New chapter up,
But first can I just say… wow.
I was not expecting the amount of comments from everyone saying how much they loved this chapter, you guys are awesome.
Really, I think that has to be the most I've ever gotten from a single chapter and it makes me so happy to know that you all still love it, even with that long absence.
So this is for all of you as is every one of the stories I do and I'll keep doing them because I really do think you all amazing.
So thank you again and I hope you enjoy.
I don't own HP.
Happy reading. :)
'What seems to be wrong little one?'
Hermione lifted her head and turned in the direction to sound of Nídhogg's voice came. It had been two weeks since the first task and though they had come up with a somewhat passible story of how Harry had found the spell. Thank Professor Flitwick and his seventh years.
By serendipitous luck they learned that he had allowed his Charms advance class permission to be in the forbidden section. With notes allowing them - he had them research some of the more dangerous spells that wasn't applicable to the three main banned ones that everyone knew.
On gaining the information from the twins who were moping as they had tried and failed to get into the closed of corner, they worked a way to collaborate the timing of his students, along with Harry trying to find something to help and happening to come across a spare bit of parchment near his desk.
He was going to use it for writing material but saw that it already had words written down. On going to throw it away he realized that it was a list of spells. He happened to glance them down and saw that they were not any a fourth year would be learning, so took a wild assumption that if they were strong enough, maybe they could be of use to him during his task.
Once he had looked at them and picked out one that seemed easiest to pronounce, he threw the rest in the bin. That was the story and that was what he had told Dumbledore when the headmaster finally caught up with him, the older man simply sat and listened as he went over the blatant lie with a kind smile.
He said nothing once he stopped. Merely looked at him, lost in his thoughts… such loyalty in the face of authority, he knew that Harry was strongly protective over those he counted as loved ones to him, and the fact that he would actually sit in front of him and choose to lie so willingly to his face, told him that he was loyal to the younger girl to a fault.
Of course it went the same way for the rest of them as he asked them… not that he expected them to know where he had gained the knowledge of the spell, it was more of a curiosity to see if they too had the same courage to lie.
They had – all of them had, even Ron who seemed the most nervous of them all, none of them had given away that the lie was anything but that all of them said nothing else on the matter and as much as Minerva wanted to bust them for it, he let them be.
The older woman might not have been able to punish them for their disrespect, but she let her feelings be known in the way she interacted with the younger witch the times they had been alone. Being the smart girl she was it didn't take Hermione long to work out there was something amiss.
At first she had asked what was wrong. The tension in her shoulders so palpable she feared they would snap and fling her head like a catapult, only to be given the barest of answers and in such a sharp manner, well that didn't sit well with her – meal times were also so frosty they might as well have had ice cream for all their stilted conversations and mechanical gestures amounted to.
By the third day of being semi ignored she was pissed off, and so didn't bother with her from that moment on, the only times they bothered to talk was when in class or times when she addressed the tower other than that she kept as far away from the older woman as humanely possible.
Minerva picked up on the roundabout turn of actions and watched as Hermione, for the fourth time that week – pointedly blanked her as she walked out with Harry and Ron from her class. At first it hadn't bothered her; if she wanted to play silly buggers then by all means she could be content to ignore her.
But then it happened in the hallways and courtyard. When they walked past each other, she would see Hermione act like she wasn't even there… or worse, had treated her the same she treated her other hated professor – with forced professionalism but scathing looks when she turned her back.
It had hurt and the more it carried on it was like daggers to her heart. She wanted to go and simply hug her – forget looks of happiness they hadn't hugged in more than a fortnight and it killed her, but she knew that she had to keep to her morals and she was still mad at her.
But she was mad at them all and the others seemed to know no difference. Hermione on the other hands had noticed something was off, and thought she asked once or twice – had happily kept her distance. She couldn't even find her most times and the places she did know about, she wasn't there.
It had her thinking all sorts and the now not so secret reveal of her pass times coming to light was giving her much to think about, so much in fact that it caused her to be short with those around her – both teachers and students alike.
