A Better Tomorrow
by AngelzGaze
Chapter 1: Dreams and Reality
'What a curious dream,' Hermione thought as she opened her eyes one by one. She stretched out her arms and yawned. It took her about two seconds to realize she wasn't on her own bed in her own room. Startled, she scanned her surroundings. Where was she? She blinked. It couldn't be? Could it? Yes, she was in the Gryffindor Girl's Dormitory two months early. Confused, she pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"Ouch!" Hermione cried out loud. Nope, she wasn't dreaming. Dreaming. Hermione's eyes widened. The dream, well more like nightmare, she had last night...... really happened. A thousand thoughts crossed Hermione's mind as she tried to recall the tragic events that occurred the night before. Then it became as clear as crystal. Her parents were most likely dead.
As it turns out Hermione's parents weren't really muggles. Yes, they were magical and very powerful. In fact Hermione Ann Granger wasn't really Hermione Ann Granger. No, she was really Hermione Ann Grangila. Yes, Grangila. The Grangila's were so happened to be in real danger and I mean real danger. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was after them. They changed their name to Granger and tried to forget it all. They tried to live as regular muggles after the disappearance of You-Know-Who. They thought they were safe. But they weren't. Not since You-Know-Who had risen. Nothing could hide from the Dark Lord.
A year had passed since then, and the Dark Lord had been killing off many important wizards, or at least a lot of them were missing. The Grangers.... err Grangilas.. thought they were safe, but they were not, for nothing could be hidden from the Dark Lord. Last night Hermione heard a loud noise and her mother screaming. Then she remembered hearing her father yelling to Hermione to run. She obeyed. About three blocks away she met Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid. Scared, she reluctantly followed Dumbledore's directions to go with Hagrid. And that's how she ended up in the dormitory.
Hermione didn't know what to think as she sat down remembering the night before. Shouldn't she be crying or something? Hermione's finger traveled to the tip of her eye to find it dry. Not a tear at all. Did she even cry the night before? Hermione felt anger building up inside. Anger for herself. Why couldn't she cry? Hermione probably would never see her parents again. Isn't this an event worth crying over? Hermione closed her eyes, deep in thought. Why couldn't she cry? Finally she answered her own question. If she cried it was a sign of no hope. Maybe, just maybe, something hadn't happen to her parents. Maybe they had a chance of escape. Or maybe You-Know-Who might have just err.. well kidnaped or should I say parentnaped them. Maybe they knew some important information that he needed to know. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
Hermione tried to look at the bright side of things, that maybe her parents were still alive, even if she might not ever see them again. She got up and walked out of Girl's Dormitory and out of the Gryffindor Common Room. She walked around trying to find a teacher to talk to. Then a question popped in her head. Did the teachers live at the school all year? Or did they go home during the summer? She kept on walking. After a few minutes she heard voices. She edged up closer to the door the sound was coming from.
"She doesn't know. Does she?" asked a voice that sounded like Professor McGonagall.
'Ok so the teachers do live at the school,' thought Hermione.
"No," answered a voice that sounded like Professor Dumbledore.
"Well, who's going to tell her?" asked a voice that sounded like Professor Snape.
'Are they talking about me?' wondered Hermione.
"I will, after all I am head of her House," said Professor McGonagall.
"Break it to her easily," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Where can I find Ms. Granger... er Grangila?"
"In her dormitory. I think she's sleeping so try in an hour or so."
Hermione dropped to the floor. She absolutely sure what the news was. She tried very hard not to cry as she walked on. She decided just wander around collecting her thoughts together. She went to the Great Hall, it was empty of course and sat down. Bored after a while, she got up again and decided to go to the library.
She went to the shelf and randomly grabbed a book. It wouldn't come out. Curiously, she pulled hard. The book went halfway out and then back where it started. Then the book started going through to the other side of the bookcase. Hermione grabbed the book as hard as she could to stop it. Then pulled it with all her might. She fell with the book in her hand.
"What the hell?" shouted a voice. Hermione was positive who the voice belonged to.
"Malfoy?"
"Granger?" Hermione walked to the other side of the bookcase. Indeed the voice was Malfoy's.
"What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? I think the question is what are YOU doing here? And give me back my book!" Draco then lunged forward trying to grab the book back, but Hermione however put it behind her back.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked again.
"That is my own business! But what are you doing here? Didn't your parents want you anymore, Mudblood?" Knowing she would never see them again, a tear dropped down her cheek. Then anger replaced her sadness.
"You know what Malfoy?! You better find a new nickname for me, because that one wouldn't make sense anymore!" Hermione turned around about to storm away, but Draco held her back.
"What the do you bloody mean by that?"
"What I mean by that is my mum's a witch and my dad's a wizard!" Hermione just exploded and other things poured out of her mouth. "And I will never ever see them again, because your father's boss killed them! Why else do you think I'm here?"
Hermione turned around and ran to her common room with the book in her hand. As soon as she got to the entrance she realized didn't have a password anyway. Hermione opened her mouth to ask the Fat Lady, but then realized the portrait was blank. She had no idea what to do. Hermione finally sat down in front of the portrait and her mind turned to the book she was holding.
"What? Why would Malfoy want to read this book?" she asked herself as she read the title, 'Think You Have An Element Power?' "Like Malfoy's going to have an Element Power."
