Anam Cara - - (Soul Mate)

Alternate Universe (AU) Does not follow established cannon.

Rated MA – mature audiences

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Chapter 4 – the trap is sprung

Mixed POV, but we'll start with Hermione

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Hermione spied on him from the corner of her eye, but didn't dare acknowledge his presence. After what she had been thinking a few minutes ago, combined with the fact that Ron was sitting very close – too close in fact – so close she could actually smell his natural musk – and that scent had set off alarm bells in the area of increased heart rate and pulse to the point that she didn't feel she could speak without embarrassing herself.

8

Five years of chasing Harry and the mere thought of him had never caused my arousal to stir like Ron could do so easily now. - - That only Ron could whip-up a girl … who had never before had any sexual thoughts, even when dating Viktor - - well … that unpleasant realization was another thing that worried me to no end.

I had been (more or less) asexual in outlook, before last summer, when I had appariated into the Burrow for Bill's wedding. – But considering my over-all life plan, my lack of interest in romantic entanglements made sense. Since then, however - something 'primeval' had awoken inside of me, something erotic … something … sexual. At one time, sitting close to Ron was a primary source of just comfort for me. - Now; sitting just a few inches away from him … his proximity alone, was causing my nipples to harden and a storm of butterflies to appear in my stomach.

Ron had turned his chair backwards, so that he straddled it, and rested his head on his arms, which were crossed on the back of the chair. He just kept staring at me silently.

The silence was becoming unbearable for me, and I felt this incredible need to fill it. "No," I said finally in a harsh whisper, though Ron hadn't even said anything to me yet.

"You don't even know why I'm here."

I glared at him. "It's obvious … you want to copy some homework."

"Oi … now that's, a funny thought!" - His indignant cry echoed in the library, earning him a stern look from Madam Prince. - He lowered his voice just above a whisper. "I don't sit classes anymore, oh high and mighty Head-Girl …meaning I don't need to seek-out your help for school subjects … that we no longer share."

"You can't blame me for assuming that's why you're here. - This is the library; you never venture into this- evil lair -unless you want some help with something … like potions", she said.

"May I remind you, I had to drop potions after the OWL's exams due to below average marks, that failure ended my Auror ambitions for good … and pushed me into becoming a tradesman? Only you and Harry are taking NEWT's classes this term. So on my honor … I swear …I'm not here about homework."

Now in a sour mood; Hermione put down her book and faced Ron, clearly skeptical. "All right then. - Forgive me for forgetting about your abysmal marks - - so enlighten me. Why are you here?"

A small gold medallion slid from Ron's hand, swinging from a small golden chain. He brought it closer so she could better see it. - The medallion swung back and forth, and Hermione's breath caught suddenly when she realized what it was.

My eyes widened in shock. Could it be that Ron was about to try (again) to win her affections by admitting again to feelings (out loud) … feelings of love that everyone one in the entire school knew about, but had not been verbalized since I had turned him down so brutally at the funeral? - Could this be the beginnings of a second shot at romance with my red-head in boxers? - - Was all the recent dreams and hot shower fantasies of the last fortnight … finally be coming true? - Was he really going to give me this medallion, this Celtic symbol of love?

"I need you to find out what this is for me," he declared in a casual manner.

My heart crashed. Of course, he wasn't going to give me the medallion. - How silly of me to think so. - All he wanted was information. - My throat constricted; as I fought fiercely to hide my huge disappointment. - - I refused to cry… I would not cry.

"Can you help me figure out what it is?" He repeated.

I barely gave the object another glance – For I knew if I did, I'd never be able to control my tears- so I responded blandly, "It's a Celtic Love Knot."

Ron held the object higher, to his eye level. "How could you tell that from just looking at it for three seconds?" His astonishment was clear.

"Honestly, Ron. They're all over the place. I'm surprised you've never seen one." Was he just being dense to torture me?

"Are you sure they're all over? - I mean this one looks really-really old. - It's made of metal not plastic, like the ones you see in the shops. - - Finally; it's decorated on both sides, unlike the ones you can buy and it's inscribed in some weird language on the back. - - Look again, please … just take another look … it's important."

