Throughout the next week Harry trained tirelessly. The satisfaction after each days work gave energy for the following session. Harry was completely driven while training. He hadn't felt as alive since he had first started practicing magic. The power flowing through him, supporting his stamina and bringing his world to a stop as his concentration levels impeded any other thoughts.
He couldn't begin using magic until the start of the school term but he still read up on spells and Mr. Davis had shown him some very interesting books that were devoted to sinister and threatening magic. Apparently this was some of the dark magic which Voldemort had used in the first war on the wizarding world.
Mr. Davis spoke very passionately about Dark Magic but Harry could sense the warning in his tone. Each word accompanied by caution. From what he could deduce, Harry guessed that Davis had been ordered to notify him about the risks and the choices he would make. Harry couldn't suppress his interest in the more menacing side of magic but he vowed not to stray too deep into it as others had done to their own end.
Since arriving at Hogwarts castle, Harry had only seen Mr. Davis and Professor Dumbledore. He had caught glimpses of a few teachers who he had presumed to have returned to get ready for the coming year, if they had ever left the castle in the first place. It was a peculiar experience walking through the castle to the library every morning, the sunlight bouncing off the stone walls of the corridors and the sound of birds chirping on the borders of the Forbidden Forest, and there were no students to disturb the peaceful silence, no shout to end the tranquil time that had descended on the school.
Harry thought he had got to know Davis a bit more but knew that it was only part of his character. There was still a lot more to learn about the reserved man. Harry was quite certain that as soon as the school year started Mr. Davis would probably fortify himself in the library, away from the bellowing noise and merciless students. Harry honestly couldn't blame him. He himself was growing nervous at the thought of the new year. Even though he had survived last year, he still found it intimidating being constantly surrounded by his peers. On the contrary he would get to see Hermione and to him, facing the entire school along with Snape and Co. was worth it.
Still being tormented by the shadowy nightmares, he was barely catching a few hours sleep. Even after a long day's training session. His body ached and protested for the lack of sleep but his brain just would not concede defeat subsequently making him late for training on Wednesday, one week before the new term. Davis had told him not to go to the library until six o'clock in the evening and he had tried to catch some sleep but consequently overslept.
Davis, though occasionally grumpy, found it difficult to reprimand Harry. The mildness of his temper barely allowed him to impose any restraint. He could already tell that Harry wouldn't do what he was told was right. He would do what he believed to be right.
Davis would merely give him a lecturing glare and continue with whatever they were doing. But today when Harry opened the door to the library he was immediately aware that something was amiss. Mr. Davis was sitting alone at the resolute table with a cup of tea half way to his mouth and turned and stood up immediately when Harry entered, consequently ending in half the brown tea on the floor.
"Ah…Harry, er…" he stammered. Noticing his stuttering Harry remained where he stood.
"Is everything alright?" he said eventually stepping over the threshold and entering the room
"Uh...we have a v-visitor," Davis replied while removing his glasses and indicated the door to the office.
Harry spun around to lay eyes on their visitor. His mouth went immediately dry when he saw who it was. He had not expected to see her for another week. "Hermione," he said stunned. She was standing silently in the door frame, looking scared and confused.
"Hey," she said innocently with a small wave of her hand.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked anxiously. His mind quickly ran through all of the possible scenarios that could have brought her here. "Is everything okay?" he pressed.
"I could ask the same questions," said Hermione annoyed. She looked tired but she didn't look harmed in any way. "Professor Sinistra collected me this morning. She said Professor Dumbledore had given orders that I should be brought here."
"I asked for you to be brought here," said Davis firmly, standing up. He seemed to have come to a decision about something. "There is something which Harry needs to tell you."
Seeing the look of horror that Harry gave him, Davis raised an eyebrow. "Well you wanted to tell her. It's best to get this out of the way before the school term. Also there's less chance of being overheard."
"Er…"Harry started, really not knowing where to begin. He wished he had of had time to plan this conversation out. Though he had thought about it he could never decide whether to tell her everything or enough to keep her safe. Hermione walked silently over to stand beside him. "Harry, please tell me. What's going on?"
"Maybe we should sit down," he managed to say running a hand through his messy black hair.
When they had all taken a seat at the table, Hermione sitting opposite Harry, Mr. Davis started the `story'. He began with the rise of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters and told of the prophecy's contents and explained what they meant, mentioning the power of the Chosen One. Then Harry took up the tale and told Hermione about how Professor Dumbledore had revealed it to him at the end of last year and that he was receiving training from Mr. Davis.
Hermione hadn't said a word since they had started. But her face showed how she felt. It was a mixture of horror and sadness. Harry couldn't really tell. Silence descended on the room and Harry glanced at Hermione before looking back down at the wooden table. Mr. Davis, who had stood up while explaining the prophecy, seemed to have returned to his deep reverie.
