DISCLAIMER: I unfortunately do not own the HP world, it all belongs to JK!

People liked to think that Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley had run off for a perilous adventure because they were brave and they would save the wizarding world. People also liked to think that Hermione Granger had been left behind for her safety. She liked to believe it was true. Deep down in her heart, though, she knew it wasn't. They had run off without her because they probably didn't want her in the way. Old bossy, bookworm Hermione would be only a nuisance.

" Earth to 'Mione! You've been off lately... what is it?" A red-haired girl broke through her thoughts.

" Nothing, I was only thinking about Harry and Ron... I just wish I was with them."

" Me too... if only they could send us a message, let us know how they're faring..." She was visibly sad and Hermione could empathize with her. Ginny had lost her boyfriend to the unknown. He was somewhere out there with her brother, in the grip of a deadly danger. Two of the most important people in her life could die any moment. For Hermione it was different. They were her best friends all right, but not family. Ginny's position was much more difficult. The younger girl squeezed her hand. " It's going to be alright, 'Mione. They are going to be back, once they are over with their mission..." Obviously Ginny ignored the goal of the mission. She knew nothing of Horcruxes...

" I hope what you say is true..." She half-heartedly replied. Ginny was being rather optimistic. What if something happened? What if there wasn't enough time? What if...?

Just then, the compartment doors of the train opened. Two tall men dressed in black pushed in, threat written all over their demeanour. Death eaters. They were checking, looking for something or rather... someone. Their eyes instilling terror. Hermione thought she recognized one of the two, but couldn't come up with a name.

" My father will hear of this..." a Cormac McLaggen at his very dorkiest stood up. Did he really think this would actually help the situation? The death eaters just glared at him. He was a pureblood and not worth their loving attentions.

" He is not here." Neville stated. His hands were clenched in fists and his glare was bravely defying them. As if trying to challenge them, he pressed on. " You won't find him." Merlin, this took guts and Hermione couldn't conceal her stunned admiration. He had grown out of the shy, clumsy boy he had once been. This was a new him. Strong and confident. The death eaters got closer. Their eyes blazing with fury.

" Longbottom, is it? I strongly suggest you shut up. Now." Neville sat down, his glare never faltering. The death eater who had spoken, turned to Ginny and Hermione. His eyes stopped on her, scrutinizing her face. That was when she realized what a mistake her friend had made, drawing their attention. She was a liability now.

" Dolohov, ain't this Potter's mudblood sidekick?" he smirked. Dolohov. Antonin Dolohov. That was the name that had eluded her mind's eye. He was an undesirable. Well ex-undesirable after the fall of the Ministry... Priorities had changed. Values shifted. Anyway, the aurors had been looking for him since he had escaped Azkaban.

" Well, well... look at what we've got here. The mudblood princess. We'll make sure you'll thoroughly enjoy your stay at Hogwarts this year. Won't we? Potter will regret having left you behind. Wonder why he did... maybe he doesn't like you anymore?" He leered. " You were his bitch, weren't you?" He grasped her face and roughly tossed it back and forth, eyes hungry, feral. When he finally let her go, he whispered something to his comrade. Hermione heard the last part. " ...get her to Snape as soon as she arrives. You know the orders. He'll take care of her."

They left and carried on their task. Hermione expelled a breath of relief. She had been rather lucky. She wondered why nothing worse had happened. The two could have hurt, tortured or even killed her on the spot. They could have taken her prisoner and interrogated her... But she knew that what didn't happen here, would eventually happen at Hogwarts.

" You all right?" Neville interrupted her line of thought.

" Um... yes. At least nothing happened, right?" her two friends, looked at her with a mix of empathy and sorrow. Hermione's future was easily predictable but they would do anything in their power to protect her. Of this, she was sure. They would not leave her.

OoOoOoO

Draco Malfoy sat besides his Slytherin mates, completely tuned off. He was far away. Since the Astronomy tower fiasco, he had changed.

Because of his cowardice Voldemort had punished him and his family. He didn't want to remember. He absently touched a scar on his arm. It still hurt even after all these months. As much as he hated that old Dumbledore geezer, he couldn't... just couldn't utter those two words. But failing to complete a task for the Dark Lord had consequences. And they weren't pleasant.

He had begged for a second chance, which in the end was given to him. Voldemort would follow closely his behaviour this year. He might even appoint him new tasks. He needed to gain his trust back. Or else who knew what would be of the ancient and noble house of the Malfoys? He felt all the burden of failure on his back. It was his fault and he had to make up for his misdeed.

Probably he'd only have to prove his dedication to the cause, reassert his hate for mudbloods and traitors. A little torture here and there which he could even enjoy... but... no. The very thought of it made him sick. Dumbledore's words echoed in his mind... he definitely didn't have the guts. As long as it was limited to bullying he could cope. But this was something else... he wasn't sure of anything. Anymore.

He wondered if Potter and his friends were actually there. Knowing the trio, they could. Their pathetic Gryffindor recklessness would get them killed one day. But sure the mudblood wouldn't dare. She wouldn't risk coming. Experience should have taught her well. She might even end up being my little torture plaything... but again, he couldn't linger too long on that thought. He was torn. The image of the mudblood being tortured... couldn't decide if he liked it or not. After all she had been the bane of his existence. Her blood was filthy and he had always desired to see her beaten, humiliated, expelled from the magic world. Maybe she did deserve it...

" Draco, we're nearly there..." Pansy purred.

" Sure..."

" What's with you, these days? You are so gloomy. What can I do to get back my old Drake?" She kissed him lightly on the lips. Without her noticing he rolled his eyes. She still thought they were together. Pansy was only a saucy object to be used for his needs but she really didn't get it. It was the same for all the other Slytherin blokes in his year. Zabini... even Nott. Theo was a bit of a loner but even he could not resist her easy feminine appeal. She was good for a night or two but that was it. Same for Astoria. Slytherins knew where to go, if they ever had... urgencies.

" I heard the Carrows are taking over Defence against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies. This year is going to be entertaining..." commented Blaise with a smirk. Draco didn't reply.

OoOoOoO

Hermione got onto one of the carriages along with Ginny and Neville. Luna joined them too. She was reading a copy of 'The quibbler'. The front page read: Death Eaters on the dancefloor!

Even after the attack at Bill and Fleur's wedding, Xenophilius hadn't lost his eccentric edge and neither had Luna. Hermione kind of envied them. She had lost her fighting streak since then. Harry and Ron had disapparated right under her nose, leaving her in the middle of a raging battle. They had been talking for days about their Horcruxes hunt arrangements but clearly the boys had decided that she wasn't needed. She had planned meticulously, gathering provisions for a long stay in the wild. She had obliviated her parents... Her heart still bleeding for that heinous act of love. Her best friends' abandon had cut through her like only the blade of betrayal does. She was left with little hope to spare. In a world rejecting her very being with no chance to find shelter in another world. She was a non-person in a no-place.

Luna lifted her eyes over her father's newspaper and spoke in her usual subdued tone.

" Hermione, you look as pale as a wrackspurt..."

" Aren't they invisible?" Neville interjected innocently.

" Not with spectrespecs. They are actually very pale creatures..." her voice had its usual dreamlike quality.

" I'm fine, just need some rest..."

Ginny whispered into her ear shortly after: " I find she's a little too insightful sometimes..." Hermione smiled. It was true.

A tense silence followed the short exchange. The more they got close to the castle, the more fright built up. They didn't know what to expect from their last year at Hogwarts. The place that had once been shelter, safety and comfort was now a place of dread.

Hope you liked the first chapter! Please review and tell me what you think :)