Thank you for all of those who reviewed. Like Always if you reviewed with an account, I PM-ed you back. If not, thank you to: Guests, Beth, Angel, Wiebe, Elizabeth. Lee, Padfoot's Shadow, and Rosier.

A BIG thanks to the betas Angstar54 and firefly81! And the usual disclaimer still applies: The characters and canon situations in this story belong solely to JK Rowling and any company affiliated with her. If needed any other item belonging to another will be copyrighted at the end of the chapter. The plot however is solely mine.

I am unable to update as often has I had during the summer. As you can guess, school has started back up and a new town and University is rather taxing. So I now have a Twitter page for this account if you want to follow up on its updates. (This is so people do not assume that the story is abandoned) The account is Aven_Love why? Because Romantically_Distant was too long. I can try to upload at least once a month but that does depend on my work load. So I just ask that you be patience, and feel free to shoot me a Tweet or PM.


Chapter 7: Just Throw a Rock


"I hear you're dating Potter now. Congratulations Evans." Green eyes cautiously watched the younger witch. The brunette seemed polite enough in her salutation, but lately there had been a slight commanding air permeating the sixth year's person; the vibe felt rather frightening and it seemed to encourage the seventh year Slytherins to be more vindictive the past week. With such palpable tension between Slytherin and Gryffindor, Lily could not help but wonder if the Potter sibling fallout seemed to be the cause of the Slytherin's splurge in recent retaliations.

"James changed." The redhead admitted, "He's sweeter, more mature." Green eyes narrowed angrily when the young witched snorted. "It's true!"

"Evans, I truly doubt that. What made him change? After six years, what reason did he have to change?" Hermione replied. Sure, part of the seventeen year old wanted to believe that the Head boy had changed, but logically there was no reason for that to happen. James Potter had no reason to change, so why would he?

"I do not know the exact reasons, Jamey refuses—" Lily gasped in pure shock when the younger witch pinned her against the wall. The normally brown eyes of the Slytherin were replaced with a vibrant, angry blue.

"I will say this only once, Evans. Do not call him that. He might have not been my Jamey for a long time, but that is still my name for him. Not yours." The grip on Lily's shoulders released, and the brunette began to walk away.

"Why do you care what I call him?" Lily called out.

The brunette's shoulders stiffened as she paused in her step. Silence encased the two girls for the few moments it took Hermione to speak. "I care because the arse is still my brother. I may not control whether or not he acts as such, but that does not mean I stopped caring. So do not call him that ever again." The sixth year's ire rocketed to an all-time high when she heard Evans use her nickname for Potter. Regardless of what the older witch thought, James' nickname belonged to Hermione and if the Slytherin had any say to it, it would remain that way.

"But you don't care! Otherwise you would have seen that he changed for you. And instead of acting like a spoiled brat, you would have met James half way! But you are too blinded by hatred to see that he is changing for you because he loves you!" Lily growled out, clenching her fist. "All of it is for you. But you act like it means nothing and you dare tell me that you care?"

"By that logic, then you must have never cared for Severus." Lily spluttered an incoherent reply. The Head Girl did not see how her feelings towards her ex-best friend correlated with James' situation.

"Severus has been trying since your fifth year to regain your forgiveness. He has worked constantly for two years in hopes of being your friend again. Yet you ignore him, shun him, and love his abuser instead?" Hermione sneered; her warm, regal voice seeming cold and distant. When the Slytherin turned around, Lily noticed how her eyes remained that violent, icy blue.

"You seem to forget that James has a lot of things to make up for to a lot of people. As you Muggle-borns put it, I am simply the tip of the iceberg. Severus only needs to make it right with you." The blue eyes seemed to momentarily soften; the reaction faded so quickly, Lily assumed she imagined it.

"But James regrets his actions! He is trying to make amends. Severus did not!" Lily argued.

