A/N- Thank you so much for the support, y'all! None of my other stories received this much positive feedback so I am pumped! Y'all are the bomb. Congrats to Shola2001 on being the 200th reviewer!

Disclaimer: In my wettest dreams, I own Harry Potter and Co. Unfortunately, reality is what I live in and that means I don't own shit. The banks don't lie.

Chapter 11

September 8, 1995

Draco spread marmalade on his toast and listened to the whispers swirl around him. Everyone was talking about how attentive he had been with Hermione the last few days, but nobody seemed to have the courage to ask why. He knew that several of his friends had received post the night before, most likely with instructions from their parents to be nice to Hermione, but he had received nothing from Lucius. He couldn't help but wonder if it was for other reasons or his father was just too busy licking the feet of a madman.

His answer came just minutes later when a large eagle owl swooped down and dropped a letter on his plate. While he already knew what was in the pages, Draco knew he would have to read it for show. He knew for a fact that Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy all reported to their fathers. He fed the owl a piece of bacon before spelling the parchment open so he could read it. He was unsurprised at what he found.

Draco,

I heard the most interesting news yesterday and we need to adjust your actions in school. I was informed that Severus is the Dark Lord's son and one Hermione Granger is his daughter. While I haven't heard it yet, there is a prophecy in regards to the girl that will bring us power. I need you to do your best to get close to her, to become her friend.

The Dark Lord has ordered her pet Weasel's death as well. If you can manage it without being caught, you would have the Dark Lord's favor. He may even give you his granddaughter's hand in marriage. Severus informed us that you found her after her attack and carried her to the Hospital Wing. Keep up this good behavior and you'll have her eating out of your hand quicker than you realize. Women like to feel that they're important, so play into that.

Keep me updated,

Father

Draco shook his head and rolled the parchment back up so he could let Potter and Hermione read it. It wasn't anything the three of them weren't expecting, but he assumed they would want to know. He wasn't expecting for Theo to lean over and nudge his letter. The whole table went silent when the sandy-haired Slytherin spoke.

"Your father say the same as mine?" Draco shrugged, deciding he needed to play it close to the chest at first. These people were his friends, but Hermione had already become so important to him. The last thing he wanted was for her to be hurt.

"That would depend on what your father said, Theo." His friend actually met his gaze. For just a moment, it was unnerving to look Theo in the eyes and see Hermione gazing back at him. The eye color must have been a trait from their mother.

"He said that Snape is the Dark Lord's son and Granger is his daughter. She's my missing half-sister."

Whispers erupted up and down the table and Draco wasn't quite sure what to do. Should he agree with Theo, or try to deflect the notice from Hermione to Snape? Deciding that he needed to do just as his public persona would do and act like he had extra information, he nodded.

"Yes. He's also congratulating me for making sure she got to the Hospital Wing after the Weasel attacked her." Everyone leaned inward to hear every syllable. Theo didn't disappoint.

"Did he hurt her badly?" There was almost a protective gleam in Theo's eyes and Draco was reminded once again that she was his sister. He wondered if Theo would go out of his way to cultivate a relationship with her.

"He nearly raped her, told her he was going to obliviate her afterwards. He beat her up pretty good, cuts, bruises, and some internal damage. That's what caused her glamour to break." Pansy finally broke the silence by sniffing the air imperiously.

"Well she still isn't very pretty. With Professor Snape as her father, who would be?" Draco began to pick invisible lint off his robes before speaking.

"You're entitled to your opinion, Pansy, but I wouldn't broadcast them like that. She is the Dark Lord's granddaughter and he expects her to be treated with the respect she's due." Pansy sniffed again and crossed her arms over her chest, but remained silent. Draco turned his attention to the test of the table.

"If all of you were smart, you'd do as the Dark Lord asks. I've seen what he can do to those that displease him." Draco stuffed his letter in his robe pocket and his toast in his mouth before standing.

"Good day." As he walked away he thought he heard Blaise Zabini speak just loud enough that he could hear him.

