January 1996

You've got to be joking!" Harry exclaimed so loud that the librarian shushed them. With a quick apology, she turned back around to look at Hermione.

"I found it in the restricted section. 'Dark Creations" was written hundreds of years ago but it includes details on a lot of powerful immortal beings. I'd be surprised if Tom hadn't found this book when he was at Hogwarts." Hermione explained to both Harry and Ron who were sat around a large round table in the library.

"And you think Voldemort-"Ron sucked in a breath making both Hermione and Harry look at him. With a shake of the head but a fond smile on her face, Harry continued "was after one of these beings?"

Harry and Ron had been readying for Quidditch practice before Hermione had ran into the common room looking frantic. Whispering a quick apology to Johnson that they'd be a few minutes late, they had both chased after her.

"I believe so, it would make a lot of sense. We'd just need to know which one." Hermione concluded, a determined expression on her face.

Ron scratched the back of his neck before saying "That's great and all 'Mione, but how does that help up defeat him?"

'Valid point' Harry thought. That there were other forms of immortality, other than the elixir of life, was good to know. From the interactions that Harry had had with Tom, she knew he was after power. Any being that sided with him could have an influence on the war.

Hermione deflated at that but said sceptically "Who knows who Voldemort tried to contact in the first war. Think about it - " as the cloud of knowledge settled in Hermione's eyes, Harry settling back into her chair knowing how long these could go on for "some of the ghosts that reside at Hogwarts died a thousand years ago. They don't like interacting with us much. Now imagine a powerful immortal that has been able to roam the world for all that time, collating knowledge, meets with a power hungry Tom Riddle who has his eyes set on world domination. That because these beings are classed as creatures, he thinks he is better than them and can use them. How do you think that would go?"

Harry smiled at her friend. She had some good points, and something told her that this would be needed in the future. But for now, all Harry did was reach out her hand to grasp Hermione's and said was "Great work 'Mione, I think you're really on to something here."

Harry stood up to leave, Ron following suit "Where are you going?" Hermione asked, her face dropping.

Harry glanced down at what she was wearing; full quidditch gear and her broom in her hand. Gesturing towards this, Harry said "We've got practice, if we don't go now I think I'll need to be immortal to survive Johnson's wrath."

Hermione laughed at that "Fair enough, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Try not to die on that death trap." She said, looking towards the broom.

"Listen 'Mione, think you could place that book somewhere in the back shelves? I don't trust the Slytherins to find it and then use it against us somehow." Ron asked her.

Hermione only nodded before saying "Not all Slytherins are bad." Before stalking off into the dark shadows of the library.

And as they walked towards the pitch, all Harry could hear was Ron complaining about Slytherins. "Not all Slytherins are bad my arse, they're horrible slimy gits who-" Harry blocked out the ranting, focusing on her feelings instead. For the first time in a while, she felt like they were heading the right direction.

~

Hermione sat in her dorm that night, a book on her lap as she looked towards the quidditch pitch where she could see figures flying about. She looked towards Harry's bed, which was still empty. But the two way mirror that she knew Harry used to talk to Sirius was on her bed-side table.

She slowly turned away, knowing it was a bad idea to tell him about how Umbridge was treating Harry. Would ruin their friendship if she betrayed her trust.

So, she turned her attention to the book that she had stolen from the library. The details of the power houses within the magical community, some of them who were thought to be immortal.

Hermione had never understood the enticement of immortality. She theorised that after a few hundred years that there would be nothing to explore. That it could become isolating and lonely, the price to pay too high. But that might be the witch in her.

Not that she did not respect the beings that were listed within the book before her. Imagining all the knowledge that was in their minds was thrilling.

But Hermione did not know which one Voldemort would want to contact. Which one would give him the most advantage, if these beings were even real.

A lot of the creatures listed were based around different cultures and religions in various countries. Ranging from Angels to Wendigo's, Banshee's to Dragr's.

Dragr's description did seem very similar to a passage she read about Inferni:

'Believed to be a "living" undead being, the Dragr are corpses who have descended from greedy, nasty, immoral persons.

Because they are considered demonic spirits they are immortal, and they live in their graves usually guarding treasures that are buried with them.'

Hermione smiled, knowing that certain details in the book may be real. Although, when Voldemort would have wanted to use Inferni she did not know.

The door sounded, revealing a soaked Harry Potter, her long black hair roped into a ponytail trailing down her back, leaving water marks as it swung. She continued inside, on her tip-toes trying not to make a noise.

"I'm awake, you don't need to break a toe on my account." Hermione said, tracking her eyes back to her book.

Harry stopped and threw her kit onto the bed. "Brilliant, I'm going to take a hot shower to warn away the aches." Harry declared, before disappearing into the bathroom.

She loved Harry, had loved her since she defended her against the troll in their first year. Was willing to sacrifice herself if she knew Harry would make it through the impending war.

But she knew Harry felt the same for her. Adding that to her brashness, Hermione knew it would be the end of her.

So, she devoted herself to what she was good at. Research, reading, gathering information.

Looking back at the next passage, she read about vampires. The original vampires that had been created a thousand years ago, rivals to the werewolves that they lived amongst.

That a sun and moon curse was placed on them both. A conflict that continued a thousand years later.

But at the bottom, a newer note. Potential for heretics to be created, siphoners that could use both magic and be immortal.

That. That is what Voldemort would have wanted.

Hermione dreaded who Voldemort might have contacted in order to learn more.