Fractions
"Ginny, dear. Wake up.."
Despite their best efforts to stay quiet, someone was making a lot of noise, and it took Hermione a few more seconds to realise it was Professor Sprout. She rubbed her eyes and saw the professor taking Ginny with her. Hermione immediately got on her feet, wearing her morning gown and grabbed the hem of the professor's sleeve gently. "What's going on?"
Sprout was startled but was also in a hurry. "Ms. Granger? What are you— anyway, come with us. Your friends might need your help,"
Her help? What was going on? Was someone injured? The panic started to rise in her as they climbed down the stairs, she had no idea what was going on and the road they have taken to the Headmaster's office was all blurry, she had a hard time grasping the things that were happening and held Ginny's arm as the professor took them there. When they reached the office, Ron was sitting with his brothers and they all looked pale and stressed. Ginny went to sit with them, and Hermione joined her as well, holding her hand in hers.
Dumbledore was rushing around the room talking to the portraits, giving them instructions to check on certain places. Harry stood in the middle of the room, sweating and panting.
"Is he safe now?“ Dumbledore spoke to a portrait and the portrait told him that they reached him just in time.
Despite her need to understand who was safe, she couldn't take her eyes away from Harry. He seemed to be having a hard time standing on his feet when he suddenly yelled at the Headmaster. "Listen to me!" He yelled, his face contorting in ways Hermione had never seen before. He looked like he'd seen a ghost, as Muggles would say. "What's happening to me?" He pleaded with a broken voice. She had never seen him beg like this before, not to anyone.
"It was real, wasn't it?" Harry sounded weak. She wanted to do something to help her friend, but she didn't even know what was happening.
Dumbledore moved a step closer to him. His eyes were filled with worry and distress as he raised his hand wanting to touch his shoulder but halted after taking a glance at the door. "Severus! I'm afraid we cannot sit any longer, you must begin immediately,"
Snape eyed Harry warily and took him out of the office. Dumbledore turned back to the Weasleys. "Do not worry, Mr. Weasley is alright, you'll be using my portkey to go and see him tonight.”
McGonagall turned to Hermione. "You should also go to your dormitories Ms. Granger," after seeing the confused look on her face she put her hand on her shoulder and got her out of the room. "I'm afraid I don't have time to explain things Ms. Granger. I know you're trying to be there for your friends, but I must ask you to go back to bed now. I'm guessing you'll learn more from Mr. Potter soon,"
"Yes, Professor." Hermione nodded and went back to her room, thoughts blazing in her head. All she knew was that all her friends were in great distress and she had to do everything in her power to be there for them.
Later on, it was revealed that Dumbledore genuinely believed the Dark Lord had returned and attempted to protect Harry by keeping a safe distance between them. Not the brightest idea, she thought. He insisted that he had a good reason when Harry kept asking questions. The truth was far more terrifying than anything they could have imagined. Harry had the ability to look into Voldemort's mind and see what he was thinking or what he had already seen. In these moments, the strong impact of Voldemort's emotions would get a hold of Harry and he'd look like he had the Dark Lord inside his body. Dumbledore suspected that Voldemort would possess Harry at some point and take control of him to force Dumbledore to kill Harry. Harry would have lots of nightmares, it wasn't new. Yet, she never thought of the possibility that the images Harry saw were a fraction of Voldemort's mind. No one had ever heard of something like that before. His sudden outbursts and late night sweatings all made sense. She had begged him to visit Dumbledore before or at least to try more often, but it was only when Harry witnessed Mr. Weasley being attacked by a snake at the Ministry that he was able to do so. Harry started taking Occlumency classes from Professor Snape that evening and he would continue to do so until the end of the semester.
Hermione was invited to the Christmas celebrations at the Burrow. Mr. Weasley appeared to be much better than she had heard, and he kept glancing at Harry. If it wasn't for Harry then maybe he could've died right then and there at the Ministry. As the air became a bit heavy after Mr. Weasley's speech, he raised a toast to Harry for saving his life and Mrs. Weasley brought the gifts to the table. Hermione held a small green package in her hands, waiting for her friends' reaction before opening hers. She had given Ron and Harry planners since they had O.W.Ls this year, but they didn't seem to enjoy it much. Hermione took a long look at Ron’s package after opening it. He gave her a perfume that rather smelled unusual for Hermione. Harry was one of the closest people she had, and he got her a book that she had been wanting for ages. She was grateful that he got her something that she wanted, but on the other hand, it seemed like an easy choice compared to Ron's gift. Harry knew she'd like the gift, Ron had to think over and make a risky choice, which seemed rather sweet to her. The present took on a whole new meaning as a result of this thought.