"It's not fair," Hermione's said quietly, breaking the awkward silence. Harry looked up when he heard her words. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears and she was looking directly at him. "Why you? I mean after your parents died and…and then this. I mean…it's just not fair," she cried, this time a bit more loudly.
"Hermione, my parents died because of this," Harry explained in a steady voice. He had to believe that they did because if they didn't there was no reason for their deaths. He couldn't find the words to explain it to anybody but that was just how he felt.
"But you're supposed to be happy. To live, to feel free and grow up just…just like everybody else. It doesn't matter if you're Harry Potter; you're still supposed to live. But this prophecy takes that away from you. It takes away your right to live," she finished, now nearly shouting through her tears.
Mr. Davis was wearing a look of sympathy as he watched Hermione but Harry saw the hint of confusion at Hermione's words. As for Harry he knew Hermione was mourning his future but he was slightly angered that she couldn't see that he had to do this.
"Don't you get it? There isn't anything I can do! I can't walk away from this. It's not about being stubborn; it's about knowing what is right," his voice lowered to a whisper, his anger disappearing. "Hermione, I wish I could do all of those things. I really do. But you know me and you know I can't walk away from this."
Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeve. "I know Harry. I just wish you could. I mean you only started to really live a few months ago. And now I feel that that's been taken away from you."
Harry couldn't believe that somebody cared for him this much. He thought about what if Hermione was the one in the prophecy and realised he'd probably had done the exact same thing. Deny it. He couldn't live with watching Hermione have to give up so much.
"I'm sorry," Hermione sobbed. "You must think I'm an idiot."
"From what I've heard that's not possible," said Davis gently.
Hermione gave him a watery smile. "Do you mind if I…" she stood up indicating the library door. Before either of them could answer she dashed through it, out of sight.
"You should go after her. Make sure she is alright," advised Davis walking towards his office.
Harry took a deep breath and ran out the door after her. Not knowing which way she had gone, he took a quick jog through the castle. He kept his eyes open for any sign of movement and listened alertly for any sound made. Stopping to rethink his plan, he closed his eyes and focused intently on Hermione. Soon he heard the thumping of footsteps high above him. She's moving upwards Harry thought. Using all the shortcuts he knew he made his way as fast as possible to the seventh floor. He spotted Hermione at the end of the corridor ascending the spiral staircase that led to the Astronomy Tower.
Running after her, he took the stairs two at a time and stopped suddenly at the closed door in front of him. Placing his hand on the iron ring which acted as a handle, he took one moment to try and think of what to say. Then after a few seconds he opened the door and walked out onto the ramparts. A light summer breeze caught his hair as he noticed Hermione looking out over the vast grounds of the castle. She knew he was standing behind her yet she did not turn to him. He could hear her dry sobs and it pained him that she cried because of him.
"Why didn't you tell me about it at the end of last year? You acted as if nothing had happened?"
"I guess I was trying to protect you. And uh…" he hesitated wondering whether he should say what had been troubling him for weeks. "I was afraid, no…terrified that you'd leave me. I'm a dangerous friend to have around Hermione. And even though it kills me to say it…maybe you're better off without me. Without the constant threat."
Hermione rounded on him immediately after these words. Her hair was bristling with electricity and Harry could tell she was thoroughly infuriated. "Harry, you can be so stubborn. A royal obstinate fool!!!" she screamed to the night. Harry would have taken a step back if she hadn't been his best friend. "I would never leave you. I couldn't even if I wanted to. You mean too much to me. You've helped me in ways you couldn't comprehend."
"But it's too risky. And it's going to get a hell of a lot more dangerous if…"
"And," interrupted Hermione, her voice was no longer meek or gentle but filled with a raw emotion that Harry had never witnessed from her before "if you dare try and push me away, to protect me, well then you don't know me at all. I will follow you Harry to the four corners of this earth, to hell, to heaven…to whatever end."
Harry stood rooted to the spot. He had never had someone speak to him like that, about how much someone would do for him. He wouldn't nor could he stop Hermione and that was definite. Hermione now stood silent against the dark night obviously waiting for him to respond. Her anger had dissipated now and she looked quite vulnerable awaiting his reaction.
Harry felt a lump in his throat and Hermione was shocked to see his eyes glistening slightly but he blinked and it was gone. Stepping forward he held out his hand and felt her soft fingers intertwine with his. Holding it tightly he said. "I don't think I'd be able to this without you anyway."
"Oh Harry," she moaned before throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. He returned it almost afraid to let go for fear of her slipping away. "I'll always be here. Whether you want me to be or not," she laughed through her tears.
Harry didn't know how long they remained in that position but at some point one of them let go. Hermione went to stand at the battlement wall and looked out at the immense lake. Its water lapping gently at the shore, it gave the whole grounds a tranquil feeling. Harry went over and stood behind her, feeling how peaceful the atmosphere had become. Hermione closed her eyes and inhaled deeply savouring the calm of the night.
