AN: Wow I'm done I'm done!!!! :::does happy dance::::: thank goodness! so read, rejoice, and review! luv to all B.A.A. members and yoda lovers everywhere!

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"My God(s) Ron," Hermione shrieked "Crookshanks stop!" Hermione rushed to the corner of the compartment where Crookshanks had Ron pinned against the wall.

" Back! Back you spawn of Satan!" Ron held up his fists at the cat; who was licking it's lips at the chance of an easy meal.

" Bad Kitty! How many times does Mommy have to tell you to be nice to Ron?" Hermione disciplined while picking the cat up.

'That beast nearly killed me!" Ron yelled holding a hand to his chest.

" Crookshanks is harmless! It's your fault for not realizing you can fly!" Hermione retorted.

" Oh yeh! I can, cant I hmmm..." Ron fluttered his wings on his back as he flew up to where the cat was being held and stuck out his tongue. "Haa! Take that!"

Crookshanks hissed and Ron cowardly retreated on the other side of Hermione peeking his head over her shoulder.

"Oh grow up Ron." Hermione said clearly annoyed.

"Grow up Ron! What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh you know that's not what I meant!"

"I think it was..." Ron sulked landing on a seat, crossing his arms and turning his back to Hermione. "You don't know how hard it is for me; I'm a pixie for Merlin's sake, a dormant pixie at that, I can't even pick up my own wand!"

"That's not true Ron, you can flutter around and look pretty." Harry grinned.

"Look pretty! LOOK PRETTY! Look at me I'm a green freak, slap a jolly red hat on and call me the Grinch! " I at least expected some sympathy from my best friends but obviously that was too much to ask." Ron gave a tragic pose.

" Sympathy!" Hermione spat the word out as if discussed by it's vile taste. "Harry's going to risk his life for you, Ron! How's that for your sympathy?!?" , Hermione shot an angry look at the pixie. Ron's eyes grew as big as poker chips; which was quite an accomplishment for one so small.

"Is it true Harry?"

"Yeh, I guess." Harry shrugged, rubbing his neck not wanting to meet the redhead's eye.

"The curse Malfoy put on you is an Enlightenment Curse. Do you know what that is?" Ron nodded.

" What is the task?" Harry glanced at Hermione so she answered for him.

" Harry has to duel Malfoy.... alone without teachers or Dumbledore around. We're meeting him behind Hagrid's cabin at twelve o'clock tonight." Ron's features suddenly lightened.

" Harry this is great! You can finally get back at Malfoy for all the dumb crap he's pulled on us over the years. When you play by his rules there's nothing else he can do but accept it when you win! Ron began so skip merrily on the seat with a huge grin plastered across his face. "Boy I can't wait till tonight, I'll tell that stupid git off like..."

"Actually", Hermione interjected, " I don't think you should come Ron." Ron froze mid-skip and slowly turned his head toward the girl.

"Wh.....what?" was all his shocked features could get out.

" I mean well you said it yourself you're a dormant pixie and you can't even pick up your wand and think of all the predators that eat pixies at night and....oh don't look at me like that."

" Hermione! I can't believe you just said that of course I'm coming this could possibly be the most important thing that's going to happen this year! I'm not going to let you two go without me. Besides I think you are forgetting, I am the one who's cursed!"

"Of course I didn't forget it.," Hermione closed her eyes, rubbing her temples " It's just Malfoy didn't say you could....."

"Malfoy can shove it for all I care I'm coming and that's the end of it!"

"This sounds familiar," Harry rolled his eyes, " guys stop quarrelling we're not even at Hogwarts yet and your already having a row." Hermione gave a sigh just as the train wheels began to slow and the scraping of brakes could be heard all along the cars. The trio instantly looked up at the Hogwarts platform coming into view. Hermione dropped Crookshanks and pulled her robe out of her bag, Harry doing the same with his.

" Oh no we're already here. " she said hurriedly throwing the crushed-velvet black robe on over her clothes looking at her reflection in the dark window. "I guess this will have to do." she said pulling at the robe.

" Come on Ron jump in here." Harry pulled open the side pocket of his own black robe.

"

Aw do I have to?" Ron whimpered.

"Yes, It's for your own good" Harry gave in a mock Hermione voice.

