Name: Chamber of Destinies
Author: Sweet-calmness
Genre: Romance/Action/Angst
Disclaimer: I own the plot, nothing more
Chapter 5
It took a while for Hermione to stop crying. So many things have bombarding her, forbidding her to think clearly. But when she wept, some of the frustration and anger seeped out of her when she did, and she was finally able to accept her fate. Everything was clear to her now and she knew that what ever she has to do, she'll be able to get it through.
She turned away from the family tree; she'll have other chances to look at them. On the other side of the room she saw shelves. Dozens of shelves with books stacked in them; much to her delight. In no time did her feet carry her in front of them, and her hands brushed the leather bound volumes in excitement.
One especially, caught her eyes. It was an auburn color book, with the words To Hermione written in gold, neat and sloping letters. There was also a lock on the book. Unsure of what to do, Hermione laid her hands over the lock. For a second nothing happened, and then she felt the book becoming warm. It lifted itself of her hands, the lock magically clicked open. The cover opened, revealing the introductory page. It says -
To Hermione,
this book is now yours. It was made to help you with your training when you take on your duty as the heir of magic, had the entire family died. It will aid you when you discover your new powers. I'm sure you'll become a powerful witch and the most powerful in the world, as you were meant to be.
With all our love
Damian Gryffindor
Hermione moved her hands to turn the page, and to her delight one flick of her fingers, the page turned on its own. The first chapter has the words "Metamorphmagus" stamped on the top. The 15 year old started reading right away.
Hermione woke up with a start. She was lying on the cold hard marble floor, her hands resting over To Hermione from the previous night. It took a while for the time to register to her brain. She pulled up her left sleeve to show a red band watch, its small hand nearing the 8 and the shorter one passing right by 10.
'Ahhh.I can't be late for class on the first day!'
Hermione sat up promptly and grabbed for the book. She'll just have to continue reading it some other time. Taking one last look, she exited the chamber and through the two gates, waving goodbye to Merlin and Godric on her way.
It took less time to get to the Heads' dorms. Harry and Ron were waiting for her in the common room, both in a heated discussion. They turned there heads when they heard the sound of sliding doors and both stood up expectantly when she approached the pair.
'Hi guys.' Hermione said. The boys ignored her greeting.
'Where have you been Hermione? It's not like you to be out so early in the morning; shouldn't you be doing some light reading?' Ron asked. Harry tried not to laugh, Hermione signed.
'I was just out for a brisk walk.' She lied. It felt terrible, lying to her two best friends, probably the only close people she has left, but Hermione vowed to keep them safe, no matter what happens to her.
Her thoughts were disrupted when for the second time of the day, a door squeaked. Draco Malfoy stepped out of his room; his blond hair slightly ruffed up from the nights sleep. He walked out of the common room without a word, not even a curse; to the trio. This is especially unusual for him, and the trio was in deep thought when they headed to breakfast in the great hall.
The new first years were all situated at the end of the four tables. When the three friends entered the hall, a harsh silence fell over that part of the tables and soft whispers instantly begun as Harry, Ron and Hermione went to find a space at the Gryffindor table. Undoubtedly, they were all talking about Harry.
Hermione noticed a few people pointing at them, and even a few pointing at her. Ron seemed to be forgotten for the time being, but he doesn't seem to mind. He was to busy gazing over at the Ravenclaw table, exchanging goofy faces with Luna.
There was a very brave first year, by the name Char Tiarey. He came up to Harry and whispered something to his ear. Harry flushed 5 shades of red, and his eyes swiftly landed on Hermione, who was staring at him quizzically.
'Harry, are you alright?' She was a bit worried.
'Hmmm...? Oh, I'm fine.' It was clear that nothing is fine, but Hermione didn't pressure him. Harry watched her go back to breakfast, also reading a huge leather bound book.
Hermione was very worried by the end of the first chapter of her book. It speaks of her metamorphmagus ability. The problem was that when she was small, Gwen had placed a long-term appearance charm on her. Hermione had wondered how her hair has changed from its usual bushiness to the silky curls. Now she knew. According to her book, she looks very much like Gwen, who had brown golden curls with honey brown orbs. What really got her concerned was that her eye color was not supposed to be honey brown like her mother, but sky blue, much like Sirius's. The spell her mother has placed will be wearing off soon, just like the hair, and sooner or later the true colors will show. If Hermione doesn't get a hang onto her metamorphmagus abilities by then, then she will be in big trouble.
