The classroom roared with chatter and laughs as the students waited for the last five minutes of class to pass. The last five minutes of school for the day. Boys called each other out while girls gossiped amongst themselves. Typical for most high school students going about their business, that is until the teacher began passing back a test taken a week before.

A girl groaned as she looked at her low score, "I hate the class sooooo much."

"Hey at least you passed. I got an F... Again." A boy nearby answered.

"D+ is still a bad score though. Math is so not my fave subject." She looked around the class for other students reactions, most of which were disappointments. Then her eyes landed on one girl reading on the other side of the room. She scoffed, "How much do you guys wanna bet Hermione got an A?"

Another boy replied, "Hell nah, I ain't bettin' nothin'. Everyone knows Hermione always gets good grades."

"Perfect scores," A second girl added, "She's a freaking brainiac. This test was probably the easiest thing in the world for her."

"One of the easiest at least."

The first girl snickered, "She may have brains, but she sure isn't attractive. Oversized clothes, no curves whatsoever, glasses, buck teeth, messy hair? Pfft. She's such a loser. No way is a boy ever gonna like her."

A third boy chuckled, "No kidding. Her just being in front of ya makes ya feel stupid. No guy's gonna like that."

The group laughed as Hermione listened in on the conversation. Her eyes remained on the page, but her mind was elsewhere. She sighed. Under the book was her test, score covered. Lifting the book, she gazed at the grade she had gotten.

Mom won't be happy, she thought.

Hermione jumped as the bell rang. Packing up her stuff, she waited for everyone else to leave the classroom before exiting herself. She walked down the hallway with her head down. She didn't like eye contact, or being watched as she passed the masses of students. It gave her an uncomfortable feeling. Just being around others made her feel nervous.

Stopping, she opening her locker and took out her AP textbooks. Oh why did almost all her teachers require the textbook be brought everyday? Stuffing two in her backpack, she carried the remaining two and closed her locker. She prepared to keep walking, only to end up bumping into someone.

Immediately Hermione started apologizing, then froze as she saw who it was she bumped into. The taller, slender girl looked down at her with a dark glare over her shoulder. The taller girl turned to face her and smirked, "Well if it ain't my favorite nerd... Hermy."

"I-it's not H-Hermy..." She stuttered.

"What was that?"

"Eep! Nothing!"

"That's what I thought."

Some passing students stopped as they saw the school bully facing the school's top student.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry. I didn't s-see you."

"Ya got glasses don't ya? Those are supposed to help you see right?"

Hermione nodded.

"Hmm... Maybe you need new ones. Here, lemme help." She raised a fist, making Hermione squeak and cover her face with the text books. Some of the students leaned forward in anticipation.

The bully frowned, "Pathetic. Two for flinching." Quickly she punched Hermione's arm hard twice, causing Hermione to drop the books. The bully walked away laughing to herself.

As the viewing students started walking away, Hermione rubbed her arm and picked up her books. Oh how she hated running into Raven. From the moment they met she's bullied her. Taking her supplies, hitting her, and basically tormenting her. If only she had the guts to tell an adult.

Afterwards, Hermione continued on her way. Exiting the school, she made sure not to run into anyone again. Reaching into her pocket for her wallet, realization hit her. She forgot it at home and had no money for the bus.

Guess I'm walking home today. I could call mom, but... she's probably busy. I've done it before, no big deal. Just don't wander with any strangers and I'll be fine.

Her house wasn't very far, just about half a mile away. She didn't mind walking the whole way really. In fact, Hermione liked the peace and quiet she got. She preferred being alone anyway. More students passed her as she went on her way.

Being alone seemed better for a personal reason. Hermione wasn't good at communicating. She was actually very introverted and more of a wallflower then anything, besides being one of the top students in the school. If someone tried to talk to her, an nervous feeling would wash over her and not a word would be said. She was just too... Shy. Quiet. Reserved.

Because of this she had no friends and others saw her as stuck-up, someone who looked down on others for their lower level of intelligence.

Junior year and she still had no friends or anyone close to turn to. The closest to being her friends were her teachers and the librarian. But even they all received limited responses from her. Socializing, communicating, talking in general just wasn't her thing. She wished others would see that.

Without realizing, Hermione passed her home. She quickly back-tracked and stared at her house. In the driveway was her mothers car. Knowing something was going to go wrong very soon, Hermione took a deep breath and went inside.

A soft click of the opening door made Hermione freeze for a moment. She didn't want to have to alert her mother that she was home just yet. When nothing happened, she proceeded inside. Soft clattering sounds were heard from somewhere in the house.

She must be making dinner.

Quickly and quietly taking off her shoes, she stepped in and cautiously closed the door behind her. Straight ahead were the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. To the side was the kitchen entrance. Thankful for the carpeted floor, Hermione tip-toed down the hallway to the kitchen door. She waited to the side, trying to determine what her mother was doing. A few minutes passed, her mothers actions a mystery, until the sound of running water reached her ears. Knowing her mothers back would be facing the door, she swiftly passed the door.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief, but knew she wasn't safe just yet. Looking up the stairs, the wooden steps mocked her, but confidence flooded her. She knew just where to step to avoid the creaking noises. Still hearing the running water, Hermione gracefully went up the stairs.

