Chapter 13 - Sirius Black
Hermione walked into the dining room one morning to find Lucius and Narcissa talking quietly at one end of the table. They both stopped speaking abruptly when she entered, watching her approach.
“Hermione dear, I hope you slept well?” Narcissa asked kindly.
“Yes, thank you Mrs. Malfoy,” she smiled at the witch. “Good Morning Mr. Malfoy,” she gave a nod of her head as she greeted the lord of the house.
“Good Morning Hermione,” he nodded in greeting. “Dusty!” A kitchen elf popped in and began serving Hermione. Before the elf was finished plating her breakfast, they were joined by Daphne, Theo, Harry, and Draco.
“Your father and I have something we wish to discuss with you and your friends Draco,” Narcissa said as soon as everyone had been served. The children all froze.
“What is it mother?” Draco asked cautiously.
“Two things,” Lucius began, “First your school lists were delivered, so we’ll be going to Diagon tomorrow.” He paused as they all let out a collective breath, that wasn’t problematic at all, just informative. “Second, Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban.” Hermione blinked, looking around the table. Theo had paled, Draco’s face was frozen in shock, and Daphne was shaking. Harry, on the other hand, appeared confused. Sirius Black must be the man Mr. Malfoy had been speaking of when he explained to her parents the importance of floo travel to get her to the Manor.
“Before I explain more, Mr. Potter, I need your word that you will hear me out before you react.” Harry somehow managed to look even more puzzled, but nodded. “Now, no one has ever managed to break out of Azkaban before, no one knows how he did it, and many will want to protect you Mr. Potter. You can let them, but I assure you you’re in no danger from Sirius Black. He was, is, your godfather.” Harry looked ready to interrupt at that and Lucius held up a hand to stop him. “He was imprisoned for allegedly killing a man named Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggles. While I don’t know if he did or not, it is widely believed he betrayed your parents to the Dark Lord, as their secret keeper.” Harry’s face had taken on a sickly green color, and his wasn’t the only one. Theo looked extremely uncomfortable and she herself had lost any appetite she had. “This is not true. Sirius Black was never a Death Eater, he did not betray your parents, and is of no danger to you.” He paused again, looking to Narcissa.
“He may try and find you Harry,” Narcissa explained quietly. “If he does, do not panic, but you may tell us if you wish.” Harry’s eyes snapped to hers. “Lucius and I have spoken, and given that Lord Black is my cousin, if we are able to contact him, I would like to exonerate him. He was never given a trial which is completely unacceptable for any wizard of his status.”
“It’s unacceptable regardless of his status,” interrupted Hermione.
“Well, yes I suppose you’re right, dear,” Narcissa inclined her head. “Either way, the houses of Black and Malfoy are aligned and will stand together once more.”
“May I be excused?” Harry asked quietly.
“Of course dear, do you have any questions?” Narcissa asked, and Harry shook his head, leaving the table quickly.
“He needs us,” Theo offered as explanation, also getting up and following after Harry.
Hermione let the boys comfort Harry, wanting to sort out her own thoughts. She knew that the Malfoys had been in deep with the Dark Lord, if it hadn’t been obvious from, well everything in his family, Lucius had talked to her in the hospital wing last year after she’d been revived. He’d apologized for his part in the ordeal and she’d forgiven him immediately. She didn’t blame him for the Chamber opening, but how much did she blame him for? Afterall, she was muggleborn, and while the Malfoys had welcomed her into their home, if the Dark Lord came back, which given his horcruxes, he would, where would that leave her?
She gritted her teeth. She had two options, and as her grandmother always said, ‘the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t’ and she happened to like this devil’s demons.
-
“We’re taking cars?” asked Draco disbelievingly.
“The Minister has insisted because Mr. Potter will be with us,” answered Mr. Malfoy curtly.
“But I thought you said-”
Mr. Malfoy cut off Harry, “Mr. Potter, there is a mass murderer loose from Azkaban after you, you will take the car.” Hermione rolled her eyes, she loved her best friend, but he wasn’t always the quickest on the uptake. Her eyes widened as she slid into the backseat after Harry. It was magically enlarged on the inside, allowing for all five of them to sit comfortably while Lucius and Narcissa rode up front with the Ministry driver.
“Just let Tom know when you’re ready and he’ll send for me,” said the driver as he opened the door to let them out at the Leaky Cauldron.
“Thank you,” Lucius responded, passing the man a galleon before leading the group through the pub. “Does everyone have their lists?” The children all nodded. “Be back by half past four.”
The children ran off through the pub and into the alley.
“Should we stop at Gringotts first?” Harry asked. Theo gave him a look of disbelief. “Don’t we need to get money to pay for everything?” Harry clarified, confused.
“We have accounts at almost every store in Diagon,” Draco explained. “And Knockturn,” he added as an afterthought.
“It’s still a good idea to keep some pocket money around, but you can and should open accounts where you usually shop,” Blaise explained
“School lists first, then quidditch,” she called to Harry and Draco who had started towards Quality Quidditch Supplies. They slouched back towards the group.
“Mother says I need new robes,” Draco sighed, “I guess I’ll start there.”
“I do need to exchange some muggle money, so why don’t I just meet you in Flourish and Blotts once you’re finished?” Hermione asked Daphne, who nodded, following after Draco.
