Chapter 3: Of Discussions and Deductions

The silence lasted for several long minutes while Ginny and the Guardians stared at each other, and at Hermione, and at the closed alchemist's book, trying to piece everything together. Theo watched as Ron's magic became surprisingly still and solid as he made peace with his deductions.

"The Darkness is a shadow of Hell, and it possesses people and controls Dementors," Ron said disbelievingly. "It's all the Dark magic … it's like it's alive."

"Dark magic is sentient," Theo whispered. "Could that mean Light magic is, too? Is that where Hermione's magic came from? Our magic?"

Hermione sat very still. She felt inexplicably out of her element. Believing in magic itself had been such a stretch for her; the concepts of demons, Hell, spirits – maybe angels, next? – made her dizzy. And yet, she knew there were light spirits since they floated around Hogwarts having regular conversations with the living. Was this Darkness a culmination of all dark spirits, perhaps? Did their connection to Hell give them sentience and control over other creatures, or was the Darkness their master?

"Ron, you said it knew who she was–" Ginny almost choked. "You think Dark magic can see things? Like … it's got a brain?"

Ron gripped the end of Hermione's bed tightly. "I reckon it has eyes and ears in any Dark creature – like Dementors – and it possesses wizards somehow, too … then it can find out what they know."

Blaise looked like he wanted to stand from his bed, but Theo stopped him.

"It wants Hermione," Blaise growled. "She's got powerful Light magic, so it wants her out of the way! It's trying to kill her!"

"Does that mean Dark magic's been tracking Hermione?" Harry asked with a slightly sickened look. "I mean, it controlled Rogers and Westin, and it made the students attack her on the grounds … and it sent the Dementors into the forest when we bonded?"

Hermione felt overwhelmed; how much power could Dark magic itself control? What if it sent a hundred Dementors next time? What if it possessed someone with authority, like Kingsley, or began turning good wizards dark–?

"It knew somehow that she left the school," Theo murmured. "Dementors can't get in the grounds, and it couldn't get to her by possessing students, so it waited 'til she was outside the enchantments and then it sent a dozen of them – thank Merlin you three can cast strong Patronuses."

"Right, that reminds me …" Ron came closer to Hermione's bed. "D'you have your crystal?"

Hermione withdrew the empty Patronus crystal from her collar. Ron closed his eyes and waved his wand over her, muttering a string of spells under his breath. Hermione's otter swam out of Ron's wand and with another spell he caught it in the crystal.

"How can you conjure someone else's Patronus?" Draco asked in confusion as he looked at the necklace.

"Took some practice," Ron admitted. "Flitwick helped me with it. It's just a copy, so I can't use it to protect myself, and the spell only works with someone who trusts me, so I can't just randomly conjure anyone's. Actually … Harry, c'mere."

Ron placed the crystal in Harry's outstretched hand and repeated the spell to conjure the silver stag. He finalised the magic, causing the stag to shrink and lodge itself in the crystal beside Hermione's otter.

"Brilliant," Theo breathed. "A piece of Hermione's soul lives in Harry – theoretically if he's not with her his Patronus can still protect her!"

Ron grinned proudly and held the crystal tightly as he murmured the spells a third time; his miniscule terrier started happily chasing the otter around the crystal. Hermione decided she was imagining the warmth coming from the little ball, but she loved it.

"Who's next?" Ron asked cheerfully.

Theo had sunk onto the end of Blaise's bed and the two were staring at the floor. Draco kept his eyes fixed carefully on the Patronus Essence as though it were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

"Ron …" Ginny read the Slytherins' expressions the quickest and she narrowed her eyes at her brother.

Ron's eyes opened in realisation. "Oh …"

The awkward moment was spared as the hospital wing doors flew open. With a sense of déjà vu, Hermione watched as Professor McGonagall came marching in. She placed herself firmly between Blaise's bed and Hermione's and glared down at them with her Headmistress-authority practically radiating off her. Beside her, Hermione even felt Draco cringe ever so slightly.

"I'm glad you two are alright, but this secrecy ends NOW. One incident I can let go, but two unexplained incidents involving the same people and there is something untoward."

The fire spitting from the older witch's eyes was not to be argued with. She glared into the faces of all seven students who were unable to hide their guilt. Perhaps the professor missed her calling as a criminal prosecutor.

