The Smile In The Dark

Hermione isn't immature, she doesn't go around avoiding people she has a problem with. Yeah, she avoided Alex for a while but that is because of completely different reasons. Fear of emotions does not compare to bitter animosity. Hermione respects that she can't exactly avoid the Boy-Who-Lived if he is in her house, in her year and who is still speaking to her friends who are also his friends. It is immature to look past that.

Harry apparently is immature, but Hermione isn't completely shocked about that. He is acting a lot like Ron would in a mood like this. Maybe the redhead is rubbing off on him too much, but it wasn't the redhead who is being immature now is it. Hermione still says hi in the mornings as civil as she can make it, she still sits near him (but never opposite or next to him) and she isn't deviating from her normal schedule to exclude him being in it. But Harry can not return that courtesy. He walks out as soon as she enters the common room or sits at the Gryffindor table, and if he can't he outright ignores her existence. Hermione pretends that she is unaffected by it, Harry just needs to grow up, but she and everybody else can see how it wounds her every time.

She is thankful for Alex, her girlfriend. Her first girlfriend. She has been a saint to Hermione, allowing her to forget all about Harry Potter whenever he isn't around. Alex may have been trying to cheer her up when she tells her "Who needs him, when you have me?" Hermione still gets a warm feeling from the implication that Alex is indeed hers.

When Hermione finds the wonderful benefits of being in her arms, she aches for it all day. When Hermione sees Alex truly laugh and let go, Hermione knows she must be really precious to her. When she feels those lips on her skin and mouth, Hermione believes they are formed out of narcotics; how else can you explain why the more kisses she receives the more Hermione wants another?

People raise eyebrows and whisper things, they did that before they were together, and now they are more obvious. Hermione can feel them staring as soon as the fluttery feelings dissipate and she knows what they are thinking. Hogwarts champion and mysterious guest, it must be a publicity stunt or another way for Hermione to cheat. Hermione even hears from her girlfriend that she has received some 'words of concern' from other students telling her that Hermione can not be trusted and that she should stay away before she gets hurt. Alex deals with them politely and responsibly as a guest should, despite imagining a thousand ways to hurt the people who were so 'concerned' for her. Hermione chuckles every time Alex reveals another method of torture.

Hermione scoffs at the one-track minds this school can produce. Hermione would've thought sexuality and age difference would be the most dubious thing to an outsider, but you get controversy once and it is recorded and recycled in their simple-minded heads and regurgitated when something normal and innocent appears. It's so pathetic that it's almost funny. But it doesn't make being open about her relationship any easier.

The teachers don't approve either which really makes Hermione disappointed, they don't tell her to her face but the lack of warmth in their eyes when they see the couple is enough evidence for Hermione. As long as it didn't affect her relationship with her teachers, Hermione could live with that, but if they start to question it or challenge her on it Hermione will not be their star pupil for much longer. Alex already means so much to her, and she has proven and will prove again that nobody can make her leave Alex.

Hermione loves training with Alex, hell she loves everything she does with Alex. She is much more gentle than Ashley, teaching Hermione the physical side of things in a way Hermione found comfortable. Taking things slow didn't mean they were slacking off like Ashley tells them. Yes, time is limited but throwing Hermione around like a ragdoll is not actually teaching her anything besides how many moves there are that can destroy an opponent.

Alex also feels Hermione would benefit hugely from practicing non-verbal magic so an hour every evening is saved specifically for this in mind. Hermione starts off on first year spells on simple things to enchant and charm. Hermione's first successful non-verbal spell is an Alohomora on a simple bathroom lock. Hermione could've done that spell blindfolded and with little effort if only she spoke the incantation. Hermione did plan to learn non-verbal before the term began and now she is glad someone with huge amounts of magical capability is tutoring her on it.

Then the secret of the trade is revealed, how to strengthen your magical core?

Hermione learns of a magical process called Channelling. The biology of the process is that you are not necessarily strengthening the core, you are creating channels to store more magical energy. The core is the main outlet of magical energy, but it can only store a certain amount of magic. Channelling allows you to create channels or storages in your body for extra magical energy. The main core is linked to the heart which means only body organs have the room and connectivity to sustain a new channel, the most popular and obvious option is the brain. The lungs and even the liver can support a channel as well. So through a mix of yoga, meditation and Occlumency you can clear your brain enough to allow the channels to build in the brain. The girls will move onto the lungs when Hermione has a fairly strong channel in her brain.

