Title – Different Life
Author – Brittany McLean
Disclaimer – I don't own the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling does.
The eighteen year old brunette sat in the Hogwarts library barricaded beneath many books. Her curly hair dangled softly in front of her causing her to groan in frustration and tossing her hair away. She was thankful that her hair was no longer the bushy hair that everyone made fun of so much. By the time her third year came her hair was starting to tame down. And now it's just curly spirals.
But that is not all that has changed about this certain Gryffindor; she was now in her seventh year and was Head Girl. Her cinnamon eyes scanned her book furiously. But this was nothing out of the ordinary. This seventh girl has spent her whole life studying. Never a day when she wasn't reading a book. But today this clever Gryffindor was looking for something else not just her typical studying.
Her Bandy legged ginger cat named Crookshanks came rubbing against her legs. The young woman sighed frustrated and bent down to pick up her cat.
The cinnamon haired girl's eyes grew huge in finally finding what she was looking for. She grabbed the book, dropped her cat, and ran out of the Library in a hurry.
"SLOW DOWN!" Madam Pince yelled furiously. Every teacher at Hogwarts was on their heels. And many were depressed. They had lost their dearly beloved Headmaster last year. Minerva McGonagall did a good job at being the new Head Mistress but it was hard on all of them. Especially since Albus Dumbledore their old Headmaster was murdered by none other then their old Potions Master Severus Snape. What made it worse was that Albus trusted Snape with his life. How ironic…. He lost his life for trusting him.
It came to as such a shock. The Dark Lord Voldemort returning very much alive, Severus turning over to the dark side, Harry Potter vowing to kill Snape and Voldemort. Harry wasn't even going to return to Hogwarts this year, but Hermione convinced him that he needed to graduate, and besides, did he really want to stay at home all day with the Dursley's? He had no where else to go. His step father Sirius was dead. How he died? By his own cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange. The dark raven haired with that forced him under the veil that caused him instant death.
So much has changed. The war has begun. Muggles were being killed slowly, Muggle-born witches and wizards were being murdered also. Everybody was afraid and alert. Attacks were happening every so often. The Ministry of Magic was working day and night to try and conjure up and army. If they had acted sooner maybe they could have defeated Voldemort.
Finally the girl made it to Gryffindor tower. She stopped in front of a huge canvas painting of a fat woman in a pink silk dress.
"Hopscotch Lilies." She told the painting. The fat woman smiled bitterly and released it's hinges to reveal a whole room with red and gold furniture with a warm fire place burning brightly. The brown eyes girl stepped inside this room and hurried over to two boys sitting next to the fire. They were the only ones up right now. Everyone else was upstairs in their dormitories getting ready for bed or are already in bed.
"Harry, Ron!" the girl called to the two boys named Harry and Ron.
Harry was of course the famous Harry Potter known for his past. Or his famous name The Boy Who Lived. He survived Voldemort's attacks and left him with a horrible lightening scar on his forehead. But sadly his parents were brutally murdered.
Ronald Weasley of course was their best friend also. His family of one sister and five brothers all lived together in a home called The Burrow.
"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked the cinnamon girl called Hermione.
"The Unbreakable Vow." She said sitting down and showing the book to them.
"And?"
"Well in class today Professor Faden was talking about them. and I was thinking, about Snape lately." Professor Faden was their new Defense against the dark arts teacher. After Snape left…. Faden was hired to take his place.
"Bloody had to say that git's name didn't you Hermione!" Hissed Harry.
"God Hermione sometimes you think too much." Ron added glaring at her.
She looked hurt but still continued on, "but listen please…. Harry you said Draco wouldn't kill Dumbledore but Snape ran out and did it right then and there. But then Hagrid said that Snape and Dumbledore had an argument earlier. I was thinking that maybe Snape made the unbreakable vow to Draco. I don't know for what or why, but I think that's what he did. He's protecting Draco and Dumbledore knew this. Dumbledore commanded Snape to kill him if needed for the sake of you Harry. Dumbledore knew his time was coming to an end sooner or later, so he was buying himself some time by having Snape kill him making it look good to Voldemort. Now Snape can have the inside details of Voldemort." Every time Hermione spoke Voldemort's name Ron would wince or hiss at the mention of it.
"That makes absolutely no sense. If he had the details about Voldemort," Ron winced again, "Then wouldn't he still be in the Order?" Harry pointed out.
