Author's Notes: Hello everybody and sorry for the wait! I've finally finished this chapter and I'm happy with it. It was a pile of crap to start with and it definitely got better. I had all these crazy ideas but I decided against most of them as they didn't help with the story. Oh and the chapter is called the Rescuers after the Disney, just thought it was a fun idea!

Anyways, in that long time, I posted a one-chapter story so if you guys could read that and review, it'd be great because it's also a dark and romantic fiction.

I had a lot of wonderful reviews and I need to thank everybody for them!

MissDitzy: Yeah sorry, I meant he doesn't like Voldemort not he'll stop being a Death-Eater! Abigail's powers have evolved and she can disapparate even from Death-Eater meeting! I'm glad you like it, thanks for clarifying those points!

Aurora L Black: Hey! Thanks for the review! Again, this is a H/D fic but the plot has focused on Abby at the moment but it will soon only focus on H/D relationship, I promise! Enjoy!

Sweetblood17: I liked that bit too, Draco is finally standing up to Lucius and it gets better…

Kuroi Tsuki Jyurian: Thanks for the review! I still haven't had time to look up anime but I will soon. I'm just trying to finish this fic first.

I Dream Of Draco: Hey! Thank you for the compliment on my writing and Abby. Your review brightened up my day! I love your pen name, I think I might change mine.

Littlemissy616: Lol, hope you get to read this chapter! Glad you enjoy it so much, thanks for the review!

LadySerpent: Thank you, it makes me so happy to know my writing isn't so bad after all. Hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Dracosgirl2515: Hey, thanks for the review! Yeah my Hermione is a bit naïve but hey, most girls are and with Draco's good looks, what do you expect! Lol! You'll find out in this chapter if Hermione heard him say I love you or not.

Chas3r: Thanks for the email, there's some D/H action at the end for ya!

Hellakat: Well your review surprised me a little. I really don't mind flames but as long as they're justified. You criticse my writing but I've always said that I wasn't English and admit freely that its not the best. I do however, read through my old chapters and update them regularly when I see typing errors,etc. I don't know how , much you read of this fic but I'm guessing you're judging from the first chapter which isn't the best. I'd love to read your own fics to see if they could give me any tips but you haven't written any, so it's too easy on your part to criticise.

LeCriss: Lol! Thanks for the review! I try my best with grammar and stuff and I do check spelling mistakes. If you see any in this chapter, I'd be happy if you could point them out, thanks!

Sam: Thank you so much for your review! It was so nice! I'm glad you found the characters just like in the book because I've always wanted to keep them as true as possible! Hope you enjoy this chappie.

Dracocrazyem: Sorry I should have explained that 'OoTP' was Order of the Phoenix. Everyone also seems happy for Draco to say I love you (finally!) Enjoy the next chapter!

Malfoy'sAngel: Wow! Thank you so much for the long review! Even I don't leave reviewsd that long, except when I read 'Means To An end' by Nexis. It simply killed me. I'm sorry you find the relationship gong slowly between D/H but it has too, otherwise it's hard to believe. I'm so glad you like the whole Harry/Abby thing though! Your review made my day!

I'm so sorry guys but I'm on a time limit here, so thank you to everybody else who reviewed, I will get to you soon and a special thanks to warky who reviewed a few of my chapters!

Okay guys, this chapter is mostly about the Golden Trio and Ginny. It's basically the previous chapter but through Hermione's eyes. It should explain everyone's questions about how Abby was cured.

Enjoy! It's a long chapter!

..~**~..

Chapter 30

"Merlin, it's cold!" Ron called out, shifting closer to Hermione.

"Harry, you have to calm down!" Hermione called out to her best friend, looking around the Forbidden Forest, shivering. She was sitting on a moss-covered log, her feet had gone numb from the cold and she rubbed her hands together to keep them warm.

"It's been more than six hours, Hermione! She should be back now," Harry retorted, walking around nervously, crunching the snow under his feet.

"We know," Ginny said calmly, sitting on the other side of Hermione. "But there's nothing more we can do!"

Hermione turned to face Ginny and smiled weakly. Her red-haired friend was just as scared as the rest of them. Abigail should be back by now; the counter curse should have worked. But what if it hadn't? What if Abigail was revealing her powers to Voldemort? Would it be the end? Were they doomed?

