"Happy birthday!" The shout woke her and frantically she reached for her wand, panicking when it wasn't there before the words filtered through and she squinted up at her cousin holding her wand mockingly and looking far, far too pleased with himself.
"Frank," she growled menacingly, only making his smug grin widen.
"I warned you she'd be annoyed," Alice sighed from the doorway before holding up a cake as a peace offering.
Grumbling to himself, Hermione shimmed up the bed just as a frantic Remus appeared, gasping, "Got them!" waving a handful of candles at Alice.
Frank and Hermione seemed to freeze at the same moment, watching him with matching looks of confusion that showed the usually absent family resemblance with startling clarity. "You couldn't just conjure them?" Frank checked, watching with no small amount of amusement as Remus flushed.
"Don't be an arse," Alice sighed, "I know you find it hard, but try."
As Frank pouted at his wife, Remus distributed candles, lighting them with his wand, Algie appearing behind him just as they began a loud and off-key rendition of Happy Birthday.
"Make a wish Cousin!" Frank demanded.
She hummed, silently wishing that they got through this without fatalities despite knowing it was a fool's wish before blowing them out. "Cake for breakfast!" Alice crowed, pulling plates from somewhere so she could distribute the cake."
"Chocolate?" Hermione looked up at Remus knowingly.
"Red velvet," he retorted primly.
"So….dyed chocolate then?" she teased, ignoring Frank's unimpressed look when she cuddled back into his side the moment he retook his place in the bed, an amused Alice, perching on the end.
"I don't give a damn what it is, I want this on my birthday," Alice groaned, her empty fork still hovering near her mouth, a look of bliss on her face.
"The boy can choose the cake from now on," Agile agreed magnanimously, half his slice already gone.
"It'll always be chocolate," Hermione pointed out teasingly.
"It's healing!"
She let out a huff of laughter at Remus' pout but did not contradict him.
"Presents now!" Alice declared the moment the cake was gone. "But Augusta and Hector are going to insist you come downstairs for those."
Hermione pouted, "But I'm cosy! And Saul gave me the day off!
"Oh, I'm off too!" Alice replied, "Let's do something! There's that spa on Diagon. We can invite Mary and Cassie. I know Mary's definitely off today."
"There's a Spa on Diagon?"
"Yes, off the second lane on the left. So! Come on, get moving, I'll owl the girls and you get your backside downstairs so all the poor sods working today can get there before their respective bosses come looking."
Hermione groaned as Algie stood, laughing at Alice as she hauled Frank out the door practically bouncing, "She'll be back for you if you don't move you know,"
"I know," she whined.
"Best get a move on then, my girl."
"Don't want to," Hermione muttered into Remus' neck once he'd left. She felt him laughing above her head.
"Unfortunately, some of us do have to work today."
"Yes But I don't!"
"No," he agreed, "But it's rather difficult to move when you're using me as a teddy."
Unseen, she pouted before moving to get out of bed. "For future reference, half seven is far too bloody early to be woken on your birthday."
"Noted, although I feel like I should point out that this is all Alice's fault."
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, "You couldn't have said no?"
"Would you argue with that witch when she's decided something?" He laughed when she had no response, clearly deciding he'd made his point before holding out his arm teasingly, "Shall we then, birthday girl?"
"If we must," she grumbled.
"Happy birthday, dear," Augusta smiled genially at her. Out of everyone in the house, she was the one Hermione struggled with the most but in light of her genuine smile, she silently resolved to make more time to get to know her aunt properly.
"Thank you."
"This is from your Uncle and I," she levitated a beautifully wrapped present towards Hermione, leaving it hovering so it didn't end up on her plate.
"Um thank you." Hermione caught it slightly awkwardly, not entirely sure where to put it now.
"Aren't you going to open it dear?" Augusta checked with a faintly teasing smile.
Hermione flushed, "It's very early to be awake on my birthday," she mumbled.
Across from her Algie chuckled quietly, "You are truly not a morning person are you, my girl?"
"Says the man who didn't notice he was eating an owl treat until after he'd swallowed it two mornings ago," she shot back.
He shrugged good naturedly. "I never said you were the only one."
She huffed slightly sliding back from the table so she could put the present on her knee, opening it to reveal a new wand holster sat on top of a thick winter cloak. She froze hearing Alice's stifled laughter, knowing her sluggish brain was missing something.
"Thank you, they're lovely." she murmured.
"Oh, I'm so glad!" Augusta sounded relieved. "I wanted to get you a more subtle colour but Alice insisted you'd appreciate the red.
Hermione paused, turning that over inside her head before the realisation washed over her and her head snapped up to look at Alice accusingly. "Really?"
At that Alice began giggling uncontrollably, her hand pressed tightly against her mouth as if she could hold it in. "I fear we've missed the joke," Hector interjected looking at her pointedly.
"I ah…muggle fairytale." At her side Remus seemed to tense before letting out a groan, glaring at Alice.
"Little red riding hood? Really?"
Alice was gasping, managing to wheeze, "And the big bad wolf!"
Finally getting the gist of the joke, the rest of the table tried to hide their smiles. "Well," Agusta began bracingly. "I…well."
Hermione's head thunked onto Remus' shoulder when it became clear her aunt had no idea how to finish that sentence despite her clear amusement, "I don't like any of them," she whined, only adding to their mirth.
