Disclaimer: I own nothing J.K. Rowling created with her brilliant mind. I only own the plot and characters I have created.

A Hope for Renewed Love

Chapter Nine

Chilly winds of an early December bit at Hermione's nose. The harsh temperature stabbed through her muscles like icicles. The shops of Hogsmeade were bustling with Christmas shoppers. Hermione herself had just found time to be without her friends so she could pick out gifts. Her feet led her down familiar roads to the Quidditch shop. She knew only too well that she could find perfect presents for Harry and Ron at their favorite store.

Hermione browsed the store before deciding on the newest, lightweight seeker gloves for Harry, and the Magical Mind Quaffle for Ron. When Ron said the spell, the quaffle will take tricky shots at him, letting him practice blocking by himself. Hermione had ordered Ginny's present almost a month ago. It was a necklace and earring set of fine gold chains and bright red crystals. Mr. and Mrs. Granger never exactly got Christmas gifts from their daughter. It was too hard for Hermione to find something at Hogsmeade, so she bought her parents muggle presents in the summers, things she knew they needed or wanted.

With her purchase made, Hermione exited the shop and again trudged her way through the fallen blanket of snowflakes. She had to meet her friends at the Three Broomsticks in just over a half hour, and she was across the little town. As picking up her pace wasn't possible, Hermione steadily moved through the village.

While walking, Hermione let her mind wander. She thought about classes and homework she had to finish before break. She thought about Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and how much happier they seemed to be with her lately. She thought about her parents and Mike. She even thought about Kelly, and she somehow missed the long girl talks.

As Hermione's mind drifted over to Draco, she slowed down a bit. He had stopped being civil. The name-calling wasn't back, and neither were the insults, but he only talked to her when necessary, which consisted of classes and prefect meetings. He hardly looked at her, and mostly ignored her presence when they were in the same room.

As hard as it was for her to admit, she kind of missed his protectiveness. She misses that feeling that nothing could harm her because he was near. The only thing Hermione couldn't figure out was why. Why would she miss it this much? It wasn't as if he had completely changed this year. Yes, he was moderately nicer, and felt the need to protect her, but he was still proud, still arrogant, he still teased her, and she would never be anything more than an acquaintance to him. So why was she still wishing that he were around?

Hermione shook her head softly and looked around to see where she was. She could tell that she was half way to the Three Broomsticks. The roads were empty around her, and it alarmed her. She started walking again, only to have the feeling that she was being followed. Looking to her sides, and then over each shoulder, she saw nobody. The feeling didn't leave though.

Stop it, Hermione. You're being ridiculous. Nevertheless, Hermione tried hard to pick up the pace. Her ears picked up every possible noise, and among the wind and slamming of shop doors, the girl thought she could hear her name being said. For Merlin's sake, woman, you're starting to hear things. She turned around once more to make sure no one was behind her. When she turned back around, a tall, tan boy with spiked brown hair stood, looming over her. Terror took over her body, and she could barely whisper his name.

"Darian?"

"Hey, baby. Did you miss me?"

Draco walked in the allies of Hogsmeade. He had been in a considerably bad mood for the past few weeks. He couldn't get the fight with Hermione out of his mind. How could this be happening? How could Hermione have made him feel this miserable? She had no right. He was supposed to make her miserable. And yet, he hadn't. Draco started at this realization. When had he stopped thinking of Hermione as Granger? When exactly had this turned into a twisted sort of caring for the Gryffindor?

Of course, Draco only blamed himself for this situation. He had gotten too involved. And for getting involved, he blamed his father. Draco had grown up watching how his father treated his mother. He had seen his mother cry more times that he could count. Yes, he knew they loved one another, and his father wasn't always making his mother cry, but only too often had his father come home in a bad mood from the Ministry or from a Death Eater meeting and taken frustration out on his mother.

Draco had tried so hard to intervene, to take some of the physical beatings away from his mom. He remembered one night vividly. His father had come home fuming about some information he had gotten from Crabbe (Sr.). His mother had tried to calm father, but he was too angry. Father pushed his mother and she stumbled backwards and fell. They both started yelling and arguing, not knowing their only child could see the whole thing. It was only when Lucius had slapped his mother's rosy cheek that Draco made his appearance.

He had stood in front of his mother, a mere age of nine years, and had told his father that he could not hit Mum anymore. 'Stop hitting Mum! Hit me instead, Father! Just leave Mum alone!' His father, impressed by the show of bravery had simply replied 'I could never hit you my boy. You are my pride and joy. A son is a precious thing, Draco. Remember that when you're older.' And for that night, the fighting was resolved. Draco saw it again after that night, but knew there was nothing that could be done to stop it permanently.

