Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter and the Oracle of Bedlam ❯ Unwanted Discovery ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

Unwanted Discovery

Oh shoot! Here we find Hermione scampering her way to the Head's chamber. She was supposed to meet Prof. Dumbledore and the Head boy five minutes ago. If it weren't for Lavender's continues babblings and Parvati's whines on her sore break-up with Seamus, she wouldn't have stayed too long in the Gryffindor's common room.

She was nearing the hallway and was glad to find Prof. Dumbledore was still there and beside him was no other than Draco Malfoy himself, who quite looked annoyed by her tardiness. She stood before the Headmaster as he gently smiled down at her behind his half-moon glasses. "I'm so sorry, Prof. I didn't mean to be late." She was breathless; it was almost a torture to speak.

"Calm down miss Granger. It's alright, I'm glad that you're already here." The Headmaster replied.

Draco snorted with this since he knew too well this would be Dumbledore's reaction towards one of the Golden trio's belatedness. It's more like a special treatment to them. He could feel Hermione spare him a glare and then turned her head back towards the Headmaster.

"This will be the Head's room. The same room you two will be sharing for the whole school year, so I am expecting you two to behave and disregard your differences." Prof. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously at the two children and went to face a painting of young lovers looking snug below the tree. Hermione watched them in complete awe and admiration, while of the Draco on the other hand almost wanted to throw up. It'll be really repulsive to see lovers making out in his door everyday.

"Ahem!" Dumbledore's voice brought back the lovers to reality and immediately stood up to face him.

"Password, please?" the young lady in a maroon Medieval dress asked. Her face fully flushed from being caught with the previous act.

"Done for melee." Dumbledore answered and the door finally swung open.

Both Head boy and Head girl furrowed their brows just from hearing the new password. Done for melee? Hermione quickly dismissed the thought when Dumbledore spoken up. "There will be two more portraits inside, serve as custodians of your bedroom doors. It is up to you two to decide what password you may want to use."

"Thank you Headmaster." Hermione gratefully smiled as Draco gave the old man a gratified nod.

"Well, I guess you two are tired, you may go inside and take a rest. I'll be seeing you tomorrow for your Head assignments. Until then, I bid you goodnight."

"Goodnight." Both said as they watched the old Headmaster turn his heels and walk away.

When Dumbledore was nowhere in sight, Draco took this chance and turned over to Granger who have been still admiring the portrait lovers. "Very typical, Granger. Very typical I must say." He drawled, his arms crossed against his chest as his usual insolent smirk plastered all-over his face.

Hermione scowled and slightly turned towards him, "Sod off, Malfoy." She turned to leave him and went inside the Head's common room. Draco of course was on her trail and never failed to make her life more terrible than ever.

"You have nothing to be ashamed about it, mudblood." He scoffed and shut the blasted door behind, "Every women who has no experience of having someone to love can always admire those who are lucky to have it." He stopped his steps when Hermione halted hers. She turned to him, brows furrowed and hands planted on her hips. He knew he had hit the right button once again.

"Since when have you been interested in my love life, ferret? And when have you decided to pep talk me?" she was just partly mad but she knew he pushed his stupid remarks even further she may just blow up. That is if she wasn't too tired just like right now.

Draco feigned a hurt look and clutched the left side of his chest, "My, too ruthless are we? Have you not noticed my sudden determination of helping a lowly muggle born such as yourself?"

"Honestly!" Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to approach the stairs that may lead to her room, "Give me a break!"

"And am I supposed to comply with that?" Draco sarcastically laughed and went on, "I can't imagine seeing a purebred bowing down in front a dirty blooded witch like you!"

Hermione stopped her tracks, she was almost stepping on the fourth step of the stair, "Neither do I!" she gave him a feisty, flaring glare and before saying, "Can we just pretend this conversation never happened? It'll do us both a favor."

"Why, what's wrong, Granger? Getting dense with your come backs."

"Malfoy, I'm tired okay?? I need some sleep!"

"Ah, the usual, lil' darling Granger wants to go to sleep so she could attend promptly on her class tomorrow morning."

"Yeah, whatever." Hermione dismissed him with a wave of her hand and went to climb the stairs on. Her shoulders hung low, completely dead tired from all of the things that had happened that day. All she wanted was to droop down on her bed and sleep the hell out till eternity.

Draco was thinking the same thing too, although he could not help to grumble in anger since Granger dismissed his so easily as if his insults were lame. He too climbed the staircase leading to his room, rolling his head in attempt of relieving the stress in his neck. There's always next time to take a good bicker with that woman. He didn't know what pushes him to exchange insults with her but it seems that kind of act was the only thing makes him release his tension. Or maybe the fact that he gets to have her attention makes it all worthwhile. Not! He mentally slapped himself and went on to enter his room.

