Hermione's Letter

Chapter 12

Hermione awoke with a scream, her hands quivering, her face white as the clouds and with sweat dripping off of her face. She was terrified through and through at the sudden appearance of the Dark Lord in her otherwise simply strange dreams.

And the dreams were still not being any more forthcoming. She could not figure out who the mysterious person was, nor did she really even suspect anyone. And she was still none the wiser as to the identity of the entity provoking these dreams in the first place.

She rubbed her eyes, awakening herself, and noticed Samantha was awake as well, probably aroused from her slumber by Hermione's piercing scream. A few of the others on board looked to be stirring, but they simply shifted position and dropped off to sleep again, except for Susan Bones, who was shifting in and out of sleep.

Sam rubbed her eyes in a similar fashion to Hermione, and noticed she was awake too, so she sat up and whispered to her.

"Hermione... was that you? What's wrong?" There was a mélange of fatigue and concern in her tone.

Hermione considered telling the girl but decided she'd be better not knowing. "Oh, nothing Sam, just a bad dream, that's all." She tried to show conviction in her voice, but it was futile, as Sam was an intelligent girl, and simply ignored that statement, knowing it to be false.

"Hermione, it's me you're talking to. I know we've only known each other a few days, but I know that you're not telling me the whole truth." She got sterner as she finished the line.

Hermione sighed. "I don't know how you can say that, Samantha. You don't know me, no matter how much you think you do. Now go back to sleep."

Sam looked rather hurt, but she lay down again and tried to find a comfortable position. Hermione stopped her mid action; she put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Sam," she said. "I didn't mean to be harsh with you. I just didn't want to scare you, that's all. If you want to know, I'll tell you."

Sam looked at Hermione for a moment, then flashed her a sweet little smile. "It's ok, Hermione, I forgive you. But I should tell you that I can deal with scary things. I'm not sure I should really tell you, I risk losing you as a friend, but if you want to hear, I will explain."

Hermione looked at her with concern. "Alright, Sam, I'd like to know." She rearranged her bushy hair in order that it was more comfortable, and then fixed her gaze on Sam's eyes, which were still somewhat enlarged from the sudden awakening.

"Well, my surname is Tensenson. That is my father's surname. But my mother's surname was somewhat less... approved of. My mother's surname is... well it's... you know..."

"What?" Hermione asked with a little impatience.

"Well... Riddle," she said hesitantly.

Hermione sat somewhat dumbstruck at this revelation. Samantha Tensenson, this sweet little girl, was a relation of Lord Voldemort? What was she doing in Gryffindor then? Why hadn't she been locked away?

She simply stared at the girl, somewhat unsure of herself and of her words. She didn't know what to say.

Sam's eyes welled up with tears. "I knew you'd think of me like this after I told you. How you didn't already know is a mystery to me."

Hermione now had to move to respond. She pulled Sam closer to her, wrapping her arm around her, and giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head. "Hey now Sam, you're not going to lose me or Harry, Ron or Ginny over this. You may be related to... him, but that doesn't mean you are him. She stroked the younger girl's head gently. "This must have been a terrible burden for you to have carried. You're a brave girl to tell me this."

Sam pressed into Hermione's hug, leaning on the body of the older girl for comfort, and for warmth. "Thank you, Hermione," she said weakly. "You're really sweet, you've been so nice to me. Thank you so much," she murmured, before settling herself down again, her arms around the older girl, and falling asleep almost instantly again. She was very tired, and it showed in the rapidity of her return to regeneration.

Hermione however couldn't fall asleep now. Until today her dreams had been vaguely strange; just her chasing a figure she couldn't identify. But today's dream had, of course, been much more disturbing. The appearance of Lord Voldemort, however shocking, had not really been a surprise to Hermione. It seemed that everything evil or strange in the world was due to him. However, there was no proven link between Hermione's dreams and the real-world events going on around her.

She thought about what she knew about the scenario. She knew that Peter Pettigrew was responsible, although this confused her as he was known to be a hero, who died giving his life for Muggles, she knew that she could use the magic provided with the letter to prevent these events; and she knew that the information was on good authority, as it came from Hermione's future self.

But that letter had mentioned nothing about the dreams Hermione was now experiencing, nor could she see any valid connection. Hermione, however, knew that the odds of the same dream repeating over and over again were extremely slim, and that the dreams were probably more than they seemed to be. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't come up with an explanation for them; yet there must be. It was a paradox of logic that Hermione wouldn't have wished upon a race of people whose entire existence lay around logic.

She continued to think over the topic as the ambulances continued their journey through the skies of France.

***

The flotilla of flying ambulances had continued its journey during the girls' time sleeping at greater speed than when they had graced the roads, and was now within a few miles of the castle of L'academie Beauxbatons. It was clearly visible ahead, and a lot of people had conjured windows in the sides of the ambulances to get better views. The structure was magnificent; it glowed blue in the mist that always surrounded it, and had many tall towers, just as Hogwarts did. Those who had the fortune of being in the first ambulance could also see a massive crystalline structure in the middle of the grounds, which shone awe inspiringly in the bright sunlight. They were also able to see the two giant transports of Gryffindor and Slytherin, which had landed just outside the castle.

Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly boomed out through all the ambulances. "All students: your attention please. We are now approaching Beauxbatons, the French school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please prepare for landing. You will be taken to your dormitories directly after we have disembarked from the ambulances."

There was scrambling throughout the fleet as people awoke and found more comfortable seated positions to take up. Sam, Ginny, and Hermione sat next to each other on a bench affixed to the wall in their transport; Ron and Harry were held steady by various Hufflepuffs in theirs. Sarah, Fred and Amelia simply held on tightly to each other.

McGonagall's voice again boomed out. "When you leave the transports, wait for instructions from myself and Miss Delacour, who will be assisting me."

As they started their descent from the clouds, the Invisibility Boosters were switched off, and twenty three ambulances approached the school, the low sun of the late afternoon reflecting off of them and creating a wonderful sight.

They covered the final few hundred metres and approached the landing zone, as a large woman who was at least as big as Hagrid and a few other adults, accompanied by a small group of students of about Fleur's age, came outside the school via the main entrance. They were wearing delicately thin robes made of blue silk, and most had their hair arranged in pretty ways. There was a pair of twins there; they were wearing identical blue ribbons in their hair, as well as the same expression on their faces.

The ambulances assumed a line abreast formation and landed, one by one, the lead transport, on the far left, landing first, the others soon after. The descent was very graceful, and there was some applause on their landing from the waiting crowd. Professor Dumbledore soon came out to join the group, and as Professor McGonagall descended from the cabin of the first transport, he and the large woman went over to meet her and Fleur, who had disembarked just after.

She whispered to McGonagall. "Zat is Madame Maxime, our headmistress." The Professor nodded to Fleur and continued without speaking a response.

The two parties met and Madame Maxime addressed Professor McGonagall first. "Bonsoir Professeur McGonagall. Welcome to our school." She turned to Fleur, who was stood in line with McGonagall, looking with awe at Dumbledore. "Fleur, organisez les étudiants de Hogwarts, s'il vous plait. Nous avons besoin de les introduire au lycée avant de manger."

Both McGonagall and Dumbledore looked at Madame Maxime somewhat blankly, but when they saw Fleur organizing the students into groups, they understood. Nevertheless, Madame Maxime explained.

"I simply asked Fleur to arrange ze students in order that we may introduce them to our fine school," she said with a bright smile on her face.

Fleur then walked back up to the teaching party.

"I 'ave organized ze students into groups. Ze injured students are being taken to ze medical area," she announced proudly, pointing to the groups, and then to the stretchers being carried away. "'Ave the sleeping quarters been arranged?" she then asked.

"Oui, Fleur, we 'ave arranged zem. Ze third years and above will share quarters with the Beauxbatons students; the first an' second years will 'ave ze spare rooms underneath ze castle. If you could 'ave zem taken to the right places, s'il vous plait?" Madame Maxime responded.

"Oui, Madame," the blonde French girl responded and walked back off towards the groups.

She started to move the students into the school with the help of the other students, especially the twin girls, who she seemed to be friendly with, and Professor Sprout, who once finished came to join the teachers.

The teachers walked into the school too after all the students had entered, proceeding to the Teachers' Lounge in one of the towers.

***

Fleur Delacour led a group of third years from the Hufflepuff contingent into the frontmost tower of the castle, along with Hermione, who was being oddly silent. She didn't know anyone in Hufflepuff really except for Hannah Abbott, who of course had been injured in the initial stages of the Hufflepuff transport's fall. But Susan Bones, Hannah's best friend, addressed her.

"Hey, Hermione," she said, the tiredness showing clearly through her voice.

"Hiya... ummm... Susan is it?"

"Yeah," she replied. "How are you?"

Hermione looked at her. "I'm ok. Bit tired, though. You?"

"Well, I'm ok. I just wish Hannah was. She's important to me and I don't want her to be injured." She was clearly suffering at Hannah's injury, even though it was probably just concussion. Her face looked rather evacuated of life; there was no colour to it this evening.

"And... umm... if you need any advice, with... images during your sleep, well, let's just say, being in a similar situation, I can help you," she added.

Hermione's eyes shot up. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.

"When you screamed, you know, on the transport. I saw you sat there after Sam went back to sleep. You were clearly considering something, and judging by the fact that you'd awoken from a nightmare, I thought it might be the same thing I've been experiencing. I've been having odd dreams lately." She looked at Hermione in total sincerity, and Hermione knew that Susan was being genuine, not just trying to make fun of her, as the likes of Draco Malfoy would have done. Suddenly, she was very glad she was having this conversation. She now had someone she could confide this to. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity she was being presented with; she wanted to get this out in the open with someone she knew would understand.

