Thank you everyone who has been with me from the beginning, and not giving up on this story. I enjoy writing it. =)
I still don't own any of the people in this story except Ruby.
OH, and please do review on whether or not you expected Draco to be so...um...what's the word? Different! Around Hermione.
Order of the Phoenix
POV: Hermione Granger
I pulled back slightly and let the wind push me forward. I didn't know what was up with me, but I just didn't feel the urge to be cheery today. Ruby sat in the dirt, writing a letter to Ron. I couldn't believe she was the same age as me; she looked at least 12 right now.
"Hey Hermione?" I blinked. "Didja know the person we're destined to marry is walking on the Earth at this very moment?" I sighed.
"Of course, Ruby. Everyone knows that."
The clouds were starting to bunch together, getting darker. I stood up and told Ruby to finish the letter quickly.
"Aww, really?"
"It's going to rain, Ruby. Do you want your brand new clothes to get wet?" She shook her head and got up. We walked a little ways, but halfway to our house two drunk guys hobbled up near us. They yelled something, but I ignored it, grabbing my sister's arm and turning around.
We ran into an alley and waited for the men to leave. As we were about to head home, it got really dark and cold. It felt like...like I would never feel happiness again. I reached for my wand, holding it up. Me and Ruby stood back to back, waiting for someone to jump out and attack us. Just then, I heard my sister scream in horror. I turned. She was on the floor clawing at the ground beside her.
A dementor was closing in on her. I screamed!
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Out of my wand came a bright blue light as well as a blue stag. The dementors (there were two!) were shot back. I held it there till I was sure they were gone. Then, I dropped down next to Ruby.
"Oh my...I never knew it would be that big.." I heard behind me. I shot up, wand at ready, and saw old Mrs. Figg. I put my wand down. "Don't put that away, child!" She hobbled over and helped me pick up Ruby. She was light, for a 15 year old. The front door was always locked, so I had to struggle to get the key.
When we got inside, Mrs. Figg explained to our parents that Ruby had just fainted from hearing a loud noise and that she'll be okay. I got in bed and pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink. Just then, though, an envelope flew into my room. It cleared its throat and said:
"Hermione Jean Granger, of 2 Privet Drive, at 8:42 PM, you created a Patronus charm outside of school grounds. Also, you did magic in front of a muggle. You are now expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Have a good day." With that, it tightened its lips and exploded. I parted my lips in disbelief and dropped the ink bottle I'd been clutching. Then I started crying. No more Hogwarts? No more magic? No more...I couldn't bring myself to think of what else – and who else – I'd be missing.
My mum came in and saw me crying, so she sat next to me. "I heard the letter..I'm so sorry sweetheart." I cried into her shoulder and she rubbed my head.
This was the first time I'd shown much emotion to her since I got back from my second year.
OoO
I sat in my bed alone, pondering what had happened. How did this happen? Why were the dementors in Little Whinging? They're supposed to be guarding Azkaban. And...how could I be expelled so quickly?
On the way back home..
"Mrs. Figg? Do you know about magic?" she nodded.
"Of course I do! I'm a squib. I've been in contact with Albus Dumbledore for a long time." I nod.
"Hermione. You've been followed all summer, you know. Mundungus Fletcher was supposed to be on duty tonight but left early."
Just then, a short man apparated in front of us. "FLETCHER!" Mrs. Figg shouts and hits him with her bag. I swear, either it has rocks in it or cat food!
"Hurry, you little excuse of a man. Go inform Dumbledore! Now!" He apparated out. We approached my house and she bid me farewell.
I decided I could become a fugitive, live outside the rules of magic. I'd run away. I dropped several important things in my purse (Of course, putting a charm on it!) and with one last look at my sister, I headed out to the living room.
"Sweetheart, sit down please." I obliged confusedly.
"Honey, what happened?" I explained. When I got to the end, my dad turned to me. "What are dementors?" Before I could answer, an owl flew in with a letter. I opened it.
Hermione-
Stay where you are. Do not leave the house. Do not let Ministry representatives break you wand, and don't to use magic again; Dumbledore is straightening things out
-Arthur Weasley
I set the letter down. What was that supposed to mean? I shook my head and put it down, giving the owl a cracker. I started to explain more, but another owl came with two letters. One was from Sirius, briefly explaining Dumbledore was straightening things out. The other one was from the ministry. They had revoked my expulsion and wand destruction, but I had a hearing scheduled for 9 A.M. On August 12th. I gulped.
"What is it honey?" my mum wondered.
"I'm not getting expelled!" She hugged me. So did my dad.
I picked up the ink jar and quill, and set out three letters. One to Sirius, one to Ron, and one to Harry. I instructed Hedwig to get detailed replies from each.
I was getting frustrated! I felt cut off from the wizarding world.
For the next three days, I remained locked up in my room.
On the third day, Mum and Dad left for an awards ceremony and told us to keep the house tidy. Then, before they left, they decided to take Ruby with them. To keep her out of trouble. I waved them goodbye and went back to my room.
At around 7 P.M. I heard a crash in the kitchen and I grabbed my wand. My bedroom door clicked open. (I'd locked it.) I advanced to the stairs cautiously and saw..I counted them, nine witches and wizards.
Mad-Eye Moody and Lupin greeted me. I stuck my wand in my back pocket.
"Oi! Don't do that! Wizards better than you have lost their buttocks by doing that!" Moody warned me. I imagined someone having his behind blown off. Didn't look fun..
I followed them outside, grabbing my broomstick. We flew off (I couldn't yet apparate.) on a long, cold flight. An hour later, we landed in a lower-class neighborhood. Moody shoved a scrap of paper to me. "Memorize it." he said.
The paper read, 'The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.' Then, we crossed the road and Mad-Eye struck the pavement three times with his broom and a building emerged from between 11 and 13. They ushered me in. The interior is as rundown and shabby as the outside, but it had a cozy feel to it.
Molly Weasley welcomed us and sent me upstairs, to the second door on the left. Once there, I opened the door to Ruby hugging me so quickly I could only see her bushy, dark-red hair. "Let'er breathe, Ruby. You're acting like it's been a year since you've seen your sister." Harry joked. I hugged Ron and him also. I noticed Hedwig's peck marks on their hands calmed me a little from the fact they withheld information.
"Hermione, Dumbledore swore us to secrecy, we swear!"
I'd been yelling at them some. When I settled down, I asked them where we were. "This is the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society founded by Dumbledore to combat You-Know-Who. We haven't been to any of the meetings, though.." just then, George, Fred and Ginny came in.
We conversed for a few minutes till they revealed that Percy'd become estranged from the family.
"He got promoted to a 'prestigious position' in the Ministry." Ruby said.
"It's surprising 'cause of the events concerning Mr. Crouch." Ron added.
Ginny turned to me. "He had a fight with our dad, because he'd suggested the only reason he was promoted was so he could spy on the family. Percy moved to London..."
I noticed a Daily Prophet and picked it up. "They've been using you as a joke to say You-Know-Who hasn't returned." "It's pathetic!" George and Fred commented.
Mrs. Weasley called us down for dinner. I jogged down the stairs and as I was passing two moth-eaten curtains, Tonks knocked over an umbrella stand. The curtains flew open and a portrait of a woman with a dark pallor stood on the wall. She screamed out horrible: "Half-breeds, mutants, freaks, begone from this place! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers..." Molly and Tonks tried to close the curtains. I slipped passed and Sirius was in the doorway. He greeted me with a hug.
