Chapter 05: Reconnecting
Tuesday, 30 August 1977
Hermione was heading towards the infirmary from the dungeons. She had been practicing her brewing skills in the potions lab the whole morning and throughout lunchtime, eating only a couple of sandwiches while she worked, provided by the helpful house-elves of Hogwarts. She had made some blood replenishing and healing potions for Madam Pomfrey and was supposed to hand them to her, and then continue her way to the Headmaster's office where they would continue their discussion from earlier that month.
August had gone quickly and Hermione had kept herself busy, not really having much time to stress over her situation. She had gone through nearly every book the Hogwarts library had on Time magic and had tried to form a plan for herself, to get back to where she belonged. She had been rather unsuccessful. Her days had been spent between Hogwarts library, the Potions lab where she practiced simple potions as well as researched the poisons Voldemort had possibly used with the locket, and Hog's Head.
During the first days after her arrival she had been organising items in the pub, but when that had been done, Aberforth had asked her to help him with the lunch rush – which was when the pub opened – so that he could take some time off in the mornings and daytime, and work only at nights. He had insisted her not being allowed to work at evenings, when the slightly shadier patrons often came by.
Hermione usually spent her evenings at Hogwarts. She quickly noticed that it was quite soothing to work in the all quiet library or with the peacefully bubbling brews and she had made a habit of providing Madam Pomfrey some basic potions that were essential in her work at the infirmary. Pomfrey was of course delighted at the help, and even though her stock was quickly filled since she didn't really have any patients during the summer, she still took everything Hermione brought to her.
While she wasn't really making progress on her Time magic research, Hermione had actually found a couple of possible ingredients that could have been used in the poison that protected the locket in the cave. She had made a lot of research regarding them, and had started to compile a list of possible poisons.
"Madam Pomfrey, I have the usual, where do you want them?" She called as she stepped into the empty ward. Or so she thought. Hermione stopped in her tracks when she noticed that someone occupied the last bed in the room. That someone was a boy and he was awake, sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard and watching her curiously.
"Oh, sorry I didn't..." She started apologising but then her voice died in her throat when she recognised exactly who it was, and dropped her potions on the floor.
The large glass bottles landed with a crash, the liquids inside them flooding the floor and the noise alerting Madam Pomfrey to check on what the cause of disturbance was.
"What in the name of Merl...Oh, Hermione." Pomfrey called and as her eyes settled at Hermione, she gave her a tight smile and flicked her wand to clean the mess, the glass and potions vanishing in the air.
"No matter, dear. I had more than enough already." She said to Hermione consolingly, clearly thinking that her shocked expression was because of making a mess and wasting essential potions. The boy eyed the scene curiously.
"Yes, I'm sorry." Hermione said to Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly and turned to the boy. "I apologise if I caused a disturbance." She said and stared at the boy with amazement. He looked just like she imagined he would. Remus.
Perhaps she could have a piece of her old life back after all. A smile lifted her mouth and Remus gave her a tentative smile back, looking slightly uncomfortable under her stare.
"Er…No problem. Are you new here?" He answered while watching her warily.
As Madam Pomfrey returned to her office with a small smile tugging at her lips, Hermione approached the boy's bed.
"Well...Sort of, yes. I came back to Britain about a month ago." She explained while she tried to subtly scrutinise his looks. He was very handsome, with his dark brown eyes and soft shaggy brown hair.
The handsome features aside, he looked utterly dreadful with his white skin and dark circles under his eyes. She could see a glimpse of scars on his neck and shoulders. Had Remus come early to Hogwarts for his transformation?
He shifted awkwardly in the bed under her curious eyes.
"So, um...you've lived here before? Are you one of the teaching staff?" Remus inquired, and Hermione had the feeling that he was trying to stop her examination on him and give her something else to think.
Hermione's eyes travelled back to meet his and she blinked a couple of times and thought about what she could say to him about her arrival.
"Um...My mum lived in Australia but my dad lives here, in Hogsmeade. I had to move back here when the circumstances changed..." She responded awkwardly. "And no... I'm not one of the staff." She gave him another small smile.
