33: Adulthood Acknowledged

Chapter 33: Adulthood Acknowledged

Hermione welcomed Order members to Headquarters the next night, directing them to the kitchen where Dobby had prepared a nice meal. It was a larger crowd than usual with the usual attendees, plus some she only saw occasionally. All of the Weasleys, Mundungus Fletcher, Kingsley, Remus, Tonks, Mad-Eye , Professor McGonagall and many others milled around the kitchen, some bringing in chairs, others transfiguring small objecting into more chairs. The room was getting crowded when Mad-Eye was ready to bring the meeting to order.

"It's time for the children to go on upstairs while we conduct our meeting," he said.

Harry rose from the corner where he sat with Ron, Ginny and Hermione. "Now that we've all reached our majority, Ron, Hermione and I would like to join the Order."

Hermione looked over and saw him clutching Ginny's hand, his knuckles white, but that was the only outward sign that he was nervous. Ginny didn't seem to mind that her hand must have been feeling a bit crushed at the moment.

"That's not possible. You're still students," Kinglsey said.

"Professor," Harry turned to McGonagall, "what has the board decided about reopening Hogwarts?"

Professor McGonagall set her tea cup on the edge of the table as everyone's eyes turned toward her. "They haven't made any firm decisions yet, but the general consensus is that they would like to close the school until the situation is handled."

"We're not going back even if they do reopen," Ron said, standing beside Harry.

"What do you mean you aren't going back? Of course you're going back, you're still children." This came from Molly, who looked ready to get into a real argument.

"No, we're not. Not before Voldemort is dead for good." Harry released Ginny's hand and walked out to the front of the room where Mad-Eye was standing. "The quest Dumbledore gave me has to be completed before we can destroy Voldemort forever. I can't do it if I'm stuck at the school. And I can't do it alone, so I'll have to have Ron and Hermione with me. There's not much point in getting a dozen N.E.W.T.s if we don't have a world to live in. And if the school won't reopen until the battle is over, the sooner we finish this, the sooner the school can reopen."

"Miss Granger, surely you want to focus on your studies," Professor McGonagall said.

Hermione nodded once. "We never said we were giving up on our studies. There's a great deal we need to know if we're going to defeat Voldemort, and we're working toward that goal. At the same time, I remember Dumbledore saying once that the time would come when we must all decide whether to do what is easy or what is right. All of you have made the choice to leave the easy path behind. So have we. What lies ahead may be difficult and dangerous, but it is necessary."

"Then share your quest with us. Let the adults handle it. It wasn't meant for children," McGonagall said.

"No, it's my quest, and we are adults." He shot an apologetic glance toward Ginny. "We have enlisted certain Order members to assist us where we feel we need help, and we will continue to do so. But they know only their small areas they've helped on, nothing more, and that will continue. We have made some headway, despite my being underage until recently, but there's a long way to go yet."

"You'll get yourselves killed. You're already making rash decisions." Kingsley stared Harry down.

"Not rash...carefully plotted. We can't have someone peeking over our shoulders every minute, and we promise to take precautions, to be vigilant. We have asked for help when we've needed it. You're going to have to trust us, but we need to know what's going on if we're going to make the best decisions for our goals and for our safety as well as everyone else's safety. I know I've made some bad decision in the past, but they were partly caused by a lack of information. The more information I have, the less likely that we'll do something stupid."

Hermione finally stood, ready to add her own comments. "We are young, but that doesn't mean we don't have things to contribute to the Order. We've been working on Occlumency over the past month, and Harry and Ron are becoming much better at it. If faced with a moderately talented Legilimens, it would benefit everyone in this room if they could shield their minds. I'd like to work on this. We need to be involved to be effective and successful in this. If you don't accept us, we still won't return to school, we will still continue our quest and we will still ask for assistance as we see fit, but it may take longer and be less effective in the long run."

"Voldemort wants me dead." Harry looked around the room slowly, pausing on each face, meeting each set of eyes. "I'm as wrapped up in this as anyone can possibly be. Nothing you can do or say will change that."

There was a long silence as everyone looked at those sitting around them, as though trying to decide what they thought and what the general consensus was. Finally Remus stood. "How about you four move into the library while we discuss it, and then we'll let you know."

It looked like Harry wanted to say something more, but he glanced at Ginny, who shook her head. He nodded. "Come on." Ron, Hermione and Ginny followed him out of the room and down the hall to the library. He picked the loveseat in the corner, and Ginny snuggled up to him. Hermione took one deep, cushy chair and Ron sat in another.

"I think you presented your points very well," Ginny said when they were all settled. "I'm sure they thought so too."

Harry buzzed her lips over Ginny's cheek. "I hope so. There have been too many secrets held back from me already, things that would have helped me make better decisions. I'd hate to screw something up for the Order because they wouldn't tell us what's going on."

The others agreed with him silently, then sat back and waited for word to come from the kitchen.

