A/N: Hello All! Firstly, thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews...I have yet to recieve a flamer, which I take as a good thing! I would love to single out all of my reviewers and answer all of your individual questions, comments, etc. but I cant, sorry:) And I want to let you know (seeing as some of you have been asking) that i DO read each and every one of the reviews this story recieves. Alright, enough of my blabbering, on with the story!

Chapter Nineteen: The Subtly Corrupt

Albus Dumbledore pondered the dead and broken body of Shay Arlington. She had been found in a local park not one mile from headquarters. Rather frightening, really, that the Death Eaters had come so close to their target probably unknowingly. But no, what frightened Dumbledore mostwas that Hermione had not been found as well. She was alive, he knew, alive and perhaps not well- but not dead. But as good as. They had lost her, despite his efforts to inspire great love and trust within her, they had failed. She had fallen prey to the other significant emotion- the only one that even had a chance to rival love: Hate.

She was gone. They had lost the Hermione Granger to the forces of evil, she had been corrupted. The good and just do not hate. Harry Potter does not hate Lord Voldemort, he has pity for the Dark Lord. But Tom Riddle hates Harry Potter. That was the line between good and evil, the line between right and wrong. If you hate, you are lost. And she was lost, most likely never to return and if she did- he would not take her. For she was no longer thebrilliant little witch full of light and goodness. She was a woman, corrupt and filled with the dark emotion that had gripped her very soul.

It was then that atear treacled down Albus Dumbledores cheek, only to be lost within the depths of his silvery beard.

0o0o0o0

He smirked. That oh-so evil smirk that could cause anyone who knew Draco Malfoy even in the slightesttremble at the knees. For a smirk from him, was never a good sign. It meant that he was taking pleasure in something. And, being the amung the evilest of men, this did not bode well for any good-meaning soul. At this particular moment, Draco was smirking for a reason of great pleasure- to him.

The spell he had cast on Hermione's cell wall showed him what was to be held within. It seemed that his little witch was very frusterated with something. Her head rested in between her scrawny knees and her dainty hands clutched her frazzled hair. It wouldnt be too long, he deducted, before he would take her to the Dark Lord. Not long until the choice between what was right and what her own heart says would have to be made by her. And she'll choose whats right, and I cantorture her endlessly for not bending to the Dark Lords will. He thought viciously.

Draco Malfoy was in for a surprise.

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"No!" Harry Potter screamed. Albus Dumbledore nodded his head, confirming the worst for Harry. Hermione. His Hermione...dead?

Albus had thought that telling the younger ones that their friend of seven years had perished was perhaps better than telling them that she had visiously been stollen into the depths of evil and hate. Some things are worse than death. And a corrupted soul was one of them.

"Hermione died the death of a hero, she will be remembered by all who care for her and so, will never truely be forgotten." As Dumbledore spoke these words, a terrible guilt overtook him. Shielding his face away from the youth, he did not see Ginny Weasley collapse, sobbing, into Harry's strong arms. Nor did he see Harry too bury his face into Ginny's hair as his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

And in turn, Harry and Ginny did not notice the door bell ringing, and Dumbledore walk somberly over to it. And they didnt notice Dumbledore thrust it open to reveal a rain-soaked Ronald Weasley, shivering slightly, but whole and well.

0o0o0o

Throughout the next few days, Hermione waited content in her uncomfortably cleancell for his return. She never thought this day would come- a day when she waited and hoped for Draco Malfoy's presence. But here it was. And as the days passed, Hermione began plotting; she supposed grudgingly that it was a good thing that he hadn't come as of yet, for she hadn't come up with a proper plan. On this private mission, she began.

Pondering carefully, she thought of the many ways to use the new-found information. In the time two days had passed, she hadnt gotten anywhere.

Clutching her hair tightlyshe furiously thought. Think Hermione, think! What do you know? That she was Draco's weakness. For it was so. Who was the lone soul on this earth that he would go to any lengths to find? To hurt, destroy? Her, and her alone. And now she knew.

But as the plotting Hermione Granger began her plan, she was foolishly unaware that she herself harbored the same weakness; and even more so than Draco. Tis' a sad mark, really, when hate overrides even love...Draco Malfoy was the only true weakness Hermione had, her only true hate. But where is the line? Emotions run strong and deep, but if allowed, they will run amuck and begin to control you.

Hermione Granger had not fallen prey to Draco Malfoy, she had fallen prey to herself.

A/N: Alright, I know that this chapter wasnt the best and was probably a bit confusing, seeing as it jumps around alot, but it is EXTREMELY important to the plot. It is important for you to know that the Order believes Hermione to be lost to the forcese of not-so-goodness (hehe) and that Hermione herself is being torn apart because of the hate she harbors for Draco. The next chapter will be more exciting and eventful, but it may npt be out for a few days (3 or 4) due to the fact that i will be vacationing and might not have access to a computer. But i will be setting up the outline of the next chapter on paper, so leave me lots of reviews, and the second i get home i'll pump out another much more exciting chapter. Review!

Draco::looks thoughtful:I think that I WILL win this!

Hermione::looks worried: N-no you wont!

Draco: HA! You stuttered! I'm gonna win.

Harry::hums 'Have you Seen the Muffin Man: