Authors Note:  Hello all! Thanks for reviewing, you guys are awesome! Love you all! So yeah…we got motivation peoples! Isn't that wonderful? Motivation! Motivation! Motivation! M'k, I'm done. I hope you like it. Sorry it took so long…I have been on vacation! ENGLAND! SOHO! Oh my god! It was awesome… By the way italics means whispering…BOO!

Enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter…you know who I wanna own? Daniel Radcliffe…such a fine specimen.  And I don't own Scarling's version of "Creep" either.

Creep in the Shadows

"The one you were before,

Can't look you in the eye,

You're just like an Angel,

You're skin makes me cry"

A silhouetted figure in a dark and dismal room slowly danced to the morbid beat of the music. Immaterial tears flowing down her waxen face. She twirled around, hips swaying to the music, arms flailing about in absolute perfection.

"You flow like a river,

In a beautiful Waltz

I wish I was special,

Yes so fucking special"

Her figure illuminated by the moonlight, proved itself worthy of a graceful deity, the shapely frame was covered with a simple, short and snug black night gown. Her long dark tresses flowed elegantly around her lithe body.

"But I'm a creep,

I'm a loser,

What the hell is going on?

I don't belong here"

An alluring figure in the dark, she sang along bewitchingly, pouring her heart out in such a manner, one could not help but admire. She held a melancholic air, dancing around as if possessed by a mourning spirit. The tears would not stop, and she did not want them too.

"Don't care if you love,

I don't want to have control,

I want a perfect body,

I want a perfect soul"

She felt perfectly at ease in the night, no one could see her. They weren't meant to; it wasn't their place or their right. She wouldn't let them see her so weak and fragile...so pure.

"Want you to notice,

That I'm not alone

You're so fucking special,

I wish I was special"

"Hermione?"

She'd never answer again; she'd live here forever, and indulge these childish dreams. After all, it was her own right; they'd take away her innocence. Why not hide?

"But I'm a creep,

I'm a loser,

What the hell is going on?

I don't belong here"

There was nothing left for her out there anyway…

"If that makes you happy,

I love you more,

You're so fucking special,

I wish I was special"

"Hermione?"

"But I'm a creep,

I'm a loser,

What the hell is going on?

I don't belong here….I don't belong here"

She smiled to herself, knowing she would never answer to that name again. It was as if she a serpent, shedding different aspects of her personalities here and there as if they were nothing.

"Hermione?"

It wasn't their right…

"Hermione?"

To destroy her life…

"Hermione?"

It was not fair.

"Linn?"

Hermione awoke amidst hysteria, her mind wasn't placed and she had no idea where she was or what she was doing. Opening her eyes to an onslaught of light, she adjusted to her surroundings.

"Linn? Are you alright?"

She looked to her side to see Thorn smiling sadly at her; she smiled back, as was customary between the two.

She pulled herself up in slight discomfort, idly noticing that they were in a storeroom of some sorts, with her laying on a rather stocky couch.

"Thorn? What happened?"

Was all she could muster, she grimaced as a sharp pain assaulted her abdomen.

"You fell in when we were going to the bank, caused quite a scene actually, Ronny got some giant guy to carry you to the bookstore…You gave us quite a scare…had me bawling. I thought my little creation had died on me…Bloody Hell!"

He brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and continued.

"You hit something on your way down, it knocked you out I suppose, Oh I don't know.  Ronny's gone out for a smoke, and Trey's gone to the loo. He has a small bladder you know? He pees the world out when he's nervous…always been like that. What happened to you darling?"

"I don't know…"

Silence followed. Thorn watched his adopted, scanning her small form making sure there were no bruises. He continued on explaining, hoping it would help her recollect her thoughts.

"A nice boy helped you get here. He said he knew you. There were two of them actually. Sounded so much like those boys you were telling me about. One had a funny scar on his forehead, told him he should cover it up with concealer. Don't think he listened. He is male after all…"

Her throat closed up, making it hard for her to breath. But she didn't make a sound, just listened to Thorns mindless rant as her breathing slowly stopped, and a lethargic feeling began to envelope her.

"Then the other one with bright red hair…ugh. Told him to dye it. It just didn't match…anything…there was a girl; she had flaming red hair too. Remarkably pretty--Linn? Linn? What's wrong!? Oh no you don't! Wake the hell up!"

He gave her an impromptu slap across the face, waking her up from a panicked daze. She breathed somewhat easily, still perplexed about the situation at hand. Thorn noticed this and sought to inquire about the cause of her discomfort.

"Linn? What's wrong?"

"Nothing Thorn"

She stood up with ease. Scared that when she walk out that door they'd be waiting for her.

