The Madness of Love

The Madness of Love

Hermione stared at herself in her mirror, studying how she looked. I'm not what you'd call extremely beautiful, she thought, though not bad. She was nearly 1seven now, and it was the first day of term 1. She turned to her dresser, and put on some deodorant and her light pink lip gloss. Unlike some girls, Hermione didn't really prefer too much make-up daily.

As she returned to the mirror, she looked at her body. It was well-curved, but not fat either, like poor Eloise Midgen. She had a thin waist, which she liked best about herself, and, of course, her academic achievements.

Picking up her hairbrush, she tried to tame her hair into a reasonable style. Hermione had always envied Lavender's sunny waves, Parvati's dark locks, mainly anyone's. Her hair had subsided in the bushiness for the last 2 years, but was still difficult. She went with the usual ponytail.

'What's up with you Hermione?' she said to herself. 'You're going to be late standing here worrying about your hair, and it's only the first day!' She picked up her bag and headed down to the Great Hall, stopping to say hi to some people.

At breakfast Hermione picked a seat next to Ron and saw Harry rushing towards her.

As Harry reached the Gryffindor table, Hermione couldn't help smiling at the look on one of her best friends' face.

Ron looked up from his N.E.W.T Level Charms homework that he was trying to cram to the last minute, as he saw where Hermione was looking at.

'What's up with Harry? I haven't seen him this excited since he was made Quidditch captain,' he asked, looking with concern towards him

'Hi Ron! Hey Hermione! Oh my god, something incredible happened! I met this girl yesterday, and she is the one for me! We're going out now!' He said in one breath.

Hermione felt relieved as she looked back up at him.

'Great Harry, I'm glad!' Better than that Cho anyway, she thought silently to herself. 'Who is it?'

'Well, she's a Ravenclaw six^th year, and she's the kindest and most understanding girl I have ever met. On top of that, very pretty! Hermione what shall I do to impress her? What do you think?'

Hermione laughed at his anxiety.

'Harry I'm glad you found a girl you truly love, but she seems the type that doesn't mind how impressive you are, but how thoughtful and kind you are! Especially since you are so caring about her,' Hermione added, her voice stiffening, giving a sideways glace at Ron who was still shoveling food into his mouth as fast as anything. 'I think she'll like you a lot!'

Harry smiled from ear to ear. 'You Hermione? I hope Malfoy's not treating you badly,' Harry scowled, expression changing in a heartbeat. He had been worried ever since Hermione was going out with Draco. 'He's fine, stop worrying. It's my life anyway, not yours,' she laughed.

Ron frowned. 'Well if he's treating you badly, that's our problem too, you know.' Hermione sighed. Ron's attitude towards Draco hadn't changed one bit, though he was a little more polite about him around Hermione. 'I know, Ron,' she started. 'But you don't need to be so uptight about it.' Ron shrugged and went back to his homework.

Flipping her hair which had already started to loosen from her ponytail, Hermione looked over at Ron again, who was now furiously trying to scratch out the doodles he made on the corner of his charms parchment, which consisted of Quaffles, the broom he wanted for Christmas (a Comet 5000) and a name circled around with a heart. Wanting to ease the tension, she said, 'So Ron, how is it with you and Padma?'

'Not too good' Ron sighed. 'She is a little annoyed with me at the moment. I think we broke up anyway.'

'But she loves you a lot! Why are you breaking up with her?' Hermione asked, expertly hiding the triumphant swoop in her stomach.

'How can a person stay dating someone they don't like? Especially if they fancy someone else,' Ron blurted loudly.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. What if... no, no, she shook the thought out of her mind and adapted a curious tone. 'Really? Who?'

'Well it's... uh...Lavender,' he said without meeting her eyes, giving Hermione the feeling that he wasn't being entirely truthful.

Harry suppressed a smirk. 'Well, uh...as long as you uh... tell her how you...uh feel,' he said, imitating Ron in a funny way while giving a glance at Hermione. Ron's hair was indistinguishable from his face for a few seconds. Hermione could feel her face get hot too. Was the fact that she still had a thing about Ron so obvious? Damn you Harry! She thought angrily. Do you always have to be so understanding?

Hermione cleared her throat, adapting a stop-being-so-immature tone. 'Well Harry, about this-'

At that moment Hermione was cut short as a pretty girl came over to them. She had dark brown, almost black hair that fell to her waist in slight waves. Her skin was light, and she had the most remarkable eyes, almond-shaped and chocolate brown, which looked like it had a natural mascara effect on her long eyelashes.

Hermione noticed she hadn't seen her before, which was odd, since she looked only one year younger than them.

Harry smiled at her as she came and put his arm around her waist, and she smiled back.

'Hermione, this is Sarah.'

Sarah looked at Hermione and said a cheery, 'Hi!'

'Hi Sarah, wow I love your hair!'

'Thanks!'

'Do you use muggle products or a spell?'

'Actually, this is my natural hair but some days I give it a little spell or two, just to keep it in shape.'

'That works really well! My hair used to be extremely bushy, but this muggle product works wonders...'

They both got quickly engaged in conversation, and then they all returned to their common rooms, and Hermione noticed Harry give Sarah a quick kiss before leaving her at the vase of bluebells which opened to the Ravenclaw common room. Hermione smiled at Harry as he dazedly said goodnight in the direction of the couch instead of her and Ron. At least he's really happy, she thought. He hadn't been that in a long time.

She headed for her dormitory, thinking whether Draco felt the same way about their relationship.

***

Hermione, being in her seventh year as Head Girl, had been given her own small dormitory, with one disadvantage: she had to share it with the Head Boy, Draco. She didn't think it a disadvantage anymore though, with the two of them going out. She looked around her room, searching for her book, 'Advanced Arithmancy'. There were many pictures on the walls, from pictures of Harry, Ron and herself on the Hogwarts Express in their 1^st year, to her and Draco at the Valentine's Day Ball in their six^th year.

On her mirror, there were pictures of her home, Ginny and herself standing in the snow outside Hogwarts (the picture was moving of course, showing the wind blowing their hair) and a picture of Ron and Harry getting ready for a Quidditch match (both waving, holding their broomsticks). A bunch of lilies that Draco had given her was in a pink vase on her bedside table.

Just then, Ginny came into her room, slamming the door behind her.

'Hey Gin,' she said, looking up. 'How do you know the password?'

'Lavender told me. 'Serpent's Power' isn't it?'

'Yeah,' Hermione answered, rolling her eyes. 'Trust me, it wasn't my idea.'

Ginny sat down and threw her books on the floor with more strength than she intended to. Hermione looked into her friends' troubled eyes.

'Ginny, are you ok? What's wrong?'

'Oh nothing, it's just that Dean is acting extremely immature, running around with Seamus, bewitching toilet seats to go after Goyle. Why doesn't he pay me more attention?' she wailed, slamming her fist on her lap then wincing and rubbing the spot. 'Damn it!' said, or words similar to it. 'I hope I won't have a bruise, I bought this new skirt I'm dying to wear!'

'Don't worry Gin, I think I have some concealing potion in here somewhere,' Hermione mumbled, rummaging in her bedside drawer.

'Thanks, Mione! You're a lifesaver!' said Ginny gratefully, unscrewing the top and rubbing it over her leg. 'This stuff works really well!' she added, examining the spot which was now completely bruise-free. 'Can't see a thing!' she said, then rolled her eyes. 'As if Dean will even look.'

Hermione shrugged. 'Better than me and Draco anyway. I hardly even see him in classes. He seems to avoid my eyes.' She let out a heavy sigh. 'So what did you want to tell me?'

Ginny seemed to come out of a deep reverie. 'Oh, yeah! I came to tell you that there is going to be a prefects meeting down the fourth floor in the Meeting Room, and Head boy and girl have to come too. At five o'clock sharp.'