Thankfully only a few minutes passed before Mad-Eye came into the room. "We decided to admit you...the three of you, Ginny's too young still."

Relief flowed through Hermione. She had thought they would accept her, Harry and Ron, but there was always that chance they might not. Smiling, she stood and followed Mad-Eye back to the kitchen, the boys at her heels.

*****

Severus stood before the Dark Lord the next day, hoping he would be pleased with the news of Hermione joining the Order and the position that would put him in to gather more specific information. Theoretically she would be feeding him information anyway.

There were only a couple others there, but Severus was surprised when the dark leader didn't dismiss them as he usually did before calling Severus forward. It seemed his relationship with Hermione would no longer be a secret. He wasn't sure if that would turn out to be an advantage or not.

"Severus, how do things go with the Mudblood?"

"I'm making progress, my Lord. She has been inducted to the Order, and I will be able to learn more of their inner workings again. Unfortunately as a lower-level member, her information will be limited at first, but it will give us an edge." Severus didn't take his eyes off the leader's feet, knowing he needed to focus on humility.

"It is a step. I'm disturbed by what I have heard since the boy came of age. He's been moving around, asking questions. We need to know more of what's going on. And we need to bring the young boy down a few pegs. Some of my servants have suggested killing the girl as a quick method. What is your opinion, Severus?"

His heart in his throat, Severus fought to keep his panic hidden. He could not risk Hermione, not under any circumstances. "Your sources are right. The loss of anyone near Potter right now would be a serious blow. However, I think that loss might be as strong or worse if he knew of his friend turning to me...the man he hates second in the world." He was sure this part of his act was true. Severus knew Potter would feel angry, even betrayed when he heard of Hermione's relationship, but it was possible they might be able to salvage something.

"You think to uncover her role?"

"Not quite yet. But before long he can be apprised. In the mean time, there may be other directions we can take things. Once Potter knows of her relationship to me, she will be of little use in gathering more information, as neither he nor the Order will tell her anything."

"Impregnate her." It wasn't a possibility, or a suggestion, but a direct command.

Staggered by the order, Severus looked into the Dark Lord's snake-like face. "My Lord?"

"Tell her about father's rights for those held in Azkaban and how you want to ensure you will be able to see one another regularly, if you were to be caught." The snake man lifted his eyebrow and smirked. "It is true, so if she doubted and did some research, she would learn you were being honest with her, but it will be one more nail in the coffin when you announce to the young brat that you have stolen his friend's innocence and fathered a baby on her, thus tying her to you forever." The Dark Lord's face was triumphant. "You will, of course, kill the girl and her baby before the child is born. We do not wish to further pollute our bloodlines."

Severus felt a similar triumph inside himself until the insane leader's finals words rang out. A child would be inconvenient at the moment, he knew, but it would be a tie to Hermione, one even the Ministry could not argue against. And any child he had with her was certain to be brilliant. She was too young by half, but it might afford her a little extra protection. As long as the end of the Dark Lord came before too many more months. He would not allow Hermione or his child to be killed. Never. He bowed down on one knee. "Yes, my Lord. I will begin preparations immediately. Young Potter will certainly feel she has turned her back against him, and his humiliation will be great."

*****

Hermione was anxiously waiting for Severus's arrival. When the crack of Apparition sounded in the cottage, Hermione had her wand out.

"I've brought chocolate ice cream cones," his voice wafted through the floor to the cellar where she was preparing the next set of ingredients. Hermione hurried up to see him. To her surprise, he did indeed have chocolate cones and was holding one out to her. "I figured if I was going to say something so inane, I might as well bring some with me."

Hermione laughed, then took the cone from his hand and slid into his embrace. She loved the smell of him on his robes, the sandalwood and touch of aconite, the solid feel of his bones and muscles beneath her hands, and the low growl in his throat before he leaned down to kiss her.

After a moment of trying to get closer to him without making a mess with the cones, she pulled away, taking his and hers and setting them near the sink, then placing a freezing charm on them before returning to Severus's embrace. She sensed a slight hesitation about him, but didn't want to discuss it. Not yet. "I've missed you."

"The feeling is entirely mutual." He pulled her in again, and they retreated to the living room where they took over one of the sofas to stretch out and continue their snog session.

Before too long he pulled her back a bit and dropped a soft, far too short kiss on her lips, then released her. "Let's sit up."

"I'm not sure I want to hear what you have to say if you want to sit and talk again," Hermione joked. His request made her a trifle nervous.

He said nothing, but sat on one end of the sofa again, leaving her to sit on the other, then he took her hand. "I've been thinking more about the vow. I know you're concerned about members of the Order taking out revenge on me, and I'm concerned they're going to start demanding answers. There are also a few, very few, things I will need to know in order to serve the Order better. Things you haven't felt comfortable sharing before now. For you, even more than myself, I think perhaps I should take the vow."

Hermione blinked. He was risking so much; she could ask nearly anything of him, and he would be forced to comply. "I appreciate the offer, and I wish I didn't think it necessary to ask you to actually go through with it. The others will need it, though."

