Alone In The Rain

Chapter Three

Escape

Her POV

I woke up, pain everywhere. I left my eyes closed, not wanting to open them quite yet. Maybe, if I leave them closed I can fool myself into thinking that I'm in my room, alone. Nothing happened last night, my trunk is not hiding under my bed, my window is not locked, everything is fine. Nope, didn't work. The arm that's laying across my stomach is like a shield to any sort of fantasy. Nothing but the agonizing reality here. I sigh and open my eyes. It's still dark out, which is what I had planned for. If I got up too late he wouldn't have let me leave. Since he's still asleep and probably will be for awhile after the amount of alcohol that he consumed last night. Ok, first before anything review the plan. Get out of the house undetected, get a cab to the station, get on train, get through dinner at school, go to Dumbledore. The catch, do all that without falling apart. Okay, I can do this. I'm Hermione Granger for goodness sakes! No, I'm not her anymore. I'm a shadow of what she used to be. I don't know who I am anymore. I thought I was smarter than this but look at me, here I am. Now, I'm just wasting time.

I slowly turn my head to double check what I already know. Yes, he's still asleep. I ever so slowly slide my way to the edge of the bed. Only once do I have to freeze because he stirs. I quietly move my way across the room that my jeans were thrown across, I slide them on, find a shirt and pull it on. My body is screaming at me the entire time but I ignore it. I have to get out of here. I squat down and whisper the shrinking spell on my trunk. My eyes dart to the bed, as I reach for my trunk he rolls over and grunts. All that's going through my head is four words that my life depends on. Please don't wake up. I successfully retrieve my trunk and tip-toe across the room and out into the hallway. I quietly run downstairs, slide one my shoes and open the front door. I leave it open so he doesn't hear it shut and as I step out onto the porch the cab I had arranged the previous day pulls up. I run to it, throw myself in the backseat and tell him where to drive.

So far the plan is a success. And without a single glance back I'm on my way to the station that will take me to safety.

I pretend not to see the strange and worried looks I receive from the cab driver. I just stare out the window and do everything in my power not to cry. To do this I think about what life at school will be like.

I made Headgirl so I would be in different sleeping quarters than the rest of the Gryffindors. Ginny would definitely have to stay with me several nights, especially in the beginning. Or, I don't know, maybe a room to myself is what I need after this summer. I wonder who Headboy is. Somehow I have a feeling I already know but secretly wish I'm wrong.

As the cab pulls to a stop I get out some money to pay the man. He just gives me a sad smile, full of pity and tells me it's on him. I look at him and hand him some cash. I don't need anyone's pity. Walking through the station the looks I receive reminds me to go fix my appearance. I look in the mirror and evaluate myself. I don't like to look in a mirror very often as of late. It's not a pretty sight. I look around and see nobody. I enlarge my trunk and pull out my make-up bag. With a lot of concealer and foundation I manage to cover-up the bruises. I change into a long sleeved shirt and layer a short sleeved one on top of it. Now suitable for public and friend appearance I look in the mirror again. There, you just got to know how to do it. Only the very skilled eye would be able to tell something was not right. I practice a smile. Perfect.

I make my way to the right platform. Not even a minute after I'm there do I bump into someone and fall to the ground. My already sore body screams at me. I look at who it is and quickly back to the ground. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." The words come out of my mouth from habit. He just walks away. I continue to sit there as I watch his feet disappear into the crowd. Okay girl, get yourself together. You're not at home anymore. This is your territory. Since when do you cower at the feet of Malfoy? Never. Now, get it together.

I pick myself up, brush the dust off and continue to the train. After finding Ron, Harry and Ginny in a compartment I hesitate for a second. Deep breath, composure, okay. I open the door. Immediately all heads turn my direction and commotion breaks out. All of them are smiling and on their feet in an instant, talking at once. "Hermione! I'm so glad to see you!" "Hermione! Why didn't you come to Rons?" "Hi, Hermione!" Ron hugs me. I can't help but flinch. I push him away and smile. I give Harry a quick hug. I notice Ginny looking at me funny. I smile the perfectly practiced smile and hug her longer than the other two. Why? I don't know. Maybe I was trying to draw strength from her.