Pandora's Box Chapter Four: Pushing You Away, a harry potter fanfic

Pandora's Box

Kneazle

DC: I do not own Harry Potter or afflictions to Warner's Bros. or J.K. Rowling's. I merely use the characters for entertainment purposes only. Anything mentioned in this story is afflicted only to its rightful produces. I own nothing but the plot.

AN: Prefer listening to "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" soundtracks or songs which lyrics have been inserted while reading. Also, later on, the Renaissance become teachers. Think of this story to be like X-Men: they fight and teach! [Feb. 12, 02]

**-**

Everything falls apart
Even the people who never frown eventually break down
The sacrifice of hiding in a lie
Everything has to end
You'll soon find we're out of time left to watch it all unwind
The sacrifice is never knowing – Linkin Park

"Pushing You Away"

**~**

Chapter Four

Hermione opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron, Oliver walking in behind her. The wizardring crowd hung here now, dark and good alike. This was neutral territory; meaning one couldn't fight another wizard in here without being thrown out into the London streets.

Oliver and Hermione, under old Latin appearance charms, sat down at the bar, side-by-side.

The charm that hid their true forms wouldn't have really mattered, as both had changed a considerable amount during the past four and a half years, but nevertheless, Harry had insisted on it and Draco went along.

"What can I get ya?" asked the bartender, the old and toothy Tom.

"Uh, a bourbon and a scotch," said Hermione, ordering for herself and Oliver. He glanced at her surprised; how did she know his favourite drink?

"You were mumbling under your breath back at… HQ that you needed a drink and said something about a scotch," laughed Hermione, reading his face clearly.

A few minutes later, Tom appeared with their drinks. He sloshed it down in front of them, saying, "Here you go."

"Tom," said Hermione, gently yet firmly. Tom had turned away, ready to go to another customer or clean a glass, when the voice struck a cord in his heart.

He turned around to face the black-haired woman with warm blue eyes. He had never seen her before, but the way she held herself, her tone of voice, was something he remembered.

"Ms. Granger?" he whispered, leaning close in to her.

Hermione nodded, the simplest of a hair-flicking movement that Tom could hardly tell she nodded. She grinned, and then slipped him a piece of paper with a question written on it.

"Thank you for our drinks. Is it possible to have a room here tonight?" she asked, motioning him to not read the question aloud and continue talking to her.

"For you and the gentleman? Perhaps. I'll have to check." Tom replied, slipping the note back to her. She unfolded it and read, Tom, do the "old crowd" still have their powers? He had replied, yes, they hide here in rooms 5, 7, and 9 under the polyjuice potion.

Hermione nodded, and slipped the note back asked aloud, "can you check to make one available for us?"

Oliver leaned forward, slipping Tom fifty galleons for his service when he passed the note back.

"I'll check. Wait right her, dear," grinned Tom, his missing teeth showing. Oliver watched him go, making sure no one asked about them. He then read over Hermione's shoulder, Are they there all day? Can we meet them? And the reply, Yes, all day and night in hiding, as Muggles and not using any magic. They're scared, we all are. I think you can. Go up and force yourself in to talk to them. They will understand later if you save them. I believe in you and Mr. Wood.

Oliver looked up at her shocked, "how did he know who I was?"

Hermione shrugged. "No idea." She then pocketed the paper, shrinking it and inside her pocket, burning it with a lighter. She finished her drink, while watching the bar scene with wary eyes. As she and Oliver were in a corner that was fairly dark, she had a good view of the bar without anyone knowing she was watching them.

"There's Lucius Malfoy," she whispered, using her bourbon glass to point him out. Oliver frowned.

"Lucky Malfoy looks nothing like him," he wrinkled his nose up in disgust.

Hermione laughed and they spotted a few more people they knew: Minerva McGonagall, Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur's sister, Severus Snape, Ludo Bagman, McNair and Avery, and even Colin and Dennis Creevey.

Slowly, the bar began to filter out, leaving Oliver and Hermione deep in discussion about Diagon Alley and what it must look like now and where they wanted to go to get supplies.

Tom passed them by, when there were only a bunch of drunken Death Eaters in a booth, and whispered, "go."

They nodded and took the key he offered and started up the stairs. They were passing number seven by when Hermione looked both ways, using her supersensitive eyesight to see if anyone was watching. Cleared, she then knocked on the door.

Oliver stood off to the side, ready to fire a curse if he had to. The door opened and a bleary-eyed Remus Lupin stood in the way.

His blue eyes looked Hermione up and down and finally back at her determined face. "Who are you?" he croaked out, frightened.

"Let me and my… partner in and we'll explain it all to you then." She explained. "Please trust us."

Remus sighed, nodded, and held the door for her and Oliver. Once it was closed, Hermione whipped out her wand, making Remus, Sirius Black and Arabella Figg all cower. She turned, placed a silencing charm on the room and put it down in front of them.

"Who are you?" asked Arabella, staring.

"Hermione Granger," Hermione introduced.

"Oliver Wood."

"My God…" Sirius and Remus trailed off before bounding over to Hermione and hugging her tightly. Sirius stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead, not wanting to let her go. Remus also hugged her, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Whoa… The Hermione Granger?" asked Arabella from her chair. Oliver nodded, smiling.

"Sirius, Remus," laughed Hermione, tearfully. "I'm so glad you're all well."

"Where have you been all these years? Is Harry all right? Why are you here now? Is there—" Sirius' questions were stopped short when Hermione held a hand up to stop him.

