A longer than usual update, I hope you enjoy it! no smut in this update so no warnings for that though there is some mentions of violence.

Having just finished with the Gryffindor and Slytherin third years I stormed back to my room, how do these students out dunderhead themselves every year? Three cauldrons had succumbed to those idiots and their inability to follow simple instructions. Feeling a headache come on I ordered some tea from the kitchens and decided to settle in with the latest potions journal, I was already looking forward to writing to the editor to correct all these pretenders whom think they know the subtle art of potion making. The warm comforting smell of the tea leaves found its way into my nostrils as I went to take the first anticipated sip when I felt this sharp pain behind my eyes and then all I could hear from Hermione screaming inside my head, screaming in pain and desperation, calling my name to help her to please help her. My teacup had smashed on the ground and I had keeled over in pain, what fresh hell was this? I knew I had to find her, I hoped that the third years potions fumes had just addled my brain but in my heart I knew Hermione was in trouble, that her life was in danger. Pulling myself off the floor I stumbled out into the dungeon corridor, Draco was half way up the corridor as well, pulling himself along the dungeon walls towards my study. He had felt it too. Meeting each other I grabbed his arm, 'You feel it too? Hermione? She's in trouble yes?'.

'Professor she sounds like she's dying, please we have to find her, where is she? Has she been captured by Voldemort?'

'I don't know Draco but I feel like she's on the school grounds, can you feel her too?'

'Yes, yes she's outside somewhere but I cant feel where! by the time we search the grounds it could be too late!'.

'Draco take my hand, focus on Hermione, focus on her magic, on our magic, on the bond we all share, focus and I will do the same'.

The boy took a deep breath, he was shaken, red eyed, tears rolling down his cheeks, I let go of my magic and used every bit of my magical energy to focus on getting to her side, with a POP of apparition Draco and I were taken outside near the greenhouses.

I could hear the sounds of taunting and the dull thuds of something hard hitting something soft. Running towards the sounds we both stopped at a stand still at the first sight of what was happening before us. Hermione on the ground, petrified? and those goons Crabbe and Goyle kicking the life out of her, laughing and taunting her. They hadn't seen us yet and my magic erupted in rage and anger, rolling over them and knocking them to the ground instantly. Wordlessly stunning them so they couldn't identify their attackers I bound, gagged and blind folded them. Draco was already at Hermione's side crying at the sight of her body, it was a bloody pulp of bruises and shattered bones, dead then, no one could survive that. My stomach dropped into my boots.

'Professor she's alive, please she needs help, Hermione if you can hear me hold on!'.

Draco had cast a diagnosis spell, there was a faint heartbeat, she was alive, how? She looked like minced meat. Without a moments hesitation I summoned my patronus, expecting to see the familiar doe I was now looking at a wily looking scar ridden fox, it cocked its head at me as if to say you conjured me for a reason what are you waiting for? Sending a frantic message to Poppy and Dumbledore I watched my fox dart off into the night and returned to Hermione's side with Draco.

'Professor should we do anything, you know some healing charms right?'

'Yes many but with this level of damage I'm scared to do anything lest I damage her further, I would only trust Madam Pomfrey with this Draco, we just have to hope she stays with us until she arrives'. Silently standing over Hermione and Draco I gripped the boys shoulder to comfort him and myself, I could feel Hermione on my consciousness, sending my magic through our connection I commanded my magic to heal and nurture, to preserve and protect. She must live.

Poppy and Dumbledore were rushing down the slope towards the Greenhouses now, Poppy had already conjured a stretcher and it followed behind her, I heard her gasp in shock as she approached closer. Dumbledore had surveyed the situation and was currently investigating who it was that attacked Hermione, Fawkes exploded in a giant fireball of feathers and flames, letting out a sad trill at the sight before him.

'Poppy can Fawkes be of assistance? He has indicated he would be honoured to help Miss Granger'

'Thank you headmaster but Fawkes can save his tears, I don't know how its possible but its like Hermione has channeled her magic to protect her internal organs and brain, she has extensive bruising and some shattered bones but nothing Severus' potions wont heal in time. Quite remarkable I've never seen anyones magic do that before have you headmaster?'.

Dodging the question quite effectively the headmaster stroked his bead thoughtfully, 'Miss Granger is a remarkable woman Poppy, now lets' get her to the infirmary, I will talk to Mister Malfoy and Professor Snape first and then I shall be along'.

Madam Pomfrey had levitated Hermione onto the stretcher and was now rushing back towards the castle, I could hear her whispering comforting words of nonsense as she continued to cast diagnosis and healing charms along the way.

'Gentleman a word, but first, Fawkes would you please dispatch to Auror Shacklebolt immediately requesting his departments presence here at Hogwarts?'. Fawkes disappeared into the night and I was left with Draco who looked shell shocked and the headmaster who was surveying us intently over his half moon glasses.

