Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter….
Author's Note: Many people had questions about the whole wand thing. I hope this chapter clears it up…On with the story!
525,600 Minutes: In Truths That She Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Twenty-Two
"So, you're saying," Ron started slowly. "that the thing you have, the one the Order was talking about that night at Grimmauld Place. It's your wand?"
It was the Sunday night before term started. Hermione, Harry, and Ron were sitting in the warm Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione paced the rug between the fire and the two chairs that Ron and Harry were sitting. She had just told Harry and Ron about her discovering of the 'thing' that she had.
"Yes," she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. "don't you see? It makes perfect sense. That night," she stopped her pacing and faced her best friends. "Lupin kept asking everybody if they were positive that I had 'it'. Then Professor McGonagall said that she confirmed it with Mr. Ollivander earlier that day." she paused for breath. "We all know that Mr. Ollivander remembers every single wand he's ever sold."
"And Voldemort." Ron flinched as Harry spoke. "wants it? He wants your wand?"
"I guess so…"
There was silence between the three friends, they were the last three in the common room and the only sound came from the burning logs.
"I can't believe that we didn't notice it before." Harry broke the silence.
"You can't believe we didn't figure it out before? I can't believe she didn't figure it out before." Ron said to his friend while pointing at Hermione.
Hermione rolled her eyes, grabbed a near by pillow and hit Ron on the head with it. "Arg!" Ron yelled. Hermione smirked.
"Serves you right." she said. Ron began to muttered incoherent things while he rubbed his head
"But," Harry brought his friends back to the matter at hand, while he tried not to laugh. "what's so special about your wand?"
Hermione paused and thought for a moment before she knelt in front of a table, took out her wand, and placed it on the table. All three friends bent over the wand to examine it. "I don't know."
Hermione approached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom door with Harry and Ron on Wednesday. They were the last three in the N.E.W.T.s class to arrive and they joined the small group outside the classroom.
The three Gryffindor's immediately began to have a conversation. As they talked Hermione had the feeling the she was being watched. Looking up she saw a blonde-haired, gray eyed, Slytherin leaning against the wall a few feet from Harry, eyeing her.
"See something interesting Malfoy, or do you have a staring problem?" Hermione smirked one Harry and Ron turned to look at Malfoy.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her then smirked. "If you're thinking yourself, Granger." he drawled. "Then think again. I wouldn't look at the likes or you if my life depended on it."
Hermione was just about to come back with a remark when the classroom door. "All right, everyone inside!" Tonks said, ushering them in.
Malfoy gave a quick wink at Hermione before he turned and entered the classroom. Hermione blushed when she saw the wink. She walked past Harry and Ron and into the classroom, hoping no one noticed the wink or her blush. The two, however, did get noticed. By Harry.
Harry entered the classroom and followed behind Ron towards their usual seats. He couldn't help but notice Hermione and Malfoy held each other's gaze has Hermione brushed past Malfoy's seat.
The first week of term flew by and before Hermione knew it, it was Friday.
"Gone again!" Hermione said as she burst through the common room door and made way straight for Harry and Ron who were sitting by the fire, enjoying the last minutes of their free hour before lunch. Many heads turned as they saw a red faced Hermione with a determined look on her face.
"Hermione, what are you-"
"Where's the Marauder's Map?" she asked, as she threw her book bag down and paused to catch her breath.
"In my trunk-"
"Let's go." Hermione didn't even wait for an answer from her friends before she headed straight for the seventh year boy's dormitory. Harry and Ron exchanged a look before running to catch up with her friend.
Hermione stood next to Harry's trunk, impatiently tapping her foot, waiting for her friends. As if on cue Harry and Ron came through the door.
"I told you it was in my trunk." Harry said, coming into the room and going to his trunk.
"Harry, I'm not going to go rummaging through your trunk." she said to the back of Harry's head, as she dug through the trunk.
"Got i-"Harry was barely able to finish his sentence as the piece of parchment was snatched from his outstretched hand.
"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." Hermione said, pointing her wand at the parchment. Suddenly a map of Hogwarts appeared on the parchment. Little dots with names beside them represented every inhabitant of the castle.
"Hermione, what's gotten into you?" Ron asked, slightly scared at Hermione's state.
"I was in Arithmacy, just as the bell was going to ring Ryn gasped in pain again. She left 'to go to the Hospital Wing' just like she does every time."
"Was she clutching her arm, again?"
"Yes. Now help me look!"
They searched the map five times over and there was no sign of Annabeth.
"I knew it!"
"What?"
"She left the castle.
"Well, maybe she's doing something for the Order."
"I don't think so. I'd bet that the reason she clutches her arm every time she disappears is because the Dark Mark is there."
"So what, you're saying that she disappears because of Voldemort?' Ron asked.
"I thought we already agreed on that?"
"Oh, right."
There was a few moments of silence.