'Ok, I'll be there'.

'I'll be there too,' she said, standing up. 'Dean as well. Of course he may prefer to go to a meeting with Seamus or Goyle, though...'

Ginny went out, distractedly slamming the door behind her again.

Hermione grabbed her bag, gave herself a little check in the mirror, then walked out of the dormitory opening, which also had a painting, but of a mermaid called Rose sleeping on a rock, the same which was in the boy prefects bathroom a few years ago. It was extremely annoying when she refused to open until Hermione listened to the endless ways that she had spied on prefects taking baths.

As Hermione walked the staircase down to the fourth floor, whimpers seemed to be coming from a slightly open classroom door. She saw Sarah, hands clutched into fists, her face scared.

'Hey Sarah, you ok?'

Sarah jumped at the sound, but her face relaxed when she spotted her.

'Oh, it's you Hermione!' She tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace. 'I just thought you were someone t... anyway, where are you going?'

'There is a prefects' meeting downstairs, I just need to go and see what they will talk about then I need to get ready for the Pub Party. You sure you're ok?' she asked again, eyeing her warily.

'The Pub Party! Oh, yeah! Yes well, see you there!' She said, with a cheerful wave that did not reflect to her eyes, which showed she was in immense pain.

***

The meeting had gone well, mainly about the Halloween ball which was going to take place for the younger students instead. She was given the job of supervising the whole ball of course, as Head Girl, but she still would have time to spare, Dumbledore never liked giving students too many responsibilities. The sixth and seventh year students were all excited about going to the Pub Party, which was going to be held at The Three Broomsticks.

Hermione felt very much at peace with the world, how it had all worked out, and she was still Draco's girlfriend, a title many girls would die for...

Chapter 2.

'For god's sake I don't have a single thing to wear!' Hermione moaned to herself, tossing more clothes out of her cupboard. Crookshanks gave a muffled meow from under a pile of Hermione's trousers. 'You don't have anything to complain about,' she snapped at the ginger cat. 'You just sit around eating and sleeping.' The cat purred and poked a paw out of the pile.

There was a soft knock on the door and two pairs of eyes poked around. 'Hey Lavender, Parvati,' Hermione said, opening the door. 'Come in.'

The two girls sat on Hermione's bed eagerly. 'You won't believe this, Hermione!' Parvati started, crossing her slender legs. 'Guess who asked Lavender to the party a few minutes ago!'

Hermione blinked. 'R-Ron?' she asked wildly.

Parvati rolled her eyes. 'Huh? No, silly, it was Seamus!'

Hermione breathed out.

'Well that's promising,' she said, untangling Crookshanks' paw from a bra. 'He's always liked you, Lavender.'

'I know!' said Lavender, her eyes twinkling. 'He's become so HOT over the summer! His new hairstyle! Talk about a complete dreamboat!' she giggled, Parvati giving her a little nudge.

'So, what are you wearing for tonight?' Parvati asked. She spotted the sea of clothes around Hermione's wardrobe. 'You, know, Lavvie and I have figured our clothes out, so why don't we help you?'

'Thank you!' Hermione gasped, sitting down on the bed as Parvati stood up to check her belongings.

'Did you have anything in mind?' she asked. 'Well,' Hermione began. 'I thought about this white top and the red pleated skirt and my black heels with it.'

Lavender looked scandalized. Parvati gave her a sharp look then turned back to Hermione. 'The heels are good, since you can wear them with anything. But uh... the skirt... well I'm sure we can find a better one?' she smiled weakly. 'I'm sure I can give you a few pointers...'

'Fire away,' said Hermione, leaning back and wiping her brow.

Parvati made Hermione try around twenty skirts and trousers before she was satisfied.

'Yes! This is definitely the best one!' she exclaimed. Lavender let out a whoop of appreciation which made Crookshanks wake up and dart down from her lap.

'I'm not going to be caught dead in that!' Hermione said appallingly, pointing at the short, lacy black skirt in Parvati's hand.

Five minutes later, she glared at herself in the mirror, clutching the skirt to stop it riding up. 'You know, it's not that bad after I did that Lengthening Charm on it,' Hermione confessed, slipping on her high heels and a beige sweater which was Lavender's. 'Great!' said Parvati happily. 'You'll be okay doing the make-up, won't you?'

'Oh, yeah, sure,' Hermione answered. She didn't want them getting carried away with make-up on her face. She preferred keeping it really simple. 'Thanks guys, see you there!'

Parvati stopped in mid-wave. 'Oh, I almost forgot to ask, who's the lucky guy?'

Hermione thanked the concealing powder on her face which stopped her blushing. 'No one,' she answered brightly. 'I'm going on my own.'

'What about Draco?' asked Parvati anxiously. 'You two are still going out aren't you?'

'Yes, of course,' Hermione assured her. 'It's just that, well, he didn't ask me yet, so I figured I'd rather be on my own tonight. I'm going to be supervising the Halloween ball at first anyway, I won't have mush time for dancing,' she smiled, trying to stop her voice from wobbling.

Lavender quickly changed her 'o' shaped mouth of surprise into a smile. 'Cool,' she said casually. 'See you!'

Hermione nodded as the door closed behind them. She left a bowl of cat food for Crookshanks before wiping her tears on the back of her hand and heading for the bathroom to cover her wet eyes.

When she was finished, she grabbed her brush and shook a few drops of hair potion onto it. She brushed her hair while grabbing her wand with her other hand to give it a temporary haircut, giving it a more modern look which would last around six hours, then the spell would wear off. She put on her favorite long, thin silver earrings.

She grabbed her cloak and walked out of the portrait hole but the mermaid called after her. 'Hey, Hermione! Wow, looking good. Are you going somewhere?' she asked curiously. Hermione sighed and turned around. 'Yeah we have a party sort of thing tonight at Hogsmeade.'

'Really?' Rose asked, raising her tail. 'You know, I must say you sixth and seventh year girls are lucky! A group of Gryffindor boys just walked past, and whoa, total hotties! Especially a red haired one, so cute! What was his name? Rick? Rob?'

'Ron?' Hermione asked quietly.

'That's the one!' she said, nodding. Hermione turned around too hide her red face. At this rate my face will stay red! She thought bitterly to herself. I can't remember the last time I've blushed so much in a day. Why was her mind on Ron so much? She had always fancied him, but she'd never let him interrupt her thoughts every two minutes. Particularly not since Draco had asked her out.

'I'm late Rose, I have to go now, see you,' she waved, and rushed down the stone steps.

***

'There you are Hermione!' Susan Bones said as she spotted the Head Girl coming down the main staircase. 'Professor Dumbledore just told me that you're not going to be supervising the Ball. He said the fifth year prefects can handle it so we could go to the party! I'm so glad aren't you?' she said hurriedly. She was already wearing a yellow top and a miniskirt. 'Or else we were going to miss a whole hour of the night! Anyways, have to go now, see you at Hogsmeade,' she added, running to Ernie as she spotted him waiting for her.

'Great,' Hermione muttered to herself as she headed towards the group of people who were near the front doors, some walking down the path to the village as a couple and some in noisy groups of five or more. I'm going to look such an idiot, all on my own.

'Hey Harry, Sarah,' she smiled, as she spotted them standing near a group of Ravenclaw's. 'Hi Hermione!' Sarah exclaimed excitedly as she saw her.

She was wearing a black top and a pair of tight jeans, her eyes outlined with black eyeliner which made them look even more incredible. Her hair was straighter and she had hoop earrings. Harry was standing beside her wearing a baggy shirt and jeans.

'Where's Ron?' Hermione asked unintentionally, and then mentally kicked herself.

Harry smiled and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. 'Back there with Ginny, giving Dean the lecture of the century.'

