Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Special thanks Phil yet again. You are wonderful! Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
Chapter 20: And This Mystery Explore
Summer Time. The best time of the year, in John Hadrian's opinion, as he would be turning 11 soon! He knew that Wolf had several fun and exciting things planned this summer and he couldn't wait!
Hermione, however, was disappointed, as usual, that their regular lessons were now shortened and class time greatly curtailed. She and John began to spend more of their days out on the greens reviewing their class notes, reading or playing games.
Now that the two of them were free for the summer, Hermione practically lived at the Tower, much to the ghosts' chagrin. By the Morrigan's decree, they couldn't show themselves to Hermione even if she did have the ability to see them. The Princes complained often that she was monopolizing John's time. John reassured his spectral friends that he was available to chat with them when she wasn't around in the evenings, but explained that Hermione needed to be here for lessons and he wanted her to be with him as much as possible. She would be going away to school soon. Hermione would spend most nights with her parents, too. That way he could make time for his spirit friends as well.
Besides, Wolf also had many events planned and he often took both children away from the Tower for them. For every twenty-eight days John and Hermione spent away from the Tower they had to stay a week within the complex to recharge their ward protections that the goddess had given them.
Wolf took no chances with John's protections. He was very careful he didn't keep John out for the full twenty-eight days. He knew very well that no timetable was infallible so he usually had the two children back within twenty-one days or less. It wouldn't do for the Wizarding world to find their little savior too soon. John wasn't ready for that particular dog-and-pony show yet.
Wolf, with parental permission, liked to take them both on 'educational' outings. The first was to an old abandoned airstrip outside of London for a paintball war.
Hermione, at first, didn't like playing 'tag' with the paintball guns — until Wolf explained what she could gain from such activities. It helped her growing self-confidence when a female Sergeant-Major from the Royal Marines was tagged to help out; the woman had a figure to die for! In between reloads Sergeant-Major Sheila Peterson informed the girl that when she got out, she was going to use her stipend to read law at University and become a barrister. She cemented a solid image in the girl's mind of a woman with brains, beauty and physical strength with confidence in herself and her abilities.
After the first couple of 'educational' sessions Hermione found she enjoyed the games. They were great stress relievers, and they even helped with her studies by teaching her tactics and strategy and how to apply them. True,she could never beat Wolf in the mock-combat games, but sometimes she could beat John, and she was learning. What she didn't notice was the improvement in her self-assurance, focus, and the enhanced muscle tone she was acquiring.
At first, her parents hadn't been keen on allowing Hermione to participate in these sessions - they wanted her to focus on her studies and thought there was little reason for her to learn such things as hand-to-hand defense, but Wolf convinced them by pointing out that a healthy mind needed a healthy body to support it. Now they were starting to see a better side of their daughter. Hermione still hadn't many friends in her neighborhood, but she did have a good one in John.
John adored Hermione and tried to include her in all of his learning activities with the single exception of his magical studies. That still remained a secret. They knew she was magical, but she couldn't be allowed to know just yet that John was as well. She still had a firm trust in most authority figures, though it was less of a blind trust now. John had managed to break her of her annoying habit of trying to prove herself the smartest in class. He'd told her that by showing off she was being mean and hurting his feelings. It only took one day of John not speaking to her to make her see the error of her ways.
Wolf helped her to redirect her competitive streak as well. He pointed out that while one should always do their best, when dealing with unknowns it was not wise to show all your talent unless necessary. By hiding your full abilities, you can be under-estimated and therefore have an edge on your competition.
0o0o0o0
It was a beautiful summer's day in early July. Hermione's parents decided to take the day off from their practice and have a family picnic in the local park with the two children. They collected John and Maggie and headed out for a day in the sun. Wolf remained behind as he had to report in to his commander.
After their picnic lunch, Hermone and John ran off to the play area and became simply kids. Dan, Emma and Maggie sat on a bench in the shade where they could oversee the children.
John was gallantly pushing Hermione on the swing when several of her former classmates wandered over.
"Blimey, I didn't know the know-it-all even had a friend!" shouted a boy with a nasty attitude and spiked hair.
"Cor, he's a handsome bloke," cooed his blonde companion.
"He's dreamy," quipped the brunette of the trio as she admired John with a covetous stare.
"Hey Granger!" shouted the obnoxious blonde. "How much did you pay him to play with you?" Her sniggering comments were followed by giggles and laughter.
John fought to hold his temper as he brought the swing to a halt. Both he and Hermione wanted no part in what was about to happen should John lose his temper. Wolf had repeatedly warned the pair about picking their fights. He'd also made it quite clear that use of the skills he taught them was forbidden for school-yard scuffles except in self defense.
Taking Hermione by the hand he helped her from the swing.
"Come on Hermione," John smiled, "Aunt Maggie promised us ice cream!"
The obnoxious trio watched in surprise. "Aww come on, we're better friends than the know-it-all! She's nothing but a buck-toothed bookworm," sniped the blonde.
"We're one guy short, we could use a cute guy like you to hang around with," enticed the brunette.
