Remnants of Life
Disclaimer: The Characters aren't mine, only the Plot. Characters are from the mind of J.K. Rowling.
Rating: PG-13
===Note===
Alright, I'm actually not certain if this is going to be a short story or a one shot. It'll depend on the reviews I guess. So, let me know if you like it, other wise the story ends here.
Chapter 1: The Comfort You Bring
The world ended when he came. Some might have described it as the age when wizarding civilization simply ceased to exist. Hermione knew it wasn't a complete destruction of the people, but of the society they had worked to create. And, it could be argued that that is just as tragic. The once lively Diagon Alley was abandoned until it was nothing more than a ghost town. Whole communities migrated to safety, or at least what they thought was safety. Eventually however, they found that such a thing existed no longer.
Hogwarts had always been considered the safe haven. The castle which had once seemed so majestic was practically falling to ruin. It was the one place on earth that she assumed would remain stable. It housed the one opponent Voldemort dared not face. But safety, like childhood, passed too soon and the sanctuary was robbed of its innocence. She realized now that there was to be no shelter from this hellish storm.
Hermione too, had lost her naïve nature and found it replaced by a solemn acceptance of what was to come. There would be no gentle return to the past. The only option was to move forward with the knowledge that there could be no true victor in this war. She realized over time that the same acceptance was adopted by every other student in the school.
She looked around her now at the sea of faces. Each one reflected some trace of hope which she knew would eventually diminish and die along with their lives as they knew it. They were all trapped together in this nightmare from which no one could awake. They were children dragged kicking and screaming toward the inevitable.
The school had gathered in the Great Hall that evening at the request of the Headmaster. Though they had no true idea of the reason for this, they all felt a slow dread creep up and chill their hearts. There was no good news to be delivered these days.
In an effort to calm them, Hermione set her features in a grim smile. They would all draw their much needed strength from her. As Head Girl, she was obligated to reassure the students that all was well. In the depths of her mind however, she knew nothing could be further from the truth.
She chanced a glance to her right and found her eyes locked to with the blonde haired Head boy whom she once loathed. Malfoy too, she saw, attempted an even expression. His eyes however, looked almost blank, as if he didn't really see what was before him. Hermione wondered briefly if he suffered the same inner torment as herself.
The assembly sat quietly as if already in understanding that this was a sorrowful occasion. The Great Hall did not echo of their laughter and chatter that night. Instead, it hung thick with dreadful expectation. No one wanted to hear what was to be said, yet everyone listened with their breathe held and their eyes wide.
The Headmaster took the podium at the front of the room. He raised his hands to draw their attention. It didn't seem to matter that all eyes were already on him long before he made the gesture.
Hermione located her seat at the head of the crowd. Malfoy soon joined her. Once the head boy and head girl were settled in their rightful places, Dumbledore began speaking.
"As you most likely have already heard, over the course of the last few months Voldemort has indeed risen to power once more." The Headmaster's voice was calm. It seemed more likely that he was simply discussing a new school rule instead of the future of their civilization.
Murmurs from the students disrupted him. Hearing the Dark lord's name voiced out loud was not something most could stand. Dumbledore raised his hands for silence before continuing.
"We know by this point that his followers have been gathered."
Hermione noticed him give a meaningful glance to Harry. If she blinked, she would have missed it.
"It is only a matter of time before he initiates an attack on Hogwarts. I thought it might be best that you all know. I'm uncertain how much your parents have revealed to you about how serious matters actually are, but be assured that they understand exactly what this means."
No, Hermione thought, her parents certainly would not know how serious things have gotten. She had chosen to keep the matter quiet in hopes that her mum and dad could live in oblivious bliss as muggles. They wouldn't know their daughter was in danger. They wouldn't know the whole of the wizarding community was dying.
"Letters have been sent to all your families. We understand perfectly if your parents would prefer to remove you from school at this time for your safety. However, please keep in mind that Hogwarts is still one of the safest places where you can reside."
