Belong to Nowhere
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Thanks to Brooke and Acoustics1220!!
Chapter 12: Black Star
Hogwarts Grounds
February 7, 1998
09:59 pm
Hermione had come back to Hogwarts almost one hour ago. She knew she should have gone straight to her dorm. She knew she shouldn't have been wandering alone around the Castle's grounds. But the one thing that she had learned from Sirius; well, maybe learned wasn't the right word…maybe shown was the right word. Sirius had shown her how great was to be free, to run freely through the wind, the grounds, how incredibly great it felt!
Before she had become an Animagus, Hermione never thought about it like that. Before, she would have thought that being an Animagus was just another weapon to the war. But now, in her Animagus form, she could be free…
She could think freely.
And she needed to think.
She needed to think about Sirius-about everything that had happened; their bond…Merlin, they were bound! She still didn't know if that was a blessing or curse.
She needed to think about what was going to happen now.
She needed to think about her studies, about Hogwarts-the war,-her future.
She needed to think about Harry.
Harry.
She would have to lie to him again. She hated the fact that she had to lie to him. She simply hated lying to her best friend. Especially because, somehow, he always knew when she was lying.
And she knew he would be mad, but when the Phoenix did return, everything would be explained. Harry would be happy. Yes, and that was all that mattered. His happiness.
She had brought back one person he loved.
Sirius.
So, he would have Sirius and Ginny.
Ginny.
And, she, Hermione Granger, would be very happy for him; for them.
Liar, a little voice inside her head cried out. You won't be happy.
I don't know what are talking about. Hermione thought forcefully.
Yes, you do, you like him.
Of course I like him! He is my best friend! She tried to ignore what the little voice tried to imply, she couldn't deal with her feelings right now. They didn't matter, Harry's happiness mattered, and she knew he didn't want her. Ginny made him happy.
The little voice didn't reply. Hermione was so mad with her own impolite inner voice that she didn't notice someone near her until it was too late.
She panicked. It was Harry.
Merlin, she should have known! She still didn't have her canine instincts worked out.
Hermione tried to get back without him noticing but then, a damn branch! Harry turned around quickly, his wand up, ready to attack.
He had seen her.
He had seen her and he frowned, disbelieving.
"Sirius…" she heard him whispered. "Sirius?" It was almost painful to hear him.
But then she saw that his eyes began to wander over her body, her Animagus body.
"Oh, you are a female," he concluded with a sad smile. "Of course you couldn't be-" He sighed. "He's dead."
Hermione wanted to cry! She wanted to transform back- to tell him that Sirius was alive-that he was back!
Harry then did something that really surprised her: he sat down on the grass and called her with his fingers. "Come here, come here," he murmured gently, coaxingly.
She timidly trotted towards him. When she was close, he began to stroke her fur softly.
Hermione felt a strange sensation creep into her body as he caressed her and talked quietly, "You're a really nice dog. You look so much like someone I knew." He gave a bitter laugh. "But he's dead now." A single tear fell from his eye. He shyly wiped it away with the back of his hand. "Sorry. I-I still miss him…Merlin, that's so strange! You're a dog! A strange dog and here I am…crying! I must sound ridiculous!"
Hermione leaned towards him, and without thinking, she kissed, licked his face.
"Hey!" he cried and she backed off, heart broken. But then he smiled. "You just caught me unprepared but…thank you. I never was-" He stopped to think and then continued, "I've never been…kissed by a dog before." Hermione bowed her head ashamed. "Oh, I'm not angry!" he added quickly, smiling at the dog.
Hermione barked happily, wagging her tail. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the excited dog. He was about to make a remark when a voice was heard.
"Mr. Potter!" It was Professor McGonagall. Hermione's heart stopped.
"P-Professor?" Harry stood up quickly, obviously trying to think up a good excuse. "Professor, I-"
"Don't, Mr. Potter," the Headmistress interrupted him, looking straight at the dog. "I really don't want to hear another excuse about why you are here. Just be happy that tonight I won't take any points from Gryffindor."
"Thank you, professor," Harry said with relief.
"However, Mr. Potter, please don't forget to always report to me when you leave the Castle. We made it clear when the term started," she replied sternly.
"Yes, Professor." Harry nodded, his gaze cast downward.
"Very well, Mr. Potter. You may go-" Professor McGonagall stopped, looked at Harry, then at the dog, and back at Harry. "Who's the dog, Potter?"
Harry's concerned face flushed slightly. "Well, professor, I really don't know. I think she's probably a dog from the village."
"Yeah, probably from the village," McGonagall said. "Do you know if-she- has a name?"
Harry shook his head.
"So-" The Headmistress smiled, making the young wizard a little uneasy. "Why don't you name her? It's probably a stray dog but…well...I think everyone deserves a name, right?"
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing! McGonagall had just asked Harry to name her!
Harry looked at the dog and then at the Headmistress. He smiled broadly and simply said, "Star."
McGonagall looked at him and he repeated, "Star. I want to name her Star."