Ron looked so earnest that I felt my resolve weakening. If he was doing this to give it to another girl, Hermione silently swore to her-self … I will hex his balls off until kingdom come.

"Oh, all right."

He gently placed the medallion in my palm and smiled extra warmly at me - "Thank-you, Hermione Jean."

I huffed as if annoyed, trying to show him that this interruption was bothersome and cutting into my studies, though his excitement was somewhat contagious … Damn him. - Turning the medallion over in my hand, I suddenly realized that Ron was correct - it wasn't just a regular Celtic Love Knot, like those sold in shops - it seemed fairly old. It was surprisingly warm to the touch, and light in weight. - - I tried reading the inscription on the back, but couldn't translate it straight off.

"Where did you find this?" I asked, my curiosity wining out.

"That's why this is so urgent … I found it the morning of the Hogwarts express, under Harry's_ bed."

"What? … Why didn't you show this to me earlier – on the train?"

"I was running late at the Burrow … as you well know! I stuffed it in my pocket and just remembered it was there."

"Ron! - You should have showed this to me – right from the off. What if it's some sort of dark magic? - What if, someone was trying to hex Harry with it?"

"Look, I'm sorry okay? - We don't know what it is yet, so can you just please spare me the usual lecture?"

"Fine!" - - I snorted in my usual irritated tone. If he didn't take Harry's safety seriously, at least I did. I'd find out what this was, if only for Harry's sake. Hermione then inspected the medallion closer. "It looks like the inscription is written in an ancient Celtic sub-tongue," I announced. "My Celtic is a little rusty."

Ron's mouth dropped open - - "Rusty?"

"I decided to teach myself a while back, but honestly, most libraries aren't equipped like Hogwarts', so I've not really kept up."

"You taught yourself?" Ron was incredulous.

"Yes. You know, for fun."

"For – FUN,?" a moment later Madam Prince shushed Ron sharply, for his loud outburst.

Exasperated, I sighed. "Yes, for fun. I'll be right back; I need a book from the languages section to help me with the translation."

The huge book I needed was on the top shelf, of course, and weighed about fifty pounds. It took all of my strength to get it down then drag it toward the table. Ron saw me struggle with the book, and jumped to his feet and rushed over … effortlessly taking it from me, and deposited on the table with a loud bang, earning him his third and final warning from a very annoyed Madam Prince.

"Why on earth didn't you just levitate that book? - It weighs a ton!"

"It got you to help me didn't it?" I said to my-self, but quickly shoved the thought aside. What was wrong with me? - - That had been a very girlish trick, something that brainless tart Lavender would employ. I was flirting and I couldn't go around thinking these kinds of thoughts about Ron. It would just break his heart in the end.

"It helps me stay fit," I replied instead.

"Maybe I should implement book lifting as a fitness requirement for the Quidditch team", he joked.

Hermione rolled her eyes until she realized he was actually serious. "For goodness sake; can't you think of anything other than Quidditch …for five minutes?"

"What_ and ruin my well earned reputation as- 'thick as a post' … No-way," he replied as a joke …using his trademark wit.

She huffed. "Men!,"

"Face it. A dimwitted sidekick to the -'boy who lived' -is how you always saw me … in fact; you wouldn't have me any other way… because in your mind, being a dolt makes me- safe", he said with yet another lopsided grin … the sight of which was (strangely enough) far more arousing, than it was annoying.

All he ever needed to do 'lately' was flash that boyish grin, and Hermione was rendered all-but helpless. This was a very recent development and very disturbing to say the least … for it was dramatically changing my personal dynamic with Ron. - The amount of *alone time* I had suffered through since Dumbledore's funeral had clearly affected me more than I had expected. After five years of Ron always at my elbow, his abrupt withdrawal (last year) had made me realize, his relative importance in my life, with just the sight of his lopsided grin, making me do pretty much … anything he ever asked.

