A/N: Hey guys! This is another short chapter, which took a completely unexpected turn of events. Because of work and class picking up, I might need to change to an updating schedule of every two weeks. As of now, part three to this chapter will be out next Sunday.
Hermione stared at the creature in front of her. Moonlight illuminated Black's pale skin, providing light for the rest of her face. The darkness created a halo around the professor. She looked to be one with night itself.
"Would you care to explain why I just found you, a student, gallivanting throughout the Forbidden Forest?"
The brunette found herself floundering. This is what she was scared of. She broke the rules, and she was caught. Once again, things went wrong.
Hermione took a closer look at her professor. While the night certainly… enhanced her appearance, she also almost looked to be shimmering.
Is she sweating?
It took but a short few seconds to realize she had not simply been found; Black was following her. Sweat clung to the woman's hair line. Her chest, while rising steady, took longer to take in air. Hermione didn't know Black was even capable of perspiration.
"Granger! I should deduct house points for this behavior. Now answer my question," Black demands harshly.
The tone took Hermione aback. Black rarely used the tone on her. Sure, she would pick on her in class, but the professor had rarely sounded so upset with her. It made Hermione want to run, and itch was growing in her calves from remaining stationary.
The anxiety that had been building since the schools arrived reached its crescendo, and with that left Hermione's filter.
"Why don't you?! It wouldn't be anything new for you; everyone knows you despise Gryffindor! You take points from us every day for the most mundane of reasons! It's not like it'll make a difference anyways. They'll still-"
Up until this point, Black had been rather quiet. It seemed Hermione was the only student with the gall to stand up to her. The disrespect would have left anyone else jinxed into silence.
"They'll still what?" Black asked. There was a dangerous hint to her voice.
Hermione looked at her feet and pulled her cloak more securely around her thin frame, suddenly feeling the chill air of the night. Black took a step towards her and her outline was now all Hermione could see. The smell of fire whiskey and mint invaded her senses. Hermione found herself leaning forward, like a moth to a flame. The professor's scent was like a drug to her. Once she got a taste, she just didn't want to let it escape her.
Hermione only realized what she was doing when her forehead bumped into Black's shoulder. Everything felt so utterly clear, as if any other moment in her life had occurred within a dense fog.
"Granger..." The professor said, voice coming out choked.
Hermione launched back in an effort to put some distance between her and the other witch. She tripped in her haste to get away. A pair of arms halted her descent, bringing a sense of warmth to her body. Hermione linguistically grabbed onto Black's shoulders for support. They were even closer now than before. The long hood hanging over Black's face might as well of covered her as well now too.
"You're simply extraordinary, Hermione."
The brunette had never hear the woman speak so softly, nor had anyone spoken to her with such a lilt in their voice. In all honesty, it was probably one of the kindest things ever spoken to her.
She called me Hermione…
The only person that Black regularly addressed by their first name was Draco, and that was likely because of their familial relation. This was the second time the woman had used her first name.
Hermione's brows scrunched together in concentration. She couldn't figure out why Black would speak to her in such a way. All she had accomplished in doing was portray the part of an emotional, clumsy, fool.
Why?
At the sound of rustling in the trees, Hermione was quickly spun around Black to where she was covered by her back. The professor still had one arm securely holding onto Hermione while the other was pointing a wand in the direction of the noise. As the sound came closer, Hermione felt Black tense up in front of her.
"If I tell you to run, then run," Black ordered quietly. Hermione wanted to protest, but one thing she learned about the Forbidden Forrest was that she was no match for it. Even still, the idea of leaving her professor behind ignited further more anxiety, perhaps even more than she originally had.
The closer the noise came, the more Hermione realized they were just footsteps- human footsteps. She relaxed, but Black only tensed up more.
"Troll? No, they're too loud. I would already see them. Werewolf? Too quick. A giant is out of the question."
Knowing Black was nervous re-increased Hermione's own fears. "Vampire? Windigo?" Hermione questioned quietly. The hand still holding onto her arm squeezed tightly, enough to cause discomfort. A hushing noise reached her ears, but it could have easily been whispers from the wind. This far from the castle, Hermione was able to feel the more mild parts of the storm. Luckily, they were still protected from the rain.
Is that groaning…?
Silent swears could quickly be heard.
"Fucking forest… Short end of the straw… Trouble for being late…"
Hermione recognized the voice, as did her professor. They both relaxed. Black lowered her arm and Hermione was finally allowed to move again. She remained close to Black though, finding comfort in her presence. Before either of them could alert their presence, Tonks found her way around a rather large tree, putting her just a few feet from Black.
"OH BLOODY FUCKING- Auntie Bella?" Tonks had been about to cast a spell on them, for which Black prepared for, wand outstretched defensively. "What are- Hermione? What are you two doing out here? Shouldn't you be welcoming the other schools?"
Hermione would have made a comment about Auntie Bella had the woman in question not turned to her with a demanding look. She should have known the matter would not be dropped. It all came back to her: Gabrielle… Fleur…
She never loved you.
The words were whispered eerily in her head. Even though Hermione knew they had not been spoken out loud, she still found herself looking around frantically. Her sudden movements resulted in her companions jumping, Black more subtly than Tonks.
"Don't do that Hermione!" Tonks admonished. She had her arms crossed over her chest, wand grasped tightly in her dominant hand. Black rolled her eyes at the display, attempting to pass off that she had been startled.
"Granger, I am still waiting for my answer, and I am becoming rather impatient," Black said, an edge to her voice once again.
You've always been a bother.
Hermione's eyes were wide and staring straight ahead. Black was in front of her, but she looked through the professor.
This can't just be the forrest. It doesn't play trick on people like this.
"Silence is not going to help your case."
They'll just hurt you, just like everyone else.
"I am starting to lose my patience, Granger."
Your mother, your father…
"Granger…" Black's voice was becoming low. Under normal circumstances, Hermione would have heed its' silent warning, but it was only going in one ear and out another.
Tonks took a step towards her, hand outstretched. "Hermione, are you-"
Fleur…
The muggles…
Come to me. You will be free of the manipulations binding you to this land. You will be free of those using you for their own bidding.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. To her, the words were yelled, but to the listeners they were unrecognizable mumbles.
Tonks and Black were in front of Hermione, but all she could see was the dark, foggy forest around her.
"We need-"
They will take you away.
Come to me. I can tell you what has brought me here, what cursed this land.
I witnessed it. I witnessed it all. He was sacrificed. The boy was not meant to die.
"What boy? Who?" Hermione's voice still came out near silent. Tonks touched Hermione worriedly, only for the brunette to scream and swat her hand away.
"Hermione!" Two voices yelled out in unison.
Hurry to me. I will keep you safe from the lies, from the hurt.
Together we will purify this land of its' sins.
Come to me, child of prophecy, you are the only hope.
Hermione was running. She did not know where she was headed, nor did she pay attention to the witches tailing her, or the screaming that came from their mouths. She followed an invisible thread that was connected to her navel. It was pulled tight, only loosening once she came closer to her destination.
So close, chosen one.
Keep coming. Faster. Closer. You're almost here.
Hermione burst forth into a small clearing. Even without the trees it still remained dark. Less light seemed to come from the moon. The natural fog of the forest thickened, becoming darker, almost black. Hermione's eyes widened when she saw a lone figure standing at the center of the bit of land. It looked like death itself.
I am not death, child.
Come to me. I will protect you.
Forget loneliness. There will be no use of it when you are with me.
"Hermione!"