The following three days flew by and more of the Professors were arriving to prepare for the upcoming school year and during this time, Raven and Hermione were inseparable. Whenever Snape asked him about he replied "Getting close to her was part of the plan." Severus knew to let it go. Raven was too stubborn to listen to any advice. Two days before September first, the two could be found lounging in Raven's quarters. Just enjoying each others company.
Raven was wearing a form fitting black knit jumper and a pair of black trousers. He is sitting on the couch in front of a roaring fire, reading a book on the latest counter curses against the unforgivable curses.
Hermione was sitting beside him with her feet tucked under her reading Hogwarts: A History Revised. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a cream colored jumper.
Raven's room was done in a strange mixture of colors. It looked like Slytherin and Gryffindor combined. Some of the things were red and gold and others were silver and green. Black was also a popular color in the room. But she felt comfortable here. Almost like she was meant to be in this room with Raven. Now Raven was another story. She was falling for the smooth talking Professor. Falling hard. She didn't even feel this way about Ron. Sure she had loved Ron but this was more...like it was meant to be. She glances at him from her book every once in a while and can't help but smile. He was so cute when he was reading. His brow always furrowed and she just wanted to reach over and smooth it out but instead looked back to her book and continued reading. Not knowing that Raven was having the same thoughts about her.
"So Hermione, are you excited about school starting in two days? This is your last year, isn't it? Do you have any plans for the future?" Raven sets the book down on the coffee table in front of them.
Hermione looks up at him and smiles. Marking the page in her book, she also sets it down. "Yes, I am very excited about this being my last year. But I'm not so sure about the whole school thing. People seem to treat me differently now. Since Harry and Ron are both gone. People don't know how to act around me. They actually had the nerve to tell Harry that I wanted him gone. I could have killed Ron. I never believe that Harry opened the Chamber of Secrets but Ron needed someone to blame for the death of his sister. I wish I could see him right now. To apologize for the confusion and hope that he doesn't curse me back to the stone age. I'm not sure about the future. I don't really think about it unless its necessary."
Raven's eyes narrow for a moment. She never thought Harry was guilty? Ron lied? All these years of hate was directed at the wrong person. "I had the honor of knowing young Harry Potter. Fine young man. But full of sadness. He cared for you deeply and when they told him that you accused him...he couldn't bare it. I believe he did something foolish. Very foolish but he can't get out of it now. You see Hermione, Harry joined the very man that killed his parents. He had nothing else to lose. When the magical community shunned him...it was a slap in the face. He wanted revenge and I believe he thinks that he is getting it. But I can say this for sure. If you saw him, talked to him...you wouldn't know him. He is no longer an innocent little boy. He has the blood of many witches, wizards, and muggles on his hands and that does something to a persons mind. It makes them hard and dead to the world. Young Potter was no exception." He drops his eyes and picks his book back up. He was falling for her all over again and that was bad. Very bad.
She sits there with a shocked look on her face. "Harry joined Voldemort? But...He wouldn't. I..." She trails off. All hope of seeing Harry again was crushed. If they ever did meet it would probably be in a battle and on two different side. "I just can't...wait... How do you know? You said you knew him. How did you know him, Raven? Please tell me." Hermione all but begs.
Raven lays the book down onto his lap once again. "When Draco and myself were training with the Warlocks. Young Potter was also there. He had immense skill even at such a young age. But not even the Warlocks could help control his outbursts of anger. A few months later he left and joined up with a death eater squad that was patrolling in the area. We haven't heard from him since. Most people say he was killed before coming before the Dark Lord. But Lord Voldermort would not kill him, not if there was a chance he could use Harry. Use his magic for his own purpose, to obtain his own goals. No, it's more likely that he is training young Potter as his heir so that the young man would carry on his legacy long after he leaves this wretched life. But those are only my thoughts." A pained look passes over his face and he clutches his right arm.
Hermione looks at him. "Are you ok, Raven?" Her voice held concern. "But why would Voldemort take the very boy, that he devoted his very existence to destroying, and make him his heir? It doesn't make any sense." She found many flaws in what Raven had said.
After a few deep breaths the pain resides. Raven lets his hand drop to his lap. "Yes, I'm fine. Lord Voldermort didn't care that the boy defeated him. Not after he found out the skills the boy possessed. Potter was very strong in every field of magic and some say that he was seen doing wandless magic. People can lie. If he was indeed doing wandless magic, the boy was very powerful and the dark lord will have much use for him. But enough talk about Potter. I'm not supposed to be speaking about him. Dumbledore's orders. He don't want to bring up any bad memories." Then he adds, bitterly, under his breath. "Or any guilty feelings."
