Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter or anything even mildly related to Warner Bros Corporation…

VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT YOU USUALLY PASS UP TO GET TO THE GOOD PARTS __________ :

A/N: So, I would like to really thank everyone who has been with me since day one with this…As you all must assume "Protect Me, my Dragon" is coming to end in the next few chapters (2-3) and I hope I can give you all a fabulous ending that will make you want to re-read this story to get the same zest! I will be revising every chapter after I load Chappie 23. I have mad love for all of you that send me those lovely reviews!

And, because I feel obligated, I must tell my anonymous reviewers that while I do appreciate you taking your time to critique my work, please please please keep in mind that this is a FICTIONAL story with awesome (or not so awesome) characters. I do not support spousal abuse/abusive relationships or anything like that. I merely felt that I needed to take a STRONG turn with my "evil" Draco. It is one thing to say he's evil, and then it's another to bring him to the next level. It is unfortunate that I had to drag Hermione into that- but she's brave, naive, strong, loving, and forgiving. As I said before, do not make the mistake Hermione has made. Have respect for yourself- whether you are man or woman- -and do not let anyone else suppress you into feeling like nothing.

If anyone has any further complaints/questions/comments go ahead and fire at will. Hermione and Draco will be open for questions after this chapter :( Go ahead and send your complaints/questions/comments addressed to either Draco or Hermione (or both if you have bones to pick with both of them). They will try their best to get back to you on them. Please enjoy the story!!

-End of boring (and LONG) A/N-

I awoke on Friday morning a new woman. It had been two slow days since I had given Draco my hand, and as far there were no regrets. I winced inwardly as I thought of the fingerprinted bruises that stayed along the line of my hips- it made me cringe to remember that there was that side of him, and I wasn't completely immune to it as I assumed. 'Brilliant bonkers, Harry! You've absolutely done it now!' Ginny's voice scolded the older boy as we rounded the same corner.

My eyes first caught Harry, and then held Ginny's wide eyes. She raised her ginger head proudly, but trembled slightly, showing she was not as brave as she showed. 'Harry and I were just off to…research something. In the library.' She added lamely.

'Excellent. Five points to Gryffindor for exceedingly appropriate behavior.' I nodded politely and went about my own way down the path they had come from. I felt Ginny pivot in her spot, perhaps to turn and tell me something. I subconsciously slowed my pace so that she would have a better opportunity to halt me. But soon enough, I became aware of her and Harry's departing footsteps, and I sighed a gust of air. I was too happy to have Draco- though how much of a monster he was. If it weren't for him, I would have been lost.

Highly doubted, Hermione. You are strong- you are a Gryffindor! Because of brave women like you, the Wizardry World has a hope for equal rights amongst gender. Draco was someone who needed you, not the other way around. If that was a two-way street, you'd be out of luck. But since it is just him hanging by the string, and not you, keep your pride and wits about you.

With a heavy sigh, I feigned a smile and continued down the hall. Tonight was the night of All Hollows Eve festivities. There wasn't to be a fancy ball with streaming lights and intricate décor- but being among fellow witches and wizards celebrating the event would be good enough. My classes for the Friday were the most exciting of all- DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Runes. After shoveling a light breakfast, I left to Ancient Runes with an unfaltering smile on my face. That is, until Ron showed up. I became aware of his presence as he ill-elegantly walked beside me in not-so-quite –footfalls. I breathed out in even patterns until I grew tired of our mute exchanges. 'I am not sure what you said yesterday, but from what I heard and the way Draco handled your exchange, I gather it wasn't very nice. But all aside, I'd like to apologize for the way Draco hurt you. Though Merlin knows you deserve it- he nor I are not anywhere so perfect as to impersonate and try to play god. So, it would be wise if you left me alone and dare not approach Draco for a very long time. Please, Ronald,' I gave him a sideways looks to press my meaning further, 'just stay away.'

For awhile, he didn't release a peep. I grew nervous as time passed, but I continued walking. If he knew what was best for him, he would leave me alone. But, he was Ron Weasley. I should have known better. 'I know you still love me!' his declaration stopped the nearest gang of giggling girls so that their ears pricked up and their society tails began to eagerly wag.

I swirled around and scoffed. 'Ron, you are bloody sick. My love for you ended a long time ago.'

