Vengeance and Beauty chapter 3 – Surprises abound
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story thus far. That's it, I'm done. See that wasn't so bad.
Harry and Ron sat in the Great Hall enjoying a stack of blueberry pancakes and cold milk. The pair was beginning to get worried; Hermione still hadn't come to breakfast. The last either of them had seen of her was as she left the common room last evening. Now that the mess in the dungeons had been cleaned up both Harry and Ron had Potions. As breakfast came to a close Hermione still hadn't shown, the two friends headed down toward Snape's class.
"You know something mate." Ron started. "I didn't see Heian get back to the tower either, did you?
Harry shook his head."No. But you're not saying what I think you're saying are you?"
Ron raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "You never know. Hermione seemed to be pretty…" He let his sentence hang.
"Pretty what?" Harry asked, "Just because she might have a crush on him does not mean she snuck out to…"
"To what, mate?" Ron asked smiling slightly.
"You know what? We're not even talking about this. Hermione's not that kind of girl, we both know that." Harry defended. Both boys heard a familiar voice behind them.
"What kind of girl am I? If you don't mind me asking." Harry and Ron turned around to see Hermione. Apparently having just gotten up. Her hair was more unruly than usual; it looked like her first few years at school. Since then she'd seemed to grow into a less frizzy look. But this morning it had the wild look of her first years at Hogwarts, albeit a little subdued. "Well, what were you two talking about?" she asked again. It may just have been Harry's imagination, but she seemed more on guard than she normally was.
"We were just wondering where you were this morning." He told her.
"And where you went last night?" Harry expected Ron to be smiling, and he would have hauled off and slugged him for not noticing her mood, but Ron's face showed a good deal of concern.
"Oh, no where. I just got back a little late is all." She answered. Harry thought there was more too it than that, but he wasn't sure what, or if he even wanted to know.
"Did you go to see Heian?" Ron asked, with a very serious expression. Hermione looked at him strangely, but didn't answer.
"I have to get to class." She responded as she turned and headed out towards the greenhouses. Harry looked at Ron; the red headed youth looked very concerned.
"I think we should have a talk with Heian." Harry nodded.
Hermione arrived in Herbology just as the last bell rang. Professor Sprout came toddling out from behind a large stack of flowerpots. Hermione was just about to open her textbook when Heian sat down two stools away from her. Oh great, she thought. Professor Sprout began class with a lecture on plant derived poisons. Hermione couldn't concentrate on anything that was being said. She kept catching herself glancing down the row at Heian. To her surprise he seemed to be only partially attentive as well. Though he was most certainly not stealing the odd look at her. She didn't know why, but she was a little hurt by it. It didn't make any sense; she knew he wasn't attracted to her. After all her was in love with Professor LeFey. But that was absurd, she thought, LeFey had to be almost thirty, and Heian wasn't even twenty, was he? He certainly didn't look any older than Harry, or Ron or her. She snapped out of her thought when Professor Sprout began handing out vials of different colored liquids.
"Now students, these vials are sealed for a reason. We will have to use them a little, but when not in use please keep them covered. And for goodness sake wear your masks. The last thing I want to do is send some wheezing, curled up mess to the hospital wing."
Hermione had left Herbology as soon as the bell rang. She wasn't thrilled about her next class. Defense Against the Dark Arts. She wasn't sure how she was going to make it through the whole class. She arrived and sat down near the back of the room to avoid Professor LeFey as best as possible. The raven haired woman was sitting at her desk in the front of her room, as more students started shuffling in she walked down the stairs and wrote a series of page numbers on the blackboard. By the time everyone had arrived and the bell had rung Hermione was more than a little anxious. The majority of class was spent working on the assignment that had been given the day before, with LeFey sitting at the front of the room answering any questions. The class dragged on for what seemed like days. Hermione hardly got anything accomplished as it neared time for lunch. After a few minutes the bell rang and the class began funneling out of the room to go to lunch. Hermione gathered up her things and was about to leave when Professor LeFey called her.
