Chapter 3: Spoken Conscience.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other character.

Madam Pomfrey, after ages of persuasion, decided to let Hermione out of the hospital wing on Sunday night. Hermione couldn't wait to get back to the Gryffindor headquarters. As she entered the noisy common room, she was greeted by Harry, Ginny, and Ron.

"Hey Hermione. Gosh I've missed you. We have so much to catch up on." started Ginny excitedly.

"Gin, it only been a weekend that I've been gone. What it is that you could possibly have to tell me?" replied Hermione.

"Well" started Ginny. She dragged out her statement while she let her eyes drift over to where Lavender, Pavarti, and Neville were sitting.

Immediately Hermione got the clue and noticed that Harry and Ron were also nosily engrossed in their secrecy. She knew better than to hide secrets from those two. No matter what the situation, they always found out. She derived her eyes from Harry and Ron.

"Gin lets talk later. Harry and Ron are getting suspicious." she stated ending her conversation with Ginny.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all sat near the fire place, talking for hours. Hermione really did love them all. At that moment she thanked God for her friends. It was her best friends who help diminish the pain. It was them who comforted her, even though they didn't know the cause of her despair.

Slowly the common room emptied until Ginny and Hermione were the last people in it. Ginny informed Hermione about the new couple, Lavender and Neville. It was a secret, so naturally every one in Hogwarts knew. Gossip rushed through the halls like running water.

At about 10 o clock, fatigue took over Hermione's body. She bid Ginny good night and made her way to the Head boy /Head girl chambers, which she shared with the infamous Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. She made her way through the tunnel passage which connected the Gryffindor common room to the Head boy and Head girl common room. Once she reached her room she plopped onto her bed. That night Hermione slept well. She slept better than any other night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

"Shit!" a growled deep, lusty voice.

Draco had been awakened from his sleep by scratching at the window. He groggily got out of bed and proceeded to where the noise came from. He opened his hunter green curtain and saw the family owl with a letter.

Draco's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He knew it was his despicable father and he knew his exact reason for writing him. Draco opened the window and let the owl in. He watched as the creature dropped the parchment on the rumpled satin sheets.

Draco just stared at the letter, knowing he had to read it, but in reality he wanted to burn it. He strode over to his bed and picked up the letter. He took a long breath before opening it. Draco immediately recognized Lucius' handwriting

Draco,

How many times must I tell you? The Dark lord is getting restless. He wishes to begin as soon as possible and you are hampering his plans. You are his heir. This is your destiny, and there is nothing you can do to change that. I'm not asking you Draco, I'm demanding that you obey.

Your father.

Lucius

Draco hated the way Lucius pressured him. He felt as though the fate of the wizarding world was depending on him. He sank onto his bed and thought hard. Draco refused to have his life outlined for him, nonetheless it already had been.

He was destined for evil deeds. His last name had described his future, "Bad Faith". Draco was brought into this world for the sake of evil and he'd be damned if he left the world because of it.

He wrote back to Lucius, telling him he needed more time. This would anger Lucius, and Draco was quite pleased that it would. He sent the owl off and sank into a deep slumber which was filled with horrid dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Hermione awoke with a start. It was a beautiful day. She opened her scarlet curtains allowing the sun to penetrate the room. Hermione got herself ready for the day then proceeded to breakfast. She walked through the common room, humming gaily to herself. She was obviously loud because she woke Draco.

He groggily got out of bed. Draco knew the humming was coming from his roommate, Granger. "Damn that bitch!" thought Malfoy.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and spotted her three best friends at one end of the Gryffindor table. They seemed very disgusted. Hermione merrily strolled toward her table, where she was greeted with grunts.

"What's wrong guys?" she asked.

"We've got double Potions." cried Ron

Ron's face was contorted with anger and Harry's face showed utter disbelief.

"Well guys, I know Snape is unbearable, but we'll survive, right?" said Hermione trying to sound reassuring.

Harry looked up, "Hermione it's with the Slytherins".

"Oh dear, this is not good, Hermione said sighing loudly.

