Hi All,
Welcome to the Chapter 7 of Cambion.
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Disclaimer: This fanfiction is purely for non-profit and fun, all rights to canon characters and the HP universe belongs to JK Rowling. Also, this is purely a work of fiction and imagination. Events described in the fic resembling reality is merely a coincidence.
Even a couple of weeks post Halloween, all Hermione could hear was how two brave Gryffindor boys trapped the troll inside the girl's bathroom. On the other hand none of her usual clients spoke to her in public or otherwise with the fear of being caught or bundled as a culprit alongside her in the whole Homework scam. Honestly it made her sick when Potter and Weasley came in for the sham of an apology. She could easily make out Potter was there out of pity and Weasley because of Potter.
She bit back on a retort when both tried to apologize, merely giving them a haughty glare, she walked away from them. It wasn't the right moment, as they were being lauded by the school for catching the troll. It would be a sureshot way to paint a target on her back if she were to retaliate at this point in time.
Without much to do in her free time, which was honestly quite a lot given the lack of assignments she had to write, Hermione decided to split her time between sessions with Professor Quirrell and keeping an eye on Potter. He surely had some secrets, if she can't harm them she could at least try and benefit from them. After all they did owe her a lot of galleons, the least she could do was lighten their pockets for a bit.
Even after a week or so of trying to listen in on their conversations and following them around, she hardly got any solid information other than something which was moved from Gringotts. They didn't have a clue what was moved by the giant Gamekeeper nor how it looked. The only thing she came to know was that it was something related to the forbidden corridor and was in a brown paper bag.
She couldn't believe when fate gave her a golden chance at getting close to Potter. Someone was jinxing Potter's broom in broad daylight during their Quidditch match with Slytherin. She pulled on Longbottom's binoculars and a quick scan through the crowd showed everyone was either horrified at the malfunctioning broom or were speaking amongst themselves. Two people however had their eyes stuck to the broom. She wasn't a fool to think that Professor Snape would mutter a dark jinx on the broom in front of other staff. That left it to the other person who was capable and could have a motive; Quirrell.
After observing him for a few more moments it was clear he was non-verbally maintaining the jinx on the broom and likely Professor Snape was trying to save the boy. She knew the jinx in theory, after all Professor Quirrell's book had a reference to it and it did mention the caster needs to have eye contact in order to maintain it on the object.
Hermione had an important decision to make, to come in Quirrell's way and earn Potter's trust or to watch Potter likely get injured. Either way she would win, though she would have far more benefits if she helped Potter for the time being.
"It's Snape, look!" Hermione said loud enough to get Hagrid and Ron's attention.
"What? Why would Professor Sna-" Hagrid said before he was cut off.
"You need to have eye contact for that kind of dark jinx. Here, look he's cursing the broom." Hermione passed them the binoculars and before he could say she added, "We need to stop him. You guys keep an eye on him, I'll go and distract him."
With a sense of urgency she passed through the stands and entered the stands where both professors sat. She didn't want to risk exposing Quirrell yet, so she created fire in the stand causing everyone to panic. Accidentally Professor Snape's robes caught fire and he pushed aside Quirrell and Professor Babbling trying to douse it. It worked as Potter climbed his broom taking control of it and ended up winning the game for the Gryffindors.
She went back to Weasley and he thanked her seemingly forgetting that he snitched on her not more than a few weeks ago. Hermione gave him and Hagrid a practiced wide smile good enough to charm a Hippogriff into submission. This gave her the chance to get an ear close to whatever was cooking between Potter and Weasley.
It turned out the school was hiding something important. Important enough for the headmaster to place some monster in the forbidden corridor. Important enough that Quirrell was willing to let a troll inside the school. Important enough that it was between the Headmaster and some Nicholas Flamel. Important enough to be extremely valuable for everyone involved.
After an awkward walk back to the common room Harry once again apologized and thanked her for saving him from Snape. This time however, she smiled with a light nod and walked away towards the stairs leading up to the girls dormitory.
Hermione spent her weekend inside the library going through reference books. She knew she read something about that name a while ago. After spending a day and half searching for that name she finally found a small reference that made her heart skip a beat.
'Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel are the only known sorcerers and alchemists to have created the fabled Philosopher's Stone. An elixir made from the stone has been known to stop ageing and it can be used to turn any object into pure gold when combined with a reactive catalyst…'
She noted it down on a parchment with the book and page reference. She would share the info when it's of the optimum advantage for her; for the time being she would let the losers stew in desperation.
Hermione entered Quirrell's office and sat on her usual desk perusing through the notes she made during their last session. She would need to practice the spells today albeit with the Professor's wand to minimize any chances of someone finding out.
"Ms Granger, I see you're quite early. Aren't we a wee bit eager to practice spells now." Quirrell said with a smirk.
"Oh, yes Professor. I would love to get started as soon as I can. I have another appointment-" Hermione replied before she was cut off.
"Ah yes. You seem to be developing friendship with Mr Potter and young Mr Weasley. I've noticed." he said with slightly more bite as he finished.
"I don't think my personal matters are of any concern, Professor. Besides, it's just temporary."
"Well, be that as it may, I would request you to exercise caution. Dumbledore is very protective of Potter and Weasley, so whatever little game you intend to play, keep in mind that the Headmaster may start interfering in your life if he deems it necessary." Quirrell replied with a stern face.
"What interest has the Headmaster in my life? For him, like most people I'm just a measly muggleborn of no consequence."
"For now you are just that, but Dumbledore doesn't like anyone disrupting his pawns and it'll be a matter of time when he ropes you in to whatever little plan his mind concocts. Heed my words if you don't want trouble from him."
Hermione nodded sagely, she would have to rethink her game, "Fine… I'll keep away from them. Now, can we begin?"
"Certainly. Before we start, how are your occlumency exercises coming through. Are you following the book I gave you?" Quirrell asked as he took a seat opposite Hermione.
"I have been doing them for an hour every day. It's not like I have much to do anyways."
"Ah yes, the little homework business. I've heard all about it in the classroom. Your head of house was particularly… peeved, I must say." There was a hint of amusement in the way he said the last part which didn't go unnoticed by her.
"Yes, well I don't care how they feel. I need that money and I'll find another way to get it." Hermione sneered.
"I have no doubts about that. However, why do you need so much at this point? I presume you have already secured a place to stay and enough to sustain a couple of years during your holidays."
"I need to know who I am," Hermione gritted out, "I need to find my family, why the hell was I abandoned to a bloody muggle orphanage and what the freaking hell happened."
"Excuse me, professor." She packed her books and left his office hastily before he could get in a word.
"Master, she…" Quirrell spoke once the door closed.
"Not yet Quirrell, not yet." a raspy voice echoed from the back of his head. "Concentrate on finding the stone."
"Yes, master."
Over the next few weeks Hermione kept her distance from both Potter as well as Quirrell. She was appalled at herself for showing weakness in front of the professor. Her anger at the headmaster grew now that she knew of his interest in Potter. She didn't want another person trying to play her like a pawn, she had enough of that growing up. If at all, she wanted to be the Queen of the board and when her reign begins she would ensure there's no one against her.
Christmas was coming. Hogwarts woke up one morning to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The atmosphere once again turned festive as most of the student body opted to board the Hogwarts express back to London in a week and half.
The common room and their dorms were probably the coziest place followed by the Great Hall with the fireplaces roaring in full flow. The corridors were particularly drafty and the windows rattled with icy winds smashing against them all day.
With the cold setting in, the corridors became deserted as the students and teachers preferred the comfort of their offices and dorms after class. This meant she didn't quite have the peace of mind inside Gryffindor Tower.
Exploration of the castle was the only other activity that held her interest for the time being. She signed up her name to return to Diagon Alley for Christmas, it would be good for her to look around the wizarding district.
She walked aimlessly through the corridors and alcoves on the first floor thinking about the stone and it's powers. She wished she was a bit more mature age-wise as well as magically. The best bet right now was for her to steal the stone and probably sell it off for a million pounds or whatever the wizarding world equivalent was in galleons, probably more than that.
She hid herself in the nearest alcove when she heard footsteps approaching. It was Potter and Weasley discussing not so covertly about the corridor again. She decided to follow them at a safe distance and after crossing the fourth floor both of them split up post a brief chat. Potter decided to scour the library for information which she was sure he wouldn't find.
