~A/N> Thanks for the great response on the last chapter! :) I'm glad you like how the story is going so far.
I have it planned through chapter 10, but I know it's going to be more chapters than that. In this chapter you will
get your first glimpse into the Duvall family history and how important Firenze is going to be in this story. Also,
there's a little more interaction between H/Hr in this one. Just so you know, the word notebook is capitalized at
times because of how it's being referred to and the importance of it. It's basically the Soul Guardians Bible
and is very, very important. Ok, enough of my jabbering, I hope you enjoy the chapter! :)
Once Harry had walked out of the classroom, Firenze looked at Hermione with a very inquisitive look, staring into her eyes. "There is no need to fear me, Miss Granger."
She felt as if he was looking straight into her soul, seeking out the truths that he didn't think she would speak. "I don't fear you, so much as I'm unsure about you," she answered, deciding that being truthful would be the best way to go. She felt very peaceful and at ease around him. "Up until three days ago I thought magic was something only found in books, and now here I am speaking face-to-face with a Centaur. I've had a lot to deal with these past few days and from what I've been told this is only the beginning of a very long journey for me."
"That it is," Firenze corroborated. "My kind tell of the future by studying the heavens, where your kind depends on a gift that was bestowed upon you and is much greater than what I possess." When he looked at her to find her studying him intently he asked, "What is it that you see when you look at me?"
"You are surrounded by a blue light with little flashes of yellow," she stated, sounding so sure of herself that she was suprised.
"Your aura, which is the light you see surrounding me, is green, blue, and pink with yellow flares, identifying you as a Soul Guardian," the Centaur stated. "Your colors are completely clear, telling me that you possess great power and are on the side of Good."
"Why is it that even though I do not know you at all, I can feel deep within me that I can trust you and that you are speaking only the truth?"
"That is part of your gift, and your sixth sense," he said, walking up to her. "The same sixth sense your mother possessed. I am most sorry to hear about your parents, especially your mother. There are not many true Empaths around anymore, and she was well-known in the magical world."
"She had just told me about her gift," Hermione replied, her voice breaking with emotion. Clearing her throat she said in a stronger voice, "She explained about her side of the family, the Duvall's, and how I had been receiving invitation letters to attend Hogwarts since I turned eleven. She said I'm the first witch in the family..." Taking a shaky, deep breath, she swiped at a tear that had escaped her eye and asked, "So these lessons, Headmistress McGonagall mentioned that you would be teaching me a little about divination but there would be an emphasis more on other things, like discovering which gifts I possess?"
"Yes," Firenze replied, "Did you bring the Notebook?"
Nodding, she placed it down onto the table in front of her. Opening it to the first page, she stepped back so that Firenze could read it. She had not yet read it all, finding herself unable to handle the thoughts of all the family that had been lost, and afraid of coming to the entry on her mum. She could feel him staring at her and looking up to meet his gaze she was surprised when he asked, "You have not yet read this?"
"Not all of it," she replied, raising her chin in the air a bit, trying to put on an air of indifference. "I got through the first page."
"You do not have to put on an act around me, Miss Granger," Firenze said. "You have to be able to trust me before I can help you. Why don't you read it out loud so that we can both hear it for the first time together, at least past the first page?"
"Ok," she answered, walking slowly up to the book. Looking down, she focused in on the scrawled writing on the first page and read,
"Soul Guardian's Journal"
"First entry- This is the journal of the Duvall Family of Soul Guardians. It is to be passed down from generation to generation so that our gift may be learned easily and any new information can be added as the years pass by.
The first known Soul Guardian in the Duvall family was Emily Jean Duvall, born July 7, 1807. She died at the age of 70, which was almost unheard of back in those days. note: all SG's (soul guardians) in our family bloodline have been female. No known reason why no Duvall male has inherited the gift
The next known SG was Erin Louis Duvall. She was born May 17, 1877 and was murdered at the age of twenty-five by person's unknown."
Hermione looked underneath the sentence to see some messier writing and read aloud, "addendum: believed to be killed by 'D'* (AM Duvall) What is that supposed to mean?"
"I do not know," Firenze replied. "Perhaps it'll explain further down the page."
Hermione started reading aloud again, "The third Duvall SG was Mary Madeline, born December 27, 1917. She was the first SG to see Shadocks** and have interaction with actual spirits of dead people."
