Chapter 17

A/N: Thank you all for the lovely reviews so far. Please keep them coming. I want to know your thoughts! :)

Lily and Hermione's truce had settled into a relationship of attrition. Though on the surface everything was well, the redhead was not a forgiving woman, and she could not see past what she perceived as Hermione's betrayal of their friendship by keeping company with Severus.

Life in the dorm room was tense and uncomfortable. However, Lily had stepped up to take her work as a prefect more seriously this year than she had last year. Hermione knew she was angling for the Head Girl position. If she got it, Lily would have her own room, leaving Hermione and Mary alone in the seventh-year girls' dormitory.

Along with Lily's campaign to win the Head Girl title, she placed more effort than ever into her schoolwork. She had never been lazy by any stretch of the imagination. However, she was determined to make a name for herself. She was a natural at Potions, and she and Severus were the top two in their class. Since Lily was not speaking with Severus either, Potions class was tense and highly competitive. Lily received the accolades she craved so much from her adoring Gryffindors while Severus received praise from the Slytherins. He and Lily were a part of what was called, "The Slug Club," a group of handpicked talented students by Professor Horace Slughorn who had a greedy way of students who had exceptional promise to ingratiate himself with, just in case they grew up to become someone great.

Hermione had been invited to join the "Slug Club" since she was vying with Severus and Lily for the top student of the sixth-year class. However, she kept declining offers to attend the parties. Things were tense enough having to be in class with Lily; Hermione didn't want to add more discomfort into her life.

Potions class was quickly becoming a hotbed of one-upmanship. Lily and Severus pitted themselves against the other in a fierce battle of wills and wits, at times making Professor Slughorn roar with laughter at what he referred to as "Lily's cheeky personality." Hermione tried to not be jealous, but it seemed that Severus was still haunted by the ghost of his first love. She wondered at times if he really wanted her or if he was using her to try and win Lily back.

***

When she wasn't studying, Hermione spent most of her free time with Remus Lupin working on their Occlumency. Hermione was rapidly growing in her abilities, and Remus was just not a challenging partner anymore. Dumbledore took over her formal lessons, but Hermione still met with Lupin to talk and visit.

One day while they were walking on the green, he asked her, "What are your plans after graduation?"

Hermione was dumbfounded. She had never thought about a career in this timeline. If she were to go out into the wizarding world, she could really interfere with her future.

"I don't know. Teaching seems interesting. I love Arithmancy. I suppose I would have to speak with Professor Vector about my options."

"What are your plans, Remus?" she asked in return.

"Oh, well, it's open-ended at the moment. Dumbledore has some assignments for him I could do, so research and fieldwork would be my answer...at least for a few years. Then, perhaps teach if I could. I would love to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said with a smile.

Ah, Remus, your wish shall come true! she thought happily. Then she wondered how Professor Lupin was faring in her own timeline. Had anyone discovered he was a werewolf? She was bolted out of her thoughts by another question.

"Hermione, I recall a conversation we had about a relationship. You said 'not now.' Well, we are in the second half of our sixth year, and I was wondering if 'now' had arrived," he asked shyly.

Hermione swallowed hard and said, "Remus, I think you are a handsome and intelligent boy who will one day become a great man, I'm sure of it. However, I have discovered my feelings lie with someone else. I am in love, and I know I always will be. I'm sorry, Remus. I don't want to give you false hopes."

Remus gave a half a smile and said, "I appreciate your candor. I hope I shall always have your friendship."

Hermione hugged him. "Don't you ever think I will stop being your friend. I care for you deeply, just not romantically. You are dear to me, and I consider you to be a very good friend...someone I KNOW I can trust."

Remus smiled, and they continued their walk. Now that the question of a future relationship had been resolved, the two could resume their regular weekly meetings and talk about the goings on in the wizarding world and discuss Hermione's latest meeting in Slytherin House.

***

Lily Evans had always been a gem to the professors at Hogwarts. This year, she had taken great pains to exalt herself above the rest. She never said a word, but it seemed clear to Hermione that Lily was becoming increasingly ambitious. As a prefect, she was exacting and minded the rules. Now, she was using her influence to her advantage by spending more of her free time with Professor Slughorn and attending each party of the Slug Club. Hermione still refused to attend, but Severus was beginning to go more and more, and it bothered Hermione a great deal. Her insecurity over losing Severus to Lily frightened her in more ways than one. She always had to be aware of her timeline, but lately she had stopped considering it, especially where Severus was concerned.

