Disclaimer: It's not mine. All JKR's. I promise.
Double Trouble
Chapter Nine
Danielle sat up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness in the room. She ran a hand through her hair, sighing. A giggle from outside the door caused her to jump, startled. She looked around at her sleeping sisters. * Skylar, check. Raya, check. Elizabeth, che-oh!* Her eyes narrowed slightly. Elizabeth was missing.
Danielle stood quietly, careful not to wake the others in the room. She leaped across the prone sleeping forms of her sisters, landing silently by the door. Another giggle echoed loudly in the room. "This has got to stop!" Danielle whispered to herself, opening the door slowly.
"Charlie!" Elizabeth hissed, hitting him playfully.
"Elizabeth." The man in question whispered, tilting her face upwards, looking her in the eye.
"Uh-huh." The couple jumped, glancing guiltily around. "Well, I hate to intrude on this obvious lover's interlude, but, Charlie, Elizabeth needs her sleep. And NOT with you." Danielle hastily amended, seeing the flash of something in the man's eyes.
"Danielle I never-" Charlie scuffed his shoe against the floor. "Oh, alright then!" He pressed a quick kiss to Elizabeth's temple, then quietly made his way up the stairs to his room.
"And you! Elizabeth Anne! Out here, with a guy no less!" Danielle adopted her mothering tone. "You should be ashamed!"
"Don't you scold me, Danielle Lynn! I saw the looks you were throwing Bill at the party! Don't you think I didn't, flirting shamelessly with him right there at a party, no less!" Elizabeth smirked, "What would Mom think, eh? Her eldest daughter, fawning and simpering over some guy with long hair and an earring?"
"At least he doesn't play with his Dragon!" Danielle hissed, then both girls dissolved into giggles. "Yeah, did you see the way Skylar kept making eyes at Percy? Poor guy!" They both laughed.
"You know that when he goes to get all pompous, she'll give him one of the worst reality checks of his life?" Charlie had all told them what an arrogant prat Percy could be at times, and they both silently agreed that Skylar would be perfect for him, if she was angry enough, she could knock the wind out of a sailor's sails.
Danielle grinned, "Wouldn't that be funny to watch. It'd be just like watching the David Disaster all over again!"
"David Disaster?" Charlie looked at the girls, then yawned.
Both of them jumped, "I thought you went to bed!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I did, but you two were so loud, I couldn't sleep. . ." Charlie trailed off, "So, who's David, and why did he have a disaster?"
They dissolved into giggles again. "He was one of the most arrogant boys we've ever had the displeasure to come across. We were enemies all through school. Then Skylar blossomed when she turned sixteen, and he actually had the nerve to say he wouldn't mind some of that." Danielle laughed again.
"She promptly replied that her magnifying glass was broken, and that she'd lost her tweezers!" Elizabeth crowed, laughing uncontrollably. "We all thought he died of shock. He turned so white and didn't say anything for a moment. It was hilarious!"
"Uh, sure." Charlie shook his head. "But, I'm going back to bed, you girls should too. Get some beauty rest. Not that you actually need it!" He added, seeing the glares on the girls' faces.
Elizabeth nodded, yawning. "Goodnight, fair Prince." She smiled.
"Until the morn, my Princess." And with that, Charlie was off.
"Prince? Princess?" Danielle raised an eyebrow.
"Er, I'm going to bed." Elizabeth retreated into the bedroom before Danielle could question her further, her face crimson.
Danielle sighed, then turned to the door, intent on going in and to bed. That was until she heard the muffled sob float up the stairs. Curious, she turned around, and walked down quietly.
Hermione sat huddled on the sofa, her knees drawn up, her forehead resting on them. Her shoulders shook violently as she continued to sob.
"Hermione?! What's wrong? What is it?" Danielle ran to the couch, sitting next to Hermione.
"N-n-nothing." The girl stuttered, then began to sob harder.
"This is not nothing!"
Hermione glared at her cousin through her tears, "You just used a double negative." She accused.
"That's not the point. The point is, why are you crying if it's nothing?"
"It's just that-never mind, it's not important."
"Yes it is, now tell me!" Danielle placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
Hermione sighed, "It's just that, it's too much! I mean, Harry, Ron, and Ginny don't talk to me like they used too. I'm a Magi and a Goddess Incarnate! And I'm in love with George Weasley!" She clapped her hands over her mouth. She hadn't meant for the last one to come out, but it did.
Danielle sighed, "Let's start with the most complicated, and work in that order to the simplest. Okay, now, does he love you back?"
