Disclaimer:
The Characters and situations of Harry Potter depicted in this story are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner, and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made off this site, and is for entertainment purposes only.
This chapter has been revised as of April, 2005 and contains new content. It has also been modified from the original NC-17 version is located at Checkmated, and is rated R.
Of Hearts and Heroes
Chapter Five
Sleep was impossible. How anything so mundane, so necessary for everyday life could be impossible, Harry didn't know. Yet, it was.
Dawn was starting to filter through his curtains. Harry mused on how amazing it was that a person could function on so little sleep. He could barely remember what being well rested felt like. Did it matter? Nothing mattered.
Well, it was close enough to morning now. Harry climbed out of his prison of a bed. The curtains on the other beds were still drawn. All except Ron's. That was his fault as well. His fault that Ron was sleeping in a hard, miserable cot in the hospital wing.
Harry spent a ridiculously long time in the shower trying to wake up, which of course was ironic and impossible at the same time. How could one wake up if one never slept? How could one be alert when one's head was full of fog?
As Harry slowly descended the stairs an odd feeling came over him. Butterflies settled in his stomach and his palms became sweaty. He almost felt like he did before an important Quidditch match, if he were forced to play Quidditch after a big hole had been ripped in his gut.
It took him a minute to realize what the feeling was all about. Was he really that worried about Adrianna meeting Ron and Hermione? It seemed he was. He was surprised that anything mattered to him at all.
Harry had a really bad feeling about the meeting. Hermione could be suspicious to the point of paranoia, and after she had been right about the Department of Mysteries… Whatever happened today, at least Ginny would be there. There was just something comforting and non-threatening about Ginny that no one else in his life possessed.
As he entered the common room, something moving on the sofa caught Harry's eye,. He moved closer to see Ginny curled up, sound asleep. She had on the same clothes that she was wearing yesterday. Why would Ginny be asleep in the common room? It was a little disconcerting. Was she upset? It wasn't a normal thing for her to fall asleep just anywhere, not unless something was wrong.
The thought was overwhelming. Harry didn't know if he had the strength in him to deal with another person's pain. He cringed through a wave of guilt. What kind of person did that make him? Especially since, if there was something wrong, then somehow, it must be his fault.
Ginny shifted a little and turned in her sleep. Harry watched groggily. Maybe this wasn't even happening, maybe it was another of those bizarre half-awake dreams he'd been having. Nothing really felt real. "Ginny," he called, testing the theory.
Immediately, Ginny's eyes snapped open and she sat up, looking around, disoriented. Instantly, Harry regretted speaking. God, he was an arsehole. He couldn't even let her sleep. Her shirt caught and twisted as she did so and Harry caught a glimpse of her pale belly. He looked away, embarrassed.
"Oh, umm…hey, Harry," Ginny mumbled sleepily. "What time is it?"
Harry shrugged, honestly not knowing the answer. He chanced a glance at her and saw she had righted her clothing. "Dunno, early, I guess. What are you doing down here?"
Ginny ran her hand over her messy hair. "I reckon I must have fallen asleep."
Well, that much was obvious. It hardly answered any of Harry's questions. Should he ask if something was wrong? What would he do if there was? He couldn't help her. He just wasn't capable.
Ginny was looking him over carefully, making Harry uncomfortable. "Maybe you should go upstairs and get some real sleep," Harry suggested. He hoped that he sounded concerned. He did care.
Ginny simply stared at him for a few minutes and then shook her head. "I'm fine. I slept enough." She yawned. It was as if her body was protesting her words. "Um…let me go upstairs to freshen up. Then we can go to breakfast. All right?"
Harry blinked at her and nodded slowly, feeling like his head was made of lead. For some reason he thought he should protest, but had forgotten why. He sank into the sofa as she disappeared up the girls' staircase. He stared into the ever present cool flame in the fireplace.
His mind was blissfully blank. The one advantage of not sleeping was that every day it got harder and harder to think, which meant longer and longer stretches of wonderful nothingness. He watched the flicker of the flame with interest.
Before he knew it Ginny was descending the stairs looking amazingly fresh in jeans and a ponytail. "Ready?" she called brightly.
