I walked through the crowded corridors of Hogwarts. It felt surprisingly good to be jostled and barged by all the young children rushing to and from their classrooms. It really shouldn't have but I hadn't seen so many youthful and happy faces in such a long time. The last week so had put a lot of things in perspective for me and the things that used to drive me nuts; well I guess they weren't so important now.

I finally made it to the common room and who else was standing there but Ginny Weasley. She spotted me from way down the hallway. She ran towards me and hugged me so tightly I thought I was going to be crushed.

"My God, Hermione," she said, weeping. "Where on earth have you been? We've all been worried sick about you."

"It's a long story, Ginny, let's go somewhere a little more private."

We both walked inside the empty classroom and sat down. This was against school rules to go into a classroom without a teacher present but I thought it was best if we could have a little peace and quiet. Ginny was getting anxious and I felt just as strange as she did. It was weird seeing everyone again.

"So, where have you been? You've been gone for so long. Harry as well" Ginny asked again.

"Oh Ginny, what a crazy last few days. I was kidnapped."

"Kidnapped? Oh my god, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, thanks. But you'll never believe it. Harry was the one who kidnapped me."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know, I had a hard time believing it as well, but he's really changed. He's not the Harry we used to know anymore. He works for Lord Voldermort now."

Ginny was stunned silent.

"What did you say? He works for Lord Voldermort? That is ridiculous. Are you sure you're not confusing him with someone else. Sometimes these traumatic experiences can vastly affect a person's memory."

"No, no, I'm certain it was Harry. He attacked me and tried to rape me. Oh god, it was so terrible."

I broke down and started crying. I leaned my head on Ginny's shoulder. She tried to comfort me but I still felt so alone.

"Well as long as you're ok, Hermione." Ginny said. "That's the most important thing. Have you been to see Ron? He's been distraught over the last few days thinking you were dead or something."

"No, I'm not sure I'm up to seeing everyone again just yet. I might give it some time."

"This is all too much. Just a few days ago, you were thinking about going out with Harry and now this. Well, if I ever see him again I'll give him a piece of my mind."

"I'm not sure that's wise, Ginny. He's gone mental, I don't think talking to him is going to work. Also, I'm really scared for Draco."

"Draco? But why? Isn't he behind this whole thing?"

"No, he's not. He's just being used by Harry and Lord Voldermort. He really wants to get away from the death eaters but he's afraid they might kill him. Now, he's in real danger thanks to me."

"I don't get it."

"He helped me escape but was captured in the process. I can't even imagine what they're doing to him right now. He seemed the only one who was human."

"Now, I think you've really gone barmy, Hermione. I think you need a good night's sleep. You look so tired."

It was true, I hadn't had a good night's sleep since being abducted but my mind wouldn't rest. Ginny took me up to the dorm. I said I wasn't tired, but she ignored my protests and led me straight to my bed. I suppose she was just being nice, she was trying her hardest but I couldn't stop thinking about Draco, about the pain he must have been suffering. Tortured by the death eaters, I had no idea if he was even still alive.

Ginny kissed me goodnight and left the room. I lay awake for an hour. It was still daytime, the sun was still out but Ginny had closed the curtains. She was going to make up an excuse for me missing classes.

Just as I felt my eyelids become heavy, there was a knock at the door. I sat up as someone came in and switched the lights on. It was Ron.

"Ron, please, I'm trying to get some sleep."

"Sorry, Hermione," he whispered, turning the light back off. He didn't leave though and I sat up in bed and turned the lamp on.

"What do you want, Ron?"

"I know you're resting but I just wanted to see you, I've been so worried about you. Ginny says you were kidnapped."

"Yeah, that's right."

I yawned and got out of bed and walked towards Ron. He put his arms round me and hugged me, squeezing as hard as he could.

"It's so good to have you back, Hermione."

Ron sounded like he was crying.

"It's ok, Ron, there's no need to cry. I wasn't hurt. Everything's ok now and we're all gonna stay at Hogwarts for the next couple of years and forget this mess ever started."

"What about Harry?"

"Well, we can forget about him. I don't think he'll be too welcome round here again. You don't need him either Ron. We can find other friends, ones who aren't psychotic lunatics."

Ron put his arm round my shoulder and brought me closer to him. He sat me down on the bed and looked me in the eye.

"Hermione, if ever you need someone to talk to, I'm always there for you, you know that."

"Oh thanks, Ron. You're a good friend."

Ron kissed me lightly on the cheek. It was quite a surprise. I backed away from his embrace a little.

"I'm sorry, Ron, don't take this the wrong way. But I've found somebody else."

"What do you mean?"

"You're a great guy Ron and I'm sure you'll find the right girl for you. But there's someone special in my life at the moment and he's the only one I love right now. I hope you understand."

Ron was silent for a moment.

"Oh, yes, sorry, I understand. I'll leave you then."

Ron kissed me lightly on the cheek again. I felt really sorry for him. I felt like I had just crushed all of his hopes and dreams. I hope he didn't take it the wrong way because I liked Ron. He was my best friend and without Harry, I needed him around.

Ron left the room without looking back at me and closed the door behind him.

Afterwards, I finally got some sleep. I slept for ages and it was morning by the time I awoke. I had been asleep for about 16 hours.

That morning, Dumbledore called me into his office. I explained the whole situation to him and he seemed quite perplexed. He told me to go and get Ron and Ginny. I didn't think Ron would be in the mood to talk to me after yesterday. He was quite upset, but Dumbledore insisted that I find them.

I walked through the crowded corridors thinking about going back to that underground hideout where Draco was. I had to do something, but at the same time I realised there was very little I could do. I just had to hope that he would make it out ok. I think Draco had prepared himself for the worst though. He was tough, much tougher than me. He could handle such situations.

I looked all around Hogwarts but I couldn't see any sign of Ron or Ginny. They weren't in their usual classes. I asked Neville if he had seen them, but he hadn't. It was really strange.

I wondered into the common room. It was completely deserted. I looked at my watch. It was almost lunchtime; this place should have been swarming with people by now. I turned around to leave the common room when suddenly I heard a creaking noise behind me.

I turned around, but nobody was there. I then turned back to leave again when I felt something hard crack against the back of my head.

It hit with a thud and my legs instantly collapsed under me. I lay on the floor with my vision blurring. Everything around me seemed swimming and far away. I could just about make out the shadow of a person standing over me. There was no doubt about it. It was Harry Potter.

My eyes drifted close into welcoming darkness and I lost consciousness.