In the very early hours of the morning a month later, Hermione found herself back at Hogwarts, gratefully spitting the mandrake leaf into the vial Minerva offered. She grimaced in distaste before casting several mouth-cleansing charms with a shudder once the taste was finally gone. Minerva laughed, plucking one of the hairs from her head and depositing it in the vial with the leaf.

"I'd say the worst part is over…."

"Ugh, it has to be. That was awful!" Hermione whined.

"Unfortunately, the transformation can be painful the first time."

"But quick," Hermione shot back.

Conceding the point, Minerva led her out of the castle. "Hagrid found a place, so let's go and sort your dew."

Following her, Hermione forced herself not to look around her. The sights were still too painful given the memories that bombarded her as they silently walked out into the weak morning light. She shouldn't have been surprised when Minerva veered off sharply into the Forbidden Forest, and yet she was. They walked for several minutes away from the acromantula nest towards where Hermione knew Grawp had once lived. "Here," Minerva announced.

Carefully, Hermione took out the silver teaspoon she'd taken from home that morning and bent to collect the dew off the grass. It was, unsurprisingly, not an easy process.

"That should be enough, "Minerva murmured, watching as Hermione carefully added it to the vial. "Moth chrysalis next and then we hide it for a week. You'll need to begin your chants and pray for a storm."

"Wonderful," Hermione murmured. "Hopefully it won't be too long."

Minerva looked at her with amusement as they began the walk back to the castle. "Patience is not your virtue is it?"

Laughing, Hermione shook her head. "No, I suppose it's not," she agreed

"Well, you come by it honestly at least. Your father is the least patient man I've ever met and Merlin knows your mother wasn't much better. How have things been since I last saw you?" Minerva asked, eyeing her. She looked better, or at least she looked like she was eating, which was something.

"Better," she replied cautiously. "It's… just been me and Alastor. He's still training me and the library is huge. It's… less awkward than it was."

Minerva hummed. "Good. He mentioned tutoring?"

"Yes. He suggested a few students."

"It's a good idea," Minerva murmured. "Although we'll need to ensure there are no holes in your story before we involve Albus. He's been thankfully absent recently, so didn't hear the fallout from your duelling."

"Absent?"

"Albus is never here full time. He has too many other jobs," Minerva replied with a slight frown.

"Ah. We… were considering a version of the truth," Hermione offered, reading the irritation on her Aunt's face.

"Oh?"

"I've been with muggles. I was educated at Ilvermorny. It was the place Alsator thought he'd be least likely to check. I was here for a visit following the death of my parents, since my muggle family still had roots here, and was attacked. The results were as much of a surprise to me as for anyone else."

Minerva hummed. "Do you know the set-up of Ilvermorny?"

"Just what I've read. They have four houses like Hogwarts, but they sort differently, using enchanted wooden carvings that choose a student before they are led to another ceremony to choose a wand."

"How… how do you know that? Do the schools publish their secrets in your time?"

Hermione flushed. "I had an American pen pal. The Triwizard tournament came to Hogwarts in fourth year and it got me thinking about other schools. Hagrid wrote to Newt Scamander and he put me in touch with a witch from Ilvermorny. Selena was… we were very different, but it was fascinating all the same. There was more emphasis on working things out for yourself there than at Hogwarts, with a greater focus on ritual magic and alchemy. We're not taught it at all, of course, outside of the old families. I've always resented that."

"Fascinating," Minerva murmured. "Well, I think that works then. Perhaps when you visit to have a look over the family grimoires you'll indulge me? I'd like to know more. Other schools tend to guard their secrets closely."

"Of course," she murmured. "Do you… do you truly think there's a spell in there that caused this? That my mother did it deliberately?"

Minerva sighed. "I… resented my mother. Did you know that?" Hermione shook her head, wondering how that answered her question. "My father was a minister. My mother gave up her magic to marry him."

"Gave up…"

"Oh not literally. She still had magic but she didn't use it. She wasn't allowed. I… do not know the grimoire as well as I should, despite having had it in my possession for years. I gave it to your mother when she married your father. Robert was so cross." Minerva smiled before it froze on her face.

"Robert?" Hermione queried.

Minerva sighed. "We thought you had enough to deal with. I thought you had enough to deal with," she murmured. "I hope you'll forgive me."

