A/N- I'm back, my friends. I really have no good excuse for being away from this story for so long. I did have some drama and then the holidays but after that, I just have had no to urge to write. Today is the first day in five months that I have wanted to sit down and concentrate on this story. While I'm sorry that you all had to wait so long for an update, I hope the little hiatus has helped me. We still have quite aways to go with this story and I haven't abandoned one yet. Thanks to everyone for sticking with it and not hounding me for an update. You have no idea how much that is appreciated. As for this chapter, I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Nothing but the original plot twist belongs to me. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling and the original plot line belongs to Hermione Lyra Malfoy Riddle. I haven't made a single dime from this story or any other, my bank account tells no lies.

Chapter 129

June 11, 1997

Harry was dreading this day more than anything, not because of Dumbledore's funeral, though that promised to be a new level of hell he had yet to experience, but because he was bound for the Dursleys after they had their meeting with Moody afterwards. After going to Blackmoor, the last thing he would want to do was go spend time with his relatives, especially considering how the last summer had gone. He supposed that it would give him a chance to make sure that Dudley did as he was told and got the hell out. He knew that his aunt and uncle wouldn't listen at all. Not that it was his problem.

Hermione was trying to be strong for all of them. She had disappeared the day after Dumbledore's death with Bill, only to reappear a few hours later with a tear-stained Bill. Fleur had been looking for him desperately, going on about how he had left her because of words that had been exchanged the night before. When Bill laid eyes on her, he rushed his fiance and apologized over and over before she dragged him away from the rest of them. Hermione had just shrugged her shoulders and gave him a little smile.

Hermione was allowing Draco to spend as much time with Daphne as he could. Harry knew that she was feeling quite alone herself since her godfather had fled for the Dark Lord, but she also knew that Draco was planning on leaving Daphne behind while they hunted for horcruxes. Harry wasn't sure exactly what she had planned but it eased his mind to know that she had been making plans in general. It was further than he had gotten, mostly because he had no idea where the horcruxes were so had no idea what to plan for.

She had also been trying to reassure him that he wouldn't have to spend long at his relative's house at all. Hermione was insisting that he would be out of there by the end of the month, which meant only two and a half weeks. It was longer than he liked but better than any other year he had been sent there.

Harry knew that she was covering up her own fear and anxiety. Ignoring it and focusing on others meant that she didn't have to deal with her own feelings. While Harry couldn't say that he blamed her, he knew that it wasn't healthy. She needed to acknowledge how she felt before it eventually overwhelmed her.

Harry straightened his dress robes as he looked in the mirror. Neville, Ron, Seamus, and Dean were all getting ready around him, all of them wanting to look their best. Nobody in their dorm aside from Ron knew that Harry had been present when Dumbledore had been murdered. In the end, it would raise more questions than they were willing to answer. Nobody else needed to know that Harry had been off school property with the Headmaster.

Ron had been angry that he hadn't been included in any way, especially since Bill had come up injured. It had taken his mother and father telling him to cool off before he would quit going on about it to Harry. Harry could only shake his head at his friend's immaturity. It was like Dumbledore hadn't even been murdered and his own brother hadn't been seriously injured and almost died.

Now, all Ron could talk about was the horcrux hunt. He was pumped about going but Harry wasn't sure why. He knew that Hermione and Draco were going to be there as well and he had only sneered a tiny bit at that information. Harry had told him that he didn't know how long they were going to be gone since they had no idea where any of the horcruxes were. Ron had said that he didn't care, that it was going to be an adventure. Harry had only sighed in response. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say to that. He did without a doubt know that if that's how he acted in front of Hermione about the hunt, she was going to take a chunk out of him that he was going to miss.

Harry slipped out of the dorm room since he knew that all his things were already packed and sitting in his room at 4 Privet Drive. Dobby had already done his job and would be staying with him in the muggle world. He would once again be delivering food from Blackmoor since he was sure that his relatives would attempt to starve him again. Of course, now Harry could apparate wherever he wanted but Sirius had warned him against visiting Blackmoor or Malfoy Manor. In order to get the most out of the protection of the blood wards around the dwelling, he needed to be there as much as possible. Harry had grudgingly agreed to only leave to exercise or something of the like.

