Small Note from Celenae: This chapter, and everything below here was written by Menyl, but she didn't want my name to just disappear, so from now on, whoever wrote the story will have her name first under the title. Can we all handle that? Good. The only part written by myself aside from this note, was a small little part dealing with a certain person's middle name (but don't get mad at me, Menyl had something to do with it too).
A/N: Yeaaaa!!!…. Chapter 9 is finally up!!! Sorry it took awhile - I'm just slow. I'm sorry. Since it's been so long, I suggest we have a recap on what's been happening. (I'm in an evil wacky mood. Please just skip through this part cause all the little respect you have for me will be lost right here). RECAP: *clears her throat and begins to talk in a hockey announcer's voice* Well, here you have it folks, the OFFICIAL look back at what's been happening. We start off this story with Harry having a dream, a horrible dream, a tremendously frightening dream. AHHH!!!!! What IS this dream about? We do not know. We meet a few new characters: Professor Dervillia, the beautiful, strict and, in some odd way, cool new DADA teacher, and Maria, Ginny's friend from Australia who, in the last chapter, had the audacity to *grrrrrr* kiss our sad, hormone-raged hero Harry, and right after he kissed Hermione, too. (For those of you who agree otherwise, Harry and Hermione DO belong together. Well, in some certain FANFICS, anyway. In the real books, I'm totally rooting for Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny all the way). We also meet Hermione's GAP wizard cousin, Carver. Poor carrot-top Ron (I'm IN LOVE with red-heads right now! In LOOOOOVE…). He's been hearing a voice in his head that he just can't cooperate with. Last chapter the voice ends off telling Ron that finding out Carver's secret may also be the key to finding out who he is. And who is Ron, you ask? Well, he's a Weasley. A redheaded Weasley. What else is there? Hmm… in this chapter we might find out. We also might find out where that secret mysterious room is that Dumbledore found when he was wandering round the Hogwarts halls with his bladder full of pee. We might even find out the reason for Draco Malfoy to have pink polka dot underwear hidden in the bottom of his dresser drawer (this doing anything for you, Katie?). Will we find all this out in the chapter that you will read once I finally shut up? I don't know, just maybe…. Who knows? Oh, and Becky, don't worry. We'll probably give Harry some important job of mopping up all of the mess at the end. Okay, I'll be quiet now (I promise) and let you get on with the story. So….
*hear a high school marching band playing loudly off in the distance* "Du, du, du, dunnn…." Menyl and Celenae, the Goddess of Manipulation and Revenge, proudly presents the ninth chapter of their wonderful little story, "The Tower". And here we go…
THE TOWER
Written by Menyl the Goddess of Manipulation and Celenae the Goddess of Revenge.
Chapter 9: The Benevolentia Defensor
"Okay, now tell me." said Ron to his wonderful new companion, the lovely voice in his marvelous red head. He had left Carver with his friends in the common room and was sitting alone up in his own bedroom. "What in the world are you talking about? How does finding out this really thrilling secret of Carver's help me find out who I am too? Oh, I'm sure it's only something like Hermione was really brought here by intelligent aliens from planet NAG. Nothing to do with me at all. Besides, I already know who I am."
And who exactly are you, my dear boy? said the voice, chillingly.
"Well, I'm…" Ron stood there thinking about it for a minute, "I'm Ron. I'm Ronald Camille Weasley, but if you dare utter that middle name to anyone, I swear I'll never talk to you again. Yes, that's right. I could ignore voices in my own head." Suddenly, all he could hear was howling laughter.
You middle name is Camille? Oh, that is too much for me. How did you end up with a sissy girly name like that? The laughter kept ringing through Ron's ears.
"For your information, it is not a sissy girly name. It was my grandmother's name and it's a good name," he said impatiently. The voice could not stop laughing and howling in Ron's head, to his dismay. Ron never thought it was a sissy girly name, he always thought it was a strong name.
You are a funny one Camille, yes, that is what I'm calling you from now on, the voice said while in hysterical glee.
Ron began to grow angry, and his face and ears reddened. "Hey!" he yelled out of anger and spite.
The voice began to weaken its laugh. You still haven't told me, how someone like you got a name like...CAMILLE! the voice ended with another batch of howling laughter.
"Fine, if I tell you, will you shut up about it?" he asked with impatience.
I suppose so, was the reply. Ron hesitated at what he heard. Oh, go on sissy boy, entertain me with your explanation.
"Well, my parents didn't think they'd have Ginny, so someone had to have my grandmothers namesake. That someone just happened to be me," Ron began to break down. "It's not fair, why couldn't I be named after my grandfather? Ferguson. It's a good, strong name, but noooooo, George had to have it."
I'm tired of your whining. I'm sorry I ever brought it up, said the voice in an exasperated sigh. Let's get back to who you are. Now, come on, think, who are you?
Ron paused for a second, but then continued, "I'm a Weasley. A trait for all the good in the world. I am part of a gigantically big family who I love, even though they could be a pain in the rear sometimes. I have good friends who are as part of me as I am of them. I'm an average boy who loves chess and pumpkin juice. What more is there to say?"
Bravo, bravo. Great for a video dating service. I give it five stars. the voice said sarcastically, clapping in Ron's head, Now is that really who you are? Is there nothing left?
"Well, what else do you want me to say?" said Ron, annoyed, "What my favorite spell is? My grade point average in wizarding terms? The real reason why I like Viktor Krum?"
