"Chocolate toffee," she mumbled to the gargoyle as she made her way to the Headmaster's office.
"Hermione. Do come in. I was just about to invite you to dinner with Minerva and myself."
"Good, I gratefully accept. But I need to talk about these mad feelings that I'm having. I'm not at all myself since I went to Ireland, and I'm told you might know something about that."
"Sit down, sit down. Tea?"
"No, thank you. What have I gotten myself into, sir?"
"I will tell you what I know, and then we'll need to hear from the Mother Superior for the rest." He proceeded to tell Hermione basically the same story he told Snape earlier, leaving out the part about Harry's mother running away because she had been rejected by the dour young man now skulking in the Hogwarts dungeons.
"So, what you are saying is that the power isn't evident as long as you are under the protection of the Order, but once you leave it becomes apparent?"
"That seems to be so. My theory is that witches that go there in need of protection are granted more protection than they bargained for. And according to the Mother Superior, this change is only evident in witches, not the Muggles that join."
"And Harry
and Draco? Do they know?"
"Draco knows that he has an unusual power that is a twin of
Voldemort's. Of course Voldemort's has never been the same since
Harry defeated him the first time, but it is almost certainly what allowed him
to live when he should have by all rights been dead. There has never been
occasion to explain in detail to Harry what gifts his mother gave him, but that
time is probably near."
"Is this some genetic change, or what? I don't understand." She was fiddling with her robes, and trying not to think of Snape.
"The Mother Superior would better be able to explain what has changed. What I know is that the power of the feminine side of God is magnified in magical members of the Order. I know, I know, you don't believe in God. But there is a feminine force at work that is incredibly powerful and ancient in the Order, and now in you. I've owled the Mother Superior asking if we can seek a deeper explanation."
"Are Harry and Draco the only two children born to a witch of the Order, then?"
"No. There is one other living."
"Voldemort."
"Right in one."
"That's why he wanted to kill Harry, then? To make sure his rise to power went unchecked, and that Narcissa's child – Draco - would be the only one to be his heir?"
"Very perceptive, Hermione, and probably accurate, though I confess I haven't interviewed Voldemort to get his opinion."
Dobby suddenly appeared. "Master, my old master is here to see you and the miss, sir."
"Lucius is here? This is rather unexpected. Show him in, please, Dobby."
*~*
"I'll give you any price. You name it, whatever you wish, but you must withdraw your accusation against my son." Lucius Malfoy had been having an awful day. Once the news of Draco's arrest had made its way to the Dark Lord, all hell had broken loose. Lucius had to mend three broken bones in his hand and one in his cheek before he had Apparated to Hogwarts to plead for his son's life. And groveling before Dumbledore and this horrid little Mudblood after a morning of liberal doses of the Cruciatus was nearly the final straw.
"I can't be bought off, Mr. Malfoy." The defiant, angry Sister Mary Rebecca was back with a vengeance.
"You won't be able to imagine the wrath of Voldemort when he gets his hands on you, girl. Let Draco go, and I'll ensure that you'll be protected."
"Oh please, Lucius. No one will be protected from Voldemort in the end, least of all me. I'm a Mudblood, remember?"
Lucius looked into her face, and saw a hauntingly familiar look in her eyes. Could she be… "Draco is young, he made a horrid mistake, but he doesn't deserve a life in Azkaban for one mistake."
"He should have considered that before he did something so Unforgivable, then. I don't make the rules, but I certainly resolve to live by them," she said icily. At that moment, he knew. She had that same steely reserve that Narcissa had come home with eighteen years prior to this, before he had broken her. His foolish son had created yet another witch under the protection of the Order. Lucius winced at the amount of pain he'd have to endure to bring this news to the attention of Voldemort.
"You have three days to change your mind. I can assure you, if you don't, you will be sorry."
"Threats, Lucius?" Snape stood in the doorway, idly surveying the scene as if it was of no great import. "How very much like you."
"Snape," Lucius spat, "Don't interfere in matters that don't concern you." Lucius turned and stalked to the door, turning to look at the ever-impassive Dumbledore. "This isn't over yet, old man, and you best get the girl to recant her testimony or there will be war, I can promise you." After he left, Severus sighed and looked at Dumbledore and held up his arm. "I have been summoned. I'm certain that Voldemort will wish me to find a way to convince Miss Granger to recant, but unless things have changed, he doesn't want me to blow my cover with you, so that should buy me some time. I am going to tell him that I have taken her as an apprentice to keep an eye on her and keep her close."
