The Falling
Darkness Rising

Chapter Two: Life Lessons

Harry awoke to the familiar fragrance of Hermione's favorite shampoo, Lavender Rain. She was pulled tight to him as though she might fall if she let go. He both enjoyed and was troubled by this now common feeling. It was wonderful to think that you meant that much to someone and it was troubling to think that someone that he had always looked to for support was now so insecure.

Harry gently eased away from Hermione; allowing his pillow to take his place. He stretched as he got up and looked out his bedroom window of Black Palace to see that another beautiful fall day was coming to life in the Scottish Highlands. He looked back down at Hermione and wondered what it was that was making his 'rock' so unsteady. He knew that the loss of her cousin was devastating, but this change in behavior had manifested itself before her cousin's death. 'Could she possibly be this shaken by Dumbledore's death?', Harry pondered.

It had been two weeks since they had discovered the lifeless body of Hermione's cousin at Grimmauld Place with that disgusting message written in blood. That night they had vowed to make the Death Eaters pay. The trouble was that since that night, not one Death Eater had showed his or her face in public. Many within the Order and the Alliance, including Harry, had expected Voldemort to go on a destructive rampage across all of Britain, now that Dumbledore was no longer a threat. Instead, Voldemort had decided to allow his witches and wizards of influence to attempt to persuade the Ministry into believing that he wasn't that much of a danger to the Wizarding world. It was a very political move, and it seemed to be working.

Madam Bones was receiving strong push back from the Wizengamot to soften her stance on Voldemort. They were under the persuasion that there were much more critical issues to focus on, like legislation banning the sale of all objects and books that fell into the gray area between light and dark magic. The Wizengamot lobbied that the removal of such objects would prevent the rise of future Dark Wizards. She had argued that this was a futile effort as Lord Voldemort was an old Dark Wizard that had returned, not a new creation due to weak restrictions.

Harry saw this as proof of total corruption within the Ministry of Magic. Sirius pointed out that similar legislation had been attempted many years ago, but was overruled due to the fact that defensive spell books and objects could also be classified as gray. Mad-Eye had sighted that it was probably a way to weaken the whole of Magical Britain, thus creating a defenseless class of citizens.

Harry quietly got dressed, so not to wake Hermione, then slipped downstairs to the kitchen to find Cassie and Sirius sitting at the kitchen table. As with every other room, the Black Palace kitchen was twice the size of the kitchen at Grimmauld Place. Large copper kettles hung high above the table, magically suspended in mid-air, while many golden candle fixtures lined the walls providing an iridescent glow to the room.

"Come to me, oh nectar of the gods." Sirius cooed as Cassie handed him a fresh cup of coffee.

"Go a little easier on the fire whiskey at night and you might not need to drink a cauldron's worth of coffee every morning." Cassie sniffed as she gave Sirius a sideways glance.

Sirius grumbled, "You drink your morning tea while I down the house's supply of coffee and we'll both feel better."

Harry didn't want to disturb Cassie and his godfather, but before he could slip back out Cassie had already caught sight of him.

"Morning, Harry," Cassie said, smiling as she sat down at the table, sipping her cup of tea.

Harry stood in the doorway, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry. I didn't know anyone was up."

"No worries, lad," Sirius said, grinning a little too broadly. "You're not disturbing anyone. We were just up early to see the Grangers off. They have some business they need to tend to and Lupin was more than happy to escort them with Kingsley."

"If by happy you mean that Lupin wasn't growling, then yeah," Cassie interjected.

"Oh," Harry muttered. "I wasn't aware that they were leaving."

Sirius smirked at Harry over his cup. "Neither was Hermione. They stopped by her room to say bye, but found the door enchanted shut."

"Oh, um, well she hasn't been sleeping well since Dumbledore's death and—" Harry stumbled over his words.

"Listen, I think that the Grangers would agree with me that as long as we're not grandparents for a long, long time—"

Harry's eyes went wide when he realized where the conversation had headed. He felt faint at the thought of Mr. Granger suspecting him of having a physical relationship with Hermione. Wizard or not, he didn't fancy having to defend himself from Mr. Granger's wrath.

"Sirius!" Cassie snapped, interrupting Sirius' words of wisdom. "I'm sure that Harry and Hermione are quite responsible. I think it's also only fair to point out that only we suspect them of being intimate before Harry has a bloody heart attack."