It was fast becoming a problem. How could she reconcile two desires that were the complete opposite of the other? Hermione wanted to stay with Severus; she had vowed to be with him. However, she desperately wanted to return back to her life with Harry and Ron. Sometimes, she missed them so much she ached inside; at other times, she wondered if they ever thought about her anymore or how much they must have changed. She still saw them as budding third-years. She wondered whatever had happened to Sirius Black. Had he been caught and returned to Azkaban? How was Professor Lupin? She wondered if Severus was fit to be tied that Lupin had taken the coveted job he had wanted for so long. Was she there as an older thirty-something woman married to Severus? She only allowed herself a small amount of time theorizing. It threatened to drive her mad if she continued to do so for extended periods of time.

***

Hermione's meetings with Avery were coming to a fast close. He was leaving at the end of the year, and nothing official had been said about his successor. Avery informed Hermione that a plan to bring her before the Dark Lord was being created. Severus reported it most likely would occur during the coming summer. He encouraged her Occlumency training, although he hated it was with Lupin.

One day they argued over the situation. Severus wanted badly for her to excel at Occlumency, but he told her he felt left out of the process and wanted to practice with her.

"Hermione, why can't you let me perform Legilimency on you?" he argued.

Hermione hated lying to him. She loathed that she had been keeping this secret for so bloody long! She exhaled as she placed her hands on her hips. "Look, Severus, I just don't feel right about it. We're too close. There must exist an emotional detachment in order to perfect this skill, and I don't want to bring you into that frame of mind! I don't want to have to detach from you, I want to feel with you. It's too precious," she concluded shyly.

"What of Lupin? He is in love with you!"

Hermione placed a reassuring arm on Severus'. "I know. Believe me, we have discussed it, and I have made it quite clear that there could be nothing else between us than friendship. He knows my heart belongs to you."

Severus looked at her in wonder. "You told him that you are... mine?" he whispered.

Hermione winced. "Are you angry?" she asked.

"NO!" he shouted as he broke out into a broad smile. He grabbed Hermione and swung her around. He set her back down and cupped her face. "I love you," he said happily.

"I love you, too, Severus," Hermione replied.

***

Valentine's Day rolled around again, and Hermione found herself thinking about the old days. She and Lily, apart from fifth year when Lily and Severus had gone off alone together after the dance, had never been apart for the holiday. It saddened her to think how their relationship was lost. Hermione liked to hold on to the good times. It was the times like Valentine's Day that brought back the not so pleasant memories.

Hermione was unnecessarily concerned. Lily had been steadily gaining popularity throughout the various houses and had garnered for herself a devoted pack of followers. There was no doubt now that Lily Evans was the most popular girl in school. She had the best grades, and although she tied with Hermione and Severus most of the time, it was her personality that shone through to outshine any other competitor. Lily Evans was becoming her own person, and that person was a bold leader.

A week before Valentine's Day, Hermione found her dorm room filled at curfew with all sorts of Gryffindor girls...Molly McKinnon, Emmeline Vance, Alice Longbottom...they all loved Lily, and in turn, Lily loved the adoration. Lily planned to all the girls that were now a part of "Lily's Circle" that go together as a group and not tie themselves down to one boy. Hermione noted that she had been conspicuously left out of the invitation.

Mary MacDonald, who was in the sacred "circle," stopped Hermione on their way to Potions to chat about Lily.

"Hermione, I know that you and Lily have been best friends since you came here third year, and I am sorry she's being such a bitch to you," she confided.

Hermione shook her head sadly as they walked on slowly to the dungeons. "Honestly, Mary, I think I am a bit, well, relieved," she said bluntly. "I have noticed a change in Lily, and I think it can only be for the best. She was so confused with keeping loyal to Severus, and she was so hurt about my newfound status with Slytherin, I think she has been desperate to discover herself. Lily is a born leader. You watch! She will surprise everyone one day, I think."

***

The Valentine's Ball was as romantic as ever. Hermione wore a darling Muggle dress that was made of dark burgundy taffeta with crinolines to set off the short skirt showing off her silk stockings. She stayed in the background, drinking moderately, as those of age were able, and watching the politics of dating and mating around her.

James Potter was as annoying as ever, trying too hard and being completely obtuse to Lily's efforts to humiliate him publicly. As Hermione continued to watch their careful dance of stalk and escape, she couldn't help but notice how hilarious Lily found it all. She looked at James as if he were a puppy she could control and make him do her bidding. It was rather twisted, but they both seemed to get something out of it, or else they would cease to play. Hermione was reminded of the "carrot and stick" approach. Lily Evans was a shark at the game. Hermione wondered if the girl had any feeling for the black-haired Quidditch player at all.

