Stolen Innocence

Chapter Three

Hermione awoke early the next day, eagar to get out before Malfoy awoke. She really couldn't take a row, she was sore from her last encounter with a drunken Ron and didn't feel like facing anyone. She showered as quickly as she could, then dressed in her school uniform, hoping to the gods that Ron wouldn't disaprove of the skirt. If he did she could always magically enhance it though, so she didn't dwell on it.

When she had finished dressing, Hermione caught a look of her reflection in the mirror. What she saw made her heart sink. Her wet hair clung to her face, making her look like a drowned rat. Her skin was pale and sick looking, and her eyes were dead and lifeless, looking almost black. She sighed as she noticed the numerous cuts and bruises which were visible. She felt like crying. She'd never thought herself very attractive before, but now she just looked like a zombie. She quickly recomposed herself, taking a deep breath and tearing her eyes away from the mirror. After spelling her hair dry, Hermione grabbed her book bag and hurried out of the common room before Malfoy could even wake up.

The Great Hall was practically empty when Hermione arrived. She wasn't very hungry, having eaten well more then enough at the feast the day before, so she propped open her Advanced Transfiguration book and began to read, wanting to get ahead of the class in one of her favourite subjects.

After nearly an hour of reading, Hermione was joined by Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table, by this time most students were already eating and talking. She closed her book, keeping in mind the page, and greeted them with another one of her fake smiles and a small peck on the lips for Ron.

"Hey Mione, already trying to get ahead of us?" Harry asked, motioning towards the heavy book in her hands. She blushed slightly.

"Well I have to keep face, don't I?" She replied as the two boys took seats on either side of her.

"Yeah, Merlin forbid Hermione Granger wasn't three lessons ahead of the class on the first day." Ron said, rolling his eyes. Hermione felt her face redden as she bowed her head slightly. Harry chuckled, not catching the mocking tone in his best friend's voice.

Harry and Ron began to pile food on their plates, chatting about their first night back. The Patil twins hadn't returned this year, rumour had it their mother was too worried that something would happen again. Other than that, there was really no news.

"So how was your first night in your new dorms?" Harry asked after swallowing a mouthfull of eggs. Hermione felt a hot flash overcome her.

"Uhh, it was alright, pretty uneventful. I didn't even get to check it out much, I was far too tired after the feast." She answered, hoping he wouldn't pry.

"Who's Head Boy?" Ron asked in a menacing voice. Hermione avoided his gaze just as Malfoy walked up from behind her.

"Granger!" Malfoy shouted as she turned around, horrified.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, standing up and glaring at the other boy.

"Shut up Potter," The blonde replied, turning to Hermione. "You, keep your damned dirty clothes off the bloody bathroom floor. I'm not going to be cleaning after mudblood filth like a house elf!" He then stormed off, smirking profoundly. Hermione felt her whole body shake as Ron's angry gaze made its way to her.

"Mione, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ron asked, his voice errily calm. Harry gave them a questioning look as Ron practically dragged her out of the hall and into the corridor.

Hermione tried to keep her breathing calm. He couldn't do anything, they were at school. There were teachers and new security, he wouldn't dare.

"What the bloody hell was Malfoy talking about?" Ron asked, gripping Hermione's shoulders tight so she couldn't run.

"Ron, please, don't. You're hurting me." She pleaded, trying to struggle, but it only made him tighten his grip.

"Is Malfoy the new Head Boy?" He asked, grabbing her face and making her look at him. "Is he!?!"

"Y-yes."

"Oh just fucking great! Mione this is fucking bullshit, you can't live with that git!" He shouted, letting go and pushing her with little force. "Do you know what he's like? He's a Death Eater, not to mention he shags every girl who looks at him a certain way. No way you can share a common room with him."

"I know Ron, but what can I do-"

"You'll just have to resign." Ron told her in a serious voice.

"What?" Hermione exclaimed, not believing her ears. She'd been looking forward to becoming Head Girl since she'd heard about the position. Ron had taken everything from her, and now he wanted to take away the one last thing that was making her happy.

