Over the Edge
Authors Note- Maybe not necessarily Hermione doing the obsession, but you're in the right area. This chapter practically wrote itself, at 3am in my living room where I got grounded for being up so late, but it's totally worth it.
Chapter Five- There's Something About Harry
Hermione didn't sleep that night. She said in bed, in the dark, her mind racing and she couldn't focus only on one thought. Over the years, since the she met ' the boy who lived', Hermione had seen some courageous and yet horror things he had done. The chamber of secrets, the death eaters, Voldemort of course, and the many attempts at verbally and physically harming Draco Malfoy. But those were times when he needed to do those things, not always for the sake of living, but close enough. Not Colin Creevy, he had never done a thing wrong. There was no visible reason for his murder. Maybe it was something Harry saw, only him. Something in his brain, in his thoughts, that told him Colin had to die. Or maybe, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it wasn't Colin, but Harry. She knew for a fact that there was something different about Harry, something dark and dangerous. The problem was, she didn't know what it was exactly. But she was determined to find out.
The next morning, Hermione was hazy from being sleep deprived, and very edgy. She wasn't alert as every always expected her to be. Downstairs, she saw Harry from a far. By the color under his eyes, he hadn't slept either. He probably had the exact opposite on his mind, then again, he could have been just as confused as she was.
Professor McGonagall came in once again with another announcement. Regular routines would be in effect as soon as Professor Dumbledore had a private meeting with every student. That could be a long time, and even though Hermione and Harry had every class together, she wanted to talk to him as soon as possible.
After breakfast, in the common room, Hermione went upstairs to gather some studying materials. Taking part in her usual activities could help set her mind straight. She dug through her footlocker in the deserted dorm room. As soon as she had her Potions book, she stood up, coming face to face (well not really, he's taller now) with Harry.
Before she could speak or react, he grabbed her by the hips, pushing her back a couple of steps. Hermione dropped the book, her conscience telling her to scream. But this was Harry, she couldn't.
" I don't want you to be afraid of me" for another person, it would be hard not to with the firm hold he had on her, " you should be running away, screaming" it was like he could read her mind, " you should be telling McGonagall and Dumbledore that I was the one who killed Colin". She never blinked once, there was so much emotion in his eyes. Fear, guilt, regret, and maybe the need to break down and cry. " I don't know why you haven't, or if you're going to, but no matter what, I don't want you to be afraid of me, ever".
There was so much Hermione could say now that she had the chance, but with the tone of voice she had, he would have her. She didn't say one word, only placing a finger over his lips, did Harry know that she understood. He leaned in closer, the tips of their noses touching. Hermione closed her eyes ready, willing, for what she thought was coming. But it didn't. Harry backed away, releasing her, and leaving the room, passing Ginny on his way out. Hermione was breathless.
Her mind absorbed every word he had said to her. She wasn't afraid. Maybe physically, after six years of Quidditch it would be hard to win a fight against him, but not of him personally. Not of the boy she first met on the train when looking for a runaway frog. Not the one who survived puberty who risked his life to save another (though committing murder took a life). Not of the boy who sat at her bedside everyday, and brought flowers, when she was petrified. And not of the grown teenager who risked so many things to save someone because he was the only one who knew he was innocent. She may be the only person who could see past a grueling crime to the real Harry. Harry Potter was so much more than a murderer, the title didn't fit him, but it had to be there. When it would be Hermione's turn to go into Dumbledore's office, she planned to tell the truth and lie at the same time. The last moment she saw Colin alive was in the common room before her Charms class. But no, she never saw Harry re-enter the tower that night. On the outside, he didn't leave in the first place.
But on the inside, she wasn't going to protect him as much. She had a lot of searching to do.