Dear Miss Granger,
Thank you for your thoughtful letter and for your interest in my work. I appreciate your diligence in researching this matter, and I hope I can offer some useful insight.
Your account is indeed, unusual. As you noted, blood curses typically manifest with consistently adverse effects, particularly in response to stressors such as physical contact or heightened emotion. Your experience of a soothing reaction to touch is not something I have personally documented, though it is not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.
There are cases where blood magic interacts unpredictably with external factors, including individuals with specific magical properties or ancestral ties to the curse itself. However, without a thorough analysis of the cursed object, it is difficult to draw any concrete conclusions. I strongly recommend that the object in question be examined by an expert in dark magical artifacts.
Fortunately, there is someone within your reach who may be able to assist you. Professor Violet Brindlemore, who currently teaches at Hogwarts, was once my apprentice and is well-versed in the study of blood curses. I believe she would be an excellent resource in helping you determine the nature of your condition and whether this anomaly you describe has any precedent.
I urge you to seek her counsel and, if possible, arrange for an examination of the cursed item in question. Please do keep me informed of your findings – I would be most interested in any developments regarding this rare phenomenon.
Wishing you success in your research.
Regards,
Professor Alaric Faulkner
"Fuck," Theo said dejectedly, tossing the letter hopelessly in front of him.
"Charming evaluation, Theo," Hermione retorted, irritation clear in her voice. She had just returned from the Owlery, having read the letter on her way to find Theo. It had arrived just over a week after Hermione had sent hers. Malfoy had left for France earlier in the week, leaving the two of them to continue their research.
The pair were now seated on a stone bench beneath a sprawling oak tree in the courtyard. The late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the few students that milled about the space. Theo let out a slow breath, tilting his head back frustratedly. "So, we've made no progress. We can't do anything without that fucking dagger."
Hermione shook her head as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She felt the familiar burn spread through her forearm as though it was reacting to the news alongside them.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Theo said genuinely, noticing a tear escape her eye and run down her cheek.
Hermione shook her head. "It's not your fault," she responded, choking out a hopeless laugh. "I just hate feeling like we're at a standstill."
Theo's gaze drifted across the courtyard, where a group of younger students passed by, laughing. "Yeah," he muttered. "Me too."
For a moment, they sat in silence again, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them. Hermione dug her thumb nail deep into the skin of her scar, willing the pain to go away. Then, she straightened her shoulders. "I'm going to go and talk to Professor Brindlemore."
"You're going to tell her?" Theo questioned incredulously.
"No," Hermione countered. "I'm just going to ask her some questions."
"Okay…" Theo drawled. "Shall I come with you?"
"No," Hermione repeated. "I'll keep you updated."
And with that, she charged off, heading for the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom in search of Professor Faulkner's star apprentice.
As Hermione reached the classroom door, she hesitated for only a second before knocking firmly.
"Enter," came Professor Brindlemore's clear voice from within.
Steeling herself, Hermione pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, as usual. At the centre of the room, sat Professor Brindlemore, flipping through various piles of parchment. She looked up from her work, fixing on Hermione with an appraising stare.
"Miss Granger," she said, setting the parchment down. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Good afternoon, Professor." Hermione took a deep breath, readying herself to spin yet another complex lie to get the information she needed without arousing suspicion. "I was hoping to ask you some questions in regards to the research I am hoping to conduct as part of my optional N.E.W.T project."
That was more of a half-truth. Hermione had discussed completing an optional research project that would award her further honours upon her graduation, with Professor Brindlemore. It had been merely in passing after assisting in class. However, it was now the perfect explanation for why she would be so interested in such a specific topic.
"Of course," Professor Brindlemore responded firmly. "What can I assist you with?"
"I recently acquired a book written by Professor Alaric Faulkner," Hermione began carefully. "One on the identification of curses."
"Ah, yes," Brindlemore acknowledged. "A rather interesting topic. You are aware that I worked as Professor Faulkner's apprentice?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I sent him a letter regarding a specific area of interest and he mentioned that you might have some insight."
"Oh? And what area is that?" Brindlemore questioned.
"I would like to focus my research on blood curses. Specifically, the unexpected or unusual reaction of blood curses under certain conditions," Hermione explained, trying to keep her voice even so as not to sound too close to the case.
"I see," Brindlemore responded. "That certainly sounds very interesting, Miss Granger."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione replied with a small smile. "In his letter, Professor Faulkner mentioned than in order to effectively identify the cause of a certain reaction, one would need to be in possession of the cursed object."
