In Nightmares We Drown
Any way on with the story, this au, to prisoner of Azkaban, the trio returned as teenagers but Hermione is unusually distant from her friends. Harry and Ron suspect something is going on when Dumbledore starts to have private meetings.
But then again Sirius Black has escaped and Harry faces a dangerous future. And could Hermione's new behaviour have anything to do with Harry's enemy Voldermort.
Chapter One
Harry Potter was of course the boy who lived, and being 13 years old he began to wish he wasn't. Glaring out into the dark night it had all changed over the past few months… he had changed, of course deep down he knew hormones were pulsing throughout him now but it still sucked.
And too top it all off not only did the Dursely's have it in for him, it would no doubt get spread around that he had fainted when a dementor came in. Harry tore his eyes away from the passing scenery as they made their why to the Castle and gave a half hearted smile at his best friend Ron Weasley, the boy could probably sleep through anything if he was tired enough. Luckily enough they were the last ones of the train so they managed to grab the last carriage to themselves. Harry shifted and glanced towards Hermione and noticing again how drained and ill she truly looked.
Of course Harry with his new found hormones couldn't deny that Hermione hadn't filled out, in fact she was beautiful something Harry would never have called one of his best friends before. But she was despite the fact that she looked as though she had gotten no sleep during the summer holidays. Hermione's eye lids drooped slightly and she looked ready to fall asleep with Crookshanks on her lap but a sudden jolt and she bolted up right nearly knocking the cat of her lap. Instead the fluffy cat shot her a look and shifted it self on her lap purring loudly as though to tell her he was comfortable where he was.
Darting her eyes around her as though she didn't know where she was Hermione caught Harry's eyes and he offered her a small smile "why don't you get some sleep Hermione… a few minutes" Harry offered but Hermione stared at him wide eyed as though he had told her to face Voldermort on her own.
"I-I can't…. I-I'm not s-sleepy" Hermione stuttered causing Harry to frown at her then lean closer "Hermione you don't have to keep a eye on me, I'll be fine I promise" Harry assured convinced that she was worried about him but Hermione bit her lip and shook her head "I-it's not that Harry… I-I can't explain it… please don't make me" Hermione pleaded as tears pooled in her eyes. Harry instantly grew concerned "Hermione… you can tell me, what is it" Harry questioned causing Hermione to stare at him for a few minutes before looking away "it's nothing Harry… really, any way if anyone should be fussing" Hermione turned back with a fake smile and patted his hand "it should be me over you" Hermione stated her voice sounding flat and smooth. To anyone who didn't know Hermione they would be sure she was fine but to one of her best friends there was something wrong.
Harry was about to press her further when the carriage jolted to a stop and Ron woke with a start glancing around him "dinner" he questioned half a sleep, Ron looked out the window whilst scrubbing at his hair and smacking his lips. Hermione took this moment to escape from Harry's questions and jumped from the carriage still clinging to Crookshanks. Harry frowned after her but simply climbed down from the carriage and decided that he would tell Ron at dinner… she couldn't run from them both.
However Harry's plan didn't go as well as he hoped it would, Ron grinned largely slapping Harry on the back as the trio walked towards the great hall where first years were nervously glancing in.
"Don't worry 'arry we get some grub into you and you'll feel better then a new snitch at the start of a new season" Ron assured causing Harry to smirk, he was about to whisper to Hermione that Ron's cure to everything was food when he saw how ghostly she truly looked. Harry grabbed a fistful of Ron's cloak and dragged him along with Hermione out of the stream of students. Hermione looked bewildered as well as scared when Harry let go of her while Ron muttered and cursed about missing even one minute of the feast.
"Oh Harry come on" Ron moaned before he saw Harry's face then looked to Hermione, it took a few seconds for Hermione to realise it was Harry who had grabbed her.
"Hey what is going on" Ron demanded looking between the two "that's what I want to ask Hermione… back in the carriage she refused to tell me what the matter was, she even begged me not to ask… Hermione what is going on, did that dementor get you too" Harry questioned while Hermione flickered her eyes back to the great hall then back to Harry and Ron, picking at her finger nails nervously. Ron forgot quickly about food when he saw how Hermione was acting… come to think about it.
"she was acting like this before the train… when we first met up with her, Hermione no offence but you look like death warmed up" Ron bluntly pointed out causing Hermione to sniffle back the tears looking between her two best friends.
"I can't… I-I c-c-can't explain…it's… it's too much" Hermione told them in a broken voice as the tears spilled down her cheeks but she quickly wiped them away. Harry shot Ron a look and both boys looked to Hermione "'Mione, you can tell us come on… is cos that mad guy got loose, me and 'arry will protect you" Ron declared causing Hermione to snap her head up and glared at him "it has nothing to do with that convict… I-I can't explain because of h-ha-" Hermione bit her lip and snapped her head down.
But before either boy could ask another question a dark shadow loomed beside them "Potter, Weasley the new term hasn't even began and your already starting trouble" Servus Snape demanded causing both boys to glare at him. Snape glared back but his darks eyes shot to Hermione who still had her head hung "Potter and Weasley go take your seats in the great hall now… before I take points from you" Snape ordered causing both boys to gape at him. Snape shot them a look before turning fully to both "have you two gotten more stupid or just plain arrogant, I told you to go now" Snape ordered as both boys nodded and started to make their way to the great hall but stopped when Hermione didn't fall nor did Snape "Hermione" Harry called but Hermione refused to look at them "Miss Granger will not be attending the feast… now move" Snape snarled before turning to Hermione and motioning her towards a large door.
Harry and Ron lingered long enough around the Great Hall doorway to convince Snape they were going in, instead they hurried to the large door Snape had taken Hermione through and they just made out the professor and their friend.
"Miss Granger, you understand that this is only a small measure…oh my dear child I wish there was more I could do for you or even tell you and your parents… but alas I can not. Professor Snape is working hard on a potion to help you and your new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher has extensive knowledge" Albus Dumbledore voice echoed from the room causing Harry to give Ron a look but the redhead shrugged.
"I will also be making an announcement before the feast concerning all students… Professor Snape will explain all on the way to your new room, it will be in the Gryffindor tower but for clear reasons we had to isolate it and put several protection charms on it" Dumbledore was pacing making Harry and Ron press deeper into the shadows.
"And your friends… are you still set on not telling them" Dumbledore questioned as he walked over to the door and glanced out into the hallway "yes… most of all Harry he can't know… after what happened on the train and what he has to deal with anyway… no after tonight hopefully everything will be better" Hermione's voice seemed small and still a little broken. Dumbledore turned but stopped suddenly, flickering his eyes to the shadows he let out a deep sigh "if you so wish" Dumbledore declared closing the door firmly behind him making impossible for Harry or Ron to hear anything further. Both stood in silence for a few moments before daring to look to the other.
"What the bloody hell was that about" Ron demanded as Harry looked to the door then back to his friend a determined look etched across his face "I don't know... but we're going to find out" Harry declared before he dragged Ron to the Great Hall.
Laughing filled the room... night was descending and soon he would fill her dreams with his nightmares, glancing around the house spat at the existence he now held. But soon, the laughter filled the air once more.
She was his ticket... both to Hogwarts and to the damn boy. HARRY POTTER. She was going to be his way into the damn wizard's life... all he had to do was reach out and begin the night mare once more.
Tell me if this sucks or if I've misspelt anything. Hope you like and please review.