The Fates Prophesied
Chapter 1: Prophecies
Mistress B
A shrill whistle blew, signaling the trains departure. Looking out the window, he watched as last minute goodbyes were called out to the students milling around and on the train. His gaze was drawn to three as they made their was to the train. The Golden Trio. He glared, his pale eyes taking them in with nothing short of loathing. The 'wondrous' Boy-Who-Lived-To-be-A-Pain-In-The-Rear, red-haired Weasel, and her, know-it-all, bushy haired mudblood. He frowned. Maybe not so bushy… It had been tamed over the summer, honey colored highlights that most certainly had not been there last year shining as she disappeared from view, boarding the train. "What you looking, mate?" Asked the only other person in the compartment. His eyes tore away from the sea that surrounded him and he shrugged, muttering under his breath.
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After a moment searching, the boy-who-lived, Weasel, and the mudblood stepped into a compartment, followed by a young girl, red haired and freckled. Harry placed his trunk above the seat, the took Hermione's and did the same as she sank into the seat, starring out the window. Ron did the same, placing his and Ginny's above their seat. Ginny looked anxiously at Hermione, who had yet to speak to any of them. "'Mione, are you alright?" Harry asked, his emerald eyes fixed on the brunette. She merely nodded, pulling her knees to her chest, her hands linking around them.
Ron coughed in the silence, and then turned back to Hermione. "So. You get Head Girl?" he asked, hoping for any answer other then the one she gave. A quiet 'Mmhmm,' her eyes never leaving the distance. He looked at Harry and shrugged, then silently beseeched his little sister. She nodded and switched her brother spots, sitting across from the silent Hermione. Ron turned to Harry. "Seventh Year. I still can't believe it." he said quietly. Harry nodded and sat back, thinking. He looked over at Ginny, watching her as she spoke quietly to Hermione. Ron followed his gaze as he watched, then looked back at Harry. "Maybe she'll get 'Mione to talk," he said quietly, concern clouding his features.
"I hope so, Ron. I hope so." Harry muttered to the redhead, sighing softly.
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Harry and Ron sat, concentration etched on both of their faces as they contemplated their next moves in the game of wizards chess they had started a while back. Hermione and Ginny still sat huddled, Hermione speaking in hushed tones to the red haired witch. Harry didn't pay much attention when the door slid open, until a spiteful rang out. "Granger. You need to come with me." Said a bored looking Malfoy as he leaned against the door.
"Says who, you prat." Ron said instinctively, barely looking up from the board to look at the platinum blonde. The four's animosity had faded slightly since Malfoy's father died, Malfoy joining the four at the Order's headquarters over the summer. He wasn't their best friend, they weren't going to him gushing with welcome, but they didn't dislike each other quite as much. Any insults between the four were instinct or simple boredom, and ignored most of the time. Hermione reached over and set her hand on Ron's knee before standing slowly, straightening the sweater she wore along with the dark blue jeans.
"It alright, Ron. Probably McGonagall wanting to see me about head duties." She said, smiling weakly at him. Ron nodded and frowned, then stared at Draco, who simply stared back, the picture of ease, his face showing no expression except for a slightly raised eyebrow. Hermione walked past him, her shoulder brushing against his as he pushed off the wall.
Draco shot the compartment door behind him and followed Hermione, sauntering down the hall and glancing into each of the doors as he passed. At the end of the train, the Head's Compartment stood, a larger compartment then all others, the seats more couches then benches, a radio and bookshelf up against the wall where the window stood open. Hermione walked in and sank into the seat, staring out the window at the passing scenery.
Draco's eyes narrowed at her behavior. "Mudblood, I'm surprised. No glee over the books?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Hermione. Her skin was pale in stead of the tan it usually was, her hair longer and wavy, honey highlights sprinkled throughout her brown locks. 'Probably has quite the figure under all those clothes…' he thought idly, his eyes widening as he realized where his thoughts had been straying. "Hermione still stared out the window, his words going right past her.
McGonagall entered then, her back as straight as ever, hair tied back in the severe bun. "Good afternoon, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger," she said politely. "Congratulations on your appointment as head boy and girl. However, along with the privileges of this appointment come numerous responsibilities as well, which I will get to in time. As you know, the headmaster has assigned you your own common room, away from both of your house dormitories. It has a bathroom for you to share, and each of you have your own bedroom." She looked at the couch and sat stiffly on the seat.
