Natasha's note: My apologies to those of you who are following this story. My home was threatened by a mountain fire and I was evacuated for eight days. As a result, I have been behind on work and chores. This chapter may also irritate the reader a little. Believe me I hope Hermione sorts it allout soon, lol, so that we can save Harry. Thanks for your patience. Natasha
Chapter Ten Sealed With A Kiss
The following days were not comfortable ones for Hermione. She had a lot to sort out. She knew that in her past the Death Eaters had entered the castle to find a Horcrux. In this time, Snape believed after interrogating the Black sisters that the real purpose was to steal the time-turner. She now knew what objects held the Horcruxes but was prevented from searching for them and she knew about Dumbledore's secrets.
She had given a love potion to Draco with the sole purpose of using him to search his house and now she knew that she would be watched and he would be watched and that they would not be able to do that. She was also still wincing every time she saw him in the hallways. The love potion had not lost its potency and he was still making a nuisance of himself every time he saw her. It had become obvious and rumors were flying that a love potion had been used.
She had also failed in doing anything about the necklace that had already been brought into the castle and had already wrought its damage to Katie Bell.
There were a thousand ongoing events that had already occurred in her past, which may or may not occur in her present and would definitely have an effect on the future. It gave her a headache to keep them straight in her mind. Her memories of her own existence in a different time were now melting into her present experiences and she was having difficulty keeping her objectives clear.
She also chided herself for having opened her mouth. If she had not told Snape or Dumbledore or Lupin about her trip to the future they would not been the wiser and she could have proceeded alone. She angrily nudged the sack containing the book about soul eaters. For the first time since using the time-turner in the field the day of the wedding, she wished to herself that she had never seen it. All I was supposed to do was stop the wedding, she told herself. That's all my older self wanted me to do. Now look where I am!
Hermione Granger! she said harshly to herself in the middle of a transfiguration class. If he tried to make Harry a Horcrux and Dumbledore stopped it then the sixth Horcrux was incomplete. She thought about how clever Dumbledore had been in revealing that information. He had talked about his own use of the time-turner and she had been caught up in the story. So the wand is the sixth Horcrux. She entirely missed transfiguring Dean Thomas into a small pony and McGonagal was so startled by her unusual lack of spell work that she dismissed the class early.
Instead of stopping to talk to Harry or Ron she slipped out of the room and headed for the Griffindor Common Room and her own dorm room. She was way-laided when she turned a corner by Sybil Trelawney who put out a rather shaky skeletal hand from behind a tapestry and pulled her into a hidden nook. The stress and strain of the past two month had taken there toll and Hermione felt her legs give way at the surprise. Trelawney caught her and pulled her deeper into the alcove.
"Miss Granger!" she whispered vehemently. "Take hold of yourself girl. I can't hold you up!"
Hermione struggled to keep herself conscious and upright and shook free from the pinch. She was about to make a sharp retort to the comment. Something about having been frightened out of her wits by the old bat when she remembered that she was supposed to be on good terms with the woman. She smiled weakly and caught her breath. "Yes, Professor. It's just that you startled me so."
The woman's eyes, magnified by her thick glasses, looked like owl eyes. She leaned in and it was all Hermione could do to stop herself from stepping back.
"I have kept watch. I have studied the situation and I finally made a decision," the woman said in a low husky voice. "I believe THIS is the solution to the problem."
Hermione was struggling to understand what she was going on about when Trelawney held up something in her hand that caught the dim light from a window in the staircase and glimmered before her eyes. The witch didn't seem to understand that Hermione hadn't yet caught up with her train of thought and she continued. "I found this in Albus' rooms. I know we talked about how you would be the one to foil the assassination attempt on his life, how you would impersonate him. But it was much too dangerous my dear. And the portents, the cards spoke of grave danger. But I found this and I have taken it." She dangled the gold chain with the small jewel like a hangmen's noose at the end. "This is a simpler way to manage it all. We can go back in time and save that poor girl and destroy the necklace. Albus will never be in danger and the assassination attempt will be stopped." Trelawney grinned as if to say that her strategy was quite remarkable and then looked over to Hermione to see if she were doing the same.
