Gems In The Eyes Of The World
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I swear it, I own nothing, and at a time like this, I don't need lawyers running after me to try and sue me when my computer is acting so freaky that I can hardly type anymore without me punching this thing. (The thing, of course, being a computer, which I DO own, so HA)
Chapter fifteen
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING REVIEWERS (HUGZ GALORE!):
- Monikka DaLuver - Lol, thanks for reviewing, and you mean I'm doing fine on my own, by not asking reviewers awkward questions? Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much as the last (or maybe even more!) BYE!
- Milocachica - Yes, I get what you're saying with that whole sad but sweet thing, lol, Harry had poison, so it wasn't any kind of common disease or something (I'm awful with names so I generally avoid them . . .) You'll find out about that whole Ron and Ginny thing (or at least, I think you do) and I'm afraid the fighting is indeed the NEXT chapter, sorry! But thanks for reviewing!
- Sunflower18 - I love Draco/Hermione stories too! Which is why I write them, even though I'm completely obsessed with Ronniekins! Lol, I love saying that, anyway, thanks for reviewing, here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy!
- Spaced Out Space Cadet - Lol, nosey Weasleys! I like that! It's not just the Weasleys though, it's everyone - it was just the Weasley's bad luck that they got chosen to ask, lol. I have a friend who's never serious, so I'm used to people randomly joking with me! Anyway, thanks for reviewing and yeah, it was definitely the right thing to do for Hermione to agree to fighting the war.
- ShortStuff10 - Thanks for reviewing! But I'm afraid you STILL won't know what happened to Draco! Aha! Lol, sorry, you'll find out soon though, I promise! I'll gladly take some sugar if you give it to me . . .
- NitenGale - Hey hey, how was you're trip? Thanks for reviewing, and here's the update! Enjoy!
- LythTaeraneth - Oh my god, I feel for you, really I do, and I hope we can somehow or other talk soon! Nice to know you like your drama class, I've never had it, but that's only because I've only been to primary school . . . ah well, I'm going to take it in secondary, although I can't act, heh. You said you would have finished your book (hopefully) by the time your fifteen? What good would it be to take a break at sixteen? Sorry, just thought I'd ask. Thanks very much for reviewing!
- Some12 - Lol, spam is such a funny word, although scraps of meat doesn't sound appetising at all . . . Yuki? What's wrong with the name Yuki? I love it! It's Japanese (which is always good to me) and it can be the name of a boy AND a girl! Lol, no, the gems weren't fake, I never actually thought of it that way anyway - this would be a tragedy if that did happen! Hope you enjoy the chappie! Tata!
- Smileyface1314 - Hey, lol, I told my friend about those fart jokes and we laughed about it for ages! Ha! Okay, I'll get on with this, thanks so much for reviewing!
- Stellafiore - Why did you get grounded? Sorry, I enjoy being naturally nosey. Thanks for reviewing, here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy! (As well as review! If you have time, that is)
Soon, at least two weeks had passed since that day Harry had told Hermione that she didn't have to fight, if she did not wish to. It had been a long and agonising time for the Order, as everyone began to prepare for the battle that was to come. It was soon time to attack Lord Voldemort and his followers at Hogwarts, whether the school got destroyed, or not.
"Hermione, are you okay?"
Hermione looked up from her bowl of cereal. She could see Harry looking worriedly at her from across the table.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," She smiled weakly, abandoning her bowl to sip at her cup of lukewarm tea.
"You look kind of ill, Hermione," Ron said, after swallowing his mouthful of scrambled eggs, "Are you sure you want to go through with this? You could still stay here and, you know, wait."
"No, Ron," Hermione said, sounding suddenly determined, "Even if I am ill, I wouldn't want to wait. That isn't something I would do, and you know that. I was just thinking."
"About what?" Harry asked, taking the teapot and refilling Hermione's cup.
Of course, Hermione knew perfectly well that her thoughts revolved around Draco. She hadn't seen him in weeks. Although she knew that even if he were safe, he wouldn't be able to contact her anyway, her instincts automatically told her that something was wrong, and the worst part was, she couldn't do anything to help him.
"Oh nothing, I was just wondering where I could get a wand, seeing as the shops in Diagon Alley have all temporarily closed down due to the upcoming war, and I lost my wand a while ago." Hermione said calmly. She wouldn't tell them that she was still worried about Draco. They wouldn't know how to comfort her, and she didn't want to make them feel awkward and uncomfortable.
"I know where Ollivander lives," Ginny said, entering the kitchen in her dressing gown. She yawned and sat on the empty chair by Hermione, "He may have closed down his shop, but he has to have a place to live. We'll visit him later and get you a new wand."
"Well, we could just borrow a wand, right? I mean, hopefully, if I get my original wand back . . ." Hermione said doubtfully.
"No, I think it'll be safer to get you a new wand completely," Ginny said, as Harry and Ron nodded in agreement, "You know, just in case. You never know what might happen out there."
