Disclaimer: These things are pointless. If I owned Harry Potter I wouldn't need to post my stories on the net; I would just publish them as a book and make millions!

A/N: Okay, okay. I know I said I wouldn't post another Harry Potter fanfic, but the idea just came to ma and I had to write it down fast and see what you guys thought of it. So please review! I really want to know if you like this one. So here goes nothing…

Only a Shadow of What I Used to Be

Chapter 1

Hermione and Ron burst through the door to the next level in the vast labyrinth that Voldemort was hiding in. Harry was quick to follow. It had been a struggle, but they made it.

"One more level, mate," Ron said. "He's the next one."

"Yeah," replied Harry. "He's next."

They looked around the deserted room. This was supposed to be a challenge? Where were the knives trying to behead them? Where were the trolls trying to squish them? This wasn't much of a challenge. Was this a rest stop?

"Well I for one don't see what's so bad about this room. The other one's had something trying to kill us by now."

"Oh shut up, Ron," Hermione interjected. "Something's not right about this room."

"I have to agree with Hermione on this one," stated Harry. "There's something off about all this…"

Suddenly a low growl sounded from behind them. The three eighteen year-olds spun around and came face to face with werewolves and vampires. The group of beasts was huge. This would prove to be difficult. There was a stand-off for a few seconds before the lead werewolf charged. Wands out, the three teens were ready.

Spells and curses were thrown everywhere. They managed to kill or stun most of their adversaries before the door to the other side opened.

"Harry! The door's open! Come on!" Ron shouted over the din.

They advanced toward the door when another wave of vampires and werewolves joined the original group and attacked. Hermione turned around and started attacking, making sure to keep herself between the advancing hoard and Harry.

"Harry go!" she cried.

"But Hermione," Harry started.

"GO HARRY! You have to go!"

Ron pushed Harry through the door, and then went through himself.

"Stay! Help Hermione!" Harry demanded.

"She's a big girl, Harry," Ron replied. "She can take care of herself. Besides, I have the feeling you're gonna need some help."

Harry looked skeptical, but went on. If anyone could hold off an entire army of evil it was Hermione. She was smart and very strong. Harry had complete confidence in her abilities.

Ron was about to close the door when Hermione turned around and saw him.

"Ron?" she asked quietly, her expression confused.

He started to close the door even more.

"Ron!" Panic.

The door was almost closed all the way.

"RON!" Realization and horror.

He closed the door completely, and all they could hear were her frantic knocks to get in followed by her blood-curdling screams.

"Hermione!" Harry cried.

"Now Potter," said a chilling voice. "There's no need to worry about the mudblood anymore."

Harry and Ron finally walked out of the chamber badly injured, but successful. They looked around the room where they had last seen Hermione. Bodies littered the floor. The room was an absolute mess. Eventually they spotted a familiar head of bushy, brown hair.

"Hermione!" they both cried.

Harry knelt down and cradled her in his arms. Her body was riddled with bites and scratches, and her neck had been bitten repeatedly. Both Harry and Ron began crying at the sight of their friend's bloodied corpse.

"At least she didn't go down without a fight," said Ron, noticing the broken wand still clutched in her lifeless hand.

"Yeah," said a melancholy Harry. "Just like the Hermione I loved."

Ron out his hand on Harry's shoulder, crying silently.

After the funeral a few days later, Harry and Ron stayed at her grave. Harry placed a dozen white roses in the holder on her tombstone.

Hermione Jane Granger

1986-2005

Damn she was smart

Rest in Peace

"I miss you," Harry whispered, then walked off. The reality of her death finally setting in.

Ron stayed behind a while longer. Her death weighed heaviest on him.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I know it doesn't mean much now, or anything at all, but I thought you should know. If my head hadn't gotten so big at the thought of being a hero, then maybe you'd be here. You and Harry would be getting married in four months. I'm sorry for leaving you all alone with those monsters. Like I said, I wanted to be a hero, and the only way I thought that was possible was if I helped defeat Voldemort. But that wasn't the case, because here you are, dead, and a bigger hero than me."

He couldn't hold back the tears any longer. He cried and began to walk off. The realization of what he'd done hit him like a ton of bricks.

Underneath the surface Hermione's body stirred. She opened her eyes and panic set in once she saw where she was. She clawed her way out of her coffin with unbelievable strength. When she broke the dirt and into the dreary, rainy day, her eyes landed on the retreating figure of Ron Weasley.

She glared at his back and hissed, "Ron…"

A/N: Okay. Wow. Intense opening. I hope you liked it. Please review! I'm really excited about this story, and I want to know what you think. Should I keep writing it? If you like it I'll try to have the next chapter up some time this weekend. Well. Till next time kiddies! Dane: "Hey monkey where are you?" monkey: "I'm in the closet!" Dane: "Holy shit you just talked!" monkey: "I know! I taught myself!" Dane: "This is really awkward." monkey: "I know! Let's fight!" Dane: "Okay."