Disclaimer: Still don't own anything. Wish I did though.

Author's Note: Shh…I was never here. I was so totally doing my German lesson when this was put up. And if you think this looks a little bit like another story you've read, try checking my profile for the latest news update.

Chapter Nine

The following morning, Hermione woke more sore than she'd ever been in her life, and that included after falling asleep at a common room table. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked around the room for Remus. She looked down to check herself and saw that the blanket she's went to sleep with had been transfigured into a set of pajamas.

"Good morning, Hermione Jane," Remus's voice from somewhere above her. "How do you feel?"

"Like bloody hell. Please tell me that that's some kind of pain killer," she replied, now being able to see him from her makeshift bed.

"Unfortunately, no. It's only a pepper-up potion, it will make you fell better though," Remus answered, handing her the potion and taking a seat on a nearby cushion.

Hermione swallowed the entire vial in one gulp. "Everything was so different."

"Yes, it takes a while to get used to. Especially for women who—" Remus broke off in embarrassment. Changing the subject, he said, "Hopefully, next time those four will listen to me. They could have been seriously injured or even killed."

"They were fine, Moony, besides you couldn't bite Harry."

Remus shook his head, there was nothing he could do to fight against Hermione Granger's temper, it would win in almost any fight. He said, "I've made an appointment to speak with Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing, so whenever you're ready we'll leave."

"What time is it?"

Remus glanced at a nearby clock. "Three-thirty in the afternoon."

Hermione stood up with the help of the older man; she was sore even after the potion's distant relief. It took a while to go up the stairs to the hospital wing, and when they finally entered, they saw that the professors were deep in a conversation, though they stopped as soon as they saw the pair.

"Goodness, come in you two and lie down, I'll get you fixed up," Madam Pomfrey ordered, bustling about, looking for her supplies.

Remus laid Hermione down one bed and then sat on the other. "Poppy, start with me first. I don't want Hermione healed quite yet."

"Remus, can you tell me why you wanted to speak with me so soon after your transformation?" Dumbledore inquired.

"And why I had to be here?" Snape drawled.

"Hermione was attacked a few days ago, Albus. By Slytherin students."

"And why wasn't this brought to my attention earlier?" the headmaster questioned.

"Honestly, I don't know. I didn't know of it myself until last night," Remus replied, looking sideways at Hermione.

"I'm eighteen, Moony, I can take care of myself," she answered.

"I know that Hermione Jane, and it's not that I think you're weak, no one who knows you thinks you're weak. But you seem to have a difficulty when thinking about consequences, hopefully that can be fixed during the three weeks of detention."

"Three? Yesterday it was only two."

"Yes, but now it's three weeks, to begin after Christmas holiday," Remus stated.

Dumbledore's laughter broke through their conversation. The blue-eyed wizard said, "I must admit, Remus, that I never expected you to be the first one to give Hermione Granger a detention. Not even Severus could do such a thing."

"Well, perhaps this will teach Hermione not to hide things from a professor."

"Or her lover," Severus sneered.

Before anyone else could say anything, Professor McGonagall asked, "Lover? Miss Granger—"

Dumbledore cut her off though, "Now, Minerva, I know for a fact that everything is perfectly legal. Miss Granger is of age and Remus is not forcing her into anything. I also know that Miss Granger's grades are her own. Any relationship between the pair should be encouraged and not dissolved." Then to Hermione, he asked, "Miss Granger, who were the students that attacked you?"

Hermione was a pale pink but still replied, "All seventh year Slytherin girls were there, but it was really Nott, Malfoy, and Crabbe that did the damage. Surprisingly, Goyle stated he could punch a defenseless girl, even if she was a 'half-breed Gryffindor mudblood whore'."

"Who's a whore?" Ron asked as the quartet entered the hospital wing.

"Hello Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, Snape," Harry greeted. "How's Hermione this fine morning?"

"We're about to see in a minute," the nurse answered. "Hermione, I'm going to transform what you're wearing into a swimsuit, is that all right?"

"Why do I have to be in a swimsuit?"

"Because I need to heal your wounds and I know that evidence for the attack will need to be presented. Besides, I'm sure you'd like you're friends to remain here with you, and three of them happen to be males."

"All right, fine," Hermione sighed. "Just please, not to daring, I have to be with these boys all holiday."

"Come on, Hermione, we'll even do it too," Harry coaxed, waving his wand over his clothes. Ron, George, and Ginny did the same, their clothes replaced with swimming attire.

Hermione smiled, they were putting themselves of wearing practically nothing in front of the most influential people of this year. Then looking towards Remus, she waited.

