Story Title: Time, Interrupted
Chapter Title: Uninvited
Author: Madm_05
Rating: Strong PG-13/T
Warnings: Naughty Aurors Ahead!
Chapter Word Count: 6,082
Date: 1 March 2007
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everyone else from Potterverse belong to JKR.
Chapter Twenty Four: Uninvited
Hermione sat curled in a chair, a book open in her lap. Try as she might, she couldn't focus on the Shakespearean play she was trying to read. Julius Caesar just couldn't keep her attention, not with the aurors combing the house. Security, they said, though Hermione wasn't sure what half a dozen trainees and one qualified auror could do to protect everyone that Alastor Moody couldn't do. The Ministry had sent them to make sure that everything was safe and sound within the Marauders School for Children, especially since school would be starting again in two weeks time.
Staring unseeingly at the words in her book, she tried to recall the last time they had been at Grimmauld Place to check the safety of the school, but couldn't remember. They must have come when I wasn't here, she thought. Sirius and Papa Remus might have sent Harry and me out into the yard to play. It seems like they always send us outside to play when they have business to discuss. Yes, that's probably what happened.
Looking at the book, Hermione squirmed. Something was off. There was a strange sense of wrongness in the house, but much to her frustration, she couldn't explain what it was. With a sigh she closed her book. Shutting her eyes, she began to concentrate on Harry. She was sure there was nothing wrong with him- she'd somehow developed a sort of sixth sense in matters concerning her friend- but wanted to be sure all the same. She didn't know where he was, but he wasn't distressed in any way, that much she could tell.
Having decided that reading about Portia stabbing herself in the thigh would do no good, Hermione turned her thoughts to other, more pressing matters. What she was going to do when Draco Malfoy returned to the school in a few days was at the top of her list. Sirius and Remus had said that, for the greater good, it was necessary to keep him at the school, but they would do what was necessary to keep her safe.
Hermione couldn't help but wonder what he had in store for her. She didn't know how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had chosen to punish him, since the adults decided that she didn't need to know, and she hadn't had a chance to ask Ron, but she was sure the young Malfoy wouldn't be happy, and that he would blame her.
There was also the matter of how Sirius was treating Harry. He had been very distant with Harry for a while, but then had changed his attitude completely and began to spend more and more time with him. Hermione could see the logic in what he was doing- he was trying to give Harry a positive male figure to look up to, rather than turn to darker ideologies.
She just didn't know if it would work out like Sirius was hoping it would. It could save Harry, she knew, but it would devastate Harry all the more if he were to bond with Sirius, really bond with him, and then lose him should Voldemort rise again. It made her all the more desperate to get her hands on the remaining Horcruxes and prevent Voldemort from regaining his body. In the end, Sirius' good intentions may hurt more than help, if she couldn't help Harry vanquish Voldemort once and for all.
She frowned and set her book aside. Trying to distract herself wasn't working. The niggling feeling that something was wrong would not leave her in peace. Knowing she would get no further in her reading, she stood up and wandered around, hoping that whatever was bothering her would somehow reveal itself to her. She was wandering by one of the sitting rooms on the third floor when she heard someone speaking.
"How many have you done so far?" Someone asked in a low voice. Hermione stopped in her tacks then stepped into the shadows.
"I got three done so far. You?" Another voice replied.
"The same. We have to find the others and get a move on. We don't want them to catch us, now do we?" The first person said.
The other person chuckled. "Indeed. I don't think I'd like to be caught. I might quit training, actually. I wouldn't be able to handle the lecture for failing this mission. Can't say I like this place though. Imagine, a werewolf, teaching kids, and real young ones who can't even defend themselves yet. Makes me glad that they agreed to this."
Hermione felt her temper rising. The auror trainees, who were supposed to be her checking wards and the like, were clearly up to no good. She gritted her teeth and reined in her magic, lest she give herself away. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her heart in her throat, she whirled around, only to find Harry standing behind her. Hermione quickly silenced him by raising a finger to her lips. The pair stood silently and listened further.
