Hermione's Plan
Hermione looked up wearily from the stack of books she had been poring over for the better part of a week when an old woman with long, graying hair walked into the room. She was bearing two cups of strong tea.
Hermione smiled her appreciation to the woman who said, "Hermony, yu must get rest! Yu can not keep pushing yourself like this with no sleep. It is not good for yu."
Gratefully taking a sip of the hot tea, Hermione replied, "Thank you, Nadia, but I can't stop now. I could swear I saw something before that can help him. I know I'll find it soon."
Hermione had ensconced herself in this ancient building that had quickly become one of her favorite places in the world. It was peaceful, old and full of books on history, magic and information nearly forgotten by most of the Wizarding world. It was one of the ancient libraries that Dumbledore's journal had led them to in a small, remote village in the Romanian mountains.
Nadia and her husband, Ivan Pavenic, lived on the premises. They had been entrusted with the care of the building as well as guarding the hundreds of tomes and ancient magic doctrines it housed.
A number of Dark wizards and witches had sought out the library's secrets through the years; therefore Nadia and Ivan had been wary of the three young people when they had first arrived on their doorstep earlier that year. The old couple was exceptionally gifted in the magical arts and they took the secrecy of the information and artifacts in their care very seriously.
However once Harry had shown them Dumbledore's journal, Nadia and Ivan had welcomed them like long lost family. They had been very good friends of the former headmaster and they had been extremely saddened to learn of his death.
Hermione, Ron and Harry had spent over four months living in two rooms on the second floor of the library. It was here that they had completed their research and had gained most of the necessary knowledge and training to overcome the curses and hexes that Voldemort set in place to guard his Horcruxes. Nadia and Ivan had proven to be a wealth of information in their own right and they helped Hermione to translate many of the old manuscripts. They also assisted the trio in mastering the more complicated spells and counter curses.
Nadia asked Hermione quietly, "Are yu sure it is wise, this thing yu do?"
"I have to do something!" Hermione replied. "I can't just sit by and watch him slip away. I care about him too much! He's one of my best friends and… and you may not know this, but it has been said that he is the one who will be able to bring down Voldemort."
No surprise reflected in Nadia's old, dark eyes upon hearing this; instead there was only sympathy for the young girl's concern for her friend.
Nadia said, "Yes, Ivan and I, we knew from the moment Harry walked through our door there was something special about him. He had a… how do yu say it… a light, a brightness shining from within. Yu and Ronald… I could see a bit of it in yu as well, not like Harry, but it is there."
Hermione looked at Nadia, incredulity showing in her eyes.
The old woman smiled, "This surprises yu, yes? There are not many who see these things today- who can see the true nature of the soul within. Light attracts light it is said. Together, yu and your friends make the light grow brighter. Yes, if there was ever one who would be destined to challenge the Dark One, I can see how it might have been Harry."
"Might have been?" Hermione asked surprised. "Don't tell me you think Harry's going to die!"
Nadia replied, "Hermony, I do not say this thing to upset yu, but because I worry for yu. Ivan and I, we both have grown to care very much for yu, for Ronald and for Harry. We also know of the prophecy. Harry discussed it with us one late night the last time yu all were here."
This revelation caused Hermione even greater surprise.
Nadia continued, "Care must be taken when a prophecy is revealed- it does not predict the future, but a probable path the future may follow. Many things can alter that path; usually the choices made by those about whom a prophecy is made. Therefore it may never come to pass."
Hermione exclaimed, "But prophecies do come true! The first part of the one about Harry already has. Why not the rest? Harry has to be given the chance to complete what he is destined to do!"
"Yes, Harry was chosen through the actions of the Dark One. But the rest is yet to be decided. It may go as was foretold. It may not." Nadia said shrugging her shoulder slightly.
Growing annoyed Hermione said, "Nadia, you said you care about Harry. Don't you want us to help him? And if choices are so important, shouldn't it be our choice to do something other than wait it out?"
Hermione thought if anyone would understand it would be Nadia; especially since she knew of the prophecy.
Nadia said, "I am not sure yu are making the wisest choice if yu interfere. Yu can not know Harry will not come back on his own. I know yu believe yu must help him, but if yu are not careful, it is much too easy to do more harm than good. The power within the old spells can have terrible consequences."
