***Nursie Note*** Okie... this will be short and sweet. I have through chapters 8 to post... however, I don't want to post them all at once... simply because that would be overkill. I do have my other reasons... after this part... (note the ending) IT does become rather dark and graphic. I can hear ALL of you fellow Portkey NC-17 lovers out there cheering. Um... Part 6 should quell some of your taste for blood. With that said... Here you go!!!
Part 5: The Power She Knows Not-
Hermione found herself in her room, grateful for the fact that she was also the head girl and had her own room; she flung herself onto her bed. Crookshanks meowed loudly as if asking her what was wrong and began to rub his body against her face wiping hot tears away with his fur. Hermione sat up stroking the cat gingerly and wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"Why would I think he needed someone to talk to? I mean bloody hell… he's Harry fucking Potter… He doesn't need me… He doesn't care about me the way I do him. Why would he? He's Harry Potter. He could have any girl here… any teacher for that matter." She sniffled loudly grabbing a throw pillow sailing it across her room and nailing the lamp on the desk she did her homework on.
Crookshanks sprawled out in her lap and began to purr. "What should I do with what I saw tonight? I mean… if I tell… Harry would get expelled. And I don't want that. I guess I just keep to myself huh." She shrugged absently petting her cat. "I was a fool to think I'd have a shot. I'm a bookworm for Merlin's sake. I'll have to just move on." She whispered to her cat.
"But I don't want to Crookshanks. I don't want anybody but Harry. I love him."
The cat looked up at her and blinked his eyes. A gentle meow escaped him as she scratched his ears.
"I should probably get some sleep." She muttered pulling the covers back on her four-poster and disturbing Crookshanks.
She settled in under the covers turning onto her side. Crookshanks curled up next to her as she sobbed quietly. Finally, after what seemed like ages, she drifted into slumber. At least in her dreams Harry loved her. And for now, she figured that would have to be enough.
"AND WITH A TEACHER NO LESS!" Harry heard someone screaming above him. Knowing exactly who it was, he feigned sleep hoping she would leave or at least tone down her voice. At that moment, all was quiet and he waited a few more fleeting minutes before venturing to peek through one eye.
His room came into a blurry focus and no sooner had he opened his left eye, did he feel something hit him hard in the chest.
"Ugh!" He groaned opening both eyes to see Hermione standing above him, his school uniform bunched up in her arms. He looked down at his chest, seeing his shoes had been what bounced off of it and down onto his mattress. He chanced a smile.
~She brilliant when she's pissed…~
However, Hermione wiped it clear from his face throwing his shirt at him this time, the cuff smacking him along his cheek.
"Good morning to you too." He managed out before Hermione threw the rest of his uniform in a heap on to his body and placed her hands on her hips wearing a look that made him rather confront Voldemort.
"Good Morning? Is that all you have to say for yourself? After last night… I'd expect you to be a bit more articulate. I mean if you can charm the pants off a professor…"
"Hermione…" Harry tried to get her attention… so that he could explain. Hermione was having none of it.
"And what about Ron… to say the least he fancies her." She threw her hands up in the air. "Well… what do you have to say for yourself?"
"What would you have me say?" Harry cried. He was tired of her accusations. He just wanted her to listen and if it stopped her from nagging… then that would be even better.
Hermione's face lost its color and she wore a surprised expression at Harry's tone of voice. "Harry… if you're found out… you'll be expelled." She replied obviously hurt.
Harry sighed. "I know. But there's really nothing to find out. Nothing happened." He paused for a moment. "What a second... how did you get in here anyhow? I can't get to your dorm." He argued.
"I'm supposed to believe that?" She cried. "Girls are more trustworthy than boys... OBVIOUSLY!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Why do you care so much anyway? It has nothing to do with you." Harry was upset now. He wasn't aware of his leading questions. Right now they were more of a statement than anything else.
Hermione screwed her face up as if to retort hotly at his words but she found herself speechless. "Well… you… er… You had better get up and get dressed you'll be late for class."
"Oh yes… I'm looking forward to that quiz on Muggle hygiene and how it pertains to wizard kind." Harry said sarcastically knowing that any and all tests were important to Hermione.
"It's important to learn self maintenance. You would do good to learn how to keep your hair out of your eyes."