His emotionless face turned sour. 'Malfoy's got your thinking all messed up!' I rolled my eyes and continued walking to my class, ignoring his protests of undying love. With Ron, I didn't believe in redemption. It just wasn't there.

Ancient Runes

'So, how has Gryffindor dorm faired since your isolation to the higher ranks?' Mandy asked as she lingered next to my desk. As per usual, I sat at my own desk away from Draco. It was easier than sitting next to him and enduring the obnoxious staring- there was enough of that done in the halls when I so much as stood by him. As I thought of my love, my fingers graced the delicate promise ring I slung on a necklace he gave me a few nights before.

I smiled. 'Too well for one Head Girl to deal with.'

'And where is Head Boy when you need him?' she chuckled quietly. 'What will you wear to Supper tonight? Everyone in Ravenclaw is dressing as our mascot, and I hear Hufflepuff is going to franchise a Slytherin-double sort of thing. Fearless, aye?'

I nodded. 'Cant say I'd do the same…I'm dressing in muggle clothes tonight. I don't quite feel the spirit to dress.' Mandy nodded silently.

'See you tonight!' she called after the bell rang to acknowledge the passing of one class to the next.

I sighed heavily, not enjoying the fact that I had to endure an hour of being thrust with prissy Ravenclaws. Luna had a way of becoming suffocating when it came to odd, distorted creatures.

Care of Magical Creatures

'Now, these 'ere aren't 'armless lit'le guys like last time. These suckers'll bit yer finger if yer not watchin' closely!' Instantaneously, Terry Boot's group of boys backed away. I cast a worried glance to the bi-spectacled boy next to me. Harry only grasped my hand reassuringly and winked. 'But if ye feel safe, the fickle wee thing won't cause yee any harm.' Hagrid gestured to the caged beasts no taller than the length of my knee. They were orange sprites that reeked of pine and oatmeal-or maybe that was just the scent I caught from them.

'Dangellions.' Zeke muttered as he came to stand by me. I looked over my shoulder and saw him staring at me, instead of the instructor. 'My grandfather's favorite flower, Mocking Mums, can only survive if Dangellions come to visit them once a year.'

'Really?' I mused aloud. Zeke knew much about flowers, which was the only reason why he and Neville got along so well.

'Yes. Grandfather Gustivithiztch buys them from local markets and plants them in his garden area. The colorful Dangellions leave when they need to, and most of the time, come to see their flowers once a year, sometimes twice.' He whispered to me, as if Hagrid really could actually hear anyone else aside from his booming voice.

'They never want to stay?' I inquired quietly.

'Never.' He shook his head. 'The longest I've ever seen them stay is three days. After time, they grow tired grooming the same beauty. It is much like a human relationship or friendship. You sometimes get bored with people.'

I nodded. 'But, no Dangellion has ever fallen in love?'

He smiled, but shrugged, still not looking at me with his hands clasped behind his back. 'Their perception of love is very different. It is all a matter of nurturing; if it can not be grown or further taken care of, it cannot be loved. What cannot be loved then becomes insignificant to them. Much, much like human interactions.' He zoned out Hagrid's final words as I did. I let go of Harry's hand, no longer worried over selfish little faeries and now more intrigued by Zeke's story.

'And what if there is a fairy- or a Dangellion- that does care for something "unlovable"? What happens then?'

He smiled down at me as though I was the cutest poppet he had ever held. 'You would make a fine Dangellion, Hermione.' My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Why? Because I asked a lot of questions? I was under the impression that they weren't allowed speech… 'Because you would be the only Dangellion to ever love something that shouldn't be loved.' I couldn't look away from his almond-shaped eyes that were, at the moment, full of energy and knowledge. I loved someone who had knowledge and wanted to share it. Sure, Draco knew a lot about many things, but he always kept it to himself, for the danger of its contents was quite serious. But Zeke- he spoke about the simplest of things, and they never had strings attached, nor were they anything more than harmless.

I couldn't hide the smile that crept up my face and planted itself like an ugly mosquito bite. 'Honestly?' I wanted to be reassured his analogy was two-sided, and I wasn't just taking things for more than they actually were.