Ivan had just entered the room and heard the last part of their conversation. He was a tall, old man with a long, gray beard and hair, which gave him an eerie resemblance to Dumbledore. He had brown eyes, as dark as his wife's that, even at his age, still sparkled with a zest for life.
"What trouble is my wife giving you now, Young One?" he said merrily as he bend down to give Nadia an affectionate peck on the cheek.
Hermione said curtly, "Nadia seems to think I should choose to leave Harry's life in the hands of Fate."
She was still feeling annoyed by the lack of support she felt she was getting.
Ivan asked, "Tell me, my dear. Why are you continuing to refuse to aid our young friend like you know you can? You were once in a similar situation as Hermione, as I was in Harry's. It did not matter to you then what the risks might be. You believed and followed your heart."
"Hold on!" Hermione nearly shouted. "You've had a similar experience? You do know of some way to pull Harry out of this! Nadia, please! I can't believe you won't help me!"
Nadia was silent for a moment contemplating her answer, and then she said, "That was different. I was much older. I had already seen much more of the world and I understood how people can be. Yu are all so young. If yu are not certain… certain of yourself and of your friends; especially of Harry… So much can go wrong! Besides, yu and Ronald are not enough, yu would need another."
"You doubt Harry, my sweet?" Ivan asked his wife in surprise. "You have told me yourself his heart and soul are true; as are Ronald's and Hermione's. Who better stands a chance to defeat the Dark One, and to aid him in doing so? And you saw the sadness in Harry's eyes when he was here. I believe there is another they can rely on to assist them. They must be given the opportunity to do this, I think."
Nadia slowly stood up from the chair and left the room without saying another word. Hermione could not understand why Nadia did not want to help her.
Hermione remembered seeing a reference to an ancient spell that could restore magical energy during their previous stay. Thinking back to Nadia's reaction to her explanation for her arrival, Hermione realized that Nadia had seemed disturbed. At the time she thought the woman's reaction was due to what had happened to Harry; but now that she thought about it, Nadia had become more distressed when Hermione explained what she wanted to search for.
Nadia came back nearly ten minutes later carrying a small, very old box and placed it in front of Hermione.
"I had hoped yu would give up on this idea and let things go as they may. But now I see yu will not. I should not have expected less from someone as true and loyal." Nadia glanced apprehensively at her husband.
Ivan nodded his approval of what he knew they were about to entrust to Hermione.
Looking seriously at Hermione, Nadia began, "What is in this box has a great but terrible history. It holds very strong and very ancient magic that can provide a means to transfer magical energy from several people to another in need. It is not something to be trifled with nor used lightly and safeguards will be needed to ensure the result yu seek.
"Yu must be fully prepared to accept what its use means and may reap. Most importantly, yu must be certain of yourself, your friends and of Harry; if yu are not, it could mean Harry's death or yours. Ivan and I can teach yu how to invoke its magic, but it will ultimately be up to what is within your heart and the hearts of the others as to the outcome it will bring. Do yu follow so far?"
Hermione had been hanging on Nadia's every word and could only nod.
Ivan continued, "We have seen its magic used twice. Once it was successful and once, it saddens me to say, it caused death. This last case is why you find Nadia hesitant to tell you about it. We thought we were certain then... You must be sure of the ones to help you as well as Harry himself."
Nadia explained, "With this, yu may save Harry for we fear he is now in a very dark place. It is doubtful he will find his way back alone, either because he cannot or he will not."
Hermione frowned, "He cannot or will not? You think Harry may not want to wake up? But why? Why didn't you mention this before?"
Nadia answered, "If I had would it have made a difference, other than to cause yu hurt? It is our guess that Harry had to fight off the Dark One, possibly to keep him from obtaining something. He may now be willing to sacrifice himself to keep it so. That alone gives me cause to hope yu will be successful. But it also causes me to fear that Harry will resist when you attempt to transfer your energy to him. That may put yu and the others in danger. So the question is, are yu willing to accept the possibly that yu may have to sacrifice yourself to bring him back?"
