"Sitting in the dark alone, brooding, isn't going to solve anything, Pup," Sirius said as he walked into Harry's darkened bedroom.
"It's helping me think," Harry replied.
"What are you thinking about?" Sirius asked, sitting on Harry's bed.
"I don't know, I don't know what the hell is going on. Why are they doing this?"
"I don't know, Pup. I have plenty of questions. But sitting here isn't helping Hermione or Fleur."
"Yeah, you're right," Harry agreed standing up.
"We should go get Hermione first, she's the most vulnerable to whatever the Weasley's and Dumbledore are planning," Sirius said as the two walked out of Harry's room and downstairs.
Harry glanced about the living room. "Where's Kreacher?"
"I sent him to join his ancestors," Sirius replied darkly. "I found a replacement elf while I was waiting to come collect you. Your girlfriend can admonish me later."
Harry nodded. "Don't worry, she will."
As they approached the front door Harry stopped and looked back at Sirius. "What's to stop Dumbledore or the Weasley's just 'popping' over?"
"I paid the Goblins to rework the wards. I'm the secret keeper for Twelve Grimmauld Place."
"Won't Dumbledore realise he's not the secret keeper anymore?"
"I have no idea. It's not like he can do anything about it even if he does. As long as we stay here we're safe."
"As we leave the house to collect Hermione," Harry observed.
"You're not helping, Pup…"
The two exited Grimmauld Place and apparated to Surrey. Harry stumbled sideways as he landed, shaking his head. "I hate apparating."
"Really, pup? You should have said something."
"You're full of funny today old man," Harry commented flatly.
"I'm free, helping my godson save the blushing damsels and I'm sticking it right up Dumbledore and Snivellus arse. All in all, things could be far worse."
"Yeah, you could be dead."
"Pup, we really need to work on that sense of humour."
"I'll get right on that…" Harry replied distractedly as he scanned the street for the house number they wanted. "Twenty seven."
Harry hurried ahead of Sirius and burst through the gate rushing up the path to knock on the Granger's door. He knocked and waited as Sirius meandered, taking time to smell the roses in the garden. Eventually he joined Harry, who was still waiting at the door. "Maybe they're out."
Harry frowned and shook his head. "Hermione was badly hurt by that curse Dolohov cast. I doubt she's going anywhere."
"What curse?" Sirius asked, frowning. "I didn't hear about this."
"I wasn't there, Neville told me it was a bright purple colour. He didn't hear the incantation because Hermione hit Dolohov with a silencing charm. Apparently that's the only reason Hermione survived. Madam Pomfrey gave her a dozen potions to help counteract the effects. But she was still looking rough when we got off the train."
Sirius nodded silently as the door finally opened. It was a miserable sight that greeted the pair. Hermione was even paler than usual with deep dark circles under her eyes. She looked ready to fall over as she swayed back and forth against the door. "Harry… Sirius… hi."
"Um, hey. May we come in?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, sure," Hermione replied lethargically.
The two followed Hermione from the door into the kitchen/dining room. The three sat down and Hermione stared at them vacantly. Harry glanced worriedly from Sirius to Hermione.
Sirius got up from his seat and rested a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Stay here Pup, I'll be back shortly."
"Ok," Harry replied quietly.
As Sirius left, Harry reached across the table and took Hermione's hand in his. "Would you like some tea?"
"Um, ok," Hermione replied quietly.
Reappearing in Grimmauld Place, Sirius hurried over to the floo and called St Mungo's. After a couple of minutes Andi's face appeared in the flames. "Sirius, what's wrong?"
"Not sure yet. Harry and I went to collect Hermione and she's out of it. Harry told me Hermione had been struck with a curse at the ministry…"
"I saw Pomfrey's medical report about Hermione's treatment. It didn't report any mental trauma."
"I'm worried it's not just medicine in the potion bottles Pomfrey gave her."
"Sirius, it's Poppy Pomfrey, she's one of the most respected physicians in the United Kingdom…"
"And Dumbledore is one of the most respected men in the Wizarding world…" Sirius countered.
"….Very well, I'll floo over and we can go see Hermione together."
"Thank you."
