In the Darkness
Ok, not much to say, except HAVE YOU SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE GOBLET OF FIRE! HOW COOL DOES IT LOOK? --ahem-- Excuse me... ONWARDS!
Chapter 22
Hermione had barely slept that night. The feeling of dread for what the next day might hold consumed her for what felt like most of the night. Her restless mind twisted and turned as she tried desperately to sleep, and the few hours that she did were tormented, no longer by her father, but by those black eyes…
Finally, at 5:45 she awoke, and she quickly swung her legs off the bed, her bare feet hitting the cool floor with a slap. She rubbed her eyes and face wearily as she tried to gather herself, when something caught her eye.
Outside the window. Hidden by the thin net curtain.
She felt the gentle heat on her face before she had opened the curtain. She pulled back the curtain, and before she had realised it opened the French windows. The cold air rushed against her face as they opened, but the beginning rays from the rising sun gave her a warm heat that seemed to soak deep within her. She gasped quietly as she realised the beauty of this natural wonder, and stood silently in awe as she let the colours consume her.
The mountains that hid Hogwarts deep within their vallies were silhouetted black as the contrasting yellow shone out from behind them. The white sun just peaked out over the top of those majestic mountains, enveloped by the light yellows all around it that slowly faded into deeper yellows, then beginning the become orange. The orange soon became a fiery red blending together harmoniously so that in turn it became a lustful blood red, bruised purple, and eventually a deep blue, and though this panoramic view stretched as far as the eye could see, only as the view ended did the sky remain black, untouched by the suns warm rays, sticking to the shadows. Yet even they could not escape, and the black slowly began to turn into the deep red, and there it stayed for what seemed to be an eternity. Yet, despite the difference in tone and gradings, the feeling was the same. A warm, sensual feeling that chased away the troubled thoughts in her mind.
The colours were so intense. So alive. So passionate. It seemed to whisper, its voice etched on the cool breeze that these colours and feelings were alike to only one other emotion. Love. And within the few moments that she was told it, it gave her a preview. The warmth that had filled her could only be felt again by that true love. Oh how she longed to be filled with that warmth every morning as she was now, and every moment in between until her final breath. The colours were so passionate and true, she could only dream about feeling that way about anyone.
She let her mind wander in the presence of this beautiful wonder. It was beyond words that she could use to describe it, the peace and tranquillity that it brought to her. She knew that if she to only reach out far enough and touch it, that she would have Mother Nature's make up upon her finger tips. She closed her eyes and let the beauty of it bring a smile of joy to her features, a shiver of sensuality and aliveness to her senses, and a tear fall from her undeserving eye. Her eyes fluttered open to see the blackness creep away, only to be replaced by the blues, purples, and at long last red.
Once again her mind flittered back to Severus Snape, the mysteriously brooding man who had kissed her so passionately only a few hours ago, then cast her aside so cruelly. She wondered if he were to be stood here, with her now, would he see the world as she did? Marvel at its awesome splendour? Or would his lips be motionless, his skin still cold and unfeeling, his cheeks dry from lack of tears, and would his coldness still breathe within him? Would he feel the power of the spectrum of these colours, or would he breathe them in shades of grey? Another small tear rolled down her cheek as she imagined a world without this. How could anyone live without these colours, these feelings in their life?
Right there she made a decision. She would not allow him to live without these colours any longer. She could give him the meaning to his life that he deserved. She could fill him with that warmth, that passionate feeling. It wasn't impossible; she could if he would just let her. Even if it was not returned, she could give him a preview of this. His life was not black and grey. It could be these colours, if he would only let them…
She look one last lingering look at her inspiration, gathering her creativity from it, then closed the windows and pulled back the curtains before she got into a hot shower, planning the day ahead.
The day had begun like any other. She had sat in the common room, waiting for everyone else to wake up. They had had breakfast, got back, got their things and had headed down to go to Hogsmead. After a bit of shopping and trudging around in the chilly weather, they all decided to go to the Three Broomsticks for a drink. Inside it was packed, the bar was barely visible behind the flow of people.
