A Siren's Call
Chapter 2
Midnight while everyone was asleep, Hermione snuck down to the kitchen for a cup of tea. She was still having a hard time sleeping, though she wasn't sure why. She wasn't having nightmares. She was very happy to be here, so why did she feel so unsettled? She pulled out the letter she had received that morning from Viktor, and read over it again. It was full of love and longing, and Hermione couldn't help but want to be near him.
After having a little chat with Kreacher went to the library. She lights a lamp before disappearing down one of the many isles. What she needed was a good book. When Hermione had been introduced to the library at Grimwald Place she was surprised to find a whole section devoted to Muggle Fiction.
"Mother's guilty pleasure," Sirius had said, "she said Fiction was the only thing Muggles ever did right. Your more than welcome to borrow them is you like. They're clean f spells,' Moody and your father already checked."
After picking a book, Hermione proceeded to the window seat. A little while later, the twins snuck into the library steeling the empty spots beside her. She jumped a bit from being startled; but recovered quickly, "Couldn't sleep?" she asked closing her book.
"Not really," Fred said.
"We Missed you," George said.
"we didn't get to greet you properly this afternoon."
"We plan to amend that."
"When did the two of you decide that?" she asked with a smile.
"A while ago," Fred said.
"And when do you plan to amend it?" she asked moving closer to them.
"Right now!" they said practically jumping her.
George who was sitting on the left pulled her into his lap. He nuzzled her neck and shoulder with is nose and face before turning her face to him.
Fred leaned into the two of them, he nuzzled the side of her face and neck, kissing her softly before gently turning her face to him. His lips found hers. In a soft gently kiss.
She held a hand of both boys in her own. Their fingers laced together like missing pieces to a puzzle. Hermione pulled on George so he wrapped on of his arms around his waist. She pulled Fred to her, he wrapped his free arm around her. They fidgeted for a few minutes before finding a comfortable position.
The twins kissed the exposed skin on her arms and neck. Hermione just leaned back into them and enjoyed the tickling feeling they were causing with their hot breath across her skin. It wasn't long before she felt she needed more.
Soon, her dressing gown was open to show a nightgown. It had this straps that showed the tanned skin of her shoulders and back. The boys held back a groan as the dressing-gown fell from her shoulders and arms.
The boys stood to relieve her of the oppressing gown, leaving her scantily clad in her nightgown, as it barely reached mid-thigh.
Fred sat down before pulling Hermione down so she was sitting on him lap. George sat next to them. After some rearranging they ended up reclining back on some pillows, Hermione between them. Both boys propped on elbows leaned into her and kissed her gently. Their free hand roaming her stomach and arms. They didn't dare touch anywhere else, in fear that they couldn't contain themselves.
Hermione was overwhelmed with feeling. She too was worried about what would happen if they didn't soon stop. So she pulled out the book she was reading to page 1 of The Odyssey book I and started reading aloud.
It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that the three of them left the library and returned to their empty beds.
The next morning, in any of the adults knew of the rondayvoo, in the library they didn't say. However Sirius, Remus and Arthur did discuss whether of not to interfere or not. They decided for now they would just watch their progress. It would be more difficult in the future when Cedric arrived; especially when they returned to school.
…
Later the next day, after Hermione had looked through the books in the library for anything on Siren's she was found dozing on the settee in the Sitting room directly across from the kitchen. Her father knelt before her, tapping her shoulder lightly.
"You feeling OK pumpkin?" Remus asked concerned.
"Oh yes," she said sitting up.
"How late did you stay up last nigh?" he asked.
She assumed he was asking about her late night reading habits, and replied with a yawn, "Early morning. I couldn't sleep."
"I've noticed that you're up late most nights," Remus said taking the empty seat beside her, "have you always had problems? Or are these more recently sleeping problems."
"It comes and goes," Hermione said leaning against his shoulder, "back at school I would be up late studying or correcting Harry and Ron's papers so I'm used to the late hours. Though some nights I was asleep as early as 10 O'clock."
"And since you've been here?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"I haven't been able to sleep before midnight," She said, "Kreacher has been very kind. Always sitting up with me in the kitchen, fixing me a cup of tea."
"I'm surprised he's taken so well to you," Remus said shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't think that Sirius gave the elf a chance," Hermione said, "maybe he just recognized me as a Black?"
"I don't know what to say Hermione," Remus said kissing her hair, "Just watch yourself around him. As long as he's in Sirius's service he should be fine. But I wouldn't tell him my secrets."