"All in good time," she replied. "Oliver?"

Oliver stepped forward, cleared his throat and said, "Hermione and the Renaissance were locked away in… a frozen ice block for the past four years since Hogwarts had fallen. My group – consisting of Percy Weasley, myself, Fred and George Weasley, Roger Davis, Cho Chang, Fleur Delacour and Padma Patil – found the clues and followed them to the O'Sahar desert where we found the Renaissance. We unfroze them, and we created a Headquarters for the new good wizards. We've spent about three months on it, and we're now filling it up with wizards and witches we trust, and Muggles."

"As for Harry, he's fine. We all are," sighed Hermione, "except Percy and Fleur… who were captured outside Malfoy Manor when they found Lucius' secret documents."

"Is he dead?" whispered Remus.

Oliver shook his head. "No. He had a memory charm on his head, so he remembers nothing of why he was at Malfoy Manor. As for Fleur, she doesn't remember leaving Paris."

The silence around the room was thick.

"What did you come to us for?" asked finally Sirius.

Hermione and Oliver shared a look. Finally, Hermione said quietly, "Harry has requested that you all – the Old Crowd – come with us back to HQ… become teachers there. We're creating a new Hogwarts and are going to gather new students to teach out ways of teaching. We don't want them to become Dark Wizards. We trust you… all of you."

Remus, Sirius and Arabella were up in a flash. "Can we do magic there?" Arabella asked excitedly.

Hermione grinned. "Of course!"
The three of them looked at each other and cheered. "Of course we're coming!"

**-**

That night, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg and Mundungus Fletcher flew with Hermione and Oliver to Hermione's old house.

She had set them up in the spare bedrooms and her parent's room. Apparently, on arrival, someone else had been in the house after Oliver's group had left. The meals were cleaned up and the bodies of Richard and Catherine Granger.

Hermione seemed to be in a daze, wandering the house and touching certain objects that were reminders of her past. Oliver followed her silently, watching.

Hermione stopped in the library, letting her fingers slide over the spines. She had stopped, finishing her first floor memory-lane.

"I used to come in here everyday," she murmured. Oliver started; she had never once looked back behind her and yet she knew he had been behind her the whole time.

He moved up to stand beside her, looking down at the diary she held in her hands. On the front, written in silver ink against the black cover, was Catherine Mary-Anna Wallace-Granger. Oliver watched Hermione run her fingers over the cursive. When she stopped, her middle finger resting on the tip of the 'r', she placed the diary down and turned to Oliver.

"I miss them so much," she whispered tearfully. Oliver felt his heart break for her. "They thought I was dead the whole time… and they died before I could say… goodbye."

She broke down, closing her fists into Oliver's shirt. He held her close, wrapping his arms around her. He consoled her, rocking her slightly back and forth, murmuring into her hair.

Without knowing, Sirius, Remus and Arabella Figg saw the whole thing from the library doors.

"Do you think they fancy each other?" asked Remus, whispering. He steered the other two away, walking back up the stairs to their rooms.

Sirius snorted. "Of course, Moony. It's evident; just look into their eyes. They just don't know it yet."

Arabella sighed. "Young love…"

"Impossible love," muttered Sirius. Arabella punched him playfully on the shoulder.

"Why do you say that? I think Hermione and Oliver make a great pair."

Sirius sighed, and shook his head, his longish black hair swaying as he did so. "It's Hermione and Oliver, Arabella. Hermione is one of the Renaissances. She's likely to be killed in a war against Voldemort, and Oliver is only a sub to her group."

"So?" Remus asked.

"They'll never be together. Oliver would give his life for that girl, and she his," sighed Sirius. "Just like James and Lily… only…"

"Only?" prodded Arabella as she pushed open Remus' and Sirius' door.

"Only if one looses the other, they both die," sighed Sirius. "Night."

Remus and Arabella were left standing in the hallway, staring at a closed door. They said nothing as they went to their rooms, awaiting a new life tomorrow.

**-**

Hermione, Oliver, Sirius, Remus, Arabella and Mundungus arrived at Bingingham Castle before they were due, but nonetheless, they arrived safely and without any troubles.

Hermione and Oliver guided the new four towards their landing strip in the courtyard. They flew through the mist first, the mist that surrounded Bingingham so that no one could find it.

"Ingenious," muttered Mundungus. Hermione grinned back at him and replied her thanks. Then, she pointed down.

"Welcome to Bingingham Castle, Institute of Magic," grinned Oliver, as they left the mist and clouds behind. The new group gasped; it was beautiful.

A maze was off to one side, and a garden with beautiful flowers and trees loomed around the castle, ponds and waterfalls making the area magical on its own. The castle was rebuilt and refurnished, with a blue background and a picture of a dove flying high on top of the turrets. Stain-glass windows were on the East Wing, and large oak doors with handles of flowers welcomes the group.

Hermione and Oliver parted the doors, and the group stepped in. Immediately, they were swamped.

A black-haired man, hugging him tightly, attacked Sirius. "Sirius! Snuffles!" he cried, hugging the man tighter.

"Harry!" cried hoarsely back Sirius. The godson and godfather embraced, seeing each other for the first time in four – nearly five – years. The sight brought tears to many people's eyes.

After introductions were made, they pledged the four in and allowed them in the magical enlarged round table.

"It's the Knights of the Round Table!" exclaimed Arabella.

