Chapter 7- Research

As soon as I woke up the next morning I got a long bath. I could already tell it would be a long and stressing day. Harry and I had our session with Healer Abbott tomorrow evening as well, so that would hopefully give us some answers.

I slipped off my nightgown and undergarments, laying them next to the extra-large tub. I locked the door. I didn't want to go through an embarrassing ordeal of Harry walking in on me. I sighed as the warm water washed over my body and settled just around my neck. I preferred baths to showers when I wasn't on a time frame. Bathing this way seemed more relaxing to me.

I was about to grab for my shampoo when that strange tingling sensation rushed up my spine. I gripped the edge of the tub as pain shot through my system mercilessly.


"Crucio."

Screams were ripped from Helga's mouth and the pain was suddenly gone, only a second after appearing.

"Dear Merlin, what is that?" Godric breathed lowering his wand and helping Helga to her feet. Tears were streaming down her face and she shook from the left over effects.

"Pain. So much pain, Godric… where did you find something so evil?" Helga breathed fearing his answer.

Godric sighed and pulled Helga against him, "Salazar's notes. His son is older now and like his father in every way. I fear Salazar death only delayed this madness. Blood Purity. I fear it'll never end now that it's been started."

Helga wiped her tears away and closed her eyes against eh fear settling in her stomach. Godric didn't know it yet, but she was with child. His child and it would be raised in hatred like this?

Godric was silent for a long time, pondering the spell he'd just uttered on his wife. Guilt spun in his stomach, but he had no way of knowing what it would do, only that it wouldn't kill her. Godric made his decision to practice on animals instead of his wife. She shouldn't go through this, not for him and not for anything.

"Godric, I think you're right. Salazar's son is too bright. Clever as well. And sometimes when he's in class I see this look in his eyes. It's not meant to be in a seventeen year old boy. His brothers aren't really any better, just younger."

Godric closed his eyes. "Well fight it when the time comes. I fear there's nothing else we can do. I thought foolishly that it would all end with Salazar. You were right when you said I didn't think things through. Not that I would have had the heart to kill off children."

"I should hope not."

Helga couldn't tell him now. She was tired and hurting all over. All she wanted was her family safe and somehow she doubted it would ever come to be. Certainly not in her lifetime.


My limbs jerked and I forced myself out from underneath the water. Pain was bursting in my chest, and I couldn't get a breath in fast enough. My body shook with the aftershocks of the torture curse, something I thought I would never feel. My throat felt sore and I hoped I hadn't been screaming. It truly hadn't hurt that badly, as Godric hadn't the hatred required to fuel the curse, but the surprise of it really through me off. Of all the things to see from the past. I felt stupid in thinking that Godric had been smart to kill Salazar, but in reality he'd probably kicked all this stuff about Blood Purity into motion. Unintentionally.

I took in deep breaths, feeling weak. I flexed my fingers because they were sore from gripping the tub. Could I not even bathe without worrying about my safety? My body ached with every movement, but I couldn't stay in the tub all day, though it was very tempting. I dressed in fifteen minutes, carefully not rushing, to keep my movements' small and few. How could a curse hurt so much?

I pulled open the door to my room, spelling my hair dry. I wondered if Harry would notice that I was hurt. From the Oath of course. Harry knocked on my door, sounding calm enough, so I assumed he hadn't felt anything. That was a huge relief. It was bad enough for me to go through it, but Harry as well. There was no telling how many times he endured it. I shuddered at the thought and then wished I hadn't as pain shot through me. How long would this last?

Harry came in without waiting for me to answer the door and took a long look at me.

"Come on." He said and held my hand gently. The pain flared again, duller but still there. Harry didn't seem to notice and walked me to the door at a slow pace. What was he doing?

He didn't seem to be in the mood to talk so I didn't ask, wary of his anger. There was no denying his angry. I could see the clenched jaw and stiff shoulders, though his hand touching mine stay gentle. I concentrated of ignoring the pain, but a spasm in my back knocked me to my knees. Harry said nothing and just helped me back to my feet. My brain felt hazy and all I could feel was Harry's hand in mine, and the pain, of course.

We were going to the infirmary, I realized once Harry and I came to the big double doors. He called for Madam Pomfrey calmly setting me on an empty bed next to her office.

"Harry what-

He pressed a kiss to my lips gently and held my hand. Why was he acting like this? Our appointment wasn't until tomorrow! Madam Pomfrey bustled out of her office before I could ask.

"What's happened now, Mr. Potter?" She asked pulling out her wand.

Harry took a deep breath, "The torture curse."

Madam Pomfrey lowered her wand, shocked. I tugged on Harry's hand, unsure of what to do.

"How did you know Harry?" I asked in a small voice. He was acting so strangely. Harry smiled at me sadly, "I felt it too. Who cast it on you Hermione?"

Oh! He didn't know it was only a vision. "No one did Harry. It was-

"Hermione, I felt it clear as day, tell me who it was so they don't hurt anyone else." Harry said interrupting me. I felt a flash of annoyance.

"Harry, it was a vision. Not a person. Helga was being cursed and I'm tied to her."

It came out in a garbled rush but I said it nonetheless. Harry let out a breath of surprise and smiled weakly.

"I guess I got ahead of myself. The alarms would have gone off if someone used a dark curse. Sometimes I really stupid, aren't I?" He offered sitting next to me on the bed. I smiled but it came off as a wince. A spasm went through my forearm this time and I could see it moving and rippling under my skin. And merlin it hurt.

