Visions
"We know that already!" Hermione snapped impatiently. "We already know that the war is near! We already know that Voldemort is ready to begin the fight!"
"Okay, Hermione calm down. That was just the beginning." Liz said gesturing a `quiet down' with her hands to Hermione.
"Oh, sorry." Hermione said slightly embarrassed.
"That's alright." Liz said with a weak smile. "Now before I start, can you tell me what it is that you Saw?"
Hermione blushed. "Harry." she said. "Harry was erm...he was just opening up two of his Christmas gifts from me." That is such a stupid lie. She won't believe that. Hermione thought.
Hermione's expression was not believable at all. Liz looked suspiciously at her, but did not press the matter.
"Oh, alright then." Liz said to Hermione's surprise.
"So, what about the war? What did you See?" Hermione asked, quickly switching the topic. Liz sat down and looked at Hermione with a sad, grievous expression.
"What is it?" Hermione asked seeing her face.
"The end." Liz said, barely above a whisper. "I Saw the end of it all Hermione; where Harry and Voldemort are face to face. The point where either's life hangs in the balance."
"And?" asked Hermione anxiously. "What happens?"
Liz's expression did not waver. She simply stared at Hermione with the same, sad look on her face. "That's just it." she said quietly. "I See Harry and Voldemort. Then...a bright light, a hot, white, blinding light...and then the Vision ends."
"So, you're saying you have no idea who wins the war?" Hermione screeched. "You are actually saying that you don't know if Harry will live?"
"Yes." Liz said softly. "Unfortunately, that is exactly what I am saying. I don't know what is going to happen. All of this power, and it's useless.." Hermione felt extremely irritated. She stood up from her chair in frustrated silence, and began pacing up and down Dumbledore's office.
"Fine," she finally said, stopping in front of Liz. "So you don't know what's going to happen. Do you at least no an exact time?"
"I wish I did. All I know is that it happens around sunset, on some day. I don't know."
"But, the vision I had - the one that you were supposed to have - in the vision, Harry was older. He was at least five years older. I mean, if these visions are of the future, doesn't that mean that he will live?" asked Hermione, suddenly filled with hope.
"Not necessarily." Liz replied. "The visions I get are indeed of the future. But you have to realize that the future can be altered. It could end up the way you Saw, then again it may turn out completely different." This was clearly not the answer Hermione wanted to hear.
"Arrrghhh!" she roared. "I'm sick of Harry's future being neither here nor there! I'm sick to death of him not being able to control his own destiny! Do you know how frustrating this whole thing is?"
"OF COURSE I DO!" Liz shouted in tears. Hermione suddenly became aware that Liz was now standing and growing in height. "Of course I know how frustrating it is! For about six months now, I've been pouring over this damn Vision! Trying to understand it! Trying to help save my little brother!"
Hermione looked at her. She could feel the hot tears pouring out of her eyes. Then she reached out and hugged Liz. "I'm sorry Liz. I didn't mean to make it seem like you don't care." Hermione said pulling away slowly.
"I know." said Liz shrinking down to normal size, and wiping her tears on her sleeve. "I know you didn't. You love him so much. It's understandable that this would be upsetting for you."
"I do lo - " Hermione began. Liz smile at her.
"It's okay Hermione." she said. "It's okay to admit it. What's wrong with saying it?"
"Don't you know the answer to that already?" Hermione asked.
"Like I said Hermione, I'm and Empath, not a mind - reader."
Hermione stood still, twiddling her thumbs and looking down at the floor. Then finally she looked back up at Liz. "There's nothing wrong with saying it." Hermione said. "I've said it to myself a million times...in my head. I know it sounds silly, but the first time I say it aloud; I want to say it to his face." Hermione looked out the window, there were people outside. They were all walking around the lake. Hermione could see couples walking along the glistening water, hand in hand. "I want to tell him just this once. That way, I won't be too disappointed when he rejects me." Hermione said sniffling.
"Hermione, tell him." said Liz. Hermione's head snapped back towards Liz.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" Hermione said sounding slightly hysterical. "I can't - "
"Yes you can. Why do you think I laugh all of the time when I'm around the two of you?" Hermione shrugged.
"Because Harry get's the same squirmy feeling whenever you're around!" Liz explained in between giggles.
"He - ...what?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"You heard me. Tell him Hermione. You, er...never know what might happen." Liz said grinning at Hermione as if conveying a secret message. Hermione face lit up instantly. "Really." she said smiling.
