Title: 1.1 : Mirror of Erised : The Mirror
Author: itsjoshua
Rating: M (NC-17)
Word count: 3 569
Status: edited, but there might be some grammatical mistakes still. I don't know.
Summary: Hermione Granger faces a terrible dilemma when she accidentally travels through time and somehow comes into an unusual creature inheritance. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Hermione depends on a person she knows will only bring trouble.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned everything relating to Harry Potter, but sadly, I don't.
Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future. - Audrey Hepburn
His platinum blond hair gleams in the soft moonlight as his fingers brush against my cheek gently. I know this is the last moment we have together and I am in no hurry to let him go. For awhile, just for a moment, I want to pretend that we have all the time in the world.
He runs his fingers through my hair and kisses me gently on the lips, his grey eyes burn with a desire that I have grown use to.
"When do you leave?" He questions as his other hand grips my own.
I can only smile wryly and I tell him soon. He frowns, but accepts the answer with great reluctance. We sit there in silence, just enjoying what little time we have left.
As the wind blows lightly and dances across our skin, he breaks the peaceful silence.
"Promise me you will stay safe?" He murmurs. How can I promise to stay safe when our life is nothing but a dangerous game? It will be ignorant of me if I think I can. I gave him a look, hoping that he would understand that I cannot promise such a thing. If need be, I am willing to sacrifice my life for the greater good.
"Hermione," he presses, his pale fingers grip my hand tightly in his grasp. I knew that if I answer truthfully, he will only worry. To have so much stress in a time like this will do no good. So I simply smile and hope that the truth is forever masked behind my hazel eyes.
Slowly, I raise my hand to cradle his cheek in a comforting gesture, but he does not look comfortable, not at all.
"Draco, I promise to stay safe," I lie, knowing very well that there's a chance I can die. He nods his head and pulls me into a firm, but loving hug.
"I'll try to protect you as much as I can," Draco murmurs softly into my hair, "even Potter and Weasley, but I don't know for how long," he admits.
"I understand. It is the thought that counts and as long as you don't give up on me, I will always be with you right here," I say pointing to where his heart is. He shakes his head and blushes ever so slightly.
"It is almost midnight. I must go," I say looking at the time on my muggle watch. A gift from my parents'.
"Hermione, I love-" I place my index finger over his lips and smile.
"You can tell me that after I come back from the hunt and win the war," I laugh.
Draco stands, pulling me along with him. The infamous Slytherin smirk slowly slips onto his features as he stares down at me.
"If that's the case, I shall give you this to remember me by." He pulls me into a tight embrace again and plants a soft kiss on my lips that makes me go red. Seconds, maybe minutes pass by before he releases me and I blush even more in embarrassment.
"See you soon, Hermione."
"See you soon, Draco."
I turn on my heel and leave the empty classroom that encases the person I adore. Our relationship is rocky and will probably never be the perfect fairy tale. However, one thing is for sure, I can never give up on him completely.
I ran down the corridor and to the heavy stone stairs. They shift to my personal needs and I hope the slight creaking sounds do not alert any lurking teachers. I take the steps two at a time and by the time I reach the seventh floor, I am partially out of breath.
I walk down the corridor until I reach a familiar brick wall. I touch it gently and skim my fingers along the rough brick before I step back.
Slowly, the door to the room of requirement appears in all its glory. I push open the heavy door and freeze at the sight that greets me … or should I say the lack of.
It's not my first time using the room of requirement, however, it is the first time it doesn't do what I want. When Harry, Ron and I would meet up, we would ask for a room that can help us plan and train to defeat Lord Voldemort.
This time … Well, I'm not sure what it did.
I bite my lip and look at the time again. There is only five minutes 'till midnight and both Harry and Ron are not here yet. I sigh in frustration, but I let it go. This is a difficult moment for all of us and it's going to be hard to depart from our home known as Hogwarts. However, it must be done. If we can track down Voldemort's horcruxes, then we can defeat him once and for all.
