For the life of me, I can not remember what made us think that we were wise and we'd never compromise.

For the life of me, I can not believe we'd ever die for these sins, we were merely freshman.

The Freshman The verve pipe

Malandra was dreading having a conversation with Hermione. Her mother had always been able to see through her; she was impossible to lie to. Oh, she had lied to her before, and her mother had always, always tricked her into confessing some how or another. Being around all the Slytherin's had definetly rubbed off on future Hermione.

Malandra sat down beside Hermione on the common room couch. When she looked at Hermione in the faint light, she could see her mother in her. Of course the Hermione she remembered was older, there were more lines in her face, her hair was longer, her eyes…..more haunted by horrors she had not yet seen. Yet, Malandra could still see the fire and passion that her mother had, lying just under the surface of this younger version.

Hermione could tell Malandra was uncomfortable. Who wouldn't be? Hermione knew that Malandra thought she would hate her after the Harry incident and, to be honest, Hermione was a bit…confused over the whole situation.

After all, Ginny had been waiting for Harry to notice her for so long, and they had seemed so happy……then Malandra came and Harry fell for her, just like that. It seemed rather strange to Hermione and, had it been anyone else but Malandra, Hermione would have been furious. But there was something about Malandra…

Hermione could not put her finger on what it was. Maybe it was the fact that there was something oddly familiar about Malandra, maybe it was the fact Malandra didn't seem like the type to steal another girl's guy, or maybe it was the fact that Mal actually seemed to feel…guilty about the end of Harry and Ginny's relationship. Maybe it was a bit of all those things.

"Don't worry." Hermione said to her, "I just want to talk to you, I promise, I don't bite." Malandra smiled. "are you sure about that? Cause, I know if I were in your situation, I would probably be looking into was to curse me."

Hermione laughed. "To be honest, the thought crossed my mind, but only for a moment." She sighed. "I talked to Ginny, she told me that she was the one that had broken up with Harry and that she didn't hate you." Hermione shrugged. "If she didn't hate you over this, what right do I have to be mad about it?"

Malandra smirked. "You should share that advice with Ronald." She said with a small laugh. Hermione sighed again. "You have to understand, Ginny is his little sister, he's very protective of her, not to mention the fact that he isn't exactly known for being level headed. Plus, Harry is like a brother to him already, and I'm sure he was secretly wishing that one day Harry would marry Ginny and they would truly be family to one another.

Hermione shook her head. "I know that you probably didn't really care about any of that but….Ginny really loves Harry, I mean she would have to in order to be willing to let him go and be with you just so he could be happy. So, I have to ask you, how do you feel about him?"

(to be continued……)

JUST KIDDING………………………………...

"How do you feel about him?" The question rang in her ears. She couldn't be honest. She couldn't say, "I've had a crush on him for my entire life. He was my first real crush, the first guy I ever wanted to marry, I loved him when I was supposed to believe that all boys had cooties, he was the one who was there for me when I fought with my parents, the one who made me laugh when I couldn't stop crying when my first boyfriend broke my heart, he was the one who stood with me at my parent's graves…..I've loved him for eternity….." She couldn't say that…..Hermione couldn't know any of it.

Instead, Malandra smiled at Hermione and told her of her feelings in the most simple manner she could. "I love him." She said. "I know that seems strange as I've only known him a very days but……I feel like I've known him forever."

She sighed. "It's like he understands me, and sure he can be a complete and total prick sometimes, but he…he is caring and gentle and makes me feel like I am the most important person in his life. It's not something logical that I can rationalize, it just…is."

She smiled at Hermione. "Have you ever felt that way about anyone?" this was pure nosiness on Malandra's part….that and self preservation. She wanted to get her parents together if at all possible. Existing was something she very much enjoyed.

Hermione smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not, I mean I've dated before, and had crushes on boys, Viktor, Ron, even Harry once, but none of them made me feel the way you described."

Her mother had once had a crush on Harry…that was mildly disturbing. And yet, out of some perverse curiosity, she had to ask the next question. "So why didn't you ever get with Harry, I mean the two of you have been friends for so long and….it would seem to fit."

Hermione laughed. "Harry and I are great friends, and I will always love him, as a brother, but honestly, a relationship between the two of us? We are far to different he is so obsessed with Quidditch and not very interested in schoolwork -except for defense against dark arts- and he is to much like a brother to me. Besides, Harry couldn't stand being with a girl would wouldn't get on a broom and fly with him."

As if anticipating her next question, Hermione continued, "And if Harry is too much like a brother for me to date well Ron…with him, I understand why some sibilings kill each other. He and I could never be happy together, he needs a girl who would be content to put up with his temper tantrums, someone who wouldn't damage his ego, someone who is not me. Besides, I want a man who can make me love not only his body, but his mind, someone who will challenge me intellectually, someone who can love me for the know it all book worm I am." Hermione sighed, "Am I being unrealistic?" She asked. "No, not at all." Malandra said nonchalantly.

But inside, she was dancing, there was hope for her parents after all, she was going to exist!

(AN, love me, hate me…..review me! J )