Amaranth Book 2 : Secret of the Blackest Blood

Chaper 2: What I've Done

Put to rest what you thought of me
While I clean this slate
With the hands of uncertainty
So let mercy come and wash away
What I've done
~ Linkin park

It was Friday evening - at last, Hermione thought. She looked away from the mess of her clothing thrown haphazardly across her bed, sighing. When had picking a perfect outfit gotten so important?

Why torture yourself. Just admit it.

She felt it again, then her heart fluttering with anticipation - as she thought of two beautiful cerulean eyes. Her breath caught when she remembered those full ruby lips against the softest alabaster skin, all framed by her touchable champagne hair - beautiful - cascading down her back in waves. She tried to control her attention, think of something else. When had her breathing begun to sound so labored? You can't feel this way.

She nervously watched from the tower window, as the sun began to hang low above the horizon. She watched as it cast the Black Lake with a shimmering myriad of colors, falling into its darkling depths. As it sparked too, a million tiny stars coming to rest along the shores as the entire grounds of Hogwarts – glistened, a prism of brilliance across the freshly fallen snow.

As she leaned against the cool glass, completely lost in thought. It was blessed relief - against the heat of these thoughts and the flaming of her cheeks. Absently, she turned the pages of 'Hogwarts a History.' As again she felt her heart thudding, an aching desire – worrying her bottom lip. And so she didn't hear the door open.

"Hermione" Ginny said with forced cheerfulness.

Hermione tried to hide her nervousness. As she tried to compose herself from her best friend's scrutinizing eyes.

But she needn't have worried, Ginny's face was a mask of tension. She'd OVER stressed herself. As she now wore a deep crimson blush, making her look almost feverish. Again, thankfully, she'd been too preoccupied to notice Hermione quickly stiffen.

"Are you ready for supper?" she said in a rush. She stood in the doorway, rucksack over her shoulder, her lose braids disheveled. "I'm not sure I can eat, I'd rather avoid it, to be honest" she said almost bashfully.

Hermione tried to hide the smile as it tugged on lips. It was so obvious how Ginny's new found realization had begun to affect their life. She was wildly preoccupied for one, it could almost be cute. Almost.

Ginny didn't wait for an answer, throwing herself dramatically upon Hermione's bed. The head girl rolled her eyes, sharing a room with the youngest Weasley was in a word – interesting. She remembered again how excited she felt seeing their room, for the first time. As Seventh years, they'd been afforded some wonderful perks ; for one they had a picturesque glimpse of Black Lake.

Hermione never realized how wonderful a double room could be until Ginny was her only roommate. They even had their own loo with little red lions on the fixtures on the sink. And to sleep in two luxurious, four poster beds with thick curtains of crimson and gold fit for queens with plush rugs and two ebony writing desks. And it was into this quiet, which Hermione blossomed as head girl.

"Are you okay, Mione?" She asked curiously. Hermione hadn't moved from her place by the window. She seemed a million miles away. "Hermione!?"

"Oh – I'm fine sorry" her thoughts interrupted. "I was just was thinking." She gave Ginny an apologetic look "but I can't go to supper, remember I have another research meeting?"

Ginny deflated, sitting up– "oh right – I forgot – maybe Rose or Sara will go with me."

Hermione felt a pang of guilt, she shouldn't have agreed to take a meal with - Cissy.