"Done." Hermione replied making a right turn bumping into some one again, "Sorry… YOU?"
"Hi Hermione." Ron Weasly muttered, "What do you want?"
"Listen…I I came to ap-polo…" instead of responding she walked across the wall three times, he gasped when a wall appeared, she quickly pulled him in and locked the door behind him. "Sorry about that Ron, you were saying."
"Bloody hell." He muttered surprised, the room was totally strange with a low glass table and some cushions to sit on. "Room of requirement, gives you the setting you need. Any ways what did you want?"
"Umm… about the way we acted…" she cut him off, "Is and will be necessary till I tell you so."
"A…all right, still I am truly sorry." He added, she simply nodded with out a word, "It's just all I could think of were mum and dad…"
"They knew." She told him suddenly, he a palled suddenly, "What?"
"They knew about me told them after the chamber incident." She told him sitting down, he followed looking at her intently, and "I told them when I came to the burrow everything starting from who I was, my childhood, my life with the high-elves…everything. They accepted me Ron. They accepted me knowing it was my father who hurt Ginny so badly, knowing the kind of people I had faced. They were the first people I had closest to my family…. that is why I punished her rapist. Not because of anything else, just pure rage. Felt good…."
Ron watched as she spoke his eyes grew wide and he was nearly torn between admiration and fear of the girl in front of him. "S-so you really?"
"Yeah…I am spy for Albus." She replied, "That's why I went there in the first place that and to find out who murdered my mother."
"T-thanks for telling me this Hermione." Suddenly he hugged her tightly poring all his emotions into the hug and the holographic hugged him back with the same intensity.
"Sorry about that Cecilia I had to distract him before holographing." She replied sitting down Indian style next to her ancestor, "I know, now need you to go on a mission before I can give you your next lesson."
"Great waiting for action what is it?" she smiled rubbing her hands, when the instructions were given her smile faded, "What?"
"Steal the knife set of Nilvera from the History of Magic museum," she repeated, "The dark flame is after it for nearly generations…."
Hermione's face grew wide with a smile as she understood what was being said, "If I steal it would become the greatest mark against them. "
"Exactly but remember one thing Herms make sure you don't get caught or the stealing is not connected to you." She added, "Don't worry guides leave it to me the blades will soon be mine."
"I know they will be now why don't you go and finish your homework?" she added pushing the girl away, waving she jumped down the wall and began walking back into the castle ruffling the hair of a first year boy on her way smiling. He looked at her strangely but smiled running a hand through his hair walking his own way. Just as she bumped into some one he called out to her, 'can't you watch – Mia?"
"Sorry papa." She gave an angelic smile to him he pulled her towards him, "It's all right baby now why were you running about like this?"
"I was not running around papa." She replied sulking, "I was not looking at where I was going."
"Alright love I was looking for you any way." She looked at him inquisitively, "Albus wants you to bring the new teacher to school he is arriving in the station in a few moments."
"Great and who is this new teacher?" she asked not very interested in the job, "Alexander Shelton."
"Alexander Paul Shelton?" she repeated, "Yes."
"Sev Alexander Shelton who wrote Simplifying Transfiguration – the link between theory and practical application?" she added, "One and the same."
"Alexander Shelton author of Basic rules of transfiguration?" she asked again the man nodded, "Yes Mia."
"Papa you have any idea how famous this chap is?" she asked, "Yes dear I know he helped you appreciate the art of transfiguration. You have mentioned him a lot of times now run along you need to go pick him up."
"I'll go do that." She smiled and ran away to get changed. After fifteen minutes she finally decided on brown trousers, a brown tank top with some yellow writing in gibberish that looked beautiful. She picked up her car keys and began driving to the station playing some music and drinking bear at the same time. Pulling over she walked in right in time to see the train pull over and a few people hopping down. One such man she could click as the new transfiguration teacher with his light sandy brown hair and light brown eyes. The dark green jeans and white and green stripped under shirt made him look quiet different from the look of a professor. His white over robes was left open with some large bags and large trunks next to him, unlading a few more. Hermione walked up to him casually, "Excuse me Professor Alexander Shelton?"
"Yes?" he asked turning around to see a girl who looked so much like, "Ms….."
"Hermione Riddle sir." She provided holding out her hand as he shook it firmly, 'I'm from school and you could say your welcoming cavalry."
