AN: Exciting news! Here is the very first chapter beta'd by Maddiechu. Also, we're about half way through at this point! Loooong fic is long.
The group apparated back into McGonagall's office with several thuds, a stumble, and a very relieved collective sigh. The lack of flashbulbs was relaxing, and the soft scratching of a quill on parchment was soothing; a balm on the furious waters.
"You are back much earlier than I expected Mr Malfoy," McGonagall greeted them, throwing looks of affection towards Hermione and Harry; a slight hint of pride behind her eyes as she viewed Harry. Her shrewd eyes twinkled at Ginny, and changed once more, to a shadow of pride and pleasure as she regarded Draco. It was as if her opinion of him were changing. She stepped forward, a roll of parchment in her hand and a quill in the other as she noticed their purchases, cluttering up the space between them; and a very sheepish look suddenly spread across Ginny's features. McGonagall sighed, handing the parchment to Harry, who signed under the title of 'auror', then to Draco, who signed it, a flicker of relief as he did so.
"I'm afraid allowing you to keep your possessions here before term starts may cause a little issue unless you can work something out with Miss Granger here," McGonagall told Ginny as the redhead blushed.
"No, no, I haven't packed everything I need yet, only, I did think it would be nice to not have my trunk come September first." She mused, as Hermione grinned, Draco mirroring her expression as the pair of them had both been pretty much using their rooms as storage. Draco had been living there, but Hermione had only spent a brief night in her spacious room, the rest of the time was spent at the Weasley's. McGonagall threw Ginny a knowing twinkle as Harry bent to hold Ginny's trunk handle, preparing himself for the trip back.
A loud clattering came from the hallway outside the office, and Harry put the trunk down, his posture ready to go to battle should it be required. The door flew open, and Hagrid's crouching figure appeared in the doorway.
"It's time Minerva," he said, his face pale and wan, the black bushy beard making his face shine like the surface of the moon. McGonagall looked horrified immediately, as confusion began to cloud the gathered students, Harry looking as though he knew exactly what to do.
"Shall I summon Shacklebolt?" He asked McGonagall with a serious tone, as Hagrid dithered in the doorway. She turned her terrified eyes to Harry, and Hermione took a subconscious step back, not expecting to see a sheer expression of fear upon her Headmistress' face. Draco stepped into her path, as if providing himself for her to use as support, the gentle pressure of his fingertips were at the base of her spine once more. Without thinking, she tipped her head back, resting it on his shoulder. The apprehension that had so tainted her moment before blown away with each breath he took, cool and warm on the top of her head.
"What if we are wrong Albus?" Minerva breathed, staring up at the portrait of Dumbledore who had shifted the moment Hagrid had appeared, now looking down on them with a look of trust.
"There is only one way to find out." He said, resigning himself to the fates as McGonagall turned to face Harry once more.
"Summon the Minister Mr Potter." She said, pulling herself together. "Miss Weasley, send for your family. Miss Granger, you help her; then all of you follow me. Let them know it's an emergency." She informed them briskly, as her silver tabby slipped from her wand.
"Hagrid, where is it?" She asked him gesturing for them all to follow as Harry's stag burst forward, quickly followed by Ginny's horse, whilst Hermione's otter swam after them. Malfoy looked on in jealous awe, stepping forward; his curiosity on fire.
"Was just abou' heading towards the entrance when I ran up here." He answered, stepping back so that they could all pile onto the stairs. Hermione was confused; sensing the urgency in McGonagall's tone and feeling as though she was missing something astronomical, she twisted her lips in confusion just as the stairs juddered into moving, McGonagall already halfway down them.
"Hurry!" McGonagall snapped, hoisting her robes up in one of her hands, her wand out at the ready. The school ghosts seemed to be gathering, glimpses of translucent silver were sinking through walls heading to the entrance hall as Nearly Headless Nick was spotted almost dragging the Grey Lady down through the ceiling. Hermione almost faltered to a stop, spying the alarmed and urgent looks upon their ancient faces. McGonagall was already halfway down the hall with Harry close behind her, the familiar stance of challenge in his gait. Ginny was streaming after them, as Draco's hand slipped into hers. He looked at her, serious and sure as he interlocked his fingers with hers.
