The next chapter is heree. Hope you like it:)
Seeking advice
A few days later Hermione found herself sitting in one of the armchairs in the Gryffindor Common room wondering what to do. She had a free period after lunch and since she wasn't very hungry she had even more free time. Since everyone was in the Great Hall for lunch Hermione could enjoy peace and quiet for a little while. She was just opening her Transfiguration textbook to read ahead when she heard a tap on the window. Turning to the left, she saw the big black raven Bellatrix had used to send her a note. It looked even larger in the daylight and was bound to attract attention if there was anyone out in the grounds. Jumping to her feet, Hermione quickly crossed the room and opened the window, looking down at the edge of the Forbidden Forest where Hagrid's hut stood; there was no movement around it. The brunette sighed in relief then turned her attention back towards the bird that was once again refusing to fly inside. What was Bellatrix thinking, sending out her stupid, stubborn raven in broad daylight. Hermione huffed as she took the small pouch that had been tied to its leg. This time the bird didn't wait for a reply, taking off before the young woman had had a chance to remove the thin rope from around its leg as well.
"Fine!" Hermione called after it. "Fly away then and don't come back here during the day again."
She closed the window with a snap and looked at the small pouch in her hand. She knew what was inside. Pocketing it without checking if she was right, Hermione dropped down in the armchair again and picked up her textbook and hoped it would take her mind away from Bellatrix and her stupid raven.
For the rest of the week, she was doing a good job of forgetting about it. Hermione was busy with classes and the amount of homework teachers insisted on giving the NEWT students; apart from school she, Harry and Ron had visited Hagrid for tea on Saturday. Today was Sunday and Hermione sat alone in the Gryffindor Common room again. Harry and Ron were at Quidditch practice and everyone else seemed to either be enjoying the nice weather outside or catching up with homework. Hermione wondered how people could already be behind with their schoolwork after just two weeks. She was done with all her schoolwork which left her clueless as to what she should do while waiting for Harry and Ron to come back from practice. Absently, she patted her pocket where she had placed the pouch with the Black ring when Bellatrix had sent it to her. Hermione had been putting off her talk with McGonagall: for one because she was still angry with Bellatrix for treating her this way; for another the Dark witch was really showing that she felt remorse about what she'd done – not only to Hermione. What if Bellatrix was right and Professor McGonagall really told someone? 'You won't like the consequences.'
Hermione shrugged her worries away. Professor McGonagall was trustworthy – the most trustworthy person Hermione could think of. If anyone could give her advice in this situation, it was her favorite Professor. With that in mind she stood up and walked through the portrait hole wondering briefly whether the Headmistress would be in her office when the weather outside was so nice. Well, a walk wouldn't hurt, Hermione thought in case she didn't find McGonagall.
Turning into the corridor where the Headmistress's office stood, her eyes fell on the two stone Gargoyles on each side of the entrance. Password, Hermione thought and sure enough when it decided she was close enough one of the gargoyles sprang to life and stepped in front of her.
"Password?"
"Err…" She actually didn't need to think that much; after a moment the answer came naturally. "Ginger Newts."
The gargoyle scowled at her but let her pass, albeit reluctantly, and the young woman climbed onto the spiraling stone steps. Soon, they stopped their ascend, and she found herself in front of the door of the Headmistress's office. She knocked, suddenly nervous. What if Professor McGonagall was working and didn't have time for the stupid problems of schoolchildren.
"Come in." The voice sounded brisk. Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Good day, Professor McGonagall" she said, stepping inside. Professor McGonagall looked up from the paperwork on her desk. She was working after all. Hermione wanted to slap herself.
"Miss Granger, what a surprise. Do sit down, please" the Headmistress said, indicating the chair on the other side of her desk.
"Thank you, Professor" Hermione sat down, and prepared to talk. She wouldn't waste Professor McGonagall's time, it seemed as if she had enough on her plate already.
"What seems to be the problem, Miss Granger? I was under the impression you understood the material in my class and even started on the homework while everyone else was trying to turn their guinea pig into a watch." Professor McGonagall's eyes were twinkling behind her spectacles. Hermione recognized the light, joking tone, but couldn't bring herself to crack a smile. The other witch seemed to notice because she looked worried all of a sudden. "What's wrong, Hermione?"
"I didn't come here to talk about school" the brunette spoke uncertainly. "It's more of a… personal matter."
If the Headmistress was surprised, she hid it well.
"One moment then, please" she said and set her quill down on the desk. "Milly."
A small house-elf with big blue eyes and a long nose appeared next to Professor McGonagall with a pop.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Would you be so kind to bring us some tea?"
"At once, Professor McGonagall!" the elf said cheerfully and disappeared with another pop only to reappear not a minute later with a tray of tea in its tiny hands. "Here you are, Professor and Miss."
"Thank you, Milly" Professor McGonagall smiled at the little creature which beamed back.
"Ginger Newt?" she asked Milly, opening a drawer and taking out a box of the biscuits.
"Professor McGonagall, you is too kind, as always" Milly said rather reproachfully.
"Suit yourself" the Headmistress said, and the elf disappeared with a pop. "I trust you won't say no to a biscuit, Miss Granger" she turned to Hermione, offering her the box. The brunette took a biscuit and nibbled on it.
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome. Now, what is it that's bothering you?"
"Well, first you have to promise me you're going to tell no one."
Professor McGonagall looked surprised, and Hermione smiled apologetically.
"I would never go and tell something that was said to me in confidence" the older witch said slowly. "However, something tells me this doesn't only concern you, Miss Granger."
"And you're quite right, Professor. You see, I… tampered with a magical object. One I wasn't sure what exactly could do. It transported me to a different location. Later on, I learned it used Blood magic."
"Hermione!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "This branch of magic is dangerous enough to use even when you know what you are doing. But doing so without a clue about the object's power?"
"Believe me when I tell you this isn't the worst part, Professor." Hermione took a deep breath. "When I woke up in this unknown room there was someone with me."
"Someone?"
"Yes, apparently I'd summoned them with the object.
"Just what kind of object are we talking about? You never specified."
"A ring" Hermione explained and prepared herself for the next inevitable question.
"Right. And who did you summon with the ring? I can only assume they have the same one and you were transported to the meeting point?"
The young woman nodded.
"Yes. I had found one of the Black family rings. Sirius's, in Grimmauld Place. The other belongs to Bellatrix Lestrange."