Chapter Seven She Just Doesn't Know
She stood out, even in the black uniform that flung loosely over her jutting curves. She lost a lot of weight, over the last month. Or two, when he really started to think about. Absently, he rubbed the back of his neck His index finger and thumb easily circled her wrist in the dining hall. All he wanted to say was he was sorry about ignoring and to join them, Hermione was nudging him the whole time so he figured he better speak up.
Then she headed to the Slytherin table. What was that? That house was completely against Muggles in general and prefers to go on living their whole life not speaking to one, let alone coming into intimate contact.
It was the tears and the jabbing words that churned his stomach. The words hurt but he struck when her defenses were low. If you're going to kick a puppy be prepared to have the animal strike back.
Tiny tinkling of piano keys was coming down the hall. A group of first years were fiddling with the lock. It easily had a magical spell on it. Hermione and Ron who were speaking quietly among themselves shared a smile with him.
"Wonder whose playing?" Ron placed an ear to the door.
Hermione paused, "And singing?" Sure enough a muffled voice was barely escaping through the heavy door that graced many of the halls. With an expert wrist movement, and "Allahomora" the first years watched Hermione was reverence. Hermione was the smartest witch attending Hogswarts, perhaps the smartest ever. "Standard book of spells, chapter seven."
The door creaked open; the piano music spilling into the corridor was a gentle slow song. A tiny figure was hunched over the ivories, her fingers delicately pressing the keys. Her voice was a little low, almost husky, "Please come now I think I'm falling / I'm holding to all I think is safe / It seems I found the road to nowhere / And I'm trying to escape /I yelled back when I heard thunder / But I'm down to one last breath / And with it let me say /Let me say / Hold me now / I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking / That maybe six feet / Ain't so far down."
The music began to play again, her back swaying, rocking to the music. The pain in her voice was evident; the first years were watching him intently to watch his reaction. Rons' was plain, distaste written on his freckled face. Crinkling his blue eyes on the girls back, he had enough. "Crazy Muggle." When he left, Harry paused and then followed suit. The first years quickly left trailing behind the seniors. Hermione however noticed the pause in the music and watched how she changed the melody. No likes to here a song about despair.
A little classic piece, Hermione couldn't pick it out but it was fast but soothing. Gently closing the door, she joined Meg at the piano bench. "Please continue," she said when the melody stopped. Meg placed her hands on her lap instead. Her hair curtained her face as her chin drooped almost to her chest. Hermione felt her heart go out to the girl. She placed one hand on the nearest shoulder. It wasn't shrugged off but she felt the muscle jump in surprise, perhaps even fear? "My name is Hermione Granger." The young witch said to the brown shine of hair. Another pause. More silence. "I'm in my seventh year here at Hogswarts and . . . "
"I know who you are." Meg whispered. She brushed her hair back with her hand, tucking it behind her ear. Hermione could see the beauty beneath the pale, gaunt cheeks and hallowed out eyes. "You are friends with Harry Potter and a red hair boy, Ronald? You are presently the highest-ranking student at Hogswarts, despite the fact that you were born of Muggle parents. Both of who are dentists. Please let go of my shoulder, and I won't be able to pry anymore." The hand instantly dropped. "I'm sorry. I'm so tired that I don't think I could try to stop it."
Hermione took a deep breath; the shock was beginning to fade. "Stop what?" This girl needs a friend, and be damn if it wasn't going to be her. Being an outsider by having extraordinary abilities, as in extreme intelligent, she knew what it was like to feel lonely.
"Harry never mentioned it? He probably doesn't understand it himself. I don't really understand if fully myself." A dry laugh escaped her pale lips. She shifted her weight to turn towards Hermione, "I have a gift . . . a curse . . . whatever you wish to call it. I can touch objects and receive their memories, and sometimes possibly their future. After a few days, I usually forget the reading, or simply refuse to recall it. That is more easier than preventing the feelings." She lifted her eyes up to Hermione. "I really don't what to talk about it."
"I understand."
The piano, bored of being ignored began to play. Meg leapt into the air. "Amazing."
