Chapter One:
Secrets
Hermione woke and looked out of the dormitory window like she did every morning, but this morning was different. Nothing would ever be the same again. Hermione couldn't believe what Harry had told her and Ron the night before. Parts of it were still sinking in. The prophecy they had thought was lost, had been heard, years before, and it changed everything. Harry hadn't told them, right away hat had been said in Dumbledore's office, but now the truth was out.
Either Harry or Voldemort had to die. They could not co-exist. One of them would be killed. One killed by the other. It was all just too much. They all knew that someday they would have to face him again, but not like this. Not with this weighing over their heads.
Hermione shuddered at the thought of facing Voldemort. The name alone sent shudders down her spine. And the thought of Harry dying, that was even worse. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let the man she loved die!
The man she loved…Of course, she had never admitted this to him. Her heart had broken every day watching him pine for Cho Chang, and then trying to be supportive when it didn't work out between them. Ron knew. He had seen the pain in her eyes, but he'd promised not to tell.
Hermione dressed and went down to the common room to meet Harry and Ron. Lessons started today. How was she to concentrate? How could life go on?
"Hermione, you alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost", Harry looked at her with concern.
"I'm fine, just, nothing feels…right…. Not anymore.".
"Maybe I shouldn't have told you…."
"Are you kidding, mate? I'm still mad you didn't tell us sooner" laughed Ron, but even his laughter was hollow.
"Life will go on you know" said Harry," Everything's going to be fine".
"Fine? Fine, Harry?" Hermione exclaimed," Nothing will ever be fine again!".
The common room was almost empty now, only Ginny remained. Curled up in an armchair reading by the fire. Hearing Hermione's outburst, she got up and left through the portrait hole.
"Look, Harry, go on to breakfast, we'll catch you up", said Ron.
"Ok" said Harry uncertainly, looking happy to get away.
"Hermione, you've got to get a grip!" Ron said as soon as the portrait hole slammed behind him. "Pull yourself together!".
"I can't!", Hermione exclaimed, tears forming behind her dark eyes.
"Look, if you don't stop acting so weird, he's going to know something's up!"
"I can't help it!" she cried freely now.
"Why don't you just tell him?"
"Ron! He doesn't feel that way about me!"
"You'll never know for sure unless you say something!"