My, my. You ARE a daft child. said the voice, No, none of that, although we will have to talk about that Viktor Krum reason later.
"I like him because of his broomstick." said Ron, defensively.
Right…his broomstick. Whatever you like to call it.
"Oh, do shut up." Ron said, disgusted.
The voice continued back to what he was saying, Boy, don't tell me that what you said is all you are. Can you honestly say that you never get the feeling that you are not complete? That your entire life, the way it is, is fulfilling? That there is no hole in your heart and you are not wondering what can be done to fill it? Because if you could honestly say all of that, then I will walk graciously out of here and not look back.
"Well, of course I don't think my life is complete, you mutton." retorted Ron, "What teenager does? I still have a life to live. I am not through at fifteen."
Think, boy! Think deeper. You know yourself that your life isn't complete because of some trivial teenage problems. Everyday solutions in life will not fill what's missing inside of you, will not teach you what you don't understand.
Ron contemplated over what the voice just told him. It was true that he didn't feel complete all the time, that all his life he felt something was missing from him. He had just figured that as he grew older, the feeling would pass. He thought that once he had his life settled together the way he wanted that it would just go away. Ron knew in his heart, though, that the feeling he had wasn't just some adolescent fear that life wouldn't go his way when he grew up. It was…something else.
"Okay, so you're right." answered Ron, "I am an extraordinarily special boy whose life is not complete. But what does all of this have to do with Carver?"
Tell me, whenever Carver was near, what did you feel? Did that feeling of unwholeness go away? Did you feel complete?
"Now, that just sounds truly homosexual." replied Ron.
ANSWER ME, BOY! Ron felt a sharp shooting pain in the back of his head. This isn't a joking topic. It is not a matter of homosexuality or heterosexuality. It is a matter of connection. A deep connection between you and Carver. That's what I'm looking for.
Now that he thought of it, Ron realized that he did feel a connection between him and Carver. He didn't feel complete or anything like that, he felt aware. Aware of something that he had to watch out for. Aware of Carver who he had to watch out for. He realized that his need to be solicitous where Carver was concerned was more than where his brothers or even his little sister was concerned.
"Yes," admitted Ron, "yes I do feel a connection between me and Carver."
Excellent. That was just the answer I was looking for.
***********
"Oomph." Hermione grunted as she dropped another terribly heavy book next to the tall pile of discarded ones. It was past three in the morning and she was in the library searching frantically for a specific book with a title she couldn't quite remember. She knew it had the word "Tower" in it, but it was joined with a combination of other words that she couldn't grasp. She had tried A History of the Tower, The Tower: A History and Beyond, and The Tower: Was it real or was it just some whimsical fairytale?, but library records suggested that no books with those titles that had ever existed. The books she did find with "Tower" on the front cover were useless. They had ranged from The Evil Knievil Towers of the Western Frontier to How to Create Your Very Own Enchanted Tower. Hermione didn't think that she would ever need to refer back to those books unless her mind had suddenly turned demoniacal and she needed a place to hide away from the Ministry of Magic.
"Come on." Hermione desperately searched the shelves. She was racking her brain on what the title of the book could be when suddenly her fingers stopped on the spine of a book cover.
History of the Tower: The Darkness Beneath the Light.
Hermione wanted to burst out with joy that she had finally, after four long hours of searching, had found the book she was looking for. Since it was well past the time anyone was allowed to be out of their houses, she settled for a tiny squeak instead. She took the book off of the shelf and studied the cover. There was a remarkably drawn picture of a plain surrounded by many hills. Each hill had some sort of divine glow to it, like a light coming off from the heavens. In the midst of it all, was the tower itself.
Hermione stared at the stone built structure. It just stood erect, beautiful yet mysterious, in the middle of the plain. The tower was dark gray, tall, and pointed sharply at the top. It would have been dull if it wasn't for the strange and magnificent awe it had about it. Hermione looked closely and saw that there were seven small, deep windows around the tower - large enough for light to go through, but not big enough for anyone to fit inside. There was an enormous, wooden door in the front of the massive structure, almost looking mockingly for anyone who dared to enter it's passage. A cold, stone-carved sign hung from the door. Hermione tried to make out the words, but they were too small for her unaided eye. She fumbled for her wand and whispered the words, "Magnifico amplio". The words on the paper suddenly got ten times bigger and she could read it clearly.
Enter these gates to all ye here
Walk right in for the good is near
For though evil lies past this bulky door
It is no match for a love-strength core
May the one whom a Mystic he did befriend
Who is one with knowledge we surely will send
Whose inner powers made death retreat
In him is a force which no evil can beat
He is the link to a bond that cannot be broken
The life of the words that have yet to be spoken
He is a being with an existence non-trivial
He is the one, the abolisher of evil
**********
Harry walked late into the Great Hall the next morning and went straight to the Gryffindor table. He found Ron sitting alone, stuffing a forkful of bacon in his mouth, but Hermione was no where to be seen.
"Morning Ron." greeted Harry. He then asked casually, "Where's Hermione?"
"Mmormin" mumbled Ron through his mouthful of breakfast. He took a quick swipe of his pumpkin juice, swallowed, and then answered Harry clearly, "I don't know where she is. Might of slept in."
