Chapter 6
A Matter of Choice
The following day, the trio were making their way to their Potions Class, deep in the bowels of the school. Professor Slughorn was already inside at the front of the classroom, making preparations for the lesson. As Harry walked through the door, Hermione could not fail to notice the quick, uncomfortable look that he received. The professor had altered a lot since he had been at the school, his guilt over what he had told Harry had played heavily on him, and it was believed by many that he remained at Hogwarts only to make amends for the information he had imparted to Tom Riddle all those years ago, and because he did not wish to let down Professor Dumbledore.
As they took their usual places, their books already out in front of them, their attention focused on the chalked message on the board. The subject of the class was Invisibility. Slughorn waited for a moment for the class to quieten down following the revelation, his hands resting on the desk in front of his as he surveyed the class.
"Now that you are in the final year of school, we are going to move on to the more complex potions that are available." Slughorn glanced around the room as he spoke, watching the reactions of those around him. "As you are all aware, there are various spells that allow you to make objects and people disappear, this is a potion that does the same thing."
Ron turned to Harry, as the professor continued to explain the bonuses of potions over spells in this particular field. "A potion instead of the cloak," he muttered in a voice low enough not to be heard by those around him. "That could save us a lot of trouble sneaking out."
"Except everyone knows that potions have the disadvantage of wearing off," piped up Hermione, who had been half listening to the professor as Ron spoke. "Also there is the added fact that your clothing and anything you are carrying remains visible. Learning the spell would be preferable, unfortunately it is not taught at Hogwarts anymore, since one of the students got knocked out during a prank, and it was a week before anyone located him."
Ron and Harry looked at the young witch, their eyes wide with fascination, silent until Ron found his tongue. "Are you serious, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded her head, looking a little surprised that her tale had been doubted. "It is all in 'The History of Hogwarts'. I told you, you should read more." She smiled, and looked back at Slughorn as he came to the end of his opening explanation.
"How could someone be so stupid?" Ron asked, looking incredulous.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Some people must be unlucky, I guess." He turned to the bushy haired girl beside him. "So how did he do it?"
Hermione turned and met Harry's gaze. "Do what?"
"Knock himself out?" Ron chipped in, having the same thought as Harry.
"No one knows." Hermione flicked her eyes, between the two young wizards, while trying to listen to the professor. "He lost his memory and fortunately the spell went with it. Now ssshh, Professor Slughorn is getting to the instructions."
"…Of course, this year I'm expecting great things from Mr Potter, following on from his shining example, last year." The professor continued as he strolled around the class, dropping a single strand of fur from the Demiguise in front of each student.
Hermione frowned at Slughorn's words and whispered. "You are going to have to come up with an excuse why your ability is waning, Harry." She turned to him, unable to hide the smug look on her face. She had hated the way he had used the book belonging to the Half Blood Prince - she still found it hard to think of it as Snape's.
"He could always drink the potion and knock himself out," Ron chuckled softly at his own joke.
Professor Slughorn's voice boomed around the classroom. "And there will be no testing of the potion at the end of the class. You will be assessed on the look and smell of the potion. Anyone even attempting to take a sip will be in a detention." He finally reached his spot behind his desk. "If the potion is not right it can lead to very strange effects."
The whole class fell silent as it waiting for the professor to explain exactly what the effects would be, but he did not elaborate, and no one ventured to ask, each assuming that it must be something bad, otherwise it would not have been mentioned in the first place. Almost as one, everyone began to follow the instructions laid down in their potion books.
"Feeling confident, Harry?" Hermione glanced at him, as he tossed the first couple of ingredients into the cauldron before him, its contents turning a strange shade of puce.
Harry looked over at Ron's cauldron, which had a pale blue substance bubbling away in it, while a quick glance at Hermione's lilac coloured liquid made him sigh audibly. "I was." He mumbled as he reread the instructions to see where he had gone wrong, before adding his Demiguise hair and watching in amazement when the liquid turned the same colour as Hermione's. His grin was hard to hide. "Who needs the Half Blood Prince?"
"You do, Harry. Look!" Hermione pointed to his cauldron, just as the liquid inside bubbled rapidly and turned a bright yellow, before tipping over the edge of the pot and burning its way through the desk.
In a flash, the cauldron before him was emptied, and the desk no longer had a sizzling hole in it. "I see that Invisibility is not Mr Potter's strong point." The class giggled around him, especially those from Slytherin, who all seemed oddly quieter without Draco in the school. "Hopefully we'll see some of your previous flair in the next class."
