Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadowed Mirrors ❯ Shattered Dreams ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary: Have you ever felt afraid to look in a mirror? I have. It's not my reflection that scares me, it's the feeling I receive when I see my face staring horrified right back at me. I have had this phobia for so long. If only...

 

 

Have you ever felt afraid to look in a mirror? I have. In fact, I haven't looked into a mirror for more than four years. My name is Hermione Granger by the way.

 

I suppose you're wondering why I would possibly fear my own reflection. Well, it's not my reflection that scares me, it's the feeling I receive when I see my face staring horrified right back at me.

 

I have had this phobia for so long. I want to be able to look into a mirror and smile. But so many things have happened. Too many things. And I am beginning to believe that everyone is right about me. If only…

 

Do you think I'm pretty?

 

 

I am lost in a room of mirrors. There I am and there and there and oh God why?!

 

Wet russet eyes moved around wildly, trying fruitlessly to find an escape. There was none.

 

And the mirrors turned to shadows, a memory in each one. Memories of times wished to be forgotten. Hermione entered one.

 

 

“Class, we have a new student joining us today. Her name is Hermione Granger. I do hope you will all make her feel welcomed,” the elderly third grade teacher announced to her class.

 

A small girl with bushy chocolate colored hair slowly entered the room. Her deep brown eyes held a barely contained panic as she realized how many people were staring at her. She was soon pointed to a desk at the front of the class, and the trembling girl took her seat.

 

Lunch time came all too quickly for the new student as she was suddenly bombarded with questions.

 

“Where did you last go to school?”

 

“Why did you enter so late?”

 

“Why are your teeth so huge?”

 

“Why is your hair so big?”

 

“Yeah! It looks like a big bushy mess!”

 

Hermione Granger, cowering in front of her new classmates, cringed mentally at the hurtful and personal inquiries directed toward her. Was there something wrong with her hair? Sure it was rather wild but that wasn't a just cause to ridicule the curly locks. And so what if her teeth were a bit on the large side. Her parents told her that it didn't matter, so why did these kids think it did?

 

“Do you…think I'm pretty?” she asked timidly. Maybe their questions were merely observations reworded into questions. Maybe…

 

One of the kids laughed. “Well I know I don't. I bet half my lunch that she's part animal and that's why her hair and teeth are like that.”

 

The others laughed too. “Probably a beaver!” another of the kids cried out.

 

The dismayed and hurt child curled into herself, feeling a deep want to be accepted and pretty. Her heart was in so much pain, her tiny lungs wouldn't contain any of the air she was desperately trying to suck in, and her head felt like someone was grabbing it tightly. Panic swelled deep into her mind, but all too soon her eyes closed and her breath evened out as she sailed peacefully on the shores of unconsciousness.

 

 

The woman cried out in pain. She felt as if someone was crushing her head, and her body was on fire as sharp sobs took a hold of her.

 

No no no no no! I want to escape. Need to get out. Need to…oh please…

 

The shadows of the past sucked her back in.

 

 

© 2008 Inyx Dawn