A/N: Twice a week, eh? ;) I can't thank you enough for your reviews, likes and follows - they really are the writer's reward, and encourage me to continue! So, please, continue rewarding me :) :)

I just thought I'd let you know that there is a reason I'm writing some characters the way I have; because in my mind, none of them is perfect, and they're all children (or young adults). I think Hermione isn't perfect, she's not some supreme goddess who knows everything and anything about magic - I wanted her to fail every once in a while (read: a lot) because she's a human. And she's, what? Nineteen... And Sirius on the other hand, while I picture him as smart and godlike (amIright), I still think he was arrogant, a bit self-absorbed, and, well, reckless in his youth (and probably when he was older too).

That being said, I hope you'll stick with me, and this story! Now...happy reading! :)

Chapter 29: Deciding about the future

April 23rd 1978 (Sunday)

Hermione watched the golden and purple hue of the sunrise through a gap between the curtains on Regulus's bedroom windows. Regulus was still breathing deeply, lying on his back, one arm thrown over his head on the pillow while the other one was holding her tight against him. Their legs were tangled and Hermione rested her head against his chest. She looked up to his relaxed face. His lips were pouting a bit when he breathed through his mouth as he slept. A small groan escaped between his lips when she absently skimmed her fingers against his lower abdomen.

"Hmm." Regulus hummed and squeezed her closer to him, blinking and slowly waking up. "Do you have to leave already?" He murmured in his still-sleepy voice, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

Hermione cast the tempus charm. "It's almost six…I'll have to go in a moment." She said with a sigh. She knew the girls would still be asleep, as it was Sunday, but she wanted to be there before any of them woke up.

Regulus gave her a contemplative look.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Are you sure your roommates don't suspect anything? I mean, we're here nearly every night…" He muttered, his fingers tracing patterns against her back.

Hermione shook her head. "I'm sure," She said and lifted her brows at him pointedly. "And might I add that you're here nearly every night. I usually go to my dorm to sleep for the night," She said with a small smile.

For the past two weeks, since the school had started, Regulus had stayed many nights in the Room of Requirement, staying there even when she wasn't. Hermione was a bit surprised that no one had questioned why Regulus didn't sleep in the dungeons. His dormmates surely had noticed his absence.

"And have I mentioned how enjoyable it is when you spend the night in here with me?" He asked with a low voice that made her heart skip a beat. Her skin was tingling where he touched her.

"No…But you can show me…next time." She breathed, her fingers trailing innocently over his pelvis. "I have to get up now." She said and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

Regulus groaned when she climbed over him and out of the bed. "You're killing me." He murmured, his arm drawn over his eyes.

Hermione gave him an amused look. "You'll live. Besides, I'll see you tonight, right?" She asked while she pulled on a sweater.

"Of course." He replied and frowned as he eyed her getting dressed. He was still lying in his bed, his hands now crossed under his head, his bare chest on display as black silk sheets hung low on his hips, covering him from waist down. Hermione's eyes roamed over his body for a moment before she noticed his thoughtful expression.

"What?" She asked, eyeing him searchingly.

"Where are you going?" He asked coolly.

Hermione gave him an incredulous look. "…To my dorm?"

He arched a brow at her. "After that. After breakfast." He said and stared at her with a blank look.

Hermione sighed inwardly. So…Snape had apparently tattled about her little potions project.

"The potions lab." She merely said, pulling her jeans on.

"And what are you working on in there?" Regulus asked, watching her intently.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Since you obviously know already, why don't you tell me?" She asked, giving him a wry look.

Regulus tried to suppress a smile. "Sev told me you're making Mancinella draught." He said, his expression serious now. "Why are you brewing a poison?"

She sighed, quickly thinking what she could tell him. "I'm trying to make an antidote for several poisons and toxic potions actually. But in order to do so, I must –"

"Brew the poison first." He said with a curt nod. "And this project of yours is something you're doing for the Order?" He asked as he stood up and walked to an armchair in which his clothes were neatly folded.

She chewed the inside of her cheek. "Yes."

He arched a brow at her. "Let me guess. You're not going to tell me what for?" He said as he started to pull his clothes on.

"Soon. I promise." She said softly and walked to him. She slid her hands around his neck and pulled him down into a lingering kiss.

"Okay?" She whispered against his mouth, their breaths mingling.

"Okay."

