CHAPTER ONE

Gryffindor common room:

I sat on one of the easy chairs in front of the fireplace and opened up my ancient runes textbook. I don't think I'm even gonna pass this exam, which makes me wonder why I opted for it in the first place. But well, I'm Hermione, and I'm the best. So obviously I had to live up to my name and take up ancient runes-the toughest subject in Hogwarts history.

I heard a door open from the boy's dormitory. Oh please let it not be them. My two dumb but favourite bestie's were going on and on about Malfoy after Dumbledore's death and honestly, it was quite frustrating! The whole of Hogwarts was in gloom and these both didn't make forgetting easier.

"... always knew Malfoy was a git!" Ron was saying as he took his seat next to me "but killing Dumbledore was the limit"

I closed my book. There was no way I could study now. I visibly rolled my eyes and as I couldn't refrain pointed out, "Harry told us that it was Snape, Ron!"

"It still doesn't change the fact that he did attempt to do it!" intervened Harry.

Of all of us, Harry had taken the fall the worst. Professor Dumbledore was a father figure to him. He had been there for Harry, guiding him ever since Day one of Hogwarts. Since the day he died, it had been tough getting him to even speak. Atleast venting out his anger against Snape and Malfoy helped him a bit. With the funeral just yesterday, he still had trouble coming to terms with the fact that the professor was no more. And to worsen it, he just had to break up with Ginny! The girl was beside herself with grief.

I know he's taking the quest for horocruxes seriously which is good but pushing away Ginny for it is downright stupid. Even a blind man could see that the two were meant for each other. Everything they did perfectly blended with the other and best of all, they understood each other well which was why Ginny didn't even protest, not even once but silently complied to his wish.

If nothing else, she was the only one who could handle him. She could give him the love that none of could give him. It was the only way to heal him. By pushing her away he just worsened his own situation. Telling him isn't going to be of any use. It would be like speaking to a rock. He thinks that if he were to die in the quest or if anything were to happen to him, Ginny would be hurt the most and that's what he wishes to prevent and so he's portrayed himself as the 'bad boy'. Little does he know that she can see right through him and even now if something were to really happen to him, she would still mourn, regardless of the fact that they broke up because of him.

"He is a slytherine! What else can you expect from him?" alleged a new voice which belonged to Lavender Brown- Ron's most recent girlfriend.

Honestly, this guy changed girlfriends as one changes clothes. Gross! She was pretty and it was obvious that she just adored Ron "he probably wanted to please 'he who must not be named'" she continued as she moved to sit on Ron's lap. Please there are others here too!

"Voldermort!" yelled Harry. "I don't see why you can't call him by his name. It seems like you are submitting to him.

Oh boy! Here we go again.

There wasn't a single day when this topic wasn't broached.

I stood up to leave, thankful for the first time for prefect duties at this ungodly hour.

"Prefect duty" I answered to Ron's questioning look.

Once out, I took a deep grateful breath of relief.

True, I hated that scum but from what harry told us, any dumb idiot could see that he didn't want to kill Dumbledore- but was under the influence of someone- he probably wouldn't have done it if Snape hadn't intervened. I believe, Harry thinks the same thing too or Malfoy wouldn't have been alive until now and that too when living under the same roof.

He was from a dark family with open connections to Voldermort but all he knew was witty speech. His words were sharper than his wand. He could turn friends into enemies, anger someone into attacking and get them into trouble, making himself look just like a helpless victim- all with just a few words. But he had the guts of a mouse. I wonder what propelled him to even think of murder!

All the while, while brooding about this, I was making my way with Bruce Hoffman- a 5th year hufflepuff who shared the duty with me. We had reached the astronomy tower. It was the prime spot- a nest- for all love birds. Although I didn't think there would be anyone up today, in the aftermath of the funeral, I decided to check nonetheless as a good prefect would.

"I'll check the astronomy tower. You go ahead and don't wait up"

I don't know what compelled me the say the latter part but I did. Ah Forget!

We parted ways and I made my way up the tower.

"Oh!"

Well, good I checked. There was somebody up here afterall. Night curfew was on and no student other than the prefect on duty was allowed to move about. I stepped closer and caught a glimpse of his pale face. His hair sparkled under the moonlight. I gasped. Malfoy!