Authors Note: This first chapter may seem a bit abstract…eventually it won't.
I took a year-long (or more…) break from writing and FF and completely dropped this story and the ideas it had begun with during that time. Since deciding to pick it back up, I have decided to change several very major elements. Most of these probably won't be evident to anyone because they're all still just in my head and have no impact on this first chapter. What may be noticeable – but only if you read this first (and only) chapter when it was first published or before its update in September 2012 – is that I have changed the pairing from HGRL to HGSB. I'm sorry if this disappoints or upsets anyone but, at present, it just made sense for where I want to take this story eventually. Plus, I have decided that (as much as I do love HGRL) I love RLNT waaayyy too much to mess with.
***As in my other stories (for those of you who have read any of my other work), entire phrases or sentences that have been italicized are thoughts or mental musings. This should seem rather clear in their contexts, but just thought I'd mention it in case it isn't.
This fic is not intended to strictly adhere to canon. Though many (or most) of its characters and recognizable elements of the plot and/or text are of course property of JKR, this story is written as AU. I don't own anything except my original character(s) and plot that deviates from the Harry Potter canon universe.
Well, let's finally get to it, shall we?
Chapter 1: In Which Self-Doubt Does Not Prevail...Well, Not Entirely
She was no stranger to tricky situations. This was hardly the first time she had found herself in a tough spot. So far in her young life, she had faced danger far more often than was to be expected for a witch of her age.
Hell, who was she kidding? She had seen more action in her few years than most witches or wizards would ever see in a lifetime.
She never sought out these circumstances – which some might consider adventures – she just seemed to be a magnet for them.
Time and again, obstacles presented themselves and, with the help of her friends and members of the Order, she had always managed to come out on top.
But how the bloody hell was she supposed to pull this one off?
To begin with, she had never been forced to go it alone in any of her previous 'adventures'. She had always had her friends for backup. She wasn't sure if she could do something like this without their support. True, Dumbledore had a vague idea what was going on, but the very nature of the problem did not allow her to discuss it with him in detail. She couldn't talk to anyone about her struggle.
To make matters worse, she had become so… involved that not completely breaking and just spilling it all was becoming ever more challenging.
She had already been emotionally invested upon her arrival, but now... now things were different. Never had her success seemed so very necessary.
Buck up, Granger. You can do this, youhaveto do this. The future of the entire magical world, and perhaps even the world in general – magical and Muggle – is depending upon your ability to do this.
Yes, she had resorted to giving herself the occasional mental pep-talk to keep from slipping.
She could do this though.
She had to do this.
Otherwise, the world she once knew – the world she fully intended on never returning to – would come to exist. Or worse, she would create an outcome even more horrific (if that was at all possible) than that which had existed twenty years from now, in her past.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Please read and review!
Hope no one was too upset by the change of pairing…any thoughts and feelings are welcome.
As those who are familiar with me as a FF author, I am not able to post at regularly scheduled intervals but I have been doing fairly well with my frequency since returning to writing recently so stay tuned for updates. More to come, so keep reading!