Quoth the Raven

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Special thanks to Phil for his editing skills and patience with us. Remember, reviews are welcomed, flames aren't. -GF and the Frau

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Chapter 21: Not A Minute Stopped Or Stayed

September the first was coming all too quickly for the two children. Hermione was trying so hard to control her excitement, and John his sadness, at the impending separation of the two of them. He watched with a growing sense of desertion as she went off with her parents to collect her school things at Diagon Alley.

"Ah, Johnnie," Aunt Maggie consoled him, "She'll not forget you, John. Wait and see."

"But. . ." He sighed deeply. "She'll meet all kinds of new people, make new friends." He turned soulful green eyes up at her. "She won't need me any more."

"Don't fret, John," she whispered as she pulled him into her arms for a warm hug. "I have a feeling that she will never forget her first, and truest, friend. You'll see: she will write, I'm sure of it." John squeezed her tight and nodded, hiding the tears that were threatening to fall.

On August thirty-first, the Grangers came to the McIntyres and they had a small going-away party for Hermione. Both children did their best to enjoy the night, but the hug John gave Hermione when she left spoke more clearly than words just how much he would miss her.

The next day she was gone. John sought refuge with Hardey and Thor. Wolf, knowing how heartbroken John was, allowed him the day to mope and mourn.

Three days later Hermoine's first letter arrived by the post.

Dear John,

I made it to my school all right. The train ride was a long one - about eight hours, I'd guess - but it was worth it! My school is in a beautiful, ancient castle, in the middle of nowhere, in Scotland! I tried, but couldn't find it on the map, and I did look.

The train ride was really interesting. On it, I met a boy named Neville Longbottom. It seems he lost his pet (yes, we are allowed small pets) and I helped him look for it.

I also met two very nasty boys. One was simply disgusting. He had bright red hair, a smudge on his nose, a scruffy pet rat and talked with his mouth full of sandwich! Shudders!

The other was some snobby aristocrat that didn't know the Victorian age has long been over. He had two thugs following him around as bodyguards. They reminded me of the gorillas we saw at the zoo!

There was also an older girl who said she was Head Girl of the school this year. I didn't catch her name, but she made sure all of us first-years were together when we got off the train. She seemed very nice.

The welcoming feast was wonderful but it seemed a bit subdued. Everyone was talking about a boy named Potter. I think he was supposed to be a first-year from some wealthy family, but he didn't show. Some of the teachers and the Headmaster looked very disappointed when he wasn't there.

You were right that no-one likes a know-it-all. I have had to hold back, hiding how much I studied ahead of time. The school is set up with four Houses, and all students are sorted into one of the four. I was sent to live in a House called Ravenclaw. It's where those of us who like to study and do research are sent. I really like it. A girl named Penelope Clearwater is the Prefect in charge of the first-years. She's really, really nice. She reminds me of Aunt Amanda.

John, there's a professor here that teaches Chemistry. He's head of one of the Houses (Slytherin), but he hates another House - Gryffindor. I am so glad I wasn't sorted into either of those Houses! He isn't quite so hard on the Ravenclaws.

My Head of House is the shortest man I've ever seen. He also teaches one of my classes and has the squeakiest voice imaginable! He doesn't seem to concern himself about us, unless we fail to live up to the academic expectations put on our House.

I've got to go. I miss you. Give Aunt Maggie and Uncle Ben my love.

Hermione

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Dear Hermione,

I miss you too. It's very quiet without you and not the same. I have no one pushing me to best them. They are all adults and don't understand the jokes, like you do.

Hogwarts sound like a lot of fun. I wish I could be there with you. What house do you think I would fit in?

Wolf, the mad fiend that he is, decided to take me with him when he went to the Arctic. I can hear you now: what's in the Arctic besides snow, ice and more snow? Why, survival training, of course!

Besides freezing my bum off (don't start about language, Hermione), there isn't much to do here but shiver! It's effing freezing here! And so I had to learn how to survive in the cold. It was fun but I could do without the cold, snow, ice and pelting wind.

I found out that Charley made the football team at his school. He's a goalie and loves it!

