Alesco
Chapter Sixteen---Miss Granger's Research
*
When Hermione woke the next morning, she was lying alone. She was deeply disappointed that she hadn't woken up beside Ron...she would have loved to see him sleeping peacefully next to her. She realized that he must have gone to take a shower, and left her to sleep.
As she sat up, she realized she was in the boy's dormitory. What time was it? How was she going to get out without anyone seeing her?
She tried to pull back the curtain, but it wouldn't budge. Ron must have placed another impenetrable charm on it after he left, she thought. Searching for her dressing robe piled at the end of the bed with Ron's clothes, she pulled her wand out of the pocket and whispered very softly, "finite incantatem."
She peeked out, and saw Harry's bed still enclosed by curtains. A very dim light shone through the window, and Hermione realized it must be very early in the morning. She crawled very quietly to the other side of the bed and peeked out there, too. The curtains around Dean's bed were closed, as well. Taking a measured breath, she pulled on her dressing robe and was just about to open the curtain and tiptoe out, when the curtain was pulled back abruptly.
"Ron, it's time to......Hermione?" Harry's face was peeking in, and the look of shock that was there was quickly changing to one of deep amusement.
"Will you keep quiet, Harry!" Hermione whispered urgently.
"I will, but you better get out of here before everyone else wakes up." Harry whispered back. He was apparently still trying to hold back a laugh by the way his face was all screwed up.
Hermione quietly pushed her way past him off the bed, and then said, "Tell Ron I'm going to let Ginny know about the meeting with Dumbledore this morning." Her face was burning now, as she tiptoed very silently across the cold stone floor. Harry was chuckling softly behind her. She gave him a fierce scowl right before slipping out the door.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she was climbing up her own staircase. Stopping at the 5th-year door, she knocked heavily. A girl she knew as Rachel opened the door, and Hermione asked for Ginny. A cross-looking Ginny came to the door.
"Hermione, what is it? I could barely sleep last night, thinking about Bill. Please tell me he's been found, and he's okay." Ginny said heavily. She was trying to pull up her gown, and Hermione noticed a small pink mark on her collarbone. It hadn't been there last night before she saw her go to bed.
Hermione looked pointedly at the place she'd covered, and cleared her throat loudly. She arched an eyebrow.
The famous Weasley defensive look was forming on Ginny's face. She suddenly blurted loudly, "Okay, fine, I spent the night with Neville! But you're no one to criticize--"
Hermione slapped a hand over the girl's mouth. Ginny's face was ruddy, and she was shaking her head and trying to pry Hermione's hand off her mouth. Finally, Hermione let up and whispered, "You'll wake all of Gryffindor!" Then she pulled her hand off her friend's mouth, and dragged Ginny into the hall. She made sure the door was shut tightly behind her.
Ginny was pointing at her now. "When I came up to the dormitory last night, I saw a light through the curtains of Ron's bed last night...and two people in there, rolling around. I know it couldn't have been anyone but you. So don't give me any bloody shit about this." Hermione could feel the heat rolling off Ginny in waves, her face was so red it matched her hair. It was the first time she'd ever heard Ginny swear so loudly. Hermione decided to let it go...this time.
Hermione shook her head. "That's not what happened. And it's not why I asked you out here. You, Harry, Ron and I need to meet with Professor Dumbledore in about 45 minutes. So I suggest you get ready and meet us downstairs." Hermione turned and started to walk up to her dormitory.
"Hermione?" Ginny said softly.
Hermione turned and looked down at the younger girl. "Yes?"
"You won't tell Ron, will you?" Ginny was still blushing furiously. "I just really needed to be with someone last night." Her features hardened, and she put her hands on her hips. "For your information, it wasn't our first time together, either."
Hermione was silent for a long time. Finally, she said, "I know, Ginny, I know. I won't tell Ron. But I think you and I should have a long talk later. You are being careful...right?"
Ginny walked up to Hermione, and smiled weakly. "Oh, Hermione, of course I am. Mum gave me the talk a long time ago, when she saw how much I liked Harry. I guess she figured since I was going to be at school with him....." Then, a large grin appeared on her face. "Neville's great. He's so gentle...so...."
