She felt those relenting hands drag her through the porthole and immediately she became concerned…not for herself, but for Draco. Panicking, she twirled behind her only to see nothing. Blood pounded through her body as her heart raced and sweat broke out. She was scared.

She tried to break free from Ron's tight hold but she couldn't. She noticed that the common room was deserted…he must've been waiting for her. Another pang of fear gripped her as she struggled and twisted against his hold, but it was unrelenting. He started to drag her to the couch, there was no light but she knew that once on it, it would be harder to escape. Horrible thought and images ploughed through her brain as she was consumed will paralysing fear and panic but she managed somehow to retrieve her wand with her free hand. Ron glanced back with a look of pure animalistic hunger that it shook her to her very core; she pointed her wand, her hand shaking violently and screamed the first spell that came to mind:

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The effects were immediate as Ron's hands snapped to his side, freeing Hermione in the process, the look of fury on his face remained etched as he slumped backwards onto the stony floor and landed with a loud thump. Hermione, wand still raised, stared with confusion, fear and shock emanating from her body as she began to shake violently. She felt warm on her uninjured wrist…Outside now. Was all it said and she felt herself move backwards, wand still raised until she reached the wall, then with one final, terrified look she bolted.

Once outside, she heaved and began to sob uncontrollably, Draco pulled the cloak from him and held her while he began to walk them both down the corridor. Hermione took no notice; she was just relieved to be in Draco's safe arms again. When she finally stopped sobbing, she looked up to find herself outside the famous gargoyles known to guard Professor Dumbledore's office. As if on silent command, they gave them way and they made their way up the stone steps. To Hermione, each step was like a boom of thunder and made her heart throb. Before they could even knock a soft voice called through the old wooden door.

"Enter" and the door swung open of its own accord.

"Ah Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger, what brings you to my office at such a late hour?" questioned the soft voice of Albus Dumbledore. He sat behind his desk with fingers entwined as he studied the pair through his half-moon spectacles. They approached the two seats and Draco placed Hermione gently into one while he stood next to her, she never let go of her almost desperate grip on his arm. He cleared his throat:

"Well Sir, there was an incident tonight which I feel went too far and needs to be dealt with." Draco began. Dumbledore motioned for him to continue with a slight nod, "Over the past years, there have been occurrences between Hermione here and Ronald Weasley and tonight it has went too far. You see sir, he has been harassing Hermione but it was only in the last couple of weeks that he became more violent. He forced himself on Hermione once and she rejected him and earlier they had a fight and just minutes ago he grabbed her when she entered the Tower and it was clear his intentions…" Draco broke off as Hermione began sobbing again, he knelt and held her.

Professor Dumbledore stared at the two, gone was the softness. Now his face portrayed anger and disgust. He rose and motioned to one of the awakened pictures, whispering he gave instructions and the man disappeared. He strode over to the pair and much to their surprise; he knelt and took Hermione's wrist, examining the now violent purple and black bruises formed there.

"Miss Granger is Mister Weasley still in Gryffindor Tower?" he asked gently. She could only nod, not finding the courage to speak. He turned to Draco, "Mister Malfoy, I assure you that I will take care of this presently. In the meantime, would you please go fetch Mister Potter?" Draco nodded and with one last squeeze of Hermione's hand he strode from the room, she stared at the door as he left.

Five minutes had passed and she never noticed that Dumbledore had left her side to sit behind his chair again. The door opened and instead of Draco and Harry, Professor McGonagall walked in, flustered but also accompanied by Fred, George and Ginny Weasley who groggily rubbed her eyes.

"Headmaster what is going on?" McGonagall's shrill voice echoed.

"It seems there has been a serious incident in Gryffindor Tower and I'm afraid I have to take immediate action. Ah, Harry and Draco, welcome back." The pair more or less ran into the room and straight to Hermione The Weasley children peered questionably between the Headmaster and the shaking girl before them, fear knawed at Fred's stomach. Something bad had happened.

"It seems that young Mister Ronald Weasley has been harassing Miss Granger here and it has turned swiftly to violence and tonight it proceeded to attempted. He has been taken to hospital wing and I've left instructions for him to be held there until I decide what to do with him. Now Misters Weasley…I need complete honesty, has Ronald ever expressed thoughts of a…violent nature towards Miss Granger to you?"

It was Fred who spoke first. Looks of shock turned to disgust and anger.

"No, but…"

"But we have been watching him and seen a…" joined his twin, it was common practice that the finished each other's sentences.

"A few disturbing things. We attempted to talk to him but…"

"But, he wouldn't listen. You see, he has been violent and disrespectful towards certain people and…"

"And particularly towards Hermione here. We no longer doubt that..." Fred stopped a lump blocked his throat and his face was unnaturally pale. George saw this and continued for him.

"That he would have went too far, especially from the way he looks at Hermione. It's like a hunger and hate, so yes we do believe that he is capable sir." George concluded and rested a hand on his twin whilst cradling his distraught sister into his side; he looked down at Hermione who was frozen in shock. He noticed her injured wrist and openly flinched. He was prepared to disown his brother for his disgusting acts. Hermione twitched her sleeve down and looked flushed with shame, she hadn't meant to cause such trouble and tear a family apart...

"Thank you both. Professor McGonagall, please detain Mister Ronald Weasley in your office until his parents arrive, Misters Weasley can you go to fireplace and flu them? Thank you." As the Professor left and the twins moved towards the fireplace, Dumbledore turned his attention to Hermione who was currently being flanked by her two friends though she noticed the youngest girl stare at her with such hurt it made her heart pang. She left the safety of harry and Draco and strode closer to the red head.

"I am sorry." She whispered, not looking her in the eyes. She heard a gasp then quick footsteps before she was crushed by the force of her arms around her. The sobbing girl hugged her close and it was a comforting contact.

"You have nothing to apologise for Hermione. It was all my idiot brother's doing. You did nothing wrong." Ginny whispered into her ear. Hermione returned the hug with as much force, she needed this.

"Thank you."

"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore cleared his throat and both girls let go each other and turned looking sheepish. "You are to be provided with alternative accommodation and I would like Mister Malfoy, Mister Potter, Misters Weasley and Miss Weasley to reside there with you. Is that agreeable? I assure you that none of the other Weasley's express the views of their brother so you will be safe." He entwined his fingers and stared into Hermione's brown eyes with his twinkling blue ones.

"Yes sir, that sounds just fine with me, thank you" she said quietly with a raspy voice due to crying, both Harry and Draco nodded in agreement, while the Twins merely stared. They looked at each other, then towards Hermione and then both Harry and Draco who defiantly stared back. They nodded.

"Good. Ah Mister and Mrs Weasley welcome. Children please go down the hall and wait in the first classroom to your left. I will join you shortly." With that he turned his attention to Mr and Mrs Weasley who were flustered and shaking with fury and disbelief.

The group left stunned and silent, each lost in his or her thoughts.