Hermione frowned at her. "Forgive you for what?"

"You have living grandparents, Hermione. And a Great Uncle. You have cousins and Merlin help us all, a great-grandmother."

"What?"

"Your Uncle Malcolm and Aunt Elspbeth live on Skye. They had Callum, who is married to a lovely girl named Sarah. They have two bairns, Lachlan, who's ten, and Isla, who's eight. And Scott, who married Marie. They just have the one bairn, Josephine, who's seven. Your grandfather is my youngest brother, Robert. He married your grandmother, Janet, and they obviously had your mother. They were barely out of Hogwarts when they had her and Ailsa followed suit. Don't feel the need to carry on that tradition and make me a great-great Aunt quite yet."

Hermione snorted, attempting to figure out how she felt about having actual family. "I don't think you have to worry," she replied wryly.

"Well, Janet was eighteen, Ailsa twenty. You've still time."

Hermione shuddered. "No thank you."

"You don't want children?"

"Not any time soon, "she muttered.

Minerva smiled. "Sensible girl. Your great-grandmother, Isobel, lives in a tiny village in the highlands, Tomintoul. Have you heard of it?" Hermione shook her head. "I can't say I'm surprised," Minerva laughed.

"Minerva!" A voice called, making Hermione stiffen.

"Albus," Minerva smiled back, her tense frame belying her unease.

"And who might you be?" Albus frowned as he looked down at her.

"Oh. Hermione, Sir."

"My niece, Albus. I'm taking her through her animagus transformation," Minerva cut in

"Your niece?"

"Yes. Ailsa's bairn."

"Ailsa…. Alastor?" he exclaimed, looking her over with renewed interest.

"Yes. It's… well, we're still not sure what happened, but St. Mungos discovered Hermione's parentage. We're getting to know one another."

"I see," Albus murmured. "Well… will you be joining us for breakfast Miss Moody?"

"Oh. I…"

"Of course," Minerva answered for her. "Rufus is desperate to get you back into his class. They've been practising."

Hermione snorted. "Me too," she replied with a smirk.

Minerva laughed. "Oh, this will be interesting then. Mr. Snape especially is determined to beat you. Rufus is amused by how studious he's been."

"You've been here before Miss Moody?" Albus queried lightly, but she could see the disapproval on his face.

"When I came for the mandrake leaf, Sir," she replied breezily. "Aunt Minerva thought I might like to see a class given that… Father's been training me."

"I see. You've graduated?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I'm in my last year, but I decided to not return to school so I could get to know my family here. I believe Aunt Minerva was going to discuss tutors with you."

"With me?" his face registered his surprise.

"Yes, I had wondered about some of our students," Minerva interjected. "It would help them study and provide Hermione with someone who knows our curriculum. Of course, most of her study will be self-directed, but she doesn't know anyone her own age here."

"I see," he murmured thoughtfully. "Who were you considering?"

"Mr. Snape for potions, Mr. Potter for Charms, Mr. Black for Transfiguration, Mr. Lupin for Defence, Mr. Longbottom for Herbology, Miss Evans for History of magic, Miss Fawley for Runes, and Miss Bones for Arithmancy."

Albus' eyebrows shot up. "That's a rather full timetable, Miss Moody."

Hermione shrugged. "I enjoy studying. I got all A's in my E.A.G.L.E.'s"

"Impressive, Miss Moody. Very well. Approach the students."

Minerva nodded. "Most of them will be in Rufus' class later."

"Very good. I won't keep you then," he nodded, making Hermione uneasy. She couldn't read what he was thinking, but even she knew that had been too easy. "I'll see you at breakfast, Miss Moody."

Sir," she nodded.

Minerva sighed. "He's going to check," she warned as they watched Dumbledore head down towards Hagrids.

"Professor Croaker was organising some paperwork to back up my story, so hopefully it'll be enough. If not, I think he has a contact at Ilvermorny that he was going to speak to as a backup."

"Right then," Minerva allowed some of her tension to dissipate. "Let's get this chrysalis in and then perhaps some notes? How do you feel about helping with my earlier classes? Seventh year Defence isn't until after lunch."

"Oh. I could," she agreed.

"Minnie! You brought her back to me!" Sirius called across the Great Hall, making Hermione groan as everyone turned to stare at her.