Hermione held up her hand. "Different from Michael?"
She had apparently guessed correctly, because Ginny looked down at the stairs. "I figured you'd say Dean."
"I knew that was only a fling." Hermione said. Without thinking, she reached down and hugged this girl, who was the closest she'd ever come to having a sister. Ginny hugged back, and Hermione whispered to her, "Ron and I...we didn't....we haven't..."
"You don't need to tell me anything." Ginny pulled back. "I'm sorry I shouted at you."
"That's all right. Now, let's get ready. Ron's got something important he needs to tell us." Hermione patted the girl's shoulder, and she smiled and started back up the stairs to her dormitory.
~*~
".....and, so Professor Forester--" Ron looked sharply toward the woman sitting next to Professor Dumbledore's desk. "...is going to show me how to use these powers."
Hermione risked a look at Harry and Ginny, who were sitting and staring at Ron. Hermione had guessed most of this, but she hadn't been aware that Ron was going to need to use these powers on anyone.
Hermione wasn't stupid. She realized at that point that Professor Dumbledore wouldn't let a chance go in bringing such a powerful ally into the fold. Yes, he had his own reasons for wanting this to come to pass. And for that, Hermione was angry.
She held the anger inside. It was always best this way. After all, the decision had been made. There was very little she could do to change it.
Harry stood up. "So that's it, then? That's why I haven't had any pain in my scar? Having Ron get hurt is preventing Voldemort from possessing me?" He crossed his arms, looking very upset. "Why does Ron have to stop playing Quidditch?"
The cool voice of Professor Forester spoke to Harry. "You'll know soon enough."
Ron stood up, too, just as angry. "You told me that there was no pain involved in this mind-bonding."
"There isn't...but what else did I tell you?" The Professor stared him down. Hermione felt her skin crawl.
"That I would have some of your memories." Ron said gratingly, then softened. "Wait a minute...you mean...."
The Professor brought herself up straight in her chair, and said softly, "Yes, Ron. And I must tell you, my life has not been pleasant. You might not feel...well enough....to play, once you see any of it."
Hermoine inwardly shuddered, as Ron sat back down in his chair. So, that was it. Ron wasn't just going to be outwardly scarred by all of this. He would be mentally scarred, too.
She felt the hot pinprick of tears in her eyes. She dare not attempt to rub them...she would begin to cry for sure if she did that. Instead, she looked at Ginny.
Ginny had been silent the entire time. Hermione had a feeling she was so silent because of what had happened last night. She looked guilty.
How could it have come to this? Just when it appeared Harry would be the biggest target for Voldemort, it now appeared that Ron was taking his place.
Hermione wouldn't just sit around and let this happen. She was going to do something about it. It was going to be subtle, but it would be just enough to protect Ron should he ever need it.
~*~
Hermione tried to push aside what Ron was going through that afternoon, as she pored through several texts in the common room.
She briefly thought about Ron's brother, Bill, and what might be happening to him. She'd become convinced, after all the explanations had been made, that Bill's abduction had to do with Ron's powers and Professor Forester's training.
There was nothing they could do about that right now. Hermione tried to concentrate on the text in front of her. She needed to learn how to change an object different colors when someone was in danger. She'd already done this type of charm on the galleons Harry had her make for the D.A. last year. However, this particular charm required more precision and depended on feelings, rather than instructions.
Hermione remembered the clock in the Weasley's sitting room. She was now reading a text that dealt with the making of those sort of transitory measurements. After reading for a while, Hermione jotted some notes, and continued to read. This was not going to be easy....but she had to do it. She had to know.
All at once, Crookshanks, who had been peacefully sitting in her lap, jumped up and ran to the portrait hole. He hissed, and batted at a corner of the hole.
"Crookshanks, stop it." Hermione muttered absentmindedly, and wondered if Mrs Norris was on the other side. Those two were like oil and water. Hermione felt herself chuckle as it reminded her of Ron.
