Silver Blood
Chapter 14: Eclipse (part 2)
The cold air only increased the strangely bitter smell. The walls seemed to reek of ingredients of all kinds, some he didn't want to know about. It was a damp, musty and somewhat creepy place, but all too familiar. The sound of dripping water somewhere and the smell of bubbling cauldrons was like a bad dream. Sirius wrinkled his nose with disgust, mostly from the bad memories he had of being in the dungeons. He actually pitied Snape for liking the cold, lonely place, but he was just as cold as the dungeon he dwelled in.
Sirius took a deep breath and approached the large, bolted door. He knocked twice wincing as the hollow sounds echoed throughout the tunnels. There was no answer. He raised his hand again to knock when he was interrupted.
"...Come in."
It was Snape. He sounded annoyed and gruff, but not bitter. He probably didn't expect to see him down there. Sirius cautiously opened the door and stepped in. A wave of heat followed by the smell of brewing potions hit him all at once. He staggered a little, feeling a bit queezy, but closed the door and walked in further. Snape was hovering over one rather large book with at least a hundred or more different potion bottles around him, many a different color or texture. A large stack of books was sitting off to his left, messily arranged. Snape must've been in a hurry to find something and it didn't appear he was having any better luck with the book he was reading by the sour look on his face.
Sirius noticed there were in fact three cauldrons brewing at the same time. Momentarily taking his eyes off the unusual setting he cleared his throat. Snape looked up quickly a bit annoyed and looked back down at his book. Suddenly, he raised his head again quickly to do a double take. One of his eyebrows rose as he saw it was Sirius who was standing before him.
"I'm surprised to find you down here Black. I remember you weren't too fond of the dungeons," Snape sneered, before turning his expression back to annoyed. "Now what do you want? I'm very busy. This is probably going to take me all night as it is."
Sirius couldn't stop himself from commenting. "Yes, I noticed. I'm starting to be even more thankful you weren't my potions professor."
Snape stared at him distastefully. He grabbed a large black bottle and poured it inside a green colored liquid in a clear bottle. The color turned a very, very dark blue. Snape scowled and waved his wand clearing the bottle he had poured both liquids in. He glanced back up at Sirius, who was standing still watching him, and walked toward another table piled with potion bottles.
"What do you want, Black?" he snapped.
Sirius watched him mix a couple other potions, his back turned to him.
"Actually, I was wondering if you could help me, or Harry rather."
Snape stopped his mixing and slowly turned around. An odd look was plastered on his face. Almost half surprised and half satisfied that Sirius was depending on him for a favor. Sirius bit his lip to control his temper as Snape's lips curled into an all too familiar sneer. He put the potion bottle down and slowly approached him, folding his hands together.
"You want me to help you?"
"Yes," Sirius said a bit harshly.
Snape tapped his fingers together lightly. "As I recall, Black, you were the one that yelled at me, insulting me and making accusations. You also were the one to tell me several years ago to never ever come within ten feet of you," he paused and let his grin widen, "or your friends, which would include your friend's son, wouldn't it?"
It was sickening to watch the tables turn, but it was true he had told Snape those exact words after he had almost expelled them. He had actually threatened him he was so angry. His hands were clenched but Sirius didn't let his anger show on his face.
"Look, Snape," Sirius said quietly, watching the knowing amusement seep into Snape's expression, "that was in the past, this is the future, our future and if we don't find some way to save Harry the— "
"The world will fall into darkness and everyone will panic because their savior is no longer there to protect them."
"He is a savior! And you better be thankful he has kept Voldemort from doing more than damaging a couple villages and trying to set Dementors upon the world!" Sirius snapped. "He risked his life just to be able to live peacefully."
Snape looked even more amused, "I never said I didn't agree with it. I've been informed of his...heroic deeds many times. Hearing it from Weasley was especially painful."
"Can you help him or not?"
Snape stared at him quietly for a minute before finally unfolding his arms to act serious.
