All Harry Potter properties belong to J. K. Rowling. I'm just futzing around with her ideas.
As always my thanks goes to: PhoenixGirl97, Lost O'Fallon Girl, .96780, KEZZ 1, flyingberry and a guest for reviewing. Also to: F75, mrandrewsforever and Katie89005 for putting this on their alerts; as well as to: Katie89005 for putting this on their favorites. Thanks!
Enjoy!
oOo
The warm bathwater lapped at Hermione's ankles as she slowly made her way into her private bath. She took a deep breath of the rose oil that had been released into the water and deliberately loosened her muscles in an attempt to relax. Candles were the only illumination in the large bathroom and the smoky scent blended in nicely.
There were times of great stress in Hermione's life in which only a long and productive trip to the library would soothe all of her worries. Then there were times that in her search for answers, reading would only exacerbate the problem. The young witch had a tendency to over think.
An understatement, but Hermione had come to painful terms with the fact. It had been difficult identifying when she was obsessing and when it was prudent to run everything over and over in her mind.
This was one of those times in which her mind was going too fast for even her body to keep up with. She could not sleep and a bitter migraine was tearing her brain apart.
Hermione carefully lowered herself to a sitting position in the water and closed her eyes. It was not enough to drown out the self-commendation.
Dumbledore had willingly asked her to become a criminal of the worst kind. To change time for his own selfish needs. Did that make her immoral if she agreed to his plan? She was obviously changing time. Hermione was equipping a group of people with an unfair amount of experience that only someone involved with a war could have had. How would that change things?
She doubted it would be enough to win a war. Hermione was experienced, but she was hardly a prodigy like Harry.
Did she even want the war to be won so early? How would that change Harry's life? Ron's? Hers?
Would it keep Frank and Alice from being tortured? Would it keep Sirius alive?
Would Remus and Tonks still have died, leaving little Teddy to his grandmother and godfather?
Hermione gagged on thick bile and shook her head. Taking a deep breath, she screwed her eyes shut and slipped under the water. It was black and she could still feel the slick tub underneath her and her hair floating around her face. But her lungs were burning and her heart was pounding a million times per minute.
Which was good. There were times in which Hermione did not need to think.
Words: 410
oOo
Coming up: There are times when Remus needs to think.
*Note: For those of you who are wondering, the plot is going to pick up pace in about 3 chapters. Also, we hit the end of the beginning portion of this story at about chapter 31, so maybe that will give you guys a clue about how long this whole beastie is going to turn out to be. Thanks again for reading and many thanks goes to those who review! It really helps to talk (type) things out.
Anon Review Replies:
Guest: I'm glad you like it. Thank you very much for the feedback.