Author's Note: For those who have favorited and are following thanks so much! Sorry for the long wait, I'm studying abroad in London so I've been busy! But I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I hope to read some reviews, I'm really urging them because I'd love to hear feedback.

Disclaimer: Same as always, I only own Emily. Well I made her up of course.

Chapter 4

She ran through the forest, dodging trees and spells, trying not to be caught. Where were Harry and Ron? Once the Snatchers appeared they took off in different directions and she had no idea where they were. Bloody hell. How was she going to meet up with them now if she had no idea where they were? Hermione slowed her running not hearing anymore shouted spells or leaving and twigs crunching beneath heavy feet. Chocolate eyes scanned the area, her ears strained to hear familiar and loved voices

"Harry?" Hearing something in the thin group of trees near her right, she was cautious but truly hoped it was her emerald eyed friend, keeping her wand out and at the ready, she carefully stepped forward. Hermione read plenty of books where a girl running from her attacker made a very stupid decision in walking towards noises however this wasn't a storybook she was reading, this was her life and right now she had to find her friends. Harry and Ron needed her and she needed them. "Harry?" Her wand stayed intact within her grasp, she took a deep breath and reached forward

"Ello beautiful" Hermione gasped in a scared shock at the grip on her wrist as the man came into view, Scabior, the best and head Snatcher stayed hidden in the shadow of the trees and waited for his lovely prey to come to him. He thought he could have put on a show for her and threw his voice but he felt she was too smart for that old parlor trick. She jerked away but he held her tightly "Oh no, you ain't getting away from me lovely"

"Let go of me!" She shouted still trying to jerk her right wrist from him, he was trying to grab hold of her left but she would not be subdued! Hermione swung with her left arm and her fist went across his cheek, the man blinked stunned that she had that sort of her power in her smaller frame then he smirked

"Got quite a bit of power in ya eh? That's alright, I love me a girl who can fight back, makes things tha' much more fun"

"I swear I'll curse you if you don't let go of me" She pushed at his chest, slammed her fists at his shoulders, all he did was laugh at her struggle pushing forward making her move backwards. Hermione grunted as she attempted to turn her wand hand towards him directing her object of power ready to curse him "Stupe-uhhgh" Her back slammed in the trunk of a tree, jarring her for a moment. Scabior twisted her hand until the stick dropped from her grasp and he leaned in closer to her moving his hold from her wrist to her upper arms but Hermione was not giving up. She was a Gryffindor, she would never give up! Her hands pushed at his shoulders

"How lovely you smell, I knew it was you I smelt that day. Such a smart witch ain't you? Hiding you and your friends from me… jus so you know, Potter was found and we will turn him over. Collect. Tha redheaded boyfriend of yours will go to where blood traitors belong and you… you will stay…" he touched his lips to the underside of her jaw and she squirmed "with…" to her neck "me"

"GET OFF ME!" She shouted swinging her arms, finding herself getting tangled in something, she fought trying to push it off, trying to break free but it only seemed to make her get even more tangled. "Oomph" a noise escaped her lips as she collided with the wooden floor, Hermione laid still; her eyes opened searching frantically, trying to remember where she was. Realizing she was in a comforter, she let out a breath and took to dislodging her body from the blanket, hearing quiet giggles; she pulled the maroon blanket from her face and saw blonde hair leaving the room. Lavender… did she see the new girl have a nightmare? Did she see her fall off of her bed almost pulling her curtains down with her? Ugh, how much Hermione disliked her. Standing to her feet, she ran a hand over her face and curled back in her bed pulling the blanket with her.

"Are you okay? I wanted to wake you but Lavender said I shouldn't bother you" Hermione sat up and pushed the curtains aside looking into the blue eyes of Emily Lennis, that girl she never really spoke to before. Not saying anything Hermione nodded in her direction before laying back down closing her eyes trying to keep her tears in "Are you okay Mia?"