" Hey!" Hermione made a pouty face. " That wasn't nice."

" HaHa he got you!" Ron grinned. Hermione snorted.

" Do you want me to pick up your robe and wand in the hall?"

"Oh yeh! Good idea I almost forgot about them. Would you please?"

" Of course." Hermione stepped into the hall and crammed Ron's robe into her bag laying the wand on top and zipping the bag back up.

"Hurry up Ron we've got to go." Harry rushed. Ron slowly fluttered into Harry's pocket grumbling the whole way of how degrading it was. Harry closed the flap and patted his pocket. " See it's not so bad, is it? "

" Yeh...yeh.....wait.... Harry! There's a chocolate frog in here! It's humongous! Uh Harry buddy can I..."

"Sure go ahead...."

" Thank you thank you!" Hermione could hear the wrapping being fiercely torn off of the unsuspecting candy, followed by loud crunching."

" He's in heaven now." she giggled.

"Just wait till the feast" Harry replied

" Oh the feast! Hurry guys lets get out of here!" a stuffed-face Ron yelled from the inside of the pocket.

"Okay lets go." Harry said throwing his bag over his shoulder. "You ready?"

"Yeh." came Hermione doing the same and picking up Crookshanks who let out a dull meow. The two Gryffindors stepped out of the compartment, into the hall, and off the train to be met by a large, booming voice echoing over the waves of students.

"First yer's ov'r here, that's right ov'r here. Get in a st'erate line now, good."

"Hagrid!" both friends yelled running in the direction of the large, burly man."

" Hey watch it! Slow down!" Hermione heard a shout from Harry's pocket.

" Oh sorry Ron I forgot."

" Sure you did." came the hurt reply. Harry slowed his pace considerably so that Hermione was the first to reach Hagrid.

" Ello Her'mone. How wazz ye'r sumper? You didunt get unto annie trubble now did you? Hagrid laughed jollily releasing her from the hug.

"Oh it was great Hagrid! I am going to have to tell you all about it when there's more time!" Just then Harry came up walking strangely as if trying to balance on one side.

"Ello Harry! Harry what's wrong?" Hagrid gave a concerned look.

" Hello Hagrid. Oh it's nothing I slipped ....uh coming off of the.....uh train. Harry nodded rubbing his rump to make it look more believable. "So uh how's".....he lowered his voice to almost a whisper...how's Grawp?" Hagrid could tell when the subject was being changed but he none the less let his face switch from concern to sadness.

"Oh poor Grawpy! When Dumbledore found out about em' he shipped em' off to someplace in Switzerland. Wouldn't even listen to no coprmizes. I guess it was best fur du students but I had such high hopes for em'. Hagrid was on the verge of tears.

" Oh Hagrid I'm so sorry I know how much he means to you." Hermione patted the half-giant on the back.

" I went to visit em' over the sumper. At leasts they put em' with a more acceptin bunch he's happier now, I think. Hagrid pulled out a hanky and blew his large nose. What am I doin bein all mopey I should be happy with you three back. Three?" Hagrid furrowed his eyebrows. "Where's the last one? Where's Ron?"

"Oh uh...Ron is uh...Harry stuttered dumbly."

"Ron wasn't feeling well on the train so he went ahead to the infirmary." Hermione interjected, " He said he would just meet us at the feast." Hagrid's mouth formed an "O".

" I see, well I hope he starts feeling better. Oh no I've got to get these furst yer's across the lake, a flinchy group we'ave got this year." Hagrid looked at a nervous first year standing close to him. The first year stopped staring and slowly backed away.

"Aw I don't think we were that bad." ,Harry laughed, " I guess we must be off as well, we will talk to you later."

"Bye Hagrid " Hermione said hugging him again.

" Good-Bye Her'mone, Harry "with that Hagrid began herding the first years toward the lake and Hermione and Harry headed in the direction of the carriages. The two Gyiffindors shoved through the crowd of confused students searching for friends or lost luggage.

" Hermione over here." Harry pointed walking toward ( what he thought ) a familure looking thestral.

"Good it's free" Hermione said opening the door, stepping into the warm carriage. Crookshanks jumped out of her arms and curled up in the far corner. Harry followed her in. The carriage took off as Harry sat across from Hermione and opened his pocket.

