Kick in the Arse of the Wizarding World - Alrissa
description
Transcript of Kick in the Arse of the Wizarding World - Alrissa
KickinthearseoftheWizardingWorldbyAlrissa
Hermionelifesuddenlychanges,courtesyofanexperimentconductedbyherselffromanalternate,futureuniverse.You'dthinkmessagesfromthefuturewouldhavemorethenvaguehintsandaheadache.Orwasthatfromfightingthetroll.CH1-3Beta-ed.Rated:FictionT-English-Adventure/Sci-Fi-HermioneG.-Chapters:16-Words:62,575-Reviews:348-Favs:686-Follows:577-Updated:6/23/2011-Published:2/6/2010-id:5724097URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5724097
TableofContents
TableofContents
1.Prologue
2.Chapter1:Dancingwithtrolls
3.Chapter2:TheWeasleyTwins
4.Chapter3:Ofquiddichandwarding
5.Chapter5:Memorablemoments
6.Chapter6:GreetingsandSanity
7.Chapter7:OldenemiesandInsanity
8.Chapter8:Fluffyinterludes
9.Chapter9:DragonsandFriends
10.Chapter10:ForestofDeath
11.Chapter11:Plot?
12.Chapter12:Traps&Tricks
13.Chapter13:Bestlaidplans
14.Chapter14:Year'sendpartI
15.Chapter15:YearsendII
16.Epilogue
Prologue
Chapter1:Prologue
Disclaimer:Donotown.
HermioneGrangerranintothebathroom,sobbing.ShehadthoughtitwouldbedifferentatHogwarts,thatshewouldmakeproperfriends.Butitwasthesame.Theridicule,theshunning.Herclassmatesonlycametohersoshewouldthinkandworkforthem.Shewasn'tsurehowmuchmoreshecouldtake.Inthepastshecouldgohome,toherlovingparentsandhernovels.Curlupinthebigchairinfrontofthefireplaceandreadagoodbook.Butnow?Shehadtoshareadormwiththesestrangers.
Magicwasgreat,buttherestofthethingsshelikedweregone.HerLackeyMercedesbooks,hercomputer,herUsenetdiscussionsande-mailpenpals.Shehadn'twrittenalineofcodeinweeks.
Shetriedwashingherfacetocalmdownbutcouldn't.Itwasjusttoomuch.Whatcouldshechange?Heracademicexcellencewasapartofwhoshewas.Shouldshecavein?Becomesomeone'shomeworkservantinexchangeforfriendship,oratleastappearanceofone?Sheknewenoughaboutsocialnetworkingtounderstandthepitfallsofendingupalone.Shehadlearnedthatlessonthehardway.
Everytimeshethoughtofgivinginandbecomingauselessvapidgirlhertearswelledbackuntilshefinallygaveuponcalmingdownandslidtotheground,huggedherkneesandjustcried.Shewasn'tsurehowmuchtimehadpassedbeforeshefeltsomething,likeawindintheairandastrangehummingnoise.Shelookedupandsawit,severalfeetinfrontofher,abluevortexswirlingintoexistenceinfrontofher,impossiblyrealinthemiddleofitandwaftingintosmokynothingnessalongtheedges.
'Oh,that'sjustlikewhatastablemicrosingularitywouldlooklike.'Shethoughtanddidn'tfinditatallunusualthatshe,amereelevenyearoldwouldevenknowwhatamicrosingularitywas.ForHermioneGrangerlikedtoknowthings.Shewantedtoknoweverythingshecouldlearn,andshelearnedquickly.
Plusherfatherwasasciencefictionfan.
Thesmallwhirlingbluevortexjusthoveredthereforamoment,untilasmall,flat,whitesquarehurledoutofitandhitherintheforeheadandfelltothefloor.Formomentshestaredattheoffendingimprobabilityasithungintheairinfrontofher
practicallymockingherinit'smagnificenceandthenthemomentpassedtheswirlingstilledandthebarelystablespacetimeconstructjustcollapsedintoitselfwithawhooshingsound.
Everythingwasquietagain.
"Thatwasabitmoreoddthanusual."shemutteredtoherselfassherubbedherforeheadandlookedatwhathadhither.
Shewouldhavebeenmoredisturbedafewmonthsago,beforeshewasletintothesecretofthemagicalworld.ShehadalreadyseentoomanyimpossiblethingslatelytofeelthewrongnessanddreadthathadpermeatedherwhenProfessorSproutpulledoutherwandatherparentshouseandprovedmagicexisted.Sheunderstoodthebasicprinciplesnow,eveniftheywerealittleonthevagueside.
Neverthelesssomethingaboutthesmallbutthickenvelope,perhapseightinchesacrosssetherteethonedgeandmadethehaironthebackofherneckraiseonit'sownaccord.PerhapsitwasthelettersH.J.G.thatwerewrittenonitinfamiliarcursivewriting.Herownhandwriting.
Shestaredforalongmomentandthenquickly,afraidshewouldchangehermindandtakethistoateachersheopenedtheenvelope.Asmallleathernecklacewithasmallbluestonefellout.Shegaspedandpickeditup.
Hangingfromtheleatherstrapattachedbyafragileandtotallyinadequatelookingsettingwasabluegemofsomesortthatglitteredinthelight.Atinysilverdragonwrappeditselfaroundthestoneprotectively.
Sheextractedtheletterfromtheenvelopeandstartedreading.
DearGreenhornMirage
Getaholdofyourselfandstoppanicking.
Now,IfItimedthisright(Andmycalculationsareperfect,thankyou
verymuch)thenyouneedalittlemetaphoricalkickinthebuttocks.
Iknowit'sbadbutitgetsbetter.Honestlyyoushouldknowbetterthanto
expectrespectfromchildren.Theywon'tchangeuntiltheyareolder.
Andsomewon'tchangeeventhen.
Goodnewsthough,ifyouarereadingthenIjustbecamethefirst
persontocompletelycircumventthetempo-spatialbarrier.
Guesswhat!Itispossibletomanipulatethetimelinethroughhigh
dimensionalphysics.Who'sthemostbrilliantmagitechsorceressin
theworld?
Weare.Well.Iam.Youmightbe.
Iknow,Iknow,butwhatabouttemporalparadox?Icallitthe
branchingworldtheory.Basically,Ineverreceivedtheletteryou
arereading.
Andthusanewtemporalbranchhasformedtoaccommodateyour
universe.Orperhapsmoreaccuratelyouruniversestouchedatone
specificmomentsotheycouldinteract.
Unfortunatelythepowerlevelsriseexponentiallywithmassofthe
objectsent.Honestlyyouwouldn'tbelievehowmuchpowerthis
experimentisgoingtoneed.Let'sjustsayittakesreallybigeffort
andavoidtheuseoftheprefixpentainthesentence.
Hermione'smindboggled.SheunderstoodtheideaoftimetravelbutshebelievedwhatEinsteinsaidabouttheimpossibilityofitonamacroscale.
Shewantedtoknowhowitwaspossible.Andshewouldnotfindoutuntilshecouldduplicatehercounterpartsachievement.Andshewassurehercounterpartknewthis.Shewasevil.
Sheshookherheadtopreventherthoughtsgoingoffonatangentandcontinuedreadingtheletter.
Iwon'ttellyouthefuture(makeyourown)
Here'ssomefreeemotionaladvicethough:
1.RonaldWeasleyisagit,withanemotionalrangeofateaspoon.
Hewillalwaysbeagit.Hehashisgoodpoints,andcanactuallylearn
whenit'sbeatenintohisheadbuthe'sstillagit.
Bestcasescenariotogethimtolistenistomakehimfearyou.Withhis
fierytemperandpurebloodarrogancesnuffedwithacooldoseof
fearheismucheasiertogetalongwith.
Ittookmebreakinghisarmduringchildbirth.
YesI'mmarriedtothegit.He'smygitnow.
TrueloveisamythandIlikehimwellenough.
Hermionefeltfaintandvaguelynauseated.MarriedtoRonaldWeasley."Ahhellno!I'mnotmarryingthatlousygit.I'dratherdie!"
2.Potterisamess.Ifyoumakefriendswithhimprepareforarough
ride..Hehadaroughchildhoodandreallywantssomeone,anyone,
tobethereforhim.
He'llbealoyalfriendthoughandagoodmantowatchyourbackin
trouble.(Don'tweartightjeansintrickysituations,itdistractshim
somethingawful.)
Thenthere'sthewholeVoldemortsituation.He'sawraith,he'll
wantHarrydead.Perhapsabodyforhimself.
I'llsayitagain.Prepareforaroughride.Itwasfunthough.
He'sboringinbedthough.Toomuchofabottom.Ginnyisa
top.Surprise!
Sheblinkedandre-readthelastsentence.Apparentlyshehad,ehem,relationswith
Potter.Shevaguelyhadanideathatabottomhadsomethingtodowithspankingandwonderedifsheevenwantedtofindoutwhatthetermsmeant.
ShepausedattheVoldemortpart,realisingthathercounterpartwaswarningherandfeltavaguelumpofanxietyandexcitementinherstomach.Itimpliedthemonsterwasaliveandthatshehadbeeninvolvedinfightingit.
Shehadreadaboutthisyou-know-wholunatic.Shewonderedwhatwaswrongwiththemagicalpeopletotrytoerasethenameofaman,evenanobviouslymadeupone.Well,perhaps.Orperhapstheman'sparent'swerejustcruel.Shehadnoticedthatnamesinthewizardingworldweresometimesoddlyappropriateforaperson'sprofessionoroutlookonlife.
3.DracoMalfoy.Hisfamilyisdangerous,theboyisspoiled,abully
andaborderlinekleptomaniac.Ifhecrossesthelinestomphisferret
ass.Trytomakeitaformalduelsohecan'truntodaddy,ormake
certainyouhavesomeotherleverage.
Getaholdof'FormalEtiquette'byAmandaGreengrassfromF&B.
IwishIreaditwhileIwasinHogwarts.(Yourallowanceshouldcoverit.)
Purebloodsdisrespectusmuggleborn,partlybecause,tothem,half
thetimeweactlikemanner-lessbuffoons.Theotherpartissheerprejudice.
Ashowofpowerwillgetyousomerespect.Showingeloquenceandwitwillgetyoumore.
DracoisasmuchofagitasRonaldWeasley.Thosetwoaremuchalike.
Dracoisamuchbettershagthough,allthatangerandselfloathingis
anicespiceinbed.
Hermionewasgettingafeelingofapatternhere.Troublesomementhatshesleptwith.
"WhatwasIsomesortofascarletwoman?"shewonderedasshecontinuedreading.
4.LunaLovegood.Youwon'tknowheryet.Befriendassoonayouseeher.
Sheisyourintellectualequal.Evenifsheiscomingtoitfromtheotherside.
Narglesareninedimensionalbeings.Don'tasktoseethemuntilyouwrap
yourmindaroundnoneuclideangeometryinArithmancy.
(Andforgodssakekeepupwithyourmaths.You'dbesurprisedwhata
calculatorandcollegelevelmathematicswilldowhenusedproperly.
NottomentionwhatIgotonceIransome"Impossiblylong"Arithmancy
equationsthroughMatlabonafourteengigahertzquadcoreprocessor)
Well,thatisforthepeoplethatareclosetomeinmylife.EvenifDracois
morelikeafamiliarpet,orperhapsanosywildcatthatpopsinoccasionally
forsomefoodandagoodscratch,thenanactualfriend.Poorguy,ittookhim
untilhisthirtiestoevolveintoahumanbeing,andtwentymoretobecomea
productivememberofsociety.
AndLunaisLuna.WithoutherI'dhavesnappedandwent
'Darkandterrible,
treacherousasthesea,
allwouldlovemeanddespair.'
onthestupidcorruptmisogynisticbastardsthatranthewizardingworld
beforeTheFall.
Thereareotherpeopleinmylifebutfranklyyoucanhandlethemonyour
own.Keepanopenmind.
Shefeltslightlybetter,afterreadingthis.Shealwayswantedafriendshecouldtalkto.Atleastitwasn'tanotherconquestshehadtokickinthegonads.Non-euclidiangeometrysoundedintriguing.Thoughsherememberedreadingsomethingaboutthe
conceptdrivingpeoplemadorsomething.
Thatquoteontheendseemedabitsinisterandshewonderedwhereshehadreaditbefore.
5.Lifedebts.Trytoavoidthem.
Whenconfrontingtrolls:staycalm,andseeifyoucanescape.Ifyou'retrapped,
useLumosMaximatoblinditandtrytolevitatesomethingheavyontotheirhead.
Likeaclubforinstance.
Ifallelsefailsjustfocus,poolyourpowerandoverpowera
Reductorcurseintoit'shead.Mostthingsdiewithouttheirhead.
(WandDiagramenclosed,touchthewordswithawandtosee.Tapagaintoreverttoletter.)
Seriously.I'mstuckwithalifedebttoPotter,andwhileheistrulyagoodfriendhe
canbeabitofanasshimselfattimes.ThenaggingneedtohelphimhoweverIcanis
kindofannoyingandsometimescounterproductivewhenheactuallyneedaswiftkickinthebuttocks.
IcancelledoutRonald'sbymarryinghim.Icanhexhisarseintoapuddleifheannoysmenow.
YesI'msmiling.
Also,andIcannotstressthisenough.STUDYWIZARDINGLAW.There
areloopholesandvaguelyknownsubclausesthatwillmakeyourlifeeasier
ifyouknowthembeforeyouareofage.
Sheeagerlypulledoutherwandandstudiedthespellasapartofherwonderedwhataboutwizardinglawwassoimportant.TheReductorspellwasinteresting.It
wasatype3spellwithvariableyieldconcussiondamagedependingontheamountofpowerchannelledintoit.Dangerous.Andthislifedebtsoundedhorrible.ShesmiledatthethoughtofhexingRonaldWeasleyandthenfeltsorryforhercounterpartforherapparentinabilitytodoso,evenforalittlewhile.
6.Hintaboutmagic:ArithmancyistheAssemblerwhileRunesareHigherprogramminglanguage.
WandedSpells?Selfexecutables.
ButonlyEuropeanandAmericanmagesusewands.
Hermionegrinnedingleefinallyseeinganexplanationofmagicthatmadesense.
Shemadeamentalnotetostudyrunesassoonaspossible.
"Needletomatchstickindeed"Shegrumbledtapingthelettertocontinuereadingit.
Andlastbutnotleast?
7.Power.
Don'tlistentoanyoneinthewizardingworldthatclaimsthatones'magicalcore'isfixedatbirth.Onesnaturalinclinationisbutmagiciscomposedfrommentalenergiesofthemind,thechemicalenergiesofthebodyandofspiritualenergiesofthesoul.
Soulisfixed.Thisisthe'magicalcore'thateveryoneisyammeringaboutandisactuallynotpoweringyourspellsdirectly.Magicisthelightofthesoul.Let'snotgettoometaphysicalfornow.
Theothertwo,mindandbodycanandwillincreasewithpractice.Meditativepractice,mentalandphysicalwilldowondersforamagicuser.
Infactifyoufocusenoughintothemindartsandexerciseyourbodythelightofyoursoulwillgrowmatchtheenergiesofyourmindandbody.
Andthenthereisexternalmagic,channellingthedragonlines,elementalmagic,spiritlines,magicalfocalpoints,andsoon.
Youwouldn'tbelievehowmuchofarushitis,callingdownalightningstrikeandabsorbingtheenergiestoreplenishyourown.Don'ttryitifyoudon'tknowwhatyouaredoing.Agoodbenchmarkisthis.Ifyoucanproducelightningyoucanabsorblightningofsimilarstrength
Soenoughwiththeinadequacyissues.Seriously.Youareawitch,youhaveitwithinyoutobeasorceressandnooneisallowedtobullyyou!
Awarmfeelingspreadthroughherheart.Shewaswrong.Maybeshedidbelonghere.
Workonyourmindandyourbodyinyourspellcastingfromthestartandyoucanprettymuchwriteyourownticket.
Theenclosedamuletisdesignedforyouprotectionwearitatalltimes.Ithasbeencharmedwitha'noticemenot'enchantment,thecordandthejewelareunbreakable,andnoonecantakeitoffyouwithoutyourconsent.
Itwillhelpyoureplenishyourenergiesfasterbychannellingoutsideenergiesintoyouwhenyoursarelow.Thenetresultisthatyouwillnaturallyhealtwiceasfast,fightpoison,foreignmagicinfluenceanddiseasemoreeasily.Theexcessenergywillalsoshoreupyourmentalbarriersonceyouhavethemupandgenerallyhelpyouadvanceabitfasterthenwithjustyourlightofthesouldoingallthework.
Ihaven'tneededitforalongtimenow,havinglearnedtochannelenergiesonmyown.Itismygifttoyourfutureandsafety.
Ialsotookthelibertyofenchantingthesilverdragonwithsomeprotectivewardsofmydesign,whenyoulearnenoughrunesyoucanpickthemapartandlearnwhattheydo.Atthatpointyoumaychoosetodetachthedragonanduseitseparately.Thestonewillretainfullfunctionality.
Oh,thestonecanalsoactasapowerfulyetundetectableportkeyfocuswhenyoulearntomakeone.Icallitthewardcrasher.
Bestwishes.
Rhea,ReignMonger
aka
HermioneJaneGranger(formerlyWeasley)
P.S.IfandwhenyouchoosetohavesexdoNOTmakeyourfirsttimeinatentwithnoaccesstopropershowerwhilehidingfrompeoplewhowandtokillyou.
P.P.S.IfyourversionofPottertriestonamehischildAlbusSeverushexhimuntilhechangeshismind.
P.P.P.S.PleasedoperuseTheBookListandthebrieffinancialoverviewofthe1990's(Icouldhaveextendeditintothefirsthalfofthe21stcentury,butwhyspoilthefun.)
Hermione'smindwasawhirlofthoughtasshelookedatthenecklacewithanewsenseofawe.
Sheknewtheletterwastruebecausenooneknewofthehandleshepeddled'grey'softwareunder.Shehesitatedforamomentandthenplacedtheleathercordaroundherneck.Sheputitunderhershirtandsighed.
Shealwayswantedadragonpendantofsomesort.
Shetookadeepbreathandsetouttoimedeatelyrereadtheletterandexplorethehiddenpartsofit.Shehadmuchtothinkabout.Leastofallwhattheletterimpliedonthenatureoftheuniverse.Orthatshepossiblycheatsonherhusband.ExHusband?AndwhowasLunaLovegood?
Chapter1:Dancingwithtrolls
Disclaimer:Donotown
Battleawarenessismerelyaselfdefensereactionofthehumanbraintolifeordeathsituations.Itisawelldocumentedoccurrence,wheretimeseemstostretchandsecondsseemlikeallthetimeintheworld.Thissocalled'bullettime'isamagicallyinducedversionofthisthatplaysontheinitialevent.Ithingesonthebraindevelopingtheconnectionsonit'sown,throughfearanddetermination.
Chapter1Dancingwithtrolls
Theheavyfootsteps,crashesandgruntscalledherbackfromdeepthought.
'It'scouldn'tbe'shethoughtasnoisecamecloser.Shequicklyputtheletterandthejournalinherbagandgotoutherwand.
Whateveritwasstoodjustoutsidethedoormakingsniffingnoises.Shelookedaroundforaplacetohide.Thebathroomwassimple,sixstallsalongonewall,largeenoughforanadulttostretchhishandsandnottouchthewalls,arowofmirrorsandsinksalongthewalloppositefromthestalls.Acomfortablelookingbenchwasatthebackwall,oppositethedoorway.Likeallroomsinthecastleitwasaratherlargeroombutthestallsweretheonlyplaceyoucouldconceivablyhidein.
Shedecidedtostandhergroundandseewhatitwas,hopingagainstlogicthatitwasn'tatroll.
Thedoorsslammedopenandsomethinghuncheddowntopassthroughtheframe.Thetrollwasatleastsevenoreightfeettall,thoughitwasdifficulttotellwithithunchedoverlikethat.Thebeastwasanuglygreenthingwithleatheryskin,blacknailsandbeadyyelloweyes.Shelookeddown.Ah,itwasahe,andheseemedtohavelostthatlittleloinclothtrollsinbookswore.
"Isodon'tneedthis."Hermionemutteredasthetrollsteppedtowardsherandshesteppedbackwardstowardsthemiddleoftheroom.Thefloorshookfaintlyfromitsfootsteps.
Herheartwaspoundinginherchestandhermouthfeltdry.Shewasshaking,andthefloorwasslipperybeneathherfeet,butstrangely,calmandclarityhadsettledinherhead,likeawhitebubbleofpurpose.Andtheworldnarroweditselftoherandthetroll.
Shegrippedherwandasthetrollraisedit'sclubtothecreelingandswung.
"LumosMaxima!"sheexclaimedandthrewherselfbackwards,fallingonthehardtiles,hittingherhead.Thebubbleofwhitelightactuallydetacheditselffromthetipofherwandandthenflashedjustinfrontofthetrollshead.Thetrollroaredastheblindinglightexplodedinfrontofit'seyes.Hisswingwentawry,violentlyshatteringthefirststallandapieceofthefloorbellowit,pepperingherwithshards.
"WingardiumLeviosa."Shecarefullyenunciated,lyingonherback,achingfromherawkwardfall.Shetuggedthecluboutofhislefthandwhilehewasstillbusyrubbinghiseyeswithhisright.Foramomentitseemeditwouldworkbutthemonsterblindlygrabbedattheclubthatshetriedfloatoutofhisreachandpulled.Itwasaclosething,hermagicversushisstrength.
Butshewasonlyafirstyear.Hermagicslippedandthetrollyelledinrageandtriumph,steppingcloserandkickedheracrosstheroomandintothemiddleofthebackwall.Shehitthebenchonthewaydownandthenfoundherselflyingfacedownonthefloor.Herwandhadslippedoutofherhandandrolledtoastopunderthelastsink.Justnexttothetrollsleg.Ithadcomeclosertoherwhileshewasdazedfromthehit.
Sheeyedherwandinhorrorandtheimpossiblefivefeetofdistancebetweenherandthewandandthenshelookedupatthetroll.Thedarnedthing'skneewaslevelwithherhead!
"Iamnotlettingyoukillmeyougreenskinnedmonster!"Sheyelledatitindefianceassheraisedherselftoherknees.Thetrolltiltedit'sheadinpuzzlement,blinkingit'sbeadyyelloweyestryingtogetabetterlook.Finallyheshruggedandliftedhislegoverherhead,intentoncrushingtheannoyingthingintopaste.
Hereyesslippedpasttheimpossiblylargefootandafeelingofcalmandclaritycrackledaroundtheedgesandshatteredwithafreshsurgeofadrenalineandanger.Thatdamnedthingwasheretokillherendshe'dbedamnedifshewillletit.Sheraisedherhandandconcentratedonit'smiddle.
"Reducto!"sheyelledpouringeveryounceofherwillandremainingstrengthintothespellimaginingthewandinherhand.Awaveofmagicburnedacrossherhandandalongthatthing'sleg,leavingburnedblistersbeforeitmadecontactwithit'sgroinandliftedthetrollintotheairandandsentitcrashingintothemiddleoftheroom..ThefloorshookandTrollletoutadeafeningroar,droppingtheclubandclutchinghisunmentionablesjustasHarryPotterandRonaldWeasleyranintothebathroom,yellinghername.Theystoppedandstaredasthetrollthatastrashingand
screaminginthemiddleoftheroom.
Unnoticedbyanyonethesmallpendanthiddeninhershirtstoppedglowingblue.
Shegotupfromherknees,heartpounding,handsshaking,andsteppedoutofthewayofthethrashing,wailingbeastinfrontofherandstaredinasemidetachedmanner.
'Isthiswhatshockfeelslike?'shethoughtassheliftedherhand.Herwandabsentlyfloatedbackintoherpossession.SheglancedatRonald,smiledsweetlyandthenpointedherwandattheclub.'Itfeelskindagood'
"Wingardiumleviosa."Shecarefullyenunciatedandliftedtheclubintotheaircontrollingthemovementcarefullywithherwandandthensheslammeditintothebeastshead,once,twice,threetimes.
Thewailingstopped.
Theboysstared.
"B..Blimey."Ronaldexclaimedandsheknewhewouldneverdareridiculehercompetenceagain..
AndHermionesighed,lettingtheclubfloatbacktothefloor.Noonecouldharmhernow,shewassafeshehadthepowertoprotectherself,andshewoulduseit.ThefeelingofsomethingleakingdownherfacedistractedherfromthelookabjectterroronRonaldWeasley'sface..
'Ohno!AmIcryingagain?'shetouchedherfaceandlookeditwasred,shetastedit.Salty.'WhendidIgetbloodonme?'
Shewaveredonherfeetfeelingabitdizzyastheworldgreyedaroundthecornersofhereyes.
"Thatishowyoucastaproperlevitationspell,Ronald."Shesaidtotheboysjustassomeoneenteredthedoors.Sheturnedherheadtolookwhoitwasbuttheworldswirledaroundherandthenwentblack.
JustmomentsbeforethetrollincidentRonaldWeasleywaswaveringbetweenfearandanger.Potterhadforcedhimtogofindtheknow-it-allandjudgingbythesoundsdownthehallwayshewasintrouble.Anditwashisfault.Pottermightditchhimforthis.Why'dshehavetogoallemotionalanyways?Stupiduselessgirls.
HeglancedathisfriendjoggingjustaheadofhimandtowardsthebathroomwhenheheardHermioneyellsomethingandsawablindingflashthroughthedoorway.Thetroll'sroarmadehimshiverandhelookedatHarry.Theboysprintedfullspeedtowardsthebathroom,wandout,andRonjoinedhimalmostasecondbehindpullingouthiswandasheran.
RonandHarryranintothebathroomtohearhercastaspellandtrollfalldown.Theywincedastheelectrifiedfeelofconcentratedmagicprickledacrosstheirskinandturnedpaleastheywatchedthetrollgrabhiscrotchandtrashabout,bleedingonthefloor.
Theboyswatchedasshecalmlygotupwithherfaceallbloodyandclothestorn.Shesteppedoutoftheway,levitatedherwandfromthefloor,andmercilesslybeatthescreaminggreen,hugebloodytrollwithhisownclub.
"B...Blimey!"Heexclaimed"Iinsultedthat!I'msodead!"Hemutteredtohimselfandshuddered.
"Thatishowyoucastaproperlevitationspell,Ronald."Thebatteredandsomewhatderangedlookinggirlsaidinasoft,dangeroustoneofvoiceandRonpaledfurtherwhileHarryturnedbacktolookathimwithsomethingakintofearorperhapshorror.
HewasshovedoutofthewaybySnape,andherealisedthatthebushyhairedterrorhadpassedout.
Theprofessorrushedrightpastthetroll,lettingoutacasualstupefyintoit'sheadashepasseditandstartedmutteringandpassinghiswandoverthegirl.
ProfessorMcGonogalheardthebeastroarinangerandranwithallherspeedtowardsthesound;professorFlitwick,despitehissmallstaturewasonlyafewstepsbehindher.Yetsheknewshe'dbetoolate.Shetookinthedevastatedbathroomwhensheentered;ProfessorSnapewaspreformingdiagnosticcharmsovertheprone,bloodiedgirlher,andheartclenchedflashingbacktothewarandthebatteredformsofherstudentsdeadatherfeet.
Sheblinkedandshookofthememoriesandlookedcloseratthetroll.Itlookedtoomessytobeacastrationhex;Nowthatshethoughtaboutit,it'sheadandchestlookedabitmisshapenaswell.NowonderthetwoGryfindoorboyslookedpale.Sheconjuredawhitesheetandwithaflickofherwanditsettledacrossit'smidsection.
"Sowhathappened?"askedMcGonogalinacalmneutraltoneofvoicewhileprofessorFlitwickcarefullyapproachedthebeast.SheknewSnapewastoobusymakingsurethegirlwasnotgoingtodietobotherhimwithquestions.Notthatshe
wasgoingtodie.Kidsdon'tdieatHogwarts.Notanymore.Notsincethewar.Notever.Notagain.
TheboyslookedateachotherandMisterPottervisiblypulledhimselftogetherandstartedtocalmlyexplain.Theboytrulyhadhisfather'smannerismsdown.
"WeheardHermionewasupsetandshutherselfinhere,sinceshedidn'tknowaboutthetroll,sowecametowarnher."Potterstartedtoexplain."Bythetimewecametothecorridorweheardnoisesandthetroll'sroaring.Thentherewasabrightflashoflightfromtheroomaswerantowardsit."
"Wewantedtosaveher."AddedapalelookingmisterWeasleyinashakyvoice."Shedidn'tknowaboutthetroll,shemissedthefeastyousee."
"Onlyshedidn'tneedsaving.Bythetimewegotthereshehadalreadydroppedthetrollandwasbeatingitwithit'sownclub!"
Potteradded,theboywasobviouslyimpressedbythegirl'sfeat.Shewasslightlyscepticalaboutthebeatingthetrollwithit'sownclubpart,howevertheboysprobablymisunderstoodsomething.Ifthegirltrulyhadbeatenthethingonherownafterascantfewweeksoftraining...
Thepossibilitieswhirledinhermind.
ShehadinitiallythoughthatSnapehadsavedthegirl,thedevastationthetrollsufferedwasexactlyhisstyle.Although,nowthatshethoughtaboutit,heprobablywouldn'tgoforthegroin.Menusuallydidn't.
"BlimeyI'llnevergetonthatgirl'sbadsideagain!"MisterWeasleyaddedsomewhatredundantly.
Snapecameoverlevitatingthegirl."That'sthefirstintelligentthingIheardfromyouallyear,Weasley."
"Howisshe?"McGonogalasked,concerned.Herclothesweredamagedandherfacewasscratchedandbloody.OhgoddessBastletherbearight
"Shehasaminorconcussion,cutsandbruises,crackedrib,magicalexhaustionandherrighthandisburntfromtheinsideforsomeoddreason,probablyaburstofaccidentalmagicofsomesort.She'lllive."Hesaidinamonotone.Heglancedatunconscioustrollthatwasstillbleedingonthefloorraisedaneyebrow."ThoughI'mnotthatsureaboutthetroll,"andraisedaneyebrowatFlitwick.
"It'sdead."thediminutiveprofessorsaidcheerfullyashejoinedthem."I'mnotsureifit'sthecrackedskullorthebleeding."
McGonogalcouldseethewheelsturninginthediminutiveprofessorsheadandshegrowledinwardlyasshecockedaneyebrow.Nowayhewasgettingthisone.Shewastrainingherandthatwasfinal.
Flitwicklookedatherforamomentandsmiledsardonically.Acceptingthechallenge.
LaterthateveningtherumoursweregoingwildintheGryffindorcommonroom.
"Heydidyouhear?ThatGrangergirlgotcorneredbythetrollandgotclobbered.She'sinthehospitalwingwithaconcussion."Avoicecouldbeheard,andoverheard.
"Iheardthetrollwasinaworseshapethenshewas."Someoneelsewouldcorrect.
"IheardPottersayshetookitout."DeanThomassaid,andhimbeingadormmatethatpracticallymadehimaneyewitness.
"RonaldWeasleyisscaredwitlessandmutteredsomethingaboutherclubbingthethingtodeath."wasaddedtothegrapevineasfact.
Therewereafewsceptics,buttheywerequicklyconvinced.
"Ohcomenow,that'sridiculous.Anicklefirstietakingoutatroll,withit'sownclub?"
"Isawthetrollwhentheprefectstransportedit."IntonedPercyWeasleygravely"Itwascoveredinasheet.ProfessorSnapeconfirmedthatGrangerdiditin.Nowenoughgossiping!Headmasterwillclearthingsuplater,soofftobedwithyoulot!"
Intheend,itwouldalwaysstayinthebackofthemindsofGryffindors,howthestrayRavenclawwastrulyoneofthem.Evenifshewasaknowitall.
ThateveninganemergencystaffmeetingwasheldintheTeacher'sLounge.
"HowisyourGryffindorMinerva?"askedAlbusDumbledore.
"SheisstablebutPoppywantedtostayandmonitorhercondition.Shehassomesortofheadinjurybutwillprobablybefine."anagitatedlookingMcGonogalexplained.
"Iwanttoknowhowatrollgotpastthecreaturewards?"askedProfessorSnape.
"Ihadtotakeitdowntemporarilytohelpsetdefencesforyou-know-what.Itmusthavesnuckinthen."SaidDumbledore"Wemustcheckthegroundstonighttoensurenothingelsemadeitpastthewardlimit.Quirrel?Doyouhaveanideahowweshouldgoaboutsweepingthecastle?"
Themeetingandpatrolslastedintothenighttosometimeaftermidnight.Noothercreatureswerefound.
Hermionewokeuptoapoundingmigraineandlaidverystill,shestoppedbreathing,fearingherheadwouldfallapartandhalfhopingitwould.
Sheopenedhereyes,abruptlyclosedthemagainandgroanedthelightwaswaytoobright.
"Iamgladthatyouarebackwithus,MissGranger."Sheheardavoiceandshecarefullyopenedhereyesagain.MadamPomfreywaspreparingasalvenexttoherbed.
"Nowrelaxrelax,thiswillhelpwiththecuts."thenursesaidasshelightlydabbedthepotiononherfaceandshoulders.Theliquidwaswarmandstungalittlebutquicklycooledandsoothedcausingatinglyfeelingtospreadacrossherbodyandsheclosedhereyesagain.
"Don'tgotosleepyet.Howareyoufeeling?"avoiceaskedandHermioneopenedhereyesagain.
"Think'mok."shesaid."Headhurts.MyjawhurtsifImoveittomuch.Can'tfeelmyhand?"Shelooked.Herhandwaswrappedinbandages.
"Yesthatwouldbetheconcussionandmagicalexertioncombining."MadamPomfreynodded."Reactionheadachesarebadenoughwithoutgettingyourbrainphysicallyscrambled."
"Whataboutthehand?"Hermioneaskedconcerned.
"Strangetissueandskinburns,I'mnotsurefromwhat.Didyoubotchaspell?"Thehealeraskedwithcuriosity.
Hermionetriedtonodandthenreachedforherheadwithherlefthand.Herrightarmjustlaythereuselessly.
ShehelpedHermionesitupandhandedherapotionvial."Drinkthis.Itwillhelpwiththeconcussionandthepain.Yourmagicwillrecoversoonenough."
Hermionegulpedthefoulliquidbarelytastingit.Thesoothingsensationspreadacrossherheadalmostinstantlyandshethankedwhatevergodswerelistening.Itstillhurtbutitwasmuchbetter.
"Whataboutmyarm?"Sheasked.
"Iimmobilisedittoavoidfurtherinjury."Pomfreysaid,passingherwandoverHermione'shead."Yes,thisshouldalleviatethedangerfromyourconcussion.Sleepnow,I'llbewakingyouupperiodically.
"Th'ky'."Hermionemumbledalreadydriftingofftosleep.
"YouarewelcomeMissGranger.Restandhealchild.Justrestandheal."Intonedthemediwitch,gentlyswipingasheenofsweatfromthegirl'sforehead.
MadamPomfreystayedthereallnightcarefullymonitoringthegirl'scondition,herbodyandethicseasilyrememberingwartimereserveswhensleepwasaluxuryandmedicationscarce.Sherememberedthestrokesandtheburnoutsthatthesimplepotionshegavethegirlcouldhaveprevented.
"Restchild.Iwillcareforyou."
Chapter2:TheWeasleyTwins
Disclimer:Donotown.
"IbelieveitwasTheReignMongerwhofirstcameupwiththeconceptofScenarioDivination.Itwaswhenshestartedtoseriouslydelveintothemindartswhenshefirstbegantonoticethattheinherentrandomnessoftheuniversecannotbepredictedwithoutfail.Whatonecandoisusesituationalawareness,andgentlynudgeprobabilityinthedirectionwewishittogo.Pleaseunderstandthatthisismoreadegreeofmanipulationandlessamagicalartinit'sownright.TheintangibilityoftheartissummedupinthequotebyTheReignMongerherself:'YouwillfindthatScenarioDivinationislikecondensingyourrealityfromthevapourofnuancearoundyou.IfyouwishtobecomeaSorceressyoumustworkonyourawarenessoryoucannotleadtroopsinbattle.Power,afterall,ifuselessifyoudonotknowwheretoapplyit.'"
Hogwarts,Sorcery101class
Chapter2.Theweasleytwins(ofdoom)
Hermionemadeherwaydowntothegreathallfeelingvaguelypleasedwithherself.Shehadanaggingfeelingsomethingwasoffbutthesmelloffoodwasdrivingmostthoughtsoutofherhead.Assheenteredshenotedthatiswasonlyhalffull,butarelativelybusySilencefellaroundherasshenearedtheGryffindortable.SuddenlytheWeasleytwinsnoticedher,exchangedlooksandgrinned.Theyjumpedtotheirfeetandapproached,bowingexaggeratedly.
"AllhailHermioneGranger,SlayerofTrolls"StatedFredinaloudvoice
"DestroyerofBathrooms."Georgeinterjected
"TheGirlWhoKickTrollButtocks."hisbrothercontinued
"PatronofTileLayers"Georgeaddedashegrabbedherlefthandandbowedhisforeheadtoit.
"Annihilatorof..."Fredstartedtosaywhenhewasinterruptedbyaloudgrowl.AstheystoppedforamomenttolookatherandthenherstomachHermioneblushed.Ordinarilyshe'dhavebeenannoyedbysuchchildishantics,butshewasfeelingcheekythismorning.Lifewastooshorttoforegofun.Shestoodupstraightandintonedinamostsombreandhaughtyvoice.
"Thankyoumyloyalknights,Youmayworshipmelater.Rightnowthereusanewquestbeforeus.Iwillbeslayingtoast,acoupleofeggsandabouthalfapig."Shepaused,struckaheroicposeandpointedatthetable."Tobattle!"shecalledoutandthenbrokeintochucklesasthetwinstookuphercallgraspedherelbowsandtookuphercrybyyelling"VictoryorToast!"
Laughterspreadthroughthehallatthetwinsusualanticsastheymaderoomforherbetweenthemandattendedherwithexaggeratedmanners.OccasionallyburstingintodeclamationandcommentaryonhowtheBattleoftheBreakfastBaconswasgoingtobreaktheHungerWarsofTuesday.
ThesillinessofitallwouldhavemadetheoldHermionemiffed,andyetnowshefoundtheattentioncomforting.
Sheglancedattheteacher'stabletocheckiftheanticswerebeingfrowneduponandencounteredthetwinklingwarmthoftheheadmaster'samusedgaze.Henoddedatherandstoodup.
"MayIhaveyourattentionforafewmomentsplease."Hisstrongvoiceechoedacrossthegreathallandthestudentsquieted.
"LastnightaTrollsomehowenteredthecastle.Exactlyhowhepassedthroughthewardsisbeinginvestigated.Onestudentwasunawareofthisandwascaughtoffguardandcorneredbythetroll.MissHermioneGranger."Hecalmlyreported.
"Troll'sBane!"CalledoutoneoftheWeasleytwins.
TheHeadmasternoddedatFred,smilingindulgently."IndeedmisterWeasley.Iwasgettingtothat."
"AsIwassaying.MissGrangerdisplayedremarkableresilienceandbraveryinthefaceofadversity,anditismypleasuretoawardGryffindorfiftypointsforheractionsyesterday."
AsmallapplauseandyellingcamefromGryffindor,andascatteredrapportfromtherestofthehousesaswell,mostlyHufflepuff.
"Also,afterconsultingwiththerestofthefaculty,IhavedecidedtosubmittotheHogwartsboardofGovernorsarequesttoawardMissGrangeracertificateforspecialservicestotheschool.Trolls,afterall,aretrickytoovercome,evenforseveralwizardsandwitchesworkingintandem.Thatisall."
Therestofthedaypassedinawhirlwindofquestions,congratulationsandhero
worship.ToHermioneitwaslikeasurrealdreamtohaveallthispositiveattention.Thatevening,whenthequestionsandcongratulationshasrunit'scourse,Ronaldhadapproachedher,apologisedandaskedher,politeasyouplease,toshowhimhowtoproperlycastalevitationspell.
'Aparentlymiraclesdohappen.'MusedastillhalfdazedHermioneasshemadetheboyreadhischarmsbookforthefirsttime.
TheWeasleyTwinskeptacloseeyeontheGrangergirloverthenextfewdays.OriginallytheyhaddismissedherasafemaleversionofPercy.Butafirstiethatcandefeatatroll,beupintimeforbreakfast,andthenjokeaboutit?Well.LetnoonesaythattheWeasleytwinswereunfair.
ForthetwinsGrangerwasapuzzle.Theyhadprettymuchstalkedhershamelessly,usingTheMaptokeeptrackofwhatshewasdoing.Sheseemedtoberevertingtoherformershellwhatwithallthetimeshewasspendinginthelibrary.Alwaysstudyingdustytomes,writingonscrollsofparchmentandgenerallybeingaboringPercyclone.Theyhadeventakenituponthemselvestoremedythat,drawingherintoconversationandsometimesitseemedtoworkespeciallywhentheystartedtoshamelesslyreadherworkunderthepretextofhelpingtheickletrollslayerwithherhomework.Sometimesshewouldletthemhelp,andsometimesshewouldputawayherworkandtrytodrawthemintoagameofexplodingsnap.Mostsuspiciousforalittlebookwormespeciallysincetheynoticedshewasspendingalotoftimeintherestrictedsection.
Itwas,afterall,theirdutytohelpafellowGryffindor.Satisfyingtheircuriosityaboutwhatshewasuptowasmerelyasidebenefit.
ItwasafterclassesonFridaythatFredandGeorgedecidedtoambushthegirlinthebackshelvesofthelibrary.
"Wellhellohellohello,whatdowehavehereGred?"askedtwinoneconversationally.
"I'mnotsureForge."Twintwoanswered.
"Itlookslikeanicklefirstie."Georgemused
"Butnoickefirstiewouldbeinterestedinthemindarts."Fredaddedwiselynoddingatthebooksonhisleft.
"Orwizardinglaw."Georgeaddednoddingtohisright.
"Ormanagetogetaccesstotherestrictedsectionatall."Fredconcluded,finishingtheirrapidfireconversationandturningtoHermionewhowasstillshufflingherfeet,lookingslightlyguilty.
"Whyareyouhereickleslayeroftrolls?"Theyaskedinunisonandsmiledatherconfusion.
Hermione'sheadwentbackandforwardbetweenthetwins.Whiletheboyswerefunanditwasnicethattheyfoundhercompanyamusing,shewasstillnotquiteusedtotheirways.Atleasttheyweren'tfinishingeachotherssentencesagain.Sheopenedhermouthtosayitbutthetwinsstartedtalkinginrapidsucession.
"Wecould."
"Talklike"
"Thisallthe"
"Timebutit"
"Wouldloose"
"Impact."
Shelookedatthemandgapedhermouthdropping.
"How?"shefinallyasked.Wasitpossiblethattheyreallyreadhermind?
"Yes.Wecan.TwinshaveafaintbondthatcanbestrengthenedbyusingtheLeglimensandOculumensbranchesofmindarts."Thelefttwinspokeandhisbrothercontinued."Youhavebeenorganisingyourmindbutonlybuiltthemostbasicofshieldsinit.Youarebasicallyshoutingyoursurfacethoughtsatanyonewithintenfeetofyouthathasanyleglimencytraining"
Hermionewashorrifiedandthentriedtoquiethermind.Theywerereadingherthoughtsdamnit!
Thetwinsglancedateachother.
"Youjustgotabitquieter.Whatshieldingmethodareyouusing?Theonefrom'MentalBarriers'orthe'Mindsandshadows'?"
Hermionewasconfusedandfinallysighed.
"I'mnotusinganymethod.ThetwobooksonmindartsIreadsofaronlymentioned'calmingthemind'and'quietingonesthoughts',whatevertheymeanbythat."Hermionegrumbledbitterly.Shewasfeelingvaguelybetrayedbythebooksonthemindartsshehadbeenreading.
Thetwinssnortedandexchangedglances.
"Ministryapprovedmaterial."SaidFredshakinghishead
"Iknowjustthethingforyou."SaidGeorgeandreachedbehindthebooksonthirdshelfofthemindartssection,hishandreachingintotheshelf,andpulledoutasmallbooklet.
Hermionetookthesmallbookboundinbrownleather.Sheopenedittothefirstpageandnotedtheclear,beautifulpenmanship.
Protectingyourmind
by
AislingofKells
Dedicatedtothebastardsintheministry
whorefusedtopublishmywork
andtheamazingworkdonebythe
HogwartsExtracurricularLiteraryPreservationSociety
Hermionestaredatthehandwrittenbook,marvelledatthesmall,conciseandneatpenmanshipaswellasthebeautyofthehanddrawnillustrations.
"Aisling?"Sheasked,clutchingtheleatherbooklettoherchestandhartbeatinginherchest."AislingofKells?Ithoughtshewasamugglemyth?"
Georgesmiledandshrugged."Whoknows,weknowbetterthentounderestimatemuggles.Theyknowallkindsofusefulthings."
"AislingofKellsknewhermindartsthough."AddedFred."EventhoughchaptersFourandFivearebeyondus.Theyseemtorefertoanearlierworkorsomethingandwecan'tmakeheadortailsofthewhole'singingyourmindintoexistence'thing.Gooverthefirstfewchaptersandletusknowifyouwishtogetmorepracticeatthis."
"Granger,youhavetotellus,How'syougetapassfortherestrictedsection?"AskedGeorgesuddenly."IttookustwomonthsofhardworklastyeartotrickourDADAteacherintogivingoutanunlimitedpass."
"Ididn't."Hermionesaidhonestly."Thelibraryseemstolikemeorsomething."Shesaid.
Thetwinslookedathersceptically.
"Honestly!"Hermionesaidwithasombretone."Thelibrarywardsnevercomplain,andsometimesabookwillslidehalfwayoutanditwouldbeexactlywhatIamlookingfor."
"Well,ifthelibrarylikedanyoneitwouldbeyou,wouldn'tit?"
