Every word she read seemed to jump off the page. She felt both overwhelmed and under informed. She devoured page after page of the strange encyclopedia of information about the school. She read about its founding and the four houses; about the ousting of Salazar Slytherin; about the deadly duels of 1100 A.D., and about the start of the Triwizard Tournaments. She began to match some of the places described with their locations on the map. She eyed the Great Hall, where the students seemed to be finishing up their dinner and mostly heading to their respective common rooms. She saw Harry and Ginny walking through the trophy room, which held the honors and plaques for those who had won and died during the Triwizard Tournaments. She continued to read and flip through the pages of the large tome in front of her until the feeling of being watched slowly dawned on her.
She looked up to see a small boy standing behind her. His slight frame was dominated by his mess of curly black hair (a plight she could relate to) and bright blue eyes, which were currently wide with amazement. "Wow," he said in a small utterance. For the moment, she thought he was looking right at her.
He then suddenly reached forward, until his hand collided with her shoulder and he jumped back startled.
"Excuse me!" She said a bit perturbed by his manners.
The boy now whipped around looking wildly expecting to be scolded by someone that would suddenly appear. It was at that moment, she realized the invisibility cloak was still firmly wrapped around her. He hadn't been looking at her at all, but rather the map of the castle. His earlier action had been in an attempt to pick it up.
She removed the hood in the attempt to explain, "Hello—" She began, but it would appear her floating head did little calm him.
He stuttered in between deep breaths. "Her-Hermione Granger! By Merlin." Then his hands gripped the side of his face. His expression would have been comical had she not been genuinely concerned about him. She looked around them before standing to remove the cloak entirely.
"Hello." She said slowly and quietly. "Are you alright?" She asked him.
He dropped his hands to his side before motioning at her. "You're Hermione Granger. I heard you were seen, but you're here. You're at my table. And you're here. In the library. Talking to me. And I'm rambling. Merlin. Hermione Granger." He trailed off looking to the side in some sort of state of shock.
It was her turn to watch him with wide eyes. "Um…are you alright?" She asked him tentatively. She wasn't sure he could withstand the discussion to correct him on her identity. She took in his appearance again. In particular, the green tie wrapped around his neck. "So, you're in Slytherin?" She attempted to talk to him about anything to calm him.
He nodded before snapping his head up and waved his hands back and forth. "No!" He said suddenly, "I mean, yes! But not that kind of Slytherin. You know, I don't hate muggle-borns! I don't. You should know that. You know enough of us. Right? Right. We-we aren't all evil. It's just… you know… the most notable ones." He winced, seemingly in fear of her reaction.
She nodded, "Ok…well…that's good." She finished unsure of where to go from here seeing as her attempt at small talk failed so epically. She then recalled from the book, "Merlin was sorted in Slytherin."
He perked up. "Yes! True. Merlin. He was. And Phineas Bourne, who created the Polyjuice Potion. And Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic." He recited to her eagerly. He seemed to take a deep breath every few words in order to sustain his quick speech. He paused, brows furrowed. "Of course, you know that. You're Hermione Granger." He chastised himself under his breath.
She reached out to him and put a reassuring hand on his arm. She recognized her own nervous reliance on knowledge in his speech. "No, it's alright. Thank you for telling me." She paused, "Why don't you just tell me your name?"
He smiled sheepishly up at her. "Sebastian. Sebastian Nott."
"It is nice to meet you, Sebastian." She smiled at him. "But I think now that I have been found out I should be on my way."
He looked up at her confused. "Why?"
"Well…" She paused. She was no longer sure. She was still trying to figure things out in her mind and investigate on her own, but at some point, she would need to get her answers. Preferably from trust worthy adults. "Actually…it might be time for me to go find some answers." She paused before continuing a bit more firmly. "Talk to some adults. Find out more about…what is going on right now."
He looked puzzled for a moment before nearly jumping. "I can help you! I can take you to Un-I mean Professor Malfoy!"
She tried not to allow her suspicion show on her face. Based on her previous encounters she did not think he was her best bet. He seemed to dislike her and was resolute on keeping her uninformed. He may very well have been the one pulling the strings, as he was a connections between Harry and Blaise. Although, she should not forget about the attacker/stalker from the train… Perhaps Draco was not that bad on second thought… "Well… I don't know…"
He stuttered again briefly. "But-but…what? Why not?" He seemed befuddled by her reluctance. His big blue eyes pleading with her for answer.
