Something to Remember

Chapter 9 So Like a Rose

**

Hermione and Draco sat together in Transfiguration, writing notes to each other - something Hermione was certainly not known for. But these days she was feeling so close to Draco her schoolwork was (somewhat) less of a priority these days. She was still Hermione in the end, and still got all her work done today despite her secret exchange with Draco:

What are we going to do about Ron?

What do you mean?

He's not talking to me now that he knows about us.

He needs to get over it.

He still likes me.

Obsessive, that poor bloke.

I know, love. But he's my friend. So just don't make fun of him, for Heaven's sake, Draco!

Some friend he's being ....

"Hey, Hermione." Hermione jumped out of her seat; she had been so focused on writing a note back to Draco that she hadn't noticed Harry trying to get her attention. "Are you taking notes on this?"

"Oh ... err ... no sorry." And she turned away. Harry looked shocked. She continued writing away:

I know. He can be really immature sometimes.

Finally, the truth comes out.

The bell rang. Hermione had not taken out anything but a paper and quill the whole period to write to Draco. She quickly wrote down the homework and left with Harry and Draco. Harry usually went to find Cho, and then they all usually had lunch together outside by the lake. Ron usually came with them, but ever since he found out Hermione and Draco were actually dating, he began hanging out with Ginny, Dean, Seamus and others. He refused to speak to Hermione.

"Harry!" It was Cho. She waved and smiled at Hermione and Draco as she and Harry kissed. Then Cho ran over to Hermione and they began chatting animatedly as they went to get their lunch and then went inside. Hermione and Cho had gotten pretty close since she and Harry had finally gotten together three weeks ago.

Draco rolled his eyes at this and smiled at Harry. As they sat down by the lake, Cho and Hermione still seemed to be in their own world. "I was thinking," began Cho, still red in the face, and for the first time, addressing Harry and Draco as well. "Christmas is coming. Do you guys want to spend it with my mother and me? We're having a pretty quiet Christmas this year ..."

"That would be lovely!" said Hermione. "I'm sure Harry would like that, and Draco and I could spend a few days there at least ..."

Draco nodded. His mom probably would let him, and his father wasn't around much these days, but before they could ponder on the subject much longer, Lavender Brown came running over to them.

"Oh my God! Terry Boot's mom was found dead in her own home with the Dark Mark over it!" screamed Lavender, who had begun to seriously panic.

"Are you serious? Where is he?!" asked Hermione urgently.

That day, Terry Boot left school and did not return. There were rumors running rampant all around the castle about it. It had made the newspapers, and now the whole wizarding world seemed to be in panic, and for the first time was even willing to hear what Harry and Dumbledore had to say: Harry was making the newspapers daily and increasingly people were questioning whether he was telling the truth, or if the Dark Mark was just put above Terry's house as a prank. Daily, more and more people came up to Harry and his friends, questioning him, desperate to hear his story at last, and everyday more were (hence) on his side. Once Harry's interview with Rita Skeeter was finally printed, making the front page, then everyone came to Harry constantly asking questions, and each time everyone was more worried. Dumbledore was making public appearances too, constantly being away from Hogwarts, and was succeeding to bring more and more people to the truth. It seemed like finally, finally, the wizarding world was waking up.

But still the Ministry turned a blind eye.

**

Two weeks before Christmas, though, something happened that would leave footprints in the hearts of Harry, Hermione, Cho and Draco forever.

Draco and the others were walking to their normal spot to eat lunch. As Draco was about to sit down, a Hufflepuff girl who he did not know well came over to them. She looked very pale, sickly even, as though it had taken everything she had inside herself to come over there. She did not say anything immediately, and the four of them looked at her awkwardly.

"Aren't you Susan Bones?" asked Cho finally, trying to sound kind.

"Yeah, and I wanted to talk to Harry, but you all are here. So I reckon I'll just tell him in front of you. Harry, I want to thank you. You've helped me so much. I lost so much of my family to Voldemort - no, I'm not scared to say his name, he's put my family and me through so much that I won't shame their memory by fearing his name - and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have parents. They were marked when he fell before. And now, thanks to you, to your bravery and integrity, finally people are starting to realize he's back. The Bones family owes you so much ..." Susan Bones began crying hysterically, as though she simply could not continue. They all looked pretty uncomfortable, especially Harry. Finally, following a long, strange silence, Susan looked back up at them, trying her best to wipe away all of her tears, and then she looked over at Harry once again as sincerely as she could. "I want you to have this." She took out a golden necklace that had an 'H' on it. "It's been in my family for generations, and I want you to have it." Tearful, she went over and presented it to Harry.

