Chapter 9

Shortly after Severus left, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall departed. Hermione watched aimlessly as the remaining three occupants discussed an unknown matter. The conversation was mild and uninteresting to Hermione as she sat staring into space thinking. It was then that thoughts she hadn't considered began to sink in.

She was soiled and dirty, filthy and she knew it. How could anyone ever want her? 'Broken merchandise' she had once heard. Was that what she was now? Broken merchandise? How could these people even stand to be around her? She was stained and marked. How could anyone even think to touch her? So many had touched her, Harry, Ron, Madam Pomfrey, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, Ginny, Professor Dumbledore. She had dirtied them all. She was filth itself. The scum on the floor was cleaner than she was. She didn't deserve anyone and no one deserved her. If one person had done this to her how many others could? They all could. She only had one purpose and she didn't like it. They could all hurt her. They all wanted to, she did after all have only one purpose. She didn't want to be touched ever again.

Catching a movement in front of her, Hermione watched Harry and Ron leave. Once the curtain was shut tight the Matron handed Hermione a long sleeved pink top and some jeans for her to change into. Moving forward to help her take off her top she pulled away. Nodding the Matron left her to dress alone. Hermione knew she had to dress, if she didn't Madam Pomfrey would do it for her, touching her. Grabbing the top and jeans she changed quickly, making sure it covered as much of her as possible. Sighting her school cloak laying gently over the back of the chair she pulled it over what she was already wearing. Curling up uncomfortably on her bedside chair she waited for the matron to return. She didn't have to wait long. When Madam Pomfrey entered she spoke to Hermione though she paid no interest. Pushing a vial into her hand she raised it to her lips tipping it up until Hermione drank it. Hermione sat there silently as she watched the matron make the bed and pack her few belongings. All the time her face was neutral, just watching. It wasn't long before Ron stuck his head through the door still looking a little disgruntled about the decision as to where his friend was going to be staying. The two shared a few words before he disappeared with a parting smile.

Straightening the covers of the bed she stepped forward to help her patient stand. Sitting there she watched the matrons hand move towards her arm. Before she could grab it, Hermione jerked away standing surprisingly easy without any assistance. Normally Hermione would have tried to work out what was the case with potion but just accepted it, leaving the mystery behind. Without assistance she followed the Matron out of the small room down the ward. The few occupants watched her pass through their curtains. They too saw her as she was, dirty. They all eyed her with disgust.

As she walked in through the doorway to the office she was met with the sight of Harry and Ron with her luggage and Crookshanks. They stood in front of the fireplace which was crackling merrily. The matrons desk was covered in papers. Every so often one would fly out of the many filing cabinets onto the desk before it was replaced with another. Taking a seat in the corner out of the eyes of the two boys who were once her friends, she stared into the fire as the flickered.

ooOOoo

Harry noticed the subtle change in her behaviour as she sat there, far off. He questioned Ron but he had no answers, simply shrugging. Deciding she was just going through a phase he forgot about it watching the matron as she scribbled away at her desk. Replacing her quill in its inkwell, she stood taking the newly written sheet with her. Making her way around the desk she approached Hermione, tapping her on the shoulder. The unexpected contact startled Hermione before she saw the paper being offered gently taking it and reading it sceptically.

Professor Snape has agreed to take you in for your safety which has been accepted by the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall. You will be situated in his quarters until such time as it is seen fit that you are able to return to classes and your hearing has been restored.

You are scheduled for weekly check-ups here to check on your progress. I will be sending your luggage through the floo but it is too dangerous for you to travel by floo in your condition. The boys here have agreed to walk you to your new living arrangements.

If you have any problems you need to let me know or Professor McGonagall.

Nodding her understanding Hermione handed back the short letter of sorts. There was hardly anything new going on but what she didn't get is why they were making such a fuss over her. Clearly they had better things to do than fumble around with her. A few words were passed between the two Gryffindors and the matron before her luggage and her cat disappeared into the flames. Making their way to the door Hermione followed after a gentle gesture from the matron.

