When Hermione had showed up at Malfoy Manor, cheeks tear stained and hair dishevelled, Draco had immediately called his mother for help. The older witch and the blond young man had held the brunette between them as she cried her heart out. Her sobs only stopped when she finally cried herself to sleep. Narcissa had looked at her son and motioned for him to pick up Hermione and followed his mother up to the room that would be his best friend's.

That night had been a week ago. Hermione had woken up screaming every night, even though Rolanda had stayed with her. After explaining everything to Narcissa about their relationship and the reasons they slept together, the older witch had nodded and told the flying instructor that she was welcome at anytime. Tonight though, Rolanda had to stay at Hogwarts for the first time since graduation. It was the first night that Hermione would spend alone, and she was terrified.

At the same time though, she was excited. Severus was coming for dinner and she couldn't contain it. She squealed loudly. He was expected any minute and Hermione was sitting on the couch by the fireplace waiting impatiently.

When the fire blazed green and the potions master stepped through, wiping soot from his clothes, Hermione leapt up and into his arms. "I missed you!"

Severus chuckled wrapping both arms around his young friend. "I missed you, too. I was rather surprised to get Draco's letter saying that you had moved in with the Malfoys. Why didn't I hear that news from you?"

"I have had a rough few days. I went and saw Minerva last week and it wasn't good. I am really glad you are here, though. It is great to see you." Hermione said tightening her arms around the older man.

"Mia, let the poor man breathe. I think you are cutting off his air supply. He is turning blue. Mia!" Draco was laughing from the open door of the library.

"Is Ginny coming with you?" Hermione suddenly asked.

"She will be along shortly. She had some last minute things to gather for an experiment that we are conducting." Severus gestured for them to leave the library and head into the dining hall.

Dinner was a comfortable affair, with Lucius at a dinner meeting and everyone surrounding Hermione making her laugh. She hadn't felt this at ease since leaving the castle after graduation and she temporarily forgot her fear of being alone that night.

-O-O-

Everyone left for the evening after several drinks and a very tipsy Ginny Weasley hanging on to Severus like a lifeline. Hermione chuckled at her friends antics and waved them farewell at the fireplace before they vanished out of sight. She sat down with a sigh. Narcissa had welcomed her with open arms and had very quickly become someone that Hermione held dear, and Draco would always be her best friend she was sure, they had a wonderful time that night, but Ginny informing her that Harry and Ron had found out about where she was staying worried her. She knew that the two blithering idiots would try something, though she wasn't sure what.

She slowly made her way up to her room, dread overcoming her. Tonight was going to be a horrible night without anyone to wake her, or hold her when the nightmare came. She knew that Ro didn't want to be away from her, but she also knew that the older witch didn't have a choice. She knew that her job was incredibly important to her and Hermione would not deny her doing what she had to do.

So, she readied herself for bed and slid under the covers, her fingers curling in the blanket that Ro had purchased for her, and laying her head on Rolanda's pillow, hoping that the other witch's scent would be enough. Just for tonight. Just tonight. She chanted in her head, until sleep pulled her into the black abyss that always seemed to be waiting for her.

-O-O-

Screams woke Narcissa and Lucius in the middle of the night. Both leapt from their bed and ran in the direction that the haunting terrified noise was coming from, meeting their son on the way. The witch threw open the door to Hermione's room and searched with wild eyes for any signs of an intruder, wand drawn, ready to hex whoever was there into oblivion. But there was no one.

Understanding dawned on her face when Draco pushed around her and his father and ran across the room. Rolanda had duty tonight. There was no one there to wake her before her nightmares got too bad. Flying across the room in a flurry of nightgown and blonde hair. She pulled Draco from Hermione's bed, where he was fighting her arms to try and wake her, and sat down herself. She sat at the head of the bed and pulled the screaming young woman into her arms, and held the flailing limbs tight against the shaking body. She whispered comforting words to her, shaking her gently and trying her hardest not to cry.

When Hermione came to with a startled gasp and struggled to get free Narcissa simply tightened her arms. "It's alright, sweetheart. It's ok. Your are safe. I promise you." She held onto the girl until her shaking eased. Narcissa expected tears when the brunette calmed down, but none came. Hermione simply turned in her arms and hugged the older witch.

"I'm sorry I woke you." She whispered. "I'll put up silencing charms in the morning."

"You will do no such thing." Narcissa whispered back. "If you need us Hermione, we are here for you. All of us."

"Thank you for waking me, and hugging me." She said.

"You are more than welcome, sweetheart." Narcissa glanced up at her son and husband who stood in the doorway. She opened her arm for Draco and her sprinted across the room to join his mother and surrogate sister on the bed. Lucius merely shook his head. He knew Hermione wasn't ready for him to join in hugging the girl and he wouldn't push her. She would come to him when she was ready. Narcissa recognized that and nodded when her husband left the room.

"I love you, mum." Draco whispered. "You too, Mia."

"I love you too, Draco." They both whispered back.

A/N - Holy cow! I have been on a roll tonight apparently. But alas! All good things must come to an end. It is one in the morning and I have doctor's appointments to go to in 9 hours. So, I say good night! Enjoy the chapter! And as always Read and Review!