Hermione hastily walked up the steps of the grand staircase in Hogwarts castle. Without taking a break, without pausing to casually look at the portraits that adorned the walls of the main staircase as she had before, she struggled up the steps as she continued towards her quarters. Her legs were becoming weaker with each step. Her breathing was becoming labored and uneven. And her heart rate was most likely approaching an unsafe range.
She could have cared less.
It was amazing that she managed to walk without tripping head first on the cold marble, considering that her blurred eyes were constantly blinking back tears.
Moments later, Hermione reached her room. She grasped the knob with a firm grip and hoisted the heavy wooden door open. Stepping into her living quarters, she slammed the door behind herself. With a stern face, she quickly began taking off her dress as she approached her bedroom. Leaving the beautiful gown in a crumpled heap on the floor, she made no attempts to walk over the gown but simply treaded on it. As if by instinct, she opened the bottom drawer of her dresser, and retrieved a dark green flannel pair of pants and a black long sleeve shirt. She threw on her ever-familiar pajamas, and while bending down to fix the hem with one hand, the other was blindly searching the top drawer for a single pair of heavy socks. Hermione found a trusty pair of warm gray socks, slipping her cool feet into them one by one. Once both feet were once again firmly planted on the ground, she approached her bed and sat down quite forcefully.
Her face crumpled. Her eyes dampened. And her chest heaved with the anguish and sorrow that was not allowed to surface while in the Great Hall.
Hermione put her head in he hands, and bent forward. Her sobs echoed within the tiny bedroom.
Granted, until late it had been many years since she had seen poor Crookshanks, but still – to harm the innocent cat? It was heartless. Cruel. How could someone have done this? Hermione thought to herself.
It was some time later until Hermione finally managed to compose herself. Her sobs died down to quiet sniffles here and there. Her eyes were red and swollen. And her nose was incredibly congested, annoying the young witch who was still slumped on the side of the bed.
Hermione sighed. She grabbed another tissue from her nightstand and blew her nose quite forcefully. She bent over to the other side of her nightstand to throw her tissue away, adding it to the already growing pile, and all of a sudden took notice of her gown, lying haphazardly on the wooden floor.
Hermione frowned. I really should have hung it up instead of letting it fall. It's such a beautiful color, and- but Hermione quickly switched thoughts in a split second. Her eyes opened a bit more, and she scanned the room, turning her head to gaze upon her quarters and finally getting up, making her way towards the gown. She picked it up, looked underneath it and threw it back on the grown. The young woman put her hands on her hips and scowled.
Oh fuck me…she thought to herself.
Hermione remembered that the sweater she had taken with her to dinner; the sweater that she ended up not even using due to the warmth in the Great Hall, was indeed still in the Great Hall. At least she had hoped it was. She remembered placing the clothing on the back of one of the arms of her chair. And she bet any amount of money that it was still there.
Hermione had two choices. She could forget the sweater until the morning, and hope that it would still be there. Lord knowing who or what may roam the castle at night did not give the young woman a good feeling. She liked that sweater. A lot. It was a gift from her parents, and she didn't want anything to happen to it.
Which led Hermione to plan B.
Going to the Great Hall to get the damn thing herself…
Hermione inhaled and exhaled deeply. She took a moment to look down at her feet. Yes, she was in her pajamas. And no, she was not about to get changed just to go downstairs to retrieve her forgotten sweater. Besides, she knew that the students had to be in their dormitories already. No one, except for seventh years most likely, were that eager to earn detentions for being out of bed this early in the school year.
As Hermione left her bedroom, she managed to grab a grey housecoat that hung on the back of her bedroom door. The young woman was slightly concerned that someone might see her sneaking downstairs in her pajamas, and for that she commended herself that at least she managed to have some bit of pride left in her. Before exiting her bedroom, Hermione happened to look to her right, when something caught her eye on her dresser.
…It was her wand.
After staring at the piece of wood for several seconds, Hermione scrunched up her face and closed her eyes tightly. With a quick arm extension, she grabbed the wand in a single swoop and shoved the piece of wood into the right pocket of her housecoat.
Hermione slipped on her dark gray slippers located by her front door, opened the heavy wooden door, and closed it quietly behind her. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, pausing to close her eyes and reopen them slowly. She walked towards the main staircase. All was quiet, except for the gently echoing sounds of the young woman's slippers on the cold marble as she steadily made her way down the marble steps of the silent castle.
Many miles away from the castle, Severus Snape found himself cautiously walking up the steps towards the ominous and infamous building noted as Malfoy Manor. His hands were balled into fists, his footsteps muffled in the outside environment. The air was chilled, and a light wind made the evening air even a few degrees colder than it actually was. Severus wrapped his robe around himself even more tightly, shielding himself from the night air.
Several moments later, the Potions Master found himself seated at the table in the obnoxiously large home, just a few feet from the Dark Lord himself. Severus looked down at his hands in his lap and exhaled more forcefully than expected. These meetings were of nothing good. Ever. And especially under the current circumstances - with the disappearance of Helen Crawford and the return of Hermione Granger to the wizarding world, things had become incredibly complex.