'You always will be, Hermione.' The way this Australian boy said my name…it was much like how Draco spoke my name, yet it was the exact opposite. Draco Malfoy mostly had just two emotions on his conscience (if the English brute had one anymore); revenge and lust. I subconsciously played with the ring on my necklace again; it felt so light, just a pretty treasure that I would never otherwise be able to afford. But in it held dirty, dark secrets that played with my mind until I would cease to make contact with the silver jewelry and just allow it to hang limply against my breastbone. My Draco was evil and manipulative and overpowering and mean- yes, yes- I knew. Unlike a foolish, lovesick girl, I hadn't planned on him changing. Not for me, not for Merlin, not for his sick mother (she had been transferred to St Mungos just the day before). He was both stubborn and vengeful- any good book reader knew that called for trouble.

I was no adrenaline junkie, nor a thrill-seeker (when you disregarded my escapades with Harry), nor the type of gal who got off on living wildly and with no plan- but I had to admit that being with Draco gave me the bout of excitement that I wanted- no, needed. My lips parted slowly as I remembered that "excitement" had an ugly way of turning dark at any time, and just the moment you least expect it. Like the other night, when he taken my body and harassed it in such a way that I would never forgive him… And yet now, I was standing next to two very attractive men who would never dare touch or violate me in any way close to the way Malfoy had taken me, and I was completely indifferent to their allure. Now, I was wearing his ring, therefore allowing myself to be claimed as a brandished slag. Had Ginny or Mandy or Til or Daphne or any other woman been in my place, I would have given them a thorough lecture and demanded that they never even so much as look at him again. I would likely swear revenge and perhaps even kill a beast that was so cruel.

But no, I was contradicting myself. I was being hypocritical. I was being human- a human that allowed herself to be hurt and then forgave. They said that love wasn't supposed to hurt- I said that love was the only thing that really did hurt. And it hurt a lot. 'Okay, who's the first to pet 'em?' Hagrid called out.

Ron, along with his new group of lackeys, walked up to Hagrid and reached out their hands. The carroty fairies snapped and lunged for the boys, but were quickly restrained by Hagrid's hands. 'Slowly, fellas,' he warned. Ron nodded and seemed to understand the simple command, but the closest testosterone-stoned boy lunged for a ginger fairy. They must have felt threatened, for they then made an all-out attack on Ronald and his friends. The Ravenclaw girls ran like chickens with cut off heads, as did other boys and girls from both houses. I followed Harry as he attempted to help our Professor catch the small things. 'Grab for 'em, Harry and Hermione. Won't go very far; spelled the cage they are.'

I frowned as I pranced about, grabbing handfuls of empty air. 'Then why won't they go back in it?'

'Dangellions are feisty lit'le things! But their fairy dust is no great deal against a wizard's magic.' And as he said this, the orange fairies began to tumble in their graceful spins in the air. I began catching the glowing balls of light before they hit the ground.

'Zeke!' I called over my shoulder and beckoned him with a gesture of my head. He jogged quietly and stood over my shoulder, and we both gazed down at what seemed like a thousand miniature light bulbs falling asleep. 'Bloody beautiful, yes?' I pondered aloud, not expecting Zeke to reply to such a sappy comment.

'I can barely take my eyes off of her.' He murmured against my throat, where he had bent down to better see the Dangellions fall.

I turned my head to see that he looking right at me, which made me face glow red from being so close to another male that wasn't Draco. 'I…I was talking about the Dangellions.' I replied lamely. What else was there to say? Should I have thanked him for complementing me…or done as I did and skip unto more…important topics? I looked back down at the fairies that began to migrate toward their gates of confinement. For a second, I felt pity for their soulless lives they were to live. Perhaps I was the one to free them and allow them life…

He moved his mouth so that it hovered above my ear, but I only noticed it when I began to feel his dampened breath on my earlobe. 'And perhaps, so was I.' I could feel the gorgeous smile hanging on his lips even after he walked away to leave me with my thoughts. It made me uncomfortable when people were that close to me; didn't everyone know that a person's personal bubble reached up eighteen inches from their skin? Honestly, who couldn't respect your very own eighteen inches when there was a landscape of a thousand meters just beside them?

