"Why don't you sit in the living room?" said Hermione to Chloe half steering her down the hall.
"Hermione, - " she protested, but Hermione was already walked past her but Harry grabbed her arm and wheeled her around. "Hermione, no! I know what you're going to do but you can't! Our world - "
"No, Harry," Hermione interrupted. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" he said through clenched teeth. But she yanked her arm out of his grip and strode over to the other end of the room and sat down impatiently waiting for the others to do the same. Ron and Harry were hovering behind Chloe below the door-frame. "Fine!" she sighed flopping down on the sofa. Harry and Ron followed her into the room and sat on the armchairs next to Hermione. They were all facing Chloe.
"What's this all about Hermione? Why did you bring me here to explain? What was it that you couldn't say at the park?"
Hermione looked desperately at Harry for help. He, however was staring intently at the floor.
"You really want to know the truth?" said Hermione.
"Yes." Chloe said.
Hermione paused, obviously wanting to choose her words carefully. "You've been wondering why I haven't told you anything about our school in depth, yes?"
"Well yeah, that is why we're here isn't it?" Chloe replied impatiently.
"There's a reason our school is so selective," Hermione said slowly. "It's a school that teaches magic." She finished quickly, looking nervously at Chloe.
Chloe's face was blank; then she burst out laughing. "Great joke, Hermione but tell me the real reason."
"There's still time to change you're mind you know." Harry said to her through gritted teeth.
"No." Hermione hissed at him. "She's right. I owe her the truth." Harry to her fury stood up abruptly and left the room. Ron followed. Great, she thought sarcastically. Just great.
Chloe, calm now, repeated, "Tell me the real reason."
"I wasn't joking Chloe."
"I still don't believe you. I always thought you were an honest person, Hermione."
"If you want proof just say!" Hermione snapped. "If it takes proof to make you see then I'll show you proof!" Hermione jumped to her feet and drew her wand from her belt that had been covered by her t-shirt. She pointed it at a vase next to Chloe holding fake flowers and said loudly: "Reducto!" and it exploded.
Chloe screamed and threw her hands over her face to protect herself from the shards of china.
"Reparo." Said Hermione hastily. "I'm sorry - " she began.
"What the HELL did you just do!" Chloe demanded angrily. Hermione could tell she was frightened.
"I'm sorry." Said Hermione, reaching out her arm, but Chloe stepped back. "I just – just lost my temper. Don't you see? If the authorities ever found out about us our world will be exposed! You asked me for the truth, remember?"
Chloe was speechless.
"I'm still the honest person I always was, Chloe. I couldn't tell you before because we're forbidden by our laws," she said softly. "I also didn't want to put my Muggle – non magic people – friends in danger."
Chloe looked up inquisitively at her friend.
"There was a dark, evil wizard risen. He knew about me, Ron and Harry; his major target was Harry, but - " she faltered. "He had followers named Death Eaters. They tortured people in the wizards and Muggles alike. But one of the things they hated: Muggle-borns, like me, or "Mudbloods" meaning dirty blood." she bit her lip. "They tortured either on Voldemorts command or for fun. That's why I couldn't say. I didn't want to put you in danger."
"But you could've tried, I can look after myself - "
"No you can't!" said Hermione. "You saw how quickly I drew my wand out, you were paralysed with fright! They could take their wands out of their cloaks before you even realised they were there. Dark wizards have all kinds of curses. They torture, kill, command, jinx and many other things and all it takes is a twirl of a wand and an incantation! He was deadly. He killed Harry's parents when he was a baby but Harry survived and destroyed Voldemort a few months ago. Voldemort's been after Harry's blood for years, but not now because Harry finally killed him and now the world is safe once more! His followers nearly killed me once and they nearly succeeded. People Harry was close to have died because of him. His godfather was murdered three years ago. He had only known him two years because he was accused of a crime he didn't commit and he had to escape from jail to warn Harry who the killer really was. The real criminal was one of Voldemorts followers and he was like a parent to Harry. Friends at school have been at the Death Eaters mercy and some have died. It's thanks to our headmaster that all of us survived." She stopped, her voice quavering.
Chloe managed to say quietly, "I don't know what to say. I don't know what to think." And she rose to her feet and headed out of the room to the front door. Hermione, quick on the mark, Apparated to the door, blocking her escape.
"Before you go I need you to swear to me you won't reveal our secret."
"Let me go, Hermione. This is too much,"
"What's to much Chloe?" Hermione asked her.
"I don't know! Move!"
"No!" said Hermione, and once more she drew her wand and pointed it at her old friend. "I don't want to paralyse you, but you haven't given me your word."
"I can't!" Chloe said.
"Why not?"
"Because – because I can't."
"You have to. If you say anything to anyone they could tell everyone they know which is bad. They'd find out about us and perhaps tell the authorities. Or worse, the press."
Chloe started trembling and gasping for air. "I – I -" she faltered, then swayed on the spot and crumpled to the floor, motionless.