulled it over his head and arms. As Sirius closed his trunk, he thought better of it and removed one of his long-sleeve knit shirts for Hermione when she woke.

"How is she?" Remus's voice was laced with concern and sadness. He had been worried about his 'sister' all night and only gotten sleep because of the knowledge that she was safe and in the same room.

Sirius met the werewolf's eyes and heaved a sigh, "I don't know. I'm not even sure if the sleeping drought worked. She woke me up twice because of her twitching and muffled yells. I'm just hoping that she can't remember whatever she was having a nightmare about." Sirius yawned loudly and stretched his arms out over his head.

"Well, James, Lily and Peter are off spreading our altered version of events for last night. Hopefully it will prevent people from asking too many questions or at least keep people from bothering you two," Remus smiled, but his eyes remained lackluster.

"What are you telling people?" Sirius closed his trunk and sat down on the lid. He rubbed his face to try to focus his sleepy brain. Remus was sad to observe that it looked like Sirius had aged a few years since last night.

"McGonagall actually came by after you and Mia had settled. She asked us to not reveal what had actually happened. The ministry has taken over and made it an official investigation, so we aren't really supposed to know… She told us though. McGonagall told James, Peter, Lily and I; none of the details of course, but the general story. Said you two stumbled upon the explosion site, met up with Frank and Alice, saw Vol… the Dark Lord. Bad things happened and a man was murdered," Remus's face lost the little bit of blood that was there and he began to resemble the white sheets that were on all the beds in the dorm.

"But McGonagall was asked by the Ministry and the Order to not release the story. She's asked us to just go with the last bit. That someone was murdered in the village… by an unknown suspect. And Mia witnessed it. McGonagall is hoping that will be enough of a general explanation for whatever Mia is going to go through for… a while. She'll probably get the same reaction from the other students that she got when she first arrived, but hopefully no one will ask her anything directly."

Sirius nodded his head as Remus spoke; appreciating that McGonagall always seemed to have a plan to protect her 'niece.' "And they haven't said anything about me?" Sirius's curiosity peaked when he realized he was absent from the explanation.

Remus's eyes seemed to bore holes to the back of Sirius's skull as the werewolf examined his friend, "Well, it might have been said that you weren't there at all. McGonagall wouldn't tell us what happened to you exactly… She said she had not right to divulge anything and that it was your choice to share the details."

"That doesn't make me look like the greatest boyfriend in the world, but I guess it will do," Sirius glanced back at the curtain's that were enclosing his bed.

"Sirius, if you were there… how are you so clam?" Remus was worried about his roguish friend more than ever now. Sirius seemed so casual and indifferent about a night that seemed to have broken a certain witch.

Sirius's grey eyes darkened and he clenched his teeth hard, "Let's just say… Let's just say I ran into Bellatrix last night. And she may have actually given me a gift." Sirius paused and shivered involuntarily as he thought back on the events of last night. He still could not remember anything very specific, but he remembered the pain shooting through his body and the spastic convulsions that had broken several bones. But compared to the state that Hermione seemed to be in, he felt lucky.

Remus didn't know what to say, he simply stared at his friend hoping that he would continue with his explanation… at least a little.

A tight smile crossed Sirius's features and he tried to lighten his face, "I can't recall too much of last night. Bellatrix decided to practice some lovely spells on me and she may have compromised a few brain cells. But with everything I've heard, I'd actually rather not remember."

Shock widened Remus's eyes as he listened to Sirius's side of the story. Remus knew of his friend's cousin and knew her affiliation and obsession with Voldemort. But the werewolf never would have fathomed that the mad witch would go after her own family. The only condolence was that Sirius could now easily push the scenes from last night out of his mind and focus on helping his girlfriend cope.

"Will you two be hiding out here today?"

"I think we'll probably be here for a bit. I'll try to get her down to the common room later though. But I'm sure she'll want to talk to you as soon as she's able to, Moony," Sirius knew that Remus could help Hermione in a logical way and he also knew that she needed the 'family' comfort.

Remus nodded his head, "Of course. No rush though. Just give her a hug for me in the meantime." His eyes swept over the four post bed and he left the room.

Sirius drew back the curtains to find Hermione pulling the blanket over her head. "Were you listening, Love?" He wasn't sure why, but he found this antic quite adorable.

"Possibly," Hermione voice was muffled as she spoke.

"Did you find out anything interesting?" Sirius pulled at the edges of the comforter and sat down on the bed next to Hermione. Her hair was a tangled mess and her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, but she was still beautiful. This strong witch, lying in his bed, had dealt damage to Voldemort; and he was incredibly proud of her. Sirius just wished that it hadn't come at the cost of a bystander's life and a portion of Hermione's sanity.

Hermione felt very small; she hated feeling that way and usually fought back with vengeance against anyone who made her feel that way. But today, she allowed herself to mourn and maybe even embrace the smallness that she felt. She would get back to vengeance tomorrow.

