Already Down

I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I didn't really want to write this chapter but I felt that it had to be done. Not only did I have a horrible case of writers block but also, I had to make it so many characters and I had to deal with keys that kept sticking. Jeez! I have so many great ideas for the next chapter but I have to get through this one. I find that I am only able to write at 1-2 in the morning and my mom is usually up at that time. She doesn't know I am on most of the time. I'm sorry that this chapter took like a 2 months to get out but I went on a trip and was unable to update. Well it's time to finish the story. Oh and this chapter used to be called, The Terrible Horrible, Diagon Alley.

Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling however much I would like to be. Therefore, since I am not she, I do not own her stuff, which includes all characters from the Harry Potter series.

I know I said that Hermione was going to school somewhere else in London but, I figured it would be best if she went to school elsewhere in England. So, she's in a made up city somewhere in England. Comprende?

Warning: Mention of Suicide.

Chapter 2

Pain in Diagon Alley

Three bricks up two bricks over. Hermione tapped them with her wand, and walked ahead of her father into Diagon Alley. It seemed so different even though nothing had changed. Hermione looked around, all the shops and Gringotts where there, so why was it so strange?

As she and Mr. Granger walked further into Diagon Alley, and looked around she noticed that it wasn't Diagon Alley that was different. It was the fact that all her ex-Hogwarts students were staring at her as walked past them. Holding her head up high, she walked into the new bookshop on the block, Serenity Magical Books for Magical People the sign read.

After Hermione's eyes adjusted to the dim light of the bookshop, she walked over to the school curriculum section. Hermione's eyes flicked to her booklist. 'Hummmm…' she mumbled to her self. 'I need Learning the Darkest Arts by Dawes Heacock for defence against the dark arts, Ancient Runes from Old Times by Turinea Sopher for Ancient Runes, Advanced Arithmacy Special Edition by Hulbert Husterson for Arithmacy, Greatest Potions of all Times by Vireca Rickard, and Potions of Greatest Use by Denica Yuille for potions. Oh there were others too but she had already had them in her amazing book collection.

Deciding she had enough money for other books, she started browsing the shelves. The next thing Hermione knew she had been, shoved unceremoniously into the bookshelf.

Unable to think of who would be rude and uncivilized enough to actually shove her into a bookcase. Hermione turned around, and was ready and willing to give the thoughtless, person a piece of her mind! However, as she looked into her attackers face the words died on her lips. Shocked, astonished and hurt, Hermione found herself looking into the face of her best friend.

'Ginny…' Hermione's voice trailed off.

Well she thought wryly to herself, I guess I can't call Ginny my best friend anymore. I mean its not as if we talk to each other anymore anyways.

'Ummm, excuse me. Did you just say my name? Do I even know you?' Ginny sneered.

Ginny's words cut Hermione to the core. In addition, she was especially hurt that Harry –who was standing next to Ginny with an arm around her waist- wasn't even acknowledging her presence. That little fact bothered her a lot, because Harry had been one of her two bestest friends at Hogwarts! Harry, Ron and Hermione. The Gryffindor Trio they'd been called. But, only because that's what they were…had been… for almost six full years.

'Ohhh… I'm sorry. I remember you now. Your Hermione Granger that know-it-all Gryffindor bitch. Yes that's you the know-it-all bookworm bitch, who couldn't (and probably still can't) keep her big mouth shut.' Ginny practically spit the harshly spoken words at Hermione. 'Thank god you've left Hogwarts. I'm sure that if you hadn't left other more honourable people would have threatened to leave, just so that they wouldn't have to put up with you. I for one am glad that I won't have to see your ugly face ever again.' Ginny turned to Harry for help in making Hermione feel worthless. 'Isn't that right Harry?'

Harry pulled Ginny closer to his side –at least I think he tried to I don't think it was humanly possible. There was already hardly any space between them- and finally looked at her while clearing his throat.

'She's right you know Granger. It will be a relief not to have to put up with you for any longer. So where are you planning to go to school if not at Hogwarts?' Harry asked politely.

'Ard-' she was cut off.

'As if we need to know Harry,' Ginny simpered 'It's not as if she'd be telling us an actual place. I mean come on Harry. Look at her! Who the hell would want to have her anywhere near them? Dumbledore is pretty tolerant you know. And he couldn't bear the sight of her.'

