Powers Gained and Promises Kept
Author's Note: A couple people asked me if Madam Rosmerta (who had appeared briefly in the previous chapter) was going to be in any more chapters. If she is, it will be just random and not very important. She was only in the last chapter just so she could be woken up from the Stunning spell.
"So I take it you are feeling better today, Hermione?" Neville asked the next morning in the Great Hall.
"What?" Hermione asked, looking over the top of the Daily Prophet, which she was reading.
"Ron said you weren't feeling very well yesterday," Neville said.
Hermione looked at Ron, who had an expression on his face that was plainly saying "Answer him, Hermione."
"Oh yes," Hermione said, looking back at Neville, "I am feeling much better today, thank you."
It was clearly obvious that word hadn't got out about the major events that had taken place the day before. As far as Hermione figured, only she, Ron, Harry, and Ginny were the only students who knew that Draco Malfoy was now inside the walls of Hogwarts Castle. Because of this, Hermione also figured that she had better keep the story that she was sick all day, and had been at the top of Gryffindor tower throughout the day.
Hermione returned her attention to the front page of the Daily Prophet. As she was reading, Hedwig flew down onto the table in front of Harry. Hermione put her paper down and looked at the note which was tied to Hedwig's leg. From across the table, she could see the words "Do not open until you are alone" written in large red letters. Harry took the letter from Hedwig's leg and put it in his pocket. Hermione looked back at the Daily Prophet.
"Anything interesting?" Hermione heard Ron ask.
"Not really," Hermione said, "It says here that a Muggle might have sighted one of the fugitives from Azkaban, and had alerted the police. The chief of police, who is an informant of the aurors, was given a description of the fugitive from the Muggle, and then immediately handed the information over to the aurors."
"Someone saw a Death Eater?"
"It says here," Hermione said, "that the description was of a man who... oh no!"
"What?!" Ron, Harry and Ginny all said.
"Well," Hermione said, putting down the paper, "The description sounds like Mundungus Fletcher."
"Mundungus?" Ron asked, "What would he have been doing? Last time we saw him, he was at the Burrow."
"Mum and Dad had to limit the Burrow to family members, remember?" Ginny said.
"Well, then," Ron said, lowering his voice to a whisper, "Do you think he would have gone back to the Headquarters? I am sure McGonagall or someone would have told him to go there."
"I am sure he was there," Harry said, "But knowing Dung, he probably went off to do something, don't you think?"
"Yeah, like get more dodgy cauldrons," Ron said, snickering.
"This is a serious matter, Ron!" Hermione said, "Mundungus is a fugitive. He escaped when the Death Eaters escaped. People may think he is a Death Eater."
"He will just have to stay in Headquarters from now on, won't he?" Ron asked, "Until this whole thing blows over."
"Until Voldemort is gone, you mean?" Harry asked grimly.
"Yeah, mate," Ron said.
Harry sighed. "I need to see what is in this letter," he said, "See you in Potions."
"See ya," Ron and Hermione said.
"Do you think that letter was from McGonagall?" Ginny whispered.
"It couldn't be, could it?" Ron asked, "Otherwise she would have given it to him herself."
"Unless she wanted to keep it a secret, Ron," Hermione said.
"Oh… right," Ron said.
"Well, then maybe she wants to update us about..." Ginny said, before looking around and lowering her voice to a whisper before turning back to Ron and Hermione, "Malfoy."
"I hope so," Ron whispered, "I want to know what he is hiding. It might just help us out with finding more Horcruxes."
"Hey, speaking of Horcruxes," Hermione said, "Ginny, has Harry mentioned anymore about what he has been thinking of?"
"Not that I remember," Ginny said, shaking her head.
"Damn it," Hermione said, "I want to know what is going on in that head of his."
"Hermione!" Ron said.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You cursed!" Ron said.
"It's not the first time, Ron," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"So?" Ron asked, "The Hermione Granger I know doesn't curse."
"That was before Harry decided to keep secrets from his friends," Hermione said, "What is that boy hiding?"
"We might know sooner or later," Ginny said.
"I hope so," Hermione said, "Whatever he is planning, I know it must have something to do with Horcruxes and if it does, then he needs to tell us. I want to get this over soon. It is starting to annoy me."
"You're telling me!" Ron said, "You haven't paid much attention to your schoolwork. That is surprising, especially since this is our final year... and with N.E.W.T.s coming..."