Star? Why Star? Hermione thought confusedly.
"Why Star?" asked the Professor, arching a thin eyebrow.
"Because of Sirius." McGonagall's eyes opened wide but she recovered quickly. "She really looks like Sirius, except well, the fact…er…she is a…er…girl. And Sirius was named after a star so…"
McGonagall nodded. "Very good. Very good choice, I must say. Now, go back to the Castle."
"Yes, Madam," Harry said. He kneeled in front of Hermione and patted her on the head. "See you, girl." Hermione bounced her tail happily. Harry smiled and stood up. "Are you coming, Professor?"
"Not now. I have some issues with…Hagrid."
"Oh, okay. Good night, Professor. And thank you."
"Good Night. You're welcome…Harry."
*~*~*
When Harry was out of sight, Professor McGonagall turned around and looked down at Hermione. "Miss Granger…" And Hermione transformed back to her human form.
"Professor-" she began.
"Miss Granger, have you any idea what would happen if Mr. Potter had found out about your…condition?"
"Yes, professor but he really thinks I am only a dog." She smiled sadly. "There's no need to worry. Harry will never find out."
"Miss Granger…Hermione, are you forgetting that amazing map of his?"
"Oh god! I had completely forgotten about the Marauders Map! And I have to meet Sirius every night, what will I do?" Hermione asked, suddenly worried.
"You'll think about something…Star." Hermione blushed.
*~*~*
The Next Day
Hogwarts
Great Hall
Harry and Ron were sitting at the Gryffindor table.
"Where did you go last night, Harry?" Ron asked between bites. "I mean, after your detention with Filch. Dean-"
"I went to a walk, okay?" Harry snapped. He didn't know why but he really didn't want to talk about the night before; especially about Star. He knew he was being silly, but he wanted that happy dog to be his little secret.
"Sorry for asking," was Ron's reply, slightly miffed.
"Sorry, Ron. I just-" Harry stopped talking. Ron had his eyes at the Great Hall's door. "Ron?" Harry asked. Harry looked towards the entrance.
It was Hermione. She had returned.
Harry's heart began to beat very fast; his hands started to sweat.
What the blood hell is happening to me? It's only Hermione...Only Hermione…
The truth is that he wanted to stand up and run across the Hall and take her into his arms, just like second year. But he knew he couldn't do that. In second year they were kids and now…it wouldn't be proper even if he wanted that so badly.
Oh, and how he wanted to!
"Good Morning, Harry, Ron…Ginny," Hermione said sitting at the table.
"Good Morning, Mione," the two boys said at the same time. Ginny only forced a simile.
"So, Hermione, you're finally back," Lavender commented with a sly smile that Hermione didn't miss. "Did you have to take care of some health problem?"
Hermione looked at her classmate quizzically. She was about to say something when Dean suddenly spoke out, "Why don't you care about your own life, Brown?"
"Oh, Dean Thomas, the perfect gentleman!" Lavender exclaimed sarcastically.
"You better shut up, Brown, or maybe everyone will found out what you were doing last night in the Astronomy Tower with a Slytherin!" Dean retorted threateningly.
That made Lavender shut up.
"So, Hermione, where were you these past days?" Ron finally asked, pretending to be casual. Harry remained silent, annoyed with the exchange between Dean and Lavender. It was his place to defend Hermione not Dean Bloody Thomas!
Hermione's features tensed a little but she managed to fake a sad smile. She hated having to lie.
"I thought McGonagall had told you." She sighed. "I needed to deal with some family issues. My parents' will, you know…"
Ron just nodded and exchanged a glance with Harry. Harry looked at Hermione like he was saying, "I know you are lying." Hermione shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Y-You said your parents will?" Parvati asked quietly, breaking the tense silence between the trio. "I didn't know your parents…"
"It was last December," Hermione replied sadly. "A Death Eater attack."
"Gran had told me," Neville told her. "But as you never said anything…I thought you needed some space. I'm sorry."
"Thanks, Nev," Hermione said quietly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Hermione!" Lavender cried. "I-I didn't know…I thought…you know the rumors…I am really sorry."
"Rumors? What rumors?" Hermione asked, furrowing her eyebrows in question.
Before Lavender could say something, Ginny cut in, "Guys, it's time. Classes are about to start."
Hermione looked at Ginny and exclaimed, "Oh my, you're right Gin! Thanks"
The Gryffindors were leaving the Great Hall when Harry came behind Hermione and whispered into her ear, holding her arm, "We both know you are lying."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. Merlin, why did Harry's presence suddenly make her so vulnerable?
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," she stuttered, avoiding his gaze.
Harry laughed humorlessly. "I will find out, Hermione. I will find out," he said, and then left.
Hermione stood there, unconsciously grabbing her left forearm and said to herself, "You can't find out, Harry. You just can't."
She took a deep breath and proceeded to her class, without noticing that Ginny Weasley was right behind her, a strange look on her face.
***
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