Obscurity

Required Disclaimer: Obviously I am not the WB or JK. This story is not meant to infringe on the rights or offend any scary corporations and lawyers that could sue my pants off. These characters belong to their creator, I am only borrowing them for a short while, and most likely putting them in positions and situations that would make JK frown. On with the story then...

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The knight bus was horribly uncomfortable and had the usual arrangement of weirdo’s. Malfoy chose a bed on the lower level and reclined easily, as if he rode the knight bus every day. If possible this was even more horrible than the first two times she rode the bus because she had to keep her feet off the ground or the other beds would crush her legs as they slid wildly around. She sat cross legged on the edge of the bed, and when the bed unbalanced her Malfoy’s hand would whip out and grasp her firmly to keep her upright. She thought about lying back but it was fascinating to watch him.

He lounged back against the flat pillow like a Sultan. Every time she would begin to lose her balance Malfoy’s hand would dart out and steady her. Seeker reflexes she supposed. He watched her with hooded eyes and they didn’t speak. She could feel him distancing himself from her. And who could blame him after her emotional outburst in the street? That was just so unlike her. Finally Hermione could control her tongue no longer. The horrible not knowing was just too much for her.

“Malfoy, what’s going on with us?”

For the first time his eyes left her, focusing on a point over her left shoulder. “Looks like you have a welcoming committee.” She turned her head to see as the bus lurched to a stop and would have flown headfirst to the floor had Malfoy not caught her. Down the dim alleyway to the club she could see several members of the order sweeping the area, wands low to the ground obviously looking for clues. Mad Eye Moody moved forward and there was Harry behind him, light glinting off his glasses. He was the first to notice the bus and started towards her even before she could get out. She grabbed Malfoy’s hand and dragged him behind her to the front of the bus. She let him go to leap down the stairs. She ran the short distance to her very best friend and leapt into his arms.

“Harry! I’m so glad to see you!” Tears threatened but Hermione bit them back brutally. She wasn’t about to cry twice in one day. She turned to see Malfoy, wave him over but he wasn’t there. The bus was gone and so was he.

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It was a verrrrryyyy long night. Assembled in the kitchen of Grimmauld place she was picked apart and wrung out. Several members of the order, her parents, the Weasley’s and Dumbledore himself plied her with questions until her eyes were so heavy she couldn’t seem to keep them open. Mrs. Weasley finally came to her rescue, shooing everyone out until only Hermione and Dumbledore remained in the kitchen. This made her very nervous because she hadn’t told them everything. Somehow she knew that it probably wasn’t a good idea to tell who had rescued her and so her details on that part were very vague. And Dumbledore knew it.

He looked at her kindly for a few minutes before finally sitting down at the table with her. “The person who rescued you…it was the same person who fed you information at the end of last year?”

Hermione didn’t know what to say so she stubbornly kept her lips closed while her mind raced frantically to find an answer that would satisfy the professor.
“It might be beneficial to tell me who he is Hermione, maybe I could help you. Help you both.”

“Who said it was a he?” Hermione finally asked. Diversion tactics 101. Turn the tables. Take the offensive. Distract him from his real agenda. Unfortunately Dumbledore was not easily distracted and smiled kindly at her. Apparently he had taken the distractions 101 class.

“I have no doubt that Mr. Malfoy cares very much for you miss Granger. However I would hesitate to put too much trust in him.”

Dumbledore was on his feet and out the door before Hermione could form a response and she snapped her mouth shut with a click. Old coot. Nothing got past him. Finding her bed in a daze Hermione decided to not think about it until in the morning.

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Sleeping in was apparently out of the picture because Ron and Ginny woke her up early. Everyone just went on and on. She really just wanted to forget the whole thing. Finally she excused herself to her room and got out her wand and her laptop. A good challenge is what she needed to take her mind off things. She quickly recreated Hogwarts wards in one corner of her room with a few flicks of her wand, watching her door guiltily. She had never told the boy’s about disarming her wand alarm so she could perform magic outside of school. It was dead wrong but she knew they would never be able to handle the magical freedom. The rules were there for a reason. But she couldn’t go without magic for a whole summer; she’d fall behind in her studies.

She’d been able to do basic magic without detection before her first year at Hogwarts. So it made sense that it had to be the wand which was tracked. It had taken her hours of study and spells that first year before she had finally found the trace, built right into the wood. She hadn’t been able to remove it completely without raising suspicion but she had been able to block all transmitting of her information. If you thought about it, the wand tracking was a horrible invasion of a persons’ privacy, and the minute the boys were out of school she would be blocking transmissions on their wands as well.