I turn to step out the room but something glitters in the soft artificial moonlight.
Carefully, I step back into the room fully. It looks like any other classroom, but it is one I've never seen before. On the far wall stands something tall and wide with a white sheet that conceals most of whatever is hidden. I approach the hidden object with great wonder and I carefully rip the dusty sheet off that encases it.
Behind it, stands a mirror that was unbelievable beautiful.
It held a gold lining with tiny runes etched within it. It pulses a magic I have never felt before. It feels so pure, but dark at the same time. It makes my skin tingle with a giddiness I never felt before.
"What is this?" I murmur to myself as I trace the runes with the point of my finger. I did not recognize any of these, yet I have studied runes for the past six years.
Although I am not superficial, I do find the mirror quite beautiful.
I look at the top of the frame and spot something written on it:
"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi"
It is not Latin, but I took a mental note of what it says so I can research it later.
Slowly, I reach my hand out and let it skim across the mirror's surface. It is smooth and surprisingly felt like silk beneath my finger's.
I think hard for some light to brighten the room, but nothing seems to appear. I vaguely wonder if the room of requirement is possibly broken, but brush it off as I pull out my wand.
The word, "lumos" fell softly from my lips and my wand lit the small room in a soft glow. I train it onto the mirror and gasp when I see a pair of bright blue eyes piercing through me. I accidentally drop my wand and turn to see who is behind me, but no one is there.
I shake my head and ran my fingers through my curly hair as I pick up my wand. It is probably nothing. Must be my imagination.
I cast the same spell and examine the mirror once again. This time there is nothing but my reflection in it and I smile. However, I look slightly different. In the mirror a small smile graces my lips, but my teeth look odd, almost sharp. Instead of my hair reaching to my shoulders, it hangs down in wet curls to the small of my waist. Not only that, but in the false image of myself, I'm wearing a white dress that stops right above my knees.
Now I'm really curious to know what this is.
"Hermione."
Came a gentle whisper through the once quiet room. In surprise, I spun around with my wand up and ready.
"Ron … Harry?" I call out, but there is no response.
"Hermione."
"Who's there?" I demand. There is no way that is just my imagination. Someone is watching me, I can feel it. Constant vigilance - kept running through my head as I search the room with a steady gaze.
"Who's there?" I repeat as the temperature in the room drops. It chills me to the bone and the air becomes increasingly hard to breath.
"Hermione," came the velvety whisper that seemed sweet, but held a certain type of tone that made me feel ill inside.
Suddenly a flash of darkness runs by me. I gasp slightly, but I do not back down.
"Homenum Revelio," I shout hopping to reveal whoever is trying to attack me. No one appears and for a moment I wonder if it's Peeves trying to scare me.
"What do you want?" I ask firmly. Another flash of darkness runs by me and then everything stills. No sounds, no movement, just the sound of my heavy breathing and the mirror behind.
I sigh in slight relief.
I start to relax, hoping that Harry and Ron will show up any second now.
"Silly girl," comes the taunting snicker and before I can react, something - or someone - roughly shoves me into the mirror. I expect to hear the shatter of glass as my body collides harshly into the beautiful mirror, but I only break through the surface like it is a puddle of water.
I fall and I keep falling until I'm absorbed into what feels like a total abyss.
I felt like my body is being pulled into several different directions. Sharp pains and screams escape my mouth, but they are lost in the darkness, never to be heard. I scream and I scream until I can scream no longer. It hurts, it hurts a lot and there is so much pain, but I cannot do anything about it.
I can feel the wind rush pass my ears as my arms and legs flail around trying to grip anything, if there is anything.
"Hermione."
Came the same stupid whisper that rockets through my body, mind and soul like freshly shined bullet.
Who is there? What is happening to me? Why is there so much pain? Make the pain stop! I mentally scream.
