Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 12

(The Doll)

Oliver heard a knock on his door, but regretted opening it instantly as he saw his visitor. It was Fleur and she was wearing very tight robes that left no curves to the imagination.

"Good afternoon, Oliver. May I come in?"

"No," he snapped, "but I have to tell you something." He stepped out and closed the door.

"Why can't we talk inside 'zen? I'm sure it'll be a lot comfier," Fleur suggested seductively.

"I have to go Miss Delacour, but I will escort you to your room first."

"Well well, aren't we direct?"

"Miss Delacour, much to your disdain and mine, let me assure you, I have been assigned as your Jedi Wizard."

****

Hermione was beyond anger now, so she went to the only place that could clear her mind: the library. Once there, she began to research for the hundredth time on the Heir of Slytherin.

"The Heir of Slytherin"

It is said that he is the grandson of Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard known to have ever existed since Salazar Slytherin. It is said of this boy to be a Jedi Wizard, who, upon turning eighteen, will bear the mark of Slytherin; the serpent in the form of an 'S'. Once this has taken place, his lightsaber is to turn green and will also bear a snake around it. Legend tells that if he and the Heir of Gryffindor were to meet, they will fall in love. And, with that love plus the power of their wands clasped together they would vanish Lord Voldemort from the face of the earth.

Of course, he has been searched for many years without success. Members of the Order of Merlin say this to be but a myth without a single prove of truth. This however, is denied by The National Scholars of Magic, whose argument bases upon having found the Heir of Gryffindor, Hermione E. Granger. They say that if the Heir of Gryffindor exists, it is only a matter of time before the Heir of Slytherin makes his appearance.

The legend also states that if that were to occur, only the Heir of Gryffindor will know how to recognize him, with the help of her wand. According to scholars, when the Heir of Slytherin touches her wand, it will emit green sparks and if this process should be reversed, hers will emit red sparks. This myth...

Hermione's studying was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. As she looked around, she saw a mop of untidy black hair heading her way. Since he was the last person she wanted to see, she quickly grabbed the book and tried to exit through the back door, but alas, luck was not with her.

"Hermione, can we talk?" She turned around, giving him a deadly glare.

"I thought we had finished our conversation. Is there any more you'd like to say about your shagging with Ginny?" Her words were ice against him.

"I want to apologize if I offended you with my words."

"Yeah, whatever. Anything more you'd like to add?" she asked sarcastically.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. Why don't you believe me?" Harry pleaded, clutching harder on the bag that he had brought in his left hand.

"You're a Slytherin. Why should I believe anything you say?"

"Because you're going to have to trust one sooner or later, am I wrong?" Hermione's eyes opened wide.

"How do you know about the Heir of Slytherin?"

"He's supposed to be a Jedi Wizard, right?" As she nodded, he continued, "So I, as a Jedi Wizard, yours to be exact, have to know everything about him."

"I didn't ask you to be anything of mine."

"Didn't you? If I remember correctly, at the Chamber you..."

"Harry, are you trying to make a point or are you just trying to waste my time?"

"Waste or waist?" If Hermione didn't know any better, she'd say Harry James Potter had just flirted with her.

"Oh, I have had it! I'm going." With this said, she tried to get past him in order to reach the door, but he put the bag in front of her. "What is that!"

"For you, to let you know I care. I found it at the Chamber and, since it wasn't Ginny's, my conclusion is that it is yours," he gave her the bag and left the library.

Curiosity got the better of her and she ultimately opened the sack. Hermione gasped as she sighted its content. It was a doll, but not just any ordinary one; but the gift that her mother had given her the day she had received the acceptance letter from Hogwarts. She thought she had lost it at the Chamber since she always carried it in her robes and Voldemort had ripped them from her. And Harry, Harry had kept it all these years. A tear dampened her left cheek.

****

"Much to my disdain? Oh, why would you 'zink 'zat?" Fleur asked, getting closer to Oliver and causing him to get cornered between her and the door.

"Because I don't think you want me following you around. Kind of like your shadow."

"I don't want you to be my shadow...." Fleur tried to say, but he cut her off.

"Exactly. That's what I said to Dumbledore but he wouldn't hear of it. You know what? I think I'll just go to his office and...."

"No, you misunderstood me. I don't want you to be behind or in front of me; I want you on top of me," she purred, getting even closer to him in the process.

"Pardon me?" he squeaked before Fleur took his lips in hers.