Soul Pieces

Soul Pieces

Chapter 22: Snake in the Glass

If there was something that Hermione Granger hated, it was the feeling of helplessness.

The room had never looked, or felt- so claustrophobic, so strangely dark. Hermione could feel the cold sweat leaking from her temples, the shiver through her body. With trembling hands, she pressed her baby son against her chest, in a desperate attempt to protect him.

From the corner where she was, Hermione's eyes scanned the expansive room, looking- and silently prayed- for something-someway to salvation.

Seeing her wand on the nightstand near her bed, the young witch cursed under her breath. How could she be so heedless?

Everything had happened so fast. One minute, Madame Pomfrey said she needed to get something (Hermione didn't remember exactly what) and the next minute, Hermione saw the snake. Her first reaction was to take James from the crib.

Her first instinct, being a new mother was to protect her baby, alternately making her forget her wand.

She closed her eyes, wincing at the imminent defeat. She didn't seem to have the strength, the will to fight- even if it was possible. She felt weak and helpless.

Perhaps she should cry- or scream. However, she simply couldn't.

You are better dead, girl, the familiar voice hissed in her head. No one will really miss you.

It was then when the impossible happened; maybe it was destiny- or whatever you want to call it but despite all possibilities of a happy ending, the Infirmary's door was pushed open by someone Hermione never expected.

"Hermio-OH MY MERLIN!" Ginny Weasley cried at the sight in front of her.

Her heart beating very fast, Hermione never thought she would be so happy about seeing Ginny.

"Gi-Ginny," Hermione managed to say, "I-I don't have my wand. P-Please, h-help me."

At first, Ginny didn't say anything, she only looked back and forth, from Hermione to the snake. Shaking her head, she finally raised her wand and cried at Nagini, "Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!" "

However, to both Ginny's and Hermione's shock and horror, nothing happened. Nagini didn't even flinch.

Biting her lip nervously and realizing that Nagini was getting closer and closer to Hermione and James, something grabbed Ginny's attention: a glass of water on the table.

Ginny smiled to herself and wondered out aloud, "Why not?"

Knowing that they had nothing to lose, Ginny lifted up her wand once more and cried, but this time, she said something a little different, "Vera Verto!"

Hermione looked at Ginny as the redhead girl had two heads but then...

It had worked! Ginny had transformed Nagini into a...glass of water!

Seeing that the danger was gone, Ginny ran towards Hermione and James.

"Oh! Hermione! Are you alright? And the baby?" she asked hurriedly.

"Ginny! Oh, thank you! Thank you! I will be always in debited to you!" Hermione said hugging the other girl.

"Oh, Hermione, it was nothing! I am sure you would do the same for me!" Ginny replied with an easy smile. "Well, now, what should we do with...er....that," she questioned Hermione, looking at the glass of water on the floor.

In silence, Hermione put James back on the crib and then walked towards the glass of water. Carefully, she took it and she sensed an outlandish and peculiar feeling of...attraction.

She ogled the object silently feeling an outstanding enthrallment, the corner of her mouth tinkling in an attempted to a smile, as her eyes shined but at same time darkened, if words could describe the action.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked tentatively. Hermione's head snapped to her and she blinked a couple of times, like she was awakening from a dream. She gazed at the redhead girl and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, I was lost for a second there," she said and her eyes returned to the glass of water, the awkward attraction gone.

She knew it was a Horcrux. The last one. Her mind began to work very fast, trying to figure out the pattern behind that- the odd reason that made a simple spell work against it and how she would destroy it.

A glass of water. Curious, indeed. But what does that mean? Nagini was Riddle's best friend. The only being that the Dark Lord trusted...

Trust...truth...

The truth needs to be transparent... crystal...

Crystal...crystal like...

Crystal like a glass of water...

I need...

I need to break the trust.

At that moment, Hermione knew what she had to do: she threw the glass of water against the wall.

"Hermione!" Ginny yelled in surprise.

The glass of water hit the wall and shattered in small pieces all over the floor- and within seconds, these pieces began to change-transform- their forms from water and glass to snakeskin and...blood.

"Argh, gross!" cried Ginny in disgust.

Hermione didn't say anything but she agreed. The scene in front of them was really gross.

The two girls stayed there, in a tense silence. Now that the danger was gone they realized that they couldn't find the words to speak to each other, now that the danger was gone - the awkwardness settled in immediately. Neither of them appeared to have the will or vigor to do it; at least, not at the moment.

The stillness was broken when the Infirmary's door was abruptly opened and Ron, Lupin, and Harry walked in.