"You've just met my mother." I laughed. "Seems nice!" I joked.
We headed into the dining room, sitting down in front of empty plates.
"I inherited this house, after my mother's death. Of course, I was in Azkaban at the time." He shrugged. "Providing the house as the headquarters for the Order is one of the few useful contributions I have been able to make." he added gloomily.
Fred and George attempted to magically serve dinner, sending a chopping board, knife, a pitcher of Butterbeer, and a pot of stew careening onto the table.
The stew barely was on the edge of the table, the Butterbeer was half empty now, and the knife was sticking right where Sirius's hand had been moments before.
"Just because you are allowed to do it, doesn't mean you have to use magic!" Molly screamed at them. I caught bits and pieces of the conversations going on; Tonks was taking requests for different noses; Bill was speaking of the Goblins' stance on Voldemort, how it was affected by the dealings with Ludo Bagman; and the thief Mundungus Fletcher's comical business dealings.
After dinner, Sirius suggested I should ask questions about Voldemort.
"Good god, Sirius! She is only fifteen! She shouldn't know-" Sirius stopped her. "She's old enough and should have more information."
Molly scoffed. "You're treating her more like a substitute for her father than your goddaughter."
Of course, Lupin and Arthur side with Sirius. There's a disagreement between Molly and the others about who should be able to listen.
"If Hermione gets to, then I should too!" Ruby declared. Harry and Ron shouted in agreement. In the end, Ginny had to go to bed; she was the youngest.
"Have any murders been committed?" I asked. Lupin shook his head. "You-Know-Who wants to keep a low profile. The ministry of course has been feverently denying His return.
"Dumbledore was demoted from the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards and from Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot after publicly announcing that Lord Voldemort was active again." He shook his head.
Moody hobbled up behind Tonks. "The Order's recruiting new members. That includes foreign ones. Also, we're concentrating on the Auror department in the Ministry."
Apparently, Members who work for the ministry must tread carefully, as the Minister threatened to fire anyone friendly with Dumbledore. He's paranoid that Dumbledore wants to take over the ministry. "There's also a weapon that the Order is trying to guard-"
"All right, that's enough. Time for bed, kids!" We groaned but headed upstairs. I slept with nightmares that night.
We spent the next morning ridding the house of doxies. I caught Fred putting a paralyzed doxy in his pocket and he explained he was going to use it for an expiriment for new joke products.
Around 11 A.M. Mundungus Fletcher arrived, with stolen cauldrons. Molly went into a rage.
I heard her furiously preparing lunch, so I headed downstairs. I saw a small, wizened House-elf cleaning a tapestry. He was muttering obscenities about 'mudbloods.' I gaped at him until he noticed me.
"That's enough, Kreacher." Sirius scolded him and the elf walked out to clean elsewhere. I noticed the tapestry. "Sirius, what's this?" I pointed.
He chuckled. "It's the 'Noble and Most Ancient House of Black' family tree. My mother blasted of various members for 'sins' against the family. Mostly for associating with, marrying, or sympathizing with Half-bloods and Muggles." He pointed out that pure-blood wizarding families like the Blacks area almost all interrelated.
I took notice that some family connections included the Malfoys, the Lestranges, the Weasleys, the PreWetts, the Tonks and a former Headmaster. (Phineas Nigellus)
"My brother, Regulus, was once a Death Eater. He got in so far, then panicked about what he was being asked to do and tried to back out."
I asked what happened.
"He got killed."
Over the next few days, we cleaned the house. Kreacher often rescued discarded family heirlooms and Dark objects. Other Order members visited, too.
The day before the ministry hearing, Mrs. Weasley reminded me to get a nice outfit ready. "Arthur'll escort you." Dumbledore had requested it, when he was at Grimmuald Place the night before.
I was vexed that he avoided me.
I woke up early, too nervous to eat breakfast. Arthur and I headed out, going through the streets and into a phone booth. He hit some numbers, and a cool voice said, "Departing to the Ministry of Magic." We then descended underground.
We entered a huge, brightly lit atrium with a large fountain at the center.
We squeezed into a lift as well as several paper planes. Mr. Weasley explained that they had tried owls, and the mess was unbelievable. We passed the Auror office, where there were several pictures of family, Quidditch, and Sirius Black. Kingsley Shacklebolt enters as though he and Arthur are on poor terms.
He gives them a magazine amongst some files, murmuring that Sirius might be intrested in it.
Mr. Weasley invites him to dinner eqally quietly. We stop at his office (which is noticeabley tiny) and he mentions his work investigating exploding toilets caused by anti-Muggle pranksters. Perkins runs in announcing the time and place of the hearing changed, making me late. We ran to the new location, old Courtroom 10 in the basement. He left me just outside the courtroom, bidding me good luck.
I'd be doing this alone.
I entered, realizing this is where the Death Eaters were tried. Cornelius Fudge was acting as the head of the Wizengamot, and I'm suprised to see Percy's the scribe.
The door then opened and Dumbledore sweeped in. He announced himself as witness for the defence. Several members of the court were discomfortated.
Fudge begins questioning, giving me little time to answer. Finally, frustrated, I exclaimed, "I did it because of the dementors!"
The Wizengemot were stunned. Amelia Bones asked me about the dementor's presence.
"We have another witness," Dumbledore said, "Arabella Figg."
Mrs. Figg sat in the chair, nervous. "Describe them." Fudge said.
"Well...one was rather tall and skinny...and the other was small and eqally skinny."
Cornelius sighed. "Not the kids, the dementors!" She said they were tall, dark, and hooded. She mentioned that they had the affect of discomfort. She felt like she'd never be happy again.
Many people doubt Squibs can see dementors, but she was spot on with the description. After she left, the head of Wizengamot tried to regain the court's flow, saying my actions had little to do with the dementor's presence. "Raise your hand if you think this child is guilty of all charges." Several raise their hands, notably Dolores Umbridge. She was obviously a horrible person, I could tell.
"Hermione has broken no laws if she was protecting herself and Ruby from a life-threatening danger, as it is noted in the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery."
"Rules can be changes, Albus!" Fudge countered.
He sighed. "Raise your hand if you think Hermione should be cleared of all charges." Everyone raised their hands (except the ones that disagreed, of course.)
I turned to thank Dumbledore, but he was already gone.
OoO
I told Mr. Weasley the good news and he commented that Dumbledore didn't speak to him when he left. He was suprised that I'd been tried by the entire Wizengamot.
I saw Arthur's mouth tighten as Percy walked pass.
Back at 12 Grimmuald Place, everyone was relieved that I'd been exonerated. Fred, George and Ginny broke into a victory dance chanting, "She got off, she got off, she got off!" until Mrs. Weasley yells at them.
Over the next few days, I noticed Sirius seemed sad. Ron suggested he was secretly hoping I'd become an outcast like him and live at Grimmuald Place. My spirits were lifted, and I dreamed of Hogwarts.
A day before school started, the booklists finally arrived. "I wonder who the new DADA teacher is.." Ruby wondered aloud.
Also, it turns out that not only had I become a prefect, but so had Ron. Mrs. Weasley said she'd buy him a new broom, along with: "Oh Ronnie! Now that's everyone in the family!"
George responded with, "What're Fred and I? Next door neighbors?" We all laughed.