"Miss Granger, do you have a moment?" Hermione turned around and walked to the front of the classroom.
"I guess, what would you like Professor." LeFey smiled, and for the first time Hermione actually thought it was genuine.
"Well. Hold on a moment." She looked over Hermione's shoulder and waved her wand towards the door slightly. The heavy wooden door glided shut and latched itself. "There. Well, first I would like to know if there is anything going on between you and our new student, Mr. Nailo."
Hermione was confused. Why would a professor be asking her that? Unless, could she have known Hermione had been eavesdropping last night?
"Um, with all due respect Professor, I'm not sure that's your business." Hermione answered, trying not to sound offensive. LeFey nodded, the smile having gone from her face.
"No, you're right. It's not. Though you being out of Gryffindor Tower after hours is." She looked at the young girl expressionless.
So she did know. Now Hermione was really stuck. Well, she decided, I'll play along for now. "I'm sorry I was out after hours. And I'm sorry I was outside your classroom."
"And you're sorry you were eavesdropping on my conversation?" Hermione winced inwardly, she'd known it wasn't the right thing to do, but still she didn't think it would actually come back and bite her on the ass. At least not so soon.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that as well."
"That's alright. Well, not entirely alright. I don't want it to happen again, of course." LeFey looked hard at the girl.
"Of course."
"Good. Well, now that that's out of the way." LeFey waved her wand behind her and a platter of sandwiches slowly levitated out from her office. "Would you care to join me for lunch?" The enigmatic woman again had a smile on her face, and seemed very inviting. Hermione wasn't sure what to make of it, but she was getting hungry, and she didn't see anything wrong with having lunch with a professor.
"Sure."
"Good. Please, help yourself." Hermione picked up one of the quartered sandwiches. "So, I know it's none of my business, but I'll ask again, not as a professor. Is there anything between you and Heian?"
Hermione wasn't sure she should answer. She wasn't even sure how to answer. Was there? No, not really, well actually not at all.
"No, there's nothing between us." LeFey raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"Well. I assume you heard most of our conversation last night." Hermione nodded sheepishly. LeFey smiled, seemingly amused, "I also assume you might have some questions." Honestly she did have questions, but was she really supposed to ask a professor about her private life?
"Well, it's really none of my business."
"No, I suppose not, but turnabout is fair play." Hermione smiled momentarily.
"Okay. Well, I was wondering. Actually, can you keep this to yourself?"
"Of course. Nothing leaves this room."
"Alright. I was wondering. What happened between you and Heian ten years ago? And I know it's none of my business, and you don't have to answer, I understand."
"No, that's quite alright. But again, nothing leaves this room." Hermione nodded, "Well, a little more than ten years ago I had just graduated, from here actually. I was studying abroad in South America. It's kind of funny really. I was looking for a werewolf that had been sighted outside a small town. I had followed it to a small pond with an enormous waterfall. And I thought the beast had probably ended up there after dawn one night and might still be there. I made my way around the edge of the pond, staying under cover, and I noticed that out a ways in the pond was a person. I moved a little closer and found it was a young man, about your age. Completely naked." Hermione's eyes widened suddenly, before she caught herself. "Of course I assumed it was the werewolf, since no one else would be this deep in the rainforest. So I jumped out and tried to stun him. Needless to say it was Heian, and as you've seen he's more than capable of taking care of himself. He summoned his staff, blocked my attack and all of the sudden I was smashed from out of no where by a large wave. I hit my head and passed out. When I came to Heian was sitting by a fire, and I was wrapped in a blanket, my clothes drying next to Heian. I had been out for quite a while and by now it was dark." Hermione wasn't sure where this story was leading but she thought she may be getting red in the face. "Well, Heian had of course disarmed me, as well as disrobed me; I still had clothes on however." LeFey raised an eyebrow at Hermione's expression, "Really, dear, if nothing else Heian is a gentleman. And in so doing discovered that I was working with the Ministry of Magic, they were in fact funding my education at the time. So he asked me why I had attacked him, and I told him I thought he was a werewolf. Keep in mind at this time I wasn't entirely sure he wasn't. I had also never seen an elf like him. Heian, believe it or not found this whole thing very funny. Apparently elves cannot contract lycanthropy, so the idea of him being a werewolf seemed entirely absurd. It did take some convincing, but after the full moon passed the next night I believed him. I suppose you could call that our first date really. Though it wasn't terribly romantic, me in old damp robes in the middle of the Amazon, he on the other hand was very presentable. Now that I come to think of it he always was. I never caught him looking even the slightest bit disheveled, except perhaps the first time at the pond." Hermione wasn't sure what to make of this. She's never had a very personal conversation with a professor before. On occasion she had talked to Professor McGonagall about what she had studied in school, but that was really it. Now Professor LeFey was telling her all about the first time she met Heian, and met him naked no less. "I suppose you're wondering what lead up to the conversation last night."