Hermione looked up at the entrance and saw that Harry had a hint of despair in his eyes, a look that changed into one of relief. Not caring if he may well look sappy or even ridiculous, Harry ran towards her and took her into her arms, kissing her with a rough, desperate urgency.

"Oh, sweetie! You're here and OKAY! Oh, I was so afraid...Oh! And James?" he nattered worriedly, as his mouth left her mouth and he placed sweet kisses across her jaw line and neck.

"He is in the crib, Harry...but, how-"

"Snape," he answered simply, stopping his ministrations but still holding her, his green eyes shining. "He appeared near the Burrow saying that the attack was only a distraction that-that Voldemort only wanted you alone and-" Unable to continue, the dark haired wizard, tightened his hold on her.

"I'm fine now, Harry."

'Yes, you're fine now but what about the next time?' he thought to himself.

Harry was about to say something when he was interrupted by Ron's voice. "Eww! That's disgusting! What the hell is this?"

Someone had finally noticed Nagini's remains.

Harry let go of Hermione and turned his attention to the young Weasley.

"Ron, what are you- ewwww!"

Hermione shook her head and despite the seriousness of the moment she smiled.

"This, Ronald, is Nagini," she spoke in a lecturing tone.

Harry, Ron, and Lupin focused back on her.

She took a deep breath and told then what had happened.

When Hermione had finally finished her tale, Harry walked towards Ginny, who had remained in silent since the three men had entered the room, and hugged her.

"I will never be able to repay you, Ginny. Never. I will always indebted to you. You saved the most important people in my life. Thank you."

Ginny only smiled and hugged him back.

Hermione witnessed the exchange and couldn't help the feeling of jealousy forming in her gut She knew it was wrong. Very wrong indeed. After all, Ginny had saved her life but seeing Harry hugging the red head girl made Hermione feel very uncomfortable.

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A week later...

Grimmauld Place

Hermione was sitting in her and Harry's bed, her back against the head of the bed, thinking about what had happened one week ago, an unread letter in her hands.

She didn't know exactly why but she was felling uneasy. After the initial shock of Nagini's death, she, Harry, and Ron were very happy with the fact that the last Horcrux had been destroyed. They knew that it was a giant improvement in the war issues and concerns. However, at the same time this also meant that Harry had nothing more between him and Voldemort- the final battle would be coming soon. And even if they didn't talk about that, Ron, Hermione and Harry were scared.

Hermione secretly wondered if Harry was ready for the final straw- and her heart seemed to bleed when her brain answered to that. Simply thinking that Harry might die was what made Hermione cry. She always reminded herself that she- and everyone else- needed to have faith and hope in Harry. She felt low and ashamed as she doubted his force.

And a little-but persistent- part of her mind speculated why she had those thoughts- why suddenly she couldn't have total faith in him.

However, it wasn't the only thing that was unsettling Hermione's sleep. There was also another matter, something more private.

Ginny.

Evidently she was happy for being alive and everything else. However, that didn't mean that everything would be easy or simple.

Maybe it was a matter of pride. Or shame. Hermione didn't know. She was angry with herself for not being strong enough to fight Nagini back. She was angry because her body wasn't the same before James' birth. Okay, Madame Pomfrey said that she would have her "strength" back in a few weeks but...

What would happen in a few weeks? For sure she didn't want to be the damsel in distress waiting for the arrival of her prince charming. Or worse, she didn't want to be the lady in peril that was safe by her prince's ex.

Her prince's ex.

Hermione could close her eyes and still be able to see- over and over- the hug between Harry and Ginny. Perhaps her brain knew it was nothing, however, deep inside her heart she was fearful.

What if Harry decided that she wasn't good for him? What if he wanted a more athletic girl- someone more capable in a battle? What if-!

Before she had left Grimmauld Place she and Harry's "relationship" was based only on sex. They weren't really a couple- at least not in the ordinary implication of the word. They simply enjoyed themselves and any problem- any concern was resolved by sex or at least a rough snog session.

But now...

She wasn't sure. They slept in the same bed. Everyone saw them as real couple. They had a son! But what were they? They rarely kissed each other, unless in a very special situation, like Nagini's death and sex...well, lets just say that Harry and Hermione's sex life didn't exist anymore.

The brown haired girl knew it was her fault. After all, it had been her that had said she wasn't 'ready' to have sex. In the beginning he had tried to win her but now, he seemed not to care anymore. They were like an old married couple. Except the fact that they weren't even married. Or engaged. Or anything.

"What are we?" she asked herself, shaking her head, her eyes looked down at the envelope in her hands. Sighing deeply, she finally opened it.

"Dear Hermione,

I have started this letter so many times that I wouldn't be able to affirm without doubt how much parchment has been thrown away.

