Soul Pieces

SOUL PIECES

Disclaimer: you know…life isn’t fair…. Harry Potter doesn’t belong to me.

AN: I’m really sorry for the delay…Well, this chapter isn’t beta reader, so, my apologies about my mistakes.

I hope you like it. My beta is busy, but when she send me the beta version, I’ll fix it, okay?

Chapter 18: She is a Ravenclaw, after all

Luna Lovegood was patrolling Hogwarts’ halls that night. Yep. Luna Lovegood, the strange Ravenclaw, was the sixth year prefect.

It was kind of funny indeed. She had received the “job” after the “original” prefect didn’t return to Hogwarts (like many other students).

Of course she was still the outsider, the weird girl, but that badge made people stopped to fussy and laugh at her. And even if she didn’t admit she liked that.

So, she was there, alone (her partner was sick), patrolling the school’s halls when she saw a cat; A big, fat and yellow cat.

That wasn’t an ordinary cat. No! She knew that cat very well. Yes, she knew that cat. It was Crookshanks, Hermione’s cat.

“Crookshanks? What are you doing here?”

The cat stopped and looked at her as he was wondering about something.

A few moments later…

MEOW

“Normal” people couldn’t have paid attention at the odd cat but Luna sensed that something was wrong. Something was out of the place.

MEOW

Then Crookshanks turned around and ran.

Luna Lovegood didn’t think twice. She followed the cat.

Less than five minutes later, Luna found herself in the third floor, in front a painting of a middle age woman.

Crookshanks looked at the painting and-

MEOW

“Oh, little cat. I see you bring someone. Something happened with the miss?” said the woman while she was opening the door.

Luna stepped inside the room cautiously. She noticed that the place was look like a mini common room but she didn’t have time to pay much attention at that. Something else had caught her attention.

Someone was on the floor.

“Oh my! Hermione!”

The blond girl ran towards Hermione and kneeled beside her, taking her pulse.

Thank Merlin. You are alive…wait! You are pregnant! That’s why you are here. Alone. Oh, Girl…what happened?

MEOW

“Yes Crookshanks, thanks for find me. I will call Madam Pomfrey. Could you stay here?”

MEOW

“All right. I’ll be right back!” and saying that Luna Lovegood ran towards the Hospital Wind.

***

After Madam Pomfrey came to see Hermione, she told Luna about Hermione’s problem and the blond girl swore didn’t tell a single word about that.

First, Hermione didn’t like the idea of Luna Lovegood knowing about her pregnancy but with time things began to change.

Hermione thought that would never say “Luna Lovegood is my friend” but she found out that the weird blonde girl was a great campaign. Okay, she was strange and had peculiar ideas but she was also very intelligent and didn’t have that girlie talk that Hermione hated so much.

Luna and Hermione talked every day and once a week they had permission to visit Hogsmeade.

And when someone (meaning: Ginny and Neville) asked Luna about her absents she always said she was training with Madam Pomfrey. Sometimes she felt bad about that. Especially when she had to lie to Ginny. She liked the redhead girl but couldn’t stop thinking that Ginny and Harry didn’t belong to each other. Ginny didn’t love Harry, she loved THE-BOY-WHO-LIVED and that’s the problem.

With time Hermione finally told Luna about the baby’s father and everything that had happened. The Ravenclaw girl didn’t seem surprise. In fact, she had already suspected that Harry was the father. After all, why Hermione was at Hogwarts? But she couldn’t deny that she was surprised when Hermione told her about that night at the Night Club.

Meanwhile, Hermione was trying to find out any clue or logic in Hat’s words. Yes, even she wasn’t with Harry…and Ron anymore it was her duty to help them.

And she was very angry and frustrated.

“Ask the Lady! Ask the Lady! What the hell this means!” she cried without notice that Luna had just entered the room.

“Whoa, Hermione! What’s up?” Luna asked with her habitual airy voice.

Hermione jumped in surprise.

“Luna!”

“Hermione, I know that there’re some things, some secrets that only you, Harry and Ronald know about. I have been noticing that you’re reading many books about the founders and…well, I won’t ask-”

“Yes, Luna, you’re right. There’re some things that I can’t tell you or anyone else and…” Hermione really didn’t know how to continue.

“You were talking about a Lady, right?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, I don’t know if you remember but there is a Lady in the castle. A Ravenclaw Lady.”

Hermione gave her a puzzled look.

Luna laughed.

“Hermione, do you know who is the Ravenclaw’s ghost?”

“Yes, is-,” Then Hermione stopped; her eyes opened wide. “Oh my God! Lady Grey! The Ravenclaw ghost! Of course! How could I forget about that?”

“Sometimes the answer is right in front of us.”