"Now, you know how fond I am of you all, but if there is a reason that danger is following you around and will continue to wreak havoc upon my school, I need to know about it immediately, or I will not hesitate to suspend you all until you're ready to talk."

"Professor," Hermione began slowly. Ron and Blaise were the first to send warning looks in her direction. "I understand this is worrisome, and I completely agree that you deserve to know what's going on–" she gave meaningful looks to three of the boys making noises of protest "–however, this isn't the ideal place for us to have this discussion. Please, allow us to gather the necessary information and meet with you privately?"

If there existed anyone that could make a blind faith request of Minerva McGonagall, it would be her favourite pupil. Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she took a long breath.

"I'll speak to Madam Pomfrey and see if she can release the two of you from the hospital wing this evening. You will all come up to my office the moment you're discharged."

"No," Draco said. "At the Quidditch pitch. Er, please? Professor?" he added quickly. Professor McGonagall looked at him in confusion but nodded curtly and swept off in search of the matron.

"What're you thinking?" Harry hissed as everyone gathered closer.

"She's right, Harry, she needs to know what's happening, especially if this Darkness will keep corrupting students!" Hermione said fervently. "We can ask her to keep it to herself–"

"You think the Headmistress'll keep something like this to herself just 'cause you asked her to?" Blaise argued.

Hermione looked at Harry meaningfully, who sighed.

"We sort of have a … well, a bribe of sorts."

Harry explained about inheriting the Lestrange's wealth and giving a fourth to Hogwarts. Draco snorted in amusement. If his aunt had known her massive fortune would end up with Harry Potter and his friends, she would've eaten her own foot.

"I don't expect McGonagall would actually throw us out, but we can threaten to withdraw the money if we absolutely need to …" Harry said slowly.

"We shouldn't need to," Hermione said determinedly. "I think she was right before; we should've talked to the Order about the horcruxes. If they'd helped us, maybe some of the … we might've prevented–"

"OR maybe Voldemort would've caught wind of what we were doing sooner and stopped us," Ron said pointedly. "This is a right scary risk, Hermione–"

Hermione looked around at her concerned wizards. "If we suspect she won't co-operate or that she's going to tell someone else, we can simply leave. That way the Darkness follows us, Hogwarts stays safe, and she doesn't have to worry at all."

"You'll risk not finishing NEWTs, Hermione?" Ginny half-heartedly teased. Hermione smiled weakly.

"It's a last resort. I suppose Draco was thinking that if we meet on the Quidditch pitch we're less likely to be overheard, even by portraits. Besides, we're close enough to the edge of the school that we can leave."

"And go where, exactly?" Ron asked pointedly. "The Burrow?"

"Malfoy Manor," Blaise and Draco answered together. The Gryffindors looked up at them in surprise.

"You're not taking Hermione back there–" Ron started angrily.

"It's the safest place for her besides Hogwarts." Draco said firmly. "Actually, it might even be safer than Hogwarts because here she's been attacked by possessed students!"

Harry studied the look on Hermione's face, which seemed to be undecided. "If you're not okay with that–"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm not afraid of that place. I would be afraid if … if certain people were still there, which they're not." She looked up at Draco. "Are you sure?"

Draco bit his pale lip and murmured, "I wasn't gonna do this in front of all these blokes, but I wanted to ask you to come back with me anyway, after … after Hogwarts." Draco was turning pink. "I mean, if you wanted to … er … to live with me–?"

The pink on his cheeks grew darker when Hermione threw her arms around his neck. Everyone but Ron concealed a grin. Hermione kissed Draco gratefully and murmured, "Yes, yes! I want to live together."

Ron coughed. "What if … what if it brings back memories, Hermione–?"

"Ron, we had bad memories here too, and we got through alright." Harry pointed out.

"Mother has been redesigning the entire Manor, you wouldn't even recognise it," Draco said reassuringly. "And if your other bodyguards are nervous, they can come along, too," he added to Hermione. Harry raised a surprised eyebrow.

"Yes, by all means, come take over our Manor, but no redecorating with Gryffindor colours," Blaise warned with a threatening finger. Hermione giggled.

Ron started to look a little more accepting. "Is anyone else there?"

