Revenge and Redemption
Chapter one: Contemplation
Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, therefore any characters you may recognize do not belong to me. This plot, however, does.
The wind and rain whipped my hair as I briskly strode my way across the street. Cars zoomed near me, their bright lights casting shadows in the darkness that engulfed muggle London. As I searched for the coffee shop, I contemplated what had transpired earlier:
"There's no way in hell that you're meeting him on your own, Hermione!"
His facial expression was grim. Underlying his anger I saw worry staring back at me, but as much as I appreciated his concern, it would not deter me. I thought of that red hair and his dazzling smile. His death had been the last straw.
My eyes flashing dangerously, I hissed, "There's no other way. I can't pass up an opportunity like this, Harry. You cannot stop me. Don't bother trying."With that, I tightened my coat around me and walked out of Grimmauld place, leaving a shocked and concerned Harry Potter behind me.
I understood why Harry did not come after me. I did not want him to, and he understood that it would do no good to do so. A verbal battle I would obviously win, and a physical one would only hurt us both. I had been training vigorously for years, now. I was definitely his match when we dueled, often even besting him.
After the death of Ron, I had been heartbroken…and angry. While the years had slowly ebbed the piercing heartbreak I felt after his demise, the anger has yet to dissipate. It will not do so until every one of those miserable bastards pays for what they did to him-- in blood.
No, we had not been together at the time. We never got the chance to be, as we been on the run trying to find and destroy horcruxes, while at the same time fighting off the Death Eaters in our midst. Though we had both realized that there might never be a relationship beyond that of friendship, the potential was there.
And that was what brought up the anger: the idea that his life was terminated forevermore, and as a result of my own incompetence, no less. It was more than I could bear. He had not deserved such a cruel and miserable death. No one-- at least on our side of the war-- deserved that. I admit, beyond heartbreak and anger, I felt the undeniable gut-wrenching pain of guilt and shame. Hell, I still feel it.
However, I forever the logical person-- realize that while I was indirectly a cause of his death, the direct causes were those miserable, spineless Death Eaters. Oh, yes, I understood that clearly. They took away one of the most precious individuals in my life. Thus, I will take away the individual that they revere most: Voldemort, their so-called Dark Lord whom they bow down to, and would lick the shoes of should he ever be so inclined to ask. Pathetic.
Unconsciously narrowing my eyes in fierce abandon, I thought about what I would do to them. They would feel the pain that I felt, and more. They had a debt with me. I would charge them for that, and add interest to boot.
Yes, I-- Hermione Granger, Gryffindor goody-two-shoes, follower of justice, and advocate of all that is noble and good-- am out for revenge.
Getting out of my rather deliciously sadistic reverie, I glanced to the left and finally spotted the small, almost hidden, coffee shop where we had agreed to meet. A smile, one that did not quite reach my eyes, slowly graced my face. It is a smile that glows of triumph, as well as a smile of bitterness and hatred.
To the average onlooker, it may look like a normal smile, but to those who know me well, this smile speaks volumes. It means that I am one step closer to an ultimatum. One that will unite myself and a current important Death Eater in fight to destroy the infamous Lord Voldemort. A fight I plan to win.
A/N: This is the first chapter! I expect that the upcoming chapters will be longer, so no need to worry. I appreciate the time you took to read my story, and I would be very grateful for some criticism to improve my writing. Please review!