***

The next day, Hermione found herself alone in the Head's room. It seems Draco had woken up first, a complete advantage since Mr. Pain-in-the-ass was not there to ruin her morning. After taking a shower, she dressed, stuffed her books into her back, and then went on to the Great hall to eat breakfast. She saw Harry, he was conversing with Dean Thomas while the new student, Abby was having a nice chat with Ginny on her side. I feel tension between those two. She was quite sure about this thought since the three of them find Abby too naïve for the fact she knew nothing about the Dark Lord. Hermione sighed and proceeded to approach the Gryffindor table.

"Morning," Hermione greeted everyone with a smile and sat to the empty sit next to Harry. Ginny and Abby ceased their talks and turned their heads towards her.

"Hey there, `mione. A little late, are we?" Harry said before taking a huge swig on his pumpkin juice.

She made a weak smile and shrugged her shoulders, "I couldn't help not to doze off. And the fact that I don't want to see the Head boy in the morning includes with it." With the statement, her eyes involuntarily scanned the Slytherin table for any signs of the arrogant blond ferret. She saw him sitting next to the new student, named Connor, completely immersed on whatever conversation they were having.

Harry made a disgusted face, "Oh, I forgot-you do have to share a room with him." he turned over to her and gave a worried look on his face, "Is he bothering you?"

Hermione shook her head and said, "I can handle him, don't worry. He just tends to be so annoying at times. But what can I say? He's Draco Malfoy. The very person who cannot stand my presence." She smugly said and took a croissant on her plate. She looked around and felt something was missing, "Where's Ron by the way?"

"Oh, he's sort of helping Katie for the upcoming try-outs for Quidditch." Ginny answered and she too took a croissant.

"Really?" Hermione nonchalantly said, not literally interested with anything that has something to do with that sport. "When is it?"

"Saturday." Harry replied. He turned towards Abby who was silently eating her breakfast, "Hey, you wanna go and try-out?"

Abby shot her head up and looked at him in wide eyes, "Me?"

Harry chuckled and nodded, "Yes." She looks so adorable. He had no idea where that thought came from although he discharged it instantly.

"Are you serious?" Hermione asked in shock.

"Why? Is it wrong to ask that question?" Harry asked back.

"You can't push her into something she doesn't like, Harry." Hermione warningly stare at him.

"What? How did you know she doesn't want to play Quidditch?" he raised his eyebrow, arms crossed, waiting for her brainy answer.

Hermione tensely bit her lower lip and said, "Well, that sports is way too dangerous to play and-I believe she thinks the same way too," she turned her head over to Abby, almost pleading for her to agree with her, "right, Abby?"

Abby doesn't know what to answer. What the hell is Quidditch anyway?? She shook her head and said, "I don't know… would it hurt me if I give it a go?" she passed her look over to Ginny.

Ginny smiled and shook her head, "No, I'm a Chaser myself. It'll be nice if you give it a try."

"Ginny!" Hermione couldn't believe she was being out-numbered here. It fairly looks like she's the only one who hates that blasted sport.

Harry on the other hand flashed a winning smile; pompously happy with the results he was receiving. "We'll see you then, Saturday morning?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Abby casually shrugged her shoulders and smiled back towards him. Is it me or did he just blush in front of my face? She could swear she had seen a faint blush crept on Harry's cheek. She was beginning to wonder if he had a sort of fever or something. She shrugged the thought off and started munching on her bacon and eggs.

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Don't go crying on me young lady if you get all the muscle aches and broken bones. I've already warned you." The three couldn't help not to find Hermione's mother-like tone amusing and started to giggle as they eat. Hermione too felt like laughing although her merriment stopped when she felt someone's eyes staring on her. She looked over only to see Draco Malfoy watching her with that usual smug look on his pretentious face while his newfound mate Connor was chatting with Blaise Zabini. She returned it with a cold stare and then turned away to avoid seeing his disgusting pureblooded aspects. Yet she knew it was one of his so-many tactics of ruining her day.

***

Her day was definitely awful! How could bad things happen in one straight day? Especially that it's the first day of the whole semester! First, Prof. Snape once again took house points from her house from the reason that she was answering without being asked in the first place. Second, she slipped on the library's wet floor and almost smashed her face onto ground only if she hadn't grabbed the stool next to her on time. And finally the third one was when Prof. Binns started to throw away a research project about the history of clairvoyants and foretelling with her being partnered with the last person she would ever wish she'd be partnered with. It's no other than Draco Malfoy himself!

