Hermione stood staring at the door to the Defence classroom, not seeing it but focusing on the woman pacing in her office beyond it. They'd spent most of Sunday relaxing, getting caught up on their homework and getting to know the newest member of their coven. She'd done her very best to put this moment, this next confrontation with Umbridge, to the back of her mind. Ever since waking this morning, however, she'd found her thoughts drifting back to this moment, both her anger and tension growing by the minute. It seemed, though, she wasn't the only one.
"Sun?" prodded Ginny. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she sighed. "Maybe, after this is over, we go and blow off some steam with Rowena before my detention?"
"You're on edge," she confirmed.
"I think," Hermione shook her head, "that 'relaxing' for us may be counterproductive." She smiled as Daphne, Tracey and Pansy joined them. "Remember what I said; don't feel like you have to participate." She studied Daphne for a moment and then added in thought; "You're already a target, I don't want you to make it any worse."
"With Slytherin or in general?"
"Both," she answered. "Either way, enjoy the show," she added with a wink. She turned to Ginny and touched their foreheads together. "It's going to be okay."
"Who are you trying to convince?" Ginny leaned back and searched her eyes. "Me? Or yourself?"
"Both," she sighed. "We've already got enough to get her fired, now we just need enough to get her out of the way until this is all over." She smiled as Luna took her hand and sent her a wave of calm. "Thank you."
"Are we, um…" stuttered Ron.
"Interrupting?" chuckled Harry.
"No," replied Hermione. "You two know the plan?"
"Keep our mouths shut until we're ready to leave?" offered Harry.
"Pretty much," affirmed Ginny as she kissed Hermione on the cheek. "It's all up to you Sun, you got this."
"All right, let's get this over with then," she sighed and led the others into the classroom. She squeezed Ginny's hand when they reached her seat and then let go to take her seat near the front.
Hermione took out her textbook and placed it at the front of her desk along with two parchments, a quill, ink and her summary for the second chapter which she placed next to her textbook. She folded her hands in front of her and waited for Umbridge to start the class.
"Good afternoon class," she greeted cheerfully.
"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back, though only the Slytherins included the 'Professor'.
"Today," she continued, a slight frown creasing her features, "you will read chapter two, three times for maximum compression." She looked around the class. "There will be no need for talking."
"No need to think, more like," Hermione said under her breath as she unrolled her two parchments, placing the blank one on top of the list of all the spells she knew. She dipped her quill into the ink and then placed the tip of her quill on the top parchment. She closed her eyes, concentrated a moment on what she wanted to do, and then opened her eyes as words began appearing in three columns in order of difficulty labeled: Everyday, Defensive and Offensive. She looked at her list for a moment and then began adding stars next to the spells she had yet to perform when she heard Umbridge clear her throat in front of her.
"Can I help you, Professor?" she asked as she continued to add the last few stars.
"You are supposed to be reading," Unbridge pointed out.
"I've already read the whole book," she answered as she finally looked up. "Twice more than you instructed." She placed her quill aside to reach for and then handed Umdrigde her summary. "I could recite it for you if you like."
"That…" she shook her head. "What are you doing?"
"Just passing the time really," she chuckled. "It's a list of spells I started back when Harry, Fleur and I were preparing for the final task." She gave the list one last glance and held it out to her. "Would you care to see it?"
Umbridge took it from her without comment, studying her a moment before turning her attention to it.
"The spells with stars next to them are spells I know but have yet to perform," she explained.
"You can perform the Patronus Charm?" she asked sceptically.
"As being able to perform the charm without words or a wand is one of the prerequisites of becoming an Animagus, I would have thought that was a given," she replied matter-of-factly. "But I learned it from Harry at the end of my third year and he learned it from Professor Lupin…"
"Wait!" Daphne interrupted. "That was you!"
She turned to Daphne; "What was me?"
"I was in the Slytherin Common Room," she answered. "You've been there, it's underwater and the whole room lit up."
"You should have seen it from the Astronomy Tower," added Luna dreamily. "Ginny and I were waiting for Hermione." She sighed. "One minute the sky was dark with Dementors and then the next they couldn't get away fast enough."
"And this was a fully corporeal Patronus?" Umbridge seemed to ask despite herself.
"Oh, yeah," answered Harry. "It was… wait!" he gasped.
"Finally figured it out, did you?" teased Hermione.
"Figured out what?" Umbridge questioned tersely.
"Well," she turned back to Umbridge, "it's changed, you see. The first time I performed the charm, my Patronus was a…" She shook her head and laughed and she recalled that night, "It was a Thescorn." She smiled as chuckles broke out. "Oh, they're quite real," she assured her classmates. "We found a whole herd of them this summer." She looked back at Umbridge. "They're a hybrid species; Unicorns and Thestrals." She smiled at her clear scepticism. "They're hard to find though. Unlike Thestrals, they can appear and disappear at will. But, when do they appear?" She sighed. "They're beautiful. Imagine, if you can, an all-black Unicorn with the wings of a Thestral." She shrugged. "I'll admit, I assumed, at the time, it was just a Unicorn, but I didn't know Thescorns existed. Nowadays, unless I'm performing the spell with my sisters, my Patronus is a wolf." She tilted her head and asked, "I could demonstrate if you like?"
"That won't be necessary," Umbridge replied as she returned to her desk still studying the list as she sat.
Hermione watched her a moment before returning to her list. "Well, that was anticlimactic," she thought to her coven as she glanced at her watch and sighed. "Is it too soon to walk out?" she asked Ginny.
"Up to you love," she replied. "It is nice out though, I'm sure the boys would enjoy a little extra Quidditch practice."
"Good point," Hermione chuckled quietly as she began putting her things back in her bag. She glanced at Umbridge as she stood, slung her rucksack over her shoulder before turning and walking towards the door.
"Miss Granger?" Umbridge called. "Miss Granger!" She continued walking and was a few feet from the door when she heard the scratch of Umbridge's chair as she stood and then all but yelled, "Mrs Granger!?" Hermione turned and met her eyes as Umbridge stalked up to her. "Just where do you think you are going?"
"Well," she began as she tilted her head and regarded her, "I see little point in wasting my time in a class where the Professor has little to teach me and is reluctant to teach me the little they know." She straightened her head before continuing. "It wouldn't be the first time," she added. "Now," she stood to her full height although Umbridge couldn't see it, "unless you intend to physically or magically stop me from leaving, I have far better things to do with my time."
"This is a required course," Umbridge spat out.
"Of which I could likely pass my Owls and Newts with flying colours right now." She tilted her head and smirked. "I'm under the impression you, as a student, barely passed either." Umbridge reddened. "Now," she smiled, "unless there is anything else," she raised an eyebrow, "I suggest you take it up with the Headmaster."
