The Biggest Sacrifice

Sunday the 27^th of November 1977

Muggle family murdered…

Hermione looked away from the paper on the table before her and instead out of the window, a thick sheet of rain splashing against the window and making the normally comfortable common room feel cold and dull. Or maybe it was just her who seemed to suck the life and joy out of everything around her, make everything bitter and resentful.

Like she was the big problem when they were faced with constant reminders of deaths happening outside their little safety bubble, but she supposed in a school that lived in each others pockets it was easier to focus on the bitch that had hurt Sirius than real issues.

Easier for some of her friends too. Though, it wasn’t like she could blame Remus, nor that he was sat whispering insults her way or even sending her glares, it was more like he just looked disappointed, and she knew telling him would bite her in the arse because of course he would want Sirius to know.

Because Remus was the one who had been so eager to forget what had happened nearly two years ago. Remus was the one who was happy to let things slide and rid them of an awkwardness, because he felt so damn loyal to his friends, and because being too mad at them or icing them out or lying to them for too long felt like he might have to start over again.

Hermione had just wished he had shown some of that loyalty to her, back when she was all but being called a bitch and accused of cheating, and whatever else Sirius might have said.

She wished that he could see that sometimes secrets were better kept, especially from people who opened their mouth to tell people things when he was hurt or annoyed. But mostly she wished that she had kept this from everyone, hidden from the world and with only her to deal with it, instead she had told because facing it alone was too much.

Except she hadn’t told her boyfriend and now it was biting her in the arse.

“You’re not going to jump are you?” She didn’t have to turn to know who it was. Would have probably noticed he was there if he hadn’t have spoke. Because Sirius was a presence that demanded attention even when he was moving towards her with nerves like now.

“I don’t think I’d fit through it.” Hermione remarked dryly, letting out a cough as she stepped backwards. Her hand had been reaching for the latch, almost involuntarily, though it wasn’t to jump. Still it would be safer is she stepped away, her arms wrapped around herself and her eyes darting rapidly to his face and then the rest of the room. “Are you speaking to me now?” She added with a raised brow as he shrugged his shoulders.

“I brought you a tea.” He spoke softly, holding out a mug of deeply coloured tea and a gentle but nervous smile on his face as she reached for it, following once he gestured to sit down. “We need to talk.” He spoke softly, silver eyes watching as she brought the mug to her face only to bring it down once again without taking a sip.

“Yes we do.” She spoke, frowning as his leg started bouncing and he gulped slightly. “Nervous?”

“Hm...yeah.” Sirius spoke again with a tight smile, his leg stopping for a second only to pick up once more. “I know these past few days have been horrible, and I’m sorry for that – I should have come to speak to you -” He cut himself off as she lifted the cup to her mouth, only to pull away once again. “ - sooner.” He finished lamely, taking a sip of his own drink.

She couldn’t blame him for feeling nervous, as odd as he was being, they had barely spoken in days and when they did it seemed to be a contest of who could say something meaner. He usually won, but she couldn’t blame him for that either, spending sixteen years with the Black’s would give one an ability to have a sharp tongue and cruel words sometimes.

Hermione had been around the Potter’s enough to have softened slightly, but she had it too, it was just harder to use when you felt like you were in the wrong.

“I should have tried to speak to you earlier, and I’m pretty sure I’m the one who should be saying sorry.” Hermione muttered as she reached out to grip his hand, frowning at the slightly sweaty skin she found. “The thing is Sirius, there is more going on than you realise – and it’s not that I don’t trust you but -”

“It hurt when you didn’t tell me.” Sirius cut her off, his eyes drifting down to where their hands met and then back to her face, There was a slight glassiness in his eyes that made her frown, like he was holding back tears but there were none there.

“I know but -”

“And you obviously don’t trust me if you can’t tell me what it even is.” He spoke softer again, his hand squeezing hers and his head tilting to the side.

“No, it’s not that, I do trust you.” Hermione whispered back, teeth digging into her bottom lip. Her hand moved to put down her cup, only for Sirius to stop her before it could hit the table.

“You should drink that before it gets cold.” He spoke, eyes slightly wide as she turned to look down at the tea with a frown. She would have plenty of time before it got cold, what with the steam rolling off of it and the slight burning of her hand. Looking back at him, he smiled, light like he hadn’t just been sad a minute ago. “I’m sure Remus could tell you how shit a cold tea is.”

“Right.” Hermione spoke, gripping the cup with both hands. He didn’t seem upset as she let go of him, but his leg was bouncing even harder and there was a strange itching in her head that didn’t feel like the deja vu of memories. “Anyway...the thing is, Sirius, is that – this isn’t easy to share and -”

Sirius moved, his hands resting on her knees as he blinked at her. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” He spoke so earnestly that it had her frowning again and using one hand to free her knees from his hands as he smiled at her, not seeming bothered.

For as long as she had known him, Sirius had been touchy and in constant need of affection, and unless they were around other people then he didn’t take too kindly to being moved away from her, but yet here he was acting as though it was normal. Acting as though he was being normal by behaving like this.

“I know.” Hermione spoke as though it was obvious before she clicked her tongue. “Sirius, what is it you even hope to get from this conversation?” Her stomach clenched tightly as he frowned, looking like a five year old trying to think of an answer to a hard question they didn’t quite understand.

“Answers.” He said after a second.

“To what?”

Again, he thought before shrugging his shoulders. “Whatever you want to give me.”

