Precious Stones: Chapter 11- A Snowflake on a Silver Chain
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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. No profit is being made from this work.
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AN- You'll never guess what I'm about to say .. SORRY! SORRY! Again it has taken me a ridicules amount of time to get this put together but at last here it is blame G.C.S.E.s and my dictatorial teachers if you like but I've been to busy to get this up sooner than now. Sorry once again, but here's the next chapter
AN2- Although it may seem like it at first, the story does not reach it's conclusion in this chapter there's a lot more to come.
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When Hermione woke up, the first thing she noticed was how cold it was, she groaned and tried to pull her quilt further around her. The next thing she noticed was that the quilt wasn't there; in its place were scratchy hospital blankets.
Someone asked.
She opened her eyes groggily and it was a few seconds before Ron's anxious face came into view,
You're awake He said softly his voice filled with wonder.
Of course I am she said, trying to sit up. It was then that she realised she had absolutely no strength.
I was afraid you wouldn't He trailed off, Hermione failed to meet his intense gaze as she finally managed to sit up.
Watch it, He said, You want to take things slowly.
Hermione laughed bitterly, Slowly indeed! We have a serial murderer to catch before
Ron said warningly.
She snapped back at him, painfully aware that she couldn't so much as lift a finger, and the fact that her throat burned and struggled with every word.
Hermione you've had a relapse. This time we caught it straight away and there wasn't as much poison in your blood stream but
She asked, more faintly this time, trying to take in what he was saying.
They found traces of the deteriorating potion in your blood stream well Neville did anyway.
Hermione asked.
Yes, he came straight down when he heard we were so worried Ron said his expression soft.
Was all she could manage.
She sunk back into the pillows, fighting to keep up pretence of being stronger than she was. Ron didn't look too good himself, there were deep dark rings underneath his eyes and his face was pale. However he was fresh and clean-shaven, dressed surprisingly in muggle clothes- jeans and one of his mum's jumpers in a nice shade of blue.
How long have I been asleep? Hermione asked shakily.
A week. Ron said gently, reaching over and taking her hand.
Normally she would have reacted violently to such a gesture, but she was too stunned to respond.
A week? But Diamond Tiffany the stones case? Have there been any more murders? She asked, her head filling with fears, she'd failed! She hadn't solved her case!
To her surprise, Ron smiled ruefully, Harry and me went down to Moonstone Heights the day after you were taken ill with a Patrol Squad. We arrested this Master Diamond, though in the end he didn't put up too much resistance. But Hermione! We should have known who it was all along!
Should we? She asked her head spinning.
He informed her gravely.
This was too much for Hermione; all she could do was stare at him in astonishment as he explained further.
Of course he never went to Azkaban for your poisoning- remember that sneaky little barrister got him off because he'd intended to poison Harry and not you, and of course there was no evidence for him being a death-eater. He claimed to be under imperious.
She interrupted sharply, Are you sure?
Her blinked at her taken aback by her sudden intensity. Hermione wasn't sure why, but something at the back of her mind began to niggle at her, telling her that everything wasn't quite right.
He said calmly.
But how? She wanted to know, acutely aware of the fact that Ron still held her hand in his.
He's still carrying out Voldemort's last wishes it would seem and runs this demented little school. Ron said, with hints of intense bitterness in his otherwise gentle voice.
Hermione pressed, not even flinching at Voldemort's name.
He's been killing the students because he thinks that if he has their combined power then he'll be able to bring back his old master from the dead. Apparently there's some sort of prophecy dating back to Voldemort's first reign that talks about these kids and their ability to do wandless magic.
Hermione asked, alarm bells ringing in her head. Ron's explanation was all very well but something didn't quite fit. A Prophecy? Hermione had never trusted the art if divination and if it wasn't for the fact that her head pounded and she could still feel vague tinges of fever Hermione might have rushed to the library and began researching it straight away.
well it only said that they exist and that one would come forward to harvest the power Ron said vaguely, But that doesn't matter, what matters is that we have him.
Something unpleasant dawned on Hermione.
That's why I'm ill again isn't it? She asked shakily.
Ron looked at her, confused.
The spell traces they weren't a mistake at all. Hermione said shakily.
What do you mean? Ron asked.
Have they run the tests? Hermione asked urgently, Proven that the spells came from Draco?
Yes of course. Ron nodded.
He must have put the poison's trigger spell into the traces and left them there on purpose for me.
Ron dropped her hand abruptly as his face went red. He shook slightly as he said, How dare he?
