Praesentia
Chapter Ten---Resolutions
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When the secret that Harry had kept for so long was revealed, Ron felt crushed. All this time, he'd been facing the possibility he may need to destroy Voldemort; when Harry had been the one picked by some blasted prophecy. Ron's throat constricted, just thinking about the words from the prophecy.
Turning to Hermione, Ron expected her to look as concerned as he was. Instead, a rather dubious Hermione turned to look at him. Ron risked a glance toward Harry, who was pursing his lips so hard they were beginning to turn blue. Harry looked like he wanted to say something, but was holding back.
After a moment of intense silence, which was only interrupted only by the distant debating voices of Ron's father, Bill, and Charlie, Ron swallowed and risked another look at Harry. Harry's face had relaxed a bit, and he opened his mouth.
"Erm...Hermione...do you have something you'd like to say?" Harry's eyes were narrow, but he was gazing at something just over Ron's right shoulder.
Ron glanced to the right at Hermione now, who was biting her bottom lip. She nodded slowly, and then said very softly, "Harry....I know what Dumbledore said....and it does seem as though the prophecy means you. But...it's certainly not definite."
Ron's eyes opened wider. He was stunned at her reaction. If Dumbledore thought the prophecy meant Harry, it must have. It was unlike Hermione to doubt the words of Professor Dumbledore. "Are you mad, Hermione?"
Hermione turned to Ron sharply with a hurt look. "No, Ron, I'm not mad. I'm just stating the prophecy is sort of vague; and it's worded very non-specifically. I didn't say it doesn't mean Harry...I'm just saying, we can't jump to conclu-"
Harry took a half step toward Hermione. "Conclusions? Hermione...." He reached up, running both hands through his hair and letting out an exasperated sound. "Hermione...this prophecy is part of why I'm so bloody famous--fifteen years! Voldemort found out about it, and went after me. Dumbledore--and everyone--thinks I'm some sort of hero; that I'm going to destroy You-Know-Who! You think I want it to come true? No, I don't--but this is what we've got to deal with, so--" Harry stepped back, and waved his arms about in frustration.
All Ron could think of was to look at Harry mutely, secretly wondering if he should use his power to calm his best friend down. Deciding against it, he instead reached out and gripped Harry's shoulder, rather hard.
"Harry," Ron said, his own voice sounding more powerful then he expected. Both Harry and Hermione looked at him expectantly.
"Er...." Ron swallowed. "I, for one, have a personal score to settle with You-Know...er, Voldemort." He swallowed again. "Several scores, actually. So....count me in. But maybe...."
Turning to Hermione, he looked deeply into her bottomless brown eyes. Breathing in heavily, he saw something there in those eyes; the look she got whenever an idea was brewing in her clever head.
"Hermione...I get the feeling there's something else you'd like to tell us. Am I right?"
She nodded silently, and her eyes glittered as she pondered deeply.
But then she looked eagerly into Ron's eyes. "Before I do, though...I think we should tell Harry about..." her voice became very soft, "the Wesele Stone. If Voldemort succeeds....if we really have to destroy him....it's going to become more difficult then we could have ever dreamed possible."
Harry let out a confused sound at that. "The what?"
Ron felt his ears burn. He hadn't before considered how difficult it was going to be to explain this to his best friend...who also happened to be just as close a friend to Hermione.
He then considered what Harry had just told them; and realized how incredibly daft he was.
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Hermione breathed in deeply, watching the play of emotions over Harry's face. The three had long since holed themselves in one of the dark sitting rooms upstairs, and were curled in faded plush chairs pushed close to the large fireplace. Hermione eyed the dark marble gargoyles of snarling beasts that leered down at them from the high mantle, and shuddered. Ironically, the surroundings fit the tension that hung heavily around the three.
Earlier, Hermione and Ron had been interrupted in their explanation of the Wesele Stone when Mrs. Weasley had announced a very late lunch. Hermione had expected the meal to be subdued; but instead talk bounded in abundance all around the table, and most of it centered on plans for the future. Her heart had swelled at this; it was as if a second wind had arrived. Hermione did notice, however, that Mrs Weasley kept tut-tutting whenever the conversation became more specific on plans of the Order, and silence fell over the table for several moments before becoming lively once more.