Hermione had been making small talk with a few Ravenclaws when Severus made his entrance. Hermione felt her pulse quicken and her stomach lurch at the sight of him. Things were getting to be so complicated between them; she didn't think they would be able to restrain their desires for long. As she looked at him in his elegant dress robes, she noticed that he wore a face of calm disinterest. Hermione's mind flew backward in time to a Hogwarts of her own reality when she was a second-year. A cool and collected Professor Snape stood facing Professor Gilderoy Lockhart during the first day of the dueling club. He had the same look of indifference on his face now. Hermione knew that he had been irritated beyond belief at his forced participation in such a farcical situation. Hermione smiled a tiny smile. She knew Severus was trying to perfect his nonchalant demeanor. He's probably bored to sobs! she thought humorously.

As she continued her conversation, Avery charmingly interrupted her. He oozed gracefulness and reminded Hermione of Draco Malfoy's father. She allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor where she could engage in private, delicate conversation without any fears of being overheard or thought of strangely if they had stood off to the side chatting alone.

"Hermione," Avery said admiringly, "you are the loveliest creature in the room."

Hermione laughed as she looked around her for someone who might be watching. "Please don't waste your flattery with me, Avery, trying to get on my good side. When it comes to you, I do not possess one."

She glared at him as he laughed darkly. "I know, Miss Granger. It's all business with you. I just want you to know that Severus will be invited formally to stay the summer with Lucius Malfoy. It seems the Dark Lord has made some final decisions concerning him, and he shall be staying there."

Hermione remained cool. "Fascinating, Avery. And what, pray tell, could this information have to do with me in the slightest?" she asked sarcastically.

Avery tightened his grip on her. "Just this, my little Mudblood. The Dark Lord has had his eye on you and the Mudblood Evans. You see, it does him no good to have the public think of him as just another Muggle-hater. So, when a truly brilliant mind comes along that maybe less than pure-blooded, he is more inclined to wink his eye at the situation. He had truly wanted Evans. However, she has defied him."

What?

Hermione's mind spun. What has been going on around here? Has Lily seen Voldemort?

"Hermione!" Avery growled.

Hermione came back to where she was. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she wondered if he could tell. Instead, he calmed down and continued. "The Dark Lord has been following your successes academically and politically with your growing relationship with Dumbledore. The question of your background, being obscure, remains of great interest to him. He knows of the attraction and bond of friendship you and Severus hold. He is not wholly pleased, but at this time, as long as you both remain discreet and quiet about your attraction, he shall allow it to continue. This predicated on the fact that you shall allow yourself to be presented to him during this summer where your future will be discussed further."

Hermione was shocked. "I have always stayed with either Severus or Lily during the summer. Lily will not have me again, I'm sure, and Severus, being gone...where shall I go?" she asked, mostly to herself.

Avery smiled cruelly. "Oh, I'm sure your precious Dumbledore will make a home for you," he answered as the dance ended.

Hermione walked shakily from the Great Hall to the vestibule near the entranceway, trying to remember how to breathe properly. Soon, a figure was behind her. She sensed a presence and jumped, turning around to see who it was.

"Remus!" she cried out in relief out as she flung her arms around him. "I am so glad to see you!"

Remus was concerned. He held her face up to the light and saw how shaken she was. "Hermione, I am worried about you. What did Avery tell you that was so upsetting?"

Hermione told him the entire discussion and then said, "Remus, where am I to go? I haven't more than £10 to my name!"

"We shall speak with Dumbledore," he said calmly as he placed his arm around her. "Now, I think you should find Severus before it becomes too late. If I am not mistaken, he probably already has his eyes on you as we speak!" He gave a dramatic shudder to make Hermione laugh.

It worked. "Remus, thank you. Severus thanks you as well. You know, he actually encourages our Occlumency studies," she confided.

Remus gave a snort. "I find that very difficult to believe!" he said with a sad smile.

"Believe it," she assured him.

They went walking outside. "Remus," Hermione began, "when Avery spoke to me about my relationship with Severus, he mentioned that Lily had defied Lord Voldemort. Has she been to see him?"

Lupin sighed. "According to Sirius...he's the one who keeps tabs for us through Regulus...Lord Voldemort wanted Lily to join him. Lily is a powerful witch and, until you came along, the only witch he could see that could potentially sway his people against him. I believe he wanted to contain Lily more than anything."

