A/N: Thanks for reading!
Chapter Eleven: New Semester, New Decisions
At Dumbledore's request, Hermione was to remain absolute silent about every word Draco has told her. He explained that any news about the activities of Voldemort or any of his followers were forbidden to be publicized without any concrete evidence. The Ministry was keeping the case classified, trying to avoid a cause for public panic, especially if based only on assumptions.
A week later at Durmstrang, Draco, Ron and Ginny had just retreated back to their common room after supper. As usual, Ginny was sitting on the couch, going through her posts, while Ron and Draco concentrated on their chess match.
"Well done Draco!" Ginny cheered after he had made his move.
Draco stared intensely at the board, biting his lip, "Question is, what to do next?"
Ron analyzed the pieces silently, taking the time to plot his next move.
"Ah!" Ginny said looking up pleasantly after reading one of her letters. The boys turn toward her with curious expression. "More news from Hogwarts," she explained, walking over to them, "Another mentioning about your beloved Lavender, Ron." She read aloud with deep satisfaction, "There is still no trace of Padma or Harry Potter. Even poor old Dumbledore has come back in despair."
Draco crinkled his forehead, "Do you mean they've given up the search?" he asked anxiously.
"So it seems!" Ginny answered delightfully. "Listen." she continued reading, "On the first official school Hogsmeade visit last week, a few notable students, including the Head Girl, were conspicuous by their absence," she looked up excitedly at them, "Shall I tell you why?"
Draco and Ron exchanged nervous glances between one another as they listened. Without waiting for an answer, Ginny read on, "This misfortunate event was to remain a secret, so naturally, all the students knew about it. It is generally believed that, in view of the present scandal, Padma had not only betrayed her school and fellow classmates, but her friends were suspected of the conspiracy as well!" she went into a fit of giggles, "Isn't that exquisitely funny, Draco?"
Draco frowned, looking down on the board, "Exquisitely," he replied while moving his piece, adding, "Just think how you would roar with laughter if it happened to yourself."
"Only yesterday," Ginny resumed reading the letter; "I saw Lavender and Hermione almost running out of the library, in an attempt to escape from their disgrace."
Ron, in an agitated state, clumsily moved his hand to reach one of the pawns. He accidentally bumped into the corner of the table, thereby knocking over their game. The chessboard made a loud crash as it hits the floor, breaking in two.
"That's what comes of your chattering, Ginny!" he blamed her angrily. Ron stood up hastily, looking at the mess, "I'm sorry Draco. I've ruined your chess set, I'm afraid."
"Its nothing Ron," Draco gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, "It might have happened to anybody in the same circumstances."
"Well I better stop playing before something worse happens," Ron, feeling quite depressed, started making his way up the stairs, "Good night Draco," he glanced over to Ginny and nodded, "Good night Ginny."
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Another week went by, and things are not looking any better for any of the girls. Parvati, Lavender and Hermione spent most of their time in their common room, avoiding as many students as possible. They didn't even get a chance to see Susan or Hannah, figuring they were doing the same in their own common rooms. Most of their own house either ignored their presence or cast a watchful eye on them like they would with an escaped lunatic. Hermione had to give up her Head Girl duties to another prefect. Only Seamus and Dean still had the decency to treat them with any sense of normalcy. Under these horrid conditions, it was hard for any of them to concentrate on their studies. Even Hermione's grades noticeably slipped.
It was Dumbledore who advised that the girls should consider the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic exchange program, at least until the crisis blew over. Without any alternatives, the girls agreed with a heavy heart to leave Hogwarts and arrangements were made in secrecy with Headmistress Madame Maxime.
The afternoon before their departure, while most of the students were outside watching the first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, Lavender and Hermione seized the opportunity to get ready for their leave. Dean and Seamus were running up and down the stairs helping them move their trunks down. Parvati was lying down ill on the couch sulking ever since they made their decision to transfer.
"Ohhh," Parvati groaned with her eyes closed, "Ohhh. I don't believe I shall ever get back my strength."
Lavender was sitting down beside her, gently dabbing her forehead with a wet towel. "It won't be long now," Lavender assured her, "You'll feel better once we're all settled at Beauxbaton and away from this place. Won't she Dean?"