Hermione listened to what Ginny's and Harry were saying about her. And couldn't help but feel like crying. She just couldn't grasp before how extensive and severe their hate for her was.

She tuned back into what Ginny was currently saying.

'Mom was saying just the other day, that she couldn't believe Dumbledore didn't Obliviate Granger when she left Hogwarts. And she's right.' Ginny glanced at Hermione then continued on, 'How anybody could trust Granger enough to keep any secrets, I'll never know.'

Hermione was getting pretty upset. Why did everybody always have to trash talk her these days? Wasn't she Already down enough in life? Couldn't she get out?

'Ginny now that I know how you feel about me. Shut your face! I don't want to hear any of the crap you've been telling me. I hate it and your just stupid. And if you thin-'

'Granger if I wanted to hear anything that you could possibly think to say. I'd ask. You know I would ask.' Ginny interrupted.

'YOU STUPID LITTLE GIRL!' Hermione shouted 'I can say anything I please. Just because you don't want me too doesn't mean I am going to stop!'

Hermione glanced at the clock sitting on the wall. Nuts and Nutsbeggars! The time had gone by so fast! She was supposed to meet her father Ten minutes ago outside a diner.

'I'd love to keep chatting, but I gotta go.' As Hermione tried to move past Harry and Ginny, they moved into her path again.

'Mudblood. You go to you dearest daddy and get the hell out of Diagon Alley. We don't want your kind here.'

Ginny turned on her heel and walk towards the front of the bookstore, pulling Harry with her.

Hermione watched them until they were out of site. She gently rubbed her sore arm, which she was sure would have a blue/purple blotch on it tomorrow.

She straightened up. Moving quietly to the register counter, Hermione bought her books and left Serenity.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

It was noisy in the restaurant they'd gone to for lunch. Almost everybody was laughing, joking, and having a good time.

The tables were all filled except one, which was in the, 'no cigar zone'. It was a table for two and there was window to one side of it, and a double latticework wall behind it, effectively cutting off the view of the next table. Hermione and her dad made a beeline for it.

As soon as they sat down, menus popped up in front of them. Hermione smiled as her father jumped slightly in his seat. This was a wizarding establishment after all. Then she watched him break out laughing. Picking what they wanted from the menu, they set the menus aside and waited patiently in comfortable silence until their food came. It took a little over 10 minutes.

'That didn't take very long, and it still tastes good!' Mr. Granger chewed thoughtfully, (A/N: How can you chew thoughtfully?)

'It was good wasn't it?' Her reply was airy and she found her food vapid. She found herself eavesdropping on the conversation going on behind the double-lattice work wall. She could hear distinctly, everything being said at the next table.

'What was that honey… Miney?' Mr. Granger was puzzled. Something had captivated her attention. Here he was prattling on and on, and his daughter wasn't even paying attention!

'Shhh… I'm trying to listen.'

And she was, just not to her father. She had figured out who was at the table behind them –she hadn't seen them when she'd come in- and whom they were talking about. Sending her dad a silent message (mental whispers) she told him to listen to what the people at the next table were saying.

'We met up with that capital bitch Granger to-'

'Language Ginny.' Mrs. Weasley warned.

'Anyways,' Ginny said, throwing a dirty glance at her mother. 'We met her at Serenity, that new store. Gave her a good talking to, we did. Then she had the nerve to call me a stupid little girl,' Ginny waited as her family and Harry grunted their disapproval. 'I mean just because I don't have my nose in a book all the time doesn't mean I'm stupid. But I was able to get in a few good names myself.' She smiled to herself. Everybody was looking at her, and she loved being the centre of attention.

'Like what?' Fred asked her. Which she knew he would being the nosey prick he was. 'What did you say to her?'

Ginny smiled, knowing she held the top card today, and Ginny was happy that Hermione Granger could her every single word coming from Ginny's mouth.

'Well…it comes down to me calling her a know-it-all-Gryffindor-bitch who can't keep her flap-trap shut.' Ginny was happy with herself because she'd got it all out, and smiling triumphantly she waited for someone to say something.

