This story begins during Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince after Christmas Break. It will follow Hermione on a side plot with so many twists and turns it would make a roller coaster dizzy. She will eventually have to choose between life and love.
Ch.1 – A Walk in the Dark
Browns and reds blended together with a warmth inherent in the Griffindor common room. Yet the chamber darkened with the setting of the sun, and decadently luxurious furnishings – all of a sudden – seemed oppressive. Brilliantly regal colors so cheery in daylight hours were deadened due to the encroaching shadows. Even with the many desk lights, loud chatter, and unhindered movement, everything seemed quite gloomy. Or perhaps it was merely the anxiety of dozens of students who hadn't finished their homework yet.
Hermione huffed and didn't lose the opportunity to comment to her peers about the detriments of procrastination. They would be resuming their studies the following day after almost a fortnight of winter break, and there was no lack of last minute scribbling on parchment, perusing of textbooks, and skimming over notes. Hermione smirked to herself at some of the dirty looks passed her way and enjoyed being obnoxious – just a little bit. After all, they sort of deserved it. Hermione haughtily shook her head at Harry and Ron who were rushing to finish their homework. She had warned Harry, and Ron both knew better. Furthermore, it was in her esteemed opinion that Ron presently deserved any discomfort to come his way.
Smile slightly dropping, she sighed serenely and dropped her uptight demeanor. She wasn't quite in the mood for anymore teasing. The atmosphere of the common room was too tense for comfort; perhaps she needed a little air. Furthermore, the strained character of her relationship with Ron certainly didn't bode well for her temperament. Thus, Hermione decided to relish a few moments of tranquility before the flourish of activity which always accompanied the start of a new term. Excitedly, she snatched a book from her bag, went over to Harry to tell him she was going out, and skipped out of the dormitory.
Stepping into the deserted hall, her mood calmed and she walked slowly and warily towards the entry hall, not sure of the reason for her abrupt caution. It wasn't as though she had to worry about getting caught out of the dormitory. She could always bat her eyelashes, look innocent, and claim to have forgotten a book by the lake. Hermione had always been good at getting out of trouble. Yet for some reason, Hogwarts just seemed a little more somber than usual. Therefore, she deemed it best to keep her presence unnoticed and, like a tomb raider, stealthily crept through the castle's front doors and across the grounds as though wary of disturbing the rest of ancient kings.
The castle was simply breathtaking at night, and the landscape and foliage seemed to be made of sparkling emeralds. Dazzling as it was, Hermione didn't stop to look for long. Her legs carried her quickly of their own volition. In her mind, her soul was reaching out towards something which drew her towards the forest and kept her walking. Out there somewhere was a mystery which needed probing. There was a secret obscured by the trees that she had to uncover. Hypnotically she delved deeper into the wilderness searching for some place, some particular tomb which only she could touch. It was as though there was something out there – something exclusively hers – that was waiting for her and that needed her. Hermione was no fool, yet this vague fantasy persisted intensely. It was more than a simple sentiment, for her heart had never before ached so. The further she went, the more desperate she became. Not only was she needed, but she needed this something as well.
She was closer. She slowed. Hermione tried to laugh at her irrationality, but somehow couldn't. Divination might have been a joke, but her instinct and the instincts of her friends had saved all of them on more than one occasion. She stopped abruptly and pulled back a tree branch obscuring her view. There it was. Hermione gazed across a very small and nearly empty meadow. Empty but for a little bench and an unlit lantern suspended above it. It was almost eerie how perfect it all was. 'Almost,' because never had Hermione felt less nervous or frightened. There was no need. The bench and lamp were hers, waiting for her. She had found a little piece of heaven.