Wand in hand and cloak wrapped tight, Hermione was flanked by the two boys as they travelled down the corridors to the second floor as the sun began to fall. It had been over a week since Hermione had been seen out of the hospital wing and now she was walking the halls walking as part of the trio. The two boys seemed oblivious to the staring students as the passed. Hermione watched them talk behind their hands among themselves. She found it humiliating, they all knew about her. How she had been defiled and marred. But none knew the real disappearance. The general rumour was that she had a severely contagious disease and was locked up in the Hospital Wing until she was cured. Some of the more frightened students even ran way whilst most simply picked up their pace.

Emotions were running high and so was the magic. The swirling started to make her head spin causing her to bring down her barriers blocking it all out. She would still get faint senses of particularly strong magical waves but that was all.

"Granger," called a voice from behind the trio. All three turned around. The boys had heard him but Hermione had felt him. He was dark.

"What do you want Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"I wasn't talking to you Weasel," he sneered as his two massive body guards moving forward. At the same time the boys moved possessively towards their friend.

Hermione kept her walls down tight but he still penetrated them, invading her mind unknowingly. The grip on her wand tightened as she noticed the fluctuations in his aura whilst the boys had words. Before she knew it Harry grabbed her arm pulling her away. Sliding quickly out of his grip the three Gryffindors continued down the corridor.

Hermione lifted her barriers slightly feeling for the ripple she knew was coming. It would only be a few seconds. There, there it was.

Whipping around she defected the curse that was heading for her. Mildly shocked by her reflexes Draco sent another curse flying. There was no stopping this one. The only option was to counteract it. As her wand sliced through the air, a blue light shot out of the tip, not at all noticing the tugging on her sleeves from the boys behind her. The gold and blue lights collided mid-air showering into many sparks which bounced harmlessly across the floor.

Draco quickly stowed away his wand, but her attention remained focused not missing anything. Her breathing was shallow but her wand steady. She was so focused she didn't notice the additional presence behind her before it was too late. Her wand flew out of her hand over her head into the outstretched hand of Professor Hepel.

"Detention and 150points from Gryffindor Miss Granger for skipping classes, fighting in the corridors and directly disobeying me when I told you to put your wand down," the young man listed off as he walked purposefully towards her.

Professor Hepel was the new DADA teacher. His speciality was duelling as Professor Lupin's had been Dark Creatures and Barty Crouch Junior's curses. His hair was short and he was balding but he supported a small moustache and goatee. His appearance reminded Hermione of a music teacher in a strange way.

She watched his sharp eyes as he advanced not hearing a word he said.

"Well what do you have to say for yourself?" he asked towering over her much like the Potions Professor. Hermione simply stared at him not understanding him or able to give an answer is she wanted. "WELL!" he thundered. The Gryffindor did not as much as flinch.

"Sir…" Harry started.

"Silence Potter, you do not speak unless spoken to first." He snapped his head back to the girl in front of him. "If you refuse to answer me maybe some hard labour will do you some good. You will serve your first detention now. Follow me."

Turning he moved took a step forward expecting the girl to follow. Hermione watched the display of the teacher, unsure what to do she stood there watching him. When he realised she was still standing there he reached forward grabbing her arm and pulling her forward.

Like a siren she began screaming in fear. Her teacher was dragging her off and she was petrified. He was going to hurt her while her so called friends just stood there. It was her purpose but she didn't want it.

Thrashing and twisting she tried to get away but his grip just tightened. Pulling her around to face him he roared, "It would be advisable to shut-up Miss Granger!"

"Get off her!" shouted the redhead.

"Twenty points Mister Weasley," he said staring down Hermione.

"Leave her alone," added Harry moving forward. Holding Hermione constantly in a vice like grip he whipped out his wand pointing it squarely at Harry. All noise stopped including Hermione. The students in the corridor inched back. A teacher had drawn their wand on a student.

"Ron," Hermione signed. "Help me. Don't let him take me away. Please…" Grabbing her hands together he successfully put a stop to whatever she may have been saying.

"I will have no silly codes passing between you three. Mister Potter, I suggest you return to Mister Weasley and as for you," he said in a low voice, "you will be coming with me." Dragging her off once again she began screaming. "I have had enough from you," he snarled silencing her. Terror crossed her face as he dragged bodily down the hall through the parted students leaving the two boys standing there shell-shocked.

It wasn't until the cries of laughter from Malfoy reached their ears that they turned around racing back past the Slytherins up a floor to the Infirmary.