Mystery of Minako Yui
Ch. 10 A Snake in a Den of Lions.
Disclaimer: I'm You-Know-Who. You know who? You know. Who. I know who I am. Do You Know Who? LOL. HA! I'm fun-nay! Yeah. Well. I guess not funnie enough to own Harry Potter though. (Frown, pout) Oh well. Don't sue me, and read this.
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Hermione ran up to her room to get her books. She needed them to prove to Ron that Vampires do exist but that the sun doesn't kill them, just gave them a very heavy dose of sunburn. As she went back downstairs to the common room, Hermione noticed Ginny's door was a little open. Curious, Hermione knocked.
"Ginny, you in here?"
"Yes."
Hermione, not getting the usual cheery response, got worried. She pushed the door open and let herself in. She saw Ginny sprawled on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Is everything alright with you, Ginny? You don't sound at all that happy."
Ginny looked at her friend. How could she possibly explain the whole deal with Draco? Hey Hermione, I thought I was in love with Harry but guess what? I'm attracted to his enemy, Draco! Ain't that a little morbid? Ginny shook her head at Hermione and left it at that.
"Come on, you can tell me. What's up? Is it about Harry?" Hermione said that last with a little hitch in her voice. As the day went on, it got easier to look Harry straight in the eye, but what happened last night was still between them. Hermione couldn't look at his lips without blushing, couldn't stop thinking about his hands on her body. More than once Hermione wanted to initiate some sort conversation to take all that she had said back. So far, she had restrained herself. Minako helped a lot to distract her. Hermione was surprised to have had a decent, intelligent conversation with a Slytherin and one that didn't involve insults of any kind. More than once Hermione caught Ron staring daggers at her for taking so much of Minako's time from him. Hermione smiled at the thought. Ron really did feel something more for that one. Thank God this girl had more things in the brain than clothes and gossip.
Hermione pulled herself from her thoughts and listened to Ginny.
"No. It's about someone else." Hermione was a little curious.
"Someone else being, someone else you are romantically inclined to besides Harry?"
"Um. Yeah. Definitely not Harry. I mean" Ginny looked at Hermione briefly " I still have feelings for him. My devotion will never leave but it did waver. Today." Ginny looked down guiltily.
Hermione pushed the jealous streaked that always happened when Ginny talked about her devotion to Harry. She concentrated on the 'wavering'. Getting a bit cheery, even with the jealousy, she focused her attention on Ginny.
"So who's this guy?"
"Um. I can't tell."
"You mean you won't tell or he won't let you or he is just so pathetic that you can't tell in fear of my expression of disgust? Oh my God, is it Neville Longbottom?!"
"No! In the name of Merlin, No! Never! I mean, just because Ron set me up with him a few times does NOT mean I'm going to become attracted to him! No, not Neville. It's...it's someone else and I won't tell because... I just won't. And no, he isn't pathetic. Half the female student body has a thing for him so scratch that. I don't know if he wants me to tell anyone because his reputation would be blown to smithereens... not that I care because... no I'm definitely not telling." Ginny was flustered. The more she spoke, the more she was going to give away. Ginny just didn't know what to do.
Hermione was getting even more curious. Half the female student body liked him? It couldn't be Harry because Ginny would have gone on to her speech. Couldn't be Ron because that would be just sick. Maybe Seamus Finnigan but he wasn't that good-looking. Oliver Wood? He did just graduate but could be, possibly.
Hermione knew why she was so interested. If Ginny ended up really liking this guy, then that means Ginny would stop being 'in-love' with Harry. Not that Hermione cared because... ok. So she did care but who knew that?
"Wanna tell me about him a little?"
Ginny looked at Hermione and debated within herself. Does Hermione know enough about Draco to guess who Ginny was describing? Probably not. Well, not that stuff Ginny knew any way. Nodding to herself, Ginny began her argument on Why Like Draco and Why Not Like Draco.