She turned on her heel before Umbridge could compose herself or a reply and made for the door, swung it open and closed it gently behind her. She went to lean on the wall opposite, used her wolf hearing to listen in and then began watching through Ginny's eyes.
"Harry!" Ron hissed in a whisper.
"What?" Harry hissed back as he turned in his seat to face him.
"I figure Hermione's right."
"She usually is, you'll need to be more…"
"Hem, hem," Umbridge cleared her throat behind Harry. He turned to face her. "Did you have a question about the reading, Mr Weasley?"
"Well, yeah, I have a question, but not about the chapter," he replied to her and then turned to Harry. "I was saying Hermione's right; it's a beautiful day and Quidditch trials are coming up, why waste our time here when we could be out flying?"
"You know," Harry rubbed his chin and looked out the window, "you're right." He turned to Dean and Seamus, "Care to join us?" They looked at each other, shrugged and then looked back at Harry and nodded. "Shall we then?" Harry stood as he put his things in his bag.
"Sit down, Mr Potter," Umbridge commanded, her anger barely contained.
"No, Professor, I don't think I will," he replied evenly. "As Hermione said; I see little point wasting my time in a class where there is nothing, aside from learning to endure boredom, which frankly, Professor Binns is more than capable of," he shook his head. "If you refuse to teach us, I see no point in wasting my time. Now," he smiled, "unless you plan to physically or magically stop us," he turned and looked at Ron, Dean and Seamus in turn, "shall we?"
They nodded and followed Harry from the room.
Ginny, not giving Umbridge time to recover, turned to Luna. "What do you say, Lu? Go find Hermione and go for a walk?"
"Sounds like a lovely idea," Luna replied with a grin.
They both gathered their things and made for the door before Umbridge could question them. She stood and stared at the door for a moment, her anger nearly boiling over before turning and stomping back to her desk. She took a blank parchment from her desk, dipped a quill in ink and began writing furiously.
When she was finished she looked up and surveyed the class.
"Mr Greengrass?" she called.
"Don't react," Hermione advised Daphne. "And can I watch through you?" She felt Daphne acknowledge her and began studying Umbridge through her.
"Mr Greengrass?" Umbridge called again, more insistent this time.
"Enough," Hermione thought as she barged through the door and up to Umbridge's desk. "Stop!" she hissed with gritted teeth.
"Miss Granger, is there a problem?"
"Madame Umbridge," she started coldly, and despite her growing anger, calmly, "while I have accepted your refusal to use my legal name, misgendering Daphne in front of classmates who, just this weekend, attacked her for a condition which she has no control over, is putting her life in danger." She held up her hand to halt her reply. "No." She shook her head. "You had absolutely no issues referring to Daphne as Miss before this weekend, which means it isn't a "slip of the tongue", it was a choice." She sighed. "Everyone is entitled to their opinion," she lectured, "however, when someone in a perceived position of authority or influence, states those opinions, opinions most compassionate and understanding people would object to, out loud, it reinforces the bigotry of those who would otherwise not act on their bigotry the confidence to act." She took a step closer to the desk and glared down at her. "While your blatant transphobia and disregard for Daphne's safety disgusts me," she leaned down and continued just loudly enough for only Umbridge to hear, "it bothers me far more that you only did it to get under my skin."
"But, Miss Granger," Umbridge smiled sweetly, "you weren't even in the room, how on earth could I have done anything to, as you accused, "get 'under your skin ' ?"
"Wolf Animagus," she reminded her and tapped her ear, "I heard you."
"Be that as it may, Miss Granger, it was a slip of the tongue," she looked at her watch and then to Daphne, "Miss Greengrass?" Daphne met her eyes. "Could you take this to Professor McGonagall?" Daphne nodded, gathered her things and then went to take the rolled parchment from her.
"You may want to reconsider that," Hermione said calmly as she placed a hand on Daphne's wrist and squeezed it, "until you've heard what I have to say." She raised an eyebrow as she gave Umbridge a mental prod to dismiss the class.
"Very well," she replied as she placed the parchment on her desk. "Class dismissed." She looked at Daphne. "I'm sorry, Miss Greengrass…"
"Don't," Hermione interrupted her.
"But I…"
"No," she stopped her again, "unless you understand what you should be apologizing for, don't."
"Hermione, it's okay," Daphne said quietly and kissed her cheek, "she doesn't know any better."
"No," Hermione agreed, "but she should." She gave Daphne's wrist another squeeze. "Luna and Ginny are waiting outside, why don't you join them?"
Once Daphne had nodded and followed the last of their classmates out she returned her attention to her nemesis, her arms folded across her chest as she glared at her.
"I will accept any punishment you see fit," she began evenly despite the barely contained glee on the older woman's face, "for myself, as well as the others who left."
"And why would you do that? Accept your classmate's punishment?"
"I would think that would be obvious," she shrugged, "they likely wouldn't have left if I hadn't done it first." She smiled. "While I appreciate them reinforcing my point, I don't feel they should be punished for it."
Umbridge leaned back in her chair and studied her for a moment while she considered her reply.
"There it is again," Hermione thought to her friends outside, "there's something there, any time she thinks about our wolves." She mentally shook her head. "It's a blocked memory or something." She gently prodded Umbridge's mind, the first time she'd done so without someone's knowledge in a while, but she only wanted to know if Umbridge was aware of it. "I don't think she knows it's there."
"That is quite benevolent of you, Miss Granger," she began steadily despite her growing anticipation, "Detention will suffice. One night each for each student who left, so," she counted mentally, "every night, starting tonight and excluding weekends, of course, for seven nights." She nodded as if agreeing with her math. "I will see you tonight, five pm." She cocked her head. "Please, tell Daphne, I do apologize, I hadn't realized her safety was in question. Had I known I would have made more of an effort."
"While I admit we are more accepted in the magical world than the muggle, our lives are always in danger solely because of who we are." She regarded her. "People are judged and their lives put in danger every day for reasons they can't control. The colour of their skin, their magical status, their sexuality. None of that is a choice and yet we are judged, and killed, every day because of it." She shook her head. "When someone like you does what you did?" She shrugged. "You might as well have threatened her yourself." She shook her head. "I may not know, or could understand if I did, the source of your bigotry, but with the current climate outside the walls of this school, aren't there bigger things to worry about?" She leaned towards her. "But don't you dare try to say it was an "accident"."
