DISCLAIMER. None of the characters used are a creation of mine. They belong solely to JK Rowling.

AN: I had a reviewer point out to me that it would be wiser for Hermione to knock all the important players off the board while she had the chance. Agreed. But I'd like to point out how crucial it is for Rodolphus and Bellatrix to establish themselves as loyal followers to Voldemort in order to ensure that the Cup would be given to them for safekeeping. If Hermione decides to kill them so soon in the story it would only create problems further in the future when she would have to spend countless days with Harry figuring out where the cup is. If you believe I'm missing out on something and have better ideas on how to go about it please PM me. I am open to suggestions. :-)

-o-o-o-

The next morning when Rab had asked Papa over the breakfast table about when Rolf would be arriving to take them to Diagon Alley things started to fall apart.

'He isn't coming to fetch you today either. I shall be accompanying you instead.'

Rabastan as observant as ever pointed out, 'Something is fishy about the entire thing, Papa. Is something wrong with him?'

Papa had spent the last night fruitlessly trying to sleep. He had to make a decision soon about how he would protect his remaining two grandchildren. The threat about Rabastan was very clear but he also knew that once Hermione came of age she would not be allowed to leave unscratched.

His voice tirned sombre, his eyes glazing over, a quiet hush falling around the family. 'It seems your brother has become increasingly invested in the Dark Lord's purpose. He is intent on following that fool and ridding our world of muggles. He has been accepted into his circle.'

Rabastan dropped the cutlery he was handling and assumed the most serious expression Hermione had ever seen him with.

'He is one of them?' he spat, disgusted. 'That doesn't sound right. He may not be very fond of muggleborns but he would never stoop to such petty lows. And what does he even expect to do about it? He can't go around murdering people. The ministry will put an end to this childishness as soon as these cowards show face to the world.'

Hermione pitied this young man who so clearly believed that the government was in power. She pitied how in one life he was probably bullied by his brother into following Tom against his wishes.

'The Ministry will be able to do nothing, Rab.' Hermione said softly, 'once this supposed Dark Lord has enough numbers, quite a few of them will also turn out to be officials with important places in the government. And once there are enough of these men and women the Ministry will fall and nobody will be able to put an end to their crimes which will undoubtedly turn more sinister with every next witch or wizard he recruits.'

Papa looked at her sharply. 'Hermione. You seem to have given it a lot of thought.'

Hermione complained, 'Papa, with all due respect you need to stop treating me like a child. I'm only eleven but I'm not blind. You and I both know what I say is true.'

'I am not trying to discredit you, child but I do not wish for you to get wrapped up in this mess.'

Rab cleared his throat, 'As concerning as it is that Hermione is spending too much energy in such dark ideas I'd say I'm more worried about Rolf. If it is as serious as you say it is then he could very well be risking his life. We can't just let him do that. He's our family.'

Papa sighed and rested his head on his arms folded on the table. 'I am at my wit's end. He won't listen to me. Neither can I force him. He is not a child anymore. The only reason I brought this up is because I want you to beware of him. In not so many words he threatened me he would try to come after you, Rab. He believes you shall be an indispensable addition to the Dark Lord's followers by virtue of your skills at the Dark Arts. Our family may not preach torture of muggles anymore but our children have always been raised to practice the Dark Arts.'

Hermione frowned. Her memories had no such recollection.

'Hermione, you are still young but once you enter your third year you too shall be expected to learn the most basics of them although by then your brother shall be finished with his studies. It is simply a given. I shall personally train you as I have trained your brothers before you.'

Hermione understood the greyness of this particular conversation. The Lestranges may not condemn muggles but they were not about to miss out on any opportunity, should it ever arise, to exert their dominance. To completely abstain from the Dark Arts would render them ignorant of various useful spells. And as immoral it may appear to some people Hermione no longer abhorred the idea of practicing dark magic herself. As Rab had once said to her, it was simply an end to a means which was not necessarily to be used against the weaker section of the world.

Rab cried out, 'I will never join those racists but we can't just sit and wait for Rolf to blow up. I can't just let him give up his life for such ridiculous ideas.'

