Disclaimer: Do I own Harry Potter? No. (Legolas is an entirely different matter, however.)

They led Hermione to a chair in the kitchen and motioned for her to sit. Remus and Johann sat as well. Remus began, Well, um quite frankly there's no good way to preface this. We both think it would be fastest and least confusing for you to just read this letter (it had a freshly broken Hogwarts seal) and these parchments. Then we need to discuss, the um, implications.

Hermione look from one to the other and realized they were serious. What else could possibly be happening? neither man answered. Ok I'll read fast and get whatever it is over with. She disposed of the letter quickly. It was only a few lines and ended with: Don't discredit all. There are true seers. Then she started to attack the manuscript. After a few pages she said, I need a runeish dictionary. I think I've got some meanings confused.

No, you don't. They mean what they say, Remus said without enthusiasm. It doesn't translate very well, of course, but it's clear enough. He looked miserable.

Hermione reviewed what she had read in her mind, her translation ran roughly as follows:

When the earth is older, Iona will appear again, spirited out of cold, to hands ignorant of its past, Odessa the faithful will fall, his struggle over but not lost, his faith lives. murmurs of the council will begin anew, after long sleep, the runes awaken. where? where are they? Alexandria? Geat? Iberia? look where you expect and where you don't. hurry, the storm is coming. there is need. Odessa fits the wrist of one scarred and hopeless too soon. Your hope, the worlds hope comes through you. And Iona. Call her Joy. . . .

She raised her head from the parchment. Johann looked gleeful, Remus, nervous and, well, grim.

Does he really need to be here? Hermione asked, pointing at Johann.

There are things he can help to explain and he seems to know everything anyway. We might as well have him here where we can see him instead of letting him eavesdrop behind the door.

True. . . . So what's to discuss really. I don't believe in divination.

This is not bug eyes reading bloody tea leaves, and your reaction was not so indifferent as disbelief.

OK, so maybe it seems like some of this prophecy has happened. But we're already doing the best we can.

Are you? Johann asked and wiggled his eyebrows.

Now you're leaving. Hermione and Remus both had their wands out. Shall I put the body bind on or do you want the honor, Remus?

Ladies first.

Johann was quickly disarmed and stuck in his room. With the door shut and a towel shoved underneath it.
~
Now they were alone. I don't know what to say. said Hermione.

Remus was nervously twining his fingers, Neither do I.

Do you think it's a real prophecy? That it's talking about us?

My brain is skeptical, but all the same, somehow, it feels true. He sighed.

This is definitely a conversation I never thought I'd have. I don't know how to begin.

I could say the same.

Hermione was fidgeting miserably. Remus put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. The shock jolted them both. Mercifully, Hermione started to laugh. Look at us. We'll never get anywhere being this stiff.

What do you suggest.

What does Dumbledore say. I refuse to believe he has kept his beard out of any of this.

Remus pulled a crumpled letter out of his pocket. He handed it to Hermione:

I suggest you stop kidding yourselves and admit it. Best wishes, Dumbledore.

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a/n: more is coming very soon, but I wanted to get this up.





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