Who are you?

„You did what?" Ginny flew off the handle when she heard where Hermione had left the present. Especially when she heard why.

"Oh Mione, that's stupid! Do you really think Malfoy would bother to do this only to annoy you?"

"I don't know. But I do know that he's following me even more these days and annoying me more than usual!", she spat out before sinking into her favourite armchair, pulling her legs to her chest and staring into the flames of the Gryffindor fireplace.

"Darling, you're just imagining that. You're a bit too stressed because of all this", Ginny said and stepped behind her best friend to start massaging her neck and shoulders. Shortly after, a small sigh escaped Hermione's lips.

"You have to switch off for a while. Empty your head of the stuff in it, of all the stuff. And as it happens I know the exact thing that will help you."

"And what?" Hermione looked exhausted up to her. Ginny grinned.

"A nice hot bath. You're a prefect. Lock yourself in the Prefect's bathroom and have some time for yourself. You'll see, after that you'll feel a lot better. And tomorrow after the lessons you'll take your necklace back and wear it so your admirer will see it and be happy", Ginny said with a wide grin and rolled her eyes when Hermione said "Only if it isn't cursed".

"Merlin, Mione. It won't be cursed. You'll see that I'm right. And now go to the bathroom", Ginny said and pushed her out of the common room.

Her friend probably was right. She was very sensitive right now, which wasn't exactly a surprise after the last two years. First at the end of Year Four when HE came back and murdered Cedric. And in Year Five the terror caused by Umbridge and the thing in the ministry. Then there were the news she read over and over again in the Daily Prophet. The fact that Death Eaters broke out of Azkaban, nearly every day Muggleborns disappeared or entire families were killed. Not a day passed by without horrific news. And then there was Malfoy, who also had some unknown intentions. He had done something at Borgin & Burke's or bought something. They had seen him but couldn't figure out what it was. Harry was now nearly completely sure that Malfoy joined the Death Eaters. This was something, which Hermione didn't believe or at least couldn't imagine, like coward he was. But with Lucius as father, who could possibly know what was really going on in Malfoy Manor?

Finally, she arrived at the Prefect's bath and tiredly murmured the password, the intention to leave her dark thoughts outside in mind and, like Ginny said, to have some time for herself. When she stepped into the room it was already full with steam. Either she wasn't alone or someone was here before her and forgot to empty the bath.

"Hello?", she called into the seemingly empty room, but didn't get an answer. She didn't saw anybody, too, so she thought her second guess was right. It wouldn't be the first time someone forgot to empty the bath and the house elves had to do it. It wasn't that much of a problem now, since she could directly go into the warm water with a slightly flowery smell.

She quickly took off her clothes and went into the water. In the end, she dived in completely. That was nice. This great warmth together with silence. Hermione nearly managed to stay under water for a minute until she needed oxygen and went up. A pleasant heat now wandered through her body, gradually relaxing her tense muscles and after a while carrying away the entire tension.

"That was a really good idea, Ginny", she murmured satisfied, when suddenly something clattered, making her jump in shock. She turned her head and saw a shadow disappearing behind the pillars. That meant, she wasn't alone after all. Shit, since when was that person here? Was he or she already here, when she had undressed?

After having that thought, Hermione felt a huge shame creeping through her body and she sank into the water, her head being the only visible thing and she shouted angrily: "Who is there?" But her stalker didn't show him- or herself. Of course not. He probably had seen more than enough! Dammit, why hadn't she checked everything properly. And where was her stupid wand?

With your clothes, a quiet taunting voice in her head said. Where else? A moment later she was next to her pile of clothes and let the mist disappear with a swing of her wand. She saw her stalker hastily running out of the bath, but still had not a clue who it might have been. He was too fast to recognize.

"Thanks!", she said sulkily, the relaxing effect being entirely gone. She stayed in the water for another while, but she just bubbled for herself and again vanished early into her tower straight to bed. For today she no longer wanted to see anyone. Least of all Won-Won and Lav-Lav, who entertained the entire common room with their making out sessions. The loud thud of the closing door was the last thing heard of her that evening.

