A/N: I still don't own Harry Potter or any related characters

Warning: mentions an attack and threats

Draco raised his hand and knocked loudly on Severus' door. Hermione hadn't been at breakfast. Neither had Severus. He wasn't nearly as concerned about his godfather was he was Granger. It wouldn't be the first time Severus had declined to show up a meal.

Hermione, however... he'd already searched the library. He'd knocked on the portrait to the Gryffindor tower, a girl with blond hair had told him Hermione wasn't there. He hoped Severus would be able to help him find her. The door opened a crack.

"Draco," Severus muttered sounding annoyed.

"Sir, Granger's missing!" The professor stepped aside and let Draco into the room. Hermione was still asleep in the chair. Draco sighed with relief. He'd been worried Warrington had made good on this threat to kill the girl. He couldn't help but wonder if the relief he felt was only because he'd sworn to protect her, or if it was part of the feelings he was slowly developing for the girl. She looked peaceful at the moment.

"What is she doing here?" he finally asked.

She came to me last night in tears. I cannot speak of anything she told me, as it was spoken in confidence, only we will be seeing the Headmaster this morning once she awakens." Draco crossed the room quickly and slid Hermione's hand into his. She stirred and turned to him.
"Draco? How?"

"You weren't at breakfast. Potter and Weasel didn't seem to know where you were." He left out the part that they hadn't seemed to care. "You weren't in the library." She blinked in shock.

"You came looking for me?"

"Yes, I was worried." Hermione gave him a weak smile. Her eyes slid down to their hands, but she didn't pull hers from his.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Warrington found me last night," she told him, her entire body shaking. "He threatened me, he knew I'd told someone about what happened. No, I don't think he knows it's you, Draco... I'm sure he would have mentioned your name in the threat." Draco paled and held Hermione's hand tighter.

"Did he hurt you? I see the bruise, but did he..." Draco wanted to leave her side, take care of Warrington and his little gang of thugs. He had a pretty good idea who else had been on the train. And he was ashamed that he had at one point had paid handsomely to be on the same team as them.

"No. I got away before he could. I think he wants to kill me. I know Professor Snape says we're going to talk to Dumbledore this morning," she nodded towards Severus who returned the gesture. "But I'm terrified. I mean, Dumbledore must have known about the attack on the train... It's my word against his... Will you come with me Draco?" she asked suddenly, her mocha eyes meeting his steel ones.

"I will go the ends of the Earth for you, Hermione," he whispered. Severus rolled his eyes. Now he was going to have to protect the pair of them...