" All's clear Ron " Ron poked his head out, his face was completely covered, stained in black chocolate.

" Good I thought I was really starting to get sick. "he flew out and began wiping his hands on the deep red seat.

" Merlin! Ron you've already eaten most of this." Harry said in an amazed tone shifting through the last silvery-brown fragments of what was left of the frog.

" Umm good chocolate! " Ron patted his stomach and burped. "Hey Harry listen to this" Ron began burping the English alphabet.

" Ugh.. please Ron spare me." Harry shifted to get closer to the window. " Hermione what' s wrong?' Hermione was in a trans-like state staring out of the window at the fast moving blurs. " Hermione. Hermione!!" Hermione whirled her head around to the boys.

" What?"

" Nothing I was just wondering what you were doing."

" Oh uh... I was just thinking about something," she turned to Ron. Ron how did you know what the Grinch was?"

"The what?"

" The Grinch remember? you said earlier in your little tantrum, slap a jolly red hat on and call me the Grinch! "

" Oh that," Ron leaned back "Dad is doing this research project to see if there is any real connection between muggle fairy tales ( he did quotation marks with his tiny fingers) and the magical world.

"Oh really?"

"Yeh, turns out there was an entire colony of Grinch living somewhere in mid-evil France." Hermione's eyes widened.

" Are there any still around today?"

Ron rubbed his chin as if in deep thought." I would imagine so but they've probably found a better way to blend in with the muggles."

" Probably so. " she nodded and resumed staring out the window. "OH we're here guys look we're here!" Hermione squealed in delight. Harry twisted around in his seat and Ron flew to the window ledge. Sure enough Hogwarts could be seen coming into view with the brief glimpses of moonlight glittering down upon the grand castle. It was no longer just a school but over the long years it had become a second home to the trio. It was just like they remembered, a place comfort, of friends, a place dripping with old secrets and new adventures waiting to be unraveled. They were all burning this memory of Hogwarts, their home, into their minds to be remembered for many years to come. The carriage wheels came to a swift stop.

" Finally, I thought we would never get here!" Ron's breath fogged up a spot on the glass where he was standing.

" It's good to be back," Harry glanced at Ron " oh Ron hurry up get back in!"

" Oh no not again can't I just..."

" Please Ron just get in you'll only have to do it for a few more hours." Harry opened his pocket flap.

" Fine, fine." Ron flew into the pocket and resumed eating the last bits of the frog. Hermione opened the door and both students stepped out Hermione almost slammed the door shut before she realized.

" Crookshanks come on get out." the cat lifted its furry head lethargically as if wondering if it really wanted to make the long walk across the carriage. In the end Crooskanks slowly got up, took a nice long stretch, and lazily walked to the door taking all its precious time. "Come on we don't have all night." ,the cat ignored her urgent pleas and when it got to the door it took a long look at the ground below and plopped down. "Good okay stay out of trouble." the feline gave an innocent purr and strolled off to investigate the school grounds. Hermione turned to Harry. " Okay lets go!" When the two entered the Great Hall they were taken aback with what they saw. The Great Hall was lined in silver and gold, sparkling jewels were set into the dark oak tables. Thousands of candles swirled above their heads as a meteor shower took place on the ceiling.

" Wow they really went all out this year." Harry stared transfixed at the ceiling.

"Uh-Huh" was all Hermione could get out with her mouth agape. Both began walking over to the Gryffindor table. They spotted Neville and Ginny both waved and began making their way over to their friends.

" Maybe we shouldn't sit with them so they don't ask any suspicious questions about Ron." Harry suggested.

"Good idea." ,Hermione replied. The two swerved and sat between two shocked third -years. Harry waved at the blank faced girl beside him. The girl said nothing and turned around to whisper in her friend's ear.

"Friendly aren't they?" Hermione was about to reply when Dumbledore stood up. The hall imminently erupted in loud applause from all tables. Dumbledore gave a grateful smile and quitted the students.

