He had been sitting in at a table in the far corner of the pub when he saw a familiar face enter through the heavy wooden doors. He let his eyes linger on her while he examined her from afar. She was wearing a simple, yet beautiful muggle dress. Her eyes showed a certain type of weariness and her eyelids were drooped in such a way that showed…He couldn't put a finger on it, maybe despair? She had been turning to leave when the bartender called out to her. That bartender knew how to get people to stay in this glum place. He listened intently on what drink she ordered and was surprised to hear such a hard liquor being requested, however when he heard her voice, hardly above a whisper falter, he knew that she wasn't a drinker. Not that he ever had pegged Hermione for a drunk; he was a little surprised that it had taken her this long to seek refuge in inebriation.

He sipped on his mead feeling utterly entranced by her. She was sitting at the bar now speaking with a man that had a reputation for always leaving the bar with a girl. He felt a wave of sickness at the thought of what that man would do if Hermione got drunk enough. At that moment he promised himself that he would intervene if he saw that man, Cly, lead her towards those doors. He found himself sighing; what if that was what she was looking for when she came here tonight?

He felt his heart go out for her, as he got lost in his thoughts. She doesn't deserve to be in a place like this. All alone. She's underage and so very very brave. A fake i.d. and her credibility, she sits at the bar. The gents are gonna try so hard.

Hermione was nearly trembling as she walked towards the bar. How could she get herself in this mess? All eyes were watching ass she journeyed up to a bar stool and perched herself on top. Her eyes glanced around the room, never making eye contact- feeling self conscious enough as it was. The bartender slid her drink and gave her a smile. She was slowly beginning to feel more sure of herself so when that bartender asked her name was, she was able to engage in small talk.

"Hermione. What about you?" she had a feeling that this would be a very long night.

"Me name's Earl. An' what's gota gerl lik' you so upset?" It was a simple question but she didn't know how to answer.

"I just…. I was…. Umm-" She stuttered to give herself more time to think up an answer.

"Come on Earl, don't trouble this beautiful lady" said a man with a dashing smile and a charming demeanor, "Can I buy you a drink miss?"

The newcomer sat in the stool beside her and she felt like maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all. She needed the company and this man seemed to know enough not to make her uncomfortable. Still, there was a nagging feeling and she could almost hear her mother yelling at her for being at a bar, drinking, and accepting a drink from a man she didn't know. Hermione smiled to herself as she thought about her mother's list. Bet you didn't see this coming Mom. She turned to the man.

"I would like that very much." She said with a smile.

They began to talk more and more. He told her about his family and how the war had affected him. During one part of his soliloquy, her heart nearly broke for him and she put out her hand and gave his a little squeeze.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea-"

He flashed her a mournful smile; "You just met me, of course you wouldn't have known. Let's talk about something more cheery. Tell me, what brings such a lovely woman to the Humble Hovel?"

The man in the corner was still watching Hermione. He glared at Cy as he saw him pull his old "I have no family so take pity on me." He knew Cy from one of the many jobs he had had and he knew very well that his family was fine. He couldn't bear to see such a bright young lady fall hook, line, and sinker for such a transparent story. He watched he laugh as Cy made so comment. Part of him wanted Hermione to just be happy and if that meant drooling over a man that was only trouble…but the rational part of his mind knew that in the morning Hermione would dive into a deeper depression. He had been with countless Order members as they tried to convince her that everything was all right, even slipping her some cheering potions. Most of the Order was upset with Ron, but he didn't think that a girl as bright as Hermione would get that strung up about Ron. Maybe it was a combination of everything she had been through.

He watched her carefully as she downed her fifth firewhisky and hated himself for saying nothing. He knew he wasn't all there either for he had certainly had a lot to drink as well, but Hermione was different. She had begun dancing beckoning to Cy for him to join her. He was suddenly filled with hate as he saw Cy's hands exploring her body. When Cy's hands started lifting her dress up, he had enough of it all and started walking towards the two of them.

Hermione didn't know what had come over her, but she had a sudden urge to dance with this man. She saw a jukebox in the corner and picked a song. Even though there wasn't a dance floor and no one had probably ever danced in the dank pub, she motioned for her companion to come over. The two began to dance in a way that would make a stripper blush, but Hermione was too drunk to notice. It was when his hands began to lift the white hem of her dress that she came crashing down to reality. The realization blinded her from noticing that a man was walking nearer with a certain look of crazed determination on his face.

"Why don't you and I get out of this place." Cy whispered in her ear.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Hermione shouted at Cy, taking a step back.

"Come on baby, don't do thi-" Cy had started to say when he was suddenly punched in the jaw.

For Hermione time was going in slow motion. She watched Cy fall and hit his head on a bar stool knocking him out cold and the faint noise of glass breaking as several glasses of butterbeer fell from the bar above him. She turned to see who had done all of that for her and her breath caught.

"Why were…how did…. but" Hermione stammered confused and embarrassed.

"You shouldn't be here, Hermione," said Professor Lupin, "Come on I'll walk you home."