Now he sat next to me in the library, (the evil lair) as an intense sexual heat began to burn hot within my dripping wet core, my nipples were hard as stone and I was so eager to taste his lips, I could almost feel the insides of his mouth. – Six plus years at Hogwarts without a single sexual thought and after Bill's wedding … an otherwise dormant volcano had fast-tracked toward eruption. But why Ron of all people … why had I never felt this way (aroused) by Harry or any of the Ravenclaw boys? - Years of obsession with Harry and my feelings for him had never turned sensual.

This was my territory (the library) I felt safe here_ and yet, erotic images filled every corner of my mind. I envisioned a repeat of a recent carnal fantasy of mine, about this place which ranked second (to the Quidditch locker room - shower) in the forbidden thoughts that now filled my nights … spilling over into the daytime. – These dreams involved a almost naked Ron (wearing those damn boxers) tried-down and spread-eagle – on top of my research table, way-back in the stacks … towering bookshelf's on all sides … and the air filled to overflowing with the smell of dusty tomes … with a tub of whipped cream in my hand … Oh- sweet Baby Maeve.

Hermione shook her head to clear it of erotic thoughts before saying: "I never actually called you dimwitted … Ronald Bilius _ and you're no more Harry's sidekick …than I am. I demand you stop putting yourself down this instant, I never found it funny … especially when your twin brothers did it to you. You can't play chess the way you do and be stupid – you're not fooling anyone …understand", I said extra harshly while clearing my throat and suppressing my surprisingly dirty mind. "I'll get started on this. Why don't you try to find any references to Celtic Love Knots while I translate?"

Ron sat there motionless … gob smacked at my speech and not knowing what to say, I had never before challenged the common consensus that he was nothing more than the trio's clown, just part of the servile entourage. Stunned beyond thought by my unexpected rant, he hesitated.

"What? …What's wrong?" I asked

"You put me down almost as often as the twins", Ron admitted softly (but not actually intending too) "I fully anticipated a lecture about wasting your time on unimportant rubbish, followed by an abrupt dismissal. - You really don't think I'm smart enough … to help you do research. - I had expected to leave this with you, as I have done countless times in the past _and get in some practice time on the pitch." He said with unusual candor. At least Ron had the decency to look slightly abashed.

"You weren't really expecting me to do all this research on my own, were you?"

"Well, you're so much better at everything bookish - than I am", he replied.

"Ron! I can't believe you! - I happen to have other things I need to focus on, and don't have time to research your every whim!"

"It's_ NOT _a whim!" - The vehemence in his voice startled me, and scared me a bit as well. When Ron decided he was passionate about something, no one could convince him otherwise. - It was a formidable thing to see and yet, the intensity was both frightening as it was exciting, although not in a bad way. - - No, when Ron was passionate, - its effects on me was strong and the frightening part came from the realization of the fact that I could really lose my-self and my heart in the intensity of his passion, and worse … I wasn't sure if I could avoid coming out again unscathed … or if I really wanted too

"You don't need to yell," I informed him as I internally fought down my own ... unexpected desires.

"I apologize; truly I do." And he really did seem sorry. - "Look; command me … I'll do whatever you want to get this done. – While you focus on the translation, I'll go and find stuff on Love Knots, okay?"

Nodding, I turned back to the heavy Celtic book and began working, while part of me … a rapidly growing part, desperately wanted to 'Command' him. Ron meanwhile; made his way deeper into the - evil lair. – And it was an hour later, as I was finishing up the last of the translations, when Ron plopped back down in the seat beside me.

"I think … I've got it!" he announced. This time, he gently placed the book onto the table, and cast a furtive glance towards Madam Prince's empty desk. Hermione suspected he was afraid she'd expel him from the library. "I've got it," he repeated, his voice even lower.

I tried not to laugh. Hermione had never expected to see Ron reading a book called 'Love Magic'; it seemed more suited to the likes of Lavender or Parvati. He flipped the pages, quietly mumbling to himself, a trait Hermione sometimes found endearing, and at other times annoying. Sometimes he would mumble when concentrating, and it often drove me mad. But for some reason, I thought it rather cute today.

