A/N: Read Omegantisonis first, it will make a lot more sense!
Of Darkness
Part 1: A Reunion
Hermione swung her legs around and placed them on the hard pavement of her drive way. She had gotten picked up from King's Cross and had been on vacation ever since. She was happy and excited to be home, but she also felt awkward. Dumbledore had, of course, owled her parents about what had happened, but they hadn't said one word. Hermione wasn't sure if they had even received the letter, or maybe they thought it wasn't real. Whatever the case was, she wasn't going to be the first to bring it up. If they didn't know, then they would have to stay unknowing.
She entered the house behind her father, who was lugging her very full trunk up the stairs. She smiled as she heard the familiar strained bark coming from her bedroom. Her dog, Dusty, always had to be restrained when she came home, because he often got so excited he would knock things over.
"Well, here you go," her father said, with strained effort as he put her trunk in front of her bedroom door on the third story. "That thing gets heavier every year, doesn't it?" he said, rubbing his lower back. Hermione smiled as she reached up to kiss her father on the cheek.
"Thanks, Daddy." She opened the door to her room and just stood in the doorway, taking it all in. The peaceful breeze that was flowing through her window was so calming. Until Hermione was knocked over by Dusty. He licked her face, and her ears, and her eyelids. The slobbering, wet, tongue was disgusting. "Dusty…uhf…get off!" she grunted, while trying to push him away. He obliged and skipped away merrily, to make sure nothing else in the house had changed so drastically. Hermione pulled open her trunk, with the intentions of unpacking, but her fluffy bed was far too much of a distraction. She climbed in and scooted down so her toes fell just over the edge. She hugged one pillow to her chest, while the other was bunched in a ball underneath her head. She pulled the blankets to her chin and closed her eyes. This was how she loved it. This was how she was comfortable. Of course she loved school, and of course she would miss her friends while the summer months passed by. But this was as good enough as a distraction as any. Hermione slowly tumbled into dreamland and her excited breathing slowed to a rhythmic beat.
The corridor was dark, gloomy, and cold. It looked right out of Hogwarts, but somehow, she knew it wasn't. There was a light on, in a room just to the left of her. She peered through the glass panel in the doorframe, and saw her parents. They were holding hands and…crying? What was going on? She reached for the door handle, but it gave her an electric shock. Surprised, she pulled her hand away. Giving one last look towards her parents, she continued to walk down the corridor. She came to a fork in the hallway. The left side looked bright and warm, but the side to her right was the complete opposite. She peered over her shoulder, thinking of her parents. She decided to go to the right, hoping to find what was making her parents cry. There was a single beam of light in the middle of the hallway, coming from a window. She peered in the window, and saw a room. But it was different; it was a room without a door. The only gateway to this room was the window she was looking in. There were three people in the room, Harry, Ron, and someone with red hair she didn't recognize. But there was something else, something she couldn't see. She blinked her eyes, and the object came into focus. Unbelieving, she screamed.
"Hermione! Hermione! Hermione, wake up!" Hermione shook from whomever had a firm grasp on her shoulders. She had to see what was wrong, what was that thing? But the person was very persistent, and Hermione was compelled to open her eyes. When she did, she realized that they were wet. Her cheeks, hair, and the front of her shirt were drenched. She peered up, to see her mother, her eyes wet as well.
"Mum? Why are you crying?" Hermione was worried. She'd seen her mother cry twice in her life. It wasn't something she did frequently. Hermione propped herself up on her elbows, and found her sheets to be wet as well. "What'd I do?" she asked peering around.
"Hermione, you were screaming. Horrible, horrible, shrieks. And sobbing, shaking uncontrollably. I've been up here for twenty minutes, trying to get you to stop. Twenty minutes. I was afraid that you were…thinking, or dreaming, about what happened…" Hermione's mother's voice faltered and she looked away.
"Oh, Mum. You do know then?"
"Oh sweetie, I'm so, so sorry that something like that happened to you. That's not fair. What kind of awful person would do such a thing to a sweet girl like you?"
