Sorry for not updating in a while. Been busy lately. Also because I kinda sorta might have been grounded for a few months ^.^;; heh. This chapter may seem a little rushed because I couldn't think of anyhthing else to do. Well enjoy!

I don't own Harry Potter.

Review please!

Like A Lost Puppy

Chapter Two

Hermione woke up to the sun in her eyes. She also noticed she had a really bad headache from all the crying. How she hated crying. It made her feel weak and that people at the age sixteen shouldn't be crying over their mothers yelling at them. She was practically a woman and deserved better respect from her mother. Hermione thought. I'm gonna go down there and tell her right now! Well maybe tomorrow or the day after that. Face it, Hermione. You just don't have the courage to do that. Who knows what she would do to you? Hermione had decided not to tell her mother but to just not talk to her all unless necessary. Hermione walked down the steps slowly and carefully. Her mother most likely had a hangover and she didn't want to give her a reason to get mad and beat her.

Once Hermione got downstairs, she saw her mom sitting there at the kitchen table with pictures of the good memories of the whole family. The picture she was looking at held the best memory of Hermione's. It was taken one week before her father died. Her dad was holding her mom upside down and her mom kept trying to get right-side up. It was so funny to watch, Hermione thought. Of course I wasn't in the picture because I like being behind the camera not in front. Hermione smiled to herself. That was one of the best days ever. Hermione heard a sniff coming from her mom. Was she actually crying? Hermione thought. Hermione didn't know whether or not she should comfort her mom. She was the one that had given her life even though she threatened to take it away sometimes. She was still her mother no matter what. Even though she was supposed to be giving her the cold shoulder, this was her mom in a time of need. Though the time of need was almost a year ago... she was still her mom no matter.

Hermione had decided to go and comfort her. She walked over to her mom and said in a quiet voice ''Mom? Are you all right?'' Her mother sent her daggers. Hermione flinched.

''Of course I am! Now just go and do whatever and get out of my face.'' she started mumbling, then excused herself from the table and started wiping the tears from her eyes. ''Be sure to be back in time to make me supper!'' her mother yelled from her room. Hermione didn't know if it was her imagination or what, but it seemed like her mother's voice cracked. Still my mother no matter. Yeah right. Mother don't do that to daughters. They braid her hair and laugh at all the silly mistakes she has made. Hermione thought. I guess my mom isn't a real mom. Hermione walked over to her mother's room and said she was going to go for a walk. Her mother never cared what she did. So she hurried up to go get her bags.

She hadn't really thought of running away until now. She had realized while going upstairs and thinking about how cruel her mother was to her. And how she never did braid her hair, or laugh at her for running into a chair or something. But whatever. She wouldn't have to deal with that if she ran away. She scanned her room for the things she would need the most. Hermione ended up finding this little teddy bear named Lawrence that she lost a few years back. So she hurried up and grabbed her things. Hermione ended up taking just this stuffed animal that has been her friend whenever she needed him, except for when she lost him, her school supplies, and some clothes. She stuffed them all into her school trunk and peeked out her door to downstairs to see if her mother was down there. She wasn't down there so she quickly but quietly went down stairs, grabbed her shoes, told Crookshanks they were going for a walk, and shut the front door behind her with a gentle click.

When she stepped outside everything seemed brighter. The sun was shining not a cloud in sight. A light breeze. Perfect weather, Hermione thought, I guess its because now I don't have to put up with the crap my mom gives me. What will she do when she realizes I'm not home in time to make her supper? Hermione started to panic. Her mom could call the police, why couldn't I have used my brain? How could I be so stupid? They could put up missing person posters with my name and photo on them, or do like a search for me or.. or... what... this is my mother we're talking about. She didn't care about me. She would be glad I'm gone. Hermione calmed a bit but still was a little worried. She planned to right a letter to Ron but she didn't have an owl, only Crookshanks. She was walking down the street when she saw these two boys laughing and talking loudly. They were both pretty tall. One had dark black hair, with very pale skin, and a slight build. While the other had blonde hair, pale skin sharp features, and a slight build. Oh no, Hermione thought. It couldn't be! What are the odds of Draco Malfoy walking around where I live? It's not very likely, but hey there's a first for everything.

Blaze and Draco got closer and closer. Hermione's heart started pounding so hard she could her it in her ears. She could just walk to the other side of the road. But that's what chickens do. She was a Gryffindor! She has fought a werewolf and helped Harry Potter find the Sorcerer's stone! She could handle a tiny bully. So the closer and closer she got the more she worried. Finally they got to the point where she would have to step aside. So she tried to walk around Draco, but he grabbed her arm.

''Well what are you doing her, Mud-blood?'' Malfoy asked with a sneer.

''I could ask you the same thing,'' Hermione replied coolly. She tried to get Malfoy to let go of her arm but he just tightened his grip.

''Are you running away?'' Malfoy asked with curiosity. He was interested now. Hermione Granger had no reason to run away whats so ever. She had the Muggle dentist parents. She had the best grades in the grade. I bet she already completed her homework even though we still have a month or two to do it. She had no reason to run away, Malfoy thought. As for me I have plenty to run away from. My mother and father beat me when they're drunk. Which is all the time. On the occasional they aren't drinking night, they're not going to beat me. They are just going to pretend I wasn't there. They just thought I was invisible. Which may come to a surprise but it hurts me. That's why I have to put on the 'tough' act. So people don't think I was a sensitive type guy.

''As a matter of fact I am. Its not like you would care so would you please just let me be?'' Hermione asked pleading.

Draco forgot that Blaze was there and asked Hermione if he wanted to stay with him because he didn't want to be alone when his parents beat him. He figured that she's running away and doesn't have any where else to go. Also maybe he could get her story out of her. Blaze laughed so hard he had tears rolling down his face. Hermione looked at him confused and Draco looked around nervously thinking why he said that with Blaze right there.