*UPDATE; july 2015*

AN: this was my first HP fanfic, it was also written before JK Rowling had even written her last HP book- considered canon divergent to AU from book 4/5 onward. Revising all chapters slightly, in hopes of getting enough creative momentum to finish this story. (I don't even remember half my own plot lines as it's been years since I've updated.) Though I started this fanfic back in 2004, I still get reviews asking to tie this story up, I'll do my best! Thanks for your constant and loyal support over the past decade!

Disclaimer: I own nothing... except Alex

OWTF... (on with the fic)

Hogwarts Express (chap 1)

Draco Malfoy, the tall, muscular, blonde, and rumored "sex god" of Slytherin; watched out the train window with mild interest as the 'Golden Trio' boarded the Hogwarts Express. However it was the Mudblood that held his interest the most.

The Head Girl of the school and the perfectionist princess of Gryffindor - soft curly locks of rich brown with attentive caramel highlights which she had developed over the summer seemed to glow in the reflection of the dim light of the station.

That wasn't all she developed. She had curves in all the right places, and she had grown taller too. Draco was still a head taller than her, but only because he found another growth spurt over the summer too. Although her mind and posture was always over-mature for her body over the years, her body was beginning to mature and catch up with her wit.

In short, she was beautiful.

But it wasn't her looks that caught his attention, (in fact, he still hated the filthy little Mudblood- or so he convinced himself), but it was her expression. She wasn't talking or smiling with the two gits, Potter and Weasley. Instead she was quiet, and her eyes seemed to be dull, hallowed and empty; from what he could tell, she was too exhausted to even talk, let alone cry.

But his attention was directed else-where when he slapped a feminine hand away from his leg, that was inching closer and closer to his... "Pansy, stop it!" He snapped, clearly annoyed with the Slytherin girls' behavior.

Pansy Parkinson pouted slightly, "But Drakie-"

"For Merlin's sake, Parkinson, stop calling me that and go away!" Draco said firmly, pushing her off the seat onto the floor. He didn't mean to push her that hard, but at this point, he couldn't care less.

Crabbe and Goyle snickered as Pansy got up, glaring a Draco through her teary eyes, and left the compartment in a huff.

Draco merely muttered and rolled his eyes, before he heard an interesting conversation take place just outside the door.

"Ooooh, lookie! It's Pothead, Weasel and the Mudblood." Pansy squeaked in a mocking tone.

"Go away, Pansy. We aren't up to putting up with Malfoy's slut at the moment!" Ron said angrily, he seemed more agitated than usual. Draco frowned.

"This, coming from the poor little weasel, with hand-me-down robes?" Pansy snorted.

"Just move aside, Pansy!" Harry said, irritation growing in his voice as well.

"What? No comment from the walking encyclopedia this morning, Miss Granger? Or has the Mudblood, for once have nothing smart to say?" Draco could tell Pansy was trying her best to get a reaction out of Granger, and so far it wasn't working. "-And where do you think your going?"

"Move, Parkinson." Came the Mudblood's dull reply, she was clearly bored with Pansy's behavior.

A few seconds past, and he heard the trio shut a compartment door behind them, before Pansy walked off in a huff. Draco frowned further; something was definitely different with those three.

Hermione Granger sat in silence as her two best friends chatted casually about the upcoming Hogwarts year. This would be their seventh and last year at the school of witchcraft and wizardry- but she knew somehow everything would be different as well.

It wasn't so much a foreboding, but a settled aura of gloom. It had been a harsh summer for Hermione. Her parents had been murdered at the end of sixth year at the hand of Lord Voldemort. Voldemort had caused too much pain at Hogwarts - and she had to watch it everyday that there was a new victim.

But at the end of sixth year, Hermione, herself, was the victim. Upon losing her parents the Order suggested she stay with Ron and Harry and the Weasley's at the Burrow, during the summer; the most painful summer of her life.

Summer vacation was supposed to be fun and memorable. Oh, it was memorable, but it was far from fun. The summer heat mocked her with its bright and radiant glow of sunlight. Each sunrise reminded her that her parents would never see such simple beauty every again. It was easier to stay in Ginny's room and wallow in the darkness; it seemed fair. She didn't deserve to be enjoying the summer her parents became murder victims.

