.

So far... The reborn Hermione launched the Cathesis League to fight Dark corruption, and Crest defensive training at Hogwarts where she and her friends are now in their third year. They visited Bestiamare, a tannery on the island of Hearnsay, but returned with no useful information about the Dark Arc. After a meeting with Dumbledore, Hermione considers he suspects her of being more than she seems, and is testing her. Now read on...

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Chapter 83

Break-In At Bagshot's!


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Way Ahead

Cooler weather came with December. Hermione's extended Potions class included a concentrated warming drink to set a seasonal flavour. The wall torches were dimmed and lowered while cauldron fires glowed ruddily. Cheery faces beamed as everyone succeeded in stewing hearty decoctions they could bottle to sip on walks outside in the winter weeks to come. Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and even a few Slytherins now rejoiced in and enjoyed lessons that formerly had been miserable drudgery with Snape in his dungeon chamber.

"Congratulations, all of you!" smiled Professor Granger. "Most of you have completed all third-year work through to next June, so in coming lessons we shall be revising with new examples of what we have so far learned. For instance, the Boosting Beverage you produced today is only one simple example of a group of supportive, reviving, and reinvigorating potions which are more easily learned when I show you their common elements. You should then find this part of your OWL examinations virtually guaranteed because it will be second nature by your fifth-year."

"Fifth-year!" exploded Ginny. "But that's ages away!"

"Perhaps you'd prefer to cram all your revision into the final weeks before it? Let me remind you Miss Weasley that you're being taught to bake many different cakes by your mother, but stuck here at Hogwarts most of the time, you'll rarely need that knowledge until you're cooking for your own family will you?"

With flushed cheeks, Ginny sank back within the framing curtains of her long hair and began flipping through pages of her Tutomee, glad for once that Andrew was not in her year.

"We learn by doing and by example," continued Hermione. "The medieval blacksmith's son did not need to revise before shoeing a horse because it was so thoroughly part of his experience. I predict that those of you here will be the first generation that do not need to cram for your Potions OWLS exam, but simply peruse the general topics to reassure yourselves of the thoroughness of your preparation. I'm also considering setting a mock OWL exam to further convince you that you need have no concerns about passing the real OWL with Outstanding results for all. Any questions?"

Ron's hand shot up.

"No, Ron," sighed Hermione, "you won't be able to take your Potions Tutomee with you to the OWL exam."

Ron sagged like a forgotten omelette.

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Heavenly Hue

Most Gryffindors were huddled as near as possible to the common room fireplace, but Hermione sat alone in a far corner, sifting through her beaded bag. There were a great many items within that needed to remain secure from prying eyes; perhaps she should consider more security for–

"–Ahem..."

She looked up. Harry, Luna, and Neville were closing in, weaving through the throngs of students that were milling about.

"Hermione, we need to talk about..." Harry dropped his voice to a low whisper, "rescuing Theo. We know it's complicated but I for one am willing to make a small sacrifice for what is right."

Luna and Neville nodded in agreement but a shake of Hermione's bushy head was the response. "We've spoken about th–"

"–But you saved me from Azkaban," said Luna, setting down at Hermione's little table. "Harry explained it all. No one ever knew. Couldn't you just–"

"–not without more positive proof of Theo's innocence. What if he really did attack Gemma?"

"You don't believe that," said Neville as he took his customary place at Luna's side.

"No, but I can't just release him to return to Hogwarts either – he was involved with the attack on The Burrow, remember? Neville, would you feel the same if Luna had been hit by one of those flying trucks he guided in?"

He drew in a deep breath and held it, frowning.

"Or you, Luna, if Neville had died that day?"

"Azkaban is an evil place, Hermione," murmured Luna. "I almost wanted my life to end when I was there, even though it was such a short time."

"I know, and that's why we're working for a prison without Dementors one day." Hermione snapped her bag shut. "If you can figure out who it was that witnessed Theo training at the time of Gemma's death and why she cannot testify then perhaps... but we know only from Dumbledore's note that it was a female ... student or staff?"