"You'll get used to it."
"Probably not. I wouldn't be here long. My parents are going to relieved to see me. I sure I gave them quite a scare." Meg slipped off the piano bench, Hermione only watched. Did Dumbledore tell her yet? He must of not. Biting her lip, she walked to the door.
"Do you have a meeting with the Headmaster this evening?" Hermione asked quietly, but slowly. She opened the heavy door and watch Meg glide through. Closing the door, she reset the lock.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering," she answered. "Come to the common room. I know some people who would love to meet you."
Meg followed the witch. "Thank you. For being so kind."
"Its no trouble. Ah, here we are." Hermione stopped at a portrait of a rather large lady.
Confused, Meg looked over her shoulder. "I don't see anything." But at that instant, Hermione muttered a word and the picture swung open on her hinges. Meg clapped in delight. "Truly wonderful!"
Meg stepped into the petit tunnel that connected the common room to the outer castle. As she emerged, a bright red room greeted her. A healthy fire was crackling in numerous fireplaces. Wizards and witches conversing amongst themselves or frowning over homework occupied large comfy chairs and couches. A game of chess was being played in the corner, but the pieces were magically moving on them own.
Suddenly a blur of grey and red bounded at her. The urge to scream and protect her head was suppressed as the blur swung its arms around the girl, threatening to squeeze her insides to mush. "Thank goodness you are okay. Mum and da are going to be so happy. They were so worried on days on end."
"Err, do I know you?"
Hermione watched the young girl pull herself from away from the 6th year. Minimal contact. Amazing, Meg really did tried not to pry into anyone's life.
"Meg, this is Ginny Weasley. Ron Weasleys' sister. Ginny, Meaghan Fountaine . . . "
Meg held out her hand, "It's a pleasure." Ginny shook the hand with gusto.
"You got such a cute accent, you know?" The red head launched into a conversation with Hermione before Meg could protest the comment.
"So Harry said yes, in all? No problem whatsoever?"
Hermione laughed, "He did give his word, he must completely sympathize with me and agreed to help. I really hope Jorge is feeling better soon. I just have to find a Cornelia."
Ginny shook her head in agreement. "We are going to pull to off do worry about. I'm sorry Meg, here we are prattling off leaving you drown -"
"I'm a lifeguard. I can't drown."
"A what --? Wait, lets' head up to my room. Everyone is staring if they never saw three gorgeous girls talking before." Ginny grabbed Meg's wrist and began to drag her up the stairs. This girl is a tornado!
As she rounded another corner, she found herself stopping short. "'Oy Harry, Ron. I wrote mum and da, they're coming to visit . . . "
Ron lost the twinkle in his eyes as he folded his arms. "Why?"
"To take -" Ginny stopped as Hermione was making a slashing motion across her neck. Her head was shaking and lips were mouthing 'no'. Ron and Harry noticed the panic but Meg appeared interested in her shoes didn't see the motion behind. "You never know with mum and da. We'll have to find out later. Talk to you in a bit." Before she continued passed the guys, she gave Hermione 'you better explain this later!' look.
Meg followed through the door up to the girls' dormitories. "Please don't drag me. I have to two legs." Ginny laughed at the honesty, and Meg began to relax.
"Sorry, I have to take charge to get anything done in my household."
"Why?"
"I have six older brothers, they don't all live at home anymore. Actually it's only Ron, and me but when they all come to visit. Watch out!"
Meg spluttered. "Six! Six Brothers! I feel bad for your boyfriend."
Ginny shrugged, "It happens. Hermione is like their adoptive sister, and her guy friends have to go through the third degree too. Remember the fling with Krum? Ah, home sweet home."
Inside the room were four beds, large canopies' with small, subtle ruffles and frills. Two long windows over looked a field with 3 hoops on poles at each end. Interesting. Dressers and closets were covered with pictures of friends and family, all waving to the new visitor.
"Amazing," Meg said as she peered closer. "They more, as in the paintings. Unbelievable. I feel like I entered the twilight zone." The two witches shrugged but Meg didn't try to elaborate. "It's nothing important."