For a moment, I felt like my pleas is answered when I suddenly plunge into what seems like a bucket of ice cold water. I gasp for air as I resurface to the top. It is dark but I can make out the slight features of a forest.
"Miss!" I hear someone call my name and I turn my sore body to spy someone quite tall running towards me.
I wave my hand as I struggle to keep afloat. I do not care who it is, but I am grateful there's someone who can help me.
Suddenly something thick wraps itself around my ankle. I try to wiggle away, but it only tightens. I panic and try to swim away.
"Help!" I yell as loud as I can, but it isn't very loud.
Suddenly, I am tugged under and my struggle becomes a lot more furious. Everything in my body is becoming numb as I lose all feeling from the icy cold water. I struggle to swim to bring myself back to the surface, but I am only tugged further.
"Hermione."
I feel something else wrap itself around me and squeeze me tightly. What little air that I could salvage is gone.
Somebody save me, is the last thing I remember before I slip into the darkness that I know as my mind.
"This is … What shall we … You're quite right …"
Soft voices drifts in and out of my hearing as I slowly came back to consciences.
The first thing I note is that my mouth is incredibly dry, the next thing I notice is that I am no longer in pain and in a very stiff bed.
I open my eyes slowly, groaning as the bright light of the sun shines down upon my sensitive eyes.
"Shhh … She's awakening," came a harsh whisper. It is pretty obvious that whoever they were, is talking about me.
I try say something, but I only end up coughing. I clutch my dry throat as I try to sit up and groan at the soreness of my body I didn't realize is still there.
"No dearier, lay down," a kind voice says as they gently push me down.
I try to protest, but came to a halt as the cool texture of water is being slid into my mouth and down my throat. I immediately relax a little, but it does nothing to hinder my curiosity. I slowly try opening my eyes again and I am greeted by a rather thin woman with graying black hair.
She smiles warmly at me, but I can sense the slight nervousness behind the smile.
"Where am I?" I ask as I try to take in my surroundings.
"Hogwarts, Infirmary," she says instantly.
"What?" I say sitting up quickly only to regret it as my head swirls with dizziness. She pushes me back down gently.
"But I don't recognize you," I state and she scrunches up her eyebrows.
"Why Miss in all fairness, we do not recognize you either. Which brings us to the question, who are you?"
I open my mouth to send a sarcastic retort to the man, but what greets my eyes immediately has my mouth glued shut. A much younger and alive Dumbledore stands before me in bright orange robes. His once twinkly blue eyes that were always warm were filled with suspicion and worry.
For a moment I thought I was dreaming, especially when I spot the old ex-Headmaster Armando Dippet, who has been dead for nearly four decades standing next to him.
"My name is Hermione," I say slowly as I stare at them confused.
"Would you mind telling us why you are here?" Dippet questions and I frown. Here? Where is here exactly? Hogwarts? Impossible. Maybe I'm in heaven, maybe I died.
"I don't know," I respond truthfully.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Dippet asks quite suspiciously.
"I - I don't know how I ended up here. One minute I'm at home, the next moment I'm here," I lie. How do explain to them that you feel through a mirror?
"Where's your home?" Dumbledore questions and I purse my lips as if trying to remember.
"I'm sorry … I-I can't remember," I say as I pretend to panic.
"Well this is quite troubling," Dippet mutters. "Tell me, how old are you little girl?" He questions.
"16." I respond instantly. It isn't something I have to lie about. It is pretty obvious that I'm still within my teenage years. How much harm can it be to let small truths of my identity slip through?
"So you must of just came into your creature inheritance, which would explain quite a lot," he smiles.
"My inheritance?" I look at him as if he just hit is head or something. I have heard a lot about witches and wizards coming into creature inheritances, but I never thought that it can happen to me. He must be wrong.
"Why dear, you're a mermaid, though what kind is undetermined," the nurse announces. I note that her voice shakes a little on the 'M' word and I stare at her in shock.
"I'm a what?"
"A merm-"
"Yes, yes, I heard, but … but that's impossible," I hesitantly say.
"How so?" Dippet asks.
"I'm a muggleborn," I state.
"Well then, it must be somewhere in your blood. When you were found, you were in the form of a mermaid, but you transformed back into a human after a short while of being out of the water," Dippet states.
I look at him gobsmacked.
"I … I'm sorry, can you explain that in detail?" I ask. This cannot be true. It must be a joke or even a dream! There is no way that I'm a mermaid!
Dumbledore steps forward and I focus my attention on him, "the Head Boy saw you struggling in the water and saved you. When he pulled you out you were in the form of a mermaid. That is how you were brought into the infirmary. I must admit, there has not been a mermaid who is half human in quite some time, let alone one that is a muggleborn," Dumbledore points out in deep thought before he stares at me curiously.
"Don't worry Miss. Hermione, the memory loss is most likely temporary. It happens quite often when people reach their inheritance," Dippet states. However, Dumbledore does not look as convinced as he eyes me questioningly.
I felt a slight probing on my mind and tense slightly at the feel. I would have not noticed if it isn't for the fact I am an experienced occlumens. I immediately throw my barriers up and by the look on Dumbledore's face, I can tell that it was him trying to snoop.
It's weird to have someone you once trusted suddenly dislike you, no matter what the circumstances is.
I take in a deep calming breath as I try to keep my cool.
I look to Dippet and smile slightly, "may I ask what today's date is?"
"Why it's December 10th, holidays are just around the corner," Dippet wheezes as he began to cough slightly. However, I pay no mind to it. My eyes widen slightly in shock. In my time, it was only the start of September which meant birthday has already past.
"A-and the year," I ask in true nervousness.
"1944," he says bluntly and I try to hide my shock.
"I shall take my leave. However, before I do, Miss Hermione, you are welcome to stay Hogwart's until things start to come to memory. "
"I would love that!" I grin.
"Excellent, I - "
" - Armando," Dumbledore cuts in, "how can we allow her to stay within Hogwarts boundaries without knowing who she is?" Dumbledore asks critically. I felt a scoff nearing the edge of my throat, but I held it in.
No matter what the situation is, I felt somewhat offended. I am a loyal person, but I guess I cannot judge Dumbledore like that since he does not know who I am in this time.
"Trust me Albus, I'm sure this young girl doesn't mean us any harm." Dippet chastises and I hold in a giggle at Dumbledore's slightly put off expression.
Dippet turns his attention back onto me and gives me a thin smile, "you will be our guest at Hogwarts, Miss Hermione."
He strokes his chin in thought before eyeing me for a moment.
"I guess in the meantime you can attend 7th year classes then. Dumbledore will provide you with the list of classes you may apply to and the forms that you must fill in. For now, you can stay in the guest headquarters. I'll send for the Head Girl to show you around once you are well and free to roam."
"Is that everything?" The nurse asks. I turn my head to gaze at the forgotten nurse, she looks annoyed. "My patient needs rest, anything you need to sort out can be dealt with later." She states with her hands on her hips and lips slipping into a thin line.
"Ah, as you wish Ms. Melancolic. Good evening Miss Hermione. Albus, come with me," Dippet calls and both leave the infirmary in swirling robes.
I rub my forehead in dismay and take in everything that I have learned so far.
Ms. Melancolic fusses over me for moment, handing me a glass of water.
"You must be thirsty. Being a creature of the water, you must be kept hydrated." I nod my head in agreement and I drink from the glass before placing it on my bedside.
"Now get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day for you."
I close my eyes and thought about what Harry and Ron were possibly doing now. Are they searching for for me or are they looking for the horcruxes?
I really do miss home.
Author's Note:
So this is the first story that I'm posting on here. It is not edited yet, but I hope to do so soon. I'm not sure how often updates will be but I'll try to update as much as I can over the holidays.
Please don't forget to tell me what you think, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- itsjoshua