Harry found himself leaning against the kitchen table, though he could not remember crossing the floor to it. Why he had not noticed was clear. Images of having to stun Mr. Granger in order to prevent him from trying to snap his neck like a twig had been racing through his mind as they spoke, rendering him completely distracted.

"Coffee, lad?" Sirius asked, pointing to the pot on the stove and attempting to look innocent.

Harry squinted at his godfather. "No thanks—Snuffles."

"Snuffles?"

"An affectionate name Harry, Ron and Hermione gave my dog form last year so that they could reference me in public."

"Cute," Cassie smirked before returning her attention to Harry. "Now Harry, for reasons beyond Snuffles trying to embarrass you, we're glad that you're up so early."

Something between a scowl and a frown crossed Harry's face. "Really? Why?"

Sirius stood up, sat his coffee cup down and straightened his robes before doing his best Lucius Malfoy impersonation. He swept around the kitchen table, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, causing Cassie to roll her eyes.

"Cassie and I, being your future Professors, believe that you need to learn how to better control your wandless magic before you return to Hogwarts," Sirius quipped in his most regal tone. "Seeing that Lord Faceless and his foolish followers have gone underground—this presents us with the optimum opportunity."

Harry grinned for what felt like the first time in a long while. "You two have decided to accept Professor McGonagall's offer?"

"I will be taking my aunt's place as your Transfiguration Professor, while Sirius will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." She could only shake her head at the thought. "Now, about your wandless magic. You have a very unique talent. While many can perform wandless magic—I have never heard of one your age being so strong."

"Hermione thinks that my wandless magic may be so strong because of how I received my scar."

Sirius studied Harry's face. "I'd love to hear Hermione's theory later, as I may have a similar theory. For now, we need to discuss how you're able to do what you do."

"Well, I imagine catching or throwing the object with my hand, then I concentrate." Harry had given it considerable thought over the past few months. "I can also produce a shield barrier."

"Do you already know the summoning and repellent spells?"

"Yeah, I learned them last year while preparing for that bloody tournament."

"Okay, then that makes sense." Cassie looked to Sirius who nodded in agreement.

"What does?"

Sirius withdrew his wand, twirling it in between his fingers. "Harry, you're probably reciting the spells subconsciously even if you're not aware of it. Really good duelers do this a lot while using a wand. It's a form of non-verbal casting."

"Does this mean that I might be able to perform other spells?"

"It might be possible for you to perform some transfiguration spells and jinxes in addition to what you can already do, but I doubt that you'll be able to do any hexes or curses."

"So, lad, are you ready to do some testing?" Sirius smirked as though he knew the response.

"Why not," Harry replied, earning a slap of approval from his godfather.

Harry followed Sirius and Cassie into a large room. Sirius explained that the room had been designed for Muggle fencing and for Wizard dueling. "The boys", as Cassie addressed them, would square off while she helped coach Harry.

They started off slow, testing the differences in how Harry had been performing wandless magic up to now and what he could do when he focused on the actual spells. The difference was undeniable. Harry's summoning, repellent, and shield charms were ten times more powerful when he focused on the casting and not the effect. He also found that he was capable of producing a wandless stunner. This amazed Cassie and delighted Sirius—despite being thrown into the far wall by Harry's Stupify.

Next, they tried other spells. To everyone's surprise, the full body bind worked on the first try while Expelliarmus did little more than, "wiggle Sirius' wand", a comment that Cassie soon regretted.

"If you two are finished acting like children, then we need to talk." Cassie said in her best impersonation of her aunt.

Harry and Sirius snorted as they attempted to sober up.

"Just a bit of tension released, love. Let's sit and talk."

"Now Harry," Cassie began, taking a seat "you realize by now that you and the Alliance will be forced to attend Hogwarts with the children of those that you just fought at Hogwarts and the Ministry."

"I'm quite aware. I'm also aware that murdering them on sight is against the rules. I've been dealing with Draco for many years and he's still breathing."

"Glad that you understand that, lad, but I don't think that was where Cassie was heading."

Cassie's face hardened. "Spies, Harry. Now, more than ever before. If it wasn't apparent before, it is now that you and your Alliance are a threat to Voldemort's plans. You've gone from nuisance to menace. Your every move will be watched heavily. Think of it as Umbridge times a hundred."

"Speaking of Umbitch … any word on her?"

"The Ministry hasn't been able to find her, nor has the Order. You really did a number on her, lad."