Harry made his way through the corridors until he reached the Great Hall. It was where he was supposed to be meeting Hermione, Draco, and Daphne. They were supposed to be heading straight to the train from the funeral so he knew that their things were packed and ready to go. Kreacher had probably already delivered Hermione and Draco's things as Dobby had his. Rather than ride the train, however, Hermione, Draco, and Harry were going to be apparating to Blackmoor to meet with the family and let Moody in on the secret. Sirius and Uncle Lucius weren't most pleased, that much was true, but they were trusting Hermione's judgement just as Harry was.

Although when Harry considered it, he didn't think that the horcruxes needed to be as closely guarded secret as the Headmaster had wanted. If only he could let all his friends in on the secret, they could all help. Of course, he knew the dangers and understood why it was dangerous. He just didn't see why Sirius and Uncle Lucius couldn't search for them as well. He supposed that it might draw more attention to what they were doing but honestly, if they found them quicker it would be well worth it in his opinion.

Hermione had been researching ways to destroy the horcruxes once they had collected them. So far she had compiled a list of ways she had discovered and none of them were really conceivable. Yes, basilisk venom had been what had killed the diary but he had sneaked Hermione down there three nights ago and all the fangs that were left were dry. It had been too long since the beast had been killed to hope for venom now. This left fiendfyre. Yes, Hermione was sure that she could cast it easily; she was a Black, after all, and they all had an affinity for dark spells. However, she was unsure that she could control it. If it turned out that she couldn't, she could potentially kill them and anyone around them.

That left them back at square one.

However, Hermione had implored him to leave the research to her and Harry had been glad to do it. The only bad thing is that it left him with time to think about just how the war could end. It was entirely possible that he was going to die and probably take Hermione with him. Their souls were bound, he knew that in his heart of hearts. He just wasn't sure if it would cause her to follow him into the afterlife or not. He sincerely hoped not.

Hermione was waiting for him when he arrived and she floated into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly. Harry hugged her back, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. She was wearing the customary black but her robes hugged her figure and flattered her. Daphne was dressed in much the same way so he figured that this must be a societal norm. She sighed against him before pulling away slightly.

"We better get out there. You know that everyone else is already sitting there and waiting for us," she told them. Harry nodded his head and wrapped his arm around her waist so he could guide her from the castle to the grounds where seats were lined up on the far side of the Black Lake. Dumbledore was being laid to rest today and not only had every Hogwarts student been invited, so had many of the public. Harry knew that it was likely that he was going to be accosted by Scrimgeour since he had been ignoring him since he had been sworn into office. After dealing with Fudge and his idiocy, the last thing Harry wanted to do was deal with politicians.

Harry found Sirius, Helena, Uncle Lucius, and Aunt Cissy quickly, taking the seats around them with no qualms. Juliet had decided to sit with her own friends since she would be taking the train home. She made clear that she wanted no part of this war and Hermione had respected that. Her opinion might change as time went on but for now, she was too immature to play a part anyways. Neville took a seat next to them, Luna on his arm, and they were soon accompanied by Augusta Longbottom. She gave a respectful nod to them but otherwise remained silent. Xeno didn't bother to show since he wasn't even in the country. Luna would be staying with Neville the first several weeks of summer.

The Weasleys fell around them, Bill sitting directly behind Sirius, his parents and brothers sitting all around him. They took up the entire aisle of chairs but that wasn't surprising. Fred and George were waving enthusiastically and Harry was sure that they would be in for a round of hugs after the funeral. After the seats were taken by the Weasleys' they really weren't bothered anymore since there weren't any seats free. It was nice to sit in the sunshine and feel Hermione at his side, trying to let the worry go if only for an hour.

The crowd hushed as Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium at the front of the crowd. She started speaking but Harry tuned her out. He hadn't liked Dumbledore, he hadn't even respected him. Yes, he was a powerful wizard that had defeated an evil wizard of his own back in the day but he had become manipulative through the years and tended to treat everyone as chess pieces. Harry had been just a piece on the board for Dumbledore to move around as he so desired, to get the result that the old man had wanted.

