A/N: Thanks to jd, Shdwcat27, Wynta, andBecause-I-Got-High for their reviews! And an extra thanks to Because-I-Got-High for all the smiles. Þ Don't worry, things will lighten up...eventually. I promise Hermione will smile, but later on in the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own it. I'm not claiming to own it. I'm only borrowing.

Why do people die? Why do people live? Why do we feel the need for contact with another person? Why do people say they love someone when they don't mean it? Why do spouses cheat on each other? Why do parents abuse their children? Why do children die before they have the chance to live? Why does disease and sickness exist? Why isn't the world perfect? Why do people take their anger out on people who don't deserve it?

Why, why, why...I could go on forever asking why.

Rain pattered against the window. The grounds were muddy, the sky gray, the trees blowing and nearly bare. It was too dark already, and the sun wasn't supposed to set for another few hours.

I wished it would snow instead. Then I could stare as the white flecks fell to the ground, eerily silent, covering everything in a cold blanket. It feels cold enough to snow, especially when leaning against a window, and it's nearing the end of November.

I took in a deep breath and expelled it, watching the window fog, then watching the fog slowly recede, then grow again as I let out another breath. I moved my head a bit further away, blew out another breath. I raised my arm and wrote in it. Then I turned and walked away. The only thing left was the word WHY in the slowly receding blob of condensation.

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It was difficult to breathe, but it felt good. The air was cool against my face, a stark contrast to the heat of the water my body was submerged in. Bubbles floated on the surface and some kind of bath scent was having a calming effect on me.

"Get out, Granger."

I opened my eyes. Looked up at the owner of the voice I knew too well.

"Make me, Malfoy."

"It's almost curfew," he said. I just shrugged and closed my eyes again.

"Little Miss Perfect going to be out after curfew? That should make the front page of the Prophet tomorrow," he drawled.

I sucked in a breath and submerged my head underwater so I wouldn't have to listen to him. I counted the seconds I was under, feeling the urge to breathe slowly get stronger and stronger.

After reaching thirty-six, however, an arm was shoved under the surface. A hand closed itself around my throat and forcefully pulled me out of the water, then out of the bath, slamming me against the cold tile floor. Half my body was hanging over the edge of the tub, and I was suddenly aware of how very naked I was.

"Don't ignore me, Granger," Malfoy snarled, his face close to mine. I could feel his warm breath and wanted to recoil, but I had nowhere to go.

"You better not make me any angrier, you filthy little Mudblood. Got it?"

I stared at him through half-lidded eyes. All was silent and still for a few seconds, until his face contorted with anger.

"Answer me!" he yelled. I didn't. Suddenly I couldn't. I had caught sight of his arm. The pale flesh was marred with the ugly mark left by Voldemort: the Dark Mark.

Realizing where my gaze fell, Malfoy released me and stormed out of the Prefects' bathroom.

I didn't move for over a minute. Then I slid back into the water, the pain from the edge of the pool-like tub digging into my lower back slowly receding. Now I had one more thing on my already overloaded mind.

The water grew cooler, the steam fading, breathing becoming easier. The bubbles vanished and the scent became faint. Time ploughed on, leaving me in a haze of dark thoughts and wishes that would never come true.

A/N: Constructive criticism is, as always, extremely welcome. I want to improve and I won't know how unless you tell me what I might be doing wrong!