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Chapter Ten: Someone Give me my Shot or I'll Rot Here

Classes were cancelled the following morning. They had found the student who had done it. It was the Lestrange boy. Lucy Audley had made a fuss because she had to sit beside him, and it turned out that over supper she had been calling him horrible things with him there. Audley had never had much censorship and had a terrible temper, so if someone asked a Slytherin about it, it was general consensus that it would have happened to her eventually. Lestrange was expelled, and Audley's father was pressing charges on the student. It was possible he would be facing some jail time. Audley's eyes would grow back, but there was serious scarring around the eyes, which ruined what Lucy Audley had considered her very good looks.

Hermione was surprised at how disappointed she felt when she heard that it was Lestrange and not Tom. She convinced herself that Tom Riddle must have played a part, perhaps just a whisper of a suggestion, or even helping him enchant the knife. Tom never implied to Hermione that he had played a part in it. He simply went about his day as if one of his friends hadn't been expelled from school. He pretended the whole thing didn't exist. But there was no proof either way, so Hermione decided kept up her theory in her head if only to continue fuelling her rage for Tom.

She didn't come back until halfway through the year. Hermione was surprised at how little had actually happened. Hermione got a job working with the librarian, Madam James. Dippet agreed to pay her an appropriate salary. After the chaos calmed down, Dippet told Hermione that he was impressed with how she had handled Audley's situation, and he was even more impressed that she had bit off part of her tongue to keep from screaming. All of the Professors knew that little detail, and she suspected that Professor Narayan told any Professor who would listen.

The Muggle world was officially at war too. The students were a little tense, but no serious signs of panic were showing in the students. When Dippet had announced the declaration of war, the students grew quiet. Most of them spent the evening writing home to their parents.

Hermione was on civil terms with Tom Riddle. They discussed school and school only. If Tom tried to be too personal with Hermione, she changed the topic. She also began to loathe the way he managed to make her laugh from time to time. Sometimes she forgot that it was a monster that worked beside her.

Allie, however, was becoming increasingly distant. Hermione had bottled some of her worst memories and other memories that could help Allie see the war without hindering Hermione's thinking capacity. Hermione had taken out the memory of Harry's death. She knew it happened, she just couldn't remember exactly how it had happened. Hermione wasn't sure if Allie's silence was because she was busy reviewing Hermione's memories, or if it was something else. They only met Tuesdays and Thursdays to let off their energy, and Allie no longer made idle conversation when doing so. Hermione noticed something playful that she had always seen in Allie was missing, and it was missing with the Dumbledore from this timeline as well. Something serious was happening.

It was in March that Hermione found out why Allie was acting like she was. Hermione was training with Professor Narayan, who still made time for sessions with Hermione, when the Professor startled her. He said, "I've seen a great improvement in your energy control. You're still holding something back, but you're much better at controlling it. We're going to end these sessions for the year, and possibly for next year as well. If you're ever concerned, or if anything happens, you can go to Professor Dumbledore and he'll be able to give you help."

Hermione asked one simple question, "Why are we stopping?"

"I'm leaving," Professor Narayan replied. "I have relatives in the East, and I have to go there to make sure they're all right. If they'll leave, I'm bringing them back here."

"And if they won't leave?"

"Well, I'm staying with them. They're my family," Professor Saqi said.

Hermione smiled, thinking of her own family: her parents, Ron, Harry, the Weasley's, all of them. "I understand," she said. "Best of luck, Professor Saqi."

"And you Miss. Abercorn," he said.

Of course, Hermione figured out the future. Allie was trying to prevent Professor Narayan from leaving. He obviously died during the war. Hermione rushed off to tell Allie, not to tell her she solved it, but so that Allie could play out any plan she had before it was too late. Hermione hoped she could help, but she promised herself she wouldn't press to help.

Hermione changed their protean charm to the time now, and she waited outside of the Room of Requirement so that no time would be wasted. Hermione imagined that Professor Narayan was leaving immediately. Allie came soon enough, and Hermione quickly explained what Saqi had said to her. Allie said, "Let's go to Dumbledore's office."

The two of them rushed to Dumbledore's office. As they were walking, Allie explained, "Saqi has stayed longer in this timeline than he had in the original timeline. I thought perhaps you were helping to keep him here. That's why I wanted to lessen our meetings, so that you would need more training."

Hermione wondered for a moment how far Allie would go to keep Saqi here. Would she tell Dumbledore that she knew something bad was going to happen to him? "So what happened to him?" Hermione asked. "Did he sacrifice himself to defend his family?"