"That's genetic no magic can cure chronic bed-head… If my worst problem was how to comb my hair then I'd be alright then wouldn't I?" Harry hadn't moved from his bed. He was still in his boxers and was all of a sudden shy.
Hermione cracked a smile at that. "Your hair is frightful." She managed to say.
"I'm glad I can still amuse you." Harry bit his lip. "Do you mind?"
"Mind what?" Hermione said blankly.
"Leaving… I need to get dressed. Unless you want to watch." Harry heard himself speaking but his mouth seemed to be saying things that it hadn't registered with his brain.
~Did you just invite her to stay while you got dressed? ~
Hermione turned around so fast her balance was off and she stumbled forward her face, ears and neck had all somehow turned the color of Ron's hair. "I… um… wasn't done talking to you Harry..." She ran her sentence together, which thoroughly confused Harry.
"You're still here." He paused for affect then gathered his courage and pulled the covers off of his body. He turned to sit sideways, his feet planted on the floor.
Hermione glanced over her shoulder. "What are you doing? I haven't left yet."
"Getting dressed. You don't want me to be late for breakfast do you?" He fumbled for his shirt on the bed then slid an arm through the sleeve. "Thank you for getting my clothes by the way... Saves me the time of having to walk acrossed the room to fetch them." He smirked eyeing her awkwardness. For a know it all, she was unbelievably easy to fluster.
"Oh… OH…" She cried. "You know Harry… Professor Warren is a teacher. Whether something happened in here or not is irrelevant. She was in your bedroom Harry. After curfew hours…and in her nightgown half naked just like you were. It doesn't matter what your intentions were, even if it was all-innocent, the fact that she would go to your bedroom dressed like she was is bad Harry. It looks rather suspicious. It looks bad. Even in the wizarding world having a half naked teacher in your room after hours is not a good thing."
Harry smiled at her awkwardness. He finished buttoning his shirt and took a deep breath before standing.
He heard Hermione's breath hitch in her throat and saw the last glimpse of the side of her face as she whipped it back around facing away from him.
"What's the matter Hermione?" He stood behind her in his white school shirt and boxers trying desperately not to think about how bad he suddenly needed to use the restroom.
"Nothing." She replied hastily. "I'll just meet you down at breakfast. However Harry… this conversation is far from over." She hurried from his room almost too easily and Harry knew that she had not unleashed her normal round of scathing remarks.
Harry found himself half dressed, staring at the door.
"Story of my life." He shook his head and laughed at himself.
Harry made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. He stood just outside nervous about seeing Hermione again. What if she had said something to Ron? Harry forced himself to walk inside before panic truly set in. Noticing Ron's wave and Hermione's evil eye, he concluded she had not yet confided in Ron.
"How did you sleep?" Ron asked as Harry took a seat on the opposite side of Ron that Hermione was sitting on. He really didn't want to hear her nagging. True, Hermione was quit motherly at times but when she got rolling, even one of Mrs. Weasley's howlers would be welcome.
"I um slept…"
"He was sleeping just fine when I saw him." Hermione blurted out surprising Harry with her ability to lie. She was amazing when she came up with lies to get him out of trouble. First year she saved him and Ron from McGonagall and the whole mountain troll incident… and fifth year… she had lied to Umbridge to save Sirus… If he had only listened then… He shook his head slightly at the memory of his godfather.
"You saw him? As in you went to his room after hours? Why Miss Granger… Getting rather frisky aren't we?" Ron looked at Harry wiggling his eyebrows. Once seeing Harry's expression he quickly lost his goofy look. "I take it you slept well." Ron cleared his throat and kicked Harry under the table.
Hermione ate in silence the rest of the time, as Harry and Ron talked about how their next class had absolutely nothing to do with learning to do magic.
"It's a nightmare… Madame Pomfrey is so... Clinical."
Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Madame Pomfrey knows what she is talking about. You both would do well to listen once in a while… It would probably help you out with a few things."
Ron just shook his head at Harry giving him a bored look and swallowed his food making it easier to make out his sentences.
Harry remained quiet the rest of the time, sneaking glimpses of Hermione to make sure she was keeping quiet. He did chance one look up at the staff table but it seemed the staff had all eaten. After, he went about eating the rest of his breakfast hurriedly.
