Hermione rifled through another book, muttering to herself incessantly.
"Amulet of Godric, Amulet of Godric... wait, wait! Gryffindor Amulet?"
She hurriedly turned to the indicated page and read with bated breath.
~Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, two of the founders of Hogwarts, created the Gryffindor Amulet. When they fell in love, they decided to make it as a symbol of their love. As long as it remained on Rowena's neck, their love was pure. But if the stone dimmed or the necklace left her neck, one of the two parties was untrue. That, of course, never occurred, and it was only removed from her neck when her son turned 16. He, in turn, gave it to his fiancée later. This Amulet was passed from generation to generation through the oldest living son. If there wasn't one, then the oldest daughter held it for her son. The last known possessor of the Gryffindor Amulet was Cassiopeia Potter in the eighteenth century. After that point, it disappeared from record, but it must still be in existence, as it cannot be destroyed. *~
Seeing the asterisk next to the article, Hermione glanced at the bottom for the additional information.
* Similar Topics: Slytherin Amulet, pg 4,532. *
Hermione frowned and turned the pages with accuracy born of long practice.
~The Slytherin Amulet was made by Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff at the time the Gryffindor Amulet was made. It works on the same principal as the Gryffindor Amulet. (pg 2,346) That amulet was passed through the generations as the other Amulet was, with one exception: Track of the Slytherin Amulet was never lost. Although it was rumored that Tom Marvolo Riddle was the last of the Slytherin/Hufflepuff descendants, it is untrue. In the eleventh century, Geofrey Foire had an affair which produced a child. This child, still a direct descendant of Slytherin/ Hufflepuff, was not legitimate, and Geofrey held no love for the woman, Celestia Riddle, who bore the son to him. The son took his mother's name, and eventually became the ancestor of Tom Marvolo Riddle himself. Therefore, the amulet was passed onto Geofrey's sister, instead. She married Vlad Malfoy, and the amulet was passed to their son Richard, continuing the tradition. The possessor of the Slytherin Amulet today is Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, to be passed on to her son Draco on January 11, his sixteenth birthday. ~
Hermione turned the page. Here was a picture of the Four Founders. Hermione gasped aloud. It could have been Harry and Draco there in the picture, although they still most likely would not have their arms around each other in friendship. The two girls on the ends were evidently Rowena at Godric's side, and Helga at Salazar's. Rowena's hair was long, straight, and a red tinted brown: it went well with her blue and white robes. Her blue eyes sparkled at Godric lovingly. Helga, on the other hand, had her curly black hair swept up in a bun that left tendrils to frame her face, and her silverish, haunting eyes were full of life as she grinned flirtatiously at Salazar. Her yellow robes were evidently specially made, for they were gorgeous.
"Harry and Draco," she murmured distractedly. "How VERY odd..."
Then she was up again, putting books back and searching for one on the Founders, who fascinated her for a reason Hermione wasn't sure of. She found a thick one, about 1,000 pages, and sighed contentedly. Then she took it up to Madam Pince to check out.
"Good morning, Madam," she said, placing the book on the desk.
"Good morning, Miss Lupin. Ahh! Reading about the founders, I see!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, good. Here you go, dear. Two weeks... although I'm sure it won't take you a fourth of the time."
Hermione grinned and thanked the librarian, who waved it off. "My pleasure, dear. Off you go, it's almost time for breakfast."
Hermione turned around... and walked right into Ron.
"Ron!"
"Morning, Herm... The library! THIS early in the morning?"
"Oh, be quiet." She blushed. Ron was looking at her quizzically, but decided to let it pass.
"Whatcha readin?"
"A book on the founders, actually. Here... look at this."
She flipped to a page with a picture identical to the one in the other book. Ron gaped at it."
"Do you see it?" asked Hermione.
"Harry and Draco? The resemblance? Yup. But what..."
"I don't know," she lied. "Just odd coincidence, I think. So... are we going to go eat? I'm starving!"
"Sure. No classes today because of the dance last night, so I have nothing better to do."
Hermione elbowed him. "Fine. I see how it is. If you don't want to walk with me..."
"Whoa! Time out. Never said that. Come on, Lupin, let's go."
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "If you insist..."
When she got back to her dorm, she flopped onto her bed with a sigh. Things between her and Ron were becoming increasingly difficult, unfortunately. Something would have to be done soon, or nothing would happen at all... not even friendship. She turned over.
