DAYS GONE BY

Well guys here is my first attempt at a fanfiction story. All comments are welcome.

DAYS GONE BY


The sounds of celebration had disappeared from the hills of Hogwarts. Just a few short hours before, the resonance of laughter, joy, happiness and music had rung out into the surrounding landscape. The wizarding world was celebrating the 6th anniversary of the defeat of Voldemort.

It had been two days straight of non-stop partying, drinking, eating and general merriment with family and friends for Hermione. As the transfiguration professor it was one of the few times a year that she got to spend quality time with Harry and the Weasley’s.

Generally Hermione lived a busy life full of teaching and preparing lesson plans, head of house responsibilities and research into her new pet project.

Yet it was times like this that Hermione dreaded the most. As she walked by Hadgrid’s hut in the stillness of the sunset it all came rushing back. The pain, hurt, and anger shouting within her head screaming to be let out.

WHY, why had everyone else been able to move on? Live their lives and be genuinely happy. Why did they all have someone, someone to love, someone to care for, and someone to share their pain?

Hermione knew that Harry and the Weasley’s missed Ron. But they did not rely on him to be their pillar of strength. They all could get on with their lives remembering him and cherishing those times of joy.

For Hermione it was different her pain was a constant ache that never eased. Not only did she mourn for Ron, but felt deep hypocrisy burning within her very being. After witnessing Bellatrix murder her first love, Hermione the great campaigner for the fair treatment of all magical creatures turned her wand and with no hesitation caste the unforgivable ‘AVADA KADARVA’. She watched the life leave Bellatrix’s eyes and felt nothing but absolute hatred and revenge.

This questioned all she felt she was and stood for.

… Hermione’s feet kept taking her to where she did not know, nor care and it was not till exhaustion took over that she sat down. The sun had long set; a chill was coming into the air. In the stillness she could not run, nor hide. It was moments like this that she yearned for days gone by.

As Hermione lay on the cold, damp ground she could sense another lone figure wandering the hills of Hogwarts. There was only one other person who walked the hills in solitude. As Hermione glanced in his direction he nodded in acknowledgement. It was their unspoken rule that they did not talk or interrupt each other’s loneliness. Each had their own hell and neither knew how to escape.

Yet tonight felt different somehow, whether it was the crickets singing their lonely lament, or the early autumn breeze on an unexpected summer night, neither could tell. For the first time in three years of being colleagues, Professor Snape spoke breaking the silence.

“I see the boy wonder was able to break himself away from the throngs of adoring fans.”

Severus was glad to have escaped the confines of the castle. Minerva would have done better to place him in a full body bind than expect him to circulate and mingle with the castle guests at the anniversary celebrations.

Severus was not a social man; he left that to the likes of Potter. He might have been a recipient of Order of Merlin, First Class. Yet it did not stop the suspicious looks, the glares of mistrust and hatred. This coming ironically from the majority of the wizarding world that was not present at the final battle.

So Severus stuck to his corner of the room glaring at anyone who ventured within talking distance. Professor Snape preferred the company of a glass of old Ogden’s finest whiskey and the odd interaction with a Malfoy or the boy wonder himself.

After the sun had set Severus ventured off to harvest the magical fungi pe’nance.

This fungus was bright red with bursts of blinding white at the base, only opened on the waxing moon of August. He knew she would be out wandering. She had taken to walking the hills more and more often. The pain he saw in her eyes haunted him, as he knew it well, self-hatred. Many thought she was still mourning the loss of Ron, yet Severus knew instinctively that it was more.

Nonetheless a big part of Severus felt why should I care. I have done my part for the wizarding world. The last thing she needs is my self-loathing feeding into her own. Contaminating each other. But what is it they say, “Misery loves company”.

“I see the boy wonder was able to break himself away from the throngs of adoring fans.”

Hermione ignored him, as she knew he was trying to bait her. Yet there was a slight warmth slowly growing up from her toes, encompassing her whole body. For the first time in three years something felt real. Snapes sarcasm was real. Nothing had changed with him. He was still the same sour, sarcastic, bitter, spiteful man he had always been. He had been a bully the day Hermione first met him and remained one to this very day.

This pulled her back to a place, which she longed for. A time that was full of innocence. It reminded her of days gone by.

For Chapter 2, click here