Chapter One: The Fated Necklaces

Hermione (September 17, 5:05 p.m.)

Hermione Granger sighed as she opened the large dusty book that lay on the library table in front of her. For once, she did not want to read a book or complete her homework. It wasn't that she didn't like reading or homework anymore, not at all. It was just that the assignment was on fate necklaces, a touchy subject for Hermione. With another huge sigh, she opened the book and flipped to the right page.

Fate necklaces have been a mystery to the wizarding world for centuries. No one knows quite where these necklaces came from, although there has been much speculation on the topic.

Sometime during your early life, you receive a fate necklace. Only the most experienced wizards have the ability to create one of these legendary necklaces, and so these wizards are highly respected and revered. The charm to create a fate necklace has never been released to the public. The only exception to this was the fatal mishap in 1602 in which the charm was accidentally revealed to the public. Many people tried to create new necklaces for themselves in an attempt to change their destiny. This resulted in over 200,000 deaths, owing to the fact that removing your necklace will slowly kill you. Thus, the charm was secured by the ministry.

Each of these fate necklaces are a half of a whole picture. The person in the possession of the other half of the necklace is your soul mate. Most people keep their necklaces hidden until they are certain they have found their partner. If you reveal your necklace to the wrong person, you will find it extremely painful to later on bond with your true mate. The pain is so excruciating, that some wizards and witches don't ever bond. However, if you find the person who has the other half to your necklace, you simply combine them into one and then you are bonded for life. Many people refuse to accept their true soulmates, marrying others instead and soon finding that they are unhappy. Some people, usually witches and wizards with exceptional magical skills, form extremely strong bonds, which-

At this point, Hermione slammed the book shut and stood up quickly, earning her a sharp glance from Madam Pince. With great reluctance, Hermione picked up the book and walked out of the quiet sanctuary, planning to finish her assignment in the Head's common room. However, Ron quickly apprehended her at the library's door.

"'Mione," he exclaimed, a big smile breaking out onto his face, "I've been looking all over for you."

"Hello Ronald," replied Hermione in a strained voice, "I was just about to head back to the common room. I'll talk with you later."

Hermione turned to leave, but before she could escape, Ron grabbed her arm and yanked her back around. Hermione winced at his brutality, but she stood quietly anyway and waited for Ron to speak.

"How are you doing? I know it hasn't been easy with your parents and the house and all..." Ron quietly started.

Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, Hermione sighed. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Yeah. Ok. Well..I've been thinking lately...and...maybe..I..well..if you want to," Ron painfully stumbled over his words.

"Spit it out Ron," Hermione said sharply, tears still fighting to run down her cheeks.

What was wrong with her? Hermione thought. She should be nicer to him. He was her best friend after all and her anger wasn't towards him. It was the stupid fate necklaces that were creating problems.

"I'm sorry," she said without any remorse in her voice, "What do you want?"

"Right, so Hermione, willyougoutwithme?"

Did he just ask me to go out with him? I can't go out with him; he's like a brother to me...but I can't reject him, that will be awkward afterwards. I can't deal with this right now; I'm just too tired... Don't just stand there staring like an idiot! Say something.

"Ummmm...sure," she said, and ran.

What did I just agree to?

Hermione ran all the way back to the Head's dorms and murmured "Dragons' blood" to the motherly portrait that guarded the entry way. She was so lost in thought entering the room, she failed to notice Draco Malfoy lounging on the plush couch reading a book.

"Hello Mudblood," he sneered, "Been in the library all this time? Haven't you got anything better to do? Like have friends?"

Hermione ignored him and ran up the stone stairs to her room, throwing herself onto her bed after slamming the door shut. She wanted nothing more than to erase the past five minutes. Her life was spiraling downwards, and quickly. After the Death Eaters had killed her parents, she had had no one to turn to; Harry and Ron had been very nice about the whole thing, but they just didn't understand. Admittedly, Harry's parents were dead as well, but he was useless when it came to comforting crying girls. And then there had been the catastrophic incident in which her house had been burned to the ground. Dumbledore had allowed her to live at Hogwarts until she made other arrangements. Living at Hogwarts year round had been interesting, but emotionally taxing. Plus the fact that she was forced to share a dorm with her fellow Head Boy, Malfoy. And now Ron. Of course she didn't want to date him. He was Ron after all.

Hermione's thoughts whirled faster and faster and she closed her eyes and tried to sleep, hoping that the world would take the hint and just leave her alone. The world, however, was just plain oblivious to Hermione's feelings. The next two months were possibly the worst of Hermione's life.