Author's Note

I don't have a beta, so please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

Sorry, no Snape for a couple chapters. Don't worry, he'll make an appearance again before too long.

I'm not J.K. Rowling, so I don't own anything.

Ch 7: Reunion

An overly rotund man opened the door when Hermione knocked. He stared at her suspiciously, squinting and frowning as he took in her appearance and tried to place where he knew her from. Did he truly not recognize her?

Hermione might not have ever spoken to him directly before, but she'd seen him at King's cross station at least three times over the years, and she knew Harry had pictures of her. Mr. Dursley's complete disregard for Harry appalled Hermione. He was such an unpleasant, abusive lout.

Snape's statement about Mrs. Dursley getting what she deserved trickled through her mind, and Hermione felt the urge to take Harry and leave his family to whatever consequences befell them. They certainly deserved it, given their treatment of Harry all his life. Except she knew Harry would never allow it. And Voldemort would use them to get to her friend.

"I'm here for Harry," she announced, unease making her swallow back a bit of bile that was suddenly in her throat.

How could she even consider knowingly endangering others? It didn't matter that she'd never actually act on the desire. The thoughts shouldn't have even occurred to her.

Perhaps Snape had been right about the Dark Arts blemishing her soul, even if she'd only been adjacent to their use.

"No! Your kind are not welcome here," Mr. Dursley hissed, swinging the door shut.

Her hand shot out to prevent the door from fully closing just as Harry cried, "Hermione!"

"Hi, Harry," she answered, smiling slightly as she rudely pushed past Mr. Dursley's spluttering bulk to enter the house. Had he truly tried to physically prevent her from seeing Harry? The man was unbelievable! He was doing nothing to diminish her desire to punish him for his past actions.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked incredulously, his jaw agape as he took her in. Emerald eyes blinked owlishly from behind his round frames.

He was a welcome sight after all the upheaval she'd recently endured, even if she did suspect he'd not brushed his hair all summer. Bits were matted and clumped and sticking up all over the place even more than usual. Regardless, he was Harry. Her best mate. Her first real friend. Her only remaining family.

"We're leaving. Now. Hurry and pack while I help your aunt and uncle. Remus should be here soon to collect them," Hermione announced without preamble. They'd have time for reunions later. Right now, they needed to get everything ready before Remus arrived and tried to stop her.

She'd meant to ease into the idea of them dropping everything and going, but Mr. Dursley's wretched behaviour had dulled that desire. If he was going to be such a prick, he could simply deal with what was happening.

"You're serious?" Harry asked, stunned. "We're leaving now?"

"Yes," Hermione confirmed, trying not to laugh at his incredulous expression. It wasn't often she managed to surprise Harry.

"Why? Did the Order change the plan or was the letter a ruse in case it fell into the wrong hands?" Harry asked, though she had no idea what letter he was referring to.

"Would you rather stay here a bit longer or leave while it's safer?" she countered, pursing her lips. At no point had she expected him to put up any sort of protest about going.

"You're here to take him? Good riddance, boy. I know this was the last time we ever had to put you up," Mr. Dursley blustered pompously. "Ungrateful wretch."

Harry's surprise slowly faded, and a crease furrowed his brow, though it wasn't a result of his uncle's insult.

"How do I know you're really you?" he asked sceptically. Mad-Eye would be proud.

"I sent about a dozen canaries after Ron's head when he kissed Lavender," Hermione said, relaying the first thought that came to her mind that Harry had been present for.

The memory smarted less, but possibly because she didn't feel she could be with Ron after all that had happened. Between the guilt of her parents, and having sex with Snape, not to mention the unkind thoughts of Ron she'd had several times recently, everything had changed. They'd missed their window.

There was also the fact that anytime she imagined being with Ron sexually in the last week, and she'd been thinking about it a great deal now that she had a real experience to draw from, he'd slowly morph into Snape and she'd feel even more flustered and aroused. It was impossible not to dwell on the memories of shagging Snape, given how intense it had turned out to be, even if he'd only made it so for the sake of the potion. She wasn't sure she'd be content settling for less in the future, which was extremely unfair to Ron, since she was assuming he'd be incapable of performing as well.

It didn't even matter that Ron had made it abundantly clear he wasn't interested – now she didn't even want to wait for him to change his mind.

"This is really happening? I get to leave so soon?" Harry gasped, pulling her out of her musings. "But –"

"Hurry up, Harry. For this to work, we have to be quick about it," Hermione instructed him crisply, retrieving her wand.

"Put that thing away, girl! We won't have any of that funny business in this house," Mr. Dursley ordered, waving his hands frantically. He looked like a beached whale.