She gingerly sat up and wrapped her arms around Sirius' neck and buried her face into his chest. Sirius closed his arms around her and held her securely against him and kissed her forehead. "I found out that I have two wonderful wizards looking after me," Hermione mumbled into Sirius' shirt.

"You didn't know that already? I thought you were supposed to be brilliant?" A smile tugged at Sirius' lips and a silent chuckle shook Hermione's shoulders.

"Yes, well sometimes it's nice to be reminded," Hermione pulled her head up to look into Sirius' eyes. "Do you really not remember last night?"

Sirius dropped his gaze and looked ashamed of himself, "I remember bits and pieces, but all the memories are very blurry. And… I don't… I'm not sure I want them to clear up."

"I don't want you to remember then. It was horrid and I wish I could forget too." Hermione leaned forward and kissed Sirius' cheek. "And as long as you're alright with me sneaking into your bed when I have some horrible nightmare about it, I think I'll be alright soon too."

Yes, she needed to mourn, but she also needed Sirius to be his upbeat self if he wanted to help pull her from this depression. Hermione's comment had the desired effect on her Marauder; Sirius's eyes snapped back to hers.

"Oh really? You'll be fine as long as I let you hid out in my bed from time to time?" His grey eyes flickered as wicked thoughts filled his head. Sirius knew that he shouldn't be thinking about such things with what had happened, but he was only mortal… and a teenage boy at that.

He gathered Hermione to his chest and fell back onto his bed. Sirius smiled as a small laugh escaped his witch's lips.

They lay there for a few minutes in complete silence; Hermione listening to the steady beat of Sirius's heart under her ear and Sirius drawing small loops on her back with his thumbs.

"I'm hungry," Hermione admitted as her stomach growled in deafening protest.

"I can call one of the house elves."

"No. I don't want the elves doing more work than they already are just because I'm a mess." Hermione looked down at herself and noticed the dirty ragged shirt she was still wearing and the jeans marred by blood and bits of building debris, "... Merlin, Sirius… why did you let me sleep here like this?"

Sirius laughed, "Maybe because I didn't have time to consider what state our clothing was in. I just wanted to get you to sleep."

"Do… do you think anyone is left in the girls' dorms?" Hermione didn't want to venture over to the girls side of the dormitories by herself if other people were going to be there. And she already knew Lily wasn't going to be present to play wing woman.

"I'll guard the lavatory for you if you want to take a shower on this side, Love."

Hermione smiled at him appreciatively and nodded her head.

Sirius swept the bathroom and stood outside the door as Hermione peeled off her mangled clothes. There was no saving the shirt; parts of the hem were missing as well as a chunk of her left sleeve. But her jeans seemed alright, just dirty. Hermione turned on the tap and let the water heat as she performed every cleaning spell she could recall on the light blue pants; she waved her wand a few times over her underwear as well. And when she was finally satisfied with their cleanliness, she stepped into the warm stream of water.

When she stepped out of shower Hermione was relieved to find herself a bit less sore. She dried herself off slowly and dressed in her now clean clothes and Sirius' borrowed shirt. Hermione smiled to herself as she noticed the knitted shirt made her look a little childlike, but she was comforted by the smell so she ignored the loose fit.

Hermione followed Sirius back to his dorm and walked over to the bedside table where her locket and moonstone ring lay. As she slide the ring back onto her index finger and looped the necklace over her head, Hermione froze.

"…oh my God…"

Before Sirius could ask what was wrong, Hermione sprinted from the dorm and padded down the stairs and through the portrait hole.

Hermione was so distracted by her realization that she didn't even notice that she wasn't wearing shoes. Her bare feet threw muffled echoes against the stone walls as she ran to McGonagall's office. Hermione knocked on the door twice but did not wait for a response before she let herself in.

Professor McGonagall sat at her desk with a pair of Gryffindor third years across from her, "You will report to Professor Slughorn for detention next Friday evening after dinner. Dismissed." McGonagall did not allow any emotion to cross her features as she waved the younger students out of her office.

Hermione pulled at her fingers and rolled to the balls of her feet nervously, "Aunt Minerva… I remembered something important. You have to get word to the Order…"

There was a knock at McGonagall's door.

Minerva stood and glanced at her 'niece' and took in her appearance fully, "I'm assuming that is Mr. Black with your shoes?"

Hermione looked down at her feet and smirk played at the side of her lip, "Most likely. I may have run here from the tower and not stopped to explain why…"

McGonagall opened her office door and found a very confused looking Marauder, "Bloody hell you're fast, Blondie. Um… Good morning Professor McGonagall…"

Minerva didn't take her eyes off the young man as she addressed her niece, "Will Mr. Black is joining us, Amelia?"

"If it's alright with you Aunt Minerva," Hermione allowed herself to laugh at the woman's standoffish manner toward Sirius. McGonagall stepped aside and granted Sirius entrance to the office.