'Hermione! Are you coming along to lunch?' Harry called to me. I nodded and slung my book bag over my right shoulder and allowed my left to have free time until it would bear the burden of my homework and class essentials after mealtime was over with. Lately, I hadn't been hungry, and so I would skip out on meals that Harry wouldn't notice. But so far, I hadn't lost any weight when I lost my appetite. I only lost my confidence when I magically weighed myself to find that I gained a pound! I did love food (when house elves weren't the ones slaved to make it), but as of late I hadn't been in any mood or state to shovel my favorite dishes in like my peers. I wanted an appetite back- it had been a very long time since I was able to enjoy a good meal. But no matter what potions I would take to kill the throbbing of my stomach or the aches in my back, I would not have the will to nourish myself. So I went muggle style and began to take vitamins. They helped my energy level and gave me a few more full nights of sleep.

'So, what has got your stomach in knots?' Harry spoke across the table to. Ginny and Ron sat together a few people down, where they were speaking in low tones. After a few minutes, Ginny angrily stormed off as Ron mumbled to himself.

'Nothing.' I shrugged as I forced a spoonful of mashed potatoes in my mouth; my jaw worked itself up and down before my throat swallowed the food.

'Liar.' He smiled knowingly after a taking a bite of his bread. 'Now honestly, Hermione- tell me what's wrong. We don't have a test next period do we?' his face lightened up and his skin flushed with dread. I shook my head. 'Oh, that's good then. Well, what could it be? Turned a late homework assignment in? Professor Binns didn't give you a full score again? Dreading Snape on Monday?' I slowly shook my head.

'It's really nothing, Harry. Food just doesn't sound good to me right now.'

He rolled his eyes. 'That's what you've been saying for the past week! Its getting old, Mione. What's going on? Are you on one of those ludicrous diets? Is Malfoy pressuring you to be stick-thin like all of those other ghastly girls?' I wanted to point out that not many of those girls were "ghastly", for they were full in the hips and slim at the waist, but that would only lead him to believe Draco was turning me into an envious, malnutrition brat.

'Not at all, Harry! I've just had no appetite for anything but peppermint Dollies.'

He scrunched his nose. 'But you hate peppermint, Hermione. Even in your toothpaste!'

I shrugged. 'Not anymore. Don't go acting like its rubbish, Harry Potter! You used to detest Strawberry jelly on your English bagels and now it's the only way you like the damned pastry!'

'Oi, Hermione! So, I like jam on my bread. Big deal.' He muttered and went back to eating; the only way to successfully shut him up was to demand something or say it in a condescending tone, for that was the only way he understood. Ah, just like a child.

'We've got to get to DADA in five minutes.' I murmured as we strolled along the corridors. He nodded and quickened our slow pace.

'Are you and Miranda Mantas still seeing each other?' I asked as I idly wrung my hands in the pleads of my skirt.

'No.' Harry shook his head. 'She's as bloody mental as her brother! She had the nerve to accuse me of playing "that stupid game all of the time".'

'What a surprise.' I rolled my eyes. Honestly, did these girls really think their sweet words and innocent smiles would win over Harry and make him into a lovesick puppy? So much did they want him consumed that he would even for a minute forget about Quidditch? How naïve of them.

'Same thing I thought. Cant I just find a girl who shares common interest and understands my need for release of tension through a sport I love as much as…you love books!' he smiled when he saw my blush rise in my cheeks.

Was Harry always an arsehole?

DADA- Professor Wimble

'You will first be in teams of two of which a quick spell will guide you to your pre-determined partner, and then you will fair on your own once the pairing spell wares off. To keep all fairness and sincere tactics, you will be masked by your patronus, and if you have not yet discovered your animal spirit, for those not in the War most likely don't have one, you will receive a randomized animal. If we are clear and there are no further questions. I will ask everyone to stand and come forward.' We did as he said and watched in awe as he magicked away the desks, leaving behind a misty space with a forest-like backdrop. 'Now, hold your and out and repeat after me; May I strike, but not kill, my wand is to fight, not shed blood spill.' The class was in odd chorus as our wands lit up a light green before returning to their natural colors. 'Very good, that reassures me none of us will take advantage of weaker ones by using illegal or harmful spells.

'Harmful?' Draco spat out as he stood between Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. 'A cheap hex is 'harmful' to a bumbling fool like Longbottom! Would it be held against me if I harmed Weasley by throwing a scourgify his way and cleaned him up a bit?' his Slytherin crew laughed humorously, and from my sidelong vision I could see Ronald turning beat red.

