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Nothing much happened today.

The thestrals were expecting us, or at least they didn't seem surprised to see us, and they ate up the food we brought them. We didn't run into any acromantulae (or acromantula bits, for that matter), and we checked the Bloodthirsty Briars for any more hair, but nothing turned up. We didn't encounter any centaurs, at least none that we could see, but it still felt like we were being watched so we assumed one of them was following us. We saw a Skrewt, but it was still alive, so we left it well enough alone. Would any bits from a skrewt even be useful?

We went deeper in to see if we could map out some of the other areas and get familiar with them. Luna stumbled across some Deadlyius mushrooms, and Nev knew how to manage them properly so we collected some for Mr Snape before heading home.

Hermione, if you want to meet in the Secret Room to get the portkey back, I can be there before curfew tonight.

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If you're planning on going back again before the end of the year, Ev, then why don't you just keep hanging on to the portkey. It's far more important to have it at Buckingham. I can't imagine I'll need it in the next week or two.

Yes, we want to get in as many as we can before Nev comes of age. Not that we'll stop then, but it's loads safer with all four of us.

I'll just keep it in my trunk, then.

Hermione, are you sure that's wise?

We got the portkey so that you'd have it in case of needs you can't necessarily anticipate.

I'm sure it's fine. It'd be different if Carrow were still here, or Umbridge, or if I weren't at the school. But I doubt anything would come up so I couldn't get to Madam Pomfrey or Professor Sprout or Mr Snape to get away, if I had to do. It's only another week or so.

Would you mind pressing her about this again? I know she won't listen to me.

She doesn't like to think about how being muggleborn makes her more vulnerable, because that in turn makes her believe she's somehow a liability to us. Not that I can read her mind, or anything. But that's my speculation.

~~Asking for help~~

What makes you think she'd listen to me?

But I agree, it makes me uneasy. Why not ask Evelyn to make sure it gets back to her?

I don't think she'll accept it from Evelyn, that's why.

There's only a handful of people she might listen to on this. You're one of them.

I thought you lot were all about making your own decisions and playing it your way?

Before your feathers get ruffled, don't fret. I'll talk to her.

I want her to make her own decisions, but if they're going to be risky ones then she needs to make them while at least acknowledging the reality of the risk, rather than just brushing it aside.

If she wants them to have it in the Forest, fine. There's no good reason not to return it to her when they're between excursions.

You. Want Hermione. To acknowledge the risks inherent in her decisions.

Interesting.

How long have you fancied her, then?

That question says a great deal about your impression of me, you realise, as well as how you, yourself, relate to other people. Specifically, to assume that I am incapable of looking out for another person unless they have some kind of intrinsic value to me, personally, might lead others to believe that you also look out for those you value, first and foremost. Particularly when they decide to do something risky.

Which can only mean that you see me as someone who operates under the same principles you do.

I didn't know you thought we had so much in common.

More in common than you realise. We are family, after all.

My brother and I perfected the art of evading uncomfortable questions.

But don't worry; I was just joking, anyway. Of course, the danger of humour is that it can hit nerves.

She's not budging. Yet. But she did immediately figure out that you were behind the fresh request.

It's not an uncomfortable question. We're simply not in the habit of sharing, you and I.

It may be hard for you to fathom, but she's my friend, and she knows me well enough to know I can be stubborn. Though possibly not as stubborn as she can be.

Correct. And it's also a family trait to keep anyone unfamiliar off-balance so they don't feel comfortable asking uncomfortable questions.

Stubbornness is also a family trait.

And as one stubborn wizard to another, it's often counterproductive to push someone too hard. She'll just dig in harder.

You're probably right.

But what else can be done?

Please get the portkey back, Hermione.

We got it for you for a reason and it doesn't matter if it's two weeks left in term or the first week of it.

Don't forget Nott's still just round the corner. You can't anticipate everything.

Sirius,

It's not that I'm not anticipating trouble, or anything. Honestly, I'm more worried someone might spot me and Evelyn meeting to pass the portkey off than I am that something would happen and I'd need it.

Did Draco ask you to talk to me? He did, didn't he?

He thinks I can't take care of myself. Like he's the only one who can assume any sort of risk. I'm fine, really.

How are your exams going?

Sirius wrote to me last night asking me to get the portkey back from you. It was right after Draco wrote to Sirius, which I assume means that Draco asked him to talk to me.

Not to mention that Draco's been in a sulk every time I've seen him today.

I'm sure they're being over-protective but would you mind terribly bringing the portkey to the secret room this afternoon? I'm working on potions for Mr Snape so I can't really leave but if you come when you're done with exams for the day, I'll be here.

Boys can be awfully silly sometimes, can't they? It certainly can't hurt for you to have it close by, though, and I don't mind passing it back to you when we're not using it.

I'm sorry I was too scattered to stay and talk for long. I'm at the point where I'm overthinking everything and it's not doing me the least bit of good.

Thank you for clearing things up about antidotes, though.

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