Liz said nothing, but continued to grin at her. "Okay then." Hermione said, sitting down and pushing a wonderful thought from her head until later. "So this whole vision thing. It still doesn't explain why you're here. I mean, I know that as his sister you're concerned for Harry's life. But -". Hermione suddenly broke off and looked sideways, thinking, then looked back at Liz. "Wait a minute." she said comprehensively. "You're going to tell him aren't you? This year, because he might die soon. That's the reason you're here isn't it?"
"That's not it Hermione." Liz said as she sat back down in Dumbledore's armchair. "I believe with all of my heart that Harry will kill Voldemort. And I am here for a reason. One that I can't give you."
"But Dumbledore said to tell me everything." Hermione retorted.
"Everything but that. You will learn of it in time, but not now."
"So you won't tell me why you're here?" asked Hermione.
"No." Liz replied and Hermione let out another roar of frustration.
"What's the point of telling me all of this anyway - if you're not going to tell me everything?" she bellowed.
"The reason why I'm telling you all of this is simply because you stumbled in on something you wouldn't understand unless it was properly explained with the truth." Liz answered.
"So why didn't you just use a Memory Charm on me or something? Wouldn't have that been easier?" asked Hermione.
"Yes it would have. But Dumbledore thought it was best to explain the truth to you."
"Did he say that?"
"No, I er..sensed it."
"So, why then? Why did you tell me?"
"That Hermione," Liz said smoothly. "Is another question that I cannot give you a direct answer to."
Hermione rolled her eyes and let out an irritated sigh. "Fine." she said. "Then will you at least tell me if, how and/or when you are panning on telling Harry about all of this."
"I have no idea." said Liz with a shaky voice. "It's much bigger than when I went to meet Sirius. I honestly don't know when, but I'll let you know when I do. And in the mean time, you have got to keep this secret Hermione. No one can know. This secret is far bigger than that Time Turner secret you had to keep a few years ago."
Hermione looked at Liz with an expression of shock. "How did you - "
"Minerva told me." Liz interjected. "In fact, I'm having to use one myself this year."
"You are?" Hermione asked.
"Well how else do you think I'm able to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and go to classes? C'mon Hermione, I thought you were smart."
"Right." Hermione said feeling stupid for asking the question and a bit irritated with Liz's comment.. "Wait a minute." she said forgetting the irritation. "That quarrel you had with Snape a few weeks ago - "
"Was real. I don't like Professor Snape much. I'd always wanted to get away with yelling at him when I was a student and I just couldn't resist. Plus, it made me more believable as a student in front of everyone else.." Liz said chuckling.
"So, then Snape knows - about Harry and you being brother and sister?"
Liz nodded. "Yes, he knows. The detention he gave me, I suppose was to punish me for when I was his student. I was a trouble maker in his class. But other times, I was a good girl, sort of...I didn't get into much trouble because I never got caught. Anyway," she said briskly. " I didn't have to serve it..he couldn't keep me, a teacher in detention."
As soon as Hermione smiled, a frown quickly took its place. "What's wrong?" asked Liz noticing Hermione's expression.
"It's just that, Harry, well he's not going to take all of this easily. I mean really, who can blame him? How would you feel? All of this secrecy...I just know, he's going to be furious. I don't know how long I can keep this a secret Liz. I can't lie to him."
"I know Hermione. I know you can't, but you must for the time being. I'm begging you. Dumbledore and I are trusting you not to say anything to anyone. Not even Ron."
"Okay, okay! I promise I won't say anything. I'm just letting you know how Harry is. It took him a long time to let go of Sirius...to move on. He tends to cling to the things that only hurt him in the future. Don't hurt him, and please tell him soon!"
"I will. I just don't know how soon." Liz said with a sigh.
"Okay." Hermione said.
"Oh, and Hermione," Liz said quickly. "Make sure to keep up the act around me...as Liz and Professor Bright. Can you do that?"
"Yes." Hermione said.
Just then, Professor Dumbledore entered his office as he said he would nearly an hour ago.
"Hello Miss Granger, and - "
"Miss Potter, Professor." Hermione offered.
"Yes. Miss Potter." Dumbledore said and grinning slightly at Hermione. "Miss Granger, now that you know all of this information, you, and I use the word strongly must keep everything you've heard confined to this room. Everything you've heard must be kept secret until the time is right."
"Yes sir." Hermione said to him. "Liz explained it all."
