AN: Hello again everyone! Thank you for your patience and I apologise profusely for not updating in time.
Fair warning: It's going to be like this constantly.
I do not know how long this story is going to be. How this story came to be, also I don't know. Do I have anything planned out? Other than the pairings and basic storyline no, I do not.
Thank you to my followers, all those who have taken the effort to comment and those who have clicked the favourite button for either the story or me!
Disclaimer (this will be very irregular, but you know I mean no harm) : everything recognisable belongs to the almighty J. !
I'll end this here and let you carry on!
Love, luck and light!
Chapter 7 – Light at the end of the tunnel
The next morning came far too early for everybody. It was no surprise that only Hermione seemed already lost in her world of books and knowledge far earlier than anyone else.
"Good morning 'Mione." Ron mumbled as he made his way to her, giving an awkward one-arm side hug.
"Good morning Ron. You should really attempt to wake up earlier, it'll help you."
"Yes, Mum!"
Deeming a response unnecessary, Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her reading as Ron made his way to the kitchens, his rumbling stomach being heard clearly by everyone.
"Morning, Weasley." Draco mumbled, trying to start the day on a positive note.
"Sod off Ferret" Ron grumbled, hitting his shoulder as they passed on the way to the kitchen.
Draco huffed, 'he's going to be hard to break' he thought.
"Hermione, you in here?" Draco chuckled at his own question. Of course she would be in the library.
"Hey Draco" Harry answered, "She's just gone to her room to get some more parchment."
Draco merely nodded, still getting used to this jovial side of Harry.
"How's the reading progressing?" Draco asked as he picked up his book from last night, flipping to the page which he had left marked to carry on reading from.
"I just came in. I'm looking for the passage I told 'Mione about last night, the one about destroying the Horcruxes. But the only thing that I'm having difficulty comprehending is how a person can be a Horcrux? I mean, I've figured out how they are made and what they can be, and even how the object can be destroyed, but so far, all I've come with for human, is if they're killed. Now that isn't a very pleasant thought."
Harry flushed. He didn't realise that it was Draco he blurted everything out to.
Draco was observing Harry carefully, taking in every word he said, seeing the worry on his face. He stood up slowly, and made his way to where Harry was sitting. Hesitating just for a moment, he placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"You may not believe me when I say this, but we all are very thankful for you and will do every shit possible to prevent any harm befalling you. I promise Harry, I will work day and night to figure this out."
Harry was awestruck. He had never imagined Draco to be so kind. He turned to face Draco and smiled, a genuine, face-splitting smile, conveying all his emotions in that simple gesture. He was rewarded by an awkward yet equally genuine smile from Draco, confirming that he understood all that wasn't said.
Neither noticed Hermione standing at the entrance of the library, seeing the entire exchange.
As Draco made his way back to his seat, Hermione walked in, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
"Hermione, if you smile any wider, the skin around your lips will start to rip, you'll look like the Joker." Harry mocked
To this Hermione just laughed. "Look who's talking."
"You heard everything." Draco stated
"Maybe" Hermione shrugged and bent down to pick up another book as she made her way to the only desk available.
"'Mione, look at this. This is what I wanted to show you last night."
(Refer Chapter 6 – Destroying a horcrux requires…)
"I read something similar to this too. But it's talking about an object or artefact. How do we remove it from you?"
Hermione looked dejectedly at Harry. She wanted so desperately to help him she really did, but couldn't find anything to help them yet.
In Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts
"Albus, please be reasonable, these are children, they are not taught all this. They shouldn't be dragged into this at all."
"I know Minerva, and I'm putting all that I have into preventing the confrontation, but HE has affected all of us so immensely, it is proving to be more difficult than I initially imagined."
Both professors were fretting over the lives of the children they had so far kept unharmed.
"We must talk to Severus; there's been no news from him since we moved the children."
Dumbledore merely nodded. He was thinking the same. Snape would be able to enlighten them somewhat.
Snape entered the office looking sombre.
"Severus, is there anything new that you can tell us?"
"Unfortunately Albus, I do not. HE has become wary of all of us. Trusts no-one, says nothing, and remains constantly in an agitated state."
Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling mildly, seemingly caught on to something the other 2 missed.
"He's being affected by the lack of power in the part of his soul that he still has left in himself." Dumbledore explained. "You see Severus, we've managed to destroy all the inanimate artefacts thankfully, and the only one remaining is that which is in Harry. That is proving to be difficult. Till date I have not come across any human, muggle or magical, being used as a Horcrux."
"Albus, would a potion work?" Snape pondered "As you've just said there hasn't been in any case in the history of magical and muggle kind, wherein a horcrux is animate, but what if like spells, curses or hexes, potions are tweeked to mimic or even remove the effects of the horcrux without making it noticeable that the change has occurred."
"Severus…" McGonagall began, "research this, it may work. Meanwhile I'll keep looking into what spells I can conjure up. We may also be able to incorporate the two things to get the required effect."
Dumbledore was amused at the banter. He loved it when the teachers became the students. It was the boon of the vastness of information that one could gather.
At the Safe-house Library
Snape sauntered in without a sound. Scanning the heads, he quickly found his godson immersed in a tome.
Clearing his throat, he attracted everyone's attention.
Hermione though, still remained unaware of the interruption.