Harry nodded, relieved that she didn't seem to be upset after all. He really needed her to be all right, with Hermione and Ron in the hospital wing… He needed someone to be all right.
Silently, Harry followed her out of the tower and through the hallways. His mind drifted along behind. He suddenly realized that they were in the entrance to the Great Hall and felt a surge of panic. He didn't want to go in there. He had been scrupulously avoiding going in there.
"Oh, good," Ginny said with a smile. "No one is up yet. Come on." She took his arm and all but dragged him over to the Gryffindor table. Harry didn't know if he was grateful or annoyed. Really, he was too tired to feel either. He settled at the table. It was so early, that the breakfast platters hadn't even appeared yet.
"So…" Ginny prompted with an eager smile. "Tell."
Harry nodded dumbly and began reciting the story of the Pensieve as if he had read it in a dull History of Magic book. He recognized that strange monotone had crept back into his voice. He was almost done with the story when Breakfast appeared. He made a show of chewing his bacon between Ginny's questions. It tasted of leather.
"It's strange that Dumbledore couldn't find her after all these years," Ginny commented between healthy bites of food. Did she always eat like Ron? She seemed to be ravenous.
When Harry didn't reply she continued, asking lightly, "So, what else did you and Adrianna talk about?"
Harry shrugged again. "Not much. We went to have dinner with Dobby. He regaled her with stories of my second year..." he trailed off. Shite. His eyes snapped to Ginny, to see her reaction.
She swallowed carefully, looking at her plate. "The basilisk and the diary," she said with what seemed to Harry forced calm. "You were quite the hero. She must have been proud."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, well at least I didn't get anyone killed that year."
"Harry!" Ginny admonished, fixing him with an intense gaze. "You did not get Sirius killed. It's not your fault."
He ignored her, instead rambling on as his thoughts meandered away from him. "I was the same age then as Adrianna was when her father died. Isn't that strange?"
"Harry--"
Her pleading voice was like needles against his skin. He quickly cut her off. "So, then we um…went to her guest room. Dumbledore gave her a key. Did you know we had guest rooms?" Harry knew he was rambling. "Well, we do. Then she told me about Japan and all the places she's been and living in America and her mother, my Aunt…she's still alive, you know. Everyone else is dead. We're all that's left now."
"Oh, Harry…."
His stomach turned and he felt nauseated. He pushed the food in front of him away.
"Don't you dare." A commanding voice came from behind him and Harry looked up. "You're going to eat that," Adrianna told him, sitting down next to him and pushing the plate back. "Good morning, Ginny," she greeted with a nod, looking them over carefully. "I see you both slept well," she commented sarcastically.
Neither teenager replied. Ginny went back to eating and Harry obediently picked at a scone as he watched his cousin transfigure Pumpkin Juice into coffee and take a sip.
Suddenly, Harry felt more awake. Anxiety started to course through him and the unreal, drowsy feeling of this morning left him. Everything felt more real, too real. He was going to have to deal with the situation, with the new presence in his life and his old life all at once. Adrianna and Ginny. Adrianna and Ron. Adrianna and Hermione….crap.
"Going to be that bad, huh?" his cousin asked.
"What?" Harry asked, feeling disconnected.
"Hermione's reaction," she explained.
The realization that she had read his thoughts again dawned slowly. Harry looked at Ginny who had a strangely guilty expression and was avoiding eye contact. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. "Maybe we should wait a bit before you meet---"
"No." Adrianna shook her head. "I'm here to protect them as well."
Ginny made a sound that sounded almost like a scoff. "What if they don't want your protection?"
Adrianna shrugged. "Then they're just going to have to suck it up like the rest of us."
Hermione flipped through the pages of A History of the Empath, skimming the pages as quickly as she could. She knew there was a frantic quality to her reading. She wasn't even sure what she was looking for. The answers she wanted weren't going to be found in these books. They wouldn't tell her how Harry and this Adrianna woman were related. If they were related.
Yet, she needed to be prepared, before she met this woman. Hermione was not going to be caught off guard without knowledge of Empaths. She was determined to read every one of these books first. The problem was that Hermione also wanted Harry to bring Adrianna here…right now. It was really quite the dilemma.