Hermione sits down with the BIA every evening ready for that night's Channelling session. The channels need to take a while to build and need at least an hour a day everyday in order to keep growing. The process would begin when Hermione is sitting with her legs crossed, feet locked above the opposite thighs. Then Hermione is told to relax and mentally put all her memories and thoughts in a special place as if she is trying to prevent a legilimens from entering her mind. The BIA then cast the spell Nucleus Ungezelele Alavai. Under Hermione's undying curiosity for spells they tell her that the spell was created by a British wizard who sailed the world and created this spell with two other magical islanders of different origins in order to successfully outpower a vampire that was trying to track the man down. It worked and the vampire was destroyed, but the man did not want the world to find out his creation and so in an intelligent act of secrecy he re-tuned and re-developed the incantation. The first word of the incantation was made the traditional Latin, the second was changed to Zulu and the third was changed to Samoan. But obviously someone did find out the secret; Dominic Van Barr of course. Dom had no desire to strengthen his core as it was overly powerful as it was and he wasn't a power-crazed lunatic in his own words. But he did however teach it to the BIA.

This new schedule heavily imposed by the Master meant that Hermione and Ashley had to delay the family repair plan. Hermione does however feel like she is becoming one with this team, she is no longer an outsider seeking acceptance.

A week after Hermione is out of the hospital wing she has the beginnings of a storage channel growing inside her brain, can lock any door or cabinet non-verbally and she knew the best places to grab someone where it will hurt.

Hermione brushes past Harry as he enters the great hall, glancing at him but receiving no acknowledgement in return, before briskly making her way to the practice classroom for a catch-up and tutor lesson with the girls. Halfway there though, she is halted by a glum Ashley sitting at the top of a flight of stairs, picking her nails.

Hermione stands next to her and kindly says "Everything alright Ashley?"

Ashley glances up briefly then ducks her eyes again. "Yeah, never better."

Hermione continues her questioning. "What are you doing sitting there?"

"I like it here, watching students flock around the halls in groups. It makes me miss it all."

"I understand how you feel." Hermione answers "I can barely survive the months that I'm not here during the summer."

"I would've graduated last year. Probably got several good NEWT qualifications, probably have an apprenticeship or work in the Ministry by now. Boring right?" Ashley asks rhetorically. Hermione knows Ashley would take boring in a heartbeat if she was able to turn her back on the BIA, but that would mean turning her back on the two closest people she has.

Hermione also thinks on the life she could've, and arguably should, be living. She replies "Yeah, boring."

Hermione notices Ashley's eyes shoot up and they turn even more sorrowful. Hermione follows her eye line and a girl stands out from the crowd. The spitting image of Ashley but blonde and several years younger.

"Is that her?"

Ashley nods and looks back down.

"What's her name, you never said?"

"Roxy."

"Ashley and Roxy Milanski. They definitely sound like sisters." Hermione states with a smile.

Ashley gives her a warm smile. "She probably has Charms now, her favourite subject."

"Not a bad choice if you ask me. I'm guessing she is the real reason why you are sitting here looking so blue."

Ashley looks frustrated when she says. "I really wanted to get this sorted way before now, I can't believe the Master changed the schedule like that."

Hermione replies. "It's not his fault Ashley, his priority is towards achieving the best out of his team and that means making me as prepared and capable as I can before the next task."

"I know that Hermione, truly I do" Ashley adds. "But I mean this with no offense, this isn't all about you. Doesn't my problems matter, why are they any less important than yours?"

Hermione sighs. "Ashley, I'm on your side."

Ashley smiles at her again. "I know, thanks."

Hermione looks back at Roxy as she turns a corner, heading off to her lesson. "We have a free evening after my tutor session with Alex. I was going to spend it with Alex but I will just have to pay her back some other time double. We will have three hours after that until the Channeling session, so let's use it wisely."

Ashley perks up. "You want to speak to her today?"

"Of course, like you said this is just as important as I am and it's cutting you up inside, I can tell."

Ashley breaks into a grin and in a flash she is on her feet and Hermione is swooped into her arms.

"You're welcome." Hermione squeaks

"Did I ever apologize for doubting you before?"

"Yes."

"Well I'm doing it again."

