Bird of Prey
Chapter 7 of 10
kareliaHermione finds an open window.
ReviewedFor Disclaimer etc., please see Chapter 1
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No Music More Enchanting
Chapter 7 Bird of Prey
Snape's suspicion that Miss Granger had declined Lucius' invitation confirmed, he left the palace and Apparated to the wizarding quarter. The young witch did have the reputation of a bookworm, so maybe she'd simply made use of the day by visiting the bookshop.
The quarter was empty, and many stores were closing already. Snape entered the bookshop and glanced around the aisles. Not a single customer was around. The only sales clerk present sat at the cash register, absorbed in a book.
When Snape approached him to ask if a young English witch had been in, the clerk said, "Nah. You're the first one here today. Nobody bothers in weather like this." He nodded at the window.
Snape returned to his flat, trying to think up a plan of action. For all he knew, she might have gone to see a movie. But that did not explain that hunch of foreboding, which had become rather pronounced over the last hour.
His thoughts were interrupted by a noise from the window. From the brightly lit room, he couldn't see anything, so he walked towards the window.
An eagle was hammering its beak against the glass. Snape tilted the window open, and the bird hopped inside.
"Did you know German law states that anyone finding a stray bird of prey is obliged to take it to the nearest zoo?" he drawled, suddenly feeling almost giddy with relief.
The eagle Transformed, and he was now facing a frazzled looking, soaking wet, shivering Miss Granger, who was glaring daggers at him.
"What happened? How long have you been out there?" he asked.
Still shivering, the witch relayed what had happened. "And I didn't dare Transform back to my human form in case they were coming after me," she finished.
It would do no good to have her die of pneumonia he decided and went to run a hot bath for her, adding some strengthening potions. "Get those wet rags off you and take a long bath to warm up again. I'll arrange for something to eat in the meantime. You must be hungry."
The young witch disappeared into the bathroom, and Snape entered the kitchen to ponder the contents of his fridge.
When Hermione entered the kitchen, he was straining the pasta. "Take a seat, it's nearly ready." He waved a hand towards the dining table.
Hermione sat down and watched her professor. "I didn't know you are my neighbor! Mind you, I was really relieved when you turned up here. I thought I might end up staying in my Animagus form until Luna and Lucius return. That would have been really uncomfortable."
Once Snape had served the pasta and Alfredo sauce and put a bowl of salad and a basket of baguette slices on the table, he sat down across from her. "Kingsley wanted to ensure some modicum of protection for you. He suggested these two attic flats for us. To be honest, it's comfortable enough, and if any renegade Death Eater turns up, they'll be trapped. The Anti-Apparition Wards have been active since the first wizard bought Blutenburg in 1467. It's been wizard-owned ever since."
"So what about Schultz? Obviously, he is on their side, whoever they are..." She took a few forks full before continuing. "How much do you know about this situation, anyway?" She looked at him questioningly.
Snape took a deep breath. How much do I know... He started, "One Death Eater, Thorfinn Rowle, spent quite some time here in Germany, recruiting new Death Eaters and making contacts with those sympathizing with the Dark Lord's cause. I saw him once here last summer. There is, to this day, a sizable Nazi movement. All underground of course, but nevertheless, it is there and active. From what Kingsley, Lucius and I have deduced, sympathizers of the Dark Lord started to collaborate with those Nazis. One faction...all Muggles...are obsessed with the occult. The Ark of the Covenant does indeed appear to be hidden here in this country, and these people believe it is filled with occultum. Naturally, they want to get their hands on it and rule the world."
Hermione stared at him in amazement. "Occultum? I've read about what it allegedly does for Muggles..." She seemed deep in thought for moments, then added, "The woman who took my wand said something about only a witch being able to open it. Is that true?"
Snape nodded. "Indeed. The last time it was opened was approximately two thousand years ago by a witch. Mind you, not just any witch can open it."
"Do they know that? And what do you mean, not just any witch?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Yes, they do know. They wouldn't go after Miss Lovegood. Or Miss Weasley if they had a chance. You are of value to them because you would be able to open the Ark."
He watched with near fascination her facial expressions change as she thought hard and quickly reached a conclusion, which seemed incredulous. "You can't be serious! Only Muggle-born witches can open it?"
Snape smirked. "I'm glad your brain has not suffered adverse effects from spending hours out in the cold," he said sardonically, then continued more seriously. "Have you ever looked into the genealogy of your family?"
The witch looked at him blankly. "Not much. My mum traced hers about two hundred years back, and my dad only about two generations. Why does it matter?"