Hermione let her mind wander as they all waited silently. She had been scared that night when Blaise had cast a spell on her. Hermione had never seen or heard such a spell before and she had feared what it could do to her cousin. But seeing the scar in Abigail's arm and her strange behaviour, Hermione had quickly understood that she was possessed.

..~**~..

(flashback)

Hermione looked helplessly in pools of silver.

"Let him go, Draco," she pleaded. She was so scared of what might happen next. Harry's face was covered with blood and the fury in Draco's eyes seemed terrible.

Her voice seemed to have surprised him, however, as Draco retracted his wand and let Harry go. Immediately, Hermione went to Harry's side making sure that he was okay. She couldn't believe what Draco had done to him. She made sure to ask him for an explanation later.

"Don't fuck with me again, Potter," she heard him say behind her before he left the room.

"We have to get you to the infirmary," Hermione said quietly, looking down at her disheartened friend. She could see it in Harry's eyes that Abigail's words had cut him deep.

"I think he's right, Hermione," Harry muttered, as she helped him up. "Abigail was just playing with us."

Hermione sighed heavily as she heard him. He had fallen right into their mind games.

"Harry, wake up!" she exclaimed angrily. "How can you believe a single word she just said! That wasn't Abigail! I don't know exactly what those gits did to her but I have an idea. Now come on!"

She helped him across the room and down to the infirmary where Madame Pomfrey took care of him. Hermione told the school nurse that Harry fell down several flights of stairs, which hardly seemed to convince her but they were let off anyway.

Heading straight to McGonagall's office, Hermione found her Head of House marking some essays.

"Professor McGonagall, I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore, it's urgent!"

"I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is away for the moment, taking care of business," McGonagall told her, looking worried. "If you like Miss Granger, I can send him a letter for you."

"No, its okay," Hermione answered exasperated. Why isn't their Headmaster ever around? Unless... he was purposely drawn away from the school.

Walking out of the office, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly realised how late it was and headed back to her dorm.

..~**~..

Hermione woke up the next morning lying next to Draco. He was holding her possessively around the waist, fast asleep. She turned to face him and kissed him softly on the forehead.

He's beautiful, she thought as she watched his flawless pale skin shine against the sunlight.

She had been so angry last night with him. He had done so many terrible things these past months and yet she loved him. She knew it now and she wasn't afraid to admit it to herself any longer. She couldn't help thinking about what he had said to her last night.

You know my feelings have always been true. I don't know what I'd do without you.

He had been so honest and open with her. He had even promised her to help Abigail, but could she believe him? Or was she being too naïve?

Deciding not to think about it, Hermione got up carefully, trying not to wake Draco up and went to the window as she heard her owl hooting outside. Letting him in, she took the parchment of its leg and read it.

Dear Miss Granger,

Having heard about the recent incident concerning Abigail Serpent, I found it necessary to write to you and help you in your research for a counter curse. I have no doubt that you are willing to help your distant cousin and therefore I shall guide you before it is too late. I hope you understand how grave the situation is Miss Granger. I believe several students have cast a spell on Abigail and she is now possessed by Salazar Slytherin's spirit in order to reveal her family secrets to Lord Voldemort.

Hermione nodded as she read the letter. She had perfectly understood that Abigail was now a threat and that something needed to be done soon.

There exists a counter curse to cure Miss Serpent and I am sure you already know in which section of the library, the book containing the curse, is shelved. I trust you to quickly find all the ingredients necessary. You will need as much help as possible. I shall return shortly to the school, however, no one can be punished or expelled for their actions unless Miss Serpent admits to me everything that happened once she is herself again.

Good luck, Miss Granger, trust your instincts and please make haste.

Albus Dumbledore

Pocketing the letter, Hermione wrote a quick note for Draco and then headed immediately for the library.

..~**~..

"It's got to be in one of these books," Hermione said, searching through yet another book in the restricted section of the library. She looked anxiously over at Harry and Ron, who were looking out for Madame Pince. Harry had been let out this morning from the hospital wing and Hermione had immediately asked Ron, Ginny and him to help her.

