here's the second chapter...hope you like it.

thanks for the reviews...really appreciate them :)

sorry that minerva isnt in it yet...i promise she'll be in the next chapter :)


It was the 1 September and Hermione was due to go back to Hogwarts today. Her trunk had been packed for days, only leaving several books to pack in her bag for reading on the train. Her parents had agreed to at least drop her off at Kings Cross so that it would not look suspicious. Her father had set her straight after last night's beating to not try and tell anyone what had happened to her over the summer. She was supposed to say that she had accidentally fallen down the stairs if anyone would notice her bruises and that her parents had an urgent meeting and could not see her off to school. Hermione wasn't sure that anyone would bye the story but she had to try anyway…her father had threatened to kill her if anyone from school would contact him about Hermione.

So after her parents had dropped her off she started to slowly make her way up to the solide wall between platforms 9 and 10…limping slightly due to the many injuries and the sprained ankle she had gotten last night. Her bruises were covered up with make up since she was not yet able to use magic and therefore could not perform a concealment charm. It wasn't perfect but she would change her clothes and everything as soon as she was on the train anyway.

As soon as Hermione stepped through the wall onto Platform 9 ¾ she felt like everything would be alright again soon. No father to beat her and no mother to completely ignore her. Hermione dragged her trunk onto the train and went to find her two best friends who were still on the platform talking to Ron's family. When Molly Weasely saw her she was pulled into a bone crushing hug and just managed to restrain herself from crying out loud. "Hermione, dear, are you ok? I saw you limping earlier", Molly eyed her suspiciously. Hermione quickly assured her that everything was fine and that it was just a light sprain. Luckily for her, the train chose to whistle at that particular moment so that they all said their goodbyes and boarded the train.

Hermione was quiet during the train ride, mostly reading one of her books or just staring out of the window. Ron and Harry were quietly talking about the escape of Sirius Black from the wizard prison Azkaban as well as observing the only other occupant of their compartment…Professor Lupin. They had tried to involve Hermione into their conversation but she was not interested in joining in so they left her alone after a while, Ron muttering something about 'that time of the month' which Hermione choose to ignore.

They were nearly at Hogwarts when the train suddenly stopped and the lights went out. Not knowing what was going on, the three friends stayed in their compartment to wait and see. The air around them had grown extremely cold and Hermione could feel the bitterness and sadness starting to consume her. Then they saw something moving in the corridor outside of their compartment…a black hooded figure that seemed to be gliding above the ground. As the creature opened their compartment door, Hermione was suddenly overwhelmed by the events of the summer. Her last coherent thought was the memory of her beating the previous night before she gave in to the cold and empty feeling, falling into blackness.

"Hermione…Hermione, wake up!" Hermione woke with a start only to find her best friend, Harry, leaning over her. His green eyes were full of concern and fear. He looked shaken himself, but helped her up and back into her seat before sitting down opposite her. The compartment door opened again and Professor Lupin came in, smiling at them and handing Hermione a huge chocolate bar. "Eat this, it will make you feel better. Chocolate is the best medicine against those blasted dementors. I spoke to the driver and we will be arriving at the station soon. I suggest that you change into your school robes." He looked at the three and, seeing that Hermione still hadn't touched her chocolate added "Eat, it'll help!" Hermione took a small bite of chocolate before getting her robes and going to the nearest bathroom to change.

Once safely inside the bathroom Hermione carefully slipped into her school robes before applying concealment charms to her face and body to hide the many bruises and angry marks. If only she could heal her ankle…that would surely draw attention to her…attention she did not need at all.

Hermione came back into the compartment just as the train pulled into Hogsmead station. Bracing herself for the walk to the carriages she left her trunk behind and headed out onto the platform with Harry and Ron. They walked through the dark towards the carriages, Hermione having a hard time keeping up with her friends, and got a carriage for themselves. Leaning back into the cushions, Hermione looked outside towards the castle, wondering what this year would hold in store for her.


so what do you think??