Hello, my freaky darlings. Some housekeeping. First, I have plans next Saturday so that you will get your chapter early. 30 years ago I introduced my sister to Riverdance, and for Christmas she got tickets to see the anniversary tour. Second, I had a touch of writer's block and have nearly caught up with myself. I am trying to stay one chapter ahead, so fingers crossed. But enough about me, enjoy.
Chapter 39 Showdowns
They returned to Hogwarts before Hermione knew it, the last weeks of the break flying by. The Thursday after their return Harry and Hermione prepared to head to their first Occulmency lesson. Harry stood in front of Ron, who sat on the couch entwined with Lavender. "We're headed to Occulmency, are you coming or not, mate?"
Lavender forced a stricken look on her face, "Oh, Won-Won, don't leave me."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "We'll be gone an hour, two at the most. You would survive."
The blonde sniffed, "I don't expect you to understand, you're not in love." A few others tittered.
The laughter snapped the tenuous hold Hermione held on her temper. "This is not love," she scoffed gesturing between the two on the couch. "This is adolescent infatuation. The fragile rush at the beginning of a relationship. Something you will never move beyond if you continue to cling to interactions made of lust and candy floss: conversations devoid of substance, cloying declarations, and the constant need for physical contact. When was the last time you spent any time in the same location not attached at the hip? What was the last conversation you had that wasn't annoying baby talk and who loves who more?"
"Ron told me he was training to protect me," snapped Lavender.
"Good, you do occasionally discuss the world outside of yourself."
"You're just jealous..." she started, but Hermione cut her off.
"Of what? Get this through your pea sized brain: I do not now, nor have I ever, fancied Ron. I am not dating Marcus because Ron is unavailable. We've been friendly far longer than any of you realize because I am an amazing actress who can keep a freaking secret. There is no competition between us beyond the one you created in your head. Get over yourself." She looked at Ron. "Either you are in or you are out. I don't care which. But decide and commit. We are beyond one foot on both sides. Either walk through the door or close it." She spun on her heel and stalked out.
After a few moments, Harry joined her alone. "Sorry, not sorry? They both needed to hear that. This repeated theme is getting old."
Harry nodded, "They did. He wisely decided to stay back. One, because you need space to cool off. And, two, they need to have a serious conversation. Several people agreed with you, pointing out how off putting their behavior has been."
"So, he's in?" she asked as they made their way across the castle.
"He says he is. Tonight when we're alone in the dorm room I'm going to stress his behavior changes or he's out and getting left behind. We can be friends, but either he does the work or he can sit it out. I'm not carrying him."
"That's beyond fair. And more chances than he would have given us."
Snape waited for them in the Defense classroom, "Good evening. I hope your break was pleasant and all that. Mine was adequate," he deadpanned.
"Banal chit chat, check," joked Hermione.
"Down to business," declared Harry.
"Are you able to pinpoint the location?" asked Snape.
"I've never tried, but I will. First, I want to show you something." She pulled the enchanted dagger from the ether. "The Morrigan's blade was designed to destroy the soul fragment without damaging the vessel. She used it to destroy Herpo the Foul's."
"When did she tell you that?" asked Harry.
"She didn't. Like a lot of information, it just came to me. I understand why Druids annoy people. It isn't that we keep secrets, at least I don't, but we don't always have all the information at any given time. And then suddenly we do."
"Do we know how many horcruxes Riddle created? Snape asked.
Hermione looked at Harry. He shrugged, "Five or six, maybe? I got the diary. Dumbledore destroyed his signet ring. He seemed to favor items that belonged to the Founders. And me, according to Hermione."
"Look, I told you why I didn't say anything."
"I get it," Harry held up his hands in surrender.
Snape looked at them in horror, "Mr. Potter is a horcrux?"
"Yes, but thanks to this he doesn't have to die. He's welcome."
Struggling to recover, Snape straightened his clothes. "Moving on, let's see if you can pinpoint a location to start looking."
"Sounds like a plan." She settled on the floor lying on her back in her preferred position. Harry sat nearby. Snape watched both of them perched on the edge of her desk. She began to relax.
The door flung open, "Severus, there you are. I wondered if..." Professor Burbage rushed in. She stopped short seeing Harry sitting and Hermione lying on the floor. "Why are there students on the floor?"
"We are working on Occulmency. I instructed them to get comfortable. As you can see Miss Granger and Mr. Potter find the floor comfortable." They both waved at her.
"I see," she said slowly continuing to watch the students.
"Is there something I can help you with, Charity?"
"Um, yes, I was wondering if you had time to look into that matter for me?"
"Yes, what you wanted to mix will be fine."
She answered without looking away from the students, "Oh, thank you. Well, I will leave you to it, then." She left them, the door clicking to signify she was gone.
"Gods save me from that woman," he muttered, louder, "No matter. Back to business."
Hermione wiggled around getting comfortable. She lulled herself back into a relaxed state. She felt the darkness in Harry, the lingering residue of the ring and the basilisk, and the other stronger energy. She focused on it, pushing the others away, blocking them out. 'Where are you?' she asked in her mind. Across the castle, towards the trophy room and above. Slowly she opened her eyes and sat up. "Across the castle and up," she reported.
