Broken Enigma

Broken Enigma

Tygerlily
Angelusblood@yahoo.com

Rating: Hard R
Pairing:Hermione/Severus [mentions of Hermione/Ronald]
Summary: In a post war Hogwarts Hermione discovers a devastating secret that shakes her world and causes her to take a step back and re-evaluate everything within her life. Meanwhile Severus’s long-time obsession begins to spiral dangerously out of control and it will affect everyone around him… even those he didn’t believe mattered.
Disclaimer: Property of J.K. Rowling and Company
Spoilers: None-Takes Place Fifth Year [just to give you an idea of the time]

Author Note: This is my FIRST “Harry Potter” Fanfiction however this is not my first Fanfiction ever. I am also working on my first total “Harry Potter” Alternate Universe. [Where I basically change… almost everything, it will be Hermione/Severus Centric] So be on the look out for that some time in the future.

Chapter One – Shattered Stars

A thunderous crash sounded before a bright light lit up the darkened sky, as the rain continued to fall and hot, spicy tears continued to slip down her chilled cheeks. Only hours before she had been so excited and happy she could’ve burst from it all. That evening was the Halloween feast; and what was usually a joyous time within the magical world had turned out to be one of the most devastating days of her life.

What was worse was that she couldn’t figure out which was more detrimental: the fact that her boyfriend of almost a year and a half was cheating on her or the fact that her best friend of almost five years had been helping to keep her lying boyfriend’s secret. Sniffling softly, she couldn’t help but curl in on herself as similar thoughts continued to race through her mind.

Tears continued to burn and blurred her vision as she stared sightlessly out the window and at the storm raging outside. Uncurling her fist, glassy eyes glanced down at the now warm piece of metal lying innocently in her upturned palm. What had been a precious gift was now nothing more than a mere mockery of what once was. She could remember clearly the day he’d given it to her as if it had just occurred.

… ::: …

All that could be heard was the gentle scuffling of their shoes as they slowly made their way down the cobble-stone path that wove all throughout one of Hogwarts many rose gardens. After the events of previous years, it had been decided that Hogwarts\' three most infamous students should arrive just a few days ahead of schedule just to allow them to get settled… for safety’s sake.

Gentle cinnamon-colored eyes looked over at her companion, who was obviously a complete bundle of nerves, though he was doing his best to hide it. Shrugging to herself, she decided, for once, to not push. It was he who had invited her out her, so she figured he’d say whatever it was he had to say when he was ready.

Inhaling sharply, the young Gryffindor nodded shakily toward a stone bench. It was hidden in an intimate corner of the maze. The fragrant scent of roses and greenery surrounded them as they slipped past a few mossy vines. Settling down on the cool stone, the same gentle eyes settled on his rattled form.

“Ron… what’s the matter?” Hermione asked softly when he still hadn’t said anything.

“Huh… oh nothing, I just… well, I wanted to talk to you,” he stammered nervously.

Giggling softly to herself, she smiled up at him though she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why he was so adorably flustered. Ever since her first year, she’d had something of a crush on Ronald Weasley, and it had only grown and taken on a life of its own over time.

“Well, okay then… what about?” she asked.

“…About what?” Ron asked curiously.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked while giggling softly.

The youngest Weasley boy flushed brightly before coming back to himself. Clearing his throat nervously, his eyes darted to the thick grassy, ground before jumping back up to his companion\'s face.

“Well, you see hum… I’ve been doin’ some thinkin’ and uh… gods, this is hard! It shouldn’t be this hard. I mean I should just be able to take a breath and just come right out and tell-“

“Ron! … Ron, calm down and just tell me,” she said softly.

Inhaling slowly, his soft blue eyes fluttered shut before opening again.

“I like you, Hermione… in fact, I like you a lot. I know this may seem like it’s coming out of nowhere… but that’s not exactly true. I… I’ve felt this way for a while now…” He then began to trail off, unsettled by her silence.

Stunned into silence, Hermione stared at Ron, who had been one of her best friends for the past four years, in complete and utter shock. It was Ron’s nervous babble about taking back his recent declaration that finally pulled her from her stunned state.

“Gods, Ron… don’t you dare take it back!” she exclaimed.

“… You mean?” he asked hesitantly but, his eyes were ever hopeful.

“I… I like you too Ron, a lot. In fact I’ve had a bit of a crush on you since our first year,” she admitted, a bright blush staining her cheeks.

As realization slowly began to dawn on the youngest male Weasley, a large goofy smile broke out over his face and his eyes lit up. Sitting up a little taller, he then squared his shoulders for the second reason of this excursion to the rose gardens. Reaching into the folds of his robes and with a shaky hand, he produced a small battered looking box.

“I have something for you… it’s not much but as soon as I saw it… well, here, just go on and open it,” he stammered nervously before thrusting the box out towards her.

Quietly, she gently ran her fingers over the battered box before slowly opening it with a soft click. What she found there caused her eyes to widen as she gasped softly. Licking her lips nervously, she gently lifted the delicate chain, holding it up in front of her. It was nothing more than a simple silver chain linked together with moderately thick links, but knowing the Weasleys’ financial situation, Ron’s especially, she couldn’t have asked for anything better. Looking up she saw that Ron was fidgeting quite a bit and watching her anxiously, giggling softly she smiled up at him and offered her wrist.

