A/N: "HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!" (To quote Andy and Matt!) Chapter 20 for Hermione's Secret is here! YAY! ((Sweeps off her imaginary hat)) Yay me...And my loving fans. You guys are awesome. I would not be writing this if you weren't reading it! I want to thank the Academy, the producers, the dir-((trapdoor drops open under her)) NOOO! ((small voice)) Ok…point taken…get back to writing…
Chapter 20: Owl Post
The next morning neither Harry, Ron, nor Hermione woke up before ten. In fact, if it hadn't been for the owl pecking away at the window, Harry doubted he would have woken up at all. Rubbing his eyes and muttering curses to the bird, Harry walked over to the window and opened it. As the owl flew in, Harry looked outside. The sloping grounds were covered in even more snow than before and more drifted to the ground. Harry closed the window and looked at the bird sitting on his trunk preening itself. Harry walked over to it and took the letter from it. "Thanks mate…" Harry stroked the bird's feathers and watched it take off. It began to show off and as it looped through the air, it tried to fly out the closed window.
WHACK!
Harry shook his head and set the letter on his bed. "That's what you get for showing off…" he muttered. Harry bent over and picked up the bird. The bird however, its pride shattered, leapt out of Harry's arms and hovered in front of the window. Harry opened it and watched the owl fly away. Harry closed the window once again and walked back over to the bed and the letter. Harry sat down and slit the scroll open. Reading silently to himself he read,
Dear Harry,
I do hope you and Dumbledore made it safely back to Hogwarts. I'm sorry for giving you such a fright last night, but I was a bit terrified! Now that I know the truth, that was you who knocked everything over in the pantry, wasn't it? Oh I'm glad to know I'm not the only clumsy one!
It was here that Harry noticed some drops of blood on the parchment. Scratching his head, he continued to read.
Speaking of which, I'm sorry for the blood. I cut my finger off making lunch. Molly had to magic it back on…Well! Away from that incredibly happy subject! Harry, I have to know…What other Horcruxes are there? I know I should be asking Professor Dumbledore about this, but I'm still very shaken up about the entire thing…I can't even tell Remus…But Harry, I must know. Have you destroyed any others? How many are there? What are they?
I do hope you're well Harry. Give Ron and Hermione my regards. Until later, take care.
Tonks.
Harry smiled as he read the letter. He placed it on his bedside table and began to pull off his pajama pants to get dressed for the day. Ron sat up and rubbed his eyes as he stretched. " 'orning Harry…" Ron sat up slowly and pulled himself from bed. Looking over at the bedside table he noticed the letter. "Who's that from then?" Ron yawned. Harry smiled. "It's from Tonks. She asked me to tell you hello for her." Ron nodded and slowly stood up. "I've never been as tired as…" Ron yawned again. "As last night…" Ron sleepily pulled off his pajamas and pulled on his jeans and a sweater. It was five minutes before he realized that he was trying to pull his hat onto his foot instead of his sock. Harry doubled over laughing. "Oh shut up Harry!" Ron laughed. Throwing his pillow at Harry, the two gave into a fit of laughter and fun they had not had in far too long.
Hermione slipped through the door to investigate the yells coming from the boy's dorm. She slapped a hand over her eyes as she realized that the giant pillow fight was not only fueled by Harry, Seamus, and Dean in their boxers, but Neville was cheering it on in the same state. Hermione stamped her foot, "Why can't Ron be the one in his boxers?" she thought, for Ron was the only one of the boys who was dressed.
Hermione sighed and removed her hand from her eyes. Looking around, she saw the only pillow left on Neville's bed and she quickly ran to grab it. Taking careful aim at Neville, she threw the pillow and watched as it hit him squarely on the back of the head. Neville squeaked and turned around. Seeing Hermione standing behind him, he grabbed the pillow from the floor, covered his boxers, and hid in the corner. Seamus yelled, "Oy Neville what are you do-AHHH!" Seamus grabbed his pillow as well and dove underneath his blankets. Dean had turned at the same time as Seamus and had artfully jumped into the open (and for some unknown reason) empty trunk at the foot of Seamus's bed. Harry and Ron were still fighting when Harry noticed that the others were gone. "Where did- WHOA!" Harry abandoned his pillow completely and slid underneath his bed. Ron looked down to his clothing, back up to Hermione, and down again. Wincing, he muttered, "Oh CRAP…" Hermione whipped out her wand. "Expelliarmus!" Ron flew back onto the bed and Hermione replaced her wand to her pocket. Smiling maniacally and rubbing her hands together she said, "I win."