He was an idiot, that much was clear, a complete and utter idiot who didn’t watch his back, and Hermione was furious, but she didn’t let it show as she gripped her tea tightly, watching as his eyes drifted down to the cup once more. “Are you -”

“You should drink that before it gets cold.” He spoke again, pushing the cup towards her face, a few drops spilling over the edge and onto her lap as she glared at him, but he only looked back with a grin. “I mean, I asked the elves to make it just the way you liked and...you should drink it.” He tried to push it towards her again

“Sirius?” He hummed at her, a faint smile on his face as she stood up from the sofa, her eyes looking to the cup still in her hand. “Did you put something in my tea?” She asked as he tilted his head.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because you’re being weird.” Hermione spoke, as she placed the tea onto the coffee table, watching as it tumbled off the edge and spilt onto the floor, her wand out to vanish the mess it made in an instant before she turned back to Sirius.

“You spilt it.” He spoke like a child, innocent but there was something colder in his eyes as he took a step towards her. “Why would you do that?” He asked harsher than before.

“Was there something in that?” She asked, hands still raised as she walked back around the couch and towards the stairs, Sirius following her with a small frown on his face, like he didn’t understand what was happening. “Sirius? Did something happen?” She whispered.

“Like what?” Sirius asked innocently. “I just wanted to give you a tea and talk.”

“Okay...okay...then why don’t we go talk in your dormitory, we can have some privacy and figure everything out without someone coming in.” She kept her tone soft as she held out her hand for him to talk, smiling slightly as he reached for her eagerly. He followed her up the stairs, a smile on his face and gave her a grin as she reached for the door.

A frown overtook her face as she pushed him inside, slamming, locking and spelling the door behind her.

“Wha – woah what’s happenin’?” Remus mumbled as he woke up, hair a mess and looking over his shoulder at Hermione and Sirius stood in the middle of the room with that same stupid grin. “Oh for fucks sake.”

“Get up.” Hermione hissed as she moved around Sirius to pull the covers off of Remus, thankful he was wearing pyjamas before doing the same to James who squealed slightly and attempted to cover his bare chest with his hands.

“We don’t need to see -”

“Something is wrong with Sirius, so get the fuck up.” Hermione hissed again as she pointed to the boy who was watching them with an amused expression.

“Nothing’s wrong, we just came to talk.” Remus frowned at Sirius’ light voice, all airy and slightly dazed as he blinked slightly and his grin dropped. “You said it would be in private.” He all but pouted, shuffling slightly where he stood.

“Yes, well, that was before you tried to drug me.” Hermione remarked dryly, sending him a quick glare as James jumped out of bed, standing before Sirius menacingly.

“You did what?”

“I just needed to know...it was important.” Sirius whined, not looking or sounding much like himself, nor trying to back off from James who looked seconds away from swinging, hazel eyes narrowed though that could have been because his glasses were resting on his bedside table.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” James hissed as Hermione moved gently between the two of them, creating some distance.

“Yes, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Remus asked as he moved out of his bed, reaching from James’ glasses and handing them over as he looked Sirius up and down before turning to Hermione with a suspicious glare. “What did you do to him?”

“I’m almost drugged and somehow this is my fault?” Hermione asked with a small laugh, Remus opened his mouth, cheeks colouring but she cut him off. “You know what, fuck you, I get that you’ve wanted me to tell him and that you were on his side in our little fight, but don’t for a second I would be so angry as to reduce him into that!” She pointed to Sirius who gripped her hand softly, fingers curling through her own as he pulled her closer to him.

There was something so wrong about the situation, one that had her trying to pull away only to be gripped closer as Sirius regarded her coldly. “You were supposed to drink it – you were supposed to tell the truth.”

“Well, I didn’t because I didn’t feel like finding out what might have happened if I did what you wanted.” Hermione snapped as she removed her hand and stepped back between James and Remus, all three of them looking at Sirius as though they weren’t sure what to make of him.

His glassy eyes looked at them, no longer silver but instead slightly milky and rounded like a childs. “I just wanted the truth.” His face twisted slightly, anger rearing up at the edges as he pointed a finger at her and stepped forward. “Why can’t you just do that?”

“I will when you are sane again.” Hermione spoked calmly, stepping back as he took a step forward, something seeming to flash behind his eyes like he didn’t understand himself why he seemed so angry but couldn’t quite stop himself.

“I am sane, I’m not -”

“Stupefy.” James mumbled as a stunner came from his wand, Sirius falling backwards against the floor with a very audible thunk. Hermione winced, moving to his bed to grab his pillow and place it under his head.

“Prongs!”

“You said it yourself, he wasn’t being himself.”

“So you stunned him?”

“So we can figure out what the fuck is going on without him like he’s been lobotomized or controlled like some sort of puppet.” James snapped at Remus, moving around his bed to throw on a top as he glared down at Sirius, moving him with his foot.

“So you stunned your best friend -”

“Well he wasn’t acting like a best friend -”

“Shut up both of you.” Hermione hissed, brushing black waves away from what could have just been a sleeping face before standing up and facing the two boys. “James is right, I think someone might have got to him.” She added with a sigh, running a hand through her curls.

Honestly, there had been an inkling there since he sat down with her not twenty minutes ago but she hadn’t really thought it true, but everything seemed to be clicking into place.

She had thought they had more time before they had to worry about someone trying to get them to do their dirty work, before they had to really watch their backs, but it seemed people were going to play dirty before they even fully entered into the war. They were all targeted now.

Sighing she moved to sit on James’ trunk, as the two men watched her with shocked expressions. “The weird energy and nervousness, the pushing when it came to that damn tea.” She mumbled more to herself before adding. “What if he’s under imperious?”

“Maybe he’s just drunk – I mean what reason would someone have to imperio him?” James asked, but there was doubt in his eyes that came from knowing too much and not enough.

“What reason wouldn’t they have?” Hermione asked. “It’s an easy way in when half of us aren’t even speaking, and everyone knows something happened.” She spoke softly, looking down at Sirius once again. “I mean a simple apology from him and maybe a confession from me and we might have gone back to normal.”

