Thanks guys for all the amazing reviews! I'm so happy when people say they enjoy my writing! I will keep trying my best to live up to your expectations.

This chapter is dedicated to Alan Rickman! #Always

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings!

Lady of the Woods: Chapter 19

When Hermione made it back to the Headmaster's office she was relieved to see the Malfoys were no longer there. Unfortunately, she couldn't say the same for her mother. She and Dumbledore were busy whispering over his pensive, no doubt over a recent vision she had seen. Hermione cleared her throat to gain their attention.

"Ah, you're back." The Headmaster glanced over to her. "We were afraid Mister Malfoy wouldn't be able to find you. I'm glad that wasn't the case."

Hermione eyed her mother as she walked over to them. Her mother hadn't said anything to her, she hadn't even turned from the pensive, but the closer she got she realized why. She was still having a vision and by the looks of it not a particularly good one.

"Where did the Malfoys go?" She turned to Dumbledore while her mother was occupied.

"The elder Malfoys are being escorted to Lothlórien as we speak. They've sent one of their house elves to collect their things."

"So soon?"

"We could not take the chance of them being intercepted on their way home. As I'm sure you have figured out their home is not the safest place for them to be." His lips turned down some at the thought, then a knowing glint in his eyes made Hermione's inside coil. "Draco will follow shortly after with you and your mother."

"I'm not going b-"

"Hermione."

The young elf clamped her mouth shut at her mother's sharp command. Her face seemed strained as she moved away from the pensive. What horrible travesty was to befall them now?

"I grow weary of your childish human behavior." Her eyes locked onto Hermione's shame-filled face as the young elf stared down at the ground. "I thought you had better control over your emotions than this."

Hermione winced, she usually was more logical about her emotions. She could separate herself from any situation. She didn't know what was wrong with her. The last time she had let her emotions get away from her was when Buckbeak was about to die because of Malfoy's whiny complaints.

Malfoy.

He was the one to blame for her outbursts. For her lack of seeing the bigger picture. If it had been anyone else she wouldn't have let it get so out of control. She'd have had him carted off to Lothlórien and married by now.

What was it about him that caused all reason to go out the window?

"I'm sorry." Hermione didn't know what else to say, she had no excuse for her behavior and knew her mother wouldn't take any she had come up with.

Her mother sighed, "He is a trying wizard, but you must remember it is for the greater good."

"But mother you don't know what he's like! He's not just immature and stuck up, he's mean and sometimes cruel. He has never had a nice word to say about anyone." Hermione tried to make her mother see her side. "I thought I could deal with it, that maybe the egotistical bully was just a front, but I just don't see it happening. How can you think to subject me to an eternity of unhappiness?"

The older elf gave Hermione a small patient smile while she finished her tirade. Hermione hated that smile. It meant she wasn't telling her anything she didn't already know. Sometimes she hated her mother's gift.

"I have seen cruelty in my time." Her mother started. "Men and women tortured for days for their capture's own pleasure. Entire civilization wiped out for no other reason than existing. The emotional tantrums of a child can hardly be considered cruelty."

"But-"

"Headmaster, you rang?" Snape interrupted, eyeing the occupants of the room. The tension obvious in the air.

"Severus, thank you for coming," Dumbledore smiled at the dark headed professor trying to ease the atmosphere. "I wanted to ask a favor of you."

"I am at your service, Headmaster."

What a load of crap. Hermione could tell by his voice he was not at all happy to hear the Headmaster's request. Not that she could blame him, she wasn't too happy with the old wizard either.

"Mister Malfoy and Miss Galadhrim will be accompanying her mother back to Lothlórien for an early break and will not return until after the new year. I was hoping you would get together with the other professors to provide them with the work they will miss. We'll send it after them once it is all ready." Dumbledore chuckled at the excitement which had begun to fill Hermione's face.

She wouldn't miss any school? Could she still come back and graduate? Wait. Until the new year? But that was over two months! How could she possibly stand to be around that arrogant prick for such a long period of time?

"Very well." Snape's voice was monotone as he accepted the Headmaster's assignment, but glanced between Lady Galadhrim and the Headmaster before asking, "And the marriage? I am to presume it will be occurring during this vacation?"

Hermione's eyes snapped to her mother's face. Her heart began to beat at a frantic pace at the answer she was sure to come from her mother's lips. There was no way she wouldn't force this on her, not when she had gone to so much trouble to trap the Malfoys into complying with her wishes.

"Still so worried about those around you, Severus. I'd have thought you'd be more interested in knowing your own fate?" The Headmaster chuckled.

"Always." Snape turned his question to the silent elf. "M'lady?"

"Perhaps." Was all she said with a calm, but hopeful smile.

"And what of her classmates? Potter and Weasley." He spat out, "They will not easily accept her extended holiday, not with the recent display at dinner."

Dumbledore's eyes slid to Hermione and for the first time, worry filled his gaze. "I do believe it will be taken care of shortly."

