Unforgivables
The next morning, her bruise was mostly faded, enough to be lighter than the day before and Hermione skipped breakfast, slipping into the library instead. She read for a bit, distracting her mind from last night's events. Hermione found her gaze slipping outside as the sun filtered in through the clouds. The doors bursting open had her startled, jumping in her seat. Snape strolled into the room, his black robes billowing out around him and his beady eyes landed on hers in relief. She watched him run a hand over his face before staring at her with a guarded expression.
Something in her was tugging her forward and she slipped from the chair, making her way across the library to stand in front of him. She could almost feel his worry even though his face didn’t betray a hint of motion. Slowly, she stepped forward, lacing her arms around his middle as she tucked herself into his chest. He stilled, not breathing for a moment before his hand slipped behind her head, holding her to his chest. He let out a stuttered breath into her hair and she found herself relaxing in his mere proximity.
“I’m okay.” She felt him nod against her head and she pulled away, tucking her hair behind her ears. They stared at each other for a moment before he motioned towards the doors with a nod of his chin. She followed, walking next to him as they made their way through the Manor. Snape was quiet as they walked the grounds and she knew that he wanted to hear about what happened. So she told him. She told him about her following Tiberius, which resulted in a scowl from Snape. Next, she explained everything that happened at the World Cup (except for Draco’s kiss), including the man grabbing her.
He stopped, listening intently as he stared at Narcissa’s rose garden. She followed after him, her fingertips brushing along the soft petals of the roses and for a moment wished that she had thorns to defend herself as well. Snape cleared his throat, and she turned towards him. “Do you remember what I said to you at the end of the year? About if you needed help all that you had to do was find it within yourself?”
Hermione nodded, folding her hands in front of her after wiping them on her jeans. It always felt wrong wearing Muggle clothing in the Manor but sometimes she couldn’t help it. In times where she needed comfort she was weak to the little things that offered it.
“As your Godfather you and I share a certain…bond. You’re able to channel that bond and call me through it. I can feel when your emotions are heightened, pain, etcetera. We are able to talk to one another without even speaking a single word to one another no matter how far apart we may be.” Snape stared at her and she gasped as his voice echoed through her head. Like this.
She focused, closing her eyes as she found what seemed to be a thread inside of her and tugged lightly. Snape let out a breath and Hermione opened her eyes. “Was that it?”
Snape nodded, once and sharp and then his eyes flicked back towards the Manor. “Remember, should you ever need it, all that you have to do is call. You can communicate with me whenever it’s needed. I have to return now, but do remember that.”
Her head turned back towards the small pond that sat just a few feet away, the white Gazebo in front of it. Snape left, his robes billowing in the August air and she wondered what would happen this year that she would need to summon Snape through a bond.
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Draco and Theo were hovering, eyes flicking back and forth between her and the car that she was attempting to slip into. She raised an eyebrow at them before reassuring them, for the tenth time that she was fine. “Please, you guys stop hovering. You’re smothering me. I love you both but I am going to lose my mind.”
Draco and Theo’s eyes widened as she slipped into the cart, smoothing her hair down. She was the first one there and she set Crookshanks down as he strolled around the cart, perching himself onto the seat next to her. She noted how much more comfortable he was now that there wasn’t a bloody Animagus in there with them both. Draco and Theo finally made their way past the cart and she took a steadying breath.
After a moment, Harry shuffled through the door, his eyes wide as he stared at her. Ron followed in after him and Hermione gave them both a tentative smile. “I was worried about you two, after the riot and I lost sight of you.”
“I was worried about you too. Was hoping to see you.”
“Where did you go anyways?” Hermione tucked her feet underneath her.
“I met back up with Theo and Draco. They brought me to Narcissa who Apparated us away.”
Ron narrowed his eyes on her. “Are you still dating Theo?” Hermione wrinkled her nose.
“No. I’m not dating Theo. I never was.” Something flashed in Ron’s eyes and he elbowed Harry who gave Ron a look. “I don’t fancy anybody at the moment. I am just boarding with somebody who was unavailable during the summer. The family are friends so I spent some of my summer with the Malfoy’s and Theo was there as well. They’re good friends.”
Ron snorted. “Right. The Malfoy’s are good friends. You’re aware that both of their parents are Death Eaters, right?”
“And you’re aware that your father studies Muggles like they’re zoo animals for the Ministry, right?” She snapped back, closing her eyes as she tried to bite her tongue. “There isn’t any proof of that, and besides, I don’t hold their parents' transgressions against them. We’re all just kids.” Harry was staring at her, his green eyes bright and she watched as his hand came up to rub his scar. She furrowed her brows at him. “Is it hurting again?”
“I’m fine.” There was a bite there that she hadn’t ever heard from him and she wondered if he shared the same sentiments as Ron did.
She nodded, turning her head back to the window. “Sirius will want to know about what happened at the World Cup.” Her eyes met Harry’s, and she nodded towards his head with an unspoken message. And that.
