A/N: Hey! This is my first fic in a long time. I deleted all my old ones determined to make them better, but got stuck on writer's block big time. So now I'm back! You probably won't recognize my writing or me. I think I've improved a great deal and I do accept constructive criticism. Thanks! The memories are in italics and the first takes place end of sixth year with Dumbledore dead.

A girl of seventeen sat in a dark, filthy alleyway, curled into a tight ball. She sat there with no wand, no food, no money-but what did she expect? Did she expect someone heroic and brave to come and save her? There was no one to save her. There was no hope, no life left in her body. She wanted to die, yet wanted to live. She wished she could do something about the reigning terror over this dark new world. Oh, how she wished. She had wished many things since that cold, dreadful day of May twenty-first, two-thousand-and-five:

The day when all light came to an end.

Hermione Granger woke frightfully from a deep sleep by a loud explosion. Looking around her, she saw the other sixth year girls of Gryffindor tower were carrying the same shocked expression as her. Hearing the screams or terror and cries of rage, she realized what it meant. The day had come. The day where everything hung in the balance between good and evil. The day where either Harry Potter came out on top, or was finally defeated.

By the sound of things, she figured the War was only just beginning. She took order of things right away; figuring all of the staff was fighting already. Some of the girls were shuffling in their robes already looking for their wands. They knew what that day was too. They knew the importance of whether they fought or not.

"Alright…uhm, girls we need to get up and get moving. Now." She added fiercely to Lavender Brown and Parviti Patil, "Yes, we need your help as well. Please. Just…come."

Not one person truly knew what was to come. No one knew what awaited them out upon the grounds, in the corridors, classrooms, and even the dormitories. Everyone was watching over Harry's back. Everyone. One minute he was fighting brutally against Voldemort, in the next minute he was sprawled in an unnatural position on the ground. An evil cackle had burst from within the world's mortal enemy. In a matter of minutes the magical worlds greatest fear had been confirmed.

She remembered that day clear as crystal. The worst day of her life. Everyone went scrambling as fear overcame their senses. Few got away, those that did were found a few days later. Purebloods were spared, and kept as people of aristocracy. Muggles, Muggle-born witches and wizards, and unfaithful people were murdered or tortured ruthlessly. Some were unfortunate enough to become the slaves of Purebloods, or Voldemort himself.

But I have escaped those fates for now. But damn the Gods, if Draco Malfoy did not just apparate in her alley as soon as that thought crossed her mind. Gasping in shock she shoved herself as close to the wall as she possibly could, trying desperately to hide her emaciated form in the shadows. Maybe he won't see me. Please, if there's a God…Just please, don't let him see me.

"Well…what do we have here? Granger, is that you?" Damn, he saw. "Get up, Mudblood."

She unwillingly drug herself off the cold ground, but still pressing herself hard against the brick building behind her. His cold, fierce eyes roamed over her tiny form.

"You know the Dark Lord has been looking for you. You're the brightest witch of the century, apparently. He's killed many witches and wizards who have let you slip through their grubby hands." His voice was cold and rough with hate and disgust.

"He wants something from me." She was curious. Very curious. What would Voldemort want with her?

"The Dark Lord doesn't share his plans." He was now staring at the brick wall behind Hermione. He seemed very thoughtful, like a heavy decision was weighing on his mind.

"Granger…I have a- a proposition for you." His eyes were now locked intensely on hers, as though the world again was hanging in the balance.

A/n: Okay, very short, I know. It seemed a good place to stop, but they will get longer! Please give me feedback. First fic in a lonnng time. I'm slightly hesitant about posting, so…tell me what I did wrong or if you want more!