"Ugh, don't remind me," Hermione said, "I been so busy I can't concentrate on anything else."
"That reminds me!" Ron said, "Today is our Metamorphmagus test in Transfiguration."
"It is, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Ron said.
Hermione groaned. "Excuse me," she said, getting up, "I need to go find Harry."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"Cause if he doesn't give a good excuse for not telling me about what he is planning then I am going to kill him!" Hermione said, "He's made me forget about the test!"
Hermione walked off, and Ron and Ginny just looked at each other.
"Er… you suppose she was joking?" Ginny asked.
"I am not sure," Ron said.
"I think we better go after her," Ginny said, "I have a feeling I might have to protect my boyfriend."
"Yeah," Ron said, "That sounds like a good idea."
Ron and Ginny stood up and hurried out of the Great Hall after Hermione.
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"Where is he?!" Hermione said.
Hermione was pacing back and forth in front of the potions classroom in the dungeon. Ron and Ginny were there as well.
"Relax, Hermione," Ron said, "Potions class isn't for another fifteen minutes. Harry should be down here any minute."
"I better get going," Ginny said, "I have got Charms and I need to head over there for class. Hermione, please don't kill my boyfriend, promise?"
"Only if he tells me what is going on," Hermione said.
Ginny rolled her eyes and walked off back toward the first floor.
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I am going to need one of those vials of Acidic Potion pretty soon," a voice said inside the Potions classroom.
"Wait, Hermione listen!" Ron said in a whisper, nodding to the Potions classroom.
Hermione walked over to the door of the classroom.
"How soon, m'boy?" another voice said.
"Not exactly sure, Professor," the first voice said, "Hopefully by this weekend."
"I made it for you," the second voice said, "So, if Professor McGonagall gives you permission, then I am sure you can use it."
"That's Harry and Professor Slughorn!" Hermione whispered, "Come on, let's go in."
Hermione and Ron opened the door and walked into the classroom. Harry was standing up at Professor Slughorn's desk, where Slughorn was seated.
"Thanks, Professor," Harry said.
"Of course, m'boy," Slughorn said, "Well, you might want to sit down. Class will be starting soon… oh, hello Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley! Early to class today, aren't you?"
Harry quickly turned around and looked at Ron and Hermione.
"We were just looking for Harry," Ron said, looking at Harry.
"Yeah," Hermione said, looking at Harry as well. "Looks like we found him."
"Good," Slughorn said, obviously not aware that something was going on, "Very good. You finished your Remembering Potion essays, I assume?"
"Of course," Hermione said.
"Well done," Slughorn said.
Harry sat down at the front desk, and Hermione and Ron sat next to him.
"Have something you want to tell us, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"What?" Harry asked, "Oh, the letter! Yeah... it was from McGonagall. She wants us, as well as Ginny, to go to her office tonight about six-o-clock. Malfoy is still in the castle, and obviously McGonagall has something up her sleeve."
"That's good," Hermione said, "But we weren't talking about that."
"We were wondering about the letter, though, Hermione," Ron said.
Hermione sighed and narrowed her eyes at Ron.
"What is going on?" Harry asked.
"We heard you, Harry," Hermione said.
"What?" Harry said.
"We heard you talking to Slughorn," Hermione said, "What do you need the Acidic Potion for? Did you find another Horcrux and not tell us?"
Harry sighed. "I was planning on telling you in McGonagall's office tonight," he said, "Can't it wait until then?"
Hermione was about to talk, but Ron interrupted her.
"Yeah, it can wait," Ron said.
"What?" Hermione said.
Ron nodded to the door. Hermione looked over and noticed that students were coming into the classroom.
"We have company," Ron said, "And we have a test to think about. Remember... Transfiguration class? We will be going there after this class."
Hermione sighed. "Fine," Hermione grumbled, "It can wait until tonight." She looked at Harry and pointed a finger at him. "But you had better tell us tonight, Harry."
"I promise, Hermione," Harry said, "Everything will be explained tonight."
"Good," Hermione said.
"Please have your Remembering Potion essays out and ready to hand in," Slughorn announced to the students coming in, "Thank you."
