Pansy looked up and smirked as Hermione and Ginny unwittingly started walking straight into their trap. Crab and Goyle stood silently against the wall; Pansy had just finished the first part of their plan.

Ginny and Hermione reached them and stopped. Pansy knew they would not be able to see them, because they were hiding behind a statue leaning against the wall.

Hermione went white as a sheet. It would have been considered a clever touch, if it wasn't so sick. Written on the wall, in a mixture of mud and blood, were the following words.

I wrote that article, Mud Blood. I know the truth. I know Andy Ellis is real, but it doesn't change my mind. I'm going to make you wish you'd never been born, by making Andy Ellis look tamer than a fly! I'm not alone, Mud Blood. Don't count on Draco to save you this time.

"That's a threat," Hermione whispered. "I'm being threatened."

"Don't worry about it, Hermione. It's just some people being sick individuals. Dumbledore's given you way too much security, you'll be fine. Come on, let's go, and just ignore it."

They headed out into the grounds, not noticing they were this time being followed by three other people.

"Come on, Hermione. Think about Draco."

At that, Hermione couldn't help but smile.

"Aah yes, Draco." Ginny smiled back. "You can't deny how you feel for him much longer now, can you?"

In spite of what she'd just read, both in the paper and on the wall, Hermione managed to smile.

"No," she whispered, "no, I can't."

"Didn't think so," Ginny smirked.

"I don't know what it is, Gin. I just love him so much; I have since the end of last year, maybe before. I'm not sure. Now, there's everything that happened to me this summer, now he knows, I just trust him, I can't explain it."

"Hermione, I think it's time I told you some truth. Draco actually has known for a while. Dumbledore told him."

Hermione stared at Ginny, then her smile widened.

"Yet he's been so nice to me? He's acting like he loves me! Is this all to do with what happened? Does Dumbledore know how I feel about Draco?"

"I don't know," Ginny smiled back. But I wouldn't complain about it!"

Hermione again smiled. "Believe me, I'm not! I love it! I just wish I had the courage to tell him how I feel! I'd give anything to kiss him and…"

"Then for goodness sake do it! As soon as you get back tonight, do it! Hermione, I think we can all tell that he's dying to do exactly the same thing!"

"Don't say that, please!" Hermione looked desperately at her friend. "I dreamt he did kiss me and told me he loved me, on our very first night back! I don't want to lose the idea that maybe he actually doesn't! That's the reason I'm too scared to do it, encase he doesn't feel the same!"

"Hermione, even a blind man could see he does! Don't upset yourself anymore! I can tell your heart is breaking because you haven't kissed him yet, stop holding back! I think if you did kiss him and let him hold you, you'd be in for one hell of a nice surprise!"

Hermione didn't answer.

"You're in for the worst surprise of your life for this, Mud Blood." Came a sneering voice from behind her and Ginny. Hermione gasped.

Pansy, Crab and Goyle stepped out from the shadows, advancing on Hermione and Ginny.

"You're beloved Draco isn't here," Pansy mocked. "You are in big trouble. Have a look at this, Mud Blood."

Pansy again raised the picture of Andy Ellis. Ginny instantly pulled out her wand.

"You absolute total and complete fucking bitch! We know you wrote that article, you total git! You're not going to touch her; I'll make sure of that!"

Pansy roared with laughter. She pulled out her own wand and she and Ginny began to duel.

While that was happening, Crab and Goyle grabbed Hermione and forced her down onto the ground.

"You think Andy Ellis was bad," sneered Goyle, undoing his trousers as Crab did the same.

"Don't get us wrong, you don't turn us on, Mud Blood, we just want to put you through hell for what you've done to Pansy."

Before long, Crab was on top of Hermione.

"Which is what?" Hermione managed to say, white as parchment.

"Which is taking Draco from her."

"I never took him anywhere! I don't control Draco Malfoy's heart, it's not my fault he doesn't love that ugly bitch!"

She had said the wrong thing. Instantly, Crab was relieving her of her underwear.

Ginny managed to shoot a stunning spell at Pansy, which caught her unawares, as she was watching Crab. Ginny ran forward and raised her wand again. She sent something silver through the trees, as Goyle faced her. Crab was very close to raping Hermione.

"Just you try," Ginny sneered. Her voice barely above a whisper. "You'll regret it, if you do."

Crab glared at her. Ginny didn't dare hit him with a curse, as he was on top of Hermione. Goyle raised his wand.

Crucio…"

"Stupefy!" Yelled Ginny. Ginny's curse was quicker. Goyle hit the ground, stunned.