They all knew it was the truth, and it wouldn’t be long until Hermione and Sirius were either back to working things out or done completely.

“But why would anyone care about us and what’s happening?” James asked as he kneeled beside Sirius, patting the pockets of his jeans like he might something that would explain everything away and only coming back with his wand.

“Because we’ve already been targeted.” Hermione answered, shrugging her shoulders. “All four of us in this room were chased or cornered in summer, and Octans has been sniffing around for Remus.” She spoke softly and with a frown as Remus sat back on his bed. “And Regulus -”

“What about Regulus?” James hissed out, eyes narrowing.

“Regulus was tasked with getting me, along with other things.” She didn’t want to add what might happen to James or Sirius if they got in the way, or how Regulus was doing what he could to avoid it while keeping himself safe, but that didn’t seem to matter as James glared at her.

“And you didn’t think to mention this?” James snapped, running a hand through his hair as he shook his head. ”Hermione, this is something you tell me!” He all but shouted.

“I’m telling you now!” Hermione shouted back, pinching the bridge of her nose as she fought to take a deep breath. “And you know what, in the face of things like a possibly imperiused boyfriend, it’s not that important!” She added after a second, her voice cold as James let it drop.

“What about Lily and Marlene?” Remus spoke suddenly, having been quiet and looking exhausted.

“Regulus would do anything to keep Marlene off their radar, and Lily – well I imagine Snape would be more than happy to get rid of James for her, but he wouldn’t want anyone hurting her.” Hermione answered him with a frown as she looked back down at Sirius.

“How nice.” James commented dryly. “Do you think Snape did it?” He asked after a second, an almost eager look in his eyes. He had calmed down on his behaviour towards Snape, but there was still hostility between them, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what James might do to Snape.

“We can’t know for sure if someone did until it ends or breaks, but if he is under imperious then I imagine it was some junior Death Eater, either trying to do what Regulus hasn’t, or to try work their way up the ranks – or maybe both.” Hermione answered as she moved to kneel beside Sirius, heart aching in her chest as she watched him.

If this was the case then it would open a whole new wave of problems for them, with the knowledge that whatever Sirius had been tasked to do would be on the forefront of his mind without him even knowing. That he wouldn’t be himself in every sense of the way.

“Whoever did it clearly wasn’t trying too hard though, if all they wanted was for you to drink the tea or confess something, it was weakly and lazily done.” Remus spoke as he kneeled next to Hermione and frowned down at Sirius.

“Spend a lot of time studying Imperious?” James asked as he sat back down on his bed, a slightly amused smile taking over his face before it fell in an instant. “Maybe they thought they wouldn’t have to do too much, not with how Sirius was behaving.” A great theory, or maybe the person had just been lazy in their casting.

“Maybe, but it means -”

“What do we do?” James finished for her with a sigh, his head falling into his hands.

They weren’t ready for this yet, a group of barely adults who hadn’t even had their first battle or felt the panic and adrenaline that came with fighting for their lives and getting out of things purely on luck until they learnt or died. This wasn’t supposed to be what their last year was about; it was supposed to be last first moments, and laughter and far too much studying.

Yet, instead, they were searching for Horcruxes, and researching how to destroy them, and now they would have to worry that their were people in school, their age or younger, that were after them. They were stuck trying to fix the future none of them really understood.

It felt vaguely familiar to Hermione, like this was where she was meant to be. In the middle of danger and trying to figure her way out, trying to keep her friends safe and her head above water. Like being eighteen and in the middle of a war was nothing more than ordinary.

Merlin, what had her future been if this was what she felt.

“We can’t trust him.” Remus mumbled, sounding more heartbroken about it than she did, his face twisting and his eyes looking away. “We can’t tell him anything more than he already knows, and even then we can’t trust that he isn’t telling people what he hears.” He whispered as he all but collapsed to sit properly on the floor.

It took her far too long to realise what had him looking so devastated, until she saw it there, shining like a golden sun in his eyes. “Remus -”

“It’s not like they might not already know, what with Octans – but...but -”

Hermione tensed slightly as she leaned over Sirius to place her hands on his knees. “We don’t know what he’s said or how long this might have been going on, but rest assured – whatever happens, we will figure it out.” She whispered the words as he nodded his head, meek and afraid.

“He’s fighting it, subconsciously – I could see it when he got angry, like he didn’t understand.” James whispered as they turned to look at him. “The Imperious curse bends people to someone else will, but it can be fought – it’s hard, but there have been people who have done it, right?” He looked towards Hermione then, as though begging for a confirmation.

“Yeah.” Hermione whispered, frowning as Harry popped into her mind and vanished. “It takes a lot of strength, to go against what seems like your brain telling you to do something and realising it’s not.” Her eyes widened as Remus frowned at her.

“What?”

“What if we found a way to break it or resist it?” Hermione spoke, standing up and looking between the two boys. “It would take a lot of practice and possibly us as test subjects, but what if we figured out a way to resist it -”

“And how does that help Sirius?” Remus asked, not angry but with a frown as Hermione dug her teeth into her bottom lip again. “How does that even help us – how do you know that none of us have been imperio’d?” He asked with a raised eyebrow as Hermione frowned.

“I don’t, but it would be kind of pointless if we all ended behaving like...well him.” Hermione spoke, rolling her eyes and pointing to where Sirius still laid on the floor. “I don’t know about Marlene and Lily, but I know the two of you, and for the moment, I think we are fine.” She spoke softly, but there was a tiny doubt in her head as Remus sighed.

“Can you even cast imperio when someone is already under it?” He asked, sitting back down on his bed and stretching out his long legs.