The day started pretty badly, at least after Hermione left the Room of Requirement. In their dorm, Hermione learned that Remus and Mary had broken up the night before. Mary insisted staying in bed, and didn't want to talk about it with the girls. Lily, Alice and Hermione tried to coax her to join them for breakfast, but eventually backed off when Mary stated that she didn't want to see Remus right now. Hermione wanted to comfort her friend, but she really didn't know what to say, or what to do to make Mary feel better. She felt bad for Mary, but at the same time she couldn't be angry at Remus, since he was her friend as well and Hermione knew what he was thinking and why he had broken up with Mary.

As Hermione, Lily and Alice entered the Great Hall for breakfast, the Marauders were already there. Lily and Alice took their usual seats next to James, but as Hermione was taking her usual seat opposite to the girls, she noticed their seating arrangement had changed a bit. Again. Remus was now sitting on James's other side, opposite to Peter, and Sirius had moved to sit next to Hermione. Again. If the situation wasn't that troubled, she would've made a joke about things coming full circle.

"So…things have come full circle, eh?" Sirius muttered next to Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and glanced at Remus. He looked terrible. The full moon was tonight, and he usually was more or less ill during the day preceding that night, sometimes opting to stay in bed or in the infirmary the whole day. But now he looked much worse, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She sighed and proceeded to have breakfast. The boys tried to talk to Remus, to cheer him up, but he merely stared at his plate, not really eating anything nor talking with anyone. The girls didn't talk much either, other than agreeing to take some food to Mary when they'd leave towards the Gryffindor Tower.

After breakfast, Lily and Alice left to their dorms and Hermione promised to join them before lunch. She headed towards the potions lab, and there he was again. Snape.

"Good morning." Hermione said, nodding politely and taking the same table she'd vacated last week.

"Morning." He muttered, glancing at her over his cauldron.

Neither of them said another word while being immersed in their own projects. Before she was absorbed into potion making, Hermione briefly wondered, what exactly was Snape brewing. Later, when she had managed to prepare the next potion from her list, a Potion of Hallucination, successfully, she turned to look at him.

"What are you working on?" She asked curiously as she gathered her things.

His eyes snapped to hers, giving her a speculative look. "Wiggenweld Potion." He said coolly.

"Oh." Hermione said with surprise. The potion wasn't exactly the most difficult one to brew. She walked hesitantly towards him and glanced into his cauldron. "But why is it turquoise?" She asked, knowing already he'd made some alterations to it, since if the potion had been done by textbook, the colour would now be closer to teal.

He lifted a brow. "When you add a double amount of Honey water, the effect is more rapid." He said simply.

Hermione nodded. Of course…

"And you? Who are you planning to torture this time?" He asked with a pointed look.

Hermione suppressed a snort. "No one. Just trying to produce an advanced antidote for a couple of fatal potions…" She replied vaguely.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "And a mere bezoar wouldn't work?"

Hermione bit her lip. "Well, now that you mention it, it couldn't hurt to try that as well…" She muttered, not really talking to him.

His brows lifted in surprise. "And who is it that is in need of a cure?" He asked slowly.

Crap.

Hermione cleared her throat. She needed to be more careful with him. "No one. I'm simply interested of making one, as it doesn't exist…" She said with a shrug, trying to sound indifferent. She knew the antidotes to common and uncommon poisons wouldn't work on something Voldemort was using to secure his locket. And she was doubtful that the bezoar alone would work either.

Snape frowned at her but didn't continue their discussion. Hermione hoisted her schoolbag on her shoulder and left the potions lab quickly after bidding him a good day.

Mary was missing from lunch in the Great Hall. The other seventh year Gryffindors were present and the air was slightly tense at their table. Hermione glanced at the enchanted ceiling that reflected the sky and weather outside – it was cloudy and grey, like everyone's mood, it seemed. Her eyes travelled over the other house tables in the Great Hall, from where a loud chatter carried to their silent group. At some point, Hermione turned her focus on her friends.

Lily and Alice were both immersed in their thoughts, Sirius pushed the food around on his plate and Peter kept sending worried glances towards Remus. Hermione followed his gaze and turned to look at Remus. James tried to chat with him but Remus only grunted back in reply.

When everyone was finishing their meals, Remus excused himself and stood up, supposedly heading towards the Gryffindor Tower to catch some sleep. Lily and Alice soon followed him, while Hermione stayed behind on purpose.

When she was left with only James, Sirius and Peter, Hermione spoke. "How is he?" She asked, looking at the boys.

James shrugged, worry evident in his eyes. "Not good, I suppose. Dunno why he had to break up with her the day before the moon though…Should've waited until after." He said grimly. Sirius and Peter nodded in agreement.

"Yeah…sure is gonna be a riot tonight…" Sirius muttered with a tight smile.

