Storms
By Danihell
Every night that goes between
I feel a little less
It had been 5 years from today. Hermione was sat on her window sill, looking down at the bustling London city. She had lived by herself since it happened. The war was over, was won by the good, Harry Potter having defeated Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Many thousands of people died wizards and muggles. The last five years had been hard on everyone. Ron was injured greatly during the last battle, him fighting heroically alongside Harry. Ron was now
with Lavender Brown, both living happily in the country. Their excuse to move away 'to get away from it all.' After having defeated Voldemort, Harry was scarred badly, mentally and physically. His princess, Ginny, rescued him, taking him under her wing and nursing him back to health. It had taken Harry all that time to admit to himself how he felt about Ginny. He had proposed to her and lived in London the next suburb away from Hermione.
The Great War began after they graduated from Hogwarts. Fudge had admitted to Voldemort's rise and panic had erupted. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been called into the Ministry to undergo extensive Auror training. It would be the greatest battle in which they would ever fight. Yet Hermione had already fought a great battle herself, and was ready. Or so she had thought.
As you slowly go away from me
This is only another test
Hermione scolded herself for thinking such thoughts. She had moved on. Her past was behind her, but now and then it couldn't help but bring her down, today especially. Harry and Ron were coming around, to catch up, old times. But Hermione knew their real intentions. They were both worried about Hermione. She hadn't coped with everything as well as what the two had expected. Seeing Hermione broken and upset hurt them both. Harry and Ron knew of Hermione's past little to her knowledge. They had caught on, but it was too late to have saved her. She was in too deep. They both knew what would happen and they could do nothing but watch her fall, unable to catch her on her way down.
Hermione watched the people of London go by below her. She saw a young couple walk past. They looking in love, so caught up in one another. This caused Hermione to let out a quiet sob. Sometimes the pain and the pressure got to her, especially when she was all alone. It was said that it was times like this can only make you stronger, yet Hermione had been strong, but the pain was eating away at her, making her weaker each day. It all got too much. Her mind drifted back to her Seventh year in Hogwarts, many years ago…
Every night you do not come
Your softness fades away
It was quite in the Heads common room. Hermione was by herself, alone with her books and her thoughts. It had been a tough day that day. NEWTS were coming up later in the year and the Professors were loading them with school work. Hermione enjoyed the times alone to herself, she could reflect, it helped prepare her for the week ahead. The Daily Prophet Newspaper lay on the table in front of her. It was filled with junk. Fudge had still not admitted that Voldemort was back, even though he had been warned and told numerous times by Dumbledore. Hermione had always felt safe in Hogwarts. She felt safe in her common room, until Draco Malfoy happened to walk in. But he merely glared at her and sat opposite her. Hermione at once became suspicious. Malfoy had never acted like this before. She decided to ignore him. Hermione turned her attention back to her book until Malfoy broke the silence.
'Ahem'
'What Malfoy? Leave me alone, it's worked before. Go and find somebody to shag.'
'Granger, get with the programme, I've already done everybody, and I'm tired. Find yourself a better insult.'
Hermione chose to ignore him and kept reading. Malfoy sat there for a while, Hermione, every so often glancing up at him. He looked worried, a million miles away. This disturbed Hermione. Malfoy never had an expression such as that on his face. He usually chose to keep himself to himself. He was, but he was showing a side in which Hermione had never seen before. It disturbed her.
'What's wrong Malfoy?' Hermione quizzed him.
'What's it to you Mudblood? Mind your own business. Stop being so Gryffindor like and stop caring for once. It will get you no where in life.'
Hermione was shocked at this. Malfoy had never spoken to her like that before. He had called her Mudblood, and she was starting to get used to it. But the other part. To stop caring. It was as if some underlying message had been put forward.
'Malfoy, what do you mean, what's wrong? Let me help you.'
'You don't get it do you Granger? You look at the world and you think you can change it. If someone's a little upset, you think you can help them. Well I got news for you Hermione, you can't help me. No one can help me. And if you could I wouldn't let you. It would kill you.'
'Say that last bit again Malfoy.'
'Why should I Granger, since when do I listen to you?' Draco stood up and stormed off. Once again Hermione was alone. She was left to contemplate one thing. He had called her Hermione.
But that was many years ago. It was the beginning of the end for her. How much Hermione wished she could turn the clock back and stopped him from walking out the door. But it was too late. There was nothing she could have done. She touched the space next to her, as if picturing Draco sitting there besides her. It was dangerous to dwell on the past. Hermione knew that but it was hard not to. She had to stop. She would become a shadow of her former self, yet she would never be her former self again. There are events that change you, twist your values, and stop you in your tracks. Hermione had experienced that long ago. And because of that, she would never be the same person she was. It would never change.
Did I ever really care that much
Is there anything left to say
Hermione had cared. She had always cared for Draco Malfoy. He would taunt her and tease her but she learnt to ignore him. Hermione sat back, tired of watching the happy people below her building. She had never felt what she did like she felt for Draco Malfoy. She had had crushes before, she had gone to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum, and she did see him when he went back to Romania. But she had loved Draco Malfoy, a long time ago. He was hard to love, but she fell in deeply and dangerously. It had changed her life.
Oh she cared. She had loved. She had lost. She had yearned. Sometimes she had nothing to say to anyone. Hermione would sit there, dwell in her misery. She never cared anymore. She didn't open her heart as much. She was more careful. Once again she found herself reminiscing of better days…
The Halloween Ball was to officially open up the school year. It had taken Hermione a good part of the term to organise it. Malfoy was supposed to organise it too, but he been 'busy' too distracted to care. They both acted civilly towards one another, after the conversation that took place between them. But tonight wasn't a night to worry, it was one to have fun and forget about everything. Dumbledore had opened the ball and the dancing had begun. Hermione was dancing with Harry, him dressed as an octopus (for it was fancy dress). Hermione remembered it being hard to dance with him in the costume. She excused herself from dancing with him and made her way over to the drink table. It was there that she saw him. A man in a mask, dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera. She moved away from him. He moved towards her.
'Do you care for a dance?' the mystery man asked her.
'Maybe later, you know where you can find me though' Hermione replied to the stranger.
He didn't take that as an answer. He dragged her onto the dance floor, the two of them twirling around to the music. Hermione was captivated, for what seemed like hours they danced together. The Phantom whispered in her ear 'I must leave you now, for your friend is looking for you. Farewell my lady.' Hermione gazed into the mask, but he swept away, Hermione, catching a hint of blue within the grey eyes.
Hermione knew now who it was. If only she had stayed with him longer. If only. But time had gone. She had cared, but was too deep in thought to care about anything else.
A/N: Hello! This is only going to be a very short story. I love doing song fics. I have chosen 'Storms' by Fleetwood Mac. If you have the song, I recommend you listen to it as you read, I think it sets the scene nicely! I have put Grey Iris on hold for now. I have writers block for that, but am going to finish the story!! For now, enjoy the story Storms, don't forget to review! Constructive criticism is welcome!