Hermione watched Harry's eyes, and heard the faint huff that escaped from his lips, fortunately the professor had already turned away by then, leaving the three to stare after him. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shook their heads. Hermione watched the professor, unable to imagine what he must be feeling. He had told the then Tom Riddle all about Horcruxes, which was breaking the rules of the school at the time. How he felt about the same boy becoming the most powerful wizard ever and using the information he had imparted was something she knew she would never comprehend.
"With Dumbledore gone, we might have to approach Professor Slughorn for help." Hermione whispered. "He does seem to know something about Horcruxes."
"No," Harry almost shouted, just managing to keep his voice low. "The fewer people who know what we are doing the better." He shook his head as she opened her mouth to argue. "Not a word to anyone, Hermione. We do this on our own."
Nodding her head, Hermione gave him a slight smile. "We should still think about it, Harry."
Ron looked between his two friends. "We might need some backup."
"If we need anyone, we'll get them. I just know that if others knew what we were doing they would try to stop us." His expression became heavy. "And I want no one getting in the way, not this time. It's just us."
Hermione knew how hard it had been for him to reach even that decision. All summer she and Ron had talked and pleaded with Harry to come back to Hogwarts and let them help him. He had wanted to run off after Voldemort and Snape, not caring if he was prepared or not. But he was there, sitting in the potions class, even if he wanted to be somewhere else, and he had his two friends, who had vowed to be with him and never leave his side.
Hearing the screeching of stools against the floor and the scuffle of footsteps, Hermione looked up just in time to hear the Professor call out over the class what their homework was.
"Chapters two and ten to be read for the next class." Professor Slughorn called out. "And twenty points for Gryffindor for Ms Granger, who was the only one to get the potion correct." Despite all that had happened the previous year, and the damage done, Professor McGonagall was trying to keep things as normal as possible, and this included House competitions and Quidditch.
Ron groaned, as if the result was a surprise to him. "Looks like you've lost your crown, Harry." He looked at Hermione and smiled, knowing that she would be so much happier going back to being the best in the potions class. "At least now Hermione'll be more willing to help us."
Shrugging her shoulders, Hermione grinned. "Not necessarily, Ron Weasley." She picked up her bag and her belongings and sashayed out of the classroom, her two friends looking at each other, before they followed her.
* * * * *
As they trio entered the common room, a first year rushed up to Hermione and handed her a piece of parchment, which bore the seal of Professor McGonagall. Her eyes opened wide as she looked at the letter, which was held out in front of her as if it was something that would bite her if it got too close.
"I wonder what it is," she said, as she lowered her books onto the table.
Ron looked at her, his voice excited. "Open it and find out." He grinned foolishly at her. "It could be you've been made Head Girl."
Around them the room suddenly came to a halt, as those milling around the room or doing their homework stopped what they were doing at the last two words Ron had spoken. The students were still excited about the announcement that was due, according to Dennis Creevey, and had been backed up with several bulletins that had appeared on the boards around the school.
Hermione frowned as she continued to stare at it, her fingers shaking. "I can't open it." She looked up from the parchment and gazed at her friends, oblivious of the others standing around them, looking on with interest. "Open it, Harry." She thrust the letter at the dark haired young man in front of her, as her hand sought out and found Ron's.
"What does it say?" Ron asked impatiently.
"Let me open it," Harry said, as he broke open the seal, and unfolded the parchment. His eyes ran over the words inside, and then he looked up at Hermione, his gaze full of disappointment. "Professor McGonagall wants to see you."
Ron looked at Harry. "Does it say anything about Head Girl?"
Harry shook his head sadly, and handed the note back to Hermione. "Nothing."
Around them the room suddenly seemed to gain momentum, as the other students realised they were not about to hear the big announcement, and returned to the chores they had neglected while they excitedly listened on.
"Sorry, Hermione." Harry frowned.
"I wonder what she wants." Ron took hold of the parchment and read it, as Hermione held onto the other side. "Perhaps she is going to tell you in person."
Harry nodded. "Yes, that's what she'll want."
Not at as convinced as the two before her, Hermione smiled and nodded her head in agreement, even though inside she did not think that would be the reason for the summons, not that she could really think of anything else. Then suddenly her heart sank, as a thought popped into her head, one that made her head swim, as the colour drained out of her face.
"Hermione?" Harry spoke softly, as his brow creased with concern. "Are you alright?"
"What if…?" Her eyes were wide and full of fear. "What if…?"
Almost as if he could read her thoughts, Harry shook his head. "Nothing has happened to your parents." He gave her a reassuring smile and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, his eyes fixed to hers. "They are fine."
