Hey hey everyone, how's it going? Well, here it is, chapter 16. Sorry it's taken so long to get this written. Really, I've just lost the drive to write. I wanted to make this a trilogy, but really, I dunno what's gonna happen. I post so seldom, I know I lose a lot of readers with each post, but hopefully I gain a few with each on as well. We'll just have to see what happens. I'm gonna try my best here though.
I haven't had the chance to reply to all my reviews, but I will get to them, I promise (for those of you who read my reply to you anyway)
Anyway, I hope you guys like this!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 16 I Killed Them
Yesterday, you really couldn't see
By changing your angle a new world would be
Revealed to your once blinded eyes by moving a few degrees
"Perspectives" KUTLESS
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"Hermione, you don't have to do this, it was just a suggestion. I realize it will be hard, but it's been months. You miss them, I know you do. And I know they miss you as well." Clarence said gently, looking at the younger girl sitting on the couch across from her.
Hermione stared at her fingernails, contemplating Clarence's suggestion. "I know!" she finally confessed. "I know I need to go, but they were so angry. Everything was terrible and still is. And after last night, I just don't know if I can face them at the moment." Hermione responded, feeling guilty and as if she was making excuses.
"You're their only daughter," Clarence replied, as if it summed up matters. "You need to see them. You never know, it might make things easier and may be exactly what you need…but…if you don't feel like you're ready, it can wait."
Hermione remained silent. It had been over three months. She needed to go see her parents. But would they stop her from returning to Hogwarts? Could they stop her?
"I'll go." Hermione finally decided with a heavy sigh as she looked up at Clarence with big, tired cinnamon eyes filled with uncertainty and hesitation.
Clarence smiled. "Why don't you go get a nice hot shower and get ready?
Hermione nodded.
Less than an hour later, Hermione could be found walking alone just a few blocks from her house, the place she'd lived all her life, yet no longer felt like home. Clarence had offered to come along with her, but Hermione knew she had to face them alone. It was the best way. The only way.
What would she say? 'Hello, Mum and Dad, just thought I'd drop in and say hello…how about some tea? You're not too upset with me being gone these last few months still, are you?'
No, that wouldn't do.
Try as she might, Hermione couldn't come up with anything she should say. Were there words that would justify her actions in her parents' minds? If there were, they were escaping her. Nothing sounded right.
Finally, Hermione reached her street. Just a few more houses now. Her walk slowed and her mind became blanker than ever. She was at the small walkway that led to the steps on the porch then finally the door. Hermione stopped. What would she say?
Suddenly, last night's events popped into her mind. Not the bad part, just the pure spontaneity of it on her part, going with Harry like that. Harry drew that out in her. He was spontaneous and never seemed to have a plan. He always dove in head-first and hoped for the best. He's survived so far. Before Hermione could change her mind, she briskly walked straight up the walk and up the stairs to the door of her house. Should she knock or just walk in? She found herself knocking on the door before she could seriously consider the options. Walking in would just be weird. She felt like a stranger. Knocking on the door of the house she had lived in for seventeen years was even weirder. The seconds ticked by before she knocked on the door again, harder, determined for someone to answer this time. She was here, and she wanted to get this over with before she changed her mind. She would not show petty fear. She was an adult. Hermione would be mature and stand her ground.
Another loud knock.
Nothing.
Thank God, she wasn't ready for this.
Her parents weren't home.
With a sigh, she sat down heavily on the edge of the porch with her knees drawn up to her chest.
And she waited.
Her mind buzzed still. She tried to come up with a plan, maybe an outline to what she would say.
Nothing.
Her mind would not analyze the situation. Instead, her mind noticed the slight shake in her hands from anticipation and nervousness. She noticed the gray sky and neatly shoveled driveway. Normally by this time, there would be a snowman built out front, complete with as many accessories they would scrape up. Instead, the untouched snow in the yard seemed to glare disappointedly at her. A dog barked madly somewhere to her left. She took notice of the way the sunshine didn't quite reach her as the top of the porch provided shade. She noticed the way everything felt so different, yet looked exactly the same. She felt out of place and felt a sense of detachment from everything.