"Ouch!" She had rolled onto her library book. She sighed and opened it. Might as well...
She got about halfway through it before she fell asleep...
~*~ Hermione Dream Sequence~*~
Hermione was in a pitch black room that she nevertheless recognized as the Great Hall. Although she despised Divination, she held dreams in high regard, could tell that this was more of a... not a memory, but more like a film... of the past. She knew by the transparency of her body that she didn't have to worry about detection, so she didn't move as two voices approached the Hall.
"Are all the plans finalized, Sly?"
"Yes, Helga, dear, Godric and I finished yesterday. The letters have all been sent, and the teachers hired. Term begins in three months."
Then the pair came into view, easily recognizable as Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. Helga hugged his arm.
"Oh, Sly, all our dreams are finally coming true!"
"Well..." Salazar hesitated, then said bravely, "Not all, Helga."
"Hmm?"
"Well, I did have one other dream... to make you my wife."
A smile swept the girl's face. "All your dreams have come true, Salazar Slytherin," she laughed through her tears, holding out her hands to him. He took them, producing a ring from nowhere and placing it on her finger.
Then, wiping away her tears gently, he bent to kiss her.
"Sly! Have I acquired my new cousin yet, or must I wait again?" boomed Godric Gryffindor, seeing the ring securely on Helga's finger. Sly wanted to pull away and retort, but Helga wouldn't let him... she simply waved Rowena and Godric away with a diamond clad hand.
"Finally!" laughed Rowena, already wearing a ring of her own.
The scene faded, and Hermione found herself watching the two Amulets be created.
Sly and Helga crossed wands and clasped their other hands as they chanted. Suddenly a green light came from Sly's wand, and a white light from Helga's. The green pooled into a gem, and they watched in fascination as the white wove intricately around, leaving pure white gold in its wake. The now complete necklace lowered around Helga's neck and clasped itself. Rowena and Godric repeated the process with a red gem and pure gold.
Suddenly Hermione was in an ornate yet tastefully decorated suite, watching Helga pace back and forth. "What will he say? Will he be happy? angry? disappointed? What if..."
Rowena spoke up from her spot on the bed. "Oh, Helga, Sly'll be thrilled. Just tell him."
"Just tell me what, love?" Sly asked Helga as he poked his head in. His smile faded as he saw the frightened look in Helga's eyes. He came inside swiftly, holding the door open for Rowena, then closed it.
"Helga?" he asked quietly, sitting next to her on their bed.
"Sly..." she started, then stopped.
"Darling, is something wrong?" Salazar loved his wife beyond everything else, and let everyone... including his wife herself, know it.
"I'm not sure, Sly. I mean, I don't think so, but I'm not sure how YOU..." She stopped as a brilliant smile lit Salazar's face.
"Helga... are you..." he stuttered, praying he was right.
"Yes. Sly, I am."
In an instant Sly was kissing her and laughing at the same time.
"Why, Helga Slytherin, why would you think I wouldn't... oh, God, Helga, this is magnificent..."
Scene change...
"Jonathan!" called Salazar as he Apparated in front of the 5 year old.
"Daddy!" he cried, and catapulted himself into Sly. Helga was right behind her son, throwing herself at her husband.
"Sly, promise me you'll never be gone that long again!" she cried.
"I promise, Helga, my love," he said solemnly... then they laughed as Jonathan yelled, "Promise me, too!"
"I promise you, too, Jonathan," said Sly softly, scooping up his son.
Scene Change...
Sly was writing at his desk when a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air... one that Sly immediately recognized as Helga. He was running down the stairs in a second.
"Helga! screamed Salazar as he burst out of the front door. Godric's "pet" griffin was there, blocking his wandless wife into a corner.
"Sly!" cried Helga as she caught sight of him.
~Damn it! Where is Godric!?~ thought Sly furiously as he moved quickly toward the beast and Helga. Helga was obviously terrified, but suddenly her heart seized and her throat constricted.
"Mama?"
"No, Jonathan, go BACK!"
Too late. The Griffin turned one hawk eye toward Jonathan.
"Jonathan!" screamed Helga, moving forward even as Sly yelled, "Helga, DON'T!"
As the Griffin drew back its wicked claw for the killing blow, Helga somehow got around it and threw herself in front of her son. She screamed in pain as talon sliced deep through bone, muscle, tissue, organs. Helga dropped like a stone.