Harry accepted the rational answer and took a seat. He was actually relieved that she wasn't there. It would be terribly uncomfortable to sit through breakfast while the thoughts of what happened the day before still lingered in their thoughts. Harry couldn't help feeling a bit worried, though. Hermione hardly ever slept in on a school day – she was usually the first one at the breakfast table - and even if she did it would never be this late. Harry thought that he was slow, rushing in with ten minutes left to spare for breakfast. He tried to sit there restfully and not show how agitated he was feeling, but he couldn't help his eyes from wandering anxiously back to the Great Hall doors. He was aware that Ron was aware that his eyes would wander anxiously back to the Great Hall doors.
"Okay, spill it." said Ron, "I know something's up. Hermione's my best friend too and I'm not sitting here looking like a cat ready to pounce on some poor, unsuspecting mouse. What went on with you two last night while I was with Carver?"
"Nothing!" jumped Harry. Ron looked at him skeptically. "Well, not really, nothing. Just, umm...well, she was sad about Carver so I decided to comfort her."
"That's all?"
"Well, not only that." Harry wasn't sure if he should tell Ron about Carver being a G.A.P. wizard. He knew that Hermione wouldn't mind Ron knowing about that, he just didn't feel that it was his place to say anything. "There was, uh, something more. Well, she was crying and I felt really bad for her. I don't know what happened, I just went over to hug her, but before I knew it we were, umm…." Harry coughed on the last word, "kissing."
Ron choked on the pumpkin juice he was drinking. "Harry, my boy," grinned Ron, "that's great!"
Harry was shocked, "Great? What do you mean 'great'? I would have thought that you'd have been horrified."
"Horrified? No, of course not! All I could say is that it's about damn time." Ron chuckled at Harry's bemused expression. "Okay, maybe I would have been horrified in the first year, or something, but the way you two have been at each other recently. I just wanted to lock the both of you in a janitor's closet until you were good and ready to come out." Ron added as an afterthought, "And to think, you two idiots were so blind to even realize that you were falling for each other that I had to see it first."
Harry was baffled. He had no idea at all that he was that transparent with something that was completely oblivious to. He knew he liked Hermione now, but he didn't realize that until last night, just before he kissed her. The feelings he felt for her weren't at all like what he had felt for Cho or for Maria. He thought it was just because Hermione was his best friend. Harry was actually surprised that Ron didn't get the same knot-in-the-stomach feeling that he got when Hermione was around.
"You know, Hermione likes you as much as you like her." Ron said wisely, "I kinda suspect that she might love you, as well."
"Ron, you prat, of course she loves me. She loves you too – she's told us millions of times. We're her best friends."
"Not that kind of love, idiot." said Ron, "Love love. You know what I'm talking about." Harry's face must have gone pasty white out of shock because Ron hastily changed the subject. "So, uh, did you finish your Divinations homework? I made up this great prediction that I'm going to be killed by a flying bus that will fall on my bed while I sleep in approximately two weeks and fifty-five hours from now. Trelawny will love it."
Harry just stared at Ron. Luckily for his best friend, somebody came up to their table and interrupted their conversation. Unfortunately for Harry, this somebody turned out to be Maria.
"Hi Ron."
"Morning, Maria." said Ron. "Where's Ginny?"
"She wanted to be early for Potions. She's trying to get on Snape's good side for an upcoming test they're having."
"Good luck trying." muttered Ron.
Maria turned to Harry and stared intently at him. "Good morning, Harry." Harry looked up at her and felt his face go bright red – almost as red as Ron's whenever he was embarrassed. He knew that Ron had taken account of this fact because otherwise his best friend's fork wouldn't have fallen on the floor and his mouth wouldn't have dropped right open. He wished that Ron wasn't being so damn perceptive this morning. Maria didn't seem to notice anything, as she just kept on staring.
"What class do you have now, Harry?" asked Maria softly.
"Defense Against Dark Arts." croaked Harry.
"Maybe I'll see you after class then." Maria said shyly.
"Yeah, maybe." Maria left the table, leaving Ron and Harry alone together. Harry was determined not to look Ron in the eye.
"Harry?" asked Ron.
"Uh huh?"
"What in the world was that all about?"
"Um, well, did I mention that I ran into Maria last night?" Harry twirled his spoon around his bowl of cereal until the bran flakes were as soggy as soup. He felt so ashamed of what he did, and he didn't know how to explain it to Ron, so he did the only thing he knew how to do and stalled. Maybe if he took long enough, Ron would realize that there was no one else left in the Great Hall because they all went to class. No such luck.
Ron crossed his long arms, "Uh huh…"
"Well, I got to talking with her for a while and let some pretty heavy things off my chest. And then she, uh, I mean, we…." Harry stalled. "We, ahem, well, umm…we kissed."
Ron's eyes widened, "You kissed her? I can't believe you would do such a thing to Hermione!"
"It wasn't me! I didn't kiss her. She kissed me. I was an idiot who just sat there and let it happen. I feel horribly guilty."
"Of course you should feel guilty, you blockhead." Ron was practically shouting. "You played tonsil-hockey with a girl you barely know right after you kissed your best friend!
"It wasn't my fault!" protested Harry, "I…I…I…"
"I…I…I…WHAT?" yelled Ron. "'I didn't mean to do it?' 'I didn't want hurt my best friend, but hey, Maria was right there?' Because, you know what, you did hurt Hermione. She will find out because she's smart and she could see right through you – and she will get hurt because she loves you more than anything else and you know as well as I do that Hermione's always, always real in her love."
She loves you more than anything. Hermione loved him – as surreal as it may have seemed, Harry knew it was true. He could feel it in her kiss. He could feel it in his kiss. And he knew that he hurt her and he hated the thought of that happening.
