The Rape of the Lock
Prologue- Tragically Romantic Train Ride
Just a reminder: this story is rated 'R' for sex, language, and violence in later chapters.
If you enjoy it, hate it, or read it at all please drop me a line by clicking 'review'. (Hale Comet)
THERAPEOFTHELOCK
The last year at Hogwarts. The last year in her life to be a child, to be free of obligation, to roam the halls and take innocent delight in their trickery. The last time to play with Harry and Ron, before everyone went their separate ways.
Soon, they would graduate, and take positions with the Ministry of Magic, at some wizardly publication, for some Quidditch team, or undercover in the muggle world. Everyone was so tremendously excited about graduation, even on the train to school in the Fall! Just imagine what it will be like just after Christmas break!
Or don't imagine. Hermione tried to think of this as a happy time, one where she could share in her friends' excitement. Oh, nothing tragic ever happened to Hermione. Nothing really. She was so smart, top marks, she'll go far. A tear fell in her lap. She didn't want to go at all.
Out there, in the world, how was she to find her place? She was smart enough to be first in her class, yes-- but she was also smart enough to know that there would be no class ranking when she left Hogwarts. Nobody would know her genius with books, or her sharp analytical mind. Without her smarts to hide behind, nobody knew who she was. Not even Hermione.
So, during the train ride, she pretended to smile when she was really gritting her teeth, and laughed to remind herself that she would feel better soon, that travel, especially on trains, always makes people tragic romantics for a time. She bit her lip to stop the pricks behind her eyes, and wished she could make them bright like Ron's, wise like Harry's, instead of sharp and clouded and lonely.
THERAPEOFTHELOCK
"Head Girl!" yelled Ron at the feast, "why in Hell didn't you tell us?"
"I-- I guess I just forgot," blushed Hermione.
Harry smiled at her. "Well, bully for you, anyway. I knew you had it all along."
Hermione studied her fork absentmindedly. "All that responsibility. Hate to think of what it will do to my studies."
"Oh, shut up. You know you love it." Ron pulled out a childish insult.
"Oh, all the sudden you know how I feel?" Hermione joked back automatically, and gave a little apologetic gasp at the look on Ron's face.
Harry, ignorant for the moment of the undertones of the conversation, was studying Hermione's schedule and scowling. "You're taking almost all different classes than Ron and me."
"I know, it couldn't be helped. I've been taking extra credits for the past couple years, you know that, so I've already had the ones you guys were signed up for."
Ron looked disappointed. "I suppose there's always eating."
Hermione looked away. Always, Ron? Really? Is that what you think? Maybe that's why everyone else is taking this so well. She didn't want to say it out loud . . . Ron was being so pleasant after their ordeal the year before. One failed romance couldn't spoil a six-year friendship.
But Hermione found it a bit difficult to talk to him about anything deep without feeling his lips on hers, and his fingers brushing her neck. Oh, funny Ron, oh, friendly Ron, oh, forgotten brother Ron. Deep as an ocean, and if she ever opened up to him she'd find herself swimming again.
--------------------
Author's Note: For anyone who's familiar with this story, it has been slightly revised. A few parts have been changed (some even due to reader reviews!) and chapters have been consolidated (except for the first, which acts here as a prologue). Thanks to everyone who reads, and keep on!
Prologue- Tragically Romantic Train Ride
Just a reminder: this story is rated 'R' for sex, language, and violence in later chapters.
If you enjoy it, hate it, or read it at all please drop me a line by clicking 'review'. (Hale Comet)
THERAPEOFTHELOCK
The last year at Hogwarts. The last year in her life to be a child, to be free of obligation, to roam the halls and take innocent delight in their trickery. The last time to play with Harry and Ron, before everyone went their separate ways.
Soon, they would graduate, and take positions with the Ministry of Magic, at some wizardly publication, for some Quidditch team, or undercover in the muggle world. Everyone was so tremendously excited about graduation, even on the train to school in the Fall! Just imagine what it will be like just after Christmas break!
Or don't imagine. Hermione tried to think of this as a happy time, one where she could share in her friends' excitement. Oh, nothing tragic ever happened to Hermione. Nothing really. She was so smart, top marks, she'll go far. A tear fell in her lap. She didn't want to go at all.
Out there, in the world, how was she to find her place? She was smart enough to be first in her class, yes-- but she was also smart enough to know that there would be no class ranking when she left Hogwarts. Nobody would know her genius with books, or her sharp analytical mind. Without her smarts to hide behind, nobody knew who she was. Not even Hermione.
So, during the train ride, she pretended to smile when she was really gritting her teeth, and laughed to remind herself that she would feel better soon, that travel, especially on trains, always makes people tragic romantics for a time. She bit her lip to stop the pricks behind her eyes, and wished she could make them bright like Ron's, wise like Harry's, instead of sharp and clouded and lonely.
THERAPEOFTHELOCK
"Head Girl!" yelled Ron at the feast, "why in Hell didn't you tell us?"
"I-- I guess I just forgot," blushed Hermione.
Harry smiled at her. "Well, bully for you, anyway. I knew you had it all along."
Hermione studied her fork absentmindedly. "All that responsibility. Hate to think of what it will do to my studies."
"Oh, shut up. You know you love it." Ron pulled out a childish insult.
"Oh, all the sudden you know how I feel?" Hermione joked back automatically, and gave a little apologetic gasp at the look on Ron's face.
Harry, ignorant for the moment of the undertones of the conversation, was studying Hermione's schedule and scowling. "You're taking almost all different classes than Ron and me."
"I know, it couldn't be helped. I've been taking extra credits for the past couple years, you know that, so I've already had the ones you guys were signed up for."
Ron looked disappointed. "I suppose there's always eating."
Hermione looked away. Always, Ron? Really? Is that what you think? Maybe that's why everyone else is taking this so well. She didn't want to say it out loud . . . Ron was being so pleasant after their ordeal the year before. One failed romance couldn't spoil a six-year friendship.
But Hermione found it a bit difficult to talk to him about anything deep without feeling his lips on hers, and his fingers brushing her neck. Oh, funny Ron, oh, friendly Ron, oh, forgotten brother Ron. Deep as an ocean, and if she ever opened up to him she'd find herself swimming again.
--------------------
Author's Note: For anyone who's familiar with this story, it has been slightly revised. A few parts have been changed (some even due to reader reviews!) and chapters have been consolidated (except for the first, which acts here as a prologue). Thanks to everyone who reads, and keep on!