Roxy opens her edition of Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them and reads the contents. She knows she doesn't study Care Of Magical Creatures until third year but the animals were the most exciting thing about the magical world to her. She loves the spells and the people and the magical artefacts and the potions, but nothing compared to animals. As a normal girl growing up with a mother who is magical she knows everything you need to know about most garden and britain-native creatures, but there is so much more to learn. She believes Newt Scamander, her hero, could teach her more.

She turns to page fifty four to read more about the Sphinx.

(An; non-canon extract)

Ministry Of Magic Classification: Beast XXXX

The Sphinx

Native to Egypt, the Sphinx is often used for guarding treasures and often becomes very violent when that treasure is threatened. With the body of a lion the Sphinx is unmistakably a malevolent creature but with the head of a human, the Sphinx possesses the ability to talk (if only in riddles) and if you have the ability to answer it rightly they are quite harmless. They are without a doubt incredibly intelligent creatures, immensely strong with their paws and-

"Hi, may I sit here?" a bushy brunette girl asks her, a multitude of textbooks in her arms.

"Of course. Don't mind me."

Hermione drops her books onto the table and starts organising them before she even takes her seat. "I have so much studying to do, this tournament is really working away at my brain."

Roxy gasps in sudden recognition. "You're Hermione Granger, the Hogwarts second champion."

Hermione smirks. "I would've thought you would realize that straight away given my public infamy."

"Oh, I haven't been paying attention, I don't really care about any of the things going on this year. As long as I'm studying magical creatures. But I do recognize you now." Roxy explains.

"Well, believe it or not, that actually makes me feel relieved. I didn't necessarily want a hater as a study partner, neither did I want a cheerleader. What's your name?" Hermione replies.

"Roxy. Roxy Milanski."

Hermione spies at Roxy's textbook. "So you like magical creatures?"

Roxy smiles happily. "They are just wonderful. At home I've only seen Flobberworms and Bowtruckles mostly, to know there are creatures like unicorns, winged horses, hippogriffs, phoenixes. I even like the dangerous ones like sphinxes and dragons. There is no magical creature I do not want to meet, except perhaps a mountain troll."

"They are wonderful creatures, it was only last year that I rode on a hippogriff myself. I also do not wish to meet another troll." Hermione tells her.

Roxy's mouth drops and she slowly leans over the table. "You've ridden a hippogriff?"

"Not to brag but yes. His name is Buckbeak."

Roxy looks like Christmas has come early. "Can I meet him?"

Hermione winces. "He doesn't belong to me, he is currently in the care of a friend outside of Hogwarts."

The look of disappointment that follows almost breaks Hermione's heart.

Hermione breathes out and adds. "But I could put a word in."

Roxy smiles wide again. "Oh thank you, that would be so amazing!"

Hermione replies "You're welcome." She has now said that to two Milanskis today.

Hermione turns her head down to the parchment to write, but it's not long before Roxy breaks the short silence. "By the way, they are wrong about you. All of them are."

Hermione smiles down at her papers.

"What else did she say?!" Alexis cries out in glee.

The three BIA members and their future recruit are sitting peacefully in the common room at the dead of night, sound charms are up so that nobody can hear their conversation. Alex and Jessie can barely control their fits of laughter upon hearing the uncannily uncharacteristic behaviour their team leader is showing. Hermione just looks tired and annoyed. "Ashley, that was practically the highlights of it all. If there was anything even worth mentioning I would be telling you. We had a chat for a few minutes and then we studied."

Ashley beams. "You definitely got her trust, or she looks like she is starting to trust you"

"If anything she is trusting me too easily." Hermione states matter-of-factly. "I actually felt guilty not telling her the whole truth."

Ashley nods. "I can understand that. However she will learn the truth soon enough."

Hermione decides to voice her doubts. "It's the truth that I'm worried about. On your side of things it should go well. But this can go badly for me."

Jessie asks. "How can it go well for her and not you?"

"From Roxy's perspective it would look like I only befriended her because I was obligated to as a friend of Ashley's. Wouldn't she question how much of the motivations to befriend her were generally mine?" Hermione inquires.

"You would've reunited her with her sister, is that not proof enough." Alex softly assures.

"It's proof that I definitely care for Ashley's well-being, but does it prove I care for both hers and Roxy's?" Hermione counters.

Ashley grins at her. "It sounds like you truly do want to be friends with her."

Hermione nods. "I don't make friends to benefit a plan, even if the plan has a righteous reward."