"Shadocks?" Firenze asked, thinking aloud. "I have heard that word before...". Looking down the page he stopped as he hit a certain entry and read, "Shadock-an evil being that is an incarnation of past evil spirits that walk the Earth unseen by all. It is a mix between a shadow demon and a bodach. Believed to be lead by a head Shadock known as Damien-Ancelin
Hermione involuntarily shivered as he read about the Shadocks and continued to read from where he left off as soon as he finished, not wanting to discuss the evil beings. "The fourth Duvall Soul Guardian was Ancelin Marie Duvall, who was the first SG to interact with a Guardian Angel who's name was Micah."
When she stayed silent for a while Firenze looked down at her and studied her face. "You know of Micah already, don't you?"
"Yes," she replied. "When I was in hospital this morning after fainting and Harry had stormed out, angry with me because he believed I lied to him, Micah appeared to me. He told me who he was, said he had been given special permission to speak to me because my life was in danger, and he explained that he was my Guardian Angel. He said that even though I probably already knew it, there is a dark Wizard that is trying to kill my charge and that he's after me as well. I'm not sure I understand everything we spoke about yet, but I learned that Harry Potter is my charge. Too bad I don't know anything about him...even though he doesn't believe that."
"I know that this is a lot to deal with after just losing your parents, but you are eighteen now and unfortunately it's time to grow up. You have been given these gifts for a reason, and now you have your first charge...a charge that is destined to be the saviour of the world." Firenze went on to tell her the story of Harry, from when his parents met while at Hogwarts until they were killed when he was only one year old and he was sent to live with the Dursleys. When Firenze mentioned Lily and James' name, Hermione turned to the notebook quickly and skimmed over the part they had been reading, dread settling into the pit of her stomach.
"You said that Lily and James Potter were killed on October 31, 1981?" she asked, still skimming through the notebook.
"Yes," he answered simply.
"Oh no," she whispered sadly. With her fingers moving quickly over the words as she read, she said, "Ancelin and her charge were killed by the Shadock Damien and his charge on October 31, 1981, which was also Ancelin's 44th birthday. Her charge's husband and son were in hiding with her because an evil wizard they called You-Know-Who was out to kill their son because he believed it would bring him immortality."
"Voldemort," Firenze stated, and one of the chairs next to Hermione went sliding across the floor. Firenze looked at her questioningly and she ground out, "He's the one that ordered his followers to kill me and my family that night."
"Is that what has been triggering the accidental bursts of magic all day? The mention of Voldemort?" The chair moved further across the room and he said, "That would be the trigger. You have to learn to reign in your emotions. Your magic is stronger, so your accidental releases will be stronger as well. You must control them or you will end up hurting someone."
"I'm trying," Hermione replied honestly. "It's just that the hurt is still so raw. I haven't had any time to mourn or heal, and today Headmistress McGonagall said that I wasn't allowed to go to my own parents funeral...that I'd be in too much danger."
"It will hurt because you lost the two people you loved most in the world and will not be allowed to say goodbye in the way that muggles feel they must. You are only saying goodbye to a shell that once hosted someone's spirit...a spirit that has already moved on," Firenze said. "But, as time goes by, the hurt will lessen and your mourning will diminish. Right now you have to start protecting Harry; Voldemort knows who you are. More than likely, Voldemort is Damien's charge and he's the one that has been helping him in his quest for immortality all these years. They have probably figured out already that you are here with Harry and are planning how to get to the two of you. Thankfully Hogwarts is still the safest place in the wizarding world, but it may not stay that way for long. He has found ways to penetrate the wards of the Castle before, so it is possible for him to find another way in again. You may not like it, and he may not want to admit it, but Harry needs you. You need to start your training immediately because not only do you have Voldemort out to kill you, but Damien as well."
"I realize that," Hermione said irritably. Closing the notebook she said, "One thing is for sure, if Harry ever finds out that it was my Great Aunt Ancelin that was supposed to protect his Mum the night she and James died, he will never give me the chance to prove myself. The way he's accepted everything so far, he'll probably see that as the ultimate betrayal by my family against his and never speak to me again."