Hermione did a double take, "Excuse me? The most complicated?"
"Yes, love is always the most complicated."
"Then, yes, he does love me back. But. . . I don't know, it's so hard to believe."
Danielle nodded, brushing Hermione's hair from her face, "Well, that covers that. Now, about Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Why do you think they're not as open with you as before?"
Hermione grimaced. "I wasn't told that Harry and Ginny were dating, and Ron didn't even tell me that he and Lav were dating, I had to find out from my room mate, not my best friend. I probably wouldn't have found out about Harry and Ginny for a month or so, but Ron let it slip. They talk to me, but not like we used to, it's no longer as open, as free, they keep things from me, y'know. That hurts."
"Do you think it could have been that they were afraid of hurting you to begin with? From what you've told me, you're a pretty close group. Ron's dating would have come as a shock, but didn't you tell Ginny that you once had a crush on Harry?"
Hermione nodded, blushing.
"Well, have you discussed something like that with her recently?"
"No, I didn't tell her I had a crush on her brother, George, because I was afraid that she'd be angry that it wasn't Ron."
"See, that's why! They both thought that you'd be upset, at Ginny for taking Harry from you, and at Harry for accepting Ginny. They didn't want to lose your friendship, so kept it secret until they could find a way to tell you. They were afraid of losing you."
"But that doesn't explain Ron."
"Sure it does, you are best friends, he too was afraid of losing your friendship, afraid you wouldn't understand the need to be with his girlfriend. Plus, you didn't tell him about the whole Viktor Krum thing, right, and I'm guessing he held a grudge. So he didn't tell you because of that."
Hermione nodded, "That could well be true."
"Now, about the Magi and Incarnate thing. Hermione. . . it's fine! You're fine."
"But, I'm. . . Different. Have you noticed? I have. It seems like I'm all emotional all the time. It's not something I'm used to. And I keep having dreams. . . That's part of the reason I'm down here. I had a dream, and couldn't sleep afterwards."
"Dreams?" Danielle jerked her head up sharply, looking at Hermione warily.
"Yes, dreams."
"Of what?"
"Well, it seems to be a continuation. Like a series. Last night I had a dream about, well, about a little girl with large blood colored eyes. She was lost. I wanted to help her. She said I could, but I didn't know what to do. She just looked at me cryptically and said I would when the time came."
"Wow."
"And tonight, I dreamt of her again, only she was older. She told me that I would have to make a choice, one or the other. I don't know what she meant. I asked her if it was something like my friends or George, but she just smiled. I wanted to scream. Then I woke up. I don't know what to do!"
Hermione buried her head in her hands, sighing. Danielle looked at her a moment, then nodded.
"Looks like your Goddess is trying to help you out."
"What?"
"Athena is the Goddess of Knowledge, but also the Goddess of War. It is a well known fact that she sometimes takes the form of a crimson eyed child. It is a contrast between her youth like innocence and her bloodlust. By coming to you as a child, she is gaining your trust, trying to make you WANT to help her. It is a natural instinct to want to protect children."
Hermione raised her head, looking at her cousin thoughtfully. Then she nodded decisively, standing up.
"What are you doing?" Danielle looked at Hermione curiously.
"Well, if she wants to appear to me, that's good and fine, but I'm going to call on her. I want to know why I was picked."
"Hermione. . . lest you have forgotten, she's a Goddess, as in, you are mortal, she is not. She's got the Do-not-question-me-you-inferior thing down pat. I don't think she'll answer you because you demand it."
"It's worth a shot." Hermione turned toward the dining room, heading towards the back door.
"Wait!" Danielle cried, "I'm coming with you!"
"Hurry up then." Hermione was out the door and standing in the middle of the backyard before Danielle had even caught up with her.
"Do you know what you're doing."
Hermione smirked, but her thoughts were racing. She didn't know what she was doing, but she was going to try, or die trying. She wanted answers and wanted them now. * Has got to be the Know-it-all thing* she thought suddenly, but then steeled herself.
Hermione closed her eyes, hitting her knees. The grass was cool on her bare feet. She reveled in the feeling for a moment before touching her fingers to the soft earth. Something jumped within her, a flame leapt to life. She smiled serenely, then pulled on the strength that lay in the core of her being.
Danielle felt the surge of power as a bright aura suddenly sprang about Hermione, almost blinding Danielle in the process. She felt her own power reacting to such a magnificent display. She felt the rise in her, her breath hitched in her chest, her jaw dropped in amazement. All she could make out was Hermione's silhouette in the core of the light.
