Chapter 21
September 18th
James
"Oh, littlest black!" I call in a singsong voice as I tap my knuckles on her door. "The time for beauty sleep is over!" I shout still grinning, imagining Hermione's tired face on the other side of the door.
I sigh, bringing up my fist to knock on the door again. "Come on, littlest black, we have things to do, schemes to plot, and trouble to make—"
Just then the door opens and my smile practically falls to the floor with the sight I'm greeted with. Hermione groans, rubbing her gaunt eyes, her skin pale and sickly, her hair stuck to her forehead—which glistens with sweat. Bloody hell.
Her lips are chapped and her voice raw as she scolds me. "Bloody hell james, say it a little louder, don't think the hufflepuffs heard you!" She grumbles but my gaze is focused on her bloodshot eyes and the very dark circles under them. I run a hand through my hair. "Fucking hell granger, you look like shit!"
I wince. That came out wrong. She gives a dry chuckle, her voice scratchy and cracked. "Yeah well, I feel like shit, prongs. Now would you like to tell me why your shouting out my last name for everyone to hear?" I can tell she's trying to be intimidating, but for the first time, it doesn't work, she just comes off as exhausted.
"The others already left for breakfast, that's why I came to call you but—" I rush through before looking her up and down as she leans on the door frame, her hand holding onto the door to steady herself. "Are you ok? You really don't look good!" I wince once again. Once again, that did not come out right.
As harsh as they words are, they're true, she really doesn't. Her hands slightly tremble as she lets out a quiet sigh, closing her eyes and leaning her forehead on the door. "Why don't you go lay down or—" she shakes her head. "No, no, go on, head to breakfast. I'll be there soon, I just need a moment." She waves me off, opening her eyes.
"Erm...I don't know I—"
"Go, James, I'll be there soon!" She pushes me away with all the strength she can muster—which isn't much at the moment—before shutting the door in my face. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. These bloody feisty witches are going to be the death of me.
I don't stay at her door but I don't go down to breakfast either, instead I choose to sit in the common room down stairs and walk her to the great hall.
My leg shakes as I sit there, waiting for her. I contemplate just sending a patronus to the others and telling them to send breakfast up for her, so she won't have to go at all but for that to happen, I'd have to convince her that she's five seconds from dropping dead. Godric knows nothing else warrants a break to her.
Though everyone jokes about Remus being the mother of the group, anyone who was close with our group knew that the second someone falls ill, I'm there. Lils always said if being an Auror didn't work out I could be a healer—granted I actually learn healing magic, but I do have the overbearing nature of one.
Just as I'm about to go upstairs to check on the little witch I see her stumble down the stairs. I immediately rise to my feet and run to her side to steady her. "I've got you, princess." I make it so her weight leans on me as I place her arm over my own shoulder and let her head rest on my shoulder as she closes her eyes, taking a few laboring breaths.
I put my hand to her sweaty forehead and find it much hotter then it should be. "You're head is burning up kiddo, you really shouldn't be up." I say quietly as I pay her hair away from her face. She shakes her head slowly on my shoulder. "I..." she heaves. "I'll beee fine...jusst—jus, nee some pepper up..." she slurs in between heavy labored breathes.
She tries to remove herself from me and take a step forward but only ends up in loosing her balance and stumbling. I catch her shaking body I'm my arms. I shake my head at her half open lids and harsh breathing. "Stubborn bloody witch." I sigh and lead her slumped body over to the couch where I'm quick to lay her down and place a blanket over her shivering body.
"m' fine, jusss need to close m' eyesss for a minute..." she slurs as her eyes blink out of consciousness. Only moments later, I hear her breathing even out, indicating she really is out cold. Funny, I think this is the only time I've seen the witch sleep since she got here. I once again shake my head with a chuckle. "That's Blacks for you." I can't help but mutter.
I take of the boots she must have put on quite rushed, if the unzipped chain was any indication. I set the one the floor beside the couch, next to the bag that had fallen off her shoulder at some point.
I contemplate sending a patronis to the others but decide it will be best if Sirius doesn't see her like this. His only living family member that doesn't despise him and she looks like she's on her deathbed at the moment? I don't think so.
I send one last glance at the little witch before taking my leave and hoping for the best. With my luck she'll magically rise from the dead just to prove she's superior at potions. I chuckle.
Imagine that!