Hermione has decided to start training in the chamber right away. She was going over her plan when, unexpectedly, she crashed into someone. That someone was Ginny.
Hermione gasped when she saw her. She was red, and that doesn't include the hair. Her face was flushed scarlet; she was rather out of breath. Hermione quickly went to the girl's side, and rubbed on her back, calming her down. Rather then helping the poor girl, it did quite the opposite. She burst into tears.
'Ginny, what's wrong?' Hermione said. Ginny shook her head, and stood up, motioning a door on the side, leading to an empty class room.
The two went in and pulled two stools to sit down, Hermione facing Ginny. The younger girl wiped her face with her sleeves, and sniffed. Hermione patted her back.
'Ginny, you know that you can tell me anything? You're like a sister to me, I won't bite.' Ginny was able to smile.
'I know. It's just that, I don't know. I don't want you to hate me. I don't want Ron or anyone to hate me...' She trailed off. Hermione was a bit shocked.
'I don't hate you. No one can hate you. You're Ginny Weasley, remember?' Ginny was finally able to look up.
'It's a secret. You have to promise that you won't tell anyone.' Hermione smiled softly. She placed her hand in front of her heart.
'I promise I won't tell anyone.' Ginny was relieved. She fiddled around for a second, before taking deep breath and started off.
'Well, you see...oh Merlin, this is hard...I've fell in love with someone.' Hermione frowned.
'But shouldn't you be happy? This is great! Who is he?' Ginny shook her head.
'No...you don't get it. You see...the person I fell in love with is Draco Malfoy.' Hermione sat there, stunned.
'The Draco Malfoy?!'
'Yes, the Draco Malfoy.' Hermione couldn't reply. So she motioned Ginny to continue.
'You see...Narcissa, Draco's mother died during the school holidays. There was an attack on the Malfoy manor, and only Draco was able to escape it. What took me by surprise was that Lucius was the one who attacked the manor, he attacked his own house!' Ginny exclaimed. Hermione nodded for Ginny to continue.
'Dad was at the ministry, patching things up. I was there too when they did the trial. Apparently Draco is not a death eater, and since he is not a legal wizard yet, they did not have the authority of sending him to Azkaban. After the trial Dad went to finish some paper work and I was free to do as I wish. I went out to the back ministry office, and I saw Draco sitting on the benches all by himself. He looked at bit baffled, and I couldn't help it but feel sorry for him.
FLASHBACK
'Hi Draco.' 'What do you want Weasley? Coming here to get a good gloat?' Ginny huffed.
'Fine! You know what? That just shows why people hate you so much. You don't accept anyone, and anyone that tries to help you actually get insulted. If you were sentenced to Azkaban now, I wouldn't care a bit. It's a waste of emotions, feeling sorry for you.' Ginny swirled around, walking away.
'Wait!'
Ginny stopped, and turned back, waiting for him to speak.
'I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did, especially when you're being nice to me, which I bet is taking a lot out of you.' Ginny had to smile on that one, and her eyes softened.
'Well, it comes naturally for me.' Ginny replied, walking up to the bench and seating herself beside Draco. A minute of silence passed, and both teenagers felt an uneasy tension following up. Each teen was stealing glances at each other, and when they both turned at the same time, the two reddened profusely.
'So why didn't you walk away like the others did?' Draco asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
'Well...I have a gentle heart you see.' That cracked another smile from Draco. 'I just thought that everyone should get a second chance. You've lost everything, maybe if someone just show you the right way, you could become a good person, like you were meant to be.'
What Ginny said softened Draco's heart, and for the first time in his life that anyone could see, he cried.
END FLASHBACK
'He then told me that he was sorry for everything he has done. His mother was the only one he ever loved. He hates his father and he wants to kill You-know-who with his bare hands.'
'How do you know that he isn't lying? I mean, he is a Malfoy after all.' Hermione countered.
'I know, because I could see it in his eyes. He is a whole new person after the attack, and I just couldn't help but notice the way he's changed....'
Hermione made up her mind then and there. Maybe there is a light side of Draco, maybe there is a chance that she could get to know him, get to know her only living relative. Hermione's face lighted up.
