Disclaimer: I own the plot. Everything else is J.K. Rowling's.
A/N: Thanks, as usual, for reviewing! Sorry this took awhile, my internet's been down. But, as this chapter is really long for me, here's to hoping you don't have murderous thoughts. Enjoy!
Moonlight and Secret Whispers
As Hermione slipped out of the front castle doors, she immediately felt comforted by the luminescent glow that the full moon cast over the grounds. She strode over to the lake and stood by the water's edge. As her brown eyes turned towards the sky, Hermione pulled at the elastic that held her hair up in its usual bun. Brunette curls fell down to the middle of her back as she stretched out her arms and took in the moonlight. Slowly, Hermione started to move around in simple patterns and dancing to the music only she could hear.
Draco Malfoy stood behind a tree as he surveyed this scene. "What the hell is Granger doing?" he thought to himself as she started to dance about. "That's it. I've decided. She's gone mental, that one. The question is whether or not I go tell someone that the perfect prefect is out of bed." However, even as he thought this, he did not move from his spot. Malfoy seemed to be in trance; watching Hermione as she wove her way through the air.
Draco had one fleeting thought of Hermione looking like a fairy, but he immediately dismissed it, barely even noticing he thought it in the first place. His findings were indeed accurate. With the moon's light playing over her face, Hermione seemed to have taken on an otherworldly quality. Over the past year, the girl grew up, to put it simply. She had grown taller and filled out a bit more. Her hair had lost its bushy state, and now cascaded down her back in softer, more tamed curls.
Finally, Hermione stopped twirling about and walked back to the castle. "She's so beautiful. Why didn't I notice before?" Draco thought to himself as he watched her go. He made his way to go after her when suddenly the Slytherin came to a screeching halt. "Wait…fairy? Beautiful? Malfoy, what the bloody hell are you thinking? Now, try again." He considered for a moment and then out loud he yelled, "AH! MY EYES! THEY BUURRRNNN!" This caused many of the owls in the Forbidden Forest to abandon their perches and fly away. However, as Draco started walking again, a little voice inside his head said, "You know you liked it." The blonde boy narrowed his eyes and retorted with, "Shut up."
5.5.5.5
When Hermione finally climbed back into her bed that night, she felt considerably more relaxed and had a bit less sense of loss. "Goodnight Nana," she whispered to the dark before falling asleep.
The next morning Hermione awoke to a light October rain pattering at her window. "Today is Nana's funeral," she thought to herself, sadness filling her once more. "I better get ready and head to Dumbledore's office." She pulled back the curtain from her bed and saw that everyone had already headed to breakfast. Hermione got up and dressed in a simple black dress and pulled her hair up and away from her face. She put on a small amount of make up and then went down to the common room where Ron, Ginny and Harry all waited for her. Once they saw her, they brought her into a group hug, realizing words weren't necessary.
When they finally pulled away, Ron asked, "Do you want me to go with you 'Mione?"
Hermione looked up at him and said, "Thanks, Ron, but I think I need to do this alone. Besides, my family will be there."
"Okay. Well I'll be here when you get back," he replied as he put a kiss on her forehead. Then Hermione walked out of the portrait hole and towards Dumbledore's office.
"Toothflossing Stringmints," Hermione said as she reached the office. Immediately the wall behind the stone statue opened up to steps that wound their way to the top. She was just about to knock on the oak doors when she was met with the benign smile of Albus Dumbledore.
"Hello, Ms. Granger. Please come in," he said as he opened the doors far enough to let Hermione in. "Now, I assume you've traveled by Floo Powder before, am I right?"
"Yes, sir," Hermione replied as she took some of the powder that the old man had handed to her. He seemed to be considering her from behind twinkling eyes as she turned towards the fire.
"Just step in and say 'Granger Household' clearly," Dumbledore said as she threw the powder into the fire. "And remember Ms. Granger, that death isn't a permanent fate. It is but the next step in life. Your grandmother hasn't left you; she is just taking part in another adventure until you can join her again."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione replied, feeling a little bit better about this morning. She finally stepped into the fire, saying, "Granger Household." Suddenly, Albus Dumbledore and his office were whisked away and at the next moment Hermione found herself back in her own living room.
5.5.5.5
When Hermione appeared in the fire grate, the first thing she saw was both of her parents coming towards her and pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, honey. We're so glad to see you, even if the circumstances surrounding your visit are very bleak," her mom said as they pulled away.
"It's good to see you, too." Hermione voiced as she looked around the room. "So where is the service going to be at?"
"The old church that Nana always used to go to," Mr. Granger replied as he straightened his tie in the mirror. Then, looking at his watch, he added, "The service starts in an hour, so we better get going." With this, the three Grangers walked out the front door and into their car.