"I can't believe it, myself," the first person said gruffly. "Werewolves," ha spat. "If it were up to me, I'd lock them all away in silver cages and throw away the key. I hope we'll be able to catch him at something. Then we'd get to ship him off to Azkaban." Hermione was sure that if Harry hadn't set a calming hand on her shoulder that she would have done something she would later regret. She hated that sort of people.
"Aye," the other agreed. "Personally, I can't believe how much magic those two kids do." Hermione felt her stomach twist into as a distant memory came back to her. We get more reports of magic on that one than any other witch or wizard. "I'm glad we've got these things here to let us know. All sorts of stuff goes on in this here house. Harry Potter's been doing more and more magic, as well." Things were suddenly spinning out of her control.
"Macnair seemed fairly interested in their magic too," he continued. Hermione felt her blood freeze. If Macnair was aware of how much magic Harry really did, there was trouble on the horizon. "I overheard him talking about it- not like he'd be talking to the likes of me, seeing as I'm just a trainee. But he's awfully interested in them kids. Not that I can blame him. It may not be his department, but I think half the Ministry is interested in the things going on here, especially since it's home to the Boy - Who - Lived and the Wandless - Witch."
Hermione felt sick. If even half of what they had said was true, than she in Harry would have a lot of problems to face in the future. She wanted to sit in the corner and cry- would nothing go right? Of course not, she thought bitterly. Bad luck follows Harry and I around like a lost puppy.
"Right. Now, did you do the one in this room already?" One asked.
"I was just about to do it before you came in. Just wait a tick. Introspicio. There, all done. You ready to move on to the next room? We've go a lot more to do, and time's wasting," the other replied.
"True enough. Let's get moving then," the first replied. Harry and Hermione stood with their backs to the wall, hiding in the shadows as the two aurors left the room and moved on to the next.
Once they were gone, Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him into the room the two men had just left. She looked around briefly. It was one of the sitting rooms she had never spent any length of time in, since it was often used by the adults. There were a few well - worn chairs and tables and a few photos on the mantle over the fireplace. The room meant little to her at that moment, as she was focused on what the two aurors had said before departing. She could hardly believe her ears. Looking at Harry, she knew that he had come to the same conclusions she had- the trainees were up to something.
"We have to stop them," Hermione said firmly, turning to her friend. For years she had been the smart one, the one who looked before leaping, and as the aurors would learn, Hermione Granger was also a force to be reckoned with when Harry Potter was threatened. They would learn that lesson, just as Rita Skeeter and Marietta Edgecomb before them. She wasn't the most powerful witch in the world, but she could think circles around just about anyone. She didn't have the resources to put a stop to them, as she did with Rita and Marietta, but she could certainly put a stop to what they were doing.
"I know, but what are we going to do?" Harry asked in return. "Papa Sirius and Uncle Remus trust us, but I don't think they'd believe us if we told them that the Ministry is spying on us."
Hermione bit her a lip, a habit she had tried to break herself of, and failed. She began to wring her hands. "We need proof," she replied.
"The thing!" Harry said excitedly.
"What?" Hermione asked with a frown.
"One of them was talking about a thing, remember? One of them asked the other if he'd done the one in this room," he waved his arm around. "If we can find this thing, and figure out what they did to it, then we'll have evidence!"
Hermione felt a strong sense of pride in her friend. "That's it, Harry!" She beamed. "From what I understand, they've put some sort of spell on something in this room that will alert the Ministry whenever we do magic," she paused. "Or something. They want to catch Papa Remus doing something when he transforms, so obviously the spell does more than that." Hermione looked around the room. "All we have to do is figure out what it was that they put the spell on."
Harry sighed heavily. "I don't know, Hermione. I mean, I know what your magic feels like, but I don't-"
"You can sense my magic?" She asked sharply.
Harry looked puzzled. "Well, yeah. You're magic is so different from everyone else's, that it's easy to find," he replied.
Hermione licked her lips as she tried to wrap her mind around this new revelation. "Harry," she began. "Do you think you can sense someone else's magic?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "I don't know. I've never tried to do that before. I mean, I've felt yours and Papa Sirius' and Uncle Remus', but that's all. Why?"