Great! The Lady is the Ravenclaw’s ghost! I need to tell Ha…no, Ron! I need to tell Ron! But I can’t write this in a letter! It’s too dangerous…Oh, Merlin! And I can’t talk to the Lady alone because if I do this, they (well, Harry…) will discover where I am.

Luna was observing Hermione in amaze. She knew what the girl was thinking. She needs to tell the boys but doesn’t know how.

Luna thought about what Madam Pomfrey had told her about Hermione’s pregnancy and she also had research about that in some books. Yes, she knew the truth- the real truth about Hermione’s pregnancy. The truth that only her, Hermione, Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall knew: Hermione was dying.

She shook her head and came back to reality. And then she spoke, not with her airy voice or dreamy look. No, she spoke in a grave and serious tone, “It’s time, Hermione.”

Hermione looked at her. She knew what Luna was talking about. Unconsciously she caressed her six months belly.

“I know, Luna…I know…”

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Grimmauld Place

09:30 pm

Ronald Weasley was in his bedroom, reading about the Cannons when Remus entered the room.

“Sorry that I didn’t knock but this very important.”

“Something happened? My parents? Hermione? I know you know where she is…”

“No, nothing happened but Minerva, er, Professor McGonagall asked to talk with you. Today. At Hogwarts.”

Ron raised an eyebrow.

“Me? I am Ronald Weasley remember? I think Harry is downstairs…”

“No! It’s you! She needs that you go to Hogwarts. Alone. This is a portkey-,” and Remus showed a quill. ” I will tell Harry that you are with some stomached. Now, take this and go!”

A little apprehensive, Ron took the quill and moments later he wasn’t in his bedroom anymore. In fact, he didn’t know where he was.

lll

“Good Evening, Mister Weasley,” he heard Professor McGonagall speaking. “I hope you had a good travel.”

“Bloody fantastic,” he muttered, “Well, Professor, Remus told me you want to talk.”

“No, Mister Weasley. Indeed there is someone who wants to talk with you but this person isn’t me.”

“So…well…who?” he asked looking around the room. I never had been here before. This place looks like a common room.

“Me, Ron,” said a voice behind him. “I want to talk with you.”

That wasn’t possible! Ron knew that voice very well. He turned around…

“Herm…Bloody Hell!” he yelled when he saw her belly.

“Mister Weasley!” reprimanded Professor McGonagall.

“Sorry, Professor.”

Hermione was there, looking at him. Her eyes were red and with tears. By her side was Luna Lovegood.

“Hallo, Ronald,” the blonde girl said.

“Er…hi, Luna.”

Please...this is a dream...a very odd dream...I am here...in a complete strange room...Hermione is pregnant and she is with Luna Lovegood!

“Well,” Professor McGonagall said. “Miss Lovegood and I are leaving. We will be at my office. Please, go there after you talked. Oh, if you need anything just call Dobby. Well, Hermione already know this (Ron was surprised when the Headmistress called Hermione by her first name). Oh, the password is Vera Verto. See you later, mister Weasley.”

Ron didn’t say anything. He only nodded.

After some minutes of silence, Hermione finally spoke, “Ron…I am so sorry.” She was crying.

Ron walked towards her and hugged her very tight.

“Oh, Mione! What happened?”

“I am pregnant, Ron! That’s what happened!”

“I know. But this isn’t what I am talking about. I mean, why didn’t you tell anyone? I missed you so much and Harry…”

Listening Harry’s name made Hermione (tried) turned around.

Ron stopped her and touched gently her chin, saying, “Hermione, I already knew about your and Harry’s relationship. No, don’t look surprise. Because deeply inside you knew that I knew. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I already talked with Harry. And as I said to him, yes, I was very hurt but there are so many important things…”

“Oh, Ron!” Hermione said kissing him on the cheeks, “You are a great friend you know? A really great friend!”

“Now, Hermione tell me about this baby. Why are you here?”

And Hermione told him everything. She only didn’t mention about the risks of her pregnancy.

When she finished, Ron couldn’t help but gave a little chuckle.

“Ron!”

“Sorry, Mione but despite everything is quite funny find out that you are good friends with Luna Lovegood!”

Hermione smiled.

“Yeah, you are right. But she is really a good friend. More than I could ever imagine.”

“I know, sorry. But you are not talking about Harry…”

“What about him?”

“For Merlin’s Sake, Hermione! He is the father of your baby!”

“I know…it’s just…oh! It’s hurt so much when I think about him! I really want to hate him or …Ah! It’s so bloody difficult!”

