Disclaimer: *sigh* I hate you, Kenny. (That's from South Park. Also not mine.)

Warning: This chapter contains some imagery that may disturb you. Read at your own risk.

A/N: Hey all!! Here's the much-anticipated (not really) next chapter!! Have fun!!

Silvermoonbunny--I'm special enough for you to log in! *gasp* I'm touched *wipes tear from her cheek* lol. Haha!! You must baby-sit the evil ones!! *laughs in your face* And you have to stand the evil dog too!! HAHAHA!!! *ahem* Thanks for the review!!

Snapegirl--*jaw drops* You actually....like it? YAAAAAYS!! *happy dance* I'm feeling so supremely special right now. lol. Thanks for your reviews!!

B--Once again I say: LMAO! lol. Hope ya like this chapter. Thanks for the reviews!!

These next people reviewed, but due to the stupidity of ff.net, they got deleted. But I shall thank them anyway!!

Erin--Hey cuz! Glad you like it so much. Thanks for the review!

Wicca-gurl--*stares in awe* Y-y-you wrote Hermione's Back and She's Gonna Be in Trouble...didn't you?!? *checks* You did!! I love you!! *shakes your hand* Y-you read -my- story. THANK YOU!! *faints*

*ahem* Now, onward good soldiers!!

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Dumbledore's POV

Albus sat at his large mahogany desk, skimming papers.

Hmmm..., he thought, Maybe I should have a talk with Ms. Duchman. Her grades seem to be dropping.... (Sorry to interrupt, but...THAT'S FOR THE JACK THING! So there. Read on. ^_^)

Just then, Severus's head popped into his fireplace. "Holy banana jelly beans!" Albus exclaimed, startled. "Severus! What brings you here so late? Did you come for that chat we discussed earlier?" he said with a disturbing glint in his eyes.

Severus shuddered. "No, Headmaster. I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news...," he trailed off to regain his composure. "It seems Draco Malfoy attempted to kill himself tonight. Poppy says he should be fine, but his wounds were extensive enough that they can only be healed the Muggle way."

The old man sighed. "Oh, dear. I do hate it when young people find that as the only alternative. What was his method of harming himself?"

Severus exploded. "How can you be so calm?! A bright and funny young man full of potential just slit his wrists and you are sitting here all fine and dandy! My God man!"

"Now Severus, you need to take a deep breath and calm down..." the senior of the two started, only to be cut off by the enraged professor. "I will not fucking calm down! My godson is in the Hospital Wing fighting for his life right now! I should be sitting by his side, not wasting my time with great ol' bats such as yourself!!" With that his head disappeared from the hearth with a resounding POP! and left the Headmaster sitting there stunned.


Hermione's POV

She felt an arm around her waist, supporting most of her weight. She felt her feet moving. She knew what was going on. But her mind was blank. No thoughts. For once, Hermione Granger wasn't thinking a damned thing.


Snape's POV

Severus strode into the Hospital Wing to find Poppy asleep at her desk. "Incompetent women," he muttered, walking into the room where Draco was. He was surprised to also see Granger lying on the cot next to Draco's. She seemed to be in a feverish sleep, twisting and whimpering.

Then, he noticed that another was with Granger. Brenna was in a chair next to the bed, holding the girl's hand, fast asleep with her head nestled in the crook of her own arm and her hair spilling over her shoulder with a few strands hanging loosely over her face.

That must be what an angel looks like, Severus mused before mentally kicking himself. She was a student! Not to mention the fact that she was in Potter's circle of friends, whom Draco and himself detested.

He quietly walked over to Draco's side of the room and plunked down in a chair, in which he promptly dozed off.


Draco's POV

He felt his body start to awaken. A little ache here, a throb there. It wasn't too bad. Draco attempted to move, but immediately stopped from the pain shooting up his arm. He whimpered, but was unable to say anything. His throat was parched!

Draco tried to open his eyes, but failed miserably. Not even a twitch. What was wrong with him? His brain wasn't quite functioning right yet. Then it all came flooding back.

