Hiya guys! Thanks a million for the reviews, they really make me smile:) see? SMILES! Okay, here's the chapter as promised!
Hermione ran as fast as her bare feet aloud her to. The stone flooring was freezing and every step sent a chill up Hermione's leg and up her spine making her shiver involuntarily. She didn't know why she was running. All she knew was that when Malfoy was out of earshot she made a sprint down the halls. It was dark; the fire on the torches had since gone out after curfew past. Hermione had no clue where she was in the huge castle, the hallways seemed uneaven and crooked. She made sharp turns and flew down hallways, not a care to where she was headed. Finally, she hit a dead end.
Her legs cramped hopelessly, her legs felt like jelly, and her head pounded and unhealthy rhythm. She couldn't run any long and she knew it, she would stay here until her legs were solid enough to find her way out. Sinking to the floor she let out a wet sob. The nightgown she was given by the matron was no match for the cold floor that became her new bed. Laying pin straight on the floor she looked up at the ceiling with blank, cold eyes. Her eyes pleaded to be shut and her head begged to be given a rest, but Hermione wouldn't budge. It was either a nigh filled with horrible dreams or a night without sleep.
Naturally she picked the later one.
How did I end up like this? Hermione thought silently.
Memories came flooding back, many Hermione failed to shut out. It was like every piece of information about the past years was being pushed into her mind. Her breaths became shorter and her eyes glazed over as the thoughts became too much. Hermione finally gave in and let them take over.
Six year old Hermione giggled and the swing she was on flew higher. Her father warned her about the sturdiness of the swing, but Hermione didn't give it a second thought. The branches squeaked in agony as Hermione's weight became all too much. She slowed and let her bare feet drag across the dirt as she made the swing some to a complete stop. Pushing her curls out of her face and mouth, she glanced up at the branch that held the ropes to see that they were bend and about to crack.
"Hello, Hermione." A voice said from behind her.
Hermione craned her neck to glance at the owner of the voice. To the six year old he looked like a monster. Hermione gasped and subconsciously held the rope tighter in her grasp.
"No need for that, sweetheart, I'm not here to hurt you." The man chuckled. "I'm just here to play. Don't you worry."
Hermione swallowed the bile in her throat and stuttered greatly.
"m-my Daddy said to never talk to strangers." The girl whispered just enough for him to faintly hear.
"But, Hermione love, I'm no stranger." He took a step closer. "In fact, I believe I know you better than anyone else."
On the floor Hermione shivered, not from the cold this time, but from the memory of the first encounter with the man. Tears welled up in her hollow eyes. Bitting her lip so hard she was surprised she didn't draw blood another memory came to mind. This one more gruesome. The first murder. . dead corpse she ever saw.
"I found you! Now, it's your turn to hide." Eleven year old Hermione told her best friend Vivian.
Vivian giggled and ran into the think wood placed in the back of Hermione's house. Hermione counted to 10 in her head. . . 8. . . 9. . . 10!
"Ready or not, here I come!" She screamed, running into the woods after her friend.
Hermione pushed thick branches out of her way, the tick brush scratching her arms.
"Vivvy! Vivian! Where are you?" Hermione cried, the sound echoing through the trees.
She heard her name being called from a clearing not far away and sprinted toward it. She was panting by the time she reached the edge of the thinning wood. She stopped short when she saw the man again, standing under one of the smaller trees. He smirked when he saw her.
"That girl, Vivian? Yes, she was quite the squealer." He laughed and stepped aside.
Hermione couldn't help it. She unloaded her stomach into a small hole in the ground. Tears poured down hr face, her legs giving out from under her. There at the bottom of the tree was Vivian. Her huge blue eyes piercing holes into Hermione's skin. Her blonde hair matted down with blood seeping from the deep slit in the middle of her neck.
"Pity," The man tutted, "She was quite pretty."
Suddenly the room felt too hot. Hermione's throat burned with dehydration. Tears scorched a path down Hermione's cheeks and down her jaw. Hiccups echoed off the walls. But, the torture didn't end there. No, it got far worse.
Fourteen year old Hermione awakened to a clattering from downstairs. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she softly padded down the steps and into the kitchen where she stopped dead in her tracks.
There was her father, sprawled on the floor with the man above him, blood smeared on his cheek.
"Ah, love, how nice of you to join us!" The man cooed, stepping off her father.
Hermione's face was stiff and fierce as she snarled at the man. The last time she saw him she was small and weak. No, she had fought and was ready to fight again. She was ready to face her demons.
"What do you want? Leave my father out of this, whatever this is.: Hermione growled.
The man picked at imaginary dirt under his fingernails and looked thoughtful for a minute.
"I don't want anything, love. We're just playing. You're perfect for this game." He purred, taking another step forward.
Hermione thought quickly and grabbed the poker from the fireplace nearby.
"Get any cloer and you die. You can have anything. Just leave my father alone," Hermione hissed.
The man pursed his lips in a thoughtful pout.
"Hmm, how about this; I wont hurt your father. Not a hair on his head, on one condition." He reasoned.
Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"What is it?"
"You have until you're 17th birthday to live, at age sixteen I will come back. You will see me and I will hurt you. So much so that you'll beg to die. Remember; you're father or your life."
Hermione gasped. "You. . you. . you monster!"
The man smirked cruley. "It's all in the game. Now, it's your move. Choose wisely"
Hermione's jaw stiffened and she opened her mouth to answer. "Fine. I suppose I'll see you in two years."
And done! I'm sorry it's not good and it's soo short but, I needed to add this part in here just so future chapter make more sense. :)