For several days, nothing happened. Draco Malfoy avoided Hermione and, whenever possible, gave her dirty looks. Ron was also avoiding Hermione, but only because he felt like he had to protect Ginny was being attacked again. She thought everything was going well. Hermione and everyone at Hogwarts thought that the attacker was gone. How wrong they were...

Eight Days Later

"He has to be gone...no one's been attacked for ages! Maybe things are looking up..." suggested Harry as Hermione and him walked in between classes.

Hermione sighed in disbelief. "I don't think so, Harry. I think he's just waiting until the staff loosens security levels for awhile. If security decreases, his chances at attacking someone else increase. He's just waiting and watching from afar."

"Why would he do that? I mean, I can kind of see where you're getting at but why would he wait until they loosen up security? Students are still going to be scared to enter the grounds at night. What makes him think that there will be more girls to attack?" Harry asked as they turned a corridor.

"Harry, this makes me believe that the attacker goes to Hogwarts. He must be a student to enter Hogwarts inside and out. I'm starting to believe that he's not standing outside, waiting every night for some innocent, unsuspecting girl to show up. I think that he's luring them outside."

"That seems like a good possibility but no one's seen the attacker. No one knows that he looks like. Until we know who he is, then it's pointless trying to find him."

When she was inside, shutting herself from the world, she had started to think. She wasn't going to obey anyone's orders, including Dumbledores', to stay away from the grounds at nighttime. She couldn't let herself be scared like this. She was brave, fearless, and she was going to prove it. Draco wouldn't do anything to her anyway, even if he was the rapist. He loathed her at this point, but he still surreptitiously loved her.

"Hermione, promise me that you won't go out there tonight. I know you want to find out who the attacker is but it's not worth it. I'll never forget you if you do go out." Harry threatened.

"I promise nothing, Harry. You've been a really great friend. So be it if you'll never forgive me. I have to do this. I have to find out."

Later That Evening...

Hermione slowly headed down towards the grounds, in nothing but her scarlet nightgown. She knew what she had decided to do was an unwise and maybe even stupid decision, but her curiosity had gotten the best of her and there was no turning back now.

As she walked deeper and deeper into the grounds, she could feel cold eyes at the back of her neck, behind every willow tree. Hermione knew she was being followed. This was it, it was now or never. She was risking everything at this point. Part of her was terrified, but her feet wouldn't carry her away.

Come on, Hermione...you didn't come all this way just to turn back around. The attacker's Draco anyway. He wouldn't rape you. You're safe...

She suddenly heard a rustle of leaves. Hermione turned around quickly, but nothing was there so she continued to walk.

It was just the wind. Calm down. You're brave, fearless. You won't be raped. It's just your imagination playing tricks on you.

Suddenly, Hermione felt herself being thrown on the cold ground. She closed her eyes and thrashed about, hoping to delay the moment as long as possible. Someone, someone had to be around at this time of night. It wasn't exactly midnight, but not many people had to be awake either.

She screamed but the figure backhanded her sharply across her face. The Gryffindor started to thrash about again but this time the attacker hit her so hard and fast, she felt dizzy and taken back. Then, she felt the attacker lift up her nightgown. She tried stopping him, but she felt helpless.

"Fucking Mudblood, you think that you're everything I'm not. For years I've watched you, waited. Waited for the opportunity to give you exactly what you deserve. You worthless muggle-born. Your kind is filth in this world." Taunted a chilling voice.

Oh God...this isn't Draco...Oh God...I'm going to be raped and no one's going to save me. He's going to take my innocence away and I can't do anything about it.

The attacker slipped off her dark purple panties off and suddenly thrusted deep inside her. Hermione screamed out in pain, praying that someone would hear her in the darkness. He hit her harder this time, causing tears to run down her pale face. He continued to thrust harder and harder, until she was screaming in pain through every thrust.

She, like a lot of girls, never pictured their first time to be this painful. They pictured it to be with someone they loved and trusted, on a bed that was fit for angels. They picture candles surrounding them and their lover, with fluffy cotton pillows that were made to carry them away to a romantic place.

No, this was never like Hermione Granger had imagined it. Tears raced down her face with every thrust, every tear praying for someone, anyone, to come and rescue her from this hellish nightmare. She whimpered and sobbed as the attacker kept raping her, making crude groaning noises simultaneously.

After about what seemed like hours, the attacker finally stopped and kissed her chin before disappearing. Hermione tried moving, but felt it too painful. She needed to get help somehow. She needed someone to see her. As she lay on the ground in soreness and exhaustion, she saw a tall figure in the distance.

She grabbed her wand from next to her and aimed it in no particular direction.

"Lumos Maxima!"

A brilliant bright light appeared, giving light around her up to six feet long. As the figure came closer, Hermione recognized who the person was.

"Professor McGonagall! Please...help me..." she begged, looking helplessly into the teacher's eyes.

"Ms. Granger? What on earth...? Oh my! I'm taking you up to the hospital wing right away and we'll see what Mrs. Pomfrey can do for you, my dear..."

McGonagall scooped the young female up and hurriedly carried her back towards the castle.

Even though Hermione was grateful to see her, deep inside she wished that it had been some other hero that had come to her rescue.