Chapter 10
A Simple Confession
We were quite happy when Mrs. Weasley sent us to pack our trunks. I'm guessing she simply forgot that I had nothing to pack and nowhere to pack to, nevertheless I headed upstairs along with everyone else.
"So we're going tonight?" Ron whispered, as his gray eyes drifted to his mother from time to time, while she hummed under her breath and arranged the plain white bowls into the cabinet. Harry stepped on Ron's foot to indicate that this is not the right place to discuss our evening plans. Ron gave a nasty look while moaning and massaging his big toe.
"Hello!" We suddenly heard. All four heads sharply turned upwards.
"Hello Professor Lupin," all of us said in unison.
"Up so early?"
"Couldn't sleep, you know, school starts tomorrow. We're looking forwards to it," Harry answered happily. Lupin looked at him and grinned. His eyes studied us carefully.
"What are you up to?"
"Oh nothing professor. We have many things to take care of," shouted Ron, as he and Harry ran upstairs like two elephants. Hermione and I exchanged a nervous look and then glanced back at Lupin.
"I hope that you two have more sense then they do." He made a soft movement with his head to the direction in which Harry and Ron disappeared to. We nodded. He continued looking at us and then smiled.
"Well, I doubt that Natalie has more sense. She might be even worse then Fred and George, but I expect Hermione will keep everyone inline."
Hermione gave a nervous giggle. She wasn't that good on keeping secrets.
"I will," she said. My eyes fell to her hand that was hidden behind her back. Her fingers were crossed, as she gave her faithful promise.
"Nice one," I thought.
Professor Lupin nodded and proceeded into the kitchen. He seemed wearier then before. His eyes were not shinning, as they usually did each morning. He had black circles under them, as if he was fighting with Hagrid. The wrinkles upon his face that were barely noticeable became more pronounced. His cheeks fell in, and the outline of his face became rougher. It was sharply cut, and most unfriendly. His skin was so pale that I could see the blood running under it. His hair was greasier and reminded me of Snape's dirty locks. I was growing worried, but Hermione assured me that there was nothing to worry about. She told me that it was natural for him to be this way. I was a bit relieved, but now curios of why it was natural for him to be the way he was.
We climbed up the stairs to Hermione's room, where we found Tonks that was packing things into her bright green bag. She moved from one corner of the room to the next. Today her hair was long, smooth, and jet-black. Her nose took a form of a hook. This ensemble took us by surprise, but our shock melted off into hysterical laughter.
"What are you supposed to be?" Hermione managed to squeal fighting with amusement.
"Oh...well...I..." she slowly began turning bright pink, "I'm...I'm...supposed to be S...Snape's sister." She finally managed to squeeze out of her.
"You're what?" I shouted, my eyes watery.
"Stop laughing you two! Besides, what's so funny about Snape?"
"Tonks, he's our teacher that we greatly dislike, and it is funny seeing a female version of him." Hermione explained.
"I must admit, you look like twins! Do you have the same personality as well?" I howled. Tonks, however, looked deeply hurt. She stormed passed us and out of the room, slamming the door shut. Hermione wiped of a tear of joy and looked at me bemused.
"You know," I began, "I think she has it for Snape."
"Ya, I think so too. We shouldn't have laughed, but I couldn't hold myself. We must offended her feelings pretty bad. She was crying, as she ran out of the room. Oh I feel awful."
"I feel sorry for her."
"Me, too. Can you imagine living with such a person as Snape? He's a walking nightmare! He's there when you're wide-awake. I wonder what she found in him." She walked to her trunk and flipped the cover open. She began placing her new robes into it. I came over to the window and glanced outside.
The sun was burning brighter then ever. It did not seem like it was going to cool of anytime soon. There was no breeze that picked up the fallen leaves, nor was their any hint of it.
Many memories began filling my mind. I would remember my great-grandmother that loved me dearly. She was one of the best storytellers. I loved coming over to her house and listen about her childhood. We would often play cards, and it was most enjoyable. However, the course of my life took me away from her, and I had no opportunity to see her. I haven't seen her for the past eight years and never will because she passed away. My memories I treasure for all eternity and will take them with me to my death.
"I'm tiered of the heat!" Hermione said suddenly. I turned around to see a full trunk that was ready for departure.