Hermione looked over to see Ron's arms folded at Dean, who was looking very uncomfortable, and Ginny, who looked like she was about to burst into frustrated tears.

'Poor Dean,' muttered Sarah, who had looked to see where they were as well. 'It's not a good position, being Ginny's girlfriend. Ron watches their every move!' she laughed. 'I can see why they want to risk it though. Ginny's real nice, met her properly last week.'

Harry nodded. 'Ron's always been a bit overprotective about her. But Dean's a nice guy too, he can understand that.'

Finally, Ron finished his sermon and walked towards the group, shaking his head.

'Can you believe it?' he asked, throwing his hands up. 'It's October and Ginny's walking around in a strapless top!'

Harry, Sarah and Hermione all fought to keep their faces straight.

They headed down the path lit with small lamps and out the gates of Hogwarts. Hogsmeade looked great, pumpkins grinning evilly on each porch and skeletons in front of shop doors were bewitched to grab people who were under it. It took a while to get Ron through the front gates, which were decorated with huge black spiders crawling on the metal frames. There was plenty of noise, laughter and music coming from the windows of the Three Broomsticks. Glowing confetti dropped from the ceiling as they entered. Hermione kept her eyes open, scanning the crowd for Draco but one gaze confirmed there were no platinum-blonde heads around.

'What's up Hermione?' Sarah asked, walking over to her. 'Nothing,' Hermione said, following her towards their table, and trying to push the possibilities of what Draco may be doing right now to the back of her mind.

Hermione tried her best to have fun like everyone else even though she was the only one sitting at the tables when everyone was having a slow dance with their partners. Ron didn't dance much either after seeing Padma happily hand in hand with Terry Boot, though it could have been for another reason.

Although Hermione was very happy for Harry and Sarah, she couldn't help feeling a slight twinge of jealousy as she watched them together. She had never danced with a guy with as much comfort Sarah and Harry were dancing with now. All in all, it was a relief when everyone sat down to eat.

Ron and Harry had already ordered four large glasses of Flamer's strongest beer and made Hermione and Sarah drink every last drop despite their frequent attempts of pouring the strong stuff into the nearby flower vase.

Finally, at around 1:30, Professors Mcgonagall and Sinistra came to chivvy them back to the castle. Many singing and yells were heard from the groups going back up the path, Ron and Harry among them. Sarah shook her head sleepily as she watched them. 'Oops!' she said, tripping over her own feet as they walked up the stairs gingerly. She didn't fall though, which was just as well, thought Hermione, since she was feeling dizzy herself.

'W-we really shouldn't have drunk that last cup of the beer,' mumbled Sarah, she and Hermione heading for their dormitories after biding Harry and Ron goodnight.

'*Hic* Yeah,' mumbled Hermione, rubbing her head. She hadn't had more than a few glasses of wine in her life, let alone four cups of strong beer in one hour.

'See you tomorrow,' she added, drumming her hands on the Rose's portrait as Sarah left through the door next to it.

In the five minutes which took Rose to wake up, Hermione rubbed her eyes vigorously but all she achieved was a small hiccough. The mermaid finally woke and twirled a finger around her long, red hair. 'So.... how was it Herm?'

'S-sserpent's Powerr.'

The portrait swung forward, Rose still talking. 'So did you kiss? Oh and I almost forgot, how was your slow dance? Which was the sexy guy you w - '

Hermione shut the door with a bang that cut off her prattle. There was movement in her common room.

Draco was sitting on the couch, a book in his hand, usual pale face tinged with pink, which was the maximum color he ever achieved in his cheeks. 'Hey, Draco,' she mumbled, walking over to him and sitting down. Draco put the book down on the table and leaned back.

'Why weren't you at the p-parrrty?' asked Hermione, putting a strand of blond hair behind his ear and leaning to kiss his neck.

'Didn't feel like having a party,' answered Draco simply, standing abruptly so Hermione kissed air. She looked up at him, slightly hurt.

'Well, you could have told me,' she said standing up to face him. 'Then maybe I could have stay-yed too to keep you compan-ny.'

'Are you drunk Hermione? You're slurring your words,' said Draco, a slight note of disgust in his voice.

'So what if I a-am? And you st-till haven't told me why you weren't at the party.'

'I just forgot okay?' Draco said, looking at her in an annoyed manner. 'I'm tired,' he added. 'Goodnight.' He walked over to his bedroom and shut the door behind him.

Hermione stood there silently for a few minutes, looking at his closed door, a stinging feeling in her throat as she bit her lip. Tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to spill, but she quickly rubbed them and headed for her door.

***

Hermione tossed and turned in her bed, rubbing her red eyes. Even though she had gone straight to bed, she had a terrible headache, not to mention the uneasiness she felt because of the tiff with Draco. She knew he hadn't told her the truth.

Hermione sighed and sat up, switching her lamp on. Her hair would look like it was electrocuted tomorrow; she knew it, as she felt the tangled mass from turning. There was no point worrying about it now, nor trying to go to sleep.

She yawned as she stood up, tripping on her slippers and falling flat on her face. 'Shit!' Hermione swore, kicking the slippers with frustration as she felt the sore spots. 'That's what you get for drinking so much, Hermione!' she scolded herself.

Holding onto the dresser, she stood up gingerly and walked to the door and out into her common room.

She walked over to the window by Draco's door and poured herself a glass of water as she watched the stars, which were twinkling innocently onto the glassy lake. Small squares of light were on the lawn; some people must still be having a party in their dormitories. Owls hooted into the night, the grass rippling with the slight breeze.

As Hermione put the jug down, making as less noise as possible, she heard moans and giggles from Draco's room. Hermione frowned and leaned towards the door. They were definitely coming from Draco's room. But they sounded feminine.

'Draco, shhh!' said the simpering girl's voice.

Some male mumbles then the girls shriek and giggle again.

'Stop it now, I told you not to do that!'

Hermione rubbed her eyes. It has to be the drink, she thought. Or I'm too tired.

There was the sound of sheets rustling and the girl's voice again. 'Shhh, you'll wake her up!'

'She's probably too zonked to hear anything.' A small explosion of laughter came from the other end of the door.

She heard snatches of words like 'drank beer' and 'never' and 'stupid girl.'

Hermione suddenly felt all-too awake. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Draco, who loved her more that anything, Draco, who promised he would always love her...

Hermione felt her body shake as she cupped her hands over her mouth, and the glass she was holding fell to the stone floor with a heart-stopping crash.

She could hear panicked voices coming from his room now, and she felt little pinpricks of pain on her legs, like small insects nipping at her, but looked down to see tiny droplets of blood running down to her ankles from the place where the shards of glass had penetrated.

But the biggest one had penetrated her heart... How could he do this to her?

Hermione, finally coming back to her senses, quickly took out her wand, muttered 'Reparo!' at the broken cup, and ran as fast as she could to her room, wincing as the shards of glass penetrated deeper onto the soles of her bare feet on the cold stone floor.

'Colloportus!' she whispered, pointing her wand at her door, and it sealed itself with an odd squelching sound.

Hermione leaned her back against it, breathing deeply and her heart pounding. She couldn't believe- she tried not to believe the scene she had just witnessed. Sliding down and hugging her bloody knees to her chest, she sat thinking how she would face him the next morning.

She cast an effective silencing charm. She could not bear to hear anything else.

Disregarding her aching feet, she smashed the pink vase on the table and pulled the petals off the Lily's, emitting chocked sobs. Then she fell onto the bed, crying herself to sleep.

Chapter 3

'Harry, mate, you've got to eat something,' said Ron, giving Harry a poke on his back. Harry just stared at his bowl, muttering to himself as an answer.

Hermione yawned and rubbed her eyes, nodding in agreement. 'The worst that can happen is that you guys will be second.'

