Hermione rushed out of the library, angry and upset. How in Merlin's name has this become her life? Was she supposed to change absolutely everything about herself because of her magic? She loved being a witch, loved learning about magic and all the things it could do—but at her heart she was still that Muggleborn witch who had struggled for five years to find her place within this world.
She didn't know how to be a Sorceress.
And right now she really didn't want to be one.
When she got to the Gryffindor common room, the Fat Lady took one look at her and opened the portrait door, not evening waiting for the password. Hermione stormed through the common area—ignoring the stares of her classmates and headed up to her dorm room. When she got there, she threw her book bag down at the end of her bed and plopped down face up on her bed...staring at the ceiling.
How was she supposed to feel about any of this? So much of this didn't make sense to her, but every time she tried to wrap her prodigious intellect around the particulars of her circumstances, the more confused she was.
There was no one to help her with any of this. No books for her to access, to read and dissect. Godric, there hadn't been a Sorceress is six centuries! How in the world was she expected to do this without some frame of reference.
It was beyond frustrating.
Obviously certain things were taught openly in Pureblood homes, but those things remained hidden away from people like her. Muggleborns—who were only told about their magic when they turned eleven. How fair was it to keep a child in the dark about something that was a fundamental part of who they were? She had often thought so, back when she had to study harder and be better than anyone else just to prove to herself and everyone else she belonged in this world. But now? She was just supposed to be thrilled about the fact that she was a Prewett and a member of the Sacred 28. That it gave her a certain legitimacy all of a sudden!
What a load of rubbish! She was the same witch! Well, with more powers but still...
It wasn't right...but she didn't know how to fix any of it.
Dumbledore obviously had his reasons for not having a Magical Studies class where Muggleborns could learn about this stuff, but it didn't make sense to her.
It wasn't fair to expect an entire class of students to come into a school entirely unprepared for what awaited them...was it?
Hermione knew she wasn't going to get any answers staring at the ceiling.
So she thought back carefully about what Theo had said and mulled over every bit of that conversation.
What her mind kept coming back around to was two things...One—she was going to bond to a ancillary for life. This bond was deeper then a soul bond even. She'd heard a bit about soul bonds and werewolf mate bonds...marriage bonds. Theo said her magic would choose its best match. The one that would make her the most stable...the most secure and happy.
Two—was the fact that Adrain knew about this and hadn't told her. Why? Her grandmother hadn't told her either...in fact no one had thought to broach the subject with her until now...weeks before she was to turn seventeen.
Why?
Hermione sat up and pondered the possibilities...liking each one less than the next.
What did she know so far?
First—there had likely been a Prophecy of some kind in regards to her birth or abilities as a Sorceress. Her parents had decided together that her mother would go into hiding with her family and her birth hadn't been widely known but by a handful of people.
Second—Sirius had been the one to spirit her away. Somehow they'd planned a fall back in case they were compromised. Her Father died shortly after her Mother. Her Father died at the hand of Dolohov and his fellow Death Eaters and it was reasonable to assume her Mother had perished the same way.
She should have killed the wizard when she'd had the chance!
Shaking her head of that useless thought, Hermione continued to tally up facts as she knew them.
Third—Dumbledore somehow convinced her Mother's family to leave the safety of McKinnon Manor. Why? There had to be a reason that had happened. Her Mother's will had indicated that she wished for her daughter to no longer have ties to the Order of the Phoenix. So somehow, had her Mother suspected that Dumbledore motivations hadn't been on the up and up?
Fourth—they had hidden her behind a long term glamour which according to some phantom Prophecy, may have indicated her role in the death of Voldemort. That was likely as her Mother had inferred as much in her will.
Fifth—it was likely Dumbledore had knowledge of the Prophecy. Was it in the Prophecy room when it was destroyed and if not...where was it and who had it? Dumbledore? Was it at McKinnon Manor somewhere?
Did it matter?
As Hermione pondered that question—other snippets of information flitted through her consciousness.
The biggest one was why had Dumbledore spared Lucius Malfoy and made him take an unbreakable vow?
Of all the things that had come out of the battle at the Department of Mysteries...that one made the least sense to her.
The man had been caught red-handed engaging in Death Eater activities. So why let him go? Why make him take a vow and let him go free?
As much as she tried to wrap her mind around it, nothing made sense to Hermione.
The wizard was powerful and well-connected—but so was Dumbledore.
And just what exactly had that vow entailed?
Dumbledore likely wouldn't tell her, and Lucius Malfoy couldn't.
So who was their bonder?
One of the Order who was present that night?
All this led Hermione to her final thought and the one she kept coming back to. Why hadn't anyone told her that in the space of a few weeks she might potentially bond with a bondmate?
Why hadn't Adrian told her and who the fuck was this Olivia Shardlow? Hermione thought back and remembered the witch from the Malfoy's garden party and cringed when she remembered said witch talking to Marietta Edgecombe.
So Olivia Shardlow had a thing with Adrian? Okay? People have relationships all the time that don't work out but Theo made it seem like the witch wasn't over Adrian.
Sad, but not her problem.
Turning her body sideways and settling her legs over her bed, Hermione sighed.
This ridiculous speculation was getting her absolutely nowhere.
Except more upset and irritated.
Even her magic was feeling unhappy.
Maybe it was time to get a different perspective and maybe get some answers.
With renewed determination, Hermione left the safety of her room and made her way down to the Gryffindor Common Room.
She wasn't surprised to see Harry, Ron and Ginny all waiting for her.
"Mione!" Ron's voice was the loudest to reach her...over Harry's more subdued 'Hermione.'
"Hi. Theo found you?"
