Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Mark of Ingravesco

Ship: Harry Potter/Hermione Granger | Chapter Words: 4659 | Last Update: 6 Jan 06 | Rating: PG-13
Hermione Granger is the next target of Lord Voldemort what ends will he go to in order to get to Harry Potter, and is this latest attempt going to have the effect he wanted?

Chapter 4: The Words of Endorsement

Harry woke up very early the next morning, to see Hermione getting changed at the other side of the bed. Harry let his eyes focus on her as she pulled a t-shirt over her head and bended down to pull on her knee length socks and shoes.

'Whastime?' Harry said croakily, looking at Hermione as she straightened up.

'Early enough,' she said with a smile before continuing, 'but I want to enjoy the last day of the summer holidays as much as possible! The rest of the students arrive tonight.' She clambered over the bed and pecked him on the cheek before dumping a pile of clothes onto his chest. 'Here you go!' She got up quickly and left the room. Harry changed quickly, scrambling to pull them on and swiftly followed Hermione out and into the Open Area.

'How've you been this morning?' Harry asked Hermione, whose back was turned to him as she selected a book from the shelves behind the swinging chair.

'As I've always been Harry,' she answered. Feeling his eyes on her back and sensing the worry in his voice, she turned to smile at him, adding, 'I'm pregnant not dying,' before turning fully around and placing her hands on his waist. 'Now will you stop worrying, Harry? I can cope you know.' Her tone was not completely convincing with a small tremor of apprehension. 'Anything you fancy doing today, or are we just going to take it easy?' Hermione asked, conversationally. Harry paused.

'Well, I think Ron's been avoiding me like the plague ... I think we should spend some time up in the Gryffindor common room with him. It must be lonely.' Harry said as an afterthought, plunging him into further guilt, but not preventing him from wrapping his arms around Hermione in return of her gesture.

'He's got Ginny!' Hermione said defensively. 'There's no reason for him to be lonely!' she added, although Harry detected a trace of shame there.

'We're his best friends,' Harry said, and with a cheeky grin, took her hand to lead her out.

They found Ron sitting near the fire of the Gryffindor common room, crouching dejectedly over the table with a look of pure disgust on his face.

'Worthless filthy maggot!' he said, adding a curse to the end of the insult and speaking to no one in particular. He suddenly realised Harry and Hermione where there and stood up thrusting the paper he had been leant over under their noses. 'Read this, it's unbelievable!' and then snatched up a few slices of toast from the table and stuffed them violently into his mouth. Harry and Hermione looked down at the Daily Prophet, which Ron as handed them, the headline read:

The shamed face of Lucius Malfoy; not content with his life in Azkaban.
Ministry's Azkaban sentence did not settle well!

'Of course it didn't!' Harry said out loud. 'It never would for a Malfoy, would it?' Ron nodded malevolently and sprayed toast crumbs everywhere while attempting to speak.

'Shhhh!' Hermione persisted and Harry leant over again to read on.

Thinned and wearing, Lucius Malfoy spoke to us yesterday about the injustice of his sentence to Azkaban.

'My only intention in this whole thing is the safety of my son and his classmates! I'm told and have seen with my own eyes the meddlesome behaviour of Harry Potter; I was merely there to ensure his safety, and the safety of the people he dragged with him. I was trying to pass the message across to him that I would be there to protect him. But I was attacked by the students and couldn't get it through to them.'

'WHAT the ...' Harry burst out but was cut off by Hermione shushing him, so he continued to read the article.

It seemed to the Daily Prophet that in this interview Mr Malfoy had Harry Potter's best interests at heart, but through the cold justice system of the Ministry and the desperate situation they're in with fighting You-Know-Who, blame was to be dealt to people who got in the way. Lucius Malfoy feels very much a scapegoat, being set up through his naivety and good heart, but Ministry officials disagree.

It is clear, however, that the effect the Prison of Azkaban is having on the innocent victims, such as Lucius Malfoy, is devastating and experts have said it's only a matter of time before the prison devours him completely. Even without the Dementors guarding the prisons, their unlikely substitution is proving a success at retaining the prisoners. (More on this story can be found on pages 4, 5 and 7)

Harry looked up in outrage at his two best friends.

'How DARE he compare himself with Sirius!' Harry bellowed across the echoing common room, his temper rising for the first time in 3 months.

'We've just got to remember, Harry, that ... that, this appeal won't be successful! He won't get it. The Ministry's on our side now!' Hermione said, looking upset and nerved.