"But…"
"No, whatever your reason, it was intentional." She shook her head and chuckled. "Daphne's stepmother is on the board of governors," she raised an eyebrow, "I hope she doesn't tell her." She straightened her shoulders. "And Professor Umbridge?" She raised an eyebrow. "If you've got a problem with me, come at me, don't," she leaned forward again, "come at me through my loved ones." She stood straight again. "Never forget, Professor, I'm a wolf at heart and I will protect those I care about with my very life." She tilted her head. "I'm not sure you understand what that's like." She gave her a moment to consider a reply and when it was obvious none was coming, added; "Five? Your office?" Umbridge nodded. "I will see you then."
She turned and made her way from the room before Umbridge could change her mind. She found Luna, Ginny and Daphne waiting for her, the latter pulling her into a fierce hug.
"You didn't have to do that," Daphne said as she let her go, her voice cracking.
"Of course I did," she assured her as she reached for Ginny's hand, and studied her for a moment, noting the slight frown before turning back to Daphne. "She was unaware of your condition before this weekend, of that I'm certain." She shook her head. "I'm not sure if she was testing my abilities or assumed you would tell me later and it would anger me." She took one of Daphne's arms in her hand. "Whatever the reason, it doesn't excuse putting you in more danger and, before you ask, yes, I would have done the same even if you weren't Nym's soulmate."
"Because you fight for those who can't fight for themselves?" Daphne guessed.
"I'm not saying you can't stand up for yourself," she qualified, "you shouldn't have had to because it wasn't about you." She sighed. "Yes, we fight for those who can't, or won't, fight for themselves." She smiled as she squeezed Daphne's arm. "The hope is that, someday, we won't have to fight at all." She looked at Ginny, "Rowena?" Ginny nodded. "We'll meet at half four to head to her office?"
"All of us?" asked Luna.
"I wasn't going to, but yes," she sighed.
"You're worried you'll lose your temper?" asked Luna.
"Yes," she motioned them to start walking, "but that isn't why I want all of you there." She shook her head. "There's something there, something I'm not sure even she understands." She glanced at the others. "I first noticed it when she saw us become our wolves."
"You think she knows something about the Sisters?" Ginny asked, speaking for the first time since Hermione had joined them.
Hermione regarded her wife a moment before replying.
"Something has changed," she started vaguely, switching to French as they reached a more populated corridor. "When we first started figuring this out there was almost no information, nothing." She shook her head and looked at Daphne. "You understand me?" She nodded. "Then we met Fleur and found out more." She shook her head. "I don't know if it was our future alternate selves or our past selves, but they did something."
"We think of time as linear," Daphne said thoughtfully, "but what if it isn't for the four of you?" They stopped at the door of Rowena's room. "What if, when this Hermione, our Hermione, was born, it changed everything before and after?" She raised an eyebrow. "What if your timeline, the one the rest of us are along for the ride for, ends with the four of you? Not in a, if you die we all die sort of way, but that future hasn't been written from this point on."
"And our past has been changed through the connections with our former selves," Luna postulated as she looked at Hermione. "What is it, love? What's bothering you?"
"She's worried about the fate of our alternate future selves," Ginny guessed.
"There's a reason timeturners are limited to five hours," Hermione supplied with a shake of their head. "They chose their fate."
"Do you think they understood what could happen?" asked Daphne.
"She was a version of me," Hermione replied logically. "I know I would do as much research as possible before doing something so dangerous." She smiled at them. "We can only assume they knew the risks and felt it was worth it." She sighed. "What's four lives when you're saving the world?"
"Whatever the case," Luna said as she took Hermione's hands in hers, "they made their choice and there's nothing we can do about it."
"So, stop worrying about it?" chuckled Hermione.
"We have bigger problems," Ginny said quietly. "Problems we can do something about."
"You're right," sighed Hermione. "We'll meet you outside the classroom around half-four?"
"What about me?" asked Daphne.
"We'll need Nym to arrest her but the two of you don't need to be in the room during the 'detention'," Hermione replied with a smile. "It's up to you what you do after."
"Nym is taking her to Gringotts alone?" asked Daphne. Hermione nodded. "Is there any reason I can't go with her and be with you?"
"None that I can think of," Hermione smiled. "But maybe a few reasons for you to go." She squeezed Daphne's arm. "Why don't you go find Nym and talk it over?"
"She in our quarters?" Ginny, Hermione and Luna nodded.
"I'll come with you," Luna offered and took her hand. "They don't need me and I don't think you should be alone at the moment." Daphne nodded. She turned to her best friends. "We'll see you at half-four. Bring you a snack?"
"I don't know that I'll be able to eat," admitted Hermione, "but that's not a bad idea," she kissed Luna's cheek and then whispered into her ear, "and don't ever think we don't need you."
"I know," Luna smiled. "But Daphne needs me more right now."
"We'll see you later," Daphne said as she and Luna turned to go.
"Are we going to talk about it?" Ginny asked as the door to Rowena's room appeared.
"I barely did anything," Hermione replied evenly.
"But you admit you did something?" she asked as she pulled her wife to stop her and forced her to look at her. "I know you have your reasons and you're probably going to tell me it's low risk since she'll be in custody by tonight, but…"
"You don't want me to get into the habit?" finished Hermione and then kissed her softly. "There are limits I have no desire to test," she rested her forehead against Ginny's, "let alone become so accustomed to pushing that I don't consider the moral implications or the consequences to myself." She leaned back and met Ginny's eyes. "As long as what I can do scares me, I promise I won't abuse it." She studied her eyes for a moment. "Okay?" Ginny nodded. "Okay," she affirmed and turned back to the door. "C'mon," she tugged on Ginny's hand, "I really need to let off some steam."
They entered the room to find a moonlight forest, a clearing near the middle of the room. They kissed briefly, but deeply, the kiss conveying the words they couldn't find. Ginny pulled away first, leaning back to meet her wife's eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked carefully.
"I will be."
"You held your tongue well," offered Ginny. "Luna said she was quite uncomfortable."
"I'm sure she was," Hermione chuckled and kissed her briefly. "Though I'm not sure she understands why." She shook her head. "I was practically vibrating, I was so angry."
"You kind of still are," joked Ginny. "Go on, get it out."
She prodded Hermione towards the middle of the clearing, watched for a moment and then went to stand near the edge and leaned on a tree to watch. Hermione took out her wand first and cast several charms around the clearing's edge, the strength of which forced Ginny back a few feet.
Ginny approached the wards warily, not surprised to find several protective charms but curious as to why Hermione had added a silencing charm.
"She doesn't want you to hear the things she would have said had she not held her tongue," Rowena provided, startling Ginny slightly. "She doesn't want you to think any less of her."
"She thinks I'd judge her?" She glanced at Rowena. "Like the three of us weren't thinking the same things?"
She looked back at Hermione and found her, sword in one hand and her wand in the other. In front of her, at least a foot shorter than her and quaking slightly, stood Umbridge. She looked up from the ground, and tilted her head, her hair standing on end from the magic pulsing from her.
