CHAPTER TWELVE

THE SEER OUT OF SIGHT

-UNDIVINED-

HERMIONE

As the day progressed, rumors about the centaurs’ arrows ran rampant in the student population, with each student spinning a taller tale than the last. By mid afternoon, Colin Creevey had succeeded in convincing a particularly gullible group of Gryffindor first years that an attack by centaurs and graphorns was imminent.  

“First years will believe anything!” Ron scoffed dismissively. Moments later, however, his eyes misted over with ill-disguised glee as he offered an explanation of his own, “Maybe Umbridge tried to pay the centaurs another visit!”

While Ron considered the incident a cause for merriment and wild speculation, Hermione did not. After lunch, Hermione skived off Arithmancy and went in search of Lupin, hoping against hope that she could catch him before he left the grounds.  Finally, breathless and losing hope, Hermione stumbled across him in the West Tower, dispatching a scruffy slate-gray owl.

“Come in, Hermione,” Lupin beckoned to her with easy familiarity. The owl soared smoothly away; Hermione waited until it had flown over the Forbidden Forest before turning to face Lupin. His piercing gray eyes locked with hers. “Unless I’m much mistaken, you wanted to ask me what came to pass on the Hogwarts grounds last night?”

“Please, sir,” Hermione whispered, awaiting the answer with dread.

“I have every reason to believe that the Death Eaters attempted an attack on this school last night,” Lupin said in a measured voice.

“But Harry was out last night!” Hermione squeaked. “You don’t think they could have known he would be out, d’you?” She paced frenetically back and forth past the rows of owls, trying not to imagine a mob of vengeful Death Eaters lurking in the shadows of the Forbidden Forest. “Harry shouldn’t have gone – Hogwarts isn’t safe – no where’s safe – I only wanted Harry to come back to be safe a little longer – but –”

Lupin moved wordlessly to her side and guided her gently to sit on one of the low stone walls. Lupin leaned back against one of the limestone pillars. After a moment’s deliberation, he spoke. “I know your secret, Hermione.”

“A-about H-harry and everything?” she stuttered, caught completely off-guard.

“I can hardly presume to say that I know everything about the affair, but yes, I have grasped the general idea of it.”

“How long have you known?” She sprung from her perch on the stone wall and resumed pacing the room, knitting her fingers together and tugging fistfuls of her bushy hair out by the roots.

“I always suspected something was amiss–”

Hermione’s eyes widened and she shook her head frantically; always suspected…?

“No, no, Hermione; you have played your part well, but there were certain moments that made me wonder -- when you faced that boggart, for instance, and emerged in hysterics! Even I knew you could not be so panic-stricken over grades alone.” He smiled gently. “But years passed, and I saw no more signs from you. I still had nagging suspicions -- so like Lily you are! -- but I did my best to put the matter from my mind.” His face flushed unexpectedly, but Hermione was too distracted to take any notice. “I could not have guessed the true nature of it, but McGonagall confirmed my suspicions when I returned to the school this morning.”

Hermione gazed hopelessly over the grounds. Who else knows?

“You are a brave girl, Hermione,” he added tenderly.  

This simple expression of sympathy had a strange and sudden effect on Hermione, for she dissolved immediately into wrenching sobs.  

“There, there,” Lupin hurried to her side and took her up in his arms, patting her back and smoothing her hair in an attempt to calm her. “Your burden is far too heavy for one so young, yet you shoulder it willingly--”

“I -- can’t – keep – lying – to -- Harry!” she choked through her tears. She barreled onwards, reckless in her grief. “What if something happens? What if he--” she stopped abruptly.

“You mustn’t think about that,” Lupin said firmly. “If you feel that way, you do not stand a chance.”

Hermione hiccupped tearfully. “What else can I do?”

“Keep him from doing anything rash, Hermione. Temper his impulses. Guide his path. That is all any of us can do for the time being.”

“How can I keep him from acting rashly? How – when he must be the one to defeat V-voldemort?” She felt as though Lupin was setting an impossible task before her. How was she to keep Harry safe, given the circumstances surrounding the fateful Prophecy?

 “There will be other incidents, other skirmishes, in which Harry must not become entangled. I fear we may soon have such a case on our hands,” Lupin said with a note of resignation.

“I will do my best, sir.”

“Spoken like Lily’s true daughter. Your mother and father would be proud, and rightfully so. Look after yourself, Hermione Gran-, Hermione.” Lupin tipped his ragged hat in farewell.  

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