"You heard me. I refuse to let you be near him. Gods knows what the two of you could do together." He told her, raising his voice slightly.

"What do you think we're going to do? Have sex?" She asked, appauled that he would think such a thing. She loved him, she'd never betray him.

"I dunno, maybe." Ron replied quickly.

"Excuse me? I'm not some common filth that sleeps around with-" Ron silenced her with a hard slap across the face.

"Shut the fuck up, will you?" He yelled as Hermione held her burning cheek. "I told you to quit, so you're gonna quit."

"Ron, please, I don't want to quit, I've been dreaming of this forever and-" Another slap as the tears stung at her eyes.

"Don't you get it? You have no say in this. You're done with it. You've had your fun, but I want you in the Gryffindor common room and dormitories with me, got it?" He grabbed her face and pulled it close to his. Hermione nodded her head obidiently and then watched him walk away.

Hermione felt like crying, like she wanted to just collapse on the floor. She wanted it all to go away, for everything to be better. She wanted to be happy, to have Ron be proud of her and everything to be how it was before Dumbledore had died.

Wiping the tears that had slid down her face, Hermione took a deep breath and then walked back into the hall, holding her head high and putting back on her facade. She didn't even see the flash of blonde hair from a figure hiding behind a suit of armor follow her in.

*

Draco Malfoy awoke in the morning dreading running into Granger. He was still mad about the night before. How dare that McGonagall woman stick him with that bookworm... that muggle lover... that mudblood!

Of course, it had been obvious that she would make Head Girl. She was top of the class and the biggest suck up Draco had ever met. But it still wasn't fair, how was he supposed to survive a whole year with someone like her?

He went into the bathroom, happy to find it unoccupied. He didn't know if he could take that little know-it-all this early in the day. He went to change out of his pajamas when he noticed a pile of clothes of the floor. Moving them with his foot, he saw that they belonged to Granger.

Just great, He thought. The mudblood's a slob as well. He shoved the clothes aside and stepped into the shower. He relished in the hot water hitting his skin, letting it melt away all his troubles. A good shower always relieved his stress, but most of the time he wasn't alone in one.

As Draco was showering, his mind wandered to Granger. There was something different about her. She really did look different, that was for sure. Her eyes looked as dead as coal, and her smile was different. He'd always thought she looked like a child with her bushy hair, big smile and bright eyes. But now she looked... dead. Almost as if she'd been given the Dementor's Kiss over the holidays and it hadn't quite worked.

But what did he care? Maybe she finally realized what a disgrace to wizardry she was. She was beneath him so he shouldn't dwell on her. He didn't even know why he thought of her, he honestly couldn't care less about that little goody-two-shoes. He had bigger things to worry about, like his plans with Pansy that night.

Draco stepped out of the shower and dressed, taking his time. Afterall perfection does take time. He sneered at the disgarded clothes of the Head Girl. He checked himself one last time in the mirror, smirking at his reflection. He then strutted out of the Head's Quarters, chin held high as if he owned the place.

Draco had met up with Blaise and Pansy on his way to the Great Hall. The two were his only remaining friends after his ordeal the year before. They never disscussed it, but he knew they wanted to. The way they were slightly withdrawn, as if they were afraid he'd turn on them and go mad. Of course, Pansy didn't exactly care. All she cared about was their to-be marriage and the money she got with it.

As the three Slytherins entered the Great Hall, he caught site of Granger with her two muggle loving friends, Potter and the Weasel. He smirked, deciding to take the oppourtunity to make Granger's morning less enjoyable. He told his two friends he'd meet them at the table, then walked over to the Golden Trio, who were talking.

"Granger!" Draco shouted, trying hard to not smile when he saw the look on her face as she turned to him.

"What do you want,Malfoy?" Potter asked, standing up for the mudblood.

"Shut up, Potter," He snapped, turning back to the Head Girl whose face had drained of the little colour it held. He almost could not contain his happiness as he realized why she was so scared, she obviously hadn't told her little friends that he was Head Boy. Oh this would be good. "You, keep your damned dirty clothes off the bloody bathroom floor. I'm not going to be cleaning after mudblood filth like a house elf!" He then stormed off, a smirk planted on his face as he realized he may just have started a fight between the Golden Trio. This day could not got any better.