"She thinks she's protecting me?" she questioned.
"Always, but I don't believe it's that simple."
"She'll edit what she says if she knows that I can hear?" She again glanced at Rowena to find her nodding. "Yet somehow she has no problem with me seeing what she's capable of physically," she said as Hermione, with one fluid swing of her sword, severed Umbridge's wand arm just above the wrist, "or magically," she added as, with a flick of her wand, she sent the older woman flying backwards into a tree, ropes appearing and binding her to it.
"She knows that you know what she is capable of because you are too," Rowena reasoned. "This," she motioned to Hermione who was now surrounded by masked Death Eaters, "is about proving it to herself."
"Is she though?" countered Ginny. "It's not like she's in any real danger."
"Perhaps," Rowena replied thoughtfully, "but it feels real to her."
They continued to watch Hermione in silence as she, now wandless, used her sword and the Sister's bladed whip in conjunction with her magic, struck down her adversaries, sometimes two and three at a time, without breaking a sweat. Ginny's mouth slowly fell open as she watched, her wife's movements showing a grace she hadn't thought possible. As she caught a glimpse of her face, however, she found herself chilled.
"She's enjoying this," she said, awe clear in her voice.
"She's been holding back for fear of hurting someone," reasoned Rowena.
"Because she already has," Ginny thought with a shake of her head.
Hermione stood, the ground around her scattered with dead bodies and body parts, her shoulders heaving slightly from the effort. She looked up slowly and met Umbridge's terrified stare.
"You think you can scare me?" she said quietly, the silencing charm dropping so Ginny could hear. "This," she gestured around her, "this is what I have to look forward to." She laughed. "This? This is where I came from." She walked up to Umbridge, stopping when they were at eye level. "We were tasked with the protection of magic herself." She chuckled again, the sound chilling as it held no humour. "Do you honestly think the petty concerns of the ministry mean anything to us?" She shook her head. "You?" She took a step closer, the bound woman doing her best to melt into the tree behind her. "You are a bug." She stepped closer. "Nothing more than a hurdle barely high enough to bother jumping." She paused for a moment. "A distraction we don't have the time for." She glanced over her shoulder at a chuckle from the other side of the clearing, Umbridge's eyes somehow growing even wider in fear. "That is what we face." She shook her head. "And you're practically dying in fear."
Hermione turned to face Tom Riddle, the two walking towards the middle while never breaking eye contact. Hermione sheathed her sword and threw her whip to the side. They stopped, Riddle raising his wand to chest level while Hermione conjured matching balls of white flame in her hands.
"You don't scare me either," she growled.
Ginny could barely follow their movements, spells and counterspells flying so quickly they began to blend. Quickly, however, it became apparent that Hermione held a clear advantage. While Tom stood turning on the spot futilely, Hermione circled him, casting her spells and then moving before Tom's spells could reach her.
"How accurate do you reckon this is?" she asked Rowena.
Before Rowena could answer though, their attention was drawn from a yell of frustration from the dueling pair.
"What's the matter, Tom?" Hermione taunted as she summoned the wand from his hand. "Feeling your age?"
"What are you?" he panted out.
"Younger," she said as she withdrew her sword, "faster," she walked towards him and forced him to his knees magically, "and far more powerful," she placed the tip of her sword to his chin and forced him to meet her eyes, "than you will ever be." She tilted her head; "You told Harry once that there is no good or evil, only power and those too weak to seek it." She leaned towards him. "You will never understand the strength it takes to not use the power forced upon you." She shook her head. "Not that anyone but we can understand." She replaced the sword's tip with a finger and forced him back to his feet. "You've already lost and you don't even know it."
Ginny felt the wards fall and checked the time.
"That was quick," she joked as she walked towards Hermione.
The scene faded around them as she drew close, Hermione watching her approach warily.
"Feel better?" Ginny asked as she reached out and rubbed Hermione's arm.
"Is it time already?" Hermione deflected as she sheathed her sword.
"We've got about an hour." She took her hand. "C'mon, you need a shower and something to eat."
"Gin," Hermione pulled her to a stop a few feet from the door, "are you okay?"
"With," she motioned behind them as she pulled her along, "all that?" Hermione nodded. "I'm impressed."
"Impressed?" Hermione chuckled, tension seeping from her.
"And encouraged," Ginny laughed. "If we're all capable of that?" She shook her head as the door opened and they exited across from their quarters. "They won't know what hit them."
"It's easier alone," deflected Hermione as they entered their quarters, "it'll be trickier when there's more of us." She shrugged. "I don't know that we'll need it."
"True," accepted Ginny as she led them to the empty table, "but wouldn't it be better to be able to than not?"
"Perhaps," Hermione sighed as she sat, "but it's low on the priority list."
Hermione took a deep breath and turned to Severus and her father. "Stay here," she directed as she handed her father the speaker Nym had made. "This will let you listen without having you bothering me," she explained. "If there's something you need to know, I'll let you know." She squeezed Ginny's hand. "Gin's going to find what she can while I try to find out what she knows." She held up her hand as her father went to interrupt. "Stop," she sighed. "I wasn't planning to use my gift unless needed or she gives me the opportunity." He nodded slowly. "And Luna and Fleur are going to help me temper my anger." She smiled at Daphne and Nym. "I may need to draw on your magic at some point." they nodded and Daphne disillusioned herself.
"Be careful," Albus said as he squeezed her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she glanced at the classroom door, "you can learn a lot from the questions that are asked." She looked back at him and smiled. "The best part is, she'll think I'm under the influence of truth serum and she won't get the chance to share any information she gathers." She kissed Ginny's cheek before she vanished completely. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" Ginny squeezed her hand in reply. "Enjoy the show."
She and her sisters made their way through the classroom, Hermione's heart racing faster than her footsteps with every step she took.
"You'll be okay, love," Ginny assured her as she let Hermione's hand go so she could knock on the door.
"I know," she replied and smiled as Ginny kissed her cheek, "I've got you with me."
"Always," Ginny replied as Hermione knocked.
"Come!" Umbridge called.
Hermione took a deep breath, opened the door, and was greeted by the crying, meowing and purring of more than a hundred decorative plates, each with its own kitten.
"Oh, for the love…" Hermione thought but trailed off as each kitten stopped what it was doing, silence blanketed the room and they all turned to sit and look at her. "Act normal! But quietly!" she instructed, all of the kittens resuming what they'd been doing as Umbridge turned to examine them.
She looked back, her eyes squinted and demanded; "Wand!"
"I beg your pardon?" stalled Hermione; she expected Umbridge would find an excuse to look at it, she hadn't planned on giving her a reason.
"Wand," she repeated, a little more calmly, "I wish to see your last spell."