The boys blushed and Harry stood up. "Ok ok ok…Yes, you win. Now, may we please get dressed?"
Ron jumped off the bed and walked over to Hermione. "What do you mean 'we'" Slipping his arm through Hermione's, they left the dorm to the sounds of the pillow fight being rekindled. Hermione laughed. "Boys." Ron turned to tease her, "Now what do you mean by that?" Shaking her head, Hermione smiled. "Just boys. There's no explanation for you." Ron mockingly punched her in the arm. "You mean you never have pillow fights in the girls dorm?" "Oh you don't WANT to see what we do in there." Hermione joked. Ron's face dropped. "Do I even want to ask?" Hermione shook her head, and then broke into laughter. "Oh Ron, you know I'm kidding."
As they entered the common room, Hermione saw that it was empty as everyone who had returned from holiday was at breakfast. She spotted a medium sized package on the table and pointed it out to Ron. Ron nodded and walked over. While there usually was nothing out of the ordinary about a package, this particular one had an odd feeling to it. Ron picked it up and read the name on the tag. Best regards to Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger. May this package find you in good health. A friend. Hermione walked over to join Ron and read the tag. Ron pointed to the package in his hand. "Should we open it? It could be dangerous…" Hermione shrugged. "I'm not sure…Perhaps you should go and get Harry. His name's on this too." Ron nodded again and hurried up the stairs to find Harry. Hermione picked up the package and turned it over in her hand. It was a long, somewhat oddly shaped package in simple brown wrapping. Maybe it was books and quills…Or maybe it wasn't.
Ron and Harry returned and Hermione heard Ron filling him in. "…'in good health, A friend'. I don't know Harry. It seems kind of wooly to me." Harry took the package from Hermione and turned it over himself. He looked over to Hermione. "Have you done any charms or anything? You know, checked it out?" Hermione shook her head. "Not yet. Do you want me to?" Harry nodded. "It couldn't hurt." Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket and tapped the package. Nothing. "It's fine…No Dark Magic on it…" Harry and Ron pulled on the string and Hermione stepped back. As the wrapping fell away, they saw that the package contained a wand, a Hogwarts robe, and…a star pendant on a silver chain. They were Ginny's. They let out a collective gasp and Ron found a piece of parchment inside the package. Harry picked up the necklace and closed his eyes. "I gave this to her for her last birthday…" Ron stamped his foot on the ground as he read the parchment then threw his arms down in disgust, the parchment falling to the floor. Hermione gently picked it up and read aloud,
Potter, Weasley, and Granger:
I thought I made my instructions perfectly clear. Because you have not followed them, Miss Weasley has been taught a lesson in respecting her elders…And superiors. Here are a few of her things that I decided should be returned. After all, she doesn't need them. If you want her back, I may listen to your pleas, but then again, there is a small chance I won't. Enjoy the rest of your holidays…While you can.
A friend
P.S. You know Potter your girlfriend threw an awful fit when I took that necklace. I hope it wasn't expensive. She may not get to wear it again. And that would be a terrible waste of such a lovely piece of work.
A/N: ((evil maniacal laughter from Scorpio Sorceress as she proofreads the chapter))
Harry and Hermione looked up to see Ron standing by the window with his head resting on the pane. Hermione walked over. "Ron…" Ron shook his head and sank down to the floor and rested his head in his hands. "I can't deal with this anymore…I can't take not knowing what's going on and the fact that my little sister, my only sister may have been killed and I don't know! It's just…I can't take it any more." Hermione slid onto her knees to kneel beside Ron. As she comforted him, Harry watched the window as a dark shape grew in the distance. "Er…There's something coming." Hermione and Ron looked up and saw that an owl was flying towards the window. Ron shook his head. "It'll be another letter to tell me she's dead, you just watch."
