Chapter 11
Walking in Footprints
Barely entering the common room, Hermione was approached by the youngest Weasley. She looked over to where Ron and Harry had settled, still discussing the homework that they had been given by Professor Stygian. Even from where she stood, she could hear them both whining about how much of their lives were going to be taken up with completing the reading assignment. She could not help but smile at Ron's comment. Turning, she faced Ginny, who was standing next to the table that the older witch had just placed her books on.
"Hello, Hermione." Ginny smiled awkwardly, as she met Hermione's gaze.
"Hello, Ginny." Hermione recalled their previous conversation earlier.
Ginny feel quiet for a moment, her eyes flicking over to where her brother stood with Harry, shuffling her feet slightly as she turned back to the older girl. "Hermione?" She smiled awkwardly. "Will you be around later? I really need someone to speak to."
Hermione paused for a moment. "Well, I…ah…I do have a lot of things on at the moment." She watched as the young woman's face fell, her eyes growing sad. Unable to go on, she nodded her head less than enthusiastically. "Yes, I'll be here. We can talk after dinner, if you'd like." She gave the young woman an encouraging smile, watching as her gaze once again fell on Harry.
"Thanks, Hermione." Ginny gave a large smile, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. Hugging her book to her, she dashed off towards the door, almost with a skip in her step as she headed off to her next class, not missing out on the opportunity to snatch another glance of Harry. Moments later, she had disappeared through the hole, the eyes of two of the other room occupants following her out.
Hermione frowned as she saw the look on Dean Thomas' face, his eyes lingering on the exit that Ginny had vanished through. Beside him Seamus Finnigan was talking away, but his friend was taking little notice.
Flicking her gaze towards Harry and Ron, Hermione walked over to where they had both settled, the eyes of the young woman's brother watching the door as if he expected his sister to stroll back through at any moment. As she reached them, she shot a glance at the exit before looking once more at her friends, just as they both looked up at her.
"What did she want?" Ron asked, flicking his head towards the door.
Hermione looked confused and shrugged slightly. "Who?" She gave both an innocent look, playing with them.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Ginny, of course."
Hermione looked at Harry, trying to read what he was thinking and feeling. She really did not want to add to his problems, he already had more than enough to worry about without Hermione adding to it with talk of the young woman that he gave up because he did not want to hurt her. Hermione understood this, she just wished there was a way for both of her friends to be happy.
"She wanted help with homework." Hermione lied, her eyes once more on Ron, as she moved between them and sat down.
"Why did she ask you?" Ron asked, as he made himself comfortable, turning to look at her as she sat.
Hermione gave him a stunned look, as if he had suddenly began to speak in a foreign tongue. She did not warrant his question with an answer, merely staring at him, before turning her attention to Harry who had not spoken since she had approached them.
"Harry?" She frowned, wishing she knew what she could do to make everything right. She wanted more than anything to be able to wave her wand and see everyone happy. Though she knew that until Voldemort was destroyed there would be no way for Harry to begin to live like a normal young man. Until all of this was behind him, he would not risk hurting someone he loved. A pang of sadness shot through her heart at the thought.
"We've been here almost two weeks, and I'm no closer to completing this quest than when Dumbledore was alive." Harry drummed his fingers on the cover of his book with agitation. He caught Hermione's look, a frown marking his features. "What's the matter?"
Hermione shook her head, and blinked in surprised. "Nothing." She reclined in her seat and gave him a little smile. "When do you want to get started?"
Ron leant forward, keeping his voice low. "We could go tonight." His voice shook slightly, his eyes wide with concern. What they had ahead of them was no easy task, and getting out of the school was no walk in the park either.
Continuing to drum his fingers on his book, Hermione could not block out the sound, as it began to grate on her nerves. She placed her hand over his, stopping the movement of his fingers. Her eyes caught his as he looked at her surprised by the touch. "I need to concentrate." For a moment her hand remained on top of his, before she slowly pulled it away.
Harry looked away, focusing on Ron, who had missed the action between them. "Right, so we need to get to get back to the library, which is not going to be easy considering events around here last year." He paused for a moment. "Apparition is going to be our best option, but for that we need to get out of the grounds, and passed the new wards that have been put up since…" He did not finish.
"Apparate?" Ron interrupted, slumping back into his chair with a sigh, looking and sounding defeated at the first obstacle. "And with Filch's increased prowling, we'll never get out."
Harry shot Ron a look that made him sit up in his seat. "We have to find a way." He practically spat at his friend, the other young man's attitude not helping his mood. "We have to find a way out. We've done it before, we can do it again." He looked pleadingly at Hermione for support.
