Author's Note: Ok. So just a couple of things to get out of the way, I am kinda trying to roughly shape this around the books and yet not. Lucius is dead, no I don't explain why. Voldemort is not the bad guy and he's never mentioned in this story. Some OOC will happen, it is as AU as it can get while still being at Hogwarts. There are also some of my own characters, not THAT many but still some. Please just criticism not flames. I would really appreciate that.

Spider's Web

Chapter 1

Stunning

The sun was just barely making its entrance for the morning when Hermione walked down the stairs and into her living room. She plopped onto the couch and ran her hands through Crookshank's fur flipping through the television channels, finally stopping on a documentary about baby ostriches.

"How cute," she cooed, "Look at those cute leopard spots on their necks. I wish I could have one..."

The younglings watch their parents eat plants to find out which ones are tasty and which ones are not. And when danger is present the little ones huddle together running to their mother while the male protects them all from the threat a lion or warthog present.

"Typical," she muttered, "The guy gets all the fun while the mom stays at home and watches the brats."

"Now you don't really mean that do you," came a spunky voice from the kitchen.

Hermione turned around in surprise. That voice didn't sound like either of her parents who were still in Rome at a dental convention (new way to whiten teeth without removing enamel squee). Definitely not, that voice kinda sounded like...

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed with excitement flinging herself off the couch, startling the cat and making Ginny brace herself for impact.

She was nowhere near preparing for Hermione's enthusiasm as her butt hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Ow," Ginny mumbled as she pushed Hermione off her.

"Sorry," the older girl grinned and held out her hand, "I thought a quidditch player could handle more."

"Bugger off," she smiled and accepted the offering.

"How did you get in though? I thought I told you I was coming over today anyway. Remember me saying I'd head over when we only have two days left of break? Or are you really as bad as Ron at remembering things?" she joked.

"Hah hah," sarcasm just dripping from her words, "For your information Mum sent me here to help you get your things..."

Hermione noticed she seemed to want to say more but decided not to probe her further for information, after all there was the whole trip to the Burrow to poke around for the unspoken words.

"It's lucky for you that I already packed three days ago," she smirked.

Ginny rolled her eyes and walked up the stairs and went into Hermione's room to get her shrunken trunk. Ginny started when she saw a note from her brother lying in the waste basket. Torn between curiosity and respect, Ginny finally decided that if Hermione hadn't wanted anyone else to read it she would have shredded, burned, or otherwise destroyed it. She opened it and sat on Hermione's bed to read it.

Dear Hermione,

Hey. How's your summer gone. I haven't talked to you since the last time we fire talked (my way to explain the way people's heads appear in the fire) and I miss you. A lot. Harry's over here now. I can't wait for the week to pass so I can see you again...kiss you again.

Look...I know you really don't want to talk to me after what I did. I know that I wouldn't want to talk to me either if I was you. That sounds pathetic and I know, but you have to understand I didn't mean what I said...well I meant it...but not the way it sounded.

I mean if you want to wait then that's fine with me. I can wait too...I mean you won't be the first time I waited for someone...Wait. I didn't mean that either. Damn it! Can't you just forget and forgive like always? I mean its not like I called you a slut or anything.

Ughhh! I can't always be the one groveling Hermione. Never mind. I'll just see you when you get here.

-Ron

Ginny wished she hadn't read it. Now she wanted to know exactly what was said to cause this riff that was obviously between these two, if the letter held any indication.

"Ginny," Hermione called up, "If you want to go shopping anytime today like planned you'd better hurry I haven't even dressed yet!"

"Coming," she replied guiltily

Quickly she shoved the note in her pocket, grabbed the pocket size trunk and ran down the stairs. Hermione wasn't in the living room which probably meant that she had decided breakfast was the next step in her day.

"I'll be gulp right back," she hurried as she swallowed a toasted bagel, "I need to shower and change. Feel free to change stations."

It took a second for Hermione's word's to get through. As fast as she spoke sometime's it was hard to understand her. With a small shrug Ginny grabbed a glass of water and headed to the couch just as the documentary came back on from a commercial break.

The mating process is somewhat different and yet so similar to all the other animals is this temperate climate in that it is quite elaborate. The mating season is usually in March or April. A dominant male generally gets together a harem of 2 to 7 females or hens and bonds with the dominant female.

"I see what she means," Ginny stated as she hit the power button with a smile.

No matter how many times Hermione told Ginny the people weren't real, she always felt superior that she could stop someone's "life" with just the touch of a button.

