Hermione lay in bed as Madam Pomfrey ran some tests. As she lay there, she felt like such a fool. How could she have been so stupid? She was bound and determined to find out who the attacker was, and then she ended up getting attacked. All she knew about him now was that the attacker wasn't Draco. It had confirmed her fears but it was even more terrifying not knowing who it was.

She watched Pomfrey disappear for a few moments, and then she brought back Professor Dumbledore and Ginny.

"Pardon me, Miss Granger but I reckoned that you wanted some visitors."

Hermione smiled the best she could. "That's fine, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you."

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and stepped closer to Hermione's bedside.

"Hello Miss Granger. I imagine that you've had better days, no? What happened to you and the other girls have been tragic. I do have some good news though. Madam Pomfrey does not believe that you could become impregnated by the attacker. On another note, I've let your parents know about what happened last night by owl. I still have yet to hear a reply. I know the answer is possibly obvious, but how are you feeling?"

"I've feeling...a bit guilty actually, Professor," The Headmaster looked at her curiously. "I sort of...did myself in. I headed down to the Grounds after dark because I wanted to know who the attacker was. I wanted to know for sure who had been attacking my friends." Hermione replied solemnly.

Professor Dumbledore nodded and smiled. "Well Miss Granger, there is nothing wrong with having a bit of curiosity. It's only when the curiosity is accompanied by determination are when things are bound to go astray. I cannot force you to stay off the grounds but I'm only strongly suggesting you do until this whole mess is sorted out. Now I am about to ask you a question that I've asked the other victims of the attack. Did you notice the appearance of the attacker? Anything, anything at all, which could lead us on to who he could possibly be?"

Hermione tried to think for a second. He didn't have a mask on or anything. It was just almost pitch black darkness, and he had hit her so she didn't want to look at him.

"I-I'm sorry, Professor. I really cannot remember anything about him at all. I-It was dark outside and I didn't get a clear view of him. All I could tell you is that he was around my age."

The Headmaster nodded again and got up from the side of the bed. "Thank you, Miss Granger. That is all I wanted to discuss with you. Now, I trust that you want to talk with your friend, so I will leave you two. If you ever want to talk, both of you, then feel free to visit my office."

The two Gryffindors nodded and watched as Professor Dumbledore walked out of the hospital wing.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione...I-I never wanted you to get hurt. I n-never thought you would!" cried Ginny.

Hermione pulled Ginny into a warm hug. "Please don't be sorry, Ginny. It was my fault. I wanted to know who he was. None of this was your fault, do you understand? This happened because of me."

Ginny sniffled and then pulled herself together. "I talked to Ron this morning. He's mostly in shock at the moment. He's not sure what to make of the whole ordeal. Ron thinks that the attacker is Draco Malfoy."

Hermione sighed. "No, it's not Draco. He's cold but he has a heart. He's just misunderstood, really."

Ginny nodded in agreement. "That's what I told him, but he's in denial. Anyway, I really have to run! I have Potions next. I promise I'll come back later!"

"See you later, Ginny!"

The Next Day

It took a while to convince Madam Pomfrey that she was alright enough to walk around the school, but after hours of debating, Hermione was released.

Hermione headed down the stairs to the Great Hall. As she entered, it became silent until she sat down at the house table.

She leaned over to Neville nonchantantly and whispered. "Why is no one talking?"

"Well, I suppose it's because you've been attacked. You're the only muggle breed so far that has been raped. Now everyone thinks that it doesn't matter whether they're muggle born or pureblood; they're still at risk." Neville explained.

As everyone ate in uncomfortable silence, the students watched Professor Dumbledore stand up.

"Attention, please!"

He waited for everyone to stop eating before he began to talk. "Now, as you know, three Hogwarts students have been attacked over the past few weeks. Thanks to Hermione Granger, we now know that the attacker will make no hesitation to attack those who are muggle born. The staff and I are doing everything in our power to catch whoever is doing this. From here on out, until further notice, no students will be allowed to enter Hogwarts Grounds past five o' clock in the evening. Teachers will take shifts on patrolling the grounds and those students who are out past the curfew will be punished appropriately. I must enforce one last rule, I am afraid. Students who walk around the grounds in the daytime must be accompanied by a friend. We're doing this so everyone will be safe and so we do not close Hogwarts down. Before I end, I would like to give all my sincerest apologies to those students who have been attacked." Professor Dumbledore concluded.

The Great Hall erupted into applause and gradually, students started to eat their breakfast again.

Hermione looked across the great hall at Draco, who looked both angry and upset. She stared at him curiously until he looked up. She remembered what he had yelled at her the other day.

Maybe one day you'll regret every accusation you ever accused me of and then you'll be sorry. Trust me, when that day comes, I won't be the one to help you get back on your feet."

