Hermione got to the library first after dinner and went back to the restricted section. She settled herself at the desk again but it was only moments before she looked up from the book, unable to concentrate. She'd had a weird feeling, one that she couldn't put her finger on, all afternoon. It was like a weight was on her making her feel lethargic and unhappy. She supposed that all this must be getting to her more than she thought. She was disturbed from her thoughts by Draco arriving. He nodded in her direction before disappearing into the shelves, joining her back at the desk with a pile of books a few minutes later.
"Any developments?" he asked and Hermione shook her head.
"No," she said.
"I'm going to attack it from another angle," Draco answered, already opening a book. "They're Merlin stones so let's find out about Merlin."
They sat for over an hour in silence, each of them searching through book after book. As Hermione closed her last book she felt a wave of sadness wash over her. They were fighting a losing battle and it was time to tell Professor McGonagall. She glanced over at Draco who was engrossed in a large book. He was full of surprises and his current attitude was definitely one. Co-operation, enthusiasm, dedication?
"You won't find the answers by staring at me," Draco said and he lifted his head before she could turn away.
"I know," Hermione sighed. "To be honest I just feel all out of sorts...I mean this is so important but I feel unenthusiastic and negative about it." She wasn't sure what made her confess this so readily and she waited for his sarcastic, scathing remark. It didn't come and she stared at him, surprised.
"Lethargic," Draco said one word as if it explained everything. "If this is how Muggles feel then I'm truly glad I'm not one."
"You feel strange as well?" Hermione asked.
"Yep...I feel sort of pessimistic, apathetic..."
Hermione sat forward in her seat a little. "That's it! That's what I meant."
Draco shut the book he was reading and sighed. "We've done all we can. It's time to tell Professor McGonagall."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione lay in her bed staring at the ceiling. They'd gone straight to Professor McGonagall's office and she'd let them explain what had happened, without interruption. When they'd finished she had nodded, in her usual calm way.
"Very puzzling. I'm not familiar with this happening before either," she said. "However, I'm sure we can deal with this so you did the right thing telling me - in fact you should have come to me straight away."
"We didn't want to spoil this fortnight - it's been going so well," Hermione explained.
"It has but your predicament is far more important," Professor McGonagall answered. "Anyway, there is no need to announce this yet. We should do that only when it becomes absolutely necessary."
"That will be tomorrow then," Draco said in his usual blunt way. "It's the broomstick masterclass."
"Ah," Professor McGonagall nodded her understanding. "We can postpone it."
"That's what I mean about this disrupting things," Hermione said. "It will be hard to include it later in the week and I know it's proved to be very popular."
"Again, hardly important in the scheme of things," Professor McGonagall said. "However, I do see your point so maybe there is another way around it."
"How?" Draco asked.
"Well - wasn't Miss Granger going to participate as well? To demonstrate how an adamant non-flyer can be converted with the right teaching?"
Hermione grunted her disdain at being persuaded to go along with this idea but Draco ignored her and answered.
"Yes, she was."
"So can the lesson not be adapted to take this situation into account?" Professor McGonagall watched the two faces in front of her. "Surely I don't need to hand the answer to the two brightest students in their year on a plate?"
"You mean we could ride together?" Hermione asked, although she knew perfectly well what the professor meant.
"Indeed!" Both Draco and Hermione's expression conveyed their less than enthusiastic response to this idea so Professor McGonagall leant forward on her desk. "You have to decide how we proceed. If you don't think you can make the lesson work then we may have to make some sort of announcement to postpone or even cancel it. We can announce the real reason or make an excuse. Or you can adapt the lesson and proceed whilst I make every effort to provide a solution to your problem for you? The decision is yours, of course. I'm happy to go along with it."
Hermione hated the sound of all their options but she knew what was the right thing to do and as much as the idea terrified her she knew she had to ride with Draco. She answered first. "I think we should try and adapt the lesson." She saw Draco turn to her but she kept her eyes on Professor McGonagall.
"Mr Malfoy?"