Blur Of Fast-forward

"That was the longest bloody shower I've ever heard of," Ginny grumbled as she mounted her broom in the back yard, "You probably just wanted to prolong flying as long as possible."

Hermione glared at the smirk dancing across Ginny's face and mounted the death trap cough err…broom. Why did everyone mention her fear of flying? Everyone had one fear, hers just happened to be a slightly unusual fear for a witch or wizard. Ginny launched herself into the air and Hermione slowly followed.

"Why didn't we just floo?"

"Stop complaining," Ginny shouted trying to be heard over the roar of the wind.

"What?"

"I said…" Ginny yelled, "Ughh."

She slowed her pace down and glided beside Hermione.

"What!?" Hermione defended, "We're going like 30miles per hour with no windshield to protect us."

"I didn't say anything," Ginny smiled.

"But you wanted to."

"Actually," Ginny said softer as she slowed down, "I needed to tell you something."

"What is it?" Hermione knew that this had to come out sooner or later. She could tell Ginny needed to tell her something the moment she had set eyes on her.

"We have a guest staying at the burrow…"

"So?"

"She's…..well…she's a pureblood…and well."

"Well what?"

"You'll just have to meet her. Her name's Giselle Reine. She comes from a line of French Purebloods. She's like royalty to them."

"Ginny…..you are them…." She smirked.

"Hermione," she groaned looking sideways and speeding up, "You know what I mean."

Hermione grumbled and complained to herself. She thought of the coming year and all that it held for her so she wouldn't constantly look down at the blur called a street. She had of coarse made Head Girl. And yet, that hadn't made her as happy as she had originally thought it would. It made her happy mind you, it just wasn't all it was choked up to be, she felt as if something was missing. A piece of the puzzle yet to be uncovered, a piece that wasn't being Head Girl. They had just received the owls that told them the supplies they would need and Hermione was shocked at all the events Hogwarts planned to have. She needed regular robes since hers had gotten too small and too old, but now she had to buy dress robes as well. She wasn't the most fashion oriented but she did know that you couldn't wear the same formal to all the dances.

"Mione," Ginny called, "We're almost there!"

"Thank heavens.'"

Ginny smiled and sped up slightly. She was hoping Hermione would hurry up she really wanted to get to the fun part of today…shopping!

"Hey Ginny…?" Hermione asked, "Is Giselle shopping with us?"

"Kinda," Ginny tried avoided answering.

"What does kind of mean?"

"Well, we're all going shopping…"

"Define all Ginny," Hermione got more apprehensive by the moment.

"Well no one has got their supplies so…" she trailed off, " Me, you and Giselle get to go off shopping while Harry, Ron, Mum, and company go elsewhere. I promise we don't have to hang around them like last time."

"I don't want to think about last time!"(story in ch2.)

"Mum thinks Giselle will be a good influence on us. She freaking cringes at everything and shies away at so much as a whisper."

"I take it she's annoying."

"If only…she's more like a doll."

"Huh? I don't get the comparison."

"She's the perfect pureblood. Beautiful, Graceful, and Silent."

"She's mute?" Hermione was getting more confused by the minute.

"No Hermione," Ginny said sarcastically, "She says hi and that's about it. I don't know if she knows how to form complete sentences."

"I guess I'll just have to see when I see." Hermione said effectively ending the conversation.

Blur Of Fast-forward

"Here we are," Ginny landed on her feet and dismounted.

"Finally," Hermione threw herself off the offending piece of wood and smiled lazily at the ground, "Good old friend. Thought I'd never see you again."

"Wimp."

"Twit."

"Brat."

"I give."

Ginny did a small victory dance around Hermione before helping her stand. It wasn't really a nice pull it was more like 'if you don't move now I will kill you for money so I can get new shoes' pull.

"Hey," Hermione grunted, "Be nice."

"I really have to pee!"

"Thank you," Hermione raised her eyebrow, "Now my life is complete. I feel fulfilled. I can die happy. My quest in life…"

"Ok already," Ginny cut her off, "Lets just go in."

"What ever you say O Captain, my captain."

"Smart ass."

"Never," Hermione pretended to be outraged as she pushed the door open and stepped into her second home.

She got as far as the stove before she felt someone bump into her and herself falling into the chairs around the dining area.

"Hermione!" Ginny cried, "Are you alright?"

"Just a little woozy." She winced at the bruise that was forming on her arm in the shape of an arch.

"I'm sorry," came a quiet voice behind her.