Seconds after, the door to the Great Hall was opened forcefully, and from behind emerged the King of Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. All the Gryffindor's observed with pure disgust on their faces as Malfoy strode coolly towards his table.

Ron was the first to speak. "Who the hell does Malfoy think he is, making an entrance like that and acting as though it didn't even matter."

Harry spoke next, "Fuck that pernicious git."

Hermione nearly caught a heart attack when she heard Harry use such colorful language. All the Gryffindor's nodded in agreement and presumed to their previous activities.

Harry and Ron played wizards chess, while Hermione and Ginny cheered them on loudly. The clamor they made caused Draco to look in their direction.

He hated to see them having more fun than he was. He looked at Hermione's gleeful face immediately catching her eye. He stared at her, never breaking eye contact. She also stared daggers at him all the while thinking how much she hated him.

He was thinking about what he had in store for her. It was going to be one hell of a ride once he commenced his plan. Granger was going to get what was coming to her. During their seven years at Hogwarts she was that insufferable smart ass, academically beating Draco in everything.

"She won't be laughing when I'm done with her." thought Draco.

His scowl now curled into a smirk. Hermione, who noticed the sudden change in facial expressions, looked away. Those stormy gray eyes held something more than malice, it was more like desire, a desire for something great. Hermione knew that whatever it was that Malfoy wanted, he was going to get it and she didn't like it at all.

It was about time for their first class to begin. Gryffindor's and Slytherin's crowded the dungeon. They took their seats waiting for Professor Snape.

Hermione, who already knew that she would be paired with Malfoy, sadly left her friends for the seat next to Malfoy. As soon as her bottom grazed the seat, Malfoy began.

"Have a nice breakfast Mudblood".

"Shut it Malfoy," she replied. Suddenly, Snape made his grand entrance which prevented Draco from responding. Like always, Snape entered the class with smug looking crisp black robes on.

"Good morning class. Welcome back to Potions, the class most of you dread," said Snape in his usual monotonous tone. "Today we are going to learn how to create the Polyjuice Potion. Your instructions are on the board."

With this said Hermione, Ron, and Harry gave each other huge grins. Professor Snape had seen this and bellowed, "Five points from Gryffindor for idle staring." Harry and Ron both shot dark glares toward Snape while Hermione bowed her head in shame.

Soon Potions was over. Their next class was Care for Magical Creatures which again they had with Slytherin. When Ron realized this, he nearly ripped out his fiery red hair and screamed, "OY! Slytherin again. This is pure torture."

"Well Weasley, don't expect this to be a treat for us either," said a drawling voice from behind.

The trio spun around to face Draco Malfoy himself. "Well, well if it isn't the infamous Potter and his mudblood whore, sorry didn't see you there." continued Malfoy.

"Shut it Malfoy. Or else...!" warned Ron. Malfoy who didn't look intimidated at all, calmly replied

"Is that supposed to be a threat, Weasley. What, may I ask, do you plan to do?"

By this time Ron was shaking with anger. Hermione and Harry tried their best to sustain him, but somehow he got loose. Ron threw his fist at Malfoy, who skillfully dodged it. Ron tried once more and successfully busted Malfoy's lip. Draco retailed and soon there was an exchange of blows.

"Eh, what goin' on 'ere?" cried a deep voice that belonged only to Hagrid.

He separated the brawling rivals. Malfoy's busted lip bleed freely and Ron had a bloody nose. Hermione felt an odd sensation inside when she looked at the blood. Slowly she drifted into a trance, but it was abruptly broken by Hagrid's booming voice.

"Hermione, Professor McGonagall wants to see ya." He said while helping Ron tend to his blood-spattered nose.

Instantly Hermione headed toward the headmistress' office. When she reached the entrance she knocked softly and heard a soft voice from within.

"Come in," it said and Hermione obeyed. McGonagall was seated at her desk looking restless. Upon Hermione's entrance she spoke.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, sit down. We need to talk."

"Good morning Professor," said Hermione politely and she did as she was told.

