A/N: Wow! Due to a truly overwhelming number of requests for yet another Hermione/ Tom Riddle Jr. Fic I felt it would be terribly ungrateful for me to ignore them. I'm still hoping to shake up the normal remedy for this particular pairing and (as always) keep the characters as true to their intended personalities as possible and largely ignoring the structure of the books so anyone looking for fluff...WRONG WAY- GO BACK!
Chapter 1.
Hermione had just finished answering an excited letter from Ron when an owl came soaring regally into her window and perched atop her wardrobe. It dropped an officially sealed envelope into her lap and flowed back out with window with a majestic swoop. Hermione frowned at the mail and wondered why the ministry was sending her a letter. Anxious to answer her own questions; Hermione tore open the envelope.
Dear Miss Hermione Jane Granger,
The Ministry of Magic regrets to inform you; due to numerous Death Eater attacks and serious threats Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has decreed, for the safety of all students, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry will not be reopening this year.
The Ministry understands this poses a serious problem for seventh year students and as compensation a temporary repeal has been placed on the underage wizardry rule; current seventh years will be permitted to use magic, whilst exercising the proper caution when in the company of Muggles.
The Minister of Magic and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry wish to extend their deepest apologies to all students and staff to whom this decree presents an inconvenience.
The parchment floated to the floor as Hermione's arm went limp. She could not wrap her capable mind around the truth; Hogwarts would not be opening for her final year.
"It's not possible," Hermione read the letter over and over, hoping it would somehow change. After the thirtieth recital Hermione realised it would be no less true no matter how many times she read those terrible words. "It is possible."
No sooner had the depressing realisation sunk deep in Hermione's chest than another owl came crashing through her window and into her pencil holder. The scraggly creature was instantly recognisable as the Weasley's faithful messenger, Errol. He shook his feathers roughly before dropping the claw prickled letter he clutched at Hermione's fingertips. Opening her desk draw to fish out some owl pellets she kept to feed her friend's pets, she let Errol peck them from her hand before disappearing out the window with a tired hoot.
The letter was, oddly enough, from Harry and written in a rushed scrawl that was barely legible:
Did you get the Hogwarts letter? Can you believe it? Professor Dumbledore is having dinner with the Weasleys tonight and I'm going to ask some questions; I figure you'd want to be there too so Fred and George are coming to get you tonight. Be ready.
Love Harry.
Not waiting for her mind to process a million perfectly valid reasons why she shouldn't go and interrogate the Headmaster, Hermione threw clothes and books into a bag before running down the stairs to inform her parents.
"Hogwarts is closing down?" Her mother asked with her usual concerned lilt.
"No, not closing down Mum they just can't let us go back this year because it's too dangerous," Hermione said, pushing her lunch about the plate idly. "But Dumbledore will be with Ron's family tonight and I can ask him what's really going on."
"I don't know pumpkin, you've always had nothing but good things to say about Mr. Dumbledore's judgement why the change of heart?" Mr. Granger asked, his bespectacled eyes glinting over his mug of tea.
Hermione dropped her fork. "Because this is serious; Hogwarts didn't close when Sirius Black was on the loose, they didn't close when the Basilisk first started its hunt and they didn't close when students started disappearing last year. Threats just don't seem explanation enough to close the school after it has withstood all of that."
"I understand sweetheart, but why not let Harry and Ron ask the Headmaster and you can stay here." Her Mum cooed.
"Because Ron and Harry need me to tell them which questions to ask," she sighed. "Please Mum and Dad, I really need to know what is happening. They might not be part of your world, but the people in danger are a huge part of mine."
The Grangers' swapped concerned gazes before Mr. Granger finally sighed, setting his cup down. "You are to take Mr. Dumbledore's word if he says the school is too dangerous to reopen, do you understand?"
"Yes, of course." Hermione's hopes skipped higher.
"Then pack your bags and we'll wait outside with you for the Weasley boys to arrive." Hermione threw her arms around her Father and Mother before dragging her already stuffed suitcase into the foyer and waited with eager eyes.