"No, really, Susan, it's yours ..." stuttered Harry, feeling very awkward indeed. But as he looked into her eyes, Harry saw she looked so sincere, and made no further protest at all. Acquiescing, he bent his head a little, and then she put the necklace around him.

With a long sigh, more composedly Susan said wisely, "It will award you good fortune." Hermione was trying to comfort Susan by patting her on the back a little, although she personally looked very uncomfortable still herself. None of them knew Susan very well after all. Susan was still sobbing when she gazed up at them but was nevertheless making her best attempt to smile. "Thank you, Harry Potter." And at this very juncture, Susan Bones bowed her head to him and then walked away, not looking back for a second.

**

"...So, did Terry write back?" asked Ron. He, Harry, and Hermione were sitting together for breakfast the morning before Christmas break. Ron had slowly begun talking to Hermione again, as it was Christmas, and Draco was trying to give them time to resolve their differences.

"Actually, yes. I have to talk to you about that, Harry. He doesn't sound too good," cautioned Hermione. Ron didn't like that she didn't want to tell all the details to him, but would tell Harry nonetheless. "He wants Harry and me to attend his mother's funeral."

There was a dead, awkward silence.

"Of course we'll go," gasped a highly uncomfortable Harry, finally.

"And he invited Cho and Draco as well," whispered Hermione to Harry.

**

Draco Malfoy was pretty happy. His mother had granted him permission to spend one week with Cho, as she had already contacted Cho's mother. However, his mother didn't know Hermione and Harry were going to be there - and for the better. But regardless, he couldn't help but realize, Harry and him had become friends. The last few weeks at Hogwarts had been the best for him - he had Hermione, of course, real friends, and for once he could be the person he wanted to be.

Hermione needed a chance to talk to Ron, as he had only just started talking to her again, and as he wasn't hungry, Draco had gone to their place by the lake. He sat thinking about everything. Nothing was perfect right now, of course, but somehow, he'd know he'd get through it. It was one of the best feelings he had experienced ever.

"Draco! Are you listening to me?" Draco came back to senses; Cho was calling him. He looked back, and Cho, Hermione, and Harry stood there, looking at him urgently.

"Sorry, dozed off ..."

Harry smiled at him and he noticed he still wore the necklace that Susan had given him. "Terry Boot asked us to go to his mother's funeral, which is tomorrow, mate."

"Well, of course we'll go," said Draco promptly. "The poor kid is probably having one hell of a time."

**

That final day went by slow. In Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid allowed them to simply talk amongst themselves. However, in Divination, Professor Trelawney gave him an even harder time than usual.

"My dear, I see a dark future for you - have you had a premonition?" declared Professor Trelawney in an urgent mystical tone, quite a bit more dramatically than even was usual for her too, notably. Then, she put her palm over her forehead, as though feeling for a fever, and began shouting. "I SEE YOU IN PAIN! BEWARE DARK PATHS!"

"Right," said Harry in a bored voice, not seriously regarding her in the slightest given he was quite used to her useless (and ever-unproven, too, notably) torments. He and Ron spent the rest of the period making fun of her amongst each other. Lavender Brown and Parvarti Patil scowled at them continually, as though they were guilty of a terrible crime. Ron saw this as encouragement if anything. Then, Ron suddenly changed the subject to a girl he liked. Harry was shocked to hear who it was. Ron seemed to be very over Hermione ...

"You like Katie Bell?" asked Harry smilingly, sounding impressed. Katie Bell was one of those athletic girls that was no Barbie girl, but still very attractive. They continued talking about her, and Harry only then realized how much he knew about her. He agreed to talk to Katie that night at dinner for Ron.

**

Hermione was walking to dinner but Dumbledore stopped her first. "Tonight, my office, bring the usual others. Eight o'clock sharp." As she nodded respectfully he twinkled kindly at her.

Soon after Hermione went to sit down with Harry and Ron and told them about the meeting. "And you can come this time, Ron."

"Ugh, I actually have to do detention tonight with Snape. But keep me informed on it. By the way, 'Mione, how long are you going to be staying at Cho's?" replied Ron nicely, grateful but clearly dismayed by his bad luck.

"A week. Then Hermione's going back home for a while, and I'm going to your place, but Hermione's going to drop in a few days before we return to school," explained Harry. And right then, Katie Bell was walking by with a few friends. "Hey, Katie, I need to talk to you - Quidditch business."

And Harry walked off with Katie, striding into conspiracy mode (or whatever) for the sake of only his best mate.