'That's awesome Ginny!' Ron exclaimed. 'Did you tell her that she'd better not come back to Hogwarts if she knows what's good for her? 'Cause I sure as bloody' ell don't want to she her ever again. She's a stupid mudblood who should go shag Voldemort, and get killed for being ugly. Or worse shag Snape,' he shuddered 'and die because Snapes so ugly.'

They'd let him rant and rave for a good five minutes before Mrs. Weasley took over the conversation.

'Ronald Weasley! Behave and do not talk about your professors like that! It's Professor Snape to you. Also, I am sure that nobody has ever died from shagging Snape, not that his love life is any of our business. I do not want it talked about around my table. I don't even want to think about it or him, while I am eating a pleasant dinner, thank you very much.' Everyone laughed. ' I am still horrified that I let that traitor into our home! I am so sorry you had to put up with her! She could have corrupted you!' Molly's voice was filled with indignation and hate. 'Except you two,' she looked at Fred and George (the twins). 'You were corrupted from the day you were born!'

Hermione's heart was breaking all over again; she just couldn't believe what they were saying about her! She was ashamed, they were publicly ridiculing and slandering her. Of course, they had to do it where her Father could hear what they were saying. Hermione could stand having them trash talk her, just so long as they did it away from her father, so he wouldn't have to hear the abominable things they were saying about her. Yet, here he was listening to the bull that Ron, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were spouting.

Mr. Granger's POV (point of view)

I can't believe it. These people were friends of Miney's? I guess I really didn't understand what she was going through. Jeez. It's a good thing; I'm getting her away from Hogwarts. It makes me mad to think about what these people are doing to Hermione, and to say these things in a public place where anybody could here them! It was OUTRAGEOUS! Miney certainly did not need to go back to a school filled with backstabbing brats like the Weasleys.

End of Mr. Grangers POV

'Do you want to leave now dad?' Hermione asked. She reallydidn't feel like eating the rest of her food.

Mr. Granger agreed, he got up and put down the muggle money he had. The check, which had magically appeared (A/N: Seriously it appeared as if by magic!) said they owed 9 Galleons, 3 Sickles, and 5 Knuts. So he put his muggle money away.

Hermione watched her dad. It was funny to see him so puzzled –she needed a lift- and put the right amount of Wizards money on the table.

'Dad, I've got to use the ladies room. I'll be right back.'

Her back turned; she didn't notice her father walk away. Didn't see him look at the dejected slump in her shoulders. Nor- since her gaze was pointed towards the floor- did she see Ginny Weasley sniggering at her. If she'd looked back, she would have seen stone cold faces staring at her. Seen them glaring at her with murder in their eyes.

Finally, through with Diagon Alley, Hermione and her father Apparated back to their quaint little home muggle London's, Shawshank's Corner.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

She sat on the edge of her bed. Trying to cry for herself, pitying herself and her pathetic life. Nobody loved her, and nobody gave a damn about her. Not even her father. Her father –she was sure- would stand up for her; move heaven and earth for her. However, he didn't really love her, not since her mother had left. He was always telling her he was sure she would come back if she could, but he didn't know about her, how unstable she'd been. The only place her father had in his heart, was reserved for her mother. So she was alone…all alone.

Hermione truly hoped that she could make good loyal,friends at her new school. If she didn't she'd probably kill herself. Letting out some air, she got up and fished through her desk for a pen and paper. Then she did the only thing she could these days. Since she was unable to talk about her problems…

She wrote a poem.

An Unheard Outcast

At all time I must retreat to my shell.

Since no one tries to understand,

The truth I seek to fell.

The things I want to perish won't leave,

Until I've changed my life for eternity.

I see my past through others eyes,

and people say, 'we are disgusted with you,

we don't believe these lies!'

You don't believe the truth I state,

so you leave me to my own devices,

to decide my own fate.

The words I speak are unable to land,

I feel completely by myself,

In that corner, where I've been put to stand.

No one enters my world at all,

Nobody's behind to catch me,

If I even, dare… to fall.

The words I have to speak are gone,

The ones for you,

You've thrown in the pond…

Hermione set aside her pen –they were so much easier to use than quills- writing the poem had opened up a memory she had thought about, no… she hadn't wanted to think about for the longest time.

She hadn't written it in her diary. It was too painful. Yet, she remembered it clearly.

