Author's Note: Hey! I'm back! This chapter's shorter than usual, but it
also held a lot of information and it took quite along time to figure out
how to put it down on paper, so I need a small rest. I know it looks like
Draco and Hermione will hook up really soon, but they won't. I know, I
know, I'm mean and cruel but I have a plan! Be afraid! Hope you enjoy!
Rating: PG-13, strong language usage, but that's all.
* * *
Draco and Hermione sat in their common room in silence, neither of them able to speack about much of anything. The minuts turned into hours and still no sign of any change in the duo. Hermione had started her homework for next week though, for a lack of anything better to do. Draco had fallen asleep, but who wouldn't when the only thing making noise was a quill scratching, papers being ruffled and the fire cackling. It was comforting to her to have Draco sleeping on the loveseat. He looked so innocent and peaceful just lying their, like something from long ago, she felt the incredible urge to hold him in her arms for all of time. But she knew where that led her last time he let her guard down. Letting a single tear run down her cheek, thinking about what might've been, she bottled up her emotions and locked them away somewhere dark once more.
She finished up her next essay then checked the clock, 10:30. Still no sign of Professor Vector and news of what was going on. Glancing to make sure he was still asleep, she pulled out a cigarette and lit it up. Her first one since being back at Hogwarts. She tossed her books to one side of the table and leaned back into her chair, putting her feet up on the table. She sat in silence once more, staring at the dancing fire in the fireplace.
Hermione continued to watch the flames, entranced, and as she watched, she began to hear the music it was dancing to. Putting out her half smoked cigarette, she closed her eyes to listen to it. It was a beautiful melody, yet she couldn't figure out where it was coming from. She felt herself stand up, trying to locate the music that was so enticing. Warm hands enveloped her, inviting her to dance with them. The fire was talking to her, wooing her into the dance. She felt a smile on her face as she began to sense the rhythm. It was wild, yet subdued, something inside her awakened to the warm hands around her, leading her, guiding her in the dance. She slowly opened her eyes to see a ring of fire dancing around her, the warm hands were the flames, hugging her to continue the dance. She cupped a flame in her hand and it tickled her senses, it danced in her hand, a small giggle escaped her mouth as it's partner claimed it once more.
"Holy Shit!" Hermione turned in time to see Draco fall off the loveseat. The music disappeared and the fire vanished back into the fireplace. "What that fuck was that?" He asked, trying to stand up, but not succeeding. Hermione helped him up then glanced back to where the ring was and looked around for the music,
"I don't know.One minute I was looking at the fire, next thing I know, I was dancing with it." An odd expression on her face as she looked back to Draco, as if asking him what it was.
"What?" He asked.
"How did I do that?" Before either of them could even contemplete an answer, the door opened to the common room, allowing four people to enter in. Professor Dumbledore lead in the group, followed by Professor Vector, McGonagoll, then a woman they didn't recognize.
"Good evening, I assume you were expecting us?" They nodded and he conjured up some extra chairs to accommodate the others.
"Before we begin, let me introduce Ms. Rachel Kerrington. A highly skilled witch working with ancient magical studies with a slight focus on prophecies much like ours." Hermione and Draco nodded to her and sat down on the loveseat.
"First and foremost. Why don't you tell Ms. Kerrington what happened to day in Arithmancy." Dumbledore continued, Rachel held up a hand,
"Please, call me Rachel, Ms. Kerrington makes me feel old and reminds me of my mother." She smiled at the two, Dumbledore nodded and motioned Draco to start his tale. He nodded and recounted every last detail, including the sigil on his chest. Rachel listened with intense eyes at the sigil embedded on his chest, soaking up every word he shared. Hermione then ventured into her story, wincing slightly in pain as she recalled the blast she suffered. McGonagoll gave her a worried looked,
"You should go and see Madame Pomfrey and get your back looked at, Ms. Granger." Hermione held her hand up before she could whisk her away,
"There's something else I think I should tell you." Rachel looked up at her face, she noticed how sad they looked, as if she lost someone very dear to her long ago and never fully recovered,
"Yes?" She asked, her voice soft and quiet.
"Before you came in here, I heard this music coming from the fire. I danced inside a ring of fire that didn't burn me or the floor. It was like it wanted to communicate with me, or something." If Rachel was shocked, she had a good way of hiding it.