"You thought they wouldn't recognize you huh?"

No matter how oblivious Thorn seemed to everything around him, he was always in sync with his surroundings. Something that aggravated her immensely.

"They are your friends; no disguise to remarkable can hide you from love"

"Shut up! You're making me sick! All this talk of 'love', if that's what you want to call that dreaded feeling…they don't 'love' me"

"Just because you refuse to be and advocate of love and peace, doesn't mean you have to shoot down everyone else's beliefs. Stop being a whore and face the STD's"

"You twist the world's purest thoughts into such vulgar, sexual things exceptionally well, you know that?"

"I practice…now go!"

"I-"

"Get you're scrawny ass out there…I'll be right behind you the whole way M'k?"

With that last word, he pushed her out the door. To face the "STD's" as he had put it.

The first thing she noticed was the look of concern etched into every single one of their faces. Most of them we're here, looking so unfamiliar in the confines of the dusty bookstore. None observed her appearance, just sat and worried their hearts out.

"Come on now"

Thorn whispered from behind her, pushing her into their view.

Harry was the first to look up, and her heart almost stopped.

Jesus! He looks so fucking…so fucking…SUICIDAL!

He was up in a flash, embracing the foreign entity known as Hermione "Linn" Granger.

"Herms!"

He breathed into her ear; she almost didn't believe this was real. He was so desperate, so needy, and so…nice. She stood stark still, not moving an inch. He noticed her unresponsiveness and slowly loosened his grip on her.

"Hermione?"

Looking past Harry's concerned face, she saw Ron, standing nervously in front of her. Ears tinged slightly red, his ability to look so pathetic got to her, and she almost felt guilty for not calling, writing, not attempting to make any form of communication with the forlorn Weasley.

They had both gotten taller, towering over her small petite form. Harry's hair messy as usual, hung in front of his eyes, interestingly enough they made his sparkling green orbs stand out even more.

Quidditch had done them both well.

"Hermione?"

She looked to Ginny, the one who had changed the most. She was taller than herself by at least an inch. Her fiery red her barely reached passed her shoulders, it was securely held back. Stretching out her forehead unflatteringly. "Linn" was surprised Thorn had not noticed this.

"Oh Merlin! Hermione! I didn't know where you were! You didn't write! You didn't call! I just didn't know what to do! You were gone without a word. Then we hear about your parents being killed by the Death Eaters, we were just frantic! We thought they had taken you! I…Oh Hermione"

Of course the female had to break down first, at any other situation she would've pushed Ginny off and admonished her for being the weaker sex. But this wasn't any other situation…this was the "grand" reunion. She had to play the part didn't she?

"I think she may need to breathe…"

Thorn took the words out of her mouth, or at least saved her from them. The trio looked towards the beautiful man in wonder, and then looked back to Hermione for answers.

She smiled at them and began introductions.

"Harry, Ron and Ginny, meet Thorn, Thorn meet the gang…"

He stepped up, making himself known. He was always one for attention, and in a way she was grateful for his imposing nature, it kept unwanted people away, he protected her. As he was doing now.

"Are you the one Dumbledore was talking about? You're the one whose been keeping Hermie safe?"

Harry asked, being the leader of the "gang" it was natural for him to speak first. Thorn cringed at Harry's endearing nickname for his beloved "Linn", replying.

"Oh? I'm already known then? Who is this Dumbledore fellow?"

"Our Headmaster"

Hermione spoke from behind him, Thorn laughed at this and said.

"I'm sure he's the master of a lot of heads!"

He laughed at his own joke, then seeing the look of horror on the alien teens that stood in front of him, he quickly took it back.

"Sorry couldn't help it…"

"Why didn't you write Hermione?"

Ron asked, completely ignoring Thorn, focusing everything on his best friend, this ruffled Thorn's feathers, causing his mouth to get the better of him.

"Because she wasn't ready!"

Hermione would be forever indebted to him. She silently thanked him for having the gall to speak all the words that wouldn't come out. She loved and appreciated the random man more, feeling safe and secure with him as a shield.

"This has got nothing to do with you! So you can bloody well sod off!"

Ron declared rather heatedly. Ginny sought to interject the foreboding battle to come, but with no success, Thorn was much to insulted to allow that to happen.

"Well I'm sorry you're a little brat with absolutely no idea what this little child of mine has gone through!!! You sit there in all your concern and worry acting as if the whole world has fallen on YOUR shoulders. Like you're the one who has gone through so much pain and anguish. Suck it up little boy! It's not your prerogative!"

"You're the one who stole her from us!"