"Even more than you."

She reached out and touched his face, drawing all of his focus onto her. "Severus, I don't need you to do this for me. I trust you." She held his gaze for a long moment, ensuring that he knew she really meant it. When she felt the rising tide of emotion in him, how overwhelmed he was at her trust, she dropped her hand. "For the bonder, I know how you hate Lupin, but he's the only one I can think of who's levelheaded enough to do this, and he's known about us for a while and is supposed to have been your contact for all this time. Do you have any other suggestions?"

"Well, not Moody, in any case. In fact, it would be just as well if we didn't invite him to the meeting at all." Severus stood and began to pace. "I believe the man hates me more than he does the Dark Lord."

"We might want to keep the list of those who know fairly selective all the way around. Minerva, Arthur and Molly, Bill, Harry, Ron, Lupin of course, and Tonks."

"Better make it the whole Weasley family, even Ginevra...it's not like she won't find out before long anyway." Severus named a few others and Hermione nodded in agreement. "How do you think Potter will react to the news though? I wouldn't put it past him to try and kill me the moment he sees my face."

"I'll see what I can do to calm him. Prepare him for the news without making him suspicious. I'll speak with Lupin privately, see what he thinks, then see if Molly will hold the meeting at the Burrow. It's more neutral territory, and Headquarters is obviously out of bounds for you. I know how you feel about Harry. I appreciate you worrying about making things easier for me."

Taking her by the shoulders, Severus turned Hermione, then rubbed the back of his fingers across her cheek. "You're such a great lot of trouble. Life without you would be far simpler. And far less worth living."

Warmed by the words that were almost as good as a declaration of love from Severus, she lifted her lips and gave him a soft kiss.

******

When she left the cottage after breakfast the next morning, Hermione Apparated to the park near Headquarters and walked back to Grimmauld Place. Now that the boys knew she was legally married, she felt freer to spend time with her husband at night, rather than hurrying home before anyone missed her. As base for operations, there was a rotating list of people staying there from time to time, though Remus and Tonks were most often in residence with the three teens, and everyone pretty much came and went as they needed to.

Dobby the house-elf and Kreacher had both taken over household chores, and Dobby had proven quite adept at getting the other reluctant house-elf to work. Though Hermione would prefer just to let Kreacher go, she knew now was not the time. Harry had made it clear that once the fight was over, he would be giving the elf clothes post haste.

Remus and Tonks were sitting close together at the kitchen table, hands intertwined while they sipped at their coffee mugs. Hermione doubted the boys were even up yet. "When it's convenient for you, I'd like to have a private word, Remus."

"Now's as good as any time." Remus smiled at her, set the cup down and stood. "Would you prefer to talk in the library?"

"Yes, thanks." She glanced at Tonks, who was watching them with curiosity. She considered bringing her in on the discussion, but decided not. After all, Remus may still have a few choice words for her about her relationship.

Once the door was closed, Remus did the warding and silencing spells, then took a seat on the same sofa as before. He wasted no time with idle chit chat. "What did he say? I'm assuming this discussion is about the vow?"

"Yes, he's consented."

His smile was filled with relief. "How do you intend to tell people, and what will you tell them?"

Hermione sat around the corner from him in a chair. She folded her hands together on her knees. "We were thinking of having a smaller meeting with specific Order members at the Weasley home. I still need to speak with Molly. That was our best option since bringing him here, even if the secret keeper agreed..."

"Would be suicide. Yeah. Best at the Weasleys. And how are you going to explain that you've been in touch all this time?"

"I'm not. We're going to continue the charade that he's been passing you information, but he doesn't want to make the vow to you because of your childhood rivalry. He'll make what will appear to be a spur-of-the-moment selection...me." Hermione picked up an owl feather that had been left behind on the floor.

"We'll have to play up his good qualities," she said. "Not only hasn't he turned over dozens of names to Voldemort...despite the fact that he knows a good number of people in the Order...he has stopped a lot of mayhem, hasn't he? We agreed it was time we told people where the information was coming from. A few, anyway. And he agreed to take an Unbreakable Vow again, so people would know they can trust him. The only thing is, if people knew our true relationship, well." She twirled the feather between her fingers, letting some of her agitation out that way.

"They'd find it a bit dodgy." Remus nodded his head. "Some might think you're in league with him because of the way you feel about him. I know that's not true, but I can see your hesitation. Even with the vow, some will never trust him again."

"You're thinking of Moody. We didn't think we would invite him to the meeting. He might be angry later when he finds out, but since Moody is the type to hex first and ask questions later . . ."

Remus ran his hand over the edge of the chair, his fingers playing with the fraying edges. "So now we put it together. Who did you have in mind?"

______

AN: And the plot thickens. More mayhem and craziness to follow.

Thanks to Soul Bound for catching my mistakes, and to countrymouse for betaing for me.