When she sprayed the perfume the next day, Ron's eyes creased along with the complimentary rosy cheeks. He seemed a bit more open towards Hermione during the time she was at their house; they played games and he taught her chess. Hermione was not bad at it, but his skills were just too good to be beaten by a newbie player and that made Ron very proud of himself.
Harry would sometimes join them too but he was more eager to see Sirius than to play chess. He wanted to be a part of the Order, just like his parents were. The grownups wouldn't let him of course, especially Molly Weasley, but all the kids at home would try to listen in to their conversations at any chance.
After a late-night conversation with Mr. Weasley about the muggle lifestyle, Hermione was walking to her room when she heard mumblings from the boys' room. She took slow, steady steps towards their door, peeking inside to see if they were properly dressed. After making sure, she carefully approached Harry's bed, he was talking in his sleep and it was too difficult to understand. She got closer to hear him better, her ear almost brushing his cheek, but still couldn't get a single word.
"Nothing new, don't worry,"
She turned her head towards Ron almost immediately, he was sitting up in his bed, eyes full of slumber.
"How do you know?" She whispered.
"I can understand him by now, trust me, it's the same dream," he rubbed his eyes.
She looked back at her friend and swallowed slowly. She didn't know it was affecting him this much, she had only seen him after he had woken up. There could be something she could do to help him since there was no way of stopping the dreams.
"Did he tell you what was it about exactly?"
"Not really, I think it was about you-know-who, yeah I'm pretty sure it was him," his voice started to slow down.
"I could put dreamless sleep potion in his water. I don't know why he didn't ask for something like this before, he'd finally be able to get some rest."
Ron's eyelids were fighting to stay open. "Yeah, do that.” He mumbled a few more things, but she couldn't make out what he was saying.
Hermione waited for him to continue but he was already asleep. She watched his chest rise and fall as she wondered how often he would hear Harry and wake up. Sleeping in that posture didn't seem like a good idea; he would wake up with back pain and whine all day. She approached his bed and moved his pillow down a bit, she could've done it more easily if she didn't worry about waking him. Ron made a few gruntled noises and she quickly tucked him back in. When she stood back up and turned to the door, her hand was grabbed by his. She felt an intense warmness on her cheeks and stayed there instead of turning to face him.
"Why are you going?" His voice was heavy with slumber.
"I need to sleep." She gently let go of his hand.
When he didn't respond for a while she decided to look, he was sleeping just as before. She wondered if he had woken up when he talked to her or was it in his dreams? She probably would never know.
—
Hermione had gotten used to her role as a prefect but Ron didn't like doing the boring parts. She couldn't blame him, after Umbridge started to patrol the school and examine the students, she was starting to feel she had no influence at all. But Hogwarts was the same as it had always been and when she heard someone brutally laughing, she knew exactly what was going on. Malfoy and Goyle had cornered a second-year Ravenclaw student by the greenhouses. The poor boy was almost on the verge of crying as he tried back away from them.
"Hey!" Hermione yelled in an attempt to get their attention but they continued to play with his tie. She hurried towards them and grabbed Goyle by his arm. "What do you think you're doing?"
Goyle side-eyed her and yanked her hand away. "Sod off.“
Hermione ignored the comment and turned to the boy, patting his back. "You can go to your dorm."
The youngster mouthed a thank you and rushed away from them, which irritated Goyle even more. "What did I just tell you?" He took a step coming at her. Hermione knew he wouldn't do anything to her, she was a prefect after all and she could easily punish him. Still, seeing a burly figure coming at her frightened her for a moment. Hermione was certain things could have gotten ugly if Malfoy hadn't stopped him.
"Goyle, cut it.” He grabbed his friend's shoulder.
Goyle glowered at him. "We're in the squad!" Then he turned to Hermione and sneered. "Did you hear that Granger? The boy was breaking the rules, we were doing our jobs." He was enjoying this way too much.
"I'm sure you are aware that your friend here is a prefect, just like me, and whatever little squad you're in, you don't have the authority to bully or punish a student. That being said... 10 points from Slytherin, for disrupting the peace in the school and for being bad examples to younger students.”
