Endurance

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except, of course, the plot and any OC characters in here.

Chapter 6

"She's a what?" Ginny asked her mouth wide open. The group of friends sat in the back of the common room where they'd discussed Tanya the night before.

"A Charmed One," Hermione repeated.

"I heard you the first time it's just that I don't believe it." Hermione rolled her eyes at her young friend.

"Yes, well, Wood and I could scarcely believe it ourselves, but it's the only thing that explains what is happening here. Think about it. Tanya's circle of protection, the Professors' conversation, it all fits! What if Tanya's not just a student? What if she's been sent here to protect us from Voldemort himself?"

"If this is true," Ron said slowly. "What do we do? I mean, how do we handle this?" Hermione shrugged, completely at a loss.

"I think we should approach Tanya when she's better and let her know she doesn't have to hide her identity anymore." Her friends nodded.

"But what do we do about Voldemort?" Harry asked as everyone but Hermione and Ron flinched at the name.

"We'll have to figure that out later, but I think, Harry, that you may be facing Voldemort once more. I think Tanya has something to do with it and I bet she'll be able to help you." Harry said nothing. He still hadn't told anyone of the prophecy and he didn't want to, but he was sure Tanya wasn't in it.

"Professor, no!" Tanya shouted heatedly. Dumbledore had just suggested to her that she leave school and return to America where'd she'd be safer from Voldemort. "I have a job to do and nothing Voldemort does will stop me." Dumbledore looked to her sadly.

"It's too dangerous. He may soon find out your identity and then I don't know what we can do to protect you. I never should have asked for you to come."

"Dumbledore," Tanya said firmly, ignoring the respectful term. "I will not leave. I will not leave these kids in danger."

"You may lose your life!" Dumbledore thundered suddenly. He had tried everything in his power to convince Tanya she was in more danger than Harry Potter himself, because she was between him and Voldemort, and she didn't seem to care. Tanya merely blinked.

"At least I'll save someone else's." Dumbledore rubbed his hands over his forehead.

"I cannot allow you to stay here when you're in such danger."

"I'd rather die than allow any harm to come to my friends. I will not leave them to that madman. I will not desert them, Professor. It is my job, my responsibility, to save others from all the Voldemorts of the world. It's been my job since I was born and I'm not ready to retire." Dumbledore sighed. To think, this sixteen year old witch was ready to lay her life down so that others could live. He'd never met such determination within a child. He smiled inwardly.

'Yes, I have,' he thought.

"Very well," he said. "But no more spells until you get your strength up. Poppy will take care of you."

Hermione stormed down the hallway that afternoon, intent on reaching the library to do more research and to escape Wood. He'd barely left her side since that morning and it was driving Hermione crazy. She needed time to think. She needed time to think about Tanya, about Voldemort, about Harry, and she needed time to think about her relationship with Oliver.

He'd hurt her. He promised her over and over how he'd never hurt her. She should've known it was too good to be true. There was no way a handsome guy like Oliver could stay interested in her for long. She was just a novelty to him. The one girl in school who hadn't fallen into his lap at his beck and call. Well, now she had and now she was over.

She didn't know why he continued to try to speak with her. She'd made it abundantly clear she wanted nothing to do with him or his lies. She'd be civil in front of their friends, but that was it. It just hurt too much.

"Herm-own-ninny!" Hermione froze in her tracks.

'Not now,' she thought with an inward groan. 'I can't deal with him now.' Instead of having her silent prayers answered, Hermione was faced with Viktor Krum.

"Herm-own-ninny," he said again when he reached her. He stared into her face intently. "You don't look so good. Vhat is vrong?"

"Krum," Hermione said tiredly running her hands through her hair in a way that suggested she wanted to pull it out. "I can't talk right now."

"I know zat he hurt you," Krum said softly. Hermione, once again, froze.

"You don't know anything!" she said in a deadly quiet voice that indicated the conversation was over.

"Please," Krum said as Hermione was about to leave. "Give me anuzher chance. I love you, Herm-own-ninny. That boy, Oliver Vood, doesn't deserve you." Krum moved over to Hermione quickly and grabbed her. He pulled her close and kissed her soundly on the mouth, allowing his desire and passion for her to flow through their contact.

Hermione pushed Krum away shakily. She was in shock. Krum had never behaved that way with her before. She backed away before turning to run to the library.

Krum stared after her. Mixed feelings of shock, awe, sadness, and desire flowing through him. He was certain his feelings for Hermione could make her forgive him if he gave her enough time. He loved her. He was certain of it.

Krum turned to leave and saw the subject of his disdain, Oliver Wood, staring at him. It was easy to see that the young man was upset. His face was red, his hands clenched to fists, and his eyes were so narrow they were almost invisible.

"Leave her alone," he said menacingly stepping towards Krum. Krum stood his ground as Wood stopped inches in front of him. If he wasn't sure that Wood wasn't gay, Krum would've thought the boy was moving in to kiss him.

"I love her," he told Wood simply. Wood's face became even redder, if possible.

"I said," he repeated. "Leave her alone!" Oliver raised his fist and Krum blacked out as it connected firmly with his face.