"There's three house-elves loyal to Theo, the three of us camp out there during the holidays, and we were already expecting Theo to move in permanently anyway." Blaise answered with a grin in Theo's direction. "Otherwise it's just Narcissa, and if you lot trust McGonagall, you can trust her."

Harry nodded his agreement.

"Malfoy Manor has ancient magic protecting it," Theo added for Ron's benefit. "Nobody can get through the protective enchantments unless a blood relative allows it, and Draco hasn't let anyone in besides us. I know the Dark Lord messed with the borders to allow anyone with Dark Marks on the property, but the old enchantments have all been restored."

"It's unplottable and there's no Dark magic left … actually, you can thank your brother for that," Draco said, nodding at the Weasleys. "Mother had to let a team of curse-breakers clear the whole place after – after our trials."

"Bill was there?" Ron asked hopefully. "OK … that could be alright then."

"It's a good back-up plan no matter what happens," Theo offered. "If Hermione's in danger at any point one of us can take her to the Manor directly."

"I'm not leaving any of you behind," Hermione insisted.

All five wizards frowned at her and she stared back stubbornly, but further arguments were put on hold as the matron rustled back over to them. She shooed Draco and Ron away from Hermione's bedside and started checking her over.

Ron studied Draco and Theo out of Madam Pomfrey's earshot. "I know you three didn't always trust me, but things are different now, so that's not why you didn't let me cast the Essence Charm. I reckon you blokes haven't conjured Patronuses before."

Harry jumped in, "We can teach you; you three should be there in Hermione's crystal too–"

"It would be great, Harry, especially to use them to send messages to each other, but we can't." Theo said regretfully.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Have you tried yet?"

"Every Slytherin tries," Draco muttered. "I've never heard of one who could do it."

Harry frowned. "Snape could cast a Patronus–"

"Snape cheated." Draco said immediately. "He didn't have to think of a good memory 'cause he was a Legilimens. He could use someone else's memory to conjure a Patronus."

"You're saying Snape had no good memories himself?" Ron said blankly. Draco and Theo studied each other's shoes and Harry suddenly looked downcast.

"Very well, you're both free to go, at the Headmistress's request." Madam Pomfrey was saying behind them, though clearly reluctant to allow the students out of her sight. "But you watch that chest of yours, young man, and you're coming back in first thing to have the bandages changed. There will be no strenuous physical activity!"

The matron didn't hear Draco and Ron stifle snorts behind her.

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Ginny reluctantly agreed to return to Gryffindor Tower since curfew was close. Blaise pulled Hermione aside as the group started to make their way down to the pitch.

"Your boyfriend wants me to tell you that if we start to get suspicious or concerned about danger, you're gonna run with me across the edge of the grounds so I can Apparate you out of here."

Hermione huffed. "There won't be any danger while we're talking to the Headmistress–"

"Not just tonight. The rest of the year, Hermione. I'm the first one who knows when you're in danger anyway, so I'll probably be the first to get to you. Draco'd breach his Ministry order to leave Hogwarts, and we both know Theo doesn't wanna leave before finishing NEWTs, so it's gotta be me."

The others were quite far ahead but Hermione didn't start walking. Blaise looked at her with concern.

"I know you don't want to leave before NEWTs either, but your life is more important than those tests–"

"It's not that," she said softly. "I've been so selfish … I'm staying here and putting students in danger–"

"We already discussed this," Blaise said crossly. "We completed the bonds; your magic is safe now. We've all noticed a difference."

Hermione shook her head. "No, McGonagall's worried about threats to her students, and if I'm here, the threat exists. The Darkness could possess students again to come after me–"

"Maybe it will," Blaise interrupted. "But d'you really think running away would solve anything? The Darkness is gonna search for you no matter what, and we need to learn more about it so we can figure out how to defeat it. Merlin knows I want you locked safely in the Manor away from danger, but if we're gonna lure the Darkness out, this is the best place for it. We've got the home-pitch advantage. Once it makes a move, we get you to safety and then we go after it."

Hermione bit her lip. Blaise took her arm and they started following the rest of the group.

"Hermione, we've learned from past mistakes. None of us will leave you alone, and we're learning more about this elemental magic stuff all the time. If someone tries to attack you again, we'll be ready."