At the end of the meal, Lupin told them that the return to Hogwarts was to be delayed until the next weekend, under a request from Professor Dumbledore. Lupin assured everyone it was a precautionary measure, and he wouldn't elaborate. Hermione remembered eyeing both Ron and Harry in turn, wondering what it meant.
Now, as they sat in the silent, drafty room, more worries plagued her. Hermione found herself softly tapping her fingertips to her knee, continuing to watch Harry's reaction to her and Ron's combined efforts in explaining the last 24 hours. Crookshanks, who had cleverly evaded the Death Eaters during the attack on the Burrow, was curled on her lap.
"Wow," Harry said, and shook his head a bit. "That's pretty intense."
Hermione had noticed how embarrassed Ron had been through the entire ordeal, and now reached out to take his hand. It was the first time they had touched since they had left the lunch table, and Hermione's hand shook a bit. Ron squeezed her hard before threading his fingers between hers.
Hermione turned to see Harry swallow, and his expression was apprehensive. After a moment, he looked up.
"Ron," his voice was hoarse. "I'm sorry...for being such a prat. So much has happened. But...something made me realize while I was away that it's time to....start acting about it. We can't sit around any longer waiting for..."
Harry shuffled in his seat for a moment, and then looked up at them again. "Hermione, you're right. If Voldemort succeeds in getting the power he wants from the stone, he'll be more powerful then he ever was. At least, based on what you both learned from your parents, Ron."
Hermione nodded, leaned forward, and fingered her lips with her free hand. "I could swear I heard about Herneith someplace before. I must have read about her; possibly when I heard you went to Egypt summer after second year, Ron. I read a lot about Egypt back then. Maybe I should owl home and see if my mum can find and send some books from home."
"Don't they have books about Egypt in the Hogwarts library?" Ron muttered beside her.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him and said softly, "How would you know?"
Ron shot her a peircing look. "I hate to surprise you, Hermione; but I can read, too."
Hermione resisted the urge to smile and release a chuckle--and instead rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, they do have books on Egypt at Hogwarts...loads of them. But I want to start research on this right away. I need to ask for some other books from home, as well."
Hesitating, she cleared her throat. "So...here's the deal. We have a lot to do--we have to get the stone back, that's a given; we have to prevent Voldemort from hurting anyone through Harry; and, most importantly, we have to make sure to protect Harry from Voldemort."
Ron snorted. "Come on, Hermione. We have to kill Voldemort. Admit it, it's inevitable. He's got to be destroyed, once and for all."
"Right! That's what I've been trying to tell you both ever since I got here," Harry spoke up, his voice grating. He sat up straighter.
"Okay, okay," Hermione sighed. "I agree. He needs to be destroyed." She pursed her lips, and slipped to the edge of her seat, clenching Ron's hand tighter. Crookshanks leapt off her lap, and ran grumpily out the open door.
"I have...an idea, of sorts," Hermione breathed, and bit her lip. "It may help us with the second objective I mentioned."
"Ah, yes," Ron said deeply, and Hermione felt his voice resonating through her. She smiled briefly, before pushing on. She didn't know how Ron (or for that matter, Harry) would react to the idea. But she had to throw it out there.
Throwing all caution aside, she leaned in closer to Ron and Harry. "Well...I know this is a bit out there, but it's just...." For a moment, looking at Ron, she began to wonder if she should say anything at all, but it was too late to go back now.
"Okay; I'm thinking about Harry being a conduit to Voldemort's powers. Ron, you've shown that you can prevent this from happening, and that's great. But Ron...did you hear what your father said? What if Voldemort found a way to prevent you from stopping him, maybe even hurt you? If you knew more about Voldemort, if you knew more about what kind of person he was...do you think you could have more power in preventing his attacks?" Hermione exhaled at the last word.
Ron looked at her intensely. "What do you mean?"
Hermione clenched her teeth, afraid of his reaction, but knowing she couldn't hold back something that might help them. "Ginny, Ron. He possessed her, she knows him, more then she lets on. He's hidden somewhere inside her; I know it."
"No!"