As he walked away, Malfoy heard a cold voice which he didn't recognize.

"Mione, can I talk to you for a minute?" He nearly stopped dead. He hadn't done anything to get any of them that mad. He watched as the Weasel grabbed Granger's arm and pulled her out into the corridor, a firm grip on one of her shoulders as well.

That's odd... He thought. He watched as the two walked away. Deciding to find out what was going on, (and also hoping to witness the two love birds fight, or better, break up) he snuck into the corridor, following the two Gryffindors. When they stopped, he hid behind a suit of armor.

He listened to the two argue, noticing the tight hold Weasley had on her shoulders. Granger trembled as the boy gripped her. She struggled, but he only tightened his hold. Draco had never seen Weasley handle her like that, it troubled him slightly.

Oh well, what do I care if he grabs her? Draco thought. He was about to walk away when the arguement intensified. The two began to shout. The Weasel pushed Granger roughly. He watched her plead with her boyfriend, her voice desperate.

Draco's eyes widened in shock as he watched an enraged Weasley slap Granger across the face, hard. The Head Girl clutched at her reddened cheek, but there was little shock on her face. He watched as yet again, he slapped the girl. He then grabbed her face roughly, his face red with rage, his eyes dark. Draco had never seen anyone with so much hate in their eyes. Granger nodded her head and stared as her boyfriend walked away, leaving her in the empty corridor. She then turned away, her face in her hands, sobbing.

Draco, mouth open in shock, he watched as she sobbed for a few moments before composing herself and re-entering the Great Hall. Quickly, he hurried after her, knowing Pansy and Blaise would be suspicious if he was gone for long.

Draco was in total shock. He'd never seen a guy strike his girlfriend before. He half felt sorry for Granger. It was wrong and cowardly what Weasley had done, but it wasn't his place to get involved. Besides, perhaps a little slapping around is what the witch needed. He'd just go on as if he didn't know. He then walked off to his friends at the Slytherin table.

To Be Continued...

Wow,I didn't think this chapter would be as long as it is. Oh well, better for all of youu readers. I'm very pleased to see how much youu all like this story. Thnxx goes out to:

-sticky, yeah, I've never heard of a story where he's abusive either, but after reading a few with similar situations involving Hermione being abused, I thought this would be an interesting story, both for you to read and me to write. And yes, I don't think anyone is liking my perception of Ron in this story.

-sweet asphodel, yes I've heard that before and I'm sorry, I've tried writing it with spaces inbetween comas and periods, but I've just gone so long not that I always forget to and then when I go back to do so, it deletes anything after that spot. Please bear with me, and thank you for the advice, it is always appreciated.

-Magical Heather, yes, two chapters, I had ideas for the next chapter that I didn't want to forget so I chose to write another one and post it the same night. Sometimes that happens, and other times I have mad writer's block and don't write for a while. Sorry if that ends up happening.

-Emma Smith, I've read your story already, it is amazing. It's kind of what inspired me to write this one, I'd never read a story that deals with such issues as yours did, I saw how well you'd done it so I got the idea for this one. It's a pleasure to have youu reading my story. And no, Draco can't see through her glamour, he could kind of sense something was wrong with her, her appearance is different, as I mentioned in this. It will become a little more clear as the story progesses, right now, I'd like to keep him mysterious.

-Tjay Motou, yes, I know I have bad grammar, but I can never notice it .If you know anyone who can beta, please do tell me seeing as how I don't even have grammar check on my computer. Thanks for the advice.

-angel, glad you like it so much, always love reading your reviews.

-Emmylovedraco, always happy to know people like my stories. Here's your update.

-Gissel, here's an update !

-Lisa, haha damn right it's awesome ! But it would've been better if youu called it amazing haha. Thanks for finally reviewing, been a while since youu've read my stories huh?

All my readers and reviewers rock, but my reviewers rock more cause they tell me how much they love my stories ^-^. Review and youu'll rock even more !

Much Love...

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