Chapter 4: Phlegm and Weezes

Chapter 4: Phlegm and Wheezes.

AN: See disclaimer in previous chapters.

Millions of Thank You's to my beta Septentrion! I really appreciate your stepping in and helping me with my story.

I've decided it is time I recorded my experiences and thoughts. Before my mind becomes dim with age, and as men are telling tales and twisting history, I must tell the truth. I must give an accurate account of what has happened.

Women communicate through speech. We talk about our feelings, we are eloquent and expressive. We tell our stories, listen to our sisters, and lend them our strength. Men lose so much by their show of strength. They close themselves up and their stories get lost. This was the first lesson I learned in Avalon. I began my training at the age of eight...

Excerpt from 'The Blessings of a Witch.'

Hermione arrived at the Burrow in the early afternoon. Harry had not yet arrived but they were told that Dumbledore would be collecting him the next morning. Hermione had arrived in time for lunch which conveniently gave Mrs. Weasley the chance to comment on how skinny the girl had gotten and how it wasn't attractive for girls to be just skin and bone. Ginny grinned and winked at Hermione across the table as a plate heaped high with food was placed in front of her. After saying his hello's Ron had already become engrossed in his lunch.

Hermione smiled with affection as she watched his single minded attack of his lunch, it was so characteristic of Ron that it had almost become endearing. After lunch, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had wandered out in the garden to enjoy the sun and watch Crookshanks chase after the gnomes. They had been there for about half an hour when all of a sudden Ginny started muttering under her breath. Hermione looked at her in surprise, raising her eyebrows.

'Don't look now, Mione, but we are about to be mired in phlegm!' Ginny said in a disgruntled voice.

'Ah, Come on Gin, she isn't that bad!' Ron answered.

'What are you ...?' Hermione started to ask, curious as to what they were talking about.

A beautiful blond was walking gracefully towards them and spoke before Hermione could finish her sentence.

'Ah Theere ewe are! Molly is looking for you Geeny! We must deescuzz thee wedding plans!'

Hermione's mouth opened in a round 'o' of surprise as Fleur Delacour stood waiting for Ginny to go back to the house with her. She looked down her nose at Hermione and seemed to dismiss her on sight. Hermione looked over at Ron and noticed he had adopted a rather silly smile and had eyes only for Fleur. Hermione decided that Phlegm was definitely a fitting name for the Frenchwoman.

'Fleur started working at Gringotts to 'eemprove her Eenglishz' and she and Bill are now engaged.' Ginny said in a dull voice, as she stood up and brushed off her trousers. She rolled her eyes and started to follow Fleur back into the house.

'Honestly Ronald! Get a hold of yourself!' Hermione said when she noticed his silly smile was still in place. 'I'm going to go do some reading.' She said as she stood up and also walked back towards the Burrow, feeling just a tinge of jealousy. She heard Ron call to her but decided not to bother, she was eager to begin her new book and right now would be a good opportunity, before Harry arrived.

Hermione settled in on her bed in Ginny's room and took her book out of her satchel. She smiled as she noticed that the title still said 'The Blessings of a Witch' across the top. She opened it up and began to read about the life of Morgaine.

Hermione was instantly engrossed in her book and spent the rest of the afternoon reading in Ginny's room, only putting it down reluctantly when Mrs. Weasley called that dinner was ready. Hermione marked her place in the book and got up to join the others, she had read about 100 pages so far and she already knew she would need to contact Pansy.

Right after dinner, Hermione asked Ron if she could use Pig for a quick message to her parents. She got out a quill and wrote her note.

Hey Girl,

DG

Hermione sealed the note and tied it on to Pig who immediately zipped around the room a few times in excitement before flying out of the window. She was confident that Pansy would know what to do according to the code they had worked out. The Goddess blessing at the letter confirmed that it was from Hermione, just in case Daphne Greengrass decided to OWL Pansy. Pansy would know to send a note to Hermione about when she would be in Diagon Alley getting her school supplies, they would try to meet at that time.

Harry had arrived early the next morning, and with him their OWL results arrived from Hogwarts. For the first time since that fateful meeting with Pansy, Hermione focused entirely on something else. She breathed a sigh of relief when she received her results. She had gotten all of her OWLs. She frowned at her DADA score (she only received an E rather than an O) but decided that she would just need to work harder for her NEWTs. Harry had met their new DADA professor the night before with Dumbledore and he thought the class would be okay... better than Umbridge's classes at any rate.

For the next couple of weeks were relaxing and uneventful. After he first arrived, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had forced Hermione to stop reading and she was forced to participate in a number of Quidditch matches. The three quickly changed their minds after they realized how truly terrible she was at the game. Hermione knew she was a hazard on a broom and breathed a sigh of relief when she was allowed to go back to her reading. So, for the rest of the summer, Harry, Ginny, and Ron played Quidditch while Hermione sat in the gardens with her book and read.