"You have an hour to pack anything you are especially attached to or fond of. After that, you're going into hiding until the war is over so that Voldemort can't use you to get to Harry," Hermione said succinctly. Now was not the time to mince words.

"The hell we are!" Mr. Dursley roared, face turning a mottled purple that didn't appear particularly healthy.

"You can either pack willingly, or I will Stun you, throw whatever is closest at hand in a bag, and you can wake up later after it's too late to do it yourselves," Hermione replied sharply, doing her best interpretation of the menacing manner Snape used when addressing his misbehaving students.

Harry looked properly shocked, but the man visibly swelled with anger, puffing out his chest and trying to look intimidating.

"I won't give you a second chance, and I won't repeat myself," Hermione stated flatly, utterly unyielding. Too much was at stake here.

Harry looked between her and his uncle, but Hermione simply nodded, making it clear she had the situation in hand. "Go on, Harry. We need to move you before they catch wind of it happening."

To his credit, Harry didn't argue further, just turned and raced back up the stairs. Probably, he was too used to trusting her judgement. Either that, or he was desperate to leave this house and never look back. Glancing around, Hermione couldn't say she blamed him. Not with the Dursleys as his only family and support through everything else.

"Vernon, perhaps we ought to listen," Mrs. Dursley said from the doorway to the kitchen. Hermione hadn't even noticed her standing there watching the interaction play out.

Seeing the woman reminded Hermione that Snape knew her. With a quick glance at the stairs where Harry had disappeared, Hermione dared to ask, "Ma'am, how did you know Severus Snape?"

"That awful boy!" Mrs. Dursley turned her nose up, sniffing haughtily. "I warned Lily she shouldn't be friends with someone from that neighbourhood. Disgusting trash, and no wonder – they both turned out to be your kind, didn't they? Freaks."

Petunia shuddered as though even thinking about magic was contaminating her.

Friends? Snape had been friends with Lily, and from the sounds of it, the friendship had begun long before they started Hogwarts. No wonder he was trying to protect Harry. It was sweet, and indicated the presence of a softer side than she ever would have guessed at him possessing.

But hadn't Harry once mentioned that Snape had called Lily a Mudblood? That didn't track with the rest. She'd have to ask Harry more about it later.

"If you've such a problem with wizarding folk, I suggest you pack quickly – before the house is overrun by the sort that killed your sister," Hermione warned seriously. Mrs. Dursley's face drained of what little colour it possessed, but she went at once to grab a picture from the mantle then headed upstairs, snagging her husband's arm and dragging him along with her.

Hermione debated going to help Harry, but Remus arrived before she was able, sweeping in unannounced.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded hoarsely, running a hand through his greying hair. He appeared far more flustered than she'd ever seen him. When he'd been her professor, nothing had ever rattled him, but he was clearly shaken now. "We had a plan."

"It was going to involve a guard, wasn't it?"

The truth was easy to read on his face. As was his shock.

"It's too predictable," Hermione claimed practically, shaking her head at him. "If I could figure it out, what makes you think Voldemort wouldn't have as well?"

"You should have discussed this with us first," Remus insisted, frowning at her.

"Would you have agreed?"

"Everyone has been on edge since Albus's death. We all just want what's best for Harry," he said, carefully avoiding answering her question.

It didn't matter. They both knew she'd have been shot down for the simple fact that she was still considered a child. They'd never take her advice seriously, believing she didn't have enough experience.

Especially when compared with Mad-Eye, who'd come up with the idea of a Guard the last time too. His experience in the first war had made him a firm advocate of safety in numbers. He'd never consider an alternative. Nor did he put enough stock in stealth and secrecy – it was too deceitful for him. Too much their style.

"Remus, I'm sorry, but I need you to trust me here," Hermione begged, willing him to remember her cleverness and willingness to always help Harry, no matter the consequences. He was probably in the best position to respect her talents and commitment. "This makes the most sense. They won't be ready for it, and Harry will be safe at the Burrow before they even realise he's gone from here."

"We hadn't finalised plans for Harry to stay at the Burrow yet. You're expecting a lot from the Weasleys," Remus said wearily, and Hermione knew she had him.

"We both know they're prepared to take that risk," Hermione chided, though her heart clenched. There wasn't another family in their world deliberately putting as much on the line as the Weasleys. She dreaded to imagine what would happen to them.

"Remus!" Harry cried, bounding down the steps and throwing his lanky arms around the werewolf.

"Hello, Harry," he greeted softly, chuckling slightly as he returned the enthusiastic embrace.