He must of known I was the investigator in charge Ginny interviewed me! It was in the prophet! She said.
So he thought he'd finish off what he'd started. Ron said his blue eyes snapping with fury.
Hermione strangely encouraged by his fury on her behalf said, No, that was a mistake remember- he meant to get Harry. No, he was just taking advantage of his mistake with me. If he slowed down the investigative auror he'd have time to finish off the murders!
He didn't count on Harry and me being around, Ron said grimly.
Well it's another charge to bring against him, Hermione said tiredly.
What if like the last time what if. You get worse? Ron asked carefully.
Hermione thought about it, not meeting his eyes frightened of what she would read there.
She said quietly, I don't think I will- you got the antidote to me quickly it took weeks last time to come up with one.
Ron nodded, though she could still see the doubt in eyes.
I don't think I could have borne it again, He muttered, his ears going red, I was so worried
Hermione didn't know what to say to that.
It was terrible one minute you were walking beside me the next He trailed off.
There was an awkward pause. They both sat not saying anything wrestling with their own emotions trying to decide what they really felt. Both nursing a secret hope that they were hardly able to admit even to themselves.
Hermione asked after a while.
He asked sharply.
Thank you. She said meeting his forceful gaze.
Hermione I He began impulsively.
Another voice shrieked overcome with relief and Ron felt all of his impulsive courage ebb away as his sister rushed forward to hug her friend.
You're awake, Ginny said half laughing, half crying.
Ron turned to see Harry standing in the doorway, he too looked vastly relieved and meeting Ron's eyes smiled wearily. Ron, who knew that Harry had gone back to Hermione's flat to feed Crookshanks couldn't help but wonder what had gone on between them over the past week when he had stayed at Hermione's side.
You've been out of it for a whole week! Ginny exclaimed.
I know Hermione said tiredly.
Oh Hermione mum's been beside herself Ginny said.
What day is it? Hermione asked suddenly.
December the 24th, Christmas Eve. Ginny said.
Hermione said, But I haven't even brought any presents yet!
Do you think that matters? Harry asked with a chuckle.
Oh but I'll feel awful if I don't have anything to give to anyone! Hermione moaned looking distressed.
Don't worry about that! Ginny said laughing, Anyway I took the liberty of getting things for you
Oh Ginny you're a star! Hermione said brightening, Did you remember my Aunty Flora?
Yes, yes of course! Ginny laughed, I found your note of present ideas when I was feeding Crookshanks.
Oh thank you so much! Hermione beamed, You even remembered Crookshanks!
Well actually I had some help, Ginny admitted colouring.
Yeah Harry helped. She explained quickly.
Ron felt a little in the way as Ginny went on to tell Hermione everything she'd brought and Harry hung unsurely in the door way. He couldn't help but notice that while Hermione was fully engaged in conversation with his sister, she still kept sneaking glances at him.
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Christmas Day passed relatively uneventfully for Hermione, she was able to get up and had Christmas lunch with Tiffany, who while still pale and skinny talked cheerfully about her future.
Professor Dumbledore came to speak to me, She said, I'm going to Hogwarts for the start of next term.
That's great, Hermione replied with a painful pang, she still missed Hogwarts.
The afternoon brought a string of visitors, including Ginny, Mr and Mrs Weasley, the twins and Neville. Her own parents had sent a letter via owl post (for muggles they were extremely adept at using this system) saying they were sorry she couldn't be with them at Christmas but hoped she'd be well enough to make it in time for New Year. Apparently Ginny had only told them of Hermione's relapse when it had begun to look like she would recover not wanting to worry them. Something Hermione whole-heartedly approved of.
All day passed without a word or appearance from Harry and Ron, apparently now that the case was solved she wouldn't see them again. They'd left the previous day soon after Ginny had arrived. She hadn't considered at the time that their goodbyes had been final.
Now, sitting in the darkened hospital room, awake although it was well past midnight Hermione felt sudden despair at this thought. Despite her frosty behaviour, despite her determination not to be friendly, Hermione had been vastly relieved to see them again. She was back on speaking terms with both Ron and Harry- and the way Ron had held her hand the day before
Tears stung Hermione's eyes as she realised all over again what had been lost between them. There had been some spark still there, she'd ignored it but it had still been there and now the chance to act upon it was completely gone, Hermione felt lost.
She didn't know what she felt for Ron. She didn't know if it could ever have been the same as it had been once. What she did know was that she wanted the chance to find but that seemed lost to her forever.
They'd worked well together, the case had been solved. End of story.