"Who is Cornelia?" and "What is a lifeguard?" came out together.
All three laughed, as they flopped onto the bed.
Meg looked up to see blue and brown eyes crinkle with mirth. She realized how close these two girls were. They easily passed signals back and forth without consciously thinking about it.
"I'll answer first," Meg said pulling the pillow under stomach, and hugging the top part of it. She lifted her legs up, and began to swing her legs. Hermione was sitting cross-legged on the bed and Ginny half slipped over the bed, her head propped up by her hands. "Lifeguard is a person who watches over people who are swimming at a pool, beach or lake. We have to go under a lot of specialized training, first aid, and public relation situations. All that fun stuff. However it hold a lot of responsibility." Hermione nodded in agreement, she thought all as much.
"Cool, I think Hermione should explain who Cornelia is." Ginny said, pulling herself back up to the bed.
"Well," Hermione began first explaining of how she found the play. "In summary, its about a Princess Cornelia who falls in love with a peasant, Marcus, and wants to run away with him. However her father engages her to a prince of a neighboring country."
"So what happens?" Meg asked eagerly.
Hermione gave a half smile. "You got to go see the play."
"Sneaky, sneaky."
"I know."
A small beep came from Meg's watch. "Ah! I have to go meet Mr. Dumbledore." She scrambled off the bed. She headed towards the door, and then turned. "Thanks so much for the talk. I really appreciated. When I go home, you both will have to come visit. My parents will love to meet you, witches n' all. Take care." She gave a last wave and gently closed the door behind her.
"She doesn't know?" Ginny asked alarmed.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm glad your mother is going to be there. It will make everything easier."
"How do you think is going to take it? One thing to realize that your parents are dead, another is find out that you are staying in a country halfway across the ocean."
Ginny and Hermione were left to their own thoughts.
~*~~*~
Okay, okay. A little boring ending, but I do have to build my plot. A nasty little thing in writing. You do you think I made Ginny too happy? I like to think that she is going to break out of her shell once she gets over her crush on Harry.
She stood out, even in the black uniform that flung loosely over her jutting curves. She lost a lot of weight, over the last month. Or two, when he really started to think about. Absently, he rubbed the back of his neck His index finger and thumb easily circled her wrist in the dining hall. All he wanted to say was he was sorry about ignoring and to join them, Hermione was nudging him the whole time so he figured he better speak up.
Then she headed to the Slytherin table. What was that? That house was completely against Muggles in general and prefers to go on living their whole life not speaking to one, let alone coming into intimate contact.
It was the tears and the jabbing words that churned his stomach. The words hurt but he struck when her defenses were low. If you're going to kick a puppy be prepared to have the animal strike back.
Tiny tinkling of piano keys was coming down the hall. A group of first years were fiddling with the lock. It easily had a magical spell on it. Hermione and Ron who were speaking quietly among themselves shared a smile with him.
"Wonder whose playing?" Ron placed an ear to the door.
Hermione paused, "And singing?" Sure enough a muffled voice was barely escaping through the heavy door that graced many of the halls. With an expert wrist movement, and "Allahomora" the first years watched Hermione was reverence. Hermione was the smartest witch attending Hogswarts, perhaps the smartest ever. "Standard book of spells, chapter seven."
The door creaked open; the piano music spilling into the corridor was a gentle slow song. A tiny figure was hunched over the ivories, her fingers delicately pressing the keys. Her voice was a little low, almost husky, "Please come now I think I'm falling / I'm holding to all I think is safe / It seems I found the road to nowhere / And I'm trying to escape /I yelled back when I heard thunder / But I'm down to one last breath / And with it let me say /Let me say / Hold me now / I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking / That maybe six feet / Ain't so far down."
The music began to play again, her back swaying, rocking to the music. The pain in her voice was evident; the first years were watching him intently to watch his reaction. Rons' was plain, distaste written on his freckled face. Crinkling his blue eyes on the girls back, he had enough. "Crazy Muggle." When he left, Harry paused and then followed suit. The first years quickly left trailing behind the seniors. Hermione however noticed the pause in the music and watched how she changed the melody. No likes to here a song about despair.
