Braving the Past

Chapter 37: The Search For Tom Riddle

Song: Ruelle - Hero

I listened to this song through practically the entire writing process. Enjoy!

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Remus tried his best to get more information out of Hermione, but she refused to say another word until they were somewhere safer. Preferably the Head common room where it was positive no one would disturb them. This was something she had to be especially careful about. If someone heard them talking about rescuing Tom Riddle, what would they think?

So, Remus eventually gave in and allowed Hermione to keep her silence for the time being. He waited for her to regain some of her composure, then they made their way up to the Head dormitories.

Hermione avoided the gazes of the portraits covering nearly every inch of the stone walls, though it was entirely unnecessary. They didn't know what had just gone through her mind, and there were no paintings in the dark dungeon hall to hear. But that didn't stop her from being paranoid.

"You know the password, don't you?" Hermione asked Remus once they'd reached the Head dormitories.

Remus sent her a look that told her that was stupid question. He gave the password to the portrait of a knight that reminded her of a more tempered Sir Cadogan, and they stepped inside.

Hermione curled up in the corner of the soft couch while Remus crouched to start the fire with a quick wordless spell. Once he'd situated himself on the other side of the couch, his Gryffindor tie loosened, he addressed Hermione again.

"So, you said you would tell me what you saw once we were sure to be alone," he began, beckoning for her to take the lead.

"This is something everyone should hear," she said, folding her hands in her lap.

"You just -" Remus put his fist to his forehead in frustration, and let out a huff. "Fine. They're probably in the Gryffindor common room." He stood and quickly paced to the room she assumed was James's and returned with something small and compact in his hand.

"Is that...?" She leaned in to look closer.

It was a mirror. It reminded her of the piece of glass Harry had carried around during their hunt for horcruxes. Before Harry had smashed it, it belonged to his father. Sirius had given it to him, and the other had been used by Aberforth Dumbledore to send Dobby to save them from Malfoy mansion.

To their right, the portrait of the knight opened to reveal an upset Lily. She stepped in, folded her arms, and glared at the two friends sitting on her couch.

"Why in Merlin's name did you two leave me all alone to be interrogated by Professor Slughorn?" she said steamily. "He's quite distressed at you both ditching, by the way."

Lily then took in Hermione's pale face and her shoulders slumped.

"Great," she said. "You're ill again, are you? Are you ever feeling well?"

"Er..." Hermione glanced awkwardly at Remus, taking in his most recent scars. "I suppose not." Merlin, that was a sad thought.

Lily canted her head to the shard in Remus's hands, her long red hair glowing in the soft light, and walked over. "What're you doing there?"

"Calling the others," he replied, then said into the mirror, "Sirius."

One second Hermione could see Remus's gaunt face through the reflection, the next a pair of young grey eyes peered back at them, a strand of wavy black hair just visible.

Remus indicated that they were in the Head dormitories, and the eyes of Sirius Black disappeared. A few minutes later, the other three marauders were walking through the portrait hole.