The dim lights of Pandemonium cast a mysterious glow upon the faces of the group. The private booth cocooned them in an aura of secrecy, shielding their discussion from prying eyes and curious ears. As they gathered in the intimate space, the chandelier illuminated the ebony wooden table, casting shadows that played upon the parchment strewn across its surface. The low hum of distant conversations and the velvet curtains drawn around their booth added an extra layer of concealment.
Hermione, with a determined gleam in her eye, took a moment to survey each face in turn. The subtle contours of her features hinted at a mixture of resolve and concern. The shadows seemed to deepen around her, emphasizing the gravity of her words.
"This is the year," she declared, her voice a measured cadence that resonated with determination, "we are going to find and destroy all the Horcruxes."
The air grew taut with tension as she continued, her words hanging in the dim-lit space like an unspoken incantation. "Things are getting nastier out there, and I, for one, would like to prevent a war from happening."
Evan, his expression betraying an air of indifference, cast a fleeting glance over the meticulously spread parchments that adorned the ornate table. "Which one do we start with? I'm voting the ring," he suggested, his gaze fixed on the elaborate maps and intricate diagrams sprawled across the polished surface. "It's summer; we can plan a trip as an excuse and go for it."
"A not-so-bad idea. We know the cup is in Gringotts, the diary is in Malfoy Manor, the diadem is in Hogwarts, and the locket is still a year away from being hidden in the cave."
"I can acquire the diary. Lucius is married to my cousin, so it won't be difficult to get it. I can ask Kreacher to make a convincing replica." Regulus suggested with a grin, "He won't notice the difference."
"The cup," Barty mused, his furrowed brow betraying a mix of curiosity and incredulity, "how do we even begin to lay hands on it? It's nestled within the Lestrange vault at Gringotts. I mean, it's practically impossible."
"Well, you see, s' not entirely impossible…" Hermione leaned in, a slight tremor in her voice, "I mean, yes, it's incredibly challenging, but it's not beyond our reach. I've done it."
Barty's eyes widened, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. "HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET INTO GRINGOTTS?" he exclaimed, scandalized, unable to fathom the audacity. He fixed an incredulous gaze on Hermione, his disbelief evident in every fiber of his being.
"I posed as Bellatrix Lestrange with the Polyjuice Potion," the brunette calmly disclosed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. A nonchalant shrug accompanied her confession, as if she had just shared an ordinary anecdote. "We managed to escape by scaling a dragon's back that guarded the vault. But," she added, her expression turning serious, "the vault is protected with the Geminio spell."
"You surprise me more every day, cherie," Regulus broke the tension with a hearty laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement and newfound respect in his eyes.
"The cave is going to be the most complicated. It reeks of black magic, as Harry described it. To enter, you have to spill a few drops of pureblood blood."
"Talk about hypocrisy," Evan scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "He's a half-blood and he wants pureblood blood to be spilled. Pathetic."
"In the heart of this cave lies an island where the basin holding the locket rests. But to reach it, one must undergo the hallucinations induced by the potion. Disapparation is futile within its confines, and any attempts at summoning fresh water are useless. This causes people to throw themselves at the surrounding waters, infested with Inferi, ready to pull any intruders into the abyss below."
"This is how I met my end," The younger Black revealed, a gasp escaping from those around him. "The isle is diminutive, capable of hosting no more than two or three individuals at a time. The rest of you will form a protective ring around the island, fending off the infernal Inferi. Those on the island will take turns ingesting the potion, armed with backpacks laden with water bottles. Crucially, when the dizziness or nausea strikes, water must be consumed to try and counteract the effects."
"This time no one, and I repeat no one is drowning, harnesses and spikes will be our lifelines. Each of you will be equipped with these tools to anchor yourselves to the cave walls and the island's surface. If, by any chance, someone finds themselves plunging into the water, this will avoid you being dragged."
Eyes darted between the faces of the assembled group, a palpable tension in the air. Hermione concluded her instructions with a determined gaze.
"Any questions?" she queried, her voice cutting through the solemn silence.
Arabella's questioning gaze swept over the group gathered. "How do we disapparate from there?" she inquired, her tone laced with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
"We can utilize our house elves, can't we? Kreacher will undoubtedly assist us, and I'm certain my father can provide us with another loyal elf if needed."
"Indeed, we each have our personal elves. They are bound to help us. We need only ask."
As the conversation ebbed and flowed, Lucy interjected with a reflective tone, "Guys, let's take a moment to acknowledge that we're one hell of a team. If anyone found out about what we do, they'd probably think we were absolutely insane."
"Frank has received an invitation to join the Order." Alice blurted out.
Lucy, confirming the information, added, "Pete too."
