CHAPTER FIVE
Summary: Hermione's secret is discovered by The Order of the Phoenix. Before Harry is rescued, she needs to be first. But from who? With the help of Sirius she learns to put the past behind her, and with the help of two Weasleys, they show her a happy future. But Hermione isn't who she thinks she is, what she discovers will change her life for good. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events are my own ideas. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic.
Page count: 9
Hogwarts - Sunday 17th December 1995
Hermione had attended Hogsmeade with Fred and George and she was glad to know no one really paid attention to them. They spent most of their day walking around the quaint village and talking, learning more about each other. Fred and George managed to drag Hermione into Zonko's and in retaliation she dragged them into Tomes and Scrolls. But they honestly didn't mind, they were awed to see Hermione in her element surrounded by the smell of leather and ink, it was her escape. They understood that Hermione felt safe when she was absorbed in a book.
They raised an eyebrow when both she and a staff member disappeared behind some stacks and then reappeared with several books in their hands. They took them to the counter and they were wrapped and Hermione paid for them, before she carefully shrunk them down and placed them in her pocket. She gave vague answers to their questions, both amusing and frustrating them. Afterwards they went to The Three Broomsticks and ate lunch and drank some warming butter beer.
They walked around Hogsmeade and had a snowball fight at the Shrieking Shack and Hermione proceeded to tell Fred and George what really happened her third year, including the use of the time turner. They were amazed by what they'd heard, they'd only previously been told the shortened version and it didn't do Hermione justice. They'd always known Hermione was intelligent and loyal, but their respect for her had sky rocketed to an all time high.
They returned to the castle not long before curfew and with a few grins and kisses to the cheek from Hermione, they parted ways.
Hermione had promptly taken off her winter coat and hat, scarf and gloves. She took out her books, resized them and set about reading what she needed to know. She had been so absorbed in her books she had missed dinner. She shrugged and then went back to her reading. When she next looked up there was a plate of sandwiches and a glass of pumpkin juice on her bedside table. Hermione smiled and reminded herself to knit Dobby a scarf.
She ate her food and went back to reading.
~000~000~000~
Monday 18th December 1995
Hermione awoke surrounded by books. She yawned and stretched and then checked the time. When she saw that is was half eight in the morning her eyes widened and she jumped off the bed. She had thirty minutes to get ready and make it to her class on time.
She took the quickest shower of her life and dried herself, throwing on her uniform and grabbing her satchel which contained everything she needed. As she made her way down to her first lesson her mind wandered back to everything she had read the previous evening.
She hadn't learned anything ground breaking, she hadn't even learned anything remotely useful. It was as she expected. Nothing, not even magic could allow someone to control the elements.
She had read more than a few theories on the prospects of magic manipulating the elements but it wasn't concrete and still didn't explain the situation she was in. She was frustrated. For some reason she knew that something was happening. She couldn't explain it but she knew that she was different to most people. Maybe it was because she'd always been an outcast.
She was avoided like the plague or bullied at muggle school because weird things tended to happen around her. She was treated like the dirt on someone's shoes by the Slytherins because of her blood status. How was it her fault they were so small minded that they couldn't see the lies they were brought up on? She knew the Ravenclaws didn't like her either, as much as she hated to admit it she was smarter than most Ravenclaws. The Gryffindor girls were awkward around her and despite the Hufflepuffs being kind when they saw her in the corridors, they didn't interact with her much either.
She knew there was something different about her. She wasn't like other witches. Of that she was certain.
She came to a halt outside of her charms classroom, took a few breaths and then entered, making her way to her seat just in time.
It was a few minutes later when she noticed that Harry and Ron weren't there. She frowned and then shook of her thoughts.
'Maybe they just slept in,' she thought.
It wasn't until lunch when she began to worry. Harry and Ron hadn't been in potions either. They weren't in the great hall for lunch and neither were Ginny, Fred or George. She only had a few bites of her lunch, knowing in her gut that something had happened, something to do with The Weasleys since they were all missing.
Lee walked past her and saw that she appeared to be out of sorts.
"McGonagall hasn't told you yet?" he asked, sitting down opposite her.
"Told me what?" she frowned.
"She collected Fred, George and Ron early this morning, I only know because I had to use the bathroom and left at the same time they did. I'm guessing she collected Ginny as well seeing as her brothers are gone and she's not here for lunch," he shrugged.
