Author's Note:
Things seem to be back to normal on Portkey, at least for the most part. If anyone is finding there are issues with how the story is reading or in leaving reviews please let me know.
I wanted to address a few things that have been coming up in some reviews, mostly regarding why Malfoy is still at the school and Dumbledore's seeming ineptitude. I'm following canon. Except for the pairings and things I add I'm following canon. I'm not looking to come up with a completely different Book 6 and Book 7, I'm trying to take what we were given and make it work as H/Hr. So, thats why Malfoy is still at the school and Dumbledore is being Dumbledore. And in this chapter especially you'll need to swallow that pill. Hope that answers some questions.
Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I am merely borrowing them.
The other girls were all sound asleep when she eased the door open. Walking quickly to her bed she changed as fast as possible and slid inside, closing the curtains around her. She felt as if she were about to fly apart, but in a very good way. Never. Ever. In her wildest imagination could she have predicted the day would have turned out like this.
That he felt the same...astonishing. She truly thought that he would never see her as anything other than a friend. She knew that things had been changing but she was very careful to put that towards his need to protect those around him; that it was a natural consequence of her attack.
This was more than she could have asked for. It just felt right. They fit. And now that he had admitted his feelings for her and she for him, to have to keep it quiet...it would be difficult. Leaving him on the stairs had been almost impossible.
They only had a few more months left in the school year though and then maybe things could be different. She fell asleep that night, unafraid to dream and remembering the thrill that had coursed through her as his lips had touched hers.
When she awoke the next morning she actually felt rested and she realized it was the first night since her attack that she had slept the entire night through.
Dressing in haste she was out of the dorm and down the stairs before the other girls were up. She sat at a table and pulled out her Transfiguration homework to review while she waited for Harry, but nervous anticipation made her unable to concentrate.
A hand skimmed across her back and she knew it was him before she looked up. "Good morning, Harry." she said, her voice more shy than she had intended.
He looked as nervous as she felt and sat down quickly in the chair across from her. He gave a quick glance across the room and then reached a hand out to cover hers, stopping her from turning another page. "Good morning, `Mione."
Her hand tingled where he held it and she had to give herself a good mental shake and remember that they were now them and this shouldn't be awkward.
She tried to pull her hand away but his grip was tight "I thought we were being discreet." she said in a low hiss.
"No one's up yet, don't worry." he reassured her, sounding much more sure of himself now.
She gave him a half smile and turned her hand over so their fingers could lace together.
A clatter of footsteps on the stairs caused both of them to jump and let go. He ran his hand through his hair and she hastily began to pack up her things but the group of third year boys didn't even look in their direction as they noisily exited the common room.
"Guess we'd better get going then." he said, standing "Ron gets out today, right? Maybe Madame Pomfrey will spring him before breakfast."
She finished packing her bag and they headed out the door together. She purposely kept the hand closest to him clamped tight around her schoolbag, knowing that if it was free she'd be much too tempted to touch him.
They were quiet as they walked towards the hospital wing, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence and she caught him reaching a hand towards her several times before he gave in and laid it along the small of her back. She swore she could feel him through several layers of fabric and her skin felt hot. She looked at him through her lashes and he shrugged his shoulders. "I've walked with you like this loads of times." he said in explanation.
She gave him a coy smile "Not exactly like this." and didn't hide her pleasure at seeing him flush.
When they entered the infirmary Ron was sitting on the side of his bed, fully dressed, head in hands and a rather dour expression on his face.
"What's wrong mate?" Harry asked, suppressing a grin.
"Pomfrey said I could go this morning but she hasn't come out of that office in over an hour and I'm tired of waiting." he pouted.
"I'm sure she'll be out soon, Ron." she said reassuringly.
Harry and Hermione dropped their bags to the floor and sat on the bed opposite Ron, fully intending on waiting until he could leave with them.
While they waited, Harry began to discuss the ongoing issue of trailing Malfoy. Using the Marauder's Map had been a less than satisfactory tool. Harry had been quiet, pondering something that he seemed hesitant to share.