"We are to have four balls, Valentine's, Halloween, Christmas, and a graduation ball. You are to plan and attend each of these…" Draco yawned and looked out the window, attention roaming. He had had quite the summer, what with Lucius passing and him moving in with the Order for his safety. His eyes hardened at the thought of the jackass who called himself Draco's father, and yet was willing to sacrifice him to Voldemort. His attention was caught then, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping open. "What!" he said frantically.
McGonagall raid an eyebrow. "I said, you and Ms. Granger are asked to take on a project for extra marks in your various courses, since each of you have a lightened workload this year." She said, staring at Draco.
"No, Professor. Before that, about the balls," he asked, still hoping against belief that what he thought he heard was wrong. McGonagall seemed to smirk.
"Ah. Yes. The Headmaster asks that at each dance, you and Ms. Granger share at least three dances throughout the evening, in order to promote inter-house unity." Draco groaned and slumped back in the seat, muttering under his breath. Hermione spoke up not long after.
"About the project, Professor. What exactly does it entail?" She asked, her voice soft, almost a whisper. McGonagall nodded.
"You and Mr. Malfoy would be going through the Founding Fours private journals, hopefully decoding the cipher they used. Symbols and such. It is believe that the Founding Four left behind prophecies, or even just spells lost through the course of time which may be beneficial in the war." Hermione nodded and sat back, listening to the Professors final rules. Only when she left did Hermione close her eyes and sigh, dreaming of immersing herself in the study of those journals, the journals of none other then the Founding Four. Draco looked over and frowned, then resumed looking out the window.
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Hermione opened her eyes and looked around, her eyelids heavy with sleep and confusion showing to any who were in the room. Luckily, the only one in the room was Draco, and he was asleep, his head propped against the window, his arms crossed over his chest and his feet stretched out over the seat, one leg fallen over the edge, dangling. Hermione smiled and shook her head. Her and Draco had had a few good conversations as they stayed at Grimmauld Place, when Harry and Ron stayed at the Burrow. He wasn't the highest on her lists of enemies anymore. She stood and yawned, then walked to the bookshelf, gazing at the titles before picking one out. She walked to the radio and turned it on, playing with the dial until she found a muggle station. She smiled at the song, one of her mother's favorites, and hummed along with it as she sat down on the seat, mimicking Draco's position as she opened the book on her lap. She sang along with the song, swaying slightly.
"Wait for me, wait for me,
I'll be coming home, wait for me.
Oh my love, my darling,
I hunger, hunger, for your touch,
Of love, only time
And time, goes by
So slowly,
And time can do so much,
Are you still mine,
I need your love,
I, I need your love…"
She stopped as Draco muttered something in his sleep, panic written across her face, but calmed when he made no move afterwards. She turned back to the book and waited for the next song to come on. She smiled at this song as well, singing softly the first verse.
"Wandering the streets, in a world underneath it all
But nothing seems to be, nothing tastes as sweet
As what I can't have
Like you and the way that you're twisting your hair 'round you finger.."
She smiled and shook her head. The stations today all seemed to be playing nothing but love songs. On the way to the station she had flipped through a couple of stations and they were all playing 'You're Beautiful" by that American singer. "Blunt. James Blunt." She muttered to herself. Well, that song, or that one by Aerosmith.
Draco stirred in his sleep and sat up, yawning. She looked over at him, thankful she had not been singing, and then turned back to her book. She read the book, one on Greek mythology, and read out a passage under her breath. "The Nymphs. Female spirits who lived in trees, springs, mountains, and other parts of nature. They were described as beautiful young women, and, depending on where they lived, they had different titles. Oceanids lived within the ocean, naiads within springs, lakes, and brooks, dryads within trees, and oreads within mountains and grottos. They were generally kind and protective towards humans, but they could be vengeful and cruel when they felt betrayed." She frowned as she heard Draco snort. "What?" She asked, an eyebrow raised as she looked at him.
"Do you really find that stuff interesting?" He asked incredulously, his arms crossed as he sat back in the seat, staring at her. Hermione frowned.
"Yes." She said simply, turning back to the books, but then turned back to speak more. "I've always found it fascinating. I can't help but to think, with all that muggles say is pretend and I have found is in fact true, who's to say that all the Nymphs and Muses and Graces, who's to say they aren't real as well?" Draco raised an eyebrow. Hermione shook her head and shrugged, turning back to the book and reading more.
Draco seemed to struggle with what to say next. "Do you really think so?" He asked finally. Hermione looked up in surprise and nodded. Draco shifted his feet nervously. "What else does that say in there?" Hermione smiled and began to read more aloud.