"That answers the question of why he's been up Granger's arse." Draco just grinned to himself and went about his merry way. Let them think what they wanted.

-O-

Severus watched as the familiar eagle owl belonging to Lucius Malfoy swept down and dropped a letter on Draco's plate. Honestly, he was surprised that Lucius had waited this long to write his son.

Severus was on what muggles called cloud nine after his conversation with Hermione the day before. It still wasn't the strength of the love she had obviously shared with her muggle father, but it was more than he had thought to receive so early in the relationship.

While Severus could admit that he was jealous of her love for her muggle parents, he couldn't hate the people that had cared for and loved his daughter. They had shaped her into such a wonderful human being, one that knew forgiveness and love. Most would think that Severus wasn't deserving of those emotions, but Hermione didn't care what others thought. She truly was a treasure.

He couldn't help but wonder how it would go over when she realized that Draco and Potter were her two mates. She clearly thought that Divination was a wooly subject at best, she wouldn't want to base her life choices on words spoken by some forgotten Hufflepuff third year. It was undeniable, however. He could feel the power emanating off the three of them when they were together. It was quite exciting to witness, although not from a father's perspective.

As a father, the thought of Potter and Draco chasing after his baby girl scared the life out of him. He remembered what it was like to be fifteen and sixteen, and while he had been an awkward teen, he had had no problem getting what he wanted from girls and going about his merry way.

Severus didn't think for a second that Hermione would be easily swayed by pretty words, but he did know that she was sensitive and loved too easily. The last thing he wanted was for her to be hurt by those she cared about most. He knew that Draco had been in love with her since their third year, it had been quite obvious to those that knew the boy well, but he had also been known to spend his time with other females in his House. For as Gryffindor as it sounded, Draco made his most irrational decisions in the heat of the moment. If he were to hurt Hermione because he was angry with her and decided to keep company with Parkinson or the like, Severus would probably kill him.

Potter made him feel a bit better about the relationship. The boy was loyal to a fault, except in the instance of Weasley after he hurt Hermione. It had been no secret that Weasley and Potter had fought last year at the beginning of the tournament because the redhead had been jealous. Severus still shook his head at the Weasel's stupidity. Potter was an arrogant berk half the time, but he didn't seek attention. Not that Severus would ever say those words out loud unless he was under the threat of a wand.

While Potter had consorted with other females, it was never as flashy as what Draco did. He doubted that Hermione even knew about Potter and the other girls. His love and devotion for and to her made Severus feel better. He would never want to hurt Hermione so it would keep his cock in his pants.

Severus was drawn out of his surly parental thoughts when someone jabbed him in the ribs with a sharp elbow. He turned to glare at Dolores Umbridge, Ministry official, and complete waste of air. Without an ounce of sorrow, he flung her arm off of him before turning back to his tea. It didn't seem to phase the pink toad, however, because she leaned back over his shoulder so she could speak quietly.

"I heard an interesting piece of information from Miss Parkinson last night. Maybe you could help me separate fact from fiction." Severus did his best not to lose his stomach on his plate. Her breath was warm against his ear, ghosting across his cheek to ruffle his hair ever so slightly. He didn't move his head a centimeter when he spoke.

"What can I help you with, Madam Umbridge?" She laid a hand on his arm, right over his Dark Mark, and purred softly.

"I think we can dispense with the Madam Umbridge. Call me Dolores." There was no way in blue hell that he was calling her by her first fact that she was rubbing herself all over him like she was a cat in heat was enough to make his stomach roll. He turned his head ever so slightly.

"What do you want?" She slid her hand down his arm to stroke his wrist softly. Severus gritted his teeth so he wouldn't make a scene at the table in the Great Hall for all the students to see.

"I was told that you are actually the son of the Dark Lord, and that the lovely Miss Granger is your daughter." Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He threw her hand off of him before he met her gaze.

"You weren't calling her the lovely Miss Granger yesterday morning. A little worried, perhaps, when she tells her grandfather what a complete hag you've been to her thus far?" Her eyes gleamed in triumph.