Two hours later, Hermione found herself being tugged down Diagon Alley by Alice. The rest of her presents had thankfully been less contentious than her cloak, books on obscure magic alongside a delicate gold bracelet from her father, clothing from her cousin and Alice, Saul had sent her something so obscure Hermione had no idea what it was, although she thought it might be a puzzle, her grandparents had sent her squashy cream winter wear she knew immediately was homemade. It was enough to make her cry; her grandmother had gifted her something similar every year she could remember. Alongside it, they had sent a collection of Jane Austin's works. Her Uncle had sent her a book on advanced duelling techniques and a tiny portable foe glass disguised as a compact mirror. Severus had sent a hair potion that she was going to hex him for and a bottle of perfume he had obviously concocted himself and had made her cry for the second time because of the thought that had gone into it, alarming Remus to the point of almost panicking. Remus who had very shyly given her a delicate waterfall necklace with moonstone and sapphires that made her eyes widen as he stuttered something about protection charms and real wages and Lily and Alice's influence. Frank had been visibly unimpressed when she had kissed him just to get him to stop.
"Oh! There's Mary!" Alice exclaimed, moving quicker until Hermione had to almost jog to keep up with her longer strides. "Cassie is working. She made me promise to arrange another day because she's furious she's missing this."
"Liss! Birthday girl!" Mary cried upon seeing them, wrapping them both in a tight hug before grinning at Hermione. "Now I have your birthday present here. I'll give it to you at lunch, I wouldn't want to traumatise the elderly."
With that slightly worrying announcement, she ushered them down a side street and into what was clearly the spa.
The welcome witch smiled at them as they approached the counter. "Have you been before ladies?"
"We have," Alice gestured between herself and Mary, "However it's this one's first time."
The witch's smile widened as she handed cards to them, focusing on Hermione, "Well then you're in for a treat, pick the services you want by touching your wand to them and I'm sure your friends can show you where to go."
Hermione hummed, thanking her as she read down the list.
"Right, individual or joint treatments," Mary demanded as they sat down.
"Joint treatments?" Hermione checked.
"Well if we wanted to stay together.
"Oh," she murmured contemplatively.
"I vote for joint." Alice decided. "It's Hermione's birthday and she has no idea what she likes so we could try a few things and then if there's anything you love you can come back."
"Why not? I've never been to a spa in my life."
"Never!" Mary gasped. "Merlin, we need to change that. I think we should make this a monthly day out! We all work hard, we're independent, financially stable…ish women! We deserve a treat!"
Hermione gave a huff of laughter, "Sure."
"Excellent! We'll make sure Cassies off next time." she paused. "What about Lils?"
Alice darted a look at Hermione who had tensed not seeing a way out. "Maybe?" she murmured. "It's been quite full on since I arrived. What's she like?"
"Lily?" Mary mused, "She's…kind. But she's stubborn with a temper like you've never seen before. She's stupidly clever, especially with potions. I think she had wanted a potions mastery but she ah…changed her mind."
"Because of Severus?"
Mary shrugged awkwardly. "They were friends for a long time but he was hard to like in school."
"I can imagine he was," she agreed.
"So how are you friends?" Mary blurted.
Hermione smiled faintly, "Because he's funny. And he's sarcastic and he can keep up with me. And…he needed someone who gave a damn. He spoke about Lily."
"He did?" Alice blurted.
"Yeah. I gather it was complicated and he certainly doesn't blame her for cutting him off."
Mary hummed, "Sounds like he's grown up."
"The realities of your bad decisions will do that won't they?" Hermione mused softly.
Mary froze, blinking at her. "I don't know what to say to that," she murmured finally. "You…you know what he's done and you're not making excuses but you….like him any way?"
"I doubt I would if he was continuing down that path," Hermione replied slowly, "But he desperately wants out, he knows apologies can't fix everything and, from what he's said, he's not yet done something unforgivable. In truth he's desperate to avoid it."
"That's…reassuring," Mary murmured, looking thoughtful.
"Indeed, and…look I know she's your friend and I only have one side of the story, but…I understand that he apologised repeatedly and she refused to consider it. Which is entirely her right but given that she did forgive and eventually married one of the wizards who bullied her supposed best friend…"
"Well fuck," Mary muttered, "I never considred that."
"Sirius and James were particularly awful to him at school," Alice admitted slowly. "That incident after OWLs."
Mary paused, exhaling slowly, "Gods, that was bad wasn't it? We all focused on him calling Lily…well, what he did but we just accepted that they'd been attempting to humiliate Snape and got away with it. Again." Hermione hummed, not pushing further, watching Mary digest that before she continued bracingly. "Well. I look forward to remeeting him when we go dancing."
Hermione hummed, "I'm sure he's really looking forward to it."
Alice snorted loudly at that, breaking the tension. "Maybe we'll do pre-drinks."
Mary laughed "Gods yes! We'll need them. Now, let's pick some treatments!"
Hermione left the treatment rooms feeling completely boneless. She'd been massaged, scrubbed, moisturised and charmed within an inch of her life.
"Lunch now!" Alice commanded, "And then sauna, steam room and swim."
"Oh and that little warm cocoony room." Mary interjected.
"The what?" Hermione frowned.
"Oh it's dark, and they have little floating balls of light and soft music and warming charms on the beds and you just…relax. They're delightful. They charm the ceilings to show things like stars or water. I think I saw leaves once. I think its meant to help with the relaxation."
"Wow." Hermione murmured.
"I know! Now lunch and presents!"
"You didn't have to get me anything."
Mary's smile was wicked as she enlarged the parcel she'd had hidden in her spa-issued robe.
Feeling slightly self-conscious sitting down to lunch in slippers, Hermione accepted it, beginning to feel uneasy.