"Thank you for telling me," she said quietly. He watched as she nibbled on her lip worriedly before he nodded and then set about eating his lunch.
It wasn't until her last lesson, transfiguration, that McGonagall finally told her what was happening.
"Miss. Granger, a moment please," she spoke as the students filtered out of the room.
Hermione grabbed her belongings and made her way over to her desk.
"I'm sure that it hasn't escaped your attention that Messrs Potter and Weasleys and Miss. Weasley are not present." Hermione nodded. "There was an incident in the early hours of this morning" she spoke gravely. "Mr. Weasley was injured whilst conducting business for The Order." Hermione gasped. "He is currently in St. Mungo's being treated; it is unclear as to when he will recover."
"But he will recover?" she whispered.
"It is expected, he was reached in time."
Hermione felt relief flood her.
"Why was Harry taken as well?"
"He witnessed the attack." Hermione frowned. "We are not sure how, but Mr. Potter dreamed that the attack had happened. To humour him another agent was sent to check on Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter saved his life. Unfortunately you are not allowed to leave the school until the 21st, when the other students leave for the term. It was difficult enough to get the others out of the castle without certain people getting in the way." Hermione knew who she was referring to. "With the attack on Mr. Weasley we will not be sending you on The Hogwarts Express, for your safety you will instead be flooing from Professor Dumbledore's office at noon on Thursday."
"Thank you for informing me, Professor," Hermione replied.
"I think I don't need to tell you to be careful, Professor Umbridge has also noticed the absence and is not happy. She will likely try to seek you out and question you as to their whereabouts."
"I understand, Professor, I will act as I would any other day."
McGonagall gave Hermione a rare smile and stood from her chair and walked around to Hermione. She rested her hand on her shoulder and she felt a tug at her heart when her cub flinched and tensed under her touch. She couldn't understand how someone could be treated the way Hermione had been. She couldn't understand how the people who were supposed to protect her were the ones that hurt her the most. They'd hurt her beyond belief.
"I know you will, Miss. Granger."
With that Hermione left and made her way through the corridors. She couldn't imagine how Harry felt seeing Mr. Weasley being attacked. She couldn't imagine how Ron and Ginny felt. But most of all her heart went out to Fred and George. Since the beginning of December she had spent a lot of time with the twins. They'd only been on two dates, but when she wasn't with Harry or Ron, in classes or studying, she was with them.
When they weren't in classes, with their friends or working on pranks, they were with her. Sometimes they talked about nothing and laughed, other times they had their patronus lessons and sometimes Hermione studied whilst they researched spells and charms for potential new products. She'd grown really close to the twins and she couldn't remember how that had even happened. Not that she was complaining.
They were right. They wouldn't hurt her. They would help her move on, they already were. They made her laugh and smile, they made her forget about her past and her parents. They made her feel like there was hope in the world and she secretly liked that they got so angry on her behalf at having to be the brains behind the D.A. when all Harry had to do was give a few demonstrations and the speech she had written for him.
She was so lost in thought about the conversation she'd with McGonagall and thinking about the twins, that she didn't notice that she had been followed.
"Mudblood!" Hermione stopped and she felt her body tense. On a regular day she would be ready for a fight, but that evening she was feeling weak, exhausted and vulnerable.
She slowly turned around to face Draco Malfoy. He was smirking at her.
"I see the old hag's finally told you then. He's going to die you know? Daddy Weasel, from what my father told me the venom is fatal." He had a god awful smug smile on his face. "I wonder how the Weasels will fair when Daddy isn't there to bring home the galleons, the few galleons a week he earns that is. I suppose it won't make much of a difference."
"Shut up, no one asked for your opinion and no one cares for your opinion. Certainly not me," she sighed and then turned around.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me!" he snarled and she heard his footsteps making their way towards her.
She turned around and she felt anger well up in her. Why was it Arthur Weasley that was possibly dying? He was a good, kind man. Why wasn't it Lucius Malfoy? Death Eater and killer.
"Stay away from me, Malfoy," Hermione said coldly, anger taking over her exhaustion.
"There's no one here to protect you now," he said with a cruel smile as he neared closer. Something inside of Hermione snapped.