"Harry," she said softly, trying to remain calm. "You might be able to find whatever it was that they put the spell on!" Harry still looked unsure. Ideas began to whirl around her mind. "If you can feel my magic, you might be able to feel someone else's," she explained. "Everyone has a magical signature that is different from everyone else's. I can't detect any magic, not with my necklace," she touched the Celtic cross hanging around her neck. "But you can. If you can feel magic different from mine, yours, Papa Remus' and Sirius', you'll be able to find whatever it is they put a spell on!"
He swallowed. "I don't know how to do it, Hermione," he said softly. "I'm sorry."
Hermione bit her lip. "Please try Harry." She reached out and grabbed his hand. He shook his head. "Alright then, we'll try something else," she said. "Can you describe to me what my magic feels like to you?"
"It's… it's hard to describe," he replied. "Your magic is bigger than everyone else's, and it's not very calm either. Yours is," he struggled to find the words. "Yours is always moving, so it's very different, but in a way, it's like Uncle Remus' magic."
Hermione saw her chance. "Can you describe Papa Remus' magic to me?"
"Well, his magic is always moving like yours is," Harry replied simply. "But his moves a lot more than yours does, and his is a lot less calm too, but at the same time, it's more calm. Your magic is always moving around, and Uncle Remus' magic doesn't do that, but when his magic moves around, it moves a lot more than yours does." He paused. "His magic isn't as big as yours is though."
Let met think… magic is closely tied to a wizard or witch's aura. The shields, she thought. My magic is 'bigger' because it isn't contained by the shields. That's way my magic is always 'moving' I'll wager- without any shields to stop it, it's always doing something. And Papa Remus, well, he has control over his magic, doesn't he? But he's also a werewolf, which would explain the restless nature of his magic. Hermione looked up at Harry. "What about Uncle Sirius?"
Harry shrugged. "His isn't like yours or Uncle Remus' at all. His doesn't move nearly as much, and it's not as big either."
"Listen to me, Harry," Hermione said, squeezing his hand. "I need you to focus on what magic feels like. I need you to try and find magic that isn't familiar to you, something that you haven't felt very often. Can you do that?"
"I don't know," he seemed terribly ashamed of himself. "What if I do it wrong?" Harry asked, a small amount of fear creeping into his voice.
"Harry," Hermione soothed. "You can do this," she set her hands on his shoulders. "I trust you Harry, I know you can do this."
He stared at her for a long moment before nodding his head in determination and closing his eyes. Hermione felt a great sense of pride in Harry's growing abilities. She hadn't known that he was making leaps and bounds with his magic on his own.
Oh, she had witnessed his slow mastery of magic under her careful eye plenty of times. He was very skilled at making things move around the room now, and was as agile in the air without a broom as he was with one. Harry had even gained more control over his green flames. Whereas before he could only create and extinguish the fire, now he could control what his green flames would do. He was even able to create a butterfly from the flames, though it could not fly. Yet.
And now he's beginning to understand how to sense magic. She smiled at him as he concentrated. All along, all he really needed was the right environment to learn to use his magic. She wanted to fancy herself his teacher, and though she was in many ways, he was making much progress on his own. Professor Snape made him feel like he was inadequate, but all he needed was a little help to get started. Now he's quickly turning into a powerful wizard, and he's only just turned seven.
"Not that, no, not there," he was mumbling, his brow furrowed in concentration. "No, that's not it, that' wrong, not there, no…" Suddenly his eyes snapped open. "There!" Harry pointed to a picture on the mantle. It was a photo of Harry's parents on their wedding day.
They had no right! Hermione thought darkly. To spy on us by putting a spell on that picture! Surely they know how much it would mean to everyone in this house! Hermione fumed silently on behalf of her friend. "We need to find one of the grownups," she said, changing her focus to the problem at hand.
"What if they don't believe us? I mean, we're just kids. Grownups never believe kids," Harry replied softly, his insecurities returning full force.
"We'll just have to make them think they figured it out," she said grimly.
"But how?" Harry frowned in thought.
"I don't know. Maybe, maybe we can get them to come in here and cast some spells on it? Maybe we can get them to find out themselves? Then they would think that they found out on their own. That could work," Hermione murmured. "Yes, that's what we'll have to do. Let's split up and try and find either of them and bring them here. We'll have to say we saw one of the aurors casting a spell on it, and that we want to know what they did or some such rubbish."
