The Mudblood's Logic

by Cervantes Diderot

Hermione Granger was a a plain mudblood. At least until one rash action leads to her battling Voldemort first year and miraculously surviving. Stuck in a whirlwind of political ploys, fame, wealth and power along with assassination attempts Hermione has a rather difficult path. But what is that saying, "The ends justify the means," and she will do whatever it takes...

29. Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Vandals and Vagrants.

Disclaimer: I own none of the material written by J. K. Rowling, or her publishing company, or Warner Brothers.

OOOO

The Second Monday of Term

"I am the best Transfigurer you have taught in years," Cedric said in an unyielding tone, "And that is why I want to advance forwards like Hermione did."

McGonagall peered at him with a cat-like scrutiny. "What would such a thing accomplish? You are not a wizard of meaningless ambition."

"My Metal Charming cannot go further unless I take the initiative for suitable growth in Charms and Transfiguration. The idea of stagnation with regards to the development of my passion is disheartening. Professor Flitwick already tested me this morning. He said that he would talk with Professor Dumbledore to see if I can take my NEWT for Charms in addition to my OWL." The handsome young man confided this carefully to his second favorite Professor behind Sprout.

The woman quirked an amused eyebrow, "Would you not need to skip forwards in Potions as well? Or am I no longer current regarding my intermittent perusal of Metal Charming research papers?"

"I imagine we both recognize Professor Snape will never give a non-Slytherin, let alone a 'Puff like me, 'unnecessary help.' He said as much when I attempted to broach the topic earlier this week." Cedric fought valiantly to keep the obvious disappointment from flickering over his features.

"It is unorthodox," The Master Transfigurer admitted, "Miss Granger was growing stifled, to a dangerous degree by her education level. Professor Snape was only willing to agree to the advancement after she had an… Outburst in one of his classes. At that point I was willing to advocate to the Headmaster that Miss Granger was suffering from a stymying of her intellectualism." There was enough emphasis on the word 'outburst' for Cedric to pay much closer attention. "I am more than willing to test your abilities in my course right now. Then perhaps I will tip my hat of pointers to Professor Sprout about… Managing Professor Snape…" Now there was a direct wink of her right eye.

He grinned, understanding what was expected of him. The practical examination which followed went swimmingly well, even though he did struggle somewhat when it came to Sixth Year material. Obviously, Seventh Year course work was nearly out of his capabilities. "Well, Diggory," McGonagall nodded stiffly, "You are one of the most talented Transfiguerers I have seen in decades. Though your girlfriend would give you a run for your money if she were not two years younger…" At this the older witch managed to finally betray her disapproval for the unorthodox pairing. "Nonetheless, I shall send you a notice when I have managed to find a good time for both of us in which you can sit a theoretical examination."

"Thank you, Professor," He nodded eagerly, despite the barb about his relationship. The Prefect stepped out into the corridor whilst wiping away the sweat that had formed on his brow. Not only was McGonagall a tough old broad, but Vanishing spells were incredibly advanced. Casting them en masse so the Transfiguration Professor could test his limits had been taxing on his magical core. Loping carelessly along towards his final class of the day, double Herbology, he paused suddenly in the Entry Hall.

A crowd of students leaving the later lunch had congregated around the statue of Ronald Weasley. Only, instead, it no longer bore the deceased student's likeness. Instead the golden metal had been melted into a puddle which sloshed messily all over the floor. The placard on the wall, his Seeker-level eyes honed in like a hawk's might, had also been vandalized. "Step aside," He ordered loudly, "Return to the Great Hall this minute or suffer a twenty point deduction. Per head." Everyone scurried away as bidden at that last command. He held back one Hufflepuff Third Year, Hannah Abbot, and bid her to retrieve McGonagall.

Turning back to the placard Cedric glared at the new words. Once they had spoken of Ron Weasley's sacrifice in the Chamber of Secrets. Now, instead, there was a list of his transgressions. 'Blood traitor… Protector of filth and scum… Servant of the devilish muggle-bitch Hermione Granger… We are the Knights of Walpurgis renewed… Our enemies shall follow suit… Little more than puddles left behind…' So the Purist tirade endured for words more on end. He clenched his fist while glancing at the destroyed statue. "Cedric?" Came a soft voice from behind him.

