Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the idea for this story. All else belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling.
A/N: I understand that some of this may seem out of character but all will be revealed sometime in the near future...
I'll send you a postcard from the Hospital Wing.
Ron and Harry continued on their walk to the Great Hall, oblivious to the fact that their friend was not trailing behind. Only when they entered the hall and sat down at their seats did they stop discussing the harshness of the new partners.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked as he searched the entrance.
"Wasn't she behind us? I saw her running over to her desk just as we left ours. Surely she would only be a minute behind us...." Ron said with a tone of concern.
They both watched the entrance for another five minutes before Ron got up from his seat.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked.
"To find her of course. I saw the way Malfoy was looking at her. She needs our protection from him." Ron stated. "Aren't you coming?"
"I think it's best we stay out of it. We'll probably all end up fighting him."
"I don't care. We need to protect Hermione." Seeing that Harry wasn't changing his mind he gathered his things and was about to leave before saying abruptly, "I'll be sure to send you a postcard when we are both laid up in the hospital wing."
When he reached her desk he found that her things were still there. 'That's odd. Hermione would never leave her textbook behind, never mind her self inking quill or that book she's always writing in.' He lifted the book to look in it but his conscious took over. 'If Hermione wants to show me what's in that book then she will.'
Ron searched the surrounding area for Hermione to no avail. He was starting to get worried and decided to gather up Hermione's belongings and go find help. He arrived in front of Dumbledore's office before he realised that he had no idea of the password.
"Chocolate frogs... um... lemon drops... oh what was it he said last night? I know it was something to do with food. Why won't my brain think of food when I tell it to?" He was reaching the end of his tether.
"Perhaps lemon sherbet would work Mr Weasley." A reassuring voice said behind him.
"Of course... lemon sherbet." The gargoyle moved out of the way opening the staircase. Ron turned round to thank the man and only then did he realise it was his Headmaster standing behind him. Ron proceeded to tell him of all the events that had occurred, from the suspicious activity with Malfoy, to the strangeness of Harry, and ending with the fact that Hermione had left something behind in class- in fact everything!
"That is rather odd, I agree. As well as this information I have been informed that a portkey has been used in Hogwarts. I do believe it was at the same time and in the surrounding area as the last sighting of Ms Granger, but perhaps we should check with Mr Malfoy first."
After a thorough check for Malfoy he had not been sighted and Professor Dumbledore's suspicions increased.
"Minerva, I have reason to believe that two students have been taken from Hogwarts." Dumbledore addressed his college privately when he returned to his office.
"But Albus, only one alarm went off. Therefore only one student left. Even if they had left together the alarm would have told us."
"Yes, but if they left in close succession then the alarm would not have had time to reset. We must report to the order immediately. You know he is getting stronger. Friends' are always an easy target. Break his heart now so he's numb later."
"Do you really think that Potter would break if something happened to her?"
"I think that Harry probably would be strong, but the breakdown of Mr Weasley might be too much to cope with. He's already one edge. Who knows what he's capable of?"
Sirius arrived at Hogwarts in the form of Snuffles. He met Remus in his office to discuss the not so secret location of their enemy.
"It's believed that the hide out is in Forest Glen, Glenavy in Ireland."
"I think that's near the north. In fact it's in Northern Ireland." Remus said with delight at his knowledge.
"Does it really matter which part of Ireland it's in?"
"Well to some the difference between the south and the north is great and to say that all of Ireland is the same holds little truth. But it does not matter now. What matters is saving the students."
"Well maybe we should just leave that Malfoy kid." Sirius said with a smirk as the two turned to leave the office, neither catching the glimpse of red that flew past the window.
Dumbledore confirmed the location after Snape made a quick exit. The group prepared a detailed and safe rescue plan, not knowing that another was already on his way to safe the students – or at least Hermione.
Back at Voldemort's chambers Hermione found herself under a binding spell. After being levitated out of her dungeon she was placed on the end of the circle of followers, each wearing a silver mask and black robes. Their master stood in the centre of the dimly lit circle and addressed his prisoner.
"Good afternoon my dear."
"Afternoon, really? Looks more like night to me. Couldn't hurt to open a few curtains... or will you melt?" Hermione managed to say.
"Everyone knows darkness hides dark deeds, and there will be a few of those today. You have a choice to witness if you want. The only catch is that I need you to pledge allegiance to me..."
"Never!" Hermione spat.
"Very well, then you leave me no choice but to kill you. We could have made a good team you and I but now you are of no use to me."
Hermione heard someone yell from amongst the ranks.
"I thought you only wanted her to draw Potter. Surely she must have some other use, even if she doesn't pledge her loyalties!"
"You should hold your tongue. Now I really must kill her to show you what happens to those who are not loyal to me. Avada ked..."
Hermione didn't hear the rest of the spell as a crash engulfed it. The green light spread across her face before everything went black.
Sorry it's short. You're going to have to wait until the next chapter to see what happens... This may be near the last chapter although I might take them to the end of the year with some extra fillings. No more Dark Lord though. I really couldn't be bothered with the sneering. Perhaps I'll send Malfoy off for a while too.
Amanda7879 – Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like it. As you can see I do plan on writing more. I think I have to finish it or it'll annoy me, even though I'm not in the same place I was when I started writing. All suggestions are welcome!
Draco's seceret lover() - sorry if the spelling confuses you. There is no difference whatsoever except that I'm from Britain. We spell loads of stuff differently but they mean exactly the same thing.
Froggies – you made me laugh! I like surprises. They make it more interesting. I intend to keep updating, though I'm not really sure where the rest of the story is going to go. It's quite daunting, but such is life. It wouldn't be much fun if everyone knew the ending...though it might help if I did!