Withthatthetwinspassedherby,pattingherontheheadandlefttheshelfarea.
Thatevening,asshewenttobedaftersheperformedthebarrierbuildingexercisesproscribedinthebookshehadanaggingfeelinginthebackofhermindthatshewasforgettingsomething.Likeadejavuhiddenjustaroundacornerorperhapsaforgottenmemory.
Andonthehollowofherneckaprettynecklacerested,glitteringinmoonlight.
HermionewaskeepinganeyeonLongbottomtotryanddivertanothercatastrophe.Itwashappeningjustlikeshehadpredicted.Hehasbeenpreparingingredientsadequately,didn'tmisstimingandlearnedthedifferencebetweenclockwiseandcounterclockwise(Shehadhelpedbycarvingareminderonhiscauldron.Dyslexiaisatrickything.)Helookedpaleandnervousbuthewasdoingapassablejobofmakingapepperuppotion.Hispotionsshouldnotbeexplodingsomuch.Shetookcarefulnoteofhersurroundings.
Shenotedaflickerofmovementinthecornerofhereye,havingalmostbeenexpectingshewhippedherwandoutofhersleeveandflickedittowardsthefastmovingpebbleforgoingincantation.ItstoppedjustoverNeville'scauldron,hoveredintheairformomentandthenfloatedintoheropenpalm.Shefrownedforamomentandthenrecogniseddriedfiresalamanderliver.
Shehelditinherhandandcarefullyconsideredtheimplications.
"MissGranger,Ihopeyouarenotthinkingofusingthatinyourpotion?"ShelookeduptoseeprofessorSnapefrowningather.
"OfcoursenotprofessorSnape.IwasmerelyconsideringifithasanynondestructiveusesasIwaitedformypotiontosettle."
"Finishedalready?"Heaskedashecameclosertoinspectherpotion.
"Ishortenedthepreparationtimebysteamingthepepperwiththeginsengandcrushingthemtogether."
"Andwhatdidyouusetocounteractacidityimbalance?"Heaskedtakingasampleanddroppingitonapieceofpaperandnodding.
"Twodropsoflemonjuice.Ittastesbetter."
Heblinkedatherasitdawnedonhim."Lemonjuice?"
Shesmiled,hewasactuallydecentwhentalkingaboutpotions."Magicallyneutral,tastesbetterthencaterpillaracidandreactswellwithpeppers."
Helookedintohereyesforamomentandshefelthimtouchhershields.Heretreatedandnodded."Itwouldwork.Notquitemedicallevelbutverygood,economicsubstitutefordomesticuse.I'llgradeitExceedingExpectations.OnepointtoGryffindoraswellforinnovativelogicalapplicationofpotionsknowledge."
Hermionestaredathim,themannever,evergavePointstoGryffindor.
Heturnedaroundsuddenly."Longbottom!Haveyouruinedyourpotionyet?"heyelled,causingthepoorkidtospillthepeppersfromthemeasuringcupintothepotion;itletoutapoofofdarksmokeandtheliquidinthecauldronturnedfrommurkytoclear.Luckilytheboyhadmeasuredcorrectly.
"S...S...Sir."NevillestutteredasSnapetookasampleofhispotionandtestedit.Helookedattheresultandthentheboyforamoment.
"AcceptableeffortLongbottom.Thiscanactuallybeusedforamildcold.Coulditbeyouarecapableoflearning?Nexttimeyoumakethisaddthepeppersslowlywhilesteeringclockwisetogetbetterresults."
"Oh,andGranger,stayafterclass."
WithapprehensionHemionewatchedherclassmatesleaveafterthepotionshadbeengraded.SeverusSnapeconfusedher.Itwasobviousthemanwasacoldheartedbastard.Andyethe,onrareocassions,actedlikeaprofessional.Shewasn'tquitesurewhattothikofthepotionsprofessor.
"Youwantedtoseeme,sir?"SheaskedasthethelastGryffindorshuffledoutoftheclassroom.
"Whydidyouhavethatpieceoffiresalamanderliver?It'snotinthestandardpotionskit."Heaskedfrowning."Youshouldnotbeexperimentingwithrestrictedingredientsjustyet."
"I..."Shepausedconsidering."Icaughtit.Sir."shesaidfinallyfeelingslightlyembarrased,knowinghewasjustgoingtodismissthisasababblingofaschoolgirl.
"Caughtit?"heraisedhiseyebrowatherandHermionerealisedhemightactuallytakeherseriously.
"Onit'swaytoLongbottomcauldron,withaLevitationcharm."sheaddedinexplanation.Shewasnowherenearhisstationafterall
"Iheardnolevitationcharmbeingcast."Snapeaskedhersceptically.
Shelookedathimforamomentandthenpointedatanemptyvialandflickedherwand.Itroseintotheairandfloatedrapidlytowardsher.Shecaughtitinherhand.Snapeseyebrowsrosetowardshisforehead.Henodded.
"Isee.Isupposeonceyoulevitateaninetypoundwoodclubit'seasiertodothelittlethingssilently.Evenso,silentspellcastingatyourage..."Hetrailedoffinthoughtbeforerememberinghimselfandlookedathersternly.
"Iamgladyoustoppedshoutingyourthroughts,verballyandmentally,inmyclassroomGranger.Practicethesubtletyyoudisplayedtodaymoreoftenandtryavoidbeinginfectedbythedunderheads.Youmayleave."
Assheleftshecouldhaveswornshehadheardhimmurmurthewords'fivepointstoGryffindor'withadisgustedtoneofvoice.Butofcourseshewasmerelyimaginingthings.
(((LINE?)))
ThingshadbeenlookingupforHermioneinthelastweekorso.HarryandRonsometimessatwithherduringmealsandRonaldseemedtobemoreinclinedtolistenwhenshewasspeaking.Potterwouldsometimeslookatherfunnywhenshesilentlyhungoutwiththetwins,butthatwasjustfine.Sheknewwhathedidnot,afterall.
Thetwinsseemedtolikeherforsomeoddreason,andhelpedherpracticeby
whisperingcommentsinhermindacrosstheGryffindortable,andwhenevertheycameacrossherinthehallways.Shehadalreadylearnedtoprojectbackafeelingofagreementordisagreementandfeltgoodaboutherprogress.Herclassmatesalsoseemedtobemorerespectfultohernow.Possiblybecauseshewasbeginningtofeelwhatbehavioursetthemoffandlearnedtorestrainherselffromshowingoff.Shewasstillthefirsttoraiseherhandinclass,butshewaslessnoisyaboutit..
Unknowntoheritalsohadsomethingtodowithherstartingtoperformoneoftheexercisesdescribedinthehiddenpartsofherletter.Learningtochannelasmallportionofhermagicthroughherblood.Theconstantefforttoaccesshermagicwithoutexpendingitonaspellwasanexcellentmentalexercise,improvingherstaminaandhelpingtolearnandmaintainbettercontroloverhermagic.ThesubtlemagicalaurathatsheexudedasasideeffectofherexerciseprobablyhadsomethingtodowitheventheSlytherinsnoddingatherwhenpassingherinthehallways.
ShewasjustleavingthedungeonsthinkingofhowthingscanchangesoradicallyinthecourseofaweekwhenshecameacrossRonaldWeasleyandDracoMalfoyexchanginginsultsinthehallway.BothweregettingtheirsteamupandHarrywasholdingontoWeasley'sarmtostophimfromadvancingwhenshesnuckup,channelingasmallchargeintohervoicecalledout:
"PresentationMrMalfoy!Ronald,youreallyshouldknowbetterthentofightinthehallways."
DracoautomaticallystoodstraightlikesomeoneputarodinhisspineandWeasleyreflexivelyflinchedandmuttered"Sorryma'am."
Theyturnedfearfully,andthenstaredatherinsurprise.Dracolookedliketheepitomeofgraceandprojectedpuzzledinquirybyanexpertuseofasingle,slightlyraisedeyebrowwhileWeasleymostlylookeddazed.BehindthemHarryPotterstaredatherwithhismouthdroppedopen.
"Reallyboys,Iunderstandaboutrivalrybutshouldn'tyoubesettlingdifferencesinamorecivilisedmanner?"Sheprojectedcalmlyandreasonably.
'Yes!Itworks!'Sheexclaimedmentallyastheyblushedandmurmuredapologies
"Wellthendogoplaychess,orexplodingsnap,orwhateveritisthatboysdo.Remember,youhaveyourfamilynamestouphold."ShethenturnedandleftbeforeRonhadtimetorealiseshehadnoauthorityoverthem,orMalfoyrememberedshewasa'mudblood'.
Harrypromptlyfollowedafterher,staringatherontheirwaytothethecommonroom.
"Whatdidyoudotothem?"hefinallyasked.
Shelookedathimforafewmomentsandsmiled.Heshudderedattheevilglintinhereye.
"Presentation,PresenceandPoise.It'ssomethingallPurebloodsaretaught,especiallyheirs,sincetheycanwalk.Basicallyitcomesdowntobodylanguage,grooming,andmanners.It'swiredintotheirbrainspracticallyfrombirthtolistentothelectureafteryoucallthemonthethreeP's.Ofcoursethemomenttheyleavethesightoftheirparentsitallevaporatesfromtheirhead."
"Whatdoesthathavetodowithwhathappenedbackthere?Theyactuallywentofftogether!"Harryasked,completelybewildered.
Hermionesighedandturnedtothefatladyandmurmured,motioningforHarrytofollowher.Shewasgoingtotrytoexplainwhatshewasmerelybeginningtounderstandherself.
"Whatyouhavetounderstandisthatwizards,mentallyareverydifferentthanmuggles.They...wearepracticallyatthetopofthefoodchaintrue,thoughthereareafewspecieslikedragonsthatarebetterthanusbyanorderofmagnitude,butthisisoffsetbythefactthatwehaveamuchgreaterpackinstinctthenmuggles."Shecontinuedsettlingintooneofthelargeleatherarmchairs.
"Whatdoesthathavetodowithetiquette?"Heaskedintrigued.
"Everything.Mightmakesrightinthewizardingworld.AndAlpha'sleadtheway."Shesaidmatteroffactly."Ijustusedtheirtrainingtoremindthemhowtheirparentswouldreacttouncivilisedbehaviour,andgavethemaslightpush."
"Ifthatpackinstinctthingistrue,whydotheyreactthatway?Aren'tPurebloodsAlphas?"
"WearenotwolvesHarry.Anyonestrongerthanyouisyoursuperior.ThusparentsandauthorityfiguresareAlphas.Ijustevokedmyselfasanauthorityfigureintheirminds."
Harryopenedhismouthtoasksomethingandthenstoppedtiltinghisheadtotheside,puzzled.
"Hermione?Whyareyourteachingmeallthis?"Theboyaskedhercuriously.
"Youcametohelpmefreely,byyourownchoice.Itakemyfriendshipsseriously."Shetoldhim,mentallyorganisingallthebooksshewouldhavehimread."BesidesyoushouldhavebeentaughtaboutsocialnecessitiesalreadyandwilldefinitelyhavetoknowthemifyoueverwanttoclaimyourbirthrightandstandamongstyourpeersafteryourleaveHogwarts."
"So,it'snotjustaboutmagicalpower?"Harryasked,tryinghardtounderstand.
"Yes.MagicalPowerisdependantonthewizard,histraining,hisbodyandhismindHarry,notthebloodline.Sureyoucanbreedforatrait,uptoapoint.Butit'snotacertainthing.AsfarasIcantellthewizardingworldapparentlyworksonperceivedpower.Themorepoweryouhave,themorepeopleareinclinedtolistenandfollowyourexampleinstinctively.Assuch,overthemillenniaauniqueandyetoddlyfamiliarsocialstructurehasevolved.Thecoreruleshavenotchangedsignificantlysince869BC,evenwhentheytrytokeepupwithtimes.Whatitboilsdowntoisestablishingyourplacein,andontopof,thepeckingorderandfindingprotectionfromsomeonestrongerthanyouifyoucannot.Andyou,myfriend,arethereasonWeasleyandMalfoyclashonapersonallevel.Theybothwantunderthecloakofyourinfluence.Theirfamilieshavingahistoryonlyworsenstheissue."
Shecontinued,takingnoteofHarryperkingupwhenshecalledhimafriend.
"Holdon.Malfoyhatesme.Whywouldhewantmyhelp?"Hestated,puzzled.
"OhHarry.Picturethis:Malfoycomesintoyourtraincompartment,seekingthearguablymostpowerfulfigureofhisgenerationtobefriendandseesyouwithLongbottom,Weasley,andanunaffiliatedfemale.HewaslookingforyoutotryandgetaheadstartonapossibleallianceandinsteadhefindsyouwithtwomembersofOldfamilies,oneofwhichhisfamilyhasaFamilyFeudwithonaleveljustshortofBloodFeud,andtheotherisalongstandingrivalofhisHouse."AndthefemaleisanAlphainherownright.
"Hepanicsandoffersyouhisallianceinsteadofhisrivals,Weasleyviolentlyopposesandyoutakehisside,whichimpliesanagreement.HebelievesyouhavedeclaredhimyourenemybysidingwiththeWeasley'sandsoheisattackingpre-emptively."
Harrystaresather,wavinghishandasiftowardoffsomething.
"Wait,stop.Theyallthinkcomplicatedlikethatallthetime?"Herubbedhisforehead,Noonetellshimthesethings."Whatelsehasbeengoingon?WhathaveI
beentellingpeoplewithoutevenknowing?"
Hermioneblinkedathimandthenrealisedhererror.
"Wait,slowdown.It'snotlikethat.MostofitisInstinct.Malfoyhasbeentrainedasanheirsoheisabitbothmoreabletoinfluenceothersandmoresusceptibletosuchinfluences.Isupposeifyouwanttolethimknowyoudon'tthinkhimasyourenemy?"
Shepausedbrieflytoseeifthatwasindeedso.
"Wellsure.Idon'twantenemies.Idon'tlikehim.He'sapompousarse,butyouaretalkingaboutgettinginthemiddleofafeudhere."
"Allrightthen,here'sashortcrashcourseinneutralmediationandyourfamiliessocialstandingaccordingtoFormalEtiquettebyAmandaGreengrass.IfyouwanttolearnmoreaboutthefamiliesI'lllendyoumycopyof'ThegreatFiveHundred.'whenI'mdonewithit."
ShefailedtonoticetheperkedupearsofapassingGryffindorprefectwhotooknoteofthesubjectofherlectureandsuddenlyhadalumosspellgoingoffinhishead.ThePotterheirwasbeingtrainedinthefinerpointsofsocialnecessitiesbyHermioneGranger,muggle-born.Orwasshe?Therewasnowayshewasreallymuggle-born.Nomuggle-borncomestoschoolwithskillandpowertotakeoutatroll,orknowsenoughaboutpurebloodstructurestobeselectedtoteachanHeirofaMostAncientandNoblehouse.HisMagicalGuardianmustknowsomethingaboutGrangerthatisunknowntotherest.
Afterallonly,anHeircouldpossiblyteachanHeir.
OMAKE
"Hermione?Whyareyourteachingmeallthis?"heaskedpointingatthebookonmaleandfemaleanatomyshewashavinghimstudy.
"Youcametohelpmefreely,byyourownchoice.Itakemyrelationshipsseriously."
Shesaidgoingoverthebooksshewasgoingtohavehimreadwhenhewasready.MagicalKamasutrachiefamongthem.
Afterall,sheneededtoavoidtakingupthelastnameofWeasley.Atallcosts.
Chapter3:Ofquiddichandwarding
DISCLAIMER:Whenindoubtemptytheclipandreload.
"ThefirstofthethreeessentialskillsisRise.ThefirstandmostbasicpartofRiseislearningtocycleyourmagicthroughyourbloodandathigherlevelsthroughtheverycellsofyourbody.Evenachildcanlearntodobasicsofthisskill,Iknowbecauseitkeptmealive.Remember:basicRisewillincreasehealing,efficiencyandenduranceofyourbodyaswellastemperpainandsharpenyourreflexes,thusenablingyoutoexplorethenaturallimitsofthehumanbodymoreeasilyandincreasingyourlifespan.Iwillteachyouthisbyhittingyouinhandtohandcombatuntilyourelentandstartusingit.Ifandwhenyoumasterthelimitsofthehumanbody,Iwillteachyoutoshatterthem."
ChiefUnspeakableHarryPotter,beforeTheFall.
ItwasthebeginningofDecemberandHarrywasseriouslyannoyedathisclassmates.
ThestartofthequiddichseasonwasnearingandWoodhadbeendraggingtheentireteamoutofbedbeforedawnfor'secret'practicetheentirepreviousweek.Andnowthepointwasmoot.
Thehabitofthestudentsfromotherhousestostopinthehallstowhisperandpointhadmercifullystopped,howevernowthatthenewshewasaseekerhadleakedhalfofthemwerecheeringforhimandtheotherhalfwerejeeringandtellinghimhewouldfail.
HewasverygladthatHermionewashisfriend.WithWoodtakingupmostofhisfreetimehehardlyhadtimetogooverhishomework,letalonereadquiddichthroughtheages.Blessherforofferingtogooverhishomeworkandgradeit.SureittooksomerevisiontofixhistheholesinhismagicaltheorybuthewasnowgettingthegradesthathewasusedtogettingbeforecomingtoHogwarts,notthattheDursley'scaredonewayoranother.
'Infact.'HeputawayhisQuiddichthroughtheagesandlookedatthegirlthatwasgoingoveryetanotherofRon'sscrollswithherdreadedredtippedquill.
"Hermione?"Heasked,warminghishandsonthebluefaeriefireHermionehadconjuredforthem.Ronwaswasbusywithgoingoverhisscrollwithher,wincingateveryspelling,factandformcorrection.
"YesHarry?"thegirlasked,notliftingherheadfromslashingredlinesthroughRonsscroll.Hesmiled.Hisscrollswerenolongerrednightmaresastheywereatthebeginning.Ronseemedtobetakingabitmoretimeonlearningtheproperformsforwritinganessay,butthenagainRonwashomeschooled.
"YouknowthatIreallyappreciatewhatyouaredoingforus?"HefinallyblurtedoutandHermionelookedup,aclosedofflookonherface."ImeanwithoutyouI'dbarelybescrapingbywithanAcceptablegradeinmostclassesandwouldstillcomeoffasastupidspoiledkidwhenaddressingmypeersandfaculty."Hestoodupstraighterandsmiled."SothankyouonbehalfofclanPotterforteachingmewhatIneedtoknow."
Hermionelookedathimforamomentandthenblushed.Shehadthoughinherdarkestdepthsthathewas,likemanyothershad,justusingher.Buthereallyappreciatedherhelp.Sheknewbecauseaformalthankyoulikethisbasicallyputshiminaminorsortofdebttoher.Shecouldaskforcompensation,shelterorsmallfavourfromhimifshewasinclinedtoandhewouldbeobligedtocomethrough.
"YouarewelcomeMisterPotter,yourfriendshipisjustasimportanttome.Granger,atyourservice."Shereturnedhislittlebow.
Ronlookedatonethentheotherandfrowned."Oyyoulot!What'swithyoutwogoingallformallike?"HeglancedatHarryinconfusion.HisfriendhadbeenavoidingformalityofallkindsfromthedayhehadmethimandthenrealisationhithimthatthismustbereallyimportanttoHarry.
"I..."Hestarteduncertainly."Iappreciateyourassi..."hestumbledoverthewordsheneverusedforamoment"...assistanceaswellMissGranger."
Heblushedathisfumblesashebowedtothegirl.Fatherinsistedhelearnthebasicformseventhoughhewastheyoungestsonandhehadneverthoughthe'dactuallyuseanyofit.
HermionehadbeendragginghisaveragetoEE'skickingandscreamingandhehadbeenlamentingtheamountofworkhehadtoputintostudying.Andinthismoment,forthefirsttimeRonrealisedthathismothermightactuallybeproudofhim.AndthatheindeedowedHermioneforherhelp.
Hermionestaredathimforamomentandthenabeamingsmilehittheboyslikearayofsunlight.
"Awyouguys."Shegushedandgrabbedthemintoahugatearleakingout,breakingtheawkwardformalityofthemoment.
RonexchangedlookswithHarrywhiletheywerepattingthegirl'sback.'Bonkers!'HemouthedasHarryshookhisheadandsmiled.
Girlsreallywerecompletelybonkers.
SeverusSnapewaslimpingacrossthecourtyard,thebitefromtheCerberusfuelinghistemperwhenhenoticedGrangerandbloodyPotterwithWeasley.HeknewtheywereprobabblyuptonogoodandstartedtomakehiswastothemwhenhesawPotterbowformallytothegirl.Hequicklysnappedoffanoticemenotandhidbehindapillartolisten.
Yes,itwasaformalthankyou.So,Potterhadsomemannersafterall.Theblastedbratmerelyelectedtoforgotheminhisclass.HefrownedandsteppedbehindthepillarwhentheGrangergirlstartedtosniffle.Whatintheninehellswasthatgirlgettingallemotionalabout,theyweremerelythankingher!
"Potter!"Hesnappedoff."Loiteringarewe?Skippingclassperhaps?"Hesmiledasthethreefirstyearssprangapartandlookedaboutinfear.Hestalkedover.Heglancedatthefaeriefireinajarandfrowned,openfirewasagainsttherulesbuttheyseemedtohaveitcontained.Helookedforanythingelsetoholdagainstthemandafterafewmomentsofscrutinyhestalkedoffignoringtheirstammering.
'DamnbloodyPotterfordenyinghimeventhesimplepleasureofremovingpoints.".
ItwasagooddayforquiddichandHermionewascheeringwiththerestoftheGryfindoorwhenHarrydrewtheattentionfromanexcellentshotbyKatie.Shewatchedhimwaverandnarrowlydodgeabludger,thebroomwasbucklingwildlyintheairandsherealisedthatsomeonewascastingajinxofsomesortonHarry'sbroom,probablyadominatorofsomesort.ShelookedatHagrid'scrazedmutteringaboutpowerfuldarkmagicandshookherhead.Shegrabbedhisominocularsandscannedswiftlythroughtheaudience,finallystoppingatSnape.
"Ohnoyouwon't."Shegrowled,angeredbythethoughtthatshehadsomisjudgedthemman.Shetookoutherwandandmutteredthesyllablesofaprojectingjinxtoguideherfairyfiretotheman.Itlickedundertheseatsandtherushedforwardfoldinginonitselfastheflamesmovedlikewater.Shecarefullykeptthetemperaturedownuntiltheflameshithiscloakandthemletthecontrolgoandshesmiledingrimsatisfactionsheplaceditbackinhersleeveandwatchedastheflamesgrewinintensityandvolume.
ShepaledwhensherealisedHarry'sbroomwasstillbucklingandwatchedinhorrorashefinallylostcontrolanhungfromthebroombyhishands,thebroomnowactivelytryingtoshakehimoff.
'Ithadn'tbeenSnape.'Sherealisedandfumbledforherwand,stuckinsideherleftsleeve,panicbloomingthroughherveinsasshestruggledtorememberthepoemliketonguetwisterthatwastheuniversalcounterspell.Shehadneitherthetimenortheknowledgetorunthroughmoderncounterjinxesinsequence.
"Ronald!"Sheyelledasshethrewtheominocularsathimandusedbothhandstountangleherwandfromtheseamsofhersleeve."Findwho'sdoingit!"
ShepointedherwandandspedthroughtheuniversalcounterspellsyllablesinoldGreekmeldingtogetherintoachant,readyingherselfforthementalfeedbackasshecaughtandpushedagainsttheforeignpresencethathadsettledinsidethecontrolcharmsofHarry'sNimbus.Theworldoutsideherbodyandmindhadslowedtoacrawl,anditwasnowjustherandtheevilpresencepushingbehindthejinx.
ShefeltmalignanttendrilstrytolashoutatherandstrikepainfullyagainstherfledglingoculumenticshieldsandrealisedthatHagridmighthavehadguessedproperlyonthedarknatureofthespell.'Thiswasgoingtohurt.'Sherealizedasshesentoutmoremagictoburnoutthedarkpresence.Itwasworking.Hermagicwaspurifyingthespell,butitwasgoingtotakeforever,shewonderedifshewasgoingtoendureuntillitwasdone.Shehuddled,whimperingbehindherthin,oculumenticshieldseverylashspreadingstingingechoesthroughhermindandimaginedherownspellascleansingflamesthatwouldpurifytheevil.
RonstaredforamomentatHermioneafterhecaughttheominoculars.ShewaspointingherwandatHarrymumblingnonsense,butheknewbetterthentodisobey.Hefranticallyscannedtheaudienceandhopedhewouldbeintime.Allhecouldseewerepeoplerushingaboutinpanic,knockingoverpeopleandeachother.
TheheadmastersatupfromhischairandglancedatSeveruswhowasalreadygoingthroughcounterjinxesandtookuphisoldwandtoweaveawebofhalfstrengthcushioningcharmsbeneathpoorHarry,justincase.Notthatandunprotectedfallwouldkilltheboy,justthatinvolvingStMungo'swouldbetroublesome.
Hecouldhave,ofcourse,endeverythingnowbuttheladneededsomeadversityinhislifetopreparehimforwhatwascoming.
Snapecursedasfaeriefireranalonghisrobesandhehadtocutoffhisattemptto
saveDamnedPotteranddiverthisattentiontosavinghisownskin.Theblastedfirewaspersistentasmosttypesofconjuredfiretendedtobewhenunleashed.Hewoveawebofcounterspellsandsnuffedtheblastedthingafterahandfulofseconds.HeglancedatPotterandfrowned.Hewasstillholdingon,eventhoughhelookedlikehewaschokingandthebroomwasoddlyquiet.Hepreparedtotryandhithimwithalevicorpusifhefellwhenithappened.Thespecificbluegreenofasuccessfullyshatteredjinxenvelopedthebroomandthebratwassafelyclimbingbacknthebroomcoughing.Perhapsoneofhiscounterjinxeshadworked.Heignoredthepleasedechoofhislifedebtasitsettleddownabitandscowledresistingtheurgetosmackhimselfontheforehead.
"Ohbloodyhellthebrathasmoreluckthensense!"HegrowledasPotterstruttedintheairdisplayingthesnitch.
Hermionestruggledwiththeforeignpresencelashingoutatherandpushedthelastofherreservesintoherflaggingdefenceswhenshefeltawarmthengulfherinenergyandhermentalshieldsstabilize.Shecouldfeelit,thewarmthofthesilverdragonrestingagainstherbreastboneasitflushedthebloodinherheartwithmoreenergyevenasitshoreduphermind.
Jawsstillclenchedingrimmdeterminationshechannelledhersuddenlyfreedmagicintoattacking,lashingoutwithallherremainingstrengthagainsttheevilgitthathadbeehurtingher,wantingnothingmorethantohurthimback.ShesentforththeentiretyofherstillundevelopedmagicsthroughthepointofcontentioninHarry'sbroomandback,backattheattackerlashingoutathisshieldsbombardinghimwithpainandangerevenashebatteredherfreshlyreinforcedshields.
Andthentheoriginalspelltosubvertthebroomshatteredundertheadditionalstrain.Hermionereeledbackandstumbledphysicallyasastabbingbacklashpiercedintoher.Shesuckedairintoherlungswithahissandcluckedatherheadblindtotheoutsideworldashereyesroledbackandshefainted.
ThatafternooninHagrid'shutHermionewasnursingaheadacheandsippedblacktealacedwithheadachepotion.Ohnowsheknewwhytheuniversalcounterspellwasnolongerused.Prepareyourselfforpain.Thatwastheonlywarningthebookgaveher.
Sheknewreactionbacklashhadtobeenduredwhenshebrokethespellbutshehadn'tbeenexpectingafullfledgedmigrainecompletewithfadingvisionandburstbloodvesselsinhereyes.Evenwiththepotionsshecouldbarelysitthereand
functionwhileRonaldwasproducingthemostidiotictheoriesinspiteoftheevidencethatmadeherwanttocastapermanentsilencioonhimanddamnthecost.
"I'mjustsayingthatitwasaperfectwayforSnapetokillofHarry!Thestupidbathaditinforhimfrom..."
"ShutupRonaldandthink!"ShehissedmassaginghertempleandthankingwhatevergodswerelisteningthatHaggridstockedaheadachepotioninhiscupboard.
"IfSnapewasjinxingthebroomitwouldhaveendedwhen..."ShetrailedoffandlookedatHagrid."...whensomeonesethiscloakonfire."Shefrowned."Itwassomeoneelse,someonewellversedinritualchantsandcursesorcursebreaking.Andhisshieldswerelikeabloodyfortress."
"ButI..."RontriedtosaysomethinginhisdefencebutHermionehadhadenough.
Shegrowledathisstammeringandstoodup."ExcusemeHagrid,I'mabittiredandI'llgobacktobed.Ithankyouforyourhospitality."ShesaidandexcusedherselfleavingtheboysalonewithHaggrid.Shehadtogetherselfintobedandadoseofsleepingpotionintoher.
Itwasafewdaysafterthequiddichincident.ShehadspenttheweekendrecoveringandnowHermionehadaverybusyschedule.Shehadbeenlearningaboutbroomenchantment,lookingforNicholasFlammel,andhelpingthetwinsbrewamostfascinatingexperimentalpotioninanabandonedclassroom.Shewasalsoworkingonherregularclassprojects(whereshewasstillhalfadaybehindschedule),herOculumencyandlookingintowizardinglaw.ShehadtocuthersleepduringtheweektosixhoursadaytokeepupandbyFridaysshe'dgottenabitgrumpywithlackofsleep.WhichpromptedHarryandRonaldtotrytocheerherupwithanaerialgamefotag.
Rightnowshewasfeelingbetterbutsweatyfromexertionandfellingparticularlydisgustinginherclothes.ShecamebacktoGryfindoortowerandaimedstraightfortheshowers.
Theadrenalineandmagicrushfromthelatestflyinglessonhadrunoutandshewasfeelingabittired,howeverthelastremnantsofthetensionshehadbeenfeelingwaswashingawaywiththewaterandsweat.
Flyingturnedouttobemorefunthatshewouldhaveimagined.Mindyou,shewouldnevervoluntarilydosomeofthecrazystuntsHarryperformedbutsheunderstood
whyhedaredtotothemmuchbetternowthatshemadeapointoutofstudyingthetheorybehindbroomenchantment.Thebroomwasn'tjustflyingonit'sown.Hermagicwaswhatcontrolledtheambientcharmsinthebroom.Saying'up'wasmerelyamnemonictoolthathelpedassertoneswilloverthedemi-sentientobjects.
Theoldschoolbrooms,havingdevelopedsevrealquirksovertheyears,wereabittrickytoridesometimesandshetookparticulardelightinorderinganespeciallystubbornbroomtheothershadbeenhavingtroublewithtoheel.Iteagerlydidthis,likeaplayfulconcluded,byempiricalevidencethatflyingwaspartpower,partskillandpartpurestrengthofwill.Shehadnoticedwhensheconsciouslytriedtoinfusehermagicintothebroomitmovedalittlebetterandturnedmoreprecisely.ShehadtowonderwhatthatsaidaboutHarry'sabilitytogetonthequiddichteamsoeasily.Aseekerwouldneedpowerspeed,precision,andcantankerousnessofamuletoholdperfectcontrolofhisbroomduringthecoruseofanentirequiddichgame.Teamworkandpersonalsafetycamesecondarytocatchingthesnitchasfarasshecouldtell.
Insanegameforinsanepeople.
ShegotthisparticularpieceofenlightenmentonthesanityofthemagicendowedduringheradventurousaerialversionofcapturethaflagwithsomeoftheGryfindoors.HarrystillflewcirclesaroundherandRonheldanedgeinexperiencebutstill,shepulledherweightwhensheconcentratedandherfearofheightswasnotsobadsinceshewasincontrol.Foroneinsanemomentshehadforgottencommonsenseandperformedatwistingcorkscrewmanoeuvrethathelpedherevadebeingtagged.
Apparentlyinsanityandreclesnesswascatching.
AfterwardsProfessorHoochhadpraisedherforfinallymasteringflightafterhershakystart.Shehadwonderedforamomentwhereherrecentrecklessnesscamefrombeforeputtingitoutofhermindassillynattering.Afterallithadfinallydawnedonherduringherstudiesthatwizardswerejustgenerallytougherthenmuggles.A30footfallcouldbehealedindays.Aslongasyoudidn'tfallonyourhead.Acrackedskullcouldtakeweeks.
Theshowerwashečpingtoeasethetensioninhermusclesandsheusedthetimeshehaddedicatedtodryingandbrushingoutherhairtorebuildherstillslightlyvaguementalfilingsystem,andcheckonthedoublelayermirrorshieldsinhermindwhenashudderwentthroughherandtheworldseemedtodullabitasherfocusretreatedintohermindasthreadsofconsciousnesssnappedtogether.Afloodofmagicpouredoutofnowhereintoherblood,takingdownhermentalbarriers.AfteramomentofpanickedconfusionHermionerealisedshewasconsciouslyexpiriencing
herfirstmagicalgrowthandbaskedinthefeelingofstrengththeexpiriencebroughtwithit.Prettyquicklythefloodofmagicrecededandwothitthewearinessshehadbeenfeelingduringtheday.
Shequicklyrefocusedonrebuildinghershieldsandtheysnappedintoplacefasterthenever.
Realisationhitherwhileshesortedherlatestmemoriesthrough20/20eyesofperfectrecall.Shetookstockofhermemoriesoftheentireyearandclenchedherhands.Inretrospectshehadbeenactingoddeversincethetroll.IhadneverfeltthisgoodinsidemyskinbeforeHogwarts.Confident.Strong.
Insanityofwizardsindeed.
Shehadn'tthoughttwiceaboutsneakingintotheowlerytoorderabookfromFlourishandBlotsaftercurfewthedayshegotreleasedfromthehospitalwingorhelpingthetwinswithatameprankortwo.
'AndthataerialmadnessIhavebeendoingwithPotter,ThomasandWeasley.'Ashiverwentthroughherpartthrillpartfear.Shehadbeenhavingfun.Allweek.True,shewasworkinghardertheneveronherstudiesaswellaspersonalprojects,likethatFlammelfellowHarryandRonhadgottenHagridtoslipabout.Butduringherdowntimeshehadbeenhavingfunlikeshehadn'tbeeninalonglongtime.
'No.Iwasn'tjustbeenhavingfun.I'vebeenhavingfunwithpeople.Friends.Iactuallytoldjokes!Andpeoplelaughed.'Sherelaxedandsmiledreachingforatowel,thefeelofoddnesspassingasshementallyclassifiedhappiness.
Ahappycheerfulmadeherwaytoherdorm,herhairstillslightlydampbutasdryasshecouldmakeitwithjustatowel.Shesatonherbed,checkedherscheduleandsmiled.Tinkeringhourwasthetimeshesetasideeachdaytodowhateverhadrecentlycaughtherintrestandshethoughtmightbefuntotry.
Shepulledoutaseeminglyblankpieceofparchmentoutofastackofessaysandtappeditwithherwandmumblingthepasswordshehadchosenforit.
"BewaretheJabberwock,myson!Thejawsthatbite,theclawsthatcatch!BewaretheJubjubbird,andshunThefrumiousBandersnatch!"
Thelettershehadreceivedfromheralternateselfappearedandshequicklylookedfortheunderlinedbooklisttappingthewords.Shejustlovedtheingenuitythatwent
intoit'screation.
Shewantdownthealphabeticallistofbooksshehadbeenadvisedtoreadovertheyears.Ocasionallymosttitleswouldbeunderlinedwithquicksummariesofthebookcontent.Butsometitleshadanasterisk,usuallytitlesthatdidn'texistyetandwerestoredintheletterintheirentirety.Abouttwentybooksintotalcontainedhiddenknowledgefromthefutureandifshetriedtoopenthoseshe'dgetafiftyquestionquizztoanswer.Shelovedachallenge.
ShetappedWarding101andsmiledasamostlyfilledoutquestionlistemerged.Sheeagerlyansweredthelastquestion.
"WhyistheUniversalcounterspellrarelyuseddespiteit'seffectiveness."
Shehadtriedansweringitwithlogicalexplanationsderivedfrombooksanditwasalwaysrejected.Shehesitatedherpenintheairabovetheparchmentandthenfinallyshesimplywrote,somewhatcheekilyinthespaceprovided.
BlindingsoddingheadacheofDOOM.Ohandcasterversuscounter-castermentalconnection/battlethatismind-numbinglydangerous.Energyinefficient.
Forafewsecondsnothinghappenedandshewonderedifheranswerwasabittoooffkilterforwhateverheuristicsthisenchantedpieceofparchmentthatusedtobealetterused.Finallywordsappeared.
Correct.Ifabitmelodramatic.Andcrude.TryborrowingAwitchesetiquettefromtheHogwartslibrary.
Shesmiledasthecontentschangedintoabychapterindexofabook.Shedidn'tmindbeinglecturedbyapieceofenchantedparchment.Notifitsuppliedknowledge.
ShetappedthefirstchapterRunes101andstartedreading.
LaterthatafternoonanexcitedHermioneGrangersatonherbedcurtainsdrawn.Mostofthechapterwentoverherhead,referencingotherworksandusingconceptsshewasonlyvaguelyfamiliarwith.Buttheexercisewasstraightforwardandshewasconfidentthathernewfoundlevelsofmagiccouldpowerit.
Useaflametotraceafireruneintheair,shapeit,drawacontainmentbubbleandfeedpowerintoit.
Itwouldcreateasemipermanentglobeoforangelightthatwouldturnonunderthe
influenceofmagic.
Shetookadeepbreathandtracedthesymbolinthebookintheairusingfairefire.Itwaseasytodo,thelargefirerunepracticallysnappedintoplacewhenshedrewit.Shethencircleditandcoaxeditintoaspherementallyetchingthecontrolandshapingrunesintothesurfaceofthefireconstruct.HermionefoundthattheeffortwasbitmoreinvolvedbutverysimilartothementalexercisesexplainedinWorkonyourmindanybody.Afterabouttwentyminutesofworksheputabindingrunetosetitandwithaquiethumtheconstructbecameanindependententity.Floatingintheairwithoutherinput.
HerconfidencerestoredHermionesmiledasherfirstrunicworkworked.Shesmiledastheglobeoffirehoveredintheaireagerlyobeyinghermentalinstructionsorjustsittingquietlywhensheignoredit.
Hehaddoneit!Shehadmadeherfirstrunicconstruct.True,itwasthemagicalequivalentofa'generatesixrandomnumbersinacircleusingthefollowingscript'instructioninherveryfirstpascalbookbutstill.Thiswasn'tcomputers!ItwasMagic!
Happilysheplayedwiththemagicallightforafewminutesbeforedecidingtocallitaday.Shereachedouttotouchitandstartedtodispersethemagicwhentheballbuckedandshattered,thebacklashthrowingheragainstthebedandrattlingthecurtainsaroundit.
Hermionestaredinhorrorandconfusionatthecircularholeinthesheetandbedding,justinfrontofwhereshewassitting.
Hercurtainswereruedlyopenedanddaylightstreamedindisplayinghermistakeforalltosee.
"BloodyhellGrangerwhatwasthat?!"Lavanderyelled,reliefgivingwaytoanger.
Hermioneshookherhead,hermindprocessingwhatjusthappenedandshecouldn'tfindwordstospeakwith.
"Imadeamistake."Hermionefinallycroaked.Shewasbusytryingtofigureoutwhatwentwrongandthisairheadwasbotheringher."Andwhatbusinessisitofyours."
"Whatdoyoumeanwhat?Iknowwhatthatfeltlike!Youshouldn'tbemessingwithelementalrunes!Oranyrunesforthatmater."Lavanderyelledandthensighedlookingsomewhatshaken."Look,foramomentIthoughI'dfindyoupassedoutbleedingfromyoureyesorsomething."
"Canyouclearthatlastthingupformeabit?Whatdoyouknowaboutrunes?"Hermioneasked,touchedbyherroommatesconcernandmakingroomforLavanderonherbedandmotioningforhertosit.Sheputtheprivacyissueasidefornow,thegirlhadbeenconcerned.Lavandernodded,thevacantlookinhereyessheusuallyhadwhendiscussingfashionwithParvatiPatilgone,replacedbypassionateexpressionofherfavouritesubjectHermioneknewfromstaringatthemirror.
"Wellthere'sareasonwetakerunesinthirdyearyouknow.Mostofourclassmateswouldhurtthemselvestryingtopowerarune.Mothersaysyouneedpowerandprecisionwhenconstructingordeconstructingrunes.Heckevenactivatingthewardsinmyhouseexhaustsmeandthat'saprepoweredruniccluster,andIknowwhatI'mdoing."Thegirlexplainedherknowledgeofrunes.
"Youcanflashentirearrays?"Hermioneaskedhercuriosityawoken,suppressingthestabofjealousy."Wow,andtothinkyouwerehavingtroubleinotherclasses:It'swardingornothinghuh?"Sheadded,smiling.
Lavendertiltedherheadtostudyher."Sure.Runesareinteresting!Transfigurationisjustbleh,Imeanbeetlesandneedlesandmatchsticks,ohmy."Shegiggledanddismissedthesubjectwithawaveofherhand.
"Canyoushowmethebasics?I'mhavingissueswithsomeoftheterminologyandconcepts."Hermioneasked.
"IfyoupromisetohelpmeraisemyaveragetoEEintransfiguration?"Lavandersmiled.
"Ithinkthismightbethebeginningofabeautifulfriendship."Hermioneintonedwithasmileasshepulledoutsomeparchmentsotheycouldworkoutaschedule
Learningwas,afterall,fun.AndlearningMagicofallthings?Justbloodyamazing.
AN
WilltrytoaddmoresecondarypersepctivesfrompeopleotherthenHermionelikeIdidwithHarryatthebeginingofthispartandsnatchesofthoughttroughttherestinsteadoftryingtowriteentirechaptersfromtheperspectiveofasinglecharacter.I'mstill(Evenafterafailedrewriteofmyfirstversionofthefirstyear)workingapropperbalanceofpointofview.(andtenseXD)
AlsoI'mtryingtokeepfromadingtoomuchcontent.ShouldIdescribethingsmore?Slowdownthepaceanddelvedeeperintointrepersonalrelationshipsandemotion?OristhelevelfineandIshouldgettotheaction?
Yes,notdescribingthequiddichmatchwasdeliberate.HadathousandwordsofchasingbroomsandplaysbeforeIrealisedtheentirethingwassuperfluous.
Chapter5:Memorablemoments
Disclaimer:Disclaimer.
Thedifferencebetween'true'magicandthepurementalenergiesofamindmelteroraprecognitivewarriorisintheorymerelyacademic.ItalldependsonwhattheirenergiescanaffectontheChaikovski-Grangerscale.Whatconfusestheissueistheprovenfactthatsomesquibsandevenmugglesmaygainprofoiciencyinthis,arguablymostinvolvedofthethreebasicarts.
AcademicianDementova,onthenatureofmagic.
Memories
AfewdaysbeforeChristmasbreakHermionewokewithavaguefeeflingofwrongnessandforebodinginhergut,whichwasdidnotmakemuchsense.Shehadbeendoingwellinclassesandwinterbreakwascomingup.
Shegavethingssomethoughtduringbreakfast,tryingtopindownwhyshewasfeelingoff,herfriendshavingalreadylearnedwhatthatlittlecreaseinherbrowmeant,byunspokenagreementlefthertothinkinpeaceuntilafterbreakfast.
Onasociallevelweregoingwell;HarryandRonaldwhowerestayinginthecastleweredoingwell,LavanderBrownwasfastbecomingherfirstfemalefriend,thoHermionestillgotmentalwhiplashwheneverLavanderchangedfromgigglingschoolgirlintoascholarorbackatmomentsnotice,ParvatiPatil,whoshehadinitiallydismissedasevenworsethenLavanderactuallyknewanastoundingnumberofcharmsthatwereusedforcosmetics,quiteafewofthemrelativelyadvanced,especiallyforafirstyear.HerillicitresearchwiththeWeasleytwins,wassomethingnew,slightlydangerousandjustplainfun.Whoknewyouneededvastamountsofdiversemagicalknowledgetorunpranksofallthings.Shehadbeenafooltothinkthemallchildish.Theywereallchildrenafterall
NeedlingMalfoyaboutlackofmannerswasalsoveryamusing.Shelovedwatchinghimsnapfromspoiledbrattopurebloodsocialautomatonandwonderedwhenhewasgoingtorealisebothwereconditionedresponsesfromhisparents.
Heracademicshadneverbeenbetter.ShealwayscamefirstinTransfiguration,halftheworkinthesubjectwasmerelybalancingmentalflexibilityandhardfocus.HerpracticalCharmsworkwasaboveaverage.Onlythingthatstoodoutwastheeaseandcontrolsheexhibitedoverthelevitatingcharmandit'svariationswhichdroveprofessorFlitwicktochallengeherevenmore.Themoreacademicstudieswere,of
course.Perfectrecallcombinedwithaquickflexiblemindwashertickettothetopandsheknewit.
True,notallwasrosesandsunshine,therewassomethingfishyaboutthethirdfloorcorridor,shestillcouldn'tbelievesheallowedherselftobetalkedintoexploringit.Damnedcuriosity.TherelationshipbetweenprofessorsSnapeandQuirellseemtobeincreasinglystrainedtothepointthatprofessorSnapewasnowopenlyglaringatQuirrelduringmeals.Andshestillhadn'tfoundanythingonNicholasFlammel.
Perhapsshedidhaveareasontobeslightlynervous.WhatwithagreatbigCerberusinthecastleandall.
TheoldHermione,theonethatwasterrifiedofsteppingevenalittleoutoflinewouldhavebeentryingtoignorethegreatbigpuzzlethehappeningsinthecastlepresentedbutthenewHermione,theonewhokilledanadultmountaintrollonherownandwasrelativelylikedbytheschoolpopulaceandtheteachers?Shewantedtocrackthepuzzleohsoverymuch.