"Open it now!" Mary commanded the moment the waiter left with their order. Gingerly Hermione did as she was told, yelping in surprise at the contents, slamming the lid back down making Mary howl. "Oh goodness your face!"
"What is it!" Alice demanded.
Summoning every inch of Gryfindorness she had left, Hermione decided to brazen her way through this. She had no other choice. With that in mind, she took the lid off the box, revealing the contents.
"Merlin's tits." Alice breathed. "That's…that…"
"Want a run through?" Mary checked wickedly.
"You mean something that size doesn't come with instructions?" Hermione retorted dryly, making Alice choke as she giggled and inhaled at the same time.
"It's adjustable." Mary offered innocently despite the smirk still on her face.
"It is?" Hermione replied, impressed despite herself.
"Five sizes I believe. That's the middle one."
Hermione eyed it. "Merlin, I do not want to see it at its largest."
Alice spat water over the table. "For Merlin's sake!" she gasped, "You can't say things like that when I'm drinking."
"Then don't drink until we're finished," Hermione waved her hand with a faint grimace, removing the mess.
"With the things in that box, I'd die of dehydration before you're done." she countered.
Mary looked smugly pleased with herself. "It's a thorough collection."
"I'll say," Alice murmured, picking up a potion, "Stinging jinx lotion. What the fuck?"
"It makes you a bit tingly, heightens sensation. There's a few body paints in there, a watered down lust potion that's said to enhance the experience, warming gel that can be applied…creatively. Cooling potion for the same purpose. Um…oh that purple box has their new prototype in it. They've managed to make it vibrate, the instructions for that one is in the box. They've also included a feedback sheet so…" Mary grinned, "Fill it out. I have one too." she chucked a box at Alice, "and now so do you."
Alice eyed it curiously, peeking inside the box before pulling out the instructions. "Good gods. That's ... .wow."
Mary laughed delightedly. "Everyone deserves an orgasm."
"I'm hoping for more than one looking at this box." Hermione murmured thoughtlessly, freezing when both Mary and Alice turned to look at her before they all gave in and cackled like mad witches.
"Good woman," Mary toasted her when she was calm. "Although if our poor, dear Remus has issues do send him to Aunty Mary for an education."
"As much as part of me really, really wants to see that," Hermione began, "I probably…" she paused, shaking her head, "Actually, no. I do really want to see that. We'll arrange a time. Can I watch?"
"You are a cruel, evil witch, Hermione Longbottom." Marry grinned, toasting her with her glass. "I knew we were going to be best friends."
"Oh my dear God," Hermione stopped dead causing Frank to crash into the back of her.
"What? What is it?" he demanded slightly frantically.
She turned slowly, her eyes landing on Severus, who frowned and moved to stand beside her.
"What?"
She inclined her head towards the wizard in front of them talking to the twins, utterly oblivious to the carnage he was causing.
"Sweet Salazar," Severus whispered under his breath.
"What is it?" Frank demanded again from beside him. Alice let out a loud snort as she followed the direction of their stares.
"Don't worry. It's a common reaction to people who see Caradoc for the first time."
"I sort of hate myself for it but I just want to put him on a shelf and look at him." Hermione mused.
"That's a new one," Gideon snorted, catching on as Severus muttered an almost inaudible "I certainly do not want to just look at him."
"But he's so pretty!" Hermione exclaimed apparently without a shred of embarrassment as she fought a laugh at the look of horror on Severus' face when he realized he'd said it out loud. "Look at him! He should be admired."
"And I am, little witch," Caradoc agreed with a smirk. "You're new."
She hummed in acknowledgement, murmuring a careless, "Bloody hell, what a waste."
"Waste?" He frowned
"What? Oh. Never mind," she flushed at that, realizing her mind had been in 1995 listening to her uncle tell stories about the Order. "Hermione Longbottom." She held out her hand.
He shook it with a smirk, "Caradoc Dearborn."
"Yes, I'd realised that," she agreed wryly, inclining her head, "Have you met Severus?"
"I recognise your face," Caradoc agreed easily, holding out his hand. After a few uncomfortable seconds Hermione nudged Severus sharply with her elbow. He startled badly, flushing worse before he finally shook the amused wizard's hand.
"So Miss Longbottom where did you come from?" Caradoc turned his attention back to her, allowing Severus a moment to compose himself.
Hermione began to speak when she felt an arm wind its way around her waist as Remus pressed a kiss onto her temple with a whispered, "Lily's coming tonight."
She tensed before melting back into him with a hum. "Lupin," Caradoc smirked, "Subtle."
Behind Hermione's head, Remus rolled his eyes, "Dearborn," he hesitated, "Severus."
"Lupin." Severus yelped when Hermione's stinging hex hit a little too close to his groin for his comfort. "What was that for!"
Hermione smiled sweetly, turning her head, "You promised you'd try."
"That was trying!" he protested.
She sighed heavily, "Severus Snape! You know that it was not!"
He seemed to wilt under her pointed look, "I'm beginning to dislike you."
"You adore me, dont lie," she chided with a smile.
He sighed heavily "My life would be far easier without you in it."
"Ah but far less fun."
He sighed again but didn't disagree. "You're going to be entertaining to watch," Caradoc mused with a faint smirk.
"So glad to be of service," Hermione muttered as her Uncle walked in. "Oh, I need to grab Uncle Alastor, excuse me."
"Uncle Alastor," Caradoc's eyebrows rose sharply.
"Yes." Remus agreed distractedly, his eyes tracking her movements.
"Who the hell is that witch?"
