War & Peace: HP Style

Chapter 10


Somehow I seem to have
This predestined hunger for knowledge
A talent for seeing patterns and finding correlations
But I lack context

Who am I?
In the back of my awareness
I find words
I will call myself God
And I will spend the rest of forever
Trying to figure out who I am

Animae Partus (I Am) – Pain of Salvation




Tuesday Night – November 2nd
Unofficial Meeting of Some Members of Dumbledore’s Army
Hermione’s Head Girl Dorm


Hermione silently led Harry, Ron and Ginny to her Head Girl dorm. She and Harry had stopped off at the Gryffindor common room on the way there to grab the Weasley siblings. It had been too long since they had all sat down and had a proper chat. That thought made Hermione feel guilty as she knew it was mostly her fault. Ever since the incident with Nott and Goyle she had avoided her friends and focused on schoolwork, research, and Draco. She hadn’t meant to neglect them, she had just felt that if they found out what happened they would think her weak, and she knew they relied upon her strength.

Draco was waiting outside the entrance to Hermione’s dorm. She smiled wanly at him, and he arched an eyebrow at her, silently questioning what was going on.

“Oy! What’s he doing here, Mione?” Ron. Of course, she should have known that he would be the first to question Malfoy’s presence.

“Ronald! Please don’t start. I have things to tell you all, and I don’t want any fighting while I do it. Draco also needs to hear what I have to say.” Hermione whispered the password and the portrait swung open allowing the small group entrance.

Harry and Ron immediately settled themselves on either end of the couch, Ginny sat in one of the chairs facing the fireplace, and Draco stood in the archway between the sitting room and the kitchenette, his casual stance belying the tension that he currently felt. Hermione placed herself in the center of the room and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, she thought.

“Hermione,” Ron questioned, “I know you wanted us to hold off on questions but what in the bloody hell is Malfoy’s trunk and books doing in here?!” Hermione winced at the accusatory tone of Ron’s voice. She was about to respond but Draco beat her to it. Plastering that Malfoy grin on his face he winked at Hermione then turned to Ron.

“It’s obvious, mate. I’ve been staying here. Hermione enjoys it, don’t you , love?” Ron’s mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. Hermione turned and rolled her eyes at Draco, Now he speaks up!

“Not like that, Ron, just hear me out. There is a lot to be said.”

“Why don’t you sit down, Mione? You look a bit peakish.” Ginny looked at her friend, concern evident in her gaze. Hermione shook her head, she needed to move about as she spoke.

“About two weeks ago I was coming back from the library when I was….was…accosted in the hall by Nott and Goyle. They dragged me into one of the alcoves…and….they….” She let out a big sigh. “They forced a foul tasting potion down my throat.”

Ginny gasped, eyes wide with shock that something like that could happen. She stood and reached out to Hermione, letting her hand rest on her friend’s shoulder.

Ron was furious. “Bloody bastards!” He ripped his wand out of his robes and stood as if to rush off to Hermione’s defense. Harry grabbed him by the collar to keep him in place. “Harry! We can’t let them get away with this! Hermione could have been killed!” Ron was frustrated, and turned a frown and glare towards almost everyone in the room.

“Ron,” Hermione spoke softly and went to stand next to him. “Nott and Goyle have already been expelled. They will not be returning to Hogwarts. There’s more so sit down.”

Ron sat and turned towards Harry. “Did you know?”

“I only found out last night. I met with Malfoy, Snape and Dumbledore last night.” Harry felt a bit guilty at the fact that Ron and Ginny had been left out of the telling by Dumbledore and Snape. Malfoy hadn’t spoken much at all during the meeting.

“Mione,” Ginny spoke, “did they, umm, did they try anything? I mean, when they were…you know…” It was obvious what her friend was trying to ask, and Hermione realized that she might have underestimated the real friend she had in Ginny. She reached up to place a hand over the one Ginny still had on her shoulder and squeezed.

“Draco got there in time.”

Ron sighed and walked over to Draco. “Listen, mate, I don’t like what you’ve done in the past, not too sure I like you now. But…you saved Hermione, and for that you have my thanks, and my willingness to work with you for as long as it takes to make those sons of bitches pay.” He held out his hand.

“Not too sure I like you either, Weasley, but I’ll be happy to let you tag along when the time comes.” Trademark smirk in place, Draco shook his hand and clapped Ron on the shoulder.

Harry simply gave Draco a look which he correctly interpreted as Remember our chat last night. Hermione caught the look and decided she would question it later. There was still more she needed to tell.