If only she hadn't overslept. It was all Ron's fault. He had to be all sweet and force her go to sleep. Of course, he couldn't wake her up at a decent time either. He probably convinced Madame Pomfrey to let her have a lie in, the interfering git.
Hermione turned to glare at him and show him her displeasure. She found Ron diligently pouring over an Empath text. Immediately, she felt guilty for calling him a git, even if it was only in her head. When did he get so sweet and supportive?
Ron brow was furrowed as he read. He was so handsome when he concentrated. Even more so because Hermione knew she was the only reason he was reading the book so studiously.
The thought infused her with warmth and she had to bite back a girly sigh. Her thoughts floated to the night before…well, morning actually. The feel of her hand entwined with his, the warmth of his gaze, falling asleep so close that she could touch him. All she had to do was reach out…
He'd gone and done it again. Distracting her. Hermione was never going to get anything done at this rate. She forced herself to look back at the page. The words swam in front of her, foreign names of foreign Empaths, nothing useful.
"Damn it!" Hermione slammed the book down so hard that pain reverberated through her aching body, making her muscles cry out.
"Hermione! Well, I never!" Ron called in a mock prim voice, laughter behind his words.
"Stuff it, Ron!" This was his entire fault anyway.
"Huh!" He put a hand to his mouth in pretend indignation. Hermione threw a pillow at his head and rolled her eyes, trying to hide how funny she found his teasing.
After a moment, Ron sobered, asking, "No luck?" She shook her head despairingly and he continued, "Me neither. What exactly are we looking for again?"
Hermione rubbed her temples, frowning. "Anything…"
Ron echoed her frustrated expression as he looked down at the dusty pages. "There isn't anything else about the connection between the Potters and the Brookfields. Are you sure there is one?"
Hermione wasn't sure of anything. "Pretty sure. The question is exactly how are this woman and Harry related?"
Ron leaned back on the bed, using the pillow she had thrown at him to cushion his head. "Well, we know that Harry doesn't have any brothers or sisters. Ginny didn't think the witch was that old? So, a cousin maybe…" Hermione nodded absently as she watched him ramble on. She loved it when he tried to suss something out. She loved the way his mind worked.
Abruptly, he sat up and looked at her. Hermione blushed, worried she had been caught staring at him with a love sick expression. "Hey," Ron said, with an excited grin. "I think I remember my father talking about a friend from Hogwarts…Harry's father's brother. I never thought much of it." He trailed off, seeming to rack his mind. "He died in the war, if I remember correctly. Yeah, definitely. James had an older brother…I think."
Hermione's heart rate accelerated. "So, Adrianna's this man's daughter?" she asked, feeling skeptical, excited, and worried all at once.
Ron shrugged, though he looked proud of himself for his deduction. He should be, Hermione always knew he had a brilliant…Damn it, back on task. Thinking aloud, she said, "All right. So, our hypothesis is that Adrianna is Harry's cousin, his first cousin…and that she's an Empath that no one knows about?" That didn't sound right.
"How did you know?" Harry's voice jerked Hermione's eyes to the entranceway.
He stood staring at her, looking questioning and mildly furious. Just behind him stood Ginny and…the woman. Oh, heavens, there was no way that this Adrianna wasn't related to Harry. The color of her hair, the shape of her jaw and mouth…it was uncanny. This was not good.
"We were right?" Ron asked, an excited look on his face. "She's really your first cousin?" Harry was glaring at him, but the woman nodded with an amused expression. "Cool, I…I mean, we figured something out. Brilliant." He sat back with a self-satisfied smile.
Normally, Hermione would be proud as well, but clearly Ron did not understand the seriousness of the situation. She had a sinking feeling that he wasn't going to be an ally in her distrust of this woman. Hermione looked to Ginny. The younger girl was lingering back just a bit, gauging the situation. Their eyes met. The look in Ginny's eyes echoed Hermione's wariness. At least Ron's sister was thinking clearly.
Harry clenched his jaw, a hard expression on his face. "How did you even know about her in the first place?" His accusing eyes went to Ginny, who looked increasingly distressed under his punishing gaze.
"Harry, I was worried…I just told them about what happened at Hagrid's, I--" Ginny stammered.
