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"What?" Ron asked, flabbergasted. "What... why would... what made you say Luna?"
Hermione smiled at him. "I saw you walking her back from dinner."
"Oh..." Ron turned red. "Well yeah... and don't you dare take the mickey out of me for this Hermione."
"I wasn't going to," Hermione said defensively. "I think it's kind of sweet actually."
"You do?" Ron asked disbelievingly.
"She's a nice girl," Harry said.
"I used to think she was a bit strange, but she did join S.P.E.W. when no one else would," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"She joined spew?" Ron asked with a grimace.
"SPEW?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.
Ron cackled. "It's that wonky club Hermione made up in our fourth year to try and help house elves. Do you remember how she tried to strong arm you and me into joining? And those buttons! Don't tell me you can't remember it now!"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "The house elf we had at Grimmauld Place was a bit of a head case... he actually wound up running off. It was really strange."
"You had house elves?" Hermione asked taken aback. "Did you pay them?"
Harry looked embarrassed. "Not that I know of," he muttered.
"You enslaved them," Hermione said angrily. "I had no idea that you did that, Harry!"
"Hermione, no one cares but you," Ron said exasperatedly.
"That's entirely the problem, Ron Weasley!" Hermione rounded on him. "If more people cared, we could make a difference."
"This is not why I came over here, all right?" Ron narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't you get it Hermione? House elves LIKE being servants. They hate it when you try to get them to pick up those stupid hats you knitted back in 5th year, and they hate when you go down and lecture them."
"Dobby doesn't," Hermione retorted. "He thanks me every single time I give him socks or a scarf...."
"Dobby?" Harry asked. "Dobby's here?"
"How do you know Dobby?" Hermione forgot about Ron standing there.
"I freed him," Harry replied. "From the Malfoys actually."
"YOU did?" Ron asked. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Hermione's stance softened. "You gave him his freedom..."
"Yeah," Harry said, somewhat embarrassed. "And then he chose to come work here I guess..."
"Hello?" Ron asked. "We're not here to talk about house elves..."
Hermione threw her arms around Harry. "I'm so proud of you for doing that, Harry."
He smiled at her. "Better than enslaving?"
"Much better," Hermione said leaning in to give him a kiss, but Ron pushed her out of the way. "Ronald!"
"Gross," he complained.
"You could be doing the same thing with Luna," Harry said.
Ron glared at him. "You know, I came to you thinking you might have advice, but now I know you'd rather just snog Granger here."
"Okay," Harry said folding his arms. "What kind of advice do you want, Ron?"
"Should I really go for it?" Ron asked. "What if people think we look stupid?"
"If you fancy her, it won't matter to you what people say," Hermione looked at him coolly.
"I'd imagine you would say that, but Harry knows what this is like," Ron said to her. "He's going out with someone who's a bit mental..."
"I beg your pardon?" Hermione asked.
"Ron," Harry snapped. "I thought you were going to lay off."
"Sorry," Ron muttered.
"I think I'll go study elsewhere," Hermione shut her books and stood up.
"You don't have to go," Harry said.
"I know where I'm not wanted," Hermione said, levelling a cold gaze Ron's way. "I'll see you later Harry."
Ron stared down at his feet. He hadn't meant to hurt Hermione's feelings, but she had to know that she was a bit odd.
"Ron," Harry snapped when Hermione had gone to another table. "I told you, if we're to be friends you're going to have to accept Hermione."
"I have accepted her," Ron said defensively. "I said she could stay while I asked you about Luna."
"But you insulted her," Harry answered, also standing up.
"I didn't mean to," Ron said. "And even you have to admit she is a little mental..."
"No she's not," Harry's eyes went dark.
Ron gaped at him. "Merlin...you are serious about her, aren't you? Are you...are you ...I can't even bring myself to say it..."
Harry felt himself grow even angrier, which partly confused him. When had he started feeling THIS defensive and protective of Hermione?
Ron sighed. "Whoa."
"I have to go," Harry muttered.
"Harry---"
"Just leave it Ron," Harry snapped.
Hermione watched as Harry stalked up the stairs and she resisted the urge to look over at Ron.
Instead, she looked down at her schoolwork and tried hard to concentrate on that. But part of her felt completely elated at the way Harry had stuck up for her.
Ron sat down across from her but didn't say anything.
"Can I help you?" she asked woodenly after several minutes.
"I'm sorry I said you were mental," Ron said almost inaudibly.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"It's no secret that you and I don't get along," Ron said. "We have nothing in common except for Harry. "
"Pretty much," Hermione said matter of factly.
"And he doesn't really like being put in the middle," Ron said quietly.