"Will they believe that?" Harry asked.
Hermione's eyes lit up. "The spell! We both heard the incantation- it was Introspicio. If we tell them the spell, they should be able to put everything together and figure it all out. That would work, wouldn't it?"
Harry nodded. "Right, but we'd better stick together then. It would look funny if we both heard the same thing and didn't show up together." He gestured to the open door. Understanding what he meant, Hermione moved towards the door, Harry following closely behind. They continued through the house, searching for their adopted fathers to set their plan into action and save themselves from even more trouble in the future. It wasn't long before they heard Sirius talking.
"As I said, we spoke with Alastor Moody about the wards. I'm sure you're well aware of Alastor's skills as an auror. He told my partner, Remus Lupin, and myself the best wards to use in order to create a secure environment for the children. Given his expertise in the area of safety, I'm sure you can understand why I've used many of his suggestions. Further, Remus Lupin specializes in defence against the Dark Arts, so it is easy to see that we have certainly taken the proper precautions to protect our students." They could hear Sirius' agitated voice through the door. "It is completely safe here, at any time of the month, I assure you."
"Papa Remus," she whispered. "He's a werewolf." Hermione turned to Harry. "They want to cause problems because he's a werewolf."
"That's silly," Harry scowled. "He can't help it that he's a werewolf. It's not like he went out during a full moon and said 'hey Mister Werewolf, bite me' or anything silly like that."
Hermione smiled at his word choice. "No, he certainly didn't." Despite her amusement, she felt another surge of pride in her friend. He was developing into a wonderful person. Part of her had been afraid that Harry would turn into the spoiled brat Professor Snape claimed he was in her own time, if he were not raised the same way. Silly, she chided herself as she looked at him. As if he could be anything else! Hermione decided to pretend that she knew nothing concerning the Dark Harry. "Ready?" She asked instead.
Harry nodded firmly and pushed the door open. "Papa Sirius!" He called loudly, startling everyone, even Hermione. Harry never spoke out of turn. He always waited patiently for a lull in the conversation to say what he wanted to say or to ask his question. That he would just walk in and talk was highly unusual. "Papa Sirius," he said again. "What does Introspicio mean?"
Sirius' eyes narrowed when he heard the incantation. The auror that was talking to Sirius paled dramatically. Sirius, who had noticed the auror's pallid complexion frowned. "Where did you hear that, Harry?"
"One of the horrors said it." Harry replied promptly. Hermione smiled a little at his word choice, distantly remembering his sixth birthday. "He pointed his wand at a picture of my mum and dad, and said Introspicio. It sounds like Latin, but I haven't learned that word yet. What does it mean?" Hermione mentally applauded her friend's quick thinking. His story was really quite clever. "Hermione heard it too, didn't you Hermione?"
"Yes," she agreed immediately. "Though it seemed more like a spell to me, since he did have his wand."
"Is that so?" Sirius asked through gritted teeth. "Harry, why don't you show me where you were when you saw the horror. Hermione, why don't you go get your Papa Remus? He's in the kitchen with Harmony." He turned to the auror. "And why don't you accompany Harry and I?"
The auror swallowed, his eyes darting back and forth between Sirius and the door. Idiot, Hermione thought darkly as she turned away to get her adopted father. If you act like you've been caught, it only lets people know that you really are guilty. Mentally rolling her eyes, Hermione set off for the kitchen in search of Remus.
Walking down a hallway, an auror spotted her and gave her a strange look. For a moment she feared he would try to stun her, but she passed unharmed and soon found herself in the kitchen. Remus was sitting in a chair with his back to her and Harmony laughing in his lap.
"Papa Moo!" She giggled. "Want a dwink, Papa Moo!"
Remus laughed heartily. "A dwink, eh? Well what do you want, little Dewdrop? Do you want some milk to dwink, or some water?"
"Mick!" Harmony exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Mick!"