'I have not the slightest idea about what to do, Rabastan. I can only urge you and Hermione to not follow in his footsteps. Please, for the love of God do not risk your life for such absurdities.'

Rabastan nodded firmly, 'Have no doubt, Grandfather.' This was no time for sweet endearments. In this moment Rab was truly a Lestrange man. 'I will not let harm come my way or Hermione's. In fact I shall try my hardest to bring Rodolphus back to his senses if I can. However, you can rest assured that I shall never give up my dignity or my beliefs. You have raised me well.'

Papa stood up and placed his hand on Rab's shoulders. 'I can only hope you are never presented with a choice that would ask you to choose among the safety of your two siblings.'

Hermione lightly touched her Papa's hand and kissed it. 'Papa, please. Trust us.'

As the Lestrange family navigated the many shops that lined Diagon Alley, Hermione was forced to feel quite awkward as several people rushed out of their way. Some out of fear, some out of disgust and some out of respect.

The regality of the Lestrange family was not lost to her but she hadn't expected to be treated as people of such importance.

She had very subtly gotten out of visiting every shop with the men accompanying her. With a promise to meet promptly an hour later at the bookshop the Lestrange men were leaving her at, the two left to attend some business.

When she was assured of their disappearance she quickly made her way to Knockturn Alley soon after she had cast a simple disillusionment charm on herself.

Although she merely wished to charm a case to house dark artefcats the potion still required ingredients that weren't exactly to be found in the possession of an innocent child.

When she had finally found the apothecary she removed the charm on herself and entered.

The shopkeeper smirked at her but to quickly dispel any thoughts he may have if manipulating her, Hermione expertly drew to her full height and used her aristocratic air to make sure he realised who she was.

The shopkeeper grumbled and obliged her by getting all the ingredients she demanded. She had added a few more ingredients to ensure that if she was somehow checked on one would think she was creating three separate potions instead of one.

'It seems like a terribly complex potion for you to be attempting.' The shopkeeper peered at her curiously.

'You shan't have to worry about that.' She presented him with a pouch full of galleons worth more than what the ingredients, however expensive, would ever account to.

She cast simple shrinking spells on all the items and turned around to place them inside her beaded bag which she always kept hidden beneath her cloak.

She hurried out of that dark place as soon as she was done and met up with her brother and her grandfather.

-o-o-o-

Come Christmas morning Hermione was surprised to find a present by Severus waiting for her at her window.

He had sent her a piece of heavily charmed parchment and quills that would allow her to work in secret and display something as meaningless as the names of celebrities she admired in case somebody ever tried to steal them. She was startled at his observation of exactly what she needed. She hoped he would like her present too.

Peter had sent her some chocolate frogs and sugar pasties.

The usual festivities were carried out and though the family missed Sirius but had to contend itself with Regulus.

Sirius had sent a letter to Papa wishing the family a merry Christmas, however which they replied to as one.

Reggie had arrived late in the evening and exchanged his gifts. Soon after dinner Reggie and Hermione sat on the the swing set in the gardens that they had first met at.

'Mother hates even the mention of his name.' Reggie said. 'I don't think she is ever going to accept him as a son but being the heir he can't be estranged. The family magic won't allow it.'

Hermione asked him, 'She must have been hell to live with these past few months.'

'You wouldn't imagine. She keeps harping on about muggleborns and how she expects me to right what Sirius has wronged. She has been teaching me spells before I even own a wand. Added to the mix is this rising Lord.'

'You have heard of him?'

'I only know Mother expects me to join as soon as I can and I'm only ten years old.'

Hermione closed her eyes as the cold wind blew her hair around her face. It was sad how children were still so burdened. The only difference was that in this time the threat hung around the heads of the children born on the Dark Side. The Light Side was still ignorant of the changing politics.

'Does he still write you?' Hermione asked in a small voice.

'Yes, though I expect he will probably stop talking to me once I get sorted into Slytherin just like he did with you. He is being so stupid. He's a fool.'

'He is a child. I'm willing to forgive him.'