Harry was thrilled three weeks later when the Quidditch season finally started, he had practice every night thanks to Ginny the new captain. Ginny Weasley Ron's sister was now captain and playing chaser while Ron had taken over one of his famous twin brother's spots as beater. He felt the changes suited the team, especially with Ron's keeper abilities... and Ginny was a natural.
Hermione had toned down her nagging at Harry for the Halloween incident however she never did quite let it go. Harry tried his damnedest to ignore her when she would occasionally glare at him knowingly but his conscience was making him feel guilty for letting her think it was anything but innocent.
The first house game was a brilliant effort between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, with the end score after almost four hours of play being three hundred and thirty points to one- hundred ninety in Gryffindor's favor.
It was near the end of the second week of December and the trio made their way to the first class of the day. Madame Pomfrey was the same in her classes as she was in the infirmary. No nonsense allowed and she would get on one subject and talk at length much to the dismay of the students. Her theory was that even though her students were all wizards and witches, that most of them were built the same as most Muggles and needed some of the same basic skills. She watched the students pour into their seats and she smiled accordingly. "Come now… hurry up… usher in." She prodded them.
Once satisfied that they were all seated and somewhat quiet… She turned to address the class of young adult witches and wizards
"Now class… today… ahem… We are going to go over the female reproductive system. Any and all questions regarding the necessity of this subject will be held until after class." She smiled graciously noticing the uncomfortable looks on some of the young wizards in her class. "Oh now… don't look so embarrassed." She commanded. "Everyone one here either has one part or the other. What did you expect? Boggarts and Patronus charms?" Harry swore she smiled at him as he shifted in his seat.
Ron made a face and nudged Harry in the shoulder. "I really don't want to know why my mum chose to have seven children… or how or what parts she has to accomplish that… it's disgusting." Ron whispered turning green.
Harry held back a laugh finally relaxing in his chair wondering if he could pull off a sleeping charm where he could take a nice long nap and make it look like he was wide awake.
Hermione on the other hand simply got out her parchment and quill and began taking notes.
"I did not need to know that." Ron exclaimed as Harry, Hermione and him made their way out of the castle towards Hagrid's hut for their Care of Magical Creatures class. "She's mad I tell you… We don't have that sort of equipment and do not need to know everything. Talk about too much information. I'll never be able to look at my mother or sister again." Ron added sounding a bit overly dramatic.
"But you can look at me huh?" Hermione chided smiling at both boys discomfort.
"You'll be alright. It wasn't that bad." Harry replied scratching his head and trying vigorously to ignore Hermione's remark.
"Only because you slept through the class." Hermione quipped with a bit of a growl in her voice glaring at Harry as if inventing another Unforgivable curse. "Don't think I don't know a sleeping charm when I see one."
Harry stopped in his tracks. He knew he was caught and he didn't really care about that. He was mostly worried about the backlash he was going to receive from Hermione once she got him alone.
Harry was only too happy when he saw Hagrid, their professor and friend… However on closer observation, he could see Hagrid's face was ashen and upset.
"Hello there… Harry, Hermione… Ron." Hagrid greeted them, nodding at each as he said their name. "I've got a small job fer ye… Harry, Hermione an' Ron, the three of ye only. The rest of the class can go over their homework." He turned expecting them to follow and walked a few strides away. Harry, Hermione and Ron watched him with much trepidation as he turned to look over his shoulder. "C'mon ye three, it's this way." He motioned towards the Forbidden Forest.
For as many times as they had ventured into the forest, they were still quite apprehensive to follow Hagrid. They never knew what he would show them, be it Gawp, his giant half brother or Aarogog… the monstrous spider. That always ran a chill down Ron's spine at the thought and he had intentions of going the other direction.
Harry reached out and grabbed Ron's robes causing him to follow with them although he knew Harry would drag him with them if need be, he never said he'd go easily. He thoroughly planned to be very vocal about today's so called lesson.
"Do I look like spider food to you? I'm way too skinny… they'd have to eat all three of us to get a snack." Ron bellowed as Harry gripped his robes.
Hermione grumbled irritated. "You big baby… Hagrid would never knowingly take us into danger… besides it's the middle of the day."