"I regret to inform you that Miss Umbridge has been released of her High Inquisitor duties this year and has been escorted off school grounds", Dumbledore had a twinkle in his eye. "Therefore you will just have to settle for me as headmaster again." Loud applause erupted over the Great Hall that lasted for several minutes, mixed in were a few obscene phrases about Umbridge. "Alright settle settle" Dumbledore reclaimed peace over the hall, "Now let us look forward to a new year and let the sorting begin." The great wooden doors creaked open followed by a group of terrified first years. None wanted to lead the group all switching back in forth toward the middle as if scared to be seen. McGonagall carried a wooden stool in one hand and an old shabby hat in the other. She sat the stool down in the middle of the hall and placed the hat on top. The large slit in the hat opened as it began to recite its song. Hermione tuned out at this and looked at Harry quizzically.

Harry sat tensely starring across the hall mouthing something under his breath. Hermione followed his field of view till she got to the source of his anger; Malfoy. Malfoy was being his arrogant self; rocking back in his chair with his hands behind his head another cocky smirk across his lips. Malfoy was mouthing something now.

" Ready to lose Potter?"

" Not to you, you stinkin prat. " Harry mouthed back. Malfoy was about to come back if it wasn't for the pug Pansy Parkinson who pulled Malfoy's chair down and started whispering in his ear. Hermione could tell Malfoy didn't like the attention he was getting from this particular Slytherin. Hermione laughed at Malfoy's vain attempts to release himself from the girl's tight grasp but she only took it as a hint to flirt more. Now Harry had lighted up and was enjoying the scene of his enemy's suffering. Once Malfoy was successful in getting the girl off of him the sorting was about over.

" Williams, Ruby! " McGonagall cried out as the last girl stepped up and sat down on the stool. A small pause and the hat announced SLYTHERIN! The Slytherin table applauded and the girl sat down with her fellow first-years relieved it was over with.

Dumbledore stood up. " I would first like to welcome our new students. Next, I would like to remind you that the forest is off limits to everyone." He took a short pause for emphasis, " and that Mr. Filch has informed me that numbers 153-217 have been added to his list of things forbidden on Hogwarts grounds. The list is posted on his office door for all that wish to view it. Last I would like you all to welcome your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Mr. Geoffrey Shields." A short, aging man stood up blushing slightly, waved his hand, and sat down. The hall gave a low applause. " That's is all! Tuck in!" Dumbledore waved his wand and food and drinks appeared before them all.

"Oh it's good to be back." Harry said piling a hefty helping of apple pie onto his plate.

"

I'll agree with that!" came Hermione doing the same. Harry was about half way through a Ginger Newt when he heard Ron.

" Uh Harry pal can you pass me some meat or something I'm really starving down here." Harry took some chicken from the nearest bowl and put it in his pocket. Hermione saw Harry's pocket jerking as the chicken leg was being savagely consumed,

" Umm...Harry that was great now could you pass me some mashed pumpkin sauce?"

"Ugh Ron I'm not going to have you ruining one of my favorite robes for the sake of your stomach. If you want something you can get it yourself."

" Fine then I will!" Ron flew out of the pocket and took cover behind a bowl of carrots.

" Just be careful Ron and don't be seen." Hermione put in concerned.

"I'll be fine don't worry." Ron took off covering behind every other bowl he came to. It reminded Hermione of an old James Bond flic she had seen once as Ron somersaulted from one bowl to the next. Once the pixie was out of ear shot Hermione began.

"Good, Harry I've been meaning to talk to you." Harry stopped devouring the sweet tart in his hand to listen.

"Ron can not come with us tonight....."

"Oh no not again. Haven't we already discussed this?" Harry complained dropping the sweet tart.

" Harry I need you to back me up on this! Ron can not come! You heard him he can't do any magic. What if he got in the way and Malfoy got even madder and attacked him? He would be defenseless!"

"I know Hermione but there's no way we can stop him from coming unless we use force. Even if we did that he would never forgive us!"

" Harry please just hear me out. Ron is a pixie right? Well you and I both know pixie's glow at night! Once we step foot outside of this castle Ron will light up like it was Christmas! Harry he would put us in danger as well as himself with all the predators lurking near the dark forest at night. It is to risky!"

"I know Herm it's just..."

" Please Harry it's for his own good. What if we get out there and you duel Malfoy and it was useless because Ron has gotten himself killed by something else." Hermione was on the verge of panic now. Harry sighed.

"He would never forgive us even if we lifted the curse."