“Maybe, but we can’t risk it, there’s no telling what he has been told to do and how our own orders might conflict with that, which means -”

“That we go along with it.” James spoke, surprising both of them. His stood tall, arms crossed over his chest and a stern expression on his face.

“What?” Hermione and Remus spoke at the same time, matching frowns on their faces as they faced James fully.

He held his hands up, as though to stop them from moving forward, narrowed eyes behind slightly lopsided glasses and a tense set to his jaw as he spoke. “I’m not saying we let him do whatever he might be ‘commanded’ to do – but that we feed him just enough to keep the person off our backs, and just enough to maybe shock him out of it or have him start fighting back.”

“And how are we supposed to do that?” Hermione asked, though the wheels in her brain were turning, trying to think through James’ plan.

“We need to offer something, something that seems big but isn’t going to make that much of a difference to us, that will make them happy and end the spell, or will make Sirius concerned enough to not want to say it.” James spoke once again as though it was obvious, and maybe it was to him, but Hermione could see holes in the barely formed plan.

“It’s an idea, and one I’m sure we could develop with enough time.”

“What if we give him you?” Remus looked at her so earnestly, as though he hadn’t just suggested the very thing that was about to make James loose his mind. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

She could have told him, and James, that she had already thought about that, in a different context, and for bad became worse, but it wouldn’t help. And somehow she doubted that Remus actually meant he wanted to hand her over to Voldemort.

James didn’t seem to think the same thing as he all but screamed. “What? Moony, we are not -”

“That’s what it seems he’s been instructed to do, get you and do whatever so what if we did that.” Moony fought back, gold shimmering behind his eyes as Hermione sagged slightly.

“We are not handing over my sister.” James hissed, as he all but pulled Remus off of the floor, a darkness across his face that Hermione had never seen. Remus didn’t to care as he gently pushed James away and took a step backwards.

“Of course not, but if we make it seem like we are, or Sirius is, give it enough time for him to realise that he doesn’t want whatever to happen to her -”

“And if that doesn’t happen?” James asked, teeth all but grinding together and hands twitching at his sides as though a second and a wrong word away from reaching for his wand and stunning Remus like he had done to Sirius.

“You just said – I’m not saying we send Hermione in without her wand and actually drugged, or without us following, but at least if we did that then maybe we can shock him out of it or find out who cast the spell.” Remus spoke, shaking his head at James.

Hermione sighed as she looked between them, before settling on Remus. “I’m not saying yes but -”

“There are no buts, Mi’.”

“It’s an option and one we can explore if we don’t figure anything else out.” Hermione spoked softly as she looked back at Sirius. “Now does anyone else have anything to add – good because I think we should wake him up.”

James tensed his jaw, no doubt a million thoughts and words waiting to be poured out the moment they were alone, or a million things he would say to Remus once she walked out of the door. Instead though he nodded his head and pointed his wand at Sirius, mumbling under his breath and slumping back down on his bed.

Sirius groaned slightly, eyes blinking slowly as he looked up at her, a hand reaching to rub the back of his head.. “Ow...why that fuck happened?”

“Sirius…?” Hermione spoke softly as she kneeled beside him, pushing his hand away to feel his head as he sat up slowly, watching her with a frown. “What is the last thing you remember?” It was almost timid the way she asked it, even as she pulled away slightly as he titled his head.

“That I was coming to talk to you so we could work all this out – and I’m guessing it went wrong if I’m laid on the ground with a headache.” He answered, laying back on the ground for a second before he glared at her. “Did you stun me?”

“No, James did.” Hermione spoke as she stood back up, biting into her lip. “Something didn’t seem right and...well...”

“He seems fine now.” James muttered as he knelt down before Sirius with a small smile. “Sorry Pads, we just weren’t sure what they told you to do.” He spoke lowly as he held out a hand for Sirius to take, pulling him off of the floor without much effort.

“Who told me to – what the fuck are you talking about?” Sirius asked, a sharp bite to his voice but there was something else there too, as he shifted side to side, eyes darting around the room and foot tapping against the floor.

“I think someone needs to take him to Madam Pomfrey and explain the situation with as little as possible.” Hermione muttered, as those silver eyes, much clearer than they had been before but still a little hazy, looked to her with a frown.

“What?”

“I need to speak to Dumbledore – would you mind?” Hermione asked, looking more to James who nodded his head and wrapped an arm around Sirius’ shoulders.

“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” Sirius asked, looking back at her but her head hung slightly. Remus patted her arm as he followed them out of the room, leaving her in their dormitory to listen to their faint conversation as it drifted away.

…

He didn’t look surprised when she barged into his office, no forewarning or permission, but then again she supposed they were past all of that over the years. Instead, he stared at her from behind his desk, wrapped in his dressing gown with his half moon spectacles perched on the edge of his nose, bright blue eyes almost staring through her.

Hermione stood for a second, almost second guessing her decision as he pushed aside a stack of papers and levelled her with a look that seemed to be in the middle of annoyance and curiosity.

“Miss Potter, what brings you to my office?” His voice was calmer than she thought it would be, gesturing to the chair before him and waving his wand so two cups of tea appeared on his desk. “Sugar? Milk?” He asked.

It was almost as though they were old friends catching up as she sat down in the free chair and glared at the drunk. “Milk. Professor -” Her words cut off as he placed the cup in front of her, a sudden reminder of the hour before that made her face scrunch in distaste.

“You look as though you have had one of my sherbet lemons.” He almost laughed, shaking his head as she pushed the tea away. “My dear, if you would like something else then I am happy to -”

“I’m not here for social calls and beverages.” Hermione all but snapped as she crossed her arms against her chest and leaned further back into her chair. “We have a problem, Sir.” She added as she stretched out her legs, ankles peeking out from her trackies.

