It's Not Like You're In Love With Me!
Chapter 10: Happy Ending?
Author's Note: Well, last chap. Or is it? (Mwa ha ha!)
Hermione drifted in a sea of unconsciousness. All she saw was black. The blackness covered her thoughts, and it made her feel in between worlds. Her head pulsed, and all her body ached. While trying to remember where she was, she heard words in her head.
"I don't understand it, Harry. She used the shield charm."
"I don't think the shield charm was meant for this sort of thing, Ron."
"I hope she wakes up."
"I know. But Madam Pomfrey said it might be a while. Gwyneth hit her pretty hard with that spell."
"That bitch! I wish I got her."
"Too late for that now. She's gone, and thankfully she isn't coming back."
"Yeah…by the way, sorry I hit you."
"That hurt you know!"
"Yeah, well you wouldn't get out of the way."
"I guess we both acted like idiots. What happened after you got there? You were captured."
Hermione felt a hand grasp hers. "I tried to find her, but they caught me. Then they went all nuts and tried to sacrifice me to some demon lady. Tree worshiping nutters."
Ron…is that you? Where am I? I can't move…
"I'm not sure if they were tree worshipping nutters. That may have been a sect of Celts. Remember when Hermione tried to tell us about that?"
"Yeah, she always—did you see that?"
"What?"
"I thought I saw her eyes move!"
"You mean you saw REM."
"Whatever. She might be waking up."
Yes! Ron, I'm trying to move! My eyes…feel so heavy.
Hermione opened her mouth slowly, and a single word came out. "Ron…"
Harry and Ron crowded around her, and Ron tightened his grip on her hand.
"Hermione, I'm here. What is it?"
She still didn't open her eyes. "My head feels big…Is it big?"
"No, it's regular size." He replied.
Hermione found the strength to open her eyes. She was in the hospital wing. Harry and Ron sat around her, with relieved faces. "You gave us a right good scare, Hermione." Harry said.
"Well, I'm better now…I think." She tried to sit up, and winced. Every part of her felt like it had been pricked with a needle. She abandoned the idea. A second later she bolted up when she yelled,. "Gwyneth!"
"Don't worry, Hermione, she's dead." Harry assured here. "There was a smoldering pile of ash when we came back, and we found this." He showed her Gwyneth's bracelet.
Hermione sighed. "What about the others?"
"They appear to have vanished. Dumbledore thinks it's because they were all linked through Gwyneth. Speaking of Dumbledore, he wanted a word with you two, once you woke up."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks. Were they somehow in trouble?
In Dumbledore's Office, it appeared that he was not going to punish them. "Miss Granger, I am glad that you are well."
"Thank you professor." She replied, still waiting for her punishment.
"Now, I suppose you wanted to know why I sent you here?"
They both nodded.
"Well, first, I want to apologize."
"Apologize?" Ron asked.
"Yes. I owe you an apology because I did not tell you the danger in which you were in. I knew this sort of thing might happen again, and I should have told you all the details. But, as I have learned in the past, when facing danger, children should not be spared information."
"You mean…" Hermione asked, "What happened to Samantha?"
"Ah, so you know about that. At least you weren't jumping in without knowledge. Yes, I am talking about Samantha. I figured by the design that it was druids, but I couldn't prove it. There was rumor of an underground druid sect, (Well, I see now it was underground.) but there wasn't any proof. I knew of their rituals, and everything seemed to add up.
"I also should have checked more into Gwyneth. She had a remarkable resemblance to Samantha, but I did not look into it any further. I did not believe that anyone in this school would wish your death. I guess I wished that no one in this school would want your death.
"I also owe an apology for not coming in to a triumphant rescue. Mr. Weasley, there was no reason for you to believe you had to go save Miss Granger. When Harry and your sister came to tell me of her abduction, I was gone. I was called away from the order due to an emergency."
"Professor?" Hermione dared to ask.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Do you think there's a connection between those two?" Ron stared at her in horror.
"You mean of Gwyneth and Voldemort? No, I don't. Facts don't add up. I think it is highly unlikely that they would be allies, even if their aims are—or I should say, were—the same."
But Hermione still felt a nag in her mind. Something Gwyneth had said made her wary…
"And since the danger has passed, Hermione, you shall be moving back into your own dorm. I am sure you are ready to get back to classes and to school activities." His eyes twinkled, making Ron and Hermione stare worriedly at each other.
He chuckled. "You are dismissed. I expect you both at classes tomorrow.
Later that day, Ron helped Hermione pack her things. "It feels so weird leaving here." She said. "After all that's happened."
"Yeah…"Like the time she kissed you…
"At least Gwyneth is gone. The world's much better off without her anyway."
"Yeah…" he repeated. But maybe she would have said those words again if Gwyneth was still here.
"Oh well, I have to get back to a normal—"
"I didn't tell Harry." Ron cut in.
Hermione looked at him puzzled. "What?"
"I didn't tell Harry about…you know." His eyes flickered to the couch.
"Oh…" She knew what he meant. She scooped the last of her things into her trunk and shut it.
"So, I guess that's it, huh?"
Hermione stood up. "What's it?"
"This. This adventure…Us."
Hermione was annoyed. "What do you mean 'us'? We can still—!"
"Be friends, I know!" He walked over the window. "I'm sorry. I just know you didn't mean what you said."
"How do you KNOW I didn't mean what I said!" She walked next to him.
"Because! I'm no dreamboy, I have no money, I can't play quidditch that well, AND on the Hogwarts popularity list, I'm number 1,100!"
Hermione put her hands on her hips. "RONALD WEASLEY, THAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!"
Ron stared at her, confused.
Hermione pointed her finger at him. "Have you ever considered that maybe I like you just because you're the way you are?"
He still didn't get it. "What do you mean?"
Oh for the love of…! Hermione grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss, quite a feat since he was nearly a foot taller that her. When she finally finished making him see what he meant, Ron grinned and blushed at the same time.
"Oh, that." He said, as he pulled her closer.
"Are you sure this plan will work?" The person under the cloak asked.
"It will." Voldemort replied. "It may take time, but one day, the rewards will be reaped."
"Then we are in your service, my lord."
"I shall take it. Your skills may prove useful. Are you ready for what is about to begin."
"I am ready, Master of the Souls." The figure dropped the cloak. It was Gwyneth. "We will all be at your command."
Fin?
Okay, this fic was one of my favorites to write, and I am suprized to say it was a favorite of so many other people. For once in my life, I got so many reviews that I don't have the time to tell you each how much you healped me. I just want to say that each of you made me realize why I love writing. I love it because it makes so many people happy. So thank you all, and I want each of you to know that...I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Author's Note:It'sover. Or is it? Tell me if you want a sequel. If I get enough people to say yes, then I will write a sequel. PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU WISH THIS TO GO ON!