The Sense
4. Hermione Doolittle
Note: Hi. As always, review and tell me what you honestly think. I do read them all. I take criticism very well. Just ask my friends. Wait you can’t, they’re dead. Hah! Just kidding…heh…heh…
Hermione sat at the edge of Ginny‘s bed, her knees brought up to her chin. She wrapped her arms around her legs, trying to scrunch down in the smallest form possible.
What’s going on? What’s happening? Why do I hear things? What are they? Why? How?
Questions swirled around uselessly in her brain. She had read about these types of things before. Empaths who could sense feelings and such. But she had never heard of people actually reading someone’s feelings AND thoughts as if they were being said in actual words. And she had never heard of one developing these powers after a nasty blow to the head. Hermione touched her forehead, trying to guess where her injury had been. Tonks had done a good job, though, and there was no sign of any bruising.
Nothing. She felt nothing now. And when the Weasleys, Harry, Tonks, and Kingsley were all crowded around her, she could hear their actual thoughts. Evidently, the further away from a source of thoughts, the lesser the intensity of the feeling. This did nothing to comfort her, as she still had no idea what to do.
“I’ll write to Dumbledore.” she said to herself. Grabbing the closest bit of parchment and a random quill, she began to write with a shaking hand. But what to write?
Please, sir, I got hurled into a tree and now I can read people’s minds...?
It seemed a bit strange, but it would be the right thing to do. If anyone knew what was going on with her, Dumbledore would.
Assuming there was something to do about it. One thing Hermione did know was that she did not want to wander around reading people' minds. It was rude, invasive, and not to mention painful. She cursed herself for not bringing a larger collection of books with her from home. None of the books she had with her would contain anything about her condition.
Hermione scribbled down the situation as eloquently as possible, trying to make it seem not quite so stupid. After she was positive that the letter made sense, but didn’t seem too desperate (Dumbledore must be busy now, what with a war going on) she got up to find Hedwig. Hedwig was usually perched by the window in the room that Ron and Harry shared. She had to somehow get to Ron and Harry's room without being intercepted in the hallway.
Fat chance.
She cracked open the door and peeked into the hallway. No one was around. Then she figured, really, wouldn't she feel anyone who was approaching? Hermione blushed for overlooking this fact and padded softly into Ron and Harry’s room. Harry and Ron’s clothes were strewn about in odd places. She noticed disdainfully the pair of socks hanging from the doorknob. Clearly, Mrs. Weasley hadn’t come into this room today. Hermione prayed she wouldn't accidently step on some dirty underwear.
Hedwig sat perched on a worn armoire, preening herself. As soon as she noticed that Hermione was coming toward her, she stopped abruptly and stared. Hermione suddenly felt a confusion that did not belong to her.
“Hello...Hedwig...would you mind...” The confused feeling persisted. Hermione stopped and stared back at Hedwig. No, it couldn’t be. But there was no one else in the room.
“No...no, can’t be. Hedwig can’t have...”
The rays of confusion eased into that of realization. Hermione’s mouth dropped open at the same time Hedwig’s beak seemed to do the same.
Of course I’ve got thoughts! I should peck your bloody ears for that!
Hermione stood in shock. “I’ve gone mad. I’m talking telepathically with an owl.”
Hermione, stop talking to yourself. It’s rather unhealthy.
“Hedwig!?”
I thought we’ve established that already. Hello, Hermione.
“You can understand me?” Hermione’s voice wavered slightly.
No. I only speak German. Duh!
“You know my name?”
Now this is just insulting. I’ve known you for years. What do you think I am, an idiot?
“Sorry.” Hermione looked genuinely embarrassed. “How come you never said anything before?”
Well, having a beak makes it a bit difficult...
“I meant telepathically. Like you are now.” Hermione made a face. Hedwig was a bit snarky for a bird.
I do. All the time. Especially when you lot are about to go out and do something stupid. I mean really, I screech in your heads telepathically but you always end up going to get yourself killed anyway. It’s rather frustrating.
“Do you know why I can hear you now?”
Hedwig cocked her head slightly. Well, I can only guess you’ve received some kind of power.
“Yeah, I can read people’s minds. And apparently talk to animals too.”
Odd.
“Thank you, Hedwig, for the understatement of all time.” Hermione rubbed at the bridge of her nose. Her head was beginning to ache. “I suppose you‘d say that Voldemort is ‘kind of naughty‘ or the citizens of Troy were a 'a tad surprised' the night they brought in that horse.”
What are you talking about?
Hermione shook her head and sat at the foot of Ron's bed. “Never mind. I wonder why I can’t tell what you’re thinking. I can sort of feel your emotions, but not as strong as I did with everyone downstairs.”
Well you’re human, so I figure you’re more susceptible to a human's emotion.
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. “So you listen to us all the time? I know Harry talks to you a lot.”
Oh yes, I hear everything. People like to divulge their little secrets in me. Especially Harry. Must have something to do with the ‘me not being able to talk to anyone’ thing.
Hermione looked surprised. “Really? Harry tells you things? Like what?”
Wouldn’t you like to know...
