By: HP Storyteller - Jessica L. Hale
Summary - The trio enter there seventh and final year at Hogwart's school of witch craft and wizardry. Hermione starts to realize her love for Ron is unavoidable and she must tell him sooner or later how she truly feels. On the other hand Ronald Weasley is struggling with the same ordeal, but there is much more sinister and troubling things happening to Hermione Granger other then romance blooming.
A strange friend that she hasn't seen for years suddenly appears at her doorstep, a girl by the name of Anna, who isn't who she all seems to be, Hermione knows that Anna and her are very close, but she cant help but shake the eerie mystery of why she cant remember any part of there childhood together. And if that's not bad enough, strange random memories of her past start to haunt Hermione, first of normal regular things, that she has perfect memory of, but after awhile - a life she never led, starts to play out in her mind; Who's memories are they? Why are they haunting her? And why does these recollections seem somehow connected to Hermione?
Chapter one: A memory forgotten, A friend re-found.
"Your math test will be on Monday, for homework please answer questions 1- 19 on page 78."
Mrs. Robin's sixth grade class groaned, how come homework had to be the heaviest on weekends? Quickly they packed up there school books, and slowly departed the class as the class bell rang - sending the message that school was finally over, and freedom was in reach. One girl had stayed behind in the classroom, staring at the chalkboard, taking as many extra notes as she could, school had always been a priority to Hermione Granger, and she had told herself that she would get the highest grade in the class, on there upcoming algebra test.
"Miss. Granger, school is over; did you not hear the bell?"
Hermione didn't look up from her notes, as she jotted down notes with her pencil, "No, m'am I just thought I'd get a little more studying in before I go home."
"Hermione Granger your not like any other kid I've ever met."
"Sorry m'am."
"No its quite alright."
But little did Mrs. Robins know that Hermione was quite special, and that she wasn't like any other kid; she was a witch, but of coarse Hermione didn't know herself, she thought she was perfectly normal.
Tomorrow was her Eleventh birthday.
After she had finished writing the rest of her notes, that had ended up being six pages long; Hermione decided that it was time to leave her beloved school, and to start walking home. Almost all the kids had already left, so Hermione had to walk home alone, like usual. This didn't seem to bother her much but deep down she wished for a friend. Hermione Jane wasn't the most popular girl in school, she was always known as the 'brain' the 'whiz kid' to smart to be cool, to cool to be geeky. She was a in-between, a drifter; floating in-between what was cool and what was known as the unpopular bunch.
As Hermione rounded the corner of Smith street she noticed a group of popular kids standing in a circle, obviously talking about the latest gossip that happened out on the playground, or who kissed who. None of this really ever interested Hermione, but she had always wished to be accepted by these kids that ruled the school, but of course when you have out of control bushy hair, big teeth and is known as the 'brain' you usually don't fit quite into the 'cool' criteria.
Holding her books close to her chest she walked fast, trying to be unnoticeable, it seemed to have worked - she was five steps away from being free from possible humiliation when a girl with black hair hollered her way.
"Hey beaver-brain where are you going, the library's that way."
Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, her cheeks burning hot; slowly she looked up at the girl and noticed her immediately as Cortella Bezzle the most popular girl in sixth grade.
Hermione looked down at her feet, awkwardly shuffling them, trying to think of something witty to say back, she hated Cortella Bezzle and her sidekick friends, who were laughing loudly like Bezzle had said a cleaver joke.
"Cat got your tongue, or did that magnificent brain of your's finally stop working."
Hermione bit her lip, forcing back the temptation to hit Cortella, she slowly turned away and started back down the street, 12 steps into her escape she heard a scream. A petrified scream. What could be the bloody matter? Hermione turned around once more, to look and see what all the commotion was about, what she saw wasn't what she expected.
There was Cortella Bezzle, with a beavers tail.
Freaking out, Hermione hurried the rest of the way home, once inside and safe in her room, she collapsed on her bed, what had happened? Why was all this strange stuff happening? There was no scientific reason why Cortella had suddenly decided to sprout a tail, and the strangest thing was, this wasn't the first time something odd had happened around Hermione.
"What's wrong with me?" She asked herself, as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
- - - - - - - -
"Beep.. Beep.. Beep…"
"Arghfff"
"Beep.. Bee--"
"Success!"
