Lucius Malfoy stared at the golden beast prowling around in front of him. Its eyes were locked on his every movement, and it growled deep in its throat. The lion turned its head, and Hermione gulped as it turned its attention to her.
'Where did that come from?'
She clutched her wand tightly as the lion took a few steps towards her. She got a good look at its face and saw its eyes - emerald green. Hermione recognized those eyes.
The lion walked up to her and lowered its head as if bowing to her in respect. It growled affectionately and rubbed the side of its face up against her leg. She let out a much-needed breath.
"Well…isn't this cute?" Lucius laughed.
The lion turned back around and resumed its post in front of Hermione.
"I warn you, beast, move aside now, or you will be punished severely!"
The majestic animal cleared its throat and let out a roar so powerful it shook the very ground; it had accepted its opponent's challenge.
"What is going on out here?"
Hermione felt her heart jump for joy as she recognized Professor Dumbledore's voice. Professor McGonagall and several other teachers were with him. They'd heard the lion's roar and come to investigate what was going on. Also a contingent of students was piling out of the front gate heading towards her.
"Hmmph…we'll finish this at a later time," Lucius sneered and lowered his wand.
"Just remember…Mudblood…our next meeting with be the last time we meet."
Before Hermione could retort, the lion roared and began stomping towards the elder Malfoy. Lucius grabbed his son forcefully by the arm and shook him awake.
"I will take care of you as well, beast, so remember who you have crossed this day," and the Malfoys disappeared into the shadows.
Hermione collapsed to her knees and lowered her wand; she was exhausted. However, she was elated because she'd matched wands with both Malfoys and stood up to both of them! She really had gotten a lot stronger.
"Hermione!" Professor Dumbledore called again as he finally approached her.
"Professor, I'm so glad to see you."
"What has happened out here, and where…did he come from?" he asked and pointed at the lion.
The majestic beast turned toward the old wizard, and it almost looked liked it was smirking. It growled softly and padded over to Hermione. Her eyes widened as it approached her, and it lowered its head towards hers. Very carefully, it licked her cheek and wiped the blood away. Reaching up a trembling hand, she carefully petted its face, and it purred happily at her actions.
"Sir, I honestly don't know where he came from, but he helped me. He protected me from Malfoy; I'd probably be dead if this lion hadn't shown up."
"So, that was Lucius Malfoy; I thought I recognized him. Why were you fighting him?"
"I was giving a letter that said that Harry wanted to meet me here tonight, but when I got here, Draco was waiting for me. Oh no…Harry…we need to find Harry!"
"Easy, Miss Granger, we will find him, but right now, you need to have those wounds treated. I must say that I'm very impressed that you could match wands with Lucius Malfoy and still be alive."
Hermione gave him a tired but bright smile.
"Thank you, sir, I owe it to Harry training me this past summer. Please, we need to find him; he needs my help."
The lion growled at her comment and licked her cheek again. Hermione hugged its furry head; she somehow knew that she could trust the beast. The lion drew back and lay down in front of her. It cocked its head backwards.
"He wants you to get on, Hermione."
"Albus…" McGonagall interrupted, "…Draco Malfoy is nowhere to be seen and neither is Cassandra Cross."
"Hmm, it seems that Harry was correct. Come, let's take Miss Granger to the infirmary and then we will look for Mr. Potter."
The lion easily stood up with Hermione on its back and growled playfully.
"Thank you," she murmured and stroked its dark mane.
The lion turned and began to walk towards the main gates.
"Oh my…" Hagrid gasped as he saw what Hermione was riding on, "…where'd he come from? I don't remember a lion living around the castle."
Hermione just smiled tiredly and shook her head, telling him not to worry about it.
The students parted, and the lion carried Hermione back inside Hogwarts. Everyone was stunned to see a lion walking down the middle of the corridor, but they weren't about to ask questions.
The lion carried Hermione all the way to the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey was quite surprised to see the large beast carrying a battered and bruised Hermione. At first, she wouldn't let him in, but it growled, and she relented.
The lion stopped next to one of the beds and lay down on the floor. Hermione slid off its back and onto the comfortable bed. She turned to the large beast and smiled warmly.
"Thank you, I don't know what to say."
It shook its head and sat up on its haunches. With Professor Dumbledore and everyone else watching, the lion slowly began to change.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she watched the furry face turn into a human complexion. The man took form, and tears filled her eyes.
"Harry!" she cried out happily. He stood there wearing only his pants, but he didn't care about that one bit.
He was at her side in an instant, and she crawled into his lap. Pressing her head against his chest, he ran his fingers through her brown hair and rocked her back and forth.
"Sweetheart…I'm glad I made it in time."
It was then Hermione realized that he was only half-dressed.
"Harry!" she gasped and looked up at him worriedly, "Cassandra…what did she do to you? Did she…did she…"
"She tried, angel, but nothing happened…" he cupped her cheek and stared directly into her shimmering eyes.
"I know who I want, and I will never betray you like that." He caught her mouth with a deep, passionate kiss, and Hermione melted into his arms.
'No one will take you from me again, Harry, never again.'
As he held Hermione in his arms, Harry could feel several pairs of eyes staring at him.
"Professor Dumbledore, I know you're probably wondering why I didn't tell you that I had become an Animagus, but the reason is because tonight was the first time I was able to change. Sirius had been trying to help me learn, but I'd never been able to do it before."
"Hmm, perhaps you should explain everything that happened tonight, Harry."
"Yes, sir. Well, I was heading to the Great Hall for dinner tonight when someone hit me upside the head. I'm not quite sure how long I was out, but when I came to I was tied to a bed in one of the dungeons. It was Cassandra who did it; she appeared about a minute after I woke up."
"Harry!" Hermione gasped, and her face popped up. He stroked her hair to calm her worried expression.
