Forbidden Love
By: Nerwen Felagund
Written: 9.2.03
***
Chapter 5 - Forewarn
Hermione was glad she hadn't told them that Draco had a huge crush on her. Her musings were interrupted when a huge brown owl flew in from her window. A long awaited letter fell into her lap. It was from her pen pal in America.
Dear Hermione,
How are you? Thanks for the huge description of Hogwarts. I would so love to go see it. It seems so huge compared to the Salem Witches' Institute. SWI is like the smallest all witch school in the world. SWI is just this three-floor building that used to be a Muggle school. After the United Magical Government bought the school, they sent many officials to fix the problems that cause trouble in teaching for the Muggles. So now the Salem Witches' Institute owns the school and the six huge houses near it. The houses are our "dorms." The dorms run entirely on electricity. That means we're not allowed to use any magic unless we're in the school, which is blanketed with assorted cloaking spells that are quite similar to Hogwarts. You mentioned friends in the last letter. Boyfriends?
Cheers, Jennifer
P.S. Oops! I forgot to tell you my (Muggle) Instant Messaging screen name. I remember you told me yours. Mine is imawitch (remember, no spaces!).
Hermione felt optimistic. She decided to tell her about Draco. As she put her quill, inkpot, and parchment back into her school bag, she noticed Ron was standing next to her.
"Who you writing to?" asked Ron.
Hermione didn't answer right away. Instead, she fastened the letter tightly on the owl's leg. She then threw the owl out the window. Hermione finally turned to face Ron.
"Pen pal." She replied.
"Pen pal? From where?" asked Ron.
"The U.S. She's Muggle-born also." Hermione said.
"There's magical folk in America?" asked Ron dumbly.
"Of course," said Hermione. "They've had witches and wizards there for ages. Muggles there claimed they could recognize and catch people practicing forms of magic but they've caught the wrong people many times. Remember? It was part of our History of Magic homework ages ago."
Ron sat down and fiddled with his fingers. He looked anxious and unsure. Ron slowly looked up from his feet.
"Ron. What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"You think that Malfoy has feelings for you, right?" asked Ron.
When no one said anything for several seconds, Ron looked out the window and continued.
"Malfoy doesn't care a thing about you. He's part of this plot to exterminate Muggle-born wizards and witches in a massacre just like the Massacre of 1698. He wouldn't confess his affection without tricking you into his plan," Ron said. "You have to be very careful. Dad told me if you want to know more he'll let you talk to some of his colleagues who have an idea about what might happen."
Hermione was silent for a while.
"You're shocked aren't you? Ask your pen pal if she knows about the Massacre of 1698. Many American witches and wizards were killed in the Massacre because of a false invitation." Ron said knowingly.
"How did you know that Draco told me that he had feelings for me?" asked Hermione.
"Dad told me some Aurors came up with this theory that he might have said that because there was a rumor that Malfoy was going to play a big part in their plans and a Muggle-born was going to be involved. They thought it might be you because you figured out he was a Death Eater when no one else dreamed of thinking this." Ron replied.
"Thanks for warning me. I need some time to think. Would you mind leaving me alone for a while? Tell your mum I'll be down for dinner a bit later than usual." Hermione said.
Ron left the room without a word. Hermione felt devastated. First Draco told her he cared about her, next she learned he was initiated as a Death Eater, and now she learned he was using the power of his words to kill her. Hermione decided to ask Mr. Weasley a question that would help ease her troubles.
***
Hermione walked down the stairs to Mr. Weasley's study. She knocked on the door twice before she heard him call her in.
"Hermione, is this about Malfoy's son?" asked Mr. Weasley gently.
"No, but your answer might help me a lot," said Hermione. "Which is the easiest way of reaching the nearest Muggle village?"
"The easiest and fastest way you can reach the village is Floo Powder." Mr. Weasley said. "Just shout "Ottery St. Catchpole." It'll bring you to an alleyway that divides the village. Walk out of the alleyway and you'll find yourself surrounded by Muggle stores of all sorts."
"Thanks! I think I need to take a day to think over things in the Muggle village." Hermione said.
***
Early in the morning, Hermione took her Muggle money and wand with her. She used Floo Powder and found that Mr. Weasley's directions were not quite accurate. After five minutes of figuring out where the opening of the alleyway was, she reached the village. She headed for the Internet café.
After showing the man in charge her membership card, she chose a computer near the back of the café. She logged into her instant messaging account. Immediately after the program loaded she saw that Jennifer was also online. Jennifer had just sent her a message.
imawitch: Hey! How are you?
hgranger: I'm okay but I need to ask you something.
imawitch: I'm known for giving good replies, so ask away.
hgranger: Do you know about the Massacre of 1698?
imawitch: Of course I do! I learned about it in my early years at SWI. What do you need to know?
hgranger: Did you know that the Death Eaters are trying to plan a massacre like that one?
imawitch: Death Eaters are supporters of that You-Know-Who who is terrorizing the magical people in Europe, right? Well I think I read in the Magical Examiner (it's like the Daily Prophet) that there was a rumor that a massacre was going to occur in the U.K.
hgranger: Interesting. Can you send me details of the Massacre of 1698 and try to find the article with the rumor? Thanks!
imawitch: I'll try to send the information via owl post. I have to go now! Professor Duncan is calling me. Bye!