The question of how to get her laptop to work inside Hogwarts walls was just the distraction she needed. So she set to work, trying a number of shields and wards meant to bubble around her laptop to protect it from Hogwarts interfering magic. After hours of being closeted in her room without finding a solution Hermione grew frustrated and decided to go for a walk. She grimaced at the heavy bruise on her cheek and considered using her wand to reduce the swelling and hide it, but she wouldn’t be able to explain it to everyone else.

No one said anything to her until she was down the hall with her hand on the door. She was surprised by her mother’s sharp voice cutting in on her thoughts. “Where do you think you are going?”

“For a walk mum.” She answered a quizzical look on her face. Her parents trusted her and she never had to explain where she was going before.

“No, you most certainly aren’t going anywhere alone.” She said angrily, stalking down the hall to grab her arm. Hermione was shocked for a moment by her mother’s vehemence…it was very out of character…and then she found herself getting angry.

“Really mom, I didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you acting like a lunatic all of a sudden?” Hermione snarled, pulling her arm loose. Normally Hermione was not ever disrespectful to her parents but she couldn’t ever remember them being disrespectful to her and frankly she couldn’t deal with it right now. A quick heated argument followed and Hermione knew she sounded petty and immature. But she just couldn’t think today, everything was swirling around in her head and the colors were too bright and everything was too hard and she
Just
Needed
To
Get
Out
With a sudden sob Hermione spun around and ran out the door. She ran for a long time, finally slowing to a stop when the stitch of pain in her side was more intense than her need to run. She stood on the side of the road and gasped for air, bent over, wiping tears from her eyes.

She hated this

She didn’t feel like herself. Her thoughts were scattered and unorganized. She was being emotional and irrational. Somewhere in a distant corner of her mind Hermione knew that she was having a reaction to the trauma of yesterday. But it was different in the first person, different than in the books. She felt powerless. That was the word she was looking for. She felt weak and helpless and she hated it.

Hermione wrapped her arms around her middle and walked aimlessly down side streets and main streets past small shops and grocery stores. Every time someone walked past her she would get stiff and her breathing would quicken. She railed at herself. Her fear was irrational. Just because she had been attacked once didn’t mean she would be attacked again. The odds of being attacked were miniscule. She was in a well lighted area in the middle of the day and there were people everywhere. Hermione was a logical rational person and she would sort out a solution to this. She needed to get her head strait.

What she really needed to be able to do was defend herself even without her wand. Wandless magic for the most part was classified as illegal. Some spells were acceptable such as apparition or potions. But for the most part illegal. Which meant books about wandless magic were pretty scarce. Hermione absently wandered if she could get away with sending Malfoy a letter. She’d be willing to bet dollars to donuts that he would have something in his family library about it. Something across the street caught her eye and she hurried across the way to get a better look. The building was small and unremarkable, the sign in the window faded.

JKD
Grappling, Trapping, Footwork, Street fighting
Walk Tall and Unafraid

Hermione opened the door and walked in. The woman seated in the middle of the floor looked up and smiled at her, rising gracefully to her feet and glided over. She reached out, gently cupping Hermione’s injured cheek and said softly. “You’ve come to the right place child.”

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

Harry loved the hustle and bustle in the morning before setting off to Hogwarts. Hermione had of course been packed for days. But the Weasley’s were running around in complete pandemonium. Everyone was rushing about with bits of toast in their hands, shouting and pushing. Mrs. Weasley shouting for order and for everyone to hurry at the same time. Harry stuffed down a pang of sorrow when he walked down the hallway. Sirius’s mother’s portrait had finally been pried down and the hall was now silent. But Sirius hadn’t been here for that. And he wouldn’t be walking with Harry to the train this year.

Harry squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. He really was trying his best not to mope about and feel sorry for himself. He was sure that the others were sick of his bellyaching. Other than Hermione’s assault this summer had been fairly uneventful. He let himself outside and walked over to Mr. Granger to help him get the luggage into the trunk. The Granger’s car had been magically enhanced to fit everyone inside so they could drive to the station. Between the two of them they managed to load the trunk as fast as everyone could truck things out of the house.

Harry looked up as Hermione came out and gave her his best grin and she smiled back at him. But something was missing. Something had been missing all summer. Hermione put on a good show, studied and bullied them to study, but there was a new sadness to her eyes that never seemed to leave. Her innocence was tainted and Harry hated Voldemort all the more for stealing that from her. They all piled into the car and Harry found himself squashed comfortably between Hermione and Ron. It was a good place to be.