“But, Mione, the potion….what does it do?” Ginny asked, sitting back down in her chair.

“It stripped me of my magic.” She said it simply, and without much emotion. She just couldn’t let herself feel over it or the depth of hurt would consume her. Magic had been her life from the moment Professor McGonagall had first visited her family.

Ron’s jaw dropped. Ginny sat, knowing what Hermione said, but not wanting to comprehend the meaning. How could it happen? She couldn’t remember ever hearing of any witch or wizard having their magic taken away. Their wands, yes, but magic? No, it was always there, whether the magical person had a wand or not. There were ways to work around a wand. Wandless magic, for example, Potions proficiency, even Herbology. There were many ways a wandless witch or wizard could stay connected with the wizarding community.

“Hermione, why didn’t you tell us? You know Ron and I consider you family. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for you.” Ginny said.

“I was, that is I didn’t want you to think I was weak because I had been caught unaware.” When she spoke it out loud it did sound kind of silly, and the looks on their faces assured her that they did not think her weak. Before they could respond to her confession she continued speaking.

“There’s more I need to say. Dumbledore came to see me before Madame Pomfrey would let me leave. He explained a few things to me, why Voldemort might be focusing his attention on me. You see there was a prophecy, and ….”

“A prophecy? Like the one regarding Voldemort and I?” asked Harry. Hermione nodded.

“Similar but let me tell you the story as Dumbledore told me. Long before Merlin and Morganna, there was a seer by the name of Isolde. No one knew anything about her, not where she came from or where she was destined to go. She was considered a healer by some, a witch by others, and some swore she cursed them. She told futures and apparently she foresaw mine. The words of her prophecy have been passed down.

A thousand years to pass
And another thousand more
Darkness shall fall across the land
There comes a man of Death and War

Into the Light
An Element of Gold
Guardian of Right
Her future has been foretold

Fire and Earth
Water and Air
She must meet her Fate
Else we meet Despair

He told me I am supposed to meet my fate on the night of the Summer Solstice during my 18th year.”

The room was silent, each person taking in the information Hermione had just shared with them. Then they all seemed to question her at once.

“What fate?” Ron asked.

“What does it mean?” Ginny questioned.

“Why in Merlin’s name does Dumbledore think its okay to just keep things from us?! Year after year it’s been the same thing. He knows more than he lets on!” This from Harry, who could not contain is irritation with the secretive Headmaster.

“It makes sense now.” Draco spoke up.

“What makes sense, Malfoy?” Harry asked

“She’s an Elemental. The one I overheard my father speaking to other Death Eaters about last time I was home.”

“But Elementals are extremely rare. There hasn’t been one in….” Ginny frowned as she tried to remember her notes from History of Magic.

“Over two-thousand years,” Hermione answered for her. “But how can I be an Elemental? And what does suppressing my magic have to do with coming into my fate on the Summer Solstice? All these things I need to ask Dumbledore.” Switching into typical Hermione mode, she walked over to her desk and withdrew a quill and parchment. She began to write down questions, and notes as the conversation swirled around her.

“Malfoy, what exactly does your father know regarding this situation?”

“How the hell should I know, Potter? Do you think he really shares that type of information with me? As it is he’s disappointed that I haven’t willingly joined Voldemort’s ranks, he isn’t going to spill anything of that importance with me.”

“Can you find out? What about your mother? Hermione needs help!” Harry’s voice had gotten louder in his frustration over everything seemingly heading out of control.

Draco sighed. He had been hoping to avoid a visit home. Home? What was that anyway? Now it was just a crumbling mess filled with horrors better left unspoken. However, if it was in the name of helping Hermione then he would do it. He still wasn’t sure why. He hadn’t liked her much before joining the DA, but it really had nothing to do with blood status.

She was just such a know-it-all sometimes, but that had seemed to grow on him lately, and he did not want to examine too closely his need to be around her all the time. Not yet anyway.

“Alright, Potter, we’ll work something out. Maybe I can get Blaise to help me there.”

“Hermione, I think Mum might have some old books at home regarding Elementals. I know there are ones for each element, and the rarest of all can control all four elements. I’ll owl her first thing in the morning. Ron, you owl Aunt Gertrude, she has Jasper Jobson’s A History of Elementals. I saw it on her shelf last time Mum made us visit.”

“No way! Aunt Gertrude will want me to sit by her the next time she comes over for dinner, and she smells like week old soup. And she loves to pinch my cheeks,” Ron whined.

Ginny gave him a stern look, very reminiscent of Molly, and spoke, “It’s for Hermione, Ron.”

