Leather Bounds, and Confusion.
Hermione
Walking back though the main gate of Hogwarts was like the first breath you take when you get home from a vacation. It looked far better than her memory served her. Still seeing the one from the end of the war in her head when she thought of it. She never wanted it to look like such a ruin.
The three of them followed the path, around the Black lake and watched the school intently. Hermione was worried about going into the school with the purpose they had in their minds. The Basilisk wasn’t anything to scoff at. If it wasn’t for Fawks bringing Harry the Sorting Hat he’d probably have died. She knew that if it wasn’t for the phoenix's tear Harry would have died.
Thinking of Harry dying brought flashes to her mind’s eye. Faces covered in blood and dirt thrown all over the ground. She was walking the grounds that will hopefully never see the massacre that claims her dreams, and her waking thoughts. The whole reason she was here was to make sure it never happened. To make sure Teddy never loses his parents. To make sure Harry never runs into the Forbidden Forest to try and save them all. She was here to make sure his parents were there to see him grow up and he’d never meet the Dursleys if she could help it.
They all deserved so much better. She was trying to fix it, and going in there and taking care of The Chamber of Secrets was a big part of it. She wouldn’t have to deal with it her second year. They wouldn't almost lose Ginny to Tom’s Diary. She wanted to hurry up and just get this over. She was making herself anxious thinking about it all.
“It sure is nice out for it being almost christmas. I can’t remember when it was this warm in the middle of December. Can you Fabian?” Gideon was making small talk, but Hermione was too absorbed in her own thoughts. “I think maybe once since we were ten?” Fabian was walking slightly behind their group. “I’d say it’s probably going to snow with how the weather looks.” He looked up at the overcast sky and took a deep breath in.
“I can’t wait for this to be over.” Hermione said more to herself than to either of the men accompanying her. She pulled herself together and marched forward. Coming to the front of the school. Seeing the giant doors in front of them, Hermione looked around for Dumbledore. He’d said he’d meet them when they arrived. She didn’t know if that was supposed to be here, or if they were to go to his office. “Did he tell you where he was going to meet us?” she turned to the brothers, and both kind of just shrugged their shoulders looking around. Very helpful, she thought to herself. “Is that him over there?” Gideon was pointing to their left and they saw Dumbledore sitting on an old bench that hadn’t been there a few moments ago when she’d glanced around.
“Very nice of you to make yourself known.” Hermione started in his direction. “I do apologise. I was seeing the majority of the kids off to the train with Hagrid.” Dumbledore was looking out across the grounds. A distant look in his eyes. “I’m sure you all would like to get settled. We won’t start with the reason you’re here until tomorrow night. I figure if we do it while the few people who remain at the Castle are asleep they’re less likely to realize anything is going on, and Hermione has an appointment in the morning.”
“That sounds very thought out. Expecting this to blow up in our faces?” Gideon elbowed Faiban in the ribs, and let out a worried laugh. “We’ll be fine I hope. Have you come up with a way to kill the thing that doesn’t take a sword no one has seen in about forty years.” It was Fabian’s turn to look uneasily at his brother, not really believing his ears. “The sword can be pulled from the Sorting Hat by a true Gryfindor, who is in great need of it. There is always help at Hogwarts, you just need to be wise enough to seek it.” Hermione mumbled to herself. “I’m going to go bring back the Library book I borrowed before I left. Professor, Is the book I asked you about still in your office?” She turned to look at Dumbledore. “Ah, yes of course.” He put his hand in his sleeve and pulled out a book no bigger than a playing card. It slowly became full sided after a few moments in his outstretched hand.
She walked over and saw that it was the school's copy of “Secrets of the Darkest Arts” . Taking it from Dumbledore she slid her hands around it and pulled it close into her chest. “I’m going to go read this for a while. I’ll meet you all at Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom at nine, okay?” They all nodded to her and she turned and walked over to the doors. They opened for her of their own accord. She smiled, wondering if it’d been Dumbledore or the school itself welcoming her back. Glancing around she noticed how noisy it was, Peeves was bouncing around somewhere. She could tell he was literally bouncing off the walls.
Making her way to the room she used on the seventh floor, she found herself smiling. She was happy to be back in Hogwarts. It was home to her and so many others. It was a home to Harry as well, if she can make sure his parents are alive for him to grow up with maybe he wouldn’t need it to be his home. He could know a life full of magic, and full of love. He’d never have to live with the Dursley’s and he’d never be neglected, or abused.