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For the first time that she could remember, Hermione had a very difficult time
during a test. In all truth, the Metamorphmagus test wasn't all that
difficult. Hermione's mind was just on what Harry would be telling them later
that day. To make it even worse, when Harry had finished the test, he had a
little discussion with McGonagall which Hermione couldn't hear because it was
all in low voices. There was also a low buzzing noise in her ear. She only
recognized this as the Muffliato Charm after Harry had left the classroom
early for some reason, and it seemed as if McGonagall was okay with the fact
that he left.
Hermione took out a piece of parchment, and wrote on it:
Whatever Harry is planning, McGonagall has something to do with it. Or she knows what is going on.
Hermione passed the parchment to Ron and he read it. He sighed and wrote something, then passed it back to Hermione, who read it:
Would you just finish your test and worry about that later?! By the way, what is the answer to question 25?
Hermione sighed and crumpled up the piece of parchment and put it back in her book bag. She was in a very bad mood and couldn't concentrate on the test. When she was done, she hoped that she could scrape by with an E.
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At fifteen minutes to six-o-clock, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny made their
way back to McGonagall's office. When Harry knocked on the door, Professor
McGonagall asked them to come in. Harry opened the door and Hermione, Ron and
Ginny followed him in. Draco was sitting in a chair in front of McGonagall's
desk.
"I want to know why I am still here, Professor," Draco said, "I thought I would be in a safe-house by now."
"You will be, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said calmly, "But first, I request your help again."
"Didn't I help enough last night?" Draco said.
"The information you gave last night will help us tonight," McGonagall said, "That is why I requested Harry and his friends to come here." She turned to Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny. "Please sit down."
McGonagall pointed her wand at the floor next to Draco and four more chairs appeared. Harry walked up and Hermione, Ron and Ginny followed and all of them sat down. Draco scooted his chair a little to the right to get away from the others.
Professor McGonagall had looked around the room, and Hermione had wondered what she was doing. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," McGonagall said, causing Hermione and the others to turn around.
The door opened and Remus and Tonks walked in. Remus had fresh cuts on his face from his recent transformation as a werewolf. Both Remus and Tonks paid close attention to Draco as they walked up toward the desk.
"I didn't know there were going to be more people coming," Draco said, "How many more are you expecting?"
"Everyone that should be here is here," McGonagall said, turning to Remus, "Did you notice anything strange about the aurors as you were walking up here?"
"Everything seems normal," Remus said.
"Good," McGonagall said, "Then they have not been alerted of Mr. Malfoy's presence in the castle."
"Are they going to be a problem?" Draco asked, his voice changing to a worried tone.
"No, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said, "I assure you I made sure they wouldn't be a problem. If they were to find out that you were in the castle, I am sure you wouldn't be here anymore."
"I don't want to be here anymore," Draco said, "I want to be in a safe-house."
"If the aurors knew you were here, you would be in the custody of the Ministry of Magic," McGonagall said, "Let me remind you that the Ministry still believes you are allied with Death Eaters."
"You have not told them I don't want anything to do with my father or the Dark Lord or his Death Eaters?!" Draco said.
"That would not be the best idea, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said, "You see, if they knew, then your father would know."
"I – I see," Draco stammered.
"Let's get to business, shall we?" McGonagall asked.
Everyone nodded.
"A few days ago, Harry came up to my office and said that he may know how to destroy another Horcrux," McGonagall said.
"Should we mention Horcrux in front of Draco?" Harry asked.
"Don't worry, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "I have already explained everything to Mr. Malfoy. He knows about the Horcruxes."
"How much does he know about them, I wonder?" Remus said, glancing over at Draco.
"Only as much as every one of you," Draco said, rolling his eyes.
"Anyway," McGonagall said, urging on, "There is only one Horcrux that Harry knows of right now. And that is Voldemort's snake, Nagini."
"Are you sure she's a Horcrux, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Professor Dumbledore was sure," Harry said, "I trust that he was right."
"The only problem," McGonagall continued, "is that Nagini is never away from her master's side. So, over the past few days, Harry and I have been trying to find ways to get her away from her master's side. What we needed first, was to find out where Nagini was. Thanks to Mr. Malfoy, we have that information."
Draco smirked and nodded.
"Nagini is with Voldemort and the Death Eaters in Little Hangleton," McGonagall said, "They are in Voldemort's father's old house. Near this house, there is a graveyard. It just so happens that it was the graveyard that Harry was at when he was kidnapped a couple of years ago. Well, I think we can lure Nagini to the graveyard."