The young man spun around, locking eyes on Hermione who stood alone before him. Classes must have just been dismissed, for a new flood of students stood behind her. "Hermione," He hurriedly moved forwards to block her increasingly teary eyes from the sight, only that proved to be a mistake. This movement revealed the large placard of propaganda on the wall behind him. Her brilliant, brown eyes rapidly processed the information as he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. All too soon he remembered that this was the same girl who had fought off Voldemort's spirit as a First Year, and survived the Chamber of Secrets as a Second Year. Spinning around so fast that his arm fell off she glared over at the swelling body of students. Cedric noted only a moment after that several Third Year Slytherins were snickering behind their hands.

Still, she did not go for her wand at the sickening display. Instead Hermione strode out of Hogwarts into the courtyard. Cedric following close behind. "Hermione-."

She spun around in an instant, the two of them being forced to a halting stop before the fountain. "What?" Came her terse interruption. He finally noticed that her hair was bushier than usual, her clothes untidy, and dark bruises beneath her eyes. "Are we going to talk about my feelings? I refuse to break down in front of those pathetic snakes and their 'Knights of Walpurgis.' They would love for nothing more than to make the pathetic little mudblood cry. They don't realize that they are dealing with the Mudblood Apostle, and that I am stronger than I was last year. There will be hell to pay."

"Good," Cedric nodded firmly, "I will support you in that. Every step. Someone needs to put these 'Knights of Walpurgis' in their place like the professors can't."

Her eyes widened slightly. Lips parting, she stepped forwards, placing a gentle hand on his elbow. "I am sorry," Hermione's previously thunderous tone was now replaced with the compassionate tenor he admired so deeply. "You don't deserve to be screamed at. I have to make it to Magizoology. Will you sit with me at dinner when I have calmed down?"

"Of course," He smiled, fighting to keep any tenseness from his jaw, "I can do that." With that his bushy-haired, brilliant girlfriend placed an apologetic peck on his lips before moving to exit the courtyard. Leaving Cedric with the distinct impression that there was something deeper going on. Instead of worrying over it he forced himself back towards the greenhouses, hoping that McGonagall could clear the mess before Hermione had to look at it again.

OOOO

The Second Tuesday of Term.

People stopped to stare in surprise. Heads twisting, mouths hanging agape, whispering running wild. Daphne Greengrass was well known in Slytherin. Before befriending Hermione Granger she had been the pretty, popular child of a prominent family. Now her infamy had reached such heights that even the Seventh Years cared enough to heap assault and bullying at her feet. This meant that she should not have been surprised that morning when a pack of older, vicious girls with covered faces had set her long, golden locks alight. Now the young woman found herself strutting about Hogwarts after her final class had ended with rebelliously short hair.

She liked it. As though to further stir up drama Daphne had not hesitated to change into a muggle t-shirt, jeans, and trainers. Hair flicking with each step the witch arrived at the Great Hall. True to his word Professor Flitwick had started the Duelling Club up again. Her fingers clenched tightly. This was her shot to start laying the foundation for her big goal. To see if anyone had gotten better than her over the summer, and if they would be insurmountable threats on the arduous preliminary path to becoming the British Junior Duelling Champion. "Well, well," Came a haughty voice from behind her, "If it isn't our esteemed British Youth Representative."

Spinning about Daphne locked gazes with Draco Malfoy, ignoring his two goons entirely. "What would you know of esteem, Draco?" Her smile was completely genuine, mostly to furth agitate him. "Your pathetic father has one foot inside of Azkaban, no money, and a useless Black for a wife whose assets have been stripped from her by Harry Potter. I at least have an accomplishment of my own beneath my belt."

"Along with dozens of muggle cocks," He hissed, eyes widening to a disturbing diameter, face the colour of puce. "You stupid little Mudwallowing bitch!"