Albus could see the way his friend was acting. He had heard the mutterings in the hall and many a time had to chide the students for words he had heard them calling her and knew that it was all down to the way hers and Hermione's lack of communication and interaction.
It was beginning to hit her hard and knowing just how stubborn both could be, knew it wouldn't get sorted without intervention. He had also noted the way the younger girl would gladly go about ignoring the existence of the older witch, something he had known Minerva to start – seeing as it was her who had taken in upon herself to forgo his instructions of doing nothing.
Now it seemingly had backfired and it was affecting her – both personally and in the classroom. The older man had also observed the younger girl, though acting as though nothing was wrong he could see she too was not all that indifferent as she appeared to be showing.
Surprised at her outward appearance and silently had to give credit for the mask she was putting in place – it seemed she was far more calmer then Minerva – he knew that his friend could be just as calm and neutral if not more, but if there was one weakness she had then it was the younger witch.
Her family was her everything and that was the reason she was acting like Fluffy with a head cold. As it was they currently were sat in his office playing their usual game of chess. They had been silent for a good five minutes now – he was trying to work out how to get his bishop near to her knight without being taken by the rook.
Minerva had also been quiet but not for the reason of merely watching he figured as he tentatively picked up his piece and moved it.
"Just go talk to her, tabby." She lifted her head to see him staring at her as she scowled.
"To what end? It will only cause more arguments." She leaned across and took his knight, leaving him to stare at the board wondering when that was in danger and he hadn't noticed.
"I do not think you are any angrier at her then she is at you," The older woman mused silently before shaking her head. "Trust me Albus, that girl can and has held a grudge longer than any child I have ever known. I might not be as furious as I was those days ago, but that doesn't mean she hasn't noticed that I was and it was aimed at her."
The headmaster simply sat up straighter in his seat, he did know from past experience just how committed Hermione could be when against those that have slighted her, he remembered well the time she cold shouldered him for almost a month when he banned her from the school library.
In his defence she was only four and has escaped the confides of her Mothers chambers, losing the elf assigned to keep her company and making a beeline for the only place she loved more than her own room. He still to that day didn't know what he was doing walking along the corridor but it was a good thing on turning the corner and seeing her trying to push on the large door.
Knowing her intentions but also the frighteningly worried state Minerva has worked herself into, he had picked up the tiny child, mindful of the way she turned in his arms at the shock of being carted away from her beloved sanctuary, and was told she couldn't go back for the stress she has caused the older woman.
Cue the massive freeze of epic proportions which had left him impressed after the second week. Most children her age would have forgotten the whole thing after a day or two… at the most three, but not Hermione.
She never forgot and so had stuck by her resolve of not speaking to him – not even when Minerva had threatened her with a grounding for disrespect did she cave. It was only when he had promised her in person that she could go back and even let her sit in his office to read a few of his personal books, did she decide it was time to make peace.
So he knew very well the length she could go to when she felt she had been wronged. But this wasn't the library incident. Nor was it any other that by terms was minor in comparison to this.
Yes she had broken rules… a lot of them, and he had gone about amending those. Starting by warding the restricted section with even tighter charms done by himself, as he stood and watched the last one put in place – if she could find a way around these ones now, he would retire and hand the school over the elder Malfoy… personally giving him the keys
Of course there was the story they had fabricated and stuck by. But that hadn't bothered him as such, if anything it had gladdened him to see the loyalty and trust they all held for each other, even young Mr Weasley… how had been known to act irrationally when tensions and emotions ran high.
As mature as he knew Hermione was, especially when it came to the three of them – he also knew just how she could be when in times of conflict… keeping it all in until later down the line when the pressure built up, it didn't bode well.
Now more so than ever in such a fraught time in the year, if she was going to continue to help Harry as he suspected she would, then it was even more important that they settle their differences before it got too much to the point of being the biggest obstacle in both their way.
If that happened then it was going to take her focus… in some cases he had seen her distraction, again, it didn't bode well. The last thing he wanted or needed was an accident of epic proportions on his hands when it came to the youngest of the champions.
Or worse.
This was why he implored his friend to sort things out, if not for the sake of those around them then for their own as it was affecting them to, Minerva agreed after much pushing as she left his rooms grumbling but made her way to the Gryffindor common room.
