A little bit of fair warning here. This is the last of the tommy-gun rapid fire postings for a while (and no, even I don't know what that is supposed to mean) ... I looked back at the original stories and noticed that, particularly in this one, I skipped over huge chunks of the school year. For instance, in the original story, this chapter is in the late fall. The next chapter was all the way in the middle of spring. Well, technically that's not true. It's supposed to be right after this. But then I realized I messed up on some timeline issues, pushing an event from the books that took place in the spring and placing it in the fall. So I'm actually going to be writing new chapters that add more to the story and fill in the blanks on those huge time gaps I had the first time through. Alas, we're not talking about weeks between postings. More like 3-4 days vs the everyday postings I have done thus far. So please forgive in advance.

But I digress ... And I have a lot of writing to do ... Enjoy!

- Chapter Three -

Oaths, Vows, and the Unknown Slytherin

Several weeks had passed. The students at Hogwarts slowly seemed to forget about the strange happenings in the bowels of the dungeons. At least, it appeared that they had forgotten. Hardly a word was spoken of it. A whisper here, a rumor there. For the most part, whatever had occurred amongst the Slytherins was quietly and entirely being swept under the rug.

This was all well and good for the rest of the school. For Hermione, however, it was entirely different. She was not one to be left curious. Killian's bruises may have faded, his wounds healed, but visions of that day still burned in her memory as clearly as if they had happened just that morning.

One evening, as the sun began to set beyond the Black Lake, Hermione found her favorite recluse near the shoreline casting stones into the dark waters. Although still hiding in the shadows, her relationship with Killian had somehow grown stronger with the events earlier in the year. Nevertheless, Killian did not seem to handle his sudden notoriety very well, relying more and more upon Hermione's company as an escape from the watchful eyes around him. He would deny this, of course, but she knew it to be true.

Killian skipped a stone across the water. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

"It was difficult to come up with a viable excuse," Hermione said. "At least one that I hadn't used already," she quickly added.

"All these lies and pretexts," Killian mused. "One would think we're trying to hide something."

Hermione cast a narrow glare at Killian. He did love to tease her. Always looking to rile her up about one thing or another.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said simply. "I have nothing worth hiding."

"Touché." Killian grinned. "So what meaninglessness is not worth concealing this evening?" he went on, casting another stone.

"Nothing really," Hermione admitted, grabbing and casting a stone of her own. "It's been relatively mundane lately. Classes are classes, nothing particularly unexpected. With the exception of Defense Against the Dark Arts, that is. Professor Umbridge is entirely intolerable."

Killian laughed and shook his head. "Nonsense. You're just saying that because she's taking a more rudimentary approach to the Dark Arts."

"Rudimentary?" Hermione scoffed. "It's beyond rudimentary! It's downright pointless! Not fit for an infant, let alone a student."

"That's rather harsh, isn't it?"

Hermione was exasperated. "You're not seriously defending her, are you?"

Killian turned to her and grinned. She suddenly felt silly, realizing that he had, once again, pushed her buttons for his own amusement.

"I would never defend that hag of an old woman," he assured. "Professor Umbridge is an obnoxious toad whose venomous virus spreads though these halls like a pandemic. There," he punctuated. "Feel better?"

"Now you're just trying to pacify me," Hermione snipped.

"Oh, come now ..." Killian laughed again. "You know I would never attempt to pacify you."

This was true. Killian's personality certainly seemed heavily weighted in infuriating individuals rather than pacification. This was particularly the case with Hermione, a favorite target of his.

Hermione sighed and cast another stone into the lake. As she did, Killian drew his wand and fired upon her stone, attempting to keep it skipping along the water's surface for as long as he could hold the charm. For several moments, they continued on as such, the only sound being the occasional splash as Hermione's stone got beyond the reach of Killian's cast.

"I heard a few students talking about you today," Hermione said, breaking the lull in their conversation.

"Is that right?" Killian asked, paying little attention to the comment.

"Well, not about you specifically," Hermione corrected. "Just about that Slytherin. I mean, it was about you, they just didn't know exactly who you were."

Killian sighed. "I was hoping such talk would have died away by now."

"Oh, they weren't talking about whatever happened in your House," Hermione clarified. "It was more about you, in particular."

Killian now seemed genuinely interested. "What about me?"

"Just things in general," Hermione answered dismissively. "Who you were, what classes you were taking, how brooding you look, things like that. It was really quite sickening."