Still shaking.
She ran an anxious hand through the unruly mop on top of her head. She was reminded of Harry and couldn't help but smile slightly.
The dog had stopped barking and now she was sitting in silence.
Hermione rocked back and forth, waiting.
And waiting…
Waiting…
How much time had gone by?
Wai-
The garage door began to open on its own accord.
A familiar gray SUV pulled into the driveway and stopped short of entering the garage.
Hermione looked up at the driver, her father, then at the passenger, her mother.
She stood up as both her parents got out of the vehicle and stared at her, emotionless.
Hermione stood there before her parents with her arms lamely hanging at her sides in jeans and that gray hoody, her hair a mess and her face slightly red from the cold. Tears welled up in her eyes as she almost waited for their judgment to pass over her.
The silence was deafening. Nobody moved.
"Hello, Mum and Dad."
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Harry stared at the headmaster, caught off guard. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean, professor? What 'big problem?'" He was suddenly aware of how their conversation drew in the attention of all the former headmasters of Hogwarts, whose portraits hung on the walls of the study. They all looked at the pair with perked ears.
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Harry, I don't have any answers at the moment. I can't say this never crossed my mind, but it had never been a worry."
"What crossed you mind? You're talking in riddles, professor! Is someone in danger? Is Hermione in danger? Should we alert the Ministry about it? And by the way, what exactly is it!?" Harry asked earnestly, confused by the headmaster's useless information.
"I think we should wait to have this discussion until Miss Granger is present as well. She needs to hear this. It involves the both of you, as well as possibly the fate of the Wizarding World." Dumbledore said gravely, bringing the tips of his fingers together before him as he leaned forward in his chair behind his desk. He looked at Harry seriously behind his half-mooned spectacles. "In the meantime, why don't you fill me in on the details concerning you and Miss Granger. Exactly how did all this come about?"
Harry didn't like the way he was being put off, but what could he do? Maybe it would be better to wait for Hermione, so things wouldn't have to be explained twice. He sighed, "Well, I guess it all started at the Ministry of Magic before she was about to take her Apparation test…"
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Silence.
Tears sprang to the corners of Hermione's eyes as her parents just stood there, staring.
"Mum?" She whispered, her voice cracking, before breaking down, "Dad?!" She asked softly, her voice high.
The sight was enough to break her mother's heart. She rushed to their daughter and engulfed her in a hug. The two women stood there on the walkway in a mixture of emotion and tears. They stood there for several minutes, just hugging, before finally pulling away.
Sharon's eyes were red and bloodshot, but she hastily tried to wipe away the remaining tears. "Oh Hermoine!" She breathed, hugging her daughter once more. "We've miss you so much!"
Hermione smiled through her own tears. "I've miss you guys too."
Darrel, who had remained silent and observant, put an arm around both women and started to direct them towards the door. "It's cold out here and the heat is on inside, no reason to freeze."
Hermione was hurt by her father's cold actions. Wasn't he happy to see her as well? Without another word, the three of them made their way into the sitting room. Hermione's mother quickly exited the room to head into the kitchen to find some tea and snacks, leaving Hermione alone with her father.
Hermione was sitting across from her father on a separate couch. She couldn't bring herself to face him, so instead, she looked down at her lap and played with a fringe on the cuff of Harry's hoody.
Both Grangers could hear Sharon bustling around in the kitchen, and still, neither spoke.
Finally, the silence was unbearable to Hermione. "Dad, I-"
She didn't even know what to say. She knew he was angry with here-that much was obvious. "Dad…I know you're angry with me-you have every right to be. I realize in your eyes, there is no excuse for what I've done, but please, you have to attempt to try to see it from my vantage point as well." Hermione said lamely, unsure of his response.