"Miss Granger, could I have you attention?" Snape drawled.
Startled, Hermione jumped and dropped her book with a loud thud. The others remained impassive, accustomed to her inattentiveness of the world around her.
"Professor Snape, I apologise for not noticing you." Hermione stuttered.
With a slight quirk of his eyebrow, Snape chose to ignore her apology. "Draco, I have come to take you with me for a few hours. Your friends, Mr Nott and Mr Zabini will also be joining us."
Malfoy merely nodded. He knew it would only be a matter of time before he was told to leave and go back to the ranks he was destined to serve. "May I ask where we are going sir?"
"To your parents. They have been informed of your decision, and while your mother has taken it all in her stride, your father needed convincing. All they wish to know is that you are happy and safe."
Again, Malfoy just nodded. "I'll see you in a few hours" He announced to the rest of the room, looking only at Hermione.
She gave him a small reassuring smile. He returned a tentative one.
Striding out of the library with as much poise he could possess, "Where will Blaise and Theo join us?"
"They are waiting for us in the main hall."
Satisfied with his answer, they made their way to the hall in companionable yet tense silence. Neither of them were sure of what exactly the reactions if the parents will be.
On entering the main hall, "Each of your parents has been informed of the circumstances. You will have 2 hours with them. All of them are waiting for you at Zabini Manor. It was the safest place we could find at such short notice."
Again the boys just nodded along.
Snape felt guilty for putting them in such a situation. Uncharacteristically, he placed a reassuring hand on each of their shoulders.
If they were surprised by this gesture, they didn't show it.
"Minerva and I will be with you the entire time. She's there with your parents as we speak."
After another moment of tense silence, they held onto each other, ready to apparate out of the safe-house.
Hermione couldn't concentrate after they left.
Seeing her apprehension, Harry made his way to her. Silently giving her a hand to stand, he led her out of the library.
She gave a grateful smile and let herself be led to wherever he was taking her.
They ended up in the enclosed garden at the back of the property, where they found Tonks and Lupin duelling. Conjuring up two chairs from the spare planks of wood lying around, they sat to watch the two adults at work.
"Thank you Harry."
"Don't mention it. It's literally the least I can do for you."
They lapsed in to a companion silence for a while, both seemingly content with their own thoughts.
"Harry, would like some lemonade? I'm going to get some."
"You know Hermione, we have elves here, and as much as I know you loathe the idea of them working for you, you need to know that that's something they enjoy and love like you love your books and knowledge."
Hermione was dumbstruck.
Seeing the expression on her face, Harry smiled smugly. "This is the first time I have ever rendered you speechless Miss Granger. Make sure I don't get used to it, would you?"
This broke Hermione out of her reverie and she let out a large hearty laugh. This attracted the attention of the duelling adults.
As they made their way to Harry and Hermione, Harry called out to Dobby to get them some lemonade and possibly some finger sandwiches.
By the time Tonks and Lupin reached them, two chairs and a table full of snacks were waiting for them.
"Thank you Harry, that was thoughtful of you." Tonks appreciated him.
"Hermione's idea, I just executed it." Harry confessed.
"All the same, thank you both." Lupin smiled back at the two.
They ate and drank in ease, accompanied by mild banter.
"Professor Lupin…" Hermione began
"I'm no longer your professor Hermione, you can call me Remus."
"I would be uncomfortable doing that sir."
"Okay then, Professor Lupin it is, ask away." Lupin conceded
Hermione blushed slightly but regained her composure fairly quickly.
"Would be required to brush up on our duelling techniques, and if so, when should we start?"
"Hermione," This time it was Tonks that answered, "We've been informed by Professor Dumbledore that unless and until the circumstances arise, you all are just kids being kept here for nothing more than to enjoy your summer and brush up on whatever you wish to do during your time."
"Except for….the situation with Harry, for lack of a better term, you all should enjoy yourselves." Remus concluded
"So you're saying that all the elders that aren't staying here are working in removing that thing from me?"
Tonks nodded enthusiastically. "Minerva and Severus have seemed to find something worth looking into and should have an answer for us in a short time. But both of them have said to not get your hopes up too early on in the process."
Harry sank back into his chair, seemingly unaware that he had leaned forward while Tonks was speaking, and let out a breath.
"Thank you Tonks, that's reassuring." Hermione said "There is always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long the tunnel may be."
Lupin looked at Hermione questioningly "Is that a muggle saying?"
"Yes, basically meaning that one must stay positive and hold onto whatever ray of hope they get."
"You're right Hermione." With that Tonks stood up "Well guys, excuse me, duelling has tired me out, I'm going to take a bath. See you later."
"Wait up, even I want a shower, I'll walk with you." Remus turned slightly, winking at Harry and made to follow Tonks.
"I don't think I wanted to know what Remus has in mind" Harry grumbled.
"Hahahahahaha, please Harry, you can just see how lovely they are for each other." Hermione laughed.
"They are great but I don't want to think of what they do in their rooms." He grimaced.
Laughing again, Hermione stood up. "Well now that there's a miniscule less threat to your life, I think I'll take a nice soak in the tub too, read something other than historical tomes."
"Who are you and what have you done to Hermione?" Harry mocked her.
Simply rolling her eyes, Hermione hugged Harry and made her way to her room, leaving Harry in the garden.