"Mum," Hermione said it slowly, unsure of how to explain what had happened. "Mum, remember Ron?" Her mother nodded her head; they had met in Diagon Alley. "And remember his family?"
"Quite big, if I remember correctly."
Hermione smiled. "Yeah, and that wasn't even all of them. But do you remember the twins, Fred and George?"
"Yes Hermione, but what does this have to do with anything?"
"Mum, it was George. He's the one who…"
"What?" Her mother put a hand on her mouth, and stood up.
"But Mum, you have to understand, it wasn't his fault…"
"Wasn't his fault? Hermione, dear, you do understand the concept of rape, do you not?"
"I do Mum, but it wasn't rape. Didn't Dumbledore tell you? It wasn't his fault; he was under a spell, Mum. Nothing to do with the real person, George. It wasn't really him." But her mother wasn't listening. Instead, she was pacing back in forth, one hand on her mouth, muttering. "Mum, please don't flip out. We should talk."
"Yes. And we will. But, first, I just don't want you talking to Ron, or communicating with his family anymore."
"MUM! No! Ron had nothing to do with this! He's my best friend! You can't do that!"
"Yes I can! And I just did! Nothing. None of those owls, or, whatever else you people use. No communication. At school, as well."
"Us people? What's that supposed to mean? You hate me, don't you Mum? You hate me because of what I am." Hermione was agitated with her mother, they had been arguing all vacation. Her mother had kept complaining about Hogwarts and how long Hermione was gone. This was the last straw.
"Don't talk like that Hermione."
"No! From the beginning, you and Dad have hated me, because I couldn't take over the office and be a dentist just like you always wanted me to be. You hate the fact that I'm a witch. Why don't you just come out and say it?"
"Hermione, please…"
"What Mum? Is it too hard for you? To keep concealing the truth, I mean. You have your chance. Go on, tell me the truth."
"Hermione…"
"Take it or leave it Mum."
"Fine. Is this what you want to hear? I hate that you're a witch. I hate that you can't be a dentist. And I hate having you gone for ten months of the year. But I don't hate you. You are my daughter, and I'm supportive of whatever your decisions are. I may not like them, but that doesn't mean I won't like you."
"Can you just…please, just go." There was a small owl tapping on her window. Her mother left, near tears.
Hermione pushed open the screen on her window and admitted in Pidwedgion. He proudly stuck his leg in front of her and she untied the small piece of parchment on his leg. She didn't have anything to give the small owl, so she tried to shoo him out the window. When she finally succeeded, she opened up the parchment and found a hastily scribbled note.
Dear Hermione,
Harry's coming to spend the summer here cause my cousin is transferring to Hogwarts and my family thought it would be best if she met some people first. So, if you wanna come, just let me know, ok? Hope to see you then!
Ron
P.S. Use Floo Powder. My Dad's connected your fireplace to the network.
Hermione sat on her bed and contemplated the note. Of course she wanted to visit the Weasleys, the only problem was her parents. Her mother didn't want her to see the Weasleys, never mind the small conflict they had had a few moments ago. How would she ever convince her that she should go? It would be near impossible. But it would be worth the shot. Hermione headed down the stairs and saw her parents sitting comfortably on the couch, her mother crying, her father trying to comfort her. Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she remembered her dream. She shook her head, and turned on her heels. Seeing how upset her mother was, it probably wasn't a good time to ask for something. As she took the first step, the floor underneath her let out a nice, loud, echoing, squeak. Hermione paused.
"Hermione, dear, can you come here for a moment?" Hermione reluctantly turned, and just stood there, rooted to the spot. "Here, dear." His voice was strained, and Hermione knew when enough was enough, she wouldn't push the limits any farther. She walked over to the large ottoman on the other side of the room and sat.
"Must you sit that far away?" said her mother, her voice thick. Hermione wouldn't answer.
"What did you need to talk to me about?" Hermione could see the defiant lines in her father's forehead deepen at her words.
"Hermione," he said sternly.