She looked up to see a pair of two large brown eyes-usually filled with love and kindness towards her-glaring at her openly, with a hint of disappointment in them. "Hermione," he began evenly, "You not only betrayed our trust and outright disobeyed your mother and me, but it's taken you over three month-three months, Hermione-to show up on our doorstep. Your mother has been worried sick, and even cries herself to sleep some nights. You're away; you don't have to watch your hurting mother. She's had to struggle almost daily with your absence. Not to mention the disappointment I feel. We trusted you, Hermione. Remember when you first asked about the Wizarding World? Remember our deal? We said you could study as long as you didn't get too involved. You agreed to it, Hermione, you agreed! Galloping off to some school to learn a handful of new magic tricks is getting too involved!" He finished, his eyes flashing.
Hermione kept her head down. She could hear what her dad was saying, and she could see where he was coming from. But still, he didn't understand, he never would be able to. Tears stung at her eyes. Her mother stopped in the middle of the room, holding a tray of refreshments, and stared at the two of them, both stubborn and determined to make the other see they were in the wrong. "Dad…I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry! You don't understand…you never could, just like Mom never could. Magic is a part of my life, a part of me. It's who I am. Having the power to wave a wand and make things happen…there isn't another feeling like it." she glanced up at her mother, "You guys can never even fathom it. And Hogwarts! It's so amazing! It's something both of you fear, and I've feared it too, but magic is just…I dunno even how to describe it! I didn't come here today to rub anything in your faces or give you attitude. I came here because I love you guys, and I've missed you. I wanted to see you so badly!" She broke out in open tears now, "I've been through so much at Hogwarts, so many bad things have happened. I tried to remember the last time I felt truly safe, and I thought of you guys. Here, at my home. And now I even feel like an outsider here too! I'm sorry I disobeyed you, but I'm not sorry I left. I'm sorry you can't understand. You two have always taught me to go above and beyond, to never give up, you've told me I can be whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do…you said I can change the world if I wanted to. Well maybe that's what I'm trying to do. I am going above and beyond, I'm not going to give up, and I want to be a respected member in society, both in the Wizarding World and the Muggle one. I want to change the world. Me going to Hogwarts has really rattled quite a few chains in the Wizarding World, but I don't care. I want to bring the Granger family back, and show we can't all be judged because of events from long ago. There is nothing wrong with us, and we deserve a chance just as much as anyone else!" Hermione finished, panting slightly. She realized she was standing now, but didn't remember getting off the couch. She stared at her father, her eyes pleading, begging for him to understand. Then she glanced at her mother, who was still standing there with the tray.
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A young child looks through a great stained glass window
Watching the people go by
Everyone seems to be wearing a red coat
His mother sees jackets in white
Now he can't understand why does she see it this way
"Perspectives" KUTLESS
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No one said anything. Hermione hadn't realized she felt so strongly about all this. Is that what she was trying to do? Bring the Grangers back into the Wizarding World?
Yes, that's exactly what she wanted to do. This magical feeling she had…she wanted to share with her children, her grandchildren…she wanted all of her decedents to experience it. There was no reason why they shouldn't.
Still, no one said anything. Hermione's parents' faces were unreadable.
Finally, she piped in meekly, "And…uh…that's it I guess."
Hermione's father ran a hand through this brown hair, "Well, Hermione, I don't know what you want me to say." He looked over at his wife, who had finally put down the tray and sat beside him. They stared at each other for a full minute before Sharon gave a small nod, which he returned. "Hermione, we aren't happy with you leaving us, no parent would be, but…we see how important this is to you, and if it's important to you…well, it's important to us too." He finished, looking at his daughter with such love in his eyes only a father could show.
Hermione could barely believe her ears. Did she hear him right? Before she could think more on it, she jumped off the couch and enveloped her father into a big bear hug. Oh how she had missed this side of him!