"I…I'm sorry." Harry said, speaking softly into space, "I couldn't help it."
********
It was cold that night.
He was sitting in his room, pondering on his thoughts and complex ideas, when all of a sudden he felt it. An icy air had entered the room and he knew without a doubt what it was. He turned from his seat and faced the horrendous beast that had just appeared suddenly out of no where.
The being in front of him had changed drastically in looks from the last time he saw him. He was no longer suave and sophisticated. Instead, he was maliciously ugly and spiteful looking. He appeared more evil than ever before.
The pernicious strength looked at him with a hateful stare and said two words. "I'm out."
Suddenly, he could feel his whole body enfold with pain. A bang signifying entrapment went off inside of him and he knew that his entire reason for living had been turned upside down.
Dumbledore woke up with a start.
*********
I couldn't help it.
Ron couldn't believe the obscurity of such a remark. He loved Hermione like a sister and he would do anything to protect her. He knew in every average circumstance, if someone gave him a ridiculous excuse as that for such a tremendously despicable action, he would have punched the person in the nose and not speak to them for another year. Considering this was Harry, though, it didn't make it every average circumstance. There was also something in Harry's tone of voice and look in his eyes that made him reconsider making him painfully bleed.
Harry was sincere.
Strange as it seems, Ron could tell that Harry was being honest. He knew Harry like the back of his hand and he could tell that he wasn't trying to make up excuses for what he did. He was trying to tell the truth.
Come on boy, the voice in his head said, He hurt your best friend. He did something profusely wrong by messing with her feelings. You can't just let him get away with that.
For once, Ron ignored the voice. He didn't let it bother him, he didn't even acknowledge that it was there. He was going to give Harry a chance.
"What do you mean, 'I couldn't help it'?" asked Ron.
"I mean what I said." said Harry, apparently relieved that Ron wasn't angry at him anymore yet still upset over what he did, "I couldn't help it. It was if I was an entirely different person - as if I had no power over my thoughts or my actions. I wasn't even thinking, I was just…unmotile."
Unmotile. That was a new one. Ron knew it was ridiculous and he also knew that if ever there was a contest for the lamest response in history, that one would win top prize. But he looked at Harry and knew that he wasn't lying, wasn't holding anything back. He was telling the total truth and that was the most annoying part about the whole thing – the truth didn't make any sense. Even though it was wrong, something like this should have been simple at least. This was not. It was just confusing. Ron decided not to let it go, but just to let Harry off easy on this one. It wasn't really his place to butt in anyway.
What are you doing? You're not interfering, or even telling him how you feel? You truly are worthy of the name Camille.
Ron did his best to keep calm, though his face went the slightest hint of red.
"Okay, Harry. Let's get to class - we're late."
Harry looked up at Ron with surprise. Ron knew Harry wasn't expecting this – he never thought that he would have found the absolution to say it either. He looked at Harry in the eyes and nodded. They made their ways towards the Defense Against Dark Arts room, both silent in their thoughts. They were halfway to class when Harry broke the noiseless atmosphere.
"Ron, I'm sorry," apologized Harry. "I really am."
Ron turned to Harry and said, "Harry, it's not me who you should ask for forgiveness. I'm not part of it; I'm just the git of a best friend in the background." A tiny trace of bitterness could be detected in Ron's low voice, "It's Hermione who needs to forgive you, Harry, not me. Hermione."
Harry fell silent. He understood what Ron meant, but it hurt him to know that he might of hurt Hermione. He was angry with himself and didn't talk until he opened the doors to the Defense Against Dark Arts room. "Oh my."
Standing before him, to all amazement for his eyes, was a wizard duel. Well, not really a real duel, just an imitation of one. Professor Dervillia had set up the class in two lines. Gryffindor was in one line while Slytherin was in the other. Each person had a chance to duel with a person on the other team. Harry saw that although they were covered in dust, bruises, and some were even bleeding a little, each individual on both teams were having a great time.
Professor Dervillia turned around a grinned at Harry and Ron. "Oh, good." said Professor Dervillia, "You're here. Come join the class. Now Dean and Seamus don't have to use your turn."
"Oh, but Professor Dervillia, it's alright. I liked going twice more than the rest of the people in the class." called Seamus from underneath a pile of books that had fallen on him. He had a black eye and his hair was standing on its ends.
Harry and Ron looked at each other with surprise. They thought for sure that they were in for another detention for coming late. Instead they were greeted with a lovely grin from a normally stricter than hell teacher, and upbeat classmates.
"The class is just testing out a new spell I taught them. It's a bit like the stupefy spell, except if done right it is much more forceful and strong. The winner of each duel earns their team a point. Whichever team wins at the end gets twenty points for their house." explained Professor Dervillia. She raised her hands towards the chalkboard. Gryffindor was winning by three. "Point your wand at your target and say Tutamen ham benevolentia. It's been working pretty well for your classmates."
Harry and Ron took their spot in the Gryffindor line and waited for their turn. After Lavender Brown had shaken up Millicent Bulstrode to the bone, it was Harry's turn. Harry took his place and faced Draco Malfoy.
"Potter." Malfoy said icily.
"Malfoy." Harry said, using the same tone of voice. The whole class was silent. Harry could almost hear music from old westerns in the background. He could of sworn he saw some hay roll across him and Malfoy.