As Mr. Granger and Mrs. Granger talked in the front seat, Hermione sat in the back and stared out the window, thinking of all the times she and her Nana had spent together. Nana was Mrs. Granger's mother, and had a flare for the dramatic. She lived for storytelling and had an unrivaled passion for the simple things in life. Hermione couldn't count all the stories her grandmother had told her. Her favorites to tell were about ancient myths and legends. Hermione loved these the most because she and her Nana would dress up and act out the majority of them. Finally, Mr. Granger's voice broke her reverie, "Ok, we're here. We should go in and greet the people who come."
Hermione climbed out of the backseat and realized that she had been crying softly. She looked up at the old wooden church that her Nana would faithfully go to every week. As she walked towards the church, Hermione vaguely remembered that the last time she had been there was for her Grandfather's funeral, which was back in the summer before first year. Inside, the church was dressed with simple displays of white lilies—her grandmother's favorite flower. It was a closed-casket service, but Hermione took the red rose she brought and took it up to the altar anyway. "Goodbye, Nana," she whispered as she placed the rose among the white lilies.
The next hour and a half passed in a blur to Hermione, and by the end she felt emotionally drained. She remembered meeting many people she didn't know, who all said "I'm sorry" before moving on to her parents. She would simply give a small smile through her tears. Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Granger drove back to their home. Upon arriving, Hermione collapsed onto their couch. Her mother came over and sat next to her, carrying a large book. "Here," she said, handing the book to Hermione. "Nana said she wanted you to have it."
Hermione looked down at the book and then opened the leather binding. Inside were hundreds of photographs that her grandma had collected. "Most of the older ones are of Nana and her friends," her mother explained. "But some of the ones towards the back are of you and her." Hermione flipped to the back and looked through the pictures of her and her Nana. She saw a few of when she and Nana would put on their legend plays. Hermione looked up through a veil of fresh tears and whispered, "Thanks Mom." Her nodded and then left Hermione to look through the book. She traced her fingers lightly over the many pictures of her Nana in various plays and ballets. Then something caught her eye. On the front inside cover, her grandmother had written: Hermione—Never forget who you are or where you come from. Keep the magic in your heart. Love, Nana. Hermione smiled as she read this. Nana didn't know that she was a witch, but Hermione always got the feeling that she got her magical ability from her grandmother. The brunette finally realized at that moment what Dumbledore was talking about. Her Nana could never leave her because she was an integral part of Hermione's spirit. She would rejoin her in the adventure one day.
"Hermione, it's time for you to get back to Hogwarts," her dad came in and said to her. The prefect got up and crossed the room to her father, whom she gave a big hug.
"Okay, Dad. I'll miss you," she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. She turned to her mother and did the same, saying, "And you too Mom. Thanks for giving me the album." With this, Hermione stepped back into the fireplace, made sure the photo album was tucked safely in the crook of her arm, and said, "Hogwarts Castle." She watched through teary eyes as her living room melted away. After a few moments, she found herself back in Dumbledore's office. She found the whirring and clinking of the many instruments on the tables comforting. Dumbledore seemed to be around the castle somewhere, so Hermione let herself out and walked slowly back to the Gryffindor common room as she looked through her new prized possession.
5.5.5.5
The week after the funeral passed without much incident. Hermione slowly became happier and busied herself with taking care of Betty, who was becoming increasingly rounder about the middle and moodier. Draco Malfoy hadn't said anything to her since he followed her that night, mostly because he was confused as to why he thought those things about Hermione. The only time they saw each other was from across the room in class or at mealtimes in the Great Hall. At one of these times, Dumbledore stood up and called everyone to attention.
"We will have out first Hogsmeade visit this Saturday. Third years and above who have their signed permission forms are welcome to attend. And as you know, next Saturday is Halloween so we will have our usual feast and something else special I have prepared for all of you. Thank you." Over the next few days all everyone could talk about was what the surprise could be and the upcoming Hogsmeade visit. Hermione and Ginny planned to spend the day together, without the guys. Draco planned on patching things up with Hermione that day—well at least as much so they got to a place where they could actually be civil to each other. Anything had to be better than their previous hostile, not talking state.
On Friday morning, Hermione woke up with growing anticipation for the day. She and Ginny had planned out the whole day, beginning with them heading to Honeydukes so Ginny could restock her supply of candy—Hermione never really had much of a sweet tooth. She got up, took a shower, and then dressed in a sweater and a pair of jeans. She was about to pull her hair up, but then decided against it and wore it down for the day. The brunette bounded down the stairs in a very un-Hermioneish way, but nevertheless landed gracefully in the common room. She looked around for Ginny and then spotted the unmistakable flaming red coif across the room. "Good morning," Hermione said brightly as she reached down to give Ginny a hug.
