Chapter 7 - The Chest Monster
Disclaimer The Harry Potter universe and all the characters in it belong to J. K. Rowling. No infringement intended, just borrowing.
Hermione spent the better part of the following week reading Under Your Spell, looking for clues to what spells Ginny may have used on Harry. While she learned more than she ever wanted to know about love spells and potions, she was no closer to her goal. She needed to get her hands on Ginny's book. She decided to owl Ron for help, noting that if Mrs. Weasley saw Hedwig, she would just assume it was from Harry.
The following day she received a message from Ron.
Hermione -
I hope I can help you. Ginny is back at Hogwarts and my parents are on holiday, celebrating Mum's recovery. Feel free to pop in anytime, I could use the company.
Ron
Hermione decided there was no time like the present. Harry was out with Remus and Tonks for the day so she literally popped in on Ron. He was sitting on his bed reading a Quidditch fanzine when she startled him.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed. "I could've been naked, you know."
"What are you doing running around your house naked while the family's away?" She teased as she gave him a hug, which he returned.
"I'm glad to see you, did you just get my owl - I only sent Hedwig back this morning."
"Yes, I was anxious to talk to you about Ginny." Hermione said, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Your note was a bit cryptic, what has my sweet little sister done now?" Ron asked sarcastically.
"I'm not sure if she's done anything yet - but she might." Hermione went on to explain about the love spell book and her conversation with Ginny the last time she was at the Burrow.
Ron looked surprised and a bit skeptical. "You really think she might've done something to Harry last year?"
"I'm not 100 percent sure about that, teenage hormones are a lot like potions, aren't they?" Hermione mused.
"Yeah, look what they did to us." Ron agreed. "But I believe you that she would try something to get him to marry her. That's all she and Mum seem to talk about. Mum's already talking about altering her wedding dress for Ginny."
"Why do you think your mum is so intent on having Harry marry into the family?"
"I dunno, maybe to strengthen the family bloodline? Mum has always lamented how there's a lot of inbreeding among wizarding families, I guess we're like the Royals, huh? If Harry, who is part Muggle, and a very powerful wizard to boot, becomes part of the family, his bloodline might ensure our survival."
Hermione thought for a moment. "Being Muggle born myself, my blood could probably strengthen the family line, too. Maybe that's why she was so angry when she learned I didn't want to marry you."
She paused. "Speaking of which, how's the Grumpy Ron performance coming along?"
"Oh, I've been doing a really good grumpy/depressed Ron. So good that I had to convince them that it was okay to leave me alone for a week, that they weren't going to come back and find me dead by my own hand."
"Oh Ron, don't say things like that." Hermione admonished.
"Sorry, I guess I shouldn't joke about death, considering…." Hermione knew he was thinking about Harry and the prophecy.
"Which reminds me, there's been some other developments I should fill you in on." Hermione filled Ron in about Harry's scar fading and how it only strengthened her theory.
"Whoa, really? Wish I could've seen the look on Harry's face when he saw it!" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione noticed that his expression suddenly changed. "What is it?"
"Um, I kinda told Ginny about your horcrux theory. I didn't know then she was planning hoodwink him into marrying her."
"What did she say?" Hermione asked, suddenly worried.
"She wants to be the one to save him."
"But she can't be the one to save him, Ron."
"Why not?"
"Because Harry's not in love with her. He has to experience love without magic or spells to get rid of the horcrux."
"But Ginny doesn't know that. I forgot about that part when I told her."
How convenient for you, her conscience teased.
Hermione was reminded of the reason she came to The Burrow. "Ron, let's go into Ginny's room."
They spent the next few minutes scouring Ginny's room for the book. It wasn't on her bookshelf or on her desk. Hermione got frustrated and held out her arm.
"Accio book! Er, Under Your Spell."
Sure enough, the book came flying up from underneath Ginny's bed straight into Hermione's hand.
"Finally!" she said excitedly, wondering what else was under the bed.
"Let me see." Ron demanded. "I want to see what's so exciting about this book."
Hermione handed it to him and he opened it to find his mother's note to Ginny.
He looked up in surprise after reading the note. "Mum used a love spell on Dad? Who knew she was so cheeky?"
"Yes, that's the thing I want to look up. Quick, turn to page 201."
Ron and Hermione sat on Ginny's bed and looked at the spell on page 201.
The Chest Monster - Lust Potion # 7
Want to get your crush to notice you and then lust after you? The Chest Monster is your answer. This potion's potent effects make the infatuation start slowly so your crush won't notice that anything is out of ordinary. As long as your target is consistently exposed to the potion, eventually the effect will be so strong that your crush's heart will feel like a monster inside them whenever you are in the room. He or she will think of nothing but you. This potion can be ingested by swallowing or sniffing. It can be disguised by perfume or other cosmetics.
The page went on to discuss ingredients and dosage and some caveats. Hermione thought back to when Harry and Ginny started dating. It seemed to fit.
"Ron, I'm almost certain she used this potion on Harry last year."
Ron shrugged. "I guess it could be true, but it also sounds like a hormonal reaction. I mean, this kind of describes how I felt when I was with Lavender, except the monster was in my trousers."
Hermione elbowed him hard in the ribs, remembering how hurt she was when Ron was with Lavender. "Boys! Honestly, is there nothing else you think about?"
"Well, I think about Quidditch a lot, but other than that…" Ron teased. "Hey, I wonder why Ginny didn't bring this book to school with her?"
"Maybe because there aren't any boys there that she wants to snag or snog, that is- after all without Harry there, why would she need the book?"
"I'm learning way too much about my sister today," Ron groaned.
Hermione looked at the clock, it was time to get back to Grimmauld Place.
"It's getting close to dinner time, I'd better get back before Harry wonders where I am - he still thinks we're estranged."
"Yeah, I almost forgot about that. I hope we can put this acting stuff behind us soon. I miss you guys."
"Ron, when do you think you'll be able to come back?"
"Oh soon, I think when my parents come back, I'll tell them that I did a lot of thinking and that lazing and moping around here isn't going to help Harry. I will owl you both when I've decided on a date."
"That's wonderful, I guess I'll wait for your owl then." Hermione said picking up the book and preparing to disapparate.
"See you soon, Ron."
And in a snap she was back in her bedroom at Grimmauld Place.
Just then she heard Harry's voice coming from downstairs. "Hermione, I'm home."
Whew, that was close.