Chapter 8 - - - Ron and Hermione Learn the Secret
It was the weekend before the Christmas holiday and there was one last Hogsmaede trip. The students bundled up and headed to the magical town. Harry and the gang went into the Three Broomsticks. Michelle bought them all butterbears and they took a seat by the window.
Everyone had been guarded since the Death Eaters broke into Hogwarts. Teachers began to escort classes around like they did in Harry's second year. Students were given an earlier curfew. Hogsmaede trips were even shortened.
Harry and Michelle were spending a lot of time together. This did not go unnoticed by Ron and Hermione, who by the way were spending just as much time together as well.
"This is insane," Ron complained.
"What is?" asked Michelle.
Ron handed her the Daily Prophet he brought with, "Read."
Michelle took the paper and read out loud, "Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, let several Death Eaters loose in the Minster of Magic's, Cornelius Fudge's, office about two months ago following an attack on the school."
Michelle paused and looked around. "What is this?"
"That happened so long ago," Hermione commented. "Why is it just being reported now?"
"Keep reading," Ron urged.
"It has come to our attention that this was the first attempt to unseat Fudge as the Minister. More attempts have been made, including exploding messages, a Basilisk egg, and an enchanted mirror that when someone looks into it, it causes them turn different shades of color."
"I can't believe this," Harry interrupted. "I thought they were through with all of this rubbish last year."
"Da- Dumbledore would never do this," Michelle stated.
"We know," Hermione said. "Who would write this garbage? "
"It doesn't have a byline," Harry said as he took the paper from Michelle.
"Why do people always think that Dumbledore is after Fudge?" Ron asked.
"Because," Michelle explained. "Fudge is becoming incompetent and people trust Dumbledore more."
"He could be Minister if he wants to be," Hermione said. "He is after all considered the most powerful wizard around."
"And," Harry began. "Voldemort is afraid of him."
They talked a while longer before it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Michelle pulled Harry aside as they were leaving.
"Do you think I should tell them?" Michelle asked Harry.
"Tell who what?" Harry asked a little slow.
"Ron and Hermione," Michelle answered.
"Oh," Harry replied finally catching on.
"They are trustworthy and they stand up for him and think highly of him. And after all I told Remus, Sirius and James when they were just first years and they didn't tell anyone. I think I will."
"Good I don't really like keeping things from them. And I have to keep a lot from them."
"I know Harry. I know."
They caught up with Ron and Hermione quickly.
"Where were you two?" Ron asked.
"I left something in Three Broomsticks and Harry and I went to go get it," Michelle told him.
"Oh," Ron said.
They headed up to the school. It was dinnertime so they went straight to the Great Hall. During dinner, Michelle was thinking where to tell them her story so that no one else would hear. Suddenly the perfect spot came to mind, her room.
Dinner ended and Michelle turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "Follow me I have something to tell you."
They were lead through halls they have never seen before. The paintings on the wall depicted animals instead of people. There were unicorns prancing around, a dragon, a fuzzy niffler, but the most dazzling painting of all was the one they stopped at. It portrayed a fiery phoenix that was surrounded by flames.
Michelle stepped slightly to the left of the painting and walked straight through the wall. Ron, Hermione, and Harry did not know what to make of this. When they did not follow Michelle stuck her head out.
"Come on," she said as she grabbed Harry's robe, he was the closest to the entrance.
He was pulled through the wall and into a huge room. Ron and Hermione quickly followed. They stared in awe at the room they had entered. It looked like the Gryffindor common room. There was a huge fireplace with etchings of a phoenix's life cycle on it. Red couches were arranged comfortably around the fireplace. There were golden colored pillows all over the room. There were also several doors on the far side of the room.
"Where are we?" Ron asked.
"We are in my room," Michelle said as she flung herself on the couch. "Please have a seat."
"How do you have your own room?" Hermione asked.
"Because I live here," Michelle replied.