"Helga!" Sly ran to her, scooping up Jonathan and handing him to a newly arrived Rowena. He scooped up his wife as Godric arrived too late, ignoring the blood pouring over his robes, He began his panicked run to the hospital wing.
Scene Change...
Sly and Jonathan were leaving Hogwarts, both in black. Jonathan kissed Rowena and Godric goodbye, but Sly looked stonily past them, a cold, angry look permeating his face.
~*~*~*~ End Dream Sequence~*~*~*~
Hermione opened her eyes to realize three things:
a) She was seated at her desk.
b) It was almost dark.
c) Neatly stacked in front of her were about seven pieces of parchment, covered with her precise and mechanical writing.
She sat up quickly, rifling through the pages, recognizing almost word for word the dream she had just had.
"Oh. My. God," she breathed, almost in disbelief. She heard pounding footsteps, and quickly hid the parchment. Sephie soon came barreling in.
"HERMIONEEEEEEEEEEE...."
"Yesssssssss..." she drawled, trying to get the guilty look off of her face.
"You have to help me..."
"With what, Sephie?"
"I found out that the kitchen elves stock all foods..."
"Why am I worried?"
"Oh, come on! They got me Jolt and Pixie Stix! But... you have to help me hide them, 'cause if Lexi finds out they'll be as good as gone."
"Fine."
They started down to the kitchens, and Sephie, being Sephie, said exactly the wrong thing.
"So, when are you and Ron gonna swallow ya pride and just snog?"
"WHAT?"
"You know you want him, girl... nothing can be hidden from me."
"Oh, really, Trelawney?"
"Ouch, baby. Very ouch."
"There is NOTHING going on between Ron and-"
"EXACTLY! The point is, there SHOULD BE. You, my dear sis, have to get over your proper priss attitude and just boink the kid."
Hermione was on her in a flash; soon they were fighting right in the middle of the hallway.
"Take it back!"
"NEVER!" roared Sephie defiantly.
Ron and Lexi, on the hunt for the pair, came around the corner as Herm started in on Sephie's face.
"Hey, hey, hey!" said Ron, recognizing the murderous look in Hermione's eyes. He interposed swiftly, hauling Hermione off of her twin and pulling her up, holding onto her arms. "What is going ON here?"
"She started it!" snarled Hermione, straining against his hold to reach a panting Sephie, who was gingerly checking her cheek for bruises.
"Jesus, Hermione, if you want, I'll never mention... RON... again," said Sephie, knowing that her sister was firmly restrained. Well, at least she thought so. At this cold remark, Hermione burst into tears, her nerves already shot. Ron loosened his grip, startled, and Hermione tore out of there so fast they hardly saw her leave. Ron did, though... because he was right behind her. Sephie and Lexi exchanged looks.
"Common room?" asked Lexi.
"Right," confirmed Sephie, still grimacing.
Contrary to popular belief, Ron wasn't stupid. Actually, with the way Sephie had spoken, Ron figured he had done something wrong. Which, in an indirect way, he had.
"HERMIONE!"
She gasped through her tears as she ran, belatedly realizing that Ron was tearing after her. She threw herself in a corner and slid down the wall, waiting breathlessly, trying to hide so he wouldn't see her crying. It was no use, though. She was so out of breath that her gasps drew him to the spot immediately.
"Herm? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, Ron!" she rasped quickly, suddenly realizing that she was caught. With Ron kneeling in front of her and the wall at her back, she was effectively stuck.
"Hermione, you're crying, you just beat the crap out of your sister, and I don't know why! Usually..." He never finished the sentence, because something dawned on him.
"Ok, Hermione, did I do something?"
"Wh-what?"
"I'm the ONLY one I've ever seen get you THIS mad, so technically the odds are that I did something. What?"
"Is EVERYTHING about you?"
"I don't know. Is it?" he asked coolly.
"No!" She tried to get up, and Ron silently got up first, taking her arm and helping her to her feet. She gulped suddenly. Their faces were about two inches apart, and that was only because he was taller than she was.
~ Oh, god, help me,~ she thought helplessly. Then, just running on instinct, she kissed him.
Ron stared at her, openmouthed, as she backed away, red faced. Then she spun and took off again. He lost precious seconds in shock, staring after her. Then he groaned and started running again, calling after her. The wrong thing to do, because the sound of his voice made her run all the faster.
~*~*~*~
"Soooo..." said Sephie as she jumped up and down on the couch.