He nodded, mouthing sorry and pulled the parchment from his bag just as the trolly rolled around and the boys scrambled to it. Harry smiled at a pretty girl with long black hair and she raised her eyebrows at him as he made his way back to his seat. He was blushing.
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She was perched at the Slytherin table again, tucked in between Blaise and Theo. The crowds were too much and she had felt a panic attack settling into her as she sought out Theo in the crowd of students that had formed in the Great Hall. He seemed to be doing the same thing and had gathered her hand in his, pulling her towards the table and tucking her in next to him and Blaise. She thought of her library so hard that she almost missed when the doors opened and the sound of shoes brought her attention back. There were girls in blue robes flouncing through the Great Hall, blue birds erupting around them as they sighed and cooed at the tables. The boys around her were leaning in, nudging one another and she noticed that Theo and Blaise spared glances at one another, their cheeks flushing but they weren’t leaning towards the girls like the others were.
Hermione studied Theo and Blaise then, and the subtle way that their eyes flicked back and forth between each other when they found the other wasn’t looking. She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth as Theo turned to her with a raised brow. “Did I miss something? Are you interested in witches?”
Hermione felt herself flushing. “Well, I-I can appreciate a lovely witch but no. I just came to a realization.”
Theo studied her before turning back to the large woman that had made her way through the doors. She was tall, and Hagrid would look short next to her. Hermione recognized them after a moment as students from Beauxbatons Academy of magic, and their headmistress Madam Maxime. It was an all girl’s school and she faintly remembered reading a passage about them from the Manor.
I bet you preferred that you would’ve sent me to an all girl’s school now.
She glanced up just as Snape choked on his drink, and one of the teachers made a move to clap him on the back earning them a glare.
Merlin, girl.
His reply had her stifling a giggle as his eyes flicked between Blaise and Theo for a moment before she watched him shake his head imperceptibly. She wouldn’t have met her brother if she went anywhere else and he seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“Please welcome Igor Karkaroff and the sons of Durmstrang from the north.” Dumbledore’s voice echoed across the hall and Hermione spun back around towards the doors. There was a faint tapping noise that grew louder and Hermione watched as they flew open, revealing men in furs as they tapped their wooden canes against the floor. Sparks erupted every time that they met the stones and Hermione watched them twirl the sticks in their hands. Their performance was much more intimidating than the one that Beauxbatons had given and her eyes focused on the students as they made their way through.
She gasped, her hand coming to rest on Theo’s arm. “Theo! Is that Viktor Krum?” Theo’s eyes were trained on the massive man and he nodded once, not moving his eyes. “What are they doing here?”
“Were you not listening?” Blaise elbowed her, earning a glare from Theo. “We’re hosting something called the Triwizard Tournament. There is somebody competing from each school.”
Hermione turned towards Theo and back to Dumbledore. “Library again?” Theo whispered it into her hair and she nodded, sighing, trying very hard to focus on what Dumbledore was talking about.
“...eternal glory, is what awaits whoever wins the Triwizard Tournament. Doing this means surviving three very dangerous tasks. Because of this, the Ministry has set new rules that Mister Bartimus Crouch will go over with you as head of the department of international magic cooperation.” Dumbledore steps aside, motioning a man forward but before he steps up to the podium, the doors to the Great Hall burst open and a man enters. Theo stilled beside her, reaching down to clasp tightly onto her hand.
“Is that Alastor Moody?” Blaise whispered from next to her and Theo nodded.
The man was limping, walking with a cane. His face was rough, almost as though he had dragged it across a tree trunk. There was a small chunk of his nose missing, and his hair hung wet and limp around his face. His eyes were what had Hermione startled. One of them was small and dark, while the other was massive, blue shining as it darted around. Hermione realized that it was magical.
He made his way to the front, and Hermione noticed him take a swig from a flask before sitting down at the table with the rest of the teachers. Snape was glaring at him and Hermione found herself intrigued with the strange new teacher until the magical eye flicked towards her, locking her into sight. She tore her eyes away and instead focused on the dark haired man standing at the Podium.
“This decision has been made by the Ministry that no student under the age of seventeen can put their name into the Goblet of Fire. This is for your safety, and final!”
The students around her yelled, jeering as they made their disapprovals known. Hermione rolled her eyes. Why anybody would want to put their name into a tournament that could potentially kill them was beyond her. Why a school was hosting in the first place was also beyond her. She glanced at Harry and Ron who looked sorely disappointed with that information. Ron more so than Harry.
Of course the twins were giving them a run for their money as they declared rubbish.
Hermione giggled, tucking her head onto Theo’s shoulder and cast her eyes towards Draco who gave her a soft smile. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smirked back. Pansy stuck her tongue out at her and Hermione beamed. She had missed the sense of familiarity that Hogwarts seemed to bring her. She turned her attention back to the front just as Dumbledore revealed a massive Cup with blue flames sprouting from the top.