"Sorry - I'm just surprised that Granger...Hermione has agreed to ride a broomstick with me!" Draco answered and Professor McGonagall gave him a small smile.
"Is that the way you would like to proceed as well then?"
"Yes - we can try it."
"Very good," Professor McGonagall nodded. "With your agreement I think we should inform Mr Potter so that he can assist during the lesson?" Hermione nodded, she wanted to tell Harry anyway. To her relief, Draco made no protest either. The professor continued. "I would also like to tell Mr Longbottom, again with your agreement. I think as a professor here, he will be able to smooth things over for you a little and I do have an idea of something that may be able to help us. Having Mr Longbottom aware of the situation would be beneficial, I believe?"
"I'd love Neville to know but I'm just concerned that the more people we tell, the more chance there is that everyone will find out," Hermione expressed her concerns.
"Of course it increases the risk but I think you already know that both Mr Potter and Mr Longbottom will have no trouble keeping your secret for you. In fact, I believe they can help keep it a secret because soon it is going to become increasingly difficult to do that."
"We should tell Longbottom," Draco gave a surprising answer that made Hermione stare at him.
"Miss Granger?"
"Yes - I'd like Neville to know, of course I would..."
"Very well. I will call them both here first thing and put them in the picture. If the two of you could work on adapting the lesson and then we can get to work trying to solve this for you."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Hermione eventually dropped off to sleep but she woke early again and after just a few minutes she got up. She tiptoed out to the kitchen and made herself a drink before sitting in an armchair by the windows. She wished desperately that she could shake the awful, downbeat feeling that was permanently with her. It made her mind sluggish as well as her body.
Hermione was on drink number three before anyone else got up. She saw Harry, who was already dressed, enter the kitchen and she knew it must be time for him to see McGonagall. She was tempted to rush over and tell him herself but she knew it would be better if the professor did it so she slipped down in her chair so that he couldn't see her, until she heard him leave the room.
After that, she went and got washed and dressed before coming back to the communal room which was now a little busier. She spoke briefly to Ginny and Ernie but her eye was on the clock, wondering if Harry knew yet. She then noticed Draco in the corner by the windows, sitting in the chair next to the one she had recently vacated. He was staring out of the window and something about his demeanour made her walk straight over to him without thinking. It wasn't until she sat down that he glanced over at her.
"Harry's gone to see Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, partly as a way to start conversation. Now she was over here she wondered why she had come over. What was she supposed to do or say now?
"Good."
"We should work on adapting the lesson straight after breakfast."
"Yes, we should." Draco's voice was unenthusiastic, his eyes not really meeting hers as he spoke.
"Right...in here or will it be too busy?"
"Come to my room - we don't want anyone overhearing, do we?" Draco lifted his eyes to her for the first time.
"No - okay, I'll come to you." Hermione felt awkward. The conversation was stilted and difficult so she gave up and started to stand up until Draco's voice stopped her.
"Hermione?"
She sat down again abruptly, surprised at his use of her first name. "Yes?"
"Are you feeling the same?"
"The same?" Hermione asked, not entirely sure what he was asking if she felt the same as.
"As yesterday - you know, what we talked about. Sort of unenthusiastic and depressed?"
Hermione put her head to one side, their strange, awkward conversation explained. That was the problem! He was feeling like she did. "Yes - I feel terrible actually, I didn't sleep well at all."
"Good." Draco realised what he had said and for the first time this morning his expression lifted. "I don't mean good that you're feeling awful. If you're feeling like that as well then it must be the spell and I'm not going crazy!"
Hermione nodded. "Well I'm glad my misery has helped relieve some of yours," she said, her expression making it clear that she was joking.
Draco returned her little grin. "Being mutually miserable is definitely better than doing it alone!"
Hermione stood up, still smiling. "I'll see you after breakfast."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
When Hermione got back to the communal room she found it deserted apart from Draco and Harry who were sitting together at the far end of the room. She walked over, hoping that things were at least civil between them.
