Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter except this plot.

"Ow!" Hermione looked up from her book in time to see Malfoy hit Ron with a Jelly-Legs hex. Harry leapt up in defense of his best friend, and raised his wand threateningly. At this point, Hermione closed her book (after carefully marking her page) and pointed her wand at the two teenagers. Just as Harry was about to stun Malfoy, she muttered, "tsiang".

A sudden wall appeared between Harry and Malfoy, and absorbed any and all spells thrown at it. When Malfoy tried circling around, the wall simply moved with him.

Hermione smirked. No one was getting past that wall anytime soon. She had read about it in an advanced charms book, and learned it for use in cases like this. As she settled down with her book again, she noticed Ron, still helpless. Sighing at the stupidity of her friends, she performed the countercharm, then did a quick silencio (Ron had yet to master inaudible spell casting).

Hermione returned to her book again, confident that she had taken care of everything. Suddenly a pair of arms encircled her, and lifted her into the air, and carried her-not very gently- to a dark alleyway. A quick glance behind told her it was Malfoy. But—Malfoy was still at a standoff with Harry…right?

"An illusion, mudblood. Surely you've heard of them, even in the muggle world." Malfoy's silky soft voice murmured.

Hermione stood still for a moment, stewing silently. Then she gathered her energy, and apparated to her house. If it weren't for Malfoy's deathly grip on her, she would have escaped him. As it was, he had come along for the ride.

Again, Malfoy whispered seductively. "What's the matter, Granger? Can't get rid of me? Or"-his voice darkened-" you don't want to?"

Furious, Hermione whirled around, a stupefy on her lips. Before she could perform the spell, though, Malfoy disapparated.

"Ugh, the stupid, arrogant, BASTARD!!" The last word was shouted for the world to hear.

"Hermione!" Her father yelled. "I don't like your language! You'll teach Valerie bad habits."

"Yes, dad." Hermione picked up Valerie, and started feeding her 3-year-old sister.

Hermione sighed. She loved her family, but sometimes they just didn't understand. She hadn't told them about the danger at Hogwarts, for fear they wouldn't let her go back. And she needed to return. Partly because of her friends, and partly because of her education. However, it was mostly because her family was in danger with her here. She knew that Voldemort and his followers were hunting for the Golden Trio, and they would stop at nothing to get to them. They had already proved that they had no problem killing innocents.

No, Hermione couldn't stay at home. She needed to go back to Hogwarts.

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