A little classic piece, Hermione couldn't pick it out but it was fast but soothing. Gently closing the door, she joined Meg at the piano bench. "Please continue," she said when the melody stopped. Meg placed her hands on her lap instead. Her hair curtained her face as her chin drooped almost to her chest. Hermione felt her heart go out to the girl. She placed one hand on the nearest shoulder. It wasn't shrugged off but she felt the muscle jump in surprise, perhaps even fear? "My name is Hermione Granger." The young witch said to the brown shine of hair. Another pause. More silence. "I'm in my seventh year here at Hogswarts and . . . "
"I know who you are." Meg whispered. She brushed her hair back with her hand, tucking it behind her ear. Hermione could see the beauty beneath the pale, gaunt cheeks and hallowed out eyes. "You are friends with Harry Potter and a red hair boy, Ronald? You are presently the highest-ranking student at Hogswarts, despite the fact that you were born of Muggle parents. Both of who are dentists. Please let go of my shoulder, and I won't be able to pry anymore." The hand instantly dropped. "I'm sorry. I'm so tired that I don't think I could try to stop it."
Hermione took a deep breath; the shock was beginning to fade. "Stop what?" This girl needs a friend, and be damn if it wasn't going to be her. Being an outsider by having extraordinary abilities, as in extreme intelligent, she knew what it was like to feel lonely.
"Harry never mentioned it? He probably doesn't understand it himself. I don't really understand if fully myself." A dry laugh escaped her pale lips. She shifted her weight to turn towards Hermione, "I have a gift . . . a curse . . . whatever you wish to call it. I can touch objects and receive their memories, and sometimes possibly their future. After a few days, I usually forget the reading, or simply refuse to recall it. That is more easier than preventing the feelings." She lifted her eyes up to Hermione. "I really don't what to talk about it."
"I understand."
The piano, bored of being ignored began to play. Meg leapt into the air. "Amazing."
"You'll get used to it."
"Probably not. I wouldn't be here long. My parents are going to relieved to see me. I sure I gave them quite a scare." Meg slipped off the piano bench, Hermione only watched. Did Dumbledore tell her yet? He must of not. Biting her lip, she walked to the door.
"Do you have a meeting with the Headmaster this evening?" Hermione asked quietly, but slowly. She opened the heavy door and watch Meg glide through. Closing the door, she reset the lock.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering," she answered. "Come to the common room. I know some people who would love to meet you."
Meg followed the witch. "Thank you. For being so kind."
"Its no trouble. Ah, here we are." Hermione stopped at a portrait of a rather large lady.
Confused, Meg looked over her shoulder. "I don't see anything." But at that instant, Hermione muttered a word and the picture swung open on her hinges. Meg clapped in delight. "Truly wonderful!"
Meg stepped into the petit tunnel that connected the common room to the outer castle. As she emerged, a bright red room greeted her. A healthy fire was crackling in numerous fireplaces. Wizards and witches conversing amongst themselves or frowning over homework occupied large comfy chairs and couches. A game of chess was being played in the corner, but the pieces were magically moving on them own.
Suddenly a blur of grey and red bounded at her. The urge to scream and protect her head was suppressed as the blur swung its arms around the girl, threatening to squeeze her insides to mush. "Thank goodness you are okay. Mum and da are going to be so happy. They were so worried on days on end."
"Err, do I know you?"
Hermione watched the young girl pull herself from away from the 6th year. Minimal contact. Amazing, Meg really did tried not to pry into anyone's life.
"Meg, this is Ginny Weasley. Ron Weasleys' sister. Ginny, Meaghan Fountaine . . . "
Meg held out her hand, "It's a pleasure." Ginny shook the hand with gusto.
"You got such a cute accent, you know?" The red head launched into a conversation with Hermione before Meg could protest the comment.
"So Harry said yes, in all? No problem whatsoever?"
Hermione laughed, "He did give his word, he must completely sympathize with me and agreed to help. I really hope Jorge is feeling better soon. I just have to find a Cornelia."
