A/N Chapter 7, here we are. I know Hermione spends a lot of time away from Hogwarts this year but I've added in a bit of contact between Hermione and McGonagall. People seemed eager for more so I thought I'd post today instead of waiting a few days. Reviews, please.__ __ __
The day of Bill and Fleur's wedding had arrived. Hermione wore a pretty pink dress which stopped partway down her calves. Despite Aunt Muriel's less than kind remarks, she thought she looked quite nice. Heading into the gazebo, she sat down next to Ginny. The ceremony was beautiful but it paled in comparison to the party afterwards. The decorations glowed and shimmered with light, bobbing around the dance floor and giving everything a soft golden sheen. People danced, drank and laughed together but Hermione hardly noticed any of it.
Professor McGonagall had arrived late to the party and she looked simply radiant, she was wearing simple green dress robes, only slightly different from her normal attire but the difference was enough to transform McGonagall and suddenly, Hermione was not the only one looking at her. The robes were lower cut than her work clothes, giving a hint of cleavage and there was a slit on the left of the robes which stopped just above her knee. She wore a delicate golden chain about her neck which ended in an emerald stone cut into an oval shape. Though her hair was still in a bun, it was threaded with what looked like glistening dew drops.
Looking away sharply, Hermione started to dance with one of Ron's distant relatives. That is until he tried to put his hands on her backside and she quickly left him alone on the dance floor.
"A wise decision," McGonagall said, her voice laced with humour. Hermione realised she had unconsciously sat down at the same table as the Professor. Hermione laughed, taking a sip of punch before putting it down quickly.
"Ugh! What is that?" she exclaimed, her face set in a grimace as the taste of the bizarre alcohol refused to fade from her tongue. Wordlessly, McGonagall passed Hermione her glass of Gillywater. She took it gratefully and was sure to sip from the same place McGonagall had. She handed the glass back, horrified with herself. She couldn't believe she actually thought about things like where to sip from! It was utterly ridiculous. But at least the taste was gone.
"Thanks," she said, smiling at the Professor. She smiled back and Hermione was momentarily lost in her green eyes, the necklace she was wearing matched them perfectly. Catching herself, Hermione looked away quickly, eyes finding Ron grooving his way around all of the pretty girls on the dance floor, most of whom politely rejected his advances.
Suddenly, Kingsley's Patronus appeared and boomed out a grave warning effectively breaking up the celebration. In a flurry of movement and panic, Ron, Hermione and Harry were in London, away from the Burrow and everyone else. They had little choice but to start their journey searching for Horcruxes then and there, they began camping in various places and had to keep moving all the time.
Hermione could hardly sleep, over and over she repeated the charms she had put in place around them, double and triple checking she had done everything right. She was so frightened, tension was running high between the three of them, food was short and the constant air of worry did nothing to help. Not to mention the Horcrux which was passed around the three of them, it became custom to pretty much ignore whoever was wearing it as any contact would end in arguments and probably tears.
One night, Hermione snuck out of the tent while Ron and Harry were sleeping. She sent an owl to Hogwarts, there was no letter, only the handkerchief that McGonagall had given her. She knew McGonagall would not be able to contact her but it had to be that way. She just wanted to let her know she was safe. She would send something else in a few weeks, she decided, but she didn't know what yet. She returned to her bed and slept better than she had in days, knowing that she was not quite lost from McGonagall yet.
The following days passed in a blur, everything was the same. Wake up early, pack up their belongings, Apparate to a random location, set up boundaries and unpack, eat whatever few ingredients they could find and go to bed.
When change finally occurred, Hermione did not welcome it. Ron's Apparation had not gone quite according to plan and a chunk of flesh had been torn from his arm. Hermione healed it as best she could, her hands were shaking so much she was surprised that she managed to have any effect at all.
Shortly after that, Ron left them. Hermione took as much time as she dared packing up the following day, giving Ron all the time she could to come back to them. She felt broken, like everyone she cared about was being stripped away from her. She still had Harry, but she had to wonder for how long. She knew he would never give up but what if a day came when he no longer wanted Hermione's company? When he felt that he had to continue alone (as he had said so often before). Then they could wait no longer. They left and Ron would not be able to find them again.