She narrowed her eyes at him and just like that morning with the pancakes, she felt a gust of wind, but a lot more powerful. Malfoy suddenly stopped advancing on her and his eyes widened in shock and fear.
He could see a small tornado speeding towards him; it was no bigger than a baby hippogriff. It hit him in the chest and it sent him flying backwards. He landed on the floor a good twenty feet away from where he had originally been standing and he groaned in pain.
Hermione gasped and looked at Malfoy before turning and running all the way back to Gryffindor Tower, she didn't stop until she'd closed the door to her bedroom.
"What was that?" she asked out loud.
Her eyes went over to the still opened books on her bed and she put down her satchel and went over to them to continue looking for something of use.
That time she was sure that the element of air was somehow involved. What was happing?
~000~000~000~
Tuesday 19th December 1995
It wasn't until the next day that Hermione was approached by Umbridge.
"Miss. Granger, please remain seated," her sickly sweet voice sounded as everyone walked out of the classroom as fast as they could. Hermione looked up to see her smiling at her with that fake smile she wanted nothing more than to see wiped off her face.
"Professor?" she said with a passive face. Umbridge walked over to Hermione's desk and stood in front of it, trying to intimidate her.
"It has come to my attention that Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are no longer present in the school. I checked with the other Professors and it seems that Miss. Weasley and Mr. Fred and George Weasley are also no longer present."
"I had noticed that myself."
"I'm sure you did, do you know where they are? If you are withholding information it will result in severe consequences," she said with a glint in her eye.
'Even think of using that blood quill on me and you'll have a pissed off Sirius Black after you,' Hermione thought.
"I am not withholding information. I haven't seen Harry or Ron since breakfast on Sunday morning. I don't know where they are, I didn't even know they were no longer here, no one told me they were leaving and I don't know why they did. Quite honestly I don't care." Umbridge looked like she wanted to fall over in shock. "If they left I'm sure it was for a good reason. There is only two days left of the school term and one day of classes, it's not even worth investigating. No one else seems to care that they're no longer here, so why do you? Are we done here, Professor? I'm not feeling well and I would like to visit the hospital wing."
Umbridge continued to stare at her. Hermione sighed, picked up her belongings and stood and left the room, leaving Umbridge in a stuttering mess. Hermione smiled, Sirius would be proud.
~000~000~000~
It was the early hours of the morning. It was cold in her room and Hermione was sat reading in front of the lit fire on her rug.
Her eyes were starting to hurt so she looked away from her book to give her eyes a break. Hermione moved closer to the warmth of the fire and stared into the flames in thought. She didn't know how long she'd been that way but her eyes were going bleary with exhaustion. She blinked several times and almost gasped in surprise.
The flames had grown bigger and seemed to be moving towards her, leaning out of the fire place. She was mesmerised by the dance. Despite her better judgement she slowly reached out her hand, her fingertips dangerously close to touching the flames.
She heard a hooting and she jumped in shock. When she did her hand went into the flames and she pulled back immediately cradling her burning hand. But something was wrong. She looked down at her hand, it wasn't hurting at all, and not even a mark could be seen.
Slowly and tentatively she reached out her fingers again. Her fingertips touched the flames and she gasped in surprise, slowly she made her hand move further into the flames, until it disappeared, showing only the wrist.
The flames weren't hot, they were cool. The type of cool you craved on a hot day. She lifted her other hand and held it in front of the flames, she could feel the warmth radiating off them. She laughed to herself.
~000~000~000~
Wednesday 20th December 1995
Hermione had finished her lessons for the term. After collecting her belongings she headed to her room and immediately changed out of her uniform and into a pair of warm, flannel pajamas and slippers. She was laying on her bed and staring at the glass of water that sat on her bedside table.
She didn't know why but she was mesmerised by it. She couldn't stop staring at it no matter how hard she tried.
She squinted; she could've sworn she saw something moving. She squinted her eyes tighter. There! She saw something move. Her eyes narrowed and she sat up, not taking her eyes off the glass. Suddenly all the water in the glass erupted. It shot up out of the glass and into the air. The water collected into a blob and just floated there.
Hermione laughed and beamed and then she had an idea. An image popped into her head. She focused her attention on the floating blob of water. Before her eyes it began to morph and shape. A few seconds later the blob of water was no more, now in its place was the form of a dog made out of water.