She hadn't talked or eaten much when she stayed at the Burrow either. Hermione had lost a lot of weight, and she felt like shit all the time. It had Mrs Weasley quite worried for her. But worry wouldn't heal her. Nothing could ease the pain. Somehow, everything just made her feel so bloody exhausted. Perhaps it was from crying herself to sleep every night, or maybe it was from the lack of sleep, because she dared not close her eyes in fear of what she continued to relieve every night. The constant nightmares were always the same... the nightmare of that night... the flashbacks made her sick to her stomach, which was the main reason why she couldn't eat much. And so the circle continued; tired but unable to sleep, and when exhaustion finally overcame her, the nightmares would drive her into the pits of nausea and dispair.

"'Mione? You okay? You're looking kind of pale." Harry's voice broke Hermione's thoughts.

'Don't think about it Hermione! Living that night once is more than enough...' Hermione shook her thoughts clear, slightly angry with herself for remembering that night in her waking hours, "I'm fine, Harry." Hermione forced a smile; a smile that both Ron and Harry knew was a fake.

Ron and Harry exchanged glances; both thinking the same thing. 'Of course she's not okay.'

They both noticed right away, after the initial shock and the beginning stages of mourning her parents, Hermione had lost all spark and life. Her eyes were dull and hallow, and they feared they would never see them sparkle with happiness again. Her heart and smile were heavy, and everything was forced now. Nothing came naturally; not a smile, not a laugh, nothing.

But suddenly the sound of their compartment door sliding open broke all of their thoughts. "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't know this was taken..."

All three friends glanced up, to a fairly short girl, with straight feathery blonde hair, and deep calculating emerald eyes. And from what they could tell, she was no Hogwarts student. She grinned sheepishly, "Seems like all the compartments are taken."

At her presence both Harry's scar and Hermione's right shoulder began to tingle. And they instinctively rubbed the itchy spots. Ron who was ignoring his friend's odd behaviour, stared at the girl quizzically, "You can share with us if you want." He offered.

The girl glanced at the three of them nervously, "Thanks." She smiled somewhat relieved, as she took a seat beside Hermione.

Hermione couldn't quite explain it, but this girl... was bloody enchanting. Her vibe was familiar, but it was pleasant and frightening at the same time. Like the girl was some sort of tainted angel. She shook her head clear, before speaking up, "I'm Hermione." She offered her hand, and the girl took it gingerly.

"I'm Alex." The girl grinned back.

"Harry,"

"And I'm Ron."

"Nice to meet you." Alex smiled softly, "Thanks for letting me sit here. Everywhere else is full."

"You don't go to Hogwarts do you?" Harry frowned as the girl shook her head, "But you can't be a first year!"

"That's because I'm not. I've been transferred out of so many schools I've lost count. I live with my aunt and she travels a lot, but it seems as though I can spend my last year in school at Hogwarts without leaving halfway through each semester." Alex explained, as she brushed a few of her feathery blonde locks from her eyes.

"Oh, so you're a seventh year, like us?" Ron stared at her with interest.

Alex nodded, "Yes, I'm-" she suddenly stopped as her eyes fixated on Harry's forehead, "You wouldn't happen to be Harry Potter, would you?" she asked hesitantly, in a quiet, almost fearful voice.

Harry scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Some days I wished I wasn't."

"I'm terribly sorry about your parents..." She whispered quietly. Hermione's stomach clenched at her choice of words.

Well, that certainly wasn't the response any of them were expecting. In all the years of being recognised as a 'celebrity', not one had shown sympathy for him. He was always known as the boy who lived, not as the orphan.

"O-oh..." Harry was sort of speechless, as he and his two friends exchanged glances, all quite shocked with Alex's reaction, "It's okay really. Not so bad... I never really did know them." He smiled weakly.

"That doesn't make it okay." Alex said, frowning slightly, "What happened to you was horrible!" she huffed, "Voldemort is an evil man!" she muttered angrily.

Ron winced slightly, however even Hermione herself was shocked. She was the only girl, other than herself, who had ever called the Dark Lord by name with no fear. "Indeed he is." Hermione whispered back, glancing out the window. "Voldemort should rot in Azkaban." She muttered dryly.

Alex blinked before glancing at the girl beside her, "You do not fear his name either... has his darkness touched your life as well?"

Hermione merely nodded, remaining silent. Ignoring the building irony in Alex's choice of words.

Harry shook his head, in a way of telling Alex not to ask about it... not yet. Alex nodded in understanding, "You both certainly aren't the only ones."

Suddenly the door slid open again, only this time, Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway, only he was alone this time- without Crabbe and Goyle.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron snapped heatedly.

"We aren't up to deal with your bullshit right now, Malfoy. So leave!" Harry added.

Alex watched with interest as Draco raised an eyebrow at the two boys, "A bit touchy aren't we Potter? For your information, I'm here for Granger."