Hermione started in her seat, not expecting the vehement response from Harry across from her. She'd always expected Ron to be the one who'd be angry about her idea. Now looking at Harry, her heart racing, she saw the genuine concern written all over his face.
Harry was standing up now. He turned toward the fireplace, and his face was in silhouette as he said, "Hermione, that's not an option."
Hermione stood up, letting go of Ron's hand. Ron swiftly followed suit.
"Harry, why not? My idea isn't going to be--" she put her hand on his shoulder, and tried to turn him around. He resisted, still looking down into the fireplace flames.
"Hermione," Ron said huskily behind her. "What do you mean? What can my sister do to help? I want to--"
Harry turned stiffly, and nearly shouted. "I said no!"
Hermione ignored Harry, and turned her attention to Ron. "Ron, you can use your powers on her to see if you can find out anything...anything at all about Tom Riddle through Ginny. Maybe find where he's vulnerable. I know it could be dangerous, but if you're doing it--"
"Damn it, Hermione!" Harry really did shout this time. Hermione winced, and closed her eyes. Turning on her heel, she glared at Harry. They were standing so close to the fireplace, she could feel warm tendrils of heat brush her face.
"Harry, I don't know what ideas you've got about Ginny, but haven't you considered that maybe she wants to help in this fight, too? You can't protect everyone all the time, you know! There's just the three of us! There's no way we can win if we don't recruit people, and Ginny is more powerful than you think! And it's not my place to say this, but I can think of several other accomplished people in and outside Hogwarts, even from other houses, who would like to help. I think you need to consider--"
"No, Hermione. Just no," Harry said stiffly, his voice flat and low. Hermione knew Harry well enough to know not to push the point any further.
She backed up, letting out a frustrated sound. Ron was looking at her, and his expression imperceptible. He turned back to eye Harry, and appeared puzzled.
Hermione sighed again, and brushed her face with the back of her hand. "I think I'm going to turn in, then. I'll be down in my room, reading."
She turned and started out the door, and a moment later, she heard footsteps behind her. Leaving the door open behind her, she started down the flight of stairs. A set of feet, unmistakably Ron's, was pounding down the stairs.
"Hermione, please, wait," Ron said softly, and then caught up. Knowing it was best to stop, she slowed and turned. Ron ran flush into her body, but thankfully not hard enough to cause her to fall backward. His hands grasped her upper arms to steady her, and she looked up to find his face close to hers.
"Ron," Hermione said softly, and something turned over inside her. She leaned into him, and then wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Pressing her face hard into his chest, she hugged him, hopelessly wishing she could melt into him.
"I'm here," Ron said, and his voice echoed through her. She nodded against him.
After a moment, he spoke again. "I'd like to hear more about your idea."
Hermione pulled back. "But Harry--"
Ron looked down at her. "Ginny isn't his sister. You're right, though. Ginny wants to help, and I know we can keep her safe. Let's ask her about it tomorrow--after all, it'll be her decision. Have you talked to her about this?"
Hermione shook her head, looking up the stairs. "I don't think we should keep this from Harry. Maybe we should wait."
Ron was shaking his head. "Let's ask Ginny first, and if she says no, we'll let it go. If she says yes, we'll all talk to Harry."
Hermione looked up at him. It seemed as though, as the days passed, more and more about Ron was surprising her. He was the same Ron she'd always known; but stronger.
She counted on the hope that during these hard times, he would always be someone she could lean on. She nodded.
Ron walked her down the hallway to her room, to her door; and it was a long time before Hermione pulled herself reluctantly from his arms and whispered good-night.
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A/N: Several people have tried to email me; I'm sorry that I can't reply, my email system is only allowing me to receive emails. To answer a question from a reader:
I'm VERY flattered that anyone would want to translate my stories into other languages to be posted elsewhere; but I feel hesitant in agreeing because I like to be in complete control of my work and where it posted. I'm a bit scared to allow my story to be translated, as I won't have a way to verify everything has been translated correctly. I'd prefer that it remain in English unless I can feel certain everything is being conveyed as I intended. Once again, I'm sorry. I'd love to have as many people reading my stories as possible, but I'd also feel hesitant and afraid that my work might be attributed to someone other than me.
