"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come."
Victor Hugo
XI
Hermione was not looking forward to her alchemy class. She had heard from the other students that Professor Lefebvre was a terrible teacher, who barely knew anything about the subject and often made mistakes in his demonstrations.
Some even whispered that he was a fraud or a squib, who had somehow managed to get a position at Hogwarts by lying about his credentials. As she walked towards the classroom, she could hear the students laughing and mocking the professor behind his back.
"Did you hear what he did last week?" one of them asked. "He tried to turn lead into gold, but he ended up with a pile of ash and a broken cauldron."
"He's such a joke," another one sneered. "He always brags about his achievements, but he can't even perform the simplest transmutations."
A frown marred her face. As a Slytherin, Hermione valued ambition and cunning, but she also respected knowledge and skill. Alchemy, the ancient and mysterious art of transforming matter and creating wonders, had always fascinated her. The witch wanted to learn more about it, but she doubted that Professor Lefebvre could teach her anything useful.
She entered the classroom and took a seat next to Tom, her best friend and fellow Slytherin. He greeted her with a smile and a wink, making her blush slightly.
"Ready for another boring lesson, Mia?" he inquired.
"Not really," she said. "I wish we had a better teacher. Someone who actually knows what they're talking about."
"Maybe we should just skip this class and go to the library," he suggested. "We could find some more interesting books on alchemy there."
His offer was tempting to Hermione. Joining him would be fun, but skipping classes was risky. The headmaster would not be pleased, and neither would Grindelwald. The dark wizard had plans to take over the Ministry of Magic. He had also appointed some of his followers as professors at Hogwarts, according to the rumors. They were supposed to ensure the students' loyalty to him and his cause. Professor Lefebvre was one of them, and he had a reputation for being harsh and cruel to those who disobeyed him.
"No, we can't do that," she whispered. "We have to stay here and pretend that we care. It's safer that way."
Tom shrugged. "Suit yourself. But don't expect me to pay attention to his nonsense."
The two sat in silence as the rest of the students arrived. The class was held in one of the smaller rooms on the third floor, which had a dusty chalkboard and a wooden desk. The windows were closed, making the air stuffy and warm. Hermione wished they could have their lesson in the potions lab, where the bubbling liquids and the changing colors of the ingredients would provide a more stimulating environment.
The door slammed behind Professor Lefebvre as he entered the room. A tall and thin man, he had a long nose and a pointed beard. His silver robe and matching hat made him look ridiculous. He often caused mishaps with his clumsy and overconfident demeanor.
"Good morning, students," he addressed the class in a pompous voice. "Today, we will be discussing one of the most important and fascinating topics in alchemy: the Elixir of Life."
The middle-aged wizard paused and looked around, expecting some reaction from the students. But they only stared at him with bored and indifferent expressions. He continued, unfazed.
"The Elixir of Life, also known as the Amrita, is a legendary substance that can grant eternal youth and immortality to the one who possesses it. Many alchemists have tried to create it, but none have succeeded. Except for me, of course."
A smug smile appeared on Lefebvre's face as he reached into his robe. He pulled out a small vial, which contained a red liquid that sparkled in the light. The glass flask was held up for everyone to see.
"Behold, the Elixir of Life!" he announced. "The result of my years of research and experimentation. The crowning achievement of my brilliant career. The proof of my genius and mastery of alchemy."
Skepticism and disbelief filled the students' eyes as they looked at the ampoule. He had shown it to them before, but they didn't believe that it was the real thing. It was either a fake or a dangerous concoction that could explode at any moment. Professor Lefebvre was a liar and a fool, who had no idea what he was doing, they thought.
"Can we see it?" one of them asked.
"Of course not," Alain snapped, quickly putting the vial back into his robe. "It is too precious and powerful to be handled by anyone but me. Besides, the secrets of its creation are beyond your grasp. You are still too young and inexperienced. Mastering the basics of alchemy is a prerequisite, before you can even hope to understand the Elixir of Life."
The pretentious wizard walked to the chalkboard and wrote the words "Elixir of Life" on it. He then turned to the class and inquired, "Can anyone tell me why the Elixir of Life is so dangerous?"
Looking for a volunteer, he scanned the room. No one raised their hand, except for Myrtle Warren, a smug Ravenclaw, who always had her hand up. A know-it-all, she loved to show off her knowledge and correct others. The witch was also Professor Lefebvre's favorite student, as she always agreed with him.
"Yes, Miss Warren?" he said, pointing at her.
Myrtle smiled and eagerly began reciting from the textbook. "The Elixir of Life is dangerous because it violates the natural order of things. It disrupts the balance of life and death, which is essential for the harmony of the universe."