Crab still seemed determined to rape Hermione. He waved the picture of Andy Ellis in her face. Hermione now looked terrified.

Suddenly, they heard running footsteps. Ginny looked up and saw Draco, Andria, Dumbledore and the Grangers running towards them. Dumbledore raised his wand and blasted Crab off of Hermione, noting that he wasn't wearing underwear, neither was she. Hermione struggled to sit up; she was white to the lips and gasping for breath. Gently, her mother helped her get her under clothes back on.

When Hermione eventually spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Draco, Draco! Please, I love you, I need you, don't leave me now! Please, Draco, save me?"

Draco ran to Hermione's side, knelt down and tenderly took her into his arms.

"I'm here, Hermione. I'm here. You're safe, it's alright. Shah, it's ok. No one's here to hurt you know, you're safe. Perfectly safe."

Hermione stared into his eyes, as he held her close to his side. Hermione tried to slow her breathing down, but it was impossible. Ginny grabbed the picture of Andy Ellis, screwed it into a ball and chucked it as far as she could.

Andria ran to Hermione's other side, as Mr. Granger and Dumbledore carried Pansy, Crab and Goyle back into the school.

"Draco," whispered Hermione, as he held her close to him. She was soaked in sweat.

"Draco, I love you, please, save me from this," she said again, just before she blacked out in his arms.

When Hermione woke up, she was lying on a comfortable seat. It took her a few seconds to realise where she was. She was in the back of her father's people carrier, with cushions under her back and head.

She looked to her left. Draco was sitting on the seat right next to where she was lying, his arms tenderly around her, holding her close. There was sweat all over her face.

As soon as they noticed she was awake, Mr. Granger pulled into a road side lane and stopped.

He opened the back door and looked lovingly at his daughter.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked faintly.

"You blacked out, darling," came her father's gentle voice. "We're on our way to ST. Mungo's. Mr. Dumbledore has made this car a lot bigger by magic, there's a fair few of us in here for you, darling."

"Who's here?" Asked Hermione quietly, as Draco held her close to his chest.

"Well, there's your man, Mr. Malfoy, as you can tell," he smiled faintly at her. "He's right next to you. In the front, there's me, Andria, mum, Gemma, Victoria and Ginny."

Hermione gasped.

"We all love you, Hermione. WE want you to be alright. We'll be there soon; Ginny is directing us. Just lie still, Mr. Malfoy will keep you comfortable. We'll be there soon."

He gently kissed her sweat soaked forehead and closed the door.

Hermione leant into Draco as the car started up again.

"I'm here, Hermione." Draco said again. "I'm not going anywhere; I'll be here as long as you want me."

"Forever, then?" She muttered faintly. Draco smiled.

"If that's what you want, it would be my pleasure," he replied, tenderly.

In spite of her weak state, Hermione's heart still flipped.

"Draco?" Hermione managed to whisper again.

"Dear one, I really would suggest you stay quiet, you've been through a lot. You're weak; just lie still for a bit. Ok? I'm right here, but try and relax. We'll be there soon."

Hermione again looked into his eyes.

"Draco, please, I have to just do this."

She managed to raise her head weakly and leant forward. Draco knew she was leaning towards him, so he leant towards her. Within two seconds, their lips had met. Hermione raised her arms and put them around Draco's neck, pulling him closer to her. In spite of everything, their kiss deepened. Mrs. Granger nudged her husband who looked into the back, smiled, and then stopped the car.

Hermione was oblivious. Hers and Draco's kiss was gentle, loving and tender. Everything she'd longed for. Ginny, Victoria, Gemma, Andria and Mrs. Granger were all smiling. None of them wanted to speak, or interrupt the moment.

Holding onto Draco tightly, Hermione managed to sit up. Her head rested on his shoulder for a second, then lifted up to meet Draco's lips again.

Draco gently helped Hermione to strap in in a sitting position, and then Mr. Granger continued to drive. A lot of the colour had returned to Hermione's face and she was looking happier than any of them had seen her since it happened.

"I'm sorry, Draco." Said Hermione quietly.

"Oh Hermione, whatever for?"

"I'm sorry that our first kiss has to be in these circumstances, this was not how I planned it."

Draco smiled.

"Me neither and certainly not after what's happened to you, but hey, it's happened now. That's all I care about."

"Draco," Hermione said quietly, leaning in for another kiss. "Me too."

"I heard you say you loved me," said Draco quietly and Hermione's heart half flipped, half sank. Draco held her tightly and sought her lips again.

"I love you too," he said.

"You… you love me too?"

