Harry Potter isn't mine. JK owns every thing HP. But this plot… is mine…. Enjoy reading this as much as the one before it. This is the 7th didn't know I could go this far.
Chapter 7: A Letter and a Book
Harry got back to their little common room after talking to Draco. He still couldn't believe what he just did. He had spoken to the most unlikely person and he had actually offered to help. It was as if everything made a 360o turn. He got in the portrait hole and found the room empty. `Hermione must have gone to bed early,' he thought. He was making his way to his room when he noticed a letter lying on the study by the stairs. It was addressed to him. It was a black envelop with a silver seal that looked familiarly like the Dark mark. A battle was taking place in his mind. `What if it's another Portkey? I have to tell Hermione.' He dashed up the steps and knocked at her room.
Hermione was reading an interesting book she got in the library. She went to the library for some reading time since Harry left the festivities in the Gryffindor common room to speak with Draco. Ron was engrossed with a conversation with Ginny and the twins who came for a visit. The book really got her attention. It said something about the Chosen one that will free the magical people from infinite Darkness. What got her attention was as she started reading about the Chosen one, she found a very evident resemblance of his life and the life of someone very dear to her. It was as if the book told of Harry's life. When she found the book she was just randomly looking for something to read about Ancient Runes, which was one of her favorite subjects among others like Arithmancy. The book was very old and had a worn out leather cover. She couldn't get her eyes off it when it fell from the pile she was looking at. She just picked it up and with the book not having anything written outside made her more curious. She started reading it in that dim section of the library. It spoke of what the last task the chosen would go through to finally defeat the Dark Lord. The book was dusty, old and heavy but it didn't keep her from reading it further. As she read through the pages of the life of the chosen one, the death of his parents at a very young age, she knew that there was something about that book and that she had to find out what it was. She went to Madam Pince to borrow it.
"There seems to be a mistake, this book isn't in any of our records. That's strange? Where did you say you found this?" Madam Pince asked Hermione as she held out the book while she checked the records.
"I found it with the books about Ancient Runes. I was hoping you could lend it to me. I promise to return it as soon as I finish reading it," Hermione pleaded. She was always in the library and the head librarian already had a soft spot for her, for being the bookworm that she was.
"Well, okay I don't see any harm in lending you this book since it didn't come from the restricted section. But what do you reckon this book is about?" Madam Pince asked as she handed the book to Hermione.
"It said something about some prophecy, but don't get me wrong I just found the book interesting it's not that I believed in all those foreseeing the future rubbish," Hermione answered. She, Professor McGonagall and Madam Pince shared the same idea that the only person who can make your future is you and no fortune telling can map out your life for you. But the book she was holding may hold the key to finally free Harry his burden of destroying Voldemort.
She went to her room and continued her reading. She was so engrossed in it. She was bewildered by the similarities of the Chosen one and Harry's life. It spoke of the chosen one meeting his two strongest Allies, one who was Wise and all knowing. The Wise one as the book described it, She would be equipped with knowledge that in many years before the chosen one would face the dark lord for the final battle had been able to save the chosen one many times because of her intellect, `If Harry is the chosen one, would it be referring to me as the Wise one?' she thought. She continued reading the book. `The other was the loyal companion. He was gifted with a kind heart, a loyal friend that would give up his own life for the Chosen one if necessary.' Hermione was alarmed by what she had read. `Could Ron be the loyal companion and does this mean he's going to die? Should I tell Harry about this book?' she thought. She heard someone knock on her door. `It's probably Harry. Were the only two people here after all,' she told herself.
Hermione opened the door and saw an alarming look on Harry's face. "What's wrong Harry?" she asked a bit concerned.
"I have to show you something," he said and grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs to where the letter was.
Upon seeing the dark-mark seal on the Black envelop Hermione looked at Harry and said, "We have to tell Dumbledore!"
"Wait Hermione. I don't know if we should get everyone's attention just because of one letter," he told her even if he had his own uncertainties.