"What's your point here Ron?" Hermione asked.
"I'm going to lose him as a friend if I don't find someway to get along with you," Ron said with a sigh.
"So you really don't want to get along with me," Hermione said. "You just want to pretend to, so Harry doesn't get pissed at you anymore..."
Ron rolled his eyes. "You are impossible."
"Look don't do me any favours," Hermione snapped. "I'm not a charity case, and I don't need your fake friendship."
"Things were perfectly fine until you came along," Ron said pushing back in his chair. "I don't know what in the world Harry sees in you."
"Something no one else did," Hermione said coldly.
"Like what?" Ron asked her.
"I'm not going to explain it to you," Hermione answered.
"You shouldn't act so innocent," Ron said angrily. "You don't like me anymore than I like you. And you aren't making any effort."
"You're not making an effort either!" Hermione snapped. "You just want to pretend to be friends so Harry won't get angry at you!" she shook her head. "This is not what I need right now. I have entirely too much going on to sit and debate this with you."
"Fine!" Ron hissed. "I'm going to start my rounds early."
"About time you took some responsibility," she shot back.
Ron practically knocked a few second years down as he stalked out of the common room.
"Wanker!" Hermione called after him.
Harry had reappeared at the end of their argument and glared at a few fourth years who were buzzing around.
Hermione closed her books. She obviously wasn't going to get any work done. When she looked up, she caught Harry's gaze.
He looked back at her, hoping she was okay. Motioning with his head, he silently asked if she wanted to begin rounds.
Hermione nodded and set her books aside. She'd get them when they were finished. Neither of them said a word as they walked out of Gryffindor Tower.
"Did the two of you settle anything?" Harry finally asked.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry, he just drives me mad."
"He is a bit annoying," Harry said. "But at the same time, I feel bad for him. From what he's told me, he's the youngest in his family and his brothers would pick on him."
"I hadn't thought about that," Hermione admitted.
Harry put an arm around her. "Are you all right though?"
His concern touched her and she nodded. "I'm with you. I couldn't be better."
He squeezed her shoulders. "Where should we start tonight?"
"Third floor," Hermione replied. "I thought we'd start with the Trophy Room."
"Okay," Harry pulled his invisibility cloak out of his pocket. "I'll be in this, but in case we see anything even remotely suspicious, I'll stay right along side you."
Hermione nodded. If there was any good thing to come out of the attacks, it was that the students were staying in their dorms. Having this happen to Dean made everything hit a little more closer to home and Hermione was scared.
"It's going to be all right," Harry said from under the cloak.
"I keep telling myself that," Hermione said leading the way into the Trophy Room.
"I won't be more than a step behind you," Harry replied.
"A Hufflepuff second year was found in this room," Hermione said quietly. "Right after Padma."
"We should go see Dumbledore when we're done with the rounds," Harry said. "I want to tell him what Natalie said to me."
Hermione nodded. "He should know that Ginny wasn't responsible."
Harry nodded even though she couldn't see him.
After a quick examination of the room, she and Harry walked out into the corridor. Hermione had one hand on her wand so she'd be ready if something should happen.
"What was that?" Harry asked; from the sound of his voice it seemed as if he was nearly on top of her.
"I didn't hear anything," Hermione whispered.
Harry trained his ears. "It was over there," he said almost inaudibly.
"Where?" Hermione asked.
Harry pointed down a rather dark corridor. Not caring now if anyone saw him, he pulled off his cloak.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she finally heard what sounded like a thud.
"Come on," Harry grabbed her hand.
Hermione took off with him down the dark corridor.
Harry extended his arm, wand in hand as they stayed flat against the wall. He could hear Hermione breathing in short, panicked gasps.
"Potter," he heard someone say in a raspy voice.
"LUMOS!" Harry shouted.
Hermione felt someone tug hard on her arm and she struggled to break free of them. "HARRY!"
"Petrificus Totalus!" Harry roared, shouting the first spell that came to mind.
Nothing happened and Harry called out for Hermione, but she didn't respond. "HERMIONE?"
A weak moan caught his ears as he whipped around.
"LET HER GO, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Harry screamed.
"Harry..." she said weakly, as the person holding her pulled her tighter.
"...well enough alone," the person rasped in Hermione's ear sending shivers down her spine.
"Please," Hermione begged. "Don't hurt me..."
"They want him to stop," the person said, their grip on Hermione tightening.
"Who?" Hermione asked, still trying to break away.
"It's easier if you don't fight it," they said again, and Hermione panicked when she felt herself being pulled backward.
"I don't think so," Harry grabbed the figure by the back of the neck. "Fucking let her go NOW!"