“From this moment, the tournament has begun. Anybody who is willing can write their name onto a piece of parchment and toss it into the flames before Halloween night by this hour. Do not do so lightly. Once your name is entered it is a magical contract binding you if you are chosen.”
Hermione turned back towards her food, startling to find Viktor sitting in front of her at the Slytherin table along with most of the other Durmstrang boys. Hermione blushed, smiling at him as he stared at her.
“Hermy-own-ninny.”
“Hello, Viktor.” She reached forward, grabbing a piece of fruit to nibble on as Viktor continued to stare at her.
“I did not vealize that you vent to school here.” His accent was sweet and Hermione plucked another fruit from the bowl in front of her, twisting it in her fingers.
“Yes, well. Welcome to Hogwarts.”
“Vould you be villing to show me around? I would love to see the library.” A smile broke out on her face and she felt Theo tug her sleeve and she ignored him. Who was he to deny something as wonderful as a library?
“Of course. It’s beautiful, definitely my favorite part of the castle.” Viktor nodded, turning back to his food and Hermione lifted her head to find Draco narrowing his eyes at Viktor.
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Moody limped into the room, bringing the chalkboard towards him as he scrawled his name onto it. Turning, he surveyed the class, his blue eye flicking between all of them. She had resigned to sitting in the third row with Pansy and Daphne, with Harry and Ron in front of her and Draco, Theo and Blaise at the table behind her.
“I am here, strictly because Dumbledore asked me to be. From what I understand, the last three teachers weren’t of any use so first, we’ll see what you know. Who can tell me how many Unforgivables there are?”
“Three, sir. They’re named Unforgivables because well..using one results in Azkaban.” Hermione was perched at the edge of her seat. The new teacher seemed as though he might actually teach them something. Besides Lupin there really wasn’t one that was worthwhile.
Moody nodded. “Correct, Ms. Granger. The Ministry believes that you don’t need to know these spells. That you don’t need to know their uses. I think differently. I think that you need to be prepared should the time come to use them. I also think..” He trailed off, throwing the chalk at Finnegan. “That you need to find another place to put your gum, Mr. Finnegan!”
Finnegan jumped, staring wide-eyed at Moody. “Which curse should we see first? Weasley?! Pick one.”
Ron jumped as well, clearing his throat before answering. “My father told me about the Im-Imperius Curse.”
“Ah, yes.” His eye scanned the group of students, before resting on Hermione, before flicking towards Ron. “Your father would know all about this one. This one, a lot of witches-and-wizards said that they did the Dark Lord’s bidding under the Imperius Curse. The problem is, how do we sort out who's lying and who's telling the truth?”
Hermione wriggled in her chair, suddenly uncomfortable as Moody pointed his wand at a spider that he had removed from a jar. After a moment, it flung itself around the room, landing on the table right in front of her. She gulped. “Lethal thing she is if she bites. You see the problem with this curse is when you’re under it you do the bidding of whatever the person casting it wants. You could drown yourself, throw yourself from a window. You wouldn’t even know. Although it’s not impossible to break it, it takes a strong willed wizard to be able to break free from it.” Hermione stared at the spider which was now rearing up towards her before zipping through the air back to the front of the room.
“Another one, shall we? Mr. Longbottom? Come down here.”
Neville stood, carefully making his way to the front of the class. “The-the Cruciatus Curse.”
Hermione swallowed, remembering the story that Narcissa had told her about Neville’s parents. Her hands trembled in her lap. Worst, she remembered that Theo had told her that Tiberius had used it on him multiple times. Moody pointed his wand at the spider and she watched it squeal, shrinking and folding in on itself.
Hermione stood, her chair knocking back against the table behind her. “Stop. Can’t you see it’s bothering him!”
“Hermione.” Draco whispered her name and she ignored him, glaring at Moody who glanced at Neville before scooping the spider up and placing it on the table in front of her. His eyes met hers, hard and unwavering as they bored into hers. She was still standing, her breath coming in heavy pants.
“Perhaps, Ms. Nott, you would like to show us the last Unforgivable.” She stilled, frozen as she held her breath. Confused looks drifted through the classroom and she heard one of the boys inhale sharply behind her. Without saying a word he drew his wand and pointed it at the spider, his eyes never leaving hers. “Avada Kedavra.” A chair scraped roughly against the stones behind her and she watched as the spider slowly shriveled, and stilled against the wood. Moody ripped the flask from his pocket, taking a sip as he stared at her. “There is only one person who is known to have survived the killing curse, and he’s standing in this room.”
Moody turned, staring right at Harry and Hermione backed up until she was in front of the table that the boys were sitting at. She closed her eyes, trying to get her anger under control before she scrambled and grabbed her books, shoved them into her bag and stormed from the classroom. There were footsteps behind her and she whirled around, her eyes wide as Draco, Theo, Blaise, Pansy and Daphne all stared at her. Her eyes locked on Theo who gave her a silent nod and they all made their way down the staircase.