At the celebration dinner, Sirius congratulated me and commented that my father hadn't been a prefect and that he'd be very proud right now. As I was about to head upstairs to go to bed, Mad-Eye showed me a picture of the origional Order of the Phoenix. He pointed out my parents.
They were smiling. I felt tears in my eyes and made an excuse to go to bed.
I passed the drawing room, where I heard Mrs. Weasley sobbing, trying to banish a boggart. Each time she waved her wand, another family member's image appears – dead. I also saw a dead Ruby and I. Lupin comes to her rescue, finishing off the boggart and comfoting her. I slipped away.
OoO The next day
I woke up to chaos. Everyone was running around, trying to pack as quickly as possible. As we were about to leave, Sirius insisted he come along in his dog form. Molly didn't like it, but he came anyway. We waited for Sturgis Podmore, who was late. We just left without him. Sirius stayed by my side, snapping at pigeons. It must've felt good to get outside for once.
We bid them all goodbye on the platform, and Ron, Harry, Ruby, Fred, George, Ginny and I board the train. Fred and George depart to talk business with Lee Jordan. Ron and I leave them to go to the other prefects for instructions. We promised to return soon.
POV: Ruby Genevieve Granger
We passed along, trying to find an empty compartment. Ginny finds one with only two people, Neville Longbottom and a strange, blonde girl who emanates an aura of distinct dottiness. She is reading a magazing (The Quibbler) upside down. "Ruby, Harry, this is Luna Lovegood."
We conversed for a while, till the conversation turned to the odd plant in Neville's lap; his birthday gift. It was a 'rare Mimbulus Mmbletonia plant' he stated.
Pokeing it with his wand, I figured nothing would happen. But its 'defense mechanism' is a horrid-smelling green pus. Cho Chang walked by, noticing it and walking faster. We cleaned it up quickly. Ron and Hermione walk up.
POV: Hermione Jean Granger
We plopped into the seats. I said hi to Luna and Neville. "Soooo, who are the prefects for every house?" Ruby asked.
"Well, Malfoy and Parkinson are the Slytherin Prefects," I started
"Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott are the Hufflepuff Prefects," Ron added,
"And Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil are the Ravenclaw Prefects." I finished.
Ron told a bad joke, to which Luna laughed inappropriately loudly at. I noticed Sirius's name on Luna's magazine cover and asked to borrow it.
I read an article claiming Sirius alter-ego is a singer and realized it was bogus. Ruby disdainfully says that the Quibbler is rubbish.
"My father's the editor." Luna said.
Just then, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle appear. I shrunk behind Ruby so he wouldn't notice me. That was the last thing I needed. "So, Potter, how does it feel being second to Weasley?" Harry was just about to retort when Ruby straigtened up.
"Hey, prick! How does your father feel knowing you love my sister, a Gryffindor half-blood! Huh?"
If she could read minds, she's be traumatized by the amount of expletives I just used. Not only did Draco's jaw drop, but everyone except Luna's did too. "Who...told...you...that?" he asked through clenched teeth. She smirked and pointed to Ginny, who shook her head. Ruby sat back, crossing her arms and smirking. Which revealed me. I turned my head.
His glare burned in the back of my head. "Granger. C'mere. Goyle, Crabbe, I'll catch up later." I stood up and edged my way out. We walked to the very back of the train to an empty compartment. I fidgeted with my thumbs, looking at them. I heard Draco sigh.
"You're making this really, really difficult, you know?" I didn't make a sound.
"Draco, I don't want this to be hard. I do have feelings, and I do understand that this has to work out somehow. But, I was going over things in my head and...I don't think we should be.." I stuck my fingers together. He understood. I stood up, opening the cabin door and stepping into the hall. The train jolted, sending me into the wall.
Draco stepped out and looked at me till I looked back. Then – dare I say it – I kissed him. Just a kiss. Nothing else. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. (Yes, on the lips.) He was surprised, of course, but kissed me back.
I heard a small gasp and turned my head just in time to see Ruby ducking back into the cabin. I growled and hugged Draco to my side, making my way down the hall.
I opened the door and glared in. "Ruby, I cannot believe you. Actually, yes I can. I just forgave you for snogging with Ron-" they were shocked at that. Except Luna, "but now, I'm not so sure I want you with him. But still. If I get to kiss a Slytherin, I guess you get to kiss one of our best friends." I shrugged and yawned. "Anyway, I'm not going to be in this cabin anymore. Bye Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville." I grabbed my stuff and headed to the cabin I'd talked to Draco in.
I even let him sit with me. How sweet is that? He hinted once that he recognized Sirius, and I blew it off, saying it was just a family dog.
When we reached Hogwarts, we didn't hear Hagrid's familiar voice greeting the first-years. Instead, we heard Profesor Grubbly-Plank. We had to grab our luggage and carry it to the carriages. When we got there, I was shocked the horses weren't there.
In their place, there were black, skeletal horse-like creatures with leathery skin and wings. I ask Ruby, Ron and Harry if they see them, but they see nothing. Have I gone mad? Luna walked up and said she sees them too, and that I'm just as sane as she is. I wasn't really reassured..
Once we entered the Great Hall, we scanned for Hagrid, but he wasn't there. Perhaps he was still on his Order of the Phoenix mission.
I also noticed a short, curly-haired woman with a pallid, toadlike face and a pair of prominent, pouchy eyes.
Even before Dumbledore introduced her, I knew she was the nasty questioner from my trial with the Wizengamot: Dolores Umbridge. She gave a rather dull speech, which I summed up to the others as: "It means, the Ministry's taken over Hogwarts." We groaned
McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat before we could furthur discuss.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The Founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
nited by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
"Together we will build and teach!"
The Four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,"
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor,
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But the discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
And they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you..
Let the sorting now begin
We all clapped and the first years were sorted. Nearly Headless Nick told me this was not the first warning the Hat had given.
As we were heading up to our dorms, I realized I didn't know the password. Neville came up behind me and said he knew the password. I didn't believe him, but I let'im try. "Mimbulus Mimbletonia!" he said proudly. The Fat Lady swung open, much to my suprise, and we headed inside.
Seamus said, "Hey! Hermione! Guess what? Me mam only reluctantly allowed me to return. You know? She thinks Dumbledore and yours claim that You-Know-Who has returned is a lie. And I agree with'er!"
We argued over that, Neville siding with me. Dean ignored us completely.
Then, Ruby and Ron came in and joined the argument. Well, Ruby did.
In a few seconds, Ron threatened to use his Prefect power, ending the disagreement. I know few people believe me.
Before I sat down to write some stuff on a parchment, I muttered to myself, "They'll know we're right in the end."
In the morning, it was just as frustrating as the previous night. Now Lavender Brown was skeptical about my story, as well.
At breakfast, there was no sign of Hagrid. "Maybe Professor Dumbledore hasn't mentioned it to avoid drawing attention?" I suggested.
Angelina Johnson, who became the Quidditch captain, told Harry the try-outs will be on Friday. She wants everyone there.
Professor McGonagall handed out class schedules which seemed pretty strenuous this year. I noticed Fred and George were offering their defective Skiving Snackboxes for a discount. I heard their lack of concern for school, and George even mentioned that they considered not returning to Hogwarts.
They didn't answer where the money was coming from, and to that I smirked.
