Despite liking Professor William, Hermione had her doubts on how a non-magical person would teach a class that depended on your ability to use a wand. On her first day of class, she learned exactly how he was going to get around this.

She walked into the room with Harry and Ron, although neither of them really noticed she was there. They were too caught up in discussing Quidditch and their girlfriends to notice the girl who, at one time, was one of their best friends. Everyone took their seats except for Hermione, who noticed that the class was uneven. Before she could conjure up her own chair and desk, the professor walked in through a back door. He looked at her and smiled.

"Hermione. You're wondering why you were left out aren't you? Well, I'm going to need an assistant so this is your desk for now."

He pointed to what normally was used for the professor's desk. Hermione blushed slightly and walked towards it to sit down.

"Class, my name is Professor William. This is Defense Against the Dark Arts and, as you may have guessed, I am not a magic user. I am a vampire and have been since I was about 22 or 23. I wrote bad poetry and fell in love with the wrong woman. As a vampire, I've come across some...interesting foes. I know wand movements, I know the words to speak and how to speak them; I know and have seen what many bad spell can do. The only thing I lack is the ability to use magic. That's where Hermione comes in. She will be my...blackboard...I'll tell her what to do and she will show you how it looks all together. I don't want to be accused of playing favorites so, I will choose a different person for this job every two weeks."

Hermione watched him walk in front of Draco Malfoy's desk. The Slytherin prince was so caught up in a conversation, he didn't notice the professor standing in front of him. Hermione saw William's face contort and he slammed his hands hard on the desk.

"You boy. What is you name?"

Malfoy jumped. No one had seen him as pale as he was right now. But somehow, his voice still had a cocky undertone to it.

"Draco Malfoy."

"Well, Draco, you have been talking ever since I walked in. Not paying attention to a single word I have said. Are you trying to push my buttons already? LOOK AT ME, BOY."

The professor raised his voice as Draco tried to avoid eye contact with him. Hermione didn't blame him though, the man looked positively scary.

"Do. Not. Test. My. Patience. I've broken men bigger than you."

After Professor William's speech, the class began. It was an interesting teaching method but seemed to work very well. The students caught on quickly and were excited about how easily impressed their professor was. Right before class ended, he asked everyone to gather around him as he sat on the edge of Hermione's desk.

"Each house gets 20 points for their excellent ability to catch on so quickly. I'm most impressed on your skills. Don't think I will give you points after every class though. Keep up the good work and have a great day."

Hermione picked up her bag and went to leave but the professor touched her arm lightly. She looked at him and he smiled.

"Wait a moment, please."

The last person walked out the door and Spike sighed.

"I didn't scare you did I?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment. Should she lie and say no?

"A little bit, Professor. But you got your point across very well."

Spike felt a twinge of guilt. He hadn't meant to scare her. Just the brat talking in his class.

"I do apologize. And thank you for your help today."

Hermione smiled, "It's okay and you're welcome. Uh, I need to get to Herbology. See you tomorrow sir."

She walked out the door and down the hall towards the staircase that would lead to the ground floor. She was almost out the front door when a voice caught her attention.

"The mudblood is teacher's pet than, huh?"

Hermione cringed and turned around to see Malfoy and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, leaning against a wall.

"C'mon Malfoy. Don't you have anything better to do than wait for me after class and harass me?"

The three of them walked towards her and although scared, she lifted her chin a bit higher and stood her ground. Just as she was about to say something regarding getting to class, Crabbe grabbed her right arm while Goyle grabbed her left and covered her mouth.

"Now, mudblood let me show you who is the higher being in this school."

To Hermione's surprise, Malfoy didn't take out his wand. Instead, he punched her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She gasped and her legs seemed to turn to jello.

"Hold her up, damn it."

The two other boys lifted her up and Malfoy punched her again.

"We have no use of mudbloods here. Let her go."

They let her go and she crumbled to the floor. Malfoy kneeled next to her and took a handful of her hair, causing her to flinch. She was unable to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. He spoke softly into her ear.

"You tell anyone who did this and next time, you'll be worse off."

He stood and gave her a kick to the side, then left. She didn't attempt to get up until the sound of their footsteps faded down the hall. Her body wouldn't cooperate with what her brain needed it to do and fresh tears began to fall down her pale cheeks. She looked up, hoping someone was close enough to call to. What she saw surprised her. Harry and Ginny were standing just down the hall. Harry was looking straight at her while Ginny's back was turned. She heard Ginny's voice clearly.

"Harry, are you listening to me?"

He looked away from Hermione and smiled.

"Yes darling. Come, let me walk you to class."

Hermione watched them walk away. Was it possible that she just wasn't significant any more?

"Hermione!"

She turned her head and saw Tara floating slightly above her.

"I-I'm having trouble standing up. Can you help me?"

Tara nodded, "I'll be right back."

It felt like an eternity before she heard someone running towards her. She kept her eyes closed, just in case Malfoy was coming back for more. Someone lifted her up.

"Where do I take her, Tara?"

Professor William's voice made her open her eyes. She saw the concern in his face.

"To the hospital wing, Spike. C'mon and I'll show you."

Spike? The professor's name was Spike?

"Spike."

He looked down at her and smiled.

"Yes. Now don't go spreading that around. I don't want people to get nervous around me. It's an intimidating name."

Hermione laughed shortly and then cringed in pain.

"What happened?"

"I was punched and kicked."

"By who?"

Hermione turned her head away.

"That's not necessary information to know. I'm not going to risk anything else happening to me by telling you who it was."

"You think it's a risk?"

"He said it was and I am inclined to believe him."

"Believe who?"

She turned back to him; "You're insulting my intelligence if you think I'm going to fall for that one."

Spike winked at her, "Had to try."

Madame Pomfrey nursed Hermione's bruised ribs and stomach and had her rest. By the time she left the hospital wing, the day's classes were over. She made her way back to the Gryffindor tower and found Harry, Ron, Ginny and Luna all sitting in the common room as she walked in. The four of them looked up at her but said nothing. Hermione felt anger course through her body.

"Harry Potter, you're a bloody git!"

Before Harry could respond, Ginny jumped up.

"How dare you speak to him that way!"

Hermione looked at her.

"I had the crap beat out of me today and as I was lying on the floor, struggling to get up, Harry just stares and then you both leave. He couldn't help a friend let alone a fellow Gryffindor. Nothing but a bastard."

Then, Ginny smacked her.

"Harry has better things to do then fight your battles for you. You're pathetic. Always trying to act helpless. Get out of our lives, Hermione Granger."

She said nothing as she turned and walked back out of the common room. Hermione headed towards the one place she felt the most safe at, the Library. She touched her cheek. It still stung. She couldn't turn to her friends because now, she had none. She had never felt so lonely. After walking a bit, Hermione realized that she wasn't at the library; she had walked to the astronomy tower. She leaned on the wall and stared off into space, crying.

"What's going on Hermione? Why are you hurting so much?"