Warning: Prejudice and Bigotry

~o0o~

All-in-all, technically staying awake for six days via a time-turner was not one of Hermione's greatest ideas. However, nobody was willing to take turns and she was worried if a slip of paper was dropped in haste to pack it would bring Death Eaters busting down their door. It wasn't a good idea, but it was the best solution for the time they had. She saw Fred, George, and Cedric return sixty times with about twenty terrified students. All of them with cuts and bruises and remnants of hexes on them. No doubt a by-product of the new regime.

Sixty times she heard the questions and fifty-nine times she heard herself answer them. Fleur and Bill checked in with the other safe houses to see who would be willing to take in some people. They had so many. Two hundred at least. Maybe three.

When she was back to being a single person, she stood up on a dining room chair and projected her voice.

"Att-t-t-tention everyone," she said, feeling dizzy.

Cedric hurried over and she braced her hand on top of his head to stabilize herself.

"I know things might be a little tight and uncomfortable for the next few days," she slurred and stammered, "but I promise we will be working digililently to relocate you to safe houses. For now, feel free to use anything we have. We'll organize places for you to sleep, please don't feel like we're showing favoritism if someone has a bedroom and you have to sleep on a futon in the library or whatever. We'll try to organize families together. You are welcome to leave from here, but I warn you to do so at your own risk. Once the last guest is gone, you will forget this place ever existed. This is for your safety and oursss. I s-s-swear, I will work on plans t' move you to a safe location outside the country should you decide to." She nodded. "That is all. Excuse me, I must lie down."

She collapsed. The magic use was too much. Forget about how long she spent awake. She apparated and used spells. She had been awake for 136 hours and was experiencing her first dawn since she woke up last.

Cedric caught her, but even when she stopped falling her head still seemed to spin.

"I'm going to stand guard on her," he said to the permanent fixtures of the household. "Just in case."

"I should do that," said Draco. "If I save her life, I'm off the hook."

"Fine."

She remembered her boots being removed and she was tucked into bed.

Next thing she knew, she was waking up with a puddle of drool on her pillow, her hair was in shambles and the sun was nearly set. She sat up and worked the stiffness out of her neck, which resulted in a loud crack.

"Bloody hell!" Draco hissed, dropping his book. "Did you break something?"

"No, I'm alright," she said. "How long was I out?"

"Two days," he said, "Did you know you sleepwalk?"

"No. I assume I at least made it to the toilet?"

"I put you in there, I have no idea what you did."

"Fair enough." Hermione got up. "Any attacks?"

"No. Crookshanks and Belle have been cuddling up to everyone. They relish in the attention." He picked his book up and stood. "Cedric watched you while you slept. Crammed food into your mouth."

He worded it like that on purpose.

"How sweet. You can leave now. I need to change."

"Yeah, alright."

Once she was showered and dressed in some comfortable robes, Hermione made her way downstairs finding a line of people towards the kitchen. Everyone was washed and dressed in clean clothes.

"Hello," she said. "Everyone doing alright? Settling in well? What are we waiting for?"

"Dinner," said a woman standing with her husband and three children. She extended her hand. "Mary Cattermole, Miss Granger, thank you for what you've done."

"Of course."

Now that notice had been taken of her, everyone wanted to shake her hand and thank her as she passed. She worked her way up to the kitchen to find a massive stew being made in a cauldron the size of a bathtub. They used up all of the burners to keep it going and there were piles of freshly baked bread on the table. Hermione was beginning to shake. She needed real food beyond protein bars and oatmeal, she expended too much magic.

"Miss Sanchez!"

She stopped upon seeing who was at the front of the line. Several of the cursed book victims she rescued stood there. Bellona Frost, Moira Dartmore, Calla Lovelace, and Derrick Crane.

"Oh, hello," she said. "I'm sorry, everything moved so quickly, I never saw you, Had they captured you? Are the others alright?"

Moira pursed her lips. "All of us were found and taken by those horrible people except for the wee boy. We are the ones who refused to pledge loyalty to their cause and so we are going on trial as imposters. I'm sure my father is rolling in his grave, but it was a Muggle-Born who rescued me from spending eternity in that book. I think I will remain loyal to her cause."