"Hey Hermione," Harry said, his green eyes smiling at her. Draco just looked up and nodded.
"You've seen Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked, taking a seat.
"Yes - it's bloody awful what's happened to you both and really weird," Harry reached over and squeezed her hand. Hermione noticed Draco watching them but she ignored him.
"We have to solve this Harry because right now I can't even charm a broom!"
"Merlin! What a tragedy!" Draco commented and Hermione glared at him.
"It's what I do for a living!"
"Well, right now I can't stop people being killed or maimed. I think that's a bit more important."
"Oh! We're back on that same old line are we?" Hermione snapped at Draco who sat back in his chair arrogantly. "I think we now have got the message that you have the most important job in the universe."
Draco gave her a scathing look and then bent over the desk again. "So, Potter, how long do you think we need to do the dual demonstration? How much detail do we need?"
"Well, all the students who come will be competent flyers so I think it's the subtle details that will matter," Harry answered. He then glanced at Hermione who sat with her arms folded, upset by Draco's attitude. He'd been fine just an hour ago! It really annoyed her the way he switched his civility on and off.
"Yeh - you're right. So, after the dual demonstration we'll get Hermione to explain how she hated flying and then we can do a demonstration on the broom together..." Draco said, as if Hermione wasn't actually there.
"What do you mean, a demonstration?" Hermione asked, not liking the sound of this one little bit.
"A few stunts and some speed skills - nothing too elaborate as it's impossible with two people on a broom," Draco answered. "I'll have to leave the impressive stuff to Potter because of this bloody spell! At least if we finish the lesson with Potter doing a skill demonstration, that'll impress them."
"Stunts? Speed?" Hermione asked before Harry could answer. "I don't do stunts and I definitely don't do speed."
Draco turned his startling eyes on her. "Don't panic! I'll be flying - you'll just be a passenger."
"But I don't want to be a passenger on a broom doing stunts and speed!" Hermione insisted. She heard Harry chuckle so she turned to him. "Why are you laughing?"
"I can't believe you're still worrying about flying!"
"Thanks for the support, Harry."
"Well, whether you like it or not, that's what we'll be doing..." Draco said but Hermione interrupted him.
"Really? I think you'll find that's all dependent on me." She folded her arms again. "You'll be staying on the ground unless I agree to fly with you."
Draco put his quill down and stared at her. "I think you'll find you've already agreed, Granger."
"That was before I knew that stunts and speed would be involved, Malfoy," Hermione said.
"What did you think we were going to do? Take a little gentle ride around the stadium? How would that be a masterclass?"
"Exactly! It's supposed to be a masterclass to give pupils some extra skills and to show them the intricacies of flying. It's not just an opportunity for you to show off!" Hermione sighed and stood up. "Maybe we should just cancel it after all."
"No!" Harry and Draco said this in unison and then looked at one another.
"No Hermione," Harry grabbed her and pulled her to sit back down. "Bearing in mind your situation, I think the two of you should use this as an opportunity to try and get on."
"Skip the lecture saint Potter," Draco said sarcastically but he gave a grin that took the sting out of his words. He turned his eyes back to just Hermione. "Potters right though, we should stop arguing."
"You're both only saying that because neither of you want the masterclass cancelled." Hermione observed the two men sitting by her with suspicion. "I'm not that easily fooled that the pair of you suddenly want peace and harmony! Not after you were such shining examples of tolerance for seven years at school."
Harry grinned at his friend but said nothing. Draco was watching her intently and she wished he'd stop it. She wasn't an idiot though and she knew that Harry was right. She and Draco needed to try and work together like they had being doing. She glanced from one to the other of them and sighed again. "Okay - I'll do it but I want to know exactly what moves you're planning beforehand."
"Well, I don't usually tell women what moves I have planned beforehand but if you insist..." Draco said and Harry chuckled again.
Hermione rolled her eyes but part of her was pleased to see Harry and Draco getting along. She was about to tell them this when the door opened to and Neville stepped in.