Hermione
One hour later
"No, no, no, don't leave me here!" I scream pulling at the metal bars of the dungeon. Her eyes are apologetic but she doesn't move to unlock the door. "Please, please, don't leave me!" I sob, my dark hair matted to my wet cheeks.
I hear footsteps running towards our direction and see her whip her head to the area of the noise as my voice becomes more frantic. "Please, take me with you, I-I'll be good, I promise! Please..." another sob wrenches from my throat. "Don't leave me hear with h-her..."
Her eyes soften and for a moment I think she's wavering, but then, she clutches the Keys tighter in her fist and schools her features to go blank before whispering a small, "I'm sorry, sis." And running away.
My sons turn to screams as I bang my hands on the bars keeping me here. "No!" I yell, trying with everything inme to reach for the magic I'd once felt at my finger tips, urging it to rise, to save me. But it never does.
I huddle in the corner of the dirty cell as the men in masks race into the room. "...no." I whisper one last time as I begin to rock back and forth as one of the masked men comes forth at the bars of my sell. "Where is she!" He barks, pointing his wand at my small, huddled frame. I shake my tearful face. I can practically hear his smile as he says. "Have it your way."
"Crucio!"
My eyes snap open with a painful gasp. As soon as my eyes open I groan in pain. Every muscle in my body aches, my hair matted to my sweat covered forehead, much like in the dream. My skin feels sickly and the air around me, hot and suffocating. I kick off the blanket that had been laid across my body, though it hurts to do so.
I—with much effort—mange to pull myself into a sitting position on the couch I'd been draped on. I let out a couple heaving breathes. Need to go. Need to get up. I say to myself though it seems like quite the feat at the moment. Pepper up. My mind supplies. I nod to myself as I spy on on the opposite side of the room, sitting on a side table near another couch.
I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the pounding in my head as I grip the side of the sofa, getting ready to pull myself up. I nod before using my grip to push myself up from the couch.
Almost immediately a rush of dizziness assaults me and I fall to my knees, bile crawling up my throat and I wretch onto the carpeted floor. Fuck. My mind curses as I feel the burn in my throat. Come on Hermione, just have to get to the table.
I grab my wand to my bag which had taken up residence on a spot on the floor near the couch I'd been laying on. I quickly cast a scourgify at the mess on the floor just as my vision stars to blur. Before my body can get the chance to pass out again, I quickly stand, clutching the arm of the sofa and hobble my way over to the table, stumbling more times then I thought possible.
Once I reach the table I'm quick to unscrew the cap and chug the potion before collapsing onto the nearest sofa. The potion won't do much but it will give me the ability to stand so I can find something stronger.
I lean my head back against the head rest, closing my eyes. I try to ignore the pounding in my skull, and focus on the feeling of nausea and sickness, waiting for the potion to make it temporarily wash away.
After a few moments, I feel the symptoms somewhat retreat and decide to take advantage of it while I can and go on the search for something stronger, luckily,
I know exactly where to get it.
Regulus
Potter is being weird.
And I mean weirder then usual,
He's always weird.
He came into the great hall for breakfast abnormally late, his hair disheveled as it usually looks after he's run his hand through it multiple times—a nervous tic I've noticed him perform.
When looking at the others around the table, I see nothing amiss. My brother is laughing at his own jokes as usual, Evans is studying, longbottom, longbottom junior and Petigrew are talking to the taller Weasley quite animatedly, marls is doing her eyeliner as McDonald watch's in amusement, and Lupin is trying to hide the fact he's drinking from a flask that I'm guessing isn't pumpkin juice.
Completely normal.
Then you look at potter, Nervous. Fucking. Wreck. And for some reason unbeknownst to me, he keeps glancing at Sirius like he's going to have a psychotic break. And don't get me wrong, my brother can go on quite the psychotic rampage when he's having an episode or a meltdown, but the odd thing is he seems perfectly fine.
As fine as Sirius can be, at least.
And yet potter is looking at him like he could jump over the table any moment now. But Siri is perfectly happy from across the table, fully contempt to eat his eggs and play footsies with lupin under the table, leading me to believe it is potter who is having a psychotic break. Another reason for my theory is the fact that his neck naps to the door every time it opens like a fucking maniac.
What are you hiding James potter?