–Pale, silvery eyes flashed wide in astonishment and Luna face jerked up to gaze at the ceiling for a few moments. "Professor Bagshot!"

Disappointed, Hermione released the breath she'd been holding. "Bagshot didn't arrive at the castle till after Gemma was murdered, Luna, remember?"

"But she finds out things – things that happened centuries ago that nobody else could know. Perhaps–"

"–Surely you don't think she's using a Time-Turner to research back that far!" laughed Hermione. "That would be highly dangerous, irresponsible, and illeg–" –but would explain why she can't testify! But surely she'd have also used it to find out who the real murderer is?

"No, she has Merlin's Onyx – you said so yourself during the summer."

Hermione pulled a face. "That's just a rumour. Anyway, I'm sure it simply homes in on ancient artifacts."

"Homes in?" said Harry. "You mean like a dowsing rod leads you to water?"

"Yes, like a–" A faint memory tugged at Hermione's mind but she couldn't recall what.

"Daddy says blue is the most magical," sighed Luna. "Isn't that heavenly?"

"Shush a minute, I'm trying to think..." Hermione glared imperiously at the ceiling, imitating Luna.

"What's blue, Luna?" said Neville.

"The heavens of course. That's why the sky is grey when the weather is wet because the blue has rained down and flows along to stain the sea. But sometimes a tiny trickle collects in caves to form magical crystals – that's why that colour is not so common."

Harry grinned and made one of his funny winks at Hermione but she was still scowling furiously at the ceiling.

"Is Hermione alright, you think?" said Luna. "She's acting very peculiarly."

"I think she trying to grab some inspiration," smiled Harry.

"Try? There is no try. You cannot seize ideas; they capture you – if you let them."

"I think her face is going to burst if she doesn't breathe soon," said Neville.

"Got it!" cried Hermione triumphantly, and opened her bag once more. "Harry, here's some Floo powder. Can you ask your mum or dad if we can borrow The Geology of Central Europe from the Black library? It was in the Muggle section that Madam Gawtley added."

Harry blinked, but barged his way through to the fireplace and did as he was asked. Fred and George rose to obscure from any nosey prefects Harry's backside as it stuck out from the flames; Percy, for instance, would not take kindly to a third-year using the Floo network without permission. Other Crestors gathered around their leader too.

With the edge of his robe, Harry wiped soot off the book as he hurried back to the others. "Kreacher fetched it for me. Cadence says 'Hi, Auntie Hermione!'"

The group leaned in to watch as Hermione flipped through the index in the back of the book. Her finger stabbed down suddenly, making them jump.

"What exactly are we...?" said Ron.

Harry gestured for him to keep quiet while they watched Hermione skim the passage she'd found, eyes darting swiftly left and right. Her shoulders sagged dispiritedly after a while, but she soldiered on with a growing frown. Then... "Aha!"

Finally, Harry broke the silence himself. "Hermione...?"

She looked up. "Pettigrew was after a Babyscry in Norman's Nifflers. Suppose Merlin's Onyx is real? If so, it must be very powerful, and Bagshot would have it well hidden. What if the Dark Arc sent him to buy a magical device that could detect onyx? Blue is not a common colour for that type of stone, yet it is possible that Merlin's Onyx is blue."

"And...?" said Ron.

"When Bagshot bumped into me she quickly hid something in her pocket."

"AND...?" said Ron and Harry together rather more loudly.

"Well I didn't see it very clearly but..."

Ron and Harry groaned with impatience.

"It was blue."

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The Knock of Opportunity

But Hermione was very reluctant to directly ask Professor Bagshot about Merlin's Onyx. "It would be a complete giveaway," she explained. "Obviously she staged that collision with me by arrangement with Dumbledore. They're still not sure about me and I want it to stay that way until the right time."

"But meanwhile Theo is suffering every day!" wailed Luna as they walked along to their next History lesson.

