The Phantom of Hogwarts

Chapter Four: A Grave Mistake

Days passed into weeks. Then weeks into months. Hermione's mentoring lessons with Luna on Tuesdays were going well. Luna proved to be a bright and apt study. She grasped all that Hermione taught her with a desire that only comes from wanting to excel. Hermione knew that by the end of the year, Luna would be ready to pass her OWLs.

Thursdays, however, were the days that she lived for. These were the days with her Master. Now that he had revealed to her his dwelling place, where magic meets the night, her lessons had become increasingly more difficult. Down in that world below the castle, their powers surged as he divulged more of magic's forgotten secrets. They would practice until her powers were spent, then she would awake in the Gryffindor common room.

Then one Monday morning, Hermione came down from the girl's dorm to find Ron standing at the bottom.

"Morning, Hermione."

"Morning, Ron. You're up early." Ron fell in step with Hermione as she continued walking towards the common room portrait hole.

"Yeah, well, I thought I might take you up on your offer."

Hermione stopped shy of the portrait. "What offer?"

"Well," Ron cleared his throat, "you're always asking if I want to join you in the Library to study."

"That's true."

"Well, this morning, I've decided to join you."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Before breakfast? Won't you faint from starvation?"

"Funny, Hermione. Bleeding hilarious. But seriously, I want to learn your secret."

Hermione's throat went dry. "Secret? What secret?"

"The secret to all those OWLs. It's got to be how you study. You're so brilliant, you've probably devised a study plan or something."

Hermione sighed. "Alright, Ron. You can join me. However, I have a feeling that you'll be disappointed."

"I doubt that you could ever disappoint me." Ron pushed open the portrait and held it for her.

Hermione couldn't help but smirk at his actions. They walked down the corridors talking like usual, yet different. When they reached the Library, Ron held the door for her. Madam Pince smiled cordially at Hermione, then frowned at Ron.

"Can I help you find something, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron's eyebrows lifted into his hairline. "Uh, I came to study with Hermione. Thanks."

Madam Pince's eyes reduced to slits as they walked past her. Hermione believed that the Librarian knew of him. Though she had never said anything to Hermione, she always ensured that Hermione could study without interruption.

Ron found her study habits to be a bit too interesting. He surprised her with his knowledge of several topics, including Ancient Runes. His mother had taught him about them while growing up. Hermione envied his wizarding background. She loved her dentist parents, but the advantages of growing up in the wizarding world were always apparent to her.

After they left the Library, Ron accompanied her to breakfast. They ended up spending most of the day together, as they shared almost every class. She found his attention to be refreshing. They hadn't spent much time together since their third year. Ron began chasing his Quidditch dreams, and she had him.

When supper had ended, Ron walked with her back to their common room. They spent the evening laughing and talking with Neville, Dean, and Ginny. She had missed this and secretly wondered why days like this had faded away.

The next morning, Hermione found Ron sitting in the common room near the fireplace. The moment he spotted her, he leaped from his seat to greet her.

"Morning, Hermione."

"Morning, Ron."

"You headed down to study again before breakfast?"

"Actually, I am. You want to join me?"

Ron grinned from ear-to-ear. "Would love to!"

They again spent the day together, talking and laughing like they use to. He even walked with her to meet with Luna, then bid her goodnight.

"He's a nice boy," Luna sighed as she waved. "Too bad you're involved with the Phantom."

"Luna," Hermione hissed. "I'm not involved with anyone. The Phantom is my tutor, and Ron is just a friend."

"Okay, Hermione. Whatever you want to call it." Luna's cheeks turned pink. "I just wish I had Ron, Draco, and the Phantom pursuing after me."

Hermione's mouth fell open. "Luna!"