During a break in our morning classes, Cho Chang ran into us. Literally. We helped her with her books, and apparently was looking for Harry. I rolled my eyes and ignored the conversation until Ron insulted her favorite Quidditch team. She left, and I scolded him.
In potions, we were given a particularly difficult potion to brew. I of course aced it, but Harry's had to have his Vanished. He missed an instruction.
The Divination lesson that followed was uneventful, thankfully.
In DADA, Umbridge told us to put away our wands and take notes.
"We will be learning a Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year." She gave us the course aims. "Please read the first chapter in your textbooks, please." She smiled and walked up and down the isles. I raised my hand for a solid minute until she asked me, "Yes, dear?"
"There aren't any course aims concerning actually using defensive spells, Professor Umbridge." She laughed a little pip-pip.
"Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell. Instead, students will study the theory and perform the spells in their O." She smiled tightly again.
We had a heated discussion about the necessity of learning practical Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has not returned, I assure you." I glared at her. "Then how did Cedric Diggory die?" I yelled. She said by accident.
"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort, not by accident!" The classroom hushed.
Umbridge closed her eyes and inhaled. She then sent me to Professor McGonagall's office with a note detailing my detention.
"Granger, I must warn you to tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge- the Ministry of Magic is interfering at Hogwarts, after all." I sighed and nodded, heading off.
At dinner, I picked at my food, ignoring the conversation involving what I said in Professor Umbridge's class. "I think, the reason most people don't believe the story is because there's not much concrete evidence!" Ruby suggesteed.
We headed up to the common room to do homework. Fred and George were using First Years to test Fainting Fancies for their Skiving Snackboxes line. I scolded them and threatened to tell Mrs. Weasley, which stopped their testing.
I finished my homework in silence and sat staring at the fire.
I was worried about Hagrid. He might be hurt, or worse- dead. I tried to not think about it.
When I stepped into Umbridge's office, I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach at the amount of pink cuteness. It's decorated with doilies and kittens on plates.
"You will be writing lines for me." I sat down and pulled out a quill. "Oh, no. You won't be needing that." She reached in her desk and pulled out a black quill.
I was just about to start writing. "I need some ink." She assured me I wouldn't need any.
"What do I write and how many lines?" She thought for a second. "I must not tell lies. And, ah, just till it...sinks in." She smiles her tight smile and I began writing. With every word I write, I notice a scar on my left hand. I stop to scrutinize it and realize it's the exact words I'm writing.
Then it dawns on me; I'm writing in my own blood. I don't say anything, but just keep writing. It hurts every time.
After around 20 lines, she allows me to stop. I get back to the dorm really late. Luckily I finished my homework earlier. In the morning, I notice Ron had to finish his in the morning and I ask him about it. "I was out taking a walk late last night." He says. I suspect him of other things, but keep quiet.
Every night following that, I had detention. And as I left on Thursday, the words are obviously never going to go away. I run into Ron in the hallway and he steps back, trying to conceal his broom behind his back.
"Ron? What's with the broom?" He admits to practicing to try out for the Keeper on the Quidditch team, and I smile. I wipe a stray hair from my face and he notices my hand, grabbing it. "Hermione, how did you..when...who?" He stuttered. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and disregarded it.
"I'm serious. How did it happen?" I stared at him for the longest time before I admitted to what had been happening in detention.
"Hermione! You have to tell Professor McGongagall!" I told him it was a private battle.
Friday night, Umbridge grabbed my hand to check my work. I felt a searing pain in my scar and sucked in a sharp breath, gritting my teeth. I ran out and collapsed in the hallway, breathing hard. My scar still tingled with pain. Does that mean... No, it couldn't. I shook my head and tried getting up, holding onto the wall. I started to fall again but felt hands around my waist, helping me up.
Draco's image automatically triggered in my mind, but when I turned to thank someone, it was Harry. "Hey- thanks." I smiled crookedly. "No problem. What's up?" We started walking. "Nothing, um, I've just been feeling sick to my stomach." The lie burned in my throat.
We were a hallway from the stairs when he stopped. "Hey, Hermione?" I turned. "This is really weird admitting it, but," Harry stepped closer, "I, uh, really like you." I raised an eyebrow. "As more than a friend."
I blinked; he was dead serious. My hand flew to my scar and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Just then, Peeves flew down singing an obnoxious song, so we ran up the stairs into the common room.
We were greeted by a small party; Ron'd been chosen as Keeper.
"Hermione, you should tell Dumbledore about your scar hurting."
I'd just told Ron and Ruby about it.
"That's the only bit of me Dumbledore cares about, isn't it, my scar?" I asked bitterly, pulling out a piece of parchment.
"Remember to not put anything on the paper that can be intercepted." Ruby warned as I wrote to Sirius.
We headed to bed after I set Hedwig off.
POV: Draco Lucius Malfoy
~The same night~
I gasped, trying to shut out the pain. I stared at my reflection, filled with horror. I wanted to rip off my arm. I looked at the mark. It was real, all right. I hit my head against the sink.
"It's okay. Don't beat yourself up! You might die. Heheheheheheheh!" I heard a quiet, childish voice behind me. Stupid Moaning Myrtle. I wanted to throw something at her, but it wouldn't change anything. I didn't want this. I didn't want to be seen as evil.
Okay, back to Hermione!
That morning, I was reading a story implying that Sirius was spotted in London.
I swore up and and down that Lucius Malfoy had seen his Animagus form at King's Cross station.
Also, Sturgis Podmore was arrested for trying to break into a sealed door at the Ministry of Magic.
"He was probably set into a trap." I agreed.
I followed Harry and Ron to Quidditch practice to watch, but five minutes into the practice, a group of Slytherins appear and start insulting them. Particularly Ron.
Flustered, Ron threw the Quaffle to Katie Bell, but it slipped threw her hands and hit her in the face, causing a nosebleed.
"OI! BELL! Gettin a little bit excited I see!" I heard a Slytherin sneer and I rolled my eyes. Fred and George give her a Blood Blisterpod which they think would stop the nosebleed. We had to take her to the hospital wing, which ended the practice.
Later that night, Ron recieved a letter from Percy.
It congratulated him on becoming a Prefect, and he's relieved that Ron hasn't followed in Fred and George's footsteps. He advises Ron to steer away from their parents misguided beliefs and actions.
"Also, I must warn you to dissasoicate yourself from Hermione Granger and Dumbledore. There may soon be a change at Hogwarts!" He wrote.
He went on to commend Dolores Umbridge, believing she is a fine, upstanding person and an asset to the school.
"This is rubbish!" Ron exclaimed, ripping the letter apart.
Just then, Sirius's head appears in the fire. We all huddle around it. "Hermione, I don't believe Umbridge is a death eater. It may just be Voldemort experiencing a strong emotional reaction to something." He said.
"And hello Ron and Harry!" They said hello.
"But she refuses to let us use magic. And do you know anything about Hagrid?"
Sirius thought for a second.
"Well, Fudge is paranoidly fearing that Dumbledore is secretly building a wizard army to take over the Ministry. And I don't know anything about Hagrid's whereabouts, but Dumbledore isn't worried. Try not to draw attention to it, okay?
"Maybe I should visit in my Animagus form at the next Hogsmeade weekend..."
Me and Ruby both say No at the same time. Sirius chides me for being so cautious, saying that my father would've loved taking the risk.
With a faint pop, he vanished.