"The situation is stressing me out too, Luna, but we don't have enough information for a complete solution yet."

On turning the corner they lowered their voices at sight of fellow students queueing to enter the classroom, half of them Slytherins.

"What we need is proof of the real murderer," whispered Hermione.

"Which is why we need–"

"–Shh..."

The door was opening. "Come in, children."

The Professor's lecture began by describing how a 16th-century Ravenclaw used an Egyptian woman acting as muse to assist him in writing his now famous English plays and sonnets.

Luna tugged at Hermione's sleeve and softly hissed, "Ask her!"

Hermione glared. "Not now!"

"The muse was something of a fake because she used magical confectionery to inspire the playwright without his consent or knowledge."

Luna's whisper was almost inaudible. "Please, Hermione? – or I will!"

Hermione's arm twitched but she resisted raising it; someone else had done so first.

"Yes, Mr Malfoy?" said Bagshot.

"Professor..." said Draco, as politely as you please. "My mother told me Shakespeare was a great wizard in his own right and didn't need–"

"–Are you challenging me, Mr Malfoy? Is your mother a learned History Master?"

"I... that is, I'd rather not go against my own mother, Professor, without... without proof."

He stared at the teacher who, for the moment seemed unable to respond. Finally Bagshot said, "The dramatist was known to consume enchanted figs which, being of middle-eastern origin, likely were supplied by his muse."

Faces swivelled to stare at Ron, who, for once, kept his mouth shut.

Draco said, "Known by whom?"

"He was often seen quietly chewing in a trance-like state that–"

"–By whom? Who saw him?"

"Mr Malfoy, do not–"

"–Professor," cut in Draco. "is it true you have a magical stone once possessed by Merlin himself? Is that how you know?"

Bagshot turned to ice and stone. The students too all froze in their seats. This riveting drama was way better than Binns's monotone. Hermione held her breath, waiting with them all for the teacher's reaction.

The History Professor's face melted into a warm smile again. She replied to Draco but her eyes were fixed on Hermione. "I do have something that helps me uncover the past," she said smoothly. The next moment her attention was boring into Malfoy, causing him to cringe. "It's called research and hard work." She took a card out of her bag and made a note. "You can learn all about it in detention tonight for your impertinence, Mister Malfoy. My predecessor left a century of historical notes that need cataloguing. Don't worry, my guidance will be quite disciplined." – again her eyes flickered to Hermione – " I'll be here in my office all evening."

Hermione did not need Luna's nudge to help her recognise an opportunity when it hammered so noisily on her front door.

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Harry's Flight Plan

"But it's a chance! Don't let it go begging!" said Harry as they walked to their next lesson.

"Bagshot's quarters are attached to her office where she will be watching Draco serving detention. There's no way in except through there."

"But you can go through the outer wall so easily!" said Neville.

"Which will prove to her and Dumbledore that I am more than I seem. They'll have set up spells to block anyone without the powers of a twice-born."

"That magic won't work on you, Hermione, not while you're immaterial and invisible."

"I don't like being manipulated into a trap like this. Who knows what they've planned. And how can I detect the Onyx if it's hidden? Babyscrys are no longer on sale."

"Magic, Hermione," smiled Harry. "Detect its magic. Even I could do that with the spells you've taught me. In fact..."

Harry turned thoughtful. Hermione nodded slowly as they approached the clusters of students gathering in the Charms corridor, and her voice dropped to an even lower whisper. "But then why did Wormtail want the Babyscry?"

She stopped abruptly right on the corner and the others almost bumped into her. "I must not give myself away until the Ministry is more secure! The Black Arc is likely to strike when they know who is the maven of the prophecy."

"I'll do it," Harry said suddenly. "Me and Ginny." He turned to the redheaded girl. "Ginny, you've just caught a Snitch at thirty miles an hour – and snagged yourself a boyfriend too! I don't think you'll have any trouble flying up to the outer window of Bagshot's living quarters with me; Dumbledore will only be having Hermione watched, and won't be expecting anything so simple as sneaking in a window anyway."