"You guys find a seat, I'll get the drinks in. Three butterbears?"
Hermione and Harry nodded in agreement, and fought their way through the crowds to find the only empty table, a corner table, full of bottles and glasses and glass stains. Pushing them to the side to make room for their own drinks, they sat down. Hermione caught Harry looking at her.
"Something wrong?"
"Erm, not really. I feel like I should be asking you that question."
"Why's that?"
"You don't seem very happy today."
"I am. I feel… liberated."
"Oh reason? Care to tell me why?"
"Not really. I just feel… better."
"Howcome?"
"I don't know. I just am."
"Oh right. Ok then…" Harry said, unconvincingly. He began to look away, and Hermione could feel herself wander.
"I realised that my dad is dead last night." Harry's head spun around. "It's ok. You don't have to say anything." He just looked at her.
"Are you alright?" She paused.
"For the first time in a long while, I can honestly say, yes. I am." Harry let a weak smile to come his features. Ron came back, holding three large glasses in his big hands.
"Man, the bar was packed. I managed to push to the front though!" Hermione looked up at Ron as he pushed her glass to her. He sat down next to her. "Herm, you alright? You seem a bit… off…" She smiled.
"Ron, I'm fine." She said, taking the glass to her lips and sipping the warm liquid, letting it soothe her throat with its radiant heat that seemed to spread over her body, reminding her of her thoughts this morning, that sunrise, and her conclusion.
The conversation had returned to its normal subject; shite in general. After finishing off their drinks, they carried on shopping, bought something to eat, more shopping, met up with Dean and Lavender, left them, then decided that they had better go back up to school. Hermione had homework to finish for the following week.
The trek back to school was slightly cool. They had been talking their aimless chit chat, well, Ron and Harry had, when Ron saw a shadow on the edge of the forest.
"What's that?" They looked in the direction that Ron was staring in.
"It looks like Professor Snape…" Hermione began.
"What the hell is he doing outdoors in the daytime? I thought bat were nocturnal…"
"Ron! Please!"
"Seriously, what's he looking at?"
"He's not moving…"
"Maybe he's thinking…"
"Yes, in the bloody cold?" Come on Ron!"
"Ok, maybe not…"
"Do you think he's ok?"
"What do we care?"
"Harry! Please, something could be wrong!"
"Fine! I will ask him!" He said, as he began to storm towards the shadow of Professor Snape. A lump gathered in Hermione's throat, this was the first encounter since…. Last night… The only reason why she was concerned for him was because of the things last night… God only knew what was going through his mind. She quickly caught up as Harry got closer to him, though she stopped behind him.
"Professor?" Harry asked carefully, glancing back at his two friends as Snape turned around. He looked cold, his skin even paler than what it usually was, except for the slightly blush of colour in his cheeks from the cold. Hermione knew what he was thinking about, even though he made no acknowledgement to her being there.
"Professor, are you alright?"
"Potter, my affairs and my life have nothing to do with you."
"I didn't ask for your life story, I asked if you were ok." Hermione closed her eyes as he said this, waiting for a huge reaction.
"10 points from Gryfindor, for your blatant cheek." Was all he said, turning to tell them that the conversation was ended. Harry walked back to them, shrugging his shoulders, lack of words.
"So much for something wrong with him Hermione. You're too considerate you know, why you'd care for him I don't know anyway…" Harry said, not caring to whisper.
"Harry, how dare you…" A voice broke her off mid sentence.
"Miss Granger." She turned around to face him. He still had his back to her. "Your detention tonight will be at 8 o clock. Instead of 7. Do not forget, I do not want to spend anymore time with you than what is absolutely necessary."
A stunned Hermione squeaked a tiny response, then allowed herself to be pulled back up to the school, considering why she now had a detention again, when he had said before that they were all cancelled.
Ok, a little note. A few people have asked me not to write both POV. I am sorry, but this is how I have decided to write this story. I am not been snotty or funny, but, this story will be written from both Snape and Hermiones POV. I know that a lot of the time it is reading over the same bits, I will try to vary it more. However, don't ask me not to write it like that, because I am going to. No offence meant to anyone!