"There is one school of thought suggesting only Muggle-born witches can open it, you were right there. However, what can be said for certain is that only descendants of a witch who has opened the Ark are able to open it."
Hermione stared at him. "But... But how? There can't have been some magical ancestor of mine, I mean, I'm Muggle-born!"
"The term Muggle-born simply indicates that no magic was apparent in either your parents or grandparents. It does not mean you lack magical ancestors. In fact, I am almost certain that every Muggle-born has magical ancestors. From what I concluded, following extensive research, magic is passed on genetically. The gene might skip one generation, or even ten, but it's there and can and will eventually resurface." He stopped, allowing her to take in this information.
Eventually, she said, "I see. I will ask my parents if we can find out more about my ancestry." Then she shrugged her shoulders and shook her head briefly, as if to get these thoughts out of her mind, and added, "This is a lovely meal by the way! Your culinary skill is impressive."
He quirked his eyebrow. "That's your imagination, Miss Granger, born entirely out of your empty stomach." He refilled her glass with a dark, red wine.
"Now, I dare say it would not be a good idea for you to return to your flat tonight, all alone. Never mind your probable discomfort at the thought of spending the night on your own, but if Schultz is spying on you and Miss Lovegood...and we must assume he is...then there is the danger factor to consider."
Hermione took a deep breath. "I'd hate the thought of going back there tonight. But I have to really. I left in such a hurry, thinking Herr Schultz needed help, I don't have any money on me. And I don't have a wand either," she said.
"You are welcome to stay here. Lucius' bedroom is empty. I don't doubt the bed is more comfortable than the sofa." He pointed at the sofa in the living room.
Hermione's relief was obvious. "Thank you very much! I really appreciate your hospitality!"
~|~|~|~
Over the next weeks, dynamics between the four witches and wizards were slowly changing. Snape occasionally exchanged words with the two witches after his lectures, sometimes seemingly trivial, others about important issues, such as their progress with wandless magic or whether or not they'd seen any activities around the palace or the security holding up. When Lucius had returned with Luna from Neuschwanstein, the two wizards immediately set out to put several new Wards on the neighboring flat to ensure neither Muggles nor wizards would be able to enter without their occupant's consent. Snape had also charmed Hermione's bathroom window so it would remain tilted open but not allow cold air in, just in case she had to escape in her Animagus form again.
Hermione and Luna hadn't seen the old Squib since he'd lured Hermione into the palace proper, nor had Hermione encountered Ulrike again. But the two witches discussed potential danger much more often now, and Hermione no longer rolled her eyes at Luna's telling of rumors. The blonde witch was keeping in contact with her father more regularly than Hermione was with her parents, and Xenophilius' contacts had essentially confirmed what Snape had told her about the faction of Nazis.
Occasionally, Snape joined Lucius, Luna and Hermione for outings. Hermione had known since her first year at Hogwarts that the professor was a master of sarcasm. Lately, she had come to appreciate his biting wit and sharp tongue, since it was less often directed at her.
One Saturday morning in late winter, Hermione woke from a strange dream.
She was walking, neither fast nor slow, holding the hand of a not entirely human-looking, tall, ancient man she'd never seen before. They reached a junction, and he indicated for her to choose the direction. One road appeared to be leading towards a city, as many skyscrapers were visible in the distance. Another road led to the beach of a vibrantly turquoise lake. Hermione chose the third option, a road that soon narrowed to a mere path, lined with very tall trees and shorter bushes on either side.
As she walked along the path, leading ever deeper into the wood, the shapes of the flora started to blur until soon there were only colors. Even the stranger had morphed into a vivid, brilliant gold, flowing playfully beside her. Occasionally, he pointed out various shapes of the colors by changing his own shape into something resembling an arrow. "See over there, this iridescent white? It's a unicorn."
"A unicorn? This must be a magical forest," Hermione mused.
The ancient man laughed softly. "As magical as any place. It is the dimension where only One rules."
"Only one? Who?" Hermione was unable to hide her curiosity.
The old man smiled benignly down at her. "Why, love of course. Hence the lack of drab colors. You will understand when you are ready to." Part of his golden color reached out to her forehead as if in blessing.
Hermione shook her head to clear her thoughts and threw the quilt back. Of course I'm solid. It was just a dream, silly! she chastised herself, but felt almost sorry that the vibrant pink and green hues of herself were gone.
The dream was soon forgotten when she wandered into the kitchen and found a note from Luna on the table.
Hermione,
We've gone to the seaside for the weekend. Sorry I didn't give you any warning. I'll be back Monday morning in time for lectures.