"Potter happens to be a very unique case. Not just any healing potion is going to help him. If he were just one case, say having been attacked by a demonic beast that sent his mind into a shadow realm, there's a cure for that, though a very difficult one to get. Or if he was drained of his energy by a demonic plant like the Carthigous then that could be cured by destroying the plant and getting the energy back," Snape explained.
Sirius was all ready feeling like he was back in school receiving a lecture and it happened to be from his school arch rival.
"However," Snape continued while walking over to his table and setting up different bottles, "potter seems to be in between both of those states. His energy and powers were drained and his mind was sent to a shadow realm, but one not given by beasts. This shadow realm is more serious, he doesn't realize he's surrounded by darkness, it's as if he's in a trance or sleeping. And because he doesn't realize his body and mind have been put on hold, so to speak, it's almost impossible to wake him."
Sirius was ready to strangle him. All that talk and he was telling him it was hopeless.
"Impossible?" Nothing's impossible, there has to be a way."
Snape paused watching Sirius' anger grow. "Well, I suppose if you were to reach him and he heard your voice he could follow it out, but in order for it to be possible for him to hear you he'd have to be given a special potion that can "unlock" his mind."
"Is there one?" Sirius asked hopefully.
Snape stared at him silently for a minute. "no, one has not been created yet even though several have been close at succeeding in one. Now, if you'll excuse me I have something very important to finish."
Sirius didn't comment, he just turned around and left. It was all pointless, he knew Snape would be no help. All the trip did was leave him angry and frustrated. Hearing that he could do nothing for Harry from Snape was almost too unbearable. Snape knew how important Harry was to the world and he also knew how much Harry meant to him. Would Snape really decide to not save Harry because of an old school grudge? Sirius shook his head. He knew that Snape wasn't lying to him. It was obvious whatever happened to Harry was more than serious.
Where is Dumbledore? He must've gotten the letter by now. What's keeping him?
The feeling of helplessness was growing inside him. It was stronger than before. It was almost like he could feel something...some kind of warning in the air. If he didn't find something for Harry he's die too. He turned out of the tunnel of the dungeons finally glad to be out of that place. The hallways were quiet and empty when he entered them. Most of the teachers were either in their office or in the Headmaster's office awaiting his letter. He decided he should go up and check to see if there was any news.
Just then he heard something coming down the hallway. Thump! Thump! Thump! Someone was in a hurry to get somewhere. Thinking something bad had happened while he was trying to have a civil conversation with Snape he ran to greet the person and almost crashed right into Dobby the House Elf.
"Dobby!" Sirius exclaimed, looking quiet surprised. The House Elf hadn't changed in the least, although he wasn't wearing a pillow case. Sirius had met him a couple years back since he and Harry had become pretty good friends. He heard the story about how Dobby tried to save Harry and found that it was brave of a House Elf, who had very little power or freedom in the wizard world, to risk his life for Harry.
After that, he began to think of the House Elf as a very helpful friend. In fact, he remembered having a conversation with Harry about having a house elf around their mansion together, since it was so big, and Harry was practically jumping up and down with joy he was so happy. They hadn't gotten a chance to discuss it with Dumbledore, since he had been too busy, or Dobby but Sirius had been thinking about it. Now he wasn't so sure Harry would live to see it happen. Quickly, he shook away the depressing thoughts that were seeping into his mind.
"Hello sir," Dobby said, wringing his hands together. "My apologies Mr. Black. I was in a hurry, sir."
Sirius blinked confused, "In a hurry? What for?"
"It's horrible sir, just horrible," Dobby said, his eyes growing wider. "I fear Harry Potter is in greater danger than ever."
Sirius knelt down in front of the house elf, his eyebrows furrowing. "What do you mean Dobby, how is Harry is greater danger? Do you know something?"
Dobby quickly shook his head. "No sir, not know something, Dobby feels something sir. Harry Potter must stay as he is or else terrible things will come after him," he shivered.
