Hermione could not believe her luck. She was paralysed and speechless at the mercy of Malfoy and whoever her attacker was. Though it obviously was not Malfoy, it could possibly be the person who had just spoken. She had not seen anyone when she had passed, but then, she had been in a rush. And in the shadows, anyone could hide. His voice was familiar to Hermione, but not one she recognised instantly. She had not heard him cast the spells either. Which must have meant that he was a very advanced in his studies? Who else, but her and Malfoy could cast the more difficult spells without a word? She immediately started thinking of everyone in her year, and the year above, who would be able to cast both spells non verbally and who would want to paralyse Hermione. However, she suddenly remembered that the spells could have been whispered, in which case anyone could have cast them. Why he had body binded her, she was not sure. But with Malfoy in the proximity, and the fact the other had greeted him by his first name, didn't seem too promising to Hermione.

Despite, to Hermione, her obvious position, Malfoy did not seem to see her. He stepped passed her, and said sharply, "Show yourself." There was a flurry of clothing before Malfoy audibly relaxed and said dryly, "Oh, it's you." Hermione would have raised her eyebrows at his rude, patronising tone, if she could have. The other, however, seemed unfazed. He laughed softly and replied, "Yes, me. What? Thought I was Potter?"

There was a sudden sound of motion and Hermione could just imagine Malfoy leering cruelly into the dark. Ironically, she found herself to be supporting her attacker. Anyone seemingly against Malfoy was someone. And besides, he had said Harry's name without any obvious venom in his tone. Furthermore, he had not indicated Hermione's position to Malfoy. Unless this was part of some plan.

Malfoy's voice was cool in the silence. "You'd do best to hold your tongue. What are you doing here anyway?"

Her attacker didn't reply in words, which infuriated Hermione. She wanted to hear his voice again, to try to work out who it could be. However, he must have replied in motion as Malfoy spoke again. "Hah. You'd be hard pressed to find any owls at this hour. Get your business done and then get to bed. Be thankful I know you."

There was a slight chuckle as Malfoy stormed past Hermione and down the stairs. And then there was silence. It was incredibly nerve racking for Hermione to be petrified and voiceless in the shadows of an isolated tower, with some male who had attacked her behind her and out of sight.

Finally, there was the faint rustle of clothing as the other came to stand beside Hermione. She could see his shoes and the bottom of his cloak. Despite the darkness, she could make out that it was obviously of an expensive quality.

He spoke. "When I release you, Granger, I don't want you to call out or scream or rush at me. If you do, I will protect myself with both my wand and yours, and Draco will hear and come back up. He doesn't particularly like you, you know."

There was a faint flash of light and Hermione found her body mobile again. She coughed slightly and her voice came back. Slowly, she got to her feet. Looking up, she caught sight of Blaise Zabini. He 

was a slytherin in her year and in many of her classes, considering she took more obscure subjects where there were only enough students for one class. Indeed, before this year, she had not even been entirely aware that he was in her year.

"You," she hissed in annoyance. She had been sure his voice was familiar; she just hadn't worked out from where.

Zabini blinked. "Oh, don't all rush in happiness to see me," he said sarcastically. "Yes, Granger it was me. And don't sound so disgusted. I did happen to save you from running into Draco."

"I don't care what you did, or why, just give me my wand back," she whispered angrily.

The dark figure of Zabini lurked in the shadows, his smile only just visible. "By all means. I couldn't do wordless with your wand anyway. But perhaps only once we get into more open surroundings. I've heard that gryffindors are quite vengeful."

Hermione was slightly thrown. "You cast those spells non-verbally?" she asked amazed.

Zabini gave her a dry look and started down the stairs. "Yes. Or rather, that was the first time with proper spells. I wanted to see what happened."

Hermione hesitated and then caught up to the boy. "Oh," she said bashfully.

"Oh," Zabini agreed, and they walked back down into the main half of the castle in silence.

A/N: Please R&R!!