Through the Veil

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 29

Hermione had spent most of the time wondering why. Why her mother wanted to talk to her. She was almost pleased to get away from the heated talks that she was having with her new friends.

She was on her last turn of the castle, when she started to hear some voices down the hall. Causing her to stop in her tracks.

"Have you heard? We are heading for war."

Hermione knew that most of the sixth and seventh years had returned to the school. Except for the Slytherins. The letters were returned. Unopened.

"Why is Snape even here to teach up potions? He's not even a teacher."

Hermione picked her head around to where her eyes could see who were talking. She saw that it was a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor. Both in their sixth years. Siblings from the looks of things.

The Ravenclaw answered, "In most cases of war. We are going to need a large amount of medical potions. All kinds of them before hand. We may not know when the war is going to be here but one is coming."

"You're right," huffed the Gryffindor. "But why aren't we being told more than what have been?"

"Do you really think that they will? What happen if the other side had its spies within?" The Ravenclaw hit the other student over the head. "Think! Start growing up and use your head for once!"

"Ouch, when did you become violent?"

"When I had a duffus of a brother like you."

The Gryffindor smiled, "Thanks sis."

This was something that Hermione had wished in her life. A brother or sister to relate things like this with. Someone to bicker. She closed her eyes for a moment. Wishing.

'If I have a child. I hope that they have a brother or a sister. I want them to have something that I never had.'

When Hermione was able to open her eyes. She saw that the two teens had walked away. Leaving the hallway. As it was. Lacking of life but the paintings.

Hermione went along the corridor. Knowing that she was a few feet away from her mother's classroom door. Her footsteps were the only sound that was made. Other than her breathing.

When she had reached the door that she needed. Hermione had pushed it open. Allowing to let herself in, before closing it behind her.

The woman known by many as Professor Masters had glanced up. Waving her wand towards the door. Knowing that none could enter. Nor the sound the exit.

"Glad that you have made your way here. There is a grave matter that needs to be dealt with."

"Ravenclaws' Crown of Knowledge?"

The woman nodded, "If I know my father, like I do. He would attack the castle on Christmas Eve, just as the clocks starts chiming twelve in the dark of night."

"That's tomorrow," stated Hermione.

"Yes," a hollow answer was given. "Tonight must be the night that we start our final hunt."

Hermione nodded, "Understood. Is there anything else that we need to do?"

Cleo shook her head, "No. But you must brace yourself that you can't save everyone. Not even me."

"But mum . . ."

"No buts," stated a harsh sounding woman. "You must promise that you will put an end to your grandfather or all is lost. Even your dear friend, Harry."

"What is it you're not telling me?"

Cleo sighed, as she closed her eyes. "If he's not killed here. He won't be killed from where you were from." Cleo opened her eyes and gave her daughter a harsh look. Enough to show that death will come to everyone, if one does not listen. "You MUST kill HIM. IF I am unable to DO SO."

Hermione gave her mother a worried look, "Why am I so important for the job? When it was always Harry. Harry who slain him more than once."

"Because child." Tears seemed to fall from the woman's face. "You were destined to be Harry's friend." She gulped. "Always, Harry's friend." Her eyes had a faraway look to them. "I knew the moment that you went to Hogwarts. That you would find the Boy-Who-Lived and help him bring an end to the madman."

"I don't understand," quivered Hermione. She wanted to understand.

"The stars had told this to me . . ."

"I don't believe in that so called magic," Hermione fired in anger.

"The night of your birth. I saw the stars . . ."

"Stop," the young woman growled.

"They said that a woman warrior with brains, would come and save the world."

"Stop!"

"She WILL be the ONE, if the WARRIOR appointed could not." Leaving Hermione to stare at her mother with disbelief. "This IS your TIME to become the APPOINTED warrior, Hermione. Harry isn't around for you to hide behind and give all the CREDIT to."

The younger woman stumbled back, "But I don't want to be the hero. I saw how things had gotten worse for Harry. I wouldn't except."

Cleo gave her daughter a challenging look that would make all quiver from. "Who will save the world, if you won't? Who will stand for those, who can't help themselves? If you don't do it, then there will be no one who will save anyone."

When Hermione did not give an answer. Cleo had gone on to say, "Who will make sure that there is a future to be lived? Who will be there for Sirius Black to grow old with?"

It was enough for Hermione to jump in to speak, "I will, mother."

"GOOD," the older woman glanced at a time piece. "It's time to get to work."

"When do we destroy the items?"

Just as Cleo made her way around her desk, "After everyone is stationed around the castle. Within minutes before father is due to arrive."

It was the last bit of talking that the two shared. Before setting off to the Room of Requirement. It was also the last time that either one of them were willing to talk about Harry Potter again.

The two similar women walked through the corridors. Both hoping that neither one of them would have to explain their reasoning. For being out in the dark hallways. Moving from shadow to shadow. Hoping that none of the teachers would be wise enough to see them. Even their spells masked their movements.

They knew that the Headmaster Dumbledore knew their reasoning for being discreet. But neither one of them was willing to get him to lie for them. Not when something like this was so important to get done.

Neither woman talked. Limiting their aware abouts. Hoping that none would stop their last remaining moments before facing the battle. The every last thing that would tie Voldemort to the living world. Even the world of the dead's version of a living world.

When they had reached the top most hallway. Where they would be able to find the room.

Cleo turned to face Hermione and whispered, "I have never been here. So I don't know what I should be doing."

Hermione sighed, "Step away to the far wall and let me do the work."

Cleo did what she was asked and watched her daughter. Who looked like she was going mad. Walking back before a bare looking wall. Crossing in front of it three times, before a door appeared.

"Wow," gasped Cleo.

Hermione smirked, "Interesting. I'm teaching my mum something new that she didn't even know."

When the door was opened before them. The two entered. Leaving the door to disappear behind them.

"What is this place?"

Hermione started walking to one of the ials that presented itself to her. "This is the Room of Requirement. A place that many lost things are found in. Or the magic of the castle turns it into a room that is much needed."

After what seemed like hours. Cleo had started to feel something dark. Something that did not belong. The essence of her father.

"We're close," stated the older woman darkly.

When the two had reached the middle of the room. It was when that Cleo stopped. Turning around and around. Hoping to find the source of the object that she could feel.

It was when Hermione glanced up and saw a jewelry storage box. Up above their heads. "I found it."

Cleo then looked up and saw what Hermione was looking at, "That would be it." The professor started making way to the pile of stuff and started climbing up.

"Mum," gasped the younger woman. "Do you think it's alright for you to do so?"

"No," answered the climber. "But we live once or twice." She kept on climbing until she was able to get to the jewelry box and tossed it down to her daughter. "Glad to know that this is almost over."

Hermione glared at the offended box, "Yeah. Good to be over."

The two had come and got what they had needed. Which was time for them to move on from where they were. Cleo guided Hermione back to her room. Where she would hide the crown with the other objects that she had collected. The time was nearly upon them.