Hermione turned around to get a look at the person and was startled so much that she just had to stare. The girl that bumped into her was flawless, well almost if you forgot the earlier accident. She had softly curling black hair that looked like spun silk. Her cute nose sat above a full mouth that looked naturally pink. Then there were her eyes. The lightest blue orbs framed in black just looked right. She wasn't as thin as Ginny, but she managed to make that look good too.

"You should be." Ginny replied curtly.

A blush stained the girl's cheeks and she looked down in shame.

"No it's all right," Hermione smiled, "Really Ginny she didn't do it on purpose."

The girl looked up slowly surprise flickering in her eyes.

"My name is Hermione Granger."

"Giselle Reine."

"It's nice to meet you Giselle."

"You can call me Elle…if you want. My grandmere always called me that when she was happy with me."

Ginny's mouth kept opening and closing in shock like a goldfish's.

"Then you can call me Mione." She smiled.

Giselle smiled slightly and glided out of the room. Really there was no other way to describe it.

"How'd you do it? Mum's been trying for weeks." Ginny sputtered, "She's never told us anything about herself. Dumbledore just dropped her off and said she was a new student coming to Hogwarts and that she needed a place to stay."

"Dumbledore was here?"

"Did you think we invited her here?"

"I don't know…" Hermione mumbled, "Wait. Don't we need to go shopping?"

"Shit! I almost forgot."

"Ginny Weasley…forgetting about shopping," Hermione pretended shock, "Hell hath frozen over!"

They heard masculine laughter coming from the door to the living room and turned. Harry and Ron stood in the doorway watching them with obvious amusement.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled as she threw herself at him.

"Hey," he shuffled her hair with affection, "We missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Hey Hermione," Ron mumbled feebly.

"Hey…" she replied.

The silence that ensued made everyone shift uncomfortably so Hermione decided to break it.

"So you guys are all coming shopping with us?"

"Yeah," Harry replied smiling meekly obviously thinking about the last time they shopped together, "I need new robes. Ron here already ordered his so they should be ready, but I need to be measured so I can pick them up today too."

"Cool…" she shifted nervously.

"Have you met Giselle yet," Ron asked suddenly.

"Yeah," Hermione mumbled, "She seemed nice.

"Nice!?" Ginny shrieked, "She practically told her life story to Hermione."

"Wow," Harry said impressed, "She didn't even say anything to Ron or me."

"It's Ron and I, Harry," Hermione corrected without thinking getting a grin from Harry and a frown from Ron.

"I'll go get mum so we can go." Ginny piped in.

"I'll go get my wallet," Harry said, "Coming Ron?"

"In a minute, Mate."

The others left the kitchen leaving only Ron and Hermione alone.

"About what I said," he cut to the chase.

"Ron…I….can't"

"I said I'd wait."

"Not that Ronald."

"Then what?" he demanded.

"Us," she said quietly, "I can't do us. I want to be friends. I…just can't feel that way anymore about you."

"Can't or won't?" he replied bitterly.

"A bit of both really."

"Are you really gonna let one stupid comment break us?"

"Ron…it was over before that. I don't know when, but somewhere I just stopped feeling that way towards you?"

"Is it another guy?" he questioned angrily.

"No, what a typical response…I just can't and you'll have to accept that!"

Ron fled the room leaving Hermione like always. Every fight after the got together seemed short. She would forgive him in 2 minutes every time and things would get back to normal…or did they? He always left, never really confronting the things between them. She was left to her thoughts for a few moments. Those few were enough to get her so lost that she jumped when the door opened again. It was only Giselle."

"Oh." Giselle looked startled, "I apologize. I thought this room was now vacant."

"Why do you talk to me?"

She started at the blunt way the question was worded.

"I want the truth too. I've barely met you. But you seem almost familiar with me. I'm not a pureblood; I'm not even a half blood. Why me?"

"The truth?"

Hermione nodded.

"You remind me of my older sister. I miss her."

Hermione was slightly startled at this but asked, "What happened to her?"

Pain filled Giselle's eyes and Hermione regretted asking.

"Nothing," she replied blankly emptying herself of all emotions.

At that moment Ginny ran in triumphant, "I got the money! Lets go!"

Blur Of Fast-forward

Diagon Alley was bustling with so many people that it was hard for the three girls to keep each other in their eye line. After a heated argument between Ginny and Hermione about whether Madam Malkin's or Flourish and Blotts were first, they finally decided on Madam Malkin's. Of coarse, Hermione caved in since she did need to go get new robes. Giselle remained quiet throughout the exchange and so far had been a silent companion.