"Yes Harry it's a letter but this isn't just a letter it has the dark-mark on it! Are you feeling anything strange?" She asked a bit concerned. She also knew that if Harry did feel anything strange, like his scar aching it would only mean that the letter might pose a threat to him or to both of them.
"I'm fine Hermione, my scar isn't hurting. So do you think we should open it?" he asked her as he made his way towards the letter when Hermione stopped him.
"Wait. I think I know something that would tell us about that letter. I'll just get the book," Hermione said as she made her way to the stairs.
"Okay I'll call Ron so he would know about this letter. He wouldn't want to miss out on this one," Harry joked and he made his way to the hidden door.
"Potter, how can you joke in a time like this!" Hermione scolded then she went up to her room to get the book.
`We maybe in great peril and yet Hermione has another book that might solve the problem. I have a really awesome girl for a girlfriend,' he thought. He opened the door and said `Gryffindor Common room' and when he got to the other side of the door he was already there. He saw Ron with Lavender snogging in front the Gryffindor fire. He made his way to where they were and cleared his throat.
"Err Ron I need to talk to you," Harry interrupted them.
"Great timing Harry," Ron smirked. "I can't believe your still up this late. What is it that is so important that you had to deliberately interrupt us?" He asked Harry giving him a very disappointed look.
"It's sort of a secret so I'm going to invite you over to our common room. Lavender, I hope you don't mind?" Harry asked Lavender who seemed to be upset with the interruption but nodded and walked her way to the stairs.
"Lav, I'll be back in a while," Ron said but she didn't even bother to look back at him and made her way to girls' dormitory.
"This better be good Harry. You just pulled me out of heaven back there," Ron said.
"Trust me, this is very important," Harry said as he pulled out his wand and tapped the wall he used entered the common room and said `Back'. The wall opened like a door and they got on the other side where Hermione was seated on a chair reading the old black leather book.
"You called me all the way here to show me a reading Hermione. Seriously Harry I've seen this scene probably a thousand times," Ron retorted.
Hermione shot him an annoyed look. "Harry, I knew you shouldn't have called him here. He doesn't know the significance of this event," Hermione spat.
"Really now! I guess I should just go back then. I'm not needed here am I," Ron retorted and was going to make his way out when Harry grabbed a hold of his arm.
"Come on you to. This is no time to pick up on fight. We're in serious situation here. Look at the letter on that table," Harry pointed out to Ron.
"Bloody hell!" Ron said. "There's a dark-mark on that envelope. Who do you reckon sent it to you?"
"We don't know yet. I didn't want to touch it. It might be a Portkey or something and we didn't want to take any chances," Harry said.
"I told Harry we should tell Dumbledore but he said he wasn't feeling anything strange about it but he said we should also be cautious," Hermione said then when went back to her reading.
"We have a situation here and all you do is read!" Ron pointed out.
"Oh, sod it Ron. This book might help us figure out what that letter meant," she argued.
"Okay, whatever you say. You're the brainy one," Ron joked.
"Actually, this book refers to me as the Wise one," she said and went back to her reading.
"What do you mean? Does that book say anything about me?" Ron grew curious and made his way to look at what Hermione was reading.
"Well, yes but this book isn't about you or me. It's about Harry or at least I think it is," she muttered.
"About me? But who would make a book about me. And that looks pretty old to me. That couldn't be possible," Harry reasoned and went to where Hermione and Ron were reading.
"Wicked! It's like an autobiography, Harry. Only it doesn't mention your name, but the description, and events are basically about you. Now who would make a book about you that is this old? I mean it looks pretty darn old," Ron said.
"I don't know," was Harry's only response.
"Nothing about that letter so far," Hermione said. "There must be something, we can find somewhere," Hermione grunted with her frustration.
