Masquerade

The summer was slowly coming to and end and Hermione lay in her bed; her hair had become tame and her eyes a softer, toffee color. Her hair spread out around her, like a halo as she stared at the ceiling, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get to sleep. Her heart was beating in her chest, a white mask clutched within her hand. Tomorrow was the start another school year and a new job, hidden under a mask. The mask was so beautiful, the feather sticking off the side of it, giving it depth and character. She knew, when she spotted it, that it would be right for the job; it covered a lot of her face, but left some of it out in the open. It only really covered the important part of her face.

Her hands shook as she lifted the mask up and held it above her face, her eyes scanning over it. Delicately she played with the feathers all along it, they were soft to the touch and made her sigh in content. The eye holes looked like they were looking at her, looking into her; it made her fell uncomfortable but yet comfortable, at the same time. It was a piece of her, now. She couldn't get rid of it and she didn't want to. She was nervous and anxious to start the job, though it would claim most of her homework time; she would have to balance them all. She sighed, knowing it was going to take every ounce of energy and wits to keep this secret from Harry and Ron; though, she was a horrible liar when it comes to them. They could read her like a book and that made her feel vulnerable; a feeling she was used to, as she always had felt like that. With a sigh, she set it back on her night stand and turned the lamp off, bathing herself in darkness; a comfort for her.

She turned her back to the window, pulling the blankets up to her chin, though it was a pretty hot night and it was hot in her room. The blanket brought her comfort though, always having to have it covering her; it was her hold on her past, before she started to grow up. Before everything started to get so shaky for her, her future floating out of her reach; something that worried the poor girl. Her future was everything she looked forward, too. Hermione's parents wanted her to, also, have a future. They were proud of her, yet they could sense a change in her. Her mother tried to confront her about it, but her daughter brushed it off; saying that it was fine and nothing was wrong. Both of them couldn't help but worry, still. She was their little girl and they felt like they hardly knew her, as she was gone most the time; for school.

Her eyes slipped closed, as the owls flew around outside. The calls echoing into her room, through her open window. The curtains were blowing slightly in the breeze, soothing the girl's overheated skin. The girl let a soft sigh escape her lips, as if she could stop it anyway; a smile caressing her soft, pink lips. It felt like a soft kiss, a gentle caress, soothing the girl.

***

"Hermione," her mother called, rapping her knuckles against the door.

The girl in the bed groaned and flipped over, she didn't want to wake up; though she knew she had to. Her mother knocked on the door again and she sat up, calling out that she was awake. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her lithe body, her back cracking a bit. It relieved some pressure and made her feel better, letting out a small yawn. Her nightgown fell to her knees and billowed out around her, the breeze from last night still in the air. The sun was shining into her room, the soft rays falling over her unmade bed. Her fuzzy slippers felt soft against her feet, making a lazy smile appear on her face; it falling slightly a she caught sight of the mask. A shiver of dread and yet curiosity flowed through her, making her swallow hard. Her double life was about to begin.

Shaking her head, the girl made her way downstairs, greeting her parents. Jane and John were your normal, muggle, parents. Both of her parents were dentist and they made quite a lot, a lot of the money going to the bills; in no way did they live lavishly, they weren't like that. They wanted their daughter to grow up with a level head and not a snob; like that Draco Malfoy, that she had told them about. Both of them were pretty proud about how she turned out and about her grades.

"Morning Mum, Dad," she greeted them, giving them each a peck on the cheek.

"Morning, Mione," her dad greeted her, with a smile on his face.

The girl returned his smile, on the inside an inner turmoil was raging. She felt bad because she hadn't told them about her job, but she knew if she did, they would make her quit; they thought she was still young. But this was her life and her choice, they should be able to support that. Her decision would kill them, not literally, but they wouldn't look at her the same again; no one would, not even her friends. This is why she hadn't told anyone about the interview or showed her excitement about getting the job, or even shared her nerves with anyone. They all thought it was because it was her last year at Hogwarts, that and the final battle was coming up.

The final battle. It was on everyone's mind and everyone could feel the stress of it' especially Harry. He had broke off his relationship with Ginny, because he feared he was going to die; he didn't want her heart to break. Though, it still would; even if they were broken up. It would be double the heartbreak, because everyone knew how much she loved him; even the Slytherins could see that. What was even more surprising was when Hermione caught Ron cheating on her with Lavender. She was hurt, but knew that Ron and her relationship was a lie; they didn't feel things for each other they only thought they did. She thought it was due to their closeness and the fact that he was one of the only guys that would pay attention to her. Granted, he did pic on her in the beginning.