Chapter Ten---Resolutions
-----
When the secret that Harry had kept for so long was revealed, Ron felt crushed. All this time, he'd been facing the possibility he may need to destroy Voldemort; when Harry had been the one picked by some blasted prophecy. Ron's throat constricted, just thinking about the words from the prophecy.
Turning to Hermione, Ron expected her to look as concerned as he was. Instead, a rather dubious Hermione turned to look at him. Ron risked a glance toward Harry, who was pursing his lips so hard they were beginning to turn blue. Harry looked like he wanted to say something, but was holding back.
After a moment of intense silence, which was only interrupted only by the distant debating voices of Ron's father, Bill, and Charlie, Ron swallowed and risked another look at Harry. Harry's face had relaxed a bit, and he opened his mouth.
"Erm...Hermione...do you have something you'd like to say?" Harry's eyes were narrow, but he was gazing at something just over Ron's right shoulder.
Ron glanced to the right at Hermione now, who was biting her bottom lip. She nodded slowly, and then said very softly, "Harry....I know what Dumbledore said....and it does seem as though the prophecy means you. But...it's certainly not definite."
Ron's eyes opened wider. He was stunned at her reaction. If Dumbledore thought the prophecy meant Harry, it must have. It was unlike Hermione to doubt the words of Professor Dumbledore. "Are you mad, Hermione?"
Hermione turned to Ron sharply with a hurt look. "No, Ron, I'm not mad. I'm just stating the prophecy is sort of vague; and it's worded very non-specifically. I didn't say it doesn't mean Harry...I'm just saying, we can't jump to conclu-"
Harry took a half step toward Hermione. "Conclusions? Hermione...." He reached up, running both hands through his hair and letting out an exasperated sound. "Hermione...this prophecy is part of why I'm so bloody famous--fifteen years! Voldemort found out about it, and went after me. Dumbledore--and everyone--thinks I'm some sort of hero; that I'm going to destroy You-Know-Who! You think I want it to come true? No, I don't--but this is what we've got to deal with, so--" Harry stepped back, and waved his arms about in frustration.
All Ron could think of was to look at Harry mutely, secretly wondering if he should use his power to calm his best friend down. Deciding against it, he instead reached out and gripped Harry's shoulder, rather hard.
"Harry," Ron said, his own voice sounding more powerful then he expected. Both Harry and Hermione looked at him expectantly.
"Er...." Ron swallowed. "I, for one, have a personal score to settle with You-Know...er, Voldemort." He swallowed again. "Several scores, actually. So....count me in. But maybe...."
Turning to Hermione, he looked deeply into her bottomless brown eyes. Breathing in heavily, he saw something there in those eyes; the look she got whenever an idea was brewing in her clever head.
"Hermione...I get the feeling there's something else you'd like to tell us. Am I right?"
She nodded silently, and her eyes glittered as she pondered deeply.
But then she looked eagerly into Ron's eyes. "Before I do, though...I think we should tell Harry about..." her voice became very soft, "the Wesele Stone. If Voldemort succeeds....if we really have to destroy him....it's going to become more difficult then we could have ever dreamed possible."
Harry let out a confused sound at that. "The what?"
Ron felt his ears burn. He hadn't before considered how difficult it was going to be to explain this to his best friend...who also happened to be just as close a friend to Hermione.
He then considered what Harry had just told them; and realized how incredibly daft he was.
---------------
Hermione breathed in deeply, watching the play of emotions over Harry's face. The three had long since holed themselves in one of the dark sitting rooms upstairs, and were curled in faded plush chairs pushed close to the large fireplace. Hermione eyed the dark marble gargoyles of snarling beasts that leered down at them from the high mantle, and shuddered. Ironically, the surroundings fit the tension that hung heavily around the three.
Earlier, Hermione and Ron had been interrupted in their explanation of the Wesele Stone when Mrs. Weasley had announced a very late lunch. Hermione had expected the meal to be subdued; but instead talk bounded in abundance all around the table, and most of it centered on plans for the future. Her heart had swelled at this; it was as if a second wind had arrived. Hermione did notice, however, that Mrs Weasley kept tut-tutting whenever the conversation became more specific on plans of the Order, and silence fell over the table for several moments before becoming lively once more.