Harry supposed that his grudge was personal. He had spent years with the Dursleys being mistreated. To discover that Sirius had been innocent and Dumbledore had been actively keeping him from him the entire time still made him sick when he thought about it. He could have had a loving home from the start but Dumbledore just had to think that he knew best. Harry was bitter about that and probably would be for the rest of his life.

Harry twined his fingers with Hermione's as she paid attention and he didn't. He kept his eyes on their hands so he wouldn't appear disrespectful. Just because he didn't respect the man didn't mean that others didn't. He would respect their thoughts and wishes, just as he hoped they would respect his if it were the other way around.

Harry let his mind wander to the Dursleys and how he was going to handle them this year. He was hoping for just ignoring them and hoping they would return the favor. However, he knew that his uncle didn't do that very well. He would probably try to hit him at least once, even after the last time he had done it over the past summer. This time, however, Harry could use magic. It was one thing that he could thank Dumbledore for, removing the Trace early. He briefly wondered just how he had managed that.

Harry looked up just in time to see Hagrid carrying Dumbledore' body up the aisle and laying him in the casket at the front of the crowd. There were enormous tears streaming down his cheeks and he was sniffing loudly. He returned to the back of the crowd where he had been standing before and he listened to Professor Cat's last words before they were all dismissed.

Harry stood and held his hand out to Hermione, helping her up like Aunt Cissy had taught him. They were due to apparate to Blackmoor but that meant that they had to get through the crowd before they could do so. There was no telling who would try to stop them and talk. Since evasion was what they were hoping to accomplish, it seemed to be a family decision for Uncle Lucius to lead. He was a pro at brushing off people that he really didn't want to talk to.

However, this didn't work completely. Rufus Scrimgeour managed to maneuver around the wizard he was speaking with so he would be directly in Uncle Lucius' path. Uncle Lucius tried to go around him but to no avail. Therefore, he was forced to greet him.

"Minister, how nice of you to come pay your respects," he said bitingly. The Minister raised an eyebrow at Uncle Lucius.

"It's strange to see you here since I know how you felt about Dumbledore. Nobody would ever describe you as bosom buddies. Nor Black either, in fact, I heard that the pair of them were on the outs," Scrimgeour revealed. Uncle Lucius raised an eyebrow in return.

"Does it matter what we thought of the man? We were here to pay our respects, the same as you. Our children were already here and we're now taking them home. I'd thank you for letting them pass, it's been a long day for them," he said bluntly. Harry was surprised; blunt wasn't Uncle Lucius' style at all. The Minister's eyes fell on the "children" and he smiled.

"Ahh, Harry Potter and the young Lady Black. We've all heard about your whirlwind romance. I'd like to say that I think you're a match made in heaven. Have you drawn up contracts yet?" he questioned. Harry felt Hermione stiffen next to him and he stepped slightly in front of her. His glare didn't seem to phase the older man.

"Hermione's family doesn't believe in contracts unless the person themself agrees. I have to say that I have the same belief. If we get married, it'll be because we want to, not because a piece of parchment tells us we have to," he stated. Scrimgeour seemed taken aback but nodded silently. Harry continued to glare.

"If you please, Lady Black has a headache and wants to lay down. Perhaps we can continue this conversation another time," he said, making it clear that there wasn't really a choice in letting them go. Harry felt Hermione pinch his side and he had to bite his lips together to keep from smiling. Scrimgeour finally nodded and moved out of their way.

As a unit, they headed for the apparition point just outside the gates. They had several hours until Juliet had to be picked up at King's Cross and until Harry was due to be dropped off at Privet Drive. He hadn't informed his relatives that he would be arriving; he figured it would give them more to complain about if they actually spoke to him.

Everyone was keyed into the wards so they took turns apparating away. Harry watched as the rest of his family disappeared, bar Sirius. His godfather gestured with his head for Harry to go next so he could bring up the rear. Harry gave a nod back and twisted on the spot, disapparating away.