**

"You know, Ron, I'm sorry we spent so much time not talking. I really missed you," said Hermione breathlessly. She had wanted to tell him this for days.

"It's my fault, really."

"Yeah it was. Don't be sorry to Ron for being a jerk, Hermione." It was Ginny, who took Harry's seat. Ron did not respond to this; Hermione, likewise. "Anyway, let me guess, you lot have another meeting with Dumbledore?" she speculated dully.

"Yes, how'd you figure?" inquired Hermione.

Ginny was quite sharp. "Saw you talking to him, and knew he'd probably want to see you guys again before the break, especially with all going on."

"But you can come this time. He invited all of us in the first place anyway, you just weren't around last time," reassured Hermione, smiling welcomingly at Ginny.

"Of course I'll come, then!" replied Ginny instantly, happy to be included.

**

Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny entered Dumbledore's office. This time, Dumbledore had an even more urgent look on his face. "Please sit down."

"I have two things to do with you. One is another memory - and then we must see Amelia Bones immediately afterward. Our memory is of Voldemort at Hogwarts..." He took out his Penseive. "We go into the memory of Stuart Smyth."

"On the count of three .... One .... Two ..... Three ..."

**

Hermione landed hard on top of a hard wooden desk, and she could hear chatter in the background. And just as she got up, someone sat through her. She shrieked and rolled over onto the floor, and got up immediately. She looked around and saw Ginny, Harry, and Draco also shrieking as students walked through them. Yet Dumbledore stood safely in the front of the room, looking as though he was waiting on them. The four of them walked towards him.

"Look in front of you," alerted Dumbledore, and there stood a professor Hermione did not recognize speaking with what was a teenage Voldemort. Next to him was another young man who was most likely Stuart Smyth.

"Ah, Tom, you alone remain devout," commended the teacher pleasantly, examining the other students, rambling around the room and suddenly looked as though he was going to become sick. "And you, Smyth, a good student."

Smyth looked up; he too, was barely paying attention as he read some book.

"Professor, I had a question. Do you know what the Eternity River is?" asked Tom in a tone that was much too intentionally harmless, although he did sound still very much curious all the same.

"Wow, Tom. Well, yes ... yes I do. It's not a pleasant thing," answered the professor after a delaying pause, looking a bit taken aback.

"Yes ... I understand, sir. I came across it in a book, and I am simply fascinated by what it is," responded Tom respectfully, sounding seemingly innocent with curiosity.

"Yes, very well. When Salazar Slytherin died, he put a curse on the river in the village he was born. The Heir of Slytherin would be able to come, take a drink from the river, and survive the most deadly curse, but only once. Once, just once would the heir of Slytherin avoid mortal death according to the legend...All this of course has yet to be proven, however." The professor seemed to add the end disclaimer with special sharpness, almost as though in midsentence he'd perhaps perceived something nefarious in the boys' interest.

And the bell rang. "Thank you, Professor," said Tom graciously, smiling brightly, then he grabbed Smyth's shirt and told him to follow him. The five of them followed Tom and Smyth.

"What is it, Tom?" asked a now rather unnerved-sounding Smyth.

"We're taking a few trips. Come on, we're going to Hogsmeade to Apparate."

Hermione and the others followed them out of the castle and followed them to Hogsmeade. "Tom, where are we going?"

"Salazar Towne. Hang on to me, Smyth."

And Smyth did so, and Tom suddenly disappeared with his associate. And this was a weird sensation for Hermione. Everything went totally pitch-black for a few seconds, and then suddenly they appeared in a little village in the countryside.

"Bloody hell, Tom, how did you know where Salazar Slytherin lived?" asked Smyth incredulously, coming off a bit too sharp.

"Fuck Smyth, I have researched this all damn it. I knew the river in his village was of so much importance, I just needed to know for what. And now, I will take that drink," said Tom with perfect enunciation, managing to maintain a dull monotone despite the exciting information he was at last conveying to his confidante.

Smythe gasped. As he spoke, the admiration filling his tone grew increasingly sycophantic. It illuminated the power Voldemort had over his minions even as a teenager. "So, you're sure you mother was related to Slytherin? And your father ... you killed that bloody horrible Muggle, and his parents didn't you? Well done, Tom, serves them right after what they did ..."

"Fucking Muggle father left my mom for dead! I vowed for revenge and I got it, didn't I? And yes, Smyth, I'm sure she was of Slytherin's ..." And Tom proceeded forward confidently, completely unhesitant.

People were walking around. It seemed to be a common Muggle village ... or it was now, certainly not in Slytherin's time. There were many people, so no one noticed the two newcomers much. Tom and Smyth ventured around. And eventually, they found the river. No one much was around.