Stillitdidn'tdotodwellonthingstoomuch,soonshewasgoingtoseeherparents.Andbeabletousesomeofhernewfoundknowledgefortangiblefinancialgain.Eventhethoughtofcollectingamassivepersonallibrarybythetimeshewasfifteenwasenoughforhertofeellikegrabbingoneofherclassmatesandwaltzingdownthecorridor.SheruthlesslyquashedthatideaandconcentratedforamomentonherOculumencyandtighteninghercontrol.Eveniftheexercisewasgivinghersomedifficultyeversinceshefinallyfinishedsortinghermemorieslastnight.
HermindputateaseandhermorechaoticideasrejectedshetriedtopaymoreattentiontoherfellowGryfindoorastheychatteredaboutthefirstclassfortheday.
NevilleandLavanderwerediscussingtheirHerbologyassignmentandHermionelistenedcarefullybecausesheknewthatNevillealwayshadgoodinsightintothatclasswhenafeelingofnauseahitherfromnowhereandtheworldgreyedaroundtheedgesofhereyes.Shestumbledforamomentthepeoplearoundlookingatherwithconcern.
Someonecalledouthernameastheworldtiltedonit'saxisandshefeltarmsaroundhertheworldfadedtoblack.
ShewasthreeyearsoldandshewashavingaceilingteapartywithhertoysjustlikeMarryPoppinsdid,hermotherstaringatherinwonderwhensomemeninfunnydressesandholdingpointysticksappearedinherroomwithaloudcrack
"I'msorrydear.Them'stherules."
Onesaidandpointedthestickathermotherandsaid."Oblivate"thenturnedtoher.
Hermionewokewithastartandshuddered.
"DrinkthisnowmissGranger."askedMadamPomfrey,offeringheravial.
"Whathappened."Sheaskedaftershedownedthefoulsmellingconcoction.Whywheremedicalpotionsalwayssovile?Sheknewforafactthatatleastsomecouldbemademorepalatable.
"Well,accordingtomyscansyouhadsomesortofseizure.Youbrainactivitywaselevatedalmostthreehundredpercentabovenormal.Howdoyoufeelnow?"Thematronasked.
Shetookstockofherself.Clenchingherhandandunclenching.
"Good.Noache,painordiscomfort.I'mnotsurewhathappened?"Hermioneapproachedthesubjectfearfully.Theideathatsomethingwaswrongwithhermindhadtetheringontheedgeofpanic.
"Howfardidyougetwithyouroculumency?"MadamPomfreyaskedoutoftheblue.
Hermionelookedatherforamomentapprehensionmakingherfeelalittlequeasybutansweredwithouthesitation
"Justarrangingmymindandmeditatingtogetintomymindscape."shefinallyresponded.
"Anddidyouperhapsseesomething?Amemoryyouhadforgotten?"Themediwitchaskedwithinterest.
Hermionenoddedfrowning.Shebrieflydescribedhowshehadrelievedamemoryofherselfbeingoblivatedbyaurorsalongwithhermother.
Themediwitchsighedinrelief"Good,theotheroptionwasthattheknocktoyourheaddamagedsomething.Iamglad."
SheglancedatHermioneandpattedherheadreassuringly."Thisshouldnothavebeenaproblem.AllchildhoodblocksaretoberemovedwhenyouareacceptedtoHogwarts."Sheshookherhead."I'lltalktoprofessorMcGonogalandgetanOblivatorinchargeofyourdistrictheretohelpremovethem."
"Childhoodblocks?"Hermioneasked,theideaofsomeonetamperingwithherheadfeltwrongonsomanylevelsshedidn'tevenknowwhattofeelaboutthewhole
situation.
"IttakesalotofworktoprotectSecrecymissGranger.Ihavetoapplaudyouyourstudyofpersonalmindarts.Mostpeopledon'tevenbotheruntiltheirNEWTsandthenworkonlyenoughtoimprovetheirmemoryretention.Heredrinkthisone."Shesaid,handingHermioneasmallvial.Hermionetookitanddrankwithouthesitation.Drowsinesshitheralmostimmediatelyandjustlikethatshewasasleep.
HermionewasannoyedthatPomfreyhadsnuckanothersleepingdraughtonher.Theyawakenedherfromhernapinthelateafternoonandstillrefusedtotellherwhyshehadhermemoriesnotbeenrestoredearlier.Shehadhersuspicionsbutthetall,thinministrymanwithglasseswasnottalking.
ProfessorMcGonogalassuredheritwillbefineandshestoppedaskingquestions,fornow.TheministryOblivatorwasnotaverylikeableperson..
"NowmissGrangerthiswilltakenotimeatall.Allmemoryblocksonchildrenaredesignedtobeeasytobreak."OblivatorTippleintoned."Justcloseyoureyesrelaxandtrytostaycalm."
Shewassixwhenthecarswervedandrusheddirectlyather.Shescreamedandthecarcrumpledaroundher.Withabunchofpopsthemenwithstickswerethereoneofthempointedastickatherwhenitallwentblack."Sorrydear,it'stheLaw."
Shewasninewhenamantriedtopullherintoavanandshesethimonfire.
"YoushouldbemorecarefulHowamIsupposedtoexplainthis.SpontaneousHumancombustion?"Hesighedasheoblivatedherwhilehiscolleaguesdiditfortherestofthestreet.
Shewasfourandhertoyscametolifetoplaywithher,hernannyfoundoutandstartedscreamingwhenamaninasillydresscameandmadeherquiet."Helloagain.Powerfullittlethingaren'tyou?"
Shewaseightandshelearnedshecouldfloatbooksfromthehighestshelfallbyherself."NotuntilHogwartslittleone."
ShewasfiveandshecouldflyjustlikePeterPan.Hecaughtuptoheronabroom.Themangaveherasamekindofsmilemommydidwhenshewrotealettertodaddyonmommy'spapers."Thiswilltakealldaytofixyourealise?"
Moreandmoretimeswhentheytookmagicawayfromher.
Memoriesswirledinakaleidoscopeofevents.
Menwithsticks.
"Obeytheruleskid,seriouslynormalwizardingkidsnevergiveusthiskindoftrouble."
Compulso.
Oblivate.
Akaleidoscopeofmemoriessnappedintobeinginhermind,instantlyfittedintotheemptyspotsshehadfailedtounderstandbefore.Itwasalmostautomaticbynow,towithdrawinwardsandcataloguenewmemories.Thefeelingofuneasinessthathadfollowedheralldayvanishedevenashermindreeledatthegrossviolationofit'ssanctity.
WithamentaleffortshedraggedherselfintorealityandopenedhereyestotheOblivator'ssweatingface.Theroomwasspinningandherheartwasbeatingrapidlyasshestaredattheceiling.Shetouchedherlipandrealisedhernosewasbleeding.
"Merlin'sbeard!"hecalledoutandstaredather."MissGrangerI..."hetrailedoffanddabbedathisforeheadwithahandkerchief.
McGonogalsteppedup,aworriedexpressiononherfacewhilemadamPomfreywasalreadywavingherwand.
Themangotaholdofhimselfandsatdowninachair.
"TimeslikethisiswhyIhatethenewamendmentstotheSecrecylaws."Heintoned."MostMugglebornhaveanincidentortwoperyear."HeshookhisheadandlookedatMissGrangerwithsomethingakintopity"Eightyears,oneortwointerventionsamonthattheleast."
"Youtookitaway"saidHermionequietlyassheshuddered."EverytimeIfoundityoutookitaway."
"I'msorrychild.Secrecyisofutmostimportance.Wehadtodoit."Heintonedsadly.
"Whataboutmyparents?"Shewondered."Cantheyremember?"
"I'msorryMissGrangerbutreversingoblivationonmugglesisalong,difficultandexpensiveendeavourAlsoyouneedanadultfamilymembertoaskforacourtorder.AndGrangerfamilyhasnomagicaladultrepresentativeuntillyouareofage."He
said,wavinghishandanddismissingherparentsasunimportant.
Shelookedathimforamoment,nodded."TheLawistheLaw."Shecouldn'treallyblametheaurorsfordoingtheirjobs.Evenifitwaswrongwrongwrong.Shetookadeepbreathandclenchedherhandtostopitfromshaking.
"I'mtirednow."Sheannouncedandturnedherbacktotheadultsintheroomandcoveredherselfwiththesheetpretendingtogotosleep.'Theymessedwithmesomouchandsooften.NowonderIhadbeendiagnosedwithminorobsessivecompulsivebehaviour.'
Shesuppressedshiversaswavesofhomesicknessalmostoverwhelmedherasshecataloguedmemoriesoflaughterplayandawetheirparentsdisplayedeverytimetheywitnessedheraccidentalmagic.
Shewantedtogohome.
FredandGeorgewerenothappy.SomethinghadhappenedtoGrangerandshewaswalkingaroundsulking.Youcouldpracticallyvisualiseastormcloudlurkingoverherhead.Andsheavoidedthem!Walledherselfoffbehindher,admittedlyeffectiveoculumencyshieldsandjustbrooded.
Thetwinswerenotsoeasilyturnedaway.Itwasaquestionofhonour,gallantryandprankstersolidaritytohelptheirlittletrollkillerandpart-timeaccomplice.Butmostlytheywerecuriousandslightlyworried.
Theycorneredherinthelibraryonthelastday,slippingfromthebookshelvesandsittingoneithersideofherandstaredatherwiththeirheadsproppedontheirhands,bigcoweyesstaringmournfullyatherwithmaddeningpersistency.Shecouldalsofeelthemprojectingcheekysortofcuriosityather,lacedwithafaintundertoneofconcern.
Shefinallysnapped,closingherbook.
"Whatdoyouwant!"shepracticallyhissedatthemcaughtbetweenwantingtoyellatthemandstayingquietinthelibrary.Shedamnedthem,mentally,theyweresobloodyadorablejustthen.Amusingevenwhennotsayinganything.
"Wemissourlittleslayeroftrolls."IntonedFred
"Weneedyoursharpwittokeepusfromblowingupanymoreclassrooms."AddedGeorge.
"What'sbotheringyouickleslayer?"Fredasked,concerned.
"Howcanwehelp?"OfferedGeorge.
Fredwasconcerned.Hecouldfeelwithwhatlittleleglimencytheybotheredtolearnthatithadsomethingtodowithworriesaboutthefuture.Possibletroublewiththelaw.Foramomenthewonderedifshehasfoundadarkartsbooksomewherebeforehisbrothergavehimametaphoricalsmackontheheadovertheirlink.
Georgewasworried.Theiradorable,bushyhaired,quasi-sisterhadfaintworrylinesandtheundersideofhereyeswasdarkfromlackofsleepandworry.Hecouldfeelheragitationwithjustatouchoffear.Hepausednotinghisbrother'strainofthoughtaboutherpractisingdarkartsandmentallylethimknownottobeanidiot.Hewasgladthegirlwasgettingbetteratshieldinganddoublysoaboutthefactthatshejustdidn'tbotherkeepingthemoutcompletely.
Hermionefrowned.Theworldofmagicwasnotwhatshethoughtitwouldbe.Butshecouldtrustthetwinswithsomeofherthoughts.Theytreatedheralmostlikeshethoughtbigbrotherswould,anexasperatingmixtureofteasingandprotecting.Shesighedandstartedtoexplain.
"Ihadtogrowupalittle.Ithoughmagicalworldwouldbespellsandunicorns.Nottrollsandmemorycharms."
"Memorycharms?"Thetwinsexclaimedinunison,mentallypromisingretributionIfsomeonehascausedherharm.
Hermionenoddedandstarteddeclamating.
"Sincethesecrecylawsaddendumof1964allMugglebornaremonitoredforaccidentalmagicandanyoneinvolvedisoblivatedincludingthechild.AndIjustfoundoutthattheyamendedthelawagainthreeyearsago.Asatimesavingmeasuretheynowremovetheblocksonchildrenonlyifanadultwizardinpositionofauthorityoverthechildasksforittoberemoved.Myparentsholdnorightsovermeinthewizardingworld.Andit'snotall.AfterIgraduate?MugglebornIntegrationAct:WhenIturntwentyIwon'tbeabletokeepmywandunlessIholdamagicaljob,marryawizardorenterintoanapprenticeship.IcanforgetopeningabusinessduetoalltheMugglebornspecifictariffsandextralicencesandmytaxeswillbetwopercenthigherthenthoseofpurebloodsandhalfbloods."Sheletitalloutinonefastsentencebeforefinallyquietedputtingherhandsonherfaceforamoment.
"Yourwand?BloodyhellGrangerwheredidyoudigthatup?"Fredwasboggled.Takingthewandfromawizardwasusuallythemostheinousofinsultsandmostly
doneonlyformosthardenedcriminals.
"Andhowcomeweneverheardofthisbefore?Muggleborntaxes?"Georgeasked,intriguedyethorrified.Nowonderhenoticedinhiseconomystudiesthatthewizardingeconomywasslowingdown.HehadheardoftheMugglebornIntegrationactbuthistorybooksclaimeditwasawaytoensureMugglebornwerenotforcedbackintothemuggleworld.Hewassecretlygladtheywerenotmuggleborn.Openingamagicshopbythetimetheylefthogwartswasgoingtobedifficultasitis.
"AsIsaidIappreciatetheofferforhelpboys,butasyouseeyoucan'thelpme."shesaid,grimly.
"Thehellwecan't!"saidFredangrily."OurdadworksfortheministryWe'llaskhimaboutthisovertheholidays.Maybeyoumissedsomething.Theycan'tjusttakepeople'swandawayiftheyhaddonenothingwrong."
"IappreciateitbutI'llbeallrightI'mjustgoingtohavetopreparebetter.PerhapsgetmydegreesinthemuggleworldjustincasesoI'mnotstuckwaitingtablesintheLeakyCauldronorsomething."Shesaid,tryingnotsosoundgloomyabouttheprospect.Shewantedtobeanenchantressnotaarchaeologistoramathematiciandamnit.Sureshehadthecapacitybutshefoundmagicaltheorytobevastlymoreinterestingthanmostmuggleprofessions.
"Aw,comenotGranger.Chinup!Youhavenineyearstoworksomethingout.AndI'msureyouwon'thavetroublefindingajob!Awitchwithyourmind!."Fredtriedtocheerherup
"Don'tforgetthetrollslayingabilities."InterjectedGeorge.
"AndifallelsefailsGeorgeherewillmarryyou,hehasnoromanticprospectswhatsoever,beingtheuglytwinandall."
"Hey!Whoareyoucallinguglytrollface!"
"WhoareyoucallingtrollfaceButnose."
"Freckleface!"
"Carrottop!
Itlastedforafewminutesuntiltheirincreasinglyabsurdinsultsofeachother'slooksbroughtasmallsmiletoHermione'sface.
Thetwinssmiledproudly.
"That'sthespirit,chinup!Iknow.Let'sgopranktheSlytherinQuiddichteam."saidFred
"Yeah,Wemadethistimedelaymodifiercharm.WecancastitnowandhavetheirhairturnintoGryfindoorcoloursonthetrain."saidGeorge.
"We'llteachittoyou!"offeredFred.
Hermioneperkedup."Timedelaycharm?Tellmemore."
'Perhapsthingswon'tbesobad.'Sheshethoughttoherself.'Afterall,IhaveenoughtimetoprepareanddecidewhatIwanttodo.Thankstomycounterpart."
Thetwinswereright.Sheshouldn'tbroodaboutthefuture.Sheshouldprepareinstead.
Hergloomydescentintomopingforgotten,thetrainridehomewasabitmorefunthenthefirstone.HarryhaddecidedtostayatHogwartsandRonaldhaddecidedtostaywithhimasasolidaritygesture.Shemadeamentalnotetolookintobothboysfamilylives.
CurrentlyshewasholdingafascinatingdiscussionaboutthepotencyoffreshplantsversuspreservedoneswhenusedaspotioningredientswithNevilleLongbottom,ParvatiPatilandLavanderBrownwhenascreamingMalfoyranpasttheircompartment.
"WasitjustmeorwasMalfoydressedinscarletandgold?"AskedNeville
"Noitisn'tyou.Hishairwasalsobi-coloured."Lavanderconfirmed.
"Andhiswastryingtoremovehisshirt,Ibelieve."Parvatiputinhertwoknuts."Itchingsolutionperhaps?"
"Wellshouldn'taFiniteIncantemreversemostspellsandevenneutralisetheeffectsofmostexternallyappliedpotions?"WonderedLavander.
Hermionechuckled."Notreally.Somespellsorpotionsmaybealteredto,ohIdon'tknow,Itchforinstance,whenhitwiththemagicalenergiesofaspell,FiniteIncantemincluded"
ParvatiPatilfrownedatHermione"WhatdidyoudotohimGranger?"
Hermionesmiled."Well,Ican'treallyconfirmthatIhadsomethingtodowiththis.ButperhapsapersonwasintheprocessofassistingsomeoneelseinaprankontheSlytherinquiddichteamwhenMalfoyannoyedthatpersonwithinsultsaboutapersonsparenthood.Itwouldbesimpletohexthearrogantlittleprickwithamodifiedversionofatimedelayedspell."
Longbottomlaughed."That'sbrilliant!SoItneedsaspecificcountercurse?"
Hermioneshookherhead."Actually,IfIdidit,whichIcouldn'tassuchspellsaretooadvancedforamerefirstyeartocast,itwouldbeacharm,notacurse.Perhapssettoactivatewhenexternalmagicwasappliedtothetarget?AndIt'dmakeitaffect,afteradelay,anyclothingheputsoninsteadtargetingtheclothes.Itshouldwearofinadayortwounlesshekeepsfuellingitwithmagic."
"Howdidyoudoit?"AskedLavander.
Hermionewavedafingeratherfriendsternly.
"Nownow,IneversaidIdidit.IthinktheArithmancyworkwouldbealittlebeyondanickllefirstielikeme,notevenayearinschool.Don'tyouagreeNeville,Parvati?"SheneededtochangethesubjectandsoturnedtoLongbottom."Now,areyousurethatWolfsbaneisactuallymorepotentwhendriedNeville?Itsoundsdodgytome."
Nevillelookedoffendedforamomentandlaunchedintoanexplanation.Shesmiled.Theboywasabitshybutgethimtalkingaboutplantsandheforgotthatheissupposedtobeincompetentandshy.Shereallydidlikeitthatsomeofherclassmatesactuallyknewhowtoholdadiscussion.HeckevenParvatiPatildisplayedhiddendepthswhenpushed.
Whowouldhaveknownshe'dlearnsomuchaboutenchantingandillusions.'WellIsupposewhenonewantstobeamagicalbeauticianonehastoknowhercharmsandpotions.'
Therestofthetrainridewasspentinpleasantconversationthatsomehowdevolvedintoagameofexplodingsnap.
Itwasprobablythelastroundandshehadbeencarefullytryingtomanipulatethewaycardswereexchangedbyusinghersuperiormemory.ShehadavagueideaonwhateveryonewasholdingandshewasaimingonaFullVictoryCascadewhenithappened.Nevillelookedatherandaskedheinnocently."Doyouhaveanyfours?"
HerplanfellapartfromthereandwhiletheFullVictorycascadehappeneditwentoffassoonasLavandertookhermissingMermaid.Yes,thecascadeendedupexplodingintoHermione'sface.
"There'salessoninthissomewhere"Hermionemusedm,wrinklingherslightlysingedforehead"AssoonasIcanthinkagainIwillcontemplateit,perhapswriteitdown."
Shesatonthefloor,halfdazedandlaughinglikecrazyattheironyofgettingafacefullofherownplan.Thecascadehasbeenagloriousseriesofexplosionsthatleftthemalllookingsingedandridiculous.Exceptthevisctoriouslavander.Aprefectcameintothecompartmentwhiletheywerestillgigglingortryingtocatchtheirbreath.Notingthecardsstrewnalloverthecompartmenthesmiled."Cascade?"Heasked.
"FullCascade."respondedLavandersmugly.
Theprefectwhistledappreciatively."Well,thatsoundedfun.ButIsuggestyoupackup,we'willenterthestationintenminutesorso."
Hewavedhiswandandastreamofbrightcolouredmagicgatheredthecardsintoasingledeckandairedthesmokefromthecompartmentatthesametime.
Hermionelookedathimwithstarsinhereyes."Wasthatalayeredspellcompositeyoujustcast?"Sheaskedinawe.
TheHufflepufflookedathequizzically."Whyyesitis.MyUncleisanarithmancerandshowedmehowtomeshspellstogetherforaspecificpurpose.IttookabitofworktotothecalculationsandmodifywandmovementsbutnowI'mpracticallyguaranteedanOonmycharmsNEWT."
"Youmustplayalotofexplodingsnapthentobothercreatingthatparticularcombination."Lavandergiggled.
Henodded."AsamatteroffactIdo.IplacedtwelfthlastsummerintheEssexExplodingSnapchampionship.Now,lesstalkandmorepackingup!"
AftertheyarriveditwasasomewhatsingedwhirlwindoffamilyintroductionsandgoodbyesbeforeHermonecouldfinallygolookforherparentsoutsideplatformnineandthreequarters.
Author'sNote.
YesIamstickingtotheplotofthefirstbooksomewhat.Toitwillslowlychangeuntillatsomepointtheplotwillgoonatangent.AslightlysaneronethenmyfirstdraftbutstillquitedifferentthenthestorybookfeeloftheJKR'swork.
Nowtellme.Forthoseofyouthatinteractwithteenagegirls.HowwouldtheyreactiftheyfoundouteverytingHermionedidinthepreviousfourmonths?Yesthatwasahintonthevacationchapter's.
Chapter6:GreetingsandSanity
Disclaimer:JKRownsHJPandKITAoWWonFFNisNo$
VerylittleisknownaboutthepersonunderthenameIncantabile.HernameislistedasFrancescaIncantabille.HerbirthdaylistedisJanuary1st1900.ShehasstrongtiestoallofthefamiliesoftheCosaNostra,andoccasionaltiestootherinfluentialfamiliesinEurope.Noprooforevenconjecturehasbeenofferedaboutherbeinginvolvedinanythingillegal.Manypowerfulfigurescometoher,humblyaskingforadvice.Theonlyotherbitofhardfactonheristhatsheisalwaysaskedtoattendbirthsandweddings.Sheisalsoagodmothertoaverylargenumberofcurrentbosses.
MI6Summaryexcrept
"Incantabilleisoneofthelasttrueelvesleftinourworld.Sheisveryold,verypowerfulandhadstayedbehindwhenlasttrueelvesleftourworldbeforetheGreatChange.Overseventeenthousandyearsoldshehadtakenuphobbiestoamuseherselfwhileshewatched.During1900'sshehadposedasaseerwithtiestotheCosaNostra.Inthe1990'syoucouldfindherinLondon.ShespendsherafternoonsdrinkingteaatMama'sDinerincentrallondon.Sheiswillingtoofferclarityandanswerstothosebraveenoughtoask.Rememberthisthough.TheFaymaybebenevolent,buttheirsenseofhumourisalienandsometimescruel.Ifyoupolitelyexplainthatyouareindistressshewillstop.Intimeyoumaycometounderstandwhatsheseesanddoes.Andthenyouwillbefriends.Inaway.Justdon'tdrinktoomuchofherwine.Itwon'tdamageyounomaterhowmuchyoudrinkandyetyoucouldusethesweetdeliciousstufftospikeavatofabsinthe.Infact,stickwithabsintheifyouareinpublicratherthenherwine.Speakingofabsinthe,didyouknowthatasawitchyouhavethreetimesthecapacityforalcoholofanordinaryhuman,nonegativesideeffectsandamuchfasterrecoverytime?Yourbodydoesn'tcareifitburnssugaroralcoholtofuelthemagic.Justdon'tgoforthehardstuffforafewyears.Itstillimpairsjudgement."
HermioneJaneWaesleytoHermioneJaneGranger.
inCompilationofusefulthingstoknow.
Chapter5ish
Hello'sandSanity.In.
WhenshefinallylaideyesonherparentsHermionejuststoodthereforalongmomentasithitherhowmuchshemissedthem.
HerFatherwasatallstrongmanwithstrongwideshouldersshortblackhairandsensiblefeaturessoftenedsomehowbyasmallwellgroomedgoateeandmoustache.Despitehissomewhatharshfeatureshiseyeswerewarmandhislargehandssurprisinglydexterouswhenhetinkeredwithhisspringsandwatches.
Hermotherwasaheadshorterthenherfather,andthatincludedthetwoinchesaddedbytheuntamedbrowntressessoreminiscentofHermione'sown.WhenworkingHermotherusedhaircareproductsandkeptherwelltiedtotameitsomewhatbutduringholidayssheallowedherverycurlyhairtospringtofreedomitstruggledfor.Hermotherwasastrongwilledandsensibleanditshowed.
Shestoodthereforamomentandcouldseehowmuchtheystruggledtokeepfromgushingatthesightofher.sherelentedandthrewherselfathermotherwithagrin.Shehadmissedthem,andthatdistancethatshehadtriedtobuildoverthelastfewyearshadseemedsofoolishnow.StupidministryOblivatorsandtheirblastedlawsandmeddling.Theyalmosttookherparentsfromher.
"Mummy!I'msogladtoseeyou."shesaidgivinghershockedmotherthefuzziest,cuddliesthugshecouldimagine.
"Hermione!I'mgladtoseeyoutoo"herJaneGrangerintonedhappily.Hermionehasn'tcalledhermummysinceshewasnineyearsold.OnedayshehadcomebackfromschoolandHermionehadstartedcallinghermother.Itdamnnearbrokeherheart.Shehadforgottenhowvibrantherdaughtercouldbewhenshewasgenuinelyhappy.
"Heytheresparrow!Don'tIgetahello?"ohngGrangeraskedandafterasquealof'Daddy!'waspromptlyengulfedinahug.Heexchangedhappylookswithhiswife.OvertheyearsHermionehadretreatedintoanintellectualshellandhardlyeveractedlikehislittlegirlanymore.Butnowhislittlegirlwasgenuinelyhappyjusttohughim.
"Letmelookatyou."Hesaidandfrowned,notingtheblacksmudgeonherfaceandhersomewhatsingedeyebrows."Whathappenedtoyou?!"Hegrowled.Ifsomebullywasmessingwithhisdaughtermagicornomagichewasgoingto...
Hisbeloveddaughter'sringinglaughterrangacrosstheplatformandpulledhimoutofprotectivefathermode.
"Ohdaddy!"Shesmiledandgavehimakissonthecheek."YouknowIwouldn'tletanyoneharmme.They'dgetthepatentedGrangerrightcross."Shesaidtakingupaplayfulboxingstanceandplayfullyswipedatherfatherbeforeleaninginlikeshewassharingaconfidence.
"NottomentionedwhatIwoulddotothemwithmylevitatingcharm.Icanactuallydoitwandleslynowforapoundortwoofweight.Don'ttellmycharmsprofessor.HeisstillprocessingthefactthatIcanlifttwohundredpoundswhenusingmywand."Sheaddedmischievously."ImaginewhatIcoulddotoahundredpoundbully."
"Explainthesmudgesthen."heasked,amusedbyhisdaughtersanticsbutunwillingtobedistracted.
"Explodingsnap."Sheintoned."Amagicalcardgamethatisasortofacrossbetweanagameofhotpotato,bluffingandsomebasicmathematics.Theincentivetothewinisthus:ifyouwinyourcardsdon'texplode."
"Explode!"Hermotherexclaimed.
"Ohrelaxmum,it'sperfectlysafe.TheworstsnapexplosioneverrecordedwasduringworldSnapchampionshipandthatwasamildseconddegreeburnthatwashealedinminuteswithsomeburnhealingpaste."Shesmiled.
"I'llteachyouhowtoplay."
Bothparentsunknowinglysharedthesamethought.
IfHermionewaswillingtojustplayaroundperhapsthisboardingschool,magicthingmoghtnotbesobadafterall.
"Shallwego?"HermionesaidtuggingatJohn'sjacket.Helookedaroundlikeherememberedsomething.
"Um,whereisyouluggagesparrow?"Hefinallyasked.
"Ohdaddy,Iamstudyingmagicyouknow.Runesaregreat!"Shepulledthematchboxsizetrunkoutofherpocketandsmiledathim.Janetookitoutofherhandandstudiedit,unsureifhergirlwasjoking.
"Here,youcarryitJohn,I'tsmuchtooheavyforpoorlittleoldme."Shehandedtheminiaturisedtrunktoherhusbandandsmiledmournfully.
JonathanGrangerwasamazed.Herememberedthesizeofthethingandhowmuch
troubletheyhadgettingitintoandoutofthecar.Helookedathischeekywifeandthentheatricallypickedupthetinytrunkandleadthewaytothecar,herlookedatthetrunkforamomentandthencheekilywenttothefrontandstoreditintheglovecompartment.
"So,Sparrow,howaboutalunchintown?"Heasked.
"Ohdaddy!Iknowjusttheplace!It'sasmallItalianplaceinBeakstreet.PolpoorPolpo'sorsomethinglikethat.Itcamehighlyrecommendedandit'snotthatpricey."Shesmiledinexcitement.Ohthiswasperfect.Shehadwantedtotrythis,supposedlydivine,linguini'seversinceshereadaboutitinthe'placestovisit'folderinherletter.
Herparentsagreedandfollowedherdirections.TheyfoundparkingnearbyandastheypassedbyasmallkioskHermionesuddenlygotexcited.
"Ohdaddy,looktheyaresellingChristmaslotterytickets!CanIfilloutone?"Shelookedaroundandleanedinlikeshewassharingasecret."Agirlindivinationdidmyhoroscopeanditsaidmyluckynumbersweresevenandthirteen,thatIwillhaveawindfall,financiallybutthatIshouldbewareofoldenemiesandbluecats."Shepaused."ThoughI'mnotsurethatlastpartwasright."
Ofcourse,sheknewthatthepartaboutwindfallwasaccurate,whenyouhadfinancialpredictionsforthenexttenyearsorso,aswellasallmajorlotterynumbers,arrangedbycountryanddate.Aslongasshedidn'tmaketoomanybigfinancialwavesthestockmarketthenextfewyearswouldnethermillions.
Herfathersmiledindulgentlyandtookhertothebooth,paidthemanandhandedhertheformtofillout,abitbemusedbythesuddeninterestingambling.
ShefilledinthenumbersoftheChristmaslotteryshehadmemorisedthenightbefore.Shehesitatedwiththelasttwonumbersandthenfilledthemoutwrong.Twelvethousandpoundswasmorethenenoughfornow.Theponyfarmcouldwait.
"Thereyougosir!"Shesmiledcheekilygiggledattheoldman'sindulgentexpression.Shemusednotmanygirlscomeandfilloutalotteryticketatarandomboothonthestreet.
Johnwascontent.TheyhadtalkedtoHermioneaboutschoolandasidefromquicklymentioningsomeunpleasantnessaboutatrollsneakinginwhiletheprofessorsweredoingsomesecuritymaintenanceherfriendsseemedinteresting.ShemostlytalkedaboutthisHarryPotterfellowandtheWeasleybrothers.Thoughtheysoundedliketroublemakerstohim,herefrainedfromcommenting.Hisgirlknewwherethelines
areandhetrustedhertokeeptothem.HerdormmatessoundedinterestingandherstudiesalsowhileabitesotericforJohnwereintriguing,ifsomewhatpintless.Whywouldanyonewishtoturnamatchstickintoaneedleandviceversa,hehadnoclue.Thatlevitatingcharmsoundedusefulthough.Hejustwishedhecouldbragtohisnavybuddiesoverthepokertableabouthowhisdaughtercouldlifttwohundredpoundsaboveherheadusingonehandandastick.
Lunchwasadecidedlypleasantventureheconcludedattheendoftheday,thefoodasverygood,andtheserviceimpeccable.ThoughwhywouldHermioneleavethematthetablewhiletheyweredecidingwhattoordertogopayrespectstoanoldwomanthatwasdrinkingtea,hehadnoclue.
JaneGrangerwasawomanwithamindlikeasteeltrap.Whileherhusbandtookaboutthreequartersoftheactualworkloadshehandledfinanceandthelegalissuesaswellasalltheschedules.WhereherhusbandhadhispokernightssheindulgedinmathpuzzlesandcreatedthecrosswordpuzzleforthelocalgazetteandmadetheoccasionalguestlectureatOxfordoncryptology.Shestillconsulted,foraflatfee,withMI5whentheywereshortstaffedorhadatoughnuttocrack.Afterallyoucouldnevertrulyleavethecompanyevenifthestressgottoyou.
Shesawdetailsandnuancesandshehadseenthemomentmoreclearlythenherhusband.Herdaughterhadseenthebooth,wheelshadspunandpro'sandconswereweighedinasplitofasecond.Shewasn'tsureaboutdivinationbutherdaughterknewsomethingthatmadehersureaboutthelotteryticket.Ofcoursewithmagic,shemighthaveactuallybeensurebecausesomeonereadnumbersinherhoroscope.
Shelistenedtotheconversationbetweenherhusbandanddaughterasshedroveandmadeamentalnotetotalktoherdaughterabouttrolls.Sheglossedoverawfullyquickoverwhathadreallyhappened.
Thelunchplacewaswellselectedandwhileshetrustedherdaughtersjudgementsheorderedlasagneforherself.ShewouldstealthelinguinifromJohn.
ShesurmisedthattheoldwomanHermionewenttogreetwasmagicalandputitoutofhermind.Thensherealisedshehadputitoutofhermindtooquicklyandtriedtolookagain.Afterseveraltriessherealiseditwasindeedsomeonemagicalandthatshecouldn'tponderthemattertoclosely.ShewrotedownAskHermioneaboutOldTeaLadyinhernotebookandlettheslipperythoughtescapefromherhead.
Shewasgladherdaughterwashappyandallelsecamesecond.
Hermionehadexcusedherselffromthetableandwentovertoaboothintheback.UnknowntoherafewpeoplewatchedherwithraisedeyebrowsasshebowedpolitelytotheIncantabille.Shewaitednervously,foracceptanceordismissal.
Thekindelderlygrandmotherlookedatherwithcoalblackeyesandsmiled."Sitchild,speaktome."
"GreetingsSyse'rleeoftheeast,Evervigilantwatcher.IamHermioneJaneGranger."sheintonedpolitely.
"Ah!Youarewiseforyouagechild!Hiddennamesareatruepleasuretopuzzle."Theoldwomanlaughedmerrily.Evenasshesomehowchangedandgrewwithoutseemingto.Thewomanhadapresencethatwaspotentandhumbling."Tellme,Jane,MirageoftheHornsofgreen,witch,whatwouldyouaskoftheKeeperofEastLines?"
RelievedthattheFayseemedpleasedHermioneneverthelesschoseherwordscarefully.
"Iwouldnotpresumetoasksuch.ButperhapsIncantabillecouldhelpme?"
"Perhapsshecould."Thedisguisedfeynodded."Speakyourneedtome,slayerof..."Shepausedhereyewidening."Slayeroftrolls?Haveyoutruly,slainsuchacreatureatyourage?Yes,ofcourseyoudid.Iseeitnow.Yourmagicwasrawandunfocused,buteffective,andbrutal.Yetyouarenotawarrior.Youconsideryourselfascholarfirst.Howrefreshing.Iseeyoumoreclearlynow.Youwillseekyourwaythroughapathriddledintraps."Shechuckledatthisandnoddedherhead."Ha,Riddledindeed!"
Shepouredthegirlsomeofherteaandofferedherthecup."Drink,thenspeaktomeofyourpresentneed.Thefuturewillcomeasitmay.WhatscenariodoyoucraftinyoumindIwonder?"
TheFaymovedforward,aninhumanvissageghostingacrosstheedgeofperceptionasavastpowerlookedawayfromtheworldandfocusedherwholeattentiononatwelveyearsittinginarestaurantinlondon.
Hermionerefusedtobreakintoagibberingwreckattheattentiontighteninghertenousgriponherownmind,steeledherselfandlookedatthosesharp,alien,deepclearblackeyesforamomentandrealisedshewasbeingtestedsomehow,inhaledthestrongteainwonderment.Itsmelledofasummerbreezeandhoneycombs.Ittastedofwarmsunlightandgrowth.Sheclosedhereyesandcommittedthefeeling
tomemorybeforetakingstackofherself,itwasallsoclear!Hermindonfire,hervoicedistortedandhermindclearshespoke.
"Isee(know/Taste)thetrapsyouspeakof,andknowunknownobstaclesawaitjustoutofeyesightandbeyond.Ineed(wantdesirecrave)freedomtoactinthemuggleworldoffinance,someonewhowoulddoasIinstructthemandprepareforafuturethatwouldnotcome.Isee(dream/perceive/know)achange(Death/fire/cleansing)coming,manyyearsfromnowthatmanywillfeel(Despair/rejoice/endure)Wewillstruggle(holdavastanger)andagainst(smite)thosethatwouldharm(Eat/corrupt/challenge)us.ThelinesofDragonswillglowwithfireastherebirthoftheworldstartswithaFall.WieldingtheSwordoflightandtheHammeroffuryacrossthestarsHumanitywill...Humanity...I."Hermionefalteredthereandshookherheadherhandovertheheartmgraspingalittledragononachain."No.Toomuch.Toofar.Nofateiscertain"Hervoicefadeddowntoherusualinflectionandlookedattheelfstrugglingtocomprehendwhatshehadseenandknew/hoped/fearedmight/nevercomeabout.
"Icouldtell,IfIlooktoofarIwillloosemyselfandshatter."Hereyesshiningfromthepotentbrew."Whatisthistea?"Sheasked.
"EarlGrey."AtHermione'sincredulouslooktheFaysmiledandrelented."Brewedintearsoffeythatweredilutedinwatersfoundinthedeepestcavesofthedwarvenclans.SweetenedwithhoneycreatedbytheonlySunBeacolonyleftintheworld.SeasonedwithseedsofpoppyandtheessenceofakindofcactusfromwhatyounowknowasMexicoaswellassomeothersthathavenonameinhumantonguessincetheyareextinctinallplacesasidefrommyownhome."Thefeyhadagleaminhereye."Nomortalcanwithstandtheclarityofknowingwithoutchangingvastly.Orshattering."Andyetyoudolittlechild.
"Itmakesoneseethings.Truethings.Beautifulthingsoflightandsinew.Terriblethingsofteethandbutterflies."Hermionespokeinaquietvoice."EvennowIcan'tseemtorememberdetails.YetIhaveperfectrecall"
"Calmchild.Somethingsthemortalmindrefusestorememberinordertoprotectitself.Youhavetoldmeenoughtomakemecurious.AndIwantedtoseeyourpotential.Icouldneverseesoveryfar."Thefaytrailedofflookingatherowcupandthemseemedtostraighten,evenassheseemedmoreliketheoldfrailwomanthatsheneverwasorwillbe.
"Iwishtoseewhatwillbecomeofyouandthosearoundyou.Iwillsendamantoyou,whowillcreateacompanyInYourNamethatyoumaygatherresourcesthatyouDesire.Didyouhaveanameinmind?"
"Magitechnologies?No.MagiTech."Hermionemurmured,slightlydazedasthepreassureofthatvastterriblebeautifulattentionfaded.Shecouldstillfeeltheechoesofthevastlywidenedperceptionthesocalled'tea'caused.Whatscenariosdoyoucraft.IncantabileAndHermioneonlynowrealisedthatshecould."Yes.Icameforadviceonstartingacompanyofmyown.Iremembernow."
Leanedback,fadingevenmoreintoherguiseasafrailoldwoman.
"Thenhearmyadviceanddecideyourfuture."
Incantabilespokeofproxiesandcodes,ofpostofficeboxesandcompanystructuring.Ofseedmoneyshewouldneedandsalaries.Hermionestoreditinherinmind,butalltherestofHermionecouldthinkofwasthathorribleclaritythatengulfedher,themomentshehadbalancedaboveadeepabyssandshudderedatwhatshecouldbecome.Tolkienwaswrong.Ifyouaskanelfforadvicetheywillnottellyoubothyesorno.Theywillshowyoutheconsequencesofyouractionsandleaveyoutodecideyourownfaithwhileknowingthecostoffailiure.
Shehadcametoherselfasshesatdownatthetablewithherparentsamereminutesaftershehadleft.Theclaritywasgonefromherownmind,apartofherselfsheltereduntilshecouldabsorbitintinypieceswithoutharmingherself.Sherememberedavagueconversationovertea,thefinancialpartoftheconversationclearinhermindandsmiledashermotherthreatenedherfatherwithlinguinitheft.PleasedthattheFayhadnotaskedforsomescarypriceforherhelp.Notknowingithadalreadybeenpaidwithatinysliverofhersanity.
TheSecretServiceagentsthatmonitoredthelocalorganisedcrimetookphotosofherfamily,wonderingwhothischildwas,thatsocasuallysharedteawiththemostinfluentialwomanintheworld.
Andhiddeninthefoldsofherthickshirttheeyesofatinysilverdragonstoppedglowingandfadedbackintosilver.
Incantabillehadbeenponderingthegreatchangethathadrushedacrossthehigherplainsashorttimeago,notevenayearwhenapresencestoppednearher.Shehadnotseen(sensed/tastedthelightofhersoul)herbeforeshesteppedinfrontofhertablethenanditwasananomalyinit'sownright.Shelookedwithhereyesandwonderedinpuzzlemenasthegirlspoke.
Thechildhadsomehowdivinedheroldtitles,andbycallingthatoldnameunwittinglyrevealedherownsecretnametoher.Whatunusualchildtohaveso
manyhiddennames.Andwasthat?Yesitwas.Rise,andManifest!Amindsosharpmanywouldcutthemselvesonit.Usingthepuremagicofhersoul!AWitch.Atrollkilleratthatage.Andthemostdangerousofall.Agirlwithsecrets.Onesevenherselfcouldnotsee.Excitementrushedthroughher,thelikesofwhichshehadnotfeltinalongmillennia.
SheHADtotesther!
Rangacrosshermindasshepouredpureteatothegirl.
Andindeedthegirlwasamarvel.
Incantabillesmiledtoherselfasthelongmomentpassed.Thegirlhadrevealedlittle.Andmuch.Shecouldfeelthreadsoffateshiftingacrossthehigherdimensions.Thatchildwasmostunusual,tohavethateffectonher,aswellasthefuture.Toseebeyndthevailofafewdecades,toseesofarandstaysane.Thefaysippedherteaandponderedwhathadpossessedhertogiveanuntrainedchildtheessenceofmadnessandecstasythatwasthebrewofsecondsight.Andhowintheworldhadthehumanchildwithstooditwithoutherhelp.Shehadplannedtostaythemadnessandguideherback,butthechilddrewherselffromthebrink,usingsomesortofanchor.
Mirageofthegreenhorns.Illusion,yes.Butwhathadgreenhorns.Trolls?Dragons?Thechild'ssecretnameisevenmoreconfoundingpuzzle.HermioneJaneGrangerwasbeyondherinfluence,andthusinteresting.
Showmewhatyouwilldototheworldchild.AndperhapsIwillseeyousometimeinthefuture.Ifwestillstand.
Shefelthopeful,TheStarofMorningdid.Andyoungagain.Changewascoming.Soon.Perhapsacenturyorless.Incantabilewouldgointoretirementabitearlierthensheplanned.Toolonghasshebeenanoldwomanandwouldnotwaittheturnofhumancentury.Itwastimeforanewguise.Shewantedtoplayagain.FroliclikeayounggirlinSunlightandSea.
Whatshouldshecallherself?Dawnperhaps?Yes,SummersDawn.
Nowwhereshecouldgotohavesomefun?
HermionehadhadawonderfulChristmaseve.
Shehadsnuggledbetweenherfatherandhermotherastheywatchedafantasyfilm
aboutagirl,wishesandgoblins.Yes,itwastraditionaltowatchit'sawonderfullifehowevertheirfamilywasneverthattraditional.
Shehadlovedthelookonherparent'sfaceswhenshewandleslylevitatedthestartothetop.Sheweightedtheriskgettingawarningfromtheministryagainstthenotionthatunderagemagicwasbeingtrackedthroughherwandsignature.
Thelooksofwondermentonherparent'sfaceswouldhavebeenworthanyofficialwarninganyway.
ShedidanimpromptudancewhentheChristmaslotteryhadbeenannounced.Thesecondnumberwasdifferentthenwhatwassupposedtocomeupbutitwastheoneshedeliberatelyskippedanyway.
"GoodforyouHoney!Whatwillyoudowithallthatcash?"Hermotherhadasked.
"WellIalwayswantedafarmoflittleponies."RepliedHermioneinnocently.
Shelaughedattheflabbergastedlookonmum'sfaceandexplainedthat,whileshedidinfactwanttoownahorsethatwouldhavetowaitafewyearsandthenchangedthesubjectbygoingtothefrontdoortolistentothecarollers.
ShehadbeengladwhenHedwigshoweduptopickupHarry'schocolatefrogs,likeshehadaskedher.ThebeautifullwhitebirdhadpreenedatherJane'sattentionandcoaxedfartoomuchtastybaconoutofherbeforeheadingout.
Themidnightmasshasbeenwonderfulandshecouldactuallyfeelthepositiveenergyfromthepeoplesingingflowingintotheskyandground,andfeltalovingpresencegiveherafondlookwhenshesentherconsiderableenergiestojointhem.AfterIncantabilleshewasnotquiteasshakenbytheexperienceasshemighthavebeen.
Joytotheworldindeed.
Nowshewassnuggledinherownbedtiredbuthappygivingafinaltouchtoheroculumency,toensureshewouldalwaysremembertheday.SheknewsomethinghadhappenedwithIncantabile.Somethingdisturbingandlifealteringbutoutofreach.Butshetookcomfortinknowingthatallwasrightintheworld.Andifatsomepointthatchangedit.Shecould,andwouldmakethingsbetter.
Herdreamsthatnightwerefilledwithideasandpossibilitiesthatclashedandmerged.Dreamsnofwarsandgamesandwargames.Ofherselfasdarkandbenevolent,shiningandhorribleaswellasallinbetween.
