Thanks, Mate

Chapter six; Discussion

AN: hey guys, this chapter might be a little short, but, I think I'll get off the hook because it contains… DUN DUN DUN! The moment you've all been waiting for! THE BIG REVEAL! WHOO! Lol. Going with my current planning, after this chapter there will be one more in between (at least; possibly 2) before Ron gets thrown into Azkaban. Well, here goes!
"Um. . . Professor?" Hermione squeaked, shoving the door open just enough to look in. "You asked to see me?"

"Yes, yes, Miss Granger. Please sit; I'm very busy." Professor McGonagall answered, not even bothering to look up as she continued to scribble. She gulped hard before entering and following orders, which was when her house head finally looked up at her. She set her quill down. "I assume the reason for this meeting is clear?" Hermione nodded slowly, staring down at her hands. "May I ask why you haven't been attending class?" Professor McGonagall prodded. Hermione just sat there, not possessing enough gall to shake her head. Her teacher raised an eyebrow. "Miss Granger?"

Silence filled the room as much as discomfort as Hermione skimmed her brain for any possible excuse. But none came to mind. The professor cleared her throat and stood from her seat, looking down at her student through her spectacles. "I must inform you, Miss Granger," she started, "that I am not all together pleased with this behavior. As your house head, you are my responsibility from when you step through those doors until the end of term." Hermione nodded, not meeting eyes. "I have no choice but to place you in after-school detention until you choose to admit the reason for your absence."

Hermione's eyes shot up. "But Professor. . ."

"Do I make myself clear, Miss Granger?" she asked sternly. Hermione sighed heavily and nodded. "Very well, then. I expect you to be in your next class as soon as possible. Understood?" Hermione tipped her head slightly and left the room, not even bothering to wait for dismissal.

How could she do this to her?

Hermione looked around the room uneasily before entering and took her seat quietly. Thank God Ron was always late. This way, he couldn't make a scene.

Well, that's what she thought at least.

"Ron. . ." Harry started, poking Ron in the arm, who was scribbling away like mad on a piece of parchment.

"Not now, Harry! It's almost done!" He said frantically, pausing for a moment. "Oh, Merlin. What was that bloody. . ."

Harry sighed. "Ron, . . ." He repeated.

"Hold on, Harry! Ugh! I told you. . ."

"Ron, I really think you should see this."

"It can wait until I'm done with this! It was due yesterday as it is!"

"Alright, then. I'll have to go talk to Hermione myself." Harry said casually, getting up out of his seat.

"Yeah, yeah, go ahea-. . ." Ron stopped. "Hermione? Where?" Harry heaved a sigh and plopped back down in his seat, his point made.

With that, Ron's eyes swivelled to the very girl he was looking for, who was too busy shifting apprehensively in her seat and staring at her desktop to notice his futile attempts to catch her attention; in fact, it seemed as if he had caught everyone's attention but hers. He shot everyone in the room a dirty look that clearly displayed his insistence on the practice of minding one's own business as he rose from his seat, and sat in the chair beside Hermione for about a second before the professor's voice rang through the classroom.

"Mister Weasley, I believe your seat is beside Mister Potter?"

Ron blinked, processing the voice before looking up into none other than the face of Professor Trelawney. "Excuse me. . . Professor. . . isn't this. . .?" Ron started, presenting the same idea as everyone else's face; wasn't this Defense Against the Dark Arts? So what was Trelawney doing there?

She laughed in a manner that would be considered 'heartily' in terms of someone such as herself, and shifted her spectacles before explaining herself. "Yes, yes, not to worry; Your professor had, as it would seem, a matter of great importance that needed his attention, and he thought it wise that, given the topic, I should be just the person to fill in for today's lesson. So, Ron, if you would please take your rightful seat. . .?" she prodded. Ron nodded slightly and shot a curious glance towards Hermione, who still found no need to raise her eyes from her desk.