Love,
Luna
What on earth...? Hermione shook her head. Who would go to the seaside in the midst of winter? Then it dawned on her. She rushed through Luna's bedroom into the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks. The entire bathroom was filled with the debris of what until very recently had been a large bathtub. She's managed to Transform, the young witch thought to herself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the door, and Hermione hurried to answer it, stopping in her bedroom to pick up her wand. She had become very careful whenever someone came knocking these days and was grateful that her new wand seemed to wield even stronger magic than her old one had. Despite her considerable progress with wandless magic, she felt more confident with her wand within reach.
"Oh, it's you! Come in," Hermione said and put her wand away.
"Your flat-mate and my flat-mate have taken off to the seaside rather spontaneously," Snape drawled as he walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. "I cannot fathom why anyone would enjoy the sea in these arctic temperatures. Warming charms only do so much..." He looked at her questioningly.
Hermione sat down opposite him and grinned. "We have another Animagus in our midst. A rather large one, judging by the state of Luna's bathroom."
"I see. Well, the Minister owled me earlier, which is why I came over." He paused for a moment. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Hermione shook her head. "No. I usually go out to buy fresh bread on Saturdays," she explained.
"In that case, why don't we go to Schwabing, and I'll tell you all the news over breakfast."
"Just give me a few minutes, and I'll be ready," Hermione replied and disappeared into her bedroom, all the while wondering what the Minister had told Snape.
Ten minutes later, the couple Apparated to a deserted garden, and Snape led the way to a small café situated in a quiet side road, away from the hustle and bustle of Munich's trendiest district.
As soon as they had placed their orders, Snape cast Muffliato. "One of Kingsley's men has managed to put a Tracking Charm on Rowle. He is collaborating with Nazi occultists, of that we are now certain. We also have a rather good idea where the Ark is hidden."
"And where is that?" Hermione looked at him expectantly.
"Have you heard of the Externsteine?"
"That stone formation in Northern Germany? Yes. They're mentioned in the book Kingsley sent me for my birthday. They're allegedly connected by ley lines to both Stonehenge and the Cheops Pyramid. Some Muggles apparently hold occult ritual there on the solstices." Her eyes widened. "Are you saying that is where the Ark is hidden?"
Snape smirked. "Exactly, Miss Granger. Not only ley lines connect them, but if you imagine the pyramid lowered flush in the earth, it runs 51.8 degrees to meet the stones, the same angle as the sides of the pyramid itself." His expression turned serious. "As you may know, followers of the occult place great importance on numerology and dates."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of that. Do you have any idea as to when they'll try to open it? And what do I do about it? I don't exactly fancy another meeting with Ulrike."
Snape smirked slightly at her last words. "Indeed. Typically, I'd expect it to be August 12 at the next peak of the earth's biorhythm. However, the next peak will not occur until 2013, and I'm rather certain they do not wish to wait until then."
Hermione snorted. "Considering they tried to lure me into their fangs a few weeks ago, I cannot quite imagine they did that in order to sustain me for about thirteen years," she said tartly. "So, what date do you think they have planned? And this year, I presume."
"Considering Rowle has visited Blutenburg several times in the last week, I dare say it's in the very near future. Valentine's Day, maybe, or possibly the Spring Equinox." He shrugged. "Unfortunately, we do not know for sure. Yet." He stopped and gazed at her.
A waitress brought the ordered culinary delight, refilled their coffees and left again. For a few minutes, Hermione and Snape ate in silence. Then Snape said quietly, "I do not wish to place a Tracking Charm on you. You have every right to your privacy. However, Kingsley is rather insistent that we take certain measures in order to protect you, and you cannot possibly spend twenty-four hours a day with either Miss Lovegood, Lucius or myself."
Hermione looked at him. Her professor amazed her at times. Why would he care about my privacy? Aloud, she said, "If a Tracking Charm is the best way, then I'd rather have that than fall into their hands again. I don't know if I'll be as lucky to escape a second time. And if they do choose Valentine's Day, we have barely two weeks left!"
For a moment, Snape's hand moved as if he was going to place it on her arm, but then he retreated before it could touch her. "I am meeting with a wizard tomorrow, whom I greatly respect. He may be able to help, as he knows the local occult customs as well as more protective spells than even Dumbledore knew. If you are free tomorrow afternoon, do join us. Lucius and Miss Lovegood will hopefully be back by then, too. I owled Lucius as soon as I received Kingsley's owl."