"I'm sorry you were all put in that position," said Hermione. "Though, you rejecting Our Good Friend is a relief."

"This is twice you've saved my life, Miss Sanchez," said Derrick, taking her hand. "I am forever indebted to you. I will follow you until the ends of the earth."

He kissed her hand twice and she didn't need to have legilimency to know Cedric and Fred were furious at the action. They tensed up and tightened their grip on the items in their hands. She was sure if they tried they could make toast tongs and a soup ladle into deadly weapons.

"You really don't have to do that," she said, pulling her hand back. "However, if you wish to stay and help, it is welcome. We need all the friends we can get these days."

Her hands started shaking. She grabbed a large apple out of the bowl of fruit and peeled off the sticker before chomping down on it, taking another bite before she even finished chewing the first. When it was done, she chucked the apple core out the window into the compost heap and grabbed a loaf of bread, tearing into it.

"We're meant to be sharing that," said George.

She snapped at him when he tried to take it out of her hands.

"Do they no longer teach young ladies manners?" Bellona asked, looking scandalized.

"That's my fault," said Cedric. "I should have woken her up for more frequent meals, but instead I let her sleep."

He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers.

Hermione pettily scooped out a chunk of bread and handed him the remains of the loaf. Rather than salvage what was left, he ladled stew into it and gave it back to her.

"Bread bowl! Genius!"

"Is this man your betrothed?" Derrick asked, sizing Cedric up.

"Yeah, but he dumped her," said Fred.

Cedric sent him a withering scowl.

Tonks and Cecilia exchanged looks and rolled their eyes, keeping the line moving along.

Hermione wasn't in the mood to deal with this. She grabbed a plastic spoon and returned to her room.

"Nia," Lee called. "When dinner is done will you do the show with me? We meant to announce yesterday, but we were still getting everyone settled."

"Yeah, alright. I'll be up in my room, just fetch me when you're ready."

It didn't take long for her to finish eating. She could feel that her magic had completely drained. No spells for a few days for her. Of course, nobody needed to know that. While she ate, she went through the files Fred had cleverly thought to grab. She made notes on each one. Name, age, occupation. When she was done, she wrote to each of her main contacts asking how many they'd be willing to take out of three hundred for an indefinite amount of time. They answered fairly quickly and she asked them to stand by.

"Hello, Sirius," she said, setting up her mirror. "Do you have a pen and paper handy?"

"Yes," he said.

"Great. Here's what I need…"

When she had finished dictating everything, she laid down on her couch and rested until Lee called her down to do the show. Several radios were on around the house so everyone could listen in. They wouldn't be able to manage so many forever, but they could deal for a little while. Long enough for her to move them out, at least.

"Your seat, milady," said Lee.

"Thank you." She sat down and crossed her arms over her chest.

Lee set the script down in front of her and the light flashed signaling they were live. Hermione pulled her script close and put on the headset.

"Good evening," said Lee. "Welcome to Weather Watch. I'm your host, Rain, and with me again is Aurora. The papers haven't mentioned anything yet, of course, it was rather embarrassing, wasn't it? Those Death Eaters never saw it coming. So unprepared."

"Not one of their finer moments," Hermione agreed. "The other morning we, the Weather, attacked the Ministry of Magic. The Muggle-Borns—and anyone deemed as a threat, but were too valuable to kill off—being held for trial have been rescued. Their families have been picked up and all are being held at an undisclosed location. They are far from the last wanted by the Death Munchers, but plenty know what's up and have already gone on the run."

"It was quite a sight," said Lee. "No casualties on our side. Quite a few on the Death Eaters. And one not quite death. Aurora, care to elaborate?"

"Well, let's just say that Dolores Jane Umbridge's penchant for hands-on punishment has come to an abrupt end," she said. After a moment, she clarified, "I cut her fucking hands off for trying to murder one of our Weather People: Storm."

"Why leave her alive?"