Sirius grabbed the house elf by the shoulders. "Do you mean to tell me you think Harry should stay unconscious? He'll die, Dobby!"
Dobby shook his head, "He won't die, sir, he is needed. He is needed to be able to control them, for the horrible things to happen."
Sirius looked at him half angry and half frustrated. He couldn't understand what Dobby was telling him. Harry had told him that sometimes Dobby talked in riddles, or only gave clues instead of explaining everything.
"Dobby, listen to me!" Sirius said, pulling the scared house elf closer. "I need to know what's going to happen to Harry. Why must he stay like that? What'll happen when he wakes up?"
Dobby didn't answer. Instead, he looked fearfully around him and jumped out of Sirius' grasp. He grabbed Sirius' wand and quickly hit himself several times over the head before Sirius took it away from him.
"Dobby, you're at Hogwarts now, you're not with Mr. Malfoy or any other horrible master, all right? Don't do this to yourself, just tell me what you know!"
"Dobby knows only a little sir. He doesn't know Harry Potter's fate, but he wished he did." Dobby saw the disappointed look in Sirius' eyes and bit his lip nervously. Suddenly, he piped up as a realization hit him. "Dobby knows one thing, sir."
Sirius looked down at him, "What's that Dobby?"
"What the house elves have all been talking about sir. The news has been spreading. The bright light in the sky is going to disappear and everything will be covered in darkness," he said fearfully, his eyes growing wide and misty.
Sirius looked at him confused. "What? The sun is going away, what do you...," Sirius stopped as he realized what that meant. He stared at Dobby as if he really wasn't seeing him. "Oh my gosh...an eclipse. There's going to be an eclipse," he gasped.
Dobby watched as Sirius slowly stood back up, his face looking horrified. "Oh no...that's why the animals were acting strange. I remember learning about how powerful eclipses can be, what effect they have on creatures if strong enough. It must be an Eternal Eclipse, one that will last more than a day," Sirius said, mostly to himself. Then he looked down at Dobby, "What does this have to do with Harry?"
The house elf looked at him sadly, like he wanted to tell him something, "I'm sorry sir, Dobby doesn't know. All he knows is that Harry Potter is in danger and that if he wakes up he'll be in greater danger."
"But Dobby if he wakes up he'll be alive, he can protect the world from any dangers," Sirius replied tensely.
"No sir, Harry Potter won't be able to protect this world, not the way he thinks he can. Not this time," Dobby said urgently, his big eyes widening. "Harry Potter doesn't know what's going to happen, what evil is out there now. Harry Potter must stay sleeping until the sun comes back."
"But Dobby, the world could be covered with creatures by then! We could all be dead!"
"Maybe sir, but Harry Potter has the power to save us all, only after the sun comes back. If he wakes up sooner, Dobby doesn't know how he'll save us," he said nervously. "Dobby must go sir, he's needed in the kitchen. The other house elves are all panicking."
With that, Dobby ran past him and left Sirius standing bewildered and more frightened than he had been before. He felt like the world was crashing down on him trying to sink him permanently into the earth. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed deeply. Everything was beginning to become so complicated. Before it had seemed simple enough, but now he realized this wasn't all just a coincidence, with the creatures and Harry's condition. Someone, or something planned it all, or maybe it was all ready supposed to happen.
Either way Sirius would get to the bottom of it and save Harry one way or another. Even though Dobby was afraid things would get worse if Harry woke up, Sirius believed his Godson was the only one to fight this. His powers had been growing rapidly ever since his fifth year. They grew so rapidly he began to take seventh year lessons and dueled with Dumbledore. He was convinced there was a way Harry would be able to turn everything around, but the problem was waking him. There seemed to be no way. Without realizing it, Sirius had walked up to the Headmaster's office. He walked in slowly, still in a daze and lost in his thoughts. It wasn't until he heard a familiar voice that he snapped out of it.