Suddenly, Voldemort slithered out of his chair.
'Lucius,' he called, addressing the eldest Malfoy '-I understand that you are to be commended for concealing the whereabouts of Helen Crawford. Well done, Lucius. Well done...' his voice trailed off into a hoarse whisper, as the Dark Lord slowly made his way to stand directly in front of the glowing embers of the fireplace located behind his chair. Severus watched with interest as the Dark Lord placed his dusky grayish hands behind his back.
Voldemort hardly ever gave out praise. With raised eyebrows, Severus inwardly admitted to himself that he was surprised the meeting began as such.
Lucius smirked in response to Voldemort's comment.
'Well, my Lord - It wasn't simply I who acted on your accord. My son, Draco-' Lucius continued, wearing a sly smile upon his face as he gestured his head in recognition towards his son sitting across the table from him.
'SILENCE,' the Dark Lord commanded. Voldemort turned around, his silk-like robes fluttering behind him as he made his way towards Lucius.
'Do...not...SPEAK,' he hissed angrily at the eldest Malfoy, lurking behind his chair as he snaked around the table. 'Insolent fool,' he added in disgust.
Voldemort walked over to one of the windows across the room in a fluid-like motion, his black robes once again floating behind him. The Dark Lord looked down at the gravel path leading up to Malfoy Manor. He took note of the giant trees lining the path; how they trembled slightly in the breeze. Voldemort then looked up slowly, focusing his slit-like eyes upon the full moon nestled within the starlit sky.
'And Severus,' Voldemort called quietly, still staring up at the glowing moon high above.
'What about the girl...'
Severus swallowed hard. He felt his hands clench ever so slightly, his heart begin to race, and he begged his mind to clear before answering the Dark Lord.
'She is at the castle,' Severus replied, staring at the back of the dark figure in front of the window.
Voldemort sneered.
'And she has picked up her wand, Severus? Has she begun to use magic once again? Surely, she has not forgotten…all that she has learned…her past, especially' he added. The Dark Lord turned from the window to look at the Potions Master.
'Yes, my Lord. She has performed magic once again. A bit more forcefully, but as was predicted, she…she is very strong. Very…unpredictable,' Severus replied, looking in the direction of the dark figure across the room.
Voldemort smirked.
'Yes, this…this was to be expected, wasn't it,' ruminating quietly to himself. 'Yes, if the girl were to…to remain loyal to those who befriended her, she may prove to be a worthwhile ally. However,' Voldemort slowly crept back towards the table, standing only feet form Severus Snape, '-if she were to be turned…if there was reason for her to join us-'
Lucios Malfoy suddenly straightened up in his seat.
'-then…' Voldemort continued, '-she would be most…useful in our fight. Don't you think….Severus?' the Dark Lord asked, almost testing the loyality of the man seated at the table.
'Yes, my Lord. She would prove to be…a great asset to Potter's undoing,' Severus added, taking note of the slight sickening feeling in his stomach.
Voldemort snickered to himself. Once again, he walked the length of the table in silence, and sat down ever so carefully at the head of the table. Pausing to glance around the room, peering at every individual present, he addressed his followers:
'If she learns to control her magic and use it accordingly, one of two situations will occur. She may side with those at the castle. Her friends who had once forgotten her. Those people who have incorporated her into their lives as of recent, only to use her. She will, then, be against us. However, if-' Voldemort turned his head and his gaze to meet that of Severus' '-she can be swayed to see that her friends are using her, and that she is in danger to those whom she has grown fond of, she may be used to our advantage, then of course…properly disposed of' the Dark Lord added, sounding increasingly pleased given the current circumstances.
'Either way,' Voldemort hissed, his eyes growing dark as he inched forward in his seat, placing two hands on the table in front of him:
'…she will die. Whether she choose to fight for either side. She will…die,' he said in a hoarse tone, a sickening grin upon his face.
For the second time that evening, Severus swallowed hard. His mouth was increasingly dry, and he willed himself to remain calm.
Voldemort laughed quiety, leaning back in his chair, placing a grayish-whitish arm on either side of the chair.
'Go. All of you,' he commanded, a wicked sneer placed upon his ugly face. And without another word, all who were present at the table arose quickly and dispersed from the room.
As the Death Eaters exited the dining room, Severus noticed the flowing platinum locks of the man in front of him.
'Lucius,' Severus called, now walking in step with the fellow Death Eater, '-so where did you manage to hide that hag of a woman, Helen Crawford?' he inquired, looking straight ahead as he walked next to the other man.
Lucius smirked.
'Wouldn't you like to know…' his voice dripping with sarcasm, he too looking straight ahead as they approached the foyer.
Severus Snape stopped in his tracks.
'As a matter of fact, Lucius – I would,' he replied matter-of-factly, staring at the eldest Malfoy, who stopped to face the Potions Master.
Lucius squinted his hazel eyes and took a careful step towards Severus.
'And why would that be, Severus?' He asked casually. 'Are you afraid you are falling out of the Dark Lord's good graces?' he added, a wicked sneer upon his face. 'Surely, you must have some idea where she might have gone,' he added suspiciously.
Severus was silent as he stared at the man in front of him.
