A/N: First of all, this story is very different from the series. I hope that doesn't stop you though. This story is mainly about Hermione. Keep that in mind. Two, I'm sure you all know about the prophecy, and all that stuff about how it could have been Neville instead of Harry. In my version, it was Neville with the lightning bold scar. But, he was killed during the 6th book, when he was finally defeated by Voldemort. Three, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were close friends of Neville's and they helped him fight and whatnot, so they are still the skilled and hardcore wizards and witch we all know and love. Four, Harry still lost his parents when he was young. They were killed by Death Eaters, since they had been part of the Order. I hope all these changes don't stop you from reading on, because it's actually quite a good story.
The idea of this story is very identical to the Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, though no Hunger Games characters will partake in the story. Only the ideas are similar. But nonetheless, I own nothing, just a few changes and titles. The rest belongs to the wonderful Suzanne Collins, and J.K. Rowling.
Anyways, read on!
We are broken,
What must we do to restore our innocence?
And all the promise we adore
Give us life again
'Cause we just want to be home
-Paramore, We Are Broken
I don't think it's possible for there to be an ounce of happiness left in the world. Not in our current state, not in the near future even. It is impractical. The Superiors will not allow it. The Death Eaters will not allow it. Lord Voldemort will not allow it.
I have come to the conclusion that there is no hope whatsoever. Our world, muggle & wizarding world, has been shattered. Muggles are oblivious to the dark magic surrounding them, passing it off as war, as an apocalypse. Wizards are being killed, tortured, deprived of love and life itself. Ever since last year, everything has been completely different. Ever since Lord Voldemort killed Albus Dumbledore with a flick of his wand. Ever since Neville Longbottom was killed so that Lord Voldemort could live and prosper. So that he could take over the Ministry of Magic, fill it with his followers we were to call The Superiors, who are so cruel and wicked, no one dares to cross them. Lord Voldemort now takes is throne as dictator of the wizarding world, of all magical creatures it contains. The Death Eaters prowl among us, making sure we follow the laws of the Dark Lord, keeping us in line, occasionally killing us for no apparent reasons.
Those who choose to not follow His law receive a punishment worse than death. They are taken to the new Azkaban, where they are tortured day to day by the Cruciatis Curse, not given any meals, and eventually have their souls taken by the Dementors. And it is all arranged by the Superiors. They consist of five monarchs, one from each of the most powerful races in the wizarding world; Lucius Malfoy, wizard, Fenrir Greyback, werewolf, Dominique Fier, vampire, Esclairia Morgenstern, veela, and Maleficent Axel, witch & parseltongue.
But the worst thing they may have done so far is that all wizarding schools have been taken over. All principles and half of the staff must be Death Eaters. Hogwarts' Headmistress is now Bellatrix Lestrange, and there are 10 Death Eater teachers. But since my parents are dead, and I've been staying with Harry and the Weasleys, I've got no choice but to attend my 7th year at Hogwarts. I never thought I'd not want to go to that school. I had also been appointed Head Girl, but with Draco Malfoy as Head Boy.
I thought about all of this during the train ride of the Hogwarts Express. Harry and Ron were conversing quietly by my side, but I didn't tune into the conversation. Most conversations these days were about the killing of so and so, and I just couldn't take that anymore. My body was filled with dread when the train came to a stop in Hogsmeade station. I didn't want to be here at all. I sighed and slung my bag over my shoulder. Ron took my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze as we exited the train and unload onto the platform. Thankfully, Hagrid still kept his job as groundkeeper. He loomed over the crowds of people, shepherding first years. But the sight of a half giant isn't what kept all the students silent. It's the Death Eaters marauding around us, giving us death glares through their skeletal masks, which chill you to the bone. Us three along with a few other Gryffindors took a carriage led by thestrals up to the castle. Now that I've seen countless deaths, they're visible to me. But I really wish I couldn't see them, because they're a reminder of every death I've seen, a memory I've tried to bury in the depths of my mind.