This left Weasley and she did have a little score to settle with him. She followed him as he took left into the corridor with deserted rooms. Oblivious to his surrounding Ron walked through the chilly corridor with his arms around himself trying to keep warm.
When she was sure there was no one around, she pulled out her wand pointing it towards Weasley's unsuspecting back, "Petrificus Totalus!" she intoned as the spell shot forth and hit its target.
Ron's arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His whole body went rigid, he swayed where he stood and then fell flat on his face, stiff as a board.
With a well placed severing charm she cut his robes through the middle. It wasn't deep enough to injure him, however good enough to cause a tear in his robes which she could use. He was only bound but still conscious, to her favour facing the ground. Tearing the robe off his back she covered his eyes with the cloth and tied it firmly into a blindfold.
It was already laborious for her to tear the robe from the stiff body, which she finally managed after a good 10-15 minutes of pulling and cutting using her paring knife.
She deposited the torn shreds a fair distance away from the bound Weasley. Using the fire-making spell she set the pile on fire. Watching it burn on one side and the petrified Weasley on the other side of the corridor she smirked musing to herself, 'Revenge is best served cold they say. Enjoy it almost naked, Weasel.'
Hermione turned around and left the corridor, she knew the bind would only last about an hour, so it was safe to return. What was brutal though was leaving him in his boxers.
Going through one of the alcoves she used a passage with steps going down and came to what seemed like the first floor corridor again. She didn't know what prompted her but she felt the urge to check one of the rooms at the very end of the corridor.
With a quick unlocking charm she entered the seemingly abandoned room. It was filled with junk on one side and had a healthy smattering of cobwebs. Right at the back stood a large frame covered with huge drapes.
She lit her wand with a lumos and moved towards it wading through thick cobwebs. She pulled the drapes off to reveal a majestic mirror with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet.
There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.
After spending some time trying to decipher the meaning and failing, she decided to just memorise the phrase and decode it later.
Having gone over the inscription a few times she finally focussed on the mirror itself, however she wasn't ready for whatever she saw causing a yelp from her as she fell back on her bum stumbling backwards.
She took a few moments to calm her breath and lit her wand again. With shaky hands once again she moved in front of the mirror. The vision morphed to the same reflection.
She didn't flinch though choosing to watch it more closely, it was a woman cloaked in dark gothic jacket and suit somewhat out of a steampunk novel seated on a throne. Her eyes looked familiar and held a pulsing red glow along the iris. Her face was similar to her own and sported a knowing lopsided smile. Her dark hair though was slightly different in that it seemed to have a life if it's own moving about like dark tendrils. Two shadowy figures stood behind the woman, the left side was flanked by a hooded man with glowing red eyes who stood tall with his hand on the woman's shoulder. On the other side a womanly figure stood mimicking the man's posture, only thing recognizable were her deep auburn hair.
Realization hit her hard, it was her own reflection, maybe somewhat in future. The shadows were probably her parents. It gave her a very mixed feeling, on the one hand she wished she could see more of her parents and it gutted her to no end. On the other hand though, she saw the woman, herself, powerful and radiating dominance. The throne, did it mean she would rule over some day, she didn't know, but she did like what she saw.
She read the inscription again, aloud this time "Erised… erised… Desire?.. desire… That's it! It shows my desires."
"Hmmmm, nothing vain but you do look amazing Hermione. I'd have to look up the spell to make my hair do that. It is pretty intimidating." Hermione smiled to herself as the woman in the mirror leaned back on the throne with a wink, crossing her legs one over the other showing off the metal studded leather boots.
Hermione spent hours sitting in front of the mirror in hopes that she would find some distinguishing features of her parents but it seems that's about the most it could conjure. Ultimately she realized the futility of it, she would never find her parents this way, nor would she gain absolute power wasting her time in front of the mirror.
She would have to train harder and work smarter, but most importantly… become absolutely ruthless. The world isn't fair to her now, no reason it'll stop being that in the future.
With a final look at her older reflection, she pulled the drape again using the levitation charm and left the room locking it behind her.
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