"What?!"
Malfoy acted quicker than his friend and stepped in between them. "I got this.”
"But mate," Fuelled by his anger, he appeared like he was getting bigger with each breath to Hermione.
"I said I got this, okay?" Malfoy spoke with such authority that she had the impression they'd had such talks before, with him having the upper hand. It was strange watching him exert such power over his friends.
Goyle didn't want to go, she thought he was ready to hex Hermione at that very moment, but she knew he wasn't capable of doing anything harmful. He clenched his jaw and left the two alone. Hermione drew her arms around her chest, eager to hear what he had to say.
He eyed her for a second and fixed his sleeves. "I've got nothing to say.”
"Why in the name of Merlin that you sent Goyle away if you weren't going to say something?"
He let out a deep breath. "He was overreacting as always.”
Hermione frowned. "You were still bullying that kid Malfoy. You are a prefect, you must start acting like one."
"I thought we were past that.” He leaned to the ground.
"I'm not talking about the patrols," she sounded harsh enough to stop him from plucking up the grass and looking at her. "Can't you for once stop bein—”
"Stop being what?" He stood up.
"Rude," she answered without hesitation. He snorted as if it was amusing to him. "What?" She asked.
He shrugged and threw away the grass in his hands. "I don't know, I thought you would say something worse.”
"So you admit it?"
He took a step towards her. "Come on, Granger. Of course I admit it, I was just letting that boy be bullied by my classmate. I bullied you myself. I'm well aware that I'm more than just rude."
"What do you want me to say?" She didn't like where this conversation was headed, but she couldn't help herself. "That you're a terrible human being?!"
He cocked his head to the side, a small grin on his face. "You've softened, Granger. Did you really start seeing me as your friend?“ Encouraged by the rapid movements of her eyes, he took another step. "You used to be more inventive with your insults. What was it exactly? Foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach?" He started to laugh holding his belly.
The silence hung between them as his laughter died. She was taking quick breaths and she wasn't sure if it was because she was angry or because he was increasingly invading her private space. The more she didn't answer, the more he pushed until she averted her eyes in the end.
"You're just evil, Malfoy. I don't need to add anything more to it."
He came to a halt two steps away from her, observing her. He wasn't angry or offended, it was more like coming to a conclusion. The corner of his lips pulled upwards. "Such a shame, I had expected more.”
"A slap maybe?" She said it with a little sly undertone.
His face immediately brightened up. "Maybe," he grinned.
For years, they had been arguing and insulting each other, and she had always taken him seriously. She had only just realized that this was a game for him. He'd been entertaining himself by doing everything she despised. And she had been so blinded by her hatred that she had failed to notice the pure joy he was getting from it.
"If I knew you'd be like this, I wouldn't let you send him away," he tilted his head a bit and she continued. "I have to admit you're not so bad."
"What does that mean?" He wasn't enjoying this anymore and she liked being on the other side.
"You were so tough in front of him and now you're teasing me? Does Draco bloody Malfoy say he wants me to slap him? Why do you like this so much?"
"What are you talking about Granger, I don't—"
"You did the same in third year too, Malfoy. You weren't as bad while you were helping me in secret, and after I did my part of the agreement I thought we could be friends, but I was wrong. Again." His eyes widened before he quickly looked away. Yet, he couldn't hold it for long. He slowly looked back at the girl that was standing in front of him, waiting for his response. What could he possibly say after that?
"I realised it was stupid of me after you called me 'mudblood' in front of your friends." She saw his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "You know, I've noticed that you never said it in private—"
"You want me to call you mudblood now?" His voice was low and menacing.
"I don't care if you do or not, but I have the feeling that you won't. You're not the same little kid as you were in second year." Her eyebrow arched as she observed him.
"And you're pathetic. Why else would you still want to be my friend?"
She smiled at him. "No, Malfoy. I never said I wanted to be your friend, I only thought of the possibility. Friendship can only be formed by two willing sides. We're merely classmates if you ask me.”
"Good.” He glared at her.
"Well, we are also prefects. Do not forget your role and stop avoiding me. I'm trying to do my job as much as I can and I can't let you or your girlfriend hinder me from my duties.”
He smirked for the first time after she started annoying him. "What girlfriend? Pansy? Don't be ridiculous.”
"I'm just the spokesperson," she said matter of factly, but couldn't ignore the unexpected release of tension in her body as well.