"For how long were you packing?"
"For about five minutes. I used an Assembly Charm. It works very nicely on a very large amount of things that need to be organized. Why do you ask?"
"Oh no reason. I thought that I lost track of time. So many things passed through my mind in just five minutes. Sometimes that happens to me, like I'm in a parallel world. Time is extremely slow where I am, but everyone around me has it normal."
"Nope, you're ok. So what are our plans about tonight?" Before I could begin a very handsome brown owl scratched on the glass of the window. I quickly reached to open it.
The owl flew in and landed on top of Hermione's shoulder. It was carrying a yellowish envelope with a chocolate color stamp. The envelope read:
Hermione Granger
Second Floor, Second Room
Date: August 31st
in green ink.
"What is it?" I asked her curiously.
"I'm not sure. It's a letter from Hogwarts." She untied it from the claw of the owl, and it flew away. I came closer to her to read it as well. She didn't object, even read it out loud.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of the Merlin, First class, Grand Sorc, Chf. Wizarlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been entitled as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's new Head Girl.
Term begins on September 1st. We will be waiting for you at the teacher's lounge right after the Start of Term Feast, where you'll be receiving your responsibilities.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Wow! Congratulations!" I patted her on the back, as her eyes scanned over the letter one more time. Without a warning, she gave out a loud squeal. I jumped from the unexpectedness. The door to her room burst open and Ron, Harry, and Ginny ran into the it.
"What's all the commotion about?" Ron asked, his wand tautly clenched within his hand.
"I'm Head Girl!" Hermione shouted, her eyes shined with glee. She hopped from one foot to the next hugging the letter.
Ron rolled his eyes and lowered his wand, and so did the other two. By this time Professor Lupin, Mrs. Weasley, and Sirius pocked their heads in.
"What's up?" Sirius asked concerned.
"Hermione became Head Girl." Ron said unenthusiastically. Mrs. Weasley on the other hand became very jolly. She smiled widely and clapped her hands.
"Excellent job Hermione! I'm so proud of you! We'll have a party tonight in your honor!" She said excitedly. She tautly hugged Hermione and left the room. Lupin and Sirius gave their own congratulations and followed Mrs. Weasley.
"Great Job!" Ron spat out at her as the door closed. Her smile fell off from her lips, and she looked hurt.
"Aren't you happy for me?"
"Of course I am! But you know what the party means?" She shook her head, and Ron growled. "Seriously Hermione, for someone this smart, you are quite stupid. It means there would be more people around here then usual. Have you forgotten about our little adventure tonight?" Hermione gasped and looked at me with an "I'm so sorry" expression.
"Now what are we going to do?" Asked Harry a little disappointed.
"What are you up to?" We heard Ginny's voice. I completely forgot about her. She was so quiet that none of us noticed her.
"Nothing you should be concerned with!" Ron shouted.
"Don't speak with me in that tone! Harry, where are you going tonight?"
"Ahh..."
"We're going to my house." I simply told her. I didn't want to lie to her. She had a right to know like all the other kids.
"I want to come too!" She screamed excitedly.
"You're not going!" Ron said firmly and threw a nasty look at me.
"Why can't I?"
"Because it's dangerous!" Harry responded before Ron could open his mouth. Obviously, Harry was her last hope, because she groaned with distress and stormed out of the room.
"Why did you tell her?" Ron shouted at me.
"Well, she has the right to know."
"Oh my god! 'She has a right to know.' Pff."
"Why are you angry?" Hermione snapped.
"Because you had to make a big deal out of it."
"Well sorry on being happy!"
"Come on, Hermione! I'm not telling you to be miserable, but you could have kept it from mum!"
"Well, maybe I wanted her to congratulate me!"
"You got that haven't you? You got it even though we had plans! Harry and I were looking forward to it. Now this badge comes along," he threw a round badge with a read H on it towards Hermione, "and everything that we wanted to do fell into the dark abyss!" Before Hermione could retaliate, I shouted;
"SHUT UP!" The three pair of eyes rested on me. "I'm tiered of this. You two stop arguing about every single thing; you're driving me insane! Ron, you're unbelievable! You treat Ginny, as if she's a house-elf, give her some respect! Now, no one ruined anyone's plans. We are still going. We'll just have to wait a bit longer to the night."
