Author's Note: Hello again! Have fun with chapter ten! …And yes, it is supposed to be in italics. Almost all of this was actually Chapter 9, but because of a little mix-up, I had to move it here.

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Rating: R

Pairings: Hermione/Harry, Hermione/Draco

Disclaimer: "According to unknown sources, hasapi of fanfiction.net fame has renounced her claim to any and all characters of or pertaining to the Harry Potter books. In other news…"

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Chapter 10

"…So what I'm trying to say here is that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for teasing you for six years. I'm sorry for everything that I ever did to you. I'm sorry for when that curse in fourth year that hit you. I'm sorry for everything I ever did to hurt you. I'm just … sorry."

Hermione listened to Draco's small speech with her eyes narrowed. What on earth was going on? Why couldn't she move? Why couldn't she answer him?

All those questions and more flew through her mind until she slipped even deeper into unconsciousness.

***

Hermione walked towards the brilliantly scarlet steam engine, marveling at it silently. She'd had to leave her parents at the barrier—they couldn't go through it, as they were Muggles. It was daunting to be by herself at only eleven, but she squared her shoulders and did it anyway. It wouldn't be that hard after all. Her parents had always said she grew up too fast, and here she was, proving them right once again.

Not that it was a bad thing to grow up so fast, she reasoned to herself. She'd been so excited when she'd received her Hogwarts letter, and her parents had been as well, although she'd noticed that they didn't seem anywhere near as surprised as she had expected them to be. She shrugged. They were probably just surprised that something else hadn't happened already.

She walked to the train, pulling her luggage behind her. She walked into the first compartment she reached, grateful that it was empty, and attempted to heft her trunk into it. After a few attempts, getting nowhere, she was about to call for a conductor—if there were one, she wondered thoughtfully—when a boy her age walked by. He glanced at her, then at her trunk.

"Need some help?" he asked, raising a blond brow.

She smiled at him and nodded. Between the two of them, they were able to get it into the compartment. "Thanks," she said, wiping sweat off her brow.

He shrugged, clearly not liking the situation. "What've you got in that thing?" he asked.

"Oh," she shrugged, "just my school supplies."

"My trunk isn't that heavy."

"Well…" she trailed off uncertainly. "I have a few more books in there besides the ones on the list."

"Ah."

"Yes. I mean, it's not every day you discover you're a witch. I bought so—"

"Wait," he interrupted her. His face had darkened so much it was looking quite unfriendly. "You're a Muggleborn?"

"Yes…" she said, wondering what the problem was.

He sneered at her and left the room, not bothering to look back.

***

Hermione walked slowly towards the library, stepping softly. It was a cold night, but she tried not to shiver. It would only attract attention…attention that she wasn't ready to see. Especially since it was after hours and she was a prefect. Prefects were supposed to set examples for the other students. She scowled softly. It wasn't her fault that Harry needed her to find a book about Priori Incantem.

There hadn't been any free time to look it up before they'd left for summer vacation after fourth year. They'd just gotten back to Hogwarts. Hermione smiled. It was wonderful, being back. She truly loved it here.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the library without running into either Mrs. Norris or Filch. It really wouldn't do to get a detention just a few days into the school year. She pushed the door open softly, her ears alert for softly padding claws or rasping breath, or, for that matter, any sounds at all. It all wouldn't do to run into another student.

The young witch sighed, heading quietly towards the Restricted section. She was almost positive the book she needed would be there. She'd checked everywhere else during school hours and hadn't found it. And this year there was no Gilderoy Lockhart to let her into the section. She grinned. He had been so full of himself. All you'd needed to do was compliment him, and he'd let you get away with anything.

Oh, she'd had a crush on him for a while… Who wouldn't? Not only was he handsome, but he had supposedly done so many wonderful things for so many people. But the fact was that he hadn't. He hadn't done any of it. He'd just said he had, and then Obliviated the ones who had so that they wouldn't rat on him. Served the git right, Obliviating himself. She smirked. Yes, most definitely…

A soft rustle of fabric on her right caught her attention. She was sitting on the floor of the Restricted section, skimming the titles. Her ears perked up and she listened greedily, waiting for another sign that someone else was in there. Not that she could take points from them, of course—after all, she wasn't supposed to be there either. There was a softly whispered swear before the air shimmered, and Draco Malfoy appeared.

Hermione was only just able to keep her mouth from dropping open. What on the Gods' green Earth was Malfoy doing? He had to be insane, sneaking into the Restricted section so close to the beginning of the term. Why, did he have any idea what would happen if he were caught?

And not only that, but where had Malfoy gotten himself an Invisibility Cloak?

A strangled laugh that Hermione had been unable to quench completely alerted Malfoy that he was not alone. He spun around, staring almost straight at her…or where she would have been had she been standing.

"Who's there?" he whispered. He looked quite panicked. Hermione was only just able to stop herself from snorting. Honestly.

She didn't answer, choosing instead to stand up slowly, the Invisibility Cloak clutched tightly around her. She padded out of the section, making sure that Malfoy didn't follow her.