During the next day, her mood was even worse. First the shit with Ron and then the thing in the bath yesterday. Damn, what crime did she commit that she was punished like this? The entire day unbearably dragged on. The homework they got promised another short night. She wouldn't even find time to read in her favourite book. She thought of skipping dinner and directly starting with her work. She didn't feel hungry anyway. But then Slughorn approached her happily.

"Miss Granger. Good to see you." Confused, she stopped and turned around to face the teacher.

"What is it, Professor?"

"Oh, nothing important. I just wanted to give you your necklace back", he smiled and held out the jewellery. Hermione totally forgot the gift due to too much stress, just like Slughorn guessed.

"Surely you didn't find time to visit me today."

"No. Sorry, Professor. I… I forgot", she confessed. Slughorn just waved it aside.

"Not a problem. I wanted to speak with you about the necklace."

"And?", Hermione asked nervously and Horace took her a bit to the side.

"You were right with your guess, my dear. On the necklace indeed lies a spell. A really old but powerful one."

"I knew it. When I can get my hands on you, I'll kill you", she growled and thought of all the possible incantations she could curse Malfoy with. Slughorn was slightly irritated by her words.

"But there is no reason for that. You would do better with thanking the person who gave you this."

"Thanking someone for trying to curse me?", she ranted, what Slughorn understood even less.

"Who said something about a curse?"

"You! Just some seconds ago."

"Oh no, no. You misunderstood me. I said on the necklace lies an old but powerful spell. But it isn't a curse. Definitely not."

"What?" Hermione looked confused at Slughorn. Horace just shook his head.

"No curse. No. Quite the opposite. It's a really powerful spell for luck and, more importantly, protection", the professor said what irritated her even more to the point the didn't understand anything.

"A… a spell for protection?"

"Yes. As I said, a very old, very powerful one. It could even be compared to Felix Felicis and I wanted to talk to you about that. You said it was a gift from a stranger?" She nodded and Horace gave her the angel's wing.

"So, if I'm being honest, I'd like to meet the one who put the spell on it. It's a rare spell and as such only known by some witches and wizards, and it's difficult to perform. It's nearly impossible to bind the magic to an object, like it was done here. If indeed a student was able to do this… I would be glad if you can introduce me to your secret admirer?", Slughorn smiled while his eyes sparkled due to the fact of maybe meeting another special person, like Harry and Hermione. But she just stared quietly and very, very thoughtful at the small jewellery and brushed, lost in thoughts, with her thumb against the wing.

A spell for luck? For protection? And a powerful, too, just like the Felix Felicis? Malfoy wasn't a possibility anymore. Never ever would he give her such a present. Something that was cursed, sure, no doubt, but nothing like this! But… then who?

"Would you introduce your friend to me, my dear?", Slughorn sing-songed sweetly. It was clear that he desperately wanted to meet the mysterious boy. Only did Hermione not have the slightest clue as to who was behind the letter and so she told her professor.

"I would like to but unfortunately I don't know myself who sent the owl. This was also the reason why I wasn't sure whether the necklace was cursed or not."

"Heavens, no. There is no trace of a curse on it. No Dark Magic is on the necklace. I made sure of it. It's obvious that someone wanted to do something good for you."

"I understand", she murmured with her thought far away and stared at her present making her smile after a while. In the end, she looked up at Slughorn again and held out the necklace.

"Would you help me?"

"Of course", Horace smiled before putting the jewellery around her neck and reminding her of his wish again. "If the young man gets in touch with you again, send him my regards and tell him, I'd like to meet him."

"I'll do that", she answered smiling and Horace answered with a smile an advice: "Take care of it. You probably won't get such a precious present a second time." The Gryffindor nodded.

"Again, thank you for your help, professor."

"Nothing to thank for, my dear. Anytime again", Slughorn smiled and bowed a little before disappearing into the Great Hall for dinner. Hermione stared after him but then turned her gaze back to the pendant taking it in her hand and looking at it.

"Who sent you to me?", she murmured quietly before going to the common room to begin with her assignments. But since then the question who was behind the letter never left her head.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Hope you like it. Until next time!