"McGonagall would not have sent a note for that," Ron said, as he squeezed her hand. "Harry's right."
Looking between Ron and Harry, Hermione gave them a smile, feeling comforted by the words of her two best friends. They had been through so much together, and as long as they had each other, she knew they could face anything. "I'll find out soon enough." She stood as she was for a moment, before she let go of Ron's hand and moved so Harry's hand fell from her shoulder. "I'll tell you about it when I get back."
Without another word, she walked over to the exit of the common room, and headed for the Headmistress' office.
* * * * *
The portraits around the office were in a mixed state of awareness. Some seemed to be dozing peacefully, while others seemed more interested in the goings on in the room. The eyes of many were focused on the young fluffy haired woman who was sitting in the chair opposite the Headmistress. One portrait caught the young witch's attention. The newest edition to the wall, Professor Dumbledore seemed to be in a very deep sleep, though his portrait did not seem as restful as all the others.
"Well, Miss Granger, you must be wondering why I have called you to see me." Professor McGonagall gave her a warm smile. "So, I will not beat about the bush. I am going to do something that has not been done in Hogwarts for a very long time; I am going to ask a student to make a decision. And that student is you, Hermione."
The young woman looked up at the professor unable to speak, not that she was expected to do so, at least not at that moment. Instead, she sat just looking at the headmistress, waiting for her to elaborate.
"Miss Granger, as you know we are currently undergoing the process to pick a Head Girl and Head Boy. This would have been done before now, but what with everything that has happened we are a little behind with a few things." The professor paused. "The choice for Head Girl was an easy one, and the decision was reached very quickly. The problem comes with finding the Head Boy, and that is where you come in."
Hermione stuttered slightly. "Me?"
"The rest of the staff and I have narrowed the choice down to two, but that is as far as we can go. We were hoping that as Head Girl, your first duty would be to pick the head boy. Those short-listed are…"
Please don't let it be between them, Hermione thought silently, almost pleadingly.
"…Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."
Hermione's heart leapt frantically, as her worst fear was said out loud. If there had been one thing she had dreaded it was to have to choose between her friends. Having to pick who would best work for the school was hard enough, but to choose between two people who meant so much to her was heart wrenching.
"I know the choice is a hard one, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall's voice broke into her thoughts. "I have been unable to decide, and neither has the rest of the teaching staff. Professor Stygian thought that it might be a wise decision to get another's opinion on the matter."
Looking up at the headmistress, Hermione was momentarily speechless as she thought over what she had been asked to do. It was a hard choice, but somehow there seemed to be no other way it could end up. "Harry Potter." Hermione sounded more confident than she felt. "The rest of the students will look up to him." And it would allow her and Harry to work on the Horcruxes in the peace and quiet of the Head Boy and Girl's common room.
The professor beamed. "Congratulations, Miss Granger, on becoming Head Girl and thank you for your help." She held a piece of parchment that she handed to Hermione. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to give this to Mr Potter?"
Hermione looked down at the note in her hand, which looked very much like the one she had received, except it bore the name Harry Potter. Her fingers closed around it, as once more she looked over at the portrait of Dumbledore, who had not moved since she had been there. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
Feeling a little miserable at being asked to choose between her Harry and Ron, even if she knew deep down that she had made the best decision for the school, she felt that she had let Ron down. It was in a less than happy mood, despite becoming Head Girl that she walked back to the Gryffindor house room, taking the longest path she could.
* * * * *
"…I can't do it, Professor Stygian." Harry's voice greeted Hermione as she returned to the common room, surprised to see the head of Gryffindor inside talking to the young wizard. He looked into the Dark Arts' professor's eyes, meeting her gaze with determination. "I do not want to be the Quidditch Captain."
Professor Stygian's expression was unknown to the young woman, as she had her back to the entrance. "It is important for things to get back to normal, Mr Potter, and Quidditch has always been a major part of the school. You were the captain last year, and led the team to an astounding victory." Her voice remained level, almost as if she was talking to a class rather than asking one of her students to take on an important role. "The other students need something to look to, and I believe you need it too."
There was a pause before Harry replied. "I don't want to be on the team." His eyes blazed over with anger. Hermione knew that he felt it was wrong for things to continue as if nothing had happened. He had been there, he had seen Dumbledore murdered, and he wanted to dedicate his time to finishing what the headmaster had started. "I want to put the effort into studying. This is an important year." He paused for second and mumbled, "And anyway, it was Ron who led the team to victory."
