Author's Note: Here is chapter 2, I had a hard time getting this one started up. I had to edit a bit of what my friend wrote just to make it all flow better, hopefully that came across the way I wanted it too. If something is amiss then please read and review letting me know so I can make mental notes. Please enjoy.

Also thanks to all of you who have either clicked the "favorite" button or who have "subscribed" to this story. I sincerely hope that I keep your interest and that you review as well.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters stated in this chapter.

REQUIEM

CHAPTER 2

It was dead and dark inside the school, the sky held what seemed like a permanent bleakness and a cool wind was blowing outside. Severus Snape was now Headmaster, Amycus and Alecto Carrow joined the teaching staff and everything was just different. With Albus Dumbledore gone and dead, Hogwarts changed drastically, perhaps it took on the persona of the wizard or witch who was Headmaster of the school, because Snape was now in charge, Hogwarts followed in his footsteps of being moody, monotone and bleak.

Draco Malfoy was walking through the corridor making his way to the Library, his Slytherin robes billowed out behind him as he walked and he had half a mind to begin his Herbology work but the other half of his mind, the more negligent half of his mind wanted to snag the first girl he laid eyes on and snog her senseless or do something… that did not involve bloody school. How could there be a war going on and they still wanted them to do work? An annoyed sigh escaped Draco's lips as he thought about it, he could just forget about it all but he had an image to maintain. Intense grey eyes scanned the corridors as he walked, purebloods dominated the halls now, halfbloods remained but were too afraid to truly stand up for what they believed in and those who did were more than likely treated as blood traitors were. Muggleborns, well he couldn't keep up with them all but he was sure that a lot of them never returned to school. There were some who were "brave souls" who returned such as that bumbling Hufflepuff Justin Finch-Fletchley and that annoying Gryffindor and his camera. Personally, the blonde Slytherin found those muggleborns who returned to be idiots but it hardly mattered to him.

Walking past the Trophy Room, his eyes found the abundance of awards Potter won for his house, he scowled at the memories but he was slightly upset that his favorite marks were no longer walking the corridors. Potter and his friends were gone. No one knew were they went – they had just disappeared without a trace; some wondered if Voldemort had finally captured them. But Draco knew otherwise. Voldemort was in a rage lately... He had almost all of his forces out hunting for Potter. He would have sent Draco out there with them, but he had said he had bigger plans for him back at Hogwarts. Bloody hell he did. So far, Draco had done nothing but attend his classes. Not even a word from Snape or his father about orders, had reached him. It caused Draco to think that maybe being placed back at Hogwarts was just so that he could be watched because he was such a failure from the year before. He was given a mission… to eliminate Albus Dumbledore and he failed miserably, the cowardice, that Aunt Bellatrix said he obviously inherited from his father, set in and he was talked out of it by the old man. Snape had to come in do the job for him. It was humiliating. Now he was a child locked in his room being watched by the annoying nanny. Bloody splendid. Continuing on his way, Draco felt a chill creep up his spine and subconsciously he rubbed his left arm… it didn't hurt as much as it did last year but it moved a lot, just a clear sign that The Dark Lord was rising… and fast. Death Eaters were smartly placed within the halls obviously to be the eyes and ears of the red eyed man. It made his skin crawl but he kept his personal reservations to himself.

"Disgusting" he muttered to himself narrowing his eyes to MacNair who only smirked in his direction

"Perhaps you shouldn't antagonize the man who can easily execute you." A low voice said appearing next to him. "It's not smart"

"Who asked you Blaise?"

"Look mate, take it easy alright? You've been uptight for the last two months. You continue to say that you have good reason as to why you've been…" he looked to his best friend with his dark eyes "… meaner than usual. However, you do not confide in me anymore and you never spoke a word last year of what your mission was. So in short… I have no idea what's going on with you." His voice was gentle as it always was but it only caused the blonde to smirk

"Feeling neglected?" his friend rolled his eyes and began to walk ahead of him pushing open the large oak doors of the Library before throwing a comment over his shoulder "I'm trying to pretend that I care and you're being an arsehole."

Draco watched his very tall and dark friend walk into the library, he always held Blaise Zabini in high regard. The Slytherin was very vague in his background; he never divulged too much of his past but for some reason the blonde gave him a tremendous amount of respect. Soon enough he followed.