Padma laughed and corrected her. "No, it's just our conference room. Here is where we meet to come up with ideas to plot Voldemort's downfall. You can sit there, Ms. Figg."

"Arabella," she said absently, and ran her hand over the smooth wood. "Wow."

Remus and Sirius were in awe, but Mundungus fit right in, happily seating himself next to Dean's seat. "Well, what are we waiting for? You had somethin' to explain to us all?"

Harry cleared his throat. "Seats please?"

The group complied, and once seated he said, "Yes, Mundungus, we brought you, Sirius, Remus and Arabella here to help us. The Renaissance – as what us ten who were frozen call we – are in dire need of your help. Hermione had proposed the idea of making this castle into a second Hogwarts. We cannot fit all the students that Hogwarts had, but enough to teach classes and have a dormitory. However, we cannot all teach while fighting Voldemort. Therefore, we would be quite happy if you all agree to be IoM teachers."

There were tears in Remus' eyes as Harry finished. He stood up as soon as he had finished and shook hands with Harry. "I'd love to." He whispered joyously. "I can start over."

"Draco is excellent in potions – almost as good as Snape was," informed Hermione. "He can make you the wolfsbane potion whenever you need it. Right, Draco?"

"Of course!" eagerly answered Draco Malfoy. Remus was shocked but shook Draco's hand too.

Sirius, Arabella and Mundungus also agreed, saying that this was going to be great and be like old times.

Harry smiled at Hermione; "Great idea, Herm."

Hermione smiled back, and blushed, lowering her head. Oliver noticed this and waited until Harry had dismissed everyone. Padma, Cho, Lavender and Hermione were happy to have another female with them, they decided to show her around Bingingham personally, while Dean and Seamus went off to the kitchen to cook, Draco and Blaise went to retire for the evening and Ron and Ginny went to their adjoining room to discuss more ways to attack Death Eaters.

Sirius, Remus and Mundungus stayed behind a bit to talk to Harry, but then left when they saw Oliver wanted to speak with him.

"Harry." Oliver said. Harry looked up and nodded.

"Yes, Oliver?"

"I… I don't mean to intrude into your personal life, but… do you fancy Hermione?" he asked, stuttering slightly.

Harry paused for a second before bursting out laughing. "Oliver… you actually think that I wound fancy my best friend? No, of course I don't! I think of Hermi as a sister, and Ron my brother. Even Ginny is that close to me! But, no, I don't think of Hermione that way. Why?"

Oliver blushed and muttered, "no reason."

Harry walked over, nudged him in the ribs and wiggled his eyebrows. "You… ah, like her, don't you?"

Oliver blushed scarlet.

"Well, in that case, go for it," laughed Harry. "I think… Hermi has some feelings for you too."

"What!"
"Yeah," nodded Harry. "Anyway, I've got to go meet with her later to discuss some ideas on sending letters to the eleven year olds… and get some magical creatures. Wood, is it possible for you to teach flying lessons?"

"You mean… Quidditch?? I can play it again??" Oliver was astounded.

Harry laughed. "Of course. I probably won't allow houses in the Institute, but the teachers playing would be a sight to see, huh?"

Oliver grinned and clapped him on the back. "You're a good man, Potter. A good man." Oliver then, however sobered up. "Harry?"

Harry turned from leaving the room. "Hmm?"

"You know we're in this fight together, right?"

Harry smiled gently at his older friend. "I know, Oliver. I know."

**-**

April 3

Dear Diary,

Guess what! I just received an owl, but it's not from Hogwarts, like Mommy and Daddy were expecting. Actually, even Robert, my annoying older brother, got one too! In it, it explained that Voldemort – this really evil wizard that Mommy and Daddy hate – has taken over Hogwarts, and the only magic they teach there is dark arts. Mommy and Daddy didn't want me going there this year, so they declined. They had also pulled Robert out so he could learn "real magic" as Daddy called it.

Well, what was cool in the letter was that it was sent by… guess… THE HARRY POTTER!! Apparently, he and the Renaissance (Mommy helped me spell that), had found a way to come out of their banishment. Robert was so surprised!

But what surprised Mommy and Daddy even more was that Mr. Potter was the Headmaster of the Institute of Magic! There's a magical school that teaches good arts! Mommy and Daddy were so happy, they were crying! They replied as soon as they got the letter (after asking me and Rob of course) if we wanted to go. We both said yes, so we start out term ASAP.

We will get there – listen to this – by brooms! Professor Granger (Hermione Granger, my idol!) will be escorting us with Professor Wood and Professor Weasley. Robert was so excited, and we leave tomorrow.

Mommy and Daddy just said that the world is looking a little brighter today, and I agree with them! Voldemort's evil days of ruling us in fear are coming to an end!

-- From the pages of Lindsay O'Connell, age 11, Manchester, England

Hermione, Oliver, and Ron arrived at the O'Connell's house promptly at nine in the morning, ready to take Robert and his little sister Lindsay to the Institute.

"I can hardly believe it!" gushed Mrs. O'Connell, "I can hardly believe that you escaped You-Know-Who's clutches and lived to tell about it… and start a magical school!"

"Please don't tell anyone about the school," whispered Hermione. "We can't have Voldemort finding out about it. But I can assure you that there are numerous strong and brilliant teachers at Bingingham. Actually, Robert and Lindsay will be out first students. Others are flying around, getting the others."

"And how will they arrive safely back?" asked Mr. O'Connell.

