The First Attack

"I think she's amazing," Hermione said as the four of them walked down the hall. After two weeks of Professor Dashall's potions lessons, it was very clear who the new favorite teacher was at Hogwarts. Professor Dashall had taught them some of the most complex potions they'd ever seen. "She's definitely better than Snape," Ron agreed. "This is the second time this year she's given Malfoy detention"
"Malfoy deserved it," Harry said. During today's lesson while they'd been mixing up a batch of Norixan, a potion that was used to counteract poison. Instead of working on his potion Malfoy and his lackies had devised their own potion which caused Neville's hair to turn green. Professor Dashall had been furious. Even though he did get some pleasure from watching Malfoy get put in his place, Harry didn't exactly have the glowing opinion of Dashall that everyone else did. She had never punished him for anything, he'd made sure to pay close attention to her lessons. She was not an unfair person. She did not grant favor to anyone and gave and took away points as they were deserved. But somehow Harry knew that she didn't like him. She wasn't as blatantly obvious about it as Snape had been, but just the way she glared at him whenever he looked at her . He didn't know why she didn't like him, he hadn't done anything to deserve it as far as he knew.
"The Slytherins don't like her very much," Ginny said. "She takes points away from them a lot"
"Well, if they would stop acting up in her class and pay attention, she wouldn't take points from them," Hermione said.
"Defense against the Dark Arts isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be," Ron said. "As much of a prat as Snape is, he really seems to know his stuff." None of them could disagree. Snape had been different this year. He was still as stern as ever but he had yet to give any Gryffindors detention or take points from them.
"If all it took to make him a nicer fellow was to give him the Defense against the dark arts position," Hermione said, "then I say they should have given it to him years ago." They all agreed. All of a sudden they heard a girl scream. They all hurried in the direction of the sound.
"It was coming from over here," Hermione said. They looked around and were shocked when they found Pansy Parkinson huddled in the corner, her knees drawn up to her chest. She was shaking uncontrollably and there were several bruises on her face. Worst of all was the blood they saw dripping down her legs.
"Stay back," Hermione said to them as she carefully approached the frightened Slytherin girl.
"Pansy?" she said softly. Pansy looked up at Hermione with terror in her eyes. "Pansy what happened?" Pansy trembled as she stared at them.
"He...he...he," Pansy tried to say her voice shaking.
"Ron, go and find Madam Pomfrey. Then find Dumbledore." Ron was off like a shot. "It's all right Pansy," Hermione said gently. "No one is going to hurt you. Can you tell me what happened?" Harry was surprised at how nice Hermione was being considering that Pansy was a Slytherin and had been almost as mean to them in the past as Malfoy. But this was no time for old rivalry. Something terrible had clearly happened to Pansy.
"He raped me," Pansy whispered, tears running down her face. "Draco. He raped me." Harry was shocked and he could feel the surprise radiating from Ginny as well. He knew Malfoy was a prat but he'd never thought he'd do something like this.
"What is going on here?" a voice said behind them. Harry turned to see Professor Dashall coming down the hall with Wood close behind her. "Pansy Parkinson's been raped, Professor Dashall," Ginny said.
"Oh Merlin," Professor Dashall gasped taking in the sight of the battered girl. "Has anyone gone to fetch Madam Pomfrey"
"Yes, I sent Ron to get her and Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said. Hermione now had her arms around Pansy who was crying uncontrollably. Professor Dashall approached the girl slowly.
"Pansy who did this?" she asked. Pansy did not answer just continued to sob.
"She said that it was Malfoy," Hermione said.
"Malfoy?" Wood said in astonishment.
"Stand aside," Madam Pomfrey's voice cut into the crowd. "Let me through please." Everyone stood back to allow the doctor access. "What has happened here"
"I would very much like to know that myself," Dumbledore suddenly appeared with Ron, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. "However, I believe Miss Parkinson has been out through enough for the moment. Minerva if you would assist Madam Pomfrey in taking Miss Parkinson to the infirmary.
"Of course Albus." Together the two elderly witches pulled Pansy to her feet and carfully guided her away.
"Professor Dumbledore," HErmione immediately started talking. "Pansy said that Draco Malfoy is the one that did this to her"
"Did she?" Dumbledore said looking concerned. "Very well. Severus if you would be so good as to find MR. Malfoy. The rest of you please join me in my office. We will see what Mr. Malfoy has to say to these accusations.