In Darkness

It was cold. Hermione Granger shivered and wrapped her arms tightly around herself, clutching onto the small blanket that was draped over her shoulder. Mentally she kicked herself for volunteering to stay behind and "watch" over number 12 Grimmauld Place that particular weekend. She figured that she could get some piece and quiet, as well as a lot of reading done. She sighed and pulled the blanket closer. All had been fine that day; she had sat in the study reading. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then the rain started, along with the thunder and the cold. Something was just wrong in the house. She couldn't exactly understand what was so wrong, but deep down in her gut there was definitely something out of the ordinary happening.

She sat down on the edge of her bed in the room that she shared with Ginny during the long summers they spent there. It was no longer summer, but rather late October, and Ginny was finishing her last year of Hogwarts, leaving Hermione to stay at the Grimmauld Place in supposed "hiding" along with Harry. During the summer the house would be full and crowded, with people always coming and going. Now though, she thought with distain, it was mostly empty, and she and Harry had to alternate between staying at Hogwarts, here or the Burrow. Someone always had to stay at number 12 in case of an emergency, and since Harry disagreed with the place since Sirius had died, that someone was more often than not Hermione Granger.

The room flashed with a bolt of lightning and she shuddered, trying not to let out a shriek that so desperately wanted to come from her mouth. Hiding her face in her hand she let out a ragged breath, trying desperately to calm herself down. "You're losing it My-knee." She told herself. A faint smile traced across her lips as she recalled the nickname Ron often used on her. Hermione hadn't seen the red head in a month, due to the fact that she was always at number 12. Unlike Harry, Hermione didn't go to the Burrow. Since being pushed into hiding, she had been able to survive it. She had survived three horrible long months, and was determined that she wouldn't loose sanity then. Seeing Ron, the only one who loved her deeply and whom she too had feelings for would only crack her resolve and determination. It was too painful.

The ex-Gryffindor shook her head. It was stupid really, being forced into hiding. She understood why Harry was in hiding- for that one was obvious. With Voldemort and so many Death Eaters on the loose, it was deadly. Many more had joined death's army because of the growing battle the ragged on. It was obvious that indeed a great war would soon break out, and sides needed to be chosen now instead of later. While Ron, although one of Harry's best friends was safe at his home at the Burrow because of the many family members that surrounded him, Hermione was most definitely not. In the eyes of the other side, she was a threat. A large threat due to the fact that she was immensely bright, and had achieved all O's on her NEWTS. Not to mention that she also achieved all of the highest scores in every subject in the history of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was the smartest Witch the world had ever seen.

A single tear fell and she cursed herself silently. If she had known what life had been like now, she would have failed every test and every assignment given to her starting from square one. But there was no going back now; she was past the point of no return. It was too late now. As more tears began to fall from her glossy brown eyes, Hermione stood up quickly and made her way over to the full-length mirror that stood beside the armoire. She was average height, with brown hair that reached just past her shoulders. She had managed to tame it considerably, but it wasn't that noticeable to others. It was still curly and unruly, but it hung limp without much body. Fading dark marks were printed under her dull brown eyes from countless sleepless nights of being alone. The freckles and large smile that once dominated her face had long since faded- it had been a long time since she had been outside or had a chance to experience true joy.

July and August had been full of preparation, with people running up and down the stairs of the Grimmauld Place. Her, Harry, Ron and Ginny had spent much time hidden in the library, trying to avoid the constant talk of death and war from the adults. Each of them new that soon enough when September came the four would be split up. While Hermione, Harry and Ron had all been accepted into the Order upon graduating, and each had joined that first week of July. But then Snape had begun to tell them about the gruesome deaths of their friends that had been captured by the Death Eaters and death's army- a much broader group of people all fighting under Voldemort's name- the adults had let the three refrain from coming to the meetings if they wished. Most of the time, they just sat at the back of the library grieving the lost of their friends. Seamus. Parvati. Neville... All dead. All gone.

The tears clouded her eyes thickly and she could no longer see. She pressed her hands forcefully against the glass and tried to hold herself up, wishing that she could escape the life that had been so cruelly forced upon her. Now she understood what Harry had to go through his whole life, the constant dread and loss. The dread, the loss, the pain, and the hiding. It was something that no nineteen year old should have to deal with it. While Harry and Ron were only 18, Hermione was ungretably 19, due to her use of the Time Turner in her third year. It made no difference though. They were all still friends, all still sharing the same pain.