Remus was clearly bothered by her searching eyes and friendly behaviour, but he politely responded to her smile. "Okay. I'm Remus, by the way. Remus Lupin."
"Hermione Gr...Dumbledore. I'm pleased to meet you," she said quickly, cringing inwardly at her near slip and hoping he hadn't noticed it. She closed the distance to his bed and extended her arm to shake his hand.
He probably didn't notice her slip of tongue, as he was gaping at her, his eyes widening with shock. Remus stared at her outstretched hand for a moment until he closed his mouth, cleared his throat and shook her hand briefly.
"Wow...um...yeah. Nice to meet you, too." He stammered. "A Dumbledore?" He said with a surprise in his voice and threaded a hand through his messy hair.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Yes, I am. My dad is Aberforth though, not the Headmaster...just in case you were wondering."
Remus let out a nervous laugh and watched her hesitantly. "So, are you going to come to study at Hogwarts or are you just visiting here?" He asked while giving her a once over. Hermione tried not to flinch under his inspection.
"Yes, I am. I'm going to the seventh year in September," she replied, leaning against the edge of his bed. Hermione didn't miss the small flicker of panic crossing his eyes, as if she was far too close to him in his opinion. She wanted to give him the impression that she was quite at ease at his presence and proximity, and that seemed to unnerve him a bit.
"You are a student here too?" She asked innocently, trying to keep her cover. "But why are you here already? Doesn't the term start in a couple of days?" She continued, trying to look confused.
Remus frowned, a contemplative look in his eyes before he replied to her. "Er...yeah I'm a student. Just starting my seventh year...my parents brought me here on their way to a trip last week, but then I got the flu so I came to the infirmary. It seems it's passed already though..." he explained lamely.
Hermione lifted a brow and Remus blushed slightly. Knowing the true reason for his visit to the hospital wing, she didn't question him further and nodded instead. Remus's eyes flashed with relief.
"So...D'you know what house you'll be in?" He asked, a hint of wariness still in his voice.
Hermione was only slightly surprised he was so cautious towards new people, and reckoned it was more to do with the timing than anything else. The Remus she remembered had always been observant and clever, and even though she didn't know every detail about the current situation in the upcoming Wizarding war, she knew enough from what Aberforth had told her.
"Well, I don't know, actually. The Headmaster – my uncle - insisted that I should be sorted with the first years. That way I'll certainly blend in, right?" she said and gave him a wry smile.
Remus laughed and inclined his head in agreement.
"But I should go now; I'm actually meeting him in a moment." Hermione continued and then hesitated as she eyed him carefully. "Maybe...we could meet before the school starts? I mean, if you aren't too busy?" She asked while taking a step back and giving him what she hoped was an encouraging smile.
"We could spend some time outside or wherever you want to. And you could tell me the latest gossip going around here or something..." she continued, now with a hint of uncertainty.
He studied her for a moment and then gave her a small grin, this one more genuine and reminding her of the older Remus. "Yeah, sure. I have to stay here until tomorrow though, so...meet me here in the morning?" He asked, lifting his brows slightly.
Hermione's thoughts still lingered in the future - or her past, specifically in one evening they'd spent at Grimmauld with Remus, Sirius, Harry and the Weasleys. Everyone had been happy and relaxed, even though the war had been approaching. Everything had been better then. She felt a small pang of sadness course through her, which didn't go unnoticed. Remus frowned at her but didn't say anything. Hermione shook the thought from her head and cleared her throat.
"Okay...I'll see you tomorrow then." She gave him a one last smile which was a bit forced by the emotional surge she had felt, before she exited the ward and walked towards the Headmaster's office.
As she opened the door to the Headmaster's office, after knocking and receiving a quiet "enter", she saw that McGonagall was already sitting in one of the plush armchairs in front of the Headmaster's desk.
"Good afternoon, Hermione. How are you feeling today?" Dumbledore greeted Hermione, beaming at her from his chair. His expression quickly turned into a concerned one when he noticed the slight distress she had tried to suppress on her way there.
"Good afternoon, sir. Professor McGonagall." She greeted the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall who smiled and nodded back to her. "I'm okay, thank you. I just...met someone at the infirmary...someone I knew from before." She said, still feeling quite excited and sad at the same time.