"I can't take any credit for that. Fred, George and Ron masterminded that—and I really don't think that they expected the result to be permanent."

"Either way, she has completely flipped her nut. With her on the loose, she's another issue that must be dealt with."

The three sat in silence for a moment, Harry feeling winded and hungry.

"For now," Sirius continued, changing the subject "I'd say that you've probably worked up a mighty hunger. Let's go see if Kreacher and Dobby are working us up some grub."

"Kreacher is up and about?"

"Been up for a couple of days now, but Dobby has refused to let him do anything. I heard Kreacher mutter something about putting Dobby on a stick last night, so I suggested to your young house-elf to let Kreacher help this morning."

Harry grunted at the sound of Sirius referring to Dobby as his house-elf. He was glad that Hermione wasn't around to hear, lest she blow up on the room at large.

Harry stretched, "I need to go check on Hermione."

"You need to eat," Cassie retorted. "I will check on Hermione."

The expression on Cassie's face looked so much like her aunt that Harry did not dare argue.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

Hermione looked around at the vast grassy field as the wind ripped through her robes. She spun slowly in a circle, as though she was searching for something, though what it was she wasn't certain. Clouds gathered overhead, and mountains encompassed the vast field that she was standing in. Slowly, Hermione realized that she was standing in some sort of valley.

Hermione began to walk towards the only break she saw in the mountainous region beyond; the wind now billowing all about her. The closer she got the more tired she felt, as though leaving the valley was draining her strength. She shielded her face against the wind with her robes, willing herself to press on as her bushy hair twisted about her head; marring her vision.

Suddenly, Hermione heard a creaking noise behind her. She spun on the spot, withdrawing her wand as she did, to find an iron gate and a long fence extending in both directions. The vast grassy field was gone, replaced by a shorter field beyond the iron fence; a dirt path leading away from the gate towards the mountains. The weather had also changed, as large snowflakes began to fall, and a northern wind nearly froze her where she stood. She wrapped her arms about herself in an attempt to stay warm; shivering violently.

A noise caught Hermione's attention and she turned around to see trees before her, leafless and baron. Beyond the trees there were rows and rows of grave stones; her footing faltered as she realized that she was standing in a graveyard. She slowly edged closer to the grave stones until she could read the names.

Hermione screamed before covering her mouth with her hands as she began to read the grave markers. Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Ginnevra Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley and Bill Weasley; the names and markers went on as far as she could see. She searched each headstone in horror, reading name after name of friends and people she knew, feeling the urge to vomit. The three names she was searching for weren't there. Harry and her parent's name weren't in the graveyard. They were still alive. She bit her lip as she tried to contemplate what had happened.

A cracking sound behind Hermione forced her from her thoughts and she spun to see what it was; hoping that it was Harry. What she saw wasn't Harry. The cold, red eyes of Lord Voldemort were staring directly at her; glowing unnaturally. She raised her wand but did not strike. Voldemort continued to stare at her, but he did not move.

"Enjoying your handiwork, Ms. Granger?"

"My handiwork?" Hermione repeated just above a whisper. Fear shot through her body.

"Oh yes, Ms. Granger," Voldemort hissed softly. "All that you see here is because of you. If you had never asked Harry to help you, they would all still be alive."

"You forced me! If they're dead … then it's because of you!"

"I never forced you to seek to murder Albus Dumbledore. You chose to do that all by yourself. You should have joined me, Ms. Granger. You and Harry Potter could have stood by my side and ruled the world together."

"Forgotten that I'm a mudblood?"

A sick smile curved his face. "Power can erase any past. One must just be willing to do what must be done."

"How could I possibly join you? What have you to offer me that could ever replace what I've lost?"

Hermione waved her free hand and gestured to the headstones.

Harry's voice ripped about her with the wind. "This can all be undone."

Hermione looked around desperately, but she could not see him anywhere. She took a step backwards. "Wait … this is just a dream?"

"No … not a dream, Ms. Granger. Our futures are set in stone. The only difference is whether you choose to join me. I would rather that you and Mr. Potter join me, but if that is not to be … I will still enjoy watching you kill Harry Potter."

"I will never kill Harry!"

"Oh, but you will! As surely as the sun will rise in the east, you will kill Harry Potter."

"Never!" Hermione screamed as she aimed her wand. "Avada Kedavra!"

