AN: Instead of reading my book for my orientation class that I have to take when school starts, I'm jamming out to my music and finally writing another chapter for Endings and Beginnings! Sorry for the wait, but really it wasn't TOO long. I don't think. Lol! I promise that I'll try to up the action in this; it can get dull quickly if I don't!

Also, I've been watching A LOT of Studio Ghibli movies lately; see if you can find the Howl's Moving Castle reference in here!

It was finally Christmas break, and the castle seemed eerily quiet without all of the students. I quickened my pace towards the Great Hall. We got her settled into the Heads' common room this morning, and after we ate breakfast, we would finally be getting started on the two-week, two-woman party. A small smile flitted over my face at the thought.

I entered into the Great Hall and looked around at the completed Christmas decorations in awe. I hadn't stopped to actually look at the decorations yet, and now I was glad that I did. There were large strands of garland looped on everything, along with tinsel. Wreaths were hung anywhere they could fit. At the end of the Hall was a massive fir tree, heavily decorated in the four house colors.

I nearly skipped to the Gryffindor table to sit by Ginny. The decorations had put me into a good mood, and nothing could break me out of it. I cheerily plopped into the seat beside Ginny and smiled widely at her confused face. "Good morning!"

She continued staring at me warily for a few seconds. "Hermione… What's got you in such a good mood?"

My smile dimmed a small bit. Does it really worry her if I'm not in a snippy mood? "The Christmas decorations are beautiful, aren't they? Am I not allowed to let them make me cheerful?"

Ginny looked mildly surprised at my answer, but just shrugged and accepted it anyways. After we had finished breakfast, we headed back up to my common room and settled down in a pile of blankets in front of the fireplace.

We chatted and talked for a long while. While we weren't talking, we were gorging on candies and chocolate from Honeydukes. It was nearing dinner when our stomachs finally began to want real food. I immediately offered to run down to the kitchens to get some food. Ginny absently nodded at me, her eyes never leaving the book on quidditch that I picked up in Spintwitches.

The castle had only gotten creepier at night. The torches were casting sinister shadows down the cold hallways. I pulled my cloak around me tighter and wrapped my hand around my wand in my pocket, all the while picking up my pace. My hair began standing on end, as if someone was watching me from the shadows. I could feel my heart about to burst from my chest. I heard a rattling exhalation from somewhere behind me. The temperature was rapidly dropping, and I could feel sadness tugging at my heart. No, it can't be!

The rattling breath was right behind me now. I spun around and whipped my wand out of my pocket. I came face to face with the Dementor. Before I could cast my patronus, the Dementor had lifted me off the ground by my neck. I raised my wand up to the foul creature before stinging it slightly. It dropped me and I wasted no time. "Expecto Patronum!" The ethereal blue otter hit the dementor, illuminating the corridor for a moment. The dark creature shrieked before flying out of a near window. I took a long shuddering breath, before letting it out in a sigh before raising my wand one more time. "Lumos Maxima."

I turned around and began quickly walking back towards the dormitories, food forgotten. What was a dementor doing in the castle, and why did it attack me? I reached the common room quickly and ran inside. Ginny was still in the same place reading, and frowned when she saw my empty hands.

Before she could speak, I cut her off. "A dementor was in the castle. I felt like I was being followed on the way to the kitchen, and then the corridor I was in turned ice cold. It tried to attack me, but I got rid of it. After that, it flew out of a window and out of the castle."

By the time I finished speaking, Ginny's mouth was wide open in horror and she was staring at my throat. I could feel bruises starting to form where the dementor's fingers had gripped my throat. "A dementor did that to you? In the castle? Hermione, are you sure? We need to tell Professor McGonagall, right now!"

Ginny hopped up and pulled her wand out and towed me along until we reached the Headmistresses office. We went up the spiral stairs and knocked on the door. A few moments later, Professor McGonagall answered the door in her nightgown. Before I could speak, Ginny did. "Professor, Hermione got attacked by a dementor in the castle!"

Professor McGonagall immediately ushered us in and sat us down in front of her desk. She had an angry look on her face. "A dementor attacked you? In the castle, as well?"

I nodded. "It was near the kitchens. I got the same feeling that I had this morning, except more intense this time. I felt like I was being followed, and it turns out I was. Before I could do anything, it had lifted me off the ground by my neck. I stung it so it would let me go, then casted my patronus to get rid of it. It flew out of the castle, but I don't know if it will stay away." In a smaller voice, I spoke again. "Professor, dementors don't just attack people for fun. Do you think that it could have been sent to attack someone, and it just happened to come across me?"

The professor looked intrigued. "Possibly. There are many people who wanted the war to end differently. Just as there is for Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, there are people that would wish to see you fail. Maybe even more so for you, as you concocted most of their hair-brained plans."

Ginny butted in then. "Could it be related to the threats that Hermione was getting a few weeks back?"

