Protection part 4 22/03/2010 13:48:00

Chapter four: Witness

Hey! Sorry, for not updating last weekend. I was at my dad's and he didn't have my story. Anyhoo, I am back. I want to thank Darkness' Chains, EEG, Reader2015, xxorangexxmonkeyxx, personeofconcern3000, natural love 95, unicorngirl14. And to MalfoyJonasCullen and Harmony2009 for putting this story on their favorite. =]

WARING: THIS CHAPTER HAS ABUSE AND LANGUAGE! YOU CAN'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU!

Disclaimer: Hold on the phone is ringing, it might be Jk.......................No, sucks. I guess I still don't own Harry potter. =[

HPOV:

A few days have passed without Harry or Ron. Draco has not let me out of his sight. He walks me to class and he is always waiting for me when I leave. We both think that I am safe in class. I doubt Harry or Ron would try something in front of a teacher.

In the evenings I help Draco with homework or, if he has Quidditch practice, read. People who see Draco and I walk together think we are discussing Head boy and girl duties. Sometimes I wish it was more, but I know that would never happen.

Nights are the worse. I fall asleep fine but Draco has to wake me up almost every night. I cry into his chest and he holds me until I drift back to sleep. I start to wonder if he ever sleeps. He has asked a few times what the nightmares are, but I can't tell him.

A hand rested on my shoulder. I flinch automatically before I notice the Malfoy Crest ring on the hand. I lean back into Draco. He wraps his arms around my stomach and rests his head on the top of my head. I close my eyes and feel safe. "Hermione?"

"Hmmm." I mumble.

"Blaise says asked us to do some last minute Quidditch practice. Will you be alright on your own?" He asks while turning me around so he can see my face.

I smirk up at him, "Draco, I have fought Voldemort, Death Eaters, Dementors, a three headed dog, and been petrified by Basilisk I think I can survive a few hours on my own. Plus no one knows the password."

He sighs, "I guess you're right." He kisses my forehead, "I will be back soon." He turns and leaves.

I sigh, "Hermione, get a grip! Stop fantasying!" I say to myself. I jumped when I heard tapping. I turn to see a school owl outside the window. I shake myself and opened the window. The owl hopped on the couch and held out it's leg. I untied the letter. The owl hooted once before being swallowed by darkness. Closing the window I broke the seal.

Miss Granger,

Your Astronomy lesson has been reschedule for tonight at 9 o'clock. Sorry for the short notice. See you there.

Professor Sinistra

I glance at the clock. It said 8:45. Wow, talk about short notice. Leaving the letter on my desk I grabbed my books and left for the Astronomy Tower.

Getting there with a minute to spare I look around. It was empty. "Hello?" I called out. The door behind me creaked shut. "Hello Mudblood."

I gulp. I was trapped. Harry stepped out from the shadows. Ron came from behind and covered my mouth. I struggled but Ron was too strong. Harry walked up to me and creased my face. " I see your face has healed." He was so close that his breath tickled my cheek.

I bit Ron's hand hard and tried to run but Harry grabbed my hair. I screamed. Someone's knee coiled with my gut. Doubling over I asked, "What do you want from me? What did I do to deserve this?"

"Do!? You get everything because everyone thinks you are so perfect. You should have died instead of Fred or Collin. They didn't deserve to die! You should have saved them and died!" Shouted Harry.

"Mudbloods taint the Wizard world." Said Ron.

"After all we've been through, you go against me? You are mad because I didn't die?" I gasp as Ron punches me in the ribs.

"Not now Ron!" Hissed Harry, "We must wait for our audience."

"What audience?" I ask.

"Good question Mudblood. Ron tie her up while I explain." Ron grabbed my arms and started tying them behind my back, "Where was I, ah yes, audience. Well you see the letter we sent you was enchanted. When you look at it the letter says something about the lesson, right?" He slaps me when I don't reply." Right?" I nodded.

"Well, when Malfoy reads the letter it will say 'Draco, I have a surprise for you. Meet me in the Astronomy Tower.'" My eyes widened. "Yes, Mudblood, Malfoy is going to watch."

DPOV:

I left Hermione alone, praying that everything was going to be fine.

When I got to the field the sun had almost set. I could hear Blaise shouting. Smirking I grabbed my broom and flew into the stadium. Just when feet touched the ground Blaise was in my face, "Draco! Was this a joke to you!? You say we are having last minute practice but you show up 45 minutes late!"

"Whoa, slow down Blaise. I didn't say we were having extra practice, you did."

"What? No, everyone said they got a letter from you saying to be here at 8. I sent everyone back to the castle 15 minutes ago."

"Why would I send myself a letter then show up late if I planned it? Huh, Blaise?"