"I understand Daddy," Hermione said snuggling into his side.
As Hermione pulled from her fathers embrace, she yawned once again, "Perhaps you should take a nap before dinner," Remus said, "I'll make your excuses, and have some one fetch you before dinner."
"I really shouldn't take such a long nap," Hermione said, "then I really won't be able to sleep again till late tonight."
"I'll talk to Severus and see if he can fix you up a mild sleeping draught," Remus said, "nothing like dreamless sleep. But something more along the lines of a sleep aid, something a bit stronger than Chamomile tea."
"Alright," Hermione said standing and stretching, "see you in a little while."
"Have a nice nap pumpkin," Remus said to her. He received a smile and a little wave in return before she disappeared from the sitting room.
…
After Remus sent Hermione off to take a nap, Remus walked into the kitchen. Seeing as there wasn't anyone around, which Remus thought was rather odd, he walked up the steps and into Sirius's study. Pulling out a piece of parchment from the drawer of the desk, he sat down and penned a letter to Severus.
Severus,
Hermione has had a hard time sleeping at night. I was hoping that you could brew her a sleeping draught. Of course I understand if you're unwilling to, and I can pay you of course.
Your Friend
Remus Lupin.
After he finished he found the family Owl, and sent the letter off to Severus, hoping that the man would come through for him.
…
After a normal and engaging dinner, Hermione and Ginny went to the library, they started looking through the books once again. The ones that Sirius had set out for them on Siren's.
There was a passage in 'Mating Rites'; of course it was little more than a paragraph of two:
'Siren's mating rituals aren't all that different from that of a Veela's. When a Siren finds her mate(s) they must all be present for the mating. The mating for Siren's may last from 24(hrs) to 7 days in duration. The Siren's mate(s) must stay until the siren's heat is finished.
It is recommended that no one outside of the mating party enters during the ritual. Siren's are very territorial during mating and cannot be held responsible for their actions. You have been thus warned!
Food and supplies may be supplied by a third-party, (House elves are best.) During the mating the mate(s) will be compelled to mark their Siren at the Siren's bidding, the Siren will then return the mark. Once complete the mating bond is unbreakable until the Siren's death. A mate cannot die before his Siren. They may become sick, they may feel horrible pain or suffer deathly injuries; but they may not, cannot die before their Siren...'
"Alright," Ginny said with a giddy laugh, "Now were getting somewhere."
"It doesn't say what the ritual is," Hermione said with a tone of confusion.
"Well lets look under Veela's," Ginny said turning to the Index for the page numbers, "the book did say they were similar."
After Ginny turned to the section on Veela, they were annoyed to find that the section on mating rituals was even smaller than that of the Siren.
'Veela mating rites often start with a bonding ceremony, and thus through the consummation of the marriage, the Veela marks the mate, and the mate returns the mark.'
"Hmm," Ginny said with a hum, "You'll have to get married it seems."
"There isn't another way?" Hermione asked.
"Doesn't seem so," Ginny said.
"Let's make a list," Hermione said pulling out a piece of parchment, a quill and some ink.
"Alright," Ginny said turning to a section on Siren's in yet another book, Ginny signed in annoyance, "it's mostly things we already know."
Hermione zoned out as Ginny read about facts they'd just read in another book. "Here's something," Ginny said touching Hermione's elbow to get her attention.
'A Siren's call to its mate(s) is mentally triggered. Though a Siren's mate(s) may be miles away he may still feel a physical pull to be near his Siren. This may happen for both the Siren and Mate(s). they both feel the pull to be near their mate(s).
In a time of danger an unmated Siren may choose to complete the bonding without a formal ritual. There need only be made a vow or declared devotion between them.
It is known that Siren's may have up to as many as 6 mates...'
"That's good to know," Hermione said sighing.
"Do you think you have anymore mates out there," Ginny asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said, "lets see if we can find anything on links. Maybe dad would know." However Hermione couldn't help but wonder if her mother had looked any of these things up before, knowing what she was. Could this be the reason that Voldemort wanted her so badly. If he knew of me would I be in danger too?
"Know what pumpkin?" Remus asked from the doorway.
"I was wondering, did you and Mum share a link?" Hermione asked.