Hermione gave him a puzzled look.

"He's not that…friendly when he's upset during the moon…" Sirius said with a slight cringe.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked in confusion.

Sirius glanced around them before lifting his shirt a bit to let her see four deep, but healed gashes lining next to each other on his stomach.

"Merlin…" She whispered, as he quickly pulled his shirt down.

"Sirius…When did that happen? Were you –"

"Couple of months ago. And yeah, I was Padfoot. But don't mention it to him…He feels bad enough as it is…" He said with an uneasy smile.

Hermione nodded, her widened eyes still drawn to his stomach, which was covered now. "I should talk with him…" She muttered, tearing her eyes away and glancing at the boys. She didn't know how much Remus confided in the boys, but she wanted him to know she was there for him, if he wanted to talk about Mary.

James shook his head. "I think it's better to let him rest today. But you can see him tomorrow at the infirmary, yeah?"

"Yes, of course." Hermione said absently. "I should go now…See you later."

The boys mumbled their farewells as she stood up and left the Great Hall.

April 24th 1978 (Monday)

"Hey," Hermione said as she peeked between the curtains around the hospital bed. The infirmary was almost empty, the only occupants being Remus and a first year Ravenclaw who was situated on the opposite side of the room.

"Hey." Remus mumbled with a sleepy voice, already sitting up in the hospital bed. Hermione suspected he had only just woken up after sleeping throughout the day. She had visited him in the morning before her classes, but he hadn't been awake. Sirius, James and Peter were all missing from classes as well, and Hermione assumed the boys were catching some much needed sleep after keeping Remus company the night before.

"I brought you some notes," She said with a small smile and placed the parchments on the side table.

He rubbed his face. "Thanks." He said, not looking at her.

"Remus…" She said carefully. "How was it?" She asked, cringing inwardly.

"I don't want to talk about it, Hermione." He muttered, glancing at the notes she'd brought.

"Okay. What about…you and Mary?" She asked hesitantly.

He sighed. "Can we not talk about that either?" He said and looked at her with pleading eyes.

Hermione smiled understandingly. "Of course."

"So…Have you decided what you want to do after school?" He asked after a moment of silence.

Hermione blinked.

Remus let out a tired chuckle. "You know, McGonagall's counselling? This week?" He asked and studied her features with amusement.

"Merlin…I completely forgot about that!" She squeaked, scolding herself for not remembering it. Luckily her session wasn't until Friday, so she had some time to figure out what exactly she wanted from her future. Somehow, deciding what to do after Hogwarts seemed rather irrelevant in the midst of everything. On the other hand, making plans for time after Hogwarts felt like it would make this life really real for her. Like her old life wouldn't be there for her anymore.

"So, I assume you don't know yet?" He asked kindly.

Hermione shook her head and sighed. "No…I mean, I'm a bit curious about a career as a potioneer, but…I don't know if I'm qualified enough to be accepted into any apprenticeships." She said with a shrug.

Remus smiled at her. "I'm sure you'd be accepted. I mean, you're brilliant at potions."

Hermione gave him a bashful smile and guided the conversation away from her. "And what about you? Have you thought about the possibility of studying at a muggle university?" She asked. "I don't know if you've looked into it, but I think Hogwarts offers scholarships for students with outstanding NEWT results. So…perhaps that could be your solution." She said and gave him an encouraging smile.

He was about to argue but she interrupted him. "I happen to know you and Lily have had the best grades every year since you've started here." She said with a smirk.

Remus rolled his eyes with amusement. "Well, wouldn't be so sure of that this year." He said, giving her a pointed look.

April 27th 1978 (Thursday)

Thursday after dinner Hermione sat in her usual place in an armchair near the fire in the Gryffindor common room, waiting for her Astronomy lesson to start. As the common room was quite empty and all her friends were somewhere else, she had decided to research the Diadem a bit. During the past weeks, she had focused on her potions project, but since there was nothing to do on that front at the moment, and all her schoolwork was up to date, and even Regulus was elsewhere engaged, she had some extra time on her hands.

She was just browsing through the second book she had picked up from the Room of Requirement's Grimmauld Place library the other day, not finding anything useful from it. Where would she find information about that bloody tiara?

"Aarhg!" Hermione growled and snapped the book on her lap shut and shoved it into her bag with a bit more force than necessary.

"What's this? Hermione Dumbledore mistreating books?" Sirius chuckled behind her.

Hermione turned to look at him as he approached her from the boys' dorm and plopped on the couch next to her armchair.

