Author Note: This is the first chapter I have revised so far and I think
you will agree that it sounds and reads better than the previous one. Take
note that this is going to be set after FOURTH year, not fifth. The reason
behind this is that there are so many revelations in Book 5 that there was
no way I could rewrite this with out changing the whole plot. Just a side
note, read on!
Hermione Granger was one of the strongest and most knowledgeable young women Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ever had the pleasure of teaching. She had fought with her two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, through more turmoil than most of the witches and wizards of old had. Yet she still maintained top marks in her many classes, organized creature welfare organizations, and helped her friends struggle through their classes.
Just looking at Hermione Granger, you might think that there was nothing that could possibly make her loose control of her emotions. However, you would be far from correct. Hermione could be pushed over the edge and lose her temper quite easily when fighting with Ron, or break into complete hysteria when a fight was resolved. She could even lose her head when it came to trying to please everyone. But very rarely, even after many near death experiences, did Hermione choose not to turn to homework as place to clear her mind.
Every now and then though, even the best of us go through a time when it seems like we are not at all our selves. The night of August 31, Hermione was in her bedroom at her home in Beckenham, England, rechecking that she had packed all her belongings for school. Her trunk was quite densely packed this year for not only did she have her own school supplies, but also some of Harry's new required items as well.
After Cedric's horrific death, Dumbledore had put Harry on house arrest at the Dursley's, ordering him to stay inside or at least in the general vicinity. No one had any idea what Voldemort was planning and Dumbledore was not a man to take chances. Harry, although complying with Dumbledore's orders, had become quite antsy. That summer, Ron and Hermione received more letters from him than in all the other years combined. Harry had written how horrible it was, being with the Dursleys so long. Hermione was beginning to worry about his sanity, praying that he wouldn't do anything irrational or stupid.
Her prayers, it seemed, had gone unanswered. Just as she was closing her trunk she heard a slight tap at the window. Looking up, she saw it was Pig, fluttering madly and trying to gain her attention. Hermione's heart gave a small jolt. What would be so important that Ron would have to send her a note the night before they met at the train station? She went over and pulled up the window, allowing Pig to fly in and land with a bounce on her nicely made bed.
After a small struggle where Pig got lost in Hermione's still unruly hair, she had finally untied the note from the tiny, energetic owl's leg and it took to bouncing around the room while she opened the envelope with trembling hands.
The note inside confirmed the fear that had been nagging at her the past few weeks. Harry had indeed gone missing. Ron's quick, messy scrawl read:
Dear Hermione,
Dad just heard from Dumbledore that Harry's gone missing. I don't know what has happen to him, Dumbledore didn't say. They have Aurors looking everywhere for him though. You said something like this would happen if he had to stay locked up with those bloody relatives of his. I don't know if he's gone and run away or if.. well I will see you at King's Cross tomorrow and hopefully by then everything will be sorted out. See you tomorrow.
Be careful,
Ron
Hermione held a hand over her mouth as she reread the letter, hoping that she had deciphered Ron's miserable writing wrong. But after five years of reading his scrawl, she knew that the words were true. It only made it worse, not knowing if Harry had been taken or if he had runaway. Harry, although usually very mellow, had seen so much the past year, that he was not himself. Being holed up with the relatives he despised and learning nothing new on Voldemort's whereabouts or plans would have made anyone in his situation slowly lose their cool.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione whispered out loud, her heart pounding in fear and eyes glistening with tears. "Please be alive."
Harry's life had been threatened many a time, but almost every experience, she and Ron had been by his side. Finally she collapsed onto bed, tears staining her face, and thoughts and worries rushing through her mind. Harry could not be dead, she could just feel it. He was like a brother to her and the bond they held was strong.
Suddenly, she heard a voice, whether in her head or beside her say, "" Boyfriend chicken and ran away already Granger?"
Hermione sat up so fast that she bumped into something that was not there. A small murmur of pain could be heard and she knew there was someone else in the room with her. That voice was familiar but she couldn't place it. The person was obviously using an invisibility charm.
"I think it's very cowardly to use an invisibility charm," Hermione said, trying to sound strong, even though her voice trembled.
She did not know where turn, for the person was doing very well at not making a sound. All of a sudden, she felt a strong arm grip her waist and wand was shoved forcefully into her side. Despite this she fought viciously against her captor until he said,
"Do you want this to effect the rest of your family Granger?"
Her struggles immediately ceased at the threat to her parents. "Very good, now that we understand each other, how would you feel about a trip?"
"What do you want with me?" Hermione said, trying to hold back her sobs. "Who are you?"
"Aw, now we wouldn't want to ruin the surprise now would we?" he asked trailing his wand slowly up her side until it reached her throat. "Just be a good girl and cooperate and this will all be over soon enough. Quick and.. well, I can't promise it won't be painless."
