Yay! I got reviews!! BUT I NEED MOREEEE!!!!!!
Disclaimer: yeah blah blah JKR owns everything except the plot blah blah blah
Now, on to chapter 5
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Ron glanced at the quivering angel nestled in his arms, eyes closed, her breathing deep and even. He trembled slightly, unable to grasp the weight of all that had happened.
(Mrs. Granger. Dead. The dark lord. Death eaters. Hermione…) He looked down at the soft curls settled on her forehead and sighed. (Hermione… in MY arms…who would've thought?)
For once, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had spent over an hour in peaceful silence. The amused watchers at the door stood still, in fear of ruining this flash in Hogwarts' history.
After an eternity which seemed entirely too small, Harry knocked on the wooden door, jerking Ron and Hermione out of their amorous reverie.
"Hermione…" Harry said, as Ron and Hermione disentangled themselves, blushing brightly. Harry stood at the doorway, arms open, a sympathetic smile lighting his features. Hermione quickly ran to Harry and hugged him, the long-forgotten tears finding their place in her brown eyes again. Harry. Hermione. And Ron. Held together by an invisible enchanted filament, agile and strong, completing each other.
Hermione tentatively stepped down the stairs; her eyes falling on the dark shadow crouched in darkness. Ron and Harry followed her down the much-hated staircase in silence.
"Lumos" Hermione muttered, fear gripping her in its jagged clutch. The flickering light from the wand caught the man's face, illuminating the recognizable features of Remus Lupin.
Hermione raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise. Lupin turned towards the trio and smiled slightly, his gaunt face echoing their pain.
"Hello Hermione" he said, his voice barely disguising his grief. Yet, his composure calmed Hermione, relief flooding through her.
"I've been waiting for you…" Lupin retorted, a small frown creasing his face.
"Sorry" Hermione mumbled, looking rather ashamed
Lupin laughed, swiftly giving Hermione a hug. The simple gesture touched Hermione, and she smiled gratefully.
"Where's everyone?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised, noticing for the first time that the common room was empty.
"The whole school's in the Great Hall except the four of you…" Lupin said carelessly
"Ready to leave?" he questioned
"Yes…" she whispered. "As ready as I'll ever be…"
"Your dad can't wait to see you…Let's go" Lupin retorted, pointing to the door
"No! Wait! We're coming too!" Ron said, determined to go with Hermione.
"You can't Ron. I'm sorry…" Lupin replied
"I don't care. I'm not letting 'Mione go alone…" Ron said. Immediately realizing what he had just said, he turned a deep shade of red as Hermione looked at him, her mouth agape.
Lupin smiled at their embarrassment, but shook his head. "You have to stay here Ron… Dumbledore needs you…"
"He has Harry and Ginny and the rest of the DA members…" Ron said defiantly.
But Lupin remained firm in his decision and couldn't be swayed. Ron fought and protested furiously, refusing to leave Hermione's side, but in the end, Lupin won. Ron stomped away from the common room, fuming, cursing Lupin under his breath.
Harry watched amused, his hand grasping Ginny's in its firm clasp. The infamous Weasley blush tainted Ginny's delicate features and she sighed audibly.
Lupin turned his attention to Harry and nodded, his eyes revealing his anxiety. Then, Lupin and Hermione vanished with a pop, apparating from the common room.
Hermione and Lupin's presence in the Burrow seemed to cheer the dismal state of affairs. Mr. Granger's stoic composure provided courage for Hermione, for she knew her brokenhearted father's mask was an attempt to make her smile. Hermione wore dark robes and attended her mother's funeral, her hand clutching her dad's like that of a child.
Indeed, bad times had befallen the Granger household. Nevertheless, Molly and Arthur's warmth and empathy gave closure to the shattered father and daughter. Molly Weasley had always considered Hermione one of her children, and she refused to let Mr. Granger and Hermione leave the Burrow.
Three days after the funeral, Hermione slipped out of the Burrow in the wee hours of the morning to take a short walk. The bleak visage of winter surrounded her, the nippy breeze causing her to gasp loudly for breath. Still, she wandered further, till she glimpsed the silvery outline of a frozen lake.
Captivated, she sat down on a rather slippery rock and gazed into the distance, her mind churning with thoughts that she had tried to ignore for a week.
Tousled locks of brown hair freed itself from the clutches of her ponytail, framing her pale face. She shivered and stared at the ice, smooth and cold. She wore a maroon sweater embroidered with a humongous R on its front that was a little too big for her petite body. Yet she had insisted on wearing it. It made her feel like she was back. Back at home. Back at Hogwarts.
Choking back tears, she attempted to grasp some of the fleeting thoughts cramped inside her, her mind resting on the carefree moments spent in Hogwarts.
(Will things ever be the same? Will I be the same after the war is over?)
For the first time, she seriously contemplated the possibility of her not surviving the war. She wasn't foolish enough to believe that the war could be won without sacrifices. A cold feeling of dread washed over her, the colors before her fading in and out.
