Chapter 36:
Once back in the castle, I find I am not tired, despite not having got any sleep. I instead opt for an early constitutional through some of the less popular areas of Hogwarts. Making my way up to the Astronomy tower, I pause in the doorway.
There, nestled a window seat next to the outer entrance, are Miss Granger and Mister Weasley. I smile at the sight and tiptoe past them and step out onto the parapet. The sun is just rising, brilliant pinks, oranges, and yellows spilling across the surface of the lake.
The giant squid is gliding back and forth, the long tentacles breaking the surface. Occassionally one of the tentacles gets too close to a flock of birds, forcing them into the air above the water towards the forest. A thestral soars above the tops of the trees. A short moment later, a second one joins it. I lean my cheek against the cool stone of the parapet. The stairway leading up to the top of the tower is just to my right.
Climbing the stairs, I am surprised to see Remus sitting, facing the sunrise, his legs dangling over the edge. I had thought myself silent in my approach and am surprised when Remus addresses me.
"You threw it into the lake." He says tonelessly.
"Yes." I do not question how he could have known what I threw, but it is obvious from here that I would have been clearly visible from the lake's edge.
He nods at my statement. "Very well." He swings his legs back over and face me. "What are you doing up so early? I rather thought you would have had a late night and would be abed with Severus."
There is a hint of malice, masked quite well by defeat in his comment. I move to sit next to him on the tower edge. "I have not yet gone to bed. Severus was called away by the time I returned this morning. I could not sleep."
"Why didn't you return together?" he asks.
"My special services were required by Voldemort. It was nothing," I assure him before he can ask. "But when I returned to Hogwarts very early this morning, there was a note from Severus saying he had been called away."
"Where?" Remus asks.
"I have no idea."
"What are you doing up here?" he questions.
I shrug. "Again, I have no idea. I simply followed my feet. Shall we go down to breakfast.?" I invite.
"Do you trust me?" he asks, turning his palms out to face me. The gesture is so very pathetic, that had I not just rid myself of all emotion for him, I would have been greatly swayed to gather him into my arms.
As it is, I nod and move down the stairs. Forgetting to recast the silencing charm on the hinges of the door, it gives a loud creak as Remus and I enter. Miss Granger and Mister Weasley sit up straight, eyes bleary, searching the room. It takes a moment, but they both focus on us, looking frightened.
"Good morning, Hermione, Ron." Remus smiles disarmingly. They open their eyes wider but do not open their mouths.
"Come, come, you two, Remus and I are on our way down to breakfast. Will you join us?" I say heartily.
They quickly look at one another. Miss Granger finds her voice first. "Thank you, Professor, but I rather think Ron and I should be getting back to the Gryffindor dormitories. Thank you again for the invitation." They awkwardly disentangle themselves from the window and sheepishly move out of the room, Remus and I following their movements with amusement plain on our face.
Following them out the door, we part ways at the base of the stairs. Remus and I continue our way to the Great Hall and are greeted enthusiastically by Hagrid as we approach the head table.
"Good morning', you two" he booms. "Nice ter see you both up and about this early. Can I han' you anythin'?"
I shake my head politely and take Severus' normal spot next to my uncle. He is currently deeply engrossed in conversation with Minerva. He absently reaches over and pats my hand. Remus meanwhile, takes a seat at the far end of the table, between Pomona and Poppy. They barrage him with questions, presumably about his arrival with me, because he continually throws glances in my direction and assumes a very apologetic posture.
I crunch quietly on my bacon, wishing I could talk to Severus. Eventually, Albus turns his attention to me. "I want to hear all about your evening, my dear. After breakfast, would you be so kind as to accompany me to my office?" I nod.
The rest of the meal is spent in relative quiet. No on asks where Severus is, including me. Afterwards, I follow Albus up to his office. He motions me to the chair in front of his desk. Fawkes immediately flies down from his perch to rest lightly on my shoulder. I reach up to pat him. He makes for the left sleeve of my robes, pulling it back. I cock my head in puzzlement, until I see my uncle staring pointedly at the unblemished patch of skim.
"Albus." I protest.
He holds up a hand to quiet me. "It is Fawkes' doing. I was merely interested in the results." Happy with what he has found, Fawkes leaves my shoulder and returns to his post.
"Now, my dear, Severus filled me in on most of the evening's activities, but he had to leave before he finished. He seemed unclear as to why you were asked to stay later."
Steeling my mind against even the most subtle of penetrations, I recite the story I have concocted in my head. Not knowing exactly what Severus has told him, I keep to a general recitation of events. I gloss over the confrontation with Voldemort, telling my uncle only that Tom is interested in harnessing the power of the Dumbeldores.
Albus sits and listens, knowing full well I am keeping something from him. He does not press, and I do not offer it up. After an hour, we consider ourselves up-to-speed on things and I bid him adieu and head on my way, my tiredness finally hitting me.
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A/N Hope you're all enjoying the more than regular updates. I'll keep them coming. I have this story planned all the way to end (no worries—we're still a ways from there) Review! Love it? Hate it? Let me know.
