Chapter 3!

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-o-

Chapter 3 - Feeling, Fearing, Fumbling, Afraid to Fail

Solas' revelation created quite the fuss, as one would expect. It created so much fuss that Hermione's story was put on hold. Hermione did not mind, though. She had quite enough with just making sense of everything.

She went back to the roof, needing some peace and quiet, but was interrupted by a feeling – a magical signature – again. A different magical signature this time.

"It's okay. You want to help. Like me."

"Cole," she said, exhaling with relief. "You startled me."

"I'm sorry."

She smiled. "It's okay, Cole. But yes, I do want to help."

"Staying, is it right? Why does it feel right? Smell of books, remember the missing brick, why did I wear those shoes? Book store, foam on my lips, sweet foam, will I ever taste it again?"

Hermione stared at him for a moment. She had been thinking exactly that, remembering the smell of the books in Florish and Blotts, and the missing rock in the pavement outside. Then she had thought about butterbeer, and all the things she was leaving behind if she stayed.

"That's unnerving, Cole," she said quietly. "But I would like your opinion. What do you think?"

He looked at her for a moment. "You're feeling, fearing, fumbling, afraid to fail."

Hermione sighed. "Sounds about right."

"But you know. You know things. You can change things. You have changed things," Cole said. "It's all changing."

"How so?" Hermione asked. "And is that a good thing? The end was already set, and you were going to win. If I change things, won't that be bad? Maybe I'll change things so much that the end will be that you lose?"

"No," Cole said in that soft voice of his. "No, not like that. Not bad."

"How do you know?"

"I just know."

"How?"

"I don't know."

Hermione had to laugh. "Even so, I do feel better."

"I helped?"

Hermione nodded. "You helped." She paused. "Cole?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I should stay? Do you think it's right?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It feels right. You feel right."

Hermione smiled. "That's strangely comforting. Thank you, Cole." She paused for a moment again. "Can you do something for me?"

"I don't know until you ask."

Hermione smiled again. "Fair enough. I was wondering; could you not make me forget anything? I just hate it when someone messes with my mind."

"But what if it helps?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I don't want that kind of help. I would rather deal with the reality of it all. Mind magic is something I do not deal well with."

"I made them forget. They forgot. They forgot about me, about everything, and it was my fault. My fault, and they forgot. Too late. I was too late, and they forgot."

Hermione gave Cole a sad look. "Exactly. They forgot about me, and I could never restore their memories. They still live in Australia. At least they are happy there."

"I understand," Cole said softly. "Even if it helps, it doesn't."

Hermione was surprised that she didn't find Cole confusing at all. He made total sense to her. "Exactly, Cole."

"You understand. You fit. You feel right."

"Thank you, Cole. That does make me feel better. A lot better," she said, giving him a warm smile. "I like you, Cole. You make so much more sense than I thought you would. Maybe we can be friends?"

"I would like that. You're soft, selfless, smells like summer."

"And you are good, gentle, kind and caring. You are compassion. The world is better with you in it."

Cole gave her an almost startled look. Probably because he rarely got anything in return. "Thank you," he almost whispered, and then he vanished.

-o-

I will never get a moment's peace, Hermione thought as a new magical signature approached her. Who is it this time then?

"Lovely evening, wouldn't you agree?"

She turned to find Dorian standing there. "Do I have some kind of flashy sign that says 'I'M HERE GUYS!' Because everyone seems to find me."

"Am I intruding?"

She smiled. "No. I'm just surprised, that's all. How did you find me?"

"Other than the flashy sign? Varric guessed you were here."

Hermione laughed. "I see. Well, what can I do for you?"

"Satisfy my curiosity, perhaps?"

"Perhaps," she said, and laughed again.

-o-

She was ever so grateful for her post-war paranoia, because that meant she could be in Thedas, but still have a shower. Thank Merlin for wizard tents. She had bought the most expensive one she could find, and it was complete with everything, including a shower.

Thank Merlin for wizard tents, indeed.

She was exhausted by the time she actually pitched the tent later that evening. It was very much worth it, though. Dorian was everything she had expected, and more. He was just lovely.

-o-

Hermione woke up the next morning, surprised that she had even fallen asleep. She got up, showered, and then sat down on the bed, wondering what to do. It was early morning still, and she was surprised over how rested she felt, even if she hadn't slept that many hours.

She wondered where to begin. What to do first.

She knew everything. Every detail of what would happen, what they needed to do - everything.

The question was; how much should she tell them? What was the best way to proceed?

I need to ask someone, she thought. But who?

She needed someone who would look at the situation without personal opinions getting in the way. She needed an objective view.

And thus, she went in search for Cole.

Hermione disillusioned herself, not wanting to get caught off-guard before she had made up her mind. Or at least have some form of clue as to what she wanted to say.

-o-

She snuck up the stairs to where she knew Cole used to be, and was relieved to see him standing there.

"Hello, Hermione."

Hermione froze in her tracks. Cole was looking right at her, even though she hadn't cancelled the charm yet.

"Yes, I can see you. But it's hard to see you, hard to hear you."

Hermione stepped closer and cancelled the charm. "That's because I made myself invisible. I hope you were the only one who saw me."

"They don't see you. I see you, but they don't."

"Okay, good," Hermione said, sighing in relief. "Or else I would have to begin re-learning what my magic does."

"It's okay. It works. I'm different. I see different, hear different," Cole said, gazing at her for a moment before his eyes widened in surprise. "You want my…advice."

She nodded. "Yes."

"Why me?"

"Because I think you will be able to look at this without having an opinion based on personal gain."

He gazed at her again. "It's a difficult question."

Hermione nodded again. "Yes. That's why I need advice."

"I will try."

"Thank you, Cole," she said, and smiled.

-o-

A while later, Hermione was back in her tent, and she was lost in thought.

"They shouldn't know everything," Cole had said. "It's not good to know everything."

He was right though, wasn't he?

Maybe, she thought. Probably.