AN- Sorry to the people who read this and reviewed... Thanks for that by the way... but I decided that this story is no longer RL/HG. I wrote like 3? in this category so I wanted a change.
Prologue-
"Hello?"
That voice... it was so... familiar?
Her voice broke out into the air, piercing through the sheet of silence that had enveloped the besmirched atmosphere. It echoed in the long, empty corridors, bleeding with a pure sense of desolation. Its pain and confusion stabbed into me and an unusual feeling developed in the pit of my stomach.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to come into this rotten manor? Weren't muggles supposed to fear these sorts of places? Haunted, they believed it to be. Then why had this one come prancing in here where she had no business? She walked forward, silent once more. The only noise that remained was the hushed touch of her shoes to the wooden floor as she moved slowly around the room, inspecting everything that she laid her eyes on. Her stance implied caution and a certain edge of fear but she continued to examine the room, her eyes tracing along the floor, up the stairs and in my direction.
Upon realization I swiftly turned to hide behind a wall, my heart on a rampage. Let her not have seen me. Killing another innocent would wound me undyingly. But fate played a dirty game whenever my soul was in question.
"Hello?" she called out once more. Her voice was fearful. Did she think I was I a threat to her? I wish. Because then she would go away and I wouldn't be responsible for ending her life when it was only just beginning.
Where have I heard that before?
"Who's there? I saw you, you know. There is no use hiding!" She sounded a lot bolder this time; a lot more determined. I couldn't turn around and face her. But I couldn't stand here either. If I didn't go down there, she was sure to come up here. I pulled my acrylic face mask out of my jacket and put it on along with black shades to hide my eyes. I hated wearing these, but if I didn't, I was sure to doom the girl.
I heard her footsteps beginning to move again and immediately panic rose high into my body. I quickly emerged from my futile hiding spot and gradually made my way down the stairs. She stood a few feet away from me, frozen in place and for a moment I worried that it wasn't really my face that caused harm but my actually presence.
"I… I need help. Do you live here? Some boys threw me in here and barred the door from the outside so I can't get out. I'm sorry if I'm intruding mister?"
As she spoke I let out a breath, muffled by the thick material partially covering my mouth. I hadn't hurt her. Yet. I focused on her appearance, trying to recall a distant memory which she reminded me of. What was it? What wa-
Oh my Merlin!
It was impossible. How could she be here? Why was she here? I stared at her face, memorizing each detail, each movement, as a lifetime of memories that I had locked away in the back of my mind emerged out of its container like a tidal wave and rose into my eyes, which were now coated with tears. She waved a hesitant hand in front of my face making me snap out of my thoughts and address her previous question.
"Draco Malfoy." It was odd, listening to my own voice after such a long time. Living in isolation meant no communication to the outside world and so the need to vocalize my thoughts hadn't been mandatory any longer. She did not react accordingly to my name. But perhaps, in this time and under these circumstances, this answer was more than what I could hope for.
Hermione?
"Right, well I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."
I know...
"I'm really sorry about this but some peers of mine are playing this stupid prank and I didn't mean to come into your home just this way. I'm not even sure how I'm supposed to leave," she spoke, all in a single breath with an anxious tone, trying to convince me that she was in no way responsible for this.
"No it's really understandable. Let me show you your way out."
I led her through the winding corridors and towards the side doors. Grateful for my help, she gave me a warm smile and shook hands with me, departing with a simple goodbye. I turned away from the door and pulled off the hot face mask. Beads of sweat glistened across my forehead as I fanned my face, cursing the dreaded heat. I shoved my glasses into my pocket and-
"Hey Mr. Malfoy! I think I dropped my -"
Upon impulse, I spun around to face the door and saw Hermione standing inches away from me, completely motionless, jaw dropped.
No... no, no!! Please not her!
I turned back, unable to see one more innocent break before my eyes. I just couldn't. This is why I had locked myself away. Watching another life end right in front of me would be unbearable.
I waited and then, taking a deep breath, I faced the door once more. My eyes grew wide as I stared in utter horror. I shouldn't have done that.
AN: DUM DUM DUM! Suspense! Well not so much. It's too easy to guess. Um… please feel free to give your opinions: good, very good, or excellent. All is accepted. =D.
