Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; just the garden gnomes on my lawn.
Chapter 8: Realization
Hermione walked into the Rookie game room, where Ron had told her to meet him, and stopped short. Ron was kissing Lavender; with more than just a simple passion. She forced the tears hidden, and cleared her throat.
"Hello Hermione," Lavender said. She was the one facing the door.
"Hello Lavender," Hermione said. She tried to calm herself; she didn't want Ron to know she was hurt.
"I'm sorry Hermione," Ron said.
"For what Ron?"
"I don't want to be with you. It's complicated."
"From here, it looks pretty simple to me," another voice said.
Everyone turned to find Jean walking in. She took out her wand, and locked the doors. "It seems to me," she started, turning back to face all of them, "that you just don't know what's good and what's bad in a woman. Hermione is smart, beautiful, and she would be a much better girlfriend for you than that flirty slut that you were just lip-locked with."
Ron pulled out his wand. "You will withdraw that, or I'm gonna let you have it!"
Jean's wand was pointed at Ron, and the energy between the two of them was dangerous. Hermione stood in front of Jean. "This is stupid. You're going to fight because of Ron not wanting to be with me." Hermione was actually kind of excited; Jean was going to kick Ron's butt for cheating on her with Lavender.
"Get out of the way Hermione. She's insulted Lavender, and I'm going to see that she's punished for it."
"No," Hermione stated.
"Move!"
"No."
"Expelliarmus!"
Jean pulled Hermione down to dodge the blow meant for her. "Why won't you let me kick his butt?" she hissed.
"I still love him," Hermione weeped.
"Allright. I just won't hurt him too much!" Jean yelled. She leaped, rolled, and hid behind one of the couches. All the furniture was magically protected from charms and spells, and all the students knew this, and Ron waited. Jean gathered herself, jumped up, and yelled, "Stupefy!" stunning Ron, and pinning Lavender to the floor.
"Reducto!" shouted a voice from outside. Professors Meno, Cook, and Coach Wood walked over the splinters that the door had become, each with faces set, and their wands out. Coach Wood was the most furious and was the fastest with his words at the moment. "What happened?" he yelled.
"Ron and Jean got in a disagreement about me," Hermione said.
"Is this true Miss Bell?" Professor Meno asked in his usual captain manner.
"Yes," she responded.
"And who struck first?" Wood asked Hermione. Hermione studied the floor for a moment, fearing for the anger she would bring on either party with her answer. "Ron."
"Very well. Professors could you escort Miss Bell and Mr. Weasley to the Counselor's Office? I would like to talk to Miss Granger myself?" Professor Meno asked. When they had gone, Lavender deciding it best to run to her room and hide, Professor Meno invited Hermione to sit down. He sighed heavily before starting. "Hermione?"
"Yes Professor?"
"Why did you hesitate on your answer?"
"I didn't want to get anyone in trouble." Hermione wouldn't look Professor Meno in the eyes.
"Hermione?" Professor Meno started.
"Yes Professor?"
"Look at me."
Hermione fought the urges to keep her eyes rooted on her shoes, but she complied.
"You do know that we could have placed you in as much trouble as them don't you? Lying to a Professor is a very serious offence. We may be a college, but we are very strict in our honor and traditions. One of those traditions is that you do what your teacher asks you to do, when they ask you to do it. Now, why were you protecting Ron, after he had stated that he wished to dump you?"
"How did you know about that?" Hermione asked. She couldn't bear the thought of this getting all over the school.
"No one. I could just tell what was going to happen from my place at the teacher's table. Plus I can talk to winged beasts, most particularly birds, and my pet heard his plans before you arrived."
"Oh. I didn't know you could talk to animals."
"It's an enchatment on myself, it's not a gift. Now, why were you going to protect him Hermione? Don't lie."
"I love him," Hermione sighed.
"And why were you going to protect Jean?" he asked. His searching eyes watched every move for signs of lying or untruth.
"She's my best friend."
"I see," Professor Meno said. He looked down, and looked back up. "Very well. You will not be put in trouble for this, but it will be marked that you were the witness. Good night."
Professor Meno left Hermione to her tears, and walked out to find Coach Wood talking to Headmaster Zelgrave, Professor Dumbledore from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and another wizard he couldn't place.
"Professors," he said as he approached.
"Oh Professor Meno," Coach Wood said. "I trust you know Professor Dumbledore."
"Professor," they greeted each other.
"This is Mr. Potter's godfather, Sirius Black," Wood pointed.
"Mr. Black," Professor Meno said.
"Professor," Black returned.
"Professor, what do you know about the Venomo Curse?" Coach Wood asked.
Professor Meno's blood drained out of his face. "The Venomo Curse? I know that it was discovered by a wizard by the name of Boris Nell, and that it is very dangerous. Beyond that, nothing."
"Harry was hit with one at the Quidditch match in Madrid by a woman named Jasmine Medjai. Have you heard of her before? We're only asking because you travel more than any other teacher here at the college. Try to think back," Zelgrave said.
"Yes, I've heard of her. I've actually had the opportunity to meet her, and her lover, or so I'd assume."
"Yes?" Coach Wood prompted. "What did she look like?"
"Black hair, black robes with silver streaks, and powerful blue eyes. She was also very quick witted, and had an even faster wand."
"That's her," Wood said.
Black looked up from the ground and stared at him. "You mentioned a lover. Would you be able to give us a name on him?"
"Severus Snape."
All other eyes turned to Professor Dumbledore. "I can assure you that Professor Snape has had nothing to do witht his attack. I will ask him for information on Miss Medjai, but I would like to know what I am asking."
"No need to ask him. I can tell you," a voice beyond them said. Everyone turned to meet eyes with Professor Valkrys. "She's my sister. I can tell you anyting you want to know about her."
N/A: I've posted my new story titled, "The Lost Ones", and I hope it does well. This one could always be reviewed by people, HINT HINT.