Oliver stepped up, "Hopefully, but the end of term (September, at the moment), Voldemort will have been defeated by the Renaissance and there will be no worries. The only thing we have to worry about now, is the magical links and… unfortunately, we can't let you two see where we're going."

Robert and Lindsay didn't seem to mind as they climbed on the back of Hermione and Oliver's brooms, with Ron's carrying their trunks.

"Take care," said Mrs. O'Connell, kissing each of them once.

"Bye!" they shouted, as they rose in the air. Under invisibility cloaks, they blindfolded the two and lead them to their education.

After an hour in the air, Hermione leaned her broomstick forward for a descent, flying through the clouds. The blindfold was magically taken off, and Lindsay and Robert got their first taste of their new home for six months. The group circled once before landing in the courtyard again, where Sirius and Arabella were waiting.

Hermione landed, watching as Sirius and Arabella led the new students into the school. They got a personal tour, oohing and ahhing in all the right places.

"This is going to be weird," muttered Ron, as the two left.

Hermione turned to face him and Oliver. "What do you mean, 'weird'? Is it because we're teachers but we never finished our last year?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah. I mean, Wood's the flying instructor, you're the transfiguration (or you could be anything else), and I'm what? Charms!! Do you remember our first year in charms when we learnt 'wingardium leviosa'?"

Hermione burst out laughing, just as she spotted three more specks in the sky. "Oh, I remember! You couldn't do it and I did, showing off. And Seamus blew his and Harry's up! What a sight!"

Oliver grinned. "Remember that spell he made up, trying to change his pumpkin juice in rum?"

Now the three were laughing, remembering their times at Hogwarts. They calmed down as the broomsticks neared.

"Those were the days," mused aloud Hermione softly. The other two agreed, turning to face Fred, Dean, and Padma.

They arrived with a bunch of students, all young and able to fit three on a broom with an adult.

Fred and Padma led the groups inside, while Dean stayed outside to watch with them. "This is weird," he said.

The three laughed at him. Dean, not understanding what was so funny, huffed and left the three. They watched him retreat back to the castle, and their amusement began to fade.

Ron excused himself and walked back to his room, leaving Hermione and Oliver alone. They began to walk around the grounds, finally settling down on one of the stone benches in the garden. They watched the sun fade, a brilliant shade of red with purple clouds.

"Nice, isn't it?" stated Oliver. Hermione nodded her agreement, sighing. "Worried about teaching?"

"A bit. How many students will be here in total by next week, when we start?"

"Fifty-seven. Ten in their first year, fourteen in their second, five in their third, eight in their fourth, ten in their fifth, three in their sixth and seven in their final year," recited Oliver.

Hermione winched. "This will be crazy. I wonder how McGonagall and the others did it with a thousand students back at Hogwarts."

"Who knows," Oliver shrugged, and they lapsed into silence again. They felt at ease next to each other, basking in the spring weather. It had rained the night before, and the smell of rain was still in the air.

"Hermione…" Oliver started.

"Yes?" Hermione asked, turning to face him.

Oliver licked his lips and said, "I think you're great and I fancy you."

Hermione stared, blinked once, twice, before saying softly, "do you really?"

Oliver nodded, tense, and awaited her reply. He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. "Please say that you do too."

Hermione was speechless, until she said confidently, "I… I fancy you too, Oliver."

Oliver let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and brought Hermione close to him, there, in the garden. He brushed some pieces of hair from her eyes and hugged her tightly to him.

She sighed in content, inhaling Oliver's distinct scent; it was one of peppermint and something that smelled like rain… she wasn't sure what it was, but it smelled nice and fresh, and she buried her face in his chest.

Against her ear, she felt a little movement. With her ears, she heard the thump-thump of his heart. Smiling, she raised her head to look at Oliver.

His eyes were closed, and the look on his face was one of a man in complete bliss, totally happy in his life. He felt her eyes on him and looked at her, grinning.

"You've made me the luckiest man in the world," he said softly, his nose touching hers. She giggled and smiled flirtatiously.

"Really?"

"Really," he confirmed, before lowered his head to hers, his lips just brushing with hers. Hermione felt a tingle run up and down her spine, and the feel of his hot but sweet breath of her cheek.

Suddenly, his lips were locked on hers, and he had wrapped her tightly to himself. Hermione had no objections, tilting her own head to allow Oliver more space. He took that as an invitation and ran his tongue lightly along her bottom lip. Hermione nearly sighed contently, as she had forgotten what it had been like to be kissed like that.

They didn't return until late that night.

**-**

The rest of the week went by quickly; the Renaissance, the Old Crowd and Oliver's group which had been affectionately nicknamed the Salvation, all were seated around the Round Table just before breakfast.

"So we all know who is doing what art?" finally asked Harry, looking around the table. He noted with his sharp eyesight, that Oliver and Hermione were nearly inseparable nowadays and saw how close they sat at the table.

"Yes," they chorused.

"Confirmation please when I call your name?" Harry asked, picking up a clipboard. The group had had lots of fun earlier in the year when they had transfigured rocks and twigs into useful items. "Black?"

"Combat."

"Brown?"

"Divination," came Lavender's reply.

"Chang?"

"Astronomy."

"Figg? Finnigan?"

"Muggle Studies."

"History of Magic."

"Fletcher, Granger, Longbottom?"

"Advanced DADA."

"Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures."

"Herbology."

"Lupin, Malfoy, Patil?"