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It was cloudy and darker than usual for dusk in April. They crossed the Quidditch pitch to where Professor McGonagall stood stiff as a statue, glasses glinting in the rising moonlight. Hermione realised that as they walked in the dark, her Guardians unintentionally – I think? – positioned themselves at each compass point encircling her and Draco. She suspected it was no coincidence that Blaise stayed behind her, watching her back as usual.

Harry had the lead; they agreed he was the best candidate to speak to McGonagall.

"I hope you have time for a story, Professor?"

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Hermione expected Professor McGonagall to ask a mountain of questions, but the teacher was surprisingly still and silent as Harry explained the Mage Elementum and what they'd learned about the legend from Theo's research.

Ron Summoned a chair from the Quidditch changing rooms for the exhausted Professor while she perused the poem from Theo's book. Harry carefully left out certain details including where they did the bonding ritual, Ron's ability to sense the Darkness, and that Hermione could break through the school's enchantments. Their befuddled Headmistress stopped looking at the poem and carefully studied her students. She was moving her lips but didn't seem to be able to produce sound.

Hermione's guards had relaxed their formation around her. Draco and Blaise talked together quietly. Hermione remained physically and emotionally exhausted from Goyle's attack and she leaned backwards against Ron, trying to stay standing. She dreaded the moment the Headmistress learned she was responsible for attacking students.

Harry said something that made Professor McGonagall jump out of her chair and all of them looked over in surprise. The Headmistress had her hand over her mouth, and she stared at Hermione.

"Miss Granger, you … they were after you?"

Hermione glanced back at Harry. "The Department of Mysteries," he clarified. Hermione nodded.

"They were correct, Professor, my power is dangerous–"

Professor McGonagall shook her head. "No, Miss Granger, it's quite clear that your magic is no longer unstable; I don't believe you're a danger to my students. But the Ministry–"

Ron's arms tightened around Hermione's waist. "They're not taking her!"

Professor McGonagall frowned. "Absolutely not. Though the Ministry is in much better hands now, the Department of Mysteries has always been a rather unique power unto itself, and even Minister Shacklebolt has little control over them. This must be kept quiet!"

Hermione felt Ron relax behind her and she smiled at her teacher. Molly Weasley aside, this woman was the closest person to a parent she had in the magical world.

"Thank you, Professor."

Professor McGonagall reached for her hand and spoke softly. "Miss Granger, you and your friends have done so much … Hogwarts would not be standing today if it weren't for any of you. In my anger I said I would suspend you, but I would truly have never done so, only the events of today–"

"We were all pretty stressed," Harry murmured. "Professor, the only others who know about this are Ginny and Hagrid – er, and Firenze knows, but we didn't actually tell him. It seems the centaurs saw Hermione coming."

Professor McGonagall seemed to be holding back a chuckle. "He is a strange one, for sure, but I respect him more than … well, I do not speak ill of my colleagues, even past ones." She took a breath as she looked carefully at her star pupil. "I heard of the legend myself, years ago, but never would I have dreamed … though if I were to elect the most logical young witch to be the Mage, you would be at the very top of the list, dear."

"Professor," Ron piped up worriedly as Hermione blushed. "Is Goyle still here?" They were all relieved when the professor shook her head.

"I called the Aurors earlier, Mr. Weasley. He was questioned, then transferred back to Azkaban. He'll be in holding until they send him to trial for another attempted murder … I certainly hope this incident will remain buried. The last thing we need now is more prejudice against Slytherin house!"

"No kidding," Draco muttered. "Headmistress, we're concerned he wasn't working alone. Someone Stunned me so Goyle could get to Hermione, and we know it wasn't him."

The worried look returned to their Headmistress' eyes.

"You don't believe he was being controlled by the … the shadows …?"

Hermione shook her head slowly. "No, he was different from the others … when they attacked me, they all had black eyes, but Goyle didn't."

"What?!" Draco and Ron exclaimed together.

"Sorry, I only just remembered," Hermione put her hand to her forehead. "It was dark in the alley, but I definitely remember Goyle had blue eyes."

"Yet, he attacked you with a knife," Theo said slowly. "I thought it fit the pattern of students going after you without wands–"

"But Goyle was under magical probation," Harry recalled suddenly. "After he was released the Trace was put back on him to make sure he didn't use Dark magic, I remember Kingsley telling me about that. He's only allowed simple spells, so if he used his wand to attack Hermione, he would've been arrested in seconds."

