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[pic]Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
chapter 4
Hermione woke soon after Snape had left the room, and was mildly surprised when she looked around and found herself in a staff room. She looked out the window, and the events of last night hit her. Harry and Ron! And all those people, dead. She stood shivering by the window, trying to come to terms with everything. Finally she turned, straightened her robes and walked towards the door. Her steps faltered as she remembered how she'd got into the staff room, she'd been walking and then she'd. fainted? And Professor Snape, her cheeks coloured as she remembered her incoherent mumbling last night. She couldn't remember exactly what she'd said, but she'd made him promise to stay with her. Her stomach somersaulted at the memory of lying her head against his hand, his fingers softly brushing her cheeks. This wasn't good. She was a student! And he was a professor, and a greasy git at that.
She opened the door resolutely, and collided with Severus Snape. Stepping back hurriedly, Hermione could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. "S- sorry, p-professor." Snape coughed and replied, "Ahh, yes well, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you immediately." When she didn't move he continued, "In his office. Now." She mumbled quietly, and took off down the corridor, cheeks flaming.
"Miss Granger, have a seat." Hermione did as the headmaster suggested, and sat on a high backed chair, across from the desk. "Miss Granger. I am aware that you have been training with the Celestial Order for the past years in Healing. I am also aware that your teachers describe as one of the most promising healers the order has come across. You have completed your novice and master stages flawlessly, with top marks, and soon will be joining as the youngest ever Adept." Hermione nodded, trying to figure out where he was going with this. "That is why, due to recent events, I've asked the order to, well, admit you earlier. There is usually a long and tiring ceremony that goes along with joining, just like most things, but because of the war I need you to for go the initiation part. I need you and Professor Snape to do something for me. Voldemort is slowly gaining power, and will soon be powerful enough to take over Britain's wizarding community. It is a dire situation. We have reason to believe, however, that there is a way to destroy him. It is impossible, as you know, to destroy Voldemort's physical form, and there is no known way to destroy his Soul, but what about his magic? Voldemort is only alive because of his magic, and if we an destroy that, we can destroy him. I need you and Professor Snape to go to Rome. I have a, well, I suppose the best word is friend. Yes, I have a friend over there, Georgio Venici, who I think can help you. You will be looking for the `magicus eversor'"
Hermione looked up, "Magic destroyer" she whispered. "But, why should I go? I'm just, me." "Because," replied Albus, "You are now a Paean of the celestial order."
Hermione gasped as a faint golden light surrounded her, filling her, consuming her. Her mind emptied, and she allowed herself to be led along a path deep within her mind. A presence called to her, and she acknowledged it, there was no need for words here. She felt a great promise, and answered it with her need to heal. She wished to become a Paean, and the presence acknowledged her wish, but first she had to bind herself with blood to the God who was before her mind, Apollo. She bound herself through each fingertip, and the blood fell from her hands and into a void at her feet. She was joined.
She awoke from her trance sitting in front of Albus Dumbledore, small cuts adorned each of her fingers. She felt, different, somehow. She was a Paean of the celestial order. She saw a question in the headmaster's eyes, and smiled. "When do we leave?"
Thanks to Samson, "me" and Chishiono Tenshi for reviewing!