Hermione had finally after many minutes of fierce struggling had accomplished turning off her annoying alarm clock, that had been reminding her to get up out of bed for the past 7 minutes. Rolling out of the covers and sitting on the edge of her daybed, Hermione rubbed her eye's vigorously, she hated having to wake up early, but what had that dream been about?
For year's she hadn't even thought about Cortella Bezzle, the sixth grade girl who haunted her through the halls of her muggle elementary school. She didn't even know if she still lived in the same town, so why had did she just dream about her?
Glancing over at the clock she noticed that it was 8:08, which meant that it would be way to early to get up on a regular summer day, but today was special; she would be going to the Burrow, to spend the rest of the Summer with her friends - before school started back up and the trio would be heading back for there seventh year.
Getting up she walked over to her trunk and opened it, she had barely begun to pack, and Mrs. Weasley's letter had suggested that they would be there by no later then 9:30, with a ministry car. It was unlike Hermione to not already be packed, but her parents had insisted that she spend time with the family, before she gone; so there really hadn't been much time.
So as you probably imagine Hermione panicked.
"8:08! 8:08! How come I didn't set it for earlier?"
She mumbled under her breath, furious with herself, as she tried to stuff socks and underwear into her traveling trunk.
"I won't be done! What was I thinking? I barely have a hour!"
'Hey can I come in?"
"Wha- who? No time." Hermione said breathless. "Must pack, late as it is."
"Its Anna."
"Anna? Anna!" Hermione opened the door and burst into her friends arms, "I haven't seen you in forever!"
"Well, yeah.. I just thought I'd come and bring the birthday girl her present!" Smiled the extremely light blonde haired girl, as she took a small box out of her cloak pocket. "Sorry it's late."
"Birthday, huh, oh. Anna! You're a genius"
The girl looked shocked, "Uh, its not hard to remember your friend's birthday, when you've known her your whole life… But thanks, I like to think I'm a geniu-"
"No, not that, I'm Seventeen!"
"Yeah so?"
"That mean's I'm of age!"
"Oh my gosh, I completely forgot! Congratulations! I came of age last year, it was the best birthday ever!"
"What am I doing packing! Gosh I can be so thick sometimes!" Hermione pulled out her wand, from her cloak pocket, gave it a nice flick, muttered a incantation.. And tada! She was packed and ready to go.
"So Anna what did you get me, hmm?"
"Oh, its nothing.. Just a family heirloom."
Hermione shook the tiny black box, something rattled inside.
"Oh, is it jewelry?"
"Hmm.. Maybe you'll just have to open it to see!"
"Ok, ready? I'm going to open it on three, one.. Two.."
"Honey!"
"Arrghf"
"What mom, I'm talking to Anna!"
"Mrs. Weasley is here, with Ron and Harry."
"Be there in a minute, tell the boy's to come on up."
"Anna quick, do I look alright? My hair isn't frizzy or anything is it?"
"You look fine, I got to go, bye."
Anna quickly dissaperated.
"Wha, no! Anna!"
Puzzled Hermione looked down at the tiny box, "I didn't even get to open your present yet you dork."
"What present?"
"Aww Hermione you shouldn't have, whats the occasion?" Ron said joking, as he snatched the tiny box out of her hands, "What is it?"
"Ron, give that back now, you bloody annoy me to no end!"
"Jump for it."
"Ron!"
"Go on, Jump."
"RON!"
"Yes?"
"Give me my box before I hex your butt to saint mungo's!
"Fat chance!"
Ron had a point there, Hermione would never hex Ron, they had been to close for so long.. Sometimes she even thought that they was a possibility for more then just 'friends' between the two of them.
"Ron, its not fair your like a foot taller then me, give me the box.. I'm not jumping - Harry help?"
Ron snorted.
"Huh, wha? What did you say Hermione?" Harry said innocently, enjoying every bit of his two friends going at each other, like usual.
"Tell him to give me my bloody box back!"
"You two going at it again? I believe that's a record.. Not even three minutes together and your already down each others throats!"
"Ginny!"
Hermione left Ron who was juggling the box and ran over and gave the red headed girl a hug, "How are you?"
"I'm fine, now that I got my two favorite people to spend summer with!"
From out of the corner of her eye Hermione could see that Harry had turned a light shade of pink, but she decided to not ask Harry why, even though she kind of had a idea, why. Ginny Weasley.
