Chapter 28
Chapter 28
(For the next few chapters Hermione and Lyra will be used interchangeably because the Order knows her as Hermione but the Death Eaters know her as Lyra. She will transition to Lyra completely soon. Please be patient with me.)
Lord Malfoy,
I request a meeting on behalf of House Black, if you are amenable read aloud the phrase at the bottom of this missive and you will arrive at the prearranged location. This is a secretive matter and I am trusting that we can meet without violence.
I have several matters to discuss with you, the first of which is Hermione/Lyra. She will be present at this meeting. No one else is invited. Please consider my offer.
Lord Black
*Fuck the Greater Good*
When he receives this message Lucius is surprised but curious. Deciding to trust Lyra, he murmurs the phrase with a smirk. When he arrives he is in a small grassy area. A moment later Sirius and Lyra appear. Unsure how much Sirius knows Lucius is reserved when he greets them. Lyra looks at Sirius with a smile before launching herself into Lucius’ arms.
‘Thank you for coming, Uncle. It means so much that you were willing to try. Sirius is the only family I am allowed to be around right now. I have been missing everyone. How are mother and father? Please tell them that I am fine and everything is going how I expected it to’.
‘Of course I will tell them. I need more information now if you don't mind. When we spoke the other day you didn't mention anything about this.’
‘And we will but Sirius can only be out for so long.’
‘Understood.’ Turning he holds out his hand. ‘It has been a long time, Lord Black. I trust we can leave childish rivalries in the past? It seems we have much to discuss.’
‘Yes we do. And I agree. No reason to dredge up the past. Firstly I wanted to ask for your assistance. As you know, I am a wanted criminal, did you know I never got a trial?’
‘I did not.’
‘If possible, can you help me to get a trial? Dumbledore seems to be avoiding it at all costs. Probably because he will be incriminated.’
‘Oh? How so?’
‘He performed the Fidelius. I was not the secret keeper. Everyone else who knew but myself, the actual secret keeper and Dumbledore, is dead. No one else knew. It was a ploy to keep them safe. Tell everyone it was me but keep the truth a secret.’
‘That is interesting. Don't tell me who it was. I think I can put something in motion. Give me some time. What is the next thing to discuss?’
‘Once a trial has proven my innocence, I intend to take up my lordship. No one has been Lord Black for years, and this needs to happen. I would like to create a tentative alliance, it can include everyone who lost a family member. No one should have to face such travesty.’
‘I will contact others and see how they feel about such an alliance. It does sound promising. Is there anything else to discuss today?’
‘I think that will be enough for one day. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Tell my cousins I will be in touch.’
‘I will. Lyra? Thank you for ensuring that this meeting took place. I will see you soon?’
‘Yes uncle.’ Hermione hugs Lucius. Have a nice day.’
Hermione and Sirius apparate away suddenly. Lucius leaves with a smile on his lips.
*.*
Hermione tries to leave with the twins the first morning she is free. Unfortunately she does not make it very far.
‘Where are you going? Ablus was specific that you would remain in this house during the entire break.’
‘No one told me that. I am just supposed to be here to sleep until I return to school.’
All 3 floo away before Molly could say anything more.
*.*
‘Thanks for coming but you know you don't have to help us.’
‘I promised you help now, give me something to do.’
‘I could give you something to do.’ George murmurs suggestively.
‘Be serious, George. Let me help you with something.’
With a huff George gives in. ‘Alright come downstairs with me. I will show you around the backroom and see what potions we need for the next line of products.’
Hermione follows George out of the flat.
‘This is the instructions on how to make the illusion amulet if you want to read it.’
‘Maybe later. Show me what I can help with.’
Looking around, Hermione saw the many disorganized shelves packed with different sized jars of many colors.
‘George? How do you find anything?’
‘Hmm?’ Hermione continues to stare at the shelves. ‘Oh that… well we… um we find things alright?’
‘Do you mind if I organize this first?’
‘Go ahead.’
*.*
Upon returning from the shop at the end of the day Dumbledore greets Hermione with a scowl.
‘For your safety you need to remain here. We cannot protect you if you leave this safe place.’
‘If you say so.’ Hermione mumbles as she walks away.
*.*
Sirius notices that Harry eats the smallest portion in the entire house. He is concerned. After Harry goes to sleep at night Sirius goes into Harry's room and casts a diagnostic. The results are appalling. He is malnourished. There are a number of bones that have proof of magical healing. Harry needs better medical care than he is receiving. Furious with this information, Sirius spends the rest of the night brewing nourishing potions.
The next night there is an order meeting. Before it begins Sirius is making small talk with Minerva.
‘Does the school still do annual check ups on all students?’
‘Of course we do Sirius, how can you ask that?’
‘What are Harry's results?’
‘Poppy says that he is a little on the small side but that is likely because he is so picky with what he eats.’
‘He is picky? Really i have not noticed that. He simply eats less than everyone else.’
‘That can't be. He has to be hungry.’
