Disclaimer: It's all J.K. Rowling's.

A Note From The Author: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, as always. Your input is always so encouraging. And I'm sorry that this part was later than usual. I meant to finish it before I went away for Memorial Day weekend, but writer's block got the better of me. My apologies, and I hope this makes up for it. And Firoza, your suggestion of finding out what Fred, George, and Ginny chose as their objects was brilliant. (You do get to find out about Ginny in this chapter.) Unfortunately, I'm clueless as to what the twins would choose. Any ideas, anyone? Hope you all had a great long weekend and enjoy!

Aftermath and Awakenings
Part VII
A Harry Potter Fanfic by Aira

***

"Good afternoon, class. You have, I hope, brought your special items to class?"

Everyone nodded at Professor Dorson's question. Hermione noticed Lavender and Parvati giggling with one another as usual and couldn't help scowling. Leave it to them to giggle at something so serious and important. *She* had chosen a very important object and was treating the project very seriously. "Very good," came Dorson's voice, somewhat more silky than usual. "We shall begin."

Hermione reached into her robe pocket to retrieve Ron's letter, which had been very carefully folded. But while she treated the matter with utmost solemnity and importance, she couldn't stop the silly grin that formed on her lips at the thought of the letter's contents. She glanced at Ron, who was clutching a letter that she knew was written by herself. The thought filled her with glowing warmth.

Hermione's thoughts turned darker as her eyes fell upon her other best friend. Harry was clutching a photograph tightly, staring at it with a closed-off, hardened expression. Though the picture was blocked from Hermione's view, she knew who was in it, and her heart ached for her friend.

Curiously, Hermione looked around the room, anxious to see the sorts of things her peers had chosen. For a reason she did not yet know, her eyes fell upon Neville Longbottom. He was gripping onto a photograph-sized piece of paper, and the expression he wore was strangely similar to Harry's.

Frowning thoughtfully, Hermione shifted her gaze to Professor Dorson, who was just explaining the spell. "First you must place the item you have chosen into this envelope."

Dorson gave a swish of her wand, and soon silver, almost glowing envelopes were on the desks of every student. Hermione carefully placed the beloved letter inside. The moment she did so, the envelope sealed itself. "Please write your name on the envelope," instructed the professor once all of her pupils had completed the first requirement.

Hermione immediately pulled out a quill and did so, signing her name with great flourish. However, a few seconds after she finished, the ink seemed to dissolve into the envelope, which was now glowing more brightly than previously. Dorson continued soon thereafter. "Very good. Now, so that the power in your objects can be used effectively, please tap the envelope with your wand and say these words: Memoria de Sacrum. Mr. Potter, would you like to demonstrate?"

Harry drew his wand without speaking while Hermione observed intently. He tapped his envelope with his wand and said, in a quiet yet confident tone "Memoria de Sacrum."

All eyes fell upon the envelope as a golden ray of light raised from the envelope until it almost danced to the ceiling. After a moment-a beautiful moment in which the light seemed to spread through the entire classroom-the ray fizzled quickly, and soon the envelope was only glowing faintly. The class appeared confused, apparently unsure of whether that was the desired result. Professor Dorson, however, gave Harry a curt smile. "Well done, Mr. Potter," she said, though Hermione doubted that her words were entirely sincere. "You have obviously chosen an object very suitable for yourself, which will help the spell I am performing considerably…yes, Miss Granger?"

For Hermione had just raised her hand and was now speaking. "Professor, how does this spell work, exactly?"

Ron glared at her and muttered something about how if she wanted to ask questions like that to the history-loving Professor, could she at least do it while he wasn't around? Hermione pointedly ignored him; this was one of those occasions where her love of knowledge and desire to understand how things worked got the better of her.

"An excellent question, Miss Granger," began Dorson. "It is an ancient spell which has been used for many centuries. It relies purely on memories of joy, love, and hope, which were believed to be stronger than Dark magic. Valued objects such as the ones you have chosen represent joyful memories and feelings, which, when channeled properly, can act as powerful protection. The spell that I am using is collective, which makes it all the more powerful, since there are all the more valued objects giving it strength. Once all my classes have completed this I will place an enchantment on all of the envelopes to bond them together to act as protection against any Dark magic."

Hermione nodded fervently. Yes, that made sense. Joy as an antidote to darkness. Simple. Logical. She couldn't help asking another question, however. "Can it be broken?"

Dorson gave her a piercing stare. There was something about that hard look that Hermione felt uncomfortable. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was there nonetheless. "No," she answered finally.

"Now, class, please perform the spell."