That night, Hermione sent another owl to McGonagall, she needed to. It was a short note that didn't say anything of any importance, she didn't even sign her name. But she knew McGonagall would easily recognise her handwriting after six years of essay marking.
I'm safe. I miss you.
X
She had considered crossing out the second sentence but two words seemed too little. She had considered writing 'I'm alright' but the words seemed insincere. She wished McGonagall could reply but she knew it was too dangerous, they mustn't be found. When she returned to the tent, Harry wordlessly handed her the Horcrux and she slipped it over her head. Immediately, she felt worse. Every worry she had increased tenfold, other things she had not even thought about sprang into her mind. She was safe, what if McGonagall wasn't? She had no way of knowing. That night, Hermione cried herself to sleep.
The monotony of travel, and the isolation, made Hermione feel like they had stepped out of time. She felt completely alone, they could be the only people left in the world and she would have no way of knowing. She was fast reaching breaking point, she realised she needed contact. She set up a very complex messaging system whereby McGonagall could reply to her next letter via a string of owls, the first was likely to be intercepted, maybe even have some form of tracing spell placed on it, but when the letter swapped owls, it would be in the clear. If not, they could always just make a quick escape. It was risky, almost too risky, but Hermione had to do it. She had to hear from her Professor.
I think it is safe for you to write to me just this once. Please write to me. I need to hear from you. We have lost one of our number, but I think you probably know that. Everything else is the same, I wish I could tell you more.
X
The letter didn't really say much of anything but Hermione was so scared of revealing too much to the wrong people. She knew she couldn't say anything else, she just hoped McGonagall would reply.
Three days later, Harry and Hermione were camping beside a river. It was late at night and Harry was asleep, the Horcrux around his neck, it was her turn to keep watch. She heard a rustle in the darkness, automatically her hand reached for her wand. The rustling louder as whatever the thing was grew nearer, Hermione lit her wand, squinting into the darkness. She saw a flash of white and her heart skipped, she swallowed, her throat dry.
The white appeared again and came closer, Hermione realised, with a huge sigh of relief, that it was an owl. She crept towards it, keeping an eye out for anything else that could be in the darkness and took the letter from the owl. She was so happy that she almost forgot to check the owl for magical interference. The feathers were unruffled, the owl had not been intercepted and there wasn't a single trace of magic on it. Hermione grinned and petted the owl for a moment before it flew away. Returning to her perch outside the tent, she opened the letter with trembling fingers.
I miss you, too. The situation here is getting worse, I'm glad you are not here to see it. I cannot say more for fear of repercussions.
It was a short note but the familiar cursive script made Hermione's heart soar. She grinned and read the letter several times over before she remembered she should be keeping watch. She folded the note and tucked it safely into a pocket on her shirt, close to her heart.
From then on, Hermione read the note every day before she went to bed. Even the Horcrux couldn't bring her as far down as she had been before. She didn't feel great, but the small comfort the note gave her was enough to keep her going. The parchment grew worn and the fold on it deepened from overuse. Eventually, Harry had to ask.
"Hermione, what are you reading?" he piped up suddenly after another insufficient meal. Hermione looked a little guilty but she was wearing the Horcrux so hopefully Harry wouldn't be too angry when she told him.
"McGonagall wrote to me, I'm sorry Harry but I needed to hear from her. I've been very careful and it's just this one letter. Please don't be angry," she said in a rush, looking at the ground and waiting for the explosion. Harry didn't reply for a few minutes, when she looked up he was staring at her, his forehead creased as he thought. He sighed.
"I know it's hard, being away from everyone, but you can't do it again," he said seriously, Hermione promised she wouldn't, thankful he wasn't too angry yet. "Why did you need to hear from her so desperately? What possible reason could you have for jeopardising everything we're doing?"
The second time Harry spoke, his voice was louder, anger starting to get the better of him. It was understandable, but Hermione still didn't welcome the emotion.
"I love her, Harry," Hermione breathed, her voice hardly audible. As soon as the words left her mouth she knew they were true. She spoke again and her voice gained gravity and volume, the conviction of her feelings giving her strength, "I love her. Sometimes I love her so much I think my heart's going to burst."
She bit her lip, looking pleadingly up at Harry, asking without words that he would accept her feelings. He nodded once, curtly, his face drawn in a frown.
