A/N: Hey guys, sorry it took me so long to write this but I'm back at school and trying to adjust to everything here. A lot of stuff has happened, but I promise I'll try to update faster.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, except for the poem.

Draco looked around anxiously. He and Hermione were up next and he couldn't find her. He went around backstage searching for her. When he finally found her, she was sitting in a corner, hunched over, a piece of paper clutched in her trembling hand.

"Hermione?" She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide and filled with fear. "What is it?" Her hand shook as she gave him the paper. He took it and looked down, his eyes skimming the crumpled letter.

Dear Hermione,

I am looking forward to seeing you over the holidays.

Your little sister would also like to say hello. Yes, she

will be staying here for Christmas. I will pick you up

at the train station tomorrow.

Signed,

Your father.

Draco looked up at her.

"I have to go," She said, voice wavering, "He'll kill her if I don't." Draco nodded.

"I'll be right back." Draco murmured, slipping offstage and walking to the announcer. He stood in quiet conversation with him for a minute, and then walked back to Hermione. "I told him we wouldn't be performing. Let's go to the common room to talk more privately." Hermione nodded and slowly rose to her feet. She was shaking so badly that Draco was afraid she would fall over. He put his arm around her waist to keep her up. She leaned against him as they walked down the hallway. "Paradise." Draco said to the portrait, and it swung open. He helped Hermione to the couch, where she sat silently, looking at the letter in her hands.

"I don't want to go, but I have to."' Hermione finally said. Draco sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. She dropped the letter on the floor and started crying.

"Everything's going to turn out okay, you'll see." He whispered, rubbing her back. She buried her face in his chest. "I have something for you," He said, stroking her hair. She sniffed, rubbing her cheeks with the back of her hand. Draco reached into a pocket of his robe. "I had meant for it to be a Christmas gift, but I think you need it more now." He pulled out a small box and gave it to her. Hermione opened the box with a small smile. Inside the box lay a golden locket on a slender gold chain.

"It's beautiful." She breathed. Draco smiled.

"The chain is unbreakable and can only be unfastened by you." Hermione took the necklace out and opened the locket. Inside there was a small picture of Draco and the other side was empty. "If there is an emergency while you're home for the break, press the tip of your finger against the empty side and say my name. I'll know, and no matter what, I'll come find you." Hermione smiled at him. "Do you like it?" He asked, a bit shyly. Her smile widened.

"I love it," She replied, flinging her arms around his neck. "Thank you so much!" She clasped the necklace around her neck. "But I hope I won't need it."

"Me too." Draco replied, as Hermione stretched out on the couch. She laid next to a lounging Draco, resting her head on his chest. He began stroking her hair gently as she yawned. "Write me often, okay Hermione?" She didn't respond. "Hermione?" He looked down at her and saw her eyes closed. Draco smiled and waved his wand at the candles that lit the room, dimming them, and summoning a blanket, gently tucking it in around them.

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Hermione awoke in the morning to the sound of rain hitting the roof. She opened her eyes slowly, and was slightly surprised to find herself in the common room. She looked next to her and smiled as her eyes met Draco's face. He looked so much more relaxed in sleep than he ever was during the day. She turned over so she was facing him, and his arm tightened around her waist.

"Draco," She whispered softly, "Wake up." She began brushing his hair away from his face.

"What time is it?" He finally muttered, his eyes still closed.

"Time for me to get ready to go." He eyes snapped open

"I'll walk you to the station." Hermione smiled gratefully, standing up and stretching. She looked down at her clothes with a small smirk.

"Look, I don't even have to get dressed." Draco laughed softly, but could hear the undertones of worry in her voice.

"It's going to be okay," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her. Hermione gave him a small, forced smile. "Get your stuff, you're going to be late."

Ten minutes later, they were standing on the train platform in Hogsmeade in the pouring rain.

"Remember, if you need anything, you know how to get a hold of me," Draco said, handing Hermione her bag. Hermione smiled sadly and looked at her watch. Suddenly, she threw her arms around Draco and brought her lips to his in a quick kiss.

"In case I don't come back." She said, turning and getting on the train. Draco watched the train pull out of the station, as the rain poured down around him, and all he could think of was the feel of her lips against his.