Harry decided on a different approach. One that was a lot less insulting. "If you can stand up to Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic and duel Death Eaters… You can face most of what you will find in here." Harry gave his friend an encouraging pat on the back.
"Yah… but Death Eaters despite their name are not going to eat me."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that…" Hermione chirped up. "That Bellatrix rather looked like one those witches that bake children into pies as evil witches do in the story books." They all seemed to laugh at Hermione's reply. Although Ron did roll his eyes at the book reference but he laughed anyway. Harry felt his heart grow lighter at his laughter. He hadn't been one for humor lately… especially with everything on his mind and he dared not tell anyone. Not even Dumbledore… who he still had a small trust issue with for not telling him about the prophecy until Harry himself had discovered something about it.
Hagrid stopped glancing around to make sure his directions were accurate. He spoke over his shoulder at Harry, Hermione and Ron hearing their laughter behind him.
"Quiet now… we're almost there. Don't want ter scare her."
"Hagrid… Can you tell us what we're looking for?" Hermione asked. I mean… We could help you know."
"This mornin' I found one of the new unicorn foals around near the stream over there. I'm afraid she might 'ave slipped on the rocks when she went ter take a look at her reflection. She din't land too good either, her front legs been broke.
Hermione swallowed a small cry. She hadn't known unicorns could be hurt like that. She had read that they are vain, loving to look at themselves in pools of water.
"Can't we do something for her?" Hermione asked.
"That's why we're here Hermione… I need ye ter keep 'er calm; while Harry, Ron and me patch up her leg. Unicorns heal fast if they're tended to properly."
They found the stream in question as Hagrid rushed forward towards where the foal lay. He knelt down looking over the beautiful creature that couldn't be more than a few months old. Hagrid beckoned to Hermione seeing the unicorn's eyes grow clouded and fearful.
Hermione positioned next to Hagrid placing her hands where he told her. "We should name her." Hermione decided. "I can't just keep using a generic pronoun reference for such a lovely beast."
"I think that's a brilliant idea Hermione." Harry said looking up at Hagrid to see what he thought.
"I reckon she do need a name." Hagrid winked at Hermione and nodded knowingly to Harry.
Ron smirked at the sight before him and wondered again how a place so beautiful during the day could be so frightful at night.
"What are you thinking of naming her." Harry asked watching Hermione kneeling next to the injured beast. In his mind, he thought about how he had never seen anything quite so beautiful and the unicorn was striking as well.
"Amalthea. It has to be." Hermione ran her hand through Amalthea's soft mane.
Harry understood where she had gotten the name for the unicorn. It was a name of a unicorn in a muggle book he knew she had read. He had read it himself once and found it seemed like the perfect name.
"Then Amalthea it is." Hagrid announced. "I think it's a wonderful name."
Ron smirked at Hagrid's taste in names. "I guess it's better than Norbert."
All of them but Hagrid giggled slightly then controlled it fast so not to offend him. His dragon egg in first year was slightly different than a baby unicorn.
Hagrid gathered his supplies, including a sleeping draught for the unicorn so that he could set the leg. He would have Harry splint it with magic… Or so he thought…
Hermione let out a scream that brought Harry, Ron and Hagrid to attention. They rushed over to her only to see her holding her arms out in front of her with her palms bent upwards. A red and golden glow illuminated around her hands and arms.
"Hermione!" Harry cried ripping his robes as he slid into the rocks to be next to her. "What…"
The glow began to surround her as well as the unicorn and for the first time since they had spotted the beast it looked calm.
"Harry… what's happening… I'm not doing anything… it just started happening…"
"We need to get somebody… Run and fetch one of the other professors Ron. . She'll know what to do."
Ron started off and Harry turned back to Hermione.
"Does it hurt?" He asked her concerned. He placed a hand on her wrist trying to move it. He felt warmth and a slight hum to her skin and his eyes shot up looking at her face.
Hagrid stood watching and called after Ron to hurry him up. Suddenly the unicorn moved, wiggling about as if trying to get up. Amalthea neighed and instantly shot up on her legs pushing Harry and Hermione backwards onto the forest floor.
