The Strength Of Our Roots
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and no money as been made out of this.
Chapter 4
Hermione knew she shouldn't do this. Hermione knew she shouldn't tell the children of Death Eaters about how, when and where her friends had been training. It was something a Gryfindor should do. But they had almost kicked her out of her own House, so why not. Besides, what Harry and Ron had donne had no words to be described. That's why she was about to tell them about Dumbledor's Army.
They had turned their backs to her when she needed most. They hurt her feelings without care. They wanted her as their slave, wich was completely humiliating. They wanted her money and possessions. So no. They were not her friends.
Oh, Hermione was now sure she would quickly make friends. It seemed her cousin felt it was his duty to make her feel welcome. The Slytherins, who for so long had tormented her, were now the ones to stand at her side. Yes, at her side. Because with them she was just as important as any of them. Sometime she wondered if the only reason why they pranked and bullied her was because she was a muggleborn. Or at least they thought. But after what she had discovered in recent days, she wondered if there was more to it than what the Light was told. Of course it was a toutchy subject, so she didn't dare to ask anything. Maybe when they got to know each other better.
When Draco asked her what she had donne to teach Harry Potter how to fight, she asked them if they could go to a more private place. Even if she tried to convince herself that she needed to know how to protect herself, there was still some loyalty to her friends that told her she shouldn't do it. But war was coming close, and people would die. Hermione hoped not to be one of them. And she also had to choose a side. Not that she had much options.
Of course some part of her still hope they would see that what their were doing was completely wrong, but she just couldn't take it. It was too humilliating. She wanted revenge. For being taken from her family and from what had hapenned more recently. Yes, she knew she was changing really fast, but she didn't have to pick a side yet. After having helped Harry and Ron for so long, it was only fair if she told this new found friends about what she would have to to protect herself from. She decided she would wait and when she was more calm, she would then, and only then, with enough proof and certainty, pick a side.
Since the next trip to Hogsmead was just in two, maybe three weeks, depending on the weather, the school was full of students. So to find a private place would be dificult. Either Common Rooms were out of question, so was the Library, the Great Hall, the Quiditch Pitch, the Forbiden Forest and many other places. So it wasn't until they saw Neville rushing towards the Owlry did they thought about it.
When Hermione saw her friend, all the tears she had been holding back threatened to spill. Her parents had tortured his, and now he had to live knowing that they would never truly know who he was. It wasn't her fault, but she couldn't stop blaming herself for this. Neville was a sweet boy and he wouldn't harm a fly, but that didn't mean he couldn't hate.
When the two teenager's eyes locked together, he smiled warmly. Why is he smiling? Hasn't he read the paper yet? Well, if he didn't someone told him for sure... Then why? Does he wants to make me fall in a fake state of safety? No, of course not! He would never do that! Neville is... a good person. He didn't desearve this.
She nod towards him, to dumfound to do anything else. The Gryfindor scuried of past the Slytherins, surprised when none of them made any remark on his missing robe.
Draco had seen the smile from the other pureblood, and he sudendly remembered what his mother told him. Could it be possible that the chubby boy knew about it? Should he tell Hermione? She was probably very worried about this, but he didn't want to give her hope in vain. So many things had already been taken away from her...
Soon enough, the Slytherins and the Gryfindor arrived at their destination. They sat in a circle on the ground, with Theo placing a litle handkerchief on the ground so he wouldn't get dirty. They all stared at her for a while, Hermione trying to gain some courage.
"So, what did you do exacly?" Goyle was sating next to Crabbe, both looking expectantly at her. She took a deep breath before she started.
"It all started when Umbridge became our teatcher. I knew we weren't learning anything with her, so I sugested that me, Ron and Harry created a group of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I asked Harry to be the teatcher and he accepted. We have been training for a while now." Hermione looked nervously around. If they got mad at her for this, how would they react about what she was going to tell them next.
"Why did you choose Potter to be the teatcher?" one could see that Theo was very confused.