Before she had the chance to answer, the room erupted into a frenzy as Dennis Creevey entered, shouting at the top of his voice that an announcement would soon be forthcoming concerning the yet to be decided Head Boy and Head Girl of Hogwarts. The room practically ground to a halt as everyone circled around the excited boy as they all asked questions pertaining to what he had heard.
Ron's attention was snatched briefly as he got caught up in the euphoria of things, knowing that Hermione had been down over the summer as she had heard nothing about it. He looked over at her and grinned. "It seems you might still have a chance yet."
"There are more important things than that, Ron Weasley," Hermione said, her face pulled into a pout. Ron always seemed to say the wrong thing that managed to make her more than a little cross. She looked over at Harry and smiled sadly, lowering her voice as she spoke. "So, getting out of the grounds, how are we going to do that? Do you have a plan?"
The room around them continued to bubble with excitement, as those inside began to speculate who would be named in the announcement. More than a few of them mention Hermione Granger and looked in her general direction, grinning to themselves at the thought of having a Gryffindor head girl. As to who they thought would be head boy that ranged from nearly everyone in the year, naming both Ron and Harry several times, which caused the red haired wizard to beam with joy.
Harry, on the other hand, was too wrapped up in what had to be done to become distracted by the conversations going on around him. "I think we should use the old tried and tested method of invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map." His voice was low, even if those around him were making more than enough noise to drown him out.
Making sure no one was watching, he pulled out the Map and began to trace his finger along the route he thought they should take, once he had said the spell to bring the diagram to life. Instantly, the map was filled with dots that represented the people in the school, as they went about their business. "This, I think is the best route. There has always been less movement in those areas, the only potential obstacle being Filch, and this map will make sure we know where he is at all times." He grinned, happy that he had covered everything.
Ron nodded his head in agreement. "This will also leave us closest to Hogsmeade, which is an added bonus." He pointed to the spot he was referring to. "I don't think there is a better way out." Looking up at Harry, he grinned before both turned and looked at Hermione, who did not seem to be paying too much attention. Ron pointed towards her and made a sign to Harry indicating her lack of interest.
"So, what do you think, Hermione?" Harry asked, trying not to grin.
Hermione blinked herself out of her reverie and looked at Harry blankly then smiled confidently. "It…ah…it sounds like a good…"
"She wasn't listening." Ron groaned, also fighting a grin.
"Of course, I was…" Hermione began, but a look at both of her companions' faces told her it was worthless lying. "Okay, I wasn't listening."
"See, I told you." Ron grinned at Harry, looking triumphant.
Hermione shot Ron a look, her arms crossed over her chest, before she broke into a grin, turning to Harry. "Please repeat the plan for me." She said as she leant forward, not wanting to be heard, despite the ruckus still going on in the room.
Harry looked at Ron and just managed to stop himself laughing as he went over the plan as requested.
* * * * *
Unsure of the reason why, Hermione was not in the best of moods for the rest of the day, she had already shouted at Harry and Ron for nothing more than doing their homework, and the only reason that she could give herself was the worry over sneaking out of Hogwarts later that night. She was also feeling more than a little uneasy concerning events in Dark Arts, she still had no idea what had caused her to black out, but she could not help feeling that it had something to do with Professor Stygian, even if she had no idea how or why.
Pulling her book onto her lap, she made herself comfortable on her bed, having left her friends in the common room. She needed time on her own, time to get her mind sorted out. She could not remember the last time she felt this uncomfortable, regardless of all the things that had happened to her, Harry and Ron during their time at Hogwarts.
"Hermione?"
The sound of her name brought Hermione out of her reverie, but did not help raise her spirits as her solitude was broken by the arrival of Ginny Weasley, who was standing by the entrance of the room, watching her. Moving her gaze from her book, she found the young woman's face, and gave her a warm, friendly smile. Closing the cover of the tome that rested on her lap, she pushed it off and placed it on the bed.
Patting the spot on the bed, beside her, Hermione indicated for Ginny to take a seat. "Sorry, I was miles away."
Ginny laughed as she walked over and sat down next to Hermione. "I wish I could get engrossed in one of these." She placed her hand on the book and pushed it slightly out of the way, giving herself more room to get comfortable. "I'm not interrupting, am I? But you said I could…"
Hermione shook her head, and turned to face the younger woman, one leg curled up under her as the other dangled off the edge. "You aren't interrupting," she lied. Smiling, she hoped that Ginny could not read her expression.
