Concrete Angel
A HP fan-fic by Legalan Greenleaf
Chapter Four: Tragic Tidings
An/ I am not going to add any more disclaimers as you should all know by now I don't own them. Diola lle (Thank you).
^Through the wind/ and the rain/ she stands hard as a stone/ in a world/ that she can't rise above/ but her dreams/ give her wings/ and she flies to a place/ where she's loved/ Concrete Angel^
"I wonder if Hermione's not telling us everything. If she needs help, she knows she only needs to ask, right?" Ron asked, looking at Harry. It had been a few months since they arrived and the two were walking down to Quidditch practice. Angelina Johnson was the new Keeper and Captain of the Gryffindor team and didn't like it when they were late.
"We can't do much though, Ron. We can't be there every time she needs protection. The best we can do for now…" Harry paused, "is just be there for her." Harry trailed off deep in contemplation.
"I hate being so useless sometimes! Hermione needs us but we can't do anything!" Ron exploded slamming his fist into his palm.
For most of the practice, Harry didn't concentrate much on the diagrams and directions; he couldn't help thinking about Hermione. 'Isn't there any other way to help her?'
*****
Hermione walked down the
hallways to the library. 'Why me…' she
thought slowly, "WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?" She leaned against the wall and began to sob.
When she finally looked up, she saw many people staring at her. Wiping away her tears slowly, she looked around. Many of them she had never seen before, or never known by name. Some seemed concerned, but most laughed at her cruelly.
After what seemed like an eternity, Professor McGonagall pushed her way through the crowd and motioned them to leave. Gently, she helped Hermione to her feet. Hermione felt numb; ever since the talk with Dumbledore, she had been even worse. McGonagall steered her towards the Hospital Wing, and Hermione just let her.
*****
^Somebody cries in the middle of the night/ the neighbors hear but they turn out the light/ A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate/ when morning comes/ it'll be too late^
"Hermione, what happened?" Harry and Ron asked together, running in from practice.
"I didn't feel well," she said half-lying, "I am going home for Christmas." She looked up at their shocked faces, "I can't leave Conner, my 5-year-old brother, all alone with dad. He needs me. Break starts in a week."
"But, Hermione, what if something happens to you or your brother? We went to your place last year; it's rather far to walk to the police." Harry pointed out.
"We'll be fine," Hermione said as much to herself as to Harry.
"But," Ron began, "What if you aren't?"
"I have enough floo powder to get us to the Burrow, or anywhere in the wizarding world. Or I could take the Knight Bus." Harry and Ron continued to pester her with 'what ifs' until Madam Pomfrey kicked them out so she could rest.
*****
"Bye, 'Mione." Harry said giving her a hug. He whispered in her ear, "We'll be here for you always, come back safely." She went over and kissed Ron on the cheek before going over to the train. They both waved until it was gone from sight. "Be careful, 'Mione." Harry muttered and turned to go back to the castle.
*****
^ Through the wind and the rain/ she stands hard as a stone/ in a world that she can't rise above/ but her dreams give her wings/ and she flies to a place where she's loved/ Concrete Angel/ a statue stands in a shaded place/ an angel with an upturned face/ a name is written on a polished rock/ a broken heart that the world forgot^
Hermione got off the train at Kings Cross Station in London. She hailed a cab and settled in for the ride to her home.
They passed many small towns before arriving at her house. She paid the driver and got her belongings before heading for the door.
The door opened and Conner, her brother, ran over to her. "'Mione!" He cried grabbing onto her. "Daddy's acting strange again, like the time before you left."
"Shhush," Hermione cooed, putting down her trunk and embracing her brother. "Did he hurt you, Conner? Did daddy, hit you?" He nodded, tears streaming down his face. She pulled back his sleeves and inspected the bruises on his small arms. "We'll get out of here as soon as possible, 'kay?"
"Uh-huh." Conner said softly, wiping his brown eyes.
*****
"Why did you have to be killed, why did dad hit you? We were going to leave and stay far away from them. Why couldn't I save you?" Hermione looked at the small gravestone: Conner Granger. Sweet little brother & beloved son. 1998-2003. She placed a small bouquet of flowers by the stone and knelt next to it crying.
"I didn't mean to, Hermione," at the sound of her father's voice, she whirled to face him.
"Get away from me. You've caused enough pain this year. It was Christmas, Christmas, Father, but did you give damn? Why couldn't you just have gotten another job somewhere else, instead of drinking away the meager amount Mum brings in?" Her eyes blazed with anger at the memory of that Christmas Eve
~*"Come on, 'Mione, just one!" Conner begged, holding up a present, "I wanna open one, just like old times. You can open one too, come on!" *~
That was the last present that year, the first, yet also the last. Soon after, their father had stumbled in, drunk as a doornail, and raving mad. Despite the attempts to shield Conner from his anger, he had gotten a hold of the little boy, hitting him, asking questions that he couldn't answer. It had carried on like that, until the little boy no longer struggled in the man's grip. Furious, Hermione had torn the limp body of her brother from his arms, and run as fast as she could to the fireplace and her stash of Floo powder. Throwing a handful on the fire, she shouted the first place that came to mind, Hogwarts.
A/n let me know if you want another chappie! Legalan Greenleaf.
