Title: Empowerment

Author: Knife Hand

Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated

Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.

Summary: While waiting in the Forbidden Forrest during Third Year, Harry and Hermione meet a pair of visitors who change the course of… everything.

A/N: this concept was inspired by concepts raised in the Buffy Massive Multi-Crossover Series The Wandererverse, started by Steve Pantovich.

A/N2: This is not, I repeat not, a crossover with Wonder Woman or the DC Universe. If anything, this is crossed with Greek Mythology, but even then, there are major differences between Greek Mythology and what I am doing here. Also, Hermione's dad is not going to be former Military like some reviewers think. That is Fanon not Canon and not happening here.

When the Werewolf emerged into the clearing, it immediately went for Harry as he was the only one visible. Harry braced his shield against his left side as the Head-Up Display in his helmet gave a quick rundown of the strengths and weaknesses of the target.

"For Athena!" Harry called.

Just before impact, Harry crouched and tensed, and at the moment of impact he thrust the blunt end of his spear forward, twisted and pushed with his legs. Using the Werewolf's own momentum, and his lowered centre of gravity, Harry used the Shield to guide it over his head and tumbling onto the ground behind him, even as Harry completed his turn and set the shield in front of him again. For a moment he wished he had Brothers by his side to form a proper Phalanx.

Werewolf Lupin scrambled to its feet gathered itself to pounce when Hermione stepped out from behind a tree and struck Lupin on the side of the head with the flat of her sword and Artemis' name on her lips. Having gotten its attention, she had to fend off the slashing attacks of Lupin's claws, again using the flat of her blade, but slowly falling back under the savage assault. Taking a step back to block another blow, Hermione tripped over a stick and fell backwards. Just before the Werewolf was able to eviscerate her, Harry slammed into it, leading with his Shield, throwing Lupin to the ground and sliding away from them from the impact.

Harry stationed himself in front of Hermione, huddled down behind his shield. The Werewolf was up again and this time Harry had no choice but to take the charge in order to protect Hermione, Harry braced himself, knowing this was going to hurt. At the last moment Buckbeak jumped between the Werewolf and the two students, rearing up and slashing at Lupin with its front claws. With the Hippogriff's intervention, Werewolf Lupin ran off in search of easier quarry.

Harry and Hermione, having hidden their equipment, entered the Hospital Wing just in time to see their younger selves use the Time Turner to go back in time. Harry had cast a Patronus to save himself and Sirius, and they had broken Sirius out of his confinement.

"How did you get over there?" Ron asked. "You were over there and now your there."

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron was a good friend, most of the time, and his best mate, but he would never be a Brother Myrmidon. Ron did not like to do any work he could avoid, perform exercises and he loved his food too much, indulgently so.

A few minutes later Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape entered with the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. Ron proceeded to, almost incoherently due to his slight rambling, tell the story of what happened.

"They were clearly under the influence of a Confundus Charm." Snape said dismissively

"Do we have a vacant expression?" Hermione asked, here eyes filled with anger.

"Do we have slurred speech or repeat simple phrases?" Harry added.

"I don't see…" Snape began.

"Oh Athena, are you that desperate?" Harry asked.

"Minister, we are showing none of the tell-tale signs of being under a Confundus Charm." Hermione added. "Are we to be discounted solely on the word of someone with a personal vendetta against Harry?"

"Granger…." Snape growled.

"Enough." Dumbledore snapped.

"I am going to issue a Kiss on Sight order for Black." Fudge announced.

"That's illegal." Hermione replied. "A Dementor's Kiss on Sight order can only be issued by a unanimous vote within the Wizengamont and must be proposed by the Head of the DMLE."

"You dare question me?" Fudge raged. "I am the Minister."

"You are about three seconds from having your head introduced to your colon." Harry countered, stepping up to stare Fudge down.

"Cornelius, they are right." Dumbledore added. "Keep this attitude up and I will have a vote of no confidence in front of Wizengamont before you can take a breath. And Malfoy's money won't get you out of this."

Minister Fudge turned a shade of purple normally only seen on people suffering from a heart attack before he turned and left the room. Snape sniffed in anger and distain and followed the Minister out.

With Ron due to be stuck in the hospital wing for at least another day, Harry and Hermione returned to where they had hidden their gear. Hermione transfigured some spare parchment she kept with her into a pair of backpacks to carry their gear to their Dormitories.

They each took their gear up to their rooms and found a statue of their patron Goddess sitting on their bedside table.

Amelia Bones was having a bad day and it only got worse when Minister Fudge walked into her Office. She suppressed a sigh.

"Bones, you are to propose a Kiss on Sight order for Black at the next meeting of the Wizengamont." Fudge ordered.

"Of course." Amelia replied calmly, waiting for Fudge to begin to smile before continuing. "Should a careful review of Black's record indicate that it is warranted."

An interesting tick started at Fudge's right eye as Amelia struggled to contain her mirth.

"I gave you an order." Fudge said, trying and failing to sound intimidating.

"I didn't hear that." Amelia countered. "And it is good for you I didn't. That way I don't have to arrest you for interference with the Judicial system and form a special commission for the closed session trail. Penalties mandate immediate dismissal, binding of your Magic and a life sentence in Azkaban."

Fudge stared in shock for a few moments until Amelia casually pulled a pair of magic supressing handcuffs from a draw and placed them on her desk. At that Fudge paled and left her office.

"Tosser." Amelia said with a roll of her eyes.

If Fudge wanted Black Kissed on Sight, then there was every possibility Black was innocent. Fudge only ever threw his weight around against his political enemies and at Malfoy's behest. It had to be Malfoy, that bane of her existence, as Black had been imprisoned prior to Fudge's rise to power so was no political enemy of Fudge.

For a moment Amelia though she heard a soft voice whisper 'Potential'.

Shaking it off stood and walked to the door.

"Jenny." She said to her Secretary. "Bring me everything on Sirius Black. Arrest reports, trail transcripts, the whole file."

Five am the following morning found both Harry and Hermione walking out the front door of the Castle dressed in exercise clothes. Hidden under their exercise clothes, both of them wore their armour. Hermione had her headband on as well.

"What's the plan?" Harry asked.

"A few laps around the Lake." Hermione replied. "We'll see what we can do now to form a baseline and then develop a training regime."

"Right." Harry replied.

They started jogging slowly, but quickly increased their pace to what they felt was a comfortable and sustainable ground eating pace. Their pace was not lighting quick, given they were going for distance and not short bursts of speed, but they still fast enough to have been competitive in a fifteen hundred metre final at the Olympics, and they maintained the pace for kilometre after kilometre. After an hour, and barely winded, they stopped their run and entered the Castle for one of the last days before they went home for the Summer Break.

"Not bad." Hermione mused. "Very not bad. Imagine what we will be able to do once we begin training."

"Well, running is part of Combat." Harry replied.

TBC…