"Come on, Harry, what did you expect her to do?" the so-called-cousin interrupted as she casually sat in the chair between the two beds. "Sit around and wait for you while you were in Dumbledore's office? What would you have done?" She picked up one of the texts that lie on the bedside table and thumbed through it. "It's impressive really, what they figured out, 'specially considering these books are pretty crappy."
Harry sighed. "You aren't angry that they were researching you?" he asked his cousin, some of the anger leaving his tone. He almost seemed worried that they would be insulting her. Did this woman have that kind of influence over him? Already?
Adrianna shrugged. "It's what I'd do. It'd be pretty stupid not to. I'm just glad you're not all a bunch of idiots. I've protected idiots before, it's not very fun. They keep stumbling into danger, no clue how to get themselves out." She slammed the book closed. Hermione saw the title, The Myth and the Reality of the Empath. "Complete crap!" she said with disgust, tossing the book on the floor.
Anger rose in Hermione. To treat a book with such disrespect---
"Some books deserve disrespect, just like some people deserve disrespect," the witch answered Hermione's unspoken complaint, making the girl's anger to turn to ice cold fear. If this was the Empathy, then they really were in trouble. Could she read all their thoughts?
"Only the ones where there're strong emotions attached," Adrianna answered again in what Hermione felt was an insolent tone. How dare she?
"Fantastic!" Ron called with enthusiasm, making Hermione turn her eyes sharply to his. What was he up to? "Is it a fun power to have?" he asked.
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Ron was acting like he was meeting a new mate. She took back every kind thing she ever said, or more accurately thought, about his intelligence. She watched, astounded, as the boy smiled stupidly.
Harry relaxed, sitting on Ron's bed, grinning at Ron and Adrianna in turn. Were all boys daft? Her stomach clenched. Was it because Adrianna was attractive? Ron was a fool for a pretty girl.
"Sometimes," the Empath answered, looking at Ron with amusement.
Hermione fumed. She had no right to be amused by her Ron. He was her idiot!
"Often it's less fun." Adrianna paused looking over at Hermione. Her light expression faded. "So, you all know who I am---"
"On the contrary," Hermione replied irately, not caring at the moment how mean her tone was. "We have no idea who you are."
The woman smiled a slow, interested smile. Hermione fumed. Harry bit out a warning, "Hermione."
But Adrianna interrupted him, holding out her hand, "Adrianna Potter."
Hermione's took a hissing breath at the word 'Potter,' crossing her arms to show just how much she was not going to allow this woman to touch her. "Hermione Granger," she replied heatedly.
Ron cleared his throat, shooting Hermione an angry glance. He turned and smiled up at the woman. He offered his hand like the daft fool that he was. "Ron Weasley." Hermione couldn't believe he was taking Adrianna's side over hers.
"Ron!" Hermione called out, unable to stand it any longer. "How thick can you be?"
"What?" he bit out, indignantly. "Hermione, you're being rather rude."
"Arrgh!" She fell back into the bed. Hermione turned her angry eyes to the Empath. "If you think I'm going to allow you to touch me---"
The Empath's eyes sparked with challenge. "What are you afraid of?"
Hermione scoffed, replying sarcastically, "That you'll read my mind."
"I can do that right now. I don't need touch to read minds, it helps, but all I need is emotions and yours are abundant."
Hermione heard Ron snigger. His violent murder was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey, when she bustled in carrying a tray full of potions. "So, many visitors…" she said, placing the potions on Hermione's far bedside table. "Oh, my word, you must be Julian Potter's daughter. The headmaster just informed us of your arrival."
"Madam," Adrianna addressed, her posture becoming more formal as she stood and addressed the Healer.
"I knew your father…"
Hermione took advantage of Adrianna being drawn in to a conversation with Madam Pomfrey at the end of the bed. She gestured Harry and Ginny closer. Ginny sat on the edge of her bed, but Harry refused to move from Ron's. Hermione leaned closer to them. "Harry, you can't seriously trust this woman?" she whispered harshly.
"Yeah, actually I do," he answered in an equally heated tone. "I mean,
I'm not ready to follow her to the ends of the earth but…" He looked at Ginny. "Last night Dumbledore showed me a memory in his Pensieve and she is my cousin and she is not working for Voldemort. I am sure of that."