A soft sigh escaped from Hermione's lips as the white flames licked silently about her still body, her awareness riding on a wave of ecstasy. * No pain this time.* She thought idly.
i"Athena"i She whispered, her mouth forming the single thought that sprang into her mind. She could almost see the girl with the large crimson eyes and shining silver hair.
i"Yes?"i A silky voice whispered against her ears. Hermione let out a laugh of pure delight, then remembered what she was doing.
i"Why me?"i She asked simply.
i"Because. . ."i Hermione felt cool hands brush her hair from her face, then tilt her head up so that she was staring into the crimson eyes of her Goddess. i"You would bear my mark proudly. You are special, my child. Trust me. You alone could bear my power, and my pain. Hermione Granger, you were chosen for that which you are least proud of. Not your great mind, no, but for your heart. In that, I find a true hero, one such deserving of my blessing. It was that same heart that offered your life in lieu of that of your best friend. It was that same heart that taught you nothing is more important than life. That heart has shown you love, understanding, and greatest courage. In you, I see what I want to be. In you, I see the very epitome of greatness. As I led Odysseus back to his home, so I will lead you on the greatest adventure of your life. Remember, my child, you are not alone, you are never truly alone."i The Goddess leaned forward, brushing her lips across Hermione's brow, and then vanished.
Hermione blinked away the tears in her eyes, glancing around. She was lying prostrate on the ground, a pink smudge lighted the horizon.
"How long have I been here?" She mused aloud, then looked over, seeing her cousin fast asleep on one of the picnic tables. Hermione smiled.
"Danielle," She stood, walking over to her cousin. "Danni?"
Danielle jerked awake suddenly, startling them both. She yawned and stretched, flashing Hermione a lopsided grin. "Find out what you wanted."
Hermione smiled secretly to herself. "Yes and no."
*_____________________________________________________________ *
A/N: Okay, I like this chapter, don't know why, it's not as good as the rest, but I do. Hey, I've been wondering, I was reading this great Hermione/George story but lately I can't find it. Do any of you out there know what happened to it? It was on ff.net, named something like An Interest Exchange, or An Interesting Change, something like that, I don't know the author's name, but I was extremely interested in it, and all of a sudden, I can't find it anymore. Well, that's it for now. Thankies to the reviewers, and don't forget to RR.
Love,
~Me~
Double Trouble
Chapter Nine
Danielle sat up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness in the room. She ran a hand through her hair, sighing. A giggle from outside the door caused her to jump, startled. She looked around at her sleeping sisters. * Skylar, check. Raya, check. Elizabeth, che-oh!* Her eyes narrowed slightly. Elizabeth was missing.
Danielle stood quietly, careful not to wake the others in the room. She leaped across the prone sleeping forms of her sisters, landing silently by the door. Another giggle echoed loudly in the room. "This has got to stop!" Danielle whispered to herself, opening the door slowly.
"Charlie!" Elizabeth hissed, hitting him playfully.
"Elizabeth." The man in question whispered, tilting her face upwards, looking her in the eye.
"Uh-huh." The couple jumped, glancing guiltily around. "Well, I hate to intrude on this obvious lover's interlude, but, Charlie, Elizabeth needs her sleep. And NOT with you." Danielle hastily amended, seeing the flash of something in the man's eyes.
"Danielle I never-" Charlie scuffed his shoe against the floor. "Oh, alright then!" He pressed a quick kiss to Elizabeth's temple, then quietly made his way up the stairs to his room.
"And you! Elizabeth Anne! Out here, with a guy no less!" Danielle adopted her mothering tone. "You should be ashamed!"
"Don't you scold me, Danielle Lynn! I saw the looks you were throwing Bill at the party! Don't you think I didn't, flirting shamelessly with him right there at a party, no less!" Elizabeth smirked, "What would Mom think, eh? Her eldest daughter, fawning and simpering over some guy with long hair and an earring?"
"At least he doesn't play with his Dragon!" Danielle hissed, then both girls dissolved into giggles. "Yeah, did you see the way Skylar kept making eyes at Percy? Poor guy!" They both laughed.
"You know that when he goes to get all pompous, she'll give him one of the worst reality checks of his life?" Charlie had all told them what an arrogant prat Percy could be at times, and they both silently agreed that Skylar would be perfect for him, if she was angry enough, she could knock the wind out of a sailor's sails.
Danielle grinned, "Wouldn't that be funny to watch. It'd be just like watching the David Disaster all over again!"
"David Disaster?" Charlie looked at the girls, then yawned.
