A/N: Special shout out to my wonderful editors, my newest Beta SnapeBaby27 and my alpha Forestwytch.
I hope all of you like the chapter. And thanks to my reviewers and those who wished me luck in my exams. 3 down 3 more to go. :)
Let me know what you think,
XOXO
Chapter Twelve
The rest of the train ride was a blur. Tonks had come by shortly after dropping off the two other aurors in the Ministry to ask for further questions. The two were suspended without pay at a moment's notice and pending investigations for their actions. In truth, I didn't care too much how the two were doing. I was utterly exhausted. Luna was the one who filled in Tonks who took our official statement for the report that was needed. She assured us in her own quirky way that we had done well protecting the students, but why it needed to be done by two other students astonished her.
In all honestly, it shocked me that it was only us two that had done the deed. The Ministry was already having a field day with this, no doubt trying to twist the story to benefit them. The two aurors that were meant to protect us probably wouldn't be on the Prophet at all, if the Ministry wanted it to.
We avoided the rest of the crowds who looked at us in amazement and slight apprehension. Whether the threat was gone, it lingered in their minds. Instead, we opted to seclude ourselves in a compartment for some well-deserved rest. Tonks joined us after doing a quick tour of the train.
There were several aurors in place when we stopped at the train station. All of them looking rather strict and proper. They looked at me silently as I passed them. A few growing more rigid as I did so. They must have heard.
"You know, the Minister hinted about you two getting an Order of Merlin for your troubles," Tonks mentioned as we boarded the thestral drawn carriage. The beast didn't stun me anymore as I glanced at its deathly appearance.
"They want it to be publicized that two young witches had to fight for their lives?" Harry sneered. The Ministry must be getting more desperate if they did.
"They want us to give the public hope, don't they," my question was more of a statement to my ears.
"Yes," Tonks said simply.
"It makes sense," Luna voiced in.
"They want Hermione and Luna to be some sort of poster girls?" Ron asked.
"Like Luna said, it makes sense," I added. He looked at me, waiting for me to explain. "The Ministry needs to give people hope since there has been a lot of bad publicity so far in this war. Having two underage girls still attending Hogwarts protecting all the students from being overcome by dragons and dementors would show that Hogwarts has the strongest people who will protect the next generation of children. It's good PR," I mentioned.
"Which Order?" Luna spoke, her airy voice filtered through the air.
"I would think it would be Second, though a close First Class," Tonks admitted. "But with everything going on, they may give you a First Class Order of Merlin."
"Bloody hell," Ron said. "You're really going to get an Order of Merlin."
"I still can't believe you fought off two dragons and hundreds of dementors," Harry added. "If I didn't know any better I would think you were trying to beat me," he joked.
"Trust me, Harry," I laughed. "I never wanted that." We disembarked the carriage soon after. It was a weird sight, seeing everyone else getting checked over for dark artifacts that may have been in their possession by Filch. They didn't bother with us. It was their mistake. As we, along with the other students, entered the large castle that would be our home for yet another year I felt Harry's hand grab my arm, keeping me from following in with the others.
"Hey, Hermione. Why did Malfoy looked so worried when you came in?" Harry looked confused. The expression was becoming something normal for me to see on him when it came to me. I was hiding a lot of things, after all.
"Remember that day when we went in Madam Malkin's shop?" I questioned him, coming up with the viable lie Elena had helped set in place in the case that I should need it. She was right, I did need it.
"Yeah, I remember," he spoke softly, recalling that odd interaction.
"Elena and Narcissa Malfoy had both told Draco, and yes I'm calling him Draco right now, to basically look after me." I said carefully. He looked even more perplexed at my answer.
"He's been nothing but mean to you. He's bullied you and called you names," Harry insisted.
"That was when everyone including me, thought that I was muggleborn. Being a half-blooded Salian changes things. He can't bother me anymore. Despite being half-blood my status is just as high as his." My counter did nothing to soothe his thoughts.
"He's a death eater!" Harry whispered harshly. If a yell could be whispered that would be how he spoke to me.
"He isn't." the truth spilled from my lips. Not if I can help it at least. "Look I know you don't like him but Elena expects me to be civil with him. We need a bit of inter-house unity anyway." I argued.
"But he's Malfoy," Harry said exasperatedly.
"And he is still a young wizard who can be a very decent man if you give him a chance," Harry looked as if I was completely mad and I held my hand up to stop him from speaking. "Look I'm not asking you to be friends with him or anything, but I will be talking to him and he will be talking to me at the request of my sister and his mother. We are at war Harry, and if we can convert the Malfoys to our side we can help save a lot of people, and we will have better chances on winning," I admitted. He pondered over what I had just said with a sense of maturity.
