ЖЭ Losing Hope §ξ

Chapter one

Hermione sat at her desk, headphones over her ears. She bit into a piece of toast with marmite on it.

Her quill scratched against the parchment as she finished her potions homework. It had been easy, considering it had been on the polyjuice potion, which she had successfully brewed, in second year at Hogwarts.

It grew darker outside with each passing hour. She was trying to finish all of her holiday assignments before the family-bonding trip.

"Hermione?" Her mother called.

"Yes, mum?" Hermione asked.

"Dinners ready, I made hamburgers, and French fries," she said, now at her door.

"Mum," she complained, "I told you I don't eat meat anymore. Just a few days ago, remember? I explained why. Where you even listening? Sometimes I feel your not even listening... Times like NOW!" she noticed her mom was examining the room instead of listening to her daughter.

"Sorry dear. This is why we must have that trip, no matter how boring it may seem. You are not going over to one of your friends houses this summer. That is final! Oh, and what would you like to eat, since you decided to become a vegetarian?"

"Nothing. I'm not too hungry. I've been eating marmite and toast, about four in the past hour. Plus, my friends and I went out for this big Italian lunch, it was awesome! They took me to this new restaurant and... MUM! You're not listening again!"

"Yes I am," she smiled slightly. "Was the restaurant nice?"

"Yeah, it was. But I have to finish my homework. About two more essays I think." Hermione shrugged and started to unroll another bit of parchment.

"Okay then, You're father and I are going out after dinner. We wont be back until much later. Since I assume you will be working, you wont come down. So I will send your father up to say good night." Her mother kissed her on her forehead and shut the door.

Her father came in about an hour later to say good night and good bye.

Soon after, her parent's car was heard pulling out of the driveway and silence overcame the Granger home.

The phone soon rang and a familiar voice with a strong accent was on the other line.

"Her-Mi-Own-E?" Viktor Krum could pronounce her name now, but he had to sound it out.

"Hello Vicktor," she smiled at the sound of his voice.

"Can you come over for the rest of ve vacation?" He asked.

"Me and me parents are going on a family 'bonding' trip, I'm so sorry. I would normally love to." She frowned slightly. " How about winter vacation? Is that okay?"

"I think so," he said, pronouncing each word carefully so he could say it correctly.

"I'll check with me mum and dad. Will you be in the Quidditch cup? My friends have invited me to go with them."

"Yes, I will be. Bulgaria vs. England, who will you cheer for?" He asked playfully.

"Both. Wanna hear my cheer?" she heard him laugh in response. " GO ENGLAND! GO VIKTOR! GO ENGLAND! I LOVE YOU VIKTOR!" Hermione joked.

"My teammates are here, I have to go. I love you Hermione," he whispered the last part.

"Huh? I didn't hear that last bit, could you repeat it louder?" She giggled.

"I love you," he said louder this time.

"I love you too Viktor. G'night." She put the phone down and started back on her essay.

At around ten-o-clock Hermione heard a rattling outside her window. She glimpsed out and saw nothing. Only the darkness that was night.

She shrugged it off and changed into a satin nightgown. Hermione got into bed and almost instantly fell asleep.

A tapping outside her window woke her at around 7 a.m. It was an owl holding a piece of parchment. The letter had unfamiliar handwriting upon it.

Dear Hermione Granger,

we have something that is dear to you. Watch your back![/I]

She shivered after reading the letter. 'who could that be from?' Hermione asked silently 'what could they have taken?'

There was another tap at her window and the Post came in. Hermione paid the owl and read the headline.

'Krum Mysteriously Disappeared'

"NO!" she yelled as reality hit her hard. She turned to page 5, reading the article silently. Tears started to fall and the lettering on the page moved around her tears so it wouldn't be smudged.

Viktor Krum was pronounced missing last night. "He went to make a fone call to his girlfriend," Volkov tells the Prophet. Keeper, Zograf, tells us Krum had said he was going to call Miss Hermione Granger, a muggle born witch, whom attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He apparently met her during the past Tri-Wizard-Tournament that Hogwarts held. "I heard his cry from the lobby as I left my room," says Dimitrov. They had been staying at a muggle resort just outside of London and Magic had been forbidden except when death was on the line. We have reason to believe Krum is being held by Death Eaters for a mysterious parchment was left with 'Hermione Granger is Next' written in what appears to be blood. Hermione is known to be good friends with 'The Boy Who Lived,' Harry Potter.