She bit her lip. Considering his earlier stumble it was likely this man was his uncle and held a great deal of respect in the eyes of this child. She knew none of these people. It was not her right to diminish Sebastian's view of Draco. "Well, I suppose that would be fine."
His smile beamed up at her, which she returned tentatively. She gathered the book, photo, and map into hand. She looked down at the cloak. It seemed pointless to put it back on, so she folded it over her arm. Sebastian picked up his school bag off the floor, and they began to exit the library. He began to resume his nervous commenting as they walked through the library.
"So did you always like to sit there? When you were at Hogwarts? I like it. Hidden… I don't have to…" He trailed off momentarily. "Well, it's out of the way. Is that why you sat there?" He looked up at here once again imploring her to explain with his bright eyes from underneath the curly mop of hair perched on his head.
She felt a little nervous having no recollection of where "Hermione" preferred to sit. Thinking of her own choice to sit there, she simply nodded.
His smile brightened. "Me too. Well. I said that already. But still." He continued to ramble a bit about the library itself as they walked, which brought a sweet smile to her face.
"Sebastian," she interjected. "Could you tell me how I could check out this book?" Gesturing to Hogwarts: A History still clutched in her hands.
He nodded. "I can check it out for you! Books are only checked out to students and teachers. But I'll just get it for you!" He eagerly grabbed the book and ran off in the direction of the front desk leaving her amused by the entrance.
A couple of boys walked through the library door to her left and paused upon seeing her. While she adjusted a bit to Sebastian's genuine gaze of awe, this new stare of shocked assessment reminded her of this strange world in which she currently found herself. She was suddenly afraid that she might be found to be lacking, even by these teenagers. She recognized one that had accompanied Teddy earlier out by the lake.
He smiled at her and approached her first. "Hi! I'm Anthony Towler. Nice to meet you, Hermione Granger." He stuck out his hand. A couple of his friends elbowed each other at his boldness and moved towards her as well.
She reached out and took it. "Nice to meet you as well." Behind Anthony, she could see Sebastian bouncing over to her only to stop mid-step. His face paled and shoulders drooped. The sparkling smile he sported just a moment before dropped into a frown. As did hers as she considered this change. She dropped Anthony's hand and waved over Sebastian. Sebastian slowly approached and passed the book back to her.
Anthony scowled at the younger boy. Less than a second later, he spoke to Sebastian. "What do you want?"
Sebastian lifted his head briefly and looked uncomfortable before taking a step towards the door. She took a step after him in order to place a hand on his shoulder. He turned slightly back towards her and looked up briefly without meeting her eyes.
She continued to be puzzled over this interaction. "Excuse me, but Sebastian has actually been helping me out."
Anthony looked at a bit taken a back. One of the other boys in his group spoke up, "You know his father was Death Eater scum, right? The whole lot of them. Prejudiced bastards who don't deserve a second chance."
She looked out down at Sebastian in the corner of her eye to see his eyes glued to the floor, his face tinged pink all the way to his ears. She furrowed her brow as she addressed the older boys. "Well, I don't know about all that, but he has been nothing but kind and helpful to me. So if you don't mind, we will be on our way. We have someone to see."
With her hand still clamped on Sebastian's shoulder, she steered him past Anthony's sputtering group and into the corridor. Sebastian's eyes were still glued to the floor as they walked down the corridor. "You-you-you didn't have to do that."
She looked down at him with heartfelt concern. She didn't understand much of what the other boys had said, but it didn't matter. It was clear to her there was no way this small curious child could have done anything to be labeled irredeemable. "Sebastian. Do people often talk to you like that?"
He continued to look down at the ground and shrugged his shoulders.
She debated what to say that could possibly say to cheer him up. Whether she was or wasn't "Hermione Granger" didn't matter. He looked up to her and in this moment he needed someone he could look up. Someone he could relate to. Truthfully, she saw a lot of herself in him. So, she just decided to be honest. Whoever she was. "You know… People used to pick on me." She saw him lift his head a little to look at her briefly so she continued on. "People said nasty things to me just because I was different. A little too swotty. A little too much hair. A little too… something… But no one can tell you who you are. You choose who you are, what matters to you, and what you stand for. And some day you will show them all what they missed out on. And if you believe in yourself, you will find friends that believe in you too."
He looked up a towards her tentatively. "You were picked on?"
She gave him a sad smile. "Yes."
He rolled his eyes, "But you're Hermione Granger!"
"It doesn't matter. It happens to everyone." He looked up at her again, still struggling to accept that she was telling the truth.
