Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I do not own the places. I don't own anything J.K Rowling thought up, all I own is the plot.

Chapter eleven: Back at Hogwarts

"How did you do it…" she whispered. "Someone must've helped you…Malfoy-"

"Malfoy is a worthless piece of shit." Neville snapped. "A mere messenger boy. He couldn't even annoy you anymore. I did it all by myself."

"…You were sent to split us up…"

"I was sent to bring down Harry Potter. And that's what I'll do."

"How."

Neville stepped closer and brought his mouth up to her ear. "With you."

She pushed him away. He smirked.

"I already succeeded in making a rift between the three of you. Ron, Harry and you."

She shook her head. "What?"

"Oh, come off it Hermione. I was the one who got Parvati drunk at Halloween. I used the Imperius curse on her to make her kiss him. I told her you blamed her, I made sure you'd walk in on her hugging Harry. I got you and Harry to fight over Ron, that was all me Hermione! I made sure to spend all that time with you so Harry would get jealous. I did all that."

She looked away. All the problems she's had this year were all his fault. Not hers and not Harry's.

"But why…"

"To make him vulnerable." Neville said coldly. "At first I thought it would be best to drive the three of you away from each other, so that he would be all alone and helpless when the time came…but then I realised that he was already a vulnerable person because his friends were around. All this time I had tried to get closer to him by driving you away, while the answer had been there all along. If I wanted to bring him down, I simply needed to use the bond that made him strong. Make one link of the chain weak and the chain breaks, right? You are that link. I can bring him down with you."

"But what about Malfoy…"

He's nothing. He hasn't become an elite yet. But his eagerness to mock you came in very handy. It made him a very convincing bad boy. But in truth, he's worthless. Even you are in a higher rank than he is."

Hermione looked at the ceiling. "Me? A Mudblood? Higher ranked than the son of a pureblood Malfoy?"

Neville stroked her cheek with a finger. "No, not a Mudblood. Our princess."

She shrugged his hand off. "Don't call me that."

"Oh, but I call you by the name you deserve."

"I am not-"

"Oh, but you will be. You'll become our princess in time."

He stood up and walked to the fireplace. "I have a letter here, from your dear friends."

She reached out and wanted to grab it, but he turned around.

"It's addressed to me."

He cleared his throat. "Hey Neville. I wanted to apologise for my behaviour lately. I have been very rude and I had not right to be. It was mostly because of the problems between Hermione and me, but we talked and we agreed that we would work it all out. I hope you'll have a nice holiday and I'll see you soon. Bye, Harry."

Neville looked up. "Ah, how nice. He wants me to have a nice holiday."

"Don't patronise him…he's a sweet person." Hermione said as she stared out the window.

The ground was covered in snow and she longed to run outside. But she knew she had to stay here. She wasn't allowed. They were too much afraid she's run away.

"Don't forget what I told you, Hermione. Don't even think for a moment you can walk away. It's too late now."

He strode over to her and grabbed her arm, pressing his thumb on the already burning mark on the inside of her arm.

"You think that Harry or Ron want you back when they see this?"

She pulled her arm back. "…You're hurting me…"

Neville sighed. "Just…think about Paul and everything will be fine."

"So…holidays are nearly over…everyone's returning." Ron said eagerly. "How are you looking forward to seeing Hermione again."

"I hope she got my present."

He had bought her a silver necklace. After seeing her at the Halloween Ball with one, he had noticed how good silver looked on her.

Ron chuckled. "Still head over heels?"

"But we have to start all over again. I know she'll have trouble trusting me, but I'll do the best I can."

Ron laid a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Harry. You'll do fine. She's our friend and I'm sure she's been wanting to see you all holiday."

Harry smiled. "Well, I sure missed her. Oh, by the way. Did you read Neville's letter?"

Ron shook his head. "No, when did it come?"

"Oh, a week ago…I thought I had told you about it. It doesn't say anything interesting, just that he's okay."

Ron nodded. "Well, I'm going downstairs. Lavender and I are going to Hogsmeade together."

Harry grinned. "Still the happy couple? You big old romantic sod."

"Oi!" Ron said indignantly. "You're one to talk. You sent Hermione a silver necklace for Christmas."

"Yeah, yeah…I know…anyway, you'd better get going. You don't want to keep your girlfriend waiting." Harry said with a grin.

Ron shook his head and left the boys' dormitory. Harry looked out the window. He couldn't wait for the Hogwarts Express to arrive. He just couldn't help thinking back to the evening before Hermione had left.

'Listen, Harry. I just want to say that I'm very happy that you and me are…you know.'

Her voice still echoed through his mind. He had received a Christmas present form her. A photo frame with a picture of him and her. Hew couldn't help thinking that it was a sign that she really wanted to get back together with him.

'So, when I get back, you and I will start over with a clean slate.'

He smiled. It had been on the card too. Suddenly the door flew open.

"Harry! Hurry up! The train is here!"

He jumped up and grasped his cloak and scarf on his way out. Ron and Lavender were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, scarfed and cloaked as well.

"Come on, we saw it rolling into the station on our way up to Hogsmeade. Hurry up!"

They started to run and made their way to the Great Hall as fast as they could. As they ran down the steps, they saw the carriages come closer. Harry stood on tip-toe to see which carriage was bringing Hermione.

The doors opened and a flow of people made its way up the steps. Harry stared around nervously. He couldn't see her anywhere.

"Harry!"

He turned around and there she was. She was smiling broadly.

"I'm so happy to see you again." she flew into his arms and hugged him tightly.

He closed his eyes contently. It had been definitely worth the wait.

"I'm glad you're back." He whispered. "I missed you."

"I- I missed you too." she said, a slight blush on her face.