Andonceduringthenightsomethingwithtwistingarmourcarapace,strongimpossiblesinewandsharpdeadlyteeththesizeofamountaincameforherandthendecidedtolookfornourishmentelsewhereassomethingevenworsestoodinit'swayandprotectedheraswasit'sduty.Itgaveherafondsniffwhenitnoticedherlookinganditslitheredcomfortinglythroughherbones,pattedherfondlyonthebrainbeforeitflowedinandsideandflewawayfromherintothenighttoprotectothers.Itwasdisturbingandcomfortingevenifshewouldneverquiterememberitproperly.
Asthenightfurtheredalong,heroptionsbecameclearerevenashersightfadedShefoundherworriesebbawaywiththepotentbrewstillinherveinsandshefrolickedwithagirlnamedDawn,onasandybeachsomewhere,feelingcompletelygoodaboutherself.
Justbeforedawnsheperceivedthesnowgentlyfallacrossherhomeasshesleptandthelastoftheteabrokedowninherbody.Theclarityofmillionsofgentlyfallingworksofarteachheartbreakinginit'sfragile,passingbeautywassomethingshewouldrememberfortherestofherlifeasoneofthemostbeautifulthingsshehaddreamt.
AN:Well.intheoriginaldraftIncantabillecameoutofnowhereandiactuallythoughtofherasArwenthatdidn'tfadeaway.ImanagedtostepawayfromLOTRandamincorporatingherintosomeotherstuff.
NoI'mnotcrossingthisoverwithBuffy.
Hermione'sparent'smeetingoutofcountryduringsomesortofinsurgency(blackop?)inthe80's('75?)theideaoriginallycamefromfleshingouttheircharacterssometimeduringthesecondhalfofthechristmassbreak.IseeJaneassomesortofdataanalistandjohnasa(specialops?)sailorthatbailedherout.Bothelectedtopursuealessmorallyambigouscareer.Theyareintheirlate30'sathetimeofthestorybutlookyoungerduetothesamequirkofbreedingthatspawnedawitch.:)
I'minthemiddleofreworkingthenextchapterslightly.
ThanksfortheteenageviewsMorgannaandSJ.
Andthankseveryone(andSnowdoveXD)forreviews.
Chapter7:OldenemiesandInsanity
"Whenyourmindgetsusedtotheincreasedflowofincomingdatacausedbyexpandedmentalperceptions,youwilllearntoanticipateeventsandpredictthebehaviourofothers.Scenarioswillbegintoemerge,malleableaccordingtoyourwill.Muchwillgoyourwayeveniftheoddsappearthesame.Youmustenvisionagoal,actinthecrucialmomentofbalanceandtipthescalessothefuturewillfallintoplace.Bewarned.Ifyouaretoorigid,toocommittedtoasinglestrandofprobabilityyourscenariowillmostlikelyshatterandcutthehandsthatformit.OnlytheflexibleMindmaytakeadvantageofanopportunity.Beitamomentaryslipinyouropponent'sfencingskillorexploitinganadvantagecausedbythemovementtheplanet'stectonicplates."
'Doctrine:flexibility'byHermioneJaneWeasley.
Hermionewasgenuinelycontent.ShehadspentChristmasdaysnuggledbetweenherparentsdrinkinghotcocoaastheywatched(theLabyrinth?)onvideoandplayinggameswithherparents.SomehowthestressofthelastfewweeksinHogwartshasevaporatedfromher.Shecouldn'tgetevenmildlyannoyedwhenherfathergotthecallandhadtogotoworkforafewhours.IfsomeoneiswillingtopayemergencyratesforaChristmasdaytoothextractionshewasnotgoingtoobject.HermotherwasassistingandHermionehadafewhoursonherowntokill.
Shedecidedtogotothelocalpark.Thedaywasclearandwhilesomewhatchillytherewasnowindtomakeitworse.Thesunwasshiningasbestatitcouldunderthecircumstancesandthesparrowswereouttobegorstealbredfromtheparkgoers.Inessenceitwasoneoftherarewinterdaysthatwerejustperfectforasnowballfight.Thesoundofsmallchildrenplayingintheirsnowfortsandthesparrow'schirpingwasasoothingbackgroundnoiseunlikeanyother.
Shesatonabench,herwamndsnugagainstherarminitsstillabitstiffnewleatherholster.Shehadn'tbeenexpectingtroublebutshecarriedherwandinawristsheetheversincethequiddichwasneverevergoingtobefumblingforherwandagain.
Sheplacedherselfasfarawayfromthechildren'sescapadesaspossibleandstudiedtheheftyformoftheSelfUpdatingTomeOfLaw.Itwouldn'tdotobecaughtbysomethingstupidlikethatrulethatstatedthatifanyunescortedunwedwitchspendsthreeconsecutivenightinthehouseofanunwedpurebloodmaleitisconsideredasinitiatingthefirststageofabetrothalarrangement.Ashortfewstepsafterthatandshe'dbemarriedbeforesheblinked.
Stupidmisogynisticoldfartsneverrepelledthelawevenifithaslastbeenactually
usedinthethirties.Eighteenhundredandthirties.Shemadeamentalnotetogetacompetentlawyeronretainerassoonasshemanagedtoputsomeofthosefinancialchartsintogooduse..Whoknewwhensomeonewouldtrytorailroadherintosomething.
Stillthedaywasperfectandthesubjectofherstudywasbothintriguinganduseful.Evenifittookabitofefforttointerpretlegalise.Shewasatpeaceandsheshouldhaverealiseditwasnotmeanttolast.
"Oy!Beaverbreath!Haveyougetkickedoutofthat'Special'schoolnoonehasheardofyet?Tooannoyingforthem?"Afamiliarandhatedvoicerangacrossthesmallpark.
Hermionesighed,sheknewshewasforgettingsomethingaboutthelocalpark.
MargaretWhitehasbeenthebaneofherexistencethroughherschooling,ayearolderthenheryetstillinthesamegrade.Hermionehadbeenaborderlinecase,agewise,andhasbeenenrolledinschoolearly.Herbrightmindworkingagainsthersocialprospects,shehadoutshinesthehighlytrainedchildofapoliticianonthefirstdayofschoolandhereternaltormentorjusthaditinforhereversince.Ofcourse,allphysicalconfrontationsendedafterherfatherthoughtherhowtothrowapunch,waybackinsecondgrade.Buttherearemanyformsofbullying.ThegirlsparentswealthandinfluenceextendedlikeandumbrellaandMargarethadmanagedtomaketheGrangergirlasocialpariahintheearlyyears.
OhshehadlearnedtocopeandevenstartedtosnipebacktheyearbeforeshegotherHogwartsletterbutithadbeenlonelyfiveyears.
Sheturnedtolook.Therewasthebint.Shewaswearingashortwhiteskirt,halfsee-throughembroideredstockingsandanexpensivelookingwhitefurlinedleatherjacket.Thefurwastheexactsameshadeashershoulderlengthextremelyblondehairofcourseandmatchedthefuronherboots.Highheeledboots.
Herjacketwasunzipped,probablybecauseshewantedforeeveryonetoseeshehad'grown'inthechestarea.Hermionechuckledsoftly.Whodressedlikethat.What'sthepointofasweaterifyouremovedthenecklineandputinaVcut.Highheeledboots?Duringwinter?!Thegirlwasjustbeggingforacoldandasprainedankle.
Herganghadchangedaswell,allgoingforthathipadultlook.Wearingmakeupandwasoneofthemactuallysmoking?Yes,yesshewas.Mental,thelotofthem!Asawitchshecouldnevergetcancerorhavelungproblemsandshestillthoughtsmokingwasastupidstinkyhabit.
Sheslowlyclosedthebookandlookedatthespoiledbitch.
"ForyourinformationSnowhite.Hogwartsschoolforgiftedisbyinvitationonly.Youcan'tbuyyourwayintothatone,daddy'sgirl."Hermioneintonedsarcasticallyovertheselfstylednickname.Likeshecouldeverpassforprincess.
"Youwatchyourmouthbeaver!"MargaretWhitegrowledandstalkedforwardtryingtointimidatethesmallergirlandhercohortsfollowed,someofthemgrinning,probablyanticipatinganotherrandombeating.MargaretstoppedjustinfrontofHermionewholookedupattheangrygirl,meetinghereyes,unconcerned.'OhdidIhitasorespot'Shewonderedassherelaxedhermindandextendedafledglingleglimencyprobeintothegirl'sunprotectedmindandcaughtaglimpseofhersurfacethoughts.Snowhitewouldhaveflunkedschoollastyearbutdaddymadeadonation.
ForthefirsttimesinceshestartedherexpandinghermindHermionecouldfeelarealscenarioforming.Yesshecouldseetheoutcome.Peoplewerealreadyglancingtheirway.Itwouldstartwithasimplesentenceandendwiththatlittlebitchgettingherjustrewardfortormentingherallthoseyears.Allitwouldcostherwasafewdaysofpain.
ShehatedMargaret.Shehatedhersomuch.Andnowshehadthemeanstogivehersomepainaspayback.Lettingoutashortbreathshefloodedherbloodwithwhatmagicshecouldmuster,shefeltherperceptionssharpenandknewthatshewasartificiallymakingherselfalittlebitstronger,faster,tougher.Shehopeditwouldbeenough.
"Oh,Ididn'tmeananythingbyit.Iamsuredaddyjustdonatedthenewgymtocelebrateyoupassingyourclasssomehow."Hermioneintonedsweetly,stillsittingdown.Ohthiswasperfect.Margaretshookforamoment.Shecouldseeitevenwithoutleglimency.Sheknows!Nooneknows!Justme,Fatherandtheprincipal!
JeniferJohnson,theoldestofthelotfrowned.Atfifteenshehadlivedonthestreetsandusedtobeinarealgangandnotthisprissysuburbiaknockoff.ShewasacceptedintotheSnowhitesgangaftershetransferredhere,eventhoughshewasacharitycasebecausesheknewhowtoscoregoodweed,hadscarstodisplayandcoolstoriestotell.ShehadheardabouttheGrangergirlbutshecouldn'treallyconnectthebushyhaired,bucktooth,knowitallwiththisyoungwomaninfrontofthem,sittingthereohsocasuallyclosingtheoverlylargelawbookofsomesort.AndshewasdeliberatelyrilingprincessMargaret"Snow"Whiteintoafrenzy.Jenny
wasn'tstupid.Sheheardthevenominthegirlsvoiceandsawitinhereyes.Shesawthatkindofeyesbefore,butneveronasmallishthirteenyearold.Coldcalculatingeyesbrimmingwitholdcoldangerthatwouldonlybesatedbyblood.
Shedidn'tknowwhatprivateschoolthegirlhadmovedto,StTrinianscouldhavedoneit,iftheschoolwasreal,buttheGrangergirldefinitelywasnotthepushovershehadheardof.Thiswouldturnugly.ThewaytheGrangergirlheldherselfwassettingalarmsinherandthere,whensheshiftedherbalance,stillsittingohsocasually,legreadyforajump,Jennyglimpsedahintofleatherupthegirl'sforearmandthewaytheshirtfelloverit.Bollocksthatbladeisatleastthirteenincheslong.
"Whatareyouinsinuatingbitch!"MargaretWhitethestupidbintpracticallyyelledinthegirlsface.Totallyopenforaknifetotheribs.
"IthinkweshouldjustletitgoSnow."StatedJenny.Shehadnointentofupsettinghercaseworkerorbeimplicatedinparticipatinginanotherbloodbath.Shewasoutandhomefreeifshekeptherheaddownandherasscovereduntilsheturnedeighteenandherrecordwassealed.Shereallywantedtoavoidbecomingacareercriminal.
Margaret,thestupidbintactuallyturnedtoher,displayingherbacktotheknifecarnyinggirlshehadbeenscreamingat.
"What?"Shehissedather."YouarenotheretothinkJennifer.Acharitycasedruggielikeyoushouldkeephermouthshut.Ifyouwanttoleaveleave!"
Jennyactuallytookastepback,stunnedatthehypocrisy.ThiswaswhattheHusingbintreallythoughabouther?ShelookedattheothergirlswhohadmaliceintheireyesJenniferhadsomehowmissedduringthepastfewmonthsandthentherewastheGrangergirlwhowasforthemomentignoringeveryoneelseandlookingstraightatJennifer,onlysheseemedtogiveheralookofappraisal,andaraisedeyebrow.'Whattheheckareyoudoigngwiththeseidiots.'thoseeyesaskedher.Jennynoddedandshrugged.Youfitinwhereyoucan.
"Actuallysheseemstoatleasthavesomebrainsunliketherestofyourlot."Hermionesmiled.Thatnew,oldergirllookeddangerousatfirstbutseemedtobeareluctantparticipantandseemeddeterminedtostayoutofthebeatingHermionewasabouttoreceiveandshenoddedatherinrecognitionofthisfact.Thegirlnoddedbackandshrugged.Shecouldseetheheadlines.Localgangbeatsuphonourstudentinapublicparkbrawl.Prominentpolitician'sdaughterimplicated.'Let'sseeyourdaddycoverupthis.'
"That'sIt.You'llgetyours."Margaretyelledsteppedbackafewstepsandpointed."Gether!"sheorderedandallthegirlsexceptJennyobeyed.Hermionereactedastherestofthegirlscameafterherpushingherselfoffthebenchandintothethrongofgirls,allkneesandelbows,breakingthroughthemintheirconfusionandpainandquicklysteppingpastMargret,flippingthegirl'sskirtupasshepassedforthewholeworldtosee.'Alrightwhereintheworlddidshefindfrenchlaceinhersize.'wondered'Andwhytheheckwasshewearingthem?'
"WhatisitMargret,can'tteachmealessonyourself?Perhapsdaddyshouldhiresomethugstobeatmeupforyou?"sheaskedandthatwasallittooktopushMargaredovertheedgefrommadtoinsanewithanger.
Ofcourse,noplansurvivesexecutionintact.WithascreamoffurryMargaredactuallypulledoutaswitchbladeanditflickedopenwitha'sknit'sound.
Hermionefrowned,stillridingtheedgeofadrenaline.Thiswasn'tinthescenario.Sheweighedthepro'sanconsinthesecondittookMargarettoyellout"I'llkillyoumyself!"
Theworldslowed.Asplitofasecondseemedlikeallthetimeintheworldtothinkthingsover.
AttemptedhomicidewouldgetMargaretintoamagnitudemoretroublethenheroriginalscenarioofbeingbeatenblackandblue.Ontheotherhandshewouldactuallyneedtoallowherselftobestabbedsomewhere,otherwiselawyerscouldsweepitupunderarug.
Thequestionwas.Didshewanttobestabbedjustforrevenge?Didshehatetheherthatmuch?Enoughtodowhateverittook?Thenagain,whatwastheactualdanger?Margaretwasalwayswayslowerthenher.Andworstcase,hermagicwouldkeepheraliveundermostcircumstances.Afewdaysofpainuntilshewasbackinhogwartsinexchangeforruiningthebint'slife?Whyyes.Yesshewouldconsiderthisafairdeal.Thespoiledprincessruinedherchildhood.Shedeservedit.
Andtheneverythingwastoofastagain.RightinfrontofherwasMargaret,awild,crazylookinhereye,lungingatherwithaslashingstrikeatherthroatandHermionetriedtoguidetheblowthebestshecould,lettingitcutalongbutthinlineacrosshercollarboneinstead.Theenforcersquadwasstilldowninatanglebehindtheirbossandthenewgirlwaslungingtowardsherfromtheleft.No.ShewaslungingatMargaret.Notetoself,thankthegirllater.Somewhereinthebackofhermindpermutationstothescenariocontinuedtochurn.
"No!GetawayfrommeMargaret!"Shescreamedintheloudestgirliestvoiceshe
couldproduce."Help!"sheaddedasshegrabbedthestablinghandandguideditawayfromherstomachandintothebackofherleftarmwhileplantingamagicenforcedkneedirectlyintothegirl'sgroinactuallyliftingherfootorsointheair.Shereadthatdespitethemyth,girlcanbestunnedwithawellplacedstrike.Notquiteaspainfulperhaps,butgirlsdidn'thavetheprotectiveinstinctthemalespecieshadoftheirequipment.
"Ohmygod!Youstabbedme"Shecontinuedscreamingasshefelltothefloorpullingthegirlontopofher,carefulnottoinjureherselftomuchbyfallingonherleftsidethatstillhadtheswitchbladestuckinit.Thepainwasdistantandnegligible,shehadpreparedandcarefullycutoffthepainbehindamentaldam.Althoughitwasgoingtohurtlikehelloncesheletitgo.
"Getawayfromme!"Sheyelled,strikingawellplacedelbowintothearrogantbitchesribsandbreakinghernosewithherforehead.
"Help!"shescreamedassomeonepulledthenowsemiconsciousgirloffofher."Someonehelp!I'vebeenstabbed!"
Surprisinglyitreallywasthatnewgirlthatcametohelpher.Thoughthepanicinthegirl'seyeswasconfusinguntilshesawthegirllookattheapproachingpatrolmanandmuttersomethingaboutcaseworkersandjail.Thescenarioshiftedagainandshethrewherselfintothegirlsarmsthankingherloudlyandprofuselybeforebringingherlipstothegirl'searandwhisperinginstructions.
AsJennywatchedMargaretpulloutaswitch-bladeandstartedrunning,knowingshewouldbetoolatewhentheGrangergirl'sscreamingconfusedher.Thatmalignantlookonherfacedidnotgowiththevoiceofascaredlittlegirl,screaminginfear.
ThenextfewsecondswereabittoofastforhertofollowbutshehadseenMargaretactuallyliftintheairbyawellplacedknee.BythetimeshepulledMargaretoffofGrangerthecrazybinthadaswitchbladethroughherhandandSnowhitewasliberallybleedingfromherface.Wait.WasGrangeractuallyusingMargaret'sbloodtomakeherselflookhurtworsethenshewas?Whatthefuck?!SheletMargaretdroptothegroundandlookedatthegirl.Herforeheadwasbleeding,hershirtwasslashedopenandtheruddyknifewasstillinherarm.Jennyneversawanythingsobloodyinsaneinherlife!ShecouldunderstandSnowhitegoingcompletelyinsaneshetookalineofwhiteearlierthatdayandthatimpairedonesjudgementonthebestoccasion.Butthisgirlwasjustplainwrong.Andscaryashell.
Shelookedaround,theideathatsheshouldhavebeenlonggonedawningonher.
Andthereitwas.Adultsrunningover.Themanthatwastakingsnapshotsofchildrenplayingraisedhiscameraintheirdirectionandstartedtakingphotos.Therestofthegirlswescattering,andlook!It'sabobbierunningdownthestreetandhereshewas,twoinjuredandbloodygirlsatherfeet.Theabsurdityofthesituationandtheimpendingruinationofherlifemadehergroan."Ohbloodyhellmycaseworkerisgoingtogiveuponmeandsendmestraighttojailthistime."
Grangerlookedatherforasplitsecondandthenthrewherselfintoherarmsyelling"Thankyou"overandover.Only,inbetweenthankyou'sshehadwhisperedinherear."PlayalongandI'llnotonlygetyououtofthismessbutmakeyouintoalocalhero."
Achillwen't'downJenny'sspine.Partofitwasfearandpartofitwashope.Shemightactuallyhaveafuture.Perhapsshecouldevenkeephersoulandonlypayinblood.Shedoubtedthatsomeonecapableofpullingoffwhatshehadjustseenwouldacceptless.
ChiefMellowswashavinganicedayuntilhistelephonerangandsomeoverexcitedsergeantstartedtalking.Hewasappealed.Astabbing!Inaplayground!Inbroaddaylight!
"WhatthehelldoyoumeancouncilmanWhite'sdaughter!Whostabbedher?!"Heblanchedandthenturnedgreenashewascorrected.
"Whatthebloodyblazesdoyoumeanshetriedtokillantwelveyearoldgirl?!"Hecouldfeelhisbloodpressurerising.
"Whatdoesthepresshavetodowiththis?!"Ohandtheregoeshisulcer.Trulyhisday,nohismonthwasgoingtobedownrightvexing.
"Wellbloodywellarrestherandbeextracarefulwithproperprocedure!"Hecarefullyintoned,tryingtokeephistemper..
"Idon'tcareifherfatheristhebloodypope!YoubookhercallherparentsandIwantithandledYESTERDAY!"Hefinallysnappedhisfaceturningpurpleandbreakingoutinsweat.Heslammedthephonedownandbuzzedhersecretary.
"Simone!Mypills!Quickly!"hemoanedout.Ohyes,therewerethespots.Thelovelyspots.'MedicalleavehereIcome'
Shesatintheemergencyroomandwatchedinamusementastheattendingnursefinishedturningwrappingherarminabandage.Whenherfatherbargedintotheroomlookingreadytokillsomething,hermotherrunninginsecondsbehindhim.Shesmiledatthemastheyfussedandsearchedherforinjuriesliketheyexpectedhertobebleedingtodeathonthefloororsomething..Shefeltnopain,thedrugsmadecertainofthatandwhiletheymadeherabitwoozyshekeepatightleashonheroculumancy,lettingherthinkandactalmostnormally.
"Ohmum.Quitfussingit'ssoundsworsethenitis."Hermionesaid,feelingabitguiltyforputtingthemthroughthis.Perhapsshehadn'tweighedallthefactorslikesheinitiallythought.
"RelaxMissusGranger,she'llbefine.ThatoneoneofthecleaneststabwoundsIeversawinmylife."ThemalenursethathadbeenhelpingHermionetriedtoutilisehistrainingindealingwithdistraughtpatientsandtheirfamily.Hewasquitebadatit.
"Ohmybaby!"JaneGrangercalledout,cryingandholdingHermioneinherarms.Yes.Hermionewasnowfeelingthetiniestbitofguiltfordecidingtogothroughwiththe,inretrospect,crazy'ohshepulledoutaknife,let'sletherstabmesoshe'dgetintoevenmoretrouble'plan.
"Ohmother.I'mfine.Ithardlyevenhurtsafterthathorseshottheygaveme."Sheglaredattheorderlywhoinsistedongivingherafulldosedespiteherprotestsandhesmiledcheekilyback.
"Yes,yourdaughterwasreallybraveandseemedtomindtheanaestheticmorethanthewounditself."ThecheekybuggerintonedandHermionestuckhertongueoutathim.Shewasignoringhimsothere.Nowshewasfeelingkindahungry.Shewonderedifitwaspossibletoconjurefood.
Johnchuckledatthemedicalattendantscommentandsmilingfondlyathisdaughterwhoseemedtobeexaminingherhandsintently."Ahyes,shewasalwayslikethat,hatedneedlesallherlife.Iremembershesprainedanankleonceandcriedmoreaboutthetetanusshotthenthesprainitself.
"Nowyoungmiss,youneedtotelluswhathappened."saidhermotherinano-nonsensetone.
"Ahyes.IfImayparticipatealsointhis?"TheyturnedandHermionesmiled.Thatwasthathelpfulbobbythatrefusedtoleavehersideuntiltheknifewasremovedbyemergencycareprofessionals.Hewasnice.Shewonderedifhewashungrytoo.Perhapstheycouldordersomepizza?No.Wait.Theyhadtodo...Stuff.Andshewasdoingsomethingwith...Mind.Ah.
"Ah,yes,misterchainofevidence."Shemurmuredashergrasponoculumencyslipped.Sheshookherheadandsnappedherthoughtsintoplace."Ah.Iapoligise,hospitalworkersseemtobekeenonturningmybrainintoauselessmush.Idon'tbelievewe'vebeenpropperlyintroduced."
"That'sallrightmiss,InowrealiseIneverintroducedmyself.SargentPotter'sthename.Woulditbealightifwegetastatementoutofthewaynow?"helookedatherparents"OrdinarilyIwouldn'taskbutmissGrangerseemstobeontopofthingsaftershecalmeddownabit.Downrightsensiblethegirlis."
"Ah,"startedHermionedrawingattentionbacktoher."Itookthelibertyofwritinguponeasyouwerebusystoringtheknife."Athissurprisedlooksheelaborated.Ihadtokeepmyselffromthinkingabouthorseinjections,irrigations,strangehissingpowdersandstitchesandwhatnot."
Thepolicemanblinkedtakingthesheetofpaperintohishands."Well,I'mnotcertainif..."Hestartedtosaybuttrailedoffasheread.
"Well.Thiscertainlyseemstobewellwritten."Hemused,addingthedateinthecornetandhissignatureatthebottom."Allright,ifyourparentssignthisIwon'tbotheryoufornow.Yousayyoudonotwishtopresscharges?"Heasked.
"Well,itseemsamootpoint.I'mcertainthejudicialsystemcanhandlethiswithoutmypressingacivilsuit."Sheintonedandthenbithertongue.Alrightthatwasabitoverthetopthereforasensiblelittlegirl.She'dbeenreadingtoomanylawbookslately.
"Youseemwellinformedforanelevenyearold.WhatdoyoudoforalivingMisterGranger?"Thepolicemanasked.Somethingwasoffaboutthis.Nowthathethoughaboutitthegirlwasabittoocoldbloodedaboutbeingstabbed.
Herfatherseemedabitsurpriseatthisnonsequiturbutansweredpromptlythathesharedadentalpracticewithhiswife.
Hermionerealisedthatthismanwastoocompetentforhisowngood.Timeforalittlesmokeintheeyesbeforehestartedtoconnectthingsandshehadtoresorttotheconfunduscharm.Shereallydidn'tthinktheministrywouldfineherorplaceawarninginherrecordifsheconvincedthemitwasaboutprotectingsecrecy.
"Well'fcourseI'minformedIgotoaveryexclusiveprivateschoolforthevarygift'd."Sheslurredabitandshookherheadagain.Itwasgettingprogresivelyhardertothinkstraught."Blo...Fu...Merlin'sbeardmanwhatthehelldidyougiveme!?Horse
tranqulisers?"Sheglaredaccusinglyattheorderly,whileherfatherchokedonherlanguage.Theorderlywaslookingatherpuzzledandthenlookedathiswatch.
"Well,totellyouthetruthmissthetranquillisershouldhavekickedinandcausedmorethandrowsiness.Infactyoushouldbeasleepbynow.Standardprocedureforphysicallystablechildrenintraumaticsituationsyouknow."Hesaid.
Andofcourseshedidknow.Shewaskeepingherselfawakewithmindartsandinternalmagic.ShelookedatSargean'tPotter.
"CanIgohomenow?"Sheasked.Thechildishwhineinhervoiceonlyabitexaggerated.Shereallywastired,andthelongdepletedadrenalinehadleftherfeelingempty.Inretrospectgettingstabbedwasfoolishandreckless.'MaybeIreallyamaGryfindoor.
Shemissedthesofteningofthepoliceman'seyesasshedriftedofftosleepawheezingsoundthatwasmostdefinitelynotsnoringemanatingfromherperson.
Ifshehadstillbeenawakeshewouldhaveresentedbeingreferredtoascute.
AN
Allright,allright,Iknow,insanemuch?
CoulditbethatHermioneisn'texactlythinkingclearly.Memorycharms,crazyelventeas,stressofthehappeningsinschool,hyperdimensionallyperceptivedreams,keepingasecretletterfromthefuture...
ThinkherseeingawaytolashoutatalonghatedadversaryshehadbeenpowerlessagainstallherlifeisabitDark?:)
She'llhavetoworkonitforawhiletogobacktoheroldselfandregainsomebalance.Evenifheroldselfdidcommitthefttobrewanillegal,ministrycontrolledsubstanceinhersecondyearwithaminimumofprodding.Incannon.
Now.MyoriginaldrafthadhergettingintofightswiththeravensoveracademicdifferenceswhenshegetsbacktoHogwarts,she'dfollowapatternofproddingthemintoattackandthencleaningtheirclockjusttore-expiriencetherushandI'mleaningtowardscuttingthatoutalongwithMcGonogalfreakingout.IfIdocutitIthinkI'llstillpostsomeofitasomakes.:)
BasicallyHermioneshouldbemorecerebral,notabrawler.Sheshouldbeminoringinkickassandbeingmorebookishandcerebral.
We'llsewhatactuallyhappens.(Well.Ok.Iknowwhatwillhappen.Still.Thingshaveawayofpoppingup.)
OOCarewillnotbeaffectingthemainplotmuch.Probbably.
PotterisacommonsurnameinEnglandright?:)
Chapter8:Fluffyinterludes
Disclaimer:Disclaimer
Humanisnotasresilientasonemightthink.Andnotasfragileeither.TheyareboththemosthardyanddangerouspeopleI'veevermetandthemostfragile.
Thedissonancieisdelicious.Theyareadeliciousasprayanddeadlywhenpredators.Cycleontheirworldwithcautionandkeepyourplumeshigh.
D'einsosI'charta,onnatueofhumanity.
Chapter:Afluffyinterlude.
Shewokeupwithvaguethrobbinginherarmandadreadfultasteofsomethingdownrightrotteninhermouth.
"Ohyuck!"Sheexclaimedandsatuppromptlyfreezingwhenherwoundsprotestedandstartedtosting.Sherememberedwhatexactlyshehadbeendoingyesterdayandresistedtheurgetohitherselfontheforehead.Theurgetojustgobacktobedandcoverherselfovertheheadhitherandshebarelyresisted.
"Reapwhatyou'vesownHermione."Shemutteredanddraggedherselfoutofbedherbodyprotestingthatiswantednopartofthissittingupinsanity.Sheslippedherfeetinherfuzzywiseowlslippersandstaggeredtothebathroomtowashoutwhateverhaddiedinhermouth.
Shewasbusygarglingsomemouthwashwhensomeoneknockedatherdoor.
"Honey?Areyouallright?"HermothercalledandHermionespitthemouthwashout.
"Justaminute!"Sheyelledandwipedherwetfacewithatowelasshemadeherwaytothedoor.Sheglancedatherreflectioninthemirrorandfrowned.Shelookedprettynormalforsomeonewhosemusclesfeltlikewetnoodles.Asidefromabandaidaboveherlefteye.Shehadnoideawhyitwasthere.
"Heymum,whatcanIdoforyou?"Hermioneaskedassheopenedthedoortolethermotherenter,wonderinghowdidsheknowshewasawake.
"Honeyweneedtotalk."Janesaid,sittingonthebedandturningoffthebabymonitor.
HermioneraisedaneyebrowandJaneflushed."Iwasworriedaboutyou."
"Ohmum.I'mfine."Shesad,wonderingwhyhermotherwasallserious.
"YOUARENOTFINE!"Janeraisedhervoiceandthentookadeepbreath."Ihopeyourealise,thatIhad,yesterdayatworkreceivedwordthatmydaughterhadbeeninvolvedinaknifefight."
Hermionecouldn'thelpherselfandshechuckled.
"It'snotfunny!Ialmosthadastrokeonthespot."Janesaid,wringingherhands.
Hermionerealisedhermotherwasonedgeandwentover,climbedonthebed,engulfinghermotherinahug.
ShesawherfatherpeekintotheroomandHermioneshooedhimawaywithagesture.
"Youknow,Ineverexpectedhertogothatfar,butyoumustrealise,Iwashardlyinanydanger."Shecarefullysaidrubbingherhandinsoothingcirclesacrosshermother'sback.Afainttappingnoisedrewherattention.Shelookedtothewindowandnoticedanowlhadlandedontheoutsideandwasholdinganofficiallookingletter.Aplanformed.
Janeextricatedherselffromherdaughter'shugandstaredatherforamomentincredulously."Elucidate."Sheintonedneutrally.Hermionesmiled.Hermothercouldbeemotionalwhnsheletherselfbutneverallowedemotionstogetinthewayoffacts.
"I'mawitchmother.Worstcasescenarioandshestuckthatthinginmyheart?I'dsaysecrecybedamnedandstunher.ItbeingapublicsurfaceOblivatorswouldbeallovertheparkintwentyseconds.I'dbeinSt'Mungosinforty.Andwithmagic?Myheartwouldrefusetostopbeating.I'dbeoutofthereinadayortwo.I'mjustthatdarnresilient.Abloo...blastedtrollkickedmeintoawallinschool.Thisisaneightfoottallbeastthatlugsaroundninetypoundpieceofwoodlikeit'satwig.Iwasonmyfeettomorrowmorninglikenothinghadhappenedandthedrattedthingwasdeadbymyhand."
Janeglaredatherdaughter."Ah,Iknewtherewasmoretoitthat'trollsnuckintotheschoolyesterdayhadabitofexcitement'business.Youareaterriblecorrespondentyounglady.Whenwereyougoingtotellus?"
Hermionelookedaway."Iwaswaitingfortherightmoment."
"Andwhenwouldthatbe?"Hermotheraskedsternly.
"Whenthatlettercame?"Sheintonedpointingatthewindow.
Hermotherlookedandwentovertothewindow.TheowlhootedandflewovertoHermione.
"Thankyoubeautiful."Sheintonedknowingowlswerebothhardworkingandvain."Doyouneedtorestforamoment?"
Theowlhooted,shookit'sheadandflewoff.
"What'sintheletter."Jon,whohadobviouslybeenlisteninginjustoutofsight.
Hemioneclearedherthroatandbegantoread.
MissHermioneGranger
IamherebysaddenedtoinformyouthatthenotionforawardingyoutheSpecialservicesawardhasbeenrejectedbytheboardofGovernors,seventosix.Thegeneralreasoningwasthatwhileyourfeatwasmostimpressive,thetrollwouldhavebeensubduedbythestaffifyouhadnotintervened.
OnthebrightsidetheGovernersagreedyoushouldberewardedforyourvalourandability.IamherebyproudtoinformyouthatyouHermioneJaneGrangerhavebeenawardedaFullHonorsHogwartsScholarship,thisincludesschoolfees,books,suppliesandafivegaleonsamonthallowanceforthefullsevenyearsinHogwarts.
AlbusDumbledore
HeadmasterofHogwartsSchoolofWitchcraftandWizardry,
OrderofMerlin,FirstClass;
SupremeMugwumpoftheInternationalConfederationofWizards,
ChiefWarlockoftheWizengamot,andGrandSorcerer
"Ah,that'smygirl."Hesmiled."So,trollhuh?"
"IwantdetailsMissy."Janeintoned."Anddon'tskimp."
Hemrionenoddedandbeganhertale,herparentsweresuitablyoccupiedwithitandforthemomentforgotaboutherstabbingandhermotherdidn'tstartcrying.No
oculumencyintheworldwouldkeephercalmifshesawhermothercrying.Hermionemadeamentalnotetospareherparentsasmuchgriefasshecouldandstillcomeoutaheadintheworld.Perhapssheneededtobealittlemorecareful.
"So,Sparrowwhatdoyouintendtodowiththemoneyyouwon?"AskedJohncuriouslyaftertheirtalkofmagicandtrollsandstabbingshadturnedtheholidaysabittooserious.
Thesmileonhisdaughtersmadehimthinkheshouldhavestayedquiet.Hermothersometimesgotthatlook.Rightbeforethey'dexpandbusinessorchangeamajorsupplier.Foraprofit,ofcourse.Hehatedsigningpaperwork.
"Well,daddy,originallyIintendedtospendabitofitandusetheresttorelievepyouoftheburdenoffinancingmyschooling.Butnowconsideringconsideringthescholarshipmeansyouandmumwon'thavetocomeupwiththreethousandpoundsperyearformyeducation,roomandboard.I'dthoughttotrytofollowinmum'sfootstepsandtrymywayintheworldoffinancemyself."Hermioneannouncedsmuglyandtookasipofmilk.
Janechokedonherorangejuiceatherdaughter'sambitiousanswer.Andsomehow,piecesofapuzzlefellintoplace.Wrongplace,mindyou,butitclicked.
"Youknew!"Sheaccusedherdaughter."Thatdivinationthingworks!Andyouplantotakeovertheworldoffinancethroughmagic!"
ItwasHemione'sturntochokeonherdrink.
Johnlookathistwofavouritegirlsandthenjustlaughedattheirexpressions.Naturallytheyturnedtoglareathimbuthedidn'tcare.
"Aw,likemotherlikedaughter.Mylittlefinancialsharks."Hegrinnedcheekily.
"So,whatareyougoingtodo?"Janeaskedherdaughter.
"Stockmarket."SaidHermione."Andtheninvestintotechnology."
"Youcanusemagictotellwhichstockswillgoup?"AskedJane,hereyeslightingup.
Hermioneshookherhead.
"Notquite.Infactthosethattryusuallyanduplosingeverything.WhatIplanon
doingistostudythemarketmakeinformeddecisionsandifmyhoroscopesayI'llhaveabaddaybeconservative."
"Howdoyouplantodoallthis."AskedJane,mentallyreviewingherscheduleandtryingtodiguptimetohelpoutherdaughter.
"Proxiesandmail.Itispossibletosetupaboxinthemuggleworldthatwouldautomaticallygotoownpostandviceversa.It'saflatmonthlyfeethatIplantogetthemostoutof."
"Iwantyoutoputeightthousandpoundsinyoucollegefund.Therestisyourtodowithasyouplease."SaidJaneinatonethatbrookednoargument.
"Nowwaitaminute,Janeyou'renotgoingtolether..."Johntriedtobethevoiceofreason.
"NoJohn.Ibelieveinourdaughter,anditishermoneytodowithasshepleases."
Johnlookedthoughtfulforamomentandthenshrugged.Hiswife'sbusinessacumeniswhatenabledtwocollegestudentswithafewtenthousandpoundssavingsasmallchildandcollegebillstopaytoendupwithtwotopofthelinecars,apaidoffstudentloan,apaidforhouseinLondonasubstantialnesteggandaboomingdentalpractice.Innineyears.
"You'retheexgovernmentemployeefinancesharkmydear.I'mjustapoorsailorturneddentist."Hesmiledandgavehiswifeabigheartykiss.
"Ohgross.Dadstopsnoggingmum!"Hermioneintoned,disgustedbythebyplay.Likesheneededanotherreminderthatshewasn'tmadeinvitro.
"Heynow,It'snotmyfaultyourmumisanattractivesecretsuperspy."
"John!Justbecausemygovernmentworkisclassifieddoesn'tmakemeaspy!"Janecomplained.
"Idon'tcare,classifiedgovernmentworkequalssuperspyinmybook.¸CompletewithsuitsandaWaltherPPK"Hegrinnedcheekilyanddodgedherattemptatslappinghisarm.
"John!"
"MynameisGranger,JaneGranger.Ihavealicencetokill."Heintonedhuskily.
"Wellthenwhydon'tIjustgetridofyou!Noonewillknow!"Shegrowledasshe
chasedhimaroundthetabletoHermione'samusement.Shecarefullyfoldedhernapkinandwenttograbherjacket.
"Nownow,dear,ifyouvanishmeusingyoursecretgovernmentsuperpowerswho'lldothebarbecue!"Helaughedanddodgedhergrab.
"Iendupdoinghalftheworkanyway."Janegrowledandpickedupanewspaper.
"Youneedmetodoheavylifting."Heintonedlookingathismildlyannoyedwifeandsmilingcheekily,dodgingintothelivingroom.
"Hermionecandothatnowwithmagic."Janesaiddangerouslywrappingthenewspapersintoatightrollandlungedathim.Johndodgeddeftlyoutoftheway.
"NoonegivesmassageslikeIdo!"Hetriedtoswayhiswifewithromance.
"I'llhireamasseuse!"Shesaidgainingonhimandgrinninglikeashark.
"Ikeepyourfeetwarmatnight."hesaidsomewhatdesperatelyasshecorneredhimonthesofa.
"Hm...Youdomakeagoodfootwarmer."Janeintonedassheweighedthenewspapersinherhand."Allrightyoumaylive,afteryouhavesufferedforspreadingyourdeludedaccusations."
Johnwatchedthelookinhereyesandgulped.Ohpleasegodyesletherbeinoneofthosemoods.
Sheswattedhimontheheadonceandsmiled,slidingcloser."I'mstillnotasecretagent!"Shegrowledinhiseardangerously.
"Hemhem."Hermioneclearedherthroatbehindthemandtheysprangapartlikenaughtyteenagers."Itookahundredquidfromyourwalletmum.I'mtakingacabtoleakycauldronandtakingcareofsomebusiness,buyingsomesuppliesandsuch.I'lleatoutandprobablygotoacinemaafterwards.I'llbebackbysixandIexpectbothofyoutobedressed."
"Andwhatmakesyouthinkwe'llletyougotoLondononyourownyounglady?"AskedJane."It'snotsafeforagirlyourageto..."
Hermionegesturedwithhergoodhand,hermagicsurfacingsurprisinglyeasytoher.Abutterknifegentlyfloatedintotheroomfromthekitchen.Shemadeasharpgesturewithoutlookinganditspedoffandstabbedintoadartboardthathungon
thewallofthelivingroom.Shesmiled.
"...beoutonher...own."Janetrailedofflookedatthebutterknifeforamomentandthenlookedathermagnificentdaughterandthensmiled."Keepyourwandhandy,staysafe,don'twanderaroundLondonanddon'tbuydrugsorMcDonaldsfood.Andifyouhit((ARGHWHATWASTHENAMEOFTHEATDISTRICT)wearleatherglo...Nowait.Actually.Don'tgothereonthepainofeternalgrounding."
"Willdomum!I'llbringyouabutterbeerDad!"Hermioneintonedhappilyandwasoutofthehouseinaninstant.
"Youknow.AsfarasIrememberthatbutterknifeisratherdull."saidJohnconversationallyandwalkedtothegameboard.Hetriedpullingitoutandafterputtingsomemuscleintoithepulledthewholeboardoffthewall.Heyankedtheknifeoutandplacedtheboardback.Helookedathiswifehiseyeslarge."ItwentstraightthroughthelayeredoakpanellingJane.Adullbutterknife.I'veneverseenanythinglikeit."
Janeshrugged."ComenowJohn,youknewshecouldbedangerous,shehadtobeatthetrollsomehow.WhydoyouthinkIlethergooutonherown?"
Johnnoddedthoughtfully."Iguessitneverreallysunkinuntilnow.IguessIdon'thavetoworryaboutboysgettingfreshwithher."
Hewalkedintothekitchenhummingasongandtossingthebutterknifeintotheair.
IttookJaneseveralsecondstorealisethathewashummingsecretagentman.Shesmiled,sohestillwantedtoplay.
"OhJohn!WhathaveItoldyouaboutthatsong."Sheintonedsweetlyandstalkeddangerouslyintothekitchen,hipsswaying.
Shehadaveryproductivedaywithfewdifficulties.EveniftalkingtosubservientJenniferJohnsonwasabitodd.StillHermionefeltanobligationdraggingthegirlintohermess.Thelookonthegirls'sfacewhenHermioneoffered,onawhim,topayforthegirl'scollegeifshehadgoodenoughgradestogetacceptedwaspriceless.EvenifthegirlwasabittookeenonwhatfieldofstudyHermionewouldrecommend.Shesteppedoutofthetaxiandpaidthedriverhisdueandstretched.
WalkingdownthestreetHermionetransferredherbagstoherrighthandandlookedathernewlyboughtwatchasshemadeherwaytothehouse.Shewasrightontime.Shehesitatedatthedoorandthenrangthedoorbell.Herparentswereacting
liketeenagersagainansshewasnotgoingtohavearepeatofthegreatbedroomincidentof'88.ThesubsequentTalkwasembarrassingforbothherparentsandHermione.Shestillcouldnotlookatacoilofropewithoutblushing.
Still,whileapartofherthoughttheideaofherparentsindulginginromanticpastimewasdisgustingherpragmaticsideofherwasverygladtheywerehappywitheachother.Eveniftheyrefusedtosayanythingabouthowtheymet,asidethatitwassomewhereintheEast.
Dadhadjoinedtheroyalnavyassoonashewaseligibletosaveupmoneyforcollegeandhermotherhadbeenrecruitedasacryptologistoutofhighschoolbythegovernmentwhenshegraduatedat16.Theywerebothunhappywiththeirshadylife,bothromanticandprofessionaluntiltheyfoundeachother.
Whendad'stermwasuptheybothenrolledincollegeandbytheirthirdyearofcollegetheyweremarriedandHermionewasborn.
Shealwaysknewtheymetsometimebeforecollegebutwheneversheaskedwhatmadethemchangecareersthey'dgetthisfarawaylookintheireyesandsaythatitwasclassified.
Herfatherwasfortyandhermotherwasthirtynine.Andtheybothlookedliketheywerestillintheirlatetwenties.
Shesuspectedthatwasbecausetheywereborderlinesquibsbutcouldn'tconfirmituntilshegotdeeperintomagicaltheory.
Herfatheropenedthedoorandsmiledcheekilybeforelettingherin.
"Hadfun?"Heasked.
"Ofcourse."Shesaidandploppeddowninherfavouritearmchair.
"Well,howwasyourday?"heaskedherashesatonthecouchandreluctantlyturningoffthecricketmatchhewaswatchingonthetelly.
Hermionestudiedherfatherforamomentandthenshrugged.Hewasentirelytooneutralandtalkative.Hewashidingsomething.
"Well,Ididsomeshoppingindiagonalley,metupwithanattorneyandafternoonImetupwiththatgirlthatsavedmefromMargaret.YourememberJenniferright?Sheiskindofallright.ThenIwenttoacinemaandtookataxihome."
"Soundslikeabusyday.Whatdidyoubuy?"Heaskedlookingatherbagscuriously.
"Acoupleofbooks,somenewquills,aPOboxandastockbroker."
Johnlookedatherfunny."Youboughtastockbroker?Caretoclearupthatstatement?"
"WellIleasedhimtotellthetruth."
"Hermione!"
"Ohallright.BasicallyIwenttoanattorneythatwasrecommendedtome,hadhimdrawupsomepaperwork.Assoonasyouandmumsignoffonithe'llmakearrangementswithareputablebrokerthroughwhomI'llbeabletoengageintradeinthestockmarket."Shepaused."Well.I'llbeabletodoitoncethelotterymoneycomesthrough."
Johnshookhishead."Istillcannotbelieveyouscoredthirtythousandquidonatealeafprediction."
"Daddy!Itwasn'tatealeafprediction.Itwasahoroscopechart."Shenudgedhimwithherfoot."Nowit'syourturn.Whatareyouhiding?Didmotherswitchmyfifteenmegharddriveforthefivemegintheofficecomputeragain?"
