A/N: Hello there…yet again! Yes…another chapter! I won't keep you…Sorry it took so long! I really am…I have been applying to colleges and taking tests and stuff…forgive me!

Chapter 12: Does He Ever Get the Girl?

The sun once again shone brightly through the castle windows as Hermione woke in her room, surrounded by her blankets. But this time, it was different. She sat up and glanced about the tidy room, thinking about nothing but everything all the same. The first thought that came to her head was the best. She was with Harry. The idea struck her as sort of odd since the past week had been a living nightmare, thanks to her "brilliance". But now that everything was together, she felt like something else was in the way, just waiting to do some impressing damage. Shaking the thought from her head, she stood and stretched, scratching Crookshanks as she passed him on the way to her bureau. She pulled it open, the wind playing lightly upon her hair, and let her hands wander over her clothes. Finally, she pulled out her school uniform and quickly dressed, smoothing the material over her stomach. She grabbed her cloak and pulled her hair up messily, sweeping across the room and out of the door. Classes didn't start for another hour so she left the almost empty common room and walking slowly down to breakfast, humming slightly as she walked.

The Great Hall was almost empty, except for a few first years, some older Hufflepuffs finishing homework and Dumbledore, quietly enjoying that morning's Daily Prophet. He looked up as she walked in and smiled slightly as she looked his way. Sitting near the middle of the house table, she helped herself to a piece of toast and some eggs and casually looked up at the ceiling, watching the clouds move. Somehow, the eggs tasted better than before and the toast was just right. Everything was finally falling into place and nothing could ruin her good mood. She smiled to herself and finished off the last off her toast. As she made her way back to the common room, she ran into a few other students that had started down, who, as they passed, gave her pitying looks. A little confused, she picked up the pace. More students passed and she came upon a few Slytherins, standing by the portrait of the fat lady, who was hanging open. She was not in her portrait as Hermione pushed her way through the crowd. Just as she reached the hole into her common room, Malfoy pushed his way out, stopping to scowl at her and she paused, worried now.

She pushed pass Malfoy and ran into the common room, now full of many people. Looking over the crowd, she found Harry and Ron, each with cuts and bruises scattered across their face and arms, and Hermione was sure, on other places also. Harry had just bent down to pick up his broken glasses from the floor as Ron tentatively touched his swollen eye.

"What happened??" Hermione said as she rushed over.

The tow boy's heads snapped up, registering shock and a little disappointment because they knew that Hermione would be angry.

"Well…er…" Harry started, not looking Hermione in the face, afraid to see the look of shame.

But he did look and saw concern, not anger.

"Malfoy came in here, looking for a fight. I guess he waited until someone opened the picture and then he came in, shouting our names. Ron and I ran down, hearing the commotion and…he just…jumped at us. We fought him off as best we could, but Crabbe and Goyle joined in. That's where the injuries come in…" Harry explained, wincing at just the thought.

" Where did the Fat Lady go?" Hermione asked, trying to understand all this new information that she had just heard.

"I dunno…"Ron said, surprised." I guess she went to Dumbledore or something…"

"Well…what was Malfoy saying…" Hermione asked, examining their wounds and repairing Harry's glasses with a spell.

"He just was shouting about how we were going to be sorry and that we had better watch our backs. Something about his reputation…" Harry said, gingerly touching his nose.

Hermione face went limp, as felt the tears coming. She didn't know why she was crying. Perhaps the fact that she now knew Malfoy was serious but she closed her eyes tightly, trying to hold of the onslaught of tears. Harry and Ron studied her face and Harry grabbed Hermione, rubbing her back. Ron patted her head, and a smile came across his lips.

"You know, Malfoy and his goons got the worst of it. Harry and I put up quite a fight!" Ron smirked.

Hermione started to laugh into Harry's shoulder, her threatening tears finally subsiding as she released the tension through her laugh.

"It'll be alright. I'm sure Dumbledore knows by now and things will be resolved." Ron nodded as he said this. " And a few well-placed curses wouldn't hurt either!"

Hermione slapped Ron shoulder playfully, but he sucked in his breath, grabbing his arm. She winced for him and hurriedly apologized. Ron smiled through the pain, playing the tough man.

"Let's go find Dumbledore and figure out what to do…" Harry said, putting his arm around Hermione again and followed Ron out the portrait, as students gazed after, pretty confused as to why that just happened.

I know this is extremely short but I figured something is better than nothing, right? As you read in the a/n, I have been overloaded with future careers and stuff. I will try to work on this as much as I can but it may take a bit for the next chapter. Sorry for the inconvenience…I will do my best to update as soon as possible! Keep Reading!

Homestretch