"Well… I … Maybe he is and we don't know it."
"Look Hermione thank you for trying to give me information but this time, I think standing up for Snape isn't going to work. You know he killed Dumbledore and he's showed his true colors now."
"I know Harry, it's just…. How could someone be a spy for Dumbledore for this long? He could have done away with Dumbledore years ago!"
"He was waiting for the perfect chance I suppose…. I guess for Voldemort to return."
"Do you have to always use his name?" Ron whimpered.
"If he was as loyal as you take him to be towards Voldemort he would have done it years ago." Hermione retorted ignoring Ron.
"Look Hermione Thank you for trying to help but Snape is a bastard and your just trying to stick up for teachers who murder!"
"I'm sorry Harry. But I still stand by what I believe." Hermione stood up and walked up to the girls dormitories.
Harry stood up and ran after her.
"Hermione!" He called grabbing her arm, "Don't go like this, please. Tomorrow we all leave and I don't want us to leave like this." Ron and Harry were going to the Burrow tomorrow for Christmas and Hermione was leaving for her parent's house.
She sighed and looked at Ron who joined them, then averted her eyes to Harry who was pouting lightly.
"Alright. Your right, heh, it was silly of me to think Snape could be good. I mean…. If I were in his shoes and good I would never kill my trusted friend." Hermione sat on the steps with her hands in her hair, "It's just that I don't understand it. How could he Harry?"
"Some people are just evil."
"Yeah like Umbridge, Snape. The Malfoy's and He Who Must Not Be Named. Blimey they belong to each other." Ron butted in.
"Good night boys. I'll see you in two weeks." Hermione stood up and hugged them both. "Be careful. Don't do anything stupid." With that said she turned on her heel and left for her dormitory.
"Good night Hermione." Harry called.
"Night Hermione." Ron added also.
Both of the boys went the opposite way to their dormitory.
"Mum, Dad!" Hermione cried running into her parent's arms. Her Ginger cat tailing closely behind her.
"Hermione darling!" Her mother smiled lovingly into her daughter's hair.
"Welcome home baby." Her father added kissing her head lightly.
"Merry Christmas both of you." Hermione laughed.
All three of them walked up the threshold up to their house. Little did they know was this was the last day they'd see each other.
"Welcome home Ron, Harry, Ginny!" Molly Weasley cried running to hug and kiss all three of them.
"Harry, Ron, Ginny." Remus Lupin said standing in the background.
"Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?" Harry asked. Remus looked younger for some odd reason. As if all of his stress was being lifted and taken ten years off of him. His smile was bright. It was always a genuine smile, but it was never a happy smile. Everyone knew Remus was never really truly happy since his days at school.
"We have been here since you guys have been in school, working hard in the Order you know!" A woman with short bubblegum pink hair said coming out from behind Lupin.
Nymphadora Tonks, the metamorphmagus spunky, clumsy, yet clever witch that was in the order also. Young but helpful. Harry had a feeling she was the reason behind Remus' attitude.
"Well it's good to see you both." Harry said shaking hands with them both.
"Wotcher Harry good to see you too!" She smiled and hugged him.
Ginny and Ron were too busy greeting their brother's, father, and mother.
Several people stood in black cloaks with skull face masks covering their eyes stood in a giant circle surrounding a man with blood red eyes. He had dark curly hair and stood in the middle of this giant circle. This man was Voldemort. He had snake like features last time Harry had encountered him. But this time, Voldemort was regenerating his old form back. He looked like an Older Tom Riddle. Only he had blood red eyes.
They all stood in a cemetery listening to their Master speak.
"My followers! Tonight we shall raid The Mudblood's houses! Tonight is the night these filthy pathetic excuse for witches and wizards gather around and feast. We will catch them off guard and attack."
"TONIGHT WE BURN OUR MARK IN THE SKY!" A stocky man yelled. Causing everyone to cheer.
"TONIGHT WE RAPE THEIR WOMEN!" All of the men cheered by the females only looked irritated but pleased at causing pain for these mudbloods.
"Bellatrix, come here." Voldemort spoke loudly silencing the drunken fools.
The black haired woman made her way through and fell on her knees.
"My Lord?"