Meanwhile, she was struggling with her own truth. She realized it was becoming easier and easier to respond as "Hermione", which simultaneously alarmed and calmed her. Maybe she was starting to accept that identity and this world as truth? So many questions still needed answers, yet each time she responded as "Hermione" it felt less like role-playing and more like a natural part of her life. For no real reason at all. As they walked along, she shifted her mind to what could trigger his prior enthusiasm to resurface and provide her a little more information about what they were going into. "So, tell me what you think about Professor Malfoy."
He looked up with an enthusiastic smile. "He's great! I'm sure you know that, but he and my dad have been friends their whole lives. He taught me how to fly. He's also the potion master, of course. He's created potions, found things, and just so much. He traveled the whole world. Some people think he is mean, but he isn't. Really, he isn't. Though, I did hear dad say he just needs to get—" They both rounded a corner to head down the stairs and walked smack into a tall red-haired man.
He looked down at Sebastian with a slightly smug smile. "For the record, I agree with your father, no matter the end of the sentence." The man readjusted and looked up at her briefly without actually making eye contact. "I think I can take it from here. You should be heading back to your common room. Second years are only supposed to be out until 8 if I remember correctly."
Sebastian looked reluctantly between the two them before nodding "Alright, Mr. Weasley." And he began walking away down the corridor. He paused and looked back at her. "I'll see you later?"
She smiled kindly at him and nodded.
His beaming smile returned before he headed on down the stairs further down the corridor.
Just as he headed around the next corner, her guard went back up. She considered the man before her. His gentle, shy smile made him seem unimposing even though due to his height he towered over her. What could have been lanky frame seemed to have developed the addition of a slight beer belly over his years, which almost struck her as funny for an unknown reason.
While she was oblivious to her own staring, the man chuckled uncomfortably to break the silence. "So…"
She realized how rude she was being. "I'm sorry. I'm—"
He grimaced slightly. "You don't have to introduce yourself to me."
She was reminded of her current situation in this strange world. "Oh."
He looked uncomfortable as she was, unable to make eye contact with her and continue to look somewhere just above her collar bone. Perhaps at the scar that remained from a car accident in her teens.
"And you are…"
His smile took up place easily on his face once again. "Ronald Weasley."
She connected the name to the brief discussions with Teddy and the man by the lake. "So you're Ron."
He nodded his head. "Yep."
She bit her lip trying to remember the other facts about Ron she had heard. "You're involved with a woman named Susan."
His brow furrowed in confusion "Yes…"
"And you work in a shop of some kind?"
"Yes…" He continued shocked that she would be aware of such information.
"And you believe you know me?" She boldly asked.
He faltered, no longer focused on the confusion, but there rested some form of despair within in his entire being. He didn't respond, but his silence was enough for the both of them to know. While she was hesitant to trust many of the adults in this new world. He seemed to be one of the few that she had heard of she did not recognize from her daily life, nor had he tried to harm her. Yet.
"So, shall we get this show on the road?" He asked her.
Scrutinizing him again, she came to the conclusion that at least on the surface there was nothing threatening about him. And she really needed answers. She bit her lip briefly before nodding her head. He turned, and they continued heading down the corridor towards a set of stairs that Sebastian had descended only moments ago.
As they walked in silence, the portraits mostly whispered to each other. Ron looked at her a few times as they walked as though there was something he wanted to say, but decided against it every time.
"So…where are we going?"
"The staffroom."
She pursed her lip in disappointment. "Oh."
Ron looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He smiled. "Not really a fan myself."
They kept walking for a few minutes in silence descending down the stairs. "So, is the ceiling in the Great Hall really enchanted to look like the sky outside?" She asked tentatively.
Ron smiled, "Yes."
She bit her lip, "And is it honestly lit by a thousand floating candles?"
"Your lightening blooms don't work here."
She looked at him confused for a moment. "I believe you mean light bulbs. And yes I did read that electricity doesn't work here. But wouldn't the wax drip on all the students?"
"No," he looked at her for a moment before scratching his nose. "Never thought about it though."
"Ron," she started. He hesitantly looked over the catch her eye. "Can you at least tell me what happened? To Hermione?"
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes and paused for a moment. She stopped as well and turned to face him. "It's not that I don't want to-" He began, and he opened his eyes looking directly at her. He gave a resigned sigh. He opened his mouth only to interrupted.
"Ooh! What do we have here?" An oddly dressed fellow zoomed over to hover above them.
Ron looked up with a scowl. "Bugger off, Peeves."
"Weaslebee, Weaselbee, finally found the Her-mi-oneee!"