"I found it!" Ginny whispered loudly, holding an ancient book entitled 'Possession and Exorcism'.

Both girls quickly made their way to the back of the main library and settled around a deserted table.

"Hermione, can you tell us what the hell is going on?" Ron asked annoyed. Harry had briefly told Ron and Ginny about Abigail but only Hermione seemed to be the only one who knew what was truly going on.

"I received a letter from Dumbledore this morning," she explained calmly, reading quickly through the book. "He confirmed what I thought about Abigail. Blaise cast a dark spell on her which caused her to be possessed by Salazar Slytherin's spirit, which explains the scar on her arm."

The Weasley's eyes grew wide in disbelief whilst Harry turned a shade paler.

"You mean she's become Salazar Slytherin?" Harry said quietly.

"No, she's still Abigail except now she's like the ultimate Slytherin, I guess." Hermione continued, looking up at him. "That's what Blaise wanted I think and that would also explain why she reacted so strongly to us because we're Gryffindors and why she called me a Mudblood."

A long silence followed as Hermione flicked through the book and the others took in the information.

"I don't believe it!" Ron exclaimed to himself whilst Ginny started biting her nails.

"I know. That's why I need your help to get Abby back before she's brought to Voldemort."

Hermione suddenly stopped on a page and a small smile spread on her lips. "Here it is," she said, pointing to the page. "It's a potion."

An hour later, Hermione stood in her common room, reading thoroughly through Dumbledore's letter again. She had sent the others to fetch all the necessary ingredients from Snape's office or their personal kit. Harry had gone to Snape's office using his father's invisibility cloak and praying that the Potions professor would be giving a class.

But Hermione had read through the potion's list of ingredients twice and it stated clearly that the victim's blood was needed for the curse to be lifted. Dammit! There's no way we can collect a sample of Abby's blood in time! I can't believe Dumbledore didn't say anything about this!

Reading the letter again, she thought about the last line again: trust your instincts

Great! And what do my instincts tell me? Not much.

She was interrupted when the common room door suddenly swung open and her friends filed in.

"We got everything!" Harry exclaimed, hurriedly putting all the ingredients around the cauldron near the fireplace. "It wasn't easy but we got them."

They all sat on the couch and looked up at Hermione expectedly. She was the cleverest witch in Hogwarts and therefore she would make the potion.

"There's a problem," Hermione admitted, passing the book to them. "It states there clearly that we need Abigail's blood for it to work."

She watched as Harry read the page once more and then shared a nervous look with Ron. It was the only plan they had and now it was crumbling down.

"Couldn't we use someone else's blood?" Ginny remarked, looking too at the book. "I mean, couldn't we use a sample of her father's blood or something. We could owl him, explaining the situation –"

Harry and Ron quickly butt in, reminding her that they didn't have enough time and that Abigail's father might refuse but Hermione wasn't listening.

Trust your instincts, Hermione thought. And at this point, they were telling her that her plan just might work.

"Ginny's right," she said quietly. "We can use someone else's blood. But we don't need to owl Abby's father; she already has a relative here at Hogwarts."

"Who?" Harry asked confused.

Hermione sighed, bracing herself for the worst. "Me."

..~**~..

"Harry, please SIT down!" Ginny cried out impatiently, holding her cloak tightly around her. He didn't listen to her and continued to pace around the forest clearing, eventually stopping to lean against a tree. Hermione looked up at her best friend and realised how much he had changed over the past months. She still couldn't believe how he had stood up to Draco and even fought with him. It really was a stupid thing to do but incredibly brave.

Brave? Yes, he's brave. He's confident again, he fights back and now he's fighting for Abigail.

But that wasn't all that had changed in Harry. He was no longer so lean and tired-looking, on the contrary, he looked healthy, strong and full of energy. He looked nothing like he did at the beginning of the year and it made Hermione happy.

"That is it!" he suddenly shouted, pushing himself off the tree trunk. "Hermione, tell me where the Death Eaters are meeting. I'm going to find her!"

At his words, Hermione noticed Ron next to her gulp nervously.

"Harry, give her another ten minutes and if she still doesn't show up, I promise we'll go after her," Hermione bargained with him.