"Oh," Hermione chuckled, "if you insist."
She made as much noise as she could to help hide her coven's movement as she pulled her original wand from its holster and handed it to her. She felt Ginny move towards the desk while the others went to stand out of the way near the edge of the room.
She suppressed a chuckle as three small bright wolves burst from her wand, and chased each other around the room, stopping and growling at several of the kittens before slowly fading.
"You seem surprised," Hermione commented as she held her hand out for her wand. "It's much less difficult than producing the charm without words or a wand," she reasoned. Umbridge regarded her before, albeit reluctantly, returning her wand. "You doubt my abilities?" she asked.
"You are, how old, Miss…"
"Stop," Hermione interrupted with a sigh. "Just stop." She held up her hand. "Can we, for this detention," she shook her head. "Perhaps you can just use my name? First or last, I don't care, but this passive-aggressive tug of war where I refuse to call you Professor and you refuse to use my legal name," she lowered her hand, "it's exhausting, isn't it?"
"Agreed." Umbridge motioned to the chair in front her desk. "Please, sit."
"Interesting," commented Ginny.
"Indeed," Hermione agreed.
"Tea?" Umbridge offered as she moved behind her desk.
"I…" Hermione stuttered as she sat. "Yes, um, please," she chuckled. "Thank you."
"Milk?" Hermione nodded. "Sugar?" She shook her head. She gave it a quick stir and slid it over to Hermione. "Something amusing?"
Hermione smiled as she reached for the cup and took a sip, the effects of Cara's potion washing over her as she swallowed. Her mind seemed to both slow and grow clear, the unique effect a result of the combined liquid luck and Cara's calming potion.
"Well," she began as she straightened and took another sip before placing the cup back in its saucer, "I assumed I would be doing something like," she glanced at the jet-black quills to her right, "lines or something."
Umbridge sat back in her chair, her hands folded in front of her, her wand within easy reach.
"Next detention, perhaps," she replied. "I thought, Hermione, clearing the air might make those detentions more," she cocked her head, "productive." She leaned forward slightly. "Now, how old are you?"
"Surely you already know," she replied and took another sip of her tea. "I mean, do you not have access to my records?" Umbridge nodded. "I suppose," she hummed, "technically," she took another sip of her tea before putting it down, "I am at least a few weeks older than that due to the use of a time-turner in my third year. Which, of course, I'm sure the ministry is also aware of." She raised an eyebrow. "So, to answer your question; I'm not sure but it is my sixteenth birthday in a couple of weeks." She mirrored the angle of the older woman's head. "Why do you ask?"
"You seem very magically advanced for someone so," she straightened her head, "young."
"I read in my spare time," she replied dryly. "Not to mention being entered into a deadly tournament against a witch and wizard years older than me?" She shrugged. "You can hardly blame me for learning everything I could."
"No," she conceded with a frown, "I suppose I can't." Hermione drank the last of her tea to give Umbridge time to consider her next question. "You still maintain that you did not enter yourself?" Hermione nodded. "And that you were entered by a man who was reported dead many years ago?" She nodded again. "Why?"
"Well that's the question, isn't it?" Hermione replied. "I'm not sure." She shrugged. "His boss needed Harry, I can only assume he thought I'd be better able to help Harry if I were competing alongside him." She let that sink in. "I mean, I still would have helped him." She shook her head and looked off into the distance for a moment. "Or maybe he thought I'd go with Harry and he could get rid of us both." She looked back at her. "Honestly, I have no idea." She smiled. "I can tell you, none of us wanted to be in that damned tournament."
"And you can speak for Mr Krum and Miss," she cleared her throat, "Mrs Lovegood?"
"I can," she answered simply.
"Were the four of you colluding?"
"Colluding?" she chuckled. "You make it sound like we had any motive other than survival."
"Survival?" she questioned sceptically.
"When was the last time you fought a dragon?"
"I…"
"Or met with Merpeople?" she asked, ignoring Umbridge's interruption. "Or dealt with a half dozen obstacles like in the damned maze?" She leaned forward. "Or fought the most powerful dark wizard since Grindelwald?"
"Lies," Umbridge hissed.
"Really?" she countered calmly and pointed to her cup. "Have any more tea?"
"I thought Potter fought him alone?"
"So you do know the story," she said thoughtfully. "Rumors, I expect." She met her eyes. "Yes, Harry was alone with him in the graveyard, but if I'm being honest, he wouldn't have stood a chance without all the training we did last year. Ironic, really."
"Ironic?"
"Tom wanted him in the tournament and by doing so, gave him the best chance to hold his own."
"Tom?"
"Surely you read Rita Skitter's article?" Umbridge nodded slowly. "It's all true." She shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."
"Strange indeed," she echoed thoughtfully and sat back in her chair. "What is your relationship with Albus Dumbledore?"
That question surprised them.
"The headmaster?" she replied, stalling for time. On the one hand, there was little harm in telling her the truth. By the time she could share the news, chances were, it would no longer be news. On the other hand, she'd hate to think Umbridge might believe her strength was only due to her father. "I suppose we're closer than a typical student and headmaster, but then, I'm close to Minerva as well."
"And why is that?"
"Harry."
"Potter?
"Again, Dolores, I would assume you're aware of his," she laughed slowly, "many adventures, in his time here." She regarded her. "At the very least, what Fudge has told you." She shook her head. "We've been through a lot, me and Harry, it seems to me, it would be negligent of the headmaster and our head of house to not take a special interest in us, wouldn't you agree?" She rubbed her temple while she waited for an answer. When she realized none was coming, she prodded; "Ask me your real question, Dolores."
"What are Dumbledore's plans for the ministry?"
"The ministry?" She laughed out loud. "The ministry?" She repeated and gathered herself. "We have no interest in the ministry."
"We? Who is 'we'?" Umbridge almost jumped out of her seat in her excitement.
"You baited her," joked Luna.
"Do you blame me?" she countered. "This is growing tiresome."
"You can rest assured," she said calmly, "that neither we, nor the headmaster, have any interest in the ministry, or the minister, other than their safety." She sat up straight. "We told the minister the truth soon after it happened…"
"After what happened?"
"Tom's return," she clarified.
"Why do you do that? Why do you call him 'Tom'?"
"We've been doing it long before anyone else knew that that is his real name," she shrugged. "Back then, it was safer, not many people knew who we were talking about. Now?" She smiled. "I suppose it's two-fold; it doesn't cause the same reaction as 'Voldemort'," Umbridge shuddered predictably, "and it reminds people he's just a man. A very dark, very powerful, wizard, yes, but still, just a man." She lifted an eyebrow, "May I continue?" Umbridge considered a moment before nodding. "The minister was given photographic evidence of Tom's return, offered testimony from the man who entered us and even a viewing of Harry's memory of the event." She paused for effect. "He refused."
