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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters; they all belong to J.K Rowlings and Warner Brothers. Although I wish I did lol.
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A/N: Just a reminder this is a Harry and Hermione pairing, if you don't like the pairings then don't bother reading it in the first place. Remember this chapter takes place a few days after Harry's Birthday. This chapter will cover different angles and will broaden. Try and follow along and pay close attention to what happens. Hope you enjoy it, Read and Review!
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Harry Potter and the Orb of Ter'angreal
Chapter Four
By: Sapphire Rose
It was now August, at least five days after Harry's big surprise party. The heat wave wasn't wavering and Sirius was continually placing cooling charms on the manor when he wasn't at the ministry tracking down Voldemort with his fellow Aurors. Ron and Lavender were the same, spending their days at each other sides, never leaving. Harry and Hermione had basically kept their distance from each other since that night. They still exchanged a few words with each other. An unspoken understanding was set between the two, 'never bring up the 'almost' kiss the night of the party.' Hermione reasoned in her head it must have been a mistake, he wasn't going to really kiss her. Harry was just as confused as ever, he didn't know or understand what his feelings for Hermione were.
They had spent most of their time in the library; well Hermione actually went to the library to work while Harry just went to be close to her. He didn't know why but he felt a need to be there, when he was there he'd work on his homework but couldn't help but be distracted. He would casually steal glances at her; he watched the way she held her quill, the way her hand gracefully moved over the page covering with her quill, the way that annoying piece of hair kept covering her eyes. Oh how many times he had wanted to push it away so he could stare in her breath-taking eyes. But as always he kept his distance, remembering that his was his best friend.
Every single night before he went to sleep, he would stare at the crystal ball of himself and Hermione. Slowly with every single day that passed Harry began to piece together the picture forming in his head. He was only beginning to understand what was going on between them. He had an idea but pushed it aside thinking it was impossible, 'Hermione is my friend, nothing more,' the more he said that, the less he believed it nowadays. Was that it, did he feel more for this angel sitting before him then a friend? He glanced up at her once more, that couldn't be it, could it? Harry shook those thoughts out of his head and went back to working on his work.
Hermione tried to concentrate all her efforts on getting her work done, but for some reason she couldn't no matter how hard she tried. Instead of paying attention to her work she took several glances at the boy sitting across from her. Every day since his surprise party, this was the way things have been. It's not that she didn't want to talk to him; the thing was she didn't know what to say to him. That's was right, for once Hermione couldn't come up with a single thing to say. She watched as he flipped through the book he was reading. Almost as if it was a habit he developed, he kept running his hand through his already messy hair which only seemed to amuse her. And then there were his eyes. They were so captivating she could lose herself in them. Hermione, always being the quick one to catch on figured out her confusing feelings, how you ask? Well she actually realized them the day after the party. They were sitting in the library and she stole a glance in his direction and realized he was staring at her. Almost as if a light bulb went on, Hermione realized she loved this boy more then in a friendly way. Problem was he would never see her in that light, but her mind would constantly argue back, reminding her of the 'almost' kiss. There wasn't anything she could do but watch him from a distance.
This is how it has been for almost a week, Lavender and Ron noted. Harry and Hermione were constantly in the library 'supposedly' working. They didn't know what to make out of this situation and figured the truth would come out sooner or later. Were they THAT blind? Everyone could see it but them, which annoyed them. Half the times they wanted to lock those two up in a room and not let them out until they figured it out. The other half they debated whether or not to tell them straight out. For the time being however Lavender and Ron left their friends to their own devices. They would spend their days in one of the rooms in the house snogging each other senseless, what else could be expected from the two? They would actually work on their homework once and a while, but quickly lost interest.
The bet between Padfoot and Moony was still on. Remus would continuously count the days down to Sirius, which only accomplished in annoying him. A week was almost up and there was no sign that Hermione and Harry were together yet. Sirius constantly wondering what was taking that boy so long? Was his godson clueless?