"What do you mean?"
"What she means is we're going when everyone settles down." Harry answered Hermione's question. I was quite glad that someone was listening and comprehending everything I said.
"You know Ron," Harry began once again, "you should give people some room. You're diving for the last piece of air when there's plenty just a little over." Ron's ears began burning red. He scratched his head and sat by the foot of Hermione's bed. I walked up to the bed and comfortably settled on top of it. Harry dragged a chair towards us and sat upon it, and Hermione pushed me a bit over and sat besides me.
"So how are we going to get to your house?" Harry asked.
"All of us can apparate, so I'll show you where the house is, and we'll apparate into the basement."
"Is it far away from here?" Ron asked rather worried.
"I don't know where here is. Where am I anyways?" All three of them exchanged edgy glances.
"We can't tell," Hermione responded, "Dumbledore thinks that Voldemort is looking for a way to get in here, so new people shouldn't know where they are."
"I think he would have blocked this place out of our minds, but decided against it. Removing things from someone's mind is dangerous." Ron swallowed and scratched his head once more.
"Well anyways, we'll apparate to the basement, and I'll get some potion things for Snape's class. After we'll head to my mum's room, so I could get some books and some of her belongings. I'll need to find the key to my Gringotts' account. Someone please shrink my dad's portrait that hangs by the stairs, so I can pack him with me."
"I'll do it." I heard Harry say.
"Thanks! Well, afterwards we'll go to my room, pack everything, and apparate back. Although I have no clue where back is." I said, hopeful to hear where I was, hopeful that they'd slip and tell me, but no such luck.
"I'll apparate you back. I'm pretty good at it, so I can get you and myself back safely." Hermione smiled at me and once more began scanning over the letter.
"Well, with that all settled let's talk about something else." I was keen to change the subject.
"O.K. What was your career choice?" Hermione asked putting away the letter and eagerly looking at me.
"Oh that. I'm going to be a Healer."
"A Healer! Wow! There's barely anyone that passed for a Healer at Hogwarts!"
"To tell you the truth, Ron, there were only five people that passes their O.W.L.s for a Healer at Durmstrang. Actually not many even tried."
"Is your school so poor?"
"Are you crazy? That's one of the best schools in the world. The school is highly advanced and because of it many fail. It eliminates second hand wizards and witches. Only the best break into the real world ready for it. The Ministry does it on purpose. They must have the best with them, and if you're not that good, though luck."
"That's totally unfair!" Hermione shouted by me. She scared me out of my skin.
"Don't scare me like that!" I straiten myself and smoothed out my dress. "What's not fair?"
"Not everyone is gifted, but no one should deny them a chance. Take Neville for example. He's not the best. He needs more time to take care of things, but he manages them. He can become a great Auror, just like Harry or Ron or anyone."
"No one is denying them a chance. You don't want someone healing you if they don't know what they're doing." Hermione shook with anger. Ron looked at her kind of concerned.
"Hermione, calm down. It's not you that's effected by it all." I bet he regretted on saying this.
"Oh ya, it's not me so don't be concerned. It's just like you, Ron. You react to this, as if those people were house-elves. You don't care about anything else but yourself! Think of S.P.E.W! I can forgive you about not carrying about those poor elves, but not about people! You're despicable!" She jumped off the bed and left the room.
"Mental that one!"
"S.P.E.W.?"
"We'll tell you later." Harry said. "What classes do you have?"
"Oh, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and...I can't remember, but there's one more class."
"Potions," Ron spat disgustedly. "I remember reading the required classes in fifth year before Career Advice."
"Yap potions. I'm not that good at it, though. Horrible really, but I managed to get an E. Heaven knows how! I thought I'd fail."
"Well, we can assure you that Snape is no better." Harry informed me. Both of their faces became gloomy and they enclosed themselves within their own thoughts.
We sat in silence for a while, but I couldn't handle it.
"What were your career choices?"
"Both of us went for an Auror. It's been exiting! We have the same classes as you with an exception of Herbology."
