Darkness Before The Sun Rises
Chapter 3
Making her way through the harsh December snow, Hermione made her way back through Diagon Alley, thankful to be back on the familiar streets. She never wanted to be reminded of Knockturn Alley and earlier events for as long as she lived. If it hadn't been for -she grimaced - Malfoy, she would probably be dead. That thought raced through her mind as the wind rustled through her mass of hair and chilled her face, making her cheeks and nose go nearly numb. The thought was unbearable and she willed herself not to think of it, but how could she not? The man in Knockturn Alley was ready to kill her with an Unforgivable. He had tortured her with, what Hermione assumed to be, the Cruciatus curse. Eventually she would have died, she knew that from just looking at the repulsive being down in the Alley. She shook, not from the cold, but from the fear of knowing that her life had been jeopardy, and the realization that she would have never again seen all the things that meant so much to her. The smiling faces of Ron and Harry; the clumsy moments brought about Neville; Ginny's gentle personality; and dare she think it, Malfoy's insufferable ego.
That's when all thoughts switched from her brush with death to the Slytherin who had saved her. She could not fathom as to why, of all people, Malfoy had been the one to rescue her. He had pushed his way through the crowd and made that awful man sojourn her torture. He had always hated her, but in that moment he had shown an ounce of compassion for another human being. The reason behind it boggled her. This was a person that had tormented her, called her a Mudblood, and even wished she would be the Basilisk's victim in second year! Why now, why would he care one bit about her?
The questions continued to plague the young witch's mind as she finally reached the road that led to Hogwarts. She realized long before that it was pointless to try and see Harry at St. Mungo's, as he would probably send her away again. Harry not wanting her around also saddened her - he was hurt and she should be there, not outside trampling in the snow! No, she should be by his bedside, urging the raven-haired boy to recover! But Harry didn't want her; he didn't want her at all. Hermione tried to reason with herself, arguing that it was all because of Ron's disappearance that Harry was acting the way he was, but part of her wondered if she had in fact done something to make him feel he had to push her and all those around him away.
Finally, as if by a small miracle, the familiar landscape of Hogwarts castle loomed in the distance. "Not much further." Hermione whispered to herself. She was anxious to get inside the warm walls of her safe haven but was also apprehensive because Ron and Harry would be everywhere. Not physically, but metaphysically, as everything in the dear old castle would remind her of them. It would seem to a spectator that Hermione was already mourning her two friends; and in actuality she was mourning them, but not in the sense of dying. Instead she was mourning the fact that the two were not with her. Ron was somewhere unknown; possibly in a dungeon in some Death Eater's mansion or had been obliterated by a Death Eater's wand. Harry, on the other hand was nearby, but she couldn't be with him and he couldn't be with her.
Sighing out loud as her feet finally carried her inside the warm entrance of Hogwarts, Hermione allowed her feet to guide her en route to the Gryffindor Common Room. She kept her eyes down the entire way, afraid that if she looked up, she would see something that symbolized the two most important people in her life. Upon arriving at the portrait, Hermione looked up to see the Fat Lady snoozing away. There was no mystery as to why the Fat Lady always slept, as she did it incessantly when students were away from the common room. Hermione gave a small cough and the Fat Lady awoke with a start. She looked around until her eyes settled. Her nose traveled higher into the air and her chin stuck out.
"Password please." The Fat Lady requested in a most expectant voice.
"Hydra Cetus." Hermione spoke and watched as the Fat Lady swung her frame open, allowing entrance for the Gryffindor.
Hermione stepped into the warm confines of the Gryffindor Common Room, thankful that it was empty of her fellow housemates. She unclasped her cloak and draped it over the back of one of the plush, red velvet couches set in front of the fire hearth. Still feeling the effects of the cold, she reluctantly allowed herself to sit down and warm up by the fire. Her mind was blank; no thoughts ran through her head. She just stared at the coals crackling from the heat they were forced to endure. She marveled at the way those little black embers could cause such warmth.
Hermione looked around the room and took notice of all the Christmas decorations that she helped put up. There was a string of garland hanging from the fire mantle and on the mantle itself were candles that she had charmed to stay lit until the day after Christmas. The windows were magically frosted over and candles were placed on the sills. Since the room was already red, the students agreed that there was no need to change the color of the room. The tree in the corner, to the left of the fireplace was decorated with tinsel, popcorn, and Christmas ornaments that each student put on there to symbolize something that meant a great deal to them. She could still see the three she, Ron and Harry had placed on there just a few weeks before. It brought a smile to her face, remembering that day.