Draco nodded and smiled.

"That's right, Hermione. I love you too."

They tenderly leant in towards each other and then kissed gently again.

A few minutes later, they reached ST. Mungo's. Draco gently helped Hermione out of the car. The Granger's, Andria, Gemma and Victoria needed help to get passed the dummy, but they did so by holding on to the arm of Ginny. She came back and helped them all through. Draco gently helped Hermione through, holding her close in his arms.

In reception, a young female healer was awaiting them. She smiled at them as they came in.

"Hello Hermione," she said gently. "I'm Karon; I'm here to talk with you."

Once they were all through, Karon led them up to her office. Draco refused to let go of Hermione, which Karon saw and smiled.

When they reached Karon's office, she quickly conjured up hot refreshments for them all. Hermione took some tea gratefully.

"Thanks," she said quietly, as she looked at the kind healer.

"No problem at all, Hermione. Now, you don't have to, no pressure at all, but do you want to talk to me about what happened?"

Hermione nodded. Everyone in this room knew and it wasn't like these healers weren't trained in things like this."

"Do you know anything already?" Hermione asked Karon.

"I know what happened to you this summer, Professor Dumbledore sent me a letter just as you left Hogwarts to come here. Hermione, I'm so, so sorry. I am even more appalled that people could be so cruel as to do what some did to you today."

Hermione smiled at the kind healer.

"Sounds like you already know everything then," she said finally.

"Yes, but if it will help you to tell me the story in your own words, you may."

So Hermione did. She told Karon the whole story. Right up from when they'd entered the club that first time, to that day. She told of the terror she'd felt, the hurt and fear. How she feared most men, but yet somehow, when she was around Draco, she didn't fear him at all. How Draco had been so encouraging to her, helping her through it. Karon smiled as Hermione had to stop to kiss Draco passionately.

When she had finished, Karon looked at her kindly.

"Well Hermione, I don't think there's anything I need to do for you, I think your man Draco here, has already started doing it for you and will continue I'm sure. I will say though, if you ever need any help, do not hesitate to come to us."

Again, Hermione managed to smile.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"You're more than welcome," the healer replied.

It had taken Hermione just over an hour to recount her story. Once she had, Karon said that if she was sure she was feeling alright, that she was clear to go back to Hogwarts. Hermione said she'd love too. Ginny, Andria, Gemma and Victoria all smiled. The latter three hadn't needed Ginny to explain anything, even before Hermione had told her story. They could tell, just by the way Hermione was around Draco, not to mention she'd kissed him!

As Draco tenderly helped Hermione back out to her parents car, with Victoria, Gemma and the Granger's following behind, Andria spoke quietly to Karon and Ginny.

"Karon, please tell me if I'm wrong but, I think this is the only thing that can truly save her?"

Andria pulled out the little slip of paper and showed it to the healer, who smiled.

"Yes," she replied. "That's the only thing that can do it and I think the only one who can help her realise that is Draco."

"I do too," said Andria with a smile. Then, she turned to Ginny.

"Do you think Mr. Malfoy will do it?"

"Oh yeah," Ginny smiled. "He'll do anything to save her, I'm sure of it! Anything! This will be an honour for him, I know it! Hermione will be in paradise, trust me! They've been in love for longer than even they knew."

"Great!" Said Andria and Karon together, smiling happily. "In that case, tonight, we need to ask Mr. Malfoy to do it. We need them alone in their common room. Shouldn't be difficult, as you said their Head's, right?"

Ginny nodded.

"I'll get them alone, don't worry about that!"

"Ok," said Andria, smiling happily as Karon did the same.

"In that case, it's time. It's time for Draco Malfoy to read Hermione Granger that little slip of paper we've kept from her for long enough. It's time for Hermione to know, from the only one who can do it, of the only one thing that can save her."

Dumbledore had taken the stunned Pansy, Crab and Goyle back up to the school, with the help of the others. They'd bound them and placed them in the Head's common room, until a Ministry Official came to take them out of Hogwarts.

Harry and Ron, who had still been there when Draco had left fast, kept guard over the prisoners, waiting for news.

Half an hour later, the Ministry Officials had arrived and taken the three of them off their hands. Dumbledore quietly asked them to leave the Head's Quarters as, when Draco and Hermione got back; they were going to need to use them alone. Harry and Ron raised no objections, just left heading back towards Gryffindor Tower, asking Dumbledore to give them any news as soon as he got it, to which Dumbledore agreed.

