A/N: So today we get to meet a newish character who will continue to pop up throughout the next couple of school years. Hope you all enjoy "seeing" him again. And this is the smiley happy version, no brooding moods or self loathing here.
For those who celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, hope you've worked through the turkey hangover and survived Black Friday. I happily remained at home and avoided the crowds.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
The students stay in the Great Hall was quite short and soon they were released to their dorms. The day after the event the Hufflepuff house had a meeting and their new seeker, a fifth year wizard, reminded the house they are loyal and determined, dedicated and patient. Whatever happened to Hannah would surely be remedied and when it was, she would come back into the embrace of her house and friends. She would need to work hard to get caught up, but they would all help her.
After the meeting and Cedric Diggory's impassioned speech, the others in the house began to view the wizard not only as a good friend and housemate, but also as their house leader. The ability to lead couldn't really be given, it's something that is in the heart of those who lead successfully. The members of the quidditch team who would still be in school next year, had already voted and earmarked him as their next captain. The current captain had taken Cedric under his wing in preparation for the role and responsibility of captain.
It didn't take long before the entire school identified who was missing and it came as a shock. It was difficult to believe the quiet Hufflepuff witch would have done something like that and the house in question came together as never before and worked to support each other during the confusing time. When Neville relayed the meeting to his friends, they were also in support of the Hufflepuff House and agreed to help Hannah in every way they could.
A week after Hannah was escorted away, the second years were studying in the Great Hall when Cedric brought over a chair to their table and sat himself between Harry and Neville. He wanted to thank them for their plan to support Hannah and provided each with a little token of his appreciation. Each received an oval shaped pin. The design of the pin was quite nice with a badger was laying along the top edge and 'Hannah's Helpers' on the bottom. To personalize each pin, Cedric had added the individual names and their house banner in the middle. The final bit is what Hermione found the most interesting, every so often the their names and house banner would fade and be replaced with a picture of a smiling Hannah.
"Cedric did you charm these?" Hermione's eyes still hadn't left the lovely pin and the amazing amount of detail each one held. The fifth year, who seemed a touch nervous at the question, nodded and was surprised when Hermione got up to hug him. "They are lovely, Hannah will adore what you've done for her." When she leaned in for a second hug, Cedric wasn't as surprised and wrapped his arms around the second year. Hermione, still so enamored with the pin, didn't notice Cedric's blush or the look Draco was giving the older wizard.
After releasing Cedric, Hermione returned to her seat, still inspecting the pin. The older wizard nodded to the rest of the table and stood to leave. "Just thanks again, I think she is going to run into some resistance when she returns and we, her friends, need to be here for her." Cedric's gaze passed over each second year before he smiled and turned to leave.
Hermione had already placed the pin on her robe and looked to see her friends with various expressions on their faces. The girls were all a little dazed and focused on watching Cedric leave. Once he was gone, each turned to Hermione with a bit of jealousy on their faces. It was Daphne who spoke for the rest of the girls. "We will be talking about that later Hermione Jean Granger. And we will be wanting every detail." After her statement she turned her gaze back to the door hoping he'd come back and maybe hug the rest of them.
While the girls were focused on the door, Hermione looked to the boys, who with the exception of Draco, had a look of utter confusion. Harry leaned over and whispered to Hermione, not wanting anyone to hear. "What's up with the rest of the girls? It's like they got to meet Viktor Krum or something." The only reason Hermione even knew Viktor Krum's name was the boys talking non-stop about the guy over the last few months.
"Not entirely sure, but um, Cedric is on the list." Hermione shrugged and turned back to her notes as Harry looked to Draco. Both had heard her and were even more confused since that didn't really answer the question. Draco decided he needed to know what was going on.
"The list Hermione? What is that?" Hermione looked to Draco and Harry with wide eyes as she blinked slowly, trying to look as innocent as possible. Neither boy fell for it as they had used that technique since the first time they drew mustaches on the older portraits as five year olds. "Not going to work. Just tell us, please?" When Draco pulled the same move on Hermione she crumbled.
"Fine, but not here. Let's go to our common room." No one noticed them leaving the Hall and as they began to climb the stairs, Hermione noticed Cedric and few Hufflepuffs talking. She waved and he reciprocated with a smile. Hermione may have blushed before returning her focus to the steps. Draco was not amused.
