Scars That Heal (Dramione Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

3 - Attention-Seeker's Detention

The prospect of being punished never sat well with Hermione. She hated knowing she had done wrong and hated having to bear the consequences - particularly when, as in this case, it wasn't actually her fault. Malfoy had started the aggravating bombardment, and it was Malfoy who had been hit by her in retaliation. So she wasn't in a good mood when she arose the next morning, knowing she had an hour to endure with him.

And the dream had come back. Not strongly enough to make her go to the Tower, but enough to leave her feeling exhausted despite a relatively undisturbed night's sleep. She practically sleepwalked through a double period of Ancient Runes - Professor Sinistra often giving her disapproving glances when she noticed her with her head on the desk - and did the same in Arithmancy. During lunch break she decided to give the Great Hall a miss, despite the cold ache at the pit of her stomach, and went straight to the library. It was nearly empty at the start of lunch, and it was easy finding a table where she wouldn't be disturbed.

When Harry's scar had bothered him badly while he took Occlumency lessons, Hermione had done some very in-depth research into his dreams. Long corridors, unfulfilled desires, and something hideous from his past... It was chilling stuff, and there were a few books that she needed to check.

Draconian Laws, Draughts... Dragons... Dreams And Their Untold Meanings by Cassandra Cremerta.

Pulling the slightly dog-eared book from the shelf, Hermione sat down and tapped the lamp above her. It filled the air with a yellow-tinged light, illuminating the dust motes floating past the rapidly turning pages.

Dreams are often pathways to the inner workings of our mind. They can tell of tragic and encouraging events, both past and future, that one would want to both avoid and make the best of. Dreams, as explained by Healers, are our brain's ways of processing information that we have received and can often link to memories too. This is not necessarily true, as spiritual essences can take control of our minds - particularly those well practised in Divination - and --

Hermione slammed the book shut, feeling annoyed. She wanted a logical explanation as to why these dreams came for her, not a woolly theory as to what Nargles had invaded her mind. It wasn't a future telling, as she wasn't going to watch Bellatrix carve livid letters into her flesh ever again. Bellatrix was dead, and those scars couldn't be healed over and re-etched with time. And she wasn't going to be trapped - not now, not ever, ever again. Hermione could feel the rising tides of panic ebbing inside her, and she breathed deeply to try to calm her mind. With as much decorum as she could muster, Hermione replaced the text and wandered around the endless shelves, skimming the titles and hoping to see something other than strange psychic readings into her tortured nights.

After half an hour of searching Hermione gave up. It was clear that this just wasn't something common enough to have textbooks at Hogwarts on the subject. She walked to the desk at the front, and asked Madam Pince if she knew of any such books

"It's for some extra credit work," she said quickly, when Madam Pince lifted a scrawny eyebrow at her request.

"I know the stocklist of this library back to front, young lady, and no such book exists in this school."

"Are you able to acquire anything from another wizarding school?" Hermione pleaded.

"I shall ask around, but don't hold your breath." Madam Pince turned away, prepared into throw some Floo Powder into the open fire behind her when Hermione had a brain wave.

"Wait!" she cried, "I think there might be something that I'm looking for in some Muggle psychology books. Are you... are you able to get any of those in?" Again, the over-plucked eyebrow was raised.