Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, J.K., Rowling does.

Note: Keep it with me I know that it has become a roller coaster and ahead it's going to be a bumpy ride but I hope you'll all stick with me to the end!

Chapter Twenty-Five

It was a cold, dreary day first day of school. Usually, platform nine-and-three-quarters would be livelier than it's current state, but the death of Dumbledore had shocked the people. Many people did not feel safe, but had little choice in the matter. They had also heard the news about Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley's departure and wondered why their good friend Hermione had not gone with them. Hermione ignored the stares she received from people. The news of Lucius's betrayal was still raw in her mind. She had admitted to herself that she had fallen in love with him, or, the person she thought he was. She had begun to understand how it would feel to be raised to hate another kind and to hold prejudices against them.

She had slowly, but surely began to understand Lucius, and to also accept why it took him so long to accept change and why he did what he did, but too soon, he had betrayed her. He had betrayed everyone who had trusted him, who had finally thought that he was a changed man. Hermione knew the members of the Order would never forgive him. She didn't know if she could either. Hermione had wanted so badly for him to be different, for him to be the one who could prove everyone wrong. She had held strong to the belief that there was always good within everyone. Maybe not everyone, but something was telling that Lucius was a good man, that despite his best efforts are pretending otherwise, he did have a heart. There were moments where Hermione knew with her entire body, mind, and soul, that he was kind. She could feel it in her bones, but now, she had to face the possibility that she had been wrong. A hard lump of tears formed inside her throat as memories resurfaced. Hermione had been devastated when she had awoken to find that Lupin had been correct. Lucius had killed Dumbledore and what was worse, Snape had assisted. There had been an entire paper written for the death of Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord had been ecstatic at learning that his favorite death-eaters had managed to carry it out with such ease. Hermione had been revolted.

You were supposed to have been different Lucius! she thought sorrowfully. Her mind and heart kept on going back to the last time she had seen him, when she had foolishly given him her trust. He had asked her to trust him, and now, Hermione felt even more hurt and lost. How can I trust him, when he murdered Dumbledore?! Everything inside of Hermione desperately wanted to believe that he was innocent, and that he had a reason for everything, but she couldn't.

Wordlessly, she walked into the train, ignoring the stares she was receiving. Apparently, the Dark Lord had lost interest in Hermione Granger. She was not on his wanted list and Hermione didn't know what to make of this. The noise level in the train was unusually quiet. Most people were in fear of their future, especially the young ones. Rage boiled up inside of Hermione. She was sick of this, the war, the anger, the fear, and the entire atmosphere. The Wizarding World had been at peace, before bloody Voldemort had decided he wanted to take over the world, Hermione thought sourly as she slid into an empty compartment.

As Hermione sat down after putting her belongings away, she smiled sadly. She had always thought that in her final year at Hogwarts, she would be in this train, excited with her best friends, ready to finish properly. She had dreamed of Harry and Ron being with her, teasing her as they laughed together, realizing that this was the end of their years at Hogwarts. Hermione had wanted to belong so badly and she eventually got her wish. Unfortunately, her dream had been crushed mid-way. There was no one with her on the train ride back to Hogwarts. She was finishing her final year, alone. There was a strong possibility that she might not even make it through the final year.

The thought was a bitter one, but Hermione realized that being alone wasn't too bad. It would give her more time to figure out ways to help Harry defeat Voldemort and restore the peace in the Wizarding World once again. There was a tap on the glass, startling Hermione out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Neville, and Luna waiting outside the compartment. Rising out of her seat, Hermione walked over and opened the door, looking at them with wariness.

"Hello, Neville. Luna," Hermione said, acknowledging them both. She did a double take when she saw Ginny following them.

"Hello Hermione," Luna said in her soft voice, smiling at Hermione. "May we come inside to sit with you?" she asked politely. Having no other option, Hermione moved back, allowing them to come inside. To her surprise, Ginny stopped, and smiled nervously at Hermione.

"May I sit with you as well?" she asked, having the decency to blush.

Hermione, deciding to take pity on the poor girl waved her inside, closing the door once everyone was inside.

They all sat down, looking uncomfortable and lost. An awkward silence filled the room. Well, this sucks, Hermione thought. Usually, everyone would be talking all at once, exchanging stories and laughs. Deciding to lessen the tension in the air, Hermione cleared her throat, drawing everyone's eyes upon her.

