Hermione was cautious as she walked to the Great Hall. She was prepared for an attack from a Slytherin or the Carrows, though they were the same she supposed. Malfoy, being the git he was, had left her alone after telling her to watch her back. Not many people were happy with her return, evidently. Quite frankly, even she was disappointed to be at Hogwarts. It wasn't the same. It wasn't home. There wasn't even a way for her to make herself feel less homesick. All of her belongings, besides her wand and current outfit, were at the Burrow. She was forced to clean her clothes with magic everyday, though it was better than before, when she was locked up in that god forbidden room with Alecto.

She shuddered.

"Hermione."

Ginny, Neville, and Luna stood outside the Great Hall, waiting for her. They gave her small smiles of relief and enveloped her in hugs. Ginny's eyes ran over her body, scanning for any marks of abuse.

"I'm okay," Hermione said reassuringly. "No one bothered me. They're all at breakfast."

As they entered the Great Hall, there was a silence that fell upon the chattering. Eyes once more stared deeply into Hermione, as if they were unsure of whether or not it was actually her. She clenched her hands into fists in attempt to quell the shaking in her hands, wanting to show no weaknesses to those vile snakes that smirked at her.

The four of them sat and began to eat, ignoring the others. Luna found herself at ease amongst the Gryffindors. Nowadays, Ravenclaw showed more loyalty with Voldemort. She stared off with a dazed look on her face, giving the impression of a blank mind. However it was clear to those who knew her that the gears in her hear were turning and that she was thinking about something incomprehensible to those inept to her mentality.

"They're punishing the blood-traitors," Neville said, his voice hushed and barely above a whisper. "Yesterday a Hufflepuff was cornered by Crabbe and Goyle. He's in the Hospital Wing."

"They haven't dared to come near me yet," Ginny added. She clutched her wand in her hand and gave a wicked grin. "It's a shame, really. I've been itching to do a Bat-Bogey Hex," she muttered.

Hermione nudged the younger witch with her elbow but grinned back nonetheless. "We have to find a way to keep the others' hopes up," she murmured seriously. "Harry and Ron will be back. We have to be prepared for it."

"Prepared?" Neville furrowed his eyebrows.

"To fight," Ginny elaborated. "The war, Nev."

He blanched, the color slowly draining from his face as he rubbed his palms on his lap to wipe away the moisture covering them. He nodded in understanding then looked away for a moment. His warm brown eyes stared at the Headmaster's seat, where Snape now sat. His fingers curled slightly, and his shoulders tensed. The man who spend the past several years tormenting him sat in a chair he didn't deserve.

"What about the DA?" Neville asked.

The name of the forgotten club chilled Hermione to her bones. It was strange to hear it, especially after everything that had happened. Dumbledore's Army. It was fitting of their current situation.

"Hardly anyone is left. Someone is bound to notice something if the ones remaining suddenly disappear in the middle of the night," Ginny said. She frowned and chewed on her lip. "Perhaps..." Her voice trailed off. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat and took a sip of her pumpkin juice. "I can ask around and see if any of the remaining members are interested."

"It would be fun," Luna suddenly said. "It'll be like-"

She paused before closing her mouth. Everyone knew the end of her sentence.

It'll be like before.

"Be safe today. We don't know what the Slytherins have planned." Hermione gave them all a pointed look. She turned to the other Gryffindors and whispered the same message.

"That's not entirely true," Luna said. She glanced at the Slytherin table. Her clear blue eyes scanned over the people that sat there, laughing and freely chatting without fear of being overheard. "I heard that they're using they'll crucio students as punishments."

All possible color that remained in Neville's face fell, and his eyes flickered as he began to sway in his seat. Hermione reached out to grab his shoulders, digging her fingers into his shoulders to anchor him to reality.

"Nev," she said softly. "Neville breathe."

He shook violently and glared at his empty plate. His breaths were ragged and shallow. Crucios as punishments, he thought. How Slytherin of them. It wouldn't be the first time someone sent a crutiatus curse at him and his family. Magic crackled around him, pulsating in waves. He clenched his hands into tighter fists. Suddenly his plate cracked in half, causing a gasp from those around him.

Ginny quickly repaired it, muttering the spell under her breath before any of the professors noticed.

"Neville," Hermione murmured. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."

His eyes bore into her and he slowly nodded after a few moments, letting her words sink in. "Yeah," he whispered. "It'll be okay."

Hermione never thought there would be a day when she dreaded going to classes. She stood at the front of the new Dark Arts classroom, the rest of the Gryffindors a step behind her. Her eyes shined brightly as she stared at the group of students that smirked at them all. The numbers were uneven, she noticed. More Slytherins stood across from them than ever before. Their arrogant faces only drove the Gryffindors closer to the brink of starting a war right then and there. But with a calm wave of Hermione's hand, the lions kept their ground steady and refrained from attacking.