The Headmaster nodded sympathetically.
"Remus Lupin, I presume? You are aware of his condition?" McGonagall inquired while watching Hermione with sharp eyes.
"Yes. Of course, I am." Hermione replied, feeling a bit affronted. "We agreed to spend some time together tomorrow, after he is discharged," she continued, trying to not sound as confused as she felt.
Dumbledore and McGonagall both nodded approvingly. "I think it would do well for you to spend some time with someone your own age. I understand you have been by yourself for most of the month?" He said while he eyed her with concern.
"Well, I have talked with some people at the pub so I haven't been completely isolated, if that's what you are afraid of..." She muttered defensively.
Dumbledore hummed in response, his blue eyes twinkling. "And have you found out anything of interest while working at the pub?"
"Well, not really…I only work in the early shift, so I assume there might be more interesting patrons and rumours during the evenings." She said and Dumbledore nodded at her.
"Shall we then continue where we left off?" Dumbledore said as he crossed his fingers on his table, not waiting for an answer as he continued, "Since we discussed the Horcruxes the last time, it would now be suitable to think of what is to be done with them."
Hermione and McGonagall both nodded in agreement.
"I suggest we leave the locket, the cup and the diary for now, until we make progress on gaining the young Black on our side. If we do not succeed with him, we can think alternative ways then. I think we should focus on the ring, since we know of its location, as well as research the unknown Horcrux. I propose that I myself will be the one to research the Horcruxes and acquire the ring, as I have already looked into the matter during the past month." He said and both McGonagall and Hermione eyed him curiously.
"But before I will acquire the ring, I would like for you both to learn the way to destroy it. With the Fiendfyre curse. We could start the training next week earliest, since I believe the Professors are quite busy during the first days after the school year starts." He said while glancing at McGonagall who nodded in agreement. "That also gives you a chance to settle down in your new dorm and get accustomed with the daily routine, as well as your classmates." He said to Hermione.
Hermione smiled nervously before she spoke, "Yes, sir, that would be okay."
"What about the Death Eaters, besides Regulus Black, who are students in this school? Bartemius Crouch Jr, Rabastan Lestrange, Severus Snape and Peter Pettigrew?" McGonagall asked grimly.
Dumbledore pondered his answer for a while before he spoke, "I think, if Hermione is up for it, she could try to keep a closer eye on Pettigrew. I myself do not believe Pettigrew to be a Death Eater, at least not yet. But as I said previously, even I have to admit to be wrong sometimes." Dumbledore continued with a small smile.
"Yes, I am up for it. I'll keep an eye out for him." She said and cringed mentally, for she had no desire to even look at the betraying rat. But she also knew that it was inevitable, as she was going to be in the same year as the Marauders. She didn't even wonder why the Headmaster hadn't asked her to keep an eye on Snape, she was merely glad by the fact.
"Good. And as for the others," he said and turned to McGonagall. "We do nothing yet." McGonagall looked a bit irked but said nothing more to the matter.
They continued for a while about Dumbledore's research on Voldemort's early years and Hermione's findings about the possible poisons that might've been used with the locket. They agreed she could continue studying the poisons and testing the antidotes after the school started, but she had to do it outside classes. McGonagall promised to ask from her trusted acquaintance about the poisons, so Hermione would have the time to actually focus on her studies as well.
Before Hermione left towards Hogsmeade, she inquired Dumbledore about her situation, if the Headmaster was any closer to finding out what had happened to her than he was a month ago. There really wasn't anything new, and thus she left the school feeling empty, longing and sadness accompanying her as she walked along the familiar path to the village.
Wednesday, 31 August 1977
The next morning Hermione met Remus at the infirmary, as promised.
"Good morning," Hermione greeted him happily, even though she felt anything but.
She had had a rough night last night. After receiving the disappointing news from Dumbledore the previous evening, Hermione had spent the rest of her night wondering if she was able to return back to where she came from, and what if she wasn't. She'd reminisced the last August, when the journey with Harry and Ron had begun, how they'd been on the run for several months, fought many obstacles and eventually had been caught by the Snatchers. She'd worried for her friends, praying to Merlin that they were still alive somewhere. She missed them so much, she missed her old life so much that it hurt, and she had in fact wept herself to sleep the previous night. It was something she hadn't been doing anymore in a daily basis, thanks to her busy schedule, which made sure she was too exhausted to think anything at nights. In the morning, she had decided that she would try to focus on the now, at least for today, and tried to feel cheerful for meeting Remus.
