Ring
“Minerva, enrollment is down.” They were examining the current list. The thick book had new names appearing every school term, yet numbers were down rather than up.
She scowled in his direction.
What did he, the other board members expect? Of course numbers were down! Most of the population were dampened or dead.
Some hidden altogether.
Muggleborn children never came to their school.
Well, they weren’t labeled that way these days. “Changing incoming age limits won’t make a difference… I’ve informed Dumbledore. The board does not see them as children, just galleons. They see them as a source to be utilized.”
Her aggressive attitude evident.
Severus smirked. “You would do well to recall your position. We all have a role here, the children arriving sooner isn’t a problem. It gives them a head start. We cannot protect them outside these walls.”
She understood him then.
Understood Albus’s plan… “how many?”
”more than you think.” He declared.
Minerva knew he had to stay vague. The ministry evidently didn’t know what the headmaster was doing or he would be dead. So would Severus, anyone lying about current students missing who were actually muggleborns. Hidden within the school?
Why were they risking it?
“Arrangements have been made, for special circumstances. Certain families are willing to work with us to put their children in place to help us. Our own children are not as powerful as they once were Minerva… we need the influx. They need the protection. It is complicated, dangerous, and every prophecy thus far has been prevented.” He explained with sadness gripping his heart. He turned away. “The time for subtle gestures is almost over. Callum, many others… they don’t see what they have done to cripple this world. The elements are furious.”
Hermione presented herself as taught. Polite, sweet, and timidly not looking the important magical guests in the eyes.
She needed to seem small, and act impressed by them.
Hidden in plain sight. Survival.
Her thoughts drifted to Draco.
Was his family one of the important ones? Would they visit as some point? Negotiate? Her father spoke with so many. His expertise useful… connections. He’d been considered brilliant once.
Her mother fawned and bragged in the distance with a stern set of women admiring a glass bowl filled with milky smoke.
So odd.
Spinning her ring, Hermione abandoned her station. These gatherings were so often, they blurred in her mind.
His stormy eyes flashed. Hurricanes? Typhoons perhaps? Pure silver? She wondered what types of magic he could do. Some had unique gifts. He was definitely special…
Daffodils grew out of surrounding vases and painting frames as Hermione ventured away from the crowd, down the empty corridor. She reached the entrance to tunnels that led to kitchens.
She remained unaware her ring was failing.
Her powers had increased yet again.
Someone else noticed…
”do you want to ride with me today?” She asked. “We’ve been visiting each other for years now, surely you trust my riding skills prat!”
Her teasing never failed to rile him. Her favorite pastime.
Draco jumped to his feet, tossing aside his book. “But no trotting!”
She grinned with glee.
He climbed up behind Hermione. “Hold on tight!” Draco barely had time before she took off.
Her horse raced like a demon. Both of them were laughing hard. Her joy infectious as always. Jacob and Whitney had supplied Hermione with a new ring a month after that celebration a couple of years prior.
She prayed it held true.
Her father might rein her tighter in if another failed. She was tired of no birthday parties or friends. Sneaking to see Draco was pleasant, but what if he disappeared?
That caused her endless stress.
They were young. He was ten, Freshly from June. She would be 11 in September, it was almost upon her. He had told her he might have to go away to a different school next year. No more tutorials.
She’d cried.
He gripped tightly as her horse ran.
The first time Draco reached for her hand, Hermione froze. But, someday… she imagined, kissing him. He would be her first kiss. She decided that.
Made up her mind.
He never commented on the flowers growing or other oddities. He never fussed if she twiddled or removed her ring for a while… even when she made bigger things happen.
They seemed to know how each other felt easily.
He wanted to bring her to see his home… but that frightened them. His father… that was an intimidating thought. Draco wondered if his mother would be easier to convince.
Hermione loved counting stars with him, one night she kissed his cheek before running away home.
He simply stared where she’d been for a long time after, palm on his cheek. Still as a statue.
His body tingling.
Heart beating fast.
Looking down, he was surrounded. As far as he could see, in every direction, by daffodils? Her ring lay on the ground? “Oh no…” Draco muttered.