She finished her answer with a smug look on her face, as if she had just solved a difficult riddle. Alain nodded and clapped his hands.
"Very good, Miss Warren. Very good indeed. You have given a perfect and accurate answer. Ten points to Ravenclaw."
Groans and eye rolls filled the room. The other students hated Myrtle and her annoying habit of quoting the textbook. There was more to alchemy than what the heavy tome said. They wanted to learn about the history and the mystery of the subject, not the dry and dull facts.
Hermione was one of them. She had read other books on transmutation, which had given her a different perspective. The Elixir of Life was not just dangerous, but also fascinating and intriguing. It was one of the ultimate goals of alchemy, the highest and most noble pursuit of the art. Immortality, as well as wisdom and enlightenment, could be granted by it.
The young witch decided to challenge Warren's answer and share her own views. She raised her hand and waited for Lefebvre to notice her. He ignored her at first, but when she waved her hand more vigorously, he sighed and reluctantly called on her.
"Yes, Miss Granger? Do you have something to add?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
"Yes, Professor," Hermione replied. "I have a different opinion on the Elixir of Life. I think that it is not dangerous, but rather, a challenge that should be embraced."
She paused and looked at the professor, expecting him to be impressed by her answer. Yet he only frowned and shook his head.
"Miss Granger, I am disappointed in you," he scolded. "The delusions and fantasies of alchemy have corrupted your mind. You are a misguided student and a disgrace to your house. Ten points from Slytherin."
The other students gasped and murmured. They were shocked by the professor's harsh words and unfair judgment. Hermione's answer was interesting and original, even if some people disagreed with it. They felt sorry for her and angry at him.
Myrtle smirked and made a snide remark. "Looks like someone needs to go back to the library and do some more reading. Maybe you should stick to the facts, instead of making up your own theories."
Granger felt a surge of anger, but she bit her tongue. The witch knew that Warren was trying to provoke her, and she didn't want to give her the satisfaction.
Before Hermione could reply, another voice spoke up. Charlus Potter, a Gryffindor who had a crush on her, was the one who interrupted. A tall, muscular boy with messy black hair and blue eyes, he was the captain of the Quidditch team, and he had a reputation for being brave and adventurous. The wizard was also a terrible student, who barely passed his exams and often got into trouble.
"Leave her alone, 'Measles'," Potter snapped, coming to Hermione's defense. "She's right, you know. The Elixir of Life is not that simple. It's actually very complex and dangerous. You need to be careful when you handle them, or you might end up like Nicholas Flamel."
"Who's Nicholas Flamel?" Myrtle asked, confused.
"He's the famous alchemist who created the Philosopher's Stone and lived for over six hundred years," Potter boasted, proudly. "But he also died in a horrible explosion, because he messed up with the Elixir of Life. He drank too much of it, and it turned him into a giant fireball. Boom!"
Charlus made a gesture with his hands, as if to imitate an explosion. The class burst into laughter, except for the two Slytherin orphans, who looked at him with disbelief.
"That's not what happened, Potter," Hermione snapped, exasperated. "Nicholas Flamel didn't die in an explosion. He and his wife, Perenelle, decided to hide the Philosopher's Stone, because they wanted to protect it from the wrong hands. They are still alive, but they live in seclusion, away from the public eye."
The Gryffindor shrugged, unfazed by the witch's correction. He smiled at her, and winked.
"Well, whatever. The point is, you're smart, Mione. And you don't need to listen to 'Measles'. She's just jealous of you. Why don't you come with me to Hogsmeade this weekend? I'll show you a good time."
A wave of disgust washed over Granger, and she pushed Potter away. He had no appeal to her, and his constant attempts to charm her annoyed the girl. Arrogant and irritating, he was someone she wanted to avoid.
"Get off me, Potter," Hermione sneered, with a frosty tone. "I'm not going with you anywhere. And don't you dare touch me again, or I'll hex you."
Charlus looked hurt, and he backed off. He muttered something under his breath, and walked away. Tom, who was irritated by Potter's interference, also spoke up.
"Professor, I think Hermione has a valid point," Riddle remarked, in a composed manner. "The Elixir of Life is not the only product of alchemy. There are other, more powerful and mysterious substances, such as the humors – Nigrido, Albedo, Citrinitas and Rubedo. They have different properties and effects, and they are related to the stages of the Magnum Opus. I think we should learn more about them, and how to achieve them."
Lefebvre, who had been silent until then, suddenly barked. He slammed his book on the desk, and glared at Tom.
"Enough!" he shouted. "I've had enough of your insolence. Both of you, Miss Granger and Mr Riddle, think you know everything, but you know nothing. Out of my sight, now. And your books, take them with you. You won't need them anymore."