"I can't pretend I'm not pissed off," he began and Hermione's heart sank, "But I've thought about writing to Ginny plenty of times," he admitted, his face breaking into a quick smile. He couldn't say any more on the subject, Hermione swore, again, that she wouldn't write to anyone at all and they said no more about it.
They were going back to Hogwarts! Hermione couldn't help the thrill of excitement that ran through her when she thought about it. She knew they were going for very serious reasons and she did take them seriously but… She would see McGonagall again. They arrived in Hogsmeade and, with Aberforth's help, made their way into the Room of Requirement. Hermione was shocked, there seemed to be some sort of vigilante group centred there, led by Neville! She felt a surge of pride for him, he had really come out of his shell but it seemed such a shame that he had to go through torture for it to happen.
Harry met Professor McGonagall in the Ravenclaw common room, one of the Carrow's had spat at her. Hermione felt hatred rise in her like venom, she wanted to hurt them. Hermione and Ron went back to the Chamber of Secrets where Ron performed an impressive piece of Parselmouth. They returned with as many Basilisk fangs as they could carry, Harry seemed quite impressed. Everything seemed to be going smoothly and then Ron said it.
"What about the house elves?"
Hermione felt such a surge of affection for him that she dropped everything she was holding and kissed him. He kissed her back with such a passion and desire that Hermione immediately realised her mistake. She pulled away and he grinned at her. She loved him, she did, but not like that. Never like that.
It later occurred to her that, had Ron pulled away, she would have fulfilled her vision in Divination all those years ago. But he had kissed her so there was no point in thinking on it now. Still, Hermione couldn't distract herself thinking about things like that when there was a battle to be fought. She knew Voldemort was coming and she needed to focus on that. Love (or lack thereof) could wait.
He had arrived and everything seemed a blur, fighting, running, screaming, people falling on all sides and no time to check whether they would ever get back up. Lupin and Tonks were gone, Fred was gone… It was too much to think about. And so Hermione shut off her brain, focussing only on what was happening. It seemed almost automatic, fighting. And if Hermione had been thinking, she would have realised how sad that was, how well she knew fighting. Then, Harry was gone. McGonagall screamed and she heard all of her feelings in the noise. Standing with Ron, she wept. Harry was gone. She didn't, wouldn't believe Voldemort's lies. Harry would never run from battle. She knew it, his words were poison.
And just when all their hopes were dashed against the rocks, Harry got up. Hermione's heart flipped, the battle seemed already to be won. The Death Eaters were stunned, she didn't think any of them would have helped Voldemort even if he'd asked them to.
It seemed to last only seconds, Harry was back and he had won. The celebration was somewhat stunted, Voldemort had been defeated before and he had returned. They knew it wouldn't happen this time but people seemed almost scared to cheer, as though they would jinx it. The Death Eaters fled. All except the Malfoy's who stayed, in their own little corner, the nomads of the victorious. Harry told everyone what had happened and they were allowed to stay, their recent actions the redeeming ones.
Through the crowds and the bodies Hermione wandered until she found her. McGonagall. She sat alone, on the Slytherin table, simply watching though her eyes were unfocused. Then she seemed to come to her senses and she looked around more sharply. She saw Hermione moving tentatively towards her and a small smile graced her lips. She stood up and held open her arms, inviting Hermione in. Beaming, Hermione ran the last few steps and hugged McGonagall.
It was at that moment that victory seemed to seep unanimously into the survivors. They began to talk loudly, laugh and cheer. They had won. The room became a hive of activity, moving the dead into lines was grim work but it had to be done. They would be buried the following day. They left the Great Hall for the dead and congregated in the Entrance Hall. It was then that the real celebrations began. People owled their friends and families, telling them the news. And just like seventeen years ago, fireworks ruled the skies.
The more serious business occurred the following day, a mass funeral for the war heroes took place in Hogsmeade before they were transported to their final resting places. Most returned home but a few remained to help rebuild the castle, teachers, Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys among them. It did not take long, success lifted everyone's spirits and made their toils light work.
The castle was fixed and Harry proposed to Ginny then and there. Mrs Weasley was hysterical, she hugged Harry for at least ten minutes. Ron took Hermione aside. She knew what was coming. Hopefully not a proposal but definitely a request for them to be together. She didn't know what she would say to him, she did not want to hurt his feelings when so many things had happened and were still so fresh.