"Now, then." The professor started. "The subject I have come to address with you today is very, very important, and shall be regarded with the utmost solemnity." she warned, her tone becoming more and more malevolent with each breath. "I'm afraid that thus far, you have not come to realize the full potential of a spell of the Dark Arts in the wrong hands." Her eyes closed as her head shook disturbingly from such intensity. "It is a fate worse than death to fall victim to such a twist of fate, I daresay. What you see here today must never be used for wickedness, else, may you burn at the true spirit of evil's very feet."

A grotesque silence befell about the room as the students passed frightened glances to each other. Trelawney cleared her throat loudly and blinked hard, as if coming out of a schizophrenic trance. Every eye turned to her, waiting anxiously for her next words (All, of course, save for Malfoy, who was quite entertained with his rather 'charming' illustration of Harry.). "The art of Probaration could be a course in of itself. . . a very interesting one, at that. . . in a disturbing sort of way. . ."

Hermione's eyes shot open. "P-p-p-rob-baration-n, Prof-f-fessor-r-r?" Trelawney gazed at her.

"Ah, so you're familiar with the craft, then, Miss Granger? How. . ." she paused. ". . .unlikely. . . for someone of your aura. . . or lack thereof." She muttered humorously to herself.

Acting as though the insult was never issued against her, Hermione's eyes shot towards Ron's, and he stared back in a confused manner. It's no use. She thought desperately. He doesn't know what it is. Feeling lightheaded, her hand shot in the air. "Professor. . . would I perchance be permitted to. . ."

"A walk, Miss Granger? What a pleasant idea." Professor Trelawney commented, showing off her foresight a bit. "However, your head of house has asked that I make sure you're in attendance at all times. I'm most dreadfully sorry, dear. Now, then, if you'll turn to page 532. . ."

Ron blinked. "What was that about?" he whispered, knocking Harry with his elbow.

"What was what?"

"I think McGonagall's got Hermione on watch. That's why she showed up."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're right in the head today, mate?"

Ron shot a dirty look at him before reverting his eyes to Hermione, almost shaking in her seat. "Something's wrong." he stated apprehensively.

"You'll, of course, be required to know what each of these spells are. . . this one, in particular." Trelawney said curiously, flicking her wand as a single section in their books started to glow. "The greatest wonder in all of Divination and the Dark Arts; the Deadman's Charm."

Neville's gulp was so loud, Professor Dumbledore up in his tower might have wondered what the peculiar sound had been. "The D-deadma-an's Ch-ch-arm? W-why's it called-d th-that?"

"Because, Mister Longbottom," Trelawney drawled, aiming for a rather dramatic effect. "Once this spell is cast against you, your life is in total jeopardy. You're completely vulnerable to your enemies, all your deepest fears exposed for them all to see. You see, children, this spell, once cast, will reveal your most greatest weakness to your opponent, leaving no other boundaries between you and the unrelenting face of death itself; unless, of course, that one should be a firm believer in the practice of mercy." She sighed, signifying just how rare that scenario was, but, had it not been for that little gleam of hope added to the conversation, several students within her sight might've needed to be sent to the hospital wing.

"Now," she continued regretfully, "As it is, it is a requirement of the council that each student be perfectly capable of casting this spell, should the need for self-defense arise. Teaching such a dark craft is not something I am altogether proud of, but it must be done for protection's sake. So, then, we will be performing the first half of the spell, and only the first half. Should I catch any one of you in the process of carrying out the spell revealed to you by this charm on your classmate, I shall have you on strict probation in every aspect of your life at Hogwarts until your graduation. Do I make myself clear?" No one could even manage a peep. (Save for Hermione, who felt a rush of relief fall over her. No one would dare hex her in Trelawney's presence after such a stern warning.)

"In order to perform the spell, you must point your wand to the classmate sitting beside you and call out 'inimicus'. A mist will then appear before your eyes, bearing a symbol, which you shall all look up in your books, where the type of spell your classmate is most vulnerable to shall be conveyed. You will, of course, be required to memorize each of these symbols and their meanings."

"Hey, Potter!" Draco hissed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I wonder what your biggest weakness is. . . Maybe it's the Weasel's sis-"

"Watch how you end that sentence, Malfoy, or I'll make that big ole' weakness in your pants ache for the next few weeks of your life." Harry growled through gritted teeth.

