IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: In this chapter it is important for readers to remember that this is taking place in book 5, after the incident at the ministry of magic. It is also important to keep in mind Lily's sacrifice for Harry. Throughout the books, and especially in the 6th book, JKR takes a special interest in comparing Hermione and Lily. This is not only important in the Harry Potter books in general, but also, in my fic. Please, read review and enjoy! Also, I know that this story contains a spell, but it is not real. Please do not attempt to perform this spell or injure yourself in anyway. Again, don't be a witch, and don't join Wicca. God is cool.
I don't own Harry Potter!
CHAPTER 3:
Dumbledore stood in the darkness of the library peering at his wrist watch until he was sure that Ron had made it safely into his dormitory. Professor McGonagall entered Gryffindor tower just moments later. Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief, it would be best if Ron wasn't caught, if he didn't have to explain his disappearance at all. Dumbledore wished that Ron would just forget the night completely, even though he knew it was unlikely to happen. Several years from now, Ron would remember tonight and understand what had happened and what he had almost done. Dumbledore shook the idea from his head and returned to the present. The room was still dark and the castle was silent except for the muffled noise of young students tramping up towards their rooms in Gryffindor tower.
Dumbledore gripped the book firmly in both hands, and walked slowly from the library, parting the remnants of his dust cloud as he left. The shadows played tricks on the walls and danced about in the retreating moonlight. Some of the portraits on the walls looked warily down at their headmaster and leered at him through gold colored frames. A blond witch with a large frill around her neck looked down her nose at Dumbledore with disgust as he shuffle down the corridor.
"Good evening Ursula." Dumbledore managed without heart.
The witch turned her shoulder, flipped back her golden locks in anger and tutted through her teeth.
Dumbledore just walked faster, he had no time to deal with angry portraits and their placement order on the far north wall. Since the house-elves redecorated this Christmas none of the paintings seemed to be pleased.
Dumbledore continued on his stroll, trying to avoid eye contact with the other paintings. Most were nestled into their portraits and snoozing quietly while others glared at him or whispered through their teeth. Some even left their portraits upon his arrival, leaving empty canvases to stare back at him. A final portrait awaited him just outside of Nurse Pomfrey's corridor; one that Dumbledore desperately wished was still asleep.
"Ah, professor Dumbledore." screeched the old wizard from the final portrait.
Dumbledore was still far at the other end of the hall, how Salazar had managed to spot him out from such a great distance was beyond him.
"Ursula just informed me that you were headed in my direction. What an unexpected pleasure." the old, dark, wizard hissed sarcastically in his frame.
"Here for an early morning chat?" he taunted.
"You know why I'm here Professor Slytherin." Dumbledore bit his lip tightly as he bowed to the school's founder.
"Oh…" he replied lazily, slumping back into the claw foot chair in his picture. "The mudblood girl." Salazar yawned. "It's a shame about her."
"Hermione Granger has woken up now; she'll be fine." Dumbledore grumbled in her defense.
Slytherin's eyes flashed and a crooked smile spread over his pallid face. "I know." His words were deafening, the air seemed stiff around where Dumbledore stood. Salazar paused for a moment, letting the smile overcome his features and play in his cat-eyes. "She's been having dreams lately; something seems to be bothering her. Do you know what it is Dumbledore?" A stray piece of greasy dark hair fell from behind Salazar's ear. It drifted down towards his face and hung in the air before his right eye and against his pencil thin nose. He didn't bother to catch it or put it back into place. He sat fixedly, boring into Dumbledore with his free eye. Slytherin didn't move. Even as Dumbledore left him and walked into the doorway of Nurse Pomfrey's ward he didn't move, didn't even blink. Dumbledore looked back from his place in the room's entrance and closed the door tightly behind him.
Dumbledore shook the feeling of Salazar Slytherin's stare away from him. He felt fortunate that he had never met the wizard in real life. The presence that he carried, even in his portrait, was heavy. The only other wizard that he had ever met with such a sinister nature was Tom Riddle. Dumbledore cleared the thoughts from last week and from future worries of Voldemort away. The night had been long and tedious. Dumbledore couldn't help but think that he who must not be named was laughing at his position right then. All of the things that Dumbledore had tried to ignore for the last five years were tumbling down upon him. There was no way that he could protect Harry anymore, but he knew that someone else could.