She could tell she was out of shape by the time she got to the seventh floor. They needed an elevator here. Looking around she saw that the door McGonagall had shown her to her first night here after using the time turner. She’d said it had appeared earlier that day, and here it still was. It was like the Castle knew she was here, but it’d taken a month for the Castle to give up the Room of Requirement. To recognize her magical signature.
Entering the room, she noticed flowers, dried flowers scattered on the other side of the door. They looked like they’d been shoved under the door. She quickly cleaned them up, and set to work getting her room together. Just how she’d had it before. She pulled the Library books from her beaded bag and set them on the bed. She’d read them, and taken her own shorthand notes, so she didn’t need them anymore. She’d put the book Dumbledore had given her on her pillow. She wanted to dive into it, but she had other things to do first.
Grabbing the beaded bag and shoving it into her pocket, and levitating the books, sending them out the door and allowing them to return themselves. She closed the door behind herself watching the books float down the hall. She nodded as they got to the staircase and descended slowly. Turning she walked down the Requirements hallway and made her way back and forth a few times before she heard the door appear. Walking up, and slipping in, she took a deep breath. She lit her wand and made her way into the room.
Remus
Sirius had been avoiding him for weeks. They’d gotten into the biggest argument of their entire friendship. All Remus had tried to do was talk to Him about the feelings in the air, and how Sirius had seemed to be struggling mentally for a while. Sirius hadn’t wanted to discuss it in the least. He’d told him to “fuck off and leave him be.” So he’d done just that. He’d left him alone everytime it was just the two of them. He’d stuck closer to James, as he got closer with Lily, and of course Peter was always trailing after James, and Remus. Peter would always disappear to the Library after dinner, instead of following them to the common room to hang out by the fire, and playing Wizard’s chess.
Remus was walking with his hands in his pockets through a downstairs corridor trying to get Hermione, and Sirius out of his head. Being so alone for the Holidays was hard for him. He’d not gone back to visit his parents, because they’d just gotten settled in their new home, and this year the full moon was on Christmas night. He didn’t want to ruin his family’s Christmas. Hearing footsteps hurrying towards him. Looking over his shoulder he saw a Hufflepuff girl running down. He moved closer to the wall to get out of her way. “Are you Remus?” she said running up and almost into him before she stopped out of breath. He nodded, confused as to what was going on. “Here. It’s from Madame Pomfrey.” He took it, and she smiled at him before taking off down the Hall again.
______________________
Mr. Lupin,
If you could please come to the Hospital Wing. I’d prefer to talk in person.
P. Pomfrey
_______________________
Strange, he hadn’t been to see her the last few months. Having Prongs, and Padfoot every full moon had saved him a great deal of scars. Making his way that way he caught a familiar scent that had him taking deep slow breaths with his eyes rolling slightly. She was here in the Castle. Citrus and Chamomile with vanilla tones that reminded him of the Library, and old leather bounds. He wondered if Sirius was aware. Having also stayed at school instead of returning home
Opening the door to the Hospital Remus saw Madame Pomfrey come out of a bed stall that had the bed curtains drawn. “Ah, Remus, I was hoping she’d find you quick enough. Please come.” She walked towards her office to the right of the front doors. “What did you need, Madame Pomfrey?” She nodded at him. “I have something for you to take once a day for the week prior to.. “ She glanced around, “the full moon. It will help you keep your mind. It’s only just been invented by someone Dumbledore says he trusts with his life. I’ve asked you here to see if you’d like to try it. I won’t force it on you, but seeing as you’ve got nothing to lose by taking it.” She trailed off.
Remus couldn’t believe his ears. “Who? I mean, how new is this. I’ve never heard of anything like this.” His mind was racing. Being able to be incontrol during the moon. Not trying to bite or kill anyone. He couldn’t even imagine it. He’d never thought it possible. “Yes. I mean of course. I’ve got nothing to lose right.” He said half heartedly. Trying to calm himself before getting his hopes up too much. He was used to false promises. His father had tried every curse breaker that would answer his owls.
Madame Pomfrey had given his seven orbs filled with the milky yellow potion. She warned him that it wasn’t meant to taste the greatest because any sugar added to it canceled out the magic it was meant to disperse. He thanked her, assuring her he’d be sure to take one that night and left the Hospital to bring the potions up to his room and hide them in his foot locker. He never had any issues with anyone going through his stuff. Except Peter that one time before they’d all found out why he was disappearing every month.
He made sure to wrap them in his thickest pairs of socks before setting them carefully into the foot locker. He kept one out to take when he was getting ready for bed in a few hours. There weren’t any classes right now, because a great deal of the school had left for their homes. Celebrating their Holidays with their families. Remus felt the gray cloud fill his mind. His sadness overcoming his mind. Would SIrius even show up to the full moon runs anymore if he had his mind about him, if he didn’t need him to keep him in check.