Remus caught Hermione's eye and nodded discreetly. She wasn't sure if it was because he was now truly on board with her impromptu plan, or if it was in reference to the Weasleys. Probably, it was a bit of both.

"I've actually got a bit of news to share with you, but it'll have to wait since I believe I hear Hestia in the drive," Remus said, releasing Harry and moving to look outside.

"We're driving?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"No. Hestia is going to take your family and keep them protected until the end of the war," Remus answered, opening the door for the witch with the pink-infused cheeks.

She looked particularly harried, but Hermione ignored the implicit chastisement as she said, "Dedalus Diggle is at the house finishing up. We weren't expecting it to be needed for a few weeks still, so settling in should be interesting."

"I'll help load the car," Remus offered, straightening a bit before heading upstairs to collect the Dursleys' bags while Hestia went to open the magically enlarged trunk.

"Did Dudley hide upstairs this whole time?"

"Yeah. He's packing…er, he said goodbye to me," Harry said strangely, rubbing the back of his neck as though unable to believe it had really happened.

"Maybe there's some hope for him, after all. You all set?"

"Yep. Not much to pack in the first place, but I also wasn't here long," Harry said wonderingly.

Hermione knew losing Dumbledore had been a real blow for Harry, and he was anxious to get started finding the remaining Horcruxes. But Hermione also knew he didn't have the first clue where to start, and that it would be easier for them to sort things out if they were together.

"Sort of figured you'd rather be at the Burrow if we were just waiting around while making a plan," Hermione answered, shrugging slightly.

"Ginny is there. Do you think…," Harry trailed off, unable to conceal the wistful edge to his words.

"Harry, look…I get why you did it," Hermione said flatly, not mincing words as she bluntly assessed the situation, continuing, "but only a fool wouldn't see right through your reasoning. You're crazy about her, and everyone knows it. She's not any safer just because you eliminated the title of girlfriend."

Harry was about to argue, she could tell, but Remus reappeared, halting the conversation.

"It's time to go," Remus announced.

Harry watched aunt and uncle leave without a word to him. Even Dudley just offered a confused frown. Harry didn't wait to watch them drive off, just darted upstairs to grab his own trunk. Hermione thought he might be trying to hide his hurt feelings. She'd always known things were bad between Harry and his family, but Harry had a habit of making light of it. The reality was much worse than she'd imagined. No wonder he was a bit emotionally stunted and willing to throw himself into life-threatening situations. He didn't understand his own worth.

He reminded her a bit of Sirius and Snape. All of them suffered from arrested development. Before his death, Hermione had disparaged Sirius because he should have been an adult looking out for Harry, but he often advised recklessness instead. It made sense when she considered that he'd been locked up when he was twenty, and hadn't really been known for his maturity prior to that. Harry's issues also made sense given his family. And now Snape too. He was cut off from any real friends because of his spying. Plus he was constantly surrounded by teens. That was bound to impact his personality in some way.

"Are you confident taking Harry with Side-Along-Apparation?" Remus asked as they started down the street.

"Yes," Hermione said, willing her voice not to betray her. Snape wouldn't have suggested this if he'd not thought her capable considering how brutally honest and critical he was all the time. It was a huge boost to her self-confidence.

"Arabella lives down this street. If we walk to her house, any magic detected will go unnoticed by the Ministry," Lupin said tightly.

"Right then," Harry agreed quickly, picking up the pace a bit.

Lupin's head was on a swivel the whole way. At one point, Hermione thought she saw Snape standing by a tree, but it was probably just a mind trick since she'd been thinking of him so much lately. Or it was because the plan was working perfectly – just as Snape had suggested it would.

"I'll see you there," Hermione said to Lupin, taking Harry's arm and turning on her heel.

The air around her compressed, squeezing the pair of them tighter and tighter and tighter until they were nothing. But the uncomfortable emptiness and vacuum only lasted a second.

The Burrow suddenly materialised before them. The wobbly structure appeared more patchwork and impossible defiance of gravity than ever. Several people were spaced out on the lawn erecting wards over the grounds and house, Bill, Fleur, twins, and Mr. Weasley among them. Lupin moved to join in, but Mrs. Weasley intercepted him, a garden gnome chasing after her and weaving between her legs as she moved.

"Oh, Remus, you got here all right. I let the others know as soon as you sent word. Thank you for doing this. I'm sure you'd rather still be enjoying your honeymoon," Mrs. Weasley gushed warmly.

Immediately, Hermione wished she'd contacted the Weasleys directly, rather than disturb Lupin. The same could have been accomplished, but she rather preferred interacting with her former professor than the Weasley matriarch.

