Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter, I merely play in the sandbox.

Chapter Three – The Secret Revealed

Of the meeting that was interrupted only Sirius and Lord Nott, Theo, remained.

Sirius had not asked Theo to leave but had not asked why he stayed either. Sirius had watched Hermione sleep for a good long while before agreeing with himself that he could use a large glass of firewhiskey. Motioning for Theo to follow him, Sirius quietly called upon a newly acquired house elf to keep watch over Hermione while they retired to the kitchen. Theo took a seat at the table while Sirius poured the two of them a generous helping of whiskey.

They toasted and while Sirius drank he starred deeply into the roaring fire and pondered what had just happened. Thinking of Harry made him wonder what to do. Sirius was Harry's Godfather after all, but he also knew that his oath to Morgana came first. He didn't think he could bear to face his godson now and not want to curse him out. He'd already altered the wards to deny Ron Weasley entry as soon as he'd heard Hermione speak. If he could help it, he wouldn't let either of them hurt his Princess further.

"My magic won't let me leave. The calling is too strong, it's her isn't it? Miss Granger is the Enchantress we're bound too."

"I don't think there is any doubt of that. I have often wondered if Hermione was the one we were meant to align ourselves too. There was always a whisper of the calling when she was near."

"From what I hear from my son, she is quite the witch. You know, I think he fancies her. We shall have to keep our wits about her."

"She is the epitome of witches. The best to come to us in a long time. You and I both know we'll all stand together where she is concerned. I'm sure there will be a lot of wizards and witches vying for her attention once news gets out."

"That indeed."

Sirius and Theo drifted back into silence and it gave Sirius a chance to ponder what Lucius had been telling him earlier. If they did indeed work together, they could make the Wizarding World change for the better. This wasn't about individual goals but the combined oath to meet the goals of the Enchantress. The five of them had, after all, promised to protect any witch sent by Morgana's own hand.

"There were others in the veil with me," muttered Sirius.

The thud of Theo's glass hitting the table was enough confirmation for Sirius to know he was being listened to.

"All of us lost souls trapped together with nowhere to go. Some were judged by Death himself and never returned but I was stuck in limbo, knowing it wasn't my time to move on but not knowing when I would return. I met my brother there, Reggie. There was so much in life I didn't get to say to him and I honestly thought our meeting would be explosive, but it wasn't. Reggie was bitter about his past but had wanted to set the record straight with me."

"That must have been difficult Sirius. We all wondered what happened to Reg but then you'd been sent to Azkaban, Orion died not long after and Walburga hid herself in Grimmauld place."

"He told me how he'd rebelled against Voldemort and stolen one of his soul objects. He told me how he'd given it to Kreacher to destroy. It wasn't this act that sent him through the veil though. I always through Reggie was made to follow my Mother's rules but it seems there was more to him than I ever knew. He told me he'd fallen in love with a muggleborn witch. He told me that he loved her so completely that he'd have given her the world if she'd asked. He told me that taking the Dark Mark was the biggest mistake he ever made for it made her run from him. Reggie has asked me to find her, to find out what happened to his true love. He told me her name was Emma Knight. "

"Emma Knight…well the first name might be common, but the surname isn't as. It might take a while to narrow down the sources, but I reckon we could put a plan in motion to help find her."

"Thank you, Theo, your help means a lot."

"The five of us have to work together as much for ourselves as for our Enchantress. This isn't a burden you need carry alone Sirius."

o-0-o

Hermione woke in the morning to the unmistakable sound of happy birds singing, it was a complete contrast to how she was feeling and most unwelcome. Her eyes were sore from all the crying she'd done yesterday, and she could feel a strong headache coming on. Someone had thoughtfully put a pepper up potion on her bedside table. It had Severus's mark on it, so he must have been here while she was asleep.

Hermione padded her way down to the kitchen and found Sirius reading The Daily Prophet at the table with a sneer across his face. Sirius was such a happy man usually that it was quite odd to see such an expression cross his face, it made Hermione remember that he was a Black after all.

Sirius's behaviour reminded her of a deer caught in the headlights and Hermione came to the quick conclusion that there was something less than savoury in The Daily Prophet that he'd rather she not see. Of course, Hermione wasn't one to shy away from the truth, even if it would hurt her now it would be better in the long run. Hermione was still completely mortified about her behaviour yesterday and the gentlemen's meeting she had interrupted.

It had been a shock for her to see for Slytherin's talking politely with a Gryffindor, but she supposed that stranger things had happened. Sirius, she noted, had changed since his return from the veil. He was still very much a child at heart, but he had also grown up a lot. He'd taken control of his house, reclaimed his seat in the Wizengamot and was starting to make a better name of the House of Black.

"You shouldn't read it Hermione."