Dumbledore sighed, resting his arms onto his desk and entwining his fingers together as he looked at her with what could only be a sad smile. “I figured as much, Miss Potter, for it’s not often that you come here uninvited, even less so after curfew.” He added with a pointed look that had her rolling her eyes. “So to what is it that I owe the pleasure?”

She cared not a lick about the curfew. It did nothing to stop people from sneaking out and doing what they wanted to do. Nor was she going to admit that not a few weeks ago she had been sneaking in here during the evening, uninvited, to steal from him. Nor tell him that it was no pleasure to be sat across from him, that she would rather be anywhere else.

Yet, she remained silent for a second, pushing down her anger and everything else aimed towards the man, simply because Sirius needed her. Needed her to fix this mess, because she was the reason he was in it.

“You seem rather distressed – perhaps a sip of tea will calm -”

“I was merely thinking of a way to begin, but perhaps there is no better way than with a cup of tea.” Hermione spoke with a sweet grin as she reached for the cup, staring down at the light brown liquid and then back to her headmaster. “See, not an hour ago I was given a cup of tea, and I have reason to suspect it had been tampered with.” She spoke as though commenting on the rain outside, a smile still spread across her face as Dumbledore blinked at her.

A look of shock and worry crossed his face, eyes seeming darker as they settled on her own followed by an almost strange pricking that had her narrowing her eyes.

“There’s no need to try and get into my head, I am more than willing to tell you what happened.” Hermione hissed out as Dumbledore blinked, frustration settling in the lines of his face.

“I wasn’t -” He cut himself off and gave her a tense smile. “I don’t understand what reason you would have to think that someone would want to harm or possibly drug you.” He spoke tersely, leaning back to settle in his seat.

“I could think of a few.”

“And who was it that tried to harm you?” He spoke as though amusing her, like people did when a child spoke of Santa, with fake smiled and clasped hands. Encouraging in a child but angry inducing in an adult.

“Sirius Black.” Hermione spoke back. She could hear the gasp from the portrait to her side and she didn’t have to turn to know who was listening.

“Nonsense!” Phineas shouted. “That boy would not harm a hair on your head.”

“It does seem kind of odd, doesn’t it Grandfather – almost as if to do such a thing, Sirius would have to not be in his right mind.” It was almost a low blow to use his moniker, their family connection, but it did the trip as he all but tried to lean out of his portrait, sharp face slightly softened as he stared at her before looking to Dumbledore.

“This is outrageous!” He screeched, sounding much like Walburga. “An insult to my house – a dishonour to try and control such noble blood – this must not go unpunished Albus!” He screamed again, a slightly maddened look in his eyes.

Hermione felt the corner of her mouth curl slightly. While the man in his real life had been nothing more than a Pureblooded bigot, there was never any doubt that he held a love for family – even those he loved to label as disappointments. A common ground they shared.

“I certainly agree.” Hermione spoke lowly as she looked back at the Headmaster with a cold smile.

Dumbledore looked back at her, calm and collected, even as he tapped his right hand gently against his desk. “What would make you think such a thing, Miss Potter?”

“I like to think I know my friends, thus know when they are not being themselves.” “Sirius was attempting to make me drink the tea he gave to me, he was attempting to discover my secrets and he was glassy eyed and grew more agitated with every passing second.”

“And where is Mr Black and this tea now?”

“Mr Black has been taken to the hospital wing by Remus and James, and the tea was vanished away after it ‘spilt’ on the floor.” Hermione answered, crossing her arms over her chest as he let out a sigh. “But neither of those matter to you, do they, because regardless of what I say you aren’t going to believe that Sirius might be under the imperious curse nor how that ties to me.” She tone had taken on a bite, one that almost had him flinching.

“I trust your word, Miss Potter, but I struggle to see why someone would go to such lengths to get to you.” Maybe if she was someone else, less hostile towards him and full of respect, he would believe her without a doubt or at least humour her while he worked behind the scenes to fix problems.

Yet she was Hermione Potter, locked knowledge of the future in her head and a lack of respect, and she seemingly wasn’t worth the hassle it might take him to take her seriously.

“You have never been an idiot, Albus, do not act like one now.” The pair turned back to Phineas where he scoffed and glared at the older man. “We are both exactly aware of why someone would use my grandson in order to get to her.” Hermione raised her eyebrows and turned back to Dumbledore as he clenched his jaw.

“Phineas.”

“I have told you multiple times of plans that have been made against her, yourself and many others, yet you wish to ignore -”

“That is enough, Phineas.” Dumbledore all but shouted, his wand slipped out of the sleeve of his robe with a bang following and curtains covering Phineas’ face. “Miss Potter -”

“You’ve always known more than you let on, and I can’t blame you for that – for it keeps people expecting less.” Hermione began slowly as she uncrossed her arms. “And we are both aware of how people are nothing more than chest pieces in an attempt to seize control for the ‘Greater good’.”

He flinched before her as her own voice trailed off. She could hear her own voice in her head, less well bred and almost timid as she spoke.

‘...We seize control for the greater good. And from this it follows that where we meet resistance, we must use only the force that is necessary and no more.’

It didn’t sound like something she believed in, but more something she was reading – a letter inside a thick new and already worn book, but the words were distant. Only what she had heard visible. Shaking her head, she blinked, standing up from her chair and focusing on the man.

It wasn’t important now, but it was something to think about later and note down in her diary. One that contained the moments and things she had remembered, all trying to be pieced together like a large puzzle with several missing pieces.

“But that is not important right now.” She all but whispered as Dumbledore continued to stare at her as though he had seen the ghost of some haunted past. “Sirius is laid in the hospital wing with a possibly tampered mind, it is imperative that we figure out how to help him.” The anger died in her voice as she stepped backwards.

