Previously, on Harry Potter and the Necromancer:
"Only one way to find out," Ron said. He went over to the stone and attempted to lift it. No luck. Hermione tried her hand at it. No dice. Harry grasped the sphere in his hands and lifted it easily.
"What sign is on it?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked and almost dropped the ball when he saw what it was.
It was a lightning bolt, identical to Harry's scar. He showed Ron and Hermione, who reacted in a similar fashion.
"Whatever could it mean?" Hermione wondered. "You're the only one in the world with that scar…"
"We have two questions that need to be answered here," Harry said. "One, what is this stone about? And two, how did we get in here, this place is supposed to be a secret."
"I think I understand how we got in," Hermione said, slowly. "Tonks said that the Ministry hid it where no one would ever find it. But we weren't looking for it, so technically, we didn't find it. I think it works similarly to the Mirror of Erised."
"But how are we going to find it again?" Ron said, "We're going to have to come back and find out what this is all about."
"No," Harry said, "We have to tell Dumbledore. I'm not making the same mistake twice."
"Normally," Hermione began, "I would be the first one to agree with you Harry, but if we tell Dumbledore, he'll come looking for it and won't be able to find it. We can't tell anyone."
"So how are we going to get back in?" Ron asked again, impatiently.
"I think that now that we don't have to look for it, we can come back anytime we please," Hermione said. She stepped out of the hidden room and back into it. "You see, I wasn't looking for it, so I didn't find it."
"So what's the plan then, Hermione?" Harry asked, wearily.
"We have to find out what your scar means. I have an eerie feeling that this is another connection to V-V-Voldemort," Hermione said.
"Well, we can't do that until we get back to school. And my guess is the Restricted Section," Harry said.
"It'll have to wait until then," Hermione said. The three passed back into the museum. Hermione's parents didn't ask about what went on the room. They could tell from their faces that it was something they didn't want to know.
The rest of the week went pretty smoothly and the trio had a lot of fun. But in the back of their minds, they were still thinking of the black stone.
What can it all mean? Hermione thought to herself. For this entire week, I've been wondering and wondering, but I've come up with nothing. I'm not sure I can wait until this break is over to find out what is going on. I know one thing for sure though, Harry's in danger again. And I don't think I can take it.
Hermione however cheered up once it came time for Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Ron, however, was another story. He hovered around Hermione, trying to find out what she did and didn't like, sometimes annoying the hell out of her. When they finally made it to London, Ron went absolutely mad. He wanted to stop in every store. Harry and Hermione waited on a bench outside while Ron lurked in some store named Victoria's Secret.
"Whatever he gets you, you had better like it, Hermione," Harry muttered. "And I thought shopping with girls was bad."
"And who are these girls that you've shopped with?" Hermione teased.
"Cho, Stella, and you…all three of you…mad…"Harry grumbled.
"So what have you bought?" Hermione asked, trying to peek into his bag.
"Hey, that's a secret. No peeking!" Harry said.
I still haven't thought of what to buy Harry, Hermione thought. Ron was easy, but Harry is a lot harder…It has to be something special. Like something to do with maybe his parents. Not an organizer like last time. Both he and Ron shoved them under their beds…but they think I don't know. She smiled at this.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing…"Hermione said.
"Alright," Ron said, bounding out of the store, "I have it!"
"From Victoria's Secret?" Harry asked, surprised.
"No, but a nice store though," Ron grinned. "Ouch!" he cried. "What was that for?" he asked Hermione.
"Never mind," Hermione said.
They hopped on the tube and then walked back to Hermione's house, where Mrs. Granger was waiting with warm apple cider and cocoa. "There's one last thing we have to do before we wait for Santa Claus."
"Santa Claws?" Ron asked.
"We'll explain later, Ron," Hermione and Harry said together, exasperated.
"We have to decorate the tree," Mr. Granger said, as he brought out a large cardboard box of silver, green, red, and gold ornaments.
"Right," Ron said, "So what're we waiting for?". He whipped out his wand.
"Ron, we doing this by hand. And didn't we tell you to put that away the entire time we're here?" Hermione added.
"By hand?" Ron exclaimed.
"By hand. In fact, I'll give you the honor of putting the first one on the tree," Mrs. Granger smiled. She handed Ron a candy cane striped ornament.
Ron carefully hung the delicate ornament on the tree, with a big grin. Cocoa and apple cider was passed around as they placed ornaments on to the tree, laughing about the past and talking about the future. Finally, the finale of the evening came. The Star.
Hermione took the beautiful golden star into her hands and reached for a stool.
"No," Harry said. "I've got you." He put his hands on her waist and lifted her up so she could reach to the top of the tree.
He's lifting me to the stars, Hermione thought.
She placed the star on the tree and then Harry brought her back to the ground.
No, Hermione thought. Not yet. I'm not ready to come back the earth yet.
"Well, it's time you were all in bed," Mr. Granger said.
Hermione kissed her parents goodnight and went to her room, but not before hearing a distinctive voice saying, "So this fat man comes down the chimney?"
A/N: Hello!! I really need that list of Death Eaters!!
Reviews:
Lutefa: Ah yes, the "I love my enemy" syndrome…you wouldn't by any chance be a Dr/Hr shipper…because that relationship…just weird…shudder…
KawaiiFryingPanChick: I'm a Sagittarius! Woot!...keep reading…and make more pancakes…it was yummy
Jarvey: Thanks for the definition! Actually sounds a lot like me…ferret-like…insults…hmm…I should look into that…
HPfan-Excalibur: I read your stuff, it's really good! Keep writing on the H/Hr romance…gotta love that stuff. Were you right about the sign? If not, what was your guess?
Mara342: Sorry, Mara, no dice. If you're right, I'm not telling. If you're wrong, I'm still not telling. But, I say again…team up with another reader…share ideas…I have no problem with you guys using my review board to post ideas.
Ashton Rushing: Read your stuff…fabulous…anyway, are you okay, because I was kinda worried.