Hermione, a trace of weariness evident in her sigh, contributed, "James, Sirius, and my brother have also been extended invitations.
Evan's curiosity flared, and he raised a discerning eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Lucy. "Hold on a minute, wasn't the whole point not to know who's aligned with the Order and who's with the Death Eaters? Isn't that why the trials received so much media attention?"
"Picture this—a black card adorned with the image of a phoenix. It's subtle, easily overlooked unless you know what to look for. Given what we know about the future, we know for a fact that our boyfriends have been invited to the Order."
Regulus, in his usual sardonic manner, couldn't resist adding his commentary, earning a lighthearted punch from Hermione. "The only prerequisite seems to be having the misfortune of being sorted into Gryffindor and being bloody reckless with absolutely zero survival skills," he sneered, emphasizing the point with a disdainful tone. "You can't deny it, cherie, it's the unspoken truth of the matter."
"Which of us is going to join the Order? I mean Dumbledore's," Arabella clarified with a furrowed brow, the worry evident in her voice. Mia, what should we do if it's proposed to us?"
"It's truly up to you to decide, but let's not forget our solemn oath to the Order of Cain," Hermione chimed in, her voice carrying a sense of responsibility. "I, for one, won't be joining. Dumbledore might extend the invitation, especially with my brother and James likely accepting, but I'll respectfully decline. There's a slight distrust on my part; it's something personal."
"That old prune hasn't done a fucking thing for us. To him, we're invisible, and frankly, he can shove that card up his ass." Evan, with an air of defiance, interjected with a fist bump shared with Regulus. "I'm done with him thinking he can boss us around."
"Luce and I have had a heartfelt conversation about it, and perhaps we're leaning towards considering joining the Order. Our worry lies with our boyfriends," Alice confessed, her voice revealing a mix of apprehension and genuine concern for their loved ones.
"Hey, no one blames you," Hermione reassured them, her voice carrying a gentle undertone. "I'm also concerned about my Sirius, my boyfriend, and my brother. Merlin knows that those three together are a walking danger."
A mischievous grin adorned the platinum haired teen, who, with unabashed enthusiasm, leapt from his seat to envelop the brunette in a tight hug. "She-Devil is now a taken woman, she's cuffed by Potter. Of all the men you had to choose from, you had to choose him?" he teased, theatrically flinging himself onto his best friend's lap.
"That means it's Mia's turn to buy us all a round of butterbeers at Gatsby's," Barty also rose from his chair to tousle his best friend's hair.
Hermione, her arms crossed in feigned exasperation, couldn't help but protest. "Why the fuck is it my turn to pay?" she questioned, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Luce and Alice are also dating Gryffindors, and I don't see her buying us a round of butterbeers."
Regulus shot her a sly grin. "Because you're sleeping with undesirable Gryffindor number one ," he pointed out adopting a mock pout, "You've chosen the worst of them all, if you don't take into account my insufferable brother."
The girl rolled her eyes, frustrated. "I'm not sleeping with James," she denied, the trace of a smirk playing on her lips. "Why don't we talk about your non-existent love life, eh?"
The gray eyed, ever nonchalant, shrugged indifferently. "Can't be bothered."
"I don't date if you know what I mean," Evan quipped as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, earning a swift smack from Arabella.
"You're such a fucking pig," she scolded him.
The platinum Slytherin, draped in an air of confident sophistication, flashed a self-satisfied smile that seemed to sparkle with the sheen of privilege. "You love me, I make your lives more fun," he declared with a silky smoothness."
"Evan, dear, I still don't know how the Muggle police haven't stopped you," Alice declared, her tone laced with playful group erupted into laughter as the aforementioned crossed his arms in mock offense, a pout forming on his features as if wounded by the banter.
The sun hung lazily in the cerulean sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling estate of Potter Manor. The meticulously manicured gardens surrounding the pool area seemed to bask in the warmth, with vibrant blooms nodding in agreement to the gentle breeze that wafted through the air. Remus reclined on a plush sun lounger. His eyes were closed, and his body absorbed the sun's benevolent rays, soaking in the tranquil ambiance.
"For the love of Merlin, will you stop pouting? She's coming," he murmured with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Easy for you to say; you have your boyfriend right here," James retorted, gesturing wildly at said boyfriend, who lay atop Remus with an air of contentment. Sirius, his eyes still closed, responded by lifting his hand and giving James an unapologetic middle finger."My girlfriend is who knows where with her friends." he added, a note of frustration creeping into his voice.
"They're currently in Pandemonium," Sirius spoke with a drowsy drawl, his words punctuated by the rhythmic rise and fall of his breath as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's torso. "Pete went off to fetch Lucy at the entrance to Knockturn Alley. You really need to unwind, Prongs. Your girl's in good hands. Where she is, my dear brother will surely be by her side. No one would dare lay a finger on one of the esteemed scions of the House of Black. They know better. S'all well. Relax."