"Well, Hermione that's a pretty thick book. We're not even half way with the contents," Harry assured her. "Don't worry baby, we'll figure out something," he said as he put an arm around her shoulder. "I think all of us should go to bed and get some sleep. We'll get back on that letter and that book tomorrow."
"So, what would you do with that letter? I mean not any of us would want to touch it," Ron asked.
"We can hide it some where safe," Hermione said. She got her wand out and pointed at the black envelope and said `Wingardium Leviosa'. The letter floated in mid-air and went to the direction Hermione was directing it to. Ron opened the drawer of the study desk and the letter landed inside the drawer. Ron shot the drawer close.
"We'll think about something but as of now we should get some sleep. Ron, Hermione. I think we should keep this as our little secret. We'll tell them as soon as we've proven that it would endanger any of us," Harry said. Ron and Hermione nodded.
"The trio is up for another adventure," Ron said before getting out of the portrait hole, " And by the way, you're place here, it's awesome."
"Thanks Ron, see you tomorrow," Harry called back then he went to Hermione who was now seating at the couch in front of the hearth. "I can't believe this is all happening and weren't even halfway the school term," he sighed.
"He really hates you, doesn't he? Voldemort really wants to get you this time" Hermione asked him. "I don't want anything to happen to you," she said as she looked at him in the brink of tears. She threw her arms around him and started to sob. Hermione had always been the smart one but she couldn't help but be worried when it all came down to Harry and his task of facing Voldemort.
"Now, you know I hate to see you crying. He won't do anything to me. He tried many times and he didn't succeed, do you know why? It's because I have a very special reason for living and do you know who my reason for living is?" he asked her intently holding her hands in his. "You're my reason for living. I'm not doing all this so I can live up to the title the-boy-who-lived, I'm willing to fight and try very hard to survive facing Voldemort alive because I know that when all of this is over I'd be able to see your face again and hold you in my arms."
"Oh, Harry, promise me, that you'll let me fight by your side. I can't let you face him alone. I want to help you. I'd rather die fighting with you than to live without you by my side," she cried.
"Hermione, I really don't want to get you in harms way…" he tried to argue.
"No, Harry! I'll fight with you. We'll do this together," she said sternly.
Harry didn't say anything. There was no use in arguing with her. The letter gave them to many things to think about. They finally decided to go to bed and work back on solving the mystery of the letter the next morning. Not to mention the book the told of his life, would it hold the key to finally defeat Voldemort?
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`Draco, my son, I miss you so much. I know that you've been lonely without me. I'm sorry, that I had to die and leave you behind. Son, please don't let your father run your life. You're a good young man, you've always been a kind person and now I want you to live the life you should have a long time ago. Follow your heart. Do what is right. Do not live in regret like me. I love you and I want you to be happy. Don't worry about me. I'm doing well. I'm finally free from the prison that was our home. Stay at Hogwarts, until you've finally finished school and don't go back to the manor. You're not destined to be death-eater my son even if it runs in your blood,' Draco was having the most distressful dream. His mother was talking to him in his sleep. He was lying there in his bed stirring tears and sweat on his face. He suddenly got up and cried out `Mother!'
`I'm going to tell Dumbledore about my dreams," he muttered. He knew that a lot of things would change, the Slytherins with most of them being children of death-eaters would probably keep away from him. Pansy would probably owl her father or worst Lucius himself about him telling the headmaster. `I need to keep this a secret. I guess I'll be needing Potter's help,' he thought.
The next morning, Draco got up early and went to the great hall for breakfast. It was a Hogsmeade weekend and most of the students were up early so they can go to the village early. He found Harry and Hermione at the Gryffindor table having early breakfast.
"Good morning, Draco," Hermione greeted him as he made his way towards them. There weren't any Slytherins at their table yet. A number of students from the other houses who saw him raised an eyebrow.
"I need you to help me speak with Dumbledore. It's very important," Draco whispered to Harry and Hermione.
"We can talk to him after the Prefects' meeting this afternoon," Harry said with a curious look on his face.