"Madam Pomfrey? A numbing potion if you please." Harry said urgently. How did he know what I needed for this curse? Surely he hadn't-

Oh who was I kidding? Of course he'd had this cursed used on him. It was too much to hope the opposite.

"Here you go Mr. Potter. You can give it to her. I'm afraid that it helps very little-

"I know. I know." Harry cut her off and motioned for me to lie back against the pillows.

"It'll make you sleepy and that's probably best, Mione. Just go back to sleep." He whispered in my ear. I listened without complaint. Sleep would do me some good right about now.


Harry's Pov

I watched Hermione drift asleep, listened to her breathing as it evened out. I knew from experience how much it hurt and how exhausting it was. I felt horrible that she had to go through something like that.

I wondered exactly what happened to her in the visions. Why did she come out with physical reminders? If they were just in her head, like normal seer visions, then she shouldn't be experiencing anything. But, this Oath was unpredictable. I guess it was capable of anything. I wanted to hope this was the worst of it all, but we're never that lucky are we.

Madam Pomfrey gave me a stern look, and I saw I was still sitting on the edge of her bed. I moved into the chair giving Poppy an apologetic look. It's not as if I was going to wake her. Hermione shifted in her sleep, kicking her legs restlessly. I took her hand and held on tightly until she calmed. Her brown curls were covering every inch of her face. I had always liked her curly hair, just as wild as my own. There was another thing we had in common. I just wished this Oath wasn't one of them.


Hermione was released from the hospital wing the next morning, seeming fine. I knew she was still hurting and would for a long time. I still had the rare and occasional muscle spasm when the weather changed from summer to winter. Fall and spring were the worst months for me after fourth year, and I hoped Hermione wouldn't have to deal with the after effects that long. Her curse hadn't been nearly as strong as the one Voldemort cast on me.

Today we had the meeting with Healer Abbott after dinner, which I could tell Hermione was nervous about.

I hadn't asked about the vision from yesterday yet, but I was too curious to just let it go. She would have to tell Healer Abbott anyway.

"Mione?" She sighed and put her book aside. We were in the library now, studying up in case we were allowed to start attending classes again. Or Hermione was anyway.

"Will you tell me what happened?" I didn't need to really explain anything else. She knew I was talking about her vision. Hermione folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath.

"I was taking a bath yesterday morning," She started, wringing her hands together, "I felt that tingle go up my back and then it felt like I was her. Helga, I mean. Godric found the spell in Salazar's old notes. He didn't know what it would do and vowed to stop experimenting with them. It was helpful to know what they would do, though. Salazar's sons, all five of them, knew he hadn't died in an accident. Helga and Godric feared they would want revenge. So they were researching what the sons might know."

She paused abruptly, looked out the window, actively avoiding my gaze. I took her hand in mine, feeling a little foolish. She was strong enough to handle this, but maybe she wouldn't mind this kind of comfort? This was so new to me. Should I hug her?

Hermione smiled and held onto my hand. "That's all I saw. Do you think Healer Abbott knows what's wrong with us?"

I sighed, "Maybe. I wish we could see her this morning instead of later after dinner. Plus Ron and I…well were not on the best terms. Neither are you and Ginny. I feel kind of thick, thinking they would be happy for us. Sometimes I'm a bit blind I guess."

"Yep." She agreed, interlacing out fingers. I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her lips. I never got tired of the feeling. The tingles that raced through my body, how my stomach seemed to fall and skip. It was addicting, kissing this girl. Woman.

Hermione surprised me by wrapping her hand around my neck, and pressing her lips against mine for forcefully. I parted my lips, letting out a gasp when her warm tongue darted between them. She was really good at this. I slide my hands around her waist, hesitating. What exactly did she want? More?

Hermione pushed my further into my seat, and promptly climbed into my lap, straddling me. I let out a groan of contentment. She was amazing.

"Excuse me!" Hermione jumped out of my lap, falling to my feet panting. Madam Pince had horrible timing.

"I won't have that kind of behavior in my library! Out!" Hermione grabbed her bag and raced to the door. I grinned at her.

"Shut up, Harry." She mumbled pushing me with her shoulder. I pulled her against me roughly, "I really didn't mind. Not a bit."

She flushed with color, but I found it alluring. I kissed her cheek soundly, pulling her towards our rooms. We missed lunch, but I wasn't feeling very hungry at the moment. Nerves always fought hunger.

"I can't believe you got us kicked out of the library!" I teased, smiling wider. She glared at me.

"I- you….it was your fault for kissing me!" She accused, pointing a finger in my face. I stared at it, raising an eyebrow. She pulled it away and crossed her arms.

"It was your fault and now we can't study there for the rest of the day!" She sounded honestly put out about it.

"You know I only meant to kiss you for second. You kissed me back for a lot longer so it's mostly your fault. However, I will kindly take the blame if I get another kiss like that."

She stared at me, outraged. "Certainly not. I don't know what came over me but I just had to-

She shut her mouth abruptly and turned so red I thought she would faint. What was she thinking about!

"Just had to what? Have me?" I suggested, ducking into my room before she could yell.

"You're horrible, Harry! Don't bother me until it's time to go to Healer Abbott!" She snarled, but I could tell she was just embarrassed not angry. I heard her door lock and then silence.

Sometimes Hermione was extremely entertaining without even trying to be.


A/N: Sorry it's been longer than usual. Hope you guys like it.