Hermione smiled as Harry tried the old trick of telling the teaching staff that the reason he could not do something was for academic reasons. She could tell from the body language of the professor that she was not taken in by the excuse, but the slight slumping of the woman's shoulders indicated that she was not going to put up a fight.
Turning around, Professor Stygian's gaze found the young witch's eyes, and the death's head smile appeared on her face. "I believe congratulations are in order, Miss Granger." She walked over to Hermione and looked at her, her eyes containing a strange meaning that was not easily identified, but made the young woman feel like she was being read.
Hermione smiled nervously, taken aback by the professor's revelation. "Yes, thank you, Professor Stygian."
"You are Head Girl?" Ron seemed to appear out of nowhere as he wrapped his arms around her and swung her around, a bright smile sparkled his eyes. "I said you would be, didn't I?"
Blushing as her feet touched the ground, she could feel the eyes of everyone in the room staring at her. She gave him a warm smile, that added a little something to her eyes, but she still could not get rid of the guilt she was feeling. "That's what Professor McGonagall wanted me for." Her eyes met Harry's over Ron's shoulder, as Ron once more wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him.
"Congratulations, Hermione." Harry did not make a move towards her, but the smile he gave her made her feel that little bit better, and yet at the same time made her feel even more guilty.
Untangling from Ron's arms, Hermione suddenly found she was surrounded by a group of students all congratulating her and patting her on the back, and sharing words of happiness that a Gryffindor was made Head Girl. The chatter and celebrations went on for a moment before a small voice piped up.
"Who's Head Boy?"
Hermione stood still, feeling her cheeks being to blush slightly, as she realised that she had forgotten to complete a task for the Headmistress. The common room had gone oddly quiet, as with a hushed breath the group waited to be put out of their misery.
Before Hermione could speak a more dominant voice rang out. "I'm sure Professor McGonagall will announce that shortly." Professor Stygian's eyes flicked between all of the students, making some flinch slightly under her gaze, until her eyes met Hermione's. "Everything has its time and place. And sometimes we want things to happen when they are not meant to, and other times we miss what is important."
She smiled once more, before her eyes found Ron. "Mr Weasley." He visibly jumped at the sound of her calling his name. "Please come to my office after first class tomorrow." Without uttering another word, the professor turned and exited the common room, which remained totally silent until the portrait closed on her retreating form.
"Harry, are you mad?" Ron looked at his friend, an expression of total bewilderment on his face. "You can't give up Quidditch. Tell him, Hermione."
"I think he needs to, Ron." Hermione gave Ron a sad smile, before she turned and gazed upon Harry, who was giving her the oddest look she had seen on his face before.
"Quidditch is his life," Ron enthused.
Hermione shook her head sadly. "He has more important things on his mind." She looked down at her hands, and suddenly remembered the note she had been given. "McGonagall wanted me to give you this." She handed the parchment to him, snatching her hand back as it lightly brushed against his, as if she had been burnt.
"What is it, Harry?"
Harry shrugged as he looked at Ron, who was staring oddly at the note. "I don't know." He smiled awkwardly before pulling open the letter and reading the contents. "Professor McGonagall wants to see me." He looked up at Hermione quizzically, searching for some meaning to the summons.
"Perhaps she knows about…" Ron began, the ears of those around them pricking with interest.
"Ssshh." Hermione shook her head at him and met his eyes. "Harry can tell us once he gets back." She turned away from the ginger-haired wizard and stared at Harry, wondering if he knew what she had been discussing with the Headmistress. It was not really that hard if he was to put his mind to the matter, but his expression did not give away whether or not he had any idea.
She walked over to the table, the route now clear as the rest of the students realised they were not going to get any more information out of the three, so had returned to doing what they had been. The room once more took on the usual hustle and bustle of a normal day. Flicking some hair behind her ear, Hermione picked up the books she had left earlier and yawned sleepily.
"I'm going to get started on the homework," she said as she gave Harry a smile, before moving over to Ron and kissing him tenderly.
"Good idea, we need to free up another evening." Harry lowered his voice. "The sooner we can get back to Grimmauld Place and find that locket the better." He grimaced slightly at the thought of what lay before them.
"We also need to know what can destroy them." Hermione's voice did not sound very optimistic. Following their failure the previous night, she was beginning to think that nothing existed that would bring this horrible nightmare to an end. They had seen what had happened to the Headmaster's hand, just that thought alone made her regret that they had to follow the same path. "I just hope there is something in the library…other than Quidditch." She looked at Ron and grinned.
Ron returned her grin. "I'll do better next time, I promise."