"What is it?" she asked, covering his hand with hers. He gave her hand a squeeze. "Well, I've got this idea, but I'm not so sure you'll like it."
She quirked a brow at him, curious. "Why don't you tell me what it is first."
He took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "I'm thinking...I think it would be helpful to have...to ask Dobby and Kreacher to follow him." he said this quickly
His suggestion did shock her and her mouth opened automatically, a reprimand about to burst out but she stopped herself. The idea wasn't a terrible one, house elves were able to be anywhere and everywhere with little to no detection. She knew that Harry would never take advantage of Dobby's loyalty or Kreacher's tie to him.
"I think...I think it's a good idea." she said slowly, loving how his eyes lit up at her approval.
"Really?" he said
"Really." she confirmed, unable to draw her eyes from his. "It's quite brilliant really."
His hand rose up and was about to touch her cheek when Ron let out a loud cough. But Harry's hand didn't drop, he just turned his head towards Ron "Do you mind?"
"Do I mind?!" Ron repeated indigently "You're the one who can't follow your own rules or did you not sit in that very spot just last night and tell me how important it was to keep this a secret."
At this Harry's hand did drop and he even went as far as to move further away from her, which, although she knew she shouldn't take it personally, felt a twinge of hurt at his action.
"Sorry, you're right. I've got to be more careful." Harry said and studied his shoes.
She wanted to reach out and give him support but didn't know how it would be received. An awkward silence stretched out amongst the trio and they were collectively relieved when Madame Pomfrey came bustling in.
"What are you still doing here Weasley? I thought I told you you were free to go."
Ron's mouth flapped open and his face went red. Hermione couldn't help but giggle at the situation and the tension between them was over.
"Lets go. I'm starved." Ron said, still fuming, and left them in his wake.
Harry's jaw was set and she could tell he was still a bit bothered by what had happened. As he went to follow Ron she grabbed his wrist. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked softly.
He looked down at her and gave her a half-smile. "Ron was right, I messed up."
"Harry, if we can't be ourselves when its the three of us then when can we? We were in a private area with no one else around. Don't be so hard on yourself." she implored.
He gave her a quick nod and let some of the tension go that he had been holding on to. Reaching out a hand he wrapped it around her waist and drew her to his side, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "You're right, as usual."
She sighed into him, not realizing that she had just needed this simple connection. "Ready to go?" she asked, wishing they didn't have to.
He let his arm loosen but left his hand on the small of her back and she was grateful for the link to him even if it wasn't exactly what she wished it could be.
Breakfast was mostly uneventful, Ron was regaled and was enjoying the attention. It was more difficult that she thought it would be to pretend like Harry was nothing more than her friend and she thought once she caught Ginny looking at her suspiciously but when she looked back the younger girl wasn't paying her any attention.
They left the Great Hall and worked their way towards the Transfiguration classroom. For the first time in months she realized she felt no apprehension walking the halls of Hogwarts. A small smile graced her lips and Harry must have noticed. His fingers tightened ever so slightly in the fabric of her robes "What is it?" he asked
She smiled up at him "Nothing. I'm just happy." and he returned her smile with one of his own. "I'm glad." he whispered intimately and she felt a shiver run through her.
On the seventh floor hallway she saw a young girl, probably a second year intently studying a tapestry and holding a set of heavy brass scales. As they approached she noticed them and startled, dropping the scales in a loud clatter.
Hermione broke away from the boys and rushed forward. "It's alright, here, let me help you." she said gently and picked the scales up for her.
The girl stared at her, wide-eyed but didn't say a word, just took the scales and scrambled off.
Hermione shared a confused look with Harry and Ron just shook his head. "I swear they get smaller every year."
Right before they entered the classroom Luna Lovegood wandered up to them.
"Harry." she called out "I have something for you." She then proceeded to pull several random items out of her huge cloth bag and begin to deposit them in Ron's unsuspecting arms. When she pulled out what looked like a bag of cat litter and handed it to him he looked at Hermione with a shocked expression that screamed `What do I do?!' She had to turn her head to stifle a laugh at his expense.