"Get it together Granger," he said gruffly, calling her by her surname for the first time in ages; she felt a sense of purpose flood into her, mingled with nostalgia. Before she even had a chance to register, the elated flush hit her cheeks as Draco held her hand, and the shock at him calling her by her surname; he was dragging her down the corridor. His run; catlike with its grace, her own run stumbling in comparison. The pair of them charged down to the entrance hall; urgent, but somehow acting as if they were the only two In the world despite the ear splitting cracks of multiple apparitions assaulted them as they reached the staircase to the entrance hall. He let go of her hand, and the sense of emptiness filled her once more.
"Minerva!" Molly was saying, harried as Bill and Fleur arrived, child free. "What's happened?" Draco and Hermione joined the gathering group as Andromeda arrived, throwing an extremely apologetic glance at Bill and Fleur, who looked extremely concerned and affronted.
"Your babe is safe," Andromeda said to them apologetically, "But I had to come too." She explained as looks of relief fluttered over their faces.
Both Arthur and Percy arrived, and the sharp crack of George following as the staff of Hogwarts came thundering from the staff room. McGonagall looked at the group, counting heads and looking concerned until Shacklebolt arrived, his face a mixture of apologies and business. The ghosts were hovering like stars about the ceiling, all peering down; for the first time in their lives concerned with the events that may affect the school.
"It's time to fix the school" she explained, evidently pleased that the group was large enough, a surprise registering on her face as she spotted Andromeda, but not questioning, as she regarded them all. "I ask from all of you that on my mark; you cast every warding spell you know. Every single one and you channel as much love as you can into those spells. I will explain everything afterwards, but we're running out of time." She explained as hooves clattered onto the stone of the floor.
The group shifted, turning to look behind them as the unicorn arrived, blood pouring down its legs. White and silver mingled, bright and shining, fur and blood becoming interchangeable, as the eyes of the creature regarded them all; slow and proud. Molly gasped as Ginny gave a weak cry, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout each shared an agonised glance as George swore and Flitwick stepped back. Hermione stared, agonised; instinctively searching for Draco who took up her hand again, heat burning her as his touch registered in her overly tormented senses. He squeezed her hand, turning to look her in the eye, his winter like gaze ablaze with concern. She stared back, giving her head a slight nod as the group began to pull back, allowing the unicorn and easy path.
The only sound in the room was the hooves of the unicorn, carefully and deliberately stepping through the hall, the sound of it echoing off the walls making it seem so much louder than it was.
"Are we doing nothing Minerva?" Molly asked, clearly traumatised, staring at the unicorn whose blood was being accepted by the school unnoticed.
"It has come here for a purpose Molly, we've had our eye on it for weeks now, I've been wondering; hoping it wasn't true but…" She trailed off, and sighed, a slight waver to her voice. "We can't do anything; we cannot interfere. Please, just…wait, and do what I asked of you when I ask you. It is…vital."
The unicorn was passing them all, a determined gait until it stopped suddenly, as if deciding where it needed to be; as if right at the foot of the stairs was the most beautiful and peaceful place in the world. It turned, slumping slightly, before falling to its knees and tipping to the side. It's back rested up against the very first step. The horrified and tormented gasps happened again, as the group formed once more, to take a step to observe the unicorn.
"It's…it's not dying is it?" George asked quietly, watching its laboured breaths. The white hairs on its flanks drenched with sweat.
"Yeh." Hagrid replied for McGonagall, gruffly; displeasure and sadness evident. There was something alarmingly painful about a unicorn's death.
The demise was slow, agonising, and terrible to watch.
It was as if all the good in the world were gathering, balling up into one shining being, before slowly dissipating. But not before filling you with so much joy; such hope, so much beauty that upon its leaving, a hole in the heart was created. Blood pumped into emptiness. Its eyes began to close, and McGonagall raised her wand expectantly. As grief began to swarm Hermione; the idea of thinking of love, let alone channelling it began to seem impossible.
Until she looked at Draco.
She looked at him, drinking in the sharp curves of his jaw line, the definition of his cheekbones. The way his hair, like stolen moonlight fell over his brows; the light shimmer of tears in his wintery eyes. The determined set to his pale pink lips; that so often split into a smile, filled with happiness it made Hermione's heart sing.
