Chapter 7- A Friendly Discussion
Dear Harry,
Things have been fairly normal since you came to visit. I am very sorry for getting how Ron died from you. I didn't see how telling you would accomplish anything. I also just didn't want you to blame me the way Ginny did. I'm really sorry that I doubted you.
I have something to tell you and you aren't going to be very happy with me once you hear it. I know you went to Professor Snape about me and I have to tell you that was a horrible thing for you to do. You know he doesn't care much for me and he cares even less for you. Just keep our business between us.
I won't tell you what's happened to me in a letter, because I can't risk anyone finding out. I hope we can see each other soon so I can explain. I trust you not to tell a soul about this letter or what I'll tell you when we meet again.
Love, Hermione.
Hermione tied the letter around an owl's leg and watched it fly off into the distance. She hoped Harry would understand how important it was to keep this secret. Hermione was feeling worse than she had in a while. She was just exhausted, pretending nothing happened between them. It had happened and he'd run away. She had caused him to run away, retreat into himself. Their lessons were no longer fun or alight with smiles and laughter like before. Her heart hurt every time she tried to get smile at him and he only stared at her blankly. It was like their entire friendship had disappeared. Hermione realized then, that it was gone. She'd ruined the only good relationship she had. Harry was still too distant to be a close friend at the moment. Maybe that would change, but right now she just couldn't stand the loneliness.
It was no longer fun learning the elemental magic, for one it wasn't as strong as it was before the attack. Hermione couldn't tell anyone what Ginny had done because it would break Harry's heart, but now she didn't have a choice. He had to know. What if Ginny attacked her again and no one was there to help her? She could have been turned into a squib! There had to be something she could do for Ginny, despite how she'd been treating her lately, Hermione still felt that she couldn't just throw aside the friendship they had shared. She didn't want to desert her.
Hermione was headed back to the room when she was grabbed from behind. A scream got caught in her throat and she was ready to pull out her wand, when she saw it was just Harry.
"How did you get here so fast?" She said, breathless. Harry grinned at her but then his smile fell and he turned serious.
"What do you need to tell me?" He asked in a whisper. Hermione led him to the room of requirement, so they wouldn't be overheard. It would be her luck that someone would overhear and spread it around the entire school.
"Okay, the first thing you need to know is that I'm an Elemental. That means that I can control earth, water, fire, and air. I know that is a lot to take in, but I hope you can try to understand. Professor Snape had been teaching me all about it." Hermione tried to say his name without giving away how much it hurt to even think about him.
"That's good news, Hermione you said that I wouldn't like what you had to say." Harry reminded her.
Hermione smiled sadly at him, "Do you know what a Leviathan is?"
"Some type of dark monster, right?" He offered and Hermione nodded.
"They feed on elemental magic, Harry." She said and waited for it to sink in.
"Did one attack you? How is that possible when you've been at Hogwarts this whole time?" Harry shook his head trying to make sense of it.
"This is the part you're not going to like. Ginny…she has become a Leviathan, Harry. I haven't told a soul except for you. Not even Professor Snape knows. She is protected as long as she isn't caught."
Harry's mouth fell open and then his eyes narrowed with anger and disbelief.
"That's a horrible thing to say, Hermione. Why would you-
"That's exactly it Harry! I wouldn't make this up. I love Ginny, we were like sisters! She doesn't remember what she did to me and I've been looking for something, anything that will protect her and me simultaneously. Please believe me." Hermione pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. She blinked them away, irritated that she was starting to cry.
"This is impossible Hermione…I can't…."
"You must! I wouldn't lie to you. I could never lie to you Harry!"
"Ginny would never hurt you no matter what's going on with you too." Harry said surely. Hermione bit her lip trying to find a way to respond. To say something that would help Harry understand.
"She doesn't remember it Harry. She doesn't know what she is." Hermione explained and Harry just looked more and more bewildered as the seconds went by.
"How is that possible? Why doesn't she remember? What did you do?" Harry snapped, confused.
Hermione struggled to keep calm, fear rising inside her. What if he said something to Ginny and it got around the school and maybe even back to Severus? Did she have enough power to oblivate him?
"Harry… I need you to give me your word you'll never breathe a word of this to anyone."
Harry shook his head, "This is lies. Ginny-
"I understand that you love her Harry, I love her too, but she is going through something that I cant help her with and neither can you. She has to figure it out on her own. Now give me your word." Hermione commanded.
Harry's eyes were tearing up, but he shook his head once more.
"If you don't Harry I'll be forced to Oblivate you. I really don't want to do that. You're my only friend. I don't have anyone else. Please, Harry." Hermione knew Harry was powerful, but she was more so.
Harry finally looked me in the eyes and I saw how torn he was. "Okay, I won't tell a soul. You have my word."
Hermione let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Thank you. Would you…would you like to see some Elemental Magic?" She said cautiously, trying to ease the tension in the room.
Harry nodded hesitantly, completely unprepared for what would come next. Hermione called water to her and felt the magic course through her veins and the raw magic made her fingertips tingle.
Harry's mouth fell open when he saw the picture in front of him. Crystal clear water swirled around his best friend in a circle before disappearing into the air. Hermione smiled at him uncertainly. What if he still thought she was lying? This was Harry, she reminded herself. She could trust him.
"That was amazing Hermione. I always knew you were special. Better than me in everything. Ron knew it too, you know. He knew how special you are." Harry said thickly. That made her heart thud with guilt because of how she was feeling about Severus, but she didn't let it bother he too much. Ron was gone and he would want her to move on.
Harry stood and hugged her goodbye, getting her to promise to write him every week. She watched him go with anxious eyes. She prayed he wouldn't say anything to Ginny. The consequences would be very bad.
A/N: I know its short and took a while. The next chapter should be longer and up sooner. Thanks for all the support!