"Thank you so much!" She cried, pulling her mother into the hug as well. The three of them shared a hug for quite some time before Hermione finally pulled away. She went back to her seat. "You guys don't realize what this means to me. With everything that's been going on, I've felt as if there haven't been too many people in my corner. And fighting with you has been terrible. Everything…everything is just as it should be now! Gosh, I love you so much!" She screeched, jumping up to hug them once more.
Once she settled back into her seat-now feeling lighter than she had in awhile-she was ready for the questions she knew they would be bound to have.
"So Hermione…what's it like?" Hermione's mother asked once everyone dug into the refreshments.
Hermione swallowed a bite of her crumpet before replying, "It's in a castle, next time I'll bring back pictures. But anyway, it's really really big! Ghosts fly around everywhere. The students are divided into four groups, called 'Houses.' For example, I'm in Gryffindor House. Our dorms are with ours Houses." She said, which was just the beginning of a discussion that would last hours. Hermione told them all about her classes and professor. She didn't leave out Hogsmeade or even Hagrid's hut. She told them about the library and even the Great Hall.
They listened and asked more and more questions. Hermione had never felt such a connection with them when it came to discussing the Wizarding World. Right now, her parents were very attentive and-if she wasn't mistaken-even interested!
"Hermione…before, you mentioned something about bad things that happened at Hogwarts…what's that about?" Her father finally asked, with a hint of worry in his voice.
Hermione didn't know what to say, so she gave a shrug in response at first before beginning, "Well…as great as Hogwarts may be, there are a few simple facts that remain: I'm still a Granger, and the students have been raised by parents who aren't accepting of me. I've had some tough times there, saying I'm an outcast isn't far from the truth. But, like I said, I'm out to show them we've still got it, so I don't let them deter my determination. Most won't be my friend, and some even have a few nasty things to say about me, but right now-for the most part anyway-everyone has backed off. I'm not going anywhere. Their teasing and taunts have grown tiring. Plus…" Hermione decided this was a good time to bring in the one thing she hadn't talked about yet, Harry Potter. "Plus, I've had a really good friend to help me through things. It's definitely made things a lot easier on me, not to mention they have made school a lot more enjoyable." Hermione said, hoping to build him up a bit before dropping the bomb.
Hermione's mother smiled. Hearing about her daughter's friends wasn't something she was used to. "That's great dear! Maybe you can bring her here to meet us sometime!"
Hermione smiled before continuing timidly, "Actually, it's a him. He's been really great. He's very outgoing and quite brilliant. Remember that game I told you about, Quidditch? Well he plays for our House team-he's also in Gryffindor. He is the Seeker. But um…yeah, he's been a really good friend. It's actually a little funny that we even became friends because…well, we got off on quite a rocky start. But now, it's great. His name is…er…it's Harry…Harry Potter." Hermione revealed, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
The eyebrows of both her parents flew upward at this revelation. Her father was the first to speak, "Harry Potter? As in…the Potters of the Wizarding World?" He inquired.
Hermione gave a small grin, "It's quite shocking, isn't it? I'm not sure how it came about…but now, we've become very good friends. Like I mentioned before, the whole student body doesn't seem to care for me very much, so it's nice to have him on my side. Actually, he was one of those who didn't like me, but somehow, things changed. He's a great bloke. He's very polite and nice. All of his best mates even left him, told him I was trouble. He didn't care. Now, it seems, it's almost just me and him against the rest of the students."
Her parents looked at each other, a little shocked, but they didn't seem to oppose the idea. Her mother gave a small laugh, "Well how about that? Looks like our little Hermione has got herself a boyfriend at this school of hers, an 'enemy' at that!"
Hermione blushed, "He's not my boyfriend, Mum! He's just a friend!" Hermione tried to convince her mother, but her mother continued to flash a knowing smile, which caused Hermione to roll her eyes.
"Well anyway, he's a great guy, and we've become friends. Perhaps you can meet him sometime. I don't think it would be totally out of the question. He's actually told me why the Wizarding World hates me and about this rivalry between us. He's been a great help." Hermione went on, ignoring her mother's interruption.