The elderly witch began to shake her head no, but then stopped herself. "Astoria Greengrass is under house arrest, but that isn't to say she is the only person that was in on the threats. Astoria could have just been a pawn in someone's game, for all we know."

The grim truth had made the three of us go quiet. Finally, Professor McGonagall broke the silence. "Well, I think it would be best if you both went back to the Heads' common room. As Mr. Malfoy isn't there to watch over Hermione, I would like it if you would stay with her, Ginevra."

Ginny nodded. "Yes ma'am." Ginny and I headed back down the stairs and started the short walk towards the common room. When we got back inside, both of us sat down on the couch in silence.

After a few minutes, I spoke. "I'm so sorry Ginny. I've ruined your holiday. You should've just gone on back to the Burrow." Why can't these people just accept that they lost the bloody war! They were wrong!

Ginny looked over at me with a grin. "Hermione, you didn't ruin my holiday. As a matter of fact, I plan to continue this sleepover just as before. Only, this time, I may get to cast a bat-bogey hex on someone! If anything, it's an improvement really!"

I cracked a smile at Ginny's enthusiasm. I wish I were brave as her. I'm so glad she stayed with me.

It was finally Christmas morning. Ginny and I had continued our "party," even through the looming feeling of dread. We had both been on edge, but had been trying to pretend that everything was okay. Thankfully, ever since the dementor attack, nothing had happened.

While Ginny was tearing into her presents, I took all of the cards from under the Christmas tree. I smiled at the cards and went to place them around the room on display, when I noticed that there was one left sitting on the table beside the couch. I walked to the couch and sat down, pulling the card to me. I turned the letter over in my hands. The only thing written on it was my name in neat cursive. My eyebrows furrowed. I've never seen this handwriting before.

Ginny still wasn't paying me any mind, so I quietly turned the envelope this way and that. Something feels off about this letter.

Instead of opening the letter, I sat it down on my lap and cast a few spells on it to make sure that it didn't have any hexes or curses on it. Satisfied that I wouldn't die or be seriously maimed when I opened it, I broke the nondescript wax seal on the back and slid out the perfectly folded piece of parchment inside. My eyes widened as I read.

Mudblood Granger,

The Greengrass bint and the dementor were just the beginning. She was useful enough. She put fear into your heart, as unhappy as you are to admit it. There will be penance for your actions, willingly… or not. A filthy mudblood has no place. You don't belong in the muggle world, and you most definitely do not belong here. If you leave, and sever all ties with any and every witch or wizard, you won't be contacted again. If you choose to stay, "Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Wilkins" lives' are forfeit. You didn't honestly think that you could hide your dear parents away from us, did you? Choose wisely, filth.

I almost forgot! Happy Christmas, mudblood.

Antonin Dolohov

P.S. It is so lovely to be out of that prison, wouldn't you say? I haven't forgotten about your pretty little face, ever since our duel at the Ministry! After I break you, I may just keep you around as a… toy. Wouldn't you just love that?

I continued to stare at the letter in shock. Dolohov knows about my parents. I couldn't do anything to stop my shaking hands, causing the letter to slowly drift to the floor. I could hear Ginny asking me what was wrong, before giving up entirely and taking the letter for her self. After a few moments, I heard her gasp, then start cursing.

Any Christmas spirit that I had previously was gone now. I stared into the fire numbly. Either I leave everything that I love, or my parents die. There has to be something I can do! How did he break out of Azkaban, and find my parents? No one has been able to find them, and the only other person to ever break out of Azkaban was Sirius. I felt hopeless as I stared into the fire.

Ginny had finally stopped cursing, but I could sense the anger rolling off of her in waves. "This just isn't fair! We fought so this stuff wouldn't happen anymore, but it still is! When do we get a break?"

I looked at her sadly before shrugging. "Ginny. I think… I think it would be best if I left." Ginny's head whipped towards me. Seeing that she was about to go off again, I cut her off. "Just for now, anyways. At least until I can find him and get my parents back safely."

Ginny looked livid. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you?! You are not about to go on the run again because a psychopath told you to!" I stood up without looking at her. She continued on. "Where are you going? Stop ignoring me! Hermione!" I marched up to my bedroom and pulled out my familiar sequined bag and started filling it with essentials.

Ginny barged into the room a few moments later, huffing at the sight of me packing the sequined bag. "Hermione! Stop it! You are not going anywhere!"

Ginny's angry yelling had made me angry. I spun around. "What would you do if he had your parents Ginny? Would you just ignore him? He is a Death Eater! He won't hesitate to kill them! I have to listen to him!" I broke down in tears when I realized that he had total control over me as long as he had access to my parents. Slowly I sank down onto my bed.