"Are you fucking daft woman? I just told you Severus has been working his arse off for two years to repent whereas your boyfriend has only spent two measly months! Quit letting your emotions blind you, Evans! It is unbecoming and pathetic. Severus regretted ever saying that word. It is not his fault you refused to acknowledge it, let alone see it." Hermione snarled. Dealing with the redheaded witch seemed far more complicated than the brunette remembered. Was this really what love did? Did it make once reasonable people blind to reality? Hermione frowned; if that was the case, then the seventeen year old witch never wanted to be in love.

"But—"

"No, Evans. I refuse to listen to any of your reasons. I rarely take advice from those who do not know the full situation. But I damn sure do not take advice from some silly chit who tells me to forgive someone when they cannot forgive themselves." Hermione's voice dipped an octave lower as she hissed out her last insult. "Now I have rounds to complete. I suggest you do the same."

Lily stared, dumbstruck at the figure walking away from her. Just how bad had her boyfriend screwed up?


"Quit being as cold as a witch's tit," Regulus grumbled, sprawled out on his back across his Bambi's bed.

"Quit…quit being…By Gods Regulus! How can you be so profoundly perverse at times like this? Surely you know what that harpy is requesting of you!" Hermione seethed. Her magic crackled angrily around her. "If your father hadn't of died right after Christmas; you wouldn't be in this position!" The seventeen year old female growled. The witch's ire had sparked beyond recognition when her friend told her the news. How could a mother expect that of a child? But Hermione knew that answer; she knew it well from her fifth year.

"Yeah, well I am, Bambi. There is—"

"I bet you the sodding bint killed him. That harpy always did have a thing for power." Hermione grumbled. Regulus could not become a Death Eater; he was far too young to be one! They were just about to start Hogwarts in not even a week and his mother was already making plans to recruit him by Christmas? What a bitch.

"Now Bambi, she is my mother. And my father was an avid supporter of the Dark Arts; how can you be sure he would not support my mother in this decision…it would bring honor to the Black name what with working for a Dark—"

"HE IS NO LORD," the seventeen year old witch growled.

"Regardless, how would you know my father would not support my mother's decision?"

"It is rather convenient that your father died shortly after the incident with Sirius, no?" Hermione remarked, the regal drawl she learned from Narcissa currently echoed in the silence.

Regulus' silver eyes held the witch's brown orbs in a steady struggle of power. The young Black did not like slights on his family, not even from his best friend. Neither seemed to waiver, but the wizard could see the stare-down caused his Bambi's ire to grow. Moments later, Regulus found himself dazedly gazing up at a blue-eyed, growling female.

"Calm down, Bambi. I meant no disrespect…" His friend snorted at his response but she unpinned him all the same. When a few minutes had passed and Hermione seemed calmer, Regulus opened his mouth to speak once more. He still wanted an answer to his question.

"Orion never disowned Sirius and only allowed that harpy to blast him off the tapestry for a reason, Regulus. That reason happened to be something he tried to instill into you a number of times as well: Purebloods bow to no one!" Hermione stated, airily. "Which is why I know your father would have never allowed you to take that…that savage's mark!"

"How is your bad taste in men going by the way?" Hermione glared at her friend. She knew Regulus just attempted to change the subject to a somewhat lighter, albeit rather taboo, subject.

"I will work something out, Regulus. Somehow, some way, I will find a solution to your pesky problem." Hermione promised. Her Leo answered with a grim smile, knowing that not even his Bambi could fix this situation. Silence hung around the pair for a few minutes. The silence felt suffocating to the young witch, so she attempted to lighten the atmosphere.

"Since you so desperately wanted to change the topic, let's go back to the witch's tit, shall we?" Regulus quirked an elegant eyebrow at his friend's remark; curious to know where the young woman would take the conversation. "Why would anyone use that expression?"

"Probably to warn a wizard to never trust a witch; you she-devil's ensnare poor bastards with your icy hearts and lead us to our deaths."

