The talk with Dumbledore had left Hermione emotionally drained. On her way back to the dormitories, she passed Ron and Harry in the Common Room. Looking up, Harry made as if to stop her, but halted when Hermione raised her hand.

"Let me nap. I'll meet you at dinner." She climbed the stairs to the girls' room and fell face first on her bed, asleep even before her body hit the sheets.

There were no nightmares for Hermione this time. She slept the dreamless, empty sleep of those truly exhausted. She barely felt Ginny's hand on her arm hours later.

"Hermione, do you want dinner?"

Slowly Hermione raised her head and looked into the worried face of the youngest Weasley. Ginny's visage emitted a concerned air as her eyes searched the elder's face, as if worried about her answer. Hermione gave her a shaky grin.

"Give me a sec, Ginny. I'll be right down."

A broad smile invaded Ginny's features and she bounded down the steps to the Common Room. Hermione sat up and stretched, her body aching as if it had fought a great battle. Her stomach let loose a loud growl, startling her.

'I can't remember the last time I ate,' Hermione thought. She walked over to the mirror and gazed at the stranger before her. Her face was drawn, gaunt, emphasizing her eyes. She was thinner, too; her clothes hung loosely on her small frame. She tied her hair into a ponytail, bringing forth her sunken eyes and cheekbones, making her resemble a living skeleton. She turned away, unable to bear seeing herself, a phantom of her former self. Slowly Hermione walked down the stairs and to the Great Hall.

The feast was already in full swing when Hermione entered. She seated herself at the Gryffindor table, across from Ron and Harry.

"Hey guys." She smiled weakly.

A grin cracked across Ron's face. "Welcome back, Hermione."

Harry opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the silky drawl of Ron's favorite ferret.

"Looks like Granger has decided to join the land of the living, though she doesn't look it."

Hermione looked up to see a certain Slytherin looming over her.

"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry leapt to Hermione's defense.

"Awww, Potter. Defending your little mudblood girlfriend?"

"Cut it out, Malfoy." Ron joined Harry.

"You look pale, Granger. Feeling a bit weak? Perhaps it's a blood illness, you know, mudblo-"

"Mr. Malfoy, I wonder how you could have wandered so far from your table? Were you lost?" All four students jumped in surprise as Snape's slick tones cut off Draco. "I suggest you find it. Now."

Malfoy's face reddened, and he scampered with as much dignity as he could muster back to the Slytherin table. Snape cast a cursory glance over the three students, settling his eyes on Hermione.

"Ms. Granger, meet me at eight o'clock Monday night in my dungeon. Do not be late."

"W-why, Professor?" Hermione stammered.

Snape's mouth stretched into what would have been a slight smile on most people, but merely made the professor look as if he had a terrible secret.

"Remedial potions," he sneered as he drifted away. Hermione swore that, when she looked into his face before he left, a hint of pity had flashed in his eyes.

'Ahhh'¸ Hermione thought. 'The professors know.'

Ron looked stunned. "Well, that was . . . surreal."

Why'd he do that?" Hermione asked.

Harry blushed. "Ah, when you were napping, McGonagall called all the teachers together. I was passing by her classroom and overheard her telling them about your . . . er, what happened to you in Hogsmeade. Snape was surprisingly nice – said he'd let you re-brew some of your potions. All the teachers agreed to offering you some leniency."

Perplexed, Ron asked, "How'd McGonagall know?"

"Dumbledore told her." Hermione suddenly felt suspicious. "Uh, Harry? I doubt McGonagall would just leave the door open while she talked to the other professors. So, truthfully, how'd you overhear?"

Harry blushed. "Um . . . extendable ears. They work wonders."

"Harry!" Hermione was shocked. "What if you were caught? You could get expelled!"

"Who cares? We wanted to find out what happened with Dumbledore. You weren't talking to us, so we merely . . . found our own way of answering our questions."

Hermione felt a surge of affection.

"Let's go, guys." She dropped her fork and grabbed their hands. "I bet Hagrid's lonely."