John ignored them as he ushered Hermione away. Turning to his upset friend he smiled gently and murmured, "Don't worry Hermione, you are my book-worm and I'm very proud to be your friend." Her soft laughter drifted back to stunned trio behind them.
0o0o0o0o0
Hermione nervously approached John just after his eleventh birthday. They were sitting under one of the shade trees by Queen's House.
"John? Can I tell you something?" she asked hesitantly.
"Always, Hermione, you know that," John said, looking over his shoulder and around the tree to make sure they were alone.
She paused for a moment, "I got a letter this week. I've been accepted to a very elite boarding school. . ."
"Are you going?" John asked after a long silence.
"I don't know. We are meeting a professor tomorrow. . ." her voice trailed off again as she chewed on her bottom lip.
He sighed heavily as he looked up into the boughs of the tree. "You should do it, Hermione."
"Not if it means leaving you, John. You're my best friend."
John edged around the tree to take her into his arms and hug her tightly. "You're mine as well, but you know I can't leave the Tower. Her Majesty won't allow it, not with the terrorists still out there. There is still a price on my head."
Hermione groan as she leaned against John. "I can't . . ."
"Yes, you can! We can still write to each other. You know that I'm almost in secondary school with my studies, same as you."
"But . . ."
"No, Hermione. Do not use me as an excuse to hold yourself back. I would never forgive you, or myself, if you did."
"It's not fair!" she sobbed.
"No, it's not. But if this school is so exceptional, then I think it should have the honor of an exceptional student." Hermione buried her face into his shoulder and cried.
0o0o0o0
"So she got her Hogwarts letter?" Ben asked a silent and depressed John that night. "That explains that little display on the Greens today."
"Yes, sir. She and the Grangers are meeting with a professor tomorrow. That's why she will not be over," John said sadly. "I'm going to miss her, Uncle Ben."
Ben looked into emerald eyes that shimmered with unshed tears. "I know, son, but you knew this was going to happen. She couldn't know who and what you are," Ben said as he sat down beside John on his bed.
"It's not fair," John echoed Hermione's sentiments.
"Life never is, John," Ben said, pulling the boy into a sideways hug. "We may have to rethink our plans this year. They will be hunting you for sure."
John shrugged. "They won't find me. The Lady won't allow it. She said the owls will not be able to deliver any Hogwarts or Ministry letters because of the Tower wards. Those that know who I am and where I can be found will use the post. Those at Hogwarts won't think to, and even then they would need a name and address."
Ben chuckled at John's logic. "Quite right, Scrapper, m'lad. I was right to name you that - you are quite the fighter. Don't worry about Hermione. She's got a good head on her shoulders and the ability to protect herself. I doubt her fellow students will be able to bully her. And Wolf's done a fine job with her; she won't give her trust blindly to those in authority as she would've a year ago."
0o0o0o0o
Albus Dumbledore stood up in his staff meeting and sighed. They had been discussing Harry Potter. This is the year he should be coming as a first-year. Many were looking forward to it with eager anticipation.
Minerva walked in with a letter in her hand. She threw it on the table angrily. "I just knew they were the worst sort of Muggles, and I told you so! Just look!"
The letter was addressed to "Harry James Potter, Address Unknown and returned marked "Letter Undeliverable."
Albus closed his eyes. It was as he had feared when he found the Dursleys gone. "It is true. Mr. Potter's relatives were arrested six years ago for child abuse and neglect of their nephew."
"And you knew!" Minerva McGonagall screeched. The other professors gasped, looking appalled.
The old Wizard looked and felt every one of his 100-plus years as he sat back down. "I knew. I kept it quiet as I didn't want to start a panic. I know that Mr Potter is alive, but all attempts to find him have been blocked, both in the magical and Muggle world. Mr Potter was removed to an undisclosed location by a person, or persons, unknown and no spell or inquiry has been able to find his location."
"Albus, how is that possible?" gasped Pomona Sprout.
Albus shook his head. "Whoever has him has done a very good job of hiding him, even Fawkes was unsuccessful. I had hoped that when he received his Hogwarts letter, we could trace him. I did check with Ollivander, and he said that Mr. Potter had stopped by. He couldn't tell me when, though."
"Does the Ministry know?"
"Not yet. I have managed to keep it from them, but that won't last," he said, his normal twinkling eyes dimming with regret. "I failed that boy. I failed his parents. I was so sure I was in the right. It was all for the greater good."
A tall dark-haired man wearing black teaching robes stood. He didn't say a word as he stalked out of the staff room, magic crackling around him. Everyone watched him leave, so they missed the flinch from the Headmaster.
Severus Snape was not a happy man. He had sworn to protect and help Lily's son. For the boy not to show was a major blow.
In the corner, a man wearing a large purple turban sat with an evil grin. So, Albus' golden savior was a no-show! What fun! That was one obstacle out of the way.
0o0o0o0o0
Those worried about Harry and Hogwarts. We have it covered. Be patient! All will be revealed in due time.
Until next time. – GF and the Frau