"I stole her? Are you kidding me? She's the one who randomly came up to me! She's the one that ran away! I saved her! You should be thanking me! If it wasn't for me! You would've probably never seen her again. She's told me everything Ronald…every little detail! About everything! All of the mistakes you've made, all the things you've said or done to our poor little darling…all the crap, you've forced her through. Deal with it Weasel. She doesn't like you like that….and you!"

He pointed a finger accusedly at Mr. Harry Potter, putting the poor "Boy Who Lived" under the lime light.

"You! You! YOU! What is your problem? Her parents are dead! And you know whose fault it is? Hmm? Do you know? Death Eaters darling! DEATH EATERS! I'm just a lil' 'ol muggle! But even I know that sounds straight up demonic! But no! You just had to be the brave little Gryffindor! And put all of your friends in danger! Linn! I'm done! You're turn! Ronny, Trey and I will be waiting outside!"

He stormed out in a flurry, leaving Hermione unprotected with three of her worst nightmares in his wake.

"I- I-"

She started.

"Don't! Let us talk this time"

Ginny put up her hand, sighing in frustration. Eyes looking to old for her face.

"It's our turn to rant…Why did you leave? Why didn't you tell us what happened? You called Harry 2 days after your parents were found murdered, acting as if everything was fine! Why did you keep this all to yourself?! Don't just stand there and look helpless! Answer Me!"

"Like you would've cared anyway! If I had even attempted to share anything with you, you would've just sat there and nodded your head, mimicked my tears, and said in that same sympathetic monotone voice 'It'll be okay'. Like you knew everything about anything!"

"How the hell can you say that?! How can you say such hateful things? You-"

"I don't know, maybe I've been possessed by Voldemort! Who knows?"

That was low and she knew it. The three simultaneous gasps did not deter her, she stood brave, stubborn and defiant in front of them. Waiting for one of them to say something back.

Ginny too hurt to continue retreated behind her brother, as he stood up to take the "bat".

"And you Mr. Ronald Weasley!"

"Hermione shut up!"

"NO"

"Listen to me! We love you! I don't understand what your problem is but we'll get through it!"

"It just has to be my problem doesn't it? It always has to be my fault. You don't think, that maybe it's my association with you that started this whole mess. You haven't even seemed to figure out that…that, I don't need you?!?!"

"Hermione! You can't mean that! You don't!"

"Oh yes I do!"

Before Ron could even get another word out, Harry interrupted.

"I'm sorry alright? Is that what you're looking for? I'm sorry for everything! I'm sorry you ever met me! I'm sorry for this scar! I'm sorry I was born, I'm sorry you ever met me…I'm sorry that you were nice enough to take pity on me…nice enough to care, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

He stood defenseless, taking the blame for everything had to be the norm for him now. That scar served as a constant reminder of the invariable danger he would always be in. All he could do was apologize and fight harder for the next time around.

She knew that at one point she would have to forgive him, and peace would have to be made. But why did it have to be now? Without looking back she walked past the fractured trio, tears falling fast, she broke out into a sob when she hit the pavement. Thorn was immediately by her side, knowing what a blunder she had made, hoping she would change her mind, storm back in there and make amends.

But he knew she wouldn't listen.

So instead he lead her away from it all, disappearing into the crowd. Knowing they wouldn't dare follow.

They had booked three rooms in a hotel nearby Diagon Alley. Thorn had tried his best to explain everything to Ronny and Thorn, who still just happened to be stuck on the witch bit. He had given up five minutes into the conversation, giving them each 50 quid to do what they pleased. He knew that neither of them would be back by morning, so a night of rest and relaxation was in store.

His Linn had not said much about what had happened in the book store, but having heard it all anyway he had no questions that needed to be answered.

"Thorn?"

"Yes darling?"

He had drawn a nice hot bath for the young woman, and had deposited her in it about an hour ago. Neither of them speaking a word, he appeared in the bathroom as soon as she called ready to help her.

"What did I do wrong? Tell me how much of a fool I was back there. Tell me what to do to make it all right…"

She stood dripping wet in nothing but a flimsy towel to cover her gracious curves, her hair fell in a matted mess behind her, thick clumps hanging in front of her face, bags under her eyes managed to dent her magical beauty a bit. But she still controlled her natural fairness. Making Thorn wonder how such a beautiful girl could have such a gruesome life.

"Linn…"

"Tell me!"

She was determined as ever, reminding him of her actions at the bookstore, when she was with her "friends".

"You…you were brilliant. But you said all the wrong things. I don't know anything else apart from what you've told me, and I must say sweetie, parents dead or not. You have no right to take it out on Harry."