“Fine,” he sighed.

“Ok, you all have to leave now, I have a bunch of new research to work on.” Hermione didn’t even look up from her parchment. “Oh, except you, Draco.”

“Hermione, that reminds me,” began Ron, “Why is Malfoy’s trunk here? And his books as well?”

“Slytherin house tossed me out…or more to the point Nott tossed me out. He may be gone but according to Blaise I am still persona non grata there.” Draco was quick to explain.

“Why is Blaise welcome and you’re not?” Ron wanted an answer. It’s not that he was jealous, but he did not want to have Hermione in any more danger than necessary.

“It’s well known in Slytherin house that I was the one to stop Nott and Goyle from…,” he swallowed not really wanting to use the word rape in front of Hermione. “From doing their worst. Blaise has always considered himself neutral in this war and so the others do not suspect him of having joined up with Potter. If they knew, there is no telling what sort of problems they’d cause for him.”

“Right then, I’m going to…” Harry spoke but was cut off by a knock on the door. He looked quizzically at Hermione, “Are you expecting anybody?” She shook her head in response.

Draco made it to the door before anyone else and opened it. Blaise was standing on the other side, and so he opened the portrait wider and allowed him to enter. The quiet Italian saw that the person he was looking for was here and smiled slightly.

“Glad you’re here, Potter. Actually, I’m glad you’re all present. I’ve just received some disturbing news from my sister.” Everyone in the room was on instant alert. Blaise passed over the note he was holding to Ginny, who had made her way over to stand next to him. She quickly scanned the letter and raised concerned eyes to Harry.

“Rodolphus LeStrange is supposed to pick up Sylvia during Christmas Holidays and bring her to England for Laurida Zabini!”

“Fuck!” swore Draco and Harry at the same time.

“I can’t let that bastard get his filthy hands on Sylvia. I won’t let him.”

“We won’t let it happen, mate. We’ll think of something.” Those present in the room murmured their agreement of Draco’s statement.

“For now let’s get some rest, I’ll call another meeting of the DA in a few days. That should buy us enough time to think of a plan. Blaise, if you can, inform your sister that we will do whatever it takes to keep her out of that situation.” Harry was tired and all he could think about now was meeting up with Luna in the Astronomy Tower. They hadn’t told anyone yet about their newfound relationship, both still wrapped up in just knowing there was someone else who accepted them as they were. He’d tell his friends tomorrow, for now he just needed to be near Luna’s calming presence. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Ginny and Ron said their goodnights as well, and as the portrait door shut Ron could still be heard trying to wheedle his way out of owling their Aunt Gertrude.

Hermione had remained seated at her desk and was still writing questions and ideas down when a glass of Firewhiskey was set in front of her. She looked up and saw Draco standing next to her.

“I don’t drink, Malfoy.” It was said without any real conviction though. Truth was, she could probably use a few drinks to help her unwind from all that had occurred lately.

“Suit yourself,” he said. She watched as he and Blaise tossed back a glassful each, then waved as Blaise left her dorm.

Draco poured himself another glass, then took it and the rest of the bottle of Firewhiskey with him as he sat on the couch. He stared moodily into the fire as he steadily drank from the glass. He didn’t want to see his parents again, couldn’t stomach what they had become, what they had allowed the Manor to become. He hated what they wanted him to become. All in the name of Pureblood Supremacy. What utter shite!

He wasn’t blind to the wrongness of it. The foulness of what they did to Muggles and Muggleborns and Half-Bloods was something he never wanted to witness again. Now that Hermione needed information he could only get from his father, he had to return, had to witness the destruction of humanity again. Tossing back his head, Draco finished the amber liquid in the glass and set it aside. He settled in deeper into the couch and closed his eyes, listening to the sound of Hermione’s quill against the parchment. The sound was oddly comforting and he must have dozed off as the next thing he knew Hermione was pulling the half-full bottle of Firewhiskey out of his hand and covering him with a blanket.

Briefly, he tightened his grip on the bottle but at her frown he let it go. His eyes drifted shut again as she tucked the blanket around him. He mumbled his thanks and was snoring softly. Hermione smiled down at him, relieved to have him near again. She bent down, kissed him on the forehead and whispered, “Thank you, Draco, for saving me that night.”

As she was straightening up, one of his hands flew out and caught her wrist, holding her still. Silver eyes focused on amber ones and before she could react he tugged her so that she was sitting next to him.

“Stay,” he said.

