Esprit de Corps

Chapter 11

"Wake up, Sleepyhead," said Hermione, dragging away the covers from her red-haired friend.

"Lemme sleep," he groaned.

"I've been up for hours. Harry, too. Wake up, or no breakfast for you!"

"Ungh..."

Ron sat up in his bed and stared at her with bleary eyes.

"I got the potion," she said.

Ron's eyebrows disappeared into his hair.

"From where?"

"Snape."

"You sure it's not poison?"

"Yeah."

"Have you told him?"

"Not yet. Get ready fast."

Hermione left the room and went downstairs, where Harry was already seated at the table with her parents. She grinned.

"Woke him up," she said.

"Tough job, Hermione," said Harry. He looked slightly better. Hermione had made sure that he slept. She smiled and took a seat next to him.

"We're done with our breakfasts, dear," said her father, "and we're supposed to be at our clinic in half an hour. You three continue."

"Ok, Dad. Bye!"

Hermione's mother gave them each a quick hug and her father gave her a hug and shook hands with Harry before leaving. The two friends sat down on the table. Ron had still not appeared.

"I have something for you, Harry."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Dreamless Sleep Potion."

"Where'd you get it from?" asked Harry, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Professor Snape."

"He gave it to you?"

"Yeah."

Harry had just opened his mouth to speak when Ron appeared.

"Where's food?" he asked.

"Sit first, you moron," said Hermione. Andrew appeared a while later with the food trolley. They ate heartily.

Hermione took her friends around the estate after breakfast. Walking through the garden, she suddenly said, "Harry, about the mark - I've been reading up a bit..."

"When did you get the time?" asked a bewildered Ron. Harry nodded. Even through his sleepy haze, he had been aware of Hermione's presence in his room the previous night.

"That's immaterial, Ron. What matters is that I have found out the significance of the colours. Red means that the person is willing to kill for you. Gold means the person respects you, almost bordering on worship. White means that the person is willing to sacrifice everything for you - even life. Green means you would do anything to protect the person - green is your power. Anyone who gets green from you is a person who is your strength as well as weakness. Blue is a filial bond."

"Wow, Hermione," said Harry, "thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Let's visit McGonagall," he said. Ron's mouth fell open and Hermione smiled.

"Sure," she said.

"She lives here?" cried Ron.

"Yes, Ron," said Harry and Hermione together.

"How long have you known?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Dumbledore told me yesterday. You?"

"Ever since she visited me just after the arrival of the Hogwarts letter. I never told her, though."

"Whoa, you're clever, Hermione," said Ron, beaming at her. She smiled at him.

"Yeah," agreed Harry, nodding. She gave him a smile, too.

"Thanks."

"She won't give us homework, will she?" asked Ron.

"I hope she does," said Hermione. The boys glared at her.

"Oh, all right. I won't ask for any."