"Hey," She muttered in greeting, still annoyed by her findings. Or rather the by the lack of them.

"What?" He asked and looked around them in mock surprise. "Where's the annoying brat that is my brother? Isn't he like…attached to you by now?" He asked with a smirk.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Very funny. You know very well we don't meet in here. Or anywhere else where someone could see us." She muttered. "And you know he has Quidditch practice." She said with an arched brow.

Sirius grinned. "So that's the reason you're granting us your presence." He said and eyed her sullen exterior for a moment. "That's why you're so miffed? Missing the lover boy?" He asked with amusement in his voice.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't push me." She said warningly.

Sirius merely laughed and stretched on the couch.

"So, what is it?" He asked after a moment of silence. "Why are you upset?" He continued and craned his neck to look at her, studying her expression.

Hermione chewed the inside of her cheek, thinking of what exactly she could tell him.

"Well…I'm researching wizarding history…specifically I am trying to find some legendary magical artefacts." She explained vaguely.

"Why?" He asked incredulously.

Hermione shrugged. "For fun. For knowledge."

He snorted. "You and I have very different opinions on what's fun, kitten…" He said with a mix of bewilderment and amusement in his voice.

Hermione pursed her lips.

"Okay. You're searching for information on something. And...What?" He asked, eyeing her intently.

"Yes, that's just it. There's not really that much information about the objects. I mean, there isn't literally a person alive today who's seen any of them. And in every book I've read, the artefacts are mentioned to have been lost for centuries." She sighed and rubbed her face.

He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Well…It's quite obvious, isn't it? You have to talk to someone who's dead." He said with a shrug. Hermione let out a strangled sound from her throat and turned to stare at the fire, feeling utterly dumbfounded.

Sirius smiled at her and searched a motorcycle magazine from his pockets and started to flip through it.

Thoughts were whirling in her head. …someone who's dead. Of course! Sirius was a genius! Not that she'd tell him that, but…How could she forget about the ghosts? She felt so foolish of not thinking about asking them. She cast a quick tempus charm – no, she wouldn't have the time to search for any of the ghosts around the castle before her Astronomy class. She decided to go to Dumbledore after the class, to inform him about her revelation.

A while later Hermione, Lily, Sirius and James left towards the Astronomy tower. As Lily and James walked ahead of Hermione and Sirius, arguing about some Heads' business, Hermione gave Sirius a small nudge. He turned to look at her with his brows lifted in question.

"Thanks." She said with a grateful smile.

He smiled back. "No problem."

"Good evening class. Tonight, we will revise the galaxies, as they are a part of your NEWT curriculum." Professor Moonshine started after the students had sat down in the classroom. Hermione was sitting next to Lily, as usual, and the boys were sitting behind them, in the last row.

"Can anyone name a famous galaxy?" The professor asked as he eyed the class expectantly. "Yes, Miss Evans?"

As Lily gave their professor a list of famous galaxies, the boys were exchanging their usual Astronomy related jokes again. Hermione couldn't understand how they managed to have such good grades, since they barely listened during the class. Although, she knew they were more serious with their other subjects.

"Okay I have one." James said quietly. "A spiral galaxy walked into a bar for a drink. The barman threw him out and said 'You're barred!'"

Both boys chuckled and Lily threw a glare at them after finishing her answer. Hermione tried to keep a straight face, staring at the front of the classroom. It wasn't that their jokes were good on any scale. They were quite bad actually. Perhaps that was the reason she occasionally couldn't help but be amused by them.

"What about this," Sirius said with a smirk. "What did the Sun say to Canis Major?"

James lifted his brows with a bored expression and sighed, knowing already what it was about.

"Why so Sirius?" Sirius said, chuckling at his own joke. Professor Moonshine was handing the assignments and Lily had stood up to ask the Professor some specified questions about a galaxy.

"You've got to have something better than that, mate…" James said with a groan.

Sirius huffed. "Hey, Hermione."

Hermione turned around slowly and arched a brow at him.

"Was my joke funny?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Do not presume I listen to your lame jokes when we're in the middle of a class." She said exasperatedly.

"It wasn't funny." She added before turning back to face the front of the class. James sniggered next to Sirius.

"A-ha!" Sirius exclaimed, grinning at Hermione. "So you do listen to us. Tell me, have you got something better than that, hmm?" He said, giving her a challenging look when she turned to face them again.

Hermione sighed. "Hmm…Okay. What did the moon say to his therapist?" She asked blankly. Sirius and James were eyeing her curiously.

"I'm just going through a phase." She concluded.