On greeting the fat lady who smiled pleasantly to the head of house and opening the door for her, she stepped inside. She looked around the tower to see a number of her student scattered about – some talking, others doing work or playing games as she looked on.
"Professor?"
She turned to see Harry and Ron as they sat by the fire as per usual. They looked a little confused to see her there as well as a little fearful to which she smiled, in what was hopefully a warm one to calm their nerves as the spectacled boy sat up straighter and coughed a little.
"Is Hermione around? I wish to speak to her."
She watched as his eyes went a little wide at the subject of her question, before turning to Ron in a silent look as they conversed in boy-talk. She watched as the red head scowled determinedly and shook his head – whatever it was he was adamant about not doing, he clearly failed with a nudge and pointed look from the other boy.
He sighed loudly and hefted himself from his space, all the while still watched by a puzzled Minerva as he went around to the stairs.
"She went upstairs a while ago," She turned back to Harry who smiled at her a little hesitantly as she gave him a curt nod. They both heard Ron shouting from the bottom of the stairs gaining a few looks to which he stifled by glaring.
"Hell Hermione… LAVENDER…LAV!"
From the top of the steps a door could be heard opening as the blonde who he had called trotted down a little. "What."
"Can you get Hermione for us?" The blonde opened her mouth a little, a no way on her lips until she saw his gaze and tilted her head at the slight look she was getting from him. He rolled his eyes in way of the door in a silent show as she frowned but bent down to see, as her own went wide on seeing their head of house standing by the entrance.
"Could you please hurry up, Miss Brown… sometime before curfew would be nice." Minerva wasn't used to standing around, much less in her own house tower and even more less when it came to her daughter. The blonde girl nodded quickly and scampered back upstairs as the door opened again.
Seconds passed in awkward silence. The room had gone a little quieter as more started to notice the older woman and so had ceased talking or changing their topics to things more appropriate now she was within earshot.
From up the stairs the opening of the door could be heard for the third time, as well as the slam as footsteps coming down and a heavy sigh, told them Hermione was on her way.
"For the last time Ron. I'm not helping you with your dam Charm's." She rounded the small twist before greeting the red head who was still at the bottom.
"Ask me again and I'll use you a bloody example." She stopped in front of him, her face stony as she shook her head slightly.
"Well what do you want?" He gaped at her a little before replying. "Wait – so Lav didn't tell you." Rolling her eyes at the mention of the other girl, Hermione shrugged disinterestedly.
"She just said I had to come downstairs… so what do you want." She was about to say more but the slight coughing had her looking to where it came from, her face taking on an even more harder stare if possible at the sight of the older witch.
"Oh."
Minerva bristled a little at the lack of proper acknowledgment in her tone. But as Albus had instructed she kept silent for fear of making things worse if she response to the blatant near dismissal. Instead she drew herself up, and with a tone that brokered no room for argument for excuses, spoke to her.
"I was wondering if it was possible I might have a word with you." The silent 'I wasn't asking' hung in the air as Hermione still kept her stony look before sighing.
"Let me get my shoes." She turned as Minerva once again fought to urge to snap on seeing her eye roll as she trailed up the steps, leaving her friends alone with the slowly frustrated deputy head.
The rest of the common room had all gone back to their own conversations quite quickly now that Hermione had left, as Ron and Harry sat uncomfortably on the sofa feeling nervous at the fact she was right next to them.
Both of them kept silent, with the occasional glance between them not knowing what to talk about as their usual topics that – if not of Quidditch, were of the sort not normally said around a high authority figure.
"Hermione sure is taking her time!" Ron hissed as he pulled the cushion from under him. Harry hummed quietly thinking the same thing, and wondering if she was doing it deliberately when the sound of her voice had them both turning to see her making her way across the tower.
"I'm here, let's go."
They watch as the older woman nods once before turning and leaving. Hermione gave them a side glance feeling their eyes on her as they meet and both give her looks of pity and confusion. Whatever the conversation, she was about to face it with a pissed McGonagall, not even they wished that on her.