The news of Lupin's marriage though, was…unexpected. He and Tonks hadn't even started dating until after Dumbledore's death a few weeks ago. It seemed rather rushed. An act driven by fear of the war they were all risking their lives for. Wars did have a habit of making people behave rashly. And what worked in the heat of the moment, when tensions were high and the future uncertain, didn't necessarily have a high success rate when things calmed. But what did she know?

"It's all right, Molly. Dora understands," Remus said, distinctly uncomfortable. Hermione figured it was because she'd just unintentionally spoiled his news.

"You got married? Congratulations!" Harry exclaimed, throwing an arm around the man.

"Yeah, well done," Ron added briskly, not sounding entirely sincere, more by rote as he clapped Harry on the shoulder to get his attention. Probably he was distracted looking for a proper greeting from his best mate.

Hermione watched Harry scanning the area, hardly noticing Ron at all. It was obvious he was looking for Ginny, the girl having been on his mind since Hermione had told him where they were going. The second he saw her, his expression changed, a look of undisguised longing taking root. Enough so that even Ron was able to interpret it. Immediately, he began hissing quietly at Harry.

Hermione listened with half an ear as Lupin filled Mrs. Weasley in on the unadventurous journey. He was nearly finished when a silvery penguin zipped forward, its arms out and flapping as though it were swimming.

Hestia's voice emerged from it when it stopped before Lupin, saying, "We've arrived safely. Will contact you if anything changes."

"Well, that's all settled then," Mrs. Weasley announced, clapping her hands together once.

"We should consider setting something up for your family as well, Hermione. It's irresponsible of us not to have thought of it sooner, given they're Muggles," Lupin said, blinking and frowning at Hermione as though surprised by his own oversight.

"My parents are gone," she said flatly.

Lupin's face morphed, comprehension and sympathy transforming his expression at once. Hermione bit back the painful sting of moisture pressing against the eyes until they felt ready to pop. She didn't say a word though. Let Lupin attribute this as the true motivation behind her rash actions. Better this than he suspect Snape's involvement.

The tears nearly escaped her careful hold when she noticed Harry and Mrs. Weasley both watching her like she was delicate china that'd been dropped and they were just waiting for her to shatter when it impacted with the ground. Fortunately, Ron seemed oblivious, still trying to convey something privately to Harry and not listening to the others' conversation.

Mrs. Weasley cluck over her. She withdrew from the sympathy, understanding she had no right to it when she was the cause of their departure and forgetting of her.

"Is it all right if I get settled in?" Hermione asked quickly, desperate to get away before she broke down in front of everyone.

"Of course, dear! I already set up an extra cot in Ginny's room," Mrs. Weasley responded, watching her piteously. Her exclaim had Ron finally pausing his whispered conversation in Harry's ear long enough to acknowledge her.

"Er, Hermione, I'm glad you're here," he tried awkwardly.

A month ago, she'd have been over the moon by the evidence he noticed her and wanted her around. Now, this seemed a pale comparison to Harry's earlier greeting. Her guilt over sleeping with Snape rather than waiting from Ron eased the smallest fraction. She'd never mean as much to him as he once had to her. His countless actions over the years supported that conclusion, she'd just been naively hopeful and blind before.

"Thanks, Ron," she said flatly, not having the energy to even be upset over any of it.

"Maybe we can have a bit of a chat after I catch up with Harry?" he offered, frowning at her as though just realising something was amiss.

"Sorry, it's been a day, and I really think I need a rest," Hermione apologised, forcing a tense smile.

"Oh, right. Yeah." He sounded stilted and taken aback. Jerkily, he turned away, returning his focus to Harry, though his stance had turned rigid and tense.

Hermione felt even worse that her dismissal might have hurt him, but honestly. It was like he said, he'd rather spend time with Harry first anyways.

She'd barely settled in when a quiet knock sounded at the door.

"Harry?" she asked, a bit confused to see him again so soon. Though his first words cleared things up for her right quick.

"I'm sorry…about your parents," he said sadly, concern radiating from his emerald gaze. The gems seemed to glisten wetly as they took her in.

"They're still alive. It's a small consultation," Hermione rushed to reassure him, mostly because she hoped he'd drop it at that. He didn't. Of course not. When did Harry ever just let something go? When he opened his mouth to ask, she insisted, "I really don't want to talk about it. Please, Harry. I can't. Not now."

"I get it," he said, sitting beside her and awkwardly patting her hand. He'd never felt so much like her brother than he did right then.

The urge to spill everything swept over her, but she knew she couldn't. Harry wouldn't understand, and unfortunately, Hermione didn't have any close girlfriends she could talk to either. Better she simply keep it all in…just like Snape.