"DADA."

"Potions."

"Modern History of Magic."

"Thomas, Weasley Fred, Weasley George, Weasley Ginny?"

"Art in Magic."

"Advanced transfiguration."

"Arithmacy."

"Ron Weasley? Wood, Zabini?"

"Charms."

"Flying."

"Advanced potions."

"And I teach actual defense, hand to hand combat with Sirius," finished Harry. He looked around, made sure every had their timetables and said, "dismissed."

They all then got up, left the table and proceeded throughout the halls. The students were allowed everywhere and anywhere they could get in (not any of the teacher's quarters, of course or their rooms) and took the past week to walk around and learn the castle's floors.

Once everyone arrived at dinner – all fifty-seven plus nineteen teachers – Harry stood and welcomes the students.

"Welcome," he began, and Ron snickered, commenting to Draco that he sounded like Dumbledore. "Welcome to the first year of Bingingham Castle, which is also the Institute of Magic.

"I, your Headmaster Harry Potter, welcome you here and hope that you will enjoy your studies and pay attention in them"—

He was cut off when Ginny snapped, "Like you ever did."

The whole room laughed, and Harry's face burned with embarrassment. "And I suppose you did better, Ms. Weasley?"

Ginny laughed and winked, "of course!"

Harry then continued, "Well. To make a long intro short"—"Too late!" – "Welcome and please, if there are any problems, come and speak to me or any of our teachers here. We wish to help."

There was applause and Hermione said to Harry, who she was seated next to, "wonderful speech. Horribly short, though. Maybe you should work on them, hmm?"

Harry gave her a grin and went to eat – somehow, he had managed to find Dobby and Winky (completely unharmed) who had spread the word through trustworthy magical creatures that a new Hogwarts had opened.

Now, there were at least a hundred house elves in the kitchens (with their own rooms, Hermione made sure of that) working for them.

The meal was delicious and appetizing. The teachers, seated in a 'c' shaped table were able to interact and talk to their small group of students and learn much about them.

That night was the first of many that the group laughed and joked around like they had back at Hogwarts.

Even, Hermione thought later while snuggling down in her bed (which Oliver had crept into the past few days), enough to make me forget everything that has happened.

That night, there were only pleasant dreams.

**-**

Oliver could tell right away that Hermione was nervous. Lunch was just finishing up, and before she just had her first years. Now, she would move on to her fifth years, which were also the largest group she taught.

"You okay?" he asked, leaning in to speak to her privately. Hermione smiled gratefully up at him, her hands a little shaky, but nodded.

"I think I'll be fine. It's just first-day jitters," she replied. Oliver smiled.

"Think about the students, how they feel. Not been in school for years? Learning new magic already? And wandless magic to be exact? They are nervous, Mione," Oliver whispered. Lunch was over; Oliver and Hermione stood along with the other teachers who had not skipped it and proceeded to walk down the hall to where her transfiguration class would be.

A group of fourth and fifth year girls passed them by, giggling as they glanced up at the two. Whispers were heard even after they passed.

"Are Professor Wood and Professor Granger dating?"

"Do they fancy each other?"

They giggled some more and Hermione couldn't help but smile. Once reaching her door, which was open, she kissed him on the cheek and said, "thank you Oliver. I'll speak with you later. Good luck with flying lessons."

She then briskly walked into the class, to the front where a whiteboard was and her desk.

The ten students, seven that were boys and three girls, smiled pleasantly at her. Hermione felt herself loosen up. She placed her textbook down and looked around the class. She did the roll call and smiled when she read one of the names.

"Andrew Creevey?" she asked, and a boy that looked similar to both Colin and Dennis lifted his hand.

"Let me guess, Dennis and Colin are your older brothers?" she grinned. Andrew laughed and nodded.

"Off fighting Voldemort, Professor," he informed her, "They work for an underground resistance in London as Aurors."

"Really," she noted, saving this information to relay later that night. She then continued on, and finally finished. When she had, she handed out textbooks – but surprised everyone by doing it without magic.

They watched in awe as their textbooks floated from her desk one by one quickly to their new owners.

"I see that you are all… speechless… to my new talent," she laughed, leaning against her desk slightly. They looked up at her, weak smiles on their faces. "I know what you're thinking… I'm another McGonagall, right? Wrong, folks. I'll go tons easier on you – don't forget who my best friends are, now – and not only what is being taught in those…"

She trailed off, pointing at the textbooks. "I'll be teaching you some useful tricks for the world. I know this may seem hard, if not impossible… but as the Muggle commercial once said for Gatorade, anything you can do I can do better. You're all going to learn how to perform wandless magic."

There were gasps, but many students looked excited.

"Shocking, isn't it?" Hermione grinned at them, rubbing her hands together. "Well, let's start with review, shall we? See what you all know."

Hermione handed out a work sheet, and watched the students try to perform numerous transfigurations on the sheet; marking which ones they could or couldn't do.

This is much more fun than I thought, she grinned, sitting down in her seat. Too much fun!

**-**

Halfway through her seventh-year lesson of Care of Magical Creatures in the stables, Harry appeared and motioned to speak with Hermione alone.

"Yes?" she asked, letting her students take notes on the nifflers she asked them to study.

"Ron just came to inform me there's at least forty new students arriving," he said.

"How?" she replied shocked.

"I don't know," said Harry. "I suppose news spread quickly and now they've been sending letters to wonder where we are. Our school is growing."