"No, Jack, she has every right to be angry. I was upset earlier and said some rash things that I," she turned and looked into Hermione's eyes, "never meant. Ever. I could never have said those things to you if I wasn't upset and not thinking. Do you believe any of it? That I don't feel that you are so lucky, and so talented, and I am so proud?"
"You certainly gave me that impression, Mum."
"Honey," although he was trying to sound comforting, his voice was rather agitated, "did you not just listen to your Mother? She was not thinking. She was upset, and angry, and confused, and she wasn't in a rash mind at the time. All right? Now, let's drop the whole thing, forgive and forget, agreed?"
"Fine. I'm going to pack." Hermione rose.
"Pack? Where are you going?"
Hermione thought quickly, "The Weasleys, Charlie, the oldest is, um, he's, ah, getting married. They want my help. I should be gone the rest of the summer." She left, before they had a chance to respond.
As they watched Hermione's back, Jack looked down at his wife. "She's been drifting from us ever since she got that God forsaken letter."
"And she'll continue to do so. We're just so different. From our own daughter." They just sat there, pondering their lives, when they heard a banging from upstairs. Hermione paused at the bottom of the stairs, when Dusty came to greet her.
"Be good boy, take care of everything for me." She hesitantly stepped towards her parents. "Well, I suppose I'll see you next year then?"
"Honey, don't leave angry. You should talk with us first."
"No. I need to be there now, for the, um, wedding."
"Well, if it's urgent, I suppose…"
"Love you both, bye!" She kissed both her parents, rather quickly, then reached into the hidden drawer in the mantel and pulled out some Floo Powder. She looked into the fireplace, through in the powder and yelled, "The Burrow!" With one last look over her shoulder, she stepped into the flame.
"Hermione!" she heard her mother call out to her, but she continued on her way. As she zoomed through the fireplace, she looked carefully for the Weasleys' tattered, plaid living room set. Finally recognizing it, she jumped out and fell on her face.
Standing, she brushed the charcoal dust off her clothing. She dragged her truck out of the fireplace, than stopped and peered around.
"Hallo?" she bellowed, "Is anyone home?" The Weasley house was remarkably quiet. "Hallo? Anyone?" Frustrated, she walked towards the kitchen. Empty. Out to the back yard. Empty. To the Quidditch Pitch. Empty. No one was home.
"Great! Now what do I do?" she whispered to no one but herself. She walked back inside and made the decision to make herself at home. She grabbed the handle of her trunk and slowly made her way up to Ginny's bedroom. With a final BUMP! she made it to the landing. "Arg!" she grunted as she kicked the trunk, then began hopping on one foot in pain.
"Need any help?"
"AHHHH!" Hermione screamed, and almost fell down the stairs in her surprise.
"Woah there!" the man grabbed her arm and steadied her.
"Bill!" she cried. "How are you? And when did you get home?"
"Apparated in. That's my bedroom," he said, pointing to the door she had clearly remembered as Ginny's.
"Isn't that Ginny's?"
"Nah. Ginny decided to give up her room. She's the next floor up."
"Ah!" Hermione screamed out of pure frustration.
"What?!?" asked Bill, completely surprised by her reaction.
"This stupid thing," she said, punctuating each word with a firm kick to the trunk.
"Looks like you've been having fun, huh?" She sneered at him, causing him to snicker. "Why don't you just…oh yeah! Good ol' Hogwarts, 'No Magic During Summer Break'."
"Not just Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic."
"Nope, they just say that to scare you. Really its all Hogwarts. Those notes from the Ministry are frauds. Pretty tricky of them, eh?"
"Pretty annoying."
"You're a little testy, aren't you?"
"Bad row with my mum, that's all. Kinda left without really getting any sort of permission. But don't tell your mum, she'll send me straight home."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Now, what do you say, let's get this trunk up there, and then the two of us can start with dinner. Mum, Dad, and everyone else are waiting for Uncle Tom."
"Uncle Tom? The accountant?"