Hermione lowered her head and wondered whether the statement was true. She had once considered the school to be her sanctuary; somewhere she belonged. She realized quite suddenly that it was only a place like any other. It couldn't protect her from the evils of the world. It was just an empty castle that resembled something once glorious.
Dumbledore finished his speech and the assembly was adjourned. Hermione stood slowly and led the Gryffindors out of the Great Hall. They walked through the dark corridors toward the common room. She wondered why she never noticed how cold and empty the halls were before. The torches lighting the way barely seemed to make a difference. She wondered bitterly at the cruel symbolism. The halls reflected their future; desolate and dark.
Arriving at the portrait of the fat lady, she spoke the password and ushered the students in. Harry and Ron were last. When she didn't follow behind them, they paused.
"Aren't you coming, Hermione?" Harry looked concerned. She didn't realize that her sorrow was rising to the surface. Quickly, she suppressed it and forced a smile, hoping it appeared realistic.
"I'll be there in a minute. I just need to get something from the Prefect's common room."
It was a lie of course, and Hermione felt slightly guilty, but she needed a moment to regain her composure. She wouldn't unburden herself on them. Harry had enough to deal with these days. On his shoulders the fate of all rested. It was unfortunate that someone so young should experience a lifetime's worth of tragedy.
After bidding her good night, her two best friends left her in the dark empty corridor. She waited a moment to be certain they were actually gone, then hurried off down the gloomy hallway.
The still atmosphere of the castle chilled her. Hermione shivered involuntarily and increased her pace; her steps echoing back to haunt her. The dread which had built inside her broke from her countenance. She felt a cold tear roll down her face and felt thankful that there was not another soul around to witness it.
Hermione arrived at the statue which was the entrance to the Prefects common room. Hastily, she spoke the password as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. As Head girl, she was expected to be calm. She set an example for the others, and Hermione did not wish to show the unsteady sense of hopelessness which she contained in her. There would be no one else from whom the students could draw their determination if she broke.
The statue momentarily came to life and moved from her path. The entryway to the room was small and Hermione had to duck her head to step through. She found the space dimly lit and empty. A fire crackled almost merrily in the corner, but it radiated no comfort for her.
Satisfied that she at last had privacy, Hermione allowed the brimming tears to fall. She lowered herself slowly onto the nearest couch and attempted to keep her sobs faint. They conquered her however, and echoed within the room. It made it seem as if her anguish was multiplied tenfold.
There was no hope now, she realized. The Dark Lord had risen once more and the destruction had already begun. The papers were printing stories of murders and sightings daily now. It seemed as if an innocent family perished on a regular basis during these times. All she could do now was to wait and pray that those she cherished were not among them.
When would the terror reach Hogwarts? How long before she too was trapped in the middle of this hell that had arisen? Hermione didn't want to think about the future, but found that to be impossible when it was pounding on her door. There was no escape from what was to come. The storm was brewing, and eventually they would be at the heart of it.
Her sobs quieted after a moment and she contented herself with sniffing back fresh tears. What she needed now was strength. What she desired most was hope that all might still be well in the end. She shook her head and bitterly dismissed the wish as foolish. Of course all would not be fine. Nothing in fact would ever be the same again. There would be no comfort for those who had lost. It would be impossible to wipe away the cruel memories of the past.
Distracted, she did not hear the statue move and admit a new person into the room. Hermione didn't become aware of the other's presence until she heard a purposeful cough. Looking up, she saw his startlingly silver eyes.
She felt her face flush instantly as she tried to regain her composure. Quickly, she stood and wiped away her remaining tears with her robes. Seeing that it was impossible to hide her current condition, Hermione kept her glaze lowered to avoid risking further embarrassment.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Her voice was quieter than she would have liked. Hermione wished deeply that she could return to a time when snapping at him had been so simple and easy. She discovered now that bickering took too much effort. And, these days she felt as if all energy had been drained from her.