She stopped reading, her vision fully blurred. Hermione yelled out and collapsed onto her bed. She was endangering Harry, her family, the Weasley's and the Krum Family.

Another owl flew in through her open window. "Hi Pig," she managed through sobs. She unrolled the parchment that she had taken from his legs.

Hermione,

We just received the post. Are you okay? Are you safe? What was said on the fone call? Did something seem wrong? Owl us if you need anything.

The Weasley's

Hermione dipped her peacock feather quill into the inkwell and answered all the questions. She sent Pig out and Hedwig flew right in.

She didn't open the parchment though. She just looked at the outside, allowing Hedwig to perch on her shoulder and nip at her ear. Hermione looked out the window and sighed. "What's going on Hedwig? I just don't understand..."

Hermione's parents were knocking on her door.

"Are you okay?" We heard you yell." Came Mr. Grangers deep voice.

"Can we come in?" asked her mum.

"Yes," she wiped her eyes and motioned for Hedwig to fly onto the desk.

"what's wrong? What's -oh dear!" Mrs. Granger scanned the article and stared at the picture of her and Viktor waving and smiling after a winning Quidditch game, after reading the headline. "Viktor, that nice boy who came over? The one who plays that game on a broom... your boyfriend?"

"Yes, that's about him. And I'm next. They know about me. They'll kill me to get to Harry. Mum, I can't go anywhere. I have to stay home. They can't find me."

"Who's they?" Inquired her father.

"The Death Eaters, dad. They know I'm a way to Harry. We must watch out." Hermione muttered. "I'll do some research. Look up disguises and such online. About hiding out."

"Hermione... How can we help, I need to know. I won't let you work this out by yourself." Her mum said sternly.

"Let me research today, then I'll tell you how to help. I promise." Hermione forced a smile. "Just let me think for a bit. It's so hard. They're going to kill him, I'm just awaiting to know when the body will be found."

All day she was on the computer researching on the Web. She found many ways to hide and different types of disguises.

At around eight-o-clock, her sister brought up chips with salt and vinegar. She was ten, turning eleven soon. Hermione suspected her to be a witch. She had done her share of unusual events. "Thanks Jewels." She smiled. "Still haven't gotten that letter. Don't worry, It'll come!" Her sister just smiled.

"I'm going over to Lizzies house. See you later." She smiled and shut the door as she left.

Hermione eyed the letter from Harry. The yellow parchment sat infront of her, begging to be opened.

Dear Hermione,

I am at Draco Malfoys as of now. Dumbledore told me i must, as his father is in Azkaban and his mother is missing So he is on our side, for now at least, i highly doubt that will be the case after his father is released or has escaped from prison and after school has ended. I am sorry about Viktor. I read about it in the Daily Prophet, it must be terrible for you. I hope to see you soon.

Love,

Harry

She looked at his signature. love Hermione pondered if it could possibly mean more than a friendship. If he possibly loved her as more than a friend. But she did not love him that way. She never could. He was her best friend, and everything would be messed up if they were to date.

A loud crash echoed off the walls of her house. The front door was knocked over and loud voices rang throughout the Granger household. Hermione quickly locked her door and retrieved her wand from her desk. She charmed the door locked and placed her ear to the cool wood.

"Where is the room of Hermione Jane Granger. We have knowledge of her residence in this household and I have personal orders to retrieve her." A drawling voice ordered the information.

"There is no one we know of by that name. Get out now, or you will be charged with breaking and entering," her fathers strong, demanding voice came.

"Who are you," her mother asked, obviously taken with fear.

"I am someone who has orders. Now this can be easy or hard. Give me the room of Hermione Jane Granger or die and have us search for her. You may now choose." The evil laughter of Bellatrix Lestrange rang out so all could hear.

"You will never find her. Take our lives, she will never be found." Her mother was a strong person, and was willing to die for a loved one. Hermione could feel fear coming from her parents. She was not near them, but knew they were scared.

"I would enjoy searching for that fucking mudblood. Can I Bella?" Pansy Parkinson was now heard. "Let me prove I'm worthy of Him. Let me show my loyalty."

"Wait for a small amount of time. You can help me with the murder of her parents." Bellatrix laughed, evil filled the laughter like no other sound in the world.

"no......." She whispered, her breath quickening.

"Look everywhere she is here. Leave no door unopened, no room fully unchecked. As for you two..."