"Twenty-five points from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy," Came a cool, squeaky voice from behind Goyle. The two mentally deformed Slytherins were so very large that none of the students standing nearby had noticed Professor Flitwick sneaking up behind their backs. "Along with a week of detention. You can rest assured that I will be speaking with Professor Snape about this." Malfoy was no longer able to threaten people with his father. Instead he was reduced to a glowering statue, standing there in a deep smolder. "Leave. I have no desire to teach someone so immature such a dangerous art as duelling."

Daphne released a deep breath when the group of trolls lumbered angrily out of the Great Hall. "Now," The little wizard clapped loudly, all of the students circling around him. Without the threat of the Chamber of Secrets demand had fallen slightly. Of course, most muggleborns had returned considering that they now had to worry about the Knights of Walpurgis. She felt her lips twist wryly at the very thought of the institution. Every Slytherin had heard of the legend of the schoolboy organization that had churned out the very first Death Eaters. Of course, You-Know-Who was no longer at the helm, and it left her feeling a bit more confident given that she was facing the likes of Pansy Parkinson and Malfoy.

Still, the memory of the melted statue burned fresh in her mind. Blinking away the unwelcome images Daphne inspected who had returned. Luna was a surprise, wand tucked behind her ear as always. Most of the Slytherins in her year had returned. Harry Potter stood off to the side on the other side of Flitwick. Much to her surprise Astoria huddled beside him alongside a troop of other First Year Gryffindors. Tampering down concern, Daphne listened to her favored Professor. "First Years will be given introductory lessons by our volunteer Prefects and tutors." Loud claps echoed for the older students who had taken up such roles. "At the end of each term we will have tiered competitions to determine where everyone belongs. Professors Sinistra will be returning to assist me in overseeing your progress along with Professor Lupin."

Everyone took a moment to peer suspiciously at Professor Lupin. He seemed competent, of course, yet to be fair their last two Professors had been utter sociopaths, one of whom was actually Possessed by a mass murderer's deranged spirit. Daphne had heard that the DADA Professor before her First Year had gone utterly batty, pitching herself off of the Astronomy Tower in the halfway through the second term. One could only wonder how hard the Jinx would hit this Lupin character. "Now, please spread out and await instruction."

Per the rankings established the prior academic year Daphne flitted towards the Fourth Years, but not before stopping in front of her sister. "Astoria," She chided gently, "You can't participate in the Duelling Club. What if you overextend yourself?"

"My affliction doesn't weaken my magical core, Daphne!" Came the frustrated response, "You know this. Stop being such a mother hen." With a dismissive turn of her heel, Astoria defiantly made her way to where the Prefects and tutors waited.

"She will be fine, Greengrass," Harry stared at her firmly as he boldly guided her by the elbow towards the rest of their respective group. "Hermione and I know about the… Malediction," He whispered the sensitive information carefully, "We talked to Madam Pomphrey. She said that we were fretting about nothing. Besides, it is important everyone be able to defend themselves in case the worst comes to happen."

"Especially these days," Daphne said tightly, ceding the argument to him. They stopped talking as Professor Sinistra called for their attention.

"I think it is fair to pair you lot up," The woman smiled, "Sort out who has been practicing their wand grips and motions over the summer. Hmm?"

Daphne found herself squaring off against a Fifth Year Hufflepuff named Clarissa Matheson. She managed to disarm and bind the other girl in a matter of minutes. "Excellent work, Miss Greengrass. Conjuration of ropes for defensive purposes is highly advanced stuff! Ten points to Slytherin." Sinistra was pleased to no end at the sight. The girl hardly wanted to lose any of the glory by admitting that a kindly Auror in the DMLE had given her tips on it that summer. She had, after all, worked incredibly hard since returning to Hogwarts at casting that particular spell in an abandoned classroom. It followed that Daphne was simply overjoyed to have moving targets for her new trick and her, admittedly weak, Shield Charm.

