Diadems, and News
Hermione
Feeling overwhelmed by both Sirius, and Remus, she needed to clear her head. She wasn’t able to do that when they were following her everywhere she went, or watching her on the Map. She needed to talk to Dumbledore, they had a meeting tomorrow, but she didn’t know if she could wait that long.
She was walking down the Corridor following the flow of Gryfindor’s upstairs when she and a few other students heard the owl. Hermione recognised it as the one from Dumbledore earlier. His response to her letter from this morning. Has it really only been that long? So much had happened. Shaking her head to clear it of the visions. Catching the letter in both hands, almost dropping it, the owl took off down a different corridor.
____________
If you would so kindly,
Follow the Owl.
I am awaiting your arrival in Hogsmeade.
Albus
____________
Hermione’s head shot up and she took off after the bird. Catching sight of it down the corridor perched on a brazer, waiting for her. Smiling, she jogged after the bird. Seeing her follow the bird lifted off, and continued its way down. Two girls coming out of a bathroom almost got knocked over, as Hermione was running by. She threw half an apology over her shoulder as she was running away.
Hermione couldn’t wait to tell Dumbledore that she’d found it. She wasn’t going to let him know all of how it was obtained, but she’d give a rough run down. Flying down the halls, the owl never wavering , only glancing at her every dozen or so meters. Kids were watching her as she ran, some pointing, others yelling. McGonagall even tried yelling after her, but she simply yelled “Dumbledore.” As she was hurrying away.
Exiting the castle Hermione started to get winded. Slowly she still followed the bird, although it seemed to slow with her without looking. Happy to be outside and trying not to think about anything but getting to Dumbledore. Hard as she tried she couldn’t stop the nerves in her stomach. The path to Hogsmeade was well worn. She winded through the grounds and into the countryside, finally coming to the hill that looked over the town. The owl swooped down into the Three Broomsticks.
Opening the door, Hermione was greeted with a relatively lively pub. It was close to seven in the evening. Looking around the room she didn’t see Dumbledore right away, but soon found him in the very back corner. He was smiling at her, waving and making her way through the people to him. Sitting down she rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them. She hadn’t realized how cold she was.
“I’m sorry for calling you out of the school, I wasn’t even quite sure if the bird would get to you, with where you were looking.” He said warmly, putting his hands on the table. “I believe I’ve found a lead on that goblet we were discussing last week,” he said, smiling. “Well that is wonderful news, Professor. I was so excited when I got your letter..” The front door of the pub opened and Hermione glanced at the door. Seeing Remus, and Sirius there, looking around the room.
“When I got your letter. I’d meant to send you another. I’ve found that headband that I’d been telling you about. The one with the really pretty feathers.” she said, angling herself away from the boys. Dumbledore eyed the boys almost instantly after her movement. “You seem to have a pair of hounds at your heels, Hermione. Are you having trouble shaking them? I am most delighted to hear that. You’ll have to bring it with you when you go stay with your cousins. I’ve arranged for you to leave tomorrow afternoon. They’ve made arrangements for you to stay at their apartment.”
Hermione felt herself flush. She’d forgotten she’d asked to be moved closer to the Order. She hadn’t gotten anywhere with the room, so she’d wanted to try her hand at finding the other Horcruxes. Her hands feeling clammy, she wiped them down the front of her coat. “That’s wonderful. I’m so glad I’ll be able to spend more time with them. They aren’t missing any work are they?” She inquired. “Oh, no they aren’t missing anything right now they’re job is to keep an eye on a new employee, and to show them the ropes.” nodding, she glanced around the room.
Seeing both the boys staring at her from across the pub she knew they could hear their conversation. She didn’t know these faces enough to see clearly what they were feeling, but anger was definitely a part of the storm both men had on their faces. Hermione swore she could hear a pin drop in that moment. The air was thick with tension “That sounds like a rather large handful, have they considered all that entails?”
“Yes, and umm no, that is they know this person is in need of work and is very smart, and a quick thinker. However, I must ask, the headband, your note this morning had said you’d looked most of the day, without any luck. I was sure it was lost.” she shook her head no, “I said I hadn’t found it yet. I went back to look for it and I found it almost immediately when I returned to the room. I also found about a half dozen Boggarts.”
She eyed Dumbledore as he watched her. “Do these Boggarts have to do with why these two are following you?” She nodded, her cheeks warming slightly. “Well then I think it’s best that you leave tomorrow. You’ve already told me about some of their involvement in your efforts for the future. I suggest distance.” She’d known he’d say this. “Yes. Yes I was serious about my inquiry. I can’t keep wasting time, and I’m no longer needed here anyway. It is so convenient that I found the headband when I did. Make it very easy to pack up, and feel like I’m not forgetting anything behind.”