Severus snorted, having clearly regained his faculties, "Hermione Longbottom, niece of Alastor Moody, general bulldozer and witch who refuses to believe that the word impossible exists," he drawled, "now do excuse me, I'm allergic to dogs."
Caradoc frowned in confusion as he strode away, "Dogs?"
Remus blinked, tearing his attention away from his mate and speculating as to what the hell the witch was up to now and back to the wizard in front of him "What?"
"He said he was allergic to dogs."
Remus frowned, his face clearing when Sirius bounced over to him, dragging James and Lily. "Moony! Let's introduce Prongs and Lils to your witch."
"Or you could do as I asked and let her come to you," he countered.
Sirius frowned, "You're being ridiculous. Oi! Weird bird!"
Remus closed his eyes and fought the urge to murder his friend. "Sirius. I swear to god."
Caradoc looked between them, "I'm just going to go and sit down," he announced, clearly uncomfortable.
"Weird bird! Oi!"
Remus saw Hermione's shoulders stiffen, clearly realising Sirius was addressing her. "Sirius I am warning you," he growled.
"Let's sit down," Lily sighed, interrupting his next point about Hermione having a name, her face a curious mix of pained and confused as Severus wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and she all but melted into his side.
"You are going to have to acknowledge them," he murmured.
"I know."
"You can wait," Alastor interjected pointedly.
"We both know I can't. Sirius never could help himself."
Alastor's lips thinned, "The last couple of weeks sound like it's been hard enough, lass. I can't believe you went to Elspbeth's without me!"
"I…I needed to do it while I still had the nerve," she murmured.
His face softened, "Did it help?"
"I…in some ways," she allowed. "They obviously don't know me and that's hard, but they're willing to try and that means I get to keep them this time. And I think I need that. Grandad was…it won't be the same for her and he's willing to try and fix his mistakes with me. So…." she sighed, "all in it could have been worse." she nudged Severus suddenly, "My Gran invited you to dinner. I forgot to say."
"She what?" he checked looking startled.
"My Gran. Dinner. I accepted on your behalf."
"Of sodding course you did," he grumbled.
She smiled up at him, "Don't pretend you don't love me."
"If I agree, will you let it go?" he checked sardonically.
"Severus, do you know me at all?"
He groaned, whatever he was about to say interrupted by the arrival of Euphemia Potter.
"Miss Longbottom."
"Madam Potter," she murmured awkwardly.
Euphemia sighed. "I pushed. I shouldn't have." she smiled sadly. "I believe what I said was true, I trust you with him implicitly, or I will once he's here and I hope you'll ... .be able to be around him without it hurting as much as it clearly does."
"It takes my breath away," she whispered, "thinking about him. I…I feel like part of me is missing. I wake up, expecting him to appear, to reminisce, or tell me a story from rebuilding or….just to give me a hug when the sheer scale of what we lost hits and…and then I remember he's not here. That my Harry will never be here. And I am…glad, for him. Gods of course I am. But…"
"But you miss him," Euphemia finished, her eyes glassy.
"Yes." she agreed, wrapping her free arm around her middle.
Hesitating, Euphemia reached out and squeezed her shoulder, aware of four sets of eyes watching the interaction closely. "I am sorry for everything you lost. But I am…so grateful that you are strong enough to help us, to put yourself back on the front lines again, despite us having no right to ask it of you. I hope one day you find peace, and I wish…i wish," she sighed, "I cannot wish to have never met you, you have the ability to change it all. You have already saved my son from certain death. You have given Remus a future he never dared dream of, but I wish that our blessings didn't come at the expense of your wellbeing."
Hermione blew out a breath. "Me too," she murmured, leaning further into Severus' side. "But that's clearly not the way it's going to work and I have to accept that all I can do is keep moving forward until this is done."
"And then?" Alastor checked as if afraid to ask.
Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. Most of the time I'm too scared to consider what comes next. Next wasn't something I was ever brave enough to consider I'd be allowed."
She missed the matching looks of shocked devastation on Alastor and Effie's faces as she turned at the sound of Dumbledore calling the meeting to order, allowing Severus to lead her to a seat, his grip on her painful.
"You said it was over…before."
"What?" she turned looking up at him in confusion.
"The war, it was over."
"Yes," she agreed
"But surely then…you considered what came next?"
"Oh." Hermione paused, "We…not really. It was…first there was tending the injured, then finding the dead and then the funerals. And after that…after that, we were still numb. I think. It was only two months after. We weren't thinking of next, we were trying to work out how to cope with now."
"Merlin fuck Hermione." he muttered, tucking her into his side as words failed him.
He felt her shrug, "I get glimpses of next now," she offered softly. "I'm just not quite ready to trust that they might be real."
Sighing heavily, he whispered, "That's something at least."
"Aren't you going to go over there?" Sirius demanded.
"Hmmm?"
"You're staring a hole in her side." Lily muttered, "I wonder what Effie said to her."
"Something that upset them both," James mused.
Remus stood abruptly, sliding himself in next to Hermione, his hand finding hers. Both he and Severus saw the immediate relaxing of her shoulders.
"Are you alright?"
Still curled into Severus' side, she hummed. "I've been worse."
"How the fuck can he stand it?" Sirius hissed watching them., "she's not moved from the greasy git. She's Moony's mate!"
"Hush," Lily commanded harshly, turning her attention towards Dumbledore, a pensive look on her face that indicated that, despite her command, she agreed with Sirius.
"Welcome, welcome!" Albus beamed. "There is not too much tonight, Miss Mckinnon if you could start us off."
Hermione tried not to fidget as the reports kept coming, Several people had minor updates, but Caradoc had apparently been on a mission for over two months and therefore had a lot to share.
