Chapter 13
1 November 1991
Oliver,
I wanted to write and let you know not to worry about me if you don't see me at breakfast. I will try to get there in time. I just... Well, really, it's more of a girl thing, and I need someone to talk to in that respect. I'm not sure Professor McGonagall would be the best choice for such things, and I haven't met her before, so I thought I might take the opportunity to go meet Madam Pomfrey. She might be the best to help with the subject at any rate. Everything is okay, I promise, and if I don't see you at breakfast, I will see you at lunch.
Hermione
She felt rather embarrassed, even mentioning the subject with Oliver, but she really didn't want to cause him worry, so she thought it better to at least touch on why she was going to see the matron this morning. She set the letter aside and finished getting dressed before she drew her wand and tapped the parchment, watching it fold into an eagle.
"Oliver Wood," she whispered to it as it tested its wings. "Off you go." She watched it take flight and soar around the room before she let it out, following it out of the dorm. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned and headed through the portrait hole, entering the dimly lit castle beyond.
She made it through the castle unhindered and stood for a moment in front of the large doors to the infirmary. Exhaling a moment, collecting her thoughts before she entered.
"Hello?" she called, seeing the empty room. It was still relatively early in the year, so not many people had needed to come to the infirmary. Neville was the only one she knew who had come so far.
A door creaked open and a shadow appeared in the pool of light that came out into the empty room. A sleepy looking woman peered out and then blinked, coming to herself. "Hello, dear," she said, coming out of the room swiftly with a no nonsense attitude. "Are you alright? What seems to be the trouble?"
Hermione blushed and held up her hands, placating the matron. She held out her hand toward the woman as she came closer. "I - I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Hermione Granger."
The matron blinked a moment, astonished, before she took the girl's offered hand. "Madam Pomfrey," the woman replied. "If there's nothing the matter -"
"Oh," Hermione said, and then hesitated a moment, trying to mentally form her words before she shook her head and sighed. "Well... thereissomething," she said after a moment.
"Yes, dear?" Madam Pomfrey asked. Hermione's blush told the matron everything she needed to know. "Why don't we take this into my office, dear?" the woman asked and pointed toward the room she'd come from. Hermione nodded and allowed the woman to usher her toward the door.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about, dear," Madam Pomfrey said a short time later after hearing Hermione's concerns and running some tests. "Coming of age happens at different ages for everyone. I can give you some herbs to take for the discomfort that you may experience during your time while here at school, and I can teach you the scouring charm for cleaning -"
"Oh, that's okay," Hermione said, interrupting the matron with a blush. "I already know it. I picked up some extra reading before school started. Coming from a Muggle family, I wanted to learn everything I could about the wizarding world. I didn't want to mess up and do something wrong if I could help it."
"That's good," Madam Pomfrey said with a smile. "Very smart. Other Muggle children and some others even from pure blood families would do well to study more. You plan on going home for the holidays, don't you?"
"Yes," Hermione said with a nod. "My parents would be rather upset if I stayed at school my first year here. I know I can't tell them everything, but they will enjoy learning what I can tell them."
"You might want to talk to your mother about your concerns as well," the matron said gently. "She may have some ways to assist you should your time come while you're away from school. For now, I think what you experienced was more to do with the stress young Mr Weasley has been causing you. Emotions are difficult things at times, and being thrust into a whole new world, new studies and situations, and making new friends can all be stressful."
"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile. "I'm so relieved."
"Oh, while I have you here," the matron continued. "It was discussed over the summer with Professor Dumbledore that I should take the time to call in the new students, particularly those from Muggle families, to discuss the differences in relationships concerning those from a wizarding background compared to those from Muggle families. I was trying to determine the best time to call in the new students to explain about these differences when it comes to mental and emotional health, particularly in regards to the relationships you may or may not experience beyond mere friendship."
Hermione wrinkled her brow in confusion. "But..." she asked hesitating a moment. "How is that different from those things in the Muggle world?"
"Well, mainly they differ because those with magic have a longer lifespan than Muggles," Madam Pomfrey explained. "For example, the staff recently helped Professor Dumbledore celebrate his 110th birthday in August before school started this term."