Hermione nodded and stood, "I better get dressed then." She began to make her way towards the stairs, leaving her bowl of cereal – almost untouched.
It was now the afternoon, and a light shower had begun to dampen the grounds of Diagon Alley. Getting to Ollivander's was harder than it sounded, as Hermione soon found out. Ollivander's house, or rather, apartment, was situated above his store. As his store was closed (like the others surrounding it), knocking on the front door did not work.
Ginny and Hermione had had to take a longer route towards the back of the building, to reach some winding metal stairs leading up to an old wooden door. The stairs did not look especially stable, and Hermione found that some broke if you stood on them for too long.
The two young women had used a Disillusionment Charm to hide themselves in the empty street. Harry had suggested his invisibility cloak, but travelling from 12 Grimmauld Place to Diagon Alley under an invisibility cloak would merely be making life harder than it already was.
"Mr Ollivander," Ginny whispered, knocking quietly on the wooden door, "This is Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger. We're looking to buy a wand."
Hermione and Ginny stood on the highest metal step and waited patiently. Slowly, the door opened slightly to reveal an old man with a walking stick. Ginny immediately used her wand to reverse the spell so that Ollivander could see them clearly. A small smile spread across the elderly man's face.
"Ah, Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, what a pleasant surprise, do come in, quickly now."
Ginny and Hermione stepped into the apartment as Ollivander hurriedly closed the door before locking it with muggle methods, as well as magical. He ushered them towards a wooden table in the middle of the small room, and gestured for them to sit on some chairs positioned around the table.
"Do sit down, I'll get both of you a nice cup of tea before we continue."
Ollivander hobbled towards a stove in the corner. He filled an old rusty teapot with water from a tap nearby, and placed the teapot on the stove before using his wand to light a fire.
Hermione smiled at the old man as he made his way towards them. He had gotten older, his face was more wrinkled and he now had less hair than before. She remembered, also, that he did not use to have a walking stick to help him get to places. It had been almost ten years since she had last seen Ollivander.
"It's very nice to see both of you again," He smiled, sitting down on a chair, "After that attack at Hogwarts, Miss Weasley, I was hoping that as many people as possible had survived it. It's nice to know that at least there was one survivor."
Hermione looked at Ginny quizzically, "You were at Hogwarts when the attack happened?"
Ginny smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I'm a year younger than you, remember? It hasn't been a year since you graduated yet."
"Ginny! Are you okay now?" Hermione said, her eyes widening, "I mean, you got out okay, but did the deatheaters hurt you at all?"
"No, don't worry, Hermione," Ginny said, patting Hermione on the arm reassuringly, "I was one of the first people out of Hogwarts."
Hermione sighed in relief. In all of her worrying, she had forgotten that there were still the students in Hogwarts that were probably trembling with fear when they had heard that deatheaters were in the school.
"Well, Mr Ollivander, Hermione here, lost her wand, and we really do need another one, if she's to fight in the war," Ginny said, the smile quickly disappearing.
Ollivander nodded, "That's understandable, Miss Granger, would you like a wand that is exactly the same to your old one, or would you prefer to test some newer wands and see if any other wand suits you? I would suggest you take the first option. I heard you got top marks in every test using that particular wand."
Hermione smiled, "Yes, I'd like a wand like my old one please, I think it was a . . ."
She struggled to remember exactly what her wand had been made out of. Ollivander smiled knowingly, "Do not worry Miss Granger, I can remember every wand I have ever sold. I'll just pop downstairs and get it for you."
Hermione smiled gratefully as Ollivander made his way very carefully and slowly down the wooden steps. She looked around the room curiously. She had never even thought of where Ollivander could live. The room was not very large, and the only light provided were a few candles in the corner. A small bookshelf was beside the bed, and a pot of flowers stood on the windowsill.
She turned to Ginny, who looked as though she was desperately trying to tell her something.
"What is it, Ginny?" Hermione asked gently.
Ginny took a deep breath, before gabbling, "Well, you know that question me and Ron asked you at the dinner table yesterday? Well you didn't answer it cus' mum told you to go upstairs and then she told us not to ask such things when we were in front of everyone else, but we need to know because we've all been worried about you, Hermione, and we just really need to know what you actually think of him. You know, just don't get mad at us or anything cus' we're only thinking about you and the only reason me and Ron were the ones that asked you yesterday was because we drew straws and it just happened to be us. Ron was such a coward though, waiting for me to –
Hermione held a finger up to Ginny's lips to stop her ranting. She sighed and smiled slightly, "I like Draco, Ginny, he's not like how he was before."
"How much do you like him, exactly?" Ginny questioned, raising an eyebrow. Hermione sighed once more, looking away.
"I can't answer you if I don't even know that myself," She said, "If you're worried that I might get hurt because he might use me, then don't worry, I'm not exactly going to throw myself at him, and even if I did, he wouldn't take advantage of me. He's different now."