"If friendship means that much to you then you will really fit in well here." Ashley compliments. "And I will trust you with my sister more than I trust myself."

Hermione groans but provides a small smile. "It's too late at night for deep and meaningful conversations."

"I believe that's my cue." Alexis says scooting in the space Hermione leaves behind her thanks to her forward position on the sofa. She places a leg either side of Hermione and wraps her arms around Hermione's middle, her chin rests on Hermione's left shoulder. Hermione rolls her eyes and smiles, although she does lean back into her girlfriend's body and embraces the warmth.

Ashley brings the meeting a close. "So yeah, keep doing what you're doing Hermione and I'll continue working on establishing the memories I erased via the information you pass on. But like you said, do it your way."

Hermione nods, Ashley is not entirely sure she is listening as her eyes are closed and her body visibly loosens. Ashley is proved right when Alex's buries her face into the sensitive area of Hermione's neck and the bookworm moans lightly. Ashley inwardly groans at having to be dismissed via private snuggling and signals to Jessie that they should leave, they don't say goodbye knowing they won't get a reply in return.

When they eventually leave Alex smirks. "I thought they'd never leave."

Hermione is completely at the mercy of Alex at this point so instead of telling the older girl off for not taking a legitimate meeting seriously and being rude to her own friends, Hermione hums back with "So did I."

Alexis repositions them both so that now she is leaning back on the arm of the sofa with Hermione tucked into her side and laying over her, head resting on Alex's "pillows".

Hermione mumbles. "Alex...stay...stay here tonight...just the once."

"Only once? Sweetie, I would do this every night if you wished for it."

Hermione's brain turns to mush when she is tired so it's not a surprise to Alex that Hermione has to confirm what she already knows. "So you'll stay then?"

"I'll stay."

"Mmmm...thank you."

Alex kisses Hermione's temple. "Night Hermione." But Hermione is already gone.

Alex isn't yet tired herself but she has no desire to withdraw from Hermione's body so she stays awake and softly listens to Hermione's soft, light breathing. She can imagine Hermione's subconscious picking up her heartbeat pattern, starting a dream that consisted of only her and whatever wonderful things Hermione associates with her. Before Alex knows it ten minutes pass and Hermione is starting to snore softly.

Yep. Hermione Granger snores, and it sounds beautiful.

It is then that a movement catches her attention. She notices a quiver in the air ascend the boys dormitory and Alex shakes her head. 'That Potter kid needs to get his head in gear' Alex thinks to herself.

She honestly doesn't care that he was just spying on them, it makes her feel slightly sorry for him in a way. He is the most protective kid she has ever met, that in itself is a good trait to have but you need to drop your pride. And that boy has a mountain of pride he simply refuses to swallow. Alex doesn't actually hate him, she never did, but you can't control someone's life even if you are doing it for their own safety. Harry needs to learn that Hermione has independence and Harry literally has no rights to anything she does, says or wants.

And he has lost his friend because of his actions. He avoids her to pretend he doesn't care but all it does is convince everyone even more that he damn well needs Hermione as a friend. He is literally her brother in every sense other than blood, he means as much to her as she means to him. It's weird that the more he tries to protect her the more he ends up pushing her away. He will eventually learn that the best way to take care of her is to let her loose, he over all people should know that Hermione Granger can hold her own with anybody.

Hermione needs him too, she doesn't need to tell Alex that for Alex to know. Although it is wonderful for Alex to know that she is the only person who can make Hermione happy these days, it's just not right for that to be the case. Alex knows what Hermione is being put through so she knows what she needs. The most important thing she needs is everyone in their rightful place. She can have an army of supporters behind her but without that one person in the place she needs them she is good as dead. The whole tournament, the BIA, Hermione's life in general is at stake if Harry and Hermione do not reconcile.

And Alex is SICK of burying girls she cares for.

Alexis Moon is quite possibly the last person Harry wants to speak to, but that is just tough luck because Alexis was going to have words with him. She is planning to use any tactic; encouragement, manipulation and even threats. A girl she cares about is going through the most scariest, stressful, dangerous and confusing thing a normal person would dread to go through in their nightmares and she will be damned if she lost her because of a stupid boys pride and trust issues.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

"Fereverto!" Roxy incantates with her wand pointed at the slug, being the only creature Roxy has no guilt transfiguring, and the mollusc eventually transforms into a bright silver water goblet.