"So these were girls who were talking about me then?"

"Oh stop yourself," Hermione chastised as she cast her next stone at Killian's shoulder.

"I'm kidding," he assured as he flicked the stone away with a wave of his wand. "You know I could not possibly care less about all of this drabble. In reality, I'm rather disappointed that my anonymity has been taken from me. And again, I must thank you for that," he added with a raised eyebrow.

"Does it really bother you that much?" Hermione asked as a tinge of guilt ran up her spine. "I don't understand why you wish to hide from everyone."

Killian grinned devilishly. "Present company excluded, of course." He looked down at the water and sighed. "I don't know. The whispers and gossip are truly numbing to me. I felt better when I was ignored. Now it seems as though everyone is either annoyingly curious or afraid of me."

"They're not afraid of you," Hermione said, attempting some form of comfort.

"It is sweet of you to lie, but I am not an oblivious fool," Killian assured. "Things are just different now, is all. But nothing can be done for it, so there is no reason to wallow about. Although, I admit there are moments when I think of what I would not give for a Time Turner … Go back and change things."

"Are you saying that if you could go back and do it again that you wouldn't have defended me?" Hermione asked, feigning insult.

"Of course not," Killian answered. "I would not dream of leaving you to your own defenses. I would, however, attempt to dissuade a certain someone from instigating a confrontation."

"Well, I'm not sure Daphne would have listened to you," Hermione said, turning her nose in the air and tossing another stone.

"Yes ... Daphne. Exactly of whom I was referring," Killian said with marked sarcasm as he flicked his wand, causing Hermione's stone to dance along the water's surface.

A silence fell between the two once again. This was not uncommon. They often found themselves engaged in conversation one moment and enjoying the quiet company the next. But the silence was never uncomfortable. Not usually, at any rate. This time was a bit different for Hermione. She still felt guilt over the events that took place in the courtyard and the conflicts that had ensued since.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened?" she asked as she stepped back from the water's edge and sat on a large stone near the shore.

"What happened with what?" Killian dodged.

"Don't be difficult," Hermione chastised.

Killian turned to Hermione. "You're not still beating yourself up over that nonsense, are you?" he asked. "You're making a fuss over nothing."

"I saw your face bruised and bloody," she countered. "It was more than nothing."

"Better my face than yours," Killian teased as he placed his a gentle hand against Hermione's cheek.

She closed her eyes, momentarily distracted before quickly pushing his hand away. "You are not that charming," she said obstinately.

"Yes, I am," Killian disagreed. "Maybe even more so."

"Why won't you talk to me about this?" she asked, attempting to keep the conversation on point regardless of Killian's dodging. "Every time I bring it up, you dismiss it away."

Killian gazed into the night sky. He then looked back at Hermione, opening his mouth several times as if to speak, but stopping just short of any actual sound.

"Hermione," he finally said. "It's not that I will not speak of it. I cannot speak of it."

"What do you mean you cannot?" Hermione asked, slightly agitated at the notion. "Why not? Because of some newfound loyalty to your House? Well, loyalty be damned!"

Killian gritted his teeth and stared at her. She could tell that he was contemplating his next words very carefully. It made her smile when she knew she had frustrated him to the point of speechlessness. She was sure he would have lashed out at someone else, but with her, he always restricted himself to a more tempered approach.

"All right," he said after a long, deep, and controlled breath. "You want to know why I cannot speak of it?"

"Yes," Hermione concurred.

"Fine." He gestured over Hermione's shoulder. "Do you see the student sitting in the courtyard, reading?"

Hermione followed Killian's finger and, after a moment, saw the young boy sitting on a stone bench alongside the outer wall of the courtyard.

"What is he doing out on the grounds after hours?" Hermione asked.

"Well, that's a bit off the point," Killian answered. "And slightly hypocritical, given our current presence," he added.

"I'm a prefect," Hermione dismissed.

Killian rolled his eyes. "At any rate, his name is Peter …Percival … Paul … something like that. He's a Slytherin. Go on and ask him about it."

"If he's a Slytherin," Hermione scoffed, "he's not going to say anything. The whole lot of you haven't spoken a word of it."

"He's a first year, and like all first years, he is quite naïve," Killian explained. "Just tell him that you already know of it and ask for some form of clarification. It shouldn't be too difficult for you. You are quite persuasive when you wish to be."