Hermione swallowed hard as she considered Nadia' question. Would she be willing to sacrifice herself for someone else? Her mind flashed on the thought that Harry would not hesitate to do so for her or any of his friends.
At the young age of eleven, hadn't he continued alone to ensure the Sorcerer's Stone did not fall into Voldemort's hands? The following year hadn't he willingly gone alone into the Chamber of Secrets to save his best friend's kid sister, knowing the monster he would be facing? Hadn't he proven himself many times since then? Yes, for Harry or for Ron, she would be able to do it.
Hermione looked from Ivan to Nadia and said, "Yes, I'm willing."
Ivan smiled and said, "Go ahead and open it."
Hermione did as he asked and let out a soft, "Oh!" at what she saw.
Inside the box was a small, leather bound book along with a golden medallion nearly half the size of her hand on a thick gold chain. It was in the shape of a triangle with a sun in the middle. She could do nothing more than stare at it.
Nadia said. "Listen very carefully to all that we tell yu so that yu may save Harry and yourselves."
Hermione spent the rest of the evening meticulously reviewing every aspect of the medallion's history, use and dangers with Ivan and Nadia. By morning she completely understood Nadia's reluctance to pass on this particular bit of magic.
xxx
A day later Hermione stepped out of a fireplace and into the cluttered office of the two people whom she knew could keep a secret and provide her with the last necessities for her plan. As she came forward, George Weasley jumped and let out a loud yelp.
"Hermione! You nearly scared me to death! When did you get back?"
Hermione said, "Just a little while ago. Is Fred here, too? I need to ask a huge favor of you."
Her eyes moved around the office expecting to find Fred nearby. One twin never did seem to be far from the other.
George replied shaking his head, "He's out front dealing with some kid's mother who claims our Floppy Fishy Fizzes caused tentacles to sprout from her son' ears."
"Did they?" Hermione asked, giving him a reproachful look.
George replied, "Well, um, sure. But the packaging clearly states those things are not for children under ten and that they should not be played with in the bath tub!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and then said impatiently, "Could you get Fred? There's something I really need to talk to you about."
"Sure." Then he looked at Hermione more closely. "Hey, are you okay? You look awful – um, I mean awfully tired- you haven't been to the hospital have you? Nothing's happened to Harry has it?"
Hermione replied, "Thanks a lot. I'm fine and no, I haven't been to the hospital yet."
She heard Fred walk in behind her, "You probably should have gone there or to the Burrow first to look for Ron. He's been in a right state ever since you left. Our ickle-Ronnie-kins missed you. Where did you go anyway? Ron said you were owling him, but he's still been a wreck."
Looking seriously between Fred and George Hermione replied, "I'll get to that in a minute; but first I need you to promise me that you won't discuss what I am about to tell you with anyone. Especially not with your parents or members of the Order."
"Sure. What's this all about? Is it something illicit or dangerous?" George asked hopefully.
"Come, on, George," Fred said to his brother. "This is Hermione we're talking about."
Hermione gave him a dirty look but only said, "Does that mean you both promise to keep it quiet?"
Fred replied, "Not that we have any idea what 'it' is yet, but you can trust us, you know that." George nodded his head in agreement.
Hermione reached into her robe and pulled out a small piece of parchment and handed it to Fred. "How long will it take you to get me the items on this list?"
As Fred read the parchment, he frowned and let out a low whistle. George moved behind his brother to read the list over his shoulder and then turned a startled gaze to Hermione.
George asked, "Not that it is really any of our business but what on earth do you want with this stuff?"
Hermione countered, "Can you get them? If not, then it doesn't really matter what I want with them, does it?"
Looking over the list again Fred said, "Sure we can get them, or we know of someone who can. But it won't come cheap."
Hermione pulled out a hefty bag of coins.
She asked "Will this be enough?"
George took the bag and looked inside. "Should be. We can probably have it all rounded up in a few days. Not sure about the last item though- that may require a trip to Knockturn Alley."
Then he looked closely at Hermione and said, "With Harry out of it you haven't been considering going over to the Dark Side have you?"