“Put it on me?”

Smiling nervously, the redhead shakily reached out and took the light piece from her and gently, placed it on her wrist. Fingertips gently caressed her wrist for a moment before they fell back into his lap. Still smiling a bit nervously, he then leaned down at gently brushed his lips against hers…

… ::: …

A loud crash outside her window ripped her from the memory. It seemed as the evening wore on, the storm outside became all the more violent. Shivering involuntarily because of the icy chill that had crept into the room, she moved from the large four poster bed and reached out for one of her thicker cloaks. Silently, she dropped to her knees and rooted around until she found her shoes, and just as quietly, she pulled them on.

When she caught her reflection, she couldn’t help the shuddering breath that escaped her. She was still dressed for the Halloween feast--beautiful deep maroon robes adorned her body, cut to fit her, specifically. They hugged her bust and waistline, snugly, before flaring out in a swirl of skirts around her ankles. Her hair had long ago lost its unruly, bushy curls and now fell around her shoulders in soft waves. In a word, she was beautiful… except for the puffiness of her eyes and the redness of her nose.

Sniffling softly, she did her best to keep the fresh tears burning the backs of her eyes at bay. Inhaling a shuddering breath, she reached up with shaky hands and gently raised the dark hood of the cloak and silently slipped from her rooms. Entering the common room, she wasn’t surprised to find that it was empty and all that could be heard was the soft crackling of a fire. Everyone was more than likely at the feast, and if they weren’t at the feast, they were off in the halls somewhere, trying to get some alone time with the opposite sex.

And, although she was in no mood to break up young lovers, she was still a Prefect and it was time to patrol. Sighing softly to herself, she quietly stepped out into the halls of Gryffindor Tower and slowly began to make her way down into the main portion of the castle. As she got closer to the Great Hall the sounds of laughter and the gentle roar of conversation could be heard. Coming slowly to a stop, she stared longingly at the large, ornate double doors before shaking her head, before turning on heel, and making her way to the dungeons.

She knew her heart wasn’t really in this particular patrol, nor was her head in reality. The gentle click of her shoes as she made her way down the stone steps along with the gentle hum of her voice as it echoed softly against the cool stone. Hermione wandered the halls aimlessly; her only company the gentle click of her feet and the sound of her voice as she sang softly to herself, a lullaby from her childhood.

It was those two very sounds that drew Severus from his personal lab and out into the halls. What he saw before him caused him to pause and look on in great curiosity. Dark eyes darkened all the more as he watched the young girl only a few yards away from him practically glide across the halls, singing softly to herself. Although he normally would have made his presence known and reprimanded her for wandering his dungeons, her face caused him to pause. It was empty and devoid of any emotion. It was almost as if she wasn’t really there.

Pursing his lips and silently cursing himself for what he was about to do, he murmured softly and slowly he shimmered from sight. A few more whispered words, and a cushioning charm had been cast on his shoes. It was then he fully stepped out into the hall and began to silently follow the young Gryffindor. For a long while, he believed they were just going in circles as they made their way all throughout the dungeons, even down corridors that he hadn’t been down in ages.

Suddenly, she changed her direction and began to quietly make her way out of the bowels of the castle. For awhile, he again thought they would wonder the halls aimlessly. That was, until she began to make her way up a narrow stoned stairway. She was headed up to the Astronomy Tower. His brow furrowed in confusion, why on earth would she want to go there? More than likely all she would find would be some couple in the middle of some heavy petting.

Shaking his head, he sighed silently to himself but still kept up after her. Much to his surprise, the tower was empty. His eyes scanned the small space curiously before they settled on the huddled form of the young Gryffindor. She was sniffling softly and her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. It was then that he knew she was crying; rolling his eyes heavenward, he wondered if this evening could get any worse.

Though, as soon as the sobbing started it stopped. Rising on shaky legs, Hermione made her way over to one of the large open windows within the tower. Sniffling softly, she looked out into the night and inhaled the crisp and cool night air, still totally unaware of the company she kept. Reaching up, she pulled down the hood that adorned her head and shook her hair free, running a shaky hand through her thick locks, she reached into her robes and pulled out the once precious bracelet.

Licking her lips nervously, she held up the glittering piece of jewelry in front of her. Silently, she studied the piece for a moment, and then, with a flick of her wrist, she tossed it out the window and into the air. With a few whispered words the bracelet never made it to the ground, for it burst brightly into numerous glittering shards before shimmering harmlessly from sight.

Dark eyes widened in shock and surprise as they took in the sight of the bracelet exploding into the night before slowly disappearing from sight. Tearing his eyes away from the space where the bracelet had once been, he took in the sight of the still tearing young woman in front of him, and he was more confused than he had ever been in his entire life.

Here she was, Gryffindor know-it-all, out all alone a stream of tears constantly coursing down her cheeks. On the night of the Halloween feast no less, and her bodyguards were nowhere to be seen. Let alone the fact that this Muggle-born had just done a somewhat impressive display of wandless magic.

No, something was not right here at all…

End of Chapter One