Finally Luna found what she was looking for and handed Harry a very beat up bit of parchment. "Here you are. I tried looking for you in the hospital wing but you had already left."
Not waiting for Harry to open the scroll she began to take everything back from Ron's arms until he was left with nothing but the bag of cat litter. "Goodbye." she said with a little wave and started to leave.
Ron stared after her in confusion "Wait! You forgot your....whatever this is." he called out.
Luna kept walking and didn't even bother to turn her head "It's for you, Ronald." and then with a flash of golden hair she was around the corner and gone.
Ron looked between the bag and the hallway where Luna had been several times before turning back to Harry and Hermione. "She's barmy." he said with a shake of his head.
Hermione grinned and then looked at Harry. "What's the note say?" she asked as he was unrolling it.
He studied it for a second before rolling it back up. "It's from Dumbledore. He wants to meet with me as soon as possible."
"You should go then. We'll tell Professor McGonagall where you've gone."
He shot her a grateful look and for a second she thought he might kiss her right there in the hallway but he stopped himself in time. "Thanks." he said "I think I'll run by the kitchens after talking to Dumbledore and ask Dobby about following Malfoy."
"Good idea." she replied "I'll see you at lunch. Good luck with Dumbledore."
There was a long second where they both realized they had no idea how to say goodbye to the other. Finally she rolled her eyes and reached down to give his hand a quick squeeze.
Ron shook his head in exasperation and walked into the classroom, still holding the bag from Luna.
"See you at lunch." he repeated. "Be careful"
"Always." she said "You too." As she watched him walk away she couldn't help but admire the handsome young man he had turned into. She watched him all the way down the hallway and only scurried into the classroom at the last moment before Professor McGonagall was to begin teaching. Her face was flushed as she took her seat and Ron leaned over to whisper "You two are hopeless." before she shushed him and pulled out her books.
Class went by quickly enough and she gave Ron a quick goodbye before that had to go in separate directions. There was a Ravenclaw sixth year who also took the class and they usually met up in the hallway on the way there. For once she was actually hoping for a class to be over with as soon as possible.
Of course, it was the longest Aritmancy class she had ever sat through. She tried to concentrate. She tried to take notes. But all she could think about was Harry's meeting with Dumbledore and meeting up with him again at lunch.
It wasn't until she was packing up that she remembered she had hoped to speak with the professor after class about a particular problem she had found in a later chapter. Knowing she couldn't continue with her advanced pace without having an answer she resignedly approached the front of the classroom.
Twenty minutes later she had her answer and understood the theory completely. The halls were deserted as no classes were in session at this hour. She had made it as far as the second turn of the hallway when she realized this was the first time she'd been alone in the castle since her attack.
A tremor of trepidation made itself known but she pushed it away and squared her shoulders. She couldn't allow herself to go down that path. Her heels clicked a steady tempo on the hard stone and she tried not to hurry her pace. She did pull her wand out of her bag and held it down by her side.
A noise from an empty classroom made her jump and she knew that regardless of what she told herself she was still nervous. Harry usually came to meet her after his class but he must still be with Dumbledore and Ron would have headed straight to the Great Hall for lunch.
One more turn and a staircase and she would be in an area of the castle where there were always people around. But just then a voice came from behind her and it sent a shockwave of fear through her. She froze.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the mudblood all alone at last."
It was the sneering, sadistic voice of Draco Malfoy.
She couldn't think, she couldn't breath. Her heart was beating so loud and so fast it was all she could hear and for just a moment her hands went so numb she almost dropped her wand.
"Potter hasn't let you out of his sight in months. I didn't think we'd have this...opportunity."
She gulped hard and tried to gather her wits about her but all she could see was McLaggen hurting her and Malfoy's twisted smile.
"What do you say boys? I heard she had a lot of fun at Slughorn's party." he laughed and it was so chilling she started to shake.
What was she going to do? She was alone. Again.
"Do you think she'd like to have a little more fun?" Malfoy asked "Crabbe? Goyle? Would you like to have some fun with the mudblood?"
His words struck her like a physical blow, she felt her knees turn to jelly and saw lights dance in front of her eyes. No. Not again. She couldn't survive that again.