"All right, then. What have you found?"

"This." He pointed to a spot on the very faded and dusty page. Hermione automatically breathed in the scent; it was one of her favorites.

"Oi; are you actually smelling the book?" Ron asked disbelievingly.

A fierce blush flamed my cheeks. - "Never mind, - Please show me what you've found."

"It's something called 'Anam Cara'." Ron declared proudly.

"'Anam Cara'? - that translates into 'Soul Mate'."

"Yeah - - How did you know?" - Ron shook his head, and raised his hands in surrender. "You know what? - Don't tell me. You probably read about it. You know, for - fun."

His little barb hurt a little, but I tried not to let it bother me …too much. He teased me like that quite often, so I should be used to it by now. But I wasn't, though. - "Are you through insulting me?" It came out harsher than I expected.

"Oi … sorry again; I was just kidding. Why are you acting so strange … today?"

"No reason. Look, please … just continue." The subject was closed. I certainly didn't want Ron to know why it hurt so much when he said things like that. - That would be admitting something I wasn't at all ready to admit - - not yet anyway. - - Meanwhile Ron was looking at me dubiously, probably wondering if I was going through a PMS mood swing or something of the like. "Please. Continue," I prodded.

"Okay. Well, according to this, the- Anam Cara -spell is very ancient, and very powerful. There isn't that much information because it's quite rare. - Legend says that Aengus, the Celtic God of Love, created the Anam Cara to help mortal lovers find their one true soul mate, much like he found the Goddess Caer - and to bind their souls forever the way the Gods had intended at the beginning of time."

"Aengus created a medallion, one that could be touched and had very special powers. - Once activated by reading a special (unknown) incantation, the medallion would then search out that person's soul mate and bring them together like a magnet's pull to iron ...if they are nearby. - - Legend also says that Aengus made ruddy-sure that it would_ only work _for true … 'soul mates'. For when two people are brought together who are- NOT -fated to be together, the medallion does absobloodylutely_ nothing. There is no irresistible pull toward your other half".

"That's the down side – the good side is - if the medallion is placed anywhere in close proximity to two fated lovers it will glow like crazy. The medallion seeks out soul mates and brings them together (which is really neat). Folk-lore isn't sure why the medallion appears to certain people but not others. Those couples chosen by the medallion would eventually be bound to each other in every way, sharing everything, and in some extreme cases … even sharing their magic."

Hermione absorbed the information hungrily. - It was quite interesting, but one thing nagged at her. "You know, this is pretty innocuous. Why in the world would this book be in the Restricted Section?"

"I think I know," Ron volunteered with a grin. He read a passage from the book, "'One of the eventual binding's more visible side-effects … is a ten-fold increase in the sexual appetite and attraction for their Anam Cara partner. - The attraction is powerful and so strong, it's virtually undeniable. Each coupling feels like the first time to the chosen lovers, with the hunger for physical intimacy never fading".

"Oh my," Hermione said and could feel herself flush. "Well, this legend had to be rubbish then. Only a fairy tale would speak of undeniable sexual attractions? - It seemed quite similar to some of the romance novels Lavender had lying around - and those were definitely fantasy".

"You don't suppose someone was trying to get Harry to deliberately find this, do you - - to flush out his soul mate? - - What if, someone wanted to use whoever she is - to trap him?" Ron said in a deeply worried tone.

"Honestly, Ron. You don't believe a little piece of metal can find a person's soul mate and bind them, do you?" - I replied skeptically

"First-off; - It says so right here!" Ron snarled while pointing at the book, - "and secondly; at age ten, did you believe magic was even remotely REAL"

"Good point actually". Hermione conceded reluctantly. "I'm admittedly a cynic, and an overboard critic of - all - obscure folk-lore…and don't even get me started on Luna's nonexistent creatures. Like I said - I'm a skeptic … nothing new there. But without multiple cross references and documented supportive evidence – the Anam Cara legend becomes more of a rumored- 'tall-tale' -than fact. Like I said; this whole thing sounds like something flighty little girls thought up to spice up their romantic novels."