"Rightly so, that Potter not only faced you-know-who but defeated him?" she laughed uncomfortably. "Preposterous."
"Is it, though?" she asked over her dying chuckle. "It wasn't the first time he's defeated him." She shook her head. "That isn't the point. The point is, Fudge was given a choice; help us or stay out of our way." She pointed at her. "Your presence here proves he chose a third option; interference. That," she stood and prompted all but Daphne to reveal themselves, "is something we can't abide by." She summoned Umbridge's wand from her hand and handed it to Ginny to confirm her suspicions. "Your very presence here is putting lives in danger." She glanced at her wife as she handed her back the wand. "Both by refusing to teach the students under your care how to defend themselves," she tapped Umbridge's wand in her hand, "and frankly," she paused as Albus and Severus joined them, "you're risking lives by wasting our valuable time." She pointed at the quills. "If you please, Professor Snape?"
"What…" Umbridge attempted to stand, but found herself bound to the chair. She looked at Albus. "What is the meaning of this?"
"You were suspended the moment you asked Severus for Veritserum," Hermione replied and then laughed at the older woman's disbelief. "What? Do you think he'd risk his career, his home, for you? For the minister?"
"Hardly," Severus replied smoothly as he held his hand out for Umbridge's wand. He inspected it for a moment, waved his own wand over the quills, nodded and then looked up. "There's nothing dark about the quills themselves," he began as he handed the wand to Nym for safekeeping. "They were quite common before blood magic became so," he paused, "frowned upon." He picked one up as he withdrew a blank parchment from his robes. "The quill was designed to painlessly extract the writer's blood, primarily for the signing of blood oaths. However," he quirked an eyebrow, "this quill has had a couple of other spells attached." He looked at Ginny. "You are correct. "It is most definitely her magic." He looked to the, now cowering, woman. "It is not so much the spells themselves," he looked around and then bent to write, "but the combination of the two that is troublesome, and," he looked at Nym, "dare I say, an arrestable offence."
"Severus, wait," Hermione said as she tried to stop him.
"It is quite all right, Mrs Granger," he met her eyes briefly before writing, "I assure you, I know what I am doing." He showed them the parchment and the back of his left hand, the words; 'I must forgive myself', mirrored on both. "A cutting charm combined with a somewhat powerful compulsion charm. I suspect, with every repetition of the words, the compulsion would grow and the scar," he motioned to his left hand, "would cease to heal." He conjured a box, placed the three quills inside and handed them to Nym. "Again, not necessarily dark, however…"
"Could be used for dark purposes," finished Albus. "Thank you, Severus, that will be all." He looked around the room. "Perhaps a change of decor and coat of paint before you take over?"
"I would appreciate that," he replied smoothly, "but, with your permission of course, I'd appreciate keeping the use of my old office as well," he looked around, "I can use this for meeting with students."
"Of course," Albus nodded. He waited until Severus had left before turning to Hermione. "I assume you have a few more questions before Auror Tonks takes her into custody?"
"Now wait just a minute!" Umbridge struggled in her chair.
"I do," she resumed her seat, ignoring the older woman's protest while the others came to stand behind her, Ginny and Luna placing a hand each on her shoulders. She levelled her gaze at Umbridge. "Make no mistake, Dolores, we are in charge here."
"And who, exactly, are you?" she asked, almost timidly.
"I think," Hermione began as she templed her fingers beneath her chin, "that you already know." She held up her hand to stop her protest. "I don't believe that you know that you know." She lowered her hands and leaned forward slightly. "I noticed it the first time you saw our wolves. There!" she exclaimed. "There it is again." She reached a hand to Nym. "Her wand, please."
She examined it closely, tapping into Ginny's gift as she turned to her.
"It never chose her," she said to Ginny's nod.
"Nonsense," Umbridge muttered, "I got it from Ollivander's when I was…" she trailed off, her eyes glazing over briefly. "I…" she shook her head, "I don't understand."
"I'm not surprised." Hermione regarded her. "It isn't the first time we've come across this. Someone who has had memories hidden from them without their knowledge or consent," she glanced at her father, "usually with the best of intentions." She tilted her head. "I can help you, Delores, the question is, how." She let her words sink in. "I could simply take the information from you." She shrugged. "I could have done it at any time and you would not have been the wiser."
"If you can, why didn't you?"
"Aside from the moral implications of using my gift in that way," she replied evenly, "entering someone's mind without their consent, and more importantly, their guidance, well, there's no telling what I might see." She again levelled her gaze at the older woman. "Given the things I've overheard you thinking, I have no desire to entire your mind alone."
"You're a Legilimens," she said, her tone accusatory.
"Not exactly," she replied, "though I suspect those who are most skilled at it share some of my gift." She shook her head. "No, Dolores, I am a Telepath."
"Perhaps the most skilled and powerful I have ever met," Albus added quietly.
"Thanks," she blushed. "All I need to know is: do you want those memories back?" She considered her. "I know what it is like to have more than a decade of memories hidden or altered. Admittedly, when I first found out, I wasn't too happy about it. But, eventually, while I can't say I was happier, I felt more complete." She gave her a moment before continuing. "My goal is to find the newest blocked memory. It's up to you whether you remember it after we're done. Once I wake you, I'll give you time to consider. If you'd rather not remember or not know what the rest of the memories are, I can make you forget them again. If, however, you want to remember, I will place a set of time-delayed blocks so you won't have to deal with all the memories at once. I've seen both happen and the latter is certainly preferred."
"Why?" Umbridge asked after a few minutes.
"Why what?" asked Hermione.
"Why give me a choice?"
"Because I wasn't," she replied. "I can do this without your consent, Dolores, I'd prefer not to." She held up a hand. "It is safer for both of us." She shook her head and sighed; she didn't need Luna's gift to feel the older woman's distrust. "I understand you have no reason to trust me. Honestly, given how I feel about you, that's fair. That being said, I don't wish you any harm."
"You'll only see the one memory?"
"It's the only one I have any interest in." She smiled. "I understand your scepticism, but as I said, we have no interest in the ministry or the minister's plans." She shrugged. "Though I doubt he has any plans beyond sending you here." She smirked. "Unless you want to tell me why he sent you here? Give me no reason to look?"
"How about this," Ginny began as the silence again stretched, "if Hermione doesn't stray from your side while inside your mind, you answer her questions."
"I know you're curious, Dolores, why not let us help you?" added Luna.
"Us?" Umbridge frowned.
"Some of us have unique gifts that aid in the process," started Fleur.
"While some of us have gifts that aren't needed," continued Nym.