The pair walked in silence as they made their way to the older woman's chambers. Both lost in their thoughts and neither wanting to speak until they were someplace private. Godric greeted them both as the door swung open allowing them in, Minerva motioned for her to go in first as Hermione sighed before stalking through, and again Minerva had to bite her lip before following on.
Hermione was stood in the middle but soon found herself sitting on the sofa on instruction as she waited for her to speak. She watched as the older woman paced the floor for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts and was struggling to find what it was she wanted to say.
In the end she shook her head. Having no clue where to start… something she found was becoming more with this girl she rounded on her.
"I know that it was you who found that spell." She watched the younger witch as a flicker of surprise flashed across her face, before it fell indifferent again.
"Why would you think that? Harry said he came across them in the library." The air soon filled with tension as the other witch nearly choked on her disbelief.
"Do not lie to me Hermione. I know it was you, and if you know what is good for you right now you will tell the truth."
The temperature seemed to fall in spite of the crackling fire as Hermione lifted her head to meet her gaze. The blazing look of ire in her eyes almost had her taking a step back, but this had gone on long enough.
"Hermione." She saw the upper lip curling slightly as said girl tilted her head slightly, assessing her silently before a full blown smirk broke out.
"You got me. I did give Harry that spell, and you what? I'd do it again." That seemed to set the older woman off as she stepped closer to the younger girl, her own ire increasing at the flippant response.
"Do you know how stupid you were in doing that? Both Albus and myself know you've been in the restricted section. For how long remains to be seen but it will not be happening again you hear me."
At that Hermione scoffed and stood up. It mattered little to her if they had found out, she had been there since the first year, if only they knew the spells she had copied down then she wouldn't be standing there looking like she had won.
"If anyone is stupid around here, it is the people who thought this tournament was a good idea. If anyone is stupid Mother, it is the likes of Dumbledore, the ministry and yourself!"
Magic crackled like electricity at her remark. Never before had she been so angry at the younger woman in front of her, she thought with everything she had not to lash out but it was hard.
"Tell me why."
"Why what?" When she opened her eyes Hermione was standing across from her, giving her a mixture of bafflement and open ire.
"Why you thought it was a good plan to use that spell. Not only was it irresponsible but do you know how many people could have been hurt because of it? Tell me Hermione."
Cocking her head to the side, the younger witch wasn't quite sure what to make of that, surely she couldn't have been that dense. The answer was perfectly clear, still struggle Minerva watched her and thought that she had silenced her because she had no come back.
"Hermione."
"Surely you of all people know the answer to that." More silence as Hermione stopped. Waiting to see if she would respond as Minerva looked on, now unable to formulate a reply she watched the slight smile come back that was both mocking and infuriating.
"I'm not playing Hermione. And my patience is getting shorter, so you best speak and speak quickly."
"I did it, because no one else was giving him a chance." Minerva pulled back on finally getting her answer. She stared as the younger witch was now looking back with more loathing than ever before on having forced her to give her reasoning's for what she did.
"I helped because no one bothered, the fact that he and the rest had to wait until the bloody day, to find out what it was they were facing … and you called me irresponsible."
Minerva ground her teeth but it seemed Hermione was finished. "But I bet you knew. Not what they were but had been given a clue about what the task entailed right."
She had been given a hint from Dumbledore. He hadn't explained fully but she had known they were to fight something, she wasn't going to tell her that though, but the look on Hermione's face – the knowing smirk had her trembling with rage.
"Of course… bet they also told you that as his head of house, it would be interfering if you gave him help."
There were times when she wished Hermione wasn't as smart as she was, it had given her a sense of arrogance in knowing her intelligence and the look only made it worse.
"Wow… and I thought the students came first." The air had taken a turn for the chiller as she opened her eyes to look at her again.
"…What did you say?"
In any other circumstance and anybody else with a sense of self-preservation would have known to flee at the sound of her voice. The sheer tone was enough to have even her seventh year Slytherin's sitting down and paying attention without back-chat or trouble.
