Author's Note: I haven't written anything in a while, so I hope my writing isn't too bad. This story DOES include rape (happens right here in the first chapter). If you don't like reading stories with that type of situation in them, I recommend you find a different story that more suits you, although I really didn't describe the assault at all (flashbacks might come in later chapters). This story has a terrible name, so I might change it when I find something better. Also, this story takes place during Hermione's sixth year. I'm not really sure if Voldemort is defeated yet (the story won't really revolve around it, so it's up to what you want to think; unless I decide to add another plot including Voldemort, that is). And yes, this story is about Hermione Granger and Remus Lupin, but it's not going to be overly romantic (if romantic at all) in the first few chapters. Your reviews might help convince me which way to go on that one in further chapters, so please review! Thanks. Now I hope you enjoy the first chapter!

"Granger!" shouted a cold voice down the corridor. Hermione recognized the spiteful voice behind her, and she glanced behind to find the pale, blonde-haired boy trailing a few yards behind her. Hermione quickened her pace, uninterested in what Malfoy had to say.

"Didn't you have enough for one day, Malfoy?" Hermione asked, her voice hostile. She had ran into Malfoy earlier that day. For the second time during their experience at Hogwarts, her fist had connected with his jaw, and she had embarassed him yet again in front of his friends. This time, instead of mocking Hagrid, he had made fun of yet another teacher-Professor Lupin. He had muttered some stupid joke about werewolves and how insane the headmaster must be for allowing such a disgusting breed into the school. Upon seeing a furious Hermione, Malfoy had decided to take it a step further and mentioned how they're about the same worth as Mudbloods.

"How dare you talk to me like that, Mudblood!" he yelled, angrily pulling his wand out of his pocket. "Incarcerous!" Thin, black cords were released from his wand. Catching her off guard, Hermione was unable to react quick enough. The cords bound her wrists and legs, causing her to crash into the hard floor. Malfoy soon caught up to the bushy-haired girl that lay in front of him on the ground, and with a flick of his wand, he levitated her into the deserted classroom nearby. He dropped her into the floor once again, and then he pointed his wand at the door, which closed shut. One more movement with his wand, and the black cords vanished.

"Not so tough now, are you Granger?" he seethed, taking a few steps towards the girl.

"Where'd you learn all those spells, Malfoy?" Hermione spat back, jumping back to her feet and taking out her wand. "I thought you were incapable of such things-"
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione's wand flew out from her wand instantly, and Malfoy caught it in his other wand. "I never paid you back, you filthy Mudblood, for punching me." Hermione remained silent, knowing that Malfoy was the one with both wands. "You'll regret it, Granger."

Malfoy carelessly threw Hermione's wand to the corner of the room, making it even further out of reach from Hermione. "CRUCIO!"

Hermione screamed as she collapsed to the floor, every part of her body was searing with pain, as if hot knives were stabbing every part of her. The curse didn't last long, however, and Malfoy lowered his wand.

She didn't know how long she had been laying there, naked, shaking on the cold floor. Everything hurt. She never knew Malfoy would ever do such a thing...and that it would have occurred right here in Hogwarts. Her throat was sore from all of her screams and her feeble cries for help. She had hoped someone would hear, but Malfoy had just laughed mercilessly at her attempts, saying that he had charmed the classroom; her screams were useless. She didn't even watch as he put his clothes back on and left the room, instead she closed her teary eyes.

Fearing that a student or teacher might soon notice her disappearance, Hermione pushed herself up, taking a sharp intake of breath and wincing as she did so. She slowly grabbed her clothes and put them on gently; it pained her to move or even look at her broken body. Once she was dressed, Hermione walked over to the mirror on the far side of the room, placing a cold hand on her ribs as the pain shot from her bones. She stared into the mirror, seeing a lifeless version of her former self looking back at her. Her eyes were red and dull from crying, her face as pale as a ghost. There were dark bruises on her wrists from the binding curse Malfoy had used, and Hermione tugged at her sleeves to cover them, just in case she ran into anyone on her way back to the common room.

Hermione took a deep breath, and she opened the door. Luckily, the hallway was deserted, and she quietly walked out of the room. Her footsteps echoed across the walls, and she headed towards the Gryffindor common room.

Nearing a corner, Hermione glanced behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed. She didn't want to see Malfoy again-

She hit into something-no, someone-and she let out a small whimper. The excruciating pain returned with full force, and Hermione started to sway. Two strong yet gentle hands grabbed her shoulders to prevent her from falling, and Hermione couldn't help but notice how safe, how secure she felt with those hands...

"Hermione?" a kind voice asked. Hermione, mustering up all her strength, stopped her swaying and looked up at the man she had bumped into: Professor Lupin. His face was full of concern. If this had happened at any other time, Hermione would've blushed profusely at the contact. This time, however, she just wanted to get away, to disappear from him, and from everyone else.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," Hermione said, surprised at how weak and fragile her voice sounded.

"It's fine, fine..." Lupin withdrew his hands from her shoulders, but he still seemed worried. "Are you alright, Hermione?"

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry...Hermione bit her lip and nodded.

Lupin's eyes wandered down to her wrists. Hermione stared down at them too, realizing that her sleeves had been pushed up as a result of their encounter. The bruises were easy to see, and Hermione knew her professor had seen them.

"If you tell anyone what I did, Granger, you'll pay for it," Malfoy threatened between thrusts. "You understand?" Tears slipped down her cheeks, and Hermione nodded.

"Good. Finally learning to respect your superiors, aren't you Mudblood? If you tell anyone, I'll know." Malfoy backed away, an evil grin plastered on his face.

"I have to go," Hermione said quickly, trying to distract his attention from the bruises. She was glad that her voice sounded a little bit stronger this time. "I promised Harry and Ron I'd help them with their Potions essay." Hermione rushed past Lupin, not waiting to see his reaction. She hated to lie, but she didn't have any other solution.

"Hermione!"

She didn't look back; she kept on walking.

Remus Lupin watched as his student walked out of sight. He knew something was wrong; the pain and fear in her eyes had been obvious, and then there was the bruises. Remus pondered whether or not he should follow her, but he decided that it could wait. He had class with her later that day, and surely he could speak to her then.

But what if she's severely hurt...? Or in danger? She had seemed unusually pale; perhaps the bruises weren't her only injury. Remus turned, and glanced down the corridor Hermione had just turned into. She was gone; it would be useless to search for her now. His thoughts focused on Hermione, Remus returned to his classroom.