Harry seemed to be looking to Ginny to confirm his story. Hermione knew that Ginny had not been witness to the events in Dumbledore's office. What was that all about? If Hermione lost Ginny as an ally…
"It is a convincing story, Hermione," Ginny said with reluctance.
Hermione eyed them suspiciously. When had Ginny heard the story? She had left the hospital wing after midnight. Had they sat up together all night? "Well," Hermione continued, trying to keep her voice even. "How do we know she is working under her own volition? What about the Imperious Curse?" Hermione tried to find some hint of reason in her friends, but Harry, annoyed, turned his head away from her.
"Look Hermione, I'm suspicious as well," Ginny said quickly. "And I know we discussed that possibility last night, but don't you think she's awfully… lively, for someone under the Imperious?" She gestured over to where Adrianna was talking to Madam Pomfrey animatedly.
"Oy!" Ron called furiously. He leaned over the space between the beds and attacked in a whisper, "Maybe Hermione is just threatened by having another pushy, know-it-all around. What, afraid of the competition?"
Harry gave an almost hysterical laugh and Ginny backed away, grabbing at Harry to remove him from the line of fire. Hermione thought that she had never been so angry at a person in her entire life. How dare he? After everything, how dare he? Know-it-all her…bum!
"Oh, my god!" Adrianna gasped.
All eyes, with the exception of Hermione's, turned to look beyond the girl's bed at Adrianna. Hermione refused to interrupt the glare she had directed at Ron.
"These are Avada Kadavra potions!"
Hermione turned around with such speed that her ribs and neck cried out in pain. She looked up at Adrianna with angry confusion. What was she about now?
Adrianna was carefully inspecting Hermione's healing potions. She turned and looked the younger girl in the eye, asking in an astonished voice, "Hermione, did you block the Avada Kadavra?"
Hermione was dumbstruck. She shook her head. "I don't think so, I mean… it's not possible to block the Avada Kadavra," she finished with more confidence.
Adrianna was deadly serious when she replied, "Yes, it is. It's extremely difficult and requires an awfully powerful witch or wizard, and an even more powerful shield… but it's possible. I've seen it. Even so, the result is a person who is almost dead and these," she picked up the potions for emphasis, "are precisely the potions required to bring that person back."
"But I…" Hermione started, but she didn't know. She had no idea what spell Dolohov used on her. She turned to Madam Pomfrey, who looked distressed.
"I don't think Professor Dumbledore would---" the Healer was saying.
"Would what? Would want us to know the truth?" Ron retorted angrily. His face had the same horrified look it had when he awoke from a nightmare. Hermione instantly forgave him for everything.
"Well?" Ron demanded. The look on Madam Pomfrey's face was all they needed to confirm Adrianna's theory.
"What shield did you use?" Adrianna asked with a curious tone.
"I er…" Hermione couldn't think. Had she really blocked the Avada Kadavra? It didn't seem possible.
"She used a silencing charm," Harry told his cousin, a flat, strange tone to his voice.
"And that worked?" Adrianna seemed surprised.
"Nobody's ever thought of that before?" Ginny asked incredulously.
"Sure, of course, it's been thought of. It's just nobody has had the nerve to test it. I mean if someone points the Avada Kadavra at me. I'm getting the hell out of the way. I'm not going to try something experimental."
"Experimental?" Ron's voice broke. He looked as though he was going to be sick.
Adrianna's expression became more serious. "I suppose you should take these. I must say I'm impressed." She turned and talked with the Healer as she walked her from the room.
Hermione swallowed, taking a deep breath before slowly drinking one foul tasting potion after another. Ginny had moved over to her brother's bed. "All right, Ron?" He nodded and tried to smile. Hermione saw him lock gazes with Harry, who had backed away and was standing with his hands in his pockets, looking guilt ridden.
Great, this was just great. "Ron?" Hermione implored.
"Hermione, please, just take your potions," he replied in a small voice.