He picked up a towel, beginning to dry her hair as he continued.

"That poor boy didn't even know his parents. It's not really his fault he is such a target, that scar…he did not intentionally carve that thing into his forehead; he didn't order the Death Eaters to come to your house and kill your loved ones. He didn't map his life out like this…you're his friend for a reason. I remember you told me that you wanted to help him right? That he needed everyone's and anything's love for the battle ahead. You said that you would sacrifice your own life for Harry's, you nearly did once…didn't you? You shouldn't- you shouldn't have taken it out on them like that. They have done nothing. Maybe acted a little selfish along the way, but you're teenagers, rifts in relationships come and go…you may not like it but—love is all that matters?"

By now he had gotten her in bed, had her listening to every word. She was tearing up already, his speech hitting her hard.

"But I think you should still hold a grudge! They recognized you for gods' sake! Hair and all! Sort of demeans my work don't you think?"

She laughed at his selfish joke. Smiling for the first time that night, he could do nothing but smile back.

"What do I do about tomorrow? I know they'll be there…I-"

"Just go and say hello, you haven't finished our tour yet. Trey's just itching to go to that 'Quidditch' store."

"I meant about-"

"Shhhh darling…don't worry about it. Procrastination never hurts anyone! Now sleep!"

Hermione looked towards her gay counterpart who slept beside her, silently thanking him once again for all the help he had given her. She slowly crept out of bed, exchanging Pajamas for a black tank and pleated skirt.

Quickly adorning her boots she was out the door by his next intake of oxygen. She strolled down the hallway, idly noting the strange noises coming from Treys room next door.

"Perv…"

She continued down the hallway to the elevators, stepping into its glossy confines with apt satisfaction with her planned out schedule.

Reaching the bottom floor she sauntered up to the front desk, putting up her best smile she waited for the man named "Mike".

"Hello, May I help you?"

He was an old man of no more than 45, she figured the youthful nickname was a way for him to reinvent himself and she couldn't help but laugh at the idea.

"Yes I'd like to-"

"Linn? Where the bloody hell am I?"

She was interrupted by a rather disheveled blonde lesbian, who slowly staggered towards her.

"Ron?"

Ron fell into her arms rather ungracefully holding on to the desk for dear life.

"Have you been out the whole night?"

Linn questioned, wondering what the fashion prodigy had been up too.

"Uh-huh…I came back though…Yep …I did! And I went into the Hotel room…and there was Trey…with this…bloody…whore (blonde whore I might add) and they were listening to my Dir En Grey CD…MINE! And I freaked out…seriously…I don't know what's wrong with me…I drank to much…danced to much…and popped to many pills…fucking A! My head hurts!"

"Come on then"

Hermione hoisted the inebriated girl onto her back, noting that Ron was one skinny lesbian.

"If I puke on you I'm sorry…No I'm not…you'd fucking deserve it…all those times you turned down Trey-'the sex god'- what the fuck is wrong with you? I'd do him"

"You like girls…"

"Yes…but that's the thing about Trey…he's the reason I like girls"

"You're gonna wake up in a couple of hours and realize what a bloody fool you're being"

"You're one to talk little Miss. Blame Everyone Else for Everything"

"I'm not the one who's pumped up on drugs!"

"Well you know…it's for a fucking good cause so hah!"

"What cause?"

"He doesn't want me!"

And with that Ron began to sob, mixing snot, sweat, and tears into one big horrid stain that decorated Linn's brand new shirt.

"What the fuck?!?! Since when do you care about Trey?"

"Since Year 6…"

"I'm seriously missing something…"

"You're brain…hahaha…brain…Trey has a brain…it's really pretty…and big…just like his cock…"

"Ok! Enough!"

"His dick was beautiful…you'd just look at it and BAM! Instant orgasm!"

"I can't do this!"

In transparent distress and disgust from what she just heard. She deposited Ron in the elevator, pressed a button and never looked back.

Ron, now all alone and feeling very claustrophobic, began to curse the world for all her bad luck.

"Fucking cunt whores…shit…what the hell is wrong with me? I mean…holy fuck…Linn was right to leave me here…stranded and desperate…pumped up on X…and totally oblivious…to everyday shit....I just want to fuck him…is that too much to ask?"

The elevator pinged a reply opening its doors for her exit.

"Why thank you, you automated piece of shit!" 

She exited…trying to figure out the way to her room.

"204…204…204…208…207…206…205…204!"

The door had thankfully been left open, ignoring the strange sounds she barged in without a care in the world. Eyes shut tightly. But the moans and the laughter continued even with her standing right there.

