Betrayed

NB
This definitely contains spoilers for Half Blood Prince. I recommend that you read that before this, because I don’t want to be blamed for giving away the ending or anything! You’re welcome to read this before HBP if you really really want, just don’t get upset if it spoils the book for you! As always, criticism is welcome, as are reviews! I don’t know how long this will be, it may be a little slow to begin with, but lemons will be introduced sometime! Let me know if you’re enjoying it, or if you aren’t!

None of these characters are mine, I\'m just having a little bit of fun with them! They all belong to JK Rowling.



Takes place just after the funeral.


She was too shocked to cry.

She still couldn’t believe it. Dumbledore was gone. Killed by the unforgivable killing curse. Killed, by the one person he trusted most in the world.

Hermione sat on her bed, thinking. She knew deep down that she had not yet come to terms with her headmaster’s death, and that when it sunk in, she would cry.

Until then, however, all she could do was think.

She had tried reading, but found it impossible to stay focussed. She didn’t feel like talking to Ron, or Harry, or anybody else for that matter. All of her things were packed, and ready to go; the Hogwarts Express was leaving very shortly.

Hermione sighed, and decided to go to the train early. It wouldn’t do any harm she decided, and the short walk might take her mind off things.

The red steam engine was already waiting when she reached the platform, and she decided to board, as had many of the others. She spotted Ron and Harry in a carriage, and went to join them. It seemed that if this was the last time the pupils would be leaving the school, a year early, they should all be together, instead of messing about with prefect carriages.

The three of them sat in silence, until Neville and Luna came along. The paused outside the door, looked in through the window, then Neville spoke, in a very subdued voice.

“Mind if we join you guys?”

“Course not, mate. Help yourself to a seat,” replied Ron in a less than enthusiastic way.

The journey back to London was uneventful. There were a few attempts at conversation, but no one’s heart was in it.

Before leaving the platform to enter muggle London, however, it was decided that any messages that couldn’t be sent by owl should be sent via the gold galleons, which everyone promised to check each day.

There was a great feeling of sadness on the wizard platform, as the young pupils said goodbye to each other, unsure of whether they would be able to return to Hogwarts.

Nevertheless, Hermione said goodbye to all her friends, making them promise to stay in touch over the summer, and not to look for trouble. She had the feeling trouble would appear soon enough, whether it was looked for or not. After her goodbyes, Hermione walked through the wall resolutely, with her head held high.

Her parents were on the other side, waiting to greet her. They looked very worried, knowing how unusual it was, even for a school as unusual as Hogwarts, to finish early for summer.

Mrs Granger immediately saw that Hermione was not herself, and seemed much older somehow. She put her arm around her daughter, and led her to the car, while Mr Granger picked up her bags and followed.

The ride from the station to the Granger house was in silence. Mrs Granger knew her daughter well enough to know not to push her into talking, knowing she would explain all when she was ready to talk about it.

When they got back, Hermione went straight to her room, and began to unpack, hoping to take her mind off things.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

Hermione’s mind was still whirling about Dumbledore and his killer. It just didn’t make any sense. Why him of all people? It was easy enough to see why Dumbledore’s death would be an advantage, the death of the only wizard You-Know-Who ever feared. It would strike fear in wizards and witches everywhere, making them feel much more vulnerable.

It was Snape’s betrayal, however, that left an empty space in her heart. For years, she had looked up to Snape, respected his intelligent mind, and on occasion, his sharp wit. Well, when it wasn’t directed at her, Ron or Harry anyway. She had admired his ability to produce flawless potions, and prevent accidents in the laboratory, not an easy task, especially when Neville was around. She had stood up for him, trying to make Harry believe that the things he did and said were for reasons, not just because he hated his father.

But now… All of that had changed. She had trusted him, because Dumbledore had trusted him. Right up to his death, Dumbledore had still trusted him, but Snape had abused that trust. Hermione felt betrayed. She felt that by trusting Snape, and trying to get Harry to trust him too, she had betrayed Harry. Snape was supposed to be on their side, the good side, spying on the bad side. Maybe the line between good and bad wasn’t so clear cut anymore.

Suddenly the tears started running. Dumbledore was dead, and Snape had betrayed them. No member of the Order was safe now, he knew who each of them was. 12 Grimmauld Place certainly wasn’t safe. Hogwarts was no longer safe. Hermione could no longer think of anyplace she could call safe, except perhaps her muggle home.