It was an ordinary Saturday; the three friends had nothing to do but get into as much mischief as they wanted. Hermione though, would not let the boys do such a thing. She insisted that everyone in Gryffindor decorate the tree that Hagrid had brought for them all. There were groans and a few cheers of excitement, mainly from the females, but eventually everyone joined in with decorating the tree. The trio were the last to place their ornaments on the enormous tree. Harry placed a picture of his mum and dad on one of the tree branches, Ron a Chudley Cannons key chain and Hermione a moving picture of the three of them joking around last Christmas in the snow.
Hermione's moving picture waved at her from the tree. She couldn't prevent the tears from welling up into her eyes as she watched the three of them have such a merry time the year before. She could still vividly recall every Christmas since the three of them had become such close friends. The first few years were all so carefree and full of fun and laughter. These last few were still happy and memorable, but also held the shadow of darkness over their world and all those in it; particularly Harry. Over the past four years, he had been put through so much anguish and torment that she still could not fathom as to how he managed to stay sane, much less alive. Voldemort had returned to full supreme power in their fourth year and since then Harry had battled with him and other forces that threatened, not only his existence, but also those who he cared deeply for. This year in particular, Voldemort was as strong as ever and had been attacking all term.
Classes had been interrupted on a few occasions because of Voldemort's attacks, but Hermione and her fellow schoolmates still managed to clock in some time for classes and homework amongst battling the Dark Lord. It was difficult to manage, but somehow they all managed to complete their assignments.
A soft creak at the Common Room entrance stirred Hermione from her thoughts and caused her to glance over in the general direction. Students were starting to pile in the Common Room; classes for the day were obviously over. Some of her housemates glanced at her and gave her a small smile, then continued walking. When Ginny, Neville, and Seamus came in, they immediately rushed over to her for any news she might have.
Ginny enveloped Hermione into a comforting hug before asking a question Hermione had expected from the younger girl. "Is there any news on Ron?" Her eyes were underlined with dark circles and had a slightly distant look about them, most likely from the lack of sleep over the past few days.
Hermione shook her head and once again hugged the younger Weasley once again. "I'm sorry Ginny. I'm really, really sorry. There's no news."
Ginny bowed her head and sniffled. She took one look around her at Hermione and the two boys before taking off towards the girls' dormitory. Hermione didn't follow her. She didn't know what to say to her friend.
"How are you doing, Hermione?" Neville's voice piped in, causing Hermione to focus her attention to the two boys seated near her. Neville gave her a small smile as she looked at him.
"I'm fine, Neville. Just tired." She gave a small, reassuring smile before taking his hand and giving it a tiny squeeze.
"We're really sorry about Harry and Ron." Seamus finally spoke up..
"No need to be sorry, Seamus. Harry will… pull through, and Ron… will… be alright." It took all the willpower she possessed to keep the tears from resurfacing. She thought she could be strong enough to handle talking to her friends, but she wasn't. She wasn't ready for the endless questions everyone had for her, regarding her two best friends. "Uh… listen, I'm going to head to bed. I'll see you later." With that, Hermione stood up, grabbed her cloak off the back of the couch and disappeared through the portrait hole.
Once out in the hall, Hermione ran down the dark corridors before reaching the Head Girl and Head Boy common room. She leant against the wall, trying to catch her breath, when suddenly she felt her world shatter to pieces. Everything she had been holding in over the past couple days found its way out and her heart finally broke.
Hermione slid down the wall and wrapped her arms around her legs, burying her face into her knees while she cried. She cried for Ron; she cried for Harry. She cried for Ginny and the rest of the Weasley family. She cried for those that had died because of Voldemort, and for those that would perish before the end of the war. She cried over the events that had happened that day in Diagon Alley. But most of all, she cried for herself and how alone she felt.
I wanted to personally thank these three people: snow-angel222, Darkaus, and FlooCrookshanks for reviewing the first two chapters! Your comments and review meant a great deal to me. Truly they did. As my beta would tell you, I was extremely excited when I read the reviews! Thanks a great deal you all.
Also, if you haven't reviewed, please consider doing so. :D Chapter 4, is nearly complete and will be up very soon.