"People are talking about this?" He asked in shock and she nodded slightly. "Bloody hell, they just love to gossip, don't they?" He laughed and turned to her. "She must've started it all.”
She eyes him for a moment. "I don't care about your romance life, Malfoy. Just do your job properly.”
He tried not to laugh while nodding in agreement. "Alright, Granger. I won't talk about my love life and do my job. Good?"
"Good."
—
Gryffindor common room had never been this on edge, even after the deaths. Having Umbridge watching over them without Dumbledore's protection seemed more frightening than the actual threat out there. He could defend them like he did with Professor Trelawney, but at the end of the day, Umbridge had more power in her hands. She claimed herself as the eyes and the ears of Cornelius Fudge, watching over every single act that seemed risky for the sake of the Ministry. It didn't take long for her to take control of the school, of course. With the help of the increasing number of decrees and her Inquisitorial Squad, she would keep everyone in check. The Ministry would let her wishes be without question so that they could control and suppress questionable behaviours of the students. Definitely professors, too.
Weasley products? Banned. All of them. Boys and girls are not permitted to be within 6 inches of each other, and yes, it includes all of your friends as well. You like short skirts? They elongate with the shake of her finger now. Every single day another decree would be put on the wall and it became too much to memorise for the students. They would either find themselves in her office for detention or they would choose to sit in their common rooms all day. It was also getting harder to gather for the DA meetings. Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad and Filch were watching over their every single move and they had to be more careful now than ever.
"I see that you've all been practising well,” Harry smiled at all the members with pride.
"It would be much better if we were allowed to cast magic at home.” Ron looked around the room to see if the others agreed with him, when they nodded he turned back to look at Harry.
"We'll just have to wait," Harry quickly made eye contact with everyone and continued. "It was a good practice today, we'll polish all our new skills tomorrow, don't forget to—”
A loud thud was heard, and they all turned to see what was going on. Harry stole a quick glance from Hermione and rushed to the voice where a little crack opened at the wall, his body stiffened immediately and the childlike voice of a middle-aged woman was heard.
"Bombarda Maximus!" She said cheerfully.
They tried to go as far away as possible not to get injured when she blasted the wall down. Dolores Umbridge, Mr. Filch and the Inquisitorial Squad were standing together with big grins on their faces. Hermione knew they were way too deep to be saved. They were having secret meetings and Umbridge had the authority to expel students and fire teachers, plus, the ridiculous number of rules she put on the wall prevented them from doing almost anything AND.... student organizations were a huge issue. Also, they had a piece of paper with Dumbledore's name on it and he could get in trouble with them too.
Umbridge pointed her wand at them, her eyes blazing with greed. She stared at Harry and checked his hands and looked back up at him. "Where is it?"
"Where is what, Professor?" Harry answered back.
"The paper, the one that says Dumbledore's Army," she demanded.
Panic fell over the DA members as they eyed each other. Hermione didn't know how she managed to learn that but she knew it would come out soon, thanks to the spell she cast beforehand. She didn't realise that Harry took a step towards Umbridge; she had to stop him.
"I will give you this, but I will take full responsibility."
The DA members protested and Hermione reached out to grab his hand but Harry took another step, leaving her hand mid-air. He was ready to take the fall, but none of them could let him do that. They were all in this together.
"I don't care about your little team or yourself, Potter. I can get you and your friends expelled in a second for breaking the rules. If you do not wish to say your goodbyes tonight, I suggest you give me the paper." She held out her hand.
Harry stood in silence. The air grew thicker with each second. Hermione wasn't sure of what to do either, they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
Another set of footsteps broke the silence. She turned her head and saw Ginny with the paper in her hands. She thought of stopping her for a second but Ginny was too sure of herself to be stopped. Ginny paused next to Harry and gave him a look, then proceeded to walk to Umbridge.
—
"I can't believe Marietta Edgecombe ditched us!" Seamus complained.
"Can't you, really? She hardly ever joined the meetings!" said Dean while eyeing Cho Chang. Marietta was her friend and she tried to explain to everyone that she was actually a very nice person with good intentions, but that didn't matter to anyone at the moment.
"What do we do now that Dumbledore's gone? Who will protect us?" Another girl asked.
"Do we even know where he went? Why would he leave us?"
"I thought he would help us.."