Once the in the room, Hermione sat in the corner and remained quiet. Harry sighed. "Hermione?"
"Fine, fine. Yes. You see we have a list of the boys that are cute. Cedric's pretty high on the list and Daphne's comment, at least I think, is for me to provide…hmm…details on the hug." Hermione nodded thinking that should suffice for the boys. Draco just raised an eyebrow and mouthed 'details'. "Umm, to detail how he felt when I hugged him. You know his muscles, what he smelled like, how his arms felt when he hugged me, you know details?" Draco blinked in surprise.
"Do you like him Hermione?" It was Hermione's turn to be surprised and at a loss for words. Draco took her delay as a confirmation and excused himself. He didn't know why he was upset about it, he only knew he was. They hadn't been given permission to fly, but they hadn't been told not to either. Without thinking, Draco grabbed his heavier cloak, broom and left. Hermione sat stunned as he walked away and she didn't recover until he was gone.
"Harry? What's wrong? What did I do?" She played with her bracelet, it hadn't really been noticed by too many other students since her sleeves were long and had a tendency to cover it. Harry knew what Draco's problem was, but didn't think his friends realized how much they liked each other. Hermione would always be his sister and Draco his brother, and Harry loved the idea of them always being a trio.
"I think Draco is a little jealous. You hugged another wizard." His fingers grazed over the bracelet and Hermione gasped realizing how it must have looked. She was just so thrilled with the pin and the belief Hannah would be back soon, she hadn't thought and just hugged Cedric. Hugs were what she did, Draco should know that by now. She hugged Draco the most of anyone. "I can go get him, I think you two need to talk." Hermione quietly pulled her knees to her chest as Harry left and thought about what she had done. The most difficult thoughts were thinking what she had done to Draco, how it was her fault, and if he could forgive her.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
As soon as Draco was out the main door, he was on his broom getting as high as he could as quickly as his broom would go. In the open of the air, Draco was able to relax. This had always been how he calmed himself or let go of stresses. Why was this bothering him? Cedric Diggory wasn't a threat. At least he wasn't until Hermione was so happy to see what he'd done. And then she gave him two hugs, the second of which he returned and may have squeezed the witch a bit too tightly.
That just angered the blond more and he took to flying more aggressively. Slowly he came back to himself. He was upset because while Hermione wore his bracelet, she still hugged Diggory. She wouldn't appreciate the possessive nature of Draco's thoughts, but he couldn't let go of the idea. She was wearing Draco's pledge on her wrist, which was always covered, but was proudly displaying the simple pin Diggory had given her.
"Ugh." He was screaming at himself as he went through every drill and technique he could going faster and faster. The pin was being proudly displayed on her robe, his gift was hidden. Hidden. It hadn't bothered him before. Before, it was easy. Now he didn't know what to do.
Looking up, he hadn't realized just how far he'd traveled from the school when his gazed focused on what was in front of him. He began to laugh. "No wonder Father wouldn't tell us where the school was. At least I know where the pitch will be."
Draco sat quietly for a few before slowly turning his broom toward the school, only then did he see Harry barreling toward him. Knowing he needed to talk to someone, Draco figured Harry would be the first person and his Father the next. "Before you start Harry, I think I'm jealous and I need to speak with you and Father about how to handle it. Before any of that, does anything here look familiar?"
Harry looked around and laughed as well. "At least we know where the pitch is now." Lucius had mentioned in one of his early letters he planned to build a pitch on some unused property on the back side of the estate. The boys, not realizing the school was on Malfoy land, thought the idea was great. Since they had learned to fly, they lamented how there wasn't a pitch on the Malfoy grounds given how much land was actually available. Now the pair were looking forward to using it when they were home over the holidays.
The boys flew back to the school and made their way toward the steps when Draco stopped Harry. "I think I need to speak with Father before I talk to Hermione. Would you tell her I'll come find her before dinner? Also, that I'm not really mad, just, I don't know. Just don't tell her I am or was, no I am jealous." Harry partially agreed, not that Draco realized it, since he'd already told the witch Draco was jealous, there wasn't anything he could do on that front.
