"Hermione!"

"Kel!" Hermione smiled. Kelly rushed up to her and kissed her gently. "Come on. I'm so happy to see you. Have you been practicing?"

"Everyday."

"I'm proud of you. I knew you would make it."

Hermione smiled. "How's college, Kel?"

"Great! My first year has been amazing. I miss you though."

"Me too."

"How's school?'

"Alright. It's nice to be able to do magic again. I'll miss it. Next year is my last year before I go into the world or do university." Kelly nodded, not really understanding, but trying his best to. He knew it was really important to his girlfriend. They quietly entered the rink.

"Ah Hermione, Kelly"

"Hi Cordelia." Hermione smiled.

"Hogwarts is going well?" Hermione nodded.

 "I have my own private lake in my own private clearing."

"How can you skate on a lake?" Kelly looked at her funny.

"I'm a witch silly. I transfigure it."  Kelly slapped his head, feeling stupid.

"I'm sorry sweetie. I forget you are a witch sometimes." Hermione simply smiled at him

"Alright, Salma, Hermione, Kelly, Nikita, Ankit, Leya, and Matthew. I want to see some serious skating. Hermione, I want you to go doubles."

"But I only auditioned for singles."

"But I want you in doubles. You are so talented. We can have a lot of fun in a double. Kelly, you go ahead with Hermione."

"Me?!

Cordelia smiled. "Seeing as you are the only other guy and I don't want Hermione's talent to go to waste and you are talented for being here in the first place, yes you unless you have a problem with it or want me to find another guy?"

Kelly scowled. He wasn't going to let another guy skate with his girlfriend. Cordelia smirked.

"No-not at all."

"I thought as much. Alright! Get out there and show me what you can do!" Hermione and Kelly skated out and began skating. Hermione somersaulted and Kelly watched her, allowing her to fall onto the ground."

"Kelly! You are supposed to catch Hermione when she jumps into the air!" Cordelia called out

"Oops!" he said sheepishly. "I'm sorry Hermione." Hermione scowled at him, rubbing her backside. Kelly helped her up and they held hands as they skated together. Hermione released her hand and skated away from him and jumped into a fast routine She skated towards him, jumped into an axle. Kelly clumsily caught her around the waist.

"Gracefully!" Cordelia reminded them.

"Right!" They jumped into the axle jump again.

"Good Kelly, Hermione!"

Hermione went into a spin. Kelly looked at her.

"Kelly, try skating around her and then taking her hand, lifting her up."

After about 2 hours, Hermione and Kelly skated out, exhausted. Cordelia smiled at them

"Good job everyone! Let's work on a few routines. I think if you know what you are doing, it will be perfect. Not all of you can do improv like Hermione here." Hermione blushed at the compliment.

"Alright everyone. Bright and early tomorrow!" Everyone groaned as they exited the rink.

"Mione?"

"Yes Kelly?'

"I'll miss you."

"Owl me."

Kelly nodded. He gently kissed her and winced as he watched Hermione run through the barrier. He still hadn't gotten used to the fact that she had to run through a barrier to get to her school. Hermione sighed as she got off the train and headed back to the castle. It was a hard week and she was really sore. Hermione had only managed to send her Potions and Charms work to Justin. She hadn't even looked at DADA, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Herbology, or Muggle Studies. Yawning, she muttered the password, and quietly entered the common room.

"Welcome back Hermione." Hermione yawned and muttered "Morning Justin."

Justin chuckled. It was 8:00 at night. Hermione collapsed on the couch. "It's night, Hermione. Tired?" She nodded.

"And sore! Kelly dropped me!"

"Huh?"

"Kelly was supposed to catch me and he didn't so I hit the ground. Now my back is sore! Some boyfriend!" Hermione muttered.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

"I've only been seeing him for 3 months. Anyways, I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Thanks for looking over my Potions and Charms Justin. Think you could help me with the other classes tomorrow, so I'm caught up for classes Monday?"

"Sure. It's lucky I'm taking all the same classes." Hermione nodded, lazily walked into her room, and collapsed on her bed, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Justin chuckled to himself, shook his head, and went back to writing a letter to his sister.

"Hermione stepped out of her room and walked down to the common room. Blaise passed by her. "Mudblood!" he shouted.

"Git!" Hermione shouted back.

"Know-it-all"

"Idiot!"

"Mudblood!"

"That's all you can think of Pureblood Scum?"

"Hag!" Hermione glared at him.

"Tag-along! Puppet!"

Blaise shoved her out of the way as he exited the portrait. Justin caught her as she reeled backwards. "Git," Hermione muttered under her breath. Hermione smiled thankfully at Justin. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"When can you help?"

"Whenever you want."

"I have to meet Harry and Ron. After breakfast?"

"Sure." Hermione smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and rushed out of the portrait. Justin felt his cheek and blushed. Shaking his head, he walked out the portrait, only to see Hermione and Malfoy at each other's throats.

"Oh shove it, ferret! Sod off!"

"I think not. What, did your boyfriends abandon you? It would be about time they come to their senses Filthy Mudblood!"  Hermione glared at him.

"At least I don't have to worry about a pug clinging to my arm."

"Leave Pansy out of this!"

"Oh. I'm so sorry..Did I insult the only person who would love you?!" Hermione retorted sarcastically. Malfoy shot a hex at her, which Hermione blocked.

"20 points from Slytherin for misuse of magic in the corridors!"