From the corner of his eye, Harry could see Malfoy's wand hand move a little higher. Quick as a flash, Harry pointed his wand at Malfoy and said, "Tutamen ham benevolentia." Malfoy's entire body flew across the wall and smashed into the chalkboard. The Gryffindor's whistled and cheered loudly while the Slytherin stared worriedly at Malfoy.
"Yeah, Harry!" Dean whooped, "Pretty impressive for your first try!"
"Oh my," said Professor Dervillia, "you're a tad bit stronger than I imagined." She ran over to Malfoy, and muttered a spell that woke him up. "Draco, are you alright?" She searched his body for any wounds or cuts.
"No, I am not alright." Malfoy whined, "My entire body's aching, I think I broke about twenty bones and I'm sure I have a concussion. Do you think I'll be alright?"
Professor Dervillia stared at him a bit irritated, "You haven't a scratch on you and as far as I can tell no bones have been injured and your head isn't traumatized any more than it was before. If you like, you could go up to Madam Pomfrey so that she could confirm any diagnosis that I just gave you, or you could take it like a man and face the truth that you are not injured."
Angrily, Malfoy looked at her, stood up, and went back in line. The Slytherin's clapped for Malfoy but all the Gryffindor's just stood there, trying their very best not to burst out laughing.
Professor Dervillia continued the dueling and soon the whole incident was forgotten. The class went on with their game, each team cheering on for their next player. Ron went up and beat Crabbe almost as bad as Harry had beaten Malfoy. When he took his place back in line, a large, foolish grin was place on his face.
"Good job, Ron!" Harry said excitedly.
"Thank you, thank you." Ron said, bowing for them all.
Each person in class got to go again twice more. No one said anything anymore about aches and pains, although the Slytherin lot looked like it was hurting far more than Gryffindor was. By the time class had ended, Gryffindor won by five points. The entire class walked out excitedly, laughing and talking loudly, when they were leaving the room.
Harry and Ron strolled out the class, both grinning like mad dogs, when suddenly a voice came out from no where.
"Harry, can I talk to you?"
Harry turned abruptly and found Maria leaning against the wall. He wondered how he got there so fast - didn't she have class? The hallways of Hogwarts weren't exactly simple and easy to get through. Harry looked at Ron, whose wild grin was gone and in place his expression turned to a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.
"Uh, look Maria." Harry said, "I don't think I could – "
"Harry," Ron interrupted, "can I speak to you for a minute?"
Harry looked at Ron curiously but nodded and went to talk to him. "Yes?"
"Harry, I know I got all mad at you for kissing Maria and hurting Hermione, but if you tell Maria that you can't see her just like that, it would be awful for everyone. I've known Maria for a few years now. She's a good girl and even though I would side with Hermione over her any day, she just doesn't deserve to be dumped with no explanation at all. You should talk to her and explain what's going on between you and Hermione."
"You're right, Ron." said Harry, "I owe Maria at least that much." He walked over to Maria, who was staring nervously at her feet. She looked up.
"Oh, hi Harry." She forced a smile. "What was that you were trying to say to me?"
"Uh, nothing." Harry lied. "Do you want to go and talk now?"
Maria nodded and she led the way to an empty classroom up the corridor.
*********
Ron opened the doors to the library. It was quiet and deserted, except for the librarian reading a romance novel with indecent interest. He walked over to the farthest table, where a pile of books was scattered upon and a bundle of bushy hair was tangled among them.
"Hermione," Ron prodded her elbow gently, "wake up."
"Ugrrh…" Hermione's voice grumbled from underneath her hair.
"Hermione, wake up," repeated Ron, "a fire's started in the Gryffindor tower, Malfoy can't find his pink polka dot underwear, and Harry's walking around butt naked."
"What!" Hermione jumped up, wide awake.
"Jittery today, aren't ya?" Ron asked innocently, "What is it? Do you have Malfoy's knickers stuffed up your sleeve or something?"
"Ron, what are you doing here?" asked Hermione, annoyed, "What time is it?"
"Hermione, it's well past ten. I should be at Divinations right now, but I just remembered that I don't like it all too much, so I decided to be a good friend and tell you it's time to wake up."
"What? Past ten! You mean I missed Defense Against Dark Arts?" Hermione frantically tried to comb her hair down with her fingers, "Why didn't you get me before?" She stopped and looked around, "and how did you know that I was in the library?"
"Oh, I don't know," answered Ron, "Hermione Granger. Top student of our year. Brilliant rule-abider of the century. Where else would she be if she weren't in class? The library, of course!"
"Come of it, Ron," Hermione said, irritated, "You know that I'm not as induced by school work or rules as I was before. I've gotten better."
"Sure," snorted Ron, under his breath, "as better as Fred and George not setting off dung bombs in the boys lavatory every week."
Hermione pretended not to hear anything as she sorted her stuff for class.
"So, why are you here anyway?" asked Ron. He knew she was waiting for him to ask her this.
"Oh, Ron, it was great!" exclaimed Hermione, excitedly, "I found the book! History of the Tower. No, I mean, History of the Tower: The Darkness Beneath the Light. It was wonderful. It spoke of G.A.P. wizards, Mystics, potions, spells, the tower – Ron are you listening?"
"What?" stammered Ron, waking up from his little sleep, "Oh – oh yeah! Of course. Towers, lights, towers beneath the light."
Hermione gave him a look that said, I know you weren't paying the slightest attention to me, so why don't you just save some face and admit it?