"It says we need three different dress robes," Ginny stated, "I'll think I'll get four just in case."

"Well I'm only getting three." Hermione said as they walked into the shop.

"What about you Elle?" Ginny turned a smiling face to her.

"I..," she looked embarrassed, "I don't know if I'll like any…"

"Well there isn't another shop to get robes," Ginny stepped over to the nearest rack and began to look, "So pray that doesn't happen."

There were so many colors and styles to choose from that soon they had there arms full and went to find a sales witch.

"Can I help you Mademoiselles?" A perky clerk asked.

"We need a big changing room." Came Ginny's muffled reply behind a stack of clothing.

"Of coarse," she said still with that smile plastered on her face, "If you'll follow me."

She led them to a medium sized room with curtains, floating hangers and a circle seat in the very middle. That wasn't the coolest part; the entire wall was covered with mirrors. It looked like that was what they were made of, just glass.

"Wow," Hermione whistled.

"Just holler if you need anything."

"Will do," Ginny said dashing to a curtain and tossing her clothes off, "Lets get started!"

They didn't need any encouragement, even Hermione got into the spirit of it all. Pretty soon they had their first dress on. Ginny chose an emerald green empire waist dress that touched the floor. It looked like it had been made for her with a black ribbon at the waist twisted into a bow in the back, it was perfect for the winter formal.

"You have to get it!" Hermione said, "It's perfect!"

"What about you," Ginny said smiling when Hermione blushed.

She had on a scoop neck dress with quarter length sleeves in the darkest red. It ended about mid-calf and was by far the sexiest thing that Hermione had ever tried on. She looked over at Giselle and her eyes widened. She thought her's was revealing, lets just say she knew Giselle wasn't wearing underwear. Giselle had a powder blue dress on that was suctioned to her but then spread out at the knee to flair around her. She was stunning and sexy, and seductive…and damn it Hermione felt ugly when only a moment ago she had felt pleased with herself.

"You look so beautiful," Giselle gazed at Hermione with approval in her eyes, "Perfect for you."

Ginny smiled as Hermione's subsided blush flared to life again.

It didn't take them quite as long to go through the other dresses and soon enough the girls had made their selection. Ginny's arms were by far the ones with the heaviest burden.

"Ughh," Ginny complained, "I think my arm is going to break."

"Baby," Hermione breathed out.

"What was that?"

"Nothing…" Hermione smiled, "Time for the book store!"

Ginny groaned at this but followed anyway. It was only fair since they had gone to her store first. Ginny just felt like she was allergic to books. She sneezed too much when she was around them for long periods of time.

"Stop dragging your feet." Hermione growled out.

As soon as they stepped foot inside the store, they split up. Not on purpose but Hermione ran off to her favorite section, Ginny went to find the bathroom, and Giselle was left standing alone. She didn't know what to do without the other two. She hated being alone.

"Well, well," came a husky voice behind her, "A little lost lamb have we?"

She turned around to only to be face to face with three very attractive, yet scary, boys. She took a small step back as the blond reached a hand out.

"How come we haven't seen you around here before?"

She remained silent.

"Looks like she's lost her voice," said the boy to the right of the blond. He had spiky yet smooth dark brown hair and green eyes a girl could swim in.

"She kinda looks like you, Blaise," the blond smirked turning to his left obviously talking to the boy with the olive complexion and raven black hair.

"She even has your eyes," the brown haired one quipped.

"Shut up Nott." The quiet Italian murmured.

"I don't think he likes her very much," the one called Nott said laughing.

"Giselle!"

She didn't want to turn her back to these boys but she knew Ginny and Hermione would be there within moments.

"I think that's her name," the blond smirked.

"Giselle!"

"How about you come with us," Nott soothed, "Me and Draco here will be very nice to you."

"Giselle…Malfoy!"

"Ah…Mudblood and Weaslette." He growled out, "What do you want?"

"That's our friend," Hermione pulled Giselle behind her when she reached them.

"Not likely." Malfoy sneered.

"Hey Giselle," Nott took a step forward staring right into her eyes through Hermione's hair, "You want to come with us."

Giselle felt herself captured with his eyes. She wanted to go to him and she didn't know why.

"Like Hell!" Ginny yelled.

Before anyone could reply a booming crackle sounded, louder than any thunder they had ever heard and twice as scary since it made the building around them shake.