Green light burst from the end of her wand as the image of Voldemort morphed before her. Just as the jet of green light reached its intended target, Voldemort transformed into Harry. The green light struck him in the chest and his eyes widened as he fell to his knees before slumping to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Hermione's screams would have wakened Black Palace if it had not been for the silencing charms placed upon Harry's room. She found herself sitting up in the middle of Harry's bed, screaming as she stared up at the ceiling. Hedwig stared at her in shock from inside her cage, looking slightly offended. Out of nowhere, Crookshanks leaped into her lap and began to rub his large head against her chin while purring soothingly. She wasn't aware that he was even in the room. She devised, as she stroked his back with her hand, that the ginger cat had followed her into Harry's bedroom last night.

"It was just a bad dream," Hermione breathed, sweat pouring from her body and soaking her nightgown.

Crookshanks peered up at her with his big yellow eyes as to say, 'Who are you trying to convince?'

Hermione knew that she was trying to convince herself, but it was no use. Ever since she had gone to St Mungo's Hospital and had murdered Dumbledore, she had changed. The guilt of what she had done and the burden of not telling Harry was becoming unbearable. The only thing keeping her from telling him was her fear of what he might think of her. It was one thing for Harry to accept that some unknown person had murdered the Great Git, but what would he do if he found out that it was her?

"Hermione?"

Hermione spun round to see Cassie standing in the doorway. Harry must have forgotten to seal the door after he left. She was mortified to have been found in Harry's room, but at the same time didn't care what anyone thought. Her mindset was more than a bit disturbing to her own self, though she couldn't understand how to change it.

"I came in here looking for Harry."

"It's okay. You don't need to defend yourself to me. I'm not judging."

Hermione dropped her head in defeat. "Is Harry already downstairs?"

"He is." Cassie edged into the room, closing the door behind her. "We were thinking about having some breakfast. Harry was going to come up and check on you, but I told him I'd come up instead."

"My mum and dad up already too?"

Cassie leaned over a little to catch Hermione's eyes. "They headed out this morning with Lupin and Kingsley to run some errands. They stopped by your room, but you had the door enchanted."

"Why were they heading out?"

"Some Muggle business and some family business as well, I believe. They're in good hands with Lupin and Kingsley."

Hermione did not answer, but simply nodded.

"Mind if I sit down?"

Hermione merely shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Hermione, you and Harry have been through a lot," Cassie sighed softly, sitting next to Hermione. "Soon you're going to have to face the same, if not more challenges. Believe it or not, I can understand what you're going through."

"I highly doubt that," Hermione scoffed, feeling a bitterness rising in her chest.

"I know what it's like to be in love with someone that refuses to lay low and stay safe. I chose to fight alongside Sirius and sometimes I hoped that if he was to die that I'd be killed with him." Hermione looked over at Cassie slightly feeling in awe. "I know what it's like to have to convince yourself that you're doing the right thing. I knew in my heart that one day Sirius would do something foolish and I wouldn't be able to stop him. I had imagined that he would sacrifice himself for someone else before my eyes." Cassie's eyes dropped to her knees. "I never imagined that it would be in the name of vengeance."

"Were you mad at him for what he did?"

"Mad? I hated the bloody bastard for being so stubborn and selfish. He put his grief above his love for me. I knew that he and James were like brothers, but it was the idea that I wasn't worth enough for him to stay. It infuriated me."

"How long did it take for you to forgive him?"

Cassie smiled. "All it took was seeing him again. Up until that moment, I hadn't forgiven him. I had felt betrayed and abandoned. Even though I fought relentlessly for years to get him a trial, I was still mad at him. I was even madder when he broke out of prison and didn't even attempt to see me. I became absolutely irrational when Dumbledore cleared his name and he still refused to find me."

"What did you do?"

"I came looking for him and found him in my grandfather's old cottage. I had come to hex him, but instead I ended up staying with him. The moment I saw him again I just could not stay angry. Love is the most powerful magic in the world."

"I'm afraid that I'm going to lose Harry and it will be all my fault!" Hermione cried into her hands, tears flowing down her face.

Before Hermione knew it, Cassie had wrapped her arms around her. It was the first time that she had broken down completely since she left St Mungo's hospital. She was scared what Harry would think if he knew what she had done. She was also tormented with the thought of him dying in battle, her dreams only making it worse.

