Disclaimer: I do not own J. K. Rowling's characters, or any other authors. All made up characters belong to me.

A/N: Hey people! I'm sorry I haven't been updating for this account… The One wouldn't be updated anymore… I'm just going to see how this story works out. Review!

It was humid. It was, the perfect day for celebrations. People- wizards -crowded the streets, throwing their hats high up into the air. Their happiness was evident on their faces. Their long enemy was dead, defeated by their shining heroes- The Golden Trio.

The perfect, golden trio. Three young wizards, fresh from Hogwarts. Brainy, bookworm Hermione Granger. Thick-headed, wizards chess champion Ronald Weasley. And the boy-who-lived. Young, brave Harry Potter.

She scoffed. That was what everybody saw in them. What the people didn't know of the battle was that all three had walked away with many, many scars. More than what was anticipated. They had learnt of horrible things along their journey. And each of them carried darkness within their hearts. How would the public react once they realized that they had another enemy to defeat? Another battle to win?

The new Dark Lord would be much more powerful than the last. More ruthless, more bloodthirsty than the weak Voldermort. Her eyes began to glow red in the dark shadows. She breathed in, imagining the scent of fear that was yet to come. She raised a hand, and her followers drew out their wands, slipping into the thick crowd. She flicked her wrist, and the sky turned dark, partially lit by the familiar Death Eater mark.

The people began to scream, filling the streets with the smell of fear, enticing her. She threw back her head and laughed. She was the new Dark Lord, and everyone will bow down to her. Hermione Alastor Granger, the new Dark Lord had arrived.

Harry Potter grunted as his back hit the wall of the padded room. Beads of perspiration slid down his back, further sticking his shirt to his back. It had been five years since he had moved to the muggle world to keep an eye on the new Dark Lord. Five years since he last saw Hermione. He closed his eyes, numb with pain.

What had gone wrong? Why didn't he notice the change before it was too late? He could have spotted it earlier, had he been looking. She hid her despair so well, he mused, examining his bloody knuckles. During their quest to destroy Voldermort, she had been so bright and cheery. A bitter smile twisted his lips.

It had been a hell of a surprise, having Death Eaters storm Diagon Alley in the middle of the celebration for the defeat of the deceased Dark Lord. It was unexpected, and corny. Exactly Hermione's smile. Maybe, just maybe, he could take comfort in that.

All of them had panicked when the death mark made it's presence known. And when the Death Eaters shoved through, they hid behind him. Fist clenched around his wand, he stepped forward with Ron, eyes blazing. The Death Eaters parted, revealing a cloaked figure. He had yet noticed Hermione's absence, assuming she was in a bookstore. Another mistake.

The figure stepped forward, face hidden by the cowl of the dark green cloak she wore. His fist tightened, emerald eyes hard. Her hand rose, palm facing upwards, and time stopped. Harry could feel it. Nobody moved, no sound was made. He stared at the figure in shock. A small jerk of her hand enabled him to move.

"Surprised, Harry?" her voice was soft, and musical. Wisps of Ireland wove through it, creating a picture of green fields and tall castles.

"Who are you?" She chuckled softly and began to walk towards him. "It's funny, isn't it, the fact that things can change in a second?" She tugged the cowl away and smiled at Harry. His body jerked, as if absorbing a blow. And he did. Steady brown eyes gazed at him, filled with amusement.

"Hermione." her name was breathed out, heavily laced with shock. It was impossible. She looked like Hermione, but her features were sharper. He studied her. Smooth skin covered high cheekbones, big amber brown eyes settled into place, her wide, generous mouth curved.

"Why?" Her eyes held his steadily, warm, and yet distant.

"Why? I'm not really sure myself. Although… I suppose I have the abilities to be a Dark Lord. And the guts to do what is right."

"Is that it, then? Is becoming the next Dark Lord the right thing to do? Have you forgotten the pain Voldermort inflicted on us?" He watched a shutter slam down in her eyes, blocking him out as a friend, inviting him in as an enemy. "I haven't forgotten one bit, Harry. I haven't forgotten the fact that Voldermort was the one who threatened my family." She spat the word out with hurt in every syllabus. She closed her eyes.

"I've realized over the past years that being a Dark Lord might not be such a bad thing. After all, the…package comes with a boost in powers, and a dispensable army. Their choice of fashion isn't exactly what I have in mind, but changes can always be made. All these helped me in my quest to uncover the truth about my real heritage, Harry. It made me open my eyes to the lies surrounding me.

"Did you know that I was adopted? I'm not the daughter of the Granger family. They're just illusions. It hurt to confront them. It still hurts to think about it. They are not real. They're just fucking puppets!" Tears shimmered in her eyes and she struggled to stamp down the pain.

