Authors Quick Note: Im dedicating this fic to one of my favourite friends and my old BEST Drama partner ever- Valery who sadly left Australia and now is in Canada. BUT I LOVE HER ALL THE SAME!

Chapter One

Hermione Granger sat idly on her four poster bed in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry as the sun slowly disappeared beneath the growing darkness. It was the Christmas holidays and her parents had told her that she had to stay at school for the break, now that they had a new born baby on there hands and the dental clinic to look after.

'Its okay, im fine' she thought to herself, as a slow poison began to eat away at her. No matter how much she tried to convince herself she was okay, she knew that on the inside she wasn't. Her heart was wrapped in jealousy for her new sister Tanika. Her parent's lives revolved around the new baby and some how they had no time for her – Hermione, their 'other' daughter.

A tear silently fell from her almond shaped eyes as she thought of the times when she was little, when her parents used write to her every week, send her sugar free lollies and wrap their arms around her and tell her that they loved her. But those days ended when the Grangers all of a sudden had a new baby. A baby Hermione felt would replace her in a matter of years, and then they would forget about her completely.

"Hah, it's not true. Im being silly," she spoke aloud, knowing it would do her no good. All the same she kept reassuring herself that her parents would love her all the same, even if Tanika was in the picture now.

A knock sounded at the door. "Hermione, are you in there?" a female voice called to her. 'Must be Ginny,' Hermione thought as she wiped the tears from her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Come in, the door isn't locked," she said, putting on a fake smile.

"There you are Mione, I've been looking for you," Ginny grinned, making her way over and sitting down besides Hermione.

"What's the matter Mione? And don't tell me it's nothing, I know something's wrong," Ginny said, peering suspiciously at the older girl.

"Ginny, im fine, really it's nothing," she smiled, "trust me."

"Well, if you're sure, BUT if something is the matter, you know you can always confide in me right?" Ginny said, hugging her tightly.

"Of course Gin. You're my number one gal,"

"Anyway I came to get you because it's almost time for dinner and the boys are wondering where you've gone off to."

"Oh. I was tired so I came up for a nap. Let's go," she chortled, steering Ginny out of the room.

When Hermione and Ginny reached the great hall, there was only a handful of students there. It seemed as though Dumbledore had combined the four house tables into one & the teachers it seemed would also be joining them, rather than eating at the high table.
It seemed that Malfoy and a quiet boy named Zabini were also staying over the Christmas holidays.

As Hermione ate silently, she felt two pairs of eyes upon her. Reluctantly looking up, she fell into the silverly gaze of none other than the cruel Draco Malfoy who seemed to be smirking at her.

'What in hell?' Hermione wondered, sipping her juice and staring back. A mere ten minutes later Hermione bid goodnight to the others, complaining of a headache and made her way into the great hall only to be pulled to an abrupt stop by a pair of arms.

"What the hell?"