"Fine, but hurry, I think Hermione is going to be inside out the longer you are away. Yeah?" Draco agreed before handing Harry his broom and heading toward his godfather's room.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
Draco sighed in relief when Severus opened his door and allowed the blond wizard to enter. "Uncle Sev, I need to speak with my dad. It's important." Severus looked to the boy and tried to assess what was going on. In most cases Draco would never use those familiar phrases for either of the wizards outside of the Manor, but this didn't seem to be normal.
"Important like there is a snake roaming the halls looking to attack people or another type of important." The boy looked positively green around the gills and Severus was beginning to work up an answer. The absence of Harry and Hermione only reinforced his conclusion.
"The other type of important Uncle Sev. Is dad available?" Draco was beginning to sound desperate and the potion master, who rarely showed emotion for others, found it difficult to not console his godson.
"I believe he is. Let me check. Would you like me to come along?" Draco shook his head and mumbled something about having to do this on his own. Severus chuckled internally. Yes, the boy had come to some realization and it was probably related to the young witch who was currently missing from his side. Having had Draco settle on a chair with a cup of tea, the boy looked like he was about to pass out, Severus made his way to the floo.
"Hello Narcissa, I have Draco here and he would like to speak with Lucius. Is that old fop available?" Severus heard the muttered response and Narcissa's giggle before the fop in question placed his head next to Narcissa.
"Really Severus? I'm…". Severus waved him off while Narcissa put her hand over Lucius's mouth.
"Draco's here and something tells me the boy came to a surprising conclusion about Miss Granger and would like to speak with his Dad about it." Lucius's face was a bit shocked and Narcissa's eyes gleamed with tears. "If that is what this is about, I believe I won the bet." Narcissa's laugh broke Lucious form his trance.
"Send him through, let Sophie know, but since it's the weekend she shouldn't have any problems with it. You are the head of Slytherin after all."
"I'll send him straight through, so you might want to stand to the side." Narcissa, who was still giggling quietly was out the floo first, but Lucius remained. "He's a bit dazed and looks like he's about to fall over Lucius. I think whatever happened was unexpected and he isn't dealing. I'll get Harry and see what he can tell me."
"Thank you my friend. I'll send him back before dinner, he's probably made a mess of things." Severus nodded in agreement having known the boy never took surprises very well.
"Draco, come on your Father is waiting for you." The boy walked to the floo and called out for Malfoy Manor. After spinning away, Severus went to find Harry Potter knowing Draco wouldn't return for a good while.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
Harry was settled next to Hermione on a couch and the pair were quietly speaking when Severus walked into the second year common room. Seeing Hermione looking so nervous and how quickly she looked to see who entered, Severus only found more credence for his theory. At first he was just going to take Harry so they could talk, but one look at Hermione, Severus knew Harry wouldn't leave her anytime soon.
"I'd like to speak to Harry. Hermione would you mind if I cast the muffliato so Harry can stay next to you but you can't hear the conversation." She shifted a bit until the charm was done and she was back next to Harry. While her friend and professor spoke she allowed her mind to wonder.
"Hermione?" To prove to Harry Hermione wouldn't be able to hear Severus called out the witch's name and when the witch didn't even twitch he nodded to Harry to start.
"So we were all studying in the hall when Cedric Diggory came and sat with us. He wanted to thank us in our support of Hannah and gave us pins." Harry pulled his from his pockets and handed it to Severus. "Hermione, of course, was completely gobsmacked with the charms on it. She immediately put the pin on, you see she still has it on, and then hugged Diggory. Twice. The second time he hugged back. I was surprised and Draco was jealous. Then it only got worse."
Severus looked to Hermione who now had a worried looking Crookshanks on her lap. But her expression seemed to be utterly depressed.
"After Diggory left she mentioned how the girls in our class had a list of cute boys and that Cedric was pretty high on the list. As we were on our way up here, Cedric waved at her on the steps and she returned the gesture with a smile and a slight blush. Draco left. He just couldn't handle it. She doesn't know, or I should say didn't know. I told her Draco was jealous and that surprised her."
"Did he tell you all this?"