Brindlemore nodded. "Yes, that would be correct."
"Might I trouble you with a hypothetical, Professor?" Hermione asked, shifting gear. Brindlemore nodded, indicating for her to proceed. "What would one do if they did not know the location of the cursed object?"
Brindlemore hummed thoughtfully. "Well, that would certainly make things more difficult," she began. "It is sometimes possible to ascertain the cause of the curse by analysing the affected blood… But that is not always an accurate method. In fact, it has led to many a mistrial at the Wizengamot due to unreliable results."
"So that's why Professor Faulkner said that analysing the item is the most concrete method," Hermione deduced.
"Yes," Brindlemore confirmed. "Alternatively, depending on the type of curse, one may be able to track down the item."
"How so?" Hermione questioned, trying to conceal the hopeful tone of her voice with that of purely academic interest.
"Many cursed objects are bound to a particular lineage," Brindlemore explained. "Blood magic has a way of reinforcing itself, ensuring that whatever enchantment was placed on an object does not simple dissipate over time. If a cursed artifact is separated from its owner, it often finds a way of returning."
"Returning to its owner?" Hermione questioned. Brindlemore nodded once in response. "But Professor, what would happen if the owner of the cursed artifact were… dead?"
Professor Brindlemore raised her brow. Hermione felt her heart rate increase, hoping she hadn't given too much away. "If that were the case, it is highly possible that the cursed artifact may find its way back to someone connected to the original owner. Particularly is the object was created with intent. Blood magic is deeply personal. It latches onto ties of family, sentiment, or even unfinished business."
Hermione nodded, absorbing the information and her stomach twisted at the thought of the dagger having returned to someone in the Lestrange family. "Thank you, Professor," Hermione said sincerely. She still had a hundred questions she wanted to ask but she was fearful of arousing further suspicion. "I appreciate your time."
Brindlemore studied her for a moment before giving a short nod. As Hermione turned to leave, she called her back, "Miss Granger? Might I confirm that these questions stem from a purely academic point of view?"
Hermione gulped. "Of course, Professor. It's a thoroughly fascinating area of research."
Brindlemore's eyes narrowed. "Very well," she responded.
Hermione turned back towards the exit and quickened her pace, not only to escape further questioning, but to write down everything she'd just been told.
Hermione spent several days gathering her thoughts and meticulously refining her research, her mind a whirlwind of questions and never-ending notes. Between the relentless demands of her classes, the weekly responsibility of teaching Professor Brindlemore's second-year students, and the ever-expanding depths of her research, she scarcely had a moment to herself. Fatigue clung to her like a second skin, her body running on sheer willpower and the distant promise of Christmas break – the only light at the end of an exhausting tunnel.
For most of November, she had enjoyed a rare reprieve from pain. But now, the familiar ache in her arm had returned with a vengeance. It gnawed at her, a dull yet persistent throb that made is almost impossible to sleep. When the pain kept her tossing and turning deep into the night, she buried herself in research, scrawling frantic notes by wand light in a desperate attempt to distract herself.
It was a late Wednesday night when Hermione slipped quietly out into the common space, the tip of her wand illuminated as she carefully crossed the room to assess if Theo had fallen asleep. Despite Malfoy's current absence, Theo remained in his makeshift bedroom, nestled in the farthest corner of the common space – insisting it was far preferable to the unwelcoming confines of his Slytherin dormitory.
"Alright Hermione?" she heard a groggy voice come from the bed.
"Sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Theo chuckled and sat up, rubbing his eyes to adjust to the light. "It's fine, I hadn't fallen asleep yet anyway."
"Can we talk?" she asked hopefully.
"Course," Theo confirmed. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to update me."
Hermione cast a sheepish glance at the journal clutched in her left hand, its pages worn from constant use. She had started keeping it when their research had become to intricate to trust to memory alone. She hadn't meant to ignore Theo but she had been so utterly consumed by her thoughts that finding a place to begin felt impossible.
Theo, ever patient, merely tapped the space beside him on the bed, a silent yet expectant gesture. With a heavy sigh. Hermione relented, sinking down into the offered spot. The mattress dipped beneath her as she began flipping through her journal, smoothing out the two pages filled with dense, hurried notes – the aftermath of her conversation with Professor Brindlemore. She handed it to Theo who accepted it carefully.
His eyes scanned the pages carefully, his brow furrowing in concentration. "The cursed artifact may find its way back to someone connected to the original owner," He read aloud. Hermione nodded in confirmation. "So, the Lestrange's?" he questioned.