It took a second for Harry to appreciate the position he had landed in and Hermione didn't seem to mind. His body was flung on top of hers and was leaning against all the right areas to set his imagination into overdrive. He remained there with his chest smashed against hers, and his upper thigh between her legs. His pulse quickened, while a sudden stirring in his stomach was rushing to his groin and he immediately felt himself growing hard against her upper thigh… Perhaps he did linger a second too long because right about there he lost all train of thought.
Hermione couldn't believe what was happening… Harry was on top of her and he wasn't rushing to get up. She was confused at what had caused their descend to the ground but his mouth coming closer and his hips digging into her own was somehow pushing that out of her mind.
Hagrid was speechless as he saw the fold dash away. A huge smile crossed his burly features as he turned to look at Hermione.
He saw Harry on top of her laying in a rather compromising way, their eyes locked and their mouths almost appeared to be touching… though not quite.
"That a girl, Hermione…" Hagrid cried and Harry blinked his eyes bolting straight up from embarrassment.
Hermione propped herself up on her elbows as she watched Harry offer his hand to help her stand.
Hermione didn't take it, her emotions were catching up to her at both, healing the unicorn and obviously almost kissing Harry in front of Hagrid. She stood up even faster than Harry did, pushed past him sprinting by Hagrid as well.
Harry looked dumbstruck up at Hagrid as he started to go after her. Hagrid placed an arm out on to his shoulder stopping him in his tracks.
"But Hermione…" Harry started to say.
"Let her be Harry… You din't see what I just saw."
"I did too… I saw her heal the unicorn… I… I… didn't know she…" But there was a voice in the back of Harry's brain that was telling him he knew more than he let himself think.
"As I said… you din't see what I saw." He scanned the area for the unicorn once more then nudged Harry to start back to the castle grounds.
"What did just happen here?" Harry asked as they made their way towards the forest edge.
"I can't say for sure… but I do have my thoughts on it."
"And?" Harry prodded.
"Hermione's a healer Harry… and I reckon a thumpin' good one. What she did for Amalthea back there is unheard of. But that's just my thoughts… She'll have to discuss it with Professor Dumbledore to get the right information… He would know more about that sorta thing than I would.
They cleared the forest and walked towards Hagrid's hut where the rest of the class was held.
"You've done enough today Harry… best go find Ron and see what you two can do fer Hermione." Hagrid said.
Harry smiled at Hagrid then took off as fast as he could for the castle.
******
"What was that?" Harry cried almost glad he had some sort of leverage against Hermione.
"I don't know" Hermione yelled back. "Don't scream at me. I don't need that… especially not from you."
Harry took a deep breath. Whatever it was, he could tell Hermione hadn't actually meant to do whatever it was she did. She was almost crying. She looked almost petrified… and he had seen her petrified… literally. He hadn't meant to yell at her. He just wanted to grasp what was going on. This year was really turning out to be nerve racking.
Hermione had disappeared after she left Hagrid's class. Harry finally found her in the library some hours later after she had missed supper. Ron and him were extremely worried about her and they separated to look for her.
Ron had explained to Harry that he had spoken to Professor McGonagall… She had asked him to tell no one and to pass her words on to Harry and eventually Hermione when she would listen. She told Ron that she would discuss matters with Professor Dumbledore immediately and when Hermione was ready she was to seek him out. Professor McGonagall then wished Ron good night and went back to planning her assignments for the advanced Transfiguration class.
Harry saw her in a far corner, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Books scattered around her. Her nose was buried and Harry had to look twice to make sure that it he was seeing Hermione. Once he knew it was her, he decided to hang back a moment and look at her. Ever since Hagrid's class and feeling her body pressed against him, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He took a deep breath, then walked over next to her. He didn't intend on yelling at her when he was searching for her. His words came out suddenly and he berated himself for not thinking when he spoke yet again.
"I… I don't know what's happening to me." Harry saw her eyes then, noticing the tears, he quickly knelt down beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. Feeling how afraid she was he held her close. She leaned into his shoulder for a second before pushing him away.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked feeling her push against him.
"What do you want Harry."
"To make sure you're ok. Maybe we should go see Dumbledore now… He could be helpful. Or maybe any other professor… I think you need to talk to someone about this." Harry said ignoring McGonagall's words about going to Dumbledore but at this point, he cared more about Hermione's well being.
"Like Professor Warren helped you?"
