Ch. 14 The Truth is this Way
Hogsmeade was busy as usual although very few students had showed up due to restrictions from their increasingly worrying parents. There had been no more reports of deaths wizard or muggle but everyone felt that it was inevitable so everyone had begun taking the necessary precautions. The first war had no doubt prepared them for the upcoming one because day by day the atmosphere was becoming more paranoid.
After their discussion the other night she and Draco had entered into a new phase of understanding. Whenever they weren't in class or she wasn't studying or doing Head duties they were together helping each other with their assignments or talking about this and that. She hadn't felt weird or out of place with him in fact she had felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world. They had discovered that they had much more in common than they thought and she was filled with a hunger to know more about him.
Harry had decided to have an intimate outing with Estrella so she and Ron were left with each other so far they'd only managed to argue over which place to eat and had finally decided on this cozy little restaurant that served only lunch. She hadn't really been alone with Ron in a while and now that they were both silent she felt a bit awkward. Being around him lately there seemed to always be this never ending tension between them.
Due to schoolwork she hadn't been able to try to research Harry's problem as much as she liked and she was still no closer to finding a solution. She also could not find anything on the subject of sleepwalking. She was thinking of going to a bookstore after this and hoping to find something there on the topic if she failed there she had no idea what she would do.
Ron's eyes were shifty and he kept glancing at her over his menu as if he was going to say something. She pretended to not notice and hoped that whatever it was he was working himself up to say had nothing to do with his supposed feelings for her. He finally cleared his throat and sat his menu down.
"Hermione?"
She glanced up from her menu.
"Yes?"
He was struggling uncomfortably to say something and she felt it only right to put him out of his misery.
"Ron, I've been meaning to tell you something," she said quickly.
He let out a small relieved sigh and then looked at her curiously, "What?"
She sat her menu down and leaned towards him.
"I've been researching Harry's problem."
His face fell and he slumped down in his seat. She knew he was hoping she would have told him something completely different but she was not ready to have that talk with him she didn't know if she'd ever be ready. For so long they'd been friends and for a short period she'd wanted more now she couldn't fathom ever having felt that way. He was family and she hoped that he would eventually see her the same way because the last thing she wanted was to hurt him or to have him hating her because she'd hurt him.
"Really? What did you find?" he asked glumly staring at the table.
"Nothing," he glanced up at her, "I can't find anything on the topic which is really weird."
She could feel his thoughts shifting to focus on their conversation and for that she was grateful. If she could keep him preoccupied maybe he wouldn't try to bring up anything that would be uncomfortable for both of them.
"You can't find anything on," he lowered his voice to a whisper glancing around the restaurant, "On voices?"
She shook her head, "There's absolutely nothing about it in any of the books of I've seen," this time she lowered her voice, "Do you know what's weirder? I looked up Estrella's sleepwalking and found only one sentence and it didn't even make sense."
He leaned towards her completely enthralled with what she was saying.
"I forgot about that," he shrugged, "I doubt you'll find anything on sleepwalking since no one in the wizarding world does it. That's a muggle thing, right?"
She nodded, "I thought so but Estrella does it so there has to be more to it. The little information I did find said something about the extinct Imperials......"
She watched him hoping some type of recognition would show on his face but he looked more confused than ever.
"Who are the Imperials?"
She fell back into her seat.
"I wish I knew but whoever they are or were maybe it'll tell me what's going on with Estrella and why she's so........."
"Strange?" he finished for her.
She nodded, "You think she's strange too?"
He scoffed, "I think the better question would be, who doesn't."
Apparently more and more people were put off by her or seemed to notice her behavior towards them as opposed to Harry.
"I wonder why she transferred. Has she ever said anything to you?"
Ron shrugged, "I never talk to her. All she does is clings to Harry like glue. I think I remember him saying something about her being an orphan, though."
She stared wide eyed at him.
"She's an orphan? Why haven't you told me?"
"I don't know, it didn't seem important."
"She's an orphan," she muttered to herself.
Ron picked his menu up again not at all wowed by the bit of information.
"What's the big deal if she's an orphan or not? Harry's an orphan. Neville's an orphan...sort of."
