The missing day
Chapter 11
"Honey," her mother's soothing voice traveled to her mind, waking her up from her drowning thoughts. "You haven't eaten anything since yesterday."
"I'm fine, Mum", Hermione said pulling her blanket closer. She felt the couch dip lower and a soft brush of fingers in her hair. She closed her eyes instinctively and leaned to the comfort offered by her mother. As the onslaught of her tears threatened Hermione, she moved her head onto her mother's shoulder.
Her mother might have sensed the wetness on her shoulder as she pulled Hermione into her embrace and whispered, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Hermione swallowed the sob at the direness of her situation. She was seeking comfort from a person who loved her unconditionally, excused all her mistakes and embraced for just being her. Unfortunately, her mother was not in a position to understand the situation Hermione was in right now. Any details given now would just push her into a state of panic. "It's nothing, mother," Hermione didn't know what else to say.
"Harry had been trying to contact you. He even called me at the practice, this morning. If not with me, you could at least talk to him," her mother spoke lifting her chin up.
"I just need some time alone," Hermione said, pushing herself away from her mother's hug.
"You know, we are always with you, right," her mother said. When Hermione nodded, she got up and approached the door. "I'll bring something to eat."
Hermione wanted to protest but she had already shut the door leaving no room for argument. Hermione sighed and leaned back into the couch. This was her childhood bedroom. This was her world since she received her letter. She hasn't changed the room much, just a few additions over the years. Moving pictures and magic books prominent among those. Her eyes moved silently among those. They halted on the picture that was taken on her first day to Hogwarts on the platform 9 ¾.
There were so many people in the background and, she never really paid attention to any of them. She stood and walked towards it, as something caught her attention.
Behind her in the picture, in one of the corner, were two boys, with contrasting hair, standing shoulder to shoulder. Even at the innocent age of eleven, their stance was proud, while one of them was sporting a sneer; the other held a slightly somber expression. But there was something else that was very genuine about both of them. Ease, comfort and may be understanding. She lifted and ran her fingers on the tiny figures of Draco and Theo.
"Hermione," an airy voice spoke and Hermione jumped in fright. When she turned around a silver hare was dancing around her. "You have a beautiful garden," the hare spoke in Luna's voice and dissipated into the air.
Hermione stood there in confusion when her mother came back in saying, "Hermione, dear. There's your friend, downstairs." She gave a rather amusing smile and said, "Actually in the garden."
"Luna?" Hermione asked already knowing the answer.
"Ah! Yes. I was wondering what her name was. It's been a while you've mentioned about her," Her mother said warmly. "I'm glad she's here. At least now you have somebody to talk to. Seeing you like this is really tough Hermione."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. Since those horrific revelations from Ron about Draco, she's not been herself. An unknown fear crept up whenever she thought of that day. It's been almost half a week she has been hiding from everybody.
Luna's sudden appearance didn't shock Hermione. She didn't think Luna was persuaded by somebody to come and meet her. Perhaps this is what she needed, conversation with a person who perceives the situation in a very different perspective.
"I'll bring some tea," her mother called after Hermione as she moved towards the door.
"It's ok, Mum. I got it," Hermione stopped her mother and made her way down to the kitchen. She could see the silhouette of her ethereal friend from the kitchen window. Hermione sighed and made preparations for tea. When the tray was full, she slowly nudged the door to the backyard with her foot and went into the small garden her parents maintained.
Luna was hunched over the ground, her gaze fixed on a small shrub in front of her. She was slowly stroking one of the leaves with a gentle touch. Hermione placed the tray on the nearby flat rock and crouched down beside her.
"Fascinating isn't he?" Luna exclaimed without moving her eyes.
Hermione bunched her eyebrows and peered closely. Then she saw a creature on the leaf. It wasn't that small. Almost looked like a lobster but in a hideous shade. "What is that?"
"A Mackled Malaclaw of course," Luna smiled, coaxing the small thing into her hand. "Do you want to hold him?"
"Um no," Hermione said putting her hands behind her.
"But you've already held it," Luna said going back to her unusual perusal. "But unfortunately you seem to be bitten by it." She said with a smile. "But don't worry, your bad luck seems to be over."
Hermione sat there totally baffled. She was sure she heard the name somewhere come up in the potions, but whatever Luna spoke it just went over her head. But she felt a small smile tugging at her lips at Luna's words. "I would need little more details."
"I've been following its trail," Luna said. "I remember that day at the pub. I noticed there was something strange about you. It seems I was right. You were bitten by this little guy." Luna said lifting small animal to Hermione's gaze. "I see you have experienced the side effects. Malaclaws bring bad luck with them. But don't worry the bad luck stays only for a week. Once it passes you would be given a gift."
Hermione gave a tight-lipped smile at her friend. She didn't understand her way of thinking, but Hermione was polite enough to keep her judgments to herself. She just nodded but couldn't resist saying, "There is no such thing as bad luck, Luna." She gave a pat on her shoulder and said, "Come on let's have some tea."
Luna pocketed the little creature into her bag and got up. They moved to the porch swing in one of the corners and Hermione poured a cup of tea and handed it over to Luna. She took it one for herself and both the girls settled on the swing. A few minutes of silence passed between them where both of them were just contented to just sit there and sip the tea.
"Did you meet Theo again?" Hermione asked breaking the quietness between them.
"No, I haven't met Theodore after that night. Though I should think of fixing that. He seemed interested in me," Luna said gazing into the last drops of her tea.
