The next day came too soon and Hermione was already all packed with a small bag. She packed a picture that she cherished the most: it was of the whole family when they went on a picnic. Oliver had made her laugh while Gabriella and Corey tickled each other, and her mother had snapped the picture just in time. Hermione traced her finger over her family's faces and a small smile tugged at her lips.
"I miss you, Oliver." She kissed the picture, and tucked it safely away in her duffle bag. Harry would be arriving any moment through her fireplace. Where she was going she didn't know but she knew this is what she needed to do. She had just enough time before Harry came to go check that everything was locked and shut in her house. After all, she'd be away for some time.
No one knew how long this war would last.
__________________________________________
The trip down the fireplace was surprisingly short but it wasn't until Hermione landed the real surprise had begun. It seemed as if she landed in a huge mansion filled with people running around--just basically running around trying to get things done. It was also very noisy. It almost looked like a military base except much fancier and much more magic.
She glanced up and found herself in a trance. She was staring at a beautiful crystal chandelier. Harry spotted this and smiled at her.
"Not how you pictured it huh, Hermione?" She broke out of her trance and turned around to face him. There was a soft hum of voices in the back round. "No...it's beautiful Harry. It truly is. Who are all these people?"
"These are the workers and supporters of the Lightside. Some people you may even recognize. They used to work at the Ministry."
"What exactly are we doing here, Harry?"
"We train our wizards and witches to be the best they can be. They learn new and difficult hexes, healing spells, and potions that regenerate energy. This floor is used for all that. The upper floors are for everyone's bedrooms. The basement floors are all the offices. It's basically where we're connected to the rest of the world. We get all the news down there. Come on, I'll show you where your bedroom is."
She followed him up the velvet-rugged staircase and up to her bedroom. It wasn't very big, but that was understandable since there were over 500 people on one floor. And otherwise, her bedroom was very cozy. Hermione unpacked while Harry informed her of tomorrow's events. He sounded like he was very nervous.
"Hermione...our first raid is tomorrow. But I don't want to put you in this one. Because you still need a lot of training. You also need to rest. You've been through a lot. Maybe while half the mansion is gone you can get used to it. Everybody's friendly around here so don't worry about it. I expect some of your friends will be arriving in the next few weeks. The war officially starts tomorrow morning and the first battle takes place somewhere in the forest out West. You understand?
Hermione nodded. All she knew is that she didn't want there to be war. She wanted her old life back...She set the picture of her family on her dresser. She didn't know how long she was standing there but Harry's voice broke the intense silence.
"Hermione? You OK?" Harry said concerned. She nodded again and swallowed. She found her throat was soar and she couldn't speak. Harry kissed her cheek and went to leave but turned.
"Oh Ron should be by later to see you. Try and get some sleep. I'll have somebody wake you up for breakfast tomorrow." He winked and closed the door behind her. Hermione glanced around her small room and sighed. She fell back against the bed and sleep hit her with a sudden jolt.
__________________________________________
Hermione woke to someone shaking her shoulder.
"Cambia!" She sat up and hugged her friend right away.
"Oh my...Cambia how are you? What are you doing here?"
"I just got here last night. I just...just finished sending the kids off." Two lonely tears strolled down Cambia's cheek. Hermione hugged her again and sat up.
"I'm glad I'm not here alone. What time is it?" Hermione said yawning.
Cambia glanced at her watch and sighed. "It's 8:30. Harry and the other troops already left. I heard you were here on a special assignment, Hermione. What is it?"
"Oh it's nothing; just some special training. How `bout you?" Hermione questioned.
"Oh me...I'm working down in the offices. My "job" is to record the war into documents and store them in files. Keith is with me, thank god. I'm so happy he didn't get transferred to another Manor."
"There are other Manors like this one?"
"Oh sure there are...about twenty more all around this one. We got lucky...they say this is the nicest one. And with Harry Potter here, it couldn't get better."
Hermione rubbed her head thoughtfully. "Is breakfast over already?"
"Yes. Harry told me to wake you up for breakfast before he left but you looked too peaceful." Cambia paused for a moment. "I can bring you some food if you'd like." Hermione nodded and her stomach growled. She realized how she hadn't eaten in about three days. After saying bye to Cambia, Hermione took a shower and ate her food that was sent up. Afterwards, she wandered around a bit. She explored the depths of the large mansion and talked to people along the way. She was really anticipating other Gold Falcons, like herself. But she hadn't run into one yet.
After dinner, she went back upstairs into her room and decided to write to her mother and kids. Being that she was so exhausted from walking around all morning, she must have drifted off when she felt like someone was watching her.
She opened her eyes lazily and she saw Ron, on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair. He kissed her cheek softly and smiled. He looked so much more adult-like than the last time she'd seen him...a lot more handsome, too. Hermione grinned evilly and eyed him purposely.
