There's No Place Like Home
Chapter One
Memories
She had never imagined that the Great Hall could look so wondrous. The floating candles were glowing gently, but brighter than ever. The house tables were gleaming from being cleaned recently for the welcome feast.
Hermione walked over to the Gryffindor table. One evening shimmered into her mind.
"Hello, Granger," a cold, silky voice said, "Enjoying your Christmas this year? You won't be much longer."
Before she could turn from her dinner to say something to Malfoy, he was gone.
"Don't worry, 'Mione," it was Harry. "He can't do anything to you. It's just empty threats."
"Mm-hm?" She didn't agree with Harry. There was something about Malfoy's tone of voice that told her otherwise.
When Hermione was walking back to Gryffindor Tower from her usual late night at the library, she saw something hanging from the ceiling in the corridor. Once she saw what it was, she screamed.
"Crookshanks! NO!!"
Someone had slit the cat's throat and spooned out his eyes.
Sobbing, she ran as fast as she could, not watching where she was going.
Hermione finally looked up. Seeing a statue, she tossed herself behind it and sank down to the floor, drawing her knees to her chest, crying into them. (something about this sentence seems odd. I imagine that you mean that she knelt on the floor, and then bent all the way down with her head at her knees – or did you mean that she sat on the floor, and then drew her knees up to her chest? Not a big deal either way but I got distracted by trying to visualize her exact position). She didn't realize that someone had heard her until they touched her shoulder and said, "Are you alright?"
Surprised, she looked up to see who it was.
~No! Not Snape! Why does it have to be him?~
She hid her face in her legs, hoping that he would go away and leave her alone. Instead, something very strange happened.
His arms reached around her, and she found her head on his chest, sobs getting softer and softer until she fell asleep…
When she awoke, Hermione was back in her Head Girl room. Looking down, she saw that she was in her light blue nightgown.
~How did that happen? How did I even get back here?~
"Ah, You're awake," a relieved voice said.
Hermione jerked her head around and saw someone who should never, ever be in her rooms. She saw Professor Snape at her door with a tray filled with food. Memories of what happened earlier flashed through her head, and she started to cry again.
Snape set the tray down on her bedside table and cupped Hermione's face in his large hands.
"What is it? What happened to change your 'I-don't-care-what-anyone-thinks' look? Or your 'I'll-show-you-I'm-strong' one? You never cry. Not even when I or Malfoy lash out at you."
She glared at him.
"Why should I tell you? You aren't my head-of-house, only the potions teacher. Get out, or there'll be even more questions about your where your loyalties lie. Don't mess with me, sir, or you will regret it."
When Snape didn't move, she yelled, "Get OUT!"
They held a funeral for Crookshanks. All of Gryffindor came to it, even McGonagall. In front of the sea of black cloaks was Hermione. Crying softly behind a black lace veil, she walked over to her beautiful cat's tomb stone. Engraved into it was this:
Rest here, beloved cat, whose young life was cut off by cruel, thoughtless murder. You live on in our hearts, and our dreams. We love you, Crookshanks.
After placing her flowers in front of the stone, Hermione was escorted back to her rooms by Harry and Ron, people comforting her as she passed.
All of this was watched by a dark, looming figure.
Professor Hermione Granger felt a tear trickle down her cheek and quickly wiped it away. She then walked over to where she would be sitting at meals, and sat down.
She rummaged in her bag for her book, and started to read.
"I see you've come back to Hogwarts, Miss Granger. And you still read books every second of the day. Hmph," the cold voice smirked.
"It's Professor Granger, now, and you shall address me as such. It's getting chilly in here. I think I'll go a settle in to my rooms. Goodbye, Professor Snape," Hermione said in her coldest voice.
I'm sorry the chapter wasn't so good. I did most of this while in school. The teachers almost caught me! I would like to thank these people for reviewing:
shadowcat1990: How is it 'not right'? Do you mean the pairing? Because it's SUPPOSED to be that way. If you don't like it, don't read it. That's all I have to say.
PixieDust590: Lol. I think I emailed you the information. If not, just email me and I will tell you. I'm glad you like it so far!
PottersGirl5990: I'm glad you think it's interesting, and I hope you will like it.
leonsalanna: *grins* I'm glad you won't be givin' me flames. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
LE: I'm very glad you liked it! I hope the wait for the next chapter won't be too long. I'm half-way done writing it, then my beta-reader has to check it.
Tropic Of Scorpio: And I think that's an interesting and creative way of signing. ^_^
Snapecake: Thank you for saying please. I'm glad to know someone 'loves' it, so far. ^______________^
I would also like to thank my amazing beta-reader, Kate, for fixing what I messed up in this chapter. *huggles* I'll try to type up the next one soon!