Secrets and Plans
Tuesday the 1st of March 1977
“Remus!” Hermione shouted as she skidded around the corner and through the groups of students, ignoring their curious gazes to instead focus on the tall boy, nearly man, she was running towards.
He stood at the end of the hall, light green eyes wide as he looked at her, sandy hair longer than usual and in need of a cut, and on each side stood James, slightly amused as he pushed his glasses up his nose, and Sirius, whose face lit up like a child's on Christmas day, hands all but reaching out to grip her as she came to a stop before them with a large grin and clasped hands.
Hermione was aware that she probably looked a bit deranged, scratch that very deranged, what with her skidding around corners and shouting for the boy that she wasn't seeing, all wild curls, manic grins and slightly rumpled attire - normally she would try to look a bit more put together, but she didn't really care at the moment.
Sirius hands rested on her waist, sending tingles down her spine but she kept her eyes on Remus, gently placing her hands on Sirius' chest to move in out of the way. Their friend watched with cautious eyes and a nervous expression, as he spoke softly. “Hi?”
“Hi!”
“Erm...hello?” Sirius all but whispered in her ear as she quickly looked at him, raised eyebrow and one hand lifting to gesture to himself as his silver eyes showed a slight annoyance that made her mouth turn into a softer smile and her hand reach up to rest on his cheek.
“Hi.” It was softer and somehow more intimate as the annoyance softened and slipped into something she only ever seemed to see when he looked at her, prompting her to raise onto the tips of her toes so she could place a gentle kiss at the corner of his mouth and watch as he all but seemed to melt - even at the disgusted sound James made from somewhere near them.
It had seemed to take so long to get here, but every step had been worth it. Hermione had been worried about the slowness, in all honesty, like she wouldn't be able to tell if they were moving forward, but Sirius had surprised her. His hand always seeming to reach for hers or an arm resting around her shoulder, sitting by her side and pulling her to cuddle into his, soft kisses on the cheeks or forehead, notes in classes, and looks that made her feel warm and her cheeks turn pink.
It almost felt innocent and cute, and though she would never admit it, she was happy they were taking things slow and learning about each other instead of jumping into bed - not that she would decline if he asked - but she was happy.
“Oh hi James…how are you?” Her brother spoke with a high pitched voice and a scoff at the end as Hermione pulled away from Sirius to face him with a cold stare, but he simply pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. “So nice of you to pay attention to your brother.” He was a dramatic little baby whose tantrums should be ignored.
And they had been for the most part, his pouting and whining receiving nothing more than rolling eyes since they had their little argument, and slowly his responses were becoming less and less, but there were still times he felt the need to comment.
“Don’t be a baby.” Hermione muttered to him as he rolled his eyes before she turned back to grinning at Remus. “I figured it out.”
The nerves must have been gone as Remus looked back at her in amusement, pushing his hands into his robes and raising a single eyebrow. “Am I supposed to know what that means?”
“The Runes riddle that has been on the board since the start of school – I figured it out.”
She watched with a slight smirk as his mouth dropped open in shock, the careless swagger he seemed to have had before turning slack as he stuttered over his words and then pouted. It had almost been a competition between them and Lily about who could figure out the old riddle on the board - something she was sure she would have figured out earlier if it hadn't been for the amount of shit she had had on her plate.
Remus clearly hadn't expected her to do it though, and as amusing as it was to watch him struggle with speaking, she did have classes to go to and people to see. “I am willing to share credit with you and Lily, providing you do something for me first.”
“Yeah, of course...wait…”
“Yeah.” Her grin was possibly a bit too evil as Remus glared at her.
“This seems a bit unfair.” Remus hissed, like he had more he wanted to say more but decided against it, removing his hands from his pockets and adjusting the strap of his bag as he finally looked away from her while Hermione continued with her grinning.
“Hardly, I am willing to give you the majority of the reward and credit...if you do this one little thing for me.” And he would want to do it for her once she revealed what she had planned, but that would still be a while away, but until then she would build up a list of things he owed her and then all he would have to do to repay would be one thing that would help him more than it her.