Hermione
I finally make it to the ravenclaw tower, after successfully puking on the stairs and almost passing out right then and there. I clutch at the wall near the portrait as I try to catch my breath. "Well hello dear, I—"
"Just give me the bloody riddle, women!" I heave, not dallying with niceties. She gives a little 'hmp' but I am too sick to care. She crosses her arms from inside the portrait and glares but nonetheless gives me the riddle. "Seas with no water, hills with no earth, roads never stepped on, what am I—"
"Map." I choke out, through labored breathes. "It's a map." Even on my death bed, the ravenclaw riddles will never best me. "That is correct—" I waste no time hearing the rest of the sentence and simply push open the newly unlocked door, tripping inside the common room.
I am immediately welcomed by several very confused ravenclaws that look me up and down trying to gauge my motives but don't stay long enough for them to figure it out. Instead I go straight for the stairs to the dormitories disabling the charms to keep girls out of the boys wing as I go.
My vision starts to once again go blurry as I go up the last step, stumbling into a wall as I try to make my way through the hall. I open the first door and see a boy with a blond girl in his lap, snogging the life force out of each other. Not that one. I think to myself before opening the next door which happens to be empty.
the third door I find two unknown ravenclaw boys most likely seventies students. "You alright there lass?" One of them asks putting down his book as I stare blurry eyed into their room, leaning heavy on the doorway. "Mhmm, eem lookin for Roger Daviess, you know what room es in?" I slur as my eye lids droop.
The two boys share a look before the second one nods and says, "Three doors down on the left." I nod in thanks and quickly close the door and stumble down the hallway. 1, 2, 3. I knock on the door with all the energy I can muster. "Davies!" I yell hoarsely, my voice cracking. "Davies, open the fucking door!" I pound my first on the wood of the door before he finally opens it.
"What the—Granger?" I push past him and let myself into the room, collapsing on the bed. "Granger what the fuck?" I shield my eyes from the light with my hand as I let his words flow over my head, the nausea returning in full force. I force words to come out of my mouth anyway. "I need Laetus elixir." He goes silent.
I remove my hand from over my eyes, letting the light in the room shock me back into existence. "You know the side effects of that right?" He stutters and I roll my eyes. I open my mouth to speak but he cuts me off. "Hyper awareness, extreme mood swings, periods of numbness, manic episodes, magic instability, not to mention the extreme withdraws—"
I wave him off. "Yes, yes, I'm very familiar with them, as are you with the amount of times you've sold it to me, if you recall." I point out and he crosses his arms. "I do, which is why I'm so hesitant you offer it up to you again, considering the strength at which you experience the side effects."
A sharp pain engulfs me at the center of my skull and I cry out, clutching my head. I have to remind myself how to breathe as i wait for the pain to subside. In. "It's just this one—" out. "Time, Davies." In. "Just need to get through." Out. "Today." I take a staggering breath, my eyes watering at the pain in my skull. My eyes pour into his.
"Please?"
James
I've stopped my compulsive glancing at the door but still keep my eyes on padfoot just in case. I should tell him. My mind says. She is his niece. I shake the thoughts from my head. No, need to worry him, I'm sure she just caught the flu. Even as my mind supplies the idea I can't seem to get myself to believe it.
My mind brings up images of her from this morning, her pale skin and red eyes, her hot sickly skin, the sweat that coated her brow, that wasn't normal. The weirdest part was, looking back on the memories I have a vague recollection of seeing her eyes switch from her usual hazel, to a glowing amber. It's with that image in mind that i admit,
I'm worried about her.
I'm so lost in thought about the golden haired princess, that I don't seem to notice the door to the great hall opening, nor the small padded footsteps approaching. "Well, look who it is, princess finally woke up from her slumber, eh?" Sirius grins from beside me. I hear a melodic laugh that snaps me out of my trance. "At least i could be considered royalty, what should I call you? Peasant? You certainly look like one with that unruly hair."
Sirius puts a hand to his heart. "Oh, my lady, how you wound me!" I look up and am met by the sight of Hermione, standing in all her glory, healthy and glowing as the day she was born. I immediately stand. She goes to sit on the bench beside me as I stare at her with wide eyes. I let my gaze trace over her and find no signs of what transpired only a half an hour ago.
I grip her wrist when no one is looking, pulling her closer to whisper in her ear. "are you alright?" I ask, quite enough so only she can hear me. She gives me a dazzling smile, bright and inviting, but there's this look in her eyes that unsettles me as she puts her hand over mine and chirps,
"Never better."