'But he will never apologize. You know how hot headed he is.'

'Yes. Yes, I know. His temper always lands him in trouble, doesn't it?' she said as she thought about how in a fit of rage he had practically sealed away his life to Azkaban.

'He will come around. He worships the ground you walk on. Trust me. I was the one who had to listen to him chatter about you all day long. Mother had such high hopes of strengthening the ties of the two families further by marrying him off to you.'

Hermione laughed so hard at that. She had to clutch her tummy as she nearly fell down the swing.

'Your poor mother marrying Sirius to.. me? NEVER!' A mudblood, she mentally added. The idea was hilarious.

-o-o-o-

Christmas at the Potter Manor was a joyful event even more so than it had been with the Lestranges.

Sirius was grateful to James. He couldn't even begin to express how glad he was to have found a brother in him.

Despite how much he missed Hermione and realised how rude he had been to her during the entire term, he couldn't help but feel that James had somehow made it better. He had even pestered him plenty of times to stop being an idiot and own up to his behaviour. James was the only one who saw that it wasn't Sirius' prejudice that held him back anymore. It was just that he didn't know how to apologise to someone. That was a skill nobody had taught him. He did not know how to gather the courage of walking up to her and asking for forgiveness.

He really was the biggest idiot in the world.

Sirius was out playing with James in the snow when Remus and Peter arrived. Remus, although very much a part of the Marauders still remained somewhat shy and nervous even after all this time.

The boys spent hours fighting with snowballs and making snowmen.

When they settled in a single room to tuck in for the night, Sirius truly felt bliss.

Sirius exclaimed, 'James, mate, your mother is the best cook in the world. I have never before had food that wasn't made by a house elf.'

Peter and Remus chuckled as James pushed out his chest swelling with pride.

'You reckon Evans will notice if I get a new haircut?' He mumbled while sucking on a sugar quill.

Remus laughed, 'She will notice the day you can actually manage to part with your lovely hair.'

'I would do it for her. I would do anything for Evans.'

Peter made a face, 'Mate, you're so lovesick. It's gross.'

Sirius barked out a laugh, 'You need the brains to woo a girl like her. The smart ones never relent.'

'Like with you and Lestrange?' James shot back.

The boys laughed at Sirius' discomfort.

Sirius turned them out and decided to go to sleep at last but was soon awoken by Peter who kept shaking him.

'There's a present for you.'

Sirius raised his brow, 'Who can it be?'

He moved to the window to find Talon looking up at him and demanding sweets. Unfurling the letter tied to his feet and grabbing the packages the owl held, he fed him some treats and watched him soar up in the snow filled sky.

He jumped into his bed as Remus asked, 'Who is it from?'

Sirius mumbled, 'Oh, just.. family.'

James climbed up beside Sirius and said, 'But your mum wouldn't write to you. And Regulus already sent his gifts to you.'

'It was the Lestrange family owl.'

The boys understood immediately and got in their own beds giving him privacy.

He opened the letter and read.

Dearest Sirius

Everyone at home is pleased to hear from you. We are glad you are happy spending time with the Potters. Hermione has told me all about the pranks you like to pull on your fellow students and it fills me with immense pride for none of my grandsons ever had the knack of such particular mischief which greatly disappointed this old man. I am so grateful that God answered my prayers in granting my skills at causing trouble to you for you are no less than my own blood.

Should you ever require a home to return to, know that the family shall always await you.

Rabastan and Hermione wish you the best of time.

Merry Christmas!

Your truest

Papa

He unwrapped the first package to find a glimmering gold chain with an intricate insignia of the Lestrange family crest on which were engraved the words "Family till the last hope and beyond."

Sirius felt the tears prickle the base of his eyes as he realised that although he would forever be shunned by the Blacks he had found two other families who had already accepted him as their own without him having to prove himself in any manner.

They would love him for as long as he would allow them.

He smiled sadly as he unwrapped the neatly made second box and found a knitted scarlet and gold scarf which seemed much more expertly made than the sweater he was currently wearing with the letter S sewed on it by the girl he always had on his mind.