'I hope he takes good care of you and love you as much as you love him.' Hermione said. Ginny threw her arms around the older girl, and the two hugged like a sister to a sister.
'But what about Ron? You saw how badly he reacted when he thought I was going out with Neville, what is he going to think when he found out that I'm going out with his worst enemy?'
'I'm sure everything will work out fine.' Ginny hugged Hermione again. 'Thank you.'
'I have finish writing up the plan masterrrrrrr...'
'Good...I hope you know what's on the line here? If you fail me...there will be consequences.'
'Yes master. I promise I'll capture the heir, yes, yes...that brat won't know what got her.' The little voice stuttered, and faded off as its owner backed away.
'You will be mine!' A thundering voice laughed out into the night.
The painting of Dumbledore opened up to let Hermione through, revealing to her the current fight that Harry, Ron and Draco are having. She approached the group carefully, waiting to see what was going on.
'Look Weasel! Scar-head! Leave me alone alright? I'm sick and tired of you!'
'What have you got to hide Malfoy?! You're going down, like your father and your mother. Like the rest of Voldemort's supporters!' Harry shouted.
'Hah, you think you know everything Potter, but truly, you know very little. Everything you think revolves around you, you're wrong. I'd watch your back if I were you.' Draco said, trying to keep his cool. Hermione chose to step in.
'Stop it guys. That is enough.' Harry and Ron both looked at her incredulously.
'But Hermione-! 'Ron started. She quickly shook her head.
'No. We're all Head boys and girls. We should be able to get along with each other.' She turned to Draco. 'I'm sorry for Ron and Harry's behavior. May you please forgive them?' The other two boys gaped.
'I will, but I'm warning them, if they ever try to get on my nerves again, Potter there will wish he still have his mother to die for him. Weasley will wish he has never met me' Draco warned, and exited the room.
'I started doing that a long time ago.' Ron whispered under his breath, but luckily Hermione didn't hear.
'Hermione, what was that about?!' Ron hollered. Hermione grimaced.
'I just thought maybe it's time to stop your childish behavior Ron! Draco is not the enemy, Voldemort is, so will you stop being so childish and concentrate on helping Harry for once.' Ron flinched, and then made a face.
'Since when did you ever call Malfoy Draco? And since when have you started sticking up for that prat?'
'Since I was born a brain Ron.' Hermione walked away from the two, getting tired of arguing with them. Harry's emerald eyes followed her until she closed the door to her room. Did her eyes turn blue?
Harry, Hermione and Ron headed for their first class, transfiguration. They arrived in McGonagall's class right on time, and seated themselves at the back of the rows. The tabby cat that is the professor's animagus form surveyed them sternly. With a pop, it changed into a human, showing a spray of gray hair and two serious blue eyes. Transfiguration is probably Hermione's favorite class, other then charms or defense against the dark arts.
This year, people seem especially interested in the class, most likely to be the caused from the news of Voldemort's return. McGonagall appeared to be, oddly, happy for the attention that the class once lacked. Even Ron has stopped his doodling.
Hermione looked down at her time planner as the old professor turned around to demonstrate the calacio (a spell used to change the colors of anything by will). She wasn't too keen on concentrating since she learnt that spell at the very beginning of year two, and was more worried about the training schedule she drew up for herself.
After reading the book, she found herself needing to learn a number of new abilities. Metamorphmagus, wandless magic, control of the nature, apparating (even inside Hogwarts), prophesizing (much to Hermione's distaste), weaponry, and animagus (in her case, she can change into different animals at will) are only the beginning of her powers, and she couldn't wait to try them out.
She'll be going to the chamber at midnight when everyone has fallen asleep. Then she can creep up to the chamber and practice there. Later on at five she can go back down to her room and then get a small nap before waking up to start the day. It couldn't be harder then her third year, could it?
The bell rang as a sign of class finishing, and Hermione stuffed her things into her overly large backpack. She saw Harry and Ron waiting for her by the door way.
'That was some class huh. Remind me to use that spell for Malfoy the next time I see him. I'm sure red will suit his oil blond, don't you think?' Ron asked. Harry laughed, but Hermione was too deep in her thoughts to reply. Hated to be ignored, the redhead instantly stamped his feet and swirled around in front of the 15 year old girl to block her course.