"I don't think she did on her side of things," Remus said, "I doubt she would have gone to her death if she knew I was still alive. I could even in a way feel you when she was pregnant, but we couldn't share thoughts or anything like that. I remember I could feel her one day, her life, her warmth, and then one day I woke up and it was just gone. I couldn't feel her warmth any longer, I couldn't feel you." Remus hung his head, his hands clasped, "If she had known that I couldn't die before her she wouldn't have worried as much."
"I'm sorry Daddy," Hermione said hugging him, "I don't think she could have known as much as she thought she knew about herself."
"Don't worry," Remus said hugging her to him, "We'll figure out what we need to do to keep you safe."
"I was wondering," Ginny asked from her spot on the other side of Hermione, "Do you think You-Know-Who knew that if he mated a Siren that he couldn't die before the siren? Could that be why he wanted her so badly?"
"Its possible," Remus said, looking up at the girls, a look of pure horror written on their faces. In desperation to comfort his daughter and her friend he hugged them promising that they would keep her safe no matter what it took.
After the comfort session, Hermione and Ginny stood to gather the books, putting away the ones they already looked at, and keeping the others on the table to be looked through another day.
"Hermione," Remus said holding out a letter and a vial to her, "This came while you were napping. It's the Sleeping draft I said I'd look into."
"Thank you," she said hugging him around the waist, before returning to helping Ginny put the books away. After they were finished they decided to go and see what the boys were getting into. Perhaps they could play a game of some sort.
"I'm just going to put these up in the room," Hermione said, "And perhaps read my letter."
"Take your time," Ginny said before turning towards the stairs again, "On second though I'll come with you. I've been meaning to write a letter to Neville all day."
"Get many letters from Neville do you?" Hermione asked in a mocking tone.
Ginny blushed under Hermione's know gaze and caved, "about as many as you receive from Viktor and Cedric."
Hermione blushed at Ginny's tone before nodding her head as they headed to their shared bedroom. Hermione sat on her bed, putting the vial on her night stand. She opened the letter, and read it's contents:
Miss Granger,
You father informed me you've had trouble sleeping. I've brewed a light draught for you, that if taken an hour before bed, should give your body the extra help in falling asleep. Perhaps a light snack such as tea and biscuits would also help in making you sleepy.
Do not worry, taking it with a snack isn't necessary. Sometimes a bedtime snack is a good treat, something to look forward too. You need only take a small swallow, there should be enough to last of the rest of the week. And don't worry, you might find that at the end of the week that you no longer need the extra help falling to sleep.
Don't hesitate to ask for more if you need it,I promise that the potion is harmless.
Sincerely,
Severus Snape
P.S. I suggest you burn this after you've memorized the contents. Wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. Oh and you can thank me tomorrow at dinner.
Hermione couldn't hold her laughter after reading such an affectionate note from Hogwarts most hated Potions Master.
"What's so funny," Ginny asked curiously.
"Oh, daddy asked Professor Snape for a sleeping draught because I have a hard time falling asleep at night," Hermione admitted, "Well the Professor sent me a letter to accompany the draft, I didn't expect him to read so affectionate."
"Only affectionate to you," Ginny said with a grin, "he would be snarky to the rest of us, and you know it."
"Yes I do know it," Hermione said sticking her tongue out at Ginny, "Haven't you a letter to write?"
"You're the one who interrupted with your infectious laughter," Ginny said in a light teasing tone, "Haven't you a letter to write as well? I don't imagine that Cedric will wait much longer for a letter. I mean you just received it this morning."
"I'm getting there," Hermione said pulling a fresh piece of parchment.
As the night wore on, it was decided by the pair of them that they wouldn't be getting down stairs to talk to the boys tonight. It seemed that there were letters that needed to be written, and they wouldn't write them selves...
…
That night, Harry wasn't the only one having fitful dreams. Though his dreams by far were the most frightening.
However for Hermione her dreams were just as scary. The conversation they had held in the library the night before, scared her. Her dream started off with being captured in Hogsmeade on the first Hogsmeade weekend by Lucius Malfoy. She'd been held in a dungeon of sorts, where they tried to torture her into giving information on what the order was up to. When that didn't work, Lucius and the other Death Eaters took turn defiling her. By the end of it she was wishing for death.
After that things became worse, Lord Voldemort himself showed himself into her rooms. He started off by trying to appeal to her better judgment. 'If you had only cooperated,' he would whisper, 'you would have been spared.'
He healed her injuries, before dressing her in a silk night-gown, after which her room was transformed into something fit for a princess. 'You can be with me willingly,' whispered in docile tones, 'or you can be my slave.'
