The characters in my fanfic are all owned and created by J.K. Rowling.

Harry and Hermione had the most talked about relationship at Hogwarts....They were perfect for each other. BUT what would happen if the sexiest blond boy in school fancied her? Would she abandon all of her beliefs and her friends? And Harry? Read to find out. R/R!!!

Part 8: Harry's Strange Marking

Hermione pushed open the heavy door leading to the Hospital. Seeing no sign of Madam Pomphrey, she walked her way through the room. Then glancing all the way to the back, she sees the one bed surrounded by a curtain. "That has to be Harry", she thought as she quietly approached. A bit frightened she grasped the curtain, eager to see her boyfriend, no matter what state he was in.

She gathered up courage and drew back the curtain. She swelled up with tears as she saw Harry lying on the bed, probably still unconscious. She walked over and sat down on the right of his limp body. She took her delicate fingers and swept the bangs away from his eyes, and lightly traced her finger over his scar.

"Lord, Harry. What happened to you? Who could do something like this?" Her voice trembling through her tears.

She leaned in and kissed his forehead then moved over against his temple and whispered "I'll find out who did this. I swear on my life......I will." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and got up.

As she walked away, she slid her hand down his arm to get one last touch of him before she left. When she reached his wrist, she felt something through the sleeve of his shirt. She had a look of confusion upon her face, and then, checking to make sure no one was looking, she unbuttoned his cuff and slowly slid the shirt up his forearm.

And there, branded on his right wrist, was a snake encircling itself. As Hermione stared at the mark, it began to change colors. Not taking her eyes off of it, she reached her finger down to touch it once again. Just as her finger was an inch away the snake began to move. Jumping back and gasping she watched the brand disappear into his skin, and she watched as a long, skinny lump traveled up his arm and then vanishing. Overrun with emotions she ran out of the room in search for Ron.

She ran down the hallways, passing almost every student from every House. Slytherins, and Hufflepuffs mostly. Her face still drenched with tears she turned a corner and came face to face with Malfoy. Stopping dead in her tracks she saw the malicious grin on his face.

"I knew you'd come around to me. It's almost inevitable..." he said grasping her wrist, "we belong together, Hermione. We NEED each other. Don't you see? Harry, can never offer you anything like I can." Malfoy, had the look of a murderer in his eyes, and was literally squeezing her wrist to the point of cutting off circulation.

Ripping her wrist from his grasp, Hermione finally stood up to him, "I don't NEED you, Malfoy! I don't want you either. What we did was a mistake, and I regret it....More than I can stand. You are an evil, psychopathic....THING! I don't want to have anything to do with you!" And with that last word she bursted her way past him and ran to the Gryffindor Common Room. Malfoy, obviously pissed at what just took place, growled and snaked his way to the Slytherin Common Room.

Out of breath, Hermione reached the Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady was away, so she took it upon herself to enter. Running up the stairs to the boy's dormitories, she became more and more fatigued. She finally reached Ron's room and banged on the door. Ron, looking as if he fell asleep writing again by the ink on his forehead, answered the door. Hermione, still crying asked if she could come in. Ron escorted her over to a chair so she could rest a bit. Not about to fall asleep, she unloaded onto Ron the entire story. From Malfoy and her in the library, to what happened in the hospital. She told Ron everything. Throughout the entire story, Ron sat there in shock. Then the time came when he had to make the decision: Help Hermione who cheated on her boyfriend, and his best friend OR do nothing.

"Hermione......" Ron said, not making eye contact with her. "You know I don't agree with what happened. I mean what the bloody hell were you thinking? Malfoy?!? Are you mad? But this isn't about that. So you think Malfoy did this to Harry?" Hermione shook her head "yes". "Well...I have no other choice than to teach that little bastard what a Gryiffindor is really made of." Hermione, stifled her laughter. Just hearing Ron trying to be tough made her laugh. They agreed, tomorrow they will think of a plan to make Malfoy pay.

Wonder what they have in mind for Malfoy.....Read to find out.