"Hell doth have no fury like that of a woman scorned. And from what I hear, the ninth level of hell is pretty icy." The brunette sent a playful wink in Regulus' direction.

As she watched her friend laugh, she knew she had to do something to help him. She knew what needed to be done, but the task would not be simple.

She needed to find Sirius. Hermione needed Sirius to help Regulus before it was too late. She needed to find Sirius. Hermione needed Sirius to help Regulus before it was too late.


School had begun three months ago and the Head girl found it difficult to focus on all of her tasks. Between her school load, Head Duties and trying to find the older Black, Hermione got virtually no sleep. But hopefully, after tonight all of it would be worth it; because tonight she should be meeting Sirius…if the gossip in the school corridors were anything to go by. Apparently the Black heir would be at the Three Broomsticks—the seventh year just hoped he would not have his best mates for company.

Lady luck happened to be on her side; he was alone…minus the harlot he currently snogged and the number of floozies that currently surrounded his table. Without even registering it, a snarl escaped her lips; drawing the attention of a few inquisitive stares.

"How could that be my bonded?" The seventeen year old did not care what the books about her supposed heritage said. She would not fall in love, especially not now and not with him. People their age still needed to mature more before jumping into any form of commitment. And she would never date some slag. Regardless of what she read, Hermione could never be with someone like him. How could a person who would shag a warm body be a good match for her? Sirius Black would sleep with anyone! The brunette did not want that; she wanted a man who would only want her. A man she could trust unconditionally. Sirius never would.

Sirius loved the idea of shagging. Sirius loved copulating with a meager warm body. He could never give Hermione what she wanted. And because of that, the seventeen year old witch knew she could never love him.

"Sorry to interrupt Black, but I need to talk to you." She really did not intend for her snappy tone, it just sort of happened to come out that way. The brunette liked to think seeing her gender degrade themselves in such a way sparked her fury but she knew very well another factor might play a role in her irritable tone. But Hermione chose to deny that.

Sirius stilled momentarily, before pulling away from the blonde witch who he planned to bed tonight. The nineteen year old knew that voice, he grew up hearing it. But no way could it possibly her speaking… Hogwarts has not had a Hogsmeade weekend this month…and the fact it happened to be a Wednesday. But as he turned his head and focused his silver eyes on the figure standing a meter away from him, Sirius realized it was Hermione standing before him. And the witch seemed rather amused by his reaction, if the twinkle in her eye was anything to go by.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned.

"We need to talk," Hermione stated "Ditch the floozy and meet me out outside." The command caused Sirius to quirk an eye brow, he had never seen her demand anyone. He had to admit it was kind of a turn on. The nineteen year old watch as the seventh year walked outside.

A high-pitched voice drew Sirius out of his revere; the blonde appeared to want his attention, but the male did not like how the woman seemed to be bashing Hermione. "She's a friend of mine," he replied, removing the woman's arms from his person before standing up.

"You cannot possibly serious about ditching me!" The blonde asked in shock, a man had never pulled away from her before and especially not for some school girl. Besides, there was no way those two were simply friends; the bar heartthrob seemed to melt under that little girl's gaze, a new site for many of the local bar customers.

"Well I am Sirius," He replied with a shrug, "and I am going to see what she wants to talk about." With that said, Sirius went out the door and looked around. He found the brunette a few meters down the street, sitting on a bench.

He walked towards her, eyeing the young woman. He could not deny she had become even prettier since the last time he saw her. But there was something rather haunting in her eyes, an emotion Sirius realized he did not want to see in the young witch.

"What do you want to discuss?"

"I need a favor… I need you to help Regulus," The whispered request stunned Sirius more than the words. He had never heard this young woman sound so defeated…so broken before.

"No," Sirius replied after a minute of silence.

The brunette stood up, and for a moment her brown eyes sparkled with anger. "Why not?"

"Because he is a Snake, Hermione; He is not worth saving." Sirius responded. He realized how wrong his words sounded after he saw the pale flesh of her throat appear to swallow a lump. Wasn't this beautiful girl before him also a snake?