Because she had promised to not tell anyone about what she was doing, she put a fake cover on her book. Everyone thought that Hermione had become engrossed in Advanced Rune Translation, when in reality she was reading The Blessings of a Witch.

The book was actually a journal of sorts. Hermione knew from the first page of the book that she had been meant to find it. She normally didn't believe in fate or destiny, but it was like Morgaine was writing to her, that's why she could see the true title. Hermione knew this book could help her and Pansy.

Morgaine wrote about her life and her experiences primarily. Throughout her story, she also included pertinent spells, charms, and potions that she herself had utilized.

Hermione was enthralled. Morgaine wrote a completely different perspective on the stories Hermione had read back at her parents' house online. What fascinated Hermione the most was what the witch had written about the Order of Avalon. Morgaine had begun her magical training on the island of Avalon at a very young age. She had learned ancient and powerful magic. Hermione knew that most of what Morgaine had learned had most likely been lost over the years. However, Morgaine had written down what she felt would be important to women in future generations. Hermione smiled when she read this, she was getting the chance to learn some of this ancient magic from the Order of Avalon. An order that only the most powerful and worthy witches had been a part of. She felt both empowered and humbled by the possibilities this could present.

***

Severus sat across a large desk, a cup of tea warming his hands as he waited for his mentor to speak. He had been surprised to find Narcissa Malfoy and her sister Bellatrix Lestrange at his doorstep last night, and he had just filled his employer in on what the sisters had to say to him. Dumbledore was silent as he mulled over what his Potions master had just told him.

Narcissa had begged for his help, and Snape had entered into an Unbreakable Vow with her in order to prove his loyalty in front of Bellatrix. Snape sighed as he thought about the predicament he had gotten himself into. Using Legilimency, he had discerned what Draco's assignment from the Dark Lord was. Narcissa had been too distraught to notice any invasion of her mind. Lucius's wife had never been a strong Occlumens, and she had been so distressed that she had practically broadcasted her fears. So now, if Draco was not successful in assassinating the headmaster, Snape would need to choose between death and killing his best friend. There was no decision to make; Dumbledore was the only person who had shown complete faith in Snape, and that was more important than his own miserable life.

He had already accepted that he would die before the end of this war; he saw it as being inevitable, considering his role as a spy and double agent. However, accepting the fact was quite different from actually having a timeline on when that would happen. After Narcissa and Bellatrix had left his home, Snape had sat up and finished his bottle of elf-made wine as he thought about what had occurred. The Potions master had come to a startling realization as he sat awake that night. I don't want to die.

Dumbledore spoke, interrupting Severus's morose thoughts. 'Well, Severus, I believe we need to talk about your class schedule for the upcoming school term.' Snape looked up at Dumbledore and saw that the headmaster's eyes were twinkling and that he was sporting a secretive smile on his face.

'What on earth are you talking about, Albus?' Snape asked, confused as to why the older man had not addressed the real problem at hand.

'Don't worry, dear boy. I think we can use this to our advantage.' Severus didn't respond; he was too confused to think of an appropriate question.

'I want you to take over the post as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. I have already been to see Horace Slughorn, and he has agreed to teach Potions,' Dumbledore said, surprising Severus even more.

'But... Why now, Albus? What are you thinking?' Severus finally spoke in a soft voice.

Albus Dumbledore's eyes twinkled triumphantly as his smile grew wider than it already was. He leaned forward as he filled the new DADA professor in on his plan for the upcoming year.

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The next morning dawned bright and sunny as the large group made their way to Diagon Alley. The day before, the Gryffindors had received their textbook lists, and it was time to purchase their supplies for the upcoming school term.

The trip to Diagon Alley was made easier due to the Ministry's willingness to provide cars for 'the Chosen One,' and in no time, they were walking down the familiar street, still purple due to the Ministry posters in every window. As they walked towards Madame Malkin's, Hermione looked longingly towards the end of the Alley where she could just barely make out Yosh's bookshop. She wondered how often Professor Snape went to the small book store; he had seemed so familiar with it.

After a brief and unpleasant encounter with Draco Malfoy and his stuck up mother, they were on their way to Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. The whole group stopped in shock a few feet before the door to the twins' shop, trying to take in what they were seeing. The twins' display windows were so -- active was the only word Hermione could think of to describe them. There was a myriad of items that moved and flashed and bounced, and it was impossible to take it all in. Hermione heard Mrs Weasley moan about the twins' almost certain death as they entered the busiest store on Diagon Alley.

Hermione stayed to look at the shelves nearest the front windows so she could keep an eye out for Pansy. As she perused the different charms and candies, she thought it was a shame that people didn't recognize how brilliant the twins really were. True, the brilliance seemed wasted on a joke shop, but some of these charms were really creative.

