Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Trust is such a precious thing. Hermione doesn’t understand breaking the trust of others unless it’s a dangerous situation and there is no other choice. She knows she herself betrayed Harry’s trust in third year when she told about his broom but it was in his best interest, she had thought at the time, so in her eyes, at least, it was excusable and forgivable. This betrayal goes far beyond that and isn’t something she can ever forgive.

Marietta broke all of their trust. They allowed her to become part of their group, taught her along with the others, and trusted her to keep their secret. Sneak doesn’t quite suffice as an appropriate name for someone who would break the circle of trust but it’s adequate. Dumbledore’s Army is one of the best accomplishments in Hermione’s life at Hogwarts. It has been well-planned, well-handled, and they now have others who are ready to help if things ever become worse.

She doesn’t hate Marietta for betraying them. Hate is a horrible emotion, one she doesn’t even feel when considering someone like Parkinson or even Voldemort himself. If she allows hate to enter her soul, it will never leave and she’ll become no better than them. No, she pities Marietta for not seeing beyond, for not realizing what she has jeopardized with her foolish decision. The hex is a reminder of her betrayal, Hermione thinks, and it’s only fair that Marietta be reminded of that every day because trust is something you don’t simply toss away once you’ve received it.


Umbridge is a vile woman who comes closer to bringing forth hate than anyone else Hermione knows. Hermione hates what Voldemort represents, hates his plans for the world, hates everything he stands for but she cannot hate him without bringing herself to the level of him and his followers who hate an entire group based on nothing more than blood. Umbridge, however, tempts her to hate, and that scares Hermione in ways no one else would quite understand.

This entire year has been stressful. Harry is so angry at everyone, it seems, and it takes all of her patience to remain at his side and look after him. He needs her even if he’s too caught up in his emotions to realize that yet. She worries for him more than anyone else; not because he’s Voldemort’s target but because he’s her Harry. She worries for Ron, for Ginny, for dear Neville, and dozens of others, but Harry causes the most anxiety and has since they met.

How can she look after him if he refuses to listen to her? She offers advice and he snorts and shrugs away her words. He’s excelled at teaching and leading Dumbledore’s Army but refuses to see how truly important it is for others to be ready. There are times she thinks he actually gets it, that he sees beyond their little world of Hogwarts Castle and realizes what is happening beyond their walls, but then he overreacts to something small and she is left wondering if he’ll ever truly see.

She partially blames Umbridge for Harry’s current behavior. There’s a part of her that knows Harry will eventually come back, that this emotional and odd being that her best friend has become will get past his mood swings and then it will just be Harry again. She gets annoyed with him more now than ever before and has no qualms telling him what she thinks when the situation calls for it, but she’s tired of having to keep him together, in a way, and looks forward to a day when he’ll actually listen to her and Ron and let them back in, completely.

She spends her free time trying to find a way to get rid of Umbridge, to find a way to get Dumbledore back, to defend themselves against the bloody Inquisitor Squad, to make sure they are prepared for anything. Cedric Diggory’s death proves how little life means to Voldemort and shows that they will, indeed, be fighting for their lives if they ever face him or his Death Eaters.

No, if is the wrong word. Hermione has always been a realist and knows they eventually will face the Dark Lord and his followers, in a far more intimate setting than the Quidditch World Cup. If she’s being completely honest, the reason she encouraged the idea of Dumbledore’s Army, the reason she has been determined to teach others spells that will help protect them against attack in even a small way, is so that there is someone to defend those who will need help. She and Ron, they’ll be right beside Harry regardless of his protests or whatever may come. They will die keeping him safe because that’s the bond of their friendship.

However, that leaves no one to worry about the others, the ones who will be shocked at an attack, who don’t believe or choose to remain out of things as if they’ll have that choice if a real war officially begins. Neutrality is a luxury that most will never have and she wishes they’d realize this before it’s too late. Neville, Ginny, Luna…she can trust them to take care of as many people as they can should the need arise. That frees her up to focus more on Harry, though she’ll never stop worrying until this is all over, whether it ends with Voldemort’s defeat or her own death.

At the moment, though, there's nothing to do but wait for something to happen. Hermione can feel it in the air, an energy that is restless and unpredictable, and she hates that she can’t predict what it is and prepare appropriately. When the time comes, they’ll be ready. They have to be because there will be no second chances, no opportunities to practice the spell again, just a struggle for their lives and a fight to avoid death.

She has spent time researching and hopes to continue meeting in secret, if possible, to repair the damage that has been done with their discovery. Regardless of Marietta’s betrayal and Harry’s erratic behavior, she is pleased by the progress they have made during their meetings, even though she knows it is not nearly enough to properly be ready for whatever may be lurking on the horizon.

Hopefully it is enough for now.

The End