"Okay, I wasn't listening," admitted Ron, sheepishly, "Sorry. I could see your mouth move, really I could, but all I could hear was 'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah'."
"Well, I just thought that you might be interested about G.A.P. wizards, since Carver is one and all, and - "
"Wait a minute." Ron stopped Hermione, "Carver's a what?"
"A Great Amazingly Powerful wizard. A G.A.P wizard – meaning he's supposedly destined to be evil. I'm trying to find a loophole in that. I think I might have found something. Not a loophole, per say, but a very interesting factor concerning the G.A.P. wizards. Turns out that each G.A.P. wizard has their very own Mystic."
"And that would be?"
"Well, in the world there is always a balance with regards to good and evil. Where there's good, there's always an equal evil roaming around somewhere. With the evil G.A.P. wizards," this she said with a cynical tone, "there are the Mystics. The Mystics are the balance for the evil in the G.A.P. wizards. Between them is a connection that is almost impossible to be broken."
A flashback came into Ron's head of what was spoken the night before with the voice in his head.
Do you feel a connection?
Yes, yes I do feel a connection between me and Carver.
"What…what happens to Mystics and G.A.P. wizards?" asked Ron, terrified of the answer, "How would a G.A.P. wizard know who's it's Mystic?"
"Well, I suspect that they will have a feeling they are each other's Mystic or G.A.P. wizards. Every thing that happens to one will happen to another. For instance, if one gets injured, the other one will acquire a resembling injury."
The words of Madame Pomfrey echoed in Ron's head.
There must be some epidemic going around, because you two seem to be suffering the same symptom.
There was one more question he had to ask. Ron already knew the answer, was already scared straight of the answer, but still, still he had to ask it.
"Hermione, what happens to a Mystic if a G.A.P. wizard dies?"
Hermione looked him straight in the eye and said, "If either Mystic or G.A.P. wizard lose their life somehow, by natural causes or what may, then the other one will die suffering the same pain, same symptoms, same consequences as the one they are connected to."
Oh, God thought Ron. He already knew that that was going to be the answer, but to hear it come out of Hermione's mouth left no room for hope. It terrified him to hear all these things. To listen to what was destined for a Mystic was frightening because Ron knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was listening to what was destined for himself. He knew that he was Carver's Mystic.
*********
Maria had led Harry into an empty room in a deserted hallway. She sat down on one of the desks in a corner of the room, and he took a seat by another corner from across the room. They waited in silence, both hoping that the other one would talk first. Finally, after ten minutes of speechless nothings, Maria spoke up.
"Harry, we need to talk about what happened last night."
"Yes, I know." answered Harry. "Look, Maria. I'm real sorry about kissing you. I didn't mean to. I don't know what came over me."
Maria looked at him with humor. "Harry, I kissed you."
"What?" exclaimed Harry, embarrassed, "Oh, oh yes. I know. I'm sorry, anyway."
"Sorry? You're sorry about us kissing?"
Harry groaned inwardly. He knew whatever he'd say, he would mess things up badly. He seemed to be having a running success in that lately. "Look, I don't mean that it was a bad kiss or anything. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't have kissed." He looked down at his shoes. "Well, the thing is that I'm sort of liking another girl right now – a lot. Something kinda happened between us last night too, right before I saw you."
"Oh my," cried Maria, "I'm sorry! I should of known. It's Hermione, isn't it?"
"What!" said Harry, startled, "How'd you know?"
"I don't know," answered Maria, "Just the way you guys look at each other, I guess."
"Look at each other?" squeaked Harry.
"Yeah, look at each other," Maria giggled. "Well, anyway, it's alright Harry. I perfectly understand."
"Serious?" asked Harry, "You're not just saying that to be noble?"
"No, really." said Maria, goodheartedly. She crossed the room to the door. She was about to leave when she stopped and turned around, "But you know, if ever your relationship with Hermione weren't to work out, you know where to find me. I'll always be here."
"Thanks, Maria." smiled Harry. "I'll be sure to remember that."
*******
So, you finally figured it out, didn't you?
The voice in Ron's head was working overtime in trying to irritate Ron after he found out he was Carver's Mystic. He had left Hermione in the library, saying that he realized he had some Arithmancy homework left to do. He hoped that it didn't occur to Hermione that he didn't even take Arithmancy.
"Yeah, I figured it out." said Ron, annoyed, "Will you mind shutting up now? I'm trying to sort this all out."
What's to sort out? taunted the voice, You're his Mystic. He's your G.A.P. He dies. You die.
"Come on," snapped Ron, "There must be something more than simultaneous deaths. You're supposed to be the all-powerful, all-smart one. Why don't you let me in on some stuff?"
If I were 'all-powerful' or 'all-smart', then what am I doing stuck in the brain of a dense 15-year old?
"Oh, so you mean you're stuck up there?" said Ron, sarcastically, "I thought you just enjoyed annoying the living hell out of me."
Hmm…living hell. Nicely put.
"So, are you going to explain to me what's going on, or what?"
There was a pause before the voice answered, as if he was hesitant to say anything, Well, G.A.P. wizards are diabolical forces in the world. They are evil – born evil, live evil, die evil. Since all evil needs to have a good balance, Mystics were created. They are pure hearts and good. Congratulation, boy, for being a pansy.
Ron ignored that. He was flattered to think that he was a "pure heart". He didn't feel that he was pure at heart or good or anything like that. He actually felt that Carver was better than he was. This thought automatically led him to his next question.
