"She might just see the inside of Azkaban for this," Sirius said when he put the paper down.
"I wonder if they could even hold her in prison," Hydrus said thoughtfully. He remembered that Sirius turned into his dog form to diminish the Dementors punishments.
"They can ward the cell so she can't transform," the dogman answered.
"You are still thinking the Aurors are the same that they were in your timeline. They are not, with Snape never having been the potions professor, the quality is much better," Remus added as he took up the paper.
"You're probably right," Hydrus sighed, yet he still worried.
The headline in the Daily Prophet the next day was cutting
Who Is The Real Spy? How Does This Mysterious Note Writer Know?
The article once again disparaged the unsigned notes. They stated that only a spy would know everything this person did. And that he was trying to put good people in prison so that he could step in and take over the wizarding world. It told how the Prophet offices were broken into and that the note writer could be planting evidence.
The Times and the Quibbler once again took up the defense of the mysterious man, or woman. The papers battled for a month this time, though they all vowed to find this person and get the true story.
In that month Grace decided that she liked magic so the two sat down one night and discussed what to do next.
"Now I'll ask are the secrets you're keeping from me illegal?" the nanny asked as they sat in a cozy tea shop.
Hydrus looked sheepish, while he hadn't out and out killed anyone, the death of the Death Eaters were his fault. If brought up on charges the chances were fifty-fifty that he'd get off. "Not illegal, per se, but there are a few things that could get me thrown in jail. But, I want to reassure you that what happened wasn't entirely my fault," he said quickly.
"Can you tell me?" she asked, and then bit into her scone.
"I would rather give you plausible deniability," he said in a cautious voice. "I want to tell you, but once again I have to warn you that there are people who can read your mind."
"Oh, I had forgotten that," Grace said, and sat in thought. She didn't want to think badly about the man in front of her. He was the kindest man she had met, and so patient with the Grangers and Hermione, and even her, this last month. His gentleness with young Harry was astounding. He had told her that he had been in a war and that he had received counseling. However, if he was breaking the law will her growing feelings stand up to her morals?
He thought a minute and decided to share one of his crimes. "I might have also done some breaking and entering, but never to steal from or hurt any innocent person. The last time the person had information that I took, but all her valuables were left in the flat." He wasn't even going to think about the many times he broke into Death Eater homes. "If it makes you feel better, anyone who suffered from my doings were evil people. They're all gone now or in prison. I saved everyone I could, but…" he trailed off, a look of remorse in his eyes for those he couldn't save, like his parents. He had no sympathy for the Death Eaters.
She saw the look and decided to let him keep his secrets, until such time as right before they were married. Maybe he was a secret agent. She dropped the subject and they continued their date.
With the help of the book-readers the Granger adults were helping Hermione understand the need for secrecy. Hydrus and Harry had permission to 'pop' in at any time. They were taken to Diagon Alley and shown around, by Sirius. Hydrus made it a point not to be seen with Harry or the Grangers in the magical world, especially since he was still getting that watched feeling.
Hermione went to school and Harry started his homeschooling. Grace went back to college, with the funds she got from being a live-in nanny.
Also in that month they pulled away from gambling with the goblins. There were rumors of a revolt and, after much debate, Hydrus felt it would do more harm than good to get one started. Too many innocent people would die, and it could take years to resolve. The men figured they had embarrassed the goblins enough for now, maybe they'd start again in a few years. The non-magical gambling was going strong, as were Hydrus's investments.
"Hydrus, why do you need so much money?" Sirius asked one day after they collected their winnings. "I mean, I know you're going to live forever, but, still, with what we have now you're set for a few centuries."
"I still have that plan," the immortal shrugged.
"And you're still not going to tell me what it is, are you?"
"Nope."
The only thing they were worried about right now was the mysterious Dark Lady. Rita's notes on her were hearsay, so they didn't even know if she was real. Hydrus dropped an unsigned note on the editor's desk and suggested The Times keep a lookout for people disappearing in both worlds. He did the same for the head of the DMLE. Now they waited.
....
Can't wait to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters.
Then Join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)
Free members can unlock 2 chapters.