"Well, because he is the one with more experience and he is the best at de-"
"What?! You're so much better than him! Just because he got some luck with Dementors and all the shit that happened all over the years, it doesn't mean he knows anything about the Defense Against the Dark Arts. For fucks sake, the only spell he uses is 'Stupefy'!" Pansy seemed angry at Hermione's response, probably because she had had better marks than Harry during all those five years and still everyone only talked about him.
"Maybe you're right. I don't know. But that's not it anyway. During the Summer I also found a book about Dark Arts. Before you ask, no Theo, I did not show it to Dumbledor." the boy noded aprovingly. "It seemed old and after I read the first pages, I saw that many of those spells had been forbided, forgoten, or we had never actually learn how to protect ourselves from them, even if it was in our school books."
"The old thing probably didn't want the Death Eater kids to know how to protect them. The only thing he would have to do next would be to teach the Order those spells and we would be dead. Poof!" Zabini said.
"Once again, I don't know. The thing is that I have been teatching them to Harry. He doesn't care about where I learned them, only that they are powerfull. I told him it was in a book I found in the restricted section last year."
"That might be a problem." Draco leaned forward, crossing his legs. "Now that Potter has turned against you, he might very well go to Dumbledoor and tell him this. And then he would go after the book, and if he get his wrinkled hands on it, then we would be pretty much screwed."
"We need a plan. If you want to make a false book, then I can ask my father to send me a list with spells and curses that have quite some nasty second effects on the caster, but that only show themselves sometime later after the spell was cast." Milicent suggested. "I heard they are great to use in duels."
"I'll make the book. Do some reaserch here and there, so that if Dumbledoor tries to find out more about it, he won't find anything suspicious. And Theo here will help me." Zanini punched Theo's shoulder with a smirk.
"You should feel happy I don't mind help Hermione." said the dark haired boy, pushing his glasses up.
"Well, then I suppose that I could say that I got the autorization to go to the Restricted Section from our last DADA teatcher. Since he can't deny it, then it would should be fine."
"But what about the spells you already teatched him?" Goyle seemed truly worried over her.
"Yeah. It's not like he won't most likely use them." Crabbe's reaction was a reflexion of his best friend's.
"That's an easy one. We create our own training club. But instead of only DADA, we can learn all the other subjects. It's not like they teatche us anything useful here." Draco has a point.
"Well, then we still need two things: a place to train, and a catchy name. And don't look at me with that face, Draco. You know just as well as I do that apearences are very importante."
"Fine, what do you sugeste?" Theo asked, as Hermione handed him the book and some blank pages os that he could start taking some notes.
"Well, right now, there are already some names: Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledor's Army and Death Eaters. We could try to get some inspiration out of them." Pansy said, scratching her chin.
"Shouldn't we start with the place first?" Zabini asked, looking up from the work he was doing along with Theo.
"Nah, that takes too long. I want to do something now." Milicent stratched herself, resembling a cat. Hermione had to supressed a laugth when she remembered what had hapenned in her second year thanks to the girl's pet.
"What if we used something Greek or Latin?"
"You really are a Black, Hermione. They only choose names related ith Legends, starts, mythology..." Draco came sat next to her to give more room to Zabini and Theo to work.
"Let me guess, your name means 'Dragon'?"
"Well, of course, Carbbe. And Hermione's comes from Hermes and Herculies." Hermione didn't hear what her cousin was saying.
"Ok, forget about the Greek and Latin. Let's keep it simple. If we were heard saying weird things in the corridors it would atract more attention, and with Harry and Dumbledor claiming the Dark Lord's return attention is the last thing we need. We need something common enough that it would raise no doubts, but that it is still speacific enough."
"What about: Seekers and Keepers? I think it suits your idea, Hermione. We kind of seek knowledge and we are keeping a secret. Besides, they're Quiditch's terms, so it wouldn't be unusual to hear them."
"Have I ever told you that you are a litle genius, Nott?"
"Yes. Yes, you have, Zabini."
"Well, who thinks we should adopt the name of 'Seekers and Keepers' please raise your hands?" Everyone raised their hands when Draco said this.
