Chapter One
*Memories*
Hermione got up from her desk and layed down on her bed, closing her eyes. Her thoughts wondered towards Anthony and how they met. She would never figure out how he turned out to be so violent. She pushed the thoughts away but like unshed tears they would come eventually. She sighed, letting the tears fall and the memories wash over her in sorrow.
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"You guys won't believe who just asked me out!" Hermione asked breathless, as she ran into the great hall and sat across from Harry and Ron, who were looking at her as if she had gone crazy.
"Draco?" Ron asked, smirking. Harry covered a snicker and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No! Don't be stupid Ron. Anthony!" Hermione cried, barely able to hold in all her excitement. Instead of cries of happiness for her, both Harry and Ron looked at her blankly.
"Anthony who?" Harry asked, acting clueless. He felt his heart drop fifty feet into his chest. Of coarse he knew who Anthony was (the whole school knew who he was). Anthony was almost as popular as Harry; almost. The prospect of Hermione going out with the biggest cheater in the whole school, made Harry sick to his stomach.
"You mean Anthony Parzatti?" Ron asked, noticing the uneasy look on Harry's face. "You mean, the guy who cheats on every girl he dates?"
Hermione rolled her brown eyes again, "Yes, that Anthony. And he does not cheat on every girl he dates. You shouldn't believe everything you hear!" With that she got out of her seat. "I'm going to the library to study for the big configuration test that's coming up." She said, seriously, eyeing the both of them and giving them her "And so should you." look. With that she left, throwing her light brown hair (now straight and soft) over her shoulder.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
"Hermoine?"
"Yes, Harry?" Hermione looked up from her book. Harry stood next to the couch she was sitting on in the Gryffindor's common room. He had an expression of hesitation and concern on his face; Hermione's heart gave a little lurch but she held herself together. You like Anthony not Harry. Besides the dream of Harry ever becoming yours is long lost, remember? She scolded herself.
He sat down across from her and swallowed hard, "I don't think you should go out with him, 'Mione." He told her quietly, using the nickname she loved to hear Harry call her by (He didn't know that, of coarse). "I know you don't believe in rumors, but I don't think the're all rumors. They have some truth to them."
Hermione didn't think he was going to say all that. She felt shocked but then it ebbed into anger, how can he ruin this for me? After all the things he knows I've been through! She thought angrily to herself. "Are you telling me that your forbidding me from seeing him?!" She yelled.
Harry shook his head slowly, "No. I'm just saying it's not a good idea. I don't want to see you get hurt." He added softly, taking her hands in his.
She pulled her hands away and stood up forcefully, "How dare you! When the second most popular guy asks me out you have to go and ruin it! I know you're probably used to being in the center of attention all the time but tough! It's my turn now and I'm not going to let you get in the way!" Tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks but she brushed them away harshly.
"Hermione, I ..." He tried to say but Hermione cut him off, too angry to care about his feelings.
"No, Harry! All these years I've been the ugly know-it-all and when I finally change and actually get guys asking me out, you have to go and spoil everything! I thought you would understand. You have no idea how it feels to be the laughing stock of the whole school. This is my second to last year of school left, and I'm planning to make it a good one, whether you help me or not." She finished breathless.
"'Mione, I don't want to see you get hurt. You've heard what everyone says about him. Even his own girlfriends!" Harry tried to convince but it was no use.
Hermione walked towards the stairs to the girls dormitories and turned around, "I thought you would understand, Harry." She whispered, walking up the stairs and disappearing behind the closed door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
The news of Anthony and Hermione swept through Hogwarts like wildfire. Whispers followed them where ever they went. Hermione was officially happy with her life except for one thing: Harry. Since the argument they had had in the common room they had made up but things were still a little shaky. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that Anthony was hiding something and Ron agreed with him.
"You guys are just jealous!" Hermoine had just yelled at them when they confronted her again.
Now two weeks into the relationship and things seemed to be going great, so Harry and Ron let the subject slide. Hermione was grateful for this. Anthony was great. He was romantic, sweet, and understanding. He didn't get mad when Hermione had to go to the library instead of spend the evening with him. He also didn't mind sitting with them in the great hall, even though he was in Ravenclaw.