"Of course not!" Hermione snapped. "The spell I need it for is only as dark as the intent of the Wizard or Witch wielding it. But since you brought up Harry, he's the reason I need you to get these things for me. I've found a way to help him."
"You have? Seriously?" Fred asked surprised.
"Yes. I've been researching in Romania with Ivan and Nadia for the past week. I was about to give up when they gave me an ancient spell and talisman that is just what we need."
George asked, "If something like that exists why doesn't anyone in Saint Mungo's know about it? They supposedly have the best and brightest there."
Hermione replied, "I told you, I'm talking about invoking ancient Magic. You'd be surprised at the amount of information the Wizarding world has forgotten. Especially when…"
"Especially when what?" Fred queried.
Passing a pleading look from one twin to the other, Hermione said, "I need you to hear me out before you make any judgments, okay? I think it is the only way we'll get Harry back."
"Hermione, would you just tell us what you're planning?" George asked.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione said, "You know how the Healers said that Harry's magical energy levels are staying so low that his body can't take over the rest of his healing?"
The twins nodded and she continued, "I have found a spell that can give his energy levels the boost needed to cure him."
George said, "That's great! What makes you think we wouldn't be all for a spell that will cure Harry?"
"Because, there may be a problem that makes this sound easier than it will be. Remember the Healers said there is something blocking them from helping Harry to get better? Nadia and Ivan believe they have an idea of what it is, especially since Harry is in this condition due to Voldemort."
She was somewhat impressed that their only reaction to the name now was a slight wince.
"And? What do they think it is?" Fred asked.
"Harry," Hermione stated.
"Harry?" George repeated looking puzzled.
Hermione explained, "They believe that for some reason, Harry may not want to wake up or be cured. By remaining unconscious he may think he is keeping Voldemort from getting something that he wants."
George asked, "If the Healers have not been able to get through to him, what makes you think you are going to succeed?"
Hermione answered, "The talisman and spell Nadia and Ivan gave me will enable us to force his energy levels up. And I'm not the only one who will be doing it. The spell requires three people for it to work."
"And you want us to help you with the spell?" Fred asked.
Hermione replied, "No. We will need your help, but the people who perform the spell each have to play a particular role, and have a particular significance to Harry."
"So who besides our little brother will be helping you then?" George asked frowning, correctly guessing the second participant.
Hermione bit her lip and said hesitantly, "Ginny."
"Ginny?" The twins said in unison.
Fred said, "I'm not comfortable with you and Ron let alone my kid sister getting involved in dodgy ancient magic; even if it is for a good cause."
"Even if it is the only way to help Harry?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Before they could object further, Hermione continued, "There are precautions that we can take to limit the risk. That is where we will need help from you. But I plan to ask Ron and Ginny to do it with or without your approval. If I know Ginny, she will want to try it."
Growing angry at Hermione for wanting to drag Ginny into her plan against their better judgment, George said, "Don't you forget; you need us to get the ingredients for the spell. We could refuse."
Hermione looked him hard in the eyes and said, "True, but you have already admitted that the ingredients can be found here. It might take longer but I will get them myself if I have to. However, you forgot one thing yourself."
"Oh? Just what would that be?" George asked, starting to glare back at her.
"Ginny. How do you think you will fare when I tell her you were obstacles to Harry getting better? Do you really like the idea of living with bat bogeys for the rest of your lives, much less whatever other hexes she'll think up to send your way?"
Hermione smiled to herself when she saw George's anger turn to concern and a grin spread across Fred's face.
"She's got us there, brother, dear," Fred said. "I don't know about you, but that is not a risk I'd like to take. Besides, you heard Ginny at the hospital last week. Our family owes Harry a lot; Ginny maybe more than the rest of us. Harry saved her from the Chamber and nearly died doing it. And we wouldn't be where we are today without his generosity."
George looked back at Hermione, "You said there are precautions that can be taken?"
Hermione said quickly, "Yes. Both Ginny and Ron must still agree to participate. Part of what will make the magic work is that they must understand the risks to themselves and take them on willingly. There are other things that we will need you to watch out for to make sure things don't get out of hand. But I honestly think this will work. It has to."
"Agreed then," George said and his brother nodded. "We'll let you know when we've got everything on the list."