A/N- Wow… I haven't updated in ages, and I'm sorry about that . I'm finally on holidays so I've been able to write and my exams are over (for now D:). Just to let you guys know, I know I don't update frequently but I haven't given up on this story. I already have a plan so I know what I'm doing, I just need to extend it.
For those that are waiting for the "Young Cub" update, that may take a little longer. I've lost the plan for it and need to type up a new one (stupid USB….ahbdz kbt )
Disclaimer- Not me.
Note- Here, I just realised but Slughorn is still a professor when he should've actually retired. Sorry about that! ^.^ but yeah I'm not going to bother changing it, so Slughorn stays! :D
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Chapter 4
Hermione woke up, taking a huge gasp of air as she cried. What did Fred mean? Last time I'll see him? No! That's... That's no possible... No, I have to see him! I love him! Not Riddle! He's my only... Hermione looked at the silver cuff she had and saw the word 'Dead' engraved on it. Now that she remembered Fred, the silver cuff worked again, it did what it wasn't intended to do, haunt her.
The curtains of her four-poster bedroom suddenly opened and Lily appeared.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" she asked. "I heard you gasp,"
"It's nothing," Hermione said, trying to brush off Lily. "Just a nightmare,"
"You were talking in your dream; I thought nothing of it until you gasped. What is it?"
"Nothing, it really was just a nightmare."
"Okay," Lily replied, still looking sceptical. "Well get ready, we're going Hogsmeade in an hour,"
"Thanks Lily..." Hermione watched as Lily left before breathing a sigh of relief. Note to self- Don't forget the silencing charms again, and last night will definitely not be the last I see of Fred, even in dreams. Getting out of bed, she saw that it was only her and Lily left in the dormitory, she assumed that the rest of the girls were already in the Common Room or Great Hall for breakfast. How long was I asleep?
Hermione watched as Lily put on her shocks and shoes before waving a goodbye and telling her to meet her in the Great Hall. Finally, I can have peace and quiet...
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Tom held his wand and twiddled it around his fingers. He was bored. His spies within Hogwarts hadn't yet reported any sightings of DeAngelo. He smiled at the thought of Hermione, knowing that she was finally here, and that this time, she wouldn't escape him. She belonged to him.
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Hermione wrapped her jacket tightly around herself as the cold breeze flew through the open door. Lily, James, Sirius and Peter were all at Honeydukes , leaving her and Remus in the Three Broomsticks.
"Emma, do you want my spare jacket?" Remus asked, and waited for a reply, but none came. "Emma?"
At the sound of her 'name', Hermione reacted and looked at Remus, she still wasn't use to being called Emma, but she had chosen that name, and she had couldn't exactly tell them she'd been lying could she?
"Sorry? I didn't quite catch that, I was distracted," Hermione replied.
"I was wondering, did you want to borrow my spare jacket?"
"Oh no, I'm alright, thanks for asking though. Remus... I need to ask you... I'm not trying to be mean but, could I be left alone for a bit?" This request caught Remus off guard and she stared at Hermione in shock.
"Wh-Wh-Why?"
"I just need time to myself for now. Go with James and the others, I'll see you back at Hogwarts,"
Remus was going to argue about her decision, but the look on Hermione's face made him change his mind quickly and leave, but not before leaving his spare jacket. "Just in case you get cold."
Hermione watched Remus as he left The Three Broomsticks, and sighed sadly. I can't stay here long, I need to talk with Dumbledore later about Riddle... How many Horcruxes is it now? How many times will I have to kill you before you are finally gone?
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'Knock knock'
"Come in," Dumbledore said and looked up from his parchment. His eyes twinkled as he saw Hermione enter and close the door behind her. "Take a seat Miss Phelps, what can I help you with?"
Hermione nodded and remained standing, ignoring Dumbledore's glance which invited her to sit.
"What can I do?"
"Well… I want to kill Tom as soon as possible." Hermione answered bluntly. I want him dead and I want him dead now. I will be with Fred.
Dumbledore didn't move. There was no expression on his face, no shocked movements. He knew Hermione would say it. "I'm here to help you. I'll do what I can to aid with this, what do you have in mind?"
"I haven't formulated a concrete plan yet, I just… I want to make sure that I have someone to help me in this," As she spoke, Hermione looked at the ground and her softened as she continued to speak.
At this Dumbledore stood up from his seat and walked towards the poor girl who had experienced more than she should have for someone of her age. "My dear, you have nothing to fear. The professors and I will do what we can to aid you,"
Hermione wrapped her arms around the old man and couldn't help it as a small smile etched upon her face.
See Fred? I won't let the dream be the last time I see you. You're the one for me.
She was going to kill Tom.
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Tom walked through the hallways passively, wand twirling around his fingers. As he passed, lanterns would ignite, signalling his presence. Opening the grand doors that stood in front of him, he continued on walking towards his 'throne' with his followers kneeling.
"So," he spoke as he sat. "Anyone seen my Lady?"
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Hermione tried to remain upright on her chair as Slughorn drabbled on about Veritaserum and its effects. This was all information that she knew already, she couldn't bear to listen.
"Now I shall assign you all a partner," Slughorn continued to speak, finally attracting Hermione's attention. "Whoever you are partnered with will be your 'potion buddy'" Slughorn chuckled at this. "For the rest of your time here."
Hermione slumped back onto her desk waiting for her name to be called out.
"Severus and Emma,"
This caught Hermione's attention and she heard a groan. She looked around and guessed its source to be from Snape. This… This is going to be fun.
When Slughorn had finished announcing the partners, he gave out the instructions on their project. Apparently they were to brew both Veritaserum and its antidote at the same time (both took roughly 28 days). Then they were to take the Veritaserum and were allowed to answer 3 questions each before taking the antidote.
This is a problem… Hermione shook and started to worry. She wasn't worried about brewing and its difficulty. She could probably brew it without breaking a sweat. But what worried her was when it came to asking questions. The first standard question they asked to make it worked was… What's your name... Fuck this is troublesome… She had to think of a way…
Think…
Think…
THINK GODDAMMIT!
Smartest witch of your age? You bring disgrace to that title.
Lightbulb! I'm an idiot for not thinking. Just simply sabotage or pretend to take it. Hmm… Well right now its probably harder to not take it and if they find out, they'll just question me further… I'll have to sabotage it.
They all gathered around their respective worktables with their partners, Snape clearly avoiding her as much as a partner could.
"Well lets get this started shall we?" Hermione stated, grabbing the first few ingredients needed for the Veritaserum. Before she was able to do anything though Snape quickly snatched the ingredients off her and shoved another set of ingredients into her hands instead. Looking down, she sighed. "These… These are the ingredients for the antidote. I had the ingredients for the Veritaserum ready!"
"And thank you for giving them to it," Snape replied snidely.
"Bastard," Hermione muttered under her breath.
"Mudblood," Snape muttered in return.
Hermione froze, gripping the bark of the oak tree she currently had in her hand, snapping it in half.
"Be careful!" Snape snapped, seemingly forgetting what he had said before.
"You be careful with what you say." Hermione whispered threateningly, her body, inching closer towards his with her wand pointing at him from under the table. Her face neared his ear as she whispered. "I. Can. Kill. You." Then as quick as lightning, she was back to her original position, cutting up the snapped oak branch into the required pieces before dropping them into the boiling pot of water. She then moved on to the Aconite samples, cutting them into cubes before dropping them into the pot and then stirring the solution. All through this, Snape stood and stared at her, smiling.