'Yeah Harry, this disgusting foul piece of troll bogies is nothing but... well, troll bogies. Did you hear that?' Ron said, causing Harry to stand up like a bolt of lightning and turn to face the portrait that led out of the common room.

'Hear what?' Hermione's eyes were round with apprehension.

'Footsteps ...' Ron said, absent-mindedly waving his hand to quieten her. They heard it again and without further ado, both Harry and Ron pelted towards the portrait door and pushed it furiously open. 'WHO'S THERE?? COME BACK YOU SC-' bawled Ron, but was cut off by Professor McGonagall who had appeared at the bottom of a nearby stairwell, their eavesdropper gone from sight.

'Mr. Weasley!' Professor McGonagall roared, walking swiftly towards them, a look of outrage on her face. 'Need I remind you, that school holidays or not, you ARE in Hogwarts, and the small fact that you're breaking rules BEFORE school term has even started!' Ron's ears reddened slightly.

'Bu-' he started to protest, but was cut short again.

'No buts Mr. Weasley. Strictly speaking school term has not started and I therefore cannot take away any points - but this is your first warning. Remember who you are ... ' she pointed to the shiny Head Boy badge he had fastened to his jumper, 'and where you are!'

Ron had almost forgotten that he was Head Boy this year with Hermione as Head Girl, and even the thought of Mrs Weasley's over enthusiastic squealing and present buying didn't serve to calm his current temper.

It seemed that Ron had snapped. He scowled as she turned her back on them and walked in another direction, causing him to bang the portrait shut, a little harder than advisable and causing the fat lady to call out in fright and frustration.

Hermione seemed affronted, but decided not to say anything with Ron in such a foul mood.

'First that,' Ron scolded, pointing at Hermione's stomach, 'then this,' he said, picking up the paper and chucking it into the fire which burst out then shrivelled the paper into ashes as he continued, 'and then THAT.' He pointed at the back of the portrait where Professor McGonagall had told him off for shouting. 'This year's going to be an absolute scream!' He threw himself back into his chair with an expression of great self-pity.

'Oh cheer up Ron!' Hermione said, putting an affectionate hand on his arm. 'Sorting Ceremony's tonight, and the Start of Year feast you always look forward to.' Ron looked up, snapping out of his stupor.

'Sorry about that Hermione,' he said edgily. 'I didn't mean to, you know, startle you or anything in your condition.'

'FOR GOD'S SAKE, I'M NOT ILL!!' Hermione bellowed, annoyed as she realised both he and Harry would treat her like a dying woman for the entire year.

Hermione made up some excuse about wanting to read a new book she had brought, but Harry and Ron knew she just didn't want to be around if they were going to be nice to her only because of 'her condition', and she quickly left the common room, leaving Harry and Ron to their own devices. After several games of Wizard Chess, Exploding Snape and Gobstones (all of which Ron won within minutes due to Harry's mind working over time on the future), they started to get bored.

'Man, I'm starving!' Ron exclaimed, checking his watch. 'Just think, we're missing the VERY last time to see that old witch pushing that food trolley down the train... All those sweets we're missing out on, the Pumpkin Pasties and Chocolate Frogs,' Ron licked his lips before adding dreamily, 'Cauldron Cakes.' Harry laughed.

'Maybe we could go into Hogsmeade. We've been allowed all through the holidays and while the students aren't here, we could go one more time! We could go to Honeydukes then visit Zonko's, grab a Butterb- '

'Say no more, Harry ... I'm with you!' Ron had come abruptly out of his dream state, and bounded out of his chair.

'Shall we get Hermione?' Ron asked. Harry wanted to say yes, but looking at Ron, the answer was obviously no. Something in Ron's eyes told him that it was time they spent some time on their own. Harry had to agree that the recent events had caused him to kind of neglect his best friend a bit; it was time to make it up to him.

'No, we should leave her really. You know what she's like when she's reading!' Harry said, subtly. Ron nodded energetically.

'Great, shall we go then? Got your money with you Harry?' Harry laughed, catching the almost said 'our money' which Ron had changed at the last minute as he reached the portrait and pushed it open.

They strolled slowly into Hogsmeade, and down the street to Honeydukes. He and Ron bought the biggest selection of sweets they had ever seen, and he doubted whether anybody had bought this amount in one go before. The bright-faced woman behind the counter, whose smile had grown bigger the more they had brought, waved them goodbye and wished them well. They came out, fifteen minutes later, with their pockets considerably lighter, and masses of bags.