The next morning, the Daily Prophet stated that Dolores Umbridge had been appointed "High Inquisitor." She now has extensive power over Hogwarts and can arbitrarily impose new rules and regulations. She apparently intends to evaluate all teachers and classes.
At lunch, I ask George and Fred about inspected classes. "When she inspected Charms, Flitwick just ignored her." Fred said.
I entered Divination, I saw Umbridge there with a clipboard.
As Professor Trelawney teaches, she takes notes.
"Professor Trelawney, would you make some predictions for me?"
The professor turns and is shaking. "Th-the eye cannot See on will!" Umbridge hmph'd and was about to leave the room. "Wait! I-I forsee something..something dark! Horror shall befall you in the future!" She said.
Umbridge wrote something on her clipboard and left.
In Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Umbridge claims that Professor Quirrell was the only other Defensive Arts teacher likely to have recieved Ministry approval.
"There was only the small matter of Voldemort being stuck on the back of his head, though!" I muttered, but she heard me. I recieved another week of detention.
The next morning, Professor McGonagall confronted me at breakfast and penalized five House points for provoking Umbridge, despite the earlier warning.
In Transfiguration, McGonagall rudely ignores Umbridge's inspection and slaps her down like a student when she tries to ask a question during class.
However, duringg Care of Magical Creatures, Umbridge is delighted with Professor Grubbly-Plank's performance.
I overheard Draco mentioning that he'd gotten hurt by a Hippogriff in Hagrid's class, and lost my temper. "The only reason you got hurt is because you were being an insufferable idiot and couldn't control yourself, you little-" Umbridge stopped me. Another week of detention was what I recieved, along with a dirty look from Draco.
In the common room, I learn that Ruby is also fed up with Umbridge's ineffective teaching. "You should teach Defence Against the Dark Arts!"
I told her I'm unquallified. "You already know so much that you could teach to others about it, Hermione, and you've always earned top marks." I block them out by covering my ears.
When they said I'd defeated Voldemort several times, I retorted with, "I was just winging it! It was luck and I had other people's help!"
Ruby put a hand on my shoulder. "You're the only one that knows what it's like to actually face Vo- You-Know-Who."
I grudgingly agreed to consider it, and went to bed. I slept dreamless.
A fortnight later, after detention with Umbridge, Ruby asked me if I'd considered teaching DADA. I admitted that I had.
"You should open the class to anyone who wants to learn!"
I believed only a few would come. After all, I'm a nutter.
"Maybe we should have the first meeting in Hogsmeade! Umbridge can't find us there." I worried about Sirius coming. "Don't worry, he has other things to worry about and he listens to Dumbledore"
As we head to Hogsmeade, Ruby steers us into the Hog's Head Inn, a small and rather unsavoury establishment. Even so, it's not off-limits to students.
"I only invited a couple of people, Hermione, so don't worry." We sat down and I noticed there were four people already here. A bandaged wizard, a veiled witch, and two wizards hooded and caped like Dementors. The bartender looked familiar...
When the 'couple of people' arrived, I was stunned at how many there are; Neville, Dean, Lavender, Parvati and Padma Patil, Cho (and her friend whom I didn't recognize) Luna, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, Ginny, Zacharias Smith, Fred and George, and Lee Jordan. I noted that there were no Slytherins.
Ruby reminded them all why we were here. I spoke up quickly. "If you've come here to hear what happened to Cedric Diggory, then too bad. I will not discuss that. I only agreed to teach defensive magic." I could tell Zacharias Smith seemed skeptical, but didn't say anything. Ruby had them all sign a piece of parchment, and agreed to meet again when a location is found.
As we broke up, Harry mentioned that Michael Corner was probably only there because Ginny was there. Ron was incensed that he dare go out with his sister, but I didn't care.
We continued shopping.
On Monday, Harry and Ron woke me and Ruby up because they noticed a large notice announcing Educational Decree Number Twenty Four. It outlawed all unapproved student organizations. It also said that all current student groups had been disbanded and must request approval from Professor Umbridge to reform.
"Someone must've informed her about the meeting!" I exclaimed.
Ron suggested Zacharias Smith or Michael Corner.
Ruby said, "No one from the meeting could've told because I secretly enchanted the parchment everyone signed to reveal any snitches who broke the vow of secrecy." We were impressed.
At breakfast, Fred, George, Ginny, Neville and Dean approached us asking about the defence class. "It doesn't matter, we're going to do it." I declared.
Ruby waved off some members from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, saying she'll speak to them later.
During History of Magic class, Hedwig landed on the windowsill with a message, probably from Sirius. Her wing was injured, so I asked to go to the bathroom. I quickly grabbed Hedwig and exited into the hall, heading for the staff room. Professor Grubbly-Plank was just coming out of it, and I asked her if she'd be able to be healed. She took Hedwig and I pocketed the message. "She's been attacked! But I can heal her." With that, she headed off to her office with Hedwig.
The message said Tonight, same time, same place.
Professor McGonagall reminded me that all communication channels may be monitered. I nodded and headed off. I reassured myself by saying aloud that the message was still sealed.
Before Potions, I heard Draco make a rude comment about people with mental infirmities staying at St. Mungo's. Neville tried to fight him, but Harry and Ron restrained Neville. Snape arrived just then, penalizing ten House points from Gryiffindor. Ron and Harry ask what that was about, but I know Death Eaters tortured Neville's parents to insanity. I kept quiet.
Umbridge is of course present and taking notes. "How long have you been teaching?" She wonders.
He doesn't turn. "Fourteen years."
He also says he has applied repeatedly for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post and was always refused. "Why?" Snape suggests she ask Dumbledore.
Harry ruined his potion by straining to hear the conversation, and I quickly help him redo it.
"So, you never got the job?" Umbridge asked.
"Obviously." Snape relied, annoyed.
While I sat watching Harry, Ron and Ruby do homework, I pondered what I was going to do about the whole Harry-and-Draco-Love-Me-At-The-Same-Time ordeal.
My thoughts and their attempts are interrupted by Fred and George demonstrating the latest Skiving Snackbox: the Puking Pastilles. They induce projectile vomiting.
Later that night, Sirius' head appeared in the fireplace.
"I heard about the defensive magic group you are doing from Mundungus Fletcher. He was in the Hog's Head during your meeting disguised as a heavily-veiled witch." I showed a face of disgust. "Oh, and Ron, your mother says you're forbidden to get involved. And she advises Harry and Hermione to abandon it too. But I approve it! Fully!" I smiled.
"Hey, Sirius? Do you know any places we could have our meetings at?"
He suggests several places, but they're all unsuitable. Suddenly, he looks sideways in the flames, and disappears. A hand suddenly grabs at where his head was just at, and we run. I recognize the hand as Umbridge's.
"I'm telling you, Umbridge tried to intercept Hedwig and she injured her." I hated it, but I knew my sister was right.
Angelina Johnson reported that she received approval for Quidditch, and the team practiced outside. The weather was dreadful! They were out there for an hour before they had to come inside.
I was walking along the corridor after lunch, when my scar started hurting. This pain was different from last time. I hunched over, grabbing the closest thing to keep me standing- Harry's shoulder. "Hermione!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Voldemort- he's angry...really angry..He wants something done..and it's not happening fast enough.." Ron wondered if that's what happened in Umbridge's office, but Voldemort was happy then.