She let him go and turned to Ron. "Good to see you again, Ron. Real good."

She hugged him tightly as well. When she let him go, she winked.

"I'd best not hug you too long. Your girlfriend might get jealous."

They all laughed.

"Don't worry Hermione. I know you've got your mind set on someone else." Lavender said with a smile. "Let's all go inside before we freeze stuck to the pavement."

Hermione took off her scarf and looked at the sky. "It's not that cold anymore…it doesn't snow…"

"You're not cold?"

She shook her head. "It's not as cold as I remember."

Harry chuckled. "You sound as if you haven't been outside for over a month!"

She started to laugh. "Don't be silly. That would be ridiculous."

She took Harry's hand and walked inside. Harry smiled at her and entangled his hand with hers, hoping she'd turn her head and smile. But she stared at the floor.

She felt his eyes burning and looked up. Quickly she gave him a smile and stared at the floor again. The inside of her arm was burning.

Behind her she could hear Ron whispering to Lavender. She looked over her shoulder.

"What are you to being so secretive about?"

Ron chuckled. "A little paranoid, Hermione? I was just commenting how 'perfect' you two look together. That's all."

Hermione felt blood rush to her face. "Oh…"

"And," said Lavender, "I was saying how glad I was to see you two getting along again."

Hermione looked at their smiles and she couldn't help smiling herself. They all looked so happy. Especially Harry.

"I missed you all so much…" she said. "The Christmas holiday felt just like a big nightmare. I felt all alone."

Harry hugged her and looked into her eyes. "Hermione, you'll never be alone. Never."

She smiled sadly. "…If you say so…"

She turned away to hide her tears from them. She loved him so much. She loved them all so much. And they loved her so much that she'd never have to be alone. Then why did she feel so lonely right now?

"Hey guys."

Her blood turned cold. Forcing a smile on her face, she turned around.

"Hey Neville. How was your holiday?"

"Oh, alright." He said, shrugging. "I visited my parents again…"

He opened his hand and showed them a candy wrapper. Hermione knew she ought to feel sad for him. But why should she. She didn't even understand why he kept the wrapper, they didn't mean anything to him, did they?

'They're still his parents.' She thought. 'He may hate what they stood and fought for, but they're still his parents. No one can truly hate their family, can they?'

She shook her head. She did not want not think about it anymore.

She looked up and noticed that she had followed the others into the common room. Ron and Lavender seated themselves on the couch and Neville took the remaining seat. Harry sat down in a chair. Hermione looked around, feeling a bit helpless. She didn't know if she should take a seat on the floor or sit down on the arm of Harry's chair.

But before she could make a decision, Harry had pulled her onto his lap.

"Hey everyone!" Ginny had entered through the portrait hole and had spotted them sitting comfortably.

She sat down on the arm of the couch, next to Neville.

"So…everyone happy…and…" she looked at Harry and Hermione meaningfully.

Ron laughed. "Ginny, when are you going to learn that you shouldn't be so nosy. One day you'll be sorry. "

She smiled. "Oh, I can't help it. It's in my genes."

Lavender laughed heartily. When Ron gave her a hurt look, she snorted.

"I'm sorry Ron, but what she says makes sense. You're both terribly nosy…George and Fred were nosy…even Percy was nosy!"

"Fred and George weren't nosy…they were inventive." Ron said huffily.

Hermione grinned. "Ron, they were nosy. Just look at some of their inventions. Extendable Ears?"

Now everyone started to laugh. Everyone had heard a few stories about the famous Extendible Ears. And now that they were available at Weasleys Wizarding Weezes, more stories went round every day.

They were talking until it had gone dark outside. Hermione had produced a book from her bag and once Ron and Lavender had gone up, she had curled up on the couch. Harry sat next to her, his arm around her shoulders.

He was enjoying having her back. And it surprised him how close she let him get. But he hadn't kissed her yet and he thought it best to wait with that.

He stood up. "I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

She looked up and smiled. "Okay, sleep tight."

He grinned and bit his lip. "I'll dream of you."

He closed his eyes. 'I should not have said that.'

She blushed. "You're so sweet."

She stood up and gave him a soft peck on his cheek. "Goodnight Harry."

She knew he was gong red an looked at the ground. She sat down and didn't look up when she heard him walk up the stairs slowly. She listened to the door closing and took a deep breath.

She knew she had missed him, but seeing him today had made her realise exactly how much she had missed him.

She was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Nice work today, princess."

She shrugged off his hand and jumped to her feet. Tears were stinging in her eyes.

"Stay away from me…"

He chuckled. "You seemed so happy today, I almost believed you really were glad to be back with him."

She looked at him unbelievingly. She gave him a forceful push and didn't wait to hear him fall to the floor. She was up in her dormitory before Neville had the chance to get back on his feet.

She hid behind the curtains of her bed. Sobbing silently, she changed into her nightdress. She winced as the soft fabric caressed her arm. She looked at the black skull depicted on the inside of her arm. It was still burning.

She hid her face in her pillow. "I'm so sorry…"

Unfortunately I don't have time to thank all the reviewers individually, because Internet doesn't work at home and I have to post this at school, but anyway; THANK YOU ALL and I'll thank you personally at the next chapter: PROMISED

Right…sorry it took so long to post this, but I had some problems with Internet the last few days. I already had my auditions for the second round for acting school in Utrecht, and I was allowed to participate in the final round as well! There were only 26 people from about 400 left and I was one of those 26! (Makes you feel really special ;)) The auditions are now finally over after 4 days of auditioning in a row and all I can do now is wait for the letter to arrive with that final answer; yes or no. I'll keep you posted on that. Anyway, I'll see you guys at the next chappy!

Raven55