Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed my story! I'm so glad you guys are liking it! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!!

Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own, have never owned and will never own Harry Potter. Just my own ideas.

Ch.1

Four years earlier

It was Hermione's final year. The thought comforted her but saddened her at the same time. In the last six years, Hogwarts had become her home away from home. She would've done anything to protect it. She had nearly given her life for it. The previous year had been the darkest point of her life. Voldemort had attacked. The dreaded war had approached. Countless lives, both good and bad, had been lost. Voldemort had been desperate to make sure Harry did not survive. It had been a terrifying scene to watch. Black smoke and dust filled the clearing where he and Harry were dueling. Red and green sparks of light flew every which way, hitting anything in its way. Then, when it seemed all hope was lost, Harry had come out the victor. Voldemort was gone. The few remaining Death Eaters vanished among cheers of joy. But soon, the cheers of joy turned into howls of despair and cries of anguish. Friends, family and colleagues had been killed. Parents would never again see their children. Siblings had been torn apart and friends had vanished.

Soon after McGonagall and the remaining staff had held a service for the fallen heroes. Not a dry eye could be found in the Great Hall that day. Then, the time had come to go back home. Hermione latched herself onto Harry and Ron for what seemed like forever. Promises had been made to write everyday. Visits had been planned. But when Hermione had made it home, she was unprepared for the dismal depression that would claim her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw bodies everywhere. In the quiet halls of her house, screams and crying could be heard. When times like these overtook her, she found comfort within the blankets of her bed. Just when she felt there would be no escape a letter came for her via owl. The writing on the envelope was too neat to be either Harry or Ron and Ginny... well she couldn't think about that right now. As she lifted the letter out, a small silver badge with the initials of HG fell out. She read the letter as she picked up the badge.

Ms. Granger,

I am writing to inform you that , as new headmistress of our school, I have very carefully considered your candidacy for Head Girl and feel that you are the best choice.

In light of recent events, if you feel like you need more time to regain a sense for a normal life and choose not to come back, I will fully understand.

Please send me a response no later than two weeks from now or I will be forced to select another.

My sincerest condolences and highest regards,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Hermione eyed the badge tentatively. She hadn't really thought about going back to school or not. With everything else that happened, schooling almost seemed pointless now. Almost. Respectfully, she placed the badge and the letter on her nightstand. Turning her back on them, she laid down in bed and pulled the covers over her trembling body.

*****

Growing up next to the ocean, Draco had always found the sound to be soothing and comforting. It had always proved to be more comforting than his mother, though she did try. But now, he no longer felt the comfort as he stared across the vast blanket of waves. He had been sitting there for at least an hour trying to drown the constant screaming in his head, as someone would down themselves. It wasn't working. In fact, the more the waves crashed among the rocks, the more the screaming intensified. And the more he seemed to stare into the blackish-blue abyss of water, the more it seemed to morph into the Dark Lord himself. To say he was scared, was more than just an understatement. He was petrified. He knew a handful of Death Eaters had escaped, their whereabouts unknown. Ever since he had failed to kill Professor Dumbledore, they had kept a closer watch on him. He had yet to be branded, since he hadn't turned of age yet, but he needed no mark. He had been so terrified of Voldemort, and tortured so many times, that he could've sworn a sort of connection had been placed between them. He could feel the Dark Lord's emotions. And when he had failed his only mission he knew he would pay dearly. And he had. He had been taken to a room where no one would hear his screams. Two cloaked men had soon entered. He recognized one as his father. The trademark hair stood out most prominently against the midnight black robe. Then, as the other removed his hood, Draco felt his heart tremble with fear. The Dark Lord had seemed calm, but when Draco looked into his ruby eyes he could see the molten anger as clear as day. He had just stood there, watching the young man.

Then something Draco never suspected had happened. He felt... calm. And relaxed. Peaceful - happy even. He was starting to feel the warmth of the afternoon sun. He saw his mother, smiling at him. He turned around as he heard his name and saw his one true friend, Blaise Zabini, smiling and waving at him. He had tried to walk to him but as soon as he took one step, Blaise had disappeared and before Draco knew what was happening, he was a heap on the floor, aching like he had never felt before. Knives had been stabbing him at every direction. His limbs felt like they were being torn from every direction. His lungs constricted as they screamed for air. But worst of all, he felt like an invisible weight was crushing him. There was nowhere he could go. And then … relief. It was gone. As soon as his eyes were clear of the stars and he was able to breath again, that same warmth came over him. Only this time he had seen himself, smiling and laughing. He was holding his arms out as if to receive something. A woman, whom he didn't recognize, came running to his arms. He picked her up and twirled together. They both looked so happy - and yet... something seemed familiar. Just as before, Draco crumpled onto the floor again as the crucio curse hit him. This continued for well over an hour. Draco had sobbed until tears could no longer come. He'd been sick numerous times and just as he was silently pleading for a swift death, it stopped. He no longer saw visions. No longer felt anything. He tried to lift himself off of the ground but he could barely lift his finger. All he could do was lay there and sob.

"Pathetic," he heard in the distance, "Your son is worthless. Deserving of no one. Clean him up and get him out of my sight."

Draco wasn't aware of what happened next. All he could hear was 'worthless.' Even now, with the Dark Lord defeated, all he ever heard when he looked in a mirror was 'worthless.'

Okay! So there it is!! I hope it was worth the wait. I think I'm going to keep working my way from the past to the present, so that we see how the bond between Draco and Hermione formed, and how she and Ron went so wrong!! Please Review!! But be nice... lol