Everytime I would start to write, nothing seemed to be good- to have sense. I've been doing a lot of thinking.

I won't deny that I still feel hurt-sorrow- for everything that happened but, I can honestly say that I'm healing.

Last week's events made me realize how unpredictable life can be and that there are much more important things in life.

That's why I'm writing this letter. Tomorrow, we'll have a Hogsmeade day. I'm asking you to meet me at Hog's Head (I imagine that it will be better than The Three Broomsticks) so we can talk.

I'll be waiting for you at 1:00 pm.

Ginny"

Hermione had read that letter almost four times. She really didn't know what to think. She knew she had to talk to Ginny but... it was so hard! What did Ginny want to say?

She felt a little uneasy. Harry had told her about the conversation that he and Ginny had had. He had told her about 'Ginny's forgiveness'. He was so happy about that. Hermione was happy too...well, to tell the truth she thought that the 'forgiveness' was a little too fast...too soon.

Hermione finally closed the letter and sighed, putting it on the bedside and then closed her eyes.

The young witch didn't know how long she stayed like that- not sleeping but not quite awake, eyes still closed, until she heard a little giggle accompanied by a very familiar voice.

"Um, little guy, do you think mummy is awake?" Harry asked in a whisper. "Your mummy looks very pretty when she's sleeping don't you think?"

She slowly opened her eyes and gazed at Harry, who was with James in his arms, holding him very carefully.

"My boys," she whispered with a wide smile.

"Did we wake you?" Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I was only thinking." She opened her arms to them. "Please, Harry, let me hold my little boy."

Grinning like a fool, Harry went to the bed and gave James to her, and then sat at her side.

"He's so beautiful," she said with pride, playing with his little fingers. How could she be angry at this amazing being?

"Yes, he is," Harry agreed. His eyes then noticed the letter on her bedside. "Did you receive a letter?"

Without taking her eyes from James, Hermione replied, "Yeah, it's from Ginny. She wants to meet me tomorrow- at the Hog's Head."

Harry scratched the back of his head, absently. "Are you going to meet her?"

Hermione looked at him. "Yes, I have to. Ginny and I need to settle things. We need to talk."

Harry shifted uncomfortably but didn't say anything.

"It won't be a problem, Harry. It's safe." God, she knew him too well! "The bartender is Dumbledore's brother! An Order member- or ex-Order member but still!"

Harry bit his lip. "I know...it's just-"

"Harry, it will be a Hogsmeade day. We know that there will be loads of Aurors and Order members. McGonagall would never let down the security."

"Okay." He sighed in resignation. "But at least let me talk to Remus or maybe I-"

"No!" she interrupted him before he could continue. "You won't go, neither if you are wearing your Cloak! Remus, okay but you, no. Sorry."

He stared flabbergasted at her. "How-"

"I know you too well, Harry Potter!" He grinned. "We'll be talking mainly about you, Harry. You can't be there," Hermione said in a tone that said that the issue was over.

"Okay, okay," he established. "But there's something else that I want to talk with you about, Hermione." His voice had changed from concerned to serious.

"What? What is it?"

After taking a deep breath, Harry spoke, "I know, Hermione that we already talked about this. I know that you said you will- you want to fight-"

"Harry-" Hermione began to protest but Harry held up a hand, making her stop.

"Please, let me finish," he said and she nodded. "I agree that you need to trained- to learn anything possible about duels, battles and whatever. I know you need to be able to defend yourself however, Mione, I want to ask something- not for me, or Ron, or anyone else but for this little guy in your arms."

"W-What is it, Harry?"

"When the day arrives, and the Final Battle will be inevitable- please, don't go to the front line. I'm begging you, Hermione." His green eyes bored into hers, his voice trembling slightly. "Of course I have faith that I can win but we don't know the future. I don't want my son to have the same fate I had. If destiny decides that I should not survive- the only thing I can hold on to is that, at least my son, has a mother."

Blinking her tears away, a lump in her throat, Hermione was only able to nod weakly.

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The next day

Hogsmeade

Hog's Head

02:05 pm.

"So," said Hermione after sitting at the table.

"So," replied Ginny.

"What would you like?" asked the bartender.

"I want a pumpkin juice," answered Hermione.

"A Butterbeer for me," said Ginny.

The two girls waited for their orders in silence.

"Oh, come on! We are friends, Hermione!" said Ginny, drinking her Butterbeer.

Hermione only smiled.

"Okay, so let me go first. Well, first, I want to apologize for what I said to you that day. It was uncalled for. I am really sorry. It's...it's.... that I was so angry...so..."