"Sirius, what are you doing up here?"
He turned to see Remus standing up staring at him. The teachers were huddled together looking very worried and panic-stricken. He didn't even need to ask, he knew they must've found out about the eclipse.
"Sirius, there's something I have to tell you," Remus said, his voice filled with concern.
"There's an eclipse," Sirius said almost casually.
Remus looked taken aback. "How...How did you know?"
"Dobby," Sirius answered. "Is there anything we can do?"
Professor McGonagall raised her head. "There's nothing we can do, this is a natural cause, which is why it was always feared so."
"But wait, I thought eclipses happened before, like every few years, why is this one different?" Sirius asked.
Remus shook his head, "That's in the muggle world that these eclipses happened. Even though we all live in the same earth and under the same sun, if the eclipse happens in the muggle world because of their cycle it's different, it's not powerful enough to hit our world or affect anything like the creatures. But if the eclipses happens in our world, then the muggles won't be able to predict it coming, it'll send both worlds into total darkness leaving the invisible shields vulnerable so the creatures and beasts can break through and roam free. This has only happened once in the past and it was stopped, but I have no idea how we're going to stop it this time."
Sirius nodded mutely. The teachers were looking very pale and worried by the minute. He saw that Filch was petting his cat, who was currently hissing at the window. Silently, Sirius motioned for Remus to come to him so they could talk privately. They sat down a distance from the other teachers and Remus poured both of them some tea. The other teachers were all ready caught up in their own discussion of how to deal with the problem. They were deciding to alert the Ministry and ask for help, they needed time to prepare so they could get the wizard world under control and the people to safety, or at least to charm and spell their houses so the animals were have a very difficult time breaking in. Then it was just the muggle world to worry about.
Remus and Sirius were silent for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Sirius looked up at him, hopelessness shining in his eyes.
"So, what should we do?"
Remus looked at him, and then looked down at his cup of tea. "I'm not sure Sirius, I don't think there's much we can do."
Sirius shook his head, "Why didn't we realize this before? Maybe if we had realized it then Harry...," he trailed off.
Remus set down his tea, looking very stern. "Sirius there was no way to predict this. If anyone should feel guilty it's me, I misunderstood the signs."
"What?" Sirius asked, looking at his friend curiously and confused.
Remus sighed and rubbed his eyes. "My werewolf side. Those strange feelings that I thought were from a full moon actually were because of the eclipse. I understand now. The eclipse has an effect on all dark creatures," Remus explained, "it's why they acted the way they could. They could feel their freedom coming. An eclipse is a powerful natural event, Sirius. It somehow doubles the strength of all dark creatures, or anything that's remotely dark and...well, evil, because of its strong, mysterious aura. It happened to me too," he said quietly, looking up at him. "I could feel it, I even temporarily transformed. It was like...like my werewolf half was guiding me, showing me what I needed to see in order to understand what was happening. Sirius, I think that the eclipse had an effect on me too."
Sirius studied his friend's worried expression. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I think it powered my werewolf half," he answered. "I think I can transform anytime I want to now...at least until the eclipse goes away, because I can sense everything. Every emotion, every smell, every detail of everyone in this whole castle and even outside the walls. It strengthened me and the only reason I'm not going crazy with a thirst for blood is because I'm still human, and I care about this world and about Harry. And that's keeping me in control, so I think I'll be able to use my werewolf instincts to our advantage. I only wish I knew what was to come," he said gravely.
It was quiet a few minutes longer before Sirius rested a hand upon his shoulder. "I'm glad you seem to be connecting with your werewolf half instead of fighting it, it'll make things easier on you and us."
Remus smiled and nodded. "Yes, but I still wish Harry were here. I may not be enough, we need someone with great power, someone pure and innocent to seal the darkness once again."
Sirius' smile faded and he looked down at his tea. Remus noticed his change of feeling, not only did he notice it but he could sense it. All of it. Sirius was worried, and it wasn't only that he didn't believe there was a cure for Harry.