In that moment Hermione just wanted everyone to go away. She wanted it to be just her and Ron. She needed…
Adrianna was back, unfortunately. She sat back in the chair and rummaged through a small bag she had slung over her shoulder. "Now, I suppose you'd like to see some good books on Empaths?" she said, as she pulled out a small chest.
Hermione frowned as Adrianna tossed the chest to Harry and instructed him to place it on the floor. The Empath then pulled out an unusual champagne colored wand and enlarged the chest to a trunk. She waved the wand again, and used a spell Hermione didn't know, transforming the trunk into a bookcase full of books.
There was a collective gasp. Even Hermione was in awe, and she couldn't help it. To be able to take all those books out of one's pocket…
Adrianna was looking through the shelves. "Now this, The Great Empath Massacre, tells the best known history of the events from 1494 to 1520." She handed the book to Harry and went to pull out more books. "The Lost Art of Empathy is an excellent rendition of the theory and powers of Empathy, and The Legend and Legacy of The Empath tells the best and most complete history of Empaths throughout time, though still mostly post 1520."
She placed these books on top of the other, in Harry's outstretched arms. "Er...Adrianna, these aren't in English," Harry commented, wide eyed.
"Yes, well, that's why they aren't in your library. Hermione, what languages do you speak?"
"Um, Latin... and some French…" Hermione replied hesitantly, feeling excited against her better judgment.
"Well, these are in Romanian, German, and Japanese, so... Do you know a good translating spell?" Hermione shook her head, slowly. "Ready to learn one?" Adrianna took one heavy book from Harry's pile and placed it next to Hermione on the bed. She put the tip of her wand and her left hand on the book, "Ligu Anglase."
The letters changed shape and arrangement, finally stopping to form The Great Empath Massacre. Hermione gasped with excitement. It was a whole new world opening up.
"Would you like to try the others?" Adrianna asked.
Hermione was giddy with the possibility. She wanted to so badly. She had to remind herself that she did not trust this woman. She shouldn't take anything from her, even a new spell.
Hermione nodded her ascent. It seemed she was physically incapable of turning down the chance to learn a new spell. She deliberately ignored Ron's snort, as Adrianna carefully took her through the transformation of the other two books.
"This spell will wear off in a few days. You can keep the books for now. They're all charmed to come back to me when I call, so it's not a problem," Adrianna explained when they were done. Hermione ignored Ginny's glare as she took the books. Adrianna went back over at the bookcase. "But this…." She pulled out a small tattered book and held it out to Hermione. "This is very important to me, so I'll need you to be extra careful."
Hermione took it tentatively and preformed the newly learned spell. The front was a worn purple fabric cover without wording. The first page was hand written.
Adrianna Molikov
Born May 4, 1533
"It's my..." Adrianna began, then paused, looking over at Harry. "Our ancestor's diary, the one that started the Empath line in our family. It's quite the family heirloom."
The younger girl carefully turned the pages. A small drawing fell out and Hermione picked it up. It was of a young girl of twelve or thirteen. "She looks like you," she said murmured absently.
"A little." Adrianna took the sketch and held it out to Harry. "This is our great… I don't know how many greats, great grandmother." Harry took it reverently and collapsed on to the side of Ron's bed. Adrianna picked out another fabric covered book from her shelves and sat next to Harry. "This is my family album."
Ginny and Ron leaned over their shoulders to see as Adrianna flipped quickly through the book. Harry had a strange, frightened look on his face. "This is Grandma Isabella and Grandpa Eddy when they were younger. These are our dads at Christmas when they were kids. Here's my parents' wedding picture."
She handed the album to Harry. Hermione thought she saw Harry's hand shake when he carefully turned the pages. Adrianna got up, allowing Ginny to sit with Harry, and transformed the bookcase back into a small chest.
Hermione ran her hand over the diary, feeling the pull of curiosity. She was confused, too many emotions warred within her. "Why are you trusting me with this?" she asked Adrianna.
"Are you not trustworthy?" the woman asked casually. Was it a challenge?
"Adrianna," Ginny called, interrupting the exchange. "Is this you?" She pointed to a picture of Lily Potter on her wedding day, holding a little girl's hand. Adrianna just nodded.
Further questions were interrupted by a clearing throat. They looked up to see Professor Dumbledore in the middle of the room. "Miss Potter, if you'd be so kind. There are some people here who would like to meet you."
