A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I have nearly 130 reviews :D :D :D :D Super excited!

So, I know I usually update on Friday (my time), but I have an exam and won't be able to concentrate, so lucky you! Early chapter :D Oh yeah, and a reviewer pointed out that in my last chapter, Marietta should have told everyone where Katie was... MY BAD! Please ignore that... I will put an explanation in this chapter! :)

Anywho, please read then review!

Chapter 19

When Marietta had stopped talking, there was a long silence. Finally, Bill stood up.

"I'm going to go to the Ministry. They need to know what is happening. Fleur?" Bill's wife quickly stood up from where she had been sitting. She crossed over to her husband and together they apparated away. Mrs Weasley muttered something about the kitchen and she wandered away. Angelina and Alicia looked distressed about Katie, and they sat in a corner, talking quietly to each other. Fred and George were calming Ron down. As other people dispersed around the room, Draco and Hermione were left closest to Marietta.

Hermione was staring intently at the other girl, a million thoughts zooming through her head. Why was it always jealousy that caused everything? Marietta was jealous of her magical talent, and of Draco. Hermione was annoyed; this girl needed to grow the Hell up!

Draco's thoughts were along similar lines to his girlfriend's; but he was wondering how in Merlin's name she managed to get away with everything? Surely she couldn't do everything by herself? Wait... That made sense. Did anyone actually ask if she was working with anyone? Shit! Draco turned to Hermione, and asked her quietly. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. The both turned to Marietta, who was glaring at them, looking slightly afraid at the fierce look on Draco's face.

Then all hell broke loose.

Marietta stood up and shouted "Accio Wand!"

As the witches and wizards around the room stood up, pulling their wands out of their various places, Marietta cast a strong spell around herself, Draco and Hermione. The spell prevented everyone else from getting closer. Fred found out the hard way; he had run towards his friends and got blasted away from the shield. He slumped, unconscious, onto the floor. The rest of them were more wary. Harry and Ron looked furious as they saw their best friend trapped with the woman who wanted to hurt her. To everyone's surprise, Marietta cast a Patronus charm, which flew out of the Burrow before anyone could see what shape it took.

Draco and Hermione stood close together, wands pulled out, trained on Marietta.

Not knowing if she was going to attack, Draco tried stalling. "You aren't working alone, are you?" he asked.

She smirked. "Nope. And he's on his way. You really messed with the wrong people."

"And who is this mysterious person?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Someone you should remember from your sixth year."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. Cryptic much?

A crack of apparation caused all heads to turn to the maker of the noise. Standing a few feet away, twirling his wand, looking every bit the arrogant jerk, was Cormac McLaggen.

Hermione groaned. Seriously, could this day get any worse? The perverted, self obsessed Gryffindor swaggered to a stop next to Marietta, grinning at Hermione.

"Hello, beautiful."

Draco's eyebrow rose. Excuse me? "Wait, let me guess. You were pissed that Hermione was using you in sixth year, she wasn't actually interested in her, yet you still like her, so you, too, are a massive jealous git?"

Cormac looked at Draco coldly. "That... And she Confunded me during Quidditch tryouts, making me lose to a Weasley." He spat the surname with venom. The family in the tensed at the insult, all glaring ferociously at the man, and Draco noticed that Fred was back up again.

Hermione flinched. Shit, how did he know?

"Oh, Hermione. Did you honestly think you got away with it?"

"Oh Cormac. Do you honestly think that your excuses are good enough to get away with this shit?" Hermione bit out. "You are stupid, aren't you? Look how many people are witnessing this. And there are two more that are already at the Ministry. I think your luck has run out."

Draco smiled smugly. He was proud of how Hermione was keeping her cool, despite her obvious discomfort around the bloke.

Cormac shrugged. "Like they'll catch me."

Before anyone could retort, he threw a spell at Hermione. Draco's sharp reflexes deflected the spell, and the battle was on.

Just like in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Hermione and Draco were a force to be reckoned with. They were both extremely quick, and creative with their spells. Unfortunately for them, Cormac and Marietta were also very quick and clever. As everyone else watched on helplessly, Draco and Hermione fought for their lives.

"Stupefy!"

"Confundus!"

"Furnunculus!"

"Impedimenta!"

"Expelliaramus!"

"Locomotor Mortis!"

Back and forth the curses and hexes flew. When it became clear that they were getting nowhere, Hermione ducked behind Draco.

"Cover me, I'm going to transfigure." She whispered. At Draco's nod, Hermione disappeared. In her place was the beautiful golden lioness.

Hermione leaped at Cormac, roaring. Draco deflected all of the curses the frightened Marietta was throwing. The lioness tackled Cormac to the ground, pinning him down. She growled at his face as she batted his wand away. Draco managed to successfully disarm Marietta and held her at wand point. The shield preventing their friends faded. After Cormac and Marietta had their hands bound, with their wands safely tucked away, Hermione changed back.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked quickly.

Hermione nodded, "I'm fine. Are you?"

Draco smiled, "of course, it's me"

Hermione shook her head. Typical.

As she turned away from the captured wizards, Cormac launched himself in a last desperate attempt at Hermione. She flew through the air, landing unconscious in a piled heap as she crashed into the wall. Draco lost all sanity. Without any thoughts, he turned into his wolf form and charged at Cormac. Draco landed on top of the fallen man, his fangs bared at Cormac's throat. Ron stepped forward, his wand pointed at the man's face.

"I'm only gonna ask once, you worthless son of a bitch. Where. Is. Katie?"

Cormac sneered at the red head, not saying a word. Draco growled, a low, threatening sound. McLaggen paled and answered.

"She's at my house. In the basement." And he gave his address.

Ron disapparated, Harry following quickly after.

Ginny looked up from where she, Alicia and Angelina were crowded around Hermione.

"Draco," she said quietly. When he looked up and saw Hermione, he transformed immediately. Percy and Penelope took over as guards as Mr and Mrs Weasley had disappeared to find Remus and Tonks.

Draco hurried to Hermione's side, knocking the women away. Oh Hermione.

She lay there, pale, unmoving, broken. And it caused Draco pain to see her like that.

Gathering her gently into his arms, he disapparated.

A/N: Please review, this chapter took a while to write, and I'm still not happy! I want to hear from you guys, and hear your opinions pleeeease! Oh and I'm sorry that my chapters are so short... Can't really help that ;)

As always,

KaylaKay

xxx