Minerva glowered at him as he beamed back unrepentantly. Remus cuffed the back of his head in response.

"You get used to them, dear." Pomona Sprout smiled gently at Hermione.

"Do you?"

The witch pulled a face. "Perhaps not, but presumably you won't see them often?"

"Dorea and Charlus Potter are my godparents," she groaned.

"Ah. Well then dear, one assumes that they become less… like that over time."

Hermione looked at her incredulously. "I'm not sure they do."

Whatever Pomona had intended to reply was lost as a man strode into the Great Hall, Filch running behind him. Hermione's eyes went wide as he zeroed in on her and her heart stopped as for one moment she genuinely wondered if, by some miracle, it was Harry. Before she could react he ran up towards her, ignoring the shout from James Potter as he pulled her from the seat and into his arms. "Gods, Kitten! It's really you! You've been hiding from us for the last month."

She felt her heart breaking slightly as she realised that the voice was wrong. It was then that it clicked. "Alex?"

He let her go minutely, navy eyes scanning her face. "That would be me, Kitten! Your father said you were here."

She scrunched her nose in distaste. "No."

He looked momentarily surprised before he laughed. "Oh, absolutely! Didn't my mother mention it? When they told me your name, I immediately shortened it to Cat, but then you were this tiny little thing with lots of hair. And you sort of… mewled like a kitten rather than crying. I refused to call you anything else, and I don't intend to start now!"

"Aunt Minerva…" Hermione whined, ignoring the smile Minerva was struggling to suppress.

"Don't involve me, dear," she smirked.

Hemione groaned. "I don't like it."

"That's sad," he replied insincerely. "I don't like that I've had to come looking for you myself, but here we are. Now," he turned to Minerva, "do you mind if I steal her?"

"Have her back for the first class after lunch," Minerva smiled

"What… I… You're not going to ask me?" Hermione protested.

"Nope. I had to come hunting for you, Kitten. I'm not giving you a choice. Come along."

She attempted to pull away as he practically dragged her from the room. "Stop it!" she demanded.

"Not a chance. Now, Hogsmede or… remain in the castle."

She groaned, recognising the stubborn tone that was apparently hereditary in Potter men. "You choose," she muttered, deciding to get this over with in the hopes of settling the confusing feelings being around him gave her.

"Castle," he decided. "It's been years since I was here and we're less likely to be overheard if we hide in an abandoned classroom."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I have a better idea. Come with me."

Looking at her curiously, he followed her up several flights of stairs until she stopped abruptly and began pacing in front of an empty wall. Before he could question her a door appeared.

"How in the name of Merlin…."

She huffed and dragged him inside. His eyes went wide at the sight of the room. It was cosy and mismatched. Chaotic, if he was honest. "Where… what is this?"

"Oh, technically it's the Burrow's living room."

"The Burrow… The Weasley's house?" his face scrunched in confusion.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I miss it," she whispered, having not anticipated how empty it would feel without Molly's overbearing bustling, the slight hint of gunpowder as the twins raced by. There were no brooms in the corner, no jumpers over the sofa. No Ron, no Ginny, no Harry. She couldn't have stopped the tears if she tried as it hit her all over again that they were gone. Utterly lost to her and it hurt.

"Shit, Kitten," Alex murmured as he pulled her back into him as she sobbed. "I won't pretend that I know what's going on but… it sounds like you need a good cry." He waited until she had calmed down to ask what on Earth was happening.

"What did they tell you?" Hermione asked finally.

"That you'd reappeared but had been attacked. They mentioned you'd been with muggles."

"Nothing else?" she probed.

"No."

"Ah. That's… problematic."

Alex's eyebrows rose as he looked at the girl who had been family from the first moment he'd heard his Aunt Ailsa had been pregnant at the grand old age of five. It had been fifteen years since she'd disappeared and he'd never stopped missing her. "You can tell me anything. You… I know that you don't remember but… you were mine from the moment your mum was pregnant. My… I don't know. Family. The closest thing to a little sister I was ever going to get. I have missed you for over fifteen years. Kitten… there will never be something you can't tell me."

Hermione swallowed as she looked at him. He wasn't Harry, but Merlin there were enough similarities that she almost could trick herself into believing he was. Was she destined to have a Potter brother regardless of the timeline? Part of her hoped so. She only realised she was crying again when he wrapped an arm around her. "Please tell me," he murmured into her hair.