She smiles happily whilst Hermione applauds. "That's brilliant, see you now know a second year transfiguration spell therefore you are exceeding expectations."

Roxy modestly replies. "Well you knew third year spells by the end of your first year, I'm still nowhere near you."

"Honey if they all tried to compare to me I wouldn't be the brightest witch of my age." Hermione cheekily responds. "Besides this is not about comparing to your betters, I'm sure I'm nowhere near as magically advanced as Rowena Ravenclaw and I don't care because it's my progress not hers. My magic not hers. Just focus on bettering yourself FOR yourself."

Roxy smiles. "Ok."

A pregnant pause follows in which Hermione begrudgingly asks. "So...what do your parents think about your Hogwarts life?"

"They were incredibly pleased of course, well dad says it was about time he had a child who goes to Hogwarts. He thought he would be in his fifties by the time one of them did." Roxy answers, jotting down some notes.

"How old are your parents?"

"Mum is forty-five my dad is forty-seven."

Hermione sees an opening, but how to structure it is difficult. She settles with "Why did they wait so long to have a child? Careers?"

"Not exactly. They tried for a daughter not long after leaving Hogwarts, but no success until me."

Hermione obviously knows that they succeeded before Roxy and clearly every aspect of Ashley's existence to them is gone, but their could be a chance that her parents remember her pre-existence.

"Do you know why it took so long?"

"No."

Hermione is a tad disappointed but she shakes it off. She is about to read something from the textbook when Roxy adds. "But they did say that for some reason they wanted their first child young, they are travellers you see and didn't want to wait too long to have kids because of their travelling. They planned to have me in their twenties so that they could travel more when I was at Hogwarts, then plan their trips so they could be back for the holidays."

Hermione knows for a fact from what Ashley told her that that is exactly the way Ashley's years at Hogwarts went.

"Did they travel a lot before you were born?"

"Almost always, when they started they were really happy but the longer they went without a child the more sad they became."

"Sad?"

"Yeah. That's all I know, they of course can still travel in their late forties but I guess plans change."

"Yeah." Hermione says, hiding her uncertainty. Sad? Hermione understands that trying for kids and not getting results on a frequent basis could be grating on their happiness but something is off. Did Ashley's parents lose not just the memories of Ashley herself but the feelings they felt all those years Ashley was alive for? Surely if only Ashley herself was erased they would still remember the feelings of happiness they had. But apparently not.

But then if the physical and emotional things weren't there then what was in its place. Memory charms don't conjure up things that are not there, as far as Hermione knows Ashley's parents were definitely happy when Ashley was alive so it doesn't make sense that the adults felt sad during that time. Unless…

Unless Ashley wiped their entire memories instead of just her from when she was conceived and when Roxy was conceived. But suddenly waking up from being twenty-six and twenty-eight to being thirty-three and thirty-five is pretty hard to not notice, they would've certainly realized that their memories must be modified and seen someone about it. Also what about the next ten years where Ashley was Roxy's sister.

Hermione wants to know more but the conversation is long over and bringing it back up will seem suspicious. Hermione does have something to convey with Ashley about though, maybe as a group they can all work out what is going on.

A low rumble grabs Hermione's attention and she looks curiously out the library window. Blackened storm clouds can be seen looming over half of the blue sky and by the looks of things they will soon be right on top of them. "Glad I'm not going to Hagrid's today."

Roxy looks up and follows Hermione's eyeline, a whimper seeps out of her mouth upon recognising the incoming weather. Hermione is surprised at the sound and turns to Roxy. "It's just a storm, nothing to worry about."

"I don't like them."

Hermione cheekily smiles. "Aren't you a bit big to be scared of thunder and lightning?"

"It's loud booming noises in general, I'm a jumpy person." Roxy defensively replies.

Hermione smiles softer. "Don't worry, I will muffle out the thunder when it gets too scary for you."

"Thank you." But Roxy still looks anxious.

"I suppose you are the sort that rushes into their mum and dad's bedroom and hides under the covers with them?" Hermione teasingly enquires.

Roxy replies in a manner a young Hermione once perfected, chin up and a bossy tone. "Actually...I don't. I'm not a scaredy-cat."

Hermione laughs. "Then what do you do?"

Roxy pauses before saying. "I just lay in bed and close my eyes."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"What do you think about?"