"So it's true. Does the little wench realize just how lucky she is right now?" Severus rolled his eyes before turning back to his tea.

"Since she's my daughter, she's my concern. Have no fear, Madam Umbridge I've taken her under my wing. You would be wise to leave her alone. Drawing the attention of the Dark Lord is not always a good thing." Umbridge gave him a smile that he was sure was meant to be seductive, but turned out looking like she had stepped on a nail. Her hand came out and stroked his cheek for just a moment before he could jerk away.

"If you need anything, Severus, you know where to find me. Anything at all." He didn't even answer before she was out of her chair and flouncing away, her pink robes stuck in the crack of her arse. Severus had to fight the urge to snort at the sight.

While he hated to tell the toady woman that the students had taken to calling "Umbitch" about Hermione's true parentage, he knew it had to be done. As horrid as the official was, Dolores Umbridge did command a certain amount of power not only at Hogwarts, but in the Ministry as well. It was another added layer of protection for his daughter.

While Fudge wasn't necessarily a staunch supporter of the Dark Lord, he was easily manipulated and would serve the Dark Lord well through Dolores Umbridge. The Minister trusted her implicitly, always a bad decision when it came to snakes. They almost always had their own agenda.

Severus stood and brushed off his robes, intent on finding Albus so he could demand a change in seating in the Great Hall.

-O-

Harry felt great. Hermione was considering his and Draco's proposition of dating them both, Snape seemed certain that Hermione was safe for the time being, and nobody had tried to kill him yet this year. Granted, it was still early, but he considered it a win all the same.

He was currently on his way to Charms with Hermione and Draco. This would be their first class since Hermione had been attacked. Although the whole school had already seen her new look and made plenty of comments about it, he knew she was nervous about being in class. It was after a few minutes contemplation that he realized it was because they were seated with Ron in most of their classes.

He and Draco had quietly assured her that she wouldn't be sitting anywhere near him, and even though she vowed that she wasn't scared of the redhead, Harry knew that she was just acting tough. Her eyes would lower when his name was brought up and her hands would get the slightest tremble.

The trio didn't bother waiting in the queue outside the door. It was mostly so everyone could stand outside and talk and not officially be late if Professor Flitwick arrived before they entered. Hermione went to their usual table and since Ron wasn't there yet, Draco took his seat, both of them sitting on either side of Hermione.

Harry wasn't going to lie. Working with the two of them made him feel bloody stupid. When it had been himself and Ron, Ron had always been unacademic and made Harry feel like he was normal. Now he was paired with the top two students of the their class and it unnerved him. He knew he wasn't good at school work, and while he knew that at least Hermione would continue to help him, he felt that he needed to strive to be better so his two counterparts wouldn't leave him behind. He supposed this was his punishment for falling in love with Hermione.

When Ron walked in, he glared at Harry, Hermione, and Draco, but walked right past so he could take a seat next to Neville. Neville didn't look too thrilled with the seating arrangement, but he kept quiet. Ron really wasn't anyones favorite Gryffindor at the moment, but the lions were a fairly loyal bunch. They would allow him to sit with them for no other reason than he was also a Gryffindor.

Professor Flitwick entered and swished his wand to catch their attention. He crawled up the stack of books by the chalk board so he could face the class. Everyone quieted when they realized he was getting ready to begin.

"Today, we're beginning the fire-starting spell. The incantation is 'incendio' and the wand movements are as follows." Harry paid attention to the tiny professor's wand and did his best to mimic them. He saw Draco and Hermione both waving their wands in the same movement as Professor Flitwick's as well.

When they were released to practice the spell on their own, he stayed grouped with Hermione and Draco. It was technically a spell they could practice on their own, but his magic felt stronger when he was with the two of them.

Harry watched as Hermione waved her wand, her spell non-verbal, and a flame three meters long shot out of her wand. She instantly cancelled the spell, but Professor Flitwick rushed over, hair askew.

"Miss Granger, are you alright?" She brushed her curls back behind her shoulder and took a deep breath.