"Hermione… you're not going on about that again are you? I've told you over and over nothing happened."
"Then tell me what did happen. I saw her… Harry. I saw her in your room… after hours and half naked."
"I promise it wasn't what you think it was." Harry pleaded. She arched an eyebrow then slowly closed her eyes shaking her head.
"What is someone supposed to think?"
"The dreams are back." He finally said as fast as he could all as one word.
"Come again?" Hermione's face went slack and her expression was why Harry hadn't wanted to say anything.
"Professor Warren was er… has been in those dreams." He modified it a bit, hoping she would somehow lighten up on the half naked teacher in his room after an hour argument.
"What exactly is she doing in these so called nightmares?" Hermione hissed.
~Oh no… she's gone the opposite way with it… ~
Harry started to panic. He felt himself growing angry with her again and fought the urge to blow up. Instead he closed his eyes tightly and tried to calm down.
"Don't think I enjoyed them Hermione… Voldemort is always there." He said through clenched teeth.
He heard her gasp knew a hand had gone to her mouth dropping the book she had her nose stuck in onto the floor. He had heard the thump of it connecting with the floorboards.
"Have you been having them long." Her voice was small and weak. Her expression darkened, almost as if she was drained and had no energy. She was evidently afraid to ask.
"They started around my birthday really I suppose… in July … Before I went to Ron's."
"That's why you've been quiet… So you aren't gay." Hermione interrupted.
Harry bit his lip at the remark. He glared at her as evilly as he possibly could. "You've been talking to Ron… haven't you?"
"No… Padma and Lavendar were talking about it last year." Hermione shrugged and held on to him to stand up. He helped her stand then stood himself.
"Gossip… I suppose I can see where they're coming from. But don't they know I have enough on my mind then to sit around snogging a bunch of girls I don't even like?"
"There's got to be one girl you like Harry. You can't just be unfazed by girls… Haven't you paid any attention in Muggle Health…"
He heard her rattle on and on but he was busy watching her mouth. "I wasn't talking about that nonsense."
"Nonsense… I can't believe it. I could see The Daily Prophet headline now… Boy Who Lives Dies of Hideous STD."
"Mental." Harry replied rolling his eyes and started to walk out of the library.
"Hey… wait up…" She called after him. "I was only joking. I'm more worried about Ron than I would be about you."
"I wouldn't worry about me Hermione… At least the way it looks right now. Especially if these dreams are what Professor Warren says they are… then I'm pretty much going to die a virgin." He hissed and doubled his efforts to get away from her.
Hermione stifled a laugh. She had caught the tension in his voice. It wasn't that she found it particularly funny… she actually found it sweet. However a part of her also found it sad.
"Harry… Wait… I'm… I'm sorry."
Harry suddenly stopped halfway down the hall.
"Alright then… let's hear it."
"I'm sorry I said that."
"And…"
"I'm sorry I told you that Padma said you didn't like girls. Only Harry… I never said that… I…"
"You what? Defended me?" Harry hadn't turned to face her, he felt himself crack a smile.
"I threatened to hex them all if I sensed them even having thoughts like that about you again."
"And why would it matter so much to you? Why would you think it was such a bad thing? You and I both live in the Muggle world. It's quite common… It's not really a bad thing. If they are happy."
"I know Harry… but this is Hogwarts… some are very primitive minded about Muggles. It's not exactly an open subject."
"What I want to know is how we went from talking about your um… what should we call it. I don't think it was an accident… Well anyway… How we went from that to my nightmares… to this. My sexuality. They are all good topics of conversation but could we please stick to one. It's giving me a wizard migraine." Harry started to laugh rubbing his temples with his palms.
Hermione had caught up with him and gave him a good thump on the shoulder.
"You silly idiot… Which would you prefer to talk about?" She gave him her curious smile and he found it hard not to answer the latter of the available topics.
"I think I would prefer to talk about you. What happened down at Hagrid's was not something you should take lightly. Your hands…" Harry took her hands and turned them over examining them. "You should have someone take a look…"
"Hello. I do hope I'm interrupting something." Harry dropped Hermione's hands turning to see who was behind them. Professor Warren chanced a nervous smile at them causing Hermione to glare at her hatefully. She cleared her throat and picked up Hermione's hands. Turning them over and back again, she examined them. "What about Hermione's hands?" She asked, sounding like she really didn't need to be told.