"Then you are just as bad of a brother as your best mate," The brunette seethed before apparating away.


Branded. Those arses fucking branded her best friend. The witch only saw red. How could a mother allow her son to be branded? How could people be sick enough to think recruiting school children was acceptable? How pathetic was their world becoming?

"Hermione, I know you are upset but it is official now. You cannot stop it."

"Like hell I cannot stop it, Narcissa!" The brunette yelled. How could she of all people be so calm about it? Her youngest cousin, her favorite cousin, was a Death Eater now. "I will do whatever it takes to save my best friend! Purebloods bow to no one! You know that!"

"I do, and I agree with it Hermione." Narcissa did, to some level, understand Hermione's perspective. But as a woman in the Wizarding World, they did have to bow; they had to submit to the Head of the Family or their husband. But what Hermione wanted to do…Narcissa did not think it would even be plausible. "Do you honestly think you can take them all on? Hermione there are more supporters than you can even imagine; those that support Dumbledore pale in comparison. You cannot possibly think you would stand a chance against them alone!"

"You have a mean wand arm; Voldemort himself would not confront you in one of your ill temperaments, Cissa." Mrs. Malfoy cast the younger woman an amused stare, but said nothing further.

"But Bella would. You know her loyalty to the Dark Lord; she would not allow rebellion, not even from you." The pregnant woman replied, her hand gently resting on her abdomen.

"And she knows my loyalty to Regulus. I will gladly die for him just as she would die for her pathetic Master." Narcissa's eyes softened at the other witch's declaration. True loyalty was a rare trait in their world, especially amongst her husband's associates. So many times people only followed another to save themselves, so many would just as easily turn their back on 'the cause'—as Voldemort had called it—because it would save their skin. But that was a true Slytherin. It was the Lion's trait to be righteous and a Badger's to be loyal.

Nonetheless, Narcissa could not deny that the young woman before her had a good balance of the Hogwarts Houses. Her loyalty rivaled that of any Badger, her bravery and sacrifices could shame any Gryffindor and her intelligence sparked the ire of every Ravenclaw. But the Malfoy bride knew the reason Hermione ended up in Slytherin. Only a Slytherin could combine all of those traits into a deadly, winning combination when crossed.

There were just so few Slytherins like Hermione left. The last one had been her older sister Bellatrix.

"What would you expect me to do, Hermione?" Narcissa questioned. Unlike Hermione, she was a wallflower. The Malfoy Bride would never be one to directly enter the fray. She preferred the background, so unlike the fiery witch standing before her.

"Protect, Regulus. Purebloods care about family, if you must… tell your husband to watch over him to make sure his loyalties are where he claims them. And if the time comes send Regulus away…I know you have a few dowries you could hide him in temporarily at least."

"And what would you do?" Narcissa couldn't help but ask.

"I am still working on that…"


"Fix it. Fix it now!" Hermione snarled as she stormed into the Potter Manor, surprising both Dorea and Charlus. Their daughter had not been home since her sixth year when she had agreed to hear them out during a brief visit. Although it did not fix the barrier she had erected, things had begun to work out. She would at least owl them on occasion, and, if James was not in attendance, permit a few infrequent visits.

But it had been a long time since they had last laid eyes on her and Charlus and Dorea were relieved to see their little girl home. That relief, however, turned into apprehension when they noticed the visible sparks of magic crackling around her. Fury incased their daughter, so much so that her magic radiated off her in powerful waves.

"Fix what, Hermione?" Charlus asked, apprehensively.

"Call all of the big figures of your bloody Order of the Phoenix and fix it!" At this, both Dorea and Charlus paled. Their eighteen-year-old daughter should not have known about the Order. Charlus decided the best solution would be to play dumb. If they feigned a lack of knowledge, she might calm down and they could talk about this reasonably. Yet, Dorea seemed to disagree. When her husband started to spout words of ignorance, she watched her daughter. Hermione's eyes narrowed, her body tensed, a growl like noise sounding within her throat. Lying would not be the best course of action towards their little witch.

