A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I've been really busy with school, and I've been sick, but now everything's great. I've also met my goal of 50 reviews! Thank you so much for all the people that have reviews chapter 12: Celeste: A triangle? I think the idea is too far fetched for my story, but thanks anyway, lol. Song*Breeze: Thanks for the review! I agree, nasty can be good! Roswell4ever: We will defiantly find out who killed Hermione's cat, but later on in the story. Thanks for the review! Malfoychic: I promised to update this weekend, so I did. Now you have to update.

And a very special thanks to Kerbi who was my 50th reviewer! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Also, thanks to PG who has been a wonderful inspiration!

Wow, thanking people makes me feel like I've won an Oscar. Speaking of Oscar, congratulations to all the winners!

Don't forget to review!

Chapter 13

"They're after Hermione? The Death Eaters are after Hermione?" Harry said, and watched as Snape nodded his head.

"Lucius Malfoy is a powerful Death Eater. He hates Muggles and everything that has to do with them. Draco having such a close relationship with you is, in his mind, hurting the family name. He's going to try to scare you out of the relationship," Snape said, looking directly at Hermione. "But, if that doesn't work…who knows how far he will go. This is just the beginning."

"What can we do? You have to stop him!" Ron said, beginning to pace angrily back and forth. His fondness for Hermione was showing, and it was clear he still cared about her in a more than a friend way.

"We can only offer protection…I need to inform Professor Dumbledore of this. We also need to get Draco back to Hogwarts immediately. He may be of some assistance. Do not show anyone else the Mark," he said as he walked away.

Hermione slowly sat down at the Gryffindor table. Ron continued to pace as Harry sat on the right of Hermione.

"This is all Draco's fault," Ron said through gritted teeth.

"Stop it," Hermione said quietly.

"If it weren't for his father, your life wouldn't be in danger," Ron continued.

"It's not Draco's fault, he didn't choose his parents," Hermione said a little louder.

"Ron, stop. It is no one but Lucius Malfoy's fault. Leave Draco out of it," Harry said, not wanting to see a fight. Ron stopped pacing and stepped towards Hermione, sitting down on her left side.

"Stop seeing him, Hermione. He's not worth your life…" Ron said. Hermione starred at him.

"That is exactly what Lucius Malfoy wants, Ron. I will not stop seeing Draco. He won't scare me into it. You can't change my mind about it," Hermione said. Ron sighed.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you," he said.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, I'll be fine," Hermione responded with a smile. The three of them looked up to see Professor McGonagall walking towards them. She had a cup of tea in her hand, and she handed it to Hermione.

"How are you feeling Miss Granger? I just spoke with Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore, and we all agree that getting Mr. Draco Malfoy back to Hogwarts is the best thing we can do. In the meantime, it is best for the three of you and the rest of the students to stay in the Great Hall; the castle is still being searched," the Deputy-Headmistress said. The three Gryffindors nodded. McGonagall turned and headed out of the Great Hall. After she left, Ginny Weasley approached the three.

"Hey, what's going on? Have they found out who hurt your cat, Hermione?" the redhead asked, sitting down on the right side of Harry.

"No, not yet," Hermione answered quietly. "I just hope they don't hurt anyone else."

"I bet they already fled. They wouldn't have lingered," Harry said.

"I hope everything turns out okay," Ginny said, looking concerned. "But at least only a few people decided to stay for Christmas break," she said as she stood. "I'm going to go talk to the Creevey brothers…"

"Bye," the three said in unison. Looking around the Great Hall, Hermione saw that no one appeared panicked or worried. Some Hufflepuffs that Hermione didn't recognize were sitting at their table, laughing and talking. Pansy Parkinson was at the Slytherin table talking somberly with one of her friends. The Gryffindors that had seen Crookshanks had calmed down, and were discussing other things. Ron was the only one in the hall that appeared anxious. Looking up at the enchanted ceiling, the sun was going down and the sky remained a shade of red orange, with pink clouds floating around. Hermione figured that the tea McGonagall had given her must have contained a relaxing potion because she was feeling sleepy.

"I think I'm going to try to sleep, or something. I'm really tired for some reason," Hermione said with a yawn. She crossed her arms together on the table and let her head rest on them. Her eyes closed and she soon fell asleep.

~*~*~*~

"Hermione, Hermione, wake up."

"Draco? Draco is that you?" Hermione asked sleepily, opening her eyes slowly. Draco was shaking her awake.

"I'm back," he said with a smile. Hermione lifted her head off the table, looking around. Everyone was still in the Great Hall, and by the look of the sky outside, it was night.

"How long have I been asleep? How did you get here so quickly?" Hermione asked.

"You've been sleeping for like an hour and a half," Harry answered. Him and Ron had somehow gotten their Wizard Chess game and were busy playing.

"I just got here a few minutes ago. Floo Powder," Draco said smiling, but then looked slightly grave. "I heard about what happened. I'm so sorry Hermione. I feel like I'm to blame."

"It's not your fault," Hermione said, feeling more awake. Draco sat down next to her.

"Check mate," Ron said, winning for the second time that evening.

"I feel like it is. If my father does anything--"

"Does your father know you're back?" Hermione cut him off.

"No. I had just gotten home when I got the owl. No one ever notices when I get home or not," Draco said, shrugging. Dinner was just about to start, as Dumbledore and the rest of the professors had joined the Great Hall. Ron and Harry cleaned up their chessboard as the food on the table suddenly appeared.

"Let's forget about everything for a little bit and eat," Ron said. The rest of them nodded as they began serving themselves dinner. They ate in silence and were done in a short fifteen minutes. Hermione didn't really eat much, and sat pecking at her food.

"Eat some more, you need your strength," Draco said, taking a bite of his chicken.

"No, I'm not hungry," Hermione responded, putting down her fork. She noticed Dumbledore had left the head table. Just as she noticed, she heard a voice behind her.

"Are the four of you finished with your dinner?" Draco, Hermione, Harry and Ron all jumped slightly as they looked up at the person addressing them. Professor Dumbledore looked down at them, a smile at his lips. The four students nodded.

"Good. I would like the four of you to join me in my office," Dumbledore said, turning and walking towards the exit. The Gryffindors and Slytherin all stood up and followed him, curious. They were too worried to ask any questions. Hermione felt as if they would never get there, but they soon stopped at a gargoyle. Dumbledore said the password, but Hermione was too amazed to listen. She had passed that gargoyle so many times on her way to class, and it occurred to her that she had never even known it led to Dumbledore's office. The spiral staircase opened before them, and the five began to climb to the office. Dumbledore unlocked the door and stepped inside. The portraits were all talking quietly and soon silenced themselves. Dumbledore sat down at the chair behind his desk.

"Please, sit down," he said politely. Four chairs appeared magically, and the students sat. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Draco, Hermione, Ron, Harry…I believe it is time that you four learned about the Order of the Phoenix."

A/N: What is the Order of the Phoenix? Find out in the next chapter…but first, REVIEW!