“Miss Potter -” His voice came out as a croak. “I agree, but this is a difficult situation and I am unsure of what it is you want me to do.” He added before sighing and standing up from his desk, walking around to stand before her. “The imperious curse is can not be stopped by outside help, only by the caster by choice or death.”

“I can think of an easy solution then, Sir.” Hermione spoke with a slight hiss. “Find the caster and end this.”

“I’m not -”

“You know, as well as I, the list of people who could be behind this and why.” Hermione said coldly before she tilted her chin up at him.

“Suspicions are not -”

“I could just inform my father, for I am sure he would love to hear how a boy, one he considers a son, was bewitched right under your nose.” The words flew from her tongue like venom, so much so that he glared his eyes at her. “I’m sure he would to tell his fellow aurors, half of which are in your order, at how you failed to do your duty to protect their children and this school.”

“I do not take kindly to threats.” His voice was cold, and maybe to others it would be threatening but Hermione only glared up at him, hand itching for her wand to give him a real piece of her mind.

How was someone like him hired in a school when politics was the clear way for him to go? He would have done well in the Ministry, controlling and manipulating, but then again who were easier to control than children who didn’t know any better. Who were easier to lead into a war than children who wanted to be adults?

It was disgusting and if there had even been a shred of respect left in her for him then it was gone now, as was sitting and waiting – which in all honesty she hadn’t been doing all that well with.

“I do not take too kindly to being threatened through the people I love, nor them being threatened by anyone.” Her voice was a mere whispered. “I have kept quiet about what you did to me, and I have stepped back, but do not expect me to do nothing here – because if I have to take matters into my own hands then I will, but I’m not sure you would like my methods.” Neither would the person she got her hands on, but she didn’t care for that now.

“Miss Potter, I must ask that you refrain from acting recklessly.” He whispered back but there was a flicker of worry in his eyes. “I will do what I can, that is something you should know, and I will keep my eye on Mr Black, as well as those I suspect – but I can not promise that this something that will be fixed easily, do you understand that?” He asked, all but pleading with her.

Hermione was done with him. There was no hope in following Dumbledore, but there would be no hope being his enemy. So she would do what she could to look after her friends and family, and to protect herself, even from him.

“Yes.” She said as she stepped backwards, letting her body uncurl from it’s tense position and a tight lipped look cross her face that seemed to make him calm.

“Very good.” He said with a small smile. “Now how about you head back to bed and I will check on Mr Black -”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Very well.” He gestured with his hand for her to walk, which she did, slowly as waiting until she walked by his side instead. She didn’t trust him at her back and she didn’t trust him to go to Sirius alone.

…

Wednesday the 30^th of November 1977

“What do you mean someone might have imperio’d him?” Marlene asked, voice low even though the classroom they sat inside was spelled so no one would hear them, and the map was open on the table to let them know if anyone came their way.

It had also been used to track Sirius over the past few days, not that they had told him that though she guessed he had assumed.

“I’m right here.” Her boyfriend mumbled from her side, half sat on a desk with his head bowed low and a dark expression on his face.

It hadn’t been easy, and Dumbledore hadn’t exactly been light about it when he spoke, looking at the boy with a grim expression. Hermione was sure he hadn’t even wanted to tell Sirius what had happened, but James had used his big mouth to tell Sirius as much as he could before they had even walked into the hospital wing.

Hermione wasn’t even sure if it made much difference, in the dark or not, Sirius would be compelled to follow through unless he managed to fight it off. And it had only made Sirius slightly sulky and paranoid, looking over his shoulder at every turn and barely speaking, though she could understand that one.

“Are you sure it’s safe for him to be here?” Marlene spoke, eyeing Sirius warily as though he was about to pull out his wand and curse them all.

“Fuck you.”

“Dumbledore said that he thinks the spell was ended or paused or something when James stunned him.” Hermione explained softly as she rubbed Sirius’ back, almost smiling as he leaned into her and placed a hand on her leg. They hadn’t really spoke about what happened but she was grateful enough that he didn’t see it as an indication to pull away from her.

“Guess I did a good thing then.” James spoke with a small grin even as Sirius scoffed slightly, shaking his head as he leaned around her to look at James.

“Yeah because having a fucking concussion is almost as great as being controlled like a puppet with strings.” There was a hint of amusement there but not enough to make anyone laugh, instead they all cringed and looked away.

“I’m not apologising.”

“How do you know it was imperious?” Marlene asked.

“Other than the fact that I was apparently being fucking weird – it kind of felt like I was in a trance, not that I remember much, and then when I woke up it was like...well more normal with a headache and feeling sick.” Sirius explained with a wince, his hand coming up to rub the back of his head which still seemed tender and had Hermione pulling his hand away to clasp in her own.

“Again I am not apologising.” James muttered. “That doesn’t mean it’s ended though, for all we know you could just be waiting for your chance to try again.” He added, ignoring the glare Hermione sent him way as Sirius sighed beside her.

“Like a sleeper agent.” Lily muttered, more to herself than everyone else. Four out of five turned to look at her as Remus nodded his head in agreement.

“I’m not actually sure what that is but I guess.” James muttered back as Lily gave him a small smile and reached for his hand.

“Does it matter?” Sirius questioned as he pushed himself off the desk and picked up his bag from the floor. “Merlin, this whole thing is insane, and now I can’t be trusted – which I get but fucking sucks, and I have to go to detention and – what?” The group looked at him for a second before back to each other, questions on their faces. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Until we figure this out, you do.” Hermione calmly spoke as she reached out to rub his shoulder before looking back to his friends as Marlene rolled her eyes and bent down to pick up her own bag.