At the end of the club's meeting, Sinistra held both Daphne and Potter behind. "The two of you are not yet quite advanced enough to begin duelling Sixth and Seventh Years. Both of you still struggled somewhat mightily to overcome the Fifth Years even though you often succeeded," She synopsized their efforts succinctly. "Still, none of the other Fourth Year level students are quite up to par with either of you. Thus, I would like if you both worked together as duelling partners. Work on advanced spells with one another in your spare time, so you are not in the unsafe position of doing so alone. Test your mettle against each other. I guarantee that this will be your best course of action at the moment."

Neither of them objected to the proposed idea, and they stayed behind, alongside Luna, to help with setting the Great Hall back up for dinner. "The pair of you did smashingly well," Daphne's dreamy friend complimented them, "Professor Lupin was quite impressed whenever he saw you both. I could tell. Though do be careful; Nargles are incredibly envious of success born of hard work." The two Third Years thanked her with bright smiles.

"I want to train for the Junior Duelling Championship, Potter," Daphne announced when they had finished clearing up their section of the Hall. "It will be intense. If you work with me, we will need to push one another like we never have been before."

"Good," He stared at her with those unnervingly bright eyes, a smile painted over his lips. Hermione had told her that she forced Harry to start taking Nourishment Potions. They had done wonders for the Boy-Who-Lived. He towered over Luna and herself, easily having gained a hand of height over the summer. Thus, even though Daphne was taller than most girls she had to stare up slightly into his face. "I got hit with a Blood-Boiling Curse this summer in Egypt. If I want to save magical creatures from poachers I have to be in excellent fighting shape." He paused thoughtfully, "The two of you can call me Harry. We are friends after all."

"Really?" Daphne asked, amused, while Luna bounced on her toes excitedly at the development. "Then I suppose you should call me Daphne, Harry." All of them fell into a companionable conversation as they sat down together at the almost empty Ravenclaw table. The three of them were at least half-an-hour early to the feast. "How did your first meeting of the Duelling Club go?" The Slytherin asked her little sister when Astoria approached them.

"Excellent!" The little First Year smiled. "I was the second one to get the Curse of the Bogies to work." Perhaps Daphne had been possessing of reservations before, but seeing her little sister with such unusually rosy cheeks was a lovely thing. The four of them continued chattering happily together until a surprising figure arrived.

"Cedric? Why aren't you sitting with your Hufflepuff friends? Hermione isn't here…" Harry asked in a surprised tone. At his mention of their busy-haired friend, Daphne recalled that she had not seen her friend outside of classes. Though they no longer had Potions or Transfiguration together, they now shared Runes, Arithmancy, and Linguistic Lore together. Though the muggleborn sat beside her they had exchanged very few words. Hermione had looked quite dreadful as well. Puffy skin, unkempt hair and clothes, with long, bruise-like bags beneath her eyes. She still answered most of the questions, but had arrived late to the first class of Linguistic Lore, much to everyone's surprise.

"I don't know," He answered sheepishly from his spot next to Luna, "Last year I spent more time with Daphne, Hermione, and Luna than I did my own housemates. To be honest, when you have to act as Prefect you start to get annoyed by the people in your house too."

"Where is Hermione?" Astoria piped up again, "I haven't seen her since Saturday night."

"Hermione has been busy with classes," Cedric answered, considering that it was his responsibility to answer as her boyfriend. "I don't think she is handling the stress of all her new classes well. She does have two OWLs this year in addition to the extra-curricular courses, and we know how she gets."

"It likely does not help that those slimy bastards defaced Weasley's statue," Daphne murmured in a dark tone. Harry's hands turned bone-white as he clenched his silverware tightly. "We all know these stupid Knights of Walpurgis are Slytherins. The question is; Which ones?"

"Hopefully the Professors figure it out," Luna said, "I have no desire for the school to be overrun by bigoted, Purists this year too." Everyone blinked in surprise at the venom that dripped from the Second Year's mouth as she described the self-proclaimed Knights.

"Neither do I," Came a tired, drawn out voice down the table. All of their heads whipped around as they suddenly noticed Hermione. Daphne felt her eyebrows knit together. She often noticed tiny details others did not, and could sometimes spot people coming from a mile away. The question was, where had Hermione come from? Thin air? Glancing to her left the elder Greengrass sister noted that Harry seemed to have the same thought. The muggleborn wedged in between Cedric and Luna, resting her head on the former's shoulder.