Hermione blinked wide-eyed. "Really?" she asked in surprise.
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "It's because of this longer life expectancy, that you might find the prospect of dating a bit more daunting. You might find yourself ready to date far earlier than someone you might find yourself interested in. This is why most of Hogwarts social events that require a date generally don't take place until your fourth year, when you'll be about 14 years of age. Sometimes even then, the one you're interested in might not be ready to date. Of course, you would have to pass your end-of-year exams to advance to your next year of studies."
"I see," Hermione said thoughtfully as she digested this information.
"I also wanted to make you aware of these differences because I do not know what type of schooling you had before coming to Hogwarts," Madam Pomfrey explained. "I wanted to make you aware of the dynamics and different relationships you may see other students engaged in around the school. We hope that older students have the common sense and decency to keep such relationships private, and away from the eyes of new students if they go beyond friendship, but that is not always the case with young people. I believe that is the main reason for Professor Dumbledore's concerns, and his request that I talk with the new students."
"That makes sense," Hermione said thoughtfully, though she was truly wondering what to make of this information given so freely by the matron, and wondered about the woman's own social interaction. Was this really a new class the matron was talking about? She hadn't seen anything about it, nor heard about it from Professor McGonagall. Was that why the discussion seemed so awkward?
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear," Madam Pomfrey said, noticing Hermione's demeanour. "I didn't intend to overwhelm you. You see, that was why I was trying to determine the best time to call in the students individually, of course, to discuss such things. Those students from Muggle families might find themselves at a disadvantage otherwise."
"No, no," Hermione said, trying to placate the matron. "It's okay. I understand. I mean, I might not find it too useful now, but I'm sure I will... maybe in a few years."
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Ms Granger," Madam Pomfrey said, turning back to business. "But I really must get on with my work. One never knows when an injury or illness might occur and when I might be needed."
"Yes, of course," Hermione replied, standing to her feet and heading for the office door followed by the matron. "And thank you so much. I'll be sure to ask my mom for help when I'm not at school." With a smile and a wave, Hermione left the office and headed out of the infirmary, hoping she still had time for breakfast before classes, although she doubted that Oliver and the others would still be there.
"Hello there," Oliver said when Hermione joined him, Lee and the twins for lunch.
"Hello," Hermione greeted them, nodding to each as she sat down in her spot between Oliver and Lee.
"Sorry we missed you at breakfast," Oliver said. "Did you get the answers you were after?"
"Oh, um," Hermione said and looked with uncertainty at Lee and the twins. "Yes, I–I think so," she said. "I actually won't know for certain for a while yet."
Oliver nodded. "How are you doing after...?"
"The troll attack?" Hermione asked and saw that she piqued Lee and the twins' interest as they stopped scooping their food from their plates on the way to their mouths, and nearly choked on the food they were already eating.
"Yeah," Fred said as he cleared his throat from choking, his eyes watering.
"We wondered about that," George said.
Hermione sighed and looked accusingly at Oliver.
"He didn't say anything," Lee interjected.
"It's just," Fred began.
"We didn't see you-" George said.
"Or Harry or our brother," Fred continued.
"After Percy led everyone to the common room," George finished.
"Yeah, we heard about the girl's bathroom..." Lee said. "Professor Dumbledore informed us this morning at breakfast and said the troll was taken care of and no longer a threat."
"Well, that's good I suppose," Hermione said. Really, she thought. I should have known the attack wouldn't be a secret. It involved the safety of the whole school, after all.
"Are you really alright?" Oliver asked, noticing her change in demeanour.
Hermione smiled faintly and nodded. "Well," she said, her tone matter-of-fact as she tucked into her meal. "One good thing came from it."
"What's that?" Lee asked.
"Ron learned how to cast Wingardium Leviosa," Hermione said dryly.
She hoped that the talk of the troll attack would die down, but everyone was still talking about it a week later when she entered Transfiguration.
"Hermione." She turned to see Parvati Patil waving at her excitedly from where she sat with a blonde girl. As she moved toward their table curiously, Padma rushed over to them, and they waited anxiously.
"Yes?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice.