Roxy pauses again, this time it looks like she is debating telling her as if she would call her crazy. "Well...I lay in bed and close my eyes and this voice speaks to me. It's not evil, it's nice. Sometimes if I imagine hard enough I can picture a warm smile with this voice. It tells me to not be afraid and that she will protect me. I try to imagine her face or ask for her name but I get too tired and fall asleep."

Hermione sits, face set in stone but her brain whirring with the new information. Roxy takes the expression as creeped out and quickly snaps. "I'm not crazy, it helps me. It's not even real it just gets me to sleep, ok!"

Hermione realises the girls reaction and quickly lays a hand over Roxy's arm. "Hey, it's perfectly normal, I'm sorry for not responding...I was just...thinking. It's wonderful that you are brave enough to face your fears that way. No wonder you're in Gryffindor."

Roxy smiles at the compliment and at not scaring off her new friend. She gives the storm clouds one more anxious look and shudders. "I wish I could see that smile for real."

Hermione sits and watches Roxy work for a few minutes. The BIA have a lot to discuss in tonight's meeting.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\/

"Another meeting Mione, you four meet up more times than the Wizengamot." Ron exhales as Hermione walks between him and Ginny on their way to the common room.

"We have important stuff to discuss." Hermione replies.

"Hermione we feel like we haven't seen you at all this week. You spend your time studying with this first year and then spend it with the BIA. We see you for meals and lessons and that's it." Ginny voices.

"I'm sorry you two, I will make it up to you the weekend I promise." Then Hermione remembers her date in Hogsmeade. "Maybe."

"Don't give us that, you are going to Hogsmeade with that Alex girl on Saturday, and will probably be with her right through to Monday." Ron points out.

"I'm sorry. Look, I will make it up to you sometime next week."

Ginny shakes her head. "Hermione, don't get us wrong we aren't saying you shouldn't spend time with them. All we want is the truth."

"I've told you the truth." Hermione vehemently answers.

"Really? Because we feel this period of distance has something to do with a certain bespectacled boy with untidy black hair and emerald green eyes." Ginny dubiously adds.

"So you think I'm avoiding you because you are linked to Harry, the person I'm not speaking to?" Hermione questions.

Ginny and Ron share a look. "I think that answers our question." Ron states.

Hermione huffs. "Look. The reason why I haven't spent time with you recently is down to something really important I cannot share with you for privacy reasons. It has zero to do with Harry bleeding Potter."

Ginny and Ron share another look. "If that's the truth Hermione then so be it. You should know though that Harry hasn't spent time with us for the exact reason you are denying. I don't know if what you say is true, but it's clear that you and Harry need to patch things up because if you don't none of us can be friends. We don't want that to happen, so don't force our hand." Ginny tells her.

"Ginny, I would like us all to be friends again. But I simply cannot be friends with a boy committed on controlling my life. Until he realises that and changes his ways I have nothing to say to him." Hermione responds pointedly.

"We understand Hermione. We don't condone his actions lately but we know the real Harry. He has probably already kicked his arse into gear, but he is too proud to face you in case you no longer like him. So at least let him know that he has a chance at forgiveness." Ginny pleads.

Hermione sighs. "I will try and slip him a note. But guys I won't forgive him easily, this was serious enough to break off our friendship so you can be damn sure that he needs solid proof that he's changed to be forgiven."

"Solid proof?" Ron asks.

"Solid proof." Hermione says intentionally vague.

The conversation is dead and the Weasley siblings know it. They appear in front of the Fat Lady and say the password. Once inside Hermione takes a detour to the far corner, clearly to wait for the BIA. Ron and Ginny approach a group consisting of Neville, Dean and the twins Fred and George.

One black haired boy watches them all then eventually ascends the stairs to his dormitory.

##################################################

Hermione is disturbed from her reading when her book is snatched out of her grasp and taken away, courtesy of Jessie. A mug of hot chocolate replaces them via another set of hands belonging to Ashley. The final member of the trio locks her fingers with hers and sits snuggly beside her. The other two take their places opposite. Ashley breaks the silence. "Good day?"

"Fairly."

"Enough small talk, you know what we want Granger." Jessie says impatiently.

"Jess, give her time to breathe." Alex scolds.

Hermione squeezes her hand lightly. "It's fine, I have lots to report."

Ashley leans forward. "Go on."

Hermione thinks over the information again in her head. "Your mum and dad travel a lot correct?"

Ashley nods.

"Do you mind telling me everything they told you about their life plan involving you and your sister?" Hermione continues.

