Disclaimer: Blah, blah . . . not mine . . . blah . . . all J.K. Rowling's
I realize this chapter is short and sweet, but I'm setting up for a few rather long chapters, so don't lose hope!
Harry lay in bed, tossing back and forth. Hermione's journal lay under his pillow. He had put it there to discourage Ron from reading it but found that the such close proximity had only increased his urge to take a peek. Harry flipped onto his stomach. As much as he wanted to find out what was going on with Hermione, he respected her privacy more. At least that's what he wanted to believe. In truth, his fear of Hermione's hexes far outweighed reading her journal. Harry chuckled. Hermione could curse with the best of them.
Still thinking about the journal, Harry felt himself slowly drift into slumber. His dreams, however, were dark and disturbing, forcing him to awaken several times during the night. One particular dream forced Harry to a decision.
Lightning streaked across the enchanted ceiling as Harry fought Ron in a valiant game of wizard's chess. He had just moved his castle to a crucial position when the doors to the Great Hall burst open and Hermione rushed in.
"Harry! Ron! Help me!" Her face, devoid of color, held a panicked expression.
"What?!" Startled, both boys surrounded their friend.
"There's something the matter with me."
"Tell us," urged Ron.
"I can't. I'm under a spell that won't let me reveal anything."
"But, Hermione," Harry pleaded, "How can we help you if we don't know what's wrong?"
Hermione opened her mouth to speak but a black shadow crossed her face. Her eyes lost their usual luster and gazed unseeing into the distance.
"I can't take the pain . . ." she whispered as she turned. A cold wind brushed Harry's cheek. He shivered and, looking down, realized he and Hermione were perched on a ledge overlooking a dark abyss. Suddenly, Hermione spread her arms like an eagle and fell.
"Hermione, NO!" Harry cried as he saw his friend tumble slowly off the ledge. He looked down at his falling friend. Moonlight shone bright on her startled face. As the darkness swallowed her, the light began receding and Hermione's face shone less. With her arms and legs spread, she resembled a once beautiful star falling into obscurity. And Harry suddenly realized that he was the only one who could save her.