The Great Hall was beautiful in its grandeur, but not as beautiful as it's been before. Something was off about it, an aura that screamed it's full of traces of dark magic and whatnot. Throughout the sorting, Bellatrix and most of the staff (the Death Eaters) wore expressions of boredom and irritation. Some old teachers of Hogwarts were still there, smiling slightly. McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, Bins, and Sprout had all stayed with the school, no doubt threatened by the Superiors. When the last child was sorted, the Headmistress rose and approached the podium that had steel snakes carved into it, instead of the bronze one Dumbledore had preferred.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Bellatrix's shrill voice rung out through the room, "This is my first year as your Headmistress and it won't be my last," her voice was like a lazy, high pitched drawl, "Now I expect you to make it a pleasant and smooth year. And if just one of you steps out of line, you will be punished to the extreme."
Harry shook his head in disgust and rolled his eyes, but in bad timing.
"Potter!" Bellatrix shrieked from the podium. A streak of red beams almost smacked Harry right on the head, "You will look at me while I am talking to you!" Harry mumbled an incoherent apology. "As I was saying," Bellatrix growled, her teeth bared, "This year will be unlike any other you've had here at this wretched school. The government has advised us to hold a contest this year, almost similar to the Triwizard Tournament. The contest is called the Magician Games. 4 6th to 7th students will be chosen from each four houses. The sixteen of them will be the competitors of our little game.
There are eight levels to the contest. Each level, two will be taken out of the game, either by death, or their level of weakness. The final level is between the last two competitors." Bellatrix's voice was quiet and eerie now, and people caught their breath at this statement. By death? "All 16 students will stay not in their House dormitories, but in an apartment especially for them. The Quidditch field has been altered to act as arena, for this contest. And you all will be able to watch. The contestant's names will be announced Friday at dinner." Nobody talked. Nobody even moved. "Well then, off you go, out of my face, you rodents," Bellatrix shouted, waving us off. Everyone rushed to get up and flee to their dormitories. I followed Ron and Harry, clasping Ron's hand tightly. At least I've still got my boyfriend and best friend. Just outside the Great Hall, I slammed into a hard body, knocking me onto my butt on the stone ground.
Draco Malfoy turned to look back at me on the floor and smirk.
Then he did the weirdest thing. He reached down, grasped my arm, and pulled me into a standing position.
"Watch where you're going Granger," he snickered. As Head Boy, he has to lead two sets of first years to their dormitories. I find the other two sets, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, and lead them to their dormitories. After the Ravenclaws get settled, I brought the Gryffindors to our tower. Harry and Ron were waiting outside, looking worried. Once they spot me, they're expressions turn to relief.
"Wattlebird," I said to the Fat Lady. She swung open, and the first years fled into the common room. I turned to Harry and Ron.
"So I guess I'll see you two at Breakfast tomorrow. Yes?" I asked them. They nodded.
"Just be careful, Hermione," Harry warned me.
"Yeah, I mean, you're stuck with Malfoy," Ron said with a sigh, "But I've got no doubt you know many more hexes than he does." I smiled and hugged them both, before heading off to my "new" room. The Head Boy and Head Girl's room was located in the hallway next to the Headmistress', in a tower much like the Gryffindor one. The password was Riddle Victorious. I tried not to gag when I said it. The entrance was behind a painting of a princess in the window of a grand tower. She smiled at me, then swung inward. Inside, the common room was very splendid. There were various couches, armchairs, and small wooden tables. The room was decorated in mixes of silver and green, and gold and crimson. To my complete disgust, Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson were tangled on one of the couches, playing tonsil hockey. I averted my gaze and made my way up to my room, the one with the crimson and gold staircase.
It was the nicest room I had even stayed in, easily. Everything was covered in crimson and gold, decorated with grand tapestries, a four poster bed, a couch, a fireplace, a plush armchair, a closet with a vanity inside of it, and a master bathroom. All my stuff had been neatly put away and my trunk lay in front of my bed. I didn't have any homework yet, so I changed into my normal sleeping clothes; a simple tank top and my old soccer shorts, from the muggle team I had played for in the summer of fifth and sixth year. I then pulled my curls into a sloppy ponytail, grabbed the current book I was reading, and settled onto my luxurious bed. I drowned myself in my muggle fantasy book, City of Bones, wishing I had lived in a world of Nephilim instead of this world. The book was compelling and it took me 200 some pages before I could put it down and go to sleep.
As usual, my dreams were filled with replays of the night Harry, Ron, and I had helped Neville try to defeat Voldemort. I screamed in terror as I watched my parents get murdered horrifically. I watched as the green light struck Neville and he fell to the ground. But my screaming was cut off by a bright light behind my eyelids. My eyes snapped open. I was still in my bed, sweat beading down my face as I panted. Then I noticed the lights were on.