Hermione allowed herself a moment to smile at Sirius, his concern was very touching, and it gave her pause to reevaluate their growing friendship. By all accounts, Hermione was a very lucky witch to have so many powerful men by her side. She was very grateful for their friendships, especially in the light of what had just occurred.

"I appreciate your concern Sirius, but I will not hide away from the pain. Better to read it now while I am here with you than I read it alone and isolated."

"I just don't want you to hurt anymore."

"I know Sirius, but life is not plain sailing, it isn't without hurt, pain, betrayal, anger or sadness. I'm strong Sirius, I can handle reading the article."

Hermione came to sit next to Sirius, thanking the elf who put a bowl of granola and fresh fruit in front of her. Sirius wrapped his arm around her and Hermione snuggled into his side as she dragged The Daily Prophet over and began to read the front-page article.

Shocking Scandal Destroys the Golden Trio as Granger-Weasley Wedding is cancelled!

The eagerly anticipated wedding of Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Ronald Weasley has been officially cancelled. Those of you who read last week's article know that Miss Granger was seen out and about looking stressed and haggard from the wedding preparations. Well, sources close to Miss Granger have confirmed that Miss Granger arrived home early last night and found her former fiancé in bed with none other than Mr Harry Potter himself! It seems that these two men have been in a romantic relationship for many years but kept it a secret and resorted to using Miss Granger as a cover.

This reporter is shocked by the betrayal the two Wizards played on Miss Granger and hopes that they soon realize what a tragic mistake they've made, both to Miss Granger and the Wizarding World. I've been told that Miss Granger's anger was so great that she blasted apart everything in the house she shared with her former fiancé. No news on how the Weasley family has taken their son's deceit but Mr Potter has been banned from his Godfather's house and many friends have already begun to shun the two Wizards – a remarkable feet considering the secret came to light not even 48 hours ago!

Never fear dear readers, Miss Granger is in safe hands – as I was told by Lord Malfoy and Lord Prince who visited me this morning. Miss Granger is currently staying with Lord Black and neither of these men will let any harm befall Miss Granger. Those rejoicing of Miss Granger's new single status – remember who guards her and beware…remember she's wicked quick with a wand and not afraid to use it. Proceed with caution!

o-0-o

"It's not as bad as it could be Sirius. I trust the source of the article came from Lucius and Severus, I know they aren't ones to let injustices slide."

"You're sure you are ok? Yes, Severus dragged Lucius to the Prophet late last night. From what Lucius has told me, Severus was beyond mad, demanding retribution for what has happened to you. We all know the Prophet has been less than kind to you in the past and were eager that you be given a foot to stand on this time."

"I appreciate that they handled this for me. I admit I was thinking how lucky I was to have the three of you. I can only imagine how I would have been feeling had I been isolated when I found out what had been happening. I don't think I would have been looked upon so kindly either."

"You never have to worry about being alone. The Ancient Houses take relationships very seriously no matter the type. It would be a slight to our Houses is we did not take up arms in your defence. We'd do it anyway, but our magic also demands it."

"I'll admit that makes me a little weary, but I know little of family magics. I wish there had been a class on it in school, I always feel like for everything I learn about the magical world that there's another ten things I don't know."

"Neither Lucius, Severus or I would mind if you picked our brains about the matter."

"I guess I just haven't wanted to be a burden to any of you. As tight as our relationships are, there is still a small part of me that fears I'll wake up one day and it'll have all been a dream."

"That will never happen. You will always have our friendships. We're bonded in a unique way. Our magics have combined."

"Yes, I've felt that too. Not sure what it means though."

"Magic is difficult and bonds even more so. It's not really something you can research or anticipate. It's something that reveals itself over time."

"I know but that's what makes it so frustrating for me. I'm used to researching and anticipating everything and to be left so adrift worries me."

"Brightest witch of the age? Worried about not gaining knowledge? Gasp."

"Sirius!"

Hermione giggled as Sirius's sarcasm, appreciating that it had knocked her out of her worriment. The sense of betrayal, pain and anger were still warring with each other just below the surface of her skin but in this moment, she could put them aside and indulge in a bit of laughter.

o-0-o

He grumbled as he lay down his own Daily Prophet, a twitch in his neck pulsing with the anger that now consumed him. He'd read the front-page article and felt a surge of relief followed by a surge or anger and guilt. If Hermione had been his girlfriend, she would have wanted for nothing. The crush he had on her had formed in their early teens and only grown with time.

They now worked together at the Ministry and he'd grown to love the banter their friendship held. He'd always been jealous that Weasley had got her first and that she hadn't accepted his pursuit of her in school – not that he'd actually had the courage to ask her. He'd always be her friend first and foremost, that was the promise he made himself. She was one of the only people he could trust explicitly, and she'd never once judged him on his mistakes from the war. Yes, if he could be brave enough, he'd try his luck and win her heart.