For a second she thought he understood but then she watched in confusion as his cheeks turned slightly pink, his eyes flickering to where Sirius stood watching them with a slight frown, and his tongue coming out to wet his lips in a way that made her move into a silent 'o' and she fought to not wince, her mouth opening to explain when he cut her off, mumbling almost to himself. “Would be better if I knew what is was”
“Alright, that’s about as much as I can take – what is going on here?” Sirius spoke as he moved by her side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder in what could only a possessive move that made Hermione roll her eyes and Remus clench his jaw in annoyance.
“Not whatever you are thinking.” He snapped back slightly, eyes glinting with gold but Sirius didn't back down, but instead deepened his frown and tugged Hermione even closer. She pretended it bothered her, but reality was that she kind of liked it.
Perhaps it wasn't as feminist as she wanted to be, but there was something she liked about her man wanting her close and not wanting anyone else to have her. Obviously, she wouldn't be encouraging it forever, and there would times it wouldn't be needed, especially against their friend who Hermione wasn't to leave Sirius for, but she would enjoy the small moments and the feelings it gave her, and the smell and touch that was just pure Sirius.
Kind silver eyes, and the slight stubble on his chin, rosy smirking lips, and the smell of tobacco, grass and something else. The careless swagger that he seemed to exude, and the softness he showed her, handsome and reckless and perfectly wrapped up just for her. Perhaps she should get him a leather jacket and a motorcycle, and they could ride around together to secret places and have their moments alone.
“Hermione?”
“Hm?”
“Merlin, this is disgusting.” James spat out as she blinked, cheeks blushing as Sirius looked at her amused, bending down to place a kiss at the corner of her mouth with a slight chuckle. “Don’t you have better things to do than stare at his ugly mug?” Her brother added, waving his hand in the air as Sirius scoffed, and Hermione let out a small chuckle, rubbing the side of his face as she stepped away.
“Yes, I do – in fact, Remus, we should get a move on.” She spoke as Sirius let out a small cry as she reached for Remus' hand, pulling him along and away from James and Sirius, his feet stumbling in a way that let her know if he really wanted to he could make her stop and get his hand free.
“I never agreed to this.” He moaned as she grinned at him, continuing her journey down the hall and trying not to look back at those silver eyes that watched her so intently.
“Erm...bye then!” His voice carried down the hall, making people look between them as she waved over her shoulder and Remus groaned.
“Bye!”
…
Later that day
The dungeons, and more specifically the potions classroom, always had a lingering scent, one that would make the most sensitive of people uncomfortable - mainly those with little wolf noses or the ability to turn into animals. Hermione was neither of those, and neither was Lily, but the both of them still sniffed and cringed slightly as they stepped into the room long after classes had finished, to see Damocles Belby.
Whatever he was brewing was enough to make her want to leave, a large amount of ingredients and what looked like days of brewing, and did nothing but make her stomach turn slightly as she closed the door softly behind them both, and faced his slightly nervous and surprised reaction.
He might have not been like every other Slytherin, eager to kill Muggleborns and join Voldemort, more happy to be by himself and with his potions as he prepared for his N.E.W.Ts and whatever life he would have once he left in a few months, but Hermione could still feel the tension in her own body, could see it on Lily's, still she tried not to let it show as she stepped further into room and gave what she hoped was a bright smile.
Belby narrowed his eyes, speaking before she could from his place before his cauldron. “Erm...hi - did you two need the room?”
"No, not at all." Hermione spoke as she moved closer to the boy and ignored Lily's narrowed eyed glare and clear question at what they were doing and why she had been dragged down here. It would all come to light soon, maybe not the reason she knew this because she wasn't about to throw him under the bus or let her own gut feeling known, but hopefully her friend would avoid that part of things. "How are you this evening, Belby?" She asked instead.
The man in question didn't answer as he narrowed his eyes at her and watched as she pulled Lily forward, an awkward silence settling around them.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Lily hissed as Hermione rolled her eyes slightly.
"Fine - I heard through the grapevine that you seem to be making a special little potion.” She spoke softly, as she stood opposite him and tilted her head to look at the potion in question, a frown on her face as she took in the colour and smell, something seeming off about the whole thing, or maybe it seemed right - she couldn't be quite sure, but her hand raised to rub her scar as it itched slightly.