"Hermione, I cannot guarantee that any of us will make it out of this bloody war alive. I can guarantee that if Harry was to run or to lay low, that bastard Voldemort would hunt him down and murder him. If we fight, we have a chance."

Hermione pulled her hands away from her face and looked Cassie in the eyes. She could see the fiery determination in the older woman's eyes and knew that together they would do everything they could to protect those that they loved.

Cassie smiled, "Let's get you cleaned up then we'll head down and check on the boys. Don't fancy leaving them alone together for too long. If Harry is anything like his father … let's just say that James and Sirius were not to be trusted to their own devices."

Hermione smirked and nodded. She needed a woman to talk to and unfortunately her mother just wasn't the woman she needed. She needed someone who not only understood war, but understood what it was like to be a witch.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

"Wonder what's taking them so long." Harry muttered as he glanced at the kitchen doorway while playing with a piece of sausage on his plate.

"Oh, Cassie is probably just telling Hermione stories about me and what she can expect from the sire of James Potter."

"Sire of James Potter?" Harry repeated, frowning at his godfather.

"For not knowing your father, you're remarkably like him lad," Sirius explained, grunting as he stretched. "Genetics are there even if you don't realize it. You're a mixture of both along with a level of grit that they never had. Probably from living with Petunia and that tub of lard she calls a husband."

Harry felt his mind go blank. He had not even thought of the Dursleys since he had resolved to going to live with Sirius. It was a feeling that he could not comprehend—he was concerned for the Dursleys.

Sirius stiffened at the look on Harry's face. "What's wrong lad?"

"How do blood wards work?" Harry asked, staring at his plate in concentration.

"Blood wards?"

"Yeah. Dumbledore said that the blood wards kept me, my aunt, uncle and cousin safe while I remained at the Dursleys. What happens now that I no longer live there?"

"Bloody hell, lad. The genetics definitely be there. Only your mum could ever care for someone that hated her like this."

"Please answer the question, Sirius."

"Without you there—those wards will be gone soon. Not sure if they were tied to you returning once every school year or if they were tied to Dumbledore's records of where you were being kept."

Harry looked at Sirius in confusion. "Records?"

"There has to be a magical contract if they weren't tied to your return," Sirius replied, scratching his chin. "My guess though is that the wards are tied to you returning. Less chance of someone other than Dumbledore and the Ministry finding out where you were being kept. Unless … they're tied to the Ministry's records."

"Which by now reflect that I am now in the custody of my godfather." Harry's mouth suddenly felt dry.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions, Harry. We can't just go running in. We could walk right into—"

"Into what?" Hermione interrupted, as she and Cassie entered the room.

"Hermione, the Dursleys … my aunt and cousin might be in danger."

"Blood wards." Hermione breathed.

Harry, as always, was amazed at how fast Hermione could catch on then surpass him. He could see her mind tearing through all the possibilities.

"Is there any way that the Order can tell if the wards are still in effect?" Hermione asked, turning her attention to Sirius.

"Dumbledore was the only one with access to the wards surrounding the Dursley home. He must have had some way to tell if they were broken or fallen. Probably one of those blasted toys in his office at Hogwarts. Of course, we would know the moment we approached the house, but at the same time we'll be close enough to be detected by any Death Eater that might be lying in wait … should there be a trap."

Harry removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Hermione, send a message to the Weasleys, the Longbottoms, Viktor, Angelina and Lee. We need them here at once. Cassie, send a message to your aunt. Tell her that we need her to investigate the Headmas– I mean, her office for any object that Dumbledore might have been using to keep an eye on my relatives' house."

"I'll send a message to the Order to be on the ready in case we need them." Sirius did not need to hear where Harry was going with this before darting out of the kitchen.

Hermione dug for her fake galleon then pressed it between her fingers. She closed her eyes to focus on what she wanted to send and to whom. Cassie gave Harry a curious expression before heading for the kitchen fireplace. He could tell that Hermione was worried as she pocketed her fake galleon. She too did not bother to ask Harry what he was thinking; she knew.

Whether it would be considered decent, Harry felt a rush of excitement pulse through him at the thought of a possible encounter. He wasn't seeking to fight but sitting around doing nothing while the Death Eaters walked about free was driving him mad. It was time that they paid for the Longbottoms and for taking Ginny.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

It took only about thirty minutes before everyone arrived at Black Palace, including Mr Lovegood and Luna. Harry wasn't surprised by the presence of the Lovegoods as he knew that they had been staying at the Burrow. Mr Weasley and Ron had insisted that they stay there for their own protection. Harry had kept close tabs on where all the Alliance members had been staying, except for Susan. Susan wasn't keeping in touch with any of the Alliance since her aunt had been named Minister of Magic.