"How are you going to do that?" Hermione asked, "Especially without Voldemort knowing?"
"That is what Harry and I have been working on," McGonagall said, "Harry has been working on planting thoughts into Voldemort's head."
Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked at each other, then at Harry, shocked. Even Draco looked a little surprised.
"This is why I have been keeping it a secret," Harry said, "I needed to concentrate on it without anyone else asking me what was going on."
"So have you thought about what to try to put into Voldemort's head?" Remus asked.
"I have been thinking about it," Harry said, "I am not sure how much I will be able to do, and I need to make it believable. Hopefully my plan will work so Voldemort lets Nagini go, instead of only ordering Death Eaters to go."
"How are you planning on doing that, Harry?" Ginny asked.
Harry sighed and looked at Professor McGonagall, who decided to answer Ginny's question herself.
"We need to lure Nagini, and the lure has to be believable and good enough," she said, "We will need a human lure. Ginny, we were thinking that you should do it."
"No way, Professor!" Ron said, "My sister is not going to be the target!"
"I will do it, Professor," Ginny said.
Ron's eyes widened and he looked at his sister.
"What?" Ron asked, "Ginny..."
"The lure has to be good enough of a target that V-Voldemort will take the bait, Ron," Ginny said, "It might be the only way."
Ron sighed and looked away from the others.
"Is this the only way, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately, it is," McGonagall said, "You see, Draco said that Voldemort knows Harry and Ginny are together. I believe that if Voldemort thinks he can get Ginny, then he will have an advantage. Harry would want to go save her."
"Ron," Ginny said, "I am not going to get hurt."
"How do you know?" Ron said, turning back to his sister, "We don't know what will happen out there!"
"Ginny only needs to be out in the open until Nagini arrives," Harry said, "Then we can get Ginny, and then kill Nagini."
"How do you know it will be that easy, Harry?" Ron asked, "There are just so many things that could go wrong."
"Ron," Harry said, "I promise your sister will be fine. Trust me."
Ron sighed. "When is all of this going to take place?" he asked.
"I am hoping for it to work this weekend," Harry said, "I believe I can do it then."
"What about me?" Draco asked, "Have I done enough now?"
McGonagall nodded and smiled. "I believe you have done your part, Mr. Malfoy," she said, "If you will just stay in my office a little longer, I will help you get into the safe-house." She turned to Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny. "Harry and Ginny, I ask that you stay for just a few minutes longer. Hermione and Ron, you can go. I believe we are done."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said.
Hermione and Ron stood up and walked out of the office. As they were walking toward the Grand Staircase to go to the Great Hall for dinner, Hermione noticed that Ron was being very silent.
"Ron?" Hermione said, "Are you okay?"
"I don't know, Hermione," Ron said.
"Is this about what Harry and Professor McGonagall have planned?" Hermione asked.
"Of course it does, Hermione," Ron said, "I don't know what to think. Why does it have to be Ginny? Why can't it be one of us?"
"You heard Professor McGonagall, Ron," Hermione said, "It has to be believable."
"And me or you alone in the middle of a graveyard isn't believable enough for Voldemort?" Ron asked in rage.
"Ron!" Hermione said.
"What?" Ron asked, "What? I am right, aren't I? It could be one of–"
"It isn't that," Hermione said, "You said his name!"
"Whose?" Ron asked.
"Voldemort's!" Hermione said, "You actually said it."
"I did, didn't I?" Ron asked, "I don't know. I guess I am just too worried about things now to even care about that."
"I am worried too, Ron," Hermione said, "But I think we can get through this. We have been through a lot. Ginny won't get hurt. We'll make sure of it."
"Promise?" Ron asked.
"I promise, Ron," Hermione said, "Your sister will get through this. With all of us."
"I hope you are right," Ron said, "'Cause I don't want to think about what will happen if you are wrong."
"Me neither, Ron," Hermione said, "Me neither."
------------------------------------------ Hope you liked the chapter. Feedback is welcomed.
Another chapter done. I hope you liked it. The attempt to destroy Nagini will
happen in a couple of chapters. I am not sure what to call Harry's new power.
Voldemort did it when he planted that dream about Sirius into Harry's head,
but there wasn't a name for it. It is basically that power.