Harry continued to trace the plan of a Quidditch Pitch in front of him with his wand. Sarah walked over to the table, wearing her blue Ravenclaw Quidditch robes and carrying her Nimbus 3002.

'Come on Harry, everyone is heading down.'

He stood up and waved a hand through the diagram in the air and it dissolved like smoke.

'Thank God!' Ron said, rolling his eyes. 'He's alive!'

'You know,' Harry started, ignoring Ron's last comment as they stopped in front of the Changing rooms, 'We need a good, strong, flawless plan.'

Ron sighed. 'Yes Harry, the thing is coming up with one. Just stop sulking, I'm betting you 2 Galleons that Gryffindor will win outright.'

Harry snorted. Hermione raised an eyebrow to ask whether or not he had 2 Galleons, but thought better of it.

Suddenly there were cheers heard from somewhere in the distance. 'Oh no!' groaned Ron. 'It's starting!'

Harry gripped his broomstick tight, let out a deep breath and finally smiled, brilliant green eyes twinkling in competition.

Sarah gave Harry a quick kiss and wished him luck. Hermione was uncomfortable aware that both she and Ron were examining the floor tiles in great interest and were not meeting each others eyes during this process.

Sarah mounted her broom and waved to Ron and Hermione. 'Prepare to lose!' she smiled, as she kicked off with great speed toward the Pitch.

Harry waved with a laugh. Ron looked annoyed. 'Interesting thing, Mione. I say we will win and get a snort, she says we will lose and gets a smile. I wonder which side you are on?' he added, pulling Harry by his robes in the direction of the front doors. They both then kicked off towards the changing rooms on the edge of the pitch. Hermione continued to walk and climb up the stands when she reached the Quidditch Pitch, finding seats at the very top.

~*~

Harry paced the floor in front of his teammates, and then looked back up at their faces. He opened his mouth, emitting a hoarse sound. But everyone stood up and nodded as though he had given a speech.

'Don't worry Harry, we know what's at stake,' said Ginny, patting him on the shoulder and flying out of the tent.

'Yeah, mate,' added Ron, following her. 'We won't let Gryffindor down.' Harry smiled as widely as he could at all of his friends, mounting his Firebolt. He grabbed a huge scarlet and gold banner and held it above his head as they all flew to the center of the pitch with frenzied applause.

~*~

Dean was doing the commentary as usual. 'Here comes the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw teams!' he shouted into the megaphone. Everyone took their places, Harry hovering high over the game. Ginny took her Chaser's place and Sarah was circling the Ravenclaw goal hoops as their Keeper.

Half an hour into the game, things weren't looking too good for Gryffindor. Ravenclaw was ahead 130-20. Ginny had scored the two goals, but it was Ron who wasn't really on form. The Ravenclaw chasers were really well organized, and Sarah was hard to beat as well. Harry hovered round and round, squinting in the sunlight. Terry Boot, the Ravenclaw Seeker, was no match to Harry, but the Snitch had only been spotted once and Harry seemed disoriented by the sun in his eyes.

Hermione sat on the edge of her seat, wishing there was something she could do to help. She sighed and leaned back as Ravenclaw scored another goal. The Slytherins who were sitting below her cheered, Draco among them.

Hermione looked at his back sadly, fighting back tears. She had already realized it was all over between them, and only looked away when she saw Blaise Zabini put and arm around him. He did not protest.

Harry had finally gone into a sharp dive, having spotted the Snitch hovering over the ground. Terry sped after him, but Harry was closer...his hand was inches away...

As he pulled out of the dive, the scarlet half of the crowd clapped and screamed. Harry's smile was visible even from a distance. Hermione pushed her way down from the stands, accidentally on purpose stepping onto Blaise' hand. Everyone poured onto the pitch.

Harry, Ron and Ginny were lost in a sea of red and gold. Everyone, along with Hermione, clapped and cheered as Harry and Ron lifted the gleaming Quidditch Cup into the air.

They finally untangled themselves from the crowed and ran over to Hermione.

'You were great Ginny! And you, Ron!'

'Thanks, but I was pretty crap actually,' said Ron, blushing. 'Sometimes I'm good, sometimes I'm not.' He scowled. Hermione patted him on the shoulder. 'Hey, I thought your last save was better than anything I've seen!'

'Really?' asked Ron disbelievingly. 'Yeah,' Hermione reassured him. Ginny cleared her throat.

That moment Harry ran over to them, having given the huge cup to Colin Creevey, who was now running around the pitch with extreme excitement, a clad of Gryffindor supporters in pursuit.

'Thought he might have some fun,' said Harry, laughing. 'We have won the Cup! I can't believe we actually did it!' he answered, savoring the sound of the sentence.

Ron frowned. 'I can't believe I owe you 2 Galleons.'

The girls laughed as Sarah came over to them. She gave all four of them big hugs as she dismounted her broom. 'Ron, that was the most awesome save I've ever seen!'

'I told you so!' said Hermione, Ron rolling her eyes at her. 'And you say I'm immature, Mione...' Sarah smiled, looking at them. 'You can't imagine how happy I am to have friends like you guys,' she said making them all blush. 'Hey, no problem...' Ron muttered, shaking his head and beaming.

Suddenly the smile on Sarah's face vanished. She took in a sharp breath, her eyes wide with surprise. Harry's grin faltered. 'Ha- Harry...' she choked, then collapsed, hanging limp in Harry's arms.

Hermione gasped and went next to her. Harry's mouth was opened in horror as he let go of her, revealing a long, diagonal gash on her side. Warm blood was slowly soaking her robes from the wound. She was looking paler by the minute.

With one swift motion, Harry grabbed her into his arms and ran the rest of the way to the castle, Hermione, Ginny and Ron after him.

By the time they reached the hospital wing, Harry was already there and he was kicking the Hospital wings door.

'Help! Won't somebody HELP!' he shouted, clinging onto Sarah's robes to stop her from slipping.

The double doors opened and Madam Pomfrey looked out. Her eyes widened as she saw Sarah covered in blood. She beckoned them in and shut the door behind them.

Harry laid her down on one of the beds and the nurse bent over her. 'Not breathing,' she mumbled, taking out her wand and muttering a few spells. Harry's eyes widened and he grabbed Sarah's hand tightly.

Madam Pomfrey eased her hand out of his grasp and checked her pulse, Ron, Hermione and Ginny looking questioningly at her. Harry looked too horrified to talk.

Hermione couldn't stand the tension anymore. 'W-what is it? Is she alive?' Madam Pomfrey kept on muttering incantations, ignoring her question.

Sarah suddenly gasped and let out a whoosh of breath, then slumped back onto the pillows, closing her eyes. Harry made a sudden movement, and then let out a sigh of relief.

'She's alive,' said the nurse calmly. 'Ron, Harry, can you step outside for a second?'

Ron helped Harry walk limply towards the door. Madam Pomfrey turned back to Sarah, slowly taking off her bloody robes while Hermione and Ginny helped hold her still so it didn't touch her wound.

The nurse treated her cut with a cleaning charm so it didn't get infected, then shook a few drops of purple potion onto it. Nothing happened.

She went to her office for a few minutes, in which Hermione and Ginny exchanged worried looks, and then emerged with a bottle of turquoise liquid. She poured the tiniest drop onto the open cut. It gave out a hiss and a curl of blue smoke, but nothing happened.

Madam Pomfrey was too late in hiding the terrified look on her face. 'Nothing's healing this,' she said softly. 'Her body refuses to heal itself. I've never seen such a thing. This is no common cut.' She added, turning to both of the girls. 'This is the result very advanced magic. It's Dark magic.' Silence deeper than the winter's snow followed her statement.

