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11. Hermione
As the students made their way back to their respective common rooms, it was obvious that the excitement brought about by the duel was not going to die down anytime soon. It was like something had taken possession of the entire student body, and it didn't go unnoticed to Harry that it suddenly appeared as if the lines which divided the Houses were blurred. Ravenclaws were talking excitedly to Slytherins, and he could see Ron, who was walking a little ways in front of him, exclaiming in disbelief as the Hufflepuff trotting along besides him blurted out something Harry didn't catch.
And while some of the Slytherins seemed concerned about the wellbeing of their Head of House, most of them also seemed quite enthusiastic at the prospect of having Professor Winchester as their new Defense teacher. And Harry couldn't agree more with that last part. He really could care less about Snape.
As they approached the Gryffindor dorms, the throng of students thinned and Harry glanced to the side furtively and met Hermione's gaze as he slowed his pace, and to his relief she caught on almost immediately and followed his example. The duo managed to get to the back of the group unnoticed, and Harry grasped his friend's wrist as he gently but quickly pulled her into a corridor which would lead them back outside. Simon's words still rang true… he wasn't going to talk about this with her where anyone would be able to overhear without them ever noticing.
"Harry, where are we going?" Hermione hissed in a low whisper, and Harry shot her a reassuring look over his shoulder as he pulled her along. The halls were virtually empty now, all their fellow students probably already back in the dorms as ordered, and he was fairly confident that they wouldn't be running into any teachers. The entire staff was probably just as riled up as the students about what had just happened… And while he was worried about Simon, he also knew instinctively that the older wizard would be fine. He wouldn't have let that curse hit him otherwise.
Hermione released a frustrated huff at his lack of an answer, but she did allow him to lead her through the halls, and it wasn't until they were outside that Harry released her. He continued to walk, and felt a smile pull at his lips as he heard her fall in step behind her, their footsteps near silent as the grass beneath their feet absorbed almost all sound. As they reached the edge of the lake, Harry finally turned around, meeting Hermione's confused gaze as she drew to a halt as well. "Harry?" she enquired once again, almost hesitantly, and Harry felt slightly guilty about confusing her. But it was for the best. They could talk safely here.
"'Mione, I want to ask you something…. but before I do you have to promise me you won't say a word about this to anyone." He had debated the wisdom of this with himself long and hard, if he was going to let her in on this secret he had. She had never betrayed his trust before, and he had to admit he needed to confide in someone…. and she had been the obvious choice really. Ron was…. well, he was Ron. And while Harry trusted Ron, there was something which kept him from trusting him with this particular knowledge.. Maybe it was the niggling sense that Ron would probably be jealous of him. Again. And he really didn't need that kind of drama right now. He needed someone who wasn't going to judge him, he needed someone who was going to help him and support him.
So yeah… Hermione.
She was looking at him worriedly before answering like he knew she would. "Of course, what is it Harry? Has something happened?" Besides his entire life being turned upside down after the wards around Privet Drive had fallen? No, not at all… but she knew all about that already from their letters, so that wasn't what she was implying. Harry found himself chuckling despite his nervousness, and he shook his head as he sat down in the grass. "No… I just… I have to talk to someone about this, and I could really use some advice as well." He ran a hand through his messy hair as he prepared himself as Hermione lowered herself to the grass as well. Her eyes were expectant, but she didn't push him as she simply sat in silence as he told her about his first meeting with the two new Professors, about Simon being a Spellweaver, and how the two brothers had offered to help him.
And of course, there was this.. "I'm a Spellweaver too 'Mione… and Simon has offered me an Apprenticeship... and now I'm not sure what to do."
He steeled himself against the reaction which was sure to come, but to his surprise, Hermione remained completely silent as she took everything in, eyes distant as mulled everything he had just told her over. She stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, and Harry found himself fidgeting nervously as the silence stretched until it became almost unbearable. Just when he thought he wouldn't be able to take it anymore before exploding, Hermione opened her mouth, and her eyes were hard and determined as she spoke, and it was clear to him that the anger he detected in her voice was not aimed at him, but instead at the man who had vowed to protect him and take care of him. "A Spellweaver...? Why hasn't Dumbledore ever said anything, he can't not know about you being what you are!"