"And why is this, exactly?" Hermione's father asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest defensively.
Hermione took a deep breath before telling her parents what Harry had shared with her the night before. The information about Voldemort had been news to them as well. Hermione didn't want to get too much into detail, so she didn't tell them about Avery and her dreams. Instead, she focused mainly on the rivalry.
By the time she was finished, her parents were shocked. Neither had realized such malevolence lurked in the family's past. "Bloody Hell!" Her father exclaimed with a slight scoff, "Who would have thought? One of my ancestors tried to take over the world with evil. Now that's something you don't hear every day!"
Hermione and her mother laughed at him, before Sharon agreed, "No, I guess you don't!"
After a little more chit chat among the members of the Granger family, they decided going out to dinner before Hermione had to return would be a nice way to end the evening.
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Harry and Albus had talked well into the afternoon before the headmaster sent Harry on his way and told him they would speak again later this week. Dumbledore was a busy man. Harry left the study, his mind buzzing. He wished Hermione had been here, so they could have found out the rest of the puzzle. Talking with the headmaster hadn't shed any light on the situation at all, but rather, had just exhausted him. Also, it made him really go back and think about how things were now compared to how they were before. It was December…had it really just been a few months of this? It seemed as if the time had dragged on. But really, they hadn't been friends that long. They were together constantly, so they got to know each other rather quickly. Time seemed to fly by, but really, it was more like standing still.
But he didn't mind. There were plenty of things at the end of the year he wasn't looking forward to, so the slower the year went, the better. Graduating scared the shite out of him, that was for sure. Not to mention the N.E.W.T.S. He still hadn't decided what he even wanted to do after school either. His parents wrote him frequently, asking if he had made any decisions. He always replied with 'I'm still thinking about it' or 'I'm actually doing a little bit of research on a few ideas.' But really, he hadn't had much time to think about it. With Hermione here, he hadn't really had much time for anything. He hadn't played his guitar in quite awhile. The latest issues of his subscription to QPE were stacked on his bedside table, untouched and still in their wrappers. These days, his attention volleyed between Hermione and his school work, maybe Quidditch practice and games too, but only when they were actually going on. Last year, he'd spend half the week planning for his upcoming game on Saturday. Now, he knows he might have a chance to do a little strategic planning the night before. Everything was becoming so stressful. Not to mention how he was trying to keep Hermione from his parents.
When the article came out at the beginning of the year, Harry hadn't really cared because he wasn't trying to be friends with Hermione then. He figured his parents must have seen it, though it wouldn't have surprised him had they not because his mother hated 'that rubbish.' But word had to have gotten around because his mother did ask him about it in a letter, and he had told her he didn't think she'd last the first term. Now how was he supposed to tell them she was his best friend these days?
He sighed and tried to shake the nasty feelings he was having. He hated the feeling of being overwhelmed. It was dinner time, but Harry didn't feel like being around anyone at the moment, so instead, he opted to have a private dinner in the Kitchens, then maybe a nap. He felt exhausted. He still wanted to know what all that was about with Ron and Draco, but he figured it could wait awhile. He didn't have the energy to pursue it at the moment. So, after grabbing some food from Dobby, Harry headed up to his empty dorm and collapsed on his four-poster.
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After dinner, Hermione bade her parents farewell and headed back to Hogwarts. The rest of the students were eating dinner, though she didn't see Harry anywhere. She went to her dormitory to change her clothes before going back down to the deserted Common Room. She wondered where Harry had gone. She had checked the Library on her way back to her dorm earlier, but it had been empty. She glanced over at the stairwell leading up to the boys' dormitories and eyed it warily. Was he in his room? Should she go check? No one else would be up there. He had told her the landing he was on and everything once before, so she knew she could easily find his room. Was he angry with her still? She hoped not. Maybe he was in the Hospital Wing, sick from being outside last night. Or he may be laying in his bed sick. She thought about it for another few minutes before finally deciding to at least go check in his room, there wasn't any harm in it. She slowing began to creep up the stairs. About halfway up, she stopped for a second, glanced around and then began again. Once she made it to the right landing, she began to check the doors for names. Her heart began to hammer once she found his door. He shared his dorm with Ron and Draco…but she had seen them at dinner, so she wasn't worried about them being in here. She pressed an ear up against the door, but couldn't hear anything. She raised a hand up to knock, paused, then reached for her wand and conjured up a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup, in the case that he was sick. It would be a nice gesture. Finally, she knocked firmly on the door, giving it a few stern raps.