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Harry came back into the compartment, his arms loaded with treats from the trolley. "Pumpkin pasty, Ron?" He asked, throwing him one without waiting. Ron caught it and opened it, eating it as he stared at the board. He frowned and looked outside, the sky darkening. Harry took his turn and Ron looked back at the board. Harry frowned. "What's the matter, Ron." He asked. Ginny had left a while back, off to find some of her friends, and Ron had been withdrawn since then.
Ron turned away from the board. "What's wrong with Hermione? I mean, she come in and doesn't even say a word. What happened over the summer?" He asked. Harry looked up and nodded.
"I talked to Ginny when she left. Hermione.. " Harry paused and Ron looked at him expectantly.
"Well?" He asked impatiently, his green eyes looking right into Harry's.
Harry sighed. "Hermione's parents were taken by some Death Eaters. Dumbledore talked to Hermione and doesn't think they will hurt the Granger's, they are the only things that are making the Order hesitate, but Hermione can't help but worry." Ron's jaw dropped.
"Bloody hell. Why didn't she tell us?" He asked, a bag of every flavored beans finding their way into his grasp. Harry shrugged.
"Ginny said Hermione didn't want us to worry, what with the battle with Voldemort. He might be on his last leg, but he still has followers willing to kill us." Harry said wryly, chewing on a licorice whip. Ron sighed and turned back the board.
"Knight to G3. Checkmate." Harry looked at the board in surprise. He was getting better at chess, but Ron still was better.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Dumbledore watched the flames, his blue eyes peering over the top of his glasses. He sat in his study, leaning back in the chair, his fingers steepled under his lips. Fawkes sang, a haunting tune that echoed throughout the school, and Dumbledore thought over the information they had received over the summer. A prophecy of sorts, spoken by one of the Founding Four. If only they knew which, they wouldn't have to go through each of the journals.
He sighed darkly and looked up at the paintings of the past headmasters, and spoke to one quietly. The painting was soon empty, its inhabitant off to another frame. A knock rang at his door and he sat straighter. "Come in." He called out. His doors opened and the librarian entered. Dumbledore smiled and stood, gesturing for the woman to take a seat. "Lemon drop?" he asked, offering a bowl forward. The librarian refused, shaking her head at the proffered candies. Dumbledore sat back into his seat and waited for the woman to speak.
"Albus, I have gotten all of the journals and placed them in the Head's study." She said, and Dumbledore nodded. It had taken some arranging, getting that study. It was really just an empty room, a password placed over it, charms to hide the doorway behind a suit of armor. Only Albus and the Heads were to know the password, chosen by the Head boy and girl themselves. All teachers would have to go through Dumbledore to get it. The librarian appeared to be contemplating something.
"What are you thinking of," asked Dumbledore, blue eyes fixed on the stern librarian. She nodded and spoke quickly.
"Albus, are you sure we should assign a task of this magnitude to the students?" She asked, doubt playing through her features. Dumbledore smiled reassuringly.
"Ah. Yes, I do believe they are the only ones we can trust. With Voldemort on his last, he is desperate, willing to do anything. However, he cannot believe we would assign a task of this importance to students, especially a muggle-born. His mistrust and hatred of them runs to deep for him to even try and picture it." The librarian nodded, and stood.
"I have to get back to the library. I have to finish cataloging the books before the beginning of the year." She nodded once to Dumbledore and made her way to the door. She left the room, and Dumbledore sat back in his seat again.
Should he have assigned the two this task? He didn't know for sure, not anymore. He turned to his companion, his phoenix. "Well Fawkes, done is done. I just hope they can finish this before it is too late." Fawkes seemed to nod, then began his slow, haunting melody once more.
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The train arrived at Hogsmeade, and Hermione reluctantly put down the book. Draco had fallen asleep an hour ago, and Hermione had turned off the radio two hours before that. She had forgotten about the disappearance of her parents, at least almost forgotten. She stood up and shook Draco, waking him. He yawned and stood slowly, his gray eyes sleepy. Hermione said a quick goodbye and left the compartment. She was almost back at Hogwarts. Almost.
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The Great Hall shone with all of the candles, and all of the students left for their common rooms and the beds that awaited them. Hermione stood up, leaving the Gryffindor table and heading to the Teachers. She saw Draco out of the corner of her eye, doing the same. Dumbledore stood up and opened his arms in welcome. "Ah. Our Head boy and girl." He said, smiling at the two, blue eyes twinkling. Hermione smiled weakly and muttered a soft 'hello' to the Headmaster.
Dumbledore spoke to them for a few minutes, telling them of the project, but they had known most of it already, from speaking to McGonagall on the train. He led them through the halls and stopped in front of a decrepit suit of armor. Draco eyed it warily. "Nice." He muttered as Dumbledore explained to them that it was the door to their study. "Whats the password?" He asked Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiled.