"Why would Miss Cross restrain you like that? Untying robes would be a simple task," Professor McGonagall stated.
"Well ma'am, she actually enchanted the robes so that no magic could be used to untie them. As for why, she wants me. She's jealous of what Hermione and I have, and she feels that I should be with her instead. She'd threatened me in the past, but she's slowly become more and more bold the past month. Tonight was a culmination of her actions."
"And what was her intent?" Dumbledore asked with a rather interesting smile.
"Without getting overly descriptive, Cassandra planned to show me that she could please me better physically that any other woman - especially Hermione. She spent at least an hour trying to convince me of that, but I wouldn't listen to her."
Hermione could see his cheeks flushing, and she grinned inwardly at how hard this had to be for him to talk about - to Dumbledore of all people.
"After Cassandra realized that I wouldn't do what she wanted, she started antagonizing me and telling me about what was happening to Hermione. When she said that Hermione was going to die, something inside me just snapped. I've never felt so angry in my life. I couldn't use my magic, but I knew that I didn't care. I would do whatever it took to protect her…"
Harry clutched his fiancé to his chest and nuzzled her hair.
"…I would protect my soulmate."
"And then you finally transformed," Dumbledore finished.
"Yes, I ripped the robes right off the bed posts and gave Cassandra a glare, warning her that she would die if she moved. I think that she was shocked at what I'd just done so she just took off and ran screaming down the corridor. I raced up the stairways and out the main gates hoping that I could reach Hermione in time."
"And he did, professor, Harry saved me," Hermione piped up.
"I have no doubt of that, Miss Granger, and I would like to commend you two for your achievements this evening, however, we still must find out what Miss Cross is up to and how she is connected with Malfoys."
"Sir, I believe that she merely uses the Malfoys as a source of information. She found Hermione's address that way!"
Harry realized what he'd just let slip, and Dumbledore looked at him very seriously.
"Harry, are you saying that Cassandra was responsible for the attack on Hermione's home?"
"Yes, I am. She told me herself; she even gloated about it."
Hermione remained silent; she didn't want to accidentally give away the truth about her parents being alive - not yet.
"These are serious crimes she has committed, and if the Malfoys aided in this, they will be punished accordingly. I will see to that. I must contact Minister Fudge and have him assemble a team of Aurors to find Miss Cross. In the meantime, I suggest you two get some rest and recover your strength. You have the NEWTS coming up, and you need to be in top condition to do your best."
"Thank you, sir, we will do that," Harry said in relief.
"Very well. Then, if the teachers would please come with me," he instructed, and the staff members followed him out the door.
Madam Pomfrey took a look at Hermione, but she didn't seem too concerned.
"Well dear, considering you fought two duels in one night, you're in pretty good shape. We'll just clean up a few of your wounds, and you can turn in for the night."
"Um…ma'am, is it all right if I return to my room? I rather prefer to sleep in my own bed tonight."
"I shouldn't really let you go without a night of observation, but…"
Hermione's eyes pleaded with her.
"…all right. Just let me cast a few healing spells, and you could can go."
"Thank you," Hermione said happily.
"Mr. Potter, just make sure that she stays in bed and rests tonight, am I clear?" she said sternly.
"Of course, I'll charm her to the bed if I have to," he chuckled.
An hour later, Harry and Hermione were heading back to their common room. Ron had escorted Lavender back up earlier so that she could get some rest as well. Harry held onto Hermione as she leaned against him for support. They slowly made their way up the various stairwells and down the side corridor. Entering their common room, Harry directed them upstairs and into Hermione's bedroom.
"I feel like I can sleep for a year."
"Go right ahead, sweetheart."
Being as gentle as he could, Harry slowly undressed her, and Hermione smiled at the tenderness he was showing her. She loved the soft touch of his hands, and his voice rumbled deeply as he soothed her pain with his love.
Harry opened her drawers and took out the first thing he saw. It was one of his old shirts that Hermione had borrowed as a joke, and she still had it. He helped her into it, and the large shirt slid almost down to her knees.
"Nice outfit, Herm, it looks a lot better on you than on me."
"Cute, Potter, very cute; I happen to like this shirt!"
"C'mon love, you need to rest."
Harry bent down and swept her up into his arms. Hermione smiled happily as he carried her to bed. She pulled back her covers, and he laid her down slowly.
"Please stay with me, Harry."
"As you wish, sweetheart."
After discarding his pants on the floor, Harry slid under the covers, and Hermione snuggled into his arms. She laid her head against his chest and sighed as her sore body relaxed at the feel of his warm body against hers.
"Harry?"
"What is it, love?"
"You said that Cassandra tried to convince you that she could please you better than I could. I was wondering…did you…I mean…did you feel…anything; I wouldn't be upset if you did! I know that she's pretty, and all the guys like how she looks so…"
"Hush," he said and put a finger to her lips.
"Enough talking, Hermione, for once, don't use that incredible brain of yours. It's true that Cassandra is good looking, but you, my angel, are breathtaking. You have no idea how easily you turn me on; you're smile could set me off in a second. Just because you don't walk around with your breasts hanging out doesn't mean that I don't think you're sexy. Cause personally, I think you are the sexiest…most sensual woman alive!"
Harry stroked her curves, and Hermione arched into his touch. Her heart soared at his words, and her final doubts about herself vanished into thin air. She made him happy - in every possible way.
"I love you," she said softly and kissed him.
"And I love you."
They kissed and talked for several minutes before their weary bodies finally succumb, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Author's Notes: Hey everybody. Sorry that it's been a while, but with Thanksgiving going on, I've been pulling double shifts at work. Plus, I finally got myself a new computer and have been moving my old files over. This story is closing in on its finale, but I don't want it to end! However, all good things must come to an end so stay tuned for following chapters.