Breaking Hermione

I Must Be Dreaming

Glory crowns the deeds of those who expose themselves to toils and dangers.

Alexander the Great

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Sun Tzu • The Art of War

Hermione

The sun had long since disappeared behind the clouds, along with any hope I had to survive through to the end of this wicked night. I could feel in my heart that this was the end. It had to be. All I could feel was the entrapping feeling of darkness and the undulating waves of pain and misery.
I thought of my family, and forced myself to remain standing. Surely this was the least I could do, endure whatever was to come with my head held high.

"Everyone must be mindful as they venture into the Forest." Tom stood at the front of the gathering, every eye trained on him. I stood to his left, binded there as if by invisible threads, forced against my will to endure each of his words. His voice wasn't deafening but it carried clearly in the silence.

"This part of the grounds is prohibited to students for many reasons, most of which you know. However, there is no need to fear. Most of you have a well practised hand in the Dark Arts, therefore tonight will be a fine opportunity to demonstrate all that I have taught you over the years. In saying this I am not your hero, and none of you should feel the need to be so pathetic as to play the damsel in distress. We are here to carry through with our plan. Keep in mind that you are all responsible for yourselves. It is your magical ability that you will need to depend on tonight. The only one under my watch is Hermione. No one else. Does anyone have any questions?"

"Which Beasts are in the Forbidden Forest at this time of year?" Professor Pickerell's voice was weak with fear, and her pale face was stricken. We made eye contact momentarily, and she suddenly looked away from me as though scalded.

Guilt?

"Are you a member of Staff at this School or are you not?" Tom Riddle's features were void of emotion but his remark was swift and cutting. It was obvious to everyone that was familiar with him that he despised her.

"Shouldn't you of all people know the answer?" He continued on remorselessly. "I cannot fathom why you would bother to ask for a teaching position at Hogwarts if you are not inclined to broaden your own intelligence..."

No one dared to intervene. There would have been no point, Tom's bipolar temperament was merciless and would tear apart anyone close at hand, it didn't matter who you were.

"I do not teach every subject at this School, you know that." Professor Pickerell retaliated. "Besides, as I've said before - being a teacher at Hogwarts is fast becoming a rather brutish career path for my taste."

She looked around at all of us pointedly as if it wasn't her personal choices that led her here in the first place.

"So you detest the School?" Tom said lowly. "What a pity." His tone held no warmth, and despite this he began to lead us into the Forbidden Forest all the while seeming to be mentally far away, as if he was thinking on an entirely different realm about many things at once.

"I, for one, like to have a vast understanding of all the subjects taught here." He said, walking a very fine line between passive aggressiveness and outright hostility. "Knowledge is and will always be the most powerful tool, and its weilder should utilise it to the fullness of its capabilities. It will provide you with an advantage over your so called "friends" as well as your enemies, should circumstances arise where you would need to enforce your place above them."