"What the fuck-Oh"

Opening her eyes she realized…they were just playing twister…her twister none-the-less. Trey looked up and smiled at her, eyes inviting.

"Hey Ron. Where've you been?"

She ignored his question and focused on the girl…who just happened to be wearing a maid uniform, her mind wondered once again. 

"Why is she dressed like that?"

Ron pointed accusedly at the innocent bystander, who looked up at her in return then started spewing crap out in Spanish.

"She's a maid silly"

Trey laughed at her as if she was a child, and then turned to the girl who was now stood erect and said something. She smiled waved at Ron then left.

"What? You traded sex for a passport?"

Said Ron, glaring at Trey.

"Shut the hell up! She said she liked the game and had played it once before, so I was just being nice and-what the hell is it to you?"

"Fucking Cunt Trey! Can't I have any fucking feelings? About ANYTHING? Even when we were together you used to pull all this shit off with me! Fuck! I have a heart too!"

"Well we're not together anymore, that was a long fucking time ago…"

"Who the fuck cares? This maybe the alcohol speaking…but…I still wanna fuck you"

"Don't do this"

"You wouldn't let me…"

"Just go to bed"

"Fuck you Trey…forever and always"

She began to undress, totally ignoring his presence.

"Ron…"

She took off her shirt, throwing it in his direction.

"Don't fucking do this!"

She unbuttoned her skirt, and then wiggled her hips out of it. She wasn't wearing any underwear.

"Shit"

"Thorn?"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"I just saw Ron…."

"Shut the hell up!"

"What are you doing?"

"Shut up!"

Thorn was plastered to the wall, obviously eavesdropping on the conversation next door.  Linn looked at his clothes with a raised eyebrow totally ignoring his strange, outlandish antics.

"Thorn…why are you wearing a tiara?"

"Because I'm a princess darling!"

He whispered back.

"But the shoes…"

They were fuzzy bunny slippers…obviously not his. And not hers either.

"A bunny princess! Now shut the fuck up and come and listen!"

"But Thorn…where did you get those?!?"

"LISTEN!"

With a dejected sigh she joined him at the wall, carefully pressing her ear against its cold exterior, suddenly filled with curiosity. Wanting to know what the hell was so fascinating in the room next door.

And then she heard it…A moan.

Thorn giggled like a maniac at the on her face.

"Is that…"

"Yep…that's Ron!"

"OH MY GOD!"

"Shhhhhhhh! Trey will hear us…"

"Trey?!?!"

"Yes Trey!"

"Well when I was helping Ron she was spewing on about him…but I didn't think!"

"Honey…even I didn't think…even though I met Ron through Trey, I didn't realize…oh I don't know…they met each other in Year 6. I was in secondary school. I remember it well. They were together until Trey hit college…then…I don't know. It just ended. They were each others first…it was such an adorable relationship. I remember the night they spilt. Ronny came crying to me…she spent about 3 months in my apartment, until Trey opted to move out of theirs…I mean…they lived together for fucks sakes!"

"Wow…"

"What had happened was…Ron came in the room. And Trey was there with this retard Spanish chick…think they were playing twister-"

"Twister?"

"Shh! Don't interrupt! Anyway…Then she left, and then…"What? You traded sex for a green card?" Ron said. "Shut the hell up! She said she liked the game –a likely story- and had played it once before, so I was just being nice and-what the hell is it to you?" He replies.  "Fucking Cunt Trey! Can't I have any fucking feelings? About ANYTHING? Even when we were together you used to pull all this shit off with me! Fuck! I have a heart too!" She's playing the sympathy card.  "Well we're not together anymore, that was a long fucking time ago…" I was pissed when he said that…"Who the fuck cares? This maybe the alcohol speaking…but…I still wanna fuck you" Now that shocked me!  "Don't do this" That was where he had started to give in…"You wouldn't let me…" I thought she'd given up on the whole thing when she said that. "Just go to bed" Totally dismissing her. "Fuck you Trey…forever and always" I think she was crying. Then she started to take of her clothes, I could hear the movement. "Ron…" He sounds completely aroused

"Don't fucking do this!" There he sounds desperate. Bet ya she wasn't wearing any undies. "Shit" And then that's when the monkey business started…"

"Thorn?"

"Yes love?"

"How the hell can you remember that whole conversation, but then not even remember to brush your fucking teeth in the morning?"

"I don't know dear…and don't say morning…it's such a horrid time of the day…"

Authors Note: 4,500 words.Sorry it took so long I was working on it before vacation…and didn't get a chance to finish. Just got back from England on Thursday…I hoped you liked it. Please review and no flames!

Thanks

Griffen