"I know, Hermione, I, well, me and everyone else, was worried that might happen, but, after a while, it was kind of obvious that he'd changed. Or, rather, YOU'D changed him."
"Well if you know, then what are you worried about?"
Ginny looked away from Hermione and sighed, shaking her head. The kettle in the corner began to squeal, and they could hear Ollivander call: 'You can take the kettle of the stove if you want! Tea bags and sugar are on the table!' from downstairs. Ginny stood and went towards the stove. Using her wand, she levitated the teapot and made it pour some water into two cups set on the table.
"Whether he treats you right or not, Hermione," Ginny began, "You're going to get hurt."
Hermione frowned, "What do you mean? How, exactly?"
"It's obvious how you're going to get hurt if he treats you badly," Ginny said, blowing at her cup of tea, "On the other hand, if he's nice to you, but he doesn't survive this war . . . then you're going to be hurt as well."
Silence filled the room as raindrops began to splatter the windows, getting heavier and heavier by the second. Hermione was now avoiding Ginny's gaze. She had never thought about it that way. She didn't even know if what Ginny had said was true.
"I know you might not want to hear this, Hermione," Ginny said as she rested her hand on Hermione's shoulder, "But from what Ron said, we don't even know if he's alive right now."
Hermione gulped. This, she knew was true. It was in the forest, that she had last seen Draco. It was possible that he had escaped, but it was more of a possibility that something terrible had happened to him, so terrible that she couldn't bear to think it.
"Okay, Miss Granger," Ollivander said as he ascended the stairs slowly, a box in his hand, "I'm sorry I took so long in looking for you wand. My eyesight isn't what it used to be."
Hermione smiled gratefully and stood to help him to a chair.
"Now, are you buying the wand, or borrowing it?" Ollivander asked as he took the wand carefully from its case. He handed it to Hermione, "It'll only be a few sickles less to borrow it. Seven galleons for one wand, Miss Granger."
She nodded slowly, as she examined her 'new' wand. It was exactly like her old one, except her old one had a few scratches here and there, from the many times when she, Harry and Ron had done dangerous deeds to try and save themselves, as well as others.
Her old wand was now with Draco, and if she was never to see Draco again, then getting back something like a wand was nearly impossible. Her wand had been her saviour in many different situations, and getting a new one somehow didn't feel right. But under the circumstances, she knew that she needed to have a wand – any wand – even if it wasn't the one she wanted.
"I'll buy it."
Night had fallen, and Harry and Dumbledore had arranged a special meeting before the Order of the Phoenix (as well as many others that were not properly in the order yet) set off towards Hogwarts and the awaiting deatheaters. Everyone was silent as Harry stood and looked around, a small smile on his face.
"Erm . . . well . . . Before I hand this conversation over to Professor Dumbledore," Harry began slowly, "I think that . . . I'd just like to say a few things . . . a few words, I mean." He paused and gulped before grinning rather nervously.
"I'd just like to say . . . well, thanks really . . . to everyone, for being there, and helping me . . . while I was in Hogwarts." Here, he paused again and smiled. "And . . . ha, I bet you all think I look kind of stupid, standing here . . ." Ron grinned awkwardly as did many others sitting patiently around the table, "but, I'd just like to . . . you know . . . look around for a bit . . ."
Harry faded off, biting his lip, as a few people nodded, while others looked around the large table, swapping sad smiles. Harry gulped. Having no more to say, he sat down, just as Dumbledore stood.
"I would just like to add a little something to Mr Potter's truly wonderful speech," Dumbledore said, the merry twinkle in his eyes beginning to fade, "As most of you know, I have been here for a long time - too long a time. I think it is time that I step back from my position as Headmaster, of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and leave it to my wonderful staff, and my more than lovely students."
Gasps and shocked expressions spread among the faces of the people gathered around the table.
"But, Albus," Professor McGonagall began, before Dumbledore held a finger up to his lips.
"My time has come, but do not fret, I shall still fight this war, alongside you all." Dumbledore said, "Now, let us stop this fussing. Remember, there is a war to be won."
Right, well, that was longer than the last chapter (or at least I think so). I have to say, this wasn't as easy to write as the last chapter, but it was still pretty easy. The reason why it takes so long for me to update is because I like to edit it a few times now (I didn't use to do that)! Ah well, I hope the chapter was okay, ta for now, my lovelies.
Oh and REVIEW! (Please)
- The Author
PS. I've noticed something about my writing you know – I tend to repeat a lot of things because I can't seem to remember that I've written it already . . . so, I apologise in advance.
PPS. OKAY, this chapter was just to clear some things up, and I know, it wasn't terribly adventurous or exciting. Bare with me here - the next chapter shall be WAR!
PPPS. Sorry about all these PS's, I just want to say a big thanks to all those people who have contributed to my 'Who shall die and who shall live' list, commonly known as the 'Death list'. Brutal as it may sound, it's very n
PPPPS. Yes, this has indeed been edited (10th Oct. 04)