Hero of the Story || James Potter x Hermione Granger Fanfiction

8 | now hold on, let me finish

viii.

now hold on, let me finish

(One by Sleeping at Last)

__________

September 1, 1975

"What's this again?"

"An amulet," Hermione explained with a tired sigh, frowning at Peter's confused expression. The red gemstone hanging on a brown thread glinted brightly under the lights of King's Cross Station. "I tried practicing my Charms over the summer and made this for you."

Peter still looked mighty confused and rubbed the nape of his neck. "Oh, okay," he simply said. "Thanks. I guess."

Hermione rolled her eyes, the corner of her lips tugging upward. "It's supposed to protect you from dark magic," she elaborated.

He gave her a bemused smile. "I don't think I'll need protecting from dark magic," he shot back, snorting afterwards.

"Yes, you will if you ever become an Auror," she said with a meaningful glance. "Just bloody keep it on yourself everywhere you go. Times aren't exactly... pleasant nowadays, so it won't hurt to be careful."

Hermione's mind went back to the series of news reports over the summer, how the Muggle newscaster had announced various weird phenomena they attributed to some terrible disturbance from nature. Any Muggle would be able to see black smoke and flashing lights, probably thinking of thunderstorms, as numerous towering trees were ruined and their homes destroyed. Sometimes, these 'thunderstorms' resulted in death. But, anyone with a magical background would be able to distinguish swiftly apparating wizards and witches, cloaked with black and faces hidden behind silver, glinting masks. The flashes of light were various spells, most undoubtedly dark curses, that destroyed and killed hundreds of lives.

The series of news had greatly bothered Hermione and encouraged her to work on practicing her charms more fervently. In the end, she managed to produce amulets that would protect both her mother and her brother everywhere they went. Anya liked it so much that she had promised to wear it anywhere she went. Peter, on the other hand, seemed terribly uncomfortable with her gift.

"Wait, you mean to say you've been practicing over summer?" Peter asked, confused. "How were you able to do that without being detected by the ministry? I mean, you're still underage."

Hermione snorted and dragged her trunk onto the train. "We can't be detected because of Mum's wards at home," she pointed out. "Honestly, that stupid law just applies to Muggleborns, who are constantly surrounded by Muggles over the break. Quite unfair, if you ask me."

"Mum placed wards on our house?" Peter thundered, clearly surprised.

"Of course," she exclaimed, throwing him a bewildered glare. "You didn't know?" When he shook his head, she frowned. "Huh, well I can feel the pulse of magic surrounding our house. I didn't notice it at first because Mum never placed any protective wards before because... you know..." Peter grimaced, and Hermione quickly added, "I just noticed it once we got home at the start of summer."

Her older brother suddenly looked worried. "Why do you reckon Mum started placing wards on our home?" he asked.

Hermione bit her bottom lip to stop herself from blurting out the most obvious thing. With the increasing attacks made by Voldemort's followers, people were growing afraid. Even her mother, who had happily lived like a Muggle for the past few years, already understood the implication of the growing attacks. Anya just wanted her home to be extra safe, especially if her children were home.