The Songfic Series: Rocky Road

Chapter 3 - Haunted

Hermione had been sitting in History of Magic when that huge wave of emotion and flashback of the year before attacked her. She was unprepared, and had no where to run. She put up her hand.

"Professor Binns," she said shakily, "May I go to Madame Pomfrey? I have a headache."

"Yes, Miss Ginger," the ghost replied. Not bothering to correct him, she slowly gathered her things. As she was leaving, she caught Harry's eye. He looked concerned, and worried. Hermione knew why: usually he was the one leaving class with a headache. She put out her palm to him, gesturing for him to calm down, it was fine, and left the room.

Once she left Binns' room, she ran up the marble staircase at incredible speed. She hadn't run that fast since she had run to the Great Hall for their first O.W. L. exam last year. It seemed the closer Hermione got to the Common Room, the clearer the mumbling in her head was.

"Come on Hermione, it won't bite." Ron, trying to force her into his Ford Anglia

"All right," she had replied. "As long as you don't drive me into a tree."

"I could never imagine doing that to you."

Tears welled in Hermione's eyes as the flashbacks continued, getting more and more painful to remember each time.

"Happy Christmas Hermione!"

"Happy Christmas Ron. Now, why am I blindfolded?"

"Because of this."

A single tear feel from Hermione's dark eyes of polished wood as she remembered what she had seen next: a classroom that was filled with enchanted candles, soft pillows, and one floor-to-ceiling window showing the soft and beautiful falling snow outside. Hermione was shocked at herself: she hadn't cried since........since.....the incident. She had trained herself not to. She felt no emotion; no fear, no pain, no grief. The memories continued as Hermione, crying and taking the steps three at a time, ran to the common room, trapped in her own memories of the past she had so carefully locked up.

Long lost words whisper slowly to me

Still can't find what keeps me here

When all this time I've been so hollow inside

She ran inside the common room as the Fat Lady banged shut behind her. She ran into the deserted room, and stared at the wallpaper she had once thought beautiful; now, in her state of confusion, it was haunting. She stared at the portraits, which stared right back, and only then, did Hermione wish she were a muggle, so she wouldn't have to deal with things having personalities when they shouldn't.

I know you're still there

He could be anywhere...she pressed against the stone wall, mad with fear that didn't exist. There were plenty of places to hide in the common room...she of all people would know...he was probably watching her right now...

Watching me and wanting me

I can feel you pull me down

The memories she was replaying grew louder, shouting against one another to be heard. She scrunched up her eyes tight and listened to them wailing.

Feeling you and loving you

I won't let you pull me down

Hermione tore herself from the wall. She would find him, she decided, and make him stop the memories. She tore through the common room, looking in cabinets and under couches.

Hunting you, I can smell you, alive

Your heart pounding in my head

Where was he...he was somewhere in here...he had cast his spell on her...there was no other explanation...

Watching me and wanting me

I can feel you pull me down

Saving me, seeing me,

I won't let you pull me down

She nearly tripped over the upturned corner of the rug as she ran to the center of the room. The room stared the spin. Stop it, Hermione thought. Stop it, you're making me dizzy. The portraits started laughing at her, loudly and cruelly. "Stop it!" Hermione shouted. "Stop it, stop it, stop it!" She covered her ears with her hands and scrunched up her eyes tight. She could still feel the room spinning on her. She could still hear the portraits laughing. She could still see them pointing at her, and she could still see the memories of her and Ron's relationship. "Hermione, Hermione!" the portraits were chanting.

"Stop it!" she kept crying, tears streaming fully down her face. "Stop it! STOP IT!"

Watching me and wanting me

I can feel you pull me down

"HERMIONE! HERMIONE!"

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!"

Feeling you and you loving you

I won't let you pull me down

"Hermione!"

"STOP IT! STOP IT!"

The portraits had come out of their pictures. They were jeering at her. An old man who had been playing a never ending game of wizard chess (a painting Hermione had always despised) came and started rocking her back and forth.

"Hermione! Hermione!" he jeered.

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!" She could feel herself going hoarse. The paintings laughed even more, and she screamed.

"HERMIONE!"

Her eyes suddenly snapped open. Harry was the one who had been shaking her; he was kneeling on the floor next to her, along with Ginny. Both were looking extremely worried. Hermione had sunken to her knees without realizing it.

"Hermione, are you OK?" asked Harry, still holding her shoulders, eyes wide with concern and fear. The rest of the Gryffindor six years were behind Harry and Ginny, looking worried. Well, Hermione registered as she looked at them, almost all of them. He was still hiding. Hermione heard a few whispers among them and she knew what they were: She must have finally cracked. Harry and Ginny pulled her to her feet.

"You need to talk, Hermione," said Ginny.

"Guys, do you mind?" Harry said to the other sixth year boys. Seamus, Dean and Neville shook their heads simultaneously and Harry, Ginny, and Hermione proceeded toward the sixth year boys' dormitory. Hermione could feel eyes on her back, following her every move. She turned around and saw someone by the portrait hole. It was him. His face was full of emotion, yet Hermione was in no state to read it. The next thing she knew, she was in Harry's room, and Ginny was locking the door behind them.