The Burning Pen

The Ring

by Ruth Solomon

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence.  Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately.  You are not welcome here.  The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 5

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 5 ~ Hermione Sets Out

As Hermione prepared for her journey, she was concerned with just how she was to get started. She had no idea where the Professor’s ancestral home was, or what direction she should start in. Hopefully the ring would reveal this to her when she began.

Hermione was an experienced hiker and camper thanks to her father’s love of the outdoors. She wasn’t sure if she were going to always be where she could get a room for the night, or transportation so she prepared for her excursion with that in mind. She had a well-worn pair of comfortable walking shoes with ridged bottoms that should suit her well throughout the journey. Since she was traveling as a muggle, she figured she’d dress like one, and took only one set of robes. She had three pairs of loose fitting cotton pants and a couple of t-shirts, three long sleeved shirts, a change of socks, several knickers and two bras. These items were all charmed to be self-cleaning by Professor Flitwick, who blushed when he had to handle Hermione’s unmentionables. She was not to use magic on the journey herself, but imagined charmed items would not count if they did not have to be invoked.

She also packed a rain poncho, a small pop-up tent for one that folded neatly into a tiny case, a small flashlight that could be shaken to generate light, a small lightweight sleeping bag, a muggle lighter, matches, a Swiss army knife her father gave her, a self-refilling water bottle, a couple of rolls of tissue and a warming stone. She packed some trail mix and jerky too. If she needed other supplies she could pick them up during her travels. Flitwick also gave her a translation charm to wear around her neck. It would make her able to understand and respond to foreign languages. She thanked him for that. She needed to be able to communicate.

Minerva McGonagal was extremely worried about Hermione taking this journey alone. She, Albus and Hermione stood in the Headmaster’s office the day before Hermione was to set out to deliver the small black box to Severus’ ancestral home. Minerva was in a right state.

“What was Severus thinking asking you to travel alone with some mysterious box and no magic to who knows where? Even from beyond the grave the man is insufferable!” she said, scowling at Hermione, who faced her with a determined look on her face.

“Minerva!” Albus said disapprovingly, “It’s not nice to speak ill of the dead, my dear.”

Professor McGonagal crossed her arms.

“Hmph. I’m not even sure he’s dead, Albus. He could be somewhere lurking, waiting for Hermione to turn up and then…pow…he’s got her. You know how he used to look at her when he thought no one was looking. I saw the lechery in his black eyes!” she said, her voice high.

Minerva’s eyes started to glisten, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

Albus walked over and put his arm around the distraught witch. Minerva had liked Severus very much, but she was sick with worry at Hermione leaving on such a potential dangerous journey and was lashing out unthinkingly.

“Minerva,” Hermione said, her mouth twitching at the Professor’s comment, “A wizard being attracted to a twenty-three year old witch is not lechery. It’s nature. And I highly doubt Professor Snape faked his own death simply to have at me. There are simpler methods. Kidnapping for example.” Hermione smiled wickedly at the Transfiguration Professor. From the black look on Minerva’s face, she didn’t find Hermione’s attempt at levity funny at all.

“This is close to kidnapping. Having you traveling out and about in the world all alone, with no one knowing where you are or what you are doing. Severus only made that request because you’re a Gryffindor, and he knew you’d be moved to honor it. Bet he wouldn’t have asked one of his Slytherins to take some magicless journey. They would have said no in the flick of a hippogriff’s tail,” Minerva said, stamping her foot.

Hermione frowned at the Professor.

“I am not doing this because I’m a Gryffindor or because I feel obligated. I am doing this because Professor Snape served the wizarding world selflessly, and gave his life for it. He was never thanked or honored for that. He obviously believed that I could fulfill his last wishes, and has entrusted me with something precious to lay to rest for him. It is the least I can do for a man who sacrificed himself for so many. Not only did he give his life, but he arranged for my life to be one where I can pursue anything I wish when we were nothing more than associates. It is a small thing he asked of me, and it wasn’t even a condition of receiving his legacy. I could have said no and kept everything he left me just the same. No one has ever shown me such kindness, Professor, or been as selfless as Professor Snape. I want to honor his memory, and I will by fulfilling his last request, whether you approve or not.”