The figure released Hermione who fell to the floor.
"Turn around," Harry ordered the figure.
"I don't think so," the figure mocked.
Hermione reached blindly in the darkness for her wand.
Harry felt the figure go limp and the hooded cloak dropped to the ground. "What the hell?" Harry asked kneeling down. "Where'd he go?"
"What?" Hermione asked, alarmed.
"He's gone," Harry said holding up the cloak and pointing his lit wand at it. "But how---"
"It's impossible to Apparate here," Hermione said standing up and rubbing her sore arm.
"Let's go to Dumbledore," Harry said abruptly. His expression softened when he saw how pale her face was. "Are you all right?"
Hermione shook her head. "I thought...I thought..."
"You're all right," Harry dropped to his knees. "Hey... look at me."
Tears shone in her eyes as she looked up at him.
"You're okay," Harry said, reaching out to touch her cheek.
"If you hadn't been here," Hermione started to say.
Harry nodded, almost too upset with himself to speak. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said fiercely.
Hermione sobbed into his shoulder. She put a brave front most of the time, but what happened tonight had shaken her. For the first time since she'd started this case, she wasn't so sure she was right for this line of work.
"Shhh..." he held her closely, amazed at how scared he'd been that he could possibly have lost her. His feelings for Hermione were growing deeper by the day and that was scaring him too.
"I didn't get a good look at them," Hermione whispered resting her head against his chest. "I should have tried, but it was so dark..."
"It's okay," he soothed. "Come on, let's get out of here," he helped her up and took the figure's cloak in his other hand. "Let's go see Dumbledore."
"Thank you," she said softly.
He kept a protective arm wrapped around her as they left the corridor and headed for Dumbledore's office.
Hermione leaned against him, her composure slowly returning.
"I don't know how to get up there..." Harry said once they were standing at the large circular staircase.
Hermione knew the secret password that prefects were given to use only in the case of emergencies. "Pepper imps," she whispered.
Harry watched in amazement as the staircase turned so they could walk upstairs. "Wow..." he muttered. Still gripping Hermione's hand, they went up.
Professor Dumbledore was pacing in front of his desk when the two teenagers entered.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore greeted them.
"Hello sir," Harry said. "We um... we just had an encounter up near the Trophy Room..." he held out the heavy black cloak. "The figure nearly captured Hermione, and then faded away, leaving this behind."
As always Dumbledore's first concern was for his students and he turned his eye on Hermione. "Are you okay, Miss Granger?"
"I think so," Hermione was still pale and shivering a bit.
Dumbledore nodded and reached into his desk drawer for a piece of chocolate. "Here you are."
"Thank you," Hermione reached for it, knowing it would help her feel better.
Dumbledore nodded. "How about we start at the beginning?"
"You know I've been accompanying Hermione on her rounds," Harry began.
"And other than what happened in Professor Snape's classroom, we haven't really had any luck coming up with clues," Hermione continued.
"Tonight we went down this corridor by the Trophy Room," Harry took over. "And there was someone down there. I couldn't place their voice... but they were wearing this cloak."
Dumbledore looked at the cloak. The cloak looked as if it had seen better days and quite a few threads hung off of it; other parts were torn.
Hermione shivered again. "Whoever it was, grabbed me... they said something about wanting him to stop... I'm not sure what that means though."
"What else did this person say to you?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"Um," Hermione bit her lower lip. "Something about 'well enough alone', and then whoever it was said that it was easier if I didn't fight it."
"And you didn't recognise the voice or get a good look at them?" Dumbledore asked.
"It was almost completely pitch black," Hermione answered softly.
"I had my wand lit, but it wasn't really enough," Harry explained.
"I grabbed them by the neck and told them to let Hermione go," Harry continued. "And he did, but the next thing I know, he vanished into thin air."
"Apparition is out of the question," Dumbledore thought out loud. "But perhaps this person is an animagus?"
"They would have had to be a very small animal," Hermione said quietly. "Because there was nothing in the cloak."
"What if it was Wormtail?" Harry asked suddenly. "We never found him after what happened with Voldemort."
Dumbledore nodded. "I'll find his whereabouts these days. He was last seen in Sweden as of a few months ago."
"I need to tell Sirius about this as well," Harry said.
"Feel free to use my Floo network," Dumbledore offered. "I'm sure he'll still be up."
"Y-you're going?" Hermione asked.
"Just for a few minutes," Harry looked over at her, concerned at how pale she still was. "Why don't you come with me?"
"I think that's an excellent idea," Dumbledore said.
Hermione was relieved. Harry extended his hand and helped her up.
