Chapter Eight


A Fairy Circle


Hermione, as she went to her classes that day, planned how she would get to the path to Hogsmeade to find the fey circle. First year students were not allowed off the grounds of Hogwarts, however, Hermione intended to 'borrow' Harry's invisibility cloak so she wasn't worried. After dinner, Hermione bided her time until she saw Draco Malfoy, the seventh year Slytherin and Professor Snape leave the Great Hall together. Claiming a need to start cramming for exams, Hermione ignored Ron's jibe and practically ran to Gryffindor Tower.

While Harry and Ron were busy discussing Quidditch with Seamus Finnegan and several of the other Gryffindor first years at their table, they might decide to continue their discussion in the comfort of the Gryffindor common room, which would make it rather difficult for Hermione to get Harry's cloak.

Reaching the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione said the password then practically pushed the picture aside in her hurry to get through.

"Well" exclaimed the Lady, "how rude!"

Hermione was already through the common room and half way up the stone stairs to the boys dorm, she had no time to waste. Fortunately, she knew where in his trunk Harry kept his cloak and with a quick wave and "Aloho mora" the trunks lock clicked open. Her heart pounding, Hermione reached in and felt under Harry's Quidditch uniform and touched the cloak. Pulling it out she hastily covered herself then relocked the trunk. Moments later, her heart in her throat, Hermione made it to her room, and saw with relief she was alone.

Pulling the cloak off, she grabbed her book bag and quickly stuffed the glimmering material under several parchments. Just to be on the safe side, Hermione grabbed a sweater and stuffed it down on top of the parchments, obscuring the cloak from view. In much less hurry than she arrived, Hermione made her way down from the girls dormitory and through the still deserted common room.

"Excuse me" she said, a little timorously, to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Oh, it's you, have you come to push me again?"

The Lady had a very disapproving look on her face as she looked down at Hermione.

"No ma'am."

Hermione bit her lower lip, apologizing to a portrait was as hard as apologizing to a person.

"I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior, I, I was in a hurry."

"Hmph, kids these days" she tutted.

"I am sorry" Hermione rushed on, wondering if there was a protocol for this situation while also hoping Professor Snape was still occupied with Draco Malfoy and the seventh year Slytherin.

"All right dear, thank you for your apology."

The Fat Lady looked mollified, yet still opened quite quickly for Hermione.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione forced herself to slow down as she walked towards the library. For her plan to work, she knew she had to be seen studying in the library, her alibi had to be air-tight, and of course, believable.

Once in the library Hermione made sure to say hello to several Gryffindor's, and even sat with Neville Longbottom for ten nerve-wracking minutes. She reassured him that he would do well and rashly promised to coach him for their upcoming potions final. Excusing herself Hermione headed for the closest girls bathroom, ready to put her plan into effect.

Rounding a corner near the library, Hermione checked to make sure she was alone. Seeing she was she quickly pulled Harry's invisibility cloak out of her book bag and covered herself; she was becoming quite adept at this subterfuge. Making her way from the corridor Hermione's heart pounded as she slipped out of Hogwarts, the cloak clutched tightly in her sweaty hands. Walking quickly, Hermione headed towards the path to Hogsmeade a myriad of conflicting emotions troubling her. Now that she was actually on her way to find that fey circle Dumbledore had described, Hermione felt guilty. She was very fond of him and knew he would be disappointed in her. For a moment her steps faltered, then Hermione shook her head.

'I'm only looking' she thought defensively and continued across the lawn, knowing of course that she was in the wrong. Passing by Hagrid's hut, smoke curling above the roof, she remembered fondly the times she, Harry and Ron had sat within enjoying his company, if not necessarily his rock cakes. Continuing past his hut, the blackness of the Dark, forbidden Forest looming menacingly beside her, Hermione jumped at the sudden rustling and flapping of wings as two owls flew overhead heading for the owlery. Heaving a sigh of relief Hermione walked on until she came to the well worn path to Hogsmeade.

Confirming that she was still well covered by the cloak, Hermione ventured cautiously onto the path. She had almost expected alarms to sound as she left the safety of the Hogwarts grounds, but the night was undisturbed. As it was only early evening, Hermione knew she could be gone for about an hour at least before she'd be missed. The path to Hogsmeade was well trod, yet, as she walked along slowly, Hermione didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

She remembered that the fey circle was supposed to be close by the path, but all she could see were the abundant wild flowers and grasses lining the path. It was quite peaceful in fact and Hermione had reached the outskirts of Hogsmeade without the slightest sign of a fey circle anywhere. As it was nearly summer it was still light out, the air still warm, and twilight slowly settling across the path.

'Where is it?' Hermione asked herself as she started back along the path to Hogwarts,'it's supposed to be near the path, oh.'

Shaking her head at herself, Hermione felt a little silly. Close to the path would most likely not mean beside the path but probably closer to the forest itself. 'Logic Hermione' she berated herself,'even if it's close to the path doesn't mean it's actually going to be close enough to trip over.'

Retracing her steps, Hermione made several forays off the path and almost into the forest, searching for the fey circle. As she was almost back to the grounds of Hogwarts and had still not found the circle, a small suspicion began to form in her mind. A suspicion that perhaps she'd been set up, that Professor Snape did see her that time in the library, knew she had been in the restricted books section, and had seen her book on the Fey open on the table.

'Oh bother' Hermione pursed her lips in irritation as she looked towards the school and then over to the forest. She hadn't been gone for very long, and while the sun had gone down already she knew it would be awhile still before it truly got dark.

'I will' she told herself silently and walked into the edge of the forest.

She hadn't gone more than a few feet when her heart jumped suddenly at what she saw; a fairy circle.

In awe, Hermione knelt down by the circle of mushrooms, letting the invisibility cloak slip off her as she tentatively reached forward to gently touch the nearest mushroom.

Here in the forest it was darker than she had expected and a hush seemed to have settled over everything, as if the forest itself was holding it's breath. Her fingertips brushed the top of the mushroom, releasing a fine, powdery cloud of spores, straight into Hermione's face.

Like pepper, the spores irritated her nose and Hermione sneezed, blinked, and then, as her eyes opened again, saw a tiny light flickering just beyond the circle.

It flitted around, just out of Hermione's reach, then suddenly circled her head before flying further into the forest. When Hermione didn't move, the flickering light returned, once again circled Hermione's head before flitting deeper into the forest.

'Now what?' Hermione wondered as once again the light returned, circled her, then stopped directly in front of her and stood on her nose.

"Oh!"

Hermione peered, startled, at the tiny fairy, it's gossamer wings tucked behind it's back, it's green dress the colour of new spring grass. It spoke to her, but all Hermione could hear was a high-pitched buzzing, whistling kind of sound. Not thinking, she shook her head, then watched in dismay as the fairy was thrown several feet to the side. It's wings unfolded in a split second and once again it circled Hermione's head. This time, rather than stand on her nose, which had rather tickled, it grabbed a few strands of her hair and flew skyward with them, pulling Hermione to her feet with a startled "ouch!"

"Your very determined I follow you, aren't you?" Hermione asked in a whisper as it began flying ahead of her, pulling her along by tugging somewhat painfully on her hair.

In her excitement Hermione completely forgot about Harry's invisibility cloak she'd left lying on the ground by the mushroom circle. She was going to get some answers, and then she would really be able to help her friend Harry Potter.

~*~