Hey everyone. Sorry for the long wait. I just got this back from my BETA so here it awaits for you. I already have the rest of the story written. It just needs to go through a little tweaking and my BETA. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter.

"Hermione," Harry asked, "where were you last night?"

Hermione blinked a couple of times and yawned. "Sorry Harry, what was that?"

"I was just wondering where you were last night," he repeated patiently.

"I was in the library," she replied. "I had some light reading to catch up on."

"Really?" he asked skeptically. "I looked there; I couldn't find you."

Hermione searched her brain for a legitimate excuse. "I was in the restricted section between the bookshelves. I wanted a quiet place."

Harry nodded, clearly not buying it.

"Well, I'm going down for dinner. Are you coming Harry?" she asked gently.

"No, I think I'll wait for Ron," he replied. "Do you know where he's at?"

"No idea," Hermione lied through her teeth. She was positive he was off with Dez in some hidden hallway. She shook her head and left. It wasn't that she didn't disapprove; it was that it was part of the plan, and her father wouldn't be grateful if she meddled.

As she walked down to the kitchens, flashes of the previous night came back to her. The torture. Oh how horrible it had been. The blood spilling everywhere, the deep crimson staining the lush, green grass and polluting the nearby stream. They had a cause, and she believed in it, but was this the way they accomplished their goals?

It was all about keeping the bloodlines pure. She understood it perfectly. It was like the honor a Chinese person had when they could say that their bloodline had no Mongolian influence. The Malfoys could say that their bloodlines did not have the influence of the otherworldly. Of those who invaded into their lands, those who came uninvited and, unlike a physical crossover, could not be driven out. But they were trying to get rid of the 'them.' Trying to kill them all until they could hope that the amount of foreign blood would dwindle to a point where it was negligible.

But was the rest of it necessary? The torture, the blood. It took up time and took away from their humanity.

She soon found herself facing the entrance to the kitchens and snapped out of her reverence.

"Ginny!" she exclaimed in surprise. She hadn't seen the redhead in days and wasn't too sure about what had happened between her and Dez.

"Hey Hermione! I haven't seen you in a while," Ginny said quite jovially.

Hermione sat down. "I haven't seen you in a long time either. How are things?"

"Pretty good. I had a lot of things on my hands lately, so…yeah. And you?"

"Just about the same. I really cannot understand how much homework the teachers give us," Hermione exclaimed.

"You can't understand?" Ginny looked skeptical. "Hermione, you live on homework!"

"No, not really. I do enjoy many other things as well."

"Such as?"

"Assisting Harry with the Hor…with whatever his current problem Voldemort problem is," she replied. "So what do you think about Dez?" she asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"I'm kinda jealous."

Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Ok, so I'm really jealous! But I can't help it! Harry was supposed to be mine! Not belong to some new kid on the block." Ginny had tears shining in her eyes.

Hermione covered her fist with her own in a sisterly gesture. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a passing phase. Harry will come back to you."

"Thanks, Hermione," Ginny replied, wiping her tears. "Aren't the two of you friends though?"

"Well yeah. She's Harry's girlfriend for the time being. So I figured that I might as well get the chance to know her."

"You didn't try to 'get to know' Lavender when she and Ron were going out," Ginny accused.

"Well I tried and I…didn't really like her. I mean Dez is new. So I figured I should give her a chance," Hermione replied in a very matter-of-fact tone.

"Hermione," Ginny gushed, "I cannot believe how nice you are sometimes."

"Thanks Gin," she said, smiling sweetly. "I'm gonna haveta go. Homework. But it was nice to talk with you for a change. Hope to catch you again soon."

Hermione let out a breath of relief as she stepped out of the kitchens. She had no idea when good little Ginny Weasley had become so conniving. Almost like she'd been recently influenced by a Slytherin. As the thought struck her, her feet had already turned down the route to the library. If Ginny Weasley had been possessed by Tom Riddle once, what's to say she hadn't been possessed by a Riddle again?

Hope you like it. I'll wait for about ten review before I post my next chapter.

so...REVIEW!

Draco'z Devil