She could hear him getting closer, could hear the disgusting and excited sounds his two goons were making. "Potter isn't here to save you now, is he mudblood? Here you are, completely defenseless with Saint Potter nowhere in sight." he taunted, only a few feet from her now. "What do you think he'll do when he finds you this time?" he whispered, so close it moved her hair.
And with that, something inside her slid into place. Her fear vanished. Her senses rushed back to her and she tightened her grip on her wand. She was angry. No way in hell was he going to touch her. No way in hell was he going to hurt Harry again.
In one move she whirled on the spot. She grabbed her bag and threw it as hard as she could at Malfoy while firing off a stunning spell at Goyle.
Malfoy hadn't expected her to attack. Her bag caught him in the stomach and he stumbled backwards several steps. A detached part of her was thankful she had brought that extra book on mathematical theory, it added at least five pounds. Goyle was thrown fifteen feet and slammed into the far wall going limp. Crabbe just stood there, looking dumbfounded.
She didn't bother to stay and see what Malfoy's reaction would be, she bolted for the empty classroom she had just passed, needing to take cover.
She ran to the far back of the room and ducked behind an old wooden desk and cabinet that had been pushed aside. Her heavy robes were weighing her down and she took a second to undo the clasp and let them fall off her shoulders, her arms were free now.
She could just see through a crack in the desk and saw Malfoy burst into the room, wand out, enraged. She was pretty sure she could take him in a duel. A fair duel at least, but Malfoy didn't fight fair and she didn't know what horrid Death Eater curses he had been taught.
The one advantage she had was her proficiency at non-verbal spell casting. Even Harry wasn't as good as she was in that area and as they had so unfortunately learned at the Department of Mysteries, it was a very useful tool in battle.
A large mirror stood in a far corner and she shot another stunner directly at it, hoping it would ricochet and draw Malfoy's attention. It did, and as soon as his back was turned she hit him with a leg-locker curse. But before he could topple all the way over he cast the counter and shot a reducto in her direction.
The desk exploded in millions of jagged splinters and it was only because she had pushed herself backwards behind the cabinet that she wasn't seriously injured. As it was she could feel several areas of her arms and legs where the flying wood had sliced into her.
That answered her question then. Malfoy wasn't playing by the rules.
She threw up a shield and fired back a reducto of her own, seeing several student desks get blown out of the way. She knew she had to get out of the corner, he would have her trapped in the room if she didn't figured something out.
"Nice try mudblood, but you're not going to take me." Malfoy shouted.
She didn't bother answering. Her attention needed to be focused on how she was going to get out of there and subdue Malfoy. She knew he knew where she was. One more blasting spell from him and she'd be done for. She thought frantically for anything that could work against him and then suddenly Crabbe made his way into the room and Malfoy turned his attention away.
She didn't wait. The other side of the dais had a low stone wall that ran the length of the room. If she could get there she'd have cover all the way back to the door-in theory at least.
Throwing herself over the wall wasn't that difficult, the landing however, was. Her left arm hit the unforgiving stone hard and the breath was temporarily knocked out of her. Malfoy was still yelling at Crabbe and hadn't yet noticed her change of location.
A quick protego and she shot a stunning spell at him, her aim a bit shaky and he was able to duck out of the way just in time. He also now knew that she had moved.
Malfoy fired back a reducto almost immediately, chunks of stone flew towards her and there was nowhere for her to go. A stone the size of a bludger hit her in the same arm she had landed on and she felt it go completely numb.
Staying low and close to the wall she made it a few more feet towards the door when she saw Crabbe come around the end of the wall and head towards her. She threw a hasty stunner at Malfoy and then stood to blast Crabbe the same as she had Goyle.
She didn't even wait to see him fall and pivoted in Malfoy's direction just in time to see him fire a strangely familiar purple curse at her. She threw herself down just as the curse passed over her head and she realized it was the same curse that Dolohov had hit her with at the Department of Mysteries last year. She still carried a scar from that night.