"No," Allie replied. "They were all killed. And he was tortured to give information on Hogwarts and myself. His fingers were ripped off one by one. By the time I got there, he didn't have any fingers left and they were starting on his teeth. He wasn't the same after that, and I don't blame him. He never went back to teaching."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said.

"We won't be sorry this time," Allie said. "If that man leaves this school, I'm following him."

When they were approaching Dumbledore's office, they noticed Professor Narayan slide in. He didn't close the door behind himself. Allie and Hermione took this opportunity to linger by the door and eavesdrop. Neither of them knew if their Professors knew that they were eavesdropping, but they weren't scolded, so they stayed.

"Albus," Saqi said. "I was hoping to have a word with you."

"Of course, Saqi," Albus replied. "I'm just marking papers. They can wait."

Hermione and Allie heard Dumbledore shuffle his papers around.

"I have family in Germany," Saqi said. "I have to go to get them out. I didn't think the war would last this long, and they can't stay there if it is going to last longer."

"Saqi, you can't just go. Have you talked to Armando yet?" Dumbledore asked. "You have responsibilities here. You just got the promotion you've wanted for years."

"You don't understand," Saqi said. "My family is there."

"What about Hermione Abercorn? What is she supposed to do without you?" Dumbledore asked.

"She's a bright girl," Saqi said. "I told her to talk to you if she was having any problems. You and I both know you have more than enough time to help her."

"I think that was out of line," Albus replied. "We don't know if I'll have enough time, and the girl has clearly bonded with you."

Saqi hesitated before saying, "She's not your sister Albus. Hermione will be fine. Hermione isn't suppressing to fit in. I haven't figured out why she's suppressing, or what kind of energy she is suppressing, but she will be fine. I have to protect my family."

"What about the other students?" Albus snapped. "What if something like the boat happens again?"

"If the girl cannot handle the situation, then you and the staff will," Saqi said. "I have sat on my hands for too long. I can't wait any longer."

"So you're just leaving tonight?" Albus asked, clearly distressed. "You're just up and going?"

"Yes," Saqi replied. "Are you going to come with me?"

"Of course not," Albus replied. "This is absolutely ridiculous, not to mention unprofessional. You can't just leave all your students and responsibilities behind."

"I didn't think you'd understand," Saqi replied, calmly. "My family is my responsibility. They have been from day one. The students, they'll get other professors, but I don't have another family. Hermione, she understands. That girl has seen much more than you or I could even imagine. But by all means, Albus, stay here with your surrogate family. Try to fix your past mistakes by helping everyone, or repeat those past mistakes, no one will notice!"

"You are speaking out of line Saqi. I don't understand your hostility," Dumbledore said. "You can't just leave everything behind you-"

"Watch me," Saqi said.

"There won't be a job for you if you even make it back here," Albus said. "Don't even bother checking."

"Don't worry," Saqi said. "I won't."

Saqi tripped over Hermione on his way out of Dumbledore's office. "I'm sorry," he replied, helping Hermione up. "Good luck with dealing with him."

"I can hear you," Albus said. "All of you."

"Just because he doesn't care about his family, doesn't mean you shouldn't care about yours," Saqi said to Hermione, "Whoever they may be."

"Thank you," Hermione said.

That's when Allie spoke up, "I'm going with you, sir."

"Allison Ejiofor, am I correct?" Saqi asked.

"You are, sir," she replied.

"And why are you going with me?" Saqi asked.

"To protect my family."

Saqi smiled and said, "Good girl."

Albus stepped out of his office. "You cannot recruit underage wizards on your thoughtless adventure," he said.

"She volunteered," Saqi replied. "I'll see you in the next life, Albus."

Saqi walked off with his hand on Allie's back. Hermione hoped they would both be all right.

Albus said, "Good luck," long after they were able to hear it.

Hermione and Albus stood together for a few moments, and then Albus turned to Hermione. "Do you have anything to tell me, Miss Abercorn?" he asked.

"Yes sir," she said.

"Well, what is it?" he asked.

"Professor Narayan will be all right."

"Of course, Miss. Abercorn," Dumbledore replied. "And I expect you to come to me if you need any assistance with what Professor Narayan has been teaching you."

"I will, sir," Hermione replied.

"Then I ask you to leave me with my papers to grade and my thoughts to ponder," Dumbledore said.

"Yes, sir," Hermione said. She smiled, and attempted to lighten the mood: "I don't suppose you're marking one of mine?"

"If I were Miss. Abercorn," Dumbledore said sternly, "It would be getting an exceptional grade." Dumbledore offered her a wink.