Draco
I take in Granger from across the table.
She's acting strange,
More strange then usual,
She's always strange.
She's like—it's almost like....bloody hell, I think Grangers high. I'm almost compelled to turn around and ask Theo, because apparently he's an expert when it comes to all things granger, but I don't. Instead I keep my eyes on her. She's smiling. Granger doesn't smile. At least, not in my presence.
She's fucking chipper as a bird.
I don't fucking like it.
She keeps joking with Crouch and has barely looked at our potion since class started. That's not normal. Firstly, she can't stand crouch, secondly, granger doesn't joke, thirdly, I've never done a project with her where she wasn't standing over my shoulder telling me I was doing something wrong and redoing it her way. It's very...odd.
But it's not just that, as glowy as she looks and as energetic as she acts, her hands shake with vigor, as if her actions and her body don't agree. I continue to watch her and I notice something flicker around her eyes as she talks.
there it goes again.
every few minutes or so I see a flick of purple come out from under her eye as she moves, leading me to believe she's under an illusionment charm. I narrow my eyes.
What are you hiding Hermione Granger?
Regulus
I watch as my brother and his friends play quidditch all by their lonesome as I stand behind the bleachers my eyes on Marly. I watch with a small smile on my face as she takes down petigrew before flying to the goal. I watch pettigrew as well, though not for the same reasons. No, I watch Marlene to make sure she's safe, I watch pettigrew to make sure she's safe from him.
I am quite aware of what Petigrew does in his free time, as we seem to have the same hobbies—though once again, for different reasons. He was requited only months after my own initiation into the 'monsters of the wizarding community club' and was quite surprised to see me there, so surprised that he chose to get me before i could get him.
The next day he pulled up my sleeve in front of Sirius, showing off my fresh mark. I haven't spoken to my brother since.
I see Marly detach from her friends and take that as my Que to make myself known. Just as she starts to make her way past the spot my the bleachers I'm standing underneath I quickly snatch her arm and pull her to me, putting my other hand over her mouth so they don't hear her startled scream.
She thrashes against me.
I brush her hair from her face and coo, "Shh, shh, love it's just me." I say into her ear and she automatically relaxes in my arms before turning to face me. God she looks good with her hair up—ow! "Bloody hell women! what was that for?" I yelp as she crosses her arms and glares up at me. "For scaring me, you prick!" She yells, hitting me in the back of the head again.
"Shh, there'll hear you—bloody hell, this is what I get for wanting to have some alone time with my witch?" I laugh, rubbing my head as her glare gets harsher. "What Reg, too embarrassed to be seen with me?" Ha, I wish. I shake my head and laugh, glancing down at my fabric covered mark. "I thinks it's you, love, who shouldn't be seen with me." I say nodding my head down at my left arm.
Her eyes immediately soften and she wraps her arms around my waist. She places a small kiss on my jaw. "Prick." She sighs and I can't help my roar of laughter as I hide my face in her golden wavy hair, content to stay here forever. "You love me." I kiss her forehead and she gives a mock sigh. "Unfortunately."
I grin down at her and lean in to whisper in her ear. "Does that mean you'll be visiting my dorms tonight." I'm caught off guard when she once again smacks me upside the head, swiftly extracting herself from me. I'm still rubbing my head when I relize she's walking away. "It that a yes?" I yell after her. She raises her middle finger, not once looking back. "Can it, Black."
I laugh.
"Make me, Mckinnon!"
Hermione
The pounding in my head has returned in full force as I recall Davies's last words to me as I walked out of his dorm.
"Potion only lasts ten hours, Granger, It'll where off by six!" He yells after me as I trapes out of his dorm room, fully drugged up on the elixir and covered by glamour charms. I wave him off. "I'll be fine Davies!"
I was not fine. The potion was supposed to wear off by six, it's 5:45 and I feel like a bloody muggle school bus has been dropped on my head. Knowing that the potion is just starting to wear off, I choose to start my journey to my dorm now before the full weight of my symptoms come back in full force.
I swallow back the bile that threatens to force its way up my throat as I stand on shaky legs, my muscles crying out in pain as I leave my sitting position on the quidditch bleachers. I let out a heavy exhale and clutch onto the railing as my legs threaten to fall out from beneath me.
