Games Are Afoot Chapter 10
Heart of the Matter
Disclaimer: JKR owns it all…I am just playing with her genius.
Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews! They really keep me going.
Charlie brought his chair with him and flipped it around so he was sitting on it backwards with his back to the rest of the room. Hermione's face was still a lovely shade of crimson and she had yet to make eye contact with him. He was pretty sure she was aware of his presence and that knowledge caused him to grin, although he stifled the chuckle.
"I don't bite ya' know." He teased gently trying to draw her out of her embarrassment.
"I know." She said quietly with her eyes firmly aimed down toward her shoes.
"You don't have to be embarrassed. I don't mind that you want to talk to me. I think that it's probably a sign of just how intelligent you are."
Hermione smirked in spite of herself and raised her eyes slowly. She could see the amusement in Charlie's eyes, but it wasn't the kind that was at her expense. More like he was happy that she wanted to talk to him. 'Oh, I have a lot to learn about boys.' She thought to herself. She made eye contact with Ron over Charlie's shoulder. He was sitting with his finger stuck to the quill and intermittent laughter erupted from the group still involved with the game. Ron looked questioningly at her and she smiled back.
Charlie turned to see what she was looking at and saw Ron doing his best to speak to Hermione through his eyes. He was obviously curious why Hermione wanted to talk to Charlie. Well, so was Charlie.
"So, Miss Granger," Charlie started, laughing when he saw her roll her eyes. "What's up with the eye roll?" He changed his train of thought at the last second.
"Please call me Hermione. This is awkward enough already."
"WHY would this be awkward? I'm an amiable enough chap. What did ya' have on your mind, HER-MI-O-NE?" Charlie enunciated every syllable of her name teasingly.
Hermione's face color deepened again and she noticed that Charlie could tell she was uncomfortable. "Well," she began hesitantly. She was pleased to observe Charlie was patiently waiting for her and not rushing her to speak. "Well, I was reading earlier, you know, before the game started…" Hermione faltered.
"Books are fascinating things," Charlie gently prodded with a smile.
"Yes," Hermione said impatient with herself. "Well, I was reading a book about wands and it made me think of a question I wanted to ask you."
"Wands?" Charlie clarified.
"Yes. Wands. It, the book I mean, was talking about wand cores specifically. And mine has a…well, a dragon heartstring, and I uh…. was wondering…. how does one obtain a dragon heartstring because it would seem as if…uh…um." she faded off noticing the look on Charlie's face.
Whatever Charlie had thought this would be about, he was wrong. He was shocked at the depth of her question. Most people didn't think about what went into a wand, only that it worked. Wand lore was a fascinating subject for him. "So are you worried about how they obtain the heartstring from the dragon?" Charlie astutely asked her. His face had grown serious.
Hermione appreciated that he took her question in the way she intended, because she didn't want to come across as a prattling teen-ager, she really wanted to know. She nodded her head and looked at Charlie a little more directly. She found she was leaning forward slightly and eager to hear what he had to say.
"Well, there are a few of ways to get a dragon heartstring. The first is obviously if the dragon is deceased—" Charlie stopped when he heard Hermione gasp.
Hermione felt like her worst fears had been confirmed. Did a dragon have to DIE for her to have her wand? She loved her wand, but if a creature had to be killed—she just couldn't believe that her wand had caused—
Charlie could tell where her mind had gone as he watched her eyes and interrupted her thoughts, "Hermione, we don't kill the dragons to get wand cores," He said calmly. "When a dragon is nearing death, we prepare to harvest blood, scales, talons, and all sorts of their parts in an effort to keep them living on in the usefulness of each of their parts. It's similar to your muggle organ donor idea. Dragons can live for a very long time and their hearts are very strong. As they age, their heartstrings become wizened and even more magical. The heartstring from the oldest of dragons can create powerful magic—which is why it is a popular core."
Hermione nodded to Charlie, visibly relieved, and encouraged him to go on.
"Well, you can also get a dragon heartstring from a living dragon, but it is extremely dangerous. Losing one or two won't kill them, but they get even more ferocious when that occurs. To me, I prefer the older ones anyhow. I think the live harvest is a bit barbaric, though it does happen. I also think they possess less magical power," Charlie stopped, noticing that Hermione was leaning toward him on the edge of her seat, enrapt in what he was telling her. He smiled because he was pleasantly surprised at how much he liked talking with her. He noted to himself she was a very good listener.
