AN: Sorry this has taken so long. I've been at school and just had no time for it with homework and all that, so finally it is half term and here is the next chapter :) I think after this there will be one more chapter and that will be all but we'll see ;) R&R! enjoy…

" I can't do this, not anymore." Tears escaped her eyes as she turned away from him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest.

"Why? Everyone's fine with it, we're happy, I have never seen you so happy." He leant in and their lips brushed. She quickly pulled away and avoided eye contact. He couldn't bear to see her like this. It was hard to see but he swore he could see a red mark on her cheek. Something, or someone, was bothering her, being mean to her, not liking her with him. "Who is it?" He tried to sound caring, but the slight concern sinking into his eyes. Her eyes failed to hide what had happened. But with whom? "Who is it Hermione? Tell me!" He was becoming more impatient and she looked scared. He went to touch her cheek, but she gasped and winced. "Tell me what's going on!" He sounded more aggressive and tears fell from her face. He curled up on the floor next to her and as Draco tried to comfort her, she started sobbing.

"No…please don't hurt me…Ron I'm sorry, no…" Draco knew who it was.

Weasley.

"Hermione! What did he do? Why?" Draco was as worried as he was furious at the Weasel for hurting someone like this. She just turned away and cried, ashamed of herself for telling Draco. Ron was going to find out and… Hermione couldn't bear to think of what he would do to her.

"What did he do?" Fear crossed her eyes and she trembled as remembered that night…

"And when were you planning on telling me?" Ice ran through her spine as a rough hand grabbed her arm and twisted her around. She could see his eyes glint in the darkness, filled with nothing but pure hate. His hand rose up, and a hard fist slapped her cheek. A tear fell from her eyes, and the sting of his hand remained where it was.

"Pathetic." He shoved her with two hands and she smacked against the wall, her head aching, feeling like it was going to split open. She cried silently, not wanting him to hear her this vulnerable.

"You can wait for your precious boyfriend here." His words were filled with venom and hatred. She heard his footsteps get closer and winced, fearing what was going to happen. A hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her up so she was standing. She stared at the floor, not wanting to look at the eyes of the boy that betrayed her. He leaned in, as if about to kiss her, he entwined his hands in her hair, and as Hermione thought he was going to be gentle, he pushed back her head and slammed it into the cold stone wall. Fire seared through her and she seemed to be screaming, though she couldn't remember when she started. He swore under his breath, before turning and walking away. A light fell to the floor, and Hermione dared to look at it. A picture of her, Ron and Harry in their first year, all smiling and laughing, was slowly burning to ash. Their angelic faces turning brown before disappearing. Hermione gave up and burst into tears, sobbing and screaming, knowing no one would hear her. What seemed like days passed, though she couldn't be sure, it could've been a few minute for all she knew.

She heard two footsteps approaching and shrunk back into the wall. Not him, she wished, please don't let Ron be back. She felt a hand on her palm, but it wasn't threatening or harsh. She looked up and saw the familiar blonde hair, the face of the man that made Ron do this.

"He can't do this, you can't let him do this." Draco wrapped his arm around her and she cried into his shoulder. The cold that had filled her was slowly seeping out, and being replaced with he familiar warmth that came whenever she was with him. He kissed her, but gently, not wanting her to shrink away with fear.

"I'm here for you, Hermione. Don't you forget it." He stroked her hair and hugged her, but she just cried. He had to make Weasley pay for doing this to her. No one deserved this, just because their friend was jealous. He got up to go, but Hermione tugged at his arm.

"Please don't leave, he might… what if he comes…you're not getting hurt because of me…" she struggled to say anything because inside she was so broken and fragile.

"No Hermione, he can't get away with this." He picked Hermione up and carried her to her dorm. He said the password and laid her down on the bed. She curled up and tears fell from her eyes.

"I'll be back, you need some sleep." He kissed her on her forehead and left the room. Hermione watched him leave and almost felt happy, when she remembered what Ron had inflicted upon her.

And she thought of what Draco was about to do, and had to stop him.