The Black Lion

The Black Lion 

Chapter 23

Silence settled thick over the room.

Hermione’s heart pounded as she tried to process what had just happened and what she had just done. Her breathing was uneven, her hands trembling at her sides. She had felt Harry’s pain, his confusion, the layers of manipulation woven around him. And with nothing but instinct, she had cleared it away.

She looked at Harry. His chest was still rising and falling rapidly, but his green eyes were alert, more aware than they had been in months. He was rubbing his temples, dazed, but his magic which had been fluctuating wildly before felt stable.

The silence was broken by Neville.

“What the hell just happened?” His voice was sharp, and controlled, but there was an edge of concern in it that made Hermione flinch. He took a step forward, placing himself slightly in front of her, his stance protective. His eyes darted from Hermione to Regulus, then to Harry. “What did she just do?”

Regulus exhaled slowly.

“She stabilized him,” he said, his voice calm but laced with something unreadable. “But it was more than that.” His gaze snapped back to Hermione. “Your magic responded on its own. It knew what needed to be done. You didn’t just heal him, Hermione. You purified him.”

“Purified?” Neville’s expression darkened. “You’re saying there was something wrong with him?”

“Yes,” Regulus said bluntly.

Neville stiffened. He turned to Harry. “Are you, do you feel any different?”

Harry blinked as if taking account of himself. He shifted, running a hand through his hair. “…I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s like, I can think clearer now. I, I can remember things that felt… foggybefore.” He frowned deeply. “I thought I was just tired. But I can see it now something was twisting my thoughts, and I didn’t even notice.”

Sirius let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand down his face. “Bloody hell.” His voice was strained, almost disbelieving. “If that’s true, then this isn’t just some case of exhaustion. Someone or something was interfering with his magic.”

Luna, who had been quiet until now, tilted her head. “Not something. Someone.” Her voice was light, but her blue eyes were focused, and sharp in a way that most people often overlooked. She turned to Harry. “Your magic was rejecting something unnatural, but it wasn’t strong enough to fight it off. Hermione gave it the push it needed.”

Neville frowned deeply, his grip tightening at his sides. “But how? She didn’t cast a spell.” He looked at Hermione, his concern evident. “She shouldn’t have been able to do anything without a wand. But she did.”

Regulus cut in, his voice even. “Because she’s not just any witch.”

Neville narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” Regulus said, stepping forward and placing a hand on Hermione’s shoulder, “that she is a True Witch, and her magic is awakening faster than I anticipated.” His fingers tightened slightly, not in restraint but in something close to urgency. “And if we don’t get a handle on it, it will continue acting on its own.”

Hermione felt her stomach twist.

“Are you saying it’s dangerous?” she asked quietly.

Regulus’s expression didn’t soften. “I’m saying that you are powerful. And right now, your magic is unrestrained. If you don’t learn to control it, it will start deciding things for you.”

Neville’s jaw tensed. “Then maybe she shouldn’t be using it at all.”

Regulus turned sharply to him. “And what do you suggest? That she suppressed it? Ignore what’s already awakened?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “That would be more dangerous than anything else.”

Neville held his ground. “I just want to make sure she’s safe.” His voice was firm, and protective, the way only a brotherly figure would sound. He looked at Hermione, his brows furrowing. “This isn’t normal magic, Hermione. You could’ve hurt yourself.”

“I didn’t,” she said, though her voice was quieter than she intended. She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself.

Luna stepped forward then, placing a gentle hand on Neville’s arm. “She’s not in danger, Neville,” she said softly. “She’s becoming what she was always meant to be. It’s beautiful.”

Neville exhaled sharply but didn’t argue.

Sirius, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke again. “Okay, so let’s get this straight.” He pointed at Hermione. “She’s a True Witch, and her magic just instinctively cleansed whatever was messing with Harry’s head.”

Regulus inclined his head.

Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose. “Right. That’s not terrifying at all.”

Regulus shot him a look. “Sarcasm isn’t helpful.”

“Well, forgive me for being a little rattled, Reg,” Sirius snapped. “My godson’s been tampered with, and my niece just instinctively reached inside his magic and fixed him without even knowing what she was doing. Excuse me for finding that a bit bloody overwhelming.”

Regulus exhaled, rubbing his temples. “Believe me, I understand.”

Harry, who had been quiet, suddenly looked at Hermione. His gaze was searching, his expression raw. “…Why didn’t you tell me?”

Hermione swallowed. “Tell you what?”

“That you knew something was wrong,” he said. “That you noticed before now.”

She flinched.

“…I tried,” she admitted. “But you” She shook her head. “You pushed me away, Harry.”

His expression crumpled slightly, guilt flashing in his eyes.

She looked away. “And… I let you.” Her voice wavered. “I knew you weren’t well. But after everything, I thought, I thought you didn’t want my help.”

Silence.

Harry let out a slow breath, looking down at his hands. “I don’t know how much of my thoughts were mine anymore,” he muttered. “But I do know that right now, this is the clearest my mind has felt in ages.” He looked back at her. “So… thank you.”

Hermione’s throat tightened. She nodded.

Regulus finally spoke, his tone decisive. “This changes things.” He looked at Sirius. “We need to investigate exactly what was influencing him.”

Sirius nodded grimly. “Agreed.”

Regulus then turned to Hermione. “And you” He studied her for a long moment before sighing. “…We’ll start training tomorrow.”

Hermione hesitated. “Training?”

Regulus’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I won’t risk you using your magic blindly again.” His gaze was firm. “We need to understand what you’re truly capable of.”

Hermione swallowed.

Neville shifted beside her, his protective stance unwavering. But Luna was smiling, her eyes shimmering with something knowing.

“This is going to be so interesting,” she murmured.

Hermione wasn’t so sure she agreed.