Harry looked up when he heard a knock at the door. He placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder to keep her in her seat. Harry drew his wand and walked to the door, peering through the peephole. He relaxed when he spotted Sirius and opened the door. But when he saw who he was with Harry tensed and the hair on the back of his head stood up. "Sirius, what the fuck is going on?"
Sirius glanced between Harry and Andi and the lightbulb went off in his head. "Pup, it's ok! Relax, this isn't who you think it is. Do you really think I'd hang around with her?"
"Uh, n-no, of course not," Harry replied lamely.
"Ah, I see. Harry, my name is Andromeda Tonks. I am Bellatrix's younger sister and the elder sister of Narcissa Malfoy."
"Family dinners must have been fun as a kid…" Harry commented sarcastically, stowing his wand.
"Yes…" Andi replied flatly as she entered the house. "Where is Hermione?"
Harry showed Andi into the dining room where Hermione was still sitting, staring blankly at the half empty cup of tea. Andi pulled up a chair beside Hermione, causing said girl to look up. She recognised that someone was in front of her, but had no reaction to that person looking like Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Hello Hermione, I'm St Mungo's Chief Medi-Witch Andromeda Tonks. Where are your parents?"
"Skiing…" Hermione responded lethargically.
Andi frowned. "Without you?"
"They said it was already booked. Too much money and time invested not to go…"
Andi scowled and shook her head, but did not comment. "I see, may I examine you?"
Hermione nodded and Andi began waving her wand over her. Eventually Andi stood up and helped Hermione to her feet. "Hermione, can you show me where you keep your potions? I need to see them."
Hermione nodded and led Andi upstairs, while Harry and Sirius waited in the living room. A couple of minutes later the two returned. Andi was carrying the potions bottles Pomfrey had given Hermione. "I'm going to have these bottles tested. I'll provide clean potions in the meantime."
"Thank you, Andi," Sirius said.
"I'm not finished. You're right, something is wrong with Hermione. I'm using my authority as Chief Medi-Witch to put Hermione under my direct care. It will also allow me to keep an eye on the two of you."
"Us? We can take care of ourselves," Sirius assured her.
"I highly doubt that," Andi replied flatly. "I packed Hermione's things, so if neither of you have any other business?"
"Not me. Pup?"
Harry shook his head. "We should leave a note for her parents. Whether they care or not."
After Hermione wrote a note the four apparated from the Granger's house to Grimmauld Place. Andi placed her hand on Hermione's back and urged her forward. "Let's go upstairs, I'd like to examine your wound."
"Ok…" Hermione replied quietly.
Sirius watched as Harry walked to the foot of the stairs and watched the pair of women disappear onto the second level. He could see the worry in his Godson's eyes and it broke his heart. Sirius walked over to Harry and wrapped him in a hug. "Andi's the best, Pup. Hermione is safe in her hands."
"I know… I'm just… it's so fucking messed up."
"Yeah, it is," Sirius replied as he released Harry. "Come on Pup, let's go show those ladies we're not completely inept and make some tea while we wait."
A while later, Andi appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. "Sirius, can you come upstairs, there's something you need to see."
"Is Hermione ok?" Harry asked.
"She's fine, Harry. I gave her a purging potion and now she's asleep. I need to talk to Sirius about something in private," Andi assured him while giving Sirius a significant look.
"I'll finish that story about your parents later, Pup. You wait here, we'll be back soon."
Andi led Sirius to one of the spare bedrooms where Hermione was asleep. The top of her shirt was open but her breasts were covered to preserve her modesty.
Andi walked over to the bed and ghosted her fingers over the scar. "Can you see it?"
"Yes, I see it," Sirius replied as a darkness over took his countenance. "Do you think Bellatrix taught her fellow Death Eaters that spell?"
"I think it's probable. I knew it was a dark curse but I wasn't aware of the specific spell until Hermione took off her shirt."
"You know what this means, right?" Sirius asked as his eyes lit up happily. "We both know what to do next."
"Sirius, I've never done that ritual before, and neither have you. Who would you even…?"
"Me. I'll take on Hermione's burden," Sirius proposed as the two walked out into the corridor.
"Sirius, you can't. It's too dangerous," Andi protested.
"What's too dangerous?" Harry asked as he stood at the top of the stairs staring at them.
"Let's talk downstairs," Sirius said, guiding them all down into the kitchen.