"I don't think you should be up here. Would you agree?" came a voice from behind them. Startled, Harry pivoted around, removing his wand from his pocket and pointing it towards the door. Professor Sinistra raised an eyebrow at his actions, obviously curious but she also looked slightly amused. Hermione reached out, grabbing Harry's forearm, making him drop it to his side.
"Sorry Professor. We were just thinking about...er…well," Hermione faltered.
Harry took in Professor Sinistra's appearance. It was unusual to see her out of her normal long witch's robes. Instead she was wearing a simple black wool skirt with a white short-sleeved shirt. Her black hair, usually tied up, was now reaching down to just past her shoulders. It was only now that Harry noticed the thin streaks of emerald green which looked as if they had been sprayed into it. Her dark eyes surveyed them with amusement until she raised her fist into the air in mock celebration. "Yes! I managed to render Miss Hermione Granger speechless. Now that's one for the books."
Harry and Hermione laughed nervously. Harry just realised he had never really spoken to Professor Sinistra. She seemed a lot less strict than he had first thought. In class she would usually just give them instructions and then they would continue the work with their telescopes. He didn't think Hermione had ever talked to her before either mainly because she looked just as surprised as he felt.
"Come on," Professor Sinistra said holding the door open for them "I'll accompany you back just in case you wander off somewhere, into a dark corner perhaps…" she said teasingly.
"Oh we're not…" said Harry and Hermione simultaneously. Hermione cheeks went red with embarrassment while Harry marvelled at how the night had gone from dangerous prophecies to humiliating teasing.
When they reached the library Mr. Davis was shuffling around with his arms filled with books. He was obviously trying to put some of the borrowed volumes back on their shelves. He looked pleased to see both Harry and Hermione looking cheerful again. He nodded timidly at Professor Sinistra in gratitude for her accompanying the students.
"Well...I…I…I suppose you two should head back to Gryffindor Tower. It is getting quite…uh…late," he stuttered.
They both bade him goodnight before leaving the library in high spirits chatting animatedly to each other.
Davis, believing the library to be empty made his way into his office. Collecting a pile of books he went back into the main area to deposit them on his table. The sight that met him caused the pile of books in his arms to plummet to the ground. Professor Sinistra was sitting, quite comfortably, in one of the chairs that surrounded the table. Her high heeled shoes were resting on the table while she leaned back in the chair; her fingers intertwined resting on her stomach. The manner in which she was seated showing a lot more skin then was usually permitted in Hogwarts.
"What are you training him for Ethan?"
Mr. Davis quickly regained his composure after the minor heart attack she had caused him. "Er…I'm sorry Sara; I have no idea what…"
She gracefully removed her legs from the table and swung around in the chair in order to get a better view of him. "Don't play the fool with me. I've known you for a very long time, and even though you've changed since you attended Hogwarts, I still have a good idea when you're lying." She paused letting the words sink in. "I've glimpsed you training with him. He kicked your ass," she finished standing up and placing a slender hand just below his shoulder where Harry had landed a very well executed roundhouse kick. Their eyes met for a moment before she gave him a hard poke where he was bruised and he recoiled, wincing slightly.
"Don't worry. I won't breathe a word to anyone," she promised, looking at him sympathetically.
"He's learning to fight because he needs to. You never truly believed that Voldemort was killed. If…if he does return well then Harry will be at great risk. He was his downfall and Voldemort is fascinated with revenge." He paused thinking, and then sighed. "You should head back to your quarters. It's getting late."
Davis picked up the books and gave Professor Sinistra a questioning look when she helped him. "Well I couldn't let an old man, who gets beat up by a twelve year old, deal with normal pressures the school library has to hold alone, could I?" she mocked.
A small grin appeared on Davis' face making him look so much younger. They stood at the end of the table in the dimly lit library and she placed a hand on his face. "Ah there he is," she said softly.
"You're right I…uh…have changed…but I'm not that old," he finished with a nervous chuckle. She remained silent still looking at him as if she could see someone that nobody had seen in a long time. He gently covered her hand with his and removed it from his face. She seemed to come out of a trance and looked at him with a sad smile. "Of course you're not. If you're old that means I am."
They both laughed, this time there was no nervousness. He couldn't help but love her sweet laugh, making her seem more beautiful. When their laughing had subsided she bade him goodnight and headed towards the exit. When she reached it she turned and looked at him. "So you're training him because…"
"He needs it," he finished firmly.
"And the girl?"
He gave her a thoughtful look then said with some assertion. "He needs her too."
End Chapter
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Hope you liked it. Got some things set up for the rest of the story in this chapter.
Oh and I do like Buffy and Davis is more or less based on the character of Giles but it isn't him nor is this a Buffy crossover!! I won't stray too much from the main plot. There is still a chamber, Riddle, snakes and I have a feeling you're going to love the Duelling Club.
Please review as is it helps writing and also tends to make me get chapters out faster. And thank you so much for your previous reviews, they have been really helpful.
Take care
Radagast.
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