"Oh. Is Ms. Perfect Prefect going to punish me? How'd Miss Mudblood become Prefect? Sexual Favors" Hermione fumed and slapped Draco across his face.

"Don't make insuations-lies. Or did Mr. Junior Deatheater buy his way into the school and the Quidditch team? Is that how you are passing, ferret?"

"You will be sorry you said that Mudblood!" Draco growled.

"Why? For speaking the truth? Now if you will excuse me…I have duties to attend to."

"I think not, Filth!" Hermione turned around and glared at Blaise.

"Tagging along like usual, Zambini?" Blaise fumed.

"You know as well as I do that Crabbe and Goyle here are the tag alongs!"

"At least we agree on one thing," Hermione muttered.

"What was that?!"

"You're all the same. No independent thought"

Blaise shoved her against the wall. "Take that back!" Hermione glared at him defiantly as she attempted to push him back, but Draco had her arms pinned back against the wall.

"No!" she spat.

"Well then, we will have to teach you some manners, now won't we?" His eyes roved her body and he took a hand and trailed it down her chest. Hermione's eyes widened. She kicked him.

"Ow!" His hold was released. "You dirty little…" Hermione ran for it. "Get her." Blaise and Draco chased after her. Justin's eyes widened. He was in shock. He had to do something. He grabbed hold of Hermione and wrapped his arms around her, holding her behind him. "Is there a problem Zambini, Malfoy?" He narrowed his eyes dangerously as he towered over the two Slytherins.

"Oh look the nobody comes to the rescue! Get out of the way Mudblood!'

"No! I don't think I will. Let's see; demeaning a classmate, violating a fellow student, physically harming a fellow student, and attempted assault on a student. I think 250 points off Slytherin is in order, though I dare say not sufficient enough. I will be reporting this to your Head of House. If I have my way, Zambini, you will lose your Prefect status and much more and you Malfoy, much worse. Now get before I decide to deduct more points!" Justin growled. Blaise and Draco glared at Justin.

"Mudblood, I'd watch your back. I see you got another boyfriend, but they won't always be around to protect you. Mark my words."

"Sod off ferret!" Hermione retorted. Justin smiled at Hermione. She was a fighter. Justin glared at the two boys.

"50 points off Slytherin!" Malfoy and Blaise glared and walked off, grumbling. Justin watched them and when they were out of sight, he turned around, looking at Hermione. Her face was tearstained, but there was a defiant look on her face.

"You okay, Hermione?"

Hermione sniffled and quietly nodded. "Come. Let' go to the Common Room. Have you eaten?"  Hermione shook her head. "I'll send an owl to Harry to bring something over."

"Justin? Thank you."  Justin just squeezed her hand and led her back to the common room.

Hermione watched Justin as he showed her the Patronous charm. The silver mist parted to reveal an eagle as the form of Justin's Patronous. Hermione looked in awe as it slowly disappeared.

"Ok. Hermione. Why don't you give it a shot?" Hermione nodded. "Expecto Patronum!"

A silver mist hovered and then disappeared. Hermione felt like crying. She was supposed to be good. She'd never had trouble before. Justin looked at her sadly.

"Hermione. Hey it's ok. You have a lot on your plate. Clear your head. Concentrate. You have the ability."

Hermione sighed and tried again. Frustrated, she threw down her wand and stomped into her room. Justin sighed and put his head in his hands.

"Hermione!"

"I can't do it!"

"Hermione! Of course you can." He opened her door and sat next to Hermione. She was teary eyed and writing a letter to Kelly. He hesitantly lifted a finger and wiped away her tears.  He wasn't sure what to do. Everyone usually paid him no attention and now here was an amazing young witch, almost all alone like himself, yet he was so shy. She was hurting and he wanted to comfort her. "Hermione," he whispered. "You can do it. I'll be in the common room if you want me." He squeezed her hand and slowly walked out, sighing. Hannah and Dean walked in a few minutes later, laughing. He shook his head. Justin wasn't going to let anyone see him so upset. They wouldn't understand. Nobody ever did. He was just a loner in their eyes. He quickly grabbed his Charms book and pretended to immerse himself, though in truth, he was thinking of ways to get revenge on a certain Mr. Malfoy and Zambini.

"Hi Justin."

Justin nodded his acknowledgement.

"Hermione around? Harry and Ron were looking for her?"

"In her room. Writing to her boyfriend." Dean and Hannah nodded and continued on their way.

"Justin?" Justin looked up at Hermione's voice. She was fidgeting nervously with her hands and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Yes?"

"I I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for? You ok now. Calmed down? She nodded.

"Can we try again?"

"Of course."  Justin set down his book and looked at Hermione. "Alright, go ahead."

Hermione took a deep breath and then slowly yelled "Expecto Patronum!" Hermione watched in anxiety as a silver mist appeared. She looked down sadly.

"Wait Hermione! Look!"

Hermione looked up and saw a shape emerge. Suddenly the cloud had parted to reveal a phoenix. Hermione gasped in amazement. "My Patronous is a phoenix?" Justin smiled at her. "You did it Hermione!" Hermione threw her arms around Justin. Justin blushed and patted her awkwardly. He slowly broke away.

"Merlin! I have to go!" Hermione grabbed her bag and rushed off towards her clearing. Justin watched as she ran off, ignoring the shivers that were shooting down his spine. She was the only one who paid him any attention. So why did he feel such a pang in his heart?