Chapter 21: Attacked

She sat in the common room for three hours indulging herself in her readings. She needed to be some where else, away from the problems she faced. The only times she would read a thick book of over six hundred pages was when something really terrible happened to her. What was she going to do about the man she really liked? What was she going to do about Harry and his new temper problem? He usually was understanding but something had changed. She decided she'll talk to him about it later on that night when she made her rounds.

Draco walked into the common room holding a large chest and a cage with his brown owl. Hermione stared at him strangely, where was he going?

"Draco?"

"Don't talk to me." He replied sternly. Hermione stood up and blocked him from the portrait hole.

"Where are you going?"

"Suspension, now move."

"But where are you being taken?"

"Home. For two weeks." He replied. She frowned, why hadn't he told her? She could have spent some time with him before he had to leave.

"So you're just going to leave and not tell me?"

"Seems like it." He said carelessly dropping his cage and chest on the ground causing a loud noise.

"Why are you so pissed?" Hermione asked.

"Granger, I don't have time for this. My carriage is waiting for me." He said, ignoring her question. Tears began to form in her eyes, did he have a sudden change of heart for her?

"Draco-" Hermione was cut off with his lips pressed against hers. The kiss was bitter sweet, it was as though he never would feel her lips against his.

"Try not to miss me." He said smugly. Hermione let a trail of tears come down her eyes, even though he was going to return this isn't how she wanted to end her last minute with him. She grabbed him by his school tie and pulled him back into a kiss. She forced her tongue in his mouth and suddenly, she felt guilt. Why couldn't she have enjoyed the chances she had with him? Why was she always angry with him? Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. He, in return, hugged her waist and their kiss seemed to last ten minutes before she broke free.

"Please, try and write me." She pleaded. Draco hugged her and wrested his chin on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, you think I was going to leave my little Granger without a proper farewell?" He asked. Hermione gave a small chuckle. She rested her head on his shoulder and held him as tightly as she could. He felt so good and he had a really good aftershave on. Not to mention that cologne, it had Slytherin written all over it.

"Granger?"

"Hmm?"

"Promise me one thing while I'm gone."

"What?"

"Don't let no guy touch you. I plan to have for you myself when I come back." He said with a smirk. Hermione gave another laugh and stepped back from him, instantly missing his warm embrace.

"I promise. And you make sure that no girl touches you." Hermione gave her own smirk.

"What did I tell you about stealing my trademark." He asked. Hermione shrugged. Draco grabbed his chest and cage one last time placing a quick kiss on her lips and left. Hermione stayed in the common room, completely into his feel. Sudden dirty thoughts came into her head and she disclaimed it. Hermione sat back down on her seat and continued reading, this time with a smile on her face.

Another hour passed by when Professor McGonagal entered the common room. She looked down at Hermione sadly.

"What's wrong Professor?" She asked

"Ms.Granger, something terrible happened. Please follow me." The professor said sternly. Hermione got up and followed her out of the portrait hole and down towards the hospital wing. Hermione grew worried with every stride.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

"It's Mr.Weasley." She replied opening the door for Hermione to enter. There was a few Gryfindor boys hovering over a bed and Hermione went through them and came upon a still figure of Ron. He was in his Quidditch clothes and holding his broom. His face had a face of complete shock. Hermione gasped at the sight. She ran right next to him grabbing his cold frozen hand.

"Oh Ron!" She cried out. She looked at the Gryfindor boys who were all wearing their Quidditch gear. "What happened?!"

"I found him in the locker room." Neville said nervously.

"Ms.Granger, I believe he was petrified. We have no idea what or who could have done this." Professor McGonagal said sadly. Madame Pomfrey came over to the group and shook her head.

"I pray there isn't another snake running around in pipes." She said checking his pulse. "Can all of you please leave?" The boys walked off all shocked and scared. Hermione heard one of them say they will quit playing Quidditch. She stayed rooted to her spot and looked down at her still friend. She cried softly.

"Will he be all right?" She asked.

"Of course. Professor Sprout still has some of the potion left and Mr.Weasley here will be well in a week."

"Do you know what did this?" Hermione asked.