-O-

Hermione landed in the Entrance Hall of Blackmoor and was surprised to find Moody already there talking quietly with Alexandre. There were drinks in their hands but Hermione couldn't imagine what they were speaking of. She had never really gotten the impression that the Master Auror particularly cared for the older man. Perhaps small talk. Moody turned and met her gaze and Hermione grinned widely before rushing his way and throwing herself in his arms. She hugged him tightly and was proud to say that he hugged her back. Both Harry and Draco still looked at her as though she were insane whenever she did that. She finally pulled away and grinned again.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long. We got sidetracked by Scrimgeour. Did you know that I have a headache and need rest?" she asked playfully, knowing that it would likely make Harry roll his eyes. Moody just snorted.

"I don't think I've ever seen a day where a headache kept you from doing what ya wanted, sweetheart," he told her. Hermione nodded triumphantly before turning to Harry.

"See, Harry, I knew that someone would have my back. I can't believe you used my delicate sensibilities as a woman to your advantage. The Minister just wanted to have a lovely chat over tea," she teased him. He scowled at her before tickling her sides to make her squeal.

"You hush, you didn't want to stay there and listen to him anymore than I did. You took one for the team," he informed her.

Before Hermione could say anything else, two elves slammed into her legs and nearly bowled her over in their excitement to see and greet her. Hermione laughed as she bent down and hugged Sipsy and Dot close, telling them how much she missed them. After they pulled away, Sipsy began giving Hermione a run-down of what had happened since Christmas in the household, something that it was common for a Lady of the House to demand. While Hermione was interested in knowing what had been going on while she was away, now was not the time. She laid a soft hand on Sipsy's shoulder to stop her non-stop flow of words.

"Sipsy, I'm very interested in what you're telling me but I need to ask you to tell me later, maybe tonight before bed. You can come in and help me brush my hair and update me. For now, we have a guest and I need you to bring plenty of tea and some firewhiskey. I believe the men are going to need it," she told her elf. Sipsy nodded happily and popped away. Hermione turned to everyone else and gestured for them to enter the library. It was going to be an interesting conversation and she knew that she would want to be somewhere where she was comfortable.

Even though it was June, there was still a fire in the fireplace to chase away the chills that only a large manor or castle could have. Hermione perched on the couch closest to it, her father and Uncle Lucius on either side of her. Harry glared playfully for a few moments before he took up seats on another couch with Draco and Aunt Cissy. Alexandre and Moody both took arm chairs furthest from the fire. Sipsy appeared and began to pour tea for everyone, adding generous splashes of firewhiskey to the men in the rooms cups, and passed them out quickly before popping away once more. Once Hermione had her warm cup wrapped in her hands, she knew that it was time to start.

"Tell me, Master Auror, just how much do you know about horcruxes?" she asked. Moody sloshed tea/firewhiskey over the top of his cup all over his hand and hissed in pain as he tried to mop it up off the floor. Hermione called for Dot quickly to have the mess cleaned and his cup refilled. Once all was well, she looked at him again for an answer. Moody gave her a stern look that said she probably wasn't going to like what he had to say.

"That's dark fecking magic that you don't need to know anything about, sweetheart. I don't know where you heard the term but put it from your mind now," he ordered. Hermione ignored him and took a dainty sip of her tea, her backbone ramrod straight just as her aunt had taught her. When she turned her eyes to Moody, they were cold as ice.

"That won't be happening. Dumbledore, before his death, confided in Harry just how Voldemort had made himself immortal. The answer, gentlemen, is horcruxes. Six of them if he guessed correctly," she revealed. Moody slammed his teacup down and glared at her.

"Are you telling me that when Potter and Dumbledore left the school, they were tracking a horcrux?" he demanded. She gave him a simple nod in the affirmative. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped together in front of him.

"Tell me everything," he said simply.

Hermione did, with the help of Harry. Everyone knew that she was the one taking a chance at trusting Moody so this was her show. She explained every single memory Harry had been made to watch with the Headmaster, every little fact he learned of their opponent along the way. It took more than a couple hours to get the entire story out, including what had really happened the night that Dumbledore had died. Moody was scrubbing his face with his hands.