A gasp went through the class, and the professor pointed his wand at the two Slytherin friends. He muttered a spell, and their books flew out of their hands and landed on the floor.
Hermione and Tom shared a meaningful glance before rising from their seats. Gathering their books, they confidently exited the room, undeterred by the curious gazes and hushed conversations of their peers. With determination, they made their way towards the Slytherin common room.
It was beyond their comprehension why a teacher would choose to forgo teaching proper alchemical techniques when tension and conflict had spread throughout Europe. The imminent threat of Grindelwald's forces attacking Britain was on everyone's mind.
"Can you believe it?" Hermione exclaimed in exasperation as they walked down the hallway. "With everything happening in the world, we truly need to be prepared, yet this is what our education consists of?"
Tom nodded in agreement. "It seems that no one is taking this seriously."
As the months passed, the situation became more dire. Muggle villages in England and Wales faced frequent attacks from unknown assailants. Hermione felt a mix of rage and fear as she read the Daily Prophet that morning. A group of masked men had brutally murdered a mother and her child, a baby half Veela, in Liverpool, her hometown. The Ministry of Magic covered up the truth and blamed it on a Nazi bombing, but the witch knew better.
She looked up from the newspaper and saw Riddle sitting across from her in the library. He was reading a book on ancient runes, his dark eyes focused and intense.
"Hey, Tom," she said softly. "What do you think would happen if Hogwarts were invaded?"
The wizard looked at her with worry in his eyes. He put down his book and moved closer.
"It's just... everything that's happening in the world. It's so horrible. I don't know what to do anymore." Riddle reached out and took her hand in his.
"But we can't lose hope, Mia," he spoke gently. "We have to think that we can change things. That's why we're here, right? To learn as much as possible, to be stronger and to keep each other safe."
The witch agreed and cuddled up to him. The boy put his arms around her and hugged her tight. He kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Mia," he whispered sincerely.
Hermione felt a warm feeling in her chest. She hugged him back and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt safe and happy in his arms.
The friends didn't know how long they stayed like that, holding each other in silence. The two didn't care about anything else in that moment. Hermione didn't notice the glint in his eyes, or the smirk on his lips.
The air was filled with the scent of ink and paper as Hermione and her friends explored the wonders of Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. The three young witches browsed through the shelves, carefully selecting the best writing supplies for their upcoming assignments. Granger had a stack of rolls of parchment in her arms, while Greengrass and Black each held a few quills and ink bottles.
Cassiopeia teasingly asked Hermione, "Are you sure you need that much parchment, Mia? You're not writing a book, are you?"
Rolling her eyes, she responded, "You know how Professor Slughorn is. He expects us to write at least ten inches on every topic."
Ariadne chimed in, "More like twenty, if you're Hermione. I still can't believe how long your last potion essay was. You practically covered the entire history of the Wolfsbane Potion."
A faint pink color spread across her cheeks as she defended herself, "I just like to be thorough, that's all. Besides, it's better to have more parchment than not enough, right?"
Before Greengrass and Black could reply, they heard a loud explosion coming from the Main Street. The witches rushed to the window and witnessed a plume of smoke rising from the direction of The Three Broomsticks. People were screaming and running in panic, while flashes of light indicated spells being cast.
Ariadne's eyes widened in shock as she saw the chaos unfolding around them. "What's going on?" she asked, clutching her wand tightly.
"It appears to be an attack," Hermione gasped as the smell of smoke and fire reached her nostrils. The bright orange glow of flames on the edge of the sky caught her attention. She stared at the fiery spectacle with a mix of awe and fear.
Cassiopeia clutched her arm and pulled her along. "We need to escape. Hogwarts is our only hope."
As she looked around the deserted street, Hermione felt a pang of panic. "No, wait," she protested, shaking her head. "Tom and Pollux are coming. We have to wait for them. They're our friends."
"They'll be fine, Mia. They're smart enough to hide or escape. We have to think of ourselves now. Come on, Ari, let's go."
Greengrass nodded and followed Cassiopeia, who forcefully dragged Hermione towards the back door of the shop. But the witch resisted, desperately trying to break free.
"Let me go, Cassie. I have to find them. They might be in trouble."
A sigh of frustration escaped her lips. "Mia, you're being foolish. This is not the time to play the hero. This is serious. Those are Grindelwald's followers out there. They're not here to play games. They're here to kill."
Hermione looked at Black with determination and replied, "I don't care. Tom and Pollux are our friends. I'm not leaving them behind."
With a forceful tug, she broke free from her friend's grasp and sprinted towards the front door, paying no mind to the frantic cries of Cassiopeia and Ariadne. As she swung open the door, a horrifying sight of mayhem and devastation greeted the witch.