The azure waters of the pool glistened under the radiant sun as James found a momentary respite from the bustling world outside. His eyes subtly flitted between the crystalline waters and the imposing structure of Potter Manor, each stolen glance fueled by a fervent hope to catch a glimpse of his girlfriend.
Was he being too overbearing, too needy? Yet, he quickly brushed aside these uncertainties, convinced that if he were indeed suffocating their relationship with neediness, Hermione would undoubtedly articulate her feelings. At least, that was the hope that anchored his thoughts.
In the recesses of his emotions, a subtle undercurrent of insecurity coursed through James's being. Hermione was not just his girlfriend; she was a lighthouse in the storm of his uncertainties, a beacon promising a love he wished would endure a lifetime.
He was well aware of the potential dangers associated with being close to the Black family, particularly Regulus. The thought of Hermione being caught in the crossfire due to her friendship with Sirius' younger brother irked him.
Regulus, with his arrogant demeanor and persistent presence, was a constant thorn in James's side. While he trusted Hermione, the lingering smug smirk often directed his way by the younger Black ignited an irrational compulsion within him to prove himself. Each glance, each insinuation of a challenge, fed the flames of an internal fire that blazed with an inexplicable need for validation. Countless times, Hermione had reassured him that he and Regulus were different, and he didn't need to turn everything into a competition, but James couldn't help himself.
Sirius had once suggested that James's only-child upbringing might be the root cause of his reluctance to share when it came to Hermione. As if summoned by his musings, the spell of tranquility shattered with a splash of water across his face. Startled, he blinked rapidly, the droplets catching the sunlight like liquid diamonds. His girlfriend, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, crouched before him, the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement.
"Hey, are you okay?" she inquired. Without giving her a chance to react, a mischievous grin spread across James's face. In a playful retaliation, he seized her arm and, with a swift and fluid motion, tossed her into the pool. The air echoed with her surprised squeal as the water embraced her with a splash.
Moments later, they both emerged from the pool, droplets cascading from their drenched forms. Hermione's curls, once meticulously arranged, now clung to her face, framing the lively spark in her eyes. She shot James a look that wavered between playful indignation and genuine amusement, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she secured her now wet locks into a casual bun.
The Gryffindor glided through the water wearing a playful, innocent smile that betrayed the brewing mischief within. His girlfriend raised a skeptical eyebrow as he drew nearer.
"Nu-uh," she declared, her voice firm but laced with amusement, "I'm not going to kiss you, not after what you just did."
James pouted in response, his lower lip jutting out. His hazel eyes sparkled as he adopted a puppy face, batting his dark eyelashes in an attempt to elicit sympathy.
"Not fair.I haven't seen you all day," he protested, the puppy-dog eyes still in full effect.
A sigh escaped Hermione's lips as she gestured downward, drawing attention to her now-drenched attire. "These clothes were new, Jamie," she whined, a hint of frustration in her voice.
A mischievous grin spread across her boyfriend's face, "You could always take them off," he flirted, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Won't hear me complain."
Hermione snorted, a playful glint in her eyes, and retaliated by splashing water in his direction. "Get your mind out of your gutter, mister," she retorted, her laughter echoing through the summer , James closed the distance between them, his movements fluid as he trapped her against the smooth pool wall. Laughter lingered in the air as he initiated a short but sweet kiss.
Pulling away, he gazed at his girlfriend with adoration, hazel locking onto chocolate. "Hey," he said, the single word carrying a world of affection.
Her response was a warm smile, and she willingly wrapped her arms around his neck. Her hands tangled in his wet, messy hair as she leaned in. "Hey, you," she replied.
"How was your day?" he asked softly, "You left me here all day, third-wheeling your brother and Pads," he teased, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of affection and mock annoyance.
A sly smile tugged at the corners of her girlfriend's lips as he moved closer, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her hips. "Well," she whispered, the word barely audible as she brushed her nose against his, "you'll be glad to know you've got me all to yourself for the next week."
"Oh, I'm ecstatic, Angel. I'm tempted to tie you to my bed and never let go," he teased, his tone playful yet laced with desire.
Her laughter bubbled forth, a melodic sound that made his heart race, and he couldn't help but revel in the music of her happiness. Leaning in, he captured her lips in another kiss, a sweet collision of affection and longing. "I love you," Hermione murmured, her lips grazing his.
A low, husky chuckle escaped James as he savored the moment. "Repeat that again," he hoarsely requested. He would never tire of hearing those words from his girlfriend's lips.