That name, it wasn't hers and it felt weird having to respond to it. She picked it, it was something that would be easy but it wasn't her name, this look wasn't her look, Hermione was never the prettiest girl around but she was confident in her appearance to never truly change it, except for the Yule ball and when she allowed Madame Pomfrey to continue shrinking her two front teeth. Other than that, everything changed on its own.

"I'm… alright. I just have a lot going on in my mind, it's hard not to think about them" She noticed that Emily was American, her accent was very different. How had she not noticed before?

"I understand, you know, lunch is in about an hour… do you want to go down with me?" Hermione turned over pushing her ebony curls from her face, she looked at the girl. She was about her height, with blonde hair that she held back into a tight ponytail, her wide blue eyes were hidden behind glasses, and Hermione liked how kind the girl looked compared to the other blonde who occupied the room. Her stomach rumbled and they both smiled

"I suppose that would be a yes" she muttered, pushing back the covers she stood

"I also noticed, you came here with no trunk and one hasn't come yet. I can give you some clothes until you are able to find your belongings. I'm sure they're probably trying to figure out where you are living now. Things are different around here so the system might be a bit off"

"Oh no, you don't have to do that Emily, I'm fine in what I'm wearing" She realized that she had on the same clothes she wore yesterday, and the day before. She's been in these clothes for about two days now. Being in Mr. Lovegood's house, chased by Snatchers, being caught, escaping, being confronted by Malfoy and now it was another day. "I think I'll take you on that offer. Thank you."

Hermione made her way through the corridors, she was completely thankful for the warm shower; she stood underneath the spray for fifteen minutes, washed her hair and took her time getting dressed in the clothes Emily graciously gave her. She knew that being here was dangerous, two knew her secret, one she trusted and the other… well he only knew because she was ignorant to the fact that people might actually have remembered what she looked like. It was poor judgment on her part, something that didn't happen often. Making it to her destination, she knocked

"Come in" Hermione pushed open the large wooden door and moved until she stood in front of the desk. The woman looked up, and waited, the elder witch sat silent waiting for this girl to speak then she blinked rapidly "Miss. Granger? Merlin, I did not recognize you, you changed your appearance. Very good, this is definitely better than last night." When the woman glanced down, Hermione rolled her eyes feeling her insides churn. Malfoy was right… ugh, how she hated to admit such a thing.

"I actually have a favor to ask of you Professor. You see, I came here without my things. I left my bag with the boys" They definitely needed it more than she did, it had her clothes however it also had the tent and other supplies "I don't have anything other than the school books and bag you gave me yesterday"

Professor McGonagall nodded and rubbed her forehead in thought. She was right. It was her duty to help Hermione Granger; she had to make sure the girl stayed safe

"Of course, I will send an owl to Molly, I'm sure she still has some of your things at the Burrow. I will also send word to your parents." The older witch began to write furiously on new parchment and Hermione sat down

"Actually, you can't write them. They wouldn't know who I am… you see… I modified their memory and sent them off to Australia. I didn't want them here while I was gone. They know about me being Harry's friend, they'd know I wasn't here at school and they'd send someone there… I couldn't let them be hurt" Her voice waivered at the thought of her parents being hurt but she thought quickly that day. Professor McGonagall nodded sadly

"Yes… I will send Nymphadora an owl in hopes someone from the Order can go to your home and gather your things. We will have it squared away for you Miss. Granger, I am sorry and I hope that you continue to remain strong." Standing to her feet, Hermione nodded and turned to leave

"Please ask Mrs. Weasley to not tell anyone about me being here, I suppose the Order will have to know but in terms of Ginny, Fred, George and everything. I don't want anyone to know right now." She grasped the doorknob then said glancing over her shoulder "Professor… if you hear anything… anything about where Harry and Ron are, please tell me. I'd like to go back to them as soon as you hear something. A definite answer" Without hearing a yes or no, Hermione left the office.