"What the hell, Granger?!" Malfoy asked, standing in the doorway. His blond hair was disheveled from sleep. "Your screaming doesn't help my sleeping, you know!" I rolled my eyes and fell back on to my pillows.
"Get out of my room, Malfoy," I retorted simply. He started to say something, but I sat up and fixed him with my glare. "Get out of my room." He glared back at me for a long moment, his grey eyes furious. Without warning, he slammed the door behind him loudly. I laid back down and curled up on my side. It was 4 in the morning. I willed myself to go back to sleep, but it wouldn't come. I sighed, rolled onto my back, and read my book some more.
Halfway through the book, my mental alarm rang. I got up and got ready for the first day of term, showering, slipping on my robes and Head Girl badge, and brushing out my hair. It had grown longer during the summer, and I never got the chance to cut it. It now flowed to the middle of my back. I sighed at my reflection. I was so pale, I needed a tan. And my skin was stretched, pulled tight over my cheekbones, collarbones. With a final sigh, I slung my bag over my shoulder, tucked my wand into my pocket, and exited my room, City of Bones in my hand. Just as I was about to exit the Common Room, Professor McGonagall entered the room, standing up and brushing off her robes.
"Ah, Granger," she said, adjusting her spectacles, "Good morning to you. Is Mal- Oh!" she exclaimed as Malfoy descended his staircase, "Morning Malfoy. Come now, hurry," she said, beckoning for him to stand in front of her like I was. "Now, here are your class schedules," she said, handing us each white papers, "And here's a schedule of your duties for the year," she handed us two papers covered front to back, "I'll have you know though, your duties have been very diminished due to staff and government reasons, so it should be –ahem- simple year for you two." She emphasized you two. Just as she turned to leave, I asked a question.
"Professor?" she turned to address me.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"This contest… the Magician Games? Does it apply to Head Boy & Head Girl as well?" I couldn't help my anxiousness. Professor McGonagall took off her spectacles and polished them, putting them back on before answering.
"Yes, I'm afraid it does. I wish you luck, though." With that, she exited the room, the portrait swinging shut behind her. Malfoy brushed past me to leave, as I surveyed my schedule.
Tuesdays:
Academic Charms with the Ravenclaws
Potions with the Ravenclaws
Ancient Runes with the Hufflepuffs
LUNCH
Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins
Transfiguration with the Slytherins
Astronomy with the Slytherins (9:00)
I met Harry and Ron in the Great Hall, squeezing between them and helping myself to breakfast.
"How's your schedule?" I asked them. They mumbled responses between their mouths full of food.
"How's yours?" Harry asked, pouring himself pumpkin juice.
"Good, except I have 9 PM Astronomy with the Slytherins," I responded as I dug into my breakfast.
"Ooh, harsh," Ron said with a wince. I was just about to reply, when bunches of owls swooped down from the ceiling, dropping parcels onto the tables. An edition of the Daily Prophet landing right before me, splashing Dean Thomas with orange juice. I apologized hastily, unfolding to the first page.
O GUILIN PUT IN AZKABAN FOR PROTESTING GAMES
Reginald O Guilin, Transfiguration administrator of Beauxbatons school was locked up in Azkaban Monday night for protesting against the Magician Games. The Magician Games is a contest that will occur in all wizarding schools. 16 contestants are chosen for the Games, which have 8 levels of different tasks. The winner is granted a gift that will be revealed at the last level of the Games.
O Guilin quoted, "I refuse to force my loyal and loving students to join a contest based on the cruelty and wickedness of the Superiors, and Voldemort himself." Death Eater Macnair captured O Guilin at his house in France, and then brought him to repent in front of the Superiors. O Guilin refused, "I will not take back my actions, I will die with honor, that I have stood up for what is good in this immoral world you have damned us to live in." His words received him countless Cruciatis Curses, before he was transferred to Azkaban.
I let Harry tug the paper away from me, as I stared down at my hands.
"This is ridiculous," Harry muttered slapping the folded up paper back onto the wooden table.
"Who do you reckon will be chosen?" Ron asked quietly, pushing food around his plate with his fork. I looked up and shook my head.
