Hermione checked the time for the fifth time that morning. Today they were finally going back to Hogwarts. It was nine, which meant they had less than two hours before the Hogwarts Express left.
Hermione had been packed, pretty much since she arrived at the Burrow, so all she could do was sit back and watch the scramble as everyone rushed to get ready to go. The only one that was as prepared as she was, was Percy.
"Morning Hermione," Percy greeted. He made two cups of tea before handing one to Hermione.
"Thank you Percy," she said gratefully. She was considering making herself a cup of tea but thought that would be rude. She was going to ask Mrs. Weasley for permission but she hadn't stopped moving all morning. "Are they always like this?"
"Yes," Percy said with a sigh. He sat down next to Hermione. "Bill, Charlie and I always made sure we were ready to go but the others are never prepared." He sipped his tea. "The Ministry cars are going to be here in ten minutes."
"Ministry cars," Hermione repeated. "Why would the Ministry give us cars?" She did wonder how they were getting to the platform. There were too many of them to apparate. Floo seemed the obvious answer. Now it turned out she was even more confused.
"It's because of Harry," Percy explained. "I overheard Mum and Dad talking about it the other night. I guess Dumbledore arranged it with the Minister. An extra safety precaution for him, and for us."
"Because of Sirius Black," Hermione said with a nod. Percy eyed her. "I saw the paper."
"How much do you know about Black?" Percy questioned.
"I know Harry was warned to be careful," Hermione said carefully. She had to make sure she didn't give anything away or there would be a lot of questions. Harry didn't know Black supposedly betrayed his parents, only that he was potentially targeting Harry. Which meant she shouldn't know that either. "We're not entirely sure why."
"Mum and Dad think we don't know," Percy said slowly. "I'm sure the others don't. Fred and George were too young, Ron is only a few months older than Harry. I was young when Harry defeated Voldemort. But I still remember it. Black was said to have betrayed the Potter's."
"Do you believe he did it?" Hermione asked him.
Percy didn't answer right away as Ginny made her way into the kitchen. She grabbed her diary off the counter before running back upstairs.
"I don't," Percy responded once they were alone again. "I remember hearing stories about James Potter and Sirius Black. They were best friends, brothers is what my Uncles, Fabian and Gideon, would say. I don't think Black would betray Potter, but I don't know who could have done it instead."
"Do you know about the charm used to protect the Potter's?" Hermione asked curious.
Percy heard the footsteps on the stairs and knew they didn't have much time. "Come and find me in the library sometime," he said quickly. "I'll show you a book."
The others burst into the kitchen. They eyed Percy and Hermione, who were both sitting there calmly, finishing up their tea.
"Have long have you guys been ready?" Ginny asked them.
Hermione checked the time. "An hour," she responded. Percy nodded.
"Alright everyone. The cars are waiting. Let's go," Molly announced.
Even with magic helping, it took some effort to pile seven kids, and Mrs. Weasley, and all of their trunks into the cars. Hermione managed to convince Mrs. Weasley to shrink their trunks, which meant only the animal cages had to be piled into the car.
Hermione stared out the window as they made their way to King's Cross Station. The Ministry vehicles appeared to operate similar to the Knight Bus. Hermione hadn't ridden the Knight Bus but she had heard about it.
They'd managed to get onto the train and into their compartment with five minutes to spare. Hermione wasn't happy about cutting it so close but they finally made it. They were going back to Hogwarts. She would be back in her dorm room with roommates that really didn't care what she did. Which meant the gift Bellatrix gave her would be on full display in her room.
The time she spent at the Weasley home wasn't terrible. She enjoyed Percy's company. Sleeping was a lot more difficult than she expected. She missed sleeping next to Bellatrix. It was comforting.
"Do you think Black will make it to Hogwarts?" Harry asked halfway through the trip.
Hermione looked up from Percy's Arithmancy notes. "I think we have to consider the possibility that he will," Hermione said. "He managed to break out of Azkaban which is said to be the most secure place. I don't think it will be too hard for him to get into Hogwarts." She glanced at Harry. "Sorry Harry, I should not have said anything."
"It's okay," he assured her. "I wanted the truth and honestly… I was thinking the same thing. I… I need to be prepared if Black does find me."