Hermione woke with a start, her panting turned into hyperventilating, causing her to choke and cry, sputtering for breath.
"Hermione," Ginny said sitting up in her bed. Seeing the girl struggle to breath caused Ginny to panic. It was took her less than a minute to get to Hermione. As she tried to calm her friend down, she passed out limp into Ginny's arms. "Hermione," Ginny practically shrieked, shaking her trying to wake her up.
It was a moment or two before another member of the household barged into the room, "Ginny whats the matter?" Arthur asked coming into the room after making sure that both girls were decently dressed.
"I don't know," Ginny sobbed, "She screamed, and then she was crying and struggling for breath. I didn't know what to do, I was trying to calm her down but then she just passed out. She won't wake up."
Arthur held his sobbing daughter to his side as he walked across the room to where Hermione lay limp on the bed. He checked her pulse, and her breathing. Good, he thought to himself, She's only unconscious.
"She'll be alright Ginny," Arthur said, "she's just unconscious, however it might be a good idea to get a calming drought. She might just go back into panic mode when she wakes. I want you to stay with her, I'm going to go and get Remus and your mother. She'll have something on hand I think, she's almost always prepared for everything."
"Ok," Ginny said pulling away from Arthur's side, and back to sitting next to Hermione.
Ginny took her friend's hand into her own, she rubbed circles on the back of her hand. After a minute or two she started humming, willing her friend to stay unconscious until her father returned. Ginny wasn't sure she could deal with a panicky Hermione.
Though it felt like hours since her father had left, in reality it had only been about 4 minutes before he returned with her mother and Remus.
"Ginny I want you to move to the other side of Hermione," Molly said, "I'm going to wake her up with my Smelling salts. Try and stay calm, if you can"
"Ok," Ginny said in a small voice.
Ginny watched as Molly held the smelling salts to Hermione's nose. After Molly waved the small bottle in front of Hermione two of three times, Hermione started to come around. As she opened her eyes, she saw faces looming over her, and shrunk back into the bed trying to get away.
"Shh, Hermione, it's just us," Ginny said trying to comfort her friend. At the realization that it was friendly company Hermione launched at Ginny hugging her around the waist. Ginny was even more surprised when she started sobbing into her nightgown. Ginny rubbed her friends shoulders and back slowly.
"Hermione dear," Molly said soothingly, "I want you to take this calming draft for me." Hermione pulled back from Ginny, and reached towards Molly, who then handed her the little vial. Hermione tipped back the vial and immediately felt better as the potion slid down her throat.
Ginny switched sides on the bed, and laid down next to Hermione. Hermione then laid down, snuggling next to Ginny, laying her head on her shoulder. After the two girls were comfortable, Molly and Arthur bid the girls goodnight. Remus however stay with the girls. He pulled the chair from the desk and sat next to the bed.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked pleadingly.
"I dreamt that I was captured in Hogsmeade," Hermione said with a cracked voice, "Death Eaters. They tortured me... defiled me. It felt so real."
Ginny held Hermione tight to her side as Hermione struggled not to cry again. Ginny watched as Remus tried to keep from asking if anything else happened. Ginny wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"And then HE came," Hermione said with a whimper, "After healing me he gave me a choice. I could be his willingly or I could be his prisoner. I'm scared."
"I won't let anything happen to you," Remus said, "we'll protect you. I'd give my life if it meant your safety."
Both girls sat up, and it only took a minute for Hermione to get to the other side of the bed where she launched herself into her fathers arms. After a few minutes, Hermione and Ginny were back into the cuddling position they were in.
Remus stayed until both girls were asleep, before leaving the room.
…
Kreacher, had taken a liking to the Hermione girl. She was smart, funny and treated him nicer than any master he had ever known. However he was devoted to the Black family, Mrs. Black, her portrait hung in the house, over heard everything. And while she had taken to screaming and wailing less often, she was still ruthless.
However that wasn't to say that she agreed with her Brother-in-laws choice to sell out his own daughter to the Dark Lord. Sure she had pushed Sirius to become a Death Eater, had even disowned him when he hadn't. However she was secretly glad that he hadn't. After Regulus died shortly after joining the Dark Lords ranks, she became increasingly angry, and bitter even. She cursed everyone, even her Husbands Brother for attempting to sell out his daughter. Kathrine Black was just like Sirius in many ways. She cursed the girl's name several times; that didn't mean that she wanted to see the girl misused.