"Yes, Professor, I'm sorry for disrupting class." The tiny professor chuckled.

"You didn't disrupt class, child. I didn't hear you cast. Have you been practising non-verbal spells?" The deer in the headlights look flashed on her face, but she quickly masked it.

"Yes, sir. I find it's rather easy for me." Professor Flitwick chuckled and patted her arm.

"I can see that, dear. Just be careful." He didn't wait for an answer before he toddled off to go check on Seamus.

Draco stepped forward next and waved his wand. He whispered the spell, but produced a flame just as impressive as Hermione's. He cancelled it immediately and bowed to Harry, the smirk on his face challenging him to do just as well. Harry stepped forward and Hermione seemed to realize that he was nervous. She leaned over and gave him a side hug.

"You can do this, Harry. You're a powerful wizard, you just lack confidence." He gave her a grateful smile and let her back away. With a wave of his wand, Harry imitated Draco and whispered the incantation.

"Incendio."

A flame every bit as impressive as his two counterparts leapt from his wand and caught one of the desk chairs on fire. He quickly let the flame die while Hermione extinguished the flames on the chair. When she was finished she gave him another hug.

"See? You did perfectly fine." He gave her a grin and when he turned to Draco, the Slytherin was smirking at him.

"Decide you didn't like the chair, Potter?" Harry smirked back and clapped the blond on the shoulder.

"Nah, I thought it was far too uncomfortable. Maybe if I caught it aflame, the professor would give me a new one."

The three of them settled back in their seats so they vould watch the progress of their classmates. Ron was struggling with the spell, as was Neville. Seamus had accomplished it on his first try, but Harry attributed that to the fact that he had a certain proclivity towards pyrotechnics. Pansy and Crabbe hadn't accomplished the spell either, but Goyle and Zabini had mastered it by their third attempt.

Class ended with the assignment of an essay on the incendio spell and the pros and cons of using it in the art of potion-making.

Harry let the other two lead him to the library so they could start on their assignment. Harry would much rather have been headed out to the pitch to practice for their try outs, but he knew McGonagall had a strict rule of no time on the pitch if your school work wasn't complete.

Hermione and Draco chose the reference materials for their essays. Finding books in the library had never been his strong suit. Once he had the material in front of him, he was decent at ferreting out the information needed.

The trio worked for over an hour on their essays for Professor Flitwick. While Harry wasn't able to finish his essay completely, he only had two more paragraphs that he needed to write before he could conclude his work. Hermione and Draco had both surpassed the required length, but hadn't finished yet either.

In hindsight, Harry should have known better than to be talking about Voldemort in the corridors. Not all the Slytherins would have just let talk like that pass by without reacting. However, what caught him was worse than a Slytherin. He said what because it was a pink toad.

"I'm just saying, 'Mi, nobody is going to believe that Voldemort is back if they don't print it in the papers. Word of mouth can only do so much. You know Snuffles agrees with me." Hermione had been about to retort, telling him that the Ministry was in denial she was sure, when a throat cleared behind them.

"Why are you spreading lies, Mr. Potter? Why would you want the paper to print lies?" Harry was instantly indignant.

"It's not a lie. I saw him in that graveyard, I dueled him. People are going to be completely ignorant until it's too late and the Ministry is just standing by and letting it happen." Umbridge folded her hands in front of her waist as Draco groaned behind him. Hermione had her hand wrapped around his wrist, her nails cutting half moons into his flesh.

"I think that will be detention with me tonight, Mr. Potter, for spreading lies. Or truths that are unsubstantiated, however you like to look at it." The road didn't wait for a response before she turned on her heel and walked away. Hermione swatted his arm several times once she was sure Umbridge was gone.

"You have to be careful, Harry! Remember her speech at the Welcome Speech? She's here so the Ministry can interfere at Hogwarts. She's going to do her best to paint you as a nutter. Just let it ride and Dumbledore will take care of getting the word out."