"Stop it," Severus hissed directly into her ear, "Or I'll return you to your wolf." Hermione flushed and stilled, making him sort softly, "Now watch the pretty wizard."
"Or don't," Remus pouted, tugging her towards him instead, missing the flash of amusement on Severus' face. He let out a quiet sigh as Hermione rolled her eyes but curled into his side without protest, her free hand finding Severus'.
"Now, Miss Longbottom, we have some things to discuss about an expedition to the school, I assume Professor Croaker wants to be involved given that he's stalled it twice?"
Hermione and Saul froze at the same time, before relaxing at the exasperated amusement on Albus' face. "Of course I want to be involved, Albus."
"Very well, another…two perhaps?"
Hermione paused, realising he was asking her opinion before turning to look at Severus, "Want to play with a giant snake?"
"Yes!" he didn't even bother hiding his excitement, making her smile.
"So Severus and….Uncle Alastor maybe? Someone who isn't going to overreact."
"Giant snake?" Lily Potter checked faintly.
Hermione tensed, her eyes meeting Dumbledores before she shrugged, "The Chamber of Secrets is real and it has a basilisk in it?" she offered.
There was an immediate silence, those who had been tied into the vow remaining quiet as those who had not processed that before Caraoc ventured shakily, "Can you repeat that, little witch? Because I'm sure I heard you say there was a Basilisk in Hogwarts but…"
"Yeah, your hearing is fine." she dismissed, "It's fine, we just need a rooster or two. Oh and some goblin made pointy things."
"Pointy things?" Alastor checked,
"Well swords, daggers, that sort of thing."
"Might I ask why?" Augusta checked.
"Oh for later. They'll be…useful. Goblin forged blades absorb the properties of whatever they touch."
"So if they touch basilisk venom," Gidon whispered.
"Exactly. So…someone who isn't going to overreact and doesn't mind snakes." she prompted.
Alastor shuddered, "Don't all rush at once," he muttered.
"You don't like snakes?"
"Not particularly," he admitted.
"I'll do it," Fleamont sighed, eyeing Severus. "You're doing a potions mastery, aren't you?"
"Yes," he agreed warily.
Fleamont hummed, "Are you open to working together to see what Basilisk venom, skin and parts can do?"
Slowly Severus nodded, clearly trying to keep a lid on his excitement and very obviously not looking in James' direction.
"Splendid. When are we going?"
"Going!" James shouted, "Are we all just glossing over the fact there is a bloody basilisk in the school?"
The table jumped at his volume. "Not for long?" Hermione spoke, her eyes landing somewhere near his shoulder, not able to focus on his face.
"Not for long! What in the name of all that is magic is it doing there in the first place!"
"Because Salazar really liked snakes?"
"Salazar…." Minerva interjected, cutting off James as she stared at Hermione, her face ashen, "That beast's as old as the founders?"
"Well…we can't be sure obviously but it's my best guess."
"I think we're getting off track," Albus interrupted before anyone had a chance to process that. "Miss Longbottom, Mr Snape, Monty, Saul if you could remain here we'll discuss how to move forward with the basilisk, the rest of you are of course free to go."
There were clear mutterings as the rest stood, some of them grouping together for a chat rather than leaving directly. "I knew you were going to be interesting," Caradoc mused as he came to a standstill beside Severus. "I hear you're duelling the Prewetts. Come find me if you want another opponent."
"And where exactly would I find you?" Hermione checked.
"Oh an owl should do it." he grinned, "If you can convince Lupin to let go of your hand."
Remus scowled. "I'm not that bad," he muttered, pulling Hermione closer.
Caradoc very visibly held in a laugh, "Sure youre not." he replied insincerely as he headed for the floo.
"I'm not!"
Hermione kept silent, not needing to see the pout on his face to know it was there. She stiffened against him when she felt someone approach; Alice and Frank materialised seconds later, having clearly been watching. "Lily, James." Alice scowled, "Black."
"Ah Liss! You've missed me."
She arched a disbelieving brow, giving Hermione a few seconds grace to collect herself. Severus' grip on her hand was as tight as hers was on his. Bizarrely, it gave her the strength to turn to face them knowing this wasn't just difficult for her. Remus attempted to watch her discreetly without it seeming that was what he was doing; she wasn't sure whether it annoyed or comforted her.
"I'm Lily." Lily smiled, clearly sizing her up.
Forcing her body to cooperate, Hermione attempted a smile, "Hermione."
"James, Sirius." Sirius cut in impatient gesturing between them as he sat down, "Now we're all introduced, care to explain why you were avoiding us?"
"Sirius!" Remus hissed, the faint rumble of a threatening growl clearly startling his friends.
"I wasn't." Hermione returned blandly, cutting Remus off, hoping that Sirius' animagus didn't allow him to pick up how rapidly her heart was beating as she fought any and all inexplicable reactions to them. "I do hate to be the bearer of bad news but the entire world does not, in fact, revolve around you."
"You were less hostile the last time we met," he noted.
"Was I? I seem to remember me putting you on your arse for being a dick. However if you are referring to after the meeting when you were hitting on Severus, then yes. You were rather less annoying and more amusing then." she agreed.
"You…you what?" James spluttered.
"Didn't they tell you?" Hermione smiled sweetly, her shaking hands hidden from view. Harry truly did look like his father and she wanted to weep at how painfully she missed him. "I had to let Black down gently after he propositioned Severus."
"Must you remind me," Severus muttered.
"That's not…I didn't…"
Hermione sighed exaggeratedly, "Mr Black, truly, it is time to move on."