"I thought I was born in 1979," she blurted, feeling him stiffen in surprise. "I… was brought up by muggles. I had no idea I was adopted or… if I was adopted. Aunt Minerva is taking me to look at the Ross family grimoire over Christmas. I… I went to school in 1991, here. With James Potter's son, the youngest Weasley boy and… and then all at once I wasn't there I was here and… I don't know what I'm doing! I just know I have to stop things from turning out the same as they did."

"Mother of Merlin," he breathed, shifting to look at her.

"The Unspeakable's confirmed it," she whispered, not daring to look at him.

"I believe you, Kitten," he murmured. "Merlin knows it's utterly insane, but I believe you. What was Jamie's boy like?"

"He was… my brother," she whispered. "He… he had a hard childhood and… Merlin knows we fought but… he was quidditch mad. Youngest seeker in a century. He…"

"How did he have a hard childhood?" Alex cut in.

Hermione flinched. "Voldemort murdered his parents," she whispered. "It… he couldn't kill him. But Dumbledore sent him to his mother's muggle sister. They hated magic."

"Where was I?" he asked, horrified.

"I don't know! I didn't even know James Potter had a cousin until I came here! But… everyone was dead. There was no one else, or so Dumbledore told Harry and… Gods. I get to fix that for him."

"Fix it how?" Alex asked sharply, his mind reeling.

"He'll have parents this time. I… know how to defeat Voldemort and I… I can't pretend I don't."

"So what are you going to do, Kitten?" he asked, dreading the answer as the panic threatened to overwhelm him. He'd just gotten her back. He wasn't stupid. He knew that war was brewing and what she was implying was ominous at best. He couldn't lose her again. It had felt like part of him was missing.

"Stop him. I'm going to stop him," she replied in a tone that brokered no argument, confirming his suspicions.

"How?"

"In whatever way it takes."

"No! Absolutely not! Kitten, you can't!" he begged. "You're just back… it's… no!"

"Yes!" she snarled. "He took everything! So many people died and I can prevent that! What's one life against thousands?"

He flinched, swallowing down what he wanted to say and changing his tactic. "Let me help then."

"Absolutely not!" she shouted.

"Yes. If you're doing this, then yes. It's not up for discussion."

"You can't…"

"I can!" he smirked suddenly. "I'm older and therefore wiser. Now don't argue with me little sister and do as you're told."

She gaped at him. "You…"

"Is that a yes?"

She narrowed her eyes, "I'm not great at doing what I'm told," she warned.

He groaned. "Why doesn't that surprise me? I mean it though, Kitten. I expect to be kept in the loop. I know how to duel. Father ensured it and Kings keeps my skill up."

"Kings?"

"Oh, Kingsley Shaklebolt, newly minted Auror… well perhaps not newly minted but not as seasoned as Uncle Alastor. He's been my best friend for years." He paused, registering the look on her face. "You knew him."

"You're Duckie," she blurted.

Alex scowled, realising if he hadn't believed her before he did now. "Stupid fucking nickname."

She began to laugh. "Oh my god! You are!"

"Yes," he muttered. "Hold on… how well did you know Kings that he was telling you stories about me?"

"He saved my life," she murmured. "And… I guess I saved his. We… it's complicated, but he was part of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. He taught us duelling when he had time, and sort of… was around quite a bit. We used to play games to see who could win at the most amount of mischief we got up to at Hogwarts with him, Sirius, and Remus."

Alex groaned, "Who won?"

"We never quite came to a decision," she smiled. "Tell me how long you were a duck for?"

"Three sodding days," he muttered, making her laugh. "Bloody arsehole."

"This morning went well then?" Minerva smiled as Hermione walked into her office after lunch.

"Yes," she agreed with a smile. "He's… he feels like family."

"He is," Minerva shrugged. "Don't overthink it. Magical bonds are inexplicable things. Although I have to ask… how exactly did he get into the school?"

Hermione grimaced, being able to guess but deciding not to voice it. "I don't know. You'd need to ask him."

"Oh, I will be," she muttered. "Now, I have a free period and you have Defence."

"You're not coming?"

"Oh, I'm coming. It'll be interesting to see if Mr. Snape beats you this time," Minerva smiled.

"Not if I can help it," she muttered.

Minerva snorted but refrained from comment.