Ginny grinned and nodded, pleased to be of use.

Hermione looked gobsmacked. "What if you're caught?"

"We'll borrow Colin's camera," said Harry. "Claim we wanted to take a photo of Draco slaving over Binns's dusty archives for a prank."

"You'll both be joining Draco in detention if you're found!"

Harry smiled an evil little smile. "No problem; I said I'm willing to make a small sacrifice for what is right. You good with that too, Ginny?" She nodded vigorously.

Hermione winced but Harry taking more initiative was what she'd hoped for.

Harry laughed and resumed their walk. "Don't worry, I'm willing to bet you could knock over a crock of Howlers in there and Bagshot would pretend she hadn't heard. If we're right about this then they actually want you to find the Onyx, remember?"

"And if we're wrong?"

"Draco's fine once you've spent time with him."

"Er... no he's not," said Neville and Ron together.

"What about the rest of us?" said Luna. "What can we do to help?"

Harry grinned. "I want you all to start an argument with Hermione in the library."

"Madam Pince will do her nut!" cried Ginny.

"Not with Olive there. Pince will frown and huff a bit that's all."

Olive nodded. "We should not overdo the commotion but space it out over a half-hour, little outbursts of raised voices merely to draw attention otherwise it will look too obviously staged. After that I'll be all apologetic. I know just how to gauge her reaction so take your cue from me. We can disagree about a potion or a wand movement – but nothing about books being damaged – that would get us thrown out even if she is my friend. And we could give her something nice after by way of apology: one of your Fundant Fancies should cheer her up, Ron."

Everyone stared at Olive Hornby after her unusually prolonged outburst. Ron gasped out, "Who are you and where have you buried my girlfriend?"

"Hang on," said Harry. "Save me one Fancy for Christmas at least. I like those best."

"Only because you want the bloomin' silver foil to add to your daft collection!" chuckled Ron.

"You can laugh, but foil is brilliant – especially with the spell I've been practising. Silver paper can be quite clingy yet smooth like a mirror! Look I'll show y–"

–He stopped with wand half-drawn. Everyone was pulling funny faces at him.

"Yeah, well..." slowly fumbling away his wand, "I think some Muggle stuff is really interesting. Did you know they number their cars? Every single one of them differently."

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The Conspicuous Quarrel

"Don't look now but we're being watched," said Ron, as he leaned over to copy Hermione's homework notes laying on the library table between them.

"Who? Where?" said Hermione, with a slap on the back of his hand.

"Snape. Over near the Ingredipedias. Nobody goes along that boring row of books except him."

"I do," said Neville.

"Nobody with any sense, I meant," sniffed Ron. He made a few corrections on his Charms parchment, then leaned back with a sigh. "Is it time yet?"

"Give them another couple of minutes; they should be climbing in Bagshot's window about now." Hermione sneaked a sideways look towards the Potions section. "This might mean Snape believes I might be the maven of the prophecy anyway, without my goading him about Lily and his being killed by Voldemort in a previous future. He did say he suspected me of being more than I appear. This might explain why Dumbledore is testing me; Snape must have told him! Which means–"

"–that he's spying on the Black Arc for Dumbledore," said Luna.

"Or maybe that's just what he wants us to think!"

"You are the most stupid girl I've ever met!" snapped Ron.

"What!" Hermione's eyes blazed. "What are you on about?"

"It's a wonder you can sit up in your chair without falling off it!"

"Have you taken leave of your–"

"–I think he's starting the argument," said Luna.

"Ron! That's not an argument! That's just an insult!"

"No it's not, you idiot!"

Olive nudged Ron in the arm. "Hermione's right."

"No she's not!"

"Keep your voice down, Ron!" hissed Olive. "Irma's looking this way and it's not quite time!"

"She's blind as a bat anyway."