"You look too young to be a teacher." He replied surprised, she shrugged, "You could say that…can I help you with your bags?"
"Umm sure…it's kind of large for a locomotor's spell at the moment." He laughed nodding Hermione helped him out with his bags to the car and began chattering with him about his work. When they reached the car she even helped him put everything away neatly. "There – shall we leave or would you like a round of the village first? It is really beautiful."
"Sounds good!" he replied smiling as he sat down next to her in the car and the engine jerked to life, she continued to feel his eyes on her. As she drove she asked him if it's all right to drop the car off in her place in the village and take off walk around. "Sounds cool."
"Great." She smiled and pulled over into her garage and began taking him for a walk around giving him an introduction to everyone. Showed him around the sweet shops, three broomsticks and the teashop, coffee shops and few other shops – that is where her mobile rang. "Excuse me."
"Hello?" she spoke moving away, he watched as her face palled and her smile faded at the sound of who ever she was speaking to, he watched on curiously. She turned to see him once pure fear stuck in her eyes out of instinct he pulled out his wand. She looking at him quietly, "We need to go to school right now."
"What about…." He stopped seeing the car was all ready standing there right for them to jump in and rush as she moved like a maniac. His suspicions were right; in a few minutes three demetors were flowing down sucking away the happiness of everyone around them making children scream in fear. They seemed to be a fog in the place, a fog of sadness and coldness that would never leave. He felt his chest clench with pain and his mind grown dark but suddenly nothing. He looks up, "Hogwarts grounds the wards have been placed against them."
"A-all right th-thanks." He muttered looking at the girl next to him as she placed a mild cheering charm on him, she seemed to jump out of some place, he could not tell where. That was when he turned his eyes to the building, "Wow!"
"Place has that effect on people you studied in South America right?" she asked driving in but much slower, "Yes Melencasis quiet a nice place you would have liked it Ms. Riddle."
"I'm fine where I am thanks." She replied pulling over and getting out of the car, "Professor Hagrid good morning."
"Riddle headmaster was expecting yeah 'bout now. Yeah need to let me know before…" she cut him off, "I inform the head that is more than enough. By the way this is Alexander Shelton he is our new transfiguration teacher."
"'Lo professor Rubis Hagrid, keepers of the gates and keys in Hogwarts and Care for Magical Creatures teacher as well. Good to have yeah aboard." They shook hands, "Everyone call me Hagrid."
"Hello Hagrid names Alex by the way and not professor." He added smiling, "Got to go meet the headmaster now, could I catch up with you latter?"
"Do come for tea some time." Hagrid called waving to the man and going off, once they went in Hermione began showing him around everything. The castle, the wonderful portraits and the changing stairs telling him all about the place, more like reciting Hogwarts a History. That was till finally they reached the statue she spoke the password, "Crunchy Clusters."
"Head master likes sweets?" he asked stepping on the stairs, "More like chocolate freak don't worry told him that at his face. We've arrived."
"Come in." the old man called as she knocked the door, "Special delivery head! Your instant transfiguration teacher package has arrived."
"Hermione." He warned her before turning to the teacher who walked in giving the girl strange looks, "Excuse her Alexander, she is quiet jovial. I am Albus Dumbldore headmaster of the school."
"Alexander Shelton sir, I can not express how happy and honored I am to work with you." He smiled holding Albus' hands in both of his own, Hermione only raised an eyebrow, "Like wise young man what can I offer you a cup of tea or would you prefer a cup of coffee?"
"Can we have some hot chocolate?" Hermione cut in, "We just got away from a near attack."
"O dear, how many this time dear?" he sighed looking into the girls eyes as she moved around the table, "Three, did a bit of fast driving to get away from them. Creeps were terrible…."
The effect of the charm began going away as the girl just as she poured three mugs of hot chocolate and placed some marshmallows in them. He could not help but feel that she was more than what she presented her self to be, he could tell as she passed the drinks around. "Thank you my dear, you do seem to know your way around the head masters office quiet well."
"Yes she does spend some time around me enough to take a few liberties." He replied as she sat down on an armchair, "That is only because you let me gramps. That and you have an excellent collection of books for me to read at all times."
"That too." He laughed sipping his own drink, "Excellent as usual did you show the professor around the place dear girl?"
"Most of it…may be a teacher could show him the rest in the next trip?" she added making her self-comfortable, "Excellent idea how would you like that Alexander?"