With eyes a brilliant blue, the brunette took a step forward. "I am not James. Just because the words spill out of your mouth does not mean I take them to be fact. So do not lie to me. Now call your Order and repair what your blasted group broke!" Years of being housed in Slytherin had the fawn haired girl subconsciously twirling her wand, displaying it in front of her parents. Now eighteen, Hermione would not be in trouble for casting a few hexes, well at least not with Ministry.

"Call them now." Her icy voice ordered. When Charlus opened his mouth, she aimed her wand. "I am not your precious son; if you do not do as I say, I will show you exactly why I am a Slytherin." With her threat hanging in the air, Charlus nodded before turning to floo the members. Dorea just stared at her once kind-hearted daughter, wondering what happened. What had changed the sweet, doe eyed girl they raised? The one who trailed after her older brother, idolizing him? Where did the girl they loved so deeply currently hide?

Hermione, analyzing the Lady Potter, had a different direction of thoughts than her adoptive mother. The brunette felt antsy, her desire to be close to Regulus in his time of need kept surfacing. The eighteen-year-old had to force herself to remember she came to them for Regulus. Not to fight them, or beg them, but to make them see reason; make the people she once thought of as family, see that they had damned a young boy.

They might feel nothing but Hermione knew she had to find a solution. How could she live with herself knowing she let those once vibrant silver eyes dim into lifelessness? How could she live knowing she had done nothing in the months after Regulus became a Death Eater? Her best mate was suffering, how much longer would it take for him to crack?

How much longer would it take for him to become like her? No. Hermione would not let that happen. She would find a solution for Regulus. The brunette had to save her best friend.

Loud, rowdy voices dragged Hermione out of her thoughts. She recognized all of the faces standing before her now and not one surprised her: Dumbledore, Alastor Moody and one of his aurors Marlene McKinnon, James and his lot. All seemed to still when they saw her, magic crackling off in waves.

Hermione thought of saying something civil; maybe appeal to their kinder side. But anger overruled the logical aspect of her brain and the Alpha felt the need to assert her authority over all those weaker. "Fix it." She heard herself snarl.

"Fix what?" The melodious voice of Lily—James's fiancée—questioned, serving to make Hermione's anger heighten. The brunette had never hated the older female, yet the more primal side of her held some contempt.

The Alpha just could not understand the complete lack of loyalty the girl held for a supposed best friend. Sure, Snape called her a Mudblood; but he did not attempt to kill her first born, endanger anyone she loved or repeatedly abuse her love and trust. Name calling seemed like such a minor reason for completely dissolving a friendship of years.

For the Alpha, it showed how flakey the girl really was; although Hermione understood the complete loss of trust Lily gained for Snape and why the falling out occurred, her Alpha heritage proved stronger than the human half and Hermione could not help the welling of anger as it boiled over her. If Lily could do something like that to Snape, what would stop the rest of them from something similar? They had already condemned Regulus, what would be next? Murdering an innocent in the name of 'The Greater Good'?

"You bastards are going to fix what you refused to take responsibility for!" The eighteen-year-old seethed.

"What exactly do we need to take responsibility for?" This time, Remus asked the question. Two pairs of blue eyes clashed.

"Help Regulus," Hermione's voice seemed softer this time, less volatile. "Get him out of the situation you all put him in." The seventh year had fists clenched by her side, trying to lessen her wrath. Yet she felt all of the stares on her body, wary. Of course they never trusted a Snake.

"And may I ask what situation we put him under?" Always the voice of reason, Albus Dumbledore questioned; blue eyes twinkling. Like a dam breaking, Hermione's anger returned. How dare this man? He knew exactly what she meant, yet he was trying to manipulate her into revealing it?