Now she's stuck in their common room with books and parchments surrounding her. She was trying all of her best to elaborate the History of clairvoyants but it seems Draco Malfoy was in no mood to do anything in particular. He chose to lock himself inside his room rather than assist her. But what exactly can she expect from him anyway? It's unfair for me to do all the work while he lies on his cozy bed doing nothing! Hermione thought, and with a heavy sigh she stood up and decided to confront Malfoy's idleness.

She was now standing in front of his portrait of a young gentleman in green and silver robes. "Password?" it says, nonchalantly looking down at the bushy haired girl standing forth the door.

Hermione have to admit that this man was fairly attractive; nevertheless his attitude was terribly discourteous. Just like the one he so dearly protects behind that door. "I have to guess now, do I?" with another sigh she continued, "Hmm… Snape's much loved student?"

"No." the gentleman shook his head.

"I'm a pureblooded freak?"

"Is he? Well, no that's not the password."

"Muggles sucks?"

"No."

"I hate Potter?"

"No."

"Weasley is our King?"

"Again, no."

"I am so conceited that I can't help not to kill myself?"

"No! Honestly, are you thinking straight? That's almost a sentence!" the man again shook his head.

"Sorry…" Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "Is it Ferret?"

The gentleman sighed tiredly and shook his head, "No."

"How about…" she paused and almost feared to mutter the next word she had guessed, "Mudblood." It was more a heated statement than a question.

"Finally!" the gentleman rejoiced and then the door opened.

What she had seen was something she had never expected to see. Draco was sitting at the edge of his bed, shirtless and was touching something on his arm. Some sort of a dark tattoo embed on his skin. With the gasp she released the sound of an opening door, Draco jumped off from his senses and was wholly shocked to see Granger inside his room. "Granger?! What the fuck are you doing in here?!"

"Oh my…" Hermione was so shock she stood rooted on the spot. Was that the dark mark I saw? Is Malfoy a Death eater??

"Well??" Draco was sort of waiting for her reply as he grabs his green sweater and puts it on to hid the tattoo on his arm. He narrowed his eyes on her and spat back, "Get out of my room!" he can't believe this certain know-it-all has the guts to barge into his room. She's not supposed to see that, dammit!

Hermione snapped back to reality and mumbled a quick sorry before heading outside the room and shutting the portrait back. "Oh Merlin! Malfoy's a… oh shit!" she immediately decided to run up to her own room and lock herself inside. She couldn't take the chances she may face if ever Malfoy comes out of his room.

Draco on the other hand sank down on the edge of the bed with both of his hands gripping his head, "Fuck!" how could he be so careless? He shouldn't have chosen a password a certain mudblood herself would guess. She knows you stupid bonehead! Probably she'll go up to Dumbledore and tell him what she had seen… What was he supposed to do now? Granger has her own chances of payback and definitely one of them was telling Dumbledore that he's one of the future Death eaters.

Surely it was a dark mark that was branded on his skin, but it doesn't signify he's truly one of Voldemort's minions. It was more of a neophyte tattoo rather than the dark mark that everyone was so afraid to have. But someday the Dark Lord will ask me to take the ceremony. I'll be a true Death eater in no time… and fuck I don't want that to happen! Draco scowled at this and growled in frustration. It'll ruin everything if anyone finds out about his dilemma. Bloody hell!

***

That night, Hermione couldn't find the strength to sleep. How was she supposed to deal with this kind of situation. Draco Malfoy is truly a dangerous man, Hermione. You shouldn't be messing with him… he's a Death eater for crying out loud! She shivered at that very thought. Malfoy could be a huge git, but never had she expected he would go this far. What do you expect? He's a son of a Death eater. Maybe because Lucius' in jail, he chose to take his position and serve the dark Lord himself! She took the huge pillow next to her and held it tightly. What am I supposed to do? Should I tell Harry and Ron? Should I go to the Headmaster's office and report a certain Death eater on the loose? Hermione gulped at the thought and found herself feeling pity towards Malfoy. Surely if every the Headmaster finds out about this, he'll be expelled… worst he'll be sent to Azkaban.

Hermione shook her head, "Why should I feel pity for that git?? He's a murderer! He deserves to be in jail!" she knew this was true and yet there's something that was pulling these raging feelings back. There was something about Malfoy that makes her think a thing or two about this whole plot of reporting him. He's a bad man… I shouldn't feel sorry for him. He deserves it dammit! Hermione tried her best to close her eyes and begged to go to sleep. She was tired and decided to deal with this tomorrow morning. That's right… I'll tell Harry and Ron first and then I'll go see the Headmaster. He has to know. And with this firm decision, her eyes fluttered and she slowly drifted into slumber.

***

"What??" both Willow and Cordelia shrieked, as they look mutually shock in Guiles' discovery. "W-why? Why can't we pass through?" Willow managed to choke out, staring at him questioningly.

