Hermione sighed as she threw herself into the car. She had never been so tired before, but she had won the case, that was all that mattered. Three years ago, when she had just graduated from college, she had so many offers, one that wanted her to be a muggle ambassador to the witch world. There was also the more tempting offer, the one to be a teacher in Herbology, being as Mrs. Sprout took off quite unexpectedly to marry. However, Hermione decided that she rather enjoyed the idea of leaving the shelter of the wizardry world and going back to the world she was born in. That's why she took the intern job at the courthouse. The deal included 2 years of non-stop studying and internship and after that, a year of being an assistant lawyer under a mentor's supervision of course. After the three years, she would be a certified lawyer, which she was now.

Hermione drummed on the steering wheel in time to the music. She might be 21 years old, but her taste was the same as if was 10. She loved the classical, her one true love. She used to play the cello, to bad she wasn't great, no matter how much of her heart was in it.

At the stoplight, she tied her hair back into a messy ponytail.

"I wonder what Ron's gonna do when I tell him I won my first case." She said herself.

She turned the corner, hand over hand. They lived on Hamersfield Avenue in the outskirts of London. It was a small neighborhood, barely known at all. There was only one street, just off Camerlea Road. It went all the way down, a round about at the end. There were 20 houses on the street; all were cute, small and cozy, with perfect gardens. Hermione loved living here.

On the one hand, she felt guilty for keeping Ron away from the wizard world, but he never once complained. She made enough money for them to live on, and Ron seemed content at home, writing stories.

He loved to take her out. He loved to spend time with her, indulging her with treats and jewels. He loved her. He loved her so much. With her, he said, he would forever be happy.

She laughed as the little girl at was pulled down the street by the dog at the end of the leash, her mother running after them.

She pulled over, getting out of the car just ahead of the dog. The chocolate lab ran up to her and put his front paws on her stomach.

"Hey Coco." She rubbed his soft ears and bent down to let him give her kisses of affection.

The mother finally caught up with the dog and his out-of-breath girl. "Coco." The mother said, rubbing sweat off her brow. "From now on your father is walking you." She seemed to suddenly notice Hermione standing there. "Hello Hermione. How are you my dear?"

"Fine, and you Michelle."

"Well… between Claire and Coco, my life sure has been hectic, I can't wait for Jake to get home." Hermione laughed. "And how are things with you and Ron?"

Hermione looked up, her eyes sparkling. "I love him." She said simply.

"Well, that's good. That reminds me, Ron's done a heck of a good job with the Halloween decorations. They're superb."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.

"You mean you haven't seen them?" Hermione shook her head. "Well… I'll let you see for yourself."

She nodded. "Well then, I better go see them." She gave one final pat on Coco's head, said goodbye and once again and got into her car.

She turned over the engine and drove off towards her house. As she rounded the corner, her house stopped. She stopped the car and slammed the door, praying that she wasn't really seeing what she knew she was.

"Please, please God." She collapsed on her lawn, hugging the grass, tears streaming down her face. "Please… no." She hugged herself, rocking back and forth. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She screamed long and hard, the sight was horrifying, for looming above the roof…

Was the Dark Mark.