Hermione did not here what happened next. she opened her window to jump, but realized it was two high. Footsteps grew close, doors were being knocked down.

A scream from her mother and a flash of green light overcame the house. The sound of ultimate torture from her father and the laughter of evil conjoined vibrations in the air.

She squealed and let tears pour from her eyes. She was about to scream when a gag was placed in her mouth. She was pulled close to another body, a male one. Her death was near, she knew it. Her being was soon to be gone and her soul would be lost in a spell.

She was about to scream when a guy grabbed her and placed a gag in her mouth.

"Don't say a word Granger," he hissed.

That voice she thought to herself.

"Get on the broom and stay there," he ordered.

She struggled and tried to talk, but had to give up. "mmph!" she tried.

"If I take this away, you have to promise not to scream. You'll only hurt yourself," he ordered. "I'll have to curse you if you yell." She nodded.

"UPSTAIRS! GO CHECK UPSTAIRS PARKINSON!" Bellatrix ordered.

He took the gag away and Hermione turned to punch him. He grabbed a hold of her and pushed her arms down.

"Stop it Granger. I'll try to help you if you let me," he turned her around.

Hermione stared into pools of gray ice. Only two people had eyes like that, Draco and Lucious Malfoy. Since Lucious was in Azkaban, it could only be one.

"Draco?!" There was a slam on her door.

"Get on the broom," he hissed in response.

"You were invited to go with them. That's why you're whispering. They can't know your helping me. Is that it?" Hermione whispered. There was another slam.

"Get on the damn broom," he ordered.

"Tell me the truth now. Are you betraying your father and his wishes?"

"Get on the fucking broom!" Draco grabbed her waist and placed her on the levitating broom. He got on in front of her and held her close to his back with his right arm and steered the broom with his left.

There was another knock at the door and Draco was out the window as it came down.

"DRACO!" she yelled after about a half hour.

"I DONT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"

"TELL ME OR I'LL LET GO!" She loosened her grip on him and let the wind pull her back a bit.

"DONT YOU DARE! I'LL BE BLAMED! DUMBLEDORE WANTS ME TO HELP YOU OUT. I DONT HAVE A FUCKING CHOISE! WE'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT!" He turned his head a slight bit and glared at her.

"FINE!" Hermione pulled herself closer to him. "CAN I FALL ASLEEP?"

"HOLD ON!" Draco slowed down and pulled Hermione in front of him. They were hovering about two hundred feet in the air.

"Don't let me fall!" she gasped as they switched positions.

"I wont." Draco answered. "Now you can fall asleep. that way im holding onto you and you wont fall."

She fell asleep, her head resting on his arm, which was wrapped around her stomach.

When Hermione awoke, she was on a soft bed in a bedchamber with light blue walls and a large window and sill. The canopy bed was the most comfortable she had ever laid in. It had satin sheets that were cool from the open window and the pillow was soft and supported her head.

She walked across the soft rug to the large doors. Hermione moved stiffly into the hallway, her waist and legs sore from sleeping in jeans.

"Hermione?" She turned to face Harry, green eyes worried and sorrowful. "Are you okay?"

"Harry.... Are they.... Are they all..."

Harry tried to avoid Hermione's eyes. The usual sparkle was lost under sadness.

"Hermione...." he whispered, "Bellatrix and Pansy murdered them."

He allowed her to fall into him, tears wetting his shoulder and the front of his shirt. He knew what it was like, not to have parents. But he didn't have the same experience. He didn't remember his parents to well and didn't know them at all, except for what he had been told.

"H-have they found V-Viktor?"

"Not that I know of. The only thing in the papers were...."He muttered against her curly hair.

"W-where are w-we?"

"er... the Malfoy Manor," She pulled away from him.

"I'm crying in the hall of Draco Malfoy's Manor and you didn't tell me? This could give him reason to torment me for the rest of my life!"

"Don't worry, he's friends with us now." Harry tried to tell her.

"'Friends?' You call him our 'friend?!' 'Yes, Draco Malfoy is now my friend! Isn't it great?' How will that sound when we get back to school? How do you think everyone will react? Not only will it be 'Poor Hermione, her boyfriends missing, parents are murdered, and she's lost her bloody mind.' I will really appreciate those comments!" She raged, face red with anger.

Draco came up to them and said, "hey! So how's everything? You okay Hermione?"

"Not now," Harry muttered under his breath.

"Hey Granger," he paid no mind to the warning.