Harry sighed. He knew she was right, but didn't want to say it. Sometimes he hated how stupid she made him feel.

The trio made their way to lunch, Hermione making clear that she wasn't angry with him anymore when she threaded her arm through his. Draco got a pout on his face, so she laughed lightly and pulled him over so she could do the same to him on her other side.

They split ways at the Great Hall, Draco going to sit with his Slytherin cronies and Hermione following after Harry so they could take their normal seats next to Ginny and the twins. Lunch was served with no extra fanfare, everyone discussing their classes and homework since it was a Monday.

Lunch was almost over when Harry heard Ron for the first time. He seemed to be conversing with Lavender of all people. Harry and Hermione had both stood and Ron had sneered in their direction.

"Aren't they cute together, Lav? Guess a pretty face is all it takes to win the heart of the Chosen One." He spoke loudly and right to Harry next.

"She won't be around long, me." Harry wanted to hex the fucking prick until he couldn't stand, but he restrained himself. He didn't want any more detentions and he didn't want to leave Hermione with only Draco to deal with that weird, off-color threat. Instead of speaking, he sneered back a sneer that Draco would have been proud of.

Hermione snagged his hand and pulled him away from the table to where Draco was waiting patiently at the entrance of the Great Hall. When they reached his side, Draco's arm went around Hermione's waist and he pressed a quick kiss to the side of her head.

"What was that about?" Harry carded his hand through her hair as Draco led them out of the Great Hall.

Harry quickly explained the odd words from Ron and that he felt like it may have been a threat. Draco's gaze darkened and his hold on Hermione tightened. Harry connected his gaze with Draco's before he turned to Hermione.

"'Mi, I know you can take care of yourself, but promise me that you'll stay with Draco while I'm in detention. You being alone in the common room where Ron could hurt you makes me nervous." She sighed and scuffed her shoe on one of the cracks in the stone of the floor. Draco tightened his arm around her waist again and she finally huffed in annoyance.

"Fine, fine, I promise."

Harry grinned at her and kissed the side of her head again.

"You two better go. You'll be late for Arithmancy." Hermione yelped, gave Harry a quick squeeze, and dragged an amused Draco down the corridor, leaving Harry to sneak onto the pitch and practice his flying.

-O-

Hermione chattered on to Draco about nothing in particular on their way to Arithmancy. They passed a group of Slytherins as they passed the charms classroom and Hermione tried to pull away from Draco's hold. Even though she believed that he liked her, she also knew that he had a reputation to uphold. However, he held fast to her. She shot him a questioning gaze as they passed the group on by.

"Don't you have a reputation to keep?" He chuckled quietly as he pulled her towards the door to Arithmancy.

"The letters showed up last night about who you really were. All the Slytherins know your parentage and I was instructed by my father to try to get in your good graces." Hermione felt her blood run cold at his words. She slowed and cast a look up at him, she could feel the betrayal on her features.

"So you're just -." Draco cut her off with a finger to her lips.

"We knew this was going to happen, Hermione. I started being nice to you in Diagon Alley. I picked you up and took you to the Hospital Wing before I knew who you were. I liked you when you were Hermione Granger, not Isabella Snape." Hermione felt herself relax against him. She should have realized this as soon as he said it, but she had liked him for so long and the thought that he was just using her to further his place with Voldemort had hurt. She was sheepish when she met his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I should have known better." He twirled one of her curls around his fingers and smiled at her.

"I understand. This is still new. We'll get there."

Draco led her to her seat between Terry Boot and Padma Patil before he left to go find his own seat. Professor Vector walked in and Hermione soon lost herself in the world of arithmantic equations. The three hours passed quickly and when class ended, Hermione could feel her belly rumbling in hunger.

Draco met her at the door and offered to carry her bag for her. She laughed at his chivalrous offer, but handed the satchel over. She caught sight of Pansy rolling her eyes in the corridor, but she tried not to let it bother her. While she hadn't had confirmation that Draco had been with Pansy, she had a feeling that he had. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the Slytherin girl after seeing the sour look on her face.