***
By: Nerwen Felagund
Written: 9.2.03
***
Chapter 5 - Forewarn
Hermione was glad she hadn't told them that Draco had a huge crush on her. Her musings were interrupted when a huge brown owl flew in from her window. A long awaited letter fell into her lap. It was from her pen pal in America.
Dear Hermione,
How are you? Thanks for the huge description of Hogwarts. I would so love to go see it. It seems so huge compared to the Salem Witches' Institute. SWI is like the smallest all witch school in the world. SWI is just this three-floor building that used to be a Muggle school. After the United Magical Government bought the school, they sent many officials to fix the problems that cause trouble in teaching for the Muggles. So now the Salem Witches' Institute owns the school and the six huge houses near it. The houses are our "dorms." The dorms run entirely on electricity. That means we're not allowed to use any magic unless we're in the school, which is blanketed with assorted cloaking spells that are quite similar to Hogwarts. You mentioned friends in the last letter. Boyfriends?
Cheers, Jennifer
P.S. Oops! I forgot to tell you my (Muggle) Instant Messaging screen name. I remember you told me yours. Mine is imawitch (remember, no spaces!).
Hermione felt optimistic. She decided to tell her about Draco. As she put her quill, inkpot, and parchment back into her school bag, she noticed Ron was standing next to her.
"Who you writing to?" asked Ron.
Hermione didn't answer right away. Instead, she fastened the letter tightly on the owl's leg. She then threw the owl out the window. Hermione finally turned to face Ron.
"Pen pal." She replied.
"Pen pal? From where?" asked Ron.
"The U.S. She's Muggle-born also." Hermione said.
"There's magical folk in America?" asked Ron dumbly.
"Of course," said Hermione. "They've had witches and wizards there for ages. Muggles there claimed they could recognize and catch people practicing forms of magic but they've caught the wrong people many times. Remember? It was part of our History of Magic homework ages ago."
Ron sat down and fiddled with his fingers. He looked anxious and unsure. Ron slowly looked up from his feet.
"Ron. What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"You think that Malfoy has feelings for you, right?" asked Ron.
When no one said anything for several seconds, Ron looked out the window and continued.
"Malfoy doesn't care a thing about you. He's part of this plot to exterminate Muggle-born wizards and witches in a massacre just like the Massacre of 1698. He wouldn't confess his affection without tricking you into his plan," Ron said. "You have to be very careful. Dad told me if you want to know more he'll let you talk to some of his colleagues who have an idea about what might happen."
Hermione was silent for a while.
"You're shocked aren't you? Ask your pen pal if she knows about the Massacre of 1698. Many American witches and wizards were killed in the Massacre because of a false invitation." Ron said knowingly.
"How did you know that Draco told me that he had feelings for me?" asked Hermione.
"Dad told me some Aurors came up with this theory that he might have said that because there was a rumor that Malfoy was going to play a big part in their plans and a Muggle-born was going to be involved. They thought it might be you because you figured out he was a Death Eater when no one else dreamed of thinking this." Ron replied.
"Thanks for warning me. I need some time to think. Would you mind leaving me alone for a while? Tell your mum I'll be down for dinner a bit later than usual." Hermione said.
Ron left the room without a word. Hermione felt devastated. First Draco told her he cared about her, next she learned he was initiated as a Death Eater, and now she learned he was using the power of his words to kill her. Hermione decided to ask Mr. Weasley a question that would help ease her troubles.
***
Hermione walked down the stairs to Mr. Weasley's study. She knocked on the door twice before she heard him call her in.
"Hermione, is this about Malfoy's son?" asked Mr. Weasley gently.
"No, but your answer might help me a lot," said Hermione. "Which is the easiest way of reaching the nearest Muggle village?"
"The easiest and fastest way you can reach the village is Floo Powder." Mr. Weasley said. "Just shout "Ottery St. Catchpole." It'll bring you to an alleyway that divides the village. Walk out of the alleyway and you'll find yourself surrounded by Muggle stores of all sorts."
"Thanks! I think I need to take a day to think over things in the Muggle village." Hermione said.
***
Early in the morning, Hermione took her Muggle money and wand with her. She used Floo Powder and found that Mr. Weasley's directions were not quite accurate. After five minutes of figuring out where the opening of the alleyway was, she reached the village. She headed for the Internet café.
After showing the man in charge her membership card, she chose a computer near the back of the café. She logged into her instant messaging account. Immediately after the program loaded she saw that Jennifer was also online. Jennifer had just sent her a message.
imawitch: Hey! How are you?
hgranger: I'm okay but I need to ask you something.
imawitch: I'm known for giving good replies, so ask away.
hgranger: Do you know about the Massacre of 1698?
imawitch: Of course I do! I learned about it in my early years at SWI. What do you need to know?
hgranger: Did you know that the Death Eaters are trying to plan a massacre like that one?
imawitch: Death Eaters are supporters of that You-Know-Who who is terrorizing the magical people in Europe, right? Well I think I read in the Magical Examiner (it's like the Daily Prophet) that there was a rumor that a massacre was going to occur in the U.K.
hgranger: Interesting. Can you send me details of the Massacre of 1698 and try to find the article with the rumor? Thanks!
imawitch: I'll try to send the information via owl post. I have to go now! Professor Duncan is calling me. Bye!
***