"Ron is married. Ron is married. Ron is married..." Said Hermione. She was whispering and trying to pretend that she didn't notice Ron standing over her. She opened one eye and then smirked. "Oh hey Ron didn't see you there." Ron pulled her up and hugged her tightly to his chest. She ruffed his red hair. "I missed you so much Ron. I don't know how I lived without my two best friends for so long."
He sniffled and pulled back. "How are you, Hermione?"
"I'm doing OK. I'm adjusting to this whole war thing but...I'm making it through."
He smiled and brushed her hair away from her golden-tanned face. "God you're so beautiful, Hermione. Who woulda' thought. Lil' ol' bushy-haired, smart ass Hermione." She laughed playfully, and bit his hand.
"So what do you do here, Ron? Fight evil monsters? Or boss people around?" Hermione said grinning.
Ron gave her a `shut up you don't know what you're talking about look' but she ignored. "That's Lt. Weasley to you." He said, not being able to control his laughter.
Just when they were beginning to talk about all the years they had missed, a young woman had knocked on the door. "Lt. Weasley...?"
"Yes?" Ron said, rather annoyed.
"They need you in the offices. They say it's urgent, sir." The women said growing rather annoyed too. Ron stood up and mouthed to Hermione, `I'll be back' and then disappeared from the room.
A few moments later a young man knocked on her door.
"Come in."
"Miss. Hermione Wood?"
"Yes?"
"Your training starts tonight after dinner. Be in the hospital corridors at 8:00."
"OK."
__________________________________________
At dinner she sat with Cambia and a couple of other girls she hadn't seen in years. Some of the girls were even her old friends from Hogwarts.
"So Lavender, how did you get your hair that magnificent color?" A redheaded girl said.
"I read an article in a magazine. It tells you how to make a hair-changing potion." Lavender replied.
"Hermione what room are you in?" Lavender said turning her attention back to Cambia and Hermione.
After a bit more gossiping, the conversation suddenly changed to war. Hermione felt sick just talking about it. When she was about to leave she heard a familiar name that was mentioned.
"...and someone said they spotted Narcissa running across the forest that the Lightside and the Darkside are now fighting at. Someone said they also spotted Draco with her, too. They say he is a big commander in the Darkside. Down right stunningly handsome too... if you asked me. "
"Draco Malfoy?" Hermione said surprised.
A/N: Ahhh so here comes the suspense...lol. This is where all the war scenes and ahem...LOVE scenes come in. Well sooner or later. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm happy I got a lot of reviews in just four days. Don't you just love Harry and Ron? They're so cute. ;) The next chapter should be posted soon. This is where the story gets A LOT better for those of you who think there is no action at all. *raises eyebrows up and down playfully* Remember to review!
"I miss you, Oliver." She kissed the picture, and tucked it safely away in her duffle bag. Harry would be arriving any moment through her fireplace. Where she was going she didn't know but she knew this is what she needed to do. She had just enough time before Harry came to go check that everything was locked and shut in her house. After all, she'd be away for some time.
No one knew how long this war would last.
__________________________________________
The trip down the fireplace was surprisingly short but it wasn't until Hermione landed the real surprise had begun. It seemed as if she landed in a huge mansion filled with people running around--just basically running around trying to get things done. It was also very noisy. It almost looked like a military base except much fancier and much more magic.
She glanced up and found herself in a trance. She was staring at a beautiful crystal chandelier. Harry spotted this and smiled at her.
"Not how you pictured it huh, Hermione?" She broke out of her trance and turned around to face him. There was a soft hum of voices in the back round. "No...it's beautiful Harry. It truly is. Who are all these people?"
"These are the workers and supporters of the Lightside. Some people you may even recognize. They used to work at the Ministry."
"What exactly are we doing here, Harry?"
"We train our wizards and witches to be the best they can be. They learn new and difficult hexes, healing spells, and potions that regenerate energy. This floor is used for all that. The upper floors are for everyone's bedrooms. The basement floors are all the offices. It's basically where we're connected to the rest of the world. We get all the news down there. Come on, I'll show you where your bedroom is."
She followed him up the velvet-rugged staircase and up to her bedroom. It wasn't very big, but that was understandable since there were over 500 people on one floor. And otherwise, her bedroom was very cozy. Hermione unpacked while Harry informed her of tomorrow's events. He sounded like he was very nervous.
"Hermione...our first raid is tomorrow. But I don't want to put you in this one. Because you still need a lot of training. You also need to rest. You've been through a lot. Maybe while half the mansion is gone you can get used to it. Everybody's friendly around here so don't worry about it. I expect some of your friends will be arriving in the next few weeks. The war officially starts tomorrow morning and the first battle takes place somewhere in the forest out West. You understand?
Hermione nodded. All she knew is that she didn't want there to be war. She wanted her old life back...She set the picture of her family on her dresser. She didn't know how long she was standing there but Harry's voice broke the intense silence.
"Hermione? You OK?" Harry said concerned. She nodded again and swallowed. She found her throat was soar and she couldn't speak. Harry kissed her cheek and went to leave but turned.