And Hermione paid deep attention. She was very interested ... this was the reason Voldemort had survived!

Tom went over to the river. Out of his cloak, he took out a goblet. He put the goblet in the river and filled it with water. He gave another goblet to Smyth. "Drink with me."

Tom and Smyth lifted their glasses. Tom bowed his head, and Smyth followed. "To Slytherin, may his wishes cometh upon me, his proper heir!" And Tom drank the entire glass in one gulp.

But then Tom froze, and he began shaking violently. His eyes bulged ... a look of complete horror was on his face ... he was screaming as though he was in extreme pain ... and he fell to the ground, completely unconscious ...

"Tom!" screamed Smyth, bending down at his accompanist. And then Tom awoke, and Hermione could tell at that moment he was no longer Tom Riddle. His eyes now flashed a horrible red.

"We must return to school," Lord Voldemort declared with finality.

"That will do," interrupted Dumbledore suddenly in a darkest, most unnerving of tones.

**

"Amelia Bones needs hiding space," Dumbledore spoke, comfortably in his chair, apparently not noticing Draco and the others just getting up from yet another crash entrance.

"Is Voldemort after her as well?" asked Hermione in a small, irresolute voice, looking quite anxious. She would not allow Susan Bones yet another loss.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. She will have residence with Professor Lupin, and I will serve as secret-keeper .... Now we must hurry .... This portrait of me will be the portkey ... in one ... two ... three ..."

**

Draco landed right on top of Amelia Bones, who yelled as though she was being murdered. But then, as Draco tried to get off of her, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry fell on top of him.

"Get off me, IMMEDIATELY!" screamed Amelia Bones and they all hurried back into standing position to see Dumbledore smiling, leaning against a green couch, waiting on them.

"Are you ready, Amelia?" asked Dumbledore kindly.

"Yes, Albus, I fear my safety, we should hurry," said Amelia breathlessly, sounding frightened.

Albus was examining a piece of tissue on the table and doing something with his wand to it. He muttered under his breath for the next few minutes, then...

""The portkey is ready."

**

Remus was getting Harry and the others tea as Amelia Bones settled in. They seemed very happy to see him. He brought them their tea and they began drinking it as Amelia settled in.

"How are you, Professor Lupin?" asked Harry warmly.

"Oh, Harry, stop calling me that. Call Me Remus ... and I'm fine!" replied Lupin brightly, though he was very tired. "Aren't I like an uncle to you or something?"
And they all laughed.

"So, how is school?" asked Remus.

"Not too bad, O.W.L. prep and all," said Hermione.

"It is dreadful, especially Snape these days," admitted Draco, sounding very irritable at the thought.

"I thought he favored you, Draco ..." said Lupin confusedly.

"Not after what my father did."

"Ooh .... Yes .... I quite understand," responded Remus uncomfortably, and there was a pause. "And what about you, Ginny? You have a boyfriend yet?"

Ginny blushed. "Yes, I'm dating Seamus Finnigan right now, actually." She turned such a vivid shade of scarlet her head looked like fire.

"YOU'RE WHAT!" exclaimed Hermione and Harry at the same time.

"Yes, for about a month ... meant to tell you all ... but well ... this and that," muttered Ginny, who became fascinated with her fingernails.

"Well, Remus, I trust you will keep Amelia safe here ... Very well, we should be on our way," announced Dumbledore, sounding serious, but Remus caught him winking at Ginny.

**

"...So Smyth never joined the Death Eaters?" initiated Harry curiously. Since they'd gotten back, they had discussed nothing but the memory.

"No. And he lost his life for it. He gave me the memory when Voldemort was rising in power and was murdered shortly later," explained Dumbledore darkly.

"So at the time of this memory, he had killed his own family?" asked Hermione incredulously, sounding horrified.

"Yes ... he had gone to that village to find Mary's family and his own father. Mary's family was all dead. Her father had been burnt at stake believe it or not. Tom had told the villagers her family were sorcerers and did wickedness. Then many people saw him hex a cat once and they all became frightened and managed to actually burn him to death. Mary's sister was brutally raped and found dead days later. Her brother killed himself in pride. You must understand, though this was not long ago, that village was extremely isolated, and old fashioned practices were very much still intact," elaborated Dumbledore patiently. They all looked at him shocked with disbelief. "So, Tom murdered his father and his grandparents, yes. And only a short time after taking that drink from Salazar's river did he take upon the name Lord Voldemort."

"So that's why You-Know-Who lived that night," spoke Ginny darkly, for the first time since they arrived back.