Voldemort's newest target was her. That was clear from what Dumbledore has said.
(But why me?)
She knew no answer to that question. She wondered if he believed she was the weakest, and thus the easiest to defeat first.
(Voldemort holds enough evil in him to strangle the whole wizarding community. He can inflict great damage feeding on our strongest emotions – Anger, jealousy, fear, love…)
Dumbledore's words echoed in her mind, growing stronger and louder.
(Love… Love…)
It beckoned to her. Her restrained emotions burst forth, revealing all in plain view.
Love…
She was in love with Ronald Weasley. She had been. Always. Ever since that day that they defeated the troll. Since their first trip to Hogsmeade. Since their time dealing with Harry at #12 Grimmauld place. Since that fight after Yule Ball. Since that first quidditch game with Ron as Keeper. Since forever.
However, she had to give him up. If not, Voldemort would kill him. The vivid imagery from her dreams haunted her. Voldemort had demonstrated his power over her by killing her mother.
His next target would be Ron.
Voldemort was feeding on her most powerful emotions – Fear and Love.
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. A solitary tear rolled from her eye, tracing a salty path down her cheek and resting on her full, trembling lips.
Her aching heart longed for the comfort of Ron's strong arms, the empathy in his baby blue eyes and the warmth in his lopsided grin. She needed to be held like that night, a week ago.
That night… Both of them had shared a strong bond that neither could explain. Yet, it was there, clear and visible.
(STOP!) She admonished herself.
No matter how much she loved him, she would force herself to be just friends. Voldemort feared their golden trio. She knew it. She knew he was attempting to break them apart.
(I will not give him that satisfaction)
She wiped away her tears with a fierce determination. If anything, they would be stronger, closer, braver. But just friends. Only friends. A new relationship would detract from their strongest need now. They would become each other's weakness. She couldn't let that happen
Their trio had no place for weaknesses. No loopholes and no cracks in their wall of friendship. Neither Harry nor Ron had yet sensed the seriousness of the war, the gruesome reality that was bound to hit them soon. But, she knew. She understood.
She hugged herself and inhaled the pervading scent of cinnamon and spicy aftershave from his sweater. A ripping pain encompassed her heart at the thought of Ron. She braced herself for the worst. Her resolve strengthened, she looked back at the frozen lake. A hazy reflection looked back at her, staring, probing.
She smiled for the first time in a week.
She wasn't alone.
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muahahahaha who's standing behind her!?!? :-)
to find out... LEAVE REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: yeah blah blah JKR owns everything except the plot blah blah blah
Now, on to chapter 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron glanced at the quivering angel nestled in his arms, eyes closed, her breathing deep and even. He trembled slightly, unable to grasp the weight of all that had happened.
(Mrs. Granger. Dead. The dark lord. Death eaters. Hermione…) He looked down at the soft curls settled on her forehead and sighed. (Hermione… in MY arms…who would've thought?)
For once, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had spent over an hour in peaceful silence. The amused watchers at the door stood still, in fear of ruining this flash in Hogwarts' history.
After an eternity which seemed entirely too small, Harry knocked on the wooden door, jerking Ron and Hermione out of their amorous reverie.
"Hermione…" Harry said, as Ron and Hermione disentangled themselves, blushing brightly. Harry stood at the doorway, arms open, a sympathetic smile lighting his features. Hermione quickly ran to Harry and hugged him, the long-forgotten tears finding their place in her brown eyes again. Harry. Hermione. And Ron. Held together by an invisible enchanted filament, agile and strong, completing each other.
Hermione tentatively stepped down the stairs; her eyes falling on the dark shadow crouched in darkness. Ron and Harry followed her down the much-hated staircase in silence.
"Lumos" Hermione muttered, fear gripping her in its jagged clutch. The flickering light from the wand caught the man's face, illuminating the recognizable features of Remus Lupin.
Hermione raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise. Lupin turned towards the trio and smiled slightly, his gaunt face echoing their pain.
"Hello Hermione" he said, his voice barely disguising his grief. Yet, his composure calmed Hermione, relief flooding through her.
"I've been waiting for you…" Lupin retorted, a small frown creasing his face.
"Sorry" Hermione mumbled, looking rather ashamed
Lupin laughed, swiftly giving Hermione a hug. The simple gesture touched Hermione, and she smiled gratefully.
"Where's everyone?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised, noticing for the first time that the common room was empty.
"The whole school's in the Great Hall except the four of you…" Lupin said carelessly
"Ready to leave?" he questioned
"Yes…" she whispered. "As ready as I'll ever be…"
"Your dad can't wait to see you…Let's go" Lupin retorted, pointing to the door
"No! Wait! We're coming too!" Ron said, determined to go with Hermione.
"You can't Ron. I'm sorry…" Lupin replied
"I don't care. I'm not letting 'Mione go alone…" Ron said. Immediately realizing what he had just said, he turned a deep shade of red as Hermione looked at him, her mouth agape.