"Ah Miss Moody! We were just talking about you." Scrimgeour grinned at her, cataloguing the changes in her appearance. She looked healthier, confirming his suspicions that something horrific had happened to her. Not that he was able to get much information. No one seemed to know anything and he wasn't sure what to think about that. "We weren't sure if you'd be allowed back after you were absconded with this morning."

She shrugged. "I'd like to see him try and stop me," she muttered.

"Would you really, little sister?" Alex grinned from beside James. Her jaw dropped.

"You… but you can't… that's…" she frowned, ignoring the way both James and Alex were laughing at her. "I don't like you… Duckie."

He gaped at her. "Ouch, Kitten!"

"Mr. Potter has been training with Auror Shacklebolt, despite refusing to become an Auror himself. He's offered to ah… challenge you all but he requested Miss Moody first." Scrimgeour spoke, gesturing for the class to move. "Standard rules," he warned Alex. "I don't want to explain to Alastor why his daughter's in St. Mungos."

She scoffed. "You're assuming it'd be me going to St. Mungo's."

"Fighting talk, Kitten," Alex grinned, flexing in a way that reminded her of the Weasley twins at their most cocky. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"We'll see, Duckie. We'll see."

"When you're ready," Scrimgeour commanded, and they bowed.

Their spells were rapid and in contrast to her duel with Snape she allowed war instincts to take over, hoping that Kingely had been as ruthless with him as he had been with her. She briefly noted his eyes widening in surprise before he smirked slightly and began fighting her properly. Twenty minutes later she had his wand and he was bound. Alex might have been training with Kinsgely, but she'd learned while attempting to not be murdered and it showed.

"Well, well, Miss Moody. It would appear that your father truly has been training you." Scrimgeor smirked.

"You were holding back before," Sirius accused.

She shrugged. "Killing someone seemed unsporting."

Remus snorted. "Yes, I feel like I should thank you for that," he murmured.

"If you could let me up, Kitten," Alex muttered. "I think I'm embarrassed enough." Laughing, Hermine cancelled the spell and handed him his wand. "I'm going to beg Uncle Alastor for lessons now."

She shrugged. "We could always do with a new opponent."

Alex grinned suddenly. "I'll bring Kings!"

"And me!" James protested. "I want to train with Alastor Moody."

Hermione and Alex shared a look before they smirked. "Because that's not fucking creepy," Sirius mumbled.

"He'd eat you alive, Jamie," Alex smirked.

"He would not!" James protested.

"He would," Hermione agreed. "But… if you can hold me off for five minutes. I'll put in a good word."

James gulped. "I can do that," he insisted.

"At least attempt to make it fair Kitten. Allow doubles," Alex grinned.

"Doubles? With who?"

He sighed. "Not me. I've had enough humiliation for one day."

"Miss Fawley," Scrimgeour suggested. "and ah… Mr. Black,"

Sirius smirked. "You and me… Kitten."

"No!" Hermione and Alex shouted at the same time.

"I know my Aunt's fond of you Black, but I swear to Merlin, I will end you if you even think of flirting with my baby sister."

"Your baby sister is more deadly than you Potter," Scrimgeour replied dryly.

"Fine. I'll let her end you," Alex replied smugly.

Hermione snorted as Sirius looked slightly concerned by that pronouncement. "Fawley and Moody against Black and Potter." Scrimgeour grinned, noting Sirius' clear unease.

"Right well…"

"You just had to bait her, Pads," Remus sighed. "You never learn."

"But do I deserve to die for it, Moony?" he whined dramatically. "Minnie, you won't let them murder me will you?"

"If you don't cease your dramatics Mr. Black, I might be convinced to help," Minerva replied.

Sirius gasped, his hand coming to rest on his chest theatrically. "Minnie!" he cried. "How could you?"

"Right Mr. Black, before the good professor decides she's had enough of your antics, move into the centre of the room," Scrimgeour sighed exasperatedly.

He complied with a pout, moving to stand beside James. Hermione turned to look at Miss Fawley and almost gasped out loud at the sight of the woman who could only be Neville's mother. Distantly she remembered the woman had been an Auror.

"Do you have a strategy you prefer?"

"Don't let them win?" Alice smirked, making Hermione laugh.

"Good strategy, but anything more than that?"