Unconsciously Harry began fingering the chain around his neck. This didn't escape Hermione and she was debating whether or not to question him about it. She couldn't stand the silence anymore and was dying to start a conversation of some sorts.
"That's an interesting chain."
Harry seemed to be pulled out of his trance, a voice that almost seemed foreign to him spoke out, it was none other then Hermione. He realized he was playing with his chain again and pulled it out. Hermione continued to look down at her work while Harry stared directly at her.
"It's actually an amulet; Sirius gave it to me the day of my birthday."
Hermione sat next to Harry forgetting about everything that had happened, the uneasiness and examined the amulet closer.
"It looks really old…"
"He said it's been in my family since the time of the Founders, he also said Dumbledore might want to talk to me about it but I don't know why."
"Well if Dumbledore might mention it, it has to be important."
"That's what I was thinking."
"Well maybe we could research it then."
"Always thinking, aren't we my Mione?"
What could she say, she was stunned. He just referred to her as 'his' Hermione. Reasoning he didn't mean it the way she thought she pushed the thoughts aside and concentrated on the task at hand. Harry was shocked with himself as well, what made him say it? He couldn't deny the fact he felt right when he said it.
"Well someone has to around here."
She smiled playfully and he couldn't help but laugh silently to himself.
"So how are we going to find anything about it?"
"Well I'm most positive I saw a book in here about ancient amulets. Did Sirius happen to mention what it was called?"
"Actually he did, he said it as The Heart of Gryffindor and it has been passed down in my family for generations."
"Alright, let's see what we can come up with."
The afternoon was spent searching the library for any information about the amulet. Piles of books were set in front of Hermione which wasn't an unusual sight to Harry. Even at school she could be found behind a stack of books. After what seemed like hours, Hermione finally found something and dropped the book in front off Harry, taking a seat beside him.
"Found it!"
Once said to belong to Godric Gryffindor, one
of the four founders at Hogwarts school of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, created an amulet
called the Heart of Gryffindor. Although the
actual use of the amulet was never discovered,
the secret seems to lie within. The amulet has
not been seen for many generations and is
questioned whether or not it even exists.
"Well that's it, it stops right there."
Harry and Hermione stared at the page, unsure of what to make out of it. The amulet did exist but there wasn't much else that could be said. It once belonged to Godric Gryffindor which only brought more questions to Harry's mind. He made a mental note to speak with Dumbledore when he got back to school.
"Thanks Hermione, now I know why you're the smartest witch in all of Hogwarts."
He placed a soft kiss on her cheek and stood up. He began to place the books back in their rightful places. Hermione could do nothing but smile inwardly.
"So Mione, want to go get something to eat? I think we've kept ourselves locked up in here long enough."
"Sounds fine to me."
They finished putting away their things before heading to the kitchen for lunch.
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In the dark corners, far away from the manor we can find a dark shadow, haunting the darkness. Seated in what seemed to be a throne room we can find the infamous Dark Lord, Voldemort. The room was in total darkness except for the areas with torch light. Standing before the Dark Lord was a man in pitch black robes and his mask covered his face. He casually bowed in front of his master and stood upright once more.
"Well Lucius what do you have to tell me today?"
Lucius was Voldemort's right hand man, who also happened to be Draco's father.
"Master I have come with news about the progress of your new plan and so far everything is going smoothly."
"That is good to hear. Now it is time for the next set of plans to begin."
"Yes Master."
"This year Harry Potter has run out of chances, he will not live through this year."
"That pesky brat, always meddling in your ingenious plans."
"Very true, anyway Lucius for the next phase in my plan I must ask something of you."
"Anything you would like Master it will be done."
"I will need the help of your son. Will he be willing to assist us?"
"I believe he will…"
"Then it is settled. Harry Potter will fall."
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An owl flew through the window which caught Draco Malfoy's attention quickly. He briskly walked over to it as it handed him the letter. He was expecting a letter from Ginny and hoped it was from her and sure enough it was. He gave the owl some food before he sat down at his desk. Draco didn't open the letter right away and thought for a few moments.