Ron huffed in frustration.

"There's no such thing as a permanent 'romantic' binding spell where the two involved never take each other for granted. – there is only so many ways to have sex before the novelty of lovemaking with one partner wears off … the eventuality of carnal boredom is why so many married people cheat … I know that for a fact. Therefore, logically … this never get tired of a partner sexually myth, falls under the category of fairy tale!" I insisted.

He didn't seem to be fazed at all, by her answer. "Alright then, on the assumption that this isn't the genuine article, created by a god and therefore didn't magically appear on its own … then as an alternative, is it not equally possible, that it could have been planted as an- artificially enchanted object -and placed under Harry's bed deliberately".

"Deliberately", Hermione repeated as her eyes went wide

"As you might recall that there was a real Nutter a few years back, who tried to feed Harry a love potion in candy - but 'caught me up' instead. - In fact I know of a pair of pranksters who would 'just-love' to see Harry make a royal fool of him-self over some girl… especially in public - - If we were to adopt the artificially enchanted_ plot _theory, then whoever made the medallion – also had access to my old bedroom to plant it under Harry's bed", Ron rambled on acting every inch a detective.

"If this was; on the other hand, an outside job … at the top of the queue; are all the guests that attended Fleur's and Bill's wedding", Ron said sternly. "If one of them is the culprit behind planting this, then we have no way to prove guilt …because during the reception there were all kinds of relatives going in and out of the Burrow.

"I'm not buying into your theory that this was planted during the wedding …Ronald", I retorted instantly going into argument mode. "But …for the sake of this discussion and considering the number of Delacour's and family friends of the Weasley's at the wedding, I have to agree with you that the sheer number of suspects, makes finding who did this nearly impossible. - - Besides … a stranger would have no idea which bed Harry slept in. As the god theory is obviously rubbish; I have to concede that it is far more likely that this medallion is a - artificially enchanted object – was an inside job planted under Harry's bed as (perhaps) a bad prank".

"If this is an insider prank as you suggest", Ron countered. – "Then our first suspects are obvious …The twins".

"Fred and George aren't the only ones at the Burrow who would be deeply concerned if Harry became serious about your sister", I replied

"True enough … but a prank isn't how my parents would show their displeasure", Ron replied. "Charlie didn't stay around long enough to notice how Ginny threw herself at Harry … post wedding. So that leaves by default; only two girls with motivation and means … that were at the Burrow during the time frame required to plant this_ and they are both clever enough to pull off something like this … better than that …they both fancy Harry like mad". –

"Don t be ridiculous, Ronald", I snorted.

"If the twins aren't behind this then Ginny is suspect number one; a gifted prankster in her own right (second only to the twins) she could have easily transfigured some bit of really old scrap mental from my dad's shed into this medallion and planted this under Harry's bed … just to see his reaction. Ginny's been dropping, 'come-hither looks', in his direction since the wedding and lord knows she has the anatomical bait to catch something. Her figure these days is far better rounded than the top heavy Cho's was - - yeah, an erotic prank would be Ginny's maneuver".

"Not … Ginny, she doesn't know to make a spell this complex", I countered

"The other alternative is- you … of course – using the intellectual approach to prompt a reaction. He'd naturally come to you to translate the inscription and that would open the door to a discussion on romantic attraction – which could potentially lead to …" Ron declared while unable to verbalize his conclusion – not while looking at her as the prime suspect.

"Don't be silly, I don't use trickery or a lame medallion to get a man's attention. I've always been above-board and straight forward on romantic issues".

"Yeah-yeah … you don't do romance ...but your use of feminine wiles on him; so far - has sucked_ and you do still fancy him a-lot …and desperate times require desperate measures. – You saw the short lived Ginny/Harry thingy from last term and although it ended at the funeral. - That it happened at all must have been worrisome. - What happened at the wedding and after … the bikini incident might have made you desperate enough to try something this obscure. - This will be our last year at Hogwarts together before Harry spends two years of near total isolation at the Auror Academy. So if you're going to 'get him' as a boyfriend … before he goes, then time is running out", Ron stated as a matter of unquestionable fact.