"How long have you been getting to meals this early, 'mione?" Harry wondered in a careful tone.

"It works best with my schedule," The other Gryffindor sniffed somewhat evasively at him, "How was Duelling Club? I had to drop it." They all silently agreed to ignore the dark lines beneath her owlish eyes, and instead regaled her with tales of Malfoy, success, and blossoming friendship. Cedric then cut in to brag about how he had managed to convince Snape to let him sit the NEWT that year by producing a perfect Draught of Living Death instead of a Draught of Peace. Daphne and Harry both rolled their eyes at Cedric's obvious ploy to impress Hermione with his own academic advancement. Though it worked to an extent, as the tired girl gave him a proud peck on the cheek.

They all finished their dinner relatively quickly. "I am leaving for the library." Hermione announced, slipping away before anyone could argue differently.

"I am deeply worried about her," Luna mused mistily, "Must be the nargles."

OOOO

Second Wednesday of Term

Hermione slipped away after Magizoology with Hagrid had ended. It was, according to Cedric who had been in Care of Magical Creatures the prior two years, the old class on Re'em Blood. She found herself feeling overwhelmed after having asked Hagrid what they would be expected to learn that term. Natural survival in magical environments, handling of magical creatures, obviously, theoretical examination of uncommon beasts, and they were even expected to cover the beginning basics of breeding at some point. Of course, no one was quite certain yet of how exactly the curriculum would be scheduled out in any of her new classes.

Sighing tiredly, she tried to focus on anything other than her thoughts. Buckbeak and that stupid git Malfoy, the Flobberworms she had killed that morning after feeding them lettuce, and the Knights of Walpurgis. Still, any of those things was better than contemplating what had happened. What she had unwittingly brought on herself that summer. Fingers clenching tightly the muggleborn came to a jarring stop as she reached the point where one turned their back to the Forbidden Forest. All of her classmates, even Harry who had been particularly excited for lunch, were much faster than her sluggish body could hope to match. Breathing in the late-summer air, Hermione simply stood in place. Enjoying the feel of the sun so much that she even moved to tug off her heavy robes.

She spun around several minutes after her self-imposed moment of mindlessness. Images of a girl with familiar, silvery hair humming at the edge of the Black Lake filling her brain. Trying to ignore the premonitions Hermione shook her head whilst moving up the hill only to sigh annoyedly as they hit even stronger. Turning the opposite way the muggleborn picked her way down to the shoreline in search of Luna. The sun sparkled down on the water, blinding the witch temporarily until she held a hand up to her forehead. After having gotten so used to her premonitions and brief visions coming true Hermione was utterly unsurprised to discover that Luna Lovegood was indeed on the beach.

The strange little Second Year was tossing large globules of meat into the water as small, horse-like creatures chittered hungrily up to the surface in response. "The tadfoal are always so hungry," She giggled aloud, "Of course, not as hungry as a full-grown Hippocampus."

"So long as you aren't feeding kelpie pups, I suppose," Hermione sighed a bit forlornly.

"The others don't understand you," Luna responded, sighing out like a set of wind chimes, her pale face rosy in all of the excess sunlight. "Not the way I do, Hermione Granger. They think you are merely tired, but I know better."

"What do you know about me?" She asked her little friend, a growing smidge of hostility lodged in her throat.

"You are using a time turner of course." Without pause, Luna dragged Hermione's shocked brain along further into the unexpected conversation. "I can hardly blame you. With all of the classes you are taking and your sudden position as co-President of the Elfish Advancement Organization. My father would like an interview with you for the Quibbler, by the by. He would be fascinated to know that Minister Bones is already recruiting talented young wizards to supplement the gaps in her multi-dimensional, Heliopathic regiments. We can hardly let the world know that you are being groomed with rare, magical artifacts though, so I shan't tell him if you don't."