"This is my sister Padma, she's in Ravenclaw, and my friend, Lily Moon," Parvati made the introductions quickly.
"It's nice to meet you," Hermione said and nodded uneasily.
"We heard about the troll attack," Padma said.
"Are you alright?" Lily asked.
Hermione nodded and swallowed dryly, not used to having people concerned about her.
"I feel really bad," Parvati said. "If I'd been more helpful to you and — I'm sorry, I can't remember what he said his name was, it happened so fast, I was really quite surprised — well anyway, I can't help but think if I'd been more help to you with everything, you wouldn't have been there."
"No, it's okay," Hermione said. "It wasn't your fault, really. And his name's Oliver Wood."
"He was pretty cute, I have to admit," Lily said with a smile. "Could you introduce us sometime?"
"Shut up!" Parvati said and smacked Lily's arm playfully.
"Anyway," Padma said meaningfully and turned to look at Hermione. "We're glad you're okay."
"Thanks," Hermione said, smiling slightly, wondering about the girls' behaviour and if Lily had blurted out their true motive as she and Padma returned to their seats before Professor McGonagall arrived.
The morning of Harry's first Quidditch match found Hermione sitting with both Harry and Ron. It still amazed her that Ron hadn't said anything derogatory to or about her since Halloween. It was a miracle! A full eight days, and the start of the ninth and nothing negative spewed from his lips.
"Take a bit of toast, mate, go on," Ron encouraged Harry that morning at breakfast.
"Ron's right, Harry," Hermione admitted. "You'll need your strength today."
"I'm not hungry," Harry replied, playing with his food.
"Good luck today, Potter," Professor Snape said, and they looked up, surprised to see him standing next to Harry. "Then again, now that you've proven yourself against atroll, a little game of Quidditch should be easy work for you; even if it is againstSlytherin."
"That explains the blood," Harry said as they watched the Potions professor limp away.
"Blood?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry in confusion.
"Listen," Harry said, keeping his voice down. "On Halloween, I'm guessing that Snape let the troll in as a diversion, so he could get past that three headed dog. But, he got himself bitten, that's why he's limping."
"But who would gonearthat dog?" Hermione asked.
"The day I was at Gringotts, Hagrid took something from one of the vaults. Said it was Hogwarts business, very secret," Harry said.
"So, you're saying," Hermione clarified.
"That's what the dog's guarding," Harry said. "That's what Snape wants. You said yourself that it was standing on a trap door."
After breakfast, they parted ways. Harry headed off to meet with the team while Ron and Hermione headed down to the Quidditch pitch with the rest of the school to get seats to watch the game. Even Hagrid showed up to watch with them, bringing a pair of omnioculars that reminded Hermione a great deal of the binoculars Muggles used.
The crowd cheered as the doors under the stands opened and a moment later the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams flew out over opposite sides of the field.
"Hello! Welcome to Hogwarts'firstQuidditch game of the season!" Lee announced as the players of both teams made a few laps around the field before converging on the centre where Madam Hooch stood with the trunk Hermione remembered helping Oliver take to her office.
"Today's game," Lee continued. "Slytherin vs.Gryffindor!"
The crowd cheered again and Hermione could only wonder what Harry was thinking as she watched him circle around and take his position. Was he being devoured by fear, or was he thinking clearly of the instructions Oliver had given him at the last practice?
Hermione bit her lip as she hoped Harry had a clear head, remembering Oliver telling him to make sure Gryffindor wasn't too far behind or, preferably, was ahead when he caught the Snitch, but to make sure that it was a fast game and ended quickly.
"The players take their positions as Madam Hooch steps onto the field to begin the game!" Lee announced and Hermione rolled her eyes as she wondered why he was stating the obvious.
The crowd quieted though, and they could hear her clearly when she spoke.
"Now, I want a nice, clean game," she said gazing up at the teams. "Fromallof you."
She then opened the trunk.
"The Bludgers are up, followed by the Golden Snitch," Lee said. "Remember, the Snitch is worth a hundred and fifty points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game."
Madam Hooch reached into the trunk pulling out the last ball, tossing it up in the air.