"Madam Pince?" frowned Neville.

"Ignore him, Neville," said Hermione. "He's just contradicting everything we say."

"No I'm not," said Ron.

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Burglary Blues

"It's locked, Harry," said Ginny with a frown. She wobbled about a bit on her broom, scowling at Bagshot's casement window with its teasing little diamond panes. "What now?"

He gripped his own broom handle more tightly so he could tilt over and smirk at her with quizzical, mocking eyebrows. "Are you a witch or what, Ginny?"

"Oh, right. ... Alohomora!" The young girl waved her wand excitedly.

"Hush! no need to shout. It's the force of your intention that matters, remember?"

"Humph! My intentions were forceful enough, but that window's not budging."

Harry sighed. "Float aside, young neophyte, while the master shows you how it's done."

Ginny pulled a face, but drifted away a little, as she was bid.

"Alohomora..." murmured Harry, barely moving his fingers wandlessly, then again, more loudly, "Alohomora!"

Nothing.

"Hmm... someone's charmed that good and proper." The delicate metal struts seemed to glint with magic, and the boy thought he knew what it must be.

He rolled up both sleeves then pulled out his wand with a flourish. "ALOHOMORA MAXIMA!" He wobbled backwards somewhat with the force of his own spell, yet the window did not even shiver.

Ginny looked at her watch. "They'll be starting to quarrel in the library by now..."

Harry glared at her as well as the window. "This is not normal. I think Dumbledore intended that only someone with the exquisite powers of a maven could enter that room. "We shall need the most subtle of–"

"–Muffliato!" Ginny rammed the window using the rapid acceleration of the Firebolt and the glass shattered silently inward, with the girl following it. She cancelled the muting charm then gestured impatiently back out at Harry who was staring outraged at the youngest Weasley."Well?" she said. "You coming in or what?"

He didn't speak as he flew inside. His mouth remained tightly closed for the next minute as he watched the girl repair the window. He simply gaped silently in astonishment when he detected that the powerful locking charm was still intact upon it. Only when Ginny knelt at the keyhole on the door to the next room did he hiss, "Why by Merlin's woolly eyebrows did you–"

"–Ssh... it's Draco! He's got a face like thunder that's lost its lightning, and he's being attacked by dust bunnies every time he moves one of Binns's scrolls! Nasty big beggars too!" She pulled out Colin's camera from her bag and took a snapshot. When she arose and turned, her face was beaming with vicious delight. She shook the camera triumphantly in the air.

Harry groaned inwardly. Her venture had been reckless but he was not one to waste the opportunity. "Is Bagshot there too?"

Ginny nodded. "She's sat watching him with her back towards us."

How convenient... mused Harry, bending down to look for himself. He could hear Draco coughing almost continuously and... something else. "What's that sound?"

"Her wireless, but I don't recognise the music," said Ginny.

"Few wizards appreciate Ravel," said a voice from behind them.

"Aculus!" Harry stifled his cry. "Wha–"

"–My mistress asked me to accompany you in case a distraction was needed. But it seems Professor Bagshot has provided her own with a coughing charm on poor Draco and the unignorable crescendo of Boléro. You have fourteen minutes to complete your investigation without being overheard while I ... I shall enjoy the flute solo."

"Keep watch for us, Aculus!" Harry whirled around and began casting for indications of magic.

The walls were blue-grey stone slabs. Drapes and tapestries depicting shoals of fish being chased by murky monsters with sinuous necks dominated most, while others sported stormy seas of deep azure. The effect was dramatic yet cool; a single wall torch and a few everlasting candles were the only warm colours to offset the misty-blue surrounds.

Ginny inspected the fabrics with dreamy interest. "Reminds me of my Beauxbatons robe," she murmured.

"Check those other doors round the bend!" snapped Harry.

