(NOT FINISHED) Curiosity Mirrored the Black Bird.

Chapter Twelve

      I woke up, a harsh sweat breaking across my forehead. It was pitch black in the dorm still and I could see the slowly peaking sun as I drew the curtains open. I could hear Hermione rustling around, pages of notes falling between her curtain and bed. It was nearly 5am and I knew there was no chance of me falling back asleep so I slowly let my feet drop off the side of the bed, and stood.

      I found myself pacing back and fourth behind the curtain in my four-poster, my hand on my face, chewing the little bits of nail I had left on every finger. There was no way I seriously had to take these O.W.L's right? I doubted heavily I would be excused from all of it, especially considering the new headmistress was a vile, evil woman.

      For the first time ever, I hoped Voldemort would walk into Hogwarts and start throwing spells. Maybe, Umbridge would cancel exams. Not very likely though.

      A long sigh escaped my lips, the mark on my arm burned under my robes. I felt it slithering across my veins, pulsing like a live snake lived under my skin. I wanted nothing more than to hex the mark off, but I knew it would be pointless. In the end, it will all be pointless, I am a traitor now.

      I pulled back the curtain on my four-poster, watching the entire dorm empty itself except for Hermione, who stood across from me, clutching books in her hands. Guilt rang across my heart as I watched my best friend so innocently wait for me, completely oblivious.

      "Mione', You didn't have to wait." I let a small smile onto my lips as I stepped forward. Zeus cawed from the window, shaking his feathers from the rain outside. "I don't want you to be late."

      Hermione grabbed my arm before I could react, and the entire world felt still. I had never seen her eyes before until now. I could feel my mark pulse under her hand, making her squeeze harder. I choked out a sob, my entire body violently shook as I was pulled into her arms.

      How could I ever hurt one of the people I have loved the most? This mark made me feel disgusting and atrocious, but Hermione felt it too. I was sure of it. Finally after my tears ran dry, her white blouse had a splotch from my eyes. Hermione sighed, placing her hand on the back of my head, I could hear the frown in every noise she made.

      "You do not have to do this alone, Amortia." Hermione pulled back, her hands now holding the sides of my face. "We will figure this out, I swear to you. Just you and me, I will find something in the library. I will get rid of this for you."

     I could hear my father's voice in the back of my head, praising me for the friends I found myself. Hermione Granger, the muggleborn, had no fear of the mark I was cursed with. I admired her, the strength she had, the intelligence, the drive to keep her head up after all she's been through.

      Silently, we moved through the dorm and out of the common room, her arm laced through mine. I could hear the buzz of students through the entire castle, but the only thing I cared about hearing at the moment was Hermione's soft breaths as we moved towards the Great Hall for breakfast.

      Harry and Ron stood up as we walked towards the Gryffindor table, worry was plastered all over their faces, but I could see the remnants of food on Ron's face, making me laugh.

      "We needed a girl talk, no need to be worried." Hermione explained, squeezing my arm comfortingly, ushering the two to sit back down before Umbridge made her rounds. "The exams are in twenty minutes, so we have plenty of time to go over the schedule and notes."

       They could see the horror on my face, all rushing to speak at once.

      "You know, I didn't study for most of these, you're not alone Am' –," Harry started

      "Not that we ever study anyways. I don't think I paid much attention in class at all this year. Definitely more to worry about –," Ron added, his mouth full of breakfast sausages and eggs.

      "Not studying,-" Hermione looked at Harry, and then turned to stare daggers at Ron "Or not paying attention this year, is not something to brag about. To put it plainly, you are all doomed unless we go over these notes in the next fifteen minutes."

      I had every intention to study History and Astronomy, until I could hear the heels of Severus Snape patrolling the spaces between tables. My eyes followed him, watching as he pushed and shoved students in their seats, stopping PDA and note sharing.

      Snape began to walk down the space between Gryffindor and Slytherin, his eyes scanning the table as Hermione went to shove her notes under her breakfast plates. I looked at the floor as I heard his footsteps approaching, until they stopped right behind me. I was certain he was going to say something about Hermione's notes, but instead he let out a sigh and kept walking, until I heard the swish of his long coat behind him as he quickly left the Great Hall.

      I blamed him for so much of what happened. I lost so many months of my fifth year, I lost so much of my life by taking this mark. He knew the entire time, and let me fall right into the trap. I was going to be used and murdered, just like my mother.

      My ears began to ring as I looked over the hundreds of pages of notes Hermione took. Students began to shuffle around, gathering their papers and bags as the clock ticked across the Great Hall. It was silent as Umbridge sat at the front of the room, her beady eyes scanning each and every student for signs of disobedience.

      The clock rang through the Hall, the fifth years standing in unison, rushing to the first exam of the day. The four of us shared the same exam schedule. I followed Hermione through the crowd of students, up the steps, and into the Charms classroom, refusing to let this mark define me.

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A/N

      Hello guys! I'm so sorry this chapter took me so long to write. I felt so much muse this morning, I decided to stick it through. I'm going to start writing again and I am so very excited. Please take this chapter as an apology and I will start the next one today! I love you all so much, thank you for all of the support and love you have given me through the years.

- Acacia