They talked for a few more minutes about the details of her leaving, before they both got up. Saying her goodbyes to the Professor, she made her way out of the pub. She didn’t see her boys anywhere. Her stomach, slightly queasy. Making her way towards the Castle which seemed like a very long walk, now that she wasn’t running or excited. She was leaving the Castle tomorrow. It was her home, even if it wasn’t her home yet. Time was tricky.
Walking the path back to school, Hermione was lost in her own thoughts. Wrapping her coat around herself, she pulled out her hand bag and grabbed out a pair of mittens, and a thick black hat with a maroon pom pom on the top. Rubbing her hands together, hoping to warm them. “You’re leaving.” a sad voice sounded behind Hermione. Startled, she spun around to face Sirius. Remus was standing behind him, looking blank. “Yes. Yes I am, tomorrow afternoon.” Remus nodded to himself. Sirius chewed his inner lips. Worrying it between his teeth. “Where will you go?” Pulling her jacket around herself for comfort, “I’m going to stay with my cousins.”
The boys seemed to understand this. “Where will you be?” Sirius whispered so low she almost didn’t hear him. “London.” She replied quickly. “Come on, really I’m freezing, can we at least walk and talk?” She said, shuddering out a breath. They seemed to realize Hermione didn’t have stupid magical heating. Hermione slapped herself in the face, and took her wand out. Producing a mild self warming charm, she started to feel her toes again.
“Sorry, forgot for a moment who I was.” she giggled. They stared at her for a moment. “No, we should get heading back. Do you mind if we walk with you?” Remus walked up to her. Sirius trailing behind. “I don’t mind. I need to get back and pack anyway.” She smiled at Remus and he seemed saddened by her words. Sirius was trailing in the back of their group. “So what brought you guys to Hogsmeade? I thought you were heading back to the Common Room.” she said, curious, to Remus. The boys both looked at each other. “Caught a scent that had my interest.” Sirius said. “We were following it.”
“Curiosity killed the cat you know.” She said nonchalantly. They shared a look like they’d like no better than to roll their eyes. “I was trying to make a joke.” she said, pushing on Remus’ arm. His eyes shot down to hers. The physical contact, giving her his whole attention. She swears his eyes got brighter, more amber then their usual light green colour. The back of her neck felt tingly and she almost couldn’t stop herself from rolling her neck and eyes, but she did. Her eyelids only closing slightly, Sirius cleared his throat.
She pulled away, pulling some distance between them. She wasn’t quite sure what that had been, but she was indeed curious. The rest of the walk back to the castle was quiet, and they walked together all the way to the seventh floor. They left her at her door, and walked on without her. Sirius threw his arm around Remus bringing him in for a side hug. They were whispering to each other. She smiled, mostly to herself, and opened her door.
It took her a few hours to read a few of the books she’d gotten from the library. She’d decided to pack the next day after she woke up. It had taken her the better part of an hour to read this one paragraph. She kept looking at the flowers in the window, and losing herself in thought. She barely knew Fabian and Gideon but they seemed like they’re the right choice. Molly wasn’t close enough to the order the first time to ask her. There was also the fact that she was pregnant with the twins right now. Fabian and Gideon were supposed to die in about two years, but they were on the list of people to save.
Hermione still wasn’t sure what to do about Peter. She wanted to help him not betray his friends, she really did, but she could not stand looking at him. Talking to him was horrid, knowing what he's capable of in just two years time. Knowing he’s more than capable now, he just isn’t in the order. Dumbledore was right to keep them out. The Rat would turn very quickly. He barely makes it a year before he kills Lily and James, trying to kill Harry. The whole reason she’d come back in the first place. To save him from that fate. She knew that they probably wouldn’t be friends in this new timeline she was weaving.
Harry may not be an only child anymore, He could have a real life with his parents. They could be happy just existing. Remus would be taken care of for life. Sirius would be the perfect uncle to Harry. Perhaps he too would find someone. Remus may not find Tonks this time, and that made her sad, but knew that if she can manage to keep them both alive then that would be good enough for her.
Time was strange; she'd gone so far back, but she still knew so many people here. People she cared deeply for. People who had died, some of them in front of her. She got flashes of bodies and echoes of screams seemed to emanate from the corners of the room. Hogwarts had always been her home. A Home where terrible things had happened. To her, to her friends, and to the whole of the Wizarding world.
Shaking herself and setting the book down she grabbed her draught of dreamless sleep. Laying her head down she waited to fall asleep, she just needed to rest she told herself. She’d be fine after she got some rest. No one was dead yet. No one she loves is dead yet. Most of them weren’t born yet, her brain retorted at her. Making her giggle silently. She wouldn’t be sad right now. She’d found the first Horcrux. She’d found it all by herself, she’d only needed saving afterwards.
The vision of the Boggarts appeared in Hermione’s mind. Her eyes flashed open, and she palmed her eyes, trying to rub away the images. They weren’t born yet. They were all fine. They weren’t like that yet. They were like that in your time though. That did happen to them. Different timeline, but it still happened. I won't let it happen. I’ll stop it.