Breathing heavy and her left arm useless she didn't know how much longer she could hold out. The way they had been battling could last for hours and she knew she'd tire before then. The only thing she could think would be to engage him in a full on duel, relentless in attack and hope she came out on top.
Taking a deep breath and blowing a lock of hair out of her face she centered herself and then without warning stood and began firing every curse she could think of in rapid succession.
Malfoy caught on quick and began to retaliate with blindingly fast spell work. She was constantly recasting her shield in order to stay unharmed.
She didn't know how much time had past. They kept circling each other, no one gaining the upper hand for any significant period of time. She was getting weaker and could feel blood running down her leg from some wound she wasn't even aware of. Malfoy didn't look to good either, she was pleased to note.
He needed to slip up, but it didn't seem as if that was something that was going to happen soon.
"What's wrong Malfoy? Worried about being beat by a muggle-born?" she said with a smirk.
The fact that she had spoken had startled him. "Shut your mouth mudblood. You'll never beat me."
She laughed haughtily "Is this your best? Surely Daddy Death Eater teaches you more advanced magic."
He sneered at her "What my father teaches me is none of your concern."
As long as they were talking she would have a chance to take him by surprise. "So, who made the potion for you? It wasn't Snape and I know it wasn't you, the potion had to be done by someone who had a modicum of talent in potions." she goaded
He seemed surprised she knew about the potion. "Wouldn't you like to know. I'm very well connected." he said in a superior tone.
"It was Auntie Bellatrix then?" she threw back knowingly and saw her opening as his wand lowered for a split second in surprise.
She stunned him immediately but he recovered in time to only take a glancing blow, he was still knocked off his feet and she turned to make a dash for the door. Crabbe's hulking form proved to be a costly obstacle and Malfoy's next spell threw her into the dark corner near the door.
Her vision blanked for a moment and she shook her head to clear the fog. As if looking down a long tunnel she could see the limping form of Malfoy making its way towards her. Wiping the blood from her mouth she pushed up from the cold stone floor and rose to her knees.
"Nepotism is a lovely thing, isn't it Draco." she said to taunt him.
His eyes went wide in fury and she wondered if she had gone too far. But as she heard him begin to say the beginning of the cruciatas curse she took the opportunity and hit him straight in the chest.
He managed to get the curse off and it caught her off center. The pain was excruciating but not as bad as she remembered. Thankfully it didn't last long as Malfoy's form slumped to the ground.
Her breathing was ragged and she knew that if he were to get up again she wouldn't be able to fight him any longer.
Just then the doorway darkened and the massive shape of Goyle filled the frame. He took in the situation before him and she raised her wand in his direction. She was swaying on her knees and wasn't sure she could have even dueled him right then if he had challenged her. But he didn't pay her any attention and ran to Malfoy's side to help him out of the room.
She kept her wand trained on him as the exited. "This isn't over mudblood!" he ground out "You're dead, just like Potter!"
Crabbe was still passed out and she didn't relish the idea of being left in the same room as him. She staggered to her feet and almost fell. Gripping the wall tightly she made her way to the door before spots began to swim in front of her eyes. She fought to stay conscious but knew it was going to be a losing battle. As she slid down the frame she only hoped that Harry wouldn't find her, she knew how hard it would on him.
"Well! I'll say, what has this school come to! Students napping in the hallway!" came an affronted voice from across the hall.
She forced her eyes back open and looked up to see the weathered visage of a former headmaster peering at her with a look of disdain on his face from a normally empty portrait frame.
"Please." she gasped out "Please get Dumbledore." it was her only chance of getting help.
The former headmaster had the good sense to now see that she was injured and in a second had vanished from the frame.
A wave of relief overcame her and as her eyes slid shut again she knew she'd be found soon. Her thoughts grew fuzzy and she didn't put up a fight as the blackness took her.
********************************************
Harry tried to surreptitiously rub a tired hand over her eyes, his session with Dumbledore had gone on longer than he had thought it would. He had been shown the latest memory and now they were discussing how important it was for Harry to get the memory from Slughorn. Harry knew he needed the memory he just truly had no idea how to get it.
