Chapter 14: Don't Say That I Am Disenchanted

Sorry for the long wait!!!!!

Miroku's Priestess: I am not a better writer than you!! You are just as good if not better! XD I really like you're new penname by the way.

Seachel: New penname also? I like!

Ihearttomfelton: I heart him too! LoL. Thanks for the compliment! You're welcome for the tissue! :D

the-insufferable-know-it-all: Nah, don't worry about it, everybody skipped over it. Haha.

Lixi: I was astounded at how amazing your review was. Personally, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for making me feel that appreciated by someone. Honestly, that was so kind of you and I really hope you keep reading!

Kate-Felton: That's okay! Life would be no fun if we weren't strange, eh? LoL.

heaven N angel: Yes, a bit of a cliffhanger on that last chapter, but wait until you read this one! :D

Strawberry Bloom: Thank you!! I wanted the story to seem like that! Like, it's very gloomy and serious but you can tell there is that ray of hope lingering there, no matter how small it may be. XD

Pranks Are So Siriusly Padfoot: Three words: BEST. PENNAME. EVER. Oh, and here's your update...LoL.

Nitengale: ::SMACKS FOREHEAD:: DAMN IT! I am so, so sorry. I completely forgot! I don't deserve to live...I had the whole thing planned out but I guess I got carried away...::sigh:: I'm afraid it won't be a huge deal anymore, you will probably be disappointed, but again I'm really sorry and hope you enjoy the chapter anyway!

sw: No!! That wasn't stupid at all! In fact, I might just have gotten an idea! :D

ginnystwin: I'm really glad I could help! Your story was wonderful and you deserved those reviews and more!

usagigreenleaf657: Hahaha thanks so much! Yeah of course I will check them out!

Michaela: ::melts:: OMG YOU ARE SO COOL! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STICKING THROUGH THIS STORY AND GIVING ME INSPIRATION IN RETURN TO KEEP WRITING! YOU ARE AMAZING SO THANK YOU SO INCREDIBLY MUCH!

Hannah C. Thaw: ::blushes:: Well, I know I'm not the best...but wow!

Wildmage's Daughter: Seriouslyy, you're review touched me. Thank you so much.

dramaqueen72: Wow! You're really into it, huh? Hahahaha I have never gotten a review that was that enthusiastic! XD

Thanks to everyone else that reviewed, I'm sorry I can't personally respond to everyone! But please keep reviewing!! ALSO (VERY IMPORTANT): I WASN'T SURE HOW STUDENTS GOT HOME SO I SAID THAT THEY TOOK THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS OKAY? SORRY IF I'M WRONG!

Hermione sat in the horseless carriage that was driving toward the train station in Hogsmeade. She had left early on a Sunday, and so far nobody has asked any questions. In fact, no one but Draco and Dumbledore knew she was leaving.

All she was bringing was one small suitcase and a brown cordueroy jacket. Her black heeled boots made loud clacking noises on the pavement as she stepped lightly out of the carriage and made her way across the cement carpet of the train station. She sat down on one of the uncomfortable wooden benches and shifted while putting her suitcase on the ground.

Looking around, Hermione wished that she had left a day earlier with everyone else. Thinking about taking the Hogwarts Express with no else on the train seemed infinitely lonely.She thought she heard the faint whistle of the train and stood up, but then heard a familiar voice beside her.

"Miss Granger, I see you have made it to the station safely," Albus Dumbledore said solemnly. Hermione looked over at him curiously.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir. I didn't even see you come. I am fine though, thank you," Hermione replied with a warm sadness in her voice. Dumbledore looked confused.

"Miss Granger, I understand that you are going through a very difficult time in your life, but I want you to know that you do not have to put on an act with me," Dumbledore said. Now it was Hermione's turn to be confused.

"Excuse me, Professor, but what do you mean?" Hermione whispered, very fearful that somehow, Dumbledore had found out her secret. By now, the scarlet train had pulled up to the station and the doors opened. Hermione stood up and grasped her suitcase, walking to the train.

"Miss Granger..." Dumbledore began. Hermione put one step on the stair, waiting for him to continue. "Miss Granger I was worried about you, considering the fact that we had talked about your mother's condition that day in my office, and since she passed away yesterday."

Hermione blinked and then walked all the way up the stairs and the doors closed behind her. Dumbledore looked at her sadly as the train sped off, and Hermione found a seat in a compartment and collapsed on one of them, tears spilling out of her eyes.

"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!" She sobbed. "HE SAID YOU WERE STILL ALIVE! I KNEW---YOU WERE SICK--BUT WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE?!?!?!?! WHY WHY WHY WHY?!?!?!?!" Hermione screamed, pounding the wall as hard as she could with her fists, trying to catch her breath from crying so hard. It felt like her heart had been wrenched out of her and stepped on. She felt like her entire world was crumbling beneath her and there would never be anything solid to walk on again. Then, amidst her crying, she remembered one thing.

She was going home alone...to him.

Hermione felt the train come to a sudden halt and snapped out of her trance. She stood up from her seat and picked up her suitcase. She imagined how it would feel to contain her hatred for this man, to not kill him right when she saw him, but she knew she had to get off the train, so she slowly walked to the sliding door and stepped outside.

When she had exited Platform 9 and 3/4, she immediately realized that the wind was incredibly strong that day, and Hermione's long hair blew in front of her face as she walked toward the pick-up area.

She saw her step-father from far away, her insides churning with disgust and her mind frozen with hatred. She moved almost robotically, her legs bringing her to him without her knowledge. When she got to him she pursed her lips into a thin line and studied him.

His hair had grayed significantly since the last time she had seen him in August; under his eyes were big bags that showed how tired he must have been; his back was hunched over in fatigue, his eyes were bloodshot and empty. Any normal person would feel extremely sorry for this man, but not Hermione.

Her body moved on its own, and she slapped him, hard across the face. He was shocked. Hermione went to slap him again but he grabbed her wrist just in time, twisting it wrongly, that malice once again clouding his eyes. Hermione cried out in pain, and he pushed her roughly into the car.

Hermione stared out the window as they drove home. It was then that Hermione actually became afraid. Something was going to happen to her. She shouldn't have gone home.

I really hope you guys aren't disappointed! The chapter is incedibly short because I had to leave the cliffhanger. The next chapter will be coming much sooner than this one okay? I promise!

Thank you so much to all my new and old reviewers! We reached the 200 mark! WOO-HOO! XD

Review please!

-sundaym0rning-