Ginny shook her head in agreement. "We are going to pull to off do worry about. I'm sorry Meg, here we are prattling off leaving you drown -"
"I'm a lifeguard. I can't drown."
"A what --? Wait, lets' head up to my room. Everyone is staring if they never saw three gorgeous girls talking before." Ginny grabbed Meg's wrist and began to drag her up the stairs. This girl is a tornado!
As she rounded another corner, she found herself stopping short. "'Oy Harry, Ron. I wrote mum and da, they're coming to visit . . . "
Ron lost the twinkle in his eyes as he folded his arms. "Why?"
"To take -" Ginny stopped as Hermione was making a slashing motion across her neck. Her head was shaking and lips were mouthing 'no'. Ron and Harry noticed the panic but Meg appeared interested in her shoes didn't see the motion behind. "You never know with mum and da. We'll have to find out later. Talk to you in a bit." Before she continued passed the guys, she gave Hermione 'you better explain this later!' look.
Meg followed through the door up to the girls' dormitories. "Please don't drag me. I have to two legs." Ginny laughed at the honesty, and Meg began to relax.
"Sorry, I have to take charge to get anything done in my household."
"Why?"
"I have six older brothers, they don't all live at home anymore. Actually it's only Ron, and me but when they all come to visit. Watch out!"
Meg spluttered. "Six! Six Brothers! I feel bad for your boyfriend."
Ginny shrugged, "It happens. Hermione is like their adoptive sister, and her guy friends have to go through the third degree too. Remember the fling with Krum? Ah, home sweet home."
Inside the room were four beds, large canopies' with small, subtle ruffles and frills. Two long windows over looked a field with 3 hoops on poles at each end. Interesting. Dressers and closets were covered with pictures of friends and family, all waving to the new visitor.
"Amazing," Meg said as she peered closer. "They more, as in the paintings. Unbelievable. I feel like I entered the twilight zone." The two witches shrugged but Meg didn't try to elaborate. "It's nothing important."
"Who is Cornelia?" and "What is a lifeguard?" came out together.
All three laughed, as they flopped onto the bed.
Meg looked up to see blue and brown eyes crinkle with mirth. She realized how close these two girls were. They easily passed signals back and forth without consciously thinking about it.
"I'll answer first," Meg said pulling the pillow under stomach, and hugging the top part of it. She lifted her legs up, and began to swing her legs. Hermione was sitting cross-legged on the bed and Ginny half slipped over the bed, her head propped up by her hands. "Lifeguard is a person who watches over people who are swimming at a pool, beach or lake. We have to go under a lot of specialized training, first aid, and public relation situations. All that fun stuff. However it hold a lot of responsibility." Hermione nodded in agreement, she thought all as much.
"Cool, I think Hermione should explain who Cornelia is." Ginny said, pulling herself back up to the bed.
"Well," Hermione began first explaining of how she found the play. "In summary, its about a Princess Cornelia who falls in love with a peasant, Marcus, and wants to run away with him. However her father engages her to a prince of a neighboring country."
"So what happens?" Meg asked eagerly.
Hermione gave a half smile. "You got to go see the play."
"Sneaky, sneaky."
"I know."
A small beep came from Meg's watch. "Ah! I have to go meet Mr. Dumbledore." She scrambled off the bed. She headed towards the door, and then turned. "Thanks so much for the talk. I really appreciated. When I go home, you both will have to come visit. My parents will love to meet you, witches n' all. Take care." She gave a last wave and gently closed the door behind her.
"She doesn't know?" Ginny asked alarmed.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm glad your mother is going to be there. It will make everything easier."
"How do you think is going to take it? One thing to realize that your parents are dead, another is find out that you are staying in a country halfway across the ocean."
Ginny and Hermione were left to their own thoughts.
~*~~*~
Okay, okay. A little boring ending, but I do have to build my plot. A nasty little thing in writing. You do you think I made Ginny too happy? I like to think that she is going to break out of her shell once she gets over her crush on Harry.