"But with Voldemort," Hermione began, "we can't have them safely on a train or… bus or boat to get here, Harry. Maybe, if we had a transportation piece that appeared and disappeared instantaneously without leaving magical residue behind, it could be done…"

She trailed off, musing.

Harry nodded and swallowed. "Hermi, can you drop your theories of magical channeling and mutations to work on this foremost? Safety is a key here."

"I know," she murmured. "Harry?"

"Yeah?" he asked, starting to walk away.

Hermione stopped, and called out, aware that her students could hear, "find out about Hogwarts, will you? Who's still there and… and if anyone we know… is still alive. We could use some of them, you know."

Harry nodded, noticing Hermione's pain. She had been fond and close to many of the teachers there, and them likewise on her. She missed them and their ways.

"I will," he smiled before walking away and across the grounds.

As it was the last class, Hermione spun on her heel and said happily, "class dismissed early. Homework: make those notes neat because you'll be writing an essay soon on nifflers."

The students cheered and left, gathering their bags. Soon, Hermione was left alone in the stables.

She wandered from stall to stall, looking at hurt nifflers they had rescued, unicorns, regular horses, winged horses, griffins, hippogriffs, they even had a small newly-hatched Common Welsh Green.

Finally stopping before one of the stalls, which held a beautiful black stallion. Hermione personally had two horses at IoM stables, using the Dale for classes and Philippe, her Clydesdale, for everyday riding throughout the large hundred acre grounds.

At the moment, Hermione needed to get away, and decided to quickly saddle Philippe up. She swung her legs over stallion and petted him. His ebony mane hid his long neck, but Hermione patted him all the while, leaning forward to feed him a carrot.

"Are you ready for a run, Philippe?" she asked her horse. A neigh was her response, so she urged her forward. His hoofs clunked down on the wooded stable floor, and just as Hermione left the building did Oliver zoom over with his broom.

Philippe regarded the broom with disgust – he bit and shook his head, turning it away from the magical item. He preferred humans riding him and not brooms. After all, Hermione was kind to him and always had a carrot or sugar cube ready for him.

"Oliver," she said surprised. "What brings you out here?"

"I wanted to talk to you," he said. Looking at Philippe, he asked, "Is there another horse"—Philippe snorted again—"that I can ride myself?"

"Of course. Saddle one of the school's up."

"You mean this one is yours?" Oliver was flabbergasted. "I didn't know you could ride that well!"

Hermione laughed and Philippe began to relax, understanding that Hermione cared about this man and he cared for her. "Philippe is my stallion. I had him… magically transported here after my parents death."

"Philippe? How'd you come up with that name?" Oliver asked, while Hermione followed him back inside the stable. She was still on Philippe.

"Philippe is the name of the horse Belle has in Beauty and the Beast," she gushed, her cheeks red. "I loved that movie."

Oliver smiled up at her, and finished getting one of the school's mares ready. He swung his long legs over and sat straight and professionally on her.

"Ready?" asked Hermione, as Oliver grinned. Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You've ridden professionally, haven't you? I can just see you playing polo…"

Oliver laughed and they started out. Harry had been overly keen about having the whole school surrounded by a magical wall that blocked out the rest of the world. The Institute was well hidden in the mist and fog, and only in its center was it clear. Harry made sure that if there were an attack, it would not come from inside the school, as he had also made it into a sphere, not allowing anyone to apparate or disapparate in the school.

They rode their horses at a leisurely pace, before turning back around and heading to the school.

"Have you done anything more on the theories?" asked Oliver. Hermione shook her head.

"Harry came to see me today and he asked me to drop that for a transportation method instead," she said, "He was saying something about forty plus students wanting to arrive but he was unsure as of how."

Oliver nodded, and they rode the rest of the way in silence. Finally, he asked, "Well, do you have any theories?"

"Of course," she said. Turning, Hermione ran a hand through her wavy brown hair. "But… I really don't want to go through any of them at the moment. Teaching wandless magic will be hard enough, you know."

"Yeah," laughed Oliver. "You should have seen Ron. I dropped by in his charms class and you know what his opening line was?"

"No, what?"

Oliver tried to impersonate Ron, and said in his best Ron voice, " 'Okay. I'm Ron Weasley, my best friends are Hermione Granger and Harry Potter and I hate charms. I'm not good in it and I really don't care if you are too. I suck. But I'm better than Seamus Finnigan 'cause in our first year, he blew up his feather on the first day of classes. I hope none of you do, because if you do, I'm going to fail you right now'."

Hermione gapped. "Ron actually said that?!"

Oliver nodded and laughed. "But then he changed moods drastically and everyone was able to perform 'wingardium leviosa' with no problems."

"Good," sighed Hermione, letting out the air she was holding. "If Ron had truly said that and not done anything afterwards correctly I'd chew him out myself personally."

Oliver then slid off his horse, placed her back in her stall and went to help Hermione. He grasped her tightly by the waist and helped her down, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.

"Thanks," she whispered, clinging tightly to him. Oliver smiled softly at her, and kissed her on her nose.

"No problem," he said. He then took Philippe into his stall, groomed him down while Hermione watched, her eyes twinkling in the dusk.

Once he finished, they walked back to the school, hand in hand, smiling secret smiles at each other.

From above, Harry and Ron stood watching them from the Arthur room window.

"They make a nice couple, don't you agree?" asked Harry, grinning. Ron nodded, his own freckled face split into a grin.