"Sirius, what's wrong?"
Sirius looked up at him surprised and then looked back down. The acknowledgement was easy to see. Sirius knew that Remus could tell there was something wrong, there was no hiding it.
"It's just that...I ran into Dobby on my here," he said quietly.
Remus nodded, "Go on."
"And, he told me that...," Sirius swallowed the lump in his throat. His mouth was feeling very dry, but he looked up at Remus. "He didn't think Harry should wake up."
Remus almost spilt his tea. "What?"
"He said that something even worse would happen if Harry woke up. He said that Harry would be in greater danger."
"But if we don't have Harry, we're all surely going to die, or lose ten times more lives."
Sirius nodded solemnly, "That's what I told him. But he said that it would be harder for Harry to save us if he woke up before the end of the eclipse."
A confused look crossed Remus' face. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well...I know that Dobby cares very much for Harry, they went through a lot during his second here, from what we were told, but...I just don't understand how it could be worse with Harry awake."
Sirius nodded in agreement, "I think we should just find a way to wake Harry up. At least with him awake we all have a better chance of surviving and finding a way out of this."
Remus nodded, "Right. And Snape, he didn't have anything?"
Sirius' look was replaced by bitterness, "He basically said it was impossible."
One of Remus' eyebrows rose, "He basically said? Did he use the word impossible?"
Sirius looked up at him blankly, "Well, not exactly. He said it was almost impossible, but..."
"Then there's still hope," Remus smiled. "Believe me."
XXXXX
The station was filled with people, almost too many to get through. They were all bustling about each wanting their own car. There were tons of new styles and brands on sale and most people were crowded around the most expensive and fancy cars. One large group of people, however, were getting a great deal someplace else, an even better deal than anyone else because of one person's certain status.
The air was thick, but warm and welcoming as a deal was made. Many bronze sickles and nuts were piled into an old man's hand as he waved the customers goodbye. The car looked brand new and was in great shape, and it had been quite a deal.
"See there, that's what I call a great deal!" Mr. Weasley laughed, holding his wife close.
"Oh dear, it was only because you're the Minister," she said, but a huge smile was plastered on her face.
Their first flying car hadn't really been that great, especially with the way it ended up. Ron was just beaming at the new flying car his dad had just bought in order to get them home.
"Can we really take this home?" he asked, staring at it with awe. It was a beautiful dark blue color. The invisibility shield was guaranteed to last at least seven years without problems and it even had a fire engine to go incredibly fast, though it used up a lot of fuel so they had to save it for emergencies. Ron was rubbing his hand along the car wanting to take it on a test drive right away.
"Yes you can dear, but Fred and George have to go with you," Mrs. Weasley said in a motherly fashion.
Ron rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I know. I just can't wait to get back and see everyone!"
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled.
"Yes, well we've been away a lot longer than expected," Mr. Weasley answered smiling. "And I'm sure you and Harry will be wanting to really test her out," he winked.
Ron beamed at his dad while his mother sent him a warning glare. Fred and George, who had been planting jokes on innocent people buying cars, finally stopped and came up to join their family.
"Are we leaving yet?" George asked, wanting to be the first to test out their new car.
"Relax George," Mrs. Weasley said. "We've got to wait for Hermione and her family."
"Oh right, when are they coming?" Fred asked, turning to Ron.
He smiled, "She said she'd meet us here at around 6:30. It's just about that time so she should be here any minute."
Mrs. Weasley looked a bit worried, "Ron dear, are you sure her parents won't mind her riding in the car with you? I mean, they are muggles."
"Yes, but Hermione managed to tell them it'd be a great "educational" experience," Ron grinned knowingly. He knew that Hermione had ways with her parents. Being half muggle and half witch had its advantages. "Besides you can distract them. They'll be riding with you on the train, just make sure dad doesn't mention the first car experience."
Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded, "Of course not dear, I'll keep his mouth busy by buying many sweets from the trolley. Now then, make sure all your things are packed. We've gotten a lot of souvenirs this time."
"Don't worry mum, George and I have shrunk our things," Fred grinned. "They easily fit in our pockets."
She smiled and nodded, "Good job. I just hope your trunks aren't filled with that junk like usual."
"It's not junk, mum, really," George argued, earning a warning look from her.
"Mum! Why can't I go in the car too?!"
Mrs. Weasley turned to Ginny who had come up beside them hearing their conversation. She had also wanted a chance to be in the flying car since she never had a chance in the first one, but Mrs. Weasley had forbidden it.
"No dear, you'll be coming with us and the Grangers on the train while the boys and Hermione rid in the car. You're not old enough yet, besides, I doubt there'd be enough room for you."
Ginny glared and folded her arms. She hated being treated like the youngest, even though she was. It bothered her that her parents still treated her like she was made of glass and she knew all about Harry, Ron and Hermione's adventures and wanted so badly to take a few risks of her own. But she was always too young for almost anything.
Ron smirked, "Ah mum, she just wants to see Harry. She knows we'll be stopping by the mansion first."
Ginny's cheeks flushed bright pink as she tried to cover it up. It was obvious she still had a bit of a crush on Harry, but she was a lot more shy about it since his new fame for finally defeating the Dark Lord. He had been surrounded by girls at school and was always being praised so Ginny never really got a chance to be alone with him, even before that. She had just always kept her distance but smiled and blushed every time their eyes met. She realized that Harry would just always be her dream crush, nothing more.
They just didn't connect that well, though Ginny was often jealous whenever girls would hang all over him. Ron had gotten much attention too since his father became Minister and since he was also best friends with Harry. Same with Hermione, Ginny was almost jealous of Hermione because of her looks and brains and because she was so close with Harry. Her hair was a lot less puffy with thick light brown locks. And her eyes were the most beautiful, so bright and cheerful. Her face had grown a bit longer and looked more intelligent but still had that same girlish look she had growing up with Ron and Harry. Although Harry didn't seem to be interested in Hermione as more than a friend Ginny often felt envious of her.
Ron, Fred and George were laughing at the way Ginny reacted whenever Harry's name was mentioned. She glared at them hatefully and stomped behind her parents so she wouldn't have to look at them. Before they could tease her any further a loudspeaker was turned on as the train driver announced the train would leave in five minutes.
"Oh dear, I wonder where they are?" Mrs. Weasley asked nervously.
"Hey Ron! Look, there she is!" Fred said, pointing toward a small crowd of people.
They all turned to see three figures emerge from the crowd. Hermione had a long fancy robe on, which was a lovely pearl white. It was the symbol of becoming a sorceress, or at least the very beginning of one. Hermione had read all about the great sorcerers and sorceresses of the world since almost the beginning of the wizard world and was just fascinated by them. She had gone on a vacation with her parents to meet a old witch, in Egypt, who had known several sorcerers in her life. She would teach her the basics and give her beginners lessons for a few weeks. If Hermione passed the test she would move on to more advanced training until she finally would get lessons from a real sorcerer or sorceress and hopefully become one herself. That was her lifelong dream.
Hermione turned and spotted Ron, her dark brown eyes lighting up immensely. She waved excitedly and ran toward him as he ran to her. Her parents were behind her smiling at them and walking toward Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Hermione and Ron ran into an embrace happy to see each other after so long. Finally they pulled apart.
"How are you?" Hermione asked.
"Great, and you?"
"Ready to go home," she beamed.
Ron nodded and led her toward the new car they bought. Hermione's parents looked a bit skeptical at the car but didn't want to ruin their daughter's chance of a new experience so they followed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley on the train, waving a temporary goodbye. Ginny smiled and gave Hermione a small hug before she too followed her parents on the train. Fred and George immediately jumped into the front seat of the car, since they were old enough to drive it and even had a license of their own, while Ron and Hermione jumped in back. There was plenty of room in the back, not squished like in the other car. And the car even had a tea maker in the front and even an emergency break, which was good since Ron and Harry really needed one the last time.