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**Although she continued to listen to Ron ramble on… part of her mind went off on a tangent to consider more deeply Ron's planted theory.

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… these kinds of assumptions didn't really sit well with Hermione … especially on the rare occasion where Ron was spot-on in most (but not all) of his deductions. Harry was an attractive bloke and all - and she had admittedly; semi-chased after him (with too much subtlety, apparently) for five plus years with nothing to show for it.

Ginny 'on the other hand' – after a dramatic growth spurt – now processed better curves than Cho did in her prime and due to that anatomical trump-card, Harry began taking obvious notice of this accelerated 'development' especially after the wedding, which was coincidentally the same timeframe when I most noticeably lost ground to my Burrow competition … it was perfectly feasible that an impatient Ginny would use a magical method to determine whether or not; Harry was serious about anyone at the Burrow.

It was equally obvious; why Ron suspected me. He would think it an act of desperation, to get back the boy that Ginny was so clearly stealing from me. - - - I imagined that my knowledge of obscure magic did indeed make me a prime suspect, for I did have both motive and opportunity.

I was painfully aware of how Ron felt about me, since fourth year actually (thanks in no small part to Patil and Brown) I knew that poor lovesick Ron had always worried about me hooking up with Harry, and it might have happened … but now if the – 'truth-was-told' - Ginny actually had a better shot at him. Ron really shouldn't worry so much about me and Harry… not anymore.

For starters, Harry had made it repeatedly clear during - numerous private conversations (over the last three years) - that he had zero romantic interest in me, as in: 'no way' … 'nada' … 'ain't going to happen – like ever! - After finally processing this- NO -answer, after catching Harry snogging Ginny's brains out, far too many times to count during sixth year … well anyway, I had been forced to accept losing Potter to another girl …which was harder for the ever so brilliant Hermione Granger to do, than you might think (I never gave up easily on anything important).

Dumbledore funeral had ended more than the life of a great man. Harry had broken-up with Ginny and I had crushed Ron hopes to be with me … romantically. I think that Harry had regretted breaking up with Ginny almost immediately, so hooking up with her again, after the wedding had been as easily predictable as Ginny aggressive second go at him".

For the longest time, I had no plans to connect with Ron, as anything more than close friends. The reason for this was obvious and as I stated before, during my nearly eighteen years of life – I had never had a single sexual thought. - In reluctantly accepting defeat in wooing Harry, I had decided to forgo any hope of finding love, and spend the rest of my life as asexual career girl, for after losing Harry; I acknowledged that my life companion would consist of a series of cats.

Destiny however had other plans for me

So after spending some time thinking on this medallion issue from all sides _ I had come to painful realization that Ron theory of an enchanted object intended to entrap Harry was not as farfetched as I first thought. - I discounted the idea of an inside job, done by someone like the twins or Ginny … preferring instead to limit my suspect list to one or more of the numerous quests than attended Bill's wedding.

With my own ambitions for Harry now in ruins I could finally looking at the_ 'boy who lived' _with somewhat detached objectivity. - Harry was; admittedly - a skinny little runt (I had been actually stunned to finally realize this) that even in flat shoes, I literally towered over Harry - - especially in compassion to the more manly shaped (nicely muscled) and taller; Ronald Bilius - Secondly; Harry didn't have red hair … and finally he didn't cause almost daily amounts emotional turmoil to explode inside my head and heart - running the gambit of arousal to annoyance - driving me to the point of madness several times a day - in the way Ron did.

I easily dominated the overly kind Hufflepuff's – Slytherin's would never waste their seed on a Mudblood like me_ and Ravenclaw males were the most unthinkable … for living with one would be a never-ending argument over who was right and at some point both sides would just stop listening to the other. I had endured long drawn out arguments with Ron since as long as I had know him and not even once had he- not –(ever so carefully) listened to everything I said. No-one else did that, with Harry being the quickest to- 'tune me out'.

