Halloween had come again and it made Hermione very nervous. Last year on Halloween Hermione was almost killed by a troll. That sometimes haunted her dreams though the face of her savior was always present.
One year ago, today, she was almost killed. One year ago, her life changed forever.
Last year was a troll. Hermione dreaded to see what would happen this year. Maybe it was best if she hid in her dorm room instead of going to the feast. The odds of something bad happening while she was in her dorm room was much smaller than if she actually went to the feast.
Hermione wasn't the only one that hated Halloween. Harry seemed to get more and more depressed as the day went on. It didn't take long for Hermione to figure out why. Harry's parents died Halloween night, just before midnight, if the books were right.
Hermione and Ron attempted to cheer him up. By the time lunch came around they both gave up trying. Harry simply wasn't in the mood and Hermione didn't blame him.
"Harry's not going to the feast," Ron announced sitting down beside Hermione. Hermione moved some of her stuff over so Ron could pull out his own homework.
"Do you blame him?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow at him.
Ron blushed. "No, I don't," he said embarrassed.
"I'm not going either," Hermione told him. Ron dropped his book on the table and stared at Hermione. "What? Last Halloween I was almost killed by a troll. I hate to see what happens this year."
Ron sighed. "You have a point," he admitted. "I'll talk to Fred and George and see if they can bring you guys some food. They go to the kitchens all the time."
"Thanks Ron. I appreciate it," Hermione said.
The two silently worked. Hermione and Ron didn't do well when they were alone. They had nothing in common. It was the fact that they were friends with Harry that brought them together in the first place. Without Harry they would never talk to each other. Hermione still blamed him for what happened on Halloween last year.
It was almost dinner time and Harry had yet to leave his dorm room. Hermione and Ron had finished all of their homework for the week. They cleaned up their things and dropped them off in their room. "I'm going to head to the feast," Ron said rubbing the back of his neck.
Ron followed the many Gryffindor students out of the common room. Hermione leaned back in her chair. This was the first time she had the common room to herself during the day. She headed up to her dorm room and grabbed a book, Introduction to the Dark Arts, and made her way back to the common room. She grabbed one of the comfortable chairs and sat beside the fireplace.
The book was actually rather interesting. It gave the history of the Dark Arts, what was considered a dark spell and why it was considered dark. There was also an overview of well-known dark witches and wizards, including Voldemort. The book wasn't bad but Hermione was certain others wouldn't be happy she was reading it.
After two chapters Hermione took her book upstairs and tucked it away in her book bag. She made sure her journal, book, quill and ink were inside before grabbing it and leaving Gryffindor Tower. She wasn't sure where she was going. All she knew was she didn't want to stay in the Tower. It felt wrong to stay in the big tower all alone.
Hermione wandered the corridors. Everyone was at the feast so she didn't run into anyone, no students and no teachers. She had no destination in mind. She simply walked. It wasn't until she got halfway up the tower before she realized she had gone to the Owlery.
It wasn't the quietest or cleanest place for her to go. The owls were rather loud and it smelled. Hermione cast a quick cleaning spell, not the greatest spell but it worked. She cleaned off a spot near the window and settled down.
Reading in the owlery was a lot more difficult than Hermione expected. The loud owls caused Hermione to get distracted and lose her spot. She ended up reading the same page three times. Hermione put her book away and was getting ready to leave when the owlery when she saw something approach.
It wasn't an owl. Whatever it was it scared her half to death. It took Hermione a minute to realize it was a raven, with familiar violet eyes. "Morgana," Hermione whispered as though she were afraid of someone overhearing. The raven squawked and Hermione knew she was correct. "What are you doing here?" She shook her head. The raven couldn't talk so there was no point in talking to it.
The raven held out its leg. Hermione noticed a small scroll attached. Hermione grabbed the scroll.
I know you have been eager to meet and I figured you would want to be alone after what happened last year. I know this isn't what you wanted but I hope it will suffice.
You're welcome to ask me questions. Though I cannot answer in words I can answer yes or no questions. One squawk for yes, two for no. Like always I will answer whatever I can.
There is much I wish I could tell you but alas I can't. Someday, I promise you, you will know everything.
The note wasn't signed but that didn't bother Hermione. Hermione tucked the letter into her robes.
"I'm expecting something to happen," Hermione admitted. "It's why I didn't go to the feast. After last year with the stone and the troll. Do you think something will happen?"
Two squawks. No.
"Am I just being paranoid?" Hermione questioned.
Two more squawks.
Hermione gently stroked Morgana's head. She wasn't sure if it was okay but the raven didn't seem to mind. "I'm going to Draco's for Christmas. He invited me earlier today. I said yes but I'm afraid I was being a little selfish." Hermione looked away from the raven. "You see, I figured since you're related to Draco you would be there and then I would be able to see you. It's frustrating, talking to you day after day, but never being able to see you. You barely said three word to me." She turned to the raven. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to trick you or Draco."
The raven flew into the owlery. Hermione blinked and there stood a beautiful, raven haired woman with violet eyes. It was a face she hadn't seen in exactly one year, although it seemed like yesterday. It was the face of her savior. "Hello Hermione," Bellatrix greeted.
"Morgana," Hermione whispered. She stood and walked over to Bellatrix. She reached out to touch Bellatrix but didn't dare, for fear Bellatrix may disappear. "I thought you couldn't be here as yourself, that it was too dangerous."
"It is dangerous," Bellatrix agreed. "But you deserve better than writing in a journal. I can't stay long. Everyone is at the feast so I have few minutes to talk."