"What if I don't want the pain anymore! What if I don't want to live like this? Than what? Then what do I do!" Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs, but her voice was drowned out by another boom of thunder that shook the house forcefully. "I don't want it! Take it back! Take it back! I don't want to live with it, so why make me? Take. It. Back..." Her screams turned into maddening sobs and she leaned against the mirror, pressing her forehead against it for support. A thought came across her mind as she wiped furiously at the tears that rolled unceremoniously down her cheeks. "I'm mad. I'm going crazy! Talking to myself." She said aloud, her voice thick with sobs.

After what seemed like hours, she pushed herself off of the glass and backed up to retrieve the blanket that had fallen long ago from her shoulders. The thunder outside had calmed down, but the rain still fell harshly against the tin roof. Blinking she wound the blanket protectively around her upper body tightly and left the small room to go find a drink to sooth her horse throat. Few tears still threatened in her eyes but she fought to keep them in. It didn't matter that no one was around. She wouldn't let them fall. As she reached the landing, that feeling of wrongness that she had felt earlier came back to her quickly. Hermione shivered and held the scrap of material closer. Placing one foot in front of the other, she made her way down the stairs, one step at a time. By the time she reached the bottom the feeling had gotten stronger. Something told her that she was not alone.

There was a certain noise that had seemed to come out of nowhere. She cocked her head to the side slightly and listened, trying to hear it above of the loud drumming of rain. It was unfamiliar, different from any other noise that she had heard while spending time at number 12 Grimmauld Place. It tinkered slightly, vanishing every now and then. For a moment it seemed to get louder and louder before vanishing once again from her ears. I'm not alone. She thought quietly. It was true. The sound was inhuman, but earthly. She strained her over-intelligent mind for a thought of what the sound might be. But she drew a blank and was at a loss.

Taking a step towards the soft sound she reached into the robes that hung loosely around her muggle jeans and t-shirt for her wand. Gripping the piece of wood tightly she let the blanket flutter to the ground soundlessly. Hermione closed her eyes briefly and tried to search for the earthly sound, trying to figure at least where it was coming from. 'The study.' Her mind called. She shuddered and drew nearer to the room, her feet making soft noises on the carpeted flooring. What's wrong with me? I should be terrified. I don't know what's in that room. It could be dangerous and deadly... and yet... She stopped and listened as the sound grew louder and wilder, changing it's speed and what seemed like direction. It sounded angry, whatever it was. I'm not afraid. There's something about that strange sound that beckons my soul. It calls to me in the dead of the night. She snorted softly and quickened her pace. So it's true. Hermione Granger has lost it at least. Say good-bye to all thoughts of sanity.

Hermione reached out to grasp the brass doorknob. One turn and a push was all that separated from her and the strange sound. It was loud now, entering her mind and caressing places she didn't know where there. It hit her like a brick wall. "Music! The Piano!" Her eyes grew wide and she mentally smacked herself for speaking aloud. I'm so stupid! How could I have not thought of it before? Music! Alas, the sweet heavenly sounds that I haven't heard since the Yule Ball. Still holding tight to her wand she pressed her body against the wooden door and sighed, her wandless hand on the brass knob. "Now or never Hermione dear." She whispered, letting the music wash over her. Grasping the knob hard, she gave it a quick turn and let the door open slowly.

The room was mostly dark, save for a few candles that sat on the upright piano to her right. She let her eyes glance around the room, taking in her surroundings quickly. It was just like she had left it earlier- a stack of books carried down from the library sitting on the desk, the red curtains pulled shut to block out the sun that she craved, a forbidden desire. Across the back of the chair was a warn traveling clock that had been folded neatly. A half full bottle of butterbeer sat near by on the edge of the cluttered desk. Her brown eyes wandered to the other side of the small room where the old upright piano sat. Hermione kicked herself mentally again. How stupid had she been to forget about the instrument. In front of the piano, sitting on the high-polished mahogany bench was a man

That was all too familiar for the Hogwarts graduate.

Hermione put her fist to her mouth to suppress her grasp. There was no denying who he was as she regarded his tall dark figure in the flickering candlelight. It was Severus Snape himself, sitting before the piano, his long graceful fingers traveling over the ivory keys in a mad dance. Unwillingly she took a step towards him and studied his features. His mouth was drawn into a tight line, his dark eyes clouded with dull emotion. Hermione thought she would faint as she listened to the music that her pounded out from the piano. It was loud, and angry. At this distance it was clearly heard above the harsh rain. She let her eyes slide close as she leaned against the wall, letting the music carry her into a deep trance.