Hermione nods and settles back against the Slytherin green couch. Raven was actually a decent Slytherin and she felt very comfortable around him. Her brow furrows and a angry look appears in her eyes. "Dumbledore...He is the cause of all these problems. He listened to everyone but the accused. He didn't even give him a chance to defend himself. It isn't fair. It's about time Dumbledore steps down. I am ashamed to say this...but maybe Lucius Malfoy was right." Her anger was clearly present.
Raven smirks. "Why Hermione. How very Slytherin of you. But maybe it is time for Dumbledore to retire. He has had a good run but with old age comes problems. I think I will speak to Severus about it. He may be able to help us out. Or even young Malfoy." His eyes sparkle as he looks towards the portrait hole and at the grinning Draco. "Didn't you ever hear of knocking, Dragon?"
Draco sneers and steps inside. The picture swings shut behind him. "Now why would I bother to knock? It's not like you and Hermi are doing anything inappropriate in here...is it?" His eyes sparkle with unheard laughter. He knew how much Hermione hated to be called Hermi by anyone. He walks over and plops down in between them. "How are my two favorite people, besides Snape of course?"
Raven rolls his eyes and begins to protest as Draco seats himself in between him and Hermione. "Even if we were doing something inappropriate it would be none of your business. Besides. We only have two more days before school starts and I want to relax and enjoy my free time while I have it."
Hermione frowns and slaps Draco's arm. "Don't call me Hermi. I am not a Greek god with wings on my shoes." After Draco arrived at Hogwarts, a truce was called between him and herself. He wasn't the same boy and didn't have the aurora of hatred around him anymore. It seemed to be replaced by understanding and even a brotherly feeling. His eyes held the same sadness that Raven's did. But neither would talk about it. "I agree with Raven on this Drake. I want to enjoy my free time before the blunderhead teachers begin to pass out hundreds of feet of essays. I'm rather sick of it all." She frowns but her eyes hold a twinkle of amusement.
Draco raises an eye brow. "Don't call me Drake. Do I look like I have fangs or sleep in a coffin underground?" He lets out a snort then grins. "Well now, Granger seems to be developing into a fine Slytherin. Maybe you should ask Dumbledore to transfer you. Raven must be a bad influence. Soon your going to be dressing in our colors and cheering for us at the quidditch matches." This receives him another smack but this time it was coming from Raven.
After smacking Draco he speaks to him. Raven's voice holds a playful tone to it. "Enough Draco. Hermione is in Gryffindor and we both have to accept that. We must keep our pity inside." He smirks while looking around Draco at her. "Though...I think green and silver would look nice on you Hermione. Red and gold seems bland."
Hermione smiles while watching the two, soon to be Professor and Apprentice. "You both look like brothers when you argue. Its actually kinda scary. I couldn't imagine two O'Reilly's or Malfoy's on the lose. Please don't be as evil as Snape is. That man could scare a snake into biting itself." Her smile turns into a smirk.
"You don't know the half of it." Raven says with a smile as he stands and stretches. "Would you like to accompany me to the great hall for a bit of supper. Your more than welcome to join us Draco." He walks over and takes out his cloak with the Slytherin seal and slides it on. He then pulls Hermione's out and holds it out for her.
Hermione stands and walks over to Raven with the smirk still on her face. "I would love to join you. But...Hmm." She looks into his cloak closet and pulls out another cloak with the Slytherin seal. She throws it around her shoulders. "I think I should wear my hosts colors. Don't you agree Draco?"
Draco stands and grins. "Nah, you two go ahead and I'm not commenting on that Hermi. I have to get back to work. Snape has me working over time to get the potions ready and things set up. Maybe I'll see again later? If not have a good night and nice supper." He exits and heads into the depth of the dungeon to continue his arranging of bottles.
Raven shakes his head and throws her cloak over the back of a nearby chair. "Now what will Dumbledore say when he see's you wearing snake colors? What about the fact that our houses hate each other? It's up to you, and all students, to keep that tradition going." He says as he begins to herd her out of his room and towards the Great Hall were he was obligated to eat with the other Professors, and Hermione was forced to endure it on his behalf.