Title: Screaming on the Inside
Rating: R
Summary: Tragedy strikes Hermione. How will her friends react?
Disclaimer: The characters of this story were created by the genius that is JK Rowling. This fic was not written to make money of any kind but merely for the enjoyment.
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Neville's POV
The common room was silent. Well silent except for the constant pacing of Ron Weasley. I swear if he doesn't stop soon I will not be responsible for my actions. He'd been the same for the last couple of days back and forth constantly, occasionally stopping to mutter something to himself. I never thought I'd say this but he's worse than Harry.
Across the room Ginny sighs rather loudly, throws down her quill and goes to stop Ron. The relief in the common room is tangible. Sure he's worried about Hermione but this is just plain ridiculous. Ever since Harry and Hermione had left on Sunday Ron had been entirely impossible. It was safe to say by now he had driven every person in Gryffindor insane.
"Ron, sit down," Ginny almost yells at him. Ron looks at her for a second before realising how absolutely furious she was so he sits down. No one would want to be on the other side of Ginny's wrath so it was probably a good move. Claming somewhat with his compliance Ginny takes a seat on the couch net to him.
"She'll be okay," Ginny tells him with some finality. Ron shoots her a dirty and sceptical look. "Ron do you seriously think Harry would let Hermione do anything stupid?" Ron continues to stare at Ginny and I can tell he feels a bit stupid. "Oh, Ron," Ginny whispers before leaning over and hugging him like only a sister can.
As they pull back the portrait hole bursts open and Lavender toppled through. "You'll never guess who I found," she exclaims. She doesn't get to say anymore as Harry and Hermione appear behind her.
Ron's expression can't be described as anything but relief. Immediately he stands, walks over to Hermione and wraps her in a bear hug. She hugs him back - barely. If I hadn't been watching closely I would have missed the hurt look cross Ron's face and Harry's slight shake of the head at Ron's questioning look.
As they stand around, awkwardly going through pleasantries not exactly sure what to say to each other I take note of their clothing. Harry and Hermione both clad in black it's obvious that they came straight from the funeral.
Harry was wearing simple black Muggle suit with white shirt and black tie which hung lose around his neck. The accompanying jacket was missing and now sat across Hermione shoulders.
Hermione was dressed just as simply in a figure hugging black dress which barely reached her knees. On her feet were a pair of Mary Jane's and her legs were accentuated in black stockings. A simple string of pearls adorned her neck. From the corners of her own jacket you could tell that her dress was spaghetti strap with a straight neckline. Hermione's eyes were red from crying and the addition of Harry's jacket only served to make her appear even more diminutive.
From my perusal of Hermione I begin to wonder if I may be a little bit obsessed with her. The truth is though just who isn't a little bit obsessed with Hermione. Hermione is the constant mystery to every male at Hogwarts. At first glance a bookish, know-it-all, bossy girl but scratch the surface and you find something utterly surprising. Under all the airs she puts on Hermione is fiercely loyal, extremely caring and has a fiery temper to boot. A fact Draco Malfoy found out first hand back in third year when he was on the receiving end of a rather vicious slap. Hermione had the added benefit of being undoubtedly one of, if not the most powerful witch in the school. With a wand in her hand Hermione manages to reduce a number of fully fledged wizards to quivering masses.
There is also the nagging question in the back of everyone's head just what keeps the most famous wizard in the world so painstakingly loyal and fiercely protective of her. Harry and Hermione at times seemed to be the same entity.
Those left in the common room tried to discreetly watch as Harry and Hermione took a seat on their favourite couch. Hermione's shoes gently thudded on the floor as she kicked them off. She gently curled her feet up under her and began to stare into the fire. Within moments she was lost within its depths, her eyes taking on a glazed form and the flames flicked creating interesting shadows which danced across her face.
My view was spoilt when Harry gently reached over and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Hermione didn't even blink. The simple action telling so much of their relationship.
Harry sat beside her and Ron immediately opened his mouth, itching to ask a question. Harry waved his hand telling them they would talk later.
As I watch them I'm reminded of our sixth year when Hermione dragged in an absolutely soaking and bruised Harry in from Merlin knows where, Ron had immediately rushed to their side. Together they fussed about Harry getting him out of his wet cloak trying to get him warm. Never once did they ask what had happened, just accepted he would tell them in his own time. When they had finished they just sat together, much like they were doing now, comforting each other with their presence as they all stared into the depths of the fire. The word around Hogwarts was that they were still sitting there when the last person had left the common room that night.
Sighing I turn back to my homework leaving the Trio to some privacy and me to sweat over my Potions essay I needed to complete for Professor Snape.
As the clock struck a gentle one Hermione suddenly pulled herself to her feet and moved to go up to her dorm. As she passed him Harry gently reached out and gave Hermione's hand a squeeze. Hermione turned to look at Harry and something indecipherable passed between the two.
As soon as she disappears around the corner on her way to the girls' dorms Ron immediately turned to Harry and blurted, "Is she okay?" Harry smiled forcibly but didn't answer; unaware that everyone left in the common room was hanging out for an answer. A hurt look crossed Ron's face which was quickly replaced by one that was completely forlorn. He and Harry shared the look of helplessness before sighing and going back to staring in the fire.
I could almost see their brains ticking over ways to help. They stayed that way before the portrait hole burst open once more. Every pair of eyes flicked towards the unexpected intrusion. There was immediate confusion in the common room.
"Oh Merlin," Lavender Brown shrieked, running to Ron clutching desperately to his arm. "Sirius Black!" There was a flurry of movement as the males tried to be brave and grabbed for their wands and the girls shrieked and backed away from him. Only Harry, Ron and Ginny remained unmoved. What was even more shocking was no more than two seconds later Professor Dumbledore waltzed through the portrait hole, without a care in the world.
"Hey Sirius. What's up?" Ron asked almost casually. I turned to Ron shocked at his tone
Black smiled and turned his full attention to Harry. A look passed between Sirius and Harry.
Harry's tone was light, not betraying his real emotions. "It's what I thought isn't it?"
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Authors Note: I thought I'd give the cliff-hanger a try. What do you think?
Thanks to all who have reviewed. This chapter is a turning point for the fic which I think mostly is because I had to deal with a death in my own family whilst writing it… I wanted to get away from it.
On other sites I have posted this people have commented that I left the funeral too soon for this chapter. I don't think so. If you have ever had a close family member die a lot happens in a very short space of time, all of which are very boring and none which you remember well. The wake, the reading of the will and a very quick transition back to daily life. It's all a bit surreal but also makes for very boring reading. I wanted to keep the realism about this.
Some reviews have made me realise that people whose parents have actually passed are reading this fic. I'd like to state that I still have both my parents this is just what I imagine it would be like. If I offend that group of people in anyway I'm deeply sorry. If I get flippant about the idea anywhere I don't mean too I just can't imagine how I would deal with something that huge.