A/N: Hey guys! So Sam, my wonderful muse, has made me type up the chapter tonight instead of tomorrow! Everyone should thank her in their reviews -wink- So sorry if this chapter totally sucks, it's basically just a filler. I didn'tconsider ever having a filler in my story, but I guess everyone's gotta have atleast one right? Anyways, I've got the next chapter written out already, and trust me it's longer and more fun filled!

Chapter Twelve

Hermione was having the most amazing dream. She and Draco were in bed, and he was doing incredible things to her body. She let out a moan.

"Hermione?" He asked.

She turned to look at him and it wasn't Draco anymore. It was Harry.

Hermione opened her eyes. She was back in her room, in the bed. Harry, Ginny, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Pomfrey were standing over her, watching in concern.

"Hermione?" Harry asked again. "Is it really you?" He reached out a hand to her, but she jerked back away from his touch. She scrambled to sit up in bed, and away from everyone staring at her.

"Miss Granger, do you remember what happened over the last three months?" Dumbledore asked.

Hermione looked at him blankly, not quite realizing he had asked a question. "Yes." She said slowly. "I was captured by Voldemort and used as target practice." She gestured to her face. "They did this just yesterday. When I - when I escaped."

Ginny had tears in her eyes. "Oh Hermione, that sounds horrible."

Hermione scoffed. "You have no idea."

Dumbledore nodded. "Well I think it best if we just let you rest for now. If you're feeling up to it tomorrow, you may join the rest of school for breakfast."

Hermione nodded and laid back down.

Dumbledore ushered them out of the room. "I think it's time we all got some rest."

Harry and Ginny made their way to Gryffindor Tower. After going through the portrait, they both plopped down on the couch.

"I can't believe she's back." Ginny said, sighing happily.

"Yeah." Harry said absently.

Ginny looked at him, confused. "You don't sound very happy about it Harry."

"I am. It's just, I don't know. She's different somehow. Did you see the way she jumped away from me?" He said sadly.

Ginny gave him a sympathetic look. "Harry, it's going to be awkward for her. She's been gone for three months and Merlin knows what all happened to her!"

Harry nodded. "Maybe you're right Ginny. Something just seems different about her. I guess we'll just wait and see."

"Good. I'm going to bed. I suggest you do the same. Good night Harry." Ginny said, standing up.

"Night Gin." He responded as they made their way upstairs.

As soon as everyone had left her room, Hermione jumped out of bed and searched her room. She finally found the clothes she had been wearing earlier and searched the pockets. Inside one was a small gold mirror with a note attached.

Hermione,

I found this in my dad's old store of magical items. If you just say my name you can talk to me. There was another pair of mirrors, but they're nowhere to be found. They were probably stolen. Anyways, I've got the other mirror. As soon as you're able to, contact me. I miss you.

Draco

Hermione smiled and looked closer at the mirror. It was oval shaped and gold, about the size of her hand. On the back was the Malfoy family crest.

Hermione took the mirror in both hands and whispered "Draco" in it, feeling a little foolish to be talking to a mirror, magical or not. Nothing happened.

"Draco." She said again, a little louder. She tapped on the glass.

"Woman, will you learn some patience?" She heard Draco's voice, and then suddenly his face appeared.

She grinned at him. "Hi." She said.

Draco's expression softened. "Hi. How is everything?"

"Fine." She answered. "I'm still sore of course. It feels weird to be back."

"I can imagine." Draco said. "They haven't seen your arm yet have they?"

"No. I'm not an idiot, I won't show them." She said.

"What if they force you though? You know, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. I'll just pop back over with the portkey and get you." Draco said worriedly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine Draco. It's sweet of you to be concerned though." She said smiling. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I should probably be getting some sleep."

"All right." He answered. "Keep this mirror with you at all times, in case I need to talk to you."

"Okay. Good night." She said, and yawned.

"Night sleepyhead." Draco grinned.

Hermione put down the mirror and got back into bed, feeling better than she had earlier.

She woke up the next morning with the bright sunshine spilling on her face. She groaned and sat up. Walking over to the closet, Hermione grabbed a spare school uniform and put it on, pulling her robes on over it.