"How is your Occlumency coming along?" Bellatrix questioned, though she already knew the answer thanks to the Dark Lord.
"I think it's going well," Hermione commented. "I practice every night and even in class."
Bellatrix stepped toward her. "Can I test them?" Bellatrix asked. She winced as she said it. She never should have asked. Hermione was young and it would be an invasion of privacy.
"Okay," Hermione agreed, not fully understanding what Bellatrix was asking.
"Hermione—" Bellatrix started.
"I know Morgana. I trust you," Hermione said cutting her off. Bellatrix looked surprised. "It was in the book."
Bellatrix withdrew her wand. "I won't pry," Bellatrix promised. "Try to push me out. If you can't I won't push past your shields. Are you ready?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "Yes."
"Legilimens," Bellatrix cast, her wand pointed at Hermione's head.
Bellatrix could feel some resistance. It was enough to keep her out but if she pushed, even a little, the shields would shatter. It would keep Snape and Dumbledore from reading her surface thoughts but not much else. Keeping them from reading surface thoughts was still good. It meant they wouldn't know about her, if Hermione happened to be thinking about her. She eased out of Hermione's mind.
"How bad?" Hermione asked worried.
"Your shields are decent," Bellatrix admitted. For someone that had been studying Occlumency for about a year, Hermione was doing remarkably well.
"Thanks," Hermione said blushing. She wasn't used to compliments, especially from her savior.
"I have to go," Bellatrix said sadly. She already risked a lot by appearing here. If she got caught it was all over.
"I don't want you to go," Hermione admitted. "There's so much I want to say. So many questions."
Bellatrix stepped forward. She reached out to touch Hermione but didn't actually make contact. They had yet to make physical contact Bellatrix didn't want to risk triggering the soul bond. She didn't know enough about it to know if it was safe.
"I know," Bellatrix said softly. "You are still young. When you're older you will know everything. I have to go Hermione. The feast will be over soon. You are doing well. Don't give up." She started toward the window and paused. "Before I forget…" She pulled out a shrunken package from her robes and handed it to Hermione. "I figured you were going to skip the feast so I had the house elves make this for you."
Hermione took the package of food, touched by Morgana's thoughtfulness. She was starting to get hungry but it was too late for her to go to the feast. "Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.
Bellatrix transformed back to Animagus form and flew away from Hogwarts. Hermione watched Morgana fly away until she could no longer see the raven.
Hermione stayed at the Owlery for a few more minutes before heading back to Gryffindor Tower. The bag given to her by Bellatrix was warm in her hands. Hermione assumed it had a warming charm on it. She had seen it used when she was at Pansy's house over the summer.
Gryffindor Tower was still empty when she returned. A quick check of the time showed she didn't have long before the others returned. She removed the food from the bag and quickly ate. It was a simply dinner of chicken, peas and potatoes. There was even a delicious chocolate cake included. It was much better than what was served at the feast. Once she was finished the plate and silverware disappeared.
Hermione got her book back out and read until she heard the portrait open. "Hermione," Ron exclaimed. He was carrying two plates of food. Hermione felt a little guilty over having already eaten but she pushed it back. He handed one of the plates to Hermione. "Here I got this for you. The other ones for Harry."
"Thanks Ron," Hermione said. She glanced at the plate and found it was mostly sweets. She had never been more grateful to Morgana.
"How was your night?" Ron asked in an attempt to make small talk.
Hermione shrugged. "It was fine. Did some reading and walked to the Owlery." She wanted to be as honest as possible in case someone had seen her.
"Oh, that sounds… fun," Ron said, not sure how to respond. It was not his idea of fun. "I should… uh, I should go take this plate to Harry. Goodnight."
Hermione didn't respond. She banished the plate of food Ron brought her, gathered her things and made her way up the steps to her room.
Hermione didn't sleep well that night. She dreamed of Morgana but the dream was more confusing than anything. In the dream Morgana protected her from the troll. But then she turned her wand on Hermione. "I'm sorry," she said before flash of green light came flying toward her.
Hermione jerked awake. Sweat poured down her face.
Hermione looked around her dorm room. Her roommates were all asleep, not at all bothered by their dreams. Hermione grabbed her journal. Odds were Morgana wasn't awake considering it was after 2am but Hermione needed to talk to her. Even if she had to wait until morning for a reply.
The green light had scared her and she wasn't entirely sure why.
I know you're probably sleeping, Hermione wrote. I had a dream… well nightmare, that confused me and I was hoping to talk about it.
What was your nightmare about? Morgana's reply was almost instant.
You, Hermione wrote. Hermione winced at how it sounded. We were talking or something and then you said 'I'm sorry' and there was a flash of green light. I woke up after that.
The reply didn't come quickly. Hermione wondered if Morgana had fallen asleep. Hermione was about to give up and try to go back to sleep when words appeared.
It was just a dream Hermione. That… that will never happen.
What won't happen? Hermione was confused. She seemed to know what the dream meant.
You… dying. It won't happen. I promise.
The green light… that kills me, in the dream I mean.
There was a long pause. You will not die. Something about the words made Hermione worry. It was as if Morgana was also trying to convince herself. Are you scared?
No, Hermione wrote. I've never been afraid of you hurting me.
I'm not a good person Hermione, Morgana wrote. I've done some bad things.
You may have done some bad things but I don't believe you're a bad person, Hermione disagreed. A bad person wouldn't have saved my life. A bad person would have let the troll kill me. So no I don't believe you're a bad person, even if you do bad things.
There was a long pause. Thank you Hermione.
I'm going to try and go back to sleep. Goodnight Morgana.
Goodnight Hermione. Sleep well.