"I think," Hermione said, "that Lucius guessed that I am a member of the Order. I saw a certain familiarity dawn in his eyes as he spoke to me."
"He'll be on his way to Voldemort with that news, but it cannot be helped," Snape said. "Hermione, there is still time for you to go into hiding; with the Fidelius, they won't ever be able to find you again."
"No," she said with grim determination, "I believe I have important work to do. Yesterday was the time for fear. I'm growing stronger. I'm not afraid."
Snape nodded, and left for his meeting with Voldemort. An owl arrived with a note just as the door closed.
Dearest Sister Mary Rebecca and Albus,
I don't have much to add to what you already know, but for Mary Rebecca's sake, I'll explain the Gift of the Order as best I can.
Traditional Catholic faith revolves around the Trinity, or a God that is three in one; the God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Order of Benevolent Light, while technically Catholic, takes a divergent and some would say heretical view of the Godhead. We have direct evidence of a Feminine side of God, and see the Holy Spirit as our "Mother of Creation". It's still the Trinity, but God is infinitely more than just a masculine presence.
When you took your vows, I placed a rosary over you and prayed. This rosary is very old, and has been handed down from Mother Superior to Mother Superior for a thousand years at least. It shows me who in the Order truly has the Mother of Creation's blessing and favor. The women who have a piece of the Holy Spirit have it within them to do great things.
It is never an accident that a woman finds us and becomes a member. While it might be painful to contemplate, the act that drove you to our doors was necessary so that you could tap into Her power. In the coming war, you will be needed.
I am certain Albus has spoken of children of members of the Order. You should know that by my reckoning, a still-weakened Voldemort and strong Draco together will likely have the power to overcome Harry. Harry's power is greater than either Voldemort's, or Draco's as yet unrealized power because his mother gave him so much more of the Spirit's power. He was conceived in love, which gave him a head start against Draco. He was given so much of the feminine in his babyhood; birthed in a powerful joyous push, nursed at the breast of a strong loving witch, who ultimately died for him. His piece of the Spirit is great indeed, and some of it is still unrealized. But Voldemort has taken some of that uniqueness from him in his rebirthing ceremony. Yes, I know about that; I always sense when there is a drawing of energy from the Mother's bosom, and I dreamed of what happened that night.
No, Albus, I am not a witch, and you know it. Just very old, and tuned in, as they say.
I cannot foresee what will happen but keeping Draco locked up and out of harm's way is the best way to forestall Voldemort at this time. You're on the right path, and you would be right to attempt to enlist more assistance as well. There will be attempts to free Draco from his bonds. Do not allow this to happen.
Mary Rebecca dear, one thing you should know. The Mother's spirit in you will be seeking out a Companion and Protector, someone to form a life bond with. While in the convent, the Mother draws her strength, protection, and companionship with the other nuns; but outside the convent walls, she needs counterparts to keep the Trinity complete in you. You're likely to find yourself attracted to someone, irresistibly so, and you may find yourself with child before too long. This can be a Very Good Thing, or it can be dreadful if not fully realized. Your desire will be for someone you already wanted, but might not have realized it before the gift of the Spirit. There is a very good chance that he will return your affections, as the Mother is quite aware of the best matches and most fierce protectors. My advice? Don't fight it, even if it seems very strange at first. Primal forces are at work, and if you deny them, you'll end up a bitter, broken woman like Narcissa Malfoy, or dead by your own hand like Tom Riddle's mother. If the Mother's needs are denied, you may find yourself on the Dark path; it's happened before and I would hate to see history repeat itself. Remember that Lucifer was once God's most trusted Angel. You have free will, but the Mother will attempt to guide you in the wisest choices, and not listening to her guidance can have serious consequences.
The Mother wished Narcissa to stay in Ireland and keep the child safe from Malfoy and Voldemort, and you see what happened when she made the wrong choice.
If you still have questions, I am…
Always yours,
The Mother Superior
Albus finished reading, and looked at the woman reading over his shoulder. Light was dawning for her about her unasked question, the one he knew both she and Severus were struggling with.
"Professor Snape…" she sighed.
"He's your Companion and Protector, child. You heard the Mother Superior. Don't fight it." A twinkle was in his eye, and she knew that he thought this was A Very Good Idea. The crazy old man had really gone off his rocker, this time. Snape? A Life Partner? The world must be coming to an end.
"Do you have any idea what you are saying? I need time to think. And we need to talk to Harry."
"Agreed."
*~*
Dear Harry,
Could you come up to Hogwarts for the day tomorrow? Dumbledore and I need a word with you. It's important.
Bring Ron, too.
Love, Hermione
