Chapter 149: Late Night Talks (1/2)

”Mom is having a row with Sirius, almost everyday.” Ginny said as the girls changed into their sleepwears.

”Sirius really wants to talk to Harry about what's going on here. He just wants to assure him but Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley are really against of that.” Hermione said.

”Guess we're not the only ones getting Harry's desperate letters.” Chris said falling back on her bed. ”Well honestly, I don't agree with Mrs. Weasley. I mean she's worried about us, I get it, but she can't save us if she try to leave us entirely clueless.”

”Trust me if it was something else, I would've agreed with Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley blindly..” said Hermione. ”But nowdays the more I hear about what's going on outside and how the order members are risking their lives... I feel... we shouldn't just worry about our homeworks.. we should prepare ourselves. At least that way we can save ourselves.”

Ginny and Chris looked at each other, then turned to Hermione, who was staring into the space.

”That's really nice, coming from you, Hermione.” Chris said.

Hermione shrugged and pulled out a book and sat on the bed.

”I'm going to read.” she said.

”Now?” Chris asked.

”That's her bedtime reading.” Ginny said giggling. ”How to brew a perfect and powerful sleeping draught.”

”Shut up Ginny.” Hermione said, smiling behind her open book.

”Why're you reading that?” Chris asked, sitting up on her bed. It was really a advanced Potions book.

”Oh! You see, we've our O.W.Ls this year so I'm finishing up the new books, so I can manage my time in school for other things as well.” Hermione replied sitting cross-legged on the bed.

”But our book lists aren't here yet. How did you got new books?”

”That's Hermione for you.” Ginny said. ”They're previous years O.W.L level books, she collected them from Katie. Also she took the old books from Fred and George.”

”They were rather happy to give the books away.” Hermione injected.

Chris and Ginny laughed.

”What's going on with you and Victor.” Chris asked after sometime, she was suddenly feeling interested in Hermione's love life.

Hearing the question Hermione coughed violently before dropping the book and drinking water. Chris realised she caught her off guard.

”What's wrong?” Ginny asked hurrying towards Hermione. ”You alright?”

”Ye.. yeah..” Hermione said breathlessly. ”I'm good and nothing is new between me and Victor. I mean we're writing letters but not much. I was also busy in cleaning the house...”

”Hermione, quit giving excuses.” Chris said directly. ”Something is wrong. I can see that on your face.”

”Er... It's really nothing, Chris.”

”I'm practicing Legilimency. You want me to practice on you?” Chris said rolling her eyes.

”You what?” Hermione looked shocked.

”Wait.. What's Legilimency?” Ginny asked, looking back and forth between Chris's casual face and Hermione's shocked face.

”It's a very difficult and rare piece of magic. It's the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind.” Hermione said in her bookish voice. Then looked at Chris in disbelief. ”But how did you... It's...”