Johnknewhewasbustedbutheknewheonlyneededtostallforalittlelonger.
"Mepumpkin?WhywouldIbehidingsomething"Heasked,apictureofpuzzledinnocence.
Hermionesmiledandstartedcountingonherfingers.
"One.Youturnedoffcricket.Two.Youvolontarilyaskedaboutshopping.Three.Youareactingentirelytooneutralandinnocenttobemydaddy."
Johnhesitatednervouslyandthenhesmiled.
"Allrightpumpkin,yougotme."heaskedafterglancingbehindher.
Thehissingandthefainsmellofsulphurwereherfirsthints.Sheturnedaroundandtherewashermothercarryingacakewithsparklesstuckinit.
"Surprise!"thybothsaidatflabbergastedHermione.
"What?Why?What?"Hermionesaideloquentlyashersmilingmotherputdownher
patented,mouthwateringSugarlessDeathbyChocolateStrawberrySurprise(TM).
JanegaveHermioneabighugandthenexplainedtoherstillstunneddaughterbycountingoffreasonsjustlikeHermionehasbeendoingbeforeJanewalkedin.
"One.WeneverhadaCongratulationsyou'reawitchparty.Two.Mybabycandefeataneightfootmonsteronherown.Three.YougotyourselfanAchievementScholarshipduringyourfirstyear.Four.YoustooduptoMargaret.TrueI'dhavefeltbetterifitwassanstheknifefightbutthatwasn'tyourfault.Iamjustgladthathoweverithappenedyouareherewithusandsheisinthehospitalisaproofthatmybabyisgrowingupintoanindependentyoungwoman."JanewasfrowningalittlewhenmentioningMargaretandthenshrugged.
Johnsmiledathiswifeandexpertlyaddedantherfingerintothecount."Five.Ifwebribeyouwithenoughcakeyou'llvisitmorewhenweareoldanddecrepit."
WiththatthesombremoodwasbanishedbeforeitgotafootholdHermionesmiledwatchinghermumbanishhercheekyhusbandintothekitchenforplatesandcutlery.
Yes,allwasrightwiththeworld.
AN:Justasimpletransitionchapter.I'llskiptohogwartsnext.
Chapter9:DragonsandFriends
Disclaimer:TotallyNotWhatJKRwouldwrite.OhandNo$ismadebythis.
Withthisyoucanseewhytheterm'muggle'asitiswascommonlyunderstoodfelloutofuse.Sofaronlysixpercentofthesocalled'muggle'volunteersshowzeroabilityatusingthecrystalamplifierstomanipulateTchaikovsky-Grangerfields.Andallofthosearecapableofgeneratinganull-nulleffect.You'dthinkthismakesthemweak?Socalled'truemuggles'areamongthedeadliestsoldierswehave.Youtryfightingawelltrained,sevenfoottallpowerarmored,Gaussriflewielding,nullfieldgeneratingbehemothinyourbattlerobesandwavingawoodenstaffandtellmeaboutwizardingsuperiority.PersonallyIthankthegodstheyexistwhenanoneuclideandemon,comesthroughwithbloodonit'smind.ThenWEbladeinthebloodofOURenemiesforachange.I'dyellbloodforthebloodgodeverytimeithappensbutKomissarAbbotwouldkickmyassforinvokingchaos.WhatcanIsay,it'saremnantofmymuggleupbringing.Ijustwishthey'dletmedesignaboltershapedgauspistol.
MajorAtsuSawalha,BloodJackals,Egyptianportalenclosure.
SteppingthroughtheplatformandseeingtheHogwartsexpressfeltlikeasmallweighthadfallenfromhershoulders.Itwasareliefbeingabletoputherguarddown,inamannerofspeaking,andturnoffthatsectionofherbrainthatconstantlyfearedlettingsomethingsliptothemuggles.True,themagicworldhadit'sdangersbuthereshehadalliesandfriendsthatwouldsharetheburden.Shelovedherparentsdearlybutshewasgoingtokeepthemoutofthegrimysideofmagicasmuchaspossible.
"Hermione!Overhere!"AgirlinBadgercolourswavedheroverandHermionesmiledrecognizingSusanBones.Shewasstandingnexttoatall,imposingwomandressedinprofessionallookingrobes.
"HelloSusan.AndMadamBones?"Hermionegreetedthemaftershewalkedover.
Thewomanhadwarmfriendlyeyesbutexudedapresenceofcommandthatwasunmistakable.Shewasn'tprettyinaclassicalsensebutshecutafinefigureandherfacehadastrengthaboutit.
Amelianodded,confirmingheridentityandofferedherhandtoHermione.
"Yes,youguessedcorrectly.SusanhasbeentellingmeaboutherGryfindoorfriend
wholovesbooksandfightstrolls.SomehowIthoughtyou'dbetaller.Iampleasedtomeetyou."Shesmiledwryly"WecouldusesomecompetentAurorcandidatesoneoftheseyears."
Hermioneblushedassheshookthewoman'shand.Foronce,outofwords.Shewasusedtopraiseonheracademicachievement,butthiswasthefirsttimeastrangercomplimentedheronherfightingprowess.Itfeltgood.
"Well,Iwouldliketostayandtalkbutdutycalls.IfyouandSusanremainongoodtermsyoumayvisitoverthesummer.I'dliketodiscussthatmugglewarpoetrybookyoulentmyniece.Fascinatingread."
Hermionecouldonlynodandmuttersomenonsensicalagreement,hertonguestilltied.
SheturnedtoSusan."Youbegoodnowanddon'tfightanytrollswithyournewfriendunlessyouhaveto."
Andjustlikethat,withawinkandasmileAmeliaBonessteppedovertotheapparitionzoneandquietlydissapated.
"Wow,yourAuntsurehasapresenceabouther"Hermionesaidonceherheadcaughtuptoher.
Susanlookedatherfunnyandthenshrugged.
"Youshouldknow."Shemutteredandstartedforthetrain,draggingherhugetrunkbehindherandleavingapuzzledHermionetocatchup.
"Wait,whatdidyoumeanwiththat?"Hermioneasked.
"Wellyouknowyoucangetintenseyourselfwhenyoufeelstronglyboutsomething."Susanexplainedpatiently."Auntiegetsthesameway.ThatwashowIknewIcouldtrustyou."
TheyranintoHannahAbbotontheirwaytothetrain,well,morelikeHannahAbbotpatientlytrackedthemdownlikeprey.
"Heyguys!Nicetoseeyou,listenHermioneI'llneverdoubtyouaboutmugglesagain.IusedtheadvicefromtheArtofWarandtotallytrouncedmycousininGoblinsandWizards!I'llneverforgetthelookonhisfacewhenmygoblinsapperssetfiretohismobilepotionslaboratoryandhealertentsatthesametimehisHitwizardElitewascaughtinaflankingmaneuverbythethreesquadsofgoblin
regulars.Hisremainingaurorforceneverstoodachance!"
Susanlaughedatherfriendsenthusiasmaboutthatsillygame.
"WellgladyouhaveyourprioriesstraightHannah.It'sgoodtoseeyoutoo."SaidSusan.Hannahblushedandgaveherbestfriendahug.
"SorrySuse,butyouknowhowcloseIwastodroppingthegame.Myfigurineshadstartedtoignoremyorderssometimes,thewarleaderwasalwaysglaringatmeandtobehonestIwasgettingfrustratedatalwaysloosing.IfIcouldn'twinagainstmycousintherewasnowayIcouldaffordtoentertournamentsorbuildapropertwothousandpointsarmyonmyallowance.IbarelymanagedtoscraptogethermyfivehundredpointHannah'sMerksasitis."
"I'mhappyForyouHannah."SaidHermione."IwasconsideringplayingthemuggleversioncalledWarhammermyselfuntilIrealizedthatthefigurineswerekindofpricey.Youhavetotellmehowthebattlewent."
"Allrightyoutwo.Firstwefindacompartmentthenyoucantalk."Susansaid,puttingherfootdown.
AndsothetrainridehomewasspentWithHannahshowingoffherGoblinfigurines.(Whichkeptsingingherpraises)learningaboutmoreaboutthegameandeventryingashortskirmishbetweenonehundredpointgoblinsquads.
TheytalkedabouttheirfamiliesandtheirholidaysandforatimeHermionecompletelyforgotabouttheMysterythatawaitedathogwarts.
ShehadonlybeenbackinHogwartsfortwodaysandTheRavenclawswerealreadystartingtogetonhernerves.Honestly,accusingherofcheatingbecauseyouhadbettermidtermresultsthentheydid.Ofcourseshewasbetter,shehadalreadydonealltheworkfromthebooksandhadbeensystematicallgoingoverthesecondyearmaterialsandlookingupsomeofthemoreusefulspellsfromhigheryears.Herreadingandretentionspeedwasatit'speakthusallowinghermoretimeforpracticalexercises.TheonlyareaHarryhadbeengivinghertherunforhermoney.Amazinghowwellthatboycouldcastwhenhismindwasintoit.
TheRavensjustrefusedtoleaveheraloneandtooktoquizzingherinthehallsinthehopesofcatchingherinalieorsomething.
Inselfdefenceshehadtakenup,rilinguptheRavenclawsthatdidsoanditwasquicklybecominganamusingpastime.
Evenifshepushedittoofarsometimes.Likejustno.ChanghadbeligerentlyconfrontedheraboutherrecenttransfigurationessayandHermionehadcalmlyandlogicallydissectedhiserroneoussuppositions,winningtheargumentandtheninapiqueofwhimsymadeacasualcommentaboutherintelligenceandnowthegirlwasincoherentwithrageandrushingatHermionewithfistsraisedofallthings.Shehadexpectedahexnotafistfight.Welltheregoestryingthatprotegospell.
Perhapssheshouldhavetoneddownonthesarcasm?
HarrywatchedHermionedissectanotherRavenclaw'soverlylargebrainandsmiledtohimself.Thegirlwasbloodybrilliant,somewhatviolentandabsolutelycrazy.Yetshewasnobully,andmoreimportantlystillwantedtobehisfriend.Heck,sheactuallybeatitintohisheadthatheisnotmerelyexpectedtothinkandexcelhereatHogwartsschoolofwitchcraftandwizardry,butactuallyencouragedhim,onthepainofbrutalhexingtolearnallhewanted.Notthathedidn'thavefinegradesbackinthemuggleworld,itwasjustthathehadverylimitedtimeforlearningbackthenandnoonecaredanyway.Here?Hecouldlearnallhewantedandwasexpectedtoexcel!
Andlearnhedid.Hecouldn'tkeepupwithHermione'sinsanelevelsoftheoryandstudybuthecouldalreadycastallfirstyearspellswitheaseandactuallyknewhowtonavigatethetwistedtangleofpurebloodlogic.Oratleastpretendhecouldbybeeingmysterious.Historywasjustboring,thoughwatchingHermionedragobscurereferencesandquotesoutofherarseandverballyclubRavenclawswiththemovertheheadwasamusingenoughthatheactuallyrememberedsomeofit.
Snapestoppedopenlyspittingathisworkandwouldsettleforsayinghisworkwasbarelypassable.HecomparedhispotionsoftenwithHermione'sandknewtheyweremorethanpassable.
Butitwasastart,anotherthinghelearnedfromHermione.Shehadbeenteachinghimtothinkpolitically.Andcomplainingloudlythathispotionswerebloodywellmorethanpassablewouldonlylandhimwithpointslostanddetention.InsteadhepresentSnapewithhisbestdistantbutobedientstudentfaceandwaitedforthedayhewouldgetabloodyOonhisPotionNEWT.Thenhewouldrubthebloodypieceofpaperintheruddygit's'face.
OfcoursetheonlyreasonhehadnotsnappedbynowatSnape'scausticcommentswasthisOculumencythingshehadbeenteachinghim.InternalandMindartsweresomethinghecoulddooverthesummer.ImprovingyourBodyandMindwithmagicwassomethinghewasveryinterestedeversinceHermionehadpromisedhimthatifheworkedhardenoughhe'dnevergetbeatenupbyDudley'slittlegangagain.He
wasinaweofthewayshewheedledhimtotalkabouthishomelifeandevenmentionHarryhuntingtoher.Itwasprobablybecauseshehadsharedwhathappenedtoherovertheholidayswithherownsetofbullies.HehadforgottenhimselfandsaidhewishedhecoulddothatwhenhiscousincameHarryHuntingagain.
Ronhadbeenwearyofadditionalstudyuntilshesetuptwentychessboardsandchallengedhimtospeedchess.Hewasbetterthanheroneonone,winningeightorninetimesoutoften.Hesnortedtohimselfrememberingthefirsttimehewatchedthosetwoplayandhowafterfourgames,shefinallyforcedadraw.Shestalkedoffmutteringaboutannoyingidiotsavants.
Buttwentygamesatoncewithonlysixsecondsperturn?Rongotcreamedsixteentothreewithonetie.
One'Wanttobeabletosplityourconcentration,keepkeephundredsofgamesinyourheadandcreateyourstrategyfasterthenyouevercouldRonald?'laterandRonwashookedintomentallessonswithhim.Heevenstoppedgrumblingwhenherealisedheactuallyhadlessstudytimenowthathecouldrememberthingsafterhereadthemonlyfiveorsixtimes.Suddenlyrevisingmadesense.Andsodidhisclasses!
SuddenlyHermion'sdiscussionwentfromwordstofistsandhetensedforamomentwhenthatsillybintwentforHermioneandthensuppressedhisprotectiveinstinctsandjustmovedtowatchherback.HestoppedtheotherGryfindooraswellandsaidonlyoneword.
"Watch."
HermionewastouchedbyHarry'sconfidenceasshewatchedChangcomeatheratfullspeed.Well,fullspeedforheranyway.Shedidn'tknowmuchaboutmartialartsandonlyhadthebasicsofpugilismtaughttoherbyherfather.Shedidknowalotaboutmomentum,andspeed.Andforherthearrogantbintwaswaystooslow.Herfatherhadonlyshownheracoupleadditionalthingsduringtheholidays.Mostlyconcentrationondodgingandcounterattacking.Sheknewitwashisownwayofcopingwithhislittlegirlbeingstabbedandanythingshedidwithdaddywasalwaysfun.
Bythetimethefightreallystarted,inatypicalinstinctinherenttostudentseverywheretheyhadgatheredinacircleandstartedcallingoutjeersandencouragement.
Hermioneconcentratedonthegirl'smovements,feltthemagicflowthroughher,thebuzzmakingherwanttolaugh.Shehadn'tletlooselikethisinyearsuntiltheSnowhiteincidentandshehadmissedbeeingabitwildattimes.Ifonlyheroponentwasbetter.ForallherquiddichambitionsChangwassoslowandinept.Hermioneslidtothesideinherbasicboxingstanceanddodgedtotheleft,Chang'spunchmissingbyamile.
Herownnon-enhancedpunchwasmuchfaster,aleftcrossandshejumpedbacktoseehowshehandledit.Shehadnointentionofendingthistoosoon.Thegirlshookhisheadandcamebackformore.Herrespectforthegirlwentupasmallnotch,mostgirlsdidn'tknowhowtotakeapunch.OfcoursenowshewaswonderingwhyChocould.Shedancedaroundforabitmore,mostlydodginghispuncheswhensheheardtheherheadofhouseyellattheboysintheback.
Shefrownedatherfunbeingendedanddodgingonelastineptpunchsheplantedabeautiful,magiclacedrighthookintothegirlsgut.ChoChangfelltothefloorlikesomeonecuthisstringssuckinginairandjustshaking.
"MissGranger!MissChang!Fighting!!TwentypointsfromGryfindoor!ChangdetentionwithFlitwick!"Theloudsternvoiceofherheadofhouserangacrossthecourtyardandjustlikethatthefunwasover.Shecouldseethewomanwasupset,anditwasunderstandableuptoapoint.Butshecouldclearlyseebarelysuppressedsomethingbehindthosesterneyesthatshecouldnotunderstand.Whywouldherheadofhousedespairoveralittlescuffle.
AboutthreeweeksbeforeChristmasbreakHermionewaswonderingiffriendshipwithPotterandWeasleyhadbeensuchagoodthing.Whywouldshebewonderingthat?Hagrid,thefriendlyneighborhoodhalf-gianthadbeentryingtoraiseadragoninhishut.Harryhaddecidedheneededtohelpthemanavoidtimeinjailandhereshewas,draggedintoittwentyminutesbeforemidnight.Sneakingbeneathaninvisibilitycloakandlevitatingadisillusioned,silencedcrate,dodgingprefectpatrolsandFilch,allintheefforttosmuggleandillegaldragonoutofthecountry.Ohallright,shewouldneveradmititbutitwasabitfun.ShewasjustgladMalfoyhaddecidedtokeephismouthshut.Shewascertainhe'dbebacktohisoldselfsoon,howeverhewasstilltooshakenbywhathappenedwhenhertriedtoambushherontheseconddayaftertheholidays.OnehitKOandhehasbeensingingsopranofortheday.
HermioneknewherwayaroundthecastleandcuttheirtripinhalfbyleadingthemthroughseveralsecretpassagesandHarryshowedthemanotherthatthetwinsnevershowedher.
"Allrightthecoastisclear."WhisperedHarryandtheyshuffledtowardtheAstronomytowerspiralstairs.
Theyhuddledinthecorneroftheastronomytower,coldwindsbuffetingthemeventhroughtheastronomytowerwards.Hermionehadlithernowpatentedfairyfireinanefforttokeepthemandthedragonwarmandmadementalnotetolearnthewarmingcharmassoonaspossible.
"Wherearethey?"HissedHarrytroughchatteringteeth.
"Charliesaidmidnight."WhisperedRonwhowasforoncegratefulforhisthickWeasleyjumper.
"Wellit'sfiveminutespastmidnight."ComplainedHarry.
HermionewastoocoldandtooirritatedatHagridtoparticipateintheconversationandtriedtostaveoffthecoldbycirculatingmoremagicthroughherbody.Itseemedtohelpabitandshemanagedtoregainenoughwarmthtostartlookingaround.
"Willyoutwobequiet."Shehissed"Theretheyare!"Shepointed.
"Where?"AskedHarry."Ican'tseeathinginthissnow."
Ronlookedlongerandshookhishead."YoumustbeseeingthingsHermione."
Shelookedatthemandletoutanindignanthuff."WellreallyRonald.Howaboutalittlewager.TheycomefromthatdirectioninthenextminuteyoudoeverythingIsayuntiltheSummerbreak.IfI'mwrongIwon'tbotheryouwithhomeworkuntilnextyear"
"Deal."SmiledRoneagerlyandshookherhand.
Nottwentysecondslater.Theoutlinesoffourbroomridersdescendedonthetower.
"Bugger."MumbledRonandHermionehithimontheshoulder.
"LanguageRonald."Shecautionedhim,butyoucouldheartheamusementinhervoice.
"Hellokiddies!Goodthingyoulothadafiregoing,It'sabittrickyfindingthetowerinthisweather."saidthelarge,darkhairedleadeoftheparty.Thethreeothersexpertlylookedoverthesleepingdragonandputsomecharmsonthebox.
"YoumustbeRonald,HermioneandHarry.Wediscusseditandthinkyourwayhas
merit.Carryingasleepinghatchlinginawarmedboxismuchbetterforitthenthewayweweregoingtotakeit."
Bythetimethechildrenwereintroducedtohischeerfulcompanionstheywerealreadyharnessingtheimprovised,lightenedboxtotheirbrooms.
"Well,We'reoff,wanttobeacrossthechannelassoonaspossible.Takecarekiddies."Thecheerfuldragonhandlerintonedandjustlikethattheytookoffinaformationandweregone.
"Efficientfellows."HermionemurmuredadmiringtheirprecisewayofflyingasHarryandRonmadetheirwayforthestairs,lookingsmug.
"Heyguyswaitup!"Shecalledasshepickeduptheinvisibilitycloakandtriedtocatchup.
Shewentafterthemandfrozeinthemiddleofthestairsasasoundoffaintfootstepsechoedpastthem."Shh,quiet!"Shetriedtowarnthembuteithertheydidn'thearherortheyignoredherandcontinuedontheirwaysdownchattingandlaughing.
"Wellnow.Youtwoarereallyintrouble!"
TheboysfrozeasFilchemergedfromthedarknessandgloatedabouttheirpunishment.
Hermionewaveredforamomentandthenloyaltywonover.Shestuffedtheinvisibilitycloakinherbagandcamedownthestairs.
"Threesir."Shesaid,emergingfromthedarkness,tryingtoseemasneutralaspossible.
Filchblinkedatherforamomentandthenshrugged,leadingthemwithouthisusualgloating.
AfterleavingtheminMcGonogalsstudyFiltchresumedhispatrolwithoutaword.
BackinMcGonogalsOffice,underthewatchfuleyesoftheportraitofAngusMcGnongalthechildrensquirmedastheywaitedfortheirheadofhouse.
Harrysatquietly,tryingtocomeupwithareasonableexcuse.
Ronaldstaredatthewalldazed.Hismotherwasgoingtoskinhimalive.AndHermione!Heavenhelphimifsheknewhehadignoredher.Hereallyshouldstop
doingthat.
Hermionetrembled,wonderingifsheshouldhaveturnedherselfin.Thiswasgoingtocosther.SheglancedatRonaldandhelookedawayguiltily.Shefrownedandmadeamentalnotetofindoutiftheboyshadignoredherdeliberately.
ProfessorMcgonogallstalkeddownthecorridorsofhogwarts,oneoftheportraitshadawakenedherjustaftershehadfinallyfallenasleepandshewasfurious.Honestly,Studentsintheastronomytower!Ofallthestupid,indecentplacesforaliaison...
Shestalkedintotheroom,furiousreadytoreadthecoupletheriotact.Thefluffywhiterobewithpinkandblueflowersandhadhaircurlersinherhairsurprisinglydidnothingtomakeherlooklessintimidating.Shelookedtakenabackbywhowaswaitingforherandthenherfuryredoubled.
"Youthree!What?!Ithoughtyouknewbetter!"Sheraisedhervoiceandstartedpacinginfrontofthem.
"Firstyearsintheastronomytowerpastmidnight!MissGranger!Howcould..."Shestoppedpacingandreallylookedatthem."No.Nevermind."
ShelookedatHarryandRon."Detentionandthirtypointseach.Youtwomayleave."
Shecutofftheirprotestswithasternlookandshooedthemoutbeforetheyknewwhatwashappening.
ShesatdownacrossfromHermioneandlookedtired."MissGranger.Iknowyouareatatimewhenyourbodyisgoingthroughchanges."Shestartedcarefully."AndIsupposeyouarealmostayearolderthenthosetwobutIhonestlythoughtIwouldnothavetohavetohavethisconversationwithatwelveyearold."
Hermioneblinked.Wait.Shecan'thonestlybethinking...'
"NoonecanforbidromancebutIhavetowarnyouthatifyoucontinuetosuccumb...Imeanyouwillgetareputation...Thatistosay..."McGonogaltrialledofflookingpaleandlost.
Hermionejustlookedatherforamomentandanexplanationthatdidn'tinvolvementioningdragonssnappedintoplace.
"Um.Professor."ShestartedcarefullyandMcGonogallookedather,butcouldn't
lookherintheeyeforlong.
"Imustpointoutthatitisfartoowindyandcoldtonightforthatsortofliaisonintheastronomytower,wardornowards."
McGonogallookedatherandfrowned.
"Second.It'sHarryandRonald."Sheintoned,hertoneshowingherstillhealthydisgustregardingactuallykissinganyboys.Sheshudderedinhorror,rememberingwhathercounterpartfromthefuturewrote.
"Honestlyprofessor.Ican'tsaythatIwon'tchangemymindwhenI'molderbutjust...Ugh..."
Theprofessornowlookedmorepuzzledandamusedthenherearliermixofexasperationandembarrassment.
"Ipromisetheinformationstaysinthisroomwillyoutellmewhatyouwereupto?IreservetherighttopunishaccordingtoHogwartscharterbuttheexactreasonwillstayinthisoffice."
"Intentbasedwards."Hermioneblurtedoutthefirstthingthatpoppedintomindthatwasn'tdragons.
"What?!"
"I'vebeenlearningaboutintentbasedwardsanddecidedtotryoutabasicarraybyplacingahairdyingspellontheastronomyentrancethatwouldactivateonlyifacouplewithindecentintentwalkedthroughthedoor.HarryandRonthoughtitwasareallygoodprankandwantedtowatchmebuildit."
McGonogallookedatherforalongmomentandfinallyreliefshowedonherface,thatwasalmostimmediatelyreplacedbyexasperation.
"BethatasitmayinadditiontothethirtypointsIjusttookforbeingoutaftercurfew,Iamtakinganothertenforvariousoffencesofspellcastinginthehallwaysandtwentymoreforgettingyourclassmatesintotroublejustforaprank."
Hermionelookedlikeshewasgoingtocomplainandthensighed."IguessIearnedthat."
"InadditionIapologizeforjumpingtoconclusionsmissGranger.WhileyoumayoccasionallygetintotroubleIhadnoreasontojumptoconclusions."Shepausedfor
alongmomentlookingatthegirlandthennoddedtoherself.
"Thatisall.Well,Itrustyoucanfindyourownwaytothecommonroom?"McGonogallintoned.
"Naturally.Goodnightprofessor."thegirlsaidsomewhatstifflyandleft.
ProfessorMcGinogalwalkedtoherdeskanddropped,boneless,intoherchair.Shesighedandreachedintothebottomdrawertakingoutabottleofpurplelabel.
Shepouredashotintoaglassanddownedit.Sheputtheglassonthetableandplacedherheadintoherhands.
"Intentbasedwards."Shemuttered,hereyesfaraway."Themostbrilliantwitchofherageandsheuseshertalentsforprankingandgettingintofights.It'sbloodyLillyEvansalloveragain."
Hermioneclosedthedoorandleanedagainsttheminrelief.Shesmiled,shookherheadandsuppressedagiggle.Shecastalumosspellandmadeherwaytowardsthecommonroom.Herheadofhousehadbeenworriedabouthervirtue.Shegiggled.ShewonderedwhatwouldhappeniftheprofessormisheardaboutbeingmarriedtoRonandthatsheknewaboutHarry'sbedroomhabits.Notthatshe'devertellanyone.Afterallshelookedupwhata'top'anda'bottom'are.Eachtohisorherownshesupposed.
Shetriedreallyhardnottolaughattheabsurdityofhercounterpartsromanticlife.
AsshemadeherwaydownthehallwaysofHogwartsshecouldn'thelpherselfandstartedchuckling.Thenotionwasabsurd.Butthenagainwhatelsewouldagirlbedoingwithtwoboysontopoftheastronomytower.Asidefromsmugglingadragon.
Anothergiggle.
Shemadeaeeriepicture,asmallgirlwalkingdownthehallsofanoldcastle,gigglingmadly.She,HermioneJaneGrangerhadlostherfirstpointsforpranking,liedtoateacherandinawayshehadgottenawaywiththerealmischief.Andyettheworldwasstillstanding.
Theboyshadbeenwaitingforherinthecommonroom,pacingandworryingandstaredindisbeliefasabarelystandingHermionepoppedinthroughtheportrait,gigglingtoherself.Shelookedattheirfacesandburstintolaughter,intheendsuccumbingtogravityandfallingtoherkneesonthefloorclutchinghersides.
Theboyslookedateachother,andwithanexchanged"Girls"and"Nutter"commentstheywentovertohelpherintoanarmchair.
Andeachtimeshecalmeddowntoasnickersheonlyhadtolookatthemandshe'dstartlaughingagain.They'dcaughtwordslike"sixtypoints","snogging","Detention"and"pranking"butfailedtogetthestoryoutofher.
Intheendittookahalfanhourandasleepyprefectwithacalmingpotiontocalmherdown.
Intheendtheentirehouse'knew'thatHarryRonandHermionecostthehouseonehundredandtwentypointsduetoafailedprank.
IttookweeksforHermionetostopsnickeringwhenevershesawHarry,RonorDracoMalfoyforsomestrangereason.Sheabsolutelyrefusedtotellwhatwasfunny.TheworldfilteredthroughthegrapevinethatMalfoyhadtakentolockingallhispossessionsinhisbloodbasedtrunkduringthenightandhadstartedtouseasubstancedetectionringoverhisfoodcarefullybeforeeatingit.
ItwasprobablyparanoiathatfinallypushedDracoMalfoyintoabetterpreparedpreemptivestrikeonemorning.HehademployedCrable,Goyleandathirdyear,VetrixBluttsoninacarefullyplannedambushschemeacorridordownfromthelibraryonherusualroutefromthecommonroomtothelibrary.UnfortunatelyforthemHermionewaswideawakeandalertatsixaclockinthemorning.
"Wellthatisitforscheduleconflictsandpatrolarrangementsforthismonth.Pleasetalktoyourprefectsandpassdowntherelevantportionsofourdiscussion."IntonedDumbledorewithasmallglimmerofrelief."Now,arethereanydisciplinaryissuesleftunresolved?"Helookedoverhisstaffandnoddedtohimself.SeverusSnapelookedamused,McGonogallookedputoffandFlitwickappearedembarrassed.Yes,MissGrangerwasstillatit.
"Minerva?"Heasked,inakind,inquisitivetone.
"IswearAlbus!Thegirlhasmeatwitsend!"McGonogallookedatheroldmentorsternly."Whywon'tyouletmedosomethingabouther?"
"WhichgirlwasthatMinerva?"Dumbledoreasked,eyestwinklingslightlyashiseyesslidoverSeverus.Thecornersoftheman'slipsweretwitching.Wouldheactuallysmile?
"TheGrangergirl!Allthattalentandyetshestillkeepsgettingintoarguments.That
devolveintoFights!Andshekeepstryingtowriteinmugglesubjectsintotransfigurationessays!QuarterPhysicasandChemnistry!WheneveryoneknowstransfigurationisaboutWillandIntent."Shesighed."Andshestartedofassuchagoodgirl."
SeverusSnapelistenedtohiscolleague'spaineddiatribeandonlybyhisironselfdisciplinekeptfromlaughinginherfaceathermispronunciation.
"AhMinerva,youofallpeopleshouldnotbesurprisedattheGryfindoorsfighting."Snapeintonedwryly.Hewonderedforamomentifitwasunusualthesedaysforanelevenyearoldknowwhatquantumphysicswerebuthedismissedit.Hehadbeenoutoftouchwiththemuggleworldafterallandtheykeptteachingtheirchildrenallthelatestscientificbreakthroughs.
"ButIt'snotproper!Thegirlkeepslosingalmostasmanypointsasshemakesanditdoesnothingtomakeherkeepherheaddown.AndtheTwinsareeggingheron!LastweekIactuallyhadtopushthroughabunchofstudentstobreakupafistfightbetweenherandoneofyoursecondyearboysFilius.Afistfight!Withaboy!Overcharmstheory!"BytheendofthesentencetheusuallycomposedTranfigurationprofessorwasstandingandhittingthetableinindignation.
AlbusDumbledore,HeadmasterandSupremeMurgwurpwasamused.Infact,hecouldrememberthelasttimehewasthisamused.Itwasbackin'36duringawizengamottrial.Hisbrother'strialforcastingimpropercharmsongoatstobeexact.HehadwatchedtheprosecutionanddefencetiethemselvesintoknotswithlegaliseandhisfellowJudiciariesturnpaleandgreen,imaginingtheworstofperversions,wheninfacthisbrotherhadbeenmerelyengorginghisgoatsthreetimestheirsizeandsoldtheirincreasedmilkyield.
"Minerva,doyourememberArthurWeasleyinhisfirstyear?Scrappylittleboyhewas,alwaysgettingintofightswithMalfoyandtherestoftheSlytherin?IalsoseemtorememberayoungMinervaMcGonogalinathreewaycatfightwithherdormmatesoveryoungThomasBones"
Minervablushedlikeaschoolgirl."She'safirstyearfightingboys."Shemumbled,heraccentthickeningalittle."It'snaeproper."
"Indeedfightingwillbeproperlypunished,butwemustunderstandthemoderntimesMinerva.Sheisastrongyoungladyandwillnotletherselfbecowed.Sheonlystartedestablishingherselfinthepeckingordersoonerthenweareusedto,andwithmoreenthusiasm.Independentwomeninthemuggleworldaremorenumerous
theninoursandshehasbeenexposedtotheideaearlier.Thatandafterthetrollitisnotsuprisingshecan'treallybeintimidatedbyalargerboylikeanordinarygirlmightbe.Andsurelyyoufelthermagic.She'swellaheadofherclassalready."
"Well,youdoadmitthatayounggirlestablishingherselfwithherfistsisabitunusualheadmaster."InterjectedPomonaSprout.
"True,butI'vewatchedherduringonefight.Sheisusingproperfightingstancesforfisticuffs.Shehasbeentaught,eitherinschoolorexternalclasses.Soforherthenotionofbowingdowntoaphysicalchallengemaybeasalienastheideaofalittlegirlfighting,physically,withboysistous.Wouldyoubepressingthisiftheywereusingtheirwands?"InterjectedDumbledore.
McGonogalconsideredthisforafewmomentsandthensighedsittingdown."IwillconsiderthisfurtherHeadmaster.Thereisisstilltheunusuallyhighnumberoffightsthisyear."
"Filius?Yourtakeonthematter?"Heaskedandthefaintitchinhiseyeswarninghimthathereallyshouldremovethattwinklingcharm.Itwasnotcalibratedforthislevelofmerriment,afterall.Withadiscretegestureofhisarmheadjustedthestrength.
Thediminutivemanstoodandtriedtoshakehisembarrassment,finallyhetookabreathandstarteddeclamation.
"Myfindings,atleastwhenaltercationswithmystudentsareconcernedarethus:MissGrangerwasbothrightanlogicalinhersometimesunusualnotionsandneverattackedfirst.ShecanalsogetverycreativeinuseofsimplecharmstodefendherselffromtheraremagicalattackandhasmasteredthelevitationcharmtoalevelIhaveneverseenbefore.Asideformherlearningcurveeverythingelseaboutherisquitenormal."
AnoddnoisefromSnapethatturnedouttobeasupressedcoughinterrupdedhimforamomentbeforehecontinued.
"InconclusionIwouldpointoutthatmissGrangernevercomplainsaboutherpunishmentsandconcedestoauthority.Nofurtherdisciplinaryactionisrecommended.Sofarithasnotbeenescalatingintoainterhouseissue.Itissimplythatlessmugglebornarewillingtoletthingsslide."Hispiecesaidhesatdown.Alsohewouldhavewordswiththeentirehousetonight.PickingafightwhenloosinganargumentwassupposedtobeaGryfindoortrait.Oncewasalesson.Twicewasfollyanymoreandthey'dbeGryfindoors.
Dumbledorenodded,thatwaswellinhandwiththeinformationhehadaswell."Severus?"heaskedandwidenedhiseyesinwonderment.
Severusactuallysmiled.True,itwasaslightlysinister,vicioussmilebutitwasasmilenevertheless.
"Asyouknow,someofmymorestudiousSlytherinshadsimilardiscussionswithmissGrangerbutnothingevenremotelyheatedhashappenedsincetheIncident."Youcouldpracticallyhearthecapitalletter.
"Ah,youareperhapsreferringtoThreeofyourfirstyearsandathirdyearbeingfounddisrobed,petrified,silenced,underafadingdisillusionmentcharmandstucktothewallsofthegreathall?"Dumbledorewondered.
"Yes,IbelieveFiliusmanagedtoremovethecharmsthatkeptspellingUnsubtleGryfindoorsingoldandscarletontheirforehead?"Severusnoddedtothecolleagueinquestion.Thecharmworkwastrickyinit'ssimplicity.
"Ah,yes,hedid,Ihadtoassistabit.ThoughIthoughtmissGrangerwasnotimplicatedinthat?"WonderedDumbledore.
"Well,theboysclaimtheyfelldownthestairsandthatsomeonemusthavefoundthemanddidittoembarrassthem.I'dalmostsayitwastheWeasleytwins,howeverIhaveseenthelooksontheirfaceswhenthedisillusionmentworeoffduringbreakfast."
Heofcoursedidknowtheentiresequenceofevents,havinggottenitoutoftheboy'sminds.TheyhadknownthatMissGrangeroftenwenttothelibrarybeforebreakfastandplannedtoambushher.MissGrangershowedconsiderablesituationalawareness,almostlikeshehadbeenexpectingsomethingtohappen.Andhedelightedinthebrutalironyinherbeatingthemsenselesswiththeconsiderableheftofatomeonpurebloodfamilies.Thegreatfivehundredifhewasnotmistaken.Atsixinthemorningmostofthecastlewasstillasleepandwhileshewashavingtroubleactuallycastingthedisillusionmentcharmontheboysshemanagedtodoitinabouttenminutes.Shethenlevitatedthem,stunnedandpetrifiedbutquiteconcious,stoppingtospeakwithasleepyGryfindoorprefectonmorningpatrolinanarrowcorridor,levitatingthedisillusionedboysabovetheprefect,thecheekygirl,andfinallymakingherwaytothegreathall.Ittookaboutaminuteorsotodivestthemofclothing,sticktheirundergarmentstothewallandleave.
Theresthehadseeninperson.ShehadbeeneatingbreakfastwithPotter,andthefourWeasleyboys.whenthedisillusionmentworeoff.Shehadeveryrighttobesmugaboutit,neverthelesshetooktwentypointsfromGryfindoorforitfromthe
twins.Hedidn'twanttoseemsoftafterall.Still,atthatpointhemadeamentalnotetokeepaneyeonmissGranger.Malfoyhadkepthisbigmouthshutaftertheincidentandactuallyopenedhiseyestotheworldaroundhim.Anyonewhocouldscaresomeofhisstupiderstudentsandhisownspoiledgodsonintoasemblanceofsubtletywasonetowatch.
"Besides,mostoftheSlytherinhouseknowsbatterthantotanglewithagirlwhocantakeoutatrollandlive.Verbalsparingisonething,actualphysicalconfrontationwouldlandmySlytherinsinbigtroubleandtheyknowit."Heconcludedandsatdown,lookingsmuglyatMcGonogaljusttoseethateyebrowtwitchagain.
"I'dhavethoughttheSlytherinpurebloodswouldbemoreupsetathermugglebornstatus?"WonderedFlitwick."Iknowsomeofthefightswereaboutpurebloodpride."
"AhFiliusbutthereisarumourgoingonthatmylittlesnakesareheeding.ApparentlyMissGrangerisandHeirtoadormantlineandisonlypretendingtobeamuggleborn,inalongtermplot.I'veevenhadNarcissainquirewithmeastothetruthofthisrumour.IncidentallymygodsonstillconsidersheranenemyonparwithWeasleybuthasnotusedthewordmudbloodeversincehecamebackfromtheholidays."
"Anytruthtothis?"WonderedmadamPomfreywhohadbeenkeepingquietsofar..
"Whoknows?"Snapeshrugged."Lookhardenoughandyou'lleventuallyfindamagicalancestorforoverhalfthemuggleborn."
"WhataboutyourSeedlingsPomona?"AskedDumbledore,tryingtokeepthespeculationtoaminimum.
"Notmuchtosay.SomeofmygirlsareparticipatinginmissGrangersbookoftheweekprojectandoneofthemisinherStudyclub.MyHufflepuffsknowageniusofhardworkwhentheyseeoneanddonotgetjealousoversuccess."Sheintonedandasfarasshewasconcernedthematterwasended.
"Ah,yes.Thestudyclub."Theheadmasterwastwinklingagain."IbelieveitisMissGranger'stwodormmates,MissPatilAndMissBrownforGryfindoor.FromSlytherinitisMissGreengrassandfromHufflepuffitisMissBonesandonoccasionMissAbbot.HowunusualtoseeRavenclaw,insteadofSlytherinbeingexcluded,isn'titFilius?"
"IndeeditisHeadmaster.IwillhaveawordwithmyRavensaboutourourhousequalitiesandexcessivepridenotbeingoneofthem."Itwouldn'tdo.IftheSlytherinscanbeciviltothegirlthenbyMerlinsowouldhisRavensorelse!
"Now,Hagridhasaskedforseveralpairsofeyes,fourorfiveatleasttohelphimlookforawoundedunicorn.Doanyofthefirstthroughthirdyearchildrenhavedetentionsassigned?"
"IhaveonlyoneSlytherinwithdetentionassignedHeadmasterbutParkinsonisstillinthehospitalwing."Helookedattheschoolhealer.Whoshookherhead.
"Outofthequestion.I'mnotreleasingherfortwomoredays."
"MySeedlingsdon'tgetdetentionsmuchHeadmaster."
"Weasley,PotterandGrangerHeadmaster.Alittlejauntintheforestwilldothemgood."
"EdgcombeandThompsonHeadmaster.Iwouldn'trecommendsendingthegirlintotheforest,sheisfartotimid."
"Wellthatsettlesisthen.Thompson,WeasleyPotterandGranger.Ifthisisallforthismonth?"AskedDumbledoreandateveryone'snodsheconcludedthemeeting.
Hewantedtogetbackintohispersonalstudytoresumehiswork.TheenchantingofthemirrorofErisedwithtrapswastrickybusinessbuthewasfinallymakingheadway.Aweekortwoandthetrapwouldbeset.
Hesighedasthelastofhiscolleaguesleftforbreakfast.IfhemanagedtotrapTomforafewyearsorperhapsevendecadesitwoulddomuchforHarry'squalityoflife.Hewishedthattheboydidn'thavetodietogetridofthehorcrux.Thebesthecoulddoisprovideanordinary,happychildhoodfortheboywhilepreparinghimforthefinalconfrontation.IfonlyhecouldfindthelastHallow.Thentheboymightstandachance.PlushecouldtellAriannahewassorry.
Author'snoteandminiomake.
OMAKE
"MyHufflepuffsknowageniusofhardworkwhentheyseeoneandceirtanlydonotgetjealousoversuccess!"Pomonnasproutexclaimedindignantlydisplayingherstrongwhiteshinyteeth."FORNOTHINGCANSTOPTHEPOWEROFYOUTH!"
AN:Alright,firstofallthereviewergoingbythenameVictoriashouldtakeupdivination.Isupposewhenyoureadenoughstoriesyoustartseeingthepatterns.Alsoforher.The'oldlady'isexplainedintheboldtextprecludingthechapter.
SnapeismistakingHermionesage.Sheisinfacttwelveyearsold.
IhadmorebutIjustranoutoftime.
Chapter10:ForestofDeath
It'snotthatunusualthatourancestorsdid.Peoplearelazy.Ohtruearitualwillgiveyouslightlymorebangforyourbuckbutthedifferenceisinsignificantandyouactuallyhavetoputmorementaleffortintoit.Weonlycamebackintoritualandcadenceforawhilewhenwerealizedatraditionalwandcanfocusourpersonalreserves.Andeventhenwehadtorewritetherulebookandfindnewmagicalfoci.Bloodofmyenemyandallthat.Still,thewandisstillwidelyusedoutsideofcombat.Yourarelyneedalotofmagictocleanyourclothesorbuildahouse.Tossingalightningboltwithisabittrickierbutstillpossible,ifbarely.Widescalecombatthough?Wellyouseewhatandragonclasssorcerercandowhentheytapthedragonlines.TrychannelingTHATthroughapieceofwood.
JaredoftheFlames,afocicraftsmanonthesubjectofreasonableexpenseofinfusingdemonbloodcrystalsintoastaffcore.
ForestofDeath
ThethreedragonsmugglingGryfinddorwerehavinganoddday.HalftheGryfindoorsweremiffedatthemforlosingpoint,mostlytheloweryears.Someoftheolderonesthoughttheywereinalovetriangleandteasedthemercilessly,whilesomeofthemoreboisterousGryfindoors(IEthetwins)eggingthemontodomorepranks.Theywereeatingasomberlunchwhenthenoteswiththeirdetentionassignmentarrived.
FilchwilltakeyoutoyourdetentionwithHagrid,meethima11PMintheentrancehall.
ProfessorMcGonnogal.
Filchwasquietandwalkedwithalimpthateveningandleftthemquicklywhentheycametotheedgeoftheforest.Hermioneconsidereditoddthattheusuallyperpetuallyangrymankeptquietlatelyandthenshruggeditoff.Everyonewasentitledtofeelingoffonoccasion.
TheylookedaroundnervouslywhenHagridcameoutofthewoodswithasecondyearRavenclawwhowaslookingaroundcuriously.HagridhimselfwasamountainofamanandhewaswieldingwhattoHermionelookedlikeaslightlydowngradedsiegecrossbow.NexttothemsteppedFangwhowassniffingaroundhappily.Shewasunsurewhatsortofbreedhewasbuttheoversizedfangsprotrudingfromhisclosedjawimpliedamagicalbreedofsomesort.Thesightmadeherfeltbetter
aboutthewholetraipseinthewoodsinthemiddleofthenightbusiness.Notthatshewasafraidofthedarkforestoranything.Shewasjustcautious.Yes.
"Wellnowyouthree.Rightontime.Listenup,whattonightwillbeabitdangerousforyoufour,soIwantyoutobecarefulandkeeponthepath.Nounnecessaryrisks."Heintonedsomberlyandmotionedforthemtofollow.HermionementallysworethatifshediedshewascomingbacktohauntprofessorMcGonogalforatlasttenyears.Whilesinginghorriblesongs.Atnight.
Heledthemintotheforestdownalong,unevenforesttrail.Astheywentdeepertheforesttookonamoreancientfeeltoit.Largetreesdominatedsomeparts,withsmalleronesnestledaroundthemandthereweremosscoveredremainsofbrokentreesindicatedalargepredatorhadpassedthroughawhileago.AfterabouttenminutesHagridstoppedthematapointwhereanothertrailcrossedtheonetheyweretakingandpointedoutasilvery-bluesplash.
"Rightthen,that'sunicornblood.Wearetryingtofindtheinjuredbeastybeforewhateverhasbeenhuntingtheunicornsdoes,ifwecanwe'llhelpitandifwecan'twe'llgiveitthemercystrikewewill.Iftheunicorn'sa'rightI'llneedyoukidstokeepitcalmwhileIlookitover.Unicornsrespondwelltochildrenandthaiswhyyou'rehere."