She thought about it a bit more before agreeing.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe it's not really a big deal. It's just.....odd is all."
She wished she could pinpoint her feelings exactly on the matter but everything about Estrella seemed to bring about nothing but a haze. Maybe she was becoming just as paranoid as everyone else and there was nothing to her sleepwalking. She would research further on the matter and afterward she'd leave it alone and hopefully be able to warm up to the girl more than she had.
She and Ron ordered and ate talking idly about other things that had happened at school or were on their minds. When they were done she dragged him into a bookshop that boasted of having one of the widest catalog of literature in the wizarding world. She hoped that they were true to their title because she was almost at her wits end.
They searched the shop for any books they thought might be pertinent to the topic and claimed a table far in the back. She could tell the place was magically enhanced as was most of the buildings in Hogsmeade. From outside it looked merely the size of a small cottage but inside it stretched at least a mile back. She had never really noticed the shop before but would definitely be visiting again when she returned, if there was a place other than the Hogwart's library for her to get her fix of books she'd gladly take it.
"I can't believe that I'm in a library studying at Hogsmeade. We should be having a butterbeer, Hermione," Ron grudgingly flipped open a book giving her a pained expression.
"It's not a library it's a shop and would you rather guzzle butterbeers or help your best friend?"
He sighed, "You know I want to help Harry but this is so......boring!"
She rolled her eyes flipping through pages, "Sorry research isn't Quidditch but at least it'll do Harry some good. Now quit whining and help me!"
He hushed up and read through the books reluctantly. Every book she'd grabbed had nothing whatsoever in it about Harry's problem and the books she'd grabbed on Estrella spoke nothing of it. She had even gotten a couple of books hoping she'd find something in them about the Imperials but came up completely dry on both subjects.
Ron was faring no better and she was about to go crazy with his overly dramatic sighs and shuffling of books. She doubted he was even really trying to find anything, he was useless. She needed help and she wasn't going to get it from him. She stood up.
"Where are you going?" he asked as if she was being privileged to move and he wasn't.
"I'm going to see if I can get help on finding some books that actually have information on what we're looking for. If I can't then we'll leave."
His face lit up at the word 'leave' and she resisted rolling her eyes before heading to the front desk. There seemed to only have been one person working when she walked in and now they were nowhere to be found. The small check out counter at the front was devoid of the old woman who'd been sitting there earlier. She was probably helping someone else.
"Excuse me."
She turned around to see a short man in a long blue robe. He looked vaguely familiar but she couldn't exactly place him.
"Are you a friend of Harry Potter's?"
She glanced around her suspiciously, "Yes, I am."
The old man's face broke into a smile and he clapped his hands together.
"Yes! I remember your hair."
She touched her hair self-consciously, "My........hair?"
The man's eyes twinkled in merriment and she noticed that he looked like a thin version of Santa Clause. He was a bit shorter than herself and she felt odd almost towering over the old man.
"You were all in my shop facing off with those boys."
She suddenly remembered the man from the book shop in Diagon Alley who had given them their things for free because he was awe struck from meeting Harry. She hadn't thought of the man once since their encounter and wondered what he was doing here.
"Sorry about that," she said sheepishly, "We're not usually so.....forward. Thanks again for the books."
He shook his head, "Think nothing of it," he glanced around her as if looking for someone, "So where is the boy-who-lived? Wasn't there some red heads with you as well?"
She motioned to the back of the store, "My friend Ron is with me and Harry is in another shop."
He nodded in understanding, "Yes, of course. That makes sense."
She had no idea what made sense but she wasn't at liberty to argue with the man. Remembering her manners she held out her hand.
"I'm Hermione Granger," he grasped her hand shaking it vigorously.
"Hermione, what a lovely name," his eyes widened, "Oh! I haven't introduced myself. Pinnoppolly. Pinnoppolly Woodrow."
She raised a brow, "Pinnoppolly? I've never heard that name before."
He nodded still grasping her hand, "Pinnoppolly is such a great name then.....Woodrow," he exaggerated the name in a bored manner and she couldn't help but grin.
He released her hand and looked around the counter where the old woman had been.
"Were you looking for someone?"
"Yes, but I think she's stepped away."