A tear escaped her eye as she drank her orange juice. She quickly wiped it away, not wanting Ginny or Neville to see her crying.

"Excuse me; I have to go to the ladies room." She excused herself and got up, walking out of the Great Hall.

As she started to run down the corridors, she heard someone behind her. Hermione stopped for a moment but no one appeared. She continued running until she heard a voice.

"Wait up, Granger!"

She didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. Hermione fell to her knees, sobbing.

"What the hell do you want!"

Draco walked over to her and rested a hand on her back. "Grang-Hermione, I'm sorry. I really am."

Hermione stood up and shoved him. "Sorry? Why should you be sorry! You didn't attack me! You d-didn't attack me and I'm sorry that I ever accused you of it!"

Draco grabbed her arms, trying to get her to calm down. "Alright then, we're both sorry. I forgive you and you forgive me. We're alright now..." He saw that she was still sobbing uncontrollably.

He wiped a tear that rested on her cheek. "What's wrong, Hermione?"

She started to break out of his grip. "What's wrong? What's wrong is that I was being attacked and you weren't there! Y-you weren't there to save me! Do you honestly think that is what I wanted my first time to be, Draco! Lying on the ground, being hit as he raped me! You fucking bastard! Where the hell were you? Where were you when I needed you?" Hermione screamed, still sobbing.

She finally lost her balance and fell to the ground. Draco kneeled in front of her and pulled her into a warm hug.

"I'm so sorry, Granger. There's something I have to tell you though, look at me."

Hermione reluctantly looked up at him with bloodshot eyes.

"I...I was there. I watched. I was watching as he hit and raped you. I was there when he raped Ginny and Cho Chang. I'm –"

Hermione looked at him in disbelief. "W-what? Y-you were...there? You were there, and you didn't do anything to save me! I-I can't believe you!"

Draco looked at her with apologetic eyes. "Hermione, you've got to understand. He was my friend. I didn't expect you to walk around the grounds that late at night!"

"You-your friend? No, Draco Malfoy! A friend is someone you can trust! I friend is someone you can tell your deepest secrets and your darkest fears to! A friend is someone that won't do something if you disagree with it. You don't have a friend, Draco. You have a criminal. Now tell me, Draco. Who attacked me, Ginny and Cho?"

Draco was silent for a few minutes.

"Answer me, Draco Malfoy! Tell me who raped me!"

"Blaise Zabini..."

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. She stood up angrily, slapped Draco and started to walk off.

He quickly got up from where he was sitting and grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me! I can't believe you...I just can't. You watched as that bastard raped me! Just wait... you two are going to be in so much trouble, it'll make your heads spin!" Hermione threatened.

"Granger! It wasn't my idea! The only thing I was involved in was that part for him never to get caught. He was my friend, but not anymore. I never wanted him to rape you...that day when you walked in on us talking and then you left, I told him not to attack you. I-I told him...I told him that I loved you. I never meant anything when I called you a Mudblood. You may be muggle born, but God help me you're the only one I could love! Please, Hermione. I know it's a long stretch, but please forgive me..."

Hermione stood where she was and looked at the ground. She wasn't sure how to react. What he said tugged at her heartstrings. All this time, maybe not directly, he had been innocent. Hermione needed someone now more than ever. She needed someone to love her. Once her parents found out about her being attacked, they would most likely send her a howler or disown her. They had no sympathy for her curiosity. Hermione looked at Draco who held his arms open.

Those strong, warm arms...his sweet smell of his cologne...

Hermione slowly walked over to Draco and then ran into a full sprint and cried in his chest. He enclosed his arms around her as she cried.

She wasn't crying tears of sadness anymore though. She was crying tears of happiness. For once in her life, Hermione finally felt safe and secure in Draco's arms. She knew that for now, the pain was over and that this was, in fact, fate that they be together. Hermione had hugged Harry but she never felt this safe in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Hermione...I just want to be with you. I'll protect you from everything. You'll never get hurt again." Draco promised.

Hermione looked at him with teary eyes. "Draco, you can't promise that."

Draco kissed her forehead. "I can promise it if I mean it. I won't let anyone hurt you again. After this year, we can move away together. Perhaps to somewhere in London. We can just take care of each other for the rest of our lives."

Hermione closed her eyes as he kept her in the embrace. She never wanted him to let go, but when he finally did, they were both smiling.

"Do you want to go back to the Great Hall? We can sit together..."

She nodded and they both started back into the Great Hall. Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table and then Ginny got up, getting the hint. Draco took Ginny's place at the table and Hermione and Draco shared a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.

"Well...this is the most interesting thing I've ever seen in my life." replied Neville, who sat next to Hermione on the other side.

"I'm not complaining..." Hermione said, getting lost in her boyfriend's eyes.