Hello! I know it's been a long time since I written, but I was sick today. So instead of studying for the SAT, which is tomorrow, I've decided to finally write something. I won't be able to update for a while again due to finals and AP test. Joy. This takes place in the fourth book, during the fight between Harry and Ron. Enjoy (: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter, I just play around in her world.
Nothing is going Right, Hermione thought while staring at a wall with a blank expression in the large library. She occupied a corner study table, leaving her school work across the oak top. A whirlwind of thoughts were diverging her from a defense against the dark arts essay, poised beneath an eagle quill, ready to write out the next phrase concerning unforgivable curses. Sighing in defeat, Hermione takes a quick break and observes the Scottish landscape. Although pouring, she can't help but sigh at dark sky, having the impulse to play in the rain. What I would do to have a day of peace. No fights, schoolwork, or stupid tournament. Just like a normal 15 year old should have, minus school and magic. A loud THUMP broke through her thoughts, and made her turn her head back to the perpetrator. Several textbooks seemed to have caused sheets of parchments to fly off of the oak table. Looking up, Hermione sees her best friend's emerald eyes, mischievous with his action.
"Knew I would find you here Hermione." Harry said, smirking as he removed various textbooks from another seat. "I thought you could use the company." Sighing, his eyes wander to the stormy weather, dramatically changing his mood. Defeated, Hermione laid down her quill, taking in the appearance of her friend. Messy ebony hair, pale skin and a wearied expression: Dark circles beneath his eyes give out how little sleep he has gained since the tournament began.
"Have you been getting enough sleep?" Hermione prompts after a few minutes. "It's not good for you to be losing sleep now, especially with the first task coming soon."
Her voice breaks his thoughts, turning his head to the bushy-haired girl. "Not really, been staying up till usually 12 to finish homework."
Liar she thinks. Stress and nightmares seem to be haunting him again. But Hermione doesn't say her thoughts out loud. She returns to the half-finished essay, relaying information in her neat handwriting. Every few minutes, she quickly looks up to Harry, paying careful attention to his emotion. Open like a book she thinks. Usually the quiet library is her escape in the castle, but the muted noise of quills scratching, turning pages in outdated books, and tapping inconsistent rhythms from a variety of people, Hermione sighs in defeat. I'll finish this later. While gathering her school things, a rather impromptu thought fills her head. Grinning slyly, she pulls Harry up. "Want to do something fun?" She quickly says. He nods his head, a little scared from the grin she's pulling off. "Well hurry up! Let's drop off our school things in the tower, and then follow me."
10 minutes later, the two Gryffindors stand near a corridor: One that leads to the wet grounds outside. Pulling his wrist hastily, Hermione leads him outside. "I think sometimes Harry, we just need to let go of the world and be children again. Right now, it doesn't matter about the first task, school, or stupid friends. Right now, all that it matters is that we're playing in the rain."
Harry's eyed widen in fear of her plan, wondering is all this making her mental? But looking at her eyes, a spark is shown, rarely seen throughout the year. Snorting, he thinks back yup, and I'm mental too for going along with this. Taking her hand, the teenagers run though the rain, pretending to be normal for an hour.
Up in the Gryffindor Tower, Fred smirks and pulls George to the window. Pointing down, both of the twins observe two very energetic fourth years playing in the rain: twisting, dancing and splashing to an unknown audience. Others begin to gather and a rather large audience looks down to see a forgotten childhood, hidden in the rain.
Half an hour later, Professor McGonagall drags Harry and Hermione by the wrist to the Hospital Wing. Glaring at her favorite students, she forcibly wraps the pupils in a thick, wooly blanket, decorated with quaffle and snitches. Both automatically get closer, wrapping themselves closer, just like siblings. This action doesn't go unnoticed by the professor, who files this tidbit of information away. Madam Pomfrey briskly comes to the bed with doses of pepperup potion, glaring and finally saying, "What made you both go out in the cold rain in the middle of Scotland? It's about 40 degrees outside, could have caught pneumonia." Carefully observing that both teenagers drank their portions, she performed diagnostic spells, revealing their condition. "Luckily it's only a slight cold. I'll send with you both more doses of pepperup, to take before you sleep tonight." Nodding to Professor McGonagall, she retreated back to her office.
Professor McGonagall looked at both students sharply before saying, "What possessed you to both go out in this weather?" anger evident in her tone.
Harry and Hermione, both still wet and shivering, quickly looked at each other. Hermione finally said after a few moments of peace, "We wanted to leave the world for a bit, and well, just be children again." She awkwardly pauses, only to resume again. "School, drama, you-know-who: Sometimes, we just need to forget about these things, and become a child again. And that's why we were playing in the rain: To escape it all, even for a moment."
Harry nods in agreement and adds, "I never had a childhood. Playing in the rain, it, it made me feel normal."
Professor McGonagall's glare softens, looking sympathetic at her pupils. Harry never did have a childhood at the Dursleys, and he had to grow up young. She faced Hermione, thinking And Hermione had to grow up at age eleven, far too young. "While that might be," She began, "Catching your death in the harsh rain is not the answer. Perhaps, using your imagination is the better choice." Standing up from the chair, she ends, "Both of you shall drink the potion right before bed. Now go back to your dormitories, and enjoy the rest of your evening." Professor McGonagall now at the end of the hospital wing adds, "Perhaps It is never too late to have a happy childhood. Good day." And with that, the two Gryffindors were left to themselves, pondering upon her last phrase.
"Harry," Hermione began with another glint in her chocolate eyes, "She's right. Maybe we still can have our childhood." Harry faced her, scared of her new idea. "We should go to the room of requirements, and perhaps just play. Playing like we were supposed to do. Sounds fun, right?" She adds, thinking of all the blackmail she could uncover.
"Sure Hermione." Harry says hesitantly.
Thus, in the cover of the come-and-go-room, Harry and Hermione became seven again, immersed in their adventures. At the end of the day, the two lads emerged in the common room dressed in costumes: Hermione as a vicious pirate and Harry as a baby chick with bright yellow feathers. Neither spoke of the day, opting to go straight into the showers and not answer any questions. Leaving with a grin, Harry thinks that was an odd day. Fun, but odd. Oh well, time to ignore Ron again.