Hermione reached for the time-turner and it dropped into the palm of her hand so smoothly and neatly it was as if it had a mind of its own and had returned to its rightful owner. She studied it for a moment before slipping it into her pocket.
Her wand was out and she had performed the complicated action and spoken the words before she fully understood what she had done. "Obliviate!"
The woman whose mind had now been swept of the memory of the time-turner stood looking at her with confusion etched on her face. "Good heavens!" she exclaimed as she realized they were standing in semi-darkness behind the tapestry. "What are we...why...well hmmmm, excuse me please. I have become momentarily confused it seems." She backed away from Hermione and slipped out into the open corridor leaving Hermione standing alone.
If I just use this, she thought pulling out the time-turner. If I use this one more time I can go back and none of this will have happened and I can start over. She walked zombie-like to the tapestry and stepped out into the bright sunlit hallway with the time-turner still in the palm of her hand. She watched as people hurried by her to their classrooms without really attending to them. Just then Harry and Ron caught sight of her and she once again slipped the piece into the pocket of her robe,
"What has gotten into you?" Ron asked. He stomped up and Harry stepped up beside him. She glanced at Harry, who as usual did not speak. She could see something in his eyes that continued to disturb her. It was always there, she thought. The burden. It was also clear that he was increasingly growing worried about her.
She turned to Ron, "I had to speak to someone and its really none of your business, Ron. I'm late for class and so are you." She turned and fled from them.
The second time a hand reached out and pulled at her she thought that she would scream. It was after supper and the hallways were now almost abandoned and dark.
"Shhhh...Hermione. It's me." The voice was the first thing she recognized and then she saw the squat little figure of Molly Weasley standing near the front entrance. She had just stepped from the broom closet and come up on her from behind.
"What?" Hermione gasped and glanced around quickly. She had once again escaped Draco's clutches and had avoided Harry and Ron and was altogether feeling like she was leading a merry chase; she being the fox and they being the hounds.
Mrs. Weasley pulled her into the closet and stood at the door with her eye to the crack watching and speaking at the same time. "I am here to prepare you and take you to the chambers so that you can be initiated into the Order of the Phoenix. On Dumbledore's orders of course. Heaven knows why they are doing this and personally I think it is just criminal to do it. I cannot fathom what they are all up to."
"The Order?" Hermione whispered frowning.
"Yes...yes," Molly said and closed the door to turn to her. "I'm to take you there now. Wait!" She cracked the door again and then motioned for her to follow. She was handed a cloak to wear and she slipped it on as she followed the waddling woman out the front door and down the path to the gates. They were met by a figure, also cloaked, that turned out to be Remus Lupin.
"We must be quiet, Hermione," Lupin whispered. "Hogwarts is constantly watched and we do not want anyone to know that you are leaving the castle. We are here to guard you and escort you. There are others..." he glanced around and continued, "that are guarding you as well. If we are attacked then return to the school as quickly as you can."
She nodded in understanding and was book-ended by Mrs. Weasley on one side and Remus on the other. "We are going to walk for a distance. Are you ready?"
She nodded again and didn't speak when she felt a cloth drop over her head and cover her eyes. "Just a precaution," Molly Weasley said. "All is revealed to you when you have become initiated. Until then you must be blindfolded. This is preferable to my wand work Hermione. Believe me. I might blind you permanently. Never really good at such things..."
"Molly..." Remus insisted.
"Yes...yes..."