"I sincerely hope so," Dean answered as he packed some of Hermione's books in her trunk.
"It's hard with all these bad associations, and now the people dreadfully unkind. It's no wonder you're ill," Lavender said.
Hermione entered through the portrait hole carrying a tray. "Here's some delicious chicken broth for you Parvati. Now you must eat it while it's hot."
"No, no thank you, Mione," Parvati cried dramatically, holding the towel to her forehead, "I couldn't! You don't know how ill I feel-I-I-" she opened one eye slightly, "Wait, did you say it was chicken broth?"
Hermione gave a knowing nod.
Parvati closed her eyes again, "Well. Perhaps." She wheezed with almost every word, "If. I make a - Great. Effort."
Lavender helped her sit up as Hermione came around with the bowl, feeding the soup to her with a spoon.
"Dean," Hermione asked, "What was that you were saying about Beauxbaton being right up on the Mediterranean coast?"
"I hear it's the best side of France to see," he told her,.
"Oh France?" Parvati moaned, being reminded once again, "To think it should come to France!" She laid back down into her former position, resuming her raspy voice, "No Mione, I couldn't eat anymore! Not after that!"
"Oh, but Parvati," Lavender pointed out, "Everyone says that France is such a lovely place!"
Parvati stubbornly laid still.
"Besides, what does it matter where we go?" Hermione added, "As long as we're all together."
"Yes," Lavender agreed, "We'll make it our home just like we did here."
Parvati finally opened her eyes, giving them a rare, grateful smile.
Just then, a loud commotion was heard coming in through the portrait hole. Neville entered quickly followed by Susan and Hannah, who were causing all the noise. Susan was holding a large wooden box under her arm while Hannah carried her pet owl in a cage.
"I don't see why it was necessary to criticize my things!" Susan yelled at her.
"Oh, my poor nerves!" Parvati exclaimed.
Hermione strode over to them, "Stop squabbling you too, for Merlin's sake!"
"Well, I just don't understand why someone would bring that heavy old music box!" Hannah retorted, "Listen to that thing! It's completely out of tune!"
"Well I can think of a few other things that are out of tune," Susan glared at her, 'It's not as nearly as bad as that horrid old bird!"
"Lars is not a horrid old bird!" she yelled back, pointing to the box," And if you think I could bear listening to that thing anymore-"
"I'm ashamed of you two!" Hermione interrupted their argument, "What's the matter? We cannot be dealing with all this fighting at a time like this! Especially when Parvati's ill!"
Hannah and Susan looked at one another in a softer expression, realizing their childishness.
"We're very sorry," Hannah apologized sncerely.
"Yes," Susan said making her way over to the couch, "I'm sorry you're not feeling well Parvati."
"Ahem," Neville coughed to get their attention, "Ah, ladies," he greeted, sitting down across from them, "I trust, Parvati, I see you in better health."
"I wish you did, Neville," Parvati replied meekly, "Nobody can imagine how weak I feel, as if I was a failure in a way."
"Well, it's not to be wondered at in the circumstances," he said as a formality.
"I suppose you have heard that we are leaving Hogwarts," Parvati informed coldly.
"A wise decision," Neville told her, "Finding a secluded location where no one has ever heard of your unfortunate circumstances."
"Ohhhh!" Parvati let out a shrill, "My poor Padma! What could have happened to her?"
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After the Quidditch match was well over, Professor McGonagall approached Hermione and her friends just outside the common room. The little group of outcasts was standing around near the portrait hole; while the rest of the students were inside busy celebrating on their first win of the season.
"Professor Dumbledore requests an audience with all of you in his office," she announced before walking off.
All of them exchanged curious glances between one another before following their professor quietly to the Headmaster's office.
"It must be about the arrangements for tomorrow," Hermione whispered to Susan.
Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge were just standing up as the students arrived with McGonagall to his office. He acknowledged them with smile and a wink, pointing over to the corner of the room just behind them. They turned around to look at what Dumbledore was referring to.
Everyone gasped in shock at what they saw.
"P-P-Padma!" Parvati managed to utter out.
Please don't hate me! I couldn't resist! Heehee, please review!