It wasn’t a long drive but Harry did have a few minutes to really get a good look at Hermione without her noticing. She had started wearing make-up this summer and Harry knew it was to hide the shadows under her eyes. And like everything else she applied it with such skill that it was barely noticeable. Somehow she managed to make her eyes look bigger; her lips look fuller, and make the whole effect to look completely natural. As usual she took no care with her hair, just washing it and brushing it and letting it fly wildly about. But there was enough weight to it now that most of the frizz was gone, creating corkscrew curls the bounced all around her like some kind of waterfall. She was beautiful. And she had no idea.

When they arrived at the station Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger gave out random hugs and kisses. Mrs. Granger was a little more reserved and poised than Mrs. Weasley but Harry had grown very fond of her this summer. She was a lot like Hermione, intelligent and poised. Finally everyone began randomly going through the barrier. Hermione handled her trolley with ease and Harry crossed the magical barrier right after her. This was his favorite part of the year. When he crossed over and first saw the Hogwarts express. It was like coming home after a very long trip. Hermione strolled on ahead of him, completely oblivious to the boys gawking at her. She really had no idea how she looked.

Suddenly it occurred to him how much her muggle clothing stood out, now that she was amongst Wizards in robes. She wasn’t the only one wearing jeans but she commanded attention with her bold bright colors. Her denims hung low on her hips in the muggle style and the wizard born’s gaped at her as she swayed by. Her top was modest by muggle standards, a moderate vee line and it was long enough to skim the top of her jeans so that no skin showed. But it clung in a way that wizarding robes didn’t and Hermione had developed plenty to cling too. Harry guessed he just didn’t think of her that way so he didn’t notice until other wizards were tripping over themselves noticing. Judging by Ron’s dark scowl, he noticed too.

It was going to be an interesting year.

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

Harry felt Hermione stiffen against him when Malfoy entered the great hall with a group of his hulking friends. He didn’t blame her. Just the sight of that git smirking in their direction made his stomach turn. Malfoy looking that pleased with himself always meant trouble for them. But she raised her chin fractionately and smiled at Ron as if nothing was amiss. Ron did not pick up on the tension and continued to gush about Quidditch enthusiastically.

Neville Longbottom unfortunately was not as aware of Malfoy’s presence and made the mistake of walking hand in hand with his girlfriend in front of him and his friends. Quick as a whip Malfoy’s foot twisted with Neville’s and the poor boy went sprawling ungracefully headfirst across the tiles. Before Harry could get a hold of her Hermione was out of her seat and running across the room yelling angrily. She was far too upset to realize that making a scene would only embarrass Neville further. Harry’s dislike of all things Slytherin inched up a notch at Malfoy’s delighted expression. Harry had no doubt that the evil little slug had planned that move while Hermione was looking, just knowing how she would react.

Harry reluctantly got to his feet and made his way over to the growing crowd of Gryfindor\'s and Slytherin’s. Hermione was in fine form, eyes flashing, cheeks flushed. She was standing a step ahead and slightly to the left of poor Neville, hands clenched into tight fists. “I mean really Malfoy, can’t you pick on someone your own size or would playing fair be too much of a challenge for you?”

“Cry me a river Granger.” Malfoy spat back, equally revved up and grinning like a madman. Then he launched into an impressive wailing woman’s voice. “It’s not fair. Don’t pick on Gryfindor\'s...\"His mouth pulled into his trademark sneer and he took a step closer to Hermione. In true Gryfindor fashion she didn’t step back, just lifted her chin a notch higher to look into his eyes. “That’s the problem with your lot, always thinking the world owes you something. Life’s not fair Granger, get used to it.”

Harry opened his mouth to put a stop to this and grasped Hermione’s arm to draw her away before the teachers got involved. But she pulled free and talked right over him, voice rising so that she could be heard. “Bullying someone weaker than you doesn’t impress anyone Malfoy. This isn’t Malfoy manor; you can’t just walk all over everybody here!” He begged her in a low voice to come away and tried to tug on her again but she was completely focused on Malfoy and didn’t even spare him a glance. He shot Malfoy a killing glare and tossed him an insult or two but he was again ignored. He shared a look with Ron over Hermione’s head and the other boy rolled his eyes before he looked away. They all argued with the Slytherin slime from time to time but when Hermione and Malfoy got into it…well it was never pretty.