'What do you think? Last us till the weekend?' Ron questioned while thoughtfully eyeing up all the bags they carried between them.

'Depends how much you can eat tonight!' Harry replied, smiling at Ron as they crossed the street and entered The Three Broomsticks. Harry approached the bar and smiled over at Madam Rosmerta before ordering and paying for two Butterbeers.

'You could have ordered me a firewhisky you know, Harry! I've been dying to try one. Mum won't let me though,' Ron said, exasperated at his mother.

'Don't think Madam Rosmerta would have let me buy you one either,' Harry told him, glancing back at the barmaid, whose stern face was denying a very drunk wizard another drink. Ron slumped onto a seat, chucked his bags of sweets onto the table and downed his Butterbeer in one go.

'Needed that,' Ron gasped, wiping his mouth. 'and I reckon your right there, she knows the students too well,' he added following Harry's comment.

'You're a pig, Ron!' Hermione exclaimed, coming up behind them, with another Butterbeer in her hand. 'You'll make yourself sick one of these days. Anyway, been up to much?' she asked, surveying the bags on the table with great curiosity, but knowing only too well what they would have picked to try in Honeydukes.

'Nah, not yet. Just been in Honeydukes - you know how it is,' said Ron, innocently picking up Harry's untouched drink and taking a gulp from it. Hermione snorted.

'Oh, Harry, I got you a surprise.' She didn't leave time for him to respond before dumping her bags on the table and shifting though them. 'For our new home!' she exclaimed pulling a neatly framed picture from one of the bags. 'I brought this for a bit of décor. Put our own mark on it.'

Harry took the frame she was holding out to him and studied the picture. It was blank for a moment, then lines started to draw themselves across the parchment inside the frame, it drew the building they were currently in and labelled everyone in it, including Ron, Hermione and himself.

'It adjusts to the building your in, kind of like your map, I thought we could pin it to the wall in the living room and then when someone comes to the door we can see who it is before we open it.' She stopped, watching Harry as he examined the parchment carefully 'We never know who might call whom we don't want to see,' she added looking at Ron and smiling.

'Wha... me?' said Ron, slightly hurt at the innuendo.

'Don't be silly, of course not you!' Hermione said fondly. 'But no ... on a more serious note Harry. It's a good idea, isn't it? And so elegant. Warns us if danger is at the door!' Her eyes widened, as they always did when she came up with a sincerely good idea. 'I'm sure we'll be safe, what with Dumbledore around, but I really don't want to take any risks. This way we'll all be forewarned if Voldemort decides to take a visit.'

Harry had a fleeting image of Voldemort strolling through Hogsmeade and knocking on their door like a door-to-door salesman, but dismissed the idea quickly. Hermione was probably right, with a baby, one that was designed by Voldemort, they probably were going to be in danger when it was born. The truth is, no one fully understood why he had decided to create a baby through Harry and Hermione. It didn't suit his nature and Harry worried that he held plans for it.

'Every precaution is necessary, Hermione,' Harry said finally, placing the map back in the bag, and taking Hermione's hand to pull her into the seat beside him and then wrapping his arm around her shoulder. This really didn't make him feel any safer; in fact, it had opened a whole load of new possibilities Harry hadn't even begun to think of. Hermione took a last sip from her glass and looked down at her watch.

'Ohh ... It's later than I thought. Care to walk me back to the castle?' she requested and Harry and Ron gathered all their belongings and took a leisurely walk back up to the castle with her.

The day had altogether taken off with a very bad start, but Harry, Ron and Hermione's spirits had been lifted by the consumption of Butterbeer. Everyone in the castle seemed exceptionally busy with the arrivals of the students, and soon enough nerves had settled at the bottom of Harry's stomach.

'Ready to bare all the torments of the students?' Hermione said, with a slight glint of fear in her eyes. Harry sighed matching the fear in his own eyes.

'Erm, not really.' Harry's mind had shot to the Slytherin's table. He wondered what their reaction would be once they'd been told what was happening, assuming they didn't already know. Hogwarts gossip usually spread around like wild fire, but there had never been gossip of this sort in all the time Hogwarts had been open.

Later that day Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand to the Great Hall, Ron at their side as always. They where just fantasising about the feast they would enjoy shortly, Ron halfway through deciding on the perfect three course meal, when Peeves popped out of a side classroom and looked delightedly at the trio.