In the kitchen Sirius busied himself making tea as he collected his thoughts. Eventually he put a hot cup in front of Harry and sat down. "I wasn't sure until I saw the wound. But Hermione was struck by a curse invented by my family. It was both a punishment and a warning to the enemies of my family. Usually the body was then left out for display."
"What did you mean when you said you'd take on Hermione's burden?" Harry demanded.
"There is a ritual in the Black Family grimoire that can remove a curse and transfer it to someone else. It wasn't designed specifically for this spell, this curse is designed to kill. Hermione is lucky she silenced Dolohov when she did. It neutered the power of the spell," Andi explained.
"What makes this so dangerous?" Harry asked.
"We've never done it before. We've only seen it done. It also requires a substantial amount of magic. If it goes wrong we could end up dead."
"But if it works Hermione will be able to recover completely?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Andi replied.
"How does this work?"
"Well, a wizard or witch is used as a medium to move the curse from one person to another."
"What happens to Hermione after that?"
"She'll recover normally as she would from any other spell damage. A bit of healing salve on the scar and it would be as if she was never attacked," Andi replied.
Harry was quiet for a few minutes before speaking again. "I'll do it, I'll take on Hermione's curse damage."
"Harry…" Sirius began but Harry cut him off.
"Sirius, you're not going to talk me down from this. It's my fault Hermione got hurt. I can help alleviate that pain. I won't let the woman I love suffer." Harry said firmly.
"Have you considered what Hermione wants?" Andi asked.
Harry paused. "No."
"The potions Hermione was dosed with will clear her system in the next few hours. Talk to her first before you commit to anything," Andi urged.
"Yeah, ok." Harry replied reluctantly.
Hermione sat up in bed and looked around the room. After a few seconds the memories came flooding back. She blinked and then blinked again. "Sirius, and Harry?"
Hermione gingerly got out of bed and slowly walked out and downstairs. Entering the kitchen she gasped when she found Sirius sitting at the dining table with Harry, and a woman she didn't recognise and barely registered. Instead she was focused on the older man, who was buttering bread for his breakfast. Sirius grinned and toasted Hermione with his toast. "Hi, Hermione, feeling better?"
"Sirius? How are you alive?" Hermione asked. She paused and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry."
"It's ok Hermione," Sirius assured her.
"Thank you," Hermione replied. She gripped the table to keep herself upright as the pain and exhaustion from her wound spread through her body.
Harry ran around the table and slid a chair forward, gently pushing Hermione into the seat. "It's a long story, Hermione. There's some other things we need to talk about first."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as Harry prepared her some breakfast.
"Um, could you give us a minute?" Harry asked, looking from Sirius to Andi.
"Sure, Pup."
Sirius and Andi left the kitchen and moved to the living room. Andi pulled out a piece of parchment and began looking it over. Sirius opened a butterbeer and sat down. "What's that?"
"The results of the tests I had done on the potions in Hermione's system. You were right by the way," Andi explained. When Sirius grinned she rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head. The combination of potions in her system left her in a stupefied state."
"Pomfrey did this?" Sirius asked angrily.
Andi let out a long breath. "It would appear so."
"Damn it…"
Albus Dumbledore knelt down in front of the floo and stuck his head in the flames. "Molly, are you there?"
A few seconds passed before Molly Weasley's head appeared in the flames. "Hello, Albus."
"Good afternoon, Molly. I was wondering how things were going with young Harry?"
"It's not, Albus. Harry told me yesterday that he was returning to… to… h-his godfather's house. He said he needed some alone time."
Albus frowned as he tried to recall the address of Sirius's house. He was alarmed when he couldn't. "Molly, please ask Arthur and Bill to collect Miss Granger from her parents. That should encourage young Harry to return to the Burrow."
Molly frowned. "Albus, Ginny is besotted with Harry, you're not changing your mind, are you?"
"Not at all. But we can use young Harry's affinity for Miss Granger to our advantage. I have no intention of changing course at this stage."
"Thank you, Albus."
Once Sirius and Andi were gone Harry pushed the plate of food towards Hermione. "You need to eat."
"And you need to stop avoiding the subject," Hermione countered.
"Sirius has a way to remove your curse damage. By transferring it to me."
"Harry, no," Hermione said firmly.