As great as things were going, Hermione felt as if they were going too fast. He had asked her for something she just wasn't ready to give; especially since she had promised herself that she would wait until after she was married. He actually pleaded with her until he finally gave up in frustration, only to ask again a day later. She also noticed some jealousy. If a guy so much as looked at her, Anthony would give the guy a hard look and threaten him. Things turned for the worse when Anthony spotted Hermione with Harry and Ron, one evening when she had told him that she would be in the library.
"So how did you guys do on your potions test? I think Snape jinxed it just so we would mess up." Hermione complained to them, not noticing Anthony walking towards them.
"Hey, baby. Can I speak to you for a moment?" Anthony asked sweetly, sliding his arms around her waist.
Hermione was a bit surprised but hid it. "What about?" She asked, not bothering to move.
"Privately." Anthony answered, taking her away before Harry or Ron could object. "Don't bother to wait up for her." He called over his shoulder.
"What the hell is your problem!" Anthony asked her in a loud whisper, as soon as they were out of earshot. Hermione was caught totally off guard; he had never yelled at her like that. She could only stare at him in shock. He slammed her against the wall, his faces only inches from hers. "Answer me, dammit!"
Hermione's blood boiled from anger, she pushed him away, "What makes you think you can yell at me like that?!" She shouted, even though no one as in the hallway. "And I don't know what your talking about!"
Anthony pushed her back against the wall, pinning her arms above her head. She tried to break free but he was so strong. Anthony leaned foward again, his eyes dark pools of ice. When has his eyes looked so cold? Hermione thought, suddenly wishing Harry would show up and half wishing he wouldn't. "You told me you were going to the library. Why were you with that Muggle-lover pompous ass hole?!" He sneered into her face.
Hermione turned red with anger at the insults thrown at Harry, but she couldn't do anything. Instead she said, "I'm a Muggle, Anthony. You didn't seem to have a problem with me until now. And I was going to the library but I saw Harry and Ron and wanted to talk to them. They are my best friends after all." She said this with so much calm, she surprised herself. "Now let me go, Anthony. You're hurting me."
He gripped her arm tightly until she could feel the flow of blood stop. "You will not talk to that bastard again. Do you hear me? Or I swear I'll kill hima nd then come after you." He was so close to her face she could feel his warm breath on her face. "Right after I get some, of coarse." He added, cruelly.
"Is that all you care about? Sex?" Hermione whispered, wincing at the tight hold of her wrist. She could feel tears forn in her eyes but she held them back.
"Why else do you think I asked you out? You have changed, true, but you're still the know-it-all, not so pretty, too fat for your own good, Hermione. I figured you would be so excited about going out with me that you would be up to anything. Apparently, I was wrong. But not to worry, I always get what I want."
"Don't be so sure of yourself!" Hermione screamed in his face, hoping someone would hear her, but no one did.
"Oh, but I am." He told her, kissing her hard on the mouth. He let go of her arms and walked away. "Sweet dreams." He called over his shoulder, leaving Hermione in the derserted corridor, shaking and tears pouring down her cheeks.
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This went on for the rest of the school year and during the summer also, since Hermione found out that Anthony only lived a few blocks away from her. She remembered the train ride back home. She was terrified to move or speak, Anthony was only a compartment away.
"Hermione? Are you all right? You've been so quiet." Harry asked, his eyes full of concern. He noticed the change and knew it had to do with Anthony, but he didn't say anything.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine Harry. Just tired." Hermione lied.
"If you say so." With that he turned back to Ron, knowing Hermione didn't feel like talking. What am I going to do? Hermione thought to herself as she watched the scenery whiz by. Anthony hadn't done anything to her yet, but she knew it wouldn't be long. This is going to be the worst summer of my life. Hermione whispered, quickly wiping tears away from her eyes before the guys could see them.
Finally they arrived at the train station and Hermione grabbed her stuff. She hugged Harry and Ron (When Anthony wasn't looking, of coarse) and quickly followed Anthony towards his car. Her parents had agreed to let him take her home. She climbed into his beat up old car and sighed, "Here goes nothing."
A.N. : Hey everyone! Well I hope you liked this chapter! It wasn't one of my best, but I was in a rush! I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible (in fact, I'm working on it right now), depending on the reviews, of coarse! :) I also want to say THANK YOU to:
MysticSoceror: I have some ideas but I would love some suggestions! Have any?
QueenieNRCatFan: Is this chapter long enough? :)
Katzztar: I know Hermione wouldn't cuss (neither do I , actually) but I needed to add some ooomph to her!
Thanks you guys! I apreciate it!
