Two in one day -- alas, i am bored. Disclaimer: Don't own BtVS, don't own HP. Hope this isn't too boring for you.
Eyes Wide Open
Hermione did not say anything more for the rest of the week. She continued to have difficulties in classes where they used their wands, but she was not nearly as bad as she had been on Monday. On Saturday at lunch, she received an owl, but did not share what the note said. Afterwards, she quickly finished eating and stood up.
"Hermione! Where're you going?" Ron asked through a bite of mashed potatoes and chicken.
She waved her hand at them, "Sorry, got to go, I have work to do. . ." she muttered as she half ran from the room. She picked up speed through the halls and was at Dumbledore's office in no time. She wasn't even out of breath. She entered. A tall man stood by the perch where Fawkes usually sit, but at the moment, the bird was not around. He had a sad expression on his face, his green eyes sunken and overshadowed by long-ish brown hair. His lips where pressed tightly together.
"Ah, Miss Granger, do come in," Dumbledore invited. "This is Daniel Nilsson, the last Slayer's watcher.
That explained his sad look. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Nilsson."
The man nodded, "You are the newest slayer, then? Addy would have liked to meet you. She wanted me to tell you 'the rest of us are rooting for you', but I don't know what she meant. She also apologized for not being able to live forever and prevent you from being called to this life."
Hermione frowned. "It sounds as if she didn't like being the Slayer."
"Addenya was an excellent slayer!" Daniel exclaimed harshly, "I don't think anyone reacts well to be told they are fated to die young and most likely violently." He brooded for a moment, then his look softened and he peered at her. "I'm sorry. I forgot that you already know that."
Hermione felt like she had just been doused with cold water. Hearing this from this man made it really hit home that she could be dead before she graduated.
"How long was Addenya the Slayer?" she asked softly.
Daniel smiled. "Just over two years. But she did so much in those years. Stopped the world from ending three times, and killed over a thousand vampires. I can't believe she's gone." His voice dropped away. The room was silent for over a minute. Then he roused himself from his memories and reached into his pocket.
"I found this in her things. It's addressed to you as the next slayer." he handed her a thick muggle envelope.
"Thank you." she murmured. Daniel nodded, then turned to Dumbledore, "Thank you, sir, for allowing me here to your school. I will be going now." he stopped in the doorway. 'Hermione, is it? Good luck."
He closed the door behind him. Hermione sat paralyzed in her chair.
"It's a bit shocking, isn't it?" Dumbledore asked. "Being told you will die is one thing. Realizing it is another."
"I keep thinking that this means I won't have a life after Hogwarts, but I guess what it really means is that I could be dead by Monday."
"That is a possibility. But not a likely one. If you think that way, in may come to pass." Dumbledore thought a moment. "You are in good company, Miss Granger. Don't fear."
Hermione nodded and stood. She walked slowly back in the direction of Gyffindor tower, but changed her mind. Sitting in the open window of the owlery, she unfolded the letter from the slayer.
Dear Slayer,
It feels weird to write that, still being the slayer myself. But as you're reading this, I must be dead. As slayers, we tend to forget the future exists, as it can be rather depressing, knowing we won't be in it. But anyway, live it up while we're here, right? I'm writing this six months into my calling. I've killed more vamps and demons than I can remember by now. You may be luckier, my area of Argentina was densely demonic, you may live in a lightly evilly-populated area. I hope you have some training or already know your watcher. S/he'll be your greatest ally in this thing. I hated being told I had to fight, but I hated being told I had to die, more. But I can't image what it's like for the watchers, once we're gone.
Okay, you must be wondering about the ring.
Ring? Hermione thought to herself. What ring? She picked up the envelope, noticing it still had something in it. A delicate ring fell out when she shook it. It was rose gold, with the reddest ruby Hermione had ever seen cut into a teardrop and set into the swirls of metal. She looked back to the letter.
I got it from the last slayer, Faith. She was an interesting one. She left me a note, too. She had a tough time as slayer. Evil faux watcher, super-evil vamps, kinda went bad in the end. But she was a slayer at heart, and ended up helping. Anyway, she said she got it from her predecessor, Kendra, who apparently got it from her cousin's grandmother's second cousin's uncle's aunt's roommate from summer camp. No, just kidding. Kendra killed a vamp who was once a slayer, in something like the sixth century. Faith said it was supposed to do something, but that it didn't do anything for her, and it didn't do anything for me. Maybe it will do something for you. Well, good luck slaying. Wish I could have met you, said this in person. But alas, that is impossible. Yours, the former Chosen One, Addenya Galeni Hildisson.
Hermione felt a tear slide out of the corner of her eye at the thought of the dead girl who had written the letter. A girl who had known she was going to die and been okay with that fact. Sniffling once, she turned the ring in her hand. Shrugging, she slid it experimentally onto her right ring finger. It fit perfectly, but nothing else happened. She drew her wand and tapped the narrow piece of jewelry, muttering a revealing charm. It did nothing but glitter in the fading sunlight. Hermione put her wand away and put the letter into her bag. Suddenly rather cheerful for the first time in days, she skipped back to the Great Hall for dinner.
Harry and Ron were wary of her new mood, but happy that their friend no longer seemed so sad. They were amazed at the vigor with which she dug into the roast beef and potatoes. Suddenly Ginny, who was sitting across the table, squealed.
"Hermione! Is that a new ring? It's so pretty. Where did you get it?"
Hermione stilled for a moment, smiling sadly at the glittering jewel on her finger. "Its been passed down through my line. It's last owner just died. That's what Dumbledore wanted to see me about today.
Harry said, "Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione. Did you know your relative very well?"
Hermione shook her head. "We never had the chance to meet in person." She smiled happily again. "Does anyone want to go outside before curfew? There's a meteor shower tonight that's supposed to be spectacular."
Harry and Ron nodded. The three stood up and went out on the grounds. In the sky, streaks of light periodically streamed between the stars. For half an hour, they stared at the show, their heads bent upwards at awkward angles. Finally, they resorted to lying on the cool grass. After about two hours, Hermione heard the light sound of Ron snoring. Harry was staring at the sky, but his eyes looked unfocused, like he was thinking deeply.
Hermione felt a tingling at the back of her neck. Rising silently, not disturbing either boy, she assumed a defensive pose in the darkness. Suddenly, a vampire rushed out at her. It was tall and dirty hair streamed back from a chalk-white face. Thinking about what McGonagal had taught her, she easily flipped the female over her shoulder. The vampire was quick to her feet, but Hermione had grabbed a stake from under her robes and attacked the demon. In only a few blows, she reached inside the woman's guard and planted the sharp wooden weapon firmly in the unmoving chest and stepped back. The vampire and her stake exploded in a shower of musty dust.
"Hermione?" Harry stood up. "Are you okay?"
Hermione dusted off her cloak. "Yes. Sorry to bother you. I tripped. Its time to go inside, anyway."
Ron sat up suddenly. "I'm awake."
"Then get up and come on before we get yelled at for being out of bed." Harry suggested. He and Hermione started toward the castle. Ron quickly joined them. They parted to go to their separate rooms.
In her pyjamas, Hermione made a mental note to tell McGonagal about her evening. Then, drawing her bed-curtains closed, she fell promptly asleep.