"Prepared how?" Ron questioned.
Harry slumped in his seat. "I don't know," he admitted. "Learn more spells I suppose. I need to be able to defend myself, and to fight back if needed. Not just for Black, but for Voldemort too."
Hermione perked up at the mention of the Dark Lord. Harry wanted to be prepared to fight him and because she was the best with spells, she would be expected to help. She would need to message Bellatrix later. She would help Harry with the basics. Shield charm and disarmer for sure. It would be up to Bellatrix, and the Dark Lord, to decide what she taught him.
"I'll help you," Hermione promised. "I know a few spells that could be useful. I also know a spot we could practice."
Harry's eyes lit up. "You'll help?" he questioned in surprise. Hermione nodded. "Thank you Hermione. This means a lot. I promise to study hard."
"Study your regular schoolwork too," Hermione ordered. "You never know if the spells we learn in class could be important in the future."
Harry sighed but nodded anyway. Both he and Ron had gotten a lecture from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about their grades. It was the first time he'd ever been scolded for not doing well and he didn't want it to happen again. Part of him was pleased someone cared enough to scold him for his grades. The other part of him was mortified by the lecture.
Hermione grabbed her journal, quill and ink and set it up so it appeared she was taking notes on Percy's notes.
Harry wants to learn more spells, to prepare for Black should he ever meet him. I offered to help, figured I would teach him a few basic things, something anyone could teach him.
Teach him what you want, was Bellatrix's response. Just no dark arts. Even if he seems interested.
If he picks out the spells himself?
If he chooses a dark spell, teach him but don't practice yourself. If you start using the dark arts at school, someone may realize you have experience with them, so keep that in mind.
I'll be careful.
Did my gift help you sleep better?
I didn't have a chance to use it, Hermione admitted. I had to share a room with Ginny Weasley. I didn't want her asking questions about it. I do plan on using it when I get to Hogwarts.
That's probably for the best. While the younger Weasley's wouldn't recognize my magic, it is possible the adults will, especially Molly Weasley.
Why her?
I was part of a raid that attacked her twin brothers. I killed one of them and Antonin Dolohov killed the other.
Hermione glanced at Ron. She knew who Bellatrix was and she knew she wasn't innocent. She thought she would feel something knowing that Bellatrix had caused the death of someone her friend cared about. But she didn't. All she could think of, was that she was glad it was them and not Bellatrix.
Does that bother you? Bellatrix asked when she didn't respond.
Bellatrix still seemed convinced she was going to run away. But Hermione was going nowhere. She was in too deep and Bellatrix meant more to her than anyone else in the wizarding world. She would face down Dumbledore himself if it meant protecting Bellatrix.
You should know by now that it doesn't. You're a Death Eater. It's not much of a leap to realize you killed people.
You are a strange witch Hermione.
Hermione put her journal, and notes away. She selected her Runes textbook and continued to read. She couldn't wait until classes started. She knew how good at Runes Bellatrix was and she wanted to impress her with her knowledge.
Halfway through the ride, the trolley witch came by.
"Do you guys want anything?" Harry asked.
Ron ordered several treats while Hermione selected two cauldron cakes and a chocolate frog. She wasn't all that hungry and sweets weren't really her favourite. She wished they would serve real food on the train, even if it was just a sandwich. But the snacks would hold her over until dinner though and that was what mattered.
"Hermione," Ron called getting her attention. "Do you play chess at all?"
"I… well I have played but I'm not very good," Hermione admitted.
Ron pulled out his chess board and set it up. "Play me," he requested. "You can't be any worse than Harry."
"Hey," Harry protested weakly. Ron raised an eyebrow at him. "You're not wrong but you don't have to say it," Harry mumbled.
All three of them laughed. "Okay," Hermione agreed. "One game."
Ron set up the chess board and the game was on.
The game between Hermione and Ron lasted longer than any game between Ron and Harry, but it still ended the same. Hermione was defeated. "Not bad," Ron said. "You should give Harry some tips."
Hermione laughed. "I'm not good enough for that," she said. "You should talk to Fay. I hear she's decent at chess. Much better than Harry and I at least."
Ron nodded. "I'll do that sometime. Would be nice to have a bit of a challenge. No offense," he added quickly.