What had he been doing?

It was a question that had haunted her for a very long time after that…

***

"Hey, 'Mione!" Ron shouted from his broom. He was circling the Quidditch pitch, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey, Ron!" she shouted back, running up to the edge of the pitch. The tryouts had just ended. Oliver had graduated two years earlier, Katie Bell had at the end of Hermione's fourth year, and Alicia Spinnet had transferred to Beauxbatons to finish her seventh year… Leaving the Gryffindor Quidditch team short three players—one Keeper and two Chasers. Ron had tried out for Chaser, and judging by the way he was acting…

"'Mione, I did it!"

…he had made it. Hermione grinned. He'd wanted so badly to make it, she knew. To do something without Harry for once. It was so important to him that he make something of himself without Harry's help. Of course, if they won the Quidditch games it would be a combined, team effort. But that probably didn't matter, at least not to Ron.

"Congratulations!" she grinned at him.

***

"Miss Granger," Professor Snape said silkily, "the only way you would have known that would be if you had made it yourself. That information is not available in any books."

Hermione was ready to hit herself over the head with a cauldron. Honestly. One would think that the head prefect and prime candidate for Head Girl next year would be able to keep her facts straight. She could feel her face heat up and saw Snape's pleasure increase. Stupid, stupid, stupid! she yelled at herself angrily. The rest of the class was finished in silence, with another 12 points taken from Gryffindor, making a grand total of 15. Not as bad as they'd done at times, but definitely not one of their better days.

Just as she was starting to pack up, she heard Snape say, "Miss Granger, I believe I need to speak with you." She shook her head forcefully at Harry and Ron when she saw that they were about to say something. No use them getting detentions as well, as she was almost certain was going to happen.

"Yes, sir?" she asked, coming to stand by his desk after everyone else had filed out.

"Miss Granger, when did you make the Polyjuice Potion?" When he saw her hesitate he scowled and continued. "There is no use lying to me. I know you made it."

Hermione sighed. "Second year. W—I made it in second year."

Snape's eyes widened so far Hermione thought he was going to have an apoplexy or something. "Wh—Where did you get the ingredients?" he asked.

Hermione stared at him, shocked. Had he just stuttered? Professor Snape, Death Eater spy extraordinaire, had stuttered? Goodness. What was the world coming to? "Your private stores, sir," she whispered, looking down.

"Look at me when you're talking!" he snapped. Her head came up defiantly. His expression softened. "I won't report this, but I would suggest that you not do it again. Stealing from a professor is a very serious offence. Detention tonight at nine."

Hermione stared at him, shocked. Again. He'd let her off with only a detention? She'd expected ten, at least. And perhaps even that he would report her to the Headmaster… But he hadn't done anything. Just one detention.

"Well?" he said irritably. "Won't you be going now?"

"Oh, yes, sorry, sir," she said, scurrying to pick up her things. She headed out of the dungeons, still in shock.

***

Hermione stirred softly on the bed. She kept her eyes shut, not wanting to wake up. It had been so peaceful… And she'd been reliving so many memories. The memories themselves weren't all that great… At least not most of them. Well, they were actually okay. They were already slipping away, though. She could only remember the feelings that were associated with them now.

She hated that. It was one of the most annoying things about dreams. Especially when you felt that they were important. Maybe not predicting the future—since she found that ridiculous—but the past was just as important, and a lot of the feelings she was experiencing were ones that she remembered.

She sighed, knowing she would have to open her eyes sometime. Cracking them slightly, she squinted into the bright sunlight. There was a shadow… She opened her eyes wider, trying to look at the man there.

It was Lucius Malfoy.

Memories started to come back. She had been walking to the library. She'd run across Parvati. They'd had a fight. She couldn't remember anything after that.

But the important part of it was that Lucius had been attempting to rape Parvati.

Hermione let her eyes show all the emotions that had been boiling in her. Hate. Anger. Disgust. Utter and complete loathing.

"You bastard," she whispered menacingly.

***************

A/N: *grins* That was sooooooo much fun to write. I have no idea where it came from. I started this chapter with about four points/ideas, but I only wrote three of them… Well, sorta. But the point is that this chapter really wrote itself… And it was originally Chapter Nine.

Okay… So normally I answer everyone individually, but since so many reviews said pretty much the same thing, I'll group them that way. But if you asked specific questions or addressed specific points, then I answer you directly… unless someone else asked the same question, of course. Argh, this is confusing! Just find your name.

PotterzGirl: So much praise, I'm flattered! As for story length… Well, actually I'm not certain. I mean, originally I was thinking 20 chapters, then 10, now I think it'll be around 25 or so, but it might be as few as fifteen. I mean, I know where it'll end, but I don't know how much will happen between then and now. There will be a sequel, however, to tie up any and all loose ends.

Bitchy Little Pixy: Okay, I understand the Lucius thing now. Glad you like Madam Pomfrey. ^^ I call it the Philosopher's Stone because that's what it's called in England, and since they (the characters) are in England, then that's what they'd call it. I don't know why it's called that, I just know that's what it's called. Although I think it has something to do with alchemists. Maybe they were called philosophers then?