~*~
When Harry returned to the Head Boy and Girl quarters, he found Remus sitting on the sofa, waiting for him. "Hullo again," he greeted his last adult friend, sitting down next to him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I went looking for Hermione in the Gryffindor common room and Ron said she left with you. I thought she might possibly be in here."
"Why would she be with me?" Harry asked, noticing the very guarded expression on Remus's face.
"Because she left with you," he replied, sighing. "I just need to find her so that we can start her Defense Against the Dark Arts Lessons."
"Right," Harry said, remembering that they talked about it this morning when he first met Hermione. Had it only been that morning she had arrived? It seemed to him as if a week had gone by in a single day. She'd been through so much already, and she hadn't spent her first night in the castle yet. "Erm, I just escorted her down to Firenze's classroom for divination classes. She said that McGonagall had spoken to her about it when she was in hospital today."
"In hospital? What happened?" Remus asked, concerned.
"There was an...incident in Potions today. I mentioned Voldemort, our Potions books went flying, I went to get them and was confronted by Draco. Just the usual harassment by the little ferret."
"Then how'd she get involved?" Remus asked.
"She got between us and put a hand on each of our chests to stop us from fighting, and then she collapsed. Madam Pomfrey said she was okay and discharged her two hours later from what I heard," Harry explained. "She said some things in the hospital ward that upset me a bit and I left her there by herself."
"That was nice of you," Remus said sarcastically. When Harry looked at him darkly he asked, "What'd she say?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he replied. "Let's just say she told me she didn't know anything about me, had never heard of me before, and the things she said in the ward proved she lied."
"There's not always a straightforward answer for everything that happens, Harry. You have to remember, she's been through hell the past three days. She's found out things about herself she didn't even know, and hasn't even been given the chance to process it all yet. Take it easy on her; you of all people should know what it's like to go through what she's going through and finding things out about yourself that you never knew."
Harry stared at Remus for a moment after he finished speaking, and asked, "There's more to what happened than just her finding out she was a witch, isn't there? Otherwise, why would Voldemort send his little pet Lucius to do the job himself? What's so special about her?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that," Remus replied. "If there is something special about her as you suspect and she wants you to know, she'll tell you herself." Standing up, he looked down at Harry and said, "Will you please let her know that we'll postpone the lesson until tomorrow night?"
"Sure," he replied, standing up also. "I have to escort her back to the tower in about an hour, so I'll let her know then. Now, I have some class work waiting to be done."
"I don't envy you there," Remus said, smiling as he thought back to his Hogwarts days. As he went to step through the doorway, he turned back to Harry and offhandedly said, "Did Hermione tell you that McGonagall wasn't going to allow her to attend her parents funeral on Sunday? It's a shame really, after everything that's happened. She should be allowed to say a proper goodbye." Shrugging, he said, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. 'Night Harry."
"G'night Remus," Harry replied automatically as he thought about the fact that Hermione wouldn't be able to attend her parents funeral. With an idea forming in his brain that the Marauders would be proud of, he made his way upstairs to dig out his Dad's old invisibility cloak, planning out exactly what he was going to do to help Hermione.
~*~
An hour later, after working out a way to get Hermione to her parent's funeral, Harry made his way back down to Firenze's classroom. After knocking and receiving permission to enter, Harry walked in to find Hermione laying on a particularly thick patch of grass, seemingly passed out. Rushing over to her, Harry looked from her relaxed facial expression to Firenze, who was standing silently behind him. "She is okay, isn't she?"
"She is," Firenze confirmed, watching Harry closely. "She's just exhausted from the ordeal she's been through the past three days and the lessons she's had tonight."
As Harry shook her gently, trying to rouse her, she started to mumble, "Umbra Hegira...Umbra Hegira..."
Harry looked at Firenze with a questioning look on his face and the centaur answered, "Part of her lesson."
"Must've been some lesson if she's mumbling it in her sleep," he said, trying to get her to sit up.
"You may have to levitate her to her dorm, her entire being is exhausted."
Harry looked at Firenze and saw the watchful eyes of the centaur taking in his every move. Feeling a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Harry said, "I think I'll just carry her instead. I've had to do it once today already and she really doesn't weigh that much." Not to mention that it feels good to hold her in my arms he thought silently, shaking his head to rid his mind of the thought. Putting one arm around her shoulders and the other underneath her knees, he stood up with her in his arms once again, and without realizing it held her close to his body in an almost protective way. He didn't know what it was, maybe it was how vulnerable she looked as he held her and knowing all she had been through lately, but he had this overwhelming need to watch over her so that no more sadness or evil touched her life.
