Ch.9: Time
George Wesley darted forward with an excited look on his face.
"Is that real? I've failed at making something similar to it but every time I do, I knock myself out."
Hermione knew she shouldn't return the openness of his reaction but she couldn't help herself and gave a small smile in return. "This was the final prototype. You gave it to me right before we left. I had forgotten I even had it until now."
Satisfaction bloomed across his face. "So I did end up making one."
Even with the severity of the moment, she couldn't help but laugh. "Not exactly."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you after."
Geroge hesitated and became red as he realized what he had interrupted. "Right."
Molly and Arthur shook their heads. Fred hadn't even moved. He was staring at her hand with a perplexed expression.
Hermione turned her concentration back, her smile already gone as her eyes landed on a certain pair of eyes.
She would start off with the official leaders of the Order.
"What will your decision be, Kingsley?"
He was peering over her shoulder, at Dumbledor, his face showing a mirage of emotions too complicated to name.
He shook his head after a few seconds. "I think I would like to have you helping us instead of against us or even somewhere else where you could die. The knowledge would be lost if you did. So, you have my support, Miss Granger."
She moved on to Moody. He was once again standing by the fireplace. He was facing away from them but he still answered her.
"You have what we need. There is no other option."
Right.
Minerva was next. The older woman was sitting down next to Alice Longbottom. Minerva wasn't looking at anybody. Her complexion was several shades paler then before, body hunched over as if in pain.
Hermione tilted her head. "Professor McGonagall?"
"Miss Granger, you have to understand, we all believed in Albus. I have trusted him for decades and now this? I believe what you say but that isn't stopping me from wishing it wasn't true. I know we need you. The Wizardly World needs what knowledge you hold. But you just hit us with a blow nobody saw coming."
"I know. That is why I'm giving you all the chance to voice your concerns. My outlook on Dumbledore shouldn't color your decision. That is between him and those he has wronged. But it also comes down to what this Albus Dumbledore you all know and the one that I knew."
Minerva nodded but the frown didn't go away. "There is also the fact that we don't know much about you. About who you are compared to the Hermione Granger we knew. The boys only just joined along with Longbottom and Lovegood. May I ask how old you are?"
"That's understandable. As for my age...I'm 19. I'll turn 20 around December."
Minerva looked startled. "Why are you so much older? The age of students here doesn't go beyond 18."
Hermione frowned. "The other Hermione...wasn't she given a time-turner in her third year?"
Minerva stood up, her robes brushing Alice Longbottom. "In her 3rd year? Who in-why would they have given you one? Especially at 13?"
"I had asked to take all the available courses for that year. The only way I could take them was with a time-turner. I had been under the illusion that the Ministry had known about it until I later found out that it had been one that had belonged to Dumbledore. The Ministry never even knew I had it. I aged a whole year so that by the time I was ready to start 4th year I was already 15."
Dumbledore stepped forward. "I had made one, years ago and gave it to Granger in her 3rd year but only to save Sirius. If I remember correctly, the time-turner broke after that single-use. I haven't been able to restore it since then."
Minerva closed her eyes. "You have my vote, Miss Granger. Dumbledore…"
"I know, Minerva. I don't fault you for choosing her. I have done wrong but only in the belief that it was for good. But I will righten what I have done so far. You have my vote, Miss Granger."
One by one, the adults said the same. All of them had mixed feelings. They didn't know her well but what she had shown them thus far was better than what they saw in Dumbledore. She knew many of them would want to ask her more stuff but she really didn't want to sit around talking when she could be doing more.
Once the younger members accepted her, she gave the sphere to Geroge. "Try and find out what you kept missing the first time around."
A grin was her answer. He walked back to his twin and Hermione was treated to a different kind of silence. Hermione relaxed and looked at Dumbledore.
"Take the position of Minister. Kick Fudge out before Riddle gets his ranks high up enough to put somebody he wants in position. I'll give you a list of people you should watch out for and those that should have your back. As soon as you're in, dismiss Dolores. She will only get worse if you don't. Place Percy and Kingsley behind you. Distract Riddle while the rest of us hunt the Horcruxes down."
He didn't fancy that. But he had given his word and she knew he wouldn't go back on it in front of the others.
"Who exactly will be hunting the Horcruxes?" he asked, his voice tight with tension.
Hermione crossed her arms. "If I knew you all more personally I would split you up into pairs and ask you to hunt one Horcrux. They can be beguiling and conniving when they sense the intent of a person. I can't risk that. I have to go every time. But before any of that. I need to know if any of you know where the Sword of Gryffindor is at?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I last saw it when Harry brought it back from killing the Basilisk. It disappeared soon after."
