Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter
Author's Note- I love getting reviews and I got a bunch on the last chapter! I'm sorry that I didn't have this chapter out on Friday night or Saturday morning. I was disappointed in myself for telling one day and then not following through. I kind of like this chapter, so I hope you do to and don't forget to Review!
Chapter 13
While Draco had been explaining what had happened to Hermione, Pansy had quietly whisked herself away into the castle. Down she strode into the dank Slytherin dungeons. She spoke the password clearly and once the portrait swung open she strolled through the common room as if it were any other day.
When she reached her dorm she walked calmly to her bed and, reaching under it, pulled out a dagger with a long piece of parchment attached to it. She placed the dagger and parchment inside her robes and then accio-ed a piece of parchment and a quill. Pansy bit her lip as she sat down at her desk. Sighing, she began to scribble along the parchment.
After a few minutes she was through with her letter and hurriedly cleaned up the small mess she had made. She looked around her dorm and breathed deeply, taking in all her surroundings. Coolly she walked out the door and down to the common room. As soon as she reached the common room she ran over to her favorite chair and sat in it for a second, feeling the soft fabric on her own soft skin. I'm ready. She thought and headed out the door and down to the hospital wing where she was sure Hermione's cold body would be.
The five minute walk felt like five years and when she finally made it to the infirmary she took another deep breath. She pushed open the doors and ran right into Madame Pomfrey.
"Ms. Parkinson! What happened to you? What can I get for you?" She asked tiredly.
"I—I never got to say goodbye to Hermione and I really want to. You don't have to stay around. I just want to say my final goodbye." Madame Pomfrey raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow at her.
"I didn't know you two were friends?" She responded to the fidgeting Slytherin girl.
"We weren't." Madame Pomfrey looked incredulous, "But, before you ask why I'm here, I'll tell you. Hermione always irritated me because she was so damn perfect. She was best friends with Harry Potter and had the best grades out of everyone… and she shouldn't have. She was a mud… muggleborn… not a pureblood. I've always thought I was so superior to her, and I'm not." Madame Pomfrey looked to the watch on her wrist.
"Ms. Parkinson, this little speech isn't making me believe that I should let you see her, even for a final goodbye. I need to get to the great hall. Please, wrap it up." Pansy looked to the ground then looked straight into Madame Pomfrey's eyes.
"There is no reason why you should refuse me. I want to say goodbye. Hermione showed me something a few weeks ago that really changed my view of her. Granted, I still don't like her, but I respect her for being best friends with a Slytherin and for treating me so well when it's as if it's against rules. She was rude to me but at the same time she gave me more than many of my own Housemate's did. She gave me a chance. I want to see her."
Madame Pomfrey smiled at Pansy's spiel, "Ms. Parkinson, she's through that white door there. I need to get down to the great hall so don't do anything stupid. I trust you because you are a seventh year. Now, if you'll excuse me." Pansy nodded vigorously and practically ran to the door.
She opened the door slowly, peering into the stark white room. In the corner of the room there was a bed and on the bed what looked to be a body covered with a sheet. Pansy walked over to the bed and pulled the sheet back. She exhaled loudly at the sight of Hermione. She wasn't prepared to see her lifeless eyes and pale form. She pulled out the note from her robes and placed it in the palm of Hermione's cold hand.
"I have no regrets." Pansy whispered to Hermione, "I would do this again." Pansy pulled out the dagger and the parchment. She placed the parchment in her mouth and then took the dagger and placed the tip on Hermione's shoulder blade. She sliced downwards towards her elbow and then proceeded to do the same type of slit to the other arm. She winced at the sight of Hermione's cut forearms, trying to ignore the blood that was barely seeping out of the wounds.
Moving the dagger to the top of Hermione's leg she made a long slit down each one. She closed her eyes in preparation for the last cut she had to make. It was around her bellybutton. She carefully created the small triangular slice.
When she had completed all of the cuts she was feeling faint. Hermione wasn't bleeding, so it wasn't the sight of blood that was causing her to feel this way. It was the fact that she was carving in Hermione's body that made her feel a little queasy.
She tried to banish her uneasiness and the doubtful thoughts from her head. Then she began to cut herself in the same way she had just marked Hermione. She grimaced at the pain that reverberated throughout her body. She felt dizzy from her own blood loss when she finished her cuts.
"I want this." Pansy woozily reassured herself. The truth was that she honestly did.
Taking her wand, she traced a triangle, similar to the shape around her and Hermione's bellybuttons, around Hermione's body as she muttered the spell, "Decipio Messor." After she had finished outlining Hermione's body, she transfigured her wand into a dagger.
Abruptly, she slammed the small knife into Hermione's heart. Then she connected each of their wounds in some way. The blood from both of their wounds mixed and she began to recite the verses on her parchment:
"With my blood replenish your loss
With my soul live again
Take what I'm giving
There is only one chance
I am giving you my soul
I am giving you my heart
I am giving you forever
I will give you everything
Death is the key
To life everlasting
You can live freely
Take my life and live again"
Pansy finished the chant, her voice quieting and then, shutting her eyes, she thrust the dagger through her heart. Almost immediately, Pansy was dead.