Dumbledore was in a place of complete desperation, a position he did not often find himself in. He would do anything for Harry, but his conscience weighed heavily with the sight of Hermione in front of him. She was kicking at the covers violently in front of him, clutching both hands tightly to her forehead in what seemed like extreme pain; she gasped out a wheezing breath and let out a tiny scream. Laughter from across the hallway floated into the room. She kicked harder in her bed, mumbling something under her breath. A trembling hand pried itself away from her forehead and reached to the table beside her bed. It fumbled aimlessly past various gifs, books, quills and parchment, and finally reached what it had been looking for. She grasped the wand firmly in her hand and raised herself slowly out of her bed. Hermione screamed louder; her eyes were pressed tightly as tears fell down her face.
Dumbledore moved quickly to her side, he had to wake her up immediately. "Hermione!" He whispered. The sleeping figure did not respond, simply raised her wand higher, readying herself for the spell. Dumbledore's mind raced. He felt the weight of the book in his hand; it felt as if it were pressing down upon him. Dumbledore could feel the pit of his stomach rise, and heard the cackling laughter from across the hall ring in his ears. He couldn't handle it any longer. The book dropped from his hands and landed with a heavy thud onto Hermione's bed.
Her wand dropped instantly, and her body fell back onto her bed. The shock had torn her from her nightmare.
"Hermione?" Dumbledore whispered again through gritted teeth. A part of him desperately hoped that she wouldn't wake up. But her eyes fluttered open and scanned the room restlessly. When they landed upon her headmaster she opened up her mouth to say something but couldn't find the words. Despite the odd situation she did not seem shocked in any way, only shaken from her dream moments before.
Dumbledore took the next moment to raise the heavy book from the corner of her bed, wipe the dust from its cover and hand it gently over to its new owner with a grimace.
"It's yours, if you want it Hermione, but only if you want it."
Hermione nodded to her headmaster quickly, accepting the gift before he had a chance to change his mind. She turned the book to its side quickly and ran her fingers past the binding as she read the title and author. She closed her eyes; a peace washed over her features and left her body limp. A grim smile came over her face.
"Thank you professor Dumbledore." she said, voice trembling. Hermione swallowed her fear and set her face firmly. "How'd you…" She paused a moment to look back down at the book. Hermione sighed. "How did you know?" She finished.
Dumbledore managed a smile in return; a tear glided down his face and fell into his beard. "You are so much like her." was all that Dumbledore would say.
Hermione cocked her head towards Dumbledore's somber face. "Like whom?" she asked.
"Lily." Dumbledore paused, breathed in deeply and continued. "She was so smart, determined; she knew what she wanted. Lily would have done anything for Harry."
Hermione nodded solemnly and waited for her headmaster to continue.
"There was nothing that she wouldn't have done to help him. I knew that you were the same."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you." She said kindly as she allowed her head to rest back onto her pillow, easing herself into the conversation.
Dumbledore looked down at her affectionately. "I know you want to do this, but are you sure? There other people that care about you, other things to be considered."
Hermione cut him off before he could finish. The thoughts of her friends and family tinged the edge of her brain as she spoke. "If something were to happen to Harry there would be nothing else to consider. Nothing else is as important." Hermione's face was stern; she turned her view towards the wall, determined not to change her mind.
"I only wish that I could do this for you. Harry wouldn't like it if you were the one to…"
"And he wouldn't like it if you were to either." Hermione huffed, her face getting warm.
"I'm afraid." Dumbledore paused. "That's not possible."
Hermione gaped, open mouthed and staring at her headmaster's sad face. Hermione choked on her words. "But professor, there isn't a spell that you can't do."
Dumbledore laughed. "I appreciate the vote of confidence." Dumbledore's soft features faded back into a more serious look. "But we both know why I can't do this Hermione."
"It's true then?" Hermione questioned, wide eyed in amazement. "Then Sir…" she paused, uncertain of herself. Hermione's face was screwed up in confusion and her voice wavered off into silence. She could feel the deep blue of Dumbledore's eyes peering down at her, waiting patiently for her question. "Then Sir…" she started again. "Why did you need the book?"