"What?!" Ron and Hermione screamed at the same time.
"I have lived here since I was little," Michelle began. "Ever since my father became a teacher here."
"Your father is a teacher here?" Ron asked.
"But I thought you said you didn't know what your father does since you don't see him anymore," Hermione said.
"I had to," Michelle explained. "I didn't want special treatment because of who I am. I even changed my last name."
"Who is your father?" Hermione asked professors running through her head.
"Dumbledore," Michelle simply said.
This earned gasps from Ron and Hermione.
"Harry, aren't you shocked?" Ron asked.
"I knew," Harry said.
"And you didn't tell us!" Ron exclaimed.
"I asked him not to," Michelle replied.
"Dumbledore's is your father," Hermione repeated.
"Yes."
"But he is so old," Ron said.
"Well technically so am I," Michelle responded.
"What?!" Hermione and Ron exclaimed.
Michelle told them her story. They were mesmerized by her tale. They were saddened when Michelle told them of her sickness and near death state. They were amazed when Michelle told them of how Voldemort tried to kill her and it backfired leaving her cursed. She even told them of how she knew Sirius, James, and Remus. They felt sorry for the girl in front of them. She was alone for so long, presumed dead, all because of Voldemort. She really lost everything to him. She came to Hogwarts to protect Harry and was able to lead a semi normal life again, but had no friends until now.
"We never would never have guessed," Hermione said.
"Of course not. Daddy went through a lot trying to convince everyone I was dead," Michelle told them.
"Then why tell us?" Ron asked.
"Well Daddy and I told Harry because he was involved. The Death Eaters that came were here for me as well as Harry. I told you because I trust Harry and Harry trusts you so I do too."
"Wait a minute," Hermione said. "If you hid the fact that you didn't die just because you didn't want Voldemort to know, what are you going to do now that he knows?"
"The only reason he knows is because of Wormtail so it won't be long before I will have to face him," Michelle said. "But until then I will protect Harry like I am supposed to do."
"I don't believe this," Ron said.
"Oh Harry I wanted you to see this," Michelle jumped up and ran to a bookshelf.
She grabbed an old looking book. She ran back to the couch and lightly tossed it towards Harry. They crowded around Harry to see what it was. Harry opened the book. The first page held a picture of a very young Dumbledore, a lady, and a baby.
"My family," Michelle told them.
Harry flipped through the pages. There were pictures of Michelle growing up, her first day at Hogwarts, her friends, her as Head Girl with Tom Riddle as Head Boy and then they stopped. There were newspaper clippings of her mysterious death.
"The last of my 'life'," she explained.
Harry continued to flip through the book. There were pictures again. This time they were of her with Sirius, James, and Remus.
"This is amazing," Ron remarked.
"It's all true," Hermione pointed out. "This is proof."
They talked very late into the night about Michelle's past. She told them the tricks she helped Sirius and James play. This somehow made them feel better over losing him. She told them how she helped them become animagi. And then how she helped James win Lily's heart.
Since it was getting late and Michelle did not want them to get into trouble, she decided to take them back to the common room. They stepped back through the wall and Michelle led them. They were only stopped once by Mrs. Norris, but Michelle looked her straight in the eyes and she just walked away.
The Fat Lady swung open to allow them entrance. They climbed the stairs to their beds. Everyone else in their house was already asleep. Their minds were so overwhelmed by the new information they just received that they too fell asleep.
"The time will come," Voldemort hissed. "She will not be able to hide from me forever. We just need the proper bait."
Evil laughter filled the room. Wormtail shivered. His once friend was going to pay like the others. His master would see to it. It was not over yet.
AN: Well here it is. Tell me what you think. Please Review. Will Harry and Michelle end up together? Are Ron and Hermione together already? Where does the DADA professor, Tobias White, fit into all of this? Where do vanished items go? All . . . well most of these questions will be answered. Keep reading to find out.