"Hermione, I have to. It's my fault you got hurt…"
"You didn't force me at wand point to go into the Ministry. I chose to go. I'm a tough girl Harry, I can handle this."
"You shouldn't have to," Harry replied. He looked at Hermione pleadingly. "Please Hermione, let me do this for you."
"Harry, you don't have to save everyone. I'm alive and… my head feels clearer than it has in weeks. I'll be fine eventually, it's just going to take time."
"Too much time, and you'll be left with a horrible scar. You don't deserve that."
Hermione frowned. "Is that what this is about? The way I look? Harry… why does that matter to you. It's not like you'll… um, I mean…" Hermione stuttered to a halt, blushing and looking away.
Harry shared Hermione's blush and grinned. "I mean, I think that's up to you, isn't it?"
"Perv…" Hermione muttered, punching Harry in the chest.
"It's not about how you look, I think you're beautiful…" Harry began but stopped when he realised Hermione didn't know how he felt about her. She didn't have the memories of their romance. "Sorry."
"You think I'm beautiful?" Hermione asked happily.
"Yeah, since before the Yule Ball. I wish I'd been able to take you, but Krum beat me to it."
"I remember. I was hoping you or Ron would ask me…"
A look of bitterness crossed Harry's face. "Yeah, Ron…"
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, grasping his hand.
"I-it's nothing."
"Harry, I don't want you to suffer…" Hermione said, returning to the topic at hand.
"I suffer all the time, Mione, it's my lot in life," Harry half joked.
"I don't think that's funny," Hermione responded flatly.
Harry let out a breath. "There's something I haven't told you yet…"
"Colour me shocked…" Hermione replied sarcastically.
"The reason Sirius isn't dead is because he didn't die in the first place. Dumbledore…"
"Professor Dumbledore, Harry," Hermione admonished him.
"No, Hermione. Dumbledore, Professor is a term of respect. I have no respect for Dumbledore anymore. Not after what he's done," Harry said, launching into an explanation of events since they left the train. "I wanted to wait until you had your memories back. I didn't want to force you to decide who you believe without all the information. I know how much you hate that."
Hermione smiled, squeezing Harry's hand. "What makes you think I wouldn't believe my best friend."
"Potions?"
"True, but I'm not on those potions anymore. Only an idiot would think I would side with them over you," Hermione replied before sighing. "I want my memories back. But if I do this, you will do as Medi-Witch Tonks says without complaint. Understand?"
"Yes, dear."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're such a prat."
As Harry and Hermione, when she wasn't sleeping, studied the ritual to move the curse damage from Harry to Hermione, Sirius brought something else to Harry's attention. "Fudge is being thrown out."
"Good," Harry commented absently as he knuckled down to finish his summer homework.
Sirius sat down at the table and began idly flipping through Harry's potions book. "Yuck, this is bringing back some bad memories," He commented, chucking the book onto the desk. "Anyway, I think we should take advantage."
"How so?" Harry asked, putting his book down.
"We could put forward our own candidate. Someone who will do something about Voldemort," Sirius suggested.
"Did you have anyone in mind?"
"Mad-Eye, if we can trust him."
Harry nodded. "That choice makes sense. As long as we can trust him."
"Let's ask Andi to meet with him, she'll be able to figure out whether he's trustworthy or not. If he is, we can bring him to the house and go from there."
"Sounds like a plan," Harry replied.
Harry walked upstairs and knocked on Hermione's open door. She looked up from her book and smiled. "You could just come in."
"Entering a ladies room without permission? How uncouth," Harry commented with a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
"Have you made any progress?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Hermione said proudly. "It's fiendishly complicated, but fascinating. I'm beginning to understand why Andi and Sirius were worried about whether it would work."
"Will it?"
"If we're careful," Hermione replied.
Harry nodded. "Sirius thinks we can elect our own Minister for Magic. Fudge is getting booted."
"Good, does he have someone in mind?"
"Mad-Eye," Harry answered.
"I'm sure Death Eaters won't want that to happen." Hermione opined.
"I imagine not," Harry agreed.
Hermione dropped her book onto the bed and leaned back. "Harry, tell me about us."
"Are you sure you don't want to wait until you get your memories back?"
"No, I want to know now."
"Ok."