I hate to say this, but Hardey is being retired from service here at the Tower. She's going blind. I'm going to miss her, but Uncle Ben said I can visit her from time to time. Thor is devastated. They are going to bring another raven in to take her place soon, but it just won't be the same.

I have a new instructor. He's been teaching me Chemistry and Maths. Maggie says I'm to the point I need several better instructors than the retired ones here at the Tower.

Well, I have to go. I miss you, Hermione. Write back soon!

John

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Hermione tucked the letter she had been reading into her book bag.

"Who's that from?" Mandy Brocklehurst asked.

"It's from my best friend before I came to Hogwarts," Hermione said as she stood, muttering to herself. "I wonder what house. . ."

"Oh, didn't you say he was a Muggle? You didn't tell him about Hogwarts, did you?" she asked with concern.

Hermione smiled. "I told him just what the pamphlet suggested. I am attending a school for the gifted. I give a very edited version of what I do."

"But Hermione . . ." Mandy protested.

Hermione stopped and looked at her. "I can't stop writing to him. He hasn't any friends our age. He's surrounded by adults all day long and he's very lonely. I'm being very careful. I asked Professor Flitwick for help."

"Well, if our Head of House knows, then it's all right, I guess." she replied as they headed off to class.

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Dear John,

They go all out for All Hallows Eve here. They put on a very big spread, mostly all sweets. Disgusting, if you ask me.

Anyway, half way through the feast, a professor came staggering in and said someone had let in a dangerous wild animal and it was loose in the Halls! So instead of keeping us all safe in the Great Hall where the feast was going on, we all had to head for our dorms. Honestly, some of these professors have no sense what so ever, sending students out into the halls when there was a wild animal loose in them! No-one was hurt and they were able to capture the beast. I never did find out what it was.

Oh and John? I think you'd be in either Ravenclaw with me or Gryffindor.

Happy All Saints Day, John. I miss you.

Hermione

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John smiled at the hints of what was going on. He was quite sure that it wasn't a natural wild beast; he'd have to ask Wendell who has maintained contact with the Hogwarts ghosts.

With the advanced training he was getting from Wolf and his other tutors, he was currently working through the Hogwarts' second year curriculum. However, if he was attending Hogwarts, he would now be in first year with her. He very much doubted that Hogwarts' Headmaster would allow him to skip a year.

His current magical tutors were all Muggle-born wizards in service to the Crown, and as such had all taken an oath of secrecy. They knew they were teaching a powerful young wizard, but couldn't tell anyone else about him. They were finding what Wolf and Maggie already knew and that was John was a very intelligent young man with a hunger to learn that made him a delight to teach.

John was taken outside the Tower complex more frequently now. With Hermione gone for the school year his magical training was stepped up and he began to practice more and stronger magics. This was necessary so as not to disturb the Tower wards.

Some were very dark, blood wards, dangerous ones that didn't take kindly to anyone practicing strong or offensive magic within them. A fact that was made very clear to those who took the oaths to the Crown. They were careful about what level and type of spells they used.

John was taken to a small, empty warehouse that had been set up with heavy-duty wards for his use not far from the Tower for his practical lessons in magic.. He still used the classroom within the Tower Complex on those days he studied theory.

Maggie didn't come with him on the days he left for practicals. She enjoyed those John-free days to do the things that she couldn't with him underfoot.

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Dear Hermione,

Sounds like a very interesting school. I think I am glad I'm not there. Can you imagine the mischief you and I could get into? Ravenclaw with you I can see because it must be for smart people. What is Gryffindor all about?

The feast sounded good to me, but then, I don't have two dentists for parents.

Ben and Maggie allowed me to hold a vigil this year; you know I lost my birth parents on All Hallow's Eve. I was never much into celebrating that holiday and Guy Fawkes Night is a little discouraged here. Maggie always makes sure I have some kind of party with treats. She doesn't like me to get a sugar high, though.

Take care of yourself, Hermione. I'll see you for the Christmas holidays.

I miss you.

John

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We are sorry for taking so much time in between updates. Phil, the wonderful guy that he is, is very busy with his life at this time and we've set him some very daunting tasks with our questions. So please be patient as we have no intentions of abandoning this story. As I write this chapter 34 is setting on my laptop waiting for Phil's magic touch.

Until next time. -GF and the Frau (and Phil)