~*~

Hermione sighed and slumped onto her usual armchair in the Gryffindor common room. Ron sat opposite her, running a hand through his fiery red hair. 'Why did this have to happen?' Hermione muttered, more to herself than to Ron. He frowned, shrugging.

'Where's Harry?' Hermione asked, shivering slightly.

'He's upstairs in the dormitories. Said he wants to be alone.'

Hermione nodded and leaned back in her chair, gazing at the dancing flames in the fireplace with unfocused eyes. Having the one you love fall in your arms, just after a happy moment like winning the cup, Hermione thought. It's enough to make anyone want to feel isolated. 'Who would want to hurt her though?'

Ron shrugged again, rubbing his eyes. 'I haven't the faintest idea. Who at Hogwarts would know advanced dark magic? Only Dumbledore, I guess...

Hermione stood up, grabbing her cloak and throwing it across her shoulders. 'I'd better go,' she said, giving a yawn.

Ron stood up, nodding. 'Do you want me to walk you?'

Hermione considered his request. To tell the truth, she did feel very uneasy after the incident, and definitely wasn't looking forward to traveling 2 floors all by herself, even though she knew Hogwarts perfectly now and couldn't get lost. 'Sure.'

They're footsteps made loud echoes on the stone floor as they went down some narrow steps and walked the corridor which followed it. They stopped at Rose's portrait, who was fast asleep on her rock, a fisherman's net pulled on her as a blanket.

Hermione looked back up at Ron's face, which was half in shadow because of the flickering torch on the wall. 'You'll be ok?' he whispered. She opened her mouth to assure him, but the truth came out unintentionally. 'I- I don't know. I'm scared. For Sarah, for Harry, I just don't know who to trust now,' she sighed, remembering Draco sadly.

'It's okay. You can always trust me,' Ron said quietly.

Hermione didn't know what gave her the urge to do what she did next. Perhaps her grief, or confusion, or just the simple need of support at a time like that. It felt right though, she was sure of that, as she felt Ron's hands rest on her waist as he kissed her softly.

A pair of cool, grey eyes were watching their shadows entwine.

Chapter 4

Hermione lay awake on her bed, gazing at the ceiling were the lights from Hogsmede village were making dancing patterns, the soft autumn wind tapping at her window.

She smiled as she remembered Ron's lips on hers. Guilt gave her a slight nudge though, as Draco came to her mind once more. She had never told him that she was breaking up with him. She hadn't even talked to him after that night, and she thought it would be obvious that it was over between them. But how can you be sure? said a voice inside her. You haven't even told him anything yet.

But do I still have feelings for him? Hermione wondered. She imagined Draco's kisses, and then imagined Ron's. She felt a smile playing across her face at the latter.

She had never exactly responded to Draco's kisses, he was the one in control. He made her kiss him back, which was what she had liked about him, which was what she had found most seductive about him. It was because she always liked to be in control; it made her feel secure and sure of herself. Being with Draco was different, because he was the one who dominated, and that was a new thrill for Hermione, a daring but exotically different thing. Was.

Ron, on the other hand, was someone whom she could trust more than anyone else. He was so gentle with her, so loving, yet so passionate. She had really felt his true love for her that night, whilst she had never felt Draco's. Ron made her feel so safe and so beautiful in his arms, so much that she never wanted to let go. He was more tender, understanding, loving and trustworthy. Draco was more mysterious, sharp, seductive and eccentric.

Ron was the one Hermione had always loved, an unending kind of love which had lasted a whole seven years. Once or twice, when Draco was making love to her, she had imagined Ron in his place, caressing her, his comforting body close to hers.

Amazed at realizing what she had kept from herself for so long, Hermione turned on her lamp and headed out of her room and into her common room. She grabbed her book from the couch and headed back to her room, pausing only to glare angrily at Draco's closed bedroom door. She preferred Ron alright.

Draco had betrayed her, and she had not forgotten it.

~*~

'Good morning,' Hermione yawned as she sat down at the Gryffindor table.

'You too,' replied Ron, eyeing her tired faces and baggy eyes before continuing to cram in the last few sentences of his Potions essay. Hermione bent over to examine his work. 'Actually, the Bobotuber Pus goes before the Moonstone, and essence of Hellebore must be stirred anticlockwise. Here, let me help,' she added.

Harry was silently chewing his toast next to them, his eyes slightly red. Ron patted his back. 'Don't beat yourself about it Harry. It wasn't your fault.'

Harry nodded, pushing his cereal away. 'Yeah, I'm fine. Really,' he added, seeing both Ron and Hermione's disbelieving stares. 'Come on, we're late for Transfiguration.'

'Actually we have Herbology now. Why don't you go and check on Sarah, Harry? We'll tell Professor Sprout why you've gone.'

Harry looked a little more relieved. 'Thanks guys. See you.' With that, he ran out as fast as he could, heading for the Hospital Wing.

Ron and Hermione walked down the winding path down to the greenhouses while the cool early-December air lashed at their faces. Professor Sprout was waiting in for everyone in front of Greenhouse 9. Hermione entered it with the others, smelling the familiar scent of fertilizer and a heavily perfumed, bright purple flower which was directly above them.

They went up to the earthy desks and settled down. Professor Sprout was holding a very Gothic-looking plant, with a thin, twirling stem and a black and silver flower resting between leaves the size of car doors.

'The Dahler flower is from a very rare species, and it is well sought-after for its property of detecting even the most hidden types of poison. Does anyone know how it does this?' she asked, her face looking surprised when she saw the unusual lack of Hermione's arm in the air. She carried on.

'When even the smallest piece of its petal is dropped in the liquid one wishes to identify, it changes colour depending on the strength of the poison. In very powerful poison, it would turn from black to blue. In less powerful, it would turn green. This however, had surprised many famous herbologists of our time, seeing as the colour of normal poisons....'

Hermione felt her attention ebbing away as she wondered how Sarah was. What if she couldn't get better? She couldn't bear to think of the effect it would have on Harry. He had lost so much. Parents, Sirius...How much more could he bear? How would he feel to have another chance for love being snatched away from him?

Harry didn't arrive at the end of the lesson, nor was he in any other lessons until lunch. Hermione was growing restless. Why was just a visit taking so long?

'Ron? Maybe we should go and check if everything's alright.'

Ron nodded and stood. 'Yeah. Come on.' They grabbed their bags and headed for the Grand Staircase, taking them two at a time.

Ron knocked against the double doors of the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey peered out and opened the doors. 'Come in,' she said, with a sigh.

They both rushed towards the bed on the far corner which had curtains around it for privacy. Hermione entered first. Sarah was lying down with her eyes closed, showing no trace of life except for the colour in her face. Her waist was heavily bandaged. Harry was sitting beside her, holding her limp hand.

'Hey,' whispered Ron as he entered behind Hermione.

''Lo,' Harry said hoarsely. His eyes looked red and puffy. Madam Pomfrey entered, pointing her wand and the bandages vanished. She shook a few drops of some silvery potion, and then re-bandaged her with a flick of her wand. 'Is she improving?' Hermione asked, unable to hold it in for a minute longer. Madam Pomfrey shook her head. 'She's not any better, but not worse either. There is no change, but we're doing all we can.'

Ron swallowed and turned to Harry. 'Are you going to stay?' Madam Pomfrey answered his question. 'Yes he must. He hasn't eaten anything, and I don't think he's quite up for classes now.'

Hermione nodded, feeling as if a golf-ball was stuck in her throat. 'We'll come tonight, okay Harry?' He nodded. 'See you.'

~*~

Hermione felt terrible as she sat across Draco in their common room. They weren't saying anything to each other while Draco did his Transfiguration homework and Hermione continued reading 'A Compendium of Advanced Charms', once in a while sneaking glances at Draco to figure out whether it was a good time to open the subject of Ron and their new relationship. His facial expression was undecipherable. Hermione decided to give it a try anyway.