He waved her off, "Mrs. Angelo is always stepping out for something or another. Maybe I can help you, I know this place almost better than I know my own shop."
She glanced around once more to see if the old woman would pop up since she didn't want to put the many to any trouble.
"Well, I was looking for certain information."
"What type of information would that be?" the old man inquired.
She didn't exactly want to come on out and say what she was looking for, especially not about Harry.
"Um.....well......there was some information I was looking for about the.....Imperials?"
His eyebrows lifted in surprise, "Imperials." he said wondrously, "How exactly do you know about the Imperials, young lady?"
His eyes still twinkled in joy but his tone held the tiniest bit of scold. He also seemed a bit amused as well.
"I don't know about the Imperials it's why I'm trying to get information," she explained.
"Is this for an assignment at school?"
Before she could shake her head no he shook his, "No, of course not, it wouldn't be.," he said more to himself than to her.
He motioned for her to follow him through the maze of shelves and she had to slow down to keep her pace beside him because he was so short although he appeared quite agile for his age.
"Where is your friend?"
"He's at a table in the back," she squeezed past a woman who was determined to block an entire aisle.
The old man nodded, "Is he curious about the Imperials as well?"
"Somewhat, he thinks it's all rather boring, I guess."
He smiled at her, "Ahh. Not everyone has a love for knowledge."
Soon they came upon Ron who instead of looking through books, like he was supposed to have been doing, was glancing through a Quidditch card collection that he had.
"Ron," he almost dropped the cards when he looked up to find her and the old man.
"He-Hermione, I was just-"
"You were just looking at cards when you were supposed to be researching," she interrupted.
He looked sheepish and began to turn red as he hurriedly put away his cards. He glanced at the old man and back at her questioningly.
"Ron, this is Mr. Pinnoppolly Woodrow, Mr. Pinnoppolly, this is my friend Ron."
Pinnoppolly grasped Ron's hands, "Charmed. I am simply charmed."
Ron gave a wobbly smile put off by the man's enthusiasm.
"He's the man who owns the shop in Diagon Alley," Ron looked to her for recognition and she continued, "He gave us our books for free, remember?"
Ron's face shone recognition and he smiled wide.
"Yeah, I remember."
Pinnoppolly waved again, "Think nothing of it," he looked at her, "Is this where we'll be sitting?"
"I....guess," she said a little confused.
Pinnoppolly sat down across from Ron and eyed her expectantly. She sat down next to Ron facing him not exactly knowing what to expect. She'd assumed that he would show her to some books that might help her out not come back here to chit chat with her and Ron.
"The reason I came back here to sit with you is because there is no book in this store or any other that has information on the Imperials," he started his voice becoming serious and lacking its seemingly usual joy.
Her hopes deflated at his words, "There is no information anywhere on the Imperials?"
He shook his head, "No, there is not, I am surprised you have even heard of the name."
Ron glanced at them both in confusion, "Who exactly are the Imperials and why isn't there any information on them?"
Pinnoppolly appeared to be deep in thought and said nothing for several long moments. He even closed his eyes and Hermione wondered if he had gone to sleep. Ron gave her a 'what's up with him' look before eying the old man again. Just as she was about to interrupt him his eyes shot open startling them both.
"Forgive me, but may I ask why it is that you are seeking this information?"
She and Ron looked at one another wondering how much to say and how much not to say. She decided to stay as truthful and as vague as possible.
"I told Harry and Ron about a cousin of mine who sleepwalks and I was shocked to discover that wizards don't sleepwalk like muggles and I just wanted to know why, the only information I found on the subject was something about the Imperials."
Pinnoppolly's eyes brightened in admiration and she noticed for the first time that they were a green so dark they almost appeared brown.
"You must have done considerable research to have even found that much."
He looked at a watch on his wrist and she wondered if he had someplace to be.
"If we're taking up your time you're free to leave at any minute. I'll just wait on the lady in front to help," she offered.
He glanced at his watch again as if the time would have changed in the last few seconds.
"I'm afraid she can not help you. Very few people know of the Imperials," he stared off in space, "It's amazing how things work out."
"What kind of things?" Ron asked.
Pinnoppolly sighed, "Just......things."