Two hours later, the Granger's car drew up outside Hogwarts. Dumbledore had put magic on it so it could do just that. Gently, Draco helped Hermione from her seat, taking her close and kissing her once they were standing. Hermione completely relaxed into his arms.

Victoria, Gemma, Andria and the Granger's, followed them back towards their Quarters.

"Will you be alright now, Hermione? We're going to head back now. If you want us at all though, just come to us through your Flu Network."

Hermione smiled and nodded.

"Yes guys, I'll be fine. Thank you so much for coming with me. Dad, thanks for the lift."

Mr. Granger smiled. Hermione had always said that to him, even as a child.

Smiling, Andria stepped close and handed Draco the little slip of paper. Draco smiled and told her he already had a copy, but thanked her anyway. Quietly, he slipped the paper into his pocket.

Dumbledore showed the Granger's up to his office, along with Gemma, Victoria and Andria, so they could use his Flu. Andria turned and smiled at Hermione.

"Send me an owl as soon as you can," she said quietly. "I want to know how it goes."

Victoria and Gemma both nodded.

"No problem," said Hermione quietly. "That, you can be sure of."

Andria smiled.

"Hermione, when this all started, I wrote a little slip of paper that you didn't see, for a moment just like this. Tonight, you will see it, as Draco has a copy. You'll love it, trust me!"

Hermione smiled at her friend and Counsellor.

"Just like you, Andria. To do something and not tell me. Thanks. Well, if you did it, I know I'll love it already."

She released Draco to hug Andria tightly, then hugged Gemma and Vicky. All of them were smiling. They all knew, just by the way Draco was looking at Hermione, that he had eyes for nobody else. That suited them just fine.

Gently, he took her close once more, as Andria, Vicky and Gemma followed Dumbledore and the Granger's. Draco gently led her down the corridor into their empty common room.

As soon as the portrait was shut, Hermione leant into him.

"Draco Malfoy, I love you so much I'm going crazy," she said, as their lips met, long and passionately.

"You can't love me as much as I love you," Draco said, gently helping her onto their couch, sitting close beside her and enfolding her into his arms once more.

"I don't know about that," she smiled at him.

"I do," he replied.

She rested her head on his shoulder, as he gently stroked her hair.

"You're so beautiful, Hermione." He whispered to her.

Hermione blushed.

"Thank you, Draco. You're not so bad yourself."

"Hermione, listen to me. I will do exactly what Andria has written, exactly as the paper says. Do not think it is too quick, because it's not! I love you so much and I will do anything at all for you!"

Again, they kissed, long and tenderly. Hermione felt herself go weak, as she looked into Draco's silver grey eyes. Gently, he held her tightly to his chest.

Quietly, Draco handed her the piece of paper, Hermione had known nothing about until a few seconds ago. She unfolded it with trembling hands and read it. Andria's neat writing was easy to read.

Hermione needs to find herself a man. I don't mean any man either. I mean a man who will love her, care for her for the rest of her life. The last thing she needs in a one night stand.

She also need security. It's all very well having a boyfriend, but after what has happened to her, Hermione eventually needs to find marriage. She needs to marry a man who will protect her, love her and keep her from all future harm. Someone she can trust with absolutely anything.

In most cases, it will be obvious who this man is, because the victim, in this case Hermione, will be able to look at him with no fear at all, while feeling a strong fear for almost every other man. There will be a few exceptions, men she trusts but doesn't love, but the man she loves, will be obvious to behold.

She will not fear him, she will want to be near him and he will return her feelings. It will be ok for Hermione to have a boyfriend for a little while, but ideally, she needs marriage. If the man truly loves her and she him and they can see themselves being together forever, that should not be a problem at all.

She will not want sexual intercourse until marriage obviously, because of what Andy did to her. She will need the security of a husband, someone who's not just going to have sex with her and then walk away.

She will need a husband to prevent her flashbacks. This is a lot more serious than it sounds, because if she does not find a husband soon after the attack, the flashbacks, if they are distressing enough, could affect her heart and kill her. Once she is married, she will know she's perfectly safe.

A boyfriend cannot give someone that same assurance, as a husband can. Once she is married, she will be with her husband for life. Men, who are after rape, tend not to attack married women, being afraid of their husbands.

"Fucking cowards," Hermione mumbled, Draco smiled and tenderly kissed her once more.

Hermione looked back down at the paper.

There is a simple message on this piece of paper. Hermione, you may wonder how I wrote this so fast while keeping you distracted, I have a lot of training. When you read this, I hope you are in the tender arms of a man, who understands exactly what I'm saying.

For a woman who's been through this kind of hell, only one thing can save her. That one thing is a husband's love.