'Draco,' she began, glancing at him warily. He lifted his head and looked at her with a blank expression. 'I was wondering...where do you think our relationship will go to? I mean, I - I don't feel anything towards you any-anymore.' Yes! I finally said it!

Draco didn't shout to make her cower; he didn't turn around and slam the door, disappearing into his room either. He just sat there, raising an eyebrow at Hermione.

'You know what? I agree,' he said, making Hermione widen her eyes in surprise.

You do?'

'I don't think we should be together anymore. Do you expect me to be with you, after you've so cozily slobbered all over Weasel?' he asked coolly, shutting his book.

Hermione's feeling of surprise turned to uncontrollable rage. 'What did you expect me to do?' Do you want me to wait around for whenever you feel like kissing me? Should I accept it when I need comfort and you tell me to come later? I'm SICK of you, because you are so full of yourself, Draco Malfoy!' she shouted, just about had enough.

Draco stood up and walked towards Hermione. She started stepping back, away from him, but hit against the wall. Draco grabbed her hair tightly, and she let out a yelp of pain.

'You know what?' he smirked, face an inch away from Hermione's. 'Go on, run to your Weasel. I couldn't care less. But know that you can't betray a Malfoy and get away with it that easily.' He pushed Hermione towards the bookcase and she fell on the cold floor.

Draco came towards her with a malevolent smile. Hermione pushed herself back, grabbing a chair for support to stand up. She wiped her bleeding lip and stood straight. 'So it's okay for you to sleep with some whore of a girl while making fun of me, but it's not okay for me to kiss my friend in a time where I needed comfort and support, a time where you were never there for me?' she spat.

He grabbed her wrist and cupped her chin, fingernails digging into her cheeks. 'You know I'm not the type who is simpering and weak, or the type which thinks love should be equal and both sides should make sacrifices for each other.' His hands tightened on her.

Hermione reached out with her free hand, slapping him sharply on his cheek. He looked startled for a moment, then let go of her, the side of his face red. Hermione looked into his icy grey eyes with her tear-filled ones.

'Then you will never, ever know love,' she said, her angry voice wobbling. She ran to her room and slammed the door behind her.

Hermione sat on her bed, punching her pillow with her fist. She had to admit, she hadn't expected Draco to just stand there, hands hanging limp, the side of his face a brilliant shade of scarlet. As she stood there after having hit him, she knew instantly she had gone too far. She had prepared herself to run away from him before he could hurt her more, but he hadn't. For once, had hadn't thrown her a smart-assed comment or, even worse, thrown her across the room again either.

It was worth it if Ron and her could be together comfortably, without Hermione looking over her shoulder every time Ron held her or kissed her. With this relieving thought in mind, she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter 5

Sarah finally woke up around noon the next day. Apparently, they had discovered what poison was in her by a magical flower. Harry, who had been in what looked like a depressive trance, recovered as well.

Hermione had been awake half the night, all of them happily going over what had happened in her absence. After a while, Sarah got up and took her bag.

'I'd better go back to my dormitory,' she said, saying goodnight to everyone.

'I'll walk you,' Harry smiled, and they both headed out of the portrait hole.

Hermione fiddled with her hair as she and Ron sat in silence for a while.

Ron finally looked into Hermione's eyes worriedly. 'Is there something wrong?' he asked, shadows flickering over his face from the dying fire. Hermione looked up at him slowly.

'He hit me,' she whispered hoping not to sound too dramatic, but she did feel scared. She pulled down her robes gingerly to reveal the bruises on her neck. Ron swore under his breath.

'I'll kill that bloody idiot! I swear I'll rip that albino head right off! See if he can do anything after I'm through with him! I swear, if he touches a single hair of your head again, I'll...'

'Ron, its okay, calm down.'

Ron sighed and leaned back. 'But Hermione, you don't know that bastard as I do! He didn't do that to scare you, he means it! Honestly, the similarity between that rat and his father is uncanny. I don't know how you even liked him!'

'Stop it!' Hermione shouted suddenly, standing up. Ron looked extremely taken aback. Then he cleared his throat.

'Right. Sorry. It's just that I thought that you may have needed someone to talk to. Sorry about that.' He stood up and headed for the boys dormitories.

Hermione could have kicked herself. 'Ron, no, please wait! I didn't mean that!' Ron stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. 'Please don't misunderstand me, I just don't know what to feel, I'm so lost.'

Ron held her hands and shook his head sadly. 'Hey, it's okay, really. I'm sorry I overreacted.'

It's funny how being in love can make one forgive another so easily, thought Hermione as she looked into his eyes. The last embers of the fire were glowing a dull red as he approached her in the semi darkness. Their silhouettes wound around each other as the moon appeared from behind the clouds, casting its soft light through the dusty windows.

'I love you so much Hermione,' Ron whispered into her ear. She felt like she was zooming towards the stars. For some reason, she also felt her eyes brimming with tears.

'I've waited so long to hear you say that,' she laughed, her voice wobbling slightly.

'Yeah, well,' said Ron, entwining his fingers with hers. 'I've been a right coward haven't I?'

'Not to me!' smiled Hermione, resting her head on his shoulder. 'And anyway, I don't care how long I waited. I think it has definitely been worth it.'

Ron pulled away from her, and Hermione looked up questioningly, wondering what she could have said that offended him. But he smiled and took her hand, leading her back to the couches near the fireplace. He relit the fire with a flick of his wand and it burned welcomingly. Hermione knew what was coming; she had imagined this many times before, but the fact that it was reality this time made her feel slightly panicky. But she relaxed immensely as she felt his protective body against hers, also because she knew that she didn't need to live up to any expectations with Ron as she had with Draco.

Ron slowly kissed all her sore bruises, Hermione returning the favor. He caressed every inch of her, her ivory skin feeling like the finest of silk to him. She stroked his fiery red locks, her hands dancing over his muscular back like skittering leaves. They lay together until Hermione was so tired that she drifted into the most comfortable and peaceful sleep she had ever experienced.

That night gave her the determination to defend the one she loved, the desire to please the one she loved and the hope which made her love for him survive.

***

Warm sunlight poured into the room as she and Ron woke lazily. Hermione stroked his fiery waves and gave him a kiss. He opened his eyes slowly, smiled when he saw Hermione and pulled her closer to him.

'We should get up before people come down here,' she said sleepily.

'Come on, just a few more minutes,' Ron mumbled, tracing her lips with one finger.

'Are you sure you want the whole of Gryffindor house talking about how they saw Ron Weasley stark naked in the common room with the Head Girl?' Hermione asked, reaching for her clothes.

'Yes, definitely!' Ron answered, grabbing Hermione's wrist so she grasped air instead of her robes.

'You may like that, but not me thanks. Come on, get up!' she said, pulling Ron's arm. When they were finally dressed, Ginny came down the staircase sleepily. She raised an eyebrow. 'Hey guys, why are you up so early? We don't have any lessons today.'

'Well, Ginny, we...uh...studied for a while, Professor Flitwick is going to test us on Adjoining Charms.' Hermione said quickly.

Ginny smiled as her eyes lingered on Hermione tangled hair and Ron's hastily fastened robes. 'Adjoining Charms? Okay, see you,' she suppressed a giggle and walked out of the portrait hole.

Ron let out a whoosh of breath. 'Let's go down too.' Hermione shook her head. 'I need to go to my room first, get a few things.' Ron gave her a kiss. 'Okay, see you there.'

Hermione felt as if she was bouncing on the balls of her feet with every step she took. She and Ron were together at last. She could hardly believe it!