A bright flash of light filled the room and the dagger, which had once been Pansy's wand, melted into Hermione's body.
A minute later Hermione blinked awake. The last thing she remembered was the beast coming straight towards her. She stared wildly around the room, figuring out seconds later that she was in the hospital wing. She tried to shift her weight to a more comfortable position only then realizing something was holding her down.
Looking downwards she saw Pansy covered in blood.
"AAAHHHHHHHH!!!" She shrieked louder than she had ever remembered screaming in her life. Holding onto the girl, she sat up, realizing that she too was covered in blood. She looked horrified at Pansy, expecting her to move. Hermione did a quick once over of Pansy then shrieked again.
There was a dagger in Pansy's heart!
She shrieked one last time then leaped from the bed. Something fell from her hand and she picked it up. It looked to be a note. Hermione scanned the note, broke into tears and raced to the great hall, praying that Dumbledore was there.
Hermione opened the humungous doors slowly. She had just gotten a look inside when frenzied screaming erupted from the students seated at the four tables.
She caught a glance from Harry and Ron who looked absolutely thunderstruck and Draco who was staring terrified at her. After five minutes more of raucous screams, Dumbledore managed to quiet the great hall.
Hermione strode purposefully down to the staff table and faced the students who had moved as far away from her as possible. It was deathly quiet.
"I'm not dead, sorry to disappoint some of you." She chuckled nervously, "I'm alive no matter how much, at this point, I don't want to be. I would still be dead if it wasn't for Pansy Parkinson." Hermione took a deep breath and ignored the startled looks on the Slytherin's faces. "She left a note that I'd like to read to you." She turned to face Dumbledore, who also looked thunderstruck. He nodded his approval and she began.
"Hermione—
If you happen to awaken and see this note I would like to thank you now for giving me a chance and for forgiving me. It means more to me than you may ever realize. You may also not know that you died. After you were attacked by the Tipard you passed away. I knew that I couldn't let you die. You are unlike any other person I have known and, believe me, this is a compliment.
My father, Desmond Parkinson, is a death eater. I was born female, not male as he wished and so he wasn't pleased with me. My father and mother were unable to conceive another child after me and therefore I was a disappointment.
Father is in the Dark Lord's inner circle and thus my purpose was thought up. If my father happened to die before the Dark Lord won I was to give my life so he could be… resurrected. By using dark magic on the full moon following my tenth birthday a spell was placed on me. This spell could only take place then. My mother, who was usually submissive, protested this spell until she passed away last year. On her deathbed she made me promise that I would never give my life for my father. She wanted me to live. I couldn't deny her last wish and I agreed.
I read about the spell to see if there was a way for it to be removed. There wasn't. Because there wasn't a way for the spell to be removed, I was bound to my father unless I happened to die before he did.
Lately, father has become sicker and sicker and I'm afraid he will die in less than a year. I would have been forced to give my life whether I liked it or not. I chose to give my life to you before my father had the chance to take it from me. I would give my life to you again.
Plus, I don't have a side in the war. I can't be for the dark side when I am being forced to die for it. I would rather choose to give my life to the dark side. I also don't believe a man should rule my life. Thank Millicent for this viewpoint.
I also couldn't be for the light side. I don't like you. I hate Potter and I hate Weasley. I think Professor Dumbledore is a crazy old man. Why would I support that? I'm a nothing, a neutral, and that's not acceptable.
You on the other hand are the perfect example of a light fighter. In fact, you are so filled with light that you are named 'the Keeper of the Light.' If that doesn't prove you were meant for the light side, I don't know what I'd do.
You were not meant to die and I believe that you have a lot to live for. I don't believe that father ever thought I would stray from the dark, so the spell placed on me didn't necessarily mean I couldn't give my life to another. As long as I gave my life away before he died, I could choose. I chose to give my life to you and I would choose you again. I can live on, vicariously through you.
Now, tell Millicent that I'll miss her and that I wish her well. Thank her for being my closest friend in the Slytherin House. Tell Draco that I think he's awful but I appreciate him talking to me and helping me through 5th and 6th year. Tell the Slytherin House that I give them the best of luck and give my well wishes to Potter. He's going to need them.
Keep me in your thoughts and I'll never really die.
Pansy Desmondia Parkinson"
Hermione sniffled as she finished reading the note. Most people were looking at her with inquiring eyes and Hermione suddenly felt naked. A room full of people was staring at her and her alone. She cringed under there intense gazes. Harry and Ron walked up to Hermione and started to help her out of the great hall.
Draco stared at Hermione as she left the room. He was absolutely flabbergasted by Pansy's actions. He would never have expected Pansy to contain even the slightest pinch of intelligence in her and yet, she did. Pansy showed her smarts by the depth of her letter and by the depth of her actions. She was no bimbo.
