A/N-Heeheehee! I love the reviews! Thanx!

Disclamer! I own the plot, that's it!

Chapter 4- Back to School

It had been a month since I was transfigured. Voldemort made Draco my master
so I would have to see my friends, but I couldn't tell them who I was. I didn't know whether to
be happy or upset about this. Harry and Ron would find out somehow. Dobby managed to
leave hints for Harry in our second year, so maybe I could manage.

Even with the humiliation of being a slave, I was glad to be alive, and have some
freedom of what to do. I just wish I could tell my parents and friends that they should be
happy. Today I was going back to Hogwarts. At least I would only have to deal with Draco,
instead of his father. He would always beat me if I wasn't working. Draco just gave me little
tasks, like getting him a snack, or something else that took five seconds. Hopefully Hogwarts
wouldn't be too bad. Maybe he'd let me help out in the kitchens. Dobby worked there, and he
wasn't a bad elf. He would know what I was going through.

I followed Draco onto the Hogwarts Express. He went to a cabin where Crabbe
and Goyle were in. I sat in a corner and watched. Goyle and Crabbe stared at me.

"Is that...?"

"Your fathers told you? Yes, it is."

I forgot, their parents were Death Eaters. Crap. Now I had to deal with three of
them. Goyle and Crabbe started laughing. "Well, Granger, you're not the smartest student at
Hogwarts anymore!" Goyle was cracking up.

"Like you'd ever be!"

"How dare a house elf insult a human!" Goyle kicked me in the stomach.

"Leave her alone!" A very familiar voice called out. Harry and Ron entered the
cabin. Ron, who had always made fun of S.P.E.W., was wearing his badge. "You can't treat a
house elf like that! If Hermione..."

Ron's voice got really quiet. A tear trickled down his face. "Master Draco? May I
talk with them?"

Draco grinned. He and I both knew it was imposible for me to tell them who I am.
"Ofcourse, Ninny, just remember the rule..."

I scowled at him. At least he let me talk with them. Harry and Ron were giving me
odd looks. I followed them into another compartment. "I am sorry sirs, about- Her-her-her."
I couldn't even say Hermione. "What exactly happened?"

O.K., I asked it. Well, if everyone thought you were dead, you'd try to find out
how you died.

"She went for a walk one day, and never returned. They're still searching for her."
Ron started crying again.

"It's all my fault." Harry said. "I was the one who brought back Voldemort, his
followers hate muggle borns. If I never saw that cup..."

"It is not your fault! If she was here, do you think she'd want you to blame her?
Besides, the search is still on! She might not be dead!" I yelled out. Then a force took over
me. "Bad Ninny! Bad bad bad Ninny!"

Something was making me hit my head against the window. Harry and Ron tried
to pull me away, but during our conversation I kept running back and banging my head.

"What did you mean by that?"

"I cannot say sirs. I'm sorry, I cannot."

"Wait, Ron, she works at the Malfoys, maybe..."

"Did you see her? Please answer truthfully! I'm sorry if you'll hurt yourself, but
I need to know... I miss her so much."

I wish I could comfort Ron, but the stupid spell... "I-I-I... I have not seen her face,
I'm sorry." It was the truth. "Please do not question my master, it will just get her hurt."

"Malfoy knows? I'm sorry if you get in trouble Ninny, but... if you knew her."

"No Harry! She could get killed if you ask! She is safe, I can assure you that!"

"How would you know? You said you haven't seen her face!"

"Please sirs! If you value her life, do not question Master!" At this point the
window broke.

"But-but-but..."

"Ron, we have to listen to Ninny. We can't let Hermione get hurt. Ninny probably
will also be punished."

"But, promise us you'll tell if she gets hurt."

"Her fate is the same as mine. If she get's hurt or killed, I do too. If I get hurt, so
does she."

Suddenly I felt a great pain at saying this. I started banging my head against a new
window. "Don't!" shreaked Ron. "How dare you hurt her?"

"You hurt her, sir, by talking to me."

"I'm sorry Ninny, just try not to punish yourself too often. And if you see her...
tell Hermione I love- I wish I could help."

"If you can help, Ron, I'll let you know."

I walked out of the compartment, leaving behind a crying Ron, and a bewildered
looking Harry. "I love you too, Ron." I whispered.

A/N- OK, review! It ends here because Fleur's Boyfriend wants to use the computer. Please
review!!!!!!!! Or I won't write anymore... evil grin!