"Well, what now?" Crabbe asked.
"Yeah, what do we do now?" added Goyle.
"Now, we better get out of here. We were lucky enough that nobody decided to send a letter while we were here. Better not push our luck. Besides, Charms already started, so we really need to hurry." with that, Draco stood up, followed by Hermione, and the others.
"You have classes on Saturday morning?"
"Charms is a class that requires very steady basis, and wich exams can be very speacific. Also, Charms is the base of most magic. So we asked Professor Flitwick to give us some extra help." Theo pushed his glasses up as he grabed all the papers.
"If you want you can show up. But I think you should get some sleep." Pansy pocked her cheeck. "It wouldn't do for a Lady of your level to have wrinkles."
Together, they climbed downstairs and went back to the castle. It was pretty empty, with all the students enjoying the last days of October near the lake. Before taking separated paths, Draco told her to be carefull and on the look out. And to also write to his mother.
There were just so many things in Hermione's mind. Her family, all the things she now owned, her parents, the way Neville behaved, the book, her exams, Umbridge, the Order, Snape, Dumbledor, Harry and Ron... Maybe Pansy is right. I could do with some sleep. Besides, all my homewrok is already donne, so...
Slowly and tiredly, the young Gryfindor started heading to the Gryfindor Tower. It seemed that the corridors were really empty. Like, really empty! The only footsteps she heard were hers and there wasn't a student there. It was quite creepy. It doesn't matter. I'll just go to bed.
"Miss Granger, I'm glad to see you." Minerva McGonnagal had apeared sudendly behind her.
Almost jumping, Hermione turned around to face her teatcher. She was smiling, but her eyes seemed colder than usual.
"Professor. I didn't realize you were there."
"There are many advantejes for being an Animagus." Right. Forgot about the cat thing. Maybe becoming an Animagus might be a good idea... "I have heard of the incident of this morning. You must forgive Mr Potter and Mr Weasley. It has been dificult for them." How is this dificult for them? Unless you think about homewrok.
"Professor, I understand-"No I don't -" but the things they said to me today really hurt my feelings." And pride.
"You shouldn't think much about it. Harry needs you now more than ever." Hermione didn't felt like sleeping anymore. "Besides, now that people know of your heritage, you might be in danger."
Hermione didn't know how to answer that. She had already spoken with Dumbledoor, she hadn't been expecting having to talk with another teatcher. But she had to be carefull. Right now she wasn't safe, so her next move would have to be doing just that. Until now she hadn't picked any side, but the Slytherins had protected her today so...
"Of course Professor. Harry is the Chosen-One. If something was to happen to him it would make great damage in the Order. I just don't understand why they reacted like they did today..."
She hadn't said anything that would acuse her, but she hadn't said speacifically that she was on the Oder's side. And even if they were right and they had wanted her to become a slave just for her money, she knew Harry and Ron had to have another thing in mind.
"They are just angry. Afterall, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were great suporters of you know who. And your mother and Molly never got along very well." That explains Mrs Weasley's reaction. "But that's not what I wanted to talk."
"No?"
"No. We think the Malfoy familly will try to aproach you. They might try to use you, blackmail you in doing things you don't want to." Minerva turned to as they got closer to Fat Lady's portrey. "They are dangerous. They might just kill you in order to get the money or as a revenge for Bellatrix and Rodolphus time in Azkaban. Please, you must stay away from them."
So that's wat this is all about... I should've know Dumbledoor would try to warn me about them. What a shame I've already been aproached.
"Of course. I will be carefull and on the look out. If they try to get closer, I will inform you right away."
"Thank you. It's a relief to know that you won't put yourself foolishly to harm." with that, she left.
Minerva had just talked with Dumbledoor. What he had told was not good. It was true that Hermione resembled her parents more and more with each day, but to adopt their surname as determined as Albus said she did, lets just say it isn't good. She was Potter's biggest chance at surviving. Sure, she could be replaced, but that wouldn't just give the Dark side on more liutenent, but it would take time too. Precious time that couldn't be wasted.