"Uncle Sev knew that he was going to be asked to do something heinous, he had all but confessed it to me in private. Just not the actual deed. He begged that we not lose faith in him and I refuse to. My godfather has never shown me anything but love and I refuse to believe that he would ever turn his back on his family. Trust me when I tell you, Master Auror, that we are all Uncle Sev's family, even Harry. He would never betray our cause in his heart," she proclaimed vehemently. Moody was nodding his head.

"Alright, I can see that. I don't understand why you're keeping this to yourself. Sure, it can't be told to everyone but surely the Weasleys? They're family, aren't they?" he asked. Hermione blew out a long breath. This is where the situation grew complicated.

"I trust all the Weasleys with my life. I don't, however, trust the Prewetts. Ron already knows all that we do and is going to be going with us to hunt these horcruxes since it was Dumbledore's idea. The problem lies in the fact that most of the Weasleys were members of the Order of the Phoenix before they became a true branch of the Black family. Yes, they were related but they weren't close enough to count. Daddy made them count by gifting them with the title that he gave Bill. Now, they're a cadet branch if that makes sense. I'm still above Bill in all matters but he does hold some power. I don't trust the rest of the Order in the least. Most of them are Dumbledore's lackeys and we aren't going to be doing things like Dumbledore in this war. That is why everyone else was so reluctant to trust you, not because they thought you couldn't keep the secret but because they thought you would share it with the Order," she revealed. Moody blew out a long breath between his lips and set back in his chair. His hands reached up and combed through his shaggy hair as he contemplated what he wanted to say next.

"I took certain oaths to become an Order member, just as I'm sure Sirius did. I will renounce them now and join your little band of rebels. I think you have more chances of making a difference in this war than they do. I might suggest that you give Minerva the same chance. They're going to ask her to head Order, I'm sure you've guessed, and that would put her in a precarious position. She would be of use on our end of things," he advised. Hermione smiled at him.

"I accept your offer to join our merry band of rebels. I counter it with leaving Professor Cat where she is. Harry is getting ready to go back to his muggle relatives and we know that Uncle Sev will have had to tell him that he won't have protection once he leaves the wards. We're going to need a plan to get him out. While I don't have one yet, it would be nice to have her in charge so she can help if need be. Besides, she isn't vindictive like Dumbldore. If she thinks that sharing information will end the war, she won't keep her mouth shut. It's easier for us to trust someone that is already honest," she countered. Moody gave her an accepting nod.

"That makes sense. Leave the plan to get him out up to me. Now I want to see the locket that Potter pulled from the potion," Moody demanded. Harry grimaced and Hermione wondered what that was about. They had spoken of the locket but only in passing. It had been agreed upon that they would wait to talk about it until Blackmoor. Her boyfriend reached down into his pocket and pulled it out, throwing it to Moody first.

"It's a fake. Dumbledore died for a fake horcrux, just like I fucking told him it was. He just couldn't trust my judgement. There's a note inside, though I don't know who R.A.B. is," he concluded. Her father's head snapped in Harry's direction with sharp eyes.

"What did you say?" he asked. Harry shrugged slightly.

"The bloke who wrote the letter signed it R.A.B. I have no idea who that is," he told them. Her father summoned it from Moody and Hermione leaned over to read the note over her father's shoulder.

"To the Dark Lord

I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more."

R.A.B.

Hermione let out a gasp and automatically reached up to hug her father. He clutched her tightly and she suspected that he was just barely holding back tears. Everyone was looking at them in concern but Hermione ignored them. For so long, she and her father had believed that her real father had died in the service of Voldemort. To learn that he most likely died in trying to destroy one of his horcruxes was something else entirely. It bore thinking about but not this day. It was already stressful enough. It was Uncle Lucius that explained.

"R.A.B., Regulus Arcturus Black. Hermione's biological father. Everyone was sure that he had died in the service of the Dark Lord," he explained. Everyone nodded understandingly.

Hermione composed herself, as did her father. Talk turned to menial things that didn't really matter while she let the new information sink in her brain. However, this couldn't last too long since Juliet was due on the Platform and Harry had to find his way to Privet Drive. When the clock struck four, Harry rose with dread and Hermione rose with him, making a snap decision to accompany him.