Her Dad glanced at the suitcase with a wry smile. "That was fast."
Hermione blushed. "Well you know how it is when you're excited, energy and all that."
"Of course."
The family of three waited on the grassed verge for just under an hour, Hermione's parents reminding her of the proper manners when in someone else home, when finally two identical shadows passed overhead. Fred and George landed, both jumping from their broomsticks to pull Hermione into a joyous bear hug between them.
"'Mione!" they cried in unison. "It's been too long."
"Hello," Hermione croaked. "Need air boys."
"Oh yes," Fred and George released their grip and turned to Hermione's parents, shaking their hands in turn.
"Fred and George Weasley, Hermione will be perfectly safe with us." Fred assured them brightly.
"Oh yes, we're brilliant on our broomsticks, aren't we Fred?" George slung Hermione's bag over his shoulder.
"Beyond brilliant." Fred ushered Hermione to his broomstick after she hugged her parents and said her goodbyes.
"Take care pumpkin." Her Dad said softly.
"Be safe sweetheart."
"I will, I love you both," Hermione waved as Fred kicked off and her parents shrunk beneath her the higher they rose. Finally they were out of plain sight of the Muggles below and sped forward across the country.
"Can you believe this business with closing Hogwarts?" Fred asked, his voice just audible over the wind. "They must have been some serious threats."
"Don't be daft Fred; it was more than just threats." George called. "Old Dumbledore isn't chicken enough to close the school because of some nasty letters."
"What else could it be?" Hermione shouted through the hair whipping across her face.
"If it's enough to spook Dumbledore and the Minister, I'll wager it's something big."
Fred scoffed loudly. "I'd believe that of Dumbledore, but Voldemort could conjure a spider to put in the Minister's bathtub and it would cause a red alert."
The trio arrived at the infamous Weasley residence in good time, a little cold from their sky high ride, but intact and Hermione was greeted with open arms and a mug of hot chocolate being forced upon her by Mrs. Weasley.
"I'm fine really." She insisted with a smile.
"Those boys," Molly huffed. "I told them to take a sweater for you, of all the selfish absent minded bumbling."
"Don't mind her," Ron smirked, leading Hermione up to her room. "She's pretty nervous about Dumbledore coming for dinner."
"Why is he coming for dinner? Harry didn't say in his letter."
Ron dropped Hermione's bags on the floor as Harry appeared in the doorway to hug his friend. "Dad invited him as a thank you; Dumbledore recommended Dad for a promotion."
"He can do that?" Hermione frowned.
"He's going to help arrange the curriculum for Muggle Studies classes at Hogwarts...," Ron's voice faded slightly. "That is when it reopens."
"Have you heard anything?"
Harry shrugged sadly. "No more than you."
"There is no chance Dumbledore would close the school because some Death eaters were running around," Ron snorted, flopping on the bed. "Maybe Lord Voldemort blew up Hogwarts."
"Ron!"
"I'm just saying it's a possibility." Ron backpedalled as Hermione glared at him.
"You shouldn't say things like that," She shook her head, warming her hands by the fireplace that has just crackled to life of its own accord. "What if it were true?"
"I'd owe Professor Trelawney five galleons." Harry and Ron snickered among themselves as Hermione just sighed, summoning an armchair to curl up in. She drifted in and out of consciousness as Harry and Ron played wizards chess behind her, all three silently wondering what they would say to Dumbledore when he arrived. Hermione had begun to wonder if she even wanted an answer, surely there was enough turmoil in the wizarding world, whatever caused Hogwarts to close could not make sleeping any easier.
Her eyes jumped open as the bedroom door creaked ajar an hour later and Mr. Weasley poked his head in the doorway. "Professor Dumbledore is here."
The trio exchanged anxious glances, but straightened their crumpled clothes and made their way slowly downstairs, welcomed by the sounds of idle chitchat from within the kitchen. Hermione instantly recognised the calm float of Dumbledore's voice as the tall, thin statue of the Headmaster came into view. As the elderly wizard laid eyes on his pupils, a benign smile graced his lips and he stood in way of greeting.