Element Powers were very rare and hardly any wizard or witch had one. The last wizards and witches known to have one was 1017 years ago. Supposedly four wizards or witches were born every thousand years with the Power. All born in the same year. Each one with the either the Power of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. Hermione opened the book to the first chapter.
"Ms. Granger?" Hermione jumped up.
"Oh, Professor McGonagall! You startled me."
"Sorry, dear. I just came up to tell you breakfast was ready if you felt like eating."
"Ok, I'll be right down."
"I'd prefer if I walked you there," said Professor McGonagall.
"Well then, that's fine," replied Hermione. They both started heading to the Great Hall.
"Dear, I have some bad news......" quietly said Professor McGonagall.
"It's ok. I already know. I overheard you and other teachers talking."
"I'm very sorry, dear. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Well if you want to ever talk, I'll be here. I also have some good news that might cheer you up. But that will have to wait till we eat. Oh yes. I almost forgot. Another student is here, Mr. Malfoy."
"Yes, I know," Hermione said quietly. "I ran into him. Tell me, why is he here?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that. That's his own personal business."
"Ok." Soon they arrived at the Great Hall.
"Good morning," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Good morning Professor."
"Hope you don't mind me asking, but would you prefer to be called Ms. Granger or Ms. Grangila?"
"Ms. Granger. It would be less confusing."
"Very well. There's a seat for you next to Mr. Malfoy."
"Thank you, really, but do you suppose I could sit over...."
"Nonsense! I'm sure Mr. Malfoy would be glad for you to seat next to him." Hermione looked at Draco. He seemed annoyed.
"Erm.... if you say so."
"Ah yes! I have an important announcement to make concerning our summer guests. Draco and Hermione, you both have been selected to be our Head Boy and Girl this year." Hermione leaped up in excitement! Draco however just sat there as if this was old news.
"Err... sorry about that," Hermione said quietly.
"No need to apologize," replied Professor McGonagall. "After breakfast I shall show you both your rooms."
"WE GET OUR OWN ROOMS?" shouted Hermione happily.
"Of course we do Granger. Didn't you ever realize that the Head Boy and Girl never actually slept in the dormitory?"
"No...."
"Oh really Granger? I would think someone like you would have been overqualified for Head Girl. However, on the contrary, I think you're actually under...."
"That's quite enough Mr. Malfoy," interrupted Professor McGonagall as she looked at the expression on Hermione's face.
"Yes Professor," Draco sneered. Soon everyone had finished breakfast and Professor gestured Hermione and Draco to follow her.
"Congratulations both of you."
"Thank you," said Hermione and Draco simultaneously.
"You're welcome. Now just up these stairs, around this corner and here we are." They stopped in front of a statue of an old wizard with an owl perched on his shoulder. "What would you like your password to be?"
"Rat's nest," Draco answered as he looked at Hermione's hair.
"Ferret would be much better," replied Hermione.
"Squirrel."
"Pig!"
"Worm!"
"Leech!"
"Stop it both of you! Since you both seem fond of animals and insects, each of you pick and animal or insect."
"Ferret."
"Squirrel."
"Thank you. Your new password will be 'ferret squirrel.' Agreed?" Professor McGonagall asked. They both nodded. "Good. Now I want this little quarrel to stop. You both need to set an outstanding example for the rest of the school. Understand?"
"Yes Professor."
"Good. Now you both may go into your rooms and settle in. Oh, and by the way, we have added something new. I'll expect your opinions this afternoon. Goodbye." Professor McGonagall turned and walked away.
"Ferret squirrel," Draco said as he tapped the statue. The statue stepped aside and revealed a door. Draco opened it and walked inside. Hermione followed.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Hermione gasped. The room looked like a painting of the sky, and the painting move around imitating the clouds. The floor blended in with the scenery. It was as if you were stepping on a soft and sturdy cloud. It was hard to believe that you were simply in a room, and not floating along with the clouds.
"Blimey, Granger it's just a room."
"Well excuse me Malfoy for admiring something sensuous. Look me right in the eye and tell me this room doesn't make your heart feel free." Draco obeyed and stared deep into her eyes.
"This room doesn't make my heart feel free. Happy now?" Hermione however just stared back at him. "I guess not. I suppose I must tell you what it does make me feel. I look around me and I don't feel free, I feel lost, lost among the clouds. I'd actually prefer standing on the ground and looking at the night sky." The room changed. The sky turned from day to night, and the ground lost its cloudy texture and changed into grass.
"Oh my gosh!" Hermione stared in disbelief. Surprisingly, Draco was also in disbelief.
"I want to go to the beach," commanded Draco. The room obeyed and changed. Draco touched the sand. The shoreline rose and brushed against their feet.
"Amazing. It's as if we're actually there," commented Hermione.
"Granger..... where the heck are the doors to our rooms?"
Disclaimer Poem:
I don't own Ron,
Hermione, or Harry
I don't own anything
Isn't that scary?
I just own my computer
(Which really belongs to my dad)
I guess I DON'T own anything
Isn't that sad?
So please don't sue me
What could you take?
I can't give you anything
So please give me a break!
*A/N* Did ya like it????? Huh??? Huh???? Should I bother continuing??? Well I liked it...... I hope you did too. But, if you didn't, that's fine. Well please review and tell me what you think!!!! Oh, and also read my other story Different Deep Down, if you haven't already. Thanks a bunch everyone!!!!!!!!!