As Hagrid opened his door, a wide grin broke out across his face.

"Well, hello, you three! I've been missing you!" His gaze rested on Hermione. "'Specially you." He grabbed her in a bone-crushing hug. "Lemme just put on a spot of tea."

The three settled into Hagrid's, soon grasping a large cup of tea. They spoke of everything that had happened in the school since their last social call, and Hagrid showed them Fang's new trick (he could sniff out Hagrid's socks and pile them on his bed). Hermione could tell Hagrid was dancing around the subject of her rape. He hadn't asked them about the Hogsmeade visit, and Hagrid was strangely not meeting Hermione's eyes. During a lull in the conversation, Ron brought up the subject of Snape and how he had chastised Malfoy at dinner.

"It was bizarre, Hagrid. He was almost . . . nice. Do you know why?"

Hagrid mumbled something about needing milk in his tea and quickly stood, but Hermione's words caused him to plunk back down again.

"He knows I was raped, doesn't he, Hagrid?"

Hagrid nodded in response.

"And all the teachers know because McGonagall told them . . . so you know, too."

Again, Hagrid nodded, not quite bringing himself to meet her eyes.

"Hermione," Ron's voice cracked. "What exactly happened?"

Hermione looked at her friends and saw worry and questions lining their faces. She was almost tempted to not give up the details. How would they react? She hesitated, then took a deep breath, deciding it was best to launch into the story before she doubted herself out of it. It was a much easier telling this time. Apparently, her talk with Dumbledore had helped cleanse some of her wounds and quelled some of her emotional self-flogging. The only time she stopped was during her description of the actual rape, when Hagrid had jumped out of his chair and shouted, "I'll kill 'em!" Harry and Ron sufficiently calmed Hagrid so Hermione could finish her story. She told them of her nightmares and her fears of being a ruined woman. Every so often, an indignant huff would escape her half-giant friend. When Hermione finished, she slowly brought her head up to gauge her friends' reactions.

Hagrid wiped a tear from his eye and spoke first. "I would never ha' abandoned ya, Hermione. My hut door's always open for ya."

Harry grasped her hand in his and gave her a quaking smile, unable to speak.

Finally Hermione turned to Ron, who was fiddling with his wand. He looked up at her, infinite sadness welling within his eyes. "Hermione," he nearly whispered. "You're not ruined. You survived this attack and are stronger now . . . we'll always be here for you, me and Harry and Hagrid. Friends do that because I - we love you."

At his words, Hermione sprang into the arms of her friends.

"I thought I was lost," she murmured, "but you all helped me find myself."

An hour later, with the night stars shining brightly, the trio slowly made its way across the snow-covered ground, the ice crystals crunching under their feet. They snuck into the Great Hall, hoping no one had seen their footprints in the snow. There were no teachers in sight. Breathing a sigh of relief, they turned to the stairs to return to the dormitory and were frozen mid-step at the sight of the Headmaster. His eyes twinkled as he saw the boys' hands instinctively grasp their wands. Both had shifted slightly, moving Hermione behind them. However, when they recognized the professor, both relaxed.

"Ah – Ms. Granger, how nice to see you out and about."

Hermione tensed. She was going to get her friends in trouble. It must be hours past curfew now. As she looked up, the Headmaster's bright eyes took in the melted puddle trailing out the doors.

"We were visiting Hagrid, sir." Ron felt the urge to explain.

Dumbledore's smile broadened. "I surmised as much. However, it is past curfew now. I suggest, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, that you return to your rooms. Ms. Granger, I would like to have a word with you in my office."

Troubled, Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron. "Sir, uh, may they come with us?"

Dumbledore paused, thinking, and nodded a moment later. "I understand that sometimes one needs the unseen support of two stalwart friends. However, I believe this time it would not hurt to have these young gentlemen at your side. If you would please follow me."

And with a swirl of robes, the Headmaster turned and strode to his office, the three Gryffindors trailing behind.