"I have to tell him about what happened to my mother," Draco said. Harry motioned him to sit down.
"What do you mean? You were here when your mom died. How would you know what happened to her?" Hermione asked him a bit confused.
"Yah, how would you know what happened to her?" Harry asked.
"I had these dreams before. She was being chased by someone and she fell off the cliff," Draco muttered. " I have foreseen her death and I didn't do anything."
"Well, tell Dumbledore after the meeting. Say, did you see the person who was chasing her?" Harry said.
"Yes, I'll tell you later but now I have to go to our table. See you later," Draco said and went of to the Slytherin table that had a few students seated already. Some of them shot him a suspicious look. He just smirked, "Mind your own business."
Harry and Hermione saw Ron enter the great hall and made his way towards their table.
"So we're not going to Hogsmeade today. We'll be stuck in the library for some heavy reading. Lavender is so upset with me today," Ron said as he slumped on the seat across Harry.
"Well, think of it this way. She doesn't know that were up to some serious things and she would interfere and be all worried like Hermione here," Harry joked.
"Well, sorry Harry but you can't sweet talk me out of this. Just because I'm your girlfriend I'll miss out on the adventure," Hermione retorted.
"We've seriously been a bad influence to her," Ron joked as he started on his bacon and pancakes.
Harry and Hermione started to talk to each other about their promise to Draco that they would help him about his dreams. They were also thinking of telling Ron about it.
"What's the matter with you two?" Ron asked after finishing his glass of pumpkin juice.
"See, we have something to tell you," Harry confessed.
"We're going to help Draco with something," Hermione cut in.
"And why would the both of you help him?" Ron asked with a bewildered look. "Does this involve Ginny?"
"No," Harry almost choked he knew he was also helping Draco with Ginny.
"Well, even if you do. That's no problem with me," Ron exclaimed.
Hermione and Harry looked at each other then both gave Ron a puzzled look.
"What I have here is an agreement. The twins gave this to me last night. Ginny doesn't know of this of course. They just told her that she was grown up enough to decide on her own but of course we still have to look after her using this," Ron said proudly as showed them a letter with the Weasley crest, which familiarly looked like the burrow.
"Ow, I know what that agreement does?" Hermione mused. "Bill must have helped the twins with that. It's a very complex procedure."
Ron smiled in agreement.
"So does that exactly do?" Harry asked because he seemed to be the only one he didn't know what the letter would do to Draco.
"When I hand this down to him and he accepts it. He would have to abide by what is written in the agreement. It basically says that he is not entitled to hurt my sister in any means possible physically, mentally or emotionally. Those three pretty much covers it. If he does break any of those rules we would be in so much trouble. He will suffer probably hundreds of different hexes and by the time the punishment is over he would be lucky if he would be able to stand up," Ron explained. See, I still completely don't agree with letting Ginny date him but the fact that he would really get hurt if he does anything stupid was good enough for me."
"I think Draco would know what that is. The question is if he's brave enough to accept it," Harry said.
"Of course he should be aware of things like this, he came from a very old Wizarding family after all," Ron answered as he bravely made his way towards the Slytherin table.
"Well, I don't know if Ginny would like this but at least Ron would loose a little of his skepticism," Hermione told Harry as they watched their friend go to the Slytherin table.
Ron stood behind Draco who was now quietly eating his breakfast.
"I need to talk to you?" Ron said sternly. "Follow me outside." He made his way out of the great hall. Surprisingly Draco followed him with no questions asked.
Harry couldn't believe his eyes. Ron was seriously worried about Ginny and it had to take an agreement like that to be reassured that nothing bad would happen to her sister.
Harry and Hermione knew that Ron had some important business to attend to so they made their way to the library. They had to figure out what the black letter meant and how the book that Hermione found would help them unravel the mystery of how to defeat Voldemort.
Authors note: Chap. 7… please tell me what you think and review….