Both of them jumped, "I thought you went to bed!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I did, but you two were so loud, I couldn't sleep. . ." Charlie trailed off, "So, who's David, and why did he have a disaster?"
They dissolved into giggles again. "He was one of the most arrogant boys we've ever had the displeasure to come across. We were enemies all through school. Then Skylar blossomed when she turned sixteen, and he actually had the nerve to say he wouldn't mind some of that." Danielle laughed again.
"She promptly replied that her magnifying glass was broken, and that she'd lost her tweezers!" Elizabeth crowed, laughing uncontrollably. "We all thought he died of shock. He turned so white and didn't say anything for a moment. It was hilarious!"
"Uh, sure." Charlie shook his head. "But, I'm going back to bed, you girls should too. Get some beauty rest. Not that you actually need it!" He added, seeing the glares on the girls' faces.
Elizabeth nodded, yawning. "Goodnight, fair Prince." She smiled.
"Until the morn, my Princess." And with that, Charlie was off.
"Prince? Princess?" Danielle raised an eyebrow.
"Er, I'm going to bed." Elizabeth retreated into the bedroom before Danielle could question her further, her face crimson.
Danielle sighed, then turned to the door, intent on going in and to bed. That was until she heard the muffled sob float up the stairs. Curious, she turned around, and walked down quietly.
Hermione sat huddled on the sofa, her knees drawn up, her forehead resting on them. Her shoulders shook violently as she continued to sob.
"Hermione?! What's wrong? What is it?" Danielle ran to the couch, sitting next to Hermione.
"N-n-nothing." The girl stuttered, then began to sob harder.
"This is not nothing!"
Hermione glared at her cousin through her tears, "You just used a double negative." She accused.
"That's not the point. The point is, why are you crying if it's nothing?"
"It's just that-never mind, it's not important."
"Yes it is, now tell me!" Danielle placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
Hermione sighed, "It's just that, it's too much! I mean, Harry, Ron, and Ginny don't talk to me like they used too. I'm a Magi and a Goddess Incarnate! And I'm in love with George Weasley!" She clapped her hands over her mouth. She hadn't meant for the last one to come out, but it did.
Danielle sighed, "Let's start with the most complicated, and work in that order to the simplest. Okay, now, does he love you back?"
Hermione did a double take, "Excuse me? The most complicated?"
"Yes, love is always the most complicated."
"Then, yes, he does love me back. But. . . I don't know, it's so hard to believe."
Danielle nodded, brushing Hermione's hair from her face, "Well, that covers that. Now, about Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Why do you think they're not as open with you as before?"
Hermione grimaced. "I wasn't told that Harry and Ginny were dating, and Ron didn't even tell me that he and Lav were dating, I had to find out from my room mate, not my best friend. I probably wouldn't have found out about Harry and Ginny for a month or so, but Ron let it slip. They talk to me, but not like we used to, it's no longer as open, as free, they keep things from me, y'know. That hurts."
"Do you think it could have been that they were afraid of hurting you to begin with? From what you've told me, you're a pretty close group. Ron's dating would have come as a shock, but didn't you tell Ginny that you once had a crush on Harry?"
Hermione nodded, blushing.
"Well, have you discussed something like that with her recently?"
"No, I didn't tell her I had a crush on her brother, George, because I was afraid that she'd be angry that it wasn't Ron."
"See, that's why! They both thought that you'd be upset, at Ginny for taking Harry from you, and at Harry for accepting Ginny. They didn't want to lose your friendship, so kept it secret until they could find a way to tell you. They were afraid of losing you."
"But that doesn't explain Ron."
"Sure it does, you are best friends, he too was afraid of losing your friendship, afraid you wouldn't understand the need to be with his girlfriend. Plus, you didn't tell him about the whole Viktor Krum thing, right, and I'm guessing he held a grudge. So he didn't tell you because of that."
Hermione nodded, "That could well be true."
"Now, about the Magi and Incarnate thing. Hermione. . . it's fine! You're fine."
"But, I'm. . . Different. Have you noticed? I have. It seems like I'm all emotional all the time. It's not something I'm used to. And I keep having dreams. . . That's part of the reason I'm down here. I had a dream, and couldn't sleep afterwards."
"Dreams?" Danielle jerked her head up sharply, looking at Hermione warily.
"Yes, dreams."
"Of what?"
"Well, it seems to be a continuation. Like a series. Last night I had a dream about, well, about a little girl with large blood colored eyes. She was lost. I wanted to help her. She said I could, but I didn't know what to do. She just looked at me cryptically and said I would when the time came."
