Chapter 14:
Harry and Ron had made it to the entrance hall after several stops.
"I have no idea where she went." Harry heard the frustration in his own voice. "Did you tell Hermione to meet you somewhere?"
"I told you...I didn't write her a note!" Ron was flustered as well.
"SHHHHH!!!" A loud hush came from a nearby portrait.
Harry went over to the picture and saw an old man, reclining in a large velvet chair. "Excuse me, did you see anyone going through here in the last half hour?"
"What is it with you students today? Running in and out like you own the place. I'll have you know, in my day, if you were caught gadding about, you would have been hung up by your ankles in the dungeons for a few hours..."
"Bloody hell, did you see anyone or not?!" Ron glared at the man.
"Yes, if you must know. I saw several boys and a girl go thru here earlier. They weren't half as loud as you lot."
"Only one girl? Not two?" Harry felt even more anxious now.
"Are you not listening? ONE GIRL. Can't even pay attention these days..." The old man leaned back in his chair waving them off.
"You've been a great help...nasty old..." Ron's voice dropped off to a mumble.
"Guess we should go outside then." Harry had just placed his hand on the door when it suddenly opened. He and Ron started to hide until they realized who had run inside.
"Hermione! Are you okay?" Ron sounded immensely relieved.
She rushed to them. "We have to go out and get her." She pulled on their arms, dragging them towards the door. "Please tell me you have your wands with you..."
Harry nodded, "What happened to you?"
"I'll tell you later. Michelle is still out there." She lead them out, running back to the edge of the forrest.

Her hair was full of twigs and bits of dead leaves. The last spell of Malfoy's had sent her into the bushes. Pulling herself out was proving a difficult task. Michelle could hear Malfoy laughing. Irritated, she sent a spell his way. A little fire on his backside shut him up. She could hear him starting another spell, so she quickly did one as well. Both spells hit at the same time, sending Michelle up and into a pile of snow while Malfoy was suddenly speaking Spanish. Not exactly what Michelle was going for, but it atleast confused him. She tried sitting up, but her body was aching. Michelle could hear footsteps coming closer. It sounded like several people were running in her direction. Malfoy called out to his friends. Unfortunately, they didn't understand Spanish. It wasn't until he pushed them that they understood he wanted them to leave. Michelle smiled slightly as she passed out.

Harry could hear the fight as they got closer. He lit his wand and just barely saw three figures running away from the direction Hermione was taking them in.
"Over here!" Ron had spotted Michelle in a snow pile.
Harry ran over and knelt down beside her. He wasn't sure what to do.
"Michelle...can you hear me?" He tried brushing the snow away from her face.
Michelle struggled to open her eyes, "Is Hermione okay?" she asked quietly.
"She's fine. How do you feel? Does anything hurt?" He scanned her body to see if any of her limbs were bent in odd directions.
Michelle took a deep breath and wiggled her fingers and toes. Nothing felt broken. She just felt achey and very cold.
"I think I'm okay. Help me sit up."
Harry carefully slid his arm under her and helped her to a sitting position. She took a moment to move her legs. Confident nothing was broken, she leaned on Harry and asked him to help her stand up. Once standing, she paused for several moments before she felt okay enough to walk. They headed back to school slowly. Everyone had been silenced by what had happened. Hermione's teeth were chattering from the cold. She didn't have on a coat. Ron pulled his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders carefully.
"Here...I know it isn't much." He sounded embarrased by the coat's wear and tear.
"It's perfect. Thank you." Hermione's voice was barely audible, but Ron still blushed when she spoke.
Harry was holding Michelle close to his side. He kept watching her face as they walked. She could sense he wanted to ask her several questions so she tried to keep her eyes forward, putting off the inevitable.