The new face of evil - 8 years out

Hermione did some digging at her company and came across some documents that related to Stalantic Inc. That company had been contracted to destroy a large quantity of an experimental potion that didn't turn out as intended. The ingredients had been written down incorrectly before the batch was made. The result had been labeled toxic and was to be destroyed. Dr. Stonham personally oversaw the transfer of the potion to Stalantic to guarantee it was handled properly. She thought that having that company get raided for smuggling didn't fit with a company that disposed of chemicals but then she thought that they could do legitimate work as well.

Back at work, Hermione had to put the thoughts of Stalantic out of her mind because all the focus was on discovering the potion to help restore mental capacity to people who had been placed under the Cruciatus curse for too long. This potion could also be a breakthrough in treating many forms of mental illnesses and promised to make an enormous amount of money for Stonham Research. Dr. Stonham had been pushing the research team to work as much as possible on trying to solve this issue.

From the beginning, Stonham Research had been a stressful place to work and people were driven to their limits. Hermione actually did well in this environment since she had left all of her issues behind when she moved to Venice. But now that she was thinking more and more of her old friends, the pressure was starting to wear on her.

Hermione did manage to get out of work and go see Ginny the weekend of Harry's birthday and found that spending time with her old friend was making a big difference in Hermione's attitude. It bothered Hermione more than she let on that she couldn't see Harry. Especially since she hadn't been able to talk to him much the last time she was back. However, just spending time with Ginny, Ron and his family was bringing back many old memories of how much she enjoyed their company.

In the offices of Marauders Inc, Harry, Sirius and Remus were discussing the next project. "You do know where this evidence is pointing don't you?" Sirius asked.

"Yes Sirius, I just can't believe that she's aware of it," Harry said.

"Why has she recently come back into everyone's life? It seems too much of a coincidence to me," Sirius responded.

"I don't know Sirius. I still think that the two things aren't related," Lupin added. "Either way, does it really matter? We have to go through with this."

"As long as she doesn't find out anything before hand," Sirius said looking at Harry.

"I'm not a total git. I want this as much as you guys do. Even if I see her again, I won't say anything about what we do," Harry said. "She's smart you know. She already asked me if there was a connection to me being in the Amazon and that bust there and the one in Russia. She saw the gifts I brought back for the kids and put the pieces together."

"And what did you tell her when she asked?" Sirius asked this and Remus looked interested in hearing an answer as well.

"I said that to be around me you have to live with a don't ask, don't tell policy. I just don't answer any question I don't want to. We're going to take that company down, if she's there or not. I won't let her get hurt though."

"If she's involved, she's going to get hurt, just not physically," Sirius said.

"If she's involved, I can live with that. But, she's not involved. Plan this like any other project. This is a big one," Harry said expectantly.

"It still won't get us the one at the top, but it should shake things up a bit," Lupin added.

"I say we still let the vampires handle him," Sirius said angrily.

"We've talked about this before," Lupin quickly said, "We try to play by the rules."

Harry was torn as well, he really wanted the person behind a lot of this, but they were never able to directly tie him to any of the operations. Harry often felt it would be easier to just hand him over to the vampires but couldn't bring himself to agree to the idea. Harry left Lupin and Sirius alone to plan the next operation. That was their area of expertise and Harry trusted them completely.

Harry spent a lot of the next week sitting alone on the far side of the Hogwarts Lake, near the dark forest. It was one of the places he felt most comfortable. He would often sit there for hours playing catch with the giant squid and sometimes go wandering around the forest. Harry was thinking about the final years of school, and about how things had changed so much since then. He was trying to get the courage to ask a question that could go very well or very poorly but it was one that he desperately wanted to ask. His mind finally made up, he apparated to Ginny's studio which was on the edge of Hogsmeade. "Hey Ginny."

"Harry. What are you doing here?" She hugged him.

"Can't I just drop in on my business partner and one of my best friends?" he joked.

"Of course you can, but knowing you it's more likely something else," Ginny said with a smile.

"I really need to start mixing things up. I'm tired of everybody being able to predict what I'm doing." After a moment, he continued, "Are you free for lunch tomorrow afternoon? I'd really like to talk to you about something."

"We can talk now if you want." Ginny really wanted to know right now.

"No, I need to do something first and then I'd rather talk away from here. I'll take care of the food and pick you up at 2:00 if that's ok," Harry said.

"That sounds fine. Won't you even give me a hint?" She pleaded.

"I'm so bad with that stuff, I'd give you a little hint and you'd have it all worked out before tomorrow, so it's safer if I don't say anything."

Harry waved at Ginny. "See you tomorrow at 2:00," then he disappeared. Harry went home for a couple hours before going to have a talk that would start the ball rolling on a process that absolutely terrified him.

Harry arrived at Ginny's studio right on time the next day carrying a large picnic basket. She looked angry with him. "Steffi called last night and said you broke up with her! How could you do that? I thought you two were doing great. She said you told her that you wanted to date someone else." Ginny noticed the picnic basket. "And, you're not even taking me to a real restaurant?"

Harry turned and saw Ginny's assistant looking at them. "I wanted to talk about something and there may be yelling and hitting and stuff. I thought it best to not chance the press getting a picture of it. And I was right since you're yelling at me already," he said honestly.

Ginny thought he was kidding at first but didn't see him smile. "It's not bad news is it?"

"I hope not, but that kind of depends on you. Come on, let's go." Harry took her hand and they vanished but reappeared instantly at Harry's favorite place to think.

"We're having a picnic at Hogwarts?" Ginny complained.

"I like this spot, it's relaxing. If you really want to go someplace else, I don't mind," Harry replied, suddenly worried she didn't approve of the location.

"I was kidding, this is a nice place. I remember all of us sitting in this area a lot during your last couple years," Ginny said thinking back to the memories.

Harry quickly laid out the blanket and got the food out. "So, why did you really break up with Steffi?" Ginny asked nervously.

"Eat a bit first. There will be less to throw at me in case it goes badly," Harry said sounding a bit nervous.

"I can talk and eat, now spill it. Why did you break up with her?"

"I told her the truth. I wanted to date someone else and I wanted to talk to you about my idea," Harry replied looking very nervous.

"But Harry, she really liked you and I think she could have dealt with you know...everything," Ginny said feeling sorry for Steffi.

"You're probably right, but lately I've been thinking about someone else," Harry said sighing.

Ginny looked confused for a minute but then launched into Harry, "If you dumped Steffi because you want to start dating Hermione, I'll...I'll... I don't know what I'll do but it won't be pleasant. Steffi was great and I can't believe you would even consider dating Hermione again, especially so soon."

"Ginny, let me explain."

"She just comes back a few times and you're ready to throw everything away and try to be with her? I want her as my friend, but I'd rather she stayed away than hurt you again."

"She won't hurt me, let me explain."

"Fine Harry, you try to explain and then I'll tell you what I think," Ginny yelled at him.

"This is why I brought you all the way out here. The press would be having a field day with this in Hogsmeade."

"Don't joke around Harry, start explaining."

"You know when Hermione and I had our talk and she apologized and told me her point of view?" Ginny just nodded. "After I thought about that for a while, it was like a weight was lifted from me. I had been carrying around all this stuff and it just fogged everything up. After I heard her side and heard her apologize, things got clear and I saw how much of that I brought on myself. I've been coming here a lot since then and thinking about what I really wanted. Sirius always said that if I really want something, I shouldn't be so scared about trying to get it and in the past month, I've come to agree with him."

"But Harry, Hermione's ok as your friend, but I'm just worried she'll hurt you if you tell her how you feel. You know where her priorities are."