Snape glanced at the clock, "That's enough for tonight." He held up a hand to stall her protests. "Just because you can push yourself further does not mean you have to. Feel around as you go about your day, but we will conduct a proper search in two weeks." She huffed but obeyed. Harry laughed at her silently.
Ron eagerly waited for them in the common room the next morning, "So, we're skipping the running to go find this thing, right?"
"No," said Harry, "we're training, going to class, then you and I have quidditch practice. If Hermione senses it we can look about, but otherwise, we'll search again in two weeks. If you want to help you'll have to give up your evening."
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione cut him off, "Mention your girlfriend and I will hit you. Make the time or don't."
Ron glared, the tips of his ears turning red, but Harry spoke up, "Enough. You said you were in. Be in." Ron remained silent as Neville joined them. Both Hermione and Harry changed the subject to neutral topics. They made the usual conversation with Theo and Marcus: school work, gossip, and upcoming quidditch matches. The physical exertion drove the agitation out of him. He watched them. While Hermione and Marcus looked at one another warmly, they didn't have to be in close physical contact constantly. They held hands on the way back up to the castle, making plans to meet and do homework together later. Harry's words about no one expecting more of him than they did themselves raced around his head. For years Hermione had done this and found the time for friends. In a moment of clarity and self awareness, he admitted to himself he had ignored her efforts and added to her workload.
After quidditch practice and dinner, Ron settled at the table in the common room. He consulted his assignment list. The most pressing assignment looked to be his potions essay. He got started as Harry joined him. "Hermione's going to join us in a bit once she and Flint finish in the library."
Ron shrugged, "She's entitled to spend time with him, I suppose."
"How generous of you," laughed Harry. The two got started on their homework, often comparing notes. Hermione and a few other girls came through the portrait hole, Lavender not far behind them.
"Won-Won!" cried the blonde rushing to him. "I missed you."
"Oh, hi, Lavender," said Ron moving over. Hermione moved in their direction in a more sedate manner, Ginny stopped her with a question. "I'm nearly done. Want to join us?"
"Wonnie," she whined. "I've been working ALL afternoon. I want to do something fun."
"Sorry, I had quidditch practice, I'll be done soon." He refocused on his homework.
"Come on, Won-Won, just spend a little time with me," she wheedled. "You can finish this later."
"As soon as I'm done."
With a huff, Lavender threw herself into the chair across from Ron. "Fine." Growing bored, she examined the spells scrawled in the margins of Harry's book. "Levicorpus."
A startled cry pierced the air. In the open space between the couches and the tables, tiny Dennis Creevy hung upside down in the open space at the center of the room everyone staring in horror.
"Ah, shit," cried Harry, "libecorpus." Hermione caught him as he dropped. "Sorry, Dennis."
"All good," the younger boy called. He gazed up at Hermione, grinning ear to ear. "My hero."
"Stay out of trouble, would you?" she replied.
He shrugged, "Trouble is more fun." She lowered him to his feet and turned her attention back to the table of 6th years.
Hermione stormed over, eyes blazing, "Harry James Potter, what did I say about that book? Someone is going to get hurt!"
Shaken by what happened Lavender lashed out, "Oh, knock it off. You're not in charge or our mothers."
Neville surged to his feet, "But we are prefects. Five points for playing with magic of unknown origin in the common room." Several people gasped in surprise at the venom in his tone.
Lavender protested, "No one got hurt. Granger's just being bossy and no one needs her sticking her nose in. She's just upset about Ron."
"Oh, get over yourself!" snapped Ginny. "Mione could give fuck all about your relationship. You have got to stop this. You are being an idiotic child."
Feeling attacked Lavender lashed out again, "I am not immature. Hermione's bitter. She's been mean and refusing to do homework since we started dating. She disappears for hours to sulk."
"What Hermione is- is tired. Tired of working twice as hard as anyone else and then being expected to carry the rest of you. No one even asks anymore. You thrust your parchment at me as if I don't have my own work or deserve relaxation. Like I owe you. I'm doing the same things I've been doing for years. You just never noticed before. This weird competition is only in your head. Ron is my friend. I have the same affection for him as I do for Harry or Neville. I'm dating Marcus Flint because I fancy him. We've been flirting for a while."
"When? No one saw you," shot back Lavender.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "No one pays attention to me unless they want something. And I'm done. Since I'm just an unwanted bossy know-it-all, I'll stop inflicting my presence on you." She stalked to the portrait hole and threw it open. She just managed to keep from slamming the portrait closed behind her. Before it sealed she heard the explosion of noise. "Lila."
Her fierce house elf appeared immediately. "Lila has never been more angry. How dare loud blonde girl insult mistress," the tiny being raged.
"Be at peace, my friend," soothed Hermione. "Please pack my belongings and take them to the Refuge. I will not share quarters with that annoyance any longer."
"Right away, mistress." She popped away.