A few seconds later, I felt the bid dip down beside me as Ginny sat by me and wrapped her arms around my shoulder. I cried for a few more minutes before sitting back up. I turned to Ginny. "Thanks. We need to take this letter to McGonagall, and tell her that I plan to go into hiding." We left the Heads' common room and made our way back to the castle, letter in hand.

We entered the Headmistress' office, surprised to see all of the people inside of it. There were Aurors everywhere, and we saw McGonagall talking to the one that seemed to be in charge. When she was done talking to the man, she turned to us. "Good morning, and happy Christmas, girls. What did you need? Excuse the Aurors, they are here to strengthen the wards on the school. There has been an escape from Azkaban."

Instead of answering her, I just handed the letter over. Her face paled, but then changed into unbridled fury. "Auror Pendragon! You need to see this immediately. A threat has been issued from the escapee."

The Auror came back over to her and read the letter. His forehead crinkled as he read the letter before turning to me. "Ms. Granger, when did you receive this? Where did you get the letter, also?"

I looked towards the dark haired Auror. "I found it with the rest of our Christmas cards this morning. I thought it was just another card, until I opened it. When I didn't recognize the handwriting, I cast a few diagnostic spells on it to make sure it wasn't cursed."

He seemed impressed. "I guess they call you the "brightest witch of the age" for a reason, then. Thank you, that's all I needed to know. Late last night, Antonin Dolohov escaped Azkaban. We think that he had help from the inside, as Azkaban has never been more secure. After Sirius Black's escape, the warden had the security revamped. Dolohov couldn't have gotten out by himself. Also, know that we are doing our best to find your parents. From a professional point of view, I think it would be best if you went into hiding. That doesn't mean that you have to leave wizarding London, but stay low."

The Auror got a peculiar look on his face before speaking again. He had a faraway look and seemed to be speaking more to himself, this time. "I think I know the best place to put her. I guess we'll know if they've changed like they say they have, too. Dolohov would never look there for her." He nodded to himself before quickly giving us a goodbye, and that he would send instructions for me later in the day.

Professor McGonagall and Ginny looked as confused as I'm sure I did. I spoke first. "What was he talking about? Who is he trying to send me to?"

Both witches looked at me, unsure. Professor McGonagall decided that it would be best for her to stay with me until we received instructions from Auror Pendragon. The Headmistress had a house elf bring breakfast up to her office and we ate in silence. The office seemed extremely quiet after being so full of Aurors this morning.

Around lunch, Auror Pendragon came back through the Floo with a smile on his face. "They have agreed to house you until this mess has been taken care of. You need to go get your things, and meet me back here. I'll escort you to where you'll be staying."

I went to ask him where I would be going, but I had been shooed out of the room by Professor McGonagall to go get my things. I guess she wants to interrogate him. She won't let him send me somewhere too awful.

Ginny and I slowly walked towards the common room. We had both realized that this would be the last time we would see each other for an undetermined amount of time, and were trying to draw it out. Sadly, we reached the common room in just a few minutes. Ginny followed me up to my room as I packed my trunk full of clothes and anything else that seemed important. I did this by hand to drag out the process; not only did I not want to leave, but I was slightly apprehensive as to where I was going.

I was robotically throwing things into my trunk. From the way Auror Pendragon spoke of the place, it seemed as if the people wouldn't be too happy about my presence. My face paled. Oh no. What if he sends me to some snotty pureblood family! I think I'd rather face Dolohov. At that thought, I shook myself. You're doing this for your parents; suck it up. You're a Gryffindor; you can handle a bit of unpleasantness!

I finished packing my trunk and turned around with a sigh. Ginny was sitting on my bed, arm wrapped around one of the posts, and was staring at me with sad eyes. She stood up and flung her self at me. "Promise that you won't do anything stupid like go after him on your own! Be sure to owl me, if you can! I guess I shouldn't tell Ron and Harry about this; I mean, you are going into hiding, right?"

I sighed sadly and nodded at her. "You can't tell them Ginny. Tell Professor McGonagall that, if people start asking about my disappearance, I want them to think that it is family matters keeping me away. It wouldn't be a lie, but at the same time, it won't make anyone think twice about it."

Ginny nodded at me before letting go. We walked back to the Headmistress' office slowly, and entered. Professor McGonagall seemed to be angry, but Auror Pendragon seemed calm and collected. I steeled my nerves. "I'm ready, sir."

Both of the adults spun around. Professor McGonagall tried to school her features, but didn't succeed. She hugged me and told me to be strong. That doesn't sound good. I stepped out of her embrace and turned to the Auror who was waiting by the fireplace. I walked next to him and grabbed his arm. He threw down the floo powder and yelled out the destination. "Malfoy Manor!"

My face paled and my eyes widened as the green flames swallowed us entirely. Did he say what I think he said?!

AN: Dat cliffhanger. Anyways, don't forget to FAVORITE AND REVIEW! Tell me what you liked/didn't like!