"Yes, I found him flying. By the way, when were you going to mention we are still on Malfoy property?" Severus shook his head and Harry took the meaning as this wasn't the time. "Yes so on the way back we spoke a little and then he went to speak to Lucius."
"What is his biggest problem?" Severus looked to the pin on the witch's robe and where he knew the bracelet was, hidden under her shirt.
"The bracelet, he didn't realize or think about others not knowing about it. I mean some of the girls know, but really only our friends. I haven't heard anyone else talking about it. While he knows the pin isn't a courting gift, since we all got one, he is upset that it appears Hermione wants to keep their relationship hidden."
Severus sighed before commenting. "You know I never wanted to have children for this reason and then I agreed to be a professor. You lot are going to make me suffer until you graduate aren't you?"
Severus cancelled the spell in time for Hermione to hear Harry's response. "Yup and you love it." Severus shook his head in amusement and stood to leave.
"Harry, one more thing, please don't mention anything we said." Harry nodded and leaned his head toward Hermione. "Fine but no one else, understand?" Harry knew the tone and if he told anyone where the school was he'd be cleaning cauldrons until after he graduated.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
When Severus left, Harry reached his arm over Hermione's shoulder and hugged her. "It will be alright, I promise. He will find us before dinner, he promised and since Severus was here you know Draco went to see him." Hermione sniffled and nodded her head. Crooks continued to purr as she stroked the cat before she finally fell asleep.
Harry looked to his sister and smiled before turning to her familiar. "Looks like you aren't getting rid of Draco anytime soon. Not that he or I were really going anywhere anyway." He scratched behind the cat's ears and under his chin before allowing himself to nod off as well.
Crooks remained on his witch's lap and watched the room. His witch was upset and needed him. He wondered where the light haired wizard was. He always had a way to make the witch happy. Crooks adjusted himself and set guard over his temporary charges.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
It took Draco almost an hour to relay the story to Lucius. He paused trying to articulate his feelings before finally admitting he thought Hermione didn't want others to know about the bracelet. Lucius had quite a bit of sympathy for his son. Narcissa proudly displayed her first courting gift, but they had been older and it had been expected.
Sitting in silence, Lucius smiled at Draco, in order for the boy to know he was still thinking of a response. "I think you both are still a bit young and the sudden onslaught of emotions was too much for you. When you asked to give her something, I knew you had feelings for her. But I also knew you weren't ready to fully understand what your desired gift would mean, at least not yet. And that was fine, but I also suspected as soon as something happened you'd be overwhelmed."
Draco's eyes dropped to the carpet when he realized how perfectly his father had read him. How much of his actions he had missed. "Do you think she wants to be with me or explore her options? I'm not sure I can handle it, but will figure it out if that's what she wants." Draco's stomach was churning and it felt like his heart was constricting tightly.
"No, I don't believe at all that is what she wants. But you need to ask her. You also need to tell her how you feel in a calm manner. Having her around so often, I believe she too will be emotional. Remember she is a Gryffindor. There is going to be some hurt from when you left, sadness you left without explaining, and finally when she realizes it was her action, or inaction, with regard to the bracelet causing you to doubt her and the reason for all the hurt the feelings, she will be very upset. You'll both have to be open with the other."
"You're right Father. I need to go back." Lucius was quite proud of himself and how he handled his first real wizard to wizard conversation. He knew Narcissa would be incredibly pleased with him. Eventually he would explain to his son how the path to happiness really was ensuring the witch you loved was happy.
Lucius stood and clasped his hand on Draco's shoulder. "I'm proud of you Draco. You need to have courage in yourself and be able to communicate them with others. I'll be here to help whenever you need it son." Draco hugged his father before stepping into the floo.
"When will the pitch be finished? I'll come over if it needs a test run before you tell everyone else." With a cocky smile the boy threw the powder down and called out for Severus's office. Lucius chuckled and went to speak with Narcissa and relay his amazing parenting skills. Maybe she'd reward him in her own special way.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
When Draco stepped into his godfather's office, he found the man hadn't moved while he was gone. "Thank you Professor Snape, that was just what I needed. I have to go and discuss a few things with my friends." Severus was pleased at how much better the boy looked.