The pair made their way to dinner together, Draco delivering Hermione to the Gryffindor table. She smiled his way and settled in next to Harry. Ginny plopped down next to her just moments after Hermione sat and she sent a smile the redhead's way.

She and Ginny talked back and forth about their classes and news on their mutual friends. It was an unspoken rule that they didn't discuss Ronald or Molly and Ginny didn't seem to mind. It seemed like the Weasley children grew uncomfortable anytime the other two Weasleys were mentioned in the presence of Hermione or Harry.

Hermione had refrained from asking Ginny about her relationship with Luna. While she was curious if it was serious or just a "try something new" stage that she was working through, she didn't know, but she had kept her word to her redheaded friend and not said a word about it to anyone.

When dinner was over, Hermione rose from the table and let Harry walk her over to where Draco was waiting for them. It felt completely ridiculous to have them baby her like they were, she was a hundred times stronger now with her magic unbound, but she knew she wouldn't get a moments rest if she didn't. While she appreciated it and the care they so obviously had for her, it still annoyed her to no end. Harry gave her a smile as he handed her off.

"What are you two going to do while I serve with the toad? More library time?" Hermione shook her head.

"No, I actually want to go outside and watch the stars. Before long it will be too cold for that." Draco nodded and threw an arm over her shoulders.

"Your wish is my command." Harry chuckled and waved as he walked off.

Hermione let Draco lead her outside to the court yard. With a quick wave of his wand, he conjured a blanket and spread it out on the ground. She sat carefully, making sure that her skirt didn't rise and show more skin than she was comfortable with. Her hair spread out on the ground beneath her and Draco laid down next to her. They laid there in silence for almost ten minutes before Draco spoke.

"Who is Snuffles?" Hermione snorted at the random question. He raised up on his elbow so he could look down at her. She started to play with one of the buttons on his oxford as she spoke.

"Snuffles is the code name of Sirius Black. That way nobody knows who we're actually talking about." Draco met her eyes, completely incredulous.

"You know Sirius Black? The Azkaban escapee?" Hermione couldn't help but to laugh at him.

"He's Harry's godfather. Who do you think helped him escape from Hogwarts our third year?" Draco's mouth dropped.

"Are you serious? How'd you get him away from the dementors?" Hermione looked up into the sky.

"It all started at the beginning of the year when I couldn't decide which classes I wanted to take. Professor McGonagall petitioned the Ministry so I could use a time turner."

Hermione told him the story of how they discovered that Sirius was innocent, how he had escaped Azkaban, and how Harry and Hermione had rescued him. It took three-quarters of an hour to give him the complete story. When she finally finished, Draco grinned down at her.

"You seem like such a goody goody Gryffindor to the world." Hermione couldn't help but laugh.

"That's the Slytherin subterfuge." Draco full out laughed as he laid back down.

They laid there for a couple more hours, both pointing out their favorite constellations to the other. This had always been one of her favorite past times with her mother so to do so again warmed her heart. Night had fallen when Hermione finally sat up and pushed her hair back off her face.

"Suppose we should go in and meet Harry, he said he'd be done about now." Draco nodded before standing. He held out his hand and helped her up, nudging the blanket with his magic to send it unraveling back into nothing.

Hermione hooked her arm in Draco's and they chatted about inconsequential things on the way back into the castle. They were in no hurry as they made their way to Professor Umbridge's office. The pair stood in the hallway, a respectful distance away from each other so that when Harry finished, the pink professor couldn't give them detention as well.

It was only minutes that had passed when the door opened and Harry stepped out, face pale and pain etched in his features. Uncaring of what their professor thought, Hermione rushed forward and grasped his hand with one of hers, the other going to her best friend's forehead. Harry's forehead was sweaty and the fringe of hair that brushed the top of her hand was damp. He grimaced at her touch, pulling his hand away and slightly guarding it.

Abandoning his forehead, Hermione took his hand in both of hers gently so she could see what was wrong with it. What she saw made her instantly furious.

