A/N Hi! I'm new to fan-fic and this is my first Dramione, so please keep that in mind while you read this! Thanks to my Beta!!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; they all belong to the genius JKR!
Chapter 1: The Plan
I walk the maze of moments
but everywhere I turn to
begins a new beginning
but never finds a finish
I walk to the horizon
and there I find another
it all seems so surprising
and then I find that I know
-- Anywhere Is, Enya
Hermione looked up. "Damn my leg!" she thought. Ever since the final battle with Lord Voldemort her leg seemed quite impervious to spells and refused to be healed. Nowadays she had to get either Ron or Harry to help her up the stairs of Number 12 Grimauld place.
"Harry!" she called. "Come help me get down the stupid stairs!"
"Coming!" he called back.
Ugh. She hated having to depend on other people. It made her feel so helpless. She sincerely hoped she would not be a cripple forever. She would've just Apparated, but she was afraid that Apparating might injure her leg even further.
Finally she saw the boy with rumpled black hair come into view.
"Finally!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry." he said looking grim. "But look at what I just found." He held out the Daily Prophet.
Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Truly Dead?
Brutal Muggle murders take place all over the country.
Hermione stared at the page horrified. There was a picture of a bloody corpse that looked like it had been tortured brutally before finally being killed. She stood speechless. How could he be back? They had killed him just a couple months ago! They had destroyed every single last Horcrux. Everyone had seen him die when Harry killed him! It wasn't possible.
"Does Ron know?" she inquired.
"No, but here he comes," was the reply.
"Hi! What's up?" came Ron's voice.
"Oh nothing much; Voldemort's just back."
"Hermione you really shouldn't joke about things like that," he proclaimed as she thrust the paper in his hands.
Just as Hermione had done, he stood there speechless. Hermione was almost positive the same thoughts she was thinking were swirling around his head at the moment.
"We should go down and ask if they know about this," he said in a dead sounding voice. Everyone knew "they" referred to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Charlie who were sitting down-stairs chatting about something or other.
Ron walked quickly down the stairs while Harry stayed behind, giving Hermione an arm to lean on while she climbed down the stairs wincing all the way.
Hermione could faintly hear bits of the conversation. "I think Harry and Ron…Hermione…Hogwarts."
Suddenly the four of them fell quiet as they heard Harry, Ron and Hermione's footsteps on the wooden floor.
"Ah. We were just coming to get you," stated Mr. Weasley.
"Have you guys read the Daily Prophet yet?" Harry blurted out.
"Actually yes we have. Professor McGonagall just stopped by to let us know that You-Know-Who is definitely dead. She and some other witches and wizards unearthed his body and he is still dead, so no need to worry about him. However, we do need to worry about whoever took over from him." said Mr. Weasley in a serious tone.
"Took over from him? As in you think a Death Eater is doing this? Most of the Death Eaters are barely smart enough to tie their own laces!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well actually when Professor McGonagall came she had an interesting idea--well at least she thought it was an interesting idea. It wasn't very good. In fact honestly it's not worth mentioning."
"Dad, you should just tell them. They're going to find out soon anyway." Charlie pointed out.
"Well…OK, but just to let you guys know Molly and I are not in favor of this plan. Harry and Ron should go look for the Death Eater that has taken over, while Hermione goes to Hogwarts – not only because of your leg Hermione, but because you can keep an eye on all the Slytherins there. As you know many of their parents are Death Eaters, so it'd be a good idea to have a spy in Hogwarts as well as out in the open. You just got your letter this morning Hermione."
There was very loud shouting all throughout the little kitchen.
"No! What?"
"There is no way!"
"I can't go without Harry and Ron!"
"We can't go without Hermione!"
After a fair bit of yelling, and after Harry, Ron and Hermione had calmed down sufficiently, Mr. Weasly continued.
"Now I rather thought you three would react like this so we have decided to let you guys have some time to think about it. If you do decide to go through with the plan, Hermione we'll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow. OK?"
"All right." Harry said grumpily. "We'll go talk about it. We'll let you know about our decision."
The three of them headed towards the stairs. Harry and Ron were halfway up the stairs when they realized Hermione needed help.