"Ahem!" a voice called from the wall and Harry and Dumbledore both turned their attention to a portrait on the wall.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore said politely. Harry was surprised the portrait had said anything, usually they were sleeping or off somewhere else in the castle.
"There is a student on the seventh floor corridor who asked for your assistance."
Harry's attention was now fully on the former headmaster.
"Do you know who this student is?" Dumbledore inquired.
"She did not give me her name." and Harry's heart leapt when he heard the student was female. It couldn't possibly be Hermione.
"However, she did have a prefect badge and looked as if she had been in quite a duel, if I do say so myself."
In a second everything fell into place for him. Hermione's Arithmancy class was on the seventh floor, he usually met up with her afterwards but he had been with Dumbledore. Hermione was a prefect and would have been smart enough to ask a portrait to alert Dumbledore.
Without a word Harry shot out of the room at a dead run, tearing down the spiral stairs and almost plowing into a group of students exiting the Great Hall. He didn't bother to apologize and kept moving his way through the crowd.
"Harry!" Ron's voice boomed out across the hall but he didn't stop. Ron joined him as he raced for the staircases. "Harry! What's wrong?"
"Hermione! I think she's been attacked again." he said in a gasp as they were forced to wait for the stairs to move.
"What?!" Ron bellowed "What happened."
"I don't know!" Harry yelled back, incensed that he hadn't been there. "I was still with Dumbledore, I wasn't able to meet up with her after her class."
Ron let out a low groan "Oh Merlin! I didn't....Harry...I didn't even think...I just figured you guys were trying to get a little alone time. I'm sorry....I..."
Harry waved him off impatiently as they jumped the last few feet to the next set of stairs and didn't even bother answering him. They weren't far from her now.
Tearing around the last corner his eyes were searching the hallway. There! Half sitting, half laying she was slumped against the door frame of an unused classroom.
He felt like all the breath had been knocked out of him as he skidded to his knees next to her.
She was in and out of consciousness, trying to open her eyes. Her face had several small scratches and cuts, there was a large gash on her leg and her left arm hung unnaturally at her side.
A whine of panic made itself known and for a moment he was transported back to that terrible night. How could this have happened again!
He reached a hand out and cupped the side of her face, his thumb ghosting over a scrape on her cheek. "`Mione." he gasped, his voice sounding nothing like it should.
She struggled to open her eyes and finally succeeded. "Harry." she said faintly and reached up to wrap her hand around his wrist.
"What happened? Who did this?" he demanded, afraid of what she might say.
He saw her wince at the question and hesitate and he knew. He knew who's name she would say but he needed to hear her say it.
"Malfoy." she whispered
Hermione vanished. The hallway vanished. He couldn't see anything but red hot rage. He felt the magic build in him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. A tremble ran beneath his feet and he could hear voices calling his name from far away but he couldn't listen to them now.
The vibration grew until suddenly there was a hand clamped on his shoulder and he was drawn back to the present. A shower of mortar dust now coated everything around them and Dumbledore stood at his side. "Harry. I know you're upset but you must control yourself."
Hermione was staring at him, love and support flowing from her and he felt terrible for losing control when she was the one who needed help.
"I'm sorry." he said, not allowing himself to look away from her. She gave him a half-smile and squeezed his hand in response.
She moved, trying to sit up more and he wrapped an arm around her waist for support. "Are you okay?" he asked,
"I'm alright. A little banged up but nothing too bad." she said, trying to sound strong.
"Miss Granger, what exactly has transpired here?" the headmaster asked
She shot a look at Harry and then turned her attention to Dumbledore "I stayed after to talk to the professor and was heading to the Great Hall when Malfoy and his goons found me."
Harry's jaw clenched and he saw Ron take a couple steps away from them, raking a hand through his hair in guilt.
She took a deep breath and then continued "He taunted me for awhile and then I attacked them. I stunned Goyle and then ran into the classroom to hide. Malfoy and I dueled for awhile and eventually I got him pretty good. Goyle drug him out right before I talked to that headmaster in the portrait. Crabbe is still inside." she said and motioned towards the room.