"At least we know she's a spy for the Order."
"How can you be so sure? Remember the dementor attacks?"
"Well look," Harry pointed to the map. "Snape's gone, too. He's a spy isn't he? That means that she's one."
"No, he isn't." Hermione said, her eyes stared holes into the map. "He's there" she pointed to Snape's office. Sure enough the little dot that represented Snape sat behind his desk. "If it was spy work for the Order wouldn't Snape be gone too?" Hermione sighed. "Mischief managed." the map disappeared and the parchment became blank once again.
When did life become so complicated.
A knocking on the window interrupted Hermione from her frustration. Looking over she saw Harry opening the window to let Hedwig in. The white owl flew one around the room before she landed lightly on Harry's shoulder. Harry removed the letter and Hedwig let the room.
"It's from Hagrid." Harry said after he finished reading the letter. "He's inviting down to his cottage after dinner."
"We haven't seen him in a while. Let's go." said Ron. Harry nodded.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to." Hermione said. "I have some homework to finish before I go on my patrols tonight."
"But Hermione, tomorrow's Saturday. Can't you do it then?
"Do my ears deceive me?" Hermione asked in mock surprise. "Ronald Weasley is instructing someone to do their homework on a Saturday?" she giggled at Ron's red ears. "Guys, I'd love to go, but I do have a lot to do. As do you two."
"So, we'll do homework after we get back Hagrid's" Ron said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Like I'm supposed to believe that." said Hermione, smirking.
"You know, twirling your wand around isn't going to reveal the 'secret' that it holds." Malfoy drawled as he approached Hermione.
Hermione looked up from staring at her wand. She had been waiting for the past five minutes for Malfoy to show up so they could start their patrols. To make the five minutes go faster, she was twirling her wand between her fingers, willing it to tell her why it was needed by the darkest wizard of all time.
She just shrugged as she put her wand back in her pocket.
Malfoy approached her a gave her a light kiss. " Shall we?"
They had been patrolling for an hour. "What time is it?" Malfoy asked. Without waiting for a response he raised his hand the was holding Hermione's and looked at her watch.
"What?" Hermione said a she moved back a tapestry to reveal one of Hogwarts' many shortcut passage ways. "You don't like spending time with me?" she said in feigned hurt.
"Now I never said that." Malfoy said, stopping and smirking at her. "I would rather be doing other things, that's all."
"Oh, really? Like what?"
"This." Hermione barely had time to think what he was doing as Malfoy kissed her once again. All to reluctantly Hermione pulled away and took a small step away from Malfoy.
"You're incorrigible. You know that?"
"Ah, but that's why you like me so much." and before Hermione could respond he was kissing her once again. But this time he didn't let her back away.
"Hermione's going to kill us if she finds out we stayed at Hagrid's this late." Harry whispered as he and Ron quietly and quickly ran made their way through the school under Harry's invisibility cloak.
"At which fact? The fact that we're out after hours or the fact that we haven't done any of out homework?"
Harry did the best he could to not laugh. "Good point." he and Ron snickered. "Through here." he said, pulling back the tapestry that lead to a shortcut to the common room.
They stepped into the passage way and let the wall-hanging fall close behind them, but didn't get much further than that.
There, just up the passage was the unmistakable figure of Malfoy kissing a girl, whose face was blocked. Malfoy's arms were wrapped tightly around the girls waist and her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. The two were so close that air wouldn't have been able to pass between them.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, neither knowing what to do. Malfoy and this girl were blocking their way, if they tried to get past the two they were sure to hit them. So, Harry and Ron froze.
They watched on as the couple moved slightly and now the girl was pressed between the wall and Malfoy, the two had yet to break their embrace. Harry nudged Ron, telling him that if they moved now they would be able to get past Malfoy and his mystery girl. They were just about to move when the couple broke from their embrace and rested their forehead's against each others. For the second time in a minutes Harry and Ron froze, for they could now see the girls face..
"WHAT!" Hermione and Draco's heads snapped to the side as they heard someone scream, but there was no one in the corridor. Hermione stared down the empty hall until realization dawned upon her. "Oh no."
"What?" Malfoy asked. But Hermione didn't respond. She carefully moved from her spot between the wall and Malfoy and walked forward, her arms outstretched.
Hermione's heart was beating faster and faster, if it were possible, with each step she took. She had a hunch who had screamed 'What' but she prayed that she was wrong. She had walked seven paces when her outstretched arms came in contact with solid matter. Hermione gulped. She slowly clutched the air around her a pulled away Harry's invisibility cloak.
