Murmurs, Secrets, and Words overheard

(Chapter Fourteen)

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all entered the Gryffindor common room in a sulky fashion. Harry and Ron sighed deeply and plopped down onto the big chairs across from the fire and started mumbling complaints about their failed plan and theory. Hermione stood still and watched the two boys for a few moments before turning to Ginny and puling her aside a fair distance away from Harry and Ron.

"Ginny?" Hermione whispered. "You didn't say anything about last night did you?" She asked with concern.

Ginny placed a comforting hand on her friends shoulder and smiled weakly. "Of course not. I just said you had a rough night."

Hermione sighed in relief.

"Hermione, I really think you should talk to him about it," Ginny advised.

"No, no way," Hermione said frantically. "It's best just to forget it even happened."

Ginny frowned but nodded never the less, supporting her friend's decision.

Just then Harry slowly and sadly walked over to them.

"Ginny, we have quidditch practice; we should get down to the pitch now."

Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Harry, you're captain, can't you cancel?"

"We need practice, I'm not loosing to Slytherin," Harry said firmly.

Ginny grudgingly agreed and Hermione watched as Harry, Ginny and Ron left the common room. She was grateful to finally get a chance to be alone. So much had happened over the week and Hermione felt a bit overwhelmed. She had experienced plenty of stress before, but never had she had to deal with fighting a very powerful secret crush.

To add to that, she was slightly embarrassed with the scene they had made in Hogsmead. She would have trouble facing Snape in class after having accused him of such a crime, even if they were partially correct. It also made her slightly angry to know that Snape had been delving into her thoughts and finding out things about her and transferring the information to Voldemort. Thinking about this she grew angry, she finally had someone to blame the incident that occurred over the summer on.

With a tired body and a weary mind, Hermione retired to bed, hopefully for a more comfortable sleep than the night before.

"Hermione, did you finish that chart Jones assigned us?" Ron asked frantically trying to find is own chart.

Hermione frowned at him. It didn't take things long to get back to normal.

"Of course I did Ron!"

Ron looked to her pleadingly. He didn't even have to ask.

"No," She said sternly.

"Hermione it's not my fault, I had quidditch!"

"Harry finished!"

"No he didn't," Harry said walking over to them and pulling out his half completed chart of effective defense charms in an outnumbered situation.

Hermione sighed and sadly pulled out her own chart and handed it over to the boys to copy.

When they were finished the trio quickly made their way down to their defense against the dark arts class where they took a seat together at the front of the class.

A few moments later Professor Jones entered the classroom and asked the students to turn in their homework.

"Ok class; let's go over what some of you filled out in your charts. From you're research, what is the most effective defense charm to use when you are in a situation where you are outnumbered?" Jones asked.

As usual Hermione raised her hand up high.

"Hermione?"

"I found that if the situation is one individual against several, the most effective charm would be a Patronus or some other form of a shield spell. It would give the person enough time to hide so they could perform other spells. However, if it is a small group against a larger one than a charm called the Circulus flabra would be most effective."

Professor Jones smiled brightly. "Excellent Hermione, I didn't think any of you would find that one…I suppose it's safe to say that Harry and Ron have that on their paper as well?" She asked knowingly. The three friends gave each other guilty looks.

"Never you mind," Jones smiled and continued. "I want to talk to you about the Circulus Flabra charm."

Jones began to pace the room.

"It is a very powerful and very effective charm, and it takes a group of powerful wizards to perform it."

"How it works is that a group of three or more witches or wizards must form a circle with their backs facing the inside. With wands out, they all must say the words Amacitia, Audentia, Y Amabilius. Genetrix Circulus Flabra!"

The class stared at her in wonder.

"Yes, I know it's a long difficult one, but the result is worth it. What it does is send a very powerful burst of fiery wind out from each wand, a circular blast. It sends the enemy flying in a burning fury in every direction."

The class was even more interested in what she had to say.

"It's very rare, not many can do it, because there is a catch…"

Just as Jones was about to finish her sentence, Professor McGonagall burst through the door and quickly made her way to the front of the class toward Professor Jones.

The whole class watched as McGonagall leaned in close to Jones and whispered something to her that made her react with shock and obvious fear in her expression. Then, just as quickly, Jones dismissed the class.

It took a second for the students to register what happened but soon they all stood up and headed out of the class room. All but Harry, Hermione, and Ron who lingered behind hoping that they could be included in the secret.

McGonagall saw them and quickly reacted. "You three must leave as well, this is nothing that concerns you!" She said sternly and the trio slowly left the classroom.

As they shut the large wooden door, Hermione watched as both Harry and Ron pressed their ears against the closed door.

"Honestly! You're not going to hear anything through that door. It's silly to even try. Besides, remember what Dumbledore told us? We have to stay out of it…For our own safety."

Harry and Ron looked at her incredulously.

"Hermione, this war involves us to a very large degree. If we can't take part in it I think we should at least be allowed to know what's going on."

"They're all just like Mum, always trying to keep things from us, like we can't handle it!" Ron complained.

Hermione sighed.

"We'll find out soon enough."

The boys backed away from the door.

"Well, we have a lot of spare time now. What should we do?" Harry asked.

The group thought for a while.

"Let's go to the library!" Hermione suggested. Ron rolled his eyes at her.

"The Library? Hermione, honestly!"

"I just want to find out more about the Flabra charm. She didn't get to finish, maybe if we know the answer by next class Gryffindor will get points!" Hermione said excitedly. Harry and Ron, not in the mood to argue and very curious themselves agreed to go to the library.

Once in the library they started their search. Each went off in a separate direction.

During her search, Hermione found one advanced spell book that mentioned the charm in little detail. It was the best that she could find. It had been ten minutes already and Hermione was going to search one more shelf. As she began leafing through the pages, Hermione heard two familiar voices speaking to one another on the other side.

"You almost kissed!" Hermione heard Harry ask with shock in his voice.

She stood very still, holding her breath and focused only on listening to their conversation.

"I think so! I mean we were so close and than Snape showed up!"

"Great timing!" Harry said sarcastically.

"Well, to tell you the truth mate, after thinking about it, maybe it was good timing."

Hermione frowned and listened more carefully as Ron's voice got quieter.

"I mean, what would have happened if we did kiss? It could lead to a relationship or something and I don't think that's a good idea…"

Hermione heard Ron say something else but couldn't make out what it was. The more she heard him say the more her heart was breaking.

"Do you like Hermione?" Harry asked.

Hermione held her breath.

"What do you think?" Ron asked incredulously. Harry was silent.

Hermione's heart broke just then. Ron thought the idea of them together was disgusting. Her throat grew tight and her eyes began to water.

"It just wouldn't work out Harry." Ron said sadly.

There was a pause.

"Well, you do whatever you want."

Hermione couldn't handle it anymore. She put the book back in its spot and came out from around the book shelf. Harry and Ron quickly shut their mouths and looked at her with fear.

Hermione tried her best not to look like she heard them and quietly picked up her pack.

"I just remembered something, I have to go, see you later," She said quietly and left the library.

Ron and Harry stood still for a while until Ron slowly turned to Harry.

"Do you think she heard us?" Ron asked shakily.

Harry shrugged.

Ron closed his eyes tightly and forced himself to stay calm. The situation with him and Hermione kept getting worse.

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