"Oh, Hermione." Ginny's voice sounded pleading, as her eyes grew wide and a little watery. "I don't know what to do. I really like him and I hate seeing him miserable." She lowered her eyes and fidgeted, her fingers twining and entwining. "I know he doesn't want anything to do with me, but I…" She once more found Hermione's eyes as she raised her gaze to the older witch's face. "I…"
Hermione watched, speechless for a moment, her mind whirling for something to say. Finally she found her tongue and stammered through a reply. "Well, Ginny…I..ah…I think you have to accept that Harry may not want…" She paused. "You have to remember that Harry has a lot on his mind…" She frowned as she watched the girl's face react to her words, eyes expectant. Letting out a sigh, she smiled. "I can't promise anything, and I don't know that it will make him change his mind, but…would you like me to talk to him?"
Ginny looked at Hermione for a moment, as if she had not heard, and then a smile burst over her lips. "Oh, would you?" She leant forward and wrapped her arms around Hermione, catching the older girl by surprise. "You are such a good friend. Thank you." She released the startled Hermione and slipped off the bed, almost as if she wanted to get away before her friend could change her mind. As she reached the door, she turned and looked back towards the bed. "Oh, you won't leave it too long, will you? The sooner the better and all that." She grinned and disappeared out of sight.
Eyes fixed onto the door, Hermione shook her head, her mind filling with various things that she could have answered, but they would not come when she needed them. She sighed, and fell back onto the bed, wondering what she was thinking about offering to interfere with Harry's life, when she knew he would not appreciate it.
* * * * *
Sitting in the common room the following day, the night time visit to Grimmauld Place turning up nothing other than a book of how to play Quidditch and win, which had caused a row between Hermione, Ron and Harry. Hermione was still feeling more than a little put out that Harry always took Ron's side in an argument, even when it was Ron that had not been pulling his weight. Not that they would have gotten anywhere even if had taken the time to read a book pertaining to their search.
The only thing that had come out of the search was Harry's announcement that the locket was at the house, or at least he believed it was. Thinking back two summers ago, Hermione could remember seeing the locket, and had even attempted to open it, before the golden oval was thrown into a black sack as they attempted to clear out the belongings of the Blacks from the house, as per Sirius' orders. For a moment, the memory of the man swam before her eyes, as she recalled the fun and sadness that had filled that year. But now was not the time to dwell on things, they had far too much to worry about, and if the locket was the Horcrux that they sought, then they would finally be on the first step towards completing the quest that Dumbledore had begun.
"Hello, Hermione." Ron addressed her, grinning awkwardly as he stepped down the last step from the dorms and walked across the common room to where she was getting her things ready for the potions class that they had next.
Meeting his eyes, Hermione gave him a pleasant smile, trying to rebuild any damage that might have been done the night before. She had to stifle a giggle as he yawned loudly, obviously struggling to deal with going to bed late. They all knew that he had trouble getting himself going if he did not have a full night's sleep. "Sleep well?" She asked, trying to make conversation, as they waited for Harry to join them.
"Other than dreaming of being chased around the Black's Library by a larger than life size book, that had the biggest fangs I have ever seen…yes, I did." Ron laughed to himself. "What about you? Have you had any more bad dreams lately?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, I slept very well." She smiled, grateful for his concern. "Where's Harry?"
Ron looked back at the stairs to the dorm room. "I think he's taking a moment to read the next chapter…he doesn't want to look bad in front of Slughorn."
Letting out a little laugh, Hermione picked up her book, cuddling it to her chest. "I think it will take more than a quick read for Harry to persuade Professor Slughorn that he hasn't lost his talent." She looked more than a little smug, as she watched the dark-haired wizard appear. "Ready, Harry?" Unable to stop herself from laughing, she turned to hide her face from him, and headed to the door, looking forward to the lesson ahead more than usual.
"What's the matter with Hermione?" Harry asked as he reached Ron.
Ron shook his head. "You don't want to know, mate." Grinning, he headed off after Hermione, followed by a confused Harry.
* * * * *
Speaking aloud the password to the common room, Hermione turned and laughed as she listened to Harry and Ron's conversation following the potions class. Harry's last minute studying had done nothing to help him with the Invisibility potion, and Professor Slughorn even had to rescue the desk from the wizard's attempt as it began to eat through the wood, much to Harry's surprise. For a moment he had actually thought that he had been successful in creating the correct potion, as it turned to the desired colour, before rapidly changing and flooding out of the cauldron.