"Yes, Ginny. Now that Harry knows this, I think it's time he knows the rest. But Hermione, Draco, I think his friends should tell him," said Dumbledore pointedly.

Draco and Hermione looked at each other for a tentative moment, holding their breaths nervously, and then they told Harry about the prophecies of Rowena Ravenclaw together.

Harry became silent with complete shock once they were done. "Wow ... so I'm the heir of Gryffindor. And I have the power to destroy evil .... I guess I always knew, didn't I? At some point, it was just there..."

"Harry, these prophecies don't necessarily mean anything. You are who you are raised to be. The prophecies could be triggered and come true ... Voldemort basically triggered it by seeing you as a threat. His prophecy had become true obviously, but yours only became true because of him. Very foolish of him," detailed Dumbledore emphatically. "But, I do think in the end, you will be a major part of destroying Voldemort, Harry."

**

Hermione, Ginny, and Harry entered the Gryffindor dormitory to find Ron and Katie Bell lip locking, apparently glued to each other. "Go Ron!" cheered Ginny sarcastically, and she and Hermione began laughing and making fun of him as a joke.

"Finally getting some action, eh? Your hand was a little worn out, I'm sure ..." joked Hermione, not even believing what she said, and they all busted into laughter, but Ron was very, very red.

"McGonagall gave this to give to you two," said Ron highly embarrassedly, looking away as he threw it at the hysterical Harry and Hermione.

It was a note. Harry and Hermione read it over together and it informed them simply to meet her in her office after breakfast, as they would use a portkey to go to Terry Boot's home, where they would meet him...

**

Draco and the others went to Professor McGonagall promptly at nine, as instructed. Draco was dressed in his best black dress robes, as were the others. They wanted to be very respectful to Terry and his family.

"I trust you four will conduct yourselves of course .... This is most likely the hardest moment in Mr. Boot's life .... Please support him as much as you can ... It was important you were there for him ...."

"We will use this broomstick as a portkey ..... Yes, very good now .... Everyone ready ... One ... Two ... Three ...."

**

The four of them landed very safely onto concrete floor. They looked around. They were on Maple Street, and in front of them was a large home. In front of the front door was Terry himself. "Hullo, Terry. How are you?" asked Hermione, feeling immediately as though she should have said nothing.

"Well ... .you know .... Holding up. My mother put up a fight against the Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy ... she died with dignity ...." And Terry began crying horribly. It was a horrible, horrible experience, though it lasted only a few moments. They all started at Draco, who looked uncomfortable.

"I have no father," said Draco in a totally empty voice finally. "Terry, I'm so, so sorry ...."

"I know and I know you're not like him, Draco ... I wanted you to be here because of that ... You've changed into such a good person ...." Terry was crying so much. "Hermione .... You've always been a good friend ... Harry, oh God .... If it weren't for you ......" He was in tears to the point where he could not speak for several moments. "Come inside, guys..."

**

The rest of the day up until the funeral was very similar to this. There was quite a bit of mourning. Draco and the other three felt so uncomfortable, but felt so sorry for the family and friends. Cho and Draco saw some people they knew there. And Susan Bones was there ...

"Harry! You're still wearing the necklace .... Bless you .... I've known Terry and his mother since I was in diapers .... Great friend .... I've been here since last night ...." She was quite tearful herself.

The house was very near a beach. Apparently, Terry's mom had always wanted her body burned in front of her family on the beach and the ashes then thrown into the ocean .... So she wanted a cremation, but a natural one.

"Margaret was the most wonderful wife a man could have ...."

"She was a wonderful daughter, never will we forget her ...."

"My little girl grew up and she fought the Death Eaters and she died with dignity .... Jesus take her soul ..."

Everyone had wonderful things to say about Terry's mother, Margaret. Terry did not speak. His father held him in his arms as they both mourned together, watching her body burn.

Draco could feel a tear going down his eyes in pity for Terry and hatred for his father .... He could not take it anymore ... He was not going back to the Malfoy Estate ever ... He was no longer a Malfoy ....

Hermione fell into his arms, she was crying. He held her. "I love you," he said to her in a most tender of voices, wiping her tears away for Terry.

"I love you, too."

A few minutes later, Hermione stood up, and spoke. "I shall sing a song in forever memory of Margaret Boot, a wonderful witch who died in battle against evil."

And she began another tune she had always loved....

"Sleeping With Ghosts

It's Such a Lonely Experience

The stars are out tonight

Only they can hear you breathing

You're so Like a rose ....

You're so like a rose ...

I wish you could stay here..."

And the sun went down as only the ashes of Margaret Boot remained.

**