Seeing the determined look in his eyes, Hermione had no other choice but to gain time. After all, they couldn't all just apparate at a Death Eaters' meeting! They had no idea if the potion had even worked. And whatever happened, Harry had to be kept as far away as possible from Voldemort. Praying Abigail would return in the next ten minutes, Hermione watched as Harry stormed off angrily.

"Fine! Ten minutes!"

"'Mione, we can't just walk in a Death Eater meeting? We'll get killed!" Ron exclaimed, after Harry left.

Hermione turned to Ginny who looked just as worried as her brother.

"I don't know what else to do Ron," Hermione admitted, sighing heavily.

Watching Harry from afar, she realised it wasn't the first time today that he had been angry with her.

..~**~..

(flashback)

"WHAT?" Ron immediately shouted, his face turning crimson. "You've got to be kidding, right?"

Hermione looked back at her three best friends nervously. "My mother and Abigail's father are cousins. Therefore Abigail is sort of my distant cousin," Hermione explained quietly.

"Oh Merlin!" Ginny couldn't help saying, shocked by the news. "Hermione, you're related to maybe the oldest Pureblooded family ever!"

Hermione, however, was watching Harry who still hadn't said a word. His once shiny green eyes had turned cold.

"Why didn't you tell us before?" he demanded sharply, standing up.

"Well – I didn't think – I - er- "

"We've known each other for seven years and you only tell us now? I thought we didn't keep secrets from each other, Hermione!" His words were harsh but it was her fault, she should have told them straight away.

"I'm sorry, she was sorted into Slytherin and I preferred to keep it quiet. Besides, it's not like I knew her well or anything!" Hermione argued back but it was useless.

"I can't believe you didn't tell us!" Ron fumed, standing up as well.

"Does Dumbledore know about this?" Harry suddenly exclaimed. "Do you realise what could happen if Voldemort knew you were related to her?"

Ginny gasped at his words. Hermione sighed to herself. She had already been lectured by Draco and really didn't want to hear more reproaches.

"Look guys. I'm sorry. But we have no time for this," Hermione retorted. "I promise, you can lecture me all you want once we save Abigail."

Harry agreed with a nod of the head, his eyes still watching hers in concern.

"She's right," Ginny added, picking up the book again. "And we still have another problem to solve. How the hell are we going to get Abby to drink the potion?"

"She doesn't need to drink it. It just needs to be in contact with her skin," Hermione answered, gathering the ingredients and starting the potion.

"Okay, listen you guys," Harry took over, turning to Ron and Ginny. "Hermione is going to stay here and brew the potion. We should all get back to class before we're caught and we'll meet back here before lunchtime. Till then, think of ways to get Abby close enough to the potion. All right?"

Ron and Ginny both nodded and quickly left the common room. As soon as they left, Harry turned to face Hermione.

"There's something else on my mind, Hermione," Harry said, frowning deeply. "Back in the room of requirement, Malfoy was looking for any excuse to hurt me badly, I could see it in his eyes. But suddenly he let me go, on your orders."

Hermione froze.

"Why?"

"I don't know why," she lied quickly, looking away. "I guess I must have surprised him or something and he let go."

"But then why did you call him Draco?" Harry suddenly questioned, looking at her suspiciously. "Is there something going on between you two?"

"No!" she retorted. "For Christ's sake, Harry, he's Malfoy! And being Head Boy and Girl we have to call each other by our first names. I guess I'm just used to it now."

Harry continued to look at her, as if he was searching the truth in her eyes. "Good luck with the potion," he concluded, leaving the common room.

Hermione let out a heavy sigh as he left. She hated lying to her friends and wanted to tell them everything so badly! Maybe it was time they knew about Draco. Lost in her thoughts, she went up to her room to find the last instrument she needed; a dagger.

A few hours later, she was healing her hand magically as Ron was finishing the potion.

"Don't touch it, Ron!" Hermione warned as he stirred the potion a dozen times clockwise.

"I've finished," he said, turning back to her.

"Fine. Now we need to let it cool," Hermione told them before turning to Harry and Ginny. "So any ideas?"

"Well, we thought we could spill it on her. Make it look like an accident," Harry suggested, looking curiously at the potion. "But we need to find a container to put it in."

"Well seeing as it's dark blue, we could put it in an ink bottle," Ginny added, next to him.