"Did you leave the snake in there?"
"Yes. We sealed it off with several spells and charms. Why do you need to know?" Dumbledore asked her.
But as she met his gaze, she could see his mind working out the why. Stupid he was not. But Hermione waited as he worked it out. She knew she was acting out of character. She wasn't a mean or even violent person but the war had altered her mind in ways she hadn't even realized till Death had dropped her here.
She would tone it done once she knew he wouldn't backstab her or turn on her. She didn't need to deal with that kind of shite.
But another voice spoke up. It was soft and yet held a hint of steel. "The Basilisk poison. That's what could destroy the Horcrux, right, Miss Granger?"
Alice Longbottom was staring at her. The stunning woman was sitting down, legs crossed and held an air of elegance that most women nowadays couldn't pull off. But if she worked with Moody, she couldn't just be elegance personified. It took more than that to become an Auror. Especially one that had almost two decades in such a job.
Hermione knew the facade was to fool people into thinking she was harmless. But Hermione had seen from the first glance that there was more to Neville's mother than met the eye.
"Yes. But I can't solely rely on it. There was a moment when we were destroying the Horcruxes that we didn't have anything to destroy it with and it cost us greatly. I like having more options now."
Harry shifted, drawing her attention. "I'm the only one that can get you inside. The-"
Hermione shook her head. "Not precisely. One needs to be able to speak parseltongue."
He frowned. "I'm the only one aside from Riddle who can speak it."
"I may not speak it fluently like you but I have heard you speak it. You used to dream a lot and the majority of the time you would slip into parseltongue. I would often ask you to speak it so I could translate it. I also asked certain things over the years. I learned how to say them in return. So did Ron."
That clearly baffled him. He opened his mouth to speak when James Potter whistled. "You hear him in his sleep? Where you and the other Harry-"
Hermione growled. He really rubbed her the wrong way. "No. We were friends and while on the run, roommates. It was a year of running and hiding. We saw a lot of each other. Except for Ron that is."
Ron stood up. His face was red and he wouldn't meet her gaze. "What about the other Ron? I thought I-he went as well, right?"
"He deserted us midway through. Harry and I spent two months on our own. On Christmas Eve we visited his parent's graves. We almost died that night. Riddle had left an ambush there and we fell right into it."
Obviously upset, he shook his head. "I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't leave Harry or you-Hermione."
"You had gotten splinched and carrying around a Horcrux for longer than 6 hours a day was bad enough. You left but came back in time to save Harry. Don't worry about it."
He nodded but still looked upset. Hermione looked away.
"Professor McGonagall, you will become Headmaster. You're the only qualified person and the only person I know that can handle the school if it should be attacked. I don't think Riddle will. At least not yet. With Dumbledore as Minister, it should draw attention away from the school and Harry. Don't you agree, Moody?"
Strategy was more of Moody's specialty. He was now leaning back against the wall beside the fireplace and flipping something between his fingers. "That would be one way to get the heat off Potter and Hogwarts. It would also buy you time."
"How soon can you be named Minister?" she questioned Dumbledore. The older wizard was now pacing back and forth, his robes catching the candlelight with every turn he took. He didn't stop even as he answered her.
"By mid-morning. Fudge already has plans to leave the country as soon as somebody takes the title from him."
Minerva cleared her throat. "I have to apply for the position. The school board will have to decide-"
Dumbledore shook his head. "They will be disbanded as soon as I take the title. They only exist so that Pure-bloods can have direct control or partial control over Hogwarts."
Hermione rubbed her neck. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Dumbledore. But go ahead and do that. Keeping Harry and the school's safety should be the number one priority for everybody. I don't want the deaths of children to be on any of your hands."
She curled her hands, fisting them hard enough that her fingernails dug deep grooves in her palms.
"Mrs. Malfoy-"
"Narcissa Black. I took my last name back once he died. But it's not common knowledge. What will happen to us? The Dark Lord wants Draco and they're actually using our Manor but haven't been there in weeks. He left with my sister and I haven't heard from them. I-"
"Ms. Black, take a deep breath. I need you to remain there. I know the risk perfectly well but he won't kill you. He can't love since he was convinced under a love potion but he does hold something for Bellatrix Lestrange. He won't kill you or your son to keep Bellatrix calm. You're also a Pureblood. He won't want to waste magical blood like that. Come forward."
She gestured with one hand. Narcissa waded through the people in front of her, leaving her son standing beside his godfather.
Hermione met Draco Malfoy's eyes. They were the same silver-gray color and his blond hair was closer to white in this world. He was gazing at her blankly. But his shoulders were tense. He didn't react to her gaze.
