A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

Warning: Mentions of assault and rape.

Hermione trembled as the trio walked towards Dumbledore's office. Draco slowly took her hand in his. She looked over and met his eyes. He gave her a quick smile.

"It's going to be alright, Hermione. You're strong enough to do this," he whispered. Severus rolled his black eyes and wondered if Lucius would at least make his death quick and painless. Somehow he doubted it. The fact he had allowed the younger Malfoy to fall in love with a Muggle-born girl was bad enough. The fact she was Potter's friend was even worse. The trio finally reached the gargoyle. They paused and Severus turned to Hermione.

"Are you positive you want to do this, Miss Granger?" he asked knowing it would be difficult for the girl. She had not stopped trembling since they'd left his chambers.

"Yes, I'm done living in fear. He needs to be stopped before he hurts me or anyone else again," Hermione stated holding Draco's hand tightly. Draco nodded, the determination on his face reflecting Hermione's. Severus wondered if Dumbledore would even do anything. He had to, didn't he?

"Very well then," Severus replied. He turned this attention to the gargoyle. "Fudge flies," he stated. It slid revealing the staircase to the headmaster's office.

"Severus, what a surprise. I wasn't expecting you until much later. Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy."

"Good morning, Headmaster," Hermione and Draco chorused.

"Sir, we're were about an incident that occurred between Miss Granger and one of my Slytherins, Mister Warrington."

"Surely you've already taken care of the matter?"

"No, sir. I have not, as it is something more seriously than merely insulting the witch. Miss Granger, sit before you faint," Severus ordered pointing to a chair. Hermione nodded sinking into it. Draco did not release her hand.

"Oh?"

"Headmaster, Warrington attacked me on the train on the way to school this year, and yesterday... yesterday he grabbed me in the hallway and attacked me. He threatened to kill me," she whispered.

"And is there anyone who can prove these statements?" Professor Dumbledore asked. Hermione stared at him in disbelief.

"No, I was alone, on my way back from the library... He grabbed me, pulled me into an empty class room. He threatened me! He assaulted me on the train, ripped my stockings... tried to..." Hermione's voice cracked as she started rocking back and forth violently. Severus put a hand on her shoulder to steady her. He felt her tense.

"And you never reported this incident because?"

"Sir, Mister Warrington threatened to kill her if she said anything. She was terrified of him and obviously correctly so. Mister Malfoy was there on the train when she escaped. He alerted me something had happened. I urged Miss Granger to speak to her own head of house."

"And did you?" Professor Dumbledore asked Hermione. She nodded slightly.

"She said she'd look into it... but nothing... ever came of it. It's my word against his, against Warrington's. I assaulted me, he tried to rape me," Hermione's voice rose slightly. Even from where he was standing behind her, Severus could feel her anger.

"No one has any proof?"

"What my words aren't proof enough? Professor Snape believes me!"

"I never said I didn't believe you, Miss Granger, but we do need to tread carefully. Mister Warrington's family is on the board, same as Mister Malfoy's. If I expel him without any actually proof, nothing good will come of that either."

"Read my mind, take my memories out and look at them, dose the fucking bastarded with vertiserum! Just do something," Hermione nearly screamed, tears streaming down her face.

"It is illegal to do any of those things to a child," Professor Dumbledore said passively. Hermione stared at him for a moment. Her eyes wide in shock.

"You can't do anything?"

"I can investigate your accusations, Miss Granger. And I will do so, but it will take time."

"Fine, you have it, I'm leaving now," Hermione said standing. She turned and started storming out of the office.

"Miss Granger, not a word of this, you understand?"

"No, I will not stay silent, you idiot! I was assaulted, I was threatened. He would have killed me, raped me, worse, if I hadn't fought back and escaped. Since you won't help me, I'll find someone who can," she stated pushing past Severus. Draco glared at Dumbledore before following her.

"Severus, please, maybe you can talk some sense into the girl?"

"Yes, of course, sir. I will speak to her immediately," he stated nodding at Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore smiled slightly as Severus swooped from the room, not realizing he'd just lost the trust of his one and only spy.