"That's what he wants to do to me, Remus!" she exclaimed as she turned to face him. "Isn't it? All this talk about being the honored Gryffindor, all the conversing, making concessions and truces between the houses, it's all about feeling me out, how much damage I could potentially cause for Voldemort?"

Lupin sighed. "Yes, I believe that underneath everything, he wants to contain you, limit you, so he will not have to face you in war. He is a powerful wizard, Hermione. Sirius has extensive knowledge about the workings of his mind. He is fiercely and incredibly egotistical. He has fashioned himself as a 'lord,' for Merlin's sake! Yet, he is not so delusional as to ignore the potency of a witch's power. He knows Lily is a very powerful witch. From what I was told, the whole business was conducted shoddily. She rejected his attempts to lure her outright. Now, he has been made aware of you. He is doing a slower job of doing it, but yes, I think he means to collect you and control your magic for his own purposes."

Hermione's mind began to race. She nibbled on her lower lip as she paced slowly. "If I keep maintaining a snail's pace towards Voldemort, he will be fine with it, I mean, slow moving is still progress. I will be able to keep my relationship with Severus," she mused out loud.

Lupin shook his head. "Hermione, I do not understand this! What are you hoping for?" His brow was furrowed, and he began to gesture with his hands. "Yes, I understand that meeting Voldemort, having that face to face with him, potentially getting into his good graces as a means of mining some bit of information Dumbledore could use against him is intelligent. I have always supported the scheme. But Hermione, this relationship with Severus cannot continue! How could it? He will have to truly become one of them if he is serious about protecting you, Lily, as well as other Muggle-borns. When that happens, you won't be welcome. How could you be? Voldemort won't accept you being with Severus...at least after he doesn't need you anymore!"

Hermione looked down at the ground. Lupin grabbed her shoulders. "Hermione!" he snapped. "Do not do what I think you're planning. It will mean your death!"

Hermione shrugged him off. "Don't be dramatic, Remus," she said impatiently. "I know things that you don't, and I know...I just know what I am doing," she replied quietly.

"You are a Seer, aren't you?" he whispered.

"No," she whispered. "I just know a few things that I can't tell you or anyone. Just know that I will never betray the cause to stop Voldemort. I will do everything I can to get the wizarding world rid of him and his kind. I swear to you, I won't be taken in, nor will I be foolish enough to show my hand before it is prudent. That is where I fear Lily went astray," she said as she gazed off in the distance.

She thought of the day she arrived. The day had been so full of chaos. Harry telling her and Ron on the Hogwarts Express about Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban, meeting Professor Lupin, dementors...it all was so much! Then she ended up here, not knowing why Sirius had killed all those people, or if he had to do with Harry's parents' deaths. One thing was becoming clear: Sirius Black was not all he said he was. There was a bit of Slytherin in him. He was playing a dangerous game if he was truly a part of Voldemort's group of followers. Then again, Lily was playing a risky game herself by openly defying Voldemort. She had been foolish to denounce him so quickly when he had offered her some sort of amnesty. Now, James would be drawn into it as well. Damn her! Was this what it had come down to? Harry was going to be an orphan because Lily couldn't get over being called a Mudblood?

Remus interrupted her thoughts. "What is it, Hermione?" he asked.

She shook her head and smiled as she rubbed her upper arms. "So cold, tonight," she replied sadly. "I just think that this will be the last school year before all hell breaks lose, Remus. 1977 is not going to be a great year, I'm afraid."

Lupin shrugged and placed an arm around Hermione, leading her back into the castle. "I doubt the rest of the decade will be much fun, Hermione. I doubt we'll see 1980 unscathed," he added ruefully.

We all will Remus, she thought painfully. It's 1981 that will be the fateful year. That is if I live to see it.

***

Hermione spent the rest of the school year studying and practicing Occlumency as much as she could with Dumbledore and Remus. When May arrived, Dumbledore had them both come to his office his office for a special meeting.

When they arrived, Hermione saw Professor McGonagall, Kingsley Shacklebolt, from the Auror Department, and another wizard Hermione did not recognize.

Dumbledore was as always, most gracious. "Welcome, Miss Granger, Mr. Lupin, and thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, sit down."

Remus and Hermione looked at each other and sat facing the group. It felt to Hermione as if they were about to be interrogated. Then, Professor McGonagall spoke.