"So...what?" asked Lexi distractedly, busily pecking away with two fingers at the specially adapted laptop that she was supposed to share with Sephie to keep in contact with America (but was actually used to keep up with the Muggle Anime world during the school year.)
"Exactly!" said Sephie brightly...too brightly.
Lexi glared up at a bouncing Sephie with dawning suspicion. "You... you... you..."
"Me what? I- I didn't do it! I swear to Serenity, it was the Hairball-"
"Who?"
"Harry. Didn't I SAY Harry?"
"N-"
"In the name of all things Anime, you better say that I did!"
"You-you did, right?" said Lexi.
"Good girl."
"Rig- DON'T TRY TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"
"I wasn't aware we even HAD a subject!"
"YOU BAKA! YOU'RE HOLDING OUT ON ME!"
"What are you TALKING about, Lexi?" sang Sephie as she executed an impossible flip in the air over the couch.
Lexi didn't reply; she simply moved toward the staircase. Sephie's reaction was more than enough to convince ANY jury. She dove headfirst off the couch and tackled Lexi to the ground. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Suddenly there was a loud bang, and some muffled sobbing. Sephie raised her head to see her sister storming the staircase, tears on her face. Sephie let Lexi up in time to see Ron, jaw set, go up after her... and they heard the door slam.
The two of them stared at each other in shock. Then Lexi asked, "Pause?"
"Later, "Sephie agreed, then rose. "I'll get the Hai- Harry."
Lexi stifled a snicker. "I'll get Ginny."
"Herm?"
"Ron, get out of my room."
"No."
"Now."
"No."
"Ronald Weasley, you get out of my room right this..."
She froze as she jerked the curtains of her bed open, clutching them tightly. Ron stood there, clearly resolute to have this out. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Ron spoke... or tried to. "Hermione..."
"WHAT? Would you like to insult me, Ron? Or perhaps laugh at me? Did you follow me all the way up here to tell me off again?" She was breathing hard through this little speech, which seemed like it would cause her to burst into tears.
Ron, however, was a different story. He was mad. In three swift strides, he had crossed the room and reached her side. He grabbed her wrists and hissed, "Do you even know me, Hermione?"
"Wh-"
He cut her off viciously. "How dare you accuse me of acting or thinking like that? Do you even REALIZE what was running through my head those whole ten seconds? -Does she like me? Was that an accident? What should I do when this is though? Is our friendship over? Will she regret this? Will I regret this?- Do you honestly, sincerely think that I don't LIKE you, Hermione?!"
With that, he let go of her wrists and turned away. Thrown off balance, Hermione fell onto her side with an oomph, and propped herself up to see... Ron's back as he faced the wall on the other side of the room.
"Ron?" she asked timidly. No response.
She sighed slightly and rose, carefully avoiding sound. She crossed the room, held her breath, and then put her hand on Ron's arm lightly.
He jumped and turned to face her incredulously.
"Ron... please..." she whispered, eyes filling.
He looked her over carefully. She was shaking so badly she could hardly stand, and her eyes were rapidly filling with tears. He knew, though, that he would have to make the move... Herm had already tried once. He slowly put his arms around her, practically holding her up.
"Hermione..." he began helplessly. Then he just threw it all away; all doubts, all logic, all sanity. He stooped his head and kissed her, trying to convey all the things he had been too shy... and unable... to say.
When they wrenched away from each other, breathing hard, Hermione buried her face in the front of Ron's robes and muttered what sounded like, "Bloody hell."
He chuckled nervously. Then, quite without meaning to, Hermione broke the rapidly rising tension.
"Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Do I still get to fight with you?"
"Yes, Herm," said Ron though fits of laughing, " The day wouldn't be the same without your constant nagging.
"I do NOT nag."
"No lying, though," he said sternly, and she sighed in defeat. "Check, but not mate, Chessmaster," she joked.
"So, Herm, what do you say? Want to try this dating thing out?"
"Did you really think I would refuse?" asked Hermione rhetorically, as she put her arms around his neck...
"Gotcha!" hissed Sephie in triumph as she pressed ::Pause:: on her illegally altered web cam.
"Ooh, I'll have some fun with this..."
"You do realize that they'll kill you as soon as they find out, right?" asked Harry from her other side.
"You mean they'll kill US, Potter," grinned Sephie. "Say cheese!"
"Don't!" Too late. Sephie now had blackmail on three people.. not including herself, but who ever blackmailed themselves? It took all the fun out of it!