Once Draco hit his adolescent years, seeing his parents fighting was more common than anything. The return of Voldemort had done a number on the relationship of his parents. His father was more agitated and irritable, while his mother tried to hide a few too many bruises on her pale skin. Draco remembered the beginning of his summer after his fourth year at Hogwarts. Voldemort had just come back to power, and his father was once again controlled and powerless. Lucius had put Narcissa in the hospital the second week back home.

It was at that time that Draco had decided he would never hit his wife. And he would never let a man beat any woman he cared for. If Pansy married a git, he would hear from Draco. But Hermione? He had never before cared for her. He supposed the only reason he helped her in the first place, hugged her in her time of need, was because she reminded him so much of his mother. And if he couldn't save his mother, then he sure as hell wanted to save Hermione.

He couldn't stand the thought of another beautiful, brilliant, strong-willed witch falling to pieces and having their life destroyed by some man.

Draco shook his head. He was being crazy. There was nothing more for him to do. She made it clear that she didn't want him around, didn't need him. But oh how wrong she was! She did need him! Did she really think Potter and Weasley could protect her better? They didn't even know what they were protecting her from!

Draco's brow furrowed as he thought. He didn't know what he was protecting her from either really. All he knew was someone named Darian had hurt her. He didn't know how, when, why, or if it was really serious. And Darian wasn't even at Hogwarts. Why should he shield Hermione from someone who wasn't even around?

Draco scoffed at himself, and started to make his way towards the direction of the Three Broomsticks. A nice, warm butterbeer would clear his head for a while. He had barely turned the corner when a scream pierced the cold calm of the streets. Before he could register his actions, Draco was running, his feet carrying him to the cry he knew all too well.

I'm coming Hermione.

Hermione was rooted to the ground. Her body paralyzed with fright, she tried to speak.

"How-how…," she started, at a loss for words. "How did you get here? What do you want with me?"

"I would have thought that was obvious, my dearest," Darian replied, taking her arm. He started trying to pull her towards the back of a shop when she finally moved. Hermione wrenched her arm out of his grasp.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, you bastard." Hermione's face stung painfully. A slap is always worse in cold weather. Darian tried to pull her away again, and this time she fought back. In the midst of their struggle, a voice pierced through the wind.

"Touch her again and you're a dead man!" Hermione turned her head to see Draco running towards her and Darian. Darian cursed under his breath and back-handed Hermione across the face. The force jolted her so much that she fell backwards.

"I'll be seeing you soon, Hermione. You belong to me," Darian whispered before disappearing with a pop. Hermione was still on the ground when Draco reached her. A small trail of blood flowed from the corner of her mouth.

"Are you alright? What else did he do?" Draco's voice was barely controlled as his eyes still searched for injuries.

"Too much," Hermione replied with a sad smile. "I'm okay right now."

"Bollocks. You're going back to the castle." He stood up and held out his hand. Hermione hesitated, but then grabbed his hand so he could pull her up. She was standing before him in a second, smiling at him softly.

"Thank you," she mumbled. Before Draco could say anything in reply, he was roughly shoved down. Hermione's eyes were wide with fear as Darian gave a swift kick to Draco's stomach, knocking the breath from his lungs. Hermione was frozen as Darian turned towards her.

"Did you think I was done with you Hermione? Did you really think I would allow you to be with another man?" Darian gave another swift kick to Draco's stomach, and Draco could barely move without being in pain. Satisfied, Darian moved to Hermione. She stared in horror as he brought out a silver dagger, but Merlin willing, she couldn't move a muscle.

Draco got onto his knees and couldn't believe the sight in front of him. He quickly drew his wand and fired a curse at Darian, who dodged it. Darian drew his own wand and swiftly fired a curse a Draco. By this time, Draco was on his feet again, but still had difficulty breathing. A round of lights and curses started drawing people towards the trio. Draco noticed first, which gave Darian just the time he needed.

"Stupefy!" Darian yelled, causing Draco to fall. He rounded on Hermione, who was looking at Draco with concern. The look in her eyes hit Darian's nerves. He saw people running towards them. Running towards Hermione, he again brought out the dagger. "If I can't have you, Hermione, nobody can," he hissed, moving the dagger across one side of her stomach. Hermione screamed in agony and fell to the ground as Darian disappeared.

Author's Note: I know it's been forever since I updated. I have no good reasons besides my first year of college. I will hopefully finish this story during the summer so it is not dragged out for another year or so. Thank you to anyone still reading this that hasn't given up on me. Thank you for reading this if you just started.

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