NOTE: JK ROWLING owns all of the characters in this story.
I never do that updating stuff…you know…the `leave them hanging' stuff. I simply can't. So I never post stories until I'm done with them. However, this time I might withhold the final chapter until I'm sure the reviewers are satisfied with the progress of the story so far. Mostly because this is my first NC-17. I've said before I'm not good with the smut, so I've never published it. Therefore I'm quite nervous about the reviews I'll get when that final chapter is posted. All I can ask is…please, be gentle! I'm fragile! ;) *WINK
Also: If you're looking for absolutely raunchy sex, you shant find it here. Sorry.
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She sat huddled out by the lake with a book propped up in her nimble fingers. She had lost count of the number of books she had read lately. Constantly searching for an answer. Needing, aching, and hurting to find some morsel of enlightenment.
Since the day Harry had told her about the prophecy, Hermione had been ruthless in her quest for understanding. She needed to figure it out. For him.
She had read every book in the Library with `Prophecy' in the title and moved on to books about `Powers You Didn't Even Know You Had!' But there was nothing. She was becoming desperate. The fact that the Library was failing her for the first time was excruciating. It brought the dire circumstances to an even bolder resolution.
The Library had helped her to solve so many of their previous adventures. But this time it was failing. This gave her a horrible sense of `growing up.' She suddenly felt like Wendy in Peter Pan; forced to let go of the youth that she had been holding onto for so long.
A breeze picked up and whipped her cloak out around her. She shivered and turned to look towards the castle, many of the students were returning to the warm confines of its walls. She shook with cold again but returned to reading.
Harry. I must focus.
"There you are!"
"Hey," she said, without looking up from her book.
"You must be freezing! Come on, let's go inside."
"No thanks, Ron. I'm busy."
"You can be busy inside then. Come on."
Reluctantly, she took his outstretched hand and lifted herself up. They strode toward the castle, clutching their robes about them. The wind sent Hermione's hair whirling through the air. Finally they were through the front doors and Ron spoke again.
"How are you feeling, Hermione?"
"Fine. Why?"
"You've been so…s-so distant I guess. Maybe you should take a break or…"
"Take a break? Take a break!" Ron's eyes flew toward the floor, his ears reddening. "Don't you understand, Ron? Don't you get it!? Harry could die! Don't you care?" She was screaming and she knew people were looking at them, but she didn't pay them any attention.
"Hermione..I-I just thought…"
"You thought wrong! Leave me alone!"
With that, she was headed up the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower, leaving Ron looking exasperated behind her.
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Hermione sat in the common room until late that night. She had checked out another pile of books from the library and was now engrossed in one of them before the crackling fireplace. The truth was that she just couldn't focus on the book. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't keep her mind off of Harry.
Hermione knew that she was being distant with both of her best friends. However, she was nothing compared to Harry. He had become so introverted since the end of last year, when Sirius…passed through the veil. Sirius' death had taken its toll on Harry, but Hermione suspected the prophecy was weighing much more heavily on his shoulders these days. The fate of the Wizarding world was in his hands. That was not something to be easily coped with.
She had tried her hardest to break him out of his shell, but all of her attempts had been unsuccessful.
"Hermione…?" She snapped the book shut with a thud and twisted her neck around to see who had snuck up on her. It was Harry. His hair was splayed everywhere and his eyes were filled with sleep. He was still wearing his pajamas, which were all rumpled and wrinkly. Hermione had to force herself not to giggle, he looked so incredibly cute.
"Harry, what are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same," he said with a yawn as he plopped himself down next to her on the squishy couch. She watched him rubbing his eyes for a few moments and then said, "Reading…of course."
"Sure. Yeah."
"Is something the matter?"
"No. Well….of course, yeah. There's always something wrong…"
"Do you want to…talk?"
"Not really." His eyes remained focused on the fireplace. The flames had gone out, but the coals still burned red-hot. Hermione had been watching the same process for the past months in Harry's eyes…the light slowly fading.
"I don't think I've heard this many words come out of your mouth for the past three months, Harry."
"I know." His eyes darkened but remained averted. They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Silences that were once easy and comfortable between the two of them were now awkward and unnerving. "Hermione," he spoke softly, startling her from her reverie.
"Yes?" His mouthed moved but nothing came out. Hermione could tell he was searching for the words to say what he wanted. "It's alright Harry; we don't have to talk about anything if you don't want to."
"It's not that. I was just wondering…hoping really, well…never mind."
"Never mind? Did you want to ask me something?" Suddenly he was standing and walking toward the stairs.
"No. Nothing. It's nothing. Good-night, Hermione."
"Good-night, Harry."
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Hermione awoke the next morning in a cloud of confusion. Harry had obviously wanted to say or ask something…but he had been so hesitant. Not scared really, but nervous.
The day went on like every other day. There were regular classes and then training with Harry. Dumbledore had thought it wise for both she and Ron to train alongside Harry for the coming war. Nobody had heard anything for weeks; they were all waiting on edge for the next attack.
"Good. Again," roared Snape. Hermione thrust her wand forward and blasted a pillow to smithereens. "Alright then, that's enough for today." The trio slumped down on the floor, exhausted from their exertion. Snape left and the room was filled with the sounds of their labored breathing. Abruptly, Ron was on his feet and heading for the door.
"Right, well, I'm off to see Luna before curfew. See you guys later." And without a backward glance, he disappeared. Hermione sat beside Harry, leaning back on her elbows. He turned to look at her, sweat trickling down his brow, and smiled. Hermione couldn't remember if he'd smiled since returning to school this year, but she smiled back anyway and tried not to show her surprise.
"Wanna raid the kitchens?" he winked.
"Harry…?"
"Oh come on, I'm starving! Leave it to Snape to work us clear through dinner." Hermione was shocked. Not only was Harry smiling and conversing with her, but was suggesting they continue doing so over a plate of cold chicken.
"Sure," she smiled.
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((((I like short chapters…what can I say?))))
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