My whole life in front of me.
Things aren't always what they seem—
Some dreams don't come true."
--Hart Rouge
"Christmas is upon us. The holidays for Hogwarts will be starting in merely a few days."
"Are you saying that it's time, Master?"
"Yes. Put the plan into motion."
"Would you like to tell him, or should I?"
"You do it. It will be easier that way, and less dangerous for me. Tell him that I don't care what he has to do. Just tell him to bring Hermione Granger to me—alive. If he wants to harm her otherwise, I don't care. As long as she is alive when she arrives, it is fine."
"Yes, Master. I will tell him immediately."
"I hope he is up to this. I hope that we can trust him not to betray us. Did not you tell me he didn't like this idea to begin with? And the event with the Sorting Hat does not encourage me."
"He'll do it, Master. He'll do whatever I tell him to do. That's been taught to him. Even if he does not like our plan, he will follow it."
"He had better. For if he does not, or the Granger girl escapes somehow, it will be his head I take—as well as yours. I hope you understand that."
"I do, sir. And so does he."
"Good. Then go. I have no more time to waste. Our moment is nearly here."
*************
Months passed by, and Hermione, while still angry at having her decisions in life taken away from her, began to adjust. For at least five weeks, she had fallen behind in her classes, and had struggled to keep up her façade of a normal life. However, she gradually became used to it all, and was even able to act like her old self around Harry and Ron. Ron, too, was becoming more talkative and pleasant, though he still was hurting for his brother—Ginny was still more public about her grief, but she too was healing, very slowly. Harry had taken her words for the truth that night, and he had not pressured her into telling him anything else, nor had he tried to spy on her and find out that way. She knew he'd never tell anyone, so that did not worry her.
The Key classes were becoming easier to stand. Jenna, once she'd been around them for a week or two, began to open up more, and they could all tell why she'd been picked as the perfect Ravenclaw. For a first year, she was exceptionally intelligent—reminding Hermione of herself at that age—and had a witty sense of humor, though she rarely chose to use it. Justin had always been pretty comfortable around them all, so he didn't have much adjusting to do. Hermione grew to like Jenna and Justin, and they became friends. She had known Justin for years, but had never really known him. Now that she did, she considered him a good friend. Malfoy, however, had made no changes. Hermione still was not able to cooperate with him, nor was he willing to do so with her. Justin tried to get along with him, but Draco refused to be associated with him. Jenna was frightened of him, and neither bothered trying to bond. Hermione was still forced to sit beside Malfoy every Potions lesson, but gradually the two learned to ignore each other and pretend the other did not exist.
No matter what McGonagall and Dumbledore did, they couldn't stop Malfoy from staying on the outside deliberately. Once, Hermione had even overheard McGonagall talking to the headmaster, saying that she thought "Miss Granger may have been right about him all along." Not even Dumbledore seemed that optimistic about Draco and anyone else in The Key forming any type of positive bond.
On the second to last day before Christmas holidays, The Key gathered in Dumbledore's office, which had become as familiar to them as any of the Hogwarts classrooms. McGonagall was speaking to them about the holidays.
"For Christmas, as always, you may remain here if you wish. It would, in fact, most likely be safer for you. Even if you all choose to stay, this class will be cancelled during holidays, just like all the rest. You can also go home if you wish. Please do not feel pressured into remaining here. As you all have refrained signing one of the forms saying whether you will stay or go, you may sign the form here. I will pass it around."
Draco received the sheet first, and printed his name clearly under the heading, Remain at Hogwarts. He gave the sheet to Hermione, who also signed up to stay at Hogwarts. She passed it to Justin, who signed up to go home, and Jenna did the same.
After this all was done, McGonagall took the sheet back, not even glancing at it, then set it down behind her on Dumbledore's desk. The rest of the lesson was spent listening to her lecture about current events on the war, which was a common occurrance during this class. Voldemort had recently sent some of his people after the family members of Cornelius Fudge, sending them into hiding. There had been a few more attacks since he'd come back, but none nearly as devastating as the attack on the Ministry conference. Most people were being sure to avoid great gatherings like that, and the Minister of Magic was ordering most that were planned to be stopped, not wanting another massacre.