"I also heard what you and Remus were talking about, and I think you may be right," Harry said, launching into a new discussion. Privately, Hermione suspected this was really what he was there for. He didn't do with emotional encounters very well, though he'd gotten better.

"What about?"

"I've got to start being more unpredictable. They'll figure out I'm here sooner or later. I always come here. But I don't want to be responsible for ruining Bill's wedding or worse."

He had a point. This was the most likely place to find him once they discovered his aunt and uncle's house was empty. At least here there were always others about should the Death Eaters dare to attack the Burrow.

"We should at least stay until your birthday," Hermione suggested, knowing their departure wouldn't go over well with the Weasley matriarch. At least if she was able to plan a celebration for her adopted son, she might be a bit more mollified. "Then the Trace will break and you'll be free to use magic."

"Yeah. That's a good point," Harry said slowly, cautiously. He inhaled deeply, visibly bracing himself, then asked, "Do you think Ron will come with us? He won't want to miss his brother's wedding."

Hermione had no doubt Ron would be a bit petulant and whiny, as he often was, but he would come – for Harry. Because Ron was almost always loyal to Harry, even when it meant he had to be in Harry's enormous shadow as Ron was with each and every one of his brothers. That willingness was part of what made Hermione fancy Ron in the first place. Now she knew it was why they were friends – despite having nothing beyond Harry in common.

"Haven't we already proven we'd follow you anywhere – damn the consequences?"

"Hermione!" Harry gasped, shocked by her language.

She'd always viewed cursing as the height of crassness. But when Snape had pointed it out when she did in the heat of the moment, it felt more like a way to really emphasise a point. This conversation seemed to call for something similarly dramatic.

"Oh, hush. It wasn't that big a deal," she huffed, rolling her eyes.

"If you say so," he muttered, studying her like she was something foreign for a moment before shaking his head. Then he sighed long and low. "A few weeks. That's probably for the best…gives us time to sort out where we're headed."

"I've a thought about that," she ventured, nervously tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Of course you do," he replied, grinning widely.

"Grimmauld Place."

"No way," Harry denied, vehemently shaking his head.

"Hear me out, Harry," she insisted, begging, "please! We don't know where to start –"

"Yes we do – R.A.B."

"Aside from some initials that we don't have the first idea of who they belong to," she retorted meaningfully. "I need access to a library. I'm no use to you without a means of researching whatever ideas you come up with."

"Sirius hated that house," he complained.

"I know," she answered softly, reaching out to him.

"Snape can get in," he added stubbornly, refusing to give in just yet. The reminder of Snape caught her off guard, and it took her a second to reorganise her thoughts.

"Don't you think he would have tried something already if he were going to? The school kept records of where we lived. He's been to the Burrow before too. As far as I could tell from the Prophet, no one has seen him since he fled Hogwarts," she argued, trying to keep it rational and appeal to whatever logic Harry possessed rather than his ingrained hatred for their former professor.

"I suppose," Harry reluctantly allowed.

"Then we're agreed?"

"You're probably right about it being the best place to go. Even if we find the locket, I've no idea what to do with it. Hopefully Mrs. Weasley didn't get rid of books that we'll need to figure out Horcruxes when she purged the House of all the Dark Objects."

Hermione was already compiling a list of topics she wished to research when they arrived, but his mention of the locket and books seemed like the perfect opportunity to mention having a way to destroy the Horcruxes without drawing too much suspicion.

"Actually, Harry…about that," she said tentatively, forcing her hands to stop fidgeting. They were flexing and jumping nervously as she prepared herself to skirt the truth with Harry. The words came out in a rush, almost stringing together as she had a habit of doing when especially anxious. "Before we left Hogwarts…I may have, sort of, borrowed a few books from Dumbledore's office about Horcruxes. They mentioned a poison that could destroy them, so I brewed for us to use when I got home."

"You did?" Harry gasped, slack jawed as he processed what she'd just admitted. "Hermione…did you steal the books?"

"No!" she exclaimed shrilly, crossing her arms over the accusation. Honestly, she was just grateful that's what he'd decided to focus on and the conclusion he'd arrived at. It was better than the truth, so she went with it, huffing indignantly as she quickly said, "Oh, very well, yes, I did."

"Have I ever told you how much I like this side of you?" Harry said, grinning conspiratorially as he shook his head, a hand raking through his messy hair. "You don't show it often, but when you…watch out."

"I've no idea what you're talking about," Hermione said primly.

"Thank Merlin you're on my side," Harry said wonderingly.