"Good morning, Hermione." Remus replied and watched her with interest.
They both stood awkwardly in place, neither of them knowing exactly what to say to one another.
"May I suggest that you to go to the village and have lunch there?" Madam Pomfrey said as she walked past them towards her office, a small smirk playing on her lips.
"Oh…sure…Y-you want to go?" Hermione asked and watched Remus hesitantly.
Remus beamed at her before he spoke, "Yeah, I'd love to."
They walked in silence along the empty halls, through the main doors and towards the path which led to the village. A path Hermione had walked several times during the last month, since she had been at the castle almost every day. The sky was a bit cloudy, but it was still warm enough to dress lightly. They both wore their muggle clothes and while Remus had a pair of worn out jeans and a blue t-shirt on, Hermione had transfigured her clothing a bit, shortening her jeans to knee-length shorts, and used a shrinking charm to some old t-shirt of Harry's to fit her better.
"So…your father is Aberforth? …Who is the brother of the Headmaster? How come I haven't heard of him before?" Remus inquired, glancing at her from the corner of his eye while they walked towards the village, side by side.
Hermione took in a steadying breath, ready to test her cover story with the first person. "Yes. My dad owns the Hog's Head in the village. He and Albus are not the best friends I suppose, but they get along. And I think they both want to keep their personal lives to themselves, so…That's why you might've not heard of him before."
Remus nodded and said, "Yeah, that's understandable." He was quiet for a while before he continued. "And, er…you're from Australia? How come you don't have an accent? Did you go to a Wizarding school there?" He suddenly sounded intrigued, which made Hermione smile a bit.
"Well, my mother was an Australian muggle of English descent, and she, along with some of her relatives upheld their heritage. She met my father when he was on a holiday in Sydney. He said to me once that it was the last holiday he ever took," she said, forcing out a small laugh. "He swears it's not because of the outcome though."
Remus smiled, but there was a hint of uneasiness and worry in his eyes, and Hermione assumed it was because of the past tense she had used when speaking of her mother.
"When I was born, my mum and I lived in London for some years, before we moved back to her homeland. She didn't really know anyone in here, besides my dad, and they weren't actually together so…" She said and shrugged, hoping her explanations were believable.
"My mum of course knew my dad was a wizard. So when I showed signs of magic, they decided I would attend the Australian Wizarding School. That way I could stay close to my mum and my relatives. The school there starts much earlier than the schooling in Hogwarts, at the age of seven, and finishes a year later, the last year starting when you've turned eighteen. I was in the middle of my last year there, when I…had to come back to Britain." Her voice faded and she tensed.
Remus observed her closely, and they were silent for a short while as they kept walking slowly forward. Hermione could only hope that he wasn't suspicious, but merely trying to figure out things. Things she had left unsaid on purpose.
Soon a small grin spread his lips. "So you're a year older than us then?" He asked lightly, glancing at her.
"Oh…yes, I suppose I am." Hermione mused, not having given it a thought earlier.
As they reached Hogsmeade, they decided to go to the bookshop first, since it was way too early for lunch. It seemed that Remus was quite the bookworm too, and Hermione found out that they had a lot in common, at least regarding their fondness for literature. When it was lunchtime, they headed to the Hog's Head to meet Hermione's 'father', who was now working from lunch time to closing again. They had agreed that Hermione was to focus on her education for now, and if she had the time, she could help him around the pub on some weekends.
The pub was empty when they stepped inside and Hermione walked to the counter with Remus following her. They sat down on the barstools and Aberforth emerged from the backroom at the same time.
"Hi there Mione," He grunted his greeting but a small smile still appeared on his lips. "Weren't you supposed to be in the castle today?" He inquired, while he took a couple of Butterbeers from under the counter and handed them to Hermione and Remus.
