"Ok, Hermione, calm down. She's going to be ok. Dumbledore won't send her away," Draco said as he walked away toward the hall.

Hermione following his example went into the Great Hall and sat down next to Ginny and across from Ron and Harry. She sat through the entire feast listening to people wispering about her and wondering about Nicole. She heard many things:

"Who's the father…"

"Is that her daughter…"

"What's she doing here…"

"Stupid…"

"Thought she was one of those abstinance nuts…"

"Wonder if she is taken…"

"Thought she was smart…"

"Stupid Mudblood…:

The last of these statements being made by the Slytherins. Each of these comments cut deeper than the last.

She hates the idea of cutting and the very action (she'd tried it once after her mother's death) but you have no idea how appealing the idea had become as of late. What with all that has happened… Nicole has been doing great but she still couldn't believe he had done that to her and remembered that night and the morning after like it was yesterday. Why would that cause her to contemplate attempting suicide? She's not quite sure but it had happened more times than you can imagine.

Hermione guessed it had something to do with Nicole being beaten and how she felt like she was unfit to be a mother, but how much more fit could she be, she was only 17! Yet still, what kind of mother lets her daughter get beaten while she is in the same room? She felt completely awful. But she guessesd it wasn't really her fault. It wasn't like she could have done anything about it. She was passed out on the floor and not from alcohol, so she hadn't brought it upon herself. She was passed out from pain. But she was still there! And can't help but feel guilty because of it.

As dinner finished Hermione carried Nicole to Dumbledore's office and waited for Draco and Dumbledore. As soon as they arrived they went up to his office and sat down.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy. As you both know you will be sharing a common room and a bathroom this year as heads. There isn't really much to say about that except that you are expected to set an example for the rest of the school and are to get along. You two will assist in planning all of the dances and will be sharing the opening dance at each ball.

"Now Ms. Granger, I see that you have brought Nicole with you to school this year. Would you care to explain why?" asked Dumbledore

"She isn't safe at home anymore," she stated simply.

"Alright it is fine with me that she stays here with you, but Mr. Malfoy must also agree for he will be sharing rooms with you."

"It's fine," was Draco's short reply.

"Alright then, Nicole may stay! I will send a House Elf up to watch her while you are in classes, but you must watch her at all other times. Is that understood?"

"Yes and Thank You Proffessor!" answered Hermione, relieved.

Sorry that this chapter is so short but I felt like I should update and I'm still working on what is going to happen next. So enjoy this chapter and please review I would like to know what you think of my story!

And Today is one of my closest friend's birthdays to Happy Birthday Becky!

Luv,

Slytherin in Mind