'You wouldn't know, Malfoy. Unless you'd enjoy bathing him.' Harry retorted as he straightened up beside me. All eyes went to he and I. Our hands almost touched as Harry threw back his head and challenged Malfoy head on.

'I am rest assured you've already done the deed for me. Perhaps he merely enjoys preserving water.' I held down my smile at his quick wit. But honestly, there were better things to do than insult someone like Ron.

'What would you know about preserving water? Oh, right, I almost forgot! Ever since Daddy Malfoy's body was put to rot in hell, his precious son is to go without. A shame, really.' Harry smirked as he noticed the change in the posture of Draco, which really was the only way you could tell that something got to Draco.

I clutched Harry's arm and made to drag him behind me. 'When we meet to duel, for we both know each other's patronus, I will have no mercy. You had best watch out, Potter.' Draco glanced at me, as if daring me to go up against him in his threatening of my best friend.

I was going to retort. 'Well, now, now. Lets try to remember that this is JUST a practice- no harm intended!' Mr. Wimble chocked out. He shook his head and pointed his wand in the air. 'Spello Ohndondo!' a few white sparks flitted through the air before they began to shower over us. Suddenly, I felt a cool breeze fill the room until it settled into my skin. Amongst the new short fur that I felt lightly hover above my body, I fondled my wand and held it shortly in front of me. No one was going to get any good attacks on me when they thought they saw a harmless otter. 'Pardo Veirdo!' in seconds, I felt a long string attach to my wand and drag me toward another customized student. Unfortunately, it wasn't a stag or a Ukrainian serpent, but it was a life-sized owl- one that hooted appreciatively for me. Our images must have been wisp-like, for I had never felt lighter than I did then. My partner's mirage waved gently in the breeze that flew through us. The room had to ventilated, for the usage of magic brought a suffocating amount of heat onto one's self.

Our first opponents was a team of a wolf and a meek mouse and after we sent them spiraling to the ground in defeat we face our next group, and after what seemed like minutes but was actually an hour, our link separated and we began to attack each other. Where the owl had speed, I had agility. Our duel lasted for ages until I took the final jab that ended the feud. The owl was thrown to the ground and his costume was quickly fading from his skin, as had the others we had beaten. Blaise thrust his way out of the rest of the mist and grumpily walked back to our professor.

The game went on longer, until I began to face challengers I assumed were the best duelers. My last opponent was what I deemed an easy kill but as I paused for only a moment, my battler sent a curse that knocked me to the ground where I began to wiggle out of my now-misty costume. So, someone had taken down the very calculated Hermione Granger? I chuckled to myself; now I sounded like Draco! He always gave him self titles and stereotypes, perhaps so that he would beat others to the punch. Oh, my lovely man…I smiled even though I was beaten.

'Hermione!' the character squealed, of which it was attacked by another. The serpent shed from her porcelain skin, and out came Hélène Moore. 'I…I swear…' her lower lip wobbled as she cast fearful looks up to me. She was a seventh year that before now, had never said a word to me. 'I didn't know it was you! Of course I should have known…but…but…' I slapped away helping hands that shot out to assist me in standing. I stood up on my own, wiping my hands down my wrinkled skirt.

'Hélène, its fine. Honestly, no harm!' I smiled and held out a hand to her. She looked at me fiercely.

'Why aren't you angry with me? I attacked you- YOU! I should be…I should…be punished.' She squeaked out.

My eyebrows furrowed. 'Because you did what Professor Wimble instructed? Are you sure you're feeling well? Perhaps I could take you to Madame Pom-'

'I'm fine; it is you who should be looked at! You fell, are you alright?' I nodded my head at the taller girl who now stood up and dotted on me. I was half insulted, half appreciative that she was eager to help her Head Girl…that is, I thought that was why she was so eager. 'I am sorry, Hermione.' She gulped noticeably before looking around the enchanted classroom. 'You won't tell Lord- I mean, Draco about this, will you? He won't be the least bit happy and I'm still trying to prove my worth…' her large, doe green eyes pleaded. I was astonished; why would she need to prove herself? Draco had no time to nurse poor-rich-girl-syndrome if that was what she was after. But if she was bowing to him just to find someone's seal of approval, she needed to immediately be told that that wasn't the way about it. And for that matter, she didn't need anyone's approval.

