===January 2 1994===
Hermione leans against Harry as they ride back to Hogwarts. "It was really nice having everyone together for Christmas."
Harry nods. "It was, and we'll have everyone together again at the wedding."
Hermione nods. "I know." She sighs. "So have you given any thought to who you're going to ask to be your fourth groomsman? Since my cousin Amanda is being added in?"
Harry nods. "I was thinking of Draco. He might not like the idea of dancing with a muggle, but then between our two wedding parties we'd have a representative from each house."
"That's brilliant!" Hermione says. "Lavender has been bugging me about bridesmaids dresses, and you've given me inspiration. We can have each bridesmaid in a different color, each representing a Hogwarts house."
"That's brilliant, I'll have the groomsmen accessories match their counterparts dresses." Harry says.
"I love it!" Hermione kisses him.
#####
Everybody was filling into the Great Hall for the welcome back feast. Harry leaves Hermione at the Gryffindor table and heads over to the Slytherin table. "Draco, got a minute?"
Draco nods and the two of them walk to a quieter corner. "What's going on?"
"I need a huge favor."
"I'm listening."
"We were asked to add Hermione's cousin as a bridesmaid, so I need another groomsman." Harry explains. "Any chance you would be a groomsman?"
"What exactly would I have to do?" Draco asks.
"Stand beside Ginny during the ceremony, then you'd be expected to have one dance with Hermione's cousin. The rest is up to you." Harry explains.
"Why are you adding this cousin?" Malfoy asks.
"They're coming from the States." Harry explains. "And apparently the cousin and Hermione got along previously."
"I'll do it, but you owe me."
Harry grins. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
#####
Ron lays on his bed as Harry unpacks. "So how was your Christmas Harry?"
"Best Christmas yet." Harry says. "Hermione's parents arranged for Sirius to join us at her Grandmum's."
"Really?" Ron asks, unbelieving. Harry nods. "That really must have been great."
"It was, it really was." Harry says as he pulls a broom out of his trunk.
"Blimey Harry!" Ron exclaims. "Is that what I think it is?"
Harry grins. "Sirius heard my old broom was destroyed, so he bought me this for Christmas." He hands the broom to Ron.
"I can't believe it, it's a Firebolt." Ron says. "This is the fastest broom on the market."
Harry sees the envy in his friend's eyes. "I'll tell you what Ron, next weekend I'll test it out, then it's all yours anytime I'm not using it."
"Seriously?" Ron asks.
"Of course." Harry says. "If there's one thing I can trust you to do it's take care of my broom."
"Thanks Harry."
===January 4 1994===
Hermione is putting up her notes at the end of Ancient Runes when a piece of the paper falls off the front of her desk. Cheshire grabs the paper off the floor and gives it back to Hermione. "Might I ask what exactly you have here?"
Hermione looks at the paper, it's the schematics for Malachi's arm. "It's a side project, I'm helping a friend."
"What is your friend trying to do?" Cheshire asks.
"Use his own magic to power the augmented muggle prosthetic."
Cheshire looks at the paper. "There's an error in the rune chain. Wait, I know this handwriting. What did you say your friend's name was again?"
"I actually didn't say his name." Hermione says.
"Please tell me."
"Malachi Meris." Hermione says.
"Mal, he's still alive." Cheshire whispers. "Miss Granger, why are you helping Mal?"
"Malachi trained me and Harry this past summer." Hermione answers.
"Trained?"
Hermione whispers. "Hunin, Mugin." Her daggers appear. "Harry can summon a sword." She makes the daggers vanish.
"You two are Mageknights?" Cheshire asks and Hermione nods. "Did he tell you what happened to the others like him?"
"He killed them, and many others when was under Voldemort." Hermione answers. "He has since severed that allegiance." She taps the schematic to make her point. "Literally."
Cheshire gasps. "I had no idea, please I need to see him. Can you help me?"
"Will you help him?" Hermione asks, still holding the schematics.
"Of course."
"Then I have a plan."
===January 29 1994===
Hermione and Cheshire are in McGonagall's office. "Thank you for the use of your floo Minerva." Cheshire says.
"You're very welcome." McGonagall says. Then she watches as Hermione and Cheshire floo to The Leaky Cauldron.
"Hello ladies, right on time I see." Tom, the proprietor says.
"Thank you, Tom." Cheshire says.
Tom leads the two of them back to the private room. "Did you need anything while you wait?"
"Just water please." Cheshire says.
An hour later Malachi walks into the tavern and heads to the backroom. He walks into the room and sits at the table. "I got what you asked for." He pulls a box out of his pocket and hands it to Hermione. "Inside is a necklace that should block the worst of the dementors' effects on the wearer, unfortunately it'll only work once and for about an hour or so."
"Thank you for getting this to me so quickly." Hermione says.
"It's no problem." Malachi says. "Though I could have just sent it via owl."
"The truth is I wanted to get you here." Hermione admits.
"What?" Malachi asks as he gets up.
"Sit back down Mal." Cheshire says as she steps out the corner of the room.
Malachi looks shocked. "Ches?"
Cheshire sits at the table. "Please sit, I heard we have a lot to talk about."
Malachi sits and looks at Cheshire. He smiles as he takes in her normal outfit. "You look good Cheshire."
"You don't look too bad yourself." Cheshire says.
Malachi notices a glint of metal on Cheshire's hand. "You're still wearing my ring."
"I put it back on after Miss Granger told me you're on our side now." Cheshire says. "You are on our side now, right?"
"Of course." Malachi says.
"Good, cause in spite of everything I never stopped loving you, and would like to pick our relationship back up." Cheshire says.
"I'd like that too." Malachi says as he reaches out with his right hand and covers her left hand.
"Good, then you can take me to your shop so I can fix your rune chain. You're going to need both arms to keep up with me."