Hepointeddowntheintersectingpath."Thisonecirclesaboutquartermileandthenmeetsinaclearing.IwantRonaldandThompsontogothatway..."hestartedexplainingwhenhewasinterrupted
"What?Onourown?"GulpedRon.
"Isn'tsplittingupanunnecessaryrisk?"AskedThompsonpolitely.
"Don'tbesillyRonald,I'msendin'Fangwithyaeknowsthaway.AndmisterThompsonthepathyouaregoingdownleadsneartheforestedgeandwillbeabitsafer,asmallergroupmakeslessnoiseandthesoonerwefinishthebetter."Hagridexplainedhavingexperiencewithleadingchildrenthroughtheforest.
"NowHarryandHermione,youarewithme,Ineedcoolheadswithmesincewe'llbepassinneartheacromantulacolonyandthedragonbeenest."
Hermionegaspedinalarmatthis.Dragonbeesweresimilartodragonfliesthesizeofaman'shead.Onlywithnastystingersfullofparalysingpoison,thetemperamentofAfricankillerbeesandapenchantforgeneratingaconfundusfieldinlargeenoughnumbers.Ohandtheycaneatnectar,magicandmeatwithequalgusto.Theonlyreasontheyarenotmuchofamenaceistheirstrictnestingconditionsalimited
distancetheycouldmovefromthemainnestbeforedyingandthefactthatthequeencanonlyspawnoneeggpermonth.
Now,noworriesabouttheDragonbees,theyshouldbeasleep.AcromantulasmaybehuntingbutolAragoglikesmeandwouldn'thurtaflyreally.Now,ifanyoneseesanythingorrunsintotroublejustshootoffredsparksandIllbethereintenseconds.Oh,IfFangwhinesandstartsrunningIsuggestyoushootredsparksandfollowhimoutoftheforest.Mostofthemischievouslittledarlingswon'tleavethetrees.Youlotknowthejellylegsjinxbynow?Mostbeastiesarenotimmunetomagicyouknow.Justalittlehinteh?"Hechuckledtohisjokeandstrokedhisblacktangledbeard.
TheysplitupandsoonHagridwasmovingandtalkingwithmuchlessnoise.
Hermionefoundtheforestdarkandforeboding,evenasHagridsunusualstealthreassuredherthatheknewwhathewasdoing.HereyesquicklygotusedtothedarknessandshecouldnotunderstandwhyHarrykeptstumblingoverroots.Shefinallyresortedtoholdinghishandtokeephimfromfallingonhisface.Innowaywassheclutchinghishandduetofearoftheforest.
Sheconcentratedontheirtasktokeepfromoverthinkingthings.Thesilvery-bluebloodshoneinthebrightmoonlightlikeabeaconandsheoftenpointedoutthetinyspeckstohercompanions.
"IsayHermione,youhavegoodwoodcraftthere.Mostfolkscan'tdowellintheforestafterdark."SaidHagridapprovingly.
"Wellthefullmoonisratherbrightsoit'snotthatbad."
"What'chatalkingaboutit'sonlyahalfmoon.Iwouldn'ttakeabunchofkidsoutintheforestduringthefullmoon.Goodeyesthoifyouseethatwellinthedark."NoddedHagrid
"Oh,sonowerewolvesthen."SaidHarryalittlehappierandstoodalittlestraighter.HehadbeenclutchingHermione'shandastightasshewasholdinghis.
"Okspillit.Howcanyouseeinthismurk?"HewhisperedtoHermionewhileHagridbentdowntoexaminetheforestfloorforamoment."Iknowyouaren'tpartcat!"
Hermionestaredathimandthengaveherselfamentalhitinthehead.
"Allright,rememberthatchannelingtrickItaughtyou?Trydoingit."Shewhisperedback.
"Thatstuffishardtokeepupandgivesmeaheadache!"Harrycomplainedandthensighedanddidashewastold.Afterafewminutesheblinkedandlookedaround,Hermionenotedhiseyesnowreflectedlightlikeacat."Oh.ItslippedintomyeyeswhenIwasstrainingtolookaround.Thisstuffhassomeusethen.Whydidn'tyoutell..."
Hagridfrozeinfrontofthem."Quiet!Behindstepbehindme!"Hehissedandpointedhiscrossbowatsomethinginthedark.Afeelingofforebodingsuddenlypermeatedtheforest.
Hermionecouldbarelysometallfigureskulkinginthedarknessandfaintsoundofclothscrapingagainstsomethingbeforethepresencewasgone.Hagridrelaxedafractionandmotionedforthemtocontinue.
"Thatwassomethingforeigntotheforest."Hewhispered."I'mnotsurewhatkindofcritteritwas:"
"Itwastall,manlike."SaidHarry."Ithadsomethinginit'sarmsitwaslonganddarkerthenhisrobes."
"Icouldn'tmakeitout.Onlyatallfigure."AddedHermione."Isupposethatwhispercouldhavebeenclothacrossthegrass.
Haggritlookedatthem."Goodsensesthat.Aye,Icouldmostlyhearitandsmellit.LikesomethingdeadbutIfeltafaintsmellofgarlicsoitain'tavampiresononeedtoworry."
Theycontinuedmakingtheirwasdownthepath.Amothcoveredtreehadfallenacrossthepathandtheyhadtoclimboveritbeforetheycameacrossaclearing.
Hermionestaredinwonder.Outsidethetreesitlookedlikeareallymurkyday,beautiful.Somenocturnalflowersshininginthenight.Thesilverylightsparkledoffthegrass.Unknowntoheranyoneelsewouldmerelyseeadarkmeadow.Instrainingtoseeinthedarknesshermagicwasamplifyingthelightmanytimesandherbrainwastryingtouseherothertraditionalsensestoamplifytheeffect,aswellasstrainingtotheextrasensesshehadforgottenshehadusedoncebeforetoseeglimpsesofmagic.
"It'sbeautiful,"shewhisperedandHarrygaveherastrangelook.Hesupposedthemeadowwaskindofniceandhecouldseewellenoughbutitwasnothingspecial.Girlswereafunnybreedhemused.
"Who'sthere!"BellowedHagridsuddenlyandpointedcrossbowagain."Show
yourself!"
Acentaurinhisprimesteppedintotheclearing.Hishumanhalfwasstrongandmuscledandhishorsehalfwasblackandshiny.Histailflickerednervously.
"NowthereHagrid.Youwouldn'tshootafriend?"adeepstrongvoiceintonedinanamusedtone.
"Oh,It'syouRonan.Howareyoudoing?"IntonedHagrid,relaxing.
"Iamwell.Whatareyoulookingforinintheforestwithtwofoals?"Thecentaurinquiredcuriously.
"There'ssommatfishygoinonaroundthesepart.SomethingisHuntingunicorns.Thechildrenwouldhelpcalmit.TheseareHarryandHermione,studentsatHogwarts.Children,thisisRonan,aCentaur."
"Ah,students.AnddoyoulearnwellinyourHogwartsschool?"Thecentaurasked.
Harryshrugged,stillstaringawedatthecentaur.
Hermionejustnodded."Wedo,thereismuchtolearnintheHogwartslibrary.TheclassestooIsuppose,eveniftheygoabitslowlyformytaste."
Thecentaurnoddedinagreement."Learningisgood.Youshouldnotbetoohastytoskipanylessons.Steadylearningisbest."heintonedsagelybeforelookingup.
"Marsisbrighttonight."
"Yes."intonedHagrid."ListenRonan,haveyouseenanythingunusualintheforest,thehurtunicornperhaps?"
Ronnansighedsadly."Theinnocentareoftenthefirstvictims.Marsshinesbrightlytonight,morethanithasforsomedays."
"Ah,Iunderstandbutdidyouseeadarkpresenceperhaps.Anythingunusual?SaidHagrid."IntheforestImean."
Ronnanlookedathimforalongmomentandthenshrugged.
"Theforestholdsmanysecrets."Hesaidfinally.
Withhardlyanoiseanothercentaursteppedoutatthefarendoftheclearingandapproached.ThisoneseemedmorewarliketoHermionethentheother.Probably
thelargebowstrungacrosshisshoulderandlarge,longknivesrestingonit'sflanks.
"Ah.Banegoodevening."SaidHagridtothenewcomer."Haveyouseenanythingunusualtonight."
BanesteppeduptoRonanandlookedatHagridforamomentthenlookedup.
"Marsisbrighttonight.Unusuallyso."
"Well,um,yes,Imeantintheforest."Haggridtriedtoexplainmoreclearly.
HermionefrownedandlookeduptryingtoseewhatwassodifferentaboutMars.Centaurscouldn'tbemisunderstandingHagridthatbadly.Shefounditeasilyenoughanditwasshiningbrightlywithanice,redsheen.Shesquintedtryingtofigureitoutandforamomentsomethingsnappedintoplaceandshecouldseeit.Thevastexpanseofthesolarsystem,justlikeinthedocumentariesandthedusty,coldredplanet,spinningpeacefully,asmallstormragingacrossaportionofit'sequator.PhobosandDeimoswereonthefarsidesoftheirorbit.reflectinglightbackattheearth.Acometskimmingacrossit'satmosphere.Apartofhershiedawayfromthedistancesinvolvedandretreatedintothatsafeplaceitcouldgotohidefromthebiguncaringuniverse.
"Nowonderit'sbright.PhobosandDeimosarereflectinglightbackatus.Andthere'sasmallcometskimmingMarsatmosphere.Ifitcrashesit'llmakeabigfussandperhapsevenrain,probablyfeedthestormsomethingfierce.Andevenifitpassesonitwillhaveleftsomewatertotheplanet.AonemoresteptoanewlifeIguess"Shecommentedabsentlytoherself,rememberingsomefictionshereadontransformingMars.Shepausedforamomentrealisingwhatshewassayingandthethemomentpassed.Hereyesstungpainfullyandshestumbledavertinghergaze.Sherubbedathereyesandopenedthemcarefullyblinkingspotsfromhereyes.Hadshereallyjustturnedhereyesintotelescopes?No.Shemusthavebeenimaginingsomeofit.Shecouldn'thavebeenorbitingMars.Thatwasjustsilly.Shesmiledatherimaginationforfillingintheblanksandshookherhead.Thatwasprobablyit.Herbrainwasnotwiredformagnificationandshedreamedupthedetail.
Inthemeantimethetwocentaurslookedatherwideeyed.FinallyRonanspoke.
"Thetwinsonsofwarlookdownonus.Acalamitythatmayleavethechanceforanewlifebehind."Henoddedsagely."Yes.Itfits,eventhoughyourwordingisunorthodox."
Hermionelookedbackathimthinkingaboutthemythology,andsomeunderstandingofhowcentaursspoke."Marsisbrighttonight.Isee."
Shesmiled.Andtheysmiledback,faintly.
Hagridinthemantimehadhadenoughofthistalkaboutthestars.
"WellIthingwe'llgolookatsummatclosertohometonight.Let'sgochildrenthatunicornwon'tfinditself.GoodeveningRonan.Bane."
RonanandBanestaredafterthemforalongmomentaftertheyleft.FinallyBanespoke,hessitantly.
"Ididn'tknowhumancanstargaze."
"Neverheardofonethatdid.Nolikethat.Thatsoundedlikeitcamefromthemouthoftheshaman.Speakingoftheelementslikethat;Thecomingstormandachanceofanewlifeindeed.Doyoustillthinkallhumansareworthlessmybrother?"
Baneconsideredthisforalongtimeandthenfinallyspoke."Perhapsnotall.Hagridishalfhumanandheistolerableifabitsimpleinhispatterns.Andthisfoaliswisebeyondheryears.Oneisanaccidentbuttwomaybeabeginningofanewpattern.Andthelightningchild.Hejuststayedquietandobservedwithcleareyes.Likeayoungapprenticewould.Noneofthatpointlesshumanrashnessandfolly,askingquestionsthatwouldbeanswerediftheystayedquietandobserved."
Hefinallyplacedhishandonhiscomradesshoulderandsighed."Iguessonlymosthumansareaplague.Somemightbesymbioticafterall.Gaiasaveus,theyjustmightnotfallthistime."
Hagridledthechildrenalongthetrailstillintothedarknessoftheforestandspoke
"Goodlotcentaursare,eventhoyoucan'tgetastraightanswerfromthem."
"Theyseemedclearenoughtoeachother.Theyseemtobefondofdiviningthefuturefromthestarsandspeakinginmetaphor.Wejustdon'tspeakthelanguage."SaidHermioneshrugging.
"Dotheyalwaysspeaklikethat."AskedHarrycurious.
"Dattheydo!Almostnevertalkaboutanythingcloserthenthemoonthatlot.Nicetotalktho,alwayswillingtochatwhenIwantsomecompany."
"Soareyou..."StartedHermioneandthentrailedoff.ShegrabbedHarry'sarm."Didyousee!"
"Idid!RedSparks,theothersareindanger"
"Alrightyoutwogoonalongthepath,I'llgohelpthosetwo.Greensparksifyoufindtheunicorn,redifyoufindtrouble."Hagridsaidandranforitdisappearingintotheforestlikehewasneverthere.
"Quickman."Harrysaidlookingafterhim.
"Yes.Comeon,"HermionesaidpullingHarry'ssleeve."Didyounotice,wecanseethebloodbetteronthispath.Likeit'sfresher."
Themadegoodtime,walkingquicklyalongthepath.Theblooddidcomefasternow.Andyoucouldseehoofmarksnow,liketheanimalhadgottenheaviersomehow.
"Ireadaboutthat.Ifitgetsweakitcan'tsustainthemagicthatmakesitsodifficulttotrackthem."Hermionespoke
"Look."Harrypointedatalargepatchofcrushedvegetationandblood."Itmusthavefallendownhere!"
"Poorthingmusthavebeeninagonytotossaboutlikethat."WhisperedHermione."Let'sgocheckthatclearingupahead."
Theycameuponaclearingsoonandsawit.Apurewhite,marewithanivoryhornonit'sforehead.Itwaslyingonit'sflank,it'ssidesmearedwithblood,alongdeepgashalongit'sribsandflank.It'seyeswereclosedandit'sbodywastwitchinginspasmsit'sbreathquickandshallow.Thewoundwashadtinyblackveinsalongtheedges,frompoisonperhapsorgodsknewwhatDarkmagic.
Theyapproacheditquicklybutcautiously.
"Allrightdear,it'sallright"Hermionesaidsoothingly.Aflickofherwristandherwandwasinherhand."Ipromisetodomybestforyou."
"Harry,sendoutgreensparks.Keepwatch.I'lltrytohelpit."Shesaidasshetriedthebloodclottingcharm.Theflowstoppedforamoment,theunicorntwitchedandthentheflowrestarted,alittleslower.Themarewentintoanotherspasmlettingoutafaintwhinny.
Hermionesworementally,rememberingtheirinbornresistancetoforeignmagic.Sheconcentratedandthentriedtomatchthepatternofhermagictotheoneshefeltfromthemarelikeshedidwhenalteringarunearray.ItcamemucheasiertonightthenusualandHermionewasthankful,forthepatternwassomuchdifferentthen
whatshewasusedtoandshewasjustlearningtosensemagic.Withglacialspeedshespreadthepainnumbingcharmtomakeitcoverthewholebody.TheunicornshudderedandthenrelaxedabitandHermionesighedinreliefthatitwouldwork.
"That'sitgirl.I'llhelpasmuchasIcan."Hermionesaidsoothingly,tryingtofightbacktearsdespitetheoculumency.Someoneharmedsuchabeautifulcreaturewasamonster,nodoubtaboutthat.
Sheconcentratedagainintomatchingthepatternsandstartedonacleansingchant.Ritualsandchantswereaboutaseffectiveasspellsbuttookmuchlongertocast,gotprogressivelyintricatetocastwithgreatereffectandweremostlyabandonedinthelastfivehundredyearsorsotothemodernandmuchmoreconvenientspellcasting.Itwasconsideredexoticanduseless,exceptasacuriosity.Hermionelikedthem.Mostspellswerejuststreamlined,condensedorjustplainbetterversionsofchantsandritualsanyway.Youcouldpreciselycontroltheeffect,soifshehadthetimeshewouldpickachantorevenaritualcircleforanythingfiddlylikeprogrammingarunicgrid,notthatshe'dbetryingtodothatanytimesoon.TheHogwartslibrarywasapricelesstreasuretroveandHermionewasgladthewardsontheplacelikedhersomuch.
Shehadjustlastweekreadthisone.Itwasafiveminuteprayer/chantingreekthatinvokedbalanceandnaturemeantforcleaningminorpoisonsandremovingdarkresidue.Shewasn'tsureifshewasquitestrongenoughforit,likespellschantsandritualstookacertainamountofmagicalstrengthandexperience.Shelackedbothbutifshedidnottryshewouldneverforgiveherself.
Sheallowedherselftofallintothecadenceandletthemagicflow,itpushedhertotheverylimitanditwasjustbarelyenough.Shedugasdeepassheeverdugtomaintainhermagicflowingintotheslowlybuildingpattern.Becauseoncesheletupshedoubtedshewouldhavethestaminatostartitagain.Sheclosedhereyestobetterfeelthethegrowingpatternandjustheldon,beggingthegodsnottheletsuchamagnificentparagonofbeautyperishinpainanddarkness,bleedinghelplesslyontheflooroftheforest.
AsthefinalergofenergyleftandthefinalsyllablesweresungHermioneshuddered,collapsingtoherkneesandopenedhereyes.
Thebloodstoppedflowingandthewoundlookedlikeashallowcut.Hermionefeltafainthope.Shefeltforapulseanditwassoveryfaintshealmostdidnotfindit.Shelookedatthepoolofsilverybloodaroundtheunicornandshuddered.Itfinallyopenedit'seyesandlookedatherwithwarmthandsentiencebutmadenoefforttorise.It'sheadfallingbacktothegroundanditsighed.
Itstartedtoshivernow,andHermionecouldjustfeelitgettingcoolerunderherhand.AndHermioneknewshehadbeentoolate.Itwasdying.
Knowingitwasfutilebuttookoffhercloakandlaiditontheunicorn.
"I'msorrygirl."Hermionewhisperedpettingtheunicorn'sside."Idon'tknowenough.I'mtooweak.Ican'tsaveyou."
NyarratheStorytellerletoutasoftsoothingwhinny,relaxingcompletelynowthatitunderstoodthehumanfoalwasnotapredatororaslaver.Justanothershaman,doingherwork.
Astheirmothersbroodmother'stoldthemothertohersire,shehadlistenedandfoundhercallingasthekeeperofthepast.Oncetheyhadspokenofthehumanshamans,theonesthatsangthemagicintheproperways.Afadingbreedamonghumans,eveninthetimeswhengodsstillwalkedtheearth.Itwarmedherheartthathumanshavenotquiteforgotten.
Shecouldfadeawayintotheeternalfieldssafelynow.Herpaingone,thetaintfadedtonothingness.Athoughtstayedherforamoment.Herdutytothetribewasunfulfilled.Herlinewaslongyetheronlyfoalbarelyintohergrowth.Sheknewnothalfthestoriesandwasdestinedtogrowaloneamongstthebroodofhersireandforthememoryoftimesuntoldtofadeintothenight.Andyetshewashappy.Forherspiritwouldfadeinpeaceandnotsuffering.Asshefaded,somethingAlientuggedattheedgeofherconsciousnessandsheLooked.Andherheartskippedabeatandalmoststopped.
"Hermione!"CalledHarryandshelookedatwherehewaspointing.
Ablackcloakedfigureglidedintotheclearing,thefeelingofdreadreturning.Ithissedatthemangrilly.HermionewatchedHarrygrabhisscarandstumble.Shegraspedherwandandstoodup,refusingtoletitseehowweakshereallywas.
ShehearHarrywhimperinpainbutitquicklystoppedandhesteppedtoherside,onlyasmallsheenofsweatshowingherhowhardwhateveritattackedhimwithwashadbeentoresist.
"Youcan'thaveit."Harrysaiddefiantlyhisvoiceflatanddetermined.
"OverOurdeadbodies."Sheagreedandcarveditinstone.
"Thatcanbearranged,nosychildren."Acruel,inhumanvoicehissedinthedarkness.Itsoundedlikeitwascomingfromeverywhere.Andyetitwashesitating.
HarrywincedasitspokeandHerminecouldseehisscarwasred,inflamed.
AsforHermioneshefeltthefirststirringsofthatangeratthewizardingworldshehadbeenfeelingallyeardriftfromunderherfadingoculumency.Shehadkeptherangerattheinjusticespercieveddownbutnowitwasleakingthroughwithavengeanceandshewasalreadyfeelinghermagicsluggishlyreplenishitselffromthewarmthonherchest.
"Reductothattreebehinditassoonasitmoves."Shehissed."Smashthroughit'sbaseascloseasyoucantotheground,cleanthroughlikeyoudidthatonetimewhenwepracticed."Shetoldhiminawhisper.
Thecreature,orman,orwhateveritwasfinallyfinishedconsideringandsteppedtowardsthemraisingthelongblacksleeveofit'shoodedrobeandHarryshothisspell.Thecreaturelaughed,notevenbotheringtododgetheapparentmiss.Itstoppedlaughingattheterribleexplosionbehindit.Itturnedtolookandthenjustasquicklyturnedbacktoblockastunnerthatwasflyingit'swayandthebattlewasjoined.
Hermioneraisedherownwandandthefallingtreesuddenlyrushedacrosstheairandintotheclearingandthenhereyeswidenedinsurprisewhentheflyingtreeburstintoflames,courtesyofHarry'swelltimedincendio.OncemoreHarryprovedhecouldoverpowerspellsbetterthenHermione.
Thetreeshatteredagainstalargebronzeshieldthatthefigurehadconjuredinaninstant.TheShieldhadasilversnakeonitanditwasobviousnowfromthewandprotrudingfromit'slongsleevethatthedarkthingwasawizard.
Theburningtreesmashedagainsttheshield,sendingloudgongingnoiseacrosstheclearingasHermionegrittedherteeth,grippedherwandandwithawildslashingmotionandtriedtosmashthedarkwizardtodeathwithalargeburningtree.
Harryinthemeantimewassendingoutstunners,butthemanwasdeflectingthemwithhisotherhand.Wandlessly.
Withawaveofit'shandawallofforcecrashedintothechildrenandittookonestepcloserasHermioneandHarrylandedontheirbacks.Thetreethathadbeenkeepingthewizardbussyfaltered.Heraisedit'swandtofinishthejob.
Suddenlywithaloudcrashingnoisealargechestnutcentaurjumpedintothe
clearingthroughatallbush.Inamomentittookintheinfernodancingaroundtheslightlysingeddarkfigure,thechildrensuddenlypushedbackbythedarkpresence,theunicornthatthechildrenhadbeenguarding,theunicornwhichwasstrugglingtostandbloodstainedcloakoverit'ssideandraisedit'sbowandletlooseanarrow.Thecloakedfiguresawthisandwithagestureofit'swandthebowstringwasseveredandhereceivedasmallgashalongthebackofhiswandhand.Thecentaurdrewaswordandpreparedtochargeandsellhislifedearlyevenasthewizardslashedanotherdeeplinenotquitemissedhisrightforeleg.
Shelayhelplesslyathersideasitsteppedintotheclearing,thethingthathaddrunkthebloodofhersistersapporaching.Shehadseenabominationsinherlonglife,likethemonstrousspidersthatprayedontheiryoung.allofwhichthestallionshaddefeatedbutthisonewassomuchmorefoulandtwisted.
Andasthefoalsstoodtoprotecthershefeltsadnessfortheycouldnotstandagainstit.Andthenashercousinsteppedintothefightshefeltshameandtriedtostand.Andfinallyasitlaughedshefeltanger.Shecouldnotjustliethereandfadeasfoalsandyounglingsfoughtforher.Aburningspikeddeepwithinherthatshehadneverfeltbefore.Adeepredfireinherveinsthatfeltlikeitwouldburstherfailingheart.Sherememberedherlineandherduties.Andtherisingdarknessthatkilledhersistersandleftherdaughteralone.
ShewasNyarratheStoryteller,descendantofNiistatheBold,descendantofthegoddessEponee.Shewouldstand.Andshewouldfight.Nodarknessnoabomination,notevendeathwouldstandinherwayofherwill.Shehadthingstodo.
Musclesclenched,flanksburned,breathcame.Andthenshewasfree.
Alightshonebrightlyacrosstheclearingandoutlinedthemarewhichhadmanagedtogettoit'sfeet.
Itletoutaloudwhinnythatranglikegoldenbellsalongtheclearingthatsangofwarmthandpassion,offreedomandanddutyoflightsinshadowandacleansingfire.Thedarkwizardflinchedastheunicornchargedstraightpastthechildrenathimengulfedinlightandsilveryflames.
Withalargecrackthedarkwizarddissapated.
Thelightaroundtheunicornfadedandthechildrenstaredatthesilveryghostlyfigureofthehorseasitrearedinchallengeandscreamedinfury.Thentheylooked
behindthemandtherewasit'sbody,deadandlifeless.
TheghostlyUnicorntrottedtowardsthechildren,prancedalittleinfrontofthemhappily,nibbledatthechildren'shairandthenwithahuffitgallopedoffintotheforestfadingoutofsight.
Thecentaurstaredafteritforalongmomentbeforeheslowlylimpedovertothechildren
"Areyoutwoallright?"Heasked
HarrynoddedwhileHermionesmiledhappilyandsaid."We'lllive,thankyou.CastthegreensparksagainHarry.I'mdry.Thehealingspellstookalargechunkofmymagic."
Harryslappedhimselfontheforeheadandthenwincedathowsensitiveitwas.
'Weforgottosentredsparks.'Hekickedhimselfmentallyashesentoutgreensparks.
"Youtriedhealingtheunicorn?"Askedthecentaurlookingatthegirl.
"Ifailed."SaidHermioneinaweary."IthadlosttoomuchbloodandIdidn'tknowenoughhealingtocounteractthat."
Shesatdownonthegrass,torest,justforaminute.
"Thenyoudidmorethanitcoulddream."Hesaidwithanoddtoneofvoice."Whyareyouherechildren?Fightingwiththatmonstrosity?"
"WecamewithHagrid."SaidHarry"Tolookfortheunicorn."
Thcentaurnoddedandthenstaredattheboy'sforehead.
"YouareHarryPotter.Youshouldnotbehereinthisforesttonight.Thestarsyouareindeadlyperil,andindeedtheforestcanbeadeadlyplace."
HarrysnortedandHermionechuckledtiredly.
"Yes.Wekindofrealisedthatbeforewecame."Hesaid."ForbiddenForestandallthat."
"Wellcomewithme,IamFirenzeandIwillleadyououtoftheforest."
"Wecan'tjustleaveit'sbodylikethat!"Hermionetriedtostandupbutherkneeswobbled.Andshesatdownbackonthegrass.
"Mypeoplewillguarditandtakeproperstepsinyourname.Youhavedoneagreatthingfoal."
"Whatdoyoumean?"AskedHarryasheofferedHermioneahandtohelpherstandup.
"Whenunicornthatdiesofnaturalcausesandechoofit'sspiritwillusuallylingerinagladeitdiedin,makingitintoaholyplaceforsevenyears.Aunicornthatshed'sit'sformtofightevilbecomesaspiritprotectorofanentireforestforthesametime.Youmadesureitdidn'tdieinpain,andfearandeveninspiredittofight.AfterallifchildrencouldfighttheDarkhowwouldanyoneelsedoanyless.Youjustmayhavemadetheentireforestabetterplace."Heexplainedastheywalkedeachwiththeirownlightlimp.Hermioneleanedheavilyonbothofthemandkeptsilent,listening.Shewasverysleepysuddenlyandconcentratedmostlyonstayingawake.
"Sowhatwillbecomeofthe.Um...Spiritunicorn?"AskedHarrycuriously,sheneverreadanythingaboutthis.
"Itwillguardtheforestaslongasthereisneedforitandthenitwilldepartforthegreatpastureinthestarslikeallghostsdo."
"Whatwasthatthingafter?"Harmioneasked."Howcouldanyoneharmaunicorn."
"Whatdoyouknowaboutunicornbloodyoung..."Itpausedforanobscureword."Youngchildling?"
"Notmuch,wedon'tuseitinpotions.Weusetheirhairinwandsandit'sshedhornsifsomepotions."Hemioneexplained.
"Freshunicornbloodstraightfromtheveinisaverypotenthealingagent.Itcansaveamanonthebrinkofdeath.Andyet,tokillaunicornforit'sbloodwillcursewhoeverdoesitintheirlifeandaftertheirdeath.Doomthemtoanexistenceofhalf-life,oftorturousun-death.Acursedexistence."
"Butwhocouldbethatdesperate?"Harryasked."Orthatevil?"
Hermionesnorted.
"Didn'tyoulistentowhattheman..um,centaursaid.Whoisalreadyundead,aftersomethingnearby,isobscenelyevilandhasnothingtolose?"
"Yes,evenifitaquestionifhehasenoughlifeforittobecursed.Orenoughhumanitytocare..."
Harry'seyeswidened.
"Vol.."
"Tharyouare!"CalledhagridashakenlookingRavenclawandadazed,whitefacedGryfindoortrailingafterhim.FirenzelookedatHagridandpushedthechildrentohim.
"IleavethechildrentoyouthenHaggrid.Goodevening."Andwiththathefled.Toomanyhumansinoneplace.Andmuchtodobeforethenightwasover.
"SorryIttooksolong,theboysranintosomeofAragogsspawnandtookabitoftalkingtomakethingsright."
HarrylookedathimblandlywhilesteadyingahalfasleepHermione."Right,wearejustpeachy.Noneedtolookfortheunicornanymore,thecentaurshaveit."
Therewaslittlefusswhentheycamebacktothecastle.ThechildrenweresentstraighttobedandHaggridwenttotalkwiththeHeadmaster.
Onlysomeofthemweretoowiredtoevenconsidersleep.
"HowcouldyouwanttoplaychessatatimelikethisRon?"saidHarry,pacingaroundthecommonroomafterHermionehadwentofftosleep.Hewastoofullofnervousenergytofollow.
"Idon'twanttothinkaboutthes...spidersHarry."ThestillshakenRonexplained."Canyouclearupwhathappenedtoyourscarwhenit...Hecame."
"I'mnotsure.LikeIsaid,foramomentIwaspanicking,abouttorun,myheadwassplittingopen.AndthenIsawHermionethere,grippingherwandtightly,angersurginginhereyesandmyoculumencyshieldjustslidintoplacelikeitdidinpractice.Thepainwasquarteredinstantly.AndVoldemortfledoncetheunicornjoinedthefray."
Ronflinchedatthename."Lookmatelet'sjustforgetthewholething.IknowIwanttoforgetthosebloodyhugespidersandneverevenseetheforestagain.
HarrywalkedovertoRonandgrabbedhisshoulder."Lookmate,wehavetowork
harderonthestuffsheteachesus!Oculumencysavedmylife!Ibetonit!VoldemortisafterthestoneRon!Notjustanywizard!Voldemort!"
"Enough!"YelledRonshakingshyingawayfromhisbestfriend."Stop.Saying.His.Name."
Harryjustsighedtheatricallyandwentbacktopacing.
"QuirrelorSnape.Oneofthosetwowillstealthestoneforhim.AndVoldemortwantsmedead.Ihavetolearntofight.Ihavetolearnfast."HestoppedandstaredatRon.
"Lookmate,stepuporstepdown.IhavetostoplarkingaroundandprepareoroneofthesedaysI'llturnaroundthecorneranditwillbegoodbyeHarrypotter.Andifyoustickwithmeyou'llbeinthemiddleofit.AndIdon'twantyouhurt."
"AwcomeonHarryYou-know-whoisafraidofDumbledore,he'llkeepussafe!"Rontriedtoreassurehisfriend.
"YesRon,notevenDumbledorecanbeeverywhere.Andevenifhedoes,soonerorlaterwehavetoleaveHogwarts."
TothatRondidn'thaveananswerandheremainedsilent.
Andashewenttobedthatnightashudderrandownhisspine.Hemightactuallyhavetostudyoutsideofclasswork.HewouldhavetodoifhewantedtostayHarry'sfriendandlive.
AndifYou-know-whoreallywasalive...Ashiverwentdownhisspineandturnedintofullfledgedfear.Andhesilentlywept.ForhewasaWeasley.Hewouldhavetostandbyhisfriendsandallies.Hecoulddonoless.EvenagainstYou-know-who.Andsincehewasnotpowerfulsmartortalentedhewoulddie.
Andashisdreamsturnedtonightmaresafewoftheredhairsonthebackofhisneckturnedwhiteashedreamtthathesoldhislifedearly,faraboveit'scost.Hecouldneverfindsomethingofhisowntoseparatehimfromhisbrothers.Itwasforareasonitseemed.Hehadacalling.Hewoulddieyoung,standingagainstthedarknesslikemanyWeasley'sthroughtheageshad.
AN:
InthebeginningIwassorelytemptedtosidelineRon,probablytheinfluenceofallthoseficsthatmarginalizedhim.ButthenIrealizedhejustneededtofocusbetteron
whatwasimportant.
Thispartisthefirstturningpoint.Deviationfromcannonhasbegun.Evenifitwon'tbethatobviousuntillsecondyear.
WasitjustmethatwasannoyedabouthowJKRwroteinthecasualkillingofUnicorns?JustlikethattheydieandQuirrelMortfeeds.Notinthisepictheydon't.
I'mprobbablyforgettingsomethingbutmyonlinetimeisverylimitedsoi'llhavetolivewithit.
Chapter11:Plot?
WhilechildrenaremorethancapableofwieldingthenewcrystalmatrixarrayIstronglydisapproveofloweringtheadmittanceagebellowsixteen.Therewillbenochildsoldiersonmywatch.Iwillconcedethatteachingeveryoneovertheageoftwelveinhowtouseandpowershieldcrystalsandelementalamplifiersforcitydefencepurposeonly.ButundernocircumstanceswillIallowchildrentoparticipateinawarwiththosemonstrosities.Oncewasenough.ChildrenshouldnotwatchtheirfriendsdiegruesomedeathsandIwillbendmyconsiderablypowerandinfluencetoensurethatit.Does.Not.Happen.Again.
AdmiralHermioneJaneWeasley-Granger-Harris.Sorceress,Dragonclass.HeadofTheRagnarokWarCouncil.Mother.
AlbusPercivalUlfricBrianDumbledoreponderedhisageforamomentashisdeputypacedhisofficeonthevergeofunleashingherlegendarytemperandthenacceptedthenotionthathewas,infactgettingtoooldforthesekindofexcrementexplosions.
"CalmdownMinerva,Idonotthinkthiscouldhavebeenpredicted."Heintonedamicably.Hecertainlydidn'tthinkanactualduelwoulderupt.HewasjustwishedheknewmorethanwhatHaggridtoldthem.Harry'sexplanationof;'Wefoundthedyingunicorn,Hermionetriedtohealhim.Adarkwizardcamewefought,acentaurshowedup,theunicornturnedintoaghostandthewizardranaway.DoyoureallythinkitcouldhavebeenVolemort?'hadbeensomewhatlackingindetailbutHagridhadsentthechildrentosleepbythen.Andnow,afterthemeetinghewasleftwithafurious,protectiveMinervaMcGonogaltoplacate.
"Calmdown?Calmdown!"Minervabristledathim."Whiletherestofusweresleepingmycubswerefightingadarkwizardintheforbiddenforest!Alone!"
"IamsureHagridhadeverythingundercontrol."Hetriedtoplacateher.HerealisedhismistakewhenMinervastoppedherpacingandturnedandlashedhimwithanicylook.
"Hagridisacompetentwoodsman,anexcellentfighterandacaringman.Hewasalsohasdifficultyunderstandingthattherestofusaresomewhatlittlemorefragilethanhim.AndHeadmaster?AsfarasIcouldtellhewasn'teventhere.Hewassavingtheothertwochildrenfromthespiders."
Albusstaredathisdeputyforalongmomentandthensighed.Shewasn'tbuyingit.Buthejustcouldnotunderstandwhyshewasfussing.
"Wellwhomeverthechildrenfacedcouldn'thavebeenacompetentwizardifacoupleofchildrendefeatedhimMinerva.Iwilltalktothecentaursforabitmoredetailandwewillcontinuethisdiscussiontommorow?I'mafraidtheseoldbonesarenotwhattheyusedtobe."Hereasonablybuyinghimselftimetoponderwhichsecretstoshare.PerhapssharinghisideaoncapturingTom?AfterallifitwasTomtheyfacedHarry'sprotectionprobablyactivatedandhadtobekeptasecret.Andifitwasn't?Awizardwhocan'tholdhisownagainstuntrainedchildrenwashardlyathreattoanyone.
AlbusPercivalUlfricBrianDumbledorewasawellmeaningoldmanwithalotonhismind.Heperformedhisdutiestothebestofhisconsiderableabilityandtriedtobeprogressiveandstayintouchwithcurrentevents.Butevenaftermorethenhalfacenturyasaneducatorhestillcouldnotconceivetheideaofdangerousyoungchildrenseriously.Afterall,childrenwereundisciplinedandlackedthewisdom,knowledgeandpowertostanduptoagrownwizard.Theyhadtobecarefullymoldedintotheirdestinies.
AfewdaysaftertheforestincidentHermionehadbeenmindingherownbusinesstakingashortcutonherwaytothelibrarythroughthefalsewallnexttothecrackedstatueofUthgartheUnlucky.Itwasanoddfewdaysandthingswerejustgettingbacktonormal.McGonogalhadbeenaskingalotofquestionslatelyandHermionetriedtoanswerwhatshecouldwithoutgivingupherownsecrets.HarryhadagreedtokeeponeortwothingsasecretbetweenthetwoofthemandRonaldwasnotspeakingmuchwithanyone,twichingeverytimehesawaspider.
Onthepersonalsideshewasgladthataccordingtothefinancialtimesherinvestmentsweregoingalongnicely.Butthequestionwasshouldshebemoreagresssiveinherinvestment.Howmuchmoneywasenough?Andwhatkindofexpencescouldsheexpectinthefuture?
Thusshewasdeepinthoughtwhenshewasruthlesslyambushedagain.AndunliketheMalfoyincidentshehadbeentakencompletelybysurprise.
TheWeasleytwinsliterallypoppedupoutofnowhereandpositionedthemselvesatherside,divertinghergentlyfromthelibrarypath.
"Thereyouare,oursisteroftheheart."SaidFredfondly."Youhavebeenbusy."
"Yousneakylittlerulebreakeryou."IntonedGeorgecheekilyasheputhishand
aroundhershouldergentlyencouraginghertoturnlefttowardstheirlaironthesecondfloorinsteadofthelibrary.Hermionedidn'tevenbotherwithatokenprotest.Shehadbeenneglectingthetwinslately.
"Idon'tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout."Hermioneintonedinnocentlyastheychangedhallwaysandfloorsviaasmallsecretstairwaybehindthetapestryofthethirdgoblinrebellion.Orwasitthefifth?Shemadeamentalnotetoreaserchthat.
"Nousepretending."Theyintonedinunison.
"Weknowallaboutit."AddedFred.
"PercymentionedyouwereinthelibraryearlyinthemorningbeforebreakfastonthedayoftheMalfoyincident."SaidGeorge
"Ialwaysvisitthelibrarybeforebreakfasttoavoidcrowds."
"AndoneofoursnakeyearmatessaidMalfoyhasbeenbraggingintheSlytherincommonroomhowhe'llgetyouinfrontofthelibraryrightuptothatmorning."ExplainedFred.
"Malfoyalwaysbragsaboutthings."
"Andyoudidgetustoteachyouthestickingcharmaftertheholidays."PointedoutGeorge.
"Withchescuriosity.Itwasmerelyforacademicreasons.IhadnoplantodoanythingtoDracoMalfoyandhiscatspaws.OrareyousayingIshouldtakeDivinationclassesearly?"IntonedHermionesmuglyastheyemergednearthekitchens.Itwaseventrue.Theactualevenwasimprovisedonthespot.
Sheloweredhershieldsasmidgeonandfeltthetwinsprojectedamusementandcuriosity.
"Howdidyoudoit?"FredfinallyaskedwhileGeorgewasbusygettingapeartolaugh.
Sheignoredhimasshegreetedthehouseelveswithapolitebowandsatdownatoneofthesmallunusedtables.Shewasatleastteachingthemtoavoidbowingtoher.Itamusedhertoseethemgetflusteredeverytimeshebowsback,deeperthentheydid.Theywerelearningfasttotreatherwiththeleastamountofpompaspossible.
"C'mon!Tellme!Howdidyoudoit?"FredwhinedtoherandGeorgesamusement.
"Dowhat?"AskedHermionewhilemaintainingherinnocence.Shelookedatthehouseelvesbustlingaroundhappily,bynowusedtotheirpresence.Sheepishlysherecalledtheconversationshehadwiththetwinsonthelifeexpectancyofafreedhouseelf.Thatwasoneoftheraretimesshehadseenthetwinscompletelyserious.SocietyforPromotionofElvishAdvancementandKindnesshasbeenborn.WiththetwinsasfirstmembersRonandHarrywerenext.TheS.P.E.A.K.goalsweresimpleandplainlystatedintheorganisationsverytitle.
"HowdidyougetMalfoyandhisgoonsfromthelibrarytothegreathallunderPercy'snose?"SnappedFredexasperatedly.
HermionelookedathimandexchangedlookswithGeorge."Idon'trememberhimalwaysbeingthisimpatient?"
Georgelaughed."I'mcurioustoo,butithasbeendrivinghimmadinthelastcoupleofday.Accordingtoourinvestigationthetimingwasoffunlessyouhadaccomplices.Whichyoudidn'tsincemostGryfindoorwerestillasleep"
ShecouldfeelexasperationflowingfromFredandamusementfromGeorgeanddecidedtobeabitcheeky.
"Well,Ibetterelucidatebeforeoneofyouburstssomething."Shesaidwhilediscretelylevitatingherwandoutofit'sholsterandintoherhandandperformingprecise,minutemovements,justoutofsight.
SuddenlyGeorge,Fred,theirchairs,thetableandherownchairliftedintotheairalongwithher.Trickybitofworksplittingherconcentrationandaleviationcharmfourwaysbutjustwithinhergrasp.Shejustlovedthechalengesinherentinmagicandstreachingwhateveryonesaidwaspossibletothelimitandbeyond.
"Doesthisansweryourquestion,Fredericdear?"Sheaskedhimsweetlyasthetwinsgrippedtheirchairsandspluttered.TwobutterbeersandacupofEarlGrayappearedonthelevitatingtableandHermionesmiledattheelvesunflappabilitywhenitcametoservice.Shesippedhertea,milkandadashofhoneyasshelikedit,andwaitedforthemtofinishspluttering.Shecarefullyconcentratedonsteadilyloweringeverythingtothefloortoavoidspillage.
"AndPercydidn'tnoticeanything?"AskedGeorgeinwonderatthesheercheekinessofheraction.Honestly.Levitatingstudentsallovertheschool?
"WelltobehonestIdid,stun,petrify,silenceanddisillusionthemfirst."Shesaid,
projectingasmugsenseofaccomplishment.Thenshepaused."ThoughthedisillusionmentcharmonGregorydidwaveroccasionally,nowthatIthinkaboutit."
Thetwinssharedoneoftheirlooksandnoddedtoeachother,decisiontheyhadbeenponderingconfirmed.
"AllrightMissGranger.MybrotherandIwouldliketoinviteyouintooursupersecreteliteorder."SaidGeorge
Hermioneraisedaneyebrow."Andwhatwouldthatentail?"
"Prettymuchwhatwehavebeendoing.Weshareknowledge,youkeepoursecretstoyourselfandviceversaandoccasionallyweexpectaprankideafromyou.Wehelpyouwithyourpranksandoccasionallyofferadvice."IntonedGeorgesolemnly.
"Ohandyouhavetoexplainhowintheworldareyouperformingmultiplelevitationsatonce."AddedFred.
Hermioneshrugged."Ihaveaknackwiththelevitationsubgroupofspells.Iamunsurewheretheproficiencycamefrom.SofarIdon'thaveanythingelsethatIcancastaspowerfullyoreasily.ItisalsotheonlyspellIcancastwandleslyandnotforthelackoftrying.EvenifitmuchweakerwhenIdoitlikethat."
Shesawhowthattidbitaboutwandlessmagicresonatedwiththetwinsandsmiled,inadvance,atalltheideastheymightcookuptotakeadvantageofthat.
"Asfortherestofyouroffer?"Sheasked."Youbasicallywishaformalalliancebetweenindividuals?Itsoundsabitinnocentforallyoursupersecretclubtalk."
"Well.There'sthemandatoryillegalanimagustrainingwhenyourwegettoknowenoughtransfiguration."Georgesaidandsmiled.
"Ah,mydearbrother,it'sonlyillegalifwefailtoregisterafterwetakeourNEWTs.Thelawsaysso!"AddedFred.
Hermioneperkedup.Tobecomeananimagi?Andwhatwasthemischiefshewassensingfromfredwhenhespokeaboutthelaw.
"Whattheheck!WheredoIsign?"Shesaid,shruggingnonchalantly.Shewasgoingtojointhemanyway,thetwinsknewsomanyHogwartssecretsandsuchdiverserangeofmagicshewasconstantlyexasperatedathowlowtheyscoredinclass.TheLiterarySocietyhiddentomeswasworthprettymuchanythingtheyaskedofher.Notthatshewouldtellthemthat.
"Wellyoufirstswearasolemnoath."SaidFredashepulledoutanoldlookingpieceofparchment.
"Amostsacredandancientoath."AddedGeorgeashisbrotherspreadtheparchmentonthetable.
"TheoathoftheMarauders."Theyintonedtogethersinisterly.