"Very well." he said. "I do not feel that there is need to tell you anymore than Elizabeth has already told you Miss Granger. Again, I assure you that it was all true and you need not worry about that." Hermione gave him a weak smile and nodded.
"You may both go down to the Great Hall." Dumbledore said. "Tell anyone who asks, that `Professor Bright' is in a meeting with me now."
Liz and Hermione stood and nodded, then walked towards the revolving staircase. While Professor Dumbledore made to sit in his chair.
"Elizabeth." he said.
"Yes Professor?" Liz said turning to him.
"Your hair." he said chuckling. Liz looked up and saw that it was still red from when she had shown Hermione her true color.
"OH! Thanks Professor." she said and shook her head. Instantly, Hermione saw the red hair turned back into raven. She looked like Harry again. Hermione really couldn't see how that was a disguise, but it seemed to be working none the less.
"The two of you have a nice day." Dumbledore said.
"You too, Professor." Hermione said. And with that, she and Liz made their way down the staircase to join the rest of the world. They finally reached the bottom and walked to the Great Hall in silence. They were just around the corner when Liz spoke.
"Hermione," she whispered
"Yeah?"
"By the way, the question you had about your homework...don't worry about it. I think you've had enough to deal with today." Hermione laughed.
"Thanks." she said.
"Just remember, keep up the act. I know it's horrible, but it has to be done."
"I know. I'm good. I can do it. Don't worry." Hermione said with a reassuring smile.
"Good. I know you are. You just don't worry, okay?" Liz said. "Ready?" Hermione nodded and the two of them entered the Great Hall.
They both spotted Harry instantly and went to sit down with them. Hermione felt her stomach give a great big lurch. Maybe she couldn't handle this. Maybe she couldn't keep up a charade. Maybe -
"Owww!" Hermione said as Liz poked her in the ribs with her elbow. "No doubts Hermione." she whispered. Liz had `felt' that lurch in Hermione's stomach. "Okay." Hermione whispered back. "I'm fine now really." They were finally at the table at which Harry, Ron, Luna, and Ginny were sitting. "Hermione!" Harry said leaping from the table.
"Hi Harry." Hermione said smiling and then turned towards the rest of the group. "Hi Ginny, Luna. Ron." she said glaring at him. Ron smiled rather impishly and grabbed Luna's hand and got up quickly.
"C'mon Luna, we'd better go or I might not live to go on that trip we talked about next summer." Ron said, and the two of them ran off laughing. Harry and Hermione both frowned at him then looked at each other. Then Harry diverted his eyes to Liz. "Oh, hi Liz." he said.
"Good morning Harry." she replied, sitting down next to Ginny and pouring herself some juice. Harry then looked back at Hermione. "Want to sit down and have some breakfast before it's over?" he asked.
"Erm...no thanks." she said. "I'm not really feeling that hungry."
"Oh." Harry said. Hermione could have swore he sounded disappointed. "Well, sorry I can't stay then, I'm going to go. First Quidditch practice of the year, you know, and I need to get these new guys trained if we have any hope of winning the Cup this year.." Harry had been made Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and continued playing as a Seeker. "You ready?" he asked looking at Ginny - Gryffindor Chaser. Ginny took one last gulp of her juice and nodded. "Yep." she said.
"Great." said Harry. "Now let's go and find Ron. I swear, he'd better not miss any practices for snogging Luna in the Room of Requirement or I'll kill him. Also he could do with a good kick in the arse...for other reasons." Hermione let out a laugh and shared a secret smile with Harry. Liz, of course, let out a smile snicker. Hermione shot her an angry glare. Luckily, Harry hadn't noticed anything. "I'll go and find him." Ginny said. "We'll meet you at the pitch in ten minutes Harry." And she ran off to find Ron.
"Alright," Harry said turning to Hermione. "See you later."
"Bye." she said giving him a small wave as he glanced to Liz.
"See you Liz." he said.
"Bye Harry." she said.
Harry walked out of the Great Hall, and Liz couldn't help but notice that Hermione hadn't taken her eyes off of him the entire time. "Oh, you have got to tell him." Liz said to her.
"I am." Hermione said looking back at Liz. "Tonight."
A/N: I know, I know I said that there would be Harry/Hermione stuff happening in this chapter (there was a teensy bit) but I didn't think it really fit here, so I moved it to the next one! You won't be disappointed! I'm writing it right now, in between English and Math homework! **cringes at the thought of homework**
So, I hope you liked this chapter. Please Review! Thanks!!
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