Happy Saturdays, my darlings. Housekeeping note, track season is upon us. And Littlest Penquin is running that. (She has decided she doesn't like flat running, she prefers the hills of cross country. But the coaches love that she also thinks the mile is nothing.) So, there may be Friday posts depending on travel times. User hanasierrahana plans to discuss the story on Instagram if anyone is interested at Instagram hanasierrehan. I own nothing, but enjoy.
Chapter 32 As September Ends
Much the Head Girl's confusion, Adrian threw Hermione a birthday party in the Heads Dorm a few days after her birthday. "Many happy returns, Granger," Garnet said. She looked around noting that the party guests were all friends of the Head Boy.
"Thanks," Hermione beamed and sat next to Marcus gaining another eyebrow raise from Garnet, who remained silent. She retreated to her room. If Granger was comfortable who was she to complain? Hermione looked at Adrian, "Have you not made friends?"
"Baby steps. My romantic reputation precede me," he chuckled.
Daphne rolled her eyes, "He means she's wary because he's a slag."
Hermione giggled, "I am quite aware. His reputatition is openly discussed in Gryffindor. I only think less of him for flirting with Marietta Edgecombe. Get some standards." Everyone laughed.
"Hey, everybody deserves love," he protested.
"Sure, but she's vain, greedy, and believes that if she likes a boy no one else can have him until she's done with him, and maybe not even then. Like I said, standards," Hermione sniffed.
Good natured jokes flew around the room. Laughter carried the small gathering on for hours. She knew some of them were spies, but she appreciated the lengths taken to keep the gathering enjoyable. Theo served cake. He, Marcus, and the Greengrass sisters gave her gifts, small trinkets one would give a friendly acquaintance. They suggested familiarity but gave away nothing personal about Hermione. She thanked them warmly, appreciating the gesture. She left with the four of them. Holding hands, Marcus and Hermione walked a few steps behind the other three. They were about to turn a corner when Astoria swayed then collapsed in a heap. "Tori!" cried Daphne. Theo caught her upper half before her head hit the stone floor.
Hermione and Marcus rushed forward. "What happened?" asked Hermione.
"She faints sometimes, we don't know why," Daphne lied. "The boys can help me get her to Madame Pomfrey." Hermione watched them carry the younger girl. She allowed Daphne the belief that she fooled her. Silly Slytherins and the secrets they thought they kept. She'd visit in the morning when no one expected her.
The faint light of dawn softened the stark pale color of Astoria's skin. Even in sleep she looked tired. Fury boiled in the Druid at the men who tortured generations of women. She schooled her expression when Astoria stirred. "Oh, Hermione. You didn't have to check on me. I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
Astoria shrugged, "I'm as fine as I ever am. The episodes come and go."
"Do you suffer from a blood curse?" Hermione decided she didn't want to play the Slytherin games the girl was used to. Time to remind them she was a Gryffindor.
The girl paled further, "I, uh, that is?"
"Yes or no, Astoria? Pick one. I already know, I just need you to confirm it."
She struggled to sit up and Hermione let her, remained at the side of the bed passively watching. "Yes."
"Do you know the symptoms and if they've changed?"
"I suffer from two actually, that's why my symptoms exist before pregnancy. A wasting disease and blood thinning. Neither Mum nor Daddy knew the other had it in their family line. It isn't something really talked about."
"Would you be okay if I examined it, you really? I want to try to end them, but without knowing the magic in action, I can't."
"Even if you can't do anything, I appreciate the offer to try. It's more than anyone else has done about them in decades. You may."
Having recently touched a Dark Mark the curse was not the vilest energy she'd touched lately, but it still felt slimy and thick. The cruelty inherent in these curses revolted her to the core. As it often did when she immersed herself in the magic time ceased to exist. Maybe minutes passed, perhaps hours before she found her answers. Why it was difficult to treat, why it could hide for generations, why it took decades to affect a witch. Pregnancy had little to do with it. The curse imbedded itself in the witch on the cellular level. Slowly building in power, unable to affect her until it permiated her entire body. "I understand it now. I have to consider the matter."
"Thanks for even trying," Astoria said wanly.
"You're welcome. I'm also considering announcing a follow up curse. If anyone
uses one of these they will curse their own bloodline as well."
"Vengeful, but fair."
"More fair than punishing women with no clue what's going on or why all of this is happening," Hermione said. She left meaning what she said about needing to think. She decided she needed to research magical core.
On the evening of his Occumency lessons, Hermione joined Harry as promised. If her presence surprised Snape he said nothing. He simply began the lesson. She noticed how tense both were. "Perhaps we should meditate to relax ourselves. Both of you are making this harder than it needs to be." Snape glared but agreed. She made both of them sit on the floor before laying on her back. She summoned a light breeze to stir the air. "Let go of the negative. Breathe it out and left the wind carry it away. Seek a balance within yourself."