"I knew you were a Gryffindor, Albus, but I never pegged you as an idiot." Hermione sneered, receiving snarls from the other occupants of the room. Choosing to ignore them, Hermione continued, "I am not one of your order members. You cannot manipulate me. Attempt to do so," Her brilliant blue glowered at him, "And you will lose. Now I will make myself clear; fix it!"

"Why should we help a bloody Death Eater?" Howled the voice of Moody; causing Hermione to turn on him in an instant with her wand raised. With her wand raised, others followed; all trained on her.

"Watch what you say about something you know nothing about!" She snarled. "He is a Death Eater because of you! Because of all of you fucking people who think you are so righteous and that he is beneath your feet. So fix it!"

"And how did he become a Death Eater because of us?" A gruff voice, Hermione recognized to be Moody's, asked. Instead of the simple explanation they expected, the girl laughed coldly.

"You lot stick together, side with each other. A noble trait if one does a noble deed." She responded after a few moments of silence. "Yet what any of you ever did, especially in school, has never been noble. Potter and Black tortured students with supposedly harmless pranks. You all just sat back, some occasionally joining in. None of you stood up for those being teased, none of you noticed those that suddenly became withdrawn or behaved differently.

No, you all just pretended everything in your little world was perfect. That everything would fall into place. But you are wrong, so wrong. What you all considered harmless fun, put lives on the line; all those people you call horrible, despicable Death Eaters were pushed into that by you. Sure some of them had always been crazy, rash, and pure evil. But for most, that has not been the case.

Those Death Eaters you hunt were once human beings. Those people you see only as monsters, simply value their lives. Those Death Eaters were innocent people you sacrificed. People you taught to hate because all of you were a part of their harassment. People you pushed aside that turned to the Dark because they thought they would accept them because none of you ever did!" Hermione ended with an angry snarl. Somewhere during her mini tirade, all wands lowered; all minds focused on her emotional speech.

After a few moments of silence, a snort from the crowd drew Hermione's attention. "As if a Slytherin knows anything about harassment," Pursed lips curled into a sickly smile. "In fact you are probably only protecting your fuck buddies."

Hermione did not know what angered her more, the mendacious words spilling out of Marlene McKinnon's mouth or the fact that she happened to be Sirius's hussy of the week. "Seeing as you spread your legs more than Black enters broom closets, I think you would be the one protecting paramours McKinnon." Hermione responded, tilting her head and sending the blonde hussy a vicious grin. "But it might be safer for you to shut your mouth; I'm a Snake remember? Then again, I do not mind if you want to pick your poison…unlike my housemates, mine is very real and very deadly."

"Is that a threat Potter?" McKinnon growled, training her wand onto Hermione's frame once more. The tension in the room became palpable. The other occupants felt suffocated by the extreme anger radiating off the two witches.

"If you keep it up no; it will be a not so pleasant promise!" Hermione snarled at the older witch. The brunette's lips curled, baring her teeth, as she took a menacing step forward.

"Witchling, calm down," Sirius voice seemed to draw the angry witches' attention towards him; both with an entirely different reaction. Marlene gave Sirius a goofy grin, lowered her wand, and strolled next to him. Hermione had the opposite reaction; her blue orbs returned to their molten brown, her body tensed up, and a small frown marred her lips. His voice did a funny thing to her insides; he made her weak kneed and all nervous in her stomach. The eighteen-year-old knew that the Alpha blood in her caused the reactions to Sirius. The Slytherin clenched her fists, attempting to recollect her thoughts. Hermione came here for Regulus, came to help him. Not to appease her Alpha instinct and desire for her supposed bonded.

"Aw Sirius you've never called me that nickname before!" Marlene cooed as she wrapped her arms around Sirius's neck, causing Hermione's jaw to clench. Their affectionate display made her sick. Yet a whispered phrase from Lupin seemed to quell her disdain, if only slightly: "…because the nickname wasn't directed towards you."