In Fact: Harry and I had never gotten into a real argument … not once in six plus years. It was always a flat yes or a blunt no, with zero 'give and take' - no discussion what so ever and that's not remotely normal, for a couple that's dating. Ron and I disagreed often over all kinds of things, but he always listened to my arguments on an issue – at least closely enough; at times, to win him over. The big question now was …why were these kinds of thoughts dominating my mind since the beginning of term.

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** having made-up my mind I rejoined the discussion.

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"I really don't think Ginny is behind this", I said firmly.

"I'll happily concede that point, as just the possibility of Ginny using trickery to get Harry doesn't sit well with me. But with Ginny off the suspect list, have you reconsidered my outsider theory; that this 'device' like a magical time bomb - could have been planted (by one of your Gryffindor enemies) to discredit you in Harry's eyes? - - He's not the type of bloke who would like being tricked into a relationship or worst yet _ marriage … and there's a-load of people who still think you would do almost *anything* to become Harry's fiancée". Ron said with blunt honesty and then watched as Hermione's eyes go wide in horror of that possibility.

"That's ridiculous", I declared nervously.

"Is it?" – He countered, "what if the medallion enchantment was crafted to remain inactive, until it is triggered remotely, like during the train ride to Hogwarts?"

"Don't you go paranoid on me Ronald Bilius", Hermione hissed in warning.

"Constant Vigilance, Ms. Ganger … as Mad-eye would say" – Ron replied drolly. "I for one won't let my guard down until- Tommie Riddle -is dead. Think what you will, but I think it best for me to hold on to this little mystery – keeping it safe in my trunk, up in the- 'Head Suite' –and as far as possible away from Harry.

"But what if it goes off on you?" I asked

"I have had the medallion in my pocket for day's now_ and it hasn't gone off … yet", Ron countered. "There is some magic in it, I can sense it. - Maybe it's a badly done joke, or a magical dud. - But considering how much it resembles the legendary Anam Cara – a magical compulsion spell at its core … a trap is at bare minimum, a possibility. - - Luckily; there isn't a single bird at Hogwarts that fancies me …even remotely - and Lavender doesn't count … so don't bring up that mistake", Ron said; thus cutting off, any counter argument that I might have brought up (darn it). –

"So if the medallion_ 'goes off' _on me, like Romilda Vane candy did … no-real harm can happen to anyone important. - I wouldn't want Harry to accidentally find himself in love with a Slytherin … would you?"

"Ron, don't be silly."

"Humor me, please – better safe than sorry. So what about you? - Any luck with the translation – an accurate use of the Celtic might indicate that there is a Ravenclaw mind behind this ruse and that could provide a clue as to who made this thing"? - He asked, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Yes, I'm just about finished," I replied, and turned back to the parchment, trying to ignore the fact that Ron seemed to be taking this legend thing with a little too much paranoiac enthusiasm. I scribbled the last few words of the translation, and finished with a triumphant flourish. "There!"

"Let me see." Ron grabbed the parchment and unintentionally holding it up over the medallion.

"Ron! - The ink's still wet!"- Hermione said trying to pull the parchment back. - Their two hands connected by paper 'over' the medallion

"Its fine". Ron said aloud, concentrating hard. "Let's see": - - **'my heart reaches out, deeply longing to heal the separation, to be in total union with you again - Yet I know and painfully so, I must await divine timing. The day will come - when our hearts will be as one … in the prefect union of body, mind and soul … with our special Tantric magic combining, to do truly wondrous things. And thus we shall remain – united – in this life and the next … forever more'. - -

"It's a poem?" - He asked."

"Essentially, yes." But Ron seemed disappointed and I didn't understand why. It was a rather lovely poem. Ron let the parchment fall back onto the table, covering the medallion, and then ran his hand through his hair uncomfortably.

"All that for a bloody poem,"

"What did you expect; a complex magical incantation to trigger the affect? - I told you it was a silly legend."

Neither of them noticed the medallion glowing like crazy under the parchment.

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