Update: I've finally written a new chapter for this story, albeit it is somewhat short, and three years too late. Apologies.
Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to J.K Rowling.
Chapter 5
Hermione spent the next two days in the library. She determined the runes were of old Anglo Saxon origin, and after much study, discovered that they referenced the Staff of Merlin.
As she reflected on this, Hermione's mind raced. If You-Know-Who were ever to get a hold of it, assuming it actually exists, it would make him even more unstoppable, she thought to herself. Now all she had to do was create a convincing lie Draco could tell Voldemort.
It would be too much of a risk to assume Voldemort wouldn't know the runes were of Anglo Saxon origin, so Hermione knew she would have to make something up revolving around their British origin. Perhaps she could tie it into Germanic Paganism? After all, the Angles and Saxons were originally from the Germanic regions of Europe. Yes. This will do, she thought to herself.
As Hermione pondered, a thought finally came to mind. Of course! The staff of Odin, Gungnir, would be the perfect decoy. The Norse mistook Odin's staff for a spear, and Odin himself for a god, but he was, of course, a wizard after all.
Having decided the lie Draco could tell Voldemort, Hermione left the library and approached Draco's bedroom. "I'm finished," she stated flatly. The door swung open, revealing Draco, who nonchalantly leaned against the doorframe with one arm.
If Hermione didn't know any better, she'd have thought Draco was trying to look alluring. In fact, he actually does look somewhat…. no, she quickly banished the thought before it could take fruition.
"Well, what have you got for me?" Draco asked calmly. Hermione couldn't contain herself, and began quickly explaining it all in great detail. "Well, the Runes are of Anglo Saxon origin, which wasn't hard to deduce, so all I had to do was figure out a believable cover story, and I think I've done it. The..."
"Out with it, Granger," he interrupted with an arrogant smirk. "Fine," Hermione retorted, trying hard not to let her irritation get the better of her. It's only Malfoy, she reminded herself.
"Since the Runes are Anglo Saxon, I think it's believable to say they reference Odin's staff, Gungnir."
Draco raised an eyebrow at this. "You really think it'll work? My life is on the line, remember?"
Hermione scoffed. "Don't remind me, or else I might tell you to say something that's sure to get you killed," she said scathingly.
"Temper, tempter," Draco replied, seemingly unaffected by her remarks. "And what about the true meaning. Did you figure that part out too?"
"No," Hermione said flatly. She wasn't about to reveal that information to Malfoy. Not a chance. There was an awkward silence between them, until it was broken by Draco. "Alright then, let's say we go with your plan, we still need to hash out the details."
"Right. Erm… tell him the staff is buried with Odin," she said.
"But nobody knows where that is, Granger. Otherwise someone would have already taken it." After saying this, Draco stopped leaning on the doorframe, instead crossing his arms and appearing deep in thought.
"It's believable. Trust me," Hermione said. With this, Draco met her gaze, and the concern in his eyes was obvious. Hermione felt a twinge of pity for him, considering his dire situation.
"Trust you? When I'm forcing you to do this? It's hard to believe you'd genuinely want to help me."
"Helping you or not, it's misleading You-Know-Who, and that's good enough for me." Hermione could genuinely say that much, at least.
"Very well, I'll bring this information to the Dark Lord, and hope he doesn't kill me," Draco grimly stated.
"Very well, I'll be returning to my room, then," she responded. With this, she turned and walked down the hallway, entered her bedroom, and closed the door. It was finally time for a bath.
OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO
The bath was perhaps the most marvelous Hermione had ever taken. She had just begun toweling off when she heard a door open, followed by footsteps which slowly faded. Malfoy must have been leaving to speak with Voldemort about the runes.
She finally had some peace and quiet to herself, albeit for a short while. After she finished drying off, she got dressed and climbed onto the bed. She had yet to decide what to do with the real information she'd deduced from the runes. She could only make up lies on Malfoy's behalf for so long. Eventually, Voldemort would no doubt discover they were lying.
As much as she despised Malfoy, one thing was certain: he was no Death Eater. He was too cowardly, and furthermore, he was mostly just a mouthy, spoiled individual. As Ron had once said regarding him, "It's only Malfoy." With this thought, Hermione smiled to herself, remembering her friends, and a time before things were so dark and hopeless. She then drifted off to sleep, having the first good rest she'd had in a long time.
