Chapter One
Hermione Granger was lying on her bed, her nose in a book as usual. She could hear her parents downstairs watching tv. The light from the full moon was shining through her window and a light, airy summer breeze carried through her room. She sighed happily as she glanced briefly at the moon and thought of Lupin. The young woman was looking forward to and dreading her last year at Hogwarts. It'd make a change being Head Girl, and seeing her friends would be nice. She was most looking forward to the classes and advanced curriculum that would take up her last year at Hogwarts. However, the girl dreaded facing Dumbledore's death and the imminent war, not to mention the Horcrux ordeal. She looked down once more and became absorbed once more in her novel.
The young woman was deeply immersed in her book when a horrifically gut wrenching scream came from downstairs, followed by a deep yell. She threw down her book and ran downstairs, wand out. Her eyes widened and she ducked around a corner when suddenly a death eater ran by. No. They couldn't have found her. They couldn't. Voices and shouts sounded in various areas of the house as Hermione crept into the living room. She gasped and covered her mouth. There sprawled on the ground, were her parents' motionless, lifeless bodies. Tears poured down the girl's cheeks as she stared at her mum and dad in horror. She knew she had to get out quickly before the death eaters found her; she could mourn later. She crept quietly to the front door and stunned the death eater who was standing guard before he could even blink an eye. She opened the door and ran outside tears still brimming in her eyes and took one last heart-broken, broken look at her house before apparating to the Burrow with an echoing crack.
Hermione got into the Hogwarts Express and followed Ron and Harry into a compartment. She sat down across from them, resting her elbow on the windowsill without a word and gazed blankly out the window. Harry and Ron exchanged awkward glances. She'd been like this all summer. Shut up in the room she shared with Ginny and staring, always staring out the window. Everyone tried to talk to her and comfort her but she shut everyone out and drowned in her sorrow. It didn't help when Ginny had unknowingly left a Daily Prophet on Hermione's bed. "Death Eaters Kill Witch's Muggle Parents." Arthur Weasley reckoned the death eaters were there for Hermione and her parents got in the way.
Her expression stoney, Hermione briefly thought of how at a point in the summer, Harry and Ron were mysteriously gone for a noticeable length of time, bringing the locket along with them. When the boys came back, the locket was gone.
Harry greatly wished Hermione would talk to him. After all, he knew more than anyone else about loss and death. But whenever he approached her, she'd glare reproachfully at him and walk away quickly. He knew she needed her space, but if she kept this up Harry didn't know what would happen.
Draco and his gang walked by the compartment. The pale young man looked in, about to remark on Hermione's rather interesting choice of sweater, but stopped himself and motioned to his cronies to keep walking. No one was bothering her. Everyone knew.
Hermione sat down with Ginny, Harry and Ron and picked at the food that appeared on her plate after the sorting. Most of the students gave her a wide berth. Those who attempted to greet her or engage in conversation, were ignored.
"Hermione, you've got to eat something. Mom'll be worried sick." Ginny whispered to Hermione.
Hermione turned to Ginny and replied sharply, "She's not my mom, she shouldn't be worrying. Its my mom who should be worrying."
Hermione got up abruptly and ran up to where she knew the Head's dorms were, feeling the stares of her friends. Tears welled in her eyes as she the door opened and she burst into the main room, breaking down as she collapsed on a couch. She calmed down after a bit and looked around the quarters. She was seated in a small living room with a luxurious couch and fireplace. There was a door to the right leading to her room, a door up ahead to the bathroom and one to the left for the Head Boy, whoever that was. Hermione went into her room and out a door that lead to a small balcony outside of the bedroom a considerable height above the grounds. She leaned on the marble railing and sighed, wiping her tears away.
"Hard day at the office Granger?" She heard a familiar voice drawl, from behind her.
Hermione whipped around to find none other than Draco Malfoy himself standing in the doorway. He gazed at her with cold grey eyes, a trademark smirk playing upon his thin lips. His white-blonde hair was styled messily; not in a disheveled way, but in such that it made the young man look professional and bad-boy-like at the same time.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She responded, her voice slightly hoarse from lack of speech.
He raised his eyebrows. "Mind your attitude Granger. Why else would I be here? I'm Head Boy." He replied smugly.
Hermione scoffed. "Nice play, now tell me the truth. Slytherins have a seperate Head Girl and Boy."
The boy threw his head back and chuckled. "If I'm not the Head Boy how else would I get in here? They made a special...acceptation for yours truly."
Hermione considered this and frowned, not answering. Draco shot the girl a lingering smirk and strode out of the room. Hermione muttered curses under her breath and groaned inwardly at the mere thought of sharing a dorm with Malfoy. Why would he wish to be Head Boy? Last year he had completely neglected his duties as prefect, and didn't even take delight in abusing students with his power. She took off the bracelet she was wearing and went into her room and flopped onto her bed, exhausted. Eventually she fell asleep.
In the middle of the night Hermione awoke, suddenly very thirsty. She walked sleepily to the loo, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes hazily. Suddenly the young woman froze, hearing weird noises coming from inside the loo. She gripped her wand and opened the door slowly. Her eyes widened and she unknowingly dropped her wand on the tiled floor, as she gazed into Draco Malfoy's normally cold eyes, now red and filled with water as tears streamed down his blotchy cheeks.
Yep. Hi. This is a fanfiction. Technically, it's an old fanfic that I rewrote/edited extremely, using mostly the same storyline. Anyway, I'll probably update once a week or something like that, and attempt a regular schedule (like that'll happen). I've decided that instead of putting a small write up at the end of each chapter, I'll put a relatable quote that pertains to said chapter just to keep things flowing and interesting. I'd really appreciate reviews, follows, and favourites, however reviews are the most appreciated as it lets me know that you took the time to read, AND share your thoughts with me and other readers. Thanks, and here's to many more chapters to come.
"Say something I'm giving up on you. I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you." -A Great Big World