"Something happened in Hagrid's class today. Hermione did something to one of the creatures we were caring for." The glint in the very young professor's eye gave Harry the strong suspicion that she knew exactly what had happened. After all, she had told him that she was very well acquainted with Hermione in the future… why wouldn't she know what had just occurred that day.
Hermione snatched her away from the teacher. "I wouldn't want to come between the two of you." She harshly said before realizing she was talking back to a teacher.
"Hermione… you would do well to hold your judgment of me… at least until you get to know me." Her voice seemed to tremble but she recovered quickly. "Now… Let's have it… What exactly happened today?"
*******
It was almost as if Professor Warren was delighted to hear the tale of what had happened during their Care of Magical Creatures class. She had ushered them into an empty classroom close by and listened intently as Harry relived the class minus the information of him falling on top of her… with little to no help from Hermione, who sat with her arms crossed acting annoyed to be there. It seemed like ages before she finally spoke but when she did her words were chosen carefully.
"Hermione… I know you do not like me. You haven't kept that a secret very well. I do hope that once you leave this room that I will at least have gotten you to think about your feelings towards me. Your only worry is Harry… I know this all too well. However, it is not what you think. I have some things to confess to you, Hermione… I have already told Harry why I am here, perhaps it's time you know as well."
"I don't understand." Hermione replied.
"You won't when I am done either… but maybe you won't be as confused." Willow smiled hopefully watching as Hermione glanced over at Harry and he nodded his thoughts on her reluctance. With that, Willow began to retell Hermione everything she had already told Harry.
When she was done, she pulled a long chain from her neck and revealed a very old time turner. "I think you will find this familiar." Willow said taking it off and holding it in her hand as the small hourglass slid from her palm to hang on the gold chain entwined in her fingers.
Hermione stood and walked over to it, touching it without a word. She examined it closely curiously.
"So… I'm not one of those St. Mungo's nutters am I? I don't become one of them…" Hermione asked timidly.
"No Hermione. You are a genuine Healer. You don't have to learn how to do anything… you just know. Just as you are a witch, with Muggle parents… We are rare… and I am sure you have questions."
"Did you just say we?" Hermione questioned.
Willow nodded her head. "Yes… I could help if you like… learning how to do it and such."
Hermione exhaled slowly. "I think I would like that."
Willow expression was one Harry hadn't ever seen. He was a bit afraid she might start crying and if that happened, he would want to be anywhere but where he was. He quickly shook off the selfish thought and smiled.
The room went quiet for a fair amount of time as Hermione and Willow looked at each other after finding a common ground. The silence was broken instantly when Colin Crevey burst into the classroom screaming for anyone who would listen.
"Pro… Professor… Professor Warren…" He managed to say a word between panting breaths. "You've got to come quick… something's happened… We need you down the corridor in the… third floor girls lavatory."
Willow arched an eyebrow flashing Harry and Hermione a quizzical look. All three rushed out the door following Colin towards the girls' bathroom.
Willow for the first time since she arrived had no clue what was happening. She knew what was going to happen with Voldemort and pretty much what was going to happen to Harry… however, other things going on at Hogwarts during that timeframe… Willow knew nothing about. All she knew for sure was that it wasn't Voldemort… or at least she hoped it wasn't.
They rounded the corner and Colin stopped at the door. A crowd had gathered, girls just inside the door and the boys all standing outside.
"What's going on in there?" Willow demanded pushing aside several Hufflepuffs to get into the bathroom. Hermione and Harry followed her in only to have Moaning Myrtle appear in front of the three of them in a flash.
"You don't want to see it… it isn't pretty." The ghost floated several inches off the floor and winked at Harry.
"What isn't pretty?" Willow remarked walking right through her instantly seeing the limp body of a student several feet away from the circle of sinks. She rushed over to the student turning her over and finding it to be Ginny Weasley.
Hermione and Harry stopped once they saw the blood. The look on Willow's face was almost as frightening.
"FUCK!" She screamed. "WHY didn't you tell me about this." For a brief second, Harry actually thought she was screaming at Hermione.
To Be Continued…
Part 6: Aftermath-