Guiles took off his glasses and wiped the thin sheet of fog with his shirt, "The Ministry of Magic blocked any portal that may lead the muggles into their world. It is sort of a protection for the muggles after that striking attack that had happened a few days ago.

"A few days ago?" Cordelia scoffed and planted her hands on her hips, "If all the portals were blocked, how come Abby and Connor passed through the barriers?"

"Yeah, they've been gone just the other day. If the barriers were effectively used a few days ago, how come their port key isn't affected at all?" Willow questioned.

"That," Guiles pointed his glasses towards her and placed them back on, "Is the very same question I've wanted to ask you." He took a seat on the chair next to him and started flipping through the pages of an old book he brought with him, "Any ways of transport to the Wizarding world was banned-except for the students, of course. But this certain port key of yours, Willow is different. It's not supposed to travel any person through other parallel worlds."

Willow furrowed her brows and shook her head, "I don't know, Guiles. I have no idea."

"Where did you get it?" Guiles skeptically asked.

"In an old Witchcraft store in Manchester." Willow replied as she crossed her arms against her chest.

"How does it look like?"

"It's a book. Quite old and dusty with weird symbolic calligraphies written on it."

"Ah, just what I have thought." Guiles concentrated on a certain page as both Willow and Cordelia stepped closer to him to see what he was looking at.

"You found something?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes. Just as what I suspected, the port key was no ordinary key." The three of them looked over to a certain book drawn on the page, which looks exactly the same as Willow's mysterious port key. "It's called the Manuscript of Bedlam. Was found December 21st 1873 in Wiltshire England and was subjected to the Council in February 7th 1974 in London. Believed as a Witch's journal, filled with incantations and ancient curses used before the Salem Witch Trial. It was also served as a transport for the witches, mistakenly described as a port key since both magical devices has the equivalent traits." Guiles halted his reading and looked over to the bewildered redheaded witch. "Are you aware of any of these?"

Willow again shook her head, "N-no…"

"You bought a weird book and you didn't even examined it?" Cordelia unbelievably questioned.

"I did! But I haven't seen anything."

"What? You haven't seen any incantations scripted inside?" again Cordelia skeptically asked.

"No." Willow looked thoughtful for a moment and then continued, "Maybe that witch used an invisible ink… so as not for the others to see anything. Very clever…"

Cordelia groaned and rolled her eyes, "This is no time to be impressed! We have to find a way to reach those two. It'll be too dangerous if ever the vamps discover the Slayer's absence." It would be a hell-blasted day in LA if Abby were not around to kick some vampire ass. True Angel Investigation can handle the situation, but it would be much of a help if there were one slayer around.

Guiles sighed and shook his head tiredly, "I'll inform the Council about this… and as for you two," he looked over towards Willow and Cordelia, "You have to inform the Order about this, while you Cordelia will have to compensate with Angel until his son and the slayer returns."

"Alright." Willow nodded and headed off to write a letter for the Order.

"Like Angel will expand his patience." With another roll of her eyes, Cordelia walked out and sought to continue her night patrol with Fred.

Guiles shook his head and again observed the book of Bedlam. "We'll just have to wait and see what these things got to do with you two…" he knew things will never happen if not for some certain events that supposed to occur in ones' life. Perhaps it was Connor and Abby's turn to experience these kinds of challenges. As far as he can remember, Buffy and Angel had one too a few years ago. Ah, I knew those pairs have something in common… with a low chuckle; he closed the thick book and went on with his own task. Every second was important, especially when a Slayer and Vampire heir's on the loose.

TBC

A/n: Here are some questions you may wanted to ask

How are the two Worlds related? (Wizarding/Vampire slaying)

-Well as what I have said in the first chapter, Willow studied in Hogwarts first before she transferred in Sunnydale to continue her High School degree. To make the story short, Buffy and her Scoobies as well as Angel and his gang are included in the so-called `Muggle' world. Only they are some sorts of special beings because they have unusual abilities and they slay Vampires, which are most likely included in Voldemort's allies in the dark side.

What is Guiles, Willow and Cordelia's connection with the Order?

-Guiles is not part of the Order since he's obviously a constituent of the Council (The Vampire and Dark Creature slaying thing in Brit). Willow on the other hand was a novice in the Order. After that incident in Sunnydale (The thing where she lost control of her emotions after Tara's death), Guiles sent her to the lair of the Order and was dearly trained to control her powers. She's not a true member yet but a few trainings and so she'll be able to join the other accomplices. As for Cordelia… well, she's a seer right? Which on obvious terms she too studied in Hogwarts before and she too continued her studies in the muggle world instead of the Wizarding one. (She oddly loved the subject Divination… unlike some others we knew… :B)