"What do you-" Hermione began, but then without any build-up or warning, Hermione was shoved into a vision.

The world became hazy and gray. Cold stone and porcelain sinks splayed across the room as the sound of running water echoed off the walls. A blonde figure bent over the sink as he splashed his face with water. Malfoy's face was taut and filled with worry, different than how he had left her at the Black Lake. His head was turned down as he gripped the edges of the sinks, the thoughts on his face black.

"You cursed her didn't you?"

Malfoy drew his wand as he spun around to meet Harry's accusing eyes. Without warning or any denial of Harry's accusations, Malfoy cast a curse. Harry ducked out of the way of it and cast his own in return.

Chasing down the side of the lavatory shooting spells Harry continued, "She'd never have been with you otherwise. And for you to humiliate her so - in front of everyone - you're lucky I found you first."

Jumping out of the way of another curse Malfoy chuckled, "I didn't force your little girlfriend to do anything. She came of her own free will." He laughed again at his lewd joke.

Harry's face filled with anger as he shouted out a curse Hermione had never heard before.

"Sectumsempra!"

This time, Malfoy wasn't quick enough to dodge it. There was a sudden intense pain in her chest as Hermione watched him fall to the ground. Blood seeped out of open wounds all along Malfoy's chest and arms. Harry stood over him, a satisfied yet horrified expression on his face.

Thudding feet could be heard and what she thought was the sound of her own voice, before the vision disappeared altogether. She was there. She was about the be there. Visions like that, ones she played a part in, rarely came. When they did it was normally just as it was about to happen. Just in time for her to be too late.

Without saying a word, Hermione raced out of the office.

For the second time that day, Hermione ran down the stairs and into the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. This time, the panic in her heart was for a completely different reason.

She pushed passed students still loitering before curfew and made her way toward Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The pounding of her shoes on the stone floor sounded a taunting rhythm. Too late. Too late.

She pushed herself harder as she heard a loud crash. The bathroom door was in her view as she heard the sound of stone and porcelain breaking. Malfoy laughed, and then as she rounded the corner she heard Harry's spell.

Hermione's heart froze as she entered the bathroom. The water on the floor sloshing onto her shoes and clothes as she made her way to Harry's side. He stood there like a statue, not sure what he'd done, but not sorry enough to help.

"What have you done?" Hermione knelt by Malfoy's side, eyes filling with tears at the sight of him. The cuts were deeper than the vision had shown her. Blood bled into the water around where he lay. A feeling she wasn't completely familiar with filled her at the sight of him laying in such a state.

"But Hermione he-he humiliated you." Harry tried to explain.

"So, he deserves this?"

Hermione could feel the magic build up in her as her emotions surged out of control. For once she didn't try to control her magic. She let it build up in her until it was barely pushing the surface. Hermione placed her hands on Malfoy's groaning form as she guided the magic down her hands and into him.

"Who said you got to decide?" She growled as the magic swept over her mind. She couldn't see anything, but the wizard on the ground before her. The one she had berated not mere moments before. The one who was supposed to be hers. He would be hers. A possessive need crept into her, her ears no longer registering all the words her friend was saying.

"N-no one." Harry stuttered, his eyes became fearful at the energy she was emitting. Even she could feel it fill up the room, leaving barely enough room to breathe, but she didn't care she let it come. She felt it burning all along her skin as her friend tried to give the reason for his actions. "I was only trying to protect you. We were worried."

Hermione laid the full weight of her gaze on him. With Malfoy out and no one to calm her down, he was lucky she didn't strike him down then and there. How dare he treat her as if she were powerless. Had she not proven herself time and time again that she was a force to be reckoned with? Part of her delighted when the wary fear on his face turned to pure terror as her elven magic made itself known.

"I am not some muggle in need of rescuing." Her voice echoed in a chorus of rage. "I am far greater a power than the likes of you have ever seen. You need only worry about turning your wand to the half-breed when the time comes. Leave the rest to me."

Hermione almost lashed out with her magic to prove her point when Malfoy stirred beneath her hands. Her eyes shot down to him, happy to see her magic had closed over the wounds and repaired his clothing as if nothing had happened.

"Hermione?" Malfoy groaned his body still in a state of shock from the attack.

"It's alright, Draco. I'm here." His voice soothed part of the rage filling Hermione up, causing her to regain a semblance of herself. Hermione brushed a hand through his hair as he closed his eyes once more. Maybe she cared more than she thought.

"Bloody hell! What happened here?" Ron charged in taking in the destroyed bathroom around them.

Hermione ignored Ron, her eyes all for Malfoy. Let Harry explain his actions. She was tired of picking up after him.

The terror on Harry's face dissipated with the entrance of their friend. Harry locked eyes with Hermione, this time, his eyes full of the suspicion.

"That doesn't matter." He lifted his wand and pointed it at Hermione's kneeling form. "The bigger question is who the hell are you and what have you done with Hermione?"

Yay! Three chapters in one week! Albeit short chapters, but some is better than none!

I hope to update soon!