'Mister Malfoy, Severus, I am very grateful that you were able to save Miss Granger when you did but I am wondering how you two managed to stumble across the attack in such an obscure part of the grounds'.

Damn his omnipotence, damn his all knowing, all judging mind! There was no more delaying the inevitable anymore.

'I'm going to spare you a long and flowery story that you Gryffindors are so partial too and tell you the bare bones facts. First we know that Hermione is a naturalis, how? because she imprinted with us headmaster. We are bound to her for life now, and both of us are feeling pretty darn good about it too. Since you cant do anything about it I suggest you accept that your precious Gryffindor princess is lumped with the likes of us Slytherins and move on. Thankfully she did imprint with us because without that connection we wouldn't have sensed her distress and come to her aid. We both heard her screaming inside our heads to save her, we found one another, focused on her magic and some how managed to evade the Hogwarts anti apparition jinx to apparate to the scene of her assault. I stunned the two thugs, and no neither of them saw or heard Draco and I. So you needn't worry about us being compromised. And that is the crux of the matter, now if you will excuse us I would like to be there for Hermione and I'm sure Draco would like to do the same. I shall speak to you more once I know Hermione is safe and alive.'

Before I could even get an answer from the headmaster I stalked off into the night, Draco jogging along beside me. Both of us desperate to get back to the woman who had changed our lives for the better.

I trailed behind Snape like a lost dog, Merlin Snape was scary, seeing his magic take down Crabbe and Goyle without a spell, without a wand just his rage and anger mixed with his magic took down two full grown men. And for that I was grateful, seeing Hermione like that, my Hermione! Not full of life and light but bloodied and broken. And by two men whom I had known my entire life, they wanted to kill her based on her blood, based on nothing, to just beat someone to near death who had never done you any harm, who you had known for the last six years or so. That was Voldemort's world, a world of hate and prejudice, of violence and death. I felt sick to to very core of me, how could someone as powerful as Hermione be taken down so easily? I didn't understand.

'Professor?'

'What Draco?'

'How did Crabbe and Goyle manage to take down Hermione? Judging from the look of them there doesn't even look like there was a fight'.

'I imagine she was quickly dispatched by a Petrificus Totalus, It really does petrify totally, not only your physical body but your magic is confined too. Even though Hermione has mastered wandless and wordless magic it was no use as her magic couldn't go past her physical form, she was smart enough to figure out that it was best to use the magic within her confinement to protect herself and send for help. Most would panic and try and use brute magical force to throw off the hex and fail miserably especially in this circumstance where ones body is in pain and shock'.

'So they chose the one spell that could've taken her down?'.

'Yes and No, if she was aware of her surroundings more she could have blocked the spell, apparently Moody's Constant Vigilance message hasn't quite sunken in yet. I imagine she will be more careful from here on out, just because one is powerful doesn't mean one can be complacent. Stupidity and arrogance have taken down more witches and wizards then spells and hexes'.

'Will you be telling Hermione she's stupid and arrogant sir?'.

Snorting through his large nose, 'No, I DO want to continue fucking her Draco, No, I imagine she will be telling herself that quite enough, she will need our comfort and support not chastisement and criticism, plus once she is better I will have my owns means of punishment Draco, and if and when that time comes I would like your assistance'.

Finally reaching the infirmary, I couldn't see her in any of the beds, Snape seemed to know where to go however reaching the back of the room and knocking on a brick in the wall which then illuminated in a door outline where the matron admitted us into a private room.

She already looked better, her bones were mended or mending, her skin wasn't so pulpy but was now healing and covered in the sticky orange bruise salve, and there was no blood to be seen.

'Poppy? How is she?'.

'Mending Severus, she will recover completely with no lasting physical effects, emotionally I imagine she will be tender for awhile yet. Her magic protected her Severus, it was amazing, without it she would have died. It's nice to know that the magical world and magical children can still surprise me. Especially like this'.

'Yes, both the human spirit and the magical spirit has great aptitude for survival Poppy and for that we can be grateful, does she need any extra potions not available to you?'.

'No thank you, we will need more blood replenishing potion for the infirmary supplies but it is not urgent, what she needs now is rest'.

'And she shall have it, come Draco let me return you to your common room, good night Poppy'.

'Thank you Professor Snape, for finding her, you saved her life'.

At that Snape nodded his head awkwardly in recognition of her words and stalked off through the hidden door, murmuring my gratitude to the frazzled looking matron I followed obediently behind the Professor and down towards the dungeons.

'What now Godfather?'

'You are to go back to the common room, tell your class mates you over heard of Grangers attack by Crabbe and Goyle, try to find out if there are any more potential murderers in the snake pit. Remember your duty Draco, I know you find many in your house distasteful but you have a part to play and you must play it'.