Hermioned climbed the stairs and went directly to her dormitory without even sparing a glance the Common room. They were plenty of things to solve.
First there was the Order problem. It was obvious they wanted her on their side. There wasn't much she could about that, since she was surronded by members. However, if she could play the right cards maybe things would work out.
Then there was the book. She had to get ride of it as soon as possible. And also Harry. Him knowing the spells contained there wasn't good at all.
There also was the trust problem. Right now she had no idea who she could trust. It was obvious that whoever belonged to the Order was out, principly the ones who kidnapped her. She guessed trusting Draco should be fine. There were her uncle and aunt too, but she wasn't quite sure about them. The other Slytherins seemed to be fine, they were friendly and cared for her. There really was a feeling of belonging there. She pindered asking to change House. However, she wasn't even sure if she was aloud, and it would only make people more suspicious of her. Hermione remembered hearing that Tonks was Sirius cousin, wich meant she was fom her familly too, but she was an Order member. Then there was Andromeda, her other aunt, but from what litle she knew she and her sister hadn't talked in years. The Ministry was out of bounds too. Death Eaters, she supposed, depended on the wizard and witch they were talking about. So basicly, if I join the Order I will very probably have no one who I can trust, but if I join the Death Eaters, I will not only have my familly but also the other Slytherins here in school. Based on this it should be easy to choose, but I have to find out more about both of them. Or at least You-Know-Who's side. Hermione started making a list of all of this. From now on she would start walking around with a notebook.
Another thing she defenitly had to do was trying to find out more about her parents. She also had to visit her manors and stuff, but maybe Draco's parents would be able to help her with that. And she had to send a letter to Narcissa Malfoy.
Hermione placed the notebook aside and grabed some paper and a quill.
Dear Mrs Malfoy (she is my aunt afterall)
My name is Hermione Morgana Black-Lestrange. I'm sure your son Draco must have already told you of you I am, so I would also like to thank you and your husband for the help you have already given me.
I must admit that this situation is very confusing to me. However, you are my familly, and if it was possible, I would like to meet you in person. There will be a trip to Hogsmead soon, so I thought that if your schedule was free we could meet then. I don't know much about my parents but I would certainly like to know more.
Another thing that concerns me is the Order of The Phoenix. I fear they might be spying me and reading my letters, so if there is another way of comunication that you would like to use asides from owls I would be very pleased to know.
Please, have in consideration that I will not tell Professor Dumbledoor anything that you might tell me. Right now I don't know who to support, but I am sure there is more than what I have been told.
It was your son who told me to send you this letter, so I don't know what more to say.
Hope to see you in some weeks,
Hermione Black-Lestrange
It felt refreshing to sign with a diferent name. Her real name. For a moment Hermione wondered if the letter was too fromal. While Narcissa Malfoy might be her aunt, they had never really met, and she was a Lady. So it should be fine.
Now, how should she send the letter? She didn't have an owl, and if she did Dumbledoor wouldn't make it possible for her to use. She could use the school ones but it was still risky. She needed something that was safe because she told Minerva she would stay way from them.
Her conversation with her teatcher came back to her mind and she had an idea. She started running to the Owlry, passing students who were enjoying the day outside or complaining about homework.
Some of them tried to talk to her, but she had just too much to do. Once again she saw Neville smiling at her, and got even more confused.
So, her plan was to use Harry's owl. It was perfect. Hedwig knew her, so she wouldn't make a fuss. Harry didn't have any letters to send, so he wouldn't notice her absence. Also, the only one keeping track of that animal was the Ministry. And everyone knew that when it came to Dumbledoor, the Ministry and Harry, people were completely blind.
And just like that, Hermione was finally able to rest.
To be continued...
A.N.: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to post this. I know it's not has big as the others, but still. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to make the story more natural and have less things hapenning in chapters so that it won't get to heavy. Besides, there is a lot I want to do and it's all a litle mixed up, so I'm working on that. Anyway, tell me about your opinion or any ideas you might have. Happy new year. Adeus.