Harry ripped the letter from the owl as it landed on the window sill and the owl took flight again instantly. Harry scanned the letter. "Oh my God. You two may want to read this now." Hermione and Ron hurried to the window Harry stood in front of and ripped the letter from Harry's hands. Ron scanned it as Hermione read over his shoulder.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione,
I have a terrible confession to make. Voldemort has been using me to obtain information about you. I didn't want to tell him, but he used Legillimency to make me tell. It's my fault that Ginny's gone. But I can help you get her back. Meet me in the Room of Requirement tonight at 7. We have to plan this carefully.
Draco
Ron's eyes blazed and as he turned to face Hermione and Harry, they thought they could see hints of red floating through. "I'll…I'll get him." He hissed through gritted teeth. "I'll make him pay. He won't get away with this. HE WON'T GET AWAY!"
Ron shredded the parchment in two and raced towards the boy's dorm, slamming the door behind him so hard the portrait next to it fell to the floor. Hermione could feel tears in her eyes, but held them back and slowly turned to look at Harry. She was happy to know that he was not as enraged as Ron, but the look in his eyes made her feel guilty. Harry sank onto the couch, staring in disbelief at the parchment lying on the floor. Hermione was torn between the two, not knowing who to comfort first. Harry's eyes were turning red and she could see the lump in his throat growing. She walked over and sat down next to Harry. "Harry?..." Harry shook his head and simply said, "I need to think." Hermione nodded and stood to walk to the door for the boy's dorm. Suddenly she stopped. Turning back towards the portrait hole she said to Harry "I need to go to the library."
Harry sat up quickly. "Why?"
Hermione smiled. "I just have to. I'll be back .Tell Ron, ok?" Harry nodded and Hermione hurried out the portrait hole and into the hall. The windows were covered with snow and much of the sunlight was blocked. Hermione turned down the hallway, and hurried down the stairs. Instead of turning to go to the library however, she continued straight towards the dungeons. Down in the dank, dark, dusty halls, she passed the portrait concealing the Slytherin common room and stopped in front of the next one. It was a portrait of a young witch with very long black hair and dark blue robes embroidered with silver stars. Hermione took a deep breath and muttered "Draconis". The witch nodded and the portrait swung from the wall. Hermione looked into the dark room and saw that it was incredible. The dark stone walls looked like those in the Slytherin common room because of the look of water. Large green and silver chairs and couches surrounded the large fireplace from which the only light in the room emitted. She saw Draco sitting against the far couch, his head resting against the arm rest, his eyes staring into the fire. She took a tentative step towards him, then released all boundaries and strode over to sit down beside him. "How could you?"
Draco looked up and looked her in the eyes. "I told you…It couldn't be helped. He knows Hermione. When you've been questioned by him you'll under-" "I UNDERSTAND NOW!" she yelled back. Draco had pushed himself into the couch. "I know you're mad…But…Try to understand! You can't keep anything from him!" Hermione turned her back to him. "I don't know how I can trust you." Draco nodded. "I know…" He stood up and took her hand. "Hermione, I swear to you that it was completely and utterly out of my control. I did not give him the information willingly. And Hermione…I can't even…How can I make you…" Suddenly he stopped, pulled her close, and kissed her. Hermione's brain went blank and she completely let herself go. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. Pulling away, she smiled. "Draco…I believe you."
---
Ron sat on his bed staring at the ceiling. He had chased Neville, Dean, and Seamus from the room with a deafening roar of "GET OUT NOW, YOU IDIOTS!" The boys, completely taken by surprise of his rage, sprinted from the room and left him to his rampage. He had ripped open his trunk and whipped his books against the wall. His lantern was smashed into the window, and his bedclothes strewn over the floor. He now lay in a silent rage, a time bomb ready to explode at any moment. Harry, quite frightened by Ron's rampage which could be heard throughout the seventh floor, slowly ascended the stairs. He saw Ron now lying on his stomach sobbing quietly. He took an apprehensive step towards Ron. "Ron? Is it ok if I come in?"
Ron didn't look up. Instead he raised his arm slightly and held up his thumb. Harry nodded and walked over to sit on his own bed next to Ron's. He wanted to make a joke but decided that he didn't want to deal with the black eye that was a major possibility. Instead he took a breath and said, "All we can do is wait until seven. You know he'll be in his dorm. He's not as stupid as we think. He knows you'll beat him to a pulp."
Ron now raised his head. "That is a major understatement." Ron growled through clenched teeth.