Hermione pulled herself together. She didn't have time to watch Harmony play with Remus, adorable though it was. "Papa Remus," she called softly. "Uncle Sirius wants to see you in one of the sitting rooms." She bit her lip and looked up into his curious eyes. "Harry and I were walking when we heard one of the aurors talking. He pointed his wand at one of the photos of Harry's mum and dad and said a word, said Introspicio and Harry and I wanted to know what it meant, so we went to tell Uncle Sirius." By that time the werewolf's face was as white as a sheet. "He sent me to get you."
"Just a moment, Hermione," Remus replied before standing and putting Harmony in play pen in the kitchen.
"Papa Moo!" Harmony complained with a pout. She stretched her arms up, wanting to be held again. Remus ignored her and turned to retrieve a small cup of milk, charmed to prevent being spilled, and handed it to the young child before dropping a quick kiss on her forehead.
"I'll be back soon, Harmony, I promise. Alright, Hermione," Remus said, turning back to her. "Show me where they are." Hermione nodded and grabbed his hand. Pulling him out of the room and ignoring Harmony's protests, she led him down the hallway towards the sitting room where she had first discovered the Ministry's deceit.
"It's this way, Papa Remus," Hermione told him as she pulled him up a flight of stairs. It was an unnecessary comment, but it seemed like something an eight year old would do. In the back of her mind, she prayed that Harry was alright. The auror had looked more than a little panicked when she left, and she only hoped that he didn't try anything that could cause harm to her family. She shook away the odd feeling that she had about referring to them as her family. Part of her was comforted by the idea of having a family, while another part of her felt that she was betraying her parent by being a part of a different family and enjoying it.
"They're in this room," she said, pointing needlessly to the room. From where she was, she could see Sirius standing, his face red as she faced the auror. Harry, who was standing quietly in the corner, was watching the two men, his eyes flickering from one to the other. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that Harry was unharmed. Worrying about Harry was like breathing for her- it came naturally. Harry is such high maintenance, she thought as Remus stepped around her and into the room. She smiled a little as she followed her adopted father. But I wouldn't trade my Harry for anyone else.
"…And you and the Ministry felt the need to spy on my family why exactly?" Sirius asked through gritted teeth.
"What's going on?" Remus asked as he stepped closer to Sirius.
"It would seem that the Ministry felt that they had to monitor our house," Sirius said stiffly. "Without informing us."
I wish I were older, Hermione thought as Remus bared his teeth and growled in a wolfish fashion. Then I could do something useful instead of just standing here, watching what happens. Wandless magic or not, I can't get too involved, I can't draw even more attention to myself, even if I can't stand being useless!
"And why would they do that!" Remus snarled rather than asked. Hermione shared a look with Harry- both of them knew that, with the full moon only two days away, Remus would be very temperamental. Harry was too far away, but Hermione knew she was close enough to calm the werewolf down.
Hermione casually walked up to Remus and slipped her hand into his much larger one and leaned against him. It was something she had done to her father when she thought he wasn't feeling well, or had a rough day at the dentistry. She would never be sure why the stance had brought her father comfort, but it had always soothed him. Perhaps, she thought, leaning on him let my father know that someone needed him Or maybe it's just the contact. To her relief, it also seemed to soothe Remus, for whatever reason.
Remus cleared his throat and drew in a deep, calming breath. "And why would they need to do that?" He asked, his voice calmer and he reined in his fierce temper, though Hermione could see fury flash in his eyes for the briefest of moments.
The auror drew himself up and puffed out his chest. "The Ministry felt that it would be wise to monitor everything that happens within this establishment for the purpose of protecting and ensuring the safety of the children in your care for the majority of the year. For that reason, we have been putting surveillance charms on various items thought out the house to be sure that no harm comes to any who are in your care," he said, giving Harry and pointed look before turning his gaze to Hermione.
"We would never harm the children," Remus snarled.
"You're tone says differently, sir," the auror spat contemptuously. "It's a good thing that we've been watching the occupants of this house. While the two of you haven't done anything yet, my co-workers and I have noticed that both of your adopted children have been using magic frequently. Now, unless the boy has a wand- which would be illegal, given his age- then he too is using wandless magic and that is of great interest to my colleagues at the Ministry.