Hermione was growing impatient with Pinnoppolly's seemingly absent-mindedness. If he could give her nothing on the topic she would have to search around for someone who could. She opened her mouth to excuse him again and he held his hand up.
"Please be patient with me, I'm just reflecting for a moment," he smiled at them, "When you become this old you learn to look back on everything that has happened so far in your life and realize the design of it all," he chuckled heartily, "It amazes me all the time."
"You don't have to help us we can find someone else."
He scoffed at her, "Of course I don't have to help you but I want to help you. Besides, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who knows more about the Imperials than me. What little information there was I searched high and low for when I was younger. It used to be a mini-obsession of mine, that and Goblins," he sighed fondly, "Goblins were always such fascinating creatures to me."
Hermione cleared her throat, "The Imperials.."
He glanced at her and suddenly remembered why he was there, "Ohhhh yes, of course, the Imperials. Where do I begin?"
"I read that they were extinct," she began, "Who and what are they?"
He crossed his arms on the table and leaned his head back. Ron gave her an exasperated look and she smiled apologetically.
"The Imperials were an ancient group of wizards and witches yet at the same time not wizards and witches," he smiled at their curious faces, "I know it sounds weird but let me explain. In the beginning there was always muggles, witches and wizard didn't appear until some thousands of years after the fact. In the beginning everyone was the same in power and no one had any real desire to control others but there is always the exception," his eyes became downcast, "The Imperials were a distinct group of witches and wizards, they were more powerful than most but they never had regular desires the way we all do. We feel the need to be good and evil or both when it suits us but the Imperials had no such desires. Some people called them neutrals because that's what they were. They never engaged in war, they never saw the need to claim land or belongings, they simply....existed and were happy for it," he gazed upward as if searching for his next words, "Back in the time of Kings there came a man who had a vision for the world. He wanted muggles to worship at the feet of wizards and many disagreed but were terrified to tell him so. He was as much known for his cruelties as he was his ideas."
"Did he have many wives?" Hermione interrupted.
Pinnoppolly glanced at her blinking at the intrusion before he smiled, "Yes, he did. What you probably don't know is that they were all muggle women."
Ron's eyes widened, "He was with..muggle women? How is that possible? Isn't it.....Hasn't it always been against every wizarding law ever made?"
Pinnoppolly nodded, "Yes, it was. King Mytheas was his name and he never followed rules only made them. He would do magic in front of great crowds of muggles and they would be in such awe that they would crown him a God and subsequently worship him. I'm sure if you looked up something called mythology in the muggle world you'd hear a great deal about him, although, his name might be different."
He relaxed in his chair and looked upward again, "Mytheas had a great army of some of the most powerful wizards and witches and he used them to control those who were in opposition to him."
"Sounds familiar," Ron mumbled.
"Yes, it does. History always and I do mean always repeats itself," he glanced upward, "Now where was I? Oh yes! He'd been after the Imperials cooperation ever since he was put into the throne as King and finally would have none of their denying him. He knew he could never have complete control if they wouldn't capitulate and so he sought to destroy them all."
She felt the need to interrupt again, "If they were so powerful how could he destroy them?"
A slow bittersweet smile spread across Pinnoppolly's face, "They may have been extremely powerful but they were at a great disadvantage. When an Imperial is born unless they are taken under the wing of another Imperial something inside of them sort of breaks. If a regular wizard like you or I were to care for an Imperial child from birth we would have complete control over it."
"How?" Ron asked confused.
Pinnoppolly looked a bit loss for an answer, "I don't think anyone really knows. Perhaps it is being raised by a corrupt individual. Imperials were known for their purity and love of all things. As I've said before, they had no desire to take part in anything evil and avoided chaos at all costs. They were a very serene people and did not possess the constant struggle that we experience daily. They were incorruptible unless, of course, one of us got a hold to them as infants."
"If one of us did get a hold to them as infants what would happen?" she leaned over the table not wanting to miss a word.
He sighed, "You ever wonder where the Imperio curse comes from?"
"Imperial," Hermione slowly mouthed, "They could control them?"
He nodded solemnly, "Raising an Imperial from birth gives you complete control of the person. It is said that they are trapped inside of their bodies watching their lives unable to do anything. It was considered a fate worse than death by Imperials and they were always known for fiercely protecting their young."