'Twitchy little ferret!' sang Hermione when she reached Rose's portrait. She had changed the password the other day. The portrait swung open to admit her in. Draco was sitting in the common room, watching her enter beadily.

Hermione ignored him, waltzing into her room and shutting the door behind her. She took a quick shower and headed back to the common room. Draco stood up and blocked the door with one stride.

'So...' he started, sneering down at her. 'Where was the Granger slut last night?' Hermione tried to control her anger. 'I don't think that's any of your business,' she replied, side-stepping him. But he stepped with her, blocking her once more.

'I hope you took my warning seriously. I wouldn't want you to get hurt,' he added, trailing a hand under her robes and up her leg. She pushed his hand away disgustedly and walked out of the portrait, heart beating frantically along with the sound of her footsteps on the echoing stone corridor.

Draco watched her hurry down the stairs. He loved it when she was so determined and proper; it reminded him how he had managed to break her unending self confidence. He couldn't believe he was actually feeling jealous of the Weasel. He could, obviously, get her back. Or he could even kidnap her, since he had all the power to do so. She could be his and his alone forever. 'But these are all by force,' whispered his usually ignored conscience. 'She will never come to you willingly.'

He had to resort to the last thing he wanted to do if she refused him any longer. Draco's eyes narrowed. 'If I can't have you, then no one else will either,' he thought silently to himself.

Chapter six

Hermione could hardly believe that she used to even like Draco as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. She noticed that there was quite a boost in volume as she sat down at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron's faces looked terrified.

'What's the matter?' Hermione asked, looking back and forth between them. Ron, hands shaking, held out a crumpled copy of the days' Daily Prophet. The huge, bold headline was reflected in Hermione's rapidly widening eyes as she read it.

'DEATH EATERS ON THE MARCH- HEADING FOR HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY'

Phrases like 'Ministry in disarray' and 'march for destruction or domination' jumped out at her from the page of miniscule writing. Up at the High Table, Dumbledore looked furious as he conversed in low tones with Professors Snape and McGonagall. Then Professor Sprout stood up shakily and whispered in Dumbledore's ear. He nodded waved a hand for silence. A hush fell over the entire hall, everyone looking up with terrified faces.

'Harry, can you come here please,' he said calmly. Hermione felt tears in her eyes. It was all just too sudden. It couldn't be happening. Not when Sarah was well again and Harry was happy and she had Ron.

'No, no, no, no!' Hermione whispered furiously. Ron grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. Maybe if she wished enough, this would all turn out to be a dream. She would wake up in Ron's arms and say that she had had the most realistic dream. But instead her blurry vision was on Harry, who had gotten up slowly. She didn't want to take in the fact that they may never see him again.

Ron looked more frightened than he had ever before as he gave Harry a hug, tears filling his eyes as well. Hermione sobbed openly as she clung onto him. He hugged them back, and then started to walk up slowly between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables.

Hermione remembered how nervous he had been in their fourth year when he had walked the same route after his name had come out of the Goblet of Fire. She couldn't believe that she had ever felt the desire to laugh, joke, or smile now.

Sarah broke from the grasp of her friends and ran to Harry, crying as she held his hands and hugged him. As she let go, Harry reached the High table and he and Dumbledore went through the chamber off the Great Hall.

McGonagall turned to all the other students, her face the colour of parchment. 'All seven^th year students stay here please,' she said, her voice trembling. 'Everyone else, please go down to the kitchens. Professor Snape will show you the way. The house elves will bring everything you need, and will provide food, drink and a safe place to stay until this...this is over,' she choked. The crowd fumbled and stood and headed for the doorway with a great banging and scraping.

Sarah ran to Ron and Hermione from among the throng. 'I'm not going! I'm not going to leave you guys! I must help Harry!' she said recklessly, face still glistening with tears.

'There's nothing you can do about it Sarah, there's nothing we can do either,' said Ron, shaking his head.

Sarah stepped back, her eyes on the floor. 'No. There isn't anything I can do about it. But I have to tell you something,' she said, her eyes snapping back to Ron and Hermione's worried faces. The hall was nearly empty now, with only Professor McGonagall left, who was trying to coax Ginny out of the Hall.

Sarah pulled her long hair off her shoulder. There, carved brutally into her skin, was a sword with a chain wound around it. Hermione's eyes widened even more as she realized exactly what it was. 'Who did this to you?' she asked in horror.

'Voldemort,' Sarah said.

Chapter seven

McGonagall was standing behind them, and had both seen and heard Sarah's statement. 'All seven^th years gather around here!' she called. 'Ron, Hermione, come,' she added, gesturing. 'Sarah, you stay,' she said looking at her with an indecipherable look. Pity? Worry? Hermione couldn't tell. Ron took her hand and led her to the Slytherin table where all the other seven^th years were.

'What was that thing?' Ron asked her hastily when they reached it.

'I- I'm not entirely sure,' said Hermione, thinking. 'But I think it's an Imprisonment Mark.'

Ron's face carried no trace of sudden comprehension.

'Well it is a really advanced branch of Magic which was banned years ago,' she explained. 'The person who had that mark would be like a slave to the one who engraved it on them. The imprisoned person had to do everything their master wanted them to, even maybe kill their families and friends. But their master had to give them powers in return,' Hermione described. 'It was an extremely brutal piece of magic, even worse than the Cruciatus Curse. It was more of an emotional torture rather than physical, you know?' Hermione asked.

Ron nodded. His expression seemed to be wavering between revulsion and horror. 'And in this case, her master is...' his voice trailed away.

'Voldemort,' Hermione nodded. Ron gave an involuntary shudder, and then put his hands on his forehead. 'Blimey.'

Hermione rested her head between her knees. It was all too much. At that moment Sarah arrived and sat next to them. Ron looked up and asked her, 'Is it true? Is that really a...'

'Imprisonment Mark, yes,' Sarah answered. 'Everything was normal until my third year at Hogwarts. But then, when Voldemort (Ron winced) came back to power after Harry got out of the maze that night, he started to send envoys to various families whom he knew were Dark ones that still supported him, like my family,' he voice suddenly became much more bitter and her expression more defiant.

'But then how come he Imprisoned you?' Ron asked who was still looking both horrified and revolted, but confused as well.

'Because Voldemort convinced my utterly brainwashed parents that I was to have a very important part in his plans,' she said angrily. 'He didn't tell them I was to be Imprisoned.'

Hermione shook her head sadly. Ron seemed too anxious to react.

'He- he made me do terrible things in these past three years,' she shuddered. Then a stubborn look came across her face. 'I wish he had killed me instead.'

'But why did he send you to Hogwarts this year?' Hermione asked, giving a short glance behind her back to make sure they weren't being overheard.

'To spy on Dumbledore of course,' Sarah said sulkily. 'But I knew right from the start that I wasn't going to do anything of the sort, even though he kept on threatening me to.' Hermione suddenly remembered the beginning of the term where she had seen Sarah in the empty classroom, looking like she was in pain. She nodded.

'You know the curse that hit me at the Quidditch match? He did it. To remind me that he knew I wasn't fulfilling my duty, and that he was going to punish me for it.' Then she paused and took a deep breath. 'I don't really care if he tries to do anything to me. I-I'm just scared for you guys and Harry...' she looked nothing short of terrified. Hermione reached for Sarah's hand and squeezed it.

Professor McGonagall called for everyone's attention. 'You all know,' she started, her face more serious than ever, 'that this day had to come. However, the fact that it has come so untimely has surprised us all. But the Order of the Phoenix will arrive shortly, for they have been preparing expertly for this. Until then...' she paused, her lips white and thin, '...we teachers will hold them off as much as we can. Most of us are in the Order anyway, so you need not worry.