Hermione nodded slightly, "I understand if it's a personal issue. I won't ask you to tell me."
LeFey nodded appreciatively, "Well, first let me ask you this. Are you at all interested in Heian Nailo?"
That was a good question, Hermione thought to herself, was she? Up until now she'd never honestly asked herself.
"You don't have to tell me." LeFey continued, "Anyway, after we'd been together about six months I had to return to London. I asked Heian to come with me. He was less than thrilled with the idea; he explained that elves did not under normal circumstances even interact with humans. He never explained why exactly, and I didn't press the matter, but in effect he said that going to London would be a gross taboo by elven standards, so much so that the community might never accept him back again. I understood that I couldn't ask him to make that sacrifice, and I told him so. He on the other hand said that wasn't the main issue." LeFey paused for a moment, "When you found out we had been in a relationship ten years ago, did you question how that would even be possible, with me being as old then as Heian appears to be now."
"Well, yes. That's what has been bothering me most actually."
"I can understand that. As I said, Heian leaving and not being able to return wasn't the biggest issue for him. The truth is that when I met him, Heian was two-hundred thirteen years old."
Hermione's brow furrowed in disbelief, "How is that even possible? Did he have a philosopher's stone?"
Now it was LeFey's turn to be surprised, "How do you know about philosopher's stones?"
"Well, in part from reading about them, and also because my first year Professor Dumbledore had to keep one in the school to protect it."
"Ah, yes. I remember hearing about that. Well, no he didn't have a stone. In turns out that elves don't age at a constant rate throughout their lives, much like humans do. Sure we have growth spurts here and there, and the older we get the less we seem to age every year. But elves, at least elves like Heian, age very strangely. He tried to explain this to me just before he left, in fact it was the reason he claimed to have left." Hermione noticed that LeFey seemed a little bitter when she talked about him leaving, as if she suspected he had an ulterior motive for it, such as the one she'd confronted him about last night. "You see, elves begin their life aging much like we do, only slower. One elven year at birth is nearly nine human years. So already there is a distinct difference in our longevities. However, as we get older, the rate at which we age stays mostly constant, whereas elves seem to age less and less as they get older. You see, Heian being two-hundred thirteen would make him appear closer to twenty-four then eighteen. But as he ages the aging process seems to slow down, similar to a logarithmic graph, the older he gets the longer it takes for him to look it." Hermione was very confused by this, though Professor LeFey did do an excellent job of explaining everything. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to age less and less as you got older. Though she was sure she knew a couple girls that would love the idea. "You can see where this would be a problem in our relationship. He would be celebrating what appeared to be his twentieth birthday at the age of three-hundred, or something like that, whereas I would be long retired and no doubt far less attractive then when he met me." Hermione saw what almost could have been a tear in LeFey's eye, "So he left. He told me it would be best, especially for me. That I would want a human husband, and be able to raise a family. I don't know, maybe he was right."
"But you think he left because he wouldn't have wanted to be with you years later?"