Hermione had enough. "Because of us! You might not want to accept this, but Dumbledore's taken the blow for us so we wouldn't get expelled!" The room stilled. "So, before any of you question his intentions, I urge you to think again.“
She had said the final word on this matter and they muttered words of agreement. Hermione chewed on her bottom lip thinking about the hex she had cast on the paper to prevent anyone from ratting out. Any of the members who betrayed their trust would end up with ugly, painful spots on their faces with the words 'SNEAK' written on their forehead to be seen by everyone.
Marietta cried out going to Madam Pomfrey, but Hermione's hex was so strong that neither Umbridge nor Madam Pomfrey could do anything about it. She had to walk around with her shame literally written on her face. She didn't have bad intentions, of course, they all knew it. Umbridge had pressed her with her family and she was scared that her actions at school could endanger her mother's job at the Ministry. Taking it all into account, Hermione lifted the jinx after a week so the girl wouldn't have any scars in the future. She knew Marietta had learned her lesson and it was enough suffering for her. Hermione couldn't live well with that conscience anyway.
Without the DA meetings, Hogwarts had become almost like a muggle school. Hermione remembered her previous school, and how much she used to dread stepping foot in that place. She would beg her parents to let her be homeschooled instead of going there one more time. She had always enjoyed reading and studying, but a nerd was a nerd anywhere, and the kids around her, whether muggles or wizards, were cruel. Although she still had bullies around her, Hogwarts was her home. She'd finally found a place where she could be valued. Even though her friends made jokes about her love for academics at times, they were all becoming incredibly protective when someone else said anything hurtful to her. They never once devalued her skills, and for that reason, she felt safe with them. She had learned to transform objects into various shapes, levitate things, make potions of all kinds, to fly (though she wasn't much of a fan of that one) and so many other things that made each day unique. She promised herself on the first day of Hogwarts that she would learn as many magical abilities as she could and that she would never hesitate to channel the magic within her to her studies and skills; however, they had been hardly ever using magic recently, which made them all even more frustrated each day.
The O.W.Ls were finally here and Hermione finalised going over her notes one more time before entering the Potions exam. She felt relieved when she answered each of the questions with ease and became the first one to hand out her paper. Transfigurations and Ancient Runes were not bad either, but Defence Against the Dark Arts exam was the worst of it all. She had done well on the written portion of the exam but she messed up on the practical side of it. When she left the classroom, she found Ginny waiting for her and the others.
"How was it?" She asked attentively.
Hermione didn't meet her eyes. "Uhm, okay, I guess.“
Ginny raised her eyebrows. "You mean O-kay, right?"
Hermione wanted to smile for her effort to cheer her up like that, but she knew she wasn't going to get an O. Maybe she wouldn't even get an E. And the Ancient Runes.... she was certain she mistranslated in the exam and that would risk her chance of getting an O. It was one of her favourite classes and she really wanted to get an O.
"You're just overthinking it," Ginny interfered with her thoughts. "Your boggart on third year was McGonagall telling you that you've failed, Hermione."
Yes, she remembered that vividly. How wouldn't she? She was facing McGonagall every single day. Even though she desperately wanted to forget it, the boggart had been haunting her since that day, and whenever she thought she had studied enough, she heard it exclaim, "You've failed Hermione! You've shown everyone that you do not belong here!" She had never felt more belonged, and she was determined to show to everyone that she had every right to be here, despite the fact that she had discovered magic far later than the majority of them.
"When people see a boggart, it usually transforms into a huge spider, a troll, a Dementor or the corpse of a loved one," Ginny sighed. "You will not disappoint anyone if you don't get an O, because we already know you're smarter than the rest of us.“
"That's not true!"
Ginny crossed her arms. "Well, no one's calling me 'the brightest witch of her year' if I remember correctly.“
Hermione's face lightened with a small smile that was almost invisible to the eye. "Point taken," she suddenly felt the absence of her friends. "Have you seen Harry and Ron?"
Ginny nodded towards their tower. "They went back to the dorm after they finished, I think Ron was on the edge of sobbing," she suppressed her laugh.
"You waited for me?" Ginny shrugged and Hermione pulled her into a hug before walking to the dormitories.
Hermione stopped abruptly when she saw Malfoy talking to a first-year. As she was about to take a step towards them, she saw the little boy laughing and she stood there watching them in confusion until a voice called out to her.
"Hermione, what are you doing?"