"Well, he can be such an jerk. In fact, he acts like one all the time in public. But today, he was totally considerate and charming. He's smart too. Almost as smart as you, Hermione. He never shows it of course. Act like a git that everyone thinks he is. But today again, he was so perceptive about everything. All my previous notions of him were blown to bits. And he is so Cute, Hermione. I'm talking about The Top Ten Totally To Die For Hot Wizards, Hermione. Did I mention he's athletic? Yeah. He actually isn't bad at it at all!" Hermione watched the dreamy look play upon her friend's face.
It sounded like Oliver Wood but... the smart part... not really. Oliver might be smart on the Quidditch field but his grades were never to die for. He spent way too much time during practice. This mystery man of Ginny was getting even more interesting. It was about time that Ginny let go of her infatuation with Harry.
"He sounds really nice, Ginny. Why don't you want to tell me who this is? I'm pretty sure I won't go crazy if it's totally shocking." Hermione saw Ginny look down and shake her head. A sad grin that said 'yes you will' spoke briefly on her face.
"Hermione, let's just drop it. Hey, what's that book for?"
Hermione totally forgot she even had it and the reason why she had it. Getting up quickly and pulling Ginny with her, she made a dash for the door. She had been sitting with Ginny for almost 20 minutes. Too long to keep the Weasley waiting.
"Oh I forgot! I'm supposed to get this to your brother and prove to him that Vampires don't die when they are in the sun, well not burst into dust that is. He is arguing with me! Trying to impress his knew love."
"Oh, Minako's in the common room? Is that allowed?" Slytherin in a Gryffindor common room is almost equivalent to a snake in a lion's den.
"You need a prefect's permission of course. I'm the prefect."
"Oh alright."
Taking the steps two at a time, they reached the common room in a few seconds.
Ron had an impatient look in his face. Minako and Harry was talking it up quiet a bit.
Ginny smiled inwardly. Minako was getting along quiet famously with the Gryffindors. Will the surprises ever stop?
"Hey Mina, did you get the rest of the tour?" Ginny sat across from her. Hermione had slammed the book on the table and started her lecture about vampires and what page and lines that proved her statements. Harry, Minako, and herself ignored the tirade. It was bound to be long.
"Yes, I did. I got a tour of the grounds and everything. Nice Forest you have." Harry and Ginny laughed. Nice Forest? Sure.
"No really, reminded me a lot of the one I lived in back home."
"What?" Harry and Ginny said in unison.
"Dark, scary, homey. Lots of plants you could find ingredients for potions, lots of different creatures , and a nice place to play hide 'n seek. Yeah. Nice place."
If anyone had a doubt about Minako being mis-sorted, it was now dashed away. The Forbidden Forest a home?
"Where are you from, Minako?" Hermione and Ron had ended their conversation when they noticed the blank look on their faces. They heard the same thing Minako said and now held the same in theirs.
"Oh, I'm from China. Lots of old ancient places. I lived in the Dark Forest until I went to school in Hong Kong. Unlike you, we start school at the age of 7 but had school for six months until we turned 13. After that it was 6 months in class then 4 months in the forest. You learn to live with the forest. Quiet nice, really." Minako was surprised that she could open up to these people. She wasn't deaf. She heard alot of stuff during breakfast about the 'Trio'. At her table, they were vile people, to be hated at all cost. In the Gryffindor Table, they were to be worshipped, almost. She hadn't know that they were the trio until Hermione joked about it earlier. The surprise on Ron's face was now understandable. So she wasn't star-shocked. She still wasn't. They were ordinary kids, almost like her. Had their secrets and she had hers. The fact that she could confide in them was startling. She felt like a part of their group. It really was nice.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny sat there, looking at Minako. The life she had just described was foreign to them. The light accent they had heard that they couldn't place was now explained. But from the east? Far east? It was too wonderful.
"Tell us more! That sounds absolutely wonderful. China? Isn't there alot of traditional magic there? Do you speak Chinese? If you do speak Chinese, how come you speak English so well? What was the name of the school you were from?" Hermione was so curious about this subject. She had never known there was a school of Magic in the far east. It wasn't in any books she had read. This was a foreign subject, literally, and she couldn't help but want to know all she can.