"So the older the heart, the more magic it possesses?" Hermione asked and when Charlie nodded she continued, "So, the wisdom and experience of the dragon is reflected in its heart strings then?" Hermione suggested.
"Yes, that is what I believe anyway." Charlie responded amazed at how quickly Hermione processed information. Her entire demeanor had now changed from repulsion to visible relief and awe. Charlie found it strangely moving that this girl was so concerned about how magic was acquired. He recognized the feeling because that is how he felt about magical creatures too. She was continually surprising him this summer, and that was not an easy feat. No, Hermione was not your average incoming fifth year that was for sure.
A loud blast of laughter from the center of the room caused Hermione to sit up straight and move back from Charlie. She had almost forgotten anyone else was in the room. She was intrigued by Charlie's descriptions and ability to help her understand. It was refreshing to be taught instead of having to figure everything out. 'Yes,' she thought to herself, glancing a look at Charlie, 'he is very intriguing.'
"So," said Charlie breaking Hermione out of her reverie, "Did you have any other questions for me?" His eyes twinkled merrily. She wondered if he actually wanted to continue their conversation or if it was just her wistful thinking.
She blushed again, cursing her blood for rising so quickly to her cheeks. "No, not right now. I haven't finished the book yet."
"Well, I have enjoyed talking with you so if you ever want to chat about something, I would be honored. I also happen to be a big fan of wand lore. I have some interesting stories if you would like to hear them sometime."
Hermione just smiled at him and nodded. Was he really offering to talk to her again? Like a person and not as if she were an encyclopedia of answers? Another loud roar of laughter erupted in the room and their attention was directed back to the center of the room.
Ron had just flinched and now it was down to Ginny and Sirius. They watched as the two faced off. It was Ginny's turn to ask a question.
Ginny looked brazenly at Sirius, "Did you ever try to make a move on Lily Potter—before she was married I mean." Ginny's eyes were dancing at the expression on Sirius' face.
"Um, well, um, what the hell kind of question is that?" He sputtered.
"A very good one I think, judging by your reaction." Ginny said calmly.
"You've got me and you know it, don't you." Sirius conceded.
"Oh, yes. Yes, I do." Ginny grinned feeling the victory.
"Well, I am not the champ at this game for nothing. Yes, I tried to hit on Evans and she crushed me like a bug on a window."
Hermione and Ron burst out laughing at his analogy. Everyone looked surprised that they would find this funny, but as they didn't know about the Skeeter woman up in Hermione's bag upstairs, they wouldn't understand.
Ginny had just realized that by telling the truth, Sirius was still in the game.
"I believe the same question goes to you, Miss Weasley," Sirius graciously challenged.
A more subdued Ginny answered, "No, I never made a move on Lily Potter before she was married." The quill released them and they wiggled their fingers before returning them to the quill.
"I believe it is my question," Sirius began, "and my question is…who is your favorite brother?"
All the Weasley boys turned to look at Ginny. They thought this question would stump her or make her hesitate, but they were wrong.
"I love all my brothers for different reasons, but my favorite is Bill because he taught me the bat bogey hex, which has become my signature move." Ginny said proudly. Bill beamed at her and gave her a wink.
The other boys booed.
Hermione and Tonks laughed.
"And, Mr. Black," Ginny said formally, "same question."
"I don't have a favorite broth---AAHHHH!" Sirius finished with a yell as the quill shocked him and he flinched. "I guess I have to say Regulus, the bloody prat." Sirius sniped as the quill released their fingers and he shook his. "He's not my favorite, he's my only, stupid game." He continued to mutter to the amusement of the group.
"Well, then, I believe that makes me the winner!" Ginny exclaimed triumphantly. "Finally!" This brought on another round of laughter.
"I'm hungry." Ron announced as his stomach simultaneously gave a low rumble.
"Come on Ron. Let's go get a snack for everyone." Hermione suggested as she stood and made her way to the door. Ron followed obediently.
They barely made it to the kitchen when Ron turned to her and grabbed her shoulders.
"So what was all that about wanting to talk to Charlie? And why did you two look as thick as thieves and like you were plotting the overthrow of some government?"
"Oh honestly Ron, I just had a question. There is no need to be so dramatic!" Hermione sighed in exasperation.