"Well," She said after a moment, "I believe I know what it is you are talking about. But it's not a prophecy, or if it is, no records of it have been found. It's more a legend or myth. I would have to look around, but I believe I can find it. But for now, I'll try to recall what I know of this myth. It's about a physical manifestation of the divinity sent, or resurrected to save the magical world from discovery and destruction. How it happens or when isn't explained though, or even any clues on who it is. Only my research lets me believe that you are this manifestation of an omnipotent being. I can tell you, Hermione, if you truly are, you can't just develop or call upon your power. It is probably buried deep inside you. No talisman or ancient artifact will bring it out. Yet they could be tools that you could use. No, something will trigger and awaken your power. And that could happen at anytime. Simple as touching something could do it. Be on your guard, and if it happens, you'll know. When it does, or even if it does tell Dumbledore immediately. I think the fire dancing is just a glimpse of what you'll be able to do. It's probably related in some way. My advice is to lay low and try to stay out of trouble until we get the myth and figure things out a little more." She smiled at Hermione, then turned to Draco, "You're the only other one who knows, so keep an eye out for her. Make sure no one else finds out about this until the opportune moment. If you ever need to talk with me, either of you, I'll be at the Magia School, just a floo away." He nodded and glanced at Hermione.
A moment passed before anyone spoke,
"Well, I think we'll leave it at that for tonight." Professor Dumbledore said, standing up, "Goodnight Draco, Goodnight Aradia. Rachel, if you would follow me, I have some important matters to discuss with you." She nodded, then winked at Hermione and Draco. They left and the extra chairs disappeared, leaving the two teenagers slightly speechless. Hermione wrapped her arms around herself, a shiver ran down her spine. It took her awhile to completely understand what she as told.
Draco took her hand after a minute and squeezed, catching her attention, a comforting smile on his face.
"You want to talk?" He asked.
"No, not really." She gave him a half-hearted smile, then released her hand from his and stood to go to her room, stopping right before the door, she turned,
"Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you being so nice? I'm just a common-" She stopped, she wasn't a muggleborn anymore, her blood was in actuality, purer than his. Draco just shrugged,
"I changed over the summer. I couldn't stand my house and family any longer so I left. I got a flat in muggle London and got to see how they lived. It took awhile to get accustomed to it, since I can't use magic, but I did. I started realizing how wrong my father and his Friends were. I don't want to be like him! When I realized that a few months ago, I was hoping, maybe, to find who I was here. But when I came back here, I tried to fall back into my old ways. It didn't work quite that well. I only hurt the people who were close to me. Everything my father told me came rushing back, I was following his path again. You made me realize that, and I'm sorry I put you through what I did. I know in the past years I've being a real jackass, but I've changed. I'm only asking for the chance to prove it to you Hermione." During this, Draco had gotten up and walked over to her, now standing very close to her. His hand brushed her arm, her neck, then her face, his eyes full of care and remorse for his actions. She pulled away, unsure of what she felt,
"I'm not ready for this, Draco. I'm sorry." She opened the door and looked back at him with an apologetic glance.
"I'll wait." He whispered, then took her hand, and kissed it. She smiled then disappeared into her room. 'Until the end of time.'.
* * *
Draco and Hermione sat in their common room in silence, neither of them able to speack about much of anything. The minuts turned into hours and still no sign of any change in the duo. Hermione had started her homework for next week though, for a lack of anything better to do. Draco had fallen asleep, but who wouldn't when the only thing making noise was a quill scratching, papers being ruffled and the fire cackling. It was comforting to her to have Draco sleeping on the loveseat. He looked so innocent and peaceful just lying their, like something from long ago, she felt the incredible urge to hold him in her arms for all of time. But she knew where that led her last time he let her guard down. Letting a single tear run down her cheek, thinking about what might've been, she bottled up her emotions and locked them away somewhere dark once more.
She finished up her next essay then checked the clock, 10:30. Still no sign of Professor Vector and news of what was going on. Glancing to make sure he was still asleep, she pulled out a cigarette and lit it up. Her first one since being back at Hogwarts. She tossed her books to one side of the table and leaned back into her chair, putting her feet up on the table. She sat in silence once more, staring at the dancing fire in the fireplace.
Hermione continued to watch the flames, entranced, and as she watched, she began to hear the music it was dancing to. Putting out her half smoked cigarette, she closed her eyes to listen to it. It was a beautiful melody, yet she couldn't figure out where it was coming from. She felt herself stand up, trying to locate the music that was so enticing. Warm hands enveloped her, inviting her to dance with them. The fire was talking to her, wooing her into the dance. She felt a smile on her face as she began to sense the rhythm. It was wild, yet subdued, something inside her awakened to the warm hands around her, leading her, guiding her in the dance. She slowly opened her eyes to see a ring of fire dancing around her, the warm hands were the flames, hugging her to continue the dance. She cupped a flame in her hand and it tickled her senses, it danced in her hand, a small giggle escaped her mouth as it's partner claimed it once more.
"Holy Shit!" Hermione turned in time to see Draco fall off the loveseat. The music disappeared and the fire vanished back into the fireplace. "What that fuck was that?" He asked, trying to stand up, but not succeeding. Hermione helped him up then glanced back to where the ring was and looked around for the music,
"I don't know.One minute I was looking at the fire, next thing I know, I was dancing with it." An odd expression on her face as she looked back to Draco, as if asking him what it was.
