Whooo! Second chapter! What do you guys think, huh?

CHAPTER 2

Hermione turned over in bed, and groaned. Her head felt like it was splitting into pieces. Hot, buttery sunlight was falling across her temples, setting them on fire. she shifted again, finding each position uncomfortable.

Finally, she gave up and sat up in bed, only to discover that not only was her head killing her, but she had a dull ache all over her body, and her tongue felt thick and fuzzy. Flitting memories of the previous night rushed to her.

She groaned.

Why did I drink so much?

As she thought about it, her mind wandered to her spat with Pansy last night, and a smile crept across. She found herself wondering whether Harry and Ron were up. She decided to get dressed and check. Thank god it was Sunday, and there were no classes.

She quickly threw on some clothes, and went down to the common room. She found Harry lying on the couch, head between his hands. He was still dressed in his pajamas.

'Hey Harry,' she said, sitting down next to him. He groaned in response.

She winced and nodded. 'yeah, my head is killing me too. But you must be feeling worse, huh?"

Groan.

She smiled. 'All right. I'm headed to the kitchens, I'm getting some coffee. Want me to get some for you too?'

He groaned. 'No.'

'Right. Well, I'll be gone, then.'

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Hermione cradled her hot cup of coffee as she exited the kitchen. The house elves, of course had been very helpful, offering her all sorts of dishes. Politely declining she had grabbed her cup and left.

She found her mind wandering as she walked down the corridor. Last night's ball had left her feeling exhilarated and happy for some reason. She took a sip of coffee, and walked aimlessly down the corridor.

She had been walking for five minutes when all of a sudden, she realized she was in an unfamiliar corridor.

'My mind is not with me,' she mumbled, trying to place her followings. The corridor she was in was somewhat more like a stone tunnel. The floor, walls and ceiling were made of smooth shiny gray marble. Just a few feet ahead was an iron door, with rusty hinges and a bolt pulled across it. Hermione slapped her forehead, cursing her stupidity and turned to go.

Suddenly, she froze.

Slowly, she turned around, her face scrunched up.

It's nothing. She told herself. Absolutely nothing.

But she couldn't deny that there was a most terrible smell was coming, from behind the iron door. It seemed to seep out from under the door, under the gap, and sift into the corridor. It was a horrible smell, almost like-.

'Blood?' she whispered, almost to herself.

Suddenly, her heart started a little faster. She found her breath coming out a little faster.

'That's ridiculous,' she told herself. 'No wizard needs to draw blood while murdering, except-.'

She felt a chill. Vampires.

She shook her head, again. 'No,' she said, firmly to herself.

She turned back to the door. Yes, the smell was definitely coming from behind its rusty iron reaches.

'Just a check,' she told herself, 'Ill just check what's back there, and then get the hell out of here.'

She took a few steps forward. Her legs suddenly felt like they were made of lead.

She reached out, and with fumbling fingers she pulled back the bolt. The door swung open slowly, with a high creaking noise.

'Um, hello,' Hermione called, nervously.

There was no answer. The room was thick with fog that began to slowly dissipate as she entered. Feeling a rising apprehension in her throat, she took another tentative step into the room.

Suddenly, her screams where echoing all around the castle.

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SHOUT OUTS

BoStOnChIcK- Actually this is more of a basis of a Draco Hermione romance…as in, it includes Hermione helping Draco out a lot, and stuff, but it's primarily a mystery story. And yah, Ron's smoking…I guess since they're in the sixth and just finished their OWLS and all, the teachers are being lenient.

dracosgirl2515- Draco murdering someone? Do you really think I would do that to him- and more importantly Hermione? Lol, read on…oh and I read your next chapter…it was just amazing…update soon!

Bea- Lol, they're allowed to do all that cos for one, they just finished their OWLS… and plus their in the sixth…so the teachers are being lenient and stuff. Basically I wanted to give it a very exotic type of air.

Thanks to the rest of you reviewers too, I love you guys!