AN: The first two chapters have been previously posted but for the sake of tiding things up and to have a home for any more drabbles I may write I have collated them into one story.
Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.
Story title: Rain for Reflection
Summary: Hermione's thoughts on Oblivating her parents.
Words: 244
Timeline: AU, Hermione returns to Hogwarts for Seventh Year.
She sat, staring out of the window at the bullying hailstones that threatened the tranquillity of the Scottish castle. They attacked the soft ground mercilessly, but it almost seemed like a blessing to see the downpour of emotion. It washed away her sorrow and cleansed her conscious from what she had done. It helped Hermione to believe that memories could be vanished away as easily as the rain that eroded the footprints of those who had walked in the castle grounds. The sound of the heavy drops splattering the lake was soothing to her frazzled brain. The routine of NEWTs coupled with Head Girl responsibilities was very different from the tranquil, yet alert state she had remained in for the main part of last year. Whenever she had the chance to rest in her hectic timetable, her thoughts travelled to the choice she had to make at the beginning of last year.
Her parents were safe. That was what she repeatedly told herself. Just like each tree grows new leaves, they could build a new life in Australia. Without her. The memory of their daughter brutally washed away by the splinters of ice falling from the sky. But to anyone who looked out at the expanse of grass only saw renewed greenness – her parents were completely unaware of her.
As quickly as it started the rain came to a close, just like the ending of parental love. She was always going to be alone.