"Get the hell out of here Malfoy!" Hermione screamed.

"It's my house, isn't it? I can go wherever the hell I want!" Draco snapped.

"Guys..." Harry got in-between the two. "Just stop! We're stuck together. Now, you'll have to get over it!"

"Fuck off Potter. I've myself a quarrel to start and end."

"You may start it, Malfoy but you certainly wont end it!" Hermione growled.

"What, you think you're actually a match against me, mudblood?"

"Call me that one more time and I'll slam you, of course Im a match to you! Are you bloody crazy?" she yelled.

"Call you what, Mudblood? Oh, sorry, mudblood, I don't think you were a match to me when I got you the other night." Draco answered calmly.

"God Dammit Malfoy!" Her hand turned to a fist and she drove it into his solar plexus. (a/n: if hit hard enough in the solar plexus you can be knocked out and most of the time you cant breathe)

Draco gasped for breath and smiled slightly. "You really thought that hurt, didn't you?" he wheezed.

"From the sound of it, Draco, it did," Harry joined.

"Go fuck yourself." Malfoy growled in response.

"C'mon Draco, is that all you can do? Would you really hit a girl?" Harry asked.

"GIRL! Harry you know I hate that. It sounds like I'm so young!" Hermione complained.

"Shut the hell up Granger," Draco said.

"Don't speak to a woman like that." Harry glared daggers at him and then gave him a well-deserved bloody nose.

Why the hell is he acting like this? He wondered.

Draco took long strides down the hall to his room and slammed the door shut.

"That'll teach him."

"Thanks Harry, but I'll take care of it next time. Promise me you wont pull anything like you just did." Hermione asked of him.

"Fine, unless he's putting his hands on you. Then he's done for. sorry, I shouldn't have called him a friend. He's not. And you're right, it would sound completely crazy at school."

"I'll get him. He'd better watch his back." Hermione muttered. "Oh..."

"Stop Hermione. We have enough problems."

"Yeah, and he's making them bloody worse!"

"I know, just leave it."

"Fine, whatever! I'm checking up on Jules. She went to her friends house before my parents were...."

"Jules?" Harry asked.

"Er.... I'll tell you later."

Harry watched her walk to her room and shut the door.

Draco walked out and smiled as if he had completed some ultimate task.

"Do you enjoy getting her pissed?"

"I find it funny. It's quite entertaining..." he drawled.

"Give me a bloody break! Can't you leave her alone for a bit? It's hard on her!" Harry burst.

"Give me a bloody break, Potter! You don't think it's hard on me? That I'm not having a hard time?!" he yelled.

Harry forced back the urge to punch Malfoy again. He turned and walked away, slamming the door shut as he entered his room.

Draco watched Harry walk off and couldn't help but smile the slightest bit. He enjoyed getting people pissed.

He'd never admit it, but he loved the way Hermione looked when angry. Her face turning a red, her hands in fists, and how she thought it actually hurt when she punched him. He wanted to laugh just thinking about it!

What pissed him off was the fact that Potter thought it wasn't hard on him. He lost his father to Azkaban and his mother had gone bloody mad!

He went into his room and looked around. He had green curtains hanging from his window, a comforter, a matching color, with a silver serpent upon it, a broom hanging on his wall, his wand lay on his desk and some moving pictures hung on his white walls, were all familiar. What wasn't was a large barn owl holding a small package and a piece of parchment.

The package he had ordered from a catalogue a few weeks ago had finally arrived. He opened the parchment and read the black ink.

Two gold galleons and four silver sickles are required before you can receive this package.

Muggle Merchandice, Wizard Charms.

(A/N: I know "Merchandice" is spelled "Merchandise" that's just how the store spells its name)

Draco opened the small box after paying the delivery owl. A ring of pure lay now in his palm. He slipped it on and it grew to fit his finger. A ribbon of red appeared in the gold. A small slip of parchment fell out and he read the note upon it.

[I]this mood ring does more than the average muggle mood ring. It can read every emotion and thought possible. These are the most common:

This purple = calm

This green = happy

This red = angry

This blue = sad

This yellow = excited

Any other color will have your emotion written out.

"Angry... uh-huh, sure." He took the ring off of his finger and slipped it into his pocket.

Draco's mind slipped from the ring to a girl. A bushy-haired, smart, cute, Gryffindor girl named Hermione. He had to admit she was very attractive, surprisingly beautiful and extremely cute when angry.