Behind her Alice was gasping, clinging to a laughing Frank. Remus was valiantly trying not to laugh, his shoulders shaking as he focused on the table.
Sirius' eyes narrowed, "I don't like you."
"How ever will my self esteem recover?" she drawled.
"I think i might like you," Lily mused with a wicked smirk her son would one day inherit before it fell, a hesitant look overtaking her face, "How have you been Severus?" she asked softly.
"Fine," Severus replied briskly, his grip on Hermione's hand well past painful.
"How did you two meet?" she tried again.
"I summoned him to the D.O.M and made him have tea," Hermione replied with a wide smile that hid her conflicting feelings when it became clear he had no idea how to respond to that.
"What?"
"And then we took him dancing."
Severus' eyes narrowed, despite the flash of gratitude in them, "Never again."
"Nonsense! I promised Mary and Cassie we'd take them next time."
"And us Princess." Fabian grinned, as he sauntered towards the door, his twin following him. "I heard something about a leather mini."
Hermione snorted, "I've been coerced into something….well… something else Frank wont approve of for next time, so sorry, no leather mini's."
"Will I approve?" Remus checked
Hermione's face flashed with mischief, letting some of the tension drop now she wasn't being forced to look at them. "I don't know," she admitted. "It's…rather more revealing than I'd normally wear."
Remus' eyebrow arched "Oh?"
"You look spectacular in it. Cassie was right." Alice dismissed.
"What the hell are you putting my cousin in now!" Frank demanded.
"Well…trousers." Hermione replied
"So why wouldn't I approve?"
Alice grinned, "Because the top is cropped and…well. Her tits look fantastic." Both Frank and Remus choked for very different reasons."
"What?" Frank wheezed.
"It has sleeves at least," she shrugged.
"You…you took Severus dancing?" Lily spoke overriding Frank's spluttering.
"Yes." Alice agreed, "He's surprisingly good."
Lily looked stunned. "Oh we're definitely coming now, we'll bring Ben." Fabian grinned, "owl me? Soon?"
"Yes!" Alice bounced in place, looking more like a toddler than a grown woman.
"Are we invited?" James checked.
Alice shot Hermione a look before continuing hesitantly. "I don't know. I don't know if we can trust you to behave. Severus will be there."
"I bloody well will not!"
"Of course you will." Alice dismissed. "We'll take you shopping first."
"Absolutely not!" he howled.
"Alice," Hermione cautioned, predicting a meltdown if she allowed this to continue.
"What?" she asked innocently. Hermione pulled a face, "But his wardrobes so monochrome!" she whined.
"And I imagine he likes it that way."
"Says the witch who threatened to put me in gold," Severus grumbled.
"We could have matching disco outfits," Hermione mused with a grin, nudging him.
"We could not!"
She gave into the giggles at the look of horror on his face, allowing it to release some of the tension. It was either that or she cried. Briefly, she wondered whether alcohol and Marauders were a good mix in light of the secrets she was keeping. Likely not, which was reason enough to avoid it for as long as possible, despite the betrayed expression on both Potter's faces.
Albus chose that movement to look around, Edgar Bones leaving after their conversation. He looked pointedly at the group, "Don't you all have places to be?"
"Hermiones going to tell me anyway, and I'd like to know she's safe," Remus replied stubbornly.
Albus paused, before seeming to reluctantly come to a decision. "Fine. And the rest of you?"
"She'll tell us too," Alice admitted.
A flash of exasperation crossed Albus' face, "Are you about to claim Miss Longbottom will share the plan with you too, Mr Black?"
"Would you believe me?" he countered hopefully.
"No."
Sirius deflated, "Can't I just be curious?"
"Spoken to your brother yet?" Hermine checked.
He stiffened. "No."
"Well then. Off you pop."
"Dad will tell us," James declared.
"No, he won't." Fleamont retorted. "Off with you all."
"But…"
"Now, James."
James pouted but stood. "Owl me!," Fabian tipped his head towards Alice, "We'll arrange a time for that night out."
"Well then," Albus looked around once they were gone. "How do you propose we go about this?"
"Basilisk first," Hermione replied with certainty. "Diadem after."
"Because?"
"Because we're going to infuse blades with basilisk venom and stab the diadem."
"I see," he returned faintly. "There is no salvaging it?"
"Not to my knowledge," Hermione admitted, turning to look at Saul.
"Nor mine, kid" he admitted.
"So much history," Dumbledore lamented quietly. "Ruined."
"But unfortunately unavoidable. So. When exactly?
"An evening or a weekend, the students are back. We'll need to confine them to their dorms for their own safety."
"Or make it after curfew, and make it clear that if they leave you'll expel them."
"Expel them?"
"It can quite literally murder them with its eyes if we do this wrong. They need to realise how serious it is, it's for their own good."
"You make a fair point Miss Longbottom," he agreed with a sigh, "Two days time then? I'll announce it tomorrow at dinner. And perhaps have extra patrols."
"Of course," she murmured, looking at Severus, "Can you get away?"
"Yes, I have nothing pressing on at present. He is unlikely to request my presence until my mastery is over."
"Well then. Two days it is."
"I don't bloody like it," Remus grumbled.
"How…sad." she mused, "If I agree to you being there for horcrux destruction will you stop pouting?"
"What does it do?"
"They fight back," she muttered.
The room stilled. "It what?" Severus demanded.
"Fights back." she shuddered, "It…preys on your worst fears. Conjures images, gets inside your head."
"And you want me to let you anywhere near it?" Remus demanded.
"Let me?"