"Amulet of Godric, Amulet of Godric... wait, wait! Gryffindor Amulet?"
She hurriedly turned to the indicated page and read with bated breath.
~Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, two of the founders of Hogwarts, created the Gryffindor Amulet. When they fell in love, they decided to make it as a symbol of their love. As long as it remained on Rowena's neck, their love was pure. But if the stone dimmed or the necklace left her neck, one of the two parties was untrue. That, of course, never occurred, and it was only removed from her neck when her son turned 16. He, in turn, gave it to his fiancée later. This Amulet was passed from generation to generation through the oldest living son. If there wasn't one, then the oldest daughter held it for her son. The last known possessor of the Gryffindor Amulet was Cassiopeia Potter in the eighteenth century. After that point, it disappeared from record, but it must still be in existence, as it cannot be destroyed. *~
Seeing the asterisk next to the article, Hermione glanced at the bottom for the additional information.
* Similar Topics: Slytherin Amulet, pg 4,532. *
Hermione frowned and turned the pages with accuracy born of long practice.
~The Slytherin Amulet was made by Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff at the time the Gryffindor Amulet was made. It works on the same principal as the Gryffindor Amulet. (pg 2,346) That amulet was passed through the generations as the other Amulet was, with one exception: Track of the Slytherin Amulet was never lost. Although it was rumored that Tom Marvolo Riddle was the last of the Slytherin/Hufflepuff descendants, it is untrue. In the eleventh century, Geofrey Foire had an affair which produced a child. This child, still a direct descendant of Slytherin/ Hufflepuff, was not legitimate, and Geofrey held no love for the woman, Celestia Riddle, who bore the son to him. The son took his mother's name, and eventually became the ancestor of Tom Marvolo Riddle himself. Therefore, the amulet was passed onto Geofrey's sister, instead. She married Vlad Malfoy, and the amulet was passed to their son Richard, continuing the tradition. The possessor of the Slytherin Amulet today is Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy, to be passed on to her son Draco on January 11, his sixteenth birthday. ~
Hermione turned the page. Here was a picture of the Four Founders. Hermione gasped aloud. It could have been Harry and Draco there in the picture, although they still most likely would not have their arms around each other in friendship. The two girls on the ends were evidently Rowena at Godric's side, and Helga at Salazar's. Rowena's hair was long, straight, and a red tinted brown: it went well with her blue and white robes. Her blue eyes sparkled at Godric lovingly. Helga, on the other hand, had her curly black hair swept up in a bun that left tendrils to frame her face, and her silverish, haunting eyes were full of life as she grinned flirtatiously at Salazar. Her yellow robes were evidently specially made, for they were gorgeous.
"Harry and Draco," she murmured distractedly. "How VERY odd..."
Then she was up again, putting books back and searching for one on the Founders, who fascinated her for a reason Hermione wasn't sure of. She found a thick one, about 1,000 pages, and sighed contentedly. Then she took it up to Madam Pince to check out.
"Good morning, Madam," she said, placing the book on the desk.
"Good morning, Miss Lupin. Ahh! Reading about the founders, I see!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, good. Here you go, dear. Two weeks... although I'm sure it won't take you a fourth of the time."
Hermione grinned and thanked the librarian, who waved it off. "My pleasure, dear. Off you go, it's almost time for breakfast."
Hermione turned around... and walked right into Ron.
"Ron!"
"Morning, Herm... The library! THIS early in the morning?"
"Oh, be quiet." She blushed. Ron was looking at her quizzically, but decided to let it pass.
"Whatcha readin?"
"A book on the founders, actually. Here... look at this."
She flipped to a page with a picture identical to the one in the other book. Ron gaped at it."
"Do you see it?" asked Hermione.
"Harry and Draco? The resemblance? Yup. But what..."
"I don't know," she lied. "Just odd coincidence, I think. So... are we going to go eat? I'm starving!"
"Sure. No classes today because of the dance last night, so I have nothing better to do."
Hermione elbowed him. "Fine. I see how it is. If you don't want to walk with me..."
"Whoa! Time out. Never said that. Come on, Lupin, let's go."
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "If you insist..."
When she got back to her dorm, she flopped onto her bed with a sigh. Things between her and Ron were becoming increasingly difficult, unfortunately. Something would have to be done soon, or nothing would happen at all... not even friendship. She turned over.
"Ouch!" She had rolled onto her library book. She sighed and opened it. Might as well...
