Chapter 19: Disappointment
Albus stood for a moment in awe, a basilisk was unheard of in animagus. The ramifications alone were disastrous if such a gift were given to someone with an impure heart. Albus turned away from Tom and walked away, quickly deciding to hold off on teaching them how to turn. He will make them wait so they can fully understand the gravity of the gifts they have been given. Albus sat on a nearby rock and looked at the children standing before him with such expectant eyes, both filled with glee.
With a fake smile Albus warmly began to speak.
"Tom, Hermione, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that both of you were capable to determine your forms so quickly. It is rather, unexpected. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As I am sure you are both aware, the power that emanates from you is very great. You will both go very, very far, if you choose the right path. Your mythical forms are exceptionally mystifying! Do either of you know how rare it is to become a mythical creature when transforming into your animagus?"
"I'm afraid not Professor."
"No father."
"I cannot allow you to change just yet; your young minds may not be capable of handling the power that is created once you change. I will give you a research project that will be due one year from today's date. In this research you will determine why you should or should not transform into your given creature."
"One Year! But Albus!" Hermione caught her mouth with her hand not sure how he would react to her using his first name. She glanced at Tom and it was as if he hadn't noticed her slip of the tongue, his face was a mask of indifference. He never said a word in protest.
"That's not fair sir, we are ready I can assure you!"
"I'm sorry my dear Hermione, but I will require a minimum of one year's worth of research. There is a perk to the research, unlimited access to the library."
The disappointment was evident on Albus' face when that didn't brighten either of their eyes. He led them back to the house for a quiet evening with hopes that tomorrow they may be over his decision.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
The next morning Hermione found herself alone in her bed. Disappointment still loomed over her head but not so much from the animagus delay but from Tom missing from her side in the bed. Hermione decided to look for guidance this morning in her journal.
HOW DO I HANDLE THINGS FROM HERE?
IT IS OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE THAT TOM DOES NOT DWELL ON ALBUS' DECISION. HE WILL RESENT ALBUS IF YOU DO NOT EXPLAIN TO HIM WHY THIS IS A POSITIVE DECISION FOR THEM.
Hermione found herself sitting in her bed staring at the canopy. How could she implore this to Tom as being a good decision when she was filled with such doubt and disappointment? She did not think that waiting was something she wanted, especially after Albus peaked her interest and raised up her hope at learning something so new and thrilling. She knew Tom felt the same way. Tom always shared the same emotions when learning was the center of focus.
That made her wonder even more, how could they be destined if their animagus were total opposites? She was startled from her thoughts when she heard a very soft tapping on her door.
She cracked the door open to see a much disheveled Tom standing on the other side. She let him in and he walked over and sat on her bed. She sat beside him and wrapped her arm around him, pulling him into her as she silently shared her disappointment.
Several hours passed and Hermione awoke to Tom cuddled into her like a lost child. He was breathing softly into her shoulder with both his arms uncomfortably wrapped around her in a death grip. She was his lifeline. She didn't understand why just yet, but she knew that one day she would.
With his eyes still closed he spoke and startled her, "Hermione, why do you feel he would make us wait?"
There it was the question she was avoiding, the one she didn't want to answer with any positivity. She wanted to be the petulant child that she was supposed to be, but, those days were gone for her, this was her responsibility now; to nurture the beast.
"Probably because we don't know anything about them Tom. I am so excited to spend hours in the library researching my form! It is going to be so much fun. You know how we never felt challenged last year, this year with all our free time we can spend it researching something that actually matters. Aren't you excited?"
Tom sat up in the bed and stared deep into Hermione's eyes. She couldn't tell what he was doing, but his reaction was unexpected. He sat back away from her, "You cannot sit there and tell me you aren't disappointed. I know you are lying."
"I didn't say I was not disappointed Tom. I just choose not to focus on the disappointment."
He looked at her for a very long time, and without a word, stood up from the bed and walked out of her room. Now she didn't know what to think. Was he mad at her too? Was he in agreement?! The boy was absolutely infuriating!
At the loss of his presence, the disappointment filled her once again, something was wrong with her, she just couldn't identify what it was, and she buried her head in the pillow and screamed!
AN: DISCLAIMER:
I DO NOT OWN THE WORLD OF HARRY POTTER/JK ROWLING. I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF THIS OR ANY OTHER STORY I HAVE WRITTEN. I SIMPLY PLAY WITH THE CHARACTERS.
Thank you to all the reviews, I hope you enjoy this update!