"You mean the fact that they wanted me earlier rather than later so that they could travel more whilst I was at Hogwarts? Yeah, I mentioned that before didn't I?"

"Just reconfirming. This is gonna sound ridiculous but it's important, did they ever seem overly sad for a long period of time?" Hermione asks.

"Overly sad? You mean after I was born? No, if anything they spoiled me rotten because they were so happy." Ashley answers, then concern shows on her face. "Why, what did Roxy say?"

Hermione sighs. "It's really confusing because she says that they started off enthusiastic about travelling and happily trying for a baby, apparently the longer they went without a child the more sad they got and it didn't improve until Roxy was born."

Ashley glumly replies. "So they definitely have no recollection of ever even conceiving me? Brilliant."

Hermione shook her head. "I think it's even worse than that. Even if they wiped memories of you away they would surely still have been happy. If you say they were happy after having you they would surely still remember being happy. But according to Roxy they weren't happy. This it what confuses me because it's almost like erasing the memory of you has created another alternate scenario entirely. A look into an alternate universe almost. But I know that that is not the case because all that has happened is their memories have been modified, that doesn't change what has happened it just removes their recollection of it."

Ashley contemplates this as well. Jessie adds her input. "You did say your parents were getting frustrated and angry before you were born Ash? Maybe you erased their memories entirely?"

Hermione shoots this down having analysed that theory already. "If that is the case then that's seven years of their life skipped, they would notice something like that and see a specialist memory doctor to find out what happened. Roxy specifically said that her parents were sad right the way up until she was born, unless they were lying to her which I heavily doubt." Hermione's voice nearly cracks by the end of that explanation. Hermione has almost forgotten her hot chocolate by now so she is surprised when Alex tips her hand holding the mug and coerces it towards Hermione's lips. "Drink, I can tell you're thirsty."

Hermione does so with a smile.

"How is it possible that my parents felt emotions that weren't there to begin with?" Ashley asks, bringing the focus back on the topic.

Hermione thinks hard. "I have a theory. If you removed your existence and all the positive emotions felt with you from your parents minds you are left with only the negative right?"

"But surely my parents would remember why they felt sad in the first place, they certainly weren't saying they were sad for not having a child after I was born." Ashley pointing out the obvious with more emphasis.

"Maybe they were sad about something else, but lost the memory for what exactly. So they now justify their sadness at not having a child yet, seeing as they don't remember giving birth to you." Jessie offers.

Alex says for the first time. "Roxy must've been told this after Ashley removed their memories otherwise she wouldn't remember the conversation at all. Ashley was born first, that is a fact, so it doesn't make sense that her parents would talk to Roxy before their memories were erased saying she was their only daughter."

Hermione wants to buy into the fact that Ashley's parents simply don't remember why they were sad in the first place, but something important was telling her that something wasn't quite right about it. And the over-riding variable was the second bit of information Roxy told her about that imaginary smile and the voice. Roxy subconsciously can picture Ashley's smile and voice in her head, some part of her remembers Ashley but because she has no clue what memory charms are all about yet she can't identify that this is a memory at all. But Hermione could, and Roxy described to her a memory in which Ashley comforted Roxy when she was scared.

Roxy remembers something so her parents must too. They have more knowledge of memory charms than Roxy too. That is why none of this makes sense because you can't simply remove a person from your memories without leaving anomalies behind. Ashley had her own bedroom, all decorated by her parents. Wouldn't the adults question why the room was originally green but then became pink and decorated all girly? Anomalies like that were inevitable and because Ashley was a big part of their life that meant a lot of anomalies. Anyone with any information on memory charms would know that if things don't add up in terms of continuity then it's probably the effect of a terribly executed memory charm, at least it would be amongst the first things to consider. Something else is going on here.

"Hermione."

Hermione looks up from her deep thought process and Ashley repeats her unanswered question. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Hermione wants to mention what Roxy told her about the smile and the voice. She wants to tell her that they had it wrong and that something else must be going on. But she has no evidence other than a feeling. She could not come up with a better theory either, the one they had is the most likely conclusion. "Just that she remembers you in some way. She told me when she is scared of the thunder she pictures your smile and your voice and it soothes her. She thinks she imagines it but I know that it's actually a memory. You used to comfort her whenever a storm scared her during the night, didn't you?"