“Hermione, I know that he said and did terrible things. I know that you are hurt but I also know that he loves you.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Yes, he does. He told me. He misses you so much, Mione! He knows he made a mistake and he could give all his gold to be with you again. Please, Mione…”

“I don’t know Ron. If he really loved me he didn’t have said those words to me! He didn’t have shagged another woman!”

Ron didn’t say anything. He knew that wasn’t the moment. Perhaps, with time, Hermione could forgive Harry.

“Oh, I found out who the Lady is!” Hermione said changing the subject.

“Really? Great!”

“Well, it wasn’t really me, it was Luna but …well…the Lady is Lady Grey! The Ravenclaw’s ghost!”

“Blimey! It’s so obvious! I can’t believe that we didn’t think about that early!”

“Me neither, Ron; Now, you need to tell Harry about this. However, you have to say that were YOU who figure out about the Lady. I don’t know; tell him that this just came to your mind. He can’t know about Luna. Otherwise…”

“He will discover about you. Okay.”

“Then you two can talk with Lady Grey.”

“But if she said something in riddles or what else? We need you, Mione!”

“ I will help you! After, you talk with the Lady you can come here and…” however Hermione never finished what she were saying. After felt a strong pain, she collapsed.

“Hermione! Oh Merlin! What happened?” Ron cried while he tried to wake up Hermione, “Oh, what I gonna do? Right! DOBBY!”

Seconds later the little house-elf was there with his big eyes and long ears.

“Mister Whezzy! How Dobby can…” then Dobby’s eyes became bigger, he had just saw Hermione, “Oh, Misses Ermione!”

“Dobby, Hermione fainted. Please call Madam Pomfrey.”

Dobby nodded with his head and disappeared.

Less than five minutes later, Madame Pomfrey appeared. Luna and Professor McGonagall were with her.

“Oh my! What happened, Mister Weasley?”

“I don’t know. I think she felt some kind of pain and fainted. Is she okay?”

The nurse didn’t answer and Ron noticed that.

“Please, Mister Weasley, could you help me with her? She needs to be in her bed.”

“Oh, right!” he said, taking Hermione to her bed. (The bed was in a separate room)

“Thank you, Mister Weasley. Now, I need you to leave.”

“But…”

“No, Mister Weasley,” said Professor McGonagall, “Hermione wouldn’t feel comfortable if she find out that you’re here. Please go with Miss Lovegood to my office. I will talk with you later. And before you ask, Hermione will need some sleep so I will tell her that you said good-bye. Now, go!”

lll

Luna knew that wasn’t her place to tell Ron the truth about Hermione’s pregnancy but she felt that he needed to know. He had the right to say good-bye…

So, she told him.

When Professor McGonagall entered the office she saw a very angry Ronald Weasley.

“No! This can’t be truth! You’re lying, Luna Lovegood! You’re lying…”

“What’s the reason for all this commotion?”

“I told him, Professor. I told him the truth about Hermione,” answered Luna.

“Oh.”

“Tell me it isn’t true, Professor…Please…” Ron pleaded with his face wet with tears.

“I am afraid that’s true. I am really sorry.”

“No! She can’t die! She is only eighteen years old! And Harry? No! I can’t accept it! ”

“Mister Weasley.”

“No! Lily Potter! Yeah! Lily Potter was a Muggleborn too and I know that James Potter was very powerful…and Lily Potter didn’t die because of it!”

“Mister Weasley,” Ron heard Dumbledore’s voice.

The redhead wizard looked at Dumbledore’s portrait.

“Professor Dumbledore! Am I right about Lily Potter?”

“Yes, mister Weasley, you are right. Lily Potter had the same problem that our Miss Granger has. Of course no one knew about this.”

“So, there’s a way…”

Dumbledore closed his eyes and disappeared.

“What! Where did he go?”

“Mister Weasley, yes there was a way…a way that saved Lily’s life.”

“So?”

“This way isn’t available anymore.”

lllllllllllllllll

The time passed as a strange nightmare for Ronald Weasley. He couldn’t believe that Hermione was dying. He was sick and tired with all the pretending game he had been playing. He was sick to make jokes and act as everything was alright. He was tired to see how Harry had become more and more depress. He was tired to see Lupin’s sorrow eyes and the civil angry of Tonks towards his friend. Maybe it was a female thing but the truth was that she didn’t forget Harry.

Oh yes, he had told Harry about the Lady. Yes, he had told him about his discovery.

“Oh, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley! What a surprise! It’s very rare that someone that isn’t in Ravenclaw want to speak with me…” said the pretty ghost.