Minerva just looked at Hermione for a moment. Then sighed and dropped her head.

“Of course, Hermione,” she said, sounding chastened, “Severus was a good and selfless wizard. He did deserve more than what he received from all of us. I understand what you are doing and why…I just wish…” she began.

“I will be fine, Minerva,” Hermione said walking up to the witch and embracing her. “And I’ll be back in no time, I’m sure.”

Minerva held on to Hermione as if she were the last child leaving the nest. Hermione had to gently remove the woman’s arms from about her. She turned to Albus, who was looking at her soberly.

“Headmaster, I’ve closed up the labs, and will do the same to my rooms when I leave tomorrow morning. Is there anything else you want me to do?” she asked the tall wizard.

“Yes,” he replied, “Be careful my child. Exercise caution with whomever you meet on this journey. Be slow to trust and quick to withdraw.”

“Yes sir,” Hermione said. She walked up to the tall, thin wizard, stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. Then she walked to the floo.

“Goodbye Headmaster, Minerva,” she said smiling, “I’m off.”

She stepped through the floo. Minerva looked after her a moment, then turned to Albus.

“Do you think she’ll be all right, Albus?” Minerva asked the Headmaster with a tremor in her voice.

Albus patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.

“I think she’ll be just fine, Minerva. Remember, she is a muggle-born so can function without magic. She is also one of the most intelligent witches of the age. Severus would not have asked her to do this if he did not have full faith that she could accomplish it. And she has his ring. So don’t worry. We will have her back before long,” he said.

But his blue eyes were worried.

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Early the next morning, Hermione had a light breakfast in her rooms with Raucous, who had his own plate of bacon and scrambled eggs. Hermione spoiled the raven, and he loved it. Severus had been a good master, but always too busy. Raucous was left to find his own food. Hermione fed him three times a day and sat and talked to him every night before she went to bed. The bird was quickly forming a fierce attachment to the witch. He would watch over her during this journey.

Hermione covered the furniture in her study with sheets, then checked to see if she left anything undone. No, she hadn’t. She hoisted her backpack on her back. Flitwick had also charmed it to be lightweight, no matter how much she packed in it. Raucous flew over and landed on her shoulder. He tried to preen her hair, but it was drawn back in a ponytail and he only succeeded in pulling a strand out of the tie.

Hermione extinguished the torches, took one last look at the study and exited her rooms. She walked up the dungeon corridor, getting strange looks from the students, who were not used to seeing the Spells Mistress dressed in muggle clothing, wearing a backpack and carrying a raven on her shoulder. She walked into the main hall and exited out the main doors.

Hermione walked across the school grounds at a good clip. Hagrid was out and about and waved at her. She waved back at the half-giant. When she reached the main gates, she realized she didn’t have a wand to drop the wards. But she pushed on the gate and it opened. Obviously the Headmaster had thought of this before she did. Hermione closed the gate and felt magic stir. She pushed it again, and it was locked and warded.

Hermione stood in the middle of the road, unsure of what do to or which direction to start out in. She looked down at the ring.

“I could use a little help here,” she said to the piece of jewelry wrapped around her finger.

The ring just sat there on her hand, doing what rings do. Nothing. She sighed.

“What am I supposed to do?” she said out loud. Raucous cawed, trying to be helpful.

Suddenly she thought she heard someone speak. The voice was low, and rather silky.

Portis.

A shudder ran through Hermione. That voice sounded familiar. Very familiar.

“Professor?” she said, looking around. There was no answer. But she was sure she clearly heard the word “Portis” whispered to her. She didn’t imagine it. At least she didn’t think she did

Hermione looked down at the ring. It had transported her once before.

“Portis,” she said.

The ring glowed blue and suddenly the witch and Raucous were gone.

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A/N: Ah, Hermione is on her way. Hm. Seems she has a guide too. Very cool. Please review.

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