"That's brilliant, Gin!" Hermione exclaimed, sitting down on the couch, exhausted.

"So, who wants to spill fake ink on bitchy Abby then?" Ron asked sarcastically.

"I will," Harry answered quickly. "I couldn't save her before but I'll save her this time."

"Harry," Hermione whispered quietly. "It wasn't your fault." She paused, not knowing what else to say.

"Well that's settled then," Ron quickly butt in. "Let's have lunch!"

As Hermione watched her friends gather their stuff, she felt guilty. These were her three best friends and she had been keeping so many secrets from them this year.

"Listen guys," she began, wringing her hands uneasily. "I really am very sorry I didn't tell you before about Abigail. Of course, Dumbledore knew about it Harry and I thought as long as he knew there was no point in troubling you with it."

"No Hermione, we're sorry," Ginny admitted, looking back at Harry and Ron who agreed. "We overreacted and you had every right to keep it secret. So let's forget about it, there are more important things going on at the moment."

Hermione smiled weakly back at her friends. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have them. She knew that she could always count on them to understand. Maybe sometime soon, she should tell them about Draco; tell them before the war began and it was too late.

"Come on, I'm starving!" Ginny exclaimed, linking arms with Hermione as they filed out of the Head quarters.

..~**~..

"Fuck," Harry breathed out as he watched through the window three dark figures make their way towards the Forbidden Forest.

Hearing him swear, Hermione, along with Ron and Ginny approached the window in turn, watching in fear.

Shit! This wasn't supposed to happen! Harry spilt the potion on her after lunch! Abigail should be normal again!

But it was clear to everyone that she wasn't as she walked along side presumably Blaise and Draco towards the Forest. The two Death Eaters were leading her to Voldemort tonight.

"Let's go!" Harry suddenly ordered, picking up his cloak.

Everyone else followed him quickly, down the stairs, towards the castle door and out on the grounds.

"So, what are our options now?" Ginny whispered to Hermione, shivering from the cold.

"Apparating there is out of question!" Hermione immediately said, looking sternly at Harry. "I guess we just have to wait."

"What?" Harry asked in disbelief. "Is that it?"

"How is waiting going to help?" Ron asked confused, marching behind Hermione.

"Well if the potion has worked, then Abigail will surely be herself again soon and when she realises where she is, my bet is that she'll disapparate and hopefully, she'll end up at Hogwarts again," Hermione explained, walking quietly through the deserted creepy forest.

Ginny moved closer to her in fear and grabbed her arm. "Lumos!" she said, taking out her wand. They all took out their wands in the end, lighting faintly the dark forest.

"This way," Hermione showed them, turning right, deeper into the forest.

"Um – Hermione!" Ginny whispered to her. "What if the potion doesn't work? What if Abigail stays possessed?"

Hermione stayed silent a few seconds. Why did she have to be in charge? She didn't want to have to take such important decisions. It was all right being Head Girl and in charge of Hogwarts students but this was too much.

"I don't know, Gin," she admitted uneasily, walking faster. "I never meant to plan that far ahead."

They continued to walk silently and after ha;f an hour, it was then that they reached the small clearing where apparation was possible. The moon was out that night, lighting up the small tree-clear patch, covered in snow.

..~**~..

"It's been ten minutes," Ginny finally stated, looking down at her watch. "And she's still not back."

Hermione broke out from her thoughts as she saw heard Harry make his way back to the clearing.

"What do we do?" Ron asked nervously, also noticing Harry coming back.

Hermione stood up and started walking about, kicking her feet in the snow, trying to warm them up. What do we do now? She thought to herself. Do we risk everything now to try and save Abigail? Do we convince Harry to wait a little longer? But as she looked up at him, he looked straight back at her, the same determination in his face.

Waiting wasn't an option. Now they had to act.

"We're coming with you," she stated, as Ginny and Ron stood up too. "But we're risking our lives, you know. Are we ready for that?"

She turned to face all three of her friends and watched all kinds of emotions pass through them. What they were thinking right then, Hermione didn't know, but what she did know is that no one was ready to die. They stood silently, watching each other until Hermione sighed and revealed the location of the Death Eater meeting.