The implications were beginning to scare Hermione.
"What about the sleepwalking?"
He continued to look upward and smiled again, "Imperials were known to create great things in their sleep. One Imperial craftsman was able to construct an entire castle in one night. Others created great healing potions or did great deeds for others and even muggles. They didn't see any difference in themselves and muggles and wanted to co-exist peacefully nor did they want them to worship them as as some demigods. They were all completely opposed to Mytheas and his plans for them and for the first time were prepared to go to battle for their beliefs which is why he decided to be rid of them all," he took a deep breath as if reliving the tale himself, "He created a fake battle that drew most of them out and swooped in to collect their children. Once the Imperials realized they'd been duped they were heartbroken and mourned for decades. Meanwhile Mytheas used his best soldiers to raise their children and when they were of age he used them all to kill their own families. Many of them would not fight partly because of heartbreak and partly because they could not raise a wand or hand to their own children," his tone became sad, "It was seen as one of the greatest tragedies of all time. The Imperials were completely wiped out and Mytheas ruled with an iron fist. It was a dark time indeed. It took a long time for everyone to rise up and overthrow him but the damage had been done to the Imperials not only did he kill every one he destroyed their works and forbid anyone to record their history. It's why so little is known about them to this day."
He stopped talking and Ron and Hermione sat in silence each in their own thoughts. Just the thought of such a great group of people being exterminated in such a cruel way made her ache in sadness for people she'd never met or seen. Suddenly a disturbing thought hit her and she needed to know if it was valid or not.
"What could a dark wizard do if they had control of an Imperial?"
Pinnoppolly gestured carelessly, "Pretty much anything."
She leaned towards him, "Have you ever read anything on voices?"
His brows rose quizzically, "Voices?"
She nodded, "Yes, voices. Voices summoning you in the night."
His eyebrows rose even higher as he said, "Ahhh, voices. This ties right in with the Imperials. How did you know? It took me decades to find that bit of information."
She shook her head confused, "No, I don't know. How does it tie in with the Imperials?"
She could see Ron practically hanging off of his seat. They both knew that they were closer to the truth than ever but weren't exactly excited to hear what it was. Pinnoppolly scratched his head in thought and just as he opened his mouth to say something the old woman at the front came around a bookshelf and beamed at him.
"Pinnoppolly! I had no idea you were visiting today!"
The thin and grayed woman put her hands atop her hips in delight then glanced at the two of them.
"I didn't know you had grandchildren."
Pinnoppolly laughed at their horrified expressions, "No, Betsy, these are just some new friends of mine. Friends of Harry Potter."
Betsy's eyes widened, "Harry Potter?" she searched around as if he'd pop out of nowhere before looking at Pinnoppolly wryly, "Are you being serious or are you pulling my leg?"
Pinnoppolly nodded vigorously, "They are. I met them a few months ago at my shop, they were buying some of their school books."
Betsy turned to them, "Is this old joker being serious?"
They both nodded and she clapped her hands together in delight, "How marvelous! Harry Potter's friends in my shop wait'll I tell John about this."
Hermione was hoping they'd get back to their conversation but Betsy was much too excited to just simply walk away.
"Where is Harry Potter? Is he here?"
Ron shook his head, "No. He's in another shop."
Her eyes glazed over, "I've never met a celebrity before."
Pinnoppolly sensing their annoyance decided to end the conversation.
"They have to get back to school in a little bit and they needed my help with something," he hinted to her.
She looked at them both apologetically, "Oh, I am so sorry! Sometimes I get a little excited because nothing ever happens here in this shop," she sighed, "Oh well, you two enjoy yourselves."
She shuffled off past a bookcase and she and Ron turned back to Pinnoppolly who was looking a bit sheepish.
"Sorry about that, where was I?"
"Voices and Imperials," Ron said quickly.
Pinnoppolly's eyes widened, "Yes! Imperials were also persuasive people. They had many powers naturally that dark wizards would spend their lives trying to perfect. Imperials had an irresistible charm that could easily make one fall in love."
"Like a Veela?" Ron asked.