"The Quaffle is released," Lee said excitedly. "And the gamebegins!"
All Hermione saw was a blur of colours and confusion as the players flew around trying to catch the Quaffle. It reminded her of watching ducks or fish at the park she often visited with her dad back home. They looked quite similar when pushed into a feeding frenzy when she and her dad or others in the park would toss food to them.
A bell sounded over the cheering crowd.
"Angelina Johnson scores!" Lee exclaimed excitedly. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
"Well done!" Hagrid boomed beside Hermione and Ron. She could only assume it was a belated shout for Angelina scoring, though his shout came after Harry was nearly unseated from his broom by a Bludger that came streaking by him, so she couldn't be sure.
"Slytherin takes possession of the Quaffle," Lee said. "Bletchley passes to captain, Marcus Flint."
There was a collective groan from the Gryffindor side when the boy in question kicked out with his foot at Angelina's broom when she got close, sending her into a tailspin, luckily she was able to recover.
Flint took the Quaffle and after dodging a Bludger, threw the Quaffle at one of the goal posts. Hermione smiled, blushing when she saw Oliver swing up backward from the other side of the hoop, knocking the Quaffle away before it could pass through, effectively blocking Flint's attempted goal.
With that, Gryffindor regained control of the Quaffle — that was all Hermione knew until she saw Angelina throw it through the hoop at the other end of the field and heard the bell as Lee announced, "Anotherten points to Gryffindor!"
Hermione was sure that the Slytherins were playing dirty after Oliver blocked their next chance to score. She was surprised Madam Hooch didn't call out the cheaters when she saw Flint approach one of his Beaters and take the Beater's bat from him, then slamming a Bludger toward Oliver.
She watched in horror as the Bludger flew back and hit Oliver, knocking him through the hoop he'd just made the save from, and he fell to the ground unconscious. It was all Hermione could do to stay in her seat, but she had promised Harry that she'd watch his first Quidditch game.
Looking up, she saw Harry scowl at Flint before the boy tossed the bat back to his Beater, having wanted to make sure Oliver was out and Gryffindor was without their Keeper.
With no Keeper, Slytherin was able to score on their next possession. Hermione watched in shock at the ruthlessness of the Slytherin team as they then ganged up on one of the Gryffindor Chasers — Hermione couldn't tell who — and only saw them pin her between them until they ran her into one of the towers, and she, too, was out of the game.
After that, Slytherin was able to make another goal.
Hermione barely had time to blink and Harry took off from his position and she realised he'd spotted the Snitch; that had been Oliver's plan. Harry was to circle high or stay in position out of the way of the main game and the threat of Bludgers.
Suddenly, his broom bucked wildly. It swayed and spun trying to unseat him, and was out of control!
"What's going on with Harry's broomstick?" Hagrid asked in confusion as they watched.
Hermione grabbed the omnioculars and peered through them to get a closer look.
She panned down, holding her breath as Harry's broom went into a nosedive, only to gasp when she saw Professor Snape come into clear focus across the pitch, and she saw him moving his lips like he was chanting, his gaze locked on Harry.
"It's Snape," Hermione whispered urgently to Ron. "He's jinxing the broom!" She couldn't believe it, but there he was, right in front of her!
"Jinxing the broom!" Ron cried in agitation. "What do we do?"
"Leave it to me," Hermione told him, and hurried out of the stands, giving the omnioculars to Ron.
Hermione heard a gasp from the crowd as she hurried around the outside of the pitch to the side where she had seen Snape sitting. She didn't stop, and didn't look up — she couldn't afford to. She pushed herself forward, keeping her mind on her task — merely to break Snape's concentration. She didn't even know how yet.
It wasn't until she crept below the stands right under him that she was struck with an idea. She drew out her wand with purpose, pointing it at the robes pooled at his feet and whispered, "Lacarnum Inflamarae."
A spark of fire shot from her wand. She turned rapidly, not waiting to see the results of her spell and swiftly made her way back to Ron and Hagrid, hoping the larger man hadn't noticed her absence.
Hermione ran faster when she heard the gasps from the crowd and came out by the stairs leading to her seat in time to see Harry on the ground looking ill, clutching his stomach and making gagging motions.