The Main Street was engulfed in flames, with buildings collapsing and debris flying everywhere. Masked wizards in black cloaks were apparating in and out, casting curses and hexes at anyone they saw. Some of the villagers were bravely fighting back, while others were fleeing or hiding.
Hermione quickly ducked behind a barrel, scanning her surroundings in search of Tom or Pollux. She spotted a group of Death Eaters heading towards The Three Broomsticks, the very place where she was supposed to meet them.
Dread and fury surged through her, and she made up her mind to follow them. Casting a Protego charm to protect herself, the young witch darted across the street, skillfully evading spells and obstacles. Curses of all kinds flew past her, some leaving behind bloody wounds or nasty scars. A fervent hope filled her heart that none of them would strike her or her friends.
Finally arriving at The Three Broomsticks, Hermione pushed the door open and was confronted with a chaotic scene. The place was in utter disarray, with tables and chairs overturned, glasses and bottles shattered, and the air thick with smoke and dust. She saw bodies strewn across the floor. A surge of terror and sorrow overwhelmed her, and she couldn't help but wonder how many were dead or injured.
The fifth year Slytherin desperately searched the room, calling out for Riddle or Black. She navigated through the broken furniture and smoke, determined to find them. Eventually, the witch heard someone crying for help and recognized the voice. It was Pollux.
Following the sound, she discovered him trapped beneath a fallen desk. He appeared pale and bloodied, with his left leg twisted at an unnatural angle. When he caught sight of his friend, he weakly smiled.
"Mia... thank Merlin... you're here..."
With great urgency, Hermione hurried to Pollux's side, employing all her expertise to lift the heavy desk that had trapped him. The wizard grimaced in agony as he tried to rise, and she assisted him while simultaneously casting a healing charm, Brackium Emendo, specifically targeting his injured leg. Though unsure of its efficacy, the girl held onto hope that the spell would repair his broken bones.
"Mia... you're amazing... how did you do that?"
Hermione shrugged modestly. "I don't know. I just remembered reading about it in a book. It's a simple charm, really. Are you feeling better?"
With a grateful nod, he spoke in a warm tone. "You've healed me, Mia. You're brilliant at magic. You have a solution for everything."
A rosy hue spread across her cheeks as she waved away his compliment. "Don't mention it," she said modestly. "Your safety is all that matters to me."
Pollux then asked about his sister, Cassiopeia. Hermione hesitated before replying, "She's with Greengrass. They went back to Hogwarts. They wanted me to go with them, but I refused. I wanted to wait for you and Tom. Speaking of Tom, where is he?"
Anxiety clouded his face as he scanned the empty street. "Riddle is not here," he explained. "He had to visit the bookshop Tomes and Scrolls for a special delivery of an ancient tome about the Founders."
Concern filled her wide eyes as she heard his words. "The bookshop?" she repeated. "But that's right in the path of the Death Eaters. They could harm him. He might be in need of my assistance..."
She glanced at Pollux, her determination evident, but he grabbed her arm, questioning her intentions.
"Are you crazy, Mia? You can't go out there. It's too dangerous. You'll get yourself killed."
Hermione shook her head, her voice resolute. "I can't just leave him. He's my friend. He's your friend. Don't you care about him?"
A weary sigh escaped his lips as he looked at her with apprehension. "I want to help him too," he admitted. "But you're important to me as well. And I can't bear the thought of losing you."
A warm feeling of affection spread through her chest as she looked into Black's eyes. The witch saw his sincerity and knew he genuinely cared for her.
"Pollux, I appreciate your concern. But I have to do this. I have to find Tom. He could be in trouble. He could be hurt. He could be..."
The worst possibility remained unspoken in her mind. She clung to the desperate hope that Riddle had survived and escaped harm.
Pulling herself away from Black, Hermione reached for her wand, pointing it at him firmly. She stated, "I'm sorry. But I have to go. And if you try to stop me, I'll stun you."
The wizard rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated. "You're impossible, Mia. You're stubborn and brave. And I admire you for it. But you're also a fool. And I'm a bigger fool for following you."
Reaching for his own wand, he reluctantly conceded, "Fine. Go ahead. But I'm coming with you. You're not doing this alone. We're in this together. Whether you like it or not."
Hermione smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I'm glad you're with me. Still don't you dare get yourself killed. Or I'll never forgive you."
A mischievous grin lit up his face. "Relax," he reassured her. "I'm not giving up. And you're not either. We'll make it out of this alive."
He winked at her and declared, "Come on, let's go. Let's find Tom. And let's kick some Death Eater ass."