"Alex please and yes I would love it." He smiled at the headmaster looking around on were to place his empty cup; Hermione who had finished as well took his and placed them in the sink. "I'll take your leave gramps, sir."
The men nodded and the younger one got up and opened the door for her as she smiled her thanks and left. Hurrying down the stairs he sat down and out onto the corridor looked around before picking up her phone and jamming a few numbers. "Hello Freed can you and George get away form your shop around lunch... You can great; can you meet me in my place at the village? Great see you there then."
Just as she cut the call she bumped into some one again making them drop their books, "Sorry 'bout that let me help you."
"Thanks Hermione." Neville smiled as she handed him his books with a wave of her wand, "No problem, I was looking for you any way make your self free at lunch there is a meeting."
"What meeting?" he asked she tapped her wrist and he nodded, "What do I need to bring?"
"Nothing just comes along with Dean and Seamus I'll let them know too." She replied going in search of the other two, she traced them down soon and informed them of the meeting. "We'll be there Hermione."
"Great did any of you see Padma and Cho?" she asked, "Library."
"Thanks Dean." She smiled and went to inform them personally of the meeting, finally she found them gave quick orders about the lunch meeting. Cho looked at her strangely, "What's with the personal invite?"
"This is a different kind of meeting sis." She replied storming off to the kitchen searching for Winky, "Hay babes."
"Mistress wants Winky?" she asked jumping up and down, "Yeah can you cook up a huge lunch for a bunch of us at my place? Drinks and all…. clean it up a bit as well. We will be having a meeting there."
"Winky will get everything ready for mistress she will." She nodded and disappeared with a snap of her fingers some other house elves that were around waited patiently for her to turn her attention to them. "Would miss like some tea?
"Can I have a take away coffee?" she asked, the house elf quickly ran to get the request knowing from Winky how she liked her coffee, Dobby (who had been out cleaning) came in and stopped, "Ms. Hermione?"
"Hay Dobby." She grinned kneeling down to his level, "You wanted something?"
"Professor Dumbldore is searching for Ms. Hermione throughout school. He is saying that there is some news…." He got cut of when another house elf brought Hermione's request in a tray. Grabbing it she dashed out of the kitchen and went strait to the headmaster's office for the second time that day. "You wanted to meet me sir?"
"Hermione you are hear Remus wanted to meet you urgently today for evening tea, there were a few people who had to meet you." He gushed looking worried, Hermione nodded looking confused, "Why me?"
"Not sure dear but do be careful they do not know who you are and the times are not good now." He added running a hand through his beard, "Who ever it is be careful about what you say…"
"Will do can I go now?" she asked he nodded releasing her. Sighing she looked at her watch, there was enough time for her to have a relaxing soak before lunchtime. Filling the tub with a relaxing aroma of mixed flowers some perfume candles and a bottle of red wine. Slowly stepping in she spent nearly half an hour listening to the smoothening music and the drink mixed with the sensations of the bath. Finally popping out looked at her self in the mirror smiling, "You look wonderful dear."
"Why thank you." She replied blowing a kiss and began drying her hair with a towel when a knock came on her door, "Who could that be?"
Draco's Room (Slytherine quartos)
Draco stood in front of the mirror pulling on a silver-grey muscle shirt with dark blue tracks when some one knocked the door, "Come in…o hi Pans."
"O I'm sorry Draco I'll come latter." She replied making a move to go out when he called her back, "Don't be silly it's not like anything you have never seen before. Just close the door."
He watched as she closed the door observing the knee length light brown dress she wore with the simple brown earrings he had been forced to give her for a gift some time. Turning to him she again looked down as if afraid, "You wanted something?"
"Y-yeah actually my father wanted to meet you now for – for a few minutes." Understanding what she was trying to say he smiled and walked up to her placing a comforting arm around her, "Relax I'll take care of it."
"You will?" she asked looking up her eyes filled with hope that it made him smile, "I will take care of it don't worry."
"Promise?" she asked looking at him carefully, "Promise."
His reply got a strange reaction from her, for the first time she reached up and pressed her lips on his. Just for a second he froze in surprise, just for a second before he responded to her and grabbed her waist stopping her from moving away. Pressing her harder against his body as the kiss deepened, but she did not let it go too far. "Father is waiting for you Draco."
"Aah yes the old beast." He sighed, Pansy only laughed at him but did not say anything else. He made no move indicting he was going to let her go. Suddenly she squalled surprised when she felt him pinch her bottom, "That was for good luck."