"For now? Simply 'Hershey Kisses.' Delightful muggle candy, I must say." Draco rolled his eyes and Dumbledore smiled. "However, as soon as you can figure out another password, you may change it." Hermione peered at the suit of armor, anxious to be in the study, reading the journals. Dumbledore looked a her and smiled. "Unfortunately, Ms. Granger, tonight is not the night to begin this. You are surely tired, and I still must show you to your rooms. Oh, and when you do begin on the project," He began as he walked through the halls, "You are going to be required to rewrite the journals into English and send them to me, each month, updating me on any progress. It may be beneficial, as well, to write down your own ideas on the contents of the journals, formulate your own thoughts on the meaning behind their words."
He stopped in front of a large landscape portrait, depicting a lazy babbling brook surrounded by flowering trees and twittering birds. Three figures peered out from behind trees, and stepped forward when Dumbledore spoke to them gently. "My dears, we are here to use the dormitory. This is Hermione," He pointed to Hermione and she smiled at the women, already suspecting what they were, "And this is Draco." He pointed to Draco, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest, examining the picture. The three women wore short dresses, one appeared to be made of leaves, one seemed to flow like water, and the other looked suspiciously like flowers. Dumbledore turned to Hermione and Draco, took one look at Hermione's face and smiled. "Do you know what these three are?" He asked, looking into Hermione's brown eyes. She nodded and smiled crookedly, the right side of her mouth higher then the other. She looked at Draco before speaking.
"Are… Are they nymphs?" She asked, hesitating slightly. Draco perked up a bit as she asked, moving closer to the portrait and staring in interest at the women, who laughed behind their hands and whispered in each others ears. Dumbledore smiled brightly.
"Yes, Ms. Granger. That they are. Acantha is a dryad," He pointed at the one who's dress looked like leaves, a redhead, "Melite is a naiad," He pointed at the one with the dress that looked like water, a blonde, "And Lilaea, well, she won't tell me what she is." The last, the brunette with the dress of flowers, looked smugly at Dumbledore and smiled, crossing her arms. Hermione laughed, surprising herself. It was the first time she had laughed since.. Well… Since her parents were taken.
The three nymphs smiled at Hermione and Melite spoke up. "Excuse me, humans. I was wondering.. Password?" She asked, her voice melodious, and Dumbledore smiled at the blonde nymph.
"Of course, of course." He looked at Hermione and Draco. "Mind you, you will need to change the password at least once a month, as with your house dormitories." He said, before turning back to the portrait. "Tempus fugit" He said clearly, and Hermione stepped back unconsciously, expecting the portrait to swing open like the one in front of the Gryffindor common room. However, the portrait dissolved, the frame still there, showing the doorway. Draco stepped into the frame and opened the door, and Hermione followed. Dumbledore left them at the door, turning to make his way back to his office, and Hermione examined the room.
A very warm decorating scheme, a warm cherry wood on the walls, a thick off white carpet cushioning their feet. There was a large fireplace, red brick, with two arm chairs the same off-white as the carpet. At the other side of the room was a large couch, black leather, and a small table with two chairs. The table and chairs were made of the same polished wood that adorned the walls, a cushioned with an off-white fabric. Opposite the door was a large staircase, leading, Hermione assumed, to the bedrooms and bathroom.
She walked up the stairs and saw two doors, one with a plaque engraved with "Hermione Granger", the other with a plaque engraved with "Draco Malfoy." She opened her door and lost her breath at the beauty of the room. Decorated in the warm colors of the common room, the room contained a large four-poster bed, a dark cherry-wood armoire, a small desk, and a nightstand next to her bed. The comforter was a dark blue, the pillows gold silk. She smiled and walked to the armoire, opening it and finding her clothes and different items already arrayed on the hangers, shelves, drawers and hooks. There was a long mirror on the inside of the door, and Hermione couldn't help but look at herself.
She had lost plenty of weight after she discovered why her parents weren't coming to get her after their 'second honeymoon,' and her clothes, that used to be snug, now were loose. Her hair had tamed, most by itself, but she had also gotten in the habit of styling it, if only slightly, every day. Her mother had asked her too, and gotten it dyed the 'muggle way,' Ron had said, putting honey-colored highlights throughout, at her mothers insistence. Her skin was pale, much more than it had been before. Her chocolate brown eyes still showed her intelligence, but now they were wider, showing her innocence, or so a muggle had whispered behind her back.
Hermione sighed and made her way to the bed, flopping down onto the soft blankets, closing her eyes tightly as she tried to sleep.