Only a desperate fool would sell out his own flesh and blood, to save his own life. Mrs. Black before she passed, make Krecher take an oath. If he were to ever learn about any heir that came from her Niece, that he would keep it in confidence. That he wouldn't speak of it even on threat of death. That was the last order she gave him before she died. And he intended to keep Miss Hermione's secret, even Angry Dark Lord's couldn't take it from him.*
…
Remus sat in the kitchen with Molly, Arthur and Sirius. They had been sure to ward the door against ease dropping and entrance without permission.
"What was that all about Remus?" Molly asked.
"Nightmares," Remus said, before explaining Hermione's dream to them. Molly was taken aback at how a thread of well placed fear could cause horrible dreams. Arthur had kept her updated on what was going on the first time he received a letter from Ginny requesting advice. That seemed to be ages ago now that he thought about it.
"They were asleep before I came down," Remus said, "I think Hermione's fears might have scared Ginny a little."
"That's good," Molly said, "You don't think the Sleep draft had anything to do with it do you?"
"No," Remus said, "Severus regards like she his own daughter almost, he wouldn't do that. Plus it's just to aid in the sleep process, it's not dreamless sleep, it doesn't protect against ones own fears."
"I didn't think he had done anything to the draft Remus," Molly said trying to defend herself, "I just wondered fit hat particular type aided in dreams. There are some that amplify feeling when asleep. I just wanted to be sure. I know Severus is trust worthy he couldn't harm the girl if he wanted to. However I think we might need to ask him if Lucius suspects anything odd about the girl or if he's just fascinated with her. What if he's mentioned something to You-Know-Who? What if he's taken an interest as well?"
"It's something to think about," Arthur said, "he'll be by tonight for the meeting. Let's keep this to ourselves for now, and we'll ask Severus tonight. Dumbledore has said only some of the order knows, only some need to know, and personally I don't trust Fletcher if my life depended on it. No offence to Dumbledore for letting him in the order or anything."
"No I agree," Remus said, "he's a thief and an opportunity seeking mongrel. If he got wind of this he would probably sell it to the highest bidder. I don't know why Dumbledore let him into the order in the first place. Sure he's good at getting information for the order but what's to say that he's not selling our information to the Death Eaters?"
"What are we going to do about Hermione?" Sirius asked, "Is she really safe at Hogwarts?"
"Let's wait until we talk to Severus tomorrow before we start trying to come up with solutions," Remus said, "But I'm not sure that Dumbledore isn't planning to use her for something. I think we should give her some time to think, and I know she's still young, but she should probably bond with her mates before something bad happens. If she were to be captured before she bonds, they could use her to save themselves."
"Explain," Molly demanded. And explain Remus did, he went over the information that the girls had learned the night before. And what surprised the Weasley's the most was the part about a Siren's mates not being able to die before their siren.
Molly was suddenly frightened that if the girl didn't bond soon, that it could be the end of her as they knew it. For what would a dark lord do if he was bonded to such a mate? Surely being mated to such a monster was a fate worse than death...
A/N: * if you've ever watched Anne of Green Gables, Anne says to Diana or to Diana's aunt: "Wild horses couldn't drag it from me." it's what gave me the though about Kreacher keeping Hermione a secret, and being so devoted to her that even with torture they wouldn't get the information from him. Also in the book Kreacher is the one that betrays Harry. When Sirius tells Kreacher to get out he goes to Narcissa and Bellatrix, and on the dark lord's orders, Bellatrix tells kreacher to tell Harry that Sirius wasn't at Grimwald place... I'm sure you get where I'm going with that.
So the story took a bit of a turn, I did warn you there would be twists. I've a few ideas planned, for the next chapter so it should be good and juicy.
For the Guest(s) that asked some pretty good questions, You'll just have to wait and see won't you... :). Please try to be patient with me, I update when I have the time. But sometimes when I have a chance to work on chapters I can't figure out what I want to happen next. I'm working on the next chapter right now, I was loath to stop it where it was, an decided that perhaps a 10,000 word chapter might be a bit to long. As it is were at 4312 words. I wanted to introduce Cedric to Grimwald, and to have a glimpse at Severus and Draco before ending the chapter and I'm nowhere near it. So, I'm working on the next.
Those of you waiting for Sister of the Boy Who Lived, I don't know if i'll get to it today or not. I'm not sure where I'm going next yet. I have to think on it, and I do my best thinking at work on Tuesdays and Thursdays after dinner.
P.S. I don't own Harry Potter. I'm not making any money from this story either.