"But they lend us their magic to make the process easier," finished Hermione. "What do you say, Dolores? Want to know what that memory is?"
"What is to happen to me after this?" Umbridge turned to Albus and asked.
"Auror Tonks will take you into custody and escort you to a secure holding facility where you will remain until your hearing," replied Albus.
"The ministry?" she asked hopefully.
"No," replied Nym. "I met with Madam Bones this morning and she agreed that the ministry and Azkaban are not secure at this time. Whatever the outcome of Hermione's offer, you'll need…" she looked at Hermione.
"I'm not sure," she replied. "Without any idea of what the memories are, we have no way to predict how they will affect her." She thought for a moment as she regarded Dolores. "At least a week."
"You'll be given a week to recover before official questioning," finished Nym.
"Will I be given special consideration if I cooperate?"
"I suppose that depends on what we uncover," reasoned Albus.
"I will note that you cooperated and did not resist arrest," offered Nym. "Whether that will make a difference or not, I can't say."
Umbridge seemed to deflate; she was caught and at their mercy and she knew it. "What do you need me to do?" she asked meekly.
"Relax and don't resist me," Hermione instructed. "The more you work with me the easier it will be. We'll put you to sleep first and then begin." She smiled encouragingly. "If, at any time, you want me to stop, we will." Umbridge nodded slowly. "Close your eyes, breathe deeply and relax." She watched her follow her instructions while her coven marshalled their magic and gifts. "Everyone ready?"
"As ready as we ever are," they replied.
Hermione closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift into Dolores' mind, finding the older woman almost immediately. As she walked up beside her a memory, not the blocked memory they were looking for but one almost as old, appeared in front of them. An older man, presumably Dolores' father, knelt in front of a young Dolores.
"Now," he said conspiratorially, "normally we'd go to Ollivander's for your first wand, but this wand," he held up the wand they'd confiscated, "was willed to you and should work just as well." He smiled. "Go on," he encouraged, "take it and give it a wave." She did and sent off multi-coloured sparks from its tip. "Well done!" He clapped his hands. "Well done, Lolo," he added as he hugged her.
As the memory faded she gauged Dolores' reaction.
"Ready to continue?" Umbridge nodded.
A new memory formed around them. They seemed at the far end of a short hallway, a door ajar at the end, warm light leaking from behind it. They moved towards it, the sound of muffled voices becoming clearer as they approached.
"Please, mummy," a young girl whined, "one more story!"
They entered the room to find a young, maybe nine-year-old, Dolores tucked into bed, a woman bearing such a strong resemblance to the Dolores they knew, there could be little doubt that she was Dolores' mother, sitting beside her. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table, sighed and then looked back to her daughter.
"Fine," she said begrudgingly, "just one more. Your father," the child frowned slightly, "will be home soon." She smiled. "Which story?"
"The Sisters!" young Dolores exclaimed while clapping her hands.
Hermione listened as Dolores' mother told her daughter the tale of the Sister's origin. While it was not completely accurate, at least from what they knew, there was a chance her mother had omitted some of the Sister's more violent tendencies for her child's sake.
"They promised that, one day, when magic is most threatened, they will return," Dolores' mother concluded.
"And we'll recognize them by their wolves!" added young Dolores. "And they'll make it so we don't have to hide from Daddy anymore!"
"That's right," she affirmed as she tucked her daughter into bed, pausing and snapping her head in the direction of the door at the sound of a door slamming shut downstairs. "Damn it," she muttered, "he's early." She kissed her daughter's forehead. "Now, sleep."
The room grew dark as the little girl fell asleep and Hermione was ready to leave until she felt Umbridge's tight grip on her wrist. Before she could ask what was wrong the room again grew bright as the little girl woke. She sat up in bed and looked around, trying to figure out what had woken her when they were all started by a loud crash from somewhere below them. The little girl crept from her bed, slowly down the hall and stairs until she came to stop at the bottom of them.
They, as well as the little girl, tried to make sense of what they were seeing. On one side of the room lay a man against the wall lying so still she doubted he was breathing, his head at an awkward angle. Across the room from him lay Dolores' mother, her face battered and a large red stain on her stomach that expanded as they watched.
"Mum?" the young Dolores whimpered as she rushed to her side.
"Go get your bag, Lolo. The one we keep in your closet. Go on, go get it."
The memory skipped ahead, the young girl rushing back to her mother's side, a small backpack on her back.
"Now, listen," she cupped her daughter's cheek with one hand while, with the other, she pressed her wand into Dolores' hand, "take this, go outside and cast the spell I taught you. You remember the spell?" Young Dolores nodded. "Good girl." She smiled despite the pain she was in. "Don't wait too long, okay? You want the men from the ministry to get here before the muggles do. Okay?" Dolores nodded again, tears streaming down her face. "I love you, Lolo. You might not remember me after tonight, but I hope you remember that." She pulled her down and kissed her cheek. "Now, go, child."
The young Dolores hugged her mother and then ran from the house, not stopping until she reached the pavement. She turned to look at her home as a loud explosion boomed and the house became engulfed in flames. The young Dolores looked at the wand in her hand, pointed it to the sky and muttered a quiet spell, small multicoloured sparks appearing far above her head.
Two pops were heard as their cause, and two severe-looking Aurors appeared on either side of her. They assessed the scene quickly, stunned the child and disappeared with her, the memory growing dark again.
The room remained dark and Hermione could only assume that a young Dolores was pretending to be asleep.
"And you're sure she won't remember a thing?" a man asked in a hushed voice.
"Not a thing," a second man assured him.
"What did happen?"
"We're not sure," the second man replied. "The girl only saw the aftermath. We suspect her mother killed her father out of self-defence and then died, either from the wounds he gave her or the fire, we're not sure."
"Da?" a quiet, somewhat hoarse, voice said as the young Dolores opened her eyes.
"Lolo," a man rushed to her side, "how are you feeling, love?"
"Da? What happened, Da? Where are we?"
"You don't remember?" She shook her head. "You and your Mum came to visit me at work and you wandered off." He smiled. "We're not sure where you got to, but you seemed a little confused when we found you." He gathered her up in his arms. "Come, Lolo, let's find your mum and head home."
Hermione opened her eyes as they retreated from Umbridge's memories and studied the woman behind the desk. "Would you like some tea, Dolores?" She tilted her head. "Maybe something stronger?"
"B.. b.. Brandy…" she stammered quietly and then started as Cara arrived with a glass of brandy for her, and a glass of mead each for the girls and Albus. "Miss Greengrass, when did you get here?"
"I've been here the whole time," she replied with a shrug and a smile at Nym. "I must have gotten so distracted I let my charm fall."