“Yeah...for my apprenticeship...didn't take you for a gossip, Potter, so what do you want?" She wasn't, not really, someone had given her information and she wasn't about to break the trust they had put in her, but instead use it for how it was meant to be used.
“Like I said I heard some things and I was interested.” Hermione spoke as she looked at his ingredients, picking them up and frowning before smiling amused as he snatched them from her hands, narrowed eyed glare still on his face. “I mean, how often is it that you hear someone is making a potion to help werewolves.” She added with a shrug as though it was nothing as Lily's eyes grew wide and Belby's frown deepened.
"Why does that mean you have to stick your nose into my business?" Belby snapped as Hermione gave him a softer smile.
"Honestly, I'm surprised and curious, I didn’t think a Slytherin would have an ounce of concern for a ‘beast’, but I guess we are both full of surprises.” Hermione explained slightly, looking back to Lily who was staring at her with wide eyes and mouth curving into a small smile, surprise evident on her face.
“They’re people too.” It was almost a surprise to hear those words coming from someone dressed in green and silver, glaring at her as though she was the one in the wrong, like she was the one who had come from a family eager to cast out anyone who wasn’t ‘pure’.
“I agree.” Hermione spoke with another smile.
“Why is Evans here?” He asked as Hermione's smile dropped slightly and her arms crossed over her chest, a natural defence to protect her friend from whatever Belby was about to say, werewolves were fine it seemed but Muggleborns perhaps not, as if he seemed to sense that, he rolled his eyes and nodded his head towards Lily. “Why are you here?”
Lily opened her mouth to speak, probably to tell him that she had no idea but Hermione was faster, leaning against the table and smiling. “Are you aware that Lily is the top of our class?” She asked as he raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to say something only to close it again with an amused smirk, no doubt he was going to say he had heard Snape was but thought better of it. "Slughorn has her meeting the best of the best, and praising her ability to use the strangest ingredients to tie together her potions.” Lily scoffed behind her and Belby raised his eyebrows for a brief second.
It wasn't a lie, Lily had all but been dragged to the SlugClub meetings, pushed before people she didn't know and had had to listen to Slughorn tell people how talented she was for being born as she was - there would a career there for her once they finished Hogwarts, all she needed was a bit of boosting for people to see her talent, and what better to be than Damocles Belby and the possible potion he was creating.
Two birds with some spell.
Remus having his struggles eased and Lily having security through their little purist Ministry but getting a job that solely relied on talent and instincts.
“Congrats, I guess Evans, but what does that have to do with me?” Belby asked, amusement in his eye like he already knew what she was going to say but wanted to hear it regardless.
“Nothing, or everything.” Hermione answered before she grinned again, her friend shifting from foot to foot. “I think Lily would be a great help to what you are trying to achieve.” She spoke softly as Lily chocked on nothing but her own breath and Belby rolled his eyes.
"Using my potion to your own advantage, not very Gryffindor of you." Belby spoke as Hermione shrugged, she wasn't going to offended by it, and she had another reason. “No offence or anything but why would a Gryffindor, a Muggleborn at that, want to help me, a Slytherin – and what makes you think I even need help?” He added as he stirred his potion and looked back towards Lily, as though expecting her to answer but her jaw had dropped and it seemed Hermione would have to do the speaking for them.
"How long have you been working on this?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow as Belby narrowed his eyebrows. "From what I gathered, it's been a few months, and you still have a couple more before it needs to be presented - of course you could just do a modified version of another potion, but with the amount of time you've put into this, it would be a bit of a waste - and maybe another pair of eyes could help." She spoke softly as Belby smirked slightly and let out a small scoff.
“And what do you get out of this, Potter?” Belby asked, placing his hands onto the table as he leaned forward and took in her raised eyebrow. "Call me paranoid, or a typica Slytherin, but most people don't do something like this unless they want something - so out with it." In another life they might have been able to be friends, but it seemed too late for that now. “Half of the cuts if I manage to sell this? Your name on the bottom?”
"I have more money than I know what to do with, and I don't need my name printed on your project." Hermione answered waving her hand as she mirrored his stance. "I have people who can benefit, Lily is one of them - you know how hard it is for Muggleborns, having someone inside supporting her if she wants to go down this route -"
"If I get the job."