'What is with you? You can be so damn ignorant Hermione!!'
Luckily, Ginny was just passing by, and noticing another argument brewing up between her brother and Hermione; she quickly went over and pulled on Hermione, giving her an "I want to talk to you, alone" look. Hermione was more then happy to follow. Giving the girls a weird stare, the two boys went of on their own.
'So, what do you want to talk about?' Hermione queried.
'Well, I just want to tell you the news. Draco and I are going out!' Hermione eyes lighted up, and she squealed.
'Really? Congrats Gin!!! You totally deserve the happiness!' Gin laughed.
'Thanks, but I just want to tell you. This is a secret, so please don't tell anyone, not Harry, not Ron, ESPECIALLY not Ron, no one.' Well, that's one more secret I'll have to keep from my friends, won't hurt I guess.
'Sure.'
Two weeks has passed without much events happening. Hermione was getting well along with her training, but she's having trouble hiding her true eye color. Sometimes near moonlight, she could see the little specks of bright cerulean among her iris.
Other then that, life was as well as it could be. The terror only broke out when Dumbledore announced the yearly ball, the Oriental Ball. All 4th years to 7th years must attend, and everyone must have a partner for this occasion.
Secretively, Hermione wanted Harry to be her partner, but she didn't have the courage to ask him. It didn't help that every girl in school (excluding the Slytherins) wanted him to be theirs, and Harry was occasionally, if not always, being stalked and chased through the corridors. Hermione wondered why he said no to all those beautiful, popular girls. Surely one could match up to Harry's looks and talent.
It's not like she didn't have her own little fan club. Ever since the beginning of the year, she was named "the hottest girl of the year". Boys have been trying to asking her out, flirt with her, trying to be close to her; one even asked to...well...um...you know....sleep with her (it was a Slytherin).
She, of course, declined to all of these. Ron and Harry reacted badly to all of them, and Harry especially. Ron was more understanding, since he already has a girlfriend. But Harry, boy was Hermione surprised when he drove all those guys away. When the 7th year Slytherin asked Hermione to sleep with him (and bad luck for him since Harry was right beside her), he was mulled to the floor and beaten up badly with almost all of the hexes that Harry knew. He only stopped when Hermione pulled on his arm, a bit fearful of his expression. His face turned from the dangerous warning look to a protective smile. The girl felt awfully comforted by this smiled, and as usual, felt her heart melt.
Sitting in the Head boy/girl common room, with her head buried in the book, "Shadowing ages, the Dark Arts", she did not hear the sound of moving footsteps coming up from behind her.
'Hermione?' She looked up, realizing that she has company. Her mysterious guest turned out to be Draco, who seems a little flustered and rather nervous by the way he kept on shuffling his feet and gazing at the ground.
'Draco? Are you alright?' He seemed a bit hesitant to continue the conversation, but decided to anyways. Moving towards Hermione, he sat down beside her and looked into her eyes searchingly.
'Hermione, I know you don't really trust me. But I just came here to thank you, for giving Ginny approval of dating me. It really meant a lot to her, and to me. I know that I haven't been all that nice-'Hermione snorted well naturedly, making Draco smile a little. '-to you all, but I'm hoping we could be friends, or at least be on friendly terms.
'Okay Draco, I accept your proposal. I would love to get to know the real you.' Hermione said, feeling her heart lift.
A gust of wind violently opened the windows. Hermione and Draco rushed to close them. Hermione was shutting the last one when Draco gasped. The fifteen year old did not realize that moonlight was shinning onto her, revealing her near-blue eyes. Quickly closing the window, she turned to Draco, who was analyzing her carefully. Moving forward and Draco took a step back, unsure of what to do.
'Draco, I can explain everything.' The boy wasn't all that convinced.
'Who are you, what have you done with Hermione?'
'I am Hermione. Please let me explain. Here, you can even have my wand.' The 15 year old said, getting her wand from her robes and tossed it over to Draco. He seemed a bit reluctant, but complied with the listening part.
Hermione took a deep breath. It is going to be difficult...very difficult.
'Draco, I know this is extremely hard to believe, but I am........' Nothing could prepare Draco for what she was about to say next.
'Draco, I am your cousin, by blood.'
Author's message: Third time's the charm, they always say!