“Um, well, Miss… Lady Grey, “Harry started, a little confused about how he would call her. “ I spoke with the Shoring Hat about Vold…well, the Dark Lord and the hat said that the Dark Lord used something from Rowena Ravenclaw…”

“Oh, Tom Riddle! A nice boy! Yes, a nice boy! But his eyes…I remember when you read his diary, Harry Potter. I was glad when you destroyed that. A evil soul…”

“How…” Ron tried to ask.

“You know, I was surprised when Riddle used the instrument of my death to his purposes.”

“I don’t understand. Sorry, but how did you die?”

“I die because of my desires.”

Harry then remember…Love and Desire…the Hat wasn’t telling him only about Hermione!

“My grandmother was a very powerful and brilliant witch. She was always researching about new spells and new forms of magic. But there was one kind of knowledge that she couldn’t research, some kind of knowledge that all her studies couldn’t answer. It’s the desire. The heart’s desire.”

“Your grandmother was…”

“Yes, Rowena Ravenclaw was grandmother and I die because of her, Because of what she had created. She wanted so much to know about the secrets of the soul that she created…”

“The mirror of Erised!”

“Yes, Harry Potter. Rowena Ravenclaw created the Mirror of Erised.”

“But why did you die?” asked Ron.

“First I saw my family. You know, my parents had died when I was little. Then I saw that I was more intelligent than my gran; then I saw myself with a boy that I liked…I wasn’t living anymore. I spent days, weeks, months in front the mirror until…”

“Until you die.”

“Yes. Now, I must go! Just remember, to destroy the evil inside the mirror you only need to do a simple thing. Then, the mirror will ‘expel’ the evil.”

And she flew away.

Harry and Ron were relieved that they found out that the mirror of Erised was the Horcrux and then they had a new problem: how to destroy that?

When Ron had a chance, he went to Hogwarts and told Hermione about what the Lady had said. For his surprise, Hermione smiled and said,

“It’s obvious, Ron! She said that to destroy the evil we would only need a simple thing, right? Well, a simple thing…a simple spell!”

“But Hermione, there’re zillions of ‘simple spells’!”

“Ron, she said what spell we will need to cast.”

“Hã?”

“The mirror will expel the evil!”

“Hã? Oh! Expelliarmus! You are a genius, Miss Granger!” he cried hugging her.

In the next day, Ron and Harry were in Hogwarts. First, the Headmistress didn’t want to tell the boys where the mirror was but after talked with Dumbledore she agreed.

Harry couldn’t believe how easy it was to destroy that Horcrux. First he tried but nothing had happened but when Ron had cast the spell, a dark shadow “escaped” from the mirror. Instinctively, he had cast another “Expelliarmus” against the shadow, making that disappear.

The boys didn’t know why only Ron could destroy the Horcrux and why he didn’t suffer any damage. I will ask Hermione, thought Ron.

A month later, Ron was in Hogwarts. To be more specific, he was at the Headmistress’ office. Well, during the month that had just passed he had gone to Hogwarts at least once a week to visit Hermione. But that time was different. He wasn’t alone. There were, inside the room, besides him, Harry, Lupin, Tonks, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid and Shacklebolt.

“Well, Harry, Ronald, I called you two here because I want to…” however McGonagall stooped talking when a silver Winged Horse just appeared.

It was a patronus. A patronus with a message: someone needed help in Hogsmeade.

“What the hell?” exclaimed Hagrid.

“This message is for the Order but I don’t know anyone who has…” was saying Tonks when Shacklebolt interrupted her.

“This is Miss Lovegood’s patronus…”

“Oh my god!” Professor McGonagall and Ron cried at same time.

“What? Someone could explain!” cried a very lost Harry.

Ignoring him, McGonagall said to Remus and Tonks,

“She is in Hogsmeade with our guest.”

“Oh Merlin!” Tonks said. “Accio brooms!”

And several brooms showed up.

“Well done, Nymphadora. Flying is the better way. Rubeus, please send a message to Moody and the others. Ron, Harry you two stay here.”

For Harry surprise was Ron who protested first.

“No, we are going! I know why Luna is in Hogsmeade and I will never forgive myself if…and even if you forbid us to use these brooms you know very well that Harry and I can go to Hogsmeade by other ways.

McGonagall didn’t have time to discuss with Ronald Weasley so she just nodded with her head.

When Harry arrived in Hogsmeade he started to “listen” the silence…yes, Hogsmeade was in profound silence; A deadly silence. And he knew why: The Dark Mark was floating above the main street.

He wanted to know what had happened. Where was Luna?

And then came a sensation of Déja Vu.

He saw Hermione on the ground. She wasn’t moving. Luna was kneeled by her side, crying in silence.

And then, there was Ginny.

She walked towards him.

Ginny looked at him. She had blood in her hands.

“I am sorry, Harry. I am so sorry.”

“Noooooo!”