Both boys stared at her with confusion.

"I didn't get that…" James muttered, looking contemplative. "What was the joke?"

"What's a therapist?" Sirius asked, looking at Hermione strangely. She groaned inwardly. Were they for real?

Hermione shook her head in exasperation. She knew there weren't any therapists in the wizarding world, since all the health professionals were called Healers, but she had thought that the boys would've known more about the muggle world. "Never mind," She muttered and turned her back to the boys.

The rest of their class went by without much disturbance, and soon the students were gathering their things and leaving the Astronomy Tower.

In the hallway, Hermione turned to walk into a different direction where Lily, James and Sirius were heading.

"See you in a bit, Lils," Hermione said, and Lily gave her a nod and a smile before she followed James towards the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione had earlier told Lily that she would visit the Headmaster after their class, and the redhead hadn't asked any questions, but Hermione knew her friend guessed it had something to do with the Order.

"Where are you going?" Sirius asked with a frown and stopped in place.

"I'm just meeting the Headmaster." She said with a shrug.

"Okay. I'll come with and wait for you." He said nonchalantly, walking the short distance to her and waited for her to move forward.

"What?" She asked in bewilderment. "No, you don't have to. I can walk back to the tower by myself." She said warily.

"Well, it's nearly ten. And it probably is after curfew when you're coming back, so…" He said with a shrug. "And I don't mind. I can wait downstairs." He merely said.

Hermione was a bit baffled. Why? What were his intentions?

Later that night Hermione lay in her bed, staring at the canopy. Their dorm was dark and quiet, and she could hear the faint breathing sounds coming from the other beds. Thoughts were whirling in her head, and she desperately wished she had a Pensieve, so she could extract some of the thoughts in her head for later reviewing.

It turned out that Sirius hadn't had any other intentions than merely being nice to her when he had waited for her and walked with her back to their common room. She had been with Dumbledore for over an hour, first explaining him the theory of asking about the Diadem from a ghost, and after a short moment actually talking to a ghost.

She had felt only a little embarrassed for barging into his office that late at night after seeing the Headmaster in his night robes.

After they had discussed the possibilities of a ghost having some information about the diadem, Dumbledore had summoned the Ravenclaw ghost, Grey Lady, and when she'd come and told them her story, everything had suddenly made sense.

"Hermione, meet the Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw Tower." Dumbledore said with a kind smile.

Hermione stared at the ghost hesitantly. "It's, um…Nice to meet you."

The ghost nodded.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Would you, um…happen to know anything about the lost diadem of Ravenclaw?" She asked from the ghost, cringing inwardly.

A cold smile curved the ghost's lips. "You are not the first one who asks about the diadem." She said aloofly.

Dumbledore stared at the ghost intently. "We believe the diadem has been stolen by a former student. And that he might've stained it with Dark Magic." He said and looked at the ghost's reaction carefully. The Grey Lady averted her eyes, a shocked expression on her face.

"My mother's diadem…" She whispered. Hermione gasped.

"You're Helena Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked urgently.

The ghost turned to look at her. "Yes, when I lived." She answered tightly, and Hermione pressed her lips together in thought.

Dumbledore eyed the ghost for a moment before he spoke. "You had the diadem in your possession?"

Helena nodded, remaining quite still while floating in the air, a hint of hopelessness in her eyes.

"I took it from her. I wanted to be more powerful, more skilled than my mother. I took it, and I ran away with it. My mother knew I took it, but she never told anyone about it, or that she had lost it. Then she fell ill and sent a man to find me, to take me back to her. She wanted to see me for one last time." Helena explained quietly, staring at the floor, an ashamed look in her eyes.

"The man found me, and when I refused to return with him, he killed me. The Bloody Baron." She whispered. Dumbledore nodded to her, encouraging her to continue.

Hermione could only gape at the ghost, as the whole story sounded like it was pretty much out there. But at the same time, it made sense.

Helena gave a bitter huff. "After that, he killed himself."

"And…the diadem?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"It stayed where I had hidden it, a forest in Albania, inside a hollow tree." She merely said.

Dumbledore frowned at her. "You have told this story to Tom Riddle?"

Helena blanched and was quiet for a moment. "Yes." She whispered with a regretful expression.

"Do you know where the diadem is currently situated?" Dumbledore asked simply.

She shook her head. "No. I'm afraid not."

Dumbledore eyed her for a moment. "You may go now. I thank you for sharing this with us."