She was standing near Ginny next to a display promising "daydreams to last a whole class period" when she felt a sharp tug on her hair. Hermione whirled around in surprise but didn't see anyone. She felt another tug on her book bag in the direction of the front door, so she quickly made her way out. After exiting the store, Hermione found Pansy taking off an Invisibility Cloak at the far wall, away from the windows so that the Weasleys wouldn't see her.

Pansy's eyes darted left to right as Hermione approached her.

'Pansy, you have an Invisibility Cloak?' she asked, surprised that another student possessed such a treasure.

'Yes, yes, but I don't have time for chitchat. Granger, what happened?' Pansy said in a near whisper. She wanted to get straight to the point.

'Pansy, I've found a book that I think will help us. In fact, I think I know what Voldemort is planning!' Hermione said, also whispering. As she spoke, she reached into her book bag and took out The Blessings of a Witch. She held it up for Pansy to see the title and asked her to read it.

Pansy raised her eyebrows at Hermione in question but then shrugged and started to read the title. 'The Curse of the... What!' Pansy exclaimed in surprise as the words started to change before her eyes. 'The Blessings of a Witch... Hermione, what is going on?' Pansy asked, her eyes wide in surprise.

Hermione quickly explained what had happened in Yosh's bookstore, and she handed Pansy a copy of her list of the books Snape had purchased.

'I think we need to get a hold of the books Snape bought.That way, we will know what research he has done.' Pansy nodded and took the list. 'I will see what I can find. Maybe Snape will loan the books to my father,' she said with a bitter voice. The girl paused for a moment, thinking of what her father was committing her to.

'I found some pretty interesting stuff too, about feminine magic. I found this book with tons of spells and glamour charms and love potions... things that were made especially for women.'

Hermione nodded absently at this.

'I have to tell you about what's in this book,' Hermione said urgently, gesturing to the book still in Pansy's hands. She needed to hurry before Harry and Ron noticed she was gone.

'This is a sort of journal written by Morgaine. Morgaine was a witch from the time of Merlin. She has another name, Morgan Le Fey.' Pansy nodded at this.

'Well, Morgaine talks about a number of different spells and curses, all for women who are our age. A lot of them are mind spells, so Legilimency and Occlumency will actually be really useful for most of these.'

'So, you think Voldemort wants me to do one of these spells... maybe that's why Bellatrix is training me in Occlumency and Legilimency,' Pansy wondered aloud.

Hermione nodded. 'Yeah, I think that's the idea. Um... there is one more thing.' She hesitated, trying to think of the best way to say this.

'I'm not sure, Pansy, I need to read some more, but there is one spell in here... I just read about it last night, and it is more powerful than the rest. I think that Voldemort may be planning on using that one.' Pansy was quiet, listening intently to what Hermione was telling her.

'If I'm right...' Hermione took a deep breath. 'Well, if I'm right, you would lose all of your power, not just a small portion of it like Bellatrix told your father.'

Hermione watched as all the color drained out of Pansy's face. She stayed quiet as she waited for the other girl to process what Hermione had just enunciated.

'All of my power,' Pansy said in a low voice. 'My father couldn't have known... I... I can't loose all of my power!' Her voice was sounding panicked now, and she was looking around frantically. Hermione put a hand on the other girl's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

'I'm going to read more about this, Pansy; we don't know for sure if this is what Voldemort is planning. The logistics would be really difficult.... I'm going to help you. Don't worry,' Hermione said, trying to keep her tone confident. At the same time, she looked behind her at the shop window. She saw that Ginny was still near the daydreaming charms, but she was looking around, a confused expression on her face. Hermione knew she had been gone for too long; she needed to get back inside.

'Pansy, I have to go.They are going to notice that I'm missing,' Hermione said.

Pansy still looked a little shocked, but she was recovering fast. She had been raised to keep her emotions in check, and that breeding was coming in handy now. She looked past Hermione to the joke shop and then met Hermione's eyes. Hermione had been watching Pansy regain her equilibrium and was waiting for her to say something.

'Okay,' Pansy said slowly. 'Yeah. I'm supposed to meet Draco soon, so we should both go.'

Hermione nodded. 'Pansy, I will finish this book, and we can talk on the first day of school. Then we will know for sure.' She grimaced briefly at the mention of Draco: he had been so rude at Madam Malkin's.

'I will see you at school then,' Pansy stated, handing Hermione back the enchanted book. Hermione quickly stuffed it back into her book bag.

'Yeah, see you there,' she answered; then she walked quickly back into the twins' shop.

Hermione entered the shop quietly and walked around a few shelves to approach Ginny from the other direction. She wandered towards Ginny as if she had just been browsing around. She saw Harry come back into the store from the back room with George; he was holding a number of items in his hand and his pockets looked a little heavier.

George led the two girls towards a disgustingly pink display of love potions and other items 'just for girls,' and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief; nobody seemed to have noticed that she had been gone.

**

AN: I know it was a long wait for this one and I do apologize. I had some beta problems but was lucky enough to have Septentrion step in and save the day!