Hey guys… here's another chapter…

Disclaimer: same thing as always, If you recognize any characters or ideas or what not from either the movie or the books, they're obviously not mine. (sob)

CHAPTER III

The sight of Hogwarts brought smiles to the faces of Ginny, Harry, and Hermione. Happy to be home they group set off towards the Great Hall.

Sitting down at their usual spot at the Gryffindor table the new trio made sure that Ronald was not near them. He wasn't a welcome member of the group anymore. Soon enough the new first years were entering and being sorted.

Hermione couldn't wait for them to finish sorting though. She was so hungry. After a summer of barely eating anything she couldn't wait to finally not have to worry about whether or not she would be given scraps of food anymore.

So caught up in thinking about the food that was to come she didn't notice when Dumbledore had stood up after the sorting to give his usual speech. It wasn't until she heard her name being called that she realized she had missed something.

"Someone say my name?" Asked a confused Hermione.

"Stand up Hermione! Dumbledore just announced you're Head Girl!" Ginny whispered back excitedly.

Quickly jumping to stand up, Hermione hoped that no one had noticed she wasn't paying any attention to Dumbledore much less anything else. Thankfully luck was on her side tonight. Unlike it has been for the past summer.

"Also lets congratulate our Head Boy for this year, Draco Malfoy," Said Dumbledore continuing his speech. "Now for the most important part of the day….Tuck in" The food appeared on the table and everybody delightedly did as told. Ron more enthusiastically than others, as he stuffed his face like there was no tomorrow.

Disgusted Hermione looked away from him and looked at her own food. Confused, she noticed there was a lot more food on her plate than there was when she had looked away only to see Ron eating like a barbarian. Staring at her food she then noticed a hand scooping even more food onto her plate. Her eyes traced the hand up an arm and eventually to the face of none other than Harry Potter.

"What do you think you're doing Harry Potter?" Hermione asked.

"Nuh Uh. Don't even try to give me that tone Mione. I noticed how thin you've gotten when I first saw you on the train. Ginny noticed to." Harry answered.

Looking to Ginny, Hermione saw her trying to sneak deserts (AN: is it desert or dessert?) onto her plate.

"Ginny! I can fill my own plate. And the same goes to you Harry." Hermione said. "Besides, who could possibly eat this much food. I don't think even Mr. Barbarian over there could eat this much."

"Oh you'd be surprised at what he can eat these days." Said Ginny. "Ever since he joined the Order he's gotten first pick at what's on the table for dinner."

"Well either way I'm not eating all of this food, Okay? Give me some time and I'll be eating more later on. I'm just not that hungry today." Of course that was a lie. Hermione was starving, but she knew that she couldn't eat a lot right away or she would get sick. She had to start small.

HGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGH

Soon dinner was over and the new trio headed off to Gryffindor Tower . They sat down at the usual chairs in front of the fire. Making sure that Ron had already gone to bed and couldn't try to over hear anything that was going on around them they began to talk.

"So do you know of anything that's been going on with Voldemort?" Hermione asked. Being in the muggle world and not leaving the basement of her own home had meant she had missed some things going on in the wizarding world.

"Not much he's doing his usual things. Though no one we know has died." Harry answered looking at the bright side of life with Voldemort. "But there is something else we overheard about."

"Something else is going on. We don't know exactly know what, but whatever it is scares the Order. Because they don't know exactly what's going on either." Ginny said.

Each was then lost in their thoughts trying to think of something that could possibly be what was scaring the Order. It obviously had to be big, though they all hoped it was nothing.

Deciding to go up to bed they each went their separate ways into their dormitories.

Hermione got to have her own dormitory inside the girls' dorm. Being Head Girl had its privileges. Jumping into bed Hermione looked forward to a good nights sleep.

HGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG

The belt hit her again. Her back her so much from the pain. Blood dripped down her body. Screaming out in pain, she tried to move away from the next blow. But she had no luck. Her wrists were sore from the pain chains that bound her to the wall. The belt hit her again. Though this time is was also the metal buckle that hit her. Screaming out in pain again she knew she could do nothing. She never was able to do anything.

"Mione! Mione! Wake up, its just a dream. Wake Up!" Ginny said frantically shaking a screaming but sleeping Hermione.

Suddenly sitting up, Hermione hit her head against Ginny's own forehead. Holding a hand to her head, she tried to focus on what was going on. She was sitting in her bed, sheets tangled all around her and she was in a cold sweat. Noticing Ginny holding her head in her hands she realized she must have hit her when she suddenly woke up.

"Ginny are you okay? I didn't mean to hit you." Hermione said.

"I'm fine. Are you okay? I woke up to see Lavender completely freaking out and telling me you were being murdered in your own dorm and they couldn't get in to save you. And when I finally get in, you were screaming your mind off and I couldn't wake you!" Ginny ranted on to Hermione.

Ginny was extremely worried about Hermione. She was so much thinner than when she had left the school last June, and now she was having nightmares that scared Ginny half to death.

Hermione hadn't known she was screaming. Her dream seemed so real. Though if she had to be honest with herself it was more of a memory than a dream. So many nights and days she had screamed during the summer as her father hit her over and over again. He used her in so many ways that no father should ever even think about doing to their daughter. And all the while her mother and brother did nothing to stop it. They believed he was doing the right thing. Protecting them from the freak that was born into the family.

"Mione?" Ginny asked interrupting her thoughts. "Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine" Hermione lied. "Just a little shaken up. Thats all."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No... I just need to work it all out myself. you know?"

Ginny didn't know, but she nodded her head all the same. Resolving to tell Harry about it and see if he knew anything decided to move onto happier topics like...

"I'm hungry." Ginny said

"Just give me a sec to get dressed and I'll meet you in the common room with Harry, kay?" Hermione replied with a laugh. With know doubt Ginny was a Weasley. Food always was a major part of their lives. Grabbing her clothes and heading to the bathroom, Hermione began to get ready for the day.

(meanwhile)

"She's hiding something Harry." A concerned Ginny said. "And I'm about to lose my mind over it, I'm so worried."

Harry nodded. He had noticed it too. She was different after the summer this year. She always was a little off when they first got back to school in September, but even more so this year.

"We'll just have to look out for her, Gin. I'm sure she'll tell us when she's ready. But even if she doesn't ever tell us. I'll still be there for her to help her and stand by her side." Harry said with finallity. She cared for him and was always there for him, even when so few others were. He'd do the same for her.

PAIRINGS??...Well I think this story needs one...that and I want one. But who to pick for Hermione?! I just don't know!!. So help me out and toss me a pair. No Ron and Hermione pairs or Harry and Hermione pairs though. Thanks a ton..!!