Helena nodded and glided away. Hermione and Dumbledore were silent for a while before the Headmaster spoke. "I think it is best that you go to bed now, Hermione. I will inform the others about this, and we can continue to discuss the topic in our next meeting." He said wearily.

Hermione nodded to the Headmaster before leaving his office.

They now knew Voldemort had had the diadem, and it was now confirmed that the diadem was one of the Horcruxes. The question was, where was it hidden?

It was close to morning hours when she finally fell asleep.

April 29th 1978 (Saturday)

It was their first Hogsmeade weekend since the Easter holidays, and Hermione was finally meeting Molly and the babies in the village. Arthur was staying home with Bill, Charlie and Percy, so that Molly could focus on Hermione and the twins.

Molly was sitting on a bench in the rather bustling main street, reading a magazine and gently rocking the twin pram next to her as she waited for her friend to arrive.

"Molly!" Hermione greeted with a bright grin as she neared the bench. It had been too long since she'd seen her, and while they had owled to each other, it hadn't been the same.

"Hermione!" Molly said enthusiastically, standing up and hugging Hermione close. "How are you?" She asked with a kind smile as they broke the hug.

Hermione sighed in relief. It was good to see her. "I'm okay. Just keeping myself occupied..." She said sincerely, but her brow furrowed when she remembered what Fabian had told her. "Your brother mentioned that, um…you lost a friend too…I'm sorry for your loss." Hermione said quietly, not really sure if she said the right words. Not really sure if Molly wanted to discuss it.

The ginger haired witch took in a shaky breath. "I, uh…" She stammered and swallowed. "Yes. Melissa. We were in school together, same house and dormitory for seven years…" She said wistfully. "She was a dear friend, even though we didn't see each other often enough after school." Molly concluded, a sorrowful look in her eyes.

Hermione placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry…And I'm sorry I haven't visited you," she said with a troubled look.

Molly waved a hand in dismissal. "You want to see the boys?" She asked lightly, changing the subject.

Hermione smiled. "Of course!"

Molly opened the curtains of the pram and Hermione saw two perfect little babies asleep under their covers. She couldn't stop the "Aww" -sound that escaped from her lips as she watched their peaceful sleep.

"Congratulations, Molly. They are beautiful." Hermione said tenderly and hugged her friend again.

Molly sniffed a bit and hugged her back, patting Hermione's back. "I'm sorry…I'm just a bit overwhelmed…hormones, you know?" She said with a chuckle as they broke apart.

Hermione smiled. "Shall we walk a bit? Or do you want to browse the shops?" She asked and glanced around them. It was a surprisingly warm day. Somehow, spring had snuck up on them, and Hermione hadn't even realised it until now. The back garden of the Hog's Head would soon be blooming. Everything was so different from what it was not even a month ago, the last time she'd been in the village.

"You decide. I'm up for anything." Molly smiled at her warmly.

Hermione nodded. They ended up visiting the bookshop, and then Molly made a quick stop to the joke shop, while Hermione kept an eye on the twins. Molly had promised to bring the boys who were staying at home something from the village after they'd been rather displeased with the fact that she hadn't taken them with her.

At lunch time, they decided to go to Hog's Head and eat in the back garden, since it was warm enough to stay outside. The twins had finally woken up, and after Molly had fed them, Hermione held both boys in her arms, so that Molly could have a moment of peace. Hermione had eyes only for the small bundles, both worn out by the laborious act of eating.

"Careful there…Soon you'll want one for yourself." Molly said with a smirk as she ate her salad.

Hermione chuckled. "Somehow I doubt it. I mean, they are wonderful, but…I dunno. I don't exactly have anything planned for my future. There's so much going on…" She said with a sigh and stared at the now sleeping babies with a small smile on her lips.

Molly nodded. "You're young. And you have time to think what it is that you want," She said kindly. "Have you already decided what you will do after graduation?" She asked as she finished her meal and put the plate down.

"Actually, I think I have…It's not certain yet…but hopefully I'll be accepted into an apprenticeship as a potioneer." She said hesitantly.

Molly looked impressed. "That sound's great, Hermione. A potioneer." She said excitedly.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, well, we'll see." She said with a shrug.

Molly gave her a confident nod. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Gideon tells me you're a very talented witch, so you needn't worry, dear." She said with a knowing smile.

Hermione blushed with embarrassment. "I really hope he's not exaggerating too much…" She muttered.

Molly shrugged. "I suppose he feels certain fondness for you…" she said, her voice trailing off. She put the babies, one by one, back to their pram to sleep, so Hermione could have her hands free.

Hermione stared at Molly thoughtfully. "What do you mean?"