He’d not known this sorrow in many years. Since before he’d found out about Hogwarts. Since before he’d found his friends. He shook himself. Shaking the thoughts out of his head. Deciding to make his way to the Great Hall since it was almost supper time. Hoping to get a glimpse of his friend who was avoiding him, and who he had been avoiding too.
Sirius
It was just a couple of days ago that he’d gotten the letter from the Ministry about his uncle leaving him an inheritance. His mother sent him a letter telling him he’d been burned off the tree along with his uncle. “For being blood traitors” she’d written. Regulus had kept a bigger distance between the two of them. No longer following him around, or trying to talk to him about the Heirloom he’d told them both he hadn’t taken when he left. He didn’t even take anything from that safe. He’d gone for the one in his fathers office. Where he knew the cash was kept.
He was sitting in the Library hiding from Remus. Trying to hide from himself. His Uncle and him hadn’t spoken in almost four years. He didn’t understand why he’d left him so much money. He’d never have to work. He could always be comfortable. He hadn’t mentioned anything to anyone. He had enough pity as it was, and he didn’t even want that. He wanted Hermione, but she’d left without so much as a goodbye. He’d woken up late and opened the map as he was getting dressed and she'd been nowhere in sight. He’d looked everyday for a week, and she wasn’t ever on it. He’d lost hope of seeing her on it and given it to James. He was just hurting himself by gazing at it constantly and Snape had almost caught him with it twice. He’d gotten sloppy. He was Sirius Orion Black, he didn’t do sloppy unless it was in an intimate setting.
Madame Pierce was walking with a trolly behind her, and the books were putting themselves away. She wasn’t paying much attention to him, and he even less attention to her. Until the scent hit his nose and he almost fell out of his chair spinning around. She gave him a stern look, and proceeded down a different aisle. He got up, grabbing his leather jacket off the back of the chair and following his nose. He noticed there was more than one trail. He followed it to the front of the Library where the book return was, and followed the scent out the door and down the hall.
He was in the Great Hall and he could see Moony sitting by himself at the Gryffindor table. It tugged at his chest, but he brushed it off. His eyes were scanning the rest of the room. He didn’t see her main anywhere. He took a deep breath into his stomach and savored the scent. She wasn’t here. It was just in his head. Why would she be back, after more than a month's time had passed. Steeling himself against his emotions, he walked towards Moony. The full moon was next week and he needed to be there for him. He was the entire reason he was breaking the law by being an unregistered Animagus
Sitting down harder than he’d meant too, Remus jumped and turned quickly in his direction. “What are you trying to do, scare me to death. Cough or something next time.” His eyes were also scanning the room. “She isn’t here. I looked.” Sirius was looking down at the empty plate in front of him. “Happy Holidays to all of you joining us for dinner tonight. Please allow me to introduce guests for the break, Fabian, Gideon, and Hermione Prewitt. They’re here on a research mission for the Ministry, and please do not be alarmed if you see them wandering around the grounds. Let us eat.”
The tables filled with food, but Remus and Sirius were staring at the mane of hair that was sitting right next to the Headmaster. “Her name isn’t Prewitt on the map Remus.” Sirius whispered, barely audible but he knew he’d been heard. “I know. It says Granger. It’s too bad James took it home with him for the Holiday break.” Nodding along with his friend they had to force themselves to focus on eating before dinner was over. They didn’t want to have to sneak from the common room to the kitchens without the map. Remus had the cloak so he could get out during the full moon.
“Should we assume Dumbledore knows that’s not her real name, or do we assume she is smarter than one of the greatest wizards alive?” Sirius was pushing pudding around his plate, keeping his eyes on the girl at the high table. Wondering what she was actually doing here. “I think he knows. I think he seems overly delightful tonight. Have you been watching. He’s kept that smile on his face every second he’s been up there, except when he takes a drink. His face falls, and his eyes sweep the room over the glass. He’s watching us all. Everyone here, and he’s thinking about something.” Remus was picking a chicken leg apart above his plate, before dropping it and wiping his hands off. Sirius felt the pull towards her. He didn’t understand it. He knew that all three of them felt it.
“I don’t trust it.” Remus laughed a frustrated bark of a laugh, and Sirius realised he’d spoken out loud and not just in his head. He straightened up, as the food vanished from the tables and he glanced back at the high table. Dumbledore was staring right at them. Sirius felt like he’d heard them, but in a room of several conversations it would be difficult to eavesdrop on a whispered one. That didn’t stop the hairs on his neck and arms from raising though.