"Oh. Sure." She looked at Harry and threw him a pained expression before turning back to the professors with a carefully arranged expression of polite seriousness. She touched Harry's shoulder as she passed. "I'll see you later."
After Adrianna left, Ginny quickly left her place on Ron's bed to come over to Hermione's. "I can't believe you," she hissed.
"What?" Hermione clutched the books to her, but she knew what. She was weak. She'd allowed that woman to befuddle her.
"Don't give me that. One minute you're all, 'she's evil, Harry. Don't trust her'… the next you're 'blimey, you have books so you must be honest, steadfast, and true.' You're a… you're a… a book whore, that's what you are!"
Hermione gasped in quiet indignation. "I am not," she hissed, though maybe she was. "You weren't exactly 'let's stand strongly against her.' Miss 'it was a convincing story. She's lively…'"
"Fine." Ginny frowned. "I just think we need to be careful. I mean, I hope she's for real." She glanced at Harry. "But—"
"We shouldn't take it for granted," Hermione agreed, with some guilt. She ran a hand over the diary.
"Oy, what are you two gossiping about?" Ron called.
"None of your business, Ronald Weasley," Ginny called back. Then she whispered to Hermione, "Which reminds me. Whenever you get a minute free of that one. We need to talk."
Hermione blushed and glanced at Ron. She couldn't know about their late night activities, could she?
"But for now," Ginny paused, looking at the door that Adrianna had left through. "I think I should---"
"Follow her," Hermione whispered.
"Follow her," Ginny confirmed, getting up. "I'll see you blokes later. I promised I'd meet Colin for lunch," she called to the others.
"Bye," Ron called after her, not looking up.
Harry gave a distracted grunt, and by the time he looked up she was already gone. "Oh yeah, I should go as well." Harry grabbed the photo album and was out the door before his two remaining friends knew what happened.
Hermione looked at Ron. The pleasant expression faded from his face, indicating that he was done pretending everything was all right. And there they were, alone again.
"So, we're um…stalking Harry's cousin, then?" Colin asked Ginny from their position behind a suit of armor in one of the dark alcoves that lined a Hogwart's hallways.
"Yes, I told you. Now, shhh!" Ginny whispered, gritting her teeth and regretting ever involving her friend in her little project.
Colin ignored her, sighing melodramatically. "I'd rather be stalking Harry," he whined.
Ginny rolled her eyes and shot him a menacing glare. "Harry's not the one I need to learn information on. Here, hold this." She handed him the receiving portion of her extendable ear as she carefully levitated the other ear to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.
"Yes, but…" Colin grinned evilly and whispered in her ear. "I bet she doesn't have his cute little arse."
Ginny gasped, flushing. She smacked him on the arm, causing him to wince and laugh simultaneously. "Colin!" she hissed. "I have no interest in Harry or his cousin's arse, not anymore," she denied, only half lying.
Colin was having none of it. He smiled knowingly, even as he held the ear to his face to listen. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to concentrate on the levitation. After a few minutes Colin whispered, casually, "I know you still look. I've seen you. It's only gotten better over the years."
"What has?" Ginny asked irritably. She should have known he wouldn't give up so easily.
"You know what I'm talking about…Harry's arse." Ginny groaned as he began again. "Don't you think he's gotten even sexier this last year…all dark and brooding?"
Yes, she certainly did think so, and it's been driving her crazy. "No. I'm done with Harry Potter," she hissed.
Colin laughed softly, "Is that's why we're spying on his cousin, then?'
"He's still my friend," she protested. Quickly, she added, "Do you hear anything?" Ginny's brow knitted with concentration, trying to block out the teasing. She levitated the ear around the edges of the entrance. Damn stone walls. Why couldn't Dumbledore have a keyhole like a normal wizard?
Colin shook his head as he pressed the receiver to his ear. "You don't have a boyfriend any more and rumor has it Harry's done with Cho Chang, so… Wait," Colin paused, drawing Ginny's eager eyes to him. "I hear…" She stared at him expectantly. "…a grinding stone?" He shrugged.