Ginny waited for her response, but all she did was nod and turn to face the two again. Malfoy, too, must have heard Ginny. He chuckled to himself as he looked in their way, holding out his palms to prove his innocence. He walked away while making hand jokes with the little boy, and Hermione stood there, watching after them as their laughter rang around the room. She had no clue when it began, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her not to become accustomed to his laughing. Something about it drew her in, and she was fully aware that it was intoxicating.
She shook her head. "Sorry, I thought I saw something. Let's go."
—
The girls woke up to a knock on their door. Hermione got up and wore her morning gown, rushing to the door. She found Ron with widened eyes and sweat dripping down his face. "What is it?"
"I-I need your help." The redhead shook his head. "It's Harry." He moved out of her way so she could get out. She always thought it was useful that she could get into their room, but it wasn't the same the other way around. If she was in a bad state, the boys wouldn't be able to get into her room and help her.
Hermione ran into Harry's room and saw the boy walking in circles next to the bed. His pale skin was flushed pink and his chest heaved for breath. "Harry! Are you okay?"
Her voice got him out of his trance and he walked towards her, with his hands out. He looked terrible. "It's Sirius.“
Hermione blinked. "Sirius?"
Harry shook his head frantically. "I, I just saw him, Hermione. I saw him in my head, and he was, he was getting attacked by Voldemort. I need to go and—"
"And what?"
He stilled all his movements and turned to her. "Save him, of course. I have to help him. NOW!"
His tone left no room for argument, nor any room to question his urgency so she merely watched as he grabbed his wand and his broom. It didn't feel right. It was all so wrong. Sirius was with the Order, he wouldn't be in any danger.
"I believe you," she said, watching as he walked away, "but what if he's playing with your head?" Harry stopped at the doorframe. "What if Sirius is okay and he's using him to get to you? Have you considered that this might be a trap?"
Ron looked between them and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "She's right. What if he's playing with you?"
"Just talk to Kreacher, Harry. Ask if Sirius is there and then we will let you go,"
"No," Ron stated quickly. "We'll all go together."
"Us, too." They turned to the voice. Ginny was standing by the stairs with Neville.
When Kreacher told him that Sirius wasn't there, Harry went mad. He suggested flying but it would take hours, they had to use a portkey or apparate. They still didn't know how to apparate so that was without a doubt a no. The only fireplace they could use was Umbridge's alone and they soon learned that it was the worst idea they could come up with. She caught them and her Inquisitorial Squad was waiting just behind her as always. With a tiny movement of her head, the squad went in and held each of them by their wrists. Malfoy came directly at her. He wasn't squeezing as hard as Goyle was doing to Ron, but it still felt uncomfortable. Harry tried warning Snape by using Sirius' nickname but he didn't react at all. When he said that he had no idea what was Harry talking about, she wasn't sure if he was genuine or not but she felt like they were alone in this. He was never on their side.
With a need to do something, Hermione said, "Tell her Harry, tell her about the Dumbledore's secret weapon.” Malfoy squeezed her wrist harder than before to the point of actually hurting. It was enough to break her facade already and she stopped all her movements when he leaned into her hair. “Stop.”
Umbridge excitedly looked between Harry and Hermione and she took them to guide her. Hermione wanted to show her Grawp. He was an angel at heart, but his appearance could convince her and earn them some time. He wasn't there when they got there and Hermione actually started to fear for their lives. When Umbridge tried to use a spell on them upon realising that they fooled her, she heard the Centaurs. They didn't like a Ministry official since they were limiting their living space day by day and when she called them idiots, all hell broke loose. Harry and Hermione left the place in a hurry while they were dragging Umbridge away.
Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna were all waiting for them. Luna suggested flying the Thestrals and Hermione still couldn't believe in their existence while riding one. But they were fast, faster than a broom, that's for sure.
Getting into the Department of Mysteries was tricky yet easier than she had expected. Almost, someone was waiting for them already. It didn't feel right. They got to the room Harry had described and she still was on high alert. Neville found a prophecy with Harry's name written on it and that was like a siren call.
Death Eaters surrounded them with their wands out and coming closer. They all had different masks but they were equally creepy. Hermione stood close to her friends as they made a circle watching the enemy coming closer from all directions. Lucius Malfoy took his mask off with a flick of his hand and tried to convince Harry to give the Prophecy to him. She didn't know why did a prophecy matter to Voldemort, but it couldn't be good for them. In a second, they all started sending spells at each other's way and started to run. They had to find the door and get out somehow but they weren't all together. Hermione dodged a spell and sent a quick stupefy and saw Ginny and Ron. The others joined them at the same time and Ginny sent a bombarda that seemed like a very good use of a spell but it turned out to be a disaster in a second when all the shelves started to fall and the prophecies rained down and smashed down on the floor. They got to the door before getting caught and found themselves in a strange room.