The letter, the glass, the mistake, Hermione. His brain processed what it had just thought. Since when did the Mudblood deserve to be addressed on a first name basis? he thought. Ever since she came back from holiday last year looking like a goddess, the nasty little voice in the back of his mind quipped. He immediately told the voice to shut the fuck up.

After lying motionless for what seemed like hours, but was probably only a few minutes, he decided to try to move again. His body had gone pretty much numb, so he figured it would be safe. He was wrong.

Pain shot through his body. He couldn't feel anything but the pain. And he couldn't do a thing to stop it. He was helpless to the war raging in his own being. And it scared him. The lack of control brought back memories he didn't want to relive. He was so afraid. So afraid...

And he drifted back into the comforting darkness.


Hermione's POV

She sat bolt upright. Sweat was dripping of her forehead and there were beads of it on her upper lip. She couldn't remember what had awoken her, just an overwhelming sense of fear.

She felt a weight in her right hand. Glancing down, she saw her best friend, faithfully by her side. She smiled. Brenna always had that effect on her.

Suddenly, she reared back. The images came flooding in. Fear sent tingles down her spine. She was viewing them as if she were there. She didn't know what was going on!! It was as if it was her....What?! These weren't her memories!

The "Flashback" *Warning: Dark.*

The strong hand struck her face and sent her sprawling. "You piece of shit!! You disgrace the Malfoy name!" a male voice bellowed. "But no more. I will purify you. It's my duty," the silver-haired man said while undoing his belt buckle.

"No, no. Please! NO!" a voice pleaded. Hermione realized it had come from her vocal chords; her mouth. But that wasn't her voice.

A boot to the ribs interrupted her thoughts. "Shut up you pathetic excuse for a boy!" the evil demon hissed. He had succeeded in removing his pants and reached down to do the same to Hermione.

"Oh, God. Please no. Please!!" The pants came off. "No!!" She was now completely nude from the waste down. But she was tired. So tired. She couldn't move. She couldn't feel.

She was suddenly hovering in the air, watching the scene unfold. A man was hovering over something. He was obstructing her view and she was extremely grateful for it. The creature reached over and pressed a button on a remote lying on the coffee table next to the pair. Music drifted up to Hermione...

I was too deep can't let you call me just jump in
At times I would push my feelings aside to let you feel
I'm Novocain I'm numb and nothing's real
Like the coldest winter
I am frozen from you
I was weak before now you've made me
So numb I don't feel much for you anymore
I gave you my all my baby
I'm numb, numb, numb
But the tears were silent inside you see
I lay there quiet
And watched you have your way with me
I might have cried
But the tears were silent inside you see
You called me names
Made me feel like I was dumb
I didn't feel a thing
And now I'm gone, gone, gone
Like a battered child
I got used to your pain but you know its cause
I was weak before now you've made me
So numb I don't feel much for you anymore
I gave you my all my baby
I'm numb, numb, numb
I was weak before now you've made me
So numb I don't feel much for you anymore
I said gave you my all my baby
I'm numb, numb, numb
I don't feel a thing
I don't feel a thing
Noo
I was weak before now you've made me
So numb I don't feel much for you anymore
I gave you my all my baby
I'm numb, numb, numb
I was weak before now you've made me
So numb I don't feel much for you anymore
I gave you my all my baby
I'm numb, numb, numb

The song ended when the monster slammed his fist on the remote, evidently turning it off. The cry that tore half from body-Hermione and half from floating-Hermione brought her crashing back fully into the harsh reality that was her being. "FAAAAATHER!!!"

Pain. Pain that consumed her. Overwhelmed her senses and brought ragged screams from her throat as the vile creature over her finally ceased and left her there, as though she were nothing. A pile of trash waiting for it's ride to the dump. She withered and cried. And longed for the darkness she now called home.

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Holy. Shit. I can't believe I just wrote that. I need serious therapy...*shakes head* Oh well. The song, Numb, belongs to the all- powerful Pink. Hail her. Hi! Thank you for staying with me this fair. Just don't forget to click the little button down there that says "Submit Review", 'cause that will get you chapters a lot faster! *wink wink* lol. Luv y'all!!