Harry rubbed his scar and nodded. "Yeah, he came and found Ron and I on the pitch and told us what happened. You okay?"
"No! I am not okay Harry!" Hermione plopped down on the couch with Harry and Ron taking their usual spots on either side of her. The rest of the common room had gotten predictably quiet.
"I don't understand why no one explained this to me? I just hate not having all the necessary information, you know? Now I have to find out that I could be potentially bonded to someone in the space of a few weeks. It's mad!"
Ginny nodded, while Harry and Ron just patter her knees sympathetically.
"I think Mione," Ron began hesitantly, "that everyone forgets that there are things you don't know because you're so much smarter than everyone and better at research."
Hermione's head whipped to stare at her best friend, who was just looking at her sheepishly.
"That's the smartest thing you've ever said Ron."
Ron chuckled and everyone in the common room nodded in agreement.
"Doesn't make it okay, though."
"Nope, it doesn't but maybe you won't have to worry about it. Maybe your magic won't bond to anyone just yet?"
"What do you mean?"
Ron thought about it for a moment but then he just shrugged helplessly. "Look Mione, no one really knows how a Sorcerer or Sorceress bonds to an ancillary, right? There's really no books on the subjects, no histories to read that you can go to. Merlin, I'm surprised the Department of Mysteries hasn't been banging on Aunt Muriel's door trying to get more information."
"I'd like to see them try that." Ginny grinned, causing them all to chuckle at the thought of anyone trying to demand anything of Muriel.
"I think," Ron continued, "that people are speculatin' and guessin' what's gonna happen but no one knows, right?"
"But the information had to come from somewhere?"
"Yeah, maybe but Mione...there's never been a Sorceress like you before. I mean, everyone knows by now that you've manifested and didn't bond with anyone, right? Doesn't take a genius to figure out why that is."
"So you're saying that I may not have to bond with anyone?"
Ron shook his head. "Nah, you'll bond with some lucky bloke but probably when your magic feels it's ready. When you're ready. You're too stubborn, so my guess is your magic is too. It's not gonna choose some random bloke but someone who will compliment you and be an anchor for your more Gryffindor traits."
Everyone in the common room sat back stunned at how wise Ron Weasley just sounded and Hermione smiled tremulously and threw her arms around her best friend.
"When did you get so smart Ron?"
When Hermione pulled back, Ron's face was red as a beet red tomato.
"I'm not an idiot. I just think people want to fit you into this mold and it's rubbish. You're not like anyone else. You're just Mione...Brightest Witch and all that."
"Ron's right." Harry admitted unequivocally. "No one has any idea what to expect and everyone is drawing their own conclusions. It's going to happen Hermione, but I don't think that will be a bad thing. I just think you need to continue working with Professor Snape and staying grounded." Then Harry grinned. "And try not to burn anything down in a fit of temper."
"Did Theo tell you what he did?"
Harry nodded and snickered too. "Yeah. Wish I'd been there to see it but you might want to go and have a talk with Theo. He's panicked that your not going to forgive him for saying something."
Hermione groaned and then stood. "Did he go back to Slytherin?"
Harry shrugged. "Dunno but dinner is starting soon. Let's head down to the Great Hall and I'm sure you can catch him there."
"Fine."
The Gryffindor trio plus Ginny, Neville, Seamus and Dean headed down for dinner and met up with Luna on the way.
Once they entered the Great Hall, Hermione looked for Theo who was sitting with his head down, morosely picking at his dinner. Malfoy was sitting next to him and when he looked up and their eyes met, he lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
Hermione lifted her chin in Theo's direction and Malfoy nodded and nudged his housemate, who's head shot up in irritation and then understanding...then relief when he saw Hermione smiling at him.
She went to sit down with Harry and keeping eye contact with Theo, tapped her temple and watched him nod before she linked her mind with his.
"Sorry." She spoke silently into her cousin's mind and heard him sigh.
"Me too. I wish I could've told you some other way."
"I know. Theo...maybe it won't even happen the way you're thinking?"
"Meaning?"
"Well, has there ever been a Sorceress like me that you know of?"
There was a prolonged silence and then she heard Theo sigh again.
"Not that I'm aware of and yes, you're right. It might not happen the way we think it will."
"Then let's not worry about it for now? When it happens, hopefully I'll be ready. If not—maybe I can just turn whomever it is to a ball of ash and start over."
Theo's laughter reverberated throughout the Great Hall, earning him several strange looks.
Draco just smirked as Theo had that same blank look on his face denoting he was having a silent tête-à-tête with his cousin before he burst into histrionics.
When their connection was broken, Theo grinned when Hermione winked at him. He just continued to chuckle at how utterly ridiculous she was sometimes.
Although he wouldn't put it past her to make good on that threat.
"You okay?" Draco drawled and Theo turned his head slightly towards his dorm mate and nodded.
"I'm good."
"I take it she didn't handle it well?" Draco whispered, his tone of voice self-satisfied.
"No, but she did decide that if she doesn't like her bond mate she can always burn him to ash and then start over."
Theo watched as Draco swallowed heavily, his face paling slightly before his eyes narrowed disbelievingly.
"She did not say that."
Theo did his shrug thing and quipped back, "Believe what you want—Besides, I thought you weren't going to worry about it mate?"
Draco just sneered, but didn't reply as he went back to finish his dinner.
Theo took a bite of his cottage pie and chewed it with relish. Maybe Malfoy being Hermione's bondmate might not be such a bad idea after all.
In the years to come, Theo would kick himself repeatedly when he remembered back on his exact thoughts at this precise moment.
There was no way he could've predicted what was to come.