Hermione felt the gentle guidance of Lupin's hand. They did not walk far and yet the going was very difficult given that she could not see and they had to guide her steps. She wanted to ask why they couldn't just apparate to wherever they were going when she felt the temperature change from the cold of the outside to the relatively warmth of a room. She could hear the gentle hum of voices that seemed to echo slightly and then quiet when she entered the room and Remus' touch still on her arm. They had gone down a set of stairs and made several turns and the smell of mustiness assaulted her nose. She could tell they were in a cellar . It was familiar, almost like the rooms of Number 12 Grimmauld Place before they had been cleaned. However when the blindfold was removed she was not in the old Black mansion. She was indeed underground but it was not a cellar or a building where she stood. It was in fact an underground burial chamber.
Most of the people gathered there were people she already knew. George and Fred and Fleure Delacoure stood next to Kingsley Shacklebolt and Hagrid. Mr. Weasley was also present with McGonagal. It was clear that they were waiting for someone else to arrive and Hermione guessed they were waiting for Dumbledore. In fact, in the next instant, Dumbledore and Snape walked through the door together.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said entering the room. He smiled at her but the smile was wary. "This ceremony will be brief. Gathering together for too long a period of a time puts us all in danger. However, it is necessary. Once admitted to our fold you will be privilege to information that we could not share with you before. Understand that by taking the oath, that allows you admittance to the Order of the Phoenix, that you are obligated through a magical contract to remain loyal to our goals and objectives."
She nodded wondering if his hesitancy was related to the disappearance of the time-turner or if he were even aware that it had gone missing.
"Believe me it is the best way to keep you safe. You are already aware of the Horcruxes." There was a general gasp among the other participants and they quickly grew silent when he looked around the little group. Their faces were lit by the light of a dozen candles sitting on the top of a slab of stone that was an ancient crypt, their eyes were all dark and glittering in the faint light. "There is information that is crucial for you to hear and understand."
She nodded again and swallowed hard.
He stood before her and clasped his hands together. "Our sole purpose in making tis covenant is to try and protect our way of life and that of the muggles." He nodded at her surprised look. "You, more than some, might understand that muggles might become alarmed if our world mingled to closely with their own. I'm afraid the sight of a dragon flying overhead or a unicorn grazing in the garden might be more then some could comprehend." He briefly smiled again and went on. "Our goals and those of Voldemort are not all that dissimilar, but we pursue ours with higher moral standards then he and we are more willing to accept muggle born into our midst. We recognize the necessity of it you see. Plus- for my part- I believe that we have much to learn from one another. And there may come a day when the wall that stands between truly can be breached."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Snape's shifting form. They didn't speak to one another and Dumbledore's gaze rested on her once again. "Magic is ethereal in its substance. We wield the power through the use of our wands, and minds and will. And yet none of us, even the most pureblood, cannot tell you the origins or the meaning of it all. For that reason, we have protected it and held it sacrosanct. Over time many believed it an imperative that the muggle world never become aware of its existence; that true magic for them should fade into the mists of myth or legend. Voldemort is not the first nor will he be the last to want to return to that way of life."
"I am saying that even the most talented, the most gifted, the most skilled wizard or witch does not fully comprehend the power they hold in their hands. To delve into the dark art of magic is almost incomprehensible. For there, our knowledge and understanding is even more fragile and illusive. Some, like Tom Riddle, took that path. He uses dark magic for his own purposes and his own glorification. Understand though, Miss Granger, that there is a price to pay for doing so."
Dumbledore stopped and there was a silence so deep that Hermione could not hear anyone in the room take a breath or stir. "You may wonder," he finally said, "why we do not use the Unforgivable curses or study the dark arts in order to fight the dark lord. It would seem to be a prudent course to take. And I tell you we do not because of this price. He has divided his soul into seven parts and has secreted six of these pieces into objects. There they can take seed and grow. If he should lose his physical body then, as he has already done before, he can resurrect himself. Harry Potter is now very important to him."
Dumbledore stopped and waited until Lupin stepped up beside him. "Voldemort has successfully gained allies, with the colony of werewolves whose leader is Grayback. There are others that he seeks to use in his quest."