'Yes sir, I'll do my best, please come find me if anything changes with Hermione?'.

'You'll be the first to know, now as head of Slytherin house I best go see the headmaster and the auror's about what will happen to those good for nothing thugs'.

Composing my face into my trademark Malfoy sneer I swaggered into my common room intent on finding out any information that could prevent this from ever happening again.

I could hear a voice muttering close by, I wish they would be quiet, I still felt so tired and I had been having a very erotic dream the likes of which was fading fast, groaning I tried to roll over and found I couldn't as the sheets were tucked in extremely tight around my body.

'Ah Miss Granger you're awake, how are you feeling dear?'.

'Tired Madam Pomfrey, tired and stiff, what happened to me?'.

'What was the last thing you remember?'.

'Crabbe and Goyle kicking me, being in pain, scared'.

'Yes you were attacked by those two awful boys, you were extremely lucky your magic protected you, shielding your most vulnerable body parts, it was truly incredible. That and the Malfoy boy and Professor Snape chanced upon your attack, disarmed your attackers and sent for help.

'Sev—Ppprofessor Snape and Malfoy found me?'.

'Yes, without sounding too dramatic, they saved your life. You had many broken and fractured bones, muscle damage, extensive bruising. All of which were healed successfully with potions and bed rest. The headmaster will be along soon to have a chat with you now that you're awake, are you in any pain? Do you need a pain reliever potion?'.

'No I don't think so, thank you though'.

Poppy bustled off and Dumbledore soon waltzed in, looking concerned but happy I was awake, 'Miss Granger how good it is to see you awake, you've had many worried visitors'.

'Harry and Ron? Can I see them soon?'.

'Yes Misters Potter and Weasley have been very vigilant during the day, visiting on the meal breaks and before and after classes. Your night side vigil has of course been Professor Snape and Mister Malfoy'.

'Oh, well that was nice of them to be concerned for me'.

'I dare say they were more worried than your two housemates, but then again I wouldn't be surprised given they are your imprinted lovers'.

My head snapped to his eyes trying to gauge his thoughts, obviously this information must have come out in the days after my attack.

'It's okay Miss Granger, the proverbial cat is out of the bag now. I had suspected when it was Severus and Mister Malfoy whom had saved you, the chances of both of them finding you the way they did was so slim I knew some sort of magic had to be at play. Severus admitted as much when I questioned him, they both seem pleased with the chain of events. It would be remiss of me to ask so I will, Are you happy with the imprinting?'

'Um yes sir, very happy. I know it is for life and that Severus and Draco will be able to share in my powers now but I trust them and they trust me. At first Severus wasn't happy I had also imprinted with Draco but I believe he is adjusting'.

'Yes I was surprised that Severus seemed to be coping so well with that aspect, as you know he is a very covetous man, he hasn't had much love in his life and he struggles with that, often he doesn't know how to react when it comes his way. However seeing him with Draco these last few days during your convalescence has been illuminating and and reassuring'.

'How so sir?'.

'They have formed a fast and thick bond with one another, I know they have been spending a lot of time together, they have been brewing a lot of potions for the infirmary, I imagine to keep themselves occupied until you woke. But their friendship has definitely been cemented by this ordeal, it has been heartening to see Severus trust another human being. He now has you as a life partner and Draco as a friend and confidante, I wouldn't say it to his face as he takes great pride in his miserable angry persona but I think this is the happiest he has ever been'.

The headmaster was smiling to himself, looking a little disbelieving at Severus' new found fate and fortune.

'When can I see them headmaster?'

'Oh I believe they would've sensed your recovery into the waking world and will no doubt come rushing in shortly, I will bade you farewell Miss Granger and wish you a speedy recovery'.

'Thank you headmaster'.

The headmaster disappeared through the secret door and I could hear the floo activating as he returned to his study. Over the sound of the flames I could hear the sound of two rushing footsteps and knew it was them.

Both of them came bursting through the door, Draco's relief clearly written on his face as he rushed to my side, grasping my hand and kissing it.

Severus was still standing in the doorway, staring at me, no emotion was evident on his face.

'Severus I am going to be okay, now come here, even though I was asleep I missed you'.

At that he rushed over to my other side, pressing his forehead to my mine and inhaling deeply, 'Never worry me like that again pet, I beg of you, I couldn't stand it'.

'Yes kitten you should have seen him he was in more foul of a mood than usual it's been quite a sight to witness'.

'Well I'll do my best to not be nearly murdered by no good thugs in the future'.

The boys continued to fill me in about anything that happened while I was unconscious but I found my attention waning, I was tired and I was happy being here with the two of them. Soon I dropped into dream scape, my dreams matching reality, safe and loved in the arms of Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.