'Ooooh, its potty wee Potter!' he shouted gleefully. 'And his girrrrrrrrrlfriend!!!' Peeves blew the loudest imaginable raspberry and flew straight above their heads. 'Lets see how well potty wee Potter protects his pretty girrrlfriend!' He cackled and picked up the helmet of the nearest suit of arms and raised it high above their heads. 'Mrs Potty won't remember a THING!' Peeves screamed, before chucking it at her. Hermione dodged it and Harry stepped forward pointing his wand at Peeves, but before he could do anything with it, Peeves flew past them and grabbed the sword from the next nearest suit of armour and charged at Hermione with it. Hermione was shocked by the sudden attack and screamed and crouched into a ball burying her face in her arms.

'ACCIO SWORD!' Harry shouted. The sword came whizzing out of Peeves' hand towards Harry's outstretched one. He dropped it hurriedly to the floor and scrambled to Hermione.

'Whheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Potty saves the day!!' squealed Peeves above them, shooting off down the corridor and out of sight.

'The Bloody Baron will hear about this Peeves!' yelled Ron fiercely, shaking his fist in the air at the retreating poltergeist. Peeves' cackling could be heard around the corner as he bounced down the corridor. Hermione was still crouched on the floor, obviously in shock.

'Hermione, its okay, he's gone,' Harry said, reassuringly rubbing at her back until she looked around at him. She straightened up and brushed the creases from her robes.

'Thanks Harry. Thanks Ron.' She pecked Ron on the cheek and took Harry's hand before continuing on their journey to the Great Hall; Harry could feel her shaking as they went.

The trio entered the hall and made their way to the Gryffindor table. Having taken their seat, they examined the teachers' table. Professor Dumbledore was in his usual seat; set in the centre of the long line of chairs that were on either side of him. To his left sat Professors Snape, Sprout and several other teachers. On his right, Professor McGonagall's seat was empty and Professor Flitwick was climbing gracefully into his. Along the row of more teachers and empty seats sat a disgruntled looking Hagrid. He had already explained that he wasn't meeting the first year students this time; they were being met by members of the Order of the Phoenix for their own safety.

Soon enough the Hall began to fill with students, most of whom faces were recognisable. As soon as the Gryffindor table had got sorted and the excited buzz had calmed down, attention was rapidly over to Hermione. Lavender Brown was first to come over.

'Hermione, you're all right?' she asked, looking Hermione over from head to toe. 'I read in the Daily Prophet that you had vanished and reappeared outside the school, what happened?' she asked only to be tapped on the shoulder by Professor McGonagall.

'To your seat Miss Brown, the Sorting will begin in a moment,' she said, shooing Lavender back to her seat and proceeding out of the hall.

Harry's eyes burned with a happiness at being back to the usual school year, even if this one would be somewhat different and much more of a struggle. He gazed around the now familiar room that had been strange to him over the last few weeks when his eyes rested on Draco Malfoy. His sordid, sour looking face hadn't changed over the holidays as Harry had expected, and when he realised Harry was watching him he gave a wink and smirked at him before turning to whisper to Pansy Parkinson, who was sitting to his left. Panic-stricken, Harry elbowed Hermione who gently shook her head.

'Ignore him, he probably doesn't know anymore than everyone else. His dad isn't in Voldemort's circle to give him snippets of information right now.' She was right, but Harry had been shocked to realise that Hermione had been watching the exchange between them. Harry turned to see Ron sitting next to him; his eyes flicked from Malfoy to Harry, a grim expression on his face.

'He knows something,' Ron muttered to Harry, so no one else could hear. 'Look at his smarmy face, stupid ugly git. He's going to get it this year ... if it's the last thing I do!' Harry looked back at Malfoy, who was now deep in conversation with four of his fellow Slytherins by now. Ron seemed to snap out of his trance, and patted Harry on the back.

'Anyway, Uncle Ronnie's getting hungry!' he announced, patting his stomach as he stuck it out towards Harry. 'Bring on the Sorting, Dumbledore's speech and the feast!' Ron seemed jubilant at this thought. Hermione's eyebrows fused together at a look of fond exasperation and frustration at Ron. Her expression spoke her reply, to which Ron breathed in and sat up straight not wanting to talk.

The doors to the Hall opened suddenly, and Professor McGonagall led the wide eyed, terror stricken first years in whose expressions changed rapidly from fear to excitement and then to curiosity before resetting to fear. Harry put his hand tentatively under the table giving Hermione's knee a soft squeeze under the table, to which Hermione acknowledged by taking his hand.