Finally, class ended, and the kids stood up to leave. Dumbledore had not been present during this class, as he usually was not. McGonagall followed them out, and the five of them all headed back down to the main school halls. Jenna, Justin, and Hermione all walked down the corridor they usually took back to the common rooms. Draco always took the one in the other direction, alone, and he did so as always tonight. McGonagall followed the other three.
Draco walked some, then turned back and stared after the four as they grew steadily further away. He sighed. He hated his life, hated what his life required him to do. But he had no way out of it.
*************
Later that night, a dark figure dressed in all black crept up the deserted corridor, passing the hospital wing and classrooms, finally stopping in front of the large gargoyle leading to Dumbledore's office.
"Butterbeer," the figure hissed, and the gargoyle moved aside, allowing the figure to quickly enter. The figure darted up the stairs, and slipped quietly into the darkened office. Dumbledore was nowhere to be seen, as he had a room of his own, up three floors, where he'd be at this time of night. The figure went quickly to the desk, and scanned the papers, finally finding what it was looking for. It pulled out it's wand and hissed, "Removiate!" The name "Hermione Granger," which was written neatly in the Remain at Hogwarts side, disappeared, then reappeared below Jenna's name on the Return home list. The figure tucked its wand away, put the paper down, and left the office, knowing no one would ever know that it had been there.
*************
The next day, Hermione, Harry, and Ron had all their classes, but they paid hardly any attention to what went on. Hermione had never been more anxious for vacation. She wanted desperately to return to her parents over the holidays, but didn't want to go in case it could put them in danger. She'd only written them a few letters over the past few months, just enough so that they didn't suspect something was wrong. She kept her letters as brief as possible, though it was a struggle every time not to spill out everything that had happened to her. All her life, her parents had been there to support her and help her when things became difficult. Things had never been more difficult than they were right then, yet she could not even tell them something was the matter. It hurt her deeply to know that. The only thing that kept her from telling them was her love for them—she didn't want them to be hurt because she couldn't handle her own problems.
At least Harry had some idea that her life was difficult, and could help her at least subtley. A lot of times during the past few months, the knowledge that Harry and Hagrid were there for her was the only thing that kept her going.
It would be a relief when the holidays finally arrived. Classes would end, and she would have a break from homework, classmates, and training classes with Malfoy. It would be a very welcome break.
Though she did have assignments to do over break, she had two weeks to do them in, instead of the usual one night to do two days' worth of homework. She knew that tomorrow the students would be leaving bright and early for the Hogwarts Express home, and the castle would become quiet and deserted, but it was left with a feeling of warmth and friendliness, rather than one of depression and emptiness as one would expect. For the first time in as long as Hermione could remember, she actually got a good, peaceful night's sleep. It would be one of her last.
Her intentions had been to sleep in as late as she was allowed the next day, but unfortunately, she was aroused from her sleep by Lavender dropping her trunk heavily on the dormitory floor, jolting Hermione unhappily from her sleep. While she tried to go back to sleep, the noise of students packing was too much for her to fight off. She decided she would take a walk out on the grounds, which were overseen by a canopy of gray clouds that told of snow to come.
She shrugged into some comfortable Muggle clothes and left the quickly emptying common room. Only the stragglers were left tugging trunks and belongings now. She didn't see Harry or Ron, and figured that they had been two of the luckier students that had not been awakened. She warmed her hands by the fire, then left the portrait hole, ignoring the Fat Lady's angry call of, "You stragglers need to keep up! I may be simply a portait, but I need my beauty rest too!"
The Great Hall was filled with only a few students and Professor Vector, who was supervising. It was far too early for anyone to be up—the only reason there was even breakfast on the table was because the kids leaving had decided to grab breakfast on the way out. By this time, though, only a few of the students were running out the door, and two or three sat yawning at tables, most likely awoken by the noise, like herself. She grabbed a piece of toast, then headed out onto the grounds, smiling at Professor Vector as she left.
The second she stepped outside, the icy chill of the wind and the bitter bite of the air hit her. She shivered and wished she'd brought her cloak. Looking at the darkening sky, she knew that snow would be hitting any time now. Shaking, but not wanting to go back into the castle, she spotted Hagrid's hut and smiled. She could stop by there and talk with him. He would have been awakened by the students leaving, too.