"Consequently, if it is true that the boy is using wandless magic, I find it most interesting then that you didn't come forward to inform the Wizengamot about your boy's skill. That's withholding information from the proper authorities, Mr. Black. The boy's new found ability had caught the interest of many officials. They would like to question him in regard to his ability."
Remus growled. "Why you-"
"Watch what you say, werewolf, or I'll have you hogtied in silver chains," the auror hissed.
Remus drew back sharply, his grip on Hermione's hand tightening. His breathing became erratic as a tick developed in his left eye. Hermione suddenly feared for her adopted father. The auror would get what he deserved, Sirius held enough sway with the Wizengamot to ensure that the Ministry would face severe consequences for their illegal spying, but Remus, she feared, may very well do something for which he would never forgive himself.
Before she could act, the auror found himself bound in thick, black cords. "I would caution you against threatening those who live in my house," Sirius said, his voice a deadly whisper. "For an auror, you really are quite foolish. First, you violate the Res Familiaris Decree of 284 by invading my home and invading my privacy by spying on me and my family when you have not been given adequate reason. Then you tell me that you've been spying for a year, and from what you've just said, you intend to try and blackmail me into submission."
Sirius stood over the fallen auror. "I'll have your job for this, yours and your colleagues. You have knowingly violated a law, and more, you have attempted to use blackmail on the occupants of this household." He tisked. "Funny how you told me everything just a moment ago. Did you think you could intimidate me? I'll tell you what, friend, you're not half as frightening as the Dementors, and I have no doubt you and those involved will be paying them a visit soon."
"Oi," an auror said as he stepped into the room, his wand at the ready. "What's going on in here?" He demanded, nodding to his superior.
"Ah, Bertram, I believe?" Sirius said. Hermione took a step towards Harry, still holding her adopted father's hand. "I was just explaining to your commanding officer here that your presence here is quite illegal."
"Oh yes," Remus added as the second auror began to pale. "Quite illegal. Spying on a family via observing spells placed on several objects throughout a household without said family's knowledge goes against regulation."
"B-but I was told it was legal," he said, his voice tinged with confusion. Hermione looked into his eyes, letting her Legilimency do it's job. "We were told that it was a training mission that you had agreed to. We were to put traces on a twenty five items throughout the house. Our task was to find the objects and recast the tracing spell without you catching us. I swear Mr. Black, that's the truth. I didn't have any idea that this wasn't a training session."
"He's telling the truth," Hermione said softly to Remus. The werewolf, who had calmed considerably, nodded slowly as he looked down at her, understanding. Of course, he has no idea I can use Legilimency. He probably thinks it was a vision.
"I believe him Sirius," Remus said to his friend, giving other man a significant look before glancing at Hermione. Sirius nodded, understanding what the werewolf meant. It was funny that she hadn't thought of using the excuse of having a vision earlier. She supposed, though, that she could only use the 'vision' reason so many times before it lost it's credibility. It was better to save those 'visions' for another time.
"If you say so, Remus." Sirius turned back to the other man. "Well Bertram, why don't you go and gather all of your team mates and bring them to the kitchen. It would seem we have a great deal to discuss."
"Wotcher," Tonks said as she came into the room, Harmony in her arms and pulling her hair. "What's going on? I pop in for a visit and find little Harmony crying her eyes out and can't find everyone else."
Sirius sighed. "I can see that this will require more explanation than I had originally thought. Alright, Dora, let's all head to the kitchen. We'll fill you in when we fill the trainees in on what's been going on. After that, we can decide what we're going to do."
He turned to Harry and Hermione. "Well, it's a good thing you wanted to learn a new word, Harry," Sirius ginned. "You've been spending too much time with Hermione."
"Not possible," Harry replied earnestly. "Hermione's super fun and super smart. There's no way anyone can spend too much time with her."
Sirius, Remus and Tonks laughed as his words, while Hermione blushed a brilliant shade of red. "If you say so, Little Prongs. Your Uncle Remus and your Aunt Dora and I are going to have a chat with our guests, and we'll be bringing Dante here with us," he nodded to the bound auror. "You two can go outside and spend some time with your horses, but remember-"
"No riding," Harry and Hermione chorused together.