Dumbledore's eyes did not leave her face. As he spoke he kept smiling down towards her. The admiration that he had for her could only be matched to Harry. Both were so young, but brave. They were willing to do what was needed; something that Dumbledore was unable to do despite his age and wisdom. "I couldn't have people just checking it out. I'd prefer to let fate run its course. Besides, can you imagine what would happen if everyone knew about this book and the spells that are in it? People everywhere would be dropping like flies. Imagine if more than one person performed the spell upon someone. The results would be disastrous."
"It's very lucky that I have one of the few copies. Since the fall of Voldemort I've had to be especially wary. My friend died trying to protect the secrets in her book. I've been careful to keep a good eye on my copy, as well as the other remaining ones. If anyone were to try to check it out of the school library, for instance, I would know about it."
"I guess I'm not very sneaky." Hermione blushed.
Dumbledore waved his great hand and pushed the comment away. "It's not in your nature." he complimented and returned to his explanation. "Thus far, there have only been two people to go looking for my copy of the book. Care to guess who the other person was?"
Hermione's mind raced; she was beginning to understand. "Lily?"
"That's right." Dumbledore answered brightly; he was pleased to see that Hermione was following along so quickly. "She was interested in writing a report about what she called 'Muggle Magic.' She was a first generation witch, like yourself. Lily was still very connected to the Muggle World and wanted to know how it and the Magical World are connected. I, of course, let her borrow the book for her report."
"Ermm…Sir?" began Hermione, gaining courage. "What is 'Muggle Magic?'?"
Dumbledore almost laughed, memories of a young Lily Evans reeled through his head. Her questions had been so similar, her countenance was amazingly identical. Hermione had the same vigor in her studies, such a zest for learning. "It was just a name that Lily used to describe it. It's the most primitive and ancient of all magic; it's what everything you learn about in this school is based upon. What you are looking for in this book is not a complicated spell or potion. Anyone could do it, whether magical or muggle."
"Anyone, Professor?" Her eyebrows rose.
"In this case, anyone female." Dumbledore reached for a chair beside the wall and allowed himself to sink into it. His eyes sagged slightly and his head tipped to one side. A tired sort of apathy came across his face and had already become audible in his voice. For such a serious conversation, it had become very lax.
"So…" Hermione stumbled. "How will I do it then? How can I do what Lily did?" Hermione's eyes fell towards the floor. She suddenly felt very aware of the quiet filling the room.
The question startled her headmaster. He lifted himself up and straightened his back in his chair before answering. His mouth opened, searching for a word. "It will take a symbol." Dumbledore paused, his face looked worn; giving up, he returned to his slumped over position in his chair. He sighed and started over again. "A symbol, that you are willing to give your life for his when the time comes, whenever that will be. Once you have performed or acted out your symbol, your life will be put in protection of Harry's. The symbol can be anything. For Lily, it was standing in front of Voldemort and taking his curse. The decision, however, does not have to be last minute like it was for her. You could perform the spell at any time that you are with Harry." Dumbledore bent further towards his seat. He felt as if he was handing Hermione over to her suicide, an issue that he still felt guilty about with Lily.
He had given Lily the book several years ago that had lead to her death. Without a knowledge of what she had called 'Muggle Magic' she never would have died that night. In Lily's sacrifice the ancient magic had been released, protecting Harry and killing herself. Dumbledore couldn't help but think he was sacrificing another life to save Harry's. Hermione would perform the spell, without a question in his mind. She would give her life for Harry's. Whenever it was that Harry was going to die, whether by the hands of Voldemort, or some night peacefully in his sleep at a ripe old age; Hermione would take his place. The same magic that had protected Harry at a young age would surround him in his adult years, like a mother's love. Dumbledore allowed another tear to fall down his cheek.
"And that will save Harry?"
Dumbledore nodded in return. His stomach rolled. "Through the first attack, at least." His voice trailed off.
Hermione winced in response.
"It was love that saved Harry that night. That's all it was." Dumbledore spoke with resolve in his voice. He hated the situation, but it was going to happen and he supported Hermione's choice. "That's why I cannot do it. It takes a woman's love." Dumbledore chuckled lightly "That's something, that I'm afraid, I can't offer."
Hermione's face drained of color.
Dumbledore peered down at a green hued Hermione and smiled inwardly. "Hermione, you've been as good as any mother to him and an even better friend. I know about what happened at the Ministry of Magic."
Hermione looked up questioningly up at him, opened her mouth to say something but was stopped before she could begin.