Ginny laughed and returned the prefect's hug. "Well someone's in a good mood this morning. Any particular reason why?" she asked as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ginny!" Hermione shouted, her cheeks flushing. She covered her face with her hands and just sat there.
"What?" Ginny replied innocently. "So does this mean that there is?" she added with a small smile.
Hermione looked up at the redhead and then realized something. "You know, Ginny, if this was about a guy, it'd be your brother."
The latter shuddered involuntarily and then said, "Ok, ew…let's just go now." And with that the two girls sauntered out of the common room and then down to the Great Hall for a bit of breakfast—Hermione insisting that she needed coffee to wake up and Ginny looking at her as if she was crazy.
After breakfast, the girls quickly made their way to the front doors where Filch checked their names off a list before letting them go down into Hogsmeade. Once there, Ginny spoke up and asked, "Shall we begin our quest, kind lady?"
"Why, yes. Yes we shall," Hermione replied before the redhead pulled her into the first stop of the day: Honeydukes. As they walked inside, their eyes were met with the sight of pounds upon pounds of candy everywhere. This sight never failed to amaze Hermione, who spent her life growing up with dentists and was denied the pleasure of raiding a candy store. By now, it seemed too late for her love of candy to really develop, so the brunette spent the time looking at all the different candies while Ginny was actually off buying it. Finally, after an hour, they came out with Ginny carrying bags full of Fizzing Whizbees, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, and some of their new fudge—Dark Chocolate with Peppermint Swirl. Hermione, on the other hand, just bought two bags of Toothflossing Stringmints; one for her and one for her parents.
Their next stop of the day was Eelop's Owl Emporium. "Fred and George sent me some money so I could finally have an owl of my own," Ginny explained as they walked inside. The two girls had fun looking at the different breeds and cooing at them in a thoroughly annoying way. Finally, they came to a cage with a large tawny owl. "Why, hello there," Ginny said as she looked at the creature. The owl hooted at her softly from behind her cage and then stood at attention. "I like this one," Ginny announced. Then turning to the clerk she said, "I'd like to but this one please."
"Of course, dear," the woman said from behind the counter as the redhead brought the cage over. "That will be five galleons and nine sickles." Ginny dug through her coin purse and then handed over the money. She then picked up the cage and walked out of the store saying, "I think I'll name her Artemis." Hermione looked at the owl and then nodded her approval.
The latter looked down the street as she tried to think of something to do next. "Why don't we go to the Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeer?" Hermione suggested as she shivered slightly from the cold. Ginny gave her consent and then headed the brunette towards the pub with Artemis in tow. When they got inside, Ginny went to the front and asked Madam Rosmerta for two Butterbeers as Hermione went to find a booth.
"Here we go," the redhead said as she sat beside her friend. Hermione took a sip of her drink and immediately felt its warming effects all the way to her toes. She was endeavoring to take another sip when a flash of red hair (and most certainly not Ginny's) caught her eye. Hermione looked up to see Ron sitting in a booth talking with some girl. Now normally she wouldn't be bothered by this, but the fact that they were talking so close to each other did. When the girl pulled away Hermione saw her face and recognized her immediately: Allison Morell.
"Oh, no she didn't!" Hermione thought to herself and she got up quickly from her chair. She took one last look at the way Allison would lean in close to whisper something to Ron and then the way he would laugh at what she would say. "That's it," she out loud and then stormed out of the Three Broomsticks.
Ginny started to ask Hermione what was wrong when she saw Ron sitting in the booth with Allison. She decided against going after her friend and decided instead to confront Ron about everything. Ginny stomped over to her older brother and stood before him with her hands on her hips, wearing a look that resembled greatly Mrs. Weasley's when she was angry. "Ronald Weasley," the girl said in a low voice. "You had better explain yourself." Ron shrunk under her stare and then started to explain.
5.5.5.5
As Hermione burst out of the pub's door she jogged about two paces, muttering to herself of course, when she ran into something like a brick wall and landed on her backside. "What the hell!" she screamed as she tried to get up. "Sorry," someone said as they offered a hand to her. She looked up and saw that the brick wall was none other than Draco Malfoy. Draco couldn't help but think that Hermione looked very pretty right then, much like she had that one night outside, which she still didn't know she knew about. "No, not you!" Hermione said exasperatedly as she smacked away his hand and got up on her own. "What is this, Intolerable Git Day?" she asked to no one in particular as she made her way back towards the castle.
Draco was more than a little confused but he spoke up anyway saying, "Granger, wait," She stopped and looked at him expectantly. "Well I just wanted to say I was sorry…" he began, trailing off towards the end.
"Pardon?" the brunette said a little impatiently.
"I said I just wanted to say I was sorry for…well you know," the blonde boy said a bit sheepishly. "And I want to be part of the project. For real this time."