Hermione excitedly looked out the window as they rose up smoothly and quickly above the train. They had to make sure they didn't go too high so they could follow the train home.
"This is so exciting," Hermione squealed. "When do you know when to put on the invisibility shield?"
Ron grinned, "Actually my dad's going to send up some blue sparks to let us know. Fred and George will handle it though, just enjoy your first ride."
She smiled and nodded, "I all ready am. Did you have a nice vacation?"
"Yeah, great! My dad was known by practically everyone! We were treated like royalty the entire time and we even got to see some pretty cool historical buildings. You would've really liked it. We took pictures and everything, it was great. You should've seen Fred and George practicing their new jokes," Ron laughed.
Fred turned around and smiled at them since George was driving. "Yeah, mum wasn't too happy when I turned our guide blue with poka-dots, but he was the one who wanted to try the taffy, not me."
Hermione laughed lightly, knowing exactly how Fred and George could be. She had to admit, it would've been funny to see. Even though she didn't always approve of their jokes, or Ron helping them create new ones, it was entertaining to see some sucker fall for it. Not to mention they got quite a bit of money from the Honeydukes joke shop in Hogsmeade for sending them new creations.
"So, how was your vacation?" Ron asked.
Hermione grinned, "Very educational. I got to learn all about the most famous sorceresses of our time, and even got to see clips of some of the training and duels done back then. I was given a tour of one of the famous museums where there were actual staffs of some of the sorcerers or sorceresses and she even taught me how to begin my training. She said I have to do a lot of concentrating and focusing my power. The first step at becoming a sorceress is control," she repeated.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ron asked dumbfounded.
Hermione laughed, "It means that when I perform spells or any sort of magic I have to practice using my mind and inner abilities to focus my powers and make them stronger. If it works I can try practicing magic without a wand, but she says I may not be ready for that until the next level of training."
Ron shook his head, a smile still plastered on his face. "Hermione, I still can't believe what a hard worker you are. Some day you're going to be famous and really powerful, maybe even as powerful as Harry, or more."
She grinned, "I don't know, Ron, I wouldn't quite go that far. Harry defeated Dumbledore in a duel just before he was kidnapped by you-know...Voldemort."
The two of them smiled knowingly. Their best friend had fulfilled his famous name even when he hadn't believed it was true. Not only that but he lived through it and was able to start the peaceful life he always wanted, with a family, with the exception of the very annoying news reporters that often tried to come to his door and tape him. Harry and Sirius especially had to be careful of a very small and hardly noticeable beetle buzzing around outside their window.
"Here we go," George announced as the car sped up faster throwing them all back into their seats.
Hermione had a huge grin on her face as her hair was blown all over the place. She was enjoying herself fully.
"This is like a roller coaster ride!" she shouted to Ron.
"A what?" he shouted back.
The wind was so strong because they were going so fast and it was hard to hear what they were saying to one another, even next to another. Not that it mattered, Ron hadn't understood what she was talking about anyway. Ron and Hermione somehow were able to move themselves to their side of the window and look down to watch the train below them.
Hermione looked up at Fred, "How long until we're back home?"
He glanced back at her, "About forty five minutes to an hour, hopefully though dad will let us speed ahead of the train once we get into the familiar area."
Hermione grinned back and looked out the window again. Everything was going so fast and the view was great. Finally, they had to slow down so they had plenty of fuel for Fred and George to take the car back home after he dropped them at Sirius' place.
"I can't wait to see Harry, I haven't seen him all summer," she said rummaging around in her new purse.
One of Ron's eyebrows rose, "You got a purse?"
Hermione sent him a glare, "Yeah, so?"