But this wasn't a classroom, nor was it the end of lesson were they could escape so quickly and happily. They were in a locked room and Hermione wasn't just another student. She had seen the temper before… had it aimed at her before and so only stood tall, daring to go against the wrath of the deputy headmistress without a flinch.
"At one point you went against the headmaster when you heard about what Filch wanted to do as detention punishments… the time that you openly shouted at him for sending us into the forest…. Now you just stand at his side as he and those ministry asses, toss students who know the bare essentials in order to defend themselves… hell Harry doesn't even know what they know!"
She moved a little closer to the fire as she looked into the flames. "Or are we forgetting the fact that someone deliberately put him through this… with the way this farce is going, he's not going to need to worry about Voldemort when these so called officials are doing a dam good job of trying to kill him themselves!"
Through her anger she heard the intake of breath and practically felt the flinch from saying his name and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, at one time that might have been warranted but now?"
"It's been near fifteen years since that name might have earned a flinch or two but now it's just pathetic." She looked back at the other woman with a renewed sense of derision. She hadn't felt it before but it seemed that the closeness of the room and the pent up feelings both had over the past week or two had finally gotten to her.
"I'm only doing what someone would do if her friend was in danger, surely you would do the same." The silent 'if you had any that was' left unsaid as they kept their gazes on each other.
"I'm not sure how you knew it was me; frankly I don't really care anymore. But if you think it'll be enough to stop me from helping… by any mean's I have to, then you really have wasted your time with this conversation."
Minerva stood, unable to believe what she was hearing. Once again she was taken back to all the interactions they had over the years… the arguments and disagreements in which she was standing pretty much in front of her, not quite willing to see the difference from the happy child she knew.
She could tell this was one of those times. The look she was getting was part determination and underneath that… something… something that to her, looked like thinly veiled distain.
"The question is are you going to stop me… or are you willing to let him potentially go to his death all because of a few broken rules?"
They both faced each other as the silence filled the room. Minerva wanted to speak, to say something. But she found her mouth dry. Of course she wanted to help him. He was her bloody student as much as Hermione's best friend, but she couldn't abide the breaking of the rules.
They were there for a reason and they helped keep them safe. She knew that Hermione was smart… sometimes, and she had done some searching for this spell. It had her torn between thinking the younger woman mature enough to be able to stay out of danger, and foolish for attempting such things.
It wasn't just her that she affected. It was the rest, but she didn't seem to take that into consideration and so was just about to say something – a compromise when a snort had her looking to see the mocking glint in her eyes and the look of disgust back as Hermione spoke first.
"How tight they must have that collar." If possible the silence got even more deafening as the words reached her ears, the taunting words hitting her as she narrowed her eyes.
"What was that?"
"You heard, they must be keeping that leash rather short if you dare not bother defending those from your own house… where is the old Professor that used to put her foot down when there was even a hint of danger, where is the old teacher that used to loyal to the students of this school."
She stepped away and did a small once over of the room. As if stretching her words before turning back to face her, a look of boredom on her face as she added.
"Now though it seems your nothing but a ministry mascot."
"Get out," That caused the younger witch to arch her brow. She took in the unbridled look of pure fury on her face, and how her whole body seemed to be shaking with restrained anger as she glared at her again.
"I said, get out."
Hermione didn't say anything to the demand. Merely tipped her head a little and moved to walk past her, Minerva stayed still as she felt the younger woman brush past her before snapping.
"Don't bother coming back until you've apologized," Her head was turned slightly and so vaguely registered the words 'Wouldn't be holding my breath for it' as the door shut leaving her alone to take in what had just happened.
Finally she could breathe as her chest eased up on the tightness and pain she felt as her breath came out in small, forced gasps. Never before had Hermione been that disrespectful to her, her heart clenched painfully at her words – the scorn they held and the way she looked at her before a sob escaped her throat.
This wasn't her little girl, this was something ugly and cruel and she had seen it a few times but always hated the way she was… this wasn't her Hermione. She gazed around the empty room before moving to her couch and letting herself fall back in a slightly ungraceful way, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
Things had gotten worse, and with her words… both of theirs, she didn't know when it was going to be fixed.
The sob became a second… and then a third, until she found herself crying. Her body wracking with tears that went unheeded to anyone.
