Author's note: OoO, I'm writing so much lately! I hope you like this next chapter. I probably won't be too exciting, I'm not sure though. I haven't written it yet:)

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything JK Rowling owns, can you believe it? I feel gypped. ;)

Previously: "Well, we better go before anything else is said," decided Hermione.

"Wait, Selene!"

"No, I go by Hermione and her Ginny."

"Okay, Hermione."

"Yes?"

Draco leaned forward and kissed her softly. Blaise did the same to Ginny.

"Happy Birthday, Malfoy," the twins spoke in unison just before they disapparated.

When the girls came down for breakfast, their parents were already at the table. Casper was reading the Daily Prophet as Lana munched on her breakfast and studied her nails with great interest.

"Morning girls," Lana greeted, holding her gaze at her hands.

"Morning," they replied with a yawn.

"I heard that both of you had fun at young Malfoy's party. The boys came downstairs in an absolute daze thinking of you two."

The twins exchanged smirks and began to eat their breakfast when a tawny owl came tapping on the window.

"Could you get that, Hermione?" asked Casper.

"Yes, Casper," She stood and opened the window, retrieving the letters and treating the school owls. "Hmmm…" she looked at Ginny. "Dumbledore is good," was all she said as she handed Ginny her school letter.

"Your school letters have arrived?"

"Yes, ma'am. Wow!"

"What?" Lana asked, moving from one intriguing thing to the next.

"I'm head girl," she manifested her badge.

"I'm a prefect," Ginny smiled.

"Oh, goodie!"

"Would you girls like to go shopping today?" Casper wondered.

"Yes, that would be fine."

"Okay, well, here's enough to cover school books and supplies, maybe some clothes. If you need more, the key to our vault is also in there. Feel free to use it," he offered her a small pocket size sack.

"Okay," she studied it carefully.

"Don't let size deceive."

"Of course not," She jumped up.

An hour later, both girls were ready to go. They apparated to Diagon Alley. Many people were bustling about, gathering things for school. As Hermione and Ginny entered the book store, the first things to catch their eyes was blonde and red hair. They shuffled towards the boys, also seeing Harry and Blaise.

Draco was throwing a fresh insult at Ron. Harry was holding Ron back and Blaise was just smirking.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Hermione directed her question towards Draco and Blaise.

"Oh, hey, I didn't see you there."

"Of course not, you were a bit to busy insulting the innocent."

"How do you even know Weasel and Potty?"

"Oh, we go way back, but that's not your concern, Malfoy," shot Hermione.

"Don't you remember what we said yesterday?" asked Ginny.

"We can be your wildest dream or we can be your worst nightmare," recited Hermione.

"Honey, you're both a mixture of the options," Blaise interjected.

"Well…" Hermione trailed off as she noticed Mrs. Weasley standing a few feet away from the group with the ghost of a smile that seemed to brighten the unshed tears that filled her longing eyes. Hermione also took notice of how Ginny's face looked so pain stricken, almost scared. Memories came floating back and she began to think about how she would never again be able to see her parents or run into them and remember things like moving away from them after finding out about the adoption. Her little brother would never grow up. She wouldn't be able to watch him grow up. Her mother wouldn't be able to take her to dance classes or stay up late just to talk with Hermione. She wouldn't be there to run to the store when Hermione would need a chocolate fix or to let Hermione cry on her shoulder when her heart was broken or something else plagued her life. It was her fault… her fault.

Hermione took a sharp breath in, not realizing she had stopped breathing. She felt the wetness on her cheeks and realized she was crying. Everyone was staring at her, concern etched on most of their faces.

"Well, maybe this year will be one of interest," her words were barely audible. She turned and left the store, forgetting that she should have been shopping. Tears blurred her vision as she just walked. She could walk away from the pain if she tried… escape the pain. Couldn't she?

"Hermione!" Ginny was chasing after her. She could also hear two others and figured it to be Draco and Blaise. Hermione sped her walk up to a run. Running was faster… the pain would disappear faster. When she reached the outer limits of the Alley, she tripped, so suddenly and painfully with her emotions ramming into her full speed.

"Hermione," Ginny fell by Hermione's side. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"It was my fault, Ginny! They died, and it was my fault! Can't you see that?" she stood up and began to pace. They… it… I shouldn't have said I hated her. It was raining horribly, and I knew she might be late. I don't know why I cared so much. I just don't understand why this hurts. I mean, I do but I feel numb and the pain shouldn't be here," she took in a deep breath. "I… it was my… fault," she fell into the arms of Draco who had gone to comfort her. She pushed herself away and shrieked, "Don't touch me!"

"Hermione, who died? It wasn't your fault. I promise you. It wasn't your fault."

"Stop lying to me! You don't even know what I'm on about!" Hermione was standing again and now wiping her eyes.

"Then tell me."

Hermione looked down at Ginny, willing her to see the pain etched onto her face, even see why it was there.

"Oh… when?"

"I don't know… I lost track. The funeral was a week ago."

"Hermione, we would have gone with you. You didn't have to be alone during any of this."

"And yet I was, Ginny. It was fate."

"If fate controlled your reaction, what stops it from controlling what happened to cause that reaction?"

Author's note: Okay, there you are chapter five. I liked it. Did you? Please review! The more reviews I get, the happier I will be to write another chapter sooner!

Happy New Years

Love you all,

Heather