'Why would you need to prove yourself to Draco?' I asked as we walked back to the group of the defeated. 'True, I don't know you that well, but I am sure you are unique and am worth it. Whether or not Draco thinks so.' I smiled reassuringly at her.

'My self-esteem is fine enough, Hermione. It is the fact that…' she sighed and ran a hand through her tousled hair. 'I have already said too much. Just, please…forget that we ever had this conversation?'

I shook my head. 'You have already brought this ludicrousness to my attention. But I promise, since you insist, that you're beating me never happened. Is that okay?' she nodded, and, in my opinion, if a plastic Slytherin girl could heartily smile, she would have at that moment. And then the moment was gone. Everyone's attention had been steered to the last two animals left; the stag and the large serpent.

Supper

'I almost had him.' Harry muttered quietly.

I glanced at him from atop my book. 'Harry, are you going to cry?' I hissed disbelievingly.

'No, not over a bloody brute like that ferret boy.' Harry angrily muttered and finished his food before our plates vanished.

'Honestly! It was just a class assignment, Harry. And it's not like you lost.' I added for his peace of mind. Harry and Draco were the last to duel- it had been an intense fight until they were changed back to their normal personas, where they began their own duel. It took many binding spells to hold them.

'But neither did I win! If only Professor Wimble would have given us a few more moments…' Harry's mouth twisted with the evil thoughts that played in his head.

'You would have been served a detention and then what good would that have done you? Now hush, Harry. Dumbledore's speaking.' I ignored his quiet ramblings and instead tuned in the Headmaster's voice.

'Tonight is All Hollows Eve, and in great tradition we shall shower the rooms of this castle with mystery and good findings if there were ever any. Due to sub-sequential reasons, none of the staff were able to dress for the evening. But there are still students, givers to a good laugh, which have and want to show their fellow schoolmates just how in the spirit they are. First, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team.' Upon Dumbledore's announcement, the twelve boys pranced in dressed as Hufflepuff girls, with their imitation Hufflepuff House robes brought to their knees and knee socks crinkled down to their ankles. Upon their chests were name tags that mocked classmates to and fro the more popular cliques to the invisible wallflowers. 'Next, the Ravenclaw Prefect divisions.' Many of them dressed in life-like crow outfits, and as some of them danced down mine and Harry's isle, silk feathers swept against my face, reminding me of an expensive sweater I would never buy. Among them, I saw Mandy pass the Slytherin table where she and many of her friends chirped and leered with their elbows bent and their fake beaks up to the sky like true ravens. The dining area rumbled with laughter, and if I was right, so did some Slytherins. Dumbledore chuckled from his podium. 'Hufflepuff.' he stated simply, but there was no simplicity about their show.

Hannah Abbott was the first to walk in, her tumbling locks suddenly became poofy and out of control. Upon her chest was the name 'Tilynia Parkinson' regally inscribed. Some gasped, and some laughed uncontrollably. The next to enter was Ernie Macmillan, who strode in with horribly bleached hair, a pair of dress shoes (in high wizardry society, men's dress shoes looked like heeled platforms), and a pair of tacky dress robes. Upon his left breast was an 'M' that took up much space. He spun around and flexed his back to show 'Draco Sodding Malfoy' in large, green print. I covered my mouth with my hand and tried desperately not to laugh at the mockery of my boyfriend. Had my boyfriend been anyone BUT Malfoy, I would have called them tacky and mean. But since I knew Draco would take this in stride or 'make them pay for this!' as he always did, I had no fear. His ego could use a little deflating anyway…

More Hufflepuff students came in, all mocking a specific Slytherin with their game of dress up. Harry was clutching his sides in laughter. 'Hermione, did you see…' he threw his head back as another wave of giggles escaped him. I nodded and silently snickered as I looked to his table to find that he was there, brooding and leering. His eyes roamed around, as if daring anyone to look him in the eye. I was the first, for he relaxed his face when he saw my smile. It was all in good fun. Hufflepuff never did anything wild or funny or harmless- this was their coming out. I was anxious to see what Gryffindor had in store. I couldn't imagine it being nice or meaningless- this year, no one let me in on the secret. Not even Harry would reveal to me the truth. When I would press it, he would reply, "You don't even want to know" and so I left it alone.