There were many hallways leading to where they were standing, but the most striking thing was a stone archway. It looked like there was water in the middle, or a visible air and Hermione knew it was not a good idea to come close to an unfamiliar object. Harry was walking towards it when she yelled for him to stop but Luna joined him as well. What was going on with these two, she had no idea. They said they were hearing whispers but it was only them.
"Come back! It doesn't seem safe, let's go!" She yelled behind them and noticed a sudden number of black smoke flying around and found herself being held by a Death Eater. She looked around to see her friends in the same condition as well. Bellatrix Lestrange was keeping Neville and she knew that the witch did it on purpose.
Everything happened so fast that she didn't realise she was free of the death eater's hold. The Order came to their rescue and they went to a corner to hide or to protect themselves. They were no match to the Death Eaters, but Harry was full of adrenaline while fighting Lucius Malfoy with his godfather alongside him. While Hermione was trying to dodge a spell, she saw a bright green light and then, heard a scream.
She knew who it was coming from, yet she had never heard him scream like that before. Lupin was holding Harry back as he struggled to keep his own tears from falling and Hermione caught sight of Sirius floating in the Veil. Harry's screams were so agonising that she feared he would hurt his lungs. Only then, she understood what the purpose of that Veil was.
Bellatrix soon cheered herself on how she killed Sirius Black and ran away, Harry broke free from Lupin's hold to go after her. The Order kept the Death Eaters away from the students and after a long fight, they apparated away. The Order was taking care of their small wounds when Ron asked about Harry's whereabouts. They eyed each other and told them that he was with Dumbledore and should be okay, but they were still worried. They had to see their friend themselves.
When they went after Harry, they found the Ministry in shambles. There were huge pieces of rocks on the floor and pieces of glass were scattered around. Harry was laying in the middle of some sand with another sphere of sand around him. Dumbledore was watching him with a scared and pitiful look, begging him to fight back. When they got closer, she noticed his face. He looked like the times when the glimpse of Voldemort got a hold of him, but this, this was something else. His eyes were blood red, veins were popping on his neck as he was struggling to stay still on the floor. His body was tensing as he screamed and he had an evil smile on his lips as he looked at Dumbledore. It wasn't Harry. Harry would never call Dumbledore an 'old man'. Dumbledore told him to fight back once again and she caught his eye for a second.
He looked at her as if he was begging but suddenly jerked his head away. He tried to look in their direction once again and yelled in pain. Hermione heard Ginny's sobs and only then she noticed she was crying as well. They all wanted to help him, Dumbledore wanted to help him, but they couldn't. Harry arched his neck once again and fell to the floor, panting. When he started talking while looking at their friends, it could seem like he was talking to them. But in reality, he was talking to him.
To Voldemort.
The sand rolled around him ferociously and Voldemort himself appeared before them. There was no doubt that it was him. No human could look like that. No one's name could bring horror to people, his appearance was making the fear behind saying his name justice. He had slits just like a snake and his skin... it wasn't like any skin colour she had seen before. Dead people would look like that, yet he was very much alive.
Was he alive? He had been gone for years and everyone thought that he was dead, but he was standing right above Harry, looking like the monsters old people tell stories about. He was there, breathing and talking. He couldn't be much more alive.
That was what the Minister had said when he and the whole Ministry saw him. "He's alive." They were all dumbfounded and terrified and few reporters dared to take some pictures. When she turned back to Harry, Voldemort wasn't there any longer.
The road from the Ministry to the school was quiet. The dorm was quiet. The remaining days at the school were quiet.
Harry was quiet.
He wouldn't talk about Sirius or anything at all. He had been exactly like this when Cedric was killed, but this was no comparison to that. Sirius was the only person he had as a family. He was the last branch he was holding on to, and now he was gone too.
They tried to include him in their conversations but he would only nod. Ron attempted to persuade him to do something to distract his mind off Sirius, but all he said was thank you. She told Ron to give him some space and time. In the end, Harry knew they were there for him, but he needed time. He needed that time to heal.
However long it would take.