My dorm room was packed with me, Draco, Ron and Ginny all in it. As soon as Harry left we got everyone out of the Great Hall and tried to get everything back to normal. It wasn't easy. Most of the students were scared and bemused that the best student in all of Hogwarts had suddenly turned evil.

Draco had returned, I couldn't believe it.

"Draco," I asked. "How did you get of that underground hideout?"

"It was simple really. The other death eaters weren't too hard to take care of once I got them one on one. I made my escape the next day when they planned to sacrifice me. But without Harry there to guide them they weren't very strong. I knew Harry was headed here so I got here as fast as I could."

"Yes, I'm so glad you came, Draco. We all are."

I looked into Draco's eyes, concerned. He put his hands on my shoulders and it reassured me a little. I knew that Draco would make everything all right. I believed he would be able to stop Harry. If he couldn't then nobody would. But I was scared for him too. He risked his life to protect me from Harry and I didn't want to see him get hurt.

"I know where Harry's heading," said Draco with steely determination. "I'm going to go after him."

"I'm going with you Draco." I cried.

"No, I'm sorry, Hermione. It's just too dangerous. I can't allow you to risk your life for this."

"But you saved my life and now I want to help you. You can't do this alone. We have to work together, as a team."

"Look Hermione, I'm not going to argue with you. You're not coming with me and that's final. Ron, Ginny, make sure Hermione is nice and safe here until I get back."

"No, I won't let you."

Draco turned to leave the room. I ran after him and grabbed his jacket and he spun round to face me as I tried to pull him back to stop him going.

"Draco, I-I don't want you to die. I-I love you."

I squeezed Draco as tight as I could pressing my head against his chest.

"Please don't go alone. Harry's an insane lunatic, if we're going to do this then we're going to do this together. Please, I love you, Draco."

"I love you too, Hermione," Draco paused for a moment. "I'm sorry."

Draco lifted his arm up and pink dust fell from his hand. I began feeling sleepy and my grip loosened on Draco. I could feel Draco scoop me up into his arms and carry me over to the others. He placed me in Ron's arms as my eyelids fluttered close. I could do nothing to stop him now. I could only hear the distant echoes of Draco leaving the room and slamming the door behind him and only feel Ron putting me to bed as I slipped into darkness.

Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxox

I woke up and looked around.

Everything was dark.

How long had I been asleep?

I looked across and saw Ron sitting on a chair next to the bed, smiling.

"How are you feeling, Hermione?"

"What's going on? Where's Draco?"

"He left to find Harry. He told me to look after you until he got back."

"No, no, no, I have to go after him."

I tried to get up but Ron held me back.

"Look, Hermione. Just stay here and relax. There's no need to worry about Draco, he'll be fine."

I tried to get past Ron again; I had to make sure Draco was safe. Ron held me back again. I struggled to get out of his grasp and eventually got my hands free. Ron quickly took hold of my wrists so I couldn't escape.

"Please, Hermione," he said, almost crying. "It's not just Draco who said don't go but I don't want you going into the Forbidden Forest either. If you were to be hurt, then I would never forgive myself."

"Let me go Ron. If you care about me at all, you'll let me save Draco, kill Harry and save everyone else at Hogwarts too."

"I'm sorry. I don't want you to be hurt in any way. I'm going to let go of your hands now. Please don't try to run away."

Ron released the grip on my wrists and immediately turned and headed for the door, but Ron caught up with me.

"Hermione get a grip! There's now way you'll make it through the Forbidden Forest alive. You don't even have any magic skills anymore. I won't allow you to go."

Ron started pushing me back towards the bed. I looked into Ron's eyes and did the only thing I could think of. I slapped him hard on the cheek.

Ron was stunned silent and held his face where there was a big red mark. Ron's eyes were swelling up with tears; he couldn't believe what I just did. To tell you the truth, I couldn't believe it either.

Ron stood back for a moment and I ran out of the room as fast as I could leaving him standing there, alone.

I was going to into the Forbidden Forest.

I was going to save Draco.

A/N: thanks for still reading everyone. Please let me know what you think of it. I'm always grateful for all your thoughts. Thanks again.

xxx