Hermione went through the case details in her head, vaguely aware that something didn't quite fit. She wouldn't be satisfied until she'd went through the case notes, interviewed Malfoy
She train of thought was interrupted by a tapping at the window. Hermione got up to find an owl waiting to be let in. She opened with window and the tiny owl flew accompanied by a cruel blast of cold air.
Hello Pig, Hermione said smiling at the owl fondly, a curious sort of hope building up in her chest.
Pigwidgeon carried a small parcel and a note. When Hermione had untied it he flew straight back outside and Hermione close the window after him, shivering.
With shaking fingers, Hermione untied the package. In it was black velvet coated jewellery box. She opened it up to find a delicate silver chain on which hung a tiny, intricate pendent that made up a snowflake.
Heart pounding fast Hermione wondered at it's meaning, as she held it up to admire it in the flickering light created by the candle she had lit at her bedside table. It was beautiful.
Fastening it around her neck where it lay, cool but oddly comforting- Hermione opened it out and whit conflicting emotions, read it:
Dear Hermione,
Happy Christmas! Though it can hardly have been a good one for you! Harry and I are off to Singapore in the morning so you probably won't be seeing us again till that scumbag's trial.
I got this for you and with Neville's help had charms put in to protect you if you ever across that scumbag's poison again. It seemed appropriate, the snowflake anyway as an apology for these past few horrible (snowy) weeks. I knew, anyway that you probably wouldn't appreciate anything with a gem stone in!
I, well I don't know what to say, but I've enjoyed seeing you again. Take care of yourself Mione.
With all my love,
Ron.
Hermione sank back into her pillows, tears trickling down her too-pale cheeks. She was relieved that she'd see Ron and Harry again and touched by the gift but disappointed at the lack of stronger sentiments that apology and regret in the letter. It was juts like he was feeling guilty
Maybe she'd ask Neville about it. He'd helped him with the charms
With all my love, Ron. She was no love-sick teenager to be reading things into that and for all the warmth the words usually contained Hermione couldn't help but note with bitterness, a cruel finality about them.
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Miles away Ron sat miserably in the corner of the FA's annual Christmas Party. Harry, not much happier than himself after spending time with Ginny and not really getting anywhere was trying to hide his misery by dancing with Kathryn, and her surprising guest- Remus Lupin.
The party wasn't slowing down at nearly one o'clock, in fact it was gaining momentum, and Ron suspected was probably going to last till well on into the morning, by which time everyone would be drunk and beginning to miss their families.
Ron himself had been staring into the same glass of firewhisky all night. Ever since sending the package off with Pig for Hermione
He cursed himself for his bad letter writing skills and remembered with pain the fact that when it came to it he hadn't been able to put what he felt down onto paper. The result, an unfeeling letter that gave nothing away, took no risks
If he'd ever had a chance of getting Hermione back, he'd ruined it with that letter.
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Hermione slept fretfully. Eventually, she was awakened by a whispered conversation that for some reason seemed impossibly loud to Hermione.
Wiping sleep out of her eyes Hermione sat up and tried to listen to it, wondering whether or not it was just her imagination.
It doesn't feel right Diamond. It was Tiffany speaking in her usual frightened tones.
Come on Tiffany we haven't got this far for you to chicken out now. A male voice answered.
I told them that it was Master Draco who killed the others.
A harsh cruel laugh sounded, Good, that's exactly what I wanted.
I've been offered a place at Hogwarts. Hermione heard Tiffany mumble, a thousand and one alarm bells ringing in her head.
So you're not going to take it are you? The young but twisted voice challenged.
There's one for you as well
The male voice grew louder and was filled with anger.
I'm sorry, it's just
There, there Topaz, He said more soothingly, It'll soon be over. We've got rid of Master Draco now; he'll rot in Azkaban for what he's done to us!
Hermione's eyes widened in the gloom as she listened to the hushed conversation between the two teenagers. Malfoy wasn't the murderer at all
I know.
Don't back out whatever you do you've done a good job so far convincing that auror that you're one of us. Why you're not even a witch, and to convince the great Hermione Granger well that's something!
At hearing this Hermione got up, careful not to make a single noise, stealthily pulling on some clothes and grabbing her wand she crept out into the corridor and made her way towards Tiffany's room.
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AN- HA HA massive cliff hanger! Confused? I promise you that it will make perfect sense by the time I'm finished! Hopefully
Please review and tell me what you think, once again I appreciate your support and help. Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long!!!
Random quote:
Look your Royal HIGHNESS, what a wonderful SMELL you've discovered. Han Solo- Star Wars A new Hope.