"You knew it was a trap; you tried to keep Harry from going. You tried to take care of him. But even when you knew that Harry was wrong you followed him and trusted his judgment. You walked into a dangerous situation, completely aware that you might not walk back out. That is true bravery, if I might say so." Dumbledore paused, gathering his thoughts. "I have never once questioned your love for Harry, but I would never assume that your feelings for Harry go beyond the deepest of friendships. I know that there are other people that you care about, and that care about you."
Hermione blushed a deeper shade of crimson than before.
"I'm not certain if I've ever seen someone more determined than Mr. Weasley was tonight. If it weren't for Peeves, I would have never known he was there. When I finally approached him in the library he almost refused to return my book to me. I had to promise him that I would personally deliver it to you. He's quite a stubborn young man."
Hermione smiled.
Dumbledore allowed her to enjoy the thought for a moment before delving back into the conversation. "It would have been terrible if he would have found you like that; I believe he was under the impression that you were awake. I'm very glad that I came instead."
Hermione's smile faded.
"Harry's been having the same dreams lately. I'm surprised that you are already sharing such similarities." Dumbledore ended his statement and sat quietly, waiting for an explanation to come to him, as if it were going come tapping at Miss Pomfrey's window.
"What do you mean Professor?" Hermione's lips were pursed and her forehead was wrinkled. Her mind buzzed with so much new information. Hermione's face was beginning to show signs of utter exhaustion; she was obviously confused and very tired.
Dumbledore would have to hurry. He was losing steam and it looked as if Hermione might collapse.
"If you decide to do this…"
Hermione gave her headmaster a stern look; she had already decided.
Dumbledore corrected himself. "When you do this, it is not uncommon for the two involved to develop certain similar characteristics. Once you perform the spell the two of your lives will be bonded. Sharing a life causes different parts of your lives to be similar. You'll be connected, in a way. It's only natural that your appearances would share that connection."
"Like the scar?"
"Yes," Dumbledore relented. "Like the scar. Harry's was an odd case; instead of sharing a bond with the one that saved him, his mother, he shared it with his attacker. I've spent some time mulling over it and it just doesn't make sense. Most people share a commonality with the one that performs the spell."
"Might, I get a scar like Harry's?" Hermione interrupted. She bit her lip in disgust.
"You might, but that is the least of you worries. Are you sure…?" but Dumbledore stopped himself before he could finish; he already knew Hermione's answer.
The two sat in the quiet for a few moments letting everything sink in. Hermione's mind teetered on the edge of consciousness for several minutes, but she refused to break herself away from the conversation.
"So, that's why I've been having the dreams?"
"I believe so, yes."
"My dreams are telling me that I need to save Harry, to use the 'Muggle Magic,' to take his place if something were to happen to him. I'm supposed to do this, then." Hermione sighed deeply. The entirety of her decision weighed down upon her.
Dumbledore squinted down at her in disapproval. "As I've already told Harry, everything you do is a choice. Harry has decided to face Lord Voldemort and you've decided to put your life into his hands." Dumbledore's eyes grew dewy. "…And to sacrifice it if necessary."
The pair suddenly became aware of the silence in the room. A small amount of light was brightening up the corners of the large gothic window. It was nearly dawn. Hermione broke the quiet.
"A symbol, then?" Hermione asked with finality in her voice.
"Yes. The symbol can be anything as long as it means something to you. It can be as simple as writing a letter to Harry, having a conversation with him or shaking his hand. It's a promise to yourself, one that you can't break once it's made." Dumbledore answered, raising himself up from the chair, and pushing it back up against the wall. He gave a half-hearted smile. "I'll leave you to your reading, then?"
Hermione nodded. Despite her fatigue, she would not be able to sleep tonight. She was too afraid of returning to her dreams. "I'll talk to you soon Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes." he said opening the door and walking into Slytherin's cackling laughter that filled the hallway. "I would imagine that we will be seeing a lot of each other from now on." The door closed behind him and in the same motion Hermione opened the moth eaten cover of her book.
I know that this chapter can be a bit confusing. For those of you that are still a little lost; Hermione is going to sacrafice herself for Harry like Lily did. The next and last chapter should be up by Wed. It will be considerably shorter than the last three. Thanks for reading and a special thanks to RG and Helen. I appreciate your faithfulness in following my story. Anther special thank you to Gracefullee. Please, please, please review. REVIEW!