"Looks like he's going to be sick," she heard Hagrid say loudly.
Then suddenly, Harry spat something gold out of his mouth!
"He's got the Snitch!" Lee exclaimed. "Harry Potter receives a hundred and fifty points for catching the Snitch!"
Madam Hooch flew out on the field, blowing her whistle. "Gryffindor wins!" she announced.
Cheers went up from all but one side and Hermione joined them from her spot by the stairs, clapping her hands.
Hagrid invited them to his hut to celebrate after the game, and they left together after Harry was changed.
"Nonsense, why would Professor Snape put a curse on Harry's broom?" Hagrid asked, outraged after Hermione had explained to Harry and Hagrid what she had witnessed.
"Who knows?" Harry replied. "Why was he trying to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween?"
"Who told you about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked in an accusatory tone.
"Fluffy?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"Thatthinghas a name?" Hermione followed up.
"Of course he does," Hagrid answered. "He's mine. I bought him off an Irish feller I met down at the pub last year. Then I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the -"
"Yes?" Harry prompted.
"Shouldn't have said that," Hagrid muttered under his breath before looking at them sternly. "No more questions! That's top secret, that is, don't ask any more questions."
"But Hagrid," Harry argued. "Whatever Fluffy's guarding, Snape's trying to steal it."
"Codswallop," Hagrid scolded. "Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher."
"Hogwarts teacher or not," Hermione exclaimed, getting tired of their arguing. "I know a spell when I see one. I read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking."
"Exactly," Harry agreed.
"Now you listen to me," Hagrid said in a no nonsense tone. "All three of ye, you're meddlin' in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous. What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked for clarification that they had heard right.
"I shouldn't have said that," Hagrid muttered, scolding himself. "I should not have said that."
"Nicholas Flamel," Harry mumbled as Hagrid walked away, leaving them behind. "Who's Nicholas Flamel?"
"I don't know," Hermione answered with a shrug of her shoulders and shake of her head when Ron looked at her.
They headed up to Gryffindor tower after that. Hermione figured that they had pushed Hagrid too far with their — so far — unfounded accusations and trying to trick him into telling them who was involved in whatever Fluffy was protecting.
She really wanted to discuss it with Oliver. Maybe he would have some insight, but everyone was still celebrating when they arrived, and like Hagrid had said, she knew they had to keep quiet about whatever was going on, and if Lee and the twins found out, it would be all over the school by midnight.
Excusing herself, she went up to her dorm and wrote Oliver a letter. She was glad to see him with Lee and the twins when she entered, knowing that it was only after a trip to see Madam Pomfrey that he'd returned to the tower to celebrate their victory in the first match of the season.
Writing her letter, she quickly told him what she had seen after he had been knocked unconscious, explaining that Ron had also been there and witnessed it as well — she felt bad with stretching the truth, but this was important, and she needed him to believe her.
Not long after she sent the letter off in the form of a gryphon, Oliver's response returned as a Pegasus.
Opening it, her heart sank as she read:
9November 1991
Hermione,
I am glad that you enjoyed the game, and I am surprised by what you told me of how we won.
I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I have to say that whatever is going on between Nicholas Flamel and Professor Dumbledore is dangerous; particularly since someone attempted a break in at Gringotts to get it, and the lengths Professor Dumbledore went to in order to protect it.
I don't particularly like Professor Snape either, but I have to agree with Hagrid. I don't think that he would try and harm Harry, or any other student, really. I mean, he may go out of his way to make things difficult for everyone — like the twins — when they're in detention, but I don't think he would ever really do anything to put them in danger.
No, I don't recall anything about who Nicholas Flamel is — and if you're really that curious — though I sincerely hope it's only to sate your curiosity rather than put yourself in danger — you might try the library.
I am glad that you are getting on well with Harry and Ron — even if I don't exactly like the reason behind it. I suppose it would be better if they had you there to help them, than them getting into trouble without someone as smart as you to help them get out of it. Just promise me you'll be careful, and no, I won't tell anyone.
Always, your friend,
Oliver