Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I wouldn't be sitting here right now. Lol now if I owned Tom Felton that's a different story completely… hehe
Thank you to all my reviewers I love you all! I don't know if you want me to all put your names up here or whatever but if you do just tell me. Anyway on to the story.
Hermione lay on her bedroom floor shaking, and sobbing uncontrollably. Tears were streaming down her face, landing on the carpet below, there was almost enough tears on the floor to form a little puddle. She had been laying there for the past 2 hours, staring a hole into the ceiling. She wondered if the wizarding world knew yet, the muggles didn't know what the dark mark was, but it was strange enough to be in headline news, and by that happening she knew somehow the word would slowly spread through to all the wizards. The doorbell rang several times, with what she assumed to be neighbors, curious as to know what happened, and what the strange mark above her house was. But Hermione let them wonder, she frankly didn't feel like moving, or talking. She didn't feel like doing much of anything, even her thoughts were slowly dying down.
All she knew now was that, they were dead, her parents. The 2 people that raised her and loved her, and made her everything she is. She regretted ever wishing for them to leave her alone, or ever being mad at them. They were the only 2 people she had, and now she was totally alone. That realization alone was enough to scare her shitless, and that's not even factoring in lord Voldemort. If he went after her parents that undoubtedly meant that she was next. She took a moment to thank her lucky stars that she was gone when it happened, she was happy to still be alive, despite all that suicide talk before. This gave her life extra value. But at the same time guilt was making its way through her heart. She couldn't help but wonder that if she would've been there, if she would have been able to defend her parents, then they might still be alive. It was highly unlikely, her winning against lord knows how many deatheaters and Voldemort himself, but who knows what could've happened. Maybe if she never even went to Hogwarts it would be different too. But she remembered how happy her parents were when she received her letter. None of them really understood at the time, but they were proud of her all the same. So anyway she still felt like she was somehow responsible for their death.
She felt so unworthy, so dirty, and so… lost. She had nowhere to go. This was her last year of school, and then she'd be on her own, this idea was a lot more welcoming when she knew that she'd still have her parents. So even if she felt like she was on her own, she'd still have someone to fall back on. She knew that a lot of people would give her help if asked, but these were the people who really loved her no matter what. She eventually fell into a much needed sleep, and was awoken when she heard a scratching noise at her window. She slowly opened her eyes, and let them adjust to the light, looking over at the window she saw an owl, it was Hedwig. She got up, her whole body was sore from sleeping on the ground in a weird position, and she felt dizzy. But she managed to make it to the window, and let Hedwig in. Hedwig nipped her affectionately… bloody smart bird. Hermione found a letter attached, and noticed the writing was not Harry's but Mrs. Weasleys.
Hermione dear. We just heard the news about your parents… dreadful. We don't know if you've already been offered a place to stay, but we'd be more than glad to have you. If you need anything dear don't hesitate to ask, we can talk more later if you'd like. But Arthur has connected your house to the floo system for 24 hours so if you decide join us, come before tomorrow at 6.
Molly Weasley.
Hermione let out a small sigh, and silently thanked them under her breath. She was a little disappointed she hadn't heard from Ron or Harry. But she wasn't really expecting it after everything that had happened. Maybe they would patch things up, since she was going to be living with them this summer. She walked around the room gathering her things, as well as her composure. She wasn't going to let them see her cry; she remembered the oath she took while sitting at her piano. She was going to be invincible. This would be a hard feat, because Grief still overtook her, but she needed to do this for herself. But since she didn't need to put on an act for anybody right now she let a few more tears fall as she walked into her parent's room. She gathered a few of their possessions that they would have wanted her to have, and went down stairs to the fireplace with her things. She took a deep breath before taking a handful of floo powder, and loudly saying the burrow. As she was engulfed in the green flames she thought I will be indestructible, and wiped the last tear from her face.
When she had arrived in the Weasley's fire place, Mrs.Weasley quickly pulled her out of the fireplace and into her embrace. She could hear her whisper to the twins to get Hermione's things and bring them to her room. When she finally let Hermione out of her big bear hug, which Hermione admitted felt nice, since she was the closest thing Hermione had for a mom now, Mrs. Weasley's concerned eyes met Hermione's guarded expressionless eyes.
