A/N – So I was rereading the last chapter and it kind of gave me chills…hopefully this chapter is a bit lighter. I think it will be anyways. We'll see. My chapters have a habit of creating a life of their own sometimes. I disclaim characters, etc. Please be kind and rewind…err…review.

Atrum Laus

Chapter 4: The Return to Hogwarts

Whatever the meeting with Voldemort was about kept Draco away from Malfoy Manor. Hermione was relieved. She only saw him two to three times a week. And usually only for dinner. They would fight by the time they got to dessert and end up passionately making out in his bedroom before she realized she hated him and she would anger him again to make him stop. Other than that, she was free to roam the manor. She spent most of the time in Draco's huge library.

That is where he found her the day before they were to return to Hogwarts.

"Granger," he grunted to get her attention.

She didn't respond.

He tore the book out of her hands.

"You will acknowledge me, mudblood," he growled.

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. She was tired of his games.

He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and kissed her hotly.

She smirked, "it's not even after dinner."

"You're right," he released her. "You'll wear the green and silver formal tonight," he said simply and left.

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued to read her book. One more night of this madness…

Dinner was quiet. Too quiet. Hermione almost felt like throwing wine on Draco again just to break the silence.

"Going to miss me?" Hermione smirked again. It was a bad habit she had picked up.

"Hardly," he said simply without looking up. Something was bothering him.

"Something the matter?"

"No," he simply replied. What was with him?

"Good, because I really don't care," Hermione replied.

"You should," he said finally looking up.

Hermione didn't say anything. The butler was removing their plates. Draco stopped him.

"Bring out the best red wine we have," Draco ordered.

"We already have…" Hermione started.

"Don't question my orders, Granger!" Draco smirked, "It's to celebrate."

"What are we celebrating?"

"Voldemort's new plan," Draco explained.

"Then I'll pass," Hermione said and started to rise from her seat just as the butler was pouring two glasses of wine.

"Sit," Draco ordered.

Hermione almost did as she was told. Almost. It was her last night. What could he possibly do? She stood completely and started for the door.

Draco practically pounced on her and corned her against the wall.

"You weren't dismissed," he growled.

"Neither were you," she replied sarcastically.

"I don't need permission to leave my own table. You on the other hand, do," he explained, "I thought by now you would have learned her manners."

Hermione smiled but did not respond. She reached for a wine glass on the table and splashed it on Draco just like she did the first night she was in the manor.

Draco glared evilly for a moment.

"Out!" he shouted at the Butler. Who scampered away and shut the doors behind him.

Draco stared at Hermione and then knocked her to the ground with him on top of her.

"That was a very unwise move," he snarled.

"You're just angry because it's happened to you twice now. Don't worry, it'll happen even more times," Hermione replied without fear.

He began kissing her. But this time instead of just passion there was anger. He never kissed her when he was angry. The kiss hurt. It was powerful and it felt like it was bruising her mouth.

She couldn't breath. She pushed her hands against his chest trying to get him off. He didn't move. He knew what he was doing. Finally, right before she passed out he released the kiss and stood up.

"Return to your room. We'll be leaving to Hogwarts tomorrow."

Hermione laid of the floor a few more moments catching her breath. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would be free.

The next morning couldn't come soon enough. Hermione hardly slept. She waited by her door, which was, as custom, locked. Finally she heard the key turn in the handle and the door open. Hermione's eyes widened as she saw Professor Snape stand before her.

"Hurry Miss Granger, or the carriage will leave without us."

They were going to Hogwarts by carriage?

Hermione rushed into the carriage which was void of Draco. Snape entered and took the seat in front of her. Then the carriage started moving. Hermione looked around.

"He's attending to business before the leaves," Snape answered for her.

The carriage went through countless acres of forest before arriving at a small town. They entered a pub and went into a private room. Once in there Snape led her to a fireplace.

"Miss Granger, I hope you can find your way from here. Master Malfoy wanted me to remind you that your silence above your past weeks' experiences will be rewarded with the safety of Miss Ginny Weasley," Snape explained.

Hermione nodded and grabbed some floo powder. She just wanted to get away from all this madness.

Hermione landed in the dungeons of Hogwarts. It was Snape's office. She quickly made her way to the Great Hall and instantly found Harry and Ron.

"Hermione!" Harry ran to her.

"Hermione, where you've been? We've been worried sick," Ron joined Harry.

Hermione smiled sheepishly, "sorry guys, I…" Hermione gulped. She was about to lie to her two best friends, "I went on vacation for the last few weeks. I didn't have the opportunity to owl either of you."

The boys nodded. They were skeptical, but they believed her.

"Hurry, let's get seats. The sorting is about to start," Ron said leading them to the Gryffindor table.

The sorting was quick. And soon enough dinner started. Hermione laughed as Ron started gobbling food like he hadn't eaten in months.

"It's good to see you again, Hermione," Harry started.

"Thanks Harry, you too," Hermione replied.

"You won't believe how much I've missed you," Harry laughed.

"You too, Harry," Hermione smiled.

Dinner ended and the students of Hogwarts started making their way to their dormitories. Harry and Hermione were one of the last ones in the common room.

"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Harry replied looking down at his feet.

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah?"

"You ok?"

"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," he replied looking up again.

"Relax! We don't even have homework yet!" Hermione laughed.

"Yeah, you're right," Harry smiled.

They were standing very close now. Harry felt so warm compared to Draco's coldness. Hermione felt like crying. So much had happened. She just wanted to break down in Harry's arms. They were hugging now. A good night hug.

"Harry!" they heard Ron's voice. They broke up quickly.

"Yeah Ron?" Harry answered.

"Something's wrong with Ginny!" Ron called out as he was leading Ginny down the stairs. She was crying.

"What's wrong Gin?" Harry asked, full of concern.

They couldn't get out much from her. Something about Dean. Foolishness. And thinking about being love.

Hermione and Ron left Harry and Ginny in the common room. Harry seemed to be the only one who could make any sense of what she was saying. Hermione watched from the top of the stairs as he was rubbing her arms and trying to sooth her.

"I hope she'll be alright," Ron said.

"Harry will take care of her," Hermione said. And she really believed it. She saw how Harry's eyes were full of worry. He would protect her.

"Goodnight Hermione," Ron said before going to the boy's dormitory.

"Goodnight," Hermione responded.

The other Gryffindor girls were still awake when Hermione entered the dormitory. Parvati and Lavendar ran up to her.

"Hermione did you hear?" Lavendar asked her.

"What?"

"About Ginny!" Parvati exclained.

"What about her?"

"Dean broke up with her," Lavendar explained.

"They were going out?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, a couple of weeks ago. Apparently Ginny wasn't giving him what he wanted, if you know what I mean. So he started cheating on her with some girl in Hufflepuff. Ginny found them today. She's heartbroken," Lavendar explained.

"It's such a shame. She only went out with him to get Harry's attention," Parvati added.

"Yes, but it worked didn't it? Everyone knows Harry actually pays attention to her now," Lavendar responded.

"How do you two know all this?" Hermione asked.

The girls shrugged and responded, "Magic"

Hermione laughed and then told them, "Well Harry's out with her now. So I think she'll be ok. We should get to bed. Early day tomorrow."

Did Harry really like Ginny…. Was Hermione's thoughts as she drifted off to sleep.

A/N – see I told you that chapter would be more calm! And less dark. Kind of! Preview of next chapter: Couples form… Things seem to be going right…seem to be is the key idea!

Thank you to Ash, Angelxd14, and quitarzac.

Please review!