AtthispointHermionewouldhavebeenatouchwearyifshecouldn'tfeeltheirsurfaceemotions.Therewasnohidden,malicioustraphere,justthetwinsusualantics.Shemightgetprankedasapartofthebargain,butshecouldlivewiththat.Aslongastheycouldlivewiththeirunderthingshangingfromthetopofthequiddichgoalslikeagiantflag.
Timepassed.Therumoursabouttheforbiddenforestincidentdieddownsomewhat.Thechildrencontinuedtheirinvestigation,spellpracticeandextracurricularstudies.Ronaldrejoiningthemafteraweekofasocialbrood...ehem,contemplation.Butitwasawhileuntiltheyactuallygotanyrealproofthathogwartsprofessorswereinvolvedintherecenthapenings.
IthappenedsometimeafterHarrywonyetanothermatchfortheGryfindoor.Adefiniteproofofaconspiracy.
"Allright,concentrateonemoretimeandtrytorepeatwhatyouoverheard,verbatim."Hermionecalmlyintonedperchedonthedeskofaremote,abandonedDADAclassroomtheyhadbeenusingfortheirmeetings.
"GiveitarestHermione!"Ronaldexploded."It'sobvious.SnapeandQuirrelaretryingtogettowhateverFlammelguyhastheHeadmasterhidingdownthere."
"NoyougiveitarestRonald.Look.ProfessorSnapehatesHarry,Igetit.Ithinkit'sunprofessionalandirrational.Ihaven'tbeenabletofindformalevidenceofaformalfeudbetweenSnapesandPottersbutthetensionisthere.Andit'sobvioustheprofessorsarenotworkingtogether!InfactfromwhatIcantellProfessorSnapeloathestheman."Hermioneyelledexasperated.
Shestillcouldn'tbelievetheboyshadfoundheanswertothepuzzleinaboxofchocolatefrogsshehadsentthemforChristmas.
"HedidtoneitdownsomewhateversinceIlimitmyinteractiontosimple,neutralYesprofessor,NoProfessor.Usinghistitlewiththestrictneutralinflectionandbodylanguagegetshimtobackofsomewhat."Harryadded.Hedidn'tlikeSnapebuthe
knewthevalueofsubterfuge.
"Wellmaybetheybothwantitandareracingwitheachotheroverwhowillgetit?"Ronacquiesced.
Hemrionenoddedthoughtfully."Thatmightbepossible.AlthoughI'mstillstumpedonwhytheHeadmasterwouldkeepthedarnedthinginschool.Supposedlydangeroustrapsornodangeroustraps.IfIwantedtohidesomethingI'dputitinaFideluscharmedboxandputthedarnboxonmynightstand."
Harrynodded."Ican'tgetoverhowhowineffectivethefirsttrapis?UnwardeddoorswithasleepyCerberus?"
"Iseeyourpoint,butitcouldbeafalseopeninggambit,tolullsomeoneintoafalsesenseofsecurity."SaidRonthoughtfully."Butwhatdowedonow?"
"Well,Wecouldfollowthemaround?"Harrysaidandgrinnedcheekily."Withmyshinyandohsousefulinvisibilitycloak?"
"Letmetalktothetwinsfirst."Hermionesaidthoughtfully."Theymighthelp."
"How?"AskedRonsuspiciously.
"Can'tsay."Hermionesmiledmysteriously"IsworeanOath."
Theboysknewwellenoughtoleaveitaloneiftheywantedtokeeptheirhaircolourstatic.
Itwasapproachingmidnightasthetwocloakedfiguressnuckintothedimlylitroom.Athirdfigurethatwasperchedregallyonashadowythrone.
"Reportmyminions."Ahushedvoicespoke.
"ZisizzuperzzpyGred,wehafafeeklyreportforyou."SaidFred
"SuperspyForgeagrees.Wehavemuchoreportoforyou."AddedGeorge.
Hermionecouldn'thelpherselfandshegiggled,breakingthesinisterscene.Shelitupalumosspell,hoppeddownfromtheprofessor'sdeskandraisedaneyebrowatGeorge."Muchoreporto?"
The'serious'twinscratchedhisheadsheepishly."IdrewtheshortstrawsoFredtookthecoolaccentandIgotstuckwithfakeSpanish.WhichIcan'tuse."
"Whynotjustbeabritishspyinstead?"sheaskedhim.
"Oy!Whydidn'tIthinkofthat?"Georgeslappedhimselfontheforehead.
Fredsnickeredathisbrotherandthenprocededwithhisreport.
"Well,asyouknowthemaninquestionhasbeenmeetingwithsomefellownamedTomMalvoroRiddlefromtheedgeoftheforbiddenforest,everythirdevening.Thoughlatelyhehasbeenleadinghimintothecastle."explainedFred
"Andlettinghimsleepinhisquartersandinhisbed."Georgemadeaface.
Hermioneblinked."Wait,youmeantogether?"
Frednodded."Wecouldn'tthinkofanyotherreasonfortheirdotstopracticallycrawlovereachotherallthetime."
"WellthatwasonethingIdidnotwishtoknow."
"AlsotheyhavebeenhangingaroundthirdfloorcorridoralotbutSnapeoranotherprofessorwouldcomeafterabouttenminutes."
"Anythingelseunusual?"AskedHermione
"TheheadboyandheadgirlhadbeenspendingalotoftimealoneintheprefectsbathroomaftercurfeweveryFridayandSaturday?"Georgewaggledhiseyebrows.
"Asinallthewayuntilearlymorning."AddedFred.
"Anythingelse?"
"Filchhasbeenspendingalotoftimeinthedungeonslately.WithJarvisMangrove,SixthyearRavenclawprefect."
Hermionemadeaface."NotquitewhatImeantbutnevertheless,Ithankyougentlemen."Hermionesaidandhandedthemasmallleatherbagwhichclinkedasitchangedhands."FifteengaleonslikeIpromised."
"Ithasbeenapleasuredoingbusinesswithyoumylady."SaidGeorgebowingtheatrically.
"EvenifmonitoringthemapfrommidnighttofiveAMeverynightdidcutintoourbeautysleep."SaidFred.
"Ifyoueverneedtohireminionstodoyourbiddingagainletusknow."Georgeaddedcheekily."Yourtasksarebothabusinessandapleasure."
"ZieMerzenariesGredandForgearealfaysguthilfe.UndZisisfunJa?"
"Ohhushyourtwoandlet'sgetbacktothecommonroombeforeFilchcatchesus."
"Allright.Youhaveapoint.It'sQuirrel."SaidRon,reluctantlyaftersheshearedhernewinformation.
"Sowhatdowedo?"WonderedHarry.
"Wecouldtelltheteachers?"OfferedHermionehalfheartedly.Someonehadtoplaydevilsadvocate"Dumbledoreperhaps?"
"Andtellthemwhat?QuirrelisafterthePhilosophersStonealongwithhisloverTomMalvoroRiddle?"AskedRon.
"Weshouldatleasttry.Thisishislast,bestchancetodoit.He'sboundtogoforitanydaynow."SaidHarrywithasigh."We'lltalktoProfessorMcGonogalafterclasstommorow."
Noneofthechildrenquitebelievedtheadultscouldbereliedontotakethemseriously.
Ofcourse,itwentprettymuchasshehadexpected.
"IassureyouthatProfessorDumbledoreknowswhatheisdoing,andthatProfessorQuirrelisnotworkingwithYou-know-who.Hisliaisonsarealsohisbusiness.YouwilldropthematterimmediatelybeforeIstarttakingpointsfromGryfindoorforyourinvadingaprofessor'sprivacy!"McGonogalltoldthemoffsternly.
"Yesprofessor."Hermionesaidbeforetheycalmlywalkedaway.Shehadtriedtherules,andnowshewasfreetodothingsherownway.
AN:
Ihonestlythoughtthiswouldbedonebynow,unfortunatelyIaccidentalydownloadedalifeanditgotinthewayofrevising.AlsogotbitbyaTwilekplotbunnythatkeepsnibblingatme.
ToanswerMorganaLeFaethepartsinthebeginingofachapter.Somearefrom
textsHermioneisreadingandsomeareglimpsesofpotentialfutures.
Chapter12:Traps&Tricks
"Noplansurvivescontactwiththeenemy.Thishasbeentrueforaverylongtimeladiesandgentlemen.Iaddtothisthatbackupplansandgotohellplanscanfailaswell.Whenthathappensallyouhaveleftisyourskill,yourinherenthumanabilitytoimproviseandsheerguts.Remember:Whatyoucan'tdazzlewithglitterconfusethemwithbullshit."
SargeantSelenaLovegood-Jones
Part,12?:OnFertiliserandGlitter.
"HarryHermione,It'sstarting!"RonaldWesleyrushedintothecommonroomandannouncedtoeveryone.
Hermionegroanedandplacedherhandintoherpalm.
"WhatisstartingRonald?"AskedPercyWeasleyglaringsternlyathisbrother.
"Um...Er...NothingPercy."Hemumbled.
"RonaldWesley!"PercystartedtosaywhenHermionewalkedover.
"HonestlyRonaldifyoudidn'twantanyonetoknowthatyoulistentotheWitcheshouronthewirelessyoushouldnothaveannouncedittothecommonroom."Hermioneannouncedfromherseatandsnickersspreadthroughthecommonroom.
"ComeonboyswecanlistentoitonHarry'snewwireless."shesaidanddraggedRonupstairs.
Harrysighedandstooduptofollow.
"Harry!Youcan'tbeserious!"DeanThomasannouncedincredulously."That'sasappygirl'sprogarm."
Harryshrugged."Sometimesyouhavetotakeahitforthesakeoffriendship."
Andwiththattheyweresafelyintheboysdorm,wirelessturneduploudly.Thegamewasafoot.
"WhatdoyouhaveRonald?"AskedHermione.
"IoverheardFlitwicksayDumbledorewillleaveforBrusselstonightonanurgent
businesstotheICWandwouldnotbebackuntilmorning."Ronsaid.
"Soit'stonight."Harrysaid.
"We'llhavetowaituntilaftercurfew.ThestaffmeetingbreaksupatelevenandweshouldhaveenoughtimetogettothestonebeforeQuirrel."Hermionesaidandeveryoneagreed.
Theymetdowninthecommonroomattenandsilentlymadetheirwaytowardstheexit.
"Oh,Ialmostforgot.Taketheseandputthemonyourwrist."Hermionesaidhandingtheboysasimplerubberhairbind."It'sfor..."
"Andwhereareyouthreegoing?"Avoicerangloudlyacrossthecommonroom.
TheyturnedandthereNevillewas,sittinginalargeleatherarmchairlikeaJamesBondvilain,pettinghisfrog,halfhiddenintheshadows.Hewasfarofffromtheshystutteringboyhewasatthebeginningoftheyear.
"Neville!We..."
"No.Wearethirdinpointsthisyear,andyoulotwillnotbedraggingGryfindoorjustsoyoucouldkeepupyouramusements.Iknewsomethingwasoff.Ronhatesthatruddyshow.I'mcallingaprefectrightnow."Nevillegrowledandstoodup.
"Neville,I'tsnotlikethat..."Harrytriedtoexplain.
"Icant!Hermione!YoucostGryfindoorasmanypointsasyouearn.ProbablymorewiththoseHundredyoulosttraipsingaroundinthemiddleofthenight.Ihatepranks!UncleAlgiealwaysplayedprankstryingtogetmetos..showmagic!"Hestutteredattheendandstartedwalkingtowardthedormitories.
"Nevilleyoucan't..."StartedHarryatthesametimeasRonsaid
"Mateplease..."
Hermionesighedandsnappedoffapetrificusandlevitatedhimbacktothem.
"NowyoulistenhereNevilleLongbottom.Youpickedaruddybadtimetostartstandinguptopeople.Iagreewithyouinpronciplebutnotinthiscase.Youdon'thaveallthefacts.Now.Incasesomethinghappensandwedon'tmakeitback.QuirrelandRiddleareworkingforVoldemort.Don'tlookatmelikeI'mmadNeville..ThePhilosophersStoneisbeingkeptunderthethirdfloorcorridor.Dumbledoreis
awayandtheprofessorsdon'tbelievethatthereisanydanger"Sheglancedatherwatch.
"Inonehourandthirtyfiveminutestheendoftheyearstaffmeetingwillend.QuirrelandhisaccompliceRiddlewilltrytostealthephilosophersstonewhileDumbledoreisawayanduseittorevivetheirmaster.Wearegoingtostealitfirst.Youwillstayinthissofauntilsomeonereleasesyou."Shesighed."Ifitwearsoffonit'sownitmeansI'mdead."
TheyleftandNevillewasstuckinthecommonroomhisbodyfrozen,buthisthoughtsarushingamileaminute.
(((LINE)))
Hermionestoodinfrontofthechessboardandfrowned.
Fluffywaseasytocircumvent.HarryhadpractisedandplayedhimasimplelullabyonthewoodeninstrumentHagritgiftedhimwithwhichlulledthebeasttosleep.Theplantbeneaththetrapdoorwasn'tworthmentioning.
ThebroomsandthekeyswereabittrickieruntilHermione'sdiagnosticcharmsmadeherrealisethatthedoorswerewardedbutthehingeswerenot.Transfiguringsteelintosleetwasanextracreditthirdyeareffort.
Shehadbeengettingworried,thinkingtheobstacleshadbeentooeasy.Andthenthis.
"ProfessorMcGonogalyoureckon?"AskedHarry.
"Yes.Thefigurineslookdangerous.AndIdon'tlikethewaytheblackqueeniseyeingus.Orthewaytheknightsaregrippingtheirswords."Hermionefrowned."AreyoucertainyoucangetusacrossRon?"
"JustrelaxHermione.Lookcloser.It'sastandardCreativeCombativeChessset.Onlyenlarged.EversinceyoutaughtmeoculumencyI'vebeenslaughteringit.Thepatternsaretrickybuteasytoread.Pieceofcake."
((LINE))
"PieceofcakeRonald?"Hermionegrowledattheredhead.
Hehadbeenposedtocheckmatetheblackkingwhentheblackknightcheckedtheirking.ItwentdownhillfromthereandnowRonwasbeingthreatenedbythe
blackqueen.
"Look.Hermione,it'llbefine.Ijusthavetoletthemgetmeandyoucancheckmatetheirking."
"Ronno!Thosethingsarevicious."HarrytriedtotalkhimoutofitbutRonwasalreadymoving.
Thewhitequeenruthlesslybashedhiminthehead,causinghimtocrumplelikeasackofpotatoesdraggedhimoffthefieldandthengrinnedattheremainingplayers.Hermionetookthekingandthechesspiecesstooddownthequeenreturningtoherpositionwithabow.
HarryandHermionerushedtoRonandcheckedhimforinjury.Withagroanheopenedhiseyes."ManIcertainlyfeltthat..."
"Ron!"Harrycalledout."Talktomemate."
"I'mfine."HesaidtryingtostandupwhileHermionerestrainedhim.
"LiestillRonald.Youcouldhaveaconcussion."Hermionechided.
"WillyourelaxHermione!Ihadacushioningcharmon.Iknewthequeenalwayswentforthehead."Ronexplainedsmugly.
"Dammitmateyoucouldhavetoldusthat."Harrygrumbled.
"Icouldn't.WhoknewwhatelseMcGonogalchanged.ThosethingsweresmarterthananyotherchesssetIplayed."Hegrinnedexcitedly."Shecouldmakeaprofitifshemarketedthat."
Harrysmiledashehelpedhisfriendup."Shallweseewhichprofessorisnext?"
"SnapeorQuirrel."Hermioneresponded."Dumbledore'dbelast."
Thetriowentthroughthenextsetofdoorsandthenjustasquicklyturnedback.Animpactagainstthereinforceddoorsreverberatedthroughthechessroom.
"Blimey."AwhitefacedRonswore.
"Thatone'sevenbiggerthentheonethatyoutookoutHermione."Harrywhispered.
"Adifferentbreed."Hermionewhisperedback.Shethoughtforafewmomentsandthennoddedtoherself."Wesneakbyunderthecloak.Wejustneedsomethingto
distractit."
Shedrewherwandandwithafewgesturesdrewacircleandasetoffierylinesintheair.Therunepulsedandthecircleshiftedaroundit'saxis,formingaglowingorangesphere.Hermionetouchedawandtoisandaseriesofsymbolsrushedaboutit'ssurfacebeforevanishing.
"Icallittheguidinglightmarktwo."Hermionewhisperedsmugly."Auri"Shewhisperedtoitandgiggled.Thespheregiggledbackperfectly.Sheopenedthedoorslightlyandwhispered."Gobaby.Danceformummy."
Itworkedlikeacharm.Thesphereshiftedtoandfro,lettingoutHermione'sgiggleoccasionallythetrollfolloweditandthechildrensnuckintothenextroom,bunchedupunderthecloak.
Thethirdroomwasanemptyasidefromatablethathadseveralcolourfulbottlesonitandapieceofpaper.
Itlookedinnocentenoughuntiltheysteppedinside.Thenacircleoffiresprungaroundthem.
Hermioneyelpedandstartledreflexively.
Harrygaspedandwhirledabout.
Roncringedandpressedclosertotheothertwo,earninganelbowtothearmfromwhirlingHarry.
"Bloodyhell."Ronsworeatthecollisionandthefire."Whatthehell!"
Hermionefrowned.Thelethalityofthetrapsincreasedprogressivelysofar.Approachingthetablecarefullyandtargeteditwithadiagnosticcharm.Nothing.Shepickedupthepaperandreadtheriddleonit.Shesighed.
"Seemssimpleenoughdrinkonetogoin.Drinkanothertoleave.Therestarepoison.HoweverI'mnotcertainprofessorSnapewouldleaveaneasywayoutlikethis."Sheponderedthisforafewmoments."Yeah.Iseemtorememberhimleafingthroughitinclass."Shemumbledtoherself.
Shehittheflameresistancepotionwithacharmthatwaslistedinthebackof1001potioningredients.Itwasadiagnosticcharmthatlistedtheingredientsusedinasubstanceintheairinfrontofher.Theflameresistancecharmhadasuperfluousneutralingredient.Shecheckedthereturnpotionandchuckledatthevisciousness
oftheirpotionsprofessor.Sometimesitpaidtohaveaneideticmemory.
"Checkitoutboys.Neutralingredientsontheirown.Actslikeabinarypoisonwhencombined."Shesaid."Sure,thepotion'swillgetyouonewayortheother.Butgobothwaysandtenminuteslateryougotosleepandneverwakeup.Mixingthepotionswouldactasaprimitivebuteffectiveformofthedraughtofthelivingdeath"
"BlimeyHermioneI''mnotsurewhat'sscarier,himdoingitoryoufiguringthatout."Hepaused."Um.Whydoyouknowthat?"
"Ohshememorisedonethousandandonemagicalingredientsandit'suses.Andshemademepromisetodoitbytheendofsecondyeartoo."Harryansweredhiminstead.
"WellhonestlyHarry,whatuseisimprovedmemoryifyoudon'tuseit?"Shecomplained.
"Sowhatdowedonow?"Harryaskedher.
Hermioneshrugged."IfitwasanormalfireI'djustcastaflamefreezingcharm,butIt'sblackfyre.Justonestepdownfromfiendfyre.Darkmagic,kindof.Itdoesn'tspreadbutyoucan'tmagicitinerteither.Itburnsaslongasawizardisinthevicinity."
"Sowe'restuck?"AskedRon."Wecangobackbutwecan'tleavewithoutthestone.Butifwegoforwardwe'recan'tgoback?"
"Notreally.I'vebeenreadingtheunabridgedversionofHogwartsahistory.TheoriginalversionthathadcurrenteventsandgossipconstantlyaddedtoituntileighteensixtyfourwhenHeadmasterBonesrestrictedadditionsduetothesheerpresenceofthebook'sconcisioncharmshaditthreateningtounravelthelibrarywards."Hermionesmiled.
"Gettothepoint."GrowledRon.
"ApparitionisimpossibleinHogwarts.Andtheportkeywardsaddedinsixteensixtysevencauseanyportkeynotsanctionedbytheheadmastertobounceoffcourseandintothelake."
"So?"
"TherewasanamusinganecdoteonpagethreethousandandsixteenabouttheentireRavenclassclassofSixteenSixtyEightusingaportkeytotraveltoandfrom
classesinprotestofthenewlyinstalledportablestaircasedefencesystem.Portkeyshavebeenaddedtotheevergrowinglistofforbiddenitemsinsixteensixtynineafterandincidentinvolvingtheheadgirl,amiss-alignedportkeyandtheprefectsbathroomtowelrack."
"Butiftheportkeywards...Ah."Harrynoddedandglancedathisarm.
"Wheredoesitgo?"
"Infirmarryandthethirdfloorcorridordependingonthecodeword."
"Didyoumakethem?"
"Nah,Idon'thavetheskillsyet.IbribedaseventhyearRavenclawtomakemeacoupleofblanksetsasan'intellectualexercise'.Ithenboundandtestedthedestinationpointsmyself.ThatmuchIcoulddo."
"What!"Roncomplained."YoknowIhateitwhenyouguysjumptheconversationaroundlikethat."
"ThehairbindersRon.TheyareportkeysandtheyworkinsideHogwartsonly."Harryexplained.
"Wellwhatarewejuststandinghereabout.Whichoneistheflameresistancepotion?"Roncomplained.
((LINE))
"Hermione!"Harryyelledandyankedherback.
"Theimageinthemirrorswirledinafractanpatternsandbrokeapart."
"Harry!IwassoclosetofiguringoutwhatIwasdoing!"Hermionehissed.
"Itwasn'treal."Hesaid.
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Shefrowned.
"That'stheMirrorofErised."
Shestaredathimforamomentandthenhershouldersslumped."Oh."
"Heyguys?"Roncalledout."Thatfogcomingfromthemirrorislookingkindacreepytome."
TheduolookedaroundandthenbackatRon.
"Whatfog?"Hermioneasked.
"ThatfogcomingfromthemirrorandgatheringaroundyouHermione."Ronhissed."Getawayfromthere."
Hurriedlytheysteppedawayandsawthefogdisperse.
"Whatwasthat?"AskedHarry.
"Ihavenoidea."saidHermioneandfrowned.Shecheckedherwatch."Thirtyminutesleftunlesstheyendearly."
Hermindwhirledwiththemyriadofritualsanddiagnosticcharmsthatwouldtellherwhatitis,alargeportionofthemstilloutofherleague.
Shetriedseveralcharmsbutallshegotwasthestrongmagicalsignatureofthemirror.Shetriedaminorrevelationchantbutitfailedtoevenregister.Shepaced.Shefrownedshetriedmoreobscurethings.Twentyminutespastassheworkedherselfintoafrenzy.RonandHarryexchangedglancesatthebeginningofitandwiselykeptquiet.
"Argh!Thetricedamnablethingislikeastonewall!AndifIgettooclosethedamnthingtriestodigit'sclawsintomeagain."Shekickedthestonefloorandpouted."AtlastIknowwhatthefogdoes."
"Whatdoesitdo?"AskedHarrycautiously.Hermionewouldn'teverhurtthembuthertemperwasaneeriethingtobeonthereceivingendof.
"It'sthemistakenlynamedLethe'sfog.Itwillleechthemagicalstrengthofapersonwhileheorsheisgazingatthemirror.Asideeffectislossofshorttermmemorycausingtimetoseeminglycondensefortherecipientoftheeffect.Andtheeffecthasbothbeenstrengthenedaswellasmaskedfromanyonestandingnearthemirror.I'mguessingDumbledore'swork.Abrillianttrap."Hermionefrowned.Onedesignedtoweakenand..."
ApalelookingHermioneturnedherbacktothemirror."Wehavetogobackandfixthe..."Shepaused."toolate."
"Hermione?"
"Itdoesn'tmatteranymore."Hermionespoke."Myguidinglightreportedand
intruder.He'llbehereinaboutfivetotenminutes."Shecringed."Makethatafewminutes.Hejustkilledthetrollwiththekillingcurse."
"BloodyHell."Ronsaid.
"You'rerepeatingyourselfmate."Harryquipped."Evenifitbearsrepeating."
Hermione'sbrowsscrunchedupforamoment."Oneofushastogogethelp.It'ssafetosayweboloxedupDumblerore'splan.Quirellwillknowsomeoneisdownhere.TheothertwostayhereanddistracthimandRiddle.Itmightendupafight."
"ThenI'mstaying."Harryannounced."AndasmuchasitpainsmesoareyouHermione.Ronisawenoodlewhenitcomestomagicalfighting.Er.Nooffencemate."HeglancedguiltilyatRon.
Ronshrugged."Hermione'sthebrain,you'rethepowerandI'mthemuscle.Sayitasitis."
"FornowRon."Hermionecautioned."You'llgetalotbettersoonenough.Go.Gethelp."
Ronnoddedandpulledouthiswand,tappingtherubberbandandmumblingtheinfirmarypassword;Hogsmeade.
"Sowhat'stheplan."InquiredHarry.
"Weimprovise.Youhideundertheinvisibilitycloak.I'llpretendIwantedtostealthestoneformyself."
"Whynottheotherwayaround?"
"Whoismorelikelytostealit?HarryPotterthesaviourofthewizardingworldorHermioneGrangerthemuggleborntroublemakerwithalustforforbiddenknowledge?"
"WhendoIrevealmyself?"Harryaskedevenasheputonthecloak.
"Astunnertothebackiftheytryanythingdangerousoryouhaveabrilliantidea.Useyourowndiscretion.Ifyoucangetyourhandsonthestonesomehowportkeyoutimmediately.Accioisyourfriend.DothataswellifyouseeawandpointedatyouandhearthewordAvada.Nowstayquiet.Theycouldbehereanyminute."
AsHarryfadedawayHermionequicklygottowork.Aflickofherwandandtheapproximationofabutchereddeadcatappeared.Shetookoutafistfulofchalkfrom
mokeskinpouchandthrewitintheair.Withatwirlofherwanditsettledintoacircle.
Fourswishesandfourtinyflamesoffairyfiresprungtolifehoveringabovethecircleonfoursides.Shethentookoutherpotionsknifeandasmallcup.Sheprickedherfinger,smearingthebladewiththebloodforrealismandthenmurmuredaminorhealingcharm.AsmallAquamentiandacolouringspelllaterandthetransformationfromsillyfirstietoDarkWitchwasalmostcomplete.Shetracedthewandalonghercheeksandtwostreaksofredranacrosshercheeksandacrosshereyes.Noddingtoherselfinsatisfactionsheconjuredtwomoreguidinglightsandsetthemtohoverabovehercastingadarkredlightoverhertocompletetheillusion.
Thestageset,sheheldupthecupinherhandandsettled,crossleggedtowait.
Notevenafullminutelaterthedoorsopened.
AN:
Thereisareasonforthedelay.Ididn'tliketheendingIwrote.ItleftmesodisgustedthatIgaveupeverytimeItriedto'revise'itfor'publishing'.Ittookmeabitoftimetofigureoutanonyawn/uberendgamethatfitmyoverallplot.
Alrissa:"Youhaveaplot?"
Hush.
Anotherreasonisthatanotherplotbunnybitme.It'sofficial.Mymuse(WhoasnamedAlrissaasyoumightgather.)isstickingaroundagainafterleavingindisgustandisonceagainmakingmeimprovethelotofunderestimatedfemalecharacters.Yesthatisashamelessselfplugtogocheckoutmytitlepage.
NowIficouldjustresistwritingSailorMoonwithapersonalitytransplantfromWensdayAddams...
Chapter13:Bestlaidplans
"Thedifferencebetweencoldbloodedmurderandwartimeexecutionofcollaborators?Legality.IdowhatImustwiththefullbackingofthecouncil.TheonlyconcessiontohumanityIcanaffordistomakeSUREtheyarecollaborators."
GuinevereWeasley-Longottom.EthicsofWar.
ProfessorQuirrelsteppedthroughtheflamesandstopped.Hehadexpectedmanythings,Potter,Severus,orperhapsevenan(unlikely)ambushbyDumbledore.Whathehadn'tbeenexpectingwasthelastcadencesofachantandacustomisednecromanticritualcirclerightunderHogwartscastle."MissGranger?"Hespokeinsurprise,forgettingtostutter.Seeingasupposedchildofmugglesperforminganecromanticritualofwasviolatinghisworldviewsomewhatfierce.
Shecalmlydrainedthecupandlookedathim,lipsredfromblood,eyesablazewithunholyenergies.
"Professor."Shesmiledathimpolitelythenlookedbehindhimcuriously."Youcamealone?"
"Youdon'tseemsurprisedtoseeme."hespoke,gatheringhisshatteredthoughts.
"Iknewyouwerecoming.Ijustthoughtyouspecialfriendbewithyou."Shespokewithaslydrawl.Quirreldidn'tlikethatallknowinglookintheclassroombuthereittookawholeothermeaninganditlookedlikesomeoftherumourshadmerit.Shestaredathimforamomentandthensheturnedawayfromhim.
"NowgivemeamomenttocheckthemirrorandI'llgiveyoumyfullattention."
Sheturnedherbacktohimfullyandgazeduponthemirrormurmuringaliensoundingwordstoherselfjustontheedgeofhearing.
Quirrelswallowed,unsureofwhatexactlythegirlknew.Whocouldtellwhatsecretsthespiritscouldwhisperinherear.Hewassomewhatusedtodarkmagic,bytheninehellshewasavesselforthedarklordhimself.Butthisgirl'scasualdismissalwascausinganunpleasantfeelinginhisgut.Onlythemostpowerfulhadthearroganceandtheabilitytodismisssomeonelikehimasinsignificant.
"WhatisshedoingQuirrel."Avoicequietlyhissedinthebackofhisheadandhe
shuddered.
"Itlookslikeavariationontheritualofsecondsightmylord.Anecromanticvariationjudgingfromtheunholylightinhereyesandactualimbibingthebloodofasacrificedanimal.Sheseemstobestudyingalargemirrormylord."Quirrelwhisperedcautiously.
"Showme."Thehismasterordered.
"Mylordyouarestill..."Astabbingpaininhismindstoppedhim.Hismasterwasnothappy.Quirrelwasjustgladthemastercouldnotleglimenshimwhileinthisstate.Hehadstartedregrettinghischoicewhenhekilledhisfirstunicorn.Bynowitwasfartoolatetogobackandhismasterwouldmerelypunishhimforhisdoubts..
"ShowmeQuirrel!Iwishtoobservethissupposedmudbloodperforminglonglostrituals."
ResignedQuirrelremovedhisturbanandturnedhisbacktothegirl.
AfterthirtysecondsofmutteringHermionestartedyelling."Donotshyawayspirit!Pushthrough!Youoweme.Obey!"Sheyelledout."OBEY!"Shebellowed.AneeriescreechcouldbeheardandsuddenlythelightsonthecirclesnuffedoutandtheMarkIIorbshoveringabovehershatteredoncommand.
Hermionestoodthereforamomentandthensighed.
"Subtlemagicks."Shespat."YouwinthisroundDumbledore."
LordVoldemortsuppressedtheurgetocackleinglee.Shetrulyknewwhatshewasdoing.Perhapssheevenhadthetalent,thespark,theaffinitywiththedeadthatabornnecromancerinherited.Thespiritnotturningonherafterafailedconjuringwasevidenceenoughforhim.
ThevenominthegirlsvoiceasshecursedDumbledorewasmusictohisears.OhiftheoldmanknewwhatserpentwashiddenamongsthispreciousGriffins.
Hehadtodrawherinandmakeheroneofhis.
HerideasfortheatricsrunningoutandherknowledgeoftheritualexpendedHermioneknewitwastimeforalittleverbalslingingofbull.Shejustmentalythankedhermotherforthatactingthingshesignedherupfortwoyearsago.Don'tactthecharacter,bethecharacterindeed.
SheturnedtoQuirrelandallthoughtsfledfromherhead.Theprofessorhadhisbackturnedtoher.Andthisthingstaredatherwithcoldserpentineeyes.
Thebestshecoulddowasthrowuphermentalbarriersandfleeintohermindtostopherselffromscreaming.Luckilyforherbecauseamomentlateranunsubtlebutpowerfulprobeacrosshermentalbarrierssnappedheroutofit.Mindworkingamileaminuteshebowedinthemannerofahouselordgreetingaguestandtookashotinthedark.
"GreetingsTomMalvoroRiddle."Shespoke."Wemeetagain."
Thethingletoutahissandreeledlikeitwasphysicallystruck.Shefeltherwordsresonateinthechamber.Wordshavepowerinthespiritworld.Sherecalledasnippetofapassage.Ruleofthree.
"Ifyouknowthatsecretthenyouknownottotakemelightly."Ithissedathermenacinglyandthenblinkedwhenthenamedidnotfullyresonate."Andwhenhavewemetbefore?"
"Iknowmanythings.TomMalvoroRiddle."Sheansweredsomewhatcryptically.Really,ifshecouldsayanythingelse.Beingtoospecificwouldgivethewholegameawayifshesaidthewrongthing."AndweclashedoverthePotterchildwhenyourservanttriedtohexhisbroom.IfeltyoumagicinhimasIfeelthemnow."
Hehissedagainandhiseyesdartedtoandfrom,ridingthefirstbeginningsofpanic,Quirrelsbodytremblingwiththeangerofhismasterandthenhisredeyeslandedonthebrokencircleatherfeetandhisapprehensionfadedcompletely.
"IgreetyouHermioneGranger."Hefinallyspoke."Iknownoothernameforyou.Attempttobindmeandfeelmywrath."
"Ineverplannedonbindingyouinanymanner,TomMalvoroRiddle.Butsomerulesmustbefollowed.Iwouldspeakwithyouwithoutmalice."Shespokedandfeltsomethingsettleintheroom.Akindofpressure.Shecouldfeelhispresenceintruthandnotinfiction,afoulredstenchofcorruption.Perhapssheshouldhaveusedadifferentwording.SomewhereinthebackofhermindthewordswraithandananagramsnappedintoplaceandHermionerealisedwhoexactlyshewasspeakingwith.
"Youseekadeallittlenecromancer?"Hespokenextandsheshudderedasthatresonated.Technicallyhewasright.Byinvokingtheoldwaysandbindinghisspirittoparleyshecouldbecalledapractitionerofnecromancy.Heseemedtosenseatruthinthisnameaswellandsmiledawicked,inhumansmile.Itwasnotatrue
namebutitwouldworkatleastpartially.
"Iseekthestone."Shespokesimply."It'sin."Shepausedacompulsionsettlingoverhertospeakthetruth.Adoubleedgedswordsherealised."Ithinkitmaybeinthemirror."
"Youwanttoliveforeverlittlenecromancer?"hehissedinglee."Perhapsweneednotquarrel.Ialreadyhavemypathtoimmortality.Ineeditonlyformyresurrection.Iwouldshare."Hepausedandthenaddedgrudgingly."WorkformeandIwouldshare."
Hermionesmiled.Sothecompulsionsextendtohim.Nowtoseehowfarshecouldstretchthetruth.Compulsionsdonotlendthemselvestophilosophyafterall.Shebusiedherselftidyinguptheremainsofherfalsecirclewithacoupleofvanishingcharms,tryingtolookcasualandpractisedatit.
"Whowantstoliveforever."Sheshrugged."Whodarestoliveforever?"Sheseeminglycorrectedherself."I'mnotcertainyourkindofimmortalityisthebestthingsinceslicedbread.Askmeagaininacoupleofhundredyears."Shejokedandhechuckledobligingly.
"Soyou,doyouwantwiththestonelittlenecromancer."Herepeatedthetitlehebestowedherathirdtimeandthepeaceoftheroomvanished.Hegrinnedandpulledouthiswand."Allianceordeath?"Heaskedcalmly.
Hermionesighed."Andweweregettingalongsonicely.Iwillkeepmytheoriestomyselffornow."Shesteppedaside."Idon'twanttofightyouforthestone.IamcuriousaboutitbutIdonotneedittolivealonglifeandfulfilmyplans.AndwhatIwilldoduringitwillgrantmeaformofimmortalityIdesire."Literaltruth.Sheplannedonstealingthestonefromhim.AndendingupinhistorybooksasamultipleNobelprizewinnerwasaformofimmortalityshecouldeasilycrave.
Thisstatementseemedtopuzzlethedarklordbuthecouldnotfindfaultwithit.
"Goahead.Youtrygettingit.AllIgetfromthemirrorispatternsandstars."Shesteppedasideandbowedgraciouslybitinghertongue.
Shefrownedasshealmostblurtedoutmore.Thetruthcompulsionstilllingered.Thedarklordwavedthewandoverhisjointsandsteppedtowardsthemirror.HestoodfacingHermione.
"WhatdoyouseeQuirrel?
"Iseemyselfbyyourside,usingtheStoneMyLord.Butnotwhereisitnow."Hemuttered"Idon'tunderstand?"
Hermionesuppressedagaspatthis.AndsomewhereinthebackofhermindapuzzlefellintoplaceasTomMalvoroRiddlerearrangeditselfintoIamlordVoldemort.Itwasanticlimactic.Shehadexpectedadarklordtobeabitlesssusceptibletodeception.
"Letmehavealook"Voldemortsworeimpatiently."Youkeepaneyeonher."
WithashudderQuirrelturnedtowardHermione.TheDarklordgasped.
"It'sshowingtheritualIgatheredfragmentsof!Oneofthosethatcanrestoreme!Andhowtousethestoneinsteadoftheboneofthefatherandfleshoftheservant!"
QuirrelturnedandtheDarklordyelledathim.
"NoyoufoolturnbackImissedit!"
Theybickeredlikethatforawhile,repeatingthemselves,seeminglyforgettingaboutHermioneasthewhitefoggatheredaroundthem.HermionesighedinreliefwhenshefeltHarrystepnexttoher.
"Whatnow?"Hewhisperedfaintly.
HermionedarednotspeakandextendedamentalprobetowardsHarry.
'IftheygetcaughtinDumbledore'strapI'llbehappy.Ifnotyoucouldridetomyrescuelikeagoodconfusedwhitenight.'Sheprojectedhardlybelievingtheruseworkedandtheyconsideredherapotentialally.Shefelthimgettheideaandsneakofftowardstheentrance.
Itseemedtobeworking,shecouldpracticallyfeelthetrapclosearoundthemwhenherwaterproofwizardingwatchchimedmidnight.HermionewincedasVoldemortglancedather.
"Thisisnotworking!"Quirrel'smasterhissed."Wewillhavetousethegirl."
Hermionedidnotlikethesoundofthat.
"Nothingpersonalmydear."Quirrelsaidasheliftedhiswand.Areductorcurseflashedfromtheentrance.QuirrelwhirledandhastilyputupashieldstaggeringhimundertheforceofHarry'senhancedmagic.Theshieldheld.Hermionemadeamentalnottofindastealthierwaytoambushsomeonewithmagic.
"Hermione!I'llsaveyou!"Harryyelled,playinghispart.
"Harry!Help!Hekidnappedme!"Hermioneswitchingfromsinisterfiguretohelplesschildinaflash.Shecalleduphermagicandfilledherbloodbeyondwhatshehadeverused.Shewasgoingtoneedeveryedgeshehadtoactuallyfightaspellduel.ShetriednotththinkaboutthewholeVoldemortpart.
QuirrellookedfromHermionetoHarryforamomentandthenshrugged."We'lljustuseyouboth!"
HarryandHermionefiredstunnerswhileQuirreltalkedandtheredbeamsrushedtowardsthepossessedteacher.
Quirrelsnappedupashieldwhichbarelyabsorbedtwofullpoweredspells.HestumbledbackwardsinsurpriseandthuswasbarelymissedbyHermione'sblastingcurse.Ithitthestonesbeneathhisfeetandpepperedwhatwasleftofhisshieldandthemirrorbehindhimindebris.
Hestumbledbackwardsashisdoublyweakenedmagicfailedhimandhisshieldshattered.Anotherroundofstunnersflewdirectlyathim.QuirrelthrewhimselftothefloorwhileVoldemortraged."Whatareyoudoingyoupatheticexcuseforawizard!"
ThespellsmissedQuirrelandhitthemirroroferisedinstead.Thesurfacebulgedlikeastonehadbeenthrownintoapond.Thewavetravelledacrossthemirrorandthenitshattered,sendingpiecesofthemirrorandsmallshardsofaredstoneflyingeverywhere,Quirrel'sbackincluded.ThedarklordhissedandfinallyhadenoughswiftlytakingcompletepossessionofQuirrel'sbody.ThemagichummedasheburnedwhatwasleftofQuirrel'slifeforcetofillsomeofhisalmostdepletedreservesofmagic,furtherravagingtheman'sverysoulforabriefsurgeofbarelysufficientpower.
Thechildrendidnotknowthis,tothemQuirrelseemedtohavewokenupashismastersincoherentcursingstopped.WithashortefficientgesturesofQuirrel'swandthedarklordsendbackaseriesofcuttingcursesatthechildren.HehadtofinishthisquicklybeforeQuirrel'slastvestigesofmagicandlifeforceranout.Helamentedhisweakness.Akillingcurseandanimperiouswouldhavecleanedthingsupsonicely.
Thechildrenrealisedthestakeshadbeenraisedandpushedtheirgameupaswell.
HarryalreadyquickreflexeswereboostedbyHermione'sinternalmagicteachings.Hewasablurashedodgedeverythingsentathimandrespondedwithblasting
curses,forcingthemantowasteenergyshielding.Hermionerealisedshewasbarelykeepingup,pushedmoremagicintoherbodyandfeltherbonesprotest.Still,itworked,theworldsloweddownaroundherandshehadtimetoactandcast.Themagicflowedthroughherveinsforatime,hermindworkingmuchfasterthenherbodyandshemovedtoflanktheiropponent.Andthenherbodyfailedher,somethinginherbacktoreitselfapartasshewhirledtoavidabarrageoflowlevelbutstillverydangerouscurses.Shestumbledandhissedinpain.Herperceptionwasstillworkingatfullspeedevenasherbodyfailed,inslowmotionshesawshewouldnotbeabletoavoidallofthespellsthatwerecomingtowardsher.Shetriedtoputupquickenedprotego.Thefourthyearvarianceoftheshieldingspellprovedabittoomuchforher.Itshatteredafterthefirsthit.Shegotclippedbyacuttingcursealongtheribs,nearherheartandthenastunnerhither.Shewentdownlikeapuppetwithseveredstrings.
"Ennervate."Avoicewhisperedintherecessesofhermind..
Thewordechoedinherheadandshethankedthegodsforcontingenciesandhercounterpart'sgenius.Afaintscreaminggrewlouderassheswamtowardsconsciousness.Sheopenedhereyesandlooked.
QuirrelhadhishandsaroundHarry'sthroatandHarrywasgrippingQuirrelsheadclawingathiseyes.TheywerebothscreamingandblackcrackswerespreadingalongQuirrel'shandsandfaceandHarry'sthroat.Shetriedtogetonherfeetbutaharshacidicpainsentwavesofblacknessacrosshereyes.Shecouldbarelymoveherheadaboutandherhandsfeltliketheywereencasedinjelly.Shewouldnotbegettingupanytimesoon.
Overuseofrisewilldamagethebody.Knowyourlimitsorsuffertheconsequences.
Thepassageechoedinherheadandshecursedsilently.Sheknewthismighthappenbutdiditanyway.Notthatshehadmuchchoice.
Hermionewasstartingtopanic.Harrywasdying,shecouldn'tseeherwandanywhereandtheonlyspellshecoulddowandlesslywastooweaktopullQuirrelandHarryapart.ShelookedaroundforanythinglightenoughtoliftandhereyesfellonalongthinglassshardoftheMirrorofErisedthatlayseveralfeetinfrontofher.Anideapoppedintohermindandforamomentsheshiedawayfromit.
Thedifferencebetweencoldbloodedmurderandwartimeexecution?Legality.
ShelookedatthesmokeraisingfromHarry'sandQuirellshandsanddecided.Shakilysheforcedherhandtomoveandalong,thinshardofglassroseatherwill.
Foralong,longmomentshehelditinthegripofhermagic,knowingthatthiswouldchangeeverything.AndthenherhandtwitchedtowardsQuirrel.
Theshardflickeredfollowedbyasquelchingnoise,thescreamingebbedasbothHarryandQuirrelfelltothefloor.Ascreamingwraithfledstraightdownthroughthefloor.Hermioneclosedhereyesandletherselfcometorestontheflooroncemoreasawaveoffatigueovercameher.
Crunchingfootstepsechoedthroughtheroom,sometimeafterwards.Fearinghesomehowcamebackshebarelyhadstrengthtopeerthroughhereyelashes.Awaveofreliefspreadthrough.DumbledorewaswalkingslowlytowardsHarry.
Heplacedhisfingertotheboysthroattolookforapulseandsighed.
"Youarealivemyboy.Iamglad.Youdeservetoliveatleastalittlelonger."
Shewatchedhimstrokehisoldhandthroughtheboy'shairandshakehisheadsadlyashelookedattheshatteredmirror.
"Thebestlaidplanofmiceandmenmyboy."Theoldwizardsaidashegatheredtheboyinhishands."Isupposethepowerofprophecywillmouldeventstowardsresolution.Yettofulfiltheprophecyyouhavetodie.UnlessIfindthethirdHallow."
Hestartedtoturntowardsherandshehastilyclosedhereyes.
"Atleastyouhavefriendstostandbyyourside.Youmayyetlivedearboy,youmayyetlive."
Shefeltherselfriseintotheairandfloatandallowedherselftodriftaway.Shewastootiredtothink,tootiredtocare.
AndsomewhereinthedepthsofhermindshemovedDumbledorefrom'Respected-competent-but-crazy'to'Enemy?'.
Andasshedriftedofftounconsciousnessshementallyslappedherselfontheforeheadrememberingtheportkeys.Whichtheyhadn'tused.
AN:
Inanswertosomequestions:
Thefayofmanynames(Summer'sDawn)willshowuponocasionyes.
TheLiterarysociety,aswellashermione'sbookclub(separateentities)willfeatureabigpartatsomepoint.
Naru-chanhitonthespecialtrainingpurebloodsandevenhalfbloodsget.Itnevermadesensethatpurebloodslearnednothingusefullathome,atleasttheoreticalknowledge.
