Disclaimer- Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling and Warner
Brothers do.
*
As they descended slowly into the thick, mist like gloom, Ron found that more and more often he was sneaking side-ways glances at his one-time love.
Hermione totally absorbed in her own thoughts failed to notice Ron's attention. She had come to wonder fervently as she had many a time since Sirius' arrival what Ron's strange protectiveness was. Was it simply care that he'd show for any non-auror member of a mission? Or was it that he still loved her? Loved her in the way that Ginny used to tease her about, that Harry used to smile knowingly about, that she refused to admit was there? Yet she had known and, reluctantly at first, returned that love, yet stubbornness had gotten in the way and neither came any closer to admitting their feelings. Had it been this denial that had driven them apart. Would life have been different if they had admitted what they felt? 'And what' Thought Hermione, 'do I feel now?'
Sirius had noticed his young colleagues fleeting looks towards the pretty rune expert that were both filled with ardent admiration and profound concern. Had noticed the look of confusion and loss that was battling across the curly-haired woman's face, the look that gave away her thoughts. He smiled, a knowing smile that had so often been smiled by his late godson.
They stopped at midday for the picnic lunch provided by Rose. "Umm cheese and pickle- my favourite," was Sirius' response to the sandwiches.
They didn't stop for long and were soon trudging on. The only sounds that could be heard were those of their own footsteps and breathing, apart from that- silence.
When at last they reached the end of the downward staircase they were greeted by a dim, un-earthly, blue light that was radiating from a small slab of stones, Ron sighed in disappointment for no runes were visible. Sirius shook his head and started to say he must have been wrong.
Hermione however had her wand drawn.
"Runos appearos." She said, loudly and clearly.
All at once shining green runes appeared. They were more complicated than any Ron had ever seen and Sirius looked completely baffled. Even Hermione wore a frown.
"What is it?" Ron asked her. "Can't you decipher them?"
"I can." She said giving him a look of pure disdain, one that sent him back into the past, back into the days when he'd asked her for help on his homework. She'd given him that look then.
"It says-
'On the Autumn Equinox in your dreams I will come and whisper to you the secret of my power. But first you must blood on your hands, blood of the mudbloods who shadow our race, blood of the muggle, their blindness and all, finally blood of your loved one. If these murders you have committed than a loyal Deatheater you have proven yourself and rewarded you will be.'
And it's signed, 'Lord Voldemort, forever powerful even in death' "
Hermione's words echoed in the eerie passage.
"It can't come true though, surely?" Ron asked his voice shaking.
"Harry destroyed all of Voldemort's power when he snapped his wand but I'm still not sure. A Deatheater would be anxious for the power promised and some would go to great lengths to get it, even if it meant killing their loved one." Sirius said grimly.
"Who could do such a thing?" Hermione asked.
"You'd be surprised. Can you send this thing to your office in the Runic Institute? I already have a team of aurors waiting to guard it. We need to study it further."
"Of course," Hermione said efficiently performing a complex spell that she was used to. Like the banishing spell it could send things away, but this was more precise and even had enough power to send the article through walls and enchantments.
Their journey back through the gloom was subdued the words of the prophecy ringing clearly in everyone's mind. Nobody spoke until they had reached the bottom of the cliff.
"Are you up to apparating?" Ron asked Hermione, her spell had taken a lot of energy and she was visibly suffering from it.
She gave him an 'I can take care of myself' scowl and said, "Of course I'm up to it! Why wouldn't…"
She swayed on her feet and could felt suddenly very queasy as if someone had just performed a very powerful spell on her, 'no', she told herself, 'I'm just tired!'
Darkness engulfed her as she fell to the ground.
*
AN- well: that was short still but what did you think? Review please!
*
As they descended slowly into the thick, mist like gloom, Ron found that more and more often he was sneaking side-ways glances at his one-time love.
Hermione totally absorbed in her own thoughts failed to notice Ron's attention. She had come to wonder fervently as she had many a time since Sirius' arrival what Ron's strange protectiveness was. Was it simply care that he'd show for any non-auror member of a mission? Or was it that he still loved her? Loved her in the way that Ginny used to tease her about, that Harry used to smile knowingly about, that she refused to admit was there? Yet she had known and, reluctantly at first, returned that love, yet stubbornness had gotten in the way and neither came any closer to admitting their feelings. Had it been this denial that had driven them apart. Would life have been different if they had admitted what they felt? 'And what' Thought Hermione, 'do I feel now?'
Sirius had noticed his young colleagues fleeting looks towards the pretty rune expert that were both filled with ardent admiration and profound concern. Had noticed the look of confusion and loss that was battling across the curly-haired woman's face, the look that gave away her thoughts. He smiled, a knowing smile that had so often been smiled by his late godson.
They stopped at midday for the picnic lunch provided by Rose. "Umm cheese and pickle- my favourite," was Sirius' response to the sandwiches.
They didn't stop for long and were soon trudging on. The only sounds that could be heard were those of their own footsteps and breathing, apart from that- silence.
When at last they reached the end of the downward staircase they were greeted by a dim, un-earthly, blue light that was radiating from a small slab of stones, Ron sighed in disappointment for no runes were visible. Sirius shook his head and started to say he must have been wrong.
Hermione however had her wand drawn.
"Runos appearos." She said, loudly and clearly.
All at once shining green runes appeared. They were more complicated than any Ron had ever seen and Sirius looked completely baffled. Even Hermione wore a frown.
"What is it?" Ron asked her. "Can't you decipher them?"
"I can." She said giving him a look of pure disdain, one that sent him back into the past, back into the days when he'd asked her for help on his homework. She'd given him that look then.
"It says-
'On the Autumn Equinox in your dreams I will come and whisper to you the secret of my power. But first you must blood on your hands, blood of the mudbloods who shadow our race, blood of the muggle, their blindness and all, finally blood of your loved one. If these murders you have committed than a loyal Deatheater you have proven yourself and rewarded you will be.'
And it's signed, 'Lord Voldemort, forever powerful even in death' "
Hermione's words echoed in the eerie passage.
"It can't come true though, surely?" Ron asked his voice shaking.
"Harry destroyed all of Voldemort's power when he snapped his wand but I'm still not sure. A Deatheater would be anxious for the power promised and some would go to great lengths to get it, even if it meant killing their loved one." Sirius said grimly.
"Who could do such a thing?" Hermione asked.
"You'd be surprised. Can you send this thing to your office in the Runic Institute? I already have a team of aurors waiting to guard it. We need to study it further."
"Of course," Hermione said efficiently performing a complex spell that she was used to. Like the banishing spell it could send things away, but this was more precise and even had enough power to send the article through walls and enchantments.
Their journey back through the gloom was subdued the words of the prophecy ringing clearly in everyone's mind. Nobody spoke until they had reached the bottom of the cliff.
"Are you up to apparating?" Ron asked Hermione, her spell had taken a lot of energy and she was visibly suffering from it.
She gave him an 'I can take care of myself' scowl and said, "Of course I'm up to it! Why wouldn't…"
She swayed on her feet and could felt suddenly very queasy as if someone had just performed a very powerful spell on her, 'no', she told herself, 'I'm just tired!'
Darkness engulfed her as she fell to the ground.
*
AN- well: that was short still but what did you think? Review please!