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Draco sat with his friends at the Slytherin table, his stormy eyes swept across the room, as he always did. Looking for someone to point out and mock, to perhaps even get up and mock to their faces, his best mate, well the person who came close to having the most respect from the blonde boy leaned closer to him "I see you're back to normal"

"Shut up, I was perfectly fine yesterday."

"Right."

"You think you know me?"

The dark eyed boy rolled his eyes and let out a bored sigh "Oh please Draco, we've had this conversation plenty of times before. You're not that hard to get" A smirk appeared on his face and he turned back to his food.

"Hey, there goes that new girl. I heard Parkinson talking about her to Daphne and Bulstrode." Hearing Theodore Nott's words, Draco lifted his eyes, he was searching for the face they spoke of, he knew it, he knew the changes he suggested her make and how easily he got her to make them. He smirked in spite of himself. Grey eyes found her. She was walking into the Great Hall, she looked better, clean. Then he frowned, he still didn't get out of her why she was here, he made a mental note to annoy it out of her. For some reason, he had to know. "She's cute"

"Oh right Nott, and you were the one who thought that Eloise Midgen has potential to be attractive" Draco said with a sneer. The brown haired boy turned back towards the table "Besides, she's a mudblood and a Gryffindor, doesn't matter how attractive you think she is she's beneath you." Crabbe began to chuckle at Draco's words, it only made him smirk even more, Theodore rolled his eyes, muttered something about just saying she was cute and then changed the subject to how short Tracey Davis's skirt was today. Draco barely registered the words being said, for one, Tracey Davis was a halfblood and not worth his time and Hermione Granger, now Mia James sat facing him in front of some blonde girl he realized he always saw but never encountered. He generally wasn't a very curious person but… he had to know why she was here. The Slytherin remembered the train ride back; it held a very cold atmosphere.

**Flashback**

Draco smirked leaving his friends in their usual compartment, in the past after meeting with the other Prefects in the front compartments, he travelled back to the small room that held his friends and they would plot who would be their first victim. However, today would be different; he received his letter over the summer signed by Severus Snape instead of Albus Dumbledore that he would be Head Boy. He was definitely proud, he might have never made that position if that old fool was still alive, especially after he failed to kill him, he stood there with his wand pointed, all he had to do was say those two words and he couldn't… didn't. He was a laughingstock within the circle of Death Eaters, now he was sent back to school like a child to be watched until they figured out what to do with him and his failures. Draco walked to the front compartment, the place the Prefects usually met but after the new Head Boy and Head Girl spoke and read another letter. So much reading, why couldn't it just be in one whole letter?

"Idiots" he muttered grabbing the envelope and reading the words as soon as he got it open. Rolling his eyes, he crumpled up the parchment, it was nothing new. Even with Snape as the new Headmaster, things clearly were still the same. Just as he was prepared to leave, the second letter caught his attention. Lifting it from the table, his eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened "Granger? As Head Girl? Seriously… why would they choose her when they clearly have better options." In all honesty, he rather not work with the Hufflepuff girl Prefect… what was her name? Well it didn't matter. Pansy, she was a friend but she annoyed him and he saw enough of her already, that Patil girl wasn't so bad… she might be a better option than Granger. That girl who was always ready to defend, to shout at him and slap him…

"Hmm maybe this wouldn't be so bad." He always wanted to get her back for that slap in their third year but never managed to do so. Sitting silently, he waited for the bushy haired Gryffindor to enter the compartment however she never did, the Slytherin glanced at the clock embedded within the wall and he scowled. She was late. Who the hell did she think she was making him wait like this? Those times they were forced to patrol together she always got on him for being late and now she was making him wait? Draco Malfoy waited for no one. Making a face, he stood to his feet and left the compartment, he was going to find her, he was sure that she got a letter this summer just as he did so there was no excuse. His grey eyes looked through every compartment of the Hogwarts Express however he never saw her

"Weaslette" He said pushing open the door to the youngest Weasley's compartment, he glared at her "Where is Granger?"