Luna simply smiled, then walked into the Library before she turned and whispered, "Coming, Hermione?"

~~~Phantom~~~

The next morning, Ron met her again in the common room.

Hermione gripped her book bag. "Ron?"

"Yeah?" Ron raised an eyebrow as he fell in step with her.

"I'm really enjoying spending time with you, but I have to ask you something. Why now? Why so suddenly do you want to spend time with me?"

Ron rubbed his nose. "I dunno. Guess I realized how much I'd missed this. I mean, we use to hang out all the time, but over the last few years, we've kinda drifted apart."

"You had your Quidditch, and I had my studies. Things happen. You can't spend all your time with your non-Quidditch friends and become a great player."

"Is it bad that I want both? I've missed us being friends?"

"Ron, we've always been friends."

"Well, I want to be better friends." Ron's ears turned red the minute the words slipped out.

Hermione chose to ignore this as they headed off to the Library together. Then Thursday morning rolled around. Hermione got up, dressed, then headed down to the common room. To no surprise, she found Ron sitting in a chair near the fireplace. The moment she appeared, he stood up but didn't move.

"Hey, Ron. You joining me in the Library this morning?"

Ron shuffled his feet. "Wish I could, but I've got to go practice. Ginny's got some new maneuvers she wants us to use in the next match."

"Oh. Okay," Hermione sighed. "Well, good luck."

"Would you like to come watch?" Ron blurted out as she started for the door.

Hermione stopped at the door and looked back. "Watch the Gryffindor practice?"

"Uh, yeah," Ron coughed. "I thought that maybe afterward we could go up to breakfast."

"I dunno, Ron. You know I'm not really into Quidditch."

"Oh, come on, Hermione," he pleaded. "Give it a chance."

Hermione bit her lip, then sighed. "Alright, Ron. I'll come watch your practice."

Ron grinned as he walked with her out into the corridor beyond. Later that morning, she returned with him and Ginny to find the entrance hall full of students.

"What's going on?" Ron shouted over the commotion.

"It's the ceiling in the Great Hall," Luna answered, standing near the grand staircase. "It's raining."

"Raining? But why's every …" Ron began as he stepped towards the doors. "Bloody hell!"

Hermione looked inside to see actual rain falling inside the hall. The Professors were casting spells at the ceiling, but nothing worked. Even the Headmaster looked at a loss.

Hermione wondered if it could be her Master. As if he could read her mind, lightning crashed, and thunder boomed. Several students shrieked in fright.

"Please stop, my Master," Hermione whispered as she bowed her head. "Forgive me for skipping my studies."

At once, the rain ceased, and the enchanted ceiling became a cloudy gray. A tear streaked her cheek as she looked up.

"What was that?"

Hermione turned to see Ron staring at her. "Probably just an early Halloween prank. I wouldn't be surprised if your brothers weren't behind it."

"My brothers are in Durmstrange this year, studying abroad," Ron retorted, folding his arms.

"Could have left something with Lee or Angelina, I suppose."

Ron shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Besides, that's not what I'm asking about." His voice dropped to a whisper. "You whispered something that sounded like 'forgive me', then everything in the Great Hall stopped."

"Attention, everyone," Professor Dumbledore called above the commotion. "Professors Flitwick and Snape are finished drying the hall. You can now enter for breakfast."

"You heard wrong," Hermione snapped, wiping a tear from her face. "Now, let's go eat breakfast."

Ron grabbed her arm. "No, I didn't hear wrong. What's going on, Hermione?"

"Fine. Believe what you want. Then why don't you go eat. I'm not that hungry anyway."

She ripped her arm free of his grasp then ran up the stairs as fast as she could. She didn't stop until she reached the sofa in the Gryffindor common room. She sank low into the cushions as she cradled her head in her hands.

"I was weak! Forgive me! I'll never shun my studies again!"

"There's nothing to forgive."

Hermione lifted her head and jumped to see her Master standing next to the fireplace.

"You need to spend time with your friends. It's not your fault that a child desires your attention. My wroth is with him, not you."

Hermione wiped more tears from her face. "You won't harm him, will you?"

"No, my Angel. I shall not harm him, but he must learn his boundaries. He desires you, but he is not worthy of you."

Not worthy of me. The words replayed over and over again. A sudden commotion ripped her from her musings.

"Why won't this bloody door open?" Ron shouted from the portrait hole. "I'm not shouting at … well, I am, but I'm not!"

"I believe that your suitor wishes to see you."

Hermione bit her lip. "If you don't let him in soon, he might feel the wrath of the Fat Lady instead of yours."

"Good point. I knew Josephine before she became the Gryffindor Entrance Keeper. He has no idea with whom he is trifling." He snapped his fingers, and her eyes met his. "Remember, tonight is your weekly lesson. Do not forget."

"I live for them, my Master."

He smiled, then faded into the darkness. At that moment, the portrait hole burst open and in toppled Ron. Dusting himself off, he looked around to see Hermione watching.

"The portrait hole," he gasped. "It wouldn't bloody open."

"Did you make Josephine mad?"

"Who?"

"Never mind. Ron, we need to talk."

"Uh, sure." Ron flopped down into the chair across from her and crossed his legs. "What happened down there?"

"That's not important. You said that you wanted us to be good friends again, right?"

"Yeah, Hermione, I do."

"Then I must know something. Is that all you're wanting?"

Ron swallowed. "For now …"

"And that's all I want right now too. Understand? Maybe later, there could be something else, but not anytime soon."

His countenance fell. "Yeah. Sure. I understand."

Without another word, Ron flung himself out of the chair and out of the common room. Hermione considered going after him but thought it best to let him be. He could do foolish things when his temper got the best of him.

Besides, what would her Master think if she did?

Ron did an excellent job avoiding her throughout all their classes, lunch, and supper that day. Not wanting to risk a scene in the common room that Ron was prone to do when upset, Hermione hid away in her dorm until the time came for her lesson.

When the time finally arrived, she dressed in secret, then wrapped a cloak about herself lest Ron might still be in the common room waiting to catch her studying. She descended the stairs, then crossed the common room at a swift pace. She had almost reached the door when something toppled to the floor behind her.

"Bloody hell, Ron!" she squealed. "What are you doing?"

"Me?" Ron retorted, dusting himself off then walking around to stand between her and the door. "Where about you? Lavender says that you slip off every Thursday. Where are you headed off to?"

"Honestly, it's none of your business."

She made to step past him, but he grabbed hold of her. As he did, he yanked her cloak to reveal the dress. His forehead furrowed as he beheld her.

"Not ready for a relationship, huh? Going to tell me that you dress like this to go to the Library?"

"Again, where I go and what I do is none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm in a hurry."

Ron's ears burned red. "It's Malfoy, isn't it. You're meeting with him."

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. Draco and I have only spoken on a handful of occasions. I'm not meeting him for nighttime encounters."

"Then tell me who!"

Hermione pushed past him. Ron reached out again, and this time grabbed her sleeve. As he did, the seam ripped. The next moment, the fireplace roared to life, and the mirror above the mantle cracked. From within the flames, a hissing sound formed the words, "Arrogant fool!"

Ron stared wide-eyed at the fire. "Did you hear that?"

Before she could retort, a pair of green eyes burned within the broken mirror.

A/N: Day number four, and this is the end of chapter four. Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review and let me know what you thought! The next chapter will be up tomorrow. Thanks again to all that have left reviews and to AA (my Dad) for being my beta.

Until tomorrow!

JB