Chapter 5
Folly
Hermione spent the next few days in the same pattern, soaking up as much sunlight as possible. She watched sunrises by the lake. Yesterday she had cried remembering her last sunny day at Shell Cottage on the beach with Ron and Harry. After a browse through the library, she would take the day's selection into the conservatory. Lunch was followed by a walk through the gardens with Theo, often pausing at the large fountain, framed with large marble merpeople, to watch the silly hijinx of the grindylows. Theo would accio fish from the kitchen and together they would throw them in to watch the grindylows squabble over them. Hermione had never heard of anyone keeping tame grindylows the way muggles kept ducks on ponds. When she grew tired she would make her way back to the conservatory to read until the sun set so low in the sky, that she had to squint to see the words.
On this day Theo had suggested instead of their usual walk through the garden he take her on the tour of the ‘house’. Hermione rolled her eyes inwardly whenever he referred to the castle as a ‘house’. Despite feeling imprisoned here, she quickly warmed to Theo, unable to find a cruel bone in his body. She thought the sorting hat had made a mistake when placing him in Slytherin.
“Theo, why are there Ravenclaw crests carved into the Nott family home?”
Theo smiled at her. “Because it's not the Nott family home. This is my mother’s family home. Rowena Ravenclaw’s home away from Hogwarts. Built in the 11th century she had a major renovation in the late 14th century. Of course, every generation has added to it over the years. The conservatory you seem to be so fond of is its latest addition. My grandmother added it 60 years ago. She bred venomous tentacula, whose poison turned the user's skin a lovely shade of lavender, instead of the normal bright purple. A fun party trick if you could stomach the burning sensation.”
“A party trick?” Hermione raised her eyebrows. “She sounds like an interesting woman.” Hermione had given the venomous tentacula a wide berth in the conservatory. Yesterday she had drifted a little too close and had to jump out of the way of the vine's grasp. It had rattled at her sinisterly for the rest of the day.
“And this”, Theo gestured around him at the library. “Is original to the home, Rowena’s very own library.” Shelves lined floor to ceiling filled with books. In the middle of the room, the ceiling opened to reveal a second story with another level of floor to ceiling books. It was the largest magical library Hermione had seen outside of Hogwarts. The second story ceiling was a replica of Hogwarts Great Hall, except instead of reflecting the sky outside, it reflected the constellations as they were in the 11th century. The starlight twinkled night and day, even as beams of sunlight were cast across the floor from the windows.
Leading her up to the second story he bent over and tapped his wand on a hand-carved raven. A hidden door in the banister swung open revealing shelves of different colored leather-bound books. Straightening he said, “And this, a well-kept family secret.” With a lilt in his voice, he continued, “I thought a book nerd like you would appreciate it.”
Hermione reached out, careful with what appeared to be a very old book. Reverently she opened it. It read Property of Rowena Ravenclaw 1009.
Hermione looked at Theo in wonder, “Are these…?’
Theo smiled, “Diaries? Yes. These are all of Rowena and Helena’s diaries. They were avid journalers. Rowena documented even the most mundane activities, like what she had for dinner each day.”
“Mundane? That’s fascinating! If that’s true, that would be the most comprehensive account of 11th-century dining we have!”
Theo smiled amusedly at her. Ravenclaw, something of Ravenclaw’s. She didn’t know if Ron and Harry had made any progress in finding out what of Rowena Ravenclaw’s Voldemort would have used to make a horcrux. Maybe there would be an answer here.
“Theo? Can I read these? I promise I will be very careful with them. In sixth year I often got permission to check out books from the restricted section. Madam Pince gave me detailed instructions on how to handle books of this age.”
Theo’s smile grew to reveal all of his teeth, “Yes. Who would I be to deny someone fascinating 11th-century dining? Keep that one.”, he winked. “Mipsy or myself can open the banister when you are ready to exchange it.”
—--
Nearing the end of the tour, “And the last room here, this is Draco’s room. It was added during the 14th-century renovation.”
“When will he be back?”
Startled at the change in conversation, “Draco?”
“Yes. When will be back?”
“I am not sure. Soon, I would suppose.”
“And he lives here? With you?”
“He moved in this summer, after seventh year. I decided to come here. It was easier for me, less, uh, memories. And no one to tell me I couldn’t.”
“Why didn’t he go back home? To his manor?”, curiosity getting the best of her.
“Hermione…”, he trailed off. “I know you have questions. Believe me, I do. But I think it's better if Draco answers them.”
“And why is that? If Malfoy was here, I could ask him these questions, but he isn’t.”
“Hermione…”, Theo pleaded. They had a similar conversation to this every day since starting their walks.
“Fine.” rolling her eyes, clutching the book to her chest, she breezed through the door, curious to see what kind of room Malfoy kept. She stopped short when her eyes landed on the Mirror of Erised. “Is that- is that the Mirror of Erised?”
“Yeah, I think so. I think that’s what Draco called it.”
“You think so? What is it doing here?”
“Uhm, Draco brought it with him.”
“The Mirror of Erised? Draco Malfoy brought the Mirror of Erised?” she asked incredulously.
Theo shrugged and rubbed the back of his head.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, “Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. I show not your face, but your heart’s desire. I thought it was at Hogwarts.”
Theo kept rubbing the back of his head. He looked as though he regretted bringing her here.
She had only ever heard of the mirror from Ron and Harry and through books. She held her breath, not knowing what she might see, as she looked into the mirror. Reflected back at her was herself, just as she was, in a blue silk skirt that hit her mid-calf and a cashmere navy sweater. She wore heeled boots, much to her frustration, the only shoe she could find in her room’s wardrobe. Her curls were wild and unkempt, reminiscent of the time before she learned taming spells from Parvati. Dark circles shadowed her eyes still and beside her, not Theo, but Ron and Harry smiling at her as they had done so many times. She sucked in breath. “I-I” turning quickly she said, “I think that was enough walking for today.” Smiling and holding up the diary, “Thank you for this and the tour.”
“Sure”, Theo shrugged, confused at the turn in the conversation. “I’ll have Mipsy send us dinner in the conservatory if that’s ok.”
“Perfect”, she said and then rushed past him.
She glanced back at him when she reached the end of the hall. He stood still, a concerned look on his face.”
—--
That evening, after Theo walked her to bed, she stood her ear pressed against the door, listening for his retreating footsteps. She counted to one thousand, before slowly turning the door knob and opening the door. As quietly as she could she crept down the hall to Draco’s room. The portrait outside his door frowned down at her in disapproval, causing shame to bloom in her chest.
Once inside the room, she strode quickly to the mirror. Smiling she sat. She knew the folly of her actions. Harry had relayed Dumbledore’s warning to her after all. Just tonight, she lied to herself. She would allow herself this just for tonight.