"Right" Regulus said "let's talk horcruxes"
Sirius, Remus and Hermione were sitting around the kitchen table, the bag containing the locket and ring in the centre.
"Where are they? What are they? Who's guarding them? Discuss"
They all exchanged glances, waiting for the other to start.
"It makes sense for them to be with the Dark Lord's most trusted" Hermione offered. "I'd say that's Bella. Maybe Barty. Oh Reg, you'll never guess what Barty's done now! He's only gone and -" She stopped herself, remembering that Remus and Sirius might not appreciate the gossip she was ready to spill. "I'll tell you later. I might even add Snape. Someone you wouldn't expect, you know"
Sirius's expression soured but he didn't say anything. Could he, when his own friend had betrayed him? Could he really berate Snape at this very moment in time?
Remus nodded along "maybe ask around a bit. You're friends with a lot of them, right? Like Narcissa. Then you can get an idea of who knows what"
"What about Rowle? You're pretty cosy with him" Sirius sent Hermione a mocking wink and Regulus frowned.
Hermione rolled her eyes "Sod off"
"Finn Rowle" Regulus asked, though it came off as more of a statement. He was calm, though an eerie calm.
Sirius nodded.
"Can we get back to scheming?" Remus tried to get them back on track, but the seed had been planted.
Regulus sat back in his chair, his jaw set "If Sirius has his concerns he should voice them"
Hermione sat there, her face a porcelain mask. Regulus's eyes flickered to her.
Sirius shrugged "All I'm saying is that it's clear Rowle knows Nita's a 'widow' and he isn't afraid to make his intentions clear"
"Ah" Regulus twirled his wand, weaving it in and out of his fingers.
Remus practically shouted eureka "Maybe we can use Hermione's new relationship status to our advantage. I seem to remember Rabastan having a thing for her back at Hogwarts"
"Rabastan wanted to shag anything that moved, what's your point?" Hermione scoffed.
Regulus seemed to catch on, rather reluctantly "Rabastan has access to the Lestrange vault. If Bella wanted to hide something, there would be the perfect place. It's protected almost as well as mine or yours"
"And the others?" Sirius asked.
"We'll work it out" Regulus waved his hand. His jaw was still wound tight and, while Hermione had always thought he looked all the more sexy when he was pissed, she was annoyed herself. Now she had to seduce Rabastan of all people.
☏
James wasn't trusted with the Black hiding place, so Hermione went to them. They needed a game plan, a way to twist Pettigrews betrayal to their advantage. Sirius's leg was shaking, going up and down under the table.
Remus was sitting in between him and Ninita, afraid she might punch him. Regulus had been in a mood ever since that meeting. James was just sad. He wasn't angry, he wasn't demanding revenge, he was just there. Lily had her hand on his arm, but he wasn't acknowledging her at all.
"I think you should keep Peter around. Act exactly the same." Hermione started, only to be met with looks of outrage.
"No." Sirius said on behalf of them all. "He deserves Azkaban's finest sicced on him"
Hermione sighed. It was going to be tough, winning over the Gryffindors. But she hoped she'd get Remus on her side at least.
"Think about it. With Peter still in the Order, still in with you, you can feed him misinformation"
James shook his head "that makes us as bad as him. It's not worth it. We should just get rid of him"
Hermione went for a new tactic "When the Dark Lord is told things that turn out incorrect, what do you think happens to the informant? I've witnessed the terrors, and it's worse than Azkaban Sirius because these people have been evading Azkaban for years"
Lily jumped in "but that's... cruel. Pete' s our friend -"
"No he isn't" Sirius snapped. "He made his coward choice and he can suffer the consequences"
"But we're submitting him for torture. Look, I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding"
Remus sighed "Hermione's correct. It may not be the most moral, but it's the way to get the upper hand"
Sirius nodded vehemently. James seemed far off again, and Lily frowned like a disappointed mother.
"And don't worry about seeing him around." Hermione added "The Dark Lord sets a lot of tasks to new people, plus he'll be all guilty."
"He's not a fucking Lord" James muttered as he stood from the table and went upstairs. Lily followed, casting them a strange look of disappointment and fear for her husband. For everyone because who could be trusted?
☏
Hermione knocked on Bellatrix's house. Not the Lestrange Manor, but her own place that came in her dowry that she kept for herself.
The witch answered immediately, almost as if she'd just been standing behind the door the entire time.
Bellatrix eyed her up and down before leaning on the doorframe "Hello Ninita"
She stepped aside, letting her walk through the richly furnished place. Hermione assumed she used it for her obvious and well known affairs.
"Hiya Bella"
Hermione sat down neatly, her legs crossed.
"Tea?" Bellatrix asked delicately.
"No" she shook her head and Bellatrix sat down opposite. Hermione cleared her throat "So. I've been under pressure by my parents to... meet someone new. I didn't have anyone else to talk to"
Bellatrix nodded, moving to sit beside her. "I agree. Regulus would want you to move on"
Hermione looked up, feigning a wince. "Any ideas?"
"Well" Bellatrix tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully "Bartys free, but he's mental. Cute, and a brilliant shag, but mental."
"You had a thing with Barty?"
Bella laughed "I've had a thing with everybody, darling. But anyway, scrap Barty. He's unhinged. I mean, unless you like that?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Any of the Rowle's? Thorfinn isn't exactly ugly, and Elladora you knew her in school right?"
"Her and Reg were on the Quidditch team"
Bellatrix scrunched up her nose "Maybe Stan? I mean you've known him forever. And he's not a total sleaze after a while."
Bingo.
She pretended to consider, thinking it over as Bellatrix watched her with a grin. "I mean, sure. I wouldn't mind"
"Excellent. Now someone can keep me company at those dreadful family dinners"