He faltered at her tone. "I didn't…that's not…" he paused, "there is literally nothing i can say that isn't going to get me hexed is there?"
"No."
"Hermione, can't I just want you safe?"
"Until this is done, none of us are safe."
He paled but didn't contradict her, "I'll be there when it's destroyed then."
"Right then," Saul eyed her, "time turners done, how to stop time, done, how to monitor the timeline done….I've spoken to the Thought Room, and I'd like you to collaborate with them for the next month or two given the crossover. Truthfully, I'd like you in all the departments at some point. None are particularly time sensitive however I would like you in the Death Chamber sooner rather than later."
"Why?"
"Another department with a rather large crossover," he admitted. "And, I want you to begin thinking about your first project. You can do it alone or collaborate, I don't mind just have a think. I want a proposal on my desk by Halloween."
She hummed, "Ok."
"Now, this is slightly unorthodox but given everything, I want you to consider animagus training."
"Why?"
"It's useful. Over half of the department are animagi and I had wondered if it would have an impact on…Moony they call him, isnt it?"
"Yes," she murmured.
"Well then. Thoughts?" She flushed. "Hermione?"
With a sigh, she seemed to shimmer, shifting into her form, staring up at him. He gave a bark of laughter. "Oh my." Reaching out a hesitant hand he ran it over her head, "You are," he paused with a groan. "Unregistered! Hermione Longbottom!"
She managed to look sheepish just as the door opened and a head peaked around it hesitantly. "Ah….Professor Croaker, Unspeakable Shaw asked me…is that a wolf?"
"Dire wolf I believe," he replied consideringly.
"Aren't those extinct?"
"Well…." Saul hesitated, eyeing Hermione, "Are they, kid?"
Remus' eyes blew wide as Hermione shifted, landing back on her own two feet. "I believe they are," she agreed before she jumped, Saul's hex landing. "What was that for!"
"You are unregistered!"
"Oh, forgive me for not having thought about it given everything else!"
Saul scowled, "Fill out the damn form!" he commanded, "We don't need you in Azkaban because youve been an idiot! Lupin, escort your girlfriend up to the registry office, make sure she bloody does it, now!"
Hermione sighed heavily, "I can make it up there on my own you know."
Saul made sarcastic shooing motions, "Take a detour by the Auror office. Maybe a duel will knock some sense into you."
"You're implying I'll lose," she muttered.
"Ask for Scrimgeour or Shacklebolt," he commanded. She froze.
"Pardon?"
"Scrimgeour or Shacklebolt," he repeated slowly, registering the look on her face. "You knew them."
Swallowing audibly she nodded, "I knew Kings at least," she admitted.
"Well enough to call him Kings," Saul sighed, "Merlin witch. Just…ask for Scrimgeour then. I assume he doesn't come with unpleasant memories." he paused with an exasperated sigh, "What did he do?"
"Oh you know, tried to get Harry to pretend the Ministry knew what it was doing when it had spent the previous year calling him a liar." she gave a sad smile, "Withstood hours of torture and didn't give them any information that could have lead Death Eaters to us."
She returned the hug Remus wrapped her in almost automatically, refusing to cry. "Maybe.." Saul ventured but she shook her head, cutting him off.
"I'll ask for them. They were two of the best. I need…I'll need the practice." Letting go of Remus she turned, her shoulders stiff as she marched out of the department, leaving him scrambling to follow.
"Are you alright?" he gasped as he caught up with her, "You're surprisingly quick." She shot him an unimpressed look. Grimacing, he changed the subject, "So…animagus?"
"Yes." she snorted, "I couldn't stand that Sirius Black of all people had worked it out in fifth year, so I made him teach me and Harry in our fourth. The gods know Harry needed the meditation so he didn't explode that year."
He gave an incredulous huff of laughter, "Merlins balls witch, of course you did. What was Harry?"
"He was a bloody lion," she laughed, "Gods we were so convinced we were going to match our original patronuses."
"Original?"
She gave a sad little smile, "They both changed with our forms. Harry was…devastated."
"Why?"
"His patronus was Prongs," she murmured.
"Christ," he cursed softly, before squeezing her hand, "it won't be the same this time."
"I know," she sighed, reaching for the door in front of them.
"Name," the bored witch behind the desk drawled not even looking up.
"Hermione Longbottom."
"Purpose?"
"Animagus registration."
A pile of parchment was levitated towards her without the witch ever lifting her head, "Fill these out."
"Good god," she muttered, beginning to slog her way through the forms.
Half an hour later she handed them back, and the witch scanned them, "Proof," she demanded, finally looking up.
With an exasperated sigh, Hermione shifted into form. The witch's eyebrows skyrocketed. "Well then." she tapped the top piece of parchment with her wand, "Registration complete, Miss Longbottom."
Hermione gave her an insincere smile," Thanks," Accepting Remus' hand as he helped her to her feet, her smile turned slightly more genuine, "Have you to head back?"
"No, I was to report to the Aurors today anyway."
"Know whos in?"
"Not got a clue," he admitted.
She hummed, "Well then let's find out."
They entered the bustling Aurors office spotting Alastor ranting to the twins, gesturing wildly. With a slightly wicked grin, Hermione transformed, letting out a growl. The scream that Fabian admitted would have left her wheezing if she'd been in human form, as it was, a wolf laughing just sounded threatening.
"Lupin what the fuck?" Alastor hissed, his wand trained on Hermione.