Hermione got up from her desk and layed down on her bed, closing her eyes. Her thoughts wondered towards Anthony and how they met. She would never figure out how he turned out to be so violent. She pushed the thoughts away but like unshed tears they would come eventually. She sighed, letting the tears fall and the memories wash over her in sorrow.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
"You guys won't believe who just asked me out!" Hermione asked breathless, as she ran into the great hall and sat across from Harry and Ron, who were looking at her as if she had gone crazy.
"Draco?" Ron asked, smirking. Harry covered a snicker and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No! Don't be stupid Ron. Anthony!" Hermione cried, barely able to hold in all her excitement. Instead of cries of happiness for her, both Harry and Ron looked at her blankly.
"Anthony who?" Harry asked, acting clueless. He felt his heart drop fifty feet into his chest. Of coarse he knew who Anthony was (the whole school knew who he was). Anthony was almost as popular as Harry; almost. The prospect of Hermione going out with the biggest cheater in the whole school, made Harry sick to his stomach.
"You mean Anthony Parzatti?" Ron asked, noticing the uneasy look on Harry's face. "You mean, the guy who cheats on every girl he dates?"
Hermione rolled her brown eyes again, "Yes, that Anthony. And he does not cheat on every girl he dates. You shouldn't believe everything you hear!" With that she got out of her seat. "I'm going to the library to study for the big configuration test that's coming up." She said, seriously, eyeing the both of them and giving them her "And so should you." look. With that she left, throwing her light brown hair (now straight and soft) over her shoulder.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
"Hermoine?"
"Yes, Harry?" Hermione looked up from her book. Harry stood next to the couch she was sitting on in the Gryffindor's common room. He had an expression of hesitation and concern on his face; Hermione's heart gave a little lurch but she held herself together. You like Anthony not Harry. Besides the dream of Harry ever becoming yours is long lost, remember? She scolded herself.
He sat down across from her and swallowed hard, "I don't think you should go out with him, 'Mione." He told her quietly, using the nickname she loved to hear Harry call her by (He didn't know that, of coarse). "I know you don't believe in rumors, but I don't think the're all rumors. They have some truth to them."
Hermione didn't think he was going to say all that. She felt shocked but then it ebbed into anger, how can he ruin this for me? After all the things he knows I've been through! She thought angrily to herself. "Are you telling me that your forbidding me from seeing him?!" She yelled.
Harry shook his head slowly, "No. I'm just saying it's not a good idea. I don't want to see you get hurt." He added softly, taking her hands in his.
She pulled her hands away and stood up forcefully, "How dare you! When the second most popular guy asks me out you have to go and ruin it! I know you're probably used to being in the center of attention all the time but tough! It's my turn now and I'm not going to let you get in the way!" Tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks but she brushed them away harshly.
"Hermione, I ..." He tried to say but Hermione cut him off, too angry to care about his feelings.
"No, Harry! All these years I've been the ugly know-it-all and when I finally change and actually get guys asking me out, you have to go and spoil everything! I thought you would understand. You have no idea how it feels to be the laughing stock of the whole school. This is my second to last year of school left, and I'm planning to make it a good one, whether you help me or not." She finished breathless.
"'Mione, I don't want to see you get hurt. You've heard what everyone says about him. Even his own girlfriends!" Harry tried to convince but it was no use.
Hermione walked towards the stairs to the girls dormitories and turned around, "I thought you would understand, Harry." She whispered, walking up the stairs and disappearing behind the closed door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
The news of Anthony and Hermione swept through Hogwarts like wildfire. Whispers followed them where ever they went. Hermione was officially happy with her life except for one thing: Harry. Since the argument they had had in the common room they had made up but things were still a little shaky. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that Anthony was hiding something and Ron agreed with him.
"You guys are just jealous!" Hermoine had just yelled at them when they confronted her again.
Now two weeks into the relationship and things seemed to be going great, so Harry and Ron let the subject slide. Hermione was grateful for this. Anthony was great. He was romantic, sweet, and understanding. He didn't get mad when Hermione had to go to the library instead of spend the evening with him. He also didn't mind sitting with them in the great hall, even though he was in Ravenclaw.
