Chapter 1
“Miss Granger?”
Hermione’s head snapped up. She had been staring off into space, something she normally never did during Transfiguration. But last night was another sleepless night.
She had decided to go back to school for her 8th year, and she was beginning to regret her decision. Hermione never thought she’d regret going to school. She loved school, she loved magic, she loved learning new things. For her to be dissociating while Professor McGonagall lectured was another new feeling for her to understand.
“Yes Professor? I’m very sorry.”
And she was sorry, because McGonagall had gone on to describe transfiguration spells that had greatly intrigued Hermione when she read the syllabus. But now it felt like another burden on her shoulders. Another reason for her to stay up at night instead of attempting to sleep.
The rest of class passed by so slowly, Hermione thought it may never end. McGonagall had even gone over the allotted time as she gave out yet another essay and reading to complete by next class. When it finally ended, her eyes ached from forcing herself to focus the last twenty minutes.
“Miss Granger? I’d like a word with you.”
McGonagall ushered Hermione to her desk. She picked up her bag, putting her textbook, quill, and journal into it.
“Hermione, I can clearly tell you have not slept recently. I’m sending a note to Professor Ellis, you will not attend your next class and instead go to your dorm and rest. It is not wise of you to push yourself so hard. I will see you in the Great Hall later, Miss Granger.”
Silently, Hermione made her way to the door. She really needed a proper look at herself in the mirror, if even McGonagall could see how tired she was. She turned to face the unsmiling professor.
“Thank you, Professor. It’s been rough not having Harry or Ron around. I wish they had come back with me.”
She said this sullenly, then turned and left. Hermione knew she wasn’t going to be able to rest peacefully. She had tried everything to put herself to sleep. Sheep, lullabies, reading. She stopped drinking caffeinated tea and coffee. She blacked out the curtains of her bunk. The only thing that truly worked, in order to get some real sleep, was sleeping draught. Madame Pomfrey had restricted her from taking it more than needed. “Ironic.” Hermione thought, considering it was exactly what she needed to sleep. But the nightmares plagued her without it. She couldn’t close her eyes for a second without imagining Harry, dead on the ground. Or Fred, or Lavender, or Remus or Tonks or Colin or-
She took a deep breath, and attempted to calm her mind. Catastrophizing will do nothing but make it worse, and she knew this very well. As she walked to the dorm, she thought about what she may do to distract herself instead. She could get an early start on the assignment she was just given, and read the first three chapters of Higher Level Transfiguration: A Spellman’s Book. Or she could stare out the window, at the Great Lake below, and imagine throwing herself into the freezing water. Maybe that could shock her system and force her to sleep.
As she approached Gryffindor Tower, she remembered the password was changed that morning. And for the first time in her years at Hogwarts, she didn’t know what it was. Tears welled in her eyes. She was failing. Miserably failing. She kicked herself mentally for not listening to the new 5th year prefect who had decided upon it at breakfast.
She sat outside the Fat Lady’s portrait.
“Tough day, dearie? I know I’ve had one. Peeves has gone around scaring all the babies in the nearby paintings. Oh lord, screaming and crying and whatnot for hours. Lucky you missed it, dearie.”
With that, the Fat Lady ambled on into the next painting.
Hermione sat outside Gryffindor Tower for almost twenty minutes before an out of breath first year finally approached.
“Hi, um.” Hermione tripped on her words. This was the first person, besides a professor, that she had spoken to in the last couple days. She took a deep breath. This was an eleven year old, not a Death Eater.
“Do you happen to know the password?” She continued, “I seem to um, I seem to have forgotten it.”
“Yes, miss, it's whisperwind. Carrie chose it this morning.”
“Thanks, and you don’t have to call me miss. I’m Hermione.”
The portrait door opened, and the smell of the familiar hearth warmed Hermione immediately. She hadn’t realized she was freezing out in the hallway. She put her bag down near one of the cozy arm chairs and sat heavily in it. She stared forward into the fire, unmoving. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ginny come down the stairs from her dorm, Rebecca in tow behind her. The first year had gone to get Ginny after speaking with a sullen Hermione.
“Come on, Hermione. Let's get up to your bed and have a rest, yeah?” I’m partial to a nap myself too. I don’t have another class for a few hours.”
Ginny picked up her bag and grabbed her friend by the hand. Hermione silently followed her up to the dorm.
“Here, ‘Mione, I’ll give you some privacy to change. You can’t be that comfortable in your robes.”
She changed, and joined Ginny sitting on the bed.
“I got something for you.”
Ginny pulled a small vial out of her bedside table. Sleeping draught. Hermione's eye’s noticeably light up when she realized the liquid gold in that vial.
“This is just one dose. McGonagall spoke to Madame Pomfrey. That old lady cares more than you think, ha.”
Hermione took the vial from Ginny’s pale hand and slowly downed it. The potion tasted absolutely disgusting, but both girls knew the reprieve it would bring. Hermione laid down next to Ginny, head on her shoulder, and the two soon slept peacefully.