"I love you," she repeated, the declaration infused with sincerity, and he couldn't resist the urge to press her further against the pool wall. Their kisses deepened as the world outside seemed to fade away, just as the intensity of the moment reached its peak, Remus interrupted with a playful shout, his voice breaking through the cocoon of their shared intimacy.
"OI, POTTER, HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM. THAT'S MY LITTLE SISTER YOU HAVE YOUR HANDS ON."
James quickly raised his hands. The movement created a deliberate space between him and Hermione. A playful grin adorned his girlfriend's face as she gracefully stepped out of the pool, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders and back.
"I can't believe you're afraid of my brother," she remarked grabbing a towel, her tone carrying a teasing lilt as she observed the mixture of surprise and apprehension on James' face
"He's your big brother and a werewolf, Angel. A bloody werewolf, and I happen to be dating his little sister. I'd like to stay in one piece and not be Moony's snack, thank you very much." Her boyfriend retorted with a wry smile as he instinctively wrapped her in a protective embrace as she began to towel dry her hair, his touch both affectionate and reassuring.
"And here I thought you were my big, brave Gryffindor," the brunette giggled. James, lowering his head to meet her gaze, allowed a small smile to play on his lips as she took the opportunity to dry his disheveled hair.
"Hey, I'm still your big, brave Gryffindor," he pouted, his playful expression momentarily giving way to offense, "S' just I'm trying to be respectful. You're my girlfriend now, so it kind of changes things a bit. It's bro code."
"Boys," she huffed in mock exasperation, her gaze softening as James pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. He wrapped both arms around her, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety.
The night was enchanting, bathed in the soft glow of countless stars and caressed by a gentle breeze. Hermione sat on the grass looking up to the sky, her mind burdened with the weight of the looming war.
"Hey, everything okay?" a voice whispered behind her. She turned around to find her brother, concern etched on his face.
A silent invitation passed between them as Hermione patted the grass beside her. He joined her, the cigarette in his hand glowing like a miniature star in the darkness. A faint aroma of tobacco mingled with the night air as he offered her one, which she accepted. The siblings sat in silence, inhaling the night air and exhaling tendrils of smoke that dissipated into the darkness.
"I know Dumbledore has offered you to join the Order," Hermione spoke, her voice a delicate murmur in the stillness. "I know Dumbledore has extended an invitation for you to join the Order," she confessed, her head finding her brother's shoulder. His eyes widened with surprise as he took another drag. "Don't look at me like that," she continued, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I come from the future. I know what that card means. In fact, I know he's offered it to Sirius and James as well."
"Are you ever going to tell James?" Remus studied his sister's face intently. He watched as Hermione averted her gaze, exhaling a puff of smoke that dissipated into the cool night air.
"S'not his burden to carry," she replied, her words a mere whisper. "I know what I'm doing. If I tell him, I'll have another person to worry about, and that's not what I need right now, okay?"
"You don't think he can handle the truth, is that what you're telling me? He's stronger than you think; he'd stand between you and an Avada if given the chance."
A bitter smile played on Hermione's lips. "That's precisely why I'm not going to tell him, and neither are you." Frustration welled up within her, and she stood abruptly. She ran her hand through her hair, the strands catching the feeble light, adding to the air of exasperation. "The last thing I need is for James to put himself in danger. If there's anyone who has to survive this war, it's him."
Remus mirrored her movements, standing up as well and crushing the cigarette butt beneath his foot. His gaze held a mix of concern and determination. "What about you, Mimi?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. "If you care about everyone around you, who cares about you? Who is making sure you survive this war?"
"Regulus is," she replied without hesitation, her eyes reflecting a steely determination. "I need you to trust me."
"I insist that you should tell him—Mimi, for the love of God, are you listening to yourself?" The werewolf ran his fingers through his sandy hair, his frustration palpable.
Hermione, her eyes reflecting the scars of past battles, met her brother's gaze with unwavering determination. "I've been through a war before, Remy. I know what I'm facing, you don't," she argued, her voice rising with conviction. "Do you think that in a war everything comes down to good guys and bad guys? Because I have news for you; it doesn't. In a war, there are only two kinds of people: kill or be killed. There are no winners and losers because both sides lose."
"S' not your place to carry all the weight either. What can Regulus do that I can't? Let me—let us help you."
Hermione's emotions oscillated between desperation and mocking as she retorted, "Oh, really? What do you want me to tell him? 'Hey James, I may have failed to mention a teeny tiny thing about myself. Turns out I'm a time traveler, and I come from the future,' is that it? Maybe I'll even make a fucking cake to go with it."
"Mimi, don't—" Remus began, but his words were abruptly swallowed by a startled voice.
"What the fuck?"