As her experience grew over the years she relied on meditation less and less. She forgot the dark energy hidden in the castle until she didn't. This time she recognized it. It felt like Riddle's diary, like the Dark Mark, like the Gaunt family ring Dumbledore finally showed them. Like the dark aura she felt flicker in Harry sometimes. She surged upright, making both Harry and Snape jump. "There's a horcrux at Hogwarts."
"You are certain?" questioned Snape.
"Positive. I can feel it. I have felt it. It feels like HIS dark magic. Now we just have to find it."
"Not until Potter can completely keep him out," said Snape. He sighed, "Perhaps it would be better if I taught you and you taught Potter."
She shook her head, "Amira taught me the fae method, it is druidic centric. I could speak with them, maybe they will have a suggestion."
"We will meet again for remedial potions after then," Snape said. Hermione appreciated that he did not feel the need to try and talk her out of it.
Together they returned to the common room. "Do you think the elves can help?" asked Harry finally.
"Never hurts to ask. Worst case they can't and we lose nothing.
"But won't they want something in return?" he asked worriedly.
She shrugged, "Doesn't everybody? Magic has a price. People trade favors all the time. With the fae you just have to be very specific what you ask and the price they request can be high."
"Still," protested Harry.
"Stop. I'm prepared to ask. I will evaluate their request against our need."
His shoulders sagged, "I suppose there's nothing I can say to change you mind."
"You are correct." She hugged him, "But thank you for worrying."
Fog swirled around her feet hiding the stone floor. Torches burned in the widely spaced sconces dimly illuminating the corridor. Her footsteps echoed, the only sound breaking the silence. Something nagged at her, causing disquiet in her soul. The fog only moved when she did. Empty frames lined the moss covered walls. Finally she heard the drip of water. She realized two things simultaneously: one, this hallway was under the surface of Black Lake, and two, she was dreaming. "Find me beyond the guardians," came the whisper. "Now, before it is too late. Seek the lost." A crash of thunder startled her and she sat upright in bed, her heart pounding and chest heaving. Crookshanks rubbed his face against hers.
She petted her familiar, "Beyond the guardians, seek the lost." She still felt the urgency from the dream. She wondered if she should start looking immediately, that night even. Crookshanks scratched her hand and hissed when she reached for the blanket. He gave her a look. "You're right, Crooksie. I'm being absurd. Just because a dream said hurry does not mean we listen. Tomorrow is soon enough. She settled back down, her sat settling on her chest. She continued to pet him as his purrs lulled her back to sleep. Her following dreams remained shrouded and elusive.
Hermione rose the next morning bleary eyed and tired. She yawned all the way to breakfast before resting her head on the table. "Um, Mione," started Ron, "you look horrible."
"But I feel so great. Thanks, Ron," she snarked.
"It isn't Ronnie's fault the thunderstorm kept you up," said Lavender briskly.
"It's wasn't the storm. I had odd dreams. I have to find something or someone one. It's urgent apparently."
Lavender snorted, "You don't believe in Divination, remember?"
"I don't believe you can teach it. Either you have the gift or you don't. And not every dream is prophetic," Hermione snapped. "This one wasn't, it was more of a message."
Parvati rolled her eyes, "Professor Trewlaney's right some people are just closed off. You have to accept that."
Any other morning Hermione would have rolled her eyes or just ignored the duo. But the stress of the last few months, years of doing twice the work of anyone else combined with her lack of sleep caused something inside her to snap. "You're right. I'm just a Druid, what the fuck could I possibly know about my own prophetic abilities?" Before anyone could respond she stood and strode from the Great Hall. The other Gryffindors stared at one another in surprise. Only Neville noticed Marcus Flint following close behind her out of the room.
She let her feet carry her forward without concious thought. "Hermione! Wait up!" Blinking she halted, pulled from her haze not the least bit confused why she was headed towards the dungeons. She turned and waited for Marcus to catch up with her. "Where's the emergency, little witch?"
"No where. Sorry if I worried you."
"What's wrong?" he asked his concern clear in his blue eyes.
"I won't lie and say nothing. I had a dream last night and it puzzled me. I didn't sleep well. Then Lavender and Parvati's blind worship of Trewlaney annoyed me. I lost my temper a bit."
"What kind of dream?" he asked.
"I walked down a creepy corridor looking for someone. Someone important, or maybe something, you know dream logic. It left me feeling uneasy and panicked with its urgency."
"Do you know where to start?" He looked around.
"The dungeons or even further down. Beyond the guardians. Lovely vague dream clues," she shook her head ruefully.
"I'll keep my eyes peeled," he promised.
She kissed his cheek, "Thank you."
"Any time, little witch." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Let's get you to class."
"If I must."
She put everything from her mind and let Marcus guide her up to the main levels. Maybe some day the pressing business could take turns, one thing at a time. Maybe. Hermione took the seat next to Ron, with Harry just beyond in Transfiguration. She focused on the complex spell work to drive the lingering unease left from the urgency of her thoughts.