Alastor Moody cautiously entered the meeting room he'd been invited to by an old friend at the Leaky Cauldron. Moody had his wand out as he approached the raven haired woman. He was slightly puzzled at why she had a pensive on the table in front of her. "Where did we first meet?"
Andi sipped her tea and considered Moody calmly. "Nineteen eighty five, I performed the surgery to remove your left leg below the knee. You refused a prosthetic and instead strapped a table leg to the stump and went back to hunting dark wizards."
"Damn right I did," Moody confirmed, sitting down and taking a swig from his hip flask. "Now, what does a proper lady like you want with a scruff like me?"
Andi removed a pair of vials from her robes and placed them on the table between them. They were Harry and Sirius's memories of Dumbledore casting the Obliviation charm on them. "Before I answer that, I'd like you to review these memories."
"Whose memories are they?" Moody asked after he checked the vials for curses.
"You'll see," Andi responded mysteriously.
"Hm," Was Moody's noncommittal response as he tipped the first memory into the bowl.
Once he was done, Moody leaned back in his chair. "I always knew Albus was a bastard deep down. Aside from ruining a friendship, what was the point of showing me that?"
"I wanted to know whose side you're on," Andi responded.
"I wasn't aware there were sides, apart from the one separating good decent people and Voldemort."
"There is a third side, the one that opposes Dumbledore and Voldemort. Albus Dumbledore has proven he's not on the side of angels. Not anymore."
"Unfortunately, you're right."
"Harry and Sirius want your help. They want you to take the fight to Voldemort, by becoming the Minister for Magic."
Moody laughed then paused when he realised Andi wasn't. "Wait, you're serious."
"That's my cousin… but yes, we are."
"Surely Amelia would be a better choice," Moody countered.
"Amelia would be a fine wartime Minister. But she wouldn't go as far as necessary. You'll stop at nothing to get rid of the Death Eaters. Also you being Minister means Amelia can be elected later and take the position with clean hands. She was only doing as instructed by the Minister of the day."
"Hmph, clever," Moody admitted.
"So?"
"It's a fair idea, but how will you convince the other members of the Wizengamot to sign on?"
"By reminding them their children are in the direct line of fire. Killing Death Eaters keeps them safe."
"Heh, direct, I like it."
"Then you'll do it?" Andi pressed.
"I've spent my life killing Dark Wizards, I'd be a hypocrite to bow out now. Tell Potter and Black to stay out of my way."
"As long as you stay out of ours," Andi replied.
Moody let Andi's words hang in the air for a few seconds. He suspected Potter and Black were planning some kind of retribution for having their memories stolen. Eventually he nodded, it wasn't his business. As long as they let him take care of Voldemort his way, that's all that mattered.
Hermione blushed as Harry finished telling her the story of their romance, ending with Dumbledore obliviating them of their memories. "So, you me… and Fleur," Hermione said slowly.
"Y-yeah, kinda shocking, huh," Harry said.
"I mean, I know why she'd be interested in you. But why me? I'm not special…"
Harry scooted forward and took Hermione's head in his hands, gently placing a kiss on her lips. "That's rubbish. You're amazing, you've always been amazing. You've saved my life a bunch of times and you're smart and beautiful. Just because some people can't realise that is no reason for you to believe it."
"Harry… thank you," Hermione said quietly as small tears ran down her cheeks.
Harry gently brushed the tears off Hermione's face. He smiled and kissed Hermione on the forehead. "I love you, Hermione."
Hermione stared up at him wordlessly working her jaw. "I… I…"
"It's ok, Hermione. You don't have to respond. I know you don't feel the same right now. Maybe not even after you get your memories back. It's ok though, you at least know how I feel about you."
"Harry, just because I don't have my memories, doesn't mean I don't know how I feel about you," Hermione said, rising to her knees and taking his head in her hands. She kissed him passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Harry closed his eyes as he rested his hands on her hips. "It's weird, I just got my memories back. But it feels like I've been waiting ages to hear you say that again. I've missed you."
Hermione rested her head against Harry's chest. "Thank you, Harry," Hermione paused for a beat. "You need to save Fleur too."
"I know, we will soon. For now, she's safe, away from the Weasley's. Once you're healthy and have your memories back we'll go together. And then…"
"Then?"
Harry's face darkened. "Then we'll take care of the Weasley's and Dumbledore."