"I imagine what Our Good Friend will do to her is much worse than what I have the moral compass for. Which… that in and of itself is up for moral debate, but we'll let you decide that for yourselves, listeners. Moving on."

"The Ministry has been employing the use of Dementors," said Lee. "That's no great surprise, they've used them quite a bit, even before Our Good Friend took over. However, now they've been given free rein. The best defense against a dementor is the patronus charm. In order to cast this spell you make a swirl with your wand like a Swiss Roll clockwise, and say the incantation 'expecto patronum' whilst thinking of a purely happy memory, It can't be any old happy memory, but a strong one."

"It can be the day you met your best friend," said Hermione. "The day you married your spouse. A particularly wonderful day where everything just went right."

"For example," said Lee, "my thought is the day I confessed my love to my boyfriend. What's yours, Aurora?"

"Mm… pork buns."

"Pork buns?"

"If you tried my Papá's pork buns, you'd understand."

"Fair enough," said Lee. "In other news, Hogwarts will not be letting out this summer. We have it on good authority that the Death Eaters want to prevent the current students from defecting. Running away to another country, transferring out, or joining us. I think you're only allowed to graduate if you pledge your undying loyalty to their cause."

"Mm. That's a bummer." Hermione rubbed her neck. "Well, if you're still at Hogwarts, hang in there. And look, I know a lot of you are probably fighting where you can, but it's okay if all you can manage is lying low and keeping yourself safe. It's difficult to fight back and not a challenge everyone is up to take, but fighting can look like a lot of things. 'Losing' a piece of paper here. Keeping your mouth shut when you spot someone who is a target. Staying in contact with your neighbors and taking care of each other in this cruel, unforgiving society.

"But what I encourage most is to not let them change you. Don't let them convince you that they're in the right and things aren't so bad. Things won't be this way forever."

"Wise words," said Lee. "And now, let us take a moment of silence for those lost whose names we don't yet know."

After the broadcast, Lee stayed on to run songs and the first chapter of a drama series they recorded last week.

Hermione went back out.

"Excuse me," said one of the guests. "Where will we be going?"

"Depends," she said. "I've got safe-houses that have agreed to take you. I'd prefer not to mention them now."

"Well, can't we pick?" another asked.

"Yeah!" said a third. "You've got family in Hawaii, right? Cor, I'd sure like to live there in paradise!"

"Paradise is a false velour to sell to tourists," said Hermione flatly. "I will not contribute to the housing crisis."

It was different with Mum and Dad, they were staying with Mom and Papá. Bernice, too, until her apprenticeship was over.

Hermione looked at their faces and saw she lost them.

"No one is going to Hawaii," she repeated firmly. "That's final. We'll start moving you out as soon as possible, alright?"

They had to accept that. The only other option was to manage on their own and that was less tempting than staying here where it was safe.

She found Cedric washing dishes and leaned against the counter.

"Did you—"

"Yeah, I got the footage backed up," he said. "The stuff from when you used the time-turner isn't useable, it just kept layering over itself for some reason, but everything else is good enough for documenting purposes. I didn't get a chance to transcribe it."

"I'll leave that to Lee," she said. "He's our media man. We're going to have our hands full managing this place."

"Then you should go get some more rest," said Cedric. "You look dead on your feet."

She nodded and bumped her head against his shoulder before heading up to her room.

The next several days she was running around trying to keep people from freaking out. Eventually, she defaulted to keeping movies running in the library with every spare piece of furniture lined up in rows as makeshift seating.

She didn't pay attention to the calendar. None of them had.

She was more focused on breaking up fights. Accusations had started flying around that someone among them was a spy and would give them up to the Death Eaters or slit their throats in their sleep. Hermione reasoned that if someone had ill intentions then Crookshanks, a kneazle, would have attacked them by now.

Plus, why would a Death Eater want to remain crammed in a cage for days on end on the off chance a rescue mission would come along? Only a trusted few knew the true date of the trial and none of them were people suspected of being moles. At least, until now.