"Well...I just forgot you're a girl— OW!"
Hermione had punched him somewhat playfully on the arm. He had said that before when she had first dressed up in a somewhat fancy fashion during the Yule Ball. It had been a bad first experience. Her and Ron hadn't been on best terms because Ron had been jealous of Krum's fame. He had thought he had liked Hermione as more than a friend back then, but since they had talked it out together over the phone, which had been a little hard since it was only Ron's second time using a phone, they had figured that it was just endearment. As friends they hadn't really acted like best friends like they had with Harry. They wouldn't hang out alone or anything, which confused Ron's feelings. He was glad that he and Hermione were closer friends but still just friends. It seemed to be the perfect stage.
"Hey look, we're coming past the Dark Castle!" she squealed pointing to a large castle standing almost creepily, surrounded by trees.
Ron looked out her window and stared distastefully. "That's a castle? It looks more like another bloody Azkaban."
"Oh Ron," Hermione rolled her eyes, "That's not the point. It's not how it looks it's a historical building. Many famous duels went on there where staffs were used. It's quite famous, despite how dark it appears."
"Why is it so dark?"
"Well...," she said slowly, "they say a lot of murders went on there too. That it was one of the secret places children and young people were taken by horrible creatures when they were wanted to save."
Ron gulped, "Save? Save for what?"
Hermione stared at it as they past it a little bitterly. "Sometimes the darkest creatures of our world, when they were free long ago, would save humans for an even more dangerous creature. Like a gift, or sacrifice, for their leader."
"And what was their leader?" Ron asked quietly.
Hermione frowned, "No one's sure. Back then the most horrible of demon beasts existed, monsters that not even any wizard or sorcerer alive could fathom. They were huge, larger than any giant out there and worse than any tyrant. They could kill in seconds, literally hundreds of people and they could burn villages down just by breathing on them. But no one knows about these monsters because they lived so long ago and died out instantly when the dark creatures were trapped in dark realms to keep away from muggles and wizards alike."
She laughed and shook her head, "Of course that was all just a myth, Ron. None of those monsters exist today, they're all dead. And the dark creatures like the Tebo monster or the Shadow Dwellers, even the Soul Suckers are all trapped in darkness away from our world. Even when one somehow finds a way into the wizard world the Ministry just sends it right back, it's easy because they can't stand one bit of light. Anyway, unless someone has unlimited power and somehow could bring the long since dead back there's no way they'd come back."
Ron sighed with relief and sat back in his seat. A grin spread across his face and turned his head sideways to glance at her. "Have you been reading next year's homework all ready?"
She glared at him playfully and smiled, "No, actually I read all of that last year, over the summer."
She laughed as Ron groaned in annoyance. He knew Hermione was a workaholic. Although she had gotten better nowadays, she still craved for education but she was getting out in life and finding what she wanted to do with herself after Hogwarts. Ron still wasn't sure what he was going to do. His dad had told him he'd be happy to give the Ministry position to him once he was much older, but until then he had no idea what to do with his life right after Hogwarts.
"Hey, we're almost there! Just another forty something minutes!" George shouted back to them as he sped the car even faster.
Hermione grinned and looked out the window. They were coming back into London all ready and it hadn't seemed like that long. Suddenly, she shivered feeling chills run up her spine. She sat up and poked her head up front where Fred and George were.
"Is it going to rain?" she asked.
Fred looked at her and shook his head, "No, it's supposed to be in the 80's, that's what dad said he heard. In fact, it's supposed to be a very dry summer. Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, it just seems a bit colder than usual," she said shrugging it off. "Oh well, must be my imagination."
She sat back in her seat and saw Ron staring at her with concern. She gave him a small smile and turned back to look out the window. Suddenly she wasn't feeling so excited anymore. Instinct had kicked in when she began her training as a sorceress, and it was telling her something was off. She had the strange urge to need to see Harry right away.
TO BE CONTINUED...