Minako smiled. Unlike Blaise questions that were meant to insult, Hermione's were those truly just for study.
"As for your questions, yes, they do many traditional magic there. In the provinces that is. As for speaking Chinese, Yes, I can. Just Cantonese however. There are many dialects and so I can survive in the big city. As for the reason I can speak English so well it's because my mother was English. She went to this school in fact."
"Oh, what was her name?" Ginny asked.
"Marianne Thatcher."
"That's a pretty name. Is your mom going to pick you up for Winter Vacation?"
"I'm staying here for the winter. My mom passed away a year ago."
Ginny felt like an ignorant person. Inwardly she cringed. She didn't like bringing up sad things, especially those that had to do with a death of a parent.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I didn't tell you before so it's ok."
A little relieved, Ginny tried to bring it to a lighter subject.
"Hey, did you get into Snape's Advanced Potions class?"
Minako smiled.
"Yes I did."
"That's great! Me and you are in the same class now!" Ginny smiled.
"You're in Advanced Potions, Ginny?" Harry asked. He didn't know that.
"Um. Yeah. I took that test last year and I sort've passed it. Hermione helped a lot though. Helped me study and stuff. Not really a big deal."
Hermione already knew that Ginny had gotten into Advanced Potions and was really proud. Ron didn't speak of it much because, honestly, he never really cared about school. The fact that Harry was surprised wasn't a... surprise. Ginny didn't talk to Harry. Talking meaning conversation, meaning something more than "Can you pass the butter?". It wasn't that Harry didn't like Ginny, it was more like Harry was uncomfortable with the fact that his best friend's sister had a crush on him.
"Come on, sis. I didn't get into Advanced Potions. You did good, alright? Don't down play it." Ron was really proud of his sister even though he didn't show it that often. He became a lot more protective of her since the stint in her first year. He knew how his sister got all panicky with the slightest bit of attention from Harry. Hell, half the Gryffindor females did.
"How was the test? I didn't take the test cause I didn't see the reason to. I'll probably get into it my seventh year." Harry asked Ginny this. Everyone's attention was on her and she didn't know what to do. Answer the question, dimwit. Shut Up, Ginny whispered internally.
"Oh, it was hard but... since the Diary-thing, Tom left a bit of himself and part of it was his talent for Potions. It really wasn't a big deal. You could almost say I cheated." Ginny said the last part with a grin. She wanted to end it happy-like because, after mentioning Tom, Harry and Ron's faces got all broody.
Inwardly Ginny sighed, today was the day to open up sensitive subjects, huh.
"Tom? Whose Tom?" Minako asked.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. Voldemort's " Harry glanced at Ron who groaned " Younger self. Long story. Took Ginny's soul, tried to kill me, basilisk, all that nice stuff."
"Did it all through a diary Ginny had. Sick Prick, that You-Know-Who" Ron was cracking his knuckles. Seeing in Ron's mind eye his sister pale and weak got him all riled up again.
Ginny looked down. That summer following, she had been in shock. She could barely eat because of the guilt. She had almost gotten Harry killed. It was almost too much. She finally got better with time but that feeling that she should have known better got to her. Surprisingly the next school year, she picked up all her marks in school. It seemed that Tom had left her with a bit more than guilt. All his knowledge of every subject was left to her. As the new Ginny had seen it, it was the payment for the damages Tom had caused. It didn't take much to talk to all her teachers and convince them to give her all the finals and to let her take it. Now, she was equivalent to any seventh year.
"This Tom, is Voldemort? As in the Deatheaters' leader?" Minako heard Ron's groan and saw Hermione flinch. "Why do you guys do that when someone mentions Voldemort?" Again, Ron and Hermione cringed.
"Yes to both questions. For the reason they do that is because the mention of You-Know-Who is supposed to be bad. Superstitious."