Hermione smiled and went for a biscuit in the tray. Luna took the one in Hermione's hand and turned to Hermione, "Did you have a good time with Draco?"
Hermione faced turned red at her random question. She didn't have an answer to that. It was definitely true, that she was beginning to trust him. He gave her a feeling of unknown security for whatever may be the reason. Did something happen between them, that she couldn't remember? And her subconscious mind retained that compassion towards him. But after that chaotic revelation from Ron, she just wanted to run away from Draco. She wanted to escape from the sense of protection Draco started to give. Is that a trick of her mind or what was it she didn't know. Even after hearing those words from Ron, somewhere in the depths of her mind, she wanted to believe that Draco was innocent. And she was extremely embarrassed about that. How could she believe someone, who may have been responsible for an attempt on her life? She made a promise to herself that she won't face him until she had all the facts right.
"You don't need to be embarrassed. You both are very intelligent. It's only just that you find him interesting. You needed a little push that day, to go to him and have a chat. I'm happy for you. Draco seemed quite changed. Life had not been that easy for him," Luna said peeling off a scrap of nail polish from her nails. "They had a difficult life."
"They?"
"Yes, Theodore, Draco and most of the Slytherins," Luna said absent-mindedly.
"I've to agree with you," Hermione said with a sad smile.
"But at least they have you," Luna said beaming.
"I don't understand," Hermione's face scrunched in her doubt.
"You are the voice of truth, Hermione. You were the strength behind Harry, in extension behind justice. If anybody can do them justice, it would be you," Luna said giving a smile at Hermione.
Hermione didn't say anything just kept on pondering her words. "That's not true. Truth doesn't need anybody's help. "
"Probably," Luna said closing her eyes and leaned back into the swing. "But it surely needs a voice."
Hermione didn't have an answer for that.
"Fear is one of the dangerous things in the world. It will turn any docile person into a monster. Everybody will have deadly weapons hidden inside. But fear is the quality that brings them out."
"Why are you saying this to me?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"No reason," Luna smiled in a mystical way. "How's your work going on?"
"I don't think I'm in a right state of mind to do anything," Hermione's tone was laced with despair.
"Maybe that's what they wanted you to feel," Luna said thoughtfully. "It would've been their wish, that you left your work voluntarily."
Hermione's brows scrunched up, "Who?" She asked her friend, knowing what her answer might be.
"People who're still in fear."
Luna's words gave Hermione a new thought to process. She began to doubt her judgment about all of them. People might have been simply at the wrong time or wrong place. "How can we help them? I mean how do we help to fight fear?"
"I'm sure you will work out a way to make them overcome that fear. You are that capable. But don't think of giving up. Don't forget your enemies are closer than you think," Luna said standing up from the swing.
Hermione mutely stood up behind her and followed Luna to the tiny shrub, "Thanks for coming Luna."
"You are welcome Hermione," Luna said taking hold of Hermione's hand. "Trust your instincts. Draco really did save you. He came after you when he saw Cormac dragging you out of the pub, after all."
Hermione looked at her with wide eyes too stricken to speak.
"I guess you didn't know that," Luna said with a smile. "The Slytherins are taught to act in a different way compared to ours. There is so much more to them than meets our eye. Now that your bad luck's over, just wait for your gift." With that Luna smiled and disapparated from there.
Hermione slowly walked back to the porch swing and slumped down in it. Why didn't Draco tell her about this? There are new questions now. But one thing was sure; she's not helping anyone by being holed up in here. If she wanted answers, she had to get them herself. Maybe Luna was right and her bad luck was indeed gone.
A/N: Thank you all for the support. Sorry a small chapter, but it was needed. I know this chapter didn't have any answers, but we're getting there.
Chester99: Ron's temper definitely is a thing to worry. We'll be soon dealing the aftermath of all that situation. Probably in the coming chapters. Theo is even more mysterious. I'm sorry this chapter wasn't much helpful in answering any of your questions, but this interlude was necessary to Hermione.
Myrddin Emrys The Third: Draco was at the ministry when he received Hermione's note. He had come to her directly from there. I hope that answers your question.
LightofEvolution: Many things happened in the last chapter. I won't say you are wrong with your guesses. We are getting there chapter by chapter. This chapter didn't help much, but yeah soon the things will be unfolded. Thanks for your review.
sarenia: Yeah, Draco did mention that. Too bad Hermione wasn't in a position to catch that point. But I'm sure she'll get there soon
White Bishop: Thanks a ton for an amazing review. I'm really glad you liked the chapter. There were many elements in the last chapter. I just tried to keep it balanced and not overwhelmed. I have most of the plot worked out and summarized, but still handling some issues here and there. Hope it will keep interested and motivate you to give me your much-regarded critique. Your recommendations are worth mentioning, in fact, I find the gesture very friendly. But let me tell you, I find the series quite interesting too. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
thepantomimefairy17: Thank you so much for your stars. Truly, I don't feel I deserve them, but you are gracious and I'm grateful for that. Yes, it definitely seems like a long chain and I just don't want to leave out anything.
LuckyMascot: Ron's one of my favorite characters and writing him was always such a great fun. But he tends to do that. I definitely not going to say anything about your conspiracy theory. We just have to wait. Thank you so much for your review.
Nastytashy: I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. But I take your words as a compliment. Theo and Susan definitely act mysteriously. I've started working on the revealing chapters. Just hoping I won't disappoint. Thanks for your review.
Snowflake Dazzle: I'm glad you liked it, thanks for the review.