At the end of the meal, Lupin told them that the return to Hogwarts was to be delayed until the next weekend, under a request from Professor Dumbledore. Lupin assured everyone it was a precautionary measure, and he wouldn't elaborate. Hermione remembered eyeing both Ron and Harry in turn, wondering what it meant.
Now, as they sat in the silent, drafty room, more worries plagued her. Hermione found herself softly tapping her fingertips to her knee, continuing to watch Harry's reaction to her and Ron's combined efforts in explaining the last 24 hours. Crookshanks, who had cleverly evaded the Death Eaters during the attack on the Burrow, was curled on her lap.
"Wow," Harry said, and shook his head a bit. "That's pretty intense."
Hermione had noticed how embarrassed Ron had been through the entire ordeal, and now reached out to take his hand. It was the first time they had touched since they had left the lunch table, and Hermione's hand shook a bit. Ron squeezed her hard before threading his fingers between hers.
Hermione turned to see Harry swallow, and his expression was apprehensive. After a moment, he looked up.
"Ron," his voice was hoarse. "I'm sorry...for being such a prat. So much has happened. But...something made me realize while I was away that it's time to....start acting about it. We can't sit around any longer waiting for..."
Harry shuffled in his seat for a moment, and then looked up at them again. "Hermione, you're right. If Voldemort succeeds in getting the power he wants from the stone, he'll be more powerful then he ever was. At least, based on what you both learned from your parents, Ron."
Hermione nodded, leaned forward, and fingered her lips with her free hand. "I could swear I heard about Herneith someplace before. I must have read about her; possibly when I heard you went to Egypt summer after second year, Ron. I read a lot about Egypt back then. Maybe I should owl home and see if my mum can find and send some books from home."
"Don't they have books about Egypt in the Hogwarts library?" Ron muttered beside her.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him and said softly, "How would you know?"
Ron shot her a peircing look. "I hate to surprise you, Hermione; but I can read, too."
Hermione resisted the urge to smile and release a chuckle--and instead rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, they do have books on Egypt at Hogwarts...loads of them. But I want to start research on this right away. I need to ask for some other books from home, as well."
Hesitating, she cleared her throat. "So...here's the deal. We have a lot to do--we have to get the stone back, that's a given; we have to prevent Voldemort from hurting anyone through Harry; and, most importantly, we have to make sure to protect Harry from Voldemort."
Ron snorted. "Come on, Hermione. We have to kill Voldemort. Admit it, it's inevitable. He's got to be destroyed, once and for all."
"Right! That's what I've been trying to tell you both ever since I got here," Harry spoke up, his voice grating. He sat up straighter.
"Okay, okay," Hermione sighed. "I agree. He needs to be destroyed." She pursed her lips, and slipped to the edge of her seat, clenching Ron's hand tighter. Crookshanks leapt off her lap, and ran grumpily out the open door.
"I have...an idea, of sorts," Hermione breathed, and bit her lip. "It may help us with the second objective I mentioned."
"Ah, yes," Ron said deeply, and Hermione felt his voice resonating through her. She smiled briefly, before pushing on. She didn't know how Ron (or for that matter, Harry) would react to the idea. But she had to throw it out there.
Throwing all caution aside, she leaned in closer to Ron and Harry. "Well...I know this is a bit out there, but it's just...." For a moment, looking at Ron, she began to wonder if she should say anything at all, but it was too late to go back now.
"Okay; I'm thinking about Harry being a conduit to Voldemort's powers. Ron, you've shown that you can prevent this from happening, and that's great. But Ron...did you hear what your father said? What if Voldemort found a way to prevent you from stopping him, maybe even hurt you? If you knew more about Voldemort, if you knew more about what kind of person he was...do you think you could have more power in preventing his attacks?" Hermione exhaled at the last word.
Ron looked at her intensely. "What do you mean?"
Hermione clenched her teeth, afraid of his reaction, but knowing she couldn't hold back something that might help them. "Ginny, Ron. He possessed her, she knows him, more then she lets on. He's hidden somewhere inside her; I know it."
"No!"