"Now!" McGonagall demanded, and Hermione snapped into action, the old habit of warding their tent coming back to her wrist as if it were all her hand had ever done. Channelling love wasn't the hard part. Not in the slightest. Not when she realised who she was doing this for. Herself. She loved herself; she wanted herself to 'get better' as Draco had said to her, as she had said to Draco. She wanted to learn, she loved to learn; nothing made her happier than learning. She loved her school. Yes. Channelling love into her spell work was going to be the easiest thing in the world.
She cast spell after spell a smile on her face, images of the time spent in the library at the forefront of her mind, the laughter in the Gryffindor common room, the welcoming feasts. The two boys she'd grown up with in classes, the chats with Ginny in the hallways, the walk about with Draco Malfoy. Then as the last spell was cast, the image of Draco smiling cockily at her lingered.
She lowered her wand and straightened up a little, realising she had apparently slumped whilst casting the tirade of warding spells. Tears streamed down her cheeks, dampening the collar of her blouse, her throat constricting mildly. The image of Draco suddenly vanishing as fast as it had come. She flicked her eyes to the base of the stair; giving a strangled cry as she realised the unicorn had vanished completely. Gasps and alarmed murmurs burst from the group as they realised the same, their heads whipping about as if they were waiting for something to happen.
Then it began.
A low, terrible rumble began to send the walls into a shiver. A drum like bang was followed by another. And another. And another. Ear splitting shudders spilt over the school. The group looked between themselves, anxious and afraid. Harry pulled Ginny into him again as Draco positioned himself behind Hermione, as if he were about to throw himself over her should something dreadful happen; just as Ron stepped closer to her.
McGonagall took a wary step back, her hands rising to her mouth in sheer horror.
"The wall." Draco said quietly, his eyes glued to the crack that had split across the stone, shattering the smooth surface with its scar. The air had begun to shimmer, a bright iridescent brilliant gleam. It rippled like heatwaves; every colour imaginable bursting like a supernova across her vision, and pulsating across the crack in the stone.
It was shrinking.
The castle rumbled again, and Draco pressed himself up against Hermione, almost instinctively as Ginny gasped.
"The stone." She said much like Draco had a moment ago; only her voice was filled with awe. The light was making it hard to see things, as Hermione began to feel hot. The ghosts looking uncomfortable and McGonagall was being helped to the floor by Flitwick and Shacklebolt. The stones that had been carefully left in place over the summer were now in the air; the dust that had come from them, oddly not blown by the winds that had gone through the school was now swirling about them slotting themselves into the walls again, glowing brighter than their eyes could bare. The stone sealed itself into the masonry as if nothing had touched it, and cheering exploded from the ghosts above them. The crack vanished, finally sealed hiding the bright pulsating light that seemed to seep from the very wall.
"So much magic," McGonagall gasped, as the rumbles and explosions of light continued, before settling down to a halt. She trembled, her elderly hands clearly disturbed by something; as Hermione began to feel empowered and stronger than she'd ever had before; her skin truly on fire. Something tugged at her very core, dragging it around as if she were tied by her ankle to the back of a raging bull. It was pain and pleasure entwined. She fell to her knees; as Draco stumbled behind her, clutching his stomach. Then it vanished. Just as fast as it had come.
The air began to return to its usual boring self, as dull thuds echoed through the halls, the final stones coming together.
"Did…did whatever it was work?" Molly asked dumbfounded, also bent over double, her hands on her knees to support her as Arthur rubbed her back. Shacklebolt was shifting from foot to foot, as if testing his balance, and Harry looked as though he'd just been run through with something sharp.
"I think so," Minerva answered, refusing to get up from the floor.
:: :: ::
"I'm sorry," The Grey Lady was saying shame faced to the gathered living who had found perches for themselves in the Head's office. Hermione leaning against Draco on a desk, as Ron threw her confused and scandalised glances when he thought she wasn't looking. Platters of sandwiches and lunchmeats were hovering between them; their faces were drawn and exhausted. It was as if the very casting of the spell had sucked the life out of them all, and the idea of slinking up to her secret tower to fall asleep in her bed was hypnotising.
"I should have explained everything," the ghost was continuing, as Molly looked fit to burst, and Shacklebolt rather irritated.