'How long have you not spoken for?' Hermione lifted her head from where she had been working to think on that. Her eyes glanced to the ceiling as she tried to work out the days they had not talked or even tried looking at each other if they could help it.
'All together… around two weeks and two days,' had it really been that long? Not that she was bothered as she still stuck by what she said, Harry needed her help and as much of it as he could get. If the teachers weren't or couldn't do anything then it was down to her and Ron.
Though mostly her,
In the back of her mind, the small conscience part that was her logical sense was sad at the thought of having gone so long with them speaking. The emotional side of her missed the times they spent together, the talks they had, but the bigger part still couldn't believe that her Mother was simply going along with it.
As if sensing her conflict. A gust of wind that mussed up her hair from her left had her closing her eyes as Nídhogg leaned down near to her face.
'It will be alright,' she rolled her eyes from underneath her lids. 'How can you be so sure?'
'Because you have too much kindness in your heart to not let it linger, you may be angry but in time all will return to normal.'
She didn't reply. Merely listened to his words feeling more torn about his words… and what she felt inside as she tilted her head a little and replied.
'That's rather a presumptuous claim to make. What makes you think that I won't ignore her for months to come?'
'You won't'
'But how do you know'
Hearing his deep rumbling told her he was thinking as he pulled back. She looked so small from where he was staring at her, so tiny for someone with such huge issues… worries and struggles that to him were inconsequential, but on looking at her, could see they threatened to engulf her like a wave swallowing a lost straggler.
'When you have lived for as long as I have little one, things such as anger and hate, worry and sadness, do not matter as much to me as it does to humans… you all have such short lives, why waste it over something so trivial.'
His words stuck with her all the way back to the tower. On moving of the subject of her Mother and their problems she returned back to the one currently in front of her. The phial she had taken from the hall that night a few weeks ago, she finally had time to try and work it out.
It took a while, hence her trip to the chambers. Well that and she also wanted to see her friend, on knowing her arrival was delighted that she had come as he settled down next to her – careful to keep away from her gaze as she set about figuring out her puzzle.
She had told him what it was, or as best as she could describe to him as that was still to be seen. As they passed the time making small talk. She had brought with her part of her small library which ranged from Charms to Runes and Arithmancy as she set them out and spent the next few hours reading as the small scrapes she took sat in front of her.
In the end and what she had determined… though it was just the first go, was that the ring was composed of both Charm's and a combination of Runes which if so had her very excited.
Runes was one of her best subjects… it would be easy to try decipher, fun as well as she grinned widely at no one and closed the book. That was for another time, now though she could relax knowing she had at least one half of it down before placing her books back in her bag and stowing it on the small sofa in the corner and turning back to the Basilisk.
They talked for a while longer before she glanced at her watch and knew it was time to leave. So standing, she retrieved her bag before moving over to where he lay and slowly ran her hand down his scales; she smiled at the shiver it earned before giving him a small pat on the end as he started to make his way back to his lair.
She waited until the mouth had closed before setting off. She had discovered during her wanders around the large underground cavern. That there was another exit. She was surprised upon stumbling on it as she had only ever thought there one entrance seeing as it had been so hard to find in the first place.
But as she followed it out, on Nídihogg's recommendation. She learned that it followed the small streamline in which he used to enter the black lake, it being confirmed moments later when she came out of a small rock mound that was close to the other side of the forest and across the small shore line.
It was a bitch because it meant the school was directly on the other side, as she saw on leaving the small passage – it was almost like the willow tree that led to the shrieking shack only this time it was just her who knew about this, so on bidding him goodbye she began her arduous trek up the narrow rocky track and out into the evening nights air.
Hosting her bag higher on her shoulder. She wished it was times like this she could apperate. But even then it would do her no good as the exit still came under the wards that permitted the use of the act and so grumbled as she started the long walk around the edge of the lake to the large castle up ahead.
Taking care to avoid the open spaces she kept to the shadows and corners as she rounded the grounds and to the large doors. Once having gotten them open enough so she could get in, she slipped inside and there began the almost covert like journey back to the dorms.