"I must not tell lies."

Hermione could see that the words were etched deeply in his skin and the surrounding area was flaming red. Draco had stepped up behind her and he hissed at the sight of Harry's hand. His voice was rock hard.

"A blood quill. Highly illegal dark artefacts."

Hermione spun to face the professor that had just exited her office. She seemed surprised to see that Hermione and Draco were there with Harry. She opened her mouth to speak, but Hermione beat her to it.

"You made him use a blood quill?" A hand went to Professor Umbridge's chest as if she was offended.

"I'll have you know, young lady, that I have been given official dispensation from Minister Fudge to use whatever means necessary to bring order back to Hogwarts. If it weren't for your father being who he was, you would have been subjected to the same treatment after our first class." Hermione couldn't believe that she was actually saying that she could punish students like this. She took a menacing step forward and Umbridge took one right back.

"You used a fucking blood quill on my best friend." The pink professor sneered at her.

"I most certainly did. Lies deserve to be punished."

Hermione couldn't control the wave of magic that flowed through her and into the room and corridor. Her wand was still in her pocket, but Hermione felt exhilarated. The professor seemed to realize that things were about to end badly so she drew her wand and cast a shield. It didn't matter. Hermione's magic struck with a vengeance, throwing their professor across her office and against the window. It spidered behind her and broke, a jagged piece of glass cutting into her scalp.

The ministry official dropped to the ground, the blood pool beneath her growing steadily bigger as they waited for Hermione to calm herself. When she finally was able to pull in a full breath again, she apoke shakily.

"Harry, send your patronus to Professor Snape. I'm in so much trouble." Despite the pain, Harry produced his wand and gave it a flick, his stag appearing easily. After just a few moments, it cantered off through the wall. The trio waited in silence, Hermione casting the few spells she knew on Harry's hand to ease his pain. She knew that she should probably be trying to help their Defense professor, but after she hurt Harry, she could have died there on the floor and Hermione wouldn't have cared.

Only five minutes passed when her father appeared before them. His eyes took in the scene before him before he flew into action. He knelt at Umbridge's side (Hermione no longer respected her enough to give her the title professor) and began chanting a song that she had never heard. He continued that way for several minutes and Hermione was surprises to see the blood on the floor seep back into her professor's body. He cast another spell that Hermione didn't recognize before turning to the three students.

"What the bloody hell happened here?" Hermione knew that she needed to be the one to explain. Knowing that her father would be disappointed, she looked at the ground and began.

"Harry had detention with Umbridge. Draco and I were waiting for him. That horrid hag used a blood quill on him, look at his hand. She told me that he deserved it, that Fudge told her it was fine. I couldn't stop it, my magic just reacted. I didn't even have my wand. My magic went right through her shield." Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose. Hermione could see that he was frustrated. When she spoke, her voice was small.

"I'm sorry." His head snapped up and he opened his arms. She went into them without hesitation. Harry and Draco goggled at him, but he simply sneered their way.

"I'm not angry with you, sweet. I'm just trying to work out out our best plan of action." hHe tugged one of her curls as he pulled away.

"I think this is proof that these two are the mates spoken of in the prophecy. This would never have happened before." She nodded, unwilling to think of that at the moment. Her father produuced his wand and aimed it at the professor.

"I want you three to return to your dormitories immediately. Speak of this to no one. I'm going to alter her memories, seeing Potter off and then waking up on the floor. Before you go, let me see your hand, Potter."

Harry held his hand out and Severus cast several spells on it silently. It healed before their eyes and the scar faded to where you could barely see it. Once his skin was back to normal, Severus waved them off.

"Get going."

Hermione nodded and threw him one last smile before grabbing Draco and Harry's hands. Without a backward glance, she led both boys out of the Defense office and into the dark of the corridor, headed for their common rooms for the night.

A/N- Another one done, y'all. Lordy, I just can't seem to stop writing this fic! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know your thoughts, reviews are love.

Next chapter, first kisses and another meeting with Voldy.

Love,

Alicia