"I don't know. Maybe it was a joke." Blaise said rubbing his chin.

"A prank? Really, I mean who would do-" I stopped. "Blaise, who did I sign my name?"

Blaise looked confused, "Malfoy. I was going t o ask you about that because you normally sign Dra-" I interrupted him.

"Hermione." I breathed. I jumped on my broom and flew to the entrance hall leaving a very confused Blaise behind. I ran up the five floors to the Head common room. After a quick "Teamwork" I flew into the living room.

"Hermione!" I yelled, fearing the worst. When she didn't reply I looked in her room. Nothing. Running passed her desk I saw a lone piece of parchment. I picked it up and read it, eyes widening. "No!" I ran to the astronomy tower. When I arrived I hear a gasp followed by a laugh. I followed the sound to a door. Turning the knob I stepped into a dark room.

"So nice for you to join us Malfoy."

The lights flicked on as I turned to see Ron and Harry standing shoulder to shoulder. My hands clenched into fists. "Where is she?" I growled. Ron and Harry looked at each other before splitting. There in the middle of them was Hermione. Blood trickled down her cheek and her hands were bound. I rushed forward only to be flung backwards by a force field.

"Expelliarmus!" yelled Ron.

My wand flew towards them and was caught by Harry. He smirked before mumbling a spell. Ropes wrapped around my hands and legs. Caught off guard I fell to my knees. Hermione's eyes widen and started to say something by Ron punched her.

"Don't touch her!" I struggled against my bonds.

Ron looked at me with a smirk, "Come on Malfoy, have you gone soft?"

"Ron, stop." Pleaded Hermione, "Stop taunting him. Just do what you want, but leave him out of this."

My eyes widened," Hermione, are you crazy?"

Here eyes met my shock ones, her eyes full of fear and pleading. I finally understood. She wanted them to think they weren't effecting her. I nodded slightly.

"Enough chit chat." Harry raised his wand at Hermione, "Crucio!" Hermione screamed and fell to the ground. Harry laughed and lifted the spell. Hermione tried to move but Ron hit her with another Crucio.

"Stop! Please!" I yelled.

Harry chuckled, "You're right. Ron." Ron looked up. My gaze dropped to the third member of the once Golden Trio. She was breathing heavily and crying. She lifted her head and her tear filled eyes looked at Harry and Ron. Then at me. She mouthed, "Help me." Suddenly Harry turned on her.

HPOV:

Harry turned to face me. Ron came around to my back. I was cornered. I tried to run but tripped over my books. "Crucio!" someone yelled. I screamed. Darkness threatened to take me. I faintly heard Draco screaming my name. Suddenly the pain was gone.

Panting I licked the blood from my lip. Harry stepped on my leg and I screamed when bones broke, "You bustard!" I hissed. Pain hit me again. Wiggling on the floor I yelled stop over and over again. Again the pain stopped.

"Hermione! Don't touch her!" growled Draco, " I will-"

" Silencio!" yelled Ron.

Draco stopped talking and just glared. I smiled, sitting up I faced Ron and Harry, "Crucio!" Back on the ground I went.

By midnight I was barely conscious. I had a broken leg and a swollen eye and lip. Turning just before they descended the stairs Ron turned and said, "Till next time Mudblood." He dropped Draco's wand and mine along with a note. Crawling to the wands and note I unsilenced Draco and untied him.

DPOV:

As soon as the ropes disappeared I was at Hermione's side. Her eyes were closed and her breathing shallow. I quickly untied her hands and gently picked her up. Halfway out the door she whispered, "Don't…..forget the….note." I turned and saw the note. Picking it up I walked towards the hospital wing.

Hermione stirred. Her eye opened. "No, no." she looked up at me, "No, common room."

" 'Mione, you need medical help." Before I even finish she is shaking her head. Reluctantly I changed course.

When we reach the common room I set her on the couch. She sits up and exams her leg. "Episkey." She winced when her bones healed. I tried to look at her but she wouldn't make eye contact.

I watched as she walked to the bathroom. I want to kill those bastards. A yelp from the closed bathroom door makes me run to the door. "Hermione?"

"Sorry. Just fixing my eye." Came the response.

"You sure?"

"Yes, get some rest. You need it."

"Okay." I say reluctantly. I didn't want to sleep but I didn't want to push her either.

As soon as I enter my room exhaustion hits me. I quickly change. Something hits the floor. It was the note. Picking it up I placed it on my dresser. I then climbed into bed and laid there. Sleep just claimed me when hear a scream. I bolt out of bed and into Hermione's room. There she sat sobbing on the floor. When I walked up to her she pointed to her walls. I look up to see BITCH and MUDBLOOD written in red paint.