The group had gathered around the large dining room table; Harry taking the head of the table. Hermione was fidgeting nervously with her hands and Harry knew that she was anxiously waiting for her parents to return to the safety of Black Palace. Lupin and Shacklebolt had been sent word to return at once with the Grangers.

"What's going on, Harry?" Bill asked, looking concerned.

"My relatives may be in danger."

"Those Muggle relatives that you live with?" Ron asked incredulously.

"The Muggles he used to live with," Sirius corrected.

"Yeah, Ron. The Dursleys. Now, as Sirius has stated, I no longer call their house home. Just before you arrived Professor McGonagall confirmed that the protection wards faded the moment Dobby left Number Four with the last of my belongings."

"Well … I guess we can't let them die," Ron sighed, sounding disappointed.

"What's the plan, Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked, looking serious.

"You, Bill, Fleur, Sirius, Cassie, Ron, Hermione and I will head to Number Four," Harry rounded off, reciting what he, Hermione, Cassie and Sirius had mulled over several times before the others arrived. "We'll scout the area surrounding carefully before approaching the house. Should anything happen, we can call via the fake galleons for help and Dobby can bring the rest of the Alliance. We cannot risk the entire group falling into a trap."

"What about the Order of the Phoenix?" Angelina asked.

"They'll be standing at the ready. The Ministry is watching anyone that they associate to be with the Order for signs of militia movement. Madam Bones is heavily discouraging any non-Ministry approved movements against Voldemort or his followers."

"Vich means that nothing vill be done. Your Ministry thanked those that came vith me to your Ministry to fight then asked them to leave. I vas only permitted to stay because of my celebrity status. They did not vant to ruffle any political feathers between Britain and Bulgaria."

"Zat tis better zan my people were treated," Fleur huffed. "Zey were practically thrown out of zis country for being part Veela. I was only allowed to stay because of my post at Gringotts."

"I think that it's clear that the Ministry won't be on our side." Harry stood up, bringing the focus of the discussion back to where it should be. "From here on out we must treat the Ministry as a hindrance that needs to be avoided if at all possible. That is why only a small group will be accompanying me to my aunt and uncle's house. The Ministry cannot deny that we should take precautions. If trouble arises, they will have a tough time arguing against us calling for help from our friends."

Fred folded his hands in front of his face. "Just like Hogwarts."

"Same game, different stage." George nodded in agreement.

"Only now the stakes are higher and far more dangerous," Ron interjected darkly.

"Very true, brother mine," the twins said in unison, inclining their heads in Ron's direction.

Harry bit his tongue to keep from commenting on how odd it was to see Ron and the twins in agreement. He wanted to stay on target and felt deep down in his gut that time was of the essence.

"Due to the blood wards of my former residence being no more, I feel that we need to act quickly. While my aunt and uncle may not be the best of Muggles, their lives are still worth saving."

Mr. Granger entered the room with Mrs. Granger at his side. "What's this? Did you just say that your aunt and uncle are in danger?"

Harry could see the immediate change in Hermione at the sight of her parents. She stopped fidgeting with her hands and smiled for the first time since she had entered the kitchen that morning.

"The barriers that protected the house where my aunt and uncle live have faded, leaving them vulnerable to Death Eater attacks. The barriers faded once I moved out."

Mr. Granger spied Harry's guilt. "Not your fault, young man. We'll just have to make sure that they are moved to a safer location."

"We?" Hermione repeated. "Dad, you and mum need to stay—"

"Hidden? Safe?" Mr. Granger interrupted. "Hermione, darling, I'm done with that. This bloody bastard declared war on my family and I'm not about to sit back and wait for him to come calling."

"No offense, Eugene, but you might be out of your depth here."

"No offense taken, Sirius. I remind you though—before I was a Dentist and a father, I was a soldier."

"Dad!" Hermione exclaimed, not seeming to care who else was there. "This is magic! Witches and wizards!"

Harry recognized that Mrs. Granger was standing confidently beside her husband in silence. She gave the impression of knowing something that was yet unsaid.