Hermione crinkled her nose at Killian. She was a bit upset that he refused to simply answer her questions. But if he was going to play games, she was not going to give up. If she needed to ask the young Slytherin sitting alone in the courtyard, so be it. She got up and made her way across the field. Before long, she was close enough to the first year for him to notice her.

"Oh," he said, startled as he quickly stood and fumbled his book to the ground. "I'm sorry. I was just reading. The common room—"

"It's all right," Hermione assured. "I know the feeling. I'm not going to turn you in."

"Thanks," the first year bumbled as he reached for his book and brushed it off. "I know I'm not supposed to be outside after hours."

"Peter, isn't it?" Hermione inquired.

"William," the first year corrected.

Peter …Percival … Paul … something like that, Hermione thought, with a glance back towards the area where Killian was hiding in the shadows. What an idiot! Collecting herself with a deep breath, she moved on. "William then. How are you enjoying your first year?"

"I love it," William answered with a bright smile and beaming eyes.

Hermione was briefly reminded of the wonderment she felt during her first several weeks at Hogwarts. Like stepping into a dream. "Probably a bit more exciting than you anticipated," she led on.

"Yeah, a bit," William agreed.

"I'm sure you weren't expecting anything like that incident in your common room," Hermione continued.

The first year Slytherin withdrew, looking at the ground and shifting from one foot to the other. "We're not to speak of that," he said meekly.

"Oh, it's all right," Hermione lied. "I already know about it."

"You do?" William asked with surprise.

"Of course," Hermione said. "I mean, I don't know every detail, but I'm well aware of it in the general sense. Were you there when it happened?"

"Yeah," William answered with some reluctance. "It was a bit scary."

"I'll bet it was. I heard it was dreadful," Hermione continued on seamlessly, getting anxious as she sensed that she was nearing some answers. "That first jinx, in particular."

"Whose first jinx?" William asked rhetorically. "There were so many."

Hermione laughed. "I suppose you're right. With all of the commotion, I suppose it was difficult to distinguish who was even the first to strike."

"Well, I guess technically it was—" William began before suddenly cutting off.

A second later, he grasped at his throat as his tongue began to swell and protrude from his mouth, a pulsing mass of muscle and tissue. Hermione gasped and stepped back, unsure of both what was happening and what to do about it.

Killian walked over and casually reached into his cloak. He pulled out several dried pixum leaves and ground them in his hand as the terrified first year gasped and wheezed. Killian then cupped his hand and blew through his fingers, casting a spray of leaf dust across William's distorted features.

Almost immediately, the first-year's face began to soften and return to its previously innocent form. When his tongue had diminished enough to breath properly, he bent over with his hands on his knees, desperate for air.

"T-T-Thank you," he stuttered as he regained his composure.

"Don't thank me," Killian said simply. "Pixum leaves are only a temporary fix. In about ten minutes you'll be no better off. Here," he went on, handing William a piece of chocolate. "Chew on this. It will coat your tongue and slow the process."

William took the chocolate and jammed it into his mouth, chewing vigorously.

"Breaking our oath, are we?" Killian asked of William, who hung his head in shame.

"I didn't mean to." William pointed weakly at Hermione, who was utterly speechless. "She said she already knew. I didn't think—"

"Lesson one," Killian said with a wink. "Never trust a Gryffindor."

"I know," William said, again hanging his head in shame. "I'm sorry."

"Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness," Killian snapped at the first year. "Just don't be so trusting of strangers. Now, off to Madame Pomfrey with you before your tongue explodes again."

"But she'll tell Professor Snape," William said, his eyes wide with fear. "He'll kill me if he hears."

"I will speak to Professor Snape," Killian assured. "Off with you!"

Without another word, William turned and raced into Hogwarts.

Hermione glared at Killian, who seemed relatively pleased with himself. "You knew, didn't you?" she asked, slapping him across the shoulder. "You knew exactly what would happen."

"Of course I did," Killian answered. "I told you I couldn't speak of it. You didn't believe me. I figured the only way to resolve the issue was for you to see it with your own eyes."

"See what?" Hermione exasperated. "I don't have any idea what I saw."

"You saw the effects of an Unbreakable Oath," Killian said simply.

"You can't be serious!" Hermione said. "There's no way the school would allow for any students to engage in an Unbreakable Oath!"

"Do not confuse it with an Unbreakable Vow," Killian said.