I count the steps as I go down them, trying to give my mind something other then the over whelming pain to focus on. I keep walking, crossing the feild to make my way to the doors to get inside the castle. In the back of my mind i hear people behind me calling for me, but pay them no mind as my lids start to get heavier.
By the time I've reached the moving stairs, my vision is blurry and my legs weak, my throat burns with what feels like acid and my head pounds like a drum. I'm able to make it up one flight of stairs before I collapse, falling middle stairwell in a heap on the steps. I try, with all my might, to get back up on my feet, but am unable to find the strength.
I'm seventeen.
My mind supplies. I grit my teeth as i summon on my magic, hoping, pleading with everything in my to apparate me to my dorm without getting splinched. Just when I think I've lost all hope and have to wait until I'm found on this stairwell I hear a crack.
Suddenly I'm standing in my dorm room, only feet away from my bed. I summon every bit of strength left to get me to the other side of the room, and after quite a bit of stumbling I collapse onto my bed, using the last of my strength to pull the curtains closed around my bed. that is all I remember before my mind floats toward,
the abyss.
Regulus
I stumble into the common room with a smile on my face and a beautiful witch on my mind. My thumbs twiddle with the pages of the book in my hand as i think about our moment on the quidditch field. I can't help the sigh of contentment that leaves me but am quick to quiet when I enter the sitting area and see my cousin looking very concerned at the letter she holds in her hands.
I stop in my tracks as I take her in. It's very rare that I see Bella so distressed over, well, anything. "What is it cousin?" i ask making her stop biting her freshly done nails and look up at me, a grim look on her face. "The papers just released the time travel debacle, and well...." I pirk up and urge her to continue. "Well?"
She looks down at the letter again before looking up at me, placing on her fake society smile. "It's aunt Walburga." I hold my breath. "She's coming for a visit."
Well fuck.
early the next morning
September 19th 1978
Hermione
I awakened with a jolt, only to immediately regret it.
My eyes are swollen and burning, every muscle in my body aches, my head--though the pain lessened--still pounds in my skull. My throat is scratchy and burning, most likely from the bile that had climbed up my throat when I'd awaken once before.
Deciding to ease the aching in my throat I sit up with a small whimper, the sweat covered body hurting with every movement. I slowly swing my legs over the edge of my bed, shivering as the blanket moves from my body, exposing my body to the cold september air.
I pull open the curtains to see the room splayed in dark shadows, all my dorm mates lay in their beds sleeping soundly, the moon high in the air indicating it is the dead of night. I rise from my bed on legs that, though better than last night, still unstead. I allow the cold floor to ground me as I make my way to the bathroom on unsteady legs.
I keep my hand pressed up against the wall for support as I make my way to the small room, opening the door and turning on the light. I hiss, and cover my eyes with one hand to avoid the glare of the light as I turn on the sink.
Still shielding my eyes, I take my other hand and use it to wet my burning neck. I then move the hand covering my eyes and use it and the other one to cup water from the sink in my two hands and bring it to my mouth, using the cool water to soothe my burning throat.
I tip my head down and close my eyes, my hands clutching at the edge of the sink. I feel my headache start to subside and make the decision to go back to bed and at least get some rest before the day starts up again.
Then I open my eyes.
My gaze is met by the vision of my two hands clutching at the countertop. Only by one is a curl of my hair. Only, it doesn't look like my hair. My eyes widen and my neck snaps up to look in the mirror. My breath catches in my throat and I once again feel nauseous.
Because long gone are my golden frizzy shoulder length curls.
In their place are waist length black perfect ones.
Gone are my hazel brown eyes.
They are replaced with that of silver steel.
My eyes widen once more and I freeze in dread, afraid to look down. My body shakes with the realization that my left arm won't be the only one scarred. Mard with untrue words.
words I wish I could burn from my skin.
From my mind.
From my soul.
A single tear slips from my eyes as I release a shaky breath and look down at my right arm, reading the words that are scarred into my flesh.
the words that haunt my dreams.
The words my family once lived by.
What are those words, you ask?
Toujours Pur.
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I am open for my grammy nomination, thank you very much. Hey guys, I know it's been a while but I was really just trying to get this chapter right for you guys, i know it's quite a long one but There was so much to tell and even now I feel like I rushed it. I really hope you guys liked it and I'm not going to say any names or give anything away but someone is going to find out the secret next chapter so stay tuned and stay exited!