That is, I hadn't known just how far Gryffindor was going to take it. 'Gryffindor Quidditch Team.' Dumbledore said with a slight smile on his face. Harry tensed from beside me. I turned to him with a questioning look. I ignored the Gryffindor team who made complete fools of themselves as they tried to impersonate the Ravenclaw boys and girls. 'What is it, Harry? Are you feeling alright?'

He opened his mouth to only close it, and repeated the process many times before he finally sighed. 'Hermione. You're not going to like…' he glanced up at his team and then to Dumbledore before settling his eyes back to me. 'You aren't going to like what they do next. I promise you- I tried to tell them not to do it-'

'Gryffindor.' Dumbledore said clearly. The double doors squeaked open and out came four or five girls that dressed as house elves and were holding up signs of my face magically shifting from a glamorous shot of me that the Daily Prophet had taken to my First Year class photo. There were vulgar words that flashed against my face with many scarlet "Xs" going across. Out came Lavender; her hair was in a wild mess and was dyed to perfectly match the color of my hair. Her clothes were spelled to shift from my baggy uniform, to mismatching outfits, then to finally tattered robes. 'I want to free all of you!' Lavender said dramatically as she ran from the "elves" who were cursing her and poaching their picketing signs, chanting "Leave us slaves, you muggle!"

There were few laughs and scarce applause when they were finished with their play. I glared at my housemates, and when I recognized Ginny as one of the dressed-up slaves, my eyes glowed with anger. Why couldn't they taunt their Head Girl about her relationship, or perhaps her grades; hell, they could have even done a number on my teeth before fourth year! Of all the things they could have been made a skit on…elf slavery? Were they that low? 'Such was not morally amusing.' Dumbledore cleared his throat before continuing on, not sparing a glance at me. Surely he had known they would do that- he had to approve it before they were allowed! He had approved them to tease me and trash my values? What kind of system was ran around here?

'You knew they were going to do that?' my raspy voice hadn't come out softly spoken as I had hoped it would.

Harry looked up at me. 'I swore to not tell you. It was all in good fun, anyway!' he scowled.

'That was fun to you? Not only were they teasing your best friend, but they were also mocking a serious issue in society-'

'You had no problem with people listlessly taunting others. You even joined the cruel laughter- so do explain, Hermione.' He spoke harshly. My nose twitched irritably but I rolled my eyes and looked away. So, he was right. But still, did they have to drag elves into this?

'Slytherin Prefect Division.' Dumbledore called out, and before he fully raised his shaking, wrinkled hand, the doors burst open with life. No one had expected Slytherin to dress up or play along. I smirked to myself- perhaps they were getting along. I looked over to see much of Slytherin gone from their seats. A few odd students sat at the table, looking fearful at the incoming. I shook my head as I saw all of them group together, making two lines as Draco walked between them and raised a spear above him.

'I call your Head Girl, Hermione Granger, to our…show.' He spoke smoothly, making my heart beat faster with anxiety. Just what was he playing at? I contemplated staying where I sat and delving myself closer to Harry so that no one would notice me. But chants began that called my name.

'Go, Hermione.' Harry urged, reminding me of when I pushed him to Dumbledore in our fourth year as he faced the demons of the Goblet of Fire. Now, I was facing my own demons- they took the shape of the ever gorgeous Draco Malfoy. I slowly walked up to where Draco stood regally. I could feel the awkward silence as people waited for the Slytherins to act out their scene. No one, including me, knew what exactly they thought of as 'fun' anyway.

'Who wants to see a magic trick? The best muggle can buy, anyway. But before the last act, how about we allow other things to vanish? Like…light.' He hissed before his cronies began to shoot spells that knocked the candles from the ceiling. He lowered his spear and slid it back into his pocket. Havoc was created as the wax rained down on everyone. 'And perhaps I shall also take your guidance!' he spelled for the professors to be bound and tied to their seats. My eyes grew wild as I understood where Draco was going with this- this was no joke. He was taking their sight, mentors, and next I only imagined him to make me… 'And now, your resources!' He growled before sweeping me in his cape; with a whoosh we were instantly gone in a smoke of air.

A/N: Confused? I hope not; the next chapter will come very soon, I promise! Chapter TWENTY-THREE (can you believe I've been running this circus for 23 chapters so far???) is going to explain a lot; it will hold choices, sacrifices, and decisions- all of the juicy stuff we love to read AND write!

As always, please enjoy and make sure to review.