"Sure, Luna," Hermione placed her face wearily in her hands, quite unable to wad through the influx of information at that moment. She was shocked out of it when Luna, hands suddenly free of meat scraps, reached for her arm. The twelve-year-old witch expertly undid the white sleeve, humming what sounded suspiciously akin to the American national anthem. "What are you doing," Her voice jumped as the other girl ran her fingers along the tattoo that Tom Riddle had branded into her flesh the previous year. A golden, Dark Mark that would have only been the first of his new, 'glorious,' order. Her lips twisted wryly. Given that he was still very much a psychopathic bastard, now at large in the world thanks to her.

"I have not given you your present," Luna's bright eyes gleamed with an expectant twinkle. Without waiting any longer she began to chant in a foreign language. Fingertips starting glow a burning, white-hot colour as they traced patterns over the branding. "Hm. Removal seems complex," She mumbled, "Interference of Wibbling Dimslingers likely. Just as Phila feared would be the case." Hermione recognized some of the patterns now as Ancient Runes. Of course, she was only familiar with some of them, most of the rest being a cacophony of symbols completely foreign to her. What the teenager could discern of Luna's methodology was that she was removing the magical signature, and bestowing it somewhere else. Dangerous stuff, and Hermione suddenly grew nervous that her friend would accidentally burn her arm off. "Calm yourself, almost finished," Luna sighed out tightly in response, "There!"

As soon as the declaration had been made she released the older girl from her grasp. Hermione screamed out loud as a burning flash of excruciating pain sizzled across her forearm. Flesh boiling, the mark growing angrier with each second, she flung off her satchel into the sand and jumped into the Black Lake. Tadfoals expecting food screeched angrilly away as they were instead treated to a very much alive, flailing body. Still, the warm water of the lake did nothing to help. Instead the mark seemed to grow more inflamed, so much so indeed that the murky water obscuring it from her brown eyes started to boil and bubble. Head tossing backwards violently, Hermione Granger suddenly took in a deep, steady breath. The pain had vanished. Nervously she raised her forearm into the light where gold indeed caught fetchingly against the sun.

Instead of the Golden Mark, trademark Death Eater skull and snake in a different colour, there was now a small, golden symbol. Now a lean, dog-like creature circled about her arm. "It will grow larger," Luna warned, now standing near the water's edge, "As you continue to grow, spiritually and mentally, that tattoo will do the same-." She was cut off as Hermione, sopping wet launched to both feet, wrapping her saturated arms around Luna's shoulders.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Luna. You brilliant, clever girl." She whispered into her friend's ear. They swayed for a long moment until Hermione suddenly noticed something strange. The other girl was crying into her shoulder. "Are you alright?" Hermione whispered cautiously.

"No one has hugged me since my mummy died," Luna answered, arms tightening, "My daddy is too busy. Not the sort. I don't want to let go."

"You don't have to." Hermione shushed her friend, they swayed together for a long while, until sunrise bloomed against the sky. Finally stepping away as their stomachs started to clamor for dinner.

"I was Unbound this summer, Hermione," Luna wiped at her red eyes. "I cannot describe it to you in a way that will make sense. My magical core has been brought to the surface. Things you cannot imagine; I see them now. Incredible things come to me, give me knowledge. Other things…" Her tone grew heavy, dark, "Spiteful entities. Full of hate and malice. They seek me out. Something that plagues you has jumped onto me. Trying to enter my dreams, my mind. It wants you, and now it wants me too. I am having the same nightmares you are."

"H-h-how could i-it work-?" Hermione's voice rattled, her under-eye bags pulling deeper and darker with concern. "I am so sorry for-."

"No, Hermione." Luna stared at her firmly, tears no longer caught in her dreamy eyes. "I have known we would be great friends since you told that awful, Nargle-infested Parkinson girl to leave me alone. You have given me friendship. Kindness and compassion when no one else has. Now we will defeat it. The Horned God. Cernunnos." Something deep, primal and terrifying raced down Hermione's spine. The evil entity from the Cairn had a name after all. "The Morrigan spoke to me. Told me what I must do to help you." They hugged again. Both of them equally scared, and both of them equally terrified of these shared secrets.