"Then why aren't you two bothered by it?" Harry swept his hand back his forehead to reveal a scar. Minako's eyes widened. She knew what that meant.
"You evaded the Death Curse. I'm assuming from this You-Know who?" Minako watched Harry nod. Minako now knew that Harry might fear Voldemort but not for himself, not much anyway, but more for everybody else.
"And you, Ginny?"
"Tom." Ginny looked at Minako's face, waiting for a negative reaction. All she got was a understanding and a small smile.
"I understand." Looking more serious, she asked the question she had been dying to ask.
"So. Who is this You-Know-Who? I mean, all I know is that he is the master of the Deatheaters, that he went to this school, and tried to kill Harry."
Her new friends looked at her. She really needed to stop being ignorant about Wizard matters.
"You don't know about You-Know-Who?! I thought it was bad you didn't know about Quidditch!"
Minako glanced darkly at Ron. She really didn't like it when he made her sound like she was stupid. Her image of Ron was slowly becoming not so rose-colored.
Harry started a little. She really didn't know about Voldemort? Where was she from and what school?
"Well. You-know-who is purely evil. He is twisted and very powerful. He only fears one wizard, Dumbledore. He was barely living for fourteen years until... last year... when he captured me and took some of my blood. Now, he is back, in full power. He has his deatheaters attack once in awhile so that the community doesn't forget about him. The Ministry of Magic, namely the Minister himself, doesn't want to believe You-know-who is alive. Believing that it's some sort of copy cat so there really hasn't been anything done to protect everyone. Rumor has it that he has been recruiting as many deatheaters as he can for the upcoming war that would eventually happen. Now, we are just waiting. That's all everyone can do."
"Thank you for telling me all that. I'm assuming you escaped from him?"
"Yes."
"I'm very glad you did."
Minako looked at him. Really looked at him. There was more to the story than he says. That scar has to be a part of it. He had to be a big part of it. Minako looked at Harry. Why did that Voldemort want him so much?
She sensed old magic in him. The kind of magic that was practiced for protection. One of the strongest shield spell if Minako has ever seen one. Instead of asking, she just left it alone. She wasn't a very close friend so she understood some of the secrecy. She'll find out later through Draco whatever else she needed to know about this Voldemort character, until then, she needed to go back to her room. She had an errand to run.
She smiled inwardly. She remembered the wish about her sister coming over and making this the perfect hiding place. It just might come true.
"Well, I thank you for inviting me here. I'm pretty sure that this isn't a common occurrence. Maybe I can invite you to mine? Nah. Don't you think you guys would want to. "All of them laughed. Ron had vehemently expressed his hate for nearly all of Slytherin earlier that day. "Anyways, I'm going to go now. I'll see you all tomorrow. By the way, do you all know when school starts since we are missing a teacher?"
"What teacher?" Ginny asked. They were missing a teacher?
"Oh yeah. You missed Prof. Dumbledore's announcement earlier. We don't have a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Where did you go off with Malfoy anyway? Did you dump him off into the lake? If you did, I'll love you even more, sis!"
Hermione fell off her chair in a heap of robes.
Ginny blushed and stared stricken at Hermione. Hermione had been flipping through her book when she heard Ron. Draco Malfoy! Oh no. Not possible. Hermione looked up at Ginny and caught Ginny's guilty look.
"Draco!" Ginny jumped off her chair to help Hermione and to also shut her up.
"Are you ok, Hermione?" A pleading look from Ginny was desperate. Hermione nodded, a shock look still on her face. She now perfectly understood why Ginny hadn't told her earlier.
"Are you sure you okay there, 'Mione? I'm pretty sure Malfoy wasn't the one who pushed you there. I mean the bloke might be a prick, don't mean you can blame him for that one. Are you sure you didn't hit the floor a bit too hard?"
Hermione glared at Ron. He really was insensitive. Hermione wouldn't be surprised if Minako ended up dumping him before anything even happened.
"I'm fine, Ron. I just need to talk to Ginny about something."