Alerted to an issue in the common room by the portraits, Professor McGonagall arrived moments later. "Miss Granger, what is happening?"
"Miss Brown continued her current pattern of believing what she wants, ignoring what she doesn't, and annoying me. As her favorite theme is I'm a bitter, nosy, bossy, unwanted know-it-all I am removing myself to my proper rooms."
"Proper rooms?"
"The Druid's Refuge. As an adult member, I have full access to the rooms. In cases of emergency, the house elves can reach me, even if the staff cannot. I have too much on my plate to deal with her antics. But as my head of house, you should be aware of my location in the castle."
"Thank you. And may I commend your continued maturity with this situation."
"You're welcome. Good night, professor. Though I should warn you, I am done with her antics and attitudes."
"Good night, wise one," the deputy headmistress watched her student walk away before entering Gryffindor Tower. Shouting greeted her. Several older students seemed to be squared off.
"Are you going to let her talk to me that way?" Lavender screamed at Ron pointing at Ginny.
"ENOUGH!" barked McGonagall. Silence blanketed the room. "Mr. Weasley is not his sister's keeper. Nor does he have any authority over her. Therefore it is not in his power to allow or disallow anything. Furthermore, Miss Brown, learn to fight your own battles. Now, someone explain what is going on." She looked about the chamber sternly.
Neville stepped forward bravely, "Someone accidentally cast an unknown spell. Hermione got irritated, and rightly so, she's warned us often enough. Words were exchanged."
"I see, Why was everyone yelling when I came in?"
Ginny took over, "Lavender got mad at Hermione for getting irritated. She said some rude stuff and started repeating the rumors she made up about Hermione. Hermione left. The fighting continued because some of us are tired of it and Lavender's attitude needs adjusting."
McGonagall looked around again, "Where did this unknown magic come from?"
"My used Potions textbook," admitted Harry. "I don't know who cast it." He looked at Lavender to see if she would speak up. She remained silent and looked at anything but Harry and Ron.
"Keep your book out of the hands of others, please. And place an order for a new one before someone gets injured."
Harry hung his head, "Yes, ma'am."
"And Miss Brown, I advise you to stop gossiping about others and creating your narratives. Rita Skeeter is not a role model to be emulated."
The girl dropped her eyes, chastened by the criticism, "Yes, ma'am."
"I expect this to be the last of all this nonsense." She looked at all of them again before sweeping out.
They stared at one another in silence. "Professor McGonagall is right." Attention pivoted to Ron, "I don't fancy Hermione. I never did. We're friends, full stop. I'm not some prize you won." He sighed, "I let some annoyance fester and convinced myself you were right. But she never fancied me. You've got to stop the sniping and veiled insults. And she did warn Harry about the book and those spells. We don't know what they do. We should be more careful of them."
"Very mature attitude, Ron," said Neville.
"Yeah," Ron rubbed the back of his neck, "well that escalated quickly."
"It always does," agreed Ginny. "You owe Hermione an apology for your part in all of this." She looked at her brother. "As do you." The last was directed at Lavender, who for her part tried not to sneer.
He hung his head again, "I know. And I will, I swear."
"You better."
Hermione woke feeling refreshed. The Refuge created a bathroom to rival the Prefect's bathroom, becoming a proper dorm. She had lingered in the bath before bed the night before. Lila ignored her protest and laid out her uniform to prepare for her return from training. She slipped out of the castle without fanfare. She joined the others on the stone stairs. "Good morning," she chirped.
"Good morning, Hermione," Ron said softly. "Could we talk real fast? Now, before I lose the ability to speak from exercising."
"I suppose." They hung back a few steps.
She walked in silence waiting for him to speak. After his behavior over the last two months, she refused to make things easy for him. Finally, he spoke, "I'm sorry. I should have spoken up sooner. I should have corrected Lavender, especially since I know you've been seeing Flint. I don't know what came over me."
"If I had to guess, I think you liked that she saw you as a prize. Someone people should fight over. While we do not take you for granted, I think you feel overlooked sometimes."
"Yeah," he said softly.
"But, Ron? The best way out from under the shadows of us is the hard work required to shine on your own."
"I get it."
"And stop comparing yourself to everyone else. We all have our own strengths. Play to yours."
"Old patterns are hard to break. Quiet bullying is my default, deflect attention by pointing out someone else's flaws. One that I started to break. One that I have to keep broken. I told Lavender this behavior stops. I have schoolwork, quidditch, and responsibilities. My friends are depending on me." She started to respond but stopped. "No, go ahead. Say it."
"More than that, Harry wants you at his side, but if you don't start stepping up he can, and should, replace you."
"That, too. I considered the possibility."
"The first step in change is acknowledging you need to. I know you can do this, Ron. But you have to do the work."
"I get it."
"Good," she nodded. She hoped this would be the last they spoke of the matter. Lavender kept to herself, and Ron stepped up his involvement in all aspects of training. He slowly began cutting back on the amount of time spent in public displays of affection. He promised to work towards joining them in the search for the horcrux with Snape. So far, they had yet to narrow the location down much in the vast castle.