Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling does.
AN: I decided to load a longer story. It's taken some time to write so I hope you like it.
The Photo
Chapter 1: Finding It.
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She couldn't sleep again. Ever since the war ended all she saw at night when she closed her eyes were the horrible things that had happened. She tried to tell herself that she didn't mind, that the dreams just gave her more time to read, but she knew that it wasn't true. Not even her precious books could provide an escape for her anymore.
Hermione sighed. She was sure that she had almost read every book in the library at Grimmauld Place. All she had left was the bottom shelf in the far corner. She hadn't ventured there yet since it was so far away from the fireplace. If there was one thing that Hermione liked about the library more then the books it was the fireplace. With a blanket wrapped around her sitting on the large, soft chair in front of the fire she felt safe. Setting the large tome, that she had just finished, down; Hermione decided that reading about Quidditch should remain a last resort. Deciding that she was still too awake to go back to bed, Hermione went to the last shelf to pick a book. Finding a small, worn book Hermione looked at the cover. No title was listed even after she brushed away the thick layer of dust. Her guess was that nobody had seen this book in many years. Opening the cover; she saw weathered, yellow pages. It was a photo album. Taking the album back, to bask in the warmth of the fire, Hermione sat back down in her chair.
Turning each page carefully Hermione realized that it was an album of the original Order members. It started with a few of the people before the first war. There was one of Molly and Arthur with who she could assume were Bill, Charlie, Percy and the Twins at the Burrow. Most of the boys were running around with only Percy reading behind a tree, while Molly and Arthur were waving at the camera. The next photo was of Albus smiling from behind his desk. He was still the Deputy then she mused. Hermione was a little disturbed to see that he would put a lemon drop in his mouth and then wink at her from his picture.
Turning to the next page a little quicker, Hermione gasped. It was a picture of her. A picture of the person that Hermione had always admired. Hermione's heart jumped. She was smiling in the picture, a carefree expression lighting up her eyes. Her hair was slightly falling out of her bun. She was breathtaking. Hermione just stared. Slowly Hermione's hand went to the corner of the picture and started peeling. She didn't think about what she was doing, she just knew that she needed this picture. It was a deep need built with love and care over many years. Hermione needed this picture so she could see her whenever she wanted. She could gaze at her without having to hide her love. Hermione needed this picture to truly be herself.
With a quiet desperation she lifted the photo. Taking it out, she carefully closed the album shut. Hermione put it back on the shelf, put out the fire, and turned of the lights. Sneaking back upstairs to her attic room, she crawled into bed. Clutching the picture to her chest, Hermione thought about her. Her hair, her eyes, her smile, her intelligence, her strength—just her--Minerva
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AN: More is coming soon. Any reviews would be welcome, even criticisms.
Gwen