Ron grumbled under his breath.
The floating figure continued taunting in a sing-song voice. "Both still looking for her memories!"
Her head snapped up at that waiting to see what else this strange figure knew.
"Damnit, Peeves. I'll call for the Bloody Baron." Ron said a slight flush, he took hold of her elbow, and as he tried to walk faster, he directed her away from Peeves. They walked down the stairs and could no longer see the strange floating man.
But Peeves called to them down the hall as he floated away from them as well, "Everyone in the world can see, things aren't how they used to be… Trying to hide her away quietly, but ickle Ronnie found Hermione!"
She looked back over her shoulder considering the strange taunt. "Who was that?"
"Peeves. He's a poltergeist, and a right pain the arse."
"A poltergeist?" She pressed. Ron hummed in agreement. "Why does he think you are trying to hide me?"
The tips of Ron's ears pinked, but he remained silent, unsure how to answer her question. Her eyebrows raised quickly up in surprise. He finally looked at her with an expression that was a little bashful and a little defensive. "Just until it all gets sorted. You turning up like you did. It's causing a bit of… a stir."
"What? You mean the way the children respond and all that?"
His mouth smoothed into a smile. "Well, in part. But you apparently made quite the entrance this afternoon at Diagon Alley."
"Where is that?" She asked puzzled about what he was referring to.
"The pub you guys came from. Good bit of grit to the atmosphere. Delicious steak and kidney pie."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I can't speak to the pie. But I suppose I know where you are referring to." She had been so focused on her thought and confusion; she never considered that those who witnessed that scene might have been as alarmed as she was.
Ron began to slow down. As they neared two statues of gargoyles that guarded a door, he looked around quickly for signs of anyone else coming. He pulled something out of his pocket and stuffed it into her hand quickly. "Don't tell anyone I gave this to you." He looked at them one more time. "If you want to hear what is going on, tuck one end as close as you can to the rest of us and hold the other up to your ear."
She opened are hand and saw was a most like a long string. "So, it works as a listening device?"
Ron's head wobbled his head in a strange nod. "Sure."
She studied his face. "Why would you give this to me?"
Ron smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't agree with the ferret. I don't think you need to be kept in the dark right now. Can't hurt to have a trick up your sleeve."
Her eyebrow quirked at the mention of a ferret's opinion, but she brushed it off as a strange turn of phrase. "Hmm…" She studied it a little closer. If nothing else, it didn't appear dangerous. She smiled and pocketed her latest trinket. "Any other advice?"
"Don't ever follow the spiders," he said in an oddly serious tone.
She studied her latest peculiar acquaintance. The corners of his eyes crinkled with faint wrinkles that could have only come from time he spent laughing over the years. His relaxed nature seemed a true personality trait.
Slowly, the edge of her mouth twitched into a smile. "Yes, well I am not sure what that means. But thank you." She paused. "So about…everything. Are you sure there is nothing you can really tell me about what is going on?"
He looked up to the ceiling and took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. "One question. I will answer one question you have. Right now."
Her heart began to race. What to ask? She could simply ask if she was Hermione Granger, but to be perfectly honest, she didn't think that there was any chance that she would believe him regardless of what he might say. She felt somewhat convinced about the existence of magic on some level based on what she had seen over the last two days. Anything about her life could be real or fake. So she decided to ask about "Hermione." She thought back over the past two days, the people she had talked to, they responses she had, even what the poltergeist had said moments ago until it struck her. "What happened to Hermione Granger's memories?"
His face pinched briefly before he opened his eyes to answer her. "Hermione… She lost her memories when… Well… her parents didn't couldn't remember her. They didn't know she was their daughter or anything. So, she developed a way—ingenious as always—to bring those memories back. But before she was able to make things right, she was exposed to it herself, and it back fired on her. And instead…she lost all memories connected to magic. Lost her own magic. It was just gone…" he drifted off staring off into the distance no doubt remembering the moments vividly during that time. When his eyes refocused on her, his sad blue eyes watched her with something so honest that she felt it herself. There was something in his body language, and his words made her believe him.
"But…how?" She asked finally. She still had so many questions that needed answers. It wasn't enough. Though it confirmed some of what she had inferred from her discussion with the large man by the lake, she still didn't understand.
But Ron only mumbled something under his breath, and the two statues leaped apart to allow access to a small wooden door. She was startled but accepted it as another example of peculiarities encountered that day. Ron held open the door for her. But before they entered Draco approached from further down the corridor. Blaise sauntered behind him with grace and without a care, a slight smirk growing on his lips as his eyes flicked between Draco and the couple near the staff room. Draco's dark cloak billowed behind him as he moved with determination as he walked past them.