"So. . . This is it. The final year. How do you all feel?" she asked, looking at Neville first, then Luna and then finally, Ginny, who seemed to be having trouble meeting Hermione's eyes.

"To be honest, I feel sick to my stomach," Neville admitted, chuckling a little. Hermione shot him a thankful smile. Some of the unease evaporated.

"It's not how I expected to end my final school year, I'll say," Luna spoke up. Hermione chuckled.

"My thoughts exactly."

"We might not even make it out alive," Ginny whispered. Neville and Luna exchanged glances that had Hermione smiling. Luna and Neville. Who could have ever guessed? she thought, happy for them. Ginny's comment brought the tension back into the air, making it once again very awkward for all the people in the compartment. Death was a sentence which hung very close to everyone, and they didn't need a reminder. Hermione frowned at Ginny, who was looking away.

"There is no way we are not winning this war," Neville spoke up, surprising everyone. Luna nodded at Ginny who was now looking at Neville.

"How can you be so sure? What if. . . What if-"

"The more you think about the "what-if's" the faster we are all going to lose. We are not losing, there is too much at stake here," Hermione said firmly. Ginny turned to her, allowing Hermione to see the turmoil and pain she was going through. If you only knew what I was going through, Hermione thought sourly, thinking of Lucius.

"With Dumbledore gone and Harry and Ron out there, alone, what do you want me to say? I can't stay optimistic, I just can't!" Ginny exclaimed angrily, promptly bursting into tears. Neville looked taken aback, more so than Luna. They exchanged awkward looks, debating on comforting their friend, or leaving her alone. Ginny put her hands over her face, trying to stop the overflow of emotions, but couldn't. Ever since she had learned of Dumbledore's death, her hope had diminished and her fear for her brother and the love of her life was making her paranoid.

Sighing, Hermione reached over to Ginny, drawing her hands away from her face. Ginny's head hung low, her red hair covering the sides of her face. She sniffed loudly, and Hermione grimaced. How did one comfort another when they too were wallowing in their own anguish? Hermione was always the best at comforting her friends, but right now, her mind was blank. All she could do was think about Lucius and the future.

"Ginny, listen to me. I know it may seem like everything is lost, but it isn't. Not yet. We are not out numbered and the Order is strong. Every member is going to fight to the death for our victory. I know that you must be heavily concerned for Ronald and Harry, and trust me, I know they are worried sick about you too, but they are not losing hope! Harry needs all of us to believe in him, and he needs your trust even more because he loves you!"

Hermione stopped, realizing her voice had risen a few volumes. The occupants in the room were all staring at her, a new light in their eyes. Ginny's sobs had decreased as she stared at Hermione in awe. Hermione realized how little of an effect it had on her to admit to Ginny that Harry did love her. It didn't hurt, at all. She felt nothing when she said his name, and the relief that came with it was overwhelming. It's because you love that ridiculous man, Lucius Malfoy! a voice inside her head exclaimed, annoyed. Hermione chose to ignore it.

"Hermione is right," Luna agreed, looking at Hermione with admiration. Clearly, they all thought it pained her to admit that Harry was no longer her's. If they only knew the real truth. However, that piece of knowledge was not about to be disclosed to anyone. They would all think her mental if they found out whom Hermione was really in love with.

While Ginny sniffed and was consoled by her friends, Hermione turned away, looking out at the rain stained window. It was ugly outside, gray and stormy, with it's usual sheets of rain pouring from the skies. Hermione closed her eyes tightly, her mind conjuring up a picture of Lucius. She didn't know when she had began to think of him as "Lucius" rather than the usual "Malfoy" but Hermione didn't mind, at least, not anymore. Squeezing her eyes tightly, Hermione prayed for strength and prayed with everything within her to help keep her heart intact.

AN: My my! What a wonderful start to a new year with all these wonderful reviews! Thank YOU ALL SO MUCH! Here is your chapter. Didn't really have any Lumione dialogues in this one and not lemons either :( Sorry, I know we all want some fluffy lemons and some sexy smut and trust me so do I, but patience is a highly recommended virtue my loves. Let's go with the reviews! Review review review!