Author's Note: Ok, so I have a reason for leaving this chapter were I did. I was thinking of continuing this chapter and writing more, but then I realized I have no ideas or material for the next chapter, so I needed something….he he he….
lweb: Hiya! Ok, let me see if I can describe how to post a story. I'll do my best. Write your chapter and save it. Once you do that, click Log In on the home page of Fanfiction. Once your logged in click Documents on the left side of the screen. Scroll down and there are two boxes, type the name in the first box and upload the document by clicking browse. Once it's uploaded you'll be able to edit it a such. Then go to Stories which is under Documents. Then click on New Story. It's pretty simple to set it up from there, just follow what it tells you to do and you should be good. I hope that helps you in any way, shape, or form. Oh, and I looked into that story you mentioned, yeah..it's great…I like…it I'm the last chapter right now…Thanks for referring me to it. Thanks for allowing to use the Moaning Myrtle idea if you don't and thanks for the review! Let me know if you get a story up!
Draco's-Ice-Princess666: Yeah, sleep is good. That's about the time I've been staying up till, too. Lol. Well, my msn is being weird at the moment…so yeah…Thanks for the review!
rina: Hope you're not confused anymore! Thanks for the review!
Exploded toilet bowl: Hope you see what I was talking about with the wand. Did you like the thing about the book? Well, thanks for the review!
Aria: Glad to hear their relationship isn't moving to fast. And I'm glad you like the idea of Remus and Tonks getting married….thanks for reviewing!
Arwen12323: Hope the confusion about the wand is cleared. I'm happy to hear that this is your favorite story so far! That's great! Thanks for the review!
Bruinen: YEAH! Rent and SoM! Have you seen Rent on stage? Great combo, isn't it? Lol. Thanks for the review!
Phylicia13: Band Geeks! Whoo whoo! Hey cool, oboe! Great instrument, can be pain, but it's still great! Wicked! No I haven't seen the show in NY…wish I could have seen Idina and Cheno…sigh. Yeah, I heard the Chicago cast is really great. Ana is supposed to mind blowing! I haven't seen it in Chicago either, but I might have the chance to in the future….I'm not sure…but the traveling company comes to my town August…2006...sigh, I'll have to wait. You've seen it on Broadway! Which cast did you see? Well, thanks for the review!
defygravity13: Yeah, Wicked freaks! Rock on! Hey, have you seen the show? In NY, Chicago, or the traveling company? I have written other things. Two Sound of Music Fics called Wishing and No Way Back, and another Harry Potter fic called Stuck. Thanks for reviewing!
Stephanie: I loved Wicked. Such a great book. Yeah, I started reading Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, but didn't finish it. I was thinking of looking into more of his books, have you read any others, do you recommend them? Did you hear that Gregory Maguire wrote a sequel to Wicked: The Life and Times…..yahda yahda…I guess it follows the life of Liir after the first book, or something like that. I dunno, I'll have to check..Well, Thanks for the review!
BoarderKC: It's no problem at all. Thank you for the wonderful comments, truly means a lot. Thanks for the review!
Spork Princess: I must say that I have never gotten a review like that before and it was great! About the driving thing in your review? I take it that you're old enough but you don't have your license yet? Me, too. I just got my permit and I'll be seventeen in November…oh well…lol…hope the cheese puffs were good and the move too! Say hi to Draco for me! Thanks for the review!
xxmadcowluvverxx: Thanks. Hope the wand thing was cleared up. Thanks for the review!
Hermyyy: Cried a lot? Wow, I…loss for words…Glad you like it, thanks for the review!
Happy Hyper Bunny Lover: Ok, good to know that wasn't too cliché. I was debating about them exchanging gifts. Since I didn't I can either pretend that they did and I won't say what ( don't know why) or they'll have a chance to buy each other gifts soon…I'm thinking the latter. Hope your confusion is cleared! Thanks for the review!
melz: Wow! The only fan fiction under your favorites! Thanks! Thanks for the compliments and review!
natyslacks: 4 am! Whoa…Yes, Hermione indeed had a light bulb moment. Um, link to who? Mr. Ollivander? Draco? I was slightly confused about that…sorry...Me brilliant? I'm sure my friends would advise you other wise…lol…but thanks. And thanks for the review! (Oh, and have fun at work…)
mrsbnm-of09: I guess they do like the cold…lol. Well, the first time they accidentally fell asleep. And the second time, I didn't even think about a blanket for them because it doesn't exactly snow where I live, so I have no idea what it's like…lol…just kinda slipped my mind. Might I add, that you are the first (that I know of) to make the discovery of her significance of Hermione's wand. Congrats! Thanks for reviewing!
PurplXPrincess, tigerlily727, Kstarr47, ang, Feltonschick48, and, bloody heart: Thank you all so much for you wonderful reviews! They mean a lot!
Thank you all so much, you're all great!
I'm not sure how often updates will be, because I just remembered that I have a whole bunch of stuff to memorize before school starts (which is in four weeks, but I have band camp in two) so I have a lot of studying to do. Grr to having tests within he first weeks of school! But I'll try and update every day, if not every other day!
Have any questions? Feel free to ask!
Your most loyal writer,
The Lonely Goatherd