"Fine. I don't like it but I can see why you want to play nice," Harry decided. He looked a bit sullen over the fact. "We won't turn out to be friends."
"But if he is around me?" I probed.
"I won't have a go at him unless he has a go at me first," Harry gave in to my wants fairly easily and I gave him a smile.
"Thank you," I whispered. "That's all I can ask."
"I can't say the same about Ron," he spoke.
"None of us can," I chuckled.
"What I do for you," Harry sighed before wrapping his arm around me, pulling me close to him.
"Thank goodness you're one of my besties," I teased the wizard.
"Thank Merlin for that. If I wasn't I don't think I could have ever survived all these years," I laughed. "I mean it. You would've killed me ten times over. You're a scary witch when you're mad." I laughed again as we finally entered the great hall.
"And don't you forget about it." He led me to our seats where Ron was already waiting, searching for us from the crowd that we came with. We were one of the last students who trailed in to take their seats. Squeezing through the sea of students we sat down by the others waiting for Dumbledore to announce the sorting of the first years.
There were a fairly moderate number of students waiting to be sorted though none were all that striking to me. Many ended up in Hufflepuff, fourteen in Gryffindor and a dozen in Ravenclaw. Slytherin had the least amount of new student with two short of a dozen students as a fresh batch to join in the serpent house. It was, overall a boring and normal sorting. The hat sang, more like preached, of house unity and the need to stay united over such troubled times. It was a tiring song. We clapped for it lazily nonetheless and it was only when the Headmaster rose to give his speech that people truly woke up. Giving his short speech about the rules of the school he began his introduction of the newest teacher in their staff.
"I would like for you all to welcome our newest addition," the wizard cheerfully spoke. "Professor Horace Slughorn." There were polite claps from the students, which died down quickly as the headmaster began to speak once more. "Professor Slughorn has thankfully gone back in his retirement to join us this year at his previous post as our Potions' Professor." The news caused nearly everyone's heads to turn. Their thoughts were apparent from their faces.
"I thought you said he was our new defense?" Ron quickly asked Harry. Harry's answer was left unspoken as Dumbledore continued on despite the small ruckus he created.
"Meanwhile, Professor Snape will be taking on the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"No!" Harry's yell was louder than what it should be and I quickly held his hand to quench his need to stand and outright question the headmaster's sanity. I had to stem my emotions as well as he did, though mine was the complete opposite of his. I was elated to hear Dumbelore speak of Severus' new posts. While Severus loved working with potions he always liked dabbling in the dark arts and I knew he wanted to at least, for one year, teach the students something else, apart from potions. After nearly two decades of being a teacher, he rather wanted a change in classroom scenery.
The claps coming from the Slytherin table was deafening as they cheered for their head of house. They overpowered the Gryffindors' displeasure, and even a few Hufflepuffs and a number of Ravenclaws joined in celebrating Severus. It seemed that Severus wasn't truly hated by everyone that wasn't in Slytherin.
We tucked in to our supper short after as the food appears before us. The feast was just like how it normally was. Plate after plate of food spread out before us to feast on. The usual talk of quidditch had lain forgotten as the news of Severus' new posts was discussed all along the table. It was big new.
I stole a few glances at Severus who, while taking a few bites, was surveying the room. His attention carefully divided to take in everything, listening to only the important information that he may need for future references. If he wasn't so quiet at times or as snarky he would have made a very good gossiper. He knew quite a bit, or could find out about anything from the students and fellow teachers around him. His eyes caught mine for a brief moment, lightening up from the coldness he had put up. With a small tick to his lips, he smiled at me discreetly. It sent my heart fluttering, that one stolen moment and I smiled back at him in respond. It was a short secret moment, one of many that we would have throughout that year.
As we finished our meals the Headmaster rose from his seat, up to the front of the staff table with the last small speech of the night.
"Attention please," he called out raising his hands towards us to quiet us down. His hand had grown black and gray, the decomposition of it was abnormal but I can tell that the curse had festered at his skin, growing and unstoppable. It had already travelled from its starting point. The once infected finger had consumed the hand and a bit of his arm already in such a short duration. Only time will tell just how long he would truly have. It seemed that everyone's attention was on his hand, just like mine was, their whispering filling my ears.
"No need to worry," he spoke gently. "Simply a bit of a spell gone wrong." His excuse was worthless to me but it was enough for the others who quieted down. "As many of you know the wizarding world is at the brink of war. What many of you do not know is that you can make a difference. It was many years ago that a student, much like any one of you, walked these very same halls; an ambitious young wizard, who went with the name Tom Riddle." There was a murmur of confusion as Dumbledore spoke and even I was paying close attention to his words. "Though today he goes by a different name. Today he is known as Lord Voldemort." The rise in whispers spread throughout the room like wildfire.