"Hermione dear, allow me to ask you a question. Do witches and wizards bleed?"

"Of course, they bleed."

Mr. Granger withdrew a pistol from inside his coat. "Then this will do nicely."

Harry had to admit to himself that seeing Mr. Granger holding a pistol with confidence that spoke volumes of experience made him that much more concerned about 'sleeping arrangements'.

"Eugene, that may be good and well, but a Muggle pistol can only hold so many bullets. Witches and wizards can duel for hours on end."

"Don't think that will be much of an issue," Lupin interjected, as he and Shacklebolt entered the room behind the Grangers looking exhausted. "Just finished levitating the last of Mr. Granger's war chests up to their quarters. Has enough to make a stand for several days, judging by the number and weight."

"War chests?" Hermione repeated, looking close to a nervous breakdown.

Mrs. Granger walked over and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "We went to retrieve some of your father's belongings this morning. Sounds like a good thing we did."

"Before you go on about the perils of war, Hermione, let me remind you that for sixty days in the Falkland Islands I was constantly running missions for the British Army. They threw me into the middle of something close to hell and was considered by many an impossible bid. Yet somehow, we won the day in the end."

"One spell can kill you instantly, Mr. Granger," Bill explained, trying to reason with the head of the Granger household.

"One bullet can do the same, young man, if fired by the right person. Now, I might be the nicest man you'll ever meet, but wage war on my family and there will be blood in the streets. Your Voldemort has done just that."

"We could provide him with an enchanted cloak," Fred muttered aloud, thinking hard.

"Won't repel Unforgivable Curses," George added.

Fred scratched his chin, looking up. "But it could protect him from a host of other hexes and curses."

At that comment, Hermione burst up from the table and ran out of the room. Harry started to go after her, but Mrs. Granger placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"You need to stay here. I'll go speak with Hermione."

Harry did not argue. He nodded as he watched Mrs. Granger follow her daughter. He knew that the idea of her father throwing himself into the line of fire would be hard for her to accept.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

Hermione was nearly at the top of the staircase when she felt a hand grasp her arm. She turned to see her mother standing a step below her with a look that Hermione had always associated with being in trouble.

Hermione attempted to wrench her arm from her mother's grasp. "Mum, let go of me."

"I will do no such thing. You will stand here and explain to me what this is all about."

"What is what about?"

Her mother looked more cross by the minute. "That little display just now. You will explain."

Hermione felt like her head was about to explode. She was angry, afraid and confused. She needed to be able to tell someone why, but there was none that she could tell.

"How could you just stand there while Dad parades a pistol about as though he can possibly fight?"

"Hermione, your father was a soldier," her mother replied softly. "He might not look like the type, but before he was your father he was a decorated member of the British Special Forces. After he returned home from the Falklands, he decided that being your father was more important. He tucked away that part of his life and joined me as a dentist. We opened our own practice together as a way to move on." Hermione's mother sat down on the stairs and Hermione absentmindedly joined her. "When we first found out that you were a witch, we were scared that one day we might lose you to this magical world."

"Mum, you and Dad could never lose me. I'll always be your daughter."

"We know that now, sweetheart, but it was a real concern of ours when our only daughter left home to attend a magical boarding school. Then, the dangers of your new world were revealed to us after you were hurt in your second year at Hogwarts. Now, those dangers have come for your father and me. While I might not be capable of fighting against these enemies, I have all the confidence in the world that your father is."

"I thought that I had lost you both," Hermione whispered. "Now that I have you back, I don't want to risk losing you or Dad again."

"If we stay hidden, are you going to stay in hiding as well?"

Hermione did not respond. She knew exactly where her mother was going, and she knew that she was right.

Mrs. Granger accepted Hermione's silence as her answer. "Then the risk is mutual. Just because you have magical abilities and we don't, doesn't make us defenseless."

"I know, Mum," Hermione sighed, looking down at her knees. "I'm just afraid that I'm going to lose you again."

"They caught us off guard. Now, we've had time to cope with what happened and see firsthand how politics work in the magical world—which is no bloody better than our world's."

"Mum!"

"Oh, buck up, dear. I know that I've always pressed you to be dignified, but this is war. Speaking of which, we'd better get back down there. Your father, Harry and Sirius together along with those twin boys without a decent rebuttal present sounds like a recipe for trouble."

Hermione smirked. "I think Sirius left alone too long with anyone is trouble."

