Hermione took her up to the Astronomy Tower, all the while holding her friend's hand. Ginny never let go either, maybe in fear that she would be kidnapped or something dreadful like that.

She set up some blankets on the hard stone floor so they could sit.

"Ginny, did you see Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked, worried. She knew how anyone that had been raped would have to see a doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible. Ginny was far too young to be a mother. Hermione couldn't even picture her friend with a child at such a young age.

Ginny nodded, her face still pale and cold. She hadn't said anything since Ron was dragged away.

"Please say something Ginny. Do you remember what he looked like?" Hermione asked, referring to the rapist.

After what seemed like ages, Ginny finally spoke up. "I-I don't know. It w-was dark out. I couldn't see what he looked like, or what he was wearing. I just remember his eyes. There is something about his eyes that I can't forget."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, interested in what she had to say.

"His eyes? What did his eyes look like, Ginny?"

Ginny looked down at the scarlet blanket. "Cold. Cold and gray."

Hermione sighed and started to gentle rub Ginny's back. She felt so bad for her friend and there was nothing she could do for her.

"Hermione...I'm so scared. W-what if he comes back?" Ginny started to cry.

Ginny had said something that Hermione had never thought about. What would happen if the attacker did come back? Who would be next? Who would stop him?

"I-I don't know, Ginny honey. Don't be scared. He won't attack you again. I won't let him." Hermione promised.

Ginny threw herself at Hermione, hugging her tightly as if she was afraid to let go. Hermione kept her in a warm embrace, afraid to let her go as well.

"Hermione, can I...can I talk to you?" asked a voice.

Hermione looked up from her book and saw Harry. She wasn't sure who she was mad at more; Ron or Harry. Of course, Ron had done a lot more to make Hermione mad than Harry had done.
She looked around the library to make sure that no one was around.

"Yes, Harry. What is it?" Hermione asked shortly. She didn't have patience for anyone except Ginny at the moment.

"Hermione, I want to apologize. I'm really sorry for acting like such an asshole to you over the summer. I didn't mean what I said about how I wish that you would...you know, be attacked." Harry apologized.

Hermione snapped her book shut and stood up. "My two best friends wished for me to be raped. Do you have any idea how that feels, Harry? That hurts, Harry. A lot. It is bad enough that there has just been a raping in Hogwarts and now I'm actually scared that I may get raped, just like you and Ron wished."

Harry looked down at the floor guiltily. "What happened to Ginny was terrible. It was very unfortunate and there's nothing we can do to take it back. I never meant what I said to you though! Hermione, you're my best friend and since school has started up again, things have just been going wrong for all of us. I lost you as a friend, Ron's sister got attacked, and you were hurt by Ron. What happened to all of us can never be taken back and all the words that were said may never be taken back. If that's the case, then where do we go from here, Hermione?"

Hermione looked into Harry's brilliant emerald eyes. She smiled slightly, wanting nothing more than for this whole mess between them to be over.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I-we've just been going through a lot. Everything's been so messed up lately. I can never forgive Ron for hitting me. He overreacted and he purposely hit me. You said words that you didn't mean, and that can be forgiven. I-I'm scared, Harry. I'm scared that I'm going to be raped next. Without you there by my side, I feel so helpless. I forgive you, Harry. I just want to be friends again."

Harry looked at her for a few moments before saying anything. He looked at those great honey brown curls that fell rebellious around her eyes.

"Hermione, I think we need to be friends again. I've been scared, but I've been scared for you. You're too nice, too smart, and too innocent to have that all be taken away from you. I want to be friends again too."

Hermione walked closer to Harry and hugged him close, just like Ginny did last night to her. This time it was Hermione that was afraid to let go of Harry. She needed someone to protect her. Hermione wanted someone she was close to and someone who understood her to protect her.

"Look at the two lovebirds. Sick, isn't it?" taunted a cruel voice.

Hermione stopped hugging Harry and saw Draco and Blaise Zabini staring at them. Harry protectively made his way in front of her. "Beat it, Malfoy."

Draco looked behind Harry and stared coolly at Hermione, then looked at Harry again. "Be careful, Potty. The attacker may come back tonight."

Hermione felt a tingling run up and down her spine and then suddenly felt afraid. Harry snarled at Draco.

"Is that a threat?"

Draco noticed how scared Hermione was and then motioned for Blaise to follow him.

Harry turned around to see a pale Hermione, grabbing his arm.

"Harry, did you ever notice what color Draco's eyes are?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like I look into his eyes every day and night." He spoke sarcastically.

"His eyes are gray. Last night, Ginny told me that his attacker's eyes were gray."

"You think that Draco attacked Ginny the other day? You really think he despises her that much?" Harry asked.

Hermione shrugged. "One thing's for sure. He despises Ron. Malfoy might have attacked her to get to him."

"Let's not jump to conclusions. It was night when she was attacked. In the light, gray eyes could be blue eyes. Draco's eyes are gray morning, noon, and night but I don't think that he's the only one in this school to have that eye color."

"I guess, but he's looking like a good suspect right now. Maybe we should question him?"

Harry looked into her eyes. "Hermione, if it's someone from the school that's the attacker, then more likely than not he's from Slytherin. Draco's friends with just about every other person in the house. If you do go to interrogate him about the situation, he could either lie, or he or someone else would rape you. I don't want you to be raped like Ginny was. I don't want you anywhere near Blaise, Draco or any of the Slytherins until we all know that it's safe. Do you understand?"

Hermione wasn't one to obey anyone's commands but she nodded anyway.

"Don't make me lose my trust in you."