She got about halfway through it before she fell asleep...
~*~ Hermione Dream Sequence~*~
Hermione was in a pitch black room that she nevertheless recognized as the Great Hall. Although she despised Divination, she held dreams in high regard, could tell that this was more of a... not a memory, but more like a film... of the past. She knew by the transparency of her body that she didn't have to worry about detection, so she didn't move as two voices approached the Hall.
"Are all the plans finalized, Sly?"
"Yes, Helga, dear, Godric and I finished yesterday. The letters have all been sent, and the teachers hired. Term begins in three months."
Then the pair came into view, easily recognizable as Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. Helga hugged his arm.
"Oh, Sly, all our dreams are finally coming true!"
"Well..." Salazar hesitated, then said bravely, "Not all, Helga."
"Hmm?"
"Well, I did have one other dream... to make you my wife."
A smile swept the girl's face. "All your dreams have come true, Salazar Slytherin," she laughed through her tears, holding out her hands to him. He took them, producing a ring from nowhere and placing it on her finger.
Then, wiping away her tears gently, he bent to kiss her.
"Sly! Have I acquired my new cousin yet, or must I wait again?" boomed Godric Gryffindor, seeing the ring securely on Helga's finger. Sly wanted to pull away and retort, but Helga wouldn't let him... she simply waved Rowena and Godric away with a diamond clad hand.
"Finally!" laughed Rowena, already wearing a ring of her own.
The scene faded, and Hermione found herself watching the two Amulets be created.
Sly and Helga crossed wands and clasped their other hands as they chanted. Suddenly a green light came from Sly's wand, and a white light from Helga's. The green pooled into a gem, and they watched in fascination as the white wove intricately around, leaving pure white gold in its wake. The now complete necklace lowered around Helga's neck and clasped itself. Rowena and Godric repeated the process with a red gem and pure gold.
Suddenly Hermione was in an ornate yet tastefully decorated suite, watching Helga pace back and forth. "What will he say? Will he be happy? angry? disappointed? What if..."
Rowena spoke up from her spot on the bed. "Oh, Helga, Sly'll be thrilled. Just tell him."
"Just tell me what, love?" Sly asked Helga as he poked his head in. His smile faded as he saw the frightened look in Helga's eyes. He came inside swiftly, holding the door open for Rowena, then closed it.
"Helga?" he asked quietly, sitting next to her on their bed.
"Sly..." she started, then stopped.
"Darling, is something wrong?" Salazar loved his wife beyond everything else, and let everyone... including his wife herself, know it.
"I'm not sure, Sly. I mean, I don't think so, but I'm not sure how YOU..." She stopped as a brilliant smile lit Salazar's face.
"Helga... are you..." he stuttered, praying he was right.
"Yes. Sly, I am."
In an instant Sly was kissing her and laughing at the same time.
"Why, Helga Slytherin, why would you think I wouldn't... oh, God, Helga, this is magnificent..."
Scene change...
"Jonathan!" called Salazar as he Apparated in front of the 5 year old.
"Daddy!" he cried, and catapulted himself into Sly. Helga was right behind her son, throwing herself at her husband.
"Sly, promise me you'll never be gone that long again!" she cried.
"I promise, Helga, my love," he said solemnly... then they laughed as Jonathan yelled, "Promise me, too!"
"I promise you, too, Jonathan," said Sly softly, scooping up his son.
Scene Change...
Sly was writing at his desk when a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air... one that Sly immediately recognized as Helga. He was running down the stairs in a second.
"Helga! screamed Salazar as he burst out of the front door. Godric's "pet" griffin was there, blocking his wandless wife into a corner.
"Sly!" cried Helga as she caught sight of him.
~Damn it! Where is Godric!?~ thought Sly furiously as he moved quickly toward the beast and Helga. Helga was obviously terrified, but suddenly her heart seized and her throat constricted.
"Mama?"
"No, Jonathan, go BACK!"
Too late. The Griffin turned one hawk eye toward Jonathan.
"Jonathan!" screamed Helga, moving forward even as Sly yelled, "Helga, DON'T!"
As the Griffin drew back its wicked claw for the killing blow, Helga somehow got around it and threw herself in front of her son. She screamed in pain as talon sliced deep through bone, muscle, tissue, organs. Helga dropped like a stone.