Harry stared at her, shocked. "Hermione…"

She held out a hand. "Don't, Harry. The last thing I need is pity from you. I know that you'll have to stop me, seeing that I'm the new Dark Lord. And I'm not here to stop you from doing that. In fact, I'll enjoy the challenge. So I'm here to tell you that I look forward to kicking your ass in a few years time."

She smiled at him, dry humor in her eyes and disappeared. The people behind him began to move, puzzlement in their voices. Where had they go? Ron stepped to him and touch his elbow. "I saw everything, Harry. How can she do it? What did we do wrong?" Harry drew back and studied his face. Ron had loved Hermione. He sighed.

"We have to stop her, Ron. You know that, right?" Ron nodded, pain sketched on his haggard face. He turned abruptly and stormed into the crowd.

Harry scrubbed his face with his hand wearily. Turning, he caught the eye of Draco Malfoy. He knew instantly. Malfoy had witnessed everything. Damn.

"Potter." Malfoy inclined his head. Harry said nothing, his eyes remaining narrowed on 'The Ferret'.

"Can we talk? Privately." He added when Ron joined them. "Harry's not going anywhere without me, Ferret." Ron said tersely. A muscle ticked in Malfoy's jaw before he turned around and led the way to an alley-the same one where Hermione was hiding before her attack.

"Alright. Start talking." Harry leaned against the wall, ignoring the filth that covered it from head to toe.

"I know we haven't been on the best of terms since we first met." He ignored Ron's incredulous snort. "And I really regret the loss of the friendship. I wish to regain it. Or to regain whatever small form of 'friendship' you might offer me."

Harry stared at him, searching for a sign of amusement. "Why?" Ron asked softly.

Malfoy turned and began to pace. "I never had the intention to insult you or your family, Weasley. It was just the way of my 'family'. I was raised to hate Mudbloods. But everything changed when I saw Hermione. I had hoped that it would turn out to be a short-term crush. It turned out to be love."

Ron leaped for him. "You bastard." he snarled, holding Malfoy in a headlock. Calm silver eyes gazed at him. "I never laid a hand on her, if that's what you want to know. Neither did I confess my love for her."

The regret, and the pain in his eyes stopped Ron from bashing him. Watching him cautiously, Ron eased off.

"So what's your plan, Malfoy?" Draco looked at Harry, a wry smile on his pale face.

A knock interrupted Harry's trip down memory lane. He sighed and pushed himself up. "C'mon in."

Ginny poked her head in, smiling widely. "Draco's back." She all but sang. Harry raised a brow and followed her out of the room. "You know, if I was any other man, I would beat Draco into a bloody pulp if his absence is what it takes to put that expression on your lovely face." Harry teased as they entered the living room.

"Bloody Hell, Harry. Don't tease my sister like that. For Merlin's sake." Ron moved towards the small bar they had built.

Harry grinned and sat next to Draco on the sofa. "So…?" Draco stared at Harry over the rim of the wineglass in his hand.

"I found her." A slow smile dominated his face as he lifted the wineglass in a mock salute. Ginny squealed and grabbed her brother in a hug. Harry couldn't keep the big grin off his face.

"Where?" Ron demanded, trying unsuccessfully to pry Ginny's arms off from his torso. "She has lots of bases, but she's currently at The Gold." Draco sipped his wine, careful to keep his face blank.

"So we need to move fast." Harry rose to pace along the room. "I'll go." Three heads snapped towards Draco. He lifted a hand to stop their arguments. "I have to. She won't be happy to see either of you guys, so I'm the safest bet."

"And what do we do when you get sent back to us in separate boxes?" Ginny snapped. Draco opened his mouth but was interrupted by wailings. Ron rose and tugged Ginny out of the room, leaving Harry and Draco alone.

It was Draco's time to pace. "I will go, Harry. Even if I have to tie you guys up." Harry strode to the bar and poured out a shot of whiskey.

"I'm not going to refrain you from doing what you think is right, Draco." He said quietly before downing the shot.

Draco stared into his wine. "I know I'm going to suffer, Harry. But seeing her for one last time will be worth it. When I heard of her whereabouts, I had the urge to run to where she was and drag her back here. So I can protect her from the wrath of the Gods. It scares me, this feeling. Merlin, if I knew loving her would have such a risk accompanying it, I…"

"You wouldn't have done anything to stop the feeling from taking root, Draco." Ginny handed the baby to Harry and cupped Draco's cheek in one hand. "You love her, and that's that. Nothing will change your feelings for her. Which is why you have our support."

Swamped with love, Draco stared down at her, savoring the moment. While Harry and Ron had watched him cautiously, Ginny had simply opened her arms to welcome him. Gratitude rose and he hugged her.

Severus wailed again. Chuckling, Ginny scooped him up and cooed at him. Harry met Draco's gaze levelly. Draco nodded. He would leave the next morning.