Previously:

"Just so you know, I'm always with you too," Draco told her, feeling slightly awkward and unsure, but pleased after seeing a smile grow on Hermione's face.

"I know," she told him happily, "I'll see you on the other side."

And with that she walked through the portal.

Draco paused, staring the intimating black and gray circular formation floating before him. He hadn't even gone through it yet and was already nervous. Pulling together what courage he had he stepped into the portal.

As Hermione stepped through the portal she felt her breath being taken from her, and suddenly she was on the other side, gasping for air.

Hermione looked up, slightly shocked to see that she was outside the Ravenclaw common room, there was no portal though, though she wasn't too surprised byt hat. But, where was she supposed to go now?

"Hey, what do you think you're doing here?" came a snooty and superior voice from behind her.

Hermione froze, not wanting to turn around and confirm her fear of who she thought – no, knew – was behind her. Swallowing down her fear, she turned around and saw Draco Malfoy; Hermione would have been utterly relieved if she hadn't seen the old look of anger and malice in his eyes. Her stomach clenched painfully and her breath seemed to be knocked out of her again.

"Malfoy," Hermione managed to reply, granted it was slightly strangled.

He looked down his nose at her and scoffed, "Really Granger, can't think of any better response?"

Hermione gave a sad sigh, and turned her eyes onto Malfoy – she couldn't call him Draco, not when she knew her Draco was somewhere else, fighting off his own nightmares – and saw he stiffen at the look in her eyes, so sad and yet sympathetic and she murmured, "Much has changed in such a short time, it's hard to think of proper replies when one's mind is jumbled about."

Draco composed himself, once again having a look of mocking spite and sneered, "You are pathetic Granger."

He then turned to stalk away, leaving Hermione somewhat relieved, and somewhat heartbroken at seeing one of her fears, of Draco hating her. Here it was, and it was terrifying, the thought that she wouldn't see his smile, or the way his eyes lit up, his rumbling chuckle that she could always feel through his chest when in his arms…

Hermione shook her head, and scolded herself, "No. That is not my Draco. This is just a spell. None of it is real. I will just have to suffer through this…Malfoy…"

She sighed and small thought nagged her, "Easier said then done." She silently agreed, especially when she had just talked with the scary and cruel Draco from this strange place.

"Hermione, where have you been?" Ginny asked as Hermione sat down next to her, albeit it was asked distractedly.

"Oh, I was just wandering about…" Hermione replied, wondering how different her friends were in this strange place, and could instantly this Ginny was different by the way she looked at Hermione, as though she wished she didn't have to put up with the bushy haired witch. It stung that her friend seemed to be so annoyed be her.

"Hello," Harry greeted Hermione and Ginny, giving his girlfriend a beam, so at least some things hadn't changed.

"Harry," Ginny purred, a seductive smile on her lips.

All right, that had definitely changed. Hermione pulled back in surprise, since when did Ginny ever purr?

Harry smirked back and Hermione wanted to gag. Then Ron came up with Lavender's holding his hand. He winked at Hermione and sat down, which result with the giggling girl to practically end up in his lap.

"So, will I see you tonight in the room of requirements?" Ron murmured softly in Hermione's ear, quietly enough for the girl bouncing up and down on his lap not to hear.

Hermione starred aghast and thought, "What the in Merlin's name is going on?"

Then she hissed, "No Ronald, you will not."

This was a nightmare, thankfully not as horrible though as when she had to face Malfoy earlier.

"I'm going to the library, excuse me," Hermione announced to her 'friends.'

No one even seemed to acknowledge her as she left, and she would be lying if she said that it didn't hurt. They were her friends, would it have been that horrible even to say, "Ok," or, "See you later Mione!" ?

Hermione wanted to scream. It hurt, why didn't they care? She then forced herself to count to ten, reminding herself that though they may look like her friends, the real Ginny, Harry, and even Ron and Lavender, weren't in this strange portal.

Hermione, though she had said she was going to the library, went to the heads' dorm. Hoping she was even head girl.

"White wolf," Hermione announced to the portrait as she had felt the password being whispered to her from an unseen force.

Thankful she was still Head Girl; she sulked the way to her bedroom and feel upon the bed. Not before noticing the beautiful golden feather on her desk…or was it a quill? It was nice, almost like a little bit of hope, helping Hermione's mind ease and somehow gain sleep, to dream of a bird's song.

Hermione dragged her feet from class to class, having a miserable day. Getting all the answers wrong, failing the many tests they decided to give and earning a dentition with Snape somehow, and Draco had treated her terribly, mocking her and insulting her – each word more painful than the last.

It was a living nightmare.
Hermione wondered idly how it seemed to know her every fear, but this was magic they were dealing with...

Suddenly, a huge explosion could be heard, and before she knew it, Hermione was running towards the sound, which had come from the Great Hall.

Once there, she observed the room, gasping at the destruction, but even more so at the death eaters, which were killing people left and right. Screams of pain and agony were heard as they cast, crucios relentlessly.

Hermione pulled out her wand, ready to fight as she saw her friends dying before her when she heard the oh-so-heart-breaking-familiar voice of Malfoy; "Turn around mudblood."

Hermione did so, slowly, and she felt despair overtake her as she looked into the grey eyes of the man she loved, his wand pointed to her throat, a triumphant smirk tugging at his lips.

"Well, I finally get to kill you. Do you know how long I've been waiting to do so?" he gave a cruel laugh, "You will die, as your friends have done before you. It will be better this way mudblood. No one wanted you anyways. Everyone will be at peace, now that you aren't dirtying our world. Avada -"

The words seemed to sink into her mind, seeming so true as she recalled all that had happened here recently. Just when she had just about given up hope, she remembered. Remembered there was a real Draco out there that she had to tell that she loved him and real friends who cared for her, a place where she belonged. She couldn't be afraid of this place anymore.

"No Malfoy," Hermione hissed blocking away his wand, "You're wrong, now get out of my way before I have to hurt you. Trust me, it wouldn't be pleasant."

He rolled his eyes; Hermione pushed him aside, and leapt into battle, fighting off the death eaters that still tried to terrorize and kill her friends. She had to fight, because if she didn't, the fear might consume her again and she might never be able to leave this place…

A bright flash occurred, and everyone disappeared. Hermione looked around the empty Great Hall warily, and then could have cried with happiness at a golden portal, shining by the door. It was warm and welcoming, and the way she would return to the one she loved. Eagerly she stepped through the portal.

Author's note: Not sure how well this chapter went, I probablly could have gone on longer, but I hope you liked it! Please review!