"That Trace better not be on me," Draco said under his breath. Harry heard him and immediately shook his head reassuringly.

"You and your Mum didn't have magical probation. You're just not supposed to leave Hogwarts 'til the end of the year."

Ron glanced back and forth between Draco and Professor McGonagall, suddenly realising Draco had broken this rule today.

"Never mind," Professor McGonagall said quickly. "I would not consider entering Hogsmeade a breach of the probation, nor do I have any reason to believe Mr. Malfoy has been using Dark magic, and I've no desire to report otherwise to the Ministry."

Draco went pink and studied his shoes in the darkening pitch. This wasn't the first time he was surprised at how easily the former head of Gryffindor trusted him.

Professor McGonagall placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I understand what sharing this secret must mean to you all, and I appreciate that you are even more anxious than myself to keep Miss Granger safe. Obviously, I must put the safety of my students first, so I need each of you – any of you – to come to me should you learn anything more, and of course if I can help in any way. In the meantime, you can be sure I will watch the students and staff for anything suspicious.

"Now, I believe I have a small favour to ask of you three."

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Hermione dove back into her NEWT revisions for the rest of the weekend, desperate to take her mind off the Darkness for a while. Half of her wanted to run away from the castle to keep her classmates safe, and the other half knew it would be pointless since it would follow her no matter where she went. For now, her Guardians determined to keep her behind the castle's protective enchantments where she was safe from Dementors at the very least. No fewer than two Guardians escorted her everywhere, and she didn't argue. Her confidence in her own magical abilities meant little when she was more worried for everyone around her.

Theo all but abandoned his homework and dove into paranormal research. He absorbed every myth and legend about demons, possessions, souls, and Hell. Ron – to Hermione's great surprise – dug through books almost as obsessively as Theo. The two claimed a permanent table in the library where they constantly compared notes and murmured back and forth over stacks of tomes that rivalled Hermione's NEWT study materials.

Ron was enjoying research for the first time in his life since he felt such a strong connection to the topic. He enjoyed lording new information over Hermione, though he often ended up disappointed because he'd try and teach her something she already knew.

"Hermione, did you know the name Lucifer that British Muggles use for the devil actually means light bringer?"

"Yes, Ronald, and I also know that Lucifer was supposedly an angel cast from Heaven because he was too proud to defer to humans."

Ron would respond with a grumble, but every so often he discovered something Hermione hadn't heard before.

"Say, Hermione … have you ever heard that each element has a link to a different magical creature?"

She looked up in interest this time, and Ron's face promptly brightened with excitement at the prospect of teaching her something that had nothing to do with Quidditch or chess. Theo silently chuckled at him.

"Right, OK! So, I know why the centaurs have all kinds of lore about the Mage – and how come they knew who you were – 'cause they live in the woods, right? They're the magical beings connected to earth!"

"There's plenty of magical creatures that live in the woods."

"Yeah, I know, but the centaurs are the smartest ones! Loads of alchemy lore says because earth is logical and grounded – ha – the centaurs are connected to it 'cause they're the most intelligent magical creatures!"

"Most intelligent apart from us," Theo corrected with a smirk. "I believe this theory credits wizards as the 'magical creatures' connected to the element of energy."

"Draco isn't overly logical or grounded," Hermione replied with a sideways smile. "That's more Theo, don't you think?"

"Perhaps," was the modest reply. "But I believe that our abilities are an extension of your power. You connect well to earth yourself, and you have your own grounded logic, so you hardly need someone else like that. As your Anchor, Draco provides a solid and stable support, like your reinforcement to earth. I'm more fluid than you with my logic, hence my connection to water. Remember Firenze called me the open-minded one," he grinned.

"If Blaise is part-wolf, maybe you're part-fish," Ron teased Theo. "Water's the element of the merpeople."

"And you, Ron?" Hermione answered with a smirk. "Are you secretly part-dragon?"

Ron's shoulders slumped slightly. "Aw, I didn't think you'd guess. I reckoned dragons would be for fire, not air–"

"Fire is represented by a phoenix," Theo and Hermione said the last word together and Ron pouted.

"Keep studying, Ron," Hermione encouraged with a smirk.

"Yes, don't stop now." Theo added. "I'm truly enjoying watching you try to best us."

"Just wait 'til our next chess match," Ron replied under his breath.

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