"I'm... umm... I'm not sure what to think. I would... appreciate... any guidance you could offer me."

Susan nodded. "Alright. But not here. We'll discuss it in the morning. We need to find somewhere private to chat about this. I'll ask Fleur if she knows anywhere people can go and talk and be alone, alright?"

Hermione accepted it with a tilt of her head, and received an identical gesture from the fiery-haired Hufflepuff.

The group eventually entered the common room inside the tower, and Fleur instructed the group to divide up; each girl needed to pair up with a Beauxbatons girl, and the same for the boys. Hermione bid Susan farewell for now, and went over to a girl with hair similar to her own, and addressed.

"Hello. What's your name?" she asked with trepidation.

The girl smiled at her. "My name is Mia. What's yours?"

Hermione responded with her best French accent. "Je m'appelle Hermione."

Mia smiled a bit more. "Ah! Vous parlez Français?"

As Hermione could speak French, but only a little, she answered, "Seulement un peu, mais oui. Can I share dorms with you?"

She nodded her approval. "Oui, I would very much like zat," she proclaimed.

It didn't take long for everyone to find partners, although due to the high injury count in Hermione's year group, there were some people left over after everyone ha paired up.

Fleur made an announcement.

"For ze benefit of those who 'ave just arrived 'ere, you should know zat your... things 'ave been placed in ze storage room at ze back of zis room. For ze Hufflepuffs, you should know zat we have Apparated your things from ze transport into the room, and cleaned zem up. Please move them into the room of the person you are sharing with, and zen we will go to ze Dining Room to eat."

People moved from all around the room with their partners to grab their things. Hermione and Mia picked up the articles of the former and carried them up the left set of stairs to a room on the third floor. Mia unlocked it with her wand, which shimmered with the same blue that surrounded the castle and its grounds, and entered the room, followed by Hermione, who was truly amazed. It was nothing like her dormitory at Hogwarts; the whole room was bathed in a purple aura and had a view overlooking the Beauxbatons Quidditch pitch. There were two beds, both made with purple bedclothes, and there were several posters depicting a French Quidditch team, the 'Trouveurs de la Snitch', obviously the team that Mia supported. There was also a bedside table between the two beds and a lamp positioned on top of that, with spell books in a bookshelf on the opposite side of the room. A small table held a couple of boxes of Every Flavour Beans and also a bottle of some kind of beverage.

"Your bed is ze bed by ze window," Mia informed Hermione, as she pulled Hermione's heavy trunk into the room and placed it at the end of the bed which had the magnificent view right next to it. "It 'as a nice view, I think. Do you like Quidditch?"

"Yes, I do like it," she answered, "but I don't play. I just like to watch. My friend Harry Potter is the Seeker on our house team."

Mia's eyes widened. "You are friends with ze great Harry Potter? 'Ee is 'ere?"

Hermione nodded with a smile. "He's a mean Quidditch player."

Mia looked disheartened by that last statement. "You mean 'ee is not nice?"

"No, no," Hermione rushed to correct Mia, "I mean he is a good Quidditch player."

"Ahhh," she said, relief filling her veins. "I understand now. Well, we should go down to ze Dining Hall for some cuisine française. But first you would probably like to change, no?"

Hermione had totally forgotten that her clothing was still a total mess from the sea and the beach encounters. She did need to change.

"Umm, yes, I do," she said.

"I will give you some space, zen. By ze way, we can wear whatever we want for meals, so it is your choice, you do not 'ave to wear your uniform," she said. "I will be outside if you need me." She walked back out of the open door and pulled it behind her so it was firmly shut, sending a smile to Hermione before their faces were separated by the timber.

Hermione sat down on the bed, and the glow surrounded her, filling her with warmth and strength in her heart; she had never seen nor even heard of this effect before, but it was a welcome one, and she didn't try to resist it. She considered what to put on for the meal, and decided on a purple top and a pair of jeans, with a necklace containing a purple stone around her neck, and she applied some basic makeup to 'make herself beautiful', although she certainly didn't feel it inside. She was full of conflicting emotions; romantic, sad, concerned, and plain miserable states were all present in the torrent of raging emotions, images and thoughts in the young girl's mind.

She'd be happier once she'd had her little chat with Susan in the morning. If she could sort out those thoughts, she would have a little bit more of an easier time of life. Every stress she could eliminate, she would. She'd go and see Harry and Ron, comfort them if possible, as well as Amelia, who was still injured. She'd do her school work and hang out with her new friend Mia. She'd find out who or what was causing her dreams and make them pay. Hell, right now she felt she could even strangle Lord Voldemort with her bare hands. Anything to relieve some stress. After all, she thought, he was the ultimate cause of all the pain.

For now, however, she sprayed on some perfume and exited her new home, walking with Mia back down the stone staircase to the Common Room.