"Helga!" Sly ran to her, scooping up Jonathan and handing him to a newly arrived Rowena. He scooped up his wife as Godric arrived too late, ignoring the blood pouring over his robes, He began his panicked run to the hospital wing.
Scene Change...
Sly and Jonathan were leaving Hogwarts, both in black. Jonathan kissed Rowena and Godric goodbye, but Sly looked stonily past them, a cold, angry look permeating his face.
~*~*~*~ End Dream Sequence~*~*~*~
Hermione opened her eyes to realize three things:
a) She was seated at her desk.
b) It was almost dark.
c) Neatly stacked in front of her were about seven pieces of parchment, covered with her precise and mechanical writing.
She sat up quickly, rifling through the pages, recognizing almost word for word the dream she had just had.
"Oh. My. God," she breathed, almost in disbelief. She heard pounding footsteps, and quickly hid the parchment. Sephie soon came barreling in.
"HERMIONEEEEEEEEEEE...."
"Yesssssssss..." she drawled, trying to get the guilty look off of her face.
"You have to help me..."
"With what, Sephie?"
"I found out that the kitchen elves stock all foods..."
"Why am I worried?"
"Oh, come on! They got me Jolt and Pixie Stix! But... you have to help me hide them, 'cause if Lexi finds out they'll be as good as gone."
"Fine."
They started down to the kitchens, and Sephie, being Sephie, said exactly the wrong thing.
"So, when are you and Ron gonna swallow ya pride and just snog?"
"WHAT?"
"You know you want him, girl... nothing can be hidden from me."
"Oh, really, Trelawney?"
"Ouch, baby. Very ouch."
"There is NOTHING going on between Ron and-"
"EXACTLY! The point is, there SHOULD BE. You, my dear sis, have to get over your proper priss attitude and just boink the kid."
Hermione was on her in a flash; soon they were fighting right in the middle of the hallway.
"Take it back!"
"NEVER!" roared Sephie defiantly.
Ron and Lexi, on the hunt for the pair, came around the corner as Herm started in on Sephie's face.
"Hey, hey, hey!" said Ron, recognizing the murderous look in Hermione's eyes. He interposed swiftly, hauling Hermione off of her twin and pulling her up, holding onto her arms. "What is going ON here?"
"She started it!" snarled Hermione, straining against his hold to reach a panting Sephie, who was gingerly checking her cheek for bruises.
"Jesus, Hermione, if you want, I'll never mention... RON... again," said Sephie, knowing that her sister was firmly restrained. Well, at least she thought so. At this cold remark, Hermione burst into tears, her nerves already shot. Ron loosened his grip, startled, and Hermione tore out of there so fast they hardly saw her leave. Ron did, though... because he was right behind her. Sephie and Lexi exchanged looks.
"Common room?" asked Lexi.
"Right," confirmed Sephie, still grimacing.
Contrary to popular belief, Ron wasn't stupid. Actually, with the way Sephie had spoken, Ron figured he had done something wrong. Which, in an indirect way, he had.
"HERMIONE!"
She gasped through her tears as she ran, belatedly realizing that Ron was tearing after her. She threw herself in a corner and slid down the wall, waiting breathlessly, trying to hide so he wouldn't see her crying. It was no use, though. She was so out of breath that her gasps drew him to the spot immediately.
"Herm? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, Ron!" she rasped quickly, suddenly realizing that she was caught. With Ron kneeling in front of her and the wall at her back, she was effectively stuck.
"Hermione, you're crying, you just beat the crap out of your sister, and I don't know why! Usually..." He never finished the sentence, because something dawned on him.
"Ok, Hermione, did I do something?"
"Wh-what?"
"I'm the ONLY one I've ever seen get you THIS mad, so technically the odds are that I did something. What?"
"Is EVERYTHING about you?"
"I don't know. Is it?" he asked coolly.
"No!" She tried to get up, and Ron silently got up first, taking her arm and helping her to her feet. She gulped suddenly. Their faces were about two inches apart, and that was only because he was taller than she was.
~ Oh, god, help me,~ she thought helplessly. Then, just running on instinct, she kissed him.
Ron stared at her, openmouthed, as she backed away, red faced. Then she spun and took off again. He lost precious seconds in shock, staring after her. Then he groaned and started running again, calling after her. The wrong thing to do, because the sound of his voice made her run all the faster.
~*~*~*~
"Soooo..." said Sephie as she jumped up and down on the couch.