Not before long, she found herself humming quietly with the intense music that surrounded her. It got quieter and drifted off like a boat on the water, and then finally all came crashing down, ending in a grand finale. With a few sharp notes it ended. Hermione opened her eyes, swaying on the spot as she did so. She sighed and bit her lip rather harshly, wondering what she should say. Thankfully though, the Potions Master began another tune. This one was softer and simpler than the last.

"Miss Granger if you're going to just stand there and gawk I suggest you leave now." Hermione visibly jumped and her trance was broken immediately. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before shutting it with a snap. 'How did he know?' She asked herself, but instantly shook her head, clearing her mind of such said thoughts. Taking a few more steps forwards, she stared at his hands gliding almost magically across the keys.

"I... I... You! That..." She bit her lip harder than before and sighed.

"Miss Granger, seize your babbling at once please. It is giving me a dreadful headache. Possibly keeping you here by yourself was a bad idea after all. It appears that the silence has damaged your mental health." He said calmly. Hermione shuddered.

"Sorry Professor Snape, you just startled me. I wasn't expecting you here, that's all." He said nothing. They both sat in near silence, the hushed music coming from under his fingers making the only noise. Hermione swallowed a few times. Did she dare ask?

"Sir, I never knew you played the piano." Snape grunted and continued playing. "That song you were playing before... it was..." She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, letting the music numb her senses. She was starting to feel dizzy as she stood there closely behind him, listening to the music grow more entrancing and angry with every second that ticked by.

"It's called Revolutionary. It's by Frederick Chopin. Of course you never knew, what was I supposed to do, announce it one morning to the Great Hall? Play a piece at the Seventh Year graduation? Foolish girl." Hermione blushed deep crimson at his words. She backed up a few paces, putting her wand back into her pocket. She dropped all her weight into the chair that sat behind her desk and cradled her head in her arms. The music was driving her mad. It crescendo and fell before growing dim once again.

"Are you ill Miss Granger?" Snape's voice was softer than it had been a few moments ago. Hermione half expected him to stand up, but his fingers kept playing doing their crazy duet. She shook her head, then realized that he couldn't see her.

"No sir, I'm alright. It's just... It's so quiet around here." She gave a dramatic sigh and buried her head deeper into her arms. A few moments paced between them before he started up a new tune.

"Why don't you stay at Hogwarts for a week or so? Dumbledore said you haven't been back since the second week of September. It's now October 27^th if you haven't noticed." She blinked into the darkness of her arms. October 27^th? How did she loose such track of time?

"I can't go back there Professor. For one, Harry doesn't like it here, and I don't blame him. This was Sirius' house after all. And Hogwarts... it's too painful. I feel that if try to go back I'm not going to be able to survive being invisible." Her voice trailed off and she looked up at his hunched over form at the piano. Stupid, stupid, stupid! What am I doing? Confiding my pain to Snape? He's going to leave me... alone... She cursed herself for being so immature. He sighed and shook his head, abandoning his current melody.

"Miss Granger, I believe sleep would do you well at this time." Blowing the candles, he tossed the heavy curtains aside to let in the shadowy moonlight. Picking up the bottle of butterbeer he downed it in a large gulp and set it back down with a loud clunk. Snape grabbed his cloak and pulled it over the shoulders of his billowing robes. He walked past her silently, stopping only at the door. "Good night Miss Granger." Hermione looked up from her arms, her brown eyes meeting her own dark ones. She shivered and backed out of his gaze, nodding as she did so. It wasn't until she heard the front door close that she realized that he was gone.

Hermione closed her eyes again and sighed deeply. The rain that had seemed to die down while she was talking to him had picked up again, and the thunder had returned. A single tear fell as she folded her arms tightly and rested her chin on top, studying the upright mahogany piano. A million questions filled her head, each one different from the last. Why was he here? Since when did he play the piano... And that music... She let out a small moan and bit her lip. She remembered the song he played when she walked in on him. It was so passionate and deep with emotion.

It wasn't until the rain had stopped that her thoughts had abandoned her, the melody of Revolutionary lulling her to sleep.