As great as things were going, Hermione felt as if they were going too fast. He had asked her for something she just wasn't ready to give; especially since she had promised herself that she would wait until after she was married. He actually pleaded with her until he finally gave up in frustration, only to ask again a day later. She also noticed some jealousy. If a guy so much as looked at her, Anthony would give the guy a hard look and threaten him. Things turned for the worse when Anthony spotted Hermione with Harry and Ron, one evening when she had told him that she would be in the library.
"So how did you guys do on your potions test? I think Snape jinxed it just so we would mess up." Hermione complained to them, not noticing Anthony walking towards them.
"Hey, baby. Can I speak to you for a moment?" Anthony asked sweetly, sliding his arms around her waist.
Hermione was a bit surprised but hid it. "What about?" She asked, not bothering to move.
"Privately." Anthony answered, taking her away before Harry or Ron could object. "Don't bother to wait up for her." He called over his shoulder.
"What the hell is your problem!" Anthony asked her in a loud whisper, as soon as they were out of earshot. Hermione was caught totally off guard; he had never yelled at her like that. She could only stare at him in shock. He slammed her against the wall, his faces only inches from hers. "Answer me, dammit!"
Hermione's blood boiled from anger, she pushed him away, "What makes you think you can yell at me like that?!" She shouted, even though no one as in the hallway. "And I don't know what your talking about!"
Anthony pushed her back against the wall, pinning her arms above her head. She tried to break free but he was so strong. Anthony leaned foward again, his eyes dark pools of ice. When has his eyes looked so cold? Hermione thought, suddenly wishing Harry would show up and half wishing he wouldn't. "You told me you were going to the library. Why were you with that Muggle-lover pompous ass hole?!" He sneered into her face.
Hermione turned red with anger at the insults thrown at Harry, but she couldn't do anything. Instead she said, "I'm a Muggle, Anthony. You didn't seem to have a problem with me until now. And I was going to the library but I saw Harry and Ron and wanted to talk to them. They are my best friends after all." She said this with so much calm, she surprised herself. "Now let me go, Anthony. You're hurting me."
He gripped her arm tightly until she could feel the flow of blood stop. "You will not talk to that bastard again. Do you hear me? Or I swear I'll kill hima nd then come after you." He was so close to her face she could feel his warm breath on her face. "Right after I get some, of coarse." He added, cruelly.
"Is that all you care about? Sex?" Hermione whispered, wincing at the tight hold of her wrist. She could feel tears forn in her eyes but she held them back.
"Why else do you think I asked you out? You have changed, true, but you're still the know-it-all, not so pretty, too fat for your own good, Hermione. I figured you would be so excited about going out with me that you would be up to anything. Apparently, I was wrong. But not to worry, I always get what I want."
"Don't be so sure of yourself!" Hermione screamed in his face, hoping someone would hear her, but no one did.
"Oh, but I am." He told her, kissing her hard on the mouth. He let go of her arms and walked away. "Sweet dreams." He called over his shoulder, leaving Hermione in the derserted corridor, shaking and tears pouring down her cheeks.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *
This went on for the rest of the school year and during the summer also, since Hermione found out that Anthony only lived a few blocks away from her. She remembered the train ride back home. She was terrified to move or speak, Anthony was only a compartment away.
"Hermione? Are you all right? You've been so quiet." Harry asked, his eyes full of concern. He noticed the change and knew it had to do with Anthony, but he didn't say anything.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine Harry. Just tired." Hermione lied.
"If you say so." With that he turned back to Ron, knowing Hermione didn't feel like talking. What am I going to do? Hermione thought to herself as she watched the scenery whiz by. Anthony hadn't done anything to her yet, but she knew it wouldn't be long. This is going to be the worst summer of my life. Hermione whispered, quickly wiping tears away from her eyes before the guys could see them.
Finally they arrived at the train station and Hermione grabbed her stuff. She hugged Harry and Ron (When Anthony wasn't looking, of coarse) and quickly followed Anthony towards his car. Her parents had agreed to let him take her home. She climbed into his beat up old car and sighed, "Here goes nothing."
A.N. : Hey everyone! Well I hope you liked this chapter! It wasn't one of my best, but I was in a rush! I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible (in fact, I'm working on it right now), depending on the reviews, of coarse! :) I also want to say THANK YOU to:
MysticSoceror: I have some ideas but I would love some suggestions! Have any?
QueenieNRCatFan: Is this chapter long enough? :)
Katzztar: I know Hermione wouldn't cuss (neither do I , actually) but I needed to add some ooomph to her!
Thanks you guys! I apreciate it!