He didn't betray anything.
Now that was different. She was the first to look away. She felt unusual staring at him.
Narcissa paused in front of her and glanced around once before meeting Hermione's gaze.
"Hold out your hands."
Pale and delicate looking wrist rose up and were held out, palms facing down. Hermione was reminded for a second of how policemen in the muggle world would restraint people when taken to jail. Shaking her head, she pulled her wand out.
"Do you practice Occlumency?"
Narcissa nodded. "Yes. Bellatrix taught me when I was younger. Andy did too," a cool gaze was directed at said sister that was present. Hermione had forgotten for a second that Andromeda, Narcissa, and Bellatrix were sisters.
Hermione studied the older woman, trying to find something that connected her to the other two. But all three sisters didn't have anything in common.
"The charm I'm about to cast is very very old. I learned it by testing it on myself. The only reason Bellatrix was never able to get inside of my head when she was torturing me was that I had cast it upon myself days before we were captured. It will withstand the Cruciatus Curse," she said as she looked past Narcissa and once again met Draco Malfoy's stare.
"Of course that means you won't be able to be read by anyone. Only if you wish to voluntarily. It will disappear if I die or I undo the spell personally. Are you sure you want to do this? If not, I can take away the memory of today and give it back to you once this is all over."
Narcissa shook her head, bringing Hermione's attention back.
"Do it. I chose this. I accept."
Hermione used her wand's tip to trace the delicate bones of the woman's wrist, whispering the incantations that built the charm. The process took about 10 minutes. She was hot by the time she was done, her brow a bit damp as she stepped back. The soft blue glow of the spell faded as it sank around both wrists. Nothing marked the skin.
Unlike Hermione, Narcissa was fine. Their audience had been silent through it all but now drew a bit closer.
It was Luna Lovegood who came to stand at their side. Hermione finally took a long look at the girl. She wasn't any different except for the eyes. They were pale green. She would almost say washed out but they weren't. It was like they had a sheer white film over the green color of her eyes. They were quite unique.
But the voice threw Hermione off.
"That is very advanced magic. But I can't help but notice the darkness that colors your aura. I have never seen it on a living person before. Yet, if Death brought you here...that must mean what you have said thus far is true. Interesting."
The huskiness of Luna's voice was nothing like the dreamy one Hermione had heard from the blond in her old world. Hermione turned to the side slowly, casually taking a step forward towards the blond.
"I have forgotten a detail of the Luna I knew. She was this dreamy girl who always talked of things that most never saw. Of course, her father did too but the last encounter I had with him was the very reason we got captured. He had only tried to save his daughter so it was understandable," Hermione stared deeply into those unique colored eyes. "I wonder who you are in this world, Luna Lovegood."
"I'm the same in any life and any world. Or so I would like to think. I do see things most never want to see. That also means I see things humans can't. I see his touch on you. I wonder what that means for you. Are you here to stay, Hermione Granger? Or are you here just for one thing only and will disappear when it's done?"
Hermione stared, wrapping her Occlumency shields tight around her mind, protecting herself. "I don't know the answers. I only know what I've been told and what has to be done. I haven't thought of what comes after. And who knows if I'll live that long."
Luna leaned forward and placed her hand in the center of Hermione's chest.
Only because it was Luna did she not react negatively. Any other person would have been decked. Or at least magically removed. But this was Luna. Even if it wasn't the same girl Hermione had known...she trusted her instinct; which was telling her that Luna meant her no harm.
"I think you are here for more than just saving us. I think you have to find a reason why to stay in the end."
A shiver went up to her back. Those words sounded a little too familiar.
A reason to live? A reason to stay? Weren't they the one and the same?
…..o0o0o0o0o…..
Thank you for reading!
I love hearing from you all.
New readers, hello, welcome.
Feedback is welcomed!
Vanee
Replies:
lia. : Definitely stay. As for H/H...The books kinda convinced me it was a better pairing than the one with Ron. But I understand what you mean.
Alessandra.12: Maybe it will. The story writes itself. Your English is okay. Don't worry.
Sakura2m: The pairing will be final in a few more chapters.
Viveen: It will never ever ever ever be Ron. Never.
Convalla91: A triad you say...
themirrorminder.372259: Thank you! Just wait for it. You'll see.
GrangerBlackPotter: Hermione and Harry...makes sense. But this story is writing itself. I'm just the fingers that type it.
ZoeyOlivia: Thank you! I hope this chapter brings you some sunshine into your life.
EmiSchwalger: Thank you for reading!
