Hermione was the last girl to leave the dorm this year. She had forgot a book in the dorm and hurried up. She found the book on her nightstand, but a small wrapped present on her bed caught her eye. She didn't remember it being there before...

To Hermione Granger.

She picked it up and unwrapped it.

Inside was a small silver bracelet with a beautiful huge blue stone. A note fell out.

Dear Miss. Hermione.

I accidentally stumbled upon this bracelet. After a bit searching I found out that it belonged to your mother. So it is my duty to return it to you.

A.P.W.B.D

A.P.W.B.D? Who was that? Why did this person send her mother's bracelet... if it had belonged to her.

"Hermione, did you fall asleep up there?" Alice shouted from downstairs.

Hermione shrugged and went downstairs to the waiting Alice Bennet. Before she boarded the Hogwarts Express, she had an important conversation. And couldn't focus on a silly little bracelet.

….

Hermione tried to smile a warm smile to Rubeus Hagrid. The third year who had been expelled and practically thrown out of Hogwarts' education. For a crime he didn't commit...

Every time Hermione looked into the honest eyes of Hagrid, she felt guilty, very guilty. She was the one who was supposed to get expelled. But Armando Dippet had rushed the investigation and he didn't see all errors in the story. Armando Dippet always thought about his reputation.

"Are you going to be all right, Rubeus?" asked Hermione. She was deeply worried about him. He had actually nowhere to go after his father's death last year.

"Don't worry, Miss Prefect. Professor Dumbledore managed to let me stay on Hogwarts as an assistant to the forest ranger." Rubeus assured her.

"I hope Ogg take good care of you." Hermione said and put an hand on his lower arm, instead of his shoulder. Rubeus was to tall.

"I'm sure he will. At least I get to stay at Hogwarts." His voice changed emotionally. Like he was not so far from tears.

Hermione also wanted to cry. He didn't deserve this, Rubeus had never hurt anyone, neither his spider. "If someone treats you bad... you know who you are going to send an owl."

"Of course, Miss Prefect." He noticed the tears in her eyes. "Don't cry, I will manage fine."

"I Know. I just think this whole situation is wrong. You shouldn't get expelled. I believe that you are innocent."

Tears rose in Rubeus' eyes and his face became red. Before Hermione realized he gave her a bear hug.

"Thank you."

….

Hermione's mood changed when she headed to the prefect's Clarence. Not because she didn't like to patrol and listen to the others prefects and the head boy/girl, it was Tom Riddle. He just simply had to show up behind her and force her into a conversation.

"I saw you talking with the elephant boy." Riddle said and snickered when they patrolled in the express.

"I don't want to talk with you!" Hermione snarled at Riddle and reproved a couple of first years for running in the corridor.

"I find it fascinating that you care for him so emotionally. If I were you I wouldn't even care about talking with him."

"Maybe I am a better Prefect than you!" Hermione put emphasis on 'I'.

"Maybe..." He said and left her to deal with a couple of fighting fourth years. She growled.

….

Hermione walked towards the entrance to the muggle world. She expected nothing more than despair in the muggle world. With a world war racing in the war – torn Europe.

She was right. There was despair and depression in the air. People hurried with stressed looks on their faces. A girl from the orphanage waited for Hermione and Tom, who showed up a couple of seconds later.

The girl put a warm smile on her face when Hermione came towards her. "Welcome back, Hermione. Oh my you've grown to look so beautiful." She said to cheer Hermione up, who looked a little depressed.

"Thank you." She mumbled.

"I hope Tom took good care of you." She said, but actually hoped Tom stayed away from Hermione during the terms.

"I'm fine, thank you." Hermione didn't like to return. The guilt was going to eat her alive when she returned the to the orphanage. In every dream was Zack Baker, Dennis Bishop and Amy Benson's faces going to haunt her. While Rubeus Hagrid asked he why she never told the truth.

….