Disclaimer: I live in Texas, not Scotland, so I am obviously not JK Rowling. I'm just playing with the wonderful characters that she created. I promise that I will put them back the way I found them when I'm done!
AN:Here's the next chappie! Thanks to all who reviewed. As always, please R&R. My muse loves the attention.
Visited Upon the Son
© SparkyCSI
14. To Tell the Truth
When Hermione awoke the next morning, her body felt physically better, but her heart was heavy. After her talk with Ginny, she knew that she had to come clean with Draco, but wasn't sure what his reaction would be. Sighing, she got up and quickly grabbed her clothes to take a shower.
Silently, she stood under the hot spray, mentally debating with herself before finally deciding to tell him. Once out of the shower, she did a quick drying charm on her hair and got dressed. She walked down to the quiet kitchen to find Molly humming softly to herself as she prepared breakfast.
"Good morning," Hermione said softly.
Molly turned around quickly, startled. "Good morning, Mia," she said brightly. "How are you feeling?"
"The sleep helped." Hermione bit her lip. "Would you mind if Draco and I left today? I think I need to talk to him about what happened and I don't want to do that here."
Molly looked at her, concern simmering in her eyes. "Sure. I'll make your excuses to the rest of the family."
"Thank you," Hermione rose from where she was sitting at the table, wanting to leave before more people got up. Quickly, she walked upstairs and knocked lightly on Draco's door.
"Come in," Draco called sleepily.
Hermione walked in and flushed a little to find Draco still in bed. "Hi," she started hesitantly.
"Mia? Are you okay?"
Hermione drew in a breath. "I'm not sure. Listen, you asked me to tell you what was wrong and I promised you that I would tell you. How do you feel about going back to Hogwarts to talk?"
Draco stared at her, sensing her trepidation. "Okay. When do you want to leave?"
"As soon as possible. I want to try to leave before most of the family gets up."
Draco nodded. "I'll get dressed and then we can leave," he said with a smile.
"Thanks," Hermione said as she left the room.
Draco got up quickly and instead of taking a shower, opted for a simple cleansing charm before quickly packing his belongings up. Within fifteen minutes, he was walking out of the room, the luggage shrunk and stowed in his pockets.
He walked downstairs and found Hermione and Ginny chatting quietly at the table. "Good morning, Ginny," Draco said.
"Good morning," Ginny replied. She turned and gave Hermione a quick hug whilst whispering, "Owl me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Gin. I will," Hermione replied with a smile. She watched Ginny leave with a little regret in her eyes, nervous about the conversation. She looked up at Draco. "Ready to go?"
"Yes. Are we going to use the Floo?"
"No. The Floo to Hogwarts is not hooked up now, so we'll have to Apparate to Hogsmeade and then walk to the castle," she said as she stood up.
"Okay. I'm ready. Let's go."
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Minutes later, the pair was walking silently up the path to Hogwarts. Hermione was chewing on her bottom lip out of worry and Draco seemed content that all of his questions would be answered so there seemed to be no reason to talk. Once inside the castle, Draco looked at Hermione. "I'll go put my luggage away. Do you want to talk in my chambers or yours?"
Hermione looked at him, worry in her eyes. "I think mine would be better. I'll have Dobby bring us some tea," she said as she walked towards her quarters. Once there, she quickly unpacked and called out for Dobby.
"Yes, Miss Mia?" the little Elf asked as he popped into view.
Hermione smiled at him. "Can you please bring tea for two in fifteen minutes? Draco and I will be having a talk and we need not be disturbed during it."
Dobby nodded. "Of course, Miss Mia. Dobby will make sure of that," he assured her as he popped out.
Fifteen minutes later, the tea and scones were ready, and Hermione was pacing like a restless lioness around her quarters. She had straightened the room within a hair of it's life and finally sank into a chair, her head between her hands. I don't want to do this, she thought. She shook her head. But it's not fair to keep this from Draco. He cares about you and he has changed. He is nothing like his father, the logical voice inside her head replied calmly.
