Disclaimer: I do not in any way claim to own, nor did I create, Harry Potter or any related material. All was a result of the diligent work of J.K. Rowling and her publishers. I do not make any profit from this story.

The Gryffindors greeted an Hermione, who was smiling but had a rose tinge on her cheeks, warmly. Hagrid, noticing the awkwardness, called for Seamus, Neville, Dean, Parvati, Lavender to help carry the Jobberknolls to the pen that Hagrid had set up for them. The Slytherins, with exception to Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, followed behind towards Hagrid's hut. Draco Malfoy, however, strutted over to Hermione.
"Well, if it isn't Mudblood Granger," Malfoy sneered as Hermione grinned at Harry and Ron, "Out of the Hospital Wing? Pity."
"I'm warning you, Malfoy!" Ron countered. Hermione, turning scarlet, nudged Ron pointedly.
"Not in Hagrid's class," she whispered.
Malfoy heard Hermione's order and rolled his eyes, his lip curling. He snorted as he asked, "Still protecting that giant oaf? I guess great minds think alike, you always did favor the larger ones, Granger!"
Hermione bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. Her thoughts immediately went to her stay in the Hospital Wing and to Dumbledore's Office. Does Malfoy know? She wondered this with a strange sense of paranoia on her part.
"Petrificus Totalus," Harry chanted. The effect was as expected, Malfoy's legs and arms were tightly bound together; he was completely paralyzed.
Gasping, Hermione chided, "No! Now you are really in trouble Harry!"
"Nice one, mate," Ron said to Harry and was about to slap him hard on the back, when Crabbe and Goyle started over.
"Oops," Harry groaned.
Ron however, was unabashed, "Going to fight us? But who could possibly give you the orders?"
Hermione groaned in exasperation, "I am going to the pen with the others. Harry, Ron, I suggest you do the same." Hermione walked hesitantly away, but the boys did not follow.
Without a moment's notice, Goyle's fist collided with Ron's face. A sickening crack told Harry that Ron now had a broken nose. With this start, the boys erupted. Fists flew with no thought of magic.
"What are yeh bloody doin'!" Hagrid shouted over the fight as class had been previously dismissed when the Jobberknolls were put away securely.
Harry and Ron sheepishly stopped fighting. Crabbe swung one more blow at Harry's head and missed. Hagrid's gaze flew to Malfoy, still paralyzed from the Full Body Bind, his face in the dirt.
Hermione stepped forward, "Malfoy taunted them...erm, me. That is why Harry cursed him." Unable to speak at this, Harry and Ron each grunted in response. Crabbe made a lunge towards Hermione, but Pansy Parkinson held him back and whispered in his ear.
"Well, er, I need ter speak with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. And I'll be speakin' with Professor Snape about this, you two," Hagrid said with a nod towards Crabbe and Goyle, "Take Mr. Malfoy up ter the Hospital Wing now. Madam Pomfrey can undo that curse."
The class left, whispering softly. Seamus kept glancing at Malfoy's paralyzed state as Dean and himself walked just behind Crabbe and Goyle. Neville lingered at the spot,.
"How are you doing, Hermione?" Neville asked carefully, as Ron gave Harry a inquiring look.
"Very well, thank you," Hermione answered.
"We were so scared when you...er," Neville said, turning red.
"Don't you worry, Neville! I am perfectly fine now. Madam Pomfrey says I need to have more fluid intake." Neville nodded at this. Now, Ron shrugged at Harry who was a rather odd shade of puce.
Hagrid interrupted with a smile, "I'm sorry ter stop yeh, but I need ter borrow these three. Good day, Neville!"
As Neville strolled slowly back to the castle, Harry gave a questioning look to Hermione, who glared back.
Hagrid, oblivious to the silent communication, started, "Now I'll haf ter report the fight...I'm sorry. But I'll be sure ter tell Professor McGonagall the circumstances." All three friends nodded. Then, Hagrid changed the subject, and Harry suspected that this was the true reason Ron, Hermione, and him had been held back.
"Now, how are yeh, Hermione?" Hermione blushed and said she was quite all right.
"Dehydration," she said, "That is what it was." Hagrid nodded and looked at Harry and Ron.
"Yeh'll need ter take better care of her!" He said with an unmistakable laugh. "Now on yeh, get ter dinner!"
The three smiling strolled carelessly back to the castle: laughing their whole way about the run-in with the Slytherins; they made their way to the Great Hall.

Author's Note: The general consensus was short chapters with frequent updates (sadly, this chapter is "long" for my usual standard), so that is what I will be doing. However, I will have some long chapters mixed in to please all of you who like them. As always, a hearty thank you to all of my faithful reviewers!

I am currently looking for a BETA. Email Yodaballerinaaol.com if interested.

Now, I must boast: I will be seeing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at midnight on opening night! Not half as good as the book, I assume. Probably not even ΒΌ! However, I am excited all the same!

Now REVIEW! Have a wonderful day!