"Oh dear" Mrs. Weasley brought her hand to her mouth " we were all very sorry to hear it Hermione, I'm sure they were wonderful people, and I want you to know you have a home and a family in us for as long as you need it. I'm not trying to take their place but I'm sure this must be hard." Mrs. Weasley's eyes were filling up with tears. Hermione had to look away so hers wouldn't follow suit.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Hermione was concentrating very hard on keeping her voice steady and her eyes dry "I really appreciate your hospitality, I don't think I should stay long though, Voldemort probably will be coming after me soon…" Mrs. Weasley cut her off.
"That's nonsense child. If he wants you he'll have to get through all of us."
"No, no" Hermione muttered "I can't have the responsibility of another death on my conscience."
"Don't you fret, and do understand that your parent's deaths were not your fault. Don't you ever think that. Like I said before you're welcome here, and I wont let you leave unless I know you're going somewhere else where you can be safe." Hermione was finding it really difficult now to keep from crying.
"Thank you, I really don't know what to say"
"That's quite alright, there's no need to say anything, you should get some rest, here sit down and let me fix you up a drink that will help you get to sleep." Hermione sat and at that moment Harry and Ron walked down the stairs and timidly approached her. They were a sight for sore eyes no matter how mad she had once been at them. They sat on either side of her.
"Hermione, we're really sorry" Harry stated
"For everything, I mean not just your parents but well we, well not we, I…" Ron paused looking for the right words "I was an ass, and you have every right to be angry at me, but I'm sorry. I should have just told you." Damnit Ron, Hermione thought. You're making this so hard. Tears were welling up in her eyes, so she quickly grabbed both of them and gave them monster hugs so they wouldn't have to see her eyes. She didn't know if she really forgave him, but maybe it was just the circumstances and knowing someone cared but either way, she was glad to have Harry and Ron back. She blinked back the tears and let go of them, giving them her best attempt of a smile.
"I really missed you" said Harry
"I missed you guys too"
"Do you want to talk about anything?" Ron's eyes were filled with sympathy "I know it must really suck, I can't even start to imagine how you feel but that's why we're here. To listen, and I'm gonna tell you this I will never be able to understand how it must feel but we're here anyway."
"Ya" chimed in Harry "I don't know if even I know how it feels either, even though my parents are gone, I never knew them. But I know it sux anyway."
Those were probably the greatest words of comfort she could hear at the moment. She didn't need and I'm sorry's or anyone to try and understand how she felt, she needed someone's friendship. But she however had no time to talk as Molly bustled through the room with the sleep potion. Hermione never made it up the stairs after she took the potion; she ended up sleeping on the couch. She quickly fell into a dream.
She was on what looked like a cloud and two people came floating toward her, whispering back and forth. The woman spoke.
"Hello my dear child, I have not seen you for a long time"
"Who are you?"
"She must not know yet dear, but she will find out in good time the markings should be appearing soon." Said the man. Hermione was really confused now.
"What markings, what don't I know?" the man and woman chuckled.
"She's just like you" the man looked into the woman's eyes adoringly. Instead of answering Hermione's questions they slipped a necklace on her neck. It was a delicate silver chain with a vial with gold flower designs on it. Inside the vial was a red substance that looked a lot like blood, in fact looking more closely it was blood. She looked up at them, and this time they handed her a letter, and her dream quickly faded with the last instructions to bring the letter to Dumbledore. Hermione woke up immediately, and sat up as if someone had just poured water on her. She looked down at her hands and sure enough she was holding a letter addressed to Dumbledore, and she reached up to feel her neck, and felt a chain that had not been there before. She looked around feeling very confused, when Ginny walked in the room, and jumped at the sight of Hermione.
"Who are you?" she asked
"What do you mean who am I?" asked Hermione. Ginny still looked confused. "It's me Hermione." Ginny walked a bit closer.
"If you're Hermione you'll know my middle name, no one else but family does."
"It's Kathleen" she replied, and Ginny smiled. Was she playing some sort of trick?
"What spells did you use on your hair? It looks amazing."
"Do you happen to have a mirror with you Ginny?"
"Accio Mirror" and the mirror zoomed down the stairs and into Ginny's hand and she quickly handed it to Hermione still staring at her in awe. Hermione looked in the mirror, and screamed. She wasn't Hermione. The reflection staring back at her had olive skin, Black eyes, Blood red lips, Black curly hair with cherry red highlites that went down to just above her but. Her whole body had changed, she grew curvier, and there were markings in a language that Hermione didn't know that were circling her upper arm, as well as a half sun half moon around her bellybutton. Ginny was about to ask what was wrong but Hermione had already fainted.