"Please Harry, " Hermione begged. "I would rather have him hate me forever then to never hear his voice again."

Harry nodded. Defeated. " If he asks though it was your idea."

" Of course. Good you just don't let him suspect anything and I'll do the rest." Harry could see a plan formulating in her mind. moments passed.

"Where is he anyway?" Hermione spoke aloud breaking the silence. She looked up and down the table searching for their small friend.

" I don't know. He's probably still grazing. It could still be a while now." Harry resumed eating the Sweet Tart.

" Someone looking for me?" Ron scampered over from a tray of rolls carrying a large buttered waffle over his head,

"Jeez Ron you better stop eating so much or your skirt will bust." Harry laughed. Ron looked highly offended.

"For your information Mr. Potter" He puffed up his small chest " this ( he pointed at the gold cloth) is a manly kilt." Hermione spewed out her pumpkin juice, giggling hysterically.

"What? It is!" Ron stomped a matching golden slipper.

"Whatever Ron this is what we like to call denial." Harry's face was turning red with laughter.

"I'm not in denial," Ron was getting angry " it's a kilt!"

" Okay Ron what ever you say it's a kilt." Hermione said trying to avoid another quarrel.

" Good, I'm glad you see it my way." Ron began munching on the waffle. Harry and Hermione looked at each other confirming that it would be an inside joke that they would dog him about forever.

"Well guys I'm off to my dormitory." Hermione stood up from the table. "I'll meet you at11:30 in your dorm ( she looked at Harry ). I've got to get everything unpacked and categorized. With that she waved and headed for the Gryffindor Tower.

Harry followed behind a few minutes later, Ron in his pocket.

*~*~*~*~*~Three hours later at precisely 11:20 P.M.*~*~*~*~*~.

Hermione peeked into the boys dormitory; Everyone was asleep except for Harry and Ron who were playing Wizards Chess on a trunk in front of the window. But it looked like Harry was playing by himself until she walked closer to the table.

"Checkmate!" Ron yelled.

"Bloody hell Ron that's the fifth time!", Harry yelled angrily " Are you cheating?"

"No mate, I'm just that good." Ron smirked.

"Harry you better stop him now before he goes on another ego trip." Hermione came in trying not to laugh.

Harry grumbled.

"Nice to see you to Hermione." Ron said flying in circles. " Oh Hermione look at this!" Ron flew over to his trunk and pointed proudly to what appeared to be an altoid can with a sock inside.

"Ron, umm, what is it ?" Hermione asked, scratching her head. Ron frowned.

"It's my bed! Isn't it the perfect size?!" Ron began jumping up and down on the blue cotton sock. "Look, Harry let me borrow this al-tooo-oid, all-toeed, um alllto,"

"Altoid!" Harry interjected.

"Yeh what he said and this comfy blue cotton sock, and it smells like peppermint."

"Oh that's great Ron but you do know that you won't be able to use it because you will be back to your normal size by the end of the night." Hermione said in her usual know-it-all tone.

Ron's wings drooped. "Oh yeah."

Harry stood up and went into the trunk pulling out his invisibility cloak. " Well are you two ready to go?" Harry risked a side ways glance at Hermione.

She nodded and turned to Ron who was still jumping lightly on his sock bed. She pulled out her wand.

" Ron I'm sorry please forgive me."

Ron stopped jumping, " Sorry for what Hermione? " But Hermione didn't reply,

"Sonno Profondo" and with a flick of her wand Ron was in a deep sleep.

"Looks like he will be able to use that bed after all." Harry gave a light sigh and tucked Ron into the sock "I hope you did the right thing."

" Me too." Hermione gave a guilty reply. "Come on we better go." Harry nodded.

The two Gryffindors snuck out into the common room and out of the portrait hole. They threw on the invisibility cloak and made their way through the dark corridors of Hogwarts castle. Once outside Harry and Hermione were met by a cool summer breeze. Darkness surrounded them as the moon was covered in thick clouds. They ran across the lawn and didn't stop until they were well hidden behind Hagrid's cabin. Hermione was first to catch her breath.

" Oh no where is he!" Hermione began rubbing the time turner around her neck nerviously.

Harry looked around, " I don't know! Maybe he couldn't get out."