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"My-oh-nee." Hermione awoke to a small figure shaking her awake. She slowly opened her eyes to see her little sister, who was kneeling on her bed. "Get up!" Anna shrieked. "It's Christmas!" Hermione smiled as she sat up slowly, trying to ignore the pain she felt. She had dragged herself out of bed at midnight to put presents underneath the tree for her little sister.

"Okay, I'm up, I'm up!" Hermione exclaimed with a smile as Anna dragged her out of the room and down the stairs. Hermione watched with a smile as Anna opened her presents, exclaiming over each one. The last one she opened was a baby doll. Anna squealed in joy, hugging the doll close to her as she jumped onto Hermione's lap.

"Gonna name it after you." She announced solemnly, much to Hermione's amusement.

"Dolls." A scornful voice interrupted their celebration. "She doesn't need dolls." Hermione slid Anna off her lap, taking a defensive position in front of the girl.

"She is just a child, father, let her have her dolls." Hermione turned to the small girl behind her. "Go upstairs to your room, now." Anna obeyed with a timid nod. Hermione shifted, keeping her body between Anna and her father.

"I am her father, I decide what's best for her." he slurred angrily, towering over Hermione.

"You haven't been her father since you started drinking all the time. She needs support and love right now, and I can't trust you with her. I'm leaving and I'm taking her with me." Hermione turned away from him to the stairs.

"You won't tell me what to do." He thundered, sending tremors down her spine.

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Back at Hogwarts, Draco sat alone in his room, trying to read a book, but found he was too distracted by his worry over Hermione. He jumped as the bracelet he wore grew warm and vibrated on his arm.

"Hermione." He breathed, jumping up from his bed. He threw his cloak on over his pajamas before running out of the room. He ran first to the Slytherin common to find Blaise. "It's Hermione, she's in trouble." The boy was on his feet and racing after him as he headed towards the Gryffindor common room. He halted in front of the portrait. "I don't know the password, but I have to get in." He said, breathing hard from running.

"It's Golden Snitches," Blaise interrupted him, and the portrait swung open.

"Do I even want to know why you know that?" Draco asked as he stepped into the common room. Blaise laughed dryly. "Harry!" The black haired boy looked up from his seat near the fire. "Hermione's in trouble, come with me." Harry stood and followed Draco as he and Blaise raced through the castle, down the stairs, and out across the lawn.

"Is it her father?" Harry asked as they burst through the gates to the grounds.

"I don't know, I just know that she's in trouble." Draco looked at the other two. "You both learned apparating with our study group, right?" They nodded. "Good, meet me at her house."

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A paradise lost,

A paradise gained.

A life thrown away

For the sake of a game,

This little game called life,

She gave herself as sacrifice.

To save another

She let her life wither away.

To protect a sister

She took the pain that one must pay.

To help a family

She put herself in harm's way.

The night her dad beat her mom to death

She didn't stray from in front of her sister,

Her little, innocent sister.

The police were coming, but not fast enough.

She knew she was dying, but couldn't give up.

She stood there like a pillar, blocking the way

To the room where her sister played,

Unaware of what happened outside.

When the cops got there, she still stood,

Still as a stone in the way.

Her daddy rained blows on her, she was cut and bleeding

But still she didn't move, even as they took him away.

Finally, they say, she walked to the cradle, kissed the baby once,

Then sank to the floor, crumpling like a rag doll.

By then it was too late for her,

She would never enjoy freedom.

But for her death, neither would her sister have.

One paradise lost,

Another gained.

A life given to save another,

The greatest gift she could give.

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Flashback

Hermione stumbled backwards, using her body as a block between her father and her sister. Her hand went to her stomach, which was stained with blood.

"This is why... I don't trust you with Anna." She spat, standing steady in the face of her father's fury. He growled, slicing at her with the knife he held in his hand. "Mother would be ashamed of you if she was alive." He faltered for a second, and then drew himself back up to his full height.

"Never mention her again!" He flung his hand forward, burying the knife in her side. She fell to the floor, gasping for air, one hand clutching her side. With the other hand she fumbled with the locket around her neck. It popped open and she pressed her blood-covered finger to the empty side.

"Draco." She whispered, before losing consciousness.

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A/N: Do not fear, I do not believe I will kill off any main characters at this point. The poem was just added because I felt it fit the situation. Review please, flames welcome, but please don't yell at me for killing her because SHE'S NOT DEAD YET!