"Take as long as you need," Dumbledore told them. "I'm going to meet with Professor McGonagall to share this news with her."
"Thank you sir," Harry said. "We'll be back soon."
Hermione was relieved to be going with Harry. With all that happened in the last hour, she didn't want to be alone.
"Come on," he said softly as Dumbledore left the office. "This will be something good for Sirius and the rest of the Aurors to follow up on."
Hermione nodded and watched as Harry grabbed a handful of Floo powder.
"Why don't you go first?" Harry asked after he tossed it in. "Just say Grimmauld Place."
Hermione did as she was told and said in as strong a voice as she could muster, "Grimmauld Place."
Harry followed suit and soon enough they were standing together in the sitting room. "Come on," He took her hand. "Sirius will probably be in the library."
She followed Harry and tried to get the sound of that horrible voice out of her head. "...well enough alone..." kept echoing in her mind. And though she knew it was crazy, she could still feel the cloaked figure's hands of her arms.
Without realising it, Hermione let out a small whimper.
Harry stopped and turned to look at her. "Hermione?"
"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that... if you hadn't been there I'd be lying up in that corridor right now. I'd be just like Dean, Padma and all those others..."
"But you're not," Harry said softly. "I wouldn't have let them take you, Hermione."
"I know," she said, wrapping her arms around herself. "But if I had been alone..."
"You weren't alone," Harry said reaching for her. "And you never will be."
Hermione let him envelope her and she clung onto him. "I was really scared," she said in a small voice.
He had been scared too at the possibility of losing her, which terrified him. He wasn't supposed to get this close to someone. But, he couldn't walk away from her. Not now.
"Harry?" Sirius asked startling the teenagers.
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed. "We were coming to see you..."
Sirius could tell just by looking at Hermione that something bad had happened. He ushered them into the kitchen and a few minutes later they were seated at the table with cups of tea.
"Hermione was attacked," Harry relayed what had happened that night. "And they got away somehow, but whoever it was, was wearing this cloak." he handed it to his godfather.
Sirius examined it carefully. "I'll bring it in tomorrow for full analysis."
Harry told his godfather about the theories that they'd discussed with Dumbledore. "If it was Pettigrew..."
"I'd kill him," Sirius said without hesitation. "That little..."
His voice trailed off when he saw the stricken expression on Hermione's face. Harry put his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm glad that you're both okay," Sirius said.
"We're all right," Harry assured him. "But this is really the first big thing that's happened since I got to Hogwarts."
"And you're safe here," Sirius reassured Hermione. "This place is unplottable."
She nodded and couldn't help but shiver even though Harry's arm was still around her.
"Perhaps the two of you could stay here tonight," Sirius suggested.
"We'd have to get permission from Dumbledore," Harry said.
"You can leave that to me," Sirius said pushing back in his chair. "I'll go and have a quick word."
Harry looked over at Hermione. "Would you like to stay here?" he asked. "I should have made sure you were okay with it before just agreeing."
"I don't think I want to go back there tonight," Hermione admitted.
"Okay," Harry said reassuringly. "We'll stay here then."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said softly.
"For what?" he asked, moving his chair closer.
"For being so much trouble," Hermione said. "For acting like such a coward. All those doubts you had about my abilities were confirmed tonight."
"Bollocks," Harry answered. "You're not trouble and anyone in your position would have been terrified tonight."
"Harry," Hermione said looking up at him.
"What?" he asked softly.
"I'm just really glad that we're here," Hermione replied.
"Told you I'd take care of you," he brushed back her hair.
Hermione looked into his green eyes and remembered what she'd told Ron earlier that night about how Harry saw something in her that no one else saw. She couldn't help thinking that she was getting to see a part of him that he didn't show to everyone.
"What is it?" he asked, seeing the look on her face.
"I'm---" Hermione started to say.
"Dumbledore has given the okay for you to stay here tonight," Sirius said coming back into the kitchen.
"Thanks," Harry said, annoyed yet a bit relieved at the interruption. "Um... I'll show you one of the guest rooms..."
"Okay," Hermione said standing up. "Thank you, Mr. Black."
"You're welcome," Sirius smiled at her with genuine affection. "I'm glad you're all right."
"Come on," Harry said taking her hand.
Hermione followed him, lost in her thoughts as he led her through the hallway.
"It's going to be nice to sleep in my own bed," Harry said conversationally.
"What?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I said it would be nice to sleep in my own bed," Harry repeated. "And to sleep in my own room. "
"Oh," she answered. "I suppose you're right..."
Harry nodded and led the way upstairs. He was going to show her the guest rooms closest to his and let her pick out the one she'd like best.