The irony of the protected becoming the protector was not lost on Firenze. He could see the protective nature blossom within Harry and the change in his aura, and he knew that the bonding had begun. He had hoped that seeing Hermione in this vulnerable state would awaken within Harry the part of him that always wanted to help others and protect them from the evils he had been witness to over the years. As Harry started to make his way to the door, Firenze walked up to him and placed the Notebook gently onto Hermione's chest so that it wouldn't fall while Harry carried her. "The one thing I need you to promise me, Harry Potter, is that you will make sure she has this notebook when she goes up to her dorm tonight."
Nodding his head he said, "I promise."
"Thank you," FIrenze said with a hint of a smile in his eyes. "She will be back the night after next for another lesson and she may need you to escort her back to her dorm afterwards again. She will more than likely be in much the same state as she is now."
"Not a problem," Harry replied, looking down at the still-unconscious Hermione. "Will she wake up soon?"
"She should be awake within the next ten minutes or so," Firenze replied.
Saying their goodbye's, Harry carried her up the many flights of stairs and started to wonder if he were daft for volunteering to carry her all that way. Finally getting to the Gryffindor portrait he said, "Fizzing Whizzbees", a password that was a tribute to their late headmaster and his love of sweets. Thankfully finding the Common room empty when he walked in, Harry walked over to the sofa in front of the fireplace and gently set her down so that she was sitting up and her head was resting on the back of it. Taking the notebook from her lap where it had fallen, he set it on the table in front of them and sat down next to her. Since she was still out, Harry took the opportunity to finally study her features and realized that she had a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. They were barely noticible, but the orange of the flames seemed to make them more visible and it gave her the look of child-like innocence. Looking at her hair he realized that even though it had a bushy, untamed look to it, it was mostly curls and the firelight danced off parts of it, revealing highlights that weren't really visible in the dim light of the castle. She may have seemed plain looking in the light of day but at night, bathed in the glow of firelight, Harry saw a side of her that he found himself dangerously drawn to.
When she began to stir, he tore his probing gaze away from her face and stared into the flickering flames of the fire as they danced irradically. "Hmmm..." she hummed sleepily, stretching and drawing Harry's gaze back to her, making him wish he hadn't looked. Her shirt had ridden up to show the flat, pale skin of her stomach and he felt something stir deep within him, as in below the belt. Feeling embarrassed at his reaction, Harry looked away quickly and said, "How do you feel?"
"Exhausted," she replied, her voice husky from sleep. Looking around she said, "You brought me back to the Common room?"
"Yeah, you were pretty knackered and slept the entire way back," he answered, smiling shyly at her.
"Thank you," she answered quietly, looking at him. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence she said, "I should get up to bed. I'd like to actually attend all of my classes tomorrow."
"I'll show you around again, if you'd like," he offered.
"Yes, thanks," she replied, realizing how formal their conversation suddenly sounded. "Well, I'll see you at breakfast in the morning."
She turned and started to make her way up the stairs when something caught Harry's eye. "Hermione,wait!"
Hermione stopped on the third step and watched as Harry walked up to her with something in his hand. "I was supposed to make sure you took this to your room and remind you of your next lesson with Firenze. It's two nights from now. Oh, and Remus said to tell you that your Defense lessons will be tomorrow night instead."
Harry handed her the notebook and she almost smacked her forehead for her stupidity. Taking it from him, she held it close to her chest and said, "Thank you so much!" Thinking back to what she and Firenze had discovered about her Great Aunt Ancelin, she internally shuddered at the thought of how Harry would have reacted if he had decided to peruse the notebook while she was asleep. Giving him a real smile for a change, even though the haunted look was still in her eyes, she said, "Well, goodnight Harry. And thank you for everything you've done for me today."
"You're welcome," he replied, watching as she made her way up to the girl's dorm. "Goodnight," he added, watching as she disappeared from his sight, leaving him feeling inexplicably lonely all of a sudden, the reason for it being something he'd rather not think about at that moment.