Authors Note: I am SO SO SO sorry that it has taken me absolutely FOREVER to update. When I haven't been bombarded with school work, I've been wallowing in my own self pity (which I'm getting better at not doing...sorta). ANYway, for any of you who have come back to read my story. THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! I love you guys, I truly do. You kick SO much ass...Okay, let's give a wee bit of an update to my life (for those of you who are interested). I turned 18 last month (yay me!). I'm finally at college (tho I live in the dorm from Hell). Classes are good. I'm not flunking out. And there is a 98 chance that I'm gonna go see Wicked next month (you have no idea how excited I am about that). Okay, if any of you want to e-mail to talk or say random stuff, feel free to. I'd love to hear from you. My email addy is Okay, on with the story...(and this time I really intend to update regularly.)

CHAPTER THREE

An hour later found me pacing my room, feeling too much like a caged animal. I had no intention of going to see Dumbledore, in fact, I decided to play dumb and pretend that I forgot all about the meeting.

I sighed. I knew very well that that excuse would not go over well. No one would possibly believe that I forgot about that. I never forgot anything. Stupid intelligence, good for nothing-, my thought were cut off with a knock from the door. I wasn't at all surprised that someone was sent to fetch me.

I timidly made my way to the door. With all the luck that had been bestowed on me in the past, it would be Snape that would be standing on the other side of the door.

Slowly, painstakingly so, I opened the door and was thoroughly surprised to find the Headmaster on the other side.

Fucker.

"Sir," I said by way of greeting.

"I had a feeling that you would not come to my office for the meeting I requested you for, so I brought the meeting to you," he said, that Godforsaken twinkle in his eye, as he pushed passed me into the room. I was about to close the door when Remus followed him inside.

Before attempting to shut the door again, I turned to the Headmaster, "Can I close the door, or are we expecting someone else?"

"Leave it open for a while if you please, we are expecting someone to arrive shortly."

I grumbled in response and sat down on my bed, fully glaring at the two wizards in front of me. "You wanted to speak to me. So speak."

Dumbledore sighed, "Hermione, I understand that you are hurt and upset right now, but that does not give you the right to show disrespect to your elders."

I growled.

Remus, in his good wisdom, saw that it was time to get to the subject of whatever it was that they wanted to bother me with. "Headmaster..."

"Yes, my dear boy, I supposed your right." He looked towards me, "Hermione, I would like to offer my apologies for you at this time, not only for your loss, but for your inability to be with your friends at this time. But you must understand that the Death Eaters are after you now. They have set their sights away from Mr. Potter for the time being, and are pursuing you in earnest."

"Professor, at this point, I really could care less," I responded, not allowing emotion into my voice.

What he had just told me scared me. I knew that because I was friends with Harry Potter that I would always be a target of the Dark Lord, and I had accepted that. But to be told that they had forgone Harry for a time to go after me was something that I was not prepared for.

"Hermione," Remus began, "please don't be too upset about this. But you have to understand that we cannot take the risk of them getting their filthy hands on you. Not only are you going to be a major advantage to our cause, but we also care very much for you. No one wants to see you get hurt. We're just worried about your safety, and we want to take all the necessary precautions."

I looked at the Werewolf for a moment, taking in what he said. In the back of my mind I knew it made sense. It was logical argument. However, I was currently in the frame of mind that I wanted to be mad at anything and everything, so logic aside, I was still pissed as hell. And I was going to be damn sure they knew it.

"Leave...please," I added the last bit to have some semblance of politeness.

Dumbledore sadly shook his head. "Alright. But before we go there is another matter that we need to discuss."

I raised an eyebrow in response.

"Draco Malfoy."

I grumbled to myself. Crossing my arms over my chest I responded, "Look, if I promise not to kill the ferret will you leave?"

"Hermione," Remus said, "we want you to try and actually get along with him. He's really not all that bad. Give him a chance."

"Okay," I conceded, "once Hell has frozen over and the Devil figure skates to the Macarena."

"Miss Granger..."

"Fine, fine. I'll try and get along with the little bugger."

Dumbledore turned to Remus, "That's the best we're going to get out of her, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so," was the response.

After a few seconds of silence the sound of a throat clearing could be heard. Dumbledore turned, and addressed the person who had just arrived at my room. After speaking quietly, too quietly for my hearing (which made me very nervous), he turned to me, "Well, I do believe that Minerva requested our appearance for something, so we shall leave the two of you now." And with that the two older wizards left.

When I looked towards the door, I didn't see anyone there. "If someone's out there come in now, before I shut the door in your face."

"I believe I've had enough of that in the past day or two to last me a while," Draco Malfoy said as he entered the room and shut the door behind him.

"Why'd you close the door. Open the door," I demanded, not caring that I sounded like a child.

"No," he said as he took a seat.

"I didn't tell you to sit. Leave. They said I had to try and get along with you, but they didn't specify as to when to start. And, quite frankly, I'm not in the mood for niceties now."

Draco observed me for a moment. A calculating look on his face. "We really need to talk."

Fucker.