She shook her head. "Divide and conquer?"

Hermione nodded slowly. "Ok. Which one do you want?"

"Potter. He beat me last time and I refuse to let him again."

Hermione nodded. "OK."

"Right. On three," Rufus called, watching with interest.

Sirius smirked. "Don't hold back now, Kitten."

"Ventus," she hissed, smirking when he landed on his backside, his wand speeding into her hand. "Let's see how good your wandless magic is," she grinned.

He narrowed his eyes at her, attempting to stun her wandlessly. She rolled her eyes and bound him. "Too easy."

"I have never been more embarrassed in all my life," Rufus muttered as Alice finally got the better of James. "You two want to be Aurors! And you got cocky! For the love of Merlin you are both better than that!" he scolded, as several Slytherins laughed. "Right. Pair off."

Hermione turned sharply when she felt someone move beside her. "We're due a rematch," a voice murmured.

"Oh?" she turned to look at the face of her teenage potions professor and smirked. "Ready to have your arse handed to you again… Snape wasn't it?"

He glowered. "Hardly."

"Very well," she conceded, ignoring how nervous she truly was. Snape was formidable. More so than Sirius and James sadly, or perhaps he just took her more seriously. She also knew he was likely to fight dirty in a way her father wasn't yet comfortable with her.

Minerva groaned at the sight of them, directing Rufus' attention. "Interesting. I don't think I've seen Snape interact with anyone voluntarily before."

"He doesn't like to lose," Minerva replied.

"You think he won't?"

"I don't know. But she's… less sure of this one. Her stance is tenser."

"So it is," Rufus mused. "Interesting indeed."

"I think I'm offended that she's more worried about duelling him than she was me," Alex muttered.

Rufus snorted. "You didn't see him duel her last time."

Hermione bowed stiffly not removing her eyes from a now amused looking Snape, but didn't move as she forced him into offence, determining his strategy and the alarming increase in his skill. He truly had been practising. But then again, so had she.

He gave a genuine grin when she finally fought back properly.

"Shit, where are their wands?" Alex muttered, watching them closely.

Rufus nodded to the floor. "There, apparently. Snape is proficient in wandless magic. I have no idea if it's natural or if he's just practised for hours, but he's good."

"So is she," Minerva murmured, wondering if she'd been forced to learn, and worried that she likely had been. Her wandless spells were more vicious.

She sucked in a sharp breath when Severus sent Hermione flying into a wall, the sickening crack as her head hit it highlighting the force of his spell. Surprisingly, he looked horrified, moving swiftly through the duelling pairs to reach her.

"Fuck I didn't mean…." his eyes went wide when she reached up and send a wandless incarcerous at him.

"Don't check on your opponent until you're sure you've incapacitated them," she muttered, wincing when she touched the back of her head.

"Merlin, she truly is Alastor's daughter isn't she?" Rufus muttered, letting Snape free as Alex pulled Hermione up.

"You're bleeding, Kitten."

She grimaced. "I know. If you find my handbag, I'm sure I have dittany in it."

"What? Who carries dittany in their bag?"

"Me?" she shrugged.

"No. Madam Pomfrey, now."

"Don't be absurd," she retorted. "It just needs dittany."

"You need to be checked!" he insisted.

Rolling her eyes, wincing when that fucking hurt, Hermione summoned her wand and cast a diagnostic. "No concussion. I'm fine. Accio handbag."

Alex stared at her. "Where the fuck did you learn that!" he demanded.

She shrugged, ignoring the stares of everyone else in the room. "Necessity," she mumbled and he paled.

"Right," he groused quietly, snatching the bag from her and searching for the dittany. His eyes went slightly wide when he realised what she'd done.

"Just summon it. I have permission."

"You do?" he checked.

"Yes."

"How the fuck?" he muttered, as he summoned her dittany. "Turn around you stubborn fucking witch."

"You know I only met her for minutes, but I have a feeling Aunt Dorea wouldn't be impressed with that mouth."

He grinned. "Nonsense, Mother adores me. Now turn around and let me see your head."

Rolling her eyes, she complied, coming face to face with the rest of the class.

"Will you be back for duelling practice?" Alice checked, breaking the awkward silence.

Hermione shrugged, hissing when the dittany dropped on the cut. "Fixed," Alex muttered. "We'll be discussing this at home though."