Ashley's watery eyes tells Hermione the answer. The first tear falls meer seconds before Jessie wraps her arms around the girl. Hermione nods at Alex to go to her, which she does instantly. A three way hug ensues in which Ashley cries and the other two squeeze and comfort. A family in their own right.

Hermione's doesn't realise she is crying too until Ashley peers through a gap between their bodies and momentarily breaks the hug. Ashley beckons Hermione over and Hermione jumps up to do so. Both girls share tears of anguish; one witnessing and experiencing the emotional turmoil that has destroyed a family (not that the rest of the family are aware of it), the other suffering the consequences. Ashley adores the socks off of her sister and always has, Hermione's heart has likewise been touched by her new friend. Through one first year girl, Hermione and Ashley have built a connection of trust and understanding. Crying about it may seem silly, but the feeling of loss that is evident right now, shared and understood by two girls who know how things should be, it is anything but silly.

"She remembers." Ashley mumbles into Hermione's cardigan. "All those nights she used to run into my room and shake me awake. I would let her in my bed and she would cuddle into my side, begging me to make the noises stop. I would tell her-"

Hermione finishes. "-everything would be ok, and you would protect her."

Ashley laughs bitterly. "Yeah, great job I did of that too. I'm an idiot."

Hermione pulls away and meets Ashley's puffy eyes with her own. "You'll make it up to her. If I had a sister, I think I would want them to be like you."

After yet more tears Jessie decides that it is time for more smiles. "Alex is your girl and now Ash is your sister. Way to make a girl feel left out." She says jokingly.

"What can we say Jess, you're just not important enough." Alexis retaliates with a grin.

"Uh oh Alex, you've done it now." Jessie grins evilly.

Alex's smile drops so quickly it is comical. "No, don't you even think about it."

Jessie pretends to not hear her. "What was that, sorry I couldn't hear you over this brilliant voice in my head telling me to...no, I can't do that, can I?"

Alex backs away. "Helmsworth! Don't you do it!"

Hermione and Ashley catch on to the joke and start laughing.

"Do what Alex, I have no idea what you're so worried about?"

Alex 'chivalrously' uses Hermione as a shield. "Hey! How dare you get me involved."

"Please Sweetie, she won't do anything to harm a poor innocent bystander like yourself." She said intentionally loud enough for Jessie to hear.

"Evil Jessie cares not for innocent bystanders, Hermione will share the punishment too if you are willing to out her in your defence." Jessie says stepping closer to the pair who were now both backing away from their attacker.

Hermione tries to escape. "Alex, take your punishment like you deserve it."

"Don't abandon me now, you wouldn't let her attack me would you Hermione?"

"No." Then she shares a wink with Jessie before continuing. "I would like that pleasure myself."

Before Alex knows it Hermione's hands are running over her sensitive areas and soon Alex is squirming and screeching uncontrollably. Jessie laughs and says "Ha, double agent. How do you feel Miss Moon?" Then she too joins Hermione's assault and in seconds the three girls were rolling on the floor in a little tickle wrestling war. Ashley just sits in the chair enjoying the sight of the three supposed mature girls rolling about on the carpet.

After about five minutes of the entertainment she tires of the ongoing battle and arms herself, only to cast three separate tickling charms on all three girls. The squirming and noise of the laughter is surely enough to wake the entire castle so Ashley makes sure that is no longer a problem with another flick of her wand. Now nobody can hear the torturous screams of three girls laughing so uncontrollably that they were sure to lose their voices in no time. After the effect has gone, Ashley ended the charms and all three girls start to recover from their ordeals.

"That will teach you to act your age."

The three victims are too exhausted to even glare back.

"Potter is out the way Master."

The cloaked figure harrumphs in reply. "For now. Their connection is strong though even when apart. If we do nothing then they will eventually reconcile, so we must strike now."

"You plan to capture the dyke girl this early?"

The man snarls and faces his servant. "You fool, what would that accomplish at this stage?! We WILL capture her soon enough, just not yet. Miss Granger begins to suspect my dear old friend Dominic of planting her name in the goblet and so maybe it won't do any harm to fuel that suspicion. We have the perfect opportunity to tarnish her trust of that man if something were to convince her that he had...ill intentions."

"I believe sir she is too bright to believe that Van Barr orchestrated her selection as a way of sabotage."

The cloaked man laughs. "But when she sees the 'evidence' we have, she won't be so trusting."

Tbc...When The Wild Meets The Forest