No answer.
She knocked again.
Nothing still.
As the curiosity built up inside of her, Hermione couldn't help herself. Perhaps he was in bed, immobilized, because of a cold? Perhaps he couldn't muster up the strength to say come in nor answer the door himself? Using this as her excuse, she slowly eased the door open.
The room was dark, so a quick spell ignited the tip of her wand to assist her in seeing. Now that she could see, her eyes fell on the one bed that had an occupant in it, which caused her to jump slightly, almost spilling the soup. She hadn't expected him to be in here. But there he was, lying in his bed in a pair of what looked like athletic shorts. She couldn't help but blush at the sight of his bare back. She slowly crept towards him and sat the steaming bowl of soup down on his beside table. She glanced down at the magazines her hand that she had to move and was relieved to find them to just be regular Quidditch magazines, nothing dirty. She put them down on the floor and cast one last glance over at her sleeping friend. Upon closer inspection, she realized he was clutching a-what-teddy bear! Hermione had to stifle her laughter. Oh how she was going to tease him about that one! Not wanting to disturb him, Hermione let out a small sigh of disappointment because she knew she had to leave. After one last look, she turned around and headed for the door, muttering a "nox" to cease the light from her wand. Not two seconds later she tripped on something and fell to the floor.
The noise awoke her sleeping friend, who jolted out of bed and shouted, "Luminos," which caused his wand tip to ignite. There, on the floor, Hermione was sprawled out. "Hermione!?" he asked, shocked. With a quick wave of his wand, all the candles in the room ignited as well, so light poured into the room. He rushed to her side to help her up, "what are you doing in here?" He asked, slightly laughing.
Hermione was blushing madly and she muttered something incoherently.
"What was that?" Harry asked, pulling her to her feet. "Trying to come in here and catch me in my skivvies, is that it?" He asked teasingly.
Hermione gave a huff, "You prat! I was looking for you-"
"In my bedroom, go on." Harry interjected.
Hermione's eyes flashed, "I was looking for you because I didn't see you at dinner…I thought you may have been sick because of the cold last night and I know you weren't feeling well, so I thought I'd be nice and bring you soup! But I see you are perfectly fine, and now wish I hadn't!" Hermione said, getting defensive.
Her cynical behavior caused Harry to laugh even harder. "You brought me soup?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes I brought you soup." She replied, pointing to his bedside table.
Harry gave a fake cough, "Well…I'm sick…and so I appreciate it. Want to come over and tuck me in too? Perhaps read me a story?" He asked, flashing her a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You know what? Forget it! I was just trying to be nice, and you're being an ass!"
Harry stopped laughing. "Hermione, I'm just kidding. I really do appreciate it."
Hermione glared at him still.
Harry pulled her over to his bed and held out the soup, "Here, as a peace offering, I give you…" he took a quick taste, "chicken noodle soup! Forgive me?"
Hermione tried not to laugh, but couldn't help it. "Okay, I forgive you." She said, taking the soup and putting it back down on the table.
Harry reached over to grab her arm so she was looking at him before saying, seriously this time, "Really Hermione, do you forgive me?"
Hermione smiled slightly, feeling uncomfortable, "I just said I did, it's no big deal, Harry." She said, trying to come off nonchalant.
Harry shook his head, "No, I mean, do you really forgive me, from last night? I was an ass…and I'm sorry. I was stressed, and I guess I just…sorta snapped. I'm really sorry." He said sincerely, taking a step closer to Hermione.