"He, like I said, was an ambitious boy with great potential. He, however, fell into the wrong path and became the dark wizard he is today. Our world is at war," the elder wizards said strongly. "But do not lose hope, for you are in the safest establishment in our world as of this moment. For help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who asks of it." He was blatant in his words as his eyes landed on Draco, who flinched in his seat.
"Now, pip pip all of you. Time for bed." The Headmaster quickly dismissed. It was an abrupt dismissal, but then again it was Dumbledore that was speaking. Everyone was already used to, or tolerated, his sporadic and eccentric ways.
"I think I'm going to head in tonight," I muttered to the boys. They nodded in acceptance to my excuse of not joining them. It was completely believable anyways with the day I had so far. Even for the other students it was an emotionally draining day. I let everyone leave the great hall before getting up myself.
"Miss Granger," I heard the headmaster say. Turning around I spoke a calm greeting.
"It's Salian now, Professor," I added. His eyes crinkled, twinkling in the light. I twitched. I really hated that twinkle.
"So I've heard. May we speak in my office?" He looked unusually too happy and I felt wary over his request.
"Of course, sir," I replied politely despite my uneasiness. He led me through the castle, humming to himself. We passed by several students who had kept wandering through the corridors as it was not near curfew yet. It was only until we sat down in his office that he spoke again.
"I wished to have Miss Lovegood in our presence as well. Sadly I was not able to reach her before she left," Dumbledore spoke gently. "Lemon drop?" He offered.
"No thank you," I gently denied. "May I ask what this is about?" I probed.
"I was very saddened to hear about the event that had happened during your train ride here. The aurors on board were supposed to protect all of you, yet you and Miss Lovegood had to go through such an ordeal all by yourself." He was fishing for something and I knew it. As concerned as he seemed, and while a measure of that concern was real, there was a more covert intention that he allowed to show.
"Luna and I were very lucky that we were able to keep everyone safe. As Head Girl I wish to protect all the other students," I said calmly. I looked him squarely in the eyes, hiding my true thoughts behind several barricades within my mind, only letting a trickle of truth to the forefront to ease the man's thoughts. While he wasn't performing a true legillimence spell on me, his eyes were still as searching as could be as they stared deeply in mine. They did say that the eyes are the windows to a person's soul. Those words were very much true.
"Perhaps not just luck," the headmaster said after a few seconds had passed. "You are a very talented witch. Being a Salian witch perhaps adds to that as well. Talent and power, both through magic and status." He ended.
"I suppose. I have worked hard to get into the position I am at today. Though I suppose it shows, with me being Head Girl despite being only a sixth year," I let the light playful tone in my voice play out. The wizard gave me a small smile, amused by the fact as well.
"And I suppose you are wondering why I truly have brought you here, so soon in the year," Dumbledore's once light tone turned gravely calm and serious. The change in his demeanor was instant and for the first time I saw the inkling of the man he had hidden beneath for all these years. The man that the Fates had turned their backs on after all the wrongful manipulation he had done. It was terrifying.
"There's more?" I played off as if I didn't know. He seemed to believe it well enough as he regarded me carefully.
"I may be asking too much of you. However with the war, I believe I must," he admitted. He looked honestly saddened by that fact but I didn't let it completely sink into me. I couldn't let in, for all I knew it was all a ploy to get me to do what he wanted without question.
"What is it Headmaster?" I questioned.
"I suspect that young Draco Malfoy may be acting under Voldemort's instruction. I wish for you to get close to him and perhaps, if able, turn him to our side." He laid everything out there for me to digest and I feigned shock. Taking a few minutes to collect my 'stunned' self I glanced at the experienced wizard in front of me.
"So Harry was right? He's a death eater?" I voiced out, my words trembling ever so slightly for a more dramatic and realistic effect.
"Whether he had been branded I am not completely sure, however the possibility is still open for discussion."
"Why me? Why not Harry? Ron? Or even a teacher?" The questions came out rushed, giving a more genuine feel for the moment.
"Harry has too much weight on his shoulders already. He cannot be burdened with more. And teachers," he began, "are not the best idea," he finished vaguely.
"Why me?" I said once more. While I was the obvious choice out of the three of us, the fact that he would disregard other teachers was disturbing. It was as if he expected us children to fight the war in his stead. It was true that I would be fighting in the coming war, but the blatant disregard for our safety was appalling. We are still children, many of which would die because of the man in front of me. Remembering where I was, I tried not to let my disgust oh his schemes show on my face as I waited for his reply.