"Yeah… er…"Mischievous gray eyes glanced to Hermione's chocolate brown orbs.

"Hermione dear, we have not had contact with your friend. How could we be at fault?" Dorea questioned, her motherly tone seeming to reinstall a somewhat calmer atmosphere.

"You need to realize that regardless of how brave or smart you are, you are still bullies. Bullies who push people to what you deem the wrong side. And then you get all of these misconstrued notions about how they must be evil, vile creatures not even worthy of your time." Hermione stated. The brunette realized her speech seemed calmer, as if she rehearsed this a thousand times before. And on some level she had. How many times had she thought this when she looked at James or her parents and even Dumbledore?

"They are not worth our time!" McKinnon growled, clenching her fist.

"Straighten up, McKinnon. Become the adult you should have a long time ago!" Hermione snarled back. "We cannot change the path they choose, Hermione." Charlus spoke up. He could not understand why Hermione seemed to push the blame on them. It was not their fault Sirius' young brother decided to turn to Voldemort's side.

"Had I been a lesser person, I would strike you." The clarity with which she said the statement shocked everyone in the room. The brunette seemed so sure of it, as if the statement was merely a fact.

"Hermione, wh—" Charlus spluttered out. How could the little girl he raised say such a thing to him?

"I am a not a fool, do not take me to be one." Hermione stated. "One little act could change how everything is played out. Had Evans forgiven Snape, who is to say she would now be dating Potter? Had Sirius actually been there, Regulus would not have had to be branded! Just because none of you refuse to look at your own reflection and realize you are just as guilty does not make you a god! You cannot decide who is worthy or not. So grow up or quit being surprised when people you push around gain two new idols."

"And what idols are those girly?" The gruff voice of Alastor Moody sounded once again. Hermione realized the man had been silent, much like Dumbledore. The eighteen year old witch knew better than to provoke the two experienced wizards—they were well known for a reason. And Alastor especially would not hold back if he thought it would help their cause.

"Simple: Voldemort and the Dark Arts. The reason for his gaining support is not because he is powerful. It is because of fear and all of you. All of you bullies, all of you bystanders who did nothing, all of you who felt righteous enough to condemn others."

Her words echoed in the air. For Dorea and Charlus, it felt as if she had slapped them. Their daughter's words spoke volumes to them, like she finally told them a secret she withheld. With a glance at her husband, Dorea knew the thought the same thing: were they the bystanders who never helped Hermione?

"I will let you in on one secret. When it comes down to who is to blame—really to blame—just throw a rock. I guarantee you'll hit someone who is guilty: you who bullied, who stood and did nothing, and who condemned."

"What if the rock hit you?" Remus questioned. All eyes froze on the brunette, expecting her to deny participation; to shed the blame off her like a snake would its skin. A Slytherin would never take the blame. So they waited for her denial, waited for her to show her true colors, be the snake they always pictured the Slytherin house to be.

"I failed to prevent it," Hermione's whispered reply echoed loudly in the silence.


Alright here is Chapter 7. Some Author notes:

Do not compare the 'Bonded' idea to Twilight Imprinting. For reasons I will not rant about, I dislike Twilight immensely. The bonded Idea is based on the fact that Canon Veelas have mates, mates they do not pick. Because I made Veelas virtually a descendent of Buglarian Alphas, I had to have something that could tie them together. The only difference between the Bonded and the mates is that a Bonded would essentially be the Alpha male out of the Alpha's Harem; he would be the strongest suited for the Alpha female. It is NOT imprinting because imprinting has no fight—none of them ever even tried to resist the feelings. Hermione is trying and so far succeeding, aside from the occasional jealousy.

"Don't be surprised if every kid who gets pushed around has two new idols," ©Marilyn Manson

"When it comes down to who is to blame—really to blame—just throw a rock. I guarantee you'll hit someone who is guilty" ©Marilyn Manson

So tell me what you guys think?

-Kori