'First years, over here. Line up, quickly please!' Professor McGonagall's familiar strict voice requested. 'When I call your name, you will put on the Sorting Hat and sit on the stool,' she instructed unrolling the parchment of names in her hand as she spoke. 'Andrews, Trevor' she called and the scared looking boy stumbled on his way to the stool. He pulled the hat on carefully and sat waiting.

'HUFFLEPUFF!'

'Bettering, Megan.'

'RAVENCLAW!'

The Sorting seemed to go on forever as 'Magdalene, Toby,' was placed in Gryffindor and an annoyed looking boy called 'Roberts, Nathan,' was sent to the Slytherins and finally a black haired girl 'Zorte, Jessemy,' was sent to 'GRYFFINDOR!'

'Remind you of anyone?' Ron said to Harry quietly, gesturing to Hermione as the over enthusiastic girl practically ran to the Gryffindor table, as the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers.

In anticipation, Ron seized his knife and fork and stared at the golden dish in front of him almost willing it to fill with food. But at the teachers table, Dumbledore had gotten to his feet.

'Welcome to a new, and readily awaited year at Hogwarts!' Albus Dumbledore announced, arms wide open in his usual fond reception. 'The usual school rules apply this year, as they have done every year previous. The Forbidden Forest, is still as such, forbidden, and the Caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like to remind you all that Dungbombs in the corridors will result in punishment. It seems that life here is unchanged by happenings in the outside world, but there have been changes that effect some more than others.' Dumbledore flicked a glance towards Harry and Hermione before continuing. 'Last year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Davis, has unfortunately been recalled to the Ministry of Magic. Although, we will not forget his unusual teaching methods anytime soon.' He paused smiling.

'Too bloody right!' Ron exclaimed, rubbing his arm in the memory of a previous lesson with the teacher.

'This year, Defence Against the Dark Arts will be taught by Madam Frankovich.' Dumbledore indicated a tall, thin, respectable looking lady with neat black hair and bright brown eyes who promptly stood up at the sound of the polite applause throughout the Great Hall.

'The past year has brought us dreadful news, the consequence of which has aged all our faces ... summer seems to have regenerated all of our spirits and our new school year should teach us things that will aid in the years to come, although I am bound by my duties as headmaster to impress on you all there will be a difference in this year's outcome. A good thing has occurred where a bad thing was expected, all of this caused by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named who took advantage and seemingly good pride in abducting one of our older students from her home.' Dumbledore's eyes fixed on Hermione, as did every student who had her in their vision.

'This abduction should have been a way to trap, Harry Potter, best friend to this student, but with everyone's help, he will not prevail in this attempt. By May next year, Miss Hermione Granger, will be the most protected student in this school. Her life and the life of the innocent, unborn child that she now carries, will be in need of everyone's protection, especially that of the child's father, Harry. Dumbledore paused to let the murmur that had started settle. 'I have no doubt that those in their dormitories and common rooms will show them the greatest respect and offer a helping hand when needed. As for now. Let's eat,' Dumbledore finished smiling at Harry and Hermione who both smiled back before he sat down.

Turning back to the table, Hermione ignored the looks of those nearest to her and began spooning large amounts of stew onto hers and Harry's plates. Dean Thomas sat with his mouth wide open gaping at them both, seemingly unaware that the feast had begun. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were examining Hermione as if she'd done something revolting, and Neville had a look of pride and shock on his face.

The feast was uneventful, very few of the students asked questions about what had happened, which Harry thought must be taking a great effort, and eventually the plates emptied out.

With the puddings gone and the muttering dying out from tiredness, Dumbledore once again got to his feet.

'Ahh, the satisfaction of a new year that begins tomorrow. Well fed and watered as you are, your next agenda should be sleep, so off with you all.'

Hermione and Ron got up quickly and led the first years from the hall. Harry followed behind the last first year, who looked back at him every now and again and almost tripped on the way up the stairs to the Seventh floor where Gryffindor common room was hidden.

In though the portrait, Harry waited for Hermione and Ron to finish with the first years, said goodnight to Ron who replied while yawning and left with Hermione heading for their own room and their own comfortable bed for the night.

'I think Dumbledore did that rather well, don't you agree?' Hermione asked, as Harry opened the door to their room. Harry yawned.

'Definitely' he replied, wrapping his arms around Hermione and kissing her, before leading her into their bedroom for some well-deserved sleep.

-->