"Who knows," I mumbled, before bidding them a grim goodbye and heading to my first period Charms class. Usually, I loved classes and learning. Now, it seemed the classes were unbearable. This whole school was now unbearable. I couldn't stand to even think of all the changes. Wednesday and Thursday went by very slowly, stretching out the anxiety of all students, including the Slytherins. No one even dared to speak of the Magician Games. They were either disgusted by it, scared to object and get in trouble for it, or just plain scared to even talk about it. Thursday night at dinner, the hall was nearly silent.
"Maybe I can help you study tonight?" Ron inquired in my ear. I felt myself blush furiously. Ron chuckled. I nodded, still looking down at my food. After dinner, Ron and I bid Harry goodbye, as he talked with Cho Chang. It wasn't exactly against the rules to bring your boyfriend into your personal common room, but no teacher had ever warned us about it. Thankfully, Draco was either in his room, or somewhere with a bunch of Slytherins, so once we entered the lavish common room, nothing stopped me from twining my arms around Ron's neck and kissing him fiercely. They hadn't had an ounce of time together since summer, and even then his siblings never left them alone for a good amount of time. Ron pulled away then, leading me to the couch in front of the fire place.
"I've never liked studying so much," he chuckled as I curled up to him. He placed an arm around me and I laid my head against his chest. We were quiet for a few comfortable moments. "You alright, Hermione?" Ron asked finally, kissing my hair. I shook my head and embarrassingly enough, a tear leaked out and down my cheek. Ron pulled away only to look at me. He laid his hand on my cheek and brushed the tear away, even though a few more came without warning. "Don't cry. Everything will be fine," he tried to assure me. I shook my head.
"No it won't," I said, my voice breaking. "Never, nothing will ever be fine." Ron pulled me back to him, hugging me tight. "What if I'm chosen? Or you? Or Harry?"
"I wish I could say we'll be safe, but I'm not going to lie to you," Ron muttered darkly, "But if one of us is chosen…we're just going to have to fight until we can be safe once again." I let that sink in, trying to convince myself. Then, I pulled away, only to pull Ron down on top of me and kiss him again. Just maybe, this could be our last kiss. So I reveled in it, knotting my hands in his hair and sighing as his warm lips kissed down my throat, and back up to my lips. Just as we were getting a bit carried away, someone cleared their throat too loudly. I broke away with a gasp, and Ron swiveled his head around to glare accusingly at the intruder.
Malfoy stood with a half amused, half disgusted expression on his face.
"Well, aren't we feisty, Granger?" He taunted, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking.
"Go away, Malfoy," I snapped at him. He raised an eyebrow and sat down in one of the armchairs.
"I'll stay right here, thanks." I groaned and sat up. Ron stood and buttoned up his shirt. I handed him his book bag.
"See you in the morning," I said lamely.
"'Night," he said, swooping down to kiss me on the cheek. After the hole swung shut behind him, I exploded.
"What the hell is your problem, Malfoy?!" I asked him angrily. He stood up.
"My problem? I didn't actually care to see or hear you two about to have sex on the couch right outside my bedroom, mudblood!" he shot back.
"I'd never do such a thing! Unlike you and Parkinson last night!"
"Mind your own business!"
"Then you mind yours!" We just stared at each other with blazing eyes, my face twisted in rage and irritation, his twisted into his trademark smirk. "Stop smirking at me!"
"Don't tell me what to do!" he retorted irately.
"Don't order me around!"
"Don't act like you're the boss!"
"Don't tell me how to act!"
"You're ridiculous!"
"You're an idiot!" I yelled back.
"You're annoying!"
"You're infuriating!"
"You're such a Gryffindor!"
"You're such a Slytherin!"
"You're such a mudblood!"
"You're such a Death Eater!"
"Well you're hot!"
"Well you're gorgeous!"
"UGH!"
"UGH!"
I stormed off to my room, slamming my shoulder against Malfoy's. I slammed the door behind me and threw my bed onto my bag, pacing around my room angrily. Then I stopped.
Wait.
We had just complimented each other. Though it had followed a stream of insults, we had never said one nice thing to each other. Ever. Not that it was said in a complimenting tone, but still. He had called me hot. And I had called him gorgeous. Why did I have to pick such a suiting word? Why couldn't I have said good looking? Or cute?
Whatever. It didn't matter if he was good looking. He was still the prejudiced idiot I'd always been enemies with. Nothing could possibly change that.
.