Hermione Granger and the Year Hidden from Hogwarts

Chapter 5

Hermione Granger and the Year Hidden from Hogwarts

Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - October 30th, 1985

Hermione stared at the innocent face of the cherubic ghost before her as realization dawned. Her parents and Ms. Walker hadn't spoken from the observation room, but she spotted the worried looks Dr. Hampton and Mr. Saxon shared from her peripherals.

Mr. Saxon jumped in his seat, his face showing alarm. "What? What is it?"

Hermione broke her gaze from the boy, realizing how wired the others might've been. "Sorry, nothing serious. It's just that I think he's speaking another language."

Mr. Saxon and Dr. Hampton exchanged another weighted look.

"Well," Mr. Saxon began. "I minored in linguistics and know a few. How about I walk you through a couple and see if—he? You said it's a 'he?'"

"Yes, a young boy, maybe four."

Another glance passed between them.

Hermione scowled. "That's getting really old."

Dr. Hampton laughed but tried to cover it up with a cough. "Sorry, we'll stop. Let's allow Charles to earn his keep. His proficiency at languages is one of the ways he—how did you put it—'beat out the competition?'"

Hermione fidgeted, avoiding eye contact.

"Okay, we'll start with...Spanish." Mr. Saxon said. "Hablas español?"

Hermione did, but the ghost only frowned, shook his head and rushed out in an increasing volume to match his frantic gestures. "Okay, okay, calm down," Hermione soothed.

"Not that one, huh?" Mr. Saxon surmised without needing to be told. "Try this. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?"

Hermione listened to the enunciations carefully, noting that the ghost had perked up somewhat, even if he still focused on her. "Sprecken zee doych?"

"Not bad."

Hermione repeated it, and the words garnered a visible reaction from the boy. "That's the one."

"German," Mr. Saxon said with weight, and she didn't have to turn around to know they'd already broken their promise not to exchange any more cryptic looks. "Ask him—"

"Sorry, but I'm not a messenger. German's a bit beyond my skills. Besides, he can hear you—at least to some degree. Ask him yes or no questions, and I'll tell you if he nods or shakes his head."

"Oh." Mr. Saxon blinked. "Of course. Well, uh, I guess we only really have one question, right?"

Dr. Hampton agreed. "How do we ask if he's Klaus Bauer?"

The ghost must've recognized his name because he went nuts, pointing at the doctor when before he seemed to have only vaguely heard Mr. Saxon's words. Was it the power of a name that made this communication stronger?

"No need to interpret, Mr. Saxon," Hermione cut him off. "I'm pretty sure that's Klaus."

They both turned to the box housing the powerful spirit. Interestingly enough, Klaus did as well, though not in the same way they did. His face carried trepidation and fear rather than curiosity.

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "You knew who he was."

"Not initially, but we had a hunch."

"You had a hunch," Hermione repeats in a deadpanned tone. "How naïve do you think I am?"