"Part of me does. Maybe I'm just bitter. I did really love him though." She snapped out of her slightly melancholy mood, "Well, I did want to warn you, at least somewhat. Heian will likely not allow himself to get involved with a human girl again. So you may want to avoid the potential disappointment now. Anyway, I should let you go, I'm sure you have more classes to get to. I enjoyed lunch with you, thank you very much Miss Granger."
"Me too Professor. Thank you." Hermione responded, picking up her things and heading out of the class room. Well, if that was supposed to clear things up I guess it did, she thought. So there wasn't anything going on between Heian and LeFey, though there was at some point. Well, maybe she should just forget the whole thing; after all, LeFey had made it pretty clear that she probably wouldn't have a chance with Heian anyway. None of this made it any easier to get the elven boy off her mind, she didn't like not being able to think, but that was exactly what was happening to her. This fundamentally sucks, she thought.
Heian was sitting at the Gryffindor table at lunch. He was still intrigued with the book he'd gotten from Professor Sprout on herbology. He was amazed that humans had learned so much about magical botany since the last time he'd interacted with them. That was what fascinated him so much about humans, the fact that they could accomplish so much with such a short life span. They still were no where near the volumes of knowledge about the natural world collected by the elven community. Of course he could never relinquish elven secrets, even to the most learned and wisest humans. No, every society had their bylaws and bureaucracies. It's a shame, he thought, who knew what they could do with the knowledge obtained throughout the centuries by the elves, his thoughts darkened, in some small way that was why he was here. He turned the page in his book and was interrupted by a pair of familiar voices.
Harry and Ron found Heian sitting at the Gryffindor table still reading the book he'd been pouring through the day before.
"Well, I know one reason Hermione must like him." Ron commented dryly. The two walked over behind Heian.
"Heian." Harry started, "Could we have a word with you."
The elf looked up seemingly a little confused. "Absolutely, what was on your mind?"
"Actually, we'd like to talk to you somewhere a little more private, if you don't mind."
"Where were you planning?" Heian asked, seeming slightly suspicious.
"Gryffindor common room."
"Very well." The three left the Great Hall and made their way to the Gryffindor common room. Fortunately no one was there at the moment, which afforded some privacy for their conversation.
"So, what can I help you with?" Asked Heian cautiously. Ron stepped forward slightly. The red haired youth had filled out quite a bit over the last two summers. He was now a head taller then Harry, and almost two taller than Heian. He'd also grown out of his lankiness some time ago. Harry couldn't help but picture Ron in an Irish pub fight every now and again.
"We were wondering what happened between you and Hermione last night."
Heian looked confused, though it was hard to tell through the veil of nearly void expression on his face. "What do you mean? I was in detention with Professor LeFey past lights out last night."
Harry caught Ron's eye. "So, you didn't see Hermione?"
"No. She would have been out after hours. Something I doubt Hermione would do."
"Well, she left here at around eight last night. We assumed she went to see you."
"Why would she do that?"
"That's what we'd like to know." Said Ron, stepping a little closer to Heian, who obviously took notice and turned his icy gaze towards Ron.
"If you're trying to imply something Mr. Weasley. I'd like to know what evidence you have for it."
"We're not implying anything. Right, Ron?" Harry turned to his best friend. "We're just concerned. Hermione seemed upset this morning."
"I still don't see how this has anything to do with me."
Hermione arrived in the Great Hall a few minutes before lunch was over. She couldn't find either Harry or Ron at their normal spots. She spotted Ginny talking with Parvati Patil.
"Ginny. Did you see Harry and Ron?"
"Yeah, they left with Heian about five minutes ago"
"With Heian?"
"Yep."
"Do you know where they went?'
Ginny shrugged, "Common room maybe?"
"Okay, thanks Ginny."
"Sure."
Oh great, Hermione thought, if she knew those two they probably thought she was upset because Heian had done something to her last night. She blushed a little at the thought. Wait! Why was she blushing? She banished the thought from her mind, honestly, she should learn to be more mature than that. She hurried to Gryffindor tower.