"Oh Ron should be by later to see you. Try and get some sleep. I'll have somebody wake you up for breakfast tomorrow." He winked and closed the door behind her. Hermione glanced around her small room and sighed. She fell back against the bed and sleep hit her with a sudden jolt.
__________________________________________
Hermione woke to someone shaking her shoulder.
"Cambia!" She sat up and hugged her friend right away.
"Oh my...Cambia how are you? What are you doing here?"
"I just got here last night. I just...just finished sending the kids off." Two lonely tears strolled down Cambia's cheek. Hermione hugged her again and sat up.
"I'm glad I'm not here alone. What time is it?" Hermione said yawning.
Cambia glanced at her watch and sighed. "It's 8:30. Harry and the other troops already left. I heard you were here on a special assignment, Hermione. What is it?"
"Oh it's nothing; just some special training. How `bout you?" Hermione questioned.
"Oh me...I'm working down in the offices. My "job" is to record the war into documents and store them in files. Keith is with me, thank god. I'm so happy he didn't get transferred to another Manor."
"There are other Manors like this one?"
"Oh sure there are...about twenty more all around this one. We got lucky...they say this is the nicest one. And with Harry Potter here, it couldn't get better."
Hermione rubbed her head thoughtfully. "Is breakfast over already?"
"Yes. Harry told me to wake you up for breakfast before he left but you looked too peaceful." Cambia paused for a moment. "I can bring you some food if you'd like." Hermione nodded and her stomach growled. She realized how she hadn't eaten in about three days. After saying bye to Cambia, Hermione took a shower and ate her food that was sent up. Afterwards, she wandered around a bit. She explored the depths of the large mansion and talked to people along the way. She was really anticipating other Gold Falcons, like herself. But she hadn't run into one yet.
After dinner, she went back upstairs into her room and decided to write to her mother and kids. Being that she was so exhausted from walking around all morning, she must have drifted off when she felt like someone was watching her.
She opened her eyes lazily and she saw Ron, on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair. He kissed her cheek softly and smiled. He looked so much more adult-like than the last time she'd seen him...a lot more handsome, too. Hermione grinned evilly and eyed him purposely.
"Ron is married. Ron is married. Ron is married..." Said Hermione. She was whispering and trying to pretend that she didn't notice Ron standing over her. She opened one eye and then smirked. "Oh hey Ron didn't see you there." Ron pulled her up and hugged her tightly to his chest. She ruffed his red hair. "I missed you so much Ron. I don't know how I lived without my two best friends for so long."
He sniffled and pulled back. "How are you, Hermione?"
"I'm doing OK. I'm adjusting to this whole war thing but...I'm making it through."
He smiled and brushed her hair away from her golden-tanned face. "God you're so beautiful, Hermione. Who woulda' thought. Lil' ol' bushy-haired, smart ass Hermione." She laughed playfully, and bit his hand.
"So what do you do here, Ron? Fight evil monsters? Or boss people around?" Hermione said grinning.
Ron gave her a `shut up you don't know what you're talking about look' but she ignored. "That's Lt. Weasley to you." He said, not being able to control his laughter.
Just when they were beginning to talk about all the years they had missed, a young woman had knocked on the door. "Lt. Weasley...?"
"Yes?" Ron said, rather annoyed.
"They need you in the offices. They say it's urgent, sir." The women said growing rather annoyed too. Ron stood up and mouthed to Hermione, `I'll be back' and then disappeared from the room.
A few moments later a young man knocked on her door.
"Come in."
"Miss. Hermione Wood?"
"Yes?"
"Your training starts tonight after dinner. Be in the hospital corridors at 8:00."
"OK."
__________________________________________
At dinner she sat with Cambia and a couple of other girls she hadn't seen in years. Some of the girls were even her old friends from Hogwarts.
"So Lavender, how did you get your hair that magnificent color?" A redheaded girl said.
"I read an article in a magazine. It tells you how to make a hair-changing potion." Lavender replied.
"Hermione what room are you in?" Lavender said turning her attention back to Cambia and Hermione.
After a bit more gossiping, the conversation suddenly changed to war. Hermione felt sick just talking about it. When she was about to leave she heard a familiar name that was mentioned.
"...and someone said they spotted Narcissa running across the forest that the Lightside and the Darkside are now fighting at. Someone said they also spotted Draco with her, too. They say he is a big commander in the Darkside. Down right stunningly handsome too... if you asked me. "
"Draco Malfoy?" Hermione said surprised.
A/N: Ahhh so here comes the suspense...lol. This is where all the war scenes and ahem...LOVE scenes come in. Well sooner or later. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm happy I got a lot of reviews in just four days. Don't you just love Harry and Ron? They're so cute. ;) The next chapter should be posted soon. This is where the story gets A LOT better for those of you who think there is no action at all. *raises eyebrows up and down playfully* Remember to review!