Hermione exchanged her notes, choosing to ignore the advice of her friends and keep her gold in her bag. The goblins made her nervous, and since her account was relatively new and pretty small, she didn’t think accounts in her name would go over well at most shoppes. She took her birthday money and enough for her school supplies from the transfer from her father, and set about her shopping. She refilled her potion supplies at The Apothecary, heading off to Madam Malkin’s when she paused at The Menagerie. Her mother had specifically said to get something she’d enjoy, and while there were plenty of new novels she’d like, Hermione knew her mother hadn’t meant for her to get more books.
She stepped in the dark shoppe, ignoring the torrent of less than pleasant sounds and smells assaulting her senses.
“Hello Miss, can I help you?” asked the older witch behind the counter.
“I think I’ll take a look around, if that’s alright, I’m not sure what I’m looking for,” Hermione responded with a smile.
“If you’re still at Hogwarts, I’d recommend a cat, so you can take them with you.” Hermione nodded her thanks at the advice, heading towards the mewing aisle. She passed feline after feline, until a large orange cat lept from an upper shelf landing directly in front of her. It peered up at her with lamplight yellow eyes.
“Well hello,” she said with some uncertainty, bending to scratch behind it’s ears.
“Oh, that’s Crookshanks! He’s been here for ages, usually doesn’t take well to people..” the shop owner trailed off, gazing at Hermione with a questioning look.
“Well he’s adorable,” Hermione smiled fondly at the cat.
“He’s actually part kneazle, very intelligent.”
“That’s just perfect isn’t it Crookshanks?” she asked, picking up the cat and nuzzling him. “I’ll take him.”
Ten minutes later she had Crookshanks securely in a small carrier, a few toys he seemed to enjoy, and a sampling of food for him to try. She tucked the carrier under her arm, finally setting off to the robes shoppe to purchase a new set for the year.
Half an hour later she strode into her favorite store, Cornerstone Books, she preferred the quiet of Cornerstone to Flourish and Blotts. It had a slightly smaller selection but Marty, the shoppe owner, was always kind and happy to help Hermione find anything she fancied.
Today as she entered the small shoppe, she didn’t see Marty behind the counter, so she wandered in towards the fiction section. Normally she preferred to read fiction, to disappear into another life, but lately she had so much reading to do for school, and so much to learn it’d been ages since she’d simply read for pleasure. She browsed the varying shelves, coming upon a white book, covered in gold foil patterns. It was the most beautiful cover she’d ever seen. She immediately pulled it from the shelf, flipping to the inside for a summary. She smirked to herself, this would certainly qualify as reading for fun. She took the book and settled herself in a small bean bag in a corner, cracking open the fresh spine and beginning the tale.
“Miss Hermione!” She was startled out of her story by Marty. “I didn’t see you come in!”
“Hi Marty! I got so wrapped up in this story, I forgot to come find you.” She checked her watch, she was already ten minutes late to meet Daphne. “Oh I’m already late! I’ll take this one though” She exclaimed, passing him the book at the counter.
“Oh this one got excellent reviews, you really get to experience the pain the veela feels when his mate rejects him at first.” He smiled at her, “Enjoy Miss Hermione.”
“Thank you!” She hurried from the shoppe, tucking her new book into her bag.
“Oh Hermione there you are!” Harry called as she stepped into Flourish and Blotts.
“Sorry I got caught up reading,” she said sheepishly.
“What is that?” Daphne asked, pointing at the cat carrier.
“Oh, meet Crookshanks! He’s my birthday present from my parents.” She grinned proudly, holding up the carrier at eye level.
“Well he’s something all right,” muttered Draco. Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but Harry got there first.
“Did you get your school books Hermione? We were just comparing lists.”
“Oh, no I haven’t.” She reached for her bag.
“Here” said Theo, passing her his list, “We’re taking the same courses,” he added by way of explanation. Hermione nodded her thanks, reaching to pick up a copy of Spellman’s Syllabary.
She followed the shelf until she came to the Arithmancy section, adding Numerology and Grammatica to her stack. She laughed at her friends, most of whom were frozen in horror as a flustered shoppe worker tried to hand them snarling green books.
Hermione purchased her books, adding a few extra on runes and waited for Daphne. Her friend skipped towards her coming to a stop outside.
“Did you enjoy your shopping?” she asked. Hermione nodded with a small smile. Daphne knew her well, knew she liked her time alone as much as she enjoyed her friends.
“Who does our new Care of Magical Creatures teacher think he is assigning a book like that?” exclaimed Harry, coming to join them outside.
Hermione smirked, “I told you to take Runes instead.”
Harry made a face, “Well if I had known this was what we’d have to deal with just for class reading, maybe I would’ve listened.” She rolled her eyes, as Draco and Theo joined them out front.
“Fortescue’s?” asked Draco with a gleam in his eye. His sweet tooth was renowned. Hermione shuddered at what her parents would think if they saw his daily candy intake.
The children were seated at an outdoor table happily eating their ice cream, when Hermione noticed Harry staring at something over Draco’s shoulder. He had gone pale, like he’d seen a ghost, or rather if he’d seen a ghost before he knew ghosts actually existed. She followed his gaze, seeing only shadow at the side of a building across the square.
“What is it Harry?” she asked quietly.
He shook his head, “It’s nothing, just thought I saw something.” She narrowed her eyes but dropped it when Draco reached over to try her sundae. She swatted his hand away, but he merely swiped the whole bowl out from her, taking a large bite before giving it back. She rolled her eyes laughing along as she took Draco’s offered bite of his own ice cream.