Sirius grinned at them. "That's right. Now, off you two go. Moony, Dora, we'd better be on our way as well. We have a long discussion ahead of us. Hey Moony, why don't you floo Moody. We'll give him the report, and he can get everyone's stories on what they were told." The group set off, Sirius mumbling about wizarding politics, Remus growling about prejudice, and Tonks cooing over Harmony.
"What do you think will happen now?" Harry asked softly. "They know I can do magic like you can."
Hermione sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know, Harry, I just don't know." She suddenly felt very tired.
"It's like it's never going to end," Harry murmured. "It's like everyone wants me or you or me and you, and I don't know why." He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "I'm afraid, Hermione. What if they separate us, all of us? What if they take me away from you and Papa Sirius and Uncle Remus? Or what if they take you away from us like they did before?"
Hermione looked at her friend solemnly, not knowing how to console him. For once, she decided not to worry about her troubles. It was bad enough that she was still trying to decide when to 'discover' the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts, she didn't need to worry about everything else.
But you do, that irritating voice in the back of her mind told her. Harry is in danger. Again. He needs to be protected. He's too young to face the Ministry, or a Death Eater. He was too young to face Malfoy.
Hermione sighed. "There isn't anything we can do Harry," she said, taking his hand in hers to offer what comfort she could. "We're just kids." We're just kids, she thought, hating herself for having to admit it. Children were powerless. No one believed children, because they were prone to exaggerating or misjudging what really happened, or lying altogether. For all of her knowledge, and for all of the control she had gotten over her magic, little though it was, she was powerless. Sirius and Remus put a lot of trust in her, but she knew that trust would only go so far.
"Papa Remus and Uncle Sirius will take care of everything," she assured him. "They can't take us away, because they weren't supposed to be here spying on us anyways. What I'm more worried about is the Ministry knowing about what you can do," she said softly, mindful of the enchanted photo of Lily and James Potter.
"Voldemort's followers in the Ministry," Harry nodded his understanding. He had apparently forgotten that the spell on the photo was still in place. Hermione quickly silenced him and nodded to the picture before leading him out of the room. "Let's go to the stables," he suggested.
Hermione nodded and followed, lost in her thoughts. Macnair knew. Who else would know? Voldemort had kept the identity of many of his followers a secret so that they could not reveal too many if they were caught, so Macnair would not be able to tell many people… but it was possible that he would tell a few, who would tell a few others… and the cycle would continue. Then there was the fact that another Death Eater could know, or a Death Eater sympathiser. She didn't know what she would do.
Harry and Hermione spent several hours outside with Gloria and Archimedes. Neither one of them wanted to go inside while Sirius, Remus and Tonks were talking with aurors, so they remained outdoors. After a while, they began to play games. They would stare at the clouds and try to figure out what they looked like. They would take turns telling each other stories- Harry told one about a dog that couldn't bark, but could quack like a duck, while Hermione told one about two friends rescuing a young girl from a troll.
Neither mentioned the aurors or the Ministry, or the possible trouble to come. They spent their time enjoying the day. As Hermione watched Harry while he dozed, she wondered if, perhaps, that warm summer day was the calm before the storm. Deciding to stick to her earlier resolution, she pushed her thoughts away, and allowed herself to let her mind drift to other, more pleasant matters, like enjoying the sunshine while she could.
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A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. Regretfully, my computer crashed and took everything with it. I had to completely rewrite my chapter outline, amongst other things. Very bothersome, that. As it is, I still have three huge papers and two mini-papers for college to write, so it may be awhile before I have any free time.
Latin translations in this chapter: Introspicio means to look into , look inside, observe, examine, and Res Familiaris means private property
A word about Ron. He's staying. Personally, I'm ambivalent about Ron. He has his moments when he's likeable, and he has his moments when I wish he would just go away. I felt it was important, however, that Hermione seek to include him. After all, it is a very Hermione-ish thing to do. I think it fits her personality, and while I have taken a few liberties with canon, I try to make every one act as in-character as possible.
Until next time. Thanks to everyone who read last time, and special thanks to everyone who reviewed. Please review!
Cheers,
Madm_05