Hermione regarded him for a second, and then saw Ron heading out of the pub behind Draco. "Fine, whatever, Malfoy. We'll meet again in the Charms classroom sometime before Halloween. Just leave me alone right now, ok?" she said as she turned to run again.
However, Draco grabbed her arm and turned her towards him. "What's wrong?" he asked.
She gave him a disbelieving look and started to say, "Like you care," when something stopped her. There was something different in Draco's grey eyes that time—something that looked like compassion. Hermione dismissed it as a trick of the light and said, "It's nothing Malfoy." She then hurried off towards the castle.
5.5.5.5
When Hermione reached the Gryffindor common room, she was surprised to find that Ron had beaten her back. When he saw her, he got up and came over to her. "I don't want to hear it, Ron," the brunette said as he got near her.
"Just please let me explain, 'Mione," he said with a pleading look in his eyes. When she didn't move away he continued. "Allison is just a friend. I saw her when I came in so I decided to go say hello. Then we got into a conversation about Quidditch and, well, you know me and Quidditch," he finished rather lamely.
"Ok, well then why were you two leaning so close?" Hermione asked.
"It was loud in there," Ron explained. "She had to lean close so I could hear her." Hermione looked as though she still didn't believe him so he said, "'Mione you know you're the only one I care about. Stop being so jealous."
"I am not jealous!" the prefect protested. Ron gave her a look so she said, "Ok, maybe just a little."
"So does that mean you forgive me?" Ron asked with a playful smile.
Hermione's anger melted away and she replied, "Yes. But don't do this again." And with this they went off on their merry way.
5.5.5.5
The next few days were filled with anticipation. With the Hogsmeade visit behind them, the only other thing people had to talk about was the "something special" Halloween had in store for them. There were many rumors that Dumbledore and the rest of the staff were going to put on Halloween skits. Hermione, however, looked at Professor McGonagall and decided that this was highly unlikely.
Meanwhile, there was another Quidditch match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, with Slytherin winning. Hermione put the incident with Allison behind her and decided to ignore the blonde Ravenclaw for the time being. Other than this, nothing was going on in the lives of the various Hogwarts students—they were all waiting anxiously for Halloween to arrive.
On Wednesday morning, Draco Malfoy strode into the Great Hall and went directly over to where Hermione was sitting. "Can I meet with you tonight?" he asked as Ron stared daggers at him.
The brunette looked up from her bacon and eggs and then said, "Oh, yes I forgot all about it. Sure, I'll meet you tonight at seven, ok?" Draco simply nodded his assent before walking back to the Slytherin table.
"You know you don't have to try so hard to be civil to him," Ron said from behind clenched teeth.
"I know," Hermione replied, looking pensively at Draco. "But I'm just tired of fighting. I'd rather be civil then worried that he'll bite my head off." The blonde boy seemed to have felt eyes on him because he glanced up suddenly and caught Hermione's gaze before she quickly turned away.
5.5.5.5
At seven o' clock sharp, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy could be found in the empty Charms classroom, eyeing each other apprehensively. Hermione was clutching Betty and thinking about their upcoming Transfiguration test. Draco held in his hands the notes from the last meeting and was thinking the trifle he had for dessert. Consequently, both of them were also thinking about their last meeting and how that turned out, and of what the other was thinking besides the aforementioned of their collective thinking. Finally, Draco noticed that they had been staring at each other and thinking for about five minutes, so he said, "Okay then…erm, shall we start?"
Hermione was, however, still pondering and clutching and staring, and didn't hear him. She only came to when Malfoy came up and snapped his fingers in her face. "Oh, sorry," she voiced. "What did you say?" Draco repeated himself, something which he hated to do, and she said, "Of course. There's nothing really too much that will happen between now and the birth, so I suppose we should just do what we did last time," Then blushing, she added, "Well besides duel and, well, you know."
"Right, well then I'll just take notes." Draco said without looking at Hermione. They continued as such in a comfortable silence for the next hour. Draco liked it, really. He didn't enjoy fighting with people, like so many people thought. Well, he did like to fight with Potty and the Weasel, but not with Hermione. She got too emotional and that made him feel, and he shuddered to think this, guilty.
"Well, I think that's all we can do for now," Hermione spoke up, breaking the silence. Then she turned fully to the Slytherin and holding her hand out she said, "Look, Malfoy. I really don't have the energy to fight with you anymore. So can we just call a truce or something?"
He looked at her and then shook her hand saying, "Truce." Hermione simply nodded, picked up Betty and started to walk away when Malfoy's voice stopped her. "I'm really not as evil as you think I am." She looked back and saw that the expression in his eyes was sincere.
"I know, Draco," she said as she walked away. It was only when she was halfway down the corridor that she realized Kneazles were supposed to detect untrustworthy people. Betty was never hostile towards Draco. Perhaps she knew something Hermione didn't.