"I know you will." Hermione laughed lightly, as she turned, but not before she gave Harry a knowing smile, which caused him to join her in a little chuckle.
As she walked over to the staircase that led to the girl's dorms, her arms full of her books hugged to her chest, Hermione was startled to see Ginny walking towards her, the younger girl's eyes questioning.
"Hello, Hermione." Ginny smiled, her voice light but with a little edge, which was not helped by the glance she took in Harry's direction. "Have you had a chance…?"
The expression on Hermione's face cut her off mid-sentence. "You are going to have to give me time, Ginny." She smiled, realising how her friend must feel. She knew that it had to be hard for Ron's sister to see Harry every day, and not be able to be with him. The 'Chosen One' hardly looked in Ginny's direction, and seemed to disappear whenever she was around.
"I just thought…" Ginny sighed. "It doesn't matter. I know you will speak to him when you can." Giving Hermione another smile, the younger of the two walked off into the middle of the common room, hoping to attract Harry's attention.
Hermione looked over at her two friends, and saw that they were locked in a serious conversation, that she assumed was either to do with Quidditch, Head Boy or her. She smiled, wondering by the looks on their faces whether it was even all three. Turning away, she filed away the reminder that she had to speak to Harry for Ginny and then headed up to her dorm, where she lost herself in her books for several hours.
* * * * *
A week later, following a manic seven days of hustle and bustle, and a complete rearrangement of their lives, Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves standing in the middle of the communal room that was part of the suite that made up the residence of Head Boy and Girl. It was not as big as the school houses, which were made up of fourteen dorms and a common room. The suite consisted of two bedrooms, a common room like lounge and a bathroom, but it was large enough not to make the two young people residing there feeling too pushed together.
"Whoa, this is amazing." Ron looked about him, feeling already at home in the place shared by his two friends. "This will make everything so much easier. The meetings and planning stuff."
"It also means all the prefects will be able to reach us." Hermione came out of her bedroom, where she had just dumped her trunk. "But it will certainly make researching easier." She moved over to Ron and took him by the hand. "Let me show you around."
"Where's Harry?"
Hermione shook her head and shrugged. "He had to go back to the dorm for the rest of his stuff."
As if that gave him a cue, Ron pulled Hermione into his arms and held her against his body, as her hands slid slowly around him. "I can't remember the last time we had a moment to ourselves." He looked down into her eyes and smiled, before tilting his head and pressing a kiss to her lips. One of his hands slide lightly up her back until his fingers brushed against her hair.
Hermione loosened her grip, and took a step back, breaking the kiss suddenly, as her eyes flicked towards the door. "Harry will be back in a minute." She lowered her gaze not able to met Ron's.
"Then we have a minute." He reached out for her, only to find his hand grasping air. He looked at her, his expression one of complete puzzlement. "What's the matter?"
"I don't know, I just feel wrong being all…you know…when Harry is around." Hermione turned her head, as she focused on a pile of books that needed to be placed in their new home. Cradling them to her body, she gave Ron a smile, as her eyes once more found his. "He doesn't have anyone, and it feels like we are…"
"He let her go, Hermione." Ron's voice rose slightly. "I don't see why that should spoil what we have." He closed the gap between them in several steps, taking the books from her and placing them on the table with a low thud. "We cannot creep around him as if we don't matter." He turned to her, placing his hands lightly on her arms, just below her shoulders, pulling her towards him.
Hermione blushed slightly, a strange sadness in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ron." Her arms once more went around his body, as she pressed against him. She rested her head on his shoulder, as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"He understands."
"Who understands what?" Harry's voice made both of them jump and quickly untangled themselves from each other, as he entered the room catching them by surprise.
"Neville," said Hermione.
"Slughorn," chorused Ron at the same time.
Harry frowned and then laughed. "You don't have to stop talking because of me…or anything else for that matter." He dragged the trunk he was pulling into the room, and aimed for his allotted bedroom. "I'm happy for you both." Despite his words and the almost genial tone of his voice, his eyes as they met Hermione's did not completely reveal his words to be true.
Exchanging looks, Ron and Hermione watched as Harry disappeared out of sight. The young man shrugged and let out a sigh. "You're right. Even I'm starting to feel uncomfortable…" He let his words trail off.
Hermione nodded. "We need to keep him occupied and we know one way to do that."
"The locket?"
"If we can locate it and the means to destroy it, I think it will help Harry." Hermione's eyes lingered on the now closed door of Harry's room, which he had shut behind him hiding him from his friends. "And the sooner we do it the better."