The Girl Hidden In the Shadows (Harry Potter Fanfiction)

~15 2/2~

"We were - we were -" Ron stammered. "We were going to - to go and see -"

"Hermione," said Nova. The three looked at her. Harry understanding where Nova was going with this continued.

"We haven't seen her for ages, Professor," Harry went on hurriedly. "and we thought we'd sneak into the hospital wing, you know, and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and, er, not to worry -"

"We miss her, Professor," said Nova, her face displayed a saddened expression. "I miss her..."

Her mismatched eyes glistening showing she was almost in tears causing both to touch and ache hearts of those who see it.

It clearly affected not only the boys but it seemed to also affect the female professor as well. When she spoke it was in a strangely croaky voice.

"Of course," she said, and Harry, along with Ron, were amazed when they saw a tear glistening in her eye. "Of course, I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been...especially you, when it comes to Miss Granger, Miss Black...I quite understand. Yes, of course you may visit her. All of you. I will inform Professor Binns where you've gone. Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given my permission."

"Thank you, Professor," said Nova gratefully with a small smile sniffling as the professor nodded and ushered them away, hearing the woman slightly sniffle as well without another word.

Harry and Ron followed Nova, hardly daring to believe that they'd avoided detention. As they turned the corner, they distinctly heard Professor McGonagall blow her nose.

"That," said Ron fervently, "was brilliant! The best story you've ever come up with!"

"It's not a lie though," said Nova as they continued walking.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry. "And are you going to tell us what you found out?"

"Yes," said Nova. "But we have to visit Hermione."

"Why?" asked Ron.

"Because in one of the books I was reading at the library, one of the pages has been torn off," said Nova. "When I asked Madam Pince who was the last person to check it out, guess who it was..."

The boys looked at her confused as she rolled her eyes.

"Hermione," said Nova exasperated. "Hermione was the last person to check out the book on the same day she was attacked."

"Still doesn't explain why we have to go to her," said Ron confused as they made their way to the hospital wing.

"For starters, Professor McGonagall just gave us permission and if we don't appear and she asks Madam Pomfrey if we were there and she says no we'll be in trouble for lying," said Nova as the boys went on each side of her. "And second, I think I know where that torn paper is..."

The boys looked at her confused but they merely followed her lead as they made it to their way to the hospital wing.

"So Black is your last name?" asked Harry as they walked. The smile that Nova displayed was bittersweet.

"I was hoping you wouldn't bring it up..." admitted Nova. Harry looked at her confused.

"Why?" asked the boy. Nova shook her head as they neared the doors to the hospital wing

"It doesn't matter right now," said Nova as she went ahead. Harry looked at Ron confused, the latter shrugging.

"I have no clue, whatsoever," said Ron his face scrunching. "Though the name sounds familiar."