"They are probably still in your common room. If you'd like some privacy, I've arranged with Sophie for you three to be allowed some time in my room alone. It's a privilege and while I believe you deserve it, the more important thing is to give you the privacy you'll need to explain everything." Draco sagged in relief, he had been trying to figure out a place where they wouldn't be overheard.
"Thank you Uncle, I'll go and get them." Draco quickly turned and left with the mission to find Hermione and probably Harry as well. When he reached the common room he found the pair passed out on the couch with Crooks acting like a sentry. "Hey Crooks, I need to wake Hermione and Harry. We have to talk."
The cat looked to the light haired wizard and sighed in relief he had finally showed up. The kneazle would have to figure out a way to teach the young wizard when he needed to be with their witch. Crooks had come to the conclusion long before now the two wizards were part of the package with his witch. After getting a scratch or two from Draco, Crooks jumped from Hermione's lap and went to investigate a scent he had picked up a bit earlier.
Watching the cat saunter away Draco laughed to himself as he started to wake the pair. When Hermione finally awoke she immediately caught Draco in a hug and began to mumble her apologies. "Hermione, I need to apologize to you, but not here. Let's get Harry up and we can head to Severus's room."
Harry, who had already started to come around, rubbed his eyes as he stood. "No need, I'm awake. Are you sure you want me there?" Draco thought for a minute before offering Harry the option. "I don't think I'm really needed for this. I want the both of you to promise that you will allow the other to finish before you barrel in with what you want to say. Agree?" When his friends agreed, Harry stretched and made his way toward the boy's dorms. "Come get me for dinner, yeah?" He didn't want for them to respond and the pair made their way toward the professor's floor.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
Draco settled Hermione on the chair and stood in front of the floo. "Hermione I need to go first. I suspect Harry has told you more than he needed to, but it's probably for the best." Draco knew his pacing wouldn't put either at ease and sat on the couch opposite of Hermione before he began speaking. This time the story flowed more easily and he was able to explain his feelings on the whole thing much more easily.
When he finished he looked at the witch for the first time and realized Lucius had been correct again. Every emotion his father mentioned played across her face. It was only when she started to cry that Draco jumped up to hug her.
"It's my fault. I mean, I give hugs, it's what I do. I didn't think about how it would look." Hermione had to stop speaking for a moment because of her emotions. When she pulled a little away, Draco handed her a handkerchief with a little smile. "I'm sorry. I remember what mum said right after you gave me the bracelet. She asked me how I would feel if a you danced with another girl or you gave her a bracelet like mine. I had to admit I'd be jealous. I never thought you'd have to worry about that from someone like me."
Draco was a bit stunned at her admission. "What do you mean when you said someone like you? You know I love your family and enjoy all the muggle stuff we do." Hermione shook her head.
"No, it's not that. It's just, I'm so plain. You are and are going to continue to be an attractive wizard, especially if Lucius and Narcissa are anything to go by. You could have any witch you wanted."
Draco thought back on the discussion with his parents and realized Hermione and Narcissa were more similar than he initially thought. He'd have to get some suggestions from his father on how to make Hermione believe in herself or at least believe him. "I'm not sure how I'll do it yet, but I will get you to believe your are far from plain Hermione Jean Granger. You're incredibly special to me and whether you accept that or not, it's the truth." Draco looked at her with an intense stare and she gazed back longingly, she really wanted to believe him. Instead of agreeing or continuing to try and make her point, she decided caution was the better part of valor in this instance.
"You know we are going to have fights in the future, do you think we could talk about it before running off?"
"I'd love to tell you yes, but I am not sure I can do it yet. I refuse to make a promise to you I cannot uphold. Since I was a boy, when the emotions got to much, I would leave in order to calm myself. That way I'm sure I won't say anything I can't take back. Especially with you, but I will do my best to learn how to handle my reactions, emotional response and desire to flee first."
Hugging Draco tightly Hermione whispered to him. "The hugs I give you are different from every other hug I give. I can't explain it, but they are. They mean more to me." Draco nodded in her hair hoping she was telling him the truth. "I'll start rolling my sleeves a bit and let Daphne know it's ok to spill the beans about my bracelet. I do want it known, I don't want someone to think there are feelings when there aren't, or they are more than friendly."