"I understand, Ginny. It's me who should be saying I am sorry. It was me who betrayed you. But, I swear, Ginny, I didn't do this on propose. I didn't mean to..."

"You didn't mean to fall in love with Harry," Ginny said with a smile. "I know. Now, I know. I won't say that hurt, Hermione.... however, I think that we can't throw out so many years of a friendship because of a boy. Even if this boy is Harry Potter. Of course, it will be a little difficult for me in the beginning but," she took a deep breath; I want to be your friend again. Would you like to be my friend, Hermione?"

With a small voice, Hermione replied, "Yes, Ginny, it would be an honor."

Hermione and Ginny chatted for hours. They talked about many things. They talked about the war, Hogwarts and the fact that next year they would be attending classes together. Hermione was ashamed to think that she thought that Ginny had bad intentions.

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The next day

James' bedroom

"Are you sure you want to do this here? I mean, we could go to the library," said Hermione for the tenth time.

"Yes, Hermione," replied Tonks. "Today is our first training day and to tell you the truth, it will only be talking."

"I know, but-"

"Hermione, in a few months you will return to Hogwarts. You won't have much free time to be with James. And he is such a sweet kid. If we were using spells or anything like that I would agree with you but now- let's stay here."

"Er, okay," Hermione responded but deep inside she thought that James was, er, a distraction.

"So, Hermione, let's begin!" said Tonks very excited. "As you may have already read, it's really impossible for you to be a Metamorphous. I mean, a Metamorphmagus like me."

"Yes, that made me wonder-"

"So," continued Tonks not paying attention to Hermione's interruption, "you can't be a Metamorphmagus. However-"

"What?"

"However, you can be trained with disguise. Let me explain, as you know the real Metamorphmagus are really rare. You see, it's kind of a genetic thing. Take my mother's family, for example, the Blacks. The Blacks have the Metamorphmagus gene however not all family members are a Metamorphmagus. There's basically one in each generation. You see, in my generation, it's only me."

"Wow, I didn't know about that! But thank Merlin, can you imagined if it had been Draco?"

"Yep, kind of disturbing, huh? Well, continuing- metamorphus it's a genetic thing. A thing that you don't have. But, as said before you can learn how to disguise. I am not talking about wearing a wig and sunglasses! No, I am talking about a real disguise. You know, with potions, spells and everything. We learn how to do this in Auror training. Well, of course I didn't need to."

"Tonks, how exactly is this?"

"Well, Hermione, to make things easiest to understand. Learning how to disguise is almost the same as learning how to be an Animagus. Just, er, a little more complicated."

"Complicated?"

"You see, er, almost no one succeeds in this task. It's really complicated! But the few ones that managed to make it were Muggleborns or Half- Bloods."

"I see."

"Back to disguise! Like I already said the disguise training is very similar to the Animagus one. You will have to drink some potions and perform some spells. But before, you will need to find your form."

"Form?"

"The difference between a disguised person and me is that I can change my appearance in any way I want. I can be several different persons. A disguised person can't. You can't choose your appearance. You will have only one appearance (besides your real one, of course) and even if you hate it you can't change."

Hermione was about to say something when James started to cry. God damnit, she really loved her son but sometimes he was really...annoying.

Without thinking, Hermione raised her wand, pointed it at James and said in an impatient tone, "Quietus!"

"Hermione!" Tonks looked at her in shock. Never in a million years she would imagine that Hermione would do something like that. Was that why she almost never heard James cry? Merlin! The young Auror knew that Hermione wasn't herself since James birth but that was-was- she even didn't know what to think!

"What?"

"W-What did you just do?"

"Do what?"

"The Silence spell, Hermione! You cast a Silence spell on your son! For the love of Merlin, please tell me that was the first time!" Tonks cried exasperated, her voice meddling between sorrow and disappointment.

Hermione didn't respond but her silence was telling Tonks the awful true, no. This was not the first time she Silencio'd her child.

Tonks went to James and picked him up. She muttered the counter-spell and of course he began to cry again.

"See! Now, he won't stop!" cried an exasperate Hermione, the familiar wave of anger boiling inside her. She took three deep breaths, in an effort to not explode.

Tonks began to rock James in her arms. After a few moments he fell back to sleep.

"Hermione, I think we need to talk," said Tonks putting James back in his crib.

Hermione only nodded, not trusting herself to say anything. She wasn't that kind of person that loses control easily- she never was. She just needed to calm down. Calm down. Deep breaths.

"Hermione, I won't pretend that I know how difficult it is to raise a child because I don't. But I know you can't simply cast a Silencing charm on your baby when he starts to cry. It's so wrong, Hermione; so wrong that I don't even have any words to describe how awful that is!"

