AN: I still own nothing!!!! Though I wish I did own everything. Fortunately, I only own the plot!!!!! Working on a few story ideas...but I am gonna save them for once school is over.

Sorry this is such a short chapter. Unfortunately, today, May 30th 2007, is the four year anniversary of my dad's death. So, I am kind of in a not so joyous mood. Will Post Poison's response to Chapter 24 after the chapter.

On a brighter note, I only have...

7 more school days!!!

Anyways...here's chapter 25!

Chapter 25: Haven't I Heard This Before?

Aleera and Marishka landed, still sobbing over the loss of their eldest sister. Dracula and Hermione heard the screams.

"Stay here.." Dracula told Hermione. She nodded, and sat on the bed. Dracula exited the room to greet his brides.

What just happened? Hermione asked herself. Did we just hug for a really long time? Did he enjoy it? More importantly, did I enjoy it? What is wrong with me? I can't just sit here! What was he thinking??? And what was I thinking?? Gosh! Am I really that stupid to give into a trick like that?

Wait..no. I am Hermione Jane Dragomir! The smartest witch of my age! I will not surrender to Him and his suave complexion and his seductive ways. He is a womanizer, a predator, and I am supposed to be the prey he is waiting to consume.

Hermione decided to get up, and she leaned against the wall. She pressed her ear against the door.

"She's gone! Verona's gone!" Marishka shrilled. Hermione could tell it was Marishka by the voice.

"And Miss Weasley?"

"Safe...and sound.." Aleera sniffled. Hermione felt a pit of guilt building up inside her. They went to save Ginny. They achieved that goal, but lost Verona in the process.

"No need to worry, my lovelies. We shall find another bride.."

Haven't I heard this before?

"Hermione will join us soon.." Dracula purred.

And some things never change...she told herself, and rolled her eyes. I feel awful about Verona though. She was one of a kind...

"Do we mean so little to you?" Aleera whined with another sob. Have you no heart?"

Deja Vu much? Hermione's mind remembered this scene from Van Helsing where Dracula explains himself, and his "condition".

"No!" he roared. "I have no heart, I feel no love. Nor fear, nor joy, nor sorrow." He began to breath heavily. He had used a lot of energy to get his point across. " I am hollow... and I will live forever."

Awwww...or maybe I was wrong about him a tad bit...just a little...

"Oh my Lord..." Aleera cooed.

"It's not so bad.." Marishka chimed in.

Damn this is soooo weird. it's almost like if i left the movie on in the next room, except for the fact that Marishka is alive in stead of Verona.

Hermione then continued to listen through the wall.

"But, My lord.." Marishka questioned. "She isn't ready.."

"She has come to the rightful age, about a week ago to be exact." Dracula's drawl could be heard. "She will be mine, and will join our family. Just you wait, my darlings."

Hermione sighed, and knew this wasn't the end of the conversation.

(AN: To Ginny, Harry and Ron)

"So, did they say anything about Hermione?" Harry asked. "And you didn't really clear up how you escaped..."

Ginny knew it was kind of suspicious how she escaped without a wand. "Goyle Senior was stupid enough to leave my cell open after having Mr. Malfoy intterogated me.." she lied. Aleera told her to keep the secret that Hermione was alive. It killed her inside, but she had to.

"I dunno, Gin.." Harry sighed. "I mean, it seems a bit logical, but I have a hunch you're holding something back from us, and the order."

"What?" Ginny was shocked by Harry's statement. "You think I'm lying? Why would I Harry? I've been tortured by those sons of bitches, and you think I'm hiding something???"

"Ginny! Language!" Ron snapped. "Harry does have a point you know."

"Look. it's bad enough all of you think I'm insane trying to prove Hermione's alive. You know what?? I've finally accepted that she is gone." Ginny felt as if daggers were stabbing through her. She was regretting the speech she was giving.

"But why did they kidnap you in the first place?"

"They thought I had an idea, but I was terribly mistaken. And so were they. And then, they tortured me excessively. Look, I really would like to just get some rest. Trust me, I need it, and we all do, don't we?"

Harry wasn't buying it. "Ginny, please. I really care about you, and I just think that there is something inside that is taking you over. Tell us. We swear we won't tell a soul."

Ginny stroked her chin with her hand. If she told them, she would have to tell them everything from the beginning.

AN: Will She tell them? Please Read and Review! Chapter 26 up ASAP. Also, here is Poison's response, as I promised.

Poison and Slyf- And now...what do we do?-- hanging upside sown, chained to wall.

Poison- I suggest we find a nail file and start cutting through these mothers.

Hermione- I can help-- Unlocks chains-- now fly!

Poison and Slyf fly away into sunset--

(later on)

Poison-- lifts purple bottle- this will ensure our humanity!

Slyf-- wow...we can be human again and escape him

Poison- Yes...yes we can! Now...drink-- both drink from bottles and turn human--

Slyf- we're human again?

Poison- Yup...now that means you can get back to writing without little distractions.

Slyf- at least he won't keep me up all night now.

Poison- INUENOS!...BEDROOM...STAY...OR DIE...CHILDRERN INNOCENCE...GONE!

Slyf- snorts-- I meant battleship and scrabble...he always won.

Poison- of course that's what you meant(!)Scrabb;e?

Slyf- yes please.