"Do you have everything all packed?" Her mother asked her whilst they all ate.

"Yeah, everything is all set," she told her, her mind going to the white mask that was, now, resting on the bottom of her trunk.

"That is good. You were always the one to be prepared."

She smiled at her mum and nodded, letting her know she was right. Hermione was one for promptness; she hated being late, even if it was by a minute or two. Her mother was where she got it from, always the practical one; her father was one of those that was late, but he was good guy and made up for it.

They made small talk as they ate, the minutes ticking down. She was excited to see Harry, but not Ron; she was still hurt, no matter how long ago it was. Those wounds were still healing and when the time came, she would forgive him. She knew he was hurting that she didn't forgive him right away, but he'd have to get over that. With a sigh, she pushed her plate away from her. She wasn't hungry anymore, the thoughts of Ron taking away her appetite. Her parents looked to her, a look of worry wrinkling the laugh lines around their eyes. She gave them a bright, but pained, smile; her thoughts were now on the feeling of being alone. The feeling that plagued her ever since the break up. Harry had told her she needed to get over it, but she was having a bit of trouble. It was like her heart wouldn't let go, whilst her head argued with her that it was stupid.

"Time to go," her mum told her, breaking the girl from her thoughts.

She nodded her head, her hair moving with the head movement. Picking up her plate, she put it in the sink and went to get her things. She took one last look around her room and sighed, the last time she would see it for a better part of a year. Maybe even more, depended on how long the final battle lasted.

Once she had everything packed in the trunk of the car, she climbed in as her Father took off. Her mum and dad carried on a conversation and she tuned them out, watching the scenery go by. With a deep sigh, she peeled her eyes from the passing trees and fields and focused on her parents. Their conversation was lost to her, though, as she hadn't been paying attention to it. All she could make out that they were going to miss her and where they wanted to go for vacation, one that they were taking without her; they figured they needed some time alone.

"Why don't you go to Hawaii?" Hermione suggested to them, with a smile.

"I've always wanted to go there," her mother gushed, her father playfully rolling his eyes.

That move made Hermione giggle and her mother gently smack her dad's shoulder; they were truly perfect for each other. Hermione wished she had a love like theirs, someone to care for her and to love her. Another sigh left her lips, her mother asking her if she was okay.

"I'm fine," she smiled, "Just a little adamant on going back to school. I'm scared about what is going to happen this year."

The smile faded from her mother's face, "Don't worry about it, Mione. Just think happy thoughts, they tend to get you through the bad. Plus, everything is going to be fine. The good will prevail over evil."

"You're always the optimistic one," her father pointed out, making her mother chuckle.

"Yes, I am."

Hermione smiled and called a goodbye to them, her things out of the trunk now. Tears were falling down her cheeks, her parents trying to be strong, waving to her. She waved back and walked onto platform 9 ¾. Instantly she was attacked by Ginny, the redhead was just a blur until she wrapped her arms around her waist. Hermione chuckled and greeted her, now being bear bugged by Mrs. Weasley. Then it was Harry's turn, he held his arms out to her and she ran into them. He hugged her tight and smiled.

"I missed you, Mione."

"I missed you, too, Harry."

Ron stood there awkwardly, looking to Hermione. She ignored him and greeted the twins, Fred had his arm around a brunette; probably his latest girlfriend, he seriously had a hard time keeping a girl. George on the other hand, was holding his wife's hand, as his wife held their child; surprising it wasn't a twin, like him. She hugged them each and then hugged his wife. She could feel eyes on her and she turned to see Ron staring.

"What?"

He only shook his head and got on the train, as it was about time to leave. She, once again, waved goodbye to everyone and boarded the train, finding the head's compartment. There was one person in the compartment, not including her and when she seen who it was, she gasped. Malfoy. How could it be? She knew there were people who did better then him, sweet Merlin she was stuck with him. He smirked at her, the famous Malfoy smirk and raised an eyebrow to her.

"Surprised, Mudblood?"

"To say the least, Malfoy," she spat at him.

He laughed and shook his head, this was going to be a fun year; he was going to love tormenting her! Oh how fun this year was going to be for them both and for everyone involved, so full of adventure and love. But none of them knew that, none of them knew what was going to happen; making all of them scared for their futures.