"You said G.A.P. wizards are born, live and die evil. That doesn't make any sense where Carver is concerned. I've seen him and he has one of the purest hearts I've ever seen."
That will change in time. Believe me, that will change in time.
*******
Hermione stuck her head in the Defense Against Dark Arts door and said, "Excuse me, Professor Dervillia. May I see you for a minute?"
"Professor Dervillia isn't here right now." The voice of Snape chilled icily in her ears.
"Professor Snape! What are you doing here?"
"Even if it were any of your business, do you think I would tell you, Miss Granger?" Snape said coldly.
"You may not tell her, Snape, but I do believe I have a right to know what you are doing in my room."
Hermione and Snape turned around in surprise and looked at Professor Dervillia standing at the doorway.
"Merle," said Snape, "I was just waiting for you. I think we need to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you. Please leave." said Professor Dervillia, coolly.
"Merle," Snape said, hesitantly, "I just –"
"Professor Snape," said Professor Dervillia, raising her voice, "I said LEAVE!"
"Very well." Snape lowered his head and quietly left the room.
Hermione was shocked by the scene she just witnessed. "Uh, Professor," she asked, timidly, "what problem do you have with Snape?"
"We used to go out when we were younger," Professor Dervillia said absently. Hermione didn't even think that she realized she was talking. "We were in love. We were devoted to each other until he turned his back on us and left for a certain group. I've never forgiven him for that." Professor Dervillia looked up and saw Hermione, as if seeing her for the first time. "Hermione, you weren't in class today." She gave Hermione a hard stare.
"Yes, I know." Hermione said, surprised by the sudden change of subject, "I'm sorry. I was researching a, uh, personal project, last night when I fell asleep. I didn't realize the time until a friend woke me up." Hermione looked down, "I was wondering if you would maybe give me a make up lesson."
Professor Dervillia continued to stare at Hermione, but the look softened subsequently. Hermione was surprised. She had gotten the first impression that Professor Dervillia was a hard, strict teacher who wouldn't go easy on anybody. Professor Dervillia seemed to read her mind because she said afterwards, "I'm usually very strict and I won't back down for anyone, but today I'll give an exception. I enjoyed the topic so much that I wouldn't mind teaching it again."
Hermione's face brightened, "Thank you. What was it that you were learning about?"
"A new spell. Tutamen ham benevolentia."
"Tutamen ham benevolentia." Hermione repeated.
"Very good," smiled Professor Dervillia, "you said it perfectly. Usually I have to repeat for the class about five or six times for them to get the pronunciation right. Now, I want you to point your wand to that desk over there and say the spell. It should move the desk a couple of inches or so. In class this morning we had some of the best results I've ever seen. A boy actually flew across the wall."
Hermione pointed her wand to the desk and said the spell, "Tutamen ham benevolentia." The desk shattered into a million dust like pieces.
Professor Dervillia's face paled as she stood there and gaped at the desk. She regained her composure after a few seconds and went to the back storage room. She came back carrying what looked like a large, oversized silver block.
"Hermione, this is a Kliepic Block. It was made to withstand the strongest of spells if not used by the right people. I want you to try the spell on it."
Hermione raised her wand and pointed it to the Kliepic Block. She said the spell loudly and clearly. "Tutamen ham benevolentia." There was some sort of eruption and the block disappeared.
"Just as I thought." whispered Professor Dervillia,
"Pardon me?" asked Hermione.
"Hermione, that block is supposed to withstand spells if not used by the right people because if some spells aren't used by the people intended, then they can't reach its full power. Tutamen ham benevolentia is one of those spells. The words are in Latin. It means "Defense for the Good." It is supposed to be used by a group of people – seven people to be precise. The Benevolentia Defensor."
"The 'Defenders of the Good." Hermione said softly.
"Quite correct. You know your Latin." said Professor Dervilla, "As you know, there should be seven Defenders of the Good. Only six have been found, though. Out of all – the Strength, the Healer, the Word, the Heart, the Hunter, and the Brave – there was only one missing. The Knowledge. In all the history of the world, that last defender, the Knowledge, that person has never been found. Except now, that is. If what I am seeing is true, then you, Hermione are the knowledge."
Hermione dropped her wand. "Me? The knowledge? But how? How can that be so?"
"It's simple, in fact it's so blinding obvious that I'm surprised that you didn't see it yourself." exclaimed Professor Dervillia, "Look at you, you're a genius. You beat every student out of ranks, you know more about the history of this school than I'm sure the own headmaster does himself."
"But that's just book smart!" cried Hermione, "Anyone could read a book and learn – it's so easy!"
"That's not true, though. You know you're not only book smart. You're naturally clever by birth. You could probably solve any puzzle in the world by just thinking about it."
"How would you know?" ask Hermione, "You haven't been a teacher in here for so long. You can't know me all too well."
"Besides the fact that I like to do a background check on all the students I teach, I'm also very perceptive and I saw how smart you were since the very first class. Plus, the most important thing is your strength in using the Tutamen ham Benevolentia spell. Only a Benevolentia Defensor can use it to its extreme strength. You certainly proved to do that by demolishing the Kliepic Block. You are the Knowledge, Hermione. You know you are."
The Knowledge. She, Hermione Granger, was the Knowledge. It was so unbelievable that she was part of this group, the Benevolentia Defensor, the Defender of the Good – a group that's been around since the beginning of time, a group that was waiting for a seventh.