She arched a brow at him. "Yes Dad," she cheeked before turning back to Alice. "I don't know. I'm not exactly sure what my plan is."

"Ah on that note, Mr. Snape, Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin, Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, Miss Evans, and Miss Fawley please stay behind," Minerva requested, looking uneasily at Hermione.

Looking startled, they agreed.

"I apologise," a voice spoke softly near her ear.

"Don't. I should have paid better attention." She saw Snape's look of surprise out of the corner of her eye, but didn't comment on it as the rest of the class filed out.

"Now, my niece plans on taking her N.E.W.T's but is unfamiliar with the curriculum here," Minerva began, her eyes running over the group of students in front of her. "I was wondering if you would be willing to tutor her?"

"Us?" James frowned. "In Defence?"

"Ah not quite, Mr. Potter. Mr. Snape in Potions, Mr. Back in Transfiguration, yourself in Charms, Miss Evans in History of Magic, Miss Fawley in Herbology, Mr. Lupin in Defense."

"I don't think she needs it, Professor," Remus muttered

Hermione shrugged. "I can duel, but I have no idea what I'm meant to know for the exam. It's… I can't be here full-time, but I'm not expecting to be starting from nothing. I just need… someone to bounce off of while I get my head around it."

"Where were you before?" James frowned.

"Ilvermorny."

"And their curriculum is different?"

"So I'm told."

"Oh," he paused. "I'll help. If… if you'll practise duelling with me. Clearly, Ilvermonry practises more than we do."

"Dad helps," she muttered.

"I'll bet he does," Sirius murmured. "I'll help too. Although I warn you, I fucking hate studying, so I'll accept those practice duels as payment."

"Me too," Lily and Alive chorused.

"It wouldn't hurt," Frank agreed.

"Fine," Snape sighed. "I want to know how you manipulated water like that in your duel with your…" he frowned, his eyes darting between Hermione and Alex.

"Big brother," Alex cut in, as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"God brother, technically, you know."

"Do you have any other siblings, little sister?" he winced as a flash of pain shot over her face as she shook her head. "Well then. None of this godbrother nonsense. I warned you. You've been mine since before you were born."

"Idiot," she muttered.

"So how does this work?" Sirius asked. "I assume that you're not leaving her alone with the future Death Eater."

Remus groaned and Hermione pinned him with a look. "Do you think I couldn't defend myself?"

"Well, it's just you don't know… ah…" He shot a look at Mcgonagall, shifting uncomfortably, "Snape like we do?"

"Oh?"

"He called Evans a mudblood," James blurted.

"I see,"' she murmured, looking at them calculatingly as she pushed up her sleeves. "I have no idea what happened, and quite honestly I'm not entirely sure I care. But that word? It's just a word." They all looked nauseated as they stared at the word carved into her forearm.

"Who… who the fuck done that to you?" Alex rasped.

"It doesn't matter. It… will be dealt with."

"Will it?" Rufus asked sharply. He almost flinched when she turned to look him dead in the eye, the magic rolling off her.

"Yes," she nodded.

Minerva cleared her throat. "Right. Well, perhaps we can save the murder plots for another day? We have a NEWT schedule to sort, after all."

James snorted incredulously. "Right, because Merlin forbid we muck those up with a little thing like murderous revenge."

"Quite, Mr. Potter," she replied briskly. "Now. We can begin after Christmas. Hermione, have your father take you for the texts. It'll make life easier. I assume the greenhouse is still there?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Well, perhaps you can sort that out and I'll arrange for Ponma to send you some plants. As for the rest of you, one hour a week. I'll work out your free period and owl you. You may go."

The students silently filed out of the class. "Well that went well," Hermione muttered.

"Who did that to you?" Alex asked again, seeing Minerva in discussion with Rufus.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Hermione muttered. "She wanted… information."

"Good gods. Any other scars I need to know about?"

"Um… the one on my neck I got at the same time. I've one on my torso from Dolohov and ah a few from the bricks and stray spells from the last few years. Nothing else major."

"Mother of Morganna. You're never getting out again."

"You're worse than Alastor," she pouted. "Calm yourself down. It's not like you could stop me."

"I will after I ask Uncle Alastor for lessons," he grumbled.

She snorted. "You say that like I intend to stop. I'll still be better than you big brother."

"We'll see," he growled.