"Oi! Ferret!" Ron called out in Draco's direction.
For a moment, she thought Draco would ignore them completely and continue down the hall, but then he paused. Draco spun around with a slight sneer and stiff posture. "What?"
"Going somewhere?" Ron said not bothering to hide the accusation from his tone.
Draco's eyes quickly flicked over to hers before responding. "Nothing that concerns you." While he appeared to be addressing Ron, she felt that this comment was directed at her.
"Now why would I find that hard to believe?" Ron said voicing her own opinions.
Draco's jaw tensed, but the movement on his face was barely perceptible. She studied him for a moment. Everyone else she had encountered appeared to be brimming with emotions of some kind; he always looked so stoic. But she could feel the anger radiating from him. There was something dangerous about Draco. Was it just her that inspired anger in him or everyone? Sebastian seemed to look up to this man, but nothing she had seen of him would inspire such reverence.
"Apparently, our visitors are back." He said briefly.
Ron's face scrunched in confusion. "Visitors?" Draco narrowed his eyes at him. Ron's face expressed both confusion and annoyance. "What are you on about?"
Tired of the exchange, Blaise let out and exasperated gasp. "Aurors, Weasley. Smith is back with some reinforcements. Try to be little quicker on the uptake. For all our sakes."
It appeared that Blaise's comments merited a glare from Draco. Blaise simply shrugged his shoulders with indifference.
"How the bloody hell was I supposed to know that? Why do you always have to talk in code?" Ron exclaimed.
Draco rolled his eyes and made to return to his path down the hall.
She took a sudden step forward. "I want to come with you."
He turned back around to face her. "No."
She took another step forward. Looking him directly in the eye with her challenge. "Tell me it has nothing to do with me."
"Stay here," he replied simply. She looked at each of the men before quickly taking off in the direction Draco was heading. Blaise followed shortly after her. Blaise shared a conspirator's smile with her as they headed off down the hallway towards the main atrium by the Great Hall.
Quite a few people stood in the entry way now. She recognized Ginny, Harry, Ron, and who she believed was the headmistress from earlier. But several others stood around in what appeared to be some standoff. A tall man with blonde curly hair and smug expression was the first to spot her. "Hermione." He said, and the others turned around.
Draco appeared to have caught up with them and gently put his hand on her shoulder as he moved to stand in front of her. "McLaggen." He said in greeting in her place.
The blonde sneered in disgust, "Malfoy."
Next to him stood the man from the train station, who spoke next. "Malfoy, you know she has to come with us."
Draco gritted his teeth. "Actually no, I don't believe she does." He and the man from the train station seemed intently focused on one another. McLaggen, though, had shifted his focus back to her with eyes alight with ominous intrigue.
"Malfoy," the man from the train station began again. "There are many stories that are developing, and we need to investigate which scenario is accurate."
Harry stepped forward. "And as your boss, I am telling you that the situation is under control, Smith. Go home."
The man from the train, Smith, looked back at Harry now. Insecurity flickered briefly across his face before it was replaced with conviction. "Respectfully, sir, some of us are concerned that you are too emotionally compromised to make that determination. Cormac is here to back me on behalf of the Wizengamot."
The attention was drawn back to McLaggen who was still watching her intently. "Yes, the Wizengamot feels that this particular case may require someone else's point of view."
Ginny bristled angrily. "Yes, and who said you were qualified?"
McLaggen gave Ginny a politicians smile. "Trust me; I'm qualified. At least as qualified as you all. You know, there is growing sentiment that perhaps the time for favoritism has run its course." He shifted his attention back to his main interest. "But I must say I am quite looking forward this turn of events." Even Smith shifted uneasily in response to McCormac's comments.
Ginny's grip on her wand increased until her knuckles turned white. It appeared to be Harry's hand on her wrist that kept her from doing anything in response.
"We are just trying to do the right thing. You know depending on which of the rumors are true… well, there are options." McLaggen said. "As long as she answers all of our questions, we will answer all of hers. Honestly."
"Get out." Draco snarled at him
"We'll be happy to leave." McLaggen paused for dramatic effect. "If she comes with us."
"Over my dead body," Draco responded vehemently.
McLaggen smirked, "Well, let's give her the option and see. Unless there is a reason, Hermione can't make her own decision."