"Then why were you so embarrassed when he walked in? It made you look like…well…"
"Just how did it look Ron?" Hermione glared at him. He didn't answer. "Are you telling me that it looked inappropriate? Is that what you are suggesting?" Hermione was near to screaming.
"Chill, Hermione. Geez, your about as bad as mum." Ron muttered.
"Then tell me exactly what you mean, Ronald." Hermione said through clenched teeth.
"Well, you just turned all red and acted like it was some big thing to talk to Charlie. I just don't get it. What's the big deal? Its just Charlie." Ron shrugged.
"It wasn't a big deal. I just didn't expect to have to tell him I had a question like that …I figured I would have been able to be a bit more, uh, discreet." Hermione said.
"Why in Merlin's name do you have to be discreet about talking to Charlie?" Ron said as his voice rose. "That just makes it sound like it's bad! What's so important that you would have to be discreet."? Ron argued.
"I just had a dragon question. And for your information, I don't know Charlie that well. I didn't want him to think I was stupid." Hermione replied in a snit. " I grew up as an only child. I don't know how the whole big brother thing works."
Ron did the worst thing he could. He started to laugh. Hermione turned on her heel and said, "Get your own snack Ronald. I hope you don't poison anyone." She left the room and went upstairs leaving a stunned Ron who wondered just what exactly the big deal was.
"Girls." He muttered. "You can't live with 'em." He trolled the kitchen for a snack and found the leftover treacle tart. He put it on a tray with some plates and forks and went back to the lounge.
Sirius had disappeared as had Fred and George. Bill and Charlie were talking quietly by the bookshelf. Ginny was sitting on the couch petting Crookshanks and talking to Tonks who was still in the same chair. Ginny looked up as Ron entered.
"Where's Hermione?" Ginny asked looking behind him.
"Oh, she got mad and went upstairs. Who wants something to eat?" Ron replied edgily.
"What did you do?" Ginny shot back as Crookshanks leapt off her lap.
"Why do you always assume it is my fault?" Ron demanded.
"Because you're the biggest prat of all time and a rather insensitive git." Ginny said calmly and informatively to the amusement of the rest of the room who had tuned into the conversation.
"What was she mad about?" Bill asked.
Ron turned to face his brother and sat with a thump into the chair Sirius had vacated. He continued to scowl as he dished up the food and passed plates around.
"Well," Charlie prodded.
"Well what?" Ron snapped. "She's an unpredictable, moody witch. I just asked a simple question and she bit my head off and lit into me. How in the bloody hell am I supposed to understand why?"
Ginny stared at him like he was an idiot. Bill, Charlie and Tonks tried to suppress smiles.
"What exactly did you ask her Ronald?" Ginny demanded with a look that could have been her mothers.
"I just wanted to know what the bloody big deal was about asking Charlie a question. She got all red and embarrassed and acted like it was some big secret. Then she told me that she was trying to be discreet so she didn't look stupid. Like she ever looks stupid. I mean she knows everything." Ron blurted out.
The laughter could not be held back this time and it just caused Ron to shove his food in his mouth while muttering under his breath.
"Ron, don't you think that maybe if she had a question, it meant she might not know everything?" Bill suggested.
"Yeah, you always expect her to have all the answers, or at least the ones you need when you need them. Maybe that's why she's afraid of asking questions in front of you, you big git!" Ginny shouted at him.
"Hey, why is everyone picking on me? She's the one that went mental. I just want to eat in peace!" Ron retorted returning to his food.
"Fine!" Ginny said as she stormed from the room.
Bill, Tonks, and Charlie all chuckled quietly to themselves. They left and walked to the kitchen together to get some tea. As soon as they entered the kitchen, however, Bill headed for the fireplace.
"I don't actually want tea." Bill said simply.
"Tutoring session?" Charlie asked casually.
"Aye." Replied Bill with a dreamy look in his eye. "Tell mum not to expect me for dinner." With a wink he was gone.
Tonks chuckled and moved toward the fireplace. "Well Char, I am out too. I have to go to work tonight and I have a stop to make first."
"Just don't catch your robes on fire again…."
"How did you know about that?" Tonks asked looking absolutely shocked.
"A little birdy—well actually a really big werewolf told me—"
"Oh shut up!" Tonks said as she playfully punched Charlie's arm. "I promise I'll be more careful." And suddenly she was gone too.
"Forget tea, I think I'll go find Sirius." Charlie muttered to himself.