Things calmed down when she started playing the Quidditch games she video recorded, both the school games and the few she saw Viktor play. She was starting to realize why parents usually deposited their kids in front of the telly when they had to get things done.

She sat on the floor, going over the budget and schedule. She preferred doing this in private, but she wanted to keep an eye on things. Maintain the harmony the best she could.

"So, what'd I miss?" Fred asked, sitting between her and Cedric.

"We just started the one where I give McLaggen hell for telling everyone we shagged in a closet," said Hermione. "What pissed me off more is people actually believed I would cheat on Char."

She knew how it went, so she turned her attention back to the schedule. She tapped the date that had 'C.D.' in bold letters and underlined. There was a shape next to it that was sort of smudged.

"Cedric, any idea what this note means?" she asked.

He leaned over and furrowed his brow. "Um… is that a heart or a star?"

"Maybe it's your turn to shower," said Fred.

Cedric lifted his collar and sniffed. "Egh, maybe. I'll just go do that. Can I borrow the tape later, Mimi?"

"Sure."

He got up and hurried upstairs. She went back to her work. They'd have to rely more on the garden until they started moving people out. They needed more flour. And hardly anybody was adhering to the chore chart. How hard was "keep your space clean" to follow? She'd have to start nagging wouldn't she?

On top of the roaring laughter of her and Daphne's commentary, she thought she heard a scream. Tipping her head, she listened for it. Was someone hurt? She looked up and saw Cedric moving around slowly.

Perhaps it was her imagination.

Derrick sat next to her.

"Good evening, Miss Sanchez," he said.

"Derrick, you can call me Nia. Miss Sanchez is my father."

Fred cracked up and she grinned.

Derrick flushed and mumbled a question under his breath. All she caught was the word 'dinner'."

"Dinner?" She looked at her watch. "I suppose I can check and see if it's ready."

"Er, that's not what I meant," he said.

"If you have a meal request, you have to submit it in writing."

"That's not what I mean, either," he said, flushing deeper. "What I meant is—Miss—Nia… that is…"

She heard the clatter of claws on wood and looked over her shoulder. A soaking wet wolf with beautiful black fur loped into the library on three legs.

Oh… oh, she was dumb. It was the full moon. How could she have forgotten?

A few people screamed and recoiled. Someone threw a couch cushion at him.

Cedric tensed up. Hermione's eyes widened as she saw what was coming.

"CEDRIC NO!" she cried out.

It was all in vain. He shook wildly, spraying water everywhere. Those in the splash zone yelled out in disgust.

"Oh, Cedric," Hermione sighed.

His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he trotted over to her.

"A werewolf!" Derrick gasped, drawing his wand. "I'll protect you, Miss Sanchez! Stupefy!"

Hermione smacked his hand up and the spell collided with the ceiling. Cedric growled and she jumped to her feet.

"Don't hurt him!" she cried as others went for their wands. "If you harm one hair on his head, you'll wish I left you back in that dungeon!"

"He's a wild beast!" Reg Cattermole protested. "A werewolf would kill you as soon as it would look at you!"

"He's not hurting anyone!" Hermione hugged Cedric's neck and he leaned into her, sending warning looks at anyone daring to come near.

"He didn't get hostile until you all did," Tonks snapped, standing with her.

"Look, he's been infected with a different strain," Hermione explained. "If you leave him alone and keep out of his territory, the territory being his bedroom, then he won't bother you."

"So he views you as his territory?" Derrick challenged.

"I am the pack leader," said Hermione, drawing herself up. "He protects those in the pack."

"I can't sleep knowing a monster like that is in the house!" said a witch.

Hermione weighed her potential responses.

"Okay! Have fun finding other arrangements. I'm going to check on dinner." She collected her papers and asked Cecilia to dry Cedric off. "Come on, Farm Boy."

He fell into step beside her, looking up at her rather than watch where he was going.

"You're not dangerous," she muttered. "That's why you let them infect you with that strain, Though you did skip your doses for the month… How much of you is in there?"

He tipped his head.

"I suppose enough."