"Thank you Hermione, thank you." Draco squeezed a little tighter not realizing just how much those final words had effected him.
Severus returned a few minutes later and saw the pair sitting on the couch while Hermione was wiping the last of her tears away. "I assume all is right again?" Nodding they left the room to find their friends before dinner. "Teenagers will be the death of me."
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Draco's worries had calmed by dinner after the discussion with Hermione. Just as Hermione had promised, she rolled her sleeves a touch more and given Daphne the ok. Daphne's reaction was amazing, if Draco hadn't known better, he would have sworn the witch hadn't known about the bracelet for weeks.
As she pulled Hermione closer to investigate the charms, she would loudly asked about each one and their meaning. Hermione demurred on telling Daphne, and the rest of the school, the reasons Draco had told her explaining it was too personal. Daphne winked before letting out a frustrated sigh. And continued to go on and on about how she was the first girl in their year to get a gift of jewelry from a wizard. Hermione was a bit uncomfortable with all the attention, but she knew it was necessary. Draco's comfort was primary now for her.
Draco hadn't been paying too much attention to the girls as he tracked the rumor as it made its way around the tables. When it hit the table where Diggory sat, the older wizard looked up with a bit of dismay and nodded to acknowledge Draco. With a swift nod in return, the pair had an agreement of sorts.
In reality Cedric acknowledged what the gift represented and opted to not proceed with his plans to court the girl. Cedric was a bit dismayed at the notion since Hermione had seemed to excited and hugged him. Twice. Sighing he looked around his table before noticing a table filled with fifth year Ravenclaws. Sicily Ollivander was his partner in Potions and he genuinely enjoyed talking with her, but hadn't thought much more on it. After the hugs, he realized he did want something or someone more in his life. He had resigned himself to not date until Hermione was older, at least a fourth year, but now she was totally off the table. Sicily, on the other side of the wand, was his age and he realized how cute she was. Giving her a sheepish smile, the witch blushed a lovely shade of pink. Cedric decided to work up the nerve to ask about the next Hogsmeade weekend and if she'd walk with him.
The commotion over Hermione's bracelet was intense for about a week until the Sunday after Hogsmeade and the news broke on the relationship between Diggory and the Ollivander daughter. Draco was more than pleased to see how it worked out. Now all he and Harry needed to do was get every other wizard matched up. Well, a wizard could dream, now everyone knew about his gift and her acceptance, their mutual claims had been staked.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
February's chill wasn't as bad in the new buildings and the students found themselves not having to bundle up for their classes in more than a jumper over their oxfords and tights for the girls. It was a marked improvement the children were happy to mention.
Draco's attention turned toward the upcoming faux-holiday, as Hermione termed it, and his plans to make this year better than the last. Draco mentioned his idea to Harry and Daphne. The pair agreed with Draco and thought it would be and excellent way to celebrate this year. The three discussed with their respective house heads. Severus merely rolled his eyes before asking Daphne and Draco about their studies. Both commented on being ahead in order to help with the proposed party. When he waved his hand in acquiescence and the two Slytherins left before he changed his mind.
Professor McGonagall was a bit more difficult. First her responsibilities were overwhelming, when one really thought about them. Not only did they include teaching her classes, being head of Gryffindor, and her duties as the Deputy Head; she also assisted the headmistress, her teaching partner still frozen in a special wing of St. Mungo's, and the keeping abreast on the search of Hogwarts for the beast was still drawing no leads, the idea of adding something else was not on her list of good ideas. It was only when Sophie heard, it gained a bit more traction. After relieving Minerva from having to be in charge, Sophie and second years discussed what they wanted in greater detail.
The Headmistress addressed the students over dinner that evening and announced a school wide celebration for Valentine's Day would occur the evening of the fourteenth. Stating it would not be a formal dance but a gathering with food, music and cheer, all years were invited to attend.
The fourteenth rolled around quickly, the elves took to the idea offering to prepare food and decorate the Hall, making it an even more relaxing event. When the party started, Draco and Hermione danced together and confirmed the rumors after the Malfoy New Years ball. Many had wondered if the pair danced as well as the stories claimed, by the end of the night there was no doubt.