Lupin smiled at their embarrassment, but shook his head. "You have to stay here Ron… Dumbledore needs you…"
"He has Harry and Ginny and the rest of the DA members…" Ron said defiantly.
But Lupin remained firm in his decision and couldn't be swayed. Ron fought and protested furiously, refusing to leave Hermione's side, but in the end, Lupin won. Ron stomped away from the common room, fuming, cursing Lupin under his breath.
Harry watched amused, his hand grasping Ginny's in its firm clasp. The infamous Weasley blush tainted Ginny's delicate features and she sighed audibly.
Lupin turned his attention to Harry and nodded, his eyes revealing his anxiety. Then, Lupin and Hermione vanished with a pop, apparating from the common room.
Hermione and Lupin's presence in the Burrow seemed to cheer the dismal state of affairs. Mr. Granger's stoic composure provided courage for Hermione, for she knew her brokenhearted father's mask was an attempt to make her smile. Hermione wore dark robes and attended her mother's funeral, her hand clutching her dad's like that of a child.
Indeed, bad times had befallen the Granger household. Nevertheless, Molly and Arthur's warmth and empathy gave closure to the shattered father and daughter. Molly Weasley had always considered Hermione one of her children, and she refused to let Mr. Granger and Hermione leave the Burrow.
Three days after the funeral, Hermione slipped out of the Burrow in the wee hours of the morning to take a short walk. The bleak visage of winter surrounded her, the nippy breeze causing her to gasp loudly for breath. Still, she wandered further, till she glimpsed the silvery outline of a frozen lake.
Captivated, she sat down on a rather slippery rock and gazed into the distance, her mind churning with thoughts that she had tried to ignore for a week.
Tousled locks of brown hair freed itself from the clutches of her ponytail, framing her pale face. She shivered and stared at the ice, smooth and cold. She wore a maroon sweater embroidered with a humongous R on its front that was a little too big for her petite body. Yet she had insisted on wearing it. It made her feel like she was back. Back at home. Back at Hogwarts.
Choking back tears, she attempted to grasp some of the fleeting thoughts cramped inside her, her mind resting on the carefree moments spent in Hogwarts.
(Will things ever be the same? Will I be the same after the war is over?)
For the first time, she seriously contemplated the possibility of her not surviving the war. She wasn't foolish enough to believe that the war could be won without sacrifices. A cold feeling of dread washed over her, the colors before her fading in and out.
Voldemort's newest target was her. That was clear from what Dumbledore has said.
(But why me?)
She knew no answer to that question. She wondered if he believed she was the weakest, and thus the easiest to defeat first.
(Voldemort holds enough evil in him to strangle the whole wizarding community. He can inflict great damage feeding on our strongest emotions – Anger, jealousy, fear, love…)
Dumbledore's words echoed in her mind, growing stronger and louder.
(Love… Love…)
It beckoned to her. Her restrained emotions burst forth, revealing all in plain view.
Love…
She was in love with Ronald Weasley. She had been. Always. Ever since that day that they defeated the troll. Since their first trip to Hogsmeade. Since their time dealing with Harry at #12 Grimmauld place. Since that fight after Yule Ball. Since that first quidditch game with Ron as Keeper. Since forever.
However, she had to give him up. If not, Voldemort would kill him. The vivid imagery from her dreams haunted her. Voldemort had demonstrated his power over her by killing her mother.
His next target would be Ron.
Voldemort was feeding on her most powerful emotions – Fear and Love.
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. A solitary tear rolled from her eye, tracing a salty path down her cheek and resting on her full, trembling lips.
Her aching heart longed for the comfort of Ron's strong arms, the empathy in his baby blue eyes and the warmth in his lopsided grin. She needed to be held like that night, a week ago.
That night… Both of them had shared a strong bond that neither could explain. Yet, it was there, clear and visible.
(STOP!) She admonished herself.
No matter how much she loved him, she would force herself to be just friends. Voldemort feared their golden trio. She knew it. She knew he was attempting to break them apart.
(I will not give him that satisfaction)
She wiped away her tears with a fierce determination. If anything, they would be stronger, closer, braver. But just friends. Only friends. A new relationship would detract from their strongest need now. They would become each other's weakness. She couldn't let that happen
Their trio had no place for weaknesses. No loopholes and no cracks in their wall of friendship. Neither Harry nor Ron had yet sensed the seriousness of the war, the gruesome reality that was bound to hit them soon. But, she knew. She understood.
She hugged herself and inhaled the pervading scent of cinnamon and spicy aftershave from his sweater. A ripping pain encompassed her heart at the thought of Ron. She braced herself for the worst. Her resolve strengthened, she looked back at the frozen lake. A hazy reflection looked back at her, staring, probing.
She smiled for the first time in a week.
She wasn't alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
muahahahaha who's standing behind her!?!? :-)
to find out... LEAVE REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!