Step left, go straight, step right, skip that step, go straight.

Soon enough, she reached the top of the stairs. The running water had stopped by now.

Thank goodness my room isn't above the kitchen.

Carefully, Hermione walked to her room and softly closed the door. Setting down her bag and books on the bed, she looked around her clean room. Her desk was organized from the top to the cubbyholes on the side. Paper to the right and writing utensils to the left. Folders in the top cubbyhole and music sheets in the bottom. The shelf above was practically over flooded with both fiction and nonfiction books. The tall dresser just beside her desk held more books she planned to read. A tripod music stand with more sheet music stood before a window. Resting against the bottom of it was a small case.

Sighing, Hermione looked at her backpack and thought about what homework she had left to finish. Nothing. It had all been done during lunch and free time in her classes. Thinking of homework reminded her of the test she had gotten earlier.

I could lie about getting it today. It was a surprise that the teacher passed them out anyway. Mom doesn't know it was given back.

Again she sighed and walked to the tripod music stand. She picked up the case and took out a white violin with golden swirled designs. Setting down the case and turning over the violin, Hermione read the golden calligraphic text, 'To my outstanding daughter, from your loving mother.'

It was a birthday present from the previous year. A present her mother believed was the perfect gift for her. A present she never asked for. A present that made her sad just thinking about the first time she saw it. A present that reminded her of everything she had to be.

But she smiled anyway and hugged her tightly for the gift. Said it was the greatest thing she had ever gotten. Being a fast learner only added insult to injury as her music teacher praised her patience and accuracy.

Normally, Hermione would play a song when she got home, but not this time. She still didn't want her mother to know she was home. Carefully, she placed it back in the case and set it down on the floor.

Mabye I'll read for a while. Reading's always nice.

She walked over to the dresser and picked out a random book. Reading, she moved her backpack over and sat on her bed. Lost in her reading, Hermione didn't realize what the time was and jumped when she heard a knock at her door.

"Hermione? Are you home?"

Pushing away the idea to ignore her, Hermione slipped off her bed and opened the door. Her mother stood at the doorway with wide eyes before sighing, "Thank goodness you're home. I didn't hear you come in and thought maybe something had happened to you. An hour and a half Hermione! You should no better than to give me such a fright! How long have you been here?"

She thought for a moment, "I don't remember. I just came in and started reading. I must've lost track of time."

Her mother sighed again, then smiled, "Well, at least your safe. I know you wouldn't do anything bad, but I can't help myself. Next time, tell me when you get home."

Nodding, Hermione wondered what she should do about the test grade. She watched as her mother left for downstairs to finish dinner. Closing the door, she turned toward her music stand and went to pick up her violin case. Now that her mother knew she was home, there was no need to keep quiet.

Taking out her violin and adjusting it in the right position, she began to play. The sweet sound surrounded her as she closed her eyes and lost herself in her own mind. She saw herself sitting, all alone in a vast field at night. Above her the night sky showed off its shining stars and bright moon. Constellations formed before her, circling her as if she had her own gravitational pull. She was lifted off the field, off the face of the earth and into space. They formed into planets as she began to glow a blinding light like the sun. This was her getaway from reality, her personal universe. And she was the center of it all.

Her eyes shot open as she heard her mother calling for her downstairs. Dinner was ready, and it was time she came back to earth and face reality once more.

2: Prologue

She thinks so highly of herself, doesn't she?

Just looking at her makes me feel stupid.

Top scores and a perfect GPA? Pfft, what an over achiever.

How come she gets praise from teachers? She's not the only student here.

~ ~

Grow up, will ya!

Shut up already! Damn you're so annoying!

It's like everything's a game to her.

She's so immature.

~ ~

Did you hear? Her new bf broke up with her within a week. Couldn't take it, he said.

I don't see how she can laugh at others pain.

A sadist is what she is. I bet she's killed before.

She's gonna be a serial killer after high school, watch.

~ ~

Here comes the slut.

She slept with my boyfriend!

She stole mine!

Hey babe! Let's get together! I'm in the mood for some tonight!

~ ~

What a bitch.

Suicidal? Looking for attention no doubt.

Don't bother trying to talk to her. She'll just ignore you.

Stay out of her way, or she'll beat the crap out of ya,

~ ~

What a ditz.

The drawings she makes are so weird. What kind of screwed mind does she have?

I swear that sketchbook and pencil are like fused to her hands.

I bet she's autistic. It'd be no wonder her head's always in the clouds.

~ ~

There's a reason for that nickname of hers,

She'll end up in the looney bin for sure.

Looks like someone forgot their medication.

Schizo-freak!