Disclaimer: Rowlings. No money made.
Shine On Me
By Weekid
Prologue
* * * * * * *
There's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
January 1996
She tightened her arms around herself. Her lips were pressed together so tight, that they resembled a light pink line on her pale face. Even her eyes glinted with anger, as she looked at the young man – boy, who stood next to her. How dare he say that about Professor Snape!
"Don't you even dare to think that! He might be a Royal Bastard, but he does work for the … " Hermione paused, looked around and continued in a whisper, just in case, "Order of the Phoenix." She said, her voice barely audible above the wind's cries. Ignoring Ron's exasperated sigh, she concentrated on blowing smoke -, or should I rather say water- vapour-rings in the sub-zero temperature.
"He sure does make a convincing Greasy Overgrown Git of a Death Eater." Ron replied, obviously still quite vexed. "I just wonder, how much of it is an act. I would wet my pants with joy if I ever found out that he does work for Vol – Vol – He Who Must Not Be Named."
A low chuckle was emitted from Hermione's throat.
"Ron, darling. That shade of red simply does not go with your hair! How many times have I told you that red cheeks are not very flattering on one with red hair" She smirked at him. "Back to the subject, it's VOLDEMORT, Ron! When will you ever learn to say it? Remember – fear of the name increases the power he has over you!"
Only an uncomfortable silence greeted her this time. Ron had stopped shivering at the mention of His name, but he did not feel comfortable, all the same. The threat was still hanging over their heads, each day, each night. The Dark Lord was still in power, growing stronger every second.
She blew a lock of brown bushy hair from her face and sighed. "Can't we go inside already? Harry's been up there for ages. I don't see the point in US freezing down here while HE has all the fun. And remind me again, why are we talking about Snape of all things?"
"Good point!"
Ron raced to the broom shed muttering under his breath, curses, no doubt. Irony was clearly lost on the poor boy. Thankfully for Hermione, she had learnt how to subtly exploit Ron's irrational jealousy of Harry. Thankfully for him, he had finally found the a way to cope with, and recognise one of his best friends famous 'moods', and knew when to leave her alone.
She stuffed her hands in her pockets in a vain attempt to keep them sheltered from the biting frost and wind and started to walk away from the Quidditch pitch. Her thoughts once again turned to herself. She had always been good at school, but now she was no longer sure that it was completely due to her obsessive-compulsive thirst for knowledge, not to mention the fact that she had devoured practically the whole library, including over half of the restricted section, accompanied by Harry's invisibility cloak.
Lately, she had startled not only herself, but also her professors, by knowing answers to questions she wasn't even supposed to be aware existed. It was almost like having fragments of hazy memories, or dreams, of another person's life twirling and mixing with her own. Blaming it on her constantly over-active imagination, she tried to shove the strange thoughts out of her mind.
"Poppycock!" She said, as she kicked a stone. "Utter nonsense. Get a grip Granger."
As she neared the school, she found herself being drawn towards a small crack in the wall a couple of feet away from the main doors. Strange, she thought, how I have never noticed that particular flaw yet. Hermione inched towards the dark line at the base of the stairway, carefully hidden from the prying eye.
Her fingers were tingling with excitement, and she felt her stomach tighten with anticipation as she squeezed her lithe frame between the large stones the caste of Hogwarts was made from. Slowly she was getting closer to her goal. The heat was getting more intense by the minute.
It was summoning her.
Her heart was beating so hard, she feared someone would come out of the school to investigate. There's nothing wrong in this, she thought to herself, I just want to get – closer – to that – that - .. Her vision was defiled with small black spots, dizziness making her small body tremble. Hands shaking, she reached the final inches to touch the slit deep in the wall.
Ecstasy poured over her, filling each cell with the floating feeling of wellbeing. Images filled her mind, so fast that she could not keep up with them. Tremors wracked her body. Not only could she now Remember everything, she could also Feel. Emotions so strong, she could not comprehend them completely. His graceful hands on her sweat licked hips. A sharp pain in her head.
Finally, after a seemingly timeless period, exhaustion took over her. "Ve – Verus", she managed to croak before succumbing to oblivion.