In the kitchen, she stirred the soup. It needed just a little longer. Her fault for getting behind. Crookshanks walked in and fluffed up for just a moment, before relaxing and sniffing Cedric.

She went about slicing up the bread since it had cooled.

"Are you barking mad, Granger?!"

Hermione jumped and backed up as Mad-Eye stormed into the kitchen, brandishing his staff.

"He's not hurting anyone!" she snapped, standing between him and Cedric, knife still in hand.

"He only needs to lose his temper once, girlie," Mad-Eye warned. "And it could be with you. I understand he's a gentle soul in human form, but in wolf form he's not the boy you know. Remus understands that."

Hermione set her jaw and shook her head.

"This is him without his dose, when he's taking it regularly he'll have his whole mind."

"People are scared, Granger," he said and she knew his words came from a place of caring but they still pissed her off. "They're not going to sleep well with a werewolf running amok."

"He won't be running amok! I'll keep him in my room."

Cedric leaned against her. Wolves were bigger than she thought. He was able to press his head against her stomach with little effort. She set the bread knife down and cradled his head in her hands.

"We've been arguing and he's been quiet as a mouse," she said. "If anyone is being hostile, it's all of you! You and everyone else pretend to be alright with those who are different, but the second you feel slightly threatened your prejudice shines through!"

Mad-Eye glowered at her.

"If he snaps and kills someone, then it'll be on your head, Granger. Everyone here trusts you and you would do well not to betray that."

Sounded like she betrayed his.

She scoffed. "Tell everyone dinner will be ready in half an hour. The meat isn't quite tender yet."

"Fine."

Hermione waited until he was gone. She tapped Cedric's head and he followed her into the refrigerator. She didn't really want him in there with her, but she was more scared of what would happen if someone walked in and thought he was alone and a threat. She stepped into the freezer next and sat down on a crate, burying her face in her hands.

It never changed. She saved them all from imprisonment. Possibly death, or worse, and yet they didn't trust her judgment? They were so blinded by their prejudice, they couldn't see how docile her dearest friend was.

How easy would it be for them to turn on her? What mistake would send her back to square one? Back to when she was lonely and friendless?

Cedric whined and nudged her hand with his nose.

She always had him, didn't she?

"It's fine," she sniffled. "I only sit here and cry when I'm feeling overwhelmed. This is only, like, the third time. Though if this keeps up, it might be more."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her face into his fur. It was thick and coarse, but warm. He rested his chin on her knees and stayed that way until she collected herself.

"Right." She pressed a bag of frozen peas to her face to bring down the puffiness in her eyes. She sighed heavily and stood up. "Right."

She finished slicing the bread and did another soup check before bringing out dessert. She made two big batches of jelly, one pineapple, the other red, which was set into cheap, disposable plastic cups. She stacked the bowls out on the counter, figuring she could just fill and pass as everyone lined up. Before they did that, she opened the door to the mudroom and filled the bowls up for the dozen and some cats hanging around. The owls hunted outside and the smaller pets were usually tended by their owners. She made sure to wash her hands after the fact.

She looked at Cedric as she dried them. "What should I feed you? Will soup settle alright? Or do you need meat? Raw? Cooked? Kibble?"

He trained his eyes on the towel she was waving around as she spoke. She knew that look. Pongo used to get it. Biting back a grin, she grabbed another tea towel and tied them together, then she bowed low at the waist. Cedric jumped into a bow of his own, tail wagging wildly.

"Come on then!" she said, flicking the end towards him.

He grabbed hold, showing off a row of sharp, white teeth. Hermione wrapped her end once around her hand and pulled.

"You want it so bad?" she taunted. "Take it!"

He growled playfully, yanking the towel and shaking his head, trying to get her to let go first. Hermione was strong, but he matched her in this form.

"No, sir! Not letting go!" she said.

Cedric wiggled his shoulders and started tugging. Hermione slowly sank her weight to the floor and laughed as he tugged her along the ground.

"Mush! Mush!"

Kingsley entered the house and blinked in surprise at the sight.

"Er, full moon," said Hermione. "Don't worry, all he wants is to be by me."

