Hermione returned to the Burrow in a slight state of shock. She was matched with Draco. Not Ron. Ron had broken her hand. And Draco fixed it. Her world was turning upside down.

Mrs. Weasley was beside herself at the news of her youngest son being detained: "My poor baby! He didn't mean to hurt anyone!" But Hermione just ignored her. Ron deserved it. That and more honestly. Maybe this would knock some sense into him.

After Mrs. Weasley finally calmed down about Ron being arrested, she asked about everyone's matches. She was thrilled that Ginny was matched with Harry. She was unsure of Percy's match because she didn't know the girl. George's match wasn't much of a shock, but seeing as Angelina used to date Fred, she did not say much about the match. When it came to Ron's match, she looked at Hermione expectantly: "Oh darling! I just knew you two would be matched!" It was Ginny that stopped her: "Mum… They didn't match…"

"No Ginny. They did. They are meant to be together!"

"Mum. He matched with Millicent Bulstrode."

"You're lying! Then who would she be matched with?"

Everyone looked at Hermione, not saying a word. Hermione guessed she would have to be the bearer of what they saw as bad news: "I matched with Draco Malfoy." Obviously Molly Weasley took the news rather well.

"What? That slimy, no good, Death Eater that should be locked up in a cell instead of my Ronnie? How could you? Get out of my house!"

Everyone else present began to protest. But Hermione saw red. Yes, she was the one to choose Draco. Because that was the easiest choice of them all. But if she wasn't welcome she would figure something out. She spun around and fled. She already had her beaded bag on her, and she had left nothing else in the room she had been staying in. She disapperated away.

Ronald Weasley was charged with assault. He was facing fifty hours of community service for his actions during the matching announcements, but he was held in a cell at the ministry for 24 hours before his sentencing could take place. Despite his war hero status, he could not wiggle his way out of having to atone for his very public crime. He was finally released into the custody of his father with Arthur shaking his head. What were they going to do with him?

When he arrived at the Burrow, he started looking for Hermione. They would be together no matter what. "Gin, where's 'Mione?"

"Um.. We don't know. Harry's been looking for her, but he hasn't found her yet."

"What do you mean you can't find her?"

"Mom kicked her out…"

"Why would she do that?"

"Mom blamed her for not being matched with you. Said it was her fault for everything being ruined and you being arrested."

"I planned on getting her back! I don't care what those wankers say! She will be with me! This is all the ferret's fault!"

Hermione woke up to the chirping of birds. She never thought she would sleep in that tent again, but she didn't know where else to go. She had already decided to hide away for the night before deciding to go anywhere else. She figured she would just go back to Hogwarts early but everyone would expect her to be there. And she didn't want to be found right away. Before too long had passed, she saw a white stag floating towards her. "Where are you, Hermione? I've been looking everywhere and can't find you. Please just let me know you're safe."

She felt bad for worrying him, but Harry would be fine. He had the Weasleys to assure him. But she decided she would try to respond. She pulled out her wand and tried to cast her patronus. But it wouldn't come. She could make mist. But no otter. She tried and tried, but it seemed every memory she thought of was tainted somehow. Her memories with her parents brought sadness. Memories with Ron were tainted by his recent actions. Memories with Harry were generally met with happiness but not enough to produce a patronus. Memories of the Hogwarts library were met with a sense of despair over the war. Nothing was working.

Suddenly she had an idea. "It might be a long shot," she thought. But it worked. Her otter was as bright as ever. "I'm fine, Harry. Just had to get away for a little while. I'll let you know when I'm back at Hogwarts." And with that, she sent her otter away.

Her hand was hurting her. In all of the commotion from the day before, she had forgotten about Ron breaking some of the bones in her hand. She could tell she needed a dose of Skelegrow to make sure the bones healed correctly, but she did not want to go to St. Mungos. That left Madam Pomphrey. After eating a little bit of food, she sent off a patronus message to the headmistress to ask if she could return early. The headmistress responded immediately with an affirmative that someone would be there to greet her at the gates. Once she packed the tent back into her beaded bag, she apperated to the edges of the Hogwarts grounds.

The headmistress had sent Hagrid along to let her in the gates. He tried to be nice and talk to her, but Hermione was not really in the mood. She kept the conversation brief, especially when he asked about Ron. Once they reached the castle doors, she quickly wished him good day and hurried up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomphrey was not happy with her having waited to receive treatment, but she did say the charm had helped eliminate long term damage. Hermione had been thankful for Draco in that moment.

Suddenly she realized he would be in the castle. Maybe he was hidden in the head dorms. She thought about him as Madam Pomphery finished giving her the dose of Skelegrow. "Ms. Granger, kindly refrain from using your hand until tomorrow morning. I would wrap it up for you, but I think you can be trusted to care for it yourself. Should there be anymore swelling or discolouration come see me at once." Hermione thanked Madam Pomphery and hurried out. She almost ran to her dorm. As she entered the portrait hole, she saw the brilliant blond hair sticking up over the back of the chair. There he was.