"Very cute," he commented.

"What are you two staring at?" came Ginny's voice. The two jumped, startled and tried to block her view of the large window.

"Nothing, Gin, nothing"—

"We weren't looking at anything, just talking"—

Ginny grinned and looked at the two before pushing them out of the way. She looked around the grounds, spotting Hermione and Oliver walking up the steps.

"Aw, isn't that cute?" she cooed. "Did you two know about this?"

Harry moved away, cleared his throat and asked, "Have the papers on the first set of Death Eaters ready, Ginny?"

Ginny grinned, rolled her eyes and muttered, "The old 'change the topic' clue. And yes, Potter, they're ready."

**-**

Hermione was in her classroom, grading papers when there was a knock on her door. Looking up, she said, "enter."

The door opened and the little girl, Lindsay O'Connell, walked in. "Professor Granger?"

Hermione looked up again, and smiled. "Lindsay, come on in. Is there something wrong? Is everything okay?"

Lindsay smiled shyly and walked up to Hermione's desk. "Professor… uh… I was having some trouble with my transfiguration homework."

"With the changing a pin into a leaf?" Hermione looked shocked. "You were doing fine in class."

Lindsay turned red.

"That's not what you wanted to ask, is it?" Hermione smiled at the girl. "Go on, ask."

"Are you and Professor Wood dating?" she blurted, her eyes wide. Hermione chuckled softly and left her desk. She sat in one of the student's desk and motioned Lindsay to also sit.

She sat and Hermione began, "I suppose so. It's not like we could really do anything, though. We're confined to the grounds as you are unless we go on missions outside… for classified reasons. But if you also want to ask if I fancy Oliver, I do."

"Are you two going to get married?" she asked, her youthful curiosity getting the best of her.

Hermione outright laughed. "Oh, Lindsay, I don't know! We just started really expressing our feelings this past week… we're not ready to get married."

"Oh," her face fell and she stood. "Well, thank you for your time, Professor Granger." She paused at the door, and then squeaked, "I do hope that you and Professor Wood get married! You're a very nice couple!" and was gone in a flash, leaving her speechless.

Hermione grinned at the spot Lindsay stood and shook her head. Gathering her papers, she walked down the hall to her chambers, opening her door with her password.

Inside, Hermione dumped everything on her coffee table and proceeded to go into the bathroom. However, Oliver wrapping his arms around her waist as she undid her tight bun detained her. Ringlets fell down, framing her face.

"Oliver," said Hermione, surprised. "I didn't know you were here."

He chuckled, spinning her. "I know. I sorry. Do you want me to go?"

"No, no, it's all right. I want to tell you what just happened."

"Oh?"

"Yes, it's quite funny – well, cute, actually – so please listen." Hermione smiled at him and sat on one of her suite couches. "You know that Lindsay O'Connell girl? She just came into my classroom and asked me if we were dating, and then asked if we were going to get married."

He laughed and hugged Hermione. Letting her go, he started towards her door, but stopped after he opened it. "Honestly, Mione, I would like to marry you… but I'd ask when you're ready. I'd wait forever for you."

He shut the door before Hermione could reply.

That was twice in less than an hour that Hermione was left speechless.

**-**

"Hermione? Do you have any ideas as to how we're going to get the new students here?" asked Draco, from his spot across from her at the table. Hermione looked up from taping her quill against the table softly, before sighed and standing up. She brushed some of her brown glossy hair behind her ear, glanced over at Oliver once, and cleared her throat.

"Well, I've got an idea, but… I'm not sure it will work," she said softly. "Actually, without a really strong, ancient spell, I doubt that we'll be able to perform the transportation one-hundred percent accurately."

"Meaning?" asked Arabella, her fingers laced eloquently underneath her chin.

Hermione looked at her, and slipped some reading glasses on the end of her nose. She found that her prescription hadn't changed after all those years, and the plastic had been safe in her pocket when frozen. "Well, meaning that unless we find a really powerful, really old (preferably Celtic or Norwegian origin), we won't be able to safely get the students here, being that large a number."

There were groans around the room.

"Any idea where to get a spell book to find those spells?" asked Seamus, twiddling his pen. Ginny coughed and shifted.

Again, Hermione sighed. "No. Hogwarts was the only place I could think of…" she trailed off.

Something tickled Oliver at the corner of his mind. He frowned, trying to think about it, only to have it disappear. He concentrated on Hermione's voice.

"So we're screwed," moaned Dean, his head resting on the table now.

"No, not really. All it will take is some time to locate…" Hermione's voice trailed off and Oliver found himself stuck in a memory.

"Latin?" Catherine's interest perked. "I have an old Latin spell book – or so my mother said," she laughed.

Oliver stopped smiling. "Catherine? You do?"

"Yes… would it be helpful?" she asked.

"I think it might save their lives." Oliver replied, evenly…

Someone was dead, and it wasn't too hard to guess whom. Oliver let his head roll onto his chest.

He opened his fist and read in what little light they had, Book of Shadows, my Grandmother's spell book. Under the alphabetical letter 'W', look for Wallace…

Oliver's eyes flew open and he said before he realized, "Catherine Granger's BOS!"
Hermione stopped talking and turned towards him, her mouth open. "My great-grandmother's Book of Shadows?" she asked slowly, thinking it over.

Everyone turned and looked at her. Cho perked up, nodding.

"That's right! That's where we found the counter-curse for the Glacialis curse!" she chirped. "Perhaps it will have something for instant transportation stronger than apparation!"

