Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews. Sorry it took me so long, I have been really busy! Anyways, sorry this chapter is so short, and not really all that exciting, but it's needed to establish some things. I apologize if Hermione seems a bit out of character, but keep in mind that she is very hurt about her father, and is so desperate she isn't thinking straight. Anyways, sorry about the mini cliff hanger at the end, but I promise you'll like the next chapter, it's really important. Please review, I really appreciate it, it motivates me.
Chapter 9 Blurring the Line
Another week crept by, but Hermione barely noticed it. She was engrossed in her plans to save her father. She stayed up all hours of the night and did extensive research. The bookcase McGonagall had set up for her was working nicely, there were no restricted selections, and no howlers when one was late.
Hermione decided she would start with white magic. She browsed hundreds of books, but the only thing contained in their weathered bindings were healing charms, nothing so useful as bringing back the dead. Hermione grew more despondent, and saw less and less of her fellow classmates.
When Hermione wasn't studying she spent most of her time wrapped tightly in her cloak walking along the shores of the lake. She knew she was desperate, and she clung to that knowledge. She figured that as long as she knew she was crazy she wasn't really crazy. All her spare moments were spent far away in her mind, misery closing in. This was her last chance, her final hope to have a normal life. She shook the thought of being an orphan out of her head.
Hermione woke up on Monday feeling a little refreshed, in fact, the best she had felt since she returned to Hogwart's. She hurried into the bathroom and enjoyed a hot shower. She was ready for lessons earlier than usual, but that didn't bother Hermione. She had something big planned today. She was going to start searching through books on the dark arts. She smiled a little to herself, she felt almost a rush of warmth inside. She was sure she would find the answers to her problem soon.
Hermione dutifully went to class, even though her enthusiasm was beginning to hinder her performance. She decided she couldn't wait until after lessons, so she headed to the library for a quick research session during lunch. She walked aimlessly up and down several narrow aisles, glancing occasionally at a book that caught her eye. She had never really studied the dark arts, unless for an assignment, so the territory was foreign. She stopped in front of a collection of dark leather bound books, and began reading their spines. Her scrutiny was interrupted by the soft sounds of whispers one row over.
"Are you sure the meeting has been moved to tomorrow?" A confused sounding girl asked.
"Yeah, positive, he said he had another thing he had to do tonight." An assertive voice responded.
"Ack! When do we get to start doing more advanced spells?" The first girl questioned.
"I don't know, he said something about bringing back the dead last week. Wouldn't that be the coolest? We would be unstoppable!" The second girl squealed.
Hermione had heard the one piece of information that she needed. Her cheeks flushed and heart beat raced. She had to talk to those girls. To her dismay, when she removed one of the large books she saw two sixth year Slytherins she had never seen before, only their colors betrayed their house. Hermione had to think quickly, but nothing came to mind. The whispering started up again.
"Hey, I gotta go back to the common room and pick up my books. Do you want to meet here again tomorrow?" She asked.
"Yeah sounds good. See you after class Angela." The second girl responded.
Hermione smiled broadly. This was going to be easier than she thought. She hurried over to the Defense Against The Dark Arts section and picked up a well worn book. She grabbed her bag and raced from the room. The plan was simple, she was going to use a basic transformation/disguise spell, similar to the one used on Harry by the Order of the Phoenix. She would simply change her appearance a little and borrow someone's robes. She beamed with pure joy. Tomorrow was the day!
The next afternoon Hermione hurried into the girls bathroom on the first floor and did the quick transformation. She had talked a fourth year Ravenclaw into letting her borrow a set of robes. She grinned a little at the memory, she had told the girl that there was an evil spirit inside that particular set, and being head girl she would have to perform an exorcism. The younger girl was more than happy to oblige. Hermione hurried into the set of robes and adjusted her dark straight hair. Her nose was larger, her cheeks were broader, and her eyebrows fuller. The only recognizable feature on her face were her eyes. They were exactly the same. Hermione debated whether or not to change the color but decided she had a very common set, and that no one would pay particular attention to them.
She rushed up the stairs to the library and paused outside the door. She calmly collected her thoughts and review her strategy. She heaved a great sigh and pushed through the entrance. She glanced around the room nervously, praying the girls hadn't canceled their little get together. Hermione headed for the dark arts section. After a few minutes of fiddling idly with books she heard the same hushed whispering. She couldn't help but beam triumphantly. She slowly walked around the corner and stared at the two figures hunched over a book. A deep breath passed her lips.
"Um, excuse me." She said softly. The two girls whipped around and glared at the intrusion. They stepped aside assuming she wanted past.
"Oh, er, no. I was wondering if you could help me." Hermione stated carefully. The two girls exchanged a glance and then shrugged. Clearly she was going to have to do all of the talking. "Um, yes, well, I was informed that you two were very important members of a secret group." She started gradually lowering her voice. The two girls raised their eyebrows simultaneously. Hermione knew she had struck a cord with calling them important. "Yes, well I am very interested in that particular field of study, and I was wondering if perhaps, you being practically in charge and all, would let me join. I am in total awe." She finished, feigning meekness. The two girls smiled broadly. Hermione had caught them in their own vain traps.
"So you want to join our D.A. club?" The first girl asked.
"Oh yes, more then anything." Hermione said with pleading in her eyes.
"What year are you?" Angela asked.