Harry didn't know what to say. He was proud of her for fighting back and taking on Malfoy but he was also so angry that it had even happened in the first place.
Dumbledore looked contrite "I'm very sorry this has happened to you Miss Granger."
"Malfoy's getting expelled for this, right?" Ron asked, angrily
"I'm afraid that Mister Malfoy will need to remain at Hogwarts for the entirety of the school year." the headmaster replied, his voice filled with remorse.
"What?!" Hermione screeched, scrambling to her feet.
Harry had been so surprised by Dumbledore's statement that he barely rose in time to help steady Hermione as she was overcome with dizziness.
"I'm sorry. What Mister Malfoy has done is reprehensible but the fact remains that he has a link to Lord Voldemort and it does us all good to have him where we can see him. I agree with Harry that he is indeed acting suspiciously and I have given my consent to ask Dobby to follow Mister Malfoy while he is at this school."
Harry didn't like this plan at all. He wanted to find Malfoy and rip his limbs from him and curse him with every terrible spell he knew. However, he knew that being able to track him and discover what he was up to would be valuable. Harry was torn. He didn't know if he could be expected to share classrooms with Malfoy after this.
He looked down at Hermione, and was surprised to see how angry she was. Her eyes flashed and her arms were crossed as well as they could be considering her injury.
"How could you?!" she whispered angrily, betrayal evident in her voice. He had never seen her look at Dumbledore like that before. "Do you know what he was saying to me? Do you know the vile things he was threatening me with?" her voice getting louder with each question. She had pulled away from Harry and was standing on her own. "He's responsible for what happened to me before. HE did this to me once and he was going to do it again! How can you let him stay here?!" she had advanced on the headmaster and was now only a few feet away, anger and disappointment all over her face.
Harry hurried forward and grasped her by the shoulders, propelling her away from the others. She struggled against him at first and then acquiesced. "What, Harry?" she said angrily.
He cupped her face in both his hands and leaned in close, not caring if he gave away their change in status to Dumbledore. "Listen to me." he said intently "I want to do nothing more than to find Malfoy and kill him right now for what he's done to you." his voice was harsh and she tried to turn her head away from him but he wouldn't let her. "No. I need you to hear this." her gaze defiant as she glared at him. "I would kill him `Mione. Do you hear me. I would. But I can't think about myself anymore. What I want isn't important. I have to think about what is best for everyone. Voldemort is planning something. Something huge and we have no idea what it is. I have no idea how I'm supposed to fight him. I have no idea how I'm supposed to end him, but I don't have a choice." his voice was desperate now, breaking.
Her look had softened some, but he knew she was still upset. "You have to know how much this is killing me, I wish I didn't have to do this, but I don't have a choice." he repeated, his head falling forward to rest on hers. "Dumbledore is right." a shudder ran through her "Malfoy has to stay so that we can try and figure out what he's doing and what Voldemort wants."
She took a shuddering breath "I know what you're saying is right...I just...I hate that he's getting away with this."
"Me too." he agreed and brought a hand around to the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her hair. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone."
"It's not your fault, Harry. Students should be able to walk the halls of Hogwarts without bodyguards." she replied, her hands raising to rest at his waist.
His fingers rubbed her head comfortingly until he heard her gasp in pain and raise a hand to cover his. "Sorry!" he said quickly, stepping back to get a good look at her.
"I got blasted back against the wall." she said in explanation.
"We need to get you checked out." he said and she nodded her agreement.
He wrapped an arm around her waist for support and turned back to Dumbledore and Ron.
"I wish things did not have to be this way, Miss Granger." the headmaster said apologetically.
"I know, headmaster." she replied with only a slight edge to her voice.
"Harry, I believe Miss Granger could use a visit to Madame Pomfrey. I will see to Mister Crabbe." he said before disappearing into the classroom.
Ron came up on her other side "Alright Hermione?" he asked
"I will be." she said with a slight smile.
"So, you kicked his arse then?" he said, grinning a bit
Hermione's eyes flashed in annoyance at first and then she leaned in towards him "That would be an accurate description." winking before she grabbed Harry's arm for support.