"Well, we decided to come to the village, since I have been wandering in the school for the last month, and we are starting the term tomorrow, so no Hogsmeade visits until next week I think." Hermione said while smiling at Aberforth. Then she remembered her manners.
"Oh, Dad, I'd like you to meet Remus Lupin. He is a seventh year too." She beamed at Remus. "This is my father, Aberforth." She glanced at Aberforth.
They shook hands.
"Nice to meet you, boy. Which house are you in?" He asked suspiciously, which made Hermione stifle a snigger as she saw how Remus's eyes widened slightly.
Remus looked very uncomfortable before he cleared his throat and replied to Aberforth. "I'm a Gryffindor, sir. And nice to meet you too."
Hermione tried to suppress her smile but couldn't keep it away. Aberforth burst in laughter and Hermione joined him. Remus started to look confused.
"Sorry about that," Aberforth said while chuckling. "I haven't been called a sir since Merlin knows when." He said wiping his eyes. Hermione looked at him with an arched brow, clearly reminiscing the day she had called him sir. They day they had met. Aberforth winked at her and flicked his wand – a tray appeared from thin air, which he levitated to them. It held two plates of fish and chips.
"Enjoy." He said and turned to the backroom again.
"Is he..." Remus stammered, evidently trying to find the right words to describe Aberforth. "Always like this?" He asked carefully.
Hermione laughed. "Yeah, he is." She said and tucked into the food.
When they had eaten, they thanked Aberforth and left the pub. It was still early afternoon and they decided to browse through the rest of the shops on the main road. After that, they went to spend time in the back garden of Hog's Head. They lounged on the grass and chatted about Hermione's last month and Remus's summer. Then Remus brought up the upcoming year and it piqued Hermione's interest.
"So, um…you wanted to know the…latest gossip, was it?" He asked with a small grimace.
Hermione grinned. "Well usually I'm not one to gossip, really. But…I am a nut for knowledge, and I want to be prepared I guess…" she said, cringing a little.
Remus chuckled. "Fair enough. Although I have to say, I am not one to gossip either. But maybe I can give you some details of the student population, yeah?" He asked while studying her.
Hermione beamed at him and nodded. "Let's start with your house. I know there are four houses, and the history of said houses, as I have read the Hogwarts, A History more than a couple of times. I have to say though - it is one of my favourite books." She said and smiled when Remus gaped at her.
"Oh. It's one of my favourites too," he said, shaking his head and smiling at her. "Well, as I said, I'm in Gryffindor. And um… I share a dorm with my best mates; James, Sirius and Peter. There are also four seventh year girls in Gryffindor; Lily, Alice, Marlene and Mary." He said the last name with a frown. Hermione took notice but didn't interrupt him. "James and Lily are actually both going to be Head students, a position which you've probably read about from the Hogwarts, A History?" Remus continued, lifting his brows in inquiry. Hermione nodded, feeling a bit surprised. She wondered why Harry had never mentioned his parents being Head students.
"And I'm a Prefect." Remus continued and Hermione smiled at him, knowing it already since the older Remus had once told her that he presumed that Dumbledore had in fact named him as Prefect to reign in James and Sirius.
Remus continued naming the seventh year students from other houses and from other years, and Hermione was astonished that he remembered all their names. But it made sense since he was a Prefect, and had NEWT classes with some of them. He went through the Professors, which mostly were the same as had been in her time, except the Defence Professor, of course, along with a couple of others. Remus revealed some of the best pranks he and his mates had done throughout their years. They laughed good-heartedly and Hermione could not but admire how brilliant some of their pranks were. They talked until it was close to dinnertime and Remus had to leave to the castle. Before he left, he playfully promised to talk to her even if she wouldn't be a Gryffindor, to which she replied with an amused roll of her eyes. Sniggering, he went on his way and Hermione retreated to the sitting room of their quarters to have some dinner. She usually didn't eat downstairs in the evenings, since there really were some questionable people lurking around the pub every now and then.
Hermione went early to bed that night, trying to soothe her nerves with a cup of tea and some Calming Draught. She was quite nervous of what the next day would bring. But one thing brought her comfort – at least she had one person to talk to. Smiling, she drifted to sleep.