Through Her Eyes

Chapter 22: A Masquerade for Two

"Mione? Come on, problem 7?"

"Right, sorry Sirius. This is the chapter on making love potions-"

As Hermione and Sirius studied, and soon headed off to their separate classes, Hermione began to wonder what detention with Dumbledore would be like that evening. He had hinted that there was information about a possible Horcrux in his private library, but he hadn't said anything else. So, by the time she was walking down towards the beautiful golden griffin, she didn't know if she wanted to be nervous or at ease,

"Puking Pastils,"

The mighty bird accepted the password and began to turn, allowing Hermione up the familiar steps. Not bothering to knock as she already knew Dumbledore could sense her presence at the door, she stiffened slightly once in his presence. Holding her still bandaged right arm with a hand, Dumbledore turned away from where he had been observing a newly burned Fawkes,

"Ah, Hermione, welcome. I'm glad you didn't decide to skip out on our little get together,"

"You mean detention, headmaster?"

"To Minerva perhaps. But not to me. Consider this time for research, for you see, I now know that the Horcrux's exist. I'd certainly like some help in this matter,"

Hermione swallowed her previous fears and sighed deeply, grabbing her dark auburn curls in her hand and pulling them up into a ponytail. Dumbledore smiled wryly at her as she placed two hands on her hips and nodded,

"Great. Where do we start,"

Hermione spent the next few hours pouring over ancient family tomes and riddles. She knew the ring, the cup and the snake were all Horcrux's, as well as the locket. She also knew that three of the four were currently in the hands of Death Eaters. That left the ring behind, which was still missing. Dumbledore had never divulged where he had come across the ring the first time, and it made the search all the more difficult. Finally, Hermione was awoken from deep slumber when someone touched her shoulder gently. Lifting her head from a pile of books, the Headmaster motioned to the clock,

"It's getting late my dear. Perhaps you should be getting back to your dormitory?"

Glancing at the clock, Hermione jumped up as she realized what time it was,
'Holy cricket, I have to get dressed!'

Thanking Dumbledore as she darted from his office, Hermione pounded towards the common room. It was empty this time of night, meaning Hermione had safe access to the dress Regulus had left. Summoning it directly from her trunk, she chose to strip down in the main common room. The dress Regulus had chosen was a bit more scandalous then Hermione was used to. The black sequined fabric lay a little ways past the curve of her arse, but was dreadfully short and even had a small slit in one side,
'I can't believe I'm doing this,' Hermione thought, summoning her makeup as she did a light layer on her face and around her eyes, leaving her hair in its messy pulled up position, 'where does he expect me to put my wand? Down my front?'

Scoffing, Hermione stuck the instrument in her ponytail as she slipped into the strappy heels Regulus had also left behind, as well as the few pieces of jewelry. Happy with her appearance, Hermione quietly left the dorms and made her way towards the staircase to the Astronomy tower. It was a long walk in stiletto heels, but as Hermione finally came to the top of the tower, a straight backed figure was waiting for her in the dim light of a weak lumos. Regulus had his hair slicked back to reveal his pasty face and feminine eyebrows, as his face was much more accentuated. However, his features were covered by a white plastic mask,

"Ok, I'm here," Hermione announced, climbing the final stair as Regulus turned to face her. He looked dashing, Hermione had to admit, as he held out a white gloved hand,

"I'm glad you decided to show. You look lovely,"

Regulus took up his cousins hand and kissed it gently as Hermione squirmed slightly. She didn't like this, not at all,

"Why did you ask me up tonight?"

"I know you're looking for...pieces. I'm sorry to say I know where one is hidden,"

Regulus lifted his sleeve to reveal the dark mark, though Hermione barely batted an eye. She already knew Regulus was a Death Eater. It came as no surprise,
"It's in a locket. Lord Voldemort gave it to me, until he could find an appropriate way to charm and hide it. He's experimenting with different poisons now,"

"So what does that have to do with me dressing up like this, Regulus?"

The boy smirked slightly, and looked lustful for only a moment before he appeared something in his hand. It was a mask, except this one was made for a female,

"There is a party going on at Black Manor tonight - a masquerade, no one will recognize you. Go, find the locket while everyone else is busy then get out,"

"What about you?"

"I'd end up dying either way, I know that. At least I know the locket will go to someone more capable of destroying it then I,"

Swallowing, Hermione nodded and took the mask, setting it over her eyes gently,

"How do I look?"

"Decent. Now, shall we go?"

Hermione lifted an eyebrow, taking hold of Regulus's elbow as he pulled a pocket watch from inside his jacket. Probably realizing her curiosity, Regulus smiled knowingly,
"A portkey I swiped from the old mans office. It can take us all the way to Black Manor. Once we're there, you'll have to find your own way back,"

"Not a problem,"

"Good. Now hold on tight. Activate,"

There was a familiar pulling behind Hermione's navel as they vanished from the observatory tower, landing on the sidewalk of a familiar street,
'Grimmauld Place,' Hermione thought, walking towards the apartment which was glowing with lights. Upon the doors opening, the small apartment was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Regulus and Hermione walked into the beautiful foyer of a glamorous mansion with black marble floors and tall white walls. Hermione couldn't help but gasp slightly,

"Mother,"

Hermione glanced up with a thick swallow as the very alive Walburga Black swept elegantly into the room,

"Regulus, my son I'm so glad you could make it. And you brought someone along, a lovely young woman. What is your name dear?"

Stiffening, Hermione curtseyed low,

"Emma, ma'am. Emma Louise Peverell,"

'What had she just done?'