He won't be able to stand the sight of me after I tell him! she shot back to the voice. Why? Because you got captured? He knows what the Death Eaters did. He won't hold it against you, the voice replied.
Hermione shook her head, feeling like an idiot for debating with herself. She was running her fingers through her hair, trying to calm down, when a knock echoed softly on her door. Biting her lip, she stood up and opened the door.
When the door opened, Draco looked at Hermione. He saw worry and wariness shining in her eyes. Sensing that what she had to tell him was serious, he nodded solemnly. He followed her as she beckoned him inside towards the fire.
Hermione was silent as she sat down across from Draco. Slowly, she drew in a breath and began her story.
April 29, 1997
It was a normal Tuesday night. Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor common room, working on her homework, which was not due until the following week. She had just started on the Potions essay, when Harry and Ron ran into the room, out of breath. She looked at both of them. "Really, boys. Must you be such a distraction?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
Harry and Ron sat on either side of her. "'Mione?" Ron asked in a hushed tone. "We need your help?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ronald. How many times do I have to tell you that I am not going to do your homework? It's right before N.E.W.T.S."
"That's not it, 'Mione. We've heard some news," Harry said softly before casting the Silencing charm. "Voldemort is planning on attacking Hogwarts."
Hermione's eyes opened wide as she straightened up. "What? When?"
Ron took her hand, holding it softly whilst stroking the back of it with his thumb. "Soon. Within a week."
Hermione looked at both of them. "How do you know this?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other. "Tonks went undercover and overheard some plans that Lucius Malfoy was making. She told the Order, but they aren't taking it seriously. They believe that Hogwarts is impenetrable," Harry said in disgust.
Hermione shook her head, hearing the scorn in his voice for the Order's lack of taking anything threat seriously. "Do you believe Tonks? Do you think that she is right?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, we do. So, what do we do? The Order is not taking us seriously and so…." he trailed off as the worry filled his voice.
Hermione smiled. "That's why you came to me. Ron, you know strategy. Tell me, what are the most likely points of entry for a force of Death Eaters?"
Ron thought for a moment. "They can't come in through the Room of Requirement anymore, so I would say that the hidden passages are the most likely entry point, barring a full frontal assault," he said with confidence, talking like a general.
Hermione smiled, her heart swelling with pride as he lost all hesitation. "Okay," she said as she turned to Harry. "Do you have the Map with you?" Harry nodded and quickly laid the map out in front of them. Hermione pointed to the passages. "We need to post sentries in front of the one from Honeyduke's. I don't think that they will come in from the Shrieking Shack, but with Wormtail still part of their forces, nothing is off limits." Hermione paused, her thoughts racing while she tried to plan out what they could do.
They worked quietly as they began to make a plan, Hermione pointed out that the coins they had used for the DA in 5th year were still active. "We can use those to send messages. If the teachers won't protect us, we'll just have to protect ourselves."
Draco interrupted her at that point. "What do you mean by coins?"
Hermione smiled. "It was the way that the DA communicated and set up our meetings. I enchanted coins to carry short messages to all the members to let them know when to meet."
Draco nodded. "You managed to do that in 5th year? I'm impressed."
Hermione blushed slightly. "Thanks. I am rather proud of that, but getting back to the story…"
April 30, 1997
Hermione looked around the room, surprised at how few members of the DA had shown up. It was her, Harry, Ron, Neville, Luna, Ginny, Dean, Seamus and Colin. "Is this it?" she asked Harry in hushed tones.
Harry looked around. "Looks like. It's already ten past when we had set to meet." He cleared his throat. "All right. We are here because Voldemort is planning on attacking Hogwarts. The professors are not taking the threat seriously, so it is up to us to try and protect the school." He made a motion towards Ron who flicked his wand, bringing up a blueprint of the school.
