Disclaimer: I own nothing but the unrecognized.
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Chapter 26
"Yes, swift it was, Miss Daniel."
"What was the decision, sir?"
"You may go through with it. Of course, it will need some tweaking but that is what you are here for now. Have you changed your mind on wanting to go through with this, or on how to go about anything? Once the plan is in action, there is no turning back."
"Yes, I know," her smile dimmed. "I was thinking about it last night and while nothing could make me want to not follow through with this, I did tweak the plan in my mind. I don't want anyone to go with me. I'll do it alone."
"Miss Daniel-"
"It's Hermione, Professor."
"Hermione, to do this plan at all is a huge risk. To do it with no one with you is one that I'm unwilling to take."
"But sir, you have to take it. If you don't, you should know that I will take it myself. Then, I will have an even huger risk because the Order will not be watching me like a hawk. I'm not willing to risk my sister, my boyfriend, my best friends. I'm just not willing and at least, if they are here, I will know that Andy is in good hands."
"How do you expect to fool them, Hermione? It's not easily done trust me. They will inquire you if you slip before leaving, inquire of the staff as to where you have gone. They will attempt of come after you."
"You're are telling me that you have a staff of chickens. Are they afraid to stand up to Harry Potter and Co.? Afraid to keep something from them? Besides, before I leave, I will just give them the cold shoulder, give them no chance to read my mind, see anything in my eyes. I'll give them no chance to talk to me, to ask me any questions. Sir, just… please."
"Have you made any other changes?"
"No, I haven't."
"Is your schoolwork done?"
She was confused by the question at first. It was a strange one, sounding like something a parent would say. When she understood that he meant for the upcoming weeks, she replied.
"Yes, sir, of course. I finished it just this morning."
"It's beyond me how you convinced some of my staff to give you your work so far ahead of time. You didn't even know if I would say yes."
"I had confidence, Professor. You want, as much as I, for this war to end. Here, right here, is a prime doorway to step through. When one door closes, another one opens. That's what my mom always told me. This is the doorway that opened for me. So, may I?"
"Yes."
"But sir- wait what?" she asked. She had been prepared for the need to argue further.
"I said yes, Hermione."
She smiled, desiring to jump up and down with joy but she kept her composure. "Thank you, sir."
"You'll leave this Friday. When does the work begin that you've already completed?"
"Wednesday."
"So, stop attending classes on Wednesday—tomorrow that is. You need to be prepared, Hermione. Take the free time to separate yourself from your friends. You need to shut your mind from intrusion and store anything that could foil our plan in the depths of your mind. They will test you." Silence pursued until Dumbledore whispered, "You may go." He watched her leave, noticing that the gravity of the situation had finally hit her as she left his office. He prayed for her safety.
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She walked into Herbology, adoring the fact that she was early. It gave her time to think.
How will I do it? How will I become a cold, heartless girl? Will I be believable? It's too late to turn back now. It's impossible to turn back. I have to do this. I'll just have to make my friends hate me in the process. Hopefully, they'll forgive me when all is said and done. That might be a while, though. That might be months from now. Oh, God, how can I survive without them?
"Hey, Hermione, what did Dumbledore want?" Ron inquired. It appeared that her time was up.
"Why are you talking to me, Weasley?" She had decided in the split second before her reply that she might as well begin now. It would give her more time to accept their hatred and not let it weaken her when the plan was initiated.
"That's funny, Hermione. Seriously, what did Dumbledore call you up for?"
"What didn't you get out of my question, Weasel?" She queried daringly. "Was it not apparent enough? My not wanting you to speak to me, that is. Well, should I spell it out for you?"
"No, but would you mind telling me why you are acting like this?"
"Yes, I would, Weasley. Thanks for asking. Now go away." He stared at her, stunned.
"Hermione," Harry whispered.
"Potter," she replied.
"Come on, I'll talk to her later. Herbology is about to begin," Ginny stated, throwing her sister a confused look.
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Hermione ate her dinner quickly. She was residing at the end of the Gryffindor table. Draco was staring at her from his seat at the Slytherin table. It was a questioning stare; questioning her as to why she was sitting alone, why he had heard that she was being mean to everyone who talked to her.
She glanced up once, hoping he would not be staring at that moment. She just wanted one more free thought. He would be her last free thought. All of the rest were owned. They were owned by the Order, by her other personality that would take reign for until she could no longer act, by her real parents.
He was staring, though. She wasn't sure what to do. So in a despairing split second, she gazed on longingly. It ended when the glare marred her features. His eyes appeared hurt and his face questioning. She couldn't hold her own if she kept the staring contest up. Therefore, she threw him a disgusted look just before standing up and leaving the room.
Why did I have to choose to be cold and unfeeling towards them? Why couldn't I just act normal and happy, and then let the Professors deal with the downfall of my sudden disappearance. They could have just let the students believe I had run away or was kidnapped or something, anything that would allow me to have Draco kissing me right now, to have Ron not angry with me, to have Harry not worrying.
Yet I know why. I have to be cold incase I die. I could be found out at any one moment. If I'm found out, I'll either be tortured and kept as bait, or tortured and killed. Either way, the end won't be very bright. So if I make them hate me, it will hurt less if I die. It will hurt much, much less….
Her thoughts stopped when she ran into someone.
"Would you mind telling me why I was being glared at in the Great Hall?" Draco hissed.
Hermione was thankful that shadows covered her emotional face. They gave her time to regain her composure. She stood up from the ground and attempted to walk around Draco. He wouldn't let her by.
"Let me by, Malfoy."
"When did it become Malfoy?"
"Today."
"Okay, better question: Why did it become Malfoy?"
"I've no reason to answer that question. Now, let me by."
"You've no reason to answer that question? WHAT? You have every reason to answer it! One of them being that I'm your boyfriend. Another being that I trusted you and did not expect this from you."
"You trusted me, Malfoy? Why would you trust someone you don't know? I mean, it is rather apparent that you know nothing of me."
"Oh, that's all you've got? Of course I know you, Hermione. I know everything about you. I know your favorite color, favorite food, favorite everything. I know how soft your hair is, how great of a kisser you are. I know each trait you have from sweetness to stubbornness. I know every area of your mind. The one thing I don't know is why you are acting in such a way. Did I do something wrong? Are you punishing me? Please, Hermione, talk to me. Really talk to me," he was begging her.
"Is all I have to say to you is LET ME BY!" she screeched. He stared at her a second longer prior to stepping aside. She made it to her room before she lost her resolve. Tears fell.
Hours later, as she lay in bed, she knew that she could not fall apart. She had to completely commit herself to this second personality. It would be hard, but necessary.
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Author's Note: So there is a new chapter. It was once again a long period between my updates. I'm severely sorry. I think it's just in my DNA to always wait to post something. Thank you to all my reviewers.
To those who are confused, both the Warrens and the Daniels wanted Hermione and Ginny close to Harry. It should unfold a bit more soon. And I hope you realized that the italics are Hermione's thoughts.
How angry are you that you aren't sure of the plan? You know tidbits of what's going on but you don't know the entire thing. Well, the next chapter will pretty much begin in a fight between Hermione and her friends and after that, time will pass to Friday and she'll go over the plan in her head as she leaves. So you'll find out. Plus, on the up side, I'm going to begin writing now because I'm a loser and have no New Years plans.
Happy New Year everyone. I hope you enjoyed and will review. :)
3Heather