"Starting on a bit of homework?" Draco let out a sigh and nodded "Me too but considering how unlike you I chose not to be in Herbology, I have to do Ancient Runes which is not only more interesting but… clean." Blaise walked away in the direction of the Restricted Section while Draco made his way to the back of the Library. He narrowed his eyes in a concentrated fashion only to slow his search finding himself stopping near a particular corner. Draco frowned. Why does area seem so different? I can never put my damn finger on it. It then hit him why it looked so odd. This was her table. The table where he often saw her studying sometimes late into the night or staring out of the window with a furrowed brow clearly in thought. It was odd knowing she'd never sit there again. Never give him a scowl close to matching his own. He never understood why he had to, or why it felt so natural to tease her, or get her upset. Maybe it was the way she was so easily frustrated or how she fired taunts and threats right back at him without a thought. Draco smirked at the table before turning back to the shelves to find the proper book. She wouldn't be coming back. Voldemort would find her and her idiot friends... and he'd kill her. He'd kill Potter and end all of the hope that came with the scarhead. That's what this war was all about, right? Killing and freeing the Wizarding world of Muggleborns? He was sure that there was more than that but at the moment, other than finding Potter and his friends, that was the other objective. Purifying the wizarding race. Draco nodded to himself. Grey eyes found the table again… perhaps though…

"No." He had no room for sympathizing for the insufferable know-it-all. He pulled one of the books toward him, opening it and began to read.

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The now chocolate haired witch continued to wait patiently for someone to come and retrieve her or at least open the iron gates, if it wasn't Professor McGonagall who found her she'd have to explain why she was here in the middle of the term with no luggage. She did pray though it was her head of house, it would be easier to explain without feeling completely afraid of her last minute decision to return to Hogwarts. It seemed as if she was waiting forever and she really began to think that this was a troll of an idea. Why would you do such a thing Hermione? She covered her face in her hands beginning to feel the all too familiar stinging in her eyes which indicated tears, perhaps it was time to just give up and go back home, remove the memory spell on her parents… no… she couldn't do that.

Creak. Creeeakkk. Creak.

Hermione jumped slightly at the sound. The iron gates were opening, she removed her hands from her face and waited, caution filled her system before continuing forth into what would be safe and familiar grounds. Dumbledore was gone but that didn't mean that things would go downhill right? Professor McGonagall would have taken his place and continue with his values and morals.

"You there!"
Chocolate eyes looked at the figure coming towards her, they wore long robes that fluttered behind them, a large hat that ran into a point and the voice was stern and familiar. "I say…you sent me that patronus young lady?" Hermione caught the tone of voice, it was her! She let out a sound that fell between a sob and a laugh; she caught the woman around her waist and held on tightly to her. The older witch let out a startled gasp at the force of impact coming from the younger woman, who was this girl? She pulled on her arms until she let go "Who are you?" She demanded.

"I-I…well…"

"Miss. Granger?" She didn't make any sort of move to deny or accept the claim. McGonagall already knew, her eyes widened and she took Hermione by the arm and carefully led her back to the castle. In the brunette's mind, she was already working out what she would say to the woman, she'd tell her that she escaped danger with her life and she could just…go back to school, or perhaps help the Order. More than anything she needed to know where Harry and Ron were and once she found that out, she'd go back to them, the only reason she was here now was because… well this was the only place she felt safe. Harry would need her. He needed her to aid him to the end so that when his time came, he would face Voldemort and they would end this, Harry would end this. If he was caught… then it'd all be over and she couldn't let that happen. That was why she jumped in front of that binding spell. It was his fight. Not hers.

She walked quickly to keep up with the taller, older and wiser woman. Her eyes scanned the halls, she didn't know what to really expect but this wasn't on her list of things to expect, students walking with their heads down. Figures in dark cloaks and hoods, narrowed eyes coming from Slytherin upperclassmen aimed at younger years of other houses, well that was natural but the look in some of their eyes were different. What was going on here? The school was colder than usual, darker… scarier. Hermione arched her eyebrows at a tall boy who eyed her curiously. She narrowed her eyes at him and twirled her wand in her fingers making him turn the other way, Hermione had been on the defensive since she left with her two best friends so her nerves were always ready to attack, she always had a spell on her tongue just in case. It wasn't something that she liked but in these dark times, it was needed. The annoyed huff that came from the Gryffindor's head alerted to the fact that maybe it wasn't her that the boy was afraid of but the woman.