Malfoy snorted. "Well, It's bigger than yours."

"As fascinating as this conversation is, gentlemen," Trewlawney said suddenly, causing Malfoy to jump. Harry snickered. "I have a class to teach, and you'll need a partner in order for me to continue, Mister Malfoy. There seems to be a vacancy beside Miss Granger. . ."

Hermione choked.

"Well, Professor, there's no need to trouble Malfoy. I'd be happy to work with Hermione, so. . ." Ron continued, thinking as quickly as he could, grabbing his stuff and standing.

"Thank you for your generosity, Mister Weasley," Trelawney replied, seating Ron back down by means of pressing on his head. "But I hardly find it necessary."

Before Ron could even protest (not that he had a good one off hand), Lavender's hand shot in the air. "Um, Professor, Maybe I could work with her."

"That's fine, Lavender, dear; however, I have already asked Mister Malfoy to fill the empty space. So, Draco, if you please?" Ron turned to Lavender just in time to see her sigh in triumph. She suddenly caught gazes with him, and immediately looked the other way as if it hadn't happened. Ron blinked. What was that about?

He turned back, watching Malfoy reluctantly take the empty chair beside Hermione, watching her scared, anxious expression. He had to something. And he had to do it fast.

Malfoy snickered, looking at Hermione. "Just my luck. I'm stuck with the Weasel boy's whore." Hermione didn't even bother contradicting him as she reached into her robe as conservatively as possible, reaching for her wand.

"Raise your wands, please! And," Trelawney descended her arm down in one swift motion. "Inimicus!"

"Inimicus!" the class chimed, their wands pointed at one another. Mists of all different colors and shapes appeared before their eyes as they gazed with wonder. Some ruffled through the pages of their books, eager to find a translation, while others chose to stare just a moment longer.

Ron peered over at Hermione's mist, focusing hard to see the shape inside at such a distance, dying to decipher it before he finished with Harry's.

"This is such crap." Malfoy muttered, looking fervently for the symbol in his book. "It's not anywhere. What the hell. . .?"

"A hex, Miss Granger?" Trelawney asked peculiarly. Malfoy sighed, his question answered as he scribbled on a sheet of parchment. "How curious." she squinted at Hermione, who was now so shocked she could hardly speak. "Yes. Very curious." She finished before moving on to the next desk.

Malfoy suddenly smirked. "Wait, a hex? That's it?"

"No. Your weakness is a dormancy potion." she said curtly, not even looking up from her book; she knew exactly what he meant. She just refused to let him use it against her.

"Damn, and I thought you'd be stronger than that. Figures, you're weaker than your little friends over there." he raised his wand teasingly. "Little Hermione can't handle a little hex, can she? I wonder. . ."

"Don't!" she gasped.

Malfoy's eyebrow raised. "Don't what? Oh, this?" he said, already in position to cast a full-body hex.

"Malfoy, no! Please, please, don't." she begged, almost moved to tears. "Trelawney said. . ."

"Aw, come on, now. A little hex never hurt anyone. Well, no one but you, maybe." He laughed at his own joke.

"Please. I'll do anything you want. I swear I will. Just don't hex me. Please." se pleaded, ready to beg him on her knees, if need be.

"Oh God." Ron whispered, horrified. "He's gonna do it. He's gonna do it!" He shook Harry madly, as if asking for something to do. Without a second thought, Ron shot out of his seat and grabbed Draco by the collar, pulling him down on the ground out of his chair as the spell left his lips.

"Ron!" Hermione screamed, as Malfoy's wand began to turn a slight shade of blue. Hermione gasped for air, almost completely unable to breathe. Malfoy stared breathlessly as the transformation took place, unaware of anything to do with it. Every witch in the room gasped, starting to scream in terror. Ron's vision grew blurry as he shook. Hermione bolted out of the room before anyone even knew who it was, completely distraught.

