Chapter 58: Resisting the Voices

Books were one of the few things that kept Hermione's attention long enough to forget all her problems. She missed the days when her only concern was how to acquire the next book of her favorite author. She had finally made the library her sanctuary. Having made a request to her House Director, she was allowed to go there whenever she wanted, day or night.

The young woman had taken the habit of placing herself near a window and sometimes let her gaze wander outside when the first light of day appeared. It was her own little moment of magic. A magic without counterpart that was the beauty of nature that woke up in the entrance of the castle.

"Well, it's not all daydreaming, but maybe I should get back to it..."

Hermione then tried to get back into her textbook on the study of runes but nothing helped, she couldn't focus anymore. With her new abilities, she could retain the entire book in her hands in a matter of minutes. It was almost tempting. Leaving that thought aside, she thought back to her last moments in Storybrooke.

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Flash-Back:

She felt safe in Regina and Robin's arms like nowhere else. If only she could stay there. Her excitement at the thought of returning to Hogwarts was not the same as when she was eleven.

- Everything will be fine, don't worry. Henry tried to reassure her.

- Listen to him, Robin continued. We'll stay on guard here in case any DeathEaters try to come back. On your side, it's up to you to fight your own demon.

- And guess what? Regina smiled at him. I have no doubt that your self-control will be much more powerful than the spikes of that old owl in candy pink.

The young Gryffindor nodded without adding a word. She could feel that everyone was trying to reassure her but once there, she would be alone with herself. Hermione left a final kiss on her little sister's forehead before heading off to Hogwarts.

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By the time she returned to her room, it was already dark. It was at this moment that the witch came face to face with her worst fear: Dolores Umbridge. The two women stared at each other for a few minutes, silently sizing each other up.

- Miss Granger, may I ask what you're doing out of bed at this hour?

Hermione took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice as neutral as possible.

- I was in the library, I was absorbed in a book and I didn't see the hour go by.

- And you expect me to believe you? No student is allowed to wander the halls after lunch. It's in the guidelines I put in place.

- With all due respect, Madam. Hermione began, not having an ounce of respect for said woman. I have a permission from Professor McGonagall to go to the library whenever I want so I can take any class I like.

As she handed her the piece of parchment with the words of her headmistress on it, she noticed Umbridge's discomfited face. She understood quite quickly that she had just created yet another tension between teachers. The two women separated and the conflict remained there, much to the astonishment of the Gryffindor.

Yet Hermione, or rather her mind, had not left it there and needed to explode things in the literal sense of the word. She internalized all her unhappiness and teleported to the Forbidden Forest. Professor Dumbledore had shown her a place where he had installed some tools that could help her in case of a strong need to let off steam.

A few dummies that were supposed to be resistant to magic had been deployed here and there. The principal had assured the witch that they would be able to withstand great magical power. However, when Hermione released everything she had held over the past few days, not one but seven dummies were instantly reduced to dust.

Sensing that the surrounding threat of Voldemort and his minions seemed to be getting closer and closer. Hermione decided to turn her power to her advantage. She teleported Harry and Ron with her into the Forbidden Forest and showed them what Dumbledore had set up for her.

- Mione, I don't follow you here. Why are you showing us all this? Ron asked.

- We have to get better. All of us. To control our magic.

- And what do you suggest? Harry asked, becoming more and more interested in the idea of kicking his enemies' asses.

- We need a place like this to train. Well, not here, we'd be surrounded by all kinds of guests. But in the school, a place where we can get stronger. The three of us, but others too.

The young woman's determined look had filled her classmates with the same desire to fight to protect their own and their freedom. All they had to do was find the perfect place to do it and they would be done.

As the days passed, Hermione went to the Forbidden Forest more and more often. Unfortunately, every class she spent with Umbridge ended up like this. The Ministry envoy had made it clear that she could sense that something was being kept from her.

"Rip her head off, wouldn't that make your life easier?"

That little voice, which kept reminding her that she was different from her classmates, kept nagging her, day and night. But the internal chatter was almost incessant when she found herself facing the woman in pink. She almost snapped once during a verbal exchange in a hallway. Tightening the point to hold back, it was the arrival of Professor Mc Gonagall that saved her. Or who saved Umbridge's life, albeit unintentionally.

- Is everything alright? Asked the headmistress of Gryffindor once alone.

- I thought that... I almost... If you hadn't arrived, I... the young woman stammered.

- Breathe in, everything is fine now. Although I don't mind the idea of this woman's disappearance, I don't intend to let you have it on your conscience. And then, to be frank, you are not the only one who wants to reduce her to a few thousand pieces.

It was on a small shared laugh which relaxed the atmosphere that the two women separated. Hermione spent the rest of her day helping Hagrid with the magical creatures he was taking care of. Strangely enough, unlike conventional cats or dogs. The more than fantastic creatures around her were friendly to her and didn't seem to fear her Darkness aura. She finally felt normal in a place on this planet.

Author's note : I hope you will like this one !