‘I have no doubt of that, but he just eats less than everyone else.’
‘What are you insinuating?’
‘Maybe he was not properly diagnosed in his annual exam.’
‘You cannot insult Poppy this way Sirius.’
‘Then perhaps something else is going on.’
Someone behind Sirius clears their throat.
‘Sirius, are you starting trouble again?’ Molly questions.
‘I am simply pointing out that if everyone is doing their jobs, my godson would not be malnourished right now.’
‘Are you insinuating that the children in my school are not being taken care of properly?’ Dumbledore inquires.
‘I'm not insinuating anything. I'm asking, is your staff doing their jobs? Or is something else going on?’ Sirius has raised his voice at this point. Everyone in the room is now watching the interaction.
‘Nonsense Sirius, leave Albus alone.’
‘Molly, stay out of it. I wasn't even talking to Albus until he forced his way into this conversation.’
‘That's enough. I thought we had a meeting. If not, I'm leaving.’ Says Moody.
‘Yes, of course. If everyone will sit down we can get started.’ Sirius seethes at being dismissed so casually.
When the meeting ends, Minerva waits until everyone has left before approaching Sirius.
‘I am sorry. You are concerned and with good reason, I can contact Poppy and have her check him over. Shall I floo her now?’
‘Please. I will have Harry in his room join us when she arrives.’
Sirius begins to climb the stairs while Minerva looks for the floo powder.
*.*
‘Hello, Mr. Potter, Mr. Black. How can I help today?’
‘I would like you to do a full diagnostic on Harry.’
‘I did one at the beginning of term, I discussed the results with Albus everything was well in hand. I assure you.’
‘Really? Then I must be doing the diagnostic wrong? Let me try again.’
A few moments later Minerva and Poppy share perplexed looks.
‘I don’t understand. That’s not what my results showed.’
‘Then do it again. I want to see your results myself.’
When Poppy’s results showed them nothing had changed she shook her head.
‘No, this can’t be. I do these exams every year on every student. To ensure they are healthy and treat anything if needed. This is not possible.’
‘Excuse me?’ Harry says timidly. ‘What do you mean? The only time you examine me is when I am injured.’
‘What?’ All three adults yell.
‘I don’t understand why I wouldn’t receive these tests if everyone else does.’
‘You should have. In fact, I was convinced you were but now I need to look into these circumstances. I also need to run a few more tests on these results. Mr. Black, Minerva will bring you the results when I have them. It may not be before the term begins, I'm afraid.’
‘As long as I get them and they are correct, take all the time you need.’
‘In the meantime, he needs nutrient potions with an appetite increaser infused.’
‘I have the nutrient potions but how do I alter it for the infusion?’
‘Add 6 shavings of licorice root, one per stir and 2 cinnamon sticks for the last 5 minutes of brewing. Remove the sticks before bottling.’
‘Thank you, I will make a new batch this weekend.’
‘Mr. Potter i will see you at the start of term. It will not be pleasant if you keep me waiting.’
‘Yes, ma’am i promise.’
*.*
Hermione slowly comes down the stairs listening for footsteps. George waits near the floo for her. When she is sure that no one else is between her and the floo she hurries over to it. As George throws the powder they both hear:
‘Where do you think you are going? You were specifically told to remain-’
Whatever else she was saying was lost as they floo away.
‘Snuck out already?’ Fred smiles when he sees them arrive.
‘Yeah, what can I do today?’
‘Did you finish organizing yesterday?’
‘Almost. Come find us when you are done? I can help you learn some of the potions we use.’
‘Alright. I will.’
An hour later Hermione finds Fred to tell him that she is done organizing.
‘Come with me and I can show you how to make some Skiving Snack boxes.’
‘Alright led the way.’
*.*
‘Hello, Minister.’
‘Lucius, how are you today?’
‘I'm doing alright. How are things?’
‘Alright. Things have been running smoothly recently.’
‘That's good to hear.’
‘What can I do for you today?’
‘My recently rediscovered niece asked me to look into something and when I did I was appalled.’
‘What did you look into?’
‘The case of Sirius Black and his conviction. It seems she and her friends came into contact with him a few years ago and your predecessor ignored the claims of her and her friends when they stated that Black was innocent. They believe that he was framed. She asked what was said in trial. Imagine how perplexed I was to learn that there was no trial? How can anyone put faith into an administration that will throw a civilian into prison without trial?’
‘What do you mean there was no trial?’
‘No one remembers the trial, just his supposed confession and his escape.’
‘That cannot be. I will look into this. If there is in fact no trial then steps will be taken to rectify the situation.’
‘Thank you, Minister. I wonder how the investigation is coming regarding Albus.’
‘What investigation?’
‘The board has learned that he has been monitoring and stealing mail from the students. But I'm sure that your Aurors are investigating all possibilities.’
‘It seems I have to get to another meeting. Will you excuse me Lucius?’
‘Of course minister. Have a nice day.’
‘You as well.’
*.*
*finally getting back into writing. I hope you are all still reading.*