Harry Potter: Love's Second Chance

Hermione wrinkled her brow as she thought of what was in the book. "I don't think so," She said. "I can skim back through it to make sure I remember what was in there."

"Then give it to Albus," Sirius said. Then with a grin he added. "It'll let him know you know everything about Horcruxes right?"

"That's what I was thinking. If we slip on something we have a reason," Hermione agreed.

"Do me a favor though," Sirius said. "See if you can eliminate my family crest from it. I don't want anything like that associated with the new House of Black."

"You're going to keep the same crest?"

"Of course, well I'm adding a second line to the text," Sirius said. " 'Toujours Pur de Coeur' is the new family motto. I figure it will keep my mother rolling in her grave."

"Always pure of heart," Hermione translated for Harry when he looked quizzically at her. "That's perfect Sirius."

"Thank you," Sirius replied with a smile as he pretended to bow. "You know how much I truly love my dear old mother," He smirked. "I don't think she really knew how apt my middle name truly was. All along she thought she was just naming me after my father Orion."

"Wha..." Hermione started but when she saw Harry start to laugh, she caught on quickly that if Sirius' middle was Orion, his initials would be SOB. "Especially for the mother of Padfoot?" She asked.

"Works that way too," Sirius laughed. "Okay kids I was eating and then planned to get back to work."

"We know," Hermione said and indicated a spot on her face where Sirius had a bit of sauce.

"Oh.." Sirius gave a quick swipe with a napkin. "Better?" When Hermione nodded he continued. "Ever since you told Kreacher the locket was destroyed he's redoubled his cleaning efforts. Now if I could just find a way to get my dear old mother off the wall, this place won't be half bad when you get here."

"I'll need you again soon with the cabinet," Hermione reminded him.

"I'll be here."

As Sirius faded from the mirror, Hermione looked at the book still in her hand. She liked the idea of the minor wording change to the Black crest and how it completely changed the entire message. As she continued to look at the Black crest, remembering Grimmauld place and all the dark magic that was in the house she thought of the rest of the pureblood families. "Do you think...think it will ever change?" Hermione asked softly.

"What change?"

"The Purebloods...the Government...everything."

"When Voldemort is really gone it should shouldn't it?" Harry asked.

"But...it didn't last time. I mean back when he tried to kill you as a baby. They thought Voldemort was truly gone and still nothing changed," Hermione explained. "After all the years of darkness the same people came back into power and pushed the same pureblood agenda. The people with money and influence didn't even get punished for their crimes."

Harry thought of Lucius Malfoy. A man who'd gladly kill muggleborns; who tried to kill them just to have a law overturned; a law that protected muggles. Though the man was now almost as good as dead, Harry knew there were plenty others just like him. "I'm not sure we can do anything about that," He said finally. "I'm not going to start killing people just because of political reasons."

"No...no I couldn't do that either," Hermione agreed. "I just wished..." She shrugged as she turned back to the books.

"Wished what?" Harry asked.

"Nothing," Hermione replied but then sighed when Harry kept looking at her, waiting. "I just wished there was something we could do...I mean after Voldemort."

"Maybe we can," Harry said. "We should have some influence after we kill Voldemort shouldn't we?"

"For a couple of years but then..." She took a deep breath and let out another sigh, "it will eventually come down to money. You saw how Lucius was always able to buy himself good press and good standings. A big donation to St. Mungos and he's in with the Minister. Dumbledore, with all of his prestige still could not get people to believe him once the smear campaign started against you in the fi...I mean this year. If it hadn't been for Luna, her father and the Quibbler, you'd never have had a voice," Hermione said as she looked over at Luna with a smile.

"But they believe me now," Harry argued.

"About Voldemort, yes they do, but once Voldemort is gone your influence will wane over time. If she survives, you can probably get Madam Bones elected while the Purebloods regroup. Your influence might even last ten years or so, but eventually they will be back. They will buy goodwill and support. They will...well you know what will happen."

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