“I’m joking. You don’t have to tell me." Hermione blushed. "But it must get pretty boring not having anyone to conversate with.”
Well, the Hogwarts owls are a decent bunch. But they’re pretty limited. Like talking to a house-elf. Almost all magical creatures can communicate with each other.
“Really?”
Really. But mostly I spend most of my time talking to him over there.
Crookshanks loped into the room clumsily. He stopped at the door and slumped down onto his haunches. Hermione sensed extreme boredom from him.
Oh, Hermione’s here. I s’pose she wants to pet me now. And I had just washed, too.
“Well I won’t pet you if you don’t want me to.”
“Meee-ROOW!“ Crookshanks head shot up and he arched his back. His hair stuck up in all directions.
Holy shit!
Uh-uh, language, Crookshanks. Hedwig shook her head.
“Honestly, Crookshanks, swearing is impolite.” Hermione grinned.
Hermione can fuckin hear us?
“Yes, Crookshanks, unfortunately. I had no idea you were such a potty mouth.” Hermione looked sternly at her orange car.
She can understand us now. And read the minds of humans, too. Hedwig explained.
How the bloody hell did that happen? Crookshanks sat on his rear and blinked up at them. Now that Hermione knew that they could think and communicate as rationally as any wizard, she was starting to notice how human-like their habits were. Wait don’t tell me. That broom accident. Everyone’s still going on about it downstairs. Saying something was wrong with you. That’s why I came up here. I looked in Ginny’s room but you weren’t there so I figured I’d spend some quality time with Hedwig.
“Oh, you came up here to comfort me? That’s so sweet!” Hermione picked Crookshanks up and gave him a little hug. “I knew it. Ron keeps trying to tell me that you just let me cuddle you because you like the treat in my pocket or something.”
Crookshanks’s ear perked up. You’ve got one?
“No.” Hermione chuckled softly and gave Crookshanks a kiss on the top of the head. It was strange, but it was relieving to know that she could talk to them without being bombarded by intense human emotion.
Aww, ickle Crookie-shanksy. Hedwig teased.
Come on, Hermione, not in front of the owl! Crookshanks wriggled away. Clearly you do not need any consolation or anything. I’m going back downstairs and finding something to eat. He stalked out of the room, his bottlebrush tail held high.
Did that cat just moon me? I oughta...
“He’s got a disposition just like Ron’s.” Hermione observed. “It’s odd, considering how much they seem to hate each other.”
Yeah, I noticed that too. Then again, I don’t have much to do nowadays but notice stuff about you people. And deliver messages.
Hermione looked interested. “So what do you notice about us?”
You’re all bloody mad. Ron is as crude as your cat and Harry is just fooling himself.
“Fooling himself? About what?”
And you’re blinder than a newborn bat.
“Blind? Blind about what?” Hermione asked, mildly offended.
You’ll figure it out. I said you’re blind, not stupid. You’re actually one of the smarter humans I’ve come across.
Crinkles formed on Hermione’s forehead as she wondered what on earth Hedwig was talking about. “You’re not even going to give me a hint?”
No fun in that.
“Well you can’t just dangle something like that in my face!” Suddenly she felt the familiar waves of guilt begin to pound on her mind. “Oh, Hedwig, it’s okay! You don’t have to feel guilty about it.”
Hedwig blinked at her. I’m not feling guilty...
Hermione was puzzled. “If you’re not - “
Just then Hedwig hooted loudly. Uh, Hermione...
“What is it, Hedwig?” Hermione started rubbing her head again. The feelings invading her head were beginning to hurt again. A soft footstep caused her to whirl around, almost falling off the foot of Ron’s bed.
“Hermione?” Harry looked back and forth between Hermione and Hedwig. Hermione flushed a very bright red when she sensed that Harry knew she had been talking to Hedwig. Waves of worry pulsed into Hermione and she flinched. “Are...were you talking...to Hedwig?”
Hermione, still a deep scarlet, mumbled. “I, uh...”
That letter.
Hermione glanced at Hedwig.
That letter! Say you were going to ask me to send it.
Hermione raised the long forgotten and now-crumpled bit of parchment that she intended to send to Dumbledore. “I-I needed to get Hedwig to send this. D-do you mind if I borrow her?”
Harry looked concerned. She’s acting strange. All my fault, I probably damaged her brain or something...
“Stop blaming yourself for everything, Harry!” Hermione blurted.
“I didn’t say anything...” Harry stared. He was very confused. Hermione bit her lip, trying to withstand the heavy emotions coming from Harry. As soon as her teeth made contact with her bottom lip, though, Hermione felt his feelings change. It was that pleasant feeling she had felt downstairs. That unidentified feeling.
“But go ahead.”
“Huh?” Hermione snapped out of it. “Go what?”
“Borrow Hedwig?”
“Oh.” Hermione blushed and gave Hedwig the letter. “Dumbledore” she muttered so Harry wouldn’t hear her.
Right-O. But first, tell me. Did you feel it?
Hermione gave Hedwig a puzzled look.
Oh, never mind. Hedwig launched out the window and disappeared into the sky.
Text from the Wayback Machine's capture of the site, 22 March 2005.