"I don't know what we would have done if Professor McGonagall did not speak with Snape. Dumbledore spoke with him too. We got an E and Snape specifically didn't wish us in the class. He allowed Malfoy in even though he got an A; however, Dumbledore and McGonagall got us in." Harry said as if reliving the scene.
"What about Hermione?"
"She went to The Ministry for Control of Magical Creatures. We still have Charms, Transfiguration, Defense, and Potions together. She also has Care of Magical Creatures, Animalistics, and McGonagall is teaching her to be an Animagus." Ron told me.
"She's quite frustrated. It seems that's the only thing she can't get. She practiced for a year, and the only thing she managed to do was turn herself into something hairy. She spend a week in a hospital wing." Harry explained, but our conversation was cut short by Mrs. Weasley calling us for lunch, so we departed.
Evening was growing nearer, and the house was getting fuller. I didn't know some of the people, but Harry was my guide. He introduced them to me and me to them. They all smiled at me and shook my hand.
Mad-Eye-Moody studied me for a while. He said that I look just like my father. I guess he meant Jacob Weasley; I wasn't sure whom he was addressing to.
With each passing minute more butterflies occupied my belly. I was getting quiet edgy, and my body was shaky.
But it wasn't that long till everyone began departing, so I started looking for Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I found Ron first. He was sitting in the living room all alone and forgotten. He was gazing into the dancing flames; his eyes glazed and distant. His fingers played with a red ribbon from one of Hermione's presents.
I marched up to him and sat at the stool by his side. He jerked away from the fire as if startled by me and smiled.
"Glad you found me first." He said. I looked at him a bit perplexed. "You see I thought of you as a Malfoy, self-absorbed, hypocritical, rich, and spoiled, just because you resembled them. You're kind, witty, and smart. You're someone completely opposite from the Malfoys."
"Sometimes I look at you and see Ginny, a little sister of mine. Sometimes I see Hermione, bossy, demanding, and scary. I see Harry in you when you're brave and untouchable. When you're carrying and loving, I see mum. However, I never saw you selfish, arrogant, or snobby. You're this wonderful person having all the good qualities placed in you. It's like you're not real. You drive me mad at times. I guess what I'm trying to say is that..." He hesitated for a moment. His face was scarlet. He bend over me and placed his warm lips to mine. He did not touch me like Draco did in Diagon Alley. Actually his hands were on the handles of his chair. All I felt was the warmth from his lips. However, even though it felt wonderful I retreated my lips from his immediately.
I jumped off the stool, my mind raising. Wasn't it only this morning I was telling Hermione that I'd tell Ron strait forward how I felt about him? But now, as I stood before him, the words were left within me even though I forced them out. I didn't expect him to kiss me. I thought he'd tell me that he liked me, or something of that sort.
"Look I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." He began rising off his chair burning even redder.
"Listen Ron, I care about you; allot! But I care for you just the same as for Hermione, Harry, or Ginny. I care for you like a brother. You're wonderful, but...but..." I was searching for the right word.
"I get it. Don't worry," and he rushed out of the living room and up the stairs. I heard the door slam shut, and at that moment Harry and Hermione stepped in.
"What's up with Ron?" She asked.
"I don't think he's feeling well. I'm not sure he's going to come with us."
"But he wanted to go. He even made a big scene out of it all!"
"I'll go check on him." Harry said and in no time stood before us once again.
"He said he has a terrible headache and won't be able to apparate. He does look a bit pale."
"Ah fine. Well, all fell to sleep. Mrs. Weasley is in bed, Tonks and all the other Ministry people left, Professor Lupin is on some secret business, and Sirius is at his mother's room. We are free to go."
"Lets go then." With a loud crack, we left to my house.
N/A:
Sorry it took so long to update. I left to New York and had no chance to write. I'm half finished with CH 11 so hopefully you'll read it before the week ends. I'm having some trouble placing everything together. I have some parts of the middle figured out, but I'm not sure how to tie them in with the beginning. Well anyways I got to think about that.
Hunni07: Yap I keep everything in my head. Sometimes the ideas don't enter into my story and are simply forgotten. However, the most part you'll get to know about later on.
Hippie1212: Well, if I answer your question the whole story will be lost. I can only tell that Snape will be in loads of trouble and Katie will be very surprised about her ancestry. Got to read to find out.