I hope he's okay, she thought, and chewed at the tip of her quill. Crookshanks continued to bat at the portrait hole for a few moments, then returned to her lap. Finally, Hermione felt she had enough information to begin practicing on objects. The only problem was, she wouldn't be able to test the "mortal peril" feature until it actually happened. Neither would she be able to truly test the "dead" one, either, but if she perfected the rest, the others would follow easily.
I shouldn't have to think about death, Hermione thought. I shouldn't have to think about my friends being in peril. I haven't lived, I haven't loved enough, or laughed enough. It isn't fair.
She packed up her books put them in her bag. She was going to wait until Ron arrived, and they were going down to eat in the Great Hall together....that is, if he felt up to it.
I need to be here for him. No matter what happens, he's going to need me. And I'm going to hold onto him as tightly as I can. Hermione closed her eyes, and let two hot tears fall down her cheeks. She was startled when she heard someone say something right next to her.
"Are you okay?" It was Dennis Creevey.
Hermoine wiped away the tears, just as Dennis offered his crumpled handkerchief. "Yes, Dennis, I'm fine."
"Okay...are you sure?"
"Yes, thank you. I was just reading a very sad book." She gestured to her book bag as Dennis put his handkerchief back in his pocket.
"Oh yeah? What was the title?" Dennis sat down at the table, and Hermione desperately wanted to get away. How could she sit here and have idle conversation, while Ron...her Ron...was enduring so much.
She racked her brain for an appropriate answer. Something depressing, something sad. Then it came to her.
"It's a book adaptation of the American film, "The Man in the Moon." You're a muggle, right?" Hermione remembered that both Dennis and Colin were.
"Yeah, I think I know that film. It's dreadful. My mum cried a lot when the boy died."
"So did I." Hermione said, her thoughts drifting to Ron. Could she ever bear it if that happened to Ron?
Just as she was about to get up and escape Dennis's questions, she saw Ron come through the portrait hole. He looked exhausted....but well.
She ran over to him and briefly hugged him. He said nothing, but took her hand tightly, and tugged her out the portrait hole.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"The Man in the Moon" is Copyright © 1991 MGM Home Entertainment
Chapter Sixteen---Miss Granger's Research
*
When Hermione woke the next morning, she was lying alone. She was deeply disappointed that she hadn't woken up beside Ron...she would have loved to see him sleeping peacefully next to her. She realized that he must have gone to take a shower, and left her to sleep.
As she sat up, she realized she was in the boy's dormitory. What time was it? How was she going to get out without anyone seeing her?
She tried to pull back the curtain, but it wouldn't budge. Ron must have placed another impenetrable charm on it after he left, she thought. Searching for her dressing robe piled at the end of the bed with Ron's clothes, she pulled her wand out of the pocket and whispered very softly, "finite incantatem."
She peeked out, and saw Harry's bed still enclosed by curtains. A very dim light shone through the window, and Hermione realized it must be very early in the morning. She crawled very quietly to the other side of the bed and peeked out there, too. The curtains around Dean's bed were closed, as well. Taking a measured breath, she pulled on her dressing robe and was just about to open the curtain and tiptoe out, when the curtain was pulled back abruptly.
"Ron, it's time to......Hermione?" Harry's face was peeking in, and the look of shock that was there was quickly changing to one of deep amusement.
"Will you keep quiet, Harry!" Hermione whispered urgently.
"I will, but you better get out of here before everyone else wakes up." Harry whispered back. He was apparently still trying to hold back a laugh by the way his face was all screwed up.
Hermione quietly pushed her way past him off the bed, and then said, "Tell Ron I'm going to let Ginny know about the meeting with Dumbledore this morning." Her face was burning now, as she tiptoed very silently across the cold stone floor. Harry was chuckling softly behind her. She gave him a fierce scowl right before slipping out the door.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she was climbing up her own staircase. Stopping at the 5th-year door, she knocked heavily. A girl she knew as Rachel opened the door, and Hermione asked for Ginny. A cross-looking Ginny came to the door.
"Hermione, what is it? I could barely sleep last night, thinking about Bill. Please tell me he's been found, and he's okay." Ginny said heavily. She was trying to pull up her gown, and Hermione noticed a small pink mark on her collarbone. It hadn't been there last night before she saw her go to bed.