" - helps, and I might have someone who might be interested in the actual potion itself." Hermione finally spoke as his eyes went wide as he leaned forward while Lily hissed behind her.
"You both know a werewolf?" He deduced, eager with a tinge of sadness as Lily began mumbling things behind her and Hermione fought to roll her eyes. “Is it in this school or is it -”
"You should know better than anyone that I'm not going to answer that." Hermione all but snapped, his mouth shutting as he nodded his head in agreement. "But, they owe me, so I will agree to have him test the potion, if it works, and my only concession is that Lily gets to help and when the time comes and if that's what she wants, then you help her." She spoke as Belby narrowed his eyes slightly and his jaw tightened before he nodded.
It wasn't blackmail, it was a mutual agreement, one that she had come to when someone had spilled the beans to her and after careful thinking, because there were two friends who needed her help, or they would in later life - even more so after what she had seen in her dream. And Lily could glare at her all she wanted, but this wasn't just for her but for Remus too, and they both knew that when it came down to it they would both do what they could to help him.
Plus perhaps having more allies would be worth it in the long run.
"Why not do it yourself?" Belby asked suddenly. "No offence, Evans, but I hear you're pretty talented yourself." He added as Hermione smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Unless your boyfriend would flip at hearing you spending time down here with me." Maybe he would, but Hermione would be able to deal with that.
And she would be able to help, to probably get this moving but it would do nothing for her own future, and she couldn't risk something being triggered and sending her into some spiral or Dumbledore catching wind of her trying to figure something out, so instead she settle for a soft smile and a couple of words. "Lily's better."
Belby regarded her, like he couldn't quite believe her but it didn't matter in the long run, before he nodded his head. “Alright, you’ve got yourself a deal, Evans can watch and help – but I have my own concessions, Potter, neither of you try to take credit and I expect you both to offer some kind of backing if I need it.” He pointed his finger between them both before he held out his hand as Hermione came forward.
“Lovely doing business with you.” She spoke as she held out her hand for him to shake, smiling when he did so.
…
“Hermione!” Lily all but screamed down the corridor as Hermione tried to walk away faster before her friend could say anything or scream about making some kind of deal on her half. She probably should have asked first but she hadn't really had much time to mention it in between grabbing her friend and heading to potions. "Hermione!"
Sighing, she stopped and turned around, facing her best friend as she stopped before her - slightly taller with messy auburn hair and green eyes that crackled like a floo fire - they had made it far away enough from the potions class that Belby wouldn't be able to hear anything, and everyone else was long gone from the corridors, leaving them peacefully alone to talk about what had just happened.
"Lily." Hermione spoke softly with a nervous smile.
“What the fuck are you playing at?” There was a heated anger in her voice as she snapped at Hermione, who grimaced and turned, starting walking again and listening to her friend as she followed behind her. “What was that in there?” Lily asked after a second, a forced calm in her voice.
“I thought it was obvious, I'm trying to help our friend, and you.” Hermione answered with a frown as she sent a quick look to Lily who rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed scoff. "Lil'-"
Whatever else she was going to say was cut off as Lily took two angry steps forward and planted herself before Hermione to stop her from walking any further. “And what else?” She asked, narrowing her eyes. “I know you, and I know there is more to the story than this.” She added, pointing a finger into Hermione’s chest.
“Maybe but nothing you need to worry about.” Hermione spoke, rolling her eyes as she tried to slip around her friend, only to be held back. “Lily, come on.”
“Nothing I need to - Well, I am worried, Hermione, at whatever you are planning, and why now when Remus has Sirius and James to help him." She spoke harshly as Hermione narrowed her own eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Lily may have the whole fats jinx and slightly intimidating look to her when she was angry or annoyed, one that made James shiver sometimes, but she wasn't Hermione, she didn't know how to do the whole cold uncaring look that made people stop and worry.
The look the Black family had perfected over the years, one they did before something dangerous happen - and there was probably no reason to use it here, but unless she stopped Lily before it continued then all she was going to be hearing was a thousand questions that no answer would be enough for.
And frankly, she was annoyed that her friend was looking at her like she had just been signed over to some Death Eater, and not some rare caring Slytherin who wanted to help werewolves because he thought he could. She wasn't Marlene, she wasn't in bed with Death Eaters and with a questionable relationship.