Asforhermione'sparents.Well...LookfarenoughandeveryonehasaWizardinthefamilysomeplace.:)
Oldercharacterwillparticipate.Evenaftertheyleaveschool.Firstyearismostlysetup.Olderyearsdon'thangwithfirsties.Formorehintsonfuturestorywaitandsee.:P
AsforspellingofsomewordsfromHPuniverse.idomybestandsometimesmyspellcheckerREMEMBERSthespelling.Andthenautocorrects.AndSometimes?Itrememberstheerrorsandautocorrects.Iwon'tmakepromissesbutifIgetsomefreetimeI'llfixtheolderrors.
Asforthischapter:
IwantedtoillustrateHermionewasnotperfectandhowthingscanbeforgottenintheheatofbattle.Theyarenotsoldiersbutchildren.Exceptionalchildrenbutchildrennontheless.IalsoshyawayfromstealingHarry'tthundercompletely.Butinsteadofheroesandsidekicksthiswillbeapartnership.EvenRonaldwillfindhisniche.Sidelininghimseemstobeastandardpracticeinfanfiction.PersonallyIdon'tlikehimashewas.Butwhatifhefoundthatthingwouldsethimapartfromhisbrothers.Atalentorcallingorhisown.Iwonderwhatitmaybe.:)
Anyonecaretobetaformeinthefuture?
Ireallyneedakickinthearse.
Chapter14:Year'sendpartI
"Communicationisanessentialpartofwarfareaswellascivilianlife.ImagineourliveswithoutGlobeNet?Withouttheabilitytoestablishlivechatorconferencecallwithanyoneontheglobe?Withouttheabilityofdeepimmersionandglobalscaledatabases.AndwhatwouldwehavedonewithoutSpellNettoInterNetConverterstotideusoveruntiltheCrystalRevolutionhadrunit'scourse?MagicandTechnologyarebothsidesofthesamecointhatiskeepingusaliveandthrivingintheharshworldweliveintoday.Informationwantstobefreemyfriend,andwehavesetitfreewhilemaintainingprivacyforthosethatcraveit."
ChairmanChang,MagiTechIncorporated.
Chapter12:YearsendPartI
Hermionefloatedinacloudofnothingnessglimpsesofscenesflyingacrosshervision.Everytimeitstartedthesame,avisionofQuirellandHarry,andeverytimeshedidn'tkillQuirrel,hewouldstilldie,andsometimeHarrywoulddiewithhim.OronlyHarrywoulddieandVoldemortwouldrise.
IguessIdidwhatIhadtodo.
Andwiththatthoughttheimagesshatteredandshewokeup.
"Ah,goodafternoonmissGranger."MadamPomferyintonedhappily."Yougaveusabitofascarewithhowlongyouslept."
"Howlong?"Hermioneaskedfeelingheavyandsluggish.
"Threeandahalfdays.Mindyoutherewasnothingwrongwithyoutopreventyourawakening,yourbotchedcelerityspelldidsomedamagetoyourbackandthespellsthathityoudidnothelp.Youneededalotofresttoheal.AndrefrainfromcastingNEWTlevelspellsuntilatleastthirdyear."TheMatronaddedwryly.Thatafirstyearcouldachieveevenpartiallsucessatacomplexpieceofbodymagiconlywasastounding.Itrequiredabasicunderstaningofanatomyonalevelonlyhealersusuallybotherlearning.
"Harry,Ron?"Sheaskedgroggily.
"Harryisfine.Hewokethismorningaswell."Shegesturedwithherheadtothebedontheothersideoftheroom."YourWeasleyfriend'sconcussionforcedmeto
confinehimforadaybuthehasbeenupandaboutforawhilenow.Thethetripfromthethirdflooddidn'thelp.Hewasbarelycoherentwhenhewalkedinandcollapsedimmediatelyafterwards.LuckillyhetoldmeenoughthatIcouldsendamessagetoHeadmasterDumbledoreandurgehimtoreturnquickly."
"WhatwaswrongHarry?"
"HeusedupabittoomuchmagicdoingwhateveritishedidtoQuirrel.SoIgavehimadraughttofixthat.Heshouldbeupbyleavingfeast."
"What?Thatwasmyfault."Hermionesaidstrugglingtogetup.
"Don'tyouworryyourselfaboutthat.TheHeadmasterperformedaprioriincantemonyourwandsandlookedatthetracesofmagicinthemirrorroom.YourReductorcursebrokethemirrorbutthemanwasdyingonhisfeet.Harry'sbloodprotectionwasrejectinghispresence,hehadapieceofthemirrorstuckinhiskidneyandthepossessionwouldhavekilledhiminamatterofhoursatthemost."
Hermioneblinkedandlaidbackchewingonthatstatement.Wandlessmagicleaveslittletraceandshekilledamanthatwasdying.Somehowitdidn'tmakeitseembetereveninherstillfuzzystate.
"Ah,thesleepingbeautyisawake!"Theheadmastersannouncedasheenteredtheroom.
"Headmaster,I..."
"NownowMissGranger,donotworryyourselfaboutanything.WeoweyouandHarryagreatthanksafterall.Restupandbereadyforatheleavingfeast.Idaresayitwillbeentertaining."ThatsaidhetookMadamPomfreyintoheroffice.
Hermionefrownedatthedismissalandtheannoyancesentatinypulseofmagicthroughherbody.Shegaspedinsurpriseathoweasilyitflowedthroughherbodyandhowmuchbettershefelt.Sherealisedwhatwaswrongwithher.Shewasusedtoconstantlychannellingatinybitofmagicthroughherbody,afractionofwhatshedrewuponduringthefightandwithoutitshefeltslowandheavy.Thiswasbothgoodandbad.Goodbecauseitindicatedhermagichasgrownanbadbecausethewordaddictioncametoherwhenshethoughtifneedinsomethingtofeelnormal.Itmerritedsomecarefullstudyoverthesummer.
Sheappliedwhatsheheadlearnedaboutinternalmagicandpushedmoreintoherearstotriedtolisteninontheconversation.
"...willbeabletopowerthebloodwardswithoutfallingill?"Theheadmasteraskedsoundingrelieved.
"Yes,he'llfeelabitweakinthefirstdayorsountilhisownmagicfullyrecoversbutyouknowhowIfeelaboutthatkindofmagic."
"Itisnecessary."
"Butifhewasanormalboythatkindofwardwouldleavehimwithbarelyenoughmagictostayalive!"
"Harryisstrong,andtheWardISkeepinghimalive.Ordidyouforgettheassassinationattempts,orwhathappenedinthisveryschoolrecently."
"Allrightheadmaster,butIwanthimoutofthosewardsforapartofhissummer.Hispubertywillbeslowedandhisgrowthstuntedifhestaysinthereforthatlong."
"HavenofearmyMadamPomfrey,heonlyneedstostayforaboutfiveweeks,sixtobesure.AfterthatI'llgethimtotheWeasley's.Willthatdoit?"
"Yes,Ifhestaysinamagicrichenvironmentafterwardshewillhavenoilleffectsinhisdevelopment.Andforheavenssakeexplaintohisguardiansthedietaryneedsofawizard.Heprobablystilleatslikeamuggle!Awizardneedsenergyhighfoodstothrive!"
"YouaretheHealer."Intonedtheheadmastermerrilyandbidhergoodday.
Hermioneclosedhereyesandsighed,realisingshewasnottheonlyonewithplansandagendas.Theheamasterpuzzledher.SheseemedlikehewouldletHarrygetkilledtofulfillsomeprophecy,puthiminabadenvironmentandseeminglyplannedhislifeforhim.Somethingwasnotquiterightthere.
Shesubmergedherselfindeeptranceignoringtheoutsideworldfortheclarityofthefledglingmentalconstructthatdepictedhermind.
Hermentallandscapewasstillasimpleone.Alargeroomwithasinglewallandnoceilingfloatinginthemist.Bookshelvesthatcontainedasumtotalofherknowledgewerelinedupinthemiddleoftheroom.Alargecomfortableleatherarmchairwassthere,asmallboardflledwithpostit'swhereshekepthermentalnotesandasmallcinemaprojectorforwhenshewantedtogooverhermemories.
Anantiquetelephonestoodonawoodenstand,representingherfledglingleglimancy.
Thefogoutsideherroomrepresenteduntappedpotentialofhermind.Awarmeverlastingfireofhermagicburnedmerrilyinafireplace.
Shewalkedalongtheshelvesofhermind,pullingoutaprojectorreelhereandthere.Whatshelearnedrecentlydeservedasecondlookandcarefulconsideration.
((line))
HarryRonandHermioneweretakingthescenicroutetothefeastandmakingsmalltalk.Hermionecastingasounddistortioncharmarroundthemmadetheboysperkup.
"TimetotalkaboutwhathappenedyetHermione?"Ronaldaskedteasingly.
"Notreally."Hermioneretorted."Wallshaveears.Evennow.WhatIwanttomakesureweuseoursummersproductivelyandtogiveyousomethingtokeepincontactwith."
"Hermione?Ithoughtwe'dbevisitingeachotherduringtheholidays?"Harryasked,puzzled.
"IthinkyouwillhavetospentafewweeksattheDursley'sfirst,ifmysuspicioniscorrect."Shesaidfrowning.
Theboyswaitedpatiently.Theyknewthatlook.HarryperkedupknowinghewasgoingtolearnsomethingnewabouthisworldandRonsquirmedknowingalecturewascoming.Theywerebothright.
"BloodmagicwasusedevenbeforethefirstOlivandermadethefirststaffin203BC.Iwon'tgointorefinementshisdescendantsperformedlaterIwilljustpointoutthatawandcorefilledwithpowderedbloodofit'srecipientwillalwaysbecompatiblewiththecaster.Tomakealongstoryshort:DuetotheactionoftheDarkLordSangvinusBloodmagicwasdeemedDarkbytheprecursortotheMinistryin1673.Itwasmadeillegalandcastasimmoral.Thebenevolentusesofitwererestrictedtoministryapprovedcastersandlargelyunused.Thiswasamendedin1934butthedamageisdoneandmostofbloodmagicofoldliesforgotten."
"WhoisthisSangvinus?"AskedRoninpuzzlement.HehadneverheardofanydarklordasidefromGrimwald.
"Ministrydirectives."ExplainedHermione.
"Youneedtogetyourhandsonbookspublishedbeforenineteenhundredstoreally
getdataonhistory.Nowhush,I'llfinishquickerifyoudon'tinterrupt."
"Bloodmagicispotentwhenusedwithwards.Theonlydrawbackisthatitneedapowersourceanchoredinbloodofalivingbeinganprotectsalongthesimilarityprinciple.Likedrawstolike."
Harrysawwherethiswasgoing."Dursleys."Hemuttereddarkly.Hermionenodded.
"Yes.Theirbloodprotectsyouandthem.Youfuelthewardswithyourmagicwhenyoustaywiththemandwhenyouleaveyoutakeaportionoftheprotectionwithyou.Ididn'thavemuchluckinfindingdetailsofhowitworks.Ionlyhadthreehoursinthelibrary."
"Howlong?"Harryasked.
"Threetofiveweeks.IsuspectDumbledorewillletyougosomewhereelsethen."Sheexplainedasshepulledoutwhatlookedlikeplasticbricksoutofherbag.
"Itransfiguredthesetolooklikecellularphonessimilartotheonedaddyuses.Thereisanenchantedmirrorinsidethatwillenableustoseeandtalktoeachother."
Ronwhistled."Whendidyoumakethis?"
Hermionesmiledathim."That'sNEWTlevelworkRonald.ThankyouforyourfaithinmebutIpaidMaryAnnetomaketheselastmonthandshecamethroughtoday.Idesignedthecasingmyselfbutshedidtheruneworktoadaptthemirrors."
"Howdotheywork?"AskedHarrywhohadneverseenanythinglikeacellularinperson.
"Youjustpresstheredbuttonandsaycallandthenanameofthepersonyouaretryingtogetoryoutypeintheirnameonthenumericalpad.Ifsomeoneiscallingyouthephonewillemitaringingnoise.Say'answer'andthemirrorwillpopoutoftheexpandedspaceinsidethecasing.Ifyouareinamuggleareayoujustpressthegreenbuttonthenputthispartnearyourmouthandthispartonyourear.Talknormally."
"Whatifsomeonewantstoborrowitforacall?"AskedHarrytakinghisphoneandstudyingit.
"Thefakedisplaywillshowitishavingsignaltrouble."Hermioneexplainedwithasmugexpressiononherface.
"Won'twegetintroublewithmydad'soffice?"Ronaldaskedhesitantly.
"No,It'snotamuggleartefact,itonlylookslikeone.ItactuallyhelpsSecrecybyhidingmagicalactivityintoamuggleacceptedform."
"Brilliant!"Ronaldexclaimedandtookhis.
"Sowhatisitcalled?"AskedHarry.
"ASpellphone."
Theleavingfeastwasmagnificent.AtthestartoftheyearHermionehadconsideredthefoodtobeheavyandtoorich.Thedesertstoogenerous.Sheknewbetternow.Magicwasfuelledinpartbytheenergiesofthebody.Howthisworkedeludedherbutitwastruenonetheless.
Shestillavoidedthecakes,stucktofruitsanddrankpumpkinjuicewhensheneededtheenergyboost.Still,eatingtwicethenwhatsheatebeforecomingtoHogwartsbarelysentapangofguiltthroughheranymore.
Sheknewshewasnotattractive,butshewasdamnedifshewasgoingtobecomeobeseontopofeverything.Shehadbeencarefullymonitoredherfigureforexcessivethickeningandafterayearofheavyeatingshefoundnone.Onthecontrarythemostofherpuppyfatshehadmeltedawaysometimeduringtheyear.
Sonowshehappilydugintothedeliciousfoodthatwasservedwithnocompulsiontogoeasyonthegravy,pouredcreamliberallyoverhermasherpotatoesandessentiallyatelikeawellmanneredpig.
Stilloneofhermentalnoteswasascheduledvisittothedoctoroverthesummerandcheckherbloodespeciallyforcholesterol.Justtomakesure.
Sheglancedaroundthetable,toherrightgirlswereexchanginglastminutegossip,LavanderBrownwashastilyscribblingsomethingwithherquillforParvatiwhiletheWeasleytwinsdeftlylevitatedsomethingintohergoblet.
ToherrightDeanThomaswasedgingawayfromRonaldWeasleywhoonceagainwaslosinghisgriponhismanners.Shesentadiscretestinginghexathimandhelookedathersheepishlyslowingdownabitandchewingwithhismouthclosed.Shemadeamentalnotetohavewordswiththeboyabouthidingthingsfromher.Ifsheknewhisheadbumphadbeenthatbadshewouldhaveneverlethimusehisportkey.
Shewincedeverytimeshethoughtabouttheportkeysandrecalledherrecklessstupidity.SheshookherheadandturnedtofindHarry.
Harrywasdeepinthought,probablythinkingabouttheirplansfortheholidays.
FinallytheHeadmasterroseandthechatterinthehallwaysdimmed.
"Ithasbeenalongandsuccessfulyear.Yourmindsarealittlefullerwithknowledgenow,andIamgladthateveryoneheretooktheeffort.Asyouknow,thetimehascometoawardthehousecuptoahousethatgatheredthemostpoints."
TheSlytherincheeredloudlyandtherestofthehousesgrumbled.Theheadmastersmiledindulgently.
"YesIseetheSyltherinhavebeenmonitoringthestandings.TheSlytherinarefirstwithaconvincingleadoffourhundredandseventypointsfollowedbytheHufflepuffwhohaveThreehundredandninetypoints.TheRavenclawsarethirdwithThreehundredandfifteenpointsfollowedbytheGrfyindoorwithtwohundredandninetyninepoints."
HesmiledandclappedwiththecheeringSlytherinandpolitelyclappingRavenclawsandHufflepuff.
"WelldoneSlytherin.However,Imustadmit,duetosomerecenteventssomepointsstillneedbeawarded."
Thehallquieted,theSlytherinlookingabitputoff.
"Firstofall,foradedicatedyearroundResearchandInvestigationintoasecurityissueRonaldWesley,HarrypotterandHermioneGrangerareawardedtenpointseach."
"Forpragmaticlogicandselfsacrifice,RonaldWeasleyisawardedfortypoints."
TheGryfindoor,clapped,whiletherestofthehouseshavebeenconfused.
"Finally,forexcellentteamworkandcourageinprotectingthisschoolandeachothermisterPotterandMissGrangerareawardedfiftypointseach."
TheGryfindoorheldtheirbreath,whiletheSlytherinlookedallittlegreenEveryonewasaddinguppoints.
"Now,thereisonemorepersontotodaywhodeservespoints.Thecourageneededtostanduptofriendswhenyoubelievetheyaremakingamistakeisharderthenthe
oneneededtostanduptoenemieswhoareathreattoyou.SotomisterNevilleLongbottomIawardasinglepoint."
Thehallfellsilentaseveryonedidtheirmathsandthenafterseverallongmomentsasinglevoiceroseinlaughter.MalfoyofallpeoplewaslaughingashestoodupandstartedclappingfollowedbytheWesleytwinswhogotthejoke.
TherestofthehallwassilentmostlyinconfusionlookingfromthetwinstoMalfoy,wonderingwhowon.
"ProfessorSnape,ProfessorMcGonogal,sincethepointsaretiedaccordingtotheHogwartscharteryoucouldeithersharethevictoryorchooseachampionandholdacompetitionforsupremacy?"
"Flipforit!"yelledoneofthetwins.
"Bobforapples!"calledtheother.
"Duel!"YelledaSlytherynprefect.
Asthehallrangwithmorepropositionsandideasthetwoheadsconferredwiththeheadmaster.
AN:
Istillcannotfindafunwaytoendthis.WhatsortofcompetitionwouldtheprofessorsengageinIwonder.IfsomeonemakesabrilliantsuggestionI'lluseitinsteadofmyarguablylacklustreone.
OnemorechapterIthinkandyearoneisdone.AndSummerDreamsstart.
Chapter15:YearsendII
"Somecomparethefuturetoriversorbranchesofatree.Isaythistothem:Thefutureisaseriesofavalanches,eachbeingsetoffbyasingleoriginalpebble."
MayaTrelawney,TwoEyes.
AN:Ihavetothankthepersonthatgoesbysiaru74oncearazkabanforpointingoutaconstantgrammaticallyerrorIhadbeenmaking.TaraLiisanothersuchperson,orthesamepersonhelpingmetwice.Iwastoodumbtoask.:)
IalsohavetoadmitmyoriginalplantofinishtheyearbeforetheendofNovemberhasfailed.Insteadyougetanothershortchapter.Onemorechapterleft,andthentheepiloguebeforeIstartonMidsummerDreams.
Chapter13.YearsEndII
ProfessorFlitwicksighed,dabbedhismouthwithanapkinandputawayhisdesert.Heknewwherethiswasgoing.Hewasuncertainwhattheheadmaster'sagendawasthistimeandintruthdidnotcare.Twomoredaysandhewouldbeonvacation.Hisdutynowwasclear.
HestoodupasDumbledoreannouncedaformalduelwouldtakeplace,andtookhisrightfulplaceofficiatingtheschoolyardscufflesthatthesocalledcivilizedpeoplepassedforcombat.Aflickofhiswandandspaceforastandardsize,sixmetercirclewasclearedinfrontofthefacultytable.
"Thiswillbeastandardpersonal,nonlethalthreeroundduel.Magnitudethreeorlowerspellsonly,knockoutsorpinningcountforvictory.IfoneopponentistooinjuredtofightorsafetymarginsareexceedIwillendtheduelandawardthevictoryaccordingtocurrentstanding."Heannouncedofficiallyastheduellerstooktheirplace.
"Areyouready?"Heaskedandastheduellersnoddedtheirassenthissurroundingsfadedandhisconsciousnessconnectedtotheduellingcircle,enchantedperceptionnotingeverydetailoftheduelandtheduellers.AgoldenhourglassappearedabovethedomeasFlitwicktookadeepbreath.
"Roundone.Fight!"
SeverusSnapewasapotionmaster.Helovedthesubtleartforitscomplexity,precisionandgrace.YetheheldmasteryinDefence,hisotherloveandwasasuperbduellerinhistime.Truehewasslightlyoutofpracticebuthefelthecouldholdhisownagainsthisslightlyoldercolleague.
Afterallshehadspentthewarmostlyinasupportroleandhehadbeenadeatheater.Hesettledintheduellingstancemostfavouredinthelasttwentyfiveyearsforit'spoweranddefensibility.Itpointedthewanddirectlyattheopponentwhilepresentingtheleastprofileforacounter.
Henotedthelightshakeinhisopponent'swandarmandthedeepbreathMcGonnagaltookbeforesheclosedhereyesandsmirked.
Theduellingcircleclosedaroundthemandhefeltit'sconfining,everpresentgripcauseasmallsurgeofadrenalineinhisfightofflightsystem.Hisopponent'seyeswerestillclosed.Toobad.Hesentoutaquick,silentparalysinghexgamblingonaquickfinish.
MinervaMcGonagalllookedatheropponentwithfalsecalmastheduellingcirclewasbuilt.Herhandsshookslightlyasshewonderedhowonearthshehadmanagedtogetintoaduelaftersomanyyears.
Ohsheknewthedirectreason:Albuswasuptohisgamesagaintryingtosalvageorredirectthingsafterthespectacularfailureofhisplantotrapyou-know-who.
Whatwasbotheringherwasthatsheallowedherselftobepulledintothisschemesoeasilyandagainstherbetterjudgement.TrueProfessorSnapehasbeenincessantlysmuglatelyandshehadbeenfeelinggenerallyrestlessinthepastyear.WithmissGranger'santicsremindingherofthingsbestleftforgotten.
Theofficiatorinquireduponherreadinessandshereluctantlyassentedasrealityfadedaroundher.Shetookadeepbreathandclosedhereyesastheduellingcirclesnappedfullyclosedandafamiliartinglerusheddownherspine.
Shehadthoughtitwasallbehindher,thedanger,thepainandtheotherthingsthatmadethepainworthit.Shewasalmostseventyyearsold.Combatwasagamefortheyoung.Orsoshehadthought.Apparentlyherspiritanimalhadotherideas.Honourofonesparduswasaseriousthing.Andshewasstillnottoooldtosmackdowntheyoungtomthathadchallengedher.Hogwarts,reality,herthoughts,fearsandreluctancefadedawayintothedarknessandherownsteadyheartbeat.
"Roundone.Fight."
Theworldnarrowedandslowedasbloodpoundedliquidfirethroughherveinsandasmall,wickedsmileshoweditselfonherusuallysternfaceasthewhitefirespreadoutwardfromdeepinherbelly.
Hereyessnappedopenanditwaslikeshehadneverstopped.Magicfromdeepwithinroseandcrackledalongherfingertips,eagertodoherbiddingandasheropponent,herprey,snappedoffhisfirsthexathersheknewshehadlostnoneofheredge.
Thecursespathwasobviousandshesteppedcasuallysidewayslettingthespellraypassher.Shereturnedasimpleimpedimentjinxjusttokeephimguessingandsettledintoamodifiedmanticorestancethatwasherfavouriteinoneononeduel.
Wandheldhighinherrightandbehindher,leftpalmpalmthrustinfrontforshieldingandfinemanipulationshebegantostalkherpreywhileadistantpartofhermindeasilykepttracksofthelimitsoftodayshunt.Shewouldtastebloodsomeotherday.
SeverusSnapefrownedslightlyasshesidesteppedhiscursecasuallyandsettledintoanunknownandawkwardlookingstance.Ittookhimhalfasecondtorealizeshehadsentareturnjinxathimwhichheblockedwithacasualandonlyseeminglyeffortlessflickofhiswand."Interesting."Hethoughtandconcededthattherewasmoretohiscounterpartthenhesurmised.Hersmileunsettlingandhefeltthehairsonthebackofhisneckriseasinstinctstousedeadlyforcerosetothesurface.Hequashedthemruthlesslyandanalyzedthechangedsituation.Apparentlyhewasgoingtogivethisduelhisfullattention.
HermioneGrangerwatchedinaweasthefirstprobinghexesdescendedintoafuriousexchangeofcursesandcountercurses.Shecouldbarelyfollowthefightandresortedtoboostingherownperceptionsoshecouldtakeeverythingin.Shebegantotakenoteoftheradicaldifferenceinstyle.ProfessorSnapepreferredcountercursesanddeflection,fightingwithcalmprecision,hismovementscrispandefficient,deflectingandcastingatthesametime.
ProfessorMcGonnagalontheotherhandmovedwithsleekgraceandintensity.Hercursesweresentatoddanglefromonhigh,herlefthandshieldingordeflectingcursesthatshecouldnotdodgewhileherrightattacked,matchingheropponentcurseforcurse.
Thestudentswatchedinsilentawe.Mostofthemhavingneverseenaduelofthis
classorintensitybefore.Aneeriesilencedescendedonthegreathall,theonlynoisethesoundofabootuponstone,theswishofawandandthesoundofshatteringstone.
"Timeup!"ThevoiceofprofessorFlitwick."Noclearwinner.TheNextroundstartsinthreeminutesandwilllastsixminutes,classfourspellsallowed."
Thediminutiveprofessorthensetaboutfixingthestonefloorforthenextround.Thegreathallexplodedinexcitedconversationandasthenextroundstartedshoutsofencouragementcouldbeheardforbothsides.
ThethreeGryffindorssatincontentedsilenceastheHogwartsExpressploddedonsteadilythroughScottishscenery.Ithasbeenahecticlastdayandthedisplayofskillandabilityattheendoftheyearfeastwasunlikeanythingtheyhadseen.NowthattheywerefinallygettinghomeeverythinghadsloweddowntoaniceserenepaceandtheGryffindorswereenjoyingthetranquility.
HermionewasabsentlyleafingthroughthenewFlourishandBlot'scataloguemarkingdownanoccasionalbook,RonwaseatingthechocolatefrogshewonbettingonMcGonnagallandHarrywaslookingoutthewindow.
"I'llneverbeabletolookatprofessorMcgonagalthesamewayagain."MusedHarryabsently.
Ronsnortedasheunwrappedachocolatefrog."TellmeaboutitHarry.Whoknewtheoldbiddyhaditinher."
"Ronald!"Hermioneswattedhimontheshoulderwithherpalm."Youcan'ttalkaboutherlikethat,especiallyafterthatdisplay.ProfessorSnapewasprettygoodtoo."
"IhavetohandittoSnape,heknowshowtoduel."allowedHarrygrudgingly."He'sstillabastard."
Hermioneglancedathimandraisedaneyebrow.
"WellcomeonHermione,heis!"hewhined.
ShejuststaredathimwhileRonaldchuckledatHarry'scrumblingexpression.
"Oohfine.He'snotabastard.He'srudetomeandanunprofessionalteacherevenifhecanfightandtriedtohelpmenotdieonceortwice,"hesighed.
"Shewipedthefloorwithhisarseintheendmatewhenhesummonedthosesnakes.IwishIhadpicturesofhisfacewhenshetransfiguredthemintomongoosesandturnedthemonhim,"snickeredtheredhead.HermionestoppedglaringatHarryandchuckledatthememory.Thathadbeenanamusingmoment.
"YeahandthewaysheconfundedthemintothinkingSnapewasabigtastysnake.Whatshemadethemsaytothemanwashilarious,"laughedHarry.Theothertwolookedathimfunny.
"WhattheMongoosesweresaying?"Hermioneaskedintrigued."Youcouldunderstandthem?"
"BlimeyHarry.Idind'tknowyoucouldspeaktomongooses?"Ronstaredathisfriendbeforegettingdistractedasachocolatefrogmadeit'sbidforfreedom.
Harryblinkedstupidly."Youmeantheyweren'tspeakingEnglish?"
AfeelingofdreadspreadinsidehischestwhenaslightlymadgrinspreadonHermione'sFace.Heknewthatgrin.
"Ijustbecamearesearchtopic,"hesaidwithresignation.
Shenoddedhappily.
"AndIhavetoparticipatesinceit'smyability."
Againwithahappynod.ShepausedandglancedatRon.Hersmilechangedandshenoddedatthebusyredheadredhead.Harrynoddedback.
"Andsincewe'llbedoingresearchwewillexpandthetopicsalittle,"headdedknowingly,hisvoiceseepedindoomandgravefeelings.
"Ha,Idon'tenvyyoumate.Spendingyoursummerinalibrary,"commentedRonashehappilybittheheadoffthefugitivechocolatefrog.
Harryglancedathisbestmateandgrinned."Ohdon'tworrymate,yougettohelp."
Ronstoppedchewingandhiseyeswidened.
"Oy!Holdon..."Hetrailedoffatapairofmadgrinsaimedathim.
"Don'tworryRonald,I'msurewecansetasidesometimeforhavingfun.Adayortwo."Hermione
"You'rejusthavingmeonright?"Ronretortedpleadingly.
"OhfineyoucanhaveSundaysofftoo,"Harryallowedamicably.
"Harry!"
"OnlySundayafternoonsHermione,he'llearnitbyworkingextrahardinthemorning,"heamendedquickly.
Ronstaredatthem,dazedashislostvacationtimeflashedbeforehiseyes.HeblinkedthespotsfromhiseyesfromtheflashandrealizedalaughingHarrywasholdingabatteredlookingcamera.HelookedatHermioneandrealizedbyhergigglesthathehadjustbeenhad.
"Youguysstink"RonalddeclaredandthenlookedatHermione."Wedon'treallyhavetodoresearch?"
"OnlyifyouwanttoandareabletovisitatmyhouseinLondon.That'swhereI'massemblingmynewlibrary."
"ThereisnowayMumwillletmeoutofhersightforthatlong.Anhourortwo,maybe.Longer?Noway,"hesighed.
"Don'tworryRonald.Wecanstilltalkonthespellphone,"Hermionepattedhisshouldercomfortingly.
Ronnoddedandthenseemedtorecallsomething.
"Youcanreallytalktomongoosesthen?"HeaskedHarry.
"Surehecan,"Hermionecorrectedhereyesglintingwithrealisation."Butonlybecauseamagicalmongoosespeakssnake."
RonaldgapedatherlikeshewasanutterandHarrystaredatherwithconfusionbeforeholdinghishandup.
"Stoprightthere,"heintonedfeelingslightlymiffed."Youarerightaboutmespeakingparseltongue.WhatIwanttoknowhowinthenameofthreelawsofflamingdecompressiondidyoufigurethatout.Ionlyfoundoutwhatitwascalledlastmonthandhaveneverevenhintedatthetalent."
Hermionesmiledmysteriouslyfiddlingwithherdragonpendant."Oh,Ihavemyways."
"Hermione!Comeonspillit!"Harrybegged,angleofattackchangingrapidly.Helookedathermournfullywithbiggreenpleadingeyes.
"Ohfine,I'lltellyou,"Hermioneseemingyrelented.Shetookadeepbreath,leanedclosedtosharetheconfidenceandafterasignificantpauseshesaid:"Icheat."
HarryslappedhisforeheadinfrustrationandgrowledatherasRonlaughedathisfriendsmisfortune."Shegotyoutheremate!"
"Tellme,"Harrygrowled.
"No,"cameamirthfulreply..
"I'llbuyyoucandy,"heoffered.
Hermionewasrelentlessandshookherhead.
"I'llcookyoulasagna,"heincreasedhisbid.
Hermionecockedherheadtothesideseeminglyinthoughtandthensmiledmischievously.
"Youalreadyowemehalfadozenmeals.No."
"Hermione.Don'tmakemetortureitoutofyou,"heleanedovermenacinglyandflexedhisfingers.
"Youwouldn'tdare,"shecounteredhesitantlyandleanedbackalittle.
Harrysmiledattheweaknessinhisstubborn,secretkeepingenemy.
"Lastchance,"hesaidleaningoverfurtherhisfingerswiggling.InafortuitousdiscoveryduringoneoftheirpracticesessionstheboyshavediscoveredHermione'sdreadfulsecret.HermioneJaneGranger,geniusextraordinairewas...Ticklish.
"HarryI'mwarning..."shewascutoffasHarrypouncedonherandexploitedhersecretweakness.
"Haaaaaary!"Hermioneyelledandthencollapsedintohelplesslaughter.
"Spillitandthetorturestops,"herelentedslightlyaftertwentyseconds
"Ron!"Hermionegaspedinbetweengiggles."Help!"
HarryandRonexchangedglancesandRonsmiledjoiningtheticklefight.OnHarry'sside.
"RONALD!"HermionesquealedRonpulledherhandsupandtheboysmadeherbegformercy.
HermionewastryingtofindamomentofweaknesstotryandturnthetablesontheboyswhilethankingthegodsshehadjustbeentothebathroomwhenthecompartmentdoorsopenedandDracoMalfoywalkedin.TheticklingstoppedandHermionegaspedforbreathastheboysinstantlystoodtofacethenewcomer.
"Malfoy,"growledRon.
"MisterMalfoy,"noddedHarrysomewhatformally.
HermionetookagaspingbreathandfinallymanagedtopulloutherwandheglancedatMalfoy.Sensingnomalicefromtheboy,onlywearyrespectshehastilydrewashiningcircleintheairandinfusedasplitterruneintoit.
"Iwantedtoproposeatrucefornextyear,"heglancedatHermioneandhiseyeswidenedslightlyasHermionedrewglyphsaroundthecircle.Shesmiledathimitwasnotanicesmile.
"HoweverasyouaregoingtobebusyI'llcomebackinsay...Twentyminutes?"headdedquestioningly.AtHermione'snodhebowedslightlyandhastilyleftthecompartment.
"OyHarrywhatwasthatabo..."
"FORTISRICTUSEMPRAMULTIPLICO!"
Acombinationofhystericalandevillaughterensuedinthecompartment.Aprefectbrieflyconsideredsteppinginbutrealisingwhosecompartmentitwashastilymovedalong.
Dracohurrieddownthehalltohiscompartmenthismindagainreelingfromwhathesaw.
DracoMalfoywasnofool.Ohheknewhehadeverythingservedtohimonaplatterandthathemightbeconsideredabitspoiled.Hedidn'tcare,helikedthesplendourofalifeofprivilege.Hewasnogreatbooklearnerbuthewassmartenoughtoseewhichwaythewindswereblowing.
Hehadlistenedtotherumours,heheardwhathadhappenedtotheRavenclawprefectthataccostedher.HehimselfhadfeltGranger'smagiconhisbones.Potterwasbeingciviltohim,duetoGranger'scounsel.AndeventheWeasleywaswrappinghiscontemptintocurt,sharpwords.
Hewasn'tsureifGrangerwasanaberrantMudbloodretainerunderPotter'swingorifshewasahiddenheiressthattookPotterunderher's.Eitherwayhermagicandpoisecommandedacertainrespectandherwillingnesstobackstabhertwofriendsinrevengespokeofacertainruthlessness.Truetheywerejustplayingaroundbutthatamplifyingcirclewassomethingstraightoutofhisgrandfather'srepertoire.Splittingaspellwhileretainingit'spotencywasn'tsomethingafirstyearstudentshouldknow.Orbeabletodo.Heknewhecouldn't.
Asfortheotherthing,whatPotterandWeasleyweredoing?Ticklingsomeonewithoutmagic?Whatanovelidea.HeopenedthedoorsandsmiledathisPansyandherfriendDaphnewhowaskindenoughtokeepthemcompany.
"Howdiditgo?"hisfiancéeaskedandheshruggedandploppeddownnexttoher.Itwasgoodtolethismetaphoricalhairdownintheprivacyofhisowncompartment.
"Badtiming,I'llhavetocomebackwhentheyarefinished.Theyseemedwillingtolisten,atleast."
"Oh?"Daphneinquiredeloquently.
"Grangeriscurrentlybusytorturingtheboysinrevengeforatransgression."
"Whatkindoftransgression?"Pansyasked.
Dracolookedathisfianceandsmiled.
"Oh,PotterandWeaslyhadtakencertainlibertiesuponherbodyandsheusedmyarrivaltoescapeandturnthetablesonthem.Hexedthemrightinthebackshedid."Daphne'seyeswidenedandPansylickedherlipsintriguedbythepotentialjuicygossip.
"Whatkindofliberties?"HisfiancéeaskedbarelycontainingherinterestandDracosmirked.Heknewhowhisbetrothedthought.Perhapsitwastimetoseeifhecouldpushthatallianceofmutualrespectintoactualfriendship.Itwouldtakesomethingdrasticandinformaltosignifysuchadesireandhehadlearnedjustthething.
"Perhapsademonstrationisinorder,"heflexedhisfingersexperimentallyandpouncedignoringthevoiceinthebackofhisheadthatscreamedbreachof
etiquette.HewasaMalfoy.Hemadetherules.
EndChapter
OMAKE(AcrossoverwithBuffyTVS)Asis,spellingerrorsabound.:P
Voldemortlookedupattheredhazethatwastheskythesedaysandwipedthesweatoffhisforehead.
ThelesserdemonswererelentlessandtheOldOnethathehadbeenbarelyfightingtoastandstillhadbeenweakenedbythedawnandfled.Heslowlyloosenedhisgrasponthelesserdragonlineandsighedinrelif.Helookedarroundthebattlefieldandgrimmanced.
"Sargeant!"Hehissed
"General!"ApowerfullfigureinmagitechmarkIIIpowerarmoursnappedtoatention.
"Status?"
"AlltwelveBasiliskknightsreadyandaccountedforSir!JenkinstookabeatingduringteminuteheheldoffthatOldOnewhenitshowedupbuthe'llbefineinafewdays.Theguardsmensufferedtwelvepercentcasulties.Threepermanentfatalities."
Voldemortnoddedathisfillower.HowamancanpuffhischestandlooksmugwhilewearingamarkIIIhehadnoclue.
"Icouldexpectnoless.FallbacktopositiondeltaandassistthedefendersonNewDelhi.YourmencantakesixhoursforR&Rwhenyougetthere.Youcantaketwo."
"Hurrahsir!"
Asthesquadfellbackfromtheoncemoredormanthellmouthandtheguardsmenarroundthemgatheredtheirwitshepulledoutacomunicationcrystal.
"ConnecttoWhiteWitch."Hespoke.
"XanderItoldyouthereinforcementsare...Ah.GeneralVoldemort.Myapologies.WhatcanCentraldoforyou?"
"DelhiHellmouthSealedforthemonth."
"Already?"
"AnOldOnemanifestedandpinnedmymendown."
"Andyoupoppedinthereonyournightoffandhelditoffuntilsunrisesotheknightscouldsealthebreach."Willowsmirked"Howverynoble."
"I'madarklord.Idon'tdonoble."Voldemortgrowledandcuttheconnection.Sillygirlcouldn'tunderstandthatthesethingsareamatterofcostandgain.AndtheBasiliskknightswereworthfarmorethenhisnightoff.Evenifthyusedtobemuggles.Hesighed.Thingshedidforsurvival.IfheevergetshishandsontheidiotthatopenedtheHellgate...
Heshookhishead.Notimetodwelluponplesantries.Bellawaswaitingandshehintedshehadacquiredabottleofchiantiandwouldkeepitoniceuntilhecameback.
Epilogue
Disclaimer:Donoown.
AN:Seenotesafterepilogue
Youwanttopredictthefuture?Howsilly.Youcan'tpredictthefuture.Itisalwaysinmotiontoparaphraseanoldmovie.Thebestyoucandoislistentoit'stuneandhopeforthebest.
SeleneLovegod
Epilogue:OfMusingMinds(Orhowitallwentofftherails)
TheoldScottishcastlewasemptyforthesummerandhighinoneofit'stowerssilhouettedinawindowafigurestooddeep,lookingoutsidedeepinthought..
AlbusDumbledorewastroubled.Tomhadbeenrightunderhisnosethewholetime.
Washegettingold?HefailedtogetevenawhiffofdarkmagicfromQuirrel.
Andhisbrilliantplanbackfiredwhenthosechildrentriedto"Save"thestone.Andhecouldnottellthemitwasallaruse.Nono.Theyhadtokeeptheirspirit.
AndthatGirl!Shewaspowerful.Merlin!Shecouldbecomealmostasgreatashimself!Couldhehavemisinterpreted?Wasthepowerfriendship?
Well.Friendshipwasaformoflove.Andwhoknewwhatmightdevelop.
Hewouldhavetochangehisplansalittle.Fitherintothepossibilities.Yes.
Hewouldtestitbeforechangingthefinalscenario.
Tobesure.
Hewouldnotfailthem.
NeverAgain.
Theoldmansteppedbackandwenttohisdesk,dippedaquillinsomeinkandstartedadjustingentriesthatwerewritteninsideasmallredbook.
TheinvisiblespecterofVoldemortdatedthroughthestreetsofLondondippinginandoutofpedestrianslikeablackdementedbutterfly.
Eachtouchwouldreturnaminusculeportionofpowertohim.Enoughtokeephimlucidandmoving.Heneededtheluciditysohefedontheselesserbeings.
TomMalvoroRiddlewastroubled.Hashefallensolowtobedefeatedbychildrenusingschooljinxes?
Theboy.Hewaspowerfulforachild.Hellfire!Hewaspowerfulforanadultwizard!Hehadtobekilled!
Andthegirl,Ohhesowantedtogethishandsonthatgirl.Thearraysherbloodwouldfuel!
Andyet.Theyshouldnothavewon.Evenifhewasweakened.
Coulditbethathehadspreadhimselftoothinly?Couldhehavemisjudgedthepowerofahumansoul?
Buthowcouldthatbe?Ifthatwastruethenwhatelsehadhemisjudgedinchoosingthispathtomortalityandpower?
Noitcouldnotbe.
Andyet.
Hehadtotestit.
Yes.
Hewouldre-absorbone.
Justone.
Totestit.
HermioneJaneGrangerwasquietonhercarridehome.SheGladasshewastoseeherparents,shenededtothinkandthusactedasifshewassleepyandtootiredtotalk.Hereyesclosedsheponderedheractions.
HadshebeenarroganttothinkshecouldstandwithaboyagainstaDarkLordandhisminion?
Hadshebeennaïvetothinktherewouldbenobloodshed?
Whathadshebeenthinkingwhenshefirstwalkedthispath?
Whatifshehaddied?Andforwhat?Friendship?Alliance?Whatifshefails?
Butno.Whatifsareuseless.Voldemortknewherfacenow.Sawherasanenemy.Theunholyspectre.
Shewouldhavetodelvedeeperandfasterintothementallabyrinthofhermind.
Studiescouldwait.Magiccouldwait.Homework...Yes.Evenhomeworkcouldwait.Sheneededaclearheadfromnowon.
Andwhenthetimecame...
Shehadkilledonce.Shecoulddoitagain.
Asmanytimesasshehadto.
Untilsheandher'sweresafe.
InaanotherquietcarVernonDursleywastroubled.Theboyhadcomebackchanged.
ItwassubtlebutVernonwasnofool.
Theboywaschanged.Hekepthishandnearthatblastedstickatalltimes,hiseyessearchingtheworldaroundhim.Constantlylookingforgodknewwhat,likehewasexpectingtrouble.Yettheboyswasnotanervouswreck.No.Helookedlikehewaswaiting.Calmdeadeyeswatchingtheworldaroundhim.
Likeacoiledsnakereadytostrike.
SlidingoverVernonanddismissinghimasanonthreat.
Hehadseeneyeslikethatbefore.Inazoo.
YesVernonDursleywasnofool.
Hewouldnotpushtheboy.Ithadhappened.
Likehehadfeared.
Andnowitwastoolatetotryandkillhim.
Wasn'tit?
LyinginhisbedthatnightHarryPotterwastroubled.
Voldemortwasaliveandpromisedrevenge.
Andhewasnotgoingtostayquietinhissuburbanhomeandkeephisheaddown.
HefeltashehadbeenasleepallhislifeuntilhemetHermione.Andnowhewasawake.Andhewasnotgoingbacktosleeporputtinghisheadintothesand.No.Hissoulwasburningbrightlyandhewouldnolongersuppressit.Dursleysmaylikeitornot.IfVernontriesraisinghisvoicehewouldignorehim.IfhetriesraisinghishandHarrywouldbreakit.Theywerebynomeanshisfamily.Hewouldfindonesomedaythough.Afamilythatwouldlovehim.
Fornow,hehadfriendswillingtostandbesidehim.Twoofwhichhadthesheergumptiontoriskfacingadarklordwithhim.
WhenheaskedwhytherigorousstudyHermionegavehimbooksthatstudiedthepreviousthreewizardwars.Henevercomplainedafterthat.
HewasawarethattherewasagoodchanceVoldemortwouldsparkthefireofanewwar.Possiblyverysoon.
AndHarrywouldberightsmackinthemiddleoftheblaze.
Carefreechildhoodmyarse.
Author'snote.
Yeah.I'mabadpersonforleavingthislikethat.IhadintendedtopostfirstfewchaptersofthesequelatthesametimeasIpostedanepilogue.Ifailed.WhileIhavesomethingswrittenitisnotwhatIneedtocontinuethis.Thedriveisnotthere.
OnthebrightsideIhavetwothingstosay:
1.Iplantocontinuethis.Imightdoatimeskiporgobyyear.ItwillbesomewhatslowunlessamusehitsmeovertheheadwithanInspirebat(TM)
ThemaindifficultyIamexperiencingisthatIhavenointentofrehashingtheHP
seriesandpossiblyIwillonlyusematerialsfromfirstfourbooks.(Orevenfirstthree)
2.SeveralpeoplehadmentionedthisandIconcurthatthereispotentialinthisso:
KickInTheArseChallenge
-Pickacharacter(Notthelead,ifpossible.Pickafemaleifpossible)
-PickaFandom(OrCrossover)
-GivethatcharacteraKickInTheArse
-Watchthewholethingsnowball.
Rules:
1.Whenpossiblethekickshouldcomefromanolderandwiserversionofthepersoninvolved.
2.NodirecttimetravelorResets.Messageinabottleonly,restrictedinhowmuchcanbesent.
3.Includejuicyfuturetidbitthatwillblowthatcharacter'smind.
4.Feelfreetoaddsomecrazyawesome.