"Thank you for noticing me." She pointed out sarcastically.
"Sorry Hermione!" they exclaimed.
Just to be quick, Harry slid both his hands under her arms picked her up and ran up the stairs.
"Thank you." she said frostily.
Harry followed her into the room and seeing Ron seated upon the couch he joined him. He didn't understand what he had done wrong. He had just helped her up the stairs, right? Bloody women.
The problem was that while Hermione knew she needed help getting up the stairs, she didn't like feeling like a baby, especially if she was going back to Hogwarts. How would she climb all those stairs? Oh well, she'd cross that bridge when she came to it. She didn't even know if she was going. Secretly she wanted to go. She missed staying up until 10:00 studying and all her interesting classes. But the one thing she wouldn't have would be Harry and Ron, and she would rather go with them than go to Hogwarts any day. She started pacing.
"I would do this in a heartbeat, but if Hermione's not coming with us, I don't see the point. I mean she's the one that kept us grounded last time. If it wasn't for her I'd be dead now." Harry stated.
"I know mate. I don't want to do this either. But I think right now it's our best option. We can't do anything else. Hermione, don't get mad or anything, but your leg isn't really going to be our friend if we have to Apparate or run all of a sudden." Ron said nervously, afraid of how Hermione would react.
No one talked for a while. Everyone was thinking about other options and if this really was the best idea.
"As much as I hate being a cripple, I have to agree with Ron," Hermione said slowly, breaking the awkward silence. "Believe me, I don't want to go any more than you guys want me to, but it's for the greater- I mean it's for the best right?" She was thinking about all the stairs at Hogwarts again. Now she actually had a reason to worry about them.
"No! Hermione, you can't go! We can't leave you all alone with people like Malfoy! I know I said this was our best option but-" Ron started.
"No, Ron she's right." interrupted Harry. "This is our best choice and I think she should do it."
"OK. But Hermione, you must owl us every day! And let us know if Malfoy or anyone else is bothering you!"
"Ron, I can take care of myself! You know that. I will owl you guys, maybe not everyday but at least every week. You guys should owl me if you find something pertinent. Since most of the Slytherins are Death Eaters' children, I may be able to spy on them, get some information on them or their parents." Hermione said almost excitedly. The thought of going back to Hogwarts and being a spy was almost intoxicating to her.
"The only problem is that we can't send anything to you in fear of it being intercepted." Harry said worriedly.
"That's OK." said Hermione. "I learned this new spell from this book I was reading Codes and How to Make Them. It's a very interesting book. Anyway, there's this spell that makes words look like French to other people, but to you and select people it's in whatever language it was written in. I think we should use it. It's very easy."
"What is the incantation?" inquired Harry.
"It's sois français and with your wand you do this," she said demonstrating a complicated little twist with her wand. "Here, try it on this book cover. While saying it, think of Ron, so that I can make sure it works."
She placed the book One Thousand and One Magical Herbs and Fungiin front of Harry. He said the incantation and did the complicated looking twist with his wand. To his eyes nothing happened but to Hermione's the book's cover now said Mille et une Herbes et Moisissures Magiques.
"It works." she said relieved. "Oh and also just in case I have these," she said holding out three Galleons. "You can contact me by thinking of my Galleon and them thinking what you want to say. Just use them in emergencies as they get really hot and may burn a hole in my pocket."
This wasn't strictly true, but she didn't want Harry and Ron sending her messages all the time. If they did, they would never get anything done. Briefly, she wondered if there would be anyone to talk to at Hogwarts, other then Ginny. She had friends other then Harry and Ron, but she didn't enjoy talking to them as much as she did with them. After all she couldn't talk about camping out for months searching for Horcuxes with anyone, now could she?
"We should go down and tell them what we're going to do." said Hermione.
"Yeah let's go. I'll help you down Hermione." said Ron.
Hermione leaned on Ron, wincing all the way down the stairs while Harry walked ahead of them. Hermione huffed in relief when she finally reached the bottom of the stairs. How was she going to do it alone at Hogwarts?
"So what have you guys decided to do?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"We're going through with Professor McGonagall's plan. Right now I think it's the best thing we could do."
