Bad Faith's Secrets

Summary: There are dark and mysterious secrets in the life of Lucius Malfoy, Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg and Hermione Granger. Sometimes death is only the beginning.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Romance/Drama

Disclaimer: It all belongs to Miss Rowling. I just have the six books, a notebook, a portfolio, a magnetic memo and as soon as possible, the CD.

Spoilers: Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire and possibly "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them" and "Quidditch Through the Ages."

Warnings: I'm not very sure about the rating. Ron/Hermione and Lupin/? (can't spoil the surprise!) romances, lots of Angst, some cursing and blood. I just hope you guys don't totally hate the Malfoys. If you do, maybe this story can change your mind.

Feedback: Appreciated and wanted. Leave a review or send an e-mail to: ai_chan_no_hana@hotmail.com No flames please!

Chapters: I'm still not sure how many, but I'll post the number as soon as I am.

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"A chemical emotion, falsely real;

the power to hurt, and the power to heal."

Irresistible Poison by Rhysenn

Chapter 1:

First Tears

Ron Weasley opened his eyes slowly. The same dream again. It was the third time this week and he still couldn't remember it well when he woke up. He was in Platform 9 3/4, he was sure because he saw the Hogwarts Express, talking with Harry. He heard Malfoy screaming something and the last thing he remembered before waking up was Hermione kissing him. Why, he had no idea. After all, she was just his friend, right? It was just that waking up every morning still felling the sweet strawberry taste of her lips didn't helped his belief that he wasn't, -impossible!- in love with her.

He heard a very peculiar noise, extremely irritating. He looked at the window and smiled. It was Pigwidgeon, finally bringing Harry's letter. The small gray owl collapsed on the floor, tired but happy. Ron laughed a little. Although he would never admit it, he adored that small feathery thing. He picked the letter and started to read.

Little Whinging, August 02 1995.

Dear Ron,

How are you? Thanks for the present, I've already read the book twice. There are some cool stuff I'll try next time I play Quidditch. Tell your mom the cake was great. Snuffles wrote a letter to me last week. He said I was going to see him really soon! I'll send this as soon as Pig wakes up. Hope to see you before school starts,

Harry.

Ron hoped that to, he was worried about his friend. His thoughts drifted to Hermione. Maybe she really went to Bulgaria to see Vicky... Not that it mattered to him!

"Ron! Come here!" Mrs. Weasley shouted.

Glad someone interrupted his thoughts he put the letter on his desk and went downstairs.

"Oh, Good Morning Mr. McAlphier." he said to a man's head that was floating in their fire place.

"Good Morning Ronald." the man replied. Ron hated being called that.

"Ron, help me with the dishes, will you?" she asked pointing to a pile of dishes near the stove. "Is there something wrong Sam? Is your mother all right?"

"Don't worry, she's fine. She had some things to do near Ottery St. Catchpole, maybe she'll pay you a visit."

"I hope so. So what's the matter? You didn't called to chat, did you? I know you too well... It must be a work problem."

"Yeah... We have a problem. You see, there was a pretty bad accident near one of the Ministries buildings the day before yesterday..."

"What happened? And why did you asked me to call Ron?"

"I think you two should sit down..."

Two minutes later all you could hear from the kitchen was the sound of a dozen of dishes crashing on the floor.

***

Two hours later, all the nine Weasleys, including Bill and Charlie (that were on vacation) and Mr. Weasley and Percy (that had been dragged from his office) were sitting in the small living room, looking at Hermione Granger with great pity looks in their faces.

"Do you want some tea dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley kindly.

"No, I'm fine. I just want to sleep a little..."

"Of course! Go to Ron's room then, his bed is a lot bigger then Ginny's, you will be more comfortable there."

"Thank you."

Five minutes passed until Ron had the courage to step into his room.

"Hermione?" he whispered.

"Come in, I'm awake."

She was laying in his bed. Although his bedroom was stiil bright orange, he was considering it extremely depressing right now.

"I... I guess I should say I know how you're feeling. But I don't. Maybe Harry is the best person to do that. After all... Well, he..."

"He lost his parents too, is that what are you trying to say?"

"I guess so... Look, I know you probably don't want to talk about it. But you can count on me if you need something."

"I don't want to be a burden."

"You aren't! I just want you to be ok, right? I know you must be felling miserable. They were your parents after all, you guys loved each other so much... If you want to mourn them in silence..."

Before Ron could even finish his sentence, Hermione broke down crying.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you even more sad."

"I can't!" she screamed between her sobs... "I can't even feel like... What sort of horrible person I am?!"

"You're not horrible Hermione, it's alright to cry! You just have to let it out honey." he told hugging her. Of course, the fact that he called her honey was completely forgotten, along of all the questions of why the hell did he did that.

Once Hermione had fallen asleep (in his arms) Ron went to the kitchen to get some water for both of them.

"Hello Mrs. McAlphier." he said noticing the old lady in the kitchen. She was wearing dark black robes that contrasted with her short white hair.

"Hello Ronald. How's your friend?"

"My friend? Oh, she's a little better. I guess mom told you."

"Not really." She stopped for a moment "I came here because of her."

"Because of Hermione?" Ron was confused. "Why?"

"They checked at the ministry and it looks like she doesn't have any alive relatives... My son contacted me since I spend most of my time working for charities. One of the orphanages I work with is used to have wizard kids, although they don't know it. I spent part of my childhood there."

"Excuse me?" Ron looked horrified "Orphanage? You can't be serious. Hermione can't go to a orphanage!"

"And why not?" asked a voice from the stairs. "Good Afternoon Mrs. McAlphier." said Hermione.

"Good afternoon dear." the woman replied astonished. She stared at Hermione. "I'm sorry, have we meet before?"

Hermione though for a minute, like she was considering what to say.

"Yes madam." she finally answered.

"I really don't remember. Where have we meet?"

"We've meet in Rosewood. You were the one that told me I was a witch."

"In Rosewood?" Mrs. McAlphier sounded even more impressed. "But I haven't seen a wizard child there since..." she stopped abruptly and looked directly into Hermione's eyes.

Hermione looked puzzled for a moment but then seemed to remember something. She blinked her eyes and looked straight into Mrs. McAlphier's. They weren't the same. Hermione's eyes were brown and full of life. Those were emotionless, useless, like remaining pieces of glass in a broken window from were her soul had escaped. That definitely wasn't was the Hermione Ron knew and lov... Well, the Hermione Ron knew.

"If you excuse me, I'm going outside." She left and Ron went right behind her.

"What was that all about?" he asked curious.

"Don't ask. Please don't ask. I don't want to remember. It just remindes me that I don't belong here."

"What are you talking about?" he tried to put a hand on her shoulder but she politely avoided his touch.

"Nothing Ron. Nothing at all."

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Will Ron discover what was Hermione talking about? And will Harry be able to go to the Burrow? I'll post Part 2 as soon as I finish it. I just need one kind Review, even if it's "Post it!"