Hermione looked over her shoulder to examine the effect of these words. Fear flickered over every face. All except one. Draco's pale face was half in shadow, so his expression wasn't exactly seen, but Hermione saw a faint smile of disbelief and mocking. She felt rage flicker inside her, but with immense self control, she turned back to listen.

'What will we do?' asked Seamus, his face not skepticism, but determination.

'All you need to do is make sure no Death Eater can go down to the others in the kitchens. I doubt they will be able to get too far, since they can't apparate within these walls. But- but just in case.' She cleared her throat and said slowly, 'We also have permission from the Ministry of Magic to use Unforgivable curses.'

Many eyes widened, including Hermione's at these words. It suddenly stroked everyone how serious this was, how they were all near the thin line which separated life from death. Professor McGonagall now looked on the verge of tears.

'Each and every one of you are outstanding students and I'm sure you'll do your best to help through this difficult time. I- I'm sure everything will be fine. No one will be hurt,' she finished apprehensively.

'W- What about Harry?' Hermione asked tensely.

'Dumbledore needs to talk to him now, and enable help for him to fight him,' she finished, not saying Voldemort's name, which was just as well, Hermione thought, since everyone already looked extremely anxious.

Heavy sighs rippled throughout the room, punctuated by a sniff or two.

All of a sudden, there was a creak and a deafening BANG and several people screamed; around a dozen Death Eaters were standing at the doors, all masked. The one at the front of the crowd aimed his wand at Professor McGonagall. His deep, booming voice echoed in the vast hall.

'Avada Kedavra!'

She crumpled to the floor.

'Oh my god!' Hermione whispered at her dead form.

'Come on,' said Ron quickly, taking out his wand and running with everyone else towards the Death Eaters. Hermione reached for her own and made to follow him, but before she could move she felt cold hands covering her mouth. Draco was standing over her, wearing a Death Eaters mask. Hermione tried to scream, but no one heard her in the din of shouts and bangs.

'Why are you struggling? You know I won't hurt you Hermione,' he whispered into her ear. 'But it seems to me that you're forgetting that you belong to me, not your dear Weasel. I don't think you'd want him hurt, huh?' he smiled at the effect of these words on her. He let her go, and she sat up slowly but didn't attempt to escape. 'That's a good girl,' he laughed softly. He trailed a finger over her lips and neck. Hermione winced, praying that he wouldn't go any further.

'You! Malfoy! Come here!' shouted a Death Eater at Draco; she recognised the feminine voice as Bellatrix Lestrange. She was holding a struggling Sarah, who was trying to reach her wand which was inches away. Draco let go of Hermione, and she let out a breath of relief. But he advanced on Sarah instead.

'The Dark Lord gave you the order to kill the Imprisoned one,' Bellatrix said, then walked away towards the group of five Death Eaters who had cornered a group of Hufflepuffs.

Sarah tried to kick Draco, and then punch him, but he shouted 'Impedimenta!' and her feet stayed immobile. She gave a cry of frustration and tried to pull herself across the floor with her arms, reached for her wand. Draco watched her attempts amusedly, then stepped harshly on her fingers. She cringed, and backed away from him. He gave out a laugh, a cold, uncharacteristic laugh. Sarah gave a sudden yelp as he grabbed her hair and pulled back her head, then pointed his wand at her heart.

'Crucio!' he yelled. Sarah shrieked and curled with pain.

When her screams had subsided, Draco pulled her head back even more, and making sure Hermione was watching, pulled out a knife.

'NO!' screamed Hermione, but it was too late; Draco slit it across her throat and she crumpled to the floor, her blood startlingly red over the white marble floor.

'No...' she sobbed as she looked at Sarah's lifeless face, then to Draco, whose face was twisted into an evil smile. 'Potter won't be too pleased when he finds his girlfriend, will he?' he smirked.

'You...you evil...you...' choked Hermione, trying to stand up, but she was shaking uncontrollably. Draco turned away and put his mask back on. Hermione couldn't tell which Death Eater he was as he returned to the mass of black robes. Students, with looks of defeat, were running out of the Hall, but some of them were still inside, mainly Gryffindors and Hufflepuff.

She found that she could hardly get up, so she just sobbed quietly until she felt hands on her wrists, and looked up to see a pair of blue eyes. It was Ron. He had come back to get her, even though he had had the chance to escape.

'Ron...he...he killed...' she whimpered.

'It's okay, it's okay, come Hermione, please...' he looked utterly pale. He gently helped her up and brushed away her tears. She stood up slowly. 'Are you ok?' asked Ron softly.

Hermione nodded.

'Come, we must go,' said Ron hurriedly, helping her walk.

Just then there was a loud creak and bang; many people screamed and ducked, thinking it a curse which had missed them. But instead they found all the doors sealed shut. There was no escape.

'Oh, god,' whispered Hermione still clutching onto Ron. 'What are we all going to do?'

Ron looked around wildly, but there was no way to get out. The few students which had been left inside were hopelessly outnumbered to the twelve Death Eaters. 'We had to fight them of course,' he said determinedly, pulling out his wand. 'Just like we have always done with Harry.'

Hermione nodded, the memories flooding back to her clearer than photographs. Ron in the clutches of the Devils Snare, herself congratulating Harry and Ron for solving the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, watching Harry fighting hundreds of Dementors. Harry coming out of the maze clutching Cedric's body, fighting the same Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries...

Impatiently, she brushed away the tears forming in her eyes at these thoughts, and made to follow Ron. She noticed too late that a Death Eater approached from behind them slyly, in just a swish of his black cloak.

Hermione screamed, 'RON LOOK OU...' but no sooner were the words out of her mouth that the Death Eater pointed his wand at her and shouted, 'Imperio!'

Hermione felt like she was floating. It was paradise, not to think of anything, and she wondered vaguely why everyone around her wore expressions of fear and panic.

Everything was happening in extremely quick succession, and it all seemed pointless. All she heard were orders in her head, and she obeyed them. As though in a trance, she slowly took a dagger from the Death Eater and plunged it into Ron's chest. She could scarcely feel his warm blood drenching her hands as Ron's eyes grew wide in surprise before he fell heavily.

The Death Eater let out a triumphant scream which jerked Hermione violently back to her senses.

Then she looked down, and saw what she had done.

Chapter 8

Everything stopped. Time shuddered to a halt. Hermione looked at her bloodstained hands, and then into his motionless eyes, which had been twinkling only moments before. She felt like the floor beneath her was rushing away, her feet collapsing to an unending darkness with it.

Her ears became deaf to the shouts and screams around them, her eyes blind to the people crumpling around her like autumn leaves in a high wind.

Ron fell to the floor as if in slow motion, fiery hair a tone darker, matted with his blood. Hermione saw walls close in around her, consuming her. Someone was screaming in the distance, she didn't know who, but as she felt her hot tears burn deep trails down her face, she knew it was herself.

Her cold sweat mixing with her warm tears, she screamed her heart out as it all started to sink in. She had killed the one whom she loved more than anything else.

She was crying and screaming so heavily that she could hardly breathe. The disastrous scene around her drew darkness over her eyes, as if a blanket of despair and helplessness had been thrown over her like a veil.

The veil tightened around her as she choked and sobbed, resting Ron's head on her chest and rocking backwards and forwards in agony. She lay down next to him, hoping that death would come upon her too, and feeling that she deserved it.

The Death Eater looked down at her, cold eyes visible from underneath his mask. Hermione pushed all bravery and dignity aside, clasped her bloody hands tightly with Ron's and closed her eyes, waiting for the final blow. Nothing mattered to her anymore.

She squeezed her eyes shut even tighter as she felt the cold hands of the Death Eater clasp around her throat. She choked, her head spinning, as the Death Eaters grip on her was too painful to bear anymore.

Draco only let her go as she gave her last breath, head falling limply next to Ron's, their hands still clasped tightly together.