"You have reached the stage when your work is converting the skills you learned earlier into more practical things. Most of you are most likely never going to need to turn a tortiose into a teapot, but the ability to change one's clothing on a whim is delightful," lectured McGonagall. Always adept at transfiguration, Hermione swiftly turned the blanket before her into a cloak. The similar shapes aided in her instant success. "Well done, Miss Granger."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Lavender snorted in derision, "Of course the know-it-all can do it all."
The deputy headmistress shot the girl a look of censure and she shrank back. Hermione rolled her eyes. Feeling petty she switched the cloak back to a blanket silently then stood. With a twirl she changed her uniform and robes to a gossamer cape and floor length ballgown. She made eye contact with the other girl and twirled again changing everything back. McGonagall smiled approvingly, "Five points from Gryffindor for rudeness. Ten points to Gryffindor for demonstrating the advanced application of our current assignment." Hermione sat. She turned her attention to Ron. He goggled her for a moment before turning his attention to his blanket. Moments later when he succeed she smiled encouragingly. She could feel the heat from Lavender's glare on the back of her head.
Blissfully it was the last class she shared with Lavender. The rest of her day passed peacefully. Seeing no reason to put it off she told Harry she would visit the fae at twilight. Marcus found her in the library. "Can I interest you in a stroll about the grounds after dinner?"
"I would love to if you're okay with me going off with Harry to talk to the fae in the forest after."
"In that case, I'm inviting myself along," he said sternly.
Though surprised by his tone, she didn't have any objection to him joining them, "If you like." Surprise crossed his face, "What? Did you think I would object?"
"I considered you might."
"I'm not hiding anything any more. So, come along if you want. But, as always with Druid stuff, I'm in charge."
"No argument there," he agreed. She kissed him. "What was that for?"
"Being sensible and understanding."
"I will try and keep it up." He stood, "Don't revise too long."
"I won't," she promised.
At the table Lavender and Pavarti waxed on and on in great detail about their Divination lesson. They started learning about prophetic dreams that afternoon. They would be keeping dream journals. "You should keep one," the blonde haughtily told Hermione.
"I'm good. If it's something I need to know the dreams will repeat." She shrugged, "Or at least they always have so far. But you have fun with it." She looked at her plate. "I think I'm done." She made to stand up.
"In a hurry to get back to your precious books?" sneered Lavender.
"No, I think I'll go walk in my woods." She stood. "I don't care what crawled up your arse and died, Lavender, but get it removed before I remove it for you. I'm tired of this little attitude. You don't have to like me, but you will be civil and polite." The other girl sat blinking.
Seamus nodded, "Mione's right. She never starts anything, but you do. And it's off base. You were there for the wyverns. You know what happened. Is this how you're going to repay that? With childish taunts and snippy comments?" If Lavender responded Hermione didn't hear. She left the Great Hall. She knew Marcus wouldn't be far behind.
He caught up with her as she walked down the front staircase outside of the castle. "Brown still being a pain?"
"Sort of. I have no idea where her attitude is coming from, but like Ron's behavior last year, I'm over it."
He laced his fingers with hers, "Do you have any idea how nice this is?"
"What? Holding hands or the autumn air?"
"Both of those are nice enough, but I mean being able to be with you out in public without worrying if anyone will see us and what they'll think."
She laughed, "Oh, they'll think things. You're up to no good. That I've misplaced my good sense and fallen for some dastardly plot. And when everything is over and we tell the whole story they'll be embarrassed and claim they knew the truth all along." Playfully she swung his arm.
"No doubt. Tori said you're going to try and help her."
"I want to. I want to do it in a manner that any healer can replicate. It attacks the witch on a cellular level. Pregnancy has little to do with triggering it, or rather it isn't the catalyst. It does accelerate it due to the stress on the body. The issue will be creating a treatment that heals on the cellular level, or blocks off the magical core from the curse."
"Just trying is kind of amazing."
"Everyone keeps saying that. Or that it's impossible. So is fighting to wyverns simultaneously, but here we are on the other side."
"I like to pretend that didn't happen, thank you very much."
"I doubt that will be the craziest thing I do."
"Still going to pretend it didn't happen," he said.
"If you must." They wandered about speaking of nothings as the sun began to set. Two figures approached in the dying light. "Ugh. Ron's delusions are getting annoying. I don't need a babysitter or protector. Don't want one either."
"So long as the same rules apply to him, I'm not bothered by it."
"They will be. This is my world. Arguing with me is not an option." She waited by her preferred path through the forest for the other two to reach them. "Pay attention I am only going to say this once. I am in charge. No arguing, no talking over me. I am asking. I am agreeing or disagreeing to the terms. You will remain silent or you will be hexed. Do you understand?"
"Yes," answered Marcus immediately.
"Depends on what they ask for," said Harry. Ron nodded.
"Then you stay here. This is not a negotiation. I am their equal. You are not. Do not embarrass me."
"Mione," whined Ron.
"No. I do not need you fucking this up in some convulted attempt at protecting me. You will be silent, or I will make you dance about the courtyard naked."
"Okay, okay, we get it." Ron held his hands up in surrender.