He simply raised an eyebrow though and asked, "Is there something I can help you with, Hermione Jane?"

"I'm waiting on you, Moony. If you don't change, I don't change."

"For the love of Merlin, can we get on with this?" Snape burst.

"Hermione Jane, I am not going to sit here in only a pair of trunks."

"Then I guess I'm never going to be healed," she replied stubbornly.

"Remus, just change, you know Hermione, she'll never change her mind once it's set."

Remus stared at the younger girl for a moment before letting out a reluctant sigh and transfiguring his own clothes. Hermione then risked a quick glance at his chest before requesting Remus's wand once again. With one simple flick, her normal clothing was replaced by a modest two piece, thus allowing Pomfrey to look at her stomach as well. And then with another flick, the concealment charm from earlier that week was gone.

Remus's eyes widen substantially, and there was a quick inhalation of breath from McGonagall. Harry's face saddened as he asked, "What happened, Hermione, and why didn't you tell us about this? It looks like you were lucky not to be in this bed before."

The normally quite pretty young witch, now had bruises, barely healing, placed all over her body, including a black eye and what looked like a skinned knee. "I'm fine, Harry, nothing to worry about."

"Like bloody hell, you're fine. Just let me get my hands on whoever did this, then they'll know real pain," count on Ron to be the first one with a threat. That wasn't the worst of it though; George and Ginny were already halfway to the door, muttering curses and names.

Halfway to the door was as far as they got though, for Dumbledore immediately cast a charm upon them, causing them to slid back to their original positions on the sleek floor.

Calmly, though solemnly, Professor Dumbledore announced, "There will be no need for that, students. I can assure you that those at hand will be dealt with according to my standards. I recommend that instead of storming down the halls of Hogwarts, that you remain here with your friend. She'll probably be more in want of company right now than a promise of harm to another student. No matter whom that student may be."

Then to his colleagues, he said, "Professor Snape, I would like you to gather the students, Miss Granger mentioned before and gather them in my office, if they are not at school currently please inform me, and we will deal with them upon arrival, if not sooner. Good day, Miss Granger."

With a bow of his head, Dumbledore was gone, followed by Snape, and lastly, Professor McGonagall. No one uttered a word as the elders left, that is until they were sure they were gone, and then once again, everyone was making headway for the door, guaranteeing to beat Snape to whomever they could. They didn't get any further though, as Remus had repeated the charm.

To the group, he stated, "You're going to remain here, everyone one of you, for Hermione. And if I hear anything about one of you attacking one of the Slytherins without my permission, you'll be wishing for death yourselves. Do you understand?"

"And what exactly, would receive permission from one such as you?" George inquired the usual gleam in his eye.

Hermione had to smile slightly in spite of herself. "Remus, don't encourage them."

"And why not? I can't just let people go around thinking they can attack my girlfriend whenever they wish."

"Because, Remus, you're supposed to be the adult of this group," Pomfrey answered. "And you, Miss Granger, will be finished as soon as you drink this potion. Now I must warn you, with all your injuries, you're going to be sore for quite a while."

Hermione took the vile, and downed it in one gulp, making her only comment, "At least it's not as bad as Wolfsbane."

"Are you ready to go to the Burrow, Hermione? Or do you want to remain here for a few days?" Remus asked.

Hermione looked at Pomfrey for a moment, and when she received no reason for her to remain, she replied, "I'd like to go to the Burrow, I only have a few more things to pack. But before we go, I'd like to speak to Remus, alone."

The school healer nodded and gently waved her friends to the door. When he knew they were out of earshot, Remus inquired with a smile, "What's wrong, Hermione Jane? Worried about not seeing me for the entire vacation? Well, don't worry, I'm bound to pop in every now and again."

Hermione didn't smile though, something was gnawing at her conscience. "Remus, I lied to you before. I never told my parents about being a werewolf."

Remus remained calm, though his face lost the smile. "I know that, Hermione Jane. Don't worry though, I'm not upset, but I have contacted them and set up a time when we're to come over and speak. I only asked you to see whether or not you would tell the truth, and you didn't, which, of course, will earn you another week of detention."

"You knew the entire time? Well, that's lovely. But do I honestly need another week? You've already given me three weeks worth, and what in the world am I supposed to do in that time?"

"I'll think of something. But until then, you might want to prepare what you're going to tell your parents. Now, do you want to get dressed and finish packing?" he asked as he pushed himself off the hospital wing bed.

Hermione stood once again, and started toward the door, stating, "Might as well."