With everyone settled, Hermione quickly began again, "You have to notify the Order that Voldemort is going to be after Bathilda Bagshot. He was lead to believe that she possesses… something."

McGonagall raised an elegant eyebrow, "And what something would that be, my dear?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortable from one foot to the other, "I'm not sure if I can speak of it. It was something that Dumbledore… my time Dumbledore entrusted to us. Horrible somethings that need to be destroyed before the Dark Lord can be stopped." Hermione began to pace slightly in the small space in front of McGonagall's desk. Sirius reached out and took her hand to still her.

McGonagall thought on her words and nodded her head, "And there's nothing else you can tell me about the object?"

"If I'm right… I it's going to be a locket previously owned by Salazar Slytherin," Hermione thought back to the end of sixth year. Harry's face contorted in a mixture of rage and utter defeat when he told her and Ron that the locket wasn't real; that they hadn't found the Horcrux, that Dumbledore had died for a fake.

Hermione clutched her abdomen as her stomach churned violently; Sirius stood and forced his witch to sit down. "What in Merlin's name is going on?" He searched Hermione's eyes but she offered no further explanation.

McGonagall hurriedly cast her patronus and sent it off to Alastor Moody with the little information that she had. Minerva trusted Hermione completely, but she feared that the information would not be enough for the Auror.

"Amelia, do you need to return to the hospital wing?" McGonagall did not like the shade of green that her 'niece' had taken on.

But Hermione shook her head, "No, I'm fine. I just… I need to get some fresh air I think…"

Minerva nodded her head and held the door open for Hermione and Sirius. She halted Sirius before he exited, "Please look after her and let me know if there is anything I can help with." The Marauder nodded sharply and followed Hermione down the corridor.

Hermione's mind raced. As she remembered the discussions about the locket with Harry, she began to recall the note as well. Dread flooded her chest and nervous thoughts entered her mind. She made her way up the stairs to the seventh floor without a single word to Sirius; she didn't know what to tell him.

When they were safely in the sitting room, Hermione turned to face him finally, "I have to tell you something."

"I hope so, because I'm completely confused," Sirius plopped down onto the sofa and dropped Hermione's shoes on the floor in front on him. He rubbed his face and tried to push his annoyance toward Hermione from his mind. Sirius knew that something was wrong in addition to the incident from last night, so he was trying to be patient. But he was unsure if he could tolerate any more of this blindly jumping around.

Sirius met Hermione's eyes though and his stomach dropped. She looked at him with such despair in her eyes, so much sadness; tears were already trickling down her face. He made a move to stand and comfort her, but she waved him off, "No, please. I won't be able to get through this…"

Hermione quickly made some mental decisions and she found that there was no other way; even though she wasn't absolutely certain, she had to tell him.

"Do you know what a Horcrux is?"

Sirius narrowed his eyes and nodded. He had been taught about some of the darker sides of magic from his family, "Unfortunately. What of it?"

"What if I told you that Voldemort had made several of them?"

Sirius' eyebrows shot into his hairline, "What… are you… several?"

Hermione nodded her head and carelessly wiped away her tears with the sleeve of Sirius' shirt, "Harry, Ron and I were going to hunt them down and destroy them. We were skipping our seventh year to do it; and we were completely willing to do so. It had to be done so that when Harry faces the Dark Lord, he would be mortal again." She went into a bit of detail about how much she had researched about the vial magic that needed to be conducted to create such a thing and how clueless they had been to what items Voldemort had made into his Horcruxes.

"But we were certain of Slytherin's locket being one," the words continued to pour out of Hermione. "Harry went to extreme lengths to retrieve it… but it turned out that someone had beaten him there and replaced the locket with a fake." Her eyes flickered over Sirius's face.

Sirius looked stoic; he gazed into nothing while he processed Hermione's words. He glanced up at her face and saw the concern etched across it again. "Please keep going, Hermione."

The witch nodded, "There… there was a note in the fake locket." Hermione closed her eyes and repeated the letter verbatim, "To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more…"

"Sounds like a good thing. Do you now if the witch or wizard was able to destroy it?" Sirius looked almost hopeful.

Hermione opened her eyes and slowly shook her head, "We don't know. We haven't found out yet… but… but I think I finally know who took it."

Sirius stood up and rubbed his hands together excitedly; he thought this was going to be a fun future changing adventure, "Who was it?"

"What is Rugulus's middle name?"

Sirius was taken aback by the random question, "Um, Arcturus."

Hermione clinched her eyes shut again and clasped her hands over her mouth as her fears were confirmed.

R.A.B…

"Hermione, who took the Horcrux in your future?" Sirius stepped forward and gently pulled her hands away from her face.

"Your brother."

Eek! Oh man, that chapter was rough for me. First there was some sadness, then I needed some fluff, then a bit of action and finally horrible sadness again... Sorry!

See you all next chapter!

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Always,

Misha

Ps. Check out the other stories by me: 'Begin Again,' 'Life as Demigods' and 'Penelope Jackson: The Lightning Thief.'