Hermione quickly drew her wand and placed it on the envelope. "Memoria de Sacrum."

With that, blinding light raised from her envelope as it had from Harry's, and faded quickly after a moment of glorious luminosity. The others in class watched appreciatively, as Hermione was the first besides Harry to attempt the spell. "Well done, Miss Granger. Now, if the rest of you could please get started."

For the next few moments, the room was full of golden rays. Hermione found the effect rather pleasant, though not all of her classmates created a ray as stunning as her own or Harry's. However, Hermione noted that Neville, and, to her great pleasure, Ron, had also managed to emit colossal rays. Professor Dorson seemed particularly pleased with the four of them, a fact that Hermione relished. She exited class that day beaming.

*

Later that night, Hermione found herself sitting by herself in the common room, as Ron and Harry were at Quidditch practice. She was working intently on her Ancient Runes essay when a quiet voice snapped her out of her working trance. "Hermione, can I ask you something?"

Hermione looked up to the freckled face of Ginny Weasley, who appeared to be very deep in thought. "Of course," she answered briskly.

"Well, tomorrow we have to bring in our objects for Defense Against the Dark Arts, see. And I was just wondering…do you think it's terribly juvenile and ridiculous to bring in *this*?"

Ginny pulled out a sketch behind her back. It was of Harry. Like all of her other work, it was astonishingly realistic. Harry's green eyes seemed to sparkle with determination and he wore a very stoic, unemotional expression. As a piece of art, it was wonderful. But as an object to be used for the Memoria de Sacrum spell? Hermione considered for a while, until the answer to Ginny's question hit her smack on the head. "Of course not," she said. "There's nothing ridiculous about love."

She had been thinking about her own sacred object while speaking, and it suddenly occurred to her that her emotional words probably would embarrass Ginny. Hermione clasped her hands to her mouth, but it was too late. Her friend had turned slightly pink, although all she said regarding the matter was a quiet "Thank you so much."

As for Hermione, her own rash statement made her think. "There's nothing ridiculous about love." Rash or not, she knew it was true.

*

The next afternoon, Harry suggested that they visit Hagrid during the free time they had in lieu of Transfiguration. (Professor McGonagall was still sick and no one had bothered finding a substitute.) Hermione readily agreed to the plan. Ron, however, seemed almost objected to Harry's idea. He frowned. "I really don't think we should," he said in a troubled tone.

Harry frowned at this. "Why not?"

Here Ron frowned as well. "I don't really know myself, that's the trouble. I just…It's weird. I just get this feeling that we shouldn't."

Much as Hermione cared for him, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at this strange proclamation. "What rubbish! What good reason do we have not to go?"

Ron curled his lips into another thoughtful frown and shrugged. "None, I guess," he admitted sheepishly.

The three began the walk to Hagrid's cabin. But still one wore a frown on his troubled face.

*

"Hagrid, it's us!"

Harry knocked on the wooden door as he spoke. Still no answer came, and the hut felt strangely empty. "Hagrid!" he called once again, his tone growing more desperate.

"He's left the door open. Maybe we should go inside," Hermione suggested, trying dreadfully to quench her own feelings of doubt. There had to be a logical explanation to this, after all. Maybe Hagrid didn't hear them. Maybe he was out. Maybe…

The three stepped into the small cabin, and gave simultaneous gasps at the sight they found. Their ten-foot tall, wide-girthed friend was lying motionless on the floor, taking up a good deal of the hut's space. His eyes were closed, his lips pasted together and his skin was as white as a ghost. The only sign that Hagrid was even alive were the loud, shaky breaths that came from him.

For a moment Hermione just stood there, dumbstruck by the sight in front of her. Harry and Ron stood next to her, no less dumbfounded. After what seemed like a long time, she finally tore her eyes from the body of her large friend. "I'd better go get Madam Pomfrey again," Hermione managed, her voice coming out in a squeak.

She began the walk to the castle, which seemed to stretch for miles when left only with her dark thoughts and worries. When Hermione was about halfway through her journey, lost in her own concerns, she was suddenly pulled away from the reeling of her mind. For a hooded figure had just appeared from nowhere. And, before she could scream even, the cloaked body shoved a wand right up against Hermione's throat.

***

Author's Note: Okay, yes, I am evil. Sorry, had to do that. Please keep the tomatoes to a minimum, since I swear the next chapter will be out within the next few days. Or at least ASAP. Also, just so you know, it will *not* be told from Harry's POV. It will be either Remus' or Sirius'. (If you want, tell me in your review which you'd prefer.)