"I wanted a moment to myself. Much like you it seems." He spoke in his usual leisurely way. It sparked a hint of irritation in Hermione.
She slowly sat down again. "As you see, the room is occupied." She prayed he would just leave her be and allow her to be swallowed by her misery.
Hermione closed her eyes to stop any further tears. When some squeezed out never the less, she ceased her efforts and choked on the sob that had been rising in her throat. More followed it and soon her vision became blurred.
She thought he had left by that point, and was startled when she felt the couch sag slightly beside her. Hermione would have made an insulting remark if not her throat seemed to have closed up completely.
If she had been surprised that Malfoy was sitting beside her, Hermione became beside herself when she felt his comforting arm around her. She tried to pull away, but found Malfoy restrained her.
"No! Leave me!" She choked out shrilly. She didn't want to be seen like this by him. Mostly, she simply didn't want to show the weakness that had been so carefully concealed.
Malfoy retained his hold however, and Hermione had no choice but to sit, still unable to regain her composure.
Quietly, he pulled her close until her head was resting on his shoulder. Under normal circumstances she would have protested. But, Hermione realized that old grudges hardly matter any longer. Nothing about her past life meant a thing to her now. It was all forgotten as she stood facing a bleak future.
Malfoy's presence was comforting in an unexpected way. She hid her face in his robes and bit her lip to quiet her sobs. He was a source of stability in these uncertain times. He was a representation of strength and pride. He was, Hermione realized, the reassuring security she had so long desired. And, desperately now, she wanted to cling to him seeking the security she lacked.
She returned the silent embrace hesitantly, but soon found her hands clutching his robes as if they guarded her from death. Her sobs were quieting now and Hermione felt confident this time they would not return. Malfoy didn't release his hold, and she felt grateful for it.
They held each other in the dimly lit room. She drew strength from him as well as warmth. His presence sparked in her the realization that she was not alone. Hermione brushed away her concerns momentarily. For what purpose would there be in dwelling in her anguish?
Hermione realized quite suddenly how insignificant they were. She and Malfoy were strangely similar; nothing but two lost souls, entirely meaningless in the world. They had no hope for the future, and there was no point in looking into the past.
Of this, she told him and wondered at what his reaction would be. He looked intently at her a moment before responding.
"No, Granger, we aren't meaningless. We exist. And, as long as we do, he can't claim victory."
She puzzled over this. What was existence after all? Couldn't it be so easily ended at the tip of Voldemort's wand?
"I don't understand." Hermione said after a pause.
Malfoy brushed a lock of hair from her face and gave her a grim smile in reply. "You'll come to." He said quite simply.
His touch distracted her from his words. Hermione noticed his fingers linger a moment longer than they should have. It was all the invitation she needed. She tilted her face up and gently touched her lips to his. Softly, she kissed him in hopes that the harsh reality of life would be conquered momentarily while she experienced rapture.
Hermione wanted a distraction which would make her forget. She wanted him to cleanse her of her pain. His kiss was tender and tasted of a sweetness that she hadn't encountered in a long while. For a brief glorious moment, it seemed as if she was rescued from her torment.
But, an instant later, Hermione could almost feel herself falling back into the fiery depths of hell. Her source of comfort pulled away from her, she had mistaken his touch for tenderness.
Her eyes remained closed in hopes that it would shield her from the harshness of his actions. Hermione felt him leave the couch and realized she was alone once more. She opened her eyes in time to see him abandon her with nothing but a tense glance. His retreating back brought a blush of shame to her cheeks. Her action had been thoughtless, and the result was painfully disgraceful.
The sound of the statue moving back into place brought fresh tears to her eyes. The room seemed emptier than ever now.
It had been a mistake on her part, she knew. She shouldn't have imagined that the boy who felt nothing could provide her with the relief she desperately needed.
===Note===
Review Please! I'll turn it into a story if you think it has potential.
-Captive