"So, listen, Hermione, do you want to be my girlfriend?" Ron asked, quietly confident. Hermione sighed.
"No, Ron. I'm sorry. I love you but I love you like a brother, nothing else," Hermione replied. She couldn't find the energy to say more, to soften the blow. She felt it was best to be honest about these things.
"But.. You kissed me!" Ron said, temper rising with the shock of rejection. Hermione understood, she had left him a very confusing message.
"Yes, I know, Ron," she said patiently, "But I was just so happy that things were finally going our way. I'm sorry."
She left him there, under the shade of their beech tree, speechless and dejected. Anything else she might have said would have fallen on deaf ears. She would just have to hope that he forgave her sooner rather than later and that their friendship would not be too sorely damaged.
"How did he take it?" McGonagall asked, when Hermione returned to the castle. Hermione glanced over her shoulder, Ron was now sat under the tree, it looked like he would be there for some time. Hermione didn't ask how she knew what had happened.
"I'm not sure. Not too well but I think he'll be ok," Hermione replied sadly. She wished, for his sake, that she loved him like that but her heart followed one person and one person alone, the very person she was talking to at that precise moment.
There was no train to catch so everyone left in their own time. Hermione stayed for a couple more days, making sure everything was sorted before she too left. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick escorted her off the grounds so she could Apparate.
"Goodbye, dear," Professor Flitwick squeaked, "Will you be returning to us next year?"
"Yes, I think so, Professor," Hermione replied with a smile in his direction.
"Well, then," McGonagall replied, her voice brisk and businesslike, "We shall see you next September, Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded and smiled sadly, she hated the way McGonagall was talking to her, like they were mere acquaintances. Had McGonagall not sent her a letter saying she missed her? Had she not held her all night after Dumbledore's death? Hermione could not stay there a moment longer. She left the grounds and Apparated to an empty house where the Grangers had once lived.
Before they had set off on their journey for Horcruxes, Hermione had Obliviated her parents and sent them to Australia to keep them safe. She would go to them the next day. But right now she was tired, so tired in fact, that she barely managed to finish her meal (the first full meal she had had in a long time) before she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep.
The following day, Hermione made the journey to Australia to get her parents back. When they remembered her and she explained everything they were just pleased she was alright and quickly got over the fact that she had tampered with their memories. Still, sometimes Hermione would catch her parents eye and they would look at her with an almost vacant expression, like they were temporarily clouded and couldn't quite work out who she was. These moments only lasted a few seconds at a time but it still worried Hermione, she must have done something wrong.
She decided to ask the only person she could really rely on for help; Professor McGonagall. She wrote her a short letter, explaining as best she could about her worries and asking if she would kindly visit whenever it was convenient to her. McGonagall arrived at nine o'clock the following morning.
"Good morning, Hermione," she said pleasantly though her face was set in a concerned frown. Hermione invited her inside and led her to the living room where her parents were sat watching tv. McGonagall greeted them both.
"Professor McGonagall, Hermione has told us so much about you."
McGonagall smiled half-heartedly at Hugo, recalling the last time he had greeted her. In exactly the same way. Hermione sat in an armchair facing her parents, worrying her lower lip with her teeth. McGonagall excused herself and took Hermione outside to talk to her.
"I see what you mean," she said, her eyes shining with concern. "Most of the memories are there but…" she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I think I can help them."
Without another word, McGonagall and Hermione re-entered the living room. Hermione switched off the tv and sat down again, eager to see McGonagall work. She pulled put her wand and began muttering under her breath, Hermione couldn't hear what she was saying but she could feel powerful magic emanating from her in waves. When she finished the enchantment, her parents were asleep. McGonagall straightened up, slipping her wand into her robes. There was such an energy surrounding her Professor that Hermione could feel herself getting hot, it was so strong.
Clearing her throat, McGonagall made a rather abrupt exit. Hermione got the impression that the energy she was feeling had made her very restless. She wondered what she would do to dispense the excess of dynamism before grinning slightly, she could think of one or two things.
When her parents came to, their memories had completely returned. Although they couldn't remember McGonagall fixing them up. Hermione made a mental note to thank her when she next saw her, which would probably be back at Hogwarts in September.