Ron let out a guffaw and then jogged over to grab her schoolbag from where it had landed.
The walk to the hospital wing was slow and he could tell she was in considerable pain. But at least she was walking under her own power and was conscious. The stairs proved to be the most difficult and he and Ron both had to help her on those. By the time they were on the last hallway he was supporting the majority of her weight. Her eyes were closed and she had her head pressed into his arm, concentrating on just putting one foot in front of the other.
At the door to the infirmary her knees finally gave way and he scooped her up. In three long strides was laying her on the nearest bed.
"Thanks." she said weakly "Thought I was going to make it."
"Don't worry about it." he said, running a hand over her cheek and leaning down to press a quick kiss to her temple.
Ron had run to grab Madame Pomfrey and soon enough the healer was once again working on Hermione.
He stepped back to the foot of the bed and crossed his arms, this scene was all too familiar and he had to constantly remind himself that this time was very different.
Madame Pomfrey was asking Hermione which spells she had been hit with and he heard her list quite a few, his temper flaring with each one. When she hesitated though he stepped closer. "What else, `Mione?"
"He...uh...he clipped me with crucio, just for a moment." she admitted and he had to turn around, fists clenched at his side to control himself.
Her hand on his thigh made him turn around. "I'm fine, Harry. Promise." she said.
He couldn't speak just then so he grabbed her hand and kept it in his. She smiled and nodded, understanding how he felt.
Ten minutes later she was looking considerably better and Madame Pomfrey declared her healed although she did try and keep her overnight but Hermione protested.
"Are you sure? Maybe you should stay." he said
"I'm sure Harry. I don't need to stay." she said quickly, trying to avoid his eyes but he caught her chin and tilted it towards him and saw the fear she was trying to hide.
"Ok `Mione." he said softly, and she blinked furiously before giving him a grateful smile.
The healer did excuse her from the rest of her afternoon classes and Harry took that to mean that he was excused as well. Ron, knowing that he wouldn't be able to get out of them, grumbled out of the room but promised he would take notes.
She was much more steady on her feet when they left although she looked drawn and tired. "What do you want to do?" he asked
"I don't want to be alone." she admitted and it took everything in him not to pull her to his side right there in the corridor.
The common room was empty since afternoon classes were in session. He grabbed her hand as soon as he saw that no one else was around and guided her over to the alcove by the fireplace. An enlargement charm on the chair and silencing and distraction spells on the area and he was fairly confident that no one would disturb them.
He dropped into the chair and tugged her down next to him, only slightly surprised when she sat on him instead of next to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she buried her head in his chest. Pulling her close he felt her shake as she allowed everything that had happened to come to the surface.
"Shhh, it's ok, I've got you." he whispered into her hair.
"I was so scared at first." she said, her voice muffled "I froze. And I just knew that it was going to happen again. But then...he started talking about...he was saying how he was going to let Crabbe and Goyle have fun with me." Every muscle in his body tensed and it was her turn to settle him down. "Thats when I got mad. Everything became clear then and I just attacked him."
"I'm glad you did. If...if anything had happened to you again...even Dumbledore wouldn't have been able to stop me."
She clutched him tighter and he dropped his head down pressing his lips into her hair and then her cheek.
She looked up, her eyes dark and before he knew what he was doing he had captured her mouth with his. She let out a gasp of surprise and then sunk further into him. One hand slid into her hair and he pulled her closer. A fire burned in the pit of his stomach. Tentatively he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue and she opened for him with no hesitation. His hand roamed her back and they both gasped when her shirt rode up and he touched bare skin.
She pulled back, and he was awestruck by how beautiful she looked. She gave him one more kiss and then tucked her head under his chin, sighing contently. He brushed the hair away from her neck and stroked the exposed skin, enjoying the shiver that went through her at his touch.
Her breathing evened out and he looked down to see that she had fallen asleep. He wrapped his arms more securely around her. He wished she could know just how proud of her he was, to have faced down her demons like she had, to have dueled so brilliantly...she amazed him.
As she slept he kept watch, determined to allow her to have her well deserved rest and happy to have her in his arms, whole and unharmed.