Oh, and how he could relate to that sentiment… Either Dumbledore had been as indifferent to him and his education and wellbeing as Simon had alluded to, or the old Headmaster had kept this from him for Merlin knew how long. Neither option sat well with him, and it had been bothering him ever since he'd found out he was indeed a Spellweaver. Hermione released an angry sigh, visibly forcing herself to relax as she dropped her hands in her lap and started to fidget with the edge of her robes, chewing her bottom lip in thought. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but was instantly hushed as she held up a hand, effectively shutting him up and he had to smile at the way her brow furrowed in concentration. Yes, he was glad he had told her… Hermione was smarter than him, he was man enough to admit that, and it was good to have a fresh outlook on this. Especially now that he couldn't trust Dumbledore anymore….
"I've read about Apprenticeships before, and while I've heard about Spellweavers I have to admit I'd have to study a lot more about that before I can say anything about that… but from what the I've just seen Professor Winchester do to Snape, it would be silly not accepting his offer. Apprenticeships are so rare now, but they didn't use to be. You do realize that, if you are to accept, that as your Master he will also take on the responsibility of overseeing the rest of your education? And that he will have a level of guardianship over you?"
And leave it to the walking Almanac to know about something as obscure as Apprenticeships…
In answer to her question, he had to admit that while he'd known about the education bit, he hadn't had a clue about the legal guardianship, so he simply shook his head. Her indignant huff caused him to look back at her sheepishly, and she released a deep breath before smiling, her face lighting up as she leaned forward and grabbed his shoulders. "Oh Harry, you can't know how jealous I am… From what you've just told me, this Simon Winchester can teach you so much. I think you should accept."
"Yes, I couldn't agree more."
The two teens jerked in shock and Harry scrambled to his feet as he whipped out his wand and whirled around to face the newcomer, noting with some satisfaction that Hermione had reacted the same way. His heart was beating in his throat, and he swallowed hard as the figure in front of them slowly raised his hands in a non threatening gesture, and Harry cast a quick Lumos so he could see who had overheard them.
And felt his shoulders sag in relief at the now familiar face of Gabriel Winchester.
"Merlin's balls, you scared the shit out of me." Harry muttered, face turning red in shame at having been caught unaware like that, and he lowered his wand. At his side, Hermione did the same, albeit much more reluctantly, and Gabriel spoke as he crossed his arms. "Case of bad conscience Mr. Potter? I may not have been around here for all that long, but I do know that you are not supposed to be out after hours." And for a moment there, Harry really thought the man was serious, until a wide grin broke out on the older wizard's face, and the two teens found themselves instantly relaxing as the red haired Professor chuckled. "Relax kids, as far as I'm concerned, none of us were here this evening… And Harry, what your friend just said is true. An Apprenticeship is a good thing, and Simon has a lot to give if you let him. I was meaning to talk to you before, but we all witnessed what came up instead." Harry didn't miss the troubled look on the older wizard's face, but it was Hermione who spoke first. "How is he?"
Gabriel looked up at his classmate, a hint of surprise widening his eyes slightly before he forced another smile. But it was obvious this one wasn't genuine, as the expression didn't reach his eyes, and Harry didn't miss the frustration in Gabriel's voice as he answered Hermione's question. "He'll be alright, it wasn't nearly as bad as it looked."
While Harry doubted the truth of those words, he wasn't about to pressure the man, so the two teens simply nodded in acceptance as the red haired wizard turned around and started walking back, motioning for them to follow. They fell in step on either side of their new Defense Professor, and Harry looked up at the tall man as he asked the question which had been burning on his tongue from the moment the man had shown up. "How did you know we were there?"
Gabriel glanced at him and threw him a wink. "I have my ways. I'm really good at sneaking. Which reminds me of something else I've been meaning to tell you as Simon probably hasn't yet… If there's something you want to talk about, with us or now that your friend knows, with her, please know that our quarters are almost without exception available to you. They are warded against spying and most anything else you can imagine… that's Simon's paranoia for you. There's no need to sneak around and risk anyone you don't want to overhearing you. You're of course free to decide for yourself whether to take me up on this, but know that our door is always open to you."
The warmth that filled him at those words was overwhelming, and Harry smiled back at the older wizard, hoping the man would recognize what those words meant to him. Hermione was also struck speechless, and Harry exchanged a significant look with her as they continued on in silence. They would have to continue their conversation later, but already he felt almost sure of what his answer to Simon was going to be.
This year, things were going to change drastically it seemed...
"Thank you."