"You did not have to pinch so hard." She muttered looking down he only stole a quick kiss and went out throwing on a set of green robes. Smiling he walked out of the common room only to bump into Mr. Parnkson directly. "Sorry sir."
"That is quiet all right Draco." The man replied, he looked nothing like Pansy except for his blond hair, quiet laky and not exactly the kind of man you look at twice. His lacks of looks were replaced by his intelligence and knack of earning money. "Why don't you show me around the dungeons it has been too long.'
"Of course come right this way." He smiled and took him along took the man showing him around the dungeons. Fifteen minutes latter he came to the point, "Draco my boy I am sure you are aware that just because your noble father passed away it does not mean your engagement to my daughter is broken. You are still bound by your father's words."
"I remember sir." He replied, "As you will also remember she was raised for you and leaving her would be a great dishonor brought upon both the families. Something that can not be tolerated?"
"Yes sir I am quiet aware of it you do not have to worry you have my word that I will not brake my father's word." He replied respectfully, the old man looked into his eyes for a moment before nodded, "That is all I ask, and Draco could you please give this package to Pansy her mother asked me to pass it on."
"I'll do that." He replied pocketing the package and said his good bys to his future father-in-law. Grinning happily he walked away not anticipating the storm that came after the calm. When he walked back in he found her cleaning his room and folding his clothes that had been scattered around the room. Walking up to her and hugging her from behind and kissed her shoulder, she squeaked in surprise, "Draco."
"Yes dear?" he teased, turning around she hugged him, "Don't do that!"
"Don't do what?" he teased, "This?"
He kissed her again on her shoulder making her cling to him, liking the feeling he began pressing kisses through her neck making her shiver and sigh. He ran his hands down and slowly up her dress but suddenly stopped, "Your not wearing any thing underneath."
"Does it matter when I come near you." She teased he raised his eye brows, "Really? We'll see about that for the next of the whole week."
"Whole week you not coming to me?" she asked, he nodded and she began laughing, "You – you survive a whole week no ways."
"We'll see?" he asked, "We'll see and to make it more interesting I'll even get Herms to place a charm on me if I brake that within the week."
"Done." She smiled and walked with him right behind her. They marched into Severnus quartus and knocked her door. Hermione opened it dressed in a light brown bath robe that reached only up till her knees. Draco raised his eye brow, "Should we come latter?"
"No just give me two minutes." She replied closing the door, she walked out with 20 seconds to spare dressed in black cut offs and a yellow 'light me' tank top and light sandals. Her make up as usual quiet bright and her hair still a bit wet from the bath. "Yeah so what is you wanted?"
When they told her about the challenge she burst out laughing, "Let us make this more interesting shall we? Try not going to each other's beds for that time period. Shall we?"
"MIA." They yelled she laughed, "Tell you what why don't the two of you get ready for today's lunch – n – meeting will you?" she requested.
"Of course dear." Draco bent down and kissed her cheek and dragged Pansy away with him to let Hermione get ready. Fifteen minutes latter she walked out with a black jacket in her hand and a wand being stuffed (for the sake of apearences) before running out through the tunnel and into the village. Upon entering her house she noted the people she had asked for all ready seated and waiting for instructions, "Sorry about that guys got a bit late. Any ways strait to my point, I have good news as well as bad news."
"Great." Dean smiled, "Good news is that I think we are almost ready for war, developing stratergies and well pushing our selves is what is needed now. The bad news is that the war is coming much closer."
"Who told you this nonsense Herms…. Our little grim expert?" Freed joked lightening the mood since everyone were laughing no one noticed her flinch. "Actually it's just a few developments I noticed in daddy's place the last time I – I snooped around."
The whole group became serious, they know what the man meant for the girl who never had a family all her life. Cho, who knew most of the story felt her self choke. No one dared to say anything, Hermione took a deep breath. "So can we review what we have so far? When we are at it we also need some one who can develop some stratergies."
"Any one who can play chess would do Herms?" came a voice that made all of them turn around shocked.
Krishi
Hermione lay back on the bed next to Harry and Ron; Ginny had curled her self up on Harry's chest. Harry was running his hand through her hair watching as Hermione who was enjoying the head-massage Sirius was giving her, unable to take her silence he finally asked, "What made you charm your hair into that bushy mess Herms?"