"None of your business Malfoy"

"Where is she?" He demanded impatiently however the ginger was not moving on her responses, eventually she threatened to curse him with her infamous Bat Boogey Hex and he was not interested in that so he slammed the door shut. Eventually he had to face those Prefects, including the new ones on his own, he honestly had no idea what to say to them but he made it work. He was angry, he had no interest in actually doing the work required of him to be Head Boy, having the title and power was enough but doing work? Draco let out an annoyed sound before making his way back to his compartment. It wasn't the same without the trio here…now who would he take all of his frustrations out on?

**End Flashback**

Hermione could feel eyes on her as she sat down at her usual table, is this how new students felt? Self conscious because everyone was intently watching? Emily was waiting for her just as she said she would, she was glad she found a friend even though she should have already known the girl well enough, she felt terrible for that but she could make up for lost time as Mia James. Emily didn't pressure her into chatting as the others in her table were, of course with things being so much darker and scary; their chattering seemed almost defiant, almost as if the Gryffindors were trying to draw attention to them by the Death Eaters that lined the room. Emerald eyes glanced around, the usually magical ceiling held no special spark, it was just a dark and cloudy ceiling, figures in dark cloaks stood at both entrances of the doors and two more patrolled inside the Great Hall, it sent shivers down her spine and she had to force herself to eat. It was almost nice to eat actual food but she'd still rather be eating bread and cheese with Harry and Ron than be here.

"Are you alright?" She snapped her eyes away from the dark figure at the door to the girl in front of her and she nodded

"Yes, I was just looking at the Death Eaters"
"Don't let them catch you looking for too long, I know that our house is known for its bravery but I'm afraid that I'm not very brave and I don't want them to come over here. They really freak me out."

Hermione watched her lower her eyes at her admission and she let out a silent sigh, she almost reminded her of Neville however he always came through in the hardest of times when he was around, she loved him for that and for the strength of his friendship. In fact… where was Neville?

"Don't worry Emily; I don't think that's a bad thing. Sure we're known for our bravery but it doesn't mean that we have to brave all of the time, it's natural to be scared."
She chuckled "You sound almost as if you've been a Gryffindor all of your life. That's funny"

Hermione swallowed carefully; hmm this might be a little harder than she thought.

"Yeah… so um…classes resume tomorrow?" Emily nodded "Right… well I think I'll give myself a tour of the castle then" without giving her new friend a chance to offer to come with her, Hermione finished her water quickly and left the Great Hall. It got really hard to breathe for a moment there; she had to get out there. She walked silently through the corridors of the castle, she moved up the stairs moving up and up allowing her mind to put the school back to how it was before this, before Dumbledore's death.

"You really shouldn't walk around here on your own"

Hermione frowned recognizing the voice; she put her hands on her hips and turned to face the person who held that voice

"I'm not afraid." He moved forward a smirk evident on his face "You should be" "And why is that? Just because there are Death Eaters lurking the halls now? I am not afraid of them, it's not my first run in with them and I'm sure you know all about that." Her eyes quickly ran to his left arm, she knew what he was. It wasn't hard to figure it out last year, she attempted to give him the benefit of the doubt against Harry's adamant claims that he was up to no good last year. But now she knew how wrong she was. But in her mind, he was still that same bratty kid from their first year. Draco narrowed his eyes at her words and moved his left arm behind his back

"Oh… so because you faced them once, you think you can do it again? If I am not mistaken, you weren't alone then."

"Maybe not, but don't think I cannot take care of myself Malfoy." Her eyes were cold as she looked to him. Draco did not appreciate the look he was receiving from her, when she turned to leave he grabbed her arm

"Tell me why you're here." Hermione narrowed her green eyes and allowed a smirk to play on her lips

"No. You can just continue to wonder." With that, she yanked her arm from his grasp and continued her familiar tour of the school.