Pulling her closer, wand still raised to her throat, she felt him stiffen, and with a loud 'pop' darkness fell over her.
Hermione Granger was one of the strongest and most knowledgeable young women Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ever had the pleasure of teaching. She had fought with her two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, through more turmoil than most of the witches and wizards of old had. Yet she still maintained top marks in her many classes, organized creature welfare organizations, and helped her friends struggle through their classes.
Just looking at Hermione Granger, you might think that there was nothing that could possibly make her loose control of her emotions. However, you would be far from correct. Hermione could be pushed over the edge and lose her temper quite easily when fighting with Ron, or break into complete hysteria when a fight was resolved. She could even lose her head when it came to trying to please everyone. But very rarely, even after many near death experiences, did Hermione choose not to turn to homework as place to clear her mind.
Every now and then though, even the best of us go through a time when it seems like we are not at all our selves. The night of August 31, Hermione was in her bedroom at her home in Beckenham, England, rechecking that she had packed all her belongings for school. Her trunk was quite densely packed this year for not only did she have her own school supplies, but also some of Harry's new required items as well.
After Cedric's horrific death, Dumbledore had put Harry on house arrest at the Dursley's, ordering him to stay inside or at least in the general vicinity. No one had any idea what Voldemort was planning and Dumbledore was not a man to take chances. Harry, although complying with Dumbledore's orders, had become quite antsy. That summer, Ron and Hermione received more letters from him than in all the other years combined. Harry had written how horrible it was, being with the Dursleys so long. Hermione was beginning to worry about his sanity, praying that he wouldn't do anything irrational or stupid.
Her prayers, it seemed, had gone unanswered. Just as she was closing her trunk she heard a slight tap at the window. Looking up, she saw it was Pig, fluttering madly and trying to gain her attention. Hermione's heart gave a small jolt. What would be so important that Ron would have to send her a note the night before they met at the train station? She went over and pulled up the window, allowing Pig to fly in and land with a bounce on her nicely made bed.
After a small struggle where Pig got lost in Hermione's still unruly hair, she had finally untied the note from the tiny, energetic owl's leg and it took to bouncing around the room while she opened the envelope with trembling hands.
The note inside confirmed the fear that had been nagging at her the past few weeks. Harry had indeed gone missing. Ron's quick, messy scrawl read:
Dear Hermione,
Dad just heard from Dumbledore that Harry's gone missing. I don't know what has happen to him, Dumbledore didn't say. They have Aurors looking everywhere for him though. You said something like this would happen if he had to stay locked up with those bloody relatives of his. I don't know if he's gone and run away or if.. well I will see you at King's Cross tomorrow and hopefully by then everything will be sorted out. See you tomorrow.
Be careful,
Ron
Hermione held a hand over her mouth as she reread the letter, hoping that she had deciphered Ron's miserable writing wrong. But after five years of reading his scrawl, she knew that the words were true. It only made it worse, not knowing if Harry had been taken or if he had runaway. Harry, although usually very mellow, had seen so much the past year, that he was not himself. Being holed up with the relatives he despised and learning nothing new on Voldemort's whereabouts or plans would have made anyone in his situation slowly lose their cool.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione whispered out loud, her heart pounding in fear and eyes glistening with tears. "Please be alive."
Harry's life had been threatened many a time, but almost every experience, she and Ron had been by his side. Finally she collapsed onto bed, tears staining her face, and thoughts and worries rushing through her mind. Harry could not be dead, she could just feel it. He was like a brother to her and the bond they held was strong.
Suddenly, she heard a voice, whether in her head or beside her say, "" Boyfriend chicken and ran away already Granger?"
Hermione sat up so fast that she bumped into something that was not there. A small murmur of pain could be heard and she knew there was someone else in the room with her. That voice was familiar but she couldn't place it. The person was obviously using an invisibility charm.
"I think it's very cowardly to use an invisibility charm," Hermione said, trying to sound strong, even though her voice trembled.
She did not know where turn, for the person was doing very well at not making a sound. All of a sudden, she felt a strong arm grip her waist and wand was shoved forcefully into her side. Despite this she fought viciously against her captor until he said,
"Do you want this to effect the rest of your family Granger?"
Her struggles immediately ceased at the threat to her parents. "Very good, now that we understand each other, how would you feel about a trip?"
"What do you want with me?" Hermione said, trying to hold back her sobs. "Who are you?"
"Aw, now we wouldn't want to ruin the surprise now would we?" he asked trailing his wand slowly up her side until it reached her throat. "Just be a good girl and cooperate and this will all be over soon enough. Quick and.. well, I can't promise it won't be painless."
Pulling her closer, wand still raised to her throat, she felt him stiffen, and with a loud 'pop' darkness fell over her.