A/N: Ooooh, another chapter? Yes, I am working on the next one right this minute too. Thank you for the feed back. It made me get all giddy about writing and I came up with some pretty good ideas. I can't believe I have already gotten about 200 hits and its only been about 12 hours. I am a happy women. Thank you guys so much!
When I opened my eyes the first thing I noticed was that the forest was moving, the second thing I noticed was that I was no longer tied up, the third, I was being carried by Draco Malfoy.
I quickly closed my eyes trying to hide that I had awoken.
"That's not going to work on me, Granger," Malfoy drawled, "It would be better if you were awake anyway. We're almost there."
"Put me down." I said, struggling against his steel grip.
Malfoy stopped walking but didn't release me. His cold grey eyes stared into mine, I saw a glint of amusement and I had the sudden urge to smack him.
"If I let you go where would you go?" He asked, beginning to walk again, "Back into the forest? You'll be eaten alive. You're too weak to protect yourself."
"That would save you a lot of trouble, wouldn't it?" I spat, trying to get my arms to move. It was still hard to lift them but at least I could move them.
He ignored my comment and I stared up at him in disgust. He was the whole reason I was in this state, if he hadn't gone into the forest and caught Harry's attention then I would probably be safe in my bed. If he hadn't tortured me I would be able to move without hurting myself. I never hated anyone more in the world. Even the feeling of his arms carrying me made me want to be sick.
I focused on the sky above me and noticed that the trees were thinning, you could see the dark sky clearly, and the rain clouds had past.
I closed my eyes and thought about a way of escape, I had promised to help the Dark Lord, and betray everyone I loved.
"There is no escaping from this, Granger." Malfoy said bringing me out of my thoughts, "You tell anyone, you die. It's that simple."
I stared to say something rude but he interrupted me, "I will leave you here. You will tell no one what you saw, or what was said. Don't think that because you are back at Hogwarts you are safe. I am not the only one that you will need to watch out for."
He placed me on the ground and I noticed that we had arrived at the edge of the forest; I could see the lights from Hagrid's hut.
"I hate you Draco Malfoy," I spoke with as much venom I could muster.
He chuckled and gave me a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, "Will be in touch." He held up Harry's invisibility cloak, "If you don't mind I think I will be borrowing this."
He disappeared under the cloak and I waited until I was sure that he was gone before I attempted to stand up. It took me three tries before I was able to stand properly, my steps were slow and I had to go from tree to tree to stay up right.
I finally pushed myself from the last tree and stumbled towards Hagrid's hut. There was no way I would be able to make it to the castle on my own.
My eyes once again began to tear up and I sat on his steps and begun to think for the first time that night that I was safe. I had survived. I was going to wake up the next morning and be able to see the sunrise. Everything will be better in the morning, I told myself, and I will not betray my friends. I will find a way out of this mess and put this nightmare behind me.
No, if there was one thing I would never do, is forget that Draco Malfoy had tortured me. I passed out before I could bring myself to knock on Hagrid's door.
"Hermione!"
"Professor, we found her!"
"She isn't moving. Is she okay?"
"She is bleeding! We have to take her to Madame Pomfery immediately."
Light shone in my face and I moaned as I felt hands around me, my first thought was that it was Malfoy and I began to struggle away, punching and kicking.
"Hermione, its ok. It's me Harry."
The light faded and I was staring into the face of my best friend. He looked down at me with concern and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Merlin, you're alright Hermione. We were so worried we would be too late….." Ron said from somewhere behind Harry.
"Miss Granger, can you stand?" I heard the concerned voice of Professor McGonagall ask.
"I d-don't think I can," I said weakly.
"What's going on out here?" A booming voice asked from behind me.
"Hagrid, thank goodness. Do you think you could carry Miss Granger up to the hospital wing?"
He looked down at me, "'ermione? What happen?"
I shook my head not trusting myself to speak, as he picked me up gently.
When we reached the castle Dumbledore was waiting for us and my heart began thumping madly, what had Harry and Ron told them?
He turned to us the usual twinkle in his eyes replaced with a stern look, "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, your assistance is no longer needed. Return to your dormitories immediately and I will expect you in my office in the morning after breakfast. "
My heart clenched in fear of what was to come. Was I going to be expelled?
"Minerva, would you mind seeing them to Griffindor Tower?" He asked before turning to Hagrid and me, "Hagrid, let us take Miss Granger to the hospital wing, I am sure she needs a proper look at and some rest."
The walk to the hospital wing was silent and when we arrived Madame Pomfery was already waiting and she quickly began poking and prodding me with her wand and asking me where I hurt. I turned to see Hagrid had left and Dumbledore was watching silently.
"Miss Granger, what happen?" Madame Pomfery asked me as she checked out the cuts on my hands and knees.
"W-well you see Harry, R-ron and I…we were in the forest when we h-heard something, we ran and I f-fell down." I finished lamely.
Madame Pomfery raised her eyes at me, clearly seeing through my lie.
"Miss Granger your ankle is swollen and your wrist maybe sprained, and simple fall would not do this much damage on your body," Madame Pomfery sighed and addressed the headmaster, "She will need a good night's rest, I can heal the ankle and wrist, but she will need to stay here for the rest weekend for her body to heal completely."
He nodded and she turned back to me with a stern look, "I will be back with a Sleeping Draught, but don't think you have gotten out of answering questions yet."
She bustled out of the room and I nervously turned to face Dumbledore, who was regarding me with a look I couldn't read.
He stepped up to my bed and sat in the chair beside me, "I will not ask you what happen in the forest tonight Miss Granger. But know that I am always here if you should ever feel the need to chat."
With that he stood up and walked into Madame Pomfery's office, and minutes later she can out with a vial in her hand and a goblet in the other.
"Drink it Miss Granger, you will feel better in the morning." She ordered, as she pulled the curtains around her bed shut.
I drained the goblet and was out before I could wonder what Professor Dumbledore and Madame Pomfery were discussing.
I woke covered in sweat and was instantly aware of some in the chair next to my bed. A hand clapped itself against my mouth before I could scream.
"Shhh, Granger. It's just me making sure you kept your mouth nice and shut, " Malfoy whispered, releasing my mouth, "I am assuming you have considering I am still here. I will meet you in a week in the 7th floor corridor. Bring no one, tell no one, and you might just get out of this alive."
I fell back asleep as he disappeared.