"Stop looking at me like that." Hermione snapped, before she started speaking again. "Did you forget what happened last year? James and Sirius aren’t always going to be enough nor are they always going to be there, and Remus is going to need all the protection we can give before we head into this war.” She added before Lily could speak again, letting the words sink in that she wasn’t saying but Lily only seemed to sink deeper into her fury.
“And what about me?” Lily hissed out, throwing her hands into the air. “Did you think about what would happen to me when you threw me into some kind of plan with a Slytherin without even asking me first or explaining to me what the fuck was happening?" Lily all but shouted as Hermione grimaced in guilt, she could admit she should have probably said something about that but it was a bit late now.
"Sorry for that, and I did think about it – but Belby is hardly Mulciber or even Snape – and having someone like that in your corner when we finish school next year is only going to help.”
“Don’t pretend you are doing this for me.” Lily spoke softer but there was still a tinge of coldness there. “Or not completely for me, or for Remus, you want something else or you need something else -" Her eyes widened as she seemed to realise something and she leaned forward, hissing even more. "Are you expecting me to be some sort of spy? To find shit out from Belby and report back to you? Because I'm not doing that, and if that's what you want then why not ask our resident friendly Death Eater." She hissed out as Hermione blinked away the slight hurt that hit her.
"I - no, that's not what I want." She almost whispered, not that she could blame her friend for thinking that but it still hurt nonetheless. "I honestly thought it would help...and as for Regulus, well who do you think told me about Belby?” She added as Lily's mouth hung open, a tinge of regret in her eyes that made Hermione look away.
There seemed to be more her friend wanted to say but she settled on the most obvious part, concern thick in her throat. “He knows about Remus? How – why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“What was I suppose to say – ‘Hi Remus, just a heads up, Regulus knows what you are and he's done some digging and found out someone he knows is making a potion to help you’ – because he would take that so well.” Hermione spoke, rolling her eyes as she finally stepped past Lily only to be stopped again by a pair of hands on her shoulders pushing her back.
“How do you think he’s going to take when you hand over some magical potion made by some Slytherin?”
“Probably the same way you are, but that point I’m hoping to cash in some favours and a no questions asked.”
“So blackmail?” Lily asked with raised eyebrows as Hermione scoffed, it was hardly blackmail to do something to help someone but she supposed it could be seen that way. “Why not just tell me what you are up to so I know exactly what you have signed me up for instead of making things seem like some big secret?”
“You signed up for helping, watching and learning – and getting an in if you want to head into potions, I thought this had already been established.” Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her hands over her chest, pleading for this to be over but she knew Lily and her friend wasn’t going to step back until she got the answers she was searching for.
“As you mentioned in there, my grades are enough to get me -”
“You’re a Muggleborn, Lily, granted an intelligent one who doesn’t know when to leave things alone, but a Muggleborn nonetheless and we are at war.” Hermione finally snapped out as Lily frowned at her, something shining in her eyes. “Having someone to speak for you, who knows what you are capable of, someone in your corner is only going to help - even more so if that someone's family isn't openly fighting.” Lily let out a small breath as Hermione gave her soft smile, being in with the Potter's would only grant you so much in life.
Hermione took the slight shock to slip past her best friend and continue on her journey back towards their Common Room, hoping that seeing their friends would be enough to hold off questions for today, and that Lily would have the sense to leave things alone for a time being, but her friend had never been one to stand aside and instead was walking by her side, reaching out to grip her wrist and pull her back.
“What is the end goal here?” Lily whispered as Hermione raised her eyebrows and began shaking her head. “And why do I feel like this is tied to whatever you and James are hiding?” So fucking smart that it just made things harder, and so stubborn that enough would never be enough until she had the whole story and could put the pieces together for herself.
“We’re not hiding anything.”
“Oh yeah because secret little meetings, bloody noses and random letters to some boy named Harry are public knowledge.” Lily scoffed out, walking forwards as Hermione remained stuck in her spot, her mouth hanging open.