"But… it will take very strong wizards, in general, to perform it, if that's true," Hermione said slowly, thinking it over as quickly as she could in her mind. "But if it works… we've got a weapon against Voldemort."

"Well, what are you waiting for, girl? Go get it!" Ron's grin was as wide as his face as Hermione nodded and walked briskly towards the door. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she hardly realized that she walked through the door and had never touched the handle.

All eighteen members in the King Arthur Conference Room jaws dropped. Neville stuttered, "Did any of you manipulate your mutations to get them to work for your advantage yet?"

No one nodded their head, only kept their eyes riveted where Hermione had disappeared. The door handle twisted, turned, and Hermione stepped through, it closing softly behind her.

"Well, I was checking on the way until I got here," she replied, unaware of everyone's eye. She looked up when no one replied. "What? Is something wrong?"

Harry caught his voice first, "Hermione."

"Yes?"

"Did you know that you already mastered your mutation?" he asked evenly and straightforward.

Hermione's own jaw dropped now. "What?? I need? What did I do?"

"While we Renaissance can all move items with our minds, you…" Draco trailed off, moving his hands about, trying to grasp the correct words. "You… are able to travel through solid objects."

Hermione's reaction was instantaneous. "What! No way!" She turned to Oliver for confirmation, knowing he wouldn't lie to her. "Did I?" she whispered.

Oliver nodded, his eyes wide. Hermione inwardly groaned and fell into her chair. Great, now Oliver will hate me and think I'm a freak and our relationship will turn to shit.

Ginny's voice consoled her. "Don't worry Herm, everything will work out. Oliver should understand your new powers."

"Thanks Gin, I appreciate—" Hermione's voice stopped short. Her eyes sought Ginny out, which looked confused.

"What?" she asked.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Hermione asked softly. Now it was everyone's turn to face Ginny.

"B-But didn't you just say that out loud?" she mumbled, her eyes darting around. Hermione shook her head slightly.

No, I thought it. She thought, throwing her thought to Ginny. She caught it, Hermione felt, and her eyes widened.

"I can read minds," she whispered. Lavender sulked.

"And I always thought I was the good one in divination," she muttered, slouching in her seat good-naturally.

The group sighed and Harry stood. "I officially call this meeting off. We'll resume in three days, Friday. There, Hermione, you will present to use whether or not we can use a strong instant transportation spell, and work further on your theories. I think that they will be more use to us now than ever."

The meeting was adjourned and the witches and wizards wearily made their way out of the room and back to their chambers. Harry left, leaving Hermione and Ginny alone.

"I didn't know your mutation was mind-reading," whispered Hermione. Ginny looked as frightened as she did.

"I know," she said back, her voice just as small as Hermione's. "And you – dematerialization! Wow!"

Hermione looked down glumly. I don't think Oliver will think that.

"Sure he will," assured Ginny, before clamping a hand over her mouth. Hermione grinned up at her.

"Don't worry. I purposely sent that to you. I can guard my thoughts, but we'll need to teach you to use those mutations!"

Ginny grinned, glancing at the door. "Shall we go outside and see who's waiting for you?"

"You mean scare him."

"Well, can you use your power with me attached to you?"

Hermione considered this. "Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?"

She then took Ginny's arm in hers, and walked confidently through the wall. She could feel the atoms rearranging themselves to allow her through, but felt the slight struggle Ginny had when pulling through. However, they came out perfectly fine as if there was no wall.

Oliver jumped but said nothing.

He wants to talk to you, Ginny's voice whispered across Hermione's mind. Hermione, in turn, glared at her.

Keep your mind to yourself. Don't look into my boyfriends! She scolded, and smiled sweetly at Oliver. "Do you want to go somewhere to talk?"

He nodded, glanced oddly at Ginny, who giggled, before taking Hermione's hand. "Yeah… yeah… let's go."

They disappeared down the corridor; leaving Ginny pondering over Hermione's last thought, don't let anything go wrong.

**-**

A/N: Is it just I, or have the chapters become longer?? ((Looks confused)) Anyway!

Smile7499: It's really hard to say how their powers mutated because a lot of that will come out in Hermione's theories throughout the story… but I can say that over the time they were frozen, the powers (think of a hole, like how Hermione explained earlier) grew. Since they weren't aware of this, the magic in them became untamed, wild. Therefore, their strength increased and now they have talents and magic they've never thought they had, but were dormant in them the whole time. Does that help?

ChocolateFrog17: LOL! Just keep writing, playing around with ideas. Usually the craziest end up being the most fun to write, and the ones that others will love to read! ^_^

Nentikobe: references to real-life!! There is?!? **Goes crazy and rereads the story so far** I never noticed! Iie! Lol, yeah, there are references to Wicca in the story. So sometimes, depending on what the magic is, it may be spelt magic or magick. I, personally, am not a Wiccan, but I have read up on it for the story ^_^ (*coughs* The Complete Idiots Guide to Wicca *coughs*) and I love Cate Tiernan's Sweep. If you want to read bout it fictionally, check that book series out. It's worth the time to read, and that's where I'll be getting a lot of my sources (or at least, Wiccan ones). And no, my name is not Katie. It's… Tracey ^_^

Anna: Sure will – Sirius and Remus play a large role in this fic too – all mentioned characters do – but try not to get too attached to some… it may turn out… **evil music** disastrous! MWAHAHAH!!

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