Hermione's Struggle

Hermione Granger sat by the fireplace, her face in her hands. Her whole world was gone. Gone, in one single flash of red flames. In one breath. One whisper. All of her friends, her enemies, her role models.... gone. And she was the only one left.

It had been about two weeks before they left Hogwarts forever when it happened. When everything went to pieces...and her world fell apart at her feet. To help you understand.... let's start at the beginning...when it all started.

~

Hermione Granger stood at the top of the staircase in front of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It was the 7^th year's school dance of that year, the Saturday after their exams were finished. She was in her finest dress robes, her hair done up in an elegant knot at the base of her neck, silvery white gloves that went up to the crook of her elbow, and a graceful pale blue dress that went down to the floor, flowing outward behind her. She looked stunning - but, unfortunately, she was without a date. For Hermione spent too much of her time studying - she didn't have any time to ask or be asked. She spent all of the past week up in her dormitory pouring over books and spells, no boys could even come in contact with her, let alone ask her to the 7^th year dance.

Yet, as she walked down the staircase alone, Hermione was still happy, because she had great friends, Harry and Ron, and she had a good record at Hogwarts. She had no other worries then schoolwork, up until exams - so she was worry free. Voldemort had been defeated that year, a couple of weeks before their exams, and everybody was happy and cheerful. She came down to the Great Hall where everyone was dancing emotionally, for it was a slow song. She skimmed over the crowd to see if she saw anyone that she knew. Luna was dancing with Neville, Dean was dancing with Lavender, and Seamus was dancing with Parvarti. Or Padma, Hermione couldn't tell. She walked over to the back of the dance floor, finally seeing Harry and Ron. Harry was dancing with Ginny, and Ron was standing alone.

"Where's your date, Ron?" she asked him.

"Parvarti's gone to get us some drinks," he stated, hands in his pockets. Ah. So Seamus is dancing with Padma...or either Parvarti is having a go with Seamus...

"Oh." Hermione was mildly disappointed that Ron had a date and she did not. Well, you didn't give anybody else a chance, Hermione. You were up in the girl's dormitories completely shut off from the outside world - how could a boy have asked you?! Hermione tried to get these thoughts out of her head.

"Er...want to, er...dance? Hermione?" Ron asked tentatively. Hermione smiled. At least this dance won't be a complete waste...

"Sure," she said.

Ron led Hermione out onto the dance floor and they started to dance slowly, rocking back and fourth, Hermione's head on Ron's shoulder, and his head resting on hers. If anybody didn't know that Ron was just Hermione's friend, people would've thought differently by the way they were dancing. It seemed so intimate, the rocking back and fourth, even though it was just simple movements. Hermione had always felt this tension between herself and Ron, but tonight, it was much more unbearable. She knew that she was attracted to Ron, but not here! Not now, when he had a date and she didn't...she'd come off as the bad guy, the loner without a date who stole the guy by tricking him that they were just friends.

They can't think that.... she thought. She quickly pulled away from Ron.

"Er...I...er...thank you for this dance." She stared into his heartbroken eyes, and tears began to fill her own. She quickly ran with her gloved hand in front of her eyes and parted through the crowd.

How did I lose control like that?? she thought while running through the crowd. It was just an innocent dance; I'm not like this! She began to think on it more. What if.... what if I'm so in love with Ron that I couldn't handle it? But I CAN'T be in love with Ron; he's in love with Parvarti! At least, I think he is. I know that he told Harry that...she kept running till she was outside in the garden, amongst the many couples of the 7^th year dance. She quickly glanced around, and then left. Not a good place when I'm thinking about love...all the kissing...she shuddered.

She finally made up her mind to go back into the Great Hall. When she stepped in, something held her back. Something far off, in her mind...No, Hermione...No...don't go in there...something terrible is about to happen...run as fast as you can! Hermione stood there, blankly, until her feet took over her mind and started running in the opposite direction. No! I have - to - tell - Ron - how - I - feel!!! She thought frantically, every word followed by a jerk in her leg, her own mind trying to turn her legs around.

She ran for hours, it seemed. Her mind was keen on getting away from Hogwarts so much so that she ended up on the boundary of the school, the point at which you could apparate out. Her mind involuntarily grabbed her wand and began to apparate, but her free hand grabbed her other hand and held it down. She forcefully turned around and looked at the school, a gust of wind blowing a strand of hair away from her face. Her elegant hairstyle was now messy and disorganized, and her stylish dress robes were now tainted with mud, since she had fallen quite a few times, in order to get away.

She didn't know why she was trying to run away from the school, was it danger? If it was - then she must tell somebody! But she didn't know. Everyone that she loved was in that school - especially Ron. Nothing could happen to them. Just then, she heard an earsplitting manic laughter in her head - Voldemort. How the hell did Voldemort get inside my head?? What is he doing to me? Or was he so loud that I can hear him all the way over here? Hermione looked frantically around, trying to find where Voldemort was.

Dear, you mustn't go looking for trouble...there's nothing you can do. a voice in Hermione's head whispered anxiously.

God?? She took a wild guess.

No, dear....this is Lily. Lily Evans. Hermione was bewildered by this news.

Harry's mother?? But...why are you talking to me?

You were the only one I could get through...I had to alter your emotions a bit so you could get out of there. I had to save one of you.

What's happening? Hermione said shrilly.

Voldemort is coming to Hogwarts.