"It's time I head for Privet Drive. Can't get too excited about going," he said jokingly. Hermione went to his side and wrapped an arm around him.

"I'm going to deliver you, make sure that all is well. Maybe give a warning or two," she said, a tiny grin on her face. Her father and uncle just chuckled at her and wished them well.

Hermione let Harry lead her out of the house and towards the ward line. As far as she knew, the Death Eaters had quit testing the wards some time ago but that didn't mean that she didn't plan on keeping a close eye as they crossed them. Once over them, Harry gripped Hermione's arm in his and twisted on the spot, landing them in the back garden of 4 Privet Drive. He let out a deep sigh and Hermione stopped him. She laid both her hands on his chest and made him look in her eyes.

"You can send a patronus whenever you need to. I don't plan on leaving the estate unless it's to Malfoy Manor. If you need to come home early and abandon the wards, just say the word. Dumbledore isn't here to make you stay anymore. I know that you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart. Don't let them punish you for it. You are a wonderful, good, young man and don't let them poison you into thinking any different," she implored. Harry pulled her roughly into a hug, telling her exactly how much he hated being here. She held him just as tightly before pulling away and straightening her shoulders in the exact way her aunt had shown her numerous, numerous years ago. She proudly strode into the back door of Privet Drive, casting disdainful looks at the family gathered around the table. It wasn't quite dinner time but close enough that they had gathered.

"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing here? Neither one of you are welcome here!" Vernon screamed, the veins in his forehead bulging. Hermione had to do her utmost not to laugh out loud at the man. She just stared at him impassively while Dudley and Petunia remained silent. The blustering started again since it had gotten no response the first time. However, Hermione was going to nip that in the bud. Harry shouldn't have to worry about the great walrus and she was going to make sure that he didn't have to.

Hermione waved her hand and the enormous man flew through the air to slam into the kitchen wall behind him. She crooked her finger and Vernon began clutching at his throat, pulling at something that nobody else could see. Just as his lips turned a bluish shade, she released the spell and turned to see that both Petunia and Dudley were silent in their fear. One last spell sent a wallop across the face of Vernon Dursley, earning him his very own bloody nose. With a flick of her wrist, all spells were cancelled and she sniffed in disgust at the sight of the overgrown lout gasping on the floor.

"I will be inspecting Harry's quarters for his duration of time spent here. You will all wait here," she ordered. Harry led her out of the kitchen and through the corridor so they could go up the stairs. He showed her his room and she was livid when she saw the cat flap that they had passed him food through one of the past summers. The bars on the windows were gone but that didn't surprise her. Ron and the twins had ripped them off after all.

Overall, the room wasn't entirely unlivable. It was extremely small and there was only a twin mattress piled on the floor. There was a small wardrobe but it was falling apart and Hermione doubted that Harry had ever stored his things in it. His trunk and owl cage were parked under the window and Hermione thought that was the best feature. It gave a view that lent the sight of the public park just a couple blocks away. When she turned, Harry seemed almost embarrassed. She hugged him quickly and dispelled his feelings of inadequacy.

"This is not your home, Harry. You are only here to keep your relatives safe one more year. You are doing them a kindness and if it becomes too much, you send me a patronus and come home. I don't care how you were raised. I wouldn't care if you were dirt poor and not the Potter heir. I'm not so snobby as to think that money is everything. You have to know that I would give up my entire fortune to know my real parents, if only for one day. I love my family now but my parents are my missing links. I'd give it all up and live on the streets to know them. I don't judge you so don't judge yourself. In less than a month, you'll come home and you'll never have to see these arseholes again. Except your cousin. If you want to. I know you said that he had actually ended up being rather decent after you saved him from the dementors," she told him. Harry surged forward and kissed her roughly, loving her for soothing his feelings of inadequacy. She gentled the kiss with a smile.

"I'm not shagging you in your relative's house. When you return to Blackmoor, I want you to just move into my room. Do you think that's appropriate or should we wait longer?" she asked. Harry bent and kissed her again. It was over a minute before he broke it.

"If you think it's appropriate, I'll definitely move in with you. I love you and want to marry you. We just have to get through these short weeks and we'll never be parted again. The war is but a stop on the road," he proclaimed. Hermione chuckled slightly but kissed him again, this time chastely.