Ron looked between Malfoy and the door Hermione had just run out of, deciding on what to do. He didn't leave, however, without first kicking Malfoy in the head, letting a line of blood trickle down from his nose as shrieks intensified. "This isn't over." he muttered, running out of the room, only narrowly avoiding Trelawney's grasp and the utter chaos that errupted throughout the classroom.

"Ron!" Harry yelled as he stood, watching Malfoy's mangled frame on the ground, trying to process what had happened.

"You bastard! What the fuck is wrong with you?"Lavender screamed, snatching Malfoy's wand and hitting him harder than her fists could take, yet she hardly felt her hands sting.

Harry jumped on top of her, attempting to restrain her, but failed horribly. "Lavender! Stop it!"

With that, Trelawney pulled all three of them apart, however, it took quite an effort to stop Lavender's fervent battle of revenge.

"Leave, all of you!" Trelawney barked. "Now!" she warned, rage burning in her eyes as students screamed and ran out of the room, abandoning books and quills galore. Lavender tugged Harry's arm to follow her out of the room, but proved unsuccessful. "Lavender, Harry, don't you move if you value your lives." They stopped dead in their tracks, falling to the ground. "I shall be back once Malfoy has been delivered to the hospital wing. You are not to leave this room, understood?" Harry nodded obediently, while Lavender found only strength enough to stare as Trelawney gathered the possibly unconscious (or traumatized, more or less) Draco in a levitation spell and sped out of the room.

Lavender shook. "Oh, shite." she whispered. "Did I just. . ."

Harry nodded, just as stunned. "Lavender. . . Hermione. . . you know, don't you?" he asked dreadfully.

Lavender only found strength enough to stare.

"Hermione! Wait!" Ron called, running almost right behind her. She was so disturbed she could barely respond. She just kept running, her cries filling the empty hall. "Hermione!" He begged, tears streaming down his cheeks. She collapsed on the ground, clutching her stomach as she cried violently. Ron dropped to her side, desperately trying to sit her upright. "Hermione, please! Listen to me!" He begged, fighting the tears as best he could. She shook madly, showing no sign that she had even heard him speak. "Mione, look at me! Can you hear me?" She moaned painfully, crying even harder, if it was possible. "Look at me, I said!" He placed his hands on either side of her head and shook her until she understood enough to look up. "Listen to me. You need to calm down. Can you understand me?" he asked, pronouncing every word perfectly as he could as he panted. She nodded fervently, and closed her eyes as she wailed, showing she had no intention of calming down.

"No, no, you have to listen to me! Calm down! Breathe!" He breathed deeply one after the other until she picked it up, mimicking his deep breaths until she was reduced to silent whimpers. "There, that's it. Just breathe." he cooed, relieved he had gotten through to her. He bit his lip. How could she have gotten so discomposed so quickly?

"Shhh. It's alright." he whispered, barely able to speak. He couldn't bear to see her like this. He just couldn't take it. "I promise. It's okay. Just please. Calm down." She nodded quickly, revealing her effort to obey, however, she clutched her stomach harder and harder until he looked at her. "Does it hurt?" he whispered. She nodded feebly, seeming at peace when he realized her point. The shock had hit her so hard, she was almost having cramps. He sighed, collecting her in his arms, feeling her shiver helplessly against his body.

"Well, well." Ron instantly turned his head in horror to see Professor McGonagall looming over them, a look of resentment on her face. "It would seem that we have far more to discuss than I expected."

AN: well, before I say anything, I just wanna say thanks to all those who haven't lost faith in me. I was shocked to see that this story is actually a whole year old now. (How whack is that? My life sucks.) Im really sorry it took so long, and I'd honestly love to say it'll never happen again, but I don't wanna make any promises. (Although, summer's coming up, so I'll get a chunk of it done then.) No matter what, though, I AM FINISHING THIS STORY. Eventually. I WILL NOT ABANDON IT. I've done it too many times before, and I'm not doing it anymore. I'm gonna finish this. I promise. Thanks again for keeping up and still reviewing, even though I don't deserve it.

I love you all! Till next time!

Suki

formatting updated July 26, 2006