Draco paced the length of his room, rambling madly to himself about something. Snape better hurry, he thought, I want out of this house! With that thought he walked over to his pillow and began beating it senseless again not that It had any sense to begin with as it was only a pillow. But these mad acts of frustration and anger were soon interrupted when his Father's Cold voice reached his hears.
"Draco" his father was shouting from downstairs "Draco" Draco bounded down the stairs, panting by the time he reached his father in the study accompanied by Snape. He let a small smile escape his lips.
"Yes father?" he inquired. He looked over at snape "Professor Snape."
"It seems here that professor Snape has chosen you to be his apprentice with potions. He says you are the best in the class, and he would rather enjoy having your company and knowledge to help him with a few things. You'll learn a lot more about potions that way, and he also says he will provide you with deatheater training if needed." Lucius looked very pleased with himself. "What do you say son? It's quite alright with me, as long as you want to go" Draco smiled at Professor Snape.
"Why, father, professor snape, I'm honored of course I'd love to your apprentice" he said looking at professor Snape.
"Well in that case let me go help you pack your things" Snape said leading the way out of the study, and Draco quickly followed. Once they were out of earshot from anybody Snape quietly asked.
"Now, do you mind telling me what this is all about?"
"Not here" lets apparate first. They quickly packed his things, Snape kept looking his way with curious glances. Draco was practically skipping around his room, he was so happy, he found a way out, sort of but this was the best he could do.
When they finally arrived in Hogsmeade to start the walk to Hogwarts Draco began.
"Professor, I want to be a spy." He heard a sharp intake of breath, Snape's eyes grew wide, and he looked very worried.
"I beg your pardon?" he regained his usual expression by then.
"You head me I want to be a spy."
"What make's you think I could help you with this matter?"
"Well sir, to be completely honest, I heard you talking with Dumbledore about it once so I know you're a spy. I'd like to be one too. I swear I'm on your side. I'm sure you saw me get my darkmark and everything but I don't want to be a deatheater. I don't want to be like my father, I can't kill people even if they are just muggles. I want to see Voldemort dead so I never have to take orders from him or look at him again." He was almost to the point of shouting by then, the mere thought of Voldemort made him mad. Snape looked very surprised, and pleased.
"Well in that case we'll have to inform Dumbledore, so I can start training you how to become a spy" Snape looked into Draco's eyes and saw a passion there he'd never seen in Draco before. He couldn't be lying, no one can act that good, and he wasn't at all surprised by Draco's decision. He always hoped that Draco would change, since day one in the class room. He'd seen Draco grow up, and while he liked to bully people, he never did it because he was evil he did it because he liked to annoy people, he was just a normal teenage boy. Snape could not have been happier at the moment. He'd always known that he'd be a prize to whatever side he chose, because Draco never did anything half assed.
"It's a hard job, keep that in mind Draco. You could die at any moment if your cover slipped"
"Well see that's why I won't let it slip. I want to be alive to see the downfall of Voldemort." Draco stated firmly. Well Snape couldn't argue with that.
Draco didn't know where they were going. He was expecting to be led to the Slytherin common room, but they were going somewhere else. Snape stopped him at a portrait of the 4 founders sitting on the Hogwarts ground. They were all whispering excitedly to one another.
Snape mumbled the password. "Sweet and sour skittles" Draco cocked an eye brow up at this. Snape Chuckled "Dumbledore chose it." Draco gave a little chuckle too.
"Professor, where are we?" they were standing in a humongous common room. There was a great big fire place in the middle surrounded by a cherry coffee table and green couches and silver pillows. There were bookshelves on either side of the room with tables by them. A slightly spirally staircase was on either side of the room, leading to the second level which slightly hung over. There were 3 doors on the second level. There were windows everywhere that gave an amazing view of the lake and the forest, one even of the quidditch pitch. Draco was dumbfounded at the sight.
"This is where you'll be staying for the summer. And well for the school year too." Said snape. He looked like he was deep in thought about something "well I guess I can tell you, this is the heads dorm" Draco looked shocked.
"I'm head boy?"
"yes. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go speak with Dumbedore. Dinner is served at 6 during the summer; you're the only student staying here, so come to the teachers table. I'll give you more information at dinner." And with that Snape left the room leaving Draco in awe at the room's beauty. This sure beats the manor thought Draco. He sat down on the couch feeling very pleased with him. Maybe I'll finally be able to turn my life around he thought.
Hey guys! Sorry there hasn't been much Draco/Hermione interaction. That should be in the next chapter, I'll try to update soon. Please review and tell me what you think. Next chapter will ex plain Hermione's dream and her new looks.