She was about
halfway there when she heard her name shouted from the side. She stopped and turned to see Draco Malfoy
running at her. He looked panicked, and
he was gasping. His lip was fat, and he
had blood streaming from his nose. It looked
as though he had the beginnings of a black eye. He reached her, and rested his palms on his knees apparently
struggling for breath.
"What is wrong with you?" Hermione asked, not caring about his apparent panic and injuries. "One of the upsides to Christmas holidays is that I don't have to deal with you. Please, don't crush that happy thought so soon."
He straigtened and glared at her. "Shut up, Granger, now isn't the time. I need help."
"With what?" she asked suspiciously.
"Justin," he said, appearing truly frightened. "I was walking around out on the grounds, as I like to do in the early mornings before everyone's around, and I was watching the other kids walk toward Hogwarts station. Justin sort of ran into me—literally. I yelled at him, he yelled at me, and he ended up punching me."
"I can see why," Hermione said dryly. "I'll be sure to congratulate him next time I see him."
He scowled. "Will you listen? I hit him back and we wound up in a fight, as you can tell by the way I look.
"We were near the Forbidden Forest, and we sort of ended up in there, by the time our fight had ended. Then this—this creature, this . . . I dunno, I think it was a werewolf, but I'm not sure . . . it attacked Justin. He was on the ground, and the thing grabbed his leg and started pulling him. I couldn't do anything. You've got to help me!"
"Get a teacher," Hermione said, unnerved and worried. She turned and starting to head back to the school.
"No!" Draco said, catching her arm. "It'll take too long. You know the way teachers are. If we have any chance of finding him alive, we've got to go—now. I was hoping I'd find someone else left on the grounds, and I'm glad I did. Come with me. You've got to trust me on this, though I know that can't be easy for you. If Justin dies, the resistance is gone. If you don't want to do this for me, and you don't want to for Justin, at least do it for the Light side."
"I do care about Justin, thanks. But I don't trust you, and I don't see why doing what's right for the Light side suddenly matters to you, Death Eater. However, I'll help you, because Justin is my friend. Show me the way."
Draco nodded and the two ran to where Justin had apparently disappeared. When they reached the edge of the forest, Hermione paused, a feeling of apprehension and distrust hitting her as strong as a tidal wave.
"What?" Draco demanded. "Do you want him dead? Hurry up!"
"I don't like this. I haven't got a good feeling," Hermione said, shaking her head and staring at the dark and formidable trees looming over her like evil shadows.
"Come on. Like you haven't been in the forest a thousand times with Potter and Weasley," he said scornfully.
"It's different with Harry and Ron," she shot back. "I know I can trust them. I know they wouldn't attack me in there. I know that they wouldn't run off and leave me if we come across some horrible danger. You I feel the opposite about."
"Fine. Stay. I'll save Justin. Some comraderie we have," he snarled, and dashed into the forest.
Hermione watched him, then looked back at the castle. Finally, she sighed and ran after Draco. The feeling that she was making a horrible mistake still weighed heavily upon her, but she had to help Justin, if he was in trouble. The second she stepped into the forest, the early morning seemed to darken to twilight. The thick canopy of trees overhead blocked out virtually all light, and the shadows around her seemed to have a life of their own, swaying with the trees in the wind.
"Malfoy!" she called. She had no answer, but a boy's scream echoed to her ears from far ahead. Her heart leaped into her throat, but she didn't immediately rush to the source of the sound. The feeling that something was wrong was as real and thick as a wall standing in front of her, a wall with a repelling force, telling her to go back. She had always trusted her instincts, and they'd always led her right. They were telling her something was wrong—but she knew that. Justin was in trouble; the entire Light side was in danger. That was wrong. And she had to help them.
Ignoring the feeling in her heart, she ran ahead, listening for the scream to come again, which it did, from closer this time. She knew she was getting nearer. Suddenly, a figure moved out from behind the tree she'd just passed. The word, "Stupefy!" radiated through the eternal night, and Hermione felt herself becoming weak and dizzy.
As she sank to her knees, and her mind became fuzzy, she heard the apologetic words of a boy say, "Sorry, Hermione. I didn't want it to be this way, honest, I didn't. Maybe someday you'll understand why . . ."
And then blackness claimed her.