Hermione looked pointedly at the place she'd covered, and cleared her throat loudly. She arched an eyebrow.
The famous Weasley defensive look was forming on Ginny's face. She suddenly blurted loudly, "Okay, fine, I spent the night with Neville! But you're no one to criticize--"
Hermione slapped a hand over the girl's mouth. Ginny's face was ruddy, and she was shaking her head and trying to pry Hermione's hand off her mouth. Finally, Hermione let up and whispered, "You'll wake all of Gryffindor!" Then she pulled her hand off her friend's mouth, and dragged Ginny into the hall. She made sure the door was shut tightly behind her.
Ginny was pointing at her now. "When I came up to the dormitory last night, I saw a light through the curtains of Ron's bed last night...and two people in there, rolling around. I know it couldn't have been anyone but you. So don't give me any bloody shit about this." Hermione could feel the heat rolling off Ginny in waves, her face was so red it matched her hair. It was the first time she'd ever heard Ginny swear so loudly. Hermione decided to let it go...this time.
Hermione shook her head. "That's not what happened. And it's not why I asked you out here. You, Harry, Ron and I need to meet with Professor Dumbledore in about 45 minutes. So I suggest you get ready and meet us downstairs." Hermione turned and started to walk up to her dormitory.
"Hermione?" Ginny said softly.
Hermione turned and looked down at the younger girl. "Yes?"
"You won't tell Ron, will you?" Ginny was still blushing furiously. "I just really needed to be with someone last night." Her features hardened, and she put her hands on her hips. "For your information, it wasn't our first time together, either."
Hermione was silent for a long time. Finally, she said, "I know, Ginny, I know. I won't tell Ron. But I think you and I should have a long talk later. You are being careful...right?"
Ginny walked up to Hermione, and smiled weakly. "Oh, Hermione, of course I am. Mum gave me the talk a long time ago, when she saw how much I liked Harry. I guess she figured since I was going to be at school with him....." Then, a large grin appeared on her face. "Neville's great. He's so gentle...so...."
Hermione held up her hand. "Different from Michael?"
She had apparently guessed correctly, because Ginny looked down at the stairs. "I figured you'd say Dean."
"I knew that was only a fling." Hermione said. Without thinking, she reached down and hugged this girl, who was the closest she'd ever come to having a sister. Ginny hugged back, and Hermione whispered to her, "Ron and I...we didn't....we haven't..."
"You don't need to tell me anything." Ginny pulled back. "I'm sorry I shouted at you."
"That's all right. Now, let's get ready. Ron's got something important he needs to tell us." Hermione patted the girl's shoulder, and she smiled and started back up the stairs to her dormitory.
~*~
".....and, so Professor Forester--" Ron looked sharply toward the woman sitting next to Professor Dumbledore's desk. "...is going to show me how to use these powers."
Hermione risked a look at Harry and Ginny, who were sitting and staring at Ron. Hermione had guessed most of this, but she hadn't been aware that Ron was going to need to use these powers on anyone.
Hermione wasn't stupid. She realized at that point that Professor Dumbledore wouldn't let a chance go in bringing such a powerful ally into the fold. Yes, he had his own reasons for wanting this to come to pass. And for that, Hermione was angry.
She held the anger inside. It was always best this way. After all, the decision had been made. There was very little she could do to change it.
Harry stood up. "So that's it, then? That's why I haven't had any pain in my scar? Having Ron get hurt is preventing Voldemort from possessing me?" He crossed his arms, looking very upset. "Why does Ron have to stop playing Quidditch?"
The cool voice of Professor Forester spoke to Harry. "You'll know soon enough."
Ron stood up, too, just as angry. "You told me that there was no pain involved in this mind-bonding."
"There isn't...but what else did I tell you?" The Professor stared him down. Hermione felt her skin crawl.
"That I would have some of your memories." Ron said gratingly, then softened. "Wait a minute...you mean...."
The Professor brought herself up straight in her chair, and said softly, "Yes, Ron. And I must tell you, my life has not been pleasant. You might not feel...well enough....to play, once you see any of it."