"How about everything is explained to us properly from the very beginning!?" Molly demanded, as Arthur began to rub her shoulders; his own expression that of sheer tiredness.
"That would be best Helena," Albus put in, as the Grey Lady looked scandalised; and Hermione felt confused. Had she been wrong before? She'd obviously missed…something.
The Grey Lady sighed, and nodded, looking at the food longingly, as if she needed something to wet her throat before beginning.
"I didn't lie to you before. The school was founded on old, ancient magic as part of an agreement with the beings that already resided here. Only; what that magic required was a way to control it, to make it stronger, and…to bind it to how my mother and her friends wanted it. Times were…very very different then." She began warily, as everyone in the room had inched forward gently, listening intently. "The school wasn't just a sort of sanctuary; it was also a borderline portal from the non-magical world, to the magical world. The only real way to protect the area was to make it so that you really couldn't find it if you were a non-magical being; and that required something you'd find abhorrent today."
"A death." McGonagall said, rubbing her brow with distaste and irritation. The Grey Lady looked mortified for a moment, before hanging her head.
"Yes," she agreed, as startled looks were shared between the gathered.
"Death is something we still don't understand; but it is considered to be one thing, and that is a journey from one life to the next. If the afterlife exists that is. The act of dying was one of the biggest kinds of portals we know, the most powerful in fact. When my mother made the school; a muggle willingly gave his life for it." She sighed, as the looks of horror travelled around the group again, "He was a friend of my mothers, and they'd grown up together. When he learnt what she was – he stuck by her still; as others ousted witches and wizards from their homes. Eventually, he became sick and couldn't be cured. Learning that my mother needed a death, willingly given to finish her school; and protect magical beings residing in the area, he took his own life by the staircase. His sacrifice meant that they could cast the ward spells, giving as much of their emotion to it as they could, and the school…well. It's literally alive with magic." She explained as Hermione found too much of what she'd said made sense.
There were old types of magic, ancient and untrusted, lost to the times when things had become refined, powerful, or just not needed anymore. With fewer magical establishments needing real protection anymore, the way Hogwarts had been built had been lost to the ages. It explained why Hogwarts was the one building they knew of where rooms would just…appear, why the building of the new common room hadn't been difficult at all; how the rooms would change size given necessity…Hogwarts was a magical enigma that no one had been able to crack for centuries. Knowing that the walls were literally imbued with the blood of magical beings, and the freely offered emotions of those beings, including their loves and deaths…explained a lot. Even if it didn't.
"Your offerings of hair, blood, spit; and your love made you part of this school and replenished the old magicks. It's how the school knows what size to be, what to do at a certain time, and how it moves. It's why the staircases move to annoy you or to help you. It's…magical. There is an awareness to the building; as if it has a mind of its own, given to the building by magical creatures. When you spoke to the stone, you asked it for what you needed most; help, knowledge, and protection. You made sure the school only views humans as pure of heart, wanting nothing more to learn and thrive; even if some of the worst kind of evil has walked its halls. There is magic in love, and there is magic in death. Only; it is much easier to explain how you need love, than it is to ask for another death when you witnessed slaughter here not too long ago. I also didn't want you to think badly of my mother. She did what she had to, and this school is over millennia years old, and…it's still strong. No muggle has found it and no creature has been hunted in the lake or forest. I just…I knew the price could be viewed as being too high to pay." The Grey Lady sighed, shame written across all her silvery features as she shimmered and floated in front of them Molly's outraged expression glaring at her, as George looked taken aback, and Hermione humiliated.
Of course love wouldn't have solved all the problems, she wasn't wrong about there being an emotional layer to the school, but the school really was magical. She'd known that the first day she'd stepped in it. She'd known there were powers even the wizarding world didn't understand when she'd torn up the ministry of magic and watched the veil, whispered voices from the other side of it. In a strange way, the school was almost built on a sense of balance, love and death being two of the most unknown forces; both required to keep the school intact.
"None of that told us if the school is actually fixed!" Molly burst out, trembling, her whole features worn and filled with a grief Hermione couldn't understand.
"I can assure you; it most certainly is." Nearly Headless Nick announced, his head popping up from the floor where he'd been eavesdropping, and making the living jump. "Peeves is delighted."
McGonagall sighed.