Ginny's eye's whipped around and she saw the gargoyle turn and reveal a hidden spiral staircase. "Oh, oh, voices," Colin whispered, pressing the receiver against her ear, his face close to hers.
"It is so lovely to meet you, Adrianna. Can't say what a relief it is to have an Auror of your caliber watching over our dear Harry." Ginny made out a distant, familiar, male voice.
Adrianna appeared first down the staircase. "It is my pleasure." Her voice betrayed nothing but graciousness, but her expression was one of displeasure.
Ginny felt her heart stop when she saw Adrianna pause, as if listening. The Empath turned and looked directly at the levitated ear. Ginny grabbed Colin's arm roughly. The voices were getting louder and feet were appearing behind Adrianna.
Ginny held her breath. Adrianna looked right at her and smiled. She snatched the extendable ear out of the air and held it in front of her as she finished her downward climb. She turned to smile politely to the others as they descended and joined her in the hall. When no one was looking the woman slipped the ear into her open bag.
"Should we go?" Colin whispered, suddenly sounding anxious, the teasing completely gone from his tone.
Ginny shook her head and set her jaw. She didn't know what Adrianna was up to, but she would be damned if she wasn't going to find out. A challenge had been issued and she was not going to back down.
Down the stairs appeared Minister Fudge, followed by Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall.
"So nice of you to contact the Department of Law Enforcement, Albus. Can't tell you how excited Carter was. Kept going on about how talented our young Miss Potter was." Fudge talked quickly, with forced brightness.
"I'm sure those Express Owls from America were a pleasure as well, eh, Cornelius?" Dumbledore said smiling.
"Yes, yes, quiet happy to have you here." The Minister laughed nervously.
"Can I escort you to your carriage?" Professor McGonagall asked pointedly. Fudge looked further flustered, not sure if he was being rushed out. Ginny suspected that he was.
"Do have a lovely trip back." Adrianna inclined her head politely.
Fudge took it upon himself to grab her hand and shake it vigorously. "Yes, yes, anything we can do for you at the British Ministry, please let us know."
"I'll do that."
"Good day!" Dumbledore called to their retreating backs as he turned and shared a meaningful look with Adrianna.
Oh god, she's going to give the ear to Dumbledore. Ginny just knew she was. She'd have detention on the last week of school. All because of that---
"Snape," Colin whispered, grabbing her shirt.
Ginny's eyes widened as her eyes flew to her least favorite professor, who was approaching Adrianna and Dumbledore. She reached over to Colin and pressed them both back into the shadows. Ginny cursed herself for not nicking Harry's invisibility cloak.
Snape walked rapidly toward the headmaster. Thankfully, he paid no attention to the alcove or its occupants. "Professor," Snape greeted Dumbledore stiffly, with a small bow. "If I could have a moment of your time?"
"Of course, Severus, but first." Dumbledore graciously gestured toward his guest, "Let me introduce you to Miss Adrianna Potter."
Snape glowered at her, clearly surprised. "Potter," he sneered.
"Yes, indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you." Adrianna held out her hand, silently challenging him to take it. The Potion Master extended his hand carefully, as if touching something revolting.
Adrianna expression changed to one of curiosity and then to distress. She frowned. "Wow, you're a sad one aren't you? Haven't felt anything quite like that in a while." She took a deep breath.
Snape snatched his hand away, realization dawning on his face. "You're Julian Potter's lost daughter….the Empath." The last part was an accusation.
"You don't have to be this way," Adrianna said as if he hadn't said a word. "Alone, miserable. This is your choice."
"How dare you!" he growled in return.
"Yeah, well, you'd be amazed at what I dare." She shrugged. "We should talk sometime."
"You imprudent, arrogant---" Ginny had never seen such fury on Snape's face, which was saying something. Angry bloke, he was.
"Severus," Dumbledore said insistently, guiding him gently away from Adrianna. "You needed to speak to me." His eyes twinkled at Adrianna as he turned and followed Snape up the stairs.
Adrianna turned toward Ginny, raising her eyebrows she fingered the extendable ear. Ginny steeled herself as the woman began to approach her. Now what was she going to do?
Thank you to RedMoonChick, kjcp, JenB, and Texasmagic.