"Ginny could you please tell your thick brother over there to give me back my birthday gift from Anna!"
"Anna?"
"Yes, Anna. I'm sure I've told you about her, I've known her since I was little; she's a witch too! I just found out about three months ago."
"Nope, you never mentioned a Anna, before…" Said Ron, sitting down on Hermione's daybed.
"Strange" Said Hermione as she walked over and snatched the tiny felt box out of Ron's hands when he wasn't paying attention, and was investigating Hermione's diary, which Hermione hadn't noticed.
"I'm sure I should have told you about her.."
"Just open the bloody gift." Harry said growing impatient, "I wanna see what's inside!"
Hermione laughed, and opened the box. What she saw inside was nothing other then extraordinary.
A golden locket lay inside, with a elegant C carved onto the front.
"C?" Questioned Ginny who was now looking over Hermione's shoulder, "Shouldn't it be 'H' or 'G'"
"Of course not, Anna said it was a family heirloom of hers!"
"Funny why would she give it to you then?" Harry asked crossing the room, to get a better look at the necklace.
"I don't know, obviously she thought it would be a nice present, I love it. Ron help me put it on!"
"Hmpff?"
"I said could you help me put it on?"
"Uh, have Ginny do it, I'm busy."
"Busy with what?" Said Hermione hotly, as she turned around to look at Ron. Her jaw dropped.
"What the bloody hell are you reading Ronald Weasley?" Hermione said with a high almost nervous voice, as she ran at Ron and tackled him. "I do believe this is MY diary. I have some things in here that I don't like to share to the world!"
"Liike that you have to use hair charms to keep your hair straight, and you have a huge crush on someone you call 'pumpkin?'
"RONALD! That's private, how would you like me going around and reading something of yours that has your secrets in them, hmm? I don't expect you'd like it much."
"Now tell me, on page 17 it says…
Dear Diary,
Today was the first day back to school, sixth year isn't what I expected it to be, its been pretty dull; some of the kids have left, their parents fearing that Hogwarts is unsafe since Voldemort's return. I'm glad to find out that 'Pumpkin' as I've decided to call him, so nobody will know who I'm talking about - has decided to come back. Even though we argue a lot lately, I have a strange feeling that he has started to take fancy to me.. I don't understand why we argue so much, I guess he's just use to fighting with his brothers, that it comes second nature. We partnered in Potions today, we were suppose to make a Euphoria potion, but he's kind of thick, and made the whole cauldron explode because he wouldn't listen to me when I said not to put in the salamander skin, till the pixie wings were stirred more.
I just cant get enough of my 'Pumpkin.'
Your's dearest,
Hermione J. Granger.
Hermione's face had drained, no color was visible on her now pale as ghost skin,
"Ron.., I believe I'm going to murder you."
"Aw now come on, M'ione, don't be stupid, its just a Diary.. Its not like your going to die, just because I read your stupid Diary"
"Arrggf"
"Ouch, bloody hell Hermione that hurt."
"Well that's what you get for reading my Diary, humph."
Ron was rubbing his eye where Hermione had poked him with her wand, she had been to mad to even think of a spell, so she decided just to poke his eye out.
"Now you won't be reading anymore of that Diary."
"Hell its not like I even know who this 'Pumpkin' guy is, its not like I care."
"Oh come off it Ron" Ginny said suddenly, "Doesn't this 'Pumpkin' guy sound a bit like you?"
Hermione's eye's grew wide, she gave a sinister stare at Ginny, which made Ginny suddenly say..
"But never mind that's silly of me, there is plenty of guy's as thick as you."
"Oh shut up Ginny." Ron said, but in his mind, he was questioning himself, 'Could it really be that Hermione Granger has finally fallen for me?"
Harry who had been sitting quietly just smiled and said, "I think I hear Molly calling, shouldn't we start to get going?"
Hermione and the gang walked down the steps to the kitchen where Mr. Weasley was in deep discussion with Mr. Granger over the subject of fluoride and root canals. Mrs. Granger was rambling on to Mrs. Weasley about how she was amazed that she could handle seven children, when one was a handful for her.
Nobody seemed to notice that the four had entered the kitchen until Ron made it loud and clear.
"Will you guys shut up, I'm hungry cant we get going so we have time for breakfast?"
Hermione elbowed Ron in the side, how rude could he get?