He nodded, but was tense. Rather than kick up a fuss, he just said,

"Good to wear him out. If I find him chewing on my slippers, I will have him fixed."

Cedric's jaw dropped and Hermione yanked the tea towel free.

"I win!" she cheered, toppling backwards.

He hopped around, yipping in protest, no doubt claiming it didn't count. She scratched behind his ears and smiled.

"If you're hungry, Kingsley, supper is ready. You can tell everyone to start lining up when you see them."

"Thank you very much," he said, grabbing one of the trays off the counter and filling it with a bowl of soup, some bread, a jelly cup, and a drink.

The school lunch setting was really the best. It helped keep everything concentrated. Less chance of spills.

"Hey, Nia," said Tonks, entering the kitchen. "I can pass dinner out if you and Ced want to go upstairs."

"Yeah? Thanks," she said and got her own tray. She decided to just pour him some soup. They could figure out the best diet for him later.

She walked with her head held high, Cedric trotting along beside her. Their guests and friends parted a path for them.

"Cedric is staying in my room for the night," she announced. "You can rest easy, I'll keep the door locked."

She brought him to her room and kicked the door shut, locking it once the tray was set down. She set up some music, and placed Cedric's bowl on the floor.

"Eat up," she said. "Oh, before I forget."

She took out some newspaper and laid it down in the bathroom.

"In case you gotta go," she said. "Don't try and hold it, I won't judge."

He still looked a bit embarrassed and turned his attention to dinner. Hermione ate her own and sat on the floor, spreading her work out on the table.

When Cedric finished gobbling up his dinner, he crashed into her, cuddling across her lap. She scratched behind his ears and his tail thumped loudly on the ground. He really was a beautiful wolf. His fur was inky black and the guard hairs were silver tipped like stars.

"Right," she said when she finished. "I'm going to take the dishes down. I'd better get you a change of clothes, too."

Cedric looked up in alarm.

"What? Is your room messy or full of junk or something?" she asked.

He nodded and she patted his head. "Chill. I've seen your junk before."

If it was possible for a wolf to blush, he achieved it. She cackled and left, hoping everyone would stay away from the door.

On her way to put her tray in the kitchen, she had to talk down a lot of guests from panicking.

"Merlin's Balls!" Draco shouted. "Can you all just shut the hell up and deal with it? If I'm thinking you are making a fuss over nothing, we have a problem."

"Fair point," said Fred. "Ced paid taxes for this house that's sheltering your ungrateful asses."

Hermione smiled gratefully at them.

"Here, Nia, I'll take that," said Fred, taking her tray. "Where's he at?"

"In my room. I was going to grab his clothes. I think the shower is still running anyway. I'll probably keep him in my room while he recovers tomorrow. Remember last month he couldn't even get downstairs?"

"Yeah. Alright. I'll let you get back to him."

She went up to the attic.

It wasn't that messy. Maybe it was the pictures of her he didn't want her to see, but she already knew about them. She collected the clothes he laid out on a chair for after his shower and turned off the running water. It wasn't too bad, it seemed he had made an attempt to switch it off during his transformation. Even so it would explain the odd sound she was hearing.

When she returned to her room, Cedric was curled up on the window seat. He opened one eye and his tail thumped heavily against the cushion.

"Got your clothes," she said, setting them down. "Everyone's calmed down. More or less. I'm going to change."

His tail wagged faster and she rolled her eyes. "Not in front of you."

He looked slightly ashamed of himself and turned away.

Hermione changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth, then put on her satin-lined bonnet. She stepped out and rolled out her yoga mat to do her evening stretches. When those were done, she turned off the lights and went to bed.

Claws clacked on the floor and she looked into the small opening of the nook to see Cedric's silver eyes catching the moonlight.

"It's sleep time," she said. "I have to get up early. You can do whatever you want."

He took her at her word for that and approached. He turned around a few times and laid down next to her.

Hermione pulled the blankets up and draped an arm over him. Just this once. He wasn't soft, but he was warm. She closed her eyes and drifted off immediately rather than her usual routine of tossing and turning.