Chapter 3: Custom Recipe
'Please be warned that this is not a book,
for the weak of heart or for the weary of soul.
The risk is great and the cost is dear,
but if proven wise you may conquer still.
Ask three questions for what you seek.
These will show you what you need.
Think them carefully, think them through.
For once it is done, you cannot undo.'
The voice flowed through them, filling them with warmth and feelings of rightness. When the voice finished they looked at each other in question.
"Well, I guess that's that. So, what do we do now Mione?" asked Ron, as Hermione looked through the book.
"I guess we are going to have to do as the book says, because the other pages are blank."
"But we have to be very careful about the questions that we ask, I mean we wouldn't want the book to give us a spell that would kill Harry instead of helping him." commented Draco.
Ron held his head in his hands and mumbled loudly, "God, this is way too early to be thinking about such things."
"What Weasley? To big of a problem for your small brain?" said Draco slyly.
"Shut up Malfoy!! I don't see you coming up with the answers either!!" Ron answered.
"Ok, you two. One more argument today and both of you will regret it. Don't think I won't make good on my warning." Hermione glared at both Draco and Ron.
"Fine Hermione, we won't argue anymore right Ron?"
"Yes Mione, we won't ague anymore… for today!" replied Ron with a smile.
"Ok, so let's think about this. What are we going to ask the book?" said Ron.
"Well, we want to protect Harry from you-know-who." said Draco.
"Yes, and we also want Harry to be happy." said Hermione pensively.
"We want Harry to live without worrying about being the boy who lived." said Draco.
"We want Harry to know that we will always be there for him." Hermione responded
"You know Hermione, now that I think about it; I wish we could grant Harry a wish so that he could have the one thing he wants the most."
"That would be nice, but we don't know what that is." replied Hermione a little sad.
"Well we can ask the book. Honestly Hermione, sometimes you are so dense!!" Ron said in a very condescending voice.
Hermione just smiled at Ron.
"Yeah… well… uhm… lets ask the questions. We will do one each."
Ron, Hermione and Draco sat on the sofa as close as possible, their hands on the book, their minds on Harry and their desire to help him. Hermione opened the book and once again the golden letters appeared within the paper. The voice was a little different, just as comforting, but stronger and more solemn, as if it knew how important this moment was.
'Ask your questions'
The three of them looked at each other not wanting to be first. They felt the warmth of the magic within the book.
"What can protect Harry Potter from the Dark Lord Voldemort?" Draco asked, and the magic surrounded him completely creating a green aura around him, vibrant and filled with energy.
Hermione took Ron's hand and asked the book, "What can make Harry Potter happy?" The same magic enveloped her in a blue aura that radiated warmth and tranquility.
Ron looked at Draco and at Hermione amazed at the power that was running through them. For a moment he saw them change and begin to grow, and for that instant, he saw them as what they would become in the future.
He saw Draco change and grow to show a mature and kind man whose countenance inspired loyalty and trust. Hermione took his breath away; she was glowing, older and more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen. He squeezed her hand, looked directly in her eyes and asked his question, "What is the thing that Harry Potter wants more than anything in this world?" As he finished, the same magic enveloped him in bright red flame, burning intensely.
Hermione gasped at the sight of Ron burning in flames and was speechless at the change that had come over him. He was older, stronger, but with the same boyish charm and disarming smile. Her eyes looked into his deep blue eyes and she saw honesty, loyalty and warmth.
'The answer is simple to your hearts desire.
Look within my pages
For the answers that you seek.
They will show you the way to
Accomplish what you need'
Follow the instructions
With great detail and endeavor.
At the end of the process,
Your question will be answered.'
The aura around each of them vanished but a feeling of magic lingered within them.
"Well, that was… unexpected." commented Ron.
"Well, let's see what the answers to our questions are?" Hermione said excitedly. She turned the page and to her great delight she found there was writing.
"We did it you guys!!! Now we are going to be able to help Harry."
"Well, what does the book say that we should do?" Ron asked, letting go of Hermione's hand when he noticed that he was still holding it. Needless to say, he blushed a bright red.
"Are you ok Ron?" asked Hermione worriedly.
"Yeah, no problem… ah… what does the book say?" Ron asked not quite meeting her eyes.
Hermione explained, "There is a recipe for a potion as well an incantation. According to this, we must give Harry the potion at Midnight during All Hallows Eve, after he drinks the potion we must say the incantation and that should do it. Once we have done that, it says here that the book will show us the answer to our questions and will give us further instructions."
"Well, Hermione. All Hallows Eve is in three days. I can get the ingredients from Snape's office without him knowing. You and Ron will need to make sure that Harry is here at midnight."
Ron looked out the window and saw the sky starting to alight, "Well, I guess this means that I should start getting ready for Quiditch practice. I'll see you later Mione. Bye Malfoy" Ron walked towards the door and as he was about to opened it he turned and smiled, "You know what?"
"What Weasley?"
"We just made a 'Custom Harry Potter Recipe'! Will wonders never cease." Ron turned and walked out of Hermione's room.
'Ron what would I do without you.' A smiling Hermione thought, as she saw him leave. Fortunately, she did not notice Draco looking at the interaction between her and Ron. Draco just smiled and wondered if they even realized what they felt for each other.
"Well, Hermione, we've got to get ready for class too. See you at breakfast." Draco left and Hermione couldn't help but think about how much he had changed. How much they all had changed.
But as these three friends are getting ready to start their normal day, a pensive Dumbledore is looking at Harry through his mirror.
"My boy, I hope you know how much your friends care for you and how much they are willing to sacrifice to see you happy. For their sake and yours I hope their plan works."
"Do you think it will Albus?"
"I don't know Minerva, we will just have to wait and see. That is all that we can do."
*******
"Hey! Ron! Wait for me!"
"Hey Harry! Hurry up or we are going to be late for practice!"
"Sorry mate, I just didn't sleep well, I had the weirdest dream."
"God, I am soo Hungry!!" complained Ron.
"You know, it's funny that you should say that. In my dream I kept hearing something about a 'Custom Harry Potter Recipe' and a blue, a green and a red light were surrounding me. I felt so warm."
"Oh… he, he… that is some weird dream mate. Must have been something you ate."
Before Harry could say anything else he realized they were at the Quiditch field and as he flew through the air chasing the snitch, he soon forgot about the strange dream.
To be continued….
Disclaimer: I only own the plot. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling, so please don't sue. (Sorry, I forgot to put it on the previous chapter)
Well, This was an interesting chapter to write. I hope that you guys like it. Thank you so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them.
I hope that you keep on reading. I am trying to make it interesting. Let me know what you think.
Sincerely, Ednyadove