Startled back to their situation, Ginny moved swiftly. "Bedroom with starry night ceiling and walls," she murmured, after glancing in, and then, "Bathroom... wow! sky blue tiles on floor, walls, AND ceiling! She certainly likes that colour theme. Which just leaves–"

"–Stop!" Harry's voice was a loud whisper. "I'm detecting magic around that far door. I don't know what it is but it feels more powerful than what's on the window."

"Then that's where she's hidden the Onyx!" Ginny glanced about her. "Can we reach it another way?"

Harry was crouched at the shielded door, eye pressed against one of its seven keyholes. He tried peering through the others in turn, frowning as he did so.

"What's wrong?" said Ginny.

"Can't see bog-all. I think there's something blocking the door on the other side – something dark."

"Let me..." She stood on a chair to peep through the topmost keyhole, then snorted and suppressed a sneeze. "Chalk dust."

"What?"

"Chalk gives me the sniffles."

Ginny climbed down and looked at Harry with a strange, thoughtful expression on her face, then pointed back around the corner. "The office is round there, right next to the History classroom. We've come round to the back of it – or rather the front of the classroom where the blackboard is."

"Shish... so..."

"So this is where Professor Binns used to enter the classroom when he was alive. After his death he just walked right through the door and–"

"–and years later someone must have moved the blackboard across the door!" cried Harry excitedly. "He always came through the blackboard, remember?"

"Which means...?"

"These rooms are all there is. Merlin's Onyx must be somewhere in here with us!"

He began testing for magic once more, jabbing his wand into every corner. The music from Bagshot's office was growing louder.

"Eight minutes," said Aculus. "You'd better hurry. Ravel waits for no one."

Driven by the rising tide of sound, Harry dashed frantically hither and thither, but the only magic he could detect were everyday household items: bookworms cleaning the shelves, candles re-waxing themselves, a feather duster twirling excitedly to the rat-tat-rat rhythm, a portrait of Binns's great-great grandmother nodding and humming to the music.

"The stars twinkle in the bedchamber," offered Ginny.

But Harry was staring through the open doorway of the bathroom, his agitation frozen by what he beheld.

Ginny wrinkled up her face in disgust. "Is it flushing again? The toilet seat turned crimson when I first looked in." She rolled her eyes at his lack of response. "It was a joke, Harry. You see it's a magical, self-flushing lavatory and–"

"–Ginny..."

"What?"

"We're looking for a blue stone."

"I know." Ginny peered over his shoulder as the musical beat increased more and more dramatically. "Oh..."

"Yeah, exactly – 'oh' doesn't quite cover the situation, does it?"

They gazed in awe. Almost every surface was covered in blue pebble tiles of varying shades of light blue; only the bath itself was a smooth eggshell blue.

"There must be tens of thousands!" groaned Harry, probing with his wand, "and all awash with magic."

The level of music was ascending moment by moment.

"Look for an erm... onyx-like one?" said Ginny.

"How do we tell?"

By now, the orchestra was pounding so urgently, and with such power, that the walls trembled, and even the sea beasts paused to cover their ears in bewilderment.

"It pains me to leave, but we must go!" cried Aculus as drums thundered and trombones squeal-roared the climactic final bars of the performance. "NOW!"

Ginny leapt on her broom and smashed out though the window once more. Harry's wand swirled to close all the doors. He took one last look around then flew after his friend. The casement was barely repaired in time as the inner door burst open causing light and sound to flood in – but Harry and Ginny had already dropped out of sight, speeding silently away on their broomsticks.

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—oOo—

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Author's Notes

Try reading that last scene with Ravel's Boléro playing in the background as I did while writing it! Google: r30D3SW4OVw

lazy-kaa asked if I plan to give more power to others, not just Hermione. Well, the kids are way ahead of their year – Harry can detect magic for instance. But as for the enemy, it remains to be seen what Lucretia is capable of!

Many thanks for all comments and reviews. These are most welcome and very encouraging. Let me know of any weaknesses or faults – I'm always trying to improve my writing so feedback is really useful. :)

– Hippothestrowl

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