"Hurry now child" Hermione allowed a perplexed look to jump across her features as she was ushered into Professor McGonagall's old office. "Miss. Granger, why are you here? You shouldn't be" her tone was hushed and worry was clear on her face. Hermione wiped the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes and asked a question of her own

"Professor I am confused, I thought you took over as Headmistress when Headmaster Dumbledore…" she fell silent for a moment giving the man his respects before continuing "… passed. Why are you here in your old office? Why does Hogwarts look as if the life has been sucked from it? Was that a Death Eater I saw in the corridor?"

"Because the life has been sucked from it Hermione," She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose closing her eyes for a moment. Hermione didn't understand, her eyes roamed over her favorite professor, the woman looked tired; she looked hurt, worried and so many other emotions that Hermione couldn't even begin to name them all. She opened her eyes again looking to the eighteen year old in front of her "There's only so much that I can tell you but… I assume you've come back for a reason?"

"Of course, it's quite the story actually."

Professor McGonagall leaned forward onto her desk intently listening while Hermione told her what happened. She spoke of visiting Mr. Lovegood and Luna's kidnapping "Miss. Lovegood according to Professor Snape will be joining us again" Hermione's eyes widened at that bit of news. If she saw the young Ravenclaw she'd definitely have to talk to her. Continuing with her tale, she told of how they were found, chased and caught, that protecting Harry from the "rope binding" spell allowed a getaway for both him and Ron. How she was able to trick the Snatchers so she could get away herself and finally finding herself at the front gate of her school. Once finished the young witch fell silent and shook her head trying to fight back the tears that were slowly becoming overwhelming

"Quick thinking as always Miss. Granger however, it probably wasn't the..." Minerva McGonagall fell silent her eyes sullen. She sighed heavily and looked over to the young student. "If you are going to be here then you will have to attend classes as you never left." Hermione opened her mouth to ask a question but her Professor continued

"A new student, Gryffindor of course, 7th year, transfer from Salem Institute… name?" Hermione's eyes widened at the idea, of course she knew that she wouldn't be able to be herself, she was on the run. Thinking for a moment, she tried to come up with a name. She couldn't fathom giving up her own true name but she had too, the first name that came to her mind was the one that came from her mouth.

"Mia James."

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Hermione Granger now Mia James left Professor McGonagall's office, they had worked on her new transcripts since the woman would have to show the new Headmaster, Severus Snape her information. She had made a face and argued with the woman for at least five minutes about the greasy haired man being the new Headmaster, she hadn't been there when Albus Dumbledore died but considering how a mini battle broke out between the Order and Death Eaters it was clear, not to mention Harry told her. She never really liked the Head of Slytherin house but she hated him now and she couldn't believe that he was the Headmaster, no wonder the school she loved so much looked dead. It was just acting just like him! She adjusted her school bag on her shoulder with the new textbooks in them and looked back to the woman

"I'll work on finding you a room. Why don't you head up to the Library and collect yourself until then? I'll send you a letter to alert you to the new boarding." Hermione nodded, gave her a watery smile before collecting herself and putting on a brave face and leaving. Hermione never thought that she would have dropped out of school at seventeen, be on the run with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley to find Horcruxes, the ways that could destroy Lord Voldemort and yet it happened. Though she had been eighteen for about a few weeks now it was still surreal and different, dropping out and then returning… that had to be a new record. If things went according to plan while she was still with her two best friends, she would return to Hogwarts to finish anyway. It was happening sooner than she expected. The reinstated student caught her reflection in the window as she walked up the stairs careful to avoid major eye contact with other students; her hair was darker than normal, it matched her chocolate brown eyes, she didn't think you could tell it was her; no one looked at her like that while she was here anyway to really tell. The only people who did and could were no longer around. Once to the library she pushed open the large doors, her eyes moved around the room, it looked the same thank goodness, save for the Death Eater perched in one of the large red armchairs. She frowned in his direction but continued inside.

Moving towards the back of the library, she felt her heart begin to speed and pound as she got to her favorite section of the library, the Muggle section. Glancing at the books she continued on to the back where her table sat, the one right near the window that overlooked the Black Lake. No one ever sat there, it was her spot. She ran a slender delicate finger on the wood and sat down in the chair that was often occupied by the witch, tucking dark brown curl behind her ear Hermione pulled out the contents of her bag and began to sort through all of the work that she was going to have to do to catch up. She let out a breathless sigh seeing how much work it was, but she was Hermione Granger, she could do anything that related to school, well she was Hermione Granger who was Mia James in hiding but that didn't mean she had to change who she was entirely.

"Who are you?"