Chapter One

Hermione

She took a deep breath of the cool castle air. It was no substitute for clean fresh air but it was better than the heated air of the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron had been arguing about Quidditch. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal but she had already heard them talking about it for a month at Grimmauld Place. She just didn't want to hear it anymore. So she had gone out into the hall for a walk. Ginny had offered to come with her but she wanted to be alone, she thought better that way. She rounded a corner into a hallway unoccupied by anyone, even portraits. She heard a scuffling sound behind her and turned, mouth drawing down slightly upon realizing the person's identity. "What do you want," asked Hermione. The person didn't answer her. "I don't want to deal with it right now, okay?" The person came closer to her, really close, centimeters from her. A hand reached out and brushed a small piece of hair from her face. The fingertip trailed down her face slowly. Hermione's breathe caught. She had no business finding this attractive, she really didn't, but she just couldn't seem to help herself. She leaned closer and breathed shakily on the person's face. She didn't even see it coming. The knife pierced her jugular, causing some arterial spray. Her eyes opened in shock and she gurgled in a breath. She fell onto the stone floor and perpetrator stood and watched the last few seconds of her life. When Hermione Granger had stopped breathing, the person knelt down beside her for a moment before hurrying off.

Harry and Ron walked down to breakfast the next morning, sitting near Neville, Dean, and Seamus, quickly filling their plates, Ron more quickly than Harry. They all smiled briefly at each other as they ate. "Hey," asked Seamus, "where's Hermione?"

"What are you talking about," said Harry. "She came down early didn't she?" Dean shook his head.

"I haven't seen her." Ron swallowed.

"She probably went to the library for some extra studying guys, I'm sure she's fine," he said, shoving more bacon and eggs in his mouth. Dean shook his head again and repeated his statement again.

"I haven't seen her." They stayed silent then, eating. Harry was getting this nasty nagging feeling in his stomach. He poked his eggs with his fork, lost in thought. He wished he had the Marauder's Map with him. He could find her then. Most of the hall that was at least partially awake looked away from their food as Mr. Filch rushed into the room, going directly to the high table. He whispered something to Professor Dumbledore. A crease appeared on the elderly man's forehead and he beckoned all of the teachers with a gesture. They left the hall en masse, the students staring after them in puzzlement. Even Ron had looked up from his breakfast. All of the students looked at each other in puzzlement, even Slytherins and Gryffindors locking eyes in question. The teachers were gone for several minutes until Snape returned to the entrance way.

"Stay in your seats," he drawled, closing the Great Hall doors. Harry and Ron stared at each other.

"Something happened, something big," said Harry, many nearby students nodding in agreement. They were there for several more minutes, the time wearing on and on, and at some point as Ron helped himself to even more food, Harry realized that they should all be in their first class. Glancing around, he discovered that many other students were starting to realize the same thing. McGonagall entered the hall, walking up to Harry and Ron.

"You two need to come with me." Thoroughly confused, they followed her out of the hall to the whispers of their fellow students. They followed her up the stairs to an empty classroom, finding Dumbledore, Umbridge, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout all huddling around a desk, a ministry official hovering by their sides. "I brought them Professor Dumbledore," said McGonagall, wringing her hands together. Dumbledore turned toward them, looking at them sadly.

"What's happened Professor," asked Harry, scared for the first time since the strange morning had begun.

"You two might want to sit down…"

"Tell us sir." Dumbledore looked at the two Gryffindors sadly.

"I have some horrible news boys. I am afraid that Miss Granger has been murdered." Harry's vision blackened briefly before he started hyperventilating. Ron had fallen onto his knees beside him and sobs could be heard escaping his lips. Dumbledore looked at them sadly, and Harry noticed that there were tears in the man's eyes as well. Even Snape looked sad. "I know this difficult for you boys but…can you tell us if anything is missing from her personal affects? It could help us immensely in finding the offender." Harry and Ron nodded. Harry, with difficulty, slowed his breathing as Ron got up awkwardly. They approached the table and Harry almost started breathing heavily again as he noticed the blood on Hermione's shirt, Hermione's blood. Ron was doing no better, only standing upright by propping himself up with his hands on the table. One hand painfully gripping the table edge, Harry used the other to shift through the bags of evidence. He guessed that the bags were an easy way to store evidence until it could be taken to the Ministry.