He slipped the ring on for another test run. A strip of black appeared and in a light pink script the words 'in love' appeared.

Draco pulled the ring off instantaneously and decided to wear it when alone only. Or... He wouldn't, it would never work.

A small idea had come to mind, but he had brushed it off. He didn't look at what the ring said after he slipped it on and left his bedroom.

Hermione opened the large oak door that lead to the hallway. She had changed into a denim skirt cut about two inches above her knees, a silver halter top and white tennis shoes.

Her eyes were a bit red for she had been crying slightly.

To her horror, Draco was stepping out of his room at the same moment. She had one thing to say to him, then she would never even look his way.

She walked up behind him shyly and tapped his shoulder. He glared daggers at her.

"Thanks, I guess, for the other night." He continued looking at her, as if wanting to hear more. "Um... Thanks for saving my life?" She turned the "thanks" into questions.

His glare turned to a soft smile. "'welcome," he said, then turned around. She started down the hall the other way.

Draco looked different. He looked... he looked hot. He was wearing a muscle tee, which showed off his arms, that were usually covered by robes and a six pack. His normally white hair was a bit darker and wasn't slicked back, so it fell into his beautiful icy blue eyes, he had a light tan, making him appear less ghostly.

I cant like him! It's not possible! She thought, trying to assure herself. But she knew in the back of her mind that it was possible. Not probable but possible.

"Hermione? Do you want to go see the lake?" He asked, now behind her.

"Um... Sure... I guess..." She smiled, unsure if she really wanted to.

"C'mon," he place his hand on hers, as if to urge her on, but pulled it back after she looked incredibly shocked. Heat rushed to her face.

"I like your ring... What's it say?" She saw a ribbon of black and pink lettering in a gold ring upon his finger. She was unable to read what the lettering said, but he pulled it off and the ribbon faded into the gold.

"It's a mood ring. Nothing much, enchanted," he started to slip it into his pocket.

"Can I see?" She smiled slightly and he held it out to her.

Hermione slipped on the ring and it shrunk to fit her finger. A green ring appeared. "What's it mean?"

"Happy, I think." Draco stated. He kept staring at her finger, then shifted his eyes to meet hers.

"Here," she pulled off the ring and handed it to Draco, her fingers brushing his palm lightly. A shiver ran through her spine.

"Thanks," he muttered, dropping the ring hack into his pocket. "Here, I'll show you the lake, C'mon!"

Hermione followed Draco, keeping a few steps behind him.

Draco seemed transfixed by his reflection in the water. when she bent down to look into the still lake, her reflection melted with his.

A smile appeared on his face for a split second, she could see it in the reflection, but then again, the water could have been playing tricks on her.

Hermione continued to stare into the water, her gaze traveling to the edge of the wooded area across from the where she stood. Something moved and she started to ask Draco if he saw it.

"Draco... AH!" She screeched, as someone prepared to throw her in the water. She reached her arms behind her so they would have to jump in with her.

She looked over to see Draco smiling while leaning on a tree. Hermione turned her head and stared at Harry.

"You wouldn't!" She growled.

"I would! I'm wearing my swim trousers, unlike you, and i would enjoy a nice refreshing swim. Wouldn't you enjoy it, Hermione?" He smiled.

"Harry" she complained. He carried her to the wooden dock and leaned a bit forward. "please!"

But it was too late. He plunged into the water, letting her go in mid-air.

When she came up from the deep water, she saw Harry moving towards her and Draco laughing on the floor.

"HARRY!" She yelled. "You little arse! I can't believe you did that!"

He moved closer to her and she turned away from him. When Harry grabbed her wrist, she pulled it away and managed to kick him in the shin under water.

"Leave me alone!" she growled, her eyes in slits. Hermione swam to shore and tried to get the water out of her shirt and denim skirt. "AH! you should know that denim isn't meant for water!"

"Isn't that tough for you? Why don't you take them off?" She saw him look her up and down.

"Skrew you Malfoy, you're disgusting." Hermione rung out her hair. He stood up and started to walk towards her.

"I know you want to." She smiled at him and let him take a few steps closer.

"I do, do I?" She asked.

"Yes, I can tell."

Hermione slapped him across the face, leaving a red hand mark on his cheek.

"Don't you ever talk to me or any other girl like that again, except you're slut girlfriend Parkinson! Go mess around with her. Maybe help her murder someone else's parents!"

She swirled around and her wet hair whipped his face, making a painful sounding noise.