"Wow."
"And tonight, I dreamt of her again, only she was older. She told me that I would have to make a choice, one or the other. I don't know what she meant. I asked her if it was something like my friends or George, but she just smiled. I wanted to scream. Then I woke up. I don't know what to do!"
Hermione buried her head in her hands, sighing. Danielle looked at her a moment, then nodded.
"Looks like your Goddess is trying to help you out."
"What?"
"Athena is the Goddess of Knowledge, but also the Goddess of War. It is a well known fact that she sometimes takes the form of a crimson eyed child. It is a contrast between her youth like innocence and her bloodlust. By coming to you as a child, she is gaining your trust, trying to make you WANT to help her. It is a natural instinct to want to protect children."
Hermione raised her head, looking at her cousin thoughtfully. Then she nodded decisively, standing up.
"What are you doing?" Danielle looked at Hermione curiously.
"Well, if she wants to appear to me, that's good and fine, but I'm going to call on her. I want to know why I was picked."
"Hermione. . . lest you have forgotten, she's a Goddess, as in, you are mortal, she is not. She's got the Do-not-question-me-you-inferior thing down pat. I don't think she'll answer you because you demand it."
"It's worth a shot." Hermione turned toward the dining room, heading towards the back door.
"Wait!" Danielle cried, "I'm coming with you!"
"Hurry up then." Hermione was out the door and standing in the middle of the backyard before Danielle had even caught up with her.
"Do you know what you're doing."
Hermione smirked, but her thoughts were racing. She didn't know what she was doing, but she was going to try, or die trying. She wanted answers and wanted them now. * Has got to be the Know-it-all thing* she thought suddenly, but then steeled herself.
Hermione closed her eyes, hitting her knees. The grass was cool on her bare feet. She reveled in the feeling for a moment before touching her fingers to the soft earth. Something jumped within her, a flame leapt to life. She smiled serenely, then pulled on the strength that lay in the core of her being.
Danielle felt the surge of power as a bright aura suddenly sprang about Hermione, almost blinding Danielle in the process. She felt her own power reacting to such a magnificent display. She felt the rise in her, her breath hitched in her chest, her jaw dropped in amazement. All she could make out was Hermione's silhouette in the core of the light.
A soft sigh escaped from Hermione's lips as the white flames licked silently about her still body, her awareness riding on a wave of ecstasy. * No pain this time.* She thought idly.
i"Athena"i She whispered, her mouth forming the single thought that sprang into her mind. She could almost see the girl with the large crimson eyes and shining silver hair.
i"Yes?"i A silky voice whispered against her ears. Hermione let out a laugh of pure delight, then remembered what she was doing.
i"Why me?"i She asked simply.
i"Because. . ."i Hermione felt cool hands brush her hair from her face, then tilt her head up so that she was staring into the crimson eyes of her Goddess. i"You would bear my mark proudly. You are special, my child. Trust me. You alone could bear my power, and my pain. Hermione Granger, you were chosen for that which you are least proud of. Not your great mind, no, but for your heart. In that, I find a true hero, one such deserving of my blessing. It was that same heart that offered your life in lieu of that of your best friend. It was that same heart that taught you nothing is more important than life. That heart has shown you love, understanding, and greatest courage. In you, I see what I want to be. In you, I see the very epitome of greatness. As I led Odysseus back to his home, so I will lead you on the greatest adventure of your life. Remember, my child, you are not alone, you are never truly alone."i The Goddess leaned forward, brushing her lips across Hermione's brow, and then vanished.
Hermione blinked away the tears in her eyes, glancing around. She was lying prostrate on the ground, a pink smudge lighted the horizon.
"How long have I been here?" She mused aloud, then looked over, seeing her cousin fast asleep on one of the picnic tables. Hermione smiled.
"Danielle," She stood, walking over to her cousin. "Danni?"
Danielle jerked awake suddenly, startling them both. She yawned and stretched, flashing Hermione a lopsided grin. "Find out what you wanted."
Hermione smiled secretly to herself. "Yes and no."
*_____________________________________________________________ *
A/N: Okay, I like this chapter, don't know why, it's not as good as the rest, but I do. Hey, I've been wondering, I was reading this great Hermione/George story but lately I can't find it. Do any of you out there know what happened to it? It was on ff.net, named something like An Interest Exchange, or An Interesting Change, something like that, I don't know the author's name, but I was extremely interested in it, and all of a sudden, I can't find it anymore. Well, that's it for now. Thankies to the reviewers, and don't forget to RR.
Love,
~Me~