"I think I had it there for a moment, I think I had just put a little too much of one of the ingredients in." Harry moaned to Ron, as they stopped just before the door, almost colliding with the still Hermione. "Of course, Hermione was in her element again."
Hermione merely shrugged. "I told you the book would not bring you any luck, and look what almost happened last year." Neither of them had to speak to know that the other was thinking of Draco and Snape. "It's better this way, things are back to normal."
Ron chuckled. "Of course, she would not be so happy if she had failed to produce the correct potion." He gave her a wink and pushed passed her, heading into the common room, leaving Harry and Hermione outside, staring at each other.
"No hard feelings, Harry, but it is good to be…you know, free from that book." Hermione gave him a kindly smile to show there was no bitterness between them. "I didn't like you using that book last year."
"And we both know why." Harry frowned, before breaking into a grin. "I don't want to use it anyway, it belonged to him." He scowled at the thought, his voice turning bitter. "Anyway, that's in the past. Let's get inside and have a look at how much of our time is going to be filled with potions homework. We really need to clear another evening if we are going to…"
He was cut off by the arrival of several other students who filed in before them. Looking at each other for a moment, they silently entered the common room, spying Ron already freeing himself of the clutter of the class. Walking over to where he was, Hermione was cut off by one of the first years, who rushed at her waving a piece of parchment for her attention.
"I wonder what it is." Hermione took the folded parchment and looked at it puzzled.
Ron moved over to them, grinning foolishly. "Open it and find out. It could be you've been made Head Girl."
Hermione continued to stare at the note, as if the ability to work out how to read the message inside had been stripped from her memory. "I can't open it." She thrust her arm out, offering the parchment. "Open it, Harry."
"What does it say?" Ron asked impatiently, getting more excited by the minute.
"Let me open it first." Harry broke the seal and ran his gaze over the contents. "Professor McGonagall wants to see you." He raised his eyes from the note and looked at Hermione with a grin.
* * * * *
Sitting across the desk from Professor McGonagall, Hermione let her gaze flick between the portraits of the past Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts. Some of the occupants were dozing peacefully, while others were giving their full attention to the scene being played out before them. When her gaze fell upon the familiar face of Professor Dumbledore, Hermione shivered slightly, watching for a moment as the old wizard slept in his frame, or so he looked like he was sleeping. His portrait, unlike all the others, seemed to have a strange appearance, as if it was the same and yet different.
A movement from the women before her drew Hermione's attention to the current Headmistress, who gave her a warm smile as their eyes met. "We'll, Miss Granger, you must be wondering why I have called you here to see me." Professor McGonagall paused briefly, letting her words sink in. "So, I will not keep you in the dark for much longer. I am going to do something that has not been done in Hogwarts in a very long time. I am going to ask a student to make a decision."
Hermione sat looking at the older woman, her eyes wide and full of surprise, and inside she felt nervousness fill her body, as she anticipated the Headmistress' words. Without uttering a syllable, Hermione waited expectantly for Professor McGonagall to continue.
"We are currently undergoing the process to pick Head Boy and Girl, a decision that would normally have been completed before now, but what with one thing and another, we are a little behind in a few things." The professor smiled, pausing to ensure Hermione fully understood what she was saying. "The choice for Head Girl was an easy one, and the decision was reached quickly, very quickly." Her eyes lingered on the student before her, revealing it to be her in question. "The problem comes with choosing Head Boy, and that is where you come in."
Hermione swallowed hard. "Me?"
Professor McGonagall nodded her head. "The rest of the staff and I have narrowed the choice down to two, but that is as far as we can get. We were hoping as Head Girl that your first duty would be to pick a…"
"You want me to choose between Harry and Ron?" Hermione interrupted, oddly sure of what Professor McGonagall was going to say.
The Headmistress stared at the young witch for a moment and nodded. "I know it will be a hard decision for you. I would be lying if I told you that the rest of the staff and I had any more easy a time of it than you will, but you know them, Miss Granger, and Professor Stygian thought…"
"Professor Stygian?" Hermione interrupted again.
The professor looked a little put out at being cut off again. "Yes, she seemed to think that you would have the ability to make the decision. At first I thought that it would be wrong to ask you, but she made a very strong case for doing so."
Hermione stared, unsure of what to say. When she had received the note from Professor McGonagall she could not help by smile and feel proud of herself, and now she had to make the hardest decision of her life, having to choose between her two dearest friends. Her heart beat loudly in her ears, and it was a few minutes before she could find her voice.
"Harry Potter." Hermione sounded more confident than she felt. Guilt was ripping at her insides as she abandoned Ron. She wondered how she would ever be able to look at him, and what she would say to him if he were to find out…not that he would, not if she could help it. "The rest of the students will look up to him."