With a growl she focused on an increasingly pale Fabian, slowly stalking towards him like prey. Remus very subtly shook his head at Alastor, the amusement on his face enough to get the wizard to lower his wand, catching it, Gideon followed suit. To be safe, he summoned Fabain's, watching as the wizard scrambled back until his back was against the wall, realising all too late that his wand was not where he'd left it.
"What in the name of magic!" a voice demanded, clearly bewildered by three wizards watching another one being stalked by a bloody predator and doing nothing about it.
"Lower your wand," Remus hissed, "shes not going to hurt him."
Kingsley looked around the room, his stance tense but did as he was told, watching with astonishment as the wolf pounced at a screaming Fabian, pinning him against the wall before licking his face.
"What…" he let out the word on a wheeze, as the wolf bounced over to Alastor demanding an ear scratch.
Looking faintly stunned, Alastor complied. "What is going on?" he demanded
Remus laughed, shooting Hermione a look, "You cannot wear fur all day, Saul will be annoyed."
With the canine version of a pout, Hermione shifted. "Uncle Alastor."
"You fucking bitch!" Fabian howled, "I almost wet myself!"
Hermione's eyebrow quirked, Gideon was gasping he was laughing so hard at the indignation on his brother's face. "I'm going to…to…I don't know! Something!" Fabian promised darkly.
She snorted, "Ok. Whatever you say."
"I thought you were going to eat me!"
Hermione's nose scrunched, "Ew."
Kingsley stood watching them all, clearly completely baffled. Alastor pinched his nose. "Why are you here? I assume it's not just to cause trouble?"
"I was sent to ask for Scrimgeour or Shacklebolt."
"AH." he hummed, "I see, Shacklebolt. Come duel my niece."
"Niece?" he squeaked, eyeing Hermione warily.
"Aye. Vicious little thing as I'm sure you've realised."
Kingsley eyed her warily, "Are you going to eat me?" he checked.
"Not today," Hermione retorted, shoving down the feelings seeing him so young evoked.
He made a considering humming noise, his face still registering his unease. "Can we raise that to a not ever?" he checked.
"Maybe," Hermione nodded, sauntering past him into the duelling room. Kingsley shot a questioning look at Alastor who just grinned.
"Miss ah…"
"Longbottom," Hermione supplied.
"Longbottom," he repeated, "Shit, you're Frank's cousin."
"That would indeed be me," she agreed, "Do I want to know what my cousin's been saying?"
"No." Kingsley replied succinctly, making her laugh.
"Splendid. Im sure my imagination can fill in the blanks."
With a grin, Kingsley inclined his head. Catching movement from the corner of his eye, he whirled, grooming. "And we've got an audience."
"Ah hells teeth," Hermione muttered, spotting her Uncle, the twins, Remus, Frank and Alice and a much, much younger Scrimgeor.
"Well then Miss Longbottom, I'd better make this good or the boss'll have my arse."
"You think he wont have mine if you win?" she retorted, taking up a dueling stance.
"Rules? He checked with a laugh.
"No unforgivables, nothing that can kill?"
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Well then," he nodded once, eyeing her with considerably more interest than he had before.
"On three!" Alastor called.
The duel was far more vicious than any other in a controlled environment that she'd had so far. Safe in the knowledge that Kingsley knew exactly what he was doing, she didn't hold back and when he realised it, neither did he. What she had thought was her slight advantage of being aware of his style, only served to teach her that when training her alongside the boys originally, Kingsley had been holding back. Half an hour in, both of them bleeding, he caught her off guard, sending her hurtling into the wall with a crack that she felt vibrate right down her spine, jarring her nerves. He looked faintly stunned when she unsteadily dragged herself to her feet, breathing heavily, feeling like everything was broken as she conjured water to encase him. That was all it took to break his confusion. In the end, despite her getting a few hits in he caught her with an incarcerous to the ankle, dragging her down.
"Merlin fuck," he wheezed. "Who the hell taught you to duel?"
"I had several teachers," she bit out in between harsh gasps.
"I have never almost lost to a fucking civilian. Are you sure you're in the right job?"
"Definitely," she groaned, spotting Remus, all but running into the platform.
"What the fuck was that?" he demanded, his wand moving over her rapidly.
"A duel," she muttered, yelping when he reset her wrist; she hadn't even realised it was broken.
"Mother of Merlin, Cousin," a white-faced Frank muttered, joining Remus in their attempts to put her back together, the twins and Alice doing the same to Kingsley at her side.
"You two are vicious," Alastor mused. "Set up another time to train this week, clearly you both challenge each other."
"What! No!" Frank protested, "Look at the state of them both!"
"Which is precisely why I'm ordering it." Alastor countered, "They were evenly matched."
Frank muttered inaudibly under his breath, until eventually, Remus decreed her fit to attempt to stand, gently pulling her up and into his side. "If I didn't think you'd avada me I'd carry you to the viewing platform," he grumbled.
"But you know that I absolutely would," she countered.
His eyes narrowed, flashing amber briefly, before he gave in, helping her across but at least allowing her to walk, refusing to leave until she was settled in a seat, a pain potion forced down her throat.
"This one should be interesting," Kingsley mused, conjuring a seat next to her, watching as Remus and Scrimgeor size each other up.
"Why?"
"Rufus is good, better than good to be honest. He's one of our best. Lupin's the unknown. He's duelled a couple of us but I get the impression he's holding back." He paused with a grin, "He fancies you you know, I think that might change things."
She snorted, having not expected it from Kingsley of all people, "Oh I know," she agreed, "I do live with him."
"You do?"
"I do."
"No wonder Frank complains."
"Frank needs to remember I'm an adult," she muttered, making him laugh, "Now hush, they're starting.