The time before that, just before we left for school, he was furious.
In the common room later that evening, I pushed away all the finished homework I had. I was nodding off when I heard the crack of someone apparating. I saw Dobby the House-Elf with the now healed Hedwig. I thanked him.
I asked Dobby about places we could have for the defensive magic classes. "Well, Dobby knows of the Room of Requirement..." Then I remembered. The Room of Requirement that appears fully equipped with whatever the person asking for it needs. I thanked Dobby and asked him how I could summon it.
The next day, I passed word that the first meeting is that evening. Ruby is doubtful, though. "Dumbledore mentioned it once." I said.
That evening, we summoned the room. It was perfect: cushions to catch Stunned students, dark detectors, a full library of Dark Arts reference books, and many other things. Students file in, awed by the perfection, and the first session begins.
"I think we should vote for a leader!" Of course, I was voted unanimously.
Ron suggested we name the group. Cho Chang spoke up, "Maybe we would call it Defence Association, or D.A for short." I smile.
"D.A could also stand for Dumbledore's Army." Ginny pointed out. So, Ruby wrote 'Dumbledore's Army' on the top of the parchment with the names on it, and pinned it to the large mirror in the room. I also had put the picture with the original Order of the Phoenix on the mirror.
"Okay, the first lesson is the disarming charm," I say to the group.
Zacharias Smith complained it's too simple. "Well, it served me well enough against Voldemort, but you're free to leave if you choose." I smiled and he shut up.
So, we all practiced. I must say, I'm glad we started to simple. When the session ends, we agree to meet next Wednesday.
Over the weeks, I was very pleased by D.A.'s progress, and I took great pleasure in flouting Umbridge's regulations.
The various team Quidditch practices make it difficult to have a regular night for the Army to meet, so I give everyone fake Galleons that transmit messages. I can use them to summon everyone for the next meeting.
"I'm impressed! This is a Proatean Charm- it's NEWT-level magic!" Terry Boot commented. I blushed.
The first Quidditch match is approaching, and Ron's a nervous wreck. The opponent is Slytherin. It doesn't help that one of his best friends are friendly with one, but also the Slytherins are wearing badges that sai 'Weasley is our King.' It's a cruel effort to undermind Ron's confidence.
During the game, they sing a song 'Weasley is our King' to unnerve him furthur. It works, as Ron plays badly. Luckily, Harry caught the Snitch, winning the game. I noticed George and Harry confronting Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle for mocking Ron, but I simply pass by. I brushed Draco's shoulder, making him lose interest in the fight and shrink away. He catches up to me, and I flip hair out of my eyes to show I don't want to talk.
"Hey, how's it going? Rather swell night, don'tcha think?" He tries. I hold back a smile. "Hey, sorry 'bout the badges and song and stuff. We wouldn'tve done it if we knew we'd be beat-" I stopped him.
"Doesn't matter. It's fine. He'll get over it. What do you want?" The short sentences cut his pride down till it was nonexistant. "Hey, don't be so serious, I'm kidding." He chuckled. "Just wondering if you'd like to meet me down by the lake tonight?" I furrowed my brows. "Meet as in a date?" He thought for a second.
"If you want it to be." I smiled. "Sure, why not?"
I stepped into the common room and asked Harry and George what happened.
"Fred, George and I got permanently banned. Our brooms were confiscated too."
Ron stepped in behind me, still in his Quidditch robes and covered in snow.
He threw his broom down and slumped into a chair. "I never should've thought that I could be a Keeper." Ginny told him about the bans.
"This is the worst I've ever felt!" He exclaimed, burying his head in his hands.
"I know what'll cheer you up! Hagrid's back!" I said brightly. They looked at me in astonishment. I fetched my Invisibility Cloak and my Marauder's Map, and all four of us squeeze under the cloak, Ron crouching.
When we get to Hagrid's hut, we're shocked by his appearance; his face is bloodied and bruised. He has a black eye and several cuts on his face and hands and he moved as if his ribs were broken. "Hagrid! What happened? You should go see Madam Pomfrey!" I disregarded the suggestestion.
"Did you visit the giants?" Ruby asked. Hagrid was astounded.
"Listen, Hagrid, if you ell us about your mission, Hermione can tell you about the Dementor attack near her house." Hagrid sucked in a breath. "A dementor attack?"
"Tell us about your mission and I'll tell ya about the attack!" Ruby exclaimed. Well, that was one way..
He told us he was sent on a mission with Madam Maxime to the European mountains to recruit the Giants against Voldemort. They started relations with the Gurg (chief Giant) when he was overthrown. The new chief was less receptive and he and Madam Maxime had to use magic to escape.
Giants hate magic, and that ruined their chances to negotiate with teh new Gurg. They tried to recruit those who tried escaping the new chief with little success; they also had to avoid Macnair and other Death Eaters who were recruiting Giants for Voldemort.
I asked who attacked him and Ron wondered why he returned so long after Madam Maxime did. There was a knock on the door before Hagrid could say that he hadn't been attacked.
We ducked under the cloak and Professor Umbridge strolled into the hut.
She introduced herself loudly and slowly, while scrutinizing the hut. She'd noticed four sets of footprints going into the hut and none going out.
"So, why were you gone exactly?" She clicked her pen.
"For meh health, of course!" he slapped a raw steak on his bruised eye.
She didn't believe him, that was obvious. She walks around the hut, inspecting everything, searching for hiding students.
"Well, then. I will be inspecting your class as the Ministry is determined to weed out unsatisfactory teachers." she then left.
Once Hagrid told us she was in the castle, we took off the cloak.
"Hagrid, what do you plan to teach?" I sounded worried. He turned around. "It'll be good, I assure yeh."
I warned him that Professor Trelawney is already on probation.
"You should follow boring Ministry-recommended procedures, Hagrid, just to be safe," Harry added. He brushed us off and told us it's late, he's tired, and we need to get back to the castle.
As we head back to the castle under the cloak, I work on an Obliteration Charm to get rid of our footprints.
I knew they thought my warning failed, and I vowed to prevent Hagrid from getting fired.
That Night
I stepped out into the moonlight. A slight breeze ruffled my nightgown. The grass was sprinkled with dew and it felt wonderful on my bare feet. I ran through it, down in the direction of the lake. I saw Draco standing there, staring out into the water.
His pale, bare back was white against the moonlight and dark water. I stepped up next to him, resting my head on his shoulder.
We didn't speak for a few seconds, just admired the moon on the water. "I'm glad you came down. For a minute I thought I'd have to stand out here alone," he commented softly. I closed my eyes, enjoying the breeze on my cheek. I felt Draco's arm wrap around my waist, and he kissed my head.
The whole thing was really romantic. "Would you like to dance?" He suggested. I said yes, of course. We danced around the area to a melody only we could hear. When he spun me, my hair flew out slightly behind me, casting a long shadow on the ground. He pulled me in, and dipped me.
He pulled me back up, real close, and we kissed.
I haven't taken the time to say what a good kisser he is, have I? I don't believe I have! Well, now I have.
The kiss went a little like this: He pulled me in, my hand slipped down from his shoulder to the small of his back, and his stayed just above my waistline on my back. He closed his eyes and kissed me. I closed mine, savoring the moment.
Did I mention he smells like vanilla? I sucked in a slow breath, enjoying the air playing with the smell. So sweet, right?