Hermoine inwardly shuddered, as Ron sat back down in his chair. So, that was it. Ron wasn't just going to be outwardly scarred by all of this. He would be mentally scarred, too.
She felt the hot pinprick of tears in her eyes. She dare not attempt to rub them...she would begin to cry for sure if she did that. Instead, she looked at Ginny.
Ginny had been silent the entire time. Hermione had a feeling she was so silent because of what had happened last night. She looked guilty.
How could it have come to this? Just when it appeared Harry would be the biggest target for Voldemort, it now appeared that Ron was taking his place.
Hermione wouldn't just sit around and let this happen. She was going to do something about it. It was going to be subtle, but it would be just enough to protect Ron should he ever need it.
~*~
Hermione tried to push aside what Ron was going through that afternoon, as she pored through several texts in the common room.
She briefly thought about Ron's brother, Bill, and what might be happening to him. She'd become convinced, after all the explanations had been made, that Bill's abduction had to do with Ron's powers and Professor Forester's training.
There was nothing they could do about that right now. Hermione tried to concentrate on the text in front of her. She needed to learn how to change an object different colors when someone was in danger. She'd already done this type of charm on the galleons Harry had her make for the D.A. last year. However, this particular charm required more precision and depended on feelings, rather than instructions.
Hermione remembered the clock in the Weasley's sitting room. She was now reading a text that dealt with the making of those sort of transitory measurements. After reading for a while, Hermione jotted some notes, and continued to read. This was not going to be easy....but she had to do it. She had to know.
All at once, Crookshanks, who had been peacefully sitting in her lap, jumped up and ran to the portrait hole. He hissed, and batted at a corner of the hole.
"Crookshanks, stop it." Hermione muttered absentmindedly, and wondered if Mrs Norris was on the other side. Those two were like oil and water. Hermione felt herself chuckle as it reminded her of Ron.
I hope he's okay, she thought, and chewed at the tip of her quill. Crookshanks continued to bat at the portrait hole for a few moments, then returned to her lap. Finally, Hermione felt she had enough information to begin practicing on objects. The only problem was, she wouldn't be able to test the "mortal peril" feature until it actually happened. Neither would she be able to truly test the "dead" one, either, but if she perfected the rest, the others would follow easily.
I shouldn't have to think about death, Hermione thought. I shouldn't have to think about my friends being in peril. I haven't lived, I haven't loved enough, or laughed enough. It isn't fair.
She packed up her books put them in her bag. She was going to wait until Ron arrived, and they were going down to eat in the Great Hall together....that is, if he felt up to it.
I need to be here for him. No matter what happens, he's going to need me. And I'm going to hold onto him as tightly as I can. Hermione closed her eyes, and let two hot tears fall down her cheeks. She was startled when she heard someone say something right next to her.
"Are you okay?" It was Dennis Creevey.
Hermoine wiped away the tears, just as Dennis offered his crumpled handkerchief. "Yes, Dennis, I'm fine."
"Okay...are you sure?"
"Yes, thank you. I was just reading a very sad book." She gestured to her book bag as Dennis put his handkerchief back in his pocket.
"Oh yeah? What was the title?" Dennis sat down at the table, and Hermione desperately wanted to get away. How could she sit here and have idle conversation, while Ron...her Ron...was enduring so much.
She racked her brain for an appropriate answer. Something depressing, something sad. Then it came to her.
"It's a book adaptation of the American film, "The Man in the Moon." You're a muggle, right?" Hermione remembered that both Dennis and Colin were.
"Yeah, I think I know that film. It's dreadful. My mum cried a lot when the boy died."
"So did I." Hermione said, her thoughts drifting to Ron. Could she ever bear it if that happened to Ron?
Just as she was about to get up and escape Dennis's questions, she saw Ron come through the portrait hole. He looked exhausted....but well.
She ran over to him and briefly hugged him. He said nothing, but took her hand tightly, and tugged her out the portrait hole.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"The Man in the Moon" is Copyright © 1991 MGM Home Entertainment