Since last year he and Ginny had become close friends, even with his feud going on between her brother and himself. Through it all he was able to keep his friendship hidden from the prying eyes of Hogwarts students. It was actually strange how this friendship started. Ginny had been helping out Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing since it was her dream to one day become a Medi-witch. He had needed to go to the hospital wing for one injury or another. While he was there Ginny had helped him, whether or not he asked for it, she was so gentle. Draco no longer saw Ginny from her family's financial status, he saw a beautiful redhead with a kind heart. It didn't matter to her what family he came from, just that he needed help.
After that fateful day Draco had begun to visit Ginny more often. The two shared their ambitions and dreams with each other. He could truly call Ginny a friend. He could trust her without having to worry that she would betray him. Ginny saw the real him, not the spoiled, rich-boy he was made out to be. Their friendship grew throughout the year and he started to feel more for her.
Draco told Ginny about his family, how he hated his father and how his father had planned out his entire future for him even though it wasn't what he wanted to do. He didn't want to serve Voldemort, true he despised Harry Potter and his friends but he didn't like the idea of being someone else's servant because that's how he viewed it. Finally turning to the letter he received, he opened the seal and spread the letter out on his desk. A genuine smile spread across his face as he read the letter.
Dear Draco-
How are you doing? I'm fine; my summer
vacation is going well. Ron went to visit Harry
and Hermione and I'm home with mom and dad.
I really miss our meetings during the
school days. I hope your father is treating you alright; I'd
hate to see him hurt you in any way, shape or form.
Well I should be going now.
Take care of yourself!
-Love Ginny
Take care of himself? Little did most know he had been taking care of himself since he was a child. He was taught to be independent and accept help from no one. And love, what was love? The only kindness he ever received was from Ginny. As a child he was brought up in a cruel environment without nurturing, care or love. Draco hid his true feelings behind the cool and calm demeanor he projected. No one would ever suspect the vulnerable being inside. What he truly needed was someone to understand and show him the love and nurturing he was denied as a child. And this is what he found in Ginny.
Growing up with the love and care she did, Ginny was his beckon of light, his ray of hope. How he envied her, how he wished he could have grown up in that type of environment, but he would never truly admit that.
Picking up a nearby parchment and quill, Draco began composing his thoughts in a letter he would send to Ginny. Staring at the blank paper, deep in thought for a few moments he began to write.
Dear Ginny-
My summer has been satisfactory. Nothing to
brag about to be honest. I've mostly spent my time
in my room, keeping a distance. I have no wish
to confront my father on certain matters. My mother
as usual stands to the side and watches the
events unfold. She would never dare get involved
with our quarrels. My father would surely
harm her if she ever did. We have the occasional
arguments, nothing too serious at the moment.
He still wants me to follow in his footsteps,
which I have no desire to do. I should be happy
to report he hasn't use any of the Unforgivable Curses
on me yet so don't worry.
I miss our meetings as well but
I must be going now, I believe I hear someone coming.
Stay in good health.
-Draco
Draco quickly scanned the parchment before sealing it and handed it to the owl, which flew off into the sky. Sighing, Draco pulled out some of his textbooks and began to study.
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A/N: That was chapter four, I realize it's a short chapter but it's basically summing up everyone's thoughts. I decided to do a bit of character development to prepare you all with what's to come. Just to let you know what I'm writing now is nothing close to where this story is actually going. You'll all be in for a shock, remember to pay close attention. I tend to leave a trail that builds up to the main plot. Hermione and Harry will confess their feelings soon be patient. The bet is still on and Ron and Lavender are still the same. I mostly have them for comic relief in the beginning. And Draco, yes don't we all feel sorry? Anyway my story will be overlapping with AngelxD14's (ScarletPixie) All of Me (which can either be found on fanfiction.net or hpfanficion.com she's trying to sign up with portkey as we speak) with permission. The character or Diana "Arabella" Renton will be introduced. Hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to Read, Rate, and Review! I really would appreciate it if everyone who read the story left a review so I can know what you all think of it so far. But for the ones who did review it a huge thank you!
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Created on ... July 07, 2003