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A/N The ley lines about the Externsteine are a product of my imagination, although not that unlikely, considering that many power points of planet earth are connected with such energy lines. The angle of the Cheops pyramid, and possibly many other ancient pyramids, however, really appears to be between 51.5 degrees http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza and 52 degrees http://www.ask-aladdin.com/pyramid.htm
As always, grateful thanks to southernwitch69 for beta-reading and littlebeloved for alpha-reading.
And more grateful thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Reviews feed the Muse better than the best chocolate.
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Latest 25 Reviews for No Music More Enchanting
96 Reviews | 6.64/10 Average
Wonderful story and I absolutely loved the change to Hermione's Patronus. I haven't read any other story where it takes that form!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I don't know whether it's been done before. If not, I'd be surprised, though, as I thought it very fitting. *giggles*Thanks for reviewing!
10 years ago I lived some 10 minutes walking distance away from Blutenburg!! A dream! Your story was like a time-warp back to that wonderful time.And just imagine to have snape malfoy hermine and co in your neighbourhood... saving the world. magic.well done.Salva
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you! I only visited Munich once, so most of the story was the result of googling, LOL. But yes, wouldn't it be nice to have them live in the neighbourhood... *sighs dreamily*
Response from salvamea (Reviewer)
The entrance to munichs "Diagon-alley". Where did you locate that? I couldn't quite make that out. Odeonsplatz? Where did you get the wonderful idea from? Does the "thingummy" realy exist?
Excellent chapter and what a cliff hanger at the end.
Wow I loved Severus's dramatic entrance into the story, I can't wait to see how he got to be in Germany.
Very good chapter.
I wonder why Hermione was unable to change the room's color, and is it significant?
Well, you got my interest with that job offer.....
Very good flow within the story, lots of interesting tidbits, but not overwhelming.
hmm. I'm rather suspicious of kingsley...
what is it with the weisswurst, what about the bratwurst and the whateverotherwursts?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Well... the Hofbräuhaus is famous for its weisswurst, which is made with veal. Bratwurst is made with pork. Had they been in Nürnberg, they would have been subjected to a different type of Bratwurst, of course. Says the vegetarian. LOLThanks for reviewing!
uh oh , down one of those underground tunnels I presume?
wow this is an interesting story!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Aw, thank you!
what sort of bird is she hmm?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Good question!
aha the plot thickens...the unspeakable ( but gorgeous) Lucius, an Unspeakable, whatever is the world coming to?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
The wizarding world is going just as crazy as the Muggle world, I guess. :) Thanks for reviewing!
Brilliant. "pop" off to Egypt for some fun in the sun, hope they took their sunscreen!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
And the Pyramids *nods*. Thanks for your lovely reviews!
Oh well she will have to accessorise with the bed etc to tone down the green, tell her to watch "Changing Rooms"
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
LOL What a splendid idea! Imagine Changing Rooms, the Wizarding Way... Thank you for reviewing.
Luna can transform too can't she, just doesnt want anyone to know, or do I just have a nasty suspicious mind??
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
She's learning *grin*.
Now why wasn't my chemistry professor like that *whine*
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Hm... *ponders* Maybe you just didn't see him in the same light? LOLThanks for reviewing!
What a job offer, who would turn it down?
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I wouldn't. :)
I read this before, I think on ashwinder, and I really enjoyed it but I don't think I reviewed *apologizes profusely* I loved your Luna. Not many people can write the very unique character of Luna, and you do it wonderfully. Overall, I liked this story very much. Thanks for sharing!!
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you so much! I love Luna and think she's highly under-appreciated in fanfic.
I hate that it's nearing the end, mate. :) Damn good.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thanks, love. I still have Lucius in mah head, so one of these days I'll write that sequel... Just not today.
lovely ending to a great tale
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
I'm so glad you like it!
Damn, behind on my reviews. You should kick mah arse for this. :) I love your writing. Thanks for sharing with us.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Consider it kicked. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement.
Hahaha... a doberman-sized BAT patronus! LMAO! That is just great...
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
*grins* I've always wanted some connection with a bat, and now I've finally managed it, lol.
what a wonderful story! i had noticed the lovely title but never managed to read it until today. very inventive. i appreciated severus's reasons for picking luna to work with him, and it was fun to see her and hermione off having adventures together. i liked your version of german wizard shopping district. oh, and that line about how she would be godmother to ron's kids and even see them off to hogwarts with him - way to spin that epilogue! all in all, a thoroughly satisfying story.
Response from karelia (Author of No Music More Enchanting)
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked it!Teehee, I tend to think of Luna being the yin to Hermione the yang. :)And *blush* I'm still in denial where the epilogue is concerned... So I try my best to ignore it without ignoring canon.