"OK. Well you guys know my opinion on the subject, but I know you guys are doing the right thing. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Mr. Weasley. That means a lot to us." said Hermione solemnly. "Harry can I borrow Hedwig for a bit? I have to owl my parents and let them know I'm going back to Hogwarts!"
"Of course. She's in my room."
"Um… Harry?"
"Yeah?" he responded snapping out of staring into space.
"Stairs."
"Right."
He let her lean on her on the way to his room, while Ron stayed to talk with his family.
"You're excited aren't you?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well yeah. It's been forever since I've been to Hogwarts! I can't wait, although it'll be different without you guys. I'm not looking forward to that part. I'll be so worried and stressed the whole time. But I am looking forward to my classes!"
"I'll miss you Hermione."
"I know. I'll miss you too. I'll be thinking about you and Ron every day. You know that right?"
"Yeah." he said with a weak smile. He gave her a big hug which she returned.
"Be safe. Take care of yourself and Ron OK?" she whispered in his ear.
He released her and said: "Of course Hermy." in a teasing voice. "Oh! Here we are. I have writing stuff on the desk, so feel free to use it."
"Thanks Harry."
Hermione sat down at the desk and took out a quill, a bottle of black ink and some parchment.
Dear Mum and Dad,
Hi! I'm here at Harry's house having a fun time! How're you guys doing? I can't believe this heat! Mr. Weasley was just commenting on it yesterday! It was so hot that Harry, Ron and Charlie haven't been able to play Quidditch in the back yard yet! They're really upset about that. Ron's little sister Ginny is away at a friend's house for the summer so I've been spending most of my time with Harry and Ron. I'm just writing to you to tell you that I'm going back to Hogwarts! I'm so excited! I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but it was just recently Hogwarts created this new program where you can go back to school after your seventh year and do another year if you want to. I'm going, but Harry and Ron aren't. I'm really sad about that, but maybe I'll make some new friends! You guys don't have to come with me to Diagon Alley; I just wanted you guys to know I was going and I'm sorry I didn't know earlier! Well I've nothing else to say so I'll go now! Bye! Lots of love from your excited daughter, Hermione
Hermione always felt extremely guilty when lying to her parents. After she sent them to Australia and went off to spend the summer at The Burrow, she didn't talk to anyone out of shame that she could do something like that.
To distract herself, she sent the letter with Hedwig and decided to take a shower.
"I'm off to go and take my shower!" she yelled out.
Since Number 12 Grimauld Place was almost ancient, no one could use the sinks or toilets while anyone was taking a shower. Grimauld Place had another disadvantage. The doors didn't lock. This was the main reason Hermione told everyone when she took showers.
Hermione limped to the bathroom, shut the door and turned on the water to heat it up. She shimmied out of her clothes and was shocked yet again by the appearance of her leg. It looked burned, but when she touched it, it felt like smooth, normal skin. Not that she would touch it, as every time she did, her leg would feel like it was erupting in flames.
After she had finished her shower and clothed, she called Ron to help her down the stairs again. He let her lean on him as she winced down the stairs again.
"I'm done!" she proclaimed to Mr. and Mrs. Weasly. "Might I have my letter to Hogwarts?" she asked in a fake proper voice. She was feeling a lot better after her shower.
"Of course you may, Hermione," replied Mr. Weasley playing along.
Hermione squealed when she got the letter. She attempted to run but then fell down, pain causing tears to come to her eyes.
"Oh Hermione are you all right?" Mr. Weasley asked worriedly. "Here hold on." He picked her up to a standing position.
"Ugh. Yeah I'm fine. Sorry." She said hollowly.
She let Ron help her up the stairs, while clutching the letter.
"Thanks Ron," she said as he led her back to her room.
She sat on the couch staring at the letter wondering for the hundredth time whether or not she should go through with the plan. Now is not the time for second thoughts Hermione. She thought to herself. She ripped open the envelope and looked at the contents of the letter inside.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Minerva McGonagall
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you, of a small group, have been selected to come back to Hogwarts for your so called "eighth" year. NEWTs will be offered. We are well aware of your recently acquired injury; rest assured, the problem will be attended to. Please find an enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins August 31st. We await your owl no later than June 30th.