OOOO

Second Sunday of Term, Late Evening

She stood in her home. Not Pyrites Townhouse or the Fortress of the Crow, but that glorious muggle home she had grown up in. Wispy as a dream-like figure could possibly be, head thick and heavy, tongue swollen thickly in her mouth. Hermione slipped through cautiously, realizing that her wand was clenched in her fingers tightly. Fear pounding down her bizarre, foggy brain.

No longer was the place warm and cosy. It had gone utterly, completely cool. Liquid trickled down her nose, running freely into her copper-stained mouth. Choking on the vile, thick pool of blood bubbling in her throat, Hermione realized that her skull had cracked at some point. As her eyes adjusted she noticed shattered glass crunching beneath her clumsy footfalls. The entire Townhouse seemed to have been blown entirely off of its foundation as large cracks criss-crossed the walls, and the structure swayed violently every so often. Ears ringing, she slipped into what had once been the dining room. Rubble from the floor above had fallen through the ceiling, toppling the chandelier down onto the massive table.

Her wand light shined through the darkness. Perhaps it was a testament to how brain-damaged the girl was that she did not scream at the sight of her parent's or their mangled, bloody bodies splashed out on the floor. Falling to her knees, the muggleborn felt the black energy swirling about her violently. "Your gifted Sight belongs to our Lord," She recognized the cruel voice as belonging to Anne Morrigan. As soon as the words were spoken, Hermione gasped. Eyes dimming, despite the wand light, her vision disappeared altogether. "Your body belongs to our Lord." The horrible sensation of hands, claws really, tearing at her from every direction was unbelievably humiliating. Gripping firmly at places that left her head pounding in fury. "Your magic belongs to our Lord." Beneath the many competing hands and fingers she began to gasp violently for breath. Her entire being suddenly under assault.

"I alone am your salvation, child," Came a deep, ancient voice. Soothing and wise. Enigmatic and alluring. She saw it then. The tomb on the island. Surrounded by swathes of skeletons and buried deep beneath the pile of rocks he lay. "Give me my flesh, my earthly bonds, and I will give you the universe. Knowledge. Pleasure. Contentment. Immortality." In a moment she was all of those things. The mysteries of the cosmos unravelled in her brain. Unimaginable pleasure coursing through her body. Total satiation. The sense of an eternity spent without limit. Then it was snatched away from her just as easily. "Free me from the Cairn. Serve me child. Let me into your heart, your body, your mind. Accept me totally. Finish your Pledge of Devotion fully from behind the shroud of trickery."

The world suddenly turned to ashes. Hermione slumped on a muggle sidewalk, watching in concussed horror as Pyrites' Townhouse burned to the ground. Reaching up to her bloody head, shaking fingers returning full of silvery strands….

Hermione Granger woke breathing heavily. Gasping in the realization that her uncontrollable magic had been responding the whole while. Her body falling from the air to the mattress as soon as consciousness flooded her body. Of course, she was still unable to move. Shadows elongated in the corners of the cold dormitory walls. The undeniable form of a gigantic man. All muscles and nudity began to form from the cloud of pitch darkness. Antlers growing from its head. "Serve me on your hands and knees. Slay my foes, tend my hearth with worship, set this earth and all others aflame with my strength matched to your own. Or suffer the consequences."

With that she toppled from her bed to the freezing floor below. Suddenly freed physically from the disturbing trance. Still a prisoner to the fear that consumed her brain. Shackled to the painful realization that somehow the Cairn had become a threat to her own autonomy.

OOOO

I know that the Boggart class happened before this chapter was set, but for convenience I will say that Lupin has them square off with the Boggart in the next chapter. Honestly, I am really excited to get into some of the new classes I invented in the next chapter. How the Cairn got Hermione to partially accept its influence into her body is a mystery at this point. You can also expect that her friends, and boyfriend, will spend this year growing into their own respective interests as well. Thanks as always for reading, I hope you all are staying safe and happy during all of the mass panic.