Hermione was frantically searching in every direction. " Oh what if it is a trap! We should have never......"

"Shhhh Hermione I think I see something." Hermione turned and sure enough she saw something move just outside of the dark forest. Harry signaled her to follow him. As they crept closer the figure became clearer till they could make out someone crouching on an old stump staring into the forest. Hermione thought the person looked peaceful until she realized who it was. They took off the invisibility cloak and startled Malfoy. He jumped from stump, pointing his wand at the two. After a few long moments of swearing he was able to regain his composure.

"Well, Potter figured you chickened out!" Malfoy said with a smirk across his face lowering the wand.

"Harry is there any point in seriously dueling him?" Hermione said eyeing Malfoy up and down.

"Scared Granger?"

"Please." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Whatever Malfoy lets just get this over with before we get caught." Harry shivered from the breeze.

"Come on four eyes and mudblood lets go before the big oaf wakes up." Malfoy demanded anxiously.

"Don't you call me mudblood you bloody prat." Hermione glared at the Slytherin.

" Ooh the little mudblood is going to attack what am I going to do?!" Malfoy rudely retorted.

"Shut up Malfoy, or are you trying to stall because you are scared?" Harry said annoyed by both of them.

Malfoy grumbled but said nothing more as he started walking toward the dark forest two Gryffindors trailing behind him. Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to half an hour and still the pace had not lightened. Hermione was starting to get worried. She made sure Malfoy was quite a distance up before she leaned into Harry's ear.

" Harry do you really think we should be going this deep into the dark forest?"

" Hermione there's nothing to worry about you heard Hagrid, Grawp in gone and...."

" It's is not Grawp I am worried about," she gulped hard as the echo of thunder rolled over the forest, " I'm...I'm worried about the centaurs." A few seconds past in silence before Harry replied.

" Hermione I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We both have our wands this time and we'll be out of here in a few minutes. Everything will be fine you'll see." Hermione tried to show confidence but she couldn't shrug off the feeling of worry and suspicion flooding her mind..

Fifteen minutes passed in complete darkness. Hermione was still trying to see her hand in front of her face when she ran into something hard. She jumped back but was caught by Harry before she fell to the forest floor.

" Watch where your going Granger!" Malfoy sneered, " We're here."

Hermione stared out into the open field not but about a hundred feet long and twenty wide. There seemed to be a light charm upon the field so that you could clearly see your opponent but beyond that the dark boundaries of the forest swiftly closed in like a black wall.

" Potter you take the opposite side, Granger I don't care where you go just stay out of the way."

Hermione was really starting to get annoyed but smiled sweetly and walked after Harry imagining a combination of hexes to put on Ferret Boy once this was all over. When they reached the far side of the field Hermione looked up at Harry.

" Okay you remember all your Blocking Shields and your-"

Harry rolled his eyes " Yes I've dueled before, I know what I'm doing you're not my mother-" even as it left his mouth Harry knew he had said something terrible wrong.

" I know im not your mother for God(s) sake im just looking out for my friend! Anger now was creeping into her voice. "The least you could do was be thankful that- "

All this time Malfoy was still on the other side arms folded casually tapping his foot on the ground. "Would you two hurry up with your lovers quarrel so we can get on with it! I need my beauty rest." He brought his fingers through his hair having a complete aura of arrogance.

Hermione stopped abruptly to the sound of Malfoy yelling across the field

"Just be careful" and before Harry could get a word out she turned and retreated to the edge of the field.

Harry muttered something about "Women" and turned to face his long time enemy and went into a combat position. Malfoy doing the same. Moments passed as they stared each other down each waiting the others move.

"Expelleriarmus " Malfoy yelled braking the tension. A green light issued forth from his wand.

" Protego, Stupefy" a blue shield went around Harry as a lavender bolt headed toward Malfoy.

"Protego, Tarantallegra!" the Slytherin yelled.

Harry was too late and his shied failed. His legs began moving wildly as he started doing the Irish jig. Malfoy smirked this was better than his dreams.