Yours sincerely,
BILIUS FLITWICK
Deputy Headmaster
Attached was another sheet of parchment reading:
Course Books
Eighth-year students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Advanced Book of Spells (Grade 7)
by Miranda Goshawk
An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
Advanced Potion Making for Experts
by Libatius Borage
Imaginary Numbers and Where to Find Them
by Erica Floca
UNIFORM
Eighth-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (ONLY dragon hide is accepted)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
One set dress robes
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
After reading the letter and the supplies list, Hermione was positively giddy with excitement. It was all she could do to not jump around the room shrieking for joy. Hmm… That's not like me! Wow I'm really going back to Hogwarts! I'm so glad they're taking care of my injury! I can't wait! I do have to remember to spy on the Slytherin. That'll be fun I'm sure.
After thinking all this very quickly, Hermione took a look at the clock and saw that it was already 7:00. Oh I should go down and eat dinner!
"Harry! Can you come help me down the stairs again?" she yelled after limping to the top of the stairs.
"Coming!"
She winced her way downstairs and took her seat at the dinner table.
"Sorry did you guys have to wait for me?" she asked as she saw that everyone was already sitting.
"Oh no dearie!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. "We can take you to Diagon Alley next week if you want." she said.
"No Mrs. Weasley, it's quite all right. I can go by myself tomorrow, really there's no need to come with me!"
"No, no Hermione dear, we wouldn't let you do that!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed horrified.
"No, really Mrs. Weasley, I want to think about some things while I'm there, if you know what I mean. If you could just let me use some Floo powder, that would be great." she said.
"Oh of course, dearie." she said with a knowing smile.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said with another smile.
"Oh, don't thank me darling! I'm not the one who's going to be spying in Hogwarts!"
"So shall we start dinner?" Ron asked impatiently eyeing the stew hungrily.
"Of course," said Mrs. Weasly with a smile.
Dinner was very delicious and it made Hermione feel even more at home than she already did. She wouldn't have insisted on going alone to Diagon Alley, but she knew Mr. and Mrs. Weasly would try to pay for her and right now, even though they only had two mouths, besides themselves, to feed (the former soon to be one) money was very tight right now. The value of the Galleon to the pound was going down significantly. Fortunately, Hermione's parents had all of their money in pounds and only a fraction of that money was turned into pounds.
After dinner Hermione helped clean up, got Bill to help her up the stairs then she changed into her pyjamas and settled down to read. She loved to read in candlelight. She thought it was very cozy. She took out her book, Pride and Prejudice, which she was reading for maybe the hundredth time. Briefly she wondered when she would meet her Mr. Darcy. Quickly she banished the thought from her mind. She believed that person would come into her life at exactly the right time. Anyway, she always believed that when she met her Mr. Darcy, it would be love at first sight. She knew that was slightly unrealistic, but then again, so was magic.
Hermione had just reached the part where Elizabeth found out Lydia was living with Mr. Wickham when she blew out all the candles, put away her book and got into bed. Thinking about Hogwarts, the classes, her parents, Ron and Harry and Diagon Alley, Hermione finally fell asleep.
To leave the tread of all time
and let it make a dark line
in hopes that I can still find
the way back to the moment
I took the turn and turned to
begin a new beginning
still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish
It's either this or that way
it's one way or the other
it should be one direction
it could be on reflection
the turn I have just taken
the turn that I was making
I might be just beginning
I might be near the end.
-- Anywhere Is, Enya
A/N So, I hope you liked it. If it wasn't exciting enough for you, I'm sorry, but there will be 1 or 2 more chapters before she even goes to Hogwarts! I plan to update every 2 weeks or so. Don't get mad if I'm late because I may well be! Please review! Constructive criticism is much appreciated! ~ the shattered star
2nd A/N Hi all, I just added the song. I'll be doing that for all the rest of the chapters, so be excited! I didn't change anything, and I'm not going to for a while. I'm only going to add the songs. I do not own Anywhere Is. It belongs exclusively to Enya.