The air in the room constricted. All those around her seemed to hold their breath. Everyone except Draco turned to look at her. Draco still stood resolute and stiff in front of her to block McLaggen's path.
She furrowed her eyebrows as she assessed those around her. Of all the information, she had learned over the past two days; she still wasn't sure what to believe. Could he really give her more answers? Honest answers?
McLaggen seemed entirely too smug with the silence that followed his challenge. There was something about him that left her vaguely uneasy. She didn't know him. She didn't trust him. But looking around at the other strangers, she knew she didn't know them either. She had no real reason to trust them either. It seemed a lot rested upon her reaction at this moment. Could she accept the role of Hermione Granger? She didn't know what exactly that even meant.
The pressure of their pained gazes made something inside her ache. It overwhelmed her thoughts. It all seemed too much. She closed her eyes to clear her head. As she breathed in, she was wrapped in the comforting scent of crisp pine, leather bound books, and a subdued warmth.
Then she felt it. A sharp spark or shock in response to the scent that jolted her. She snapped her eyes open, knowing what she needed to do. She placed her hand on Draco's shoulder and walked forward towards McLaggen. Draco met her eyes for a moment with a flicker of emotions, nearly too quick to read. Concern, apprehension, fear all swirled within his eyes behind his guarded façade. She refocused ahead to see McLaggen's impossibly smug expression of victory.
"McLaggen, Draco is right. I think it is time you left."
McLaggen's expression froze. "What?" He paused. "You… you don't even know what you are saying."
She took another step forward with conviction. "You shouldn't presume to know anything about me."
McLaggen looked deep into her eyes searching for hesitation. "Do you even know who you are?"
"The question is do you know who I am?" She refused to let him win. She forced all of her trepidation and insecurity out of her mind. "Because I think both us know I would never choose to go with you."
His expression was clearly taken aback as he studied her.
"…Head Auror Potter we should follow procedure. Taking all of you, but namely her, in for questioning is the best way to resolve this situation. Without increased speculation." Smith attempted to intervene.
Behind McLaggen, Smith and their accomplices, the large doors of the entrance to the castle were pushed apart. A tall, regal man strode into the corridor with an imposing expression. Two demure men followed behind him a few paces back.
Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"What is the meaning of this Smith?" Came the booming voice of the regal man.
Smith stumbled over his words and so McLaggen took over. "We are here to make sure that everything is handled appropriately."
An imposing look spread throughout the face of their latest arrival. "McLaggen, you hold no authority over these matters. Now, I think you and your men should leave before I am forced to suspend them for insubordination."
McLaggen appeared to decide against saying something in response and motioned for the other men to follow him back out the doors. As he left the entranceway, he turned back around to face the small group left behind. "I would be careful how you handle this, Minister. You wouldn't want to give anyone reason to challenge your position. And Hermione… I look forward to seeing you again. Soon."
The silence followed them out until the thud of the over sized doors closed.
The headmistress pursed her lips. "About time you arrived."
The powerful man relaxed a bit even under her intense scrutiny. "You know how I like to make an entrance, Minerva."
The stern woman only raised a judgmental eyebrow in response.
Meanwhile, Ginny rushed forward and enveloped the curly haired brunette in a hug. But the woman froze in her arms staring straight ahead into Draco's guarded eyes.
"You're back. It's really you." Ginny said quietly, failing to realize the other woman still stood frozen in her embrace.
A cold voice spoke. "No, Ginny. She's not. It was just an act." With that said, Draco turned around and stalked away down the corridor.
Ginny pulled away and looked at his retreating silhouette before turning back to look at the other woman's tense face. Ginny's eyes began to shine. "No, that can't be right…" She attempted to smile and brush some of the hair away from the other woman's face. "No, no, no I-I know you are in there. Please, Hermione, please…" Her eyes shone brightly with unshed tears in the torch light of the atrium.
In response, she slowly shook her head. "No. I'm not." Was all she said, but as the red head dissolved into tears, Hermione pulled Ginny into arms and ran a soothing hand up and down the younger woman's back.
AN: Hey, sorry for the delay! But between finals and Thanksgiving, it was a crazy schedule. I have made the chapter and I'm finally happy to end at a point where I can refer to our main character as Hermione even if she doesn't consciously accept that it is who she is. Anyways, enjoy. There were a few more hints this chapter, and some exchanges that seem pointless, but trust me they are not. So please keep reading! I hope you read, review, and enjoy!
Thanks to all who read and reviewed!
To Guest reviewers: I am so glad you are enjoying this fic. :) Thanks!