Draco wouldn't have expected Pansy to be so noble. She was often too self absorbed to even realize that there were other people from other houses at the school. He always figured that she was just a snob, such as himself. Now, he couldn't help but believe that he had been mistaken. As it turns out, Pansy was actually fairly righteous and she had proven that by giving her life to a muggleborn who was on the light side.
He couldn't help but stare at the spot where Hermione had just stood. He was so floored by the events of the day that he didn't think he could manage to walk to his room. Pansy died…. Pansy wasn't …. Hermione was alive… she… they…
Wow.
Harry walked silently next to Hermione on their way to the head dorms. He couldn't believe what she had gone through. He looked to Ron to see what he was thinking and saw a look of disbelief etched on his face. This is exactly how he felt! Hermione stumbled and Harry and Ron both went to stabilize her.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry checked.
"I'm really tired Harry. I can't even think straight." Harry put his arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulled her to him. Ron placed his arm around her waist and together they strode to Hermione's dorm.
After Hermione said her password and the boys had laid her on her bed they walked out of the portrait hole. "Wow." Ron said, stopping to lean against the wall.
"I don't know how she can handle it." Harry replied.
"It's got to be a gigantic responsibility. She won't complain though. Hermione never complains." Ron had begun walking again and, though he was looking straight ahead, Harry knew that he felt awful for their best friend. He, in fact, felt awful for her too. He wanted to take on some of her responsibility and help her deal with everything just like she had helped him so many times before.
"Hermione's strong. She'll make it through and come out stronger." Harry finally answered. Ron swung around to face him.
"I know she will but she's seventeen. This is a lot to go through when you aren't even an adult yet." Ron sighed. It wasn't fair to Hermione. She was always so strong and helpful and she was always his support system. She was Harry's support system too. Hell, she was everyone's support system.
"I know. We just have to be supportive." Harry mumbled as the great hall's doors came into view. He knew how Hermione felt. He always felt this way. Everyone's hopes and dreams and lives were in his hands. It was a lot to think about and he sympathized immensely with Hermione. He did feel happy about her predicament though. Hermione would now truly know what he had been going through since he was 11 years old. It was nice to know that he wasn't the only one who had a hero stage.
"I know that Harry! I know that. We are supportive but it's not enough. She has the fate of millions of people in her hands, just like you. You've been dealing with this since you were 11 and faced Quirrel. Hermione found out about two weeks ago. Then she goes and dies and some one who is supposedly on the dark side brings her back to life! She's got more on her plate then most of this school. I want to do something for her."
"I want to do something for her too, but until we figure out what we want to do, we have to just be here for her." Ron and Harry contemplated this as they approached the doors. As Harry was pushing them open, Ron stopped.
"Harry, I have an idea."
Dumbledore finished talking with the students then dismissed them. He had motioned to Harry and Ron, who had just reentered the hall, and Draco to come and speak with him. They began to advance towards him. Once they reached him, Dumbledore's gravelly voice filled the tense air, "Boys, I need to make sure that Hermione is safe. I need her to relax and regain her strength. I have a feeling that because Ms. Parkinson gave up her life for the light, it will cause an upset with her father. This means that all four of you need to be prepared for an uprising of some sort. Now, go to your rooms and rest up."
The boys nodded and left to their respective common rooms. Dumbledore proceeded calmly to his office where his professors were waiting impatiently.
"Oh Albus! What are we going to do about her now?" McGonagall asked.
"This causes so many problems!" Flitwick cried.
"Albus, if Parkinson is in the inner circle then we are going to have to buckle down with our defense against the dark arts. Voldemort isn't going be pleased with Pansy's death." Professor Dumbledore nodded tiredly.
"We have to let Mr. Parkinson know of his daughter's death. It is only fair." The professor's sullenly agreed.
"Albus," Madame Hooch stated, her voice sounding alarmed, "this is it."
"What is it?"
Snape's eyes widened in understanding, "Headmaster, a child of the dark side gave her life for the light side. Draco Malfoy, the teenager the Dark Lord favored, is married to a female who is completely filled with light. Millicent Bulstrode, another supposedly dark child, is best friends with a light sided fighter --"
"Hermione sure has some influence." Professor McGonagall interrupted. "Now, because of her influence on those three significant Slytherin students ---"
"Others in my house are beginning to doubt their upbringings." Snape finished and watched as Professor Dumbledore furrowed his brows. "Voldemort is upset with the light side, he expressed this at the last revel. Pansy's death was the icing on the cake. He won't be pleased."
Madame Hooch's petrified voice again filled the air
"The war is about to begin!"
A/N—This chapter isn't written so well, I apologize. If I have time I'll probably go back and try to edit it some more. I read over it about 4 times but I couldn't seem to fix everything. I hope you liked and I believe I will only have about 4 more chapters of this story.
If there's anything you don't understand my reasoning for, ask me, and I'll reply in my next posting which should be out Thursday at the earliest. I don't think it will be much longer then that because I have a gazillion ideas floating around my head.
Please Review. They always make me smile!
Yours, Kate
Decipio Messor—to deceive the reaper (Latin that I got off a translator)