"Good evening Miss Granger, Harry, Mr. Weasley," he nodded to each of them in turn before holding out a chair for Hermione. "Ladies first."
"Thank you sir." Hermione smiled weakly, sitting as Dumbledore pushed the chair beneath her. His kindly manner made it all the more difficult for her to gather the courage she would need to get some answers.
"We're all so pleased you could make it tonight Albus," Mr. Weasley beamed. "Aren't we Molly?"
"Oh it's definitely our pleasure," Mrs. Weasley gushed, levitating several platters of colourful meals over the heads of her guest. "Now please, dig in."
"Everything looks delicious Molly." Professor Dumbledore said, eyeing off all of the flamboyant platters; some of the food looking a little cartoonish to be edible and yet he sampled even the strangest looking morsel; never one to seem rude.
"So when will Arthur be starting at Hogwarts?" Molly asked airily, sawing through a pale pink steak.
"As soon as the Muggle studies department is in condition," Dumbledore answered vaguely. "There have been some considerable setbacks this year."
"So we've noticed." Fred said pointedly, earning a glare from his Mother.
"It's a bit hard to miss." George chimed in.
"That's enough out of both of you," Arthur turned to Dumbledore with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry about them."
"It's perfectly fine Arthur; they have every right to be concerned with Hogwarts' closure this year."
"I think it's more a case of being curious Professor," Hermione said softly, spying her opening. "I don't mean any offence, but you can't expect us to believe it is just because of Death Eater threats."
The Headmaster's eyes twinkled in mixture of concentration and what looked like pride. "No, I suppose I can't."
"So why is it closed?" Harry asked bluntly.
Dumbledore lowered his fork gently on his plate before resting his chin on folded hands. "I did want to tell you all the truth in your letters, but I could not risk them being delivered to the wrong student. Recent events during the schools' holiday closure have led me to believe reopening would out staff and students in grave danger."
Hermione's ears pricked up. "What events?"
Catching the bright girl's eyes, Albus Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Nicholas and The Bloody Barron have been destroyed."
Ron choked on a mouthful of bright purple food, coughing it onto his plate. "They've what?" he rasped.
"They have been destroyed," Dumbledore repeated. "The grounds have been searched time and time again, Professor Trelawney can detect no sign of their aura and they have not responded to the call of any professor. As I'm sure you know the disappearance of ghosts can only be a bad omen."
While Molly and Arthur swapped panicked glances, Fred and George looked more worried than anyone had seen them. "Just because you can't find them doesn't mean they're gone, does it?" Fred asked weakly.
Dumbledore bowed his head solemnly. "I'm afraid we have been left with no other answer."
Hermione felt tears prickled behind her eyes as she thought of the many midnight conversations she had shared with Nearly Headless Nick in the library; being one of the only students to show him the respect he craved they shared a very congenial friendship. "How can they be gone...They're ghosts?" she whispered.
"Only the purest evil can unsettle those who have already passed," Dumbledore's tone was very grave and sank heavily in their hearts. "I can only assume that Lord Voldemort has at last gained at least a partial hold on the Hogwarts castle."
"B-But he can't have!" Harry protested. "Hogwarts is the safest place in the world; there is no way he could corrupt it."
"No ward is perfect." The Headmaster lamented.
"Professor...Will Hogwarts ever reopen?" Hermione asked the lingering question everyone had found bouncing around their minds and the atmosphere surrounding the table fell silent.
Dumbledore held Hermione's gaze, whether he was trying comfort her or question her she was not sure, and his twilight blue eyes lost their sparkle. "At this moment in time, I cannot say."
"Hogwarts can't close down." Ron sulked.
"Isn't there anything you can do? That building is full of the best witches and wizards in England." George asked incredulously.