"Which one..." she hesitated and blushed. "Which one is closest to you?"
"This one," Harry said opening up a door. "My room's right across from you."
"I'll sleep here then," she said.
"I'll go and grab a t-shirt for you to sleep in," Harry said motioning over his shoulder.
Mindlessly, she followed him into his bedroom.
"I didn't get much chance to clean it up before I left," Harry apologised.
"Doesn't matter," Hermione shrugged.
He grabbed a t-shirt from his dresser and handed it to her. "I think this one will do."
"Thanks," she looked up at him. "Thanks for doing this for me Harry."
"I'd do anything for you," he said reaching for her. She winced when he touched her arm and Harry lifted up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a deep bruise on her arm. Anger surged through him.
"Sorry," she whispered again.
"You've nothing to be sorry about," Harry told her.
"I guess I really am weak," Hermione couldn't let this go. "I just froze tonight."
Harry led her over to the bed and sat down beside her. "You're not weak. You're going to be a great Auror, Hermione."
"You really think so?" Hermione asked hopefully.
He nodded. "I know so."
"Thanks," she said softly. "Your opinion means a lot to me Harry."
"Even if I am an arrogant jerk?" He asked hoping to get her to smile.
The corner of her mouth tugged up. "Even if you're an arrogant jerk."
"And you're a bossy know-it-all," Harry said grinning at her.
"You're not the first to call me that," Hermione replied. "And surely not the last."
"You're so much more than that," he said brushing her hair back.
"I am?" she asked.
Harry nodded. "You're intelligent, warm, caring...and you make everyone around you want to be...better. You, um, you make me want to be better."
Her eyes filled with unexpected tears. "Harry..."
"Don't cry," he said squeezing her hand.
"That's about the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me is all," Hermione wiped her eyes.
Harry stood up, feeling a little embarrassed at what he'd just told her. "It's late. I'm sure you're knackered."
"Yes," Hermione was disappointed when he pulled away.
"If you need anything, I'm right here," Harry said. "Right across the hall. And if you get cold, there are extra blankets in your closet."
"Thanks," Hermione said. "Um... I guess this is goodnight then..."
"Good night," Harry said softly.
She took the shirt he held out to her and left the room; half wishing he had invited her to sleep in there.
Once in her room, she changed into the shirt and after splashing some cold water on her face, crawled under the covers wondering how she would ever get to sleep when her mind was reeling over everything that had happened.
She fell into a fitful sleep, still dreaming about that cold voice and the rough grip they'd had on her.
In her dream, she didn't get away, though, and Harry wasn't there to rescue her.
"It's easier if you don't fight it," the cloaked figure said in her ear.
"No," Hermione begged. "Please, don't do this!"
"I'll get him next," the figure said in a menacing tone.
"NO!" she screamed. "Let me go!"
Harry had just drifted off to sleep when he'd heard Hermione screaming. He rushed into the other room and gently shook her. "Hermione?"
"No," her face was streaked with perspiration. "Don't hurt me! Don't hurt him!"
"It's okay," he said soothingly. "Hey..."
Her eyes popped open as she finally stopped struggling.
"It was just a dream," he said touching her arm. "Just a bad dream, Hermione."
"It was too real," she sobbed.
Harry could certainly relate. He'd lost count of the times he'd woken up from one nightmare or the other.
Hermione wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry if I woke you up," she said, finally calming down.
"It's okay," Harry said getting up to get her a cold rag. "I wasn't really sleeping anyway."
"Oh," she answered, pushing her hair off her forehead.
He came back a few moments later and sat back down. "Here..."
"Thank you," she said quietly, taking the rag and wiping her face.
"Let me help you," he said taking it from her and dabbing at her forehead. "Better?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded and smiled at him. "Thanks..."
"I could stay in here with you," he offered. "If you want..."
"You would do that?" Hermione asked.
He nodded. "If it wouldn't make you uncomfortable..."
"It wouldn't," she said softly.
Harry took the rag from her and placed it on the bedside table. She slid over to give him room and he slid under the covers with her.
Nestling herself against him, she didn't realise her hands were resting on his abdomen at first.
Harry smiled at her. "It's okay. I don't mind."
"I feel safe with you," Hermione said.
He kissed her forehead. "I promise I'll never let anything happen to you."
"Ever?"
"Ever," he replied. "We're partners, right?"
"Right," She answered. "We make a good team. And we'll prove it when we catch the person doing this."
"That's my girl," Harry said glad to hear her sounding more like her old self.
Hermione was silent for a moment. "I'm your girl?" she finally asked.