"Oi what did you do that for!"
"For you being so thick."
"Like your never"
"Oh shut-up."
Hermione crossed her arms across her chest and gave Ron a look that probably sent cold shivers down his back.
"Oh sorry dears, I guess we should be going, we cant have lateness."
"Right oh, see you soon - ol' chap." Mr. Weasley patted Mr. Granger's back and walked toward the children.
"Everything packed dear?" He questioned Hermione.
"Yes."
"Then off we go."
With a flick of his wand Hermione's trunk came swooping down the steps and hovered at his side.
"We promise she'll be fine, Mrs. Granger." Molly said, comforting the muggle woman, who was crying.
"He-who-must-not-be-named will not come to the Burrow, I promise."
"Yeah mom, it's going to be ok."
Hermione walked over and gave her mother a hug, "Tell Anna I said bye - mmkay?"
"Anna?" Her mother said confused, "Who is Anna?"
"Don't be silly Mom, Anna.. The girl I've known since I was born!"
"I don't believe you had a friend named Anna.. Hermione." Her mom said, biting her lip, "Are you sure your alright?"
"Yes Mom, but I can't believe you forgotten about Anna!"
She rummaged inside of her pocket and pulled out the golden locket that the young girl had given her.
"See she even stopped by and gave me a Birthday present!"
"I didn't see anyone come over."
"But look she gave me this!"
Hermione showed her Mother the golden locket, with the elegant carved 'C' in the middle.
"Oh its beautiful, isn't it?" Mrs. Weasley cooed as she went to pick the tiny locket up.
"would you like me to put it on you?" She asked Hermione.
"Yes. Thank you."
Hermione pulled her hair out of the way, as Mrs. Weasley pulled the necklace around Hermione's neck, and latched it.
A strange sensation rushed over her as the gold touched her marble like skin. The sensation was like none Hermione had ever felt, a strange cold sensation rushed over her, like liquid ice; the sensation left a blank stare on Hermione's face. For the brief second the sensation had been there, Hermione had been transported to a place she had never been, but had perfect recollection of, who's memory was that? And was it the locket that showed her it?
As she resurfaced back to reality she couldn't get the images out of her head that she had just saw.
A young child no older then seven, who's face Hermione couldn't see was crying. A loud commotion was happening in the room across from the room she was sitting in. Hermione didn't know for sure if the child was female, but a strange feeling crept up her spine; something told her that she knew this person - and she was a girl.
Suddenly the commotion got louder, somebody was screaming; but Hermione couldn't tell what the person was saying - all she knew was that they were being tortured.
Green light flashed through the bottom crack of the door, the little girl started crying, as if she knew what had just happened. Somebody had just been murdered by the killing curse.
The door to the room opened slowly, a man walked out covered in blood, Hermione couldn't see his face either, but she had a sudden feeling of love wash over her. The girl had stopped crying at once when she saw the man limp towards her, he picked her up.. And was about to say something.. But the memory slowly faded away, and Hermione was back in the kitchen. Everyone staring at her looking concerned.
"What, what's the matter?"
Hermione asked as she shook the memory out of her brain.
"You.. You, was shouting." Harry said, "Something about Amara?"
"And then you collapsed." Added Ginny who had been extremely quite up to this point.
"Collapsed? I did?"
Hermione suddenly took in her surroundings, she wasn't standing anymore, she now lay out on the cold linoleum floor, in cold sweat.
"What happened?" She asked, almost afraid to know.
"Y-you well, when Mom put that locket on you, you kinda well - err.. Went into a trance."
Ronald looked scared, sheet white and shaking.
"Don't be silly Ron, I just don't feel well - Mom knew that right when she saw me come down the stairs."
"Well I think you should take that locket off Hermione." Ron said with a shaken but stern voice.
"Why do you care?" Snickered Ginny.
"Well, uh.. Because Hermione is my friend.."
"Mmhm."
"Shut-up Ginny." Ron said as his ears slowly turned a light shade of crimson.
"Well shouldn't we be on our way, you lot?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, off we go; come on now, don't diddle daddle. Mrs. Weasley said crossly.
"Bye Mom." Hermione said softly as she waved goodbye to her Mother. But something felt different, as she looked at her mother, she didn't feel like she knew the person who was standing in the kitchen. It felt like they were complete strangers, and that Hermione couldn't explain.