"We are trying young Mr. Weasley I can promise that," Dumbledore smiled at his eagerness. "But it is a large castle with many wards and unfortunately it is not unlike finding the one faulty twinkle light in a five mile string."
"But you can find it, eventually?"
"That is our hope."
"Hope?" Ron snorted. "That's it?"
"Ronald!" Molly screeched. "You do not talk to your Headmaster that way."
Ron's ears flushed a violent shade of red, but once more Dumbledore held up his thin hand. "Please Molly, don't be mad. Their frustration is understandable and I do wish I had more satisfying answers to your questions, but at this moment that is the best I have to offer."
"What are we to do this year?" Harry asked moping over his untouched dinner.
"I can suggest no more than attending your old schools." Dumbledore's suggestion was met with glares from Harry and Ron, but Hermione could think of worse ideas.
"I've never been to any other school." Ron snapped.
"And I wish I'd never been any other school." Harry groaned.
"I wouldn't mind going back to my school...," Hermione said softly, avoiding Harry and Ron's sharp stares. "I mean, if there was no other option."
The remainder of dinner was spend in scattered questions, Molly snapping at her children and Arthur staring into his plate with tired abandon. Finally the dishes were cleared and, while the Weasley children and Harry received a lecture from both parents on proper manners, Dumbledore asked Hermione if she would join him for a walk around the Burrow.
The young Gryffindor and her Headmaster strolled slowly through the calf-high grass and watched as all manner of fireflies and tiny birds flew into the night. "Are you all right Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked after several minutes wandering in silence.
"I think so," Hermione frowned. "I just can't believe Hogwarts won't be open for our final year..."
"I am truly sorry, but we could not risk the lives of the students."
"I understand Professor, really I do, but I just don't understand Lord Voldemort's motives for getting rid of the ghosts."
Dumbledore glanced down at his shining student. "How do you mean ?"
Hermione shrugged, clearly struggling to arrange her thoughts. "I just don't understand why, if he had gained that kind of access to the castle, he chose to get rid of the ghosts; why not do something more destructive?"
Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "You really are the brightest witch of your age Hermione."
She blushed at the compliment, but tried to hide it with a thoughtful glance. "What makes you say that Professor?"
"That is precisely the question the other Professors and I have been pondering since the disappearances; we have not come up with a plausible answer yet," they sat on a somewhat rusted garden seat. "All logic suggests Lord Voldemort would have utilised any means at his disposal to debilitate Hogwarts if he could."
"But she just got rid of two ghosts," Hermione sighed. "It doesn't make much sense."
"The motives of evil rarely do. Do you know what you will do this year?" Dumbledore asked, changing the subject before Hermione could frustrate herself over the myriad of unanswered questions.
Hermione leant back on the bench, sitting back up as the flaking metal scratched uncomfortably at her back. "I think I'll go back to my old boarding school; most of my Muggle friends are still there."
"Do you think Harry and Ron would join you?"
She couldn't suppress a cynical scoff from jerking free. "I doubt it; Harry and Ron aren't interested in learning at the best of times, let alone if it has no magical implications."
Dumbledore smiled softly, knowing that Hermione was right. "Boys will be boys."
"I think that's just an over sentimentalised cop out for being genetically programmed with the attention span of a hummingbird." Hermione mused with a soft giggle.
"I would not be surprised."
"And what about you Professor," Hermione looked up at the gracious old wizard. "What will you do this year?"
Dumbledore's eyes glanced up at the blanket of stairs staring down at them. "Search for answers to a lifetimes supply of questions." He said absently.
Hermione nodded, raising from the bench as the emotional rollercoaster of the day began to take its toll. "I hope you find them sir, and if I can help in any way you will let me know, won't you?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled once more as he stood before Hermione. "You have my word." With a warm hug from her Headmaster, Hermione said her goodnights and crept her way up the echoing stairs to bed. Sleep came quickly to her, shadowed by too many confusing thoughts to allow a dreamless rest. She spent the night tossing and turning, fighting off the theories behind Lord Voldemort's oddly precise attack, each more unsettling than the last.