Once back in the castle, I find I am not tired, despite not having got any sleep. I instead opt for an early constitutional through some of the less popular areas of Hogwarts. Making my way up to the Astronomy tower, I pause in the doorway.
There, nestled a window seat next to the outer entrance, are Miss Granger and Mister Weasley. I smile at the sight and tiptoe past them and step out onto the parapet. The sun is just rising, brilliant pinks, oranges, and yellows spilling across the surface of the lake.
The giant squid is gliding back and forth, the long tentacles breaking the surface. Occassionally one of the tentacles gets too close to a flock of birds, forcing them into the air above the water towards the forest. A thestral soars above the tops of the trees. A short moment later, a second one joins it. I lean my cheek against the cool stone of the parapet. The stairway leading up to the top of the tower is just to my right.
Climbing the stairs, I am surprised to see Remus sitting, facing the sunrise, his legs dangling over the edge. I had thought myself silent in my approach and am surprised when Remus addresses me.
"You threw it into the lake." He says tonelessly.
"Yes." I do not question how he could have known what I threw, but it is obvious from here that I would have been clearly visible from the lake's edge.
He nods at my statement. "Very well." He swings his legs back over and face me. "What are you doing up so early? I rather thought you would have had a late night and would be abed with Severus."
There is a hint of malice, masked quite well by defeat in his comment. I move to sit next to him on the tower edge. "I have not yet gone to bed. Severus was called away by the time I returned this morning. I could not sleep."
"Why didn't you return together?" he asks.
"My special services were required by Voldemort. It was nothing," I assure him before he can ask. "But when I returned to Hogwarts very early this morning, there was a note from Severus saying he had been called away."
"Where?" Remus asks.
"I have no idea."
"What are you doing up here?" he questions.
I shrug. "Again, I have no idea. I simply followed my feet. Shall we go down to breakfast.?" I invite.
"Do you trust me?" he asks, turning his palms out to face me. The gesture is so very pathetic, that had I not just rid myself of all emotion for him, I would have been greatly swayed to gather him into my arms.
As it is, I nod and move down the stairs. Forgetting to recast the silencing charm on the hinges of the door, it gives a loud creak as Remus and I enter. Miss Granger and Mister Weasley sit up straight, eyes bleary, searching the room. It takes a moment, but they both focus on us, looking frightened.
"Good morning, Hermione, Ron." Remus smiles disarmingly. They open their eyes wider but do not open their mouths.
"Come, come, you two, Remus and I are on our way down to breakfast. Will you join us?" I say heartily.
They quickly look at one another. Miss Granger finds her voice first. "Thank you, Professor, but I rather think Ron and I should be getting back to the Gryffindor dormitories. Thank you again for the invitation." They awkwardly disentangle themselves from the window and sheepishly move out of the room, Remus and I following their movements with amusement plain on our face.
Following them out the door, we part ways at the base of the stairs. Remus and I continue our way to the Great Hall and are greeted enthusiastically by Hagrid as we approach the head table.
"Good morning', you two" he booms. "Nice ter see you both up and about this early. Can I han' you anythin'?"
I shake my head politely and take Severus' normal spot next to my uncle. He is currently deeply engrossed in conversation with Minerva. He absently reaches over and pats my hand. Remus meanwhile, takes a seat at the far end of the table, between Pomona and Poppy. They barrage him with questions, presumably about his arrival with me, because he continually throws glances in my direction and assumes a very apologetic posture.
I crunch quietly on my bacon, wishing I could talk to Severus. Eventually, Albus turns his attention to me. "I want to hear all about your evening, my dear. After breakfast, would you be so kind as to accompany me to my office?" I nod.
The rest of the meal is spent in relative quiet. No on asks where Severus is, including me. Afterwards, I follow Albus up to his office. He motions me to the chair in front of his desk. Fawkes immediately flies down from his perch to rest lightly on my shoulder. I reach up to pat him. He makes for the left sleeve of my robes, pulling it back. I cock my head in puzzlement, until I see my uncle staring pointedly at the unblemished patch of skim.
"Albus." I protest.
He holds up a hand to quiet me. "It is Fawkes' doing. I was merely interested in the results." Happy with what he has found, Fawkes leaves my shoulder and returns to his post.
"Now, my dear, Severus filled me in on most of the evening's activities, but he had to leave before he finished. He seemed unclear as to why you were asked to stay later."
Steeling my mind against even the most subtle of penetrations, I recite the story I have concocted in my head. Not knowing exactly what Severus has told him, I keep to a general recitation of events. I gloss over the confrontation with Voldemort, telling my uncle only that Tom is interested in harnessing the power of the Dumbeldores.
Albus sits and listens, knowing full well I am keeping something from him. He does not press, and I do not offer it up. After an hour, we consider ourselves up-to-speed on things and I bid him adieu and head on my way, my tiredness finally hitting me.
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A/N Hope you're all enjoying the more than regular updates. I'll keep them coming. I have this story planned all the way to end (no worries—we're still a ways from there) Review! Love it? Hate it? Let me know.