Ron tried to get between them but Crabbe pushed him out of the way and Harry had a moment or two where he grappled with Goyle who was trying to keep him back as well. While he was distracted Malfoy managed to get right up into Hermione’s space and drawl in his most condescending tone of voice. “Who’s going to stop me? You? Your little Dumbledore’s army of idiots? Truth is I can do as I please and there isn’t a bloody thing you can do about it is there?” Hermione sputtered angrily and actually pulled back to hit him but this time he was ready for her, managing to catch her hand and pull her closer, leaning down to hiss in her face. “I suggest you learn how to speak to your betters little girl, it’d be a shame if something happened to you because of your ignorance.”

Pandemonium broke out, Ron finally getting loose of Crabbe and barreling into Malfoy bellowing for him get his slimy hands off Hermione just as she pulled back angrily. Ron’s momentum knocked into her and she sprawled on her bum with a cry. At the same time Neville had one of those odd bursts of courage and swung his fist towards Malfoy’s smirking face shouting that he wasn’t going to threaten Mione and get away with it. Blasted luck however, because Ron got in the way and Neville ending up hitting Ron instead... Hermione managed to untangle herself from the melee, a horrified expression on her face while Harry tried to break it up before…

“What is going on here?” Bellowed Professor Snape, breaking through the substantial crowd. Behind him an angry Professor McGonagall found her way to the inner circle. Instant silence. Hermione promptly stood up strait and answered quite calmly.

“Malfoy tripped Neville.”

“Is this true Mr. Malfoy?” Asked Snape softly.

“Of course not professor. Longbottom tripped over his own clumsy feet and these Gryfindors came barreling over here accusing me of making him fall. I can’t help it if Longbottom has the balance equivalence of a flopping fish.” Malfoy answered in his sneering drawl. His hair wasn’t even mussed. God Harry hated him. That slimy git got away with everything.

“Have you been fighting?” Professor McGonagall asked sharply, eyes falling on Ron’s swollen lip.

“Uh…” Ron began ungracefully before being cut off abruptly.

“You know what; I don’t even want to hear it! Every year you same kids are into it again. You’re upperclassman and need to set an example for the younger students. Half of you are prefects and it’s only the first day of the term!” McGonagall stopped speaking and took a deep calming breath. When she spoke again her voice was level and calm. “Five points from everyone involved. Go finish breakfast and if I hear that any of you have got back into it today it will be detention.”

Harry and Malfoy exchanged a look of deepest loathing before Harry fell into step with Neville and giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder. “You alright there Mate?”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” He repeated himself and then gave himself a little shake. He looked at Harry suddenly, eyes sharp and clear. “Do you think Ron’s ever going to get around to asking Hermione out? Because the rest of us aren’t going to wait forever.”

Dumbfounded, Harry floundered helplessly, unsure of what to say until he was saved by Ron telling him to sit. He looked at Neville helplessly for a few seconds before the other boy shrugged and went to sit on the other side of Ron leaving Harry his customary seat next to Hermione. Harry shook his head to clear it. He knew boys watched Hermione all the time. He just figured it was her obsession with her schoolwork that kept them from asking her out. He hadn’t really considered that maybe the Hogwarts population felt that Ron had first claim. He would have to discuss it with Ron. Perhaps knowing that his time was short would jumpstart him and he would finally get around to admitting his feelings.

Hermione grumbled nonstop through most of breakfast. Occasionally he would hear snatches of “Evil big headed git.” Or “Thinks the world owes him…” and quite clearly “Don’t know who he thinks he is.” But apparently Hermione wasn’t up to conversation with anyone but herself so Harry was left to talk to Ginny Weasley and her chattering girlfriends. Harry wasn\'t so oblivious to females that the giggling and eyelash batting didn’t make him slightly uncomfortable.

It was a big relief when the mail came and the chattering girls were distracted by packages from home. Hermione was digging out Knuts to pay for her paper when two more owls dropped a soft package in her lap. Paying the owl she stared at the package mutely for a full minute. “Hermione? Aren’t you going to open that?” Harry asked, slightly concerned about his friend. She nodded wordlessly and pulled open the wrapping to reveal a bold red color. She shook it out slightly, with a look of pure shock. Her gaze flew to the Slytherin table and Harry frowned and narrowed his eyes. Obviously Hermione was not expecting red silk sheets and why would she look over there? He let his gaze follow hers and for some reason was not shocked when he saw that she and Malfoy were staring at each other, again. Not surprised at all.


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Lo all. Hermione fighting with her mother is rare, they are both stressed out and when you are hurting you tend to strike out at the one’s you love. Sad but true. Sadly I like heavy emotion and plot.

JKD is a form of martial arts street fighting designed by Bruce Lee. The JKD stands for Jeet Kune Do.