Prologue
~~~
Hermione Granger hurried across the Hogwarts grounds that night, to the cabin of Hagrid, the beloved gamekeeper at her school. Under her robes she carried a carefully bundled package, clutching it tightly to her person. No other person beside herself would be allowed to see the package or its contents until the time was absolutely right.
Nervously, Hermione glanced back at the tower from which she had departed. It wasn't like her to be breaking this many rules, and it also wasn't like her to abuse her power as Prefect to get her outside, but this was necessary. If all went well, Hermione could save her world, and save the person she cared about most.
In the past year, Hermione's legs had grown significantly longer, but she was still quite short. Harry and Ron both towered over her, at 6'1 and 6'4 respectively. She reached 5'4 on a good day, and tonight was using her longer legs to cover the ground quicker.
Hermione climbed the wet steps to Hagrid's cabin, which was abandoned again. He was off on another mission for Dumbledore, and that gave Hermione the perfect place to work on her potion. She brushed a strand of curly brown hair out of her eyes, and opened the door easily. She had long ago discovered the charm that would open it.
She put the heavy bundle down gently on the center table, and waved her wand to get a fire started. Hermione placed the cauldron over the simmering flames, and added the eye of newt. She was into her twelfth day of the potion, but it would take many more months before it was completely ready.
Hermione caught sight of herself in the mirror above Hagrid's fireplace. There were huge bags under her eyes, and the color had all but drained out of her skin. Her normally lustrous brown hair hung in limp ringlets to her shoulders. Her eyes, normally so alive with life and love, reflected all her exhaustion and deprivation. She hadn't eaten properly since returning to Hogwarts three days ago, which was a shame since the food was so delicious. But she hadn't had the energy to even bring the food up to her mouth.
She tore her eyes from the mirror, and began her work. She could not afford to be distracted by anything or anyone. If she succeeded, Harry would prevail over Voldemort, and their world would be saved. If she failed, Harry, and herself, and all their loved ones, would be destroyed. Trying not to think, Hermione mechanically added the eye of newt.
After stirring in the eye of newt for five minutes, Hermione reached over and grabbed a small knife. She held out her left hand over the cauldron, and cut a small nick into her pinky finger. Letting the blood drop into the simmering potion, she began the incantation that had become imprisoned in her brain.
With my blood, I give my life to the person I choose. I shall take their
pain and their assured death, if they give me their consent. I shall protect them with my dying breath, and bind my life or death to them. For
this person, I shall sacrifice everything.
~~~
Next Chapter: There's some new professors, a bit of tension, and Hermione begins to crack! Harry may also be discovering some very hidden feelings. . .
~~~
Hermione Granger hurried across the Hogwarts grounds that night, to the cabin of Hagrid, the beloved gamekeeper at her school. Under her robes she carried a carefully bundled package, clutching it tightly to her person. No other person beside herself would be allowed to see the package or its contents until the time was absolutely right.
Nervously, Hermione glanced back at the tower from which she had departed. It wasn't like her to be breaking this many rules, and it also wasn't like her to abuse her power as Prefect to get her outside, but this was necessary. If all went well, Hermione could save her world, and save the person she cared about most.
In the past year, Hermione's legs had grown significantly longer, but she was still quite short. Harry and Ron both towered over her, at 6'1 and 6'4 respectively. She reached 5'4 on a good day, and tonight was using her longer legs to cover the ground quicker.
Hermione climbed the wet steps to Hagrid's cabin, which was abandoned again. He was off on another mission for Dumbledore, and that gave Hermione the perfect place to work on her potion. She brushed a strand of curly brown hair out of her eyes, and opened the door easily. She had long ago discovered the charm that would open it.
She put the heavy bundle down gently on the center table, and waved her wand to get a fire started. Hermione placed the cauldron over the simmering flames, and added the eye of newt. She was into her twelfth day of the potion, but it would take many more months before it was completely ready.
Hermione caught sight of herself in the mirror above Hagrid's fireplace. There were huge bags under her eyes, and the color had all but drained out of her skin. Her normally lustrous brown hair hung in limp ringlets to her shoulders. Her eyes, normally so alive with life and love, reflected all her exhaustion and deprivation. She hadn't eaten properly since returning to Hogwarts three days ago, which was a shame since the food was so delicious. But she hadn't had the energy to even bring the food up to her mouth.
She tore her eyes from the mirror, and began her work. She could not afford to be distracted by anything or anyone. If she succeeded, Harry would prevail over Voldemort, and their world would be saved. If she failed, Harry, and herself, and all their loved ones, would be destroyed. Trying not to think, Hermione mechanically added the eye of newt.
After stirring in the eye of newt for five minutes, Hermione reached over and grabbed a small knife. She held out her left hand over the cauldron, and cut a small nick into her pinky finger. Letting the blood drop into the simmering potion, she began the incantation that had become imprisoned in her brain.
With my blood, I give my life to the person I choose. I shall take their
pain and their assured death, if they give me their consent. I shall protect them with my dying breath, and bind my life or death to them. For
this person, I shall sacrifice everything.
~~~
Next Chapter: There's some new professors, a bit of tension, and Hermione begins to crack! Harry may also be discovering some very hidden feelings. . .