“I’ll go with you.” She spoke, flicking golden hair out of her eyes. “I’ve got a shit ton of homework to do anyway, and what better place to do it than detention with you.” She grinned as Sirius narrowed his eyes, lips twitching slightly.

“I’m not sure that’s how detention works but whatever.” He muttered, turning back to Hermione and giving her a nervous smile, as though he thought she might step away. “I’ll see you later?”

“Of course.” She muttered back, stretching onto the tips of her toes to place a sweet kiss on his lips. “Now go before Slughorn decides to extend your detention to tomorrow.”

“Ok.”

“Let’s go.”

The door closed softly behind them, their voice muffled as Lily placed the spell back on the room and the four turned to look at the corner of the room where a dark head of hair and bright blue eyes appeared before them. Slightly ruffled as he stepped forward and threw the cloak at James.

“You would think my brother would be aware of people hiding under a cloak I’m sure he’s used many times in the past seven years – or that he would look at that handy map you have.” Regulus spoke as he sauntered forward, a grin overtaking his face as he looked down at the parchment only for James to snatch it away. “Where did you get them?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” James snarked, lip curling up in dissatisfaction as he shoved the cloak into Hermione’s bag, ignoring her glare once again.

“Yes, that’s why I asked – though thank you for making it obvious about who got the brains in your family.” Regulus spoke, rolling his eyes and sending her a pointing look as his lips curled up in amusement.

“Regulus.” Hermione scolded softly, raising her hands before James could open his mouth to say something that would continue this bickering. “I didn’t ask you to come here to annoy my brother.”

“No, you asked me here to check on mine.” Regulus responded with a frown, all sense of humour gone as he sat himself on a desk. He almost looked carefree, much more like his brother though still skinnier with dark circles under his eyes. “Who seems fine, if not a bit down – are you sure -”

“Yes.”

“Can’t blame me for asking, it’s hard to tell when you are shoved into a corner with a cloak forced on you.” He mumbled as he leant back into his hands and rolled his eyes. Hermione’s eyes drifted to his left sleeve, where if it had risen more she was certain she would see his mark.

“Would you rather he saw you and possibly told whoever did it that you might be playing both sides?” She asked, looking away as he frowned at her and reached out to tug on his sleeve with a slight wince, eyes flickering towards the door.

“Not the way I would say it, but we all know there is possibly a risk for that anyway, what with Marlene and I.” He spoke with a shrug of his shoulders and then his eyes narrowed. “Who is alone with him now, which could be a risk in itself.”

“He wouldn’t hurt her, and someone needs to keep an eye on him, she agreed.” Remus countered, narrowing his own eyes. “She is more than capable of watching her back and Sirius’.” He added with a slight scoff.

Regulus didn’t seem calmed by the though, instead turning to look back at Hermione. “Why not send Evans?”

“We have, it’s called taking turns to make sure our friend is safe.” Lily spoke before she could, a slightly hostile tone to her voice and emerald eyes burning. “But thanks for trying to throw me under the bus.” She hissed out, arms crossing over her chest.

Regulus shrugged. “You’re one of Sirius best friends, he and everyone else in this room trusts you to watch their back and as they should what with your talent for hexes.”

Lily looked at a lose for what to say, her mouth open and closing, not sure whether to be complimented or offended, before merely deciding on rolling her eyes.

Hermione spoke before anyone else could. “As talented as Lily is, it’s just as dangerous to put her out there as it is for Sirius to now walk alone, while Snape might be...some protection, you know as well as I do that some people would just see her as a means for practice of their cruelty.”

Once he might have not cared but Hermione could see the slight shiver that ran through him and the way his face seemed to grow paler, eyes distant and unseeing. She had never asked, nor would she ever, but a part of her wondered of what it was that he was expected to partake in on the nights he was called out of the castle.

If Marlene knew then she never said anything, but perhaps they were all a little bit more aware than they wanted to believe when the papers came rolling in during breakfast and another family was killed.

“And Marlene…”

“Wants to be a future Auror, wants to fight in the war and knows the risks that might come with that.” Hermione explained softly as Regulus’ shoulders slumped slightly.

“Fine, so other than digging around to see what I can find, what else is it you want?” Regulus asked, clenched teeth and bright blue eyes burning her own, before settling on Lily. “No need to look so surprised Evans, I’m not fine with someone using my brother to do their dirty work or put you all in danger.” His tone was softer than he clearly wanted it to be as he looked away.

“Sorry...but I guess I was just expecting you to admit you had done it.” Lily spoke, not sounding sorry in the slightest as Hermione tilted her head back and prayed to Merlin that the sudden hostility would just leave.

“And what sickening reason would I have to use my own brother?” Regulus snapped as he all but jumped off the desk and stalked forward, taller than Lily by a few inches, and possibly a bit more threatening than his brother.

It didn’t matter though, because the moment he took a step, James was there, taller and with more muscle, darkened hazel eyes glaring at Regulus and hand ready to push the boy away. “One more step, Black.”

“Calm down, Potter, I have no wish to harm your girlfriend.” Regulus spoke but he stepped backwards, pushing James’ hand away.

“Perhaps we should all calm down.” Remus spoke softly, moving between the two boys and sending them both a pointed look. James glared but backed down and Regulus clenched his jaw and stepped away.

There seemed to be some level of respect there for Remus, possibly because Regulus knew what he was or maybe it was the knowledge that unlike James, Remus had never done anything but hug his girlfriend. Or maybe it was simply that Remus was the calmest one of them all, a person to trust in trying to keep the peace, so long as it wasn’t choosing between Sirius and Hermione.

Hermione tensed her jaw, pushing the thoughts away from her head as she turned to the younger man and sighed. “It wasn’t an accusation, Regulus -”

“It sounded like one.”