A group that was waiting for her.
********
Harry rushed into the common room shortly after his talk with Maria. He was hoping to find Hermione there, but the only person he saw was Ron staring at the blazing fire.
"Ron," said Harry, running up to the tall, red head, "do you know where Hermione is?"
Ron looked up absently. His eyes were dazed and he didn't seem to be looking at Harry. "Hermione? Damned if I know." He continued to stare at the fire.
"Ron, are you alright?"
Ron didn't look up. "Alright? Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Because you look kinda….disturbed."
"Disturbed?" Ron snorted, "If you ever find out what I found out today, you'd be a lot more than disturbed."
"Ron, what did you find out?"
Instead of answering, Ron just stared at no where in particular. "Harry? What does it feel like?"
"What do you mean?"
"What does it feel like to be someone? To know that you're someone so important that it's out of your control? What does it make you feel?"
"I'm not important, Ron." Harry said, seriously, "Just a consequence of circumstance. Or if I am important, it's not that I can't control it. Or at least, I hope I can control it."
"Lucky you." Ron muttered under his breath.
"Pardon me?" asked Harry.
"Nothing." Ron looked up. "I think Hermione's in the Defense Against Dark Arts room. She told me something about a make up class this morning."
"Don't you want me to stay here, or something? At least tell me what's bugging you?"
"Nothing! Nothing's bugging me. I'm nothing. Just a consequence of circumstance, like you said. Go to Hermione."
Harry looked at Ron, uncertainly, "Ron, I don't – "
"Harry, just go." Ron stared at him. "Please, just go."
Harry reluctantly left the room. He's never seen Ron like that before. Even last year during the big blow up they had, he never acted quite as troubled as he did just now. It worried him to see his best friend like this. Harry was so absorbed in thinking about Ron that he didn't even see Hermione coming around the corner. Inevitably, they crashed.
"Oomph!" growled Hermione, "Harry, you nitwit, watch where you're going!"
Harry straightened up and said, "Hermione! Oh brother, I'm sorry. Are you all right there?" He grabbed her arms and helped her up.
"Yes, I'm fine." Hermione shrugged off his hands. "Just shaken up, that's all." She looked at him and the memory of the night before seemed to flood in her head. "What do you want?" she asked coldly.
"I need to talk to you." Harry said. "About last night."
"What about it?" she asked, frostily.
"We kissed, Hermione." said Harry, shocked by her coldness, "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Hermione looked at him, angry, and replied, "That kiss sure as hell meant a lot to me. It didn't seem to have quite to same affect on you though, since you went out and kissed Maria right after! What Harry, is one girl not enough for you that you had to rake on another?"
Harry's heart dropped. She saw it. Hermione saw Maria kiss him. Of all the people, Hermione was the last person Harry wanted to see that kiss. To hear about it from some people was one thing, to actually witness it was another.
"Hermione," apologized Harry, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. In fact, I didn't kiss her, she kissed me."
"But you kissed back!" Hermione shrieked, "You just sat there and kissed her back. That's just as bad as making the first move."
"Hermione, I didn't." faltered Harry, "I didn't kiss her back. Granted yes, I did just sit there, but I didn't kiss her back. I just couldn't move. My body was in a dead lock. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
"Sorry? You're sorry?" echoed Hermione, "Do you realize how much you've hurt me, Harry Potter? How devastated I was when I saw you kiss her. I felt that I wasn't good enough for you, that you were disgusted by me!"
"That's not true!" shouted Harry, "Never think that! I can never be disgusted by you! You are the one girl who I admire wholeheartedly, the one girl who I feel so much for!"
"Liar!" cried Hermione, "You can't like me! I'm too wretched. That's why you went to Maria, that's why!" She was hysterical. Tears were streaming down Hermione's face and she was hysterical. "You can't, you can't."
"Stop it!" Harry grabbed her by the arms and pressed his lips hard over hers. "You know that's not true."
Hermione pushed him away and stared coolly at his face. "Get away from me. Go to your Maria."
Devastated, Harry backed away and blinked back the tears he didn't realize he had in him. "I'm sorry." A distant crash came from the Defense Against Dark Arts room.
Hermione turned her head abruptly. She looked back at Harry once and then ran to the room. She opened the door and gasped. Harry followed her and looked down at what she was staring at. His stomach turned at what he saw and he could feel Hermione's hand grasp his arm tightly. "Oh my god."
Lying in front of them on the floor was the body of Snape, covered in a pool of blood.
********
Disclaimer: Hogwarts, most spells, and all characters except for Professor Dervillia, Maria, Carver, and Ron's voice belong to J.K. Rowlings, or I guess now Warner Bros. That was silly, selling everything to Warner Bros. Well, that's my personal bias for the day.
A/N: Becky, to answer your question about Voldemort. GAP wizards can do magic without using their wands, but it takes their entire strength to do so. Since dear ol' Voldie is just rising, he doesn't have enough power yet to do wandless magic.
We dedicate this chapter to all of our few faithful readers (thank you Silvestria, Lily, Rhea, Cel, Becky, Tinay, and the Dark Evil One who we must not name {*gasp* only seven people read our story????} Sorry if I forgot anyone.), and to the maker of Harry Potter herself, just because if she didn't create Harry, Hermione and especially RON, I don't know what would be occupying my mind twenty four hours of the day. Hmm…maybe a life in the real world. (Yes, I told you. I'm obsessed). We love you guys!!!