Pinnoppolly nodded, "Somewhat, although they weren't exceptionally beautiful. They looked like everyone else but they were so pure you couldn't help being drawn to them, if that's what they wanted. Imperials never used their natural influence on people, though, they believed in free-will and choice. During that awful battle, in which they were all desecrated and destroyed, many were summoned by loved ones in their sleep," he paused gauging their reactions, "The closer you are with an Imperial the stronger a hold they have on you and since their children were summoning them they were powerless to resist. Most of them practically walked to their deaths and the rest were too shattered to do anything about it."
Hermione felt like she was gasping for air at the news and Pinnoppolly gave her a concerned look. Ron was staring off in space letting the information slowly digest and every second his expression became more pained. They both turned to the other and spoke as one.
"Estrella's an Imperial."
Draco stood outside of Snape's door. He'd been contemplating day and night about what he should do and he'd finally reached a decision. He'd have to join the Order, it was the only way. Much of his influence came from Hermione. Every moment he spent with her was like clarity to him. Things were so much more clear and in perspective when she was near. He'd thought about being on the opposite line from her throwing unforgivables and he couldn't conceive it.
His father had been his biggest resistant. As much as he disliked his father right now he couldn't bring himself to fully hate him. Sometimes he wanted too so badly just so that he could free himself from caring but he knew he wouldn't be able to throw an unforgivable to his father anymore than he could Hermione. He had no idea if this would be the right choice ultimately but right now he felt like it was the only choice.
He knocked on the door and waited patiently for Snape to welcome him in. There was silence for a long moment before he heard the shuffle of a chair.
"Come in."
He opened the door and stepped in quietly before shutting it behind him. Snape eyed him curiously as he walked toward his desk.
"Did you forget something?" Snape asked snidely.
Ever since their last meeting Snape had taken to ignoring him completely and he couldn't really blame him. Snape had put his life in his hands and he'd callously thrown it back not to mention he could just as easily get him killed if he wanted.
Draco slid into a seat his eyes never leaving Snape's. He stared in silence for a long moment finding the words he needed.
"I want to join the Order."
Snape raised a brow and his cold demeanor did not falter.
"Did your father set you up to this? You want inside information so you can strike when ready?"
"My father doesn't know about this," he answered.
Snape nodded toward his arm, "Lift your sleeve."
He rolled his sleeve up and showed him his bare arm.
"I don't have it and hopefully I never will."
He could tell Snape was weighing the situation trying to figure out if he could trust him or not. Lives were at stake and even now he was hoping that he could trust Snape. Slytherins were known for their manipulation and deceit both of which Snape and Draco were masters. It was like two snakes facing off trying to determine which one was the most poisonous and if they would use that poison against the other.
"I'm supposed to believe that now all of a sudden you don't want to be a Death Eater when you were proclaiming it the last time we talked?"
"I didn't know if I could trust you. I thought you were a plant from my father."
Snape raised his head slightly, "How do you know for a fact that I'm not? I could just as easily been a set up from Lucius."
Draco raised his head as well, "Because father didn't know. He never mentioned to me once you being in the Order. He thinks you're loyal to the cause."
Snape bowed his head, "I am loyal to the cause just not Voldemort's."
He looked back up and his eyes were haunted if not a little relieved.
"Are you truly seeking the Order? Do you really want to join the cause to defeat Voldemort and the like?"
Draco took a moment to answer letting the words sink in, "Yes, I do."
"Even if that means your own father?"
He lowered his eyes and stared at the wood of the desk thinking of his father. As much as it pained him he had to make the decision he felt was best. He could see his father's glare full of hatred telling him how much of a disappointment he was. He blinked and looked back up at Snape.
"Yes, even if it means my own father. I will join the Order. I will fight Voldemort and anyone who is allied with him," his voice was strong and defiant as he believed everything he said.
Snape stared at him for a long time his chest swelling with pride for the boy who'd just become a man in front of him a boy he'd always seen as the son he'd never had.
"You realize that you will have to pretend as if you are still allied with them? You will have to gather necessary information and no one can know of your identity?"
He nodded, "I do."
"We'll talk to Dumbledore first thing in the morning," Snape's face smiled as much as it was able too, "Welcome to the Order, Draco."