'Miss Granger, do you know the difficulties you have put me through.' Professor Snape grabbed her arms. 'I went through hours, upon hours of the "Crucio" curse because of YOU!' He was furious with her, and he'd started shaking her. Hard. It had hurt her so bad; his grip on her had been tight. But, it wouldn't be as bad as what was too come. 'All because you told Draco Malfoy, that I was a spy for Dumbledore! A double agent. How could you be so stupid! You almost ruined our main link to the dark lord! All because you can't keep your mouth shut.' He sneered. 'But p-professor!' she'd stuttered. 'Do not, INTERRUPT ME!' he had roared pushing her back. 'Apparently you talk in your sleep because think of how shocked I was when one moment, I was perfectly safe…'He'd been ranting by then. Snape'd had her pushed up against the dungeon wall. 'and the next I was listening (in shock because of what I was hearing) to Draco tell the Dark Lord things he could only've gotten from you! The next I was on the floor being crucio'd to hell and back, because YOU took it upon yourself to tell him I was a SPY!' if he was horrible before, he was completely livid now. He was so furious he'd slapped her hard across the face. And Hermione'd lifted her hand to her already red cheek. 'I think I'll give you a taste of what I had to go through.

He'd Crucio'd her then, 5 times in quick succession. Between sessions she'd looked into his black, onyx eyes that were filled...shinning with hate. A hate that rivalled and-most-probably-surpassed his hatred of Sirius Black and James Potter. When he'd finished he called down to her (as she was on the floor, unable to control the spasms that had torn through her body, making her helpless) 'Get out of my site Granger... get up and out of my site.' Not being able to move, Hermione groaned and curled up in a tight ball. 'I said OUT!' Again, she made a noise and made to move, but being unable as tremors tore through her body (and aftermath of the curse). Snape, unable to tolerate her presence a moment longer, took a handful of her hair and dragged Hermione behind him through the door. 'Leave at once.' He had said, and then he'd turned around, storming through the doorway they'd just come through, slamming the door behind him. Leaving her crumpled form in the hallway…alone.

She'd lain there for most of the night, a crumpled mess in a tight ball, hungry and cold, but unable to move.

Finished reliving her nightmare, Hermione sat back and pondered her experience.

She had no clue why she hadn't gone to Dumbledore with a complaint against Snape, after all the thing he'd done to her were illegal. Especially since, he was her Professor and had caused her bodily harm. Snape had slapped her and cursed her! Using an unforgivable too! He'd done it not once, but 5 times. She guessed she'd felt she deserved the abuse, after all everybody else was busy dishing it out too. The thing that'd galled her from the beginning about this entire mess, was that she hadn't done anything! She never told anybody about the order, plus she did not talk in her sleep! She never had. Nobody believed her though, they'd claimed her guilty then –figuratively- sent her to jail (in her case hell). Guilty until proven innocent, right? Only… she didn't have anybody on her side to defend her.

She was done thinking about it. Tomorrow she was going to a brand-new school. Well not brand-new, it was 20 years younger than Hogwarts, which was centuries old. She'd be making new friends, have new professors. Though, she'd be getting up early tomorrow, 4:00am, cause she had to drive to the station that was 10 hours away by car, then she'd have to hours to kill, then she'd be boarding the Helm's Express for a 3 hour ride to Arden-Helm's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, after which she'd have to be sorted.

She was exhausted just thinking about it. It'd be a long day tomorrow, and she needed her beauty sleep. She reached over to her side tale and switched off her bedside lamp. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was dead to the world.

Done FINALLY! It is now 4:18am. Goodnight.

An Unheard Outcast is my own poem, I just thought it would be good for the story. Did you like it?

Alright! I've already started the next chapter, I'm about a thousand words into it, only 2000 more to go:), Schools going to start in a few weeks, so WHOOOHOOO! I love school! I go Nuts for school.

TTYL, buhbye.

Reviews :

Abbey: Thanks, but that chapter took about a half a week to write, not an awful long time:)

Purple nymph: thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I am editing my own stories so they are bound to have errors. (I've never been good with editing.)

mAd RoGuE: thanks for the input, I appritiate it, a lot. You really helped put the story together.

Bsgirl: Here's your more, you'll get more in a week or two too.

Jackalope Hunter: thanks… But you don't have to give me CC. I just like hearing from my readers.

Rue Maridian: Considering this is me… I seriously did not know you could review your own story!