Hermione reached for her wand and cast a Freezing Charm on the water. The water turned into ice and fell from the air. Hermione caught it and in her hand she held the figurine of a dog moulded out of ice.
She needed to speak to Sirius. No matter what the books say is impossible, she could do it.
~000~000~000~
12 Grimmauld Place - Thursday 21st December 1995
Hermione along with her shrunken down luggage stepped out of the floo and into Grimmauld Place. Before she could look around she was picked up and crushed against someone. She smiled and wrapped her arms around them in return.
"Hey, Padfoot," she greeted.
"I've been waiting all morning," he said quietly and hugging her tighter.
"I couldn't have gotten here earlier than I did. The Hogwarts Express only left an hour ago," Hermione replied.
He pulled away from her and held her at arm's length, checking her over.
"You've grown," he said with a small smile.
She grinned. "Or maybe you're just shrinking in your old age."
"OLD AGE!" he yelled and she burst out laughing.
"I missed you, Padfoot," she said quietly.
"I missed you too, Kitten," he hugged her once more.
"How's Mr. Weasley? Professor McGonagall told me what happened."
Sirius sighed. "He should be fine. He's healing well, but we can't be sure when he'll be released. Molly's at the hospital, Ron, Harry, the twins and Ginny are in their rooms."
"How are they?"
"Harry hasn't left his room since they got here. The others are quiet."
"And how is Kreacher?"
Sirius scowled at her. "I don't even know why you bother asking about him."
"He's a person too."
"Technically he's a house-elf."
"Let's not start an argument," she sighed. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"About?" he raised an eyebrow and she shifted on her feet and bit her lip.
"It's complicated. I need to unpack, can we talk after dinner?"
"Of course, Kitten." She went to leave the room. "Jason tells me that you don't require any more lessons," he grinned at her.
"Yes?"
"I want a demonstration."
Hermione couldn't stop laughing at his goofy grin.
"We'll see," she replied, and with that she left the room and headed to her bedroom.
It was exactly the way she had left it. With a flick of her wand she had everything moving around the room and packed into the right places. She loved that she could use magic out of school. She then turned on her heel and made her way to the floor above, where she knocked on Fred's and George's bedroom door.
She heard a muffled reply and opened the door, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. The twins were both laying down on their beds on their stomachs and facing away from her. She looked around. The room had two double beds on either side of the room, with white bedding. The walls were white and there was dark wooden flooring. There were two chests of draws on the left wall, side by side along with a desk and two wardrobes on the right wall, with a magically installed bay window in the middle of them.
"Would you boys care to be my victims?" she spoke.
They immediately sat up and turned to face her in surprise. Her heart clenched when she saw them. Their usually sparkling eyes were dull and their joyous smiles were replaced by frowns and sadness.
"Sirius wants a demonstration as proof that I no longer require lessons from Jason. Taking on the both of you would be impressive," she mused and she noticed that their mouths twitched. "Although we could use Ronald, he's a lot stronger than me, could you drag him down the stairs for me? We could just use magic to get him down there, but where would be the fun in that?"
A small smile graced their faces and she felt herself smile in return.
"You're here," they said quietly.
"Hmm, so I am? It is Christmas you know? Did you expect me to stay at school all on my lonesome? Couldn't do that, imagine the mischief I could get up too, poor Filch," she shook her head and their smiles widened a fraction.
"Do you want a hug?" she asked them softly. Their eyes widened slightly, knowing that she didn't like to be touched. She could touch other people but it was nowhere near anything as intimate as a hug.
"Do you think you can do that?" Fred asked her gently.
She took a deep breath. "For you? I could try." That's when their faces lit up into true smiles and she smiled softly.
They got up from their beds and made their way towards her slowly, giving her the opportunity to change her mind, but she didn't. When they stopped in front of her she stood up on her tip toes and pulled them both into a hug. She felt their arms wrap around her back and waist and she tensed, but before they could let go of her, she forced herself to relax and they felt the tension leave her body and they smiled.
"I promise he'll be alright," she whispered.
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Hermione," Fred muttered with his head buried in her neck, and his twin mimicked his position on the other side.
"I always keep my promises. I promise he'll be alright," she spoke with conviction and they sighed and held her tighter.
They stood there with her in their arms for what felt like hours before the silence was finally broken.
"You said something about using Ron as a victim?"
Hermione laughed.