Hermione started in her seat, not expecting the vehement response from Harry across from her. She'd always expected Ron to be the one who'd be angry about her idea. Now looking at Harry, her heart racing, she saw the genuine concern written all over his face.
Harry was standing up now. He turned toward the fireplace, and his face was in silhouette as he said, "Hermione, that's not an option."
Hermione stood up, letting go of Ron's hand. Ron swiftly followed suit.
"Harry, why not? My idea isn't going to be--" she put her hand on his shoulder, and tried to turn him around. He resisted, still looking down into the fireplace flames.
"Hermione," Ron said huskily behind her. "What do you mean? What can my sister do to help? I want to--"
Harry turned stiffly, and nearly shouted. "I said no!"
Hermione ignored Harry, and turned her attention to Ron. "Ron, you can use your powers on her to see if you can find out anything...anything at all about Tom Riddle through Ginny. Maybe find where he's vulnerable. I know it could be dangerous, but if you're doing it--"
"Damn it, Hermione!" Harry really did shout this time. Hermione winced, and closed her eyes. Turning on her heel, she glared at Harry. They were standing so close to the fireplace, she could feel warm tendrils of heat brush her face.
"Harry, I don't know what ideas you've got about Ginny, but haven't you considered that maybe she wants to help in this fight, too? You can't protect everyone all the time, you know! There's just the three of us! There's no way we can win if we don't recruit people, and Ginny is more powerful than you think! And it's not my place to say this, but I can think of several other accomplished people in and outside Hogwarts, even from other houses, who would like to help. I think you need to consider--"
"No, Hermione. Just no," Harry said stiffly, his voice flat and low. Hermione knew Harry well enough to know not to push the point any further.
She backed up, letting out a frustrated sound. Ron was looking at her, and his expression imperceptible. He turned back to eye Harry, and appeared puzzled.
Hermione sighed again, and brushed her face with the back of her hand. "I think I'm going to turn in, then. I'll be down in my room, reading."
She turned and started out the door, and a moment later, she heard footsteps behind her. Leaving the door open behind her, she started down the flight of stairs. A set of feet, unmistakably Ron's, was pounding down the stairs.
"Hermione, please, wait," Ron said softly, and then caught up. Knowing it was best to stop, she slowed and turned. Ron ran flush into her body, but thankfully not hard enough to cause her to fall backward. His hands grasped her upper arms to steady her, and she looked up to find his face close to hers.
"Ron," Hermione said softly, and something turned over inside her. She leaned into him, and then wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Pressing her face hard into his chest, she hugged him, hopelessly wishing she could melt into him.
"I'm here," Ron said, and his voice echoed through her. She nodded against him.
After a moment, he spoke again. "I'd like to hear more about your idea."
Hermione pulled back. "But Harry--"
Ron looked down at her. "Ginny isn't his sister. You're right, though. Ginny wants to help, and I know we can keep her safe. Let's ask her about it tomorrow--after all, it'll be her decision. Have you talked to her about this?"
Hermione shook her head, looking up the stairs. "I don't think we should keep this from Harry. Maybe we should wait."
Ron was shaking his head. "Let's ask Ginny first, and if she says no, we'll let it go. If she says yes, we'll all talk to Harry."
Hermione looked up at him. It seemed as though, as the days passed, more and more about Ron was surprising her. He was the same Ron she'd always known; but stronger.
She counted on the hope that during these hard times, he would always be someone she could lean on. She nodded.
Ron walked her down the hallway to her room, to her door; and it was a long time before Hermione pulled herself reluctantly from his arms and whispered good-night.
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A/N: Several people have tried to email me; I'm sorry that I can't reply, my email system is only allowing me to receive emails. To answer a question from a reader:
I'm VERY flattered that anyone would want to translate my stories into other languages to be posted elsewhere; but I feel hesitant in agreeing because I like to be in complete control of my work and where it posted. I'm a bit scared to allow my story to be translated, as I won't have a way to verify everything has been translated correctly. I'd prefer that it remain in English unless I can feel certain everything is being conveyed as I intended. Once again, I'm sorry. I'd love to have as many people reading my stories as possible, but I'd also feel hesitant and afraid that my work might be attributed to someone other than me.