Hermione woke with a start. She was in her room. Breathing hard she nearly toppled off the bed with the shock of her dream. Was the whole day a dream?

Hand in hand. Bound together. Her and Draco Malfoy? That was certainly unexpected for Hermione. Why would he and her ever be together. And why would Voldemort be standing there watching them triumphantly like that? Maybe it was what she wanted. Maybe she secretly had a crush on Draco. She had to admit to herself that the past few days his bad boy attitude was really becoming appealing.

Stepping off the bed Hermione saw she was not wearing the black dress. Instead she wore her Gryffindor pajamas. A gold shirt with red shorts. Had she dressed into this? 'It is aggravating to know you're losing you mind!' She thought as she walked to her vanity.

A thudding came from outside of the room. She nearly knocked the whole vanity over with a swift jump around. 'It's the door. Get a grip!'

"Hermione? It's Ginny. Can I come in?" A soft voice came through the wooden door.

"Oh! Ginny!" Rushing to the door Hermione flung it open.

Ginny entered the room and sat on a bean bag chair that was set up in the corner. Hermione squatted against the wall by her friend and smiled.

"You've been missing all morning." Ginny accused.

Cocking a brow Hermione felt a twinge of anger inside of her. What? Was she now her mother?

"Are you ok?" She asked sincerely.

'Why is everyone so concerned about me? Do they think I can't take care of myself.?' she asked herself but out loud she said. "I'm fine."

"Well, Ron and Harry think you-"

"If you just come here to tell me how worried everyone is then leave. I don't have to tell you three were I am every single second of the fu-" Hermione caught herself. "Is that all?"

Ginny was taken a back by the headgirl's sudden outburst. "Actually. Remember the muggle ball you told me you were going to plan?"

'She's using me for this ball. The only reason she's my friend is because I'm smart. Maybe that's how Ron and Harry feel too!' She was outraged by this thought. This wasn't her. Hermione's friends wouldn't do that.

'They would, and they are.' A voice rose in her head. It sounded just like hers only darker. 'Why would they ever want to be around some one like you?'

"Uh... Hermione?" Ginny looked at her friend's pale face. "Are you feeling ok?"

With an evil smile Hermione's Hand shot to Ginny's throat in a tight clamping motion. Ginny's strangled breath was becoming short and rapid. Tighter and tighter Hermione squeezed.

"Never better Gin. Never better." She watched as Ginny's arms and legs lashed out. Kicking and scratching at Hermione but, she hardly felt a thing as the nails dug into her flesh. "If I squeeze hard enough... do you think your eyes will pop out?"

*******

'I'm going to die. I'm going to die!' That's all Ginny could think about as Hermione's hands strangled her. She could feel her face swelling up. Her throat was completely closed so she could only make short gagging sounds. Quickly, as a last option, her hand darted to her robe packet where she grabbed her wand. She pointed it at Hermione. What good was it if she couldn't talk? She tried anyways. Through her enclosed throat she mumbled "Slepicus."

Hermione collasped on her friend.

"Oh my god!" She yelped gasping for breath. 'That mark...' She thought as she caught a glimpse of a branding in Hermione's arm. 'The Dark Mark!'

With a swift motion she knock Hermione off of her and jumped up and out of her room. She needed to get Ron and Harry. Something was wrong. Something was deadly wrong with Hermione.

*****

"Check!" Harry said with a triumphant smile at Ron.

A small smile played on Ron's lips as he moved his queen. "Check mate! I win... again!"

He didn't even get time to celebrate. As if in a frenzy he sister came flying through the common room door screaming. "RON! HARRY! Hurry!" She waved her hands towards the door and ran outside.

Without a word the two stood and ran to Ginny who was short of breath. "It's horrible! Absolutely horrible! Hermione! Something is quite wrong with her!" She started towards the headgirl's room. "I think she tried to kill me!"

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Short... yes. But I'm not sure where I'm going. So may not be updated for a while! PLEASE REVIEW!! After this story I have a really great idea for a story. I don't know If I'm going to make it Charmed or Harry Potter though.