"Here are the three areas where the Death Eaters are most likely to enter." He pointed out three places. "First, the secret passage from Honeyduke's, then the next passage from the Shrieking Shack by the Whomping Willow and finally the front hall." He looked around, making eye contact with each person there. "Since there are only nine of us, we will split into three teams. First, Dean, Ginny and Colin. You three take the front entrance. Seamus, Neville and Luna, taking the Whomping Willow. Harry, Hermione and I will take the passage from Honeyduke's. We think that is the most likely point. Keep your coins on you at all times. If you see any Death Eaters, let the rest of us know through them."
Hermione stepped forward. "We have a very strong indication that they will be attacking within the next couple of days. They will not attack during the daylight hours as the Professors will be out and about. We believe that they will strike sometime around midnight. I as Head Girl, will be able to get you out of the dorms and into position. We start the patrol tonight. Any questions?"
The group looked around each other, feeling determination rising in them. Each one shook their head. "We're ready," Neville said, speaking with authority.
Hermione looked at Draco, a haunted look entering her eyes as she paused. "Give me a moment," she said before picking up her tea, trying to buy time to keep the memories from overwhelming her.
Draco looked at her, feeling uneasy and confused. "Mia? I thought the Final Battle was fought at the beginning of June?"
Hermione looked into the fire and answered him in a monotone voice. "It was, but this is very important. What happened that night changed a lot of people and possibly changed the outcome of the war."
Draco looked at her. "Take your time," he said, settling back into his chair determined to not allow his curiosity to push her too far.
AN: I know. I'm evil! Muhahaha! Anyways, there are 2 versions of chapter 15. One for this website, which is suitable for non-adult readers and a more explict version that will be posted att adultfanfiction dot net for those who are of age to read that sort of thing! Also, I must say, wow at all the reviews I got for the last chapter! You guys overwhelm me! (And I think it might have made my muse a little more productive, so I can actually finish this story!)
Bella1992 - It helps for the necklace that I had something to look at to describe it, but the watch was my own creation! I think I just have an overactive imagination. (:p). Thanks!
LosingTrack - I'm glad you liked it! These chapters were the easiest for me to write. My muse loves the angst and these chapters are filled it it! Thanks!
Kat.1600 - Thank you! Here ya go! (:p)
jocat - Thanks! I can do humor every now and then (actually, right now I'm working on a one shot for CSI: NY that is based on the song Carrot Juice Is Murder, and I have one of my friends laughing so hard right now) but mostly I don't try either. I think you just have to have the right personality to write humor all the time, and I obviously don't have it! (:D)
blair08 - Thanks. She starts opening up to him this chapter, but when I initially wrote it, it was so long that I decided to break it into two. The next chapter is where she comes fully clean with him. I wonder how he'll react?
fanficfan73 - No, he's not married yet, him and Luna will be getting married sometime in the summer. He also got a special extension from the Ministry since he is a teacher. I do plan on focusing a little more on him and Hermione's friendship starting in 17, once the revelation of what happened to Hermione is completely on the table. I will also be giving updates on the rest of the weddings (the twins will have a joint wedding, of course) and I know that at least Ginny's wedding will be in a chapter. But that is subject to change, since I haven't gotten that far in the story yet; I may have more. Thanks!
whatifgirl - Thank you very much!
imcck - I'm glad you found it! He has changed. Going through the war was traumatic on everyone and since I can't write a normal Draco and Hermione being together, I always change him up a little. Hum. Maybe I should write and evil Hermione? I love the snarkiness that Draco has in the books! (now I must go beat off the plot bunnies of doom...I have to many stories in progress as it is!). Thanks!
ReaderforLife - Thanks! I'm glad that you are still liking it!
slytherinqueen23 - Wow. 2 reviews! I'm excited! I think is reaction is fairly typical for a man that just received the shocking news, but since I'm not a guy, I can't be for sure. I like the non evil Draco when being paired with Hermione, so I always write him as metaphorically having seen the "light". Thanks for both your reviews! That made my day!