Crystalline Lily: Yes, Parvati certainly read too much into the situation. And if you think about it, Ron and Harry have generally just been fair-weather friends to Hermione. Haven't they always taken the other's side? Think Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban—Harry took Ron's side with the whole Scabbers incident, and then again with the Firebolt. I mean, I like to think that they aren't fair-weather friends, or at least that they get better as the books go on, but even if they do, there will probably always be that question or that unconscious push to not believe her.

harrypotter4ever: Yes, he would be. I don't like to think of him as dumb precisely, just… Well, read the reply to Crystalline Lily if you want a full explanation.

Darkina, estella_jayne: Well thank you very much, I will definitely continue it!

hopeless romantic, Forever Faith: I'll definitely try to keep it up. :)

MistressDeDraco: I love reading your reviews! I was planning on having Hermione wake up in Chapter Nine—and that was actually the way I wrote it originally—but then I realized that I had completely forgotten about Parvati! And then that elongated the chapter longer than I needed it, so I expanded on some other things I've been putting off. But she woke up here, so that's good, right? As you can see, it's actually Lucius that she sees first… But I think it's funnier that way. It'll be even funnier later… *grins* And Harry isn't dumb precisely, he just kinda acts first, thinks later—if he thinks at all. Right now Harry and Hermione have a dependent relationship, at least on Hermione's part—so she is going to attempt to talk to him. I haven't decided whether or not he'll listen. And yeah, the whole Voldemort thing is confusing because people actually like him in here. *grins* I love it when I do things people don't expect. As for the whole Lucius thing… Well, I'm still working on it. We'll have a little fun next chapter—Hermione v. Lucius, Round 2. (Do I even have to tell you who wins?)

kiki-0303: *grins* I see you're very upset at Harry right now… Which is exactly what I was going for. So glad I succeeded.

Eevya: There are just a few things I would like to say in resonse: 1.) Thank you very much! 2.) So glad I succeeded in that remark. ^^ 3.) Ginny isn't at Hogwarts—she escaped with the others (refer to Chapter One to see who didn't make it out, and is therefore still at Hogwarts); and to be truthful, I forgot about Pansy for a while. But she'll be in the next chapter, I believe. Although it might be the twelfth. I can't remember, but she'll be coming up soon.

Ysanna: You're addicted, eh? Cool. :)

Gryffindor Chik, esmerellda: Harry is currently in Gryffindor tower. He is not yet dead because 1) Voldemort doesn't want to kill him and 2) because he doesn't see him as that much of a threat at the moment. He is, however, the only Gryffindor not allowed out of the tower, meaning that he's the only one not being a slave.

Atomic Babe: Good luck on the homework!

Aragorn Rox, Lozzie: *bows* Thank you on behalf of both myself and Lavinnee.

Rise: Thanks. And of course I updated!

liana, delta rocks, Isa, Reversing mirror, Percy, peter Wilson, mary, ~Frodo: Thanks!

avri, Evenstar: I'm writing, I'm writing!

Leara Malfoy: *blushes* Thanks. Good luck on your own writing, if you ever do try.

~Frodo~: It's okay. Thanks for the compliment. ^^

sparklingmoon585: Glad you like it so much. Yeah, that chapter really did make you hate Parvati, didn't it? I was actually considering giving her a romance, but after she did that… Well, I'm not in the mood to do her any favors. We'll see.

Alexandra Trent: I'll update soon, Parvati will get what's coming to her (eventually), and as you can see, Hermione has awoken!

RuByMoOn: Thanks—you're on my updates list.

rosie: Thanks. Here's the chapter.

HarryPotterWanter: Oooh! Long review. :) As you can see, I included your suggestion (or whatever you want to call it) that she hear what he said. It actually makes more sense now, because she's recalling a lot of those times that he was mean to her and everything. And she remember the incident when his feelings toward her changed, although she didn't know it then. She collapsed and went into a coma because it was just all too much. Being Voldemort's daughter, having all these troubles with Draco and Harry, having everyone hate her, feeling that it was her fault Amanda Madley was raped by Flint… She snapped. What can I say? She'll probably snap again in the future—but that time she won't collapse. She'll snap the way you imagine someone snapping, by lashing out in anger. Very good problem-solving skills with the whole Parvati thing. ^^ I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. More nice Voldemort, mean Parvati, stupid/dense Harry, adorable Draco, bitchy Pansy, and subdued Narcissa to come.

Japanese Goth: "Free love is never true love"? What's that mean? Anyways, glad you're liking the whole thing. Lucius will get his comeuppance, don't worry. Both humorously and… Well, the other way.

blurry: Thanks! And I hope those withdrawals aren't that difficult…

michelline: Hmm. I never thought of the whole hair color thing… Interesting. I'm afraid that I can't tell you who the Son of the Light is, but I will say that I like Draco a lot, especially in here. :)