"In here, in this meeting and during these times, you shall call us by our given names. You may call me Minerva and the headmaster, Albus...that is if you feel comfortable," she said with a slight smile that clearly showed her nervousness.

Dumbledore patted her shoulder. "There, there, Minerva. Don't worry over your cubs. They are about to become full-grown soon," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"I want to introduce you both to Kingsley Shacklebolt, a former Ravenclaw, and one of the Auror Department's finest," continued Dumbledore. "I believe, Hermione, you and Kingsley already know each other due to your relationship with Mr. Snape...Mr. Severus Snape," he added quickly.

"Yes, sir," she replied. She felt her throat tighten and her stomach churn when he had said 'Mr. Snape.' Mr. Snape to her would always mean Tobias Snape, the drunken, violent pedophile that had tried to rape her when she was just fourteen.

The headmaster continued. "This is Alastor Moody, another one of the finest Aurors in the Ministry. Alastor has been chasing and capturing dark wizards for decades now. We are very honored to have him with us."

Ah! thought Hermione. He is the famous dark wizard catcher!

"Albus!" The wizard scowled. He looked at Hermione and Remus with wary eyes. They were small, dark, beady eyes that seemed to distrust everything he saw and looked as if he could x-ray right through a person. There was only one wizard she had ever known who could make her feel that way, and he was her age in this timeline.

"I don't like this one bit, Albus," he declared stoutly. "These children have no business in this!"

"I beg to differ, Alastor," replied Dumbledore. "We are going to war. All the signs are pointing towards our students, like these, who will be fighting it. Remember, I am already aware of Death Eaters amongst my students. We must be prepared."

Alastor Moody grunted a reply and crossed his arms defiantly. He still didn't agree. But he was willing to concede the point to Dumbledore.

"Remus, Hermione, I want to officially bring you into the fold of what we are calling The Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore announced. "We are the founders and are going to begin recruiting members as opportunities arise. You both have been working diligently on your Occlumency and Legilimency training. I want to formally induct you both if you wish."

Hermione stood. "I am truly, sorry, Headmaster. The work I am doing will not allow me to be a part of this organization," she said regretfully.

Alastor gave a low growl. Hermione's eyes darted towards him. "If you don't mind, sir," she said as her temper began to rise, "I have been faithful to the cause of ridding our world of Voldemort since I was a child! A true child! No matter what you think, I am seventeen and of legal age to do as I please. I have been used unscrupulously by the Slytherins in this school, and am anticipating a face-to-face meeting with Voldemort at any time during this summer. I am also a Muggle-born, so if you still don't trust me, why don't you just spell it out plainly!" she spat angrily.

"Fine," Moody answered shrewdly. "It is your connection with Severus Snape. The young man is on the verge of becoming a Death Eater. Dark magic oozes out of his pores. He is a very devious and deceitful young man whom I am sure will become a very important key player in Riddle's war. You aren't the first Muggle-born he has tried to entice into the Dark arts. You would be wise to remember that, Miss Granger."

Hermione wanted to slap him. "I know Severus Snape and his motives better than anyone else in this room! For anyone to claim he is willingly a part of Voldemort's camp is deluded; although, I have to say, Mr. Moody, for a dark wizard catcher and specialist, your being so easily fooled is a clear sign that Severus is spot on," she replied detachedly.

She turned back to Dumbledore, ignoring Moody, and said, "Sir, you know the reason I cannot become a part of this. My involvement may have consequences that I am not prepared to face or pay. I must focus on the task set before me," she insisted.

McGonagall interrupted. "Hermione, you don't have to be an active member that attends every meeting and knows each member. You can be a covert member. It will give you security if something goes wrong. It just isn't safe for us to be out there working as free agents when the enemy is so well-organized."

Hermione thought about what she said. "Well, if you promise that I will only have to answer to Dumbledore, I suppose I can do it," she said.

"No," said Moody sharply. "There needs to be at least two more Order members to verify your operations," he insisted.

"Fine," Hermione retorted flatly, "I chose Minerva as well. If you are so keen on keeping tabs on me, then you can be the third party. That is all!" she finished.

In the end, Hermione and Remus took their oaths as fledgling members of the Order of the Phoenix. As the words of the Oath came from her mouth and she saw the magic swirl around her and the other members, binding them together. Hermione thought of the oaths she had made unknowingly to Severus until the words had been uttered. She wondered now, with her on one side and Severus working for the other, if they would survive to complete the promises they had sworn to each other, which, in Hermione's mind, were the most important.