'You are mistaken, Lucius. Unlike you, I am still in our Dark Lord's…good grace, as you so call it. I managed to apprehend the Granger girl and bring her to the castle.' Severus crept closer towards Lucius. 'Unfortunately, your son botched what was to be a perfect opportunity for a simple kidnapping scheme while the Mudblood still resided at her home,' he replied in a dark voice.
Severus turned from Lucius Malfoy, and walked a few steps. Suddenly, he turned back around.
'If anything, Lucius – it is you who has fallen out of our Lord's graces,' he stated, a smirk lining his sallow face.
With that, the Potions Master turned around quickly and exited through the front doors of the home. He walked swiftly down the gravel-lined road, and apparated right in front of the main gates.
The first thought that came to Severus' mind when he apparated in the courtyard of Hogwarts castle, was that he was absolutely sickened and disgusted at himself for calling Hermione a 'Mudblood.' It pained him to use that term of words. She was nowhere near deserving of such a degrading and inhumane title. He shook his head softly in disgust and closed his eyes as he approached the main doors of the castle.
Within that time, Hermione Granger had quietly made her way down the marble staircase, all the way into the Great Hall. With a sweaty palm, she pressed against the door, and with a loud groan, the door opened. Hermione's heart rate increased as she heard the door's cry. Hopefully, everyone was already in bed, and would not pay any form of attention to the noise she just created.
Hermione snuck into the Great Hall and with the door still opened, took a moment to take in her surroundings.
The Hall was absolutely…breathtaking.
A few short hours ago, the room was buzzing, alive with excitement. And now, the hall was completely silent. The moon shown in the windows, giving the tables a luminous glow this late in the evening. The emptiness of the hall, albeit a tad bit eerie, was somehow gloriously serene for the time being. Even the floor was quite remarkable, Hermione surmised.
After a few moments, the young witch made her way up to the now empty head table. Hermione squinted in the dim light, and did indeed make out the shape and size of her familiar sweater. The young witch smiled, and grabbed her precious piece of clothing. Smiling to herself and with a wave of relief across her face, Hermione quickly walked towards the exit. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowed, and turned around to face the head table.
She looked up, the smile fading just slightly from her face.
There were still candles floating amongst the ceiling. Unlit candles, idling silently within the Great Hall. They were bobbing up and down ever so slightly within the darkened room.
Hermione squinted her eyes, taking a closer look at the objects floating feet above her.
…And then she had a thought.
Perhaps it was because she was delighted in finding her sweater. Or because no one stopped her to inquire as to where she was headed tonight. Or even, maybe it was the look and feel of the room that put the young woman in a slightly better mood. It was a goofy idea; that was certain. But Hermione didn't care. Who was around to see her anyway?
Oh what the hell, she said to herself.
The young woman placed her sweater on one of the nearby tables. She chewed the inside of her cheek as she slowly took out her wand. She pointed it at a random candle high above her.
'Incendio,' she said softly, still pointed at the candle. She felt a wave of power go through her arm, and instantly the candle lit.
Hermione smiled a bit more.
With her wand, she pointed to a neighboring candle.
'Incendio,' she called a bit stronger, and to her amusement, the candle lit within an instant.
Suddenly, Hermione had gotten another idea. Ever so slowly, she slipped her wand back into her robes. She extended her arm, and with her hand out, pointed one finger at one of the many unlit candles.
'Incendio,' she commanded. Once again, although this time more stronger, she felt the magic flow through her body, commanding the candle to light. Hermione's eyes opened wide at the success of her wandless magic. Again the young woman looked at another candle. With the opposite arm raised, she shouted, 'Incendio,' and the candle lit in an instant.
All of a sudden, the young woman closed her eyes. Slowly, she raised both arms. With feet slightly apart, she raised her slender arms towards the ceiling of the castle.
'Incendio' she bellowed. Hermione felt a burst of energy shoot through her body. All of the candles that were unlit within the ceiling of the Great Hall were suddenly illuminated. The fireplaces roared with vigor. Even the sconces on the walls became alive their shadows of fire dancing upon the marble walls.
Hermione opened her eyes and chuckled to herself ever so slightly. With her mouth gaping, she gazed upon the room in wonder – amazed at what she had done.
…As was the figure standing in back of her; a man idling within the doorway, admiring her abilities firsthand.
Severus Snape watched as Hermione raised her arms as if she were in slow motion. How she commanded the magic to flow through her. It was truly a sight to see. She performed controlled and purposeful wandless magic after not using magic in so many years.
It made him smile inwardly to himself. And in the very same instant made him incredibly sad.
Severus lowered his eyes, and turned around, continuing his way up the grand staircase to the Headmistress' quarters, soon sharing the concerns of the Death Eaters meeting with her.
With a single word, Hermione managed to light everything in that room. Every god-damned thing. And with such power and strength. Only a powerful witch or wizard could perform such magic.
For such a luminous event, such as the one that he just witnessed before him, it was in fact truly heartbreaking; heartbreaking that the woman who commanded the scene - a woman who had more power and more leverage than she could have ever imagined, had a future that was…just as dim...
As well as incredibly uncertain…