Mrs. Granger pushed herself up, brushing off her pants. "Haven't really had the opportunity to talk, but in case you're wondering—I'm not surprised about you and Harry."

"Me and Harry?" Hermione repeated, stumbling slightly as she stood up.

"Oh yes. He's quite like your father, the more I get to know him. We do love the smart hero type."

"Harry's just so … Harry, Mum. It's hard to describe."

"I said the same thing to my mum about your father. Of course, I was watching your father's deployment lifting off for the Falklands while holding you in my arms." She signed dramatically, taking Hermione's hand in hers as they walked down the stairs. "Though I believe at the time my mother's biggest worry was whether her daughter and her granddaughter would ever share the same last name."

Hermione's mouth fell open wide. "Whaaaa?"

"You were a bit of a fragile girl," her mother hummed as they continued to descend the stairs.

"So, when we celebrated your tenth anniversary—"

"It was our eighth. Made no difference to us. We knew that we'd reach our tenth."

Hermione could only blink as she stared at her mother as though she didn't even know her anymore.

"Now really," Mrs. Granger scoffed as they reached the bottom of the steps. "You're off fighting magical 'Dark Lords' and living somewhere above the clouds compared to where me and your dad are, but knowing that you were born out of wedlock leaves you stunned?"

"I've always seen you and Dad as my rocks of strength."

"We still are, angel. Every rock isn't smooth. Some have some rough edges. There is no fairy tale life, dear. That doesn't mean that it can't end up perfect in the end. You just have to find your definition of 'perfect'."

"You always make it sound so easy."

"That's part of being married to your father. Your father has always been 'let's storm the mountain' while I have to be 'let's take the bridge'. Then, we compromise."

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

Sirius clapped his hands together as the Granger women entered the dining room. "Well now, you two look much happier than when you left. That's excellent cause we could use a bit of cheerful right now."

"It's a mother and daughter thing. Why do you need cheerful and where is Eugene?"

Hermione quickly scanned the room but saw nothing of her father. However, there was a new person in the room that she had never seen before. Her mind quickly playing catch-up, she pointed at the stranger.

"There's Dad," Hermione smirked, while continuing to point at the stranger.

Immediately he looked down, held up his robes and muttered, "What gave me away?"

"I've lived in the magical world for over four years, Dad. Besides, our group doesn't just allow strangers to wander in." Hermione immediately turned her attention to Harry. "Don't need an explanation as to why my father is disguised with glamour charms, so don't bother. What I want to know is why you all need some cheering up."

Harry smirked and shook his head, "Not as bad as you're thinking, Hermione. We just decided to send a scout ahead to check Privet Drive."

"Who?"

"Before you blow, Hermione—he volunteered," Harry said, raising the palms of his hands in her direction.

"Dobby!"

CRACK!

The tiny elf appeared in front of her. "Yes, Mistress Harmony?"

"Dobby? If you're here … don't tell me you sent—"

"Before every house-elf you know stands before you," Harry interrupted, "it was Dobby. He has already gone and come back. The trouble is, that my uncle was very friendly to Dobby."

Hermione's mind dropped into Firebolt speeds as she sifted through the possibilities. Mrs. Granger looked lost at this comment. Before Hermione could explain, Sirius stepped in.

"The Dursleys are vial people, Danielle. They treat anyone or anything that they do not understand with bitterness and hostility. This means that either the Dursleys are being held as bait or that they are dead, and the man Dobby met this morning is an impostor."

"Well, we won't know until we get there," Mr. Granger muttered, sliding a magazine into the bottom of his hand gun.

Hermione wanted to sit and argue about her father's decision to enter the fray, but she knew that it would be of little use. She also knew that he was right – they wouldn't know what horrors were lying in wait for them until they got there.

A/N: And we're back. Hope you enjoyed the update. A little solemn, I know, but necessary. War isn't always booms and flashes of light. Those are coming, I assure you. Please review. Not yet beta'd, but it shall be soon. My beta, like me, has been very busy and I will update with the beta'd version when it becomes available. For now, all mistakes are on me.

This Harry is a tad bit more noble than me. Personally, I'd be tempted to leave the Dursleys to their fate. Feel free to PM me and let me know what you'd like to see happen to the residence of Privet Drive. Their fate doesn't weigh at all on the outcome of my story, so let me know what you thoughts are.

UPDATED: 4/10/2018