Hermione stopped smiling now. She glanced downward before replaying, "Yes, I forgive you. I was being a bit on the nagging side as well…do you think we can put it behind us?" She asked.
Harry grinned, "I'd like that."
Hermione grinned back. "So…" She said awkwardly. "This is your room, huh?"
Harry nodded, "This is where the magic happens."
Hermione raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Magic?"
Harry gave her a cocky grin, "You don't think this sexy beast just wakes up on its own, do you? Looking this good takes effort!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"I know."
"How's your head doing?" She asked, hoping he felt better.
Harry smiled and picked up the bowl, "Want to discuss it over a bowl of soup?"
Hermione laughed. "Sounds like a plan."
Harry put the soup down on his trunk and reached over to grab a white t-shirt off his floor to put on.
"So, feeling better?" Hermione asked as they sat down.
"I should ask you the same thing." Harry said, looking at her seriously.
Hermione gave him a weird look. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm the one asking the questions here, missy. Out of the two of us, I'm the one who wasn't all MIA this morning, so it's me who will be doing the interrogating." This made Hermione laugh. "But seriously, what happened? I talked to the headmaster and he said you had been really upset, so you left?"
Hermione looked down for a second. She hadn't thought about having to tell Harry all this. "Well, I dunno…last night…see…I thought we had gotten into a fight…and really, I don't think I could handle that right now. I guess I just snapped. Everything seemed overwhelming so…I left." She said simply.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Just like that? You …left?"
Hermione nodded. "It seemed like the logical thing to do."
"Hmm…run out into the snow…at 2 in the morning…freezing…probably unhinged at the moment…seems logical to me." He responded with a shrug.
"Well…it seemed logical last night when it was happening!" Hermione said defensively. "But anyway…who are you to judge? You're seventeen and you sleep with a teddy bear!"
Harry's mouth dropped in a mock outrage, "At least I don't go sneaking into boys' rooms, trying to entice them with soup and love spells!"
Hermione shrieked, "I do no such thing!"
They both laughed. It was good to be like this again.
"So where did you go?" Harry asked.
"To Clarence's. It was a nice little getaway. Then…then I saw my parents today."
"Wow, how'd that go?" Harry asked, finishing off the last of the soup.
"Surprising well actually. Things are all good now. Things weren't so great when I got there, but by the time I left, we were a family again." Hermione said with a smile.
"That's great." Harry said. They were quiet for a moment. Before he could stop himself, Harry asked, "Did you tell them about me?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow and feigned a look of utter distraught, "Things are so hard Harry…how do you think I could tell them about us? I mean…'we've come so far'…but baby…you know we've just still 'got so far to go!'" She said, finishing off in a high-pitched voice.
Harry started laughing uncontrollably. "You know, a simple 'no' would have sufficed, but I think I like your way better." Suddenly, his face got serious before saying, "But honey, you know I just hate that we have to hide this!"
<<THAT'S RIGHT READERS! THEY ARE TOGETHER!!! AND NO ONE EVEN KNOWS ABOUT IT YET! IT HAPPENED LIKE…2 CHAPTERS AGO!!! LET'S JUST SAY THE SHACK HAD A REAL TO BE 'SHREIKING' THE NIGHT BEFORE THIS! HAHA…TOTALLY KIDDING! AND TOTALLY STUPID, I KNOW…BUT I'M BORED>>
Hermione giggled, "Goofball. We need to stop being silly. But actually, yeah, I did tell them."
This revelation made Harry, who was making a silly face, become serious again, "You did?"
Hermione nodded. "I explained things to them…they didn't even know about Voldemort. Now…well…I guess things are okay, which is definitely nice."
Harry agreed, "Yeah, I'm just glad things are better. Now if only my parentals are as accepting." He said with a sigh.
"Thanks for last night Harry, it was…it was a lot of fun. And for telling me…well, you know." Hermione suddenly said, realizing she hadn't properly thanked him.