Love ya, KoKo Belle
It was the weekend before the Christmas holiday and there was one last Hogsmaede trip. The students bundled up and headed to the magical town. Harry and the gang went into the Three Broomsticks. Michelle bought them all butterbears and they took a seat by the window.
Everyone had been guarded since the Death Eaters broke into Hogwarts. Teachers began to escort classes around like they did in Harry's second year. Students were given an earlier curfew. Hogsmaede trips were even shortened.
Harry and Michelle were spending a lot of time together. This did not go unnoticed by Ron and Hermione, who by the way were spending just as much time together as well.
"This is insane," Ron complained.
"What is?" asked Michelle.
Ron handed her the Daily Prophet he brought with, "Read."
Michelle took the paper and read out loud, "Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, let several Death Eaters loose in the Minster of Magic's, Cornelius Fudge's, office about two months ago following an attack on the school."
Michelle paused and looked around. "What is this?"
"That happened so long ago," Hermione commented. "Why is it just being reported now?"
"Keep reading," Ron urged.
"It has come to our attention that this was the first attempt to unseat Fudge as the Minister. More attempts have been made, including exploding messages, a Basilisk egg, and an enchanted mirror that when someone looks into it, it causes them turn different shades of color."
"I can't believe this," Harry interrupted. "I thought they were through with all of this rubbish last year."
"Da- Dumbledore would never do this," Michelle stated.
"We know," Hermione said. "Who would write this garbage? "
"It doesn't have a byline," Harry said as he took the paper from Michelle.
"Why do people always think that Dumbledore is after Fudge?" Ron asked.
"Because," Michelle explained. "Fudge is becoming incompetent and people trust Dumbledore more."
"He could be Minister if he wants to be," Hermione said. "He is after all considered the most powerful wizard around."
"And," Harry began. "Voldemort is afraid of him."
They talked a while longer before it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Michelle pulled Harry aside as they were leaving.
"Do you think I should tell them?" Michelle asked Harry.
"Tell who what?" Harry asked a little slow.
"Ron and Hermione," Michelle answered.
"Oh," Harry replied finally catching on.
"They are trustworthy and they stand up for him and think highly of him. And after all I told Remus, Sirius and James when they were just first years and they didn't tell anyone. I think I will."
"Good I don't really like keeping things from them. And I have to keep a lot from them."
"I know Harry. I know."
They caught up with Ron and Hermione quickly.
"Where were you two?" Ron asked.
"I left something in Three Broomsticks and Harry and I went to go get it," Michelle told him.
"Oh," Ron said.
They headed up to the school. It was dinnertime so they went straight to the Great Hall. During dinner, Michelle was thinking where to tell them her story so that no one else would hear. Suddenly the perfect spot came to mind, her room.
Dinner ended and Michelle turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "Follow me I have something to tell you."
They were lead through halls they have never seen before. The paintings on the wall depicted animals instead of people. There were unicorns prancing around, a dragon, a fuzzy niffler, but the most dazzling painting of all was the one they stopped at. It portrayed a fiery phoenix that was surrounded by flames.
Michelle stepped slightly to the left of the painting and walked straight through the wall. Ron, Hermione, and Harry did not know what to make of this. When they did not follow Michelle stuck her head out.
"Come on," she said as she grabbed Harry's robe, he was the closest to the entrance.
He was pulled through the wall and into a huge room. Ron and Hermione quickly followed. They stared in awe at the room they had entered. It looked like the Gryffindor common room. There was a huge fireplace with etchings of a phoenix's life cycle on it. Red couches were arranged comfortably around the fireplace. There were golden colored pillows all over the room. There were also several doors on the far side of the room.
"Where are we?" Ron asked.
"We are in my room," Michelle said as she flung herself on the couch. "Please have a seat."
"How do you have your own room?" Hermione asked.
"Because I live here," Michelle replied.
"What?!" Ron and Hermione screamed at the same time.
