A/N: Hey:) This is a new story I've had in my mind for a while now. The first chapter is very short, but I promise they get better. I have about 7 or 8 chapters already written, so expect relatively fast updates for some time.

I really appreciate reviews! I can always take suggestions:)

Chapter One: Unexpected Visitors

A skinny, brown-eyed girl sat uncomfortably in the backseat of her car. Hermione Granger looked out the window as her mother and father pulled into the driveway. She got out of the car, shut the door and slowly trudged up the steps to her small but inviting home. Each step was taken carefully- she could still feel her injuries from the Department of Mysteries.

Nevertheless, it felt so good to be back after everything that had happened at school. With the Ministry of Magic trauma, Voldemort, Umbridge, Grawp, and attempting to help Harry through the difficult times... well let's just say it had been a trying year and leave it at that.

Her parents quickly ushered her into the house, and as usual, rushed to prepare the spectacular welcome back dinner. Hermione summoned smiles for them. She loved her parents so much, they were always there for her when she needed them. She could tell them anything and knew she wouldn't be judged. Sure, they had been a little uneasy about her going to Hogwarts at first, but who wouldn't be afraid to send their only daughter into an unknown world?

Hermione walked into the kitchen and grabbed a quick snack. She retreated to the living room whilst her parents were busy cooking. She flipped on the television- something she did not often do- and surfed through the channels. When she found that nothing could claim her interest, she decided to do some unpacking.

With thoughts of ways to relax and have fun this summer vacation, Hermione walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She found a minuscule brown owl on her desk. Walking over she discovered a note from Ron tied to the owl's leg.

Hermione

Hope you got home okay. I didn't think it was necessary to owl you so soon, but mum says we have to be extra careful. Owl me to tell me you got home okay, and I'll be in contact very soon. Maybe at the end of summer you can come visit, it might be safer.

Ginny says hello.

Ron

Hermione smiled to herself and quickly took out a piece of parchment and a pen. She wrote a fast response and sent the tiny owl on its way.

After unpacking her trunk and placing all of her spell books neatly in their chronological order on the bookshelf, she sighed and plopped down onto the bed. Before she knew it, she was slipping into a much needed slumber.

"Hermione! Dinner's ready! Come downstairs!" Hermione's mother called.

"Alright! Just give me a minute!" Hermione answered sleepily.

She yawned and bustled into the bathroom, washing up for dinner. After brushing her hair, she chanced a look in the mirror. It's true she could not have possibly felt the extremeness of Harry's anxiety, but she too felt the effect of Sirius' death. Her face showed lines of worry, and her bushy hair framed a face so different from the last time she had looked into this mirror. Dark circles gathered under her eyes that could not be relieved by extra hours of sleep.

She walked down to the kitchen and when her parents saw her expression, a wrinkle appeared on each of their foreheads with concern.

"Hermione, dear, are you quite sure you're alright?" Her mother asked.

"Yes, I'm fine, just a little worried about my friend Harry and how he is dealing with everything..." She said.

"Well, don't worry, I'm sure your headmaster will take care of him, and no doubt Ron will collect him as soon as possible," her father assured her, "Now, let's eat before this wonderful meal gets cold!"

Hermione laughed and joined her parents at the table. Her dad could always brighten her mood. Together they prayed and immediately struck up conversation about what they had each been doing that year. Hermione explained all about her fifth year at Hogwarts. Her parents even laughed out loud when Hermione relayed the story of the Weasley twins' menacing tricks and departure from the school.

"...Professor Umbridge was flabbergasted!" She told them, forgetting her worry for the time being, "She had no control over Peeves the poltergeist after that! And the swamp was there for weeks, the teachers claimed they 'didn't know how' to get rid it! Filch, the caretaker, was livid though, he-".

Hermione's story was interrupted by a sharp rapping on the door.

"Oh hang on dear..."

"No, don't worry I'll get it." Mr. Granger said as he got up to answer the door. "I wonder who could be making a house call at this hour..."

As he disappeared from view, Hermione's mother started to tell her all about the trip to Paris they had taken while she was away. After about five minutes, Hermione's mother went to see who could possibly be keeping her husband for so long. Hermione waited patiently, absent mindedly twirling spaghetti on her fork.

'What could be going on?' Hermione wondered?

She got up and walked through the pantry to the foyer. What Hermione saw next would be engraved into her mind forever. Her parents were both lying across the floor, unmistakably dead. Their open eyes stared blankly into open space. And that was the last thing she remembered before she blacked out.