"Or the Black's," Hermione offered.
"Shit," Theo sighed, leaning back into his pillow.
"I've narrowed it down to three possible locations," Hermione explained, turning the page. "First is Lestrange Manor – though I'm not so sure about that one."
"Why?" Theo questioned, much like Hermione had initially thought, it seemed to be the obvious answer.
"Well firstly, it's empty," she explained. "If the dagger is in fact tied to someone connected to Bellatrix, it couldn't be there. And it couldn't possibly have made its way into Azkaban with Rodolphus." Theo nodded in agreement. "Besides, Bellatrix's marriage to Rodolphus Lestrange was arranged. I don't think the dagger would have an allegiance to that name."
"So, you think it's more likely to be with a Black?" Theo questioned, his eyes scanning down the page.
Hermione nodded. "It's possible it could be at Grimmauld Place given the strong connection to the Black family. But Harry currently owns it – I find it hard to believe that it would be there."
Theo sighed. "So that leaves–"
"Malfoy Manor," Hermione interrupted. "It makes sense. That was where the dagger was when it was last in Bellatrix's possession. And its only occupant is Narcissa Black."
"So, what you're saying is, I was right," Theo responded, his tone less serious than it had been previously. Hermione glared at him, perplexed. "Remember, when I suggested we get Draco to ask his mother if she knew anything?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, ignoring the comment despite the truth to it. "I can visit Grimmauld Place over the Christmas holiday but I don't know how to go about searching the other two locations."
"Well, you said that Lestrange Manor is the most unlikely, so hopefully we won't have to find a way to break in there," Theo started. "As for Malfoy Manor – I can search it."
"How?" Hermione questioned.
"I'm staying with Draco over Christmas," he explained.
"I still don't want Malfoy knowing about this," Hermione said sternly.
"Relax," Theo insisted. "I'll do it secretly."
Hermione glared at him sceptically but resigned, knowing how important Theo's help would be. She nodded slowly and thanked him, hoping that something would come of their search. Theo continued to flip through the pages of Hermione's journal before landing on a page that had been mostly scratched out. After taking a moment to decipher the words he tilted his head questioningly. "You didn't want to pursue this?"
The page in question consisted of a series of notes Hermione had taken after she'd looked into blood analysis. "Professor Brindlemore mentioned it," she explained. "But she said that its reliability is inconsistent… I looked into it further and she's most definitely right. There have been so many cases where blood analysis has been used to reveal the assailant of a blood curse only to have been found inconclusive, or even completely wrong."
Theo hummed in response. "It might still be worth trying, though," he suggested. "If there's even a small chance it could help, we should do it. At least until we can locate the dagger."
"It's a complicated procedure," Hermione explained.
"When has that ever stopped you?" Theo retorted with a smirk. Hermione responded with a small smile, implicitly agreeing that it was something they should pursue.
The conversation shifted to unrelated small talk. Eventually, Theo began to yawn so uncontrollably that Hermione got the hint and insisted she return to her room. Just as she stood to leave, a sudden thought struck her. She hesitated a moment before turning back to Theo who was now sprawled against his pillows, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.
"I'll be right back," she said abruptly, darting in the direction of her room.
Theo cracked one eye open, watching her with mild curiosity. "Should I be concerned?" he called after her, his voice thick with sleep.
Hermione didn't answer as she slipped through the doorway and into her room. She had meant to give it to him earlier but between the research and everything else consuming her thoughts, she had nearly forgotten. Rummaging through her trunk, she carefully pulled out the small, wrapped package.
When she returned to the common space, Theo was still fighting back sleep. He blinked at her when she approached, brows furrowing in confusion as she held the gif out towards him.
"What's this?" he asked, eyeing it suspiciously.
"It's a gift, Theo." Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "You do know how those work, don't you?" she added sarcastically with a giggle.
He scoffed but there was a flicker of something – surprise, maybe even warmth – as he carefully took the package from her hands. "You got me a present?"
"Of course," she replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's your birthday, isn't it?"
Theo stared at her for a beat, his fingers running over the wrapping paper, as if testing whether it was real. "You remembered?"
"Obviously," Hermione replied but there was a softness to her tone.
He shook his head slightly, still looking stunned. "Most people don't."
Something in his voice made her chest tighten, but she chose not to press. Instead, she simply nudged the package towards him with the knowledge that Theo would likely be happy with the gift, regardless of its contents.