For the next hour, we sat side by side, holding hands, facing the water. We talked silently of everything and nothing. When it was time to head back to the castle, I stood on my tip-toes and kissed his nose. We laughed and headed up together, hand-in-hand.
I pleaded with Hagrid the next day to teach something safe. "Nobody in thar righ' mind'd rather study Knarls than Chimeras!" I sighed. I ran over to Ron, Harry and Ruby and says I don't believe they have a Chimera waiting for them. "He still won't say anything about his injuries, too."
In Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid leads us into the Forest where he shows us strange, horse-like creatures covered with scaly skin and sporting leathery wings.
Hagrid asks how many of us can actually see them. Neville, a stringy Slytherin and I raise our hands. "These are Thestrals. Only those who 'av seen death can see 'em!" I understood, now, why I could see them and Ron, Ruby and Harry couldn't; I had witnessed Cedric Diggory's murder last year. The lesson is interupted by Umbridge, who is inspecting his teaching. Her presence unnerves Hagrid, and with her watching, interrupting and general treating him as subhuman, he delivers his worst lesson.
Some Slytherins try their best to unnerve him furthur. Professor Umbridge leaves, saying he'll get his evaluation in ten days. I heard him mumbling about how he knew he'd get sacked after that.
I had little to look forward to over the next week, except Dumbledore's Army. Over Christmas, it's suspended for obvious reasons.
Entering the Room of Requirement before the final D.A meeting prior to break, I noticed Dobby'd extravangantly decorated it. I took most decorations down except the mistletoe bunches. Everyone else came in just as I was putting the decorations in a box.
I had them practice the Impedimint jinx and Stunning. In the end, I praise everyone and say we'll start the big stuff in the new year. I noticed, as people left the room, Cho Chang talking to Harry in front of the mirror. I also noticed a branch of mistletoe slithering down above them.
I left just in time to not see them kiss.
In the common room, Harry returns. "What took you so long?" Ron complained.
"I, uh, got caught under some mistletoe with Cho." Ron asks how the kiss was.
"Um, wet. It'd be nice if she weren't always crying." I explained all the emotional turmoil Cho's undergoing.
"That's impossible! One person couldn't feel all that at once, they'd explode." I sighed.
"Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon does not mean everyone does," I turned back to Harry, "it could've been worse."
We continued to talk about the subject, and as I was falling asleep I thought Hogwarts should teach girls how to understand boys.
That night, I dreamt I was a snake slithering down a long, dark hallway. At the end of the hallway, there was a man hiding under a silvery cloak. I attacked him with my venemous fangs just as he was drawing his wand.
I woke up in panic, shouting and sweating, my scar burning intensly, convinced this dream was real and the man I attacked was Mr. Weasley.
Ginny summoned Professor McGonagall who escorted me and Ruby to Dumbledore's office.
We approached the gargoyle and she said the password (Fizzing Whizbee) and we entered the office. We heard many people talking within the office, but when the Professor knocked, they fell silent. We entered, and theonly one in there is Dumbledore sitting at his desk.
I'm vexed that he avoids loking at me. He asks what happened in my dream.
"It was from my point-of-view, as if I was the snake. I'm positive of it. Mr. Weasley is badly hurt, sir." I insist.
He immidiately send the portraits of two past headmasters, Everard and Dilys to search for Mr. Weasley. Dumbledore explains they were two of Hogwarts' most famous headmasters, and they have many other portraits they can visit.
He addresses Fawkes, saying they will need a warning. She vanishes in a flash of fire. Dumbledore placed an intricate silver machine on his desk and sets it in motion; it emits a puff of smoke that forms into a snake. "Naturally. But in effence divided?" he asked it. The snake splilts into two snakes. I was about to ask its meaning
"Sir, an injured man was found in the Ministry," Everard reports. Dilys then appears. "The man has been taken to St. Mungo's and he looks bad." Dumbledore sends Professor McGonagall to get the Weasley children. She asks about Mrs. Weasley and he says it is a job for Fawkes.
He creates a Portkey from an old kettle and turns to Phineas' portrait. He feigns awake and grudgingly agrees to deliver a message to his other portrait at number twelve, Grimmuald Place. "Inform Sirius that the Weasley children and Hermione and Ruby will be arriving." Phineas slopes off. Fred, George, Ginny and Ron arrive with Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore tells them their father has been injured and they are being sent to Grimmuald Place.
The Floo network is being watched, so we were going by Portkey instead. A flash of fire, Fawkes' warning, appears and McGonagall left to head off Umbridge.
Phineas returns and says that Sirius would be glad to have the children. The Weasley's, Ruby and I grab onto the Portkey. As it activates, Dumbledore looks at me for the first time.
My scar intensely burned and an overwhelming hatred swallowed me. I wanted to attack, and bite, Dumbledore.
We arrived at Grimmuald Place and I hear Kreacher mutter, "Back again, the blood-trator brats. Is it true their father's dying?" Sirius orders him out.
I tell everyone about my vision, but I refrain from mentioning I was the snake. The twins demand to go to the hospital, but Sirius says, "No, we should stay here. The Order wants it kept secret that Hermione is seeing events happening hundreds of miles away."
He serves us Butterbeer as we silently wait for word. I wonder about the hatred I felt, and why it seemed like I had fangs.
A Phoenix flame arrives; Molly sent word that Arthur is seriously injured but still alive. She arrives around 5:00 a.m saying that Arthur is sleeping and Bill is sitting with him. She thanks me over and over again for saving his life.
Later, I secretly confess to Sirius that I'd been the snake in the dream. Also, the feeling I had before we arrived here. He told me not to worry about it, and get some rest.
I didn't sleep that night, fearing I'd attack Ron as a snake.
Over the holidays, we stayed at Grimmuald Place to be close to the hospital.
One afternoon among merrmiment and relief that Arthur is out of danger, Tonks and Mad-Eye arrive to escort us to St. Mungo's.
The children visited while Ruby, Molly and I waited outside. Fred and George had apparently tried (unsuccessfully) to learn where Arthur was and what he was guarding when he was attacked.
The kids come out and Tonks, Moody and Molly go in. They have a 'private' discussion regarding the night's events. We eavesdropped with some Extendable Ears.
"I think Hermione's seein' inside You-Know-Who's mind, and I wonder if she's been possessed by Voldemort," we heard Moody say.
They all looked at me, and I gaped at the floor. "I swear, I'm not being possessed. That's ridiculous!" I said aloud.
I throw the rest of my belongings into the trunk. I'm so afraid I'm being possessed by Voldemort... I close the lid and drag it out into the hall. What if I start attacking other Order members? What if Voldemort can see into the headquarters? I started toward the front of the house.
"Hermione, Dumbledore says to stay where you are." I sighed. He said that after the Dementor attack too. I dragged my belongings back into the room and fell onto the bed, sleep enveloping me. I slept dreamless, again.
I woke up to Ruby telling me dinner was ready, but when I open my eyes, she's already gone. I rub my eyes and stretch. "Hermione! Dinner!" I hear Molly yell up at me. "I'll be down in a second!" I yell back, grabbing a new shirt. I slip it on, and head downstairs. I catch a glimpse of myself in a hallway mirror.
I run my fingers through my hair, which has become rather long since the beginning of the year. I promised myself I'd brush it all out later tonight, and I walked into the dining room. Dinner was silent, for the most part, and afterwards I snuck away into Buckbeak's room. I sat on the grassy floor, talking to Buckbeak silently.