"So...what?" asked Lexi distractedly, busily pecking away with two fingers at the specially adapted laptop that she was supposed to share with Sephie to keep in contact with America (but was actually used to keep up with the Muggle Anime world during the school year.)
"Exactly!" said Sephie brightly...too brightly.
Lexi glared up at a bouncing Sephie with dawning suspicion. "You... you... you..."
"Me what? I- I didn't do it! I swear to Serenity, it was the Hairball-"
"Who?"
"Harry. Didn't I SAY Harry?"
"N-"
"In the name of all things Anime, you better say that I did!"
"You-you did, right?" said Lexi.
"Good girl."
"Rig- DON'T TRY TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"
"I wasn't aware we even HAD a subject!"
"YOU BAKA! YOU'RE HOLDING OUT ON ME!"
"What are you TALKING about, Lexi?" sang Sephie as she executed an impossible flip in the air over the couch.
Lexi didn't reply; she simply moved toward the staircase. Sephie's reaction was more than enough to convince ANY jury. She dove headfirst off the couch and tackled Lexi to the ground. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Suddenly there was a loud bang, and some muffled sobbing. Sephie raised her head to see her sister storming the staircase, tears on her face. Sephie let Lexi up in time to see Ron, jaw set, go up after her... and they heard the door slam.
The two of them stared at each other in shock. Then Lexi asked, "Pause?"
"Later, "Sephie agreed, then rose. "I'll get the Hai- Harry."
Lexi stifled a snicker. "I'll get Ginny."
"Herm?"
"Ron, get out of my room."
"No."
"Now."
"No."
"Ronald Weasley, you get out of my room right this..."
She froze as she jerked the curtains of her bed open, clutching them tightly. Ron stood there, clearly resolute to have this out. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Ron spoke... or tried to. "Hermione..."
"WHAT? Would you like to insult me, Ron? Or perhaps laugh at me? Did you follow me all the way up here to tell me off again?" She was breathing hard through this little speech, which seemed like it would cause her to burst into tears.
Ron, however, was a different story. He was mad. In three swift strides, he had crossed the room and reached her side. He grabbed her wrists and hissed, "Do you even know me, Hermione?"
"Wh-"
He cut her off viciously. "How dare you accuse me of acting or thinking like that? Do you even REALIZE what was running through my head those whole ten seconds? -Does she like me? Was that an accident? What should I do when this is though? Is our friendship over? Will she regret this? Will I regret this?- Do you honestly, sincerely think that I don't LIKE you, Hermione?!"
With that, he let go of her wrists and turned away. Thrown off balance, Hermione fell onto her side with an oomph, and propped herself up to see... Ron's back as he faced the wall on the other side of the room.
"Ron?" she asked timidly. No response.
She sighed slightly and rose, carefully avoiding sound. She crossed the room, held her breath, and then put her hand on Ron's arm lightly.
He jumped and turned to face her incredulously.
"Ron... please..." she whispered, eyes filling.
He looked her over carefully. She was shaking so badly she could hardly stand, and her eyes were rapidly filling with tears. He knew, though, that he would have to make the move... Herm had already tried once. He slowly put his arms around her, practically holding her up.
"Hermione..." he began helplessly. Then he just threw it all away; all doubts, all logic, all sanity. He stooped his head and kissed her, trying to convey all the things he had been too shy... and unable... to say.
When they wrenched away from each other, breathing hard, Hermione buried her face in the front of Ron's robes and muttered what sounded like, "Bloody hell."
He chuckled nervously. Then, quite without meaning to, Hermione broke the rapidly rising tension.
"Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Do I still get to fight with you?"
"Yes, Herm," said Ron though fits of laughing, " The day wouldn't be the same without your constant nagging.
"I do NOT nag."
"No lying, though," he said sternly, and she sighed in defeat. "Check, but not mate, Chessmaster," she joked.
"So, Herm, what do you say? Want to try this dating thing out?"
"Did you really think I would refuse?" asked Hermione rhetorically, as she put her arms around his neck...
"Gotcha!" hissed Sephie in triumph as she pressed ::Pause:: on her illegally altered web cam.
"Ooh, I'll have some fun with this..."
"You do realize that they'll kill you as soon as they find out, right?" asked Harry from her other side.
"You mean they'll kill US, Potter," grinned Sephie. "Say cheese!"
"Don't!" Too late. Sephie now had blackmail on three people.. not including herself, but who ever blackmailed themselves? It took all the fun out of it!