"I have a special house for you my dear. Bring back the young witch. The girl knows Potter which is an advantage. She will prove greatly in my plans. THE REST OF YOU LEAVE! RAID YOUR TERROR MAKE MY NAME BE KNOWN!" He screamed causing everyone to Apparate all into their own little groups.
A man towards the back was glad that his mask covered his eyes. His mouth may have not moved, but his eyes and brow were frowned in worry. 'The girl knows Potter' was he talking about who he thinks he is?
"Hahahaha! Wait, wait, tell me that one again!" Laughed Hermione's dad. His cheeks were very red from his whiskey he drank merrily.
"Oh Darling, she's told this to you three times now!" Hermione's mother said cheerfully. Her eyes were shinning bright due to the light amount of alcohol she has consumed.
"I've missed being home with you guys. I mean, it's so strange now, being a witch, and then coming home and live like a normal girl? It's so… it's like a topsy turvey day."
"What are you going to do once school is over?" Her mother asked.
Hermione was silent for a moment. Did she really want to tell her parents what she wanted to do? Did she want to fill terror in them? She was eighteen now, and could do what she wanted. But did she want to let them know her plans?
"I…. I well…. I wanted to join the Order of the Phoenix until this is all sorted out and Voldemort is finally gone." She said quietly, "And then after this mess is done, I want to teach at Hogwarts. I thought about becoming an Auror, but I really can't decide."
Her parents looked at her horrified.
"The dark wizard Hermione?" Her voice was nothing but a whisper.
"Christ, I know you get into this action stuff at school but this is serious! Hermione Granger, this is your life!" Her father's face was no longer red from alcohol but anger.
"It's my life Dad! I need to help them. They need all the help they can get! If I do die, I could die either way, would you rather me die at least trying to save my family and everyone else? Or would you rather me die from being attacked in my own home sooner or later?"
"Hermione we just want to be safe with you that is all. We don't know much about this…. Dark Wizard but we do know that he's a mass murderer who's killed hundreds." Tears were in her eyes.
"We just don't want to loose our little girl." Hermione's father hugged her tightly. She was close to tears. Seeing her father near tears was enough to make her walls collapse. Her mother gathered her in her arms also.
"I'm so sorry Mum, Dad. But I have to go think right now. This is important to me, and I know it is for you also. But I really must think." Hermione said gathering herself up from their grasps.
Her mother collapsed on her father's chest and cried as soon as Hermione was gone from their sight. Painfully she tried to shut out her mother's cries and shut her bedroom door. She needed to write to Ron and Harry about this. They were joining the Order also.
She sat down on her poor cat Crookshanks. He hissed and jumped off of her bed hissing and growling. Little bits of spit came flying out of his mouth. Hermione just pet his head in recognition and sat down at her desk.
She pulled out a quill and some parchment and began to write.
Harry, Ron,
How is your Christmas? I'm just writing you to tell you that Mum and Dad and I had a row. I've told them that I'm joining the Order of the Phoenix. They're livid. Well…. More like upset. They keep saying how I'm going to die and all that. You guys agree with me joining the Order right? Well anyways I really must be getting back to my parents I will see you two back at school. Tell your family I said hello Ron.
Love,
Hermione
Hermione rolled up her parchment and scribbled Ron and Harry's name onto it. She stood up knocking over her copy of Hogwarts, A History causing Crookshanks to hiss at her once again. She rolled her eyes at his dramatic hisses. She made her way over to her post Owl who sends her the daily Prophet every morning. He was resting up and drinking water. She brought the letter to him.
"Bring this to the Burrow alright?" She said kindly placing the letter in it's mouth. She pet it softly and opened her window letting the grand bird fly out past her causing her hair to fly in her face.
She looked out of her window watching the bird fly into the night. The bird has been here all morning drinking and eating! Crookshanks, since he was so cranky with her now, took the chance to escape her right now. He jumped onto the sill and quickly out of the window onto the roof. He'll go hunt something right now to get his mood better.
"Crookshanks! Stupid cat….." She shook her head and watched him jump onto the ground gracefully.
Her eyes were immediately trained on some bushes on the other side of the street. She saw a gleam of light and swore she saw movement. She shut her window tight and locked it.
Whatever was out there made her nervous. She sat down on her bed thinking. What was she going to do for her future? She definitely was going to join the Order. She had too. She had to be brave.