-
Hermione sat up. After her announcement that she believed him, Draco had pinned her to the couch and immediately pressed his lips to hers. Hermione instantly gave over to him and he covered her with kisses. Hermione let her mind go blissfully blank as she kissed him back. Finally he pulled away and let her sit up, his breath ragged. He took a deep breath to bring his breathing back to normal. His voice still shook a bit as he looked her in the eyes. "Hermione…I still love you."
Hermione smiled mischievously, pushed him back against the couch and kissed him once, "I have to go back to my dorm…" She stood up and fixed her robe. "Now Hermione is that really fair…To leave me with only one kiss?" Draco gave her the same mischievous grin and pulled her tight against him. Hermione smiled then pulled away. "I really have to go Draco…I've been down here for an hour and a half. Harry and Ron are going to wonder where I am." He unwillingly let her go and she slowly walked to the door. She considered turning back, she really did, but she couldn't allow herself. She smiled to herself and walked out through the portrait hole.
Draco watched her leave then turned and punched the air. Jumping into the air he yelled, "YES!"
-
Ron and Harry sat on the couch in the common room. Ron was still very moody and had yelled at a couple of very small first years for playing Gobstones too loudly. They had scrambled to their dorms, terrified of the red haired giant who had screamed at them. Ron glared off into space and Harry knew that he was plotting evil and most likely very painful things to do to Malfoy. Hermione walked into the common room and Harry and Ron looked up. Harry smiled. "How was the library?"
Hermione nodded. "Fine. I found some light reading that was very fascinating. That's what took me so long."
Harry nodded and Ron stood up. Walking over to Hermione he whispered to her, "Can we talk? Maybe up in my dorm? Seamus, Dean and Neville aren't there. They went down to the Quidditch pitch."
Hermione instantly felt lower than the scum on the bottom of the lake. Here was her boyfriend in his most vulnerable form and who needed her more than anything and she had been down in Draco's dorm snogging him. Hermione nodded and Ron took her hand and led her towards the stairs.
As Harry watched them leave, his mind shot to Ginny. He wanted to be with her more than anything. He didn't want to imagine the terrible things that may have been happening to her, but his mind wouldn't leave the possibility.
Hermione surveyed the damage Ron had done to the room. She wrapped her arms around him, attempting to push the thoughts of what had happened with Draco out of her mind. "Oh Ron…" She placed her hand on his cheek and turned his face towards hers to kiss him. Ron accepted the kiss, then turned back to face the window again. "I don't know what to do Hermione." He said as he pulled away from her and walked to the window. His face against it, he said, "I can't deal with this…It's only three in the afternoon and we don't meet with that…that…festering piece of dragon dung until seven. Besides that, I don't know what to do anymore. I have to get her back. She's my little sister. My only sister. If I have to murder Malfoy tonight, I will. I'll do anything. Absolutely anything…"
Hermione walked over to join him and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Listen…I know this is killing you. It's killing Harry and me too…But we need to at least listen to what Malfoy has to say…Maybe he really is trying to help."
"And maybe he's trying to lead us into a trap! Hermione, I've seen the real Malfoy. We all have. He's not nice. He's not easy to negotiate with. He only does what benefits him! I won't let you be put into danger as well! That's why…" Ron covered his eyes with his hand then lowered it again as he said, "That's why you're not coming to the meeting."
Hermione tore away from him. "Oh yes I am! I can help! You know I can defend myself! You know I can hold my own and you know that you want me there!"
Ron looked her in the eye. "What if he has his Slytherin goons there ready to knock us out and send us off to good old Voldemort?" Ron jumped as he said the name, surprised at his own daring. Hermione laughed. "You finally said it!"
Ron smiled. "I guess I did, didn't I…And Hermione…You're right, I do want you there. I'm just so messed up right now. Nothing's the way it should be."
Hermione hugged him. "I know…Everything's changed."
A/N: And scene! Oh I love a good cliff hanger! Last update was fun for me- 3 CHAPTERS! I've never updated that much! (Then again when you're school blocks all the websites, what are you gonna do?...) Anyway, I really hope you all have enjoyed this update because this is the last update for a while. I'm going to be gone most of the summer, so I probably wont get to write again until school starts, let alone update. Well, have an awesome summer, for those of you in Australia and New Zealand where it's opposite from us, have an awesome winter.
