Title: Marco Polo

Author: OceanGirl28

Summary: Three years ago Hermione Granger was murdered. Harry thought he'd never get over her... until a mysterious woman with an unknown past comes his way. but is she really who he thinks she is?

Rating: PG-13 for language and sensuality

Spoilers: All the books *INCLUDING BOOK FIVE*

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters... well, most that is. They belong to J.K. Rowling. ________________________________________________________

"We've got you now Voldemort; there's no way out." Harry Potter said coldly while pointing his wand at the dark lord's neck.

Little did he know that one of Voldemort's followers, Lucius Malfoy, was standing behind him -- slowly and carefully pulling a wand out of his pocket. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, slightly bloody from battle, stood near Harry, unaware of it as well.

Voldemort sneered. "So, you've finally got me Potter." he said smirking. "Hmm... this reminds me of something... oh yes! When I killed your mother! That's it! You're your mother was begging for your life and . crying... a coward she was! Nothing but filthy mudblood!"

Harry looked at him, fire in his eyes. "Go to hell!" he murmered.

"You first." Voldemort yelled back, pulling away from Harry's grasp. Harry quickly turned around to see Lucius Malfoy with his wand pointed right at him.

Lucius muttered a curse. It seemed as if it were in slow motion. Hermione saw the curse fly towards Harry. "No!" she screamed while running in front of him, and with that, she was hit by the same red spell Sirius Black, Harry's god-father, was killed with.

"Hermione!" Harry screamed as he knelt down beside her. He could hear Voldemort laughing behind him. He wanted to curse him until he, himself, died, but all he cared about then was Hermione. Ron ran over to them also. "Her - Hermione." he whispered, tears swelling up in his eyes.

Hermione was taking quick breaths, as though fighting for life. "Harry," she breathed, and winced with her eyes shut tight. She made a sort- of yelp of pain before she stopped breathing.

"Hermione?" Harry asked her, knowing that she was dead. "Hermione don't leave me!" he screamed; unstoppable tears coming out of his eyes. He shook her but she wouldn't move. Harry yelled out in agony. He and Ron knelt over her lifeless body.

Just then, Voldemort grabbed Hermione out of Harry's arms and disapparated.

"Ahh!"

Harry woke up, sweating to death and breathing heavily.

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Hey! I hoped you liked the first chapter! Sorry if it was a bit short. Oh, and if you're wondering why this story's called Marco Polo, it's because I couldn't think of a title and the song "Marco Polo" by Loreena McKennitt was what inspired me to write this story! R/R! ~OceanGirl28

SRAVYA: I'm extremely sorry for offending you. I swear that I had absolutely no intentions of making Indians look bad. I'd like you to know that I have changed my story so that it does not offend your country. Once again, I'm so sorry.