"Harry, Hermione, Malfoy..." he said as he squeezed a seat into the small gap that was left.
"Have you spoken to Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked.
"Yes and I can't believe it! I mean, no magic at all? It's ridiculous!" Neville looked distressed and Hermione actually felt sorry for him. "I'm really sorry about what's happened to you...both of you."
"Thanks Neville," Hermione smiled at him. He was such a lovely person. As if he could read her mind Neville now went on to demonstrate exactly that.
"Thanks for letting Professor McGonagall tell me," he said. "I know she asked your permission and there is only Harry and I who know."
"We're glad you can try and help us," Hermione said.
"Merlin! I think I might vomit in a minute," Draco said and he met their gazes unashamedly. "Bloody Gryffindor co-operation and understanding. Come on Potter, let's go and do a run through and leave these two to gush over each other in private."
"He's not lost any of his charm, has he?" Neville asked, once Harry and Draco had left. "I bet you'd give anything for it not be Malfoy involved in this?"
"Yes..." Hermione hesitated and then shrugged. "To be fair, he's not been too bad. I did actually feel better once we were working it out together but his social skills need improving, I'll give you that."
"This is what was wrong with you the other day, isn't it?" Neville asked, his gentle eyes on her face. "When you were asking me all those strange questions?"
"Yes - I needed to know if anyone else was affected."
"Why didn't you tell me then? I could have helped you," Neville asked.
"I didn't want to spoil this - it had gone so well," Hermione explained. "I was hoping I could fix it before anyone needed to know but you're right, maybe I should have just told you then."
"Yes you should because then I would have been able to tell Professor McGonagall who could have told us the thing she's just told me," Neville chuckled at his convoluted sentence. Hermione couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Pardon? You lost me half way through that!"
Neville smiled at her. "Professor McGonagall has told me something that might help us."
"What?" Hermione couldn't keep the hope out of her voice.
"She isn't supposed to tell anyone without special permission from the Ministry but as we're trying to keep all this as quiet as possible she didn't want to do that. So she's taken the decision to trust us never to speak of what we are going to be allowed to see."
"Merlin, Neville! Are you trying to kill me with suspense?" Hermione nudged him on the shoulder. "Get on with it for heaven's sake!"
Neville laughed at her excitement. "Don't pin all your hopes on this - it's definitely not a guarantee to finding the answer to help you."
"Okay - I know."
"Not all the documents concerning Hogwarts are kept in the library, some are kept in the Headmistress' office, some are kept in the dungeons. However, the most precious and ancient ones aren't in any of those places."
"I know all this," Hermione jumped in. "The ancient and important documents like the original plans and spells used on the staircases etc were all destroyed in a fire a few centuries ago."
"Yes and no." Neville grinned widely, knowing he was being infuriating.
Hermione pulled a face at him. "Stop teasing me."
"And if I don't, what are you going to do? Hex me?" Neville now burst out laughing and Hermione couldn't help but join in.
"That was evil!" she said, but she was giggling.
"There was a fire - a well documented one as we all know from history lessons but not everything was destroyed. Most of the very precious documents were protected by spells and therefore survived and they're still kept here at Hogwarts."
Hermione's eyes showed her surprise. "Really? So they let everyone think they had been destroyed and then hid them here?"
"Yes. It was done for security reasons and it proved to be a good decision because if Voldemort had known of their existence he would have wanted to get hold of them. The spells that protect the castle and the special spells created by all the former headmasters are here. This is top secret, Hermione. Only you, Harry, Malfoy and myself are allowed to know and we must be very discreet and careful because Professor McGonagall could be in very deep trouble."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, of course. Where is it? When can we go and look?"
"Now!" Neville held up a key with a grin. "I'm free until lunchtime so we can make a start while Harry and Malfoy are practising their masterclass. Then maybe we could all go back after dinner?"
There you go, quite a long chapter and I do realise that not an awful lot happened but I hope you enjoyed it anyway. I think that the conversations they have are sometimes just as crucial to the story as the plot or action. Let me know what you thought. x