"Yeah, turns out he's got some of that wizard blood in him. His daughter's a witch. Been ignoring the Hogwarts letters for years, finally Mum decided to do something about it. All right, here we go," he hoisted the trunk into the air, and started up the stairs with it towards Ginny's bedroom.
Hermione started to head up after him, but then heard the front door slam open, then the voices of Harry and all the Weasleys carried through the house up to her. She ran down the stairs, smiling.
"Bill! You sound like a herd of elephants!" Mrs. Weasley shouted in the direction of the noise. Hermione walked down the stairs and saw Harry and Ron heading out the back door, broomsticks under their arms, obviously all set for a nice game of Quidditch. Mr. Weasley turned and saw Hermione sneaking up on them. Hermione put her finger to her lips, motioning for quiet, and Mr. Weasley got the idea.
"Ron, you haven't heard from Hermione yet, have you?"
"No, Dad. I just sent Pig yesterday. She'll answer, she always does." Just as he was finishing his sentence, Hermione leapt on his back. He screamed bloody murder and spun around waving his arms. Harry and Mr. Weasley were doubled over with laughter. When Ron finally figured out it was Hermione, he whipped her over in some fancy kung fu type move, and landed with his stomach on her foot. He whipped out his wand and held it to her head.
"Don't, don't make me do it!" he said, sounding close to tears.
"Please, sir, please don't. I'll make it worth your while." She dropped her eyebrow seductively, and somehow, in her awkward position on the floor, managed to strike a rather seducing pose.
"All right, I suppose, but only if it's worth my while!" He reached his hand to hers, and pulled her off the ground.
"Hey 'Mione," said Harry, as he hugged her, slightly uneasy. As they had grown older, they had become closer, as friends of course, but Harry still seemed uneasy and awkward hugging Hermione, although she insisted.
"Hermione! Hey girl!" Ginny came up behind her.
"Hey Gin. How are you?"
"All right, I suppose. But who can ever be fine with these two goons in the house?" she punched Harry and Ron respectively in the stomach as she passed through to the door. In her older years, Ginny had come into her own and matured a lot. She no longer cared about Harry (although her diary told a different story, that should be saved for another time), she wasn't as self-conscious, and she had truly bloomed. Many a times, Hermione had felt awkward standing next to her, feeling belittled.
"Anyway, who's this cousin? Where is she?"
"Aw, she's coming," said Harry, and his cheeks flushed. Hermione noticed, but didn't mention it. Teasing Harry would not be a good way to start the final month of their holiday. Hermione heard a grunt and saw Fred and George each walk in with a trunk balanced on each shoulder. She looked away from each, not yet willing to deal with the many awkward times that were sure to be ahead of them.
"Well, this is it, Persephone here we are."
"Thank you boys. I really hope you don't mind."
"Nope, not at all," said Fred, rolling his eyes. Obviously, their mother hadn't given them much of a choice. Persephone stepped through the door way and Hermione couldn't help but to gasp, she was the other person in her dream.
A/N: Hola everyone! Oh it felt so great to write this. I've been itching for so long to write something. And I'm so glad that it is this! I'm really looking forward to writing this series (a good sign, right?) To all you loyal readers who also read Omegantisonis, I say hello. To all new comers who haven't read Omegantisonis, I do hope you will, but I'll leave you a short summary at the end of this A/N. Do I have anything significant to say? Not really, except to thank Elise and Ashlie for putting up with my crap by reading and re-reading this story till I finished. I put them through hell. And if Laura is reading this (she knows who she is!), you rock! And I'm pretty sure that's it! Love you all!
Jen
Summary of Omegantisonis:
Ron is found out to be an unknown type of wizard, an Omegantisonis, a wizard who can perform spells without a wand. His determination to revenge against Malfoy using this power backfires on him when it hits George rather than Malfoy. The spell has a reverse effect on George and turns him evil. George goes about being completely evil and doing evil things (such as raping Hermione, who was dating Fred at the time and confused George for Fred). Eventually all turned out well, except Malfoy died. Boo-hoo. Oh. And this is the summer before their sixth year. Hope that was enough info! If not- e-mail me!