She had only looked at the letters once, enough to connect the dots in her head, and it had resulted in consequences that seemed to put everyone but especially her brother on edge - no one else would have seen the letters, or she had hoped they hadn't because she was sure she had put them away before anyone could, but here stood her best friend saying the one name that she shouldn't know.
Did that mean she had read the letter? Did she know what Hermione was hiding and was just waiting for her to confess or was there more to this? Hermione wasn’t fully prepared to deal with this, not again. James was her brother and she had told him because she trusted him and he had all but made her, but also because she hadn't wanted to be alone in it anymore, and it looked like Lily was heading the same way because she had left something to be found.
She kept making mistakes that led to questions and answers having to be given. Why couldn’t her friends be less observant and stubborn? Why did they have to read and dig into everything?
“Hermione?”
“You went through my things.”
Lily was before her in a second, a concerned frown on her face as she looked at her. “No, you left them on the floor when you fainted and I put them back in your trunk – I only saw the name on the front, but considering we don’t know anyone called Harry personally or friendly enough, I thought it was a bit weird.” A breath of air flooded back into Hermione’s veins.
Lily hadn’t looked, so she didn’t know what was inside, but she knew something. And something always led to something more.
“That’s besides the point, Lil’, you shouldn’t -”
“Don’t try and spin this back on me when you are the one keeping secrets.” Lily snapped back, rolling her eyes and then pining Hermione with a stern stare. “Whatever your hiding, whatever it is you are doing now, it’s all connected to whatever happened to your head last year – so why not just tell me?”
“There’s nothing to tell.” Hermione spat out through gritted teeth, but their was an urge to tell like there had been with James. To bring Lily into the fold, another pair of eyes to help.
“You’re many things, Hermione, but you are not a liar.” Lily snapped back. “And if you want me to help Belby then you better start spilling, otherwise you or Regulus can go do it.” Hermione’s eyes narrowed and her mouth opened.
She was half tempted to say that she would, it’s not like she couldn’t nor that she wouldn’t do the same job as Lily, but they both knew Belby would never trust her as much as the innocent looking girl before her who had once been best friends with Snape, who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.
And Regulus, well Belby may speak to him occasionally but there was no reason for a fifth year in the midst of studying for O.W.Ls to be hanging around and learning about potions for werewolves, not when everyone knew what path he was walking.
“I can’t tell you.” Was what came out of her mouth instead as Lily narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side.
“Can’t because you don’t want to or can’t because Dumbledore said not too?” Lily asked, slightly amused as Hermione raised her eyebrows. “Yeah I know he’s got something to do with it too.” Fuck. She really did pay attention.
“Has anyone ever told you how fucking smart you are?”
“Yes.”
“Both, though Dumbledore more than the other, and also because it’s far too dangerous for you to get involved.” Hermione finally relented as they began walking again at a much slower pace, seeming to regard each other warily.
“Because being a Muggleborn in the time of a psychopath and his followers isn’t dangerous at all – I thought we had already established that.” Lily taunted, raising an eyebrow as Hermione let out a small chuckle before a sigh.
“It’s more than that, Lil’, this isn’t just dangerous for you but for me, for James, and for the rest of my family.” Hermione whispered. “I don’t want to risk that.”
“Well that’s my choice, and like I said, if you want my help then you better start talking.” Lily demanded as they turned the corner, eyes scanning for students, whether because she was making sure no one was around or because she was taking her part as Prefect seriously, either way Hermione appreciated it.
“I think the hat put you in the wrong house.” Hermione mumbled but there was small smile on her face.
“I could say the same about you.” Lily bit back, a smile on her own face. “Hermione, I’m your friend and I’m here, whatever it is then I can help and I will, but you have to trust me a little.” She added, looking more concerned as she rested a hand on Hermione’s shoulder.
There was something in her eyes, the earnest expression, that reminded Hermione of the faint Harry in her memories. Soft and kind, but loyal and a good friend, who could dish out what needed to be heard and offer support within five seconds.
It made her heart ache and her eyes water as she looked at the girl she considered her best friend, a part of her family, someone she needed to protect. Yet, someone who she wanted to stand by her side and help her through whatever was coming their way, if that made her selfish then she could deal with that.
With a deep breath she gently shrugged the hand off her shoulder.
“I can’t tell you everything.”
“Then tell me what you can.”