Harry and Daphne, in a bid to not deal with others, attended together. There were a few surprised looks, some astonished glances and a few glares. The glares seemed to be from those who wished to be on the arm of Harry or have Daphne on their arm. Neither Harry nor Daphne paid the looks any heed and selected a table to continue their previous discussion if yoga could be an asset for quidditch players. Daphne was of the mind the more limber the flyer, the more ways they could easily move to catch, throw or hit. Harry was undecided to but listened to Daphne's points.
As the evening drew to a close, the group of second years met and made a toast. Hannah, who was still gone and very little information had provided on her well being, was on all their minds as they toasted each other.
When Hermione got to her bed, she found a present on her pillow. Her fingers brushed over the card attached and she smiled. The stationary Draco used was quite distinctive. She smiled a bit wider after reading the note and set it to the side. She opened the box to find not one but two presents. The first was a slim piece of metal with a small tassel at the top. On further inspection Hermione realized it was a bookmark specially designed to not hurt the binding of the book. The front was etched with a landscaped picture of a girl laying under a tree reading a book. The back simply included the date and instructions to use the bookmark since it was indestructible. Hermione giggled as she opened the second small box. This was something she expected, a small charm fell into her hand and she admired the detail. The small cupid floated on a cloud while shooting arrows before giggling and starting over. Finding the perfect spot, the charm attached itself easily and Hermione slid the third note into her book and held it tightly to her chest.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
While the dramas of teenagers were playing out at the school, the unspeakables were working on reversing the imperious curse and keeping the young witch alive. When she arrived at his office, the unspeakable in charge placed Hannah in a bubble protecting her from both magic and physical touches, but still allow healers to sedate her. Once the first potion was ingested the girl fell into a coma-like sleep. A stasis potion was administered next keeping the girl in a stable and unchanging condition. More importantly, the potion stopped the curse from advancing any further.
What the unspeakable hadn't mentioned to those at Hogwarts was how the curse, if not reversed, would begin to damage the individual to the point where the internal damage was so severe it could not be repaired. The curse, which had started it's malevolent march prior to her capture, was stopped and gave the unspeakables time to continue their investigation.
Everyone hoped once the curse was removed, the girl would be assessed to determine how to remediate what damage had happened, to safely bring her out of her coma and cancel the stasis spell in order for her to live again. It had taken weeks to analyze the results from the diagnostic spells run the first night and a few additional weeks to determine theories based on the analysis results. As February ended, it was believed a breakthrough was on the horizon. Field agents began researching the most likely lead, while the healer assigned to the girl kept continual watch on her vitals and brain activity.
It didn't surprise the unspeakable when the curse's origin matched the other known cases. Incidents started to appear just after the New Year in northern Europe. The unspeakable worried how quickly the curse migrated from Denmark to England and how no other instances had been discovered since the Abbott heiress. The largest worry was when someone had the opportunity to place the curse. As with a few other unanswered questions, this would remain unknown for some time to come.
In addition to confirming the curse was placed by the same person, the magical analysis provided additional detail on the individual placing the curses. The report indicated the individual was extremely powerful but whose magic was incredibly weak. There were also questions on the wand being used. It seemed as if the wand struggling against the curse and therefor person casting. The only conclusion to draw was the wand used didn't belong to the caster.
Once the final report had been written, it was sent to the heads of the Department of Mysteries and the DMLE. The unspeakable couldn't promise the proposed cure would work, but the girl's parents had eventually agreed to try. In reality they had already lost their daughter because of the curse and if there was a chance, no matter how slim, they were willing to take it.
The report detailed the proposed cure and indicated it was quite complicated, as these things usual are. It consisted of a potion, multiple spells and a specific number of plants, their leaves and flowers to be draped over the victim. It would take a potion master at least a month to brew the potion before it aged for another six weeks. The issues wasn't the potion, it would be finding the necessary ingredients and the plants required, that alone could take years of work.
Amelia Bones read the report and when she got to the proposed cure she was surprised at the plants mentioned. Once she'd confirmed her intuition, the only other thing she needed was a potion master skilled enough to bottle fame, brew glory and put a stopper on death.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
A/N 2: I thought it would be nice to give Cedric a bit more of a backstory and bring him into the plot well before year 4. And poor Hannah.