Molly arched a brow at her friend. "Well, he seems to talk awfully lot about you." She said pointedly, waggling her brows in the most Ginny-ish manner.

Hermione gasped. "We're just friends!" She said with a berating look. "There's nothing going on between us."

Molly eyed her for a moment before she shrugged. "A girl can always hope. I mean, it would've been amazing to have you as my sister-in-law, you know?" She said and glanced at her sheepishly.

Hermione shook her head in amusement but smiled at her friend. "It would've been great." She said with a grin.

They walked in silence along the busy main street of Hogsmeade.

"So…You're seeing someone?" Molly asked eventually as they stopped in front of a shop to browse the windows.

Hermione flinched and turned to look at her. "Why do you assume that?"

Molly rolled her eyes and glanced at Hermione's wrist. "That is a beautiful bracelet. Charmed?" She asked vaguely.

"Yes."

"You haven't worn it before." She said with a knowing look.

Hermione sighed inwardly. She hadn't worn it daily for this exact reason. Even though the bracelet was delicate and quite simple, it still caught the interest of certain people. Sirius…Snape. And now Molly. Sirius and Snape had of course immediately realised the bracelet was from Regulus, and Molly had noticed its magic. Nevertheless, she had promised Regulus to never take it off again.

"I actually received it as a Christmas gift." Hermione said with a tight smile. "Hadn't got used to wearing it, until now…" She said with a shrug.

"Oh? A boy gave it to you?" Molly asked with a teasing smile.

"Yes." Hermione said obscurely, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

Molly chuckled. "Okay, I will not pester you anymore. But I expect you'll tell me some day. Deal?" She asked with a daring look.

Hermione grinned. "Deal."

After walking leisurely in the warm but still a bit crisp air, eyeing the villagers and students going on with their business, Molly had to eventually leave, and Hermione returned to school.

Later that night Hermione, Dumbledore, McGonagall and the Prewetts met in the Headmaster's office.

"Good evening everyone," Dumbledore greeted as everyone sat down on their usual seats in front of him.

Everyone greeted him back before the Headmaster continued, "Hermione came to see me two nights ago with some essential information regarding the diadem," Dumbledore said, giving Hermione a small nod. The others turned to look at her curiously.

"She had a theory, that as no one had seen the diadem in living memory, one should ask about it from someone who's not alive." He said simply, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Well, it was actually Sirius's idea, but I didn't mention anything about the Horcruxes to him. I only told him that I was researching some old artefacts in the wizarding history, for fun, and that there wasn't literally a person alive who would know about them. He then suggested that I ought to ask someone who is dead…" She explained quickly.

Fabian shifted in his place. "You mean…a ghost?" He asked, glancing at Hermione. She nodded.

"And so we did." Dumbledore said simply. "It turns out that the Grey Lady – the ghost of Ravenclaw Tower – is actually Helena Ravenclaw."

Gideon, Fabian and McGonagall all gaped at the Headmaster.

"Blimey…." Gideon muttered, seeming too stunned to say anything else.

McGonagall was the first to speak after him. "Does she know where the diadem is? Does Voldemort have it?" She asked grimly.

Dumbledore nodded. "It turns out that Helena stole her mother's diadem, hid it in Albania and then died shortly after. She told the story to Voldemort, years later, when he was a student in here. He then obtained the diadem. Or so we believe." Dumbledore explained calmly.

"Albania…" Gideon repeated slowly. "Could it still be there?" He asked, with anticipation in his voice.

Dumbledore gave him a thoughtful look. "I couldn't say. But we must examine the possibility."

Hermione cleared her throat. "You mean…we're going to Albania?" She asked in bewilderment.

"No. Not all of us. It would raise suspicion, if Voldemort's followers are observing the movements over there." Dumbledore said slowly, his brows furrowed in thought. "No…We should figure out a way to make it less…obvious."

Everyone was silent for a while as they tried to think of the possibilities.

"I suggest that neither you; Headmaster, nor Minerva will undertake this mission, since you are both quite well recognised. Even if you used some kind of disguise, your absence would be quickly noticed." Fabian said and Gideon nodded in agreement.

"I want in." Hermione said with a determined voice.

"Too dangerous." Gideon merely said and shook his head.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "And you are one to determine that?" She asked sharply.

Gideon smirked at her defiance. "As your teacher, yes." He said simply.

Hermione huffed and crossed her arms stubbornly.

"I happen to agree with Gideon on this," Dumbledore said. "It is a very dangerous mission. If Voldemort is keeping the diadem hidden in Albania, it is most likely guarded somehow. If he succeeds to capture you, he would have all your knowledge in his possession," He said and gave Hermione a pointed look.