"Oh, um, I know I'm only a lowly 4th year, but I am a quick learner, I won't be any trouble." She said nodding her head.
"What do you think Lour?" Angela asked her friend.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt." She said with a shrug. " Meet us tonight by the owlery at 10:30." Lour said with an air of conspiracy.
"Oh thank you so much!" Hermione squealed. With that she tossed her hair and nearly skipped from the library. She was absolutely ecstatic. She couldn't believe they had let her in, a complete stranger so easily. 'Amazing what a little flattery can do.' She said to herself.Hermione felt the charm beginning to wear off, so she hurried back to bathroom. She was all smiles for the rest of the day. She couldn't even sit still long enough to concentrate on her lessons, and she constantly watched the clock.
Her thoughts drifted to what the meeting would be like. 'How long will I have to be in this stupid club before I learn the spell I need?' She wondered. 'Who is in charge? I know it can't be those two half wit girls.' The questions swirled in her mind all the way up until dinner time. Her nerves caught up with her there. She looked around the Great Hall desperately, hoping Lour and Angela were not looking for their new admirer. She was relieved to see the two of them engrossed over yet another volume, both heads bent together in blissful oblivion. Then Hermione realized that they hadn't even asked for her name. She smiled, she knew exactly what she would pick.
Hermione returned to her common room after dinner, grateful that Draco wasn't around. She had carefully avoided him after their encounter over her gift. She sat on one of the large couches and played with her wand shooting colored sparks out of the end. She realized she was as nervous as a first year boarding the train. She decided a nice walk outside would do her some good. She wrapped her dark cloak around her shoulders and left the common room.
When she stepped outside she took several deep breaths. She felt oddly at peace, like all of her prayers had been answered. Hermione had never known desperation like this before. She had never wanted anything so bad as this: her mother and father how they used to be. Hermione knew that if she failed her father would lose his job, their home, and any shred of dignity he had left. She took off from the front entrance at a brisk pace. Small puffs of air escaped her lips and swirled in front of her like a miniature cloud. She continued to worry about the meeting that night, but pushed the anxiety to the back of her mind.
Time flew with the wind, and Hermione had to run to run back to her dorm at a break neck pace. She quickly scanned the common room assuring herself that Draco was still not present. She decided it would be safe to do the transformation in her own room. Once everything was in order and she was in disguise she left for the owlery with fifteen minutes to spare. She hurried up several flights of stairs and ended up on the final landing right on time. The two girls had an anxious look on their faces before they noticed Hermione.
"There you are!" Angela said quietly. "We were getting worried. Let's go." She said motioning forward with her arm. Hermione obediently followed behind the two girls as they walked down a long narrow corridor. They stopped at the last door on the left. Hermione had never noticed this hall before, and made a mental note to check for it the next time she sent out a letter. Angela whispered a charm and the door slowly creaked open.
The room was dimly lit with a handful of candles. Hermione peered around and did a quick head count. There were twelve students packed in the tiny room including the three new arrivals. Hermione studied her surroundings. It appeared as thought the Dark Arts club had commandeered an old vacant storage closet. She gracefully took a seat on a lumpy cushion provided on the floor. Angela and Lour followed suit and began an excited conversation with a 7th year Hufflepuff. Hermione raised her eyebrows a little in his direction. She never would have guessed. After about ten minutes she grew restless. She finally turned to Angela.
"Are we going to start now?" she asked. Angela turned around and looked annoyed.
"No, we have to wait for him to get here." She said with a flourish of her dark ponytail. She was again engrossed in conversation. Hermione studied her fingernails, and everything else in a close proximity. Finally she heard the door creak open. 'Now we shall see who this all powerful wizard is' she laughed to herself. 'I hope for his own safety he doesn't play me wrong.'
Hermione gasped audibly when the tall form of Draco Malfoy emerged through the entrance. She wanted to scream, she wanted to tear her hair out and attack him. 'No! How can he be in charge of this group? God I should have figured it out.' she raged inside. She did a quick turn around though, 'Well, I guess his father is very powerful, maybe he does know the answers I am looking for.' she shrugged.
Draco calmly scanned the room, and noticed a new face. He gave an apologetic smile to the group that wouldn't dare question him and approached the new member. The girl visibly squirmed in her seat. He looked from her to the two sets of down cast eyes next to her.
"Angela, Lour, what have I told you about inviting people in without permission?" He asked sending them a scowl.
"We're really sorry Draco, but she is really good, we saw her casting spells, and we thought she would be perfect for the group." Angela said breathlessly. He looked toward the new girl and raised his eyebrows. He saw the look on her face, it clearly said 'No you didn't'. He decided not to elaborate on their story. Instead he focused on her. At first he hadn't really noticed her, but now that he was studying her intently he recognized something vaguely firmiliar.
"Stand up." He commanded. The girl obeyed. "What is you name?" He asked.
"Adele." The girl said looking at the floor. Draco searched his memory. He had only heard that name once. It was the password to Hermione's chamber, the statue had smiled indulgently at him and let him pass with that word. He again looked into her eyes and the connection was made. That was what was so firmiliar about this girl. Those were Hermione's eyes. His eyebrows raised a fraction and his eyes danced with confused fury. Hermione took a small step back.
"I want everyone to practice the spell we worked on last week. Adele and I need to have some private words before I let her in our little group." He stated, sneering the last sentenced. Venom dripped from her name. He never looked away from Hermione's terror stricken face.