"Finate Incantatem." Harry mumbled embarrassed he was caught off guard this early in the game. He recovered. "Pertificus Totalus"

Hermione was watching in the shadows of the field everything was going fine no real harm had come to them maybe thing would be alright. But unfortunately she was wrong as time progressed on the duel began to get more serious. Rain began pouring down but the boys were too stubborn to admit defeat. Harry had been hit twice with boiling water and Malfoy had a huge gash above his right eye that was bleeding nastily from a stray dagger. Hermione bit her bottom lip anxiously this didn't look good for either of them. Curses and shields echoed across the forest mixed with the sound of thunder. All three were drenched. Harry was finding it hard to move with the pain shooting up his arm from the burns. Malfoy was having trouble seeing for all the rain and blood. Hermione was about to have enough. This was ridicules one was in severe pain and the other was bleeding to death. She was about to interrupt the match but was taken aback when a dozen or so figures leapt out from the brush on the opposite side of the field.

"Halt!" yelled an angry voice.

"Oh God(s) not centaurs anything but them." Hermione prayed. But for the second time that night she had no luck. A red centaur galloped toward her grabbing her by the collar of the robe choking her until she was thrown on the ground next to Harry.

" Unhand me you filthy animal" Malfoy's voice could be heard getting closer. "Stupify!" but his spell was in vain as nothing seemed to happen but only get him thrown harder onto the wet grass. The centaurs made a circle around the three.

"Idiot human your pathetic magic has no effect on us you are a disgrace to your species!" the chestnut-brown centaur named Magorian spat. It looked as if he were leading the group.

You two Magorian pointed his bow and Hermione and Harry. " You have trespassed into out forest before. Have you not?" Hermione nodded to afraid to speak.

" We told you to never come back or there would be consequences-"

" Please sir" Harry interupted " We meant no harm only to-"

" Silence! How dare you interrupt me!" There was a short pause as a few of the centaurs pawed the ground angerly. "It appears we have been to lenient on you in the past perhaps you need to be taught a lesson. Bane!" A black centaur stepped into the circle.

" Bane please help me." Harry pleaded.

"Silence human you dare speak my name with your foul lips!" Bane roughly pulled Harry up by the collar dragging him into the woods two other centaurs following behind. Hermione jumped up.

"Harry, No!" She would have run after him it wasen't went for a quick jerk she got as someone grabbed her back and put a cold hand over her mouth.

" Shut up Granger!" Malfoy whispered into her ear. " Do you want them to get even angrier and hurt Potter more? Your a Gryffindor for God(s) sake show some courage." Hermione stopped struggling and he let her go tears streaming down her face. No, no, " she thought " this can't be happening."

" What to do with you two...." Magorian paced back and forth. " Death would be far to easy..... No we need to send a message that we are not to be challenged. Friendly bonds have long past. No we need something better, better......" he eyed them expectanly. "Ahh yes that will do." A huge grin spread across his hairy face. "That will do being petrefied for all eternity... yes that will do just fine." His suggestion was met by approving nods all around the circle. The centaurs began to chant moving in closer.

On this night you trespass,

But you do not deseve to die,

Take this moment your last breath,

As you will soon be petrefied.

Hermione's mind began racing " I never thought it would end like this." She glanced at Draco pale with fright and lack of blood. But yet he still looked determined. He whipped out his wand "

"Protego!" a blue shield went up around himself and Hermione.

Hermione blinked. What does he think he's doing? Surly he doesn't think he can stop them? She looked back up at the centaurs still chanting. "He's right though we shouldn't just give up without a fight." She pulled out her own wand reinforcing the shield. Minutes passed and the chanting became louder. Hermione could feel her energy fading. She looked at Draco he to appeared drained. She grabbed his hand. Palm to palm.

" What are you doing? he gasped between resetting the shield.

" Combining powers." she weakly replied. It worked the shield held but not for long Hermione began to feel dizzy. Blue and black dots were encircling her along with the centuars. Must keep going, must hold on. Horrible pain shot around her neck and into her chest where the time turner held. It felt as if her neck was on fire she gulped for air. But of no use the pain beat harder with the throbbing of heart. The last thing Hermione saw was a thousand gold pieces and her world went black.

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A/N: So what do you think? This took me a long time to write! Just so you know Harry and Hermione were not a couple. Come on review! Love me hate me I don't care just review! Any suggestion on upcoming chapters e-mail me.....after you review! please! ;) love you always Dawn