An hour later, Ginny walked in and sat in front of me. I mumbled that I didn't want to talk to anyone.
"I know how it feels to be possessed by You-Know-Who, Hermione." She described it. "I had no memory of doing anything. But I knew I was doing it," she said.
I'm relieved, because my experience isn't anything like hers. I'm now convinced that I'm not being possessed.
Over the next days, Sirius is overjoyed to have a house full for the holidays.
His joy is infectious; everyone gives great efforts and the house is decorated top to bottom. At Christmas, Sirius and Lupin give me a set of books full of jinxes and counter-jinxes. For Dumbledore's Army.
Fred and George tell me and Ruby to wait awhile upstairs; Molly was in tears, Percy'd returned his Christmas gift unopened, without a note.
Downstairs, we're greeted by Ruby who has a gift for Kreacher. "He won't appreciate it, Ruby.." Ron said, but she wasn't altered.
It was a quilt. "It'll brighten up his sleeping space!" She exclaimed. Ron opened a cupboard door under an old-fashioned boiler. There are items scattered around it, including many old Black family portraits. One in particular was broken, and it was of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Ruby lays the quilt carefully in the middle of the scattered objects and we leave. "Hermione, have you seen Kreacher?" I shake my head and say I haven't seen him since Sirius ordered him out when we arrived. "A house-elf can't leave without permission..." he wanders off the continue searching.
After lunch, Mundungus arrived with a borrowed car. We drive to St. Mungo's to visit Mr. Weasley. When we got there, Ruby, Harry, Ron, Ginny and I go for tea. We got lost on the way, though, and run into Gilderoy Lockhart. He has extreme memory loss, and between his pleasure at seeing us and his Healer's assumption that we're visitors, we spend time in the locked ward.
I notice another patient, Broderick Bode, had received a potted plant as a Christmas gift. I also see Neville and his grandmother walk behind a curtain. Ruby noticed to and said hi. Neville sheepishly shrinks behind his grandmother. "Don't be shy, Neville! Your friends are here. Say hi!" He waves. "Hey Neville, who're you visiting?" He said his parents.
I knew Frank and Alice Longbottom were once Aurors and former Order of the Phoenix members. They were tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange.
Neville's obviously embarrassed that his friends know about them now. It didn't help that his mother shambled over and grandly gave him a wrapper from a pack of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. "You should be proud of how your parents defended themselves!" Mrs. Longbottom said to Neville, and they departed. I admitted I knew all along, but Dumbledore had asked me to say nothing.
We returned to Grimmuald Place, and Kreacher greeted us without the usual insults. I searched around for Sirius, and found him sulking in Buckbeak's room. Dumbledore wants me to study Occlumency, the art of closing one's mind to another's intrusion.
I agree, and leave the room. I overhear Snape saying that he'll be teaching me, and Sirius asks why Dumbledore can't.
"It was his decision, not mine," Snape sneers. A verbal battle starts and I run back in. I get between them, trying to prevent a duel, for they are inches apart, wands at their throats. The whole Weasley family, including Mr. Weasley entered, so Sirius and Snape separate, Snape leaving.
"I expect you in my office at 6 o'clock Monday evening." I rolled my eyes and sat at the table between Ron and Ruby.
I told them about the lessons. "Hey- it'll stop the nightmares!" Ruby said cheerfully.
"I'd rather have the nightmares," Ron muttered.
The next day, Lupin and Tonks arrive to escort us to Hogwarts. I was heading out the door when Sirius handed me a package. "You can contact me with it," he said with a smile. I looked from the package to him, and hugged him.
Outside, Lupin summons the Knight Bus and Stan Shunpike greets us. I duck my head to keep from being recognized, and find a seat.
We arrived at Hogwarts shortly, and Lupin and Tonks separately leave.
My first day back is unpleasant. I'm dreading the Occlumency lessons, but also Dumbledore's Army members keep asking me when the next meeting is.
I was sliding into my seat in Double Potions when a paper slid in front of me. I studied it. Next Hogsmeade weekend is next week. It's February 14th . Wanna go with me?
I raised an eyebrow and looked around. I expected Draco to be grinning at me, but it was Harry. I grabbed a quill and wrote, Can't, already got a date. Sorry! I slipped it to him and straitened up as Professor Snape entered the room. I hated lying to people, and I was wary to not take it back.
That afternoon, I made my way to Snape's office. As I turned a corner, someone rammed into me; they were running and I was walking.
I slammed onto the floor, hearing a crack in the back of my head. I slowly sat up, my vision blurring. It was one of the Weasley's, I could tell from the red hair.
"Hermione! I'm so sorry are you all right?" Ron. He helped me up and steadied me with hand on my waist. Then I heard him gasp.
"You're bleeding! Oh no.." I told him I could get to the Hospital Wing on my own.
"Tell Professor Snape I'll be late..." I closed my eyes and started in the direction of the Hospital Wing.
POV: Draco Lucius Malfoy
(A/N Did I mention he has a brother? He's awesome. xD)
I paced the common room, nervously biting my fingernails. Ari watched me, not bothering to interrupt my little rant.
"Unbelievable...not understandable...stupid...retarded...insane..Why aren't you helping?" I yelled at my brother. His eyes showed little care.
"Do you want me to? Because I can. I don't know what with, but I -" Holding up a hand, I sighed and sat opposite of him. "I need more time. But every conversation I think of turns to me...telling...her.."
He grinned. The stupid git was an idiot, but he could do almost anything. "What'll I get in return?"
"Anything. Just do it. But don't get too feely or touchy," he stood up, nodded at me, and headed up into the dormitory. A minute later, he descended again in my clothes. "I got this, Draco. Settle down, relax." With that, he left.
Back to Hermione
I got fixed up and went back to Snape's office. He was obviously annoyed at me, but told me to sit down.
"Now, I want you to try and prevent me from penetrating your mind."
He mutters a spell and my mind opened up to several memories. I tried shutting him out, but I failed miserably, throwing a spell at him and falling to the floor.
I tried again, and he dismisses me. I noticed, as I left, he inserted memories from the Pensieve into his head.
Finding Harry, Ron and Ruby in the library, I tell them about the lesson. Ruby worries that the Occlumency lessons will just weaken my defenses instead of strengthen them.
We head to the common room in hopes it'll be quieter, but Fred and George are demonstrating their latest product; Headless Hats. I rolled my eyes and realize I left some stuff in the library.
In the hallway, I hear some noises behind a knight statue. I see Ginny and Dean snogging. It made me blush like crazy and quicken my step.
I was 5 feet away from the library when Draco stepped out from the shadows. He headed over to me and layed a hand on my shoulder, looking into my eyes libidinously.
I am so sorry this is so long. I hope you enjoyed it! I think this makes up for the long wait. Right?
RIGHT!
Anyway, I'm making another fan fiction. It's a crossover of Twilight and Harry Potter. (Mostly, it gives me an excuse to express my deep hatred of Twilight XD But don't tell anyone that. o.o)
Please review, fave, sub, do all the stuff you wonderful people do. 3 I only own Ruby. And, uh, Ari.
WAS YOU SURPRISEDED WHEN ARI CAME INTO VIEW. HE'S AWESOME AND PERVERTED.
Oh and Libidinously means characterized by excessive sexual desire. SO YAH. Kbai.