Hermione frowned as she bit back a retort and thought rationally. She knew Dumbledore was right, but she wanted to help. She wanted to do something else than just research.

"So, Gideon, Fabian. Are you ready for the mission?" Dumbledore asked gravely.

The twins nodded.

"Should we wait until the term has ended?" McGonagall asked with a stern voice. "That way Gideon's absence wouldn't be noticed."

"I agree, Minerva." Dumbledore said.

Gideon and Fabian murmured their agreements.

Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Splendid. Now we have to think of a cover story for you," he said with a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

April 30th 1978 (Sunday)

"So…what did she say?" Hermione asked from Remus as they sat opposite to each other in the library, both revising for their NEWTs.

Remus had kept quiet about his counselling with McGonagall, as had she, when the seventh year Gryffindors had been discussing about them during breakfast that morning. James, Sirius – and surprisingly, Alice – had all applied to the Auror training, while Lily and Mary had both left their applications to Healer training in St. Mungo's. Peter had applied into an apprenticeship as an advanced rune translator.

Remus read a few more lines before he put a marker between his charms book and turned to look at her. "Well…she said that…I'm qualified for the scholarship." He said, finishing with a huge grin.

"Godric! That's brilliant! Congratulations, Remus!" Hermione exclaimed quietly and beamed at him. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Hermione asked and slapped his arm playfully.

Remus chuckled. "Just wanted to think it over it a bit…" He said with a shrug, a mixed look of shyness and bewilderment on his features.

"I'm so thrilled for you, Remus. Are you applying to a muggle University? Which one? Which degree and course? How are your grades converted into muggle ones?" She asked, shooting questions so fast that he didn't keep up.

"Just take a breather, Hermione." Remus said with nervous excitement. "I don't know all the details yet, and I might not even get in. I'm filling in my application with McGonagall next week – she'll help with the examination results and such…" He explained steadily. "I'm applying to the English Language and Literature course and thinking of Durham, St Andrews, UCL and Cambridge." He said with a nervous smile.

"That sounds amazing, Remus! I really hope you'll get in…" Hermione said and gave him a warm smile.

"Yeah, me too…I'll let you know more as soon as I get a reply." He said, still looking rather baffled by the topic. "So…potioneer, huh?" He said, changing the focus to her.

Hermione worried her lip. "Yes, well, in our meeting, on Friday, McGonagall said she had a possibility in mind for my apprenticeship, which she would have to confirm. Yesterday she asked me to visit her office, and there was someone else as well." Hermione explained, feeling a bit unsure.

Remus eyed her curiously. "Who was it?" He asked quietly.

Hermione shook her head in bewilderment. "You're not going to believe this…But. Um…Invictus Viridian?"

Remus's brows shot up in surprise. "As in Vindictus Viridian's descendant?" He asked incredulously, his voice rising a bit.

Vindictus Viridian was a former Headmaster of Hogwarts, a known potioneer and author. And his son, Invictus, was a known potioneer as well.

Hermione gave him a helpless shrug. "Turns out he's friends with McGonagall and wanted to offer me an apprenticeship in his own company, in their research and development department."

Remus's eyes widened with astonishment. "Merlin…That sounds like an amazing opportunity," He exclaimed quietly and grinned at her.

Hermione smiled as well. "Well, the pay is not much during the training, so I'll have to ask if Ab could give me some shifts at the pub…But...I have finally figured out what to do after graduation." She said, grinning at him, feeling perplexed and stress-free at the same time.

Remus beamed at her.

Hermione cleared her throat as a thought came into her mind. "But what about the…you know, your summer activities?" She asked quietly, looking at Remus pointedly. "Are you able to enrol and attend the University?"

Remus nodded. "Yeah, I should be able to. Belby said that he would need me only for two to three moons."

Hermione was surprised. "That's three months…" She whispered with a hint of worry in her voice.

Remus gave her another nod, grimacing slightly. "Yeah, he needs several months to get reliable results, so…I'll be gone the entire summer. But if I get in to the University, it won't start until October, so it should be okay…" He said with a low voice, so that they could not be overheard by anyone.

Hermione nodded and gave him a sad smile. "I'll miss you," She said with a frown. "How am I supposed to endure the others when you're not around? Like James and Sirius? They are bound to do something stupid, when you're not there to keep them in line..." She said and pursed her lips.

Remus huffed a quiet laugh. "You'll just have to fill in for me, I guess."