"Why?" They snapped defensively in unison.

"I need to take her to the Head Boy and Girl compartment, for a brief meeting with a professor." Draco said dully, before glancing at Hermione who was staring up at him with her hallow eyes, "Are you coming or not?"

Hermione nodded silently, before turning to her friends, "I'll see you at the Sorting Ceremony. Nice meeting you Alex." She said quietly, as she stood up and followed Draco to their compartment.

Draco sat across from the Mudblood, yet he couldn't help but stare at her.

She sat, leaning against the wall, one leg dangling off the seat, the other stretched out on the cushion she was sitting on, while her arms remained folded over her chest. And her dull eyes aimlessly stared out the train window.

Although Draco was now in his robes, Granger was still in her muggle clothing. Old blue jeans, and a loose grey jersey, with the number 88 in navy blue on the back; it looked like something she would wear to bed. She was dressed casual, and comfortable, as if she didn't care about what others thought of her appearances.

'Although... she never has.' Draco thought dryly.

Hermione Granger was always too busy with her studies to care about her looks, or fashion style. But even though she was wearing a baggy shirt, it was sill quite apparent that her breasts had gotten bigger over the summer, even Draco couldn't deny that.

Draco frowned, before he too stared out the window. He didn't want to be staring at a Mudblood for too long.

Hermione merely glanced at Draco. She wasn't stupid; she knew he was staring at her since they had gotten into the Head compartment. And she certainly knew that his eyes were just staring at her face, she knew his eyes wandered lower than what she would have liked; but at the moment, she couldn't care less.

She knew her body had changed over the summer, but so had her lifestyle- and her new curves were the least of her worries. However, she wasn't the only one who had changed. Both Harry and Ron had grown taller, and more handsome. Their hair was less messy, and they seemed to have matured over the summer; ever since the death of her parents, when Voldemort-

Hermione shook her head clearing her habitual thoughts before glancing at Draco again. Malfoy had changed as well over the summer. He was now a good head taller than her. His hair slightly longer and his eyes were somehow less cold and mean, yet still guarded. She could tell he was more muscular as well, because his robes were open, and he was wearing a tight dark green t-shirt, and black jeans.

Even Hermione had to admit he had grown more attractive, but she doubted that his cocky attitude had matured even the slightest. She huffed silently, glancing back out the window, just as Professor McGonagall entered the room.

"Good evening, Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy." She said curtly, glancing at each of them, as they stared back up at her, "I'm surprised you haven't killed each other yet." She smiled slightly.

Hermione glance back out into the dark night, which flashed past the train window, "I would never kill anyone, Professor, even if it is Malfoy." She whispered.

This had caught Draco's attention, as he watched Hermione fight back tears and McGonagall tense with remorse and guilt. "Of - of course not, Miss Granger. I'm sorry..."

Draco frowned when Hermione forced a smile, and glanced at her Professor, "Don't mind me; what did you need to tell us Professor?"

McGonagall regained her posture as she continued to explain to the Head Boy and Girl, the fact that they would be sharing living quarters of their own common room for the rest of the year, as well as their duties as well as a few other things. "Also, for any dances or balls that are organized I would appreciate for you both to go together, don't give me that look Mr Malfoy, we need to start forming stronger bonds between the houses; which means you two will have to start being civil towards one another."

Hermione nodded silently, with no trace of argument, while Draco nodded hesitantly, but certainly reluctantly.

"Good, now I want you both to remain here until we reach Hogsmade, and then you can go your separate ways and find your friends. See you at the Ceremony." She smiled lightly, before leaving them alone again.

Hermione sighed heavily, before glancing at Draco who was staring at her, "What?" she asked dully, not even bothering to snap at him like she usually did all the previous years.

"What was the whole 'killing' people thing about?" He frowned, curiosity getting the better of him.

"You wouldn't care. Remember? I'm a Mudblood." She reminded him quietly, with a hint of malice in her voice; trying to keep her voice solid, and not waver or break down into tears.

"Fuck, whatever." Draco snorted, glaring back out the window.

'Bloody Hell, this is going to be a long year... I can't even fucking tease her... I cant... Something's too different about her.' Draco glanced at her again, to find her sitting in silence with her eyes shut.

'What the hell happened to you this summer, Mudblood?'

AN: just a note, I find in most fics, hermiones always showing off her body when she changes over the summer, not in the fic! Sure she has curves now, but she still doesn't care about it. If anything she goes out of her way to hide it. Hermione is kinda OOC due to her loss. I will do my best to keep everyone in character for as long as possible.

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