"That's the thing, we are all shocked and appalled. I will have to speak privately with the Head Master. I believe the school is under another attack." Professor McGonagal said quickly and left the wing. She rubbed Ron's hand soothingly.

"Don't worry, Ron. I'll find out what happened. I have to go tell Harry." She said quickly. Hermione let Madame Pomfrey continue her inspection on his body.

Hermione ran down the corridor and into the Gryfindor Tower. She found Ginny and Luna running down the staircase.

"My Brother! Is..is he okay? Neville just told me." She cried out. Hermione hugged her for comfort.

"No, no it's worse then I thought. Ron is petrified! We have to tell Harry."

"I want to see him." Ginny cried.

"Go, go see him now. I'm really sorry."

"Do you think it was Voldemort?" Luna interupted. Both Ginny and Hermione stared at each other.

"Tom Riddle!" They said at the same time in realization.

"Do you think he came back? Is it that snake again?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know." Hermione said stummed. "I got to go tell Harry." Hermione began running up the stair case that lead to the house but Luna called her back.

"He's not in there."

"Then where is he?" Hermione asked. Luna and Ginny shrugged then ran off towards the hospital wing. Hermione bit her lip, where was Harry? Hermione began to run through the halls and out the front of the school. She walked down the court yard and into the Quidditch field. Was Harry there when this happened? Was he practicing as well? Why hadn't any one informed him? Hermione found Harry in the middle of the pitch holding his broom and looking up at the sky.

"Harry!" Hermione ran over to him. He turned around and sneered at her. Hermione was taken back by this. "Harry?"

"What?" He asked.

"Ron! That's what. Didn't you hear? Did anyone tell you?" She asked.

"Yes, Dean did." He said coldly. Hermione once again couldn't understand where this attitude came from.

"Aren't you worried? What if it was Voldemort?"

"Who fucking cares! Ron deserved it."

"HARRY POTTER HOW COULD YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!" Hermione screamed furiously. "HE'S OUR BEST FRIEND AND HE'S IN THE HOSPITAL WING, HELPLESS."

"Don't raise your voice at me, Hermione! Go fuck off." He said angrily and stormed past her. Something was seriously wrong with him. Hermione knew only one other person to turn to. She ran down the long path towards Hagrid's hut. It has been along time since she consulted him. He must be aware of what happened for the past few days. She banged on the door, her heart almost out of her throat.

"Oy! Hold your horses!" Hagrid said from inside and after another minute the wooden door swung open. He looked very happy to see Hermione.

"Where's Harry and Ron?" He asked.

"Thats what I came to tell you about. Hagrid, Ron...Ron was petrified!" She was holding back new tears.

"Are you serious? Our Ronald?" He asked stunned, Hermione shook her head hard.

"And..and Harry doesn't care! It's not like him! He swore at me and he's been really rude today."

"I think you better come in 'Mione." He said letting her inside. He walked over to his small kitchen and began to pour her a cup of tea. Hermione sat down at the small table watching his dog, Fangs, sleeping on the floor.

"Now, you say Harry's behavior changed?" He asked passing her the cup. Hermione nodded and drank the warm liquid. It felt good, it helped her nerves to calm down.

"This is serious in deed. From what Dumbledore told me, Harry is fighting inner demons. We just have to give him time alone."

"But, but Ron!" Hermione sputtered.

"I know, I will visit him later. We just have to wait till he gets better to tell us what happened."

"I guess you're right." Hermione said unsure.

"'Mione, do not do anything crazy. I want you to stay in your dorms when it gets dark out. We might have more attacks. Just like you're third year."

"But my third year, they attacked muggles. Why would any one attack Ron? He's a pureblood!"

"We do not know. How long will he be in the hospital wing?"

"For the whole week."

"We just have to wait until then. I am worried about you however. You should take extra care of yourself, you hear me?"

"Of course. I will. What about Harry?"

"I will see if he wants to talk to me." Hagrid reply. "Well you best be off, don't want you getting in trouble." Hermione nodded her head and finished her tea and left the hut. She walked back to her dorms, confused, alone and worried. Inner demons? What did Hagrid mean? What was wrong with Harry? It had to do with that dragon mark he received. He hasn't been himself since that day.