"I have lived here since I was little," Michelle began. "Ever since my father became a teacher here."
"Your father is a teacher here?" Ron asked.
"But I thought you said you didn't know what your father does since you don't see him anymore," Hermione said.
"I had to," Michelle explained. "I didn't want special treatment because of who I am. I even changed my last name."
"Who is your father?" Hermione asked professors running through her head.
"Dumbledore," Michelle simply said.
This earned gasps from Ron and Hermione.
"Harry, aren't you shocked?" Ron asked.
"I knew," Harry said.
"And you didn't tell us!" Ron exclaimed.
"I asked him not to," Michelle replied.
"Dumbledore's is your father," Hermione repeated.
"Yes."
"But he is so old," Ron said.
"Well technically so am I," Michelle responded.
"What?!" Hermione and Ron exclaimed.
Michelle told them her story. They were mesmerized by her tale. They were saddened when Michelle told them of her sickness and near death state. They were amazed when Michelle told them of how Voldemort tried to kill her and it backfired leaving her cursed. She even told them of how she knew Sirius, James, and Remus. They felt sorry for the girl in front of them. She was alone for so long, presumed dead, all because of Voldemort. She really lost everything to him. She came to Hogwarts to protect Harry and was able to lead a semi normal life again, but had no friends until now.
"We never would never have guessed," Hermione said.
"Of course not. Daddy went through a lot trying to convince everyone I was dead," Michelle told them.
"Then why tell us?" Ron asked.
"Well Daddy and I told Harry because he was involved. The Death Eaters that came were here for me as well as Harry. I told you because I trust Harry and Harry trusts you so I do too."
"Wait a minute," Hermione said. "If you hid the fact that you didn't die just because you didn't want Voldemort to know, what are you going to do now that he knows?"
"The only reason he knows is because of Wormtail so it won't be long before I will have to face him," Michelle said. "But until then I will protect Harry like I am supposed to do."
"I don't believe this," Ron said.
"Oh Harry I wanted you to see this," Michelle jumped up and ran to a bookshelf.
She grabbed an old looking book. She ran back to the couch and lightly tossed it towards Harry. They crowded around Harry to see what it was. Harry opened the book. The first page held a picture of a very young Dumbledore, a lady, and a baby.
"My family," Michelle told them.
Harry flipped through the pages. There were pictures of Michelle growing up, her first day at Hogwarts, her friends, her as Head Girl with Tom Riddle as Head Boy and then they stopped. There were newspaper clippings of her mysterious death.
"The last of my 'life'," she explained.
Harry continued to flip through the book. There were pictures again. This time they were of her with Sirius, James, and Remus.
"This is amazing," Ron remarked.
"It's all true," Hermione pointed out. "This is proof."
They talked very late into the night about Michelle's past. She told them the tricks she helped Sirius and James play. This somehow made them feel better over losing him. She told them how she helped them become animagi. And then how she helped James win Lily's heart.
Since it was getting late and Michelle did not want them to get into trouble, she decided to take them back to the common room. They stepped back through the wall and Michelle led them. They were only stopped once by Mrs. Norris, but Michelle looked her straight in the eyes and she just walked away.
The Fat Lady swung open to allow them entrance. They climbed the stairs to their beds. Everyone else in their house was already asleep. Their minds were so overwhelmed by the new information they just received that they too fell asleep.
"The time will come," Voldemort hissed. "She will not be able to hide from me forever. We just need the proper bait."
Evil laughter filled the room. Wormtail shivered. His once friend was going to pay like the others. His master would see to it. It was not over yet.
AN: Well here it is. Tell me what you think. Please Review. Will Harry and Michelle end up together? Are Ron and Hermione together already? Where does the DADA professor, Tobias White, fit into all of this? Where do vanished items go? All . . . well most of these questions will be answered. Keep reading to find out.
Love ya, KoKo Belle