Professor McGonagall nodded and smiled. "Congratulations, Miss Granger, on becoming Head Girl and thank you for you help." She rose from her seat and stretched her hand out to Hermione presenting her with a piece of parchment. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to give this to Mr Potter." Her eyes met Hermione's a look of respect buried deep in her gaze.
"Thank you, Headmistress." Smiling, she walked out of the room, casting one last look at the sleeping form of Dumbledore, wondering if she would have had to face the same decision if he was still in charge.
* * * * *
Seven days later, Ron was standing in the communal room that made up the centre of the Head Boy and Girl residence, his arms full of books as he helped move Hermione and Harry's belongings out of Gryffindor House. He looked around the room and smiled as he placed a pile of books on the table, his eyes picking out several features of the room, noting the locations of the bedrooms, especially the one Hermione had disappeared into only moments before pulling her trunk behind her.
"Whoa! This is amazing." He spun around slowly, grinning. "This will make everything so much easier. The meetings and planning stuff."
Hermione appeared at the doorway to her bedroom. "It also means that the prefects will be able to reach us, especially you. And researching will certainly be easier." She walked over to where he stood and took hold of his hand. "Let me show you around."
Ron looked over at the other bedroom door to the one that Hermione had exited, which he assumed belonged to the new Head Boy. "Where's Harry?"
Hermione pointed towards the door. "He had to go back to the dorm for the rest of his things."
With a grin, Ron pulled Hermione towards him, wrapping his arms around her, as he held her close. "I can't remember the last time we had a moment to ourselves." He leant towards her and pressed a kiss to her lips, as one of his hands travelled up her back.
Hermione loosened her grip, stepping back as she freed herself from his embrace, her eyes fixed on the door. "Harry will be back in a minute."
"Then we have a minute." Ron reached out for her, only to find that she was too far away, having taken another step back from him. He frowned at her, his eyes questioning. "What's the matter?"
Hermione shook her head, lowering her eyes, unable to look Ron in the face. "I don't know, it just seems wrong being all…you know…when Harry is around." She walked over to the desk and picked up the pile of books that he had placed there. "I don't want you to get angry with me, Ron, but it just feels like we are…"
"Are what?" Ron, if possibly, looked even more confused.
"He doesn't have anyone, and I know how I felt when I saw you and Lav…" Hermione looked up and gazed into Ron's eyes. "I'm sorry."
Ron stared at her in disbelief. "He let her go, Hermione. And his situation is nothing like…I mean, when I was with Lavender, we weren't…well, you know." He stumbled over his words. "We were not going out then, and I did not dump you for her."
"Harry has not dumped Ginny for anyone." Hermione jumped to Harry's defence.
"I don't think we should let what happened to Harry ruin what we have, Hermione." Ron took a step over to her tentatively, afraid that she would back away from him again, but she remained rooted to the spot. He took the books from her hands and placed them back on the table with a low thud. "We cannot creep around as if we don't matter." He placed his hand on her arms, just below her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "He understands."
"Who understands what?" Harry's voice startled them both, making them jump out of each others arms.
"Slughorn," cried Ron.
"Nev…Slughorn," chorused Hermione, changing her mind mid-word, much to the relief of her and Ron, but not quite quick enough to fool Harry.
Harry laughed. "You almost managed to fool me." He flicked his eyes between his two friends, as he grew serious. "You don't have to stop talking because of me…or anything else for that matter." He pulled his trunk, dragging it across the floor towards his room, stopping as he reached the door. "I'm happy for you both." His eyes met Hermione's with a smile, his look making her think that he was not being entirely honest with them.
Ron turned to Hermione as Harry disappeared through the door. "You're right. Even I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable…" His voice trailed off as the bang of Harry's door resounded around the room.
"We need to keep him occupied and we have one way to do that." Hermione frowned, her mind whirling with thoughts.
"The locket?" Ron asked, knowing the answer before he asked the question.
"If we can locate it and the means to destroy it, I think it will help Harry." Hermione moved over to the desk and began to search through the books, her attention lost as she scanned the title of each.
"I agree…and the sooner the better." Ron stared at her for a moment. "What are you doing?"
Looking up from her task, Hermione met Ron's gaze, her expression a little sheepish. "I have to find a ward for the library at Grimmauld Place."
Ron blinked, looking at her strangely. "Why?"
Hermione paused for a moment in thought and then shrugged. "I have no idea, but it feels like something I need to do."