"What?" He asked.
"How did I do that?" Before either of them could even contemplete an answer, the door opened to the common room, allowing four people to enter in. Professor Dumbledore lead in the group, followed by Professor Vector, McGonagoll, then a woman they didn't recognize.
"Good evening, I assume you were expecting us?" They nodded and he conjured up some extra chairs to accommodate the others.
"Before we begin, let me introduce Ms. Rachel Kerrington. A highly skilled witch working with ancient magical studies with a slight focus on prophecies much like ours." Hermione and Draco nodded to her and sat down on the loveseat.
"First and foremost. Why don't you tell Ms. Kerrington what happened to day in Arithmancy." Dumbledore continued, Rachel held up a hand,
"Please, call me Rachel, Ms. Kerrington makes me feel old and reminds me of my mother." She smiled at the two, Dumbledore nodded and motioned Draco to start his tale. He nodded and recounted every last detail, including the sigil on his chest. Rachel listened with intense eyes at the sigil embedded on his chest, soaking up every word he shared. Hermione then ventured into her story, wincing slightly in pain as she recalled the blast she suffered. McGonagoll gave her a worried looked,
"You should go and see Madame Pomfrey and get your back looked at, Ms. Granger." Hermione held her hand up before she could whisk her away,
"There's something else I think I should tell you." Rachel looked up at her face, she noticed how sad they looked, as if she lost someone very dear to her long ago and never fully recovered,
"Yes?" She asked, her voice soft and quiet.
"Before you came in here, I heard this music coming from the fire. I danced inside a ring of fire that didn't burn me or the floor. It was like it wanted to communicate with me, or something." If Rachel was shocked, she had a good way of hiding it.
"Well," She said after a moment, "I believe I know what it is you are talking about. But it's not a prophecy, or if it is, no records of it have been found. It's more a legend or myth. I would have to look around, but I believe I can find it. But for now, I'll try to recall what I know of this myth. It's about a physical manifestation of the divinity sent, or resurrected to save the magical world from discovery and destruction. How it happens or when isn't explained though, or even any clues on who it is. Only my research lets me believe that you are this manifestation of an omnipotent being. I can tell you, Hermione, if you truly are, you can't just develop or call upon your power. It is probably buried deep inside you. No talisman or ancient artifact will bring it out. Yet they could be tools that you could use. No, something will trigger and awaken your power. And that could happen at anytime. Simple as touching something could do it. Be on your guard, and if it happens, you'll know. When it does, or even if it does tell Dumbledore immediately. I think the fire dancing is just a glimpse of what you'll be able to do. It's probably related in some way. My advice is to lay low and try to stay out of trouble until we get the myth and figure things out a little more." She smiled at Hermione, then turned to Draco, "You're the only other one who knows, so keep an eye out for her. Make sure no one else finds out about this until the opportune moment. If you ever need to talk with me, either of you, I'll be at the Magia School, just a floo away." He nodded and glanced at Hermione.
A moment passed before anyone spoke,
"Well, I think we'll leave it at that for tonight." Professor Dumbledore said, standing up, "Goodnight Draco, Goodnight Aradia. Rachel, if you would follow me, I have some important matters to discuss with you." She nodded, then winked at Hermione and Draco. They left and the extra chairs disappeared, leaving the two teenagers slightly speechless. Hermione wrapped her arms around herself, a shiver ran down her spine. It took her awhile to completely understand what she as told.
Draco took her hand after a minute and squeezed, catching her attention, a comforting smile on his face.
"You want to talk?" He asked.
"No, not really." She gave him a half-hearted smile, then released her hand from his and stood to go to her room, stopping right before the door, she turned,
"Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you being so nice? I'm just a common-" She stopped, she wasn't a muggleborn anymore, her blood was in actuality, purer than his. Draco just shrugged,
"I changed over the summer. I couldn't stand my house and family any longer so I left. I got a flat in muggle London and got to see how they lived. It took awhile to get accustomed to it, since I can't use magic, but I did. I started realizing how wrong my father and his Friends were. I don't want to be like him! When I realized that a few months ago, I was hoping, maybe, to find who I was here. But when I came back here, I tried to fall back into my old ways. It didn't work quite that well. I only hurt the people who were close to me. Everything my father told me came rushing back, I was following his path again. You made me realize that, and I'm sorry I put you through what I did. I know in the past years I've being a real jackass, but I've changed. I'm only asking for the chance to prove it to you Hermione." During this, Draco had gotten up and walked over to her, now standing very close to her. His hand brushed her arm, her neck, then her face, his eyes full of care and remorse for his actions. She pulled away, unsure of what she felt,
"I'm not ready for this, Draco. I'm sorry." She opened the door and looked back at him with an apologetic glance.
"I'll wait." He whispered, then took her hand, and kissed it. She smiled then disappeared into her room. 'Until the end of time.'.