"He may open up to you more due to your new found status. I believe that your sister, Lady Salian, has also instructed for you to get to know Draco," Dumbledore spoke. I furrowed my eyebrows at his knowledge of that but quickly filed it away.
"Well yes she did, but I can't possibly get him to throw away everything he was raised to believe." My increased hesitance caused his brows to furrow for a moment. He was displeased by it, but nonetheless kept his appearance up. His eyes twitched though it never stopped twinkling as he observed me as I spoke.
"I would not be asking this of you if it was not completely necessary," he spoke gravely. I let myself fake contemplation for a while, hoping I was being as believable as I needed to be. I stared at my hands as they played with the hem of my cloak. It was always best to be fidgety when it came to faking decision making on topics like these. I looked up for a moment to assess the older wizard who stared back at me waiting for an answer. He looked calm, and his eyes tried to see into my mind to ensure that I would do the task he so wished for me to take. I knew I looked like a scared little girl at that very moment as his gleaming eyes softened and he withdrew his attempts to see into my mind. I've practiced the look too many times for it to look fake. It was something that Severus told me I should perfect. After all, no one would suspect a scared young witch to be any threat, even if she had proved herself powerful at one point or another. I let myself close my eyes, taking a deep breath to let the firein my eyes to show again.
"Alright," I decided. "I'll do it." Although I already knew I would. I looked back up at Dumbledore. He was positively jovial at my acceptance. The twinkling in his eyes seemed to shine more as he saw the determination in me. Too bad I had my own agenda.
"Wonderful." He really didn't know that I was playing with his life.
"All I need to do is try and get him to turn to the light?" I questioned.
"Yes. Perhaps his family as well," the wizard added as an after thought.
"The entire Malfoy family?" I said rather concerned. While I knew I would bring them into the mix I wonder if he really did think that they would do what he wished without the right incentive. The Malfoys were, after all, in very high power within the Dark Lord's inner circle.
"Yes. It will be a feat should you manage-"
"But you need the spies," I finished the thought out for him.
"You are a very bright witch, Miss Salian," Dumbledore said.
"They won't turn without an incentive," I let myself voice out carefully. This conversation was getting riskier by the second as I pushed it further and further, testing my limit. I could hear Severus' voice in the back of my mind telling me I was going to far, that I should come back after I officially 'convert' Draco. He was the voice of reason that was squashed by Elena's soft whispers of asserting myself and ensuring that what I want and need would always be within my grasp. The words were just a figment of my imagination, my own subconscious questioning itself. If only Severus spoke louder.
"Should it be within reason, we will offer them what they wish," Dumbledore smiled.
"We would protect the Malfoy family, even after everything they have done?" I let some fake concern over the plan he was giving me seep into my voice.
"Yes. Protect and if they insist a safety clause," he assured. "You will do your best to try and convert them, will you Miss Salian?" His voice turned cold, insistent in my following his orders.
"Of course, sir." I answered automatically. In truth I was surprised that he would offer giving the entire Malfoy family such amnesty, but to each his own. I wasn't one to protest too much. Not when everything was going far too smoothly.
"I plan for you to be their handler. Perhaps taking on Severus as well." His voice was icy making me take notice to just how strong of a wizard he could be.
"I will do my best, sir." I replied back quickly. It seemed to appease him.
"Albus. I believe you have earned the right to privately call me as such," his personality made a complete turn, as he became his joyful self.
"Very well, Albus," I spoke gently, not offering him the same allowance in dropping familiarities.
"Well then," he got up from his seat. I followed his lead, taking a stand. "You must be very tired."
"It has been a long day," I admitted.
"Goodnight to you then, Miss Salian."
"Goodnight Albus." I said softly as I began to take my leave. As I approached the door I heard his voice once more. It was deathly calm, unnerving me and sending a shiver down my spine.
"Do not come by unless I have either called for you or you have converted him."
"Very well, Albus." I inched myself to move once more until I heard Albus speak.
"Miss Salian," he paused. I turned to look at him. He had dropped his façade completely as he stared at me with steely eyes.
"Yes, Albus?"
"This conversation never happened," his words were like ice, frigid and cold as they pierced through my brain. This was the man who ruined everything. This was the man who has caused three wizard wars in his lifetime.
"I understand," my whisper was barely audible though I knew he heard it.
"Do not disappoint me. Merlin knows what would happen should you fail." The subtle threat didn't escape me as I stared at the headmaster I used to admire so much.
I didn't bother to reply as I took one last look at him before I turned and walked away.