"It's appropriate. Besides, my father is no longer in charge. He'll approve because I'll be happy," she told him.

After saying their final goodbyes, Hermione and Harry traveled back downstairs to find that the family was once again seated at the table. They watched her warily and she knew that she needed to do her part. Harry didn't take a seat at the table and she made sure that they knew that that would never happen.

"I'm only going to say this once. If you harm Harry in any way, I'll return the second he notifies me. Trust me when I tell you that he doesn't need his wand to notify me. Harry, demonstrate," she ordered. Harry waved his hand before them and his patronus appeared, the stag pawing anxiously at the ground. He bent and gave it a message and it marched across the room and told Hermione how much he loved her. When his families' terrified gazes turned her way again, she continued.

"He will not be your servant. He's a Lord in his own right and will be treated with the respect that comes with his birth. You will not have to feed him; I will have my house send food for him for every meal. He will no longer cook or clean for you; he will do his studies and stay out of your way. You will in turn stay out of his. If I discover or hear otherwise, I will personally come see you and you will regret it. Don't think for a second that even if you could complain to anyone that they would care. You're muggles and that means to most of them, you're scum on their shoes," she revealed. She turned to Dudley.

"I believe that Harry warned you specifically last year. If you find that you can't leave the premises due to a financial situation, please let Harry know. We are more than willing to help you since you have seen the light in how you treat your cousin. If you don't wish for his help and wish to make your own way for your safety, which we would completely understand, you need only say and we'll step back from the whole situation," she told Dudley. Dudley spoke, though it was a bit of a stammer.

"I do want out in the next couple weeks. I had a place lined up but it fell through when my grades weren't quite what they wanted. I'm more than willing to work during school, don't get me wrong. I'm willing to work hard. I just don't know how I'm going to afford to move out without having the money to put down for an apartment outright, then working only part time since I"ll be in class," he explained. Hermione looked to Harry and let him explain since he was his family.

"Dud, you get with me tomorrow and we'll figure you out a place to stay. If this place won't let you stay, we'll find you a place. The Potters were millionaires and I'm going to come into that when I turn seventeen. Until then, my godfather will do as she asks since he's her father. We'll find you a place and if we can get you set up on a scholarship, even better. Then you can just work for extra spending money," he told his cousin. Hermione smirked only slightly when Dudley burst into tears. It was clearly more than he had been expecting and his gratitude had overwhelmed him. Hermione turned to his parents and wasn't nearly as nice.

"If I find out that you have used him as slave labor even one time, I'll come back and strip your flesh from your bones. If I think that this home has been infiltrated or don't hear from Harry every single day in some sort of way, I'll return. I'll make sure that I kill you. Trust me, our world doesn't think you're more than cockroaches. I'll be given a reward for killing the cockroaches that were torturing the nation's hero," she implored. Both Vernon and Petunia nodded numbly and Hermione smiled.

"I'm glad that we're understood. Leave Harry to himself and he'll leave you well enough alone aside from Dudley and his needs. Harry, dear, I need to go. Please come give me a kiss," she stated. Harry moved forward obediently though he was glowing with mirth at her actions. He wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped her as low as he could to cast suspicion away. After only a moment, he let her free and escorted her to the door. He kissed her one last time, one last time to last her until the end of the month, and then pushed her gently away.

Hermione knew that as much as it hurt them both, she needed to apparate, and apparate she did.

When she reappeared just outside the Blackmoor wards, Hermione was thrilled that everything had gone so well. The reminder at the end that there were others involved in this war did little to make him feel better. Maybe somewhere along the way, he would learn to trust. However, he had been shown at every pass how that thought process had fucked him over in some way. He supposed that moving forward was the only way to go.

Only time would tell.

A/N- There we are, folks, another chapter down. I hope you all enjoyed it! I do have to say that it felt good writing it. Hopefully I'll have another chapter out much sooner that it took me to write this one. Thanks to everyone for reading. Leave me a message after the beep and tell me what you think.

Next chapter, Battle of the Seven Potters.

Love,

Alicia