Harry was trying desperately to diffuse the situation that had developed in the Gryffindor common room. Ron was clearly more agitated than Harry had thought, and it was apparent that Heian had no idea what was going on with Hermione, and was understandably agitated at being implicated in it.
"Okay, Heian. You didn't see Hermione at all last night?" Harry asked.
"I don't see how I could have, I was in detention. I'm sure you remember the scenario." Heian responded.
"Then why is she so upset today?" Ron asked, a little more pointedly than he meant to. At the moment the porthole opened to reveal Hermione standing in the doorway. Ron, Harry and Hermione were mortified, more at each other's presence than anything else. Heian raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Hermione, we were just talking about you."
"Oh?" Hermione asked, trying to feign as much innocence as possible in front of the elf.
"Yes, it appears Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter believe you left Gryffindor tower last night to see me."
Oh shit, Hermione thought, now she was in trouble. Okay, you can do this, she told herself. "Really? You were in detention weren't you?"
"I was."
"Well, no, Ron, Harry, I didn't see Heian when I left last night. I just went for a walk is all."
"Satisfied, Mr. Weasley?"
Ron looked a little ashamed at having accused Heian of anything now. "Yeah, sorry Heian. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything."
"Very well. Shall we put it behind us?"
"Yeah, I appreciate it." Ron assured
"Me too." Harry seconded the idea.
"Very well then. Perhaps I'll see you all at dinner."
"Yeah."
"Sounds good."
"Then, until dinner." With that Heian left the common room and headed down the stairs.
Ron turned to Hermione, "Well, that was awkward. So, what did you do after you left?"
"I told you, I went for a walk." Hermione responded. Ron looked like he was about to continue when Harry cut him off.
"Just let in go Ron." He sat down next to Ron and added quietly, "Sometimes its better not to ask" Ron looked at Harry questioningly, but didn't press the issue. Hermione went up to her room to get her books for the next class.
"Where do you think she went?" Ron asked.
"I'm not sure I even want to know." Harry responded reading the front page of the prophet. "Hey Ron! Take a look at this." Harry handed the paper over to Ron.
"They can't be serious!" He said incredulously.
"I hope not. Though, maybe we'll hear something about it at dinner. We should probably try and keep it out of circulation."
"What? Are you kidding? It's in the bloody prophet!"
"I know. That's part of what worries me."
Harry and Ron spent the rest of the day wondering about what they had read at lunch. Hermione continued wondering whether of not Heian had somehow discovered her eavesdropping the previous night. Heian wondered what the cause of the confrontation at lunch had been about. And hidden in his study, Albus Dumbledore wondered just how to break the news to the students about the soon to be held festivities.
As dinner came around the students sat down to empty tables for the first time since the opening banquet. When all the student body had been assembled, and several rumors had made a healthy circuit around the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore stood as he had the first day of school.
"Good evening. Before we begin graciously devouring what the kitchen staff has prepared for us I have one announcement." The Headmaster's voice seemed to grow a little reluctant, "As I am sure many of you have already heard, thanks largely to our beloved minister's choice of newspaper headlines, Hogwarts will this year again be hosting the Triwizard Tournament." He let the statement hang a few moments. Harry lowered his eyes. So it was true, he thought. Several older students looked at each other, and many looked at Harry. The younger students murmured to themselves. Almost every wizarding family in the world and certainly every family in England had heard of the events that had taken place at the last tournament three years ago. Dumbledore continued, "Normally the three schools that would be competing would be Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. However, recently Durmstrang has experienced the loss of its headmaster, and as such as declined the invitation. In spite of this the departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have asked myself and several other school officials to select another school to participate. I'm sure a few of you have already heard exactly which school this would be, however, let me introduce to you the soon to be champion of Holimion Elven Academy." The entire hall turned to the follow the Professor's gesture toward the back of the hall. Standing alone in the back of the hall, dressed in a loose white shirt and dark violet robes, the silver headband once again adorning his brow just above the eerily silver hair, was Heian Nailo.