"No," Hermione differed, "I needed your magic and your charm wasn't necessary." She looked back at Umbridge as she sipped her brandy. "You didn't remember any of that?" Umbridge shook her head. "Do you want to remember the rest?"
"I don't know," she replied uncertainly.
"That is your choice," Hermione stood. "You can let us know if you change your mind." She regarded her. "Do you care to tell us why Fudge sent you here?"
"He believes," she sighed, "he believes Dumbledore is attempting a coup and you're helping him by training the students to storm the ministry." She met Hermione's eyes. "He sent me here to spy on you and discredit Dumbledore."
"Of course he did," Albus chuckled.
"Nym and Daphne will escort you to your holding cell," said Hermione as she looked at Ginny. "I don't know about you, but I could use some air." She looked at Luna and Fleur. "We'll see you back in our quarters?" They nodded. "And we'll see you when you get back," she added to Nym and Daphne. She looked back at Umbridge. "Aside from the tale your mother told you, have you ever heard of the Sisters? Rumors, maybe?"
"Not rumors," she replied, "whispers, more like." She shook her head. "They didn't know the whole story. The purebloods were convinced that if they returned they would surely join the dark lord's side. The rest of us? We thought they'd be his greatest threat." She looked up at Hermione, awe dawning on her face as she realized the truth. "You're them! You're the sisters returned!"
"We are," Hermione replied simply. "Rest assured, Dolores, this fight? This fight isn't about us versus the ministry. It's not about us versus Tom. And it's not about us versus the muggles." She smiled. "We have been tasked with something far greater." She took a step closer to her. "Not only are we back to save magic, we're going to save the world."
Nym, Daphne and Umbridge travelled via floo to Gringotts a few minutes later, the older witch showing little resistance.
"But this," she looked at Nym, "Why are we at my flat? I thought I was meant to be taken to a holding cell."
"That can certainly be arranged, Madame Umbridge," Gringott informed her as he entered the room. "We thought this would be more comfortable."
Umbridge shrank back in distrust and fear, her prejudice despite her exhaustion, on full display.
"Dolores, this is Director Gringott," Nym informed her. "He and his men have painstakingly recreated your flat for your comfort. You will show him the respect he deserves."
"It's quite all right, Miss Tonks, I am more than accustomed to this sort of reaction." He smiled, something Nym, even though she knew of the goblin's kind nature, still found unnerving. "We have worn our masks well, after all."
"Be that as it may, Director," replied Nym, "she is your guest and far more comfortable here than she would be in a ministry holding cell or Azkaban." She looked back at Umbridge. "The least you can do is treat him with respect."
"Of course," she replied meekly, "my apologies."
"I do, Madam Umbridge, beg your forgiveness. You see, to replicate your flat and bring some of your personal belongings here, I had several elves attend your flat." Umbridge nodded. "Should you require anything in the way of food or drink, an elf will attend to it." He turned to Nym. "If I can have a moment of your time before you leave?" he turned to Nym and asked.
"Of course," Nym smiled, "but only for a moment. It's been a long day."
"Understood." He gave Nym a nod and turned to Umbrdige to do the same before leaving.
"Any questions?" Nym asked Umbridge.
"Why show me kindness?"
"I'm sorry?"
"This," she motioned to the flat. "Offering to restore my memories…" she shook her head. "Could she do that? Hermione? Have taken them without me knowing?"
"Yes," she replied. "And while you have every right to be afraid, I suggest you consider this; we could change everything to our vision with little effort and not even that is the scariest part." She smiled. "We could do it without anyone the wiser of what we'd done." She transformed into a perfect copy of Umbridge. "Could have just replaced you at Hogwarts." She shook herself back to herself. "Not that I wanted to."
"Is that why you never suggested it?" joked Daphne.
"I don't think I could bring myself to act that hateful all the time," she replied seriously. "Besides, it would be counterproductive. We want the students to be able to defend themselves. It's not like I could, as her, suddenly decide to teach them."
"True," Daphne chuckled.
"Miss Greengrass?" Umbridge got their attention. "I do apologize for what happened, for what I did today. I didn't mean to…"
"Put my life in further danger?" Daphne finished for her. "I know." She shrugged. "You were testing Hermione."
"I…"
"I don't think you knew you were," she qualified. "I'm not sure you knew what would happen. But the bottom line is, it wasn't about me. Aside from the blatant misgendering, that's what pissed Hermione off. That you tried to use me to get to her."
"You needn't worry, Dolores, Daphne is very well-protected." She smiled. "There's nothing my coven wouldn't do for the people they care about." She put her around Daphne and pulled her close. "Unless you have any more questions?" Umbridge shook her head. She looked back at Daphne. "Shall we see what Gringott wants and head home?" Daphne nodded. "Good night, Dolores, enjoy your accommodations."
They went out to the hall to find Gringrott pacing.
"Miss Tonks," he said urgently, "it's about Mr Wessley."
"Bill?" She scoffed at his nod. "What about him?"
"He wishes a meeting with the council."
"He wants to appeal his sentence?" she guessed and he nodded again. "I'll pass the message on to Hermione but you should advise him not to hold his breath."
"I will do that," he chuckled and glanced at the door. "Will she be okay?"
"She will," sighed Nym. "Not that I care." She shook her head. "She'll likely ask for us in the next few days, let us know?" He nodded. "Thank you Gringott."
Hermione took her wife into her arms and apparated them outside. She stepped away, held out her arms, took a deep breath of fresh air and then sang happily; "Ding, dong, that witch is gone!"
"Sun?" Ginny started as she took her hand. "Where are we?"
"Above our quarters, I suspect," she replied thoughtfully as the two took in their surroundings. "Hogwarts keeps surprising us." She smiled, kissed her cheek and then whispered into her ear. "But that isn't why I brought us here."
"We're not alone," surmised Ginny and then frowned. "But, it can't be."
"Oh," Hermione chuckled as she took her hand and led her towards a large fire at the far end of the large terrace they found themselves on, "but it is." As they neared the fire a cloaked figure appeared on the other side of it, warming their hands. "I know the 'who'," she said calmly as they approached. "I'm even pretty sure I know the 'how'." She tilted her head as the figure lowered their hood and met their eyes. "The question is; why now?"
Author's note: I won't apologize for the three years it took to get you all the next chapter. I'm afraid my life started going sideways back in 2020 and is only now starting to make sense again. Aside from not having the headspace or the time for writing, I had a dying laptop to contend with. While my life still doesn't make complete sense, I was finally able to replace my laptop and while I may have only started physically writing a week ago, I have been planning the rest of the story for the last six months or so, so while I can't promise you scheduled updates, I do hope to finish this story by the end of the year.
As for the cliffhanger? While I don't know when the next chapter will be written and posted, I can promise it won't be another three years. Welcome back and thanks for reading.