Visions and Prophesies

Visions and Prophesies: Hermione, where art thou?

Without looking up, she began to apologize.

"Oh God, I am so sorry! I am such.."

"No no, it's ok. I'm sorry... Sarin?"

She looked up and right into the warm brown eyes of her best friend's older brother.

"Oh..I..I'm sorry Ron. I.. I'm going..that is.. I'm..."

Pointing down the hall she stood up and made a hasty exit. Looking after her retreating form, Ron found himself smiling. Actually it was more of a grin. As much time as she had spent with his family over the summer, he really hadn't gotten to know her. But he knew enough to receive the message his brain was sending.. he fancied her. She was a year younger than he was, and nearly a foot shorter, but there was something about the way she held herself. Something about her clear blue eyes and her long black hair. He liked to hear her laugh and enjoyed being the reason she laughed over the summer. Turning around, he walked around the corner and up to the portrait.

"Password?"

"Aurora."

The Fat Lady noticed his mood and commented before he entered the Common Room.

"Certainly cheerful dear!"

Once inside, he knew something was wrong. Harry was there, pacing the floor with Ginny walking beside him trying to calm him down and Toby sitting with his eyes fixed on the fire.

"Harry? What is it?"

Ron could feel his cheer fading swiftly as he crossed the room to his best friend. Harry looked up, fear, worry, guilt, and agitation in his emerald green eyes.

"Ron, it's Hermione."

Ron looked at his best friend with narrowed eyes, then surveyed the rest of the scene. His eyes rested on Toby before he opened his mouth.

"Hermione? What's wrong with her? Is she in the hospital wing?"

"No Ron. She's been kidnapped."

Harry's words hung in the air heavily. The last time someone had gone missing was in second year. Ron remembered how Ginny had disappeared and was thought to be dead in the Chamber of Secrets. For a brief moment he wondered if maybe Hermione was being held by another shade of Tom Riddle. He was about to suggest this when his sister spoke up.

"You-Know-Who has her. He said he wanted to know something about a prophesy? Is that right Harry?"

Harry could only nod. What prophesy?

**************************************************************

Sarin leaned against the wall and sighed. She was such a little klutz. How in the world did she end up running dead into Ron Weasley? He was sure to think she was a dumb little kid now. Truth be told, she fancied him the minute she saw him. During the time she spent at the Burrow, she came to like his personality. His fierce loyalty to his family and friends, the way he always made sure she had a smile on her face. Then she had to go and run into him. But Merlin help her, running into someone had never felt so good. For the brief moment she touched him, he felt warm and solid. When she looked into his brown eyes she felt as if nothing else existed... she felt safe.

"I have got to do that again someday," she giggled to herself. Before she could take two steps, she passed out into a dead faint. She was in the dark room again and someone was standing to her right. He had his wand out, idly playing with it and twirling it. Sarin could not make out his face, but when he spoke, all her doubt was erased.

"Tell me the prophesy girl."

As the hand of Lord Voldemort reached out to grab her, Sarin sat up in the corridor of Hogwarts, not realizing people were standing over her.

"Ms. Haley, you are going to the hospital wing this instant."

Professor McGonagall. She had to tell her.

"Professor, I know where the Granger girl is."

Professor McGonagall stopped and looked at Sarin. No one had said anything about the girl being missing.

"Ms. Haley, I want you to follow me directly to the Headmaster's office."

She had no choice in the matter as she was escorted down the hall.

**************************************************************

Hermione felt weak, cold, and alone as she lay on the cold stone floor of the room she was held in. She knew better than to listen to the words that had been spoken earlier, but some part of her wondered just why Harry loved her. She was no raving beauty, and she tended to be more bossy than she wanted to be, so why did he love her? She could hear footsteps, then the door to the room opening. Lifting her head, she looked at a figure in black as it advanced towards her.

"Tell me the prophesy girl."

His hand stretched out to grab her before he thought better of it and pointed the wand in his hands at her heart instead.

"Crucio."

He said it with such calmness, almost as if he were getting bored with torturing her. He watched the young girl writhe in pain on the floor, her voice becoming strained as she screamed. With a flick of his wand, the curse lifted, though the girl didn't stop twisting in pain. She regarded him with feverish eyes, sweat popping up across her face in little beads.

"Tell me the prophesy."

Hermione said nothing, knowing that he would not hesitate to perform the curse again.

"I grow bored torturing you Ms. Granger. Since you will not tell me of your own will, perhaps I can make you tell me another way. Imperio!"

Hermione felt her mind go blank. A voice floated in the mist gathering around her mind. "Tell me the prophesy."

She opened her mouth and began.

"The time shall come

When Darkness meets Light

The power of One

Become the power of Four.

The First shall be fire

the Second be smart

The Third shall be truth

though believing it naught

the Fourth is called innocence

and innocence is lost.

The Darkness shall fight

and it will fail.

The Light shall fight

and it will prevail."