"Oath, vow, what's the difference?" Hermione asked.

"You mean, aside from the fact that a failure to adhere to an Unbreakable Vow results in death?" Killian asked with a grin.

Hermione was not amused. She was not quite angry either. She was somewhere in between. She should have been angry. She would have been with anyone else. But at this moment, she was far too intrigued to waste her energies on an emotion so draining.

"An Unbreakable Oath is a simple charm that ensures secrecy," Killian explained. "When one engages in such an oath, he or she is obligated to keep it less the offending appendage swell to prevent the secret from being revealed."

"So his tongue began to swell …" Hermione began.

"… to prevent him from speaking," Killian finished. "If he had attempted to write of the events, his hand would have swollen, and so on."

"You know you could have just told me that," Hermione pointed out, kicking Killian playfully in the shin.

"True," he agreed. "However, I found my way much more entertaining."

Hermione frowned and turned away from Killian, heading away from the courtyard and into the surrounding field. Killian followed behind, catching up after only a few steps.

"You're angry," he surmised as they walked along.

"I just," Hermione started. "Not knowing what happened … It's maddening."

Killian stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Hermione refused to look at him as he attempted to make eye contact. She felt silly. She felt guilty. She felt a lot of things. Killian finally reached out, placing his hands on her cheeks, restraining her from looking away.

"Please do not worry yourself over such things," he said, his piercing green eyes gazing into hers. "All is well … I promise you."

Hermione said nothing. She simply looked into Killian's eyes. As always, his eyes did not lie. She had no idea what had happened that night in the dungeons, but she knew that whatever it was, it had passed. She trusted him. And as much as she yearned for answers, she would take him at his word.

"All right," she said at last, willing herself to believe her own words. "I feel terrible for poor William, though."

"Who's William?" Killian asked with a cocked head.

"The boy you just sent to Madame Pomfrey," Hermione answered as if it was the most ridiculous question she had ever heard.

"Really? William?" Killian asked on. "Guess I must have been thinking of someone else then."

"Or you're just stupid," Hermione teased.

"Also a possibility," Killian conceded. "Not to worry though, he'll be fine."

"Did you see the look in his eyes?" Hermione asked sympathetically. "He was frightened out of his wits. He had no idea what was happening."

"No, I don't suppose he did," Killian agreed. "But I'm quite certain he's learned his lesson."

"Yes," Hermione said, her tone rich with sarcasm. "Never trust a Gryffindor and never apologize. Very nice."

"They are worthwhile lessons," Killian teased.

Hermione gave Killian a shove and shook her head, feigning disappointment in his reaction to William's predicament.

"Oh, bloody hell," Killian groaned as he rolled his head toward the sky. "Would it make you feel better if I went to Madame Pomfrey and assured that everything is reasonably well enough?"

"It would, actually," Hermione assured with a nod, knowing how much Killian detested the notion.

"You know I'm only doing this for you, right?" he asked with another groan and glance toward the stars.

Hermione smiled, turning her nose in the air. "All the better then."

"Give me a moment to get inside before you follow," Killian said as he reluctantly turned and headed back toward Hogwarts.

Hermione knew the ritual. It was always the same. Sneaking about, hoping that no one noticed them sharing company. It was a bit of work to say the least, but still, it was worth it. Regardless of the fact that Killian was no longer the unknown Slytherin whom no one paid any attention, the simple fact that he was a Slytherin and she was a Gryffindor … The Houses would never accept that.

As Hermione stood in the field, watching as Killian entered the courtyard and made his way to the large wooden doors of the castle, she saw him pause and turn to his right. A moment later, Professor Umbridge appeared from behind a courtyard pillar. She was obviously patrolling the grounds, one of her favorite nocturnal activities.

Killian did not appear to be concerned as Professor Umbridge approached and engaged him in conversation. Hermione could not hear a word of it from where she stood, but assumed that it probably involved Killian being out of castle after hours.

The conversation carried on for several minutes, quite long for a simple scolding. Hermione was sure that Killian was being reprimanded, although his expression seemed rather casual for such an event. Then again, it was not beyond Killian to smile in that face of a verbal lashing. A moment later, Professor Umbridge placed her hand on the reluctant Slytherin's shoulder and escorted him into Hogwarts.

He would probably receive detention, Hermione assumed. Nothing too severe. Certainly nothing he could not handle. After all, he had handled far worse already.