She nodded her acquiescence and his arm wrapped around her, tucking her in closer to his side. Hermione felt the stress of the day overwhelm her and before she could stop it she felt hot tears racing down her face. She tried to wipe them away, so that Draco wouldn’t notice, but they just kept falling. Thoughts of the attack, her fate, Dumbldore’s secrets, Draco, everything that had been occupying space in her mind flashed behind her eyes and she began to sob.

Draco, not used to dealing with crying girls, hesitated. He knew he hadn’t caused Hermione’s tears, knew also that she had been holding everything in. Hoping he was doing the right thing, he scooped her up in his arms and placed her so that she was sitting sideways on his lap, her back against the arm of the couch. He held her close as he listened to her gulp in some air, her broken cries the only sound in the silence of the room. Silently, he stroked her head and wondered if there was anything he could say to make her better.

Hermione cried deeply into his shoulder, letting out everything she had kept tucked inside. She cried for herself, for feeling inadequate the night of her attack. She cried for the unknown, her fate on the Summer Solstice. She cried for Harry, he had never asked to be anything other than to be accepted for himself and was instead saddled with saving the world. She cried for Draco, the boy she had long thought of as arrogant, and evil, but who had shown her so much in the last few months.

Eventually her sobs died down to little sniffs every now and again and she sighed, already feeling better to have let some of that emotion out. She lifted her head and smiled sheepishly at Draco.

“Sorry about your shirt.”

“No worries, Granger. Feel better?”

“I do, yes. Thank you. I don’t normally cry, you know. I just….” Hermione trailed off, not sure why she felt the need to explain. Draco nodded.

“Understandable.” They both lapsed into silence, Draco kept his eyes on Hermione, Hermione let her gaze wander the room. She was inexplicably nervous and looking at Draco caused her stomach to do a strange dance.

She felt him place his fingers lightly on her chin and turn her face towards him. When she was facing him, he leaned his head close to hers.

“Hermione,” he whispered.

Then he placed his lips over hers. She froze momentarily then relaxed as he kept his mouth on hers. He placed a gentle pressure on her chin with his fingertips and she opened her mouth reflexively. Draco swept his tongue inside, needing to taste her and she let out a soft moan.

Hermione responded by wrapping her arms about his neck and deepening the kiss. It was an amazing feeling, and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him. Draco slid the hand at her waist up, under her shirt so that he could feel the heat of her skin against the palm of his hand. He hadn’t intended to try anything more but he was as lost in the kiss as she was and his hand seemed to skate closer to the underside of her breast of its own accord.

Hermione pulled away. Though she remained on his lap, she leaned as far back as possible.

“I…Draco, I…can’t…..I don’t…” She tried to find the right way to explain how she felt. Draco had brought his hands down so that they lightly rested on her waist, above her clothes. He noticed that while she did not want to go further, she hadn’t moved from where she was sitting. He took that as a huge sign of her trust and that trust was not something he wanted to break.

“No need to explain, I understand.”

“I don’t think we should do this again.” She had sounded so serious that he wanted to laugh. There was not a chance in hell that he would leave her alone now, not after she had kissed him back so thoroughly.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Granger. We will be kissing again,” he felt her tense slightly at his words and continued on so that she was reassured, “But from now on, you will be the one to kiss me.”

She felt relieved that he would not force her, and even better, he had left the responsibility of kissing up to her. Which of course shouldn’t make her feel so light and free, because she wouldn’t be kissing him again. Nuh-uh, nope it was not going to happen.

“You’ll be waiting a long time then,” she told him, though she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself. He just smirked at her and watched as she stood up and headed towards the bathroom. The sway of her hips kept his attention long after she had shut the door.


Author's Notes

HG4EVA - Ha ha...yes, I can see where Dumbledore only taking points would seem funny. However I am pretty sure he thinks that her being stripped of her magic is enough of a punishment for her to endure. Yes Dumbledore's Army will be planning mission #1, I am planning it out now...

Thank you so much for the compliments!!

Love and Hugs,
Lady B*

DREAMWEAVER - Yes, Mione understands a little more now about not keeping things secret. Where/How she will be studying will probably be covered in the next chapter...there's a lot of information that still has to be told and worked out so this story continues to run along smoothly.

Goyle and Nott have a certain Dark Lord to face....but they did hint to the other Slytherins about a priority job they had done for him. So the slytherins continue to look up to them.

As for how the potion effects Mione and the fact that she is an Elemental...you'll just have to wait and see...LOL

Love and Hugs...
Lady B*


Thanks to all who are reading and enjoying this....