"What is his true quest, Professor?" Hermione asked quickly. "Does he want to purify the wizarding world? Rid it and purify it of muggle born and half blood? Is that the real issue?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, to some degree. I think that was his original intent. But his journey into the world of dark magic has twisted and distorted that goal in his mind. I think he now wishes to dominate and rule over this world. As you have discovered with the knowledge you have gained from others..." he stopped and bent his head a moment, "...let's say that he could very well defeat us and do that very thing. My concern also is that he believes himself immortal and therefore godlike. I believe he will not be satisfied until he does the very thing that we have all worked to prevent. I believe he will try and annihilate all muggles."
Hermione gasped and studied his face, searching for some indication that he was stretching the truth or trying to frighten her. She saw the grimness in his eyes.
"Is it your goal then to destroy the Horcruxes and destroy him?" she asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. Partly." He held up the burnt stump of his arm. "If it can be done."
She glanced at Snape and then looked at Lupin. "Harry is my friend. I'm wondering though, if so much is at stake, why you wouldn't kill him? It would be, as you put it, a prudent course of action. At least Voldemort couldn't have him."
Dumbledore held up his index finger to his lips and nodded. "Yes. You've gone to the heart of the matter. I, too, care about Harry. I do not want him sacrificed even if it would mean that many lives would be saved. I have fought to keep him alive and well and protected. We know from our experience that Voldemort has sought to have him destroyed. That was a mistake that he has now regretted I'm sure. No, I think that Voldemort very much wants Harry to remain alive. I believe that he is aware that the diary and the Gaunt ring have been destroyed, I KNOW that he is aware of it. He will not want to lose anymore of his soul pieces."
"So you are willing to use Harry as bait," Hermione said grimly.
Lupin interrupted. "I care about Harry too, Hermione. Albus is gradually teaching Harry about the Horcruxes because there may come a time when Harry will face him again. Don't you see that Voldemort won't want to kill him. He will do everything in his power not to kill him. If anyone can finish Voldemort off, it'll be Harry. We can't even get close to him."
Hermione nodded and turned back to Dumbledore. "What is the purpose of the Order of the Phoenix and why should I join?"
He looked at her with a steady eye and said, "It has not changed, Miss Granger. Our duty lies in protecting the wizarding world from Voldemort. However, it is also our duty to remove anything that would aid or abet Voldemort in reaching his goals."
She dropped her head and closed her eyes in pain and mumbled, "Even if it means we have to kill Harry ourselves in order to do it."
She felt Lupin's hand reach out to her. "Let's hope it never comes to that. What you know about the Horcruxes can help us Hermione."
"You're asking me to take an oath that I will kill Harry if he should ever be captured by Voldemort."
"Based on what you have told us about the Horcruxes," Dumbledore said quietly, "something I did not think was possible became very real to me. Voldemort has gone further than any other wizard I know. If he were to abduct Harry I do not wish to think what his life would be like afterward. Perhaps death would be preferable."
Hermione looked up feeling the tears running down her cheeks. They all looked as if they too felt like she did. She finally nodded her acceptance.
The ceremony was short. The room was lit further by more candles and it revealed four sarcophagi. It was clear they held the remains of the four heads of house of Hogwarts and Hermione knew immediately that she had not really been taken from the castle but underneath it.
After Dumbledore spoke the words of the oath, the members filed by and each stopped before her and bent to place a kiss on her lips. "To seal the oath," Dumbledore said. The last to file by was Snape. He bent and she looked into his dark eyes for a moment longer than she had the others and wondered if the oath had not given him permission to do what he had intended on doing long before. He leaned over and his lips lingered on hers and then he stepped back and melted into the darkness.
"Come on Hermione, I'll show you the way back," Mrs. Weasley said and took her arm. Hermione followed a procession up the stairs of stone and into the cold night.