Protection- Part six

Protection- Part six

Hermione didn't come out of her bed let alone her room for a week.

Her roommates tried to give her food and tried to talk to her but nothing worked. They didn't dare approach her because of Dumbledore's warning.

Parvati and Lavender said the only thing she ever did was cry. Only Ron and Cho, who were now seeing each other secretly, knew why she acted the way she did.

Harry was still missing. Three days after Dumbledore's warning Ron pointed this out to him.

'Oh my,' said Dumbledore who looked as tiered and worn out as ever. 'With everything that happened with Miss Granger… I forgot about other matters. I will look for him, Mr. Weasley. Thank you.' He tried to smile.

Ron had nothing better to do then walk away.

When Hermione finally went to the Great Hall she made a big dismay.

Some students didn't know what Dumbledore meant by "don't touch her". They didn't speak to her, didn't make eye contact and walked as far from her as possible. Other students were afraid of her. As a result, the person sitting closest to her was Ron, and he was sitting at the other side of the table.

But Hermione didn't mind. In fact, she seemed oblivious to everything around her, except one thing. In her right hand she was holding a beautiful white rose. She looked at it from time to time longingly.

During the meal Ron tried to talk to Hermione but she wouldn't answer. Eventually he gave up.

It would have been a peaceful morning or maybe even a peaceful day, if it weren't for one person.

Near the end of the meal Draco Malfoy stood up from his place at the Slytherin table. Accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle, as usual, he went to the Gryffindor table.

Everyone in the Hall watched.

'I guess they will have to learn the hard way,' thought Dumbledore and sighed.

Draco stopped near Hermione.

'Well, well, you finally dissuaded to show your face in here,' he said. 'You should have stayed away, it was so nice here without you.'

Crabbe and Goyle laughed sheepishly. Ron closed his hands into fists, but Hermione didn't even look up. She was looking at her rose, which she put on the table beside her.

'You know,' continued Malfoy. 'I don't know why Dumbledore told us not to touch you. Me, I wouldn't touch you even if my life depended on it.'

Hermione was still looking on her rose. It was as if she didn't hear what Malfoy had said.

'Now this rose of yours,' continued Draco. 'This flower is special. Something like you shouldn't have something like that.'

This time there was a response. 'Please, don't take it,' said Hermione.

Her voice was small and quiet, probably from her crying, but everyone in the Great Hall heard it. It was that quiet.

Malfoy laughed. 'Dumbledore warned us from this?' he said to Crabbe and Goyle. 'I'm going to give it to someone who deserves it.' He reached and took the rose.

Big tears were coming down Hermione's cheeks. 'He took the rose… it's ruined…' she whispered to no one apparently.

The Slytherin table was roiling from laughter. Dumbledore was standing, he looked very worried.

Then, all of a sudden, crimson light started circling Hermione. The Slytherins stopped laughing.

Hermione stood and turned towards Malfoy. 'Him,' she said.

The light seemed to swirl around Hermione. Then all of it at once shot at Malfoy. It hit him in the chest. Draco flew threw the entire Hall and hit the far wall.

All eyes in the Great Hall were now on Hermione. She was standing near her seat, crying. The light had disappeared.

Crabbe and Goyle (they were very stupid) started walking towards Hermione. They both reached for her at the same time.

The crimson light returned a second before they touched her. It was like a shield around her. Crabbe and Goyle flew across the Hall; they hit the wall beside Draco.

But no one was looking at them. Everyone was looking at Hermione.

She was standing in the middle of a rain of roses, just like the one a week ago. Then like the week before the rain stopped and another white rose came down. Hermione caught it and kissed it.

The Hall was very quiet.

Suddenly Hermione fainted.

'Hermione!' cried Ron. He was at her side of the table by then and before anyone could stop him he reached for her hand.

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A/N- I'm so sorry everybody! I was so tiered from schoolwork and everything that I just didn't have the power (or the time) to log in and post this part. I'm really sorry. I'll try and post the next part soon. But I can only try.

Thanks for all the people who reviewed. I appreciate it a lot. Please, don't stop!

Almost forgot- what do you think will happen to Ron?

All of you D/H people, I'm one of you. Really, it's just I had to make someone touch her, and Crabbe and Goyle won't do it from their own choice. I'm really - REALLY - sorry. Read Draco Dormains and Draco Sinsiter, those stories are beautiful (I started to like Draco thanx to them)!

Disclaimer- I own the plot. That's it.