Immediately, Professor McGonagall began. "I am fully aware of your hospitalization, Ms. Granger. However I never got the full story. Who attacked you?"

Hermione didn't speak. In her mind she was debating whether she should lie or speak the truth. Lying wasn't in her pattern, but she had no intention to reveal her secret.

During the hiatus, she lifted her hand up to her temples and began to massage them. She didn't notice that her sleeve had slipped down to her elbow revealing her scared wrist. McGonagall, who had the sharpest eyes, noticed this.

"Ms. Granger. May I see your wrist?" she asked.

It took Hermione a while to realize what was being asked of her. When she finally broke out of her train of thought she realized her robes had slipped down showing what she had done to her arm. Quickly trying to cover the marks, Hermione stuttered "But...but....but Professor McGonagall there's nothing to see."

She never spoke back to a teacher before and now she regretted it. McGonagall was furious. Without hesitation she walked over to Hermione and grabbed her wrist, pulling up the sleeve, revealing a myriad of scars. She looked horrified. All Hermione could do was look at the professor with tears brimming in her honey eyes.

"So Ms. Granger," began professor McGonagall. "I realize that you are responsible for your own hospitalization. Explain your self."

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. The tears started slip out her eyes. Bawling, Hermione slipped out the chair and onto her knees grabbing McGonagall's robes. She explained everything.

She spilled every bit of information to McGonagall including her new way to escape the real world, her mother's death, and her father's threats. McGonagall's hard face now softened into a sympathetic smile. An hour later Hermione finished her story. Being that she was in such a state, Hermione was excused from all classes.

Cradling the torn girl, McGonagall whispered. "Hermione, I know this is difficult, but I must ask you to stop this. You are slowly killing yourself."

Hermione promised to stop cutting herself. McGonagall was the closest thing she had to a mother. She didn't want to disappoint her. After she recollected herself, Hermione exited the headmistress' office.

She strolled sulkily the corridors. The halls were empty, so she figured everyone was at dinner. She didn't know quite where her feet were carrying her but she could care less.

Hermione slowly traveled down a dark corridor stopping to observe a painting she had never seen before. There was a young maiden wearing a green Victorian style dress. Her face was buried in her hands. The young lady sniffled then looked up at Hermione.

She was a beautiful girl. Her curly, black hair fell gracefully over her shoulders. Her eyes were as blue as the deepest ocean, giving her this sense of undefined beauty. Hermione looked at her tear-stained face. She felt a strange connection with this girl. It was almost like she could feel her pain.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Granger the know- it-all or should I address you as the 'blade runner', " said a menacing voice. There was no need to turn around; Hermione already knew that it was Malfoy. Still not facing him she retorted.

"Excuse me, what did you say Malfoy?"

"You heard me loud and clear Mudblood, don't act stupid."

Hermione felt as though she had been stabbed. She hated that word "mudblood". From second year she had been branded with that name. It was hurtful hearing it but eventually she got used to it. Today it was unbearable to hear that insulting name thrown at her. Her blood was boiling. This heated Gryffindor had had it.

"Malfoy, damn you to hell!" That's where you belong with your scum ball father and the rest of your death eater friends!" yelled Hermione.

She turned around to walk away, but Draco grabbed her by the wrist tightly, pulling her back. He whirled her around causing them to come face to face. His gray eyes penetrated her brown eyes

"Don't you ever insult me, AGAIN! Don't speak of what you know nothing about," said Draco in a low dangerous tone. He squeezed her wrists harder to accentuate his point, also causing Hermione extreme pain.

She felt like crying, but she wouldn't let Malfoy see her. She couldn't. Hermione fought back escaping his grip. Before leaving she looked at him coldly then said, "Fuck you Malfoy."

Malfoy watched her leave. Granger showed no sign of fear and this pissed him off. Getting his revenge was going to be harder than he thought.

A/N: ok I'll admit it was a bit boring, but keep reading. For those who like the "good stuff" it's coming real soon. A big thank you to all my reviewers and my beta reader.