"Um Hermione, How do I leave?" Mina was looking at the portrait. She had only been there a day and she had yet to get used to the doors that were paintings.
"Oh here." Hermione did something Minako didn't catch and the portrait opened. Minako stepped out and made to leave when she was stopped by Ginny.
"Hey, Minako. Tell... tell Draco I said 'hi'."
"I will."
They both exchanged a smile. One was that of embarrassment and the other, one of understanding.
As the portrait closed, Ginny thought that Minako just might be one of those girl friends she was looking for. Behind her, she heard Hermione yell.
"Ginny. Room. Talk. Now!"
Sighing, Ginny dragged her feet to that general direction. She was going to have some explaining to do.
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Minako knocked on Draco's door. He was a prefect so as one of his privileges he had his own room. She heard a muffled 'who is it' and responded.
"It's Minako." A brief shuffling and a mild curse, he opened the door. He motioned for her to come in.
"What brings you here? I thought you were with the Weasel."
"I was in their common room. Looks like ours, just different colors." She more like felt him stand still than saw it. She studied his room. Dark, Oppressing, seductive. Lots of black and silver. The only thing that opposed the whole theme was the wide-open drapes of the window that let the sun in. It bathed the room and had shadows scurrying with cover. A dark-ruby red rose lay on his desk, a folded-note beside it. In Elegant script it read on the top flap, Virginia.
"You were in the Gryffindor common room?? They let you in? How did you do it? Can you show me? Is there a back way? Can we sneak in tonight?" Draco's eyes glittered with mischief. Oh the possibilities.
"No. Hermione Granger let me in through the portrait. She's really a nice person. Really smart." She kept her back turned from him, still studying the desk. A ring that had a solitaire diamond set on white-gold sat near the rose. It was small for Minako. She picked it up and tried to fit it on her finger. It was too small but by magic, it adjusted to fit perfectly. She took it off. Walking towards the sun-bathed bed and held the ring up. If it was fake, the shine would be flat. If it was real, the light within would glitter a deep white light.
It was real.
Minako whistled.
"Nice."
Draco grabbed the ring from Minako and placed it again by the rose.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to put a spell on it. Make it so that the only person that can wear is the person that I give it too. Simple, really. Just tedious."
"Hm. Ok. Since you're busy I'll just give you this message Ginny gave me to you later."
Minako turned around heading for the door. She saw a blur beside her making her hair lift a little. Suddenly Draco had slammed the door shut, preventing her escape.
Inside Minako was laughing.
"What message? Tell me now!"
"You really aren't used to not getting what you want, huh Draco?"
Draco just stared at her, waiting.
"Fine. She said 'Hi'." Expecting disappointment, she was surprised to catch a melting look.
"She said 'Hi'." Draco leaned against the door heavily. She thought of him enough to pass along a message. He had a chance.
"Can I go now?" Minako was uncomfortable. She had just known Draco for a day but felt a kindred spirit with him. This melting lovey-dovey thing coming off him was weird. She was even more surprised with the hug he gave her.
"Ok. You can go now. Thanks!"
She watched him skip to his desk. Shaking her head, she thought of a time she had been like that. Never. Almost, but never.
"I'll see you tonite, alright Draco?"
She heard a mumbled response. Taking it as a 'yes', she headed to her own room and took out a small piece of parchment and quill.
Casting a spell similar to that of Draco, she made it so that the only person that could read it was to person she intended it to.
Briefly her crystal glowed. Stopped. Taking her quill, she proceeded to write to her sister.
Hanako,
Come here. Looking for a Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. Talk to Dumbledore. Safe here.
Minako
Finishing that, she rolled it small and tightly. She didn't know where her sister was at the moment but she could send it to her through magic. For the fourth time that day, she concentrated with the crystal and focused on her sister's magical energy.
The parchment slowly disappeared into the air and out of the window.
The small particles floated and was drawn into the mysterious wind that caught it. Minako looked out of the window and smiled.
She stood in the sunlight through the window, knowing that tomorrow her sister will come and the show shall begin.