Tonks' stern tone of voice echoed in Hermione's head transforming the previous anger to shame. Unable to look at the Auror in the eyes, Hermione cast her eyes down but Tonks could see the tears falling.

"Hermione, I don't know what happened but the thing is, you changed after the snake episode. I can see that you're sadder, quieter. You barely talk with the others or me. When you are with James it's like he's an obligation. Please, Hermione, what's going on?"

"I- I- I don't know, Tonks. I really don't know what's going with me," she said sobbing. "I love my son. Please don't doubt! It's just- you see, that day in Hogwarts I simply forgot to grab my wand, I just-"

"You just thought about James. It is normal, Hermione. He is your son. You will always take him first."

"I know, but then when I realized that I couldn't do anything-"

"Ginny saved you. It's Ginny, isn't it? The whole problem is Ginny. You are afraid that Harry will leave you and start dating Ginny again, right?"

Hermione nodded, biting her lower lip.

"Hermione, Harry loves you. He loves you and your son. If he wanted to be with her, no one, neither a son would have stopped him."

"I know, Tonks, but he is so distant these days...he doesn't touch me or kiss me..."

"But Hermione if I am not wrong it was you that told him that you weren't prepared to have sex again." Merlin, did everyone in the house hear about that?!

"I know! But why did he stop trying? If he loves me so much why didn't he propose to me?" Hermione blurted, her voice somehow sounding like a dare.

Tonks didn't know what to say, she smiled sadly and just hugged the young witch.

*********************************************

Meanwhile in Hogwarts

Headmistress' office

"Well, Mister Weasley, here we are," Professor McGonagall was saying, "your very first day in Animagus Training."

"Yes, ma'am," Ron managed to say. He was a little nervous.

McGonagall looked at him and said, "Today we will only talk, okay?" She didn't wait for a reply and continued, "To be an Animagus isn't an easy task, Mister Weasley. I am sure you know that."

Ron only nodded.

"To be an Animagus you will need to work with some spells and potions. Mistakes won't be permitted. One simple mistake could be disastrous. Not every wizard can be an Animagus, Weasley. Be sure of that."

Ron began to wonder if he could be an Animagus.

"I know you may be wondering if you can do this," she said as she could hear his thoughts. "And I will answer you, yes. If I didn't believe you could be an Animagus I would never call you here in the first place, Mister Weasley."

Ron brightened a little.

"You are not stupid, Mister Weasley. On the contrary, you are a very smart young man. You may not be as dedicated to your studies as Miss Granger, or as powerful as Mr. Potter, but tell me, who is? You just need to believe in yourself. You are the best chess player I have come across, and this is important Your strategizing skills are superb. And when you concentrate on your grades, they aren't bad."

The redhead wizard didn't know what to say. It was nice to hear nice things about himself, especially when they were coming out of the mouth of Minerva McGonagall.

"And I must ask something of you, Mister Weasley."

"Yes Professor?"

"I don't want you to ask Miss Granger for help."

Ron Weasley went pale.

"I want you to do this by yourself, Mister Weasley. I know that asking for Miss Granger's help would make things easier but then- it wouldn't be your accomplishment, but hers. I think it's about time you showed everyone what you're capable of without other people's help."

The Headmistress stopped for an instant and then continued, "Well, now come with me. I will show you some books."

Still smiling, Ronald Weasley followed Minerva McGonagall.

********************************************

Somewhere near the coast...

Draco Malfoy observed from his spot near the stairs his mother, Severus Snape and the familiar Death Eater talking. He was a little confused.

"But I don't understand what you are saying! Please be clear!" said an exasperated Snape.

"Severus," replied the person, "as I already said, the boy is wrong."

"Okay, you are talking about Potter but- but he is wrong about what?"

The Death Eater looked between Narcissa and Snape.

"The Dark Lord was not pleased to hear that Granger and the child were still alive - and worse - that Nagini had been killed."

"Obviously! What do you think? Do you think that the Dark Lord would be happy?" Snape snapped sarcastically.

"Of course not! But he seemed more furious about the child than the snake," the Death Eater stressed the last word, casting a significant gaze at Snape.

Severus Snape stopped dead.

"I have some suspicions, Severus but either way you must prevent him. He, the Granger girl and the Weasley are wrong," the person said standing up. "I must go; the Dark Lord is calling me."

The person was about to Apparate when Narcisa remembered something. "Wait! Your hair!"

The person smiled, shook the head and closed the eyes.

In little time, the hair changed from dark to light brown and the Death Eater Disapparated.

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