"None taken," Hermione and Harry said together.
The rest of the trip was quiet. Ron and Harry were surprised that Draco didn't make a visit. But Hermione wasn't. It was best and easiest for them to avoid each other rather than to pretend they hated each other.
The air felt different when they got off the train. There was a chill in the air. Something that wasn't normal when they arrived back to school. In the distance they could see floating figures, dementors, Hermione assumed.
"What are those?" Harry asked pointing to the dementors.
"I think they're dementors," Ron answered. "At least they look like what Dad described as dementors. They're closer to the castle than I thought they would be." He shook his head. "We need to stay as far away as possible. Nothing good comes from being near a dementor and mate," he glanced at Harry, "you'll have a harder time than most."
The three climbed into a carriage. "What do you mean?" Harry questioned.
"They feed on bad memories," Hermione inputted. The boys stared at her. "I looked into them," she said with a shrug. "The worse your memories, the worse they affect you."
Harry groaned. "Great, just great," he sighed.
"I'll be okay Harry," Hermione reassured him. "We'll stay far away from them."
The carriage door opened and revealed Neville Longbottom. He sighed in relief at the sight of the three Gryffindors. "Do you mind?" he questioned softly.
"Come on in," Hermione said.
Neville climbed into the carriage, taking the empty seat beside Hermione.
As the carriage made its way to the castle, Hermione studied Neville. She should feel guilty about her association with Bellatrix. After all, the Lestrange's had tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom. She did feel bad for Neville and his parents. They were better off dead then permanently insane. But she didn't care enough to distance herself from Bellatrix. If nothing else, she would keep her distance from Neville.
The feast was mostly the same as the first two years. However, this year there was a warning about the dementors being on the grounds. Hermione needed to tell Bellatrix. She wasn't sure if their training sessions would work out the same if the dementors were prowling the grounds. She needed to talk to Bellatrix tonight.
After the feast Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to Gryffindor Tower after first getting the password from Percy.
"Do you think Quidditch will be affect by the dementors?" Harry asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. An alleged murderer was after him and all Harry cared about was Quidditch. He was such a boy.
"Dunno Harry," Ron said. "Hopefully not. This year is going be hard enough without ruining Quidditch too."
When they arrived at Gryffindor Tower, Hermione said goodbye to the boys before heading to her own dorm room. She was the only one there, which gave her some time to get situated before the others returned. She removed her trunk from her pocket, placed it on the bed and returned it to full size.
She dug through her trunk for her toiletries and pajamas. She quickly got ready for bed before putting her clothes into the hamper.
She removed the rose Bellatrix had made for her and sat it on the nightstand. She tapped the rune with her wand. She instantly felt Bellatrix's magic envelop her. She missed it more than she thought. She closed her curtains. It was the universal sign that if the curtains were drawn, they were not to be disturbed. There were also silencing spells embedded in the curtains to help with privacy.
Hermione dug her journal and writing materials out of her bookbag before setting in on the floor beside her. She settled into bed and opened the journal.
Dumbledore announced during the feast that dementors are on the grounds. Do you think that will affect our meetings?
Dementors are on the grounds? Hermione could practically hear her anger. Keep an eye on the shack and let me know if the dementors go near it. If needed, we'll move your training sessions here.
I will. I love your rose. I can feel your magic, like you're right beside me. It's comforting.
I'm glad it offers you comfort. Who is your Defense Professor this year?
Already plotting to kill them?
Only if they try to harm you.
Remus Lupin, Hermione responded. He doesn't look like much. Shabby robes and looks like he'll fall over at any moment.
He's a friend of Black's, Bellatrix wrote before Hermione could say anything else. And a werewolf if I remember correctly. Be careful around him, especially as the full moon approaches.
Do you think he's helping Black?
Unlikely from what I've gathered he's cut ties with everyone after Black was thrown into Azkaban. However, if he were to learn of Black's innocence, it could pose an issue. You should get some rest Hermione. I imagine your tired after the trip.
You're right. I am a bit tired. Goodnight Morgana.
Goodnight Hermione.
Hermione put her journal away and settled into bed. She focused on the feel of Bellatrix's magic as she drifted off to sleep.
