Chapter 9

AN: Thank you all that had reviewed, favorite and follow this story. I am blessed with your time, reviews, follows and favorites. Thank you.

To my lovely beta BernerMom. THANK YOU!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Faol Greyback and the plot.

Hermione was surprised by the force of her landing after the apparition. Faol has taken her to an unknown location. Catching her breath Hermione started beating and yelling at Faol.

"Why did you take me away? Harry was injured! My Father, brother, family and friends are still there fighting!" she yelled at him.

"Hermione, STOP!" Faol yelled back. "You are my priority; I did what needed to be done. End of discussion." He was so furious, he turned his back to her.

Hermione fell on the floor sobbing. "All the people that care for me end up dying. Why did I survive? I don't won't to lose any one else. I am tired of fighting, tired of this persecution," she cried looking at Faol with accusatory eyes. "You left them…How could you? I need to go back. Harry…"

"Hermione…" he started.

"Don't Hermione me, Faol Greyback. You of all people know that I will never cower from a fight, that I will never leave anyone behind," she demanded, poking his chest with every word.

He knew that she was angry, so he let her vent all her frustrations, even if he was on the receiving end. "Merlin the fire in her eyes" he thought to himself. He felt the need to protect her, to be near her, not only because he was one of her personal guard, but because of so much more. Even at Hogwarts he had felt this way. Always watching her, always making sure she was okay. When she was petrified, or when someone bullied her, he was around protecting her. When his grandfather approached him with this job, he had been reluctant because he was never told who he was going to protect. But when he arrived at Queen Mauve's palace and was showed who his charge was, he accepted the job on the spot. He did not care about the money, he had plenty from the jobs he did for the goblins, as well as his inheritance. He did it for the opportunity of being in the open with her. No more secret meetings, no notes to send by owl, no secret notebook that allowed them to write to each other without the knowledge of others, camouflaged as homework. Stopping her tirade towards her friend, Hermione became aware of her surroundings for the first time. Looking around, she saw flowers in bloom, and her favorite tree where she had read. Was this her garden? "Faol, are we at Hogwarts?"

"Not precisely. We are in a suspended pocket dimension that your grandmother, Queen Mauve, created for you. At Hogwarts, this was a garden you could use as a sanctuary for solace. She has been protecting you all your life. She knew you were bullied at Hogwarts, and knowing that she could not protect you as she had done in the muggle world, she created this for you with the help of Amora, a Hogwarts elf." He continued his explanation as he helped her sit on a bench. "At your muggle school, she would always send someone to comfort you. Remember the birds you always talked to that found your stuff when it went missing, or comforted you when you cried? Those were sentinels from Her Majesty that were there to make sure you were safe. They were on strict orders not to interfere with the muggles unless something unexpected occurred. As for how we are here, when you befriended me, you gave me access, allowing me here. Not even Potter can find you here. You are very important and loved. Even if you fail to see it because of how stubborn and independent you want to be."

When he looked at her, what he saw made him angry and pissed with the situation. She needed a break. He had never seen her so broken. Gone was the beautiful and kind hearted friend that let a Lycan be her friend when everyone else just ignored him.

"Hermione, this will sound harsh, but what the hell is going on in that head of yours?" he stood and start pacing and pulling his hair. "You are brilliant, and courageous, with a big heart. But this, this person that is in front on me, is not my friend. This person is defeated, stubborn, and selfish. When things do not go her way, or she feels cornered, she goes for the brilliant idea of creating havoc. Who are you?" he finished, stopping in front of her and looking at her.

Hermione was stunned and speechless.

Before she was able to refute his accusations and yell at Faol they heard, "Well said, Faol." The two jumped at the voice of Queen Mauve, "Please leave us now. I have much to discuss with my granddaughter."

Bowing to her Faol, disapparated to 's. He knew that Hermione will appreciate information about her friends and family.

"Now Hermione…" Queen Mauve started before she was fiercely hugged by Hermione.

"Are you ok? They did not get to you? How about the others, my Father, Adrian?" Hermione rushed.

"Stop child. Everyone is fine. When you set that shield over us, every single hex bounced off. I never suspected you were so powerful. You will be seeing them soon. Remember that time here passes very slowly. I know your father would go crazy if more than a few minutes passed without him knowing your whereabouts," the queen chuckled. "Humans, so complicated." She stopped and looked around. "Sometimes I surpass even my own expectations. This place is beautiful," she said, admiring her work with pride.

"Well let's review your life a little. We have to start somewhere, so let's start from the beginning."

In front of Hermione, a big transparent screen appeared with it the image of a beautiful woman on it. This woman had long brown silky locks of hair, a wonderful and kind smile, and twinkling brown eyes. She was not tall, and her body was full with child.

"Mom," was the only word out of Hermione's mouth.

In another part of the country a set of Death Eaters were meeting to form a revenge plan. That day's failure was something that fueled their rage. But revenge was best served cold, so it could be savored.