"Her necklace," choked Ron, tears still flowing down his face. Harry looked at him as did everyone else in the room. "Remember Harry, that necklace we got her last year with the book on it? She wore it every day; she wore it yesterday. It's not here." Harry looked at the table again and nodded.

"It's not." The ministry official that Harry just realized was an auror, grabbed the bags and headed out the door, presumably to go apparate out of the grounds. Ron truly collapsed then, curling into a ball on the ground. Harry sat heavily beside him trying not to breathe to hard and hurt himself. The teachers looked on them in pity. Everyone left except McGonagall.

"Boys, we'll be holding a service for her this afternoon before dinner. Would either of you like to say something?" Ron didn't even move so Harry swallowed.

"I-I don't think we can Professor." She nodded slowly before exiting the room, leaving them to their grief. Ron sobbed quietly on the ground as Harry tried not to breathe fast enough to pass out, not entirely succeeding as his vision would blacken around the edges. They heard the students moving on the staircase outside but they didn't even try to move. One of the doors burst open and Harry saw Dean, Seamus, and Neville looking at them. Harry's already loud, quick breathing hastened minutely. Their friends didn't talk, Neville simple helped Harry to his feet, letting Harry's arm drape across his shoulders as Dean and Seamus picked up Ron, who was in such a state of shock he couldn't move. They slowly made their way to Gryffindor tower, students parting for them as they passed, giving all of them looks of sorrow and understanding.

They entered the common room, which was silent except for the sniffling and sobs of fellow students. Ginny ran up to them, hugging Ron hard before briefly hugging Harry. Her eyes were puffy and red and Harry could see the twins over her shoulder. They looked horrible as well but appeared as if they had been trying to take care of Ginny as much as possible. Harry just continued to hyper ventilate as his friends led him upstairs. Dean and Seamus dumped Ron on his bed and Neville let Harry down slowly. Harry scooted onto his back, staring at the ceiling as the others left. As he was swallowed into darkness he wondered why anyone would steal Hermione's necklace of all things.

The Slytherin common room was also in a state of distress. There were less open tears but sniffles could be heard and frowns could be seen. They were all gathered in the common room and Snape was standing with them. "We have lost a student," he said simply, several of the students nodded. Pansy sniffed heavily and Theo gave her a sad glance. "The staff and the ministry will be doing their best to find the offender." His gaze swept over the gathered students. "I want all of you to be careful. It would not do anyone any good to have another victim." His gaze swept over the crowd again but paused on someone, eyes narrowing slightly. "Mr. Malfoy," said Snape sternly and everyone looked to see Draco examining his nails. "You may not have been the biggest fan of Miss Granger but I expect you to have respect for her and her manner of death." Malfoy simply hm'd and Snape frowned. "We will speak later, privately." He looked again at the gathered students and noticed how many of them were now shooting glares at Malfoy, who seemed completely oblivious. "There will be a service this afternoon. I expect all of you to attend, dismissed." The students dispersed. Snape approached Malfoy, grabbed him by the arm and dragged the boy to his office. Only after the door was locked did he speak. "Are you insane?"

"Not that I know of," said Malfoy, still not making eye contact.

"Just because the Dark Lord is staying at your house does not mean that you can completely disregard this. A person has died Draco." Malfoy looked at Snape then.

"I am well aware Professor. However, there is little I can do at the moment about it." The blonde boy walked out of the room, leaving a confused Snape behind him.

Harry thought that the service was okay. They couldn't get Ron to move or respond so he stayed in the tower. Harry himself had to have a tonic so that he didn't pass out in the middle of the service, so he spent most of it in a haze. Classes started the next day and he and Ron spent most of it in a haze, unable to truly participate. Even the Slytherins left them alone, for which Harry was grateful. Eventually, Ron came out of his stupor though he became explosive emotionally for a while. Nothing happened for an entire month.