She was a little hesitant about facing the whole school today. Hermione reached the Great Hall and paused before heading inside. Immediately a hush fell over everyone when they saw her. Most had believed her to be dead.

Hermione blushed and walked towards where Harry and Ginny were sitting. She sat down and tried to ignore all the staring as she filled her plate up with food.

Finally Hermione sighed in frustration and shot up out of her seat, glaring at everyone. "What are you all looking at?" If you want to know something then ask me, otherwise just shut the hell up!" She yelled.

Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Since when did Hermione yell at people, let alone use language? His eyes drifted to her left arm and began to think. "Was it possible she had gotten it? No, not Hermione. She wouldn't…would she?" Harry shook his head.

"Um, Hermione…" Harry started tentatively.

Hermione grunted at him and continued eating.

"Well, um, when you were being held prisoner…were you forced to get - Well I mean did you ever…um?" Harry couldn't bring himself to say it.

Hermione was doing some quick thinking. Of course she knew what he was asking, but she had to get him off the topic.

Hermione glared at him. "Are you asking if I were raped Harry?" She said, not very subtly, causing a few heads to turn. "Hmm? Is that what you wanted to know?" She glared around the table. "Is that what you're all dying to know? Is it? Poor little Hermione Granger, being raped by the Dark Lord's servants. Well thanks a lot Harry, for making me feel better!" With that, she stormed off, leaving behind some stunned Gryffindors.

"But that's not what I meant." Harry mumbled.

"Perhaps you can come and talk to me in my office Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said as he approached him. "And bring Miss Weasley as well."

Harry nodded and gathered up his book bag to leave, with Ginny following close behind. They followed Dumbledore to his office and inside, where they all sat down.

"Now Mr. Potter, what is your concern with Miss Granger? She didn't seem too pleased when she left this morning." Dumbledore inquired.

"I was trying to ask her something, and she thought I was asking if she, um, got raped." Harry said the last part fast. "But I wasn't asking that sir."

"I see. And what exactly were you asking her?" Dumbledore asked.

"I, um, asked if she got, um, or was forced to get the Dark Mark." Harry stuttered.

"And why would you presume she has it Harry?"

"She's been gone three months sir! If she hadn't been forced to get it, she would've given up by now. Damn it you don't understand!" Harry exploded.

Dumbledore sighed, and looked at Harry over his glasses. "Do you trust her Harry? Has she not been there for you always? Maybe now is the time to put a little of your faith and trust in her."

Harry growled in frustration. "I suppose you're right sir." He said stiffly. "I guess I'll just have to trust her."

"Good." Dumbledore nodded. "Now I believe it is time for the two of you to be getting back to class."

Harry and Ginny stood up and went to their separate classes.

Hermione was like a celebrity. All day people kept coming up to her and talking to her. It felt great! The only thing bringing her down was not being able to be near Draco. She was surprised at how much she missed him.

She would sneak into the bathroom between classes and talk to him. She had almost been caught one time when Ginny came in to find her. She hastily explained that she had been talking to the mirror above the sink, as it had been making fun of her.

Later that afternoon, Hermione was sitting in the common room with her friends. They kept asking what had happened while she was gone, and she would reply that it was too painful to talk about. Truthfully, she just wasn't sure if she could trust herself to speak and not give anything away.

Harry kept watching Hermione. He didn't know what it was, but something didn't seem quite right about her. He wasn't sure what it was, but she didn't seem to be acting like someone who had been a prisoner for three months. And earlier in the Great Hall, she had said "the Dark Lord" instead of Voldemort. He had almost missed it himself…but didn't only his followers call him the Dark Lord? He didn't like what was happening, not one bit. But he was going to try what Dumbledore had suggested and trust her. Even if a small part of him was starting to doubt her loyalties.

Hermione looked at him and grinned, but he only looked away. "Is he onto me?" She thought to herself with a frown on her face.

Later that night, Hermione went to bed, trying to think of ways to keep Harry from getting suspicious. Finally, she gave up and went to sleep.

The next day, on their way to classes, Dumbledore stopped them and said, "Come to my office during lunch. The Order is having a meeting. We're planning an attack."

Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what this meant. She would finally be of use to the Dark Lord. Suddenly, she couldn't wait for classes to be over.