Hogwarts: A Home

Chapter 11 | Hallows & Whores

WARNING: This chapter includes a detailed scene that could be described as non-consensual.

August 7, 1998

Hermione sat at her cluttered desk, deeply engrossed in her notes on Moste Potente Potions when the door to her office creaked open to reveal Theo. He was sweaty and his cheeks were still flushed. He'd been training in the dueling room regularly these days. She'd been telling him for weeks that she would start joining him but each and every time he came to let her know he'd be stepping out, she was knee-deep in another theory of hers or re-reading her notes or scanning over Theo's.

"Did you want to go over the briefing for the council tomorrow?" Theo asked, his voice a bit breathless.

"Yes, I think we should begin with our newest theory on—" Before Hermione could finish her sentence, a silvery form of a lynx materialized, waltzing through the wall of her office.

"Good afternoon, Hermione. I'd like you to join me in the Headmistress' office immediately. You may bring Mr. Nott if you are so inclined." The lynx dissolved, leaving behind a heaviness in the air as the words from Kingsley settled in the space between them.

Hermione's mind raced with possibilities of what this summons could mean. She turned to Theo, her eyes meeting his. She could tell he was trying his best to keep a blank expression on his face but his eyes gave him away. He wanted to know where they stood. Does she trust him? Will she bring him along? Where were they in this partnership that they'd been cultivating for weeks now?

"Right, well, we should get a move on then. Sounds urgent," Hermione asserted.

His shoulders relaxed instantly and his eyes softened at her words. They moved towards the door quickly, striding towards the Headmistress' office in silence. The anticipation and uncertainty were palpable. Hermione could feel every nerve in her body tingling.

Why so urgent?

Have they found something useful?

Should I not have brought Theo?

"Candied Crickets," Hermione provided for the gargoyle outside of the office. Once she and Theo stepped off the spiral staircase at the top, her expression morphed into one of surprise when she found only Kingsley in the room. She had anticipated the entire council to be present, maybe even the aurors. Kingsley stood next to a hovering stone basin, intricately carved with ancient runes and adorned with various precious stones around the rim.

A pensieve.

Hermione observed the swirling, smoky silver liquid before locking eyes with Kingsley who had allowed her to behold it in silence.

"I suspect, you know what this is?" Kingsley asked. Hermione and Theo simultaneously responded with nods of their heads. "I must inform you, due to the nature of how this memory was retrieved and the sensitivity of the information it contains, I have modified it severely. Additionally, I will not be available for any questions. This is highly confidential information received from an anonymous source and is quite disturbing in nature, but I must admit, it may prove useful to your efforts."

Hermione was stunned that Kingsley was admitting to omitting additional information that may help her. Was the goal not to bring an end to Tom Riddle? How could secrets still be at play here? She was about to voice her objection when Kingsley continued, anticipating her accusation. "Truly, I wish I could give you the whole picture, Hermione, but it is not wise of me to reveal anymore than necessary. I had hoped I could request your blind trust in this matter."

Without another glance back, Kingsley swept from the office, leaving her with Theo and the floating basin. Hermione's mind raced with conflicting feelings. She trusted Kingsley and understood the need for discretion in certain circumstances, but this was war...this was life or death...this was...