However, as she did, a large pop was heard behind her. Spinning around, the Gryffindors saw a girl collapse in the snow.

Abigail was back.

They all stared at her in silence for a few seconds as Abigail slowly regained consciousness and tried to sit up. Harry approached her cautiously. "Abigail?"

But before he said anything else, she rolled to her side suddenly and threw up. Hermione stepped quickly by her side, holding back her hair as Abigail sat up and continued to be sick. "Harry, help me."

"Urgh, Merlin!" Ron exclaimed, stepping back from the scene as Harry helped Abigail up.

"Shut up, Ron!" Ginny told him sharply, hitting him in the arm. "Is she okay?" she asked, seeing her pale-faced friend, barely able to walk.

"Abby?" Hermione said, using her wand to clean up her face. "Abby - it's Hermione. We're here to help you, it's okay!"

Abigail seemed to snap out of her thoughts as she heard Hermione. "What happened? Where am I?" she answered in fear, fighting against Harry's grip. Surprised, Harry let her go and she fell back on the ground.

"Abigail, it's okay," Hermione soothed her, bending down to her knees. "You were possessed but we brought you back. It's okay Abby, he's gone - Slytherin's gone."

Hermione held her hand, stroking it softly. It didn't surprise her that Abigail was so scared after what she'd been through. They needed to get her to safety now, back to the castle. Reading her mind, Harry helped Abigail up again. She looked incredibly pale and very tired. Her body was shaking slightly and Hermione couldn't tell if it was from the cold or the exorcism.

"Thank you," Abby breathed out as she looked up in Hermione's dark eyes.

"Ginny, Hermione, you lead the way back with your wands," Harry suggested, holding on to Abigail. "Ron, come and help me."

Nodding in agreement, Hermione took out her wand, showing the way back to the castle.

"We'll take her back to my room," Hermione advised Harry. "She can't go back to the Slytherin dorms. Not in this state."

..~**~..

Half an hour later, Hermione watched Abigail sleeping soundly in her bed. Harry was there too, they had decided that he would watch over her through the night.

"She needs to rest," Hermione said quietly, heading to the door. "If she's not well in the morning, we'll take her to the infirmary. I'll be in the common room. Goodnight."

"Night," he called after her.

Sitting down in the couch, facing the fire, Hermione waited patiently for Draco to return. He walked in some time later, looking tired and annoyed. As he saw Hermione, he halted and then sat down next to her.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, seeing his concerned expression.

"Your spell worked," he told her, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Abigail disapparated from the meeting before she revealed anything. You?"

Hermione sighed heavily. "We nearly apparated to save her but then Abigail appeared in time."

She noticed Draco's face turned a shade paler. "You would have been slaughtered!" he told her bluntly.

"I know," she admitted, blaming her Gryffindor courage for nearly making her go.

She looked at Draco who watched the fire intensely. Something was troubling him but she didn't know what.

"Did anything else happen at that meeting?" she asked worried.

Draco paused a few seconds before answering her. "No, nothing," he replied. "Where is she?"

"In my room," Hermione admitted, snuggling closer to Draco. "Harry's with her."

"Potter?" Draco inquired, tensing up.

Hermione frowned at his question. Looking up, she stared defiantly in his steel gray eyes. "Of course, Harry!" she answered flatly. "Who else was going to take care of Abby? Her Slytherin friends maybe?"

"Good point," Draco answered, holding her closer to him.

"Let's talk about this tomorrow," Hermione said yawning. "I'm so tired."

Draco agreed, kissing the top of her head.

"Can I – can I sleep in your bed tonight?" she asked rather sheepishly.

Draco smirked at her question. "Definitely."

..~**~..

Uh oh! Hermione sleeping in Draco's bedroom and Harry is next door... do you think they'll get caught? Do you want them to get caught?

I hope you didn't get confused with all the flashbacks! Basically the story is Hermione with the others waiting in the forest and she remembers how the day went.

Otherwise, hope you enjoyed the Hermione and Harry confrontations. Seems like Harry wants to be the leader again!

Only 8 chapters to go!

Next chapter: Abby's POV. Basically she recovers, tried to deal with consequences and her relationship with Harry develops considerably… (if you don't agree with that last part, tell me!)

Review this way please…