A blast was heard down stairs. She stood up quickly and grabbed her wand from her trunk. And stuffed it into her jeans. She rushed over to her door and creaked it open. To see what was happening.
"Oooh a party! Hah! Where do I get to sit!" A woman's voice shrilled out.
"Who… Wh… Who are you?" Her father's voice came out.
Hermione started to walk down the hall slowly towards the voices.
"We're here on orders. And I'm so sorry to have to do this but… AVADA KEDAVRA!" The woman shouted. She had no remorse in her voice.
"SAMANTHA!" She heard her father scream.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Her mother….. was dead. It was the killing curse. Her lips began to tremble and the tears gathered up. Her father was next.
"WHAT DID YOU DO!" Tears were streaming down his face.
"I simply did this…. AVADA KEDRAVRA!" another thump on the ground was heard.
Her tears fell freely. Goosebumps raised on her skin causing her to shiver. She was shoved up against the wall using it as supports.
"Now…. Get the girl. She's here somewhere. Up stairs I believe." The woman's voice spoke.
Hermione's eyes grew wide. They were going to kill her! She had to get out. She silently but quickly ran to her room and thrust her window open. Her breathing was rapid and she couldn't focus, but her main goal was to get the hell out of here. She got out of her window pane and started to walk down the roof looking for a safe place to jump closest to the ground. She stepped on a wet part on the roof and slipped causing a huge thump as she came down. She slid down the roof
"Whoooaaaa!" She exclaimed. Just as she was about to fall off the roof she gripped on just before she fell. Her fingers felt like they had been stabbed with rocks and shards of glass. Her muscles ached and screamed from her weight. Her chest and legs hurt from being crashed against the wall. She hoped they didn't hear her.
"THERE SHE IS!" a man with a black skull mask shouted pointing to Hermione.
She gasped and let go falling to the ground. Her ankle landed wrong causing the pain to shoot up her leg. As quickly as she was down she stood up and began to limp away as fast as she could. There was too much terror in her mind to worry about the mess she looked or how she felt.
She limped over to a bush about a block away from her house. Tiredly she limped over to it and fell on the ground. She figured she was safe here. Her hands covered her face as she wept.
She muffled her cries as she heard foot steps coming towards her. She slid more underneath the bush trying to hide herself. She could swear her heart was giving her away. It was beating so loud she thought the whole neighborhood could hear.
A black cloaked person walked into view but wasn't looking in her way. She was looking else were. Hermione hoped the person didn't hear her breathing. But she hoped too soon as soon as she thought that the person turned around looking straight at her.
Her breath caught in her throat. She was frozen in fear. The person came up to her quickly and pulled her out of the bushes.
"Ugh! Let me go!" Hermione struggled.
The person took off their mask. It was a woman with long black hair and dark eyes. Her skin was shallow and pale and her lips were pale. If it weren't for her demonic face and terrorizing smile she'd be somewhat beautiful.
"What are you doing out here by yourself darling? You know it's not safe out here with dark wizards outside playing…." She spoke.
"Why? Why kill my parents!"
"Because of what they are." Her voice was bored.
"You bitch! You're a vile piece of work. Demented in every way! I don't know who you are but I know what you are. One of HIS people. You will all go to hell!" Her tears were coming furiously down her cheeks.
"Hahaha," She cupped Hermione's chin in her palm, "Darling, this is hell, you're living in it."
Hermione's eyes grew wide with fear. This girl had no remorse at all. How could these people do these things? Just randomly kill?
"Who are you? At least tell me who you are before you kill me." Hermione said bravely.
"Ha! Filthy mudblood why should I tell you my name? You don't deserve to know it." She sneered.
"So I know who killed my parents." Her voice was starting to get weaker.
"Remember it well and be sure to let everyone you know who killed your filthy muggle parents. Bellatrix Lestrange"
Hermione's eyes grew huge. She was about to yell something but was hit by a spell.
Well here is the first chapter. I guess it's kind of like a prologue. But it's not really short it's long, so anyways hope you enjoy this new story. Oh yeah it's my first Harry Potter story so if I get something wrong, I'm trying to re read the books to get it right but like I said if I get something wrong bear with me. Also this is set after the sixth book so I'm just going off of what the last book is. Everybody is in their seventh year of course. But okay enough talk I'm done writing for tonight. Next chapter will be up soon. please review and tell me what you think.
