Dislcaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Devil's Threat

Hermione smiled as she sat on the edge of the lake, the sun setting in the distance. She tapped her quill to her chin as she thought up a conclusion to her Artimancy essay. The leaves on the oak tree above her rustled as the wind whistled by, occasionally sending a leaf or two from it's home on the tree to fall on Hermione's shoulders. The lake was a flat sheet of shimmering silver, occasionally broken by a sudden gust of wind or the Giant Squid. Everything was peaceful and quiet. The only sounds were that of chirping birds and the scratching of Hermione's quill. The crisp air of autumn frazzled her hair, making it rise as if it were attached to a bit of active wire.

"All righ' there, Hermione?" came a gruff voice from behind.

Hermione turned to see her enormous friend Hagrid smiling down on her.

"Hi Hagrid," Hermione said smiling back, "I'm just finishing my Artimancy essay. The topic was quite fascinating. It was-"

"Don' even bother, Hermione," Hagrid said, laughing. "Never was the best at the subject. Quit after a week."

"A week?" Hermione said astounded. "Oh but Hagrid. It's the most interesting subject I've ever taken."

"Yeh, well, Divination can be real interestin' too. But that didn't stop you from quitting." Hagrid said, his smile dropping slightly.

Hermione sighed as she rolled her eyes. "It wasn't that I didn't understand it, Hagrid," she said. "I just think that Trelawney's and old bat who needs her mind examined."

Hagrid shrugged. "Suit yerself, Hermione. See yeh at lessons."

Hermione watched Hagrid return to his hut to get ready for his gamekeeper duties. He was quite aggravating some times, but he was loyal to Dumbledore and, Hermione hated to admit it, rather funny at sometimes. Plus, no one had been a better friend to Harry than Hagrid. Hermione grumbled to herself as she turned back to her essay.

Hermione was able to enjoy a good solid half hour of reading time before she was interrupted.

"Well, if it isn't the Mudblood doing what she does best. Being a nerd."

Hermione let out an aggravated moan as she turned to face Draco Malfoy, about the biggest ferret to ever live.

"Bug off, slime," Hermione said turning back to "Artimancy: A Guide to Our Future."

The sneer on Draco's face vanished and turned to a frown of pure distaste.

"What did you say, Granger?" he said, his words dripping with poisonous venom.

Hermione swung around, her bushy hair cascading over he shoulder as she glared daggers at Malfoy.

"I would highly appreciate it if you got your big head out of my light," Hermione spat.

"You want to make trouble, Granger," Malfoy said, his eyes shining with pure and utter hatred. Hermione was certain her eyes said the same thing.

"I don't want to make an trouble, Malfoy. What I want it to be able to read my book and absorb it's contents in peace without having to absorb you putrid smell as well."

Malfoy's wand shot up, aiming for Hermione's head. "You'll pay for that one Granger."

"Expelliarmous"

Draco's wand flew from his hand and landing in front of Harry Potter, who picked it up and twiddled it in his fingers, his own wand pointed at Malfoy.

"You were saying, Malfoy," Harry said, a smile of triumph planted on his face.

Draco sneered at Harry then turned to Hermione. "We'll finish this some other time, Granger."

Without another word, Draco headed toward the castle, snatching his wand from Harry on his way. Harry turned to follow him, but seeing the green sparks that shot from Malfoy's wand, he thought better of it. Although, he still had a cocky 'I-could-take-him' look on his face.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said.

"You ought to be careful around him, Hermione. He means to cause you hell," Harry said, a concerned frown on his face.

"I know Harry," Hermione said, packing up her stuff. "He's nothing but a Good-For-Nothing-Slytherin-Pureblood. Let's go. It's almost supper time."

With out another word, Hermione slung her bag over her shoulder and started off towards Hogwarts. The wind whipped about her. She shivered as she pulled her cloak closer around her. It pounded into her back, forcing her forward. Whether it was her mood or a dramatic change in the weather, the air was no longer the kind, gentle breeze it had been before.

Suddenly, the wind behind her ceased. Hermione glanced over her shoulder to see Harry walking behind her, wand still in hand, glancing about nervously. He clearly didn't trust Malfoy. That was okay. She didn't trust him either.