"I will be choosing your partners for the year," Amycus said as he stood between the two groups. "When I call your names, stand with your partner to the side."

Hermione's eyes landed on Draco, who was staring at the wall blankly. He seemed disinterested in the class, unlike his classmates who were practically shaking with excitement.

"Longbottom, Crabbe. Brown, Parkinson. Granger, Malfoy."

He looked at her. His grey eyes pierced her as they gave her a cold glare. Draco walked to the side of the room, and Hermione followed, keeping a distance from him. The knots in her stomach twisted as she thought about being paired up with him all year. Was it not bad enough that they shared a dorm together? No. This year was not supposed to be enjoyable for her. She was only here for bait, she reminded herself.

Once everyone was with their counterparts, Amycus clasped his hands together loudly, getting the attention of the students. The corners of his lips tugged up in a semblance of a smile, though it showed no warmth or kindness. There was a sort of sneer to it, as if it was mocking the very action of smiling. He pointed his wand at Neville and out shot a white light that barely missed the boy's arm. A yelp rang out in the air, and the Slytherins laughed.

Hermione gripped her wand tightly and found herself taking a step towards Amycus with the intent of sending a hex his way. A cold hand wrapped tightly around her wrist and yanked her back before the professor noticed.

"Don't even think about it, Granger," Draco said through gritted teeth. He squeezed her wrist tighter for effect, then pushed her wrist away as if it was offensive.

Vile git, Hermione thought. She ached to show the Carrows just how much she could hurt them now that she wasn't bound and wandless. But perhaps Malfoy stopping her was a good idea. After all, even if she hurt the Carrows, nothing would stop them from hurting Neville or Ginny or anyone else she cared about.

"Today you all will be dueling," Amycus announced.

He specified nothing else. No boundaries within spell use was told. It was a free for all: their own little battle right then and there, and he was moderating it. He waved his hand, motioning for the students to start. His dark brown eyes rolled exasperatedly.

"Must I do everything for you worthless lot?"

There was a silence that fell upon them, until it was broken by a loud outcry.

"Stupefy!" Crabbe was the first to attack. Red light shot from his wand, aimed towards his partner.

"Protego!"

Crabbe was knocked back, stunned and slightly alarmed.

Lavender Brown stood defiantly, her wand pointed at the Slytherin. She reached out to pull Neville out of Crabbe's way before sending back a curse. "Petrificus totalus!"

Hermione didn't recognize the girl in front of her. Was that really Lavender Brown? The ditzy bimbo that pined after Ron for years? She never seemed much good for anything other than gossip, but now she seemed ready to tear the head off of Crabbe for attacking her fellow Gryffindor.

"Levicorpus!" Pansy spoke up, aiming at the blonde.

The rest of the class followed, breaking out into duels. Hermione found herself at the end of many Slytherins' wands. Neville pressed his back against hers as they found themselves surrounded by Gregory Goyle, Draco Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass, and Millicent Bulstrode. The warmth of his body pressed against hers briefly reminded her that she wasn't alone.

"Reckon what Harry and Ron would think of this," Neville said under his breath.

"They would have a fit," she answered, her eyes never leaving the Slytherins before her. "Tarantallegra!" It was sent towards Daphne, who wasn't quick enough to react. Instantly the girl's legs began to move, forcing her to dance uncontrollably. It was amusing, though Hermione had little time to appreciate it as three spells were sent her way, red lights flashing.

"Duck!" Neville shoved her to the ground, taking the impact of the spells himself. He fell to the ground beside her, unconscious.

Hermione jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain in her knees and hands from falling. "Expelliarmus!" Hermione sent it towards Draco. Her eyes flashed as she found herself grabbing his wand as it flew out of his hand.

His wand. I have his wand! Hermione opened her mouth to send a curse, but found herself being tackled to the floor. Air was knocked out of her lungs as Draco pinned her down, his hands grabbing for his wand. A cry left Hermione's lips as she tried to shove him off of her. Her hands beat against his chest, though it seemed to have no effect.

"Give me the wand, Granger," Draco hissed. "Don't make this harder for yourself."

"Fuck. You," she spat in his face.

With his wand, she send out a curse, this time towards the Carrow that stood in the middle of the room, watching the chaos unfold around him.

"Locomotor mortis!"

Their professor fell over, his legs locked together. A string of profanity left his lips. His eyes immediately met with Hermione's. They narrowed into fine slits, before he pointed his wand at her.

"Crucio."