“It was a theory, one we thought you might have done with good intentions, to try and keep people off your back and keep Sirius safe.” She spoke softer than before as he sat himself back down on the desk and let his shoulder relax.

“How did you figure that?” He asked after a second.

“The obvious nature in which the spell was cast, it wouldn’t have taken a genius to figure out something was wrong, and if for some reason something was said and reported back to you, then we wouldn’t have had to worry...as much.” There was a slightly sarcastic smile pulling at her mouth as Regulus have her one right back.

Almost like a joke between them, a push and pull of trust that seemed to change everyday depending on what happened and who said what. He warned her, and she warned him, with evasive and vague details that meant the other had to work them out like a riddle, it was barely a friendship between them.

“Well it wasn’t me, just someone who did an appalling job it seems.” Regulus spoke as he let his smile turn slightly colder as he regarded them all. “Though let’s be clear about this, if I ever was to cast that spell on any of you then it hopefully wouldn’t be without some forewarning, or not without the ability for you to fight it off.” Hermione raised an eyebrow as her mouth curled slightly, now they were getting to her point.

“How kind of you.”

“It’s kinder than most.”

“Any chance this could have been your buddy Snape?” James asked with narrowed eyes as Lily stiffened beside him. “I mean he would do anything to get back at us.” He added, sending a wary glance to his girlfriend.

“Sure, but if Snape wanted you out of the way then he wouldn’t use a simple Imperious, but something a lot more permanent.” Regulus answered back with a shrug of his shoulders as he nodded to James. “And he has other means of getting the answers he wants, and I doubt he would think Sirius could get what he wanted.” He explained softer, eyes flickering to Lily.

“Regulus -” Hermione began but she was cut off by Lily’s shaking voice.

“Snape is many things but he wouldn’t hurt...he wouldn’t -”

“You defend him years later despite knowing what you know.” Regulus said, tilting his head to the side. “Your loyalty is outstanding, but I know Snape, and I know that he cares for you, but that isn’t enough to protect Potter.” He spoke calmly and softly, like one would with a child but it did nothing to stop the fire burning in Lily’s eyes.

“I know they have issues but Severus isn’t some monster who lashes out!” Lily shouted, stepping forward and clenching her hands into fists. Regulus leaned back on the desk, as though he could keep out of her way while somehow still managing to look haughty.

“No, he’s a Death Eater who willingly joined, despite you being what you are, and does what he’s told to do and will continue to do so for the time being.” He spoke slowly, looking to Hermione. “But he’s also skilled a Legilimens and Occlumens, which is why I think he had no reason to Imperio Sirius.” His eyes were almost pleading with her to get him away from the fiery redhead before him.

“You’re a Death Eater too.” Lily hissed, moving closer and practically leaning over Regulus, pressing a dainty finger into his chest. “Does that not mean I shouldn’t trust you?” She asked, almost challenging and smirking as Regulus looked back at her with wide eyes.

“Yes, don’t trust me with more than you have to – we are in a war and it changes people, and I will do what I can to protect my family and those I care about, but I am still on the opposite side.” He straightened up as Lily moved back but still stood before him.

“Marlene trusts you.”

“I believe she does.”

“Then I put my faith in her and what she believes until she tells me otherwise, but if you ever betray her and by extension us, then I will make you regret it.” She smiled sweetly before stepping away and smirking at him in a way that would have made Sirius proud. “That doesn’t make us friends though.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Regulus mumbled before looking around. “Anyone else want to say anything? No?”

“I think we all know where we stand.” Lily shot back, cuddling into James’ side like she hadn’t just been toe to toe with a Death Eater a second ago.

“Good...so moving on - ” Hermione spoke, clapping her hands together and calling attention to herself. “We needed to ask you something, to help us something.”

“With what?”

“It’s only a matter of time before someone realises they can get nothing from Sirius before they try someone else – we need to practice resisting the imperious curse.” Hermione explained as his eyes widened and he got off the desk, looking at all of them.

“And what does that have to do with me?” Regulus asked, a hand jabbing into his chest.

“You know how to cast imperio, don’t you?” James asked with narrowed eyes, leaning back on the teachers desk, his long legs spreading out before him and his arm wrapping around Lily’s shoulders. A strange sight, both loving and tense.

“Yes but -”

“We need someone to use it on us, someone we can trust that won’t take it too far but won’t be too soft, and that will end it the moment we tell them to.” Hermione explained before James could say anything else as Regulus looked to Hermione.

“Would you like me to cast Crucio too so you learn to avoid the pain, or shall we just go straight to diving out of the way of Avada?” He asked dryly, spreading his arms out and full on glaring at her now.

“Maybe another time.” Hermione joked, a small smile on her lips that fell in a second as she sucked in a deep breath. “A war is coming, or it’s already here, and people are already playing dirty. The only way to protect ourselves is to be prepared.” And to understand what they were dealing.

“And Marlene and my brother?” Regulus asked, jaw ticking slightly and hands clenched at his sides. He didn’t want to do but she knew he would because he felt like he owed them something or because he wanted to help.

“You can help Marlene during your nightly meetings.” Hermione supplied. “And Sirius, well, until we know for sure this is over then we can’t do anything.” It hurt her too, even more so as his eyes drifted downwards and his shoulders slumped.

There was nothing they could for Sirius at the moment other than watch his movements and make plans, and maybe with the knowledge he had he would be able to fight it if it happened again, but for now she also had other people to try and protect and she wouldn’t let the rest of them succumb to a curse because they had thought it over with Sirius.

Regulus looked at her, his eyes hardened and the tension back in his shoulders. He would do it, and they would be better off for it it. They all knew that.