Disclaimer- If you recognize it, it isnt mine.

AN-Im SO sorry about the long wait for this chapter. Ive been super busy, since I moved recently, and my computer wasnt hooked up right away. Forgive me. Oh, and thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed!

Draco ended up staying at the Hospital wing for a little while, watching Hermione sleep. All of her physical wounds had been healed quite nicely, but the look on Hermione's face was another story. She looked scared, even while she slept. Draco would have given anything to take that look off her face, and have her smile at him.

Draco stayed by the bed, until it was just before curfew. He had already gotten the potion from Madame Pomfrey, and was anxious to get some sleep. It had been a long, tiring day, and sleep was welcome.

Draco trudged up the stairs, and through the corridors towards the Head dorm. He encountered very few students on the way, and was glad for it. He knew that he looked as well as he felt. He was quite happy that no one else had to see him at one of his worse times.

Draco walked into the common room, barely noticing Crysania. He also didn't remember saying the password, but assumed that he had, since he was now on his way to his room. He had taken the potion before leaving the hospital wing, so he was like a walking dead man. He let himself get ready for bed from habit, rather then from actual thought.

Draco crawled into his bed, reveling in the warmth and sheer comfort of lying down. His last thought, before the sweet enclosure of sleep trapped him, was of Hermione, hoping that she would awake the next day.

Hermione awoke, confused as to where she was. It was dark, nighttime, by the looks of it. She felt the blankets around her body, wondering when she went to bed. She sat up, and took in her surroundings. She was in the hospital wing. How did she get here? She wondered.

Then the memories came flooding back to her.

She lay back down on the bed; clutching the blanket, as if it could save her, protect her, from what she was feeling. The sobs wracked her small body, she felt as if the tears would never stop. She had been used. Again. The same people seemed intent on tormenting her, making her miserable. Making her feel like she was dirt, worthless.

Hermione cried long into the night, before sleep stole her away, sweeping her up in cool, dark, blankness.

Professor Dumbledore walked into the hospital wing, early in the morning. He walked along the wing, watching the few present students sleep. He stopped in front of Hermione's bed, and watched her. He could tell immediately that she had awoken during the night. The stains of tears upon her cheeks making it quite obvious. His eyes no longer twinkled, knowing that his head girl, one of the brightest students to walk the halls of Hogwarts in decades, would hurt, would suffer. He only hoped that she would seek the help that she needed, rather then seek solitude that would only destroy her.

Draco awoke, feeling refreshed. He had needed that sleep, as well as the dreamless sleep potion more then he knew. His mind was on Hermione, but also on his stomach, which was rumbling, begging to be properly fed. He decided that he wouldn't be of any use to Hermione until after he had regained his strength, and crawled out of bed, intent on a shower before anything else.

The warm water splashed onto his face, both calming and reenergizing him. His mind was clear, and he had his day, more or less, planned out ahead of him. He would go to the Great Hall for some breakfast, then back to his own room for some homework that needed to be done. After that, he would head to the hospital wing, to watch over Hermione.

He hoped that he wouldn't need his homework to keep him occupied. He, rather, hoped that his angel was awake, and would want to talk to him. However, he knew that she was in shock, and traumatized. Sleep was the best thing for her, at the moment.

Draco walked along the halls, towards the Great Hall, his mind full, and his stomach empty. Never a good combination for a teenage boy. He hurried his steps, knowing that the sooner he ate, the sooner he would know how Hermione was doing.

Hermione awoke, this time knowing where she was, as well as why she was there. The bright sunlight played upon the bed, making it hard to look at without squinting. She slowly sat up, willing her mind to just STOP working, so that she could concentrate on finding someone to talk to. She was rather startled to find Professor McGonagall sitting at the end of her bed, watching her intently.

"Good morning, Miss Granger.' Professor McGonagall said, a hint of worry in her voice.

'Good morning, Professor." Hermione replied, trying to get a feel for WHY her head of house was sitting in front of her in the hospital wing.

'I suppose you're wondering what I am doing here." At Hermione's nod, she continued. "When Mister Malfoy found you yesterday, his first thought was to get you the help that you needed. Therefore, bringing you back to Hogwarts. Madame Pomfrey has attended to all of your physical wounds, and assures me that you will make a full recovery. Now, after you were brought here, we had a slight dilemma. You were supposed to be at your grandmother's funeral. We assumed, correctly, that your parents had no idea what had happened. I went there last night, to tell them what little I knew. I have brought all of your things back, and they are in your room."

"Thank you, Professor. Can I ask you something?" Hermione tentatively asked.

"Of course you can, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall actually smiled.

"What do you, um, think happened to me?" Hermione whispered, fearing that Draco told them everything. She dreaded the thought of everyone knowing about her…worthlessness.

"We don't know, actually. We just know that there were a number of knife wounds to heal, as well as the fact that you were brought to us with your clothing shredded beyond repair. Mister Malfoy refused to tell us anything involving the circumstances of your injuries. We were told to ask you, should you desire to tell us."

"Ah..oh." Hermione said, mentally thanking Draco for his discretion.

"Should you want to talk, Hermione, I will always be here for you. I am, also, not the only one you can talk to." The professor said, a look of genuine caring crossing her face.

"I..Thank you, Professor. I don't feel quite ready to talk, at the moment." Hermione said, rather apologetically.

"Quite understandable, my dear. I must ask that you should remain here, for the time being. None of the other students, Mister Malfoy being the exception, know that you have returned. If you would like, we can tell the students that you've decided to remain at home for a while longer, giving you time before having to attend classes." McGonagall said, standing up from her seat.

Hermione looked at her teacher, and, seeing genuine concern, as well as something that resembled love, she decided to accept the offer. She knew that she wouldn't be able to handle the students, asking her about her grandmother, and what not, but she couldn't ask for the help that she needed. She was relieved that it was offered, rather then asked for.

"I think that would be best, Professor. I would still like to do my homework, if that's possible?" Hermione asked.

"Of course, Miss Granger. I shall talk to your professors today, to see what they can give you. I assume that you are already done this weeks work?" McGonagall asked, already knowing the answer.

Hermione just nodded, feeling a slight blush creeping up on her face.

'Good. I will ask Mister Malfoy to collect it, so I can hand it in for you." McGonagall walked towards Hermione, and placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder, looking her in the eye.

"If you ever need anything at all, please, don't hesitate to ask for the help that you need." Hermione felt her teachers' hand tighten slightly, before letting go.

"Ill go tell Madame Pomfrey that you are awake, and no doubt hungry. I will be back later this afternoon with your school work." McGonagall said, turning to leave the hospital wing.

She was just at the doors, when Hermione heard her speak again. "Good-bye Hermione, try to rest."

Hermione settled back down on the bed, thinking about what she had been told. She was thankful that she was given the time off of classes, to get better, and to figure herself out. She was also relieved that none of the students, and her friends, knew that she was back. She didn't think that she could cope with the inevitable stream of visitors that would bother her all day. She needed to rest, and to think. She needed Draco.

As if reading her mind, in walked Draco, his worry and love, and strength apparent on his face.

Hermione knew, looking into his eyes, that everything would turn out fine. She had all the strength she needed.