Harry grinned, "You're welcome, Hermione. It was a pleasure. By the way, Dumbledore needs to speak with us sometime later this week. I think it's about connections or something, not sure. He kept speaking in riddles. But, now that you mention last night-I think I may have some snacks left…" He put the empty bowl of soup on the ground and lifted his trunk. Hermione watched as he began to dig through it. A hoody or something was shifted, and what was under it caught Hermione's eye.
A photo album.
More importantly, the picture on the front cover of the photo album.
"Lily and James?"
Harry over at his friend as he pulled out a few Cauldron Cakes from a sack.
"Hm?" He asked, offering her one.
Hermione moved closer and pulled the photo album out of the trunk. She touched the front picture as goosebumps crept up her spine.
"Lily and James." She murmured, louder this time.
Harry swallowed his cake before replaying, "Yeah, they're my parents. Lily and James Potter. That's them when they were younger. That little boy there, of course, is me. Studly." Harry said cockily, laughing. He finally noticed Hermione's odd behavior. "Hermione? Are you okay? It's just my parents."
How could she have not seen it before? Harry resembles his father so well…except his eyes. Oh how he had his mother's eyes. She quickly opened the album and sifted through the pages. Lily laughing. James holding a broomstick. Harry riding a broom with his father. The three of them together. Harry, Ron, and Draco. Lily and James. Remus and Nymphadora. Jame-
"Remus and Nymphadora?!" Hermione cried out hoarsely. "He's a werewolf." She recalled off-handedly.
Harry was giving her a very weird look now. Her voice was unusually high. Did she know these people? "Hermione?" he asked, worriedly.
Hermione looked up suddenly, her eyes no longer a chocolate brown, but rather, almost a menacing black. Her teeth were clenched. The very sight began to scare Harry.
Hermione's head was spinning. They were real people. Harry knew them. They were real. She killed them.
The room kept tilting all around her. Illusions of Death Eaters began to surround her. A slight fog overpowered her senses. Harry was nothing more than a large blur of shapes.
Real people.
Avada Kedarva.
Real.
Harry's parents.
Lily and James.
Harry began to back away from his friend, unsure of what to do. "Hermione?" He asked again, his voice unsteady.
Hermione suddenly threw the album back into the trunk and started to rush for the door. Harry wasn't about to let her leave, not in this…state she was in. He rushed after her and pulled her back. Hermione fought back, kicking and hitting. Harry's scar was on fire.
She was insane.
Harry tried to sooth her, but he didn't know what was going on. What had come over her? Was she having a seizure? "Hermione!" He half yelled, but it didn't matter. She kept yelling something, but it was unintelligible. He couldn't make it out. "Hermione!" He yelled again, half out of pain, half out of fright.
Her energy was waning and her struggle against him was becoming weaker.
Finally he pinned her down on his bed and she suddenly stopped her yelling. She looked up at him, her eyes still black with a red glare in them, almost demonic. He held her beneath him, his legs holding her legs down and one of his hands pinning down each arm.
She was still muttering something indecipherable.
"What?" Harry finally half yelled. "What!?"
Tears sprung to her eyes. They now held that familiar hint of brown.
"I killed them."
Yeah, so not exactly where I wanted to get with this chapter, but I wanted to post it before school starts because I know I'll be swamped with high school, college, and any free time I have I'll probably be spending with the boyfriend…so yeah…I was lucky to get this written!!! But anyway, it was enjoyable to